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Resumo Fundamento A ecocardiografia é essencial para avaliação do coração transplantado. No entanto, os valores de normalidade no transplante cardíaco (TC) não estão claramente definidos. Objetivos: Comparar parâmetros ecocardiográficos convencionais e pela técnica de Speckle Tracking entre pacientes transplantados cardíacos sem rejeição e uma população de indivíduos saudáveis. Métodos Foram estudados prospectivamente pacientes adultos, com menos de 1 ano de TC, que realizaram biópsia endomiocárdica de vigilância seguido de ecocardiograma transtorácico (ETT). Medidas convencionais de ETT acrescidas da avaliação de mecânica cardíaca por meio do Strain pelo Speckle Tracking foram realizadas e comparadas com um grupo de voluntários saudáveis. A significância estatística adotada para o estudo foi de 5%. Resultados Avaliou-se 36 pacientes transplantados sem rejeição, os quais foram comparados com 30 indivíduos saudáveis. Observou-se redução nos valores de Strain Global Longitudinal de Ventrículo Esquerdo em valor absoluto (11,99% transplantados, 20,60% controle, p<0,0001), Strain de parede livre de Ventrículo Direito (transplantados 16,67%, controle 25,50%, p<0,0001) e dos índices de trabalho miocárdico (p<0,0001), maior tamanho do átrio esquerdo (38,17 ml/m2 transplantados, controle 18,98 ml/m2, p<0,0001), maior índice de massa e espessura relativa das paredes (p<0,0001) e a presença da Doença de Chagas como principal etiologia para o transplante. Conclusão Os transplantados cardíacos estáveis e sem rejeição apresentaram diferenças com relação aos parâmetros ecocardiográficos comparados com indivíduos saudáveis. Estes achados indicam que medidas ecocardiográficas convencionais e de mecânica cardíaca são alteradas em transplantados mesmo na ausência de rejeição e podem ser relevantes para o contexto clínico e acompanhamento dos pacientes.
Abstract Background Echocardiography is essential for the assessment of patients with heart transplants. However, normal values in such individuals are not clearly defined. Objectives To compare conventional echocardiographic and speckle tracking variables between patients with unrejected heart transplants and healthy individuals. Methods : A prospective study was conducted with adult patients having undergone heart transplantation at least one year earlier and submitted to endomyocardial biopsy followed by transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). Conventional TTE measures and mechanical heart strain assessments using speckle tracking were performed and the results were compared to those of a group of healthy volunteers. Statistical significance was set at 5% (p < 0.05). Results Thirty-six transplant patients without rejection were analyzed and compared to 30 healthy individuals. Chagas disease was the main reason for transplantation. Lower left ventricular global longitudinal strain expressed in absolute values was found (11.99% in transplant patients vs. 20.60% in controls; p <0.0001), right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (16.67% in transplant patients vs. 25.50% in controls; p <0.0001) and myocardial work indices (p < 0.0001) as well as a larger size of the left atrium (38.17 ml/m2 in transplant patients vs. 18.98 ml/m2 in controls; p <0.0001) and greater mass and relative wall thickness (p <0.0001). Conclusion Stable patients having undergone heart transplants without rejection have differences concerning echocardiographic variables compared to healthy individuals. These findings indicate that conventional echocardiographic measures and heart mechanics are altered in transplant patients even in the absence of rejection. Such findings are relevant to the clinical context and follow-up of the patient.
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Resumo Fundamento A regurgitação valvar pulmonar é uma importante complicação de longo prazo em pacientes com tetralogia de Fallot (TF). Objetivo O presente estudo tem como objetivo investigar os efeitos do implante valvar pulmonar (IVP) na anatomia e função do ventrículo direito (VD) e na evolução em longo prazo da prótese implantada em posição pulmonar. Métodos Uma análise de coorte retrospectiva e unicêntrica foi realizada em 56 pacientes consecutivos com TF submetidos a IVP. O estudo incluiu pacientes de ambos os gêneros, com idade ≥ 12 anos e compreendeu avaliação de dados clínicos e cirúrgicos, ressonância magnética cardiovascular pré e pós-operatória e dados ecocardiográficos obtidos mais de 1 ano após IVP. Resultados Após o IVP, houve uma diminuição significativa do volume sistólico final do VD indexado pela área de superfície corpórea (ASC), de 89 mL/ASC para 69 mL/ASC (p < 0,001) e do volume diastólico final indexado do VD, de 157 mL/ASC para 116 mL/ASC (p < 0,001). Além disso, houve aumento da fração de ejeção corrigida do VD [ FEVDc = fluxo pulmonar ajustado (fluxo pulmonar anterógrado − fluxo regurgitante) / volume diastólico final do VD ] de 23% para 35% (p < 0,001) e da fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo de 58% para 60% (p = 0,008). No entanto, foi observado um aumento progressivo no gradiente de pico da válvula pulmonar ao longo do tempo, com 25% dos pacientes apresentando um gradiente superior a 60 mmHg. Próteses menores (tamanhos 19 a 23) foram associadas a um risco 4,3 vezes maior de gradiente > 60 mmHg em comparação com próteses maiores (tamanhos 25 a 27; p = 0,029; intervalo de confiança: 1,18 a 17,8). Conclusão Conforme esperado, o IVP demonstrou melhorias nos volumes e na função do VD. O acompanhamento e a vigilância a longo prazo são cruciais para avaliar a durabilidade da prótese e detectar potenciais complicações. O dimensionamento adequado das próteses é essencial para melhorar a longevidade da prótese.
