Left atrial booster-pump function as a predictive parameter for atrial fibrillation in patients with severely dilated left atrium.

Background: Left atrial (LA) dimension ≥50 mm had approximately four times the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the application of clinical and echocardiographic parameters could differentiate between the patients having severely dilated left atrium with and without AF.

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study enrolled consecutive patients with LA dimension ≥50 mm and divided them into three groups: no AF (no-AF), paroxysmal AF (PAF) and non-paroxysmal AF (non-PAF) groups.

P wave duration ≥150 ms predicts poor left atrial function and ablation outcomes in non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: It remains unknown whether P wave duration (PWD) ≥ 150 ms measured after extensive radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) can identify non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (non-PAF) patients at increased risk of atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence. We investigated the predicting power of PWD and its association with left atrial (LA) reverse remodeling in patients with non-PAF undergoing pulmonary vein isolation with LA linear ablation.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 136 patients who underwent RFCA for drug-refractory non-PAF.

A Novel Approach for Predicting Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence After Ablation Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks by Assessing Left Atrial Curved M-Mode Speckle-Tracking Images.

Curved M-mode images of global strain (GS) and strain rate (GSR) provide sufficiently detailed spatiotemporal information of deformation mechanics. This study investigated whether a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) could accurately classify these images in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) with different outcomes. We retrospectively evaluated 606 consecutive patients who underwent RFCA for drug-refractory AF.

Sport disciplines and cardiac remodeling in elite university athletes competing in 2017 Taipei Summer Universiade.

Cardiac remodeling is common in the athletes. Little data is available regarding the cardiac remodeling on the recently proposed 4 sport disciplines among the elite university athletes.A total of 7639 athletes participated in the 2017 Taipei Summer Universiade.

Atrial fibrillation and associated outcomes in patients with peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis: a 14-year nationwide population-based study.

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing dialysis have increased risks of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objective: To investigate dialysis-related incident AF and associated outcomes.

Methods: Patients with dialysis were retrieved using data from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database during 2001-2013.

Outcomes of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and acute myocardial infarction: a propensity score-matched, 15-year nationwide population-based study in Asia.

Objectives: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) entails thickening of the myocardium and an increased risk of ischaemia. However, the prognosis of patients with HCM with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is incompletely understood.

Methods: Medical information was retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database in 1997-2011.

Early Detection of Left Ventricular Diverticulum by Transthoracic Echocardiography.

Left ventricular diverticulum is a very rare entity to be found in adults. Noninvasive echocardiography can offer useful information prior to contrast-enhanced computer tomography or invasive angiography. We evaluated a patient with left ventricular apical diverticulum but complained no symptoms.

Prognostic value of area of calcified aortic valve by 2-dimensional echocardiography in asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

We hypothesized that area of calcified aortic valve (ACAV) measured by 2D echocardiography (2DE) can predict future cardiovascular events in asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS).Multidetector computed tomography determined aortic valve calcification load is strongly associated with AS severity but has risks for radiation exposure. Quantification of ACAV by transthoracic 2DE is simple and convenient but its clinical utility has not been extensively studied.

Comparison of cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C: A 13-year nationwide population-based study in Asia.

Background And Aims: Viral hepatitis infection has been linked to increased atherosclerosis. We therefore investigated cardiovascular outcomes in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Methods: Electronic medical records during 2000-2012 were retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

Left atrial emptying fraction predicts recurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Background: Compared with left atrial (LA) dimension, LA emptying fraction (LAEF) has received less emphasis as a predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). In addition, patients experiencing post-RFCA AF recurrence may respond to previously ineffective antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs). Classifying these patients into a third RFCA outcome category is recommended.

Clinical outcomes of peripartum cardiomyopathy: a 15-year nationwide population-based study in Asia.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is the development of heart failure during late pregnancy to months postpartum with potential fatal outcome. However, the disease is not well-studied in Asia.We aimed to investigate the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of PPCM in Taiwan.

Prognostic Value of Right Ventricular Ejection Fraction Assessed by Transthoracic 3D Echocardiography.

Background: Cardiac magnetic resonance is the gold standard for the evaluation of right ventricular (RV) volumes, but it is impractical to perform in every patient. Although reference values of RV volumes and RV ejection fraction by 3D transthoracic echocardiography (3DTTE) have been established, their prognostic values have not been elucidated yet. We hypothesized that RV ejection fraction measured by 3DTTE (3DRVEF) predicts future cardiovascular events.

Comparisons of the underlying mechanisms of left atrial remodeling after repeat circumferential pulmonary vein isolation with or without additional left atrial linear ablation in patients with recurrent atrial fibrillation.

Background: Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) is a potentially curative treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF), however, whether or not additional left atrial (LA) linear ablation for recurrent AF adversely affects LA remodeling is unknown.

Methods: Thirty-eight patients experiencing AF recurrence after the 1st circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI) underwent a repeat RFCA, including 20 and 18 patients receiving a repeat CPVI (group I) or CPVI plus LA linear ablation (group II), respectively. 2-D echocardiography was performed during sinus rhythm within 24h, at 1-m and 6-m after RFCA.

Optimized Collection Protocol for Plasma MicroRNA Measurement in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease.

. Various microRNAs (miRNAs) are used as markers of acute coronary syndrome, in which heparinization is considered mandatory therapy. Nevertheless, a standard method of handling plasma samples has not been proposed, and the effects of heparin treatment on miRNA detection are rarely discussed.

