Pediatric cardiac computed tomography angiography: Expert consensus from the Filiale de Cardiologie Pédiatrique et Congénitale (FCPC) and the Société Française d’Imagerie Cardiaque et Vasculaire diagnostique et interventionnelle (SFICV)

This article was designed to provide a pediatric cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) expert panel consensus based on opinions of experts of the Société Française d’Imagerie Cardiaque et Vasculaire diagnostique et interventionnelle (SFICV) and of the Filiale de Cardiologie Pédiatrique Congénitale (FCPC). This expert panel consensus includes recommendations for indications, patient preparation, CTA radiation dose reduction techniques, and post-processing techniques. The consensus was based on data from available literature (original papers, reviews and guidelines) and on opinions of a group of specialists with extensive experience in the use of CT imaging in congenital heart disease. In order to reach high potential and avoid pitfalls, CCTA in children with congenital heart disease requires training and experience. Moreover, pediatric cardiac CCTA protocols should be standardized to acquire optimal images in this population with the lowest radiation dose possible to prevent unnecessary radiation exposure. We also provided a suggested structured report and a list of acquisition protocols and technical parameters in relation to specific vendors.     

Dynamic Indicators That Impact the Outcomes of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in Complicated Type B Aortic Dissection

PurposeTo investigate dynamic variables obtained from retrospective computed tomography angiography for ability to predict thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) outcomes in patients with complicated type B aortic dissection (cTBAD).Materials and MethodsSeventy-nine patients with cTBAD who received TEVAR from March 2009 to June 2018 were retrospectively enrolled. Relative true lumen area (r-TLA) was computed at the level of tracheal bifurcation every 5% of all R-R intervals. Parameters that reflect the state of intimal motion were evaluated, including difference between maximum and minimum r-TLA (D-TLA) and true lumen collapse. The endpoints comprised early (≤ 30 days) and late (> 30 days) outcomes after intervention.ResultsOverall early mortality rate was 13.9% (11/79), and early adverse events rate was 24.1% (19/79). Patients who received TEVAR within 2 days of symptom onset demonstrated the worst outcomes. A longer time of r-TLA < 25% in 1 cardiac cycle (P = .049) and larger D-TLA (P < .001) were correlated to an increased early death. In addition, D-TLA was an independent predictor of early mortality. Area under the curve of D-TLA was 0.849 (95% confidence interval 0.730–0.967) for predicting early mortality and 0.742 (95% CI 0.611–0.873) for predicting early adverse events. Survival and event-free survival rates during follow-up were decreased in the D-TLA > 21.5% group compared with the D-TLA ≤ 21.5% group (all P < .001).ConclusionsLarger D-TLA is correlated with worse postoperative outcomes and might be a crucial parameter for future risk stratification in patients with cTBAD.     

脑心通胶囊治疗脑梗死合并心肌缺血的多中心非随机临床对照试验

目的：观察脑心通胶囊（步长制药）治疗脑梗死合并心肌缺血患者的临床疗效。方法选取2013年10月至2014年12月北京21所医院神经内科收治的符合入组条件的急性脑梗死伴心肌缺血患者，非随机分为脑心通组（基础治疗基础上加用步长脑心通胶囊）和对照组（仅基础治疗）。对比分析第4周、8周、12周时2组心电图变化以及使用NIHSS和改良mRankin评估第12周时神经功能变化。结果入组544例，剔除16例（不良事件2例、自动放弃1例、违背规则1例、失访6例、其他6例），实际完成试验528例（包含测量资料缺失病例），其中脑心通组291例，对照组237例。心肌缺血改善的有效率脑心通组和对照组第4周差异无统计学意义（18．1％、14．9％， P ＝0．704）；但第8周（27．7％、14．3％， P ＝0．001）和第12周（31．3％、16．9％，P ＜0．01）差异有统计学意义（ P ＜0．05）。第12周时NIHSS减少≥2分脑心通组（77．7％）明显高于对照组（68．4％）（ P ＜0．05），mRankin 减少≥1分脑心通组（67．7％）显著高于对照组（56．1％）（ P ＜0．05）。多因素分析心电图改善的独立影响因素是脑心通（ P ＝0．005）和第12周时AST的降低（ P ＝00．47）；神经功能改善的影响因素包括脑心通治疗、基线收缩压和肌酐水平、既往心脏病或高脂血症病史。结论脑心通胶囊联合基础治疗对脑梗死合并心肌缺血临床疗效确切。     

Recording of electroencephalograms and electrocardiograms during daytime sleep in trained canines: Preparation of the sleeping dogs

