Single right coronary artery assessed by contrast angiography and transoesophageal echocardiography

Contrast angiography is the gold standard for the assessmentof the site and severity of coronary artery narrowing. Transoesophagealechocardiography is recognized as a feasible technique in assessingcoronary artery anomalies. Our patient had arterioscleroticnarrowing in a single right coronary artery with poor distalopacification during contrast injection. Combining transoesophagealechocardiography with contrast angiography helped us in visualizinga surgically accessible vessel on the anterior wall of the leftventricle.     

冠心病伴束支传导阻滞患者冠状动脉病变特点研究

目的 :探讨冠心病伴束支传导阻滞患者冠状动脉血管病变特点。方法 :回顾性分析冠心病伴束支传导阻滞患者 (束支阻滞组 ,39例 )及无束支阻滞的冠心病患者 (对照组 ,35 1例 )心电图束支阻滞有无与冠状动脉病变的对应关系。结果 :与对照组比较 ,束支阻滞组左主干、左回旋支 (LCX)及三支血管 [左前降支 (LAD)、LCX、右冠状动脉 (RCA)同时存在病变 ]发生病变比率增加 (P <0 .0 1,P <0 .0 5 ,P <0 .0 5 )。右束支传导阻滞(RBBB)者LAD及RCA发病率高 ,RBBB并发左前分支阻滞 (LAFB)者三支血管病变发生率增高 ,左束支传导阻滞 (LBBB)者LAD、LCX病变发生率高 ,LAFB者LAD病变发生率高 ,房室传导阻滞伴束支阻滞患者多为三支血管病变。结论 :冠心病伴束支阻滞预示冠状动脉病变广泛而严重 ,LBBB提示冠状动脉血管病变以左冠状动脉为主 ,RBBB提示冠状动脉血管病变多累及RCA及LAD ,如存在 2种以上阻滞 ,特别是并发有左前分支或房室阻滞时 ,多提示存在三支血管病变及左主干病变     

Pulmonary artery origin of the left coronary artery: diagnosis by transoesophageal echocardiography in infancy

In two infants the anomalous origin of the left coronary arteryfrom the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) was detected prospectivelyby transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Colour flow mappingand pulsed Doppler ultrasound revealed a predominant right-to-leftshunt from the pulmonary artery to the left coronary artery.These findings were confirmed by angiography. Transihoracic echocardiography (TTE)failed to show the anomalousorigin of the left coronary artery or any abnormal pulmonaryflow pattern. TEE may be useful in the diagnosis of ALCAPA in selected cases,when TTE is inconclusive.     

Detection of left coronary artery stenosis by transoesophageal echocardiography

The ability of transoesophageal echocardiography to visualizethe left coronary artery was retrospectively analysed in 60consecutive patients without clinical evidence of coronary arterydisease. The left main coronary artery was visualized in 56patients, the proximal circumflex in 34 patients and the proximalanterior descending artery in nine patients. Patency of thesearteries was established in all these patients. Subsequently,a prospective study was undertaken in 23 patients with angiographicallyproven left coronary artery disease. Both the left main coronaryartery and the circumflex artery were adequately visualizedwith transoesophageal echocardiography in all 23 patients, whereasthe anterior descending artery was identified inthree patients.The extent of stenosis in the left main coronary artery andthe circumflex arterywas correctly diagnosed in 18 patients.In five patients the degree of stenosis was overestimated. Thesefindings indicate the potential of transoesophageal echocardiographyto detect or exclude stenosis of both the left main coronaryartery and circumflex artery.     

Diagnostics of main coronary artery stenoses and occlusions: multiplane transoesophageal Doppler echocardiographic assessment.

