Lipoprotein(a) is associated with recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease and prediabetes or diabetes

PURPOSE

Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and diabetes mellitus (DM) are both associated with adverse events in high-risk patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD). Currently, the association between Lp(a) levels and recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events (CVEs) remained undetermined in patients with different glucose status. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of Lp(a) levels for recurrent CVEs in high-risk CAD patients who suffered from first CVEs according to different glycemic metabolism.

METHODS

We recruited 5257 consecutive patients with prior CVEs and followed up for recurrent CVEs, including CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and non-fatal stroke. Patients were assigned to low, medium, and high groups according to Lp(a) levels and further stratified by glucose status.

RESULTS

During a median 37-month follow-up, 225 (4.28%) recurrent CVEs occurred. High Lp(a) was independently associated with recurrent CVEs [adjusted Hazard Ratio (HR), 1.57; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-2.19; P = 0.008]. When participants were classified according to Lp(a) levels and glycemic status, high Lp(a) levels were associated with an increased risk of recurrent CVEs in pre-DM (adjusted HR, 2.96; 95% CI 1.24-7.05; P = 0.014). Meanwhile, medium and high Lp(a) levels were both associated with an increased risk for recurrent CVEs in DM (adjusted HR, 3.09; 95% CI 1.30-7.34; P = 0.010 and adjusted HR, 3.13, 95% CI 1.30-7.53; P = 0.011, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that elevated Lp(a) levels were associated with an increased recurrent CVE risk in patients with CAD, particularly among those with pre-DM and DM, indicating that Lp(a) may provide incremental value in risk stratification in this population.

[Developments and challenges of liver transplantation in China]

With the vigorous promotion of organ donation after citizen death in China, increased utilization of marginal livers, and continuous expansion of hepatocellular carcinoma indications for liver transplantation, innovations in techniques such as auxiliary liver transplantation, pediatric liver transplantation laparoscopic liver transplantation, magnetic liver transplantation,and non-ischemic liver transplantation have significantly improved the number of liver transplantation surgery performed, patient survival rates, and graft survival rates in China, while complication rates have gradually decreased. As such,liver transplantation in China has now reached leading or advanced levels internationally. In the new development context,Chinese liver transplantation faces new opportunities and challenges for development. Evolutions in basic diseases of transplant recipients and tumor classifications of will further broaden the population eligible for transplantation and introduce new demands for liver transplantation procedures. Emerging technologies including artificial organs, xenotransplantation,and artificial intelligence are bringing prospects for advancing liver transplantation. Looking ahead, the progression of liver transplantation will go beyond prioritizing patient survival rates and graft survival rates alone, instead emphasizing improved quality of life for transplant recipients post-surgery to an even greater extent.

[Key issues related to clinical trials of xenotransplantation]

The development of xenotransplantation is expected to alleviate the supply and demand gap of donors' organs. Currently,gene-edited pigs are considered as ideal organ donor source for clinical xenotransplantation. Driven by relevant technologies,substantial progress have been achieved in preclinical studies of xenotransplantation,which creates good conditions for the opening of early clinical trials. Especially in recent two years,the foreign clinical research in this field has made a breakthrough. Here,the progress in xenotransplantation of clinical trials is briefly reviewed home and abroad,the key issues in clinical trials of xenotransplantation are discussed from the perspectives of gene editing of donor pigs,principles of whole-course management of subjects,ethics and social psychology issue. It is believed that under the background of multidisciplinary cross-fusion,xenotransplantation will be gradually transferred to clinical application in the future,and better benefit human beings.

[Benefits and risks of prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stent in patients with stable coronary artery disease and diabetes]

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT>1 year) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes who were event-free at 1 year after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stent (DES) in a large and contemporary PCI registry. Methods: A total of 1 661 eligible patients were selected from the Fuwai PCI Registry, of which 1 193 received DAPT>1 year and 468 received DAPT ≤1 year. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 2, 3 or 5 bleeding, MACCE was defined as a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction or stroke. Multivariate Cox regression analysis and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) Cox regression analysis were performed. Results: After a median follow-up of 2.5 years, patients who received DAPT>1 year were associated with lower risks of MACCE (1.4% vs. 3.2%; hazard ratio (HR) 0.412, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.205-0.827) compared with DAPT ≤1 year, which was primarily caused by the lower all-cause mortality (0.1% vs. 2.6%; HR 0.031, 95%CI 0.004-0.236). Risks of cardiac death (0.1% vs. 1.5%; HR 0.051, 95%CI 0.006-0.416) and definite/probable ST (0.3% vs. 1.1%; HR 0.218, 95%CI 0.052-0.917) were also lower in patients received DAPT>1 year than those received DAPT ≤ 1 year. No difference was found between the two groups in terms of BARC type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding (5.3% vs. 4.1%; HR 1.088, 95%CI 0.650-1.821). Conclusions: In patients with stable CAD and diabetes who were event-free at 1 year after PCI with DES, prolonged DAPT (>1 year) provides a substantial reduction in ischemic cardiovascular events, including MACCE, all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality, and definite/probable ST, without increasing the clinically relevant bleeding risk compared with ≤ 1-year DAPT. Further well-designed, large-scale randomized trials are needed to verify the beneficial effect of prolonged DAPT in this population.

Implications of ESC-high tthrombotic risk features and ARC-high bleeding risk criteria on clinical outcomes in all-comer patients undergoing PCI

Background

High thrombotic risk (HTR) and high bleeding risk (HBR) features after PCI can occur in the same patient. The individualized risks of ischemic vs. bleeding events are needed to be considered for determining the optimal duration of DAPT. We aimed to evaluate long-term ischemic and bleeding outcomes in patients who are at both HTR and HBR after DES implantation.

Methods

All consecutive patients who underwent PCI with DES were prospectively enrolled in Fuwai PCI Registry. HTR criteria based on 2017 ESC DAPT guidelines were defined as: diffuse multivessel diabetic CAD patients, chronic kidney disease, ≥3 stents implanted, ≥3 stents lesions treated, bifurcation with two stents implanted, total stent length >60 mm, or chronic total occlusion. Patients were defined as HBR if they met at least 1 major or 2 minor Academic Research Consortium (ARC)-HBR criteria. The primary ischemic outcome was major adverse cardiac event (MACE), a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization and stent thrombosis.

