Cardiovascular Reviews

A Discussion on ROC Curve: Exploring the Predictive Value of P-Selectin and PTX3 Levels in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Complicated with Ischemic Stroke

2026-01-12T08:47:16+08:00

Objective: To explore the predictive value of P-Selectin and Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) levels in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) complicated with ischemic stroke using ROC curve analysis. Methods: Selected 48 patients with NVAF and ischemic stroke admitted to the hospital from June 2018 to December 2020 as the occurrence group, and 50 patients with NVAF without ischemic stroke during the same period as the nonoccurrence group. Clinical data of the two groups were collected. Serum CD62P and PTX3 levels were detected and compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors for ischemic stroke in patients with NVAF, and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the predictive value of serum CD62P and PTX3 levels for ischemic stroke in patients with NVAF. Results: The age, left atrial diameter (LAD), CHA2DS2VASc score, and serum CD62P and PTX3 levels of patients in the occurrence group were higher than those in the nonoccurrence group (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that serum CD62P and PTX3 levels, CHA2DS2VASc score, LAD, and age were risk factors for ischemic stroke in patients with NVAF (P < 0.05). ROC analysis showed that the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the curve (AUC) of serum CD62P and PTX3 in predicting ischemic stroke in NVAF patients were 80.72%/83.54%, 77.31%/74.29%, 79.35%/81.41%, and 0.769/0.787, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and AUC of the combined prediction of the two were 90.36%, 68.75%, 87.91%, and 0.854, respectively. Conclusion: The abnormal increase in serum CD62P and PTX3 levels is related to NVAF patients complicated with ischemic stroke, and serum CD62P and PTX3 are risk factors for ischemic stroke in NVAF patients. The combination of the two has high clinical value in predicting ischemic stroke in NVAF patients.

The Impact of Combined Application of Bisoprolol and Rivaroxaban on Cardiac Function in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

2026-01-12T08:47:16+08:00

Objective: To investigate the impact of the combined application of bisoprolol and rivaroxaban on cardiac function in patients with coronary heart disease. Methods: This study employed a retrospective design, including 90 patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease and treated in our hospital from January 2022 to June 2024. The patients were divided into a combination group (receiving both bisoprolol and rivaroxaban, n = 44) and a control group (receiving bisoprolol alone, n = 46) based on their medication regimen. Baseline data, cardiac ultrasound indicators (left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter), serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, 6-minute walk test distance, and the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events were collected through the electronic medical record system. Results: After treatment, the left ventricular ejection fraction in the combination group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05), and the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter in the combination group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The combination group had a significantly lower NT-proBNP level compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The 6-minute walk test distance in the combination group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). No significant statistical difference was observed in the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The combined treatment of bisoprolol and rivaroxaban for patients with coronary heart disease can better improve cardiac function and enhance exercise tolerance in patients.

Analysis of Sensitivity and Accuracy of Transthoracic Echocardiography Right Heart Contrast Combined with Transcranial Doppler Bubble Test in the Diagnosis of Patent Foramen Ovale

2026-01-12T08:47:15+08:00

Objective: To analyze the diagnostic value of transthoracic right heart contrast echocardiography (c-TTE) combined with transcranial color-coded Doppler (c-TCCD) in patent foramen ovale (PFO). Methods: A total of 180 suspected PFO patients admitted from October 2023 to October 2025 were selected and evenly divided using a random number table. The observation group underwent c-TTE combined with c-TCCD for diagnosis, while the reference group underwent c-TTE alone. The diagnostic effects of the two groups were compared. Results: The detection rates of PFO in the observation group under both resting state and Valsalva maneuver were higher than those in the reference group (p < 0.05). Apart from the aperture size and thickness of the secondary septum, there were differences in other anatomical indicators between the two groups (p < 0.05). The detection rate of grade III shunt in the observation group was higher than that in the reference group (p < 0.05). Using the diagnostic results of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) as the gold standard, the sensitivity and accuracy of the observation group were higher than those of the reference group, while the missed diagnosis rate was lower than that of the reference group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The diagnosis of c-TTE combined with c-TCCD can effectively detect PFO, fully assess changes in the cardiac anatomical structure of patients, and determine shunt conditions, demonstrating high diagnostic efficacy.

