Background:T-wave alternans(TWA)is a risk factor of ventricular arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death(SCD)in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.Nevertheless,the relationship between TWA and adverse cardiac events(ACE...Background:T-wave alternans(TWA)is a risk factor of ventricular arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death(SCD)in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.Nevertheless,the relationship between TWA and adverse cardiac events(ACE)in patients with congenital long QT syndrome(LQT)remains controversial.Methods:A systematic electronic search of PubMed,Embase and the Cochrane Library was conducted from database inception dates to 28 April 2021 and assessed the relationship between TWA and ACE in patients with LQTS.Sub-group analysis evaluated the association between microvolt TWA(MTWA)and ACE in different monitoring models and ECGlead numbers.Results:A pooled analysis of seven studies of 625 patients with LQTS showed that TWA was significantly associated with ACE(OR 3.16,95%CI 1.86–5.37,P<0.001).Advanced analysis showed that macroscopic TWA was significantly related to ACE(OR 6.01,95%CI 2.96–12.21,P<0.001),while MTWA did not(OR 0.92,95%CI 0.37–2.30,P=0.85).Sub-group analysis showed that MTWA recorded in 24 h continuous ECG(OR 6.79,95%CI 0.80–57.75,P=0.08)might have a stronger association with ACE than recorded in stress ECG(OR 0.28,95%CI 0.07–1.10,P=0.07).No difference was observed between MTWA measured in multi-lead ECG and limited ECG leads(P=0.15).Conclusions:Macroscopic TWA was significantly related to ACE in patients with LQTS.In terms of MTWA,MTWA recorded in 24 h continuous ECG might have a stronger association with ACE than stress ECG,but still deserves further evaluation.展开更多
T-wave alternans(TWA)refers to the periodic beat-to-beat variation in the amplitude of T-wave in the electrocardiogram(ECG)signal in an ABAB-pattern.TWA has been proven to be a very important indicator of malignant ar...T-wave alternans(TWA)refers to the periodic beat-to-beat variation in the amplitude of T-wave in the electrocardiogram(ECG)signal in an ABAB-pattern.TWA has been proven to be a very important indicator of malignant arrhythmia risk stratification.A new method to detect TWA by combining fractional Fourier transform(FRFT)and tensor decomposition is proposed.First,the T-wave vector is extracted from the ECG of each heartbeat,and its FRFT amplitudes at multiple orders are arranged to form a T-wave matrix.Then,a third-order tensor is composed of T-wave matrices of several consecutive heart beats.After tensor decomposition,projection matrices are obtained in three dimensions.The complexity of the projection matrix is measured by Shannon entropy to obtain feature vector to detect the presence of TWA.Results show that the sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of the algorithm on the MIT-BIH database are 91.16%,94.25%,and 92.68%,respectively.This method effectively utilizes the fractional domain information of ECG,and shows the promising potential of the FRFT in ECG signal processing.展开更多
T-wave alternans (TWA), consisting in an alternation of the electrocardiographic (ECG) repolarization segment (T-wave), is a promising index of the risk of sudden cardiac death. By definition, it is characterized by a...T-wave alternans (TWA), consisting in an alternation of the electrocardiographic (ECG) repolarization segment (T-wave), is a promising index of the risk of sudden cardiac death. By definition, it is characterized by a frequency component, termed fTWA, that matches half heart rate. The heart-rate adaptive match filter (AMF) based method is a technique for automatic TWA identification from the digital ECG. Aim of the present study was to provide a complete technical description of the filter able to explain its methodological principles. The AMF is usually realized as a 6th order Butterworth filter with a narrow (0.12 Hz) passing band centered in fTWA. It is applied in a bidirectional fashion, so that final filtering order is 12. While extracting the TWA component, the AMF simultaneously filters out every ECG component including noise and artefacts, and thus results are very robust. Goodness of the technique was tested using 8 synthetic ECG tracings corrupted by typical noisy factors, such as white random noise, baseline wanderings, heart-rate variability, and others. Six ECG tracings were affected by 100 μV TWA, whereas two were not. Results indicate that the AMF-based method is able to prevent false-positive and false-negative detections and, thus, represents a useful tool for a reliable TWA identification.展开更多
