Assessment of Left Atrial Function by Full Volume Real-time Three-dimensional Echocardiography and Left Atrial Tracking in Essential Hypertension Patients with Different Patterns of Left Ventricular Geometric Models

Objective To evaluate left atrial function in essential hypertension patients with different patterns of left ventricular geometric models by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography(RT-3DE)and left atrial tracking(LAT).Methods One hundred and thirty-three patients with essential hypertension were divided into four groups according to criteria proposed by Ganau et al:36 patients in normal pattern group(I),34 patients in concentric remodelling pattern group(II),33 patients in concentric hypertrophy pattern group(III),and 30patients in eccentric hypertrophy pattern group(IV).Thirty-two healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study.RT-3DE and LAT were used to obtain the volume-time and emptying fraction curves,and then the maximal volume,minimal volume,stroke volume,presystolic volume,ejection fraction,systolic filling rate,early diastolic emptying rate and late diastolic emptying rate of the left atrium were measured.Conduit volume and passive emptying volume of the left atrium were calculated.Results Left atrial indexes,conduit volume,passive emptying volume,and early diastolic emptying rate decreased,while the other indices increased in the group I compared with the control group(all P<0.05).Compared with the control group,I and II groups,the left atrial volume parameters manifested change in the group III and group IV(all P<0.01).Left atrial ejection fraction measured by RT-3DE or LAT,and late diastolic emptying rate were lower in the group IV compared with the group III(all P<0.05).There was no difference in left atrial conduit volume,passive emptying volume,and early diastolic left atrial emptying rate between the group II and group I(all P>0.05).There was a positive correlation between RT-3DE and LAT in evaluating left atrial function.Conclusions Left atrial booster pump function decreases in the eccentric hypertrophy pattern.Left atrial conduit function is unchanged in the normal pattern and the concentric remodelling pattern groups.RT-3DE and LAT technology can be used for quantitative evaluation of left atrial volume and function.

Effect of amlodipine combined with telmisartan or compound amiloride on plasma ET-1 concentration and left ventricular diastolic function of essential hypertension patients with left ventricular hypertrophy

Objective: To observe the effect of different combination antihypertensive therapies on plasma endothelin-1(ET-1) concentration and left ventricular diastolic function of essential hypertension patients with left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH). Methods: A total of 111 patients with essential hypertension were selected, including 60 cases(34 males, 26 females) aged(60.7±5.6) years with simple hypertension, and 51 cases(28 males, 23 females) aged(61.8±7.0) years with essential hypertension complicated with LVH. Essential hypertension patients with LVH were randomly divided into the group of amlodipine(2.5 mg/d) combined with telmisartan(40 mg/d, n=26) and the group of amlodipine(2.5 mg/d) combined with amiloride(half tablet/d, n=25),and the treatment lasted for 1 year. Echocardiography was performed before and after the treatment. Left ventricular mass index(LVMI), left ventricular isovolumic relaxation time(IVRT) and other indicators were detected, and plasma ET-1 concentrations were measured for comparative analysis. And 56 patients(31 males, 25 females) aged(59.3±6.7) years with normal blood pressure in the same period in our hospital were selected as the normal control group. Results: The general clinical characteristics were similar between hypertensive LVH group, simple hypertensive group and normal healthy control group. Plasma ET-1 concentrations, LVMI and IVRT of hypertensive LVH group were significantly higher than those of normal control group and simple hypertension group, and the difference was statistically significant. The patients' baseline blood pressure, ET-1, LVMI, interventricular septal thickness(IVST), left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVPWT), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDd) and other clinical parameters showed no significant difference(P>0.05) between the group of amlodipine combined with telmisartan and the group of amlodipine combined with amiloride. It was found that compared with that before treatment, blood pressure could be effectively controlled(P<0.05), and LVMI, IVST, LVPWT and IVRT(P<0.05) were all lowered, and ET-1(P<0.01) was significantly reduced after 1 year of antihypertensive therapy in both the group of amlodipine combined with telmisartan and the group of amlodipine combined with amiloride. The group of amlodipine combined with telmisartan was better in lowering blood pressure and reducing LVMI, IVST, LVPWT, IVRT and ET-1 than the group of amlodipine combined with amiloride(P<0.05). Conclusion: Amlodipine-based combination antihypertensive therapy could reverse LVH and improve left ventricular diastolic function partly by lowering blood pressure and ET-1, and the effect of amlodipine combined with telmisartan was superior to that of amlodipine combined with amiloride.

