Background: There have been few studies done regarding young patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and coronary angiographic features in young patients with STEMI. Methods: We collected data on 849 consecutive patients with STEMI from 1992 to 2006. Baseline clinical characteristics, coronary anatomy, and outcome were compared in young (≤45 yrs) and older patients (>45 yrs). Results: Young patients presented 11.6% of all patients with STEMI. These patients were predominantly male (92.9% vs 80.3%, P < 0.001), more likely to smoke (75.8% vs 47.2%, P < 0.001), obese (48.2% vs 27.9%, P = 0.002), have higher triglyceride levels (176.9 ± 153.8 mg/dL vs 140.7 ± 112.7 mg/dL, P = 0.005), and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (37.1 ± 7.9 mg/dL vs 42.8 ± 14.3 mg/dL, P = 0.005) than older patients. Also, younger patients had a shorter hospital stay (7.1 ± 4.9 d vs 8.5 ± 6.7 d, P = 0.04), less in-hospital morbidity (29.3% vs 39.7%, P = 0.02), and mortality (3.0% vs 12.3%, P = 0.002). Killip class III or IV could predict in-hospital morbidity and mortality in young patients. Both groups had similar rates of repeated percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; 45.5% vs 41.5%, P = 0.23) and reinfarction (6.1% vs 3.2%, P = 0.32). Mortality rate during follow-up was significantly lower in younger patients (3.0% vs 19.6%, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Cigarette smoking, obesity, and dyslipidemia were the most important modifiable risk factors in young patients with STEMI. These patients had a better outcome than older patients without differences in repeated PCI and reinfarction between them. Only Killip class III or IV could predict in-hospital morbidity and mortality in young patients with STEMI.

Intraoperative blood flow measurement is a predictor of the primary and secondary patency of autogenous radiocephalic AVFs. Awareness of the significant correlation between intraoperative AVF blood flow and the short-term outcome would enhance the surgical efficiency and maximize the usefulness of autogenous AVF.

A 73-year-old man with resistant hypertension and impaired renal function underwent stenting for right renal artery (RRA) stenosis. Two years later, he presented with uncontrolled hypertension and worse renal function. Renal arteriogram revealed RRA stent fracture with in-stent restenosis. Another stent was deployed. Four months later, however, renal arteriogram revealed in-stent restenosis again. This time, balloon angioplasty alone was performed. He had been symptom-free with stable condition at 2-year follow-up. A literature review disclosed six renal artery stent fracture cases, including the present one, who developed in-stent stenosis resulted from stent fracture. Two major anatomy features of renal artery stenosis were suggestive for development of stent fracture: (1) renal artery entrapment by diaphragmatic crus, and (2) mobile kidney with acute angulation at proximal segment of the renal artery. It is important to detect this etiology of renal artery stenosis because stenting in these vessels may contribute to in-stent restenosis or stent fracture. Management of renal artery stent fracture, including endovascular treatment or aortorenal bypass, should be considered on a case-by-case basis in relation to clinical settings.

Background: The management of hypertension remains suboptimal throughout the world. Methods: We performed a random-effects model meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to determine the effectiveness and safety of sacubitril/valsartan (LCZ696) for the treatment of high arterial pressure. Relevant published articles from PubMed, Cochrane base, and Medline were examined, and the last search date was December 2020. Only published randomized controlled trials and double-blind studies were selected for further analysis. The mean reductions in systolic blood pressure (msSBP) and diastolic blood pressure (msDBP) in the sitting position, as well as the mean reductions in ambulatory systolic blood pressure (maSBP) and ambulatory diastolic blood pressure (maDBP), were assumed as efficacy endpoints. Adverse events (AEs) were considered as safety outcomes. Results: Ten studies with a total of 5931patients were included for analysis. Compared with placebo, LCZ696 had a significant reduction in msSBP (weight mean difference (WMD) = −6.52 mmHg, 95% confidence interval (CI): −8.57 to −4.47; p < 0.001), msDBP (WMD = −3.32 mmHg, 95% CI: −4.57 to −2.07; p < 0.001), maSBP (WMD = −7.08 mmHg, 95% CI: −10.48 to −3.68; p < 0.001), maDBP (WMD = −3.28 mmHg, 95% CI: −4.55 to −2.02, p < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, only 200 mg and 400 mg LCZ696 showed a significant BP reduction. There was no difference in the AE rate between the LCZ696 and placebo groups (WMD = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.83 to 1.27, p = 0.54). Egger’s test revealed a potential publication bias for msSBP (p = 0.025), but no publication bias for other outcomes. Conclusion: LCZ696 may reduce blood pressure more efficaciously than traditional therapy in hypertensive patients without increasing adverse effects.

Up to 10% of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted by searching PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane database of systematic reviews for randomized control trials that studied the safety and efficacy of different antithrombotic strategies in these patients. Six studies, including 12,158 patients were included. Compared to that in the triple antithrombotic therapy group (vitamin K antagonist (VKA) plus P2Y12 inhibitor and aspirin), thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) major bleeding was significantly reduced in the dual antithrombotic therapy (non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) plus P2Y12 inhibitor) group by 47% (Odds ratio (OR), 0.53; 95% credible interval [CrI], 0.35–0.78; I2 = 0%). Besides, NOAC plus a P2Y12 inhibitor was associated with less intracranial hemorrhage compared to VKA plus single antiplatelet therapy (OR: 0.20, 95% CrI: 0.05–0.77). There was no significant difference in the trial-defined major adverse cardiac events or the individual outcomes of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke or stent thrombosis among all antithrombotic strategies. In conclusion, antithrombotic strategy of NOACs plus P2Y12 inhibitor is safer than, and as effective as, the strategies including aspirin when used in AF patients undergoing PCI.