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Objective:To detect the abnormal changes of myocardial blood perfusion in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM) by myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) combined with adenosine stress test.Methods:Fifteen adult patients with HCM who were treated in Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from May 2021 to March 2022 were prospectively selected as the HCM group, and eighteen healthy volunteers matched by gender, age and body surface area during the same period were chosen as the control group. All subjects underwent routine echocardiography, rest and adenosine stress MCE. The MCE images were analyzed by QLab software to obtain the myocardial perfusion parameters: peak signal intensity (A value), rising slope of the curve (β value) and A×β value, and the differences of above parameters between the two groups were compared.According to whether the end-diastolic wall thickness ≥12 mm, the myocardial segments in the HCM group were divided into hypertrophic segments and non-hypertrophic segments. The differences in myocardial perfusion parameters were compared among control group segments, hypertrophic segments and non-hypertrophic segments of the HCM group. The correlations of stress myocardial blood flow with maximal left ventricular wall thickness (MLVWT), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and left atrial volume index (LAVI) in the HCM group were analyzed.Results:Compared with the control group, the A value, β value and A×β value of whole myocardium, hypertrophic segments and non-hypertrophic segments in the HCM group were significantly decreased in the rest and adenosine stress state, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). In the stress state, the A value, β value and A×β value of the hypertrophic segments were significantly lower than those in the non-hypertrophic segments in the HCM group, and the detection rate of abnormal perfusion segments in the HCM group was significantly higher than that in the rest state(all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the myocardial blood flow reserve of whole myocardium, hypertrophic segments and non-hypertrophic segments in the HCM group were significantly decreased, and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05). The stress myocardial blood flow in the HCM group was negatively correlated with MLVWT, LVMI and LAVI ( r=-0.815, -0.805, -0.742; all P<0.05). Conclusions:Myocardial blood perfusion abnormalities can occur in both hypertrophic and non-hypertrophic myocardial segments in patients with HCM, and adenosine stress MCE can significantly improve the sensitivity of detecting myocardial perfusion abnormalities. The stress myocardial blood flow in patients with HCM is negatively correlated with MLVWT, LVMI and LAVI.
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Objective:To detect the abnormal changes of myocardial blood perfusion in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) by myocardial contrast echocardiography(MCE) combined with exercise stress test.Methods:Twenty-seven patients with clinically diagnozed of asymmetric HCM in Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from May 2020 to April 2021 were selected as the HCM group, and 29 healthy subjects during the same period were selected as the control group. All patients underwent routine echocardiography, resting and exercise stress MCE. The myocardial perfusion parameters of each segment of interventricular septum in the 2 groups were quantitatively analyzed: the peak plateau intensity (A value), ascending slope of the curve(β value) and value of A×β. According to the end-diastolic myocardial thickness, the interventricular septum of the HCM group was divided into hypertrophic and non-hypertrophic segments, and the myocardial contrast parameters of the interventricular septum of the study group were compared with those of the control group. The myocardial blood flow reserve value of the two groups were calculated, and the correlation of myocardial blood flow reserve value with left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and left ventricular remodeling index (LVRI) were analyzed.Results:No matter at rest or under stress, the A value, β value and A×β value of ventricular septal hypertrophic and non-hypertrophic segments in the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy group were lower than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Under stress, the A value, β value and A×β value of interventricular septal hypertrophic segments were lower than those in non-hypertrophic segments in the HCM group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The myocardial blood flow reserve in the HCM group was negatively correlated with LVMI and LVRI( r=-0.899, -0.676; all P<0.001). Conclusions:In patients with HCM under resting and exercise stress, microcirculation disorders were found in both hypertrophic and non-hypertrophic segments of the ventricular wall, and the myocardial blood flow reserve was negatively correlated with LVMI and LVRI.
