右美托咪定-罗哌卡因混合液颈神经根阻滞在肩关节镜术后镇痛中的应用

目的 观察右美托咪定-罗哌卡因混合液选择性颈神经根阻滞对肩关节镜手术术后镇痛效果的影响及安全性分析。方法 选取厦门大学附属中山医院择期行肩关节镜手术患者60例,ASA Ⅰ或Ⅱ级,随机分为右美托咪定-罗哌卡因混合液组（DR组）和罗哌卡因组（R组）,每组30例。两组均于术前30?min行C5、C6神经根阻滞,DR组每个神经根分别予以右美托咪定0.5?μg/kg复合0.5%罗哌卡因混合液共4?ml,R组每个神经根分别予以0.5%罗哌卡因4?ml。所有患者均复合喉罩全身麻醉。记录感觉、运动阻滞起效时间及感觉、运动阻滞持续时间;记录术后不同时间点的视觉模拟评分（VAS评分）;记录术后48?h纳布啡补救镇痛的用量;记录患者满意度和不良反应情况。结果 DR组感觉、运动阻滞起效时间短于R组（P?<0.05）;DR组感觉、运动阻滞持续时间较R组长（P?<0.05）;DR组术后12、18、24和36?h的VAS评分及术后48?h纳布啡用量较R组低（P?<0.05）;与R组比较,DR组术后满意度较高（P?<0.05）;DR组有2例发生心动过缓,两组呼吸困难、声音嘶哑等不良反应差异无统计学意义（P?>0.05）。结论 右美托咪定-罗哌卡因混合液颈神经根阻滞能明显缩短神经阻滞起效时间,延长肩关节镜手术术后镇痛时间,减少术后镇痛药物的用量,可在肩关节镜手术镇痛中安全运用。     

罗哌卡因联合右美托咪定超声引导SAPB对乳腺癌术后镇痛效果的研究

目的研究罗哌卡因联合右美托咪定在超声引导前锯肌平面阻滞下对乳腺癌术后镇痛效果的影响。方法选取2017年1月～2018年3月于我院择期行乳腺癌根治术的患者200例作为研究对象,随机分为两组:罗哌卡因组(R组)和罗哌卡因联合右美托咪定组(RD组),每组100例。术后两组患者均在超声引导下行SAPB,R组给予0.3%罗哌卡因20 mL,RD组给予0.3%罗哌卡因复合0.5μg/kg右美托咪定20 mL。比较R组和RD组患者术后2 h、6 h、12 h、24 h及48 h各时间点的视觉模拟评分(VAS)、镇静评分(Ramsay)、舒适度评分(BCS)及镇痛泵有效按压次数,并记录两组患者的不良反应发生情况。根据所得数据采用SPSS 20.0统计学软件进行分析处理。结果 RD组在术后各时点的VAS、Ramsay镇静评分和镇痛泵有效按压次数均低于R组,BCS均高于R组,各指标在24 h和48 h时点比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);RD组在术后48 h内的相关总不良反应发生率明显低于R组(P0.05)。结论罗哌卡因联合右美托咪定用于SAPB能明显减轻乳腺癌术后疼痛,延长镇痛效果,提高舒适度,降低术后恶心呕吐和低血压等相关不良反应发生率,更有利于患者康复。     

右美托咪定在硬膜外自控镇痛中的应用

目的 观察右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因用于硬膜外自控镇痛的效果及安全性.方法 选择60例ASAⅠ～Ⅱ级拟行混合痔外剥内扎术的患者,采用硬膜外麻醉,术后行硬膜外自控镇痛,分为3组,每组20例,吗啡组(M组):首剂2 mg吗啡+0.1%罗哌卡因5 mL,泵内为4 mg吗啡+0.1%罗哌卡因250 mL;罗哌卡因组(R组):首剂给予0.1%罗哌卡因5 mL,泵内为0.1%罗哌卡因250 mL;右美托咪定组(D组):首剂给予右美托咪定8 μg+0.1%罗哌卡因5 mL,泵内为右美托咪定1.0 μg/kg +0.1%罗哌卡因250 mL.3组PCA参数均为背景输注计量5 mL/h,持续48 h,单次给药剂量1 mL,锁定时间15 min.观察患者术后4、12、24、48 h的VAS疼痛评分和血压、心率、镇静程度,记录术后24 h运动阻滞程度和术后不良反应.结果 术后4和48 h 3组间VAS疼痛评分差异无统计学意义,术后12和24 h M组和D组VAS疼痛评分低于R组(P<0.05);术后4、12、24、48 h血压、心率、镇静程度评分及术后24 h运动阻滞程度评分3组间差异无统计学意义;M组术后恶心、呕吐和尿潴留发生率明显高于R组和D组(P<0.01),皮肤瘙痒3组间差异无统计学意义.结论 右美托咪定复合0.1%罗哌卡因进行硬膜外术后自控镇痛效果确切,安全,不良反应少.     

