Low serum bilirubin concentrations are associated with impaired aortic elastic properties, but not impaired left ventricular diastolic function

Elevated serum bilirubin concentrations protect from atherosclerotic diseases; however, it is not clear whether higher serum bilirubin concentrations in physiological ranges do the same. To investigate the association of high and low serum bilirubin concentrations with left ventricular diastolic function and aortic elastic properties. We evaluated left ventricular diastolic function and aortic elastic properties of 42 healthy subjects with hypobilirubinemia (total bilirubin 0.40 ± 0.08 mg/dl; mean age 37.0 ± 3.9) and 40 healthy subjects with hyperbilirubinemia (total bilirubin 1.56 ± 0.49 mg/dl; mean age 36.2 ± 6.0) using transthoracic second harmonic Doppler echocardiography. Age, gender, body mass index and coronary risk factors were similar between the groups, except high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP). Left ventricular diastolic parameters were similar between the two groups. Aortic distensibility (AoD) was found to be significantly lower (11.1 ± 3.9 vs. 13.2 ± 4.9, p = 0.03) and aortic stiffness index (AoSI) (1.99 ± 0.30 vs. 1.85 ± 0.26, p = 0.02) and elastic modulus (AoEM) (2.06 ± 0.83 vs. 1.73 ± 0.68, p = 0.03; the low and high bilirubin groups, respectively) higher in the low bilirubin group. Serum total bilirubin concentration correlated with hsCRP levels, AoD, AoSI and AoEM. In conclusion, left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions were similar between hypo‐ and hyperbilirubinemic subjects, but aortic elastic properties were impaired in subjects with lower serum bilirubin concentrations.     

Assessment of left ventricular diastolic function in children after successful repair of aortic coarctation

The purpose of the study was an assessment of left ventricular diastolic function in children after the successful repair of aortic coarctation (CoA). The prospective study concerned 32 pediatric patients after the CoA surgery. Tissue Doppler imaging parameters including strain and strain rate and the conventional echocardiographic indexes were analyzed in patients and healthy controls. Analysis of mitral annulus velocities, E?CE?? ratio, strain, and strain rate of left ventricular mid-cavity segments and conventional indexes of mitral inflow showed the worsening of left ventricular diastolic mechanics in the study group compared to healthy controls. The E/E?? ratio was significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group (8.30?±?3.24 vs. 6.95?±?1.36; p?<?0.05). The early diastolic strain rate to late diastolic strain rate ratio as well as early to late diastolic strain ratio of the left ventricular mid-cavity segments were significantly lower in the study group compared to healthy controls (1.81?±?0.63 vs. 3.74?±?1.53; p?<?0.001 and 1.20?±?0.49 vs. 3.41?±?1.26; p?<?0.001). No differences of the pulmonary venous flow parameters between those two groups were observed. The left ventricular diastolic mechanics in hypertensive patients after CoA repair did not differ from normotensive subjects. Hypertensive and normotensive children after surgical repair of CoA are found to have worsening of the left ventricular diastolic mechanics suggesting the impairment of the active myocardial relaxation.     

Effects of non-dipper blood pressure pattern on left ventricular rotational mechanics in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a speckle tracking study

We aimed to evaluate the effects of non-dipper BP pattern on left ventricular (LV) rotational mechanics in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with the utility of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). Eighty-six hypertensive patients with T2DM were enrolled. All patients underwent 2D-echocardiography and 24-h-ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Fifty-nine (59.3 %) patients had non-dipper BP pattern and all subjects had normal LV function. Patients with non-dipper BP pattern had decreased systolic tissue velocity (p: 0.006), increased peak systolic apical rotation and rotation rate (p: 0.008 and p: 0.014, respectively), and peak LV twist and twist rate (p: 0.005 and p: 0.012, respectively). Analysis of LV diastolic parameters showed that, early diastolic tissue velocity (Em) was decreased and E/Em ratio and LV mass (LVM) index were increased in non-dipper group while the time to LV untwisting rate was delayed. In multivariate analysis, peak LV twist (β = 0.459, p: < 0.001) and twist rate (β = 0.388, p: 0.001) were independently associated with the difference between mean arterial pressure (MAP)-asleep and MAP-awake. In correlation analysis adjusted for age, sex and LVM index, the time to LV untwisting rate was positively correlated with the difference between MAP-asleep and MAP-awake (r: 0.290 vs. p: 0.008) and E/Em ratio (r: 0.280 vs. p: 0.010). LV rotational mechanics are impaired in T2DM non-dipper hypertensive patients, indicating LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction. 2D-STE may permit better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and development of preventive strategies.     

