Synovial sarcoma in the right atrium and right ventricle

A metastatic synovial sarcoma in the right atrium and ventricle is described. A 36-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with generalized fatigue, dyspnoea, and precordial pain. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated a metastatic tumour in both the right atrium and right ventricle and revealed obstruction of the inflow tract of the right ventricle caused by a metastatic right atrial tumour. Thoracic computed tomography revealed a pleural-based paravertebral mass in the left intrathoracic cavity and multiple pulmonary nodules in both lungs. Cardiac surgery was performed for palliative treatment due to right cardiac failure and a risk of fatal embolization. The patient died 12 months after the cardiac surgery.     

Usefulness of echocardiographic right ventricular measurements in estimating right ventricular hypertrophy and right ventricular systolic pressure

Right ventricular wall thickness (T) measurements were made in 111 patients by echocardiography to evaluate their usefulness in diagnossing right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) and in predicting right ventricular peak systolic pressure (P). Anatomic and echocardiographic findings of RVH were compared in 36 of 111 subjects: diastolic T (dT) and systolic T (sT) had a sensitivity of 90 and 34% and a specificity of 94 and 100%, respectively, in the diagnosis of RVH. Echocardiographic and hemodynamic findings were compared in the remaining 75 of 111 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization: dt was 6.5 +/- 2.7 mm in 46 patients with elevated P (58.2 +/- 30.2 mm Hg) versus 3.8 +/- 0.9 in 29 patients with normal P (26.3 +/- 2.7 mm Hg) (p less than 0.01). The dT and P had a linear correlation (r = 0.92) in 40 patients with right ventricular end-diastolic dimension less than 13 mm/m2. Estimates of P in 22 patients with atrial septal defect and right ventricular end-diastolic dimension greater than 13 mm/m2 were fairly good (r = 0.83). It is concluded that echocardiographic measurements of T are useful in diagnosing RVH and in estimating P.     

Angiographic right and left ventricular function in arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia

We prospectively documented right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fractions in a large series of patients with arrhythmogenic RV dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C). Eighty-five patients with ARVD/C and 11 controls underwent 2 successive orthogonal right and left monoplane x-ray-digitized cineangiographies. Volumes were calculated using the hemielliptical RV and ellipsoidal LV models. All controls and 58 of 85 patients (ARVD/C-I) had a RV ejection fraction > or =35% and 27 patients had a RV ejection fraction <35% (ARVD/C-II). Tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) was lower in ARVD/C-II than in ARVD/C-I patients (6 +/- 3 vs 14 +/- 3 mm) and controls (16 +/- 2 mm) (each p <0.001). In patients with ARVD/C, TAPSE was positively related to RV ejection fraction (r = 0.79) and to crista supraventricularis shortening (r = 0.81) (each p <0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of TAPSE <12 mm in identifying patients with RV ejection fraction <35% were 96% and 78%, respectively. LV ejection fraction was > or =50% in 68 patients, 40% to 49% in 10, and <40% in 7. Diffuse RV outflow tract aneurysm was observed in 9 patients, all belonging to ARVD/C-II, and this sign identified patients with LV ejection fraction <40% with 86% sensitivity and 96% specificity. In conclusion, 68% of ARVD/C patients had normal RV ejection fraction and RV volumes, and 80% of ARVD/C patients had normal LV ejection fraction. Decreased TAPSE <12 mm and a diffuse RV outflow tract aneurysm were sensitive and specific indicators of RV ejection fraction <35% and LV ejection fraction <40%, respectively.     

