International Hand Function Study Following Distal Radial Access: The RATATOUILLE Study

BackgroundDistal radial access (DRA) has been proposed to improve procedure ergonomics and favor radial artery patency. Although promising data, nothing is known on evolving hand function after DRA.ObjectivesThis study sought to comprehensively evaluate hand function in patients undergoing DRA.MethodsReal-world patients undergoing DRA undertook a thorough multimodality assessment of hand function implementing multidomain questionnaires (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand and Levine-Katz), and motor (pinch grip test) and sensory (Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments test) examinations of both hands. All assessments were performed at preprocedural baseline and planned at 1-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up (FU). Adverse clinical and procedural events were documented too.ResultsData of 313 patients (220 men, age 66 ± 10 years) from 9 international centers were analyzed. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand and the Levine-Katz scores slightly improved from baseline to FU (P = 0.008 and P = 0.029, respectively). Pinch strength mildly improved from baseline to FU (P < 0.001 for both the left and right hands). Similarly, touch pressure threshold appeared to faintly improve in both the left and right hands (P < 0.012 for all the sites). For both motor and sensory function tests, comparable findings were found for the DRA hand and the contralateral one, with no significant differences between them. Repeated assessment of all tests over all FU time points similarly showed lack of worsening hand function. Access-related adverse events included 19 harmless bleedings and 3 forearm radial artery and 3 distal radial artery occlusions. None affected hand function at FU.ConclusionsIn a systematic multidimensional assessment, DRA was not associated with hand function impairment. Moreover, DRA emerges as a safe alternative vascular access.     

Premature Ticagrelor Discontinuation in Secondary Prevention of Atherosclerotic CVD: JACC Review Topic of the Week

Ticagrelor is a cornerstone of modern antithrombotic therapy alongside aspirin in patients with acute coronary syndrome and after percutaneous coronary intervention. Adverse effects such as bleeding and dyspnea have been associated with premature ticagrelor discontinuation, which may limit any potential advantage of ticagrelor over clopidogrel. The randomized trials of ticagrelor captured adverse events, offering the opportunity to more precisely quantify these effects across studies. Therefore, a meta-analysis of 4 randomized clinical trials of ticagrelor conducted between January 2007 and June 2017 was performed to quantify the incidence and causes of premature ticagrelor discontinuation. Among 66,870 patients followed for a median 18 months, premature ticagrelor discontinuation was seen in 25%; bleeding was the most common cause of discontinuation followed by dyspnea. Versus the comparators, the relative risk of dyspnea-related discontinuation during follow-up was 6.4-fold higher, the relative risk of bleeding was 3.2-fold higher, and the relative risk of discontinuation due to any adverse event was 59% higher for patients receiving ticagrelor. Understanding these potential barriers to adherence to ticagrelor is crucial for informed patient-physician decision making and can inform future efforts to improve ticagrelor adherence. This review discusses the incidence, causes, and biological mechanisms of ticagrelor-related adverse effects and offers strategies to improve adherence to ticagrelor.     

胫前动脉踝上穿支皮瓣修复足踝部软组织缺损19例

目的探讨胫前动脉踝上穿支皮瓣修复足踝部软组织缺损的临床疗效。方法回顾性研究2018年4月至2019年6月采用胫前动脉踝上穿支皮瓣修复足踝部软组织缺损19例的资料,其中男11例,女8例;年龄为21~75岁,平均39岁。根据前踝上穿支皮瓣解剖学基础,按照足踝部软组织缺损大小和形状,在小腿下端前外侧设计并切取皮瓣转位修复创面。切取胫前动脉踝上穿支皮瓣面积为6.0 cm×5.0 cm^14.0 cm×8.0 cm,均为带蒂皮瓣转位。根据皮瓣成活、感染控制、弹性色泽、外观形态、供区瘢痕、皮肤感觉、患者认可等情况,对患者足踝部软组织缺损的修复情况进行综合评价。结果本组19例皮瓣全部成活,软组织缺损、肌腱、骨质及钢板外露均得以修复。供区均I期愈合。术后门诊随访2~16个月,皮瓣血运良好,颜色接近周围正常皮肤,臃肿不明显,患者对外观表示满意;供区皮片愈合良好,无明显增生、挛缩及溃疡,踝关节功能良好。结论胫前动脉踝上穿支皮瓣是修复足踝部软组织缺损较为理想的方法之一,手术操作简便,穿支较恒定,血供可靠,具有一定的临床应用价值。     

Association between de novo lipogenesis susceptibility genes and coronary artery disease

