Intervention rates and outcomes in medically managed uncomplicated descending thoracic aortic dissections

ObjectiveTo evaluate the long-term incidence and outcome of aortic interventions for medically managed uncomplicated thoracic aortic dissections.MethodsBetween January 2012 and December 2018, 91 patients were discharged home with an uncomplicated, medically treated aortic dissection (involving the descending aorta with or without aortic arch involvement, no ascending involvement). After a median period of 4 (first quartile: 2, third quartile: 11) months, 30 patients (33%) required an aortic intervention. Patient characteristics, radiographic, treatment, and follow-up data were compared for patients with and without aortic interventions. A competing risk regression model was analyzed to identify independent predictors of aortic intervention and to predict the risk for intervention.ResultsPatients who underwent aortic interventions had significantly larger thoracic (P = .041) and abdominal (P = .015) aortic diameters, the dissection was significantly longer (P = .035), there were more communications between both lumina (P = .040), and the first communication was significantly closer to the left subclavian artery (P = .049). A descending thoracic aortic diameter exceeding 45 mm was predictive for an aortic intervention (P = .001; subdistribution hazard ratio: 3.51). The risk for aortic intervention was 27% ± 10% and 36% ± 11% after 1 and 3 years, respectively. Fourteen patients (47%) underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair, 11 patients (37%) thoracic endovascular aortic repair and left carotid to subclavian bypass, 3 patients (10%) total arch replacement with the frozen elephant trunk technique, and 2 patients (7%) thoracoabdominal aortic replacement. We observed no in-hospital mortality.ConclusionsThe need for secondary aortic interventions in patients with initially medically managed, uncomplicated descending aortic dissections is substantial. The full spectrum of aortic treatment options (endovascular, hybrid, conventional open surgical) is required in these patients.     

How does transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease compare to hematopoietic cell transplantation-associated graft-versus-host disease?

Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD) is a rare life-threatening complication of blood transfusion caused by donor T cells that escape rejection by the recipient immune system. These donor T cells drive recipient tissue damage in response to host antigens. On the other hand, GVHD occurring after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT-GVHD) is also caused by donor T cells, but its pathophysiology is more complex and differs due to the effects of tissue damage caused by pre?HCT conditioning and profound immunosuppression. Both TA-GVHD and HCT-GVHD can be fatal; however, mortality is higher with TA-GVHD due to the paucity of treatment options. Here, we compare and summarize the presentation, diagnosis, pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment of TA-GVHD and HCT-GVHD.     

40例职业性化学碱灼伤救治体会

[摘要]　目的　评估直接抗病毒药物（direct antivirus agent, DAA）治疗肝移植术后HCV感染复发的有效性和安全性。方法?回顾性分析首都医科大学附属北京佑安医院2011年2月—2018年12月收治的14例肝移植术后HCV感染复发患者的DAA治疗临床数据，比较患者基线与治疗结束后肝肾功能、血常规、凝血功能、病毒学水平以及无创纤维化评分天冬氨酸转氨酶血小板比率指数（aspartate aminotransferase-platelet ratio index, APRI）的差异。利用电子病历系统和电话随访收集患者治疗期间不良反应发生情况。结果?所有患者均在治疗结束时达到病毒学清除，12周、24周持续病毒学应答率均为100%，DAA治疗后随访17～44个月，期间均未见病毒学复发。与基线水平相比，治疗终点时ALT、AST、TBIL、γ-谷氨酰转移酶以及无创纤维化评分APRI显著下降，WBC、HGB、PLT、CRE、肾小球滤过率和血糖等指标均未见显著变化。DAA治疗期间共3例患者发生不良反应，均为轻度，可自然缓解。结论?肝移植术后HCV感染复发的DAA治疗是安全有效的。     

Pure laparoscopic living donor liver transplantation: Dreams come true

Minimally invasive approaches are increasingly being applied in surgeries and have recently been used in living donor hepatectomy. We have developed a safe and reproducible method for minimally invasive living donor liver transplantation, which consists of pure laparoscopic explant hepatectomy and pure laparoscopic implantation of the graft, which was inserted through a suprapubic incision. Pure laparoscopic explant hepatectomy without liver fragmentation was performed in a 60-year-old man with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The explanted liver was retrieved through a suprapubic incision. A modified right liver graft, procured from his 24-year-old son using the pure laparoscopic method, was inserted through a suprapubic incision, and implantation was performed intracorporeally throughout the procedure. The time required to remove the liver was 369 min, and the total operative time was 960 min. No complications occurred during or after the surgery. The patient recovered well, and his hospital stay was of 11 days. Pure laparoscopic living donor liver transplantation from explant hepatectomy to implantation was performed successfully. It is a feasible procedure when performed by a highly experienced surgeon and transplantation team. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm its safety and feasibility.