Presently T-wave alternans (TWA) has become a clinical index of non-invasive diagnosis for heart sudden death prediction, and detecting T-wave alternate accurately is particularly important. This paper introduces an a...Presently T-wave alternans (TWA) has become a clinical index of non-invasive diagnosis for heart sudden death prediction, and detecting T-wave alternate accurately is particularly important. This paper introduces an algorithm for detecting TWA using Poincare mapping method which is a technique for nonlinear dynamic systems to display periodic behavior. Sample series of beat to beat cycles were selected to prepare Poincare mapping method. Vector Angle Index (VAI), which is the mean of the difference between θi (the angle between the line connecting the i point to the origin and the X axis) and 45 degrees was used to present the presence or absence of TWA. The value of 0.9 rad ≤ VAI ≤ 1.03 rad is accepted as a level determinative for presence of TWA. VAI via Poincare mapping method (PM) is used for correlation analysis with T-wave alternans voltage (Vtwa) by way of the spectral method (SM). The cross-correlation coefficient between Vtwa and VAI is γ = 0.8601. The algorithm can identify the absence and presence of TWA accurately and provide idea for further study of TWA-PM.展开更多
Objective: To explore the application value of electrocardiograph (ECG) T-wave Alternans (TWA) anomaly in acute stage of intracerebral hemorrhage patients. Methods: We choose 1175 intracerebral hemorrhage patients who...Objective: To explore the application value of electrocardiograph (ECG) T-wave Alternans (TWA) anomaly in acute stage of intracerebral hemorrhage patients. Methods: We choose 1175 intracerebral hemorrhage patients whose conventional 12-lead ECG has TWA in our hospital from January 2011 to December 2015, 751 patients without TWA in the same period as the control group, compared the volume of intracerebral hemorrhage, bleeding site and mortality between the 2 groups. Results: In TWA group, 247 cases died, 361 cases with massive intracerebral hemorrhage, 298 cases with brain stem hemorrhage;in TWA negative group (control group), 41 cases died, 93 cases with massive brain hemorrhage, 64 cases with brain stem hemorrhage. There are statistical differences between two groups (P Conclusion: The occurrence of TWA is significantly related to the volume of bleeding, the bleeding site and mortality, and can be used as an important parameter in the prognosis of intracerebral hemorrhage.展开更多
T-wave alternans （TWA） in surface electrocardiograph （ECG） signal is considered a marker of abnormal ventricular function which may be associated with ventricular tachy- cardia. Several methods have been developed...T-wave alternans （TWA） in surface electrocardiograph （ECG） signal is considered a marker of abnormal ventricular function which may be associated with ventricular tachy- cardia. Several methods have been developed in recent years to evaluate the important feature. One such method is known as modified moving average （MMA） analysis, which performs well for different levels of TWA, but it is sensitive to the noise in T-waves. In this paper we propose an improved MMA algorithm, which adds a stage of T-wave curve fitting for the MMA method before intermediate averaging. The curve fitting is performed by means of least square method technique. Our assessment study demon- strates the improved performance.展开更多
Background: The long-term predicted value of microvolt T-wave alternans (MTWA) for ventricular tachyarrhythmia in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) remains unclear. Our study explore...Background: The long-term predicted value of microvolt T-wave alternans (MTWA) for ventricular tachyarrhythmia in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) remains unclear. Our study explored the characteristics of MTWA and its prognostic value when combined with an electrophysiologic study (EPS) in patients with ARVC. Methods: All patients underwent non-invasive MTWA examination with modified moving average (MMA) analysis and an EPS. A positive event was defined as the first occurrence of sudden cardiac death, documented sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation, or the administration of appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy including shock or antitachycardia pacing. Results: Thirty-five patients with ARVC (age 38.6 ± 11.0 years;28 males) with preserved left ventricular (LV) function were recruited. The maximal TWA value (MaxValt) was 17.0 (11.0–27.0)μV. Sustained VT was induced in 22 patients by the EPS. During a median follow-up of 99.9 ± 7.7 months, 15 patients had positive clinical events. When inducible VT was combined with the MaxValt, the area under the curve improved from 0.739 to 0.797. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that a MaxValt of 23.5 μV was the optimal cutoff value to identify positive events. The multivariate Cox regression model for survival showed that MTWA (MaxValt, hazard ratio [HR], 1.06;95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.11;P = 0.01) and inducible VT (HR, 5.98;95% CI, 1.33–26.8;P = 0.01) independently predicted positive events in patients with ARVC. Conclusions: MTWA assessment with MMA analysis complemented by an EPS might provide improved prognostic ability in patients with ARVC with preserved LV function during long-term follow-up.展开更多
