Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion,A Misnomer?: Where Do We Go From Here?

The importance of the left atrial appendage (LAA) as the source of thromboembolism including stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation is well documented, with more than 90% of ischemic strokes related to a LAA thrombus. Although oral anticoagulation has been the standard of care, approximately 50% to 60% of patients either have contraindications to oral anticoagulation or do not continue the medication beyond the first year. This led to the development of local site-specific therapy to occlude the LAA by either surgical or transcatheter means. Despite marked advancements, incomplete LAA closure with surgical and transcatheter approaches remains frequent. The etiology of incomplete LAA closure and its clinical implications remain unclear. Multiple strategies are in development including changes in deployment techniques, a new device design, and alternative approaches to leak closure.     

RWMAs in critically ill patients with non-obstructed coronary arteries

Introduction

Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is estimated to occur in 10%–25% of the general intensive care unit (ICU) population and is frequently seen as regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMAs). Although RWMA is mostly attributed to myocardial ischemia or infarction, some studies have suggested that nonischemic RWMA might also be prevalent. We sought to establish that RWMA can be seen in critically ill patients with normal coronary arteries and to explore reasons for RWMA in this population.

Methods

In this retrospective study, data from the hospital angiography register and the ICU register were collated between 2012 and 2019. Patients were identified who underwent angiography in conjunction with their ICU stay and had RWMA on echocardiography. Patients were divided into either those with non-obstructed or those with obstructed coronary arteries. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) examinations were reviewed if they had been performed on patients with non-obstructed coronaries.

Results

We identified 53 patients with RWMA and non-obstructed coronary arteries and 204 patients with RWMA and obstructed coronary arteries. Patients with non-obstructed coronary arteries were more often female, younger, and had fewer cardiovascular risk factors. They less commonly had ST elevation, but more frequently had T-wave inversion or serious arrhythmias. Troponin levels were higher in patients with obstructed coronary arteries, but NT-proBNP was similar between the groups. There were no differences in risk-adjusted 90-day mortality between patients with non-obstructed versus obstructed coronary arteries (OR 1.21, [95% CI 0.56–2.64], p = .628). In those with non-obstructed coronary arteries, follow-up echocardiography was available for 38 patients, of whom 30 showed normalization of cardiac function. Of the 14 patients with non-obstructed coronary arteries on whom cMRI was performed, 7 had a tentative diagnosis of Takotsubo syndrome or myocardial stunning; 4 had a myocardial infarction (preexisting in 3 cases); 1 patient had acute myocarditis; 1 patient had post-myocarditis; and 1 patient was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Conclusion

RWMA can be seen to occur in critically ill patients in the absence of coronary artery obstruction. Several conditions can cause regional hypokinesia, and cMRI is useful to evaluate the underlying etiology.     

舌三针联合康复训练对脑梗死后假性延髓麻痹所致构音障碍的疗效观察

目的:探讨舌三针联合康复训练对脑梗死后假性延髓麻痹所致构音障碍疗效,以期提高脑卒中后患者生命质量。方法:选取2016年12月至2019年1月海南省人民医院收治的脑梗死后假性延髓麻痹所致构音障碍患者78例进行回顾性分析,按照治疗方法不同分为对照组和观察组,每组39例。对照组常规西医+康复训练治疗,观察组在以上基础上加用舌三针治疗,均连续治疗6周。观察2组治疗前、完成治疗后血脂、Frenchay构音评分、血液流变学、言语空气动力学指标变化并比较。完成治疗后总结疗效情况。结果:1)2组治疗完成后反射、呼吸、唇、颌、软腭、喉、舌、言语评分和治疗前比较均显著上升(P<0.05),且观察组上升幅度显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。2)2组治疗完成后三酰甘油(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)较治疗前均显著下降,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)较治疗前比较均显著上升(P<0.05),且观察组上升幅度显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。3)2组治疗完成后全血高低切黏度、血浆黏度、红细胞压积较治疗前均显著下降(P<0.05),且观察组优于对照组(P<0.05)。4)对照组治疗前、完成治疗后各指标比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),观察组治疗完成后平均声压级(MSDV)、音调(P)、最长发声时间(MPT)、平均气流率(MFR)、声门下压(SGP)、声门阻力(GR)、发声效率(VE)较治疗前均显著升高(P<0.05),且观察组优于对照组(P<0.05)。5)观察组治愈率38.46%、总有效率89.74%,显著高于对照组治愈率23.08%、总有效率79.49%(P<0.05)。结论:舌三针联合康复训练能通过促进脑微循环,改善血脂,促进言语功能来改善脑梗死后假性延髓麻痹所致构音障碍症状,提高生命质量。     

