Value of ventricular tachycardia score in diagnosing pre-excited tachycardia / 中南大学学报(医学版)

To investigate the value of ventricular tachycardia (VT) score in diagnosing pre-excited tachycardia.
 Methods: Twelve-lead electrocardiograph results were obtained from 30 patients at pre-excited tachycardia attacking stage who were diagnosed by electrophysiology. We scored pre-excitation tachycardia based on the VT score. To analyze the electrocardiogram of pre-excited tachycardia using 7 diagnostic indicators of the VT score and calculate the specificity of 7 diagnostic indicators and right superior axis (-90º to ±180º), the differences were compared among VT score of 2 points and brugada, Wellens, and Vereckei algorithms in diagnosing pre-excited tachycardia. According to the specificity of Vereckei, Wellens, and Brugada algorithms, and VT scores from low to high, their prediction value and differences were analyzed.
 Results: Single indicator such as atrioventricular (AV) dissociation or right superior axis (-90º to ±180º) showed the highest specificity (100%) for identifying pre-excited tachycardia. No patient with VT score was ≥3 points, and the specificity was 100%. The specificity of VT score of 2 point was higher than that of Brugada, Wellens, or Vereckei algorithms in the diagnosing pre-excited tachycardia (76.7% vs 50.0%, 23.3% or 20.0%, P<0.05). The specificity of Vereckei, Wellens, and Brugada algorithms and VT score were gradually increased after each of stepwise individually eliminated VT (20.0%, 40.0%, 66.7%, 83.3%, P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the specificity in the remaining false positive cases between the 4 methods and VT score.
 Conclusion: VT score ≥3 points can identify pre-excited tachycardia and VT with 100% specificity. VT score of 2 points cannot completely distinguish pre-excited tachycardia from VT, but specificity of VT score with 2 points is obviously higher than that of Brugada, Wellens, and Vereckei algorithms.

Correlation between CYP2C19 gene polymorphism and clinical efficacy of compound danshen dropping pills in treatment of senile coronary atherosclerotic heart disease / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

Objective To study the correlation between the polymorphism of CYP2C19 gene and the clinical efficacy of compound Danshen dripping pills in treatment of senile coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CHD) and to provide theoretical basis for rational drug use. Methods Two hundred and six elderly patients with CHD treated in the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from June 2015 to December 2017 were screened for genotype detection and classification. All patients were given oral compound Danshen dripping pills, 10 pills each time, 3 times a day, for consecutive 2 months. Serological indexes, electrocardiograph (ECG) monitoring, liver and kidney function testing were performed before and after treatment to evaluate drug efficacy and adverse reactions. Results In senile patients with CHD, after taking compound danshen dripping pills for 2 months, the efficacy in patients with intermediate metabolizer (IM) was more significantly effective than the efficacies of the patients with extensive metabolizer (EM) and poor metabolizer (PM) [clinical efficacy: 95.6% (87/91) vs. 80.5% (33/41), 93.2% (69/74), ECG efficacy: 95.6% (87/91) vs. 78.0% (32/41), 94.6% (70/74)], at the same time, the serum levels of triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in patients with IM were also higher than those in patients with PM and EM [TG (mmol/L): 1.33±0.52 vs. 1.33±0.41, 1.33±0.27, HDL (mmol/L): 1.58±1.17 vs. 1.44±0.65, 1.38±0.18], and the levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were lower than those of PM and EM [TC (mmol/L): 3.48±0.25 vs. 3.56±0.96, 3.51±0.51, LDL (mmol/L): 2.19±0.35 vs. 2.23±0.49, 2.21±0.87, hs-CRP (mg/L): 3.50±1.07 vs. 3.53±1.51, 3.54±2.01]. The incidences of adverse reactions in patients with EM and IM were significantly lower than the incidence of PM [6.8% (5/74), 9.9% (9/91) vs. 31.7% (13/41)], the differences being statistically significant (both P < 0.05). Conclusions CYP2C19 gene polymorphism is closely related to C HD in elderly, in such patients with IM, after taking compound Danshen dripping pills, the efficacy is significant and has low incidence of adverse reactions. Therefore, in the course of clinical treatment of elderly patients with CHD, genetic testing should be carried out to fully consider the influence of CYP2C19 gene polymorphism on the efficacy of the pill, and adopting personalized therapy can increase efficacy and reduce toxicity.

