Objective:To explore the monitoring value of left ventricular functional parameters obtained by bedside ultrasound combined with clinically relevant indicators in patients with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted. A total of 24 patients receiving VA-ECMO adjuvant support in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from June 2018 to January 2020 were selected. The bedside ultrasound was performed on the first day of ECMO support, the day before weaning, the clinical indicators before weaning were obtained. The differences in clinical indicators and the left ventricular functional parameters between the two groups of whether weaning successfully were compared; univariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen out the related factors affecting weaning.Results:Sixteen patients were successful weaned and 8 patients failed. Compared with the weaning failure group, patients in the weaning success group required less continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT, cases: 4 vs. 6, P < 0.05), mean arterial pressure (MAP) before weaning was higher [mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 84.64±9.55 vs. 62.30±8.79, P < 0.05], and the pulse oxygen saturation (SpO 2) was also higher (0.966±0.670 vs. 0.866±0.061, P < 0.05), while vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS), serum creatinine (SCr) and serum lactic acid (Lac) were lower [VIS score: 7.27±1.42 vs. 16.93±8.52, SCr (μmol/L): 123.60±83.64 vs. 213.10±117.39, Lac (mmol/L): 1.94±0.91 vs. 5.62±5.48, all P < 0.05]. Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the MAP, VIS, SCr, Lac, SpO 2 before weaning were the related factors affecting weaning [odds ratio ( OR) were 0.306, -0.740, -0.011, -0.632, -4.069; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were 1.065-1.732, 0.235-0.899, 0.979-0.999, 0.285-0.992 and 0.001-0.208; P values were 0.014, 0.022, 0.038, 0.047, 0.002]. In the weaning success group, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), velocity of mitralannulus in systolic (LatSa), maximum flow velocity of aortic valve (AV-Vmax), velocity-time integral (VTI), left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), left ventricular global longitudinal strain rate (LVGLSr) were all increased on the day before ECMO weaning compared with the first day of ECMO support [LVEF: 0.40±0.05 vs. 0.28±0.07, LatSa (cm/s): 6.81±0.91 vs. 4.62±1.02, AV-Vmax (cm/s): 104.81±33.98 vs. 64.44±16.85, VTI (cm): 14.56±3.11 vs. 7.96±1.98, LVGLS: (-8.95±2.59)% vs. (-5.26±1.28)%, LVGLSr (1/s): -0.48±0.11 vs. -0.29±0.09], whereas the ECMO flow was significantly reduced (L/min: 1.46±0.47 vs. 2.64±0.31), the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in left ventricular functional parameters between the first day of ECMO support and the day before ECMO weaning in the weaning failure group. Compared with the weaning failure group, the weaning success group had higher LVEF, LatSa, AV-Vmax, VTI, LVGLS, LVGLSr on the day before ECMO weaning [LVEF: 0.40±0.05 vs. 0.26±0.07, LatSa (cm/s): 6.81±0.91 vs. 4.31±1.03, AV-Vmax (cm/s): 104.81±33.98 vs. 67.67±18.46, VTI (cm): 14.56±3.11 vs. 7.75±2.77, LVGLS: (-8.95±2.59)% vs. (-4.81±1.81)%, LVGLSr (1/s): -0.48±0.11 vs. -0.30±0.10, all P < 0.05] and lower ECMO flow (L/min: 1.46±0.47 vs. 2.20±0.62, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Bedside echocardiographic left ventricular function parameters (LVEF, LatSa, AV-Vmax, VTI, LVGLS, LVGLSr) combined with clinical indicators (MAP, VIS, SCr, Lac, SpO 2) were helpful to evaluate the therapeutic effect of patients receiving VA-ECMO support and can provide important guiding value in the selection of VA-ECMO weaning timing and the judgment of prognosis.

BACKGROUND:Based on the integration of virtual reality technology with acupoints, acupuncture can be expressed three-dimensional y.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the structure of points through reconstructing digitalized three-dimensional visualization of Neiguan (PC6) structure based on VOXEL-MAN and Micro-XCT.