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Objective:To explore the clinical value of adenosine stress myocardial contrast echocardiography in detecting myocardial blood perfusion abnormalities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:Twenty-six patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus clinically diagnosed from May 2019 to January 2020 in the endocrinology department of Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital and 28 healthy examinees with gender and age matched during the same period were enrolled. Routine echocardiography, rest and adenosine stress myocardial contrast echocardiography were performed, the plateau signal intensity(A value), curve rising slope(K value) and A×K value of the myocardial perfusion time-intensity curve were obtained by offline analysis. And general data such as age, gender, disease course, body mass index and glycated hemoglobin were collected, and results of the two groups were compared statistically.Results:In the rest state, the A value of the myocardial perfusion parameter in the diabetic group was not significantly different from that of the control group, both in whole and in segments ( P>0.05), while the K value and A×K value of the myocardial perfusion parameters in the diabetic group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05). In the stress state, the A value, K value and A×K value of myocardial perfusion parameters in the diabetic group were significantly lower than those in the control group, both in whole and in segments ( P<0.05). The detection rate of myocardial perfusion abnormality in the stress state was significantly higher than that in the rest state, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The myocardial blood flow reserve in the diabetic group was negatively correlated with the course of disease and the level of glycated hemoglobin ( r=-0.580, P=0.020; r=-0.481, P=0.013). Conclusions:Adenosine stress myocardial contrast echocardiography can be used for detection of left ventricular myocardial perfusion abnormalities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, which has great clinical application value.
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Objective:To investigate the effects of modified acidic fibroblast growth factor (MaFGF) mediated by nanoliposomes combined with ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) on left ventricular systolic function in early diabetes mellitus(DM) rats.Methods:The nanoliposomes containing MaFGF(MaFGF-nlip) were prepared by reverse phase evaporation method. Among 60 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, 50 rats were randomly selected and were induced to be DM models by streptozotocin(STZ) through intraperitoneal injecting, the other 10 rats as control group. Then DM rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: DM model group, MaFGF solution group, MaFGF-nlip group and MaFGF-nlip+ UTMD group. After the successful induction of DM model, the intervention was performed twice a week.After 12 weeks of intervention, all rats underwent conventional echocardiography and velocity vector imaging (VVI). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fraction shortening(LVFS) were measured by conventional echocardiography. The mean peak systolic radial velocity (Vs), radial strain (Sr) and radial strain rate (SRr) of six walls at the papillary muscle level were measured in left ventricular short-axis view by VVI. At last, myocardial tissue of all rats were stained with Sirius red to evaluate myocardial interstitial fibrosis. The level of myocardial apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL staining, and the changes of myocardial ultrastructure were observed by transmission electron microscopy.Results:The prepared MaFGF-nlip were more rounded, evenly dispersed, and of good stability and high encapsulation efficiency. Twelve weeks later after intervention, LVEF, LVFS, Vs, Sr and SRr in the DM model group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). LVEF, LVFS, Vs, Sr and SRr in the MaFGF-nlip+ UTMD group were significantly higher than those of the DM model group and other intervention groups (all P<0.05). The results of Sirius red staining and Tunel staining showed that CVF and AI in the DM model group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). For MaFGF-nlip+ UTMD group, CVF and AI were significantly decreased compared with the DM model group and other intervention groups(all P<0.05). According to the results of transmission electron microscopy, compared with the DM model group, the improvement of myocardial ultrastructure was the most obvious in the MaFGF-nlip+ UTMD group. Conclusions:MaFGF delivered by using nanoliposomes combined with UTMD can improve the left ventricular systolic function in diabetic rats by inhibiting the myocardium cardiac fibrosis and reducing the cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
