Cardiac performance in Turner's syndrome patients on growth hormone therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate possible cardiac morphofunctional alterations observed in 26 Turner's syndrome (TS) patients on prolonged high-dose growth hormone (GH) therapy. STUDY DESIGN: We examined 26 TS subjects treated with rhGH (1 U/kg/week) for a mean period of 4.9 years (range 1-7.8) and 37 age-, weight- and height-matched healthy girls. Left ventricular volume, mass, systolic function, cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance and diastolic function were evaluated by two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: Heart rate and systolic blood pressure (BP) were higher in TS patients than in controls, while diastolic BP was lower. Left ventricular volumes, ejection fraction, mass index, M/V ratio and cardiac index did not differ significantly; systemic vascular resistance was slightly decreased. Left ventricular fractional shortening and mean velocity of circumferential shortening were slightly increased while end-systolic meridional stress was decreased in TS. Contractile state was normal in TS. Diastolic function assessment showed a shortening of isovolumetric relaxation and diastolic filling times with an increased atrial contribution and a normal pulmonary venous flow. CONCLUSION: Cardiac morphology in TS patients on GH therapy is similar to controls. The observed changes in left ventricular systolic and diastolic function should be interpreted as an adaptation to the higher heart rate and reduced peripheral vascular resistance induced by GH therapy.     

Mitral and tricuspid annular velocities determined by Doppler tissue imaging in hypopituitary, growth hormone-deficient patients

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to determine systolic and diastolic velocity profiles of the left and right ventricles by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and to reveal the associations between TDI parameters and early atherosclerotic changes in adult hypopituitary patients with GH deficiency. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group is composed of 16 hypopituitary, GH-deficient patients and 13 healthy controls. All patients had been receiving adequate substitution therapy other than GH at stable doses for at least 6 months. Conventional Doppler echocardiography and TDI of the mitral and tricuspid annulus were performed. Intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery was calculated. RESULTS: IMT was significantly higher in the hypopituitary group compared with controls (0.83 +/- 0.25 vs. 0.51 +/- 0.14 mm, p < 0.001). Hypopituitary patients had significantly lower peak early diastolic (Em) mitral annular velocity (11.2 +/- 3.0 vs. 13.9 +/- 2.8 cm/s, p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that age was the only independent variable significantly associated with Em and IMT in the patients. CONCLUSION: Diastolic abnormalities on TDI of the mitral annulus and early atherosclerotic changes occur concurrently in asymptomatic hypopituitary patients with GH deficiency. Aging may have a more deleterious effect on ventricular function and atherogenesis in this group of patients.     

Serum IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and growth hormone levels in children with congenital heart disease: relationship with nutritional status, cyanosis and left ventricular functions

In this study we aimed to evaluate serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and growth hormone (GH) levels in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) and to determine if these parameters have any relationship to the cyanosis, nutritional status and the left ventricular systolic function. This study is prospective-randomized study which conducted in 94 CHD patients (36 girls and 58 boys, aged between one 1-192 months, 19 cyanotic CHD and 75 acyanotic CHD) and age-sex matched 54 children (26 girls and 28 boys) with no CHD. In the study group, 37 out of the 94 CHD patients (39.4%) and 16 out of the 54 controls (29.6%) had malnutrition. The difference between the cyanotic and acyanotic patients in respect to malnutrition was significant (57.9% and 34.6%, p<0.05). Serum IGF-1 levels were lower (41.8+/-3.9 microg/L, 106.9+/-17.9 microg/L respectively, p<0.001) and GH levels were higher (6.43+/-0.9 ng/ml, 3.87+/-0.5 respectively, p<0.05) in CHD patient group than the controls. Serum IGF-1 levels were significantly lower in cyanotic CHD patients than the acyanotic patients (17.2+/-3.2 microg/L, 48.7.0+/-4.6 microg/L respectively, p<0.001) and serum IGF-1 levels were both lower in acyanotic and cyanotic CHD patients than the controls (p<0.001 for both). Serum IGF-1 and GH levels were similar between the well-nourished CHD patients and CHD patients with malnutrition (p>0.05). In total study group, the most effective factors on serum IGF-1 levels was presence of CHD (p<0.001), in CHD patients, the presence of cyanosis is the most effective factor on serum IGF-1 level, the presence of malnutrition is the most effective factor on serum IGFBP-3 levels (p<0.01). In the acyanotic, cyanotic, and the entire CHD patient groups, we find no correlations between the serum IGF-1, IGFBP-3 levels and left ventricular systolic function measurements. But serum GH levels were negatively correlated with diastolic left ventricular interseptum diameter, diastolic left ventricular mass and left ventricular end-diastolic volume measurements in CHD patients. In conclusion, we determined that the most important factor on serum IGF-1 levels is cyanosis. Reduced IGF1 levels and decreased left ventricular mass with an elevated GH levels in CHD patients and these findings are prominent in the cases with cyanosis and malnutrition. For this reason we believe that chronic hypoxia plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of malnutrition and also we believe that IGF-1 deficiency seen in CHD patients may be responsible in the etiology of the decrease in left ventricular mass independently from GH.     

