Objectives:QT interval prolongation during treadmill test exercise is one of the clinical feature of patients with long QT syndrome(LQTS).This study aimed to explore the feasibility and efficacy of treadmill exercise testing as an auxiliary diagnosis tool for LQTS in clinical practice.Methods:We enrolled normal healthy individuals,common cardiovascular disease patients,and clinically diagnosed or suspected LQTS patients,who underwent treadmill exercise test from July 2023 to July 2024 at Fuwai Hospital.A special treadmill exercise testing procedure was designed to record the QT interval correction(QTc)intervals of the twelve lead electrocardiogram at 6 time points when performing the exercise tablet,including supine,sitting,standing,peak exercise,and recovery at 1-minute and 4-minute.The differences in QTc intervals among healthy group,cardiovascular diseases group,and suspected LQTS group were compared.Results:A total of 80 cases were consecutively enrolled,including 37 normal healthy controls,25 patients with common cardiovascular disease,and 18 patients with suspected LQTS.The QTc intervals at 6 points did not differ significantly between normal healthy controls and patients with cardiovascular disease,with QTc intervals less than 480 ms at all measurement.For patients with suspected LQTS,67.7%(12/18)of these patients presented a QTc interval≥480 ms at the 4-minute during recovery period.Among them,5 cases were confirmed to have pathogenic gene mutations of LQTS by genetic testing(including 1 case with a lying electrocardiogram QTc interval of 489 ms diagnosed with LQTS 1 type and a QTc interval of 636 ms during the 4-minute recovery period after exercise);5 clinically diagnosed patients(negative or undetectable in genetic testing)with a Schwartz score≥4,and the remaining 2 patients had a Schwartz score of 3.The remaining 5/18 patients,include 2 patients with clinical Schwartz scores≥4 and 3 patients with clinical suspicion(Schwartz scores 2-3)had a 4 min QTc interval of 445-480 ms during exercise recovery.Another patient with clinical suspicion(Schwartz score 3)had a 4 min QTc interval of<445 ms during exercise recovery and a negative genetic test at a later stage.Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed a sensitivity of 83.3%and specificity of 98.4%for QTc interval≥482 ms during the 4-minute recovery period of exercise as the LQTS diagnostic cutoff.Conclusions:This study results suggest that this special treadmill exercise testing protocol is effective in identifying LQTS and has strong feasibility and generalizability for clinical practice.

Objectives:QT interval prolongation during treadmill test exercise is one of the clinical feature of patients with long QT syndrome(LQTS).This study aimed to explore the feasibility and efficacy of treadmill exercise testing as an auxiliary diagnosis tool for LQTS in clinical practice.Methods:We enrolled normal healthy individuals,common cardiovascular disease patients,and clinically diagnosed or suspected LQTS patients,who underwent treadmill exercise test from July 2023 to July 2024 at Fuwai Hospital.A special treadmill exercise testing procedure was designed to record the QT interval correction(QTc)intervals of the twelve lead electrocardiogram at 6 time points when performing the exercise tablet,including supine,sitting,standing,peak exercise,and recovery at 1-minute and 4-minute.The differences in QTc intervals among healthy group,cardiovascular diseases group,and suspected LQTS group were compared.Results:A total of 80 cases were consecutively enrolled,including 37 normal healthy controls,25 patients with common cardiovascular disease,and 18 patients with suspected LQTS.The QTc intervals at 6 points did not differ significantly between normal healthy controls and patients with cardiovascular disease,with QTc intervals less than 480 ms at all measurement.For patients with suspected LQTS,67.7%(12/18)of these patients presented a QTc interval≥480 ms at the 4-minute during recovery period.Among them,5 cases were confirmed to have pathogenic gene mutations of LQTS by genetic testing(including 1 case with a lying electrocardiogram QTc interval of 489 ms diagnosed with LQTS 1 type and a QTc interval of 636 ms during the 4-minute recovery period after exercise);5 clinically diagnosed patients(negative or undetectable in genetic testing)with a Schwartz score≥4,and the remaining 2 patients had a Schwartz score of 3.The remaining 5/18 patients,include 2 patients with clinical Schwartz scores≥4 and 3 patients with clinical suspicion(Schwartz scores 2-3)had a 4 min QTc interval of 445-480 ms during exercise recovery.Another patient with clinical suspicion(Schwartz score 3)had a 4 min QTc interval of<445 ms during exercise recovery and a negative genetic test at a later stage.Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed a sensitivity of 83.3%and specificity of 98.4%for QTc interval≥482 ms during the 4-minute recovery period of exercise as the LQTS diagnostic cutoff.Conclusions:This study results suggest that this special treadmill exercise testing protocol is effective in identifying LQTS and has strong feasibility and generalizability for clinical practice.

