Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is associated with a favorable outcome only in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) pattern and in patients with a QRS duration 〉 150 ms, in patients with non-LBBB...Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is associated with a favorable outcome only in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) pattern and in patients with a QRS duration 〉 150 ms, in patients with non-LBBB pattern with a QRS duration of 120-150 ms usually is not beneficial. After adjusting for QRS duration, QRS morphology was no longer a determinant of the clinical response to CRT. In contrast to the mainstream view, we hypothesized that the unfavorable CRT outcome in patients with non-LBBB and a QRS duration of 120-150 ms is not due to the QRS morphology itself, but to less dyssynchrony and unfavorable patient characteristics in this subgroup, such as more ischemic etiology and greater prevalence of male patients compared with patients with LBBB pattern. Further, the current CRT technique is devised to eliminate the dyssynchrony present in patients with LBBB pattern and inappropriate to eliminate the dyssynchrony in patients with non-LBBB pattern. We also hypothesized that electrocardiography may also provide information about the presence of interventricular and left intraventricular dyssynchrony and the approximate location of the latest activated left ventricular (LV) region. To this end, we devised new ECG criteria to estimate interventricular and LV intraventricular dyssynchrony and the approximate location of the latest activated LV region. Our preliminary data demonstrated that the latest activated LV region in patients with nonspecific intraventricular conduction disturbance (NICD) pattern might be at a remote site from that present in patients with LBBB pattern, which might necessitate the invention of a novel CRT technique for patients with NICD pattern. The application of the new interventricular and LV intraventricular dyssynchrony ECG criteria and a potential novel CRT technique might decrease the currently high nonresponder rate in patients with NICD pattern.展开更多
The ear-xiphisternum distance (EXD, the distance from the low edge of the ear to the xiphisternal basis in supine position) was used as a reference value for esophageal catheter insertion. ECGs recorded in the esophag...The ear-xiphisternum distance (EXD, the distance from the low edge of the ear to the xiphisternal basis in supine position) was used as a reference value for esophageal catheter insertion. ECGs recorded in the esophagus with bipolar electrocardiography using standard limb lead (ESLL) and conventional unipolar lead (ECUL) were compared. 112 patients with sinus rhythm and 76 patients during paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) whose P-wave and QRS complex did not overlap were studied. The results suggested that in sinus rhythm the amplitude of the P-wave in ESLL was larger and the T-wave was smaller than in ECUL. During PSVT, the P-wave was much clear and higher in each lead of ESLL than that in ECUL. The ideal range of esophageal ECG recording was situated between the end of EXD and 6. 5 cm proximal to it.展开更多
Fetal heart rate(FHR)monitoring is one of the central parts of obstetric care.Ultrasound-based technologies such as cardiotocography(CTG)remain the most common method for FHR monitoring.The CTG’s limitations,includin...Fetal heart rate(FHR)monitoring is one of the central parts of obstetric care.Ultrasound-based technologies such as cardiotocography(CTG)remain the most common method for FHR monitoring.The CTG’s limitations,including subjective interpretation,high interobserver variability,and the need for skilled professionals,led to the development of computerized CTG(cCTG).While cCTG demonstrated advantages,its superiority over visual interpretation remains inconclusive.This has prompted the exploration of alternatives like noninvasive fetal electrocardiography(NIFECG).This review explores the landscape of antenatal FHR monitoring and the need for remote FHR monitoring in a patient-centered care model.Additionally,FHR monitoring needs to evolve from the traditional approach to incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning.The review underscores the importance of aligning fetal monitoring with modern healthcare,leveraging artificial intelligence algorithms for accurate assessments,and enhancing patient engagement.The physiology of FHR variability(FHRV)is explained emphasizing its significance in assessing fetal well-being.Other measures of FHRV and their relevance are described.It delves into the promising realm of NIFECG,detailing its history and recent technological advancements.The potential advantages of NIFECG are objective FHR assessment,beat-to-beat variability,patient comfort,remote prolonged use,and less signal loss with increased maternal body mass index.Despite its promise,challenges such as signal loss must be addressed.The clinical application of NIFECG,its correlation with cCTG measures,and ongoing technological advancements are discussed.In conclusion,this review explores the evolution of antenatal FHR monitoring,emphasizing the potential of NIFECG in providing reliable,home-based monitoring solutions.Future research directions are outlined,urging longitudinal studies and evidence generation to establish NIFECG’s role in enhancing fetal well-being assessments during pregnancy.展开更多
