Importance of endomyocardial biopsy in unexplained cardiomyopathy in China: a report of 53 consecutive patients

Background Although endomyocardial biopsy （EMB） plays a crucial role in the final diagnosis in patients with heart failure of unknown etiology, the invasive nature of this technique limits its clinical application in China. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical application of EMB in diagnosing cardiomyopathy with unexplained etiologies in China. Methods Fifty-three consecutive patients （38 males, age 14-67 years, median 43 years） were included in the study who were initially diagnosed as unexplained cardiomyopathy and under EMB biopsy in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2006 to 2009. The patients were clinically divided into four groups： dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive and unclassified cardiomyopathy. Biopsies were performed via right internal jugular vein with the use of the bioptome under fluoroscopic guidance. Three to five endomyocardial samples were taken from each patient for light microscopy examination and one sample for electron microscopy was taken if necessary. For each patient, an initial clinical diagnosis, an EMB diagnosis and a final diagnosis prior to discharge were established. All the data were compared and analyzed for the evaluation of clinical utility of EMB in China.Results In 26 patients initially diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy （RCM）, the etiology of the condition was finally diagnosed using EMB in 15; including 13 amyloidosis and two eosinophilic myocarditis. We employed EMB in 19 patients clinically diagnosed as dilated cardiomyopathy and detected viral myocarditis in one patient, cardiac involvement due to polymyositis in four and doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in one. In five patients with severe left ventricle hypertrophy undergoing EMB, one patient was diagnosed as autophagic vacuolar cardiomyopathy and one as mitochondrial disease. In the remaining three patients with unclassified cardiomyopathy, EMB revealed infiltration of eosinophils as the cause of atrial ventricular block in one patient. Final diagnoses were made in 24 of the total 53 patients （45%） based on the combination of EMB and clinical data. Transient atrial ventricular block in a patient with prior complete left bundle branch block was the only complication occurred during the procedures.Conclusion The clinical application of EMB is safe. The combination of EMB and clinical data produced a better understanding of the mechanisms behind the clinically diagnosed cardiomyopathy in China.     

Acute and mid-term results of pecutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

Objective: To assess the acute and mid-term results of cardiac function improvements and left ventricular outflow tract gradient (LVOTG)changes in 30 patients displaying hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) treated with percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA). Methods: PTSMA was intended for 32 patients comprising of 13 women and 19men (average years being 54.1 ± 15.5) to be treated in accordance with the following inclusion criteria: The New York Heart As-sociation(NYHA) definition for cardiac functional class Ⅲ or Ⅳ , or class Ⅱ but for whom medical therapies were not tolerated or with syncope; intraventricular septal (IVS) and left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW) hypertrophy asymmetrically associated with ratio of IVS to LVPW≥1.3 and LVOTG≥50 mm Hg at rest or ≥100 mm Hg at provocation (Valsalva maneuver). The target vessels were determined by coronary arteriography that demonstrated more than one septal branch and probatory balloon occlusion produced greater than 50% decrease of LVOTG. Once the target vessel established, the alcohol was administrated into septal ventricular via over-the-wire balloon. LVOTG was assessed by means of echocardiography measurements immediately after procedure and 3 months. Simultaneously, cardiac function class was also evaluated. Results: Two patients were abandoned prior to intervention due to inappropriate septal target vessels and DDD Pacemakers were chosed. Immediately after the procedure, resting LVOTG was reduced from 73.8 ± 35.5 to 16.6 ± 7.8 mmHg, at provocation LVOTG from 149.3 ± 42.5 to 61.9 ± 43.0 mmHg(P ＜0.0001 each) by echocardiography measurements. After 3 months, the mean New York Heart Association class was reduced from 2.8 ± 0.6 to 1.1 ± 1.0(P ＜ 0.0001) and the LVOTG also remained decrease(28.5 ± 6.4 mmHg at rest and 75.3 ± 11.6 mmHg at provocation). Conclusion: PTSMA is a promising nonsurgical technique for relief of symptoms and reduction of LVOTG in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.     

Successful treatment with biventricular pacing in a patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

We report the effects of biventricular pacing in a patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) refractory to medical therapy. A 58-year-old man with HOCM had suffered from dyspnea, chest pain and palpitation for 5 years. Cardiac catheterization showed a left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient of 80 mmHg. He refused septal myomectomy and the septal ablation was not available. Based on intraoperative pressure measurements, he was implanted with biventricular pacing and LVOT gradient decreased to 10 mmHg. During the follow-up period of 6 months, the patient’s symptoms were markedly improved. Biventricular pacing may be an alternative therapy for patients with HOCM.

