OBJECTIVES: To compare perioperative and mid-term results of multiple versus single arterial off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) in patients with impaired left ventricular function. METHODS: This study was conducted among 86 patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50%, who underwent OPCABG at our hospital between January, 2018 and December, 2021. Of these patients, 22 underwent OPCABG with multiple arterial grafts (multiple graft group) and 64 received a single arterial graft in OPCABG (single graft group). The preoperative, intraoperative, and perioperative data were collected, and the patients were followed up for a mean of 29.28±14.84 months. The perioperative outcomes and follow-up results of the patients were compared, and the factors influencing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were identified using logistic regression. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare the postoperative survival rate without MACE. RESULTS: The patients in multiple graft group had a significantly younger age than those in single graft group (P<0.05), but the other baseline data were similar between the two groups (P>0.05). Perioperative mortality, 24-h postoperative drainage volume, length of ICU stay, intubation time, and the incidence of new-onset atrial fibrillation were all similar between the two groups (P>0.05), but the rate of postoperative hypotension was significantly higher in multiple graft group (34.78% vs 11.54%, P=0.009). No significant differences were found in the incidence of MACE or echocardiographic data during the follow-up. Logistic regression identified the female sex (OR: 0.191, 95% CI: 0.049-0.075) and creatinine level (OR: 1.016, 95% CI: 1.000-1.033) as factors affecting postoperative MACE occurrence. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no significant difference in MACE-free survival rate between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS OPCABG with multiple arterial grafts does not increase severe perioperative complications or the risk of mid-term MACE in patients with impaired left ventricular function.
Humans ; Follow-Up Studies ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology* ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/physiopathology* ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Aged ; Perioperative Period ; Stroke Volume

OBJECTIVE: To study effects of Shenmai Injection on hypertensive heart failure and its mechanism for inhibiting myocardial fibrosis. METHODS: Salt-sensitive (Dahl/SS) rats were fed with normal diet (0.3% NaCl) and the high-salt diet (8% NaCl) to observe the changes in blood pressure and heart function, as the control group and the model group. Salt-insensitive rats (SS-13BN) were fed with the high-salt diet (8% NaCl) as the negative control group. After modeling, the model rats were randomly divided into heart failure (HF) group, Shenmai Injection (SMI) group and pirfenidone (PFD) group by a random number table, with 6 rats in each group. They were given sterilized water, SMI and pirfenidone, respectively. Blood pressure, cardiac function, fibrosis and related molecular expression were detected by sphygmomanometer, echocardiogram, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson staining, immunofluorescence and qPCR analysis. RESULTS: After high-salt feeding, compared with the control and negative control group, in the model group the blood pressure increased significantly, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS) were significantly reduced, and the serum NT-proBNP concentration increased significantly (all P<0.05); furthermore, the arrangement of myocardial cells was disordered, the edema was severe, and the degree of myocardial fibrosis was also significantly increased (P<0.05); the protein and mRNA expressions of collagen type I (Col I) were up-regulated (P<0.05), and the mRNA expressions of transforming growth factor β 1 (TGF- β 1), Smad2 and Smad3 were significantly up-regulated (P<0.05). Compared with HF group, after intervention of Shenmai Injection, LVEF and LVFS increased, myocardial morphology was improved, collagen volume fraction decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the mRNA expressions of Col I, TGF- β 1, Smad2 and Smad3, as well as Col I protein expression, were all significantly down-regulated (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION Myocardial fibrosis is the main pathological manifestation of hypertensive heart failure, and Shenmai Injection could inhibit myocardial fibrosis and effectively improve heart failure by regulating TGF-β 1/Smad signaling pathway.
Rats ; Animals ; Stroke Volume ; Sodium Chloride ; Rats, Inbred Dahl ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Heart Failure ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; Hypertension ; Fibrosis ; RNA, Messenger

OBJECTIVES: Serum cystatin C (Cys C) and blood lipid levels are related to the occurrence and development of chronic heart failure (CHF). However, there are few reports on the correlation between blood lipid level and serum Cys C level in patients with CHF. The aim of this study is to explore the correlation between serum Cys C level and blood lipid level in patients with CHF, and to provide valuable reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of CHF. METHODS: A total of 336 CHF patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine of Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital from October 2017 to July 2018 were included and they were divided into a Cys C normal group (n=180) and a Cys C abnormal group (n=156) according to serum Cys C level of the patients. The general data, laboratory indicators, and cardiac ultrasound results were compared between the 2 groups. Pearson correlation analysis was used to detect the correlation between serum Cys C level and blood lipid level and other factors, and the data related to Cys C were further analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared with the Cys C normal group, patients in the Cys C abnormal group had lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (P<0.001), older age (P=0.030), higher incidence rate of diabetes and smoking index (P=0.002 and P=0.003, respectively). The levels of serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and total bilirubin (TBIL) were higher (all P<0.001), while the levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL), apolipoprotein (Apo) A, and albumin (ALB) were lower (P<0.001, P=0.001, and P=0.003, respectively) in the Cys C abnormal group. Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum Cys C level was negatively correlated with platelet count, HDL, Apo A, ALB, and LVEF. It was positively correlated with smoking index, mean platelet volume, neutrophil ratio, BUN, and TBIL (all P<0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the decreased HDL level was a risk factor for the abnormality of serum Cys C in patients with CHF (OR=0.119, P=0.003), while Apo A was not a risk factor for its abnormality (P=0.337). CONCLUSIONS HDL might be the only blood lipid index associated with abnormal serum Cys C in patients with CHF.
Humans ; Stroke Volume ; Cystatin C ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Heart Failure ; Lipids ; Chronic Disease

Humans ; Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; Heart Ventricles ; Heart Failure/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; Electrocardiography ; Ventricular Function, Left

Objective To investigate the cardiac structural and functional characteristics in the patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM),and predict the factors influencing the characteristics. Methods A total of 783 HFpEF patients diagnosed in the Department of Geriatric Cardiology,the First Hospital of Lanzhou University from April 2009 to December 2020 were enrolled in this study.Echocardiography and tissue Doppler technique were employed to evaluate cardiac structure and function.According to the occurrence of T2DM,the patients were assigned into a HFpEF+T2DM group (n=332) and a HFpEF group (n=451).Propensity score matching (PSM)(in a 1∶1 ratio) was adopted to minimize confounding effect.According to urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER),the HFpEF+T2DM group was further divided into three subgroups with UAER<20 μg/min,of 20-200 μg/min,and>200 μg/min,respectively.The comorbidities,symptoms and signs,and cardiac structure and function were compared among the groups to clarify the features of diabetes related HFpEF.Multivariate linear regression was conducted to probe the relationship of systolic blood pressure,blood glucose,glycosylated hemoglobin,and UARE with cardiac structural and functional impairment. Results The HFpEF+T2DM group had higher prevalence of hypertension (P=0.001) and coronary heart disease (P=0.036),younger age (P=0.020),and larger body mass index (P=0.005) than the HFpEF group,with the median diabetic course of 10 (3,17) years.After PSM,the prevalence of hypertension and coronary heart disease,body mass index,and age had no significant differences between the two groups(all P>0.05).In addition,the HFpEF+T2DM group had higher interventricular septal thickness (P=0.015),left ventricular posterior wall thickness (P=0.040),and left ventricular mass (P=0.012) and lower early diastole velocity of mitral annular septum (P=0.030) and lateral wall (P=0.011) than the HFpEF group.Compared with the HFpEF group,the HFpEF+T2DM group showed increased ratio of early diastolic mitral filling velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/e') (P=0.036).Glycosylated hemoglobin was correlated with left ventricular mass (P=0.011),and the natural logarithm of UAER with interventricular septal thickness (P=0.004),left ventricular posterior wall thickness (P=0.006),left ventricular mass (P<0.001),and E/e' ratio (P=0.049). Conclusion The patients with both T2DM and HFpEF have thicker left ventricular wall,larger left ventricular mass,more advanced left ventricular remodeling,severer impaired left ventricular diastolic function,and higher left ventricular filling pressure than the HFpEF patients without T2DM.Elevated blood glucose and diabetic microvascular diseases might play a role in the development of the detrimental structural and functional changes of the heart.
Humans ; Aged ; Heart Failure/diagnosis* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Stroke Volume ; Glycated Hemoglobin ; Blood Glucose ; Propensity Score ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Hypertension

