Evaluationthe right heart function has vital clinical value, especially in patients after surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot(TOF).As an important tool used to assess the structure and function of heart, echocardiography has been used to evaluatethe right heart function of TOF after the surgery. This article reviews the current research on echocardiography techniques and right heart function in patients after surgical repair of Tetralogy of Fallot．
ObjectiveTo improve the understanding of the diagnosis and therapy of chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (CAEBV) infection. MethodsData of 9 cases of CAEBV infection diagnosed between October 2008 and January 2013 were analyzed retrospectively,including clinical and auxiliary examination results,pathological data,especially EB virus (EBV) antibodies and DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and infected tissue,and follow-up information. ResultsThe major manifestations of the 9 patients were fever,splenomegaly,hepatomegaly,lymphadenopathy,and others,including general fatigue,nausea,skin rash,jaundice,and so on.The abnormalities of auxiliary examination were as follows:anemia,leucopenia,neutropenia,thrombocytopenia,elevated LDH and HBDH levels,liver dysfunction and abnormal chest CT findings.EBV serologic tests revealed high IgA antibody levels against EB viral capsid antigen (VCA) in 6 patients,and 8 patients had positive IgG antibody levels against early D antigen (EAD).The mean load of EBV-DNA detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the PBMC was 3.07×105 copies/mL.Six of the nine patients presented a poor clinical course.One of them died of intracranial hemorrhage,one of them died of multiple organ failure,one of them died of EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome,and one of them died of severe pulmonary infection.Four patients developed lymphoma.One of them died of hepatic failure and one of them died of severe infection in the process of anti-tumor treatment. ConclusionThe clinical feature of CAEBV infection is varied.More attention should be paid to the disease because of its severe complications,poor prognosis and high mortality.
The main purpose of this study is to observe and analyze the characteristics and the clinical significance of long-term echocardiogram data in patients after mechanical aortic valve replacement operation. Fifty-five cases were recruited over 5 years after mechanical aortic valve replacement operation, with complete echocardiogram examination profiles. The 55 subjects were divided into predominate aortic stenosis group and predominate aortic regurgitation group, based on preoperative examinations. And another way of division was also carried out that according to the effective orifice area index (EOAI), the subjects were divided into three groups, i.e., severe prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) group, moderate PPM group, and non PPM group. Characteristics of long-term echocardiogram data of the subjects were analyzed. Patients with aortic stenosis showed significantly decreased thickness of intraventricular septum and left ventricular posterior wall about half a year after operation (P<0.05). Half a year after operation, patients with aortic regurgitation showed decreased left ventricular internal dimension diastole and left ventricular internal dimension systole, and increased ejection fraction (P<0.05). Differences in mean aortic valve pressure gradient, forward blood flow across the aortic valves, and ejection fraction were not significant among those with severe PPM, moderate PPM, and non PPM groups (P>0.05). Number of cases of ascending aorta dimension increased as time goes on and pathogenesis of other valve diseases. A conclusion could be drawn that the heart function of patients with aortic valve disease could be improved after mechanical aortic valve replacement operation, but pathologies in other valves and ascending aorta might be increased, and therefore periodical postoperative echocardiogram evaluation with long tem pharmaceutical therapy could be necessary.
Tenascin-C (TNC) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein, which is usually highly expressed in embryonic tissues and tumor tissues, but is not expressed or just lowly expressed in mature tissues. TNC is involved in various complex signaling pathways during tumor metastasis, especially through modulating FAK, RhoA, Wnt and Notch pathways by interacting with syndecan-4, integrinα5β1, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). As a result, TNC affects epithelial mesenchymal transition, tumor cell adhesion, proliferation and angiogenesis, which eventually enhances the invasion and metastasis ability of many tumors. Further studies have demonstrated that TNC could be used as prognosis or metastasis marker of patients with malignant tumor.
