Predictive value of plasma copeptin level for the risk and mortality of heart failure: a meta-analysis.

Epidemiologic studies are inconsistent regarding the association between plasma copeptin level and heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to determine whether high level of copeptin is correlated with incidence of HF and mortality in patients with HF. We searched PUBMED and EMBASE databases for studies conducted from 1966 through May 2016 to identify studies reporting hazard ratio (HR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between plasma copeptin level and HF.

Updating the evidence for the effect of radiofrequency catheter ablation on left atrial volume and function in patients with atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis.

Objectives: To systematically review the effects of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) on left atrial (LA) size, volumes and function in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Highwire, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the reference lists of retrieved reports in July 2012.

Setting: China.

Left ventricular rotation and torsion in patients with perimembranous ventricular septal defect.

Background: Assessment of left ventricular (LV) rotation has become an important approach for quantifying LV function. In this study, we sought to analyze LV rotation and twist using speckle tracking imaging (STI) in adult patients with isolated ventricular septal defects.

Methods: Using STI, the peak rotation and time to peak rotation of 6 segments in basal and apical short-axis were measured, respectively, in 32 patients with ventricular septal defect and 30 healthy subjects as controls.

Risk factors and outcomes of post-procedure heart blocks after transcatheter device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors and mid-term outcomes associated with post-procedure heart blocks (PPHBs) after transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect (pmVSD).

Background: The development of heart blocks remains a major challenge for transcatheter closure of pmVSD.

Methods: Transcatheter closure of pmVSD was carried out in 228 patients.

Evaluation of global and regional left ventricular systolic function in patients with frequent isolated premature ventricular complexes from the right ventricular outflow tract.

Background: Frequent premature ventricular complexes from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT-PVCs) are associated with left ventricular dysfunction. This study adopted two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging to evaluate global and regional left ventricular myocardial function in patients with frequent RVOT-PVCs.

Methods: This study included 30 patients with frequent RVOT-PVCs and 30 healthy subjects.

Late recurrent high degree atrioventricular block after percutaneous closure of a perimembranous ventricular septal defect.

High degree atrioventricular block (HDAVB) is a serious complication of transcatheter closure of a perimembranous ventricular septal defect (PMVSD). We report one patient who developed transient HDAVB seven days after transcathter closure of PMVSD and had recurrent HDAVB 42 months after the procedure.

Regulation of angiotensin-(1-7) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor by telmisartan and losartan in adriamycin-induced rat heart failure.

Aim: To investigate the possible effects of telmisartan and losartan on cardiac function in adriamycin (ADR)-induced heart failure in rats, and to explore the changes in plasma level of angiotensin-(1-7)[Ang-(1-7)] and myocardial expression of angiotensin II type 1/2 receptors (AT(1)R / AT(2)R) and Mas receptor caused by the two drugs.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control group, ADR-treated heart failure group (ADR-HF), telmisartan plus ADR-treated group (Tel+ADR) and losartan plus ADR-treated group (Los+ADR). ADR was administrated (2.

The upper limit of physiological cardiac hypertrophy in elite male and female athletes in China.

Physiological hypertrophy in response to physical training is important in the differentiation of physiological and pathological left ventricular hypertrophy. The goal of our study was to define the structural characteristics of the heart in Chinese athletes. Between June 2005 and August 2005, 339 (165 male, 174 female) elite Chinese athletes from 19 sports were profiled.

[Alpha-galactosidase A gene mutation in a Chinese family with Fabry disease mimicking clinical features of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].

Objective: To screen gene mutation in alpha-galactosidase A (alpha-Gal A) in a nonconsanguineous Chinese family with Fabry disease (FD) with clinical manifestations similar to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Methods: Mutation analysis was performed by using purified PCR products to direct sequence analysis on an ABI-377XL automated DNA sequencer. DNA analysis of alpha-Gal A gene and physical and clinical examinations were performed in a female proband and in her relatives (15 subjects in total).

[Value of metoprolol injection at dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography for detection of coronary artery disease].

Objective: To investigate the value of metoprolol injection at dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography (DASE) for detection of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: DASE was performed in 72 patients with suspected CAD. All the patients received rapid metoprolol injection immediately after getting peak heart rate at DASE (DASE-Meto) and were subjected to coronary angiography (CAG) within two weeks.