Peilin Xiao

Effect of Nifedipine Versus Telmisartan on Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence in Hypertensive Patients

It is controversial whether angiotensin II receptor blockers provide better protection than calcium antagonists against atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence in hypertensive patients. This study was designed to compare the effect of nifedipine- and telmisartan-based antihypertensive treatments for preventing AF recurrence in hypertensive patients with paroxysmal AF. A total of 149 hypertensive patients with paroxysmal AF were randomized to nifedipine- or telmisartan-based antihypertensive treatment groups. The target blood pressure (BP) was <130/80 mm Hg. Clinic BP, ECG, Holter monitoring, and echocardiography were followed up for 2 years. The primary end point was the incidence of overall and persistent AF recurrence. During follow-up, there was no statistical difference in the rate of patients lowering to target BP between both groups, whereas nifedipine group had slightly better BP control but similar heart rate control at 24 months. The incidence of AF recurrence was similar in both groups (nifedipine versus telmisartan: 58.7% versus 55.4%; P=0.742), and Kaplan–Meier analysis showed no significant difference in the freedom from AF recurrence (log-rank test; P=0.48). However, the rate of developing persistent AF in telmisartan group was lower than that in nifedipine group (5.4% versus 16.0%; P=0.035). Patients in telmisartan group had lower values of left atrial diameter, left atrial volume index, and left ventricular mass index at the end of follow-up. The effects of telmisartan in preventing AF recurrences in hypertensive patients with paroxysmal AF after intensive lowering BP is similar to that of nifedipine, but telmisartan has more potent effects on preventing progression to persistent AF.

Effects of renal sympathetic denervation using saline-irrigated radiofrequency ablation catheter on the activity of the renin-angiotensin system and endothelin-1.

Introduction: Excessive activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) are crucial and interacted closely in the pathogenesis of chronic cardiovascular diseases. This study investigated the effects of renal denervation (RDN) on the RAS. Materials and methods: Eight Chinese Kunming dogs underwent bilateral RDN utilizing saline-irrigated radiofrequency ablation catheter. Blood pressure (BP) measurements, blood sampling assays and renal angiography were performed at baseline, 30 min, one month and three months after ablation. Results: During three months of follow-up, RDN caused a significant and uniform reduction in plasma level of renin, angiotensin II, and endothelin-1(ET-1), with the reduction of –5.7±6.8 (p=0.049), –19.4±19.3 (p=0.025), and –22.4±21 pg/ml (p=0.02) for plasma renin, –10.6±7.2 (p=0.004), –15.9±8.8 (p=0.001), and –15.2±9.6 pg/ml (p=0.003) for plasma angiotensin II, as well as –3.9±3 (p=0.007), –10.8±5 (p<0.001), and –14.6±6.1 pg/ml (p<0.001) for plasma ET-1. RDN utilizing a saline-irrigated catheter also caused a progressive and substantial BP reduction of –19±22/–8±13, –30±13/–13±14, and –36±20/–16±14 mm Hg (p=0.045, p<0.001, and p<0.002 for systolic BP; p=0.14, p=0.036, and p=0.014 for diastolic BP) without ablation-related complications. Conclusion: RDN substantially decreased BP and also significantly decreased the plasma levels of RAS and ET-1, which might be implicated in the mechanism of BP reduction by RDN.

