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Upstroke Time as a Novel Predictor of Mortality in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10060422. [PMID: 32575766 PMCID: PMC7345458 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10060422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Upstroke time (UT), measured from the foot-to-peak peripheral pulse wave, is a merged parameter used to assess arterial stiffness and target vascular injuries. In this study, we aimed to investigate UT for the prediction of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This longitudinal study enrolled 472 patients with CKD. Blood pressure, brachial pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and UT were automatically measured by a Colin VP-1000 instrument. During a median follow-up of 91 months, 73 cardiovascular and 183 all-cause mortality instances were recorded. Multivariable Cox analyses indicated that UT was significantly associated with cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.010, p = 0.007) and all-cause mortality (HR = 1.009, p < 0.001). The addition of UT into the clinical models including traditional risk factors and baPWV further increased the value in predicting cardiovascular and all-cause mortality (both p < 0.001). In the Kaplan–Meier analyses, UT ≥ 180 ms could predict cardiovascular and all-cause mortality (both log-rank p < 0.001). Our study found that UT was a useful parameter in predicting cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in CKD patients. Additional consideration of the UT might provide an extra benefit in predicting cardiovascular and all-cause mortality beyond the traditional risk factors and baPWV.
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Chang CT, Lee WH, Hsu PC, Chen YC, Lee MK, Tsai WC, Chu CY, Lee CS, Lin TH, Voon WC, Su HM. Association of 4-limb systolic blood pressure heterogeneity with peripheral artery disease and left ventricular mass index. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e18598. [PMID: 32011439 PMCID: PMC7220312 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000018598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A large interarm and interleg systolic blood pressure (SBP) difference and ankle-brachial index (ABI) <0.9 were associated with peripheral artery disease and left ventricular hypertrophy. These 3 parameters were derived from 4-limb SBP data. However, there is no study to assess clinical significance of SBP heterogeneity in 4 limbs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of 4-limb SBP standard deviation (SD) with peripheral vascular parameters and echocardiographic data in patients with or without clinical findings of peripheral artery disease.A total of 1240 patients were included, of whom 1020 had no clinical evidence of overt peripheral artery disease. The 4-limb blood pressures, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, and ABI were measured simultaneously by an ABI-form device.In the multivariable linear regression analysis, increased left ventricular mass index (LVMI), ABI < 0.9, interarm SBP difference >10 mm Hg, and interleg SBP difference >15 mm Hg (P ≤ .030) were associated with increased 4-limb SBP SD. Additionally, a subgroup multivariable linear regression analysis in 1020 patients without ABI < 0.9, interarm SBP difference >10 mm Hg, and interleg SBP difference >15 mm Hg found 4-limb SBP SD still had a positive correlation with LVMI (P < .001).In addition to significant association with ABI < 0.9, interarm SBP difference >10 mm Hg, and interleg SBP difference >15 mm Hg, 4-limb SBP SD was positively correlated with LVMI in the multivariable linear regression analysis in all study patients. Furthermore, in the subgroup of patients without clinical evidence of peripheral artery disease, 4-limb SBP SD still had a positive correlation with LVMI. Hence, assessment of 4-limb SBP heterogeneity is useful in identification of high-risk group of peripheral artery disease and/or increased LVMI, irrespective of the presence of overt peripheral artery disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Tang Chang
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital
| | - Wen-Hsien Lee
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine
| | - Po-Chao Hsu
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chih Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital
| | - Meng-Kuang Lee
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chung Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yuan Chu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chee-Siong Lee
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Hsien Lin
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chol Voon
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ho-Ming Su
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine
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Sonoda H, Nakamura K, Tamakoshi A. Ankle-Brachial Index is a Predictor of Future Incident Chronic Kidney Disease in a General Japanese Population. J Atheroscler Thromb 2019; 26:1054-1061. [PMID: 31061261 PMCID: PMC6927805 DOI: 10.5551/jat.47779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The ankle-brachial index (ABI) can be a prognostic marker for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Western populations. Since there is little relevant evidence for Asian populations, we investigated the relationship between ABI and the risk of incident CKD in a general Japanese population. METHODS The cohort included 5,072 participants aged 30-79 without a history of renal disease or cerebro-cardiovascular disease. Incident CKD, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 (mL/min/1.73 m2) and/or proteinuria (≥ 1+ on urine dipstick), was compared among participants grouped according to baseline ABI: 0.90-0.99, 1.00-1.09, 1.10-1.19, 1.20-1.29, and 1.30-1.39. Hazard ratios for incident