Left bundle branch pacing vs biventricular pacing in heart failure patients with left bundle branch block:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Left bundle branch pacing(LBBP)is a novel pacing modality of cardiac resynchronization therapy(CRT)that achieves more physiologic native ventricular activation than biventricular pacing(BiVP).AIM To explore the validity of electromechanical resynchronization,clinical and echocardiographic response of LBBP-CRT.METHODS Systematic review and Meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the standard guidelines as mentioned in detail in the methodology section.RESULTS In our analysis,the success rate of LBBP-CRT was determined to be 91.1%.LBBP CRT significantly shortened QRS duration,with significant improvement in echocardiographic parameters,including left ventricular ejection fraction,left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and left ventricular end-systolic diameter in comparison with BiVP-CRT.CONCLUSION A significant reduction in New York Heart Association class and B-type natriuretic peptide levels was also observed in the LBBP-CRT group vs BiVP-CRT group.Lastly,the LBBP-CRT cohort had a reduced pacing threshold at follow-up as compared to BiVP-CRT.

A Consistent Mistake in Remote Sensing Images’Classification Literature

Recently,the convolutional neural network(CNN)has been dom-inant in studies on interpreting remote sensing images(RSI).However,it appears that training optimization strategies have received less attention in relevant research.To evaluate this problem,the author proposes a novel algo-rithm named the Fast Training CNN(FST-CNN).To verify the algorithm’s effectiveness,twenty methods,including six classic models and thirty archi-tectures from previous studies,are included in a performance comparison.The overall accuracy(OA)trained by the FST-CNN algorithm on the same model architecture and dataset is treated as an evaluation baseline.Results show that there is a maximal OA gap of 8.35%between the FST-CNN and those methods in the literature,which means a 10%margin in performance.Meanwhile,all those complex roadmaps,e.g.,deep feature fusion,model combination,model ensembles,and human feature engineering,are not as effective as expected.It reveals that there was systemic suboptimal perfor-mance in the previous studies.Most of the CNN-based methods proposed in the previous studies show a consistent mistake,which has made the model’s accuracy lower than its potential value.The most important reasons seem to be the inappropriate training strategy and the shift in data distribution introduced by data augmentation(DA).As a result,most of the performance evaluation was conducted based on an inaccurate,suboptimal,and unfair result.It has made most of the previous research findings questionable to some extent.However,all these confusing results also exactly demonstrate the effectiveness of FST-CNN.This novel algorithm is model-agnostic and can be employed on any image classification model to potentially boost performance.In addition,the results also show that a standardized training strategy is indeed very meaningful for the research tasks of the RSI-SC.

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.

Left bundle branch pacing set to outshine biventricular pacing for cardiac resynchronization therapy?

The deleterious effects of long-term right ventricular pacing necessitated the search for alternative pacing sites which could prevent or alleviate pacinginduced cardiomyopathy.Until recently,biventricular pacing(BiVP)was the only modality which could mitigate or prevent pacing induced dysfunction.Further,BiVP could resynchronize the baseline electromechanical dssynchrony in heart failure and improve outcomes.However,the high non-response rate of around 20%-30%remains a major limitation.This non-response has been largely attributable to the direct non-physiological stimulation of the left ventricular myocardium bypassing the conduction system.To overcome this limitation,the concept of conduction system pacing(CSP)came up.Despite initial success of the first CSP via His bundle pacing(HBP),certain drawbacks including lead instability and dislodgements,steep learning curve and rapid battery depletion on many occasions prevented its widespread use for cardiac resynchronization therapy(CRT).Subsequently,CSP via left bundle branch-area pacing(LBBP)was developed in 2018,which over the last few years has shown efficacy comparable to BiVP-CRT in small observational studies.Further,its safety has also been well established and is largely free of the pitfalls of the HBP-CRT.In the recent metanalysis by Yasmin et al,comprising of 6 studies with 389 participants,LBBPCRT was superior to BiVP-CRT in terms of QRS duration,left ventricular ejection fraction,cardiac chamber dimensions,lead thresholds,and functional status amongst heart failure patients with left bundle branch block.However,there are important limitations of the study including the small overall numbers,inclusion of only a single small randomized controlled trial(RCT)and a small follow-up duration.Further,the entire study population analyzed was from China which makes generalizability a concern.Despite the concerns,the meta-analysis adds to the growing body of evidence demonstrating the efficacy of LBBP-CRT.At this stage,one must acknowledge that the fact that still our opinions on this technique are largely based on observational data and there is a dire need for larger RCTs to ascertain the position of LBBPCRT in management of heart failure patients with left bundle branch block.