METHODS:Muscles and other tissues adjacent with Neiguan (PC6) were segmented and merged based on the VOXEL-MAN system combined with the anatomical knowledge of acupoints;nerves and blood vessels were performed with three-dimensional reconstruction;the needle-inserting animation of Neiguan (PC6) was obtained by running script file. Three-dimensional visualization and virtual needle-inserting researches of Neiguan (PC6) were performed. Nature of the acupoints was detected by the Micro-XCT-200 machine additional y.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The visualization of the anatomical structure of local Neiguan (PC6) was completed, and the localization and expression of Neiguan (PC6) in the digitized virtual human were realized. The Neiguan (PC6) structure was researched with Micro-XCT-200, and showed there was no new tissue. Local three-dimensional reconstruction of the acupoint structure could help to display the anatomical structure of acupoints and simulate the acupuncture process. It could also help to observe the relationship between the needle body and the surrounding tissues during needle-inserting, which supplying a good basis not only for exploring the security of needle-inserting, but also for improving the clinical effect of acupuncture. The research on the structure of acupoint Neiguan (PC6) by Micro-XCT-200 provides further experimental evidence for the hypothesis of three-dimensional acupoint.

Objective To evaluate intra-and interatrial synchronization in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) by dual gate Doppler and discuss the predictive value of atrial asynchrony for detecting PAF.Methods Twenty-nine patients with PAF as AF group and 24 healthy volunteers as control group underwent echocardiography.The time interval of the onset of a'wave between mitral annular septal and lateral site was T1 by dual gate Doppler,which was used to evaluate left atrial synchronization.The time intervals from the onset of a'wave at tricuspid annular right ventricular free wall site to a'wave at tricuspid annular septal site and mitral annular lateral site were T2 and T3,which were respectively used to evaluate right atrial and interatrial synchronization.The greater time interval predicted the worse synchronization.Compared these indexes between two groups,the most valuable index was obtained and combined with left atrial volume index (LAVI) to predict PAF,its optimal values were found out by ROC curve.Results ①There were no significant differences in many other basic indexes between two groups (P ＞0.05).However,compared with control group,the ratio of early diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E) and mitral annular velocity of septal site (e'),the diameters and volume indexes of atria were significantly increased in AF group.②T1,T2 and T3 (standardized before and after) increased significantly in AF group (P ＜0.01).Standardized T1 had the largest area under curve (AUC) for detecting PAF.The AUC of standardized T1 and LAVI were 76.6％ and 84.1％.Standardized T1 ≥29.55 ms and LAVI≥ 21.60 ml/m2 were combined for detecting PAF (sensitivity 82.8 ％,specificity 79.2％,AUC 87.1％).③ Standardized T1 was positively correlated with age,left atrial systolic diameter,LAVI,RAVI and E/e'(P＜ 0.05).Conclusions Patients with PAF have worse intra-and interatrial synchronization and left atrial asynchrony can provide predictive value for detecting PAF.Dual gate Doppler is expected to be a new technique for evaluating intra-and interatrial synchronization accurately and detecting the risk of AF.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells are the stem cells that possess the capability for self-renewal and multi-directional differentiation. Umbilical cord is the tissue outside the embryos and would be fallen off after parturition. In addition, it has wide source and no ethical restriction, so it is promising to be the first choice for mesenchymal stem cells. OBJECTIVE: To detect the surface markers CD29, CD44, CD49e, CD73, CD90, CD34, CD45, and CD271 of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) prior to and after cryopreservation and resuscitation. METHODS: After isolation and culture, morphology of the primary, P4 and P8 hUCMSCs was observed prior to cryopreservation and after resuscitation. Surface markers CD29, CD44, CD49e, CD73, CD90, CD34, CD45, and CD271 of primary, P4, and P8 hUCMSCs were detected through the use of flow cytometry prior to cryopreservation and after resuscitation RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: hUCMSCs prior to cryopreservation and hUCMSCs of different passages after resuscitation present the same phenotype, i.e., positive for CD29, CD44, CD49e, CD73, and CD90, and negative for CD34, CD45, CD271. These findings suggest that primary hUCMSCs do not present changes in surface markers after cryopreservation and resuscitation.