The Impact of Early Initiation of Intensive Lipid- Lowering Therapy on Lipid Target Achievement and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

2026-01-12T08:47:16+08:00

Objective: This study primarily investigates the impact of early initiation of intensive lipid-lowering therapy on lipid target achievement rates and the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 100 patients with ACS who underwent PCI in our hospital were selected as the study subjects. They were randomly divided into a control group (treated with statin combined with ezetimibe, n = 41), study group 1 (initiated with statin combined with a PCSK9 inhibitor immediately after surgery, n = 32), and study group 2 (received routine oral statin and initiated with a combined PCSK9 inhibitor before discharge, n = 27). The safety of treatment, lipid target achievement, and differences in the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events were compared and analyzed among the three groups. Results: The treatment regimen in study group 1 demonstrated the optimal effect in improving liver and kidney function and lipid indicators, followed by study group 2, while the control group showed relatively weaker efficacy, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). The overall incidence of cardiovascular adverse events was 25.00% in the control group, 5.00% in study group 1, and 15.00% in study group 2, with statistically significant differences between the groups (P < 0.05), with study group 1 having the lowest incidence. Conclusion: Early intensive lipid-lowering therapy can significantly improve lipid target achievement rates and reduce the risk of MACE in patients with ACS undergoing PCI, with good safety and significant clinical implications.

The Clinical Effect of Xuesaitong in the Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease and its Influence on the Hemorheology of Patients

2026-01-12T08:47:15+08:00

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effect of Xuesaitong on patients with coronary heart disease and its influence on their hemorheology. Methods: A total of 80 patients with coronary heart disease were included as observation samples. All of them received treatment in our hospital from January 2024 to January 2025. They were divided into the control group (n = 40, conventional treatment) and the observation group (n = 40, conventional treatment + Xuesaitong treatment) by lottery. The clinical efficacy was analyzed. Result: The therapeutic effect and the improvement of hemorheology in the observation group were both better than those in the control group, and the comparisons were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The treatment effect of Xuesaitong on patients with coronary heart disease is remarkable, and it is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Clinical Application of PCSK9 Inhibitor in Tumor Therapy

2026-01-12T08:47:15+08:00

Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9), a key protein secreted by the liver, initially emerged as a research focus in the cardiovascular field due to its central role in regulating lipid metabolism. With the deepening of research, the functional scope of PCSK9 and its inhibitors has continued to expand. They not only demonstrate remarkable efficacy in lipid management and the prevention/treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) but also show enormous potential value in cancer prevention and control. Beyond indirectly regulating tumor progression by modulating lipid and inflammatory metabolism, PCSK9 may also exert direct effects on tumorigenesis and progression by participating in tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis signaling pathways, and immune regulation (e.g., influencing the expression of LDLR-related molecules on the surface of immune cells). However, no unified consensus has been reached in existing mechanistic studies. Regarding clinical evidence, there is heterogeneity among the results of multiple cohort studies and clinical trials. Some studies indicate that PCSK9 inhibitors do not significantly increase cancer risk or cancer-related mortality, and even some data suggest potential protective effects against specific types of tumors. Conversely, a small number of studies imply that long-term use may be associated with a slight elevation in the risk of certain cancers. Such discrepancies may stem from heterogeneity in sample size, follow-up duration, tumor types, and baseline characteristics of the study populations. Based on a review of numerous relevant studies, this article concludes that PCSK9 inhibitors may become a key therapeutic agent for cancer treatment in the future.