Results

Among 10,167 patients, 4,430 (43.6%) qualified as HTR. The rate of HBR patients was significantly higher in the HTR group than in the non-HTR group (18.9% versus 12.2%, P<0.001). Compared to those having non-HTR., Patients with ESC-HTR had higher 30-month rates of MACE (hazard ratio [HR] adjust: 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.34–1.82; P<0.001), device-oriented composite endpoint (composite of cardiac death, target-vessel MI, and target lesion revascularization) (HRadjust: 1.52 [1.27–1.83]; P<0.001), cardiac mortality, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, any revascularization, and stroke, without increasing the risk of BARC type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding. MACE rates at 30 months among those without HTR or HBR, HBR alone, HTR alone, and both HTR and HBR were 5.1%, 6.0%, 8.3%, and 8.8%, respectively (P<0.001). Associations between HTR and adverse events were similar in HBR and no HBR groups, without evidence of interaction; however, adverse event rates were highest among subjects with both HBR and HTR.

Conclusions

A combination of ESC-HTR and ARC-HBR may increase the risk of long-term ischemic events, including cardiac mortality, emphasizing the importance of considering the net clinical benefit including high ischemic and bleeding features. Our data suggest that ESC-HTR criteria was useful for stratifying post-PCI patients into risk strata for future ischemic events.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Beijing Municipal Health Commission (Grant No. 2020-1-4032) Kaplan-Meier event rates

Effect of risk enhancers versus technical aspects of high thrombotic risk criteria on adverse clinical events after PCI: insights from 2020 ESC NSTE-ACS Guidelines

Background

The long-term clinical outcome after PCI is affected by various clinical and angiographic risk features. The present study was designed to investigate the long-term prognostic impact of risk enhancers and technical aspects as defined by 2020 ESC NSTE-ACS Guidelines for high thrombotic risk (HTR) criteria on the risk of adverse events after PCI.

Methods

A total of 10,167 patients were enrolled from the Fuwai PCI registry. Risk enhancers and technical aspects were retrospectively assessed according to 2020 ESC NSTE-ACS Guidelines. Risk enhancers were defined as having at least one of the following characteristics: diabetes mellitus requiring medication, history of recurrent MI, any multivessel CAD, peripheral artery disease, premature (<45 years) CAD, and chronic kidney disease. Technical aspects were defined as having at least one of the following characteristics: ≥3 stents implanted, ≥3 lesions treated, total stent length >60 mm, left main PCI, bifurcation stenting with ≥2 stents implanted, and chronic total occlusion. The primary endpoint was 30-month major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE, a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction [MI], stent thrombosis, any revascularization, and ischemic stroke).

Results

MACCE occurred in 1188 (11.7%) patients during the follow-up period (median duration: 881 days). Risk enhancers were present in 8,437 patients (83.0%) and was associated with increased 30-month risk for the MACCE (adjusted hazard ratio [adjHR]: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.72–2.60). Technical aspects were present in 3,335 patients (32.8%) and was an independent predictor of MACCE at 30 months (adjHR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.17–1.49). The risk of MACCE associated with risk enhancers was significantly higher than for technical aspects (2.11 vs. 1.32; relative risk [RR]: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.47–1.75). Results were consistent when risk enhancers and technical aspects were modeled as a continuous variable. Adjusted HRs of MACCE within the 12 months for patients with risk enhancers and technical aspects were 2.35 (95% CI: 1.80–3.07) and 1.50 (95% CI: 1.30–1.73), respectively. Risk enhancers significantly influenced MACCE beyond 12 months (adjHR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.29–2.46), whereas technical aspects were not associated with very late (12-month to 30-month) MACCE (adjHR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.82–1.25). Both risk enhancers and technical aspects were not significantly associated with BARC type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding within 12 months and between 12 and 30 months.

Conclusions

Both risk enhancers and technical aspects of HTR criteria significantly affected long-term ischemic clinical events but not major bleeding in patients undergoing PCI. Risk enhancers appeared to have a greater and more prolonged effect on poor prognosis than technical aspects, suggesting the importance of compliance with guideline-directed medical therapy.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Beijing Municipal Health Commission (Grant No. 2020-1-4032)Chinese College of Cardiovascular Physicians, CS Optimizing Antithrombotic Research Fund (Grant number: BJUHFCSOARF201801-01)

Exploring optimal heart team protocol to improve decision-making stability for complex coronary artery disease: a sequential explanatory mixed method study

Background

Although heart team was recommended by guideline for decision-making in patients with complex coronary artery disease (CAD), the decision-making stability was lack of evaluation and optimal protocol remained unknown.

Purpose

We aimed to assess inter-team agreement for revascularization decision-making and related influencing factors, so as to provide recommendations for optimal protocol.

Methods

A sequential, explanatory mixed method study was conducted, including (1) a cross-sectional study retrospectively enrolling patients with complex CAD and four heart teams to assess the inter-team decision-making agreement and (2) a qualitative study that semi-structurally interviewed all heart team members to analyze the potential factors associated with decision-making discrepancy. Primary outcome was kappa value of inter-team decision-making agreement. Inductive thematic analysis was used to generate themes and subthemes attributing to decision-making discrepancy. Integrating qualitative and quantitative data, we explained how each subtheme affected decision-making agreement and provided corresponding recommendations based on these explanations. Finally, we provided a detailed heart team protocol by integrating our recommendations, published experience and guideline. Patient sample size was precalculated and interviewee sample size was identified by theoretical saturation.

Results

A total of 101 patients with complex CAD were randomly enrolled from a consecutive angiography registry. Sixteen specialists were invited and randomly established four heart teams to make decisions for enrolled patients. Inter-team decision-making agreement was moderate (kappa 0.582) (Table 1). Decision-making may be influenced at three themes (specialist quality; team composition; meeting process) and ten subthemes (decision thought; understanding of disease and evidence; understanding of other discipline; personality; learning curve; personnel quality; number of team members; discipline selection; ratio of different disciplines and meeting form). Recommendations at five levels were provided, including (1) specialist selection, (2) specialist training, (3) team composition, (4) team training and (5) meeting process. A detailed implementation protocol to establish and deploy a qualified heart team was generated.