Background Nominal atrioventricular (AV) interval in dual chamber pacemaker (DDD) is not the best AV delay in the majority of patients with atrioventricular block. To find a simple method for optimizing AV delay a...Background Nominal atrioventricular (AV) interval in dual chamber pacemaker (DDD) is not the best AV delay in the majority of patients with atrioventricular block. To find a simple method for optimizing AV delay adjustment, we assessed surface electrocardiography (ECG) for optimizing AV delay during dual chamber pacing. Methods DDD pacemakers were implanted in 46 patients with complete, or almost complete, AV block. Optimal AV delay was achieved by programming an additional delay of 100 ms, to the width of intrinsic P wave or to the interval between pacing spike to the end of P wave on surface ECG. Leit ventricular (LV) end diastolic and end systolic volumes, ejection fraction and diastolic parameters were measured by Doppler echocardiography during both nominal and optimal AV delay pacing.Results Compared to nominal AV delay setting, LV end diastolic volume increased [to (53.2±11.3) ml from (50.2 ± 10.2) ml, P〈0.05], end systolic volume decreased [to (26.1 ± 9.0) ml from (27.9 ± 8.2) ml, P〈0.05] during adjusted AV delay pacing, resulting in an increase in LV ejection fraction [to (68.2±5.3)% from (64.5±4.3)%, P〈0.05]. LV diastolic filling and isovolumic relaxation time were not significantly changed.Conclusion Optimization of AV delay by surface ECG is a simple method to improve LV systolic function during dual chamber pacing.展开更多
Background: The quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score emerged recently. We investigated its contribution to risk stratification in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) by combining with electrocardiogr...Background: The quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score emerged recently. We investigated its contribution to risk stratification in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) by combining with electrocardiography (ECG). Methods: Acute PE patients diagnosed in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, from 2008 to 2018 were retrospectively studied and divided into high- and low-risk groups by imaging and biomarkers. The ECG scores consisted oftachycardia, McGinn-White sign (S1Q3T3), right bundle branch block, and T-wave inversion of leads V1-V3. A new combination of qSOFA scores and ECG scores by logistic regression for predicting high-risk stratification patients with acute PE was evaluated by a receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: Totally 1318 patients were enrolled, including 271 in the high-risk group and 1047 in the low-risk group. A combination predictive scoring system named qSOFA-ECG = qSOFA score + ECG score was created. The optimal cutoffvalue for qSOFA-ECG was 2, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 81.5%, 72.3%, 43.2%, and 93.8%, respectively. For predicting high-risk stratification and reperfusion therapy, the qSOFA-ECG is superior to PE Severity Index (PESI) and simplified PESI. Conclusions: The qSOFA score contributes to identify acute PE patients with potentially hemodynamic decompensation that need monitoring and possible reperfusion therapy at the emergency department arrival when used in combination with ECG score.展开更多
文摘Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is associated with a favorable outcome only in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) pattern and in patients with a QRS duration 〉 150 ms, in patients with non-LBBB pattern with a QRS duration of 120-150 ms usually is not beneficial. After adjusting for QRS duration, QRS morphology was no longer a determinant of the clinical response to CRT. In contrast to the mainstream view, we hypothesized that the unfavorable CRT outcome in patients with non-LBBB and a QRS duration of 120-150 ms is not due to the QRS morphology itself, but to less dyssynchrony and unfavorable patient characteristics in this subgroup, such as more ischemic etiology and greater prevalence of male patients compared with patients with LBBB pattern. Further, the current CRT technique is devised to eliminate the dyssynchrony present in patients with LBBB pattern and inappropriate to eliminate the dyssynchrony in patients with non-LBBB pattern. We also hypothesized that electrocardiography may also provide information about the presence of interventricular and left intraventricular dyssynchrony and the approximate location of the latest activated left ventricular (LV) region. To this end, we devised new ECG criteria to estimate interventricular and LV intraventricular dyssynchrony and the approximate location of the latest activated LV region. Our preliminary data demonstrated that the latest activated LV region in patients with nonspecific intraventricular conduction disturbance (NICD) pattern might be at a remote site from that present in patients with LBBB pattern, which might necessitate the invention of a novel CRT technique for patients with NICD pattern. The application of the new interventricular and LV intraventricular dyssynchrony ECG criteria and a potential novel CRT technique might decrease the currently high nonresponder rate in patients with NICD pattern.