Prenatal Diagnosis of an Apically Located Congenital Left Ventricular Aneurysm: A Rare Case

Congenital ventricular aneurysm is a very rare cardiac anomaly.A diagnosis can be made during the prenatal period using fetal echocardiography.This study presents a very rare apically located left ventricular aneurysm case,and the relevant literature was reviewed and discussed.In this case,a 35-year-old,gravida 2,parity 1 preg-nant woman at 24 weeks of gestation,displayed a wide aneurysmal image in the left ventricular apical wall on fetal echocardiography.There was a 1.79 mm muscular ventricular septal defect at the apical region of the interven-tricular septum.In the course of the color Doppler ultrasonography examination,an aberrantfibrous band within the left ventricle and consequent turbulentflow during systole were observed.The baby,born via cesarean section at 37 weeks of gestation,is now in its postnatal seventh month.However,during echocardiographic follow-ups,changes have been observed,including mild to moderate mitral insufficiency and a decrease in systolic function.Despite thesefindings,the clinical condition remains asymptomatic.It is of great importance to use a multidis-ciplinary approach in managing these rare cases that could lead to potential adverse outcomes during the antena-tal or postnatal periods.

Single-Nucleus RNA Sequencing Reveals Cardiac Macrophage Landscape in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Background:Hypoplastic left heart syndrome(HLHS)is one of the most challenging congenital heart diseases in clinical treatment.In cardiac tissues,resident macrophages fulfill critical functions in maintaining a stable cardiac state and have strong regenerative capacity and organ specificity.However,the molecular mechanisms of macro-phages in HLHS remained unclear.Methods:Single-nucleus RNA sequencing(snRNA-seq)data of HLHS and healthy control(donors)samples obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database were normalized and clustered using the Seurat package.The“FindMarkers”function was used to screen differentially expressed genes(DEGs)between the HLHS and donor groups and to analyze the functional enrichment of the set of genes of interest.Finally,cell-cell communication,pseudotime,and single-cell regulatory network inference and cluster-ing(SCENIC)analyses were used to study the mechanisms of macrophages in HLHS.Results:Based on the snRNA-seq data of HLHS and donors,we identified a total of 9 cell clusters,among which the proportion of macrophages was significantly less in the HLHS group than in the control group.Subdivision of macrophage subpopulations(Macrophages 1,2,and 3)showed that Macrophages 1 was mainly involved in nervous system development,angiogenesis,and apoptotic processes.In addition,analysis of communication between Macro-phages 1 and cardiomyocytes revealed that ligand-acceptor pairs such as GAS6/AXL,IL6,IGF1,THY1,and L1CAM were present only in the donor group.Finally,pesudotime and SCENIC analyses demonstrated that FOXO3 and ELF2 played a critical role for Macrophages 1 to maintain cardiac function in patients with HLHS.Conclusion:Our study improved the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of macrophage devel-opment in HLHS,showing that manipulating the regulatory role of macrophages in the heart can be a novel treat-ment for HLHS.

Individualized anti-thrombotic therapy for acute myocardial infarction complicated with left ventricular thrombus: A case report

BACKGROUND Presently,there is no established standard anti-blood clot therapy for patients facing acute myocardial infarction(AMI)complicated by left ventricular thrombus(LVT).While vitamin K antagonists are the preferred choice for oral blood thinning,determining the best course of blood-thinning medication remains challenging.It is unclear if non-vitamin K antagonist oral blood thinners have different effectiveness in treating LVT.This study significantly contributes to the medical community.CASE SUMMARY The blood-thinning treatment of a patient with AMI and LVT was analyzed.Triple blood-thinning therapy included daily enteric-coated aspirin tablets at 0.1 g,daily clopidogrel hydrogen sulfate at 75 mg,and dabigatran etexilate at 110 mg twice daily.After 15 d,the patient’s LVT did not decrease but instead increased.Clinical pharmacists comprehensively analyzed the cases from the perspective of the patient’s disease status and drug interaction.The drug regimen was reformulated for the patient,replacing dabigatran etexilate with warfarin,and was administered for six months.The clinical pharmacist provided the patient with professional and standardized pharmaceutical services.The patient’s condition was discharged after meeting the international normalized ratio value(2-3)criteria.The patient fully complied with the follow-up,and the time in the therapeutic range was 78.57%,with no serious adverse effects during pharmaceutical monitoring.CONCLUSION Warfarin proves to be an effective drug for patients with AMI complicated by LVT,and its blood-thinning course lasts for six months.

