The left atrium (LA) has been recognized as a morphophysiological barometer of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. Because in the myocardial ischemia cascade where LV diastolic dysfunction often precedes LV s...The left atrium (LA) has been recognized as a morphophysiological barometer of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. Because in the myocardial ischemia cascade where LV diastolic dysfunction often precedes LV systolic dysfunction, the LA which fashions as an early marker of diastolic anomaly, could equally reflect a declining LV function and/or be a good predictor of potential sequelae. We assessed this association of LA function with reduced LV systolic function among hospitalized patients. Among patients with reduced LV ejection fraction, LA passive ejection fraction was lower (0.172 ± 0.12 vs. 0.232 ± 0.14, p = 0.013) whereas LA kinetic energy was higher (6.48 ± 6.3 vs. 4.57 ± 3.5, p = 0.005). Echocardiographic assessment of LA function, therefore, appears correlated with LVEF and could be important when risk stratifying hospitalized patients.展开更多
Background In an effort to avoid x-ray and contrast agents for patients of atrial fibrillation(AF)with chronic kidney disease,we developed a method for transcatheter closure of left atrial appendage(LAA)under the guid...Background In an effort to avoid x-ray and contrast agents for patients of atrial fibrillation(AF)with chronic kidney disease,we developed a method for transcatheter closure of left atrial appendage(LAA)under the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography(TEE)without fluoroscopy.展开更多
Background The determinants of pulmonary hypertension(PH)due to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF)have been poorly investigated in patients with cardiovascular diseases(CVD).Methods From July 12017 ...Background The determinants of pulmonary hypertension(PH)due to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF)have been poorly investigated in patients with cardiovascular diseases(CVD).Methods From July 12017 to March 312019,a total of 149 consecutive HFp EF patients hospitalized with CVD were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study.A systolic pulmonary artery pressure(PASP)>35 mm Hg estimated by echocardiography was defined as PH-HFp EF.Logistic regression was performed to establish predictors of PH in HFpEF patients.Results Overall,the mean age of participants was 72±11 years,and 74(49.7%)patients were females.A total of 59(39.6%)patients were diagnosed with PH-HFpEF by echocardiography.The left atrial diameter(LAD)was related to the ratio of the transmitral flow velocities/mitral annulus tissue velocities in early diastole(E/E’)and the left ventricular diameter in systole(LVDs).N-Terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)was not found to be associated with LAD and impaired diastolic or systolic function of the left ventricle.Multivariable logistic regression showed that atrial fibrillation(AF)increased the risk of PH-HFpEF incidence 3.46-fold with a 95%confidence interval(CI)of 1.44–8.32,P=0.005.Meanwhile,LAD≥45 mm resulted in a 3.43-fold increased risk,95%CI:1.51–7.75,P=0.003.However,the significance levels of NT-proBNP,age and LVEF were underpowered in the regression model.Two variables,AF and LAD≥45 mm,predicted the PH-HFpEF incidence(C-statistic=0.773,95%CI:0.695–0.852,P<0.001).Conclusions Two parameters associated with electrical and anatomical remodelling of the left atrium were related to the incidence of PH in HFpEF patients with CVD.展开更多
BACKGROUND The prevalence of left atrial appendage(LAA) thrombus detection by transesophageal echocardiogram(TEE) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation(AF) anticoagulated with apixaban is not well defined ...BACKGROUND The prevalence of left atrial appendage(LAA) thrombus detection by transesophageal echocardiogram(TEE) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation(AF) anticoagulated with apixaban is not well defined and identification of additional risk factors may help guide the selection process for pre-procedural TEE. The purpose of our study was to retrospectively analyze the prevalence of LAA thrombus detection by TEE in patients continuously anticoagulated with apixaban for ≥ 4 wk and evaluate for any cardiac risk factors or echocardiographic characteristics which may serve as predictors of thrombus formation.AIM To retrospectively analyze the prevalence of LAA thrombus detection by TEE in patients continuously anticoagulated with apixaban.METHODS Clinical and echocardiographic data for 820 consecutive patients with AF undergoing TEE at Augusta University Medical Center over a four-year period were retrospectively analyzed. All patients(apixaban: 226) with non-valvular AF and documented compliance with apixaban for ≥ 4 wk prior to index TEE were included.RESULTS Following ≥ 4 wk of continuous anticoagulation with apixaban, the prevalence ofLAA thrombus and LAA thrombus/dense spontaneous echocardiographic contrast was 3.1% and 6.6%, respectively. Persistent AF, left ventricular ejection fraction < 30%, severe LA dilation, and reduced LAA velocity were associated with thrombus formation. Following multivariate logistic regression, persistent AF(OR: 7.427; 95%CI: 1.02 to 53.92; P = 0.0474), and reduced LAA velocity(OR:1.086; 95%CI: 1.010 to 1.187; P = 0.0489) were identified as independent predictors of LAA thrombus. No Thrombi were detected in patients with a CHA2 DS2-VASc score ≤ 1.CONCLUSION Among patients with non-valvular AF and ≥ 4 wk of anticoagulation with apixaban, the prevalence of LAA thrombus detected by TEE was 3.1%. This suggests that continuous therapy with apixaban does not completely eliminate the risk of LAA thrombus and that TEE prior to cardioversion or catheter ablation may be of benefit in patients with multiple risk factors.展开更多
文摘The left atrium (LA) has been recognized as a morphophysiological barometer of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. Because in the myocardial ischemia cascade where LV diastolic dysfunction often precedes LV systolic dysfunction, the LA which fashions as an early marker of diastolic anomaly, could equally reflect a declining LV function and/or be a good predictor of potential sequelae. We assessed this association of LA function with reduced LV systolic function among hospitalized patients. Among patients with reduced LV ejection fraction, LA passive ejection fraction was lower (0.172 ± 0.12 vs. 0.232 ± 0.14, p = 0.013) whereas LA kinetic energy was higher (6.48 ± 6.3 vs. 4.57 ± 3.5, p = 0.005). Echocardiographic assessment of LA function, therefore, appears correlated with LVEF and could be important when risk stratifying hospitalized patients.