Objective To evaluate the 80 mm volume shuttle cerebral CT perfusion(CTP) and 4D-CT angiography (CTA) in patients with stenosis or occlusion in Willis circle.Methods Conventional cerebral plain CT, 80 mm CTP and dynamic 4D-CTA were performed in 55 patients with unilateral MCA/ ICA stenosis or occlusion.The parameter maps of cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), mean transit time (MTT) and time to peak (TTP) were analyzed.Meanwhile dynamic 4D-CTA images were also obtained.The significance of the differences of CBF, CBV, MTT and TTP between the affected side and the contralateral side was assessed using K Independent Samples analysis.Results In 40 patients with unilateral stenosis or occlusion of MCA/ICA, CTP was found abnormal in 36 patients.MTT and TTP of affected side [(7.18 ±1.34), (19.65 ±1.81) s] were significantly prolonged compared to contralateral side [(5.22±1.14) s, (17.62±1.65) s, X~2 =30.833,25.817, P<0.017].Centrum ovale or parietal lobe ischemic lesions were observed in 16 patients on CTP.In 15 patients with bilateral stenosis or occlusion of MCA/ICA, CTP was observed abnormal in 10 patients.CBF, CBV, MTT and TTP of affected side [(42.85 ±6.09) ml·100 g~(-1)·min~(-1), (2.63 ±0.42) ml·100 g~(-1), (11.27 ±1.43) s, (21.07 ±1.44) s)] were significantly different from those of contralateral side [(71.20 ±6.30) ml·100 g~(-1)·min~(-1), (2.29 ±0.15) ml·100 g~(-1), (3.38 ±0.61) s, (17.64 ±1.70) s (X~2 =17.314, 5.913,17.334,13.834,P<0.017)].On 4D-CTA covering 80 mm (0.625 mm×l28), unilateral stenosis of MCA were observed in 22 patients (13 right MCA and 9 left MCA), unilateral occlusion were observed in 5 patients (1 right MCA and 4 left MCA) and bilateral MCA stenosis/occlusion were observed in 9 patients.4D-CTA covering Willis cycle can display stenosis/occlsion of MCA as same as conventional CTA and DSA.Conclusion 80 mm volume shuttle CTP and 4D-CTA provide valuable information about the hemodynamic changes and the abnormalities of intracranial artery in patients with MCA/ICA stenosis or occlusion.

Objective: To investigate the accuracy and repeatability of contrast-enhanced transthoracic echocardiography for measurements of right ventricular structure and function. Methods: The apical four-chamber views and the three-dimensional full-volume images of the right heart were collected from 12 beagles with unenhanced and contrast-enhanced transthoracic echocardiography. The intimal display rate of the right ventricular segments, right ventricular end diastolic longitudinal dimension (RVLD), right ventricular end diastolic area (RVEDA), right ventricular end systolic area (RVESA) and right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) were evaluated respectively with two-dimensional unenhanced and contrast-enhanced echocardiography. Right ventricular three-dimensional full-volume images were processed and analyzed by TomTec software, and right ventricular end diastolic volume (RVEDV), right ventricular end systolic volume (RVESV) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) were measured respectively with three-dimensional unenhanced and contrast-enhanced echocardiography. The measurements of pathological specimen were taken as the gold standard, the accuracies of measuring RVEDVand RVLD by different methods were evaluated. All indexes were measured repeatedly by the same observer and different observers to assess the intraobserver and interobserver reproducibilities of different methods. Results: ①The intimal display rate of the right ventricular segments was higher with contrast-enhanced echocardiography than that with unenhanced echocardiography (P<0.05). ②The measurements of RVEDV by three-dimensional contrast-enhanced echocardiography correlated well with the measurements by anatomical specimens. And the correlation was higher (0.916 vs 0.843), the consistency was better than that by unenhanced echocardiography. The measurements of RVLD by two-dimensional contrast-enhanced echocardiography correlated well with the measurements by anatomical specimens. And the correlation was higher (0.928 vs 0.850), the consistency was better than that by unenhanced echocardiography. ③For inter- and intraobservers reproducibilities, the interclass correlation coefficients of RVLD, RVEDV, RVESV, RVEF, RVEDA, RVESA, RVFAC with contrast-enhanced echocardiography were higher and 95% confidence interval ranges were smaller than those with unenhanced echocardiography. Conclusions Contrast-enhanced transthoracic echocardiography can improve the accuracy and repeatability for measurements of right ventricular structure and function, providing a new evaluation method for patients with poor image quality of the right ventricle in clinical practice.