Conclusions

Agreement between heart teams for revascularization decision-making in patients with complex CAD was moderate. Five recommendations to improve heart team modality were provided based on factors associated with decision-making discrepancy. A detailed heart team implementation protocol came into being. Randomized controlled trial was warranted to further confirm the protocol.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): the national key research and development program;Beijing municipal commission of science and technology project Table 1. Inter-team agreement of decision making

Optimal strategy for antiplatelet therapy after coronary drug-eluting stent implantation in high-risk "TWILIGHT-like" patients with diabetes mellitus

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Chinese College of Cardiovascular Physicians, CS Optimizing Antithrombotic Research Fund (Grant No. BJUHFCSOARF201801-01), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2018YFC1315602), the Beijing Municipal Health Commission (Grant No. 2020-1-4032), the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (Grant No. 2016-I2M-1-009), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81870277).

Background

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are known to be at high-risk for both ischemic and bleeding complications post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The ischemic benefit versus bleeding risk associated with extended dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in high-risk "TWILIGHT-like" patients with diabetes mellitus after PCI has not been established.

Methods

All consecutive high-risk patients fulfilling the "TWILIGHT-like" criteria undergoing PCI from January 2013 through December 2013 were identified from prospective Fuwai PCI Registry. High-risk "TWILIGHT-like" patients were defined by at least 1 clinical and 1 angiographic feature based on TWILIGHT trial selection criteria. The present analysis evaluated 3425 diabetics patients with concomitant high-risk angiographic features who were event-free at 1 year after PCI. Median follow-up was 2.4 years. The primary effectiveness endpoint was a composite of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (termed major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events) and primary safety endpoint was clinically relevant bleeding according to Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 2, 3, or 5.

Results

On inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis, prolonged-term (>1-year) DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel decreased the risk of primary effectiveness endpoint compared with shorter (≤1-year) DAPT (1.8% vs. 4.3%; hazard ratio [HR]IPTW: 0.381; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.252-0.576; P < 0.001) and reduced cardiovascular death (0.1% vs. 1.8%; HRIPTW: 0.056 [0.016-0.193]). Prolonged DAPT was also associated with a reduced risk of definite/probable stent thrombosis (0.2% vs. 0.7%; HRIPTW: 0.258 [0.083-0.802]), and non-significantly lower rate of myocardial infarction (0.5% vs. 0.8%; HRIPTW: 0.676 [0.275-1.661]). There was no significant difference between groups in clinically relevant bleeding (1.1% vs. 1.1%; HRIPTW: 1.078 [0.519-2.241]; P = 0.840). Similar results were observed in multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model.

Conclusion

Among high-risk PCI patients with diabetes mellitus without an adverse event through 1 year, extending DAPT > 1-year significantly reduced the risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events without an increase in clinically relevant bleeding, suggesting that such high-risk diabetic patients may be good candidates for long-term DAPT.

Abstract Figure.

Impact of ESC-endorsed high ischemic risk features and ARC-high bleeding risk criteria on clinical outcomes in all-comer patients undergoing PCI

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Beijing Municipal Health Commission (Grant number: 2020-1-4032).

Background

Whether the underlying risk of high bleeding risk (HBR) influences the relationship of high ischemic risk (HIR) features with adverse events after drug-eluting stent implantation remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate (1) the prognostic effect of ESC guideline-endorsed HIR features on long-term clinical outcomes and (2) whether the outcomes of HIR versus non-HIR features vary by HBR status.

Methods

Ten thousand one hundred sixty-seven consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2013 and December 2013 were prospectively enrolled in Fuwai PCI Registry. Patients who are at HIR were defined as: diffuse multivessel disease in diabetic patients, chronic kidney disease, at least three stents implanted, at least three stents lesions treated, bifurcation with two stents implanted, total stent length > 60 mm, or treatment of chronic total occlusion. The definition of HBR was based on the Academic Research Consortium (ARC) for HBR criteria. The primary ischemic outcome was major adverse cardiac event (MACE), a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization and stent thrombosis. The primary bleeding outcome was clinically relevant bleeding, defined according to Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 2, 3 or 5 bleeding.

Results

With a 2.4-year median follow-up, 4430 patients (43.6%) having HIR experienced a significantly higher risk of MACE (hazard ratio [HR] adjust : 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.34–1.82; P < 0.001) and device-oriented composite endpoint (composite of cardiac death, target-vessel MI, and target lesion revascularization) (HRadjust : 1.52 [1.27–1.83]; P < 0.001), compared to those having non-HIR. The risk of clinically relevant bleeding did not differ between groups (HRadjust : 0.85 [0.66–1.08]; P = 0.174). Associations between HIR and adverse events were similar in HBR and non-HBR groups, without evidence of interaction (all P interaction > 0.05); however, adverse event rates were highest among subjects with both HIR and HBR.

Conclusions

ESC guideline-endorsed HIR was associated with significantly increased risk of MACE without any significant differences in clinically relevant bleeding. The presence of ARC-HBR does not emerge as a modifier of cardiovascular risk for patients at HIR, suggesting more potent and longer antiplatelet therapy may be beneficial for this patient population.

The efficacy and safety of prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy beyond 12 months in patients with high risk of ischemic or bleeding events after PCI

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

The relative benefit-risk profile of continuing DAPT beyond 1 year for patients undergoing PCI who are at high risk for ischemic or hemorrhagic complications in real-world practice remains to be determined. For this reason, we sought to evaluate the benefits and harms of DAPT beyond 1 year as compared with ≤1-year DAPT among high ischemic or bleeding risk patients undergoing PCI with DES from a prospective, real-world registry.

Methods

All consecutive patients undergoing PCI were prospectively included in the Fuwai PCI Registry from January 2013 to December 2013. We evaluated 7521 patients who were at high risk for thrombotic or hemorrhagic complications and were events free at 1 year after the index procedure. "TWILIGHT-like" patients with high risk of bleeding or ischemic events were defined by clinical and angiographic criteria. The clinical criteria chosen to enroll patients at high risk for either bleeding or ischemic complications after PCI were: ≥65 years, female sex, troponin-positive ACS, established vascular disease (previous myocardial infarction [MI], documented peripheral arterial disease [PAD] or CAD/PAD revascularization), diabetes mellitus treated with medication, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Angiographic criteria included multivessel CAD, total stent length >30 mm, a bifurcation lesion treated with two stents, thrombotic target lesion, left main (≥50%) or proximal left anterior descending (LAD) (≥70%) lesion, and calcified target lesions requiring atherectomy. The primary ischemic outcome was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events [MACCE] (a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, or stroke).

