Rationale: Ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is rare and dangerous in parturients. Few cases of ruptured SVA in pregnancy are reported, and the anesthetic management for cesarean delivery has scarcely been described. Patient concerns: A parturient at 37-week gestation complained of a sore throat and cough that started 3 days before admission, followed 1 day later by fever, dizziness, breathlessness, and palpitation on exertion. Case two at 36-week gestation complained of a 1-day history of bloating in the lower abdomen. Diagnoses: Full term and preterm parturients with ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. Interventions: Cesarean deliveries were performed with incremental epidural anesthesia technique under invasive monitoring. Surgical correction of the ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysms and ventricular septal defect were performed uneventfully 13 days and 7 days postpartum, respectively, for the 2 cases. Outcomes: No complications were observed in the intra- or postoperative period for both mothers and babies. Lessons: We reviewed the pertinent literature and reached the following conclusions: use of a multidisciplinary team to guide anesthetic management is helpful and necessary; and both general anesthesia and incremental epidural anesthesia can be safely used in parturients with ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm.
Background: No data on the incidence of pleural effusion (PE) in Chinese patients with pulmonary embolism are available to date. The aim of the current study was to investigate the frequency of PE in a Chinese population of patients with pulmonary embolism. Methods: This was a retrospective observational single-center study. All data of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) performed over 6-year period on adult patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism were analyzed. Results: From January 2008 until December 2013, PE was identified in 423 of 3141 patients (13.5%) with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism who underwent CTPA. The incidence of PE in patients with pulmonary embolism (19.9%) was significantly higher than in those without embolism (9.4%) (P < 0.001). Majority of PEs in pulmonary embolism patients were small to moderate and were unilateral. The locations of emboli and the numbers of arteries involved, CT pulmonary obstruction index, and parenchymal abnormalities at CT were not associated with the development of PE. Conclusions: PEs are present in about one fifth of a Chinese population of patients with pulmonary embolism, which are usually small, unilateral, and unsuitable for diagnostic thoracentesis.
Abstract Background Blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown, as an early biomarker for vascular mild cognitive impairment (vMCI), has only been validated by a few studies. The aim of this study was to investigate whether compromised BBB integrity is involved in vMCI patients, and detect the relationship between BBB breakdown and cognitive function. BBB leakage in vMCI was explored, and the relationship between BBB leakage and cognitive function was discussed in this study. Methods This is a cross-sectional study involving 26 vMCI patients and 21 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Dynamic contrast-enhanced-magnetic resonance imaging was performed for all participants, to determine BBB leakage. Leakage volume, leakage rate, and fractional blood plasma volume (Vp) in the grey and white matter were evaluated. Neuropsychological tests were used to determine cognitive function. Leakage rate, leakage volume, and Vp in different brain locations, including deep grey matter, cortical grey matter, white matter hyperintensity, and normal-appearing white matter were compared between the two groups. Results Multivariable linear regression analyses revealed that in all regions of interest, the leakage rate was significantly higher in vMCI patients relative to controls. Leakage volume in normal-appearing white matter and white matter hyperintensity were significantly higher, while Vp in normal-appearing white matter, deep grey matter, and cortical grey matter were significantly lower in vMCI patients. Moreover, Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores decreased with the increase of leakage rate in white matter hyperintensity. Conclusion Increased BBB permeability was detected in vMCI patients and was related to cognitive decline, which suggested that BBB breakdown might be involved in cognitive dysfunction pathogenesis.
Background. The high rate of periprocedural complications for the endovascular stent procedure in the Stenting Versus Aggressive Medical Management Therapy for Intracranial Arterial Stenosis (SAMMPRIS) trial resulted in it being less recommended than medical therapy to treat intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). Because Enterprise stent use might reduce the incidence of complications in ICAS treatment compared to other frequently used stents, this paper evaluated the safety and effectiveness of the Enterprise stent for the treatment of ICAS. Methods. We performed a comprehensive literature search for reports on intracranial angioplasty using the Enterprise stent for ICAS treatment from the earliest date available from each database to May 2020 for PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Clinical Trials databases. We also reviewed the single-center experience of the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University. We extracted information regarding periprocedural complications, procedure-related morbidity, mortality, immediate angiographic outcome, and long-term clinical and angiographic outcomes, among others. Event rates were pooled across studies using random-effects or fixed-effects models depending on the heterogeneity. Results. Five hundred fifty-seven patients with 588 lesions from seven studies, including the institutional series, were included in the analysis. The incidence of stroke or death within 30 days was 7.4% (95% confidence interval (CI), 5.5%–10.1%). The incidence of ischemic stroke or TIA in the territory of the qualifying artery beyond 30 days and during follow-up was 3.2% (95% CI, 1.1%–9.5%). The incidence of in-stent restenosis was 10.1% (95% CI, 4.6%–22.2%), and the incidence of symptomatic restenosis was 4.1% (95% CI, 1.7%–9.9%). Conclusions. Intracranial angioplasty utilizing the Enterprise stent for ICAS treatment was relatively safe and effective but required further verification using additional sources for evidence.