Efficacy and safety of trastuzumab plus different chemotherapy regimens in treatment of the patients with HER-2-positive advanced breast cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab plus different chemotherapy regimens in treatment of patients with HER-2-positive advanced breast cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>132 patients with advanced HER-2-positive breast cancer were treated with trastuzumab plus different regimens. The clinical characteristics, efficacy and toxicity of the 132 patients were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Five patients had complete response (CR), 61 patients had partial response (PR), 39 patients had stable disease (SD), and 27 patients had progressive disease (PD). The objective response rate was 50.0% and the disease control rate was 79.5%. The median progression-free survival was 9.3 months. The median overall survival time was 46.2 months. The 1-, 2-, 5- year survival rates were 98.3%, 81.9% and 40.2%, respectively. Trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy is superior to trastuzumab monotherapy (51.2% vs. 33.3%). The number of metastatic sites, efficacy, different previous treatment lines were independent prognostic factors of PFS (P = 0.002, P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Visceral metastases, pathological grade, and PFS were independent prognostic factors of OS (P = 0.041, P = 0.001, P = 0.025, P < 0.001, P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Regarding the toxicities, one case discontinued treatment due to the decrease of left ventricular ejection fraction to 47%, two cases had heartbeat tachycardia, 6 cases had palpitation, 17 cases had a fever during first input trastuzumab. No other serious cardiac toxicity was observed. The most common toxicities were chemotherapy-related hematological and non-hematological toxicities.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy is superior to trastuzumab monotherapy. Patients may get benefits for early use of trastuzumab. Trastuzumab plus chemotherapy is effective and well tolerated in patients with advanced HER-2 positive breast cancer. No heart failure occurred in this series of patients, and cardiac safety seems better than that in Caucasians because of younger age at the onset in Chinese advanced breast cancer patients.</p>

Presence of notched QRS on paced electrocardiographs as a predictor of poor response to cardiac resynchronization therapy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on patients with advanced and refractory heart failure has made remarkable progress. Clinically, notched QRS (nQRS) is commonly seen on electrocardiographs (ECGs) with bundle branch block morphology and on paced ECGs after implantation of a CRT device, which may reflect the heterogeneity of ventricular myocardial depolarization and electrical activity. The aim of this study was to determine whether patients with more nQRS myocardial segments on paced ECGs had a worse response to CRT than patients with fewer nQRS myocardial segments.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We prospectively enrolled 56 patients of CRT with chronic heart failure from People's Hospital affiliated to Peking University from January 2007 to October 2013. Based on nQRS segments on ECGs before CRT, we allocated them to two groups: fewer nQRS (<2) myocardial segments (lateral, inferior, anterior segments) group (F-nQRS, G1, n = 23) and more nQRS (≥2) myocardial segments group (M-nQRS, G2, n = 33). Then according to nQRS segments on ECGs after CRT, we divided them into two groups similarly: fewer nQRS (<2) myocardial segments group (G3, n = 24) and more nQRS (≥2) myocardial segments group (G4, n = 32). This study was approved by the ethics committee of People's Hospital.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At 6 months in the baseline-ECG group, there was a greater absolute increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in G2 than in G1 ((11.5±8.9)% vs. (5.5±10.4)%, P = 0.023), with the incidence of nonresponse lower in G2 than in G1 (9.1% vs. 39.1%, P = 0.018). In the paced-ECG group, the absolute increase in LVEF was less in G4 than in G3 ((6.4±8.8)% vs. (12.5±10.4)%, P = 0.024) and the incidence of nonresponse was higher in G4 than in G3 (31.3% vs. 8.3%, P = 0.039). Multivariate analysis showed that fewer nQRS (<2) myocardial segments on paced ECGs (odds ratio 13.920) was a predictor of positive response to CRT.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>nQRS ≥2 myocardial segments (lateral, inferior, anterior) on paced ECGs may predict a poor response to CRT.</p>

