Objective To assess the right atrial(RA) function using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography(2D-STE) and the value of predicting WHO functional class in patients with pulmonary hypertension(PH).Methods Fifty-four consecutive PH patients were studied and compared with a control group of 24 healthy volunteers.RA function was evaluated by 2D-STE,and the following parameters were recorded:an average longitudinal strain (LS) curve that included LSpos during RA filling and LSneg representing RA active contraction (their summation is LStot),the phasic RA volumes,total RA emptying fraction (TotEF),RA passive(PassEF) and active emptying fraction(ActEF).The associations between these indices and the results of invasive pulmonary hemodynamics,cardiac structure and function level were evaluated.Results LStot,TotEF,LSpos,PassEF were significantly lower in PH patients than in controls(all P<0.01).ActEF/TotEF were significantly higher in WHO functional class (WHO-FC) Ⅱ and WHO-FC Ⅲ patients than in controls(all P<0.05),while were lower in WHO-FCIV patients than in controls(P<0.001).Among PH patients,LStot was negatively correlated with greater RA size and RA pressure (all P<0.01).LStot was also associated with right ventricular (RV) functional and overload parameters.In receiver-operator characteristic analysis,RA LStot was of optimal accuracy for prediction of WHO-FC≥Ⅲ in PH patients (P=0.002).Conclusions PH is associated with impaired reservoir and conduit function,but active contract function of RA is enhanced in WHO-FC Ⅱ and WHO-FC Ⅲ patients,and reduced in WHO-FCIV patients.RA LStot confers an optimal predictive effect of poor WHO-FC in PH patients and indicating prognosis.

Objective To evaluate the ability of high resolution pleuropulmonary ultrasonography and bedside chest X-ray in identifying different pathologic abnormalities in patients with dyspnea,using thoracic computed tomography (CT) as a gold standard.Methods Bedside pleuropulmonary ultrasonography was performed in 350 dyspneic patients in the emergency department and ICU,111 patients were enrolled in the study with pleuropulmonary ultrasonography,chest X-ray and chest CT examination performed within 24 hours.Pathologic entities were evaluated:pleural effusion,consolidation,atelectasis,pneumothorax,pulmonary interstitial fibrosis,and pulmonary edema.The sensitivity,specificity,negative and positive prediction value of pleuropulmonary ultrasonography and chest X-ray were compared with the corresponding CT scan results.Results Pleuropulmonary ultrasonography was highly concordant with chest X-ray.Overall ultrasonography exhibited higher sensitivity than chest X-ray and CT for pleural effusion.For atelectasis and pulmonary edema,the sensitivity of ultrasonography was up to 100%.In the diagnosis of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis,the sensitivity of pleuropulmonary ultrasonography was higher than that of chest X-ray,but the specificity was slightly lower.The sensitivity of pleuropulmonary ultrasonography was slightly higher than that of chest X-ray in pneumothorax,and the specificity was coincident with chest X-ray.Although the sensitivity of ultrasonography was slightly lower for consolidation,it was still higher than chest X-ray.The ability of chest X-ray for differentiating pleural effusion from atelectasis or consolidation was worse than that of ultrasonography.Conclusions Our study demonstrates a high concordance between ultrasonography with radiography.The diagnostic performance of bedside pleuropulmonary ultrasonography is better than that of chest X-ray.

Objective:To evaluate the fetal left atrial phasic function in normal pregnancy by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging(2D-STI).Methods:The antenatal examination images of 80 normal singleton fetuses from January 2019 to January 2020 in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. The following parameters were acquired from apical or basal four-chamber views at 24 weeks, 32 weeks and 37 weeks: global peak systolic strain and strain rate (S-LAs, SR-LAs), global conduit strain and strain rate (S-LAe, SR-LAe), global contractile strain and strain rate (S-LAa, SR-LAa).Results:The possibilities to identify left atrial phasic strain at 24 weeks, 32 weeks and 37 weeks were 97.5%, 88.8% and 87.5%, respectively. There were no significant differences among the 3 groups( P=0.051). Compared with at 24 weeks, S-LAs was decreased at 32 weeks and 37 weeks(all P<0.05), while S-LAe at 37 weeks was higher than at 24 weeks and 32 weeks(all P<0.05). S-LAa decreased gradually among the 3 groups, and reached the lowest at 37 weeks of gestation( P<0.05). SR-LAs and SR-LAa were lower at 32 weeks and 37 weeks than at 24 weeks(all P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in SR-LAe among the three groups( P=0.076). Conclusions:It is feasible to evaluate the phasic function of fetal left atrium by 2D-STI. Compared with the second trimester, the left atrial reservoir function and pump function of the fetus are decreased in the third trimester, while the ductal function is enhanced in the third trimester. The determination of the changes of normal atrial function with gestational weeks can provide a basis for the evaluation of fetal cardiac maturity and the detection of fetal cardiac dysfunction.