T-wave alternans, a specific form of cardiac alternans, has been associated with the increased suscep- tibility to cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death （SCD）. Plenty of evidence has related cardiac alternans...T-wave alternans, a specific form of cardiac alternans, has been associated with the increased suscep- tibility to cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death （SCD）. Plenty of evidence has related cardiac alternans at the tissue level to the instability of voltage kinetics or Ca^2＋ handling dynamics at the cellular level. However, to date, none of the existing experiments could identify the exact cellular mechanism of cardiac alternans due to the bi-directional coupling between voltage kinetics and Ca^2＋ handling dynamics. Either of these systems could be the origin of alternans and the other follows as a secondary change, therefore making the cellular mechanism of alternans a difficult chicken or egg problem. In this context, theoretical analysis combined with experimental techniques provides a possibility to explore this problem. In this review, we will summarize the experimental and theoretical advances in understanding the cellular mechanism of alternans. We focus on the roles of action potential duration （APD） restitution and Ca^2＋ handling dynamics in the genesis of alternans and show how the theoretical analysis combined with experimental techniques has provided us a new insight into the cellular mechanism of alternans. We also discuss the possible reasons of increased propensity for alternans in heart failure （HF） and the new possible therapeutic targets. Finally, according to the level of electrophysiological recording techniques and theoretical strategies, we list some critical experimental or theoretical challenges which may help to determine the origin of alternans and to find more effective therapeutic tar- gets in the future.展开更多
Pulsus alternans is characterized by regular rhythm with beat-to-beat alternation of systolic pressures. Left ventricular alternans is usually found in severe left ventricular dysfunction due to cardiomyopathy, corona...Pulsus alternans is characterized by regular rhythm with beat-to-beat alternation of systolic pressures. Left ventricular alternans is usually found in severe left ventricular dysfunction due to cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, systemic hypertension, and aortic stenosis. Right ventricular alternans is usually associated with left ventricular alternans, right ventricular dysfunction, pulmonary embolism, and pulmonary hypertension. Biventricular alternans is rare and associated with severe left ventricular dysfunction and left anterior descending coronary artery disease. The exact mechanism of pulsus alternans has not been clearly delineated, and it has been remained a subject of investigation and conjecture since the nineteenth century. Two fundamental mechanisms have been proposed to explain ventricular alteration. The first, based on the Frank-Starling mechanism, proposes beat-to-beat alteration in end-diastolic volume accounted for the alternating contractile force. The second proposed mechanism which explains the physiology of pulsus alternans involves the abnormal calcium handling by cardiac myocytes. To the best of our knowledge, biventricular alternans in pulmonaryembolism has not been previously reported in the medical literature. We present and discuss the mechanisms of pulsus alternans and its clinical implications.展开更多
Objectives: There is a high rate of sudden death in epilepsy patients, part of which is sudden cardiac death. By investigating ECG T wave alternans and Q-T dispersion changes of epilepsy patients, we may predict the p...Objectives: There is a high rate of sudden death in epilepsy patients, part of which is sudden cardiac death. By investigating ECG T wave alternans and Q-T dispersion changes of epilepsy patients, we may predict the possibility of the occurrence of sudden death and provide basis for clinical prevention. Methods: Selecting 587 cases of epilepsy patients as the study group, 672 same period cases of healthy persons as the control group;Analyzing the effect of epilepsy on ECG T wave alternans and Q-T dispersion with the standard 12 lead ECG. Results: The study group had a significantly prolonged Q-T dispersion and an increased incidence of T wave alternans than that of the control group;Compared with other seizure types, tonic clonic seizure and absence seizure had a significantly prolonged Q-T dispersion and an increased occurrence rate of T wave alternans. Conclusions: Epilepsy patients ECG T wave alternans and Q-T dispersion has higher abnormal rate, and are prone to sudden cardiac death;Routine ECG(RECG) T wave alternans and Q-T dispersion changes can provide guidance for clinical prevention of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).展开更多
