Compared with nickel-titanium alloy metal patent foramen ovale occluders,which are widely used in clinical practice,biodegradable patent foramen ovale occluders have obvious differences in material characteristics,interventional operation mode and postoperative management strategy.This article gives expert suggestions on the selection of clinical indications and standardized operating procedures,so as to standardize the clinical application of biodegradable patent foramen ovale occluders.

Objectives:To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension(IPAH)with cardiovascular comorbidities.Methods:A total of 150 patients with IPAH admitted to Fuwai Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from October 2014 to June 2024 were enrolled in this retrospective study.The clinical variables,cardiac structure and hemodynamic characteristics were analyzed and compared between IPAH patients with or without cardiovascular comorbidities.Results:The mean age of the 150 patients was(35.9±12.5)years,73.3%of whom were female.There were 88(58.7%)IPAH patients with cardiovascular comorbidities.Compared to those without cardiovascular comorbidities(n=62),patients with cardiovascular comorbidities were older([38.9±12.3]years vs.[31.7±11.9]years,P=0.001),and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level was higher(1 469.0[656.8,2 615.8]pg/ml vs.923.5[304.4,1 958.8]pg/ml,P=0.006).The hemodynamic examination indicated that patients with cardiovascular comorbidities were featured with higher mean right atrial pressure(6.0[3.3,9.0]mmHg[1 mmHg=0.133 kPa]vs.4.0[3.0,6.3]mmHg,P=0.006),but lower mixed venous oxygen saturation([67.0±7.0]%vs.[70.3±6.9]%,P=0.010)and cardiac index(2.4[1.9,2.9]L/[min·m2]vs.2.8[2.3,3.8]L/[min·m2],P=0.013).Among IPAH patients with cardiovascular comorbidities,compared to patients with 1 comorbidity,patients with≥2 comorbidities were older(51.0[40.0,63.3]years vs.35.0[29.3,43.8]years,P<0.001),left atrial anteroposterior diameter([35.6±4.8]mm vs.[30.4±4.4]mm,P<0.001)and left end-diastolic anteroposterior diameter([40.8±7.5]mm vs.[35.8±5.5]mm,P=0.006)were larger.In patients with cardiovascular comorbidities,hypertension was the most common comorbidity(48.9%).Conclusions:Patients with IPAH and cardiovascular comorbidities exhibit aging characteristics.A series of cardiovascular comorbidities,including hypertension,significantly impact the clinical features,cardiac structural parameters,and hemodynamic status of IPAH.The assessment and management of comorbidities in IPAH patients should be prioritized in the future clinical practice.

Glycogen storage disease type Ⅱ,also known as Pompe disease,is an autosomal recessive metabolic myopathy with pulmonary hypertension as a rare complication.We reported a case of pulmonary hypertension in adult with late-onset glycogen storage disease type Ⅱ.Her arterial blood gas results indicated type Ⅱ respiratory failure,lung function indicated severe restricted ventilation dysfunction,sleep monitoring indicated severe sleep apnea hypopnea,severe nocturnal hypoxemia,echocardiography-derived systolic pulmonary pressure was 62 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa),electromyography indicated myogenic lesion,and whole exon sequencing indicated GAA gene mutation.Supportive therapy and enzyme replacement therapy are applied in this patient.

Transcatheter renal denervation therapy for hypertension has undergone development over a decade,a considerable amount of clinical research evidences have been accumulated.There are different devices developed based on the radio frequency,ultrasound,chemistry,and cryoablation techniques and selection of ablation targets has been optimized gradually.Transcatheter renal denervation may become an important treatment option for hypertension in the future.This article aims to systematically elucidate the technical principles,clinical evidence of transcatheter renal denervation results with different devices,the limitations,and prospects for application of various denervation techniques.

As a physiologic pacing technique,conduction system pacing(CSP)can capture the intrinsic conduction system and rebuilt cardiac electrical synchronization.CSP including His bundle pacing(HBP)and left bundle branch pacing(LBBP),which played novel and important roles in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF)resulted from intraventricular or interventricular asynchrony.This review aims to demonstrate the current status and prospects CSP for cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with HFrEF.