Cardioprotective Actions of TGFβRI Inhibition Through Stimulating Autocrine/Paracrine of Survivin and Inhibiting Wnt in Cardiac Progenitors.

Heart failure due to myocardial infarction (MI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. We found previously that A83-01, a TGFβRI inhibitor, could facilitate cardiac repair in post-MI mice and induce the expansion of a Nkx2.5 + cardiomyoblast population.

Intervendor variability of two-dimensional strain using vendor-specific and vendor-independent software.

Background: Although two-dimensional (2D) strain is widely used to assess left ventricular mechanics, the strain values derived from vendor-specific 2D speckle-tracking software are different even for the same subjects and are therefore not interchangeable. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that vendor-independent software would produce lower intervendor variability between 2D strain measurements and overcome this limitation.

Methods: Two sets of three apical images were acquired using two of three types of ultrasound machines (GE, Philips, and Toshiba) in 81 healthy volunteers (GE vs Philips in 26 subjects, Philips vs Toshiba in 31 subjects, and GE vs Toshiba in 24 subjects).

Current Status and Perspectives in Stem Cell Therapy for Heart.

Unlabelled: For most patients, the prognosis of heart failure remains poor despite therapeutic advancement in recent decades. The option of cardiac transplantation is high risk and limited by a shortage of donors. Traditionally, the heart had been considered a terminally differentiated organ incapable of regeneration.

Clinical and angiographic outcomes after intracoronary bare-metal stenting.

Background: Data from a large patient population regarding very long-term outcomes after BMS implantation are inadequate. This study aimed to evaluate the very long-term (8-17 years) clinical and long-term (3-5 years) angiographic outcomes after intracoronary bare-metal stenting (BMS).

Methods And Results: From the Cardiovascular Atherosclerosis and Percutaneous TrAnsluminal INterventions (CAPTAIN) registry, a total of 2391 patients with 2966 lesions treated with 3190 BMSs between November 1995 and May 2004 were evaluated.

Dual protection therapy with staged coronary artery bypass surgery and stenting in patients with left main coronary artery stenosis: long-term results from a single center.

Objective: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of dual protection therapy with staged coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and bare-metal stenting (BMS) in patients with left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease.

Background: CABG is currently the preferred therapy for complex LMCA disease; however, the long-term patency rates of these grafts are unsatisfactory, and stenting alone for LMCA may be associated with the potentially fatal consequences of stent thrombosis or restenosis.

Methods: Between January 1997 and October 2005, 42 patients underwent staged bypass surgery and BMS, with the latter procedure performed 2 weeks after the initial CABG.

Local sustained delivery of acetylsalicylic acid via hybrid stent with biodegradable nanofibers reduces adhesion of blood cells and promotes reendothelialization of the denuded artery.

Incomplete endothelialization, blood cell adhesion to vascular stents, and inflammation of arteries can result in acute stent thromboses. The systemic administration of acetylsalicylic acid decreases endothelial dysfunction, potentially reducing thrombus, enhancing vasodilatation, and inhibiting the progression of atherosclerosis; but, this is weakened by upper gastrointestinal bleeding. This study proposes a hybrid stent with biodegradable nanofibers, for the local, sustained delivery of acetylsalicylic acid to injured artery walls.

Remote past left ventricular function before chronic right ventricular pacing predicts responses to cardiac resynchronization therapy upgrade.

Background: This study examined factors that could predict response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) upgrade in patients who developed heart failure (HF) after long-term right ventricular (RV) pacing.

Methods: Twenty-five consecutive patients who received CRT upgrade for long-term RV pacing (RVP) were enrolled in this study. None of these patients were eligible for CRT at the moment of starting RVP.

Aortic root geometry in patients with aortic stenosis assessed by real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.

Background: The authors hypothesized that aortic root geometry is different between bicuspid and tricuspid aortic stenosis (AS) that can be assessed using real-time three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography. The aims of this study were (1) to validate the accuracy of 3D transesophageal echocardiographic measurements of the aortic root against multidetector computed tomography as a reference, (2) to determine the difference of aortic root geometry between patients with tricuspid and bicuspid AS, and (3) to assess its impact on pressure recovery.

Methods: In protocol 1, 3D transesophageal echocardiography and contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography were performed in 40 patients.

Prognostic value of LA volumes assessed by transthoracic 3D echocardiography: comparison with 2D echocardiography.

Objectives: The hypothesis of this study was that minimal left atrial volume index (LAVImin) by 3-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) is the best predictor of future cardiovascular events.

Background: Although maximal left atrial volume index (LAVImax) by 2-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) is a robust index for predicting prognosis, the prognostic value of LAVImin and the superiority of measurements by 3DE over 2DE have not been determined in a large group of patients.

Methods: In protocol 1, we assessed age and sex dependency of LAVIs using 2DE and 3DE in 124 normal subjects and determined their cutoff values (mean + 2 SD).

Effect of through-plane and twisting motion on left ventricular strain calculation: direct comparison between two-dimensional and three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of out-of-plane motion on discrepancies in strain measurements between two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography.

Methods: Two-dimensional and 3D data sets were acquired in 54 patients. Using 2D and 3D speckle-tracking software, global circumferential strain (CS) and longitudinal strain (LS) as well as CS and LS at three left ventricular (LV) levels was measured.