AIM: To describe the electrocardiographic(ECG) phenomena characterized by T-wave inversion in the precordial leads in adults and to highlight its differential diagnosis. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 8 adul...AIM: To describe the electrocardiographic(ECG) phenomena characterized by T-wave inversion in the precordial leads in adults and to highlight its differential diagnosis. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 8 adult patients who were admitted with ECG T-wave inversion in the anterior chest leads with or without prolongation of corrected QT(QTc) interval. They had different clinical conditions. Each patient underwent appropriate clinical assessment including investigation for myocardial involvement. Single and multimodality noninvasive, semi-invasive and invasive diagnostic approach were used to ascertain the diagnosis. The diagnostic assessment included biochemical investigation, cardiac and abdominal ultrasound, cerebral and chest computed tomography, nuclear medicine and coronary angiography.RESULTS: Eight adult subjects(5 females) with a mean age of 66 years(range 51 to 82) are analyzed. The etiology of T-wave inversion in the precordial leads were diverse. On admission, all patients had normal blood pressure and the ECG showed sinus rhythm. Five patients showed marked prolongation of the QTc interval. The longest QTc interval(639 ms) was found in the patient with pheochromocytoma. Giant T-wave inversion(≥ 10 mm) was found in pheochromocytoma followed by electroconvulsive therapy and finally ischemic heart disease. The deepest T-wave was measured in lead V3(5 ×). In 3 patients presented with mild T-wave inversion(patients 1, 5 and 4 mm), the QTc interval was not prolonged(432, 409 and 424 msec), respectively.CONCLUSION: T-wave inversion associated with or without QTc prolongation requires meticulous history taking, physical examination and tailored diagnostic modalities to reach rapid and correct diagnosis to establish appropriate therapeutic intervention.展开更多
Several cardiac outcomes have been reported with West Nile-encephalitis;however, the underlying pathophysiology remains complex. We present a 42-year-old female, with multiple sclerosis, whose neurological symptoms an...Several cardiac outcomes have been reported with West Nile-encephalitis;however, the underlying pathophysiology remains complex. We present a 42-year-old female, with multiple sclerosis, whose neurological symptoms and respiratory decline were finally explained by the diagnosis of West Nile-encephalitis. During her admission, the isolated peaked T-waves indicated the underlying stress-induced cardiomyopathy. The absence of all other causes of hyperacute T-waves, their subsequent resolution with the resolution of infection and improvement in wall motion abnormalities, further supported the association. This case highlights the importance of considering hyperacute T-waves in an approach towards the diagnosis of WNV-encephalitis related atypical variant of stress-induced cardiomyopathy.展开更多
基金This work was supported by Beijing Municipal Science&Technology Commission(No.Z191100006619007)Beijing Municipal Administration of Hospitals’Ascent Plan(DFL20190902)of Professor Ping Zhang.
文摘Background:T-wave alternans(TWA)is a risk factor of ventricular arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death(SCD)in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.Nevertheless,the relationship between TWA and adverse cardiac events(ACE)in patients with congenital long QT syndrome(LQT)remains controversial.Methods:A systematic electronic search of PubMed,Embase and the Cochrane Library was conducted from database inception dates to 28 April 2021 and assessed the relationship between TWA and ACE in patients with LQTS.Sub-group analysis evaluated the association between microvolt TWA(MTWA)and ACE in different monitoring models and ECGlead numbers.Results:A pooled analysis of seven studies of 625 patients with LQTS showed that TWA was significantly associated with ACE(OR 3.16,95%CI 1.86–5.37,P<0.001).Advanced analysis showed that macroscopic TWA was significantly related to ACE(OR 6.01,95%CI 2.96–12.21,P<0.001),while MTWA did not(OR 0.92,95%CI 0.37–2.30,P=0.85).Sub-group analysis showed that MTWA recorded in 24 h continuous ECG(OR 6.79,95%CI 0.80–57.75,P=0.08)might have a stronger association with ACE than recorded in stress ECG(OR 0.28,95%CI 0.07–1.10,P=0.07).No difference was observed between MTWA measured in multi-lead ECG and limited ECG leads(P=0.15).Conclusions:Macroscopic TWA was significantly related to ACE in patients with LQTS.In terms of MTWA,MTWA recorded in 24 h continuous ECG might have a stronger association with ACE than stress ECG,but still deserves further evaluation.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Found-ation of China(No.61701028).