AIM AND METHODS: The possibility of using multiplane transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) in the diagnostics of stenotic atherosclerosis of the main coronary arteries in a comparative aspect were studied in 94 patients with coronary artery disease (men, mean age 52 +/- 7 years). Coronary arteries stenoses were calculated with Doppler echocardiography using a modified continuity equation: stenosis (%)=100 x(1-prestenotic VTI(d)/stenotic VTI(d)) where prestenotic VTI(d), (cm)=diastolic velocity integral in the prestenotic zone, and stenotic VTI(d), (cm)=in the trans-stenotic zone. RESULTS: High sensitivity and specificity of TEE in the diagnostics of stenotic and occlusive atherosclerosis of coronary arteries were revealed. They measured 88% and 98% for the left main coronary artery (LMCA), 97% and 67% for the left descending artery (LDA), 95% and 92% for the circumflex artery (CX), 83% and 97% for the right coronary artery (RCA), respectively. A high correlation was found between the results of TEE and QCA in the diagnostics of coronary stenoses which were made for the LMCA (r=0.82P <0.001), LDA (r=0.84, P<0.001), CX (r=0.85,P <0.001), and RCA (r=0.84, P<0.001). We developed Doppler echocardiography criteria for haemodynamically significant stenoses of coronary arteries (>50%) according to a peak diastolic velocity of the coronary blood flow, calculated as 1.4m.s(-1)for the LMCA, 0.9m.s(-1)for the LDA, and 1.1m.s(-1)for the CX. We determined Doppler echocardiography criteria of coronary arteries occlusions such as a 'break' of colour mapping, absence of Doppler spectrum and retrograde blood flow during late diastole. CONCLUSION: Transoesophageal Doppler evaluation of coronary blood flow with application of a modified continuity equation is an accurate, non-invasive method of coronary arteries stenoses diagnostics.     

Left bundle branch block: a hemodynamic and angiographic study

Coronary angiography, left ventriculography, and hemodynamicdata were evaluated in 34 patients with coronary artery diseaseand left bundle branch block. Left axis deviation (mean frontalaxis greater than —30°) was correlated with hemodynamicand angiographic findings. The patients with left bundle branchblock and coronary artery disease were compared with 98 subjectswith ischemic heart disease without conduction disturbances. Left axis deviation, which is common in subjects with coronaryartery disease and left bundle branch block, had no prognostichemodynamic significance. Left bundle branch block associatedwith coronary artery disease did not imply more severe or moreextensive coronary atherosclerosis, even though it revealeda higher frequency of lesions of the left main coronary arteryand more severe myocardial dysfunction, with asynergy especiallyinvolving the anterior areas of the left ventricle.     

完全性左束支阻滞和右束支阻滞心电图结果分析

目的 了解完全性左束支阻滞和右束支阻滞不同性别、不同年龄的发生率情况.方法 分析108 610例常规心电图检测结果,分别统计完全性左束支阻滞和右束支阻滞不同性别、不同年龄的发生率情况.结果 108 610例门诊及住院患者资料,完全性左束支阻滞19例,占0.18％;右束支阻滞3 794例,占3.49％;完全性左束支阻滞发生率在不同性别之间差异无统计学意义（Х^2=1.707,P=0.191）,不同年龄之间比较差异有统计学意义（Х^2=209.874,P＜0.05）;右束支阻滞发生率在不同性别之间、不同年龄之间比较,差异均有统计学意义（Х^2=986.046,P＜0.05;Х^2=1 483.286,P＜0.05）.结论 60岁以上老年人的完全性左束支阻滞和右束支阻滞发生率较高,应定期进行常规心电图检查,及时发现异常情况并进行相应的处理.     

Usefulness and limitations of dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease in patients with left bundle branch block. A multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with left bundle branch block exhibit abnormal septal motion which may limit the interpretation of stress echocardiograms. This study sought to assess the diagnostic value of dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography in left bundle branch block patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-four left bundle branch block patients (mean age 59 years, 24 men) with suspected coronary artery disease underwent dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography and coronary arteriography. Myocardial ischaemia was defined as new or worsening wall thickening abnormalities. Coronary artery disease was quantitatively defined as a diameter stenosis >/=50% in a major epicardial artery. Rest septal motion was normal (apart from the early systolic septal notch) in 34 patients (53%) and abnormal in 30 patients (47%). Rest septal thickening was normal in 32 patients (50%) and abnormal in 32 patients (50%). All seven patients with a QRS duration >/=160 ms and an abnormal QRS axis had abnormal rest septal motion and thickening. Inter-observer agreement for ischaemia was 88%. In all but one patient disagreement was in the septum. For the anterior and posterior circulation, respectively, sensitivity was 60% (9/15) and 67% (8/12), specificity was 94% (46/49) and 98% (51/52), and accuracy was 86% (55/64) and 92% (59/64). Sensitivity for the anterior circulation tended to be better in patients with normal rest septal thickening (83% vs 44%). CONCLUSIONS: Dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography has excellent diagnostic specificity in left bundle branch block patients with suspected coronary artery disease. In patients with abnormal rest septal thickening, however, dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography may lack good sensitivity for detection of coronary artery disease in the anterior circulation. Left bundle branch block patients who potentially most benefit from dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography may initially be selected by their resting electrocardiogram.     