Background: Six months since the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the pandemic continues to grow worldwide, although the outbreak in Wuhan, the worst-hit area, has been controlled. Thus, based on the clinical experience in Wuhan, we hypothesized that there is a relationship between the patient's CO 2 levels and prognosis. Methods: COVID-19 patients' information was retrospectively collected from medical records at the Leishenshan Hospital, Wuhan. Logistic and Cox regression analyses were conducted to determine the correlation between decreased CO 2 levels and disease severity or mortality risk. The Kaplan-Meier curve analysis was coupled with the log-rank test to understand COVID-19 progression in patients with decreased CO 2 levels. Curve fitting was used to confirm the correlation between computed tomography scores and CO 2 levels. Results: Cox regression analysis showed that the mortality risk of COVID-19 patients correlated with decreased CO 2 levels. The adjusted hazard ratios for decreased CO 2 levels in COVID-19 patients were 8.710 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.773–27.365, P < 0.001], and 4.754 (95% CI: 1.380–16.370, P = 0.013). The adjusted odds ratio was 0.950 (95% CI: 0.431–2.094, P = 0.900). The Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated that patients with decreased CO 2 levels had a higher risk of mortality. Conclusions: Decreased CO 2 levels increased the mortality risk of COVID-19 patients, which might be caused by hyperventilation during mechanical ventilation. This finding provides important insights for clinical treatment recommendations.
Abstract Background Pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are commonly used drug-delivering devices for patients with chronic airway diseases. Appropriate peak inhalation flow rate (PIFR) and inhaler technique is essential for effective therapy. We aimed at optimizing inhalation therapy through the analysis of PIFRs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma as well as the effect of technique training using In-Check DIAL® to help patients to achieve their optimal inspiratory flow rates. Methods The study continuously enrolled patients who were diagnosed as COPD or asthma from respiratory clinics. PIFRs were described and analyzed between the newly-diagnosed and follow-up patients, and the stable and acute exacerbation patients, respectively. Every participant was trained inhaler technique using In-Check DIAL®. PIFRs before and after training was compared by self-control analysis. Results Among a total of 209 patients, the average age was 56.9 years. For DPIs users, 10.8% patients had a PIFR < 30 L/min and 44.1% patients had a PIFR ≥ 60 L/min before technique training. After technique training, scarcely patient (1.5%) had a PIFR < 30 L/min, and 60.5% patients had a PIFR ≥ 60 L/min. The patient’s average PIFR increased by 5.6L/min after training. The increase in PIFR before and after training was significant ( p < 0.001) for most patients, but no significant variation was found in patients with acute exacerbation ( p = 0.822). Conclusions A considerable number of patients with COPD or asthma were not able to achieve the minimum or optimal PIFR for DPIs. Inhaler training can increase patients’ PIFRs and improve their ability to use DPIs. Trail registration The study has registered in chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR1900024707) and been approved by the Ethics Committee of Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University (B2019-142).
As the gold standard for imaging sinus disease, the main disadvantage of computed tomography (CT) of the pediatric paranasal sinus is radiation exposure. Because of this, 1 protocol for CT should reduce radiation dose while maintaining image quality. The aim of this study is to evaluate the image quality of dose-reduced paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) using an ultralow tube voltage (70 kVp) combined with iterative reconstruction (IR) in children.CT scans of the paranasal sinus were performed using different protocols [70 kVp protocols with IR, Group A, n = 80; 80 kVp protocols with a filtered back projection algorithm, Group B, n = 80] in 160 pediatric patients. Then, the volume-weighted CT dose index, dose-length product, and effective dose were estimated. Image noise, the signal-to-noise ratio and the diagnostic image quality were also evaluated.For the radiation dose, the volume-weighted CT dose index, dose-length product and effective dose values were significantly lower for the 70 kVp protocols than for the 80 kVp protocols (P < .001). Compared with the 80 kVp protocols, the 70 kVp protocols had significantly higher levels of image noise (P = .001) and a lower signal-to-noise ratio (P = .002). No significant difference in the overall subjective image quality grades was observed between these 2 groups (P = .098).The ultralow tube voltage (70 kVp) technique combined with IR enabled a significant dose reduction in CT examinations performed in the pediatric paranasal sinus while maintaining diagnostic image quality with clinically acceptable image noise.
Background: EPREX ® /ERYPO ® /PROCRIT ® (epoetin alfa, Janssen-Cilag GmbH) was the first available recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) and was universally reference product as per the recommendation provided by European Medicines Agency. EPIAO ® is a biosimilar formulation of EPREX ® , and making it a 1:1 dose conversion from EPREX ® according to recommendation of European Medicines Agency. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of EPIAO ® in subjects with end-stage renal disease receiving hemodialysis after intravenous administration. Methods: This study was a multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, 2-cohort, maintenance phase, therapeutic equivalence study to evaluate a 1:1 dose conversion from EPREX ® to EPIAO ® in terms of clinical efficacy and safety that was conducted at 20 sites in 2 countries in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. Eligible subjects were treated with EPREX ® (reference product of epoetin) for a period of at least 3 months before the treatment period, and then were randomly assigned to the group of EPREX ® or EPIAO ® . Primary endpoints were mean absolute change in hemoglobin level and mean absolute change in weekly epoetin dosage from baseline to 6 months after treatment with EPIAO ® /EPREX ® in parallel groups. Results: A total of 200 people received the random intervention and were included in the safety set. After 6, 9, and 12 months of treatment with EPIAO ® or EPREX ® , there were no significant differences in the hemoglobin levels of the 2 groups compared with baseline. The 95% confidence interval for the treatment difference was within the predetermined acceptable range: ±0.5 g/dL. There were no significant differences in the epoetin dosage of the 2 groups compared with the baseline. The 95% confidence interval for the treatment difference was within the predetermined acceptable range: ± 45 IU/kg. There were no significant differences in the incidence of adverse events between the EPIAO ® and EPREX ® groups. Most adverse events were mild to moderate and were reverted/resolved. Conclusion: EPIAO ® demonstrated promising effectiveness and manageable safety in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis.
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