Application of three-dimensional speckle tracking technique in measuring left ventricular myocardial function in patients with diabetes

BACKGROUND Diabetic cardiomyopathy is considered as a chronic complication of diabetes mellitus(DM).Therefore,early detection of left ventricular systolic function(LVSF)damage in DM is essential.AIM To explore the use of the three-dimensional speckle tracking technique(3D-STI)for measuring LVSF in DM patients via meta-analysis.METHODS The electronic databases were retrieved from the initial accessible time to 29 April 2023.The current study involved 9 studies,including 970 subjects.We carried out this meta-analysis to estimate myocardial function in DM compared with controls according to myocardial strain attained by 3D-STI.RESULTS Night articles including 970 subjects were included.No significant difference was detected in the left ventricular ejection fraction between the control and the diabetic group(P>0.05),while differences in global longitudinal strain,global circumferential strain,global radial strain,and global area strain were markedly different between the controls and DM patients(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION The 3D-STI could be applied to accurately measure early LVSF damage in patients with DM.

Left ventricular thrombosis caused cerebral embolism during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support: A case report

BACKGROUND Venoarterial(VA)extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO),an effective short-term circulatory support method for refractory cardiogenic shock,is widely applied.However,retrospective analyses have shown that VA-ECMO-assisted cases were associated with a relatively high mortality rate of approximately 60%.Embolization in important organs caused by complications of left ventricular thrombosis(LVT)during VA-ECMO is also an important reason.Although the incidence of LVT during VA-ECMO is not high,the consequences of embolization are disastrous.CASE SUMMARY A 37-year-old female patient was admitted to hospital because of fever for 4 d and palpitations for 3 d.After excluding the diagnosis of coronary heart disease,we established a diagnosis of“clinically explosive myocarditis”.The patient still had unstable hemodynamics after drug treatment supported by VA-ECMO,with heparin for anticoagulation.On day 4 of ECMO support,a left ventricular thro-mbus attached to the papillary muscle root of the mitral valve was found by transthoracic echocardiography.Left ventricular decompression was performed and ECMO was successfully removed,but the patient eventually died of multiple cerebral embolism.CONCLUSION LVT with high mobility during VA-ECMO may cause embolism in important organs.Therefore,a"wait and see"strategy should be avoided.

Laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy guided by indocyanine green fluorescence: A cranial-dorsal approach

BACKGROUND Advancements in laparoscopic technology and a deeper understanding of intra-hepatic anatomy have led to the establishment of more precise laparoscopic hepatectomy(LH)techniques.The indocyanine green(ICG)fluorescence navi-gation technique has emerged as the most effective method for identifying hepatic regions,potentially overcoming the limitations of LH.While laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy(LLH)is a standardized procedure,there is a need for innova-tive strategies to enhance its outcomes.important anatomical markers,surgical skills,and ICG staining methods.METHODS Thirty-seven patients who underwent ICG fluorescence-guided LLH at Qujing Second People's Hospital between January 2019 and February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.The cranial-dorsal approach was performed which involves dissecting the left hepatic vein cephalad,isolating the Arantius ligament,exposing the middle hepatic vein,and dissecting the parenchyma from the dorsal to the foot in order to complete the anatomical LLH.The surgical methods,as well as intra-and post-surgical data,were recorded and analyzed.Our hospital’s Medical Ethics Committee approved this study(Ethical review:2022-019-01).RESULTS Intraoperative blood loss during LLH was 335.68±99.869 mL and the rates of transfusion and conversion to laparotomy were 13.5%and 0%,respectively.The overall incidence of complications throughout the follow-up(median of 18 months;range 1-36 months)was 21.6%.No mortality or severe complications(level IV)were reported.CONCLUSION LLH has the potential to become a novel,standardized approach that can effectively,safely,and simply expose the middle hepatic vein and meet the requirements of precision surgery.

Left atrial appendage occluder detachment treated with transthoracic ultrasound combined with digital subtraction angiography guided catcher:A case report

BACKGROUND There are very few cases of cardiac occluder detachment,and it is rare to completely remove the occluder using interventional methods without undergoing thoracotomy surgery after detachment.This case innovatively used ultrasound guidance combined with digital subtraction angiography(DSA)to completely remove the occluder,accumulating some experience.CASE SUMMARY The patient underwent left atrial appendage occlusion surgery in our hospital due to atrial fibrillation.After the surgery,the occluder fell off and became free in the left ventricle,which is very dangerous.We innovatively used ultrasound guidance,combined with DSA,and interventional surgery to successfully capture the free occluder using a catcher,completely remove it,and then re implant a new left atrial appendage occluder.After the surgery,the patient recovered very well.CONCLUSION The size selection of the occluder is slightly conservative,and the shape of the left atrial appendage opening is irregular.