ObjectiveTo investigate effect of cardiac function and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) degree of concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty for patients with tricuspid valve annulus dilation and mild TR underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR), and provide an objective basis for clinical decision about concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty for patients with tricuspid valve annulus dilation and mild TR underwent MVR. MethodsA total of 36 patients who underwent MVR from April to October 2013 in Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University were enrolled in this study. Preoperative echocardiography showed mild TR and tricuspid valve annular end-diastolic dimension (TVAEDD)/body surface area (BSA)>21 mm/m2. All the 36 patients were randomly divided into a tricuspid annuloplasty group (TAPG group, n=18, including 7 males and 11 females) and a no tricuspid annuloplasty group (NTAPG group, n=18, including 6 males and 12 females). One week and 6 months postoperative echocardiography were recorded. ResultsThere were no statistical differences in age, gender, heart rate, body surface area, preoperative cardiac function (NYHA), left atrium dimension (LAD), left ventricular dimension (LVD), maximal long-axis of RA (RAmla), mid-RA minor distance (RAmmd), right ventricle dimension (RVD2), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) between the two groups (P>0.05). Six-months postoperative left atrial-ventricular diameter significantly reduced than that before surgery in the two groups (P<0.05). In the TAPG group, six-months postoperative right ventricle dimension (RVD1), right ventricular wall thickness (RVWT), tricuspid valve annular end-diastolic dimension (TVAEDD), tricuspid valve annular end-systolic dimension (TVAESD) significantly decreased, while percent shorting of tricuspid valve annulus (PSTVA) did not change significantly (P>0.05), TR degree improved significantly (P<0.05), right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) significantly increased (P<0.05). In the NTAPG group, compared with preoperative data, six-months postoperative RVD1, RVWT significantly increased, TVAEDD, TVAESD, PSTVA did not change significantly (P>0.05), RVEF reduced significantly (P<0.05), RVFAC increased significantly but less than that in the TAPG group at the same period, constituent ratio of TR changed significantly (P<0.05), but postoperative moderate or more TR were recorded in 6 patients. ConclusionConcomitant tricuspid annuloplasty for patients with tricuspid valve annulus dilation and mild TR underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR) can help to decrease RVD1, RVWT, TVAEDD and TVAESD, improve the constituent ratio of TR, and increase RVFAC and RVEF.
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in asymptomatic HIV-infected, treatment-naive adults and adolescents. To assess the evidence for the optimal time to initiate ART. MethodsDatabases including PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2016), CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about early initiation and optimal time to initiate ART in asymptomatic, treatment-naive HIV-infected patients from January 1996 to April 2016. Two review authors independently assessed study eligibility, extracted data and graded methodological quality. Data extraction and methodological quality were checked by a third author who resolved differences when these arose. We meta-analysed dichotomous outcomes using the risk ratio (RR) and report the 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) by using RevMan 5.3 software. ResultsA total of 4 RCTs involving 8 751 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that initiating ART at CD4+ T-cell counts (CD4 counts) ≥350 cells/μL or 500 cells/μL, comparing to deferring initiation of ART to CD4 counts <350 cells/μL, would benefit patients more: (1) Risk of AIDS-defining illnesses which representing disease progression, reduced significantly when starting ART at higher CD4 counts (no less than 350 cells/μL) (RR=0.49, 95%CI 0.38 to 0.64, P<0.001). The reduction of risk was even more significant when initiating ART at CD4 counts of not less than 500 cells/μL (RR=0.38, 95%CI 0.24 to 0.59, P<0.001). (2) When initiating ART at CD4 counts of not less than 350 cells/μL, the risk of serious non-AIDS related events was significantly reduced by 42% (RR=0.58, 95%CI 0.40 to 0.83, P=0.003). When initiating ART at CD4 counts of not less than 500 cells/μL, according to START 2015, the risk of serious non-AIDS related events could be reduced by 39% (RR=0.61, P=0.04). (3) However, when initiating ART at CD4 counts of not less than 350 cells/μL or 500 cells/μL, comparing to deferring initiation, there were no statistically significant differences in death (RR=0.70, 95%CI 0.48 to 1.02, P=0.06) and serious adverse events (RR=0.67, 95%CI 0.38 to 1.20, P=0.18). ConclusionOur findings contribute to the evidence base for recommending initiating ART at CD4 counts of 350-500 cells/μL compared to initiating it later when CD4 counts fall below 350 cells/μL. As for patients with CD4 counts of not less than 500 cells/μL, initiation of ART is also recommended.
To evaluate the value of left ventricular diastolic function in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) using dual-gate Doppler and relative factors, we included 50 non-obesity and hypertension-free DM patients into the controlled group in the study along with 48 age-and-gender-matched healthy volunteer subjects. The peak early diastolic velocity (E), peak later diastolic velocity (A), deceleration time (DT), anterior mitral annulus diastolic peak velocity (e'), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), E/A, E/e', Tei index and TE-e' were measured with dual-gate Doppler. 20 subjects were randomly selected for repetitive analysis. Study showed statistical difference in E/A, DT, e', E/e', IVRT, Tei index and TE-e' between the two groups (P < 0.05). Linear regression analysis showed positive correlation between TE-e' and IVRT, course of DM patients and TE-e'(Beta=0.295, P=0.020), and HbA1C control level and TE-e'(Beta=0.399, P=0.010). Repeated analysis showed good reproducibility for both within and between groups. Dual-gate Doppler has clinical value in evaluating left ventricular diastolic function in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. The course of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and HbA1C control level were both closely related with left ventricular diastolic function.