芪苈强心胶囊联合比索洛尔对老年心力衰竭患者的疗效

目的:研究芪苈强心胶囊联合比索洛尔对老年心力衰竭患者的临床疗效。方法:选择2015年6月~2016年6月在我院进行诊治的老年心力衰竭患者126例,随机分为两组,对照组给予芪苈强心胶囊,观察组在对照组基础上加用比索洛尔。治疗3个月后,比较两组的疗效,以及治疗前后的血压、心率、6 min步行最大距离、脑钠肽水平;采用超声心动图检测两组的左心室舒张末期容积、左心室射血分数、左心室短轴缩短率和左心室收缩末期容积。结果:观察组的有效率为92.06%(58/63),明显高于对照组的73.02%(46/63)(P0.05);治疗后两组血压无明显变化(P0.05),心率和脑钠肽水平明显降低(P0.05),6 min步行最大距离明显增加(P0.05),且观察组明显优于对照组(P0.05);两组的左心室射血分数明显降低(P0.05),左心室舒张末期容积、左心室短轴缩短率和左心室收缩末期容积明显升高(P0.05),且观察组明显优于对照组(P0.05)。结论:芪苈强心胶囊联合比索洛尔能有效改善老年心力衰竭患者的心功能,具有较好的临床疗效。     

Afterload and blood pressure amplitude in dilated cardiomyopathy]

The beat-to-beat variability of the diastolic blood pressure induces small variations in the afterload of the left ventricle. These variations influence myocardial contractility, and thus blood pressure amplitude. We assessed the interdependence of blood pressure and changes in the afterload. We continuously recorded blood pressure (duration 200 s, at rest) in 20 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction 32 +/- 13%, left ventricular diameter 67 +/- 8 mm) and in 20 healthy volunteers. Interbeat intervals, diastolic pressures, systolic pressure amplitudes and mean slopes of systolic pressure amplitudes were measured. Correlation coefficients (r) were calculated to assess the interdependence of blood pressure amplitudes/mean systolic slopes and the preceding diastolic pressures/interbeat intervals, respectively. In healthy volunteers we found a strong interdependence between blood pressure amplitude and the preceding diastolic pressures (r = 0.62 +/- 0.21 and 0.47 +/- 0.22). Higher diastolic pressures were followed by higher blood pressure amplitudes, and by steeper slopes of the systolic peaks. In patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, such interdependence was significantly lower (r = 0.33 +/- 22 and r = 0.28 +/- 0.35), and in patients with severely reduced left ventricular function (ejection fraction < 32%) was only marginal (r = 0.23 +/- 0.27 and 0.21 +/- 0.44, respectively). The forces of the isovolumetric contraction necessary to initiate the ejection phase of the left ventricle depend on the afterload, i.e. on the diastolic pressure. The responses of amplitude and slope of the systolic blood pressure to small changes in the afterload make it possible to assess left ventricular contractility. The latter is impaired in dilated cardiomyopathy.     