Objective:To evaluate the global and segmental myocardial work in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA) by left ventricular pressure-strain loop (PSL) noninvasively.Methods:Eighteen patients with CA in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital from March 2018 to December 2020 were included as CA group, 20 healthy subjects were selected as control group. The global longitudinal strain (GLS) and mechanical dispersion (MD) of left ventricle were analyzed by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging. The left ventricular PSL was used to assess global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global waste work (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE). The mean value of left ventricular basal, mid and apical myocardial work index (MWI), constructive work (CW), waste work (WW) and work efficiency (WE) were calculated and compared between the two groups.Results:①Compared with the control group, GLS was decreased and MD was increased in CA group (all P<0.05). ②GWI, GCW, GWW and GWE were decreased in CA group compared with the control group (all P<0.05). ③In CA group, the MWI, CW and WE of the basal, mid and apical segments were lower than those of control group (all P<0.05), WW of the basal and mid segments were lower than those of apical segment(all P<0.05). The impairment of MWI, WW and WE in basal and mid segment were more significant than those of apical segment (all P<0.05). ④GWI, GCW and GWE were positively correlated with GLS ( r=0.854, 0.816, 0.748; all P<0.001) and LVEF ( r=0.674, 0.634, 0.650; all P<0.01), and negatively correlated with MD ( r=-0.657, -0.672, -0.710, all P<0.01). GWI and GCW were negatively correlated with E/e′ ( r=-0.493, -0.539; all P<0.05). Conclusions:The global, basal, mid and apical left ventricular myocardial work indices are decreased in CA patients. MWI, CW and WE show an apical sparing pattern. Quantitative assessment of myocardial work by PSL may provide more valuable information for CA patients.

Objective:To assess global myocardial work in non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients with no obvious regional wall motion abnormalities and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by noninvasive left ventricular (LV) pressure-strain loops, and to explore its diagnostic value in patients with NSTE-ACS.Methods:A total of 169 NSTE-ACS patients with normal wall motion abnormalities and LVEF (>55%) were recruited in Beijing Chao Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University from June to December 2019. The patients were divided into two groups according to the degree of coronary stenosis, including severe coronary artery stenosis group ( n=121), and no severe stenosis group ( n=48). The patients of severe coronary artery stenosis group were further subdivided into single-vessel severe stenosis group ( n=52) and multi-vessel severe stenosis group ( n=69). Global longitudinal strain (GLS) analysis was performed by speckle tracking echocardiography before coronary angiography. Brachial cuff systolic pressure was used as left ventricular pressure to construct a non-invasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop. Global myocardial work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global waste work (GWW) and global myocardial work efficiency (GWE) was computed by LV pressure-strain loops with a proprietary algorithm between groups. ROC curve analysis was used to determine the optimal cutoff value of the parameters to detect severe coronary artery stenosis. Independent factors affecting left ventricular myocardial function were assessed by Logistic regression analysis. Results:GLS, GWI, GCW and GWE were significantly reduced, and GWW was increased in severe coronary artery stenosis group than in no severe stenosis group(all P<0.05). GLS was significantly reduced in multi-vessel severe stenosis group ( P<0.05) but not in single-vessel severe stenosis group ( P=0.32). GWE was an independent factor affecting myocardial function in severe coronary artery stenosis group, GWE<96% had a area under the curve (AUC)=0.83 (74% for sensitivity, 81% for specificity) to identify severe coronary artery stenosis, and was superior to GLS (AUC=0.66, P<0.05) and GWI (AUC=0.70, P<0.05). Conclusions:In NSTE-ACS patients with severe coronary artery stenosis, no obvious regional wall motion abnormalities and preserved LVEF, LV global myocardial function is impaired based on noninvasive pressure-strain loops, GWI, GCW, and GWE are reduced, and GWW is increased, and GWE is a more sensitive index than GLS and GWI to predict severe coronary artery stenosis in NSTE-ACS patients.