Comparison of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography versus magnetic resonance imaging for assessment of left ventricular volume in elderly patients / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To assess the left ventricular(LV) volumes and function acquired by realtime (RT) three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) versus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in elderly patients.Methods A total of 31 patients aged≥60 years [mean (72.1±6.6) years] with various cardiovascular diseases were evaluated by MRI versus RT-3DE on the same day.RT-3DE was performed with a Philips iE-33 echocardiographic system,and LV volumes and function were analyzed with the assistance of TomTec software.The results of LV volumes and function obtained by manual tracing were compared with Signa 1.5-T MRI data.The acquisition of RT-3DE datasets was feasible in all 31 patients.Results The average MRI-detected LV end diastolic volume (LVEDV) was (139.1 ±40.8) ml,LV end systolic volume (LVESV) was (77.8±41.7)ml,LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was (47.9±14.3)％.The average RT-3DE-detected LVEDV was (119.5±37.7) ml,LVESV was (65.5±36.1) ml,LVEF was (47.9± 14.3)％.Compared with MRI values,LVEDV was underestimated by RT-3DE (P＜0.01,r=0.79,y=0.73 x+17.8,SEE=23.5 ml),with a mean difference of (-19.6±25.6)ml; LVESV was also underestimated by RT-3DE (P＜0.01,r=0.89,y =0.77 x+ 5.6,SEE=16.8 ml),with a mean difference of(-12.3± 19.1)ml.Ejection fraction determined by MRI was the same as that by RT-3DE (P＞0.05,r=0.91,y=0.75 x+ 13,SEE=5.61％),with a mean difference of (1.1±7.4) ％.There was good interobserver reproducibility in LV volume detected by RT-3D.Conclusions Compared with MRI,RT-3DE has more accuracy and repeatability in assessment of LV volume and ejection fraction in elderly patients.

Preparation and Release Determination of Compound Isosorbide Mononitrate Sustained-release Capsules / 中国药师

Objective:To prepare compound isosorbide mononitrate sustained-release capsules and study the drug release. Meth-ods:Isosorbide mononitrate pellets were prepared by the fluidized bed coating technology. The influencing factors in the preparation process were examined and the major factors were optimized by single factor experiments. The drug release was determined by HPLC. The best formula was screened by optimizing aspirin coating solution. Results:The compound isosorbide mononitrate sustained-release capsules were prepared by the best formula. Both the two drugs could achieve promising release, and in vitro release behavior of isosor-bide mononitrate was fitted Higuchi equation,which was similar to that of the imported preparations. The release of aspirin in acidic and alkaline media was in coincidence with the release requirements. Conclusion:The formula is reasonable and the preparation process is stable with promising sustained release property.

The efficacy of permanent epicardial pacing in the treatment of pacing-dependent patients with cardiac device related endocarditis / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Permanent epicardial pacemaker is seldom used clinically and it is even less likely to be used for the treatment of seriously ill pacing-dependent patients with cardiac electronic device related endocarditis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>We retrospectively analyzed the feasibility and efficacy of permanent epicardial pacing for the treatment of 3 pacing-dependent patients with cardiac electronic device related endocarditis, who were treated by removal of all pacemaker devices and reimplantation of permanent epicardial pacing system combined with antibiotics. The reason of using epicardial pacing system was as follows: uncontrolled sepsis (case 1); big vegetation on the electrode of pacemaker and tricuspid valve but not a candidate for open heart surgery because of high operative risk (case 2); occlusion of superior vena cava (case 3).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All 3 patients were cured with the treatment of extraction of infected pacing system, re-implanted permanent epicardial pacing system and antibiotics. The permanent epicardial pacemaker worked well during the 2-12 months follow-up period and there was no recurrence of infection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Permanent epicardial pacing is useful and efficient in treatment of seriously ill and high risk pacing-dependent patients with cardiac device related endocarditis.</p>