Abstract Background Pulmonary valve regurgitation is a significant long-term complication in patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Objective This study aims to investigate the effects of pulmonary valve implantation (PVI) on the anatomy and function of the right ventricle (RV) and the long-term evolution of the implanted prosthesis in the pulmonary position. Methods A single-center retrospective cohort analysis was performed in 56 consecutive patients with TOF who underwent PVI. The study included patients of both sexes, aged ≥ 12 years, and involved assessing clinical and surgical data, pre- and post-operative cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, and echocardiogram data more than 1 year after PVI. Results After PVI, there was a significant decrease in RV end-systolic volume indexed by body surface area (BSA), from 89 mL/BSA to 69 mL/BSA (p < 0.001) and indexed RV end-diastolic volume, from 157 mL/BSA to 116 mL/BSA (p < 0.001). Moreover, there was an increase in corrected RV ejection fraction [ RVEFC = net pulmonary flow (pulmonary forward flow − regurgitant flow) / R V end-diastolic volume] from 23% to 35% (p < 0.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction from 58% to 60% (p = 0.008). However, a progressive increase in the peak pulmonary valve gradient was observed over time, with 25% of patients experiencing a gradient exceeding 60 mmHg. Smaller prostheses (sizes 19 to 23) were associated with a 4.3-fold higher risk of a gradient > 60 mmHg compared to larger prostheses (sizes 25 to 27; p = 0.029; confidence interval: 1.18 to 17.8). Conclusion As expected, PVI demonstrated improvements in RV volumes and function. Long-term follow-up and surveillance are crucial for assessing the durability of the prosthesis and detecting potential complications. Proper sizing of prostheses is essential for improved prosthesis longevity.
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Objective:To analyze and explore the effect of dapagliflozin on cardiac function,mitogen activated protein ki-nase(MAPK),inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)and extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2(ERK1/2)in patients with severe heart failure(SHF).Methods:A total of 122 SHF patients treated in our hospital were selected,randomly and equally divided into routine treatment group(received diuretic vasodilation-dominant basic therapy)and dapagliflozin group(received dapagliflozin based on routine treatment group).After three-month treatment,therapeutic effect,cardi-ac function,coronary hemodynamic indexes and therapeutic safety were compared between two groups.Results:The total effective rate of dapagliflozin group was significantly higher than that of routine treatment group(91.80％vs.77.05％,P=0.025).Compared with routine treatment group after treatment,there were significant rise in left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),stroke volume(SV),diastolic peak velocity(DPV),systolic peak velocity(SPV)and coronary blood flow(CBF),and significant reductions in QT interval dispersion(QTd),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDd),coronary resistance(CR)and levels of MAPK[(46.79±7.02)ng/L vs.(39.38±5.82)ng/L],iNOS[(88.93±10.02)μmol/L vs.(79.61±9.04)μmol/L]and ERK1/2[(27.03±5.83)ng/L vs.(21.62±4.18)ng/L]in dapagliflozin group,P=0.001 all.There was no significant difference in incidence rate of adverse reactions between two groups,P=0.408.Conclusion:Dapagliflozin combined with diuretic and vasodilator therapy has a significant therapeutic effect on patients with severe heart failure,which can improve cardiac function and coronary hemodynamics,reduce the levels of MAPK,iNOS,and ERK1/2 with good safety.
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Objective:To investigate the clinical value of tissue Doppler echocardiography in the evaluation of left ventricular function in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension.Methods:This is a case-control study, including 100 patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension who received treatment at the Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine from May 2019 to May 2022, and an additional 100 healthy pregnant women who underwent physical examination during the same period. All participants underwent two-dimensional echocardiography, pulsed Doppler echocardiography, and tissue Doppler echocardiography. Ultrasound parameters related to left ventricular morphology and function were collected from all participants. The ultrasound parameters related to left ventricular morphology and function between patients with different types of pregnancy-induced hypertension and healthy controls were compared. The correlation between left ventricular function ultrasound parameters and serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels was investigated.Results:Patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension, patients with mild preeclampsia, patients with severe preeclampsia, and healthy controls demonstrated differences in interventricular septum thickness during diastole [(10.24 ± 1.18) mm, (11.39 ± 1.24) mm, (11.57 ± 1.29) mm, (8.81 ± 0.95) mm], left ventricular end-diastolic diameter [(47.31 ± 2.81) mm, (49.82 ± 2.89) mm, (52.03 ± 2.94) mm, (46.82 ± 2.76) mm], left ventricular posterior wall thickness [(9.73 ± 1.06) mm, (10.62 ± 1.13) mm, (11.75 ± 1.21) mm, (8.96 ± 0.97) mm], left ventricular inner diameter [(32.82 ± 2.34) mm, (35.48 ± 2.39) mm, (36.04 ± 2.45) mm, (30.41 ± 2.27) mm], and left ventricular mass index [(98.41 ± 7.83) g/m 2, (105.73 ± 8.26) g/m 2, (108.63 ± 8.57) g/m 2, (96.59 ± 7.69) g/m 2]. All of these parameters showed significant differences between patients with different types of pregnancy-induced hypertension and healthy controls ( F = 13.47, 12.61, 16.59, 13.26, 19.73, all P < 0.001). Significant differences were also observed in echocardiographic indices of left ventricular function such as peak velocity ratio of E and A waves, systolic motor amplitude, early peak diastolic velocity to late peak diastolic velocity, and Tei index between patients with different types of pregnancy-induced hypertension and healthy controls ( F = 12.84, 11.27, 14.64, 21.43, all P < 0.001). In patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension, peak velocity ratio of E and A waves, systolic motor amplitude, and early peak diastolic velocity to late peak diastolic velocity were moderately negatively correlated with serum NT-proBNP level ( r = -0.56, -0.43, -0.54, P = 0.029, 0.042, 0.031), while Tei index showed a positive correlation with serum NT-proBNP level ( r = 0.77; P = 0.003). Conclusion:Two-dimensional echocardiography, pulsed Doppler echocardiography combined with tissue Doppler echocardiography can be used to effectively evaluate the changes in left ventricular structure and function in patients with different types of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Monitoring the Tei index using tissue Doppler echocardiography can accurately reflect myocardial injury and functional changes, which has a great clinical application value.
