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AimTo identify the predictive role of the TyG index for the onset of pulmonary hypertension in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) treatment.MethodsWe performed this prospective cohort study among CAD patients who received PCI treatment in our center from July 2016 to October 2022. The baselines of echocardiography at both cross-sections and blood biomarkers. A coronary angiography operation was also performed. Within a median of 4.5 years of follow-up, the patients underwent echocardiography to measure their pulmonary hypertension (PH).ResultsBaseline BNP was statistically higher in the PH patients (p = 0.007). The baseline myoglobin (MYO), was significantly higher among PH patients (p < 0.001). Though the glucose level showed no difference between PH and non-PH groups, the HDL-C was in a lower level in the PH group (p = 0.033). However, TyG index showed no differences between PH and non-PH groups [6.95 (6.47-7.36) vs. 7.15 (6.49-7.96), p = 0.202]. In the univariate regression, cerebral infarction history, right atria end-diastolic internal diameter, MYO, triglyceride, HDL-C and TyG index (p < 0.05) were potential predictors for PH. Finally, the adjusted logistic regression indicated that cerebral infarction history (p = 0.39), MYO (p = 0.044) and TyG index (p = 0.048) were independent predictors of the onset of PH.ConclusionPH is prevalent in CAD patients after PCI treatment. The baseline TyG index, cerebral infarction history, and MYO level were independent predictors for PH in CAD patients after PCI treatment.

Yuan, Fangzhengyuan, Zhexue Qin, Chuan Liu, Shiyong Yu, Jie Yang, Jun Jin, Shizhu Bian, Xubin Gao, Jihang Zhang, Chen Zhang, Mingdong Hu, Jingbin Ke, Yuanqi Yang, Jingdu Tian, Chunyan He, Wenzhu Gu, Chun Li, Rongsheng Rao, and Lan Huang. Echocardiographic right ventricular outflow track notch formation and the incidence of acute mountain sickness.

High altitude (HA) exposure has been considered as a cardiac stress and might impair ventricular diastolic function. Atrial contraction is involved in ventricular passive filling, however the atrial performance to HA exposure is poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of short-term HA exposure on bi-atrial function. Physiological and 2D-echocardiographic data were collected in 82 healthy men at sea level (SL, 400 m) and 4100 m after an ascent within 7 days. Atrial function was measured using volumetric and speckle-tracking analyses during reservoir, conduit and contractile phases of cardiac cycle. Following HA exposure, significant decreases of reservoir and conduit function indexes were observed in bi-atria, whereas decreases of contractile function indexes were observed in right atrium (RA), estimated via RA active emptying fraction (SL 41.7 ± 13.9% vs. HA 35.4 ± 12.2%, p = 0.001), strain during the contractile phase [SL 13.5 (11.4, 17.8) % vs. HA 12.3 (9.3, 15.9) %, p = 0.003], and peak strain rate during the contractile phase [SL − 1.76 (− 2.24, − 1.48) s−1 vs. HA − 1.57 (− 2.01, − 1.23) s−1, p = 0.002], but not in left atrium (LA). In conclusion, short-term HA exposure of healthy individuals impairs bi-atrial performance, mostly observed in RA. Especially, atrial contractile function decreases in RA rather than LA, which seems not to compensate for decreased ventricular filling after HA exposure. Our findings may provide a novel evidence for right-sided heart dysfunction to HA exposure. Supplementary Information The online version of this article (10.1007/s10554-021-02173-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