Study on the Effect of Simvastatin on Left Ventricular Mass and Endothelial Function and the Relationship between Their Changes in the Patients with Essential Hypertension

To study the effect of Simvastatin on the left ventricular mass and endothelial function and to investigate the relationship between their changes in the patients with essential hypertension(EH). Methods:50 patients with hypertension without severe complication were divided into two groups in a randmnized, controlled and single blind trial. Group I (n=25) were given Simvastatin and hydragogue for 12 weeks while Group Ⅱ were given hydragogue during the same time. We detected the left ventricttlar nmss and the brachial artery dilatation induced by reactive hyperemia(DIRH)or nitroglycerin(DING) respectively with ultrasonography in all patients before and after treatmerit.25 normal subjects without any treatment were taken as the control. Resu/ts: The left ventricular ~ index(LVMI)was higher in the two groups of patients[ (133.61 ~ 31.02)g/m2 ; ( 118.04±39.62)g/m^2 ] than that in the control (88.79±22.73)g/m^2 before treatment(P <0.01,0.000 1, respectively)while the blood pressure was higher.The DIRH was lower in the two groups of patients(5.93±2.24)% ; (6.54±3.16)%than that in the conuml(13.09±2.99)%, P<0.000 1. There was no significantly differences in age, sermn concentrations of total cholesterol, tri_glyceride, sugar, blood pressure or the DING between two groups of patients and the control(P>0.05) .And there was no significant difference in the all variables between group I and group Ⅱ before treatment.After treatment the LVMI decreased[ (133.61±31.02)g/m^2 VS(91.07±16.01)g/m^2, P<0.01and the DTRH increased[ (5.93±2.24) % VS(13.53±2.38)%, P<0.01] in the patients of group I while there was no significant change in LVMI and DIRH in the patients of group |. The blood pressure in the two groups of patients was decreased to the normal. Comimred with group Ⅱ, the changes of LVMI and DIRH was higher in patients of group Ⅰ though the sermn concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride or sugar were not significantly diffexent. No significant change in sermn concentrations oftotal cholesterol, tri_glyceride or sugar was found during treatment in the two groups of patients. Analysis showed that the LVMI correlated with DIRH and the clmnge of LVMI correlated better with the change of DIRH (r=-0.56;0.69,P<0.0001,respectly). Conchusions: The in crease of left ventricular mass was related with endothelial dysftmction in essential hypertension. Being independent of the changes of sermn concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride or sugar and blood pressure, Sinvastatin could inhibit the increase of left ventricular mass and improve endothelial function.

Ultrasonic evaluation of the relationship between left ventricular hypertrophy or left ventricular geometry and endothelial function in patients with essential hypertension

Objective： To assess the relationship between left ventricular hypertrophy （LVH） or left ventricular geometry （LVG） and endothelial function in patients with essential hypertension （EH）. Methods： Seventy-six patients and 30 normal subjects were first examined by echocardiography. Brachial artery dilatation induced by reactive hyperemia （DIRH） or nitroglycerin （DING） was detected using high-resolution ultrasonography. Results： DIRH was lower in patients with hypertension than in the controls, and the decrease in DIRH was greater in the patients with LVH than that in patients without LVH （4.36±2.54% vs 8.56 ± 1.87 %; P 〈 0.0001）. There were no significant differences in age, serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides or sugar, blood pressure and the brachial artery dilatation induced by nitroglycerin between the two groups （P 〉 0.05）. While there was no significant difference in DIRH between the patients with normal left ventricular geometry or cardiac remodeling, the patients showing either eccentric or concentric left ventricular hypertrophy had lower DIRH than the patients with normal left ventricular geometry or cardiac remodeling. The DIRH was the lowest in patients with concentric hypertrophy. Although bivariate analysis showed that the left ventricular mass index （LVMI） correlated well with the brachial artery dilatation induced by reactive hyperemia, diastolic blood pressure and mean blood pressure （r=-0.61, P 〈 0.0001; r=0.27, P 〈 0.05; r=0.31, P 〈 0.05, respectively）, a multivariate stepwise regression demonstrated that LVMI correlated only with the brachial artery dilatation induced by reactive hyperemia. Conclusion： Left ventricular hypertrophy was related to endothelial dysfunction in essential hypertension. The endothelial dysfunction might be basic and important in the progression of left ventricular hypertrophy.

