心脏再同步治疗难治性心力衰竭的临床应用

目的评价心脏再同步治疗（CRT）难治性心力衰竭的临床疗效。方法21例难治性心力衰竭患者接受CRT治疗;左心室导线采用经心脏静脉血管径路植入或开胸直接缝合左心室心外膜导线。植入术后定期随访,分析患者心功能、活动耐量、生活质量评分、QRS时限、左心室射血分数（LVEF）、左心室舒张末内径（LVEDD）等指标的变化,评价CRT的临床疗效,测试起搏参数并在超声心动图指导下优化AV间期和VV间期。结果21例患者成功植入CRT,其中3例患者因心脏静脉血管畸形而采用开胸植入左心室心外膜导线。平均随访（9．8±9．5）个月,死亡3例;2例患者因心力衰竭症状复发再住院;其余患者心功能分级、生活质量评分、活动耐量较植入术前有显著改善;植入术后1个月LVEF明显提高（0．31±0．06对0．37±0．05,P〈0．01）;二尖瓣反流程度[（2．24±0．89）级对（1．43±0．75）级,P〈0．01];LVEDD植入术后6个月明显减小（（71．91±8．38）mm对（68．82±10．80）mm,P〈0．05];QRS时限分析显示CRT治疗有效组术后明显变窄（（162．50±24．08）ms对（142．50±19．15）ms,P〈0．05],无效组变化不明显[（148．00±10．95）ms对（138．00±4．47）ms,P〉0．05]。1例患者左心室导线脱位。右心房和右心室起搏导线的阈值、感知灵敏度及阻抗均在正常范围,左心室导线各参数,除1例患者阈值升高外余均正常。3例开胸植入心外膜导线患者除1例于植入术后第5个月心脏性猝死,余2例分别随访18个月和26个月,左心室导线阈值分别为0．5V／0．4ms和1．0V／0．4ms。CRT治疗的总临床有效率为76．2％。结论CRT治疗难治性心力衰竭有效,能恢复患者心脏电活动和机械活动的同步性,显著改善心功能。QRS时限变窄是CRT疗效的重要预测指标。     

单中心心脏再同步治疗的长期病死率及原因分析

目的观察本中心心脏再同步治疗（CRT）的长期病死率,分析可能的相关因素。方法2001年3月至2010年4月135例患者行CRT治疗,男106例,平均年龄（59．95±11．14）岁。缺血性心肌病（ICM）44例,心功能Ⅲ～Ⅳ级（NYHA分级）,LVEF≤0．35。随访最长9年。结果全因死亡率为31．11％,其中心力衰竭占26．19％,猝死占38．1％。与存活患者比较,心力衰竭恶化死亡患者更年轻、CRT治疗前的临床指标差、肺动脉压高、左心室舒张末内径增大明显（P〈0．05）,而且PR间期明显延长（P〈0．05）,不理想的左心室电极导线位置（心中静脉和心大静脉）的比例增加（P〈0．01）。非心力衰竭死亡组CRT治疗后心功能的各项指标及活动耐量均改善,且随着时间延长改善更明显,而心力衰竭死亡组随着时间延长病情反复且加重。结论本中心CRT长期治疗的全因死亡率为31％,死亡原因中心脏性猝死发生率最高,心力衰竭恶化排第2位,经CRT后因心力衰竭和猝死导致的死亡率低于以前药物治疗（20％／4年和〉50％／5年）。对于心功能好转的患者预防猝死是重要的,心脏再同步治疗除颤器（CRT－D）应是首选治疗。     

心脏再同步化治疗慢性心力衰竭的临床体会

目的观察心脏再同步化（CRT）和心脏再同步化除颤器（CRT—D）治疗慢性心力衰竭的疗效及并发症发生情况。方法选择药物治疗无效的慢性心力衰竭患者15例,男性10例,女性5例,平均年龄（57．2±9．4）岁。行心脏再同步化治疗,6例置入CRT,9例置入CRT—D,观察起搏器伤口及临床症状、体征,随访心电图、胸部X片、超声心动图,评估疗效。结果置入CRT患者中1例8个月后猝死;1例术后1个月出现膈肌跳动,再次手术1个月后仍有膈肌跳动,关闭左室电极,之后失访。置入CRT—D患者中2例发生持续性室速,自动除颤成功;1例术后15个月死于肺部感染;1例术后14个月出现囊袋皮肤发黑,清创后在同侧胸大肌下方置入原起搏器;1例术后19个月出现囊袋破溃,取出起搏器后5d死于室颤。剔除失访1例,术后6个月10例患者临床指标、超声测定指标好转,心功能改善,有效率71．4％。结论CRT能改善大部分慢性心衰患者的心功能,CRT—D对预防猝死有效。再同步化治疗的囊袋相关并发症发生率较高。     