杓型,非杓型高血压患者左室肥厚类型及几何形态间关系的研究

本文应用２４小时动态血压监测（２４ｈＡＢＰＭ）和ＵＣＧ检测６０例健康者，２５０例高血压患者，对杓型、非杓型高血压患者左室肥厚类型及几何形态间关系进行研究。结果表明：６０例健康者左心室重量和几何形态正常。高血压组中正常几何形态（３１．２％）和向心性重构（１７％）主要见于杓型高血压者，向心性肥厚（１７．８％）和离心性肥厚（３４％）主要见于非杓型高血压者。结果提示：能够影响心室腔大小或每搏量的诸因素（如血容量，静脉回流，后负荷，舒张和收缩功能）与左室形态的调控有关。     

The association of peritoneal transport properties with 24-hour blood pressure levels in CAPD patients.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the effects of peritoneal transport characteristics on blood pressure (BP) parameters, measured by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), and on the development of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional and prospective design. SETTING: Tertiary-care center. PATIENTS: 25 CAPD patients (11 male, 14 female; mean age 47 +/- 14 years) were included. Mean time on CAPD was 22.9 +/- 18 months and all patients had been dialyzed for more than 6 months. The patients were divided into high, high-average, low-average, and low transport groups according to peritoneal equilibration test results. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Daytime and nighttime systolic and diastolic BP and left ventricular mass index among the different peritoneal transport groups; changes in BP parameters before and after increase in ultrafiltration. RESULTS: On 24-hour ABPM records, 13 patients (52%) were found to be hypertensive. Both mean systolic and diastolic BP were significantly increased in high-transporter groups compared to low transporters in both daytime and nighttime BP parameters. Left ventricular mass index was higher in high transporters compared to low transporters, without reaching statistical significance: 160 +/- 23 vs 119 +/- 41 g/m2, p > 0.05. Following increase in ultrafiltration, mean systolic (145 +/- 13 vs 128 +/- 5 mmHg, p < 0.001) and diastolic (96 +/- 10 vs 81 +/- 3 mmHg, p < 0.001) BP decreased, and BP levels returned to normotensive levels in 6 (46%) of the 13 hypertensive patients, requiring discontinuation of antihypertensive drugs. CONCLUSION: Improvement in volume status resulted in a decrease in both daytime and nighttime BP. Differences in peritoneal transport properties were associated with the development of hypertension and LVH.     

高血压并阵发性房颤二尖瓣、肺静脉血流频谱特点的研究

目的对比研究原发性高血压伴有和不伴有阵发性房颤(PAF)患者二尖瓣和肺静脉血流频谱特点.方法年龄、血压和左室心肌重量指数匹配的高血压PAF组24例,非PAF组55例.应用多普勒超声心动图测量二尖瓣舒张早期、舒张晚期血流峰值(E、A)及其流速积分(VTI-E、VTI-A),计算E/A比值;肺静脉血流频谱收缩期、舒张期、血流峰值(PVS、PVD)及其流速积分(VTI-PVS、VTI-PVD)等指标.结果与非PAF组比较,PAF组E和VTI-E显著增加[E:(70.94±18.03) cm/s vs (86.66±26.93) cm/s,P<0.01; TVI-E:(12.93±3.50) cm vs (16.74±4.95) cm,P<0.001];A减低[(89.20±23.44) cm/s vs (78.62±18.96) cm/s,P<0.05),E/A比值增大(0.82±0.24 vs 1.13±0.36,P<0.01);PVD和VTI-PVD增加[PVD:(42.60±12.11) cm/s vs (52.18±14.20) cm/s,P<0.01; TVI-PVD:(10.06±3.19) cm vs (12.16±3.04) cm,P<0.05].结论左房助力泵功能减低、管道功能增强和左房扩大可能是高血压病患者合并PAF的机制之一.     