文摘T-wave alternans(TWA)refers to the periodic beat-to-beat variation in the amplitude of T-wave in the electrocardiogram(ECG)signal in an ABAB-pattern.TWA has been proven to be a very important indicator of malignant arrhythmia risk stratification.A new method to detect TWA by combining fractional Fourier transform(FRFT)and tensor decomposition is proposed.First,the T-wave vector is extracted from the ECG of each heartbeat,and its FRFT amplitudes at multiple orders are arranged to form a T-wave matrix.Then,a third-order tensor is composed of T-wave matrices of several consecutive heart beats.After tensor decomposition,projection matrices are obtained in three dimensions.The complexity of the projection matrix is measured by Shannon entropy to obtain feature vector to detect the presence of TWA.Results show that the sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of the algorithm on the MIT-BIH database are 91.16%,94.25%,and 92.68%,respectively.This method effectively utilizes the fractional domain information of ECG,and shows the promising potential of the FRFT in ECG signal processing.
文摘T-wave alternans (TWA), consisting in an alternation of the electrocardiographic (ECG) repolarization segment (T-wave), is a promising index of the risk of sudden cardiac death. By definition, it is characterized by a frequency component, termed fTWA, that matches half heart rate. The heart-rate adaptive match filter (AMF) based method is a technique for automatic TWA identification from the digital ECG. Aim of the present study was to provide a complete technical description of the filter able to explain its methodological principles. The AMF is usually realized as a 6th order Butterworth filter with a narrow (0.12 Hz) passing band centered in fTWA. It is applied in a bidirectional fashion, so that final filtering order is 12. While extracting the TWA component, the AMF simultaneously filters out every ECG component including noise and artefacts, and thus results are very robust. Goodness of the technique was tested using 8 synthetic ECG tracings corrupted by typical noisy factors, such as white random noise, baseline wanderings, heart-rate variability, and others. Six ECG tracings were affected by 100 μV TWA, whereas two were not. Results indicate that the AMF-based method is able to prevent false-positive and false-negative detections and, thus, represents a useful tool for a reliable TWA identification.
文摘Presently T-wave alternans (TWA) has become a clinical index of non-invasive diagnosis for heart sudden death prediction, and detecting T-wave alternate accurately is particularly important. This paper introduces an algorithm for detecting TWA using Poincare mapping method which is a technique for nonlinear dynamic systems to display periodic behavior. Sample series of beat to beat cycles were selected to prepare Poincare mapping method. Vector Angle Index (VAI), which is the mean of the difference between θi (the angle between the line connecting the i point to the origin and the X axis) and 45 degrees was used to present the presence or absence of TWA. The value of 0.9 rad ≤ VAI ≤ 1.03 rad is accepted as a level determinative for presence of TWA. VAI via Poincare mapping method (PM) is used for correlation analysis with T-wave alternans voltage (Vtwa) by way of the spectral method (SM). The cross-correlation coefficient between Vtwa and VAI is γ = 0.8601. The algorithm can identify the absence and presence of TWA accurately and provide idea for further study of TWA-PM.
文摘Objective: To explore the application value of electrocardiograph (ECG) T-wave Alternans (TWA) anomaly in acute stage of intracerebral hemorrhage patients. Methods: We choose 1175 intracerebral hemorrhage patients whose conventional 12-lead ECG has TWA in our hospital from January 2011 to December 2015, 751 patients without TWA in the same period as the control group, compared the volume of intracerebral hemorrhage, bleeding site and mortality between the 2 groups. Results: In TWA group, 247 cases died, 361 cases with massive intracerebral hemorrhage, 298 cases with brain stem hemorrhage;in TWA negative group (control group), 41 cases died, 93 cases with massive brain hemorrhage, 64 cases with brain stem hemorrhage. There are statistical differences between two groups (P Conclusion: The occurrence of TWA is significantly related to the volume of bleeding, the bleeding site and mortality, and can be used as an important parameter in the prognosis of intracerebral hemorrhage.
