MSCs released extracellular vesicles (EVs) upon hypoxia stimulation. MSC-EVs were a mixture of microvesicles and exosomes. MSC-EVs could be promptly uptaken by human umbilical vein endothelial cells. MSC-EVs promoted neoangiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. MSC-EVs preserved cardiac performance in an AMI model.

ObjectiveBoth decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and arterial stiffness were considered as risk factors for atherosclerosis. Previous studies have suggested the association between central arterial stiffness and the degree of GFR loss. Whether decreased GFR contributes to peripheral artery stiffness remains controversial. Moreover, data analyzed from a cohort of Chinese women are rare. Our aim was to explore the relationship between GFR and regional arterial stiffness in Chinese women.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we randomly recruited 1131 adult women residents with GFR ≥ 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 estimated by the Chinese Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation from three large communities. Central and peripheral arterial stiffness were estimated simultaneously by measuring carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVcf) and carotid-radial PWV (PWVcr) using a validated automatic device. Augmentation Index at heart rate 75 beats/minutes (AIx-75) was measured by pulse wave analysis as a composite parameter reflecting both large and distal arterial properties.ResultsThe mean estimated GFR (eGFR) of the study group was 100.05 ± 23.26 mL/minute per 1.73 m2. Subjects were grouped by tertiles of eGFR level. PWVcf and AIx-75 increased ongoing from the top to the bottom eGFR tertile, while the values of PWVcr were comparable. Both univariate Pearson correlations and multiple stepwise regression analyses showed that eGFR significantly correlated to PWVcf, but not to PWVcr and AIx-75.ConclusionsIn Chinese women with normal to mildly impaired renal function, decreased eGFR affected carotid-to-femoral rather than carotid-to-radial stiffening. This provides rational to conduct future prospective studies to investigate predictors of atherosclerosis in this population.

trend<0.001) respectively. Addition of ankle-brachial index significantly (p<0.001) increased the predictive value of the model for 3-year deaths compared with a model containing risk factors alone. Comparison of areas under receiver operator characteristics curves confirmed that a model including the ankle-brachial index discriminated better than one without. Conclusions There was an inverse association between anklebrachial index and mortality. Addition of ankle-brachial index significantly improved the prediction of 3-year mortality over and above that of conventional risk factors. We recommend that anklebrachial index be incorporated into prognostic assessment for patients with ischaemic heart disease.

Objective To probe into the use of TCM preparations in the secondary prevention and treatment of CHD in China and investigate its influencing factors and relationship with guideline-recommended therapies. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2,803 CHD outpatients, a representative sample of China. Interviewers (physicians) were assigned to collect information concerning patients' medical care, previous diseases/treatments, and current medication. The use of TCM preparations and its influencing factors was analysed. Results The rate of using TCM preparations was 29.5% in 2,712 patients with complete information; the rates of using four guideline-recommended Western medication classes, aspirin, b-blocker, statins and ACEI/ARB, were 84.0, 61.9, 56.8 and 60.1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the rate of using TCM preparations was higher in secondary hospitals than in tertiary hospitals and was higher in patients with a longer history of CHD and/or in patients who were not taking ACEI/ARB and statins. The rate of using TCM preparations was also higher in patients without a history of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Compared with those who were not taking TCM preparations (non-TCM group), the rate of using any of the four major classes were relatively lower among patients who were taking TCM preparations (TCM group). The rate of using combined therapies was 21.8% in the TCM group and 34.8% in the non-TCM group. When other factors were adjusted, the rate of guideline-recommended therapy use in the non-TCM group was 1.7 times of that in the TCM group. Conclusion Nearly 30% of Chinese CHD patients are taking TCM preparations to manage their heart disease, especially those with a long disease course, without a history of PCI and/or treated in secondary hospitals. The effectiveness of both TCM preparations and the four guideline-recommended drug classes requires further research. Objectives Although data of prevalence of prior percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and prior coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) are available in the European Heart Survey Programme, there is still lack of large scale cross-sectional study in China. This survey intended to investigate current status of secondary coronary revascularization in Beijing Anzhen Hospital, which is one of the largest cardiovascular centers in China. Methods A comprehensive review of the institution's database between January 2006 and July 2009 was conducted. Patients who received coronary revascularization were divided into PCI and CABG groups. Demographic information, concomitant diseases, peri-operative laboratory examinations, angiographic features and surgery information of consecutive patients who underwent coronary revascularization were collected. Results A total of 20,299 patients were included in the analysis, of which 68.58% (13,922) patients received PCI and 31.42% (6377) underwent CABG. Compared to PCI group, the mean age of CABG group was significant older (61.869.4 vs 59.7610.8, respectively, p<0.001). The pr...