Objective: To evaluate of the role of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)in percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) with the Amplatzer septal occluder. Methods:Sixty- two patients (10 to 55 years of age...Objective: To evaluate of the role of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)in percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) with the Amplatzer septal occluder. Methods:Sixty- two patients (10 to 55 years of age) were selected for percutaneous closure of ASD bytrans-esophageal echocardiography, which was also used to monitor the procedure, to select theappropriate size of the Amplatzer device, to verify its position, and to access the immediateresults of the procedure. During the follow-up, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) or TEE was usedto evaluate the presence and magnitude of residual shunt (RS), device position, and right cardiacchamber diameters. Results: The mean ASD diameter by TTE ([19. 1 +- 5. 8] mm) was significantlysmaller (P< 0. 001) than the stretched diameter of the ASD (25. 1 +- 6. 4) mm. There are nosignificant differences between the TEE -measured value (23. 5+_6. 2) mm and the stretched diameterof the ASD (P > 0. 05). Due to proper patient selection all procedures were successful. There wasimmediate and complete closure in 61/62 patients, only one patients had trivial residual shunt.Follow- up was performed using TTE or TEE right after operation, 1 d, 1 month, 3 months, 6 monthsand yearly thereafter. Ail, patients remain asymptomatic without any clinical or technical problems.Conclusion: With the aid of TEE, percutaneous closure of ASD can be performed successfully, safely,and effectively.展开更多
Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect, safety and complications oftranscathetering Amplatzer device in the closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and atrial septaldefects (ASD) in children. Methods: Patient...Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect, safety and complications oftranscathetering Amplatzer device in the closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and atrial septaldefects (ASD) in children. Methods: Patients with PDA (n = 25) and ASD ( n = 16), confirmed byechocardiography, were treated by transcatheterization. Amplatzer occluder device was placed by thetranscatheterization with the image support of X-ray and transthoracic echocardiography ( TTE) . TheTTE, ECG and X-ray examination were engaged to evaluate the therapeutic results on the time pointsof 24 h , 1, 3 , 6, 12 months after the operation, and all these cases were engaged to the follow-upexamination. Results: The cardioangiographic diameter was 13.0-28.0 mm ([19.3+-4.9] mm) in ASD and2.0-7.7 mm ([3.9+-1.5] mm) in PDA . The diameter of the Amplatzer occluder selected were 13.0-30.0mm ( [20.6+-5.1] mm) in ASD and 4.0-12.0 mm ([6.6+-1.9] mm) in PDA , respectively. All the Amplatzeroccluders were placed successfully. There were no complications during and after the operation.Very small residual shunt was still found soon after the operation in 10 cases , and there were noresidual or recanalization after three months of the operation. The pulmonary artery pressure andheart size were significantly decreased in follow-up examination . Conclusion: Transcatheteringclosure with Amplatzer device is an effective, simple and safe technique in the treatment of ASD andPDA in children.展开更多
Physicians previously thought that heart disease was rare in patients with end stage liver disease. However, recent evidence shows that the prevalence of ischemic heart disease and cardiomyopathy is increased in trans...Physicians previously thought that heart disease was rare in patients with end stage liver disease. However, recent evidence shows that the prevalence of ischemic heart disease and cardiomyopathy is increased in transplant candidates compared to most other surgical candidates. Investigators estimate that up to 26% of all liver transplant candidates have at least one critical coronary artery stenosis and that at least half of these patients will die perioperatively of cardiac complications. Cardiomyopathy also occurs in greater frequency. While all patients with advanced cardiac disease have defects in cardiac performance, a larger than expected number of patients have classical findings of dilated, restrictive and hypertropic cardiomyopathy. This may explain why up to 56% of patients suffer from hypoxemia due to pulmonary edema following transplant surgery. There is considerable controversy on how to screen transplant candidates for the presence of heart disease. Questions focus upon, which patients should be screened and what tests should be used. This review examines screening strategies for transplant candidates and details the prognostic value of common tests used to identify ischemic heart disease. We also review the physiological consequences of cardiomyopathy in transplant candidates and explore the specific syndrome of "cirrhotic cardiomyopathy".展开更多
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 tra...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).展开更多
Objectives To investigate the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) and left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (LA-SEC) in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Methods We retrospectively screened ...Objectives To investigate the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) and left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (LA-SEC) in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Methods We retrospectively screened 1,476 consecutive hospitalized patients with AF who underwent transesophageal echocardiography prior to radiofrequency catheter ablation, left atrial appendage closure and electric cardiover- sion at Guangdong General Hospital. Data on the clinical baseline characteristics of all patients were collected from electronic medical re- cords and analyzed. Results After exclusion of patients with left atrial thrombus, 1,354 patients entered into present study and 57 were LA-SEC. The mean female SUA level (380.88 ± 94.35 μmol/L vs. 323.37 ± 72.19μmol/L, P 〈 0.001) and male SUA level (416.97 ± 98.87 μmol/L vs. 367.88 + 68.50 μmol/L, P = 0.008) were both significantly higher in patients with LA-SEC than in the controls. The mean left atrial dimension (41.32 ± 5.12 mm vs. 36.12 ± 5.66 mm, P 〈 0.001) was markedly larger in patients with LA-SEC. In multivariate regression analysis, SUA level was an independent risk factor for LA-SEC (OR: 1.008, P 〈 0.001). In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the corresponding area under the curve for SUA predicting LA-SEC in female and male were 0.670 and 0.657, respectively. SUA level is significantly higher in non-valvular AF patients with LA-SEC. Conclusion SUA level is an independent risk factor and has a moderate predictive value for LA-SEC among non-valvular AF patients in Southern China.展开更多
