Effects of the Cerebral Aneurysm Treatment Method on Coil Packing Density and Its Relationship with the Ostium Area

PurposeTo test the following hypotheses: (a) balloon or stent assistance increases coil packing density (CPD) in the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms, and (b) CPD correlates to ostium area (OA) and aneurysm volume (AV).Materials and MethodsThis retrospective study included 60 aneurysms (54 ruptured and 6 unruptured) treated with simple coiling (SC) (n = 18), balloon-assisted coiling (BAC) (n = 7), or stent-assisted coiling (SAC) (n = 35) at the authors’ institution between August 2017 and December 2019. AV and OA measurements were obtained from 3-dimensional digital subtraction angiography images using commercial software. Coil sizes were retrieved from patient files, and coil volume (CV) measurements were obtained from https://www.angiocalc.com/. Analysis of covariance, multivariate covariance analysis, and Pearson correlation analyses were performed.ResultsThe median value for AV, CV, CPD, and OA was 63.4 mm³ (range, 5.5–1,771.4 mm³), 23.13 mm³ (range, 2.03–296.95 mm³), 33.29% (range, 13.41%–81.02%), and 10.7 mm² (range, 2.7–49.9 mm²), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the CPD values were not significantly different among the treatment groups, although OA significantly differed between the SC and SAC groups (P < .05). Pearson correlations showed that similar to AV, OA was negatively correlated with CPD (r = ?0.321, P < .05).ConclusionsThe CPD value in cerebral aneurysms treated with BAC or SAC did not differ from that in aneurysms treated with SC.     

血流导向装置治疗大脑中动脉M2段以及远部位动脉瘤的围术期重症护理

目的:探讨血流导向装置治疗大脑中动脉M2段以及远部位动脉瘤的围术期护理方法和价值。方法:选取2021年1月—2021年6月山西省某三级甲等医院神经外科16例大脑中动脉M2段以及远部位动脉瘤病人,均进行血流导向装置Pipeline治疗,总结围术期护理要点。结果:16例病人的手术成功率为100%,术后无相关并发症发生。结论:医务人员需高度关注围术期颅内动脉瘤病人,术前给予病人足够的心理支持和疏导,术中与医生、麻醉师、手术室护士紧密配合,术后密切监测并发症的发生,使病人能够安全度过围术期,顺利康复出院。     

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: It’s Not Your Normal Hoofbeats

The purpose of this article is to acquaint the reader with the presentation, diagnosis, and management of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a group of genetic connective tissue disorders. Progressive weakness of connective tissue is the underlying cause of all types of EDS. The symptoms of EDS are numerous, with variability in presentation. However, decreased quality of life caused by chronic pain and fatigue is a commonality of all types of EDS. This article will assist the nurse practitioner in recognizing EDS and offer guidance for treatment.     

Increased hospital costs are associated with low skeletal muscle mass in patients undergoing elective open aortic surgery

Objective

Low psoas muscle area is shown to be an indicator for worse postoperative outcome in patients undergoing vascular surgical. Additionally, it has been associated with longer durations of hospital stay in patients with cancer who undergo surgery and subsequently greater health care costs in Europe and the United States. We sought to evaluate this effect on hospital expenditure for patients undergoing vascular repair in a health care system with universal access.

Giant right coronary artery aneurysm secondary to Kawasaki disease in an infant

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a potentially decapacitating multisystemic vasculitis with unknown etiology that acquired worldwide attention due to associated coronary aneurysms leading to life-threatening complications in very young babies including thrombosis, ischemia, and rupture. High levels of suspicion for early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial in preventing serious complications. We report here one of the patients who developed a giant coronary aneurysm but fortunately not a life-threatening complication after 5?years of follow-up. We conclude that later intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) treatment could be an important factor—among others—that precipitate into such complications.     

Clinical validation of three-dimensional ultrasound for abdominal aortic aneurysm

ObjectiveThree-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US) examination is a relatively new modality that can be used for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surveillance, and may offer improved reproducibility over conventional two-dimensional ultrasound (2D-US) examination. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interoperator reproducibility of maximum anterior-to-posterior diameter by nonphysician ultrasound technicians in a typical vascular laboratory setting, on patients with infrarenal AAAs using 3D-US and 2D-US examination.MethodsA total of 134 consecutive patients with asymptomatic infrarenal AAAs were screened. Of the 134 patients, 28 (21%) were screen failures. From the remaining 106 patients, 3 (2.8%) had missing data and 13 (12.3%) had technically unacceptable image quality. As a result, 90 patients were included for final analysis. Ultrasound image acquisitions were performed during the single visit. The 2D-US images were evaluated at the time of examination by the respective ultrasound technicians who acquired them. All 3D-US images were evaluated offline by both ultrasound technicians after a wash-out period of at least 6 weeks.ResultsExcellent interoperator reproducibility was observed for measuring maximum diameter using 3D-US (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.97), and good agreement among ultrasound technicians (mean difference, −0.08 mm; limits of agreement, −3.17; 3.00 mm). When using 3D-US examination, 74 of the 90 patients (82%) were estimated within 2 mm of interoperator variability. Of 90 patients, 52 (58%) were estimated to be within the same variability by 2D-US examination. Estimating AAA diameter using 3D-US was superior to 2D-US with respect to interoperator reproducibility.ConclusionsBoth 3D-US and 2D-US examination demonstrated good reproducibility among two vascular ultrasound technicians with superior agreement from 3D-US examination. The present results support the broader use of 3D-US in standard AAA surveillance programs.     

