Utility of the 3‐Vessel and 3‐Vessel and Trachea Views in Prenatal Diagnosis of a Pulmonary Artery Sling

A pulmonary artery (PA) sling is a very rare congenital cardiovascular anomaly, and only a few studies have reported PA slings in fetuses. The relationship of the PA, aorta, ductus arteriosus, and trachea can be evaluated in the 3‐vessel and 3‐vessel and trachea views during fetal echocardiography. A PA sling can be detected by abnormal positioning of the left PA in relation to the trachea when sweeping from the 3‐vessel view cranially to the 3‐vessel and trachea view. Here we report 3 cases of fetal PA slings and their follow‐ups. Two cases were confirmed by postnatal echocardiography, and the other case was confirmed by a cardiovascular cast after pregnancy termination. We emphasize that the 3‐vessel and 3‐vessel and trachea views are of crucial importance in the prenatal diagnosis of a PA sling.     

Coronary Artery Disease Manifestations in HIV: What,How, and Why

Understanding why persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have accelerated atherosclerosis and its sequelae, including coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction, is necessary to provide appropriate care to a large and aging population with HIV. In this review, we delineate the diverse pathophysiologies underlying HIV-associated CAD and discuss how these are implicated in the clinical manifestations of CAD among persons with HIV. Several factors contribute to HIV-associated CAD, with chronic inflammation and immune activation likely representing the primary drivers. Increased monocyte activation, inflammation, and hyperlipidemia present in chronic HIV infection also mirror the pathophysiology of plaque rupture. Furthermore, mechanisms central to plaque erosion, such as activation of toll-like receptor 2 and formation of neutrophil extracellular traps, are also abundant in HIV. In addition to inflammation and immune activation in general, persons with HIV have a higher prevalence than uninfected persons of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, including dyslipidemia, hypertension, insulin resistance, and tobacco use. Antiretroviral therapies, although clearly necessary for HIV treatment and survival, have had varied effects on CAD, but newer generation regimens have reduced cardiovascular toxicities. From a clinical standpoint, this mix of risk factors is implicated in earlier CAD among persons with HIV than uninfected persons; whether the distribution and underlying plaque content of CAD for persons with HIV differs considerably from uninfected persons has not been definitively studied. Furthermore, the role of cardiovascular risk estimators in HIV remains unclear, as does the role of traditional and emerging therapies; no trials of CAD therapies powered to detect clinical events have been completed among persons with HIV.     

浅谈医疗设备预防性保养的重要性

对于医疗设备来说,其临床医疗中有十分重要的作用,而且医疗设备的实际运行效率也与医院的经济效益有直接的关系,但是在大部分医院中仍然采用传统的医疗设备养护方式,导致医疗设备的维护缺乏科学性,从而增加了医疗设备故障的发生率,并且也影响了实际应用的效果,严重的情况下甚至会发生医疗事故。基于此,该文主要对医疗设备预防性保养的重要性与方法进行分析,希望能够使医疗设备的性能得到最优化的体现,使其能够更好地为医疗服务的开展提供支持。     

(Technically) Difficult colonoscope insertion – Tips and tricks

Cecal intubation is a critical aspect of effective, complete colonoscopy. Difficult colonoscopy is most often considered as one in which it is challenging or impossible to reach the cecum. It may be a common occurrence due to patient and/or endoscopist factors. Incomplete colonoscopies should be avoided, since patients in this context present an important prevalence of lesions that escape examination. The approach to successful cecal intubation should depend on characterization of the problem as redundant colon or difficult sigmoid colon. Most patients with a prior incomplete colonoscopy can be colonoscoped successfully, if careful attention is paid to technique, using a variety of scopes, colonoscopy methods and additional equipment. Sufficient time should be allotted to make the attempt.     

