Remodeling of myocardial energy and metabolic homeostasis in a sheep model of persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common progressive cardiac arrhythmia and is often associated with rapid contraction in both atria and ventricles. The role of atrial energy and metabolic homeostasis in AF progression is under-investigated.

Objectives: To determine the remodeling of energy metabolism during persistent AF and the effect of eplerenone (EPL), an aldosterone inhibitor, on metabolic homeostasis.

T Wave Safety Margin during the Process of ICD Implantation As a Novel Predictor of T Wave Oversensing.

T wave oversensing (TWOS) is a major drawback of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and data on predictors of TWOS in ICD is limited. We aimed to calculate a novel index of T wave safety margin (TWSM) and assess its potential for evaluating TWOS during the procedure of ICD implantation. Thirty-two consecutive patients with ICD implantation were enrolled.

Genetic identification and risk factor analysis of asymptomatic bacterial colonization on cardiovascular implantable electronic devices.

Asymptomatic bacterial colonization of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is widespread and increases the risk of clinical CIED infection. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of bacterial colonization of generator pockets in patients without signs of infection and to analyze the relationship with clinical infection and risk factors. From June 2011 to December 2012, 78 patients underwent CIED replacement or upgrade.

[Effect of the smoking cessation services in the out-patient department for patients with coronary heart disease].

Objective: To evaluate the effects and clinical prognosis of out-patient department-based smoking cessation services for coronary heart disease (CHD) patients.

Methods: A total of 140 smoking patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease in our cardiovascular department were randomly divided into the intensive smoking cessation clinic follow-up group (intervention group, patients were informed on the importance and methods to quit smoking at the first visit and reminded for that at months interval for 6 months, n = 70) and the conventional treatment group (control group, n = 70). After 6 months, the smoking status, cardiovascular event rates, drug usage, out-patient medical costs and quality of life were compared between the two groups.

[Types and risk factors of arrhythmia on young patients with acute coronary syndrome in Henan province].

Objective: The types and risk factors of arrhythmia were analyzed on acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients under the age of 44 years who were hospitalized in Henan province between September 2009 to June 2012.

Methods: Medical records of eligible patients were obtained from the information system of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University teleconsultation information center. Middle aged and elderly ACS patients who were hospitalized at the same period served as controls.

Re-evaluation of transvenous lead extraction with modified standard technique: a prospective study in 229 patients.

As new-type powered sheaths are expensive and unavailable, the standard lead extraction techniques remain the mainstay in clinical applications in many countries. The purpose of this study was to re-evaluate the clinical application of the standard lead extraction techniques and equipment, and make some procedural modifications and innovations. In our center, between January 2006 and May 2012, 229 patients (median, 66 years) who underwent lead extraction due to infection and lead malfunction were registered and followed up prospectively with respect to clinical features, reasons for lead extraction, technical characteristics, and clinical prognosis.

[Population characteristics and impact on heart rate variability, heart rate and blood pressure of passive smoking].

Objective: To investigate the basic characteristics of passive smoking population, and the impact of passive smoking on heart rate variability, heart rate and blood pressure.

Methods: Eighty-six passive smokers [mean age: (52.4 ± 7.

A novel deletion-frameshift mutation in the S1 region of HERG gene in a Chinese family with long QT syndrome.

Background: The congenital Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a hereditary cardiac channelopathy that is characterized by a prolonged QT interval, syncope, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden death. The chromosome 7-linked type 2 congenital LQTS (LQT2) is caused by gene mutations in the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG).

Methods: A Chinese family diagnosed with LQTS were screened for KCNQ1, HERG and SCN5A, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), direct sequencing, and clong sequencing.

Implantable defibrillator lead extraction with optimized standard extraction techniques.

Background: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) leads might not be extracted especially in developing countries because of the high cost and lack of specialized tools. We aimed to evaluate transvenous extraction of ICD leads using optimized standard techniques.

Methods: We prospectively analyzed clinical characteristics, optimized extraction techniques and the feasibility of extraction for 40 patients (33 males; mean age 47.

Coronary heart disease diagnosis bases on the change of different parts in treadmill exercise test ECG.

Summarize the value of the change of different parts in treadmill exercise test (TET) ECG to coronary heart disease (CHD) diagnosis. Four hundred and forty-five cases have been included in this investigation, which stayed in our hospital from January of 2006 to March of 2011 and underwent TET and coronary arteriography (CAG). The change of different parts in TET ECG in these patients had been retrospective summarized to determine its diagnosis value to CHD.

Elderly patients and coronary heart disease on response to treadmill exercise test.