文摘Background In an effort to avoid x-ray and contrast agents for patients of atrial fibrillation(AF)with chronic kidney disease,we developed a method for transcatheter closure of left atrial appendage(LAA)under the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography(TEE)without fluoroscopy.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81700398No. 81970309 and No. 81770441)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province No. 2016A030 313430Nanjing Municipal Healthcare Grant YKK16127。
文摘Background The determinants of pulmonary hypertension(PH)due to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF)have been poorly investigated in patients with cardiovascular diseases(CVD).Methods From July 12017 to March 312019,a total of 149 consecutive HFp EF patients hospitalized with CVD were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study.A systolic pulmonary artery pressure(PASP)>35 mm Hg estimated by echocardiography was defined as PH-HFp EF.Logistic regression was performed to establish predictors of PH in HFpEF patients.Results Overall,the mean age of participants was 72±11 years,and 74(49.7%)patients were females.A total of 59(39.6%)patients were diagnosed with PH-HFpEF by echocardiography.The left atrial diameter(LAD)was related to the ratio of the transmitral flow velocities/mitral annulus tissue velocities in early diastole(E/E’)and the left ventricular diameter in systole(LVDs).N-Terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)was not found to be associated with LAD and impaired diastolic or systolic function of the left ventricle.Multivariable logistic regression showed that atrial fibrillation(AF)increased the risk of PH-HFpEF incidence 3.46-fold with a 95%confidence interval(CI)of 1.44–8.32,P=0.005.Meanwhile,LAD≥45 mm resulted in a 3.43-fold increased risk,95%CI:1.51–7.75,P=0.003.However,the significance levels of NT-proBNP,age and LVEF were underpowered in the regression model.Two variables,AF and LAD≥45 mm,predicted the PH-HFpEF incidence(C-statistic=0.773,95%CI:0.695–0.852,P<0.001).Conclusions Two parameters associated with electrical and anatomical remodelling of the left atrium were related to the incidence of PH in HFpEF patients with CVD.
文摘BACKGROUND The prevalence of left atrial appendage(LAA) thrombus detection by transesophageal echocardiogram(TEE) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation(AF) anticoagulated with apixaban is not well defined and identification of additional risk factors may help guide the selection process for pre-procedural TEE. The purpose of our study was to retrospectively analyze the prevalence of LAA thrombus detection by TEE in patients continuously anticoagulated with apixaban for ≥ 4 wk and evaluate for any cardiac risk factors or echocardiographic characteristics which may serve as predictors of thrombus formation.AIM To retrospectively analyze the prevalence of LAA thrombus detection by TEE in patients continuously anticoagulated with apixaban.METHODS Clinical and echocardiographic data for 820 consecutive patients with AF undergoing TEE at Augusta University Medical Center over a four-year period were retrospectively analyzed. All patients(apixaban: 226) with non-valvular AF and documented compliance with apixaban for ≥ 4 wk prior to index TEE were included.RESULTS Following ≥ 4 wk of continuous anticoagulation with apixaban, the prevalence ofLAA thrombus and LAA thrombus/dense spontaneous echocardiographic contrast was 3.1% and 6.6%, respectively. Persistent AF, left ventricular ejection fraction < 30%, severe LA dilation, and reduced LAA velocity were associated with thrombus formation. Following multivariate logistic regression, persistent AF(OR: 7.427; 95%CI: 1.02 to 53.92; P = 0.0474), and reduced LAA velocity(OR:1.086; 95%CI: 1.010 to 1.187; P = 0.0489) were identified as independent predictors of LAA thrombus. No Thrombi were detected in patients with a CHA2 DS2-VASc score ≤ 1.CONCLUSION Among patients with non-valvular AF and ≥ 4 wk of anticoagulation with apixaban, the prevalence of LAA thrombus detected by TEE was 3.1%. This suggests that continuous therapy with apixaban does not completely eliminate the risk of LAA thrombus and that TEE prior to cardioversion or catheter ablation may be of benefit in patients with multiple risk factors.