α-酮酸片对维持性血液透析患者心脏功能和结构的影响

目的：探讨α-酮酸片（α-KA）对维持性血液透析（MHD）患者心脏功能和结构的影响。方法：观察30例α-酮酸片（商品名：开同）治疗组维持性血液透析患者与30例对照组患者,分别在治疗前及治疗6个月后超声心动图测定心脏结构指标：左房收缩末期内径（LADs）、左室舒张末期内径（LVEDd）、室间隔舒张末期厚度（IVSTd）、左室后壁舒张末期厚度（LVPWTd）,左房内径指数（LAI）、左心室心肌重量指数（LVMI）、相对室壁厚度（RWT）,心脏功能指标：左室射血分数（LVEF）,左室短轴缩短率（FS）,二尖瓣口舒张早期和晚期最大血流速度比（E/A）各项指标等检测,比较治疗前后各指标变化。结果：治疗组MHD患者心脏结构指标：左房收缩末期内径（LADs）、左室舒张末期内径（LVEDd）、室间隔舒张末期厚度（IVSTd）、左室后壁舒张末期厚度（LVPWTd）,左房内径指数（LAI）、左心室心肌重量指数（LVMI）值均明显低于对照组,二者差异有显著性（P〈0.05）,两组相对室壁厚度（RWT）相比没有明显的差异（P〉0.05）。心脏功能指标：左室射血分数（LVEF）,左室短轴缩短率（FS）,二尖瓣口舒张早期和晚期最大血流速度比（E/A）值较对照组明显增高（P〈0.05）,有统计学意义。结论：α-酮酸片可以改善MHD患者的心脏结构和功能,其对MHD患者心血管并发症的预防和治疗有一定临床指导意义。     

Influence of posture on left ventricular long- and short-axis shortening

End-diastolic volume and left ventricular stroke volume are increased in the supine compared with upright position, but the contribution of long-axis (LAS) and short-axis shortening (SAS) to these changes with change in posture has not been established. We examined long- and short-axis motion and dimensions with echocardiography in 10 healthy subjects in the upright and supine position. Long-axis length at end diastole was almost identical, whereas the diastolic short-axis diameter was increased in the supine position. At end systole, there was a decreased long-axis length and increased short-axis length in the supine vs. upright position. Both LAS and SAS were enhanced in supine vs. upright positions [LAS: 9.3 +/- 2.2 vs. 15.1 +/- 3.1 mm (P < 0.001); SAS: 12.7 +/- 3.2 vs. 16.3 +/- 2.8 mm (P < 0.001)], presumably via Starling mechanisms. LAS increased more in the lateral part of the mitral annulus than in the septal part [7.7 +/- 2.6 vs. 4.0 +/- 2.8 mm (P < 0.006)], which implies that the more spherical form, in the supine position, induces more stretch at the lateral free wall than in the ventricular septum. These findings support the notion that Starling mechanisms affect systolic LAS.     

慢性肾脏病患者心脏结构与功能变化的超声心动图研究

目的:研究慢性肾脏病(CKD)患者心脏结构及功能的变化.方法:选择我院肾内科175例慢性肾脏病未透析患者,按照2003年美国国家肾脏基金会-肾脏病转归质量(NKF-K/DOQI)指南的标准进行分期,观察所有患者心脏结构及功能在超声中的变化.结果:慢性肾脏病患者随着肾功能的恶化,各组之间比较,室间隔厚度(IVST)、左心室后壁厚度(LVPW)、左心室心肌重量指数(LVMI)、左心室舒张末期内径(LVDd)、左心房内径(LAD)具有升高的趋势(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);但E/A比值未出现伴随着肾功能恶化而逐渐减低的趋势(P＞0.05);射血分数(EF)、短轴缩短卒(FS)在各期之间无明显变化(P＞0.05);而TVI技术测定的Em、Em/Am具有显著减低的趋势(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);瓣膜返流以二尖瓣返流为主.结论:慢性肾脏病患者心脏结构与功能随肾功能减退而加重,超声心动图检查结合组织速度显像(TVI)技术能更好地检测心脏结构和功能变化,尤其是检测左心室舒张功能障碍.     

