Double-chambered left ventricle with a thrombus in an asymptomatic patient:A case report

BACKGROUND Double-chambered left ventricle(DCLV)is an extremely rare congenital disease in which the left ventricle(LV)is divided by abnormal muscle tissue.Due to its rarity,there is a lack of data on the disease,including its diagnosis,treatment,and prognosis.Accordingly,we report a case in which DCLV was diagnosed and followed up.CASE SUMMARY A 45-year-old man presented to our hospital due to abnormal findings on an electrocardiogram recorded during a health check.He had no specific cardiac symptoms,comorbidities or relevant past medical history.Echocardiography revealed that the LV was divided into two by muscle fibers.There were no findings of ischemia on coronary angiography and coronary computed tomography angiography performed to exclude differential diagnoses.After comprehensive analysis of the images,DCLV was diagnosed.As it seemed to be asymptomatic DCLV,we decided the patient was to be observed without administering any medication.However,follow-up echocardiography revealed a thrombus in the accessory chamber(AC).Anticoagulant medication was initiated,the thrombus resolved,and the patient is currently undergoing follow-up without any specific symptoms.CONCLUSION Asymptomatic,uncomplicated DCLV was diagnosed through multimodal imaging;however,a thrombus in the AC occurred during the follow-up.The findings highlight that multimodal imaging is essential in diagnosing DCLV,and that anticoagulation is important in its management.

A NUMERICAL MODEL OF LEFT VENTRICLE AND AORTIC VALVE FUNCTION OF ITS AFTERLOAD(Ⅰ)

Due to the study of the function of heart and aoritic valve, we set up a physicalmodel of left ventricle, aortic valve and afterload and derive theoretical equation of each part from the model. Then we calculate the hasic equations within phystology and impair parameters. Bwsed on this, we will discus fully in the next paper the effectofleyt ventricular afterloadon valve opining, ejection and valve Jumction .etc

Impact of single chamber and dual chamber permanent pacemaker implantation on left ventricular function:An observational study

BACKGROUND Permanent pacemaker implantation has the potential to impact left ventricular(LV)function and hence quality of life(QoL)in the long term.AIM To assess the effect of single-and dual-chamber pacing on LV function and QoL.METHODS This study included 56 patients who underwent permanent pacing:Dual pacing,dual sensing,dual responsive and rate responsive(DDDR)for the initial 3 months,ventricular sensing,inhibited response and rate responsive(VVIR)for the next 3 months,and DDDR mode for the last 3 months.Throughout the study period,various echocardiographic parameters,functional status,and QoL were measured to assess the impact of pacing on LV function compared with baseline and at every 3 months interval.RESULTS A significant change appeared in cardiac function after VVIR pacing which was in diastolic properties of LV as shown by increase in isovolumic relaxation time from(85.28±9.54 ms)to(89.53±9.65 ms).At the 3-,6-,and 9-month follow-up,reduction in LV ejection fraction was observed to be 62.71±4.66%,61.07±4.41%,and 58.48±3.89%,respectively.An increase in the QoL scores was noted at every follow-up visit.CONCLUSION An apparent depressant effect on LV function due to right ventricular pacing,with a higher incidence of adverse outcomes in the VVIR mode.In addition,an upsurge in QoL scores for the study population was noted,which indicates improvement in the QoL of patients post-pacing,irrespective of the mode.Generally,the DDDR mode is a highly preferable pacing mode.