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Wenyang Zhenshuai Granules(WYZSG) on autophagy and apoptosis of myocardial cells in rats with sepsis via regulating the expression of microRNA-132-3p(miR-132-3p)/uncoupling protein 2(UCP2). Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into modeling group(n=50) and sham operation group(n=10). The sepsis rat model was constructed by cecal ligation and perforation in the modeling group. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into WYZSG low-, medium-and high-dose groups, model group and positive control group. Rats in the sham operation group underwent opening and cecum division but without perforation and ligation. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of rat myocardial tissue. Myocardial cell apoptosis was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) assay. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR) was performed to detect the expression of miR-132-3p and the mRNA expressions of UCP2, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ), Beclin-1 and caspase-3 in rat myocardial tissue. The protein expressions of UCP2, LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, Beclin-1 and caspase-3 in myocardial tissue were detected by Western blot. Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the regulatory relationship between miR-132-3p and UCP2. The myocardial fibers of sepsis model rats were disordered, and there were obvious inflammatory cell infiltration as well as myocardial cell edema and necrosis. With the increase of the WYZSG dose, the histopathological changes of myocardium were improved to varying degrees. Compared with the conditions in the sham operation group, the survival rate and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) of rats in the model group, positive control group and WYZSG low-, medium-and high-dose groups were decreased, and the myocardial injury score and apoptosis rate were increased. Compared with the model group, the positive control group and WYZSG low-, medium-and high-dose groups had elevated survival rate and LVEF, and lowered myocardial injury score and apoptosis rate. The expression of miR-132-3p and the mRNA and protein expressions of UCP2 in myocardial tissue in the model group, positive control group and WYZSG low-, medium-and high-dose groups were lower, while the mRNA and protein expressions of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, Beclin-1 and caspase-3 were higher than those in the sham operation group. Compared with model group, the positive control group and the WYZSG low-, medium-and high-dose groups had an up-regulation in the expression of miR-132-3p and the mRNA and protein expressions of UCP2, while a down-regulation in the mRNA and protein expressions of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, Beclin-1 and caspase-3. WYZSG inhibited excessive autophagy and apoptosis of myocardial cells in septic rats and improved myocardial injury, possibly by regulating the expression of miR-132-3p/UCP2.
Animals ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Caspase 3 ; Beclin-1/genetics* ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Apoptosis/genetics* ; Autophagy/genetics* ; Heart Injuries ; MicroRNAs/genetics*

Objectives To learn the echocardiography skills of intensivists after receiving a basic critical care echocardiography training course, and investigate factors that may influence their performance. Methods We completed a web-based questionnaire that assessed the skills in ultrasound scanning techniques of intensivists who took a training course on basic critical care echocardiography held in 2019 and 2020. Mann-Whitney test was used to analyze the factors which might affect their performance on image acquisition, recognizing clinical syndrome, and measuring the diameter of inferior vena cava, left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular outflow tract velocity-time integral.Results We enrolled 554 physicians from 412 intensive care units across China. Among them, 185 (33.4%) reported that they had 10%-30% chance of being misled by critical care echocardiography when making therapeutic decision, and 34 (6.1%) reported that the chance was greater than 30%. Intensivists who performed echocardiography under the guidance of a mentor and finished ultrasound scanning more than 10 times per week reported significant higher scores in image acquisition, clinical syndrome recognition, and quantitative measurement of inferior vena cava diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular outflow tract velocity-time integral than those without mentor and performing echocardiography 10 times or less per week respectively (all P < 0.05).Conclusion The skills in diagnostic medical echocardiography of Chinese intensivists after a basic echocardiographic training course remain low, and further quality assurance training program is clearly warranted.
Humans ; Clinical Competence ; East Asian People ; Echocardiography/standards* ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Self-Assessment ; Physicians/standards* ; Internal Medicine/standards*

OBJECTIVES: To study the genetic characteristics, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of children with primary dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 44 children who were diagnosed with DCM in Hebei Children's Hospital from July 2018 to February 2023. According to the genetic testing results, they were divided into two groups: gene mutation-positive group (n=17) and gene mutation-negative group (n=27). The two groups were compared in terms of clinical data at initial diagnosis and follow-up data. RESULTS: Among the 44 children with DCM, there were 21 boys (48%) and 23 girls (52%). Respiratory symptoms including cough and shortness of breath were the most common symptom at initial diagnosis (34%, 15/44). The detection rate of gene mutations was 39% (17/44). There were no significant differences between the two groups in clinical characteristics, proportion of children with cardiac function grade Ⅲ or Ⅳ, brain natriuretic peptide levels, left ventricular ejection fraction, and left ventricular fractional shortening at initial diagnosis (P>0.05). The median follow-up time was 23 months, and 9 children (20%) died, including 8 children from the gene mutation-positive group, among whom 3 had TTN gene mutation, 2 had LMNA gene mutation, 2 had TAZ gene mutation, and 1 had ATAD3A gene mutation. The gene mutation-positive group had a significantly higher mortality rate than the gene mutation-negative group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS There is no correlation between the severity of DCM at initial diagnosis and gene mutations in children. However, children with gene mutations may have a poorer prognosis.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Child ; Stroke Volume ; Retrospective Studies ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Phenotype ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/diagnosis* ; Mutation ; ATPases Associated with Diverse Cellular Activities/genetics* ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Mitochondrial Proteins/genetics*

