Objective:To observe the characteristics of 24 hour ambulatory electrocardiogram in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) and optimal ventricular rate control. 　　Methods:Holter monitoring was performed in 122 hospitalized patients,aged 17—85 (mean 51.57±11.94) years,with organic heart disease and chronic AF (New York Heart Association functional class Ⅱ-Ⅲ) in whom the ventricular rate were well-controlled by digoxin.Maximum,minimum and mean ventricular rates,the number of ventricular pauses of ＞1.5 second,and the longest ventricular pauses during the monitoring were recorded.Follow-up data were collected in 72 patients. 　　Results:The mean,fastest and lowest ventricular rates over 24 hours were 78.53±8.12(65—90)，143.79±28.85(90-183) and 51.04±7.52(34—71) bpm,respectively.Bradycardia of less than 50 and 45 bpm occurred in 62 and 32 of the 122 patients,respectively.Ventricular pauses of more than 1.5 and 3.0 seconds were noted in 95 and 14 of the 122 patients,respectively.The longest ventricular pause was 2.38±0.55(4.64—1.60) seconds.During follow-up,there were no worsening in these patients. 　　Conclusion:Ventricular pauses at rest and nocturnal bradycardia were common in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation who had ventricular rates controlled.The dosage of digoxin should not be changed,nor pacemaker insertion is needed.

Objective To investigate the significance of acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) scoring system in evaluating elderly patients with hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state. Methods Elderly patients with hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state were enrolled in the study from January 2003 to May 2008. The patients were divided into two groups according to the outcome: death group and survival group. APACHE Ⅱ scoring system was used on the day of admission and the scores were compared in the two groups. The risk factors for death were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. Results Forty patients were registered including 10 cases in death group and 30 cases in survival group. The mortality rate was 25%. There were no differences in blood glucose, serum sodium, blood osmotic pressure, serum creatinine and hemoglobin between two groups before the treatment (t=-1.50～1.53, all P>0.05). The APACHE Ⅱ scores were significantly higher in death group than in survival group on the day of admission(30.1±5.4 vs. 22.9±3.9,Z=-4.08, P<0.01). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that APACHE Ⅱ scores on the day of admission were the independent risk factor for death. Age, sex, blood glucose, effective blood osmotic pressure, serum creatinine and hemoglobin were not related to mortality rate. Conclusions APACHE Ⅱ scoring system is a helpful method for evaluating the severity and outcome of patients with hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state.

Background and objectives Right ventricular apical (RVA) pacing has been reported impairing left ventricular (LV)performance. Alternative pacing sites in right ventricle (RV) has been explored to obtain better cardiac function. Our study was designed to compare the hemodynamic effects of right ventricular septal (RVS) pacing with RVA pacing. Methods Ten elderly patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) and long RR interval or slow ventricular response (VR) received VVI pacing. The hemodynamic difference between RVS and RVA pacing were examined by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Results Pacing leads were implanted successfully at the RVA and then RVS in all patients without complication. The left ventricular (LV) parameters,measured during RVA pacing including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), FS, stroke volume (SV) and peak E wave velocity (EV) were decreased significantly compared to baseline data, while during RVS pacing, they were significantly better than those during RVA pacing. However, after 3-6 weeks there was no statistical significant difference between pre- and post- RVS pacing.Conclusions The LV hemodynamic parameters during RVA pacing were significantly worse than baseline data. The short term LV hemodynamic parameters of RVS pacing were significantly better than those of RVA pacing; RVS pacing could improve the hemodynamic effect through maintaining normal ventricular activation sequence and biventricular contraction synchrony in patients with chronic AF and slow ventricular response.

Objective To investigate the features of low grade dysplastic nodule(LGDN)and high grade dysplastic nodule(HGDN)in cirrhotic liver on the baseline ultrasound(BUS)and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).Methods Seventeen LGDNs and 16 HGDNs which were pathologically proved underwent baseline and CEUS examination.CEUS was performed with contrast pulse sequence(CPS)and contrast harmonic imaging (CHI)and used SonoVue as contrast agent.Results Significant differences(all P>0.05)were not shown between LGDN and HGDN for manifestations on both the BUS and CEUS.After contrast agent injected, hyperenhancement in arterial phase and hyper-or iso-enhancement in late phase,hypo-enhancement in early arterial phase and iso-enhancement through late arterial,portal and late phase,hyper-enhancement in arterial phase and hypo-enhancement in late phase,iso-enhancement in arterial,portal and late phase,iso-enhancement in arterial phase and hypo-enhancement in late phase were showed in 10(30.3%),10(30.3%),8(24.3%),4(12.1%),1(3.0%)cases of DN, respectively.Conclusions LGDN and HGDN displayed similar feature on both the BUS and CEUS.There were complicated manifestations of DN on the CEUS and the main contrast-enhanced sonographic feature of DN was,different from regenerative nodule and hepatocellular carcinoma.CEUS was helpful in diagnosing DN in cirrhotic liver.