Hemodialysis Patients with High-Flow Arteriovenous Fistulas: An Evaluation of the Impact on Cardiac Function.

Purpose: : Patients undergoing hemodialysis often experience changes in cardiac function when they have a high-flow arteriovenous fistula (AVF). This study aimed to assess the effect of high-flow AVFs on cardiac function in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Materials and Methods: : A longitudinal study was conducted on hemodialysis patients with high-flow AVFs. Echocardiographic parameters, such as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), right ventricular end-diastolic dimension (RVEDD), inferior vena cava diameter (IVCD), systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure, were measured and compared before and after AVF creation. Results: : One hundred hemodialysis patients with high-flow AVFs (mean age: 55.95±13.39 years, mean body mass index: 24.71±3.43 kg/m²) were studied. LVEF significantly decreased (51.10%±5.39% to 47.50%±5.79%), while LAD, LVEDD, and IVCD significantly increased after AVF creation (P<0.05). Systolic (132.49±16.42 mmHg to 146.60±17.43 mmHg) and diastolic (79.98±8.40 mmHg to 83.33±9.68 mmHg) blood pressure substantially rose post-fistularization (P<0.001). Notably, LVEF reduction was more significant in brachio-cephalic AVFs (46.29%±4.24%) compared to distal radio-cephalic or snuffbox AVFs (49.17%±7.15%) (P=0.014). Conclusion: : High-flow AVFs can significantly affect echocardiographic parameters in hemodialysis patients, thereby increasing the risk of cardiac failure. Close cardiac monitoring may be necessary for early intervention. Distal AVFs may be preferable in patients with decreased cardiac function.

Impact of the evaluation method on 4D flow-derived diastolic transmitral and myocardial peak velocities: Comparison with echocardiography.

PURPOSE: To compare agreement of different evaluation methods of magnetic resonance (MR) 4D flow-derived diastolic transmitral and myocardial peak velocities as well as their ratios, using echocardiography as reference. METHODS: In this prospective study, 60 subjects without symptoms of cardiovascular disease underwent echocardiography and non-contrast 3 T MR 4D flow imaging of the heart. Early- (E) and late-diastolic (A) transmitral peak filling velocities were evaluated from 4D flow data using three different strategies: 1) at the mitral valve tips in short-axis orientation (SA-method), 2) between the mitral valve tips in 4-chamber orientation (4-chamber-method), and 3) as maximal velocities in the transmitral inflow volume (max-velocity-method). Septal, lateral and average early-diastolic myocardial peak velocities (e') were derived from the myocardial tissue in the vicinity of the mitral valve. 4D flow parameters were compared with echocardiography by correlation and Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: All 4D flow-derived E, A and E/A values correlated with echocardiography (r = 0.65-0.73, 0.75-0.83 and 0.74-0.86, respectively). While the SA- and 4-chamber-methods substantially underestimated E and A compared to echocardiography (p < 0.001), the max-velocity-method provided E (p = 0.13) and E/A (p = 0.07) without significant bias. Septal, lateral and average e' from 4D flow as well as the max-velocity-method-derived E/e' correlated with echocardiographic measurements (r = 0.64-0.81) and showed no significant bias (p = 0.26-0.54). CONCLUSION: MR 4D flow imaging allows precise and accurate evaluation of transmitral and myocardial peak velocities for characterization of LV diastolic function without significant bias to echocardiography, when transmitral velocities are assessed from the transmitral inflow volume. This enables the use of validated echocardiography threshold values.

Evaluation of left ventricular and left atrial volumetric function from native MR multislice 4D flow magnitude data.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility, precision, and accuracy of left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) volumetric function evaluation from native magnetic resonance (MR) multislice 4D flow magnitude images. MATERIALS & METHODS: In this prospective study, 60 subjects without signs or symptoms of heart failure underwent 3T native cardiac MR multislice 4D flow and bSSFP-cine realtime imaging. LV and LA volumetric function parameters were evaluated from 4D flow magnitude (4D flow-cine) and bSSFP-cine data using standard software to obtain end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), ejection-fraction (EF), stroke-volume (SV), LV muscle mass (LVM), LA maximum volume, LA minimum volume, and LA total ejection fraction (LATEF). Stroke volumes derived from both imaging methods were further compared to 4D pulmonary artery flow-derived net forward volumes (NFV). Methods were compared by correlation and Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: Volumetric function parameters from 4D flow-cine and bSSFP-cine showed high to very high correlations (r = 0.83-0.98). SV, LA volumes and LATEF did not differ between methods. LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were slightly underestimated (EDV: -2.9 ± 5.8 mL; ESV: -2.3 ± 3.8 mL), EF was slightly overestimated (EF: 0.9 ± 2.6%), and LV mass was considerably overestimated (LVM: 39.0 ± 11.4 g) by 4D flow-cine imaging. SVs from both methods correlated very highly with NFV (r = 0.91 in both cases) and did not differ from NFV. CONCLUSION: Native multislice 4D flow magnitude data allows precise evaluation of LV and LA volumetric parameters; however, apart from SV, LV volumetric parameters demonstrate bias and need to be referred to their respective normal values. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Volumetric function assessment from native multislice 4D flow magnitude images can be performed with routinely used clinical software, facilitating the application of 4D flow as a one-stop-shop functional cardiac MR exam, providing consistent, simultaneously acquired, volume and flow data. KEY POINTS: • Native multislice 4D flow imaging allows evaluation of volumetric left ventricular and atrial function parameters. • Left ventricular and left atrial function parameters derived from native multislice 4D flow data correlate highly with corresponding standard cine-derived parameters. • Multislice 4D flow-derived volumetric stroke volume and net forward volume do not differ.