Objective: Many physicians and patients still have concerns about the safety of breastfeeding in mothers infected with hepatitis B virus; we evaluate the safety of the newborn and the women with HBeAg positive and high viral load, who received nucleoside analogues to block maternal to child transmisssion and selected postpartum breastfeeding after drug discontinuance. Methods: This prospective, observational study enrolled 60 HBeAg positive patients and HBV-DNA >2*10E+ 5 IU/ml, all patients started antiviral treatment for blocking maternal to child transmission at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. All the newborns received the active-passive immunization therapy with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and HBVac. After the delivery, patients with normal liver function discontinued the antiviral drug and selected breastfeeding voluntarily. The safety of breastfeeding were compared with patients selected artificial feedings, they were followed up for 7 months. Primary measurements were the proportion of mothers with abormal liver function after stopping the drug and the level of newborn’s anti-HBs at 6 months of age; secondary measurements were the positive rate of neonatal HBsAg and the HBV-DNA value of the patients at 6 weeks postpartum. Results: From December 1, 2015 to May 1, 2017, 415 patients were enrolled in Beijing You’an Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Medical University and all these patients were born following full-term single-child pregnancy. After the delivery and drug withdrawal, there was no significant difference in the incidence of ALT elevation between the breast fed group and the artificially fed group: 29 /220 versus 30/195, (χ²=0.411, P=0.521). Patients continued to take the antiviral medicines between the breast feeding group and the artificial feeding group: 15 /220 versus 20/195, (χ²=1.487, P=0.223), there were no significant differences between them (P> 0.05). At the month 7, there were no significant difference between the breast fed group and the artificially fed group (747.62±374.08 mlU/ml versus 709.76±374.32 mlU/ml, t-value: 0.309, P-value>0.05). At birth, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was detected in 15/220 and 20/195 of newborns in the breast feeding and artificially fed groups, respectively. At month 7, an intention-to-treat analysis indicated 0/220 of HBsAg infants from the breast fed versus 0/195 in the artificially fed group (P>0.05) and no significant difference was found in the rate of positive HBsAg between the two groups. In the breast fed group, the mean HBV DNA at baseline was significantly higher than that of the artificially fed group: (1.17±1.82) E+ 8 IU/ml versus (1.12±0.39)E+ 8 IU/ml, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusions We have not found the relationship between the rate of neonatal infection and the increase of maternal abnormal liver function in HBeAg positive and high viral load patients, who chose breastfeeding after drug discontinuance.

Objective To characterize the cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) features of peripartum cardiomyopathy(PPCM) and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy(IDCM), and to explore the value of MRI in the diagnosis of PPCM. Methods Ten cases of PPCM and 10 cases of Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) were included in this study. With 1.5 T MRI scanner, the heart shape (atrioventricular size, hypertrabeculation, thickness of the thinnest ventricular wall), function (ventricular wall movement and the overall function), cardiomyopathy perfusion were comprehensively evaluated. Paired samples t?test and Fisher exact probability method were used for statistical analysis. Results Between PPCM and IDCM group, there was no statistical significant difference in the atrioventricular size, cardiac output(CO), end diastolic volume(EDV), ejection fraction (EF), end systolic volume (ESV) and stroke volume (SV) (P>0.05). IDCM and PPCM group both showed ventricular wall thinning on MRI, with 4 cases of PPCM and 3 cases of IDCM presenting hypertrabeculation in the left ventricular apex. Seven cases of PPCM and 4 cases of IDCM depicted left ventricular local dysfunction, while 3 cases of PPCM and 6 cases of IDCM had abnormal integral movement. Two cases of PPCM appeared local delayed enhancement, while 4 cases of IDCM showed intramural delayed enhancement. After one year of follow?up, heart function recovered in 10 cases of PPCM and 4 cases of IDCM. Conclusions MRI diagnosis using multiple sequences is an ideal method in the evaluation of PPCM. Although there were no differences in cardiac morphology and function between PPCM and IDCM, the prognosis of PPCM is better than IDCM.