Changes in right ventricular ejection fraction in right coronary angioplasty

In order to analyse the response of the right ventricule (RV) to transient myocardial ischaemia, the RV ejection fraction was measured using a new rapid response thermodilution catheter in 15 patients (14 men and 1 woman: average age 58 +/- 7 years) referred for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of a dominant right coronary artery. Only patients with single vessel disease with a proximal stenosis of the right coronary without a visible collateral circulation who had no previous history of myocardial infarction were included. Right heart catheterisation was performed with a rapid-response thermodilution catheter which enabled measurement of heart rate, cardiac index, RV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes and RV ejection fraction. Angioplasty was carried out with the usual steerable balloon catheters. During balloon inflation, there was a slight increase in RV end-diastolic volume (from 78 +/- 11 ml/m2 to 85 +/- 13 ml/m2 at 60 seconds; p less than 0.01) and a large increase in RV end-systolic volume (from 29 +/- 8 ml/m2 to 35 +/- 8 ml/m2 at 30 seconds and 43 +/- 11 ml/m2 at 60 seconds, p less than 0.001) leading to a significant decrease in RV ejection fraction (from 62 +/- 8% to 56 +/- 6% at 30 seconds and 51 +/- 7% at 60 seconds; p less than 0.001). All parameters returned to basal values two minutes after the dilatation. Acute occlusion of the proximal segment of the right coronary artery is therefore associated with a marked change in right ventricular function which rapidly returns to normal after the coronary circulation is restored.     

Sensing and pacing with floating electrodes in the right atrium and right atrial appendage

Unipolar and bipolar floating atrial electrograms from 58 pacemaker patients were recorded and compared. Twenty-four floating unipolar electrodes and 29 floating bipolar electrodes were used at mid-right atrial level and five orthogonal atrial J leads within the right atrial appendage. Each signal was analyzed in the time domain: peak to peak deflection of P wave and QRS complex, duration of P wave and QRS complex and slew rate; and in the frequency domain: maximum of the energy spectrum and frequency at which a decrease of 3 dB from the maximal amplitude occurred. Atrial P (1.31 +/- 0.94 mV, mean +/- SD) and QRS (1.0 +/- 0.56 mV) waves from unipolar floating electrodes were comparable, whereas they were significantly different from bipolar floating electrodes (1.15 +/- 0.77 mV and 0.25 +/- 0.39 mV). Amplitudes of P waves from orthogonal J leads were largest (3.1 +/- 2.6 mV) and QRS complexes (0.21 +/- 0.13 mV) smallest. The P waves had the highest frequency content (17.1 +/- 19.4 Hz). It is concluded that atrial electrograms from orthogonal electrodes (bipolar or orthogonal J) offer superior sensing characteristics because of the large amplitude P wave and discriminating power between P and QRS waves (P/QRS voltage 15:1). An orthogonal J lead can thus be used for P synchronous pacing at the atrial level, whereas an orthogonal ventricular lead can be used for rate-response pacing systems.     

Regional right ventricular dysfunction in acute pulmonary embolism and right ventricular infarction.

BACKGROUND: A normally contracting right ventricular apex associated to a severe hypokinesia of the mid-free wall ('McConnell sign') has been considered a distinct echocardiographic pattern of acute pulmonary embolism. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical utility of the 'McConnell sign' in the bedside diagnostic work-up of patients presenting to the Emergency Department with an acute right ventricular dysfunction due to pulmonary embolism or right ventricular infarction. DESIGN: Among 201 patients, consecutively selected from our clinical database and diagnosed as having massive or submassive pulmonary embolism or right ventricular infarction, 161 were suitable for an echocardiographic review of regional right ventricular contraction and were included in the study. There were 107 cases with pulmonary embolism (group 1) and 54 cases with right ventricular infarction (group 2). All echocardiographic studies were randomly examined by two experienced and independent echocardiographers, blinded to the patient diagnosis and without Doppler informations. RESULTS: The McConnell sign was detected in 75 of 107 patients in group 1 (70%) and in 36 of 54 patients in group 2 (67%); the finding was absent in 32 cases in group 1 and in 18 cases in group 2 (P=0.657). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the McConnell sign for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism were respectively 70, 33, 67 and 36%. CONCLUSIONS: In a clinical setting of patients with acute right ventricular dysfunction the McConnell sign cannot be considered a specific marker of pulmonary embolism.     