To enhance the standardization and management of diagnosis and treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension in Chinese adults,Working Group on Pulmonary Hypertension,National Center for Cardiovascular Quality Improvement,National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases,China Specialized Alliance of Pulmonary Hypertension and National Expert Committee for Cardiovascular Diseases,Professional Committee of Right Heart and Pulmonary Vascular Diseases established a working group.Guided by the"structure-process-outcome"theoretical framework,the group established a medical quality control indicator system for pulmonary arterial hypertension in Chinese adults through literature review,expert discussions,and Delphi expert consultation.The system ultimately comprises 32 primary indicators and 6 secondary indicators.It encompasses three categories of indicators:structure,process,and outcome,with the process indicators further covering diagnosis and risk stratification,initial treatment,and follow-up.This quality control indicator system has laid the theoretical foundation for improving the medical quality of care for Chinese adult patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension,though it still requires validation and refinement during clinical practice.

Objectives:To investigate the clinical and cardiopulmonary functional characteristics of cardiopulmonary-phenotype idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension(IPAH)patients in comparison with classical IPAH patients and pulmonary hypertension patients associated with chronic lung disease(CLD-PH).Methods:In this retrospective study,data were collected from 30 patients with classical IPAH,20 cardiopulmonary phenotype IPAH patients,and 20 patients with CLD-PH,who were hospitalized in the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital from November 2017 to February 2025.Pulmonary hypertension was diagnosed via right heart catheterization and all patients underwent pulmonary function tests,chest computed tomography(CT),echocardiography,and patients were followed up to 5 years.Results:Compared to classical IPAH patients,both cardiopulmonary phenotype IPAH patients and CLD-PH patients exhibited later onset age,higher proportions of World Health Organization(WHO)functional class Ⅲ-Ⅳ,males,and smokers(all P<0.05).The cardiopulmonary-phenotype IPAH patients also had higher rates of coronary artery disease and diabetes compared to classical IPAH patients(all P<0.05).Physiologically,the cardiopulmonary-phenotype IPAH patients showed reduced diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide(DLCO)and partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2),along with higher rates of emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis compared to classical IPAH(all P<0.05).In contrast,CLD-PH patients had lower mean pulmonary arterial pressure(mPAP),pulmonary vascular resistance(PVR),and pulmonary artery wedge pressure(PAWP),as well as reduced forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1%predicted),FEV1/forced vital capacity(FVC)ratio,and DLCO.However,CLD-PH patients demonstrated higher tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion(TAPSE),peak systolic velocity of the tricuspid annulus(S`),and partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PaCO2),along with increased rates of emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis(all P<0.05).Compared with LCD-PH,cardiopulmonary-phenotype IPAH patients had higher mPAP,PVR,FEV1%predicted,FEV1/FVC ratio,PAWP,and systolic pulmonary artery pressure,but lower DLCO,cardiac output,TAPSE,S′,and PaCO2(all P<0.05).No statistical difference was observed in PaO2 between these two groups.All cardiopulmonary-phenotype IPAH patients and classical IPAH patients received targeted medications,55%of CLD-PH patients did not receive targeted therapy,45%received monotherapy only(compared with cardiopulmonary-phenotype IPAH patients and classical IPAH groups,P<0.05).The 1,2,and 5-year survival rates were 79.2%,62.2%,and 46.7%,respectively in patients with cardiopulmonary-phenotype IPAH,100%,94.4%,and 94.4%,respectively in classic IPAH patients,and 92.9%,77.4%and 77.4%,respectively in patients with CLD-PH.Survival rates for cardiopulmonary-phenotype IPAH patients were significantly lower than those of classical IPAH and CLD-PH patients(log-rank P=0.008).Conclusions:IPAH cardiopulmonary phenotype patients are older,predominantly male,and often have a smoking history(median 30 pack-years).They exhibit severe hypoxemia,markedly reduced DLCOc,preserved spirometry,and severe pulmonary hypertension and lower survival rate.

Objectives:To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH)concomitant with obstructive sleep apnea(OSA).Methods:We analyzed the data of 208 patients diagnosed with PAH in the Pulmonary Vascular Diseases Ward of our hospital from September 2019 to August 2024,who underwent sleep breathing monitoring and echocardiography during hospitalization.Three clusters were identified:Cluster 1(n=121)had no OSA and mildly elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP),Cluster 2(n=71)exhibited mild OSA and mildly elevated NT-proBNP,and Cluster 3(n=16)presented with moderate to severe OSA along with significantly elevated NT-proBNP.Results:The mean age of this patient cohort was(39±12)years,mean body mass index was(21.74±3.67)kg/m2,and 27.9%patients were male.Sixty-five patients(31.3%)had OSA.The echocardiographic indicators reflecting the structural function of the heart chambers and hemodynamic parameters in patients with PAH showed a significant correlation with nocturnal hypoxia.Compared to Cluster 1,patients in Cluster 2 and Cluster 3 had wider pulmonary arteries and inferior vena cava diameters,larger right ventricular diameters,higher pulmonary artery pressure,higher pulmonary vascular resistance,and lower cardiac index(all P<0.05).Cluster 3 patients had a significantly higher risk of death(log-rank P=0.022).Conclusions:Thirty-one percent of PAH patients in this study had concomitant OSA.PAH patients with significantly elevated NT-proBNP and comorbid moderate-to-severe OSA had a significantly higher risk of death compared to those with only mild or without OSA without significantly elevated NT-proBNP.Management strategies that address both PAH and OSA might be effective in improving the outcomes of these patients.