ObjectiveTo investigate reproducibility of cardiac MRI for assessment of cardiac morphology and ventricular function in selected normal Chinese Han population.MethodsTwo hundred and sixty-nine normal volunteers underwent cardiac MRI using a 1.5 T MR system.HASTE and steady state free precession imaging were performed with long and short axis images and cine mode through the ventricle with wireless vector cardiac gating.The images were reviewed by two independent observers.The dimensions of cardiac chambers and ventricular function including ejection fraction (EF),end diastolic volume( EDV),end systolic volume (ESV) and myocardial mass were evaluated.The data between male and female were compared by using two-tailed unpaired t test.Results Total imaging time was (15 ± 3 ) min.The anteroposterior diameter of the left atrium was( 2.87 ± 0.77 ) cm,the right atrial diameter perpendicular to the atrial septum was ( 3.61 ± 0.57 ) cm,the end diastolic diameter of the left ventricle was (4.97 ±0.52) cm,the end diastolic diameter of the right ventricle was (2.65 ± 0.48) cm.On the left ventricle,EF was(60.62 ±7.08)％,EDV was (115.37 ±26.71) ml,ESV was (46.02+15.72) ml and LV mass was ( 82.97± 24.03 ) g.On the right ventricle,EF was (47.73 ± 6.50 ) ％,EDV was ( 128.27 ± 32.16 )ml,ESV was (67.7 ± 21.07) ml and RV mass was (48.24 ± 13.42) g.There were no statistically significant differences in LVESV( P =0.144 ),LVEDV index ( P =0.714 ),LVESV index ( P =0.113 ),LVCI ( P =0.199),RVEF ( P =0.296 ) and RV mass ( P =0.093 ),and statistically significant differences in other cardiac parameters between male and female.Conclusion Cardiac MRI can provide useful information about cardiac function and morphology with a high level of reproducibility in normal Chinese Han population.

ObjectiveTo assess the value of free-breathing 3D phase sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) turbo FLASH for demonstrating the left ventricular myocardial scar in patients with myocardial infarction.MethodsTwenty-three patients with myocardial infarction underwent 2D and 3D phase sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) Turbo FLASH sequences 10-15 minutes after injection of dimeglumine gadopentetate.The image quality,the area,location and volume of hyperenhanced scar were independently assessed by two experienced radiologists.Student′s t test or rank sum test and Pearson linear correlation were used for the statistics.ResultsThere were no significant differences in the overall image quality (2.57 ±0.59 vs 2.39 ±0.66,Z=-0.93,P =0.35),the area (24.48 ±10.83 vs 29.00 ± 11.56,Z=-1.41,P =0.16) and location ( 16.78 ± 6.51 vs 18.87 ± 6.76,Z =- 1.17,P =0.24) of hyperenhanced scar between 2D and 3D PSIR sequences.The mean volume of hyperenhanced scar was significantly greater in 3D PSIR sequence than that in 2D PSI R sequence [(23.46 ± 10.61 ) vs (31.65 ±　 13.86) cm3,t =-2.25,P =0.03].There was a good correlation in the volume of hyperenhanced scar between 2D PSIR and 3D PSIR sequences (r=0.940,P＜0.01 ;y =2.851 + 1.228x,R2 =0.883).ConclusionFree-breathing 3D PSIR Turbo FLASH is a promising new imaging technique for accurate assessment of myocardial scar.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of MRI for assessment of re-distribution of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells injected intramyocardially in main organs (heart, liver, spleen and kidney) under different heart status (beating or arresting) in a porcine model. Methods Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were obtained from the male swine and labeled with iron oxide during culture. Acute myocardial infarction was created in female swine, one week later, the survivors were randomly divided into 4 groups. Cardiopulmonary bypass was set up to arrest the heart, and then labeled cells (1×108) were intramyocardially injected into the border of the infracted myocardium in group 1 (n=6). The same volume of cells was grafted into the beating heart in group 2 (n=6). In group 3 and 4, saline was injected into either the arresting or beating myocardium. Three days later, re-distribution of stem cells and cardiac function were assessed by T2*WI and cine MRI, respectively. All animals were sacrificed for histology and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of sex-determining region on Y-chromosome (SRY) investigation.The ANOVA and t test was used for statistics. Results The left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) before transplantation for group 1-4 were: (56.8±5.3),(54.8±6.8),(57.4±4.3)and(56.8±2.8) ml, and after transplantation for group 1-4 were: (65.2±5.2),(63.2±3.7),(60.2±4.7)and(62.2±4.4) ml. The left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) before transplantation for group 1-4 were: (33.5±7.6),(32.3±5.3),(33.5±3.6)and(32.7±4.6) ml,and after transplantation for group 1-4 were: (37.3±5.6),(36.3±6.9),(34.3±5.4)and(36.3±8.1) ml. The left ventricular EF values (LVEF) before transplantation for group 1-4 were: (42.3±7.2)%,(41.7±6.8)%,(41.8±8.6)% and(42.7±7.7)%,and after transplantation for group 1-4 were: (44.5±8.7)%,(43.1±7.4)%,(42.8±5.6)% and(43.3±8.4)%. The myocardial infarction area (MI) before transplantation for group 1-4 were: (6.5±2.1),(6.4±1.9),(6.5±2.5)and(6.4±2.6) cm2,and after transplantation for group 1-4 were: (6.4±2.3),(6.2±2.6),(6.3±2.5)and(6.4±2.8) cm2 . There were no statistical differences before and after transplantation in these 4 groups[P values of before and after transplantation for LVEDV, LVESV, LVEF,MI were >0.05 (F= 0.277, 0.066,0.066, 0.003); and >0.05 (F= 1.137,0.182,0.021,0.008),respectively]. The T2 value of the infracted myocardium in group 1 decreased more obviously than that in group 2[(-22.3 ± 2.2) vs (-17.0 ± 0.8) ms, t=-5.489, P＜0.01], while the T2 value of the spleen decreased more significantly in group 2 than that in group 1[(-7.7 ± 0.7) vs (-13.3 ± 1.1) ms,t=9.055, P＜0.01]. The T2 values of the liver and kidney were no significant differences in group 1 and 2 (liver, t=-0.532,P>0.05 and kidney, t=-0.113,P>0.05). The results of RT-PCR in group 1 and 2 showed significant differences in heart[(150±62) vs (72±4) U/L ,P<0.05, t=3.109], spleen[(131±1) vs (233±17) U/L, P＜0.01, t=- 13.286]and liver[(17±1) vs (9±5) U/L ,P<0.01,t= 3.492]. Pathological examination demonstrated that the transplanted stem cells were positive for Prussian blue staining, which had a good correlation with MRI results. Conclusion MRI can serve as a convenient and efficient imaging method to track the migration of stem cells with SPIO labeled in early stage and evaluate its early re-distribution in vivo. Injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in the arresting heart could favor retaining more cells in the myocardium.