双功彩超观察不同类型高血压对左室的影响

应用双功彩超与动态血压监测技术对180例高血压进行观察,取其年龄、病程、昼夜血压基本相同的杓型、非杓型高血压140例,其中男性各40例,女性各30例进行分析、结果显示:杓型与非杓型的血压测值昼间无明显差异,而夜间有显著差异;男女性别两类高血压间左室心肌重量指数有显著差别,且非杓型高血压的心肌肥厚分级明显高于杓型高血压;二尖瓣口血流动力学测值表明:高血压引起的舒张功能下降以非杓型高血压为主,且男性两组间有显著差异,作者认为:非杓型高血压是引起心肌肥厚及舒张功能下降的主要类型,超声对心脏检测的客观指标有助于临床治疗方案的确定及疗效判断.     

Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients With Mitral Stenosis Undergoing Percutaneous Mitral Balloon Valvotomy

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction on outcome in patients with mitral stenosis undergoing percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy (PMBV).Patients and MethodsWe evaluated consecutive patients with mitral stenosis who underwent PMBV from November 1, 2002, through October 30, 2011, at our institution.ResultsOf 107 total patients, 35 (32.7%) had diastolic dysfunction, defined as a preprocedural elevation in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) (>15 mm Hg). The LVEDP was normal in the remaining 72 patients (≤15 mm Hg). Clinical factors associated with diastolic dysfunction were body mass index (32±7 vs 28±5; P=.004) and diabetes mellitus (29% vs 6%; P=.002), but no differences were found in severity of pulmonary hypertension or degree of improvement in mitral valve hemodynamics after PMBV between the 2 groups. Survival free of recurrent severe symptoms, repeated PMBV, or mitral valve replacement was worse in patients with elevated LVEDP vs normal LVEDP (1-year estimate, 42% vs 81%; hazard ratio, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.62-4.96).ConclusionIn patients referred for treatment of symptomatic mitral stenosis, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction may contribute to elevated left atrial pressure, and its presence is associated with a greater risk of failure of PMBV to improve symptoms. These data have implications for counseling and patient selection for PMBV.     

Early diastolic motion of the posterior aortic root as an index of left ventricular filling

Aortic root motion on M-mode echocardiography is related to left atrial volume change. Early diastolic motion of the aortic root has been quantified by the atrial emptying index. This index has been shown by some investigators to assess early diastolic left ventricular filling, while other investigators report conflicting findings. To evaluate further early diastolic motion of the posterior aortic root, we describe a new echocardiographic parameter—the slope of early diastolic posterior aortic root motion. This parameter appears superior to the atrial emptying index in assessing early diastolic left ventricular filling. Forty-one patients were studied by M-mode echocardiography and were divided into group I (17 patients) with diminished E to F mitral value slopes (<70 mm/sec) and group II (24 patients) with normal E to F mitral valve slopes (≥70 mm/sec). Patients in group I and group II had comparable left atrial sizes and left ventricular dimensions. The aortic root slope and normalized aortic root slope (normalized for left atrial dimension) in group I (3.7 ± 1.4 cm/sec and 1.0 ± 0.4 sec^?1, respectively) were significantly less than in group II (6.4 ± 1.4 cm/sec and 1.9 ± 0.6 sec^?1, respectively). The atrial emptying index and atrial emptying index normalized for heart rate were not different between the two groups. When the 41 patients were analyzed according to the presence or absence of left ventricular hypertrophy by echocardiography, only the normalized aortic root slope was significantly different in patients with or without left ventricular hypertrophy. A significant linear correlation (r = 0.84, P < 0.0005) was found between the aortic root slope or normalized aortic root slope and the E to F slope of the mitral valve. Significant correlations also existed between the aortic root slope and the slope of early diastolic left ventricular rapid filling. Therefore, the slope of early diastolic motion of the posterior aortic root appears to be a useful and easily obtainable echocardiographic parameter to assess early diastolic left ventricular filling.     