Correlation of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio with cardiac function and prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention / 中国基层医药

Objective:To correlate neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with cardiac function in patients with acute myocardial infarction (ACI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and investigate its clinical value in predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients.Methods:A total of 120 patients with AMI who underwent PCI at Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine from March 2020 to February 2023 were included in this prospective study. The difference in NLR measured 1 day after PCI relative to that measured at 5 days after surgery (?NLR) was correlated with cardiac function ultrasound indicators measured at 3 months after surgery, myocardial injury, and inflammatory biochemical indicators at 1 day after surgery. The MACEs occurring within 3 months after surgery were recorded. The value of ΔNLR recorded during the early stage after PCI for predicting MACEs in patients with AMI was evaluated.Results:At 3 months after surgery, 13 out of 120 patients with AMI (10.83%) had MACEs. The ?NLR in patients with AMI who had MACEs was (3.55 ± 0.47), which was significantly higher than (2.06 ± 0.34) in patients with AMI who had no MACEs ( t = 17.25, P < 0.001). An optimal critical value of ?NLR for predicting MACEs after PCI in patients with AMI was 2.75, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.972, a sensitivity of 90.70%, and a specificity of 91.10%. Conclusion:Increased NLR during the early stage after PCI in patients with AMI is closely related to decreased cardiac function, and worsened myocardial injury and inflammatory reactions. Changes in NLR after PCI in patients with AMI have a highly valuable value for predicting MACEs in these patients.

Correlation between serum Nesfatin-1, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, and cystatin C levels and myocardial enzymes and cardiac function in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction / 中国基层医药

Objective:To correlate serum Nesfatin-1, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and cystatin C (CysC) levels with myocardial enzymes and cardiac function in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Methods:This is a case-control study. A total of 100 patients with acute STEMI who received treatment at Lishui People's Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were included in the STEMI group. An additional 80 healthy controls who concurrently received physical examinations in the same hospital were included in the control group. Serum levels of Nesfatin-1, NT-proBNP, CysC, creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels were determined in each group. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDD), and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVDS) were measured using color Doppler ultrasound. Correlation analysis was performed.Results:Serum Nesfatin-1 level in the STEMI group was (89.96 ± 15.25) ng/L, which was significantly lower than (226.36 ± 37.47) ng/L in the control group ( t = 33.15, P < 0.05). Serum levels of NT-proBNP and CysC in the STEMI group were (1 325.12 ± 378.48) ng/L and (1.37 ± 0.24) mg/L, which were significantly higher than (78.95 ± 13.42) ng/L and (0.79 ± 0.16) mg/L in the control group ( t = -29.42, -18.56, both P < 0.05). Serum CK-MB and cTnI levels in the STEMI group were (46.51 ± 12.14) U/L and (1.13 ± 0.25) U/L, respectively, which were significantly higher than (12.23 ± 4.01) U/L and (0.09 ± 0.02) U/L in the control group ( t = -24.06, -37.09, both P < 0.05). The LVEF in the STEMI group was (37.84 ± 5.45)%, which was significantly lower than (72.41 ± 4.26)% in the control group ( t = 46.49, P < 0.05). The LVDD and LVDS in the STEMI group were (40.92 ± 5.25) mm and (58.98 ± 6.25) mm, which were significantly higher than (19.86 ± 3.36) mm and (34.21 ± 4.38) mm in the control group ( t = -31.13, -30.03, both P < 0.05). Serum Nesfatin-1 level was positively correlated with LVEF ( r = 0.572), but it was negatively correlated with serum CK-MB and cTnI levels, LVDD, and LVDS ( r = -0.498, -0.617, -0.506, -0.534, all P < 0.05). Serum NT-proBNP and CysC levels were negatively correlated with LVEF ( r = -0.653, -0.607), but they were positively correlated with serum CK-MB and cTnI levels, LVDD, and LVDS ( r = 0.582, 0.526, 0.712, 0.565, 0.631, 0.578, 0.659, 0.635, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:Serum Nesfatin-1 levels decrease, while serum NT-proBNP and CysC levels increase in patients with acute STEMI. Serum Nesfatin-1, NT-proBNP, and CysC levels are closely related to myocardial enzymes and cardiac function.