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Objective To explore the correlations of evaluations of right heart function parameters in patients with Ebstein anomaly(EA)using echocardiography and cardiac MRI.Methods Data of transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac MRI in 32 patients with EA confirmed by operation were retrospectively analyzed.The correlations of cardiac cavity size,right ventricular function and strain parameters obtained using echocardiography and the functional right ventricular(fRV)ejection fraction(EF)measured using MRI were explored.Results MRI fRV-EF in 32 cases of EA was(23.20± 7.61)％.Among echocardiographic parameters in 32 cases of EA,fractional area change(FAC)of fRV(r=0.347,P=0.015)was slightly,while global longitudinal strain(GLS)of fRV(r=0.801,P＜0.001)was highly positively correlated with MRI fRV-EF,respectively,whereas atrialized right ventricle(aRV)area/fRV area(r=-0.730,P=0.007)was highly negatively,aRV area/left ventricular area(r=-0.450,P=0.042)and right ventricular anterior-posterior diameter(r=-0.650,P=0.022)were both moderately negatively correlated with MRI fRV-EF.Both the left ventricular eccentricity index(r=-0.347,P=0.049)and Glasgow outcome scale extended(r=-0.336,P=0.024)obtained with echocardiography were slightly negatively correlated MRI fRV-EF.Conclusion Right heart function parameters in EA patients obtained with echocardiography were correlated with those of MRI fRV-GLS,among which aRV area/fRV area were highly positively correlated with MRI fRV-EF,hence having great value for evaluating right heart function in EA patients.
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Kidney transplantation is the first choice for treating uremia.Traditional cardiovascular risk factors,renal insufficiency related changes and immunosuppressive medications increase the risk of left ventricular insufficiency after kidney transplantation.Early identification and timely intervention of left ventricular dysfunction after kidney transplantation are helpful to improve life quality and survival time of the transplant recipients.The application progresses of various echocardiographic techniques in monitoring structural and functional changes of left ventricle after kidney transplantation were reviewed in this article.
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Purpose To assess the right atrial and right ventricular strain and right ventricular-pulmonary artery(RV-PA)coupling in rheumatoid arthritis(RA)via two-dimensional speckle tracking.Materials and Methods Sixty patients with RA in the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from June 2020 to June 2022 were prospectively selected,and all RA patients were divided into three groups according to pulmonary artery systolic pressure(PASP),including group A(n=20 cases)with PASP<33 mmHg,group B(n=20 cases)with PASP 33-39 mmHg as mild ePH,and group C(n=20 cases)PASP≥40 mmHg,twenty healthy individuals were selected as the control group.All subjects underwent transthoracic echocardiography,and right atrial and right ventricular systolic function was assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking technique,and RV-PA coupling was assessed noninvasively by right ventricular free wall strain/pulmonary artery systolic pressure(RV FWS/PASP),pulmonary function was analyzed by pulmonary function instruments.Spearman's analysis was used to analyze the correlation between right heart function and RV-PA coupling to pulmonary diffusion function.Results There were statistical differences in right ventricular base diameter,right atrium diameter,tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion,inferior vena cava diameter,PASP,right ventricular global strain,RV FWS,right atrium strain-reservoi,right atrium strain-conduit(S-CD),RV FWS/PASP among the four groups(F/H=2.369-74.880,all P<0.05).Right atrium strain-reservoi[(36.0±7.9)%vs.(30.9±7.8)%],right atrium S-CD[(19.9±6.9)%vs.(15.3±4.7)%]and RV FWS/PASP(0.96±0.19 vs.0.56±0.13)in group B were significantly lower than those of group A(t=2.040,2.262,7.704,all P<0.05).There was a good correlation between diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide single-breathmethod and right ventricular global strain,RV FWS,right atrium S-CD and RV FWS/PASP in RA patients(r=0.392,0.472,0.431,0.572,all P<0.05).Conclusion The more increases of pulmonary artery pressures,the more decreases of right heart function in RA patients,and the more uncoupling in RV-PA.Right heart dysfunction and right ventricle-pulmonary artery uncoupling have developed in RA patients with PASP 33-39 mmHg,with association of pulmonary diffusion dysfunction.