Results

Median follow-up duration was 2.4 years. The risk of MACCE was significantly lower in DAPT > 12- group (n = 5252) than DAPT ≤ 1-year group (n = 2269) (1.5% vs. 3.8%; hazard ratio [HR]: 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.27-0.50; P < 0.001). This difference was largely driven by a lower risk of all-cause death. In contrast, the risk of Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 2, 3 or 5 bleeding was statistically similar between the 2 groups (1.0% vs. 1.1%; HR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.50-1.28; P = 0.346). Results were consistent after multivariable regression and propensity-score matching. Relative treatment effects were consistent for the outcomes of MACCE and clinically relevant bleeding independent of the number of clinical and angiographic high-risk features (1-3 [n = 310], 4-5 [n = 3560], or 6-9 [n = 854]).

Conclusions

Prolonged DAPT beyond 1 year after DES implantation resulted in a significantly lower rate of atherothrombotic events, including a mortality benefit, with no higher risk of clinically relevant bleeding in "TWILIGHT-like" patients who were at high-risk for ischemic or bleeding events. Abstract Figure.

Long-term ischemic and bleeding risk with extended dual antiplatelet therapy after PCI in patients with 2018 ESC/EACTS myocardial revascularization guideline-endorsed high thrombotic risk features

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Beijing Municipal Health Commission (Grant number: 2020–1-4032)

Background

The ischemic/bleeding trade-off of continuing dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) beyond 1 year after PCI for patients with high thrombotic risk (HTR) as endorsed by 2018 ESC/EACTS myocardial revascularization guidelines remain unknown. We sought to evaluate the benefits and harms of DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel beyond 1 year versus ≤ 1-year DAPT on long-term clinical outcomes after PCI with DES among ESC/EACTS guideline-endorsed HTR patients that are event-free at 1 year follow-up, using a prospective, real-world registry.

Methods

Patients undergoing coronary stenting between January 2013 and December 2013 from the prospective Fuwai registry were defined as HTR if they met at least 1 ESC/EACTS guideline-endorsed HTR criteria with at least 1 of the following characteristics: diffuse (lesion length ≥ 20 mm) multivessel disease in diabetic patients, CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min), ≥ 3 stents implanted, ≥ 3 lesions treated, bifurcation with 2 stents implanted, total stent length > 60 mm, treatment of CTO, and history of STEMI. A total of 4578 patients who were at HTR and were events free at 1 year after the index procedure were evaluated. The primary efficacy outcome was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, or stroke).

Results

Median follow-up period was 2.4 years. > 1-year DAPT with clopidogrel and aspirin significantly reduced the risk of MACCE compared with ≤ 1-year DAPT (1.9% vs. 4.6%; hazard ratio (HR): 0.38; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.27–0.54; P < 0.001), driven by a reduction in all-cause death (0.2% vs. 3.0%; HR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.03–0.15). Cardiac death and definite/ probable stent thrombosis also occurred less frequently in prolonged DAPT group. Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding occurred similarly between both groups (1.1% vs. 0.9%; HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.58–2.13; P = 0.763). Similar results were found using multivariable Cox model, propensity score-matched, and inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis.

Conclusions

Among patients with ESC-endorsed HTR who were free from major ischemic or bleeding events 1 year after coronary stenting, continued DAPT beyond 1 year might offer better effectiveness in terms of atherothrombotic events and comparable safety in terms of clinically relevant bleeding compared with ≤ 1-year DAPT. ESC-HTR criteria is an important parameter to take into account in tailoring DAPT prolongation.

Benefit and Harm of Extended Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After PCI in high-risk TWILIGHT-like patients with acute coronary syndrome

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Recent emphasis on reduced duration and/or intensity of antiplatelet therapy following PCI irrespective of indication for PCI may fail to account for the substantial risk of subsequent nontarget lesion events in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. This study sought to investigate the benefits and risks of extended-term (>12-month) DAPT as compared with short-term DAPT in high-risk "TWILIGHT-like" ACS patients undergoing PCI.

Methods

All consecutive patients fulfilling the "TWILIGHT-like" criteria undergoing PCI from January 2013 to December 2013 were identified from the prospective Fuwai PCI Registry. High-risk "TWILIGHT-like" patients were defined by at least 1 clinical and 1 angiographic feature based on TWILIGHT trial selection criteria. The present analysis evaluated 4,875 high-risk "TWILIGHT-like" patients with ACS who were event-free at 12 months after PCI. The primary outcome was the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke at 30 months while BARC type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding was key secondary outcome.

Results

Extended DAPT compared with shorter DAPT reduced the composite outcome of all-cause death, MI, or stroke by 63% (1.5% vs. 3.8%; HRadj: 0.374, 95% CI: 0.256 to 0.548; HRmatched: 0.361, 95% CI: 0.221-0.590). The HR for cardiovascular death was 0.049 (0.007 to 0.362) and that for MI 0.45 (0.153 to 1.320) and definite/probable stent thrombosis 0.296 (0.080-1.095) in propensity-matched analyses. Rates of BARC type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding (0.9% vs. 1.3%; HRadj: 0.668 [0.379 to 1.178]; HRmatched: 0.721 [0.369-1.410]) did not differ significantly in patients treated with DAPT > 12-month or DAPT ≤ 12-month. The effect of long-term DAPT on primary and key secondary outcome across the proportion of ACS patients with 1-3, 4-5, or 6-9 risk factors showed a consistent manner (Pinteraction > 0.05).

Conclusion

Among high-risk "TWILIGHT-like" patients with ACS after PCI, long-term DAPT reduced ischemic events without increasing clinically meaningful bleeding events as compared with short-term DAPT, suggesting that extended DAPT might be considered in the treatment of ACS patients who present with a particularly higher risk for thrombotic complications. Abstract Figure.

Prognostic implications of 2018 ESC/EACTS guideline-endorsed high ischaemic risk features on clinical outcomes after PCI with drug-eluting stents

Background

Recently, the 2018 ESC/EACTS guidelines on myocardial revascularization have been proposed to standardize the definition of high ischemic events risk (HIR) features. However, the prevalence and the expected ischemic event rate of HIR patients defined by ESC/EACTS-endorsed criteria are currently unknown in the real-world percutaneous coronary intervention practice. We sought to investigate the impact of HIR features on clinical outcomes after drug-eluting stents implantation and whether this effect is influenced by high bleeding risk (HBR).