CKD were estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model, with the ABI 1.10-1.19 group serving as the reference. RESULTS The CKD incidence rate (/100 person-years) was 1.80 during the mean follow-up period of 5.1 years. The CKD incidence rate was 3.04 in the ABI category 0.90-0.99, 1.58 in ABI 1.00-1.09, 1.72 in ABI 1.10-1.19, 2.01 in ABI 1.20-1.29, and 3.33 in ABI 1.30-1.39. The hazard ratios for developing CKD were 2.14 (95% confidence interval 1.16-3.92) in ABI 0.90-0.99, 1.08 (0.83-1.41) in ABI 1.00-1.09, 1.03 (0.83-1.29) in ABI 1.20-1.29, and 1.37 (0.77-2.47) in ABI 1.30-1.39, after adjusting for age, sex, systolic blood pressure, diabetes, and other confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS In a general Japanese population, an ABI of 0.90-0.99 was associated with an increased risk of incident CKD, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Sonoda
- Department of Public Health, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
- Keijinkai Maruyama Clinic, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Koshi Nakamura
- Department of Public Health, Hokkaido University Faculty of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Akiko Tamakoshi
- Department of Public Health, Hokkaido University Faculty of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
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Yu S, Lu Y, Xiong J, Teliewubai J, Chi C, Ji H, Zhou Y, Fan X, Zhang J, Blacher J, Li J, Zhang Y, Xu Y. Comparison of ankle-brachial index and upstroke time in association with target organ damage: the Northern Shanghai Study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 12:703-713. [PMID: 30056134 DOI: 10.1016/j.jash.2018.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
A recent study indicated that upstroke time per cardiac cycle (UTCC) in lower extremities is equivalent to ankle-brachial index (ABI) in diagnosing peripheral arterial disease and in predicting cardiovascular mortality. In this study, we aimed to compare ABI and UTCC in relation to target organ damage. A cohort of 1841 elderly participants from the Northern Shanghai Study was studied. ABI and UTCC were measured using VP-1000 device. Target organ damage including left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction, carotid intima-media thickness and plaque, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (CF-PWV), and renal damage, were evaluated by standardized methods. In correlation analysis, ABI and UTCC both significantly correlated with CF-PWV, carotid plaque, and estimated glomerular filtration rate, but not with cardiac damage. Compared with ABI, UTCC showed stronger correlation with CF-PWV. When ABI and UTCC separately put into fully adjusted multivariate logistic regression models, both ABI (OR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.63-3.17) and UTCC (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.18-2.24) significantly associated with carotid plaque, but only UTCC significantly associated with increased CF-PWV (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.15-2.42) and renal damage (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.07-2.47). When ABI and UTCC both put into multivariate stepwise logistic regression models together with covariates, consistent results were observed. In ROC curve analysis, after adjusted for cofounding factors, UTCC showed slightly greater area under curve than ABI in detecting increased CF-PWV (area under curve: 0.79 vs. 0.78; P = .008); however, no difference was observed between UTCC and ABI in discriminating renal damage and carotid plaque. In conclusion, compared with ABI, UTCC showed significantly stronger association with vascular and renal damage in this elderly Chinese cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikai Yu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuyan Lu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Xiong
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiadela Teliewubai
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Chi
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongwei Ji
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiwu Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ximin Fan
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jacques Blacher
- Paris Descartes University, AP-HP, Diagnosis and Therapeutic Center, Hôtel-Dieu, Paris, France
| | - Jue Li
- The Research Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yawei Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Abnormal ankle-brachial index and risk of cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease: a meta-analysis. J Nephrol 2017; 30:493-501. [DOI: 10.1007/s40620-017-0376-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Chen SC, Lee MY, Huang JC, Shih MCP, Chang JM, Chen HC. Association of Ankle-Brachial Index and Aortic Arch Calcification with Overall and Cardiovascular Mortality in Hemodialysis. Sci Rep 2016; 6:33164. [PMID: 27608939 PMCID: PMC5016837 DOI: 10.1038/srep33164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Peripheral artery occlusive disease and vascular calcification are highly prevalent in hemodialysis (HD) patients, however the association of the combination of ankle-brachial index (ABI) and aortic arch calcification (AoAC) with clinical outcomes in patients undergoing HD is unknown. In this study, we investigated whether the combination of ABI and AoAC is independently associated with overall and cardiovascular mortality in HD patients. The median follow-up period was 5.7 years. Calcification of the aortic arch was assessed by chest X-ray. Forty-seven patients died including 24 due to cardiovascular causes during the follow-up period. The study patients were stratified into four groups according to an ABI < 0.95 or ≥0.95 and an AoAC score of >4 or ≤4 according to receiver operating characteristic curve. Those with an ABI < 0.95 and AoAC > 4 (vs. ABI ≥ 0.95 and AoAC score ≤ 4) were associated with overall (hazard ratio [HR], 4.913; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.932 to 12.497; p = 0.001) and cardiovascular (HR, 3.531; 95% CI, 1.070 to 11.652; p = 0.038) mortality in multivariable analysis. The combination of a low ABI and increased AoAC was associated with increased overall and cardiovascular mortality in patients undergoing HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szu-Chia Chen