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ABSTRACT Introduction: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is the first-line therapy for temporary mechanical circulatory support allowing cardiac and pulmonary recovery or as a bridge to further therapeutic alternatives. The aim of this study was to report clinical outcomes in adult patients with refractory cardiac failure after open-heart surgery undergoing ECMO in a single center with an ECMO unit in Chile. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed adults with refractory cardiac failure after open-heart surgery who required a venoarterial (VA) ECMO between 2016 and 2021. Results: Of 16 patients with VA ECMO, 60% were men (n=10), 90% had hypertension (n=14), 69% had < 30% of left ventricular ejection fraction (n=11), and the mean European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II score was 12 ± 11%. ECMO support with central cannulation accounts for 81% (n=13), and an intra-aortic balloon pump was used in nine patients (56%). The mean time of support was 4.7 ± 2.6 days (1.5 - 12 days). ECMO weaning was achieved in 88% of patients, and in-hospital mortality was 44% (n=7) after discharge. The freedom from all-cause mortality at one year of follow-up of the entire cohort was 38% (n=6). Conclusion: VA ECMO is now a well-known life-saving therapeutic option, but mortality and morbidity remain high. Implementation of an ECMO program with educational training is mandatory in order to find the proper balance between patient benefits, ethical considerations, and public health financial input in South America.
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Abstract Background Recently, a new heart failure (HF) classification was made considering the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) phenotype. Comprehensive assessments of the groups are required to guide patient management. Objective To determine the differences in sociodemographic, clinical, functional aerobic capacity, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) variables in patients with HF classified with different LVEFs and to explore the correlations between the variables. Methods This work is a cross-sectional descriptive and correlational study. Three groups of patients with HF (LVEF≥50%, LVEF<40%, and LVEF40-49%) were compared. Sociodemographic, clinical variables and functional aerobic capacity with Sit to Stand (STS), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), Duke Activity Status Index (DASI), Minnesota Living with HF Questionnaire (MLFHQ), and Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) were considered. The Chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, and Spearman's correlation were used for statistical analysis. The statistical significance level was set at 5%. Results A total of 209 patients were admitted with a diagnosis of HF, with a more significant number of men. Marital status was a predominantly stable union in the HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and HF with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) groups. A sedentary lifestyle was lower in the HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) group 59 (84.3%), p-value = 0.033, and the angina pectoris was higher in the HFpEF 30 (42.9%). Systolic blood pressure at the end of the 6MWT evidenced a higher score in HFpEF 132.0±17.25 concerning HFrEF 128.0±16.57, p-value=0.043. The fat percentage was higher in HFpEF 30.20±8.80 regarding the HFmrEF group 26.51±7.60, p-value = 0.028. Conclusion There were significant differences according to the LVEF classification in marital status, angina symptoms, fat percentage, and blood pressure at rest.
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A 12?year?old boy presented with bicuspid aortic valve, severe aortic regurgitation, and dilated dysfunctional left ventricle in heart failure. He underwent aortic valve replacement with a 23 mm TTK Chitra heart valve prosthesis (tilting disk). He was gradually weaned off milrinone and noradrenaline in the intensive care. Echocardiography showed severe left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 24%. The radial pulse was regular and of normal volume but exactly half that of the heart rate. Evaluation of the rhythm and echocardiography revealed an interesting hemodynamic phenomenon with double alternans.
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Objective:To investigate the difference in left ventricular dysfunction between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with hyperlipidemia and those without hyperlipidemia, and analyze the application value of three-dimensional speckle tracking technology.Methods:The clinical data of 70 patients with T2DM admitted to Heji Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College from January 2020 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Among these patients, 35 patients had hyperlipidemia and 35 patients had no hyperlipidemia. At the same time, 40 healthy subjects who concurrently underwent health checkups in the same hospital were included as healthy controls. All subjects underwent routine cardiac ultrasound and 3D-STE examinations. General clinical information and left ventricular function-related parameters, including global longitudinal strain, global circumferential strain, global area strain, and global radial strain were compared between healthy controls and T2DM patients with hyperlipidemia and those without hyperlipidemia.Results:The proportion of left ventricular remodeling increased in T2DM patients without hyperlipidemia, and the proportion of left ventricular hypertrophy was the highest in T2DM patients with hyperlipidemia. Global longitudinal strain and global circumferential strain in T2DM patients without hyperlipidemia were (-16.97 ± 2.59)% and (-17.41 ± 2.50)%, respectively, which were significantly higher than (-18.86 ± 2.46)% and (-18.71 ± 2.92)% in healthy controls ( t = 0.95, 0.57, both P < 0.05). Global longitudinal strain, global circumferential strain, and global area strain in T2DM patients with hyperlipidemia were (-14.98 ± 3.15)%, (-15.80 ± 3.16)%, (-27.17 ± 4.54)%, respectively, which were significantly higher than (-18.86 ± 2.46)%, (-18.71 ± 2.92)%, (-30.62 ± 4.02)% in healthy controls ( t = 0.46, 1.37, 0.98, all P < 0.05) and (-16.97 ± 2.59)%, (-17.41 ± 2.50)%, (-30.06 ± 3.59)% in T2DM patients without hyperlipidemia ( t = 0.37, 1.02, 0.77, all P < 0.05). Global radial strain in T2DM patients with hyperlipidemia was significantly higher than [(51.49 ± 8.94)%, t = 1.35, P < 0.05] in healthy controls and [(47.71± 8.46)%, t = 0.98, P < 0.05] in T2DM patients without hyperlipidemia. In patients with T2DM, fasting blood glucose and hyperlipidemia were independently correlated with all strain-related parameters. Conclusion:Hyperlipidemia can aggravate left ventricular remodeling and dysfunction in patients with T2DM and 3D-STE is one of the examination methods for subclinical left ventricular remodeling and dysfunction in T2DM patients with or without hyperlipidemia.
