Left ventricular rotational deformation changes by speckle tracking imaging before and 24 hours after transcatheter closure of large secundum atrial septal defects in children

Background: Large atrial septal defects (ASDs) in children cause increased volume overload of the right side of the heart which in turn lead to impairment of left ventricular (LV) performance. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate immediate LV rotational deformation changes in children with large ASDs post-device closure and removal of right ventricle (RV) volume overload. Patients and Methods: Twenty children who underwent transcatheter closure (TCC) of large secundum ASDs were included in the study. LV rotational deformation was assessed pre- and 24 hours post-device closure using speckle tracking imaging (STI). Results: 55% were females with mean age 6.1 ± 3.5 years. LV peak basal clockwise rotation improved significantly (−6.9 ± 2.6° before vs −10.3 ± 4.1° after TCC, P = .005), and time to peak clockwise rotation (345.1 ± 124.7 milliseconds (ms) before vs 282.2 ± 82.9 ms after closure, P = .02). There was no significant difference in apical rotational parameters including peak counterclockwise rotation (P > .05 for both). LV twist (11.3 ± 3.8° before vs 17.5 ± 7.1° after closure, P = .001) and torsion (2.1 ± 0.7°/cm before vs 3.1 ± 1.2°/cm after closure, P = .01) were significantly improved, mainly as the result of improvement of LV basal rotation. LV revealed a significant increase in LV end-diastolic volumes (P = .02) 24 hour after TCC with no significant change (P > .05) in end-systolic volumes after closure. Conclusion: Increased peak LV twisting and torsion were attributed to the improved peak systolic clockwise basal rotation after TCC of large ASDs in children.     

原发性闭角型青光眼合并视网膜色素变性的临床特征分析

目的 分析原发性闭角型青光眼合并视网膜色素变性患者的临床特征。 方法 本研究纳入2013年4月至2017年4月于首都医科大学附属北京同仁医院眼科中心住院治疗的原发性闭角型青光眼(primary angle closure glaucoma ,PACG)合并视网膜色素变性(retinitis pigmentosa,RP)患者32例,和同期入院的不合并RP的PACG患者229例。根据青光眼类型将其分为4组,急性闭角型青光眼合并RP组(acute angle closure glaucoma with retinitis pigmentosa, AACG-RP)12例、慢性闭角型青光眼合并RP组(chronic angle closure glaucoma with retinitis pigmentosa, CACG-RP)20例、急性闭角型青光眼不合并RP组(AACG-non RP)94例、慢性闭角型青光眼不合并RP组(CACG-non RP)135例,比较4组患者的发病年龄和眼轴长度等参数。 结果 患者平均发病年龄AACG-RP组(39.00±12.07)岁、CACG-RP组(43.85±12.79)岁、AACG-non RP组(66.44±9.40)岁、CACG-non RP组(63.95±10.42)岁,4组之间差异有统计学意义(F=47.70,P<0.05)。患者平均眼轴长度AACG-RP组(21.31±1.37)mm、CACG-RP组(22.33±1.09)mm、AACG-non RP组(22.31±1.03)mm、CACG-non RP组(22.47±1.01)mm,4组之间差异有统计学意义(F=19.09,P<0.05)。 结论 原发性闭角型青光眼患者合并视网膜色素变性患者中,急性闭角型青光眼患者较慢性闭角型青光眼患者发病更早,眼轴更短。原发性闭角型青光眼合并视网膜色素变性患者,尤其是急性闭角型青光眼合并视网膜色素变性患者较无视网膜色素变性者发病年龄更早,且眼轴更短。     

Transcatheter Arterial Sclerosing Embolization for the Treatment of Giant Propranolol-Resistant Infantile Hemangiomas in the Parotid Region

PurposeTo report the effectiveness and safety of transcatheter arterial sclerosing embolization (TASE) for the treatment of parotid infantile hemangiomas that did not respond appreciably to propranolol.Materials and MethodsA total of 21 infants (12 male and 9 female) with large propranolol-resistant infantile hemangiomas in the parotid region were enrolled in this study. During TASE, the feeding arteries of the lesions were embolized using pingyangmycin-lipiodol emulsion and polyvinyl alcohol particles (300–500 μm) to reduce the blood flow rate. All children were followed up as outpatients at 2 weeks and monthly thereafter. The curative effect was evaluated at the 1- and 3-month follow-up visits.ResultsNine lesions were located on the right side of the parotid gland, whereas 12 were located on the left side. The feeding arteries in all patients originated from branches of the external carotid artery. TASE was technically successful in all patients. The mean (± SD) maximal diameter of the hemangiomas significantly decreased from 6.50 cm ± 2.28 before treatment to 3.56 cm ± 1.84 at 1 month after TASE (P <. 05). Three months after TASE, the mean maximal diameter further significantly decreased to 1.94 cm ± 1.58 (P <. 05). During the follow-up period, 16 cases were rated as excellent and 5 as good; no recurrence or serious complications were noted. Minor side effects, such as slight pain, mild fever, and tissue swelling, were observed.ConclusionsTASE significantly decreased the size of the parotid hemangiomas with minor side effects during a short follow-up period.     

Estimated effectiveness of school closure and voluntary event cancellation as COVID-19 countermeasures in Japan

BackgroundAs countermeasures against the COVID-19 outbreak, sports and entertainment events were canceled (VEC) in Japan for two weeks from 26 February through 13 March. Moreover, most schools were closed (SC).ObjectiveFor this study, we estimated the basic reproduction number (R₀) and SC and VEC effects.MethodAfter constructing a susceptible–infected–recovered model with three age classes, we used data of symptomatic patients in Japan for 14 January through 24 March. The SC and VEC effects were incorporated into the model through changes in contact patterns and contact frequencies among age classes.ResultsResults suggest R₀ as 2.56, with 95% CI of [2.51, 2.96] before SC and VEC. The respective effects of SC and VEC were estimated as 0.4 (95% CI [0.3, 0.5]) and 0.5 (95% CI [0.3, 0.7]).ConclusionThe estimated R₀ is similar to those found from other studies of China and Japan. Significant reduction of contact frequency has been achieved by SC and VEC. Nevertheless, its magnitude was insufficient to contain the outbreak.