Increased epicardial adipose tissue thickness is correlated with ascending aortic diameter

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), localized beneath the visceral pericardium, is a metabolically active endocrine and paracrine organ with possible interactions within the heart. Recent studies identified possible roles of uric acid (UA)-induced oxidative stress and increased inflammatory status in the pathogenesis of ascending aortic dilatation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether EAT is an independent factor for ascending aortic dilatation. The patients were evaluated by a complete transthoracic echocardiographic examination including measurements of EAT and aortic dimensions. Serum levels of UA and C-reactive protein and EAT thicknesses were compared in 38 patients with dilated ascending aorta (DAA) (the diameter ≥ 37 mm) vs. 107 subjects with normal aortic diameter (AD) of < 37 mm. EAT thickness was significantly higher in DAA group compared to normal AD group (8.3 ± 2.7 vs. 5.4 ± 2.2 mm, p < 0.001) as well as age (53 ± 10 vs. 48 ± 9 years, p = 0.004), the presence of hypertension (54% vs. 30%, p = 0.009) and UA levels (6.0 ± 1.4 vs. 5.2 ± 1.1 mg/dL, p < 0.001). There was a strong correlation between EAT thickness and ascending aortic diameter (r = 0.521, p < 0.001). In multiple logistic regression analysis, EAT thickness (OR: 1.429, p = 0.006), body mass index (OR: 1.169, p = 0.014) and UA levels (OR: 1.727, p = 0.023) were independently correlated to ascending aortic dilatation. We therefore propose that increased EAT thickness is an independent predictor of ascending aortic dilation.     

Decreased left atrial strain parameters are correlated with prolonged total atrial conduction time in lone atrial fibrillation

To investigate left atrium (LA) strain properties of patients with lone atrial fibrillation (LAF) and to assess relationships between LA strain parameters and total atrial conduction time measured with tissue Doppler imaging (PA-TDI). The study population consisted of 53 patients with LAF. The control group was comprised of 50 normal volunteers. Conventional echocardiography indices were measured. Mitral annular velocities and PA-TDI were assessed with TDI. Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) was used to assess LA segmental strain and strain rate. Compared with the control group, PA-TDI was significantly prolonged and LA myocardial Ss, SRs, Sa, and SRa were significantly decreased in the LAF group (all P?<?0.001). In the control group, LA myocardial Ss (γ?=??0.486, P?<?0.01), SRs (γ?=??0.436, P?<?0.01), and Sa (γ?=??0.360, P?<?0.05) were correlated negatively with PA-TDI. LA myocardial SRa (γ?=?0.377, P?<?0.01) was correlated positively with PA-TDI. In the LAF group, LA myocardial Ss (γ?=??0.429, P?<?0.01), SRs (γ?=??0.468, P?<?0.01), and Sa (γ?=??0.380, P?<?0.05) were also correlated negatively, and SRa (γ?=?0.390, P?<?0.01) was correlated positively, with PA-TDI. Multivariate logistic regression identified PA-TDI as the only predictor of AF onset (OR 1.39; 95?% CI 1.02–1.54; P?<?0.01). LA strain parameters were decreased and PA-TDI was prolonged in patients with LAF. Structural remodeling of the LA, assessed by 2D-STE, was correlated with electrical remodeling, determined by PA-TDI. Prolonged PA-TDI was independently associated with AF onset.     

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance of total and atrial pericardial adipose tissue: a validation study and development of a 3 dimensional pericardial adipose tissue model

Background

Recently pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) has been shown to be an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF). Atrial PAT may influence underlying atrial musculature creating a substrate for AF. This study sought to validate the assessment of total and atrial PAT by standard cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) measures and describe and validate a three dimensional atrial PAT model.

Methods

10 merino cross sheep underwent CMR using a 1.5 Tesla system (Siemens, Sonata, Erlangen, Germany). Atrial and ventricular short axis (SA) images were acquired, using ECG -gated steady state free precession sequences. In order to quantify total volume of adipose tissue, a three dimensional model was constructed from consecutive end-diastolic images using semi-automated software. Regions of adipose tissue were marked in each slice followed by linear interpolation of pixel intensities in spaces between consecutive image slices. Total volume of adipose tissue was calculated as a total volume of the three dimensional model and the mass estimated from volume measurements. The sheep were euthanized and pericardial adipose tissue was removed and weighed for comparison to the corresponding CMR measurements.