Prediction of Rapidly Progressing Coronary Plaques Using a 3D Convolutional Neural Network Model Based on Coronary CT Angiography

2026-01-15T09:19:50+08:00

Objective：To develop a three-dimensional convolutional neural network (3D-CNN) model based on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for predicting rapid plaque progression (RPP), and to compare its performance against traditional machine learning models and existing advanced methodologies. Methods:This retrospective study analyzed 150 patients who underwent serial CCTA examinations. Following strict alignment of CTA volume data with plaque masks, traditional machine learning models (LASSO, Elastic Net, Random Forest, XGBoost) and a lightweight 3D-CNN model were constructed. RPP was defined as an annualized plaque burden (PB) increase ≥ 1.0%. Model performance was primarily evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), with SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) employed for model interpretation. Results:Traditional models demonstrated limited discriminatory ability, with AUCs ranging from 0.32 to 0.51. The developed 3D-CNN model achieved an AUC of 0.75 on the independent test set, with a sensitivity of 0.64 and a specificity of 0.88. SHAP analysis revealed that the 3D-CNN focused on internal plaque texture and Hounsfield Unit (HU) distribution patterns, whereas traditional models relied on limited features such as plaque volume.Conclusion:The 3D-CNN model can directly learn deep features associated with RPP from CCTA images. Its performance is significantly superior to traditional models and demonstrates potential comparable to current advanced radiomics and machine learning methods, offering a novel tool for non-invasive identification of high-risk plaques using a single time-point baseline scan.

Exploration of the Relationship Between Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 Gene Polymorphisms and Venous Thromboembolism in Critically Ill Patients

2026-01-12T08:47:15+08:00

Objective: Whether patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) receive targeted treatment or not, their mortality rates remain relatively high. Common risk factors for VTE include tumors, trauma, obesity, infection, and gene mutations related to the coagulation/anticoagulation system. However, research on the relationship between non-coagulation/anticoagulation system gene mutations and VTE is currently insufficient. Methods: This study retrospectively collected clinical data from 123 patients in the Department of Critical Care Medicine at Nanjing Jiangning Hospital from June 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024. Through univariate and multivariate analyses, risk factors for VTE in critically ill patients were identified, and a risk prediction model was constructed. Results: The proportion of patients carrying the ALDH2*2 genotype was higher in the VTE group than in those with the ALDH2*1 genotype (21.3% vs 7.9%, P = 0.032). Patients carrying the ALDH2*2 genotype had a 6.553-fold increased risk of developing VTE compared to those with the ALDH2*1 genotype. Patients with a history of diabetes had an 11.491-fold increased risk of VTE compared to those without diabetes, while patients with a history of smoking had a 39.302-fold increased risk compared to non-smokers. For each additional year of age, the risk of VTE increased by 12.5%. For each one-unit increase in left ventricular shortening fraction, the risk of VTE decreased by 37.4%. Conclusion: Mutation of the mitochondrial metabolic enzyme ALDH2 is a risk factor for VTE in critically ill patients and may represent a novel pathway for VTE prevention in this population.

Clinical Diagnostic Value of Serum Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Combined with Carotid Artery Ultrasound Parameters in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

2026-01-16T16:45:49+08:00

Objective: To analyze and study the results of carotid artery ultrasound examination and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) detection in patients with coronary heart disease, aiming to explore their application effectiveness and value in the clinical diagnosis of coronary heart disease. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the diagnostic conditions of suspected coronary heart disease patients who visited our hospital from May 2023 to June 2025. Using coronary angiography results as the gold standard, 60 patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease were selected as the study group, and 60 patients without coronary heart disease were selected as the control group. LDL-C levels and carotid artery ultrasound parameters were compared between the two groups to evaluate their diagnostic value. Results: The IMT and plaque semi-quantitative scores in the study group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05); carotid artery plaques were detected in 47 patients in the study group, with a total of 103 plaques. The proportion of patients with ≥ 2 types of plaques was 66.67%, mainly consisting of heterogeneous plaques (34.95%) and soft plaques (56.31%), which were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05); LDL-C and TC levels in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The detection of serum LDL-C and carotid artery ultrasound parameters holds significant application value in the diagnosis of coronary heart disease (CHD). A combined detection approach can serve as an important reference for screening coronary artery lesions and provide a reference basis for formulating clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies.