Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging in the evaluation of left atrial function in patients with triple-vessel coronary artery disease without myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate left atrial function in patients with triple-vessel disease (TVD) without myocardial infarction by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE) and two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STE). METHODS: Sixty patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) without myocardial infarction were classified into two groups in accordance with the coronary angiography results: group B (all triple-vessel stenosis ≥ 50% and < 75%) and group C (all triple-vessel stenosis ≥ 75%). Thirty healthy individuals were selected as group A. LA volume related parameters including left atrial maximum volume index (LAVImax), LA passive and active ejection fraction (LAPEF, LAAEF) and LA total ejection fraction (LATEF) were measured by RT-3DE. The global peak atrial longitudinal systolic strain (LASRs), early and late diastolic LA strain (LASRe and LASRa) rates were measured by 2D-STE. RESULTS: We found statistically significant differences between 2D-STE and RT-3DE related parameters of these three groups. Furthermore, in groups B and C, N-terminal fragment brain natriuretic peptides (NT-pro-BNP) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were found to be significantly correlated with LASRs and LASRa. And NT-pro-BNP had a moderate correlation with LVEDP. CONCLUSIONS: 2D-STE and RT-3DE can assess the LA function in patients with TVD without myocardial infarction. And LA strain values may provide additional information for predicting increased LVEDP and NT-pro-BNP.

Clinical review of sick sinus syndrome and atrial fibrillation.

Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is a set of diseases with abnormal cardiac pacing, which manifests as diverse cardiac arrhythmias, especially bradycardia. The clinical presentation is inconspicuous in the early stage, but with the progression of this disease, patients may present with symptoms and signs of end-organ hypoperfusion. As a common result in the natural history of the disease, SSS coexisting with atrial fibrillation (AF) forms the basis of bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome. Age-related interstitial fibrosis is considered to be the common pathophysiological mechanism between SSS and AF. The combination of these diseases will adversely affect the condition of patients and the efficiency of subsequent treatment. Although the exact mechanism is not clear to date, the extensive structural and electrical remodeling of the atrium are considered to be the important mechanism for the occurrence of AF in patients with SSS. Pacemaker implantation is the first-line treatment for symptomatic patients with SSS and documented bradycardia history. In view of the adverse effects of AF on the treatment of SSS, researchers have focused on evaluating different pacing modes and algorithms to reduce the risk of AF during pacing. Catheter ablation may also be used as an alternative second-line therapy for some patients with SSS and AF.

Assessment of left ventricular function in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography.

OBJECTIVE: Using three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (3D-STE), we aimed to evaluate left ventricular (LV) function in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: In total, 97 T2DM patients were categorized into three groups based on hepatic ultrasonography: group A (those without NAFLD, n=30), group B (those with mild NAFLD, n=32), and group C (those with moderate-to-severe NAFLD, n=35). Our conventional echocardiographic parameters included transmitral peak early and late diastolic velocity (E and A), septal and lateral early (e') mitral annular diastolic tissue velocities, and left atrial maximum volume index (LAVImax). LV end-diastolic and -systolic volume, LV mass index (LVMI), and LV ejection fraction were measured using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography. The 3D-STE parameters included LV global radial strain (GRS), global longitudinal strain (GLS), global area strain (GAS), and global circumferential strain (GCS). RESULTS: Our results showed that in group C, GCS, GRS, GLS, GAS, and septal and lateral e' velocity decreased, whereas average E/e' and LAVImax increased compared to groups B and A (p<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that NAFLD is independently associated with 3D-STE parameters, and glycosylated hemoglobin also has negative impacts on all LV 3D strains. CONCLUSION: When combined with conventional echocardiography, 3D-STE can assess LV function effectively in T2DM patients with NAFLD. Additionally, the severity of LV dysfunction in the moderate-to-severe NAFLD group (group C) was worse than the mild and absent NAFLD groups (groups A and B).

Evaluation of left atrial function in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

OBJECTIVE: To assess left atrial function in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). METHODS: We classified 97 patients with T2DM into three groups according to the results of liver ultrasonography: group A (without NAFLD), group B (mild fatty liver), and group C (moderate to severe fatty liver). Conventional echocardiography parameters included left atrial end-systolic diameter (LAD), left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic diameter (LVDs, LVDd), end-diastolic thickness of ventricular septumi and LV posterior wall (IVSTd, LVPWTd), peak E and A of mitralis (E, A), septal and lateral early (e') mitral annular diastolic tissue velocities, then calculated E/A and E/mean e'. We measured LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and left atrial (LA) volumes (max, min, and preatrial contraction volume) by Simpson's rule, then calculated LA passive and active ejection fraction (LAPEF, LAAEF), left atrial maximum volume index (LAVImax). The global peak longitudinal systolic strain (LASRs), early diastolic strain (LASRe), and late diastolic strain (LASRa) rates of the LA were obtained by 2D-STE. RESULTS: No differences were found between groups A and B (all P > 0.05). In group C, LAAEF and LASRa were obviously higher, while LAPEF, LASRe, and LASRs were obviously decreased compared with those values in groups A and B (all P < 0.05). The association between the severity of NAFLD and the differences in LA strain values remained significant after adjustment for confounders. CONCLUSION: Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography can evaluate the left atrial function in T2DM patients with NAFLD.