Objective:To evaluate the left ventricular diastolic function and pulmonary congestion in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by cardiopulmonary ultrasound (CPUS), and to explore the value of CPUS in predicting the occurrence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in AMI patients with preserved LVEF during hospitalization.Methods:A total of eighty-four patients with AMI with preserved LVEF (≥50%) who received optimal emergency reperfusion therapy on admission at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from August 2021 to March 2022 were enrolled. All patients completed comprehensive cardiopulmonary ultrasonography within 12 hours after reperfusion therapy and LVEF, left atrial maximum volume(LAV), peak flow velocity of tricuspid valve regurgitation (V TR), peak flow velocity of mitral valve in early diastole (E), peak velocity of mitral valve annulus on septal side and left ventricular lateral side in early diastole and other conventional echocardiography parameters were obtained, and then the left atrial volume index (LAVI), the mean peak velocity of the mitral valve annulus on the septal side and left ventricular lateral side in early diastole (e′) and E/e′ were calculated; lung ultrasound parameters(the number of B lines) were obtained; the left ventricular global long-axis strain (GLS) was obtained using speckle tracking imaging (STE). The predictive power of CPUS parameters for HFpEF during hospitalization in AMI patients with preserved LVEF were analyzed. Results:①The incidence of HFpEF during hospitalization was 40.4% (34/84). ②The number of B lines and LAVI were independently correlated with the occurrence of HFpEF during hospitalization( P<0.05). ③The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of the number of B lines and LAVI for predicting the occurrence of HFpEF during hospitalization were 0.766 and 0.690, respectively. The number of B lines combined with LAVI had the best predictive performance in predicting the occurrence of HFpEF during hospitalization, with the largest AUC of 0.903, which was significantly better than the number of B lines and LAVI ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The number of B lines combined with LAVI can effectively predict the occurrence of HFpEF during hospitalization in AMI patients with preserved LVEF, which is helpful to further improve the clinical management of AMI patients at risk of HFpEF.

Objective To investigate the changes of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function before left ventricular morphologic changes in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients.Methods A total of 111 OSAS patients were divided into left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) group (n=29) and non-LVH group (n=82).Meanwhile,50 healthy subjects were enrolled as normal control group.Routine echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI) were performed.The differences of conventional echocardiography and 2D-STI parameters were compared among the three groups.The correlations between echocardiography and clinical parameters were analyzed.Results Compared with those of the other 2 groups,left ventricular mass index (LVMI),diastolic thickness of interventricular septum (IVST),diastolic ventricular posterior wall thickness (PWT),left ventricular internal diastolic dimension (LVIDd),the ratio between early diastolic peak velocity of mitral valve and early diastolic velocity of mitral annular (E/e') and left atrial volume index (LAVI) increased (all P＜0.05),and mitral annular early diastolic velocity (e') at interventricular septum and lateral wall decreased in LVH group (all P＜0.05).The mitral annular systolic velocity (s') in LVH group was less than that in normal control group (P =0.013).Compared with those of the other 2 groups,left ventricular global longitudinal systolic strain (S) and early diastolic strain rate (SRE) decreased (all P＜0.05),and the ratio of early diastolic peak velocity of mitral valve to SRE (E/SRE) increased in LVH group (both P＜0.05).Compared with normal control group,systolic strain rate (SRS) decreased in LVH group (P=0.001).S,SRS,SRE in non-LVH group were less than those in normal control group (all P＜0.05),and E/SRE was higher than that in normal control group (P＜0.001).S,E/SRE were independently associated with apnea hypopnea index (both P＜0.05).LVMI was independently associated with mean arterial oxygen saturation (β =-0.299,t =-3.273,P =0.001).Conclusion OSAS can affect the structure and functions of left ventricular independently.The systolic and diastolic functions of left ventricular have been impaired before morphology changed.