Liver cirrhosis and left ventricle diastolic dysfunction: Systematic review

BACKGROUND Liver cirrhosis is a chronic hepatic disease which is associated with cardiovascular abnormalities.Hyperdynamic circulation in liver cirrhosis causes functional and structural cardiac alterations.The prevalence of left ventricle diastolic dysfunction(LVDD)in cirrhotic patients ranges from 25.7%to as high as 81.4%as reported in different studies.In several studies the severity of diastolic dysfunction(DD)correlated with a degree of liver failure and the rate of dysfunction was higher in patients with decompensated cirrhosis compared with compensated.Future directions of comprehensive assessment of cardiac function in cirrhotic patients might provide a better prognosis for these patients.AIM To clarify the correlation between the severity of liver cirrhosis and left ventricle diastolic dysfunction in the existing literature.METHODS Through January and February of 2019 at Vilnius University we conducted a systematic review of the global existing literature on the prevalence of left ventricle diastolic dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis.We searched for articles in PubMed,Medline and Web of science databases.Articles were selected by using adequate inclusion and exclusion criteria.Our interest was the outcome of likely correlation between the severity of cirrhosis[evaluated by Child-Pugh classes,Model For End-Stage Liver Disease(MELD)scores]and left ventricle diastolic dysfunction[classified according to American Society of Echocardiography(ASE)guidelines(2009,2016)],as well as relative risk of dysfunction in cirrhotic patients.Subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate the ratio and grades of left ventricle diastolic dysfunction with respect to cirrhosis severity.RESULTS A total of 1149 articles and abstracts met the initial search criteria.Sixteen articles which met the predefined eligibility criteria were included in the final analysis.Overall,1067 patients(out of them 723 men)with liver cirrhosis were evaluated for left ventricle diastolic dysfunction.In our systemic analysis we have found that 51.2%of cirrhotic patients had left ventricle diastolic dysfunction diagnosed and the grade 1 was the most prevalent(59.2%,P<0.001)among them,the grade 3 had been rarely diagnosed-only 5.1%.The data about the prevalence of diastolic dysfunction in cirrhotic patients depending on Child-Pugh Classes was available from 5 studies(365 patients overall)and only in 1 research diastolic dysfunction was found being associated with severity of liver cirrhosis(P<0.005).We established that diastolic dysfunction was diagnosed in 44.6%of Child-Pugh A class patients,in 62%of Child B class and in 63.3%of Child C patients(P=0.028).The proportion of patients with higher diastolic dysfunction grades increases in more severe cirrhosis presentation(P<0.001).There was no difference between mean MELD scores in patients with and without diastolic dysfunction and in different diastolic dysfunction groups.In all studies diastolic dysfunction was more frequent in patients with ascites.CONCLUSION This systemic analysis suggests that left ventricle diastolic dysfunction is an attribute of liver cirrhosis which has not received sufficient attention from clinicians so far.Future suggestions of a comprehensive assessment of cardiac function in cirrhotic patients might provide a better prognosis for these patients and give hint for better understanding of the left ventricle diastolic dysfunction pathogenesis in liver cirrhosis.

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.

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.

Ultrasound Speckle Tracking Imaging Contributes to Early Diagnosis of Impaired Left Ventricular Systolic Function in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

To investigate the value of ultrasound speckle tracking imaging （STI） in the assessment of the short-axis and long-axis systolic function of the left ventricle （LV） in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus （DM）, 100 subjects with normal ejection fraction were studied, including 41 patients with DM only （DM group）, 22 patients with both DM and left ventricular hypertrophy （DH group）, and 37 healthy subjects （control group）. Left ventricle systolic function in the long axis defined as longitudinal strain, and that in the short axis defined as radial strain, apical and basal LV rotations, and LV twist were assessed respectively. The results showed that average peak strain in the long axis at basal, middle and apical levels, and global peak strain were significantly decreased in the patient groups when compared with the control group （P〈0.001 for each）. The parameters in DH group were significantly lower than those in DM group （P〈0.01 for each）. There were no significant differences in average radial peak strain in the short axis at different levels, and global peak strain among the three groups （P〉0.05）. Apical and basal LV rotations, and LV twist were greater in the patient groups than in the control group （P〈0.01 for each）. Basal LV rotation and LV twist were greater in DH group than those in DM group （P〈0.01）. It was concluded that STI may be used to identify early abnormalities in patients with type 2 DM that have normal left ventricular systolic function.

Subjective Well-being and Family Functioning among Adolescents Left Behind by Migrating Parents in Jiangxi Province, China

We sought to identify the differences between adolescents left behind in their home villages/towns （LBA） and non-left behind adolescents （NLB） on subjective well-being and family functioning due to parental migration in south China. We used a stratified cluster sampling method to recruit middle school students in a city experiencing population-emigration in Jiangxi Province in 2010. Participants included adolescents from families with： （1） one migrant parent, （2） both parents who migrated, or （3） non-left behind adolescents （i.e., no migrant parent）. To determine predictors of subjective well-being, we used structural equation models. Adolescents left behind by both parents （LBB） were less likely to express life satisfaction （P = 0.038） in terms of their environments （P = 0.011） compared with NLB. A parent or parents who migrated predicts lower subjective well-being of adolescents （P = 0.051） and also lower academic performance. Being apart from their parents may affect family functioning negatively from an adolescent＇s viewpoint. Given the hundreds of millions of persons in China, many who are parents, migrating for work, there may be mental health challenges in some of the adolescents left behind.

