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Objective To evaluate the value of the 7-joint ultrasound score (US7) in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with Chinese and western medicine.Methods A total of 160 RA patients were divided into 2 groups based on different methods of treatment,including Yi Shen Qing Luo (YSQL) group and western medicine group.The patients were examined by grey scale ultrasound (GSUS) and power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) with US7 at baseline and after 3 and 6 months later.There were 7 related joints and 5 single factors for scoring in US7 system.The joints included the wrist joints,the second/third metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP Ⅱ/Ⅲ),the second/third proximal interphalangeal joints (PIP Ⅱ / Ⅲ) and the second/fifth metatarsophalangeal joints (MTP Ⅱ/Ⅴ).And the factors included synovitis of GSUS,synovitis of PDUS,myotenositis/tenosynovitis of GSUS,myotenositis/tenosynovitis of PDUS and bone erosion (ES).Meanwhile,the laboratory index included C-reactive protein (C-RP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were examined.And the clinical indexes as disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) were evaluated.Results The statistical differences of synovitis of GSUS,synovitis of PDUS,myotenositis/tenosynovitis of GSUS and myotenositis/tenosynovitis of PDUS scores in US7 system were found in both 2 groups at baseline,3 months and 6 months after treatment (all P＜0.01).There was no statistical difference of ES before and after treatment in all cases (P＞0.05).The factors of US7 were positively correlated with DAS28,C-RP and ESR in different extent.Condusion US7 is a viable tool for examining patients with RA.
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Objective To observe the parameters of echocardiography in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn(PPHN),and to discuss the influence of persistent pulmonary hypertension on cardiac geometry and left ventricul ar function.Methods 25 cases with PPHN were selected,including 11 mild,9 moderate,and 5 severe cases.Another 23 cases of neonatal jaundice were selected as control group.The left atrium diameter(LAD),left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVDd),right ventricular end diastolic diameter (RVDd),right atrium diameter (RAD),left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPW),interventricular septum thickness (IVS) were measured by echocardiography.The results of echocardiography were analyzed.Results Compared with the control group,the RVDd and RAD of PPHN group were significantly increased,RVDd and RAD dilated with the increasing of pulmonary artery systolic pressure in PPHN group (t =2.53,7.09,2.14,4.77,2.88,2.04,4.59,7.12,2.34,5.12,3.07,all P ＜0.05) ;LVDd decreased in severe group (14.80 ±2.16) mm compared with that in the control group (15.26 ±1.83) mm,mild (16.55 ± 1.50) mm and moderate group (15.67 ± 1.87) mm(t =3.76,4.80,3.74,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Echocardiography is one of the most important method to diagnose PPHN,and can be observed in newborns with non-invasive cardiac changes directly.lt has important value in judgement of severity degree,and provide a reliable basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
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Objective To research and develop the mobile platform-oriented echocardiogram data visualization technology for the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function,and investigate its application value.Methods First,diagnostic algorithms for the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function (based on recommendations from ASE & EAE guidelines) were programmed into a mobile application software package,using Adobe Flex builder 4.0 as a basic tool for data visualization.Second,the program was installed in the Apple iPad4 tablet computer,then debugged and improved according to feedback information from practical applications.Results The echocardiogram data visualization for the estimation of left ventricular filling pressures in patients with depressed ejection fraction(EF) or normal EF and grading diastolic function can be implemented in mobile platform device,and simultaneously with emergency bedside echocardiography.The evaluation process can be visually presented by using the graphics to show the algorithm framework,the animation to express the analysis step,the axis to indicate the direction of information,and the color to differentiate the degree of the diastolic dysfunction.Conclusions The mobile platform-oriented echocardiogram data visualization technology makes the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function more convenient,efficient and fast,and shows its potential to become an important adjunct to evaluation of cardiac function in the context of mobile health.