不同类型心房纤颤患者急性缺血性脑卒中的临床特点分析

目的心房纤颤(AF)是急性缺血性脑卒中(AIS)的一种重要危险因素。不同类型的AF危险因素及发病机制皆存在差异。比较阵发性心房纤颤(Pa AF)与持续性心房纤颤(Pe AF)患者AIS的临床特点,以明确两者发病机制存在的差别。方法242例AIS患者,其中男性103例,女性139例;年龄53~86岁,平均年龄为78.4岁。根据AF特点分为Pa AF组(57例)与Pe AF组(185例),分别比较两组患者的基本信息、危险因素、临床特点和影像学特点。结果与Pa AF组相比,Pe AF组患者年龄较大,女性患者所占比例偏高。Pe AF组入院时美国国立卫生院神经功能缺损(NIHSS)评分与出院时改良Rankin量表(m RS)评分皆高于Pa AF组。大脑中动脉(MCA)狭窄在Pa AF患者更普遍,而Pe AF组更多伴随左心房增大。结论与Pa AF相比,Pe AF患者AIS短期预后差。这可能与不同亚型AIS在两组中的不同发病率有关,也与两组患者左心房产生的血栓结构及体积存在差异相关。     

微小RNA与心房颤动心房纤维化

心房纤维化是心房颤动(房颤)发生与维持的重要因素,微小RNA(microRNA,miRNA)通过调控纤维化相关靶基因,在房颤心房纤维化中起着重要作用。因此,深入研究miRNA在心房纤维化中的作用机制将为房颤的诊治提供新的思路。     

慢性房颤病人的AFW研究

利用房颤波谱分析系统（ASpectraAnalysisSystemforAtrialFibrillationWaves，简称AFW）对慢性持续心房颤动患者进行研究，其目的是评价该系统的临床实用价值。     

Atrial fibrillation risk factors in patients with ischemic stroke

IntroductionAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart arrhythmia. The condition is known to increase the risk of ischemic stroke (IS). Classical risk factors for the development of AF include advanced age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease and lipid metabolism disorders. Importantly, these are also recognized risk factors for ischemic stroke. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate AF risk factors in patients with IS.Material and methodsThis is single-centre retrospective study which included 696 patients with acute ischemic stroke and nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and 1678 patients with acute ischemic stroke without atrial fibrillation.ResultsIn this study we found – based on a univariable and multivariable logistic regression model – that compared to the patients with IS without AF, the group of patients which suffered from IS with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) had a higher proportion of patients who smoked cigarettes (OR = 15.742, p < 0.01; OR = 41.1, p < 0.01), had hypertension (OR = 5.161, p < 0.01; OR = 5.666, p < 0.01), history of previous stroke (OR = 3.951, p < 0.01; OR = 4.792, p < 0.01), dyslipidemia (OR = 2.312, p < 0.01; OR = 1.592, p < 0.01), coronary heart disease (OR = 2.306, p < 0.01; OR = 1.988, p < 0.01), a greater proportion of female patients (OR = 1.717, p < 0.01; OR = 2.095, p < 0.01), higher incidence of diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.341, p < 0.01; OR = 1.261, p = 0.106) and more patients in old age (OR = 1.084, p < 0.01; OR = 1.101, p < 0.01).ConclusionsOur study demonstrates a need for thorough and systematic monitoring of post-ischemic stroke patients in whom AF has not been detected and who display other important risk factors. Regardless of the stroke, these factors may be responsible for development of AF.     

The effects of a bidirectional cavo-tricuspid isthmus block in persistent atrial fibrillation

Purpose

Hybrid therapy with catheter ablation of the cavo-tricuspid isthmus (CTI) and continuation of anti-arrhythmic drugs (AAD), or electrical cardioversion with AADs might be alternative treatments for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). The goal of study was to assess the long term success rate of hybrid therapy for persistent AF compared to antiarrhythmic medication therapy after electrical cardioversion and identify the independent risk factors associated with recurrence after hybrid therapy.

Materials and Methods

A total of 32 patients with persistent AF who developed atrial flutter after the administration of a class Ic or III anti-arrhythmic drug were enrolled. This group was compared with a group (33 patients) who underwent cardioversion and received direct current cardioversion with AADs. Baseline data were collected, and electrocardiogram and symptom driven Holter monitoring were performed every 2-4 months.

