Objective To evaluate the echocardiographic features of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy( ApHCM). Methods Twenty-seven patients with ApHCM including 21 men and 6 women, average age (42.7 ± 5. 1 ) years old were followed up from 1995 to 2008 to investigate the clinical, electroeardiographic and echocardiographic features. Results The major features of ECG were increased R amplitude( V_4 > V_5 > V_3)and inverteted T wave(especially in V_(3-5) leads and the voltage of the inverteted T waves may be up to ≥10 mm). The major feature of echocardiography was the thickening of left ventricular apical wall to 15 - 37 ( 18. 0± 3. 3 ) mm. The final follow up showed that the mean thickness of the apical wall was ( 19. 7 ±3. 7) mm. The ratio of the thickness of left ventricular apical wall to posterior wall before and after the follow up was 1. 7 ±0. 3 and 1. 9 ±0. 9 respectively, with significant statistical difference ( P < 0. 05). There was no difference in the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension and left ventricular ejection fraction. The main cardiovascular events were atrial fibrillation ( 16 cases) , heart failure of NYHA ID-IV class (3 cases) , anterior wall myocardial infarction ( 1 case) and sudden death ( 1 case). Conclusions The final diagnosis of ApHCM depends on the characteristic inverteted T wave in ECG and apical hypertrophy in echocardiography. The prognosis of ApHCM is rather good for its progression is relatively slow.

Objective To evaluate left ventricular(LV) twist and untwist using velocity vector imaging(VVI) in patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM). Methods Twenty-three patients diagnosed with ApHCM were consecutively enrolled and compared with normal controls. After a standard echocardiographic examination, parasternal basal and apical short-axis planes were scanned to quantify LV rotations,twist and LV untwist using VVI. Results Compared with the normal controls, the rotation and rotaional velocity of apical subendocardial myocardium were markedly decreased in ApHCM patients during the period of systole ( P＜0.05) ,but the decreases in basal planes were not significant. As a consequence,LV twist was significantly lower in ApHCM patients (P＜ 0.05). Compared to normal controls,the velocity of LV untwisting was also significantly decreased in ApHCM patients ( P＜0.05).Conclusions The twist and untwist of LV subendocardial myocardium were decreased in ApHCM patients.VVI is a useful method to assess the characteristics of LV twist and untwist in ApHCM patients.

Objective : To explore the related factors for the unilateral flap and bilateral flap by changing the original operation plan in the extraction of maxillary impacted mesiodens. Methods : 81 patients with impacted mesiodens in the middle of the maxillary were retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome variables were planned surgery (unilateral flap)and unplanned surgery (bilateral flap) . The secondary outcome variables consisted of operation time and postoperative swelling. The predictive variables were as follows:the differential value of the shortest distance from the supernumerary tooth to the labial and palatal bone plates , which was divided into≥1. 5 mm group and < 1. 5 mm group ; the ratio of the distance from the adjacent tooth apex to the nasal floor, compared to the length of the supernumerary teeth , was recorded as≥1 and < 1 . A statistical software SPSS 20 was used to complete the statistical analysis. Results : When the differential value was less than 1. 5 mm , the possibility of unplanned surgery increased , and the probability of planned surgery was 0. 085 times than that of unplanned surgery. With age growing each 1 ⁃year, the probability of planned surgery gradually decreased , HR = 0. 745. The postoperative swelling of the palatal approach was only 0. 374 times than that of the labial approach. With age increasing , the operation time increased gradually , B = 1. 213. The ratio of the distance from the adjacent tooth apex to the nasal floor to the length of the supernumerary teeth did not affect the change of the surgical plan during the operation. Conclusion The shortest distance difference between the supernumerary teeth and the labial and palatal bone plates can be used as a reference for the selection of surgical approach for the extraction of maxillary impacted mesiodens.