Results

All CMR adipose tissue estimates significantly correlated with autopsy measurements (ICC > 0.80; p < 0.03). Intra- observer reliability in CMR measures was high, with 95% levels of agreement within 5.5% (ICC = 0.995) for total fat mass and its individual atrial (95% CI ± 8.3%, ICC = 0.993) and ventricular components (95% CI ± 6.6%, ICC = 0.989). Inter- observer 95% limits of agreement were within ± 10.7% (ICC = 0.979), 7.4% (ICC = 0.991) and 7.2% (ICC = 0.991) for atrial, ventricular and total pericardial adipose tissue, respectively.

Conclusion

This study validates the use of a semi-automated three dimensional atrial PAT model utilizing standard (clinical) CMR sequences for accurate and reproducible assessment of atrial PAT. The measurement of local cardiac fat stores via this methodology could provide a sensitive tool to examine the regional effect of fat deposition on atrial substrate which potentially may influence AF ablation strategies in obese patients.     

Post-cardiotomy pericardial effusion and postoperative atrial fibrillation risk

The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - Postoperative atrial fibrillation is a poor prognostic factor associated with increased mortality rates. Patients experiencing significant...     

左心房改变与心房颤动的关系

目的 探讨左心房改变与心房颤动发生的关系.方法 根据心电图和动态心电图的检测,将160例患者分为三组,持续性房颤患者54例为A组,阵发性房颤患者52例为B组,仅有心电图P波增宽的患者54例为C组.所有入选患者均经超声心动图检测左心房内径,观察患者窦性心律时心电图P波最大时限(Pmax)和P波离散度(Pdisp),并分析与房颤发生的关系.结果 患者心电图P波切迹明显,Pmax增宽,Pdisp大者房颤发生率高;超声心动图检测左房内径大者房颤发生率高,持续性房颤比阵发性房颤患者左房内径更大(P<0.01).结论 左心房扩大、Pmax增宽、Pdisp增大与房颤的发生以及持续的时间有密切关系.     

心房颤动复律后左房大小和左房功能的研究

目的 观察心房颤动转复前后左房大小、左房收缩功能的改变及两者的关系。方法 94例房颤患者中34例自发转复为窦律。60例被随机分为药物转复31例,直流电转复29例。所有患者房颤转复前后采用多谱勒超声心动图测定左房腔径、容量和A峰速度以评价左房大小和收缩功能。结果 转复后,左房腔径和容量均显著缩小（P＜0．01）,A峰速度显著增快（P＜0．01）,但电转复患者发生上述改变所需的时间相对较长。结论 房颤可使左房发生腔径扩大、收缩功能下降的改变。转复窦律后,上述改变可迅速逆转,但电转复因对心肌的损伤作用,而使上述逆转延迟发生。     

非瓣膜性房颤患者的左心耳特征分析

冠状病毒（coronavirus,CoVs）感染主要累及肺部,但对心血管系统损伤作用也不容忽视。CoVs感染引起的心脏损伤并非罕见,其发生与病情的严重程度密切相关。本文首先从CoVs引起心血管损伤的证据入手,进一步探讨了CoVs对心肌的直接损伤,以及肾素血管紧张素（RAS）系统激活和细胞因子风暴与炎症反应对心血管损伤的可能作用机制。相关心血管损伤的可能机制包括,（1）病毒直接作用：CoVs在心肌细胞复制,损伤心肌;（2）RAS系统激活：感染CoVs后,心脏血管紧张素转化酶2（angiotensin-converting enzyme 2,ACE2）的表达下调,激活RAS系统,使得血管紧张素Ⅱ（Angiotensin Ⅱ,Ang Ⅱ）收缩血管功能增强,Ang1-7保护心脏效应减弱;（3）诱发细胞因子风暴：循环细胞因子和全身炎症反应引起心脏损伤;（4）其他：包括低氧血症和儿茶酚胺心脏毒性。本文就相关内容作一综述,为后续的详尽机制和治疗策略研究提供思路。     

