Objective To evaluate the change of left atrial(LA) volume and function in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) after catheter ablation using real-time tri-plane echocardiography (RT-3PE) as well as quantitative tissue velocity imaging (QTVI).Methods Eighty-two PAF patients underwent first-time RFCA were included.Routine and tri-plane ultrasound images of 1 week before and 1 month,3 months,6 months after RFCA were stored for offline analysis.A range of LA structural and functional parameters were measured off-line using the EchoPAC workstation,including LA anteroposterior diameter (LADap),LA mediolateral diameter (LADml) and LA superior-infra diameter (LADsi),early and late diastolic transmitral flow velocity and ratio (E,A and E/A),the peak velocity of pulmonary vein and ratio (S,D,Ar,S/D),the maximum volume of the left atrium (LAVmax),the volume before LA active contraction obtained at time of the P wave on the surface electrocardiogram(LAVp),the minimum volume of the left atrium (LAVmin),LA passive emptying fraction (LAPEF),LA active emptying fraction (LAAEF),LA total emptying fraction (LATEF),LA expansion index (LAexpI),average peak velocity of six wall of the left atrium (Vs,Ve,Va).Results After 3,6 months,LADap decreased significantly(P ＜ 0.05) ;3 months of follow up,peak A increased,E/A ratio decreased (P ＜0.05);6 months of follow up,peak A increased,E/A ratio reduced,peak S increased,peak D reduced,S/D increased(P ＜0.05) ;3 months of follow up,LAVmin reduced,LAAEF and LATEF increased (P ＜0.05);6 months of follow up,LA volume decreased,LAAEF and LATEF increased (P ＜0.05);3,6 months of follow up,the average Va increased(P ＜0.05).Conclusions LA reconstitution and function were recovering slowly 1 month after RFCA,and noticeable improvement can be observed 3 and 6 months after RFCA.

Objective To observe the effects of exercise on serum adiponectin and adiponectin receptor (AdipoR) level in skeletal muscle of insulin-resistant rats. Methods A total of 30 healthy male rats were randomly divided into a control group ( NC, n = 8) and a high-fat group ( HF, n = 22), fed with normal chow and high fat diet, respectively. Eighteen weeks later, the high-fat group was randomly divided into a high-fat diet control group (HC, n = 10) and an exercise group (HE, n = 12). The HC and HE group were continually fed with high fat diet, while the HE group was administered with swimming training for 6 weeks in addition at the same time. After 24 weeks, the insulin sensitivity index was calculated, and serum adiponectin level was detected by using ELISA. The expressions of AdipoR mRNA in skeletal muscle were detected with real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results After 18 weeks, compared to NC group, the insulin sensitivity index of HF group decreased significantly. It suggested that insulin resistance appeared in HF group. Twenty-four weeks later, compared to NC group, the ISI of HC group was significantly decreased, meanwhile the level of serum adiponectin, expression of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 mRNA in skeletal muscle of HC group were 71.9% , 59.9% and 69.2% of those of the NC group, respectively; compared to HC group, the ISI was increased significantly by exercise, meanwhile the expression of AdipoR1 mRNA in skeletal muscle was significantly increased by 1.33 times, however the level of serum adiponectin and the expression of AdipoR2 mRNA in skeletal muscle were not altered in HE group. Conclusion Six weeks of exercise improves insulin sensitivity through increasing the expression of AdipoRI mRNA in skeletal muscle.

To evaluate the value of left ventricular diastolic function in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) using dual-gate Doppler and relative factors, we included 50 non-obesity and hypertension-free DM patients into the controlled group in the study along with 48 age-and-gender-matched healthy volunteer subjects. The peak early diastolic velocity (E), peak later diastolic velocity (A), deceleration time (DT), anterior mitral annulus diastolic peak velocity (e') , isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), E/A, E/e', Tei index and T(E-e), were measured with dual-gate Doppler. 20 subjects were randomly selected for repetitive analysis. Study showed statistical difference in E/A, DT, e', E/e', IVRT, Tei index and T(E-e), between the two groups (P < 0.05). Linear regression analysis showed positive correlation between T(E-e), and IVRT, course of DM patients and T(E-e), (Beta = 0.295, P = 0.020), and HbA1c control level and T(E-e), (Beta = 0.399, P = 0.010). Repeated analysis showed good reproducibility for both within and between groups. Dual-gate Doppler has clinical value in evaluating left ventricular diastolic function in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. The course of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and HbA(1C) control level were both closely related with left ventricular diastolic function.
Case-Control Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; physiopathology ; Diastole ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Mitral Valve ; Regression Analysis ; Reproducibility of Results ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left ; Ventricular Function, Left

Objective:To investigate the impact of QiliQiangXin Capsules on ventricular remodeling and cardiac contraction and relaxation function in aging rats with heart failure following myocardial infarction.Methods:From August 2022 to August 2023, a total of 30 old rats were randomly assigned to three groups: sham-operated group, model group, and treatment group, with 10 rats in each group selected through a digital lottery method.The model and treatment groups were created by ligating the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery.The rats in the treatment group received daily administration of Astragalosa hebecarpa Drabanemerosa Strong Heart Capsule(1.0 g/kg)via gavage after 4 weeks.After the 4-week drug administration period, echocardiography was performed to measure various parameters including left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter(LVIDd), left ventricular end-systolic internal diameter(LVIDs), left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), left ventricular anterior wall myocardial thickness(LVAWd), mitral valve early diastolic peak flow velocity(E peak), and early diastolic velocity of mitral annulus(e peak)detected by tissue Doppler(TDI). The E/e value was calculated based on these measurements.Additionally, serum levels of B-type brain natriuretic peptide(BNP), matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9), and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was employed to observe the morphological changes in myocardial tissue.Results:Compared to rats in the model group, rats in the treatment group exhibited lower left ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole(LVIDd)(9.1±0.6 mm vs.11.4±0.8 mm, P<0.01), lower left ventricular internal dimension at end-systole(LVIDs)(5.9±0.8 mm vs.8.7±0.9 mm, P<0.01), lower E/e ratio(13.4±2.0 vs.16.3±2.8, P<0.05), higher left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)(68.8±7.1% vs.52.0±8.4%, P<0.01), and elevated left ventricular anterior wall thickness at end-diastole(LVAWd)(1.5±0.2 mm vs.1.2±0.3 mm, P<0.05). In addition, compared to rats in the model group, the treatment group showed a decrease in brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)(0.26±0.04 μg/L vs.0.34±0.05 μg/L, P<0.01), decreased matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)(3697.0±857.7 μg/L vs.4719.5±703.5 μg/L, P<0.01), decreased matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)(87.3±13.8 μg/L vs.116.5±9.6 μg/L, P<0.01), decreased tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)(165.3±36.9 μg/L vs.269.8±35.0 μg/L, P<0.01), and lower TNF-α levels(165.3±36.9 μg/L vs.269.8±35.0 μg/L, P<0.01). Histological examination using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining revealed that the treatment group had less severe cardiac myocyte arrangement disorder and inflammatory reaction compared to the model group. Conclusions:Qiliqiangxin Capsules were found to effectively delay ventricular remodeling and improve myocardial contraction and relaxation function in aging rats with heart failure after acute myocardial infarction.