Sonothrombolysis in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated With Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BackgroundPreclinical studies have demonstrated that high mechanical index (MI) impulses from a diagnostic ultrasound transducer during an intravenous microbubble infusion (sonothrombolysis) can restore epicardial and microvascular flow in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).ObjectivesThis study tested the clinical effectiveness of sonothrombolysis in patients with STEMI.MethodsPatients with their first STEMI were prospectively randomized to either diagnostic ultrasound–guided high MI impulses during an intravenous Definity (Lantheus Medical Imaging, North Billerica, Massachusetts) infusion before, and following, emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or to a control group that received PCI only (n = 50 in each group). A reference first STEMI group (n = 203) who arrived outside the randomization window was also analyzed. Angiographic recanalization before PCI, ST-segment resolution, infarct size by magnetic resonance imaging, and systolic function (LVEF) at 6 months were compared.ResultsST-segment resolution occurred in 16 (32%) high MI PCI versus 2 (4%) PCI-only patients before PCI, and angiographic recanalization was 48% in high MI/PCI versus 20% in PCI only and 21% in the reference group (p < 0.001). Infarct size was reduced (29 ± 22 g high MI/PCI vs. 40 ± 20 g PCI only; p = 0.026). LVEF was not different between groups before treatment (44 ± 11% vs. 43 ± 10%), but increased immediately after PCI in the high MI/PCI group (p = 0.03), and remained higher at 6 months (p = 0.015). Need for implantable defibrillator (LVEF ≤30%) was reduced in the high MI/PCI group (5% vs. 18% PCI only; p = 0.045).ConclusionsSonothrombolysis added to PCI improves recanalization rates and reduces infarct size, resulting in sustained improvements in systolic function after STEMI. (Therapeutic Use of Ultrasound in Acute Coronary Artery Disease; NCT02410330).     

Stress Testing Versus CT Angiography in Patients With Diabetes and Suspected Coronary Artery Disease

Background

The optimal noninvasive test (NIT) for patients with diabetes and stable symptoms of coronary artery disease (CAD) is unknown.

Double‐chambered left ventricle diagnosis by 2D and 3D echocardiography: From fetus to birth

Double‐chambered left ventricle (DCLV) is a rare cardiac anomaly and is characterized by the division of the left ventricle by abnormal muscle and/or fiber bundles into two chambers. We hereby report a fetus which was diagnosed with DCLV in utero by 2D and 3D Fetal echocardiography and the findings were confirmed after birth.     

Short‐term results in infants with multiple left heart obstructive lesions

Objective: Deciding on a surgical pathway for neonates with ≥2 left heart obstructive lesions is complex. Predictors of the successful biventricular (2V) repair in these patients are poorly defined. The goal of our study was to identify patients who underwent the 2V repair and assess anatomic and echocardiographic predictors of success.
Design: Infants born between July 2015 and August 2017 with ≥2 left heart obstructive lesions with no prior interventions were identified (n = 19). Patients with aortic or mitral valve (MV) atresia and critical aortic stenosis were excluded. Initial echocardiograms were reviewed for aortic, MV, tricuspid valve annulus size, and left (LV) and right (RV) ventricle diastolic longitudinal dimensions. The valve morphology and presence of a ventricular septal defect (VSD) and coarctation were assessed. Clinical outcomes included successful 2V repair, complications, and repeat interventions or surgeries. Failed 2V repair was defined as a takedown to single ventricle (1V) physiology, cardiac transplantation, or death.
Results: For 2V repair, 14/19 patients were selected and for 1V, 5/19 patients were selected. Initial surgical procedures of the 2V group were simple coarctation repair (5), complex coarctation/arch reconstruction +/− septal defect closure (6), hybrid stage 1 (2), and none (1). Three of the 2V patients required reintervention in the first 90 days. The LV to RV diastolic longitudinal ratio >0.75 and mitral/tricuspid ratio of <0.8 were observed in 13/14 of the 2V patients. The LV:RV ratio and the aortic valve z score were significantly larger in the 2V group compared to the 1V group. All patients in the 1V group had a nonapex forming LV. There was no mortality with follow‐up to three years of age.
Conclusions: This study showed excellent short‐term and midterm surgical results in the 2V population. The LV:RV diastolic longitudinal ratio may be a useful tool in the risk stratification of a successful 2V repair even in cases with a small MV.     