Evaluation of the Effect of Sigmoid-Shaped Interventricular Septum on Left Ventricular Systolic Function in Patients with Essential Hypertension by Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography

Objective: To evaluate left ventricular regional and global systolic function by measuring left ventricular longitudinal strain (LS) in hypertensive patients with sigmoid-shaped interventricular septum (SIS) by two-dimensional speckle tracking (2D-STE);in order to explore whether the sigmoid-shaped interventricular septum affects the left ventricular systolic function in patients with hypertension. Methods: Routine echocardiographic parameters were measured in 30 hypertensive patients with SIS (SIS group) and 30 hypertensive patients without SIS (non-SIS group). The left ventricular segments and global LS were measured by 2D-STE, and the two sets of parameters were compared. Results: The value of the thickness of the basal segment of the interventricular septum (IVSBT), the thickness of the middle segment of the interventricular septum (IVSMT) and the ratio of the basal segment of the ventricular septum to the middle segment of the interventricular septum (IVSBT/IVSMT) in SIS group was higher than that in non-SIS group. However, the value of left ventricular outflow tract diameter (LVOTD) in SIS group was lower than that in non-SIS group. There was a significant difference between the two groups (all P Conclusion: SIS affects left ventricular regional systolic function of patients with hypertension. 2D-STE can early evaluate left ventricular longitudinal systolic function in hypertensive patients with SIS.

Effects of telmisartan combined with nifedipine controlled release tablet on inflammatory factors, vascular endothelial function and left ventricular function in patients with coronary heart disease with mild to moderate hypertension

Objective: To investigate the effect of telmisartan combined with Nifedipine Controlled Release Tablet on inflammatory factors, vascular endothelial function and left ventricular function in patients with coronary heart disease with mild to moderate hypertension. Methods:A total of 92 cases of patients with coronary heart disease with mild to moderate hypertension were selected as the object of observation, according to the random data table, they were divided into the control group (n=46) and observation group (n=46), and patients in the control group were treated with Nifedipine Controlled Release Table therapy, on this basis, the observation group patients were given telmisartan treatment, two groups were treated for 6 months. The levels of the blood pressure, inflammatory factors, vascular endothelial function and left ventricular function compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results: There were no significant differences in the levels of SBP, DBP, hs-CRP, TNF-α, NO, ET-1, LVEF, LVEDD and LVESD in the two groups before treatment. After treatment, two groups of SBP, DBP, hs-CRP, TNF-α, ET-1, LVEDD and LVESD levels were significantly lower than those in the same group before treatment, and after treatment, the levels of SBP, DBP, hs-CRP, TNF-α, ET-1 and LVESD in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group, while there were no significant difference in the level of LVEDD between the two groups after treatment;Compared with level in the group before treatment, the levels of NO and LVEF in the two groups were significantly increased, and the observation group [(82.13±19.01) μmol/L, (52.83±7.45)%] was significantly higher than the control group ((67.37±13.08) μmol/L, (49.47±6.96)%)Conclusion: Telmisartan combined with Nifedipine Controlled Release Table in treating coronary heart disease with mild to moderate hypertension, can effectively control blood pressure, reduce the inflammatory stress, improve vascular endothelial function and left ventricular function of patients, has an important clinical value.

Deep learning echocardiographic intelligent model for evaluation on left ventricular regional wall motion abnormality

Objective To observe the value of deep learning echocardiographic intelligent model for evaluation on left ventricular(LV)regional wall motion abnormalities(RWMA).Methods Apical two-chamber,three-chamber and four-chamber views two-dimensional echocardiograms were obtained prospectively in 205 patients with coronary heart disease.The model for evaluating LV regional contractile function was constructed using a five-fold cross-validation method to automatically identify the presence of RWMA or not,and the performance of this model was assessed taken manual interpretation of RWMA as standards.Results Among 205 patients,RWMA was detected in totally 650 segments in 83 cases.LV myocardial segmentation model demonstrated good efficacy for delineation of LV myocardium.The average Dice similarity coefficient for LV myocardial segmentation results in the apical two-chamber,three-chamber and four-chamber views was 0.85,0.82 and 0.88,respectively.LV myocardial segmentation model accurately segmented LV myocardium in apical two-chamber,three-chamber and four-chamber views.The mean area under the curve(AUC)of RWMA identification model was 0.843±0.071,with sensitivity of(64.19±14.85)%,specificity of(89.44±7.31)%and accuracy of(85.22±4.37)%.Conclusion Deep learning echocardiographic intelligent model could be used to automatically evaluate LV regional contractile function,hence rapidly and accurately identifying RWMA.

