[Value of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis].

Objective: To observe the clinical features and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) characteristics of patients with endomyocardial biopsy (EMB)-proven cardiac amyloidosis (CA).

Methods: EMB proven CA patients underwent CMR examination from September 2006 to December 2010 were included. The findings of clinical manifestation, electrocardiogram, echocardiography and CMR were analyzed.

Hemodynamic parameters obtained by transthoracic echocardiography and right heart catheterization: a comparative study in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Background: Hemodynamic evaluation is crucial for the management of patients with pulmonary hypertention. Clinicians often prefer a rapid and non-invasive method. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of transthoracic echocardiography for the measurements of hemodynamic parameters in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

[Clinico-pathological evaluation of restrictive cardiomyopathy].

Objective: restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is characterized by impairment of ventricular filling during diastole with preserved systolic function. The clinical and histopathological profile on endomyocardial biopsy of 25 consecutive patients with RCM was analyzed in this study.

Methods: twenty-five patients with diagnosis of RCM and underwent endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) were enrolled in the study.

[The clinico-pathological manifestation of cardiac involvement in eosinophilic diseases].

Objective: To investigate the clinical and pathological features of eosinophilic diseases with cardiac involvement.

Methods: We analyzed the clinical and cardiac pathological data of 7 patients with eosinophilic diseases with cardiac involvement under endomyocardial biopsy or autopsy.

Results: Seven patients (5 male, average age 51 years) were enrolled.

Importance of endomyocardial biopsy in unexplained cardiomyopathy in China: a report of 53 consecutive patients.

Background: Although endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) plays a crucial role in the final diagnosis in patients with heart failure of unknown etiology, the invasive nature of this technique limits its clinical application in China. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical application of EMB in diagnosing cardiomyopathy with unexplained etiologies in China.

Methods: Fifty-three consecutive patients (38 males, age 14 - 67 years, median 43 years) were included in the study who were initially diagnosed as unexplained cardiomyopathy and under EMB biopsy in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2006 to 2009.

Primary prevention of sudden cardiac death by implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy in Chinese patients with heart failure: a single-center experience.

Background: An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) has been suggested for heart failure patients for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. However, few data have been reported on the application of ICD as primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in China. We evaluated the value of primary prevention ICD therapy in Chinese patients with heart failure.

[Comparison of adenosine versus iloprost by acute vasodilator test in patients of pulmonary arterial hypertension complicated with connective tissue diseases].

Objective: To compare the acute hemodynamic effects of adenosine versus iloprost in patients of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) complicated with connective tissue diseases.

Methods: During right heart catheterization, 18 patients of PAH complicated with connective tissue diseases sequentially received intravenous infusion of adenosine and inhaled iloprost. After the baseline hemodynamic data were obtained, an adenosine infusion was started and titrated to the maximal tolerated dose.