Influences of Mixed Traffic Flow and Time Pressure on Mistake-Prone Driving Behaviors among Bus Drivers

Bus safety is a matter of great importance in many developing countries, with driving behaviors among bus drivers identified as a primary factor contributing to accidents. This concern is particularly amplified in mixed traffic flow (MTF) environments with time pressure (TP). However, there is a lack of sufficient research exploring the relationships among these factors. This study consists of two papers that aim to investigate the impact of MTF environments with TP on the driving behaviors of bus drivers. While the first paper focuses on violated driving behaviors, this particular paper delves into mistake-prone driving behaviors (MDB). To collect data on MDB, as well as perceptions of MTF and TP, a questionnaire survey was implemented among bus drivers. Factor analyses were employed to create new measurements for validating MDB in MTF environments. The study utilized partial correlation and linear regression analyses with the Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) method to explore the relationships between MDB and MTF/TP. The results revealed a modified scale for MDB. Two MTF factors and two TP factors were found to be significantly associated with MDB. A high presence of motorcycles and dangerous interactions among vehicles were not found to be associated with MDB among bus drivers. However, bus drivers who perceived motorcyclists as aggressive, considered road users’ traffic habits as unsafe, and perceived bus routes’ punctuality and organization as very strict were more likely to exhibit MDB. Moreover, the results from the three MDB predictive models demonstrated a positive impact of bus route organization on MDB among bus drivers. The study also examined various relationships between the socio-demographic characteristics of bus drivers and MDB. These findings are of practical significance in developing interventions aimed at reducing MDB among bus drivers operating in MTF environments with TP.

Error,Mistake和Pragmatic Failure的分类及溯源

本文提出 error,mistake和 pragmatic failure的分类方法 ,并根据传统的教学对错误的界定、我国学者对错误分析的相关论述、《美国传统辞典》和《现代英汉综合大词典》对 error和 m istake的词汇释义以及 Corder和 Widdow-son有关错误的分类理论对如此错误分类进行了溯源 ,以支撑此种分类方法。

Try to Save Mistakes

We can make mistakes at any age.Somemistakes we make are about money.But mostmistakes are about people.“When I got thatjob,did Jim really feel good about it as afriend?Or is he envious(嫉妒)of my luck?”“And Paul—Why didn't I find that he wasfriendly just because I had a car?”When welook back,thinking about these,that can makeus feel bad.But when we look back.it's too late.

The influence of pressure injury risk on the association between left ventricular ejection fraction and all-cause mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction 80 years or older

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate whether the pressure injury risk mediates the association of left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) with all-cause death in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI) aged 80 years or older.METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 677 patients with AMI aged 80 years or older from a tertiary-level hospital. Pressure injury risk was assessed using the Braden scale at admission, and three risk groups(low/minimal, intermediate, high) were defined according to the overall score of six different variables. LVEF was measured during the index hospitalization for AMI. All-cause death after hospital discharge was the primary outcome.RESULTS: Over a median follow-up period of 1,176 d(interquartile range [IQR], 722–1,900 d), 226(33.4%) patients died. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that reduced LVEF was associated with an increased risk of all-cause death only in the high-risk group of pressure injury(adjusted hazard ratios [HR]=1.81, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–3.20;P=0.040), but not in the low/minimal-(adjusted HR=1.29, 95%CI: 0.80–2.11;P=0.299) or intermediate-risk groups(adjusted HR=1.14, 95%CI: 0.65–2.02;P=0.651). Significant interactions were detected between pressure injury risk and LVEF(adjusted P=0.003). The cubic spline with hazard ratio plot revealed a distinct shaped curve relation between LVEF and all-cause death among different pressure injury risk groups.CONCLUSIONS: In older patients with AMI, the risk of pressure injury mediated the association between LVEF and all-cause death. The classification of older patients for both therapy and prognosis assessment appears to be improved by the incorporation of pressure injury risk assessment into AMI care management.