The impact of atrial fibrillation ablation on left atrial function: association with baseline left atrial function

Background: The effect of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation on left atrial (LA) function has not been sufficiently determined. Methods: We enrolled 115 consecutive patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF that underwent AF ablation. Multidetector computed tomography was performed in sinus rhythm before and 3 months after ablation to evaluate LA volume (LAV) and function. Estimates of maximum and minimum LAV were used to calculate LA emptying fraction (LAEF) ([maximum–minimum LAV]/maximum LAV × 100). Results: AF ablation significantly decreased maximum LAV (59.0 ± 20.4 to 53.3 ± 16.7 cm³, P = 0.001), and maintained LAEF (44.5 ± 13.1% to 43.7 ± 10.9%, P = 0.49). The larger the baseline maximum LAV, the greater the decrease in LAV after ablation, and a smaller baseline LAEF was associated with a larger recovery of LAEF after ablation (regression coefficient =−0.45 and −0.56, respectively, P < 0.0001). Multivariable analyses revealed that an impaired baseline LAEF was an independent predictor of an improvement in LA function (an increase in LAEF of >10%; odds ratio [OR] = 0.88, P < 0.0001), while an older age and preserved baseline LAEF were independently associated with a deterioration of LA function (a decrease in LAEF of >10%; OR = 1.06, P = 0.03; and OR = 1.10, P = 0.0001). Conclusions: AF ablation appears to have a beneficial effect on LA function in patients with impaired LA function at baseline. However, it may reduce LA function in patients with an older age and preserved baseline LAEF. (PACE 2011;1–8)     

组织速度成像结合应变率成像技术对房颤状态下左心耳功能的评价

目的应用应变率成像（SRI）结合组织速度（TVI）显像技术评价持续性房颤患者左心耳机械运动特点以及变化特点。方法对29例患者和31例对照者行经食管超声检查,比较各节段运动速度（PSV和PDVE）以及局部心肌沿长轴的应变率（Ssr和Dsr）变化特点。结果对照组左心耳壁顶部Ssr、Dsr、PSV和PDVE均高于其余节段（P〈0.01,0.05）。房颤组左心耳顶部Ssr、PSV仅高于间隔壁及侧壁中段（P〈0.05）,心耳顶部Dsr仅高于间隔壁中段（P〈0.05）。对照组心耳顶部Ssr、PSV与左心耳面积变化率（LAA-EF）和左心耳充盈速度（LAA-EV）呈正相关（r=0.724、0.637、0.656、0.712,P〈0.001）,房颤组心耳顶部PSV与LADd呈线性负相关（r=-0.66,P〈0.001）。房颤组各节段Ssr、Dsr、PSV以及PDVE较对照组均降低（P〈0.01）。结论左心耳顶部Ssr以及PSV决定了心耳整体的排空能力,房颤患者由于心耳壁舒缩功能明显降低导致的心耳壁运动不协调。TVI和SRI技术相结合,能更为全面地反映左心耳功能变化特点。     

苦参素对兔实验性左房纤维化的影响

目的:观察苦参素对实验性兔心房颤动左房纤维化心肌组织基质金属蛋白酶抑制因子-1(TIMP-1)和Ⅲ型前胶原(PCⅢ),Ⅳ型胶原(CⅣ)表达的影响.探讨苦参素对心房颤动左房纤维化的干预作用及可能的机制.方法:通过建立肺静脉源性房颤心肌纤维化动物模型,同时用苦参素进行干预,用免疫组织化学方法和放射免疫法检测心肌组织中TIMP-1和PCⅢ、CⅣ的表达,并作网状纤维及HE染色,观察心肌胶原及组织病理学变化.结果:苦参素防治组的心肌胶原表达量显著低于模型组,且苦参素防治组TIMP-1表达量较模型组显著下降(P<0.05).结论:苦参素具有抗心肌纤维化作用,其机制可能是通过抑制TIMP-1、PCⅢ和CⅣ的合成而实现.     