Effects of avertin versus xylazine-ketamine anesthesia on cardiac function in normal mice

Anesthetic regimens commonly administered during studies that assess cardiac structure and function in mice are xylazine-ketamine (XK) and avertin (AV). While it is known that XK anesthesia produces more bradycardia in the mouse, the effects of XK and AV on cardiac function have not been compared. We anesthetized normal adult male Swiss Webster mice with XK or AV. Transthoracic echocardiography and closed-chest cardiac catheterization were performed to assess heart rate (HR), left ventricular (LV) dimensions at end diastole and end systole (LVDd and LVDs, respectively), fractional shortening (FS), LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), the time constant of isovolumic relaxation (tau), and the first derivatives of LV pressure rise and fall (dP/dt(max) and dP/dt(min), respectively). During echocardiography, HR was lower in XK than AV mice (250 +/- 14 beats/min in XK vs. 453 +/- 24 beats/min in AV, P < 0.05). Preload was increased in XK mice (LVDd: 4.1 +/- 0.08 mm in XK vs. 3.8 +/- 0.09 mm in AV, P < 0.05). FS, a load-dependent index of systolic function, was increased in XK mice (45 +/- 1.2% in XK vs. 40 +/- 0.8% in AV, P < 0.05). At LV catheterization, the difference in HR with AV (453 +/- 24 beats/min) and XK (342 +/- 30 beats/min, P < 0.05) anesthesia was more variable, and no significant differences in systolic or diastolic function were seen in the group as a whole. However, in XK mice with HR <300 beats/min, LVEDP was increased (28 +/- 5 vs. 6.2 +/- 2 mmHg in mice with HR >300 beats/min, P < 0.05), whereas systolic (LV dP/dt(max): 4,402 +/- 798 vs. 8,250 +/- 415 mmHg/s in mice with HR >300 beats/min, P < 0.05) and diastolic (tau: 23 +/- 2 vs. 14 +/- 1 ms in mice with HR >300 beats/min, P < 0.05) function were impaired. Compared with AV, XK produces profound bradycardia with effects on loading conditions and ventricular function. The disparate findings at echocardiography and LV catheterization underscore the importance of comprehensive assessment of LV function in the mouse.     

Effects of a bradycardic agent on postischemic cardiac recovery in rabbits.

Decreasing heart rate might be beneficial for improvement of myocardial energetics and could reduce the severity of myocardial ischemia. We examined the contribution of heart rate reduction by cilobradine (DK-AH 269), a direct sinus node inhibitor, on left ventricular function and peripheral vasomotion in anesthetized rabbits with experimental myocardial infarction. The rabbits were randomized to receive either placebo (n=10) or cilobradine (n=7). Cilobradine decreased significantly heart rate from 163 +/- 33 to 131 +/- 13 bpm, p< 0.05, without any inotopic or vascular effects. After 60 min coronary occlusion and 30 min reperfusion, both systolic and diastolic ventricular function were more reduced in the cilobradine group; i.e. maximal left ventricular pressure significantly decreased to 62 +/- 11 mmHg, p < 0.05 (placebo: 77 +/- 9 mmHg); dP/dt(min) significantly decreased to -904 +/- 247 mmHg, p < 0.05 (placebo: -1106 +/- 242 mmHg). However, infarct size in the cilobradine group was significantly smaller compared with the placebo group. In conclusion, cilobradine reduced heart rate without any negative inotropic effect and reduced infarct size. On that account, this bradycardic agent might open a promising therapeutical avenue to treat postischemic dysfunction.     

Right and left ventricular pressure-volume response to respiratory maneuvers

With respiration, right ventricular end-diastolic volume fluctuates. We examined the importance of these right ventricular volume changes on left ventricular function. In six mongrel dogs, right and left ventricular volumes and pressures and esophageal pressure were simultaneously measured during normal respiration, Valsalva maneuver, and Mueller maneuver. The right and left ventricular volumes were calculated from cineradiographic positions of endocardial radiopaque markers. Increases in right ventricular volume were associated with changes in the left ventricular (LV) pressure-volume relationship. With normal respiration, right ventricular end-diastolic volume increased 2.3 +/- 0.7 ml during inspiration, LV transmural diastolic pressure was unchanged, and LV diastolic volume decreased slightly. This effect was accentuated by the Mueller maneuver; right ventricular end-diastolic volume increased 10.4 +/- 2.3 ml (P less than 0.05), while left ventricular end-diastolic pressure increased 3.6 mmHg (P less than 0.05) without a significant change in left ventricular end-diastolic volume. Conversely, with a Valsalva maneuver, right ventricular volume decreased 6.5 +/- 1.2 ml (P less than 0.05), and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure decreased 2.2 +/- 0.5 mmHg (P less than 0.05) despite an unchanged left ventricular end-diastolic volume. These changes in the left ventricular pressure-volume relationship, secondary to changes in right ventricular volumes, are probably due to ventricular interdependence. Ventricular interdependence may also be an additional factor for the decrease in left ventricular stroke volume during inspiration.     