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Yueh Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Chi Huang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chen Paul Shih
- Department of Medical Imaging, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Imaging, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Taiwan
| | - Jer-Ming Chang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chun Chen
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Chen SC, Lee WH, Hsu PC, Huang JC, Lee CS, Lin TH, Voon WC, Lai WT, Sheu SH, Su HM. Association of body mass index and left ventricular mass index with abnormally low and high ankle-brachial indices in chronic kidney disease. Hypertens Res 2015; 39:166-70. [DOI: 10.1038/hr.2015.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Revised: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Su HM, Lin TH, Hsu PC, Lee WH, Chu CY, Chen SC, Lee CS, Voon WC, Lai WT, Sheu SH. Association of interankle systolic blood pressure difference with peripheral vascular disease and left ventricular mass index. Am J Hypertens 2014; 27:32-7. [PMID: 23966444 DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpt154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An interankle systolic blood pressure (SBP) difference has been associated with overall and cardiovascular mortality. We investigated whether an association existed between this difference and ankle-brachial index (ABI), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and echocardiographic parameters. METHODS A total of 1,059 patients referred for echocardiographic examination were included in the study. The 4 limb blood pressures were measured simultaneously using an ABI-form device. RESULTS We performed multivariate forward analysis to determine the factors associated with an interankle SBP difference ≥ 15mm Hg. An ABI < 0.9 (P < 0.001), high baPWV (P < 0.001), and increased left ventricular mass index (LVMI; P = 0.004) were associated with an interankle SBP difference ≥ 15mm Hg. Also, the addition of an interankle SBP difference ≥ 15mm Hg to a model of clinical features could significantly improve the value in predicting ABI < 0.9 (P < 0.001) and increased LVMI (P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated that ABI < 0.9, high baPWV, and increased LVMI were independently associated with an interankle SBP difference ≥ 15mm Hg. Also, an interankle SBP difference ≥ 15mm Hg could offer an extra benefit in identifying patients with ABI < 0.9 and increased LVMI beyond conventional clinical features. Hence, calculation of interankle SBP difference may provide additional information for identifying patients with peripheral vascular disease and increased LVMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho-Ming Su
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Su HM, Lin TH, Hsu PC, Lee CS, Lee WH, Chen SC, Voon WC, Lai WT, Sheu SH. Association of chronic kidney disease and peripheral artery disease with inappropriate left ventricular mass. PLoS One 2012; 7:e48422. [PMID: 23119010 PMCID: PMC3485213 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2012] [Accepted: 09/25/2012] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Inappropriate left ventricular mass index (LVM) may develop as a response to particular hemodynamic and metabolic alterations. Inappropriate LVM and peripheral artery disease (PAD) characterized by abnormally low or high ankle-brachial index (ABI) are common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, in whom there may be a close and cause-effect relationship. The aim of this study is to assess whether CKD and abnormal ABI has an independent and additive association with inappropriate LVM. A total of 1110 patients were included in the study. Inappropriate LVM was defined as observed LVM more than 28% of the predicted value. The ABI was measured using an ABI-form device. PAD was defined as ABI <0.9 or >1.3 in either leg. Multivariate analysis showed that patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <45 ml/min/1.73 m2 (odds ratio [OR], 1.644; P = 0.011) and PAD (OR, 2.082; P = 0.002) were independently associated with inappropriate LVM. The interaction between eGFR <45 ml/min/1.73 m2 and PAD on inappropriate LVM was statistically significant (P = 0.044). Besides, eGFR<45 ml/min/1.73 m2 (change in observed/predicted LVM, 19.949; P<0.001) and PAD (change in observed/predicted LVM, 11.818; P = 0.003) were also significantly associated with observed/predicted LVM. Our findings show that eGFR <45 ml/min/1.73 m2 and PAD are independently and additively associated with inappropriate LVM and observed/predicted LVM. Assessments of eGFR and ABI may be useful in identifying patients with inappropriate LVM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho-Ming Su
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Hsien Lin
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Po-Chao Hsu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chee-Siong Lee
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Hsien Lee
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Szu-Chia Chen
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
| | - Wen-Chol Voon
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Ter Lai
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Hsiung Sheu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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