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Objective@#To investigate the effects of modified acidic fibroblast growth factor (MaFGF) mediated by nanoliposomes combined with ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) on left ventricular systolic function in early diabetes mellitus(DM) rats.@*Methods@#The nanoliposomes containing MaFGF(MaFGF-nlip) were prepared by reverse phase evaporation method. Among 60 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, 50 rats were randomly selected and were induced to be DM models by streptozotocin(STZ) through intraperitoneal injecting, the other 10 rats as control group. Then DM rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: DM model group, MaFGF solution group, MaFGF-nlip group and MaFGF-nlip+ UTMD group. After the successful induction of DM model, the intervention was performed twice a week.After 12 weeks of intervention, all rats underwent conventional echocardiography and velocity vector imaging (VVI). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fraction shortening(LVFS) were measured by conventional echocardiography. The mean peak systolic radial velocity (Vs), radial strain (Sr) and radial strain rate (SRr) of six walls at the papillary muscle level were measured in left ventricular short-axis view by VVI. At last, myocardial tissue of all rats were stained with Sirius red to evaluate myocardial interstitial fibrosis. The level of myocardial apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL staining, and the changes of myocardial ultrastructure were observed by transmission electron microscopy.@*Results@#The prepared MaFGF-nlip were more rounded, evenly dispersed, and of good stability and high encapsulation efficiency. Twelve weeks later after intervention, LVEF, LVFS, Vs, Sr and SRr in the DM model group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). LVEF, LVFS, Vs, Sr and SRr in the MaFGF-nlip+ UTMD group were significantly higher than those of the DM model group and other intervention groups (all P<0.05). The results of Sirius red staining and Tunel staining showed that CVF and AI in the DM model group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). For MaFGF-nlip+ UTMD group, CVF and AI were significantly decreased compared with the DM model group and other intervention groups(all P<0.05). According to the results of transmission electron microscopy, compared with the DM model group, the improvement of myocardial ultrastructure was the most obvious in the MaFGF-nlip+ UTMD group.@*Conclusions@#MaFGF delivered by using nanoliposomes combined with UTMD can improve the left ventricular systolic function in diabetic rats by inhibiting the myocardium cardiac fibrosis and reducing the cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
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Objective To assess the improvements of left ventricular systolic function by three‐dimensional speckle tracking imaging ( 3D‐STI) in type 2 diabetes mellitus ( T2DM ) patients after short‐term insulin pump intensive therapy . Methods Thirty‐five T2DM patients complicated with microangiopathy and thirty‐two healthy volunteers were studied ,underwent the dynamic image of the four‐chamber view ,three‐dimensional images of left ventricle were obtained for all the individuals . The left ventricular global longitudinal strain ( LVGLS) ,left ventricular global circumferential strain ( LVGCS) ,left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ,peak basal and apical rotation (LV‐ProtB ,LV‐ProtA) ,peak LV twist ( LV‐tw ) were calculated using TomTec software .After insulin pump intensive therapy for two weeks ,all the indexes were reexamined in T2DM patients . Results Compared with control group ,the LVGLS , LVGCS ,LV‐tw and LV‐ProtA were significantly decreased in diabetes mellitus group before and after treatment ( P < 0 .01 or P < 0 .05) . Compared with diabetes mellitus patients before treatment ,the LVGLS ,LVGCS had significant higher level after treatment( P <0 .05) . The LVGLS ,LVGCS ,LV‐tw and LV‐ProtA were significantly correlated with LVEF in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and normal controls . Conclusions Insulin pump intensive treatment could improve left ventricular systolic function in type 2 diabetes patients complicated with microangiopathy . 3D‐STI can be sensitive to accurately assess the therapeutic effect and has the important clinical value .