心脏再同步治疗是慢性心力衰竭伴心脏收缩不同步患者治疗的希望所在

慢性心力衰竭是各种心脏病发展的严重阶段，是目前心脏病学尚未解决的难题之一。超过4000例患者的随机临床研究业已证实，心脏再同步治疗（CRT）不仅能改善心力衰竭患者运动耐量、生活质量，而且能逆转心肌重构，降低病死率。CRT正在成为慢性心力衰竭患者的常规治疗方法，但临床实践仍有许多值得探讨的问题。     

心力衰竭患者心脏再同步化疗效的多因素分析

目的：探讨影响心力衰竭患者心脏再同步化治疗（CRT）效果的因素. 方法：入选因慢性心功能不全接受CRT的患者25例.CRT应答定义为术后6个月左室收缩末期容积（LVESV）减少＞15％以及纽约心功能改善1级以上（包括1级）,不达上述标准以及因心力衰竭死亡者定义为CRT无应答.对所有患者随访（26.0±15.9）个月,17例表现为CRT应答,8例表现为CRT无应答,分析两组患者的临床基线特征及治疗前后心功能分级、基线QRS波时限（QRSd）等指标,并作logistic回归分析. 结果：慢性心力衰竭患者对CRT的反应与QRSd（r=1.19,P=0.01）、术后QRSd缩短时间（ΔQRSd,r=1.28,P=0.01）相关.ROC曲线分析显示,基线QRSd＞135 ms预测CRT应答的敏感性为70.6％0、特异性为62.5％,ΔQRSd缩短25 ms预测CRT应答的敏感性为64.7％、特异性为90.9％. 结论：QRS波基线值和ΔQRSd是CRT应答的预测因子.     

The association between cardiac resynchronization therapy response and sexual activity in patients with heart failure

BackgroundSexual activity is an important indicator of quality of life and is significantly impaired in patients with heart failure (HF). Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has positive effects on cardiac dysfunction and endothelial dysfunction that lead to erectile dysfunction (ED). We aimed to evaluate whether CRT may improve sexual activity in patients with HF.MethodsIn total, 136 patients (mean age 61.8 ± 12.8 years) were evaluated for the study. All patients filled the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) questionnaire for evaluation of their erectile functions before CRT device implantation. One hundred eighty days after CRT device implantation, the patients were re-evaluated with SHIM questionnaire.ResultsIn the whole study population, SHIM test scores were significantly increased after CRT (12.99 ± 3.22 vs. 18.03 ± 5.00; p<0.001). The patients were divided into two groups according to the CRT response. The increase in SHIM test scores was significantly more in the response (+) group than in the response (−) group [response (+) group: 6.94 ± 3.36; p<0.001 vs. response (−) group: 0.81 ± 1.77; p = 0.465]. A positive CRT response was found to be an independent predictor of SHIM score (p<0.001).ConclusionOur study showed that CRT had positive effects on ED of patients with HF.     

心脏再同步治疗对慢性心力衰竭的临床疗效观察

目的观察心脏再同步治疗（CRT）对慢性心力衰竭的长期临床疗效。方法24例接受CRT的慢性心力衰竭患者,心功能Ⅲ～Ⅳ级（NYHA分级）,左心室射血分数（LVEF）≤0．35,左心室舒张末内径（LVEDD）／〉55mm,QRS时限≥120／TIS。植入前超声心动图及组织多普勒检查以评价心功能及心脏收缩不同步指标,并指导左心室电极导线的植入。植入后3、6个月及随后的每6个月进行随访,随访内容包括临床症状、心电图、LVEDD、LVEF及多普勒超声评价心脏收缩同步性指标。结果随访时间（12．0±4．6）个月,结果显示患者临床症状明显改善,QRS时限植入后较植入前缩短[（137．50±38．96）ms对（144．60±45．78）ms,P=0．67],但差异无统计学意义。植人后LVEDD较植入前明显缩小[（6．24±0．89）cm对（6．78±0．42）cm,P=0．03];LVEF则明显提高（0．36±0．09对0．31±0．03,P〈0．01）,左心房内径（LAD）也较术前明显缩小[（4．22±8．43）cm对（5．32±7．63）cm,P=0．01]。心脏收缩不同步指标与植入前相比也明显改善。结论对慢性心力衰竭的患者,CRT治疗可改善左心室功能,逆转左心室重构。     