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Objective:To evaluate the effect of cinacalcet on right ventricular function in rats with MCT-induced arterial pulmonary hypertension by echocardiography.Methods:Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, PAH group, and cinacalcet group, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the cinacalcet group were given intraperitoneal injection of cinacalcet hydrochloride with 30 mg/kg, and the control group and the PAH group were given equal-volume of solvent. Echocardiographic parameters: right ventricular wall thickness (RVWT), right ventricular basal dimension (RVD), left ventricular eccentricity index (EI), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity (s′), right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RV4CSL), and right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWSL), etc. Histopathological parameters: pulmonary arteriole wall thickness (WT), right ventricular cardiomyocyte mean diameter (RV cell-D), collagen volume fraction (CVF) and right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVI). Echocardiographic and pathological parameters were compared among three groups, and the correlation between right ventricular pathological changes and strain parameters was analyzed.Results:①Compared with the control group, WT, RV cell-D, CVF and RVI in PAH group were increased (all P<0.01), the size of right ventricle and thickness of RV wall were increased (all P<0.05), and the right ventricular longitudinal strain was reduced ( P<0.01). ②Compared with the PAH group, rats in the cinacalcet group showed reduced WT, RV cell-D, CVF and RVI (all P<0.01), as well as improved structure and function of the right ventricle (all P<0.05). There was no statistical difference of the above parameters between cinacalcet and control group (all P>0.05). ③Correlation analysis: the right chamber remodeling parameters CVF and RV cell-D were positively correlated with WT ( rs=0.706 3, 0.629 4; both P<0.05); and RVFWSL correlated well with CVF, RV cell-D ( rs=-0.685 3, r=-0.767 2; both P<0.05). Conclusions:The right ventricular inverse remodeling of PAH rats with the intervention of cinacalcet was retained, suggesting that cinacalcet had a protective effect on the structure and function of the right ventricle in rats with PAH.
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Objective:To explore the application value of four-dimensional automatic left ventricular quantitation(4D Auto LVQ) technology, in evaluating the myocardial mechanics in patients with different risk stratifications of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM).Methods:A total of 88 HCM patients and 20 healthy volunteers were selected from February 2020 to February 2022 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. According to the HCM Risk-SCD score, HCM patients were divided into 3 groups: low-risk group( n=49), intermediate-risk group( n=21), and high-risk group( n=18). Conventional ultrasound parameters were collected, and 4D Auto LVQ technology was used to obtain the mechanical parameters of left ventricular myocardium, including global longitudinal strain(GLS) , global circumferential strain(GCS), global area strain(GAS), global radial strain(GRS), twist and torsion. The differences in these parameters among the four groups were compared. The predictive values of conventional ultrasound parameters and myocardial mechanical parameters in patients with intermediate- and high-risk HCM patients were analyzed by ROC curve. Results:①Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic volume, left ventricular end-systolic volume, and peak systolic velocity of mitral annulus in the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups were lower than those in the control group while left ventricular maximal wall thickness(LVMWT) and early diastolic peak velocity of mitral value orifice/early diastolic peak velocity of mitral annulus(E/e′) were higher, left atrial diameter(LAD) and left ventricular outflow tract gradients(LVOTG) in the intermediate- and high-risk groups were higher than the low-risk group(all P<0.05). ②Compared with the control group, the GLS of HCM patients was lower, and the GLS of the intermediate- and high-risk groups was lower than the low-risk group. GCS and GRS in the intermediate- and high-risk groups were lower than those in the low-risk group. GAS in the high-risk group was lower than the low-risk and the control group, but higher than the intermediate-risk group(all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the twist and torsion in the intermediate- and high-risk groups were higher, but lower than the low-risk group, and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05). ③The ROC results showed that the area under the curve(AUC) of the model containing conventional ultrasound parameters(LVWMT, LAD, and LVOTG) for predicting intermediate- and high-risk HCM patients was 0.811, with a sensitivity of 0.769 and a specificity of 0.755. The AUC of the conventional ultrasound parameters combined with myocardial mechanical parameters was 0.904, as the sensitivity was 0.667 and the specificity was 0.980. Conclusions:4D Auto LVQ can evaluate the mechanical characteristics of LV myocardium in HCM patients with different risk stratifications. Myocardial mechanical parameters combined with conventional ultrasound parameters can improve the diagnostic performance of patients with intermediate- and high-risk HCM.