Clinical and imaging profile of left ventricular pseudo-aneurysm: a review of 77 cases / 中华全科医师杂志

Objective To review the clinical characteristics of left ventricular pseudo-aneurysm (LVPA) in China mainland.Methods The China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI),Wanfang Data,VIP information and PubMed database were searched to extract information on clinical profile,diagnostic imaging,treatment and outcome of patients with LVPA from January 1986 to April 2012.Results Clinical data of 77 patients with LVPAs (including 5 coexistent with true aneurysm) were extracted from 65 articles.There were 56 males (72.7％) and 11 females (27.3％) with a median age of 48 years old(range 5 to 82).The most common etiology was myocardial infarction (40,51.9％).Breathlessness/dyspnea (44.6％),chest discomfort (41.9％) and chest pain (41.9％) were the most frequently reported symptoms,but asymptomatic patients accounted for 10.8％ of all.86.4％ of the patients had electrocardiographic abnormalities,most of which were nonspecific ST segment changes.No event of thromboembolism was reported.Transthoracic echocardiography was the most commonly used diagnostic imaging test,followed by angiography with which no complication was reported.19 cases of pseudo-aneurysms(24.7％)were reported to rupture and 15 patients(19.5％) died,mostly of cardiac tamponade and sudden death.Conclusions LVPA is a rare and life-threatening disorder.It lacks of specific clinical manifestations distinguishable from coronary disease or heart failure.Emergency surgery is warranted once it is identified.

The diagnostic value of the change of different parts of electrocardiogram in treadmill exercise test for coronary artery disease / 中国综合临床

Objective To determine the diagnostic value of the change of different parts of electrocardiogram in treadmill exercise test (TET) for coronary heart disease (CHD).MethodsFrom Jan.2006 to Mar.2011,445 patients with CHD underwent treadmill exercise test and coronary angiography (CAG) in our hospital.We analyzed retrospectively the diagnostic value of the change of different parts of electrocardiogram in TET test.Results ( 1 ) There were 200 cases who had positive results during treadmill exercise test and 150 cases of them had been diagnosed of CHD by coronary angiography;The other 245 cases had negative results during treadmill exercise test and 39 cases of them had been diagnosed as CHD by coronary angiography.The sensitivity and specificity rates of treadmill exercise test in diagnosis of CHD were 79.36％( 150/189 ) and 80.47％ ( 206/256 ) respectively. ( 2 ) Of the 200 positive cases tested by coronary angiography,150 cases were diagnosed of CHD,including 22,58 and 70 cases with limb,chest and combined chest and limb leads positive results respectively.The positive rates for the groups of combined chest and limb leads and limb ST leads were significantly higher than that of the chest leads only group ( x2:6.34,3.93 ; P ＜0.05).(3)R wave amplitude of the CAG negative group after exercise (17.54 ± 2.52)mm was significantly lower than the CAG positive group ( 19.42 ± 3.46 )mm ( t =6.33,P ＜ 0.05 ).( 4 ) For the 200 cases with positive TET,there were no significant statistical difference ( P ＞ 0.05 ) on CAG positive rate between T wave normalization group [ 73.3％ (44/60) ] with and TET positive group [ 75.0％ (105/140) ].But these two groups had significantly higher ( x2:80.21,132.82 ; P ＜ 0.05 ) CAG positive rates than TET negative group [ 15.9％ (39/245) ].ConclusionThe treadmill exercise test is valuable in noninvasive diagnosis of CHD.The severity of CAG can be preliminarily estimated by analyzing the pattern of the change of different parts of electrocardiogram