The Clinical Association of Left Atrial Function with Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

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.

The relationship of pulse pressure and left ventricular funcion in hypertension patients

AIM:Discuss the relationship of pulse pr essure and left ventricular functio n in hypertensive patients.METHODS:We observed the relationship of the pulse pressure and the times of again occurred coronary artery diseases,left ventricular fore and after span,lef t ventricular back wall thickness an d left ventricular ejection fraction(EF)by color Doppler ultrasound in hypertensive patients.RESULTS:The times of again occurred coronary artery diseases,the left ventricular fore and after s pan and left ventricular EF of each pulse pressure group were significantly d ifference(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The pulse pressure may take part in th e further impair of left ventricular function coronary artery diseases.Control the pulse p ressure coronary artery diseases have an imp ortant meaning in decreasing the fur ther impair of left ventricular function.

Comparison of Arrhythmias among Different Left Ventricular Geometric Patterns in Essential Hypertension

The differences of arrhythmias among distinct left ventricular geometric patterns in the patients with essential hypertension were studied. 179 patients with essential hypertension received 24 h dynamic ECG recording, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, echocardiography examination, etc. According to the examinations, left ventricular geometric patterns and arrhythmias were identified. The comparison of morbidity of arrhythmias between the left ventricular remodeling group and the normal geometric pattern group was performed. The multiple stepwise regression analysis was carried out to identify the independent determinants of arrhythmias. After these predictors were controlled or adjusted, the severity of arrhythmias among different left ventricular geometric patterns was compared. It was found that the morbidity of atrial arrhythmia, ventricular arrhythmia and complex ventricular arrhythmias in the left ventricular remodeling group was significantly higher than in the normal geometric pattern group respectively. There were many independent factors influencing on arrhythmias in essential hypertension. Of all these factors, some indices of left ventricular anatomic structure, grade of hypertension, left atrial inner dimension, E/A, diastolic blood pressure load value at night and day average heart rate and so on were very important. After the above mentioned factors were adjusted, the differences of the orders of arrhythmias between partial geometric patterns were reserved, which resulted from the differences of the geometric patterns. Many factors contributed to arrhythmias of essential hypertension, such as grade of hypertension, LVMI, LA, PWT and so on. The severity of arrhythmias was different in different left ventricular geometric patterns.

Significance of the left ventricular ejection/filling parameters in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension:a magnetic resonance imaging based study

Background The goal of this study was to explore the significance of left ventricular(LV)ejection/filling parameters in assessing severity and prognosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH).Methods Newly diagnosed PAH patients were recruited between July 2011 and December 2013 prospectively.Cardiopulmonary hemodynamics derived from right heart catheterization,and LV ejection/filling parameters derived from CMR were collected.Follow-up data were collected periodically using a specifically-designed network database until April 30,2016.

The Use of Left Ventricular Myocardial Stiffness Index as a Predictor of Myocardial Performance in Patients with Systemic Hypertension