Objective To evaluate the changes of intra-and interatrial synchronization with age in normal adults by dual gate Doppler and discuss the feasibility of dual gate Doppler in assessing atrial synchronization.Methods Fifty-seven healthy volunteers were divided into three groups according to age:group A (20-39 years old,n =20),groupB(40-59 years old,n =21),groupC (60-79 years old,n =16).The time interval of the onset of a'wave between mitral annular septal and lateral site was T1 by dual gate Doppler,which was used to evaluate left atrial synchronization.The time intervals from the onset of a'wave at tricuspid annular right ventricular free wall site to a'wave at tricuspid annular septal site and mitral annular lateral site were T2 and T3,which were respectively used to evaluate right atrial and interatrial synchronization.With traditional Doppler technique,the time intervals from the onset of P wave to the onset of a'wave at the mitral annular lateral site (P-L),the mitral annular septal site (P-S),and the tricuspid annular right ventricular free wall site (P-RVFW) were measured.The time differences between P-L and P-S,between P-S and P-RVFW,and between P-L and P-RVFW were t1 (left atrial synchronization),t2 (right atrial synchronization),t3 (interatrial synchronization).The greater time interval predicted the worse synchronization.Results ① Systolic and diastolic blood pressure elevated with age among three groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group A,the ratio (E/e') of early diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E) and mitral annular velocity of septal site (e'),and late diastolic transmitral flow velocity increased in group B and C.In contrast with group A and B,left atrial volume (LAV) increased,and E decreased in group C (all P ＜0.05).②Compared with group A,T1,T2,T3 and t1,t2,t3 increased in group B and C (all P ＜0.05).③T1,T2 and T3 were positively correlated with age,body mass index,systolic blood pressure,left atrial systolic antero-posterior diameter and E/e'(all P ＜0.05).Besides,T1 was positively correlated with LAV (P ＜0.05).T3 was positively correlated with LAV and right atrial upper-inferior diameter.④ The parameters of atrial synchronization in dual gate Doppler were concordant with that in traditional Doppler technique.And the measurements of two methods were correlated (r =0.78,P ＜0.01).For inter-and intraobservers,the interclass correlation coefficient with dual gate Doppler was higher and 95 ％ confidence interval range was smaller.Conclusions The intra-and interatrial synchronization reduces with age in normal adults.Dual gate Doppler is feasible in evaluating atrial synchronization,which can provide more repeatable measurements and can be a new prospective method to assess atrial synchronization.

Objective To discuss the value of E/e′index measured by dual gate Dopper predicting recurrence after radio frequency catheter ablation ( RFCA ) in persistant atrial fibrillation ( PeAF) patients . Methods Fifty‐three patients with PeAF w ho had successful RFCA and 25 controls were prospectively enrolled . T he patients with PeAF were divided into AF recurrence group ( n ＝21) and AF non‐recurrence group ( n ＝32) with median follow‐up time of ( 25 .94 ± 2 .78) months . All patients with PeAF underwent echocardiography in the preoperative 7 days . With dual gate Doppler ,transmitral flow peak velocity ( E) and mitral annular septal or lateral peak velocity e′( S ) , and e′( L ) in early diastolic were measured simultaneously in the same cardiac cycle ,then E/e′( S ) and E/e′( L ) were automatically calculated .With traditional method ,E ,e′( S) and e′( L ) were measured in different cardiac cycles ,then E/e′( S) and E/e′( L ) were manually calculated .T he time of w hole analysis process with each method was recorded . Results PeAF patients had bigger E/e′( S ) and E/e′( L ) with both dual gate Doppler and traditional method than controls . Compared with those in controls and AF non‐recurrence group ,E/e′( S) and E/e′( L ) increased in AF recurrence group with both dual gate Doppler and traditional method ( all P ＜ 0 .05 ) . No statistical difference was found between the data acquired by dual gate Doppler and traditional method ( all P ＞0 .05) . Cut‐off values of 10 .90 ( sensitivity of 71 .4% ,specificity of 87 .5% ) for E/e′( S) was obtained by dual gate Doppler and 10 .70 ( sensitivity of 81 .0% ,specificity of 62 .5% ) was obtained by traditional method for predicted AF recurrence . Areas under curves between the two methods in ROC analysis was not significant ( 0 .819 vs 0 .728 , P ＞0 .05) . T he w hole analysis time of dual gate Doppler was less than that of traditional method . Between inter‐and intraobservers ,the interclass correlation coefficient with dual gate Doppler was higher and 95% confidence interval range was smaller . Conclusions E/e′( S ) is a valuable predictor for PeAF recurrence after RFCA in patients with PeAF . Dual gate Doppler can noninvasively assess single‐beat E/e′with less analysis time and better reproducibility compared with traditional method .