Motor cortex excitability in Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To observe any differences in motor cortex excitability between Parkinson's disease (PD)patients and patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) and to explore whether motor evoked potentials (MEPs) can be used as an electrophysiological indicator for differentiating the 2 diseases.Methods Thirty-four PD patients, 22 MSA patients and 15 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjeets were included in this study. Relaxed motor thresholds (RMTs), central motor conduction time (CMCTs) and MEP amplitudes (AMPs) were recorded in all three groups. The relationships of RMT, CMCT and AMP with the severity of the disease were observed.Results Average RMT in the PD group was significantly lower than that in the MSA and control groups. Average RMT in the MSA group was also significantly lower than that in the control group. There was no significant difference among the three groups with regard to CMCT. AMP in the PD group was significantly higher on average than in the MSA and control groups, but there was no significant difference between the MSA and control groups. RMT decreased and CMCT shortened progressively with the severity of the disease in the PD group, but not in the MSA group.Conclusions There were differences in motor cortex excitability between PD patients and MSA patients. MEP RMTs and CMCTs may be valuable for identifying PD and MSAc but the clinical significance of the amplitude differences remains to be further explored.

Comparison of real-time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiograpby with magnetic resonance imaging for assessment of left ventricular mass in elderly patients / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To assess the accuracy and repeatability of real-time three-dimensional eehoeardiography (RT-3DE) for the measurements of left ventricular (LV) mass in elderly patients compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods A total of 31 patients (26 men) aged ≥60 years (72.1±6.6) years with various cardiovascular diseases were evaluated by MRI and RT- 3DE on the same day.RT-3DE was performed with a Philips iE-33 echocardiographic system, and LV mass was analyzed with the assistance of TomTec software.The results of LV mass obtained by manual tracing were compared with Signa 1.5-T MRI data.The acquisition of RT-3DE datasets was feasible in all 31 patients.Results A good correlation was observed between RT-3DE data with manual border detection and MRI for LV mass (r=0.869, y=0.943 x+11.69, SE= 19.09 g, P< 0.01), with a mean difference of (4.7±37.7)g.The average LV mass was (123.9±35.0)g (74.4-208.1 g) evaluated by MRI, and was (128.6±37.9)g (67.0-222.9 g) evaluated by RT-3DE.There was good inter- or intra-observer correlation between RT-3DE by two sonographers for LV mass.Conclusions The assessment of LV mass from RT-3DE data is feasible in elderly patients.The mass can be determined with high accuracy and low interobserver variability in elderly patients with adequate eehocardiographic image quality.

Study of carotid atherosclerosis by sonography in elderly patients with coronary heart disease / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To discuss the uhrasonography and hemodynamic characteristics of carotid atherosclerosis in elderly patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).Methods The 548 people were divided into CHD group (n = 373) and control group (n = 175) by the coronary angiography.And the patients in CHD group were sorted into myocardial infarction (MI) group (n= 160) and non-MI group (n= 213).All patients were above 60 years of age, and underwent carotid artery ultrasound examination.The data of carotid sonography and hemodynamics were classified and analyzed using SPSS 10.0 software.Results The carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), plaque thickness and score were much more in CHD group than in control group [(0.96±0.24) mm vs.(0.78±0.11) mm, (1.90±0.36) mm vs.(1.66±0.13)mm, (2.2±0.7) vs.(1.9±0.4), t= 14.81, 27.89 and 27.83, all P=0.00].A total of 161 (43.2%) patients had atherosclerotie plaques in CHD group, and there were 7 (4.0%) people with plaques in healthy control group(χ~2 =337.18, P =0.00).And there were 81.3% of patients with plaques in MI group, it was more than non-MI group, in which there were 12.9% of patients with plaques (χ~2 =60.88, P=0.00).The carotid peak systolic velocity (PSV) and resistance index (RI) were both higher in CHD group than in control group [(77.0±11.9) cm/s vs.(65.2±3.1) cm/s and 0.77±0.06 vs.0.67±0.08, (t= 12.26 and 50.43, P=0.00)].Conclusions Carotid ultrasonography could evaluate not only CHD, but also CHD severity in the elderly.