Multicenter Randomized Double-Blind Comparison of Nebivolol plus HCTZ and Irbesartan plus HCTZ in the Treatment of Isolated Systolic Hypertension in Elderly Patients: Results of the NEHIS Study

Introduction

The present study was aimed at comparing the antihypertensive efficacy, tolerability, and side effects profile of nebivolol/hydrochlorothiazide (NH) vs irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide (IH) combination in elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH).

Methods

124 ISH patients aged 69.1 ± 5.1 years (mean ± SD) were enrolled by 13 general practitioners in Netherlands and Belgium and randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive either NH (5/12.5 mg day, n = 62) or IH (150/12.5 mg day, n = 62) for a 12-week period. The primary efficacy endpoint of the study was the comparison of the two combinations in terms of sitting office systolic blood pressure (BP) reduction after 12 weeks of treatment. In addition ambulatory BP, 24-h BP variability, tolerability, and safety profile were also investigated.

Results

122 patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. After 12 weeks of treatment the reduction of systolic BP with NH was significantly greater than IH (?25.8 ± 12 vs ?21.2 ± 14 mm Hg, P < 0.03). Diastolic BP reduction was significantly greater with NH after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment but similar at the end of the study (or after 12 weeks). In contrast, the magnitude of the 24-h, daytime, and nighttime systolic and diastolic BP reduction was almost similar in the two groups, while heart rate reduction induced by NH was significantly (P < 0.001) greater during the 24-h, daytime, and nighttime period than that induced by IH. NH caused a reduction in 24-h BP variability significantly greater than IH (standard deviation ?4.4 ± 2.7 vs ?2.2 ± 5.1 mm Hg, P < 0.02, variation coefficient ?2.0 ± 2.6 vs ?0.3 ± 3.4%, P < 0.01). Both treatment regimens were well tolerated.

Conclusions

These data provide evidence that NH reduces office BP more than IH but has similar effects on 24-h BP. NH reduces 24-h systolic and diastolic BP variability more than IH, suggesting a greater protective effect on a variable known to adversely affect prognosis.

Trial Registration

EU clinical Trials Register identifier, 2010-023104-28.

Funding

Menarini International Operations Luxembourg.

     

The impact of high-normal blood pressure on left ventricular mechanics: a three-dimensional and speckle tracking echocardiography study