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To quantitatively assess the left ventricular systolic dyssynchrony in patients with chronic heart failure based on the regional systolic dyssynchrony index (R-SDI) derived from real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE), and investigate the relation between R-SDI and the left ventricular systolic function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-two patients with chronic heart failure (LVEF<50%) were classified into severe dysfunction group (group A, LVEF<40%) and mild dysfunction group (group B, LVEF≥40%), with 33 healthy subjects as the control group (LVEF>50%). RT-3DE was performed for each subject to obtain the left volume-time curves and the 16, 12, and 6 segment R-SDI. The value of R-SDI in assessing left ventricular systolic dyssynchrony and its correlation with LVEF were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 16, 12, and 6R-SDI were significantly higher in the chronic heart failure group than in the control group (P<0.01). The R-SDI of group A was significantly greater than those of group B in the chronic heart failure patients (P<0.01), and 16R-SDI, 12R-SDI, and 6R-SDI were inversely correlated with LVEF of the patients (r=-0.843, -0.840, and -0.841, respectively, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>R-SDI can be used to assess the left ventricular mechanic systolic dyssynchrony, and the degree of the dyssynchrony is inversely correlated with LVEF. RT-3DE can serve as a valuable modality for quantitative evaluation of left ventricular dyssynchrony in chronic heart failure patients.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Case-Control Studies , Chronic Disease , Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional , Methods , Heart Failure , Diagnostic Imaging , Heart Ventricles , Diagnostic Imaging , Systole , Ventricular Dysfunction, Left , Diagnostic Imaging , Ventricular Function, LeftABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo build the computer-aided diagnosis system of left ventricular diastolic function for echocardiography,to make the evaluation process of left ventricular diastolic function for echocardiography more convenient,efficient,standardized and to obtain more accurate,practical,objective and reliable diagnostic results.MethodsFirst,the system was developed by the Macromedia Flash Professional referred to the newest guidelines and suggestions published by the American Society of Echocardiography(ASE) in 2009.Second,the program of left ventricular diastolic function in the computer- aided diagnosis system was designed,debugged and improved according to feedback information frompractical applications.ResultsThe diagnostic system can work simultaneously with echocardiography.If assessment parameters of the newest guidelines and suggestions,published by the American Society of Echocardiography in 2009,are imported to the system,then it can give the diagnosis of the change about the left ventricle filling pressures and score the left ventricular diastolic function quickly and automatically.The system will export standard report with both pictures and text.ConclusionsAccording to our experiment,the computer-aided diagnosis system is able to make the evaluation process of left ventricular diastolic function much more standardized and simplified,which guarantee the objectivity and reliability of the evaluation results.Consequently,it will be able to apply to clinical practice in the future.
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AIM: To evaluate the cardiac contractility and relaxation by Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) combined with myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) via injection of contrast media, Albunex. METHODS： Nineteen healthy mongrel dogs were conducted 60 min ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), followed by reperfusion of 60, 120 and 180 min to establish an acute myocardial ischemic-reperfused canine model. (1) MCE was performed by bolus injection of Albunex at pre-reperfusion and at post-reperfusion. The perfused defect area defined by MCE at pre-reperfusion was regarded as risk area (RAMCE), while perfused defect area at post-reperfusion was regarded as no-reflow area (NRAMCE). When the ratio of NRAMCE to RAMCE exceeded 25%, myocardial reperfusion was considered incomplete, I.e., no-reflow group; If the ratio was <25%, myocardial reperfusion was considered adequate, I.e., reflow group. (2) Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and wall thickness ratio (△T%) of LV anterior wall were determined. (3)S-wave, e-wave and a-wave velocities at the LV anterior wall were determined by DTI. The e/a ratio was measured. RESULTS: The results of MCE showed 7 dogs in reflow group and 10 dogs in no-reflow group. (1) LVEF in reflow group gradually increased with time course after myocardial reperfusion, and in no-reflow group, however, LVEF increasingly declined with ongoing myocardial reperfusion. At the same reperfusion time point, LVEF of no-reflow group was significantly lower than that of reflow group. (2) △T% in reflow group improved gradually, and however, it can not come back to that of baseline at 180-min reperfusion. △T% in no-reflow group had no signal of recovery with progressive reperfusion. (3) S-wave, e-wave velocities measured by DTI significantly declined after ligation of LAD, and a-wave velocity increased, leading to decline of e/a. After myocardial reperfusion, s-wave, e-wave velocities and e/a in reflow group gradually increased at post-reperfusion, and a-wave velocity somewhat declined. In no-reflow group, on the other hand, s-wave, e-wave velocities and e/a progressively declined and a significant difference was present between reflow group and no-reflow group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Cardiac contractility and relaxation can not be recovered during myocardial microvascular impairment. This change may be further deteriorated with size enlargement of no-reflow area. DTI may provide a sensitive, reliable method for quantifying cardiac contractility and relaxation.