Mitral inertance in humans: critical factor in Doppler estimation of transvalvular pressure gradients

The pressure-velocity relationship across the normal mitral valve is approximated by the Bernoulli equation DeltaP = 1/2 rhoDeltav(2) + M. dv/dt, where DeltaP is the atrioventricular pressure difference, rho is blood density, v is transmitral flow velocity, and M is mitral inertance. Although M is indispensable in assessing transvalvular pressure differences from transmitral flow, this term is poorly understood. We measured intraoperative high-fidelity left atrial and ventricular pressures and simultaneous transmitral flow velocities by using transesophageal echocardiography in 100 beats (8 patients). We computed mean mitral inertance (M) by M = integral((DeltaP)-(1/2 x rho v(2))dt/integral(dv/dt)dt and we assessed the effect of the inertial term on the transmitral pressure-flow relation. ranged from 1.03 to 5.96 g/cm(2) (mean = 3.82 +/- 1.22 g/cm(2)). DeltaP calculated from the simplified Bernoulli equation (DeltaP = 1/2. rhov(2)) lagged behind (44 +/- 11 ms) and underestimated the actual peak pressures (2.3 +/- 1.1 mmHg). correlated with left ventricular systolic pressure (r = -0.68, P < 0.0001) and transmitral pressure gradients (r = 0.65, P < 0.0001). Because mitral inertance causes the velocity to lag significantly behind the actual pressure gradient, it needs to be considered when assessing diastolic filling and the pressure difference across normal mitral valves.     

Effects of wave reflection timing on left ventricular mechanics

The aim of this study was to evaluate how the timing of the pressure pulse produced by peripheral reflection affects the left ventricle (stroke volume, ventricular work, coronary driving pressure). Ten isolated perfused rabbit hearts were attached to rubber tubes of different lengths (0.5, 0.8 and 1 m) connected to a hydraulic resistance. The different lengths produced reflections at different times and the reflected pulse returned to the ventricle in early (at 84 ms), middle (at 134 ms) and late systole (at 168 ms) for the three tubes, respectively. The loading parameters (ventricular filling pressure and hydraulic resistance) were not changed during the procedure. Ventricular and aortic pressure and aortic flow were monitored continuously and recorded; cardiac cycle was fixed at 800 ms. An operator-independent procedure was used to calculate instantaneous and total systolic external work, mean diastolic aorto-ventricular pressure difference and ventricular stroke volume. RESULTS: The mean value of stroke volume for the three different length rubber tubes was 320 +/- 71, 348 +/- 77 and 368 +/- 87 microliters, respectively. The mean value of total external work was 20.3 +/- 8.3, 22.5 +/- 8.8 and 24.2 +/- 9.6 mJ, respectively. The mean aortoventricular pressure difference was 40 +/- 12, 46 +/- 13, 50 +/- 14 mmHg, respectively (1 mmHg = 133 Pa). The differences between the parameters measured in the three conditions were statistically significant (p < 0.05). A reduction of reflection timing, reduces, on a pure mechanical basis, cardiac output and external ventricular work and has a negative effect on coronary driving pressure.     

Combined pulmonary stenosis and insufficiency preserves myocardial contractility in the developing heart of growing swine at midterm follow-up.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of chronic combined pulmonary stenosis and pulmonary insufficiency (PSPI) on right (RV) and left ventricular (LV) function in young, growing swine. Six pigs with combined PSPI were studied, and data were compared with previously published data of animals with isolated pulmonary insufficiency and controls. Indexes of systolic function (stroke volume, ejection fraction, and cardiac functional reserve), myocardial contractility (slope of the end-systolic pressure-volume and change in pressure over time-end-diastolic volume relationship), and diastolic compliance were assessed within 2 days of intervention and 3 mo later. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to quantify pulmonary insufficiency and ventricular volumes. The conductance catheter was used to obtain indexes of the cardiac functional reserve, diastolic compliance, and myocardial contractility from pressure-volume relations acquired at rest and under dobutamine infusion. In the PSPI group, the pulmonary regurgitant fraction was 34.3 +/- 5.8%, the pressure gradient across the site of pulmonary stenosis was 20.9 +/- 20 mmHg, and the average RV peak systolic pressure was 70% systemic at 12 wk follow-up. Biventricular resting cardiac outputs and cardiac functional reserves were significantly limited (P < 0.05), LV diastolic compliance significantly decreased (P < 0.05), but RV myocardial contractility significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) compared with control animals at 3-mo follow-up. In the young, developing heart, chronic combined PSPI impairs biventricular systolic pump function and diastolic compliance but preserves RV myocardial contractility.     