Objectives:To observe the effectiveness and safety of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide(rhBNP)for the treatment of patients with right heart failure caused by pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH).Methods:A total of 421 patients with right heart failure caused by PAH who were hospitalized in Fuwai Hospital from January 2019 to June 2024 were retrospectively included in this study.All patients were treated with rhBNP on top of conventional therapy.24 h urine volume,body weight,liver and renal function index,electrolyte,uric acid,red blood cell distribution width(RBCDW),cardiac function,blood pressure and heart rate before and after the treatment of rhBNP were compared.Clinical symptoms,signs and the occurrence of adverse events during treatment were also observed.Results:Compared with baseline,after treatment with rhBNP,the 24 h urine volume increased.The levels of body weight,transaminase,total bilirubin,direct bilirubin,uric acid,RBCDW,systolic blood pressure,heart rate,and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide significantly decreased(all P<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in the levels of serum creatinine,and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion to pulmonary artery systolic pressure ratio(both P>0.05).Dyspnea and lower limbs edema were improved in 75.2%cases(227/302)and 66.9%cases(281/420)respectively.The incidence of adverse events and severe adverse events during rhBNP treatment were 1.2%(5/421)and 0.5%(2/421)respectively.Conclusions:Adding rhBNP on top of standard medication can effectively increase 24 h urine volume,reduce body weight,improve some prognostic indicators,improve the clinical symptoms and signs of heart failure without negatively affecting the renal function in right heart failure patients caused by PAH.Blood pressure should be closely monitored during the treatment process.

Objectives:To explore the relationship between epicardial adipose tissue(EAT),left atrium and left atrial appendage(LAA)structures and LAA thrombosis in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.Methods:Clinical data from non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients who underwent cardiac computed tomography angiography(CTA)and transesophageal echocardiography(TEE)at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University between November 2019 and October 2024,were retrospectively collected.Twenty-eight patients diagnosed with LAA thrombus by both CTA and TEE were enrolled as the LAA thrombus group(20 males,8 females,average age[65±9]years).Using an individual matching method,56 non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients without LAA thrombus,matched for gender and age(±3 years),were sequentially enrolled at a ratio of 1:2 as the no-thrombus group(40 males,16 females,average age[65±8]years).CTA was used to measure the epicardial adipose tissue volume(EATV),left atrial epicardial adipose tissue volume(LA-EATV),and structural parameters of the left atrium and LAA in both groups.The correlation between EAT,structural parameters of the left atrium/LAA and LAA thrombosis was evaluated.Results:In the LAA thrombus group,the proportions of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and atrial fibrillation rhythm were significantly higher than in the no-thrombus group(both P<0.001).There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of age,gender composition,body mass index,duration of atrial fibrillation,and the proportions of patients with hypertension,diabetes,dyslipidemia,coronary heart disease,ischemic stroke,heart failure,vascular disease,and CHA2DS2-VASc scores(all P>0.05).Compared to the no-thrombus group,the EATV,LA-EATV,left atrial volume(LAV),LAA volume(LAAV),and LAA orifice area were significantly higher in the LAA thrombus group(all P<0.05).There was no significant difference between the two groups in the LAA depth(P=0.076).Conditional logistic regression analysis showed that LA-EATV(OR=1.092,95%CI:1.004-1.187,P=0.040)and LAV(OR=1.022,95%CI:1.003-1.041,P=0.025)were independent predictors of LAA thrombosis in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients.The LA-EATV threshold for predicting LAA thrombosis was 27.16 cm3,with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)of 0.843(sensitivity 85.7%,specificity 76.8%);the LAV predictive threshold was 118.45 ml(AUC=0.853,sensitivity 82.1%,specificity 80.4%).Conclusions:LA-EATV and LAV measured by cardiac CTA are independent predictors of LAA thrombosis in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.