文摘The ear-xiphisternum distance (EXD, the distance from the low edge of the ear to the xiphisternal basis in supine position) was used as a reference value for esophageal catheter insertion. ECGs recorded in the esophagus with bipolar electrocardiography using standard limb lead (ESLL) and conventional unipolar lead (ECUL) were compared. 112 patients with sinus rhythm and 76 patients during paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) whose P-wave and QRS complex did not overlap were studied. The results suggested that in sinus rhythm the amplitude of the P-wave in ESLL was larger and the T-wave was smaller than in ECUL. During PSVT, the P-wave was much clear and higher in each lead of ESLL than that in ECUL. The ideal range of esophageal ECG recording was situated between the end of EXD and 6. 5 cm proximal to it.
文摘Fetal heart rate(FHR)monitoring is one of the central parts of obstetric care.Ultrasound-based technologies such as cardiotocography(CTG)remain the most common method for FHR monitoring.The CTG’s limitations,including subjective interpretation,high interobserver variability,and the need for skilled professionals,led to the development of computerized CTG(cCTG).While cCTG demonstrated advantages,its superiority over visual interpretation remains inconclusive.This has prompted the exploration of alternatives like noninvasive fetal electrocardiography(NIFECG).This review explores the landscape of antenatal FHR monitoring and the need for remote FHR monitoring in a patient-centered care model.Additionally,FHR monitoring needs to evolve from the traditional approach to incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning.The review underscores the importance of aligning fetal monitoring with modern healthcare,leveraging artificial intelligence algorithms for accurate assessments,and enhancing patient engagement.The physiology of FHR variability(FHRV)is explained emphasizing its significance in assessing fetal well-being.Other measures of FHRV and their relevance are described.It delves into the promising realm of NIFECG,detailing its history and recent technological advancements.The potential advantages of NIFECG are objective FHR assessment,beat-to-beat variability,patient comfort,remote prolonged use,and less signal loss with increased maternal body mass index.Despite its promise,challenges such as signal loss must be addressed.The clinical application of NIFECG,its correlation with cCTG measures,and ongoing technological advancements are discussed.In conclusion,this review explores the evolution of antenatal FHR monitoring,emphasizing the potential of NIFECG in providing reliable,home-based monitoring solutions.Future research directions are outlined,urging longitudinal studies and evidence generation to establish NIFECG’s role in enhancing fetal well-being assessments during pregnancy.
文摘Background Nominal atrioventricular (AV) interval in dual chamber pacemaker (DDD) is not the best AV delay in the majority of patients with atrioventricular block. To find a simple method for optimizing AV delay adjustment, we assessed surface electrocardiography (ECG) for optimizing AV delay during dual chamber pacing. Methods DDD pacemakers were implanted in 46 patients with complete, or almost complete, AV block. Optimal AV delay was achieved by programming an additional delay of 100 ms, to the width of intrinsic P wave or to the interval between pacing spike to the end of P wave on surface ECG. Leit ventricular (LV) end diastolic and end systolic volumes, ejection fraction and diastolic parameters were measured by Doppler echocardiography during both nominal and optimal AV delay pacing.Results Compared to nominal AV delay setting, LV end diastolic volume increased [to (53.2±11.3) ml from (50.2 ± 10.2) ml, P〈0.05], end systolic volume decreased [to (26.1 ± 9.0) ml from (27.9 ± 8.2) ml, P〈0.05] during adjusted AV delay pacing, resulting in an increase in LV ejection fraction [to (68.2±5.3)% from (64.5±4.3)%, P〈0.05]. LV diastolic filling and isovolumic relaxation time were not significantly changed.Conclusion Optimization of AV delay by surface ECG is a simple method to improve LV systolic function during dual chamber pacing.
文摘Background: The quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score emerged recently. We investigated its contribution to risk stratification in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) by combining with electrocardiography (ECG). Methods: Acute PE patients diagnosed in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, from 2008 to 2018 were retrospectively studied and divided into high- and low-risk groups by imaging and biomarkers. The ECG scores consisted oftachycardia, McGinn-White sign (S1Q3T3), right bundle branch block, and T-wave inversion of leads V1-V3. A new combination of qSOFA scores and ECG scores by logistic regression for predicting high-risk stratification patients with acute PE was evaluated by a receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: Totally 1318 patients were enrolled, including 271 in the high-risk group and 1047 in the low-risk group. A combination predictive scoring system named qSOFA-ECG = qSOFA score + ECG score was created. The optimal cutoffvalue for qSOFA-ECG was 2, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 81.5%, 72.3%, 43.2%, and 93.8%, respectively. For predicting high-risk stratification and reperfusion therapy, the qSOFA-ECG is superior to PE Severity Index (PESI) and simplified PESI. Conclusions: The qSOFA score contributes to identify acute PE patients with potentially hemodynamic decompensation that need monitoring and possible reperfusion therapy at the emergency department arrival when used in combination with ECG score.