To assess the presence of subclinical left ventricular myocardial dysfunction in subjects with high-normal blood pressure (BP) and untreated arterial hypertension, using three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography strain analysis. This cross-sectional study included 49 subjects with optimal BP, 50 subjects with high-normal BP, and 50 newly diagnosed untreated hypertensive patients matched by gender and age. All the subjects underwent 24 h blood pressure monitoring and complete two-dimensional and 3D echocardiography examination. The enrolled subjects were grouped according to 24 h systolic BP values, dividing the subjects with optimal BP from those with high-normal BP and the hypertensive patients (cut-off values were 120 and 130 mmHg, respectively). 3D global longitudinal strain was significantly lower in the high-normal BP group and the hypertensive patients, in comparison with the optimal BP group (?20.5 ± 3.3 vs. ?18.7 ± 2.8 vs. ?17.6 ± 2.7 %, p < 0.001). Similar results were obtained for 3D global circumferential strain (?18.6 ± 3 vs. ?17.1 ± 2.9 vs. ?16 ± 2.5 %, p < 0.001), as well for 3D global radial strain (49.4 ± 9.5 vs. 44.7 ± 8.1 vs. 43.5 ± 7.8 %, p = 0.002), and global area strain (?31.2 ± 4.8 vs. ?28.7 ± 4.2 vs. ?27.1 ± 4.5 %, p < 0.001). LV twist was increased in the hypertensive patients in comparison with the high-normal and the optimal BP groups (10.1° ± 2.4° vs. 10.8° ± 2.6° vs. 13.8° ± 3.1°, p < 0.01), whereas untwisting rate significantly and gradually decreased from the optimal BP group, across the high-normal BP group, to the hypertensive patients (?135 ± 35 vs. ?118 ± 31 vs. ?102 ± 27°/s, p < 0.001). 3D echocardiography revealed that the subjects with high-normal BP suffered subclinical impairment of LV mechanics similar as the hypertensive patients.     

冠状动脉内多普勒导丝评价主动脉瓣狭窄对冠状动脉血流的影响

目的应用冠状动脉内多普勒导丝评价主动脉瓣狭窄对冠状动脉血流的影响。方法选取慢性重度的主动脉瓣狭窄患者13例,先行冠状动脉造影检查,排除冠心病,再行冠状动脉内多普勒检查,测定前降支中远端的平均峰值流速(APV),舒张收缩流速比值(DSVR),冠状动脉血流储备(CFR)等,并测定左室舒张末压力(LVEDP),用10例正常数据作对照。结果与正常对照组相比,主动脉瓣狭窄时,冠状动脉血流LVEDP升高[(18.6±9.5)mmHgvs(7.9±5.5)mm-Hg,P<0.05];APV降低[(15.8±9.5)cm/svs(24.8±14.6)cm/s,P<0.05];DSVR无变化(2.4±1.9vs2.6±1.7,P>0.05);CFR升高(4.8±2.7vs3.5±2.2,P<0.05);前降支中段内径变化不大[(3.7±1.5)mmvs(3.5±1.4)mm,P>0.05]。结论慢性重度主动脉瓣狭窄对冠状动脉血流有显著影响,表现为基础状态时APV降低,DSVR无变化和CFR升高,并使左室舒张功能减低。APV减低可能是冠状动脉造影正常的主动脉瓣狭窄患者心绞痛的主要机制。     

Normal values for aortic diameters in children and adolescents – assessment in vivo by contrast-enhanced CMR-angiography

Aims

Obese subjects with insulin resistance and hypertension have abnormal aortic elastic function, which may predispose them to the development of left ventricular dysfunction. We hypothesised that obesity, uncomplicated by other cardiovascular risk factors, is independently associated with aortic function.

Methods and results

We used magnetic resonance imaging to measure aortic compliance, distensibility and stiffness index in 27 obese subjects (BMI 33 kg/m²) without insulin resistance and with normal cholesterol and blood pressure, and 12 controls (BMI 23 kg/m²). Obesity was associated with reduced aortic compliance (0.9 ± 0.1 vs. 1.5 ± 0.2 mm²/mmHg in controls, p < 0.02) and distensibility (3.3 ± 0.01 vs. 5.6 ± 0.01 mmHg^-1 × 10^-3, p < 0.02), as well as higher stiffness index (3.4 ± 0.3 vs. 2.1 ± 0.1, p < 0.02). Body mass index and fat mass were negatively correlated with aortic function. Leptin was higher in obesity (8.9 ± 0.6 vs. 4.7 ± 0.6 ng/ml, p < 0.001) and also correlated with aortic measures. In multiple regression models, fat mass, leptin and body mass index were independent predictors of aortic function.

Conclusion

Aortic elastic function is abnormal in obese subjects without other cardiovascular risk factors. These findings highlight the independent importance of obesity in the development of cardiovascular disease.     