Brainstem auditory evoked potential in Parkinson's disease / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To evaluate the changes in and the regularity of brainstem evoked potentials (BA-EPs) in Parkiuson's disease (PD) as an objective criterion for early diagnosis and assessment. Methods Thirty-five healthy SD rats were divided into two groups at random. Twenty-two rats were in the experimental group and 13 in the control group. The rats were injected with 8 μg of 6-OHDA solution in the right substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and the right ventral tegmentum area (VTA) to create a PD model. The BAEPs of the rats in the experimental group were recorded in a quiet shielded room before the 6-OHDA injection, and one week and two weeks after injec-tion. The control group rats were injected with saline (Ns) and their BAEPs were recorded at the corresponding times. One week and two weeks later, the model rats were injected with apomorphine (APO) and their rotating cycles were counted. Results The Ⅱ , Ⅳ, andV PLs and the Ⅲ-Ⅴ IPLs on the fight ears of the experimental group were prolonged significantly compared with the control group one week after APO injection. There was no significant differ-ence in the BAEPs of the left ears after the first week. After two weeks, the Ⅱ , Ⅳ, and Ⅴ PLs and the Ⅲ-Ⅴ, and Ⅰ-Ⅴ IPLs of the right ears in the experimental group were prolonged significantly compared with the controls and the Ⅳ, and Ⅴ PLs and the Ⅲ -Ⅴ , and Ⅰ-Ⅴ IPLs on their left ears were prolonged significantly. Conclusion In the early course of a PD model in rats, their BAEPs show abnormal changes, which indicates that BAEP could be an ob-jective criterion for early diagnosis and assessment of PD. BAEP may serve as one index of damage in PD. The Ⅲ-Ⅴ PL and Ⅰ-Ⅴ iPL are sensitive indices of PD.

Effects of low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on motor function and excitability of motor cortex in patients with Parkinson's diseaseWANG Ming-wei, SUN Xiu-qiao, GU Ping, MA Xiao-wei, / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on motor function and excitability of motor cortex in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and to study the mechanism of PD from the electrophysiology. Methods Twenty-eight patients with PD received 1 Hz rTMS therapy for 15 d. Thirty normal volunteers were enrolled as controls. Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and motor evoked potential (MEP) were adopted as assessment indicators. The excitability of motor cortex was assessed by rest motor threshold (RMT), central motor conduction time (CMCT) and the amplitude of MEP. Results The initial RMTs and CMCTs of PD patients were significantly lower than those of the controls, but MEP amplitudes were not significantly different. After rTMS treatment, motor function of PD patients improved, RMTs increased and CMCTs prolonged. Conclusion In PD patients, motor function disorder and increased motor cortical excitability were observed. Low frequency rTMS may inhibit these changes to some extent.

The effect of low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on Parkinson's plus syndrome / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To study the effects of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)on Parkinson's plus syndrome(PPS).Methods Fifteen in-patients with PPS were studied between 2005 and 2008.The patients received 1 Hz rTMS at an intensity 30%over the threshold.The rTMS was applied on the hand representive area of the bilateral first motor cortex,50 stimulations on each side,5 arrays,for 5 min,once daily for 15 d.Hamilton's depression scale(HAMD),Hamilton's anxiety scale(HAMA),the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale(UPDRS,which can be subdivided into UPDRS Ⅰ,UPDRS Ⅱ and UPDRS Ⅲ),an activities of daily living scale(ADL),the mini-mental state examination(MMSE)and motor evoked potential(MEP)were assessed before and immediately after 15 d of rTMS treatment. Results Average HAMD,HAMA,UPDRS,UPDRS Ⅱ and UPDRS Ⅲ scores all decreased,and ADL scores increased significantly after treatment,while UPDRSⅠand MMSE scores were unchanged before and after treatment.No significant changes in resting motor threshold or central motor conduction time of the MEP were observed after rTMS treatment. Conclusion Clinical symptoms of PPS patients improved after rTMS treatment and side effects were few.Depression,anxiety,motor function and ability in the activities of daily living improved greatly.Repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation is a potential treatment for PPS patients.There may be no correlation between the effective mechanism of rTMS and cortex excitation.