Systemic embolism with left atrial thrombus occurring four years after left atrial appendage closure in a patient with atrial fibrillation

Dear editor,The left atrial appendage(LAA)is the most common site for thrombus formation in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF).[1]We present the case of a patient with AF who underwent LAA closure(LAAC)with Watchman(Atritech,Boston Scientific,USA),in whom extracranial systemic embolic events(SEEs)with left atrial thrombus were observed after 4 years,and discuss relevant literature to improve the understanding of SEEs.     

P波离散度及左房大小与阵发性房颤的相关性研究

目的观察研究阵发性房颤(PAF)病人的体表心电图P波离散度(Pd),研究Pd、Pmax及LAD对PAF的预测价值。方法观察和测量64例PAF病人(观察组)的Pd、Pmax及LAD。并与60名健康者(对照组)对照分析。结果 PAF组的Pd及Pmax较对照组明显延长(P<0.05),Pmin与对照组无明显差异。PAF组LAD较对照组明显增大(P<0.05)。Pmax≥110ms时,预测PAF的敏感性为84.3%,特异性为83.9%,阳性预测值为81.4%;Pd≥40ms时,敏感性为83.3%,特异性为85.7%,阳性预测值为87.8%;当联合Pmax≥110ms与Pd≥40ms时,敏感性为80%,特异性为87%,阳性预测值为89%。结论 Pd、Pmax及LAD与PAF的发生有密切的联系。     

慢性心房颤动患者心房肌超声组织定征研究

目的探讨心房颤动(房颤)患者和窦性心律患者心房肌背向散射积分,诊断慢性房颤时心房肌病理性结构改变。方法选择风湿性瓣膜病患者46例,其中房颤组26例,窦性心律组20例。在左房后壁心肌和心包处测量背向散射积分值(IBS)及背向散射积分周期变异幅度(CVIB)。结果两组间年龄和性别构成比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。与窦性心律组比较,房颤组左房心肌标化IBS显著增大(P<0.05),而CVIB则显著降低(P<0.05)。结论慢性房颤患者心房肌显著纤维化和心房机械功能的下降是导致IBS值升高和CVIB降低的原因。     

组织多普勒成像技术评估慢性房颤患者左室壁运动

目的 应用组织多普勒成像技术（DTI）探讨慢性房颤患者的室壁运动特点,为临床诊治提供重要的信息,方法,将研究分为三组,A组为18例正常对照,B组为15例心房大小正常的房颤患者,C组为16例心房扩大的房颤患者,所有患者均无严重瓣膜病或节段性室壁运动异常,采用HP SONOS 5500超声显像仪和脉冲DTI,分别在心尖四腔心切面和胸骨旁长轴切面测定左室侧壁和后壁收缩期峰值速度（VS）,舒张期峰值速度（VE）,心电图QRS波起始至收缩期峰值速度的平均时间T1,心电图QRS波起始至舒张期峰值速度的平均时间T2,平均心率为R－R,结果 （1）A组正常人均有舒张早期和晚期两个波峰（E峰和A峰）,B组和C组房颤患者均只有一个舒张期波峰（E峰）,（2）A组与B组这间的DTI测值差异均无显著性意义（均为P＞0．05）,（3）C组左室侧的VS显著小于A组（P＜0．05）,C组左室后壁的VS,VE均显著大于A组（P均＜0．05）,C组侧壁的T1／（R－R）^1/2,Ts/(R-R)1/2显著高于A组（P均＜0．05）,C组后壁的T1／（R－R）^1/2,T2/(R-R)^1/2与A组比较差异无显著性意义（P均＞0．05）,结论 左房增大的房颤患者左室壁在长轴方向收缩活动减弱,舒张期峰值速度延迟,在短轴方向舒缝活动增强,DTI技术能精确地定量分析房颤患者的室壁活动,可成为评价房颤患者心肌舒缩功能的无创伤性新方法。     