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Objective To investigate the protective effects of left ventricular myocardial perfusion after delivery of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) in rats with diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) by using ultrasound‐targeted microbubble destruction ( UTMD ) with real‐time myocardial contrast echocardiography( RT‐MCE) . Methods Among 64 male SD rats ,52 rats were randomly selected and were induced DCM by streptozotocin through intraperitoneal injecting ,the other rats as normal control group . DCM rats were randomly divided into the DCM model group ,aFGF only group ,SonoVue‐aFGF group and the SonoVue‐aFGF+ UTMD group in this study . The aFGF only group rats were injected with aFGF solution through tail vein ,the SonoVue‐aFGF group were injected with SonoVue‐aFGF solution through tail vein and SonoVue‐aFGF+ UTMD group rats were injected with SonoVue‐aFGF solution through tail vein and using UTMD simultaneously . All rats underwent conventional echocardiography and RT‐MCE exams before and 4 weeks after intervention . Left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF) and left ventricular fraction shortening( LVFS ) were measured by conventional echocardiography . The plateau intensity ( A ) ,initial slope of the curve (β) and myocardial blood flow ( A ×β) of left ventricular anterior wall at the papillary muscle level were measured in left ventricular short‐axis view by RT‐MCE . Results Before intervention , LVEF and LVFS in the DCM model group ,aFGF only group ,SonoVue‐aFGF group and the SonoVue‐aFGF+UTMD group were significantly lower than in the normal control group ( P 0 .05) ,however A and A × β in the SonoVue‐aFGF+ UTMD group were significantly increased than those in the DCM model group( P < 0 .01) . Compared with the same group before intervention ,A and A ×βin the SonoVue‐aFGF+UTMD group were higher ( P <0 .05) and these in the DCM model group were lower during four weeks after intervention ( P < 0 .05) . Conclusions Acidic fibroblast growth factor delivered by using UTMD can improve the left ventricular myocardial perfusion in diabetic cardiomyopathy rats .
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Objective To establish a quantitative measurement of flow field uniformity of mitral valve in vivo and investigate the correlation between the parameter of flow field uniformity and the degree of mitral stenosis. Methods The flow field uniformity downstream of mitral valve in normal cases and patients with mitral stenosis were studied using vector flow mapping(VFM) technique. Results The flow field uniformity parameter of standard deviation of velocity (Vsd) in patients with mitral valve stenosis was significantly higher than that in control group ( P <0. 05). There was a negative linear correlation between Vsd and effective orifice area(EOA) in patients with mitral valve stenosis (parasternal long-axis: r = - 0. 816, P = 0.000; apical four chamber: r = - 0. 825, P = 0. 000). Conclusions VFM can really reflect the flow field uniformity of normal cases and patients with mitral stenosis.
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Objective To assess the relationship between the enhanced intensity of carotid plaque and risk of cerebral infarction using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS). Methods Eighty one patients with cerebral infarction and 95 patients without cerebral infarction were enrolled in this study. All the patients were performed using CEUS. The characteristics of plaque enhancement was categorized: grade Ⅰ , non-enhancement;grade Ⅱ , the arterial wall vasa vasorum enhancement; grade Ⅲ. the arterial wall vasa vasorum and plaque shoulder enhancement; grade Ⅳ , extensive and internal plaque enhancement. The data between the two groups was compared and analysed. Results Plaque enhancement presented with grade Ⅰ in 7 cases of 81 patients and 26 cases of 95 controls,grade Ⅱ in 14 and 37,grade Ⅲ in 26 and 17,grade Ⅳ in 34 and 15. The percentage of stroke in grade Ⅰ was 21.2% (7/33),grade Ⅱ was 27.5%(14/51), grade Ⅲ was 60.5% (26/43) and gradeⅣ was 69.4% (34/49). The percentage of stroke in grade Ⅲ was significantly higher than that in grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ ( P = 0. 001, P = 0. 001 ), and there was no significant difference between grade Ⅲ and Ⅳ ( P = 0.370). The sensitivity and specificity for grade of plaque enhancement (AUC = 0. 721, cutoff value > grade Ⅱ ) were 74. 1 % and 66. 3% respectively. Conclusions The grade of enhancement of carotid plaques in CEUS is a valid indicator to anticipate cerebral infarction. The higher the grade of enhancement of carotid plaques,the higher the risk of cerebral infarction.