Therapeutic efficacy of automatic peritoneal dialysis on elderly patients with cardiorenal syndrome / 中华老年心脑血管病杂志

Objective To explore the therapeutic efficacy of automatic peritoneal dialysis on elderly patients with cardiorenal syndrome(CRS).Methods A total of 260 elderly CRS patients treated at our hospital from January 2019 to January 2022 were recruited,and then randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,with 130 cases in each group.The control group received conventional basic treatment and symptomatic treatment,while the observation group received automated peritoneal dialysis treatment on this basis.Cardiac function indicators,renal function indicators,inflammatory factors,MAP and heart rate were compared between the two groups.Re-sults After treatment,significantly lower LVESD(26.29±1.19 mm vs 29.59±1.84 mm),LVEDD(47.43±1.39 mm vs 51.81±1.34 mm),LAD(30.74±1.15 mm vs 33.11±0.88 mm),and levels of NT-proBNP(1034.74±313.61 ng/L vs 2634.02±853.67 ng/L),urea(16.69±3.57 mmol/L vs 32.67±4.54 mmol/L),cystatin C(0.47±0.13 mg/L vs 0.61±0.15 mg/L),creatinine(254.74±41.15 mmol/L vs 394.09±38.61 mmol/L),TNF-α(144.14±23.16 mg/L vs 183.97± 23.37 mg/L)and hs-CRP(4.09±1.03 μg/L vs 5.45±1.17 μg/L),and higher LVEF(39.14± 4.48％vs 35.64±5.27％)were observed in the observation group than the control group(all P＜0.01).There were no significant differences in heart rate and MAP between the two groups before and after treatment(P＞0.05).Conclusion Automatic peritoneal dialysis can improve the cardiac and renal function and reduce inflammatory response in elderly CRS patients,and show positive significance for improving prognosis.

Alterações Ecocardiográficas da Geometria e da Função Cardíaca em Pacientes com Lipodistrofia Familiar Parcial / Echocardiographic Alterations of Cardiac Geometry and Function in Patients with Familial Partial Lipodystrophy

Resumo Fundamento: A cardiomiopatia associada à lipodistrofia parcial (LP) ainda não foi bem descrita. Objetivo: Caracterizar a morfologia e a função cardíaca na LP. Métodos: Pacientes com LP e controles foram avaliados prospectivamente por ecocardiografia transtorácica e ecocardiografia por speckle-tracking (Strain Longitudinal Global, SLG). A relação entre as variáveis ecocardiográficas e o diagnóstico de LP foi testada com modelos de regressão, considerando o efeito da pressão arterial sistólica (PAS). Adotou-se um nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Vinte e nove pacientes com LP foram comparados com 17 controles. Eles não se diferiram quanto à idade (p=0,94), sexo ou índice de massa corporal (p= 0,05). Os pacientes com LP apresentaram PAS estatisticamente mais alta (p=0,02) em comparação aos controles. Ainda, os pacientes com LP apresentaram maior dimensão do átrio (37,3 ± 4,4 vs. 32,1 ± 4,3 mm, p= 0,001) e maior volume atrial (30,2 ± 7,2 vs. 24,9 ± 9,0 mL/m2, p=0,02), massa do Ventrículo Esquerdo (VE) (79,3 ± 17,4 vs. 67,1 ± 19,4; p=0,02), e parâmetros sistólicos reduzidos do VE (E' lateral, p= 0,001) (E' septal, p= 0,001), (razão E/E', p= 0,02). A fração de ejeção do VE (64,7 ± 4,6 vs. 62,2 ± 4,4 %, p = 0,08) e o SLG não foram estatisticamente diferentes entre os grupos (-17,1±2,7 vs-18.0 ± 2,0%, p= 0,25). Observou-se uma reação positiva do átrio esquerdo (β 5,6; p<0,001), espessura da parede posterior (β 1,3; p=0,011), E' lateral (β -3,5; p=0,002) e E' septal (β -3,2; p<0,001) com o diagnóstico de LP, mesmo após o ajuste para a PAS. Conclusão: Os pacientes com LP apresentam hipertrofia do VE, aumento do átrio esquerdo, e disfunção diastólica do VE apesar de fração de ejeção do VE e SLG preservados. Os parâmetros ecocardiográficos estão relacionados com o diagnóstico de LP, independentemente da PAS.

