Cardiomyopathies ; etiology ; Humans ; Polymyositis ; complications

Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. The early mortality of patients with sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SMD) is higher than those with normal cardiac function, and the long-term prognosis is worse. Therefore, early detection of SMD and timely intervention can reduce mortality and improve prognosis. This review focused on the progress in evaluation and treatment of SMD, with a view to provide some ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of SMD.
Cardiomyopathies/therapy* ; Humans ; Sepsis/complications*

Cardiomyopathies ; complications ; Diverticulum ; complications ; Hematoma ; complications ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Angina Pectoris ; complications ; Cardiomyopathies ; complications ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged

Most patients with liver cirrhosis have hyperdynamic circulatory alterations with increased cardiac output, and decreased systemic vascular resistance and arterial pressure. But, in spite of the increased resting cardiac output, ventricular contractile response to stressful stimuli is attenuated in cirrhotic patients which is termed as cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. The prevalence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy remains unknown at present. Clinical features include structural, histological, electrophysiological, systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Multiple factors are considered as responsible, including impaired beta-adrenergic receptor signal transduction, abnormal membrane biophysical characteristics, and increased activity of cardiodepressant systems mediated by cGMP. Generally, cirrhotic cardiomyopathy with overt severe heart failure is rare. However, major stresses on the cardiovascular system such as liver transplantation, infections and insertion of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) can unmask the presence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy and thereby convert latent to overt heart failure. Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy may also contribute to the pathogenesis of hepatorenal syndrome and circulatory failure in liver cirrhosis. Because of the marked paucity of treatment studies, current recommendations for management are empirical, nonspecific measures. Further studies for pathogenesis and new therapeutic strategies in this area are required.
Cardiomyopathies/*diagnosis/*etiology/therapy ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis/*complications ; Prognosis

Adult ; Atrioventricular Block ; complications ; Cardiomyopathies ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Sarcoidosis ; complications ; diagnosis

This study determined the levels of serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecular-1 (sVCAM-1) in patients with different types of Keshan disease (KD), examined the relationship between Coxsackie B virus-specific IgM antibody (CBV-IgM) and sICAM-1 or sVCAM-1 in KD patients, and investigated the role of these adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of KD and their clinical implications. The levels of serum sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and CBV-IgM were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 22 patients with chronic Keshan disease (CKD), 27 with latent Keshan disease (LKD) and 28 healthy controls. The subjects in different groups were adjusted for sex and age. Echocardiography was adopted to determine left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in 22 patients with CKD. The results showed that CKD patients had significantly higher levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 than LKD patients and healthy controls (P<0.01 for all). And there was significant difference in the levels of the 2 adhesion molecules between LKD patients and healthy controls (P<0.05). A negative correlation was found between LVEF and sICAM-1 or sVCAM-1 in CKD patients. The percentage of CBV-specific IgM positive individuals in KD patients was significantly higher than that of healthy controls. In CVB-specific IgM positive patients, the levels of serum sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were significantly greater than those in CBV-specific IgM negative counterpart. It was concluded that the increase in the levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 suggests the progression of inflammation in KD. sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 can promote the development of myocardial pathology and lead to poor myocardial function. The increased serum sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in KD patients may be related to CBV infection.
Cardiomyopathies/*blood ; Cardiomyopathies/etiology ; Cardiomyopathies/*virology ; Coxsackievirus Infections/*complications ; Enterovirus B, Human ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/*blood ; Selenium/blood ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/blood ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Diabetes is associated with a unique form of cardiomyopathy in the absence of atherosclerosis. The mechanisms of diabetic cardiomyopathy have not been defined, but is associated with early left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction following an altered LV contractile performance. However, less attention has been paid to the right ventricular (RV) diastolic function in diabetes. Therefore, the changes in the RV ans LV filling dynamics, in patients with early type 2 diabetes, were investigated. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The transtricuspid and trans-mitral flows were assessed by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography, at maximal inspiration and expiration, in 48 subjects (mean age: 62+/-9 years, M:F=16:32) with type 2 diabetes (Type 2 DM group) and 34 normal subjects (control group ; mean age:59+/-9 years, M:F=15:19, ranging from 45-75 years of age) with normal LV systolic function and ECG at rest. Subjects with diabetic complication, nephropathy (Cr >1.5 mg/dL), LVH and COPD were excluded. RESULTS: The mitral E/A ratio and DT (deceleration time) showed no significant difference between the type 2 DM and control groups. The LV and RV systolic functions also showed no significant difference between the two groups. However, the type 2 DM group had a lower tricuspid E/A ratio (0.98+/-0.25 vs. 1.17+/-0.21, p<0.001) and a longer tricuspid DT (241+/-65 msec vs. 208+/-51 msec, p=0.016) than the control group. CONCLUSION: The right ventricular diastolic function is frequently abnormal in early type 2 diabetes. This suggests that right ventricular diastolic dysfunction may be an important predictor for the early detection of diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Atherosclerosis ; Cardiomyopathies ; Diabetes Complications ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Cardiomyopathies ; Diastole ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive

Adolescent ; Cardiomyopathies ; complications ; genetics ; Female ; Heart Ventricles ; abnormalities ; Humans ; Pedigree ; Sick Sinus Syndrome ; complications ; genetics

Ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) are known to be one of the most benign cardiac arrhythmias when they occur in structurally normal hearts. We experienced a 32-year old man who presented with dyspnea, palpitations and very frequent VPCs (31% of the total heart beats). Echocardiography revealed a dilated left ventricle (LV 66 mm at end-diastole and 57 mm at end-systole) and a decreased ejection fraction (34%). Very frequent VPCs had been detected 10 years previously and he underwent a failed radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) procedure at that time. The patient had been treated with heart failure medications including betablockers, ACE inhibitors and spironolactone for the two most recent years. Six months after we eliminated these VPCs with a second RFCA procedure, the heart returned to normal function and size. Long standing and very frequent VPCs could be the cause of left ventricular dysfunction in a subset of patients who suffer with dilated cardiomyopathy, and RFCA should be the choice of therapy for these patients.
Ventricular Premature Complexes/*complications ; Tachycardia, Ventricular/*etiology/therapy ; Male ; Humans ; *Catheter Ablation ; Cardiomyopathies/*etiology/therapy ; Adult