Our aim was to investigate the changes in the myocardium stiffness index for patients suffering from systemic hypertension, and to assess their left ventricular performance. We studied 263 hypertensive patients and 166 healthy subjects as a control group. By using conventional Doppler echocardiography, the following parameters were measured—Left ventricular end diastolic diameter, left ventricular end systolic diameter, transmitral early velocity, isovolumic relaxation time, and isovolumic contraction time. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) was used in the measurements of the early mitral annular velocity (Ea) and the diastolic stiffness was obtained by calculating the ratio E\Ea\LVIDd. Index myocardial performance (IMP) was calculated according to following equation (IVCT + IVRT)/ET for both the control group and hypertensive group. Results reveal that the differences in the average value of transmitral early filling velocity (E) between patients and control groups for age range (20 - 49) and (50 - 80) were (&#87221.91%) and (&#87223.69%) respectively with p value >0.05 for both groups, and the changes in LVIDd between patients and control groups were 0.42% and 1.29% for age ranges (20 - 49) and (50 - 80) respectively with p value >0.05 for both age groups. A significant difference in IMP between patients and controls has also been observed and the changes were 29.54% and 30.43% for age range (20 - 49) and (50 - 80) respectively with p value <0.05 for both groups. The mean values for E/Ea ratio and for the measured LV stiffness index were significantly higher in hypertensive patients compared with control group (p value 0.05) for both age groups. In conclusion, LV myocardial diastolic stiffness index and IMP are increased in hypertensive patients.

The Correlation between Morning Blood Pressure Surge, Homocysteine and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Elderly Patients with Primary Hypertension

Objective: To investigate the correlation between morning blood pressure surge, homocysteine (Hcy) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in elderly patients with primary hypertension. Method: 215 cases of patients with hypertension from January 2015 to June 2016 were randomly selected from TianYou Hospital attached to WUST.Blood pressure was monitored 24 hours;according to the results, patients were divided into 81 cases of morning blood pressure surge group (study group) and 134 cases of non-morning blood pressure surge group (control group). Biochemical indicators of the two groups were measured, such as Hcy, Glu, blood lipid (TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C). The ventricular structure index (IVST, LVDD, LVPWT, LVMI) were measured by color doppler ultrasound.Result: 1) The IVST, LVDD, LVPWT and LVMI were significantly higher in study group than in control group (P 0.05), and the incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (74.1%) was significantly higher in study group than in control group (22.4%) (P 0.05). 2) There was no statistical difference in TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C between the two groups (P > 0.05). The serum levels of Hcy [(16.89 ± 5.84) mmol/L] in study group were significantly higher than those in control group [(10.88 ± 4.07) mmol/L] (P 0.05). 3) Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that morning blood pressure surge and Hcy were the risk factors of left ventricular hypertrophy. Conclusion: In elderly patients with?hypertension, the higher the morning blood pressure surge and Hcy level, the more probability of left ventricular hypertrophy and the more obvious degree.

Ultrasound assessment of left cardiac function in patients with gestational hypertension and its correlation with serum cytokine contents

Objective: To investigate the ultrasound assessment of left cardiac function in patients with gestational hypertension and its correlation with serum cytokine contents. Methods: A total of 76 patients with gestational hypertension who were treated in Guangyuan Central Hospital between August 2015 and February 2017 were selected as gestational hypertension group, and 50 healthy pregnant women who received regular prenatal examination in Guangyuan Central Hospital during the same period were selected as normal control group. The differences in the ultrasonic left cardiac function parameter levels as well as serum contents of endothelial injury indexes and inflammatory factors were compared between the two groups of pregnant women. Pearson test was used to assess the correlation of ultrasonic left cardiac function parameter levels of gestational hypertension with serum endothelial injury index and inflammatory factor contents. Results: LAVmax, LVESV and LVEDV levels in gestational hypertension group were significantly higher than those in normal control group;serum endothelial injury indexes NO and PGE2 contents were lower than those of normal control group whereas ET-1 content was higher than that of normal control group;serum inflammatory factors IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17 and IL-23 contents were significantly higher than those of normal control group. Correlation analysis showed that the ultrasonic left cardiac function parameter levels in patients with gestational hypertension were directly correlated with serum content of endothelial injury indexes and inflammatory factors. Conclusion: Ultrasonic left cardiac function parameter levels significantly change in patients with gestational hypertension, and the specific levels are directly correlated with the degree of endothelial injury and inflammatory response in the pregnant women.