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Objective To investigate left ventricular(LV) systolic dyssynchrony in heart failure of different etiology which caused respectively by ischemic heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy and analyse the correlation between the systolic dyssynchrony index(SDI) and the LV ejection fraction(LVEF). Methods Forty-three subjects were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of 17 heart failure patients which caused by ischemic heart disease and group B included 26 heart failure patients which caused by dilated cardiomyopathy. Three-dimensional datum of left ventricle were obtained using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE) in full volume mode. Post-processing software Qlab was used for advanced analysis. The end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), LVEF and bull eye graph of seventeen segments were obtained. Standard deviation of time-to-minimal-systolic-volume of 16-LV segments corrected by R-R interval was calculated as SDI of LV. Results There was no statistical difference in age, heart rate, LVEF and EDV between the two groups (P >0.05). SDI of group A was lower than that of group B,but there was no statistical difference between them (P>0.05). Bull eye graph of seventeen segments revealed that the distribution of delayed systolic segments were different between the two groups. SDI of two groups appeared negative correlation with LVEF(r = -0.83, r = -0.71, P-< 0.01). Conclusions LV systolic dyssynchrony existed in heart failure which caused by ischemic heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy,but the distribution of delayed systolic segments were different between them. SDI increased with worsening LV systolic function.
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Objective To assess the value of approximal side angle of carotid atherosclerotic plaques in patients with cerebral infarction by ultrasonography.Methods One hundred and seventy six patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques were examined with uItrasonography and divided into two groups:cerebral infarction group (n=67)and none cerebral infarction group(n=109).Vessel area and residual lumen area of carotid artery were measured in axial view using linear probe.Area stenosis rate was calculated.The approximal side angle and thickness of plaque were measured respectively.The results of two groups were compared.Results The approximal side angle of plaque of cerebral group was significantly higher than that of none cerebral infarction groups(P<0.05).The sensitivity and specificity for approximal side angle of plaque(cutoff value:13.0°)were 79.1%,71.6%,respectively.There were no significant difference of area stenosis rate and plaque thickness between two groups(P>0.05).Conclusions The approximal side angle of plaque can be regarded as a novel index to assess the stability of plaque.
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Objective To study the synchronization of carotid artery wall motion with atheroscleroticsoft eccentric plaque using velocity vector imaging(ⅤⅥ). Methods Seventy-two patients with carotid artery atherosclerotic soft eccentric plaque were enrolled in this study. Their carotid arteries were examined using Acuson Sequoia 512 instrument respectively.Combined with ECG,two dimensional imaging of short axis view of carotid artery atherosclerotic soft eccentric plaque were recorded and analyzed on-line using ⅤⅥ software. The carotid artery wall of short axis was automatically divided into 6 segments. Time to peak index (TTPI)was calculated respectively. Results The TTPI was significantly higher than that of control group (P＜0.001). A cut-off value＜0.595 of TTPI for assessing the synchronization of carotid artery wall motion had a sensitivity of 93.9%,a specificity of 91.7%,respectively. Conclusions ⅤⅥ provides a new tool to assess the synchronization of arterial wall motion.
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0bjective To investigate the characteristics of myocardial acceleration (ACC) in normal left ventricle(LV)by velocity vector imaging (ⅤⅥ). Methods The myocardial velocities of sixteen LV wall segments in fifty normal volunteers were detected by ⅤⅥ.Segmental myocardial ACC was calculated by using special software and the distribution of ACC in LV wall was analyzed.Results There were significant differences among the levels of LV in the early systolic peak ACC (ACCs) and early diastolic peak ACC (ACCd),and both of ACCS and ACCd increased from apex to base in the same LV wall (allP＜0.05). However,there were no significant differences among six LV walls at the same level in ACCs and ACCd(allP＞0.05).In the same segment,ACCd was significantly higher than ACCs (all P＜0.05).Conclusions Myocardial ACC can be detected by ⅤⅥ.which is the basis for further investigation of ACC in the diseased myocardium.