文摘T-wave alternans （TWA） in surface electrocardiograph （ECG） signal is considered a marker of abnormal ventricular function which may be associated with ventricular tachy- cardia. Several methods have been developed in recent years to evaluate the important feature. One such method is known as modified moving average （MMA） analysis, which performs well for different levels of TWA, but it is sensitive to the noise in T-waves. In this paper we propose an improved MMA algorithm, which adds a stage of T-wave curve fitting for the MMA method before intermediate averaging. The curve fitting is performed by means of least square method technique. Our assessment study demon- strates the improved performance.
基金This research was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81470457)the Frontier Technology of Jiangsu Provincial Science and Technology Department (No. BE2016764).
文摘Background: The long-term predicted value of microvolt T-wave alternans (MTWA) for ventricular tachyarrhythmia in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) remains unclear. Our study explored the characteristics of MTWA and its prognostic value when combined with an electrophysiologic study (EPS) in patients with ARVC. Methods: All patients underwent non-invasive MTWA examination with modified moving average (MMA) analysis and an EPS. A positive event was defined as the first occurrence of sudden cardiac death, documented sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation, or the administration of appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy including shock or antitachycardia pacing. Results: Thirty-five patients with ARVC (age 38.6 ± 11.0 years;28 males) with preserved left ventricular (LV) function were recruited. The maximal TWA value (MaxValt) was 17.0 (11.0–27.0)μV. Sustained VT was induced in 22 patients by the EPS. During a median follow-up of 99.9 ± 7.7 months, 15 patients had positive clinical events. When inducible VT was combined with the MaxValt, the area under the curve improved from 0.739 to 0.797. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that a MaxValt of 23.5 μV was the optimal cutoff value to identify positive events. The multivariate Cox regression model for survival showed that MTWA (MaxValt, hazard ratio [HR], 1.06;95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.11;P = 0.01) and inducible VT (HR, 5.98;95% CI, 1.33–26.8;P = 0.01) independently predicted positive events in patients with ARVC. Conclusions: MTWA assessment with MMA analysis complemented by an EPS might provide improved prognostic ability in patients with ARVC with preserved LV function during long-term follow-up.
基金Project supported by the National Basic Research Program （973） of China （No. 2007CB512100） and the National Natural Science Foun- dation of China （Nos. 81171421 and 61101046）
文摘T-wave alternans, a specific form of cardiac alternans, has been associated with the increased suscep- tibility to cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death （SCD）. Plenty of evidence has related cardiac alternans at the tissue level to the instability of voltage kinetics or Ca^2＋ handling dynamics at the cellular level. However, to date, none of the existing experiments could identify the exact cellular mechanism of cardiac alternans due to the bi-directional coupling between voltage kinetics and Ca^2＋ handling dynamics. Either of these systems could be the origin of alternans and the other follows as a secondary change, therefore making the cellular mechanism of alternans a difficult chicken or egg problem. In this context, theoretical analysis combined with experimental techniques provides a possibility to explore this problem. In this review, we will summarize the experimental and theoretical advances in understanding the cellular mechanism of alternans. We focus on the roles of action potential duration （APD） restitution and Ca^2＋ handling dynamics in the genesis of alternans and show how the theoretical analysis combined with experimental techniques has provided us a new insight into the cellular mechanism of alternans. We also discuss the possible reasons of increased propensity for alternans in heart failure （HF） and the new possible therapeutic targets. Finally, according to the level of electrophysiological recording techniques and theoretical strategies, we list some critical experimental or theoretical challenges which may help to determine the origin of alternans and to find more effective therapeutic tar- gets in the future.