Prognostic value of the echocardiographic right/left ventricular end-diastolic diameter ratio in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension

Background Previous studies have shown that an echocardiographic right/left ventricular end-diastolic diameter ratio(RV/LV ratio)≥0.9 is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in patients with acute pulmonary embolism. The prognostic value of the RV/LV ratio in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension(IPAH) is still unknown. Methods We retrospectively enrolled 95 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed IPAH and 16 of them were reevaluated by echocardiography at 3-12 months following targeted therapy.Follow-up data were obtained by telephone interviews and review of the patients’ records.Results The RV/LV ratio was in parallel with the severity of World Health Orgnization(WHO) functional class and mean right atrial pressure.The RV/LV ratio was positively correlated with total pulmonary resistance(P P P 2 saturation(P P = 0.001),weight and absence of targeted therapy were independent predictors of death.No significant changes in the RV/LV ratio before and after targeted therapy were observed. A baseline RV/LV ratio≥0.84 or a further increase in the RV/LV ratio during targeted therapy indicated a poor prognosis. Conclusions The RV/LV ratio helps to assess the severity of IPAH and serves as an independent predictor of prognosis in patients with IPAH.

Ultrasound evaluation of left ventricular remodeling and systolic synchrony in patients with primary hypertension and the correlation with serum cytokines and MMPs

Objective:To study the correlation of the ultrasound parameters of left ventricular remodeling and systolic synchrony in patients with primary hypertension with serum cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).Methods:134 patients with primary hypertension receiving three-dimensional echocardiography examination in our hospital between May 2013 and March 2016 were selected and divided into the group A with normal pattern (n=71), group B with concentric hypertrophy (n=39) and group C with eccentric hypertrophy (n=24) according to the left ventricular internal diameter at end-diastole (LVIDd) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and the ultrasound parameters of left ventricular remodeling and systolic synchrony as well as serum content of cytokines and MMPs were determined.Results: The time to minimal systolic volume of 16-segmental standard deviation (SDI), maximum time difference (DIF), Tpe, Tpe interphase and its correction (Tpec), LVIDd, LVMI and left ventricular remodeling index (LVRI) of group B and group C were significantly higher than those of group A (P<0.05), and SDI, DIF, Tpe, Tpec, LVIDd, LVMI and LVRI of group C were significantly higher than those of group B (P<0.05);serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-17 (IL-17), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), MMP3 and MMP9 content of group B and group C were significantly higher than those of group A (P<0.05), and serum TNF-α, IL-17, TGF-β1, MMP2, MMP3 and MMP9 content of group C were significantly higher than those of group B (P<0.05) and positively correlated with LVIDd, LVMI, LVRI, SDI, DIF, Tpe and Tpec;serum TIMP1 and TIMP2 content of group B and group C were significantly lower than those of group A (P<0.05), and serum TIMP1 and TIMP2 content of group C were significantly lower than those of group B (P<0.05) and negatively correlated with LVIDd, LVMI, LVRI, SDI, DIF, Tpe and Tpec.Conclusions:The ultrasound parameters of left ventricular remodeling and systolic synchrony significantly change in patients with primary hypertension and are closely related to the changes in the content of serum cytokines and MMPs.

Plasma Norepinephrine and Hemorheology in Essential Hypertensive Patients with Different Patterns of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

对80例不同类型高血压左室肥厚（LVH）患者的血浆去甲肾上腺素（NE）和血液流变学改变进行观察。结果显示，（1）向心性肥厚组（CH）高切变率下全血粘度（WBV230）显著升高；（2）不对称性室间隔肥厚组（ASH）血浆NE和收缩末期室壁应力（ESS）增高较明显；（3）多元回归分析显示，SBP，ESS和血浆NE是影响相对室壁厚度的重要因素。提示CH是一种对压力负荷过重而产生的代偿形式；ASH的形成除了负荷因素外血浆NE可能起更重要的作用。

Effect of PTCA and stenting on left ventricular diastolic function in patients with CHD

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the effect of successful coronary revascularisation on left ventricular diastolic function.Methods We consecutively studied the diastolic function by Doppler echocardiography in 125 patients with one vessel disease before and 48 hours after selective coronary angioplasty. The following parameters of left ventricular diastolic function were evaluated: peak early (VE, m/s) and peak late diastolic (VA, m/s) flow velocity, E/A ratio, acceleration time (AT, ms), deceleration time (DT, ms) and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT, ms). Ejection fraction (EF; %) was determined and used to characterise systolic left ventricular function. Results All of the patients were initially successful treated with coronary angioplasty (residual stenosis <40% ). In 98 patients( 78.4% ) stents were used to improve an inadequate result after coronary angioplasty. Both patient groups (27 patients with coronary angioplasty and 98 patients with combined coronary angioplasty and stent implantation) showed no relevant differences concerning sex, age, atherosclerotic risk factors, exercise capacity and results of exercise electrocardiography. All patients who underwent stent implantation showed an early improvement of left ventricular diastolic function 48 hours after revascularisation. Surprisingly there was no significant short term improvement (48 hours) of diastolic function in patients with initially successful angioplasty.Conclusions We suppose that stent implantation might normalize coronary blood flow faster than that of coronary balloon angioplasty.