Objectives To establish a cost-effective and reproducible procedure for induction of chronic left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) in rabbits. Methods Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was induced in 35 rabbits via conc...Objectives To establish a cost-effective and reproducible procedure for induction of chronic left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) in rabbits. Methods Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was induced in 35 rabbits via concomitant ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery and the circumflex (Cx) branch at the middle portion. Development of AMI was co n-firmed by ST segment elevation and akinesis of the occluded area. Echocardiography, pathological evaluation, and agar i n-tra-chamber casting were utilized to validate the formation of LVA four weeks after the surgery. Left ventricular end systolic pressure (LVESP) and diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were measured before, immediately after and four weeks after ligation. D i-mensions of the ventricular chamber, thickness of the interventricular septum (IVS) and the left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW) left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV) and systolic volume (LVESV), and ejection fraction (EF) were recorded by echo-cardiography. Results Thirty one (88.6%) rabbits survived myocardial infarction and 26 of them developed aneurysm (83.9%). The mean area of aneurysm was 33.4% &#177; 2.4% of the left ventricle. LVEF markedly decreased after LVA formation, whereas LVEDV, LVESV and the thickness of IVS as well as the dimension of ventricular chamber from apex to mitral valve annulus significantly increased. LVESP immediately dropped after ligation and recovered to a small extent after LVA formation. LVEDP progressively increased after ligation till LVA formation. Areas in the left ventricle (LV) that underwent fibrosis included the apex, anterior wall and lateral wall but not IVS. Agar intra-chamber cast showed that the bulging of LV wall was prominent in the area of aneurysm. Conclusions Ligation of LAD and Cx at the middle portion could induce develo pment of LVA at a mean area ratio of 33.4%&#177;2.4%which involves the apex, anterior wall and lateral wall of the LV.展开更多
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is an acute cardiac syndrome characterized by extensive, but potentially reversible, left ventricular dysfunction in the absence of an explanatory coronary obstruction. Thus, TCM is di...Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is an acute cardiac syndrome characterized by extensive, but potentially reversible, left ventricular dysfunction in the absence of an explanatory coronary obstruction. Thus, TCM is distinct from coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, substantial evidence for co-existing CAD in some TCM patients exist. Herein, we take this associa-tion one step further and present a case in which the patient simultaneously suffered from AMI and TCM, and in which we believe that a primary coronary event triggered TCM. An 88-year-old female presented with chest pain. Echocardiography revealed apical akinesia with hypercontractile bases. An occluded diagonal branch with suspected acute plaque rupture was identified on the angiogram, but could not explain the extent of akinesia. Cardiac function recovered completely. Thus, this patient adhered to current diagnostic criteria for TCM. TCM is a well-known complication for other conditions associated with somatic stress. It is therefore intuitive to assume that AMI, which also associates with somatic stress and elevated catecholamine, can cause TCM. Our case illustrates that TCM and AMI may occur simulta-neously. Although causality cannot be conclusively inferred from this association, the somatic stress associated with AMI may have caused TCM in this patient.展开更多
A 78-year-old man with a history of mitral valve prolapse underwent echocardiography during his cardiological check-up examination in 2011 in a symptom-free stage. Echocardiography revealed akinesis of the inferior se...A 78-year-old man with a history of mitral valve prolapse underwent echocardiography during his cardiological check-up examination in 2011 in a symptom-free stage. Echocardiography revealed akinesis of the inferior septum and inferobasal free wall as a novel finding suggesting a distal right coronary artery (RCA) lesion (Figure 1). The systolic left ventricular function was normal. Earlier echocardiographies did not show wall motion abnormalities.展开更多
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of minimally invasive perventricular device closure of ventricular septal defect(VSD). Methods Between September 2011 and February 2013, we collected 40 patients who underwent perven...Objective To evaluate the efficacy of minimally invasive perventricular device closure of ventricular septal defect(VSD). Methods Between September 2011 and February 2013, we collected 40 patients who underwent perventricular closure via a small lower sternal incision(minimally invasive group), aged 15.5±3.5 years(12 months to 32 years) with a body weight of 24.2±7.5 kg(10.8-58.0 kg). The mean size of VSD was 5.6±0.5 mm(2-14 mm). Another 40 patients were included as the surgical group, receiving the conventional surgical repair of VSD. The device of the minimally invasive group was released under the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography. Success rate, cardiac indicators, and clinical outcomes of the 2 groups were compared. Results The patients in the surgical group and those in the minimally invasive group showed similar results in success rate(both 97.5%). The procedure time, intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, and postoperative recovery time in the minimally invasive group were significantly shorter than those in the surgical group(58±21 minutes versus 145±26 minutes, 2±1 days versus 8±3 days, 5±1 days versus 16±6 days, 3±1 days versus 90±20 days, all P<0.05). The minimally invasive group had a higher incidence of conduction anomalies(17.5% versus 2.5%, P<0.05). In the follow-up period of 3-12 months, there was no new residual shunt, noticeable aortic regurgitation, significant arrhythmias, or device failure except for new complications in the surgical group. Conclusions The success rate of minimally invasive perventricular device closure of VSD under transesophageal echocardiography guidance is similar to that of conventional surgical repair, but the short-term outcomes of the minimally invasive approach is much better. Long-term follow-up is necessary to confirm the effectiveness of this technique.展开更多
The heart is an unusual site of metastasis from any malignancy. We report a case of cardiac metastasis from colorectal cancer. A 70-year-old woman was referred with a presumptive diagnosis of sigmoid colon cancer with...The heart is an unusual site of metastasis from any malignancy. We report a case of cardiac metastasis from colorectal cancer. A 70-year-old woman was referred with a presumptive diagnosis of sigmoid colon cancer with cardiac myxoma. Two-dimensional echocardiography showed a 4 cm x 4.5 cm mobile mass on the lateral right atrial wall, and computed tomography revealed a low attenuated Iobulating mass in the right atrium. The patient underwent anterior resection for sigmoid colon cancer (T4N2). Thereafter, she experienced progressive shortness of breath. Therefore, a cardiac operation was performed 2 wk after the colorectal operation. Histological examination revealed adenocarcinoma, which was identical to the primary lesion. Although two- dimensional echocardiography has become the diagnostic test of choice for detecting cardiac tumors, in patients with colorectal cancer showing a cardiac mass, further diagnostic evaluation such as a magnetic resonance imaging might be necessary.展开更多
