Objective:To explore the effects of the LAmbre device and mitral annulus(MA), as well as left atrium(LA) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation(NVAF) after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) using real-time-three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D TEE).Methods:Fity-six consecutive patients who underwent LAAC with the LAmbre device in Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from June 2019 to March 2023 were retrospectively enrolled, with no or less than moderate mitral regurgitation (MR). All patients underwent pre-operative and follow-up two-and three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2D TEE, 3D TEE) at 60 days after the operation. The quantitative parameters of MA and LA were obtained by offline analysis using QLab 13.0 (Philips Healthcare, Andover, MA). Importantly, mitral annular measurements were made at seven time points throughout the cardiac cycle: early diastole, mid-diastole, late diastole, mitral valve closure, early systole, mid-systole, and late systole, which facilitates constructing the dynamic model of MA to assess the annular morphology and dynamics.Results:The values of AP diameter (APD), AL-PM diameter (ALPMD), 3D annulus circumference (3DAC), 3D annulus area (3DAA) decreased significantly compared with pre-operative values at all time points of the cardiac cycle (all P<0.05), while non-planar angle (NPA) and AH/CD were not apparently changed (all P>0.05 ). Throughout the cardiac cycle, MA showed regular changes, gradually increased in systole with the saddle shape deepened, and gradually decreased in diastole with the saddle shape shallowed.During systole, there was an increase in the rate of change of AP in MA [pre-operative (3.01±2.64)%, post-operative (3.81±3.51)%, P=0.037] after LAAC, with no significant difference in the rate of change of ALPM, 3DAC, and 3DAA.Meanwhile, we observed an evident reduction in LA minimal volume (LAVmin) [pre-operative (78.36±25.16)ml, post-operative (70.73±22.78)ml, P=0.004] and an obvious increase in LA ejection function [pre-operative (22.88±10.09)%, post-operative (31.41±12.28)%, P<0.05] during follow-up. Conclusions:3D TEE can accurately assess the impact of LAAC on the MA and LA. The LAmbre device can affect the morphology of MA, as well as the structure and function of LA, while the change of the dynamics of MA is not so prominent.

Objective:To understand the status of frailty among elderly inpatients,analyze its influencing factors,and explore the relationship of frailty with sarcopenia,and subjective social isolation in elderly inpatients.Methods:A total of 518 elderly inpatients from a tertiary hospital in Wuhu were selected as the research subjects.General information questionnaire,Frail Scale,SARC-F Scale,and Subjective Social Isolation Scale were used for investigation.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of frailty among elderly inpatients.Results:The incidence of frailty in 518 elderly inpatients was 52.5%(272/518).Logistic regression analysis revealed that recent falls(OR=3.458,95%CI:1.454-8.229),sarcopenia(OR=5.622,95%CI:2.494-12.677),subjective social isolation(OR=181.165,95%CI:57.307-572.721),polypharmacy(OR=2.409,95%CI:1.336-4.346),and 80-89 years old(OR=8.982,95%CI:0.640-2.357)were risk factors for frailty in elderly inpatients(P＜0.05).Conclusions:The prevalence of frailty is high among elderly inpatients.Healthcare professionals should pay attention to the assessment of frailty in elderly inpatients,and promptly implement targeted interventions to slow down or prevent the progression of frailty.