Dipyridamole thallium-201 scintigraphy for improved detection of left anterior descending coronary artery stenosis in patients with left bundle branch block

In patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) undergoingthallium-201 exercise scintigraphy septal perfusion defectsare frequently observed irrespective of the presence or absenceof coronary artery disease. Consequently, in these patientsthe specificity for detecting stenoses in the left anteriordescending coronary artery (LAD) by thallium-201 scintigraphyis relatively low. It has been hypothesized that pharmacologicalvasodilation would result in higher specificity than conventionalexercise thallium-201 scintigraphy because of a more uniformexploitation of coronary flow reserve. Twenty-five consecutive patients with LBBB underwent dipyridamolethallium-201 imaging and coronary arteriography within 3 months.The prevalence of coronary artery disease was estimated at 48±19%.Sensitivity for detection of LAD lesions was 100% and specificitywas 88%. The positive predictive accuracy and the negative predictiveaccuracy were 80% and 100% respectively. The ‘false positive’septal defects were of the non-reversible type. The appearanceof septal perfusion defects was not dependent on changes inheart rate during dipyridamole infusion. This study indicatesthe value of dipyridamole thallium-201 imaging for non-invasivedetection of LAD stenosis in patients with LBBB.     

束支阻滞类型对心脏再同步治疗效果的影响

目的 探讨不同类型束支阻滞对心脏再同步治疗(CRT)效果的影响.方法 159例难治性心力衰竭患者接受CRT治疗,其中6例已植入永久起搏器,其余153例患者根据体表心电图QRS波形态分为左束支阻滞(LBBB)、右束支阻滞(RBBB)、非特异性室内阻滞(IVCD)、右束支伴左侧分支阻滞(RBBB伴LHB)及室内伴左侧分支阻滞(IVCD伴LHB)5组,比较植入术前及术后6个月心功能(NYHA分级)、QRS时限、左心室射血分数(LVEF)、左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)、左心室收缩末期内径(LVESD)等指标的差异.结果 153例患者年龄21～ 84(61.43±12.54)岁,其中男118例,女35例.LBBB组治疗后心功能(3.13±0.55对2.84±0.65)、QRS时限[173.37±28.54)ms对(156.29±22.25)ms]及LVEF[(0.31±0.07)对(0.39±0.09)]、LVEDD[(73.09± 10.81) mm对(68.18± 11.36) mm]、LVESD[(61.38±11.60)mm对(55.20±13.25)mm]等均明显改善(P＜0.01).RBBB组治疗后各项指标未得到显著改善(P＞0.05),IVCD组与RBBB伴LHB组治疗后LVEF显著提高,LVEDD缩小(P＜0.05),而IVCD伴LHB组除QRS时限外,心功能、LVEF、LVEDD、LVESD等指标均得以改善(P＜0.05).此外,RBBB组与IVCD组超声心动图指标的改变不及LBBB组(P＜0.05),而RBBB伴LHB组及IVCD组超声心动图指标改善程度与LBBB组相近(P＞0.05).应用Cox回归分析显示LBBB者较其他束支阻滞类型生存期长(风险比0.30,95％可信区间0.12～0.77,P＜0.01).结论 LBBB者对CRT的反应性优于RBBB者,IVCD者疗效可能介于两者之间,而RBBB伴LHB或IVCD者疗效优于单纯RBBB或IVCD者.     

Improving the diagnosis of bundle branch block by analysis of body surface potential maps

Bundle branch block (BBB) is a defect on the electrical conduction system of the heart diagnosed by analyzing electrocardiogram (ECG) morphology. Our study aims to determine whether mapping information, specifically QRS duration and observation data from maps obtained using body surface potential mapping (BSPM), can be helpful in BBB diagnosis. We studied 64-lead BSPM recordings of 18 BBB patients and 9 controls with normal ventricular conduction. QRS duration was measured from the BSPM information obtained. The BSPM maps were computed along the QRS complex for each individual and group, and maps for each group were compared with maps for each individual. QRS complexes of the 12 standard leads were computed for each individual and group, and complexes of each group were compared with the complexes of each individual. QRS duration measured for all available leads (64 unipolar leads and 12 standard leads) was 7.4 ± 3.9 milliseconds longer than QRS duration measured only in the standard 12-lead ECG for left BBB patients (LBBB) and 15.3 ± 10.8 milliseconds longer for right BBB with left anterior fascicular block patients (RBBB_LAFB). In case of comparisons based on the standard ECG, sensitivity was 76.9% for LBBB patients and 66.6% for control subjects. However, classification based on map comparisons showed a sensitivity of 93% for LBBB patients and 89% for controls. QRS duration measured from BSPM information does not differ significantly from 12-lead standard ECG measurement for LBBB. However, differences are higher for RBBB_LAFB patients. Representative BSPM maps permit an automatic classification of the subjects.     