A 54-year-old female patient with congenital heart disease had a persistent complete left bundle branch block three months after closure by an Amplatzer ventricular septal defect occluder. Nine months later, the patie...A 54-year-old female patient with congenital heart disease had a persistent complete left bundle branch block three months after closure by an Amplatzer ventricular septal defect occluder. Nine months later, the patient suffered from chest distress, palpitation, and sweating at daily activities, and her 6-min walk distance decreased significantly (155 m). Her echocardiography showed increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter with left ventricular ejection fraction of 37%. Her symptoms reduced significantly one week after received cardiac resynchronization therapy. She had no symptoms at daily activities, and her echo showed left ventricular ejection fraction of 46%and 53%. Moreover, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased 6 and 10 months after cardiac resynchronization therapy, and 6-min walk dis-tance remarkably increased. This case demonstrated that persistent complete left bundle branch block for nine months after transcatheter closure with ventricular septal defect Amplatzer occluder could lead to left ventricular enlargement and a significant decrease in left ventricular systolic function. Cardiac resynchronization therapy decreased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and increased left ventricular ejection fraction, thereby improving the patient’s heart functions.展开更多
Background P-wave dispersion (PWD), a measure of heterogeneity of atrial refractoriness, is defined as the difference between the maximum and minimum P-wave duration. In patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), ...Background P-wave dispersion (PWD), a measure of heterogeneity of atrial refractoriness, is defined as the difference between the maximum and minimum P-wave duration. In patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), P-wave duration and PWD were shown to be increased, indicating atrial electrical remodeling. However, the effect of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) on P-wave morphology has not been established yet. The aim of this study is to assess the short and long-term effects of TAVR with two types of bioprosthetic valves on P-wave duration and PWD in association with left atrial (LA) size. Methods Fifty-two (36 female) eligible patients in sinus rhythm who underwent transfemoral TAVR between June 01, 2012 and July 31, 2014 with either a Medtronic CoreValve (MCV) (n = 32) or an Edwards SAPIEN XT Valve (n = 20) were enrolled. Standard 12-lead electrocardiogram and echocardiographic evaluations were per- formed pre-procedurally, post-TAVR day one and 6 months post-TAVR. P-wave duration and PWD were measured and correlation analyses with echocardiographic variables were performed. Results P-wave duration and PWD were significantly decreased on post-TAVR day one (P 〈 0.05). They continued to decrease during the six month follow-up period, but were not significantly different from short-term values (P 〉 0.05). The decrease of LA diameter was found significant at the sixth-months of follow-up (P 〈 0.05). These changes were independent from the types of bioprosthetic valves implanted (P 〉 0.05). A positive correlation was detected between minimum P-wave duration and maximum aortic valve gradients at post-TAVR day one (r = 0.297, P = 0.032). Conclusions P-wave duration and PWD were significantly reduced early after TAVR indicating early reverse atrial electrical remodeling. Moreover, structural reverse remodeling of atrium was detected at the 6-months of follow-up. The effects of two types of bioprosthetic valves on atrial remodeling were similar.展开更多
Both right and left ventricles are developed from two adjacent segments of the primary heart tube. Though they are different with regard to shape and power, they mirror each other in terms of behavior. This is the fir...Both right and left ventricles are developed from two adjacent segments of the primary heart tube. Though they are different with regard to shape and power, they mirror each other in terms of behavior. This is the first level of symmetry in cardiac function assessment. Both cardiac muscle contraction and relaxation are active. This constructs the second level of symmetry in cardiac function assessment. Combination of the two levels will help to find some hidden indexes or approaches to evaluate cardiac function. In this article, four major indexes from echocardiography were analyzed under this principal, another seventeen indexes or measurement approaches came out of the shadow, which is very helpful in the assessment of cardiac function, especially for the right cardiac function and diastolic cardiac function.展开更多
To date many monitoring techniques have been used to determine the efficacy of surgical correction of mitral valve disease. The most common non-invasive method in use is echocardiography which can assess the myocardia...To date many monitoring techniques have been used to determine the efficacy of surgical correction of mitral valve disease. The most common non-invasive method in use is echocardiography which can assess the myocardial and mitral valve function changes after mitral valve replacement procedures. In this study, we investigated the five-year follow-up echocardiographic results of 143 patients undergoing mitral valve replacement with preservation of subvalvular apparatus to analyze the recovery of myocardial and mitral valve functions.展开更多
Objective To analyze the clinical features of hemodialysis patients complicated by infective endo carditis. Methods The clinical features of six such patients admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital during ...Objective To analyze the clinical features of hemodialysis patients complicated by infective endo carditis. Methods The clinical features of six such patients admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital during the year 1990 to 2009 were analyzed. All of them were diagnosed based on Chinese Children Diagnostic Criteria for Infective Endocarditis. Results The average age of the six patients was 52.3±19.3 years old. Four were males. Vascular accesses at the onset of infective endocarditis were as follows: permanent catheters in three, temporary catheters in two, and arteriovenous fistula in one. Three were fbund with mitral valve involvement, two with aor tic valve involvement, and one with both. Five vegetations were found by transthoracic echocardiography, and one by transesophageal echocardiography. Four had positive blood culture results. The catheters were all removed. Four of the patients were improved by antibiotics treatment, in which two were still on hemodialy sis in the following 14-24 months and the other two were lost to follow-up. One patient received surgery, but died of heart failure alter further hemodialysis for three months. One was well on maintenance hemodi alvsis for three months after surgery. Conclusions Infective endocarditis should be suspected when hemodialysis patients suffer from long-term fever, for which prompt blood culture and transthoracic echocardiography confirmation could be performed. Transesophageal echocardiography could be considered even when transthoracic echocardiography produces negative findings. With catheters removed, lull course of appropriate sensitive antibiotics and surgery if indicated could improve the outcome of chronic hemodialysis patients complicated by infective cndocarditis.展开更多