文摘Pulsus alternans is characterized by regular rhythm with beat-to-beat alternation of systolic pressures. Left ventricular alternans is usually found in severe left ventricular dysfunction due to cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, systemic hypertension, and aortic stenosis. Right ventricular alternans is usually associated with left ventricular alternans, right ventricular dysfunction, pulmonary embolism, and pulmonary hypertension. Biventricular alternans is rare and associated with severe left ventricular dysfunction and left anterior descending coronary artery disease. The exact mechanism of pulsus alternans has not been clearly delineated, and it has been remained a subject of investigation and conjecture since the nineteenth century. Two fundamental mechanisms have been proposed to explain ventricular alteration. The first, based on the Frank-Starling mechanism, proposes beat-to-beat alteration in end-diastolic volume accounted for the alternating contractile force. The second proposed mechanism which explains the physiology of pulsus alternans involves the abnormal calcium handling by cardiac myocytes. To the best of our knowledge, biventricular alternans in pulmonaryembolism has not been previously reported in the medical literature. We present and discuss the mechanisms of pulsus alternans and its clinical implications.
文摘Objectives: There is a high rate of sudden death in epilepsy patients, part of which is sudden cardiac death. By investigating ECG T wave alternans and Q-T dispersion changes of epilepsy patients, we may predict the possibility of the occurrence of sudden death and provide basis for clinical prevention. Methods: Selecting 587 cases of epilepsy patients as the study group, 672 same period cases of healthy persons as the control group;Analyzing the effect of epilepsy on ECG T wave alternans and Q-T dispersion with the standard 12 lead ECG. Results: The study group had a significantly prolonged Q-T dispersion and an increased incidence of T wave alternans than that of the control group;Compared with other seizure types, tonic clonic seizure and absence seizure had a significantly prolonged Q-T dispersion and an increased occurrence rate of T wave alternans. Conclusions: Epilepsy patients ECG T wave alternans and Q-T dispersion has higher abnormal rate, and are prone to sudden cardiac death;Routine ECG(RECG) T wave alternans and Q-T dispersion changes can provide guidance for clinical prevention of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).
文摘AIM: To describe the electrocardiographic(ECG) phenomena characterized by T-wave inversion in the precordial leads in adults and to highlight its differential diagnosis. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 8 adult patients who were admitted with ECG T-wave inversion in the anterior chest leads with or without prolongation of corrected QT(QTc) interval. They had different clinical conditions. Each patient underwent appropriate clinical assessment including investigation for myocardial involvement. Single and multimodality noninvasive, semi-invasive and invasive diagnostic approach were used to ascertain the diagnosis. The diagnostic assessment included biochemical investigation, cardiac and abdominal ultrasound, cerebral and chest computed tomography, nuclear medicine and coronary angiography.RESULTS: Eight adult subjects(5 females) with a mean age of 66 years(range 51 to 82) are analyzed. The etiology of T-wave inversion in the precordial leads were diverse. On admission, all patients had normal blood pressure and the ECG showed sinus rhythm. Five patients showed marked prolongation of the QTc interval. The longest QTc interval(639 ms) was found in the patient with pheochromocytoma. Giant T-wave inversion(≥ 10 mm) was found in pheochromocytoma followed by electroconvulsive therapy and finally ischemic heart disease. The deepest T-wave was measured in lead V3(5 ×). In 3 patients presented with mild T-wave inversion(patients 1, 5 and 4 mm), the QTc interval was not prolonged(432, 409 and 424 msec), respectively.CONCLUSION: T-wave inversion associated with or without QTc prolongation requires meticulous history taking, physical examination and tailored diagnostic modalities to reach rapid and correct diagnosis to establish appropriate therapeutic intervention.
文摘Several cardiac outcomes have been reported with West Nile-encephalitis;however, the underlying pathophysiology remains complex. We present a 42-year-old female, with multiple sclerosis, whose neurological symptoms and respiratory decline were finally explained by the diagnosis of West Nile-encephalitis. During her admission, the isolated peaked T-waves indicated the underlying stress-induced cardiomyopathy. The absence of all other causes of hyperacute T-waves, their subsequent resolution with the resolution of infection and improvement in wall motion abnormalities, further supported the association. This case highlights the importance of considering hyperacute T-waves in an approach towards the diagnosis of WNV-encephalitis related atypical variant of stress-induced cardiomyopathy.