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Objective:To evaluate the right ventricular function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) by four-dimensional automatic right ventricular quantitative analysis (4D Auto RVQ), and compare with the right ventricular ejection fraction measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR-RVEF), and to explore the clinical application value of 4D Auto RVQ technique in evaluating the right ventricular function of patients with DCM.Methods:A prospective study was conducted to select 52 patients with DCM who were treated in Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March to October 2022 as DCM group, and 52 healthy volunteers were selected as the control group during the same period. The four-dimensional right ventricular ejection fraction (4D-RVEF), right ventricular stroke volume index (RVSVI), right ventricular end-diastolic volume index (RVEDVI), right ventricular end-systolic volume index (RVESVI), four-dimensional right ventricular basal diameter (4D-RVDd-base), four-dimensional right ventricular middle diameter (4D-RVDd-mid), four-dimensional right ventricular long axis diameter (4D-RVLd), four-dimensional tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (4D-TAPSE) and four-dimensional right ventricular fractional area change (4D-RVFAC) were obtained by 4D Auto RVQ technique. The differences of the above parameters between DCM group and control group were compared.Pearson linear correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between echocardiographic parameters and CMR-RVEF. The ROC curve was used to find the most sensitive parameters for evaluating right ventricular function, and the area under the ROC curve ( AUC ) was calculated and compared.Results:Compared with the control group, RVEDVI, RVESVI, 4D-RVDd-base and 4D-RVDd-mid in the DCM group were increased, and the absolute values of 4D-RVEF, 4D-TAPSE, 4D-RVFAC, right ventricular global longitudinal strain(RVGLS) and right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain(RVFWLS) were decreased (all P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that 4D-RVEF was positively correlated with CMR-RVEF ( r=0.711, P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that 4D-RVEF was superior to other parameters in evaluating right ventricular function in DCM patients (AUC: 0.916). Conclusions:4D Auto RVQ technique can quantitatively evaluate right ventricular function in DCM patients. 4D-RVEF has a significant correlation with CMR-RVEF, and 4D-RVEF has the best efficacy in evaluating right ventricular function in DCM patients.
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Objective:To establish the normal reference value of left ventricular function parameters by cadmium-zinc-tellurium (CZT) SPECT stress gated myocardial perfusion imaging (G-MPI) in low-likelihood of stable coronary artery disease (SCAD).Methods:From March 2022 to August 2022, 348 consecutive SCAD patients (146 males, 202 females, age (58±10) years) who underwent exercise or pharmacological stress G-MPI (CZT SPECT) in Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University were retrospectively recruited. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were acquired using quantitative gated SPECT (QGS) analysis. EDV and ESV were corrected by body surface area (BSA) to obtain EDV index (EDVI) and ESV index (ESVI), respectively. Independent-sample t test, one-way analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney U test were used for data analysis. The influences of EDV, ESV, EDVI, ESVI and LVEF were analyzed by multiple regressions for linear models. Results:There were 314 patients with low-likelihood of SCAD (128 males, 186 females, age (58±10) years) and 34 normal controls (18 males, 16 females, age (55±10) years). There were no significant differences of basic clinical characteristics and left ventricular function parameters in different genders between 2 groups ( z values: from -1.74 to -0.02, t values: from -1.16 to 1.17, all P>0.05). Using the 95% CI as the cut-off value for left ventricular function parameters in patients with a low-likelihood of SCAD, the upper limits of EDV, ESV, EDVI and ESVI in females and males were 84 and 111 ml, 30 and 44 ml, 47 and 54 ml/m 2, 17 and 21 ml/m 2, respectively, and the lower limit of LVEF in females and males were 58% and 55%, respectively. In the low-likelihood of SCAD group, the EDV ((58±13) vs (77±17) ml) and ESV ((16±7) vs (26±9) ml) of females were smaller than those of males ( t values: 10.65, 10.35, both P<0.001), while LVEF of females was higher than that of males ((72±7)% vs (67±6)%; t=-6.23, P<0.001). However, there were no significant differences in left ventricular function parameters among different age groups with the same gender ( F values: 0.12-2.19, all P>0.05). Based on multiple regression for linear models, the primary predictors of EDV, ESV and LVEF were gender and weight ( β values: from -0.380 to 0.358, all P<0.05). Conclusions:Normal reference values of left ventricular function parameters are established by CZT SPECT stress G-MPI in low-likelihood of SCAD patients. Left ventricular EDV and ESV of females are smaller than those of males, while LVEF of females is higher than that of males. The influence of gender on left ventricular function parameters should be considered in clinical practice.
