Objective:To evaluate the effect of cinacalcet on right ventricular function in rats with MCT-induced arterial pulmonary hypertension by echocardiography.Methods:Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, PAH group, and cinacalcet group, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the cinacalcet group were given intraperitoneal injection of cinacalcet hydrochloride with 30 mg/kg, and the control group and the PAH group were given equal-volume of solvent. Echocardiographic parameters: right ventricular wall thickness (RVWT), right ventricular basal dimension (RVD), left ventricular eccentricity index (EI), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity (s′), right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RV4CSL), and right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWSL), etc. Histopathological parameters: pulmonary arteriole wall thickness (WT), right ventricular cardiomyocyte mean diameter (RV cell-D), collagen volume fraction (CVF) and right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVI). Echocardiographic and pathological parameters were compared among three groups, and the correlation between right ventricular pathological changes and strain parameters was analyzed.Results:①Compared with the control group, WT, RV cell-D, CVF and RVI in PAH group were increased (all P<0.01), the size of right ventricle and thickness of RV wall were increased (all P<0.05), and the right ventricular longitudinal strain was reduced ( P<0.01). ②Compared with the PAH group, rats in the cinacalcet group showed reduced WT, RV cell-D, CVF and RVI (all P<0.01), as well as improved structure and function of the right ventricle (all P<0.05). There was no statistical difference of the above parameters between cinacalcet and control group (all P>0.05). ③Correlation analysis: the right chamber remodeling parameters CVF and RV cell-D were positively correlated with WT ( rs=0.706 3, 0.629 4; both P<0.05); and RVFWSL correlated well with CVF, RV cell-D ( rs=-0.685 3, r=-0.767 2; both P<0.05). Conclusions:The right ventricular inverse remodeling of PAH rats with the intervention of cinacalcet was retained, suggesting that cinacalcet had a protective effect on the structure and function of the right ventricle in rats with PAH.

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 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.

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 cardiac hemodynamics and function before and after balloon pulmonary angioplasty ( BPA ) treatment in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension ( CTEPH) using echocardiography ,and to discuss the clinical value of the treatment . Methods A total of 36 CT EPH patients with medium‐high risk stratification underwent BPA during the period of September 2016 to January 2019 in Beijing Chao‐Yang Hospital ,Capital M edical University were recruited . T he following conventional echocardiographic parameters including right ventricular basal diameter ( RVD ) ,left ventricular basal diameter ( LVD) ,right atrial diameter ( RAD) ,left atrial diameter ( LAD) ,main pulmonary artery diameter ( DM PA ) , left ventricular eccentricity index ( LVEI ) , left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure ( PASP ) were recorded .Echocardiographic parameters of right ventricular ( RV ) function including tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion ( T APSE ) , right ventricular fractional area change ( RVFAC ) ,tissue Doppler – derived tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity ( S′) ,RV index of myocardial performance ( RIM P ) and right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain ( GLS) were measured . T he patients were divided into 2 groups according to the threshold value of postoperative SPAP of 50 mmHg (group Ⅰ :SPAP ≤ 50 mmHg ,group Ⅱ :SPAP＞50 mmHg) . Changes between each parameter before and after BPA were analyzed . Results ① T he frequency of BPA treatment for CT EPH patients ranged from 1 to 6 times . After BPA treatment ,SPAP decreased significantly ,and the measurements of RV function including T APSE ,RVFAC ,RIM P and GLS improved significantly ( all P ＜0 .05) . ②Patients in group Ⅰ showed significantly better RV function including T APSE ,RVFAC and GLS compared with group Ⅱ before BPA ( P ＜0 .05) . ③Univariate logistic regression showed that parameters of preoperative RV function T APSE , RVFAC and GLS had certain effects on the curative effect of interventional surgery . Conclusions Echocardiography can evaluate the hemodynamics and RV function in CT EPH patients with BPA .After BPA ,pulmonary artery pressure decreases and RV function improves to some extent ,suggesting that the treatment of BPA has certain clinical application and popularization value .

Objective: To evaluate the cardiac hemodynamics and function before and after balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) treatment in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) using echocardiography, and to discuss the clinical value of the treatment. Methods: A total of 36 CTEPH patients with medium-high risk stratification underwent BPA during the period of September 2016 to January 2019 in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University were recruited. The following conventional echocardiographic parameters including right ventricular basal diameter (RVD), left ventricular basal diameter (LVD), right atrial diameter (RAD), left atrial diameter (LAD), main pulmonary artery diameter (DMPA), left ventricular eccentricity index (LVEI), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) were recorded.Echocardiographic parameters of right ventricular (RV) function including tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC), tissue Doppler–derived tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity (S′), RV index of myocardial performance (RIMP) and right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (GLS) were measured. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the threshold value of postoperative SPAP of 50 mmHg (group Ⅰ: SPAP ≤ 50 mmHg, group Ⅱ: SPAP>50 mmHg). Changes between each parameter before and after BPA were analyzed. Results: ①The frequency of BPA treatment for CTEPH patients ranged from 1 to 6 times. After BPA treatment, SPAP decreased significantly, and the measurements of RV function including TAPSE, RVFAC, RIMP and GLS improved significantly (all P<0.05). ②Patients in group Ⅰ showed significantly better RV function including TAPSE, RVFAC and GLS compared with group Ⅱ before BPA (P<0.05). ③Univariate logistic regression showed that parameters of preoperative RV function TAPSE, RVFAC and GLS had certain effects on the curative effect of interventional surgery. Conclusions Echocardiography can evaluate the hemodynamics and RV function in CTEPH patients with BPA.After BPA, pulmonary artery pressure decreases and RV function improves to some extent, suggesting that the treatment of BPA has certain clinical application and popularization value.

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 .

Objective To analyze the echocardiographic features of patients with aortico‐left ventricular tunnel ( ALV T ) and explore the value of echocardiography in the diagnosis of ALV T . Methods Echocardiographic features of 23 patients with ALV T w ho were admitted to Fuwai Hospital from July 2002 to February 2019 were reviewed and analyzed . T he accuracy of echocardiographic diagnosis of ALVT was investigated by comparing the results of echocardiographic diagnosis with intraoperative and cardiac catheterization and CT . T he diagnosis methodology was summarized . T he reasons for misdiagnosis by echocardiography were analyzed . Results Among the 23 patients with ALVT , 1 case was diagnosed through CT examination prior to the operation and died from the cardiac arrest , 1 case was diagnosed through cardiac catheterization and ventriculography , the remaining 21 patients ( 91 .3% ) received the surgical operation and were diagnosed as ALV T . Eighteen patients ( 78 .2% ) were accurately diagnosed by echocardiography . One case was misdiagnosed as aortic valve insufficiency ,one case was diagnosed as aortic bicuspid valve and regurgitation ,two cases misdiagnosed as aortic valve dysplasia and insufficiency ,and one case was misdiagnosed as aortic dissection . According to Hovaguimian classification : 8 cases ( 34 .8% ) were of type Ⅰ ,12 cases ( 52 .2% ) of type Ⅱ ,1 case ( 4 .3% ) of type Ⅲ ,and 2 cases ( 8 .7% ) of type Ⅳ . Different types of patients are treated with different surgical methods . Conclusions ALV T can be accurately diagnosed with echocardiography , but it needs to be differentiated from other aorta to left ventricular shunt or reflux diseases . The establishment of the optimal diagnosis process is helpful to avoid and reduce the missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis to the greatest extent ,and provides a reliable basis for the selection of surgical methods .