     

顺行指掌侧固有动脉推进皮瓣修复指端组织缺损的临床疗效观察

目的探讨顺行指掌侧固有动脉推进皮瓣应用于指端组织缺损患者的疗效。方法77例指端组织缺损患者随机分为两组,对照组行指动脉逆行岛状皮瓣修复术,实验组行顺行指掌侧固有动脉推进皮瓣修复术,比较两组的疗效、术后患指功能以及并发症。结果实验组的治疗优良率和术后患指功能评分均显著高于对照组(P<0.05);两组的术后并发症发生率无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论顺行指掌侧固有动脉推进皮瓣在指端组织缺损患者中应用效果显著,可促进术后患指功能恢复,安全性高。     

Radiation-Free Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair with Fiberoptic and Electromagnetic Guidance: A Phantom Study

PurposeTo evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of a radiation-free implantation of a thoracic aortic stent graft employing fiberoptic and electromagnetic tracking in an anthropomorphic phantom.Materials and MethodsAn anthropomorphic phantom was manufactured based on computed tomography (CT) angiography data from a patient. An aortic stent graft application system was equipped with a fiber Bragg gratings and 3 electromagnetic sensors. The stent graft was navigated in the phantom by 3 interventionalists using the tracking data generated by both technologies. One implantation procedure was performed. The technical success of the procedure was evaluated using digital subtraction angiography and CT angiography (before and after the intervention). Tracking accuracy was determined at various anatomical landmarks based on separately acquired fluoroscopic images. The mean/maximum errors were measured for the stent graft application system and the tip/end of the stent graft.ResultsThe procedure resulted in technical success with a mean error below 3 mm for the entire application system and <2 mm for the position of the tip of the stent graft. Navigation/implantation and handling of the device were rated sufficiently accurate and on par with comparable, routinely used stent graft application systems.ConclusionsThe study demonstrates successful stent graft implantation during a thoracic endovascular aortic repair procedure employing advanced guidance techniques and avoiding fluoroscopic imaging. This is an essential step in facilitating the implantation of stent grafts and reducing the health risks associated with ionizing radiation during endovascular procedures.     

Performance of EAST in diagnosing inhalant allergens in children with allergic rhinitis

The performance of enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (EAST) for identifying six indoor allergens was evaluated using skin prick test (SPT) as reference tests in 154 children with allergic rhinitis. Sensitivity of EAST ranged from 9% (cat) to 54% (HDM) with specificity of 74%(cockroach) to 100% (cat) with an agreement ranged from 58 to 86%. Cut off values ?> ?0.35 kU/L showed best sensitivity and specificity. Our findings agree with extant literature which suggests that the ability of EAST to determine the precipitating allergen is moderate. Assays for definitively identifying the inhalant allergen are currently not available.     

脐带间充质干细胞分泌的外泌体对骨性关节炎模型大鼠的镇痛作用

目的观察脐带间充质干细胞分泌的外泌体对骨性关节炎模型大鼠疼痛行为、软骨修复及背根神经节(DRG)中转录激活因子3(ATF-3)及生长相关蛋白43(GAP-43)表达的影响, 并探讨外泌体治疗关节炎疼痛的可能机制。方法采用随机数字表法将54只雄性SD大鼠分为假手术组、模型组和外泌体组, 每组18只, 除假手术组外, 其余2组均于左后肢膝关节腔注射4 mg/50 μl单碘乙酸钠(MIA)建立疼痛模型, 假手术组大鼠关节腔注射50 μl生理盐水作为对照。造模14天后, 假手术组和模型组大鼠左后肢膝关节腔注射50 μl生理盐水, 外泌体组大鼠注射50 μl外泌体。于造模前1天、造模后第7、14天及给药后第7、14、28天对各组大鼠机械痛阈和热痛阈进行测定;于测试后取出相应时间点DRG, 采用免疫蛋白印迹法检测ATF-3及GAP-43表达情况;并取出相应时间点各组大鼠膝关节, 采用苏木素伊红(HE)染色检测软骨修复情况。结果与模型组比较, 外泌体组在给药后第7天时, 机械痛阈值及热痛阈值均明显增加, 直到给药后第28天时差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05);DRG水平ATF-3蛋白表达显著...