     

ASSESSMENT OF DIASTOLIC FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY BY DOPPLER TISSUE IMAGING

Objective To determine the clinical application of pulsed Doppler tissue imaging in assessing the left ventricular diastolic function and in discriminating between normal subjects and patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with various stages of diastolic dysfunction. Methods We measured the peak diastolic velocities of mitral annulus in 81 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with various stages of diastolic dysfunction and 50 normal volunteers by Doppler tissue imaging using the apical window at 2-chamber and long apical views, respectively. The myocardial velocities were determined with use of variance F statistical analysis. Results Early diastolic myocardial velocities ofmitral annulus were higher in normal subjects than in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with either delayed relaxation, pseudonormal filling, or restrictive filling. However, peak myocardial velocities of mitral annulus during atrial contraction were similar in normal subjects and patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Conclusion Doppler tissue imaging can directly reflect upon left diastolic ventricular function. Early phase of diastole was the best discriminator between control subjects and patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.     

Use of the Lecompte procedure for ventriculoarterial connection abnormalities in infants and children with congenital heart diseases

Background The Lecompte （REV） procedure is used to correct abnormal ventriculoarterial connections in patients with congenital heart diseases; it avoids the need for an extracardiac conduit for pulmonary outflow tract reconstruction. The present study aimed to investigate effectiveness and criteria of the REV procedure in children with abnormal ventriculoarterial connections. Methods Thirty-eight children （mean age, （2.2±1.7） years; mean weight, （11.5±3.8） kg） with abnormal ventriculoarterial connections who had an REV procedure in our hospital from January 1998 to May 2006 were studied. Only 10 patients had the usual anteropostedor relationship of the two great arteries. The infundibular septum between the two semilunar valves was aggressively resected to enlarge it and construct a straighter left ventricular outflow tract and a wide tunnel between the ventricular septal defect （VSD） and the aorta. Eighteen cases had the original REV procedure; 20 had a modified REV procedure. Results All patients are alive; none developed severe complications. The postoperative right ventricular （RV） to left ventricular （LV） pressure ratio was 0.20-0.45. Five patients had RV dysfunction; 2 patients had a pressure gradient in the RV ventricular outlet of 30.0-34.5 mmHg; 3 cases had a 37.5-47.3 mmHg pressure difference in the RPA. All patients had an RV pressure less than half the systemic pressure. These gradients＇ magnitudes in all patients were consistent with the post-operative RV to LV pressure ratio （P 〈0.05）. During the follow-up （mean, （4.2±0.6） years）, 2 patients had an RPA pressure gradient of 24.0-29.3 mmHg which abated to less than 10 mmHg after two years. Conclusions The REV procedure provides satisfactory short- to medium-term results. It may be superior tO the Rastelli procedure for treating ventriculoarterial connection abnormalities; it allows early, complete anatomic repair and reduces the need for late re-operation, since no extracardiac conduit is needed. Longer f     

射频消融联合经导管肝动脉化疗栓塞治疗不能切除的原发性肝癌

Background Radiofrequency ablation （RFA） followed by transarterial chemoembolization （TACE） for unresectable primary liver cancer （PLC） has not been widely discussed. In this study, the outcome of the combination of RFA with TACE was retrospectively evaluated. Methods From May 2003 to March 2008, 127 consecutive PLC patients with a median age of 56.4＋8.8 years underwent RFA plus TACE. All patients were deemed to have unresectable PLC based on their tumor characteristics. The maximal diameter of the tumor was between 1.5 cm and 10.0 cm. Twenty-six cases with small （〈3.0 cm）, 33 with medium （3.1-5.0 cm）, and 68 with large （〉5.0 cm） tumors were included in this study. RFA was performed using a RITA Medical Systems expandable electrode device, which was followed by first-time TACE administration one to two months later. Results Technical success of RFA was achieved in all 127 patients with no severe treatment-related complications. RFA was performed percutaneously in 16 （13.5%） cases, by laparoscopic approach in 19 （15.7%）, and through laparotomy in the remaining 92 （72.4%）. RFA response was classified as complete ablation in 48 cases, nearly complete ablation in 28, and partial ablation in 51. The total 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates after RFA were 83.1%, 55.7%, and 43.7%, respectively. The survival rates at 3 years were 78.6%, 28.1%, and 0 for complete ablation, nearly complete ablation, or partial ablation groups, respectively. Three-year disease-free survival rates for the complete ablation and nearly complete ablation groups were 50.3% and 21.3%, respectively. RFA response and liver function were significant variables influencing survival time as analyzed using the Cox regression model. Conclusion RFA could be the first-line exterminate treatment for unresectable PLC, and TACE following RFA may assist in eradicatinq the peripheral viable tissue and micro-metastasis.     