Objective To explore the difference of the left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) and the segment strains between cardiac amyloidosis (CA) and non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Methods Twenty patients with immunoglobulin light chain cardiac amyloidosis (AL-CA) as CA group and 20 patients with non-obstructive HCM selected as controls (HCM group) were enrolled from January 2016 to April 2022 in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University. All patients underwent two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). The left ventricle GLS and the segmental strains were calculated. The values of these strains to distinguish AL-CA from HCM were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and logistic regression analysis. Results In the CA group, the GLS parameters (3P, 4Ch, 2Ch, 3Ch), as well as the left ventricle segmental strains (MID-ANT/LAT, MID-INF/SEPT, BASAL-ANT/LAT, BASAL-INF/SEPT, MID-ANT, MID-INF, BASAL-ANT, BASAL-INF, MID-INF/LAT, BASAL-ANT/SEPT, and BASAL-INF/LAT) were all lower than those in the HCM group (P＜0.01). ROC results showed that GLS(4Ch), GLS(2Ch), GLS(3Ch), GLS(3P), BASAL-ANT/LAT, BASAL-INF/SEPT, BASAL-ANT, BASAL-INF, BASAL-ANT/SEPT and BASAL-INF/LAT had good efficacy in distinguishing AL-CA from HCM. Logistic regression analysis showed that BASAL-ANT/LAT was an independent factor in distinguishing AL-CA from HCM (P＜0.01). The consistency of test results was good. Conclusions The left ventricular segmental myocardial strains show good efficacy in distinguishing AL-CA from HCM, and BASAL-ANT/LAT has highest application value.

Objectives:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of implantation of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator(S-ICD)after transvenous lead extraction(TLE)in ICD patients without pacing indications. Methods:All patients who underwent TLE at Peking University People's Hospital from June 2018 to October 2023 were consecutively included.TLE indication,S-ICD implantation indication,defibrillation threshold(DFT)test,complications and postoperative follow-up were collected and analyzed. Results:A total of 11 patients with TV-ICD underwent S-ICD implantation after TLE,eight patients were males and median age were 56(44,65)years.The indications for TLE were infection and lead dysfunction.Nine patients were implanted with S-ICD for secondary prevention,and the most common cause of implantation was ion channelopathies(5 cases).The operative time for S-ICD was 51(48,58)minutes and no perioperative complications were noted.Eight patients underwent DFT testing,and 100%were successful.During a median follow up of 30(9,39)months,a total of six appropriate treatments occurred in two patients,and no complications occurred,including inappropriate treatment,ineffective treatment,infection,lead malfunction and death. Conclusions:Our study provides evidence for S-ICD implantation as a replacement after TV-ICD removal.The S-ICD implantation after TLE is safe and effective.

Transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention is the new frontier of interventional cardiology. The LuX-Valve is a radial force-independent orthotopic tricuspid valve replacement device developed in China. The LuX-Valve Plus transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) system is changed from the trans-atrial to the transjugular approach, which further reduces trauma and pulmonary complications compared with the first generation LuX-Valve. The first-in-human study has been completed at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University and an exploratory multicentre clinical study is underway. Echocardiography plays an important role in pre-TTVR screening, intraoperative guidance and postoperative evaluation and follow-up, especially two-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography (2D-TEE) and three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE). However, there is a lack of appropriate intraoperative guidance and assessment protocols. In this study, we briefly described the protocols and imaging considerations for intraoperative 2D-TEE and 3D-TEE to ensure the successful implantation of TTVR.

Objective:To evaluate the safety of leadless pacemaker implantation in super-elderly patients.Methods:Eleven patients with average age of 90 (86, 92) years who underwent leadless pacemaker implantation in the Department of Cardiology, Peking University People′s Hospital from March 2021 to May 2022 were included. The clinical data and implantation information were collected. The complications (cardiac tamponade, myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, pulmonary embolism, pacemaker reinfection, femoral vein hematoma) and death of patients were documented at 24 h, 3 d, and 1, 3, 6 months after pacemaker implantation.Results:There were 9 males and 2 females with the body mass index of 21(19, 23)kg/m 2. The underlying diseases were hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, previous cerebral infarction and moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation in 9, 9, 9, 6, 4, 4, 4 patients, respectively. The left ventricular ejection fraction was 49% (45%, 52%), the hemoglobin concentration was 118 (114, 122)g/L, 4 patients were taking anticoagulant drugs, and 6 patients were taking antiplatelet drugs. Eight patients were newly implanted with a leadless pacemaker, 2 patients were implanted after removal the old ones, and 1 case was implanted at the same time as removal. The implantation time was 45(40, 47) minutes, the X-ray exposure time was 14 (13, 15) minutes, the release time was 1 (1, 2), the threshold value was 0.50(0.38, 0.75)V/0.24 ms, the impedance was 730 (700, 770) Ω, and the perceived R-wave amplitude 8.2(6.7, 12.8) mV. During the follow-up period of 8 (6, 10) months, no patient had pacemaker dysfunction; and the threshold, R wave sensing, and impedance were stable and maintained within the normal range. No cardiac tamponade, myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, pulmonary embolism, pacemaker reinfection or death occurred perioperatively and during the follow-up period; 1 patient had hematoma after femoral vein puncture, which improved after compression treatment. Conclusion:This single-center and small-sample study shows that leadless pacemaker implantation is safe for super-elderly patients.