Methods

Between January 2013 and December 2013, a total of 10,167 consecutive patients undergoing PCI were prospectively enrolled in Fuwai PCI Registry. The primary ischemic endpoint was target lesion failure (TLF) (comprising cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization] and the primary bleeding endpoint was clinically relevant bleeding defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding. Guideline-endorsed HIR features were in the present study and definitions were as follows: diffuse (defined as lesion length ≥20 mm) multivessel disease in patients with diabetes, CKD (defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73 m2), ≥3 stents implanted, ≥3 lesions treated, bifurcation with 2 stents implanted, total stent length >60 mm, and treatment of CTO, and history of ST-elevation myocardial infarction. HBR was defined based on the highest quartile of PARIS bleeding score (≥6 or <6).

Results

Median follow-up was 29 months. 5149 patients had at least 1 HIR feature (50.6%), who experienced significantly increased risks of TLF (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.32–1.93; P<0.001), compared to those with non-HIR features. In contrast, the risk of clinically relevant bleeding was statistically similar between the 2 groups (HRadjust: 0.85 [0.66–1.09]; P=0.200). By including ESC/EACTS-endorsed HIR criteria as a continuous variable within the same multivariable models, the risk of adverse ischemic events tended to be greater as the number of high-risk procedural characteristics increased (per number of high-risk features increase: for TLF, HRadjust: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.07–1.23; P trend<0.001; for MACE, HRadjust: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.22–1.46; P trend<0.001). There was no statistical interaction between HBR and HIR features in regard to TLF (adjusted Pinteraction=0.855) and clinically relevant bleeding (adjusted Pinteraction=0.269), suggesting a consistent effect within ESC/EACTS-endorsed HIR features. Results were consistent when categorizing patients into HBR according to PARIS bleeding risk score ≥8 points.

Conclusions

ESC/EACTS-endorsed HIR criteria were associated with a substantial risk of ischemic events, with no increase in clinically relevant bleeding in routine clinical practice; and theses associations did not seem to be modified by HBR status.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences

Benefit-risk profile of longer-than-1-year dual antiplatelet therapy in TWLIGHT-like patients with high risk of ischemic or bleeding events after drug-eluting stents implantation

Background

Dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) exceeding 1 year may increase a bleeding risk despite reducing the risk of ischemic events. The benefits and harms of prolonging DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel beyond 1 year after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation for TWLIGHT-like patients with high-risk for bleeding or an ischemic event remain unknown.

Method

Between January 2013 and December 2013, all consecutive patients undergoing PCI were prospectively included in the Fuwai PCI Registry. We evaluated 7521 patients who were at high risk for ischemic or hemorrhagic complications and were events free (no death, myocardial infarction [MI], stroke, stent thrombosis [ST], any revascularization, or major bleeding) at 1 year after the index procedure. Subjects were divided into 2 groups: DAPT >1-year group (n=5252) and DAPT ≤1-year group (n=2269). Patients at high-risk for ischemic or bleeding events were defined as having at least one additional clinical feature and one angiographic feature according to TWILIGHT trial criteria. The clinical criteria for high risk were age ≥65 years, female sex, troponin-positive ACS, established vascular disease, diabetes mellitus that was being treated with medication, and CKD. Angiographic criteria included multivessel coronary artery disease, total stent length ≥30 mm, a thrombotic target lesion, a bifurcation lesion treated with two stents, an obstructive left main or proximal left anterior descending lesion, and a calcified target lesion treated with atherectomy. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events [MACCE] (a composite of all-cause death, MI, or stroke).

Results

During a median follow-up of 30 months after the index procedure, DAPT >1-year was associated with a reduction in risk for MACCE compared with DAPT ≤1-year (1.5% vs. 3.8%; adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 0.36; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.27–0.50; P<0.001) after multivariable adjustment. This difference was largely driven by a lower risk of all-cause mortality. In contrast, the risk of BARC type 2, 3 or 5 bleeding was statistically similar between the 2 groups (1.0% vs. 1.1%; adjusted HR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.50–1.30; P=0.373). After propensity score matching, incidence of MACCE was still lower in the DAPT >1-year group than the DAPT ≤1-year group (1.6% versus 4.5%; HR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.22–0.52; P<0.001) and the rates of BARC type 2, 3 or 5 bleeding was not different between the 2 groups (1.1% versus 0.9%; adjusted HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.57–2.18; P=0.744). In subgroup analysis, the treatment effect of prolonged DAPT was consistent across subgroups regardless of ACS, DAPT score, or type of used DES.

Conclusions

DAPT continuation with aspirin and clopidogrel beyond 1-year after DES implantation resulted in a significantly lower rate of MACCE, with no higher risk of clinically relevant bleeding in TWLIGHT-like patients who were at high-risk for ischemic or bleeding events.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): National Natural Science Foundation of China

PCI complexity and cardiovascular risk in relation to high bleeding risk among patients receiving drug-eluting Stents: insight from China Fuwai PCI registry

Background

The relation between complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), high bleeding risk (HBR), and adverse events after coronary artery implantation of drug-eluting stents has been incompletely characterized. This study sought to investigate the ischemic and bleeding events after complex PCI including a stratification according to HBR estimated by PARIS bleeding risk score.

Methods

Between January 2013 and December 2013, 10,167 consecutive patients undergoing PCI were prospectively enrolled in Fuwai PCI Registry. Complex PCI was defined when having at least one of the following characteristics: 3 vessels treated, ≥3 stents implanted, ≥3 lesions treated, bifurcation with 2 stents implanted, total stent length >60 mm, treatment of chronic total occlusion, unprotected left main PCI, in-stent restenosis target lesion, and severely calcified lesion requiring a rotablator system. The primary ischemic endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) [composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and definite/probable stent thrombosis], and primary bleeding endpoint was Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding.

Results

The median duration of follow-up was 30 months. In adjusted Cox regression analysis, patients having complex PCI procedures experienced higher risks of MACE (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38–1.92; P<0.001), compared with non-complex PCI. In contrast, the risk of clinically relevant bleeding was statistically similar between the 2 groups (HR: 0.86 [0.66–1.11]; P=0.238). There was no statistical interaction between HBR (PARIS bleeding score ≥8 or <8) and complex PCI in regard to MACE (adjusted Pinteraction=0.388) and clinically relevant bleeding (adjusted Pinteraction=0.279).

Conclusions

Patients who had undergone complex PCI resulted in substantially more ischemic events, without an increase in clinically relevant bleeding risk; and these associations did not seem to be modified by HBR status. More intensified antiplatelet therapy may be beneficial for patients with complex percutaneous coronary revascularization procedures.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences;National Natural Science Foundation of China

PCI complexity and risk of adverse events in relation to high bleeding risk among patients receiving drug-eluting stents

Background

The relation between complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), high bleeding risk (HBR), and adverse events after coronary artery implantation of drug-eluting stents has been incompletely characterized. This study sought to investigate the ischemic and bleeding events after complex PCI including a stratification according to HBR estimated by PARIS bleeding risk score.