We report the management of a patient with secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) and severe pulmonary hypertension. A 65-year-old male with recently diagnosed atrial septal defect was referred to our centre for decomp...We report the management of a patient with secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) and severe pulmonary hypertension. A 65-year-old male with recently diagnosed atrial septal defect was referred to our centre for decompensated right heart failure with rest and exercise induced dispnea and severe pulmonary hypertension. Right heart catheterization confirmed a mean pulmonary pressure of about 55 mmHg and a Qp/Qs of 2.7. An occlusion test with a compliant large balloon demonstrated partial fall of pulmonary arterial pressure. The implantation of a home-made fenestrated Amplatzer ASD Occluder (ASO) was planned in order to decrease left-to-right shunt and promote further decrease of pulmonary arterial pressure in the long-term. Thus, by means of mechanical intracardiac echocardiography study with a 9F 9 MHz Ultralce catheter (Boston Scientific Corp.), we selected a 34 mm ASO for implantation. Four millimeter fenestration was made inflating a 4 mm non-compliant coronary balloon throughout the waist of the ASO, which was successfully implanted under intmcardiac echocardiography. After six months, a decrease of pulmonary arterial pressure to 24 mmHg and full compensated right heart failure was observed on transthoracic echocardiography and clinical examination. This case suggests that Wanscatheter closure with home-made fenestrated ASD in elderly patients with severe pulmonary hypertension is feasible.展开更多
Doppler echocardiography is the gold standard for assessment of diastolic dysfunction, which is increasingly recognised as a cause of heart failure, especially in the elderly. Using a combination of Doppler echocardio...Doppler echocardiography is the gold standard for assessment of diastolic dysfunction, which is increasingly recognised as a cause of heart failure, especially in the elderly. Using a combination of Doppler echocardiography techniques, it is possible to identify grades of dia- stolic dysftmction, estimate left ventricular filling pressures and establish the chronicity of diastolic dysfunction. These physiologi- cally-derived measures have been widely validated against invasive measurements of left heart pressures and have been shown to be prog- nostically valuable in a wide range of clinical settings. This review explores the mechanisms, and approaches to the assessment of diastolic dysfunction in the elderly. The challenge for clinicians is to identify pathophysiological changes from those associated with normal ageing. When used in combination, and taking age into account, Doppler echocardiographic parameters are helpful in the assessment of dyspnoea in older patients and provide prognostic insights.展开更多
Background Recurrence of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is a well-known complication. However, current literature lists only a few isolated cases. We aimed to determine the incidence and clinical significance of rec...Background Recurrence of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is a well-known complication. However, current literature lists only a few isolated cases. We aimed to determine the incidence and clinical significance of recurrent TTC. Methods & Results Our institutional database constituted a collective of 114 patients diagnosed with TTC since 2003. Close follow-up of these patients revealed a recurrence of TTC in seven of these (6.1%). The time interval between the index event and its recurrence varied between six months and six years. Arterial hypertension was more revealed in the recurrence group of TTC compared to non-recurrence group, (P = 0.02). Chronic obstructive pulmo- nary disease and/or asthma was more diagnosed in the recurrence group, (P = 0.04). Clinical events like fight ventficular involvement, TTC related complications such as life-threatening arrhythmias, pulmonary congestion and in hospital death were observed more frequently in the recurrent episode. Over a mean follow-up of one year the mortality rate was similar in both groups. Conclusions Recurrence of TTC within six years after index event is not an uncommon phenomenon. In the event of right ventricular involvement in the relapse phase, it might be associated with a higher complication rate. TTC recurrence should be the first differential diagnosis in patients with a past history of TTC.展开更多
Background Elevated left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) is an important cause of exercise intolerance in patients with atrial fib- dilation (AF). Exercise stress echocardiography could assess LVFP during exer...Background Elevated left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) is an important cause of exercise intolerance in patients with atrial fib- dilation (AF). Exercise stress echocardiography could assess LVFP during exercise. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between exercise induced elevation of LVFP and exercise capacity in patients with AF. Methods This study included 145 con- secutive patients (81 men and 64 women; mean age 65.5 ± 8.0 years) with persistent non-valvular AF and normal left ventricular systolic function (left ventdcular ejection fraction 〉 50%). All patients underwent a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). Doppler echocardiography was performed both at rest and immediately after exercise. Five consecutive measurements of early diastolic mitral inflow velocity (E) and early diastolic mitral annular velocity (e') were taken and averaged. E/e' ratio was calculated. Elevated LVFP was defined as E/e' 〉 9, and patients with elevated LVFP at rest were excluded. Results Patients were classified into two groups according to LVFP estimated by E/e' ratio after exercise: 39 (26.9%) with elevated LVFP after exercise and 106 (73.1%) with normal LVFP. As compared with patients with normal LVFP, the ones with elevated LVFP after exercise had significantly lower peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) (21.7 ± 2.3 vs. 26.4 ± 3.8 mL/min per kilogram, P 〈 0.001), lower anaerobic threshold (19.9 ± 2.5 vs. 26.0± 4.0 mL/min per kilogram, P 〈 0.001), and shorter exercise time duration (6.2± 0.8 vs. 7.0 ±1.3 min, P 〈 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that age, gender and E/e' after exercise were significantly correlated with VO2peak. Conclusion Elevated LVFP estimated by E/e' ratio after exercise is independently associated with reduced exercise capacity in AF patients.展开更多
Background To investigate the long-term results of global coronary and peripheral interventional treatment of diabetic foot patients. Methods We retrospectively included 220 diabetic patients (78.5 ±15.8 years, ...Background To investigate the long-term results of global coronary and peripheral interventional treatment of diabetic foot patients. Methods We retrospectively included 220 diabetic patients (78.5 ±15.8 years, 107 females, all with Fontaine Ⅲor Ⅳclass) who were referred to our centre for diabetic foot syndrome and severe limb ischemia from January 2006 to December 2010. Patients were evaluated by a team of interventional cardiologists and diabetologists in order to assess presence of concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) and eventual need for coronary revascularization. Stress-echo was performed in all patients before diagnostic peripheral angiography. Patients with indications for coronary angiography were submitted to combined diagnostic angiography and then to eventual staged peripheral and coronary interventions. Doppler ultrasonography and foot transcutaneous oximetry of transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) before