Abstract Background: Cardiomyopathy associated with partial lipodystrophy (PL) has not been well described yet. Objective: To characterize cardiac morphology and function in PL. Methods: Patients with familial PL and controls were prospectively assessed by transthoracic echocardiography and with speckle-tracking echocardiography (global longitudinal strain, GLS). The relationship between echocardiographic variables and PL diagnosis was tested with regression models, considering the effect of systolic blood pressure (SBP). Significance level of 5% was adopted. Results: Twenty-nine patients with PL were compared to 17 controls. They did not differ in age (p=0.94), gender or body mass index (p= 0.05). Patients with PL had statistically higher SBP (p=0.02) than controls. Also, PL patients had higher left atrial dimension (37.3 ± 4.4 vs. 32.1 ± 4.3 mm, p= 0.001) and left atrial (30.2 ± 7.2 vs. 24.9 ± 9.0 mL/m2,p=0.02), left ventricular (LV) mass (79.3 ± 17.4 vs. 67.1 ± 19.4, p=0.02), and reduced diastolic LV parameters (E' lateral, p= 0.001) (E' septal, p= 0.001), (E/E' ratio, p= 0.02). LV ejection fraction (64.7 ± 4.6 vs. 62.2 ± 4.4 %, p= 0.08) and GLS were not statistically different between groups (-17.1 ± 2.7 vs. -18.0 ± 2.0 %, p= 0.25). There was a positive relationship of left atrium (β 5.6, p<0.001), posterior wall thickness, (β 1.3, p=0.011), E' lateral (β -3.5, p=0.002) and E' septal (β -3.2, p<0.001) with PL diagnosis, even after adjusted for SBP. Conclusion: LP patients have LV hypertrophy, left atrial enlargement, and LV diastolic dysfunction although preserved LVEF and GLS. Echocardiographic parameters are related to PL diagnosis independent of SBP.

Cardiac function, myocardial fat deposition, and lipid profile in young smokers: a cross-sectional study.

Background: There is a possibility that cardiac morphometric characteristics are associated with the lipid profile, that is, the composition and concentration of triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and others lipoproteins in young smokers without comorbidities. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the association of cardiac morphometric characteristics, myocardial fat deposition, and smoking cessation with the lipid profile of young smokers. Methods: A clinical and laboratory evaluation of lipids and the smoking status was performed on 57 individuals, including both a smoker group and a control group. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with proton spectroscopy was performed to identify cardiac changes and triglyceride (TG) deposition in myocardial tissue. Results: No differences were observed between the groups (control vs. smokers) in relation to the amount of myocardial TG deposition (p = 0.47); however, when TG deposition was correlated with cardiac MRI variables, a positive correlation was identified between smoking history and myocardial TG deposition [hazard ratio (95% CI), 0.07 (0.03-0.12); p = 0.002]. Furthermore, it was observed that the smoking group had lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [51 (45.5-59.5) mg/dl vs. 43 (36-49.5) mg/dl, p = 0.003] and higher TG [73 (58-110) mg/dl vs. 122 (73.5-133) mg/dl, p = 0.01] and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [14.6 (11.6-22.2) mg/dl vs. 24.4 (14.7-26.6) mg/dl, p = 0.01] values. In the control and smoking groups, a negative correlation between TGs and the diameter of the aortic root lumen and positive correlation with the thickness of the interventricular septum and end-diastolic volume (EDV) of both the right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) were noted. Moreover, in the RV, positive correlations with the end-systolic volume (ESV) index (ESVI), stroke volume (SV), ESV, and EDV were observed. Regarding serum free fatty acids, we found a negative correlation between their values and the diameter of the lumen of the ascending aortic vessel. Lipoprotein lipase showed a positive correlation with the SV index of the RV and negative correlation with the diameter of the lumen of the ascending aortic vessel. Conclusion: Several associations were observed regarding cardiac morphometric characteristics, myocardial fat deposition, and smoking cessation with the lipid profile of young smokers.