右心室间隔部起搏和右心室心尖部起搏对血流动力学的影响

目的:比较右心室间隔部(RVS)起搏和右心室心尖部(RVA)起搏对血流动力学的影响。方法:20 例置入DDD起搏器的患者,随机均分为2组,RVS组行RVS起搏,RVA组行RVA起搏;对比观察术前与术后心电图QRS波宽度和形态;比较2组术前和术后6个月随访的左室射血分数(LVEF)、心脏指数(CI)、每搏量 (SV)、二尖瓣血流E峰和A峰最大充盈速度比值(E／A)差异。结果:RVA组起搏心电图Ⅱ导联QRS时限度显著长于RVS组[(0．19±0．02)s:(0．12±0．02)s,P<0．01];术前2组LVEF、CI、SV和E／A均差异无统计学意义。与术前相比,RVA组6个月随访的LVEF、CI、SV和E／A均显著降低[(60．7±5．9)％:(54．8±6．4)％, (2．78±0．31):(2．49±0．26),(81．5±10．0):(68．6±12．5),(1．70±0．48):(1．20±0．39),均P<0．05], RVS组无明显变化[(62．7±6,4)％:(61．14±5．8)％,(2．74±0．33):(2．76±0．25),(82．2±9．2):(78．7±11． 5),(1．62±0．49):(1．61±0．40),均P>0．05]。6个月随访RVS组LVEF、CISV、SV、E／A均显著高于RVA 组(均P<0．05)。结论:RVA起搏扰乱了双心室电同步,导致血流动力学恶化,RVS起搏则尽可能地保证了双心室正常电激动和机械收缩顺序,对血流动力学无不良影响。     

Diagnostic accuracy of right ventriculography in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of cineangiography were evaluated by multivariate logistic discriminant analysis in 32 patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular (RV) cardiomyopathy, 27 patients with biventricular dilated cardiomyopathy, 28 patients with atrial septal defect and 18 normal subjects. In patients with arrhythmogenic RV cardiomyopathy and biventricular dilated cardiomyopathy, the diagnosis was confirmed by endomyocardial biopsy. All RV values overlapped for the diagnosis of atrial septal defect and arrhythmogenic RV cardiomyopathy; overlapping extended to dilated cardiomyopathy for end-diastolic volume and infundibular dimensions. RV ejection fraction appeared reduced in all the diseases; in particular, mean values in dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic RV cardiomyopathy were 38 and 53%, respectively (p less than 0.05). Left ventricular quantitative studies showed a significant difference between dilated and arrhythmogenic RV cardiomyopathy, both in terms of pumping indexes (mean end-diastolic volumes 180 vs 91 ml/m2 and mean ejection fraction 33 vs 60%), and indexes of contractility (stress/end-diastolic volume 3.7 vs 6.7). Multivariate analysis disclosed that transversally arranged hypertrophic trabeculae, separated by deep fissures, were associated with the highest probability of arrhythmogenic RV cardiomyopathy (p less than 0.001). Posterior subtricuspid and anterior infundibular wall bulgings were the only other independently significant variables. Coexistence of these signs was associated with 96% specificity and 87.5% sensitivity. Thus, arrhythmogenic RV cardiomyopathy presents quantitative volumetric and hemodynamic as well as qualitative features that clearly distinguish it from dilated cardiomyopathy and confirm its nosographic autonomy among the primary diseases of the myocardium.     

右室双出口超声和右心室造影与手术结果对比分析

对15例经手术证实的右室双出口患者术前超声检查和右心室造影诊断与手术病理结果进行对比分析，超声诊断准确率86．7％（13／15），右心室造影诊断准确率91．7％（11／12）。经统计学分析，两者无显著性差异（P＞0．05）。认为：超声心动图检查与右心定造影结合可在术前诊断右室双出口及合并畸形。     

Redefining beta-blocker use in hypertension: selecting the right beta-blocker and the right patient