and after the procedure were performed as well as stress-echocardiography and combined cardiologic and diabetic examination at 1 and 6 month and yearly. Results Stress-echocardiography was performed in 94/220 patients and resulted positive in 56 patients who underwent combined coronary and peripheral angiography. In the rest of 126 patients, combined coronary and peripheral angiography was performed directly for concomitant signs and symptoms of coronary heart disease in 35 patients. Coronary revascularization was judged necessary in 85/129 patients and was performed percutaneously after peripheral interventions in 72 patients and surgically in 13 patients. For Diabetic foot interventions the preferred approach was ipsilateral femoral antegrade in 170/220 patients (77.7%) and contralateral cross-over in 40/220 patients (18.8%) and popliteal retrograde + femoral antegrade in 10/220 patients (4.5%). Balloon angioplasty was performed in 252 legs (32 patients had bilateral disease): the procedure was successful in 239/252 legs with an immediate success rate of 94.8% and a significant improvement in TcPO2 and ABI with ulcer healing in 233/252 legs (92.4%). Freedom from major amputation was 82.8% at a mean follow-up of 3.1 ±1.8 years (range 1 to 5 years) whereas survival was 88%. Conclusions Global coronary and peripheral endovascular management of diabetic foot syndrome patients seems to lead to an high immediate success and limb salvage rates and increasing survival compared to historical series.展开更多
文摘Objective: To evaluate of the role of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)in percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) with the Amplatzer septal occluder. Methods:Sixty- two patients (10 to 55 years of age) were selected for percutaneous closure of ASD bytrans-esophageal echocardiography, which was also used to monitor the procedure, to select theappropriate size of the Amplatzer device, to verify its position, and to access the immediateresults of the procedure. During the follow-up, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) or TEE was usedto evaluate the presence and magnitude of residual shunt (RS), device position, and right cardiacchamber diameters. Results: The mean ASD diameter by TTE ([19. 1 +- 5. 8] mm) was significantlysmaller (P< 0. 001) than the stretched diameter of the ASD (25. 1 +- 6. 4) mm. There are nosignificant differences between the TEE -measured value (23. 5+_6. 2) mm and the stretched diameterof the ASD (P > 0. 05). Due to proper patient selection all procedures were successful. There wasimmediate and complete closure in 61/62 patients, only one patients had trivial residual shunt.Follow- up was performed using TTE or TEE right after operation, 1 d, 1 month, 3 months, 6 monthsand yearly thereafter. Ail, patients remain asymptomatic without any clinical or technical problems.Conclusion: With the aid of TEE, percutaneous closure of ASD can be performed successfully, safely,and effectively.
文摘Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect, safety and complications oftranscathetering Amplatzer device in the closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and atrial septaldefects (ASD) in children. Methods: Patients with PDA (n = 25) and ASD ( n = 16), confirmed byechocardiography, were treated by transcatheterization. Amplatzer occluder device was placed by thetranscatheterization with the image support of X-ray and transthoracic echocardiography ( TTE) . TheTTE, ECG and X-ray examination were engaged to evaluate the therapeutic results on the time pointsof 24 h , 1, 3 , 6, 12 months after the operation, and all these cases were engaged to the follow-upexamination. Results: The cardioangiographic diameter was 13.0-28.0 mm ([19.3+-4.9] mm) in ASD and2.0-7.7 mm ([3.9+-1.5] mm) in PDA . The diameter of the Amplatzer occluder selected were 13.0-30.0mm ( [20.6+-5.1] mm) in ASD and 4.0-12.0 mm ([6.6+-1.9] mm) in PDA , respectively. All the Amplatzeroccluders were placed successfully. There were no complications during and after the operation.Very small residual shunt was still found soon after the operation in 10 cases , and there were noresidual or recanalization after three months of the operation. The pulmonary artery pressure andheart size were significantly decreased in follow-up examination . Conclusion: Transcatheteringclosure with Amplatzer device is an effective, simple and safe technique in the treatment of ASD andPDA in children.
文摘Physicians previously thought that heart disease was rare in patients with end stage liver disease. However, recent evidence shows that the prevalence of ischemic heart disease and cardiomyopathy is increased in transplant candidates compared to most other surgical candidates. Investigators estimate that up to 26% of all liver transplant candidates have at least one critical coronary artery stenosis and that at least half of these patients will die perioperatively of cardiac complications. Cardiomyopathy also occurs in greater frequency. While all patients with advanced cardiac disease have defects in cardiac performance, a larger than expected number of patients have classical findings of dilated, restrictive and hypertropic cardiomyopathy. This may explain why up to 56% of patients suffer from hypoxemia due to pulmonary edema following transplant surgery. There is considerable controversy on how to screen transplant candidates for the presence of heart disease. Questions focus upon, which patients should be screened and what tests should be used. This review examines screening strategies for transplant candidates and details the prognostic value of common tests used to identify ischemic heart disease. We also review the physiological consequences of cardiomyopathy in transplant candidates and explore the specific syndrome of "cirrhotic cardiomyopathy".
基金Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning ProvinceChina(2013023010)
文摘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).
文摘Objectives To investigate the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) and left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (LA-SEC) in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Methods We retrospectively screened 1,476 consecutive hospitalized patients with AF who underwent transesophageal echocardiography prior to radiofrequency catheter ablation, left atrial appendage closure and electric cardiover- sion at Guangdong General Hospital. Data on the clinical baseline characteristics of all patients were collected from electronic medical re- cords and analyzed. Results After exclusion of patients with left atrial thrombus, 1,354 patients entered into present study and 57 were LA-SEC. The mean female SUA level (380.88 ± 94.35 μmol/L vs. 323.37 ± 72.19μmol/L, P 〈 0.001) and male SUA level (416.97 ± 98.87 μmol/L vs. 367.88 + 68.50 μmol/L, P = 0.008) were both significantly higher in patients with LA-SEC than in the controls. The mean left atrial dimension (41.32 ± 5.12 mm vs. 36.12 ± 5.66 mm, P 〈 0.001) was markedly larger in patients with LA-SEC. In multivariate regression analysis, SUA level was an independent risk factor for LA-SEC (OR: 1.008, P 〈 0.001). In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the corresponding area under the curve for SUA predicting LA-SEC in female and male were 0.670 and 0.657, respectively. SUA level is significantly higher in non-valvular AF patients with LA-SEC. Conclusion SUA level is an independent risk factor and has a moderate predictive value for LA-SEC among non-valvular AF patients in Southern China.