Results

There was no significant difference in the baseline characteristics between the groups. The 12 month atrial arrhythmia free survival was better in the hybrid group, 49.0% vs. 33.1%, p=0.048. However, during a mean 55.7+/-43.0 months of follow up, the improved survival rate regressed (p=0.25). A larger left atrium size was an independent risk factor for the recurrence of AF after adjusting for confounding factors.

Conclusion

Despite favorable outcome during 12 month, the CTI block with AADs showed outcomes similar to AAD therapy after electrical cardioversion over a 12 month follow up period. Minimal substrate modification with AADs might be an alternative treatment for persistent AF with minimal atrial remodeling.     

微小RNAs与心房颤动

心房颤动是临床最常见的慢性持续性心律失常,具有进行性、自我延续性的特点.MicroRNAs是新发现的基因表达调控因子,由长约22个核苷酸的单链RNA分子构成.MicroRNAs在控制房颤方面的潜在作用最近才开始研究,这些研究结果有助于了解房颤的分子机制.此综述简要叙述microRNAs的特点和功能、房颤的重构机制以及它...     

心房纤颤患者心房肌细胞超微结构和细胞凋亡的变化

目的探讨风湿性心脏病（风心病）心房纤颤（房颤）患者的心房结构和细胞凋亡的变化与房颤发病机制之间的关系。方法选择接受外科换瓣手术的风心病患者共43例，分为3组，其中窦性心律15例（A组），阵发性房颤8例（B组），慢性房颤20例（C组）。在手术中取左心房组织，应用TUNEL法检测各组患者左心房肌细胞凋亡的情况，计算其凋亡指数（AI）：应用电镜观察左心房肌细胞的超微结构的变化。结果C组的AI为24．6％±9．1％，与A组和B组的比较明显升高（P〈0．01）。且AI分别与左心房内径、房颤持续时间呈明显正相关（P〈0．05-P〈0．006）。在B组和C组中，在电镜下见肌节长短不一，结构模糊；线粒体肿胀，大小不一，闰盘扭曲，肌浆网肿胀、破裂，以C组更为明显。结论慢性房颤时左心房肌细胞凋亡增加和其超微结构的变化在房颤的发生和持续存在中起重要的作用。     

Assessment of atrial electromechanical interval using echocardiography after catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation

We sought to investigate variation of atrial electromechanical interval after catheter ablation procedure in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation using pulse Doppler (PW) and pulse tissue Doppler imaging (PW-TDI). A total of 25 consecutive in-patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, who restored sinus rhythm after ablation procedure, were recruited in our cardiac center. Echocardiography was performed on each patient at 2 hours, 1 day, 5 days, 1 month and 3 months after the ablation therapy, and atrial electromechanical delay was measured simultaneously by PW and PW-TDI. There was no significant difference between PW and TDI in measuring atrial electromechanical delay. However, at postoperative 2 hours, peak A detection rates were mathematically but nonsignificantly greater by PWTDI than by PW. Second, there was a significant decreasing trend in atrial electromechanical interval from postoperative 2 hours to 3 months, but only postoperative 2-hour atrial electromechanical interval was significantly greater than atrial electromechanical interval at other time. Lastly, patients without postoperative 2-hour atrial electromechanical interval had a significantly longer duration of atrial fibrillation as compared to those with postoperative 2-hour atrial electromechanical interval, by the PW or by PW-TDI, respectively. In patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, atrial electromechanical interval may decrease significantly within the first 24 hours after ablation but remain consistent later, and was significantly related to patients' duration of atrial fibrillation. Atrial electromechanical interval, as a potential predicted factor, is recommended to be measured by either PW or TDI after 24 hours, when patients had recovered sinus rhythm by radiofrequency ablation.     

心房颤动患者心房Ⅰ型胶原重构与左心房扩大

目的：探讨心房颤动患者心房Ⅰ型胶原重构与左心房扩大在房颤发病机制中可能的作用以及它们之间的关系。方法:取24例心脏病患者的右心耳组织(房颤12 例,为房颤组；窦性心律12 例，为窦律组)。（1）HE染色，观察房颤组与窦律组心肌纤维以及细胞核、细胞外基质的差异。（2）免疫组化染色，在普通显微镜下观察窦律组与房颤组心房Ⅰ型胶原并使用图像分析系统分析2组的胶原含量分数（collagen volume fraction, CVF），统计2组间Ⅰ型胶原含量分数（CVF-Ⅰ）的差异。（3）〖JP+1〗对CVF-I与左房直径进行Pearson相关分析。结果:(1)房颤组CVF-Ⅰ高于窦律组(CVF-I: 9.29 ±0.85 vs 6.90±1.47, P<0.01)；（2）房颤组心房大于窦律组（6.16±1.01 vs 4.47±0.99， P<0.01）；（3）心房大小与Ⅰ型胶原含量不存在相关性（r=0.33, P>0.05）。 结论:房颤患者的心房纤维化程度增加、左心房扩大，纤维化与左房扩大可能通过一定的途径，直接或间接参与了房颤的发病过程。     