Efficacy and safety of zotarolimus-eluting stents compared with sirolimus-eluting stents in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions — A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND Whether ZES can further improve angiographic and clinical outcomes compared to SES still remains uncertain. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of zotarolimus-eluting stents (ZES) compared with sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). METHODS Major electronic information sources were explored for randomized controlled trials comparing ZES with SES among patients undergoing PCI during at least 9 months follow-up. The primary efficacy outcomes were target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel revascularization (TVR), and major adverse cardiac events (MACE); safety outcomes were stent thrombosis (ST), myocardial infarction (MI), and cardiac death. RESULTS Seven comparative studies were identified (a total of 5983 patients). When compared with ZES at 12-month follow-up, SES significantly reduced risk of MACE (relative risk [RR]: 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61 to 0.89, p=0.002), and TLR (RR:0.39; 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.52; p<0.00001), without significant differences in terms of TVR (RR:0.68, 95% CI: 0.38 to 1.20; p=0.18), ST (RR:0.71; 95% CI: 0.39 to 1.31; p=0.28), cardiac death (RR:0.83; 95% CI: 0.49-1.42, p=0.50) or MI (RR:1.08; 95%CI: 0.80 to 1.45; p=0.62). CONCLUSIONS At 12-month follow-up, SES are superior to ZES in reducing the incidences of TLR and MACE in patients undergoing PCI, without significant differences in terms of TVR, ST, cardiac death, and MI.

Renin-angiotensin system-related gene polymorphisms are associated with risk of atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in atrial fibrillation (AF). Recently, many publications have studied the associations between RAS-related gene polymorphisms and AF risk, with inconsistent results. To further evaluate these associations, we carried out a meta-analysis of all the published studies. METHODS Electronic searches were used to identify published studies evaluating RAS-related gene polymorphisms and AF risk before April 2009. We extracted data sets and performed meta-analysis with standardized methods. RESULTS A meta-analysis of 12 publications on association between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE insertion/deletion) and AF risk was performed. The pooled relative risk (RR) of allele D versus I was 1.19 (95% CI, 1.07-1.32, P < .01), pooled RR of DD and DI versus II was 1.31(95% CI, 1.09-1.58, P < .01) and 1.06 (95% CI, 0.97-1.16, P = .22) respectively. In subgroup analysis, a stronger association was found in hypertensive population, Western ethnic, lone AF, and patients aged > or = 65 years, with pooled RR of DD versus II was 1.74 (95% CI, 1.39-2.18, P < .01), 1.27 (95% CI, 1.01-1.59, P = .04), 1.53 (95% CI, 1.31-1.78, P < .01) and 1.38 (95% CI, 1.10-1.73, P < .01), respectively. CONCLUSION The results suggested an association between ACE insertion/deletion and AF risk. More large-scale studies are warranted to document the conclusive evidence of the effects of the RAS genes on AF risk.

Preliminary effects of renal denervation with saline irrigated catheter on cardiac systolic function in patients with heart failure: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Pilot Study.

To assess efficacy and safety of renal denervation (RDN) for heart failure (HF).

Blockade of angiotensin II improves hyperthyroid induced abnormal atrial electrophysiological properties.

BACKGROUND Previous studies reported that RAS inhibitors prevented atrial fibrillation by improving atrial electrical and structural remodeling. However, the effect of RAS inhibitors on the substrates of atrial fibrillation (AF) underlying hyperthyroid is unclear. METHODS Forty rabbits were assigned to four groups: sham group, thyroxine group, benazepril group and irbesartan group (10 per group). The atrial effective refractory period (AERP) was measured. The physiologic rate adaptation and the AF vulnerability were evaluated. The real-time PCR, Western blot or fluorescent immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of AF related Ca+, K+ channel and gap junction. RESULTS No significant difference was found in AERP among the thyroxine group, benazepril group and irbesartan group (75.13±5.41ms vs. 76.63±4.44ms, 79±4.95ms, P=0.28). However, benazepril or irbesartan could reduce AF vulnerability underlying hyperthyroid (75% vs. 37%, 44%, for thyroxine group, benazepril group and irbesartan group, respectively), and significantly improved physiologic rate adaptation of the AERP. Furthermore, both drugs significantly reduced L-Ca(2+) channel related subunits (α1C or α1D) and interstitial fibrosis (17.1±2.2% vs. 12.3±1.8, 11.7±1.2%, P<0.01, for thyroxine group, benazepril group and irbesartan group, respectively), increased lateral/polar connection of Cx43 (1.04±0.16 vs. 1.33±0.29,1.28±0.25, P<0.01, for thyroxine group, benazepril group and irbesartan group, respectively) and improved the abnormal distribution of gap junctions (Cx40, Cx43) underlying hyperthyroid. CONCLUSION Blockade of angiotensin II could improve abnormal atrial electrophysiological properties and further reduce AF vulnerability by extenuating ion channel, gap junction and structural remodeling in experimental thyrotoxic rabbits.