Long-term outcome in diabetic heart failure patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality in heart failure (HF) patients. AIMS: To compare functional and structural improvement, as well as long-term outcome, between diabetic and non-diabetic HF patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). METHODS: We compared response to CRT in 141 diabetic and 214 non-diabetic consecutive patients. Major events were; death from any cause, urgent heart transplantation and implantation of a left ventricular (LV) assist device. Frequencies of hospitalisation and defibrillator (CRT-D) discharges were also analyzed. RESULTS: CRT was able to significantly improve functional capacity, ventricular geometry and neurohumoral imbalance in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients over a median follow-up time of 34 months. Overall event-free survival was similar in diabetic and non-diabetic patients (HR 1.23, p=0.363), as was survival free from CRT-D interventions (HR 1.72; p=0.115) and hospitalisations (HR 1.12; p=0.500). On multivariable analysis, NYHA class IV (p=0.002), low LV ejection fraction (p=0.002), absence of beta-blocker therapy (p<0.001), impaired renal function (p=0.003), presence of an epicardial lead (p=0.025), but not diabetes (p=0.821) were associated with a poor outcome after CRT. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic HF patients treated with CRT had a very favourable functional and survival outcome, which was comparable to non-diabetic patients.     

Primary biliary cirrhosis: what we know and what we want to know about human PBC and spontaneous PBC mouse models

Human autoimmune cholangiopathy comprises several intractable liver diseases that ultimately lead to hepatic failure. Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), allograft rejection, graft versus host diseases, and, possibly, primary sclerosing cholangitis are representative of immune-mediated cholangiopathies. Among them, PBC is the best-investigated human autoimmune cholangiopathy. The immunological approach to PBC has provided much critical information regarding its pathogenesis. The breakdown of self-tolerance in both B cells and T cells toward E2 components of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex is evident. However, a number of questions regarding its etiology are unclear, in particular, the mechanisms involved in the selectivity of cholangiocyte destruction. In this brief review, we discuss what we know and we do not know regarding the pathogenesis of PBC.     

Improvement of P wave dispersion after cardiac resynchronization therapy for heart failure

Objective

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on P wave maximum duration (PWM) and P wave dispersion (PWD) in patients with advanced heart failure.

Methods

Forty-six patients (33 men; mean age, 60 ± 11 years) with CRT were enrolled in the present study. PWM and PWD were measured using 12-lead surface electrocardiography (ECG) at a paper speed of 50 mm/s and 20 mm/mV. Serial ECG, echocardiography, clinical assessment, and device interrogations were performed at baseline and 3 months after CRT.

Results

After 3 months of follow-up, PWM and PWD values were significantly decreased (129.6 ± 11.3 to 120.7 ± 10.7 milliseconds, P < .001; 42.6 ± 8.0 to 32.3 ± 10.1 milliseconds; P < .001, respectively). It showed a significant reduction in left atrial diameter (LAD) (46.5 ± 5.2 to 44.9 ± 5.6 mm, P = .021) and an improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (29.0% ± 7.5% to 36.2% ± 8.0%, P < .001). The decrease of PWM and PWD was positively correlated with the reduction of LAD and negatively correlated with the improvement of LVEF. The reduction in atrial fibrillation burden was observed after 3 months of follow-up.

Conclusions

Cardiac resynchronization therapy decreases PWM and PWD along with an improvement of LVEF and a reduction of LAD. Further studies are needed to evaluate the clinical implications of decrease of PWD on prevention of atrial fibrillation.     

Effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy on disease progression in chronic heart failure.

Despite the alleviation of symptoms and longer survival conferred by pharmacological management of chronic congestive heart failure (CHF), this progressive syndrome remains associated with high morbidity and premature death. A new treatment of CHF should ideally alleviate symptoms, improve functional capacity, decrease mortality, and slow or reverse its progression without adding risks for the patient that outweighs the benefits. Growing evidence indicates that devices implanted to resynchronize ventricular contraction are a beneficial adjunct in the treatment of CHF. This review discusses the remodelling process, and its clinical and prognostic significance. We also discuss the impact of CRT, on remodelling and disease progression with a particular focus on patients with asymptomatic or mild heart failure (NYHA Class I-II).     

Heart failure in general and cardiac transplant patients with COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is primarily an infection of the respiratory tract, but it can have multisystem manifestations. Cardiac complications of COVID-19 can range from acute myocardial injury, cardiac arrhythmias, or heart failure, amongst others. Heart failure (HF) in COVID-19 can be a de novo process or due to worsening of pre-existing cardiovascular ailment. HF in a patient with COVID-19 not only poses challenges in clinical presentation and management of COVID-19 but also affect prognosis of the patient. This article aims to succinctly revisit the implications of this pandemic regarding pre-existing HF or new-onset HF based on prevailing data. It also focuses on the management and special recommendations from prior studies and guidelines.     

