Sandwich graft technique outcomes in medium and large size nasal septal perforations

IntroductionSurgical treatment of medium and large sized nasal septal perforation is challenging. Techniques with and without interposition grafts are used.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to explain how we apply the sandwich graft technique that we use in medium and large nasal septal perforations as well as to present the results.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the patients who were operated with the sandwich graft technique between January 2014 to December 2018 and followed up for at least 6 months. The demographic data, symptom scores, examination, and surgical findings of the patients were taken from the hospital records. Surgical outcomes were presented according to both perforation etiologies (idiopathic or iatrogenic) and sizes (Group A: < 2 cm, Group B: ≥ 2 cm).ResultsWe reviewed 52 cases and 56 surgeries. The average diameter of the perforations was 19.2 mm. The success rate after initial surgeries was 84.6% (44/52). After 4 revision surgeries, the perforation was closed in 88.5% of the cases (46/52). Success rates for Group A and Group B were 90.0% and 86.4%, respectively (p = 0.689). The success rates in idiopathic and iatrogenic cases were 93.3% and 86.5%, respectively (p = 0.659).ConclusionThis study showed that the success rate of sandwich graft technique was higher in medium-sized perforations than large-sized ones and in idiopathic perforations compared to iatrogenic ones, but the latter rate was not statistically significant. This demonstrated that perforation size was not as important in the sandwich graft technique as in flap techniques.     

Valvuloplasty of fetal pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum and hypoplastic right heart: Mid-term follow-up results

ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze and evaluate the results of mid-term follow-up after fetal pulmonary valvuloplasty (FPV) in fetuses with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS).MethodsFrom August 31, 2018, to May 31, 2019, seven fetuses with PA/IVS and hypoplastic right heart were included in this study. All underwent echocardiography by the same specialist and were operated on by the same team. Intervention and echocardiography data were collected, and changes in the associated indices noted during follow-up were analyzed.ResultsAll seven fetuses successfully underwent FPV. The median gestational age at FPV was 27.54 weeks. The average FPV procedural time was 6 ?min. Persistent bradycardia requiring treatment occurred in 4/7 procedures. Finally, five pregnancies were successfully delivered, and the other two were aborted. Compared to data before fetal cardiac interventions (FCI), tricuspid valve annulus diameter/mitral valve annulus diameter (TV/MV) and right ventricle diameter/left ventricle diameter (RV/LV) of all fetuses had progressively improved. The maximum tricuspid regurgitation velocity decreased from 4.60 ?m/s to 3.64 ?m/s. The average follow-up time was 30.40 ?± ?2.05 months. During the follow-up period, the diameter of the tricuspid valve ring in five children continued to improve, and the development rate of the tricuspid valve was relatively obvious from 6 months to 1 year after birth. However, the development of the right ventricle after birth was relatively slow. It was discovered that there were individual variations in the development of the right ventricle during follow-up.ConclusionThe findings support the potential for the development of the right ventricle and tricuspid valve in fetuses with PA/IVS who underwent FCI. Development of the right ventricle and tricuspid valve does not occur synchronously during pregnancy. The right ventricle develops rapidly in utero, but the development of tricuspid valve is more apparent after birth than in utero.     

Advanced interatrial block predicts ineffective cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: a FinCV2 cohort study

AimsRhythm control using electrical cardioversion (CV) is a common treatment strategy for patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). To guide clinical decision making, we sought to assess if electrocardiographic interatrial blocks could predict CV failure or AF recurrence as the phenomenon is strongly associated with atrial arrhythmias.MethodsThis study included 715 patients who underwent a CV for persistent AF lasting >48 h. P-wave duration and morphology were analyzed in post-procedure or the most recent sinus rhythm electrocardiograms and compared with rates of CV failure and AF recurrence within 30 days after CV as well as their combination (ineffective CV).ResultsCV was unsuccessful in 63 out of 715 patients (8.8%) and AF recurred in 209 out of 652 (29.2%) patients within 30 days after CV. Overall, 272 (38.0%) CVs turned out ineffective. Advanced interatrial block (AIAB) defined as P-wave duration ≥120 ms and biphasic morphology in inferior leads (II, III and aVF) was diagnosed in 72 (10.1%) cases. AIAB was an independent predictor for CV failure (OR 4.51, 95%CI 1.76–11.56, p = .002), AF recurrence (OR 2.93, 95%CI 1.43–5.99, p = .003) and ineffective CV (OR 3.87, 95%CI 2.04–7.36, p < .001).ConclusionAIAB predicted CV failure, AF recurrence as well as their composite. This study presents an easy electrocardiographic tool for the identification of patients with persistent AF who might not benefit from an elective CV in the future.