Viable Myocardium Impact on Left Ventricular Function after Late Revascularization of Infarct-related Artery in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objectives The long-term benefit of late reperfusion of infarct-related artery （IRA） after acute myocardial infarction （AMI） is controversial, and the benefit mechanisms remain uncertain. Low dose dobutamine stress echocardiography （LDSE） can identify viable myocardium and predict improvement of wall motion after revascularization. Methods Sixtynine patients with first AMI who did not received early reperfusion therapy were studied by LDSE at 5 to 10 days after AMI. Wall motion abnormality and left ventricular size were measured at the same time. Successful PCI were done in all patients at 10 to 21 days after AMI onset. Patients were divided in two groups based on the presence or absence of viable myocardium. Echocardiography was repeated six months later. Results There were 157 motion abnormality segments. 89 segments （57%） were viable during LDSE. 26 patients （38%） with viability and 43 （62%） without. In viable group, left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） was increased （P 〈 0.05）, and left ventricular end systolic volume index （LVESVI） and wall motion score （WMS） were decreased （P 〈 0.05 and P 〈 0.01） significantly at 6 months compared with baseline. But in patients without viability, LVEF was decreased （P 〈 0.01）, and LVESVI and left ventricular end diastolic volume index （LVEDVI） were increased （P 〈 0.05） significantly after 6 months, and the WMS did not changed （P 〉 0.05 ）. LVEF increased （P 〈 0.05 ） and WMS decreased （P 〈 0.05） on LDSE during acute phase in patients with viability, but they were not changed in the nonviable group. Conclusions Late revascularization of IRA in patients with presence of viable myocardium after AMI is associated with long-term preservation left ventricular function and less ventricular remodeling. Improvement of left ventricular systolic function on LDSE indicates late phase recovery of left ventricular function after late revascularization.

Left to Right Extracardial Shunt to Control Hemorrhage of Ascending Aorta and Left Ventricle: A Report of 3 Cases

Presented in this paper are 3 cases of hemorrhage of ascending aorta and left ventricle after open heart surgery treated by extracardial bypass in our hospital from Oct. 1994 to Dec. 1995. Remained aneurysmal wall enclosing conduit graft was used as a sac bypassed to right atrium to form a extracardial left-toright shunt in order to control bleeding and the results turned out to be satisfactory. The bypass and hemodynamically ignorable shunt can close spontaneously without complications with recovery of coagulation system. The technique may find wide application in clinical practice.

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 （EAT）.

Effect of burden and origin sites of premature ventricular contractions on left ventricular function by 7-day Holter monitor

Recent studies have shown that premature ventricular contractions （PVCs） could enlarge the heart, but its risk factors are incompletely understood as a single 24-hour recording cannot reflect the true PVC burden due to day-to-day variability. Our purpose was to investigate the effect of burden and origin sites on left ventricular （LV） function in patients with PVCs by 7-day Holter electrocardiography （ECG）. From May 2012 to August 2013, 112 consecutive patients with PVCs were recruited from the authors＇ affiliated hospital. All patients received 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography, 12-lead routing ECG and 7-days Holter ECG. Serum N-terminal pro- brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） levels were measured. A total of 102 participants with PVCs were included in the final analysis. Origin of PVCs from the tricuspid annulus had the highest burden and NT-proBNP level. LV papillary muscle had a higher LV ejection fraction （EF） level and a lower LV end-systolic dimension （ESD） than other PVC foci （P〈0.05）. The high burden group had a higher LV end-diastolic dimension （EDD） and LVESD but lower LVEF than the other two groups （P〈0.05）. Female, older age, physical work, and history of PVCs had a significantly positive correlation with symptoms. Male, older age, physical work, and high burden were positive predictors of enlarged LVEDD, LVESD and higher serum NT-proBNP level, but lower LVEF. Seven-day dynamic ECG Holter monitor showed the true PVC burden on patients with PVCs. PVCs with a lower burden or origin from the LV papillary muscle and the fascicle were relatively benign, while PVCs with a higher burden or origin from the tricuspid annulus may lead to cardiac dysfunction.

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Function after Percutaneous Recanalization of Chronic Coronary Occlusions: The Role of Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography

Background: The recanalization of a chronic total coronary occlusion is the possible way to improve left ventricular (LV) function through the recovery of hibernating myocardium. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of 2D speckle tracking in evaluation of the left ventricular (LV) systolic function in chronic total occlusion (CTO) patients before and at 1 day as well as 3 months after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients and Methods: A prospective observational study included 40 patients diagnosed with coronary angiography to have a chronic total occlusion. Percutaneous coronary revascularization was performed according to standard practices with the femoral approach. Conventional 2D echocardiography was used to assess LV functions and wall motion abnormalities scoring index (WMAI). Using speckle-tracking echocardiography was to measure global longitudinal strain (GLS) and. Follow-up of patients was done at day 1 and 3 months later after PCI. Results: Forty patients were included in this study, with a mean age of 58.55 ± 7.98 years. GLS and WMAI difference at baseline and follow-up shows a positive correlation with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) changes at baseline and follow-up (p Conclusion: The results of this study provide evidence to support the clinical use of 2D-STE to monitor the early changes of LV function. In patients undergoing CTO revascularization, change in GLS was more sensitive predictors for LV function improvement at 3-month follow-up.