Effects of low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on motor function and affective disorder in patients with Parkinson's disease / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on motor function and affective disorder in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods Twenty PD patients were performed by 1 Hz rTMS therapy for 15 days and 10 matched patients were performed sham stimulation. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Unified Parkinson' s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) were assessed before and 15 days after rTMS treatment. Results After treatment with rTMS, the motor function was improved, and UPDRS total score and UPDRS-Ⅰ , UPDRS-Ⅱ, UPDRS-Ⅲ scores were decreased. UPDRS score was decreased from (38.45±17.33) to (30.95± 17.00) (t=6.780,P<0.01). At the same time, HAMD score was decreased from (12.15±7.62) to (8.75±7.31 ) (t = 5.101, P<0.01 ). The scores of somatization, blockage and sleep disorders were lowered after treatment, but the HAMA score had no significant change(t=1.757, P>0.05). The rigidity of PD patients was improved obviously. All indexes had no improvement in sham stimulation group. Conclusions Low frequency rTMS may improve motor dysfunction and affective disorder in PD patients .

The collagen metabolism and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase during atrial fibrillation / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To quantify the expressions of collagen metabolic markers carboxy terminal propeptide of type I procollagen(PICP),nitrogen terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP),nitrogen terminal propeptide of typeⅢprocollagen(PⅢNP),type I collagen carboxy terminal telopeptide (ICTP), matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs)and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases(TIMPs)in the serum of atrial fibrillation patients by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and to discuss the atrial structural remodeling during atrial fibrillation(AF).Methods 71 elderly patients were enrolled,24 patients had permanent AF,24 patients had paroxysmal AF,and 23 patients were in sinus rhythm.The serum levels of all markers were measured by ELISA. Results PICP was increased in permanent AF group versus the paroxysmal AF group and sinus rhythm group by 25.4%and 42.8%(all P<0.05),respectively.PⅢNP was increased in permanent AF group versus the paroxysmal AF group and sinus rhythm group by 17.9a% and 35.6%(all P<0.05),respectively,and was increased in the paroxysmal AF group versus the sinus rhythm group by 15.0%(P<0.05).PINP and ICTP did not differ significantly between the 3 groups(all P >0.05).MMP-1 was significantly increased by 25.6%(P<0.05)in the paroxysmal AF group versus the sinus rhythm group.MMP-2 was also significantly increased in permanent AF group versus the paroxysmal AF group and sinus rhythm group by 54.9%and 37.9%(all P<0.05),respectively.MMP-7,MMp-9 and TIMP-1 did not differ significantly between the 3 groups(P>0.05).TIMP-2was significantly decreased in the permanent AF group and paroxysmal AF group versus the sinus rhythm group by 21.8%and 11.8%(P<0.05),respectively. Conclusions Disturbance in the balance of MMP/TIMP system may perturb the balance of collagen synthesis and degradation during atrial fibrillation.This may be a contributing mechanism to atrial structural remodeling in atrial fibrillation,and may correlate with the initiation and maintenance of AF.