IntroductionPulmonary artery pressure (PAP) is increased and right ventricular (RV) function is well preserved in healthy subjects upon exposure to high altitude (HA). An increase in PAP may trigger notching of the right ventricular outflow tract Doppler flow velocity envelope (RVOT notch), which is associated with impaired RV function in patients with pulmonary hypertension. However, whether HA exposure can induce RVOT notch formation and the subsequent impact on cardiac function in healthy subjects remains unclear.MethodsA total of 99 subjects (69 males and 30 females) with a median age of 25 years were enrolled in this study; they traveled from 500 to 4100 m by bus over a 2-day period. All subjects underwent a comprehensive physiological and echocardiographic examination 1 day before ascension at low altitude and 15 ± 3 h after arrival at HA. The RVOT notch was determined by the presence of a notched shape in the RVOT Doppler flow velocity envelope. The systolic PAP (SPAP) was calculated as Bernoulli equation SPAP = 4 × (maximum tricuspid regurgitation velocity)2+5 and mean PAP (mPAP) = 0.61 × SPAP+2. Cardiac output was calculated as stroke volume × heart rate. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) was calculated as 1.9+1.24 × mitral E/e’. Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was calculated as (mPAP-PCWP)/CO.ResultsAfter HA exposure, 20 (20.2%) subjects had an RVOT notch [notch (+)], and 79 (79.8%) subjects did not have an RVOT notch [notch (−)]. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the SPAP, right ventricular global longitude strain (RV GLS), and tricuspid E/A were independently associated with the RVOT notch. The SPAP, mPAP, PVR, standard deviations of the times to peak systolic strain in the four mid-basal RV segments (RVSD4), peak velocity of the isovolumic contraction period (ICV), and the peak systolic velocity (s’) at the mitral/tricuspid annulus were increased in all subjects. Conversely, the pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2), RV GLS, and tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)/SPAP were decreased. However, the increases of SPAP, mPAP, PVR, and RVSD4 and the decreases of SpO2, RV GLS, and TAPSE/SPAP were more pronounced in the notch (+) group than in the notch (−) group. Additionally, increased tricuspid ICV and mitral/tricuspid s’ were found only in the notch (−) group.ConclusionHA exposure-induced RVOT notch formation is associated with impaired RV function, including no increase in the tricuspid ICV or s’, reduction of RV deformation, deterioration in RV-pulmonary artery coupling, and RV intraventricular synchrony.

Background High altitude exposure induces overload of right-sided heart and may further predispose to supraventricular arrhythmia. It has been reported that atrial mechanical dyssynchrony is associated with atrial arrhythmia. Whether high altitude exposure causes higher right atrial (RA) dyssynchrony is still unknown. The aim of study was to investigate the effect of high altitude exposure on right atrial mechanical synchrony. Methods In this study, 98 healthy young men underwent clinical examination and echocardiography at sea level (400 m) and high altitude (4100 m) after an ascent within 7 days. RA dyssynchrony was defined as inhomogeneous timing to peak strain and strain rate using 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography. Results Following high altitude exposure, standard deviation of the time to peak strain (SD-TPS) [36.2 (24.5, 48.6) ms vs. 21.7 (12.9, 32.1) ms, p Conclusion Our data for the first time demonstrated that high altitude exposure causes RA dyssynchrony in healthy young men, which may be secondary to increased pulmonary arterial pressure. In addition, subjects with higher RA dyssynchrony presented worse RA contractile function and right ventricular performance.

Background. The aims of this study were to explore the characteristics of left ventricular (LV) functional changes in subjects with or without acute mountain sickness (AMS) and their associations with AMS incidence. Methods. A total of 589 healthy men were enrolled and took a trip from Chengdu (500 m, above sea level (asl)) to Lhasa (3700 m, asl) by airplane. Basic characteristics, physiological data, and echocardiographic parameters were collected both at Chengdu and Lhasa, respectively. AMS was identified by the Lake Louise Questionnaire Score. Results. The oxygen saturation (SpO2), end-systolic volume index, end-diastolic volume index (EDVi), stroke volume index (SVi), E-wave velocity, and E/A ratio were decreased, whereas the heart rate (HR), ejection fraction, cardiac index (CI), and A-wave velocity were increased at the third day after arrival, as evaluated by an oximeter and echocardiography. However, AMS patients showed higher HR and lower EDVi, SVi, CI, E-wave velocity, and E/A ratio than AMS-free subjects. Among them, SVi, which is mainly correlated with the changes of EDVi and altered LV filling pattern, was the most valuable factor associated with AMS incidence following receiver-operator characteristic curves and linear and Poisson regression. Compared with subjects in the highest SVi tertile, subjects in the middle SVi tertile showed higher multivariable Incidence Rate Ratios (IRR) for AMS with higher incidences of mild headache and gastrointestinal symptoms, whereas subjects in the lowest SVi tertile showed even higher multivariable IRR with higher incidences of all the symptoms. Conclusions. This relatively large-scale case-control study revealed that the reduction of SVi correlated with the altered LV filling pattern was associated with the incidence and clinical severity of AMS.