风三针治疗中风后吞咽障碍临床研究

目的:观察“风三针”针刺疗法在治疗中风后吞咽障碍的临床疗效。方法:随机收集中风后吞咽障碍患者60例,按照不同的治疗方法分为对照组和治疗组各30例。两组均先进行吞咽康复训练,后治疗组予风三针针刺治疗,观察两组治疗后洼田饮水试验评分,VFSS吞咽难度评分,并进行对比分析其临床疗效。结果:对照组及治疗组在治疗4个疗程后,治疗组总有效率93.33%高于对照组70.00%(P<0.05); 两组洼田饮水试验评分治疗后均低于治疗前(P<0.05),治疗组的评分低于对照组(P<0.05); 两组的VFSS吞咽难度评分治疗后均高于治疗前(P<0.05); 治疗组的VFSS难度评分高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:“风三针”针刺疗法在治疗中风吞咽障碍中临床疗效确切。     

Echocardiographic assessment at rest and during stress in patients with intermittent claudication

Objective. Skeletal muscle perfusion during walking relies on complex interactions between cardiac activity and vascular control mechanisms, why cardiac dysfunction may contribute to intermittent claudication (IC) symptoms. The study aims were to describe cardiac function at rest and during stress in consecutive IC patients, to explore the relations between cardiac function parameters and treadmill performance, and to test the hypothesis that clinically silent myocardial ischemia during stress may contribute to IC limb symptomatology. Design. Patients with mild to severe IC (n?=?111, mean age 67 y, 52% females, mean treadmill distance 195 m) underwent standard echocardiography, dobutamine stress echocardiography (SE) and treadmill testing. The patient cohort was separated in two groups based on treadmill performance (HIGH and LOW performance). Results. Ten patients (9%) had regional wall motion abnormalities of which three had left ventricular ejection fraction <50% at standard echocardiography. A majority had lower than expected systolic- and diastolic ventricular volumes. LOW performers had smaller diastolic left ventricular volumes and lower global peak systolic velocity during dobutamine stress. No patient demonstrated significant cardiac dysfunction during dobutamine provocation that was not also evident at standard echocardiography. Conclusions. Most IC patients were without signs of ischemic heart disease or cardiac failure. The majority had small left ventricular volumes. The hypothesis that clinically silent myocardial ischemia impairing left ventricular function during stress may contribute to IC limb symptomatology was not supported.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01219842.     

Application of polycaprolactone,chitosan, and collagen composite as a nanofibrous mat loaded with silver sulfadiazine and growth factors for wound dressing

Fabrication of nanofibrous biomaterials composed of natural and synthetic materials that incorporated with antibiotic and growth factors with controlled release manner is an attractive topic in wound healing. The purpose of this study was to prepare optimal composite of materials as biomimetic nanofibrous mats for application in wound healing. The mat was prepared of polycaprolactone (PCL) in the bottom, chitosan/poly ethylene oxide (Cs/PEO) in the middle, and PCL/collagen (PCL/Coll) in the top layer. A panel of standard characterization tests of nanofibrous mat was performed and its compatibilities in strength and integration were confirmed. Middle layer was loaded with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and silver sulfadiazine (SSD) was incorporated in the bottom layer as an anti‐infection factor. Then, on the dorsum of rats, a 400‐mm² wound was created and surrounded by a silicone ring to control the usual tissue contractions. Nanofibrous mats with or without growth factors were applied as wound dressings and at day 14, the healing process was evaluated. At day 14, the treated group by designed mat showed faster epithelialization and angiogenesis. Silicone ring in the test group was desirable in wound closure compared to the control group. Reformation of skin tissue was manifested in a shorter time. This composite nanofibrous mat could be introduced as a dynamic and effective candidate for wound dressing.