Interaction between ozone and paternal smoking on fetal congenital heart defects among pregnant women at high risk: a multicenter maternal-fetal medicine study.

Background: Evidence remains limited on the association between maternal ozone (O) exposure and congenital heart defects (CHDs) in offspring, and few studies have investigated the interaction and modification of paternal smoking on this association.

Methods: Using a sample including pregnant women at high risk of fetal CHD (with metabolic disease, first-trimester viral infection, family history of CHD, etc.) from a maternal-fetal medicine study covering 1313 referral hospitals in China during 2013-2021, we examined the associations between maternal O exposure during 3-8 weeks of gestational age and fetal CHD in offspring and investigated the interaction and modification of paternal smoking on this association.

Cardiac manifestations in a Chinese cohort of fetuses from mothers with anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies.

Objectives: To analyze the clinical characteristics, echocardiographic features, and prognosis of fetuses based on three groups of cardiac manifestations associated with maternal anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies in China. This study included three groups: the isolated-arrhythmia, isolated-endocardial fibroelastosis (EFE), and mixed groups.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated 36 fetuses with cardiac manifestations due to maternal anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies from our center between 2016 and 2020 in China.

Diagnosis of fetal total anomalous pulmonary venous connection based on the post-left atrium space ratio using artificial intelligence.

Objective: To explore whether the post-left atrium space (PLAS) ratio would be useful for prenatal diagnosis of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) using echocardiography and artificial intelligence.

Methods: We retrospectively included 642 frames of four-chamber views from 319 fetuses (32 with TAPVC and 287 without TAPVC) in end-systolic and end-diastolic periods with multiple apex directions. The average gestational age was 25.

Fetal atrial appendage aneurysm: Prenatal diagnosis by echocardiography and prognosis.

Background: Congenital atrial appendage aneurysm (AAA) is a rare malformation which can coexist with potentially lethal complications. We aimed to summary echocardiographic characteristics and prognosis of fetal AAA.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the echocardiographic data of 17 fetuses with AAA，and their outcomes or pathological reports were also collected.

Treatment and follow-up of fetuses that developed congenital heart block due to autoantibody in two cases.

Objective: Autoantibody-related congenital heart block (ACHB) is a passively acquired autoimmune disease. This study aimed to examine the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and treatment of ACHB.

Method: The clinical data of two fetuses with first-degree ACHB were retrospectively analyzed.

Prenatal diagnosis of Marfan syndrome by fetal echocardiography: A case report and review of cardiovascular manifestations.

Neonatal Marfan syndrome (nMFS), phenotypically and genotypically distinct from the classical syndrome, is rarely diagnosed prenatally, and the cardiovascular prognosis is poor. This case report described one fetus diagnosed with nMFS by fetal echocardiography. The main features were cardiomegaly, and atrioventricular valves prolapse with moderate regurgitation and dilated great vessels.

Association of peak atrial longitudinal strain with atrial fibrillation recurrence in patients with chronic lung diseases following radiofrequency ablation.

Background: Strain was shown associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after radiofrequency ablation (RFA), but data on AF patients complicated with chronic lung diseases (CLD) were rare.

Aim: This study was designed to evaluate the relationship of baseline atrial function with AF recurrence in these patients using speckle-tracking echocardiography.

Methods: Average strain values (median: 2 days before RFA) were calculated for 87 AF patients (Mean age: 61.

Prenatal diagnosis of Berry syndrome by fetal echocardiography: A report of four cases.

Berry syndrome is a rare congenital cardiac malformation. We describe 4 cases of Berry syndrome diagnosed by fetal echocardiography. Based on our experience, the three-vessel view is important for diagnosing the aortopulmonary window and aortic origin of the right pulmonary artery.

The effect of statins therapy in aortic stenosis: Meta-analysis comparison data of RCTs and observationals.

Aortic stenosis has been shown to share the same risk factors as atherosclerosis which suggested a potential benefit from statins therapy. Fourteen studies which provided the effect of statins treatment on aortic stenosis (AS) were meta-analyzed, including 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 9 observational studies. In the RCTs, statins did not have any influence on peak aortic valve velocity, peak valve gradient, mean valve gradient, aortic valve area and aortic calcification compared to controls.

Intramyocardial Dissecting Hematoma after Acute Myocardial Infarction-Echocardiographic Features and Clinical Outcome.

Objectives: Intramyocardial dissecting hematoma (IDH) after acute myocardial infarction (MI) is a rare form of subacute cardiac rupture and hence management uncertainties. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical course of a small series of IDH patients and to review the available evidence for managing similar cases.