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a kind of valvular heart disease with a complicated pathogenesis. However, the current clinical understanding of MR mostly stays in a purely spatial perspective. We suggest that the evaluation of MR should break through the limited thinking of the area of a two-dimensional single frame, and transfer to a comprehensive evaluation of three-dimensional space-time integration (i.e. four-dimensional space-time). Secondly, it is of significance to pay attention to the time mechanism and time thinking of the occurrence of MR. The amount of MR may be different in different cardiac cycles or within the same cardiac cycle. Finally, changes in the time dimension of cardiac contraction can lead to the occurrence of MR and sometimes it is necessary to understand MR from time thinking rather than spatial thinking.

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) interventions are under rapid development. The K-Clip? system is the first domestic transcatheter tricuspid annuloplasty system with unique clamping procedure to achieve annular reduction.Intraoperative echocardiographic monitoring procedures for transcatheter tricuspid annuloplasty have not been reported yet in China. Thus, this review aimed to propose the standard two-dimensional and three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic workplanes and procedures to guide and monitor the implantation of K-Clip system based on our experience in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University to provide a reference point for the intraoperative echocardiographic monitoring of future transcatheter tricuspid annuloplasty devices in China.

Objective:To systematically review the qualitative research on dignity cognition and experience of the elderly in nursing homes.Methods:Qualitative research on the dignity cognition and experience of the elderly in nursing homes was retrieved by computer in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP and China Biology Medicine disc. The retrieval time limit was from the establishment of the database to May 31, 2021. The quality of the article was assessed using the quality evaluation criteria for qualitative research of the Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-Based Health Care Center.Results:A total of 10 articles were included, and 30 research results were extracted. The research results were grouped into 8 categories, and 4 integrated results were synthesized, namely, the elderly's cognition of dignity, the impact of impaired dignity on the elderly, the factors affecting the maintenance of dignity, and the elderly's dignity maintenance strategies.Conclusions:Nursing homes should attach importance to the dignity of the elderly, provide dignity care, protect the autonomy of the elderly, and strengthen the social support system to promote the realization of the elderly with dignity.

Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling governs important physiological and pathological processes key to cellular life. Loss of mTOR negative regulators and subsequent over-activation of mTOR signaling are major causes underlying epileptic encephalopathy. Our previous studies showed that UBTOR/KIAA1024/MINAR1 acts as a negative regulator of mTOR signaling, but whether UBTOR plays a role in neurological diseases remains largely unknown. We therefore examined a zebrafish model and found that ubtor disruption caused increased spontaneous embryonic movement and neuronal activity in spinal interneurons, as well as the expected hyperactivation of mTOR signaling in early zebrafish embryos. In addition, mutant ubtor larvae showed increased sensitivity to the convulsant pentylenetetrazol, and both the motor activity and the neuronal activity were up-regulated. These phenotypic abnormalities in zebrafish embryos and larvae were rescued by treatment with the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin. Taken together, our findings show that ubtor regulates motor hyperactivity and epilepsy-like behaviors by elevating neuronal activity and activating mTOR signaling.
Animals ; Hyperkinesis/genetics* ; Mutation/genetics* ; Signal Transduction ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Zebrafish/metabolism*