体外肺膜氧合在急性冠脉综合征介入治疗中的临床应用与分析

目的 总结及分析体外肺膜氧合（Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation，ECMO）在急性冠状动脉综合征（Acute coronary syndrome,ACS）介入治疗中的临床应用及评价预后。方法 回顾性分析2015年8月至2018年8月因ACS入院，并在ECMO辅助下行冠状动脉造影术的20例患者的临床资料。采用SPSS 23.0软件进行统计分析，计量资料以x±s表示，采用COX回归分析相关因素与患者生存时长的关系，并用OR值与相关因素与生存时间长短之间的关系强度，采用寿命表达计算总数的生存率和绘制生存曲线图。结果 20例ECMO支持下行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（Percutaneous transluminal coronary intervention，PCI）， 患者中16例成功置入冠状动脉支架，其年龄为43~76岁，平均年龄（61.4±9.1）岁，中位年龄为61岁；平均住院天数为（18.0±12.4）d；ECMO平均支持时间为（31.52±27.97）h，术后成功脱机16例（80%），生存出院16 例（80%），术后6个月生存率85.0%，平均住院时间为（18.0±12.4）d，术后并发症（OR=3.486，95%CI 1.266~9.599）、ECMO支持时间（OR=1.05，95%CI 1.010~1.106）、术后CK（OR=1.009，95%CI 1.001~1.017）是急性冠状动脉综合征ECMO辅助行PCI 预后的危险因素，其中死亡终点事件主要分布在术后30 d内，术后5例（71.4%）出现肺部感染，2例（28.6%）出现急性出血，1例（14.3%）出现心房颤动 ，1例（14.3%）出现肾功能不全、呼吸衰竭，给予CRRT及呼吸机辅助治疗，1例（14.3%）出现弥漫性血管内凝血，1例（14.3%）下肢缺血性坏疽。结论 ECMO辅助PCI为ACS提供了有效治疗方式，严格把握ECMO辅助时间对治疗危重症ACS远期预后有着重要的意义。     

Structures at Risk From an Intermetatarsal Screw for Lapidus Bunionectomy: A Cadaveric Study

The Lapidus bunionectomy is performed to treat hallux valgus. Recurrence of the deformity remains a concern. A transverse intermetatarsal screw spanning the base of the first metatarsal to the base of the second can increase stability. The neurovascular bundle is located within the proximity of this screw. In this study, we assessed the structures at risks with the use of this technique. In 10 specimens, a guide wire was placed, and a 4.0-mm cannulated screw was inserted. The neurovascular bundle was dissected and inspected for direct trauma to the neurovascular bundle, and the proximity of the screw was measured using a digital caliper. Ten cadaveric specimens were used. The dorsalis pedis artery and deep peroneal nerve were free from injury in 9 of 10 specimens. In those 9 specimens, the neurovascular bundle was located dorsal in relation to the screw. The mean distance of the screw to the neurovascular bundle was 7.1 ± 3.3 mm. The mean distance from the screw to the first tarsometatarsal joint (TMTJ) was 14.7 ± 4.3 mm. The mean distance from the screw as it entered the second metatarsal to the second TMTJ was 18.0 ± 7.2 mm. In 1 specimen, the screw was found to be traversing through the neurovascular bundle. The distance from the screw to the first TMTJ was 15.0 mm. The distance of the screw from where it entered the second metatarsal to the second TMTJ was 24.0 mm. Although the intermetatarsal screw avoided the neurovascular cases in most instances, there is some anatomic risk to the neurovascular bundle. Further study is warranted to evaluate clinical results using the intermetatarsal screw for the modified Lapidus procedure.     

Comparison of clinical outcomes of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty and excimer laser assisted anterior lamellar keratoplasty in keratoconus

AIM: To compare and evaluate the clinical outcomes of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and excimer laser assisted anterior lamellar keratoplasty (ELLK) in eyes with keratoconus. METHODS: In this study, 57 eyes of 56 patients operated between 2013 to 2017 were included. Thirty-one eyes underwent big-bubble DALK and twenty-six eyes underwent ELLK. Preoperative and at control visits complete ophthalmic examination was performed. RESULTS: The mean patient age at the time of DALK surgery was 27y and mean follow-up period was 21±5.4mo. The mean patient age at the time of ELLK surgery was 27y and mean follow-up period was 40±18mo. Mean best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) at postoperative period was significantly higher for DALK group (0.66±0.11) versus ELLK group (0.4±0.2) (P<0.05). Descemet’s membrane microperforation was occurred in 7 patients in DALK group versus in 1 patient in ELLK group. In 4 eyes, interface irregularity was developed in ELLK group. None of the patients in follow-up had graft rejection in both groups. CONCLUSION: In ELLK group, complication rate is lower, the surgical technique is simpler, faster and safer and also ELLK requires less experience with respect to DALK. Further, DALK can be performed unless satisfactory visual acuity is achieved after ELLK.