MR 4D flow-derived left atrial acceleration factor for differentiating advanced left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: The magnetic resonance (MR) 4D flow imaging-derived left atrial (LA) acceleration factor α was recently introduced as a means to non-invasively estimate LA pressure. We aimed to investigate the association of α with the severity of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction using echocardiography as the reference method. METHODS: Echocardiographic assessment of LV diastolic function and 3-T cardiac MR 4D flow imaging were prospectively performed in 94 subjects (44 male/50 female; mean age, 62 ± 12 years). LA early diastolic peak outflow velocity (vE), systolic peak inflow velocity (vS), and early diastolic peak inflow velocity (vD) were evaluated from 4D flow data. α was calculated from α = vE / [(vS + vD) / 2]. Mean parameter values were compared by t-test; diagnostic performance of α in predicting diastolic (dys)function was investigated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: Mean α values were 1.17 ± 0.14, 1.20 ± 0.08, 1.33 ± 0.15, 1.77 ± 0.18, and 2.79 ± 0.69 for grade 0 (n = 51), indeterminate (n = 9), grade I (n = 13), grade II (n = 13), and grade III (n = 8) LV diastolic (dys)function, respectively. α differed between subjects with non-advanced (grade < II) and advanced (grade ≥ II) diastolic dysfunction (1.20 ± 0.15 vs. 2.16 ± 0.66, p < 0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) for detection of advanced diastolic dysfunction was 0.998 (95% CI: 0.958-1.000), yielding sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 84-100%) and specificity of 99% (95% CI: 93-100%) at cut-off α ≥ 1.58. The AUC for differentiating grade III diastolic dysfunction was also 0.998 (95% CI: 0.976-1.000) at cut-off α ≥ 2.14. CONCLUSION: The 4D flow-derived LA acceleration factor α allows grade II and grade III diastolic dysfunction to be distinguished from non-advanced grades as well as from each other. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: As a single continuous parameter, the 4D flow-derived LA acceleration factor α shows potential to simplify the multi-parametric imaging algorithm for diagnosis of advanced LV diastolic dysfunction, thereby identifying patients at increased risk for cardiovascular events. KEY POINTS: • Detection of advanced diastolic dysfunction is typically performed using a complex, multi-parametric approach. • The 4D flow-derived left atrial acceleration factor α alone allows accurate detection of advanced left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. • As a single continuous parameter, the left atrial acceleration factor α could simplify the diagnosis of advanced diastolic dysfunction.

Effects of phentolamine on cardiac function, myocardial injury index, and hemodynamics in septic patients with myocardial injury / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of phenolamine in the treatment of sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction and its effect on cardiac function, myocardial injury index, and hemodynamics in patients.Methods:The clinical data of 79 patients with sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction who received treatment in Huangshi Central Hospital, Edong Healthcare Group from February 2017 to February 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into a control group (without phenolamine treatment, n = 41) and an observation group (with phenolamine treatment, n = 38) according to whether they received phenolamine treatment or not. Clinical efficacy, cardiac function, myocardial injury index, and hemodynamic index pre- and post-treatment were compared between the two groups. Results:There was no significant difference in 28-day mortality rate between the two groups ( P > 0.05). Intensive care unit length of stay and mechanical ventilation duration in the observation group were (9.33 ± 3.52) days and 83.00 (28.50, 138.00) hours, which were significantly shorter than (12.17 ± 4.15) days and 111.00 (47.50, 169.00) hours in the control group ( t = 3.26, Z = -2.27, both P < 0.05). The response rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group [81.58% (31/38) vs. 60.98% (25/41), χ2 = 4.05, P < 0.05]. After 7 days of treatment, the left ventricular ejection fraction in each group was significantly increased, and the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and left ventricular end-systolic diameter in each group were significantly decreased compared with before treatment (all P < 0.05). After 7 days of treatment, the left ventricular ejection fraction in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group ( t = 3.29, P < 0.05), and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and left ventricular end-systolic diameter were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t = 5.94, 11.21, both P < 0.05). N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and cardiac troponin I levels in each group were significantly decreased with time (both P < 0.05). At 24 and 72 hours and 7 days after treatment, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and cardiac troponin I levels in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (both P < 0.05). After 7 days of treatment, heart rate in each group decreased significantly compared with that before treatment (both P < 0.05), mean arterial pressure, cardiac index, and stroke output index in each group increased significantly compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.05). After 7 days of treatment, heart rate in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( t = 4.90, P < 0.05), and mean arterial pressure, cardiac index, and stroke output index in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group ( t = 4.37, 3.23, 6.01, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:Phentolamine can improve hemodynamics, reduce myocardial injury and improve cardiac function in patients with sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction.