Background and aimsCoronary artery disease (CAD) is the principal cause of death in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was to use genetic epidemiology to study the association between de novo lipogenesis (DNL), one of the major pathways leading to NAFLD, and CAD risk.Methods and resultsDNL susceptibility genes were used as instruments and selected using three approaches: 1) genes that are associated with both high serum triglycerides and low sex hormone-binding globulin, both downstream consequences of DNL (unbiased approach), 2) genes that have a known role in DNL (biased approach), and 3) genes that have been associated with serum fatty acids, used as a proxy of DNL. Gene-CAD effect estimates were retrieved from the meta-analysis of CARDIoGRAM and the UK Biobank (～76014 cases and ～264785 controls). Effect estimates were clustered using a fixed-effects meta-analysis. Twenty-two DNL susceptibility genes were identified by the unbiased approach, nine genes by the biased approach and seven genes were associated with plasma fatty acids. Clustering of genes selected in the unbiased and biased approach showed a statistically significant association with CAD (OR:1.016, 95%CI:1.012; 1.020 and OR:1.013, 95%CI:1.007; 1.020, respectively), while clustering of fatty acid genes did not (OR:1.004, 95%CI:0.996–1.011). Subsequent exclusion of potential influential outliers did reveal a statistically significant association (OR:1.009, 95%CI:1.000; 1.018).ConclusionsDNL susceptibility genes are associated with an increased risk of CAD. These findings suggest that DNL may be involved in the pathogenesis of CAD and favor further development of strategies that target NAFLD through DNL.     

Peyronie’s disease: Contemporary evaluation and management

Peyronie’s disease is a common yet poorly understood condition characterized by penile pain, curvature, sexual dysfunction and psychological bother. Peyronie’s disease represents a penile wound healing disorder, and is thought to arise from exuberant scarring in response to penile trauma in genetically predisposed men. In the absence of active treatment, the majority of men experience stable or worsening symptoms, with few reporting spontaneous resolution in penile curvature or other deformity. In contrast, penile pain improves or resolves in the majority of men. Treatment options vary based on symptom severity and stability. Several oral therapies are commonly prescribed, although to date there are no strong data to support any oral agents as monotherapy for Peyronie’s disease. Other options including penile traction therapy and intralesional injections result in modest improvements for many patients, particularly when used early after symptom onset. Penile straightening through approaches, such as penile plication and plaque incision or partial excision and grafting, represent the most rapid and reliable approach to correct penile curvature once the symptoms have stabilized. Side-effects vary based on the type of surgery carried out, and include penile shortening, sensation changes and erectile dysfunction in the minority of men. In patients with drug refractory erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease, placement of a penile prosthesis will address both issues, and is associated with high levels of patient satisfaction. The current review provides a practical approach to the modern evaluation and management of patients presenting with Peyronie’s disease.     

风池穴不同刺法对椎动脉型颈椎病的临床疗效评价

目的:探究风池穴不同刺法对椎动脉型颈椎病的临床疗效。方法:选择2018年4月—2019年1月北京中医药大学东直门医院针灸科门诊就诊的84例椎动脉型颈椎病患者作为研究对象,分为观察组43例、对照组41例。观察组采用短刺法针刺风池穴治疗,对照组采用平补平泻法针刺风池穴治疗,1个疗程后比较两组患者的ESCV、颈椎病症状分级量化表评分以及TCD相关指标,TCD指标观察基底动脉和双侧椎动脉的平均血流速度(Vm)、收缩期血流速度峰值(Vs)、血管搏动指数(PI)和血管阻力指数(RI)的变化。结果:治疗前后两组ESCV、颈椎病症状分级量化表评分比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),且椎动脉、基底动脉的Vs、Vm较治疗前明显减慢,且观察组治疗效果优于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:针刺风池穴治疗椎动脉型颈椎病临床效果显著,且短刺法优于平补平泻法。     

当归四逆汤辅助治疗冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病的效果及其机制研究

目的探索当归四逆汤辅助治疗冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(冠心病)的疗效及其作用机制。方法选取2017年3月—2018年3月陕西中医药大学附属医院治疗的冠心病心绞痛患者60例,将患者随机分为对照组和实验组,每组30例。对照组采用常规西药治疗,实验组除了进行常规西药治疗外,同时给予当归四逆汤进行辅助治疗4周。比较2组的临床疗效,治疗前后动态心电图缺血性ST—T改变时间、血脂水平以及心脏功能指标的差异。结果实验组患者的心绞痛症状疗效治疗总有效率为86.7%(26/30),对照组总有效率为70.0%(21/30),实验组总有效率明显高于对照组(P<0.05);治疗后2组缺血性ST—T改变时间均较治疗前明显缩短(P均<0.05),且治疗后实验组患者的缺血性ST-T改变的时间明显短于对照组(P<0.05);治疗后2组的总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)水平相对于本组治疗前明显降低(P均<0.05),高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)水平均比本组治疗前明显升高(P均<0.05),且治疗后实验组患者血清中TC、TG、LDL-C水平明显低于对照组(P均<0.05),HDL-C水平明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。2组治疗后心排血量(CO)、室间隔厚度(IVST)、左室射血分数(LVEF)和左室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)均较治疗前明显改善(P均<0.05),且实验组各指标改善情况明显优于对照组(P<0.05)。结论当归四逆汤辅助治疗冠心病的疗效良好,其机制可能是通过调节血脂代谢,改善血液循环和心脏功能来实现的。