心房颤动患者心房组织中差异表达miRNA的初步研究

目的：应用基因芯片技术研究心房颤动（房颤）患者心房组织中miRNA的表达谱,分析差异表达的miRNA,为进一步研究miRNA在房颤发生、发展中的作用奠定基础。方法：采用miRNA基因芯片技术检测房颤患者和非房颤患者心房组织样本中miRNA的表达水平;采用实时定量PcR（quantitativereal,timePCR,qRT．PCR）对部分差异表达的miRNA进行验证。结果：MiRNA基因芯片分析结果显示,与非房颤组织相比,房颤组织中差异表达的miRNA共有26个,其中16AmiRNA表达上调,10个miRNA表达下调。qRT．PCR验证结果与芯片结果相一致。结论：MiRNA在房颤患者心房组织中存在差异性表达。     

Early experience using a left atrial appendage occlusion device in patients with atrial fibrillation

Purpose

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the major risk factors for ischemic stroke, and 90% of thromboembolisms in these patients arise from the left atrial appendage (LAA). Recently, it has been documented that an LAA occlusion device (OD) is not inferior to warfarin therapy, and that it reduces mortality and risk of stroke in patients with AF.

Materials and Methods

We implanted LAA-ODs in 5 Korean patients (all male, 59.8±7.3 years old) with long-standing persistent AF or permanent AF via a percutaneous trans-septal approach.

Results

1) The major reasons for LAA-OD implantation were high risk of recurrent stroke (80%), labile international neutralizing ratio with hemorrhage (60%), and 3/5 (60%) patients had a past history of failed cardioversion for rhythm control. 2) The mean LA size was 51.3±5.0 mm and LAA size was 25.1×30.1 mm. We implanted the LAA-OD (28.8±3.4 mm device) successfully in all 5 patients with no complications. 3) After eight weeks of anticoagulation, all patients switched from warfarin to anti-platelet agent after confirmation of successful LAA occlusion by trans-esophageal echocardiography.

Conclusion

We report on our early experience with LAA-OD deployment in patients with 1) persistent or permanent AF who cannot tolerate anticoagulation despite significant risk of ischemic stroke, or 2) recurrent stroke in patients who are unable to maintain sinus rhythm.     

Fibroblast growth factor-21 is positively associated with atrial fibrosis in atrial fibrillation patients with rheumatic heart disease

Objective: Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) has been discovered as a strong hormone, plays an important role in lipid metabolism, glucose metabolism, associated with several diseases such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular events; however, no evidence is available concerning the relationship of FGF-21 and atrial fibrosis in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Methods: Twenty-four rheumatic heart disease patients were divided into two groups, 12 cases with AF and 12 cases with sinus rhythm (SR). Clinical characteristics and blood samples were collected before surgery; right atrial appendage samples were taken in the surgery of valve replacement. HE staining was performed to determine cross-sectional area of atrial myocytes; Masson stained sections and mRNA levels of cardiac fibrosis biomarkers were used to evaluate the degree of cardiac fibrosis; the level of FGF-21 was evaluated via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunohistochemistry, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Compared with SR group, cross-sectional area of atrial myocytes and collagen volume fraction were significantly increased in the atrial tissue of AF group. The distribution of FGF-21 in the AF group was remarkably higher than SR group. In addition, plasma and mRNA levels of FGF-21 in atrial tissue of AF showed the same trend as the result of immunohistochemistry. Using linear correlation analysis, the expression level of FGF-21 was found to be positively related to the degree of atrial fibrosis. Conclusion: FGF-21 might involve in the development and maintenance of atrial fibrosis in atrial fibrillation with rheumatic heart disease, and FGF-21 could be used as a novel biomarker to evaluate myocardial fibrosis in the future.     

Persistent atrial fibrillation is not associated with thrombomodulin level increase in efficiently anticoagulated patients

Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and leads to a five-fold increased risk of stroke compared to persons with sinus rhythm. A soluble form of thrombomodulin (sTM) is a recognized marker of endothelial dysfunction and may contribute to the hypercoagulable state in AF. The aim of the study was to evaluate plasma concentration of sTM in persistent AF patients before and after sinus rhythm recovery following direct current cardioversion (CV).