急性心力衰竭患者就诊时血压心率及血浆BNP水平与心功能的关系分析

目的:探讨急性心力衰竭(AHF)患者就诊时血压心率及血浆脑钠肽(BNP)水平与心功能的关系。方法:选取2013年4月-2014年12月于本院治疗的AHF患者134例,于就诊时测量患者血压、心率、BNP及心脏超声相关指标,分析血压心率及血浆BNP水平与心功能的关系。结果:就诊时SBP水平与左心室舒张末期直径及每搏输出量呈现正相关性(r=0.134、0.238,均P0.05);心率与每搏输出量、左室缩短率以及射血分数呈现负相关性(r=-0.177,-0.231,-0.197,均P0.05);BNP水平与左心室舒张末直径成正相关性,与左室缩短率以及射血分数呈负相关性(r=0.150、-0.247、-0.271,均P0.05)。结论:血压、心率以及BNP是临床诊断、评估AHF的重要指标。     

Increased calcium influx mediates increased cardiac stiffness in hyperthyroid rats

Cardiac remodeling (hypertrophy and fibrosis) and an increased left ventricular diastolic stiffness characterize models of hypertension such as the SHR and DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. By contrast, hyperthyroidism induces hypertrophy and hypertension, yet collagen expression and deposition is unchanged or decreased, whereas diastolic stiffness is increased. We determined the possible role of increased calcium influx in the development of increased diastolic stiffness in hyperthyroidism by administering verapamil (15 mg/[kg x d] orally) to rats given triiodothyronine (T3) (0.5 mg/[kg x d] subcutaneously for 14 d). Administration of T3 significantly increased body temperature (control: 36.7 +/- 0.2 degrees C; T3: 39.6 +/- 0.2 degrees C), left ventricular wet weight (control: 2.09 +/- 0.02 mg/kg; T3 3.07 +/- 0.07 mg/kg), systolic blood pressure (control: 128 +/- 5 mmHg; T3: 156 +/- 4 mmHg), and left ventricular diastolic stiffness (control: 20.6 +/- 2.0; T3: 28.8 +/- 1.4). Collagen content of the left ventricle was unchanged. Contractile response to noradrenaline in thoracic aortic rings was reduced. Relaxation in response to acetylcholine (ACh) was also reduced in T3-treated rats, whereas sodium nitroprusside response was unchanged. Verapamil treatment of hyperthyroid rats completely prevented the increased diastolic stiffness and systolic blood pressure while attenuating the increased body temperature and left ventricular weight; collagen content remained unchanged. ACh response in thoracic aortic rings was restored by verapamil. Thus, in hyperthyroid rats, an increased calcium influx is a potential mediator of the increased diastolic stiffness independent of changes in collagen.     

Left ventricular twist is load-dependent as shown in a large animal model with controlled cardiac load

