Qinghai Peng

Evaluation of regional left ventricular longitudinal function in 151 normal fetuses using velocity vector imaging

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical value of velocity vector imaging (VVI) in the assessment of normal fetal regional myocardial performance and to establish a normative data set for normal Chinese fetuses.

Assessment of regional right ventricular longitudinal functions in fetus using velocity vector imaging technology

The velocity vector imaging (VVI) technique is useful to assess regional myocardial mechanics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of this technology in assessing regional right ventricular longitudinal functions in the fetus and to establish a nomogram of the right ventricle (RV).

Assessment of regional myocardial function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy by velocity vector imaging.

Objective: To assess the left ventricular (LV) longitudinal systolic and diastolic function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) by syngo Velocity Vector Imaging (VVI). Methods: Digital dynamic images of 30 DCM patients and 30 healthy subjects were collected; then the longitudinal velocity, strain, and strain rate were measured in systolic early and late diastolic periods, and the time to peak systolic velocity, strain, and strain rate were measured and recorded. The parameters of the two groups were compared. Results: All of the parameters of the DCM were significantly lower than those of the normal group (P < 0.05–0.01), except that the parameter of late diastolic strain was not different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: VVI is a novel noninvasive tool to assess quantitatively and objectively LV regional systolic and diastolic function in patients with DCM; it provides another useful modality for evaluating cardiac function.

Volume of intracranial structures on three-dimensional ultrasound in fetuses with congenital heart disease

To investigate the volume of intracranial structures in fetuses with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Four‐dimensional echocardiography with B‐flow imaging and spatiotemporal image correlation in the assessment of congenital heart defects

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the role of four‐dimensional ultrasound with B‐flow imaging and spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) in the detection of congenital heart defects.

Z-score reference ranges for normal fetal heart sizes throughout pregnancy derived from fetal echocardiography.

To construct Z‐score reference ranges for normal fetal heart sizes throughout pregnancy.

Assessment by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound of cerebral blood flow perfusion in fetuses with congenital heart disease.

To use three‐dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound to investigate cerebral blood flow perfusion in fetuses with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Near-infrared induced phase-shifted ICG/Fe 3 O 4 loaded PLGA nanoparticles for photothermal tumor ablation

Near-infrared (NIR) laser-induced photothermal therapy (PTT) uses a photothermal agent to convert optical energy into thermal energy and has great potential as an effective local, minimally invasive treatment modality for killing cancer cells. To improve the efficacy of PTT, we developed poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulating superparamagnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4), indocyanine green (ICG), and perfluoropentane (PFP) as synergistic agents for NIR laser-induced PTT. We fabricated a novel type of phase-shifting fluorescent magnetic NPs, Fe3O4/ICG@PLGA/PFP NPs, that effectively produce heat in response to NIR laser irradiation for an enhanced thermal ablation effect and a phase-shift thermoelastic expansion effect, and thus, can be used as a photothermal agent. After in vitro treatment of MCF-7 breast cancer cells with Fe3O4/ICG@PLGA/PFP NPs and NIR laser irradiation, histology and electron microscopy confirmed severe damage to the cells and the formation of many microbubbles with iron particles at the edge or outside of the microbubbles. In vivo experiments in mice with MCF-7 tumors demonstrated that Fe3O4/ICG@PLGA/PFP NPs could achieve tumor ablation upon NIR laser irradiation with minimal toxicity to non-irradiated tissues. Together, our results indicate that Fe3O4/ICG@PLGA/PFP NPs can be used as effective nanotheranostic agents for tumor ablation.

Impaired Fetal Myocardial Deformation in Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy

To investigate changes in fetal myocardial deformation in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Sustained maternal hyperoxygenation improves aortic arch dimensions in fetuses with coarctation

The aim was to investigate the impact of maternal hyperoxygenation (HO) on cardiac dimensions in fetuses with isolated Coarctation (CoA). Fetal echocardiography was performed serially in 48 fetuses with CoA and gestation age matched normal fetues. The Z-scores for the mitral valve (MV), tricuspid valve (TV), aortic valve (AV), ascending aorta (AAo), isthmus, pulmonary valve (PV), main pulmonary artery (MPA), and descending aorta (DAo) were measured and compared among normal fetuses, CoA fetuses with oxygen and CoA fetuses with air. In the group with oxygen, 6 L/min oxygen was administered to the mother using a face mask. Regression analyses were performed to identify potential factors for HO outcome. The left heart dimension Z-scores increased gradually during HO therapy periods, especially at 4 weeks after oxygen therapy (P < 0.05). As for the case group with air, the left heart dimension remained unchanged. The duration of HO was associated with aortic arch Z-scores (adjusted R2 = 0.199, 0.60 for AAO and isthmus, respectively). Sustained maternal middle-flow oxygenation can be safely used to improve left heart dimensions in fetuses with isolated CoA. The duration of HO were associated with treatment outcome. These findings may provide useful information for developing novel treatment strategies.