Study on expression and significance of inflammatory factors in dog atria with atrial fibrillation / 中国综合临床

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of interleukin-1β and C-reactive pro-tein(CRP)in atrial fibrillation(AF).Methods Sixteen mongrel dogs were randomly divided into two groups:pa-cing group(n=8)and control group(n=8).High frequency pacing was performed in the pacing group with perma-nent pacernaker but not in the control group.After pacing for 24 weeks,tissue samples were obtained from the left and right atria.The levels of IL-1βand CRP in atria were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared to the control group,the expression level of IL-1β and CRP were significantly enhanced(P<0.05)in atrial tissues during AF.Conclusion IL-1β and CRP may participate in atrial fibrillation formation and play a role in generation and maintaining the artrial fibrillation.

Influence of calcium preconditioning and streptomycin on ventricular dilation-induced arrhythmias in isolated rat hearts / 老年心脏病学杂志（英文版）

Objective To investigate the mechanism of ventricular dilation-induced arrhythmias by dilating isolated rat hearts. Methods Isolated rat hearts were perfused by Langerdorff method. After equilibration, 80 hearts were randomly divided into four groups as follows: (1) control group (n=20), (2) Ca2+ preconditioning (CPC) group (n=20), (3) streptomycin group (n=20), and (4) CPC + streptomycin group (n=20). A latex balloon which can be filled with fluid was anchored in the left ventricle through the left atrium and mitral valve. Epicardial ECG of the left ventricle, left ventricular pressure, coronary flow and heart rate were recorded before and during ventricular dilation by injecting fluid into the latex balloon. The rate and duration of ventricular dilation-induced arrhythmias were recorded. Results Under the same increase in ventricular end-diastolic pressure made by inflation of the balloon, the rate of arrhythmias was 100% and duration of arrhythmias was 2.56±0.46 s in the control group. Both the rates of premature ventricular beat (90 %) and ventricular tachycardia 70 % ) were high. Compared with the control group, the total rate (60 % ) of arrhythmias was lower, and duration (1.67±0.61 s ) of arrhythmias was shorter in the CPC group. Both the rates of premature ventricular beat (60%) and ventricular tachycardia (40%) were low comparatively. The rate of arrhythmias (45 %) was lower and duration ( 1.64±0.42 s)of arrhythmias was shorter, and the rates of premature ventricular beat (30 % ) or ventricular tachycardia (35 %) were lower in the streptomycin group than in the control one. The least ventricular dilation-induced arrhythmias occurred in the CPC + streptomycin group. The rate of arrhythmias (10%) was the lowest and duration (1.01±0.37s) of arrhythmias was the shortest; both the rates of premature ventricular beat (5%) and ventricular tachycardia (10%) were the lowest. Conclusions Ventricular dilation may induce arrhythmias in isolated rat hearts. Stretch-activated ion channel and the increase in [Ca2+]I are supposed to play important roles in the pathological mechanism.

Vagal effects on atrial fibrillation thresholds of pulmonary veins after autonomic denervation / 中国实用内科杂志

Objective To investigate vagal effects on atrial fibrillation(AF)thresholds at different sites of pulmonary veins after autonomic denervation.Methods In 10 mongrel dogs,the cervical vagal trunks were isolated bilaterally and decentralized from Oct 2004 to May 2005.The ansae subclaviae were exposed bilaterally as they exited from the stellate ganglia,doubly ligated,and cut.Local rapid electrical stimulation(S1S1=80 ms,impulse duration 0.5 ms)was performed to right appendage(RAA)、left appendage(LAA)、left atrium(LA)and different sites of 4 pulmonary veins.AF threshold was determined at each site in the baseline state,during bilateral cervical vagal stimulation(VNS,12.5 Hz,impulse duration 0.5 ms,stimulation voltage 5～8 V)and during infusion of atropine.Results During VNS,a lower AF threshold was observed at all sites,especially at distal of 4 pulmonary veins(P0.05).Conclusion Vagal nerve not only contributes to the maintenance of AF originating from pulmonary veins,but also greatly promotes the initiation of AF.