Right Ventricular Myocardial Stiffness and Relaxation Components by Kinematic Model-Based Transtricuspid Flow Analysis in Children and Adolescents with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

We hypothesized that the kinematic model-based parameters obtained from the transtricuspid E-wave would be useful for evaluating the right ventricular diastolic property in pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients. The model was parametrized by stiffness/elastic recoil k, relaxation/damping c and load x. These parameters were determined as the solution of m⋅d²x/dt² + c⋅dx/dt + kx = 0, which is based on the theory that the E-wave contour is determined by the interplay of stiffness/restoring force, damping/relaxation force and load. The PAH group had a significantly higher k and c compared with the control group (182.5 ± 72.4 g/s vs. 135.7 ± 49.5 g/s², p = 0.0232, and 21.9 ± 6.5 g/s vs. 10.6 ± 5.2 g/s, p <0.0001, respectively). These results indicate that in the PAH group, the right ventricle had higher stiffness/elastic recoil and inferior cross-bridge relaxation. The present findings indicate the feasibility and utility of using kinematic model parameters to assess right ventricular diastolic function.     

不同形态血压晨峰对老年人脑梗死、左心室肥厚以及颈动脉内膜增厚的影响

目的探讨老年原发性高血压患者不同形态血压晨峰(MBPS)对脑梗死(CI)、左心室肥厚(LVH)以及对颈动脉内膜增厚(IMT)的影响。方法对320例老年原发性高血压患者进行24 h动态血压监测(ABPM)、头颅CT、头颅MR、头颅DSA和超声心动图检查以及颈动脉超声,将MBPS值≥35 mm Hg的119例患者入选为MBPS研究对象,根据其血压形态,分为勺型晨峰组76例(超勺型7例及勺型69例)、非勺型晨峰组43例(反勺型3例及非勺型40例),分别对各组患者的血脂、血糖等生化指标,以及脑梗死、左室肥厚、双侧颈动脉内膜等进行分析。结果 (1)勺型晨峰组与非勺型晨峰组之间的临床指标组间差异无统计学意义(P0.05);(2)非勺型晨峰组脑梗死发病率、左心室肥厚检出率、颈动脉内膜增厚检出率高于勺型晨峰组(P0.05)。结论老年性高血压非勺型血压晨峰患者脑梗死发生率明显高于勺型血压晨峰患者,更易引起左室肥厚和颈动脉硬化。     

三维面积应变评价高血压患者左心室心肌收缩功能早期变化

目的 应用三维斑点追踪成像（3D-STE）技术评价原发性高血压患者早期左心室心肌收缩功能改变情况。方法 对40例未经药物治疗的原发性高血压患者（高血压组）及40名健康志愿者（对照组）行常规二维超声心动图和3D-STE,测量并比较两组常规超声心动图指标包括舒张末期室间隔厚度（IVSTd）、舒张末期左心室后壁厚度（LVPWTd）、左心室舒张末期内径（LVEDd）、相对室壁厚度（RWT）、二维左心室心肌质量指数（2D-LVMi）、二维左心室射血分数（2D-LVEF）、舒张末期左心室容积（EDV）、收缩末期左心室容积（ESV）,以及3D-STE指标包括左心室三维射血分数（3D-LVEF）、左心室球形指数（SPI）、三维左心室心肌质量指数（3D-LVMi）及左心室整体面积应变（GAS）差异;采用Pearson相关分析检验GAS与各指标间相关性。结果 两组患者IVSTd、LVPWTd、LVEDd、RWT、2D-LVMi、2D-LVEF、EDV、ESV、3D-LVEF和SPI差异均无统计学差异（P均>0.05）;高血压组3D-LVMi高于对照组[(104.20±7.94) vs (92.85±6.92),P<0.05),GAS低于对照组[(-25.53±3.79) vs (-31.43±3.13),P<0.05]。GAS与3D-EF呈负相关（r=-0.78,P<0.05）,与3D-LVMi、收缩压及舒张压呈正相关（r=0.81、0.60、0.50,P<0.05）。结论 原发性高血压患者早期左心室构型未发生明显变化时,左心室心肌收缩功能已经减低,可通过3D-STE中GAS进行评价。     