Methods

Between January 2013 and December 2013, 10,167 consecutive patients undergoing PCI were prospectively enrolled in Fuwai PCI Registry. Complex PCI was defined when having at least one of the following characteristics: 3 vessels treated, ≥3 stents implanted, ≥3 lesions treated, bifurcation with 2 stents implanted, total stent length >60 mm, treatment of chronic total occlusion, unprotected left main PCI, in-stent restenosis target lesion, and severely calcified lesion. The primary ischemic endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) [composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and definite/probable stent thrombosis], and primary bleeding endpoint was Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding.

Results

The median duration of follow-up was 29 months. In adjusted Cox regression analysis, patients having complex PCI procedures experienced higher risks of MACE (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38–1.92; P<0.001), compared with non-complex PCI. In contrast, the risk of clinically relevant bleeding was statistically similar between the 2 groups (HR: 0.86 [0.66–1.11]; P=0.238). There was no statistical interaction between HBR (PARIS bleeding score ≥8 or <8) and complex PCI in regard to MACE (adjusted Pinteraction=0.388) and clinically relevant bleeding (adjusted Pinteraction=0.279).

Conclusions

Patients who had undergone complex PCI resulted in substantially more ischemic events, without an increase in clinically relevant bleeding risk; and these associations did not seem to be modified by HBR status. More intensified antiplatelet therapy may be beneficial for patients with complex percutaneous coronary revascularization procedures.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences

Benefit and risks of extended dual antiplatelet therapy beyond 1 year in high-risk patients after drug-eluting stent implantation

Background

Dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) exceeding 1 year may increase a bleeding risk despite reducing the risk of ischemic events. The benefits and harms of prolonging DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel beyond 1 year after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation for patients with high-risk for bleeding or an ischemic event remain unknown.

Method

Between January 2013 and December 2013, all consecutive patients undergoing PCI were prospectively included in the Fuwai PCI Registry. We evaluated 7521 patients who were at high risk for ischemic or hemorrhagic complications and were events free (no death, myocardial infarction [MI], stroke, stent thrombosis [ST], any revascularization, or major bleeding) at 1 year after the index procedure. Subjects were divided into 2 groups: DAPT>1-year group (n=5252) and DAPT≤1-year group (n=2269). Patients at high-risk for ischemic or bleeding events were defined as having at least one additional clinical feature and one angiographic feature according to TWILIGHT trial criteria. The clinical criteria for high risk were age≥65 years, female sex, troponin-positive ACS, established vascular disease, diabetes mellitus that was being treated with medication, and CKD. Angiographic criteria included multivessel coronary artery disease, total stent lengthd≥30 mm, a thrombotic target lesion, a bifurcation lesion treated with two stents, an obstructive left main or proximal left anterior descending lesion, and a calcified target lesion treated with atherectomy. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events [MACCE] (a composite of all-cause death, MI, or stroke).

Results

During a median follow-up of 30 months after the index procedure, DAPT>1-year was associated with a reduction in risk for MACCE compared with DAPT≤1-year (1.5% vs. 3.8%; adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 0.36; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.27–0.50; P<0.001) after multivariable adjustment. This difference was largely driven by a lower risk of all-cause mortality. In contrast, the risk of BARC type 2, 3 or 5 bleeding was statistically similar between the 2 groups (1.0% vs. 1.1%; adjusted HR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.50–1.30; P=0.373). After propensity score matching, incidence of MACCE was still lower in the DAPT>1-year group than the DAPT≤1-year group (1.6% versus 4.5%; HR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.22–0.52; P<0.001) and the rates of BARC type 2, 3 or 5 bleeding was not different between the 2 groups (1.1% versus 0.9%; adjusted HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.57–2.18; P=0.744). In subgroup analysis, the treatment effect of prolonged DAPT was consistent across subgroups regardless of ACS, DAPT score, or type of used DES.

Conclusions

DAPT continuation with aspirin and clopidogrel beyond 1-year after DES implantation resulted in a significantly lower rate of MACCE, with no higher risk of clinically relevant bleeding in patients who were at high-risk for ischemic or bleeding events.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (CIFMS)

P4622Prediction of in-hospital bleeding for AMI patients undergoing PCI using machine learning method

Background

Prediction of in-hospital bleeding is critical for clinical decision making for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Machine learning methods can automatically select the combination of the important features and learn their underlying relationship with the outcome.

Objective

We aim to evaluate the predictive value of machine learning methods to predict in-hospital bleeding for AMI patients.

Methods

We used data from the multicenter China Acute Myocardial Infarction (CAMI) registry. We randomly partitioned the cohort into derivation set (75%) and validation set (25%). Using data from the derivation set, we applied a state-of-art machine learning algorithm, XGBoost, to automatically select features from 106 candidate variables and train a risk prediction model to predict in-hospital bleeding (BARC 3, 5 definition).

Results

16736 AMI patients who underwent PCI were consecutively included in the analysis, while 70 (0.42%) patients had in-hospital bleeding followed the BARC 3,5 definition of bleeding. Fifty-nine features were automatically selected from the candidate features and were used to construct the prediction model. The area under the curve (AUC) of the XGBoost model was 0.816 (95% CI: 0.745–0.887) on the validation set, while AUC of the CRUSADE risk score was 0.723 (95% CI: 0.619–0.828).

Relative contribution of the 12 most important features Feature Relative Importance Direct bilirubin 0.078 Heart rate 0.077 CKMB 0.076 Creatinine 0.064 GPT 0.052 Age 0.048 SBP 0.036 TG 0.035 Glucose 0.035 HCT 0.031 Total bilirubin 0.030 Neutrophil 0.030

ROC of the XGBoost model and CRUSADE

Conclusion

The XGBoost model derived from the CAMI cohort accurately predicts in-hospital bleeding among Chinese AMI patients undergoing PCI.

Acknowledgement/Funding

the CAMS innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (CIFMS) (2016-12M-1-009); the Twelfth Five-year Planning Project of China (2011BAI11B02)

P6424The association between long-term beta-blocker use and outcome in a contemporary large-scale cohort of patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background

Controversy exists regarding the use of beta-blockers (BBs) among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in contemporary reperfusion era. Previous studies predominantly focused on beta-blockers prescribed at discharge, and the effect of long-term adherence to beta-blocker on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) remains unclear.