Application of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome in county-level hospitals / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the application value of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome in county-level hospitals.Methods:The clinical data of 51 patients with acute coronary syndrome who received treatment in Feng Tai People's Hospital from January 2020 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into a control group ( n = 25) and an observation group ( n = 26). The control group was given standard dual antiplatelet and statin drugs. The observation group underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and stent implantation based on conventional drug treatment. All patients were followed up for 1 year. Cardiac function indexes left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) were compared between the two groups. The number of readmissions, length of hospital stay, quality of life score, medication, the incidence of complications, and the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events were compared between the two groups. Results:Before treatment, there were no significant differences in LVEF and LVEDD between the two groups (both P > 0.05). After treatment, LVEF was increased, and LVEDD was decreased in each group compared with before treatment. After treatment, LVEF and LVEDD in the observation group were (50.34 ± 5.97)% and (49.01 ± 5.02) mm, respectively, which were significantly superior to (45.61 ± 5.42)% and (52.12 ± 5.24) mm in the control group ( t = -2.96, 2.17, both P < 0.05). After treatment, the number of readmissions in the observation group was significantly less than that in the control group [(0.8 ± 0.1) times vs. (2.1 ± 0.3) times, t = 20.14, P < 0.001]. The length of hospital stay in the observation group was significantly shorter than that in the control group [(12.4 ± 3.1) days vs. (25.3 ± 3.9) days, t = 13.10, P < 0.001]. Quality of life score in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group [(85.3 ± 5.9) points vs. (72.5 ± 5.2) points, t = -8.19, P < 0.001]. After treatment, the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group [3.9% (1/26) vs. 28.0% (7/25), χ2 = 3.94, P = 0.041). Conclusion:Use of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome in county-level hospitals is feasible. It can improve patients' cardiac function and has a remarkable clinical effect with a low incidence of adverse cardiovascular events.

Efficacy of sacubitril and valsartan combined with bisoprolol in the treatment of chronic heart failure and its effect on N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of sacubitril and valsartan combined with bisoprolol in the treatment of chronic heart failure and its effect on N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) level.Methods:The clinical data of 89 patients with chronic heart failure who received treatment in Jinan 2 nd People's Hospital from January 2020 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into Group A ( n = 48) and Group B ( n = 41) according to different treatment methods. Group A was treated with sacubitril and valsartan combined with bisoprolol. Group B was treated with sacubitril and valsartan combined with metoprolol. All patients were treated for 3 months. Clinical efficacy as well as heart function and NT-pro BNP level pre- and post-treatment were compared between the two groups. The incidence of adverse reactions was calculated in each group. Results:Total response rate in group A was significantly higher than that in group B [95.83% (46/48) vs. 82.93% (34/41), χ2 = 4.05, P < 0.05]. After treatment, the left ventricular ejection fraction in both groups increased significantly and the left ventricular ejection fraction in group A was significantly higher than that in group B ( t = 2.19, P < 0.05). After treatment, NT-pro BNP level in group A was (416.51 ± 30.56) ng/L, which was significantly lower than (450.20 ± 35.79) ng/L in group B ( t = 4.79, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups ( P > 0.05). Conclusion:The efficacy of sacubitril and valsartan combined with bisoprolol in the treatment of chronic heart failure is superior to that of sacubitril and valsartan combined with metoprolol. The former can greatly decrease NT-pro BNP level. Corresponding drugs can be selected for the treatment of chronic heart failure according to the actual needs of patients.

Effects of daggliflozin on type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by coronary heart disease and cardiac insufficiency in patients / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of daggliflozin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by coronary heart disease and cardiac insufficiency.Methods:Seventy patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by coronary heart disease and cardiac insufficiency who received treatment in The Second People's Hospital of Liaocheng, The Second Hospital of Liaocheng Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from March 2021 to February 2022 were included in this study. They were randomly divided into a control group ( n = 35) and an observation group ( n = 35). Based on conventional treatment, the control group was treated with metformin, while the observation group was treated with daggliflozin. Both groups were treated for 6 months. Pre- and post-treatment blood glucose and cardiac function as well as adverse reactions and prognosis were compared between the two groups. Results:After treatment, fasting blood glucose, 2-hour post-prandial glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting insulin, 2-hour post-prandial insulin level, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, and peripheral blood N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide levels in the observation group were (6.69 ± 1.83) mmol/L, (9.30 ± 2.96) mmol/L, (7.50 ± 0.98)%, (9.23 ± 2.80) mIU/L, (55.36 ± 8.38) mIU/L, (52.06 ± 5.39) mm, and (5.02 ± 1.98) μg/L, respectively, and they were (7.68 ± 2.03) mmol/L, (10.98 ± 3.33) mmol/L, (8.09 ± 1.25)%, (10.60 ± 2.26) mIU/L, (60.26 ± 8.98) mIU/L, (55.06 ± 5.86) mm, and (6.16 ± 2.28) μg/L, respectively, in the control group. There were significant differences in these indexes between the two groups ( t = 2.14, 2.23, 2.19, 2.25, 2.36, 2.22, 2.23, all P < 0.05). The left ventricular ejection fraction and 6-minute walking test in the observation group were (40.06 ± 5.26)% and (370.69 ± 52.26) m, which were significantly higher than (37.35 ± 4.33)% and (343.98 ± 38.69) m in the control group ( t = 2.35, 2.43, both P < 0.05). During the treatment period, there were no deaths in either group. Conclusion:Daggliflozin combined with conventional treatment can greatly improve glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus complicated by coronary heart disease and cardiac insufficiency. The combined therapy contributes to the improvement in cardiac function and is therefore worthy of promotion.