Aortic Elastic Properties of Patients with Neurocardiogenic Syncope

Objective: Neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS) is a common clinical problem; however, hemodynamic mechanism is not clearly understood. Aim of the present study was to investigate aortic elastic parameters of patients with NCS provoked by head‐up tilt test. Material and Method: We conducted a prospective study of 40 cases referred to our institution for head‐up tilt testing. Group I constituted as 22 patients who developed mixed response and were enrolled for analysis. Hemodynamic data were compared with subjects of negative head‐up tilt test (Group II). Aorta‐diastolic and aorta‐systolic diameters, aortic strain, aortic distensibility, aortic elastic modulus, and aortic stiffness index were calculated from transthoracic echocardiographically derived diameters of thoracic aorta. Results: Aortic distensibility (mean ± SD; 2.7 ± 1.2 cm²× dyn^?1× 10^?6 vs 4.0 ± 1.2 cm²× dyn^?1× 10^?6, P = 0,003) and aortic strain index (mean ± SD; 7.0 ± 1.8% vs 8.7 ± 2.9%, P = 0.042) were lower, and aortic stiffness index (mean ± SD; 27.6 ± 10.9 vs 20.9 ± 6.18, P = 0.035) and aortic elastic modulus (mean ± SD; 0.94 ± 0.7 cm²× dyn^?1× 10^?6 vs 0.49 ± 0.1 cm²× dyn^?1× 10^?6, P = 0.009) were higher in patients in Group I compared with those in Group II. There was no difference between two groups for following clinical variables: aorta‐diastolic and aorta‐systolic diameters, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, E/A, weight, height, and body mass index. Conclusions: Findings of this study have shown that elastic properties of aorta are impaired in patients with NCS. The data suggest that increase in aortic stiffness might be one of the determinants responsible for NCS. This proposal of novel link should be confirmed in further studies.     

早期新生儿脉冲组织多普勒超声心动图的研究

目的 探讨脉冲组织多普勒技术评价早期新生儿心功能并了解心动周期中各时间间期及其随心率的变化规律.方法 86例出生2天、3天、4天新生儿,采用TDI技术检测早期新生儿二、三尖瓣环运动,测量收缩期峰值速度(Sa),舒张早期峰值速度(Ea)与舒张晚期峰值速度(Aa)比值(Ea/Aa),E与Ea比值(E/Ea),以及TDI频谱各时间间期.分别以日龄和性别分组,比较组间以及左右室之间上述各指标差异性,并进行时间间期与心率的相关性分析.结果 Sa、Ea/Aa及E/Ea在不同H龄间差异均无显著性(P＞0.05).男性新生儿与女性二尖瓣环左室侧Ea/Aa(0.89±0.31 vs 1.09±0.29,P=0.005)及E/Ea(10.98±2.24 vs 9.38±2.62,P=0.008)、三尖瓣环与二尖瓣环Sa(5.74±0.10 vs 4.30±0.93,P=0.000)、Ea/Aa(0.85±0.25 vs 1.00±0.32,P=0.003)及E/Ea(7.22±2.42 vs 10.09±2.57,P=0.000)差异均有显著性.各时间间期在不同口龄组间差异无显著性;男性新生儿与女性左室总舒张时间(207.14±34.70 vs 230.00±48.16,P=0.013)差异具有显著性;除外舒张后期时间,所有时间间期指标左右室间差异均有显著性(P＜0.01).新生儿收缩时间与舒张时间之比约0.54/0.46.心率与舒张早期时间、舒张后期时间强负相关(r=-0.547,-0.687).与心房收缩时间无相关关系,而与等容收缩时间,射血时间均弱负柑关(r=-0.280,-0.374).结论 早期新生儿心功能日龄间无差异;女性新生儿的心室舒张功能优于男性,而收缩功能无性别差异.左室舒张时间男性新生儿短于女性;右室的收缩早于左室,并且右室的收缩时间比左室长.心率增快主要影响舒张后期时间和舒张早期时间,与心房收缩时间无相关关系.     