Vectorcardiographic monitoring of patients with acute myocardial infarction and chronic bundle branch block

AIM: This study was set up to describe vectorcardiographic patternsin patients with bundle-branch block and acute myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-five patients admitted to the coronary care unit withbundle-branch block and suspected acute myocardial infarctionwere monitored by dynamic vectorcardiography with trend analysis.In 28 patients, a clinical diagnosis of acute myocardial infarctionwas made. In patients with left bundle-branch block and acutemyocardial infarction, the pattern of QRS vector-differenceevolution was similar to that in patients with the narrow QRScomplex, while ST vector-magnitude changes increased over time.Using a cut-off value for QRS vector-difference at 12 h of morethan 20 µVs and a specific trend curve pattern, acutemyocardial infarction in the presence of left bundle-branchblock could be diagnosed with an accuracy of 71%. For patientswith right bundle branch block, using a maximum ST vector-magnitudeof >200 µV during the first 4 h, acute myocardial infarctioncould be diagnosed with a 78% accuracy. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that dynamic vectorcardiography is a valuabletool in diagnosing and monitoring acute myocardial infarctionin patients with bundle branch block.     

早期PCI对急性心肌梗塞并发完全性右束支传导阻滞患者预后的影响

目的：探讨早期PCI对急性心肌梗塞（AMI）并发完全性右束支传导阻滞（CRBBB）患者预后的影响。方法：回顾分析AMI并发CRBBB患者36例的临床资料,分为两组,早期行PCI的12例为观察组,未行PCI的24例为对照组,对两组患者的左室射血分数（LVEF）、心功能Killip分级、严重恶性心律失常发生率及住院病死率等临床资料进行对比性分析,并做统计学处理。结果：观察组的心功能Killip分级[（1．7±0．5）级：（2．6±0．5）级]、严重恶性心律失常发生率（8．3％：20．8％）及住院病死率（8．3％：33．3％）均显著低于对照组（P〈0．01）,观察组的LVEF[（56．3±7．1）％：（32．6±4．7）％]显著高于对照组（P〈0．01）。结论：早期PCI可以改善急性心肌梗塞并发完全性右束支传导阻滞患者的预后。     

急性心肌梗死伴右束支传导阻滞的临床意义

目的　评价急性心肌梗死 (AMI)患者伴发右束支传导阻滞 (RBBB)的临床意义及预后。方法　将我院 5年来收治的AM重患者共 2 4 0例分为AM重伴RBBB组和不伴RBBB组。根据RBBB发生的时间、持续间期以及是否合并左束支分支阻滞将前者分为新发生RBBB、陈旧性RBBB、持续性RBBB、短暂性RBBB、双束支阻滞和单纯性RBBB 6个亚组 ,观察各组的临床经过和住院病死率。结果　AMI伴发RBBB 2 6例 ,占 10 8% ,与不伴RBBB比较 ,其CK峰值、恶性室性心律失常发生率、心功能不全发生率、住院病死率均显著增高 (P <0 0 1)。RBBB组高发的心功能不全发生率和住院病死率并非源自陈旧性RBBB和单纯性RBBB ,而是来源于新发生RBBB和双束支阻滞。新发生的持续性RBBB住院病死率最高 ,为 5 0 % ,短暂性RBBB为 11 1% ,而持续性RBBB的再灌注治疗率较短暂性RBBB明显降低 ( 2 5 %vs88 9% ,P <0 0 5 )。结论　AMI患者伴发RBBB提示预后不良。再灌注治疗可改善预后。     