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Left ventricular rotation and twist can be assessed noninvasively by speckle tracking echocardiography. We sought to characterize the effects of acute load change and change in inotropic state on rotation parameters as a measure of left ventricular (LV) contractility. METHODS: Seven anesthetised juvenile pigs were studied, using direct measurement of left ventricular pressure and volume and simultaneous transthoracic echocardiography. Transient inflation of an inferior vena cava balloon (IVCB) catheter produced controlled load reduction. First and last beats in the sequence of eight were analysed with speckle tracking (STE) during the load alteration and analysed for change in rotation/twist during controlled load alteration at same contractile status. Two pharmacological inotropic interventions were also included to examine the same hypothesis in additionally conditions of increased and decreased myocardial contractility in each animal. Paired comparisons were made for different load states using the Wilcoxon's Signed Rank test. RESULTS: The inferior vena cava balloon occlusion (IVCBO) load change compared for first to last beat resulted in LV twist increase (11.67degrees +/-2.65degrees vs. 16.17degrees +/-3.56degrees respectively, p < 0.004) during the load alteration and under adrenaline stimulation LV twist increase 12.56degrees +/-5.1degrees vs. 16.57degrees +/-4.6degrees (p < 0.013), and though increased, didn't reach significance in negative inotropic condition. Untwisting rate increased significantly at baseline from 41.7degrees/s +/-41.6degrees/s vs.122.6degrees/s +/-55.8degrees/s (P < 0.039) and under adrenaline stimulation untwisting rate increased (55.3degrees/s +/-3.8degrees/s vs.111.4degrees/s +/-24.0degrees/s (p < 0.05), but did not systematically changed in negative inotropic condition. CONCLUSIONS: Peak systolic LV twist and peak early diastolic untwisting rate are load dependent. Differences in LV load should be included in the interpretation when serial measures of twist are compared.     

缬沙坦对维持性血液透析患者心脏功能和结构的影响

目的:探讨缬沙坦对维持性血液透析(maintenance hemodialysis,MHD)患者心脏功能和结构的影响。方法:100例MHD患者,随机分为治疗组(50例)与对照组(50例),对照组仅予基础治疗,治疗组加予口服缬沙坦治疗,总疗程为6个月。观察治疗前后超声心动图指标变化。结果:与治疗前及对照组同期比较,治疗组心脏结构指标左房收缩末期内径(LAD)、左室舒张末期内径(LVDD)、室间隔厚度(IVST)、左室后壁厚度(LVPWT)、左房内径指数(LAI)、左室重量指数(LVMI)及相对室壁厚度(RWT)有所降低,心脏功能指标:左室射血分数(LVEF),左室短轴缩短率(FS),二尖瓣口舒张早期和晚期最大血流速度比(E/A)值有所提高,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。对照组超声心动图各项指标与治疗前相比变化不明显(P>0.05)。结论:缬沙坦能延缓或逆转左心室肥厚,明显改善左室舒张功能,有助于改善MHD患者心脏重构,改善心脏功能,从而延缓慢性肾功能衰竭尿毒症期患者的左心室重塑,降低心血管疾病的发生率和死亡率。缬沙坦对MHD患者心血管疾病并发症的预防和治疗及提高MHD患者生存率有一定临床指导意义。     

犬心右室,左室大面积梗塞时的容量负荷评价

在１２只犬,结扎四支冠脉,造成犬心右室、左室大面积梗塞和心源性休克时,左室收缩压（ＬＶＳＰ）及最大正负压力阶差（±ｄｐ／ｄｔｍａｘ．）分别下降５４％、５１％和４７％,而右室收缩压（ＲＶＳＰ）及±ｄｐ／ｄｔｍａｘ．仅降低９％、２５％和２７％。组Ⅰ（６只犬）快速扩容（低分子右旋糖酐３０ｍｌ／ｋｇ,２０ｍｉｎ内静脉输入）,结果右室反向搏动增强,双心室±ｄｐ／ｄｔｍａｘ．进一步降低,右房压（ＲＡＰ）及左室舒张末压（ＬＶＥＤＰ）极度升高达２．９±０．２ｋＰａ和５．０±０．３ｋＰａ（Ｐ均＜０．０１）,甚至诱发室颤。组Ⅱ缓慢静点多巴胺（１０μｇ／ｋｇ·ｍｉｎ）和硝酸甘油（１μｇ／ｋｇ·ｍｉｎ）３０ｍｉｎ,有效提高了动脉压（ＡＰ）,心输出量（ＣＯ）,ＬＶＳＰ及左室±ｄｐ／ｄｔｍａｘ．使休克逆转。结果表明,大面积左、右室梗塞伴休克时,右室残余心肌的代偿性收缩仍能造成ＲＶＳＰ与右室泵功能呈分离状态;此时快速扩容将进一步损害左、右室功能,而联合使用硝酸甘油和多巴胺能有效纠正休克同时不造成ＲＡＰ和ＬＶＥＤＰ的升高。