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Objective:To explore the changes of right ventricular myocardial perfusion in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) pig models with a quantitative analysis technique based on dynamic SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging, and analyze the relationship between myocardial blood flow, hemodynamics and right ventricular function.Methods:Eleven Chinese miniature pigs (all males, 6-8 months old) weighing 25-30 kg were selected. The PAH models were established by ligating the main pulmonary artery and embolizing the right lower pulmonary artery. After the models were established, dynamic myocardial perfusion imaging with one-day resting/adenosine stress 99Tc m-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) SPECT was performed, and the quantitative parameters of left and right ventricles were obtained, including stress myocardial blood flow (SMBF), rest myocardial blood flow (RMBF) and myocardial flow reserve (MFR: the ratio of stress to rest myocardial blood flow). Right heart catheterization was performed to evaluate the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), and the right heart function index tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) was measured by transthoracic echocardiography. According to TAPSE, animals were divided into right heart function preserved group ( n=5, TAPSE≥17 mm) and right heart dysfunction group ( n=4, TAPSE<17 mm). Pearson correlation analysis and the independent-sample t test were used for data analysis. Results:Nine experimental pig models were established with increased mPAP of (38.1 ± 11.6 ) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). Myocardial perfusion imaging showed clear radiotracer uptake in the right heart and myocardial hypertrophy. There was a significant positive correlation between right ventricular myocardial RMBF ((0.71±0.13) ml·min -1·g -1) and mPAP ( r=0.94, P< 0.001). The SMBF in the decreased right ventricular function group was significantly lower than that in the preserved right ventricular function group ((1.66±0.35) vs (2.24±0.30) ml·min -1·g -1;t=2.68, P=0.032). Conclusion:SPECT myocardial blood flow quantification can be used to evaluate the right ventricular myocardial blood flow in pig models of PAH.
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Objective:To study the feasibility of preserving the subvalvular structure during mitral valve replacement and whether it is more conducive to the recovery of cardiac function.Methods:The clinical data of 205 patients who underwent mitral valve replacement due to mitral insufficiency in Enshi Central Hospital from January 2017 to December 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. According to whether the subvalvular structure of mitral valve was preserved during operation, they were divided into three groups: group A was to preserve all the subvalvular structures of anterior and posterior mitral valve, group B retained all or part of the subvalvular structure of the posterior valve, in group C, all anterior and posterior subvalvular structures were removed. The operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic occlusion time of patients in each group were counted. Postoperative ventilator use time, ICU stay time and incidence of complications; mitral flow velocities (MVE), left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVED), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) were rechecked by echocardiography at 1 week, 3 months and 6 months after operation.Results:There were no significant differences in operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic occlusion time, ventilator use time and ICU stay time among the three groups before surgery ( P>0.05). There were no death cases in perioperative period, and all patients were cured and discharged from hospital. The results of cardiac color ultrasound showed that MVE, LVED, LVEF and LVFS were improved compared with those before operation. Postoperative ultrasound results showed no significant difference in MVE at 1 week, 3 months and 6 months ( P>0.05). At 1 week after surgery, LVED in group A was lower than that in group B and C: (44.90 ± 5.59) mm vs. (46.13 ± 6.15) mm, (48.33 ± 5.59) mm. The difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Three months after operation, LVED and LVFS in group A were higher than those in group B and group C: (43.37 ± 5.61) mm vs. (44.69 ± 5.45) mm and (53.42 ± 5.35) mm, (33.92 ± 3.34)% vs. (31.67 ± 3.20)% and (30.37 ± 6.96)%, respectively. The differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). At 6 months after operation, LVED in group A was lower than that in group B and group C: (41.86 ± 3.27) mm vs. (47.85 ± 6.93) mm and (53.42 ± 8.17) mm. LVFS was higher than that in group B and group C: (33.42 ± 2.64) % vs. (32.18 ± 5.98) % and (32.28 ± 2.58) %, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Preserving the whole subvalvular structure of mitral valve will not lead to prosthetic valve dysfunction and increase surgical complications. After operation, it showed better reduction of left ventricular end diastolic diameter and better left ventricular shortening rate, which was more conducive to the recovery of cardiac function.
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Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and structural and functional cardiac changes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF)complicated with atrial fibrillation(AF)in elderly patients.Methods:As a cross-sectional study, 835 patients with HFpEF aged ≥60 years admitted to the Department of Geriatric Cardiovascular Medicine of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University between April 2009 and December 2020 were divided into an HFpEF+ AF group(267 cases)and an HFpEF group(568 cases)according to whether they had AF in addition to HFpEF, and their cardiac structure and function were evaluated.The optimal cutoff point of the ratio of the peak early diastolic velocity(E)to the maximum early diastolic velocity(e')of the mitral annulus(E/e')was analysed using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.The HFpEF+ AF group was divided into two subgroups, E/e'>11 and E/e'≤11, and differences in their clinical presentation, cardiac structural and function, and the relationship between the left and right heart were compared.Results:Compared with the HFpEF group, the left atrial volume index(LAVi)was larger[(60.0±23.3)ml/m 2vs.(43.9±19.0)ml/m 2, t=10.130, P<0.01]and the left ventricular ejection fraction(EF), mitral annular septal systolic velocity(s' S)and E/e' were smaller than in the HFpEF+ AF group(all P<0.01), whereas the right ventricular diameter(RVD), right atrial diameter(RAD)and area(RAA), tricuspid regurgitation velocity(TRv), and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure(PASP)in the HFpEF+ AF group were all greater than those in the HFpEF group(all P<0.05).In the E/e'>11 subgroup of HFpEF+ AF, the prevalence of hypertension, coronary heart disease and diabetes were higher, AF courses were shorter, and the decline of s' was more severe(all P<0.05).Furthermore, E/e' was independently correlated with LAVi, as was LAVi with PASP( t=2.114, 1.963, P=0.034, 0.042).The above-mentioned features were similar to those in the HFpEF group.The E/e'≤11 subgroup had a higher proportion of women, longer duration of AF than the E/e'>11 subgroup(median: 5 years vs.1 year, P=0.003), more noticeable enlargement of the right ventricle and right atrium, higher TRv and PASP( P<0.05). Conclusions:In elderly patients with HFpEF complicated with AF, the left atrial volume is increased further, and left ventricular systolic function and right heart morphology show serious deterioration, suggesting there might be two phenotypes of HFpEF+ AF with different pathophysiological mechanisms.