Left ventricular regional and global diastolic function assessed using Quantitative Tissue velocity Imaging in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Objectives The study was performed to assess the left ventricular (LV) regional and global diastolic function、left ventricular wall motion features in patients with Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by Quantitative Tissue Velocity Imaging (QTVI). Methods 42 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and 36 age-matched normal subjects underwent QTVI study. Off-line LV regional muscular tissue velocity Imaging along LV apical long-axis view were obtained. Regional diastolic function was assessed in using peak tissue velocities of LV regional muscular tissue during early diastole (Ve)and LA contraction (Va), Ve/Va ratio, derived from Tissue Velocity Imaging. Global diastolic function was reflected by isovolumic relaxation time(IRT) and mitral valve peak flow velocity ( E/A ) calculated with pulsed wave doppler. The end-diastolic interventricular septal thickness (ⅣSt) was measured by conventional 2 - dimension echocardiography. Results ① Ve、 Va、 Ve/Va in the segments of hypertrophic interventricular septum (IVS) reduced wlhile E/A ratio significantly reduced and IRT markedly prolonged in HCM patients than in normal subjects。 ② Ve、 Ve/Va were significant reduced in the segments of hypertrophic interventricular septum compared with other LV segments in HCM patients . ③ There was a correlation between Ve/Va and E/A in HCM patients with abnormal E/A ratio (r = 0. 70). ④ There was a negative correlation between Ve/Va and ⅣSt in non -obstruction HCM patients (B group , r = -0.61 ) Conclusions QTVI offers a newer method in clinical practice which has a higher sensibility and accuracy in evaluating the LV regional and global diastolic function in HCM patients .

Assessment of Regional Left Ventricular Myocardial Function in Rats after Acute Occlusion of Left Anterior Descending Artery by Two-dimensional Speckle Tracking Imaging

This study evaluated the change in regional left ventricular myocardial function in rats following acute occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery （LAD） by using two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging （2D-STI）. Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups, a myocardial infarction （MI） group, in which 50 rats were subjected to LAD occlusion for 30–45 min, and a sham-operated （SHAM） group that contained 10 rats serving as control. Echo-cardiography was performed at baseline and 1, 4 and 8 week（s） after the operation. High frequency two-dimensional images of left ventricular short axis at papillary muscle level were recorded. Peak systolic radial strain （PRS） and circumferential strain （PCS） were measured in the mid-ventricle in short-axis view by using EchoPAC workstation. Left ventricular internal diameter at diastole （LVIDd） and systole （LVIDs）, fractional shortening （FS）, ejection fraction （EF） and left ventricular mass （LVM） were measured by anatomical M-model echocardiography. Infarct size was measured using triphenyl tetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining 1 week and 8 weeks after the operation. Fibrosis of left ventricu-lar myocardium was displayed using Van Gieson staining 1 week after the infarction. In terms of the TTC staining results, the left ventricle fell into three categories： infarcted, peri-infarcted and remote myocardial regions. Compared with those at baseline and in the SHAM group, （1） PRS and PCS in the infarcted, peri-infarcted and remote myocardial regions were significantly decreased in the MI group within 1 week after the operation （P〈0.05） and the low levels lasted 8 weeks; （2） Compared with those at baseline, LVIDd, LVIDs, FS, EF and LVM in the MI group showed no significant dif-ference 1 week after the operation （P〉0.05）. However, LVIDd, LVIDs and LVM were increased sig-nificantly 4 and 8 weeks after the operation （P〈0.05）, and FS and EF were decreased substantially （P〈0.05）. Van Gieson staining showed that fibrosis developed in all the three myocardial regions to varying degrees. It is concluded that 2D-STI is non-invasive and can be used to assess regional func-tion of myocardium with different blood supply in rats following acute occlusion of the LAD, and can be used as a sensitive and reliable means to follow up the process of left ventricular remodeling.