Objective

To explore the association between long-term beta-blocker use patterns and MACE among contemporary AMI patients.

Methods

We enrolled 7860 patients with AMI, who were discharged alive and prescribed with BBs based on CAMI registry from January 2013 to September 2014. Patients were divided into two groups according to BBs use pattern: Always users group (n=4476) were defined as patients reporting BBs use at both 6- and 12-month follow-up; Inconsistent users group were defined as patients reporting at least once not using BBs at 6- or 12-month follow-up. Primary outcome was defined as MACE at 24-month follow-up, including all-cause death, non-fatal MI and repeat-revascularization. Multivariable cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the association between BBs and MACE.

Results

Baseline characteristics are shown in table 1. At 2-year follow-up, 518 patients in inconsistent users group (15.6%) and 548 patients in always users group (12.3%) had MACE. After multivariable adjustment, inconsistent use of BBs was associated with higher risk of MACE (HR: 1.323, 95% CI: 1.171–1.493, p<0.001).

Table 1 Baseline characteristics Variable Always user (N=4476) Inconsistent user (N=3384) P value Age (years) 60.6±12.0 61.2±12.2 <0.001 Male 3381 (75.7%) 2461 (74.3%) 0.084 Diabetes 892 (20.0%) 610 (18.4%) 0.003 Hypertension 2372 (53.2%) 1543 (46.6%) <0.001 Dyslipidemia 244 (5.5%) 126 (3.8%) <0.001 Prior myocardial infarction 351 (7.9%) 232 (7.0%) <0.001 Heart failure 88 (2.0%) 63 (1.9%) <0.001 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 66 (1.5%) 60 (1.8%) <0.001 Current smoker 2054 (46.1%) 1579 (47.8%) 0.179 Left ventricular ejection fraction (%) 53.7±11.48 54.0±10.9 <0.001 Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events 548 (12.3%) 518 (15.6%) <0.001

Conclusions

Our results showed consistent BBs use was associated with reduced risk of MACE among patients with AMI managed by contemporary treatment.

Acknowledgement/Funding

CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (CIFMS) (2016-I2M-1-009)

Combined Kidney Transplantation and Splenic Fossa Auxiliary Heterotopic Liver Transplantation in a Highly Sensitized Recipient: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Combined kidney and auxiliary orthotopic liver transplantation from the same donor is used to treat highly sensitized renal transplant recipients. Auxiliary liver can protect the transplanted kidney against hyperacute rejection.

METHODS

In the current case, combined kidney and splenic fossa auxiliary heterotopic liver transplantation was performed from the same donor for a highly sensitized recipient without preoperative preconditioning. No postoperative hyperacute rejection occurred.

RESULTS

Seven days after surgery, preexisting antibody levels rose and decreased after treatment; meanwhile, the function of transplanted kidney returned to normal. During 24 months of follow-up, the grafts showed good blood perfusion and functioned well. The levels of preexisting antibodies, donor-specific antibodies (DSA) and C1q-fixing human leukocyte antigen (C1q-HLA) antibodies, all decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined kidney and splenic fossa auxiliary heterotopic liver transplantation can be used in renal transplantation for highly sensitized recipients.

[Age-related differences in the clinical symptoms and triggering factors among Chinese patients with acute myocardial infarction]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the age-related differences in the clinical symptoms and triggering factors among Chinese patients with acute myocardial infarction.

METHODS

Acute myocardial infarction Patients (n=14 854) registered in the China Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry from January 2013 to March 2014 were included in this study. Patients were divided into 4 groups: <55 years old group (3 950 patients), 55-64 years old group (4 361 patients), 65-74 years old group ( 3 759 patients), and ≥75 years old group (2 784 patients). Demographic features, medical history, clinical presentation and triggering factors were obtained via electronic data capture system.

RESULTS

(1)Persistent chest pain and sweat were the major typical symptoms 66.4%(9 863/14 854) and 63.8%(9 471/14 854)) in the whole cohort. Prevalence of persistent chest pain among four groups were 73.8%(2 915/3 950), 69.2%(3 016/4 361), 63.6%(2 394/3 759) and 55.2%(1 538/2 784), and radiating pain among four groups were 36.2%(1 428/3 950), 34.1%(1 487/4 361), 30.9%(1 160/3 759)and 25.9%(722/2 784), and sweat among four groups were 70.0%(2 765/3 950), 66.5%(2 898/4 361), 61.8%%(2 323/3 759)and 53.3%(1 485/2 784), and there were statistical significance for all above symptoms among groups (all P<0.001). (2)triggering factors before acute myocardial infarction could be found in 19.4%(2 879/14 854) of the patients. Prevalence of existed triggering factors among four groups were 23.8%(941/3 950), 21.0%(914/4 361), 16.6%(625/3 759) and 14.3%(399/2 784, P<0.001). Recent excessive unhealthy lifestyles among four groups were 20.8%(196/3 950), 11.9%(109/4 361), 10.1%(63/3 759) and 9.0%(36/2 784) among the 4 groups (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Persistent chest pain and sweat are absent in nearly half of Chinese patients in ≥75 years old group. Triggering factors prior to acute myocardial infarction could be evidenced in about twenty percent patients, and which are more often in young patients. Clinical Trail Registry: National Institutes of Health，NCT018746.

Connexin evolution ameliorates the risk of various cancers

OBJECTIVE

Connexins can affect many cancers, but the relationship of many connexins is confused and the functions in cancers are unknown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

With conservative domains of connexins, the phylogenetic tree was constructed and all connexins could be divided into five groups (I, II, III, IV and V). The clock analysis showed that group V appeared earlier than group IV, which was earlier than group III, which was earlier than group I and II in the evolution. Group I involves in colorectal, lung, breast, pancreatic, gastric, colon, bladder and ovarian cancers. Group II affects bladder, breast, lung, gastric, colorectal, prostate, esophageal, renal, head and neck cancers. Group III affects bladder and breast cancer. The function of group IV and V has not been reported.

RESULTS

When HT1376 bladder cancer cells were transfected with Cx31.9 (Group IV), the growth rate was inhibited by 17%. Inversely, when HT1376 cells were transfected with Cx31.9 RNAi, the growth rate was increased by 21%. For Cx23 (Group V), it could not affect the growth rate.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested that ancient connexins did not involve in cancers. Recent connexins have developed the functions for inhibiting the progression of cancers in the evolution.