Abstract  Although respiration in trained canines is well investigated, the process of preparing dogs has not been described in any great detail. Moreover, their daytime patterns of sleep and wakefulness during 1 or 2 h of electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings are not clear. Therefore, we describe the process of selecting and training dogs, in which we recorded EEG and ECG in the laboratory. First, 14 of 1242 dogs dealt with over a 1 year period were chosen. They were trained for 2 h to lie quietly and to sleep in the laboratory; this training procedure was repeated 152 times. Three dogs were then selected and a permanent tracheostomy was performed in one. Finally, EEG and ECG were recorded with the bipolar fine needle electrodes; respiration was recorded simultaneously through a tube inserted to a tracheostomy in one dog. Wakefulness, slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (REMS) were identified according to the EEG pattern and on the basis of the behavioral criteria. Recordings were performed 12 or 13 times in each dog. Complete sleep cycles, including wakefulness, SWS and REMS in this sequence, were observed 3.9–4.1 times. The mean duration of SWS was 2.2–4.4 min and that of REMS was 3.5–4.6 min. The REMS latency was 33.9–41.8 min. Fluctuation of heart rate with respiration, termed respiratory sinus arrhythmia, was noted in the ECG. Heart beat increased with inspiration and decreased with expiration. The present study demonstrates how to select and train sleeping dogs and shows their undisturbed daytime sleep and wakefulness patterns.     

“Helper:” A critical events prompter for unexpected emergencies

Objective. The medical practitioner is faced with an increasing list of protocols and algorithms related to patient care. These recommendations are often difficult to recall, particularly in stressful emergency situations. Using advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) protocols, we built a computer-based system to exhibit precompiled response plans for medical emergencies. To validate the usefulness of this prompting device, we tested application of two of the nine ACLS algorithms, pulseless ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia (Vfib/Vtach) and bradycardia, in a simulated operating room (OR) environment.Methods. The system utilized the software authoring system IconAuthor (Aimtec Inc., Nashua, NH) and a touch-screen monitor (DiamondScan, Microtouch, Methuen, MA). Prior to testing our system, all 39 subjects were given time to familiarize themselves with its operation. Subsequently, all subjects were videotaped while managing a standard simulated anesthetic. During the anesthetic, the subjects were presented with two emergency scenarios, not viewed during the familiarization period. The electrocardiographic (EKG) signals for normal sinus rhythm, ventricular fibrillation, and second-degree heart block were presented. By random selection, the prompter was available to half of the subjects for help with arrhythmia management (experimental group), while to half it was not (control group).Results. A total of 39 subjects completed the exercise. Use of the prompter enabled significantly more subjects to administer correct drugs and dosages during ventricular fibrillation. The correct lidocaine dose was chosen more often by the experimental group than by the control (p=0.015); similarly MgSO₄ was appropriately ordered more often in the experimental group (p=0.003). During second-degree heart block, atropine was correctly followed with a dopamine infusion (p=0.004), and epinephrine infusion was ordered for refractory bradycardia (p=0.002) more often in the experimental than the control group.Conclusions. These data demonstrate the value of a prompting device at the anesthesia workstation. We foresee the use of such prompters in many areas of medicine.This study was made possible by a grant from the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation. Results were presented, in part, at the meeting of the STA/SEA Orlando, Florida, January 1994.     

急性脑梗死患者临床分型及梗死面积与心电图改变的关系

目的 探讨急性脑梗死患者临床分型和梗死面积与心电图(ECG)改变的关系.方法 给216例急性脑梗死患者进行ECG检查,按牛津郡社区卒中项目(OCSP)分型和梗死面积分型,对各组患者的ECG检查结果进行分析比较.结果 OCSP分型完全前循环梗死(TACI)组、部分前循环梗死(PACI)组、后循环梗死(POCI)组和腔隙性梗死(LACI)组患者的ECG异常率分别是: 95. 5%、80.4%、62.5%和48.5%,TACI组和PACI组明显高于LACI组(P＜0.05～0.01);大中面积梗死组(83.7%)的ECG异常率明显高于小面积梗死组(60.4%)和腔隙性梗死组(53.2%)(P＜0.05～0.01);小面积梗死组的ECG异常率高于腔隙性梗死组(P＜0.05).OCSP和梗死面积分型各亚型组出现ST-T改变和心律失常的比率差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05～0.01).结论 急性脑梗死临床分型病情重和梗死面积大的患者ECG异常率高.     

Electrocardiographic Changes in Spontaneous Left Pneumothorax

ABSTRACT. Keller N, Szaff M, Sykulski R (Department of Internal Medicine, Sundby Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark). Electrocardiographic changes in spontaneous left pneumothorax. Acta Med Scand 1987; 221:499–501. A 25-year-old man was admitted with severe chest pain and an electrocardiogram suggestive of anterior myocardial infarction. Echocardiogram was normal, but chest X-ray showed left-sided pneumothorax. The electrocardiogram showed increasing R-wave amplitude in the days after correction of pneumothorax. Taken in the supine position the electrocardiogram can be misleading in case of pneumothorax or mediastinal emphysema, but the electrocardiogram should be normal if taken in the erect position.