To study the response of the cardiovascular system, to exercise tolerance in-patients over 75 years old with coronary heart disease (CHD), and to evaluate the significance of the parameters of the treadmill exercise test (TET). 110 patients received TET and coronary artery angiography. They were divided into two groups: the elderly patients group included 50 patients over 75 years old, and the control group included 60 patients under 60 years old.

First report of HGD mutations in a Chinese with alkaptonuria.

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is one of the first prototypic inborn errors in metabolism and the first human disease found to be transmitted via Mendelian autosomal recessive inheritance. It is caused by HGD mutations, which leads to a deficiency in homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase (HGD) activity. To date, several HGD mutations have been identified as the cause of the prototypic disease across different ethnic populations worldwide.

Relationship between myocardial bridging and coronary arteriosclerosis.

The objective of the study was to explore the prevalence and characteristics of myocardial bridging in patients who underwent coronary angiography and to also evaluate the correlation between bridged coronary segments and atherosclerosis. For this purpose, clinical materials of 1,500 patients who had received coronary angiography were retrospectively analyzed. The location and length of the myocardial bridge were recorded as well as the extent and location of coronary artery stenosis was described.

Percutaneous extraction of leads from coronary sinus vein and branch by modified techniques.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device and coronary sinus (CS) lead extraction are required due to the occurrence of systemic infection, malfunction, or upgrade. Relevant research of CS lead extraction is rare, especially in developing countries because of the high cost and lack of specialized tools. We aimed to evaluate percutaneous extraction of CS leads by modified conventional techniques.

The diagnostic value of treadmill exercise test parameters for coronary artery disease.

The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of treadmill exercise test (TET) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) by comparing the diagnostic conclusions with coronary angiography (CAG). Patients (445) with CHD and suspected CHD underwent TET and CAG, and the corresponding diagnostic conclusions were compared. (1) Out of the 200 cases that had the positive result with TET, 150 cases had been diagnosed CHD by means of CAG; Out of the 245 cases that had the negative result during TET, only 39 cases had been diagnosed CHD by means of CAG.

Effects of ibutilide on canine cardiac pacing threshold and on induction rates of atrial fibrillation.

This study aims to observe the effects of ibutilide on canine cardiac pacing threshold and on induction rates of atrial fibrillation. Eighteen mongrel dogs were anesthetized and administrated with ibutilide. The pacing thresholds and induction rates of atrial fibrillation were measured with and without ibutilide (10-min infusion dose was 0.

Effect of ibutilide on the canine cardiac conduction system.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of ibutilide on canine cardiac sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes (AVNs). For this purpose, 18 mongrel dogs were injected intravenously with ibutilide and the changes in heart rate, sinus node recovery time, and AVN were measured. Our data show that ibutilide administration caused significant suppression of the sinus atrial node, the peak response time was 20-30 min, and the heart rate was restored to pre-drug administration level.

Ventricular synchronicity: observations comparing pulse flow and tissue Doppler assessment in a Chinese healthy adult cohort.

Background: Mechanical asynchrony is an important parameter in predicting the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy, but detailed knowledge about cardiac timing in healthy persons is scarce. Therefore, in the current study, we sought to investigate the physiological status of interventricular synchronicity using pulse wave flow and tissue Doppler imaging in a healthy Chinese population.

Methods: Eighty-eight healthy volunteers underwent standard flow and tissue Doppler echocardiographic examinations.

[Coronary characteristics of young smokers with coronary heart disease and the effects of tobacco control on smoking cessation].

Objective: Coronary features of young smokers and non-smokers with coronary heart disease were compared and the effect of tobacco control education was analyzed.

Methods: A total of 160 young patients (14 - 35 years old) diagnosed with coronary heart disease by coronary angiography were included in this study, patients were followed up for 3 months. There were 118 smokers and 42 non-smokers, smokers were further divided to psychological counseling intervention group (68 cases) and control group (50 cases), non-smokers were also divided into psychological counseling intervention group (22 cases) and control group (20 cases).

[Efficacy of minimally invasive left ventricular epicardial lead placement for cardiac resynchronization therapy].

Objective: Ventricular resynchronization might be achieved via minimally invasive left ventricular epicardial lead placement.

Method: Six patients with congestive heart failure underwent minimally invasive left ventricular epicardial lead placement after failed coronary sinus cannulation were followed up for 1 year, cardiac function and LV lead threshold were evaluated.

Results: There were no in-hospital deaths, intraoperative complications and diaphragm stimulation.

[Electrophysiological characterization and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation of focal atrial tachycardia originating from the left atrial appendage].

Objective: To analyze the electrophysiological characteristics and efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) of focal atrial tachycardia (AT) originating from the left atrial appendage (LAA).

Methods: Electrophysiologic study and RFA were performed in 9 patients (4 female) with focal AT originating from the LAA. Atrial appendage angiography was performed to identify the origin of AT.