Tracheal intubation

Tracheal intubation is the act of placing a tube into the trachea. The tube enables oxygen delivery and removal of carbon dioxide, while also allowing for the administration of pharmacological agents. Intubation is the most reliable method of maintaining an airway under anaesthesia, and for protection against aspiration of stomach contents. Traditionally, intubation is achieved by direct visualization of the glottis, but now indirect laryngoscopy (via a videolaryngoscope) is a common alternative. Prior to embarking upon intubation, a thorough patient history and examination must be undertaken by the laryngoscopist; equipment must be prepared and checked; a trained assistant present; and an experienced anaesthetist available in case assistance is required. Once the endotracheal tube has been placed, correct positioning must be confirmed via both clinical examination and monitoring, including capnography. Tracheal intubation is a procedure that should only be undertaken by trained operators and is not without risk. It is important to note that it is failure to oxygenate patients rather than failure to intubate that ultimately leads to serious morbidity and mortality. The Difficult Airway Society has produced guidelines on how to manage unanticipated difficulty in tracheal intubation; it is essential that every practitioner trained to intubate patients is familiar with these algorithms and the key principles of safe airway management.     

气管插管型喉罩通气道与直接喉镜经口气管插管对血流动力学影响的比较

目的 气管插管型喉罩通气道（ILMA）为气管插管提供了一种新型途径，而且有望减轻气管插管时的心血管应激反应。但是，现有的研究结果并不一致。本研究目的在于：（1）进一步观察气管插管型喉罩通气道（ILMA）经口气管插管对血流动力学的影响；（2）证实经口气管插管时，气管插管型喉罩通气道（ILMA）是否能够比直接喉镜（DLS）产生较轻微的血流动力学反应。方法 择期整形外科手术患者53例，随机分为ILMA组和DLS组，经常规静脉诱导后气管插管。监测麻醉诱导前（基础值）、后，气管插管时和气管插管后5min内的血压（BP、收缩压SBP、舒张压DBP）和心率（HR）的变化。结果 ILMA组的平均气管插管操作时间较DLS组明显延长。气管插管后两组患者血压和心率均比麻醉诱导后明显升高，但血压的最大值未超过麻醉诱导前水平，而心率的最大值较麻醉诱导前明显升高。两组在各对应时问点的血压和心率无明显差异，血压和心率的最大值亦无明显差异。结论 在临床常用的全身麻醉深度下，ILMA和DLS经口气管插管操作引起的血流动力学反应相似。与DES相比较，ILMA引导经口气管插管并不具有减轻心血管反应的优点。     

Etomidate for Rapid-sequence Intubation in Young Children: Hemodynamic Effects and Adverse Events

OBJECTIVES: Physicians commonly use etomidate for adult rapid-sequence intubation (RSI), but the manufacturer does not recommend its use for children under 10 years of age due to a lack of data. The authors present their experience with etomidate for pediatric RSI in order to further develop its risk-benefit profile in this age group. METHODS: Trained abstractors reviewed the medical records for all children under 10 years old who received etomidate for RSI between July 1996 and April 2001. RESULTS: 105 children, with an average age of 3 (+/-2.9) years, received a median dose of 0.32 (+/-0.12) mg/kg of etomidate. The systolic blood pressure increased an average of 4 mm Hg (95% CI = -3.3 to 9.2); the diastolic blood pressure increased 7 mm Hg (95% CI = -3.1 to 11) within 10 minutes of receiving etomidate. The heart rate increased an average of 10 beats/min (95% CI = 4.0 to 17.4). Complications included three patients who vomited within 10 minutes of etomidate administration. There were no cases of documented myoclonus, status epilepticus, or new-onset seizures. Thirty-eight patients received corticosteroids during the hospital course, none for suspected adrenal insufficiency. Three patients died, all from severe brain injury. CONCLUSIONS: In children less than 10 years old, etomidate seems to produce minimal hemodynamic changes, and appears to have a low risk of clinically important adrenal insufficiency, myoclonus, and status epilepticus. The association between etomidate and emesis (observed in less than 3% of enrolled patients) remains unclear. For clinical situations in which minimal blood pressure changes during RSI are critical, etomidate appears to have a favorable risk-benefit profile for children under 10 years old.