右束支阻滞对急性心肌梗死预后的判断

目的 :观察并发右束支阻滞的急性心肌梗死 (AMI)患者的临床预后。方法 :将该院近 7年收治的2 39例AMI患者分为两组 :对照组 ,无新发的右束支阻滞 ;观察组 ,为伴有新出现的右束支阻滞。后者又根据右束支阻滞持续时间长短及是否并发其他传导阻滞分为 4个亚组。分析各组并发心功能不全、恶性室性心律失常及住院病死率的情况。结果 :观察组恶性室性心律失常的发生率、心功能受损及住院病死率分别为 19.0 %、4 7.6 %、30 .0 % ,较对照组相应的 3.0 %、19.8%、17.3%有显著增加 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;但后二者并非源自于单纯右束支阻滞 ,而与并发的其他传导阻滞有显著相关性 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;右束支阻滞持续时间周期对心功能受损及住院病死率的影响亦有明显相关性 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :伴随AMI新出现的右束支阻滞使患者的预后不良     

Influence of left bundle branch block on long-term mortality in a population with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the independent contribution of left bundle branch block (LBBB) on long-term mortality in a large cohort with symptomatic heart failure (HF) requiring hospitalization. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied a prospective cohort of 21 685 cases of symptomatic HF requiring hospitalization in the Register of Information and Knowledge about Swedish Heart Intensive care Admissions in 1995-2003. Long-term mortality was evaluated by Logistic regression analysis, adjusted for multiple covariates that could influence long-term prognosis. LBBB was present in 20% (4395 of 21 685) of HF admissions. Patients with LBBB had a higher prevalence of cardiac comorbid conditions than patients with no LBBB. 1-, 5-, and 10-year mortality was 31.5 vs. 28.4%, 69.3 vs. 61.3%, and 90.1 vs. 84.7% for HF patients with and without respectively LBBB. When adjusting for comorbidity, LBBB was associated with increased 5-year mortality (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.10-1.35; P < 0.001). When left ventricular ejection fraction was included in the analysis LBBB had no longer any independent influence on 5-mortality (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.62-1.56; P = 0.953). CONCLUSION: LBBB occurs in 1/5 in HF patients requiring hospitalization and is associated with a very high mortality. However, the high long-term mortality appears to be caused by cardiac comorbidities and myocardial dysfunction rather than the LBBB per se.     

Differential diagnosis of tachycardia with a typical left bundle branch block morphology

The evaluation of wide QRS complex tachycardias (WCT)remains a common dilemma for clinicians.Numerous algorithms exist to aid in arriving at the correct diagnosis.Unfortunately,these algorithms are difficult to remember,and overreliance on them may prevent cardiologists from understanding the mechanisms underlying these arrhythmias.One distinct subcategory of WCTs are those that present with a"typical"or"classic" left bundle branch block pattern.These tachycardias may be supraventricular or ventricular in origin and arise from functional or fixed aberrancy,bystander or participating atriofascicular pre-excitation,and bundle branch reentry.This review will describe these arrhythmias,illustrate their mechanisms,and discuss their clinical features and treatment strategies.     

束支传导阻滞对充血性心力衰竭复极离散度的影响

目的：探讨充血性心力衰竭合并束支传导阻滞患者Q－T离散度测定的影响因素。方法：分析62例充血性心力衰竭患者合并束支付导阻滞（Ⅰ组）、94例不合并束支传导阻滞（Ⅱ组）及40例正常组（Ⅲ组）Q－T离散度,Q－T离散度以12导联体表心电图上最长与最短Q－T间期之差（绝对离散度）及其变异系数（相对离散度）计算。结果：Ⅰ组Q－T、Q－Tc间期及其绝对离散度比Ⅱ组显著延长,但相对离散度相近;J－T、J－Tc绝对和相对离散度均显著长于Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组。结论：束支传导阻滞可影响充血性心力衰竭患者复极离散度的测定,但其离散程度主要与潜在的基础心脏疾病相关。     

Rapid diagnosis and management of intraoperative myocardial infarction during valvular surgery: using intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography followed by emergency coronary artery bypass grafting without coronary angiography

A 68-year-old man was admitted to undergo elective mitral valve surgery. Although the preoperative coronary angiography was normal, the patient suffered a myocardial infarction that resulted in untreatable collapsed hemodynamics. After inferring the responsible occluded coronary artery from the segmental wall motion abnormality detected in intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography, together with the anatomy found in preoperative coronary angiography, we performed an emergency coronary artery bypass graft surgery without a new angiography. This procedure resulted in survival of a potentially life-threatening situation. In selected cases, this therapeutic strategy may lead to reduction of mortality as a result of the intraoperative myocardial infarction.