Clinical and familial study of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

Objective　To explore the characteristics of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Methods　Seven patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and 34 members of three families were studied. All patients and family members underwent history collection, clinical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), two-dimensional echocardiography (2-DE) and a signal averaging electrocardiogram. Programmed ventricular stimulation was performed in five patients. Results　All patients and family members had normal morphologic characteristics and normal function of the left ventricular by 2-DE. Fourteen persons had abnormal findings indicating ARVC. Five had enlargement of the right ventricular with diffused hypocontractility, eight had thin and systolic bulging in the focal anterior wall with hypokinesia and one had bulging of the inferior wall. Twenty-five persons (seven patients and 18 family members) had abnormal findings in ECG. Positive ventricular late potential was recorded in 13 persons (six patients). Two to three monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) with left bundle branch block (LBBB) configurations were induced in five patients. Ventricular fibrillation was induced in two patients during the electrophysiologic study (EPS). Five patients had very high pacing threshold and/or ineffective pacing in one or many regions of the right ventricle. Two members of one family died suddenly. One member was a dwarf with ARVC. Spontaneous VT with a left bundle branch block (LBBB) configuration was recorded in five patients, polymorphic VT with extremely short coupling interval in one, and premature ventricular complexes with LBBB configuration in 12 (six patients). Conclusion　Our familial study strongly suggests that ARVC may be a hereditary disease and it is helpful in the diagnosis and detection of ARVC. The most common manifestations were abnormal structure and function of the right ventricle and abnormal ECG of repolarization and ventricular arrhythmia which originates from the right ventricle.     

Evaluation of transisthmus conduction interval in predicting bidirectional block after ablation of typical atrial flutter

Objective To determine whether the extent of prolongation of the transisthmus interval after ablation predicts complete bidirectional block. Methods Since 1996 to 2002, 30 consecutive patients underwent ablation procedures for isthmus-dependent atrial flutter. There were 23 males and 7 females ［mean age (47.85±9.35) years］. With the use of fluoroscopic view of anatomy, radiofrequency ablation was performed during coronary sinus pacing at a cycle length of 600 ms. Results Bidirectional block was achieved with ablation in 29 (97%) of 30 patients. The transisthmus intervals before ablation and after complete transisthmus block were (73.82±13.01) ms and (140.47±20.48) ms, respectively, in the clockwise direction (P<0.0001), and (77.63±8.36) ms and (138.17±15.55) ms, respectively, in the counterclockwise direction (P<0.0001). A period of incomplete isthmus block was observed during 17 (58%) of the 29 ablation procedures. The clockwise transisthmus intervals during incomplete block ［(107.65±21.33） ms］ were (45.5±8.7)% longer than the baseline transisthmus intervals. An increase in the transisthmus interval by ≥50% in both directions after ablation predicted complete bidirectional block with 100.0% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity. The positive and negative predictive values were 90.6% and 100.0%, repectively. The diagnostic accuracy of a≥50% prolongation in the transisthmus interval was 83.3%.Conclusion The analysis of transisthmus interval is a valuable method for determining complete bidirectional isthmus block.     