Prognostic value of serum concentration of human soluble stromelysin-2 combined with left ventricular diastolic function for elderly patients with septic shock / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To explore the prognostic value of the serum concentration of human soluble stromelysin-2(sST2)combined with ultrasonic left ventricular diastolic function parameters for elderly patients with septic shock.Methods:This prospective study involved 150 elderly patients with septic shock admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU)of the First Hospital of Jiaxing between May 2019 and May 2022.Data on the following parameters were recorded on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 in the ICU: sST2 concentration, mitral early-diastolic inflow peak velocity(E), mitral late-diastolic inflow peak velocity(A), E/A ratio, early diastolic mitral annular velocity(e'), and E/e' ratio.According to the 28-day prognostic outcome obtained during follow-up, patients were divided into a survival group and a death group to compare differences in values of the above parameters between the two groups and at different time points.Logistic regression was used to analyze independent risk factors for 28-day mortality.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive value for 28-day mortality, and further risk stratification was performed according to optimal cut-off values to compare differences in 28-day mortality under different risk stratification methods.The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to compare 28-day cumulative survival under different risk stratification methods and analyze the predictive value of the combination of the parameters for 28-day mortality.Results:On day 5 following ICU admission, e' was lower and E/e' and sST2 were higher in the death group than in the survival group.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis suggested that sST2(odds ratio: 1.010, P<0.001)was an independent risk factor for 28-day mortality in elderly patients with septic shock.sST2 had a sensitivity of 50.2%, a specificity of 79.1%, and an area under the curve of 0.660 for predicting 28-day mortality in patients with septic shock.The sST2 concentration was 89.3 μg/L on day 5 after ICU admission, which was the clinical cutoff point for predicting 28-day mortality.Based on the risk stratification of sST2 levels, the 28-day mortality rate was higher in the sST2>89.3 μg/L group than in the sST2≤89.3 μg/L group.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the 28-day cumulative survival rate was significantly lower in the sST2>89.3 μg/L group than in the sST2≤89.3 μg/L group(44.0% vs.66.7%, log-rank test: χ2=9.101, P=0.003).The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the combination of sST2, e', and E/e' significantly improved the prediction efficiency of 28-day mortality in elderly patients with septic shock, with an area under the curve of 0.844, a sensitivity of 89.7%, and a specificity of 66.5%. Conclusions:sST2 is an independent risk factor for 28-day mortality in elderly patients with septic shock.When combined with e' and E/e', sST2 can more accurately evaluate the survival prognosis of these patients.

Índice de rendimiento biventricular del corazón fetal

Objetivo. Proponer un índice de rendimiento biventricular basado en los valores promedio de la duración del ciclo cardíaco de cada uno de los ventrículos, determinar la variable incluida en el estudio con la correlación estadística más significativa, establecer valores de referencia que permitan identificar el trabajo de cada ventrículo en función de dicha variable y obtener un índice de gasto biventricular equilibrado. Metodología. Estudio prospectivo y transversal en fetos de 168 gestantes, en embarazos entre las 16 y 38 semanas sin patologías materno-fetales. Se obtuvieron ondas de velocidad de flujo de ambas válvulas atrioventriculares y el tiempo total del ciclo sístole-diástole se calculó en milisegundos para cada válvula. Se calcularon promedios, desviación estándar y puntuación Z del tiempo sistólico-diastólico para cada ventrículo y el índice de rendimiento ventricular individual dividiendo el valor obtenido entre la frecuencia cardiaca fetal. Se obtuvo el valor promedio de ambos y este, al ser dividido por la frecuencia cardíaca, permitió obtener el índice de rendimiento biventricular para establecer la correlación entre este, la frecuencia cardiaca fetal y la edad de gestación. Resultados. Se halló valores de tiempo sistólico-diastólico en milisegundos para el ventrículo derecho de 420,8 (DE ±28,3) y para el ventrículo izquierdo de 418,8 (DE ±26,3), sin diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p=0,371). La correlación con la frecuencia cardíaca fetal resultó negativa para ambos ventrículos (-0,491 y -0,553; p<0,05). El tiempo promedio biventricular fue de 418,37 ms (± 20,59) y la correlación con la edad gestacional de 0,48 (p<0,05); la correlación con la frecuencia cardiaca fetal fue negativa, -0,50 (p<0,05). El índice de rendimiento biventricular mostró valores de 2,8 (extremos 2,4 (P5) y 3,4 (P95)). La correlación entre el índice de rendimiento biventricular y la frecuencia cardiaca fetal fue 0,78 (p<0,05), de menor grado (0,27) con la edad gestacional. Conclusiones. Se demostró que los tiempos sistólico-diastólicos de cada ventrículo no difirieron entre sí y se correlacionaron de manera negativa con la frecuencia cardiaca fetal. Se comprobó que es posible evaluar el ciclo cardíaco fetal de cada ventrículo mediante el índice de rendimiento ventricular, así como calificar con el índice de rendimiento biventricular el gasto cardíaco combinado como equilibrado.