An Interpretable CNN for the Segmentation of the Left Ventricle in Cardiac MRI by Real-Time Visualization

The interpretability of deep learning models has emerged as a compelling area in artificial intelligence research.The safety criteria for medical imaging are highly stringent,and models are required for an explanation.However,existing convolutional neural network solutions for left ventricular segmentation are viewed in terms of inputs and outputs.Thus,the interpretability of CNNs has come into the spotlight.Since medical imaging data are limited,many methods to fine-tune medical imaging models that are popular in transfer models have been built using massive public Image Net datasets by the transfer learning method.Unfortunately,this generates many unreliable parameters and makes it difficult to generate plausible explanations from these models.In this study,we trained from scratch rather than relying on transfer learning,creating a novel interpretable approach for autonomously segmenting the left ventricle with a cardiac MRI.Our enhanced GPU training system implemented interpretable global average pooling for graphics using deep learning.The deep learning tasks were simplified.Simplification included data management,neural network architecture,and training.Our system monitored and analyzed the gradient changes of different layers with dynamic visualizations in real-time and selected the optimal deployment model.Our results demonstrated that the proposed method was feasible and efficient:the Dice coefficient reached 94.48%,and the accuracy reached 99.7%.It was found that no current transfer learning models could perform comparably to the ImageNet transfer learning architectures.This model is lightweight and more convenient to deploy on mobile devices than transfer learning models.

Thoracic duct cannulation during left internal jugular vein cannulation:A case report

BACKGROUND Central venous catheter insertion is an invasive procedure that can cause complications such as infection,embolization due to air or blood clots,pneumothorax,hemothorax,and,rarely,chylothorax due to damage to the thoracic duct.Herein,we report a case of suspected thoracic duct cannulation that occurred during left central venous catheter insertion.Fortunately,the patient was discharged without any adverse events related to thoracic duct cannulation.CASE SUMMARY A 46-year-old female patient presented at our department to undergo cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.During anesthesia,we decided to insert a central venous catheter through the left internal jugular vein because the patient already had a chemoport through the right central vein.During the procedure,blood reflux was observed when the needle tip was not within the ultrasound field of view.We did not try to find the tip;however,a guide wire and a central venous catheter were inserted without any resistance.Subsequently,when inducing blood reflux from the distal port of the central venous catheter,only clear fluid,suspected to be lymphatic fluid,was regurgitated.Further,chest X-ray revealed an appearance similar to that of the path of the thoracic duct.Given that intravenous fluid administration was not started and no abnormal fluid collection was noted on preoperative chest X-ray,we suspected thoracic duct cannulation.CONCLUSION It is important to use ultrasound to confirm the exact position of the needle tip and guide wire path.

Interaction between the left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular strain and its relationship with coronary stenosis

BACKGROUND Coronary artery stenosis(CAS)is the most common type of heart disease and the leading cause of death in both men and women globally.CAS occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle harden and become narrower due to plaque buildup-cholesterol and other material-on their inner walls.As a result,the heart muscle cannot receive the blood or oxygen it needs.Most heart attacks happen when a blood clot suddenly cuts off the hearts'blood supply,causing permanent heart damage.AIM To analyze the relationship between the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular strain(LVS),and coronary stenosis.METHODS A total of 190 participants were enrolled in this trail.The control group comprised 93 healthy individuals,and observation group comprised 97 patients with coronary heart disease who were hospitalized between July 2020 and September 2021.Coronary lesions were assessed using the Gensini score,and the LVEF and LVS were measured using magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).The interaction between the LVEF and LVS was examined using a linear regression model.The relationship between LVEF and coronary stenosis was examined using Spearman’s correlation.RESULTS The LVEF of the observation group was lower than that of the control group.The left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV)and left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV)of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).The longitudinal and circumferential strains(LS,CS)of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group;however,the radial strain(RS)of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.05).LVS,LS,and CS were significantly negatively correlated with the LVEF,and RS was positively correlated with the LVEF.There were significant differences in the LVEF,LVESV,and LVEDV of patients with different Gensini scores;the LVEF significantly decreased and the LVESV and LVEDV increased with increasing Gensini scores(P<0.05).In the observation group,the LVEF was negatively correlated and the LVESV and LVEDV were positively correlated with coronary stenosis(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The LVEF measured using MRI is significantly linearly correlated with LVS and negatively correlated with coronary stenosis.

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

The left atrium (LA) has been recognized as a morphophysiological barometer of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. Because in the myocardial ischemia cascade where LV diastolic dysfunction often precedes LV systolic dysfunction, the LA which fashions as an early marker of diastolic anomaly, could equally reflect a declining LV function and/or be a good predictor of potential sequelae. We assessed this association of LA function with reduced LV systolic function among hospitalized patients. Among patients with reduced LV ejection fraction, LA passive ejection fraction was lower (0.172 ± 0.12 vs. 0.232 ± 0.14, p = 0.013) whereas LA kinetic energy was higher (6.48 ± 6.3 vs. 4.57 ± 3.5, p = 0.005). Echocardiographic assessment of LA function, therefore, appears correlated with LVEF and could be important when risk stratifying hospitalized patients.