Objective To discuss whether atrial synchronization measured by dual gate Dopper can predict recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation ( RFCA) in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ( PAF) patients . Methods Forty-five patients with PAF who had successful RFCA and 26 controls with sinus rate were prospectively enrolled . During 6-month follow-up , the patients with PAF were divided into AF recurrence group ( n = 16) and AF non-recurrence group ( n = 29) . All patients with PAF underwent echocardiography in the preoperative 7 days . The time interval of the onset of the late diastolic ( a′) wave between mitral annular septal and lateral site was T 1 by dual gate Doppler ,which was used to evaluate left atrial synchronization . The time intervals from the onset of a′ wave at tricuspid annulus right ventricular free wall site to a′wave at tricuspid annular septal site and mitral annular lateral site were T 2 and T3 ,which were respectively used to evaluate right atrial and interatrial synchronization . The greater time interval predicted the worse synchronization . Results Compared with controls ,left atrial diameter ,volume and volume index ,right atrial transverse diameter ,volume and volume index ,T 1 ,T2 and T3 ( standardized before and after) increased in patients with PAF ( all P <0 .05) . In patients with PAF ,left atrial volume index and T2 ( standardized before and after) had no differences between AF recurrence group and AF non-recurrence group( P >0 .05) . But there was a trend toward lager left atrial diameter in the AF recurrence group ( P < 0 .05) . T1 and T3 ( standardized before and after) increased significantly in AF recurrence group (all P < 0 .05) . Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated standardized T 1 was the only independent predicator of AF recurrence after RFCA ( OR = 1 .060 ,95％ CI 1 .002 -1 .121 , P = 0 .044) . The area under curve of standardized T1 for predicting recurrence was 0 .709％ , the sensitivity and specificity were 62 .5％ and 75 .9％ using a cutoff value of standardized T1≥39 .38 ms . Conclusions T1 significantly prolongs in patients with AF recurrence . Dual gate Doppler as a new technique to evaluate atrial synchronization can provide predictive value for 6-month recurrence after RFCA .

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of postsystolic shortening (PSS) and early systolic lengthening (ESL) on myocardial microvascular dysfunction in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods:A total of 83 patients with STEMI who received emergency PCI in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from June to October 2021 were retrospectively collected. All patiets underwent two-dimensional echocardiography and myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) within 7 days after PCI. The patients were divided into global normal perfusion group and poor perfusion group according to global myocardial perfusion score index (MPSI). Left ventricular myocardium was divided into left anterior descending branch (LAD), left circumflex branch (LCx) and right coronary artery (RCA) regions, which were divided into regional normal perfusion group and poor perfusion group based on whether there were segments with microvascular dysfunction. Left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were measured by modified biplane Simpson method. Tomtec software was used to obtain conventional echocardiographic parameters, global longitudinal strain (GLS), as well as PSS and ESL parameters including postsystolic index (PSI), duration of postsystolic shortening (PSSduration), early systolic index (ESI) and duration of early systolic lengthening (ESLduration). Differences of parameters of global normal and poor perfusion groups, as well as regional normal and poor perfusion groups were compared. ROC curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of PSS and ESL parameters and GLS in myocardial regions with microvascular dysfunction.Results:Significant differences were observed in LVEF, LVESV, GLS, PSI, ESI and PSSduration between global poor perfusion group and global normal perfusion group (all P<0.05). Compared with regional normal perfusion group, PSI, ESI and ESLduration of LAD and LCx regions, as well as PSI of RCA region in regional poor perfusion group were increased (all P<0.05). For GLS in different myocardial regions, LAD-GLS was the only parameter that decreased in regional poor perfusion group compared to regional normal perfusion group ( P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed LAD-PSI, LAD-GLS, LCx-PSI, LCx-ESLduration and RCA-PSI were valuable parameters for diagnosis of myocardial microvascular dysfunction in different regions, among which LAD-PSI had the highest area under curve (AUC=0.809). Conclusions:PSS and ESL parameters are helpful for early diagnosis of myocardial microvascular dysfunction in STEMI patients after PCI, and can provide regional myocardial perfusion information according to the blood supply of different coronary arteries.