The effect of two different renal denervation strategies on blood pressure in resistant hypertension: Comparison of full-length versus proximal renal artery ablation.

Renal denervation (RDN) is used to manage blood pressure (BP) in patients with resistant hypertension (rHT), but effectiveness is still a concern, and key arterial portion for successful RDN is not clear.

Renal Artery Vasodilation May Be An Indicator of Successful Sympathetic Nerve Damage During Renal Denervation Procedure.

Autonomic nervous system plays a crucial role in maintaining and regulating vessel tension. Renal denervation (RDN) may induce renal artery vasodilation by damaging renal sympathetic fibers. We conducted this animal study to evaluate whether renal artery vasodilation could be a direct indicator of successful RDN. Twenty-eight Chinese Kunming dogs were randomly assigned into three groups and underwent RDN utilizing temperature-controlled catheter (group A, n = 11) or saline-irrigated catheter (group B, n = 11) or sham procedure (group C, n = 6). Renal angiography, blood pressure (BP) and renal artery vasodilation measurements were performed at baseline, 30-minute, 1-month, and 3-month after interventions. Plasma norepinephrine concentrations were tested at baseline and 3-month after intervention. Results showed that, in addition to significant BP reduction, RDN induced significant renal artery vasodilation. Correlation analyses showed that the induced renal artery vasodilation positively correlated with SBP reduction and plasma norepinephrine reduction over 3 months after ablation. Post hoc analyses showed that saline-irrigated catheter was superior to TC catheter in renal artery vasodilation, especially for the acute dilatation of renal artery at 30-minute after RDN. In conclusion, renal artery vasodilation, induced by RDN, may be a possible indicator of successful renal nerve damage and a predictor of blood pressure response to RDN.

Efficacy of Short-Term Antiarrhythmic Drugs Use after Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation-A Systematic Review with Meta-Analyses and Trial Sequential Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background The efficacy of short-term antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) use compared with no-AADs prescription after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) in preventing atrial arrhythmia recurrence is uncertain. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library through December 2015 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which evaluated the efficacy of short-term AADs use compared with no-AADs prescription after AF ablation in preventing atrial arrhythmia recurrence. The primary outcome was labeled as early atrial arrhythmia recurrence within 3 months after ablation. Secondary outcome was defined as late recurrence after 3 months of ablation. Random-effects model or fixed-effects model was used to estimate relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Six RCTs with 2,667 patients were included into this meta-analysis. Compared with no-AADs administration after AF ablation, short-term AADs use was associated with significant reduction of early atrial arrhythmia recurrence (RR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.52–0.87; p = 0.003). Trial sequential analysis (TSA) showed that the cumulative Z-curve crossed the trial sequential monitoring boundary for benefit, establishing sufficient and conclusive evidence. However, compared with no-AADs prescription, short-term AADs use after AF ablation didn’t significantly reduce the risk of late atrial arrhythmia recurrence (RR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.83–1.03; p = 0.15). TSA supported this result; meanwhile the estimated required information size (1,486 patients) was also met. Conclusion Short-term use of AADs after AF ablation can significantly decrease the risk of early atrial arrhythmia recurrence but not lead to corresponding reduction in risk of late atrial arrhythmia recurrence.

Preliminary effects of renal denervation with saline irrigated catheter on cardiac systolic function in patients with heart failure

To assess efficacy and safety of renal denervation (RDN) for heart failure (HF).