Objective To define the diagnostic criteria of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in distinguishing isolated left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) from lesser degrees of hypertrabeculation. Methods Twenty-five patients with LVNC, 39 with dilated cardiomyopathy ( DCM), 16 with aortic stenosis(AS), 15 with aortic regurgitation(AR) , 19 with hypertension (HT) and 22 normal subjects were enrolled in this study. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed to evaluate the left chamber diameter, functional parameters and noncompaction or hypertrabeculation of the left ventricle in diastole with one-way ANOVA. The left ventricle was divided into 17 segments for localizing all involved segments in this present study. Results The LVNC patients had the commonest myocardial segments involved (10±2)in all subjects. Each patient with LVNC was unexceptionally associated with apical noncompaction (17th segment) , which was seldom found in the other subjects. The lateral walls including 16th, 12th and 11th segments were the most vulnerable segments in all subjects, but nobody was found to involve the basal and mid septum including 2nd, 3rd, 8th and 9th segments. The end-diastolic NC/C (noncompaction/compaction) ratio was, on average, the greatest in patients with LVNC (3.3±0.6), compared with all other subjects(AS:1.0 ±0.3, AR:1.0 ±0.3,HT:0.8 ±0.1,healthy volunteers:0.9 ±0. 2) (F = 169. 62,P <0.05). Receiver operating characteristics analysis identified the end-diastolic NC/C ratio of>2.5 as a valuable parameter to distinguish LVNC from DCM.with values for sensitivity of 96.O%(24/25)and specificity of 94.9%(37/39),respectively.The mean number of NC/C ratio>2.5 segments in the LVNC patients was 4.0 ±2.0.while 8 of 39 patients with DCM had only one segment of NC/C ratio >2.5.Conclusions MRI is all exceUent imaging modality to diagnose LVNC and distinguish LIVNC from hypertrabeeulation.The criteria of LVNC is the NC/C ratio>2.5 in two or more than two segments of free ventricular walls associated with the left ventrieular apex involved.

Objective To observe curative effects of augmentation fixation technique injected with PMMA through lateral holes of dynamical hip screw (DHS) in treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fracture of senile osteoporotic patients. Methods From January 2006 to December 2007,15 senile osteoporotic inpatients with unstable femoral intertrochanteric fracture were treated with augmentation technique injected with PMMA to the femoral head through central channel and lateral holes of DHS. Clinical data about function of hip joint and complications early after operation were observed. All patients were followed up till fractures were healed, when the hip joint function was evaluated according to Harris standarch. Results Surgical trauma indices such as operation time and bleeding volume of augmentation technique were the same as those of merely DHS fixation. All the patients could safely do hip flexion and extension exercises in the bed and completely sit up by bedside 2-3 days after operation. Six patients could do walking exercise with aid one week after operation, with no complications relating to staying in bed or to PMMA during per-operation period. All fractures were healed 3-6 months after operation, without complications like fixation loosening, cut or destruction of femoral head during postoperative follow-up period. Six months after operation, 14 patients recovered viability to normal. According to Harris standards, the results were excellent in four patients, good in 10 and fair in one, with average Harris score of 83 points. Conclusions The augmentation fixation technique injected with PMMA through lateral holes of DHS has advantages of better DHS anchoring ability in femoral heads, less surgical trauma, reliable fixation and early functional exercise and is suitable for senile osteoporotic patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures.

marked hi-atrial dilation, near-normal ventricular chambers and near-normal ventricular thickness were presented. Conclusion MRI is an excellent imaging modality for the diagnosis of restrictive cardiomyopathy.