Early and sustained effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy on N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with moderate to severe heart failure and cardiac dyssynchrony.

AIMS: The Cardiac Resynchronization-Heart Failure (CARE-HF) study demonstrated that cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) could reduce morbidity and mortality and improve cardiac function in patients with moderate or severe heart failure secondary to left ventricular systolic dysfunction and markers of cardiac dyssynchrony. The purpose of this analysis was to investigate the effect of CRT on plasma concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), a powerful marker of cardiac dysfunction and prognosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Blood samples were collected routinely at baseline and 3 and 18 months. Plasma was separated by cool centrifugation and stored at -70 degrees C until transported to a central laboratory for analysis of NT-pro-BNP using a standard commercial assay. Cardiac function was assessed echocardiographically. At baseline, median plasma concentration of NT-pro-BNP was similar in patients assigned to CRT or medical therapy [1920 pg/mL (inter-quartile range (IQR) 744-4288) and 1809 pg/mL (IQR 719-3949), respectively]. The differences in medians between the CRT and medical therapy groups were highly significant at both 3 months (537 pg/mL; P < 0.0001) and 18 months of follow-up (567 pg/mL; P < 0.0001). These differences could not be accounted for by changes in pharmacological therapy or renal function but were associated with improvement in ventricular volumes and function. CONCLUSION: CRT exerts an early and sustained reduction in NT-pro-BNP. This appears to reflect improvements in ventricular function. NT-pro-BNP may be a simple method for monitoring the effects of CRT.     

影响慢性心力衰竭患者心脏再同步化治疗效果的因素分析

目的 观察慢性心力衰竭患者心脏再同步化治疗(cardiac resynchronization therapy,CRT)的临床疗效,比较CRT有反应和无反应患者的临床特征,分析不同因素对CRT反应及预后的影响.方法 选取在浙江大学医学院附属第二医院心血管内科成功置入CRT-P/D的慢性心力衰竭患者204例,收集术前临床资料、手术资料及术后随访资料,结合手术前后临床症状及超声心动图参数的改善,评估CRT疗效.比较有反应和无反应患者的临床特征,并通过多因素回归分析及生存分析比较不同因素对CRT反应及预后的影响.结果 纳入研究者共204例,其中男性130例,女性74例,平均年龄(64.8±11.9)岁,随访6～60个月.CRT有反应者125例(61.3％).有反应的患者中,女性、QRS波时限≥150 ms及QRS波形态呈完全性左束支传导阻滞(CLBBB)者所占比例分别为41.6％ (52/125)、58.4％(73/125)、65.6％(82/125),明显高于CRT无反应的患者(P＜0.05).多因素回归分析显示,QRS波时限≥150 ms是CRT有反应的唯一独立预测因子.Kaplan-Meier法分析显示CRT有反应的患者生存率高于无反应的患者(P＜0.001).结论 临床特征,包括女性、QRS波时限≥150 ms及CLBBB,与CRT反应密切相关,其中QRS波时限≥150 ms能独立预测CRT有反应.CRT有反应的患者预后优于无反应的患者.     

心脏再同步化治疗慢性心力衰竭伴持续性心房颤动的疗效

目的评价心脏再同步化治疗(CRT)慢性心力衰竭(简称心衰)合并持续性心房颤动(简称房颤)患者的临床疗效。方法选择慢性心衰患者53例,其中42例窦性心律患者及11例房颤患者接受双心室起搏治疗,术后3个月进行随访,观察患者的心功能分级,6 min步行距离,超声心动图测定各房室腔内径大小、左室射血分数(LVEF)、二尖瓣返流以及速度向量成像超声评价同步性参数的变化。结果 53例三腔起搏器置入术均取得成功。与术前相比,术后3个月房颤CRT患者心功能分级(2.30±0.47级vs 3.0±0.02级)、左房内径(44.9±3.8 mm vs52.2±4.2 mm,P<0.05),LVEF(0.43±0.02 vs 0.32±0.03)及二尖瓣返流(1.5±0.2 vs 3.18±1.75,P<0.01)均有明显改善,速度向量成像超声结果显示,室内不同步较术前有明显改善。窦性心律患者术后各项心功能及不同步指标较术前亦有明显改善,与房颤CRT患者比较差异无显著性。结论对于慢性心衰合并持续性房颤患者,CRT与窦性心律一样可以改善心功能。