破裂前交通动脉瘤术后患者认知功能及预后的临床研究

目的研究破裂前交通动脉瘤手术治疗后患者的认知功能及预后情况。 方法回顾性分析山西医科大学第一医院神经外科自2015年3月至2017年6月连续收治的94例破裂前交通动脉瘤患者的临床资料，应用认知功能电话问卷修订版及工具性日常生活能力量表、改良Rankin量表评价术后患者的认知功能及预后。采用单因素分析及多因素Logistic回归分析术后患者认知功能与预后的影响因素。 结果67例患者完成了术后认知功能及预后的随访评价。单因素分析：Hunt-Hess分级、文化程度是术后患者认知功能的影响因素（P<0.05）；Hunt-Hess分级、Fisher分级、年龄、文化程度是患者预后的影响因素（P<0.05）。进一步行多因素分析，高文化程度是术后患者认知功能的独立影响因素（OR=0.073，95%CI：0.008~0.638，P=0.018）。 结论高文化程度是术后患者认知功能的独立影响因素，且是保护因素。     

Heparin Flush Use in Transfemoral Cerebral Angiography Survey

The drug concentration of heparinized saline used for transfemoral catheter angiography flush during different types of cerebral angiogram procedures varies among providers and centers worldwide. Although heparin is recommended for use during cerebral angiograms to minimize the risk of thromboembolic events associated with the utilization of multiple endovascular devices and lengthy procedures, there is a paucity of information available regarding protocols for administration of heparin and heparinized saline. Higher concentrations of heparinized saline flush may benefit patients undergoing elective nonruptured intracranial aneurysm embolization procedures by decreasing the risk of thromboembolism. However, it could potentially place patients undergoing revascularization procedures for acute ischemic stroke at higher risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, particularly if they received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator immediately before endovascular thrombectomy. After obtaining permission from the Association for Radiologic and Imaging Nursing (ARIN) Board of Directors, a survey was presented in English and electronically distributed by the ARIN to all current and past ARIN members with valid e-mail addresses. The survey was preceded by an introductory letter explaining the study purpose and its voluntary nature. Response to the survey was identified as consent to participate. Subjects were asked to participate if they were currently involved in the management of patients undergoing cerebral angiography with a variety of interventions including management of acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. There is a paucity of evidence supporting use of a specific concentration of heparinized saline solution. It ranges from no heparin added to concentrations exceeding 5 units/mL for transfemoral flush. The most frequently used concentration is 2 units/mL (32.8–34.8% of respondents depending on endovascular intervention), and the least frequently utilized concentrations are 3 units/mL and higher than 5 units/mL (4.3–5.7% of respondents depending on endovascular intervention). Mixing and labeling bags with heparinized saline flush was noted to be the responsibility of interventional radiology registered nurse (39%, n = 46), pharmacy (26.3%, n = 31), or the angiography technologist (8.5%, n = 10). More than quarter (26.5%) of respondents noted not having readily available premixed heparinized saline flush. Twenty-four (20.3%) of survey participants claimed using only premixed bags of heparinized saline solution. Despite the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Institute for Safe Medication Practices and Joint Commission recommendations, there are no standard protocols across stroke centers identifying optimal heparinized saline flush solution concentration, preparation, and documentation. Replication of this survey among members of the American Society of Neuroradiology is recommended to validate the findings from the present study. If confirmed, a consensus on safety of heparinized saline flush use during neuroradiology interventions is strongly advised.     

小脑前下动脉瘤11例临床分析

目的 总结小脑前下动脉瘤的临床和影像学特点，以及手术夹闭与介入治疗两种方法的治疗效果。 方法 回顾性分析首都医科大学附属北京天坛医院神经外科2012年1月-2019年12月收治的小脑前 下动脉瘤患者的基线信息、临床表现、动脉瘤特点、治疗方式和治疗效果。 结果 共收治11例小脑前下动脉瘤患者，其中显微外科手术夹闭动脉瘤5例，治愈率100%，术后2例 （40%）出现不完全性失语和手术侧面瘫，随访均无复发；介入治疗6例，5例（83.3%）完全栓塞动脉 瘤，其中2例（33.3%）闭塞动脉瘤远端载瘤动脉，1例（16.7%）栓塞治疗失败，术后1例（16.7%）出现 记忆力下降，1例（16.7%）出院1个月后动脉瘤破裂，并最终死亡。 结论 对于小脑前下动脉瘤，积极干预对于挽救患者生命意义重大，开颅手术夹闭和介入治疗都是 可选的治疗方式，两者均效果确切。