Intracardiac flow analysis in cardiac resynchronization therapy: A new challenge?

In the past years, assessment of cardiac function has become possible through the analysis of intracardiac flow dynamics, performed noninvasively using phase‐contrast cardiac magnetic resonance and contrast and noncontrast ultrasound techniques. From 2013 to 2019, 9 echocardiographic investigations have considered 215 patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) as a model for assessing flow dynamics within the left ventricle. Preliminary results have been reported about the acute hemodynamic effects of CRT and programming of the CRT device, showing the potential of an approach based on analysis of intracardiac flows. At present, there are only scarce data on the capability of intracardiac flow dynamics to predict LV remodeling after CRT and no information on clinical outcome prediction. Future investigations should be aimed at clarifying the mechanisms and impact of maladaptive intracardiac vortex dynamics on progressive LV remodeling as well as the prognostic meaning of implanted CRT device based on cardiac flow analysis.     

Evaluating the safety profile of focused ultrasound and microbubble-mediated treatments to increase blood-brain barrier permeability

Introduction: Treatment of several diseases of the brain are complicated by the presence of the skull and the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Focused ultrasound (FUS) and microbubble (MB)-mediated BBB treatment is a minimally invasive method to transiently increase the permeability of blood vessels in targeted brain areas. It can be used as a general delivery system to increase the concentration of therapeutic agents in the brain parenchyma.

Areas covered: Over the past two decades, the safety of using FUS+MBs to deliver agents across the BBB has been interrogated through various methods of imaging, histology, biochemical assays, and behavior analyses. Here we provide an overview of the factors that affect the safety profile of these treatments, describe methods by which FUS+MB treatments are controlled, and discuss data that have informed the assessment of treatment risks.

Expert opinion: There remains a need to assess the risks associated with clinically relevant treatment strategies, specifically repeated FUS+MB treatments, with and without therapeutic agent delivery. Additionally, efforts to develop metrics by which FUS+MB treatments can be easily compared across studies would facilitate a more rapid consensus on the risks associated with this intervention.     

A Misinterpreted Case of Aorta Prosthesis Endocarditis: Remember The Phenomenon of Microbubbles

A 17‐year‐old male with a history of newly implanted mechanical valve at the aortic position, presented with fever, rigors, and painful cutaneous abscesses on his lower extremities and was suspected for infective endocarditis. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed a vegetation‐like structure following the movement of the mechanical heart valve (MHV), which eventually proved to be a product of degassing microbubbles (MB).     

Left superior pulmonary vein connected to superior vena cava vein in a patient with situs inversus totalis: A challenging diagnosis

We herein describe the previously unreported combination of partial anomalous venous connection to the superior vena cava combined with situs inversus totalis. Following peripheral contrast injection, bubbles appeared initially in the left atrium allowing the diagnosis of a supra‐atrial connection to be made using transthoracic echocardiography, but this timing was not anymore reproduced during transesophageal echocardiography performed minutes later. Cardiac computed tomography allowed the final diagnosis to be made. This case emphasizes the importance of performing bubble studies both during transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography.     

超声联合微泡促进骨髓间充质干细胞迁移的实验研究简

目的 探讨体外超声联合微泡对骨髓间充质干细胞迁移的影响,为超声微泡促进干细胞迁移的体内研究提供依据.方法 体外培养大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞,分为超声联合微泡组、单纯超声组、单纯微泡组及空白对照组.超声探头频率1 MHz,强度1 W/cm2,进行脉冲超声辐射,采用transwell小室培养法,观察超声联合微泡对骨髓间充质干细胞运动的影响.结果 空白对照组、单纯微泡组骨髓间充质干细胞的迁移能力较低,超声联合微泡组与单纯超声组细胞的迁移能力无显著差异（P〉0.05）,但两者比空白对照组、单纯微泡组迁移能力有显著差异（P〈0.01）.结论 超声及超声联合微泡作用能明显增强间充质干细胞的迁移能力.     

DSA及CEUS评价颈动脉狭窄程度的探讨

目的:探讨数字减影血管造影(DSA)及超声造影(CEUS)评估颅外段颈动脉狭窄检出率及病变程度的价值.方法:运用常规超声和CEUS对颅外段颈动脉狭窄患者进行显像,判断狭窄的部位及程度,与DSA结果相对比.结果:本组患者经DSA及CEUS检查后发现,CEUS较常规超声明显改善了对血管狭窄的检出,以DSA结果为金标准,常规...     

Potential causes of insufficient bladder contrast opacification and premature microbubble destruction during contrast-enhanced voiding urosonography in children

Contrast-enhanced voiding urosonography (ceVUS) has been recognized as a child-friendly examination with high diagnostic accuracy for vesicoureteric reflux detection. A single bolus and the infusion techniques of ceVUS are described. Insufficient bladder contrast opacification during the filling phase and premature destruction of SonoVue microbubbles might occur. Data regarding SonoVue's features, doses, bladder contrast opacification, US bladder parameters, urine catheter, antibiotic prophylaxis, and childrens behaviors were collected to discover the possible causes of the contrast vanishing observed during bladder filling in 10% of examinations and in the later phase of ceVUS in 5% of examinations. An updated ceVUS examination protocol is suggested.     

全反式维甲酸增强携单纯疱疹病毒胸苷酸激酶基因的超声微泡对SMMC-7721细胞的旁观者效应

目的观察经全反式维甲酸(all-trans retinoic acid,ATRA)诱导后,单纯疱疹病毒胸苷酸激酶/丙氧鸟苷系统(HSV-TK/GCV)对人肝癌细胞SMMC-7721旁观者效应的影响。方法免疫组化法观察经全反式维甲酸诱导前后SMMC-7721细胞连接蛋白Cx32的表达;将含有HSV-TK基因的质粒通过静电吸附在脂质微泡表面上,采用超声辐照转染并用倒置显微荧光镜及RT-PCR观察TK基因的转入及表达;MTT法观察经全反式维甲酸诱导后HSV-TK/GCV对肝癌细胞SMMC-7721的旁观者效应。结果经全反式维甲酸诱导后SMMC-7721细胞膜上Cx32表达明显增加,而胞质内仅少量表达;通过超声辐照后HSV-TK基因可顺利转入SMMC-7721细胞中并稳定表达;与对照组相比,经全反式维甲酸诱导组可明显提高HSV-TK/GCV对肝癌细胞SMMC-7721的旁观者效应(P<0.05)。结论全反式维甲酸可提高SMMC-7721细胞中连接蛋白Cx32的表达且能正确定位于细胞膜上,这可能与其能增强HSV-TK/GCV系统对肝癌细胞SMMC-7721的旁观者效应有关。