文摘Objectives To establish a cost-effective and reproducible procedure for induction of chronic left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) in rabbits. Methods Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was induced in 35 rabbits via concomitant ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery and the circumflex (Cx) branch at the middle portion. Development of AMI was co n-firmed by ST segment elevation and akinesis of the occluded area. Echocardiography, pathological evaluation, and agar i n-tra-chamber casting were utilized to validate the formation of LVA four weeks after the surgery. Left ventricular end systolic pressure (LVESP) and diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were measured before, immediately after and four weeks after ligation. D i-mensions of the ventricular chamber, thickness of the interventricular septum (IVS) and the left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW) left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV) and systolic volume (LVESV), and ejection fraction (EF) were recorded by echo-cardiography. Results Thirty one (88.6%) rabbits survived myocardial infarction and 26 of them developed aneurysm (83.9%). The mean area of aneurysm was 33.4% &#177; 2.4% of the left ventricle. LVEF markedly decreased after LVA formation, whereas LVEDV, LVESV and the thickness of IVS as well as the dimension of ventricular chamber from apex to mitral valve annulus significantly increased. LVESP immediately dropped after ligation and recovered to a small extent after LVA formation. LVEDP progressively increased after ligation till LVA formation. Areas in the left ventricle (LV) that underwent fibrosis included the apex, anterior wall and lateral wall but not IVS. Agar intra-chamber cast showed that the bulging of LV wall was prominent in the area of aneurysm. Conclusions Ligation of LAD and Cx at the middle portion could induce develo pment of LVA at a mean area ratio of 33.4%&#177;2.4%which involves the apex, anterior wall and lateral wall of the LV.
文摘Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is an acute cardiac syndrome characterized by extensive, but potentially reversible, left ventricular dysfunction in the absence of an explanatory coronary obstruction. Thus, TCM is distinct from coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, substantial evidence for co-existing CAD in some TCM patients exist. Herein, we take this associa-tion one step further and present a case in which the patient simultaneously suffered from AMI and TCM, and in which we believe that a primary coronary event triggered TCM. An 88-year-old female presented with chest pain. Echocardiography revealed apical akinesia with hypercontractile bases. An occluded diagonal branch with suspected acute plaque rupture was identified on the angiogram, but could not explain the extent of akinesia. Cardiac function recovered completely. Thus, this patient adhered to current diagnostic criteria for TCM. TCM is a well-known complication for other conditions associated with somatic stress. It is therefore intuitive to assume that AMI, which also associates with somatic stress and elevated catecholamine, can cause TCM. Our case illustrates that TCM and AMI may occur simulta-neously. Although causality cannot be conclusively inferred from this association, the somatic stress associated with AMI may have caused TCM in this patient.
文摘A 78-year-old man with a history of mitral valve prolapse underwent echocardiography during his cardiological check-up examination in 2011 in a symptom-free stage. Echocardiography revealed akinesis of the inferior septum and inferobasal free wall as a novel finding suggesting a distal right coronary artery (RCA) lesion (Figure 1). The systolic left ventricular function was normal. Earlier echocardiographies did not show wall motion abnormalities.
文摘Objective To evaluate the efficacy of minimally invasive perventricular device closure of ventricular septal defect(VSD). Methods Between September 2011 and February 2013, we collected 40 patients who underwent perventricular closure via a small lower sternal incision(minimally invasive group), aged 15.5±3.5 years(12 months to 32 years) with a body weight of 24.2±7.5 kg(10.8-58.0 kg). The mean size of VSD was 5.6±0.5 mm(2-14 mm). Another 40 patients were included as the surgical group, receiving the conventional surgical repair of VSD. The device of the minimally invasive group was released under the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography. Success rate, cardiac indicators, and clinical outcomes of the 2 groups were compared. Results The patients in the surgical group and those in the minimally invasive group showed similar results in success rate(both 97.5%). The procedure time, intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, and postoperative recovery time in the minimally invasive group were significantly shorter than those in the surgical group(58±21 minutes versus 145±26 minutes, 2±1 days versus 8±3 days, 5±1 days versus 16±6 days, 3±1 days versus 90±20 days, all P<0.05). The minimally invasive group had a higher incidence of conduction anomalies(17.5% versus 2.5%, P<0.05). In the follow-up period of 3-12 months, there was no new residual shunt, noticeable aortic regurgitation, significant arrhythmias, or device failure except for new complications in the surgical group. Conclusions The success rate of minimally invasive perventricular device closure of VSD under transesophageal echocardiography guidance is similar to that of conventional surgical repair, but the short-term outcomes of the minimally invasive approach is much better. Long-term follow-up is necessary to confirm the effectiveness of this technique.
文摘The heart is an unusual site of metastasis from any malignancy. We report a case of cardiac metastasis from colorectal cancer. A 70-year-old woman was referred with a presumptive diagnosis of sigmoid colon cancer with cardiac myxoma. Two-dimensional echocardiography showed a 4 cm x 4.5 cm mobile mass on the lateral right atrial wall, and computed tomography revealed a low attenuated Iobulating mass in the right atrium. The patient underwent anterior resection for sigmoid colon cancer (T4N2). Thereafter, she experienced progressive shortness of breath. Therefore, a cardiac operation was performed 2 wk after the colorectal operation. Histological examination revealed adenocarcinoma, which was identical to the primary lesion. Although two- dimensional echocardiography has become the diagnostic test of choice for detecting cardiac tumors, in patients with colorectal cancer showing a cardiac mass, further diagnostic evaluation such as a magnetic resonance imaging might be necessary.