Left ventricular reconstruction with no-patch technique: early and late clinical outcomes

Background Few studies have evaluated late clinical outcome of no-patch technique in patients with large left ventricular aneurysms. The objectives of this study were to evaluate a no-patch surgical technique to reconstruct the left ventricle in patients with left ventricular aneurysm and to assess early and late clinical outcomes.Methods In 1995, we began using a no-patch technique in patients with dyskinetic left ventricular aneurysms. A total of 145 patients underwent left ventricular reconstruction with this technique and were followed up for （59±29） months （range,1-127 months）. Risk factors for early mortality were analyzed by bivariate analyses. Cox＇s proportional hazards model was used to calculate risk factors for all-cause mortality and hospital readmission. Kaplan-Meier methodology was used to analyze late survival.Results One week after operation, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter had decreased from （61±8） mm to （55±8）mm, and geometry of the left ventricle was restored to a more normal conical shape. Early mortality was 3% and late mortality 11%. Over a 5-year follow-up period, hospital readmission was 28%. One-, 5-, and 10-year survival estimates were 95% （95% confidence interval （CI） 91%-99%）, 86% （95% CI 78%-94%）, and 74% （95% CI 60%-88%）.Readmission-free survival at 1 and 5 years after operation was 87% （95% CI81%-93%） and 60% （95% CI50%-70%）,respectively.Conclusion The no-patch technique for left ventricular reconstruction is an effective and simple procedure that can achieve satisfactory early and late clinical outcomes in patients with left ventricular aneurysms.     

Percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty in the treatment of congenital valvu lar aortic stenosis in children

Objective To assess the effect of the balloon valvuloplasty for congenital valvular aortic stenosis (AS) in children.Methods A total of 27 (mean age 6.09 years) children with AS accepted the treatment of percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty (PBAV).The ratios of balloon/valve were 0.95±0.08 for 19 cases of typical AS and 1.00±0.11 for 8 cases of hyp oplastic AS.The patients were evaluated by the gradients across aotic valves i n pre- and post-PBAV and by echocardiogram during the follow-up period.Results Fifteen of 19 （78.9%）cases of typical AS had a better outcome and the gradien t of the remaining 4 cases (26.7%) had increased after follow-up (ΔP>50 mm Hg).Four of 8 (50.0%) cases of hypoplastic AS had satisfactory responses and the gradient of the remaining 3 cases (75.0%) rose.There was no moderate to s evere aortic insufficiency (AI). Conclusion The balloon aortic valvuloplasty provides safe and significant hemodynamic and c linical improvement in pediatric patients.The outcome of PBAV for typical AS is better than for hypoplastic AS.     

APPLICATION OF LORNOXICAM TO PATIENT-CONTROLLED ANALGESIA IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING ABDOMINAL SURGERIES

FOR anesthesiologis s ,treatingpostoperativepainhas alwaysbeen a problem.Althoughopioidshave been provedtobe effective,theirsideeffectscouldnotbeignored.With thedevelopmentofscienceand pharmacology,many drugs with aspectsof satisfactoryanalgesicefficacyand couldbe welltoleratedby patientshave been developed.And lornoxicamisone of them, which isa non-steroidalanti-inflammatorydrug (NSAID ), with analgesic, anti-infl-ammatory,andantipyreticproperties.Itseliminationhalf-time(3 to 5 hours) isle…     

Dr.Zhang Ren''''s Experience in the Acupuncture Treatment of Different Diseases with the Same Therapeutic Principle

Dr.Zhang Ren,the chief physician,is the chairman of Shanghai Acupuncture and Moxibustion Association.Having been engaged in medicine for about 40 years,he is experienced in treating various intractable diseases.In his long years of clinical practice,he advocates taking the TCM differentiation as the basis to seek for the acupuncture method for treatment of modern intractable diseases.The author of this essay had the fortune to follow Dr.Zhang in study.The following is a summary of Dr.Zhang's experience in the acupuncture treatment for different intractable diseases with the same therapeutic principle.     

Luo Lingjie''''s Experience in Treating Chronic Nephropathy

In treating chronic nephropathy,Luo Lingjie,a chief physician,pays attention to regulating the balance between yin and yang,treating infection if present,and removing pathogenic factors.He prescribes gentle drugs and uses carefully strongly warming-tonifying ones,emphasizes the importance of persuading the patient to persist in treatment with medication and nurse one's health for recuperation,and is good at combined use of TCM and western medicine therapy and brings the merits of various therapies into full play,with obvious theraoeutic effects.     

Acupuncture Combined with Spinal Tui Na for Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea in 30 Cases

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effects in acupunture treatment of primary dysmenorrhea combined with spinal Tui Na, and study its mechanism. Methods: Thirty cases of the treatment group were treated by acupuncture combined with spinal Tui Na, and thirty cases in the control group were treated by routine acupuncture. Results: The total effective rate was 93.3% in the treatment group, and 73.3% in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusions: Acupuncture combined with spinal Tui Na has good prospects for treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.     