Objectives: To propose a biventricular performance index based on the average values of the duration of the cardiac cycle of each of the ventricles, to determine the variable included in the study with the most significant statistical correlation, to establish reference values that allow the work of each ventricle to be identified according to this variable, and to obtain a balanced biventricular output index. Methodology: Prospective and cross-sectional study in fetuses of 168 pregnant women, in pregnancies between 16 and 38 weeks without maternal-fetal pathologies. Flow velocity waves were obtained from both atrioventricular valves and the total systole-diastole cycle time was calculated in milliseconds for each valve. Averages, standard deviation, and Z-score were calculated of the systolic-diastolic time for each ventricle and the individual ventricular performance index (VPI) were calculated by dividing the value obtained by the fetal heart rate (FHR). The average value of both was obtained and this, when divided by the heart rate, made it possible to obtain the biventricular performance index (BPI) to establish the correlation between this, the fetal heart rate and gestational age. Results: Systolic-diastolic time values in milliseconds for the right ventricle were 420.8 (SD ±28.3) and for the left ventricle 418.8 (SD ±26.3), with no statistically significant differences (p<0.371). The correlation with the FHR was negative for both ventricles: (-0.491 and -0.553; p<0.05). The mean biventricular time was 418.37 ms (±20.59) and the correlation with gestational age was 0.48 (p<0.05); the correlation with FHR was negative, -0.50 (p<0.05).The BPI showed values of 2.8 (extremes 2.4 (P5) and 3.4 (P95)). The correlation between BPI and FHR was 0.78 (p<0.05) and of lesser degree with gestational age (0.27; p<0.05). Conclusions: It was demonstrated that the systolic-diastolic times of each ventricle did not differ from each other and were negatively correlated with fetal heart rate. It was shown that it is possible to evaluate the fetal cardiac cycle of each ventricle by means of the ventricular performance index as well as to qualify with the biventricular performance index the combined cardiac output as balanced.

Prediction of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Response Using a Lead Placement Score Derived From 4-Dimensional Computed Tomography.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective treatment for patients with heart failure; however, 30% of patients do not respond to the treatment. We sought to derive patient-specific left ventricle maps of lead placement scores (LPS) that highlight target pacing lead sites for achieving a higher probability of CRT response. METHODS: Eighty-two subjects recruited for the ImagingCRT trial (Empiric Versus Imaging Guided Left Ventricular Lead Placement in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy) were retrospectively analyzed. All 82 subjects had 2 contrast-enhanced full cardiac cycle 4-dimensional computed tomography scans: a baseline and a 6-month follow-up scan. CRT response was defined as a reduction in computed tomography-derived end-systolic volume ≥15%. Eight left ventricle features derived from the baseline scans were used to train a support vector machine via a bagging approach. An LPS map over the left ventricle was created for each subject as a linear combination of the support vector machine feature weights and the subject's own feature vector. Performance for distinguishing responders was performed on the original 82 subjects. RESULTS: Fifty-two (63%) subjects were responders. Subjects with an LPS≤Q1 (lower-quartile) had a posttest probability of responding of 14% (3/21), while subjects with an LPS≥ Q3 (upper-quartile) had a posttest probability of responding of 90% (19/21). Subjects with Q1

Continuous Arrhythmia Monitoring in Pediatric and Adult Patients With Left Ventricular Noncompaction.

Patients with left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) are at risk of clinically significant arrhythmias and sudden death. We evaluated whether implantable loop recorders could detect significant arrhythmias that might be missed in these patients during annual Holter monitoring. Selected pediatric and adult patients with LVNC who consented to implantable loop recorder placement were monitored for 3 years (study duration, 10 April 2014-9 December 2019). Fourteen subjects were included (age range, 6.5-36.4 yr; 8 males). Of 13 patients who remained after one device extrusion, one underwent implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement. Four patients (31%) had significant arrhythmias: atrial tachycardia (n=2), nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (n=1), and atrial fibrillation (n=1). All 4 events were clinically asymptomatic and not associated with left ventricular ejection fraction. In addition, a high frequency of benign arrhythmic patterns was detected. Implantable loop recorders enable continuous, long-term detection of important subclinical arrhythmias in selected patients who have LVNC. These devices may prove to be most valuable in patients who have LVNC and moderate or greater ventricular dysfunction.