ObjectiveTo investigate long-term echocardiographic outcomes of patients after mitral and aortic valve replacement and their clinical significance. MethodsA total of 204 patients who underwent mitral and aortic valve replacement from January 1999 to June 2008 in West China Hospital of Sichuan University, and had been followed up with echocardiography for longer than 5 years were enrolled in this study. There were 60 male and 144 female patients with their age ranging from 15 to 74 (48.42±11.00)years. Postoperative follow-up time was 5 to 13 (6.34±2.05)years. Preoperative and follow-up echocardiographic results were compared. ResultsCompared with preoperative results, postoperative left atrial diameter (LA)and left ventricular diameter (LV)significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while right ventricular diameter (RV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS)significantly increased (P < 0.05). Right atrial diameter (RA)did not change significantly (P > 0.05). In the patients mainly with mitral stenosis preoperatively, postoperative LA, LV, left atrial area (LAA), left atrial volume (LAV), mitral mean pressure gradient (MPGmv), velocity time integral (VTImv)and pressure half time (PHTmv)significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while mitral effective orifice area (EOAmv)and effective orifice area index (EOAImv)increased significantly (P < 0.05), but peak E velocity (Emv)did not change significantly (P > 0.05). In the patients mainly with mitral regurgitation preoperatively, postoperative LA and LV decreased significantly (P < 0.05), while LAA, LAV, MPGmv, VTImv, PHTmv, EOAmv and EOAImv did not change significantly (P > 0.05). In the patients mainly with aortic stenosis preoperatively, postoperative LV, interventricular septal thickness (IVS), left ventricular mass (LVM), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), aortic peak forward flow velocity(Vav)and mean pressure gradient (MPGav)significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while aortic effective orifice area (EOAav)and effective orifice area index (EOAIav)significantly increased (P < 0.05), but left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPW)did not change significantly (P > 0.05). In the patients mainly with aortic regurgitation preoperatively, postoperative LV, LVM, LVMI, EOAav and EOAIav decreased significantly (P < 0.05), while Vav and MPGav increased significantly (P < 0.05), but IVS and LVPW did not change significantly (P > 0.05). In mitral position, compared with patients with 25 mm prosthesis, Emv, MPGmv and VTImv of patients with 27 mm prosthesis were significantly smaller (P < 0.05), but there was no statistical difference in PHTmv, EOAmv or EOAImv between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). In aortic position, compared with patients with 21mm prosthesis, Vav, MPGav and VTIav of patients with 23 mm prosthesis were significantly smaller (P < 0.05), while EOAav and EOAIav were significantly larger (P < 0.05). In mitral position, 38 patients (21.3%)had moderate prothesis-patient mismatch (PPM)and 4 patients (2.3%)had severe PPM. In aortic position, 50 patients (24.5%)had moderate PPM and 43 patients (21.1%)had severe PPM. Consti-tuent ratio of long-term tricuspid regurgitation (TR)degree of patients after tricuspid valvuloplasty (TVP)significantly improved (P < 0.05), but constituent ratio of long-term TR degree of patients without TVP significantly deteriorated (P < 0.05). ConclusionsLeft ventricular function and hemodynamic outcomes in the long term are significantly better than preoperative results after double valve replacement, but they are still far from normal. PPM in aortic position is more severe than that in mitral position. Since residual or aggravated TR is very common in the long term, concomitant TVP should be considered more positively for patients undergoing surgery for left-sided valvular disease.
Objective To evaluate the right ventricular function of the patients 2 years after surgery by ultrasonic cardiography (UCG) who underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR) concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP). Method We finally identified 36 patients required MVR with tricuspid valve annular dilation concomitant merely mild tricuspid regurgitaion (TR) based on preoperative UCG in our hospital between April and November 2012 year. All patients were randomly divided into two groups by digital table including a tricuspid annuloplasty group (a TAP group, n=18, 7 males and 11 females at age of 45.67±12.49 years) and a no-tricuspid annuloplasty group (a NTAP group, n=18, 6 males and 12 females at age of 45.44±10.48 years). General clinical data and extracorporeal circulation data were recorded. UCG evaluation was practiced preoperation, alone with 1 week, 6 months, and 2 years after surgery. Results Two years postoperative maximal long-axis of RA (RAmla), mid-RA minor distance (RAmmd), right ventricle dimension-1(RVD1) , right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC), 3D RV end-systolic volume (3DRVESV), tricuspid valve annular end-diastolic dimension (TVAEDD), tricuspid valve annular end-systolic dimension (TVAESD) of patients were all smaller in the TAP group than those in the NTAP group. Yet right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), percent shorting of tricuspid valve annulus (PSTVA) were greater in the TAP group than those in the NTAP group, although there was no statistical difference between the two groups in two years postoperative 3D RV end-diastolic volume (3DRVEDV). The patients in the TAP group had a superior trend than that of the NTAP group. Moreover, the patients' TR constituent ratio in the TAP group was much better than that of the NTAP group in 2 year after operation. Conclusions Concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty for patients with tricuspid valve annulus dilation and mild TR underwent MVR is favorable for the recovery of their 2 years postoperative function of tricuspid valve and right ventricle. It is benefit to reduce patient's long term postoperative TR residues and exacerbation.