Diphenhydramine modulates cytokines and induces apoptosis in experimental acute pancreatitis

In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of diphenhydramine (DPH), a H(1) receptor antagonist, on taurocholate-induced acute pancreatitis and the underlying mechanisms involved. Rats were randomly divided into sham-operated, model, DPH-treated, octreotide-treated and the DPH plus octreotide combination therapy groups (n = 30 per group). Animals were sacrificed 3, 6 and 24 h after modeling and drug administration (n = 10 per time point) and sera, pancreas and lungs were harvested for further studies. DPH and octreotide monotherapy relieved histopathological injuries in multiple organs when compared to the model group. Combination therapy (DPH + octreotide) demonstrated better therapeutic potential than monotherapy. Data indicated that combination therapy had a better ability to reduce average mortality rates in rats, decrease the number of inflammatory cells, attenuate necrosis, upregulate the levels of amylase, TNF-alpha and IL-8 and downregulate the levels of IL-10 in the serum. Moreover, enhanced expression of Bax in the pancreas and lung were recorded suggesting a pro-apoptotic mechanism involved in the therapeutic potential of DPH. Our study demonstrated the therapeutic potential of DPH in acute pancreatitis and suggested a novel strategy for clinical management of this disease.

Transplantation of embryonic small hepatocytes induces regeneration of injured liver in adult rat

Small hepatocytes as hepatic stem cells or progenitors may be transplanted to treat several end-stage liver diseases. To identify the characteristics of epithelial cells enriched from fetal liver, we used immunocytochemistry and electron micrography. All cells in the colonies were immunocytochemically positive for alpha fetoprotein and cytokeratins (CK) 7, CK8, and CK18, which are markers of hepatic progenitor. Under transmission electron microscopy, we observed the cultured cells to show naive characteristics of stem cells and to be significantly distinct from mature hepatocytes. To identity whether these small hepatocytes were able to proliferate and differentiate into mature hepatocytes, we cultured them in vitro, and, through the portal vein, and transplanted elements whose membrane were stained with red fluorescence using PKH26 linker dye, into the livers of CCl(4)-treated rats that had been subjected to two-thirds partial hepatectomy. Significant liver regeneration was observed 30 days later in rats that did or did not receive the cells. The livers of hepatocytes recipients showed sharper edges and smoother surfaces than the control group. Diffused cells labeled with red fluorescence were observed in the portal area, with branch-like red fluorescence in regions near portal areas of some lobules, suggesting that these elements were involved in the repair of liver lobules and differentiation into mature hepatocytes. Our results revealed that small hepatocytes not only have characteristics of hepatic stem cells, but also may be a source of cellular transplantation to treat liver diseases.

Astrocytic activation in thoracic spinal cord contributes to persistent pain in rat model of chronic pancreatitis

One of the most important symptoms in chronic pancreatitis (CP) is constant and recurrent abdominal pain. However, there is still no ideal explanation and treatment on it. Previous studies indicated that pain in CP shared many characteristics of neuropathic pain. As an important mechanism underlying neuropathic pain, astrocytic activation is probably involved in pain of CP. Based on the trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induce rat CP model, we performed pancreatic histology to assess the severity of CP with semiquantitative scores and tested the nociceptive behaviors following induction of CP. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expressions in the thoracic spinal cord were observed by immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Meanwhile, we injected intrathecally astrocytic specific inhibitor l-alpha-aminoadipate (LAA) and observed its effect on nociception induced by CP. Compared to the naive and sham group, TNBS produced long lasting pancreatitis, and persistent mechanical hypersensitivity in the abdomen that was evident 1 week after TNBS infusion and persisted up to 5 weeks. Compared with naive or sham operated rats, GFAP staining was significantly increased 5 weeks after CP induction. Real-time RT-PCR indicated that GFAP expression was significantly increased in TNBS treated rats compared to the sham group. TNBS-induced astrocytic activation was significantly attenuated by LAA, compared with the saline control. Treatment with LAA significantly, even though not completely, attenuated the allodynia. Our results provide for the first time that astrocytes may play a critical role in pain of CP. Some actions could be taken to prevent astrocytic activation to treat pain in CP patients.

Expression and clinical significance of the stem cell marker CD133 in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Although the primitive haematopoietic and neuronal stem cell marker CD133 is known to be present in cancer stem cells (CSCs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the postresection prognostic impact of CD133 in HCC patients remains limited.

METHODS

Sixty-three resected specimens were collected from HCC patients. The expression of CD133 protein was analysed by immunohistochemistry and the association of CD133 expression with clinicopathological characteristics, tumour recurrence and survival of the patients was evaluated.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemical analysis of 63 HCC tissue specimens revealed that CD133 positive tumour cells were frequently present in HCC. Increased CD133 immunostaining was found in 26 specimens (41.3%). Increased CD133 expression levels were correlated with increased tumour grade, advanced disease stage, and elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein levels. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients with increased CD133 levels had shorter overall survival and higher recurrence rates compared with patients with low CD133 expression. Multivariate analyses revealed that increased CD133 expression was an independent prognostic factor for survival and tumour recurrence in patients with HCC.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that reactivated CD133 positive cells are frequently present in HCC. Additionally, increased CD133 expression corresponds with higher stage tumours in HCC, thus indicating a poor prognosis for patients. These data support the CSC hypothesis.

Changes in the expression of endothelial-overexpressed lipopolysaccharide-associated factor 1 in grafts during acute rejection following liver transplantation in rats

This study investigated changes in expression of endothelial-overexpressed lipopolysaccharide-associated factor 1 (EOLA1) in grafts following liver transplantation in rats. Thirty Lewis rats received liver transplants from Lewis rats (tolerance group); 30 received liver transplants from dark Agouti rats (acute rejection group). Changes in serum biochemical indexes (alanine aminotransferase and total bilirubin), graft histology and EOLA1 expression were measured on days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 post-operatively. Mean survival time was >100 days in the tolerance group and 16.2 +/- 1.4 days in the acute rejection group. Pathological evidence of acute rejection in grafts was seen after day 5 in the acute rejection group. Serum biochemical indexes were significantly higher in the acute rejection group than in the tolerance group from day 5 post-operatively, whereas EOLA1 expression in the liver graft was significantly higher in the tolerance group than in the acute rejection group. EOLA1 expression seems to be negatively correlated with severity of rejection after liver transplantation.