INTRODUCTION: Normal stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) carries a favourable prognosis. Conversely, elevated coronary artery calcium (CAC) is associated with increased major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). There is limited information on the prognosis and management of patients with elevated CAC and normal MPI. We aimed to assess the outcomes of patients with elevated CAC and normal MPI in relation to post-MPI statin use. METHODS: A retrospective review of normal MPI with CAC score >300 was performed between 1 March 2016 and 31 January 2017 in a Singapore tertiary hospital. Patients with known atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or left ventricular ejection fraction <50% on MPI were excluded. Patient demographics, prescriptions and MACE (cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction and/or ischaemic stroke) at 24 months after MPI were traced using electronic records. Binary logistic regression was used to evaluate for independent predictors of MACE. RESULTS: We included 311 patients (median age 71 years, 56.3% male), of whom 65.0% were on moderate to high-intensity statins (MHIS) after MPI. MACE was significantly lower in the post-MPI MHIS group (3.5% vs. 9.2%, P = 0.035). On univariate binary logistic regression, post-MPI MHIS use was the only significant predictor for MACE (odds ratio [OR] 0.355 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.131-0.962], P = 0.042), even after multivariate adjustment (adjusted OR 0.363, 95% confidence interval 0.134-0.984, P = 0.046). CONCLUSION Post-MPI MHIS use is associated with lower MACE and is an independent negative predictor for 24-month MACE among patients with normal MPI and CAC >300.
Humans ; Male ; Aged ; Female ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Myocardial Perfusion Imaging/methods* ; Calcium ; Stroke Volume ; Brain Ischemia ; Risk Factors ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Stroke ; Prognosis

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and long-term prognostic factors of diabetic patients with low or intermediate complexity coronary artery disease (CAD) post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: This was a prospective, single-centre observational study. Consecutive diabetic patients with SYNTAX score (SS)≤32 undergoing PCI between January and December 2013 in Fuwai hospital were included in this analysis. The patients were divided into two groups based on SS, namely SS≤22 group and SS 23-32 group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to identify independent factors related to poor 5-year prognosis. The primary outcomes were cardiac death and recurrent myocardial infarction, the secondary outcomes were all cause death and revascularization. Results: Of the 3 899 patients included in the study, 2 888 were men (74.1%); mean age was 59.4±9.8 years. There were 3 450 patients in the SS≤22 group and 449 patients in the SS 23-32 group. Compared with SS≤22 group, the incidence of revascularization was higher in SS 23-32 group (18.9% (85/449) vs. 15.2% (524/3450), log-rank P=0.019). There was no significant difference in all-cause death, cardiac death and recurrent myocardial infarction between the two groups (log-rank P>0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age (HR=1.05, 95%CI 1.02-1.08, P<0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR=3.12, 95%CI 1.37-7.07, P=0.007) and creatinine clearance rate (CCr)<60 ml/min (HR=3.67, 95%CI 2.05-6.58, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for 5-year cardiac death, while left ventricular ejection fraction (HR=0.94, 95%CI 0.91-0.96, P<0.001) was a protective factor. Previous PCI (HR=2.04, 95%CI 1.38-3.00, P<0.001), blood glucose level≥11.1 mmol/L on admission (HR=2.49, 95%CI 1.32-4.70, P=0.005) and CCr<60 ml/min (HR=1.85, 95%CI 1.14-2.99, P=0.012) were independent risk factors for 5-year recurrent myocardial infarction. The SS of 23-32 was independently associated with risk of revascularization (HR=1.54, 95%CI 1.09-2.16, P=0.014), after adjusting for residual SS. Residual SS was not a risk factor for 5-year prognosis. Conclusions: In diabetic patients with low-or intermediate complexity CAD, SS 23-32 is associated with increased risk of 5-year revascularization; the clinical characteristics of the patients are associated with the long-term mortality and recurrent myocardial infarction, but not related to revascularization.
Male ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Female ; Coronary Artery Disease/surgery* ; Stroke Volume ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors ; Myocardial Infarction/etiology* ; Diabetes Mellitus