Material and methods

In 45 effectively anticoagulated consecutive patients, with persistent non-valvular AF, and normal left ventricular function, CV was performed. Blood samples for sTM assessment were collected twice: 24 hours before and 24 hours after CV.

Results

In 43 patients sinus rhythm was obtained. The mean plasma sTM level was significantly lower in AF patients compared to the control group with sinus rhythm and without anticoagulation (38.5 ±9.9 ng/ml vs. 44.1 ±9.1 ng/ml, p = 0.04). Plasma sTM levels did not change 24 hours after successful CV (36.7 ±9.5 ng/ml vs. 38.5 ±9.9 ng/ml, p = 0.16).

Conclusions

Plasma sTM concentration was lower in patients with persistent AF and normal left ventricle systolic function than in patients with sinus rhythm, presumably due to chronic oral anticoagulant therapy in the AF group. CV has no impact on sTM plasma level evaluated 24 hours after sinus rhythm restoration.     

高血压合并阵发性房颤患者心脏超声临床特点

目的:观察分析高血压合并阵发性房颤患者的心脏超声特点,为临床准确诊断提供依据.方法:选取2019年08月至2020年08月我院收治的51例高血压合并阵发性房颤患者作为研究组,同时选取51例单纯高血压患者作为常规组,所有患者均接受心脏超声诊断确定有无二尖瓣返流;同时观察心脏收缩期右房上下径、左房前后径、室间隔厚度、舒张期...     

风湿性瓣膜病合并心房颤动的导管消融治疗

目的评价风湿性瓣膜病合并心房颤动（房颤）经导管射频消融的安全性和疗效。方法57例风湿性瓣膜病合并房颤患者，其中男性34例，女性23例，年龄39～65岁，平均年龄47．6岁（标准差16．7岁），轻度二尖瓣狭窄4例，二尖瓣球囊扩张术后2例，二尖瓣置换术后17例，二尖瓣、主动脉瓣置换术后34例（其中8例同时行三尖瓣成形术），左心房内径（45．6±7．1）mm，阵发性房颤3例，持续性房颤54例，房颤病程（2．1±1．7）年。术前均经食管超声心动图排除左心房血栓。采用CARTO三维系统引导环肺静脉消融电隔离术．附加二尖瓣峡部、三尖瓣峡部线性消融及左心房碎裂电位消融以改良基质。术后定期随访Holter、ECG及UCG。结果57例患者均顺利完成消融术。操作时间（184±26）min，X线透视时间（25±14）min。环肺静脉消融使左肺静脉电隔离49例（86．0％）、右肺静脉电隔离52例（91．2％）。其余病例结合肺静脉节段性消融实现电隔离。持续性房颤消融恢复窦性心律9例，其中3例环肺静脉消融终止，6例碎裂电位消融终止；持续性房颤转为不典型房扑4例,消融未能终止，转为典型房扑2例，三尖瓣峡部消融恢复窦性心律。消融结束未恢复窦性心律者,均行直流电复律成功转复。术后1个月1例阵发性房颤和10例持续性房颤因复发再次消融。随访时间（7±4）个月，45例（78．9％）患者维持窦性心律。无明显并发症。结论CARTO系统引导环肺静脉消融电隔离结合基质改良治疗瓣膜性心脏病合并的房颤在有经验的治疗中心安全有效。     

Diagnosis of atrial fibrillation in heart failure patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator or cardiac resynchronisation therapy

IntroductionImplantable cardioverter defibrillators register various types of arrhythmias. Thus they can be exploited to better identify patients with atrial fibrillation episodes and increase the proportion of patients who may benefit from implementation of pharmacological prophylaxis of thromboembolic events, most of which are asymptomatic. The aim of the study was to assess of the frequency, symptoms and predisposing factors for the occurrence of atrial fibrillation episodes in patients with an implanted implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronisation therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D) based on the analysis of intracardiac electrocardiograms (EGM/IEGM) records.Material and methodsThe study included 174 consecutive outpatients with heart failure, sinus rhythm and an implanted cardioverter defibrillator and cardiac resynchronisation therapy with defibrillator. Follow-up visits with analysis of IEGM records occurred every 3 months. During a mean follow-up of 20 months, 901 visits were carried out. One hundred forty-seven patients had at least 1 year of follow-up.ResultsAtrial fibrillation episodes in the study group occurred in 54 (31.0%) patients and 71.4% were asymptomatic. Predisposing factors were: history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (37.0% vs. 13.3%, p < 0.001), atrioventricular conduction abnormalities (42.6% vs. 20.0%, p = 0.002), intraventricular conduction abnormalities (59.3% vs. 40.8%, p = 0.02) and more severe mitral regurgitation (7.4% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.04). Chronic renal disease was a risk factor for death in the study group. No stroke occurred during the study.ConclusionsEpisodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients with systolic heart failure and implanted cardioverter-defibrillator systems are quite common. The majority of the episodes recorded in the study were asymptomatic.     