Methods: Eight IDH patients from our center had echocardiographic, coronary angiographic and clinical outcome data reviewed.

The effect of statins on valve function and calcification in aortic stenosis: A meta-analysis.

Background: Aortic calcification has been shown to share the same risk factors as atherosclerosis which suggested a potential benefit from statins therapy. In view of the existing conflicting results, we aimed to provide objective evidence on the effect of statins in aortic stenosis (AS).

Methods And Results: A meta-analysis of eligible studies that used statins in AS was performed.

Analysis of Renal Artery Stenosis in Patients with Heart Failure: A RASHEF Study.

Background: Previous data are controversial about the association of renal artery stenosis (RAS) with clinical outcome in patients with heart failure. Definition of RAS in previous studies might not be appropriate. By definition of RAS with renal duplex sonography, we investigated the association of RAS with clinical outcome in patients with heart failure.

Analysis of etiology, chromosome and prognosis for small left heart system development in 69 fetuses.

Objective: To provide a basis for evaluating the prognosis of small left heart system development in fetuses, we analyzed its related factors.

Methods: The fetal echocardiogram was performed in 3859 pregnant women, and then small left heart system development was identified in 69 fetuses. The data of prenatal and postnatal echocardiograms, postnatal cardiac surgical treatment, chromosome and autopsy after induced labor were analyzed in the 69 fetuses.

Right atrial cardiac rhabdomyoma with premature foramen ovale restriction: A case report.

Fetal cardiac rhabdomyoma is the most common cardiac tumor in fetuses. However, this benign tumor can cause hemodynamic repercussions and intrauterine fetal mortality. The present study reports a case of rare fetal cardiac rhabdomyoma located in the right atrium, accompanied by premature restriction of the foramen ovale and moderate pericardial effusion, as determined by tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI).

Utility of echocardiographic tissue synchronization imaging to redirect left ventricular epicardial lead placement for cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with biventricular pacing has demonstrated cardiac function improvement for treating congestive heart failure (HF). It has been documented that the placement of the left ventricular lead at the longest contraction delay segment has the optimal CRT benefit. This study described follow-up to surgical techniques for CRT as a viable alternative for patients with heart failure.

Premature closure or restriction of the foramen ovale: prenatal diagnosis by directional enhanced flow imaging.

Premature closure or restriction of the foramen ovale may occur at any time during pregnancy and may be due to various causes. We describe 2 patients with premature closure or restriction of the foramen ovale during the third trimester. In both patients the foramen ovale was detected by directional enhanced flow imaging technology (DeFLOW; Hitachi-Aloka Medical, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan), a novel method of imaging blood flow dynamics.

Diagnostic value of an ROC curve of the size of the antepartum foramen ovale in the prediction of puerperal atrial septal defect.

The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of an ROC curve of the antepartum foramen ovale (AFO) size and the ratio of FO size to aorta (AO) size (FO/AO) for the prediction of puerperal atrial septal defect in different gestational weeks (DGWs). A total of 958 cases were divided into five groups according to number of gestational weeks. Comparisons of FO size, AO size and FO/AO were determined by variance analysis.

Parachute mitral valve accompanied by bicuspid aortic valve on three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.

We report the findings of three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in a patient with a parachute mitral valve (MV) accompanied by aortic valve (AV) malformation. The results indicated an enhanced echo in MV anterior leaves, incrassate, and shortened subvalvular chordae tendineae, and posteromedial papillary muscle that had echo reinforcement, calcification, retroposition, and a significant decrease compared with anterolateral papillary muscle. In addition, the anterolateral papillary muscle was huge, with the bilateral papillary muscles fused partly, and the posterior subvalvular chordae tendineae incrassate, shortened, and attached parachute-like to the anterolateral papillary muscle.

[Long-term results of surgical repair of ruptured sinus of aortic sinus aneurysm].

Objective: To summarize the clinic characteristics and effect of surgical repair of ruptured aortic sinus aneurysm.

Methods: From September 1997 to September 2007, 43 patients with ruptured aortic sinus aneurysm underwent surgical procedures. There were 32 male and 11 female patients.

[Expression of allergen Bla g 2 from Blattella germanica in Pichia pastoris].

Objective: To express the major allergen of Blattella germanica (Bla g 2) in Pichia pastoris and obtain the soluble protein.

Methods: The known Bla g 2 gene was used to design the primers which had the restriction enzyme sites. PCR method was applied to obtain the Bla g 2 gene.