文摘A 54-year-old female patient with congenital heart disease had a persistent complete left bundle branch block three months after closure by an Amplatzer ventricular septal defect occluder. Nine months later, the patient suffered from chest distress, palpitation, and sweating at daily activities, and her 6-min walk distance decreased significantly (155 m). Her echocardiography showed increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter with left ventricular ejection fraction of 37%. Her symptoms reduced significantly one week after received cardiac resynchronization therapy. She had no symptoms at daily activities, and her echo showed left ventricular ejection fraction of 46%and 53%. Moreover, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased 6 and 10 months after cardiac resynchronization therapy, and 6-min walk dis-tance remarkably increased. This case demonstrated that persistent complete left bundle branch block for nine months after transcatheter closure with ventricular septal defect Amplatzer occluder could lead to left ventricular enlargement and a significant decrease in left ventricular systolic function. Cardiac resynchronization therapy decreased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and increased left ventricular ejection fraction, thereby improving the patient’s heart functions.
文摘Background P-wave dispersion (PWD), a measure of heterogeneity of atrial refractoriness, is defined as the difference between the maximum and minimum P-wave duration. In patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), P-wave duration and PWD were shown to be increased, indicating atrial electrical remodeling. However, the effect of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) on P-wave morphology has not been established yet. The aim of this study is to assess the short and long-term effects of TAVR with two types of bioprosthetic valves on P-wave duration and PWD in association with left atrial (LA) size. Methods Fifty-two (36 female) eligible patients in sinus rhythm who underwent transfemoral TAVR between June 01, 2012 and July 31, 2014 with either a Medtronic CoreValve (MCV) (n = 32) or an Edwards SAPIEN XT Valve (n = 20) were enrolled. Standard 12-lead electrocardiogram and echocardiographic evaluations were per- formed pre-procedurally, post-TAVR day one and 6 months post-TAVR. P-wave duration and PWD were measured and correlation analyses with echocardiographic variables were performed. Results P-wave duration and PWD were significantly decreased on post-TAVR day one (P 〈 0.05). They continued to decrease during the six month follow-up period, but were not significantly different from short-term values (P 〉 0.05). The decrease of LA diameter was found significant at the sixth-months of follow-up (P 〈 0.05). These changes were independent from the types of bioprosthetic valves implanted (P 〉 0.05). A positive correlation was detected between minimum P-wave duration and maximum aortic valve gradients at post-TAVR day one (r = 0.297, P = 0.032). Conclusions P-wave duration and PWD were significantly reduced early after TAVR indicating early reverse atrial electrical remodeling. Moreover, structural reverse remodeling of atrium was detected at the 6-months of follow-up. The effects of two types of bioprosthetic valves on atrial remodeling were similar.
文摘Both right and left ventricles are developed from two adjacent segments of the primary heart tube. Though they are different with regard to shape and power, they mirror each other in terms of behavior. This is the first level of symmetry in cardiac function assessment. Both cardiac muscle contraction and relaxation are active. This constructs the second level of symmetry in cardiac function assessment. Combination of the two levels will help to find some hidden indexes or approaches to evaluate cardiac function. In this article, four major indexes from echocardiography were analyzed under this principal, another seventeen indexes or measurement approaches came out of the shadow, which is very helpful in the assessment of cardiac function, especially for the right cardiac function and diastolic cardiac function.
文摘To date many monitoring techniques have been used to determine the efficacy of surgical correction of mitral valve disease. The most common non-invasive method in use is echocardiography which can assess the myocardial and mitral valve function changes after mitral valve replacement procedures. In this study, we investigated the five-year follow-up echocardiographic results of 143 patients undergoing mitral valve replacement with preservation of subvalvular apparatus to analyze the recovery of myocardial and mitral valve functions.
基金Supported by the grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30700373)
文摘Objective To analyze the clinical features of hemodialysis patients complicated by infective endo carditis. Methods The clinical features of six such patients admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital during the year 1990 to 2009 were analyzed. All of them were diagnosed based on Chinese Children Diagnostic Criteria for Infective Endocarditis. Results The average age of the six patients was 52.3±19.3 years old. Four were males. Vascular accesses at the onset of infective endocarditis were as follows: permanent catheters in three, temporary catheters in two, and arteriovenous fistula in one. Three were fbund with mitral valve involvement, two with aor tic valve involvement, and one with both. Five vegetations were found by transthoracic echocardiography, and one by transesophageal echocardiography. Four had positive blood culture results. The catheters were all removed. Four of the patients were improved by antibiotics treatment, in which two were still on hemodialy sis in the following 14-24 months and the other two were lost to follow-up. One patient received surgery, but died of heart failure alter further hemodialysis for three months. One was well on maintenance hemodi alvsis for three months after surgery. Conclusions Infective endocarditis should be suspected when hemodialysis patients suffer from long-term fever, for which prompt blood culture and transthoracic echocardiography confirmation could be performed. Transesophageal echocardiography could be considered even when transthoracic echocardiography produces negative findings. With catheters removed, lull course of appropriate sensitive antibiotics and surgery if indicated could improve the outcome of chronic hemodialysis patients complicated by infective cndocarditis.
文摘We report the management of a patient with secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) and severe pulmonary hypertension. A 65-year-old male with recently diagnosed atrial septal defect was referred to our centre for decompensated right heart failure with rest and exercise induced dispnea and severe pulmonary hypertension. Right heart catheterization confirmed a mean pulmonary pressure of about 55 mmHg and a Qp/Qs of 2.7. An occlusion test with a compliant large balloon demonstrated partial fall of pulmonary arterial pressure. The implantation of a home-made fenestrated Amplatzer ASD Occluder (ASO) was planned in order to decrease left-to-right shunt and promote further decrease of pulmonary arterial pressure in the long-term. Thus, by means of mechanical intracardiac echocardiography study with a 9F 9 MHz Ultralce catheter (Boston Scientific Corp.), we selected a 34 mm ASO for implantation. Four millimeter fenestration was made inflating a 4 mm non-compliant coronary balloon throughout the waist of the ASO, which was successfully implanted under intmcardiac echocardiography. After six months, a decrease of pulmonary arterial pressure to 24 mmHg and full compensated right heart failure was observed on transthoracic echocardiography and clinical examination. This case suggests that Wanscatheter closure with home-made fenestrated ASD in elderly patients with severe pulmonary hypertension is feasible.
