Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represent a primary factor contributing to death worldwide. Conventional indicators of obesity, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, body mass index (BMI), have limitations in differentiating between fat and muscle mass. Relative fat mass (RFM), a novel metric based on waist to height ratio, has been proposed as a more accurate measure of total body fat percentage. This research examines the relationship between RFM and CVD, utilizing data sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).Methods: This cross sectional study utilized data sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018. Participants with unavailable data on waist circumference, height, CVD complications, or total cholesterol were excluded. A total of 45,000 participants were included and divided into quartiles based on RFM values. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association between RFM and CVD. Moreover, analyses including subgroup evaluations, smooth curve modeling, and testing for interactions were conducted.Results: The prevalence of CVD was 10.42% (4,691) among the 45,000 participants. Fully adjusted models showed a significant positive association between RFM and CVD (OR = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.03–1.05; P < 0.001). Participants in the highest RFM quartile(Q4) had a 2.11 fold increased risk of CVD compared to those in the lowest quartile (OR = 2.11; 95% CI = 1.76–2.53; P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses indicated that the association was stronger in individuals aged <60 years, nonHispanic Whites, and those with BMI < 30 kg/m².Conclusions: Elevated RFM is associated with an higher proportion of patients with CVD, suggesting that RFM may be a valuable indicator for CVD prevention and management. Future prospective studies are warranted to further explore the causal relationship between RFM and CVD.

Objective. To collect and analyze data of patent foramen ovale (PFO). Methods. This study included a total of 260 patients diagnosed with PFO. We analyzed basic clinical data such as sex, age, transesophageal echocardiography as well as other symptoms. Results. Our data showed that females accounted for the highest proportion of PFO (166 females, 64), with the highest number of patients (65 patients) having between 45 and 55 years. Transesophageal echocardiography examination demonstrated frequent occurrence of tunnel-like anatomical structures. In addition, PFO was associated with symptoms such as migraine, stroke or TIA, syncope, chest tightness, and palpitations, with dizziness being the most common symptom in the patients with PFO. Conclusion. Our data demonstrated that females accounted for the highest proportion of PFO patients, with those aged between 45 and 55 years being most affected. The most frequently encountered clinical symptom was dizziness. Taken together, these findings may help doctors to better understand and screen for PFO patients.

Background. The coronary artery calcium score (CACS) is commonly employed to quantify the degree of calcification in coronary atherosclerosis. Indeed, increased coronary stenosis severity is associated with a progressive increase in CACS. Objectives. This study sought to explore the association between CACS and coronary stenosis of ≥50% and ≥70%. Methods. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patient data collected between July 1, 2017, and March 3, 2022, at Jiangmen Central Hospital. A total of 208 patients, presenting with both symptomatic and asymptomatic manifestations and suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), were included. Statistical analyses included ROC curve assessments, subgroup analyses based on age, and comparisons of CACS values against the presence of coronary stenosis ≥50% and ≥70%. Results. Ultimately, 208 patients were included, with a median age of 65.0 years and a median CACS of 115.7 (interquartile range: 13.7–369.4). A CACS threshold of ≥1300 demonstrated a specificity of 100% for coronary stenosis of ≥50%. Notably, the percentage of patients with obstructive CAD showing CACS = 0 was significantly higher in those under 65 years (15.1%) compared to patients over 65 years (3.8%) ( ). The inflection point, at which the risk probability for coronary stenosis of ≥50% shifted from being a protective factor to a risk factor, was observed when CACS fell within the range of 63.3 to 66.0. Conclusion. CACS demonstrates good performance for the detection of coronary artery stenosis.

Objective. To investigate the effect of traditional Chinese antihypertensive compound Xinmaitong on blood pressure and vasoactive factors of vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1) and vasodilator calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) with early stage hypertension. Methods. Twenty male SHRs were randomly divided into two groups: 10 for hypertensive control group and 10 for hypertensive treatment group. In addition, 10 Wistar rats were used as the normal control group without any intervention. SHRs of hypertensive treatment group were orally treated with Xinmaitong, while the hypertensive control group was treated with the normal saline (NS) for a total of eight weeks. The blood pressure in SHRs was examined before and after the end of the eight-week study. After treatment, the rats were killed and the blood samples were collected to measure plasma levels of ET-1 and CGRP by ELISA method, respectively. Meanwhile, the aorta rings were isolated for measuring the mRNA expression of ET-1 and CGRP by PCR. Moreover, the protein levels of ET-1 and CGRP were studied by immunohistochemical. Results. Daily oral administration of Xinmaitong resulted in significant fall in the SHRs blood pressure, including systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP), mean blood pressure (MBP), and pulse pressure (PP). The plasma ET-1 levels were reduced and CGRP increased. In parallel, the mRNA and protein expression of ET-1 were decreased, whereas the mRNA and protein expression of CGRP were enhanced in SHRs treated with Xinmaitong. Conclusion. The present study demonstrated for the first time that Xinmaitong leads to the fall in blood pressure of SHRs and that this antihypertensive effect is, at least in part, due to improvement of arterial tone.

It has previously been shown that the number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) is negatively correlated with Syntax score in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the association between alterations in EPC function and Syntax score is still unknown. The present study evaluated the association between the activity of EPCs as well as endothelial function and Syntax score in patients with CAD and investigated the underlying mechanisms. A total of 60 patients with CAD were enrolled in 3 groups according to Syntax score, and 20 healthy subjects were recruited as the control group. The number and migratory, proliferative and adhesive activities of circulating EPCs were studied. The endothelial function was measured by flow‑mediated dilatation (FMD) and the levels of nitric oxide (NO) in plasma or secreted by EPCs were detected. The number and activity of circulating EPCs were lower in patients with a high Syntax score, which was similar to the alteration in FMD. The level of NO in plasma or secreted by EPCs also decreased as Syntax score increased. There was a negative association between FMD or circulating EPCs and Syntax score. A similar association was observed between the levels of NO in plasma or secreted by EPCs and Syntax score. Patients with CAD who had a higher Syntax score exhibited lower EPC numbers or activity and weaker endothelial function, which may be associated with attenuated NO production. These findings provide novel surrogate parameters for evaluation of the severity and complexity of CAD.