Mechanical deformation in adult patients with unrepaired aortic coarctation

Aortic coarctation is a congenital heart disease that causes an increased left ventricular afterload, resulting in increased systolic parietal tension, compensatory hypertrophy, and left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction. The speckle tracking is a new echocardiographic technique that allows the detection of subclinic left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The aim of this study was to detect early left ventricular dysfunction using mechanical deformation by echocardiography in adults with un-repaired aortic coarctation. A total of 41 subjects were studied, 20 patients with aortic coarctation and 21 control subjects, 21 women (51.2%), with an average age of 30?±?10 years. All patients with aortic coarctation had systemic arterial hypertension (p?<?0.001). Seventy percent (14/20) of the patients had bicuspid aortic valve. Statistically significance (p?<?0.005) were found in left ventricular mass index, E/e ratio, pulmonary artery systolic pressure and peak velocity and maximum gradient of the aortic valve. The global longitudinal deformation of the left ventricle in patients with aortic coarctation was significative decreased, p?<?0.001. The ejection fraction and the global longitudinal deformation of the left ventricle were significantly lower in patients with aortic coarctation compared to the control group, p?<?0.003, p?<?0.001, respectively. The subgroup of patients with coarctation and left ventricular ejection fraction?<?55% had a marked decrease in global longitudinal strain (??15.9?±?4%). The radial deformation was increased in patients with aortic coarctation and showed a trend to be significant (r?=?0.421; p?<?0.06). A significant negative correlation was observed between the global longitudinal deformation and left ventricular mass index (r?=?0.54; p?=?0.01) in the aortic coarctation group. The patients with aortic coarctation and left ventricular hypertrophy had marked reduction of left ventricular global longitudinal deformation (??16%, p?<?0.05). In our study patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction had abnormal global longitudinal deformation and also the increased left ventricular mass was related with a decreased left ventricular global longitudinal deformation as a sign of subclinical systolic dysfunction.     

经皮冠状动脉介入治疗术后患者非杓型高血压与心率变异性及预后的关系

目的：探讨经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（PCI）术后患者非杓型高血压与心率变异性（HRV）及预后的关系。方法选择2010年1月至2012年6月上海市同济医院心内科收治的急性冠状动脉综合征行PCI术的高血压患者106例,根据PCI术后1周内24h动态血压监测结果分为非杓型高血压组和杓型高血压组,每组各53例。比较两组患者昼夜间收缩压（SBP）、舒张压（DBP）、平均动脉压（MAP）以及夜间血压下降率,分析HRV指标,评价HRV指标选择表示时域指标的24h全部NN间期的标准差（SDNN）、每5min时段NN间期的均值和标准差（SDANN）以及全程相邻NN间期之差的平方根（RMSSD）,记录随访1年内心血管事件发生率及再次住院率。结果非杓型高血压组夜间SBP、DBP及MAP明显高于杓型高血压组（P＜0．05）,杓型高血压组夜间SBP、DBP及MAP明显低于昼间,与杓型高血压组比较,非杓型高血压组SBP、DBP、MAP夜间下降率明显降低（P＜0．01）。非杓型高血压组SDNN、SDANN、RMSSD较杓型高血压组降低,差异有统计学意义（P＜0．01）。非杓型高血压组1年内心血管事件发生率及再次住院率明显高于杓型高血压组（P＜0．05）。结论PCI术后非杓型高血压患者易发生HRV降低,预后不良。