Background. Approximately 20–40% of recipients of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) do not respond to it based on the current patient selection criteria. The purpose of this study was to identify baseline parameters that can predict CRT response and to evaluate the effect of those predictive parameters on long-term prognosis. Methods. This was a retrospective, nonrandomized, noncontrolled cohort study. Patients who received CRT in our centre were divided into responders and nonresponders by the definition of CRT response (an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≥5% and improvement of ≥1 New York Heart Association (NYHA) class from baseline to the 6-month follow-up). Results. Of the 101 patients, 68 were responders and 33 were nonresponders. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD; OR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.81–0.95, P=0.001) and QRS duration (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.04–1.10, P<0.001) were independent predictors of CRT response. The combination of LVEDD and QRS duration was more valuable for predicting CRT response (AUC 0.836; 95% CI: 0.76–0.91; P<0.001). Moreover, the combination of LVEDD ≤ 71 mm and QRS duration ≥ 170 ms had a low incidence of all-cause mortality, HF hospitalisation, and the composite endpoint. In addition, baseline LVEDD had a positive correlation with QRS duration (R=0.199, P=0.046). Responders to CRT had better LV reverse remodeling. Conclusion. The combination of LVEDD and QRS duration provided more robust prediction of CRT response. Moreover, the combination of LVEDD ≤ 71 mm and QRS duration ≥ 170 ms was associated with a low incidence of all-cause mortality, HF hospitalisation, and the composite endpoint. Our results may be useful to provide individualized patient selection for CRT.

High-altitude (HA) exposure has been widely considered as a cardiac stress, and associated with altered cardiac function. However, the characteristics of cardiac responses to HA exposure are unclear. In total, 240 healthy men were enrolled and ascended to 4100 m by bus within 7 days. Standard echocardiography and color tissue Doppler imaging were performed at sea level and at 4100 m. In all subjects, HA exposure increased HR [65 (59, 71) vs. 72 (63, 80) beats/min, p

Aim We aimed to identify clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with onset of high-altitude headache (HAH) after acute exposure at 3700 m. Method In two hours, 163 individuals ascended by plane to 3700 m. Demographic information, physiological and psychological measurements, cognitive function, physical work capacity tests and profile of mood states within one week prior to the departure and within 24 hours after arrival were examined. Results HAH patients featured significantly higher vertebral artery diastolic velocity (Vd), heart rate (HR) and pulmonary artery diameter. HAH was also associated with a more negative mood state, including scores for tension anxiety, depression, hostility, fatigue and confusion, as well as lower vigor (all p values d, lack of vigor, confusion and self-reported anxiety (all p values Conclusions Higher HR, Vd, confusion and self-reported anxiety and insufficient vigor were independent risk factors for HAH. Furthermore, higher baseline LVD, AIS and confusion score are independent predictors of HAH.

Background: Travelling to high altitude (HA) presents a risk of the high levels of pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) at altitude, which is associated with impaired exercise capacity and fatal HA pulmonary oedema. However, prediction of high levels of PAP at altitude is still unclear. Methods: Echocardiography and pulmonary function tests were performed on 121 healthy men at low altitude (LA) and 4100 m (5 ± 2 h after a 7 day ascent). Results: HA exposure increased the levels of FEV1/FVC ratio, FEF25%, 50%, 75%, MMEF, mPAP, total pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (SPAP). More smokers and lower forced expiratory flow at 25% of forced vital capacity (FEF25%) at LA were observed in subjects with mPAP≥30 mmHg than those with mPAP Conclusions: Thus, these findings suggest that subjects with low FEF25% values at LA are susceptible to high levels of PAP at altitude but not the incidence of AMS following short-term HA exposure, especially in smokers.

Background This study aimed to identify the systemic and cerebral hemodynamic characteristics and their roles in high-altitude headache (HAH) among young Chinese men following acute exposure. Methods The subjects (n = 385) were recruited in June and July of 2012. They completed case report form questionnaires, as well as heart rate (HR), blood pressure, echocardiogram and transcranial Doppler examinations at 3700 m following a two-hour plane flight. A subgroup of 129 participants was examined at two altitudes (500 and 3700 m). Results HAH was characterized by increased HR and cardiac output (CO) and lower saturation pulse oxygen (SpO2) (all p m), systolic (Vs) and diastolic (Vd) velocities in the basilar artery (BA; all p d ( 25.96 ± 4.97 cm/s vs. 24.76 ± 4.76 cm/s, p = 0.045) in the left vertebral artery (VA). The bilateral VA asymmetry was also significantly different between the two groups. The pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) of left VA were lower in the HAH subjects (p m in left VA (or right MCA in different regressions) were independent predictors for HAH, whereas CO/HR and ΔVd (Vd difference between bilateral VAs) were independent risk factors for HAH at 3700 m. Conclusions HAH was characterized, in part, by increased systemic hemodynamics and posterior cerebral circulation, which was reflected by the BA and left VA velocities, and lower arterial resistance and compliance. Furthermore, baseline CO and Vm in left VA or right MCA at sea level were independent predictors for HAH, whilst bilateral VA asymmetry may contribute to the development of HAH at high altitude.