Analysis of electrical and mechanical left atrial properties in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation

The study of left atrial (LA) mechanical function during atrial fibrillation (AFib) can provide valuable information, particularly if such profiling is related to the cavity electrical substrate and conveys prognostic information. To assess if there is any relation between LA mechanical and electrical asynchrony and if such evaluation can be of interest in stratifying AFib patients. 50 patients with persistent AFib who underwent electrical cardioversion (CV) were evaluated with pre-CV atrial electrograms (AEGs). Electrical asynchrony was classified according to Wells’ patterns of AEGs, ranging from most organized (I) to most dispersed (III) one. LA mechanical asynchrony was addressed by transthoracic 2D-speckle-tracking echo and quantified according to time-to-peak standard deviation (TP-SD) of wall strains and their peak values (PS) before CV, after 24 h, at 1 month. Pre-CV a linear, inverse relation between TP-SD and PS (p < 0.001) and a direct linear relation between TP-SD and Wells’ classes (p = 0.04) were observed. With sinus rhythm TP-SD decreased (p = 0.023) and PS increased (p < 0.001), suggesting improved LA mechanical milieu. A multivariate analysis, testing the effects of baseline variables in predicting post-CV recurrence of AFib, revealed that amount of TP-SD variation pre/24 h post-CV was the only independent predictor at 6 months (p = 0.046). Speckle tracking-derived LA parameters can describe LA wall forces during AFib, categorizing the asynchronous mechanistic profile of AFib that correlates with the degree of the dispersed LA electrical activity. The amount of changes in LA mechanical asynchrony pre/post-CV seems to have prognostic relevance in predicting SR maintenance.     

超声心动图在非瓣膜性心房颤动患者经皮左心耳封堵术中的应用

目的应用超声心动图评估非瓣膜性心房颤动(以下简称房颤)患者行经皮左心耳封堵术(LAAC)的并发症,以及因其引起的心腔大小和心功能改变情况,探讨超声心动图在LAAC中的应用价值。方法选取205例在我院行LAAC的非瓣膜性房颤患者,分别于LAAC术前及术后48 h、3~6个月、1年检测其收缩末期左房前后径(LAD)、舒张末期左室前后径(LVDd)、收缩末期右房横径(RAT)、舒张末期右室前后径(RVD)、左室射血分数(LVEF)、左室缩短分数(LVFS)、舒张末期容积(EDV)及每搏输出量(SV),分析不同时间点各参数的差异。观察患者并发症发生情况。结果205例房颤患者成功完成LAAC 202例(98.5%),与术前比较,术后48 h LVEF、LVFS、SV均增高,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05);术后3~6个月及术后1年各参数与术前比较差异均无统计学意义。205例患者中,术后封堵器相关血栓形成17例(8.4%),心包积液4例(2.0%),封堵器周边残余分流29例(14.4%,分流束间距均<5 mm),所有患者均未发生封堵器脱落和移位。结论超声心动图在LAAC术前检测、术中引导及术后随访中均有重要价值,是确保LAAC成功的关键。     

Age-related changes in morphology of left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between age and frequency of left atrial appendage (LAA) morphology in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) compared with sinus rhythm (SR). We enrolled 145 AF patients, and 199 SR patients for the control group without any cardiovascular disease. LAA volume index (LAAVi) and morphology were assessed by electrocardiogram-gated computed tomography angiography. LAA morphology was classified into “chicken wing” or “non-chicken wing” according to the previously described classification. There was no significant trend in frequency of non-chicken wing morphology among ages in the SR group (p?=?0.36 for trend), whereas the frequency was negatively related to age in the AF group (p?=?0.002 for trend). In multivariable logistic regression, age?>?65 (odds ratio [OR] 0.42, p?=?0.002) and duration of AF (OR 0.53, p?=?0.010) and LAAVi (OR 0.62, p?=?0.017) were independent factors of non-chicken wing LAA morphology in the AF group. LAA morphology is affected by age, especially in patients with AF. When we utilize non-chicken wing LAA morphology as a stroke risk factor in patients with AF, we should pay attention to their age.