文摘Doppler echocardiography is the gold standard for assessment of diastolic dysfunction, which is increasingly recognised as a cause of heart failure, especially in the elderly. Using a combination of Doppler echocardiography techniques, it is possible to identify grades of dia- stolic dysftmction, estimate left ventricular filling pressures and establish the chronicity of diastolic dysfunction. These physiologi- cally-derived measures have been widely validated against invasive measurements of left heart pressures and have been shown to be prog- nostically valuable in a wide range of clinical settings. This review explores the mechanisms, and approaches to the assessment of diastolic dysfunction in the elderly. The challenge for clinicians is to identify pathophysiological changes from those associated with normal ageing. When used in combination, and taking age into account, Doppler echocardiographic parameters are helpful in the assessment of dyspnoea in older patients and provide prognostic insights.
文摘Background Recurrence of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is a well-known complication. However, current literature lists only a few isolated cases. We aimed to determine the incidence and clinical significance of recurrent TTC. Methods & Results Our institutional database constituted a collective of 114 patients diagnosed with TTC since 2003. Close follow-up of these patients revealed a recurrence of TTC in seven of these (6.1%). The time interval between the index event and its recurrence varied between six months and six years. Arterial hypertension was more revealed in the recurrence group of TTC compared to non-recurrence group, (P = 0.02). Chronic obstructive pulmo- nary disease and/or asthma was more diagnosed in the recurrence group, (P = 0.04). Clinical events like fight ventficular involvement, TTC related complications such as life-threatening arrhythmias, pulmonary congestion and in hospital death were observed more frequently in the recurrent episode. Over a mean follow-up of one year the mortality rate was similar in both groups. Conclusions Recurrence of TTC within six years after index event is not an uncommon phenomenon. In the event of right ventricular involvement in the relapse phase, it might be associated with a higher complication rate. TTC recurrence should be the first differential diagnosis in patients with a past history of TTC.
基金Acknowledgements This work was supported by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (81400177, CHEN SM) and Beijing Natural Science Foundation (7154249, CHEN SM). The authors have no financial disclosures.
文摘Background Elevated left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) is an important cause of exercise intolerance in patients with atrial fib- dilation (AF). Exercise stress echocardiography could assess LVFP during exercise. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between exercise induced elevation of LVFP and exercise capacity in patients with AF. Methods This study included 145 con- secutive patients (81 men and 64 women; mean age 65.5 ± 8.0 years) with persistent non-valvular AF and normal left ventricular systolic function (left ventdcular ejection fraction 〉 50%). All patients underwent a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). Doppler echocardiography was performed both at rest and immediately after exercise. Five consecutive measurements of early diastolic mitral inflow velocity (E) and early diastolic mitral annular velocity (e') were taken and averaged. E/e' ratio was calculated. Elevated LVFP was defined as E/e' 〉 9, and patients with elevated LVFP at rest were excluded. Results Patients were classified into two groups according to LVFP estimated by E/e' ratio after exercise: 39 (26.9%) with elevated LVFP after exercise and 106 (73.1%) with normal LVFP. As compared with patients with normal LVFP, the ones with elevated LVFP after exercise had significantly lower peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) (21.7 ± 2.3 vs. 26.4 ± 3.8 mL/min per kilogram, P 〈 0.001), lower anaerobic threshold (19.9 ± 2.5 vs. 26.0± 4.0 mL/min per kilogram, P 〈 0.001), and shorter exercise time duration (6.2± 0.8 vs. 7.0 ±1.3 min, P 〈 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that age, gender and E/e' after exercise were significantly correlated with VO2peak. Conclusion Elevated LVFP estimated by E/e' ratio after exercise is independently associated with reduced exercise capacity in AF patients.
文摘Background To investigate the long-term results of global coronary and peripheral interventional treatment of diabetic foot patients. Methods We retrospectively included 220 diabetic patients (78.5 ±15.8 years, 107 females, all with Fontaine Ⅲor Ⅳclass) who were referred to our centre for diabetic foot syndrome and severe limb ischemia from January 2006 to December 2010. Patients were evaluated by a team of interventional cardiologists and diabetologists in order to assess presence of concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) and eventual need for coronary revascularization. Stress-echo was performed in all patients before diagnostic peripheral angiography. Patients with indications for coronary angiography were submitted to combined diagnostic angiography and then to eventual staged peripheral and coronary interventions. Doppler ultrasonography and foot transcutaneous oximetry of transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) before and after the procedure were performed as well as stress-echocardiography and combined cardiologic and diabetic examination at 1 and 6 month and yearly. Results Stress-echocardiography was performed in 94/220 patients and resulted positive in 56 patients who underwent combined coronary and peripheral angiography. In the rest of 126 patients, combined coronary and peripheral angiography was performed directly for concomitant signs and symptoms of coronary heart disease in 35 patients. Coronary revascularization was judged necessary in 85/129 patients and was performed percutaneously after peripheral interventions in 72 patients and surgically in 13 patients. For Diabetic foot interventions the preferred approach was ipsilateral femoral antegrade in 170/220 patients (77.7%) and contralateral cross-over in 40/220 patients (18.8%) and popliteal retrograde + femoral antegrade in 10/220 patients (4.5%). Balloon angioplasty was performed in 252 legs (32 patients had bilateral disease): the procedure was successful in 239/252 legs with an immediate success rate of 94.8% and a significant improvement in TcPO2 and ABI with ulcer healing in 233/252 legs (92.4%). Freedom from major amputation was 82.8% at a mean follow-up of 3.1 ±1.8 years (range 1 to 5 years) whereas survival was 88%. Conclusions Global coronary and peripheral endovascular management of diabetic foot syndrome patients seems to lead to an high immediate success and limb salvage rates and increasing survival compared to historical series.