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AIM: To validate the alternations of flow velocity patterns in the infarct-related artery (IRA) during no-reflow phenomenon in a canine model of acute myocardial ischemia and reperfusion by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE) combined with myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) by means of administration of Albunex. METHODS: Nineteen dogs first underwent 60 min myocardial ischemia and then followed by 60 min,120 min and 180 min reperfusion ( n = 6, 6 and 7, respectively). The perfusion defect area determined by MCE at 60 min myocardial ischemia was regarded as risk area (RAMCE). The perfusion defect area defined by MCE after reperfusion was considered as no-reflow area (NRAMCE). The ratio between NRAMCE and RAMCE ≥ 25 %was regarded as the development of no-reflow phenomenon and the ratio of NRAMCE to RAMCE＜25% was considered as the myocardial reflow. The coronary flow velocity parameters in IRA were determined through TTDE. RESULTS: Two dogs died during experiment and the remaining seventeen dogs completed throughout the procedure.There were seven dogs in reflow group and ten dogs in noreflow group. No significant difference was present in reflow group between at baseline and at 60 min reperfusion in systolic peak velocity (PVs), systolic velocity time integral (VT Is), corrected systolic flow duration (cFDs),diastolic peak velocity (PVd), diastolic velocity time integral (VT Id), corrected diastolic flow duration (cFDd),diastolic deceleration rate (DDR), corrected diastolic deceleration duration (cDDD) (P＞0.05), however, a significant difference was found in no-reflow group between at baseline and at 60 min reperfusion in PVs,VTIs, cFDs, PVd, VTId and cFDd (P＜0.05). The most marked alterations during diastolic phase were the increase of DDR and reduction of cDDD. CONCLUSION: The impaired microvasculature may profoundly affect the coronary flow velocity pattern in the IRA. The increase in microvascular resistance and decrease in coronary perfused pressure can contribute to the changes.Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography combined with MCE has the capability of noninvasive assessment of coronary flow velocity pattern in the IRA during no-reflow phenomenon.
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BACKGROUND: Experimental evidence suggests that growth factors can promote myocardial angiogenesis, but the effect and mechanism of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in controlled release delivered via fibrin glue has not been fully recognized.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of controlled-release bFGF delivered via fibrin glue in the myocardium on the expressions of vascular growth factors and cell proliferation in the local acute myocardial infarct area in canines, and assess the therapeutic effect of this strategy.DESIGN: Completely randomized controlled experiment.SETTING: Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Shanghai Xinxing Blood Product Research Institute.MATERIALS: This experiment was carried out in the Laboratory of Animal Surgery, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and the Experimental Animal Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital between June 2001 And March 2003.Twelve clean healthy adult mongrel dogs of either sex were selected and randomized into transmyocardial laser revascularization group and bFGF group with 6 in each group.METHODS: With appropriate anesthesia, the chest of the dog was opened and the left anterior descending (LAD) branch of the coronary artery was ligated to establish acute myocardial infarction (AMI) model.The dogs were then randomized into transmyocardial laser revascularization group to receive transmural myocardial penetration 30 minutes after AMI and bFGF group with non-transmural myocardial penetration 30 minutes after AMI and subsequent injection of bFGF-containing fibrin glue into the channel. The expressions of vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the loacl ischemic myocardium were examined immunohistochemically (IHC) at postoperative 18 weeks.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Quantitative IHC analysis of VEGF,TGFβ1 and the PCNA expressions in the local ischemic myocardia in transmyocardial laser revascularization group and bFGF group.RESULTS: Five dogs in the transmyocardial laser revascularization group and 6 in the bFGF group survived the operations. Quantitative IHC analysis revealed obviously larger positive area stained for myocardial VEGF,TGFβ1 and PCNA in bFGF group than in transmyocardial laser revascularization group (t=-7.505, -2.690 and -6.895, P ＜ 0.05), and the average absorbance of PCNA staining in bFGF group was greater than that in the transmyocardial laser revascularization group (t= -5.271, P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: Controlled-releasing bFGF delivered in the myocardium can increase local expressions of the vascular growth factors in the ischemic myocardium and enhance cell proliferation, promoting revascularization after AMI.