Objective To investigate the early changes of left atrial structure and function using echocardiography in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome( OSAS) patients with and without left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) . Methods Echocardiography was performed in 91 OSAS patients (64 without LVH , 27 with LVH) ,and the results were compared with those from age-matched and gender-matched controls ( n=40) . All subjects were examined with two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography ( 2D-STE) to obtain the apical four chamber and two chamber left atrium(LA) strain and strain rate curve image .Systolic strain and strain rate( Ss ,SRs) ,early diastolic strain and strain rate( Se ,SRe) ,late diastolic strain and strain rate(Sa ,SRa) were measured . Phasic LA volumes and empty fractions were calculated . The ratio of peak early diastolic mitral inflow and annulus velocity ( E/e′) was used to estimate left ventricular diastolic function . Results Compared with the control group ,LA volume ,LA stiffness index ,SRa and active empyting fraction ( AEF) increased ,Ss ,SRs ,Se ,SRe ,total empyting fraction ( TEF) and passive empyting fraction ( PEF) decreased in none LVH group ( P < 0 .05) . Importantly ,diastolic function was relatively normal in this subgroup without LVH( P > 0 .05) . Diastolic function decreased in LVH group ,and the changes of left atrial structure and function like above mentioned were more significant .The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was found to be negatively correlated with Ss ,SRs ,Se ,SRe ,TEF and PEF . Conclusions OSAS is associated with LA remodeling and dysfunction that occurs before the development of LVH and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction ,and it will be further aggravated along with the development of LVH .

Objective:To assess the left ventricular myocardial function in non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients with normal wall motion and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) by noninvasive myocardial work technology, and to explore the evolution of left ventricular myocardial function recovery.Methods:A total of 92 NSTE-ACS patients from July to December 2019 in Beijing Chao Yang Hospital with normal wall motion and LVEF (>55%) after PCI were recruited. Echocardiography was performed 1 day before PCI, 1 day, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after PCI. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was analyzed, and Brachial cuff systolic pressure was used as left ventricular pressure to construct a non-invasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop. Global myocardial work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global waste work (GWW), global myocardial work efficiency (GWE) among groups were compared and their correlations with strain parameters were explored.Results:GWI, GCW, GWE were improved ( P<0.05) at 1 day after PCI, GLS improved ( P<0.05) and GWW decreased ( P<0.05) at 2 weeks, LVEF improved ( P<0.05) at 1 month. Baseline GWI and GCW had a moderately negative correlation with GLS ( r=-0.67, -0.66; both P<0.05); GWW had a moderately positive correlation with mechanical dispersion(MD) and postsystolic shortening index(PSI) ( rs=0.45, 0.50; both P<0.05); GWE had a moderately negative correlation with GLS, MD and PSI ( rs=-0.47, -0.55, -0.56; all P<0.05). Conclusions:Left ventricular myocardial function gradually improves in NSTE-ACS patients with normal wall motion and LVEF after PCI. Myocardial work parameters changes are more sensitive than GLS and LVEF, and can assess early left ventricular myocardial function changes after PCI.

To investigate the association between the change of left ventricular ( LV ) function and mechanical dispersion ( MD ) and exercise capacity in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( HCM ) by exercise stress echocardiography . Methods Sixty‐five HCM patients [ 40 cases of hypertrophic non‐obstructive cardiomyopathy ( HNCM ) , 25 cases of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy ( HOCM ) ] and 25 control subjects were recruited .LV function ,MD and exercise capacity were evaluated by two‐dimensional speckle‐tracking imaging and echocardiography at rest and during exercise ,and the following parameters of LV function were recorded : LV global longitudinal strain ( LVGLS) ,MD ,early diastolic strain rate ( Sre) ,the ratio of peak early diastolic mitral inflow and annulus velocity ( E/e′) ,LV outflow tract gradient ( LVO TG) ; LV functional reserve was assessed by ΔLVGLS and ΔSRe ; exercise capacity was evaluated by metabolic equivalents ( M ET s ) . T he association between the change of LV function and MD and exercise capacity was investigated . Results ①Compared with normal controls ,LVO TG ,E/e′ and MD increased ,and LVGLS ,Sre , ΔLVGLS , ΔSRe and M ET s decreased in HNCM patients at rest and during exercise ( all P ＜ 0 .05 ) . ② LVO TG , E/e′ and MD were further increased ,LVLGS ,Sre ,ΔSRe and M Ets were further reduced in HOCM patients compared with HNCM patients ( all P ＜ 0 .05 ) . ③LVGLS and MD measured at peak exercise were associated with M ET s ( r ＝－0 .68 , P ＜ 0 .001 ; r ＝ －0 .43 , P ＜ 0 .001 ) . ④ ROC curve analysis showed LVGLS had a better predictive value for exercise intolerance in HCM patients ,followed by E/e′ and MD . Conclusions LV function and mechanic reserve are reduced but MD is increased in HCM patients ,especially in HOCM patients . Exercise capacity is associated with LV function and MD ,w hich can predict the reduced exercise capacity in HCM patients .