猪肺磷脂注射液联合经鼻持续气道正压通气对呼吸衰竭早产儿的临床疗效及肌酸激酶同工酶活性的影响

目的 探讨猪肺磷脂注射液联合经鼻持续气道正压通气(NCPAP)对呼吸衰竭早产儿的临床疗效及肌酸激酶同工酶活性(CK-MB)的影响.方法 选取呼吸衰竭早产儿80例,分为观察组和对照组各40例.对照组采用NCPAP给氧治疗,观察组给予NCPAP给氧联合猪肺磷脂气管内给药.观察两组患儿治疗前及治疗12h、24 h后PaO2、PaCO2、血氧饱和度(SaO2)、pH的变化情况,检测治疗前及治疗5d后血清CK-MB水平;评估两组患儿的临床治疗效果.结果 两组患儿PaO2、PaCO2、SaO2、pH比较,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05),其中观察组治疗后的PaO2、SaO2、pH均高于对照组,PaCO2则低于对照组.两组的PaO2、SaO2、pH均随观察时间延长而升高(P＜0.05),PaCO2均随观察时间的延长而降低(P＜0.05).观察组治疗有效率为87.5％,显著高于对照组的70.0％ (P ＜0.05).治疗5d后两组患儿血清CK-MB水平均较前降低(P＜0.05),且观察组明显低于对照组(P＜0.05).结论 猪肺磷脂注射液气管内给药联合NCPAP可以显著降低呼吸衰竭早产儿CK-MB的含量,提高治疗有效率,起到很好的呼吸循环支持作用.     

Acupuncture Treatment of Vomiting

CASE HISTORY A female patient, 46 years old, head of the foreign affairs department of a certain university in Beijing, paid her first visit on October 9, 2006, with the chief complaint of vomiting for one month. She got vomiting after meals in early September. Before that, she had discomfortable sensation in the stomach due to angry with others, but she didn't pay much attention. Later, it developed into vomiting after eating. After the vomiting, the discomfort would be relieved, but with slight hypodynamia. She was once diagnosed as having 'neurogenic vomiting'. Having taken some western and Chinese drugs, the above symptoms were a little bit improved, but she would have nausea upon eating and with regurgitation. Because of the fear for vomiting, she did not dare to have food intake, with body weight reduction of 6 kilos in one month.     

Qiu Baoguo''''s Experience in Treating Consumptive Syndromes after Radio-Chemotherapies

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the important modern medical therapies for malignant tumors,yet they can also bring about serious local and systemic toxic side reactions so to decrease the patient;'s life quality,manifested by a series of consumptive symptoms.Having engaged in the combined work of Chinese and western medicine for nearly 50 years,the research fellow Qiu Baoguo in Henan Provincial Academy of TCM has developed his unique views on the TCM study of consumptive syndromes.The author of this essay had once the fortune tO follow Dr.Qiu in clinic,and specially would like to introduce in the following Dr.Qiu's experience in treating consumptive syndromes after radio-chemotherapies for patients with malignant tumor.     

Insomnia Due to Deficiency of Both the Heart and Spleen Treated by Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Chinese Tuina

OBJECTIVE: To observe therapeutic effects of the comprehensive therapy of acupuncture-moxibustion and Chinese Tuina for treatment of insomnia due to deficiency of both the heart and spleen. METHODS: 92 cases were divided randomly into the treatment group (treated by acupuncture-moxibustion and Chinese Tuina) and the control group (treated by acupuncture-moxibustion). RESULTS: The therapeutic effect of the treatment group was obviously superior to that of the control group (the CHI2 test showed P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The comprehensive therapy of acupuncture-moxibustion and Chinese Tuina can give marked therapeutic effects for treatment of insomnia due to deficiency of both the heart and spleen.     

Survey and practice of reporting quality of randomized controlled clinical trials on traditional Chinese medicine

Evidence obtained from randomized controlled trials （RCTs） has been generally accepted as the gold standard in the evaluation of clinical effectiveness. Readers need to understand the trial design, implementation, results, analysis and interpretation, so as to fully Jnderstand the results of RCTs. Thus, the investigators of RCTs have to report these items in a complete, accurate and clear manner. Since 1998, we have conducted several evaluations on the reporting quality of RCTs published in Chinese journals on traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and results have shown that there is an urgent need for higher quality RCTs on TCM.