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Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the effect of enhanced external counterpulsation(EECP)on left ventricular function in elderly patients with coronary slow flow phenomenon(CSFP)using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography(2D-STE).Methods:This prospective case-control study included 30 patients aged ≥60 years with no stenotic lesions in the coronary arteries but with slow blood flow phenomenon in more than one major coronary artery who were treated at the Department of Geriatrics, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, between December 2017 and December 2018, and were divided into a medication group with 16 participants and a medication plus EECP group with 14 participants, using the numerical lottery method.Patients in the group treated with EECP received 6-week 36-h EECP therapy in addition to lifestyle modification and drug treatment.Fourteen patients with normal coronary blood flow served as the control group.Conventional echocardiography and 2D-STE were used to evaluate changes in left ventricular function in the CSF patients before and after drug treatment and EECP.Results:Compared with the control group before treatment, patients in the drug treatment group and the drug treatment plus EECP group showed a decrease in mitral annular early diastolic velocity( P<0.01), an increase in the ratio of peak mitral early diastolic blood flow velocity to the mean peak mitral annular early diastolic velocity( P<0.05), and a decrease in left ventricular longitudinal strain during systole( P<0.01), the longitudinal systolic myocardial strain rate( P<0.01)and the early diastolic longitudinal peak strain rate( P<0.01).There was no statistically significant difference in values from conventional echocardiographic parameters before and after treatment in CSF patients of the medication group(all P>0.05).In the group receiving EECP, there were statistically significant differences in pre-and post-treatment values in ventricular septal early diastolic velocity[(6.22 ± 0.64)cm/s vs.(6.69 ± 0.44)cm/s], lateral wall early diastolic velocity[(8.01±0.68)cm/s vs.(8.41±0.29)cm/s], mitral valve to mitral annulus early diastolic peak velocity ratio[(10.51±1.38) vs.(9.74±0.37)], longitudinal left ventricular systolic strain[(-16.21±0.46)% vs.(-16.80±0.48)%], left ventricular systolic longitudinal strain rate[(-1.29±0.03)s -1vs.(-1.35±0.04)s -1], and early diastolic longitudinal strain rate[(1.35±0.03)s -1vs.(1.40±0.03)s -1](t-values were -3.70、-2.74、2.23、10.25、12.30、-19.15, all P<0.05). Conclusions:2D-STE can evaluate subclinical myocardial dysfunction early and quantitatively in elderly patients with CSF, and objectively reflect changes in left ventricular function before and after clinical intervention with EECP.
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Objective:To explore the feasibility of using left ventricular pressure-strain loop (PSL) to evaluate left ventricular myocardial work in patients with severe arterial pulmonary hypertension (sPAH) and to elucidate the interaction between left and right ventricles.Methods:A total of 30 sPAH patients (case group) and 30 healthy individuals (control group) who received medical examination at Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region People′s Hospital from November 2020 to April 2022 were selected. Routine echocardiography data were collected and left ventricular myocardial work analysis was performed. The parameters obtained included overall work index (GWI), overall useful work (GCW), overall useless work (GWW), and overall work efficiency (GWE). The differences in myocardial work parameters between the two groups were compared, and the correlation analysis between ventricular strain parameters and other conventional echocardiography parameters was performed.Results:(1) Compared with the control group, there was no statistically significant difference in general clinical data between the sPAH group except for pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) (all P>0.05). (2) The parameters of right ventricular diameter (Rv-d)/left ventricular diameter (Lv-d), right ventricular wall thickness, right ventricular area change fraction (RVFAC), tricuspid annular displacement (TAPSE) in the sPAH group showed statistically significant differences compared to the control group ( t=21.305, 12.485, 12.359, 8.095, all P<0.05). The parameters of left ventricular conventional echocardiography, left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV) The cardiac output (CO) was smaller than that of the control group ( t=4.443, 2.458, all P<0.05). (3) The overall left ventricular longitudinal strain (LVGLS) and right ventricular longitudinal strain (RVGLS) in the sPAH group were lower than those in the control group ( t=2.927, 22.350, all P<0.05). (4) The GWI, GCW, and GWE of the sPAH group were lower than those of the control group, while GWW was higher than that of the control group, with statistical significance ( t=8.297, 5.520, 15.251, 11.389, all P<0.05). (5) The left ventricular GWI, GCW, and GWE in the sPAH group were negatively correlated with LVGLS, RVGLS, and PASP (all P<0.01), and positively correlated with TASPE and RVFAC (all P<0.01); GWW was positively correlated with PASP, RVGLS, and LVGLS (all P<0.01), and negatively correlated with RVFAC and TAPSE (all P<0.01). Conclusions:PSL can accurately and sensitively reflect the relationship between early left ventricular function changes and left and right ventricular function in sPAH patients, providing a new reference for clinical evaluation of cardiac function.