Randomized controlled trials have concluded that the cardiovascular outcome of first-step treatment of hypertension with traditional vasoconstricting beta-blockers is inferior to treatment with other antihypertensive drug classes. Beta-blocker use is also associated with undesirable side effects. Consequently, some recent guidelines consider beta-blockers an inferior option for first-step treatment of hypertension. Despite this, beta-blockers are still widely prescribed, and likely overused, in the management of hypertension. It is the contention of this perspective that beta-blockers do have an important role in treating hypertension, but their use needs to be much better targeted, by better identification of both the right patient and the right beta-blocker. Identifying the right patient involves consideration of underlying mechanisms of hypertension. In the absence of comorbidities for which a beta-blocker is indicated, beta-blockers would not seem to be the preferred treatment for patients with either sodium/volume-mediated hypertension, for which they are usually ineffective, or for those with renin-angiotensin system–mediated hypertension, for which angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers provide equal antihypertensive efficacy with evidence of better outcome and fewer adverse effects. Beta-blockers would instead appear to be best suited for patients with sympathetically driven, that is, neurogenic, hypertension, whether as a first-step drug, such as in patients with hypertension in the acute post-stroke period, in so-called “hyperkinetic” patients, and in patients with labile hypertension, or as an add-on drug in patients with resistant hypertension. In choosing among the beta-blockers, combined alpha/beta-blockade offers advantages over beta-blocker monotherapy and merits greater clinical and research attention. Finally, unreliable bioavailability greatly interferes with the effectiveness of lipophilic, but not nonlipophilic, beta-blockers. Clinical effectiveness could be improved with greater focus on the beta-blockers with the more favorable pharmacokinetics.     

右心室心尖部起搏和右心室间隔部起搏对起搏参数和心电图的影响

目的评估右室间隔部起搏和右室心尖部起搏对起搏参数和双心室电同步性的影响。方法将20例植入DDD型起搏器患者随机为分2组（每组10例）:一组患者行间隔部起搏,一组行心尖部起搏;分析两组有效起搏时及1、3个月随访时各起搏参数差异;对比术中心室电极到位所需X射线曝光时间、术中及术后并发症;比较术前自身心律心电图、术后起博心电图的QRS波宽度、形态。结果有效起搏时心尖部和间隔部起搏电压阈值、电极阻抗、R波高度无显著差异。电极植入后第1、3个月随访,两组起搏参数之间无显著差异,且动态变化相似;心室电极到位所需X线曝光时间:心尖部为（203±127）s,间隔部为（581±124）s（P<0.01）。电极植入术中及术后均未出现并发症;术前和术后心电图Ⅱ导联QRS宽度:心尖部起搏组分别为（0.11±0.03）s、（0.19±0.02）s（P<0.05）;间隔部起搏组分别为（0.10±0.02）s、（0.12±0.02）s,术后QRS形态与术前心电图相似。术后间隔部起搏和心尖部起搏心电图的QRS波宽度对比,前者明显窄于后者（P<0.01）。结论右心室间隔部起搏和右心室心尖部起搏同样安全、有效,而且更符合生理性心室激动顺序,有利于双心室电激动的同步性。     

Systolic and diastolic load of right heart and right bundle block]

Analysing the Ecg and VCG of 818 subjects, healthy or with different congenital and acquired cardiopaties, the frequency of right bundle branch block (RBBB) is established to decrease with the increase in age of children, and is observed to be 8.9% in healthy adults. The right bundle block is observed in 82.5% of the patients with atrial septal defect and quite often in patients with right ventricle tension loading, gradually decreasing with the level of the left ventricle loading, as well as with the development of extreme right ventricle hypertrophy. Out of 50 experiments with dogs with acute and chronic right heart tension loading it is evident that the number of certain and marginal (uncertain) cases with RBBB steadily increases. At the same time this increase cannot be connected with the type of loading, in dogs in which dilatation of the right ventricle is presented as well as in others with light or marked hypertrophy. Besides, under the same conditions and durations of loading some hearts exhibit RBBB, while others do not. What has been stated before gives enough grounds to accept that RBBB in healthy subjects, as well as in patients with congenital and acquired cardiopaties manifests the electromotive tension (EMT) of persistent from foetal and children-age more pronounced physiological hypertrophy (as normal variant) of the basal part of the right ventricle. Whether the picture of RBBB is retained, pronounced or disappears is determined by the correlation between the quantity and the time-manifestation of EMT of the left ventricle and of the corps part of the right ventricle.