KEY MESSAGES

• Interatrial blocks are very common in patients with atrial fibrillation.
• Advanced interatrial block predicts ineffective cardioversion.

     

Atrial Failure as a Clinical Entity: JACC Review Topic of the Week

Atrial dysfunction has been widely considered a marker or consequence of other cardiac conditions rather than the cause itself. Here, we propose the term atrial failure as a clinically relevant entity, defined as any atrial dysfunction causing impaired heart performance, symptoms, and worsening quality of life or life expectancy. Aspects of the etiology, mechanisms, and consequences of atrial failure are discussed. Recent advances in cardiac electrophysiology and imaging have improved our understanding of the highly complex atrial anatomy and function, underlying the paramount importance of the atria in optimal heart performance. It is time to reappraise the concept of the failing atrium as a primary cause or aggravating factor of the symptoms in many of our patients. The concept of atrial failure may foster basic and translational research to gain a better understanding of how to identify and manage atrial dysfunction.     

经纵裂-透明隔间腔入路胼胝体切开术治疗难治性癫痫的手术方法及临床疗效

目的探讨经纵裂-透明隔间腔入路胼胝体切开术治疗药物难治性癫痫的手术方法和临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2014年1月至2019年1月上海交通大学医学院附属仁济医院功能神经外科收治的23例难治性癫痫患者的临床资料。患者均采用梯形小骨窗开颅,分别经纵裂-透明隔间腔入路行胼胝体前2/3切开术或一期胼胝体全节段切开术。术前行磁共振静脉成像(MRV)和图像三维重建辅助设计切口和骨窗。术后定期行影像学随访,采用Montreal神经研究所和医院Oguni等胼胝体切开术后疗效分级标准评估疗效。结果23例患者均顺利完成胼胝体切开手术,其中11例行胼胝体前2/3切开术,12例行一期胼胝体全节段切开术。23例患者中,22例沿中线切开胼胝体至透明隔腔,仅1例患者因脑发育畸形,术中探查透明隔腔缺失,改用经侧脑室入路切开胼胝体。患者术后均无颅内出血、脑积水和感染,无遗留长期神经功能障碍和并发症。MRI或弥散张量成像复查证实胼胝体切开范围达到要求。所有患者的中位随访时间为1.8年(0.5~5.2年)。术后疗效分级结果:A级4例、B级6例、C级6例、D级7例、E级0例,总有效率为69.6%(16/23)。结论经纵裂-透明隔间腔入路行胼胝体切开术可保持正中的手术路径,从而减少副损伤和并发症的发生,提高手术疗效。     

鼻整形患者疾病特异性生存质量量表的研究

鼻整形术后的疗效受多因素影响，鼻畸形整复术更注重鼻外形及功能的共同改善，其评价标准包括主观性与客观性内容。疾病特异性量表从患者主观角度对手术前后鼻部状况予以评估，是针对性改善患者生存质量（QoL）的重要工具。QoL的评价包括个体对健康状况的主观认知、症状、功能、患者偏好与价值观等，需要在保留客观性与科学性的基础上，尽可能反映患者的主观感受。本文就近年来疾病特异性量表在鼻整形患者QoL评估方面的应用进展进行综述。     

Prophylactic Peritoneal Dialysis After the Arterial Switch Operation: A Retrospective Cohort Study

1. Download : Download high-res image (170KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image