Short-term ECG recordings for heart rate assessment in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation

Introduction

There is no consensus on the length of ECG tracing that should be recorded to represent adequate rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib). The purpose of the study was to examine whether heart rate measurements based on short-term ECGs recorded at different periods of the day may correspond to the mean heart rate and rate irregularity analyzed from standard 24-hour Holter monitoring.

Material and methods

The study enrolled 50 consecutive patients with chronic AFib who underwent 24-hour Holter monitoring. Mean heart rate (mHR) and the coefficient of irregularity (CI) were assessed from 5- and 60-minute intervals of Holter recordings in different periods of the day.

Results

The highest correlation in mean heart rate interval within 24 h was found during a 6-hour sample and in the periods 11.00 AM–12.00 PM, 12 PM–1.00 PM, and 1.00 PM–2.00 PM. With respect to irregularity, only the CI measurements based on a 6-hour interval (7.00 AM–1.00 AM) show a correlation > 0.08 compared to data from the 24-hour recording.

Conclusions

Only long-term (6-hour) recordings provide a high correlation within 24 h in mean heart rate interval and coefficient of irregularity. It seems that the mean heart rate interval in 1-hour periods between 11 AM and 2 PM might be predictive for 24-hour data. Short time recordings of the coefficient of irregularity of heart rate in AFib patients at this moment are not useful in clinical practice for long-term prognosis of ventricular irregularity.     

探索不用Halo电极射频消融治疗典型心房扑动的方法

目的探讨不用Halo电极消融典型心房扑动(AF)的方法和右心房峡部传导时间间期的意义。方法对9例AF患者进行了心脏电生理检查和射频消融。将普通标测电极分别放置高位右房(HRA、A点)、低位右房(LRA、B点)、希氏束(His、C点)、冠状窦(CS、CS34为D点),标测AF发作时右房激动顺序,起搏时测量右心房峡部传导时间间期,然后,对峡部行线形消融直至双向传导阻滞,测量右心房峡部传导时间间期(BD、DB)。结果不用Halo电极成功消融所有典型心房扑动病例,消融后冠状窦口处起搏时,起搏信号至右房下侧壁的时间间期(DB=140.7±66.1ms)和右房下侧壁起搏时起搏信号至冠状窦口CS34的时间间期(BD=123.2±42.1ms)均较消融前(DB=66.0±12.5ms,BD=62.5±13.0ms)明显延长,P<0.01。结论不用Halo电极能成功消融典型心房扑动(AF),右心房峡部传导时间间期的定量测定可作为判断峡部完全性双向传导阻滞的方法之一。     

心房颤动导管射频消融对心脏起搏器安全性影响的临床研究

目的评价植入起搏器患者经导管射频消融治疗慢性心房颤动(房颤)的安全性。方法18例永久性心脏起搏并房颤患者,其中男性12例,女性6例,年龄55～78岁,平均年龄68.67岁(标准差8.72岁)。分析其接受导管射频消融术中全程记录的心电信息,判断有无感知、起搏功能不良及房室失夺获、噪声反转等现象,并用起搏器程控仪于导管射频消融术前及术后第1天观察房室感知、起搏阈值及电极阻抗等参数的变化。结果18例患者均顺利完成导管射频消融,肺静脉前庭电学隔离率为100%。导管射频消融前后起搏器感知、起搏阈值及阻抗的变化无统计学意义(P>0.05)。导管射频消融过程中,3例(17%)出现噪声反转,3例(17%)出现感知不良,1例(6%)出现起搏功能不良致心室失夺获,均于停止放电后恢复正常。3例(17%)慢性持续性房颤患者在电复律后出现一过性感知不良。结论射频电流和电复律可引起一过性感知、起搏功能的障碍,但一般不引起起搏、感知阈值及电极阻抗的改变。对于已植入心脏起搏器的慢性房颤患者,在需行导管射频消融术时是安全的。