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Function by Three-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Patients with Chronic Kidney Failure

Objective:To establish a quantitative evaluation of the left ventricle's systolic function in patients with chronic kidney failure(CKF)by three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography.Methods:Two-dimensional and three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography was performed on 30 patients with CKF.The ejection fraction,mass and global peak longitudinal strain,global circumferential strain,global area strain,and global radial strain of the left ventricle were calculated.Results:The ejection fraction,mass and global peak longitudinal strain(GLS),global circumferential strain(GCS),global area strain(GAS),and global radial strain(GRS)in the CKF group were significantly lower than those in the control group.Simultaneously,the GLS,GCS,GAS and GRS were well correlated with the ejection fraction.For patients with normal ejection fraction in the CKF group,the GLS,GCS,GAS and GRS were lower than those in the control group,while the left ventricular mass was significantly higher in CKF patients than in the control group.For patients with hypertension in the CKF group,ejection fraction,GLS,GCS,GAS and GRS calculated using three-dimensional echocardiography were significantly lower than those in patients with normal blood pressure;however,the myocardial mass was higher.Conclusions:The parameters(GLS,GCS,GAS and GRS)calculated using three-dimensional speckle-tracking software were lower in the CKF group.Simultaneously,the left ventricular mass was higher in CFK patients than in the control group,thus showing that the myocardial contraction function was impaired and that myocardial remodeling had occurred.

ASSESSMENT OF LEFT VENTRICULAR FUNCTION IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS BY PUSLED WAVE DOPPLER TISSUE IMAGING

Objective To examine the clinical application of pulsed Doppler tissue imaging(DTI)for regional left ventricular function assessment in normal subjects. Methods We examined 50 healthy subjects(range 12-42 years,mean age 28.3 ± 6.9 years)using pulsed Doppler tissue imaging to characterize the diastolic and systolic velocity profiles of mitral annulus. Recordings were made along the long axis in the apical 4-chamber, 2-chamber, and long apical views of 6 sites(posterior-septum, lateral, anterior, inferior, anterior-septum, posterior)at the mitral annulus. Myocardial velocities were determined with use of variance F statistical analysis. Correlation analysis was employed to test the relationship between age and mitral annular velocities. Results Both early diastolic and systolic velocities at the septum were lower than other sites. There were no differences in mitral annulus late diastolic velocities. Mean early diastolic and systolic velocities was negatively correlated with age. Conclusions Doppler tissue imaging can directly reflect regional left ventricular function.

NONLINEAR DYNAMICS MODFLING OF MECHANICAL PERIODICITY OF END DIASTOLIC VOLUME OF LEFT VENTRICLE

The cardiovascular system with a lumped parameter model is treated, in which the Starling model is used to simulate left ventricle and the four-element Burattini & Gnudi model is used in the description of arterial system. Moreover, the feedback action of arterial pressure on cardiac cycle is taken into account. The phenomenon of mechanical periodicity (MP) of end diastolic volume (EDV) of left ventricle is successfully simulated by solving a series of one-dimensional discrete nonlinear dynamical equations. The effects of cardiovascular parameters on MP is also discussed.

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）. Conelus｜on： Amlodipine-based combination antthypertensive 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 ofamlodipine combined with amiloride

EFFECT OF AROTINOLOL ON LEFT VENTRICULAR FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH IDIOPATHIC DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of long-term treatment with arotinolol in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy(IDCM).Methods Sixty-three patients with IDCM were evaluated at baseline and after 12-month therapy with arotinolol.The conventional therapy for congestive heart failure was continued throughout the study with arotinolol as the only β-blocker.Left ventricular function was assessed with the New York Heart Association functional class and two-dimensional echocardiography.Results After 12-month arotinolol treatment,there was a significant improvement in left ventricular systolic function.Left ventricular end-systolic dimension significantly decreased from 59.52±8.83 mm to 50.89±8.17 mm(P<0.001).Left ventricular ejection fraction significantly increased from 27.39%±7.94% to 41.13%±9.45%(P<0.001).Left ventricular mass index decreased from 150.47±42.42 g/m2 to 141.58±34.36 g/m2(P<0.01).No adverse events leading to premature discontinuation of study drug occurred.Conclusion In this preliminary study,12-month arotinolol treatment has a favorable effect on left ventricular function in patients with IDCM,and it is safe and well tolerated.

Effect of Fish Oil on Left Ventricular Function in Anes-thetized Rats

The effect of fish oil on the basal left ventricular function and changes of left ventricular function induced by isoproterenol(ISO)were demonstrated in our study. The detennina-tion of cardiac perfonnance in vivo showed that supplementation with fish oil(EPA and DHA,70%,1.4 ml / kg) had no significant effect on basal cardiac perfonnance,while it could significantly inhibit changes of+ dp / dt_(max),V_(pm) and HR induced by ISO(0.4μg/ kg,4.0μg/ kg,40μg/ kg)intrave-nously.The results suggested that supplementation with fish oil perhaps affected the function of β-adrenoceptors on rat myocardial membrane.