超声引导腹横肌平面右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因阻滞对下腹部手术患者镇痛效果的临床观察

目的探讨盐酸右美托咪定（dexmedetomidine hydrochloride）复合罗哌卡因（ropivacaine）应用于超声引导腹横肌平面（transversus abdominal plane,TAP）阻滞对下腹部手术患者的镇痛效果。方法选择下腹部手术患者60例,ASA分级Ⅰ或Ⅱ级,随机分为3组（n=20）：0．75％罗哌卡因20ml＋生理盐水20ml（R组）、0．75％罗哌卡因20ml＋右美托咪定20μg＋生理盐水20ml（R＋D20组）、0．75％罗哌卡因20ml＋右美托咪定40μg＋生理盐水20ml（R＋D40组）。术后在麻醉恢复室内实施双侧TAP阻滞,每侧20ml。持续监测无创血压、心电图、呼吸、脉搏血氧饱和度。记录术后Ramsay评分、VAS评分、术后额外镇痛药使用情况及不良反应发生情况。结果各组间心率、血压、脉搏氧饱和度和Ramsay评分无明显差异（P〉0．05）,R＋D20组和R＋D40组的VAS评分和额外镇痛药使用次数低于R组（P〈0．05）;3组间不良反应（恶心、呕吐、皮肤瘙痒及呼吸抑制等）无明显差别（P〉0．05）。结论右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因TAP阻滞对下腹部手术患者镇痛效果好,且右美托咪定能延长罗哌卡因镇痛时间。     

右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因超前镇痛对全膝关节置换术患者术后镇痛效果的观察

目的：：观察右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因用于股神经阻滞超前镇痛对全膝关节置换术(TKA)患者术后罗哌卡因连续股神经阻滞镇痛效果的影响。方法：选择拟全麻下行TKA患者30例,随机分为复合组(D组,15例)和罗哌组(R 组,15例),D组用0.5%罗哌卡因15 m L+右美托咪定0.5μg/k g行股神经阻滞超前镇痛并置管,R组用单纯0.5%罗哌卡因15 m L行股神经阻滞超前镇痛并置管,两组术后均使用连续股神经阻滞自控镇痛泵,阻滞药物为0.25%罗哌卡因150 mL。记录术后2,4,8,24和48 h TKA患者的静息及运动视觉模拟疼痛(VAS)评分,48 h 内镇痛泵追加次数,术后首次使用曲马多的时间、人数及用量、术后不良反应等。结果：D组各个时间点的静息、运动 VAS评分均低于 R 组,其中术后8,24 h 两组比较差异有统计意义(P<0.05);48 h内D组镇痛泵追加次数明显低于 R组,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P <0.05)。结论：右美托咪定能增强罗哌卡因股神经阻滞超前镇痛后TKA患者术后连续股神经阻滞的镇痛效果。     

右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因在乳腺癌术后镇痛中的应用

目的 观察右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因肋间神经阻滞在乳腺癌术后镇痛的应用.方法 40例患者随机分为RD组和R组(n=20),RD组肋间神经阻滞用0.375%罗哌卡因20 mL复合右美托咪定1μg/kg;R组用0.375%罗哌卡因20 mL.记录术后0、0.5、1、2、4、8 h血流动力学变化;观察神经阻滞起效时间、镇痛持续时间及术后首次VAS评分,并记录不良反应.结果 与R组相比,RD组患者注药后0.5、1、2、4 h心率减慢,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),罗哌卡因起效时间缩短,镇痛时间明显延长,首次VAS评分降低(P<0.05),且口干发生率高.结论 右美托咪定1μg/kg复合0.375%罗哌卡因20 mL肋间神经阻滞可以有效用于乳腺癌术后镇痛.     

超声引导下右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因行竖脊肌 平面阻滞对经皮肾镜取石术后镇痛效果的影响

目的 探讨超声引导下右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因行竖脊肌平面阻滞（erector spinae plane block,ESPB）对经皮肾镜取石术后镇痛效果的影响。方法 2019年1月至2021年12月选择90例在江西省赣州市立医院行经皮肾镜取石术患者,采用随机数字表法分为右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因组（DR组）和罗哌卡因组（R组）,两组患者先行竖脊肌平面阻滞后在诱导,DR组注入0.5%μg/kg右美托咪定+0.375%罗哌卡因混合液20ml;R组注入0.375%罗哌卡因20ml,记录两组患者瑞芬太尼用量和手术时间。记录两组患者3、6、9、12、24、48h静息和翻身时视觉模拟评分（visual analogue scales,VAS）,记录两组患者补救镇痛例数、镇痛泵首次按压时间、24h内镇痛泵有效按压次数、24h内镇痛满意度评分和当晚睡眠质量评分,记录两组患者术后24h内恶心、呕吐、烦躁不良反应发生情况。结果 与R组比较,12、24、48h DR组静息和翻身时VAS显著降低（P<0.05）,与R组比较,DR组舒芬太尼补救镇痛率显著降低（P<0.05）,镇痛泵首次按压时间显著延长（P<0.05）,24h内镇痛满意度评分和当晚睡眠质量评分显著升高（P<0.05）。两组恶心、呕吐及烦躁等不良反应发生率比较,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因用于超声引导下行竖脊肌平面阻滞对经皮肾镜手术患者具有舒适、安全可靠的镇痛效果,可以改善患者的术后疼痛,延长术后镇痛时间,患者满意度高。     

盐酸右美托咪定联合罗哌卡因对脊柱后路手术超前镇痛效果的研究

目的：研究盐酸右美托咪定(DEX)联合罗哌卡因对脊柱后路手术超前镇痛的效果。方法75例患者随机分为A组(对照组)、B组(DEX持续至手术结束)、C组(DEX持续至手术结束后24 h),术后均以罗哌卡因在手术切口局部浸润麻醉。结果与A组相比,B组和C组拔管后6~72 h内疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)降低,术后首次镇痛需要时间延迟,盐酸曲马多总量减少(P<0.05);C组拔管后VAS评分低于B组(P<0.05);B组和C组患者血清皮质醇水平降低(P<0.05)。结论盐酸右美托咪定持续静脉输注联合手术切口罗哌卡因局部浸润麻醉可显著减轻脊柱后路手术患者的术后疼痛程度,减少术后使用镇痛药物的总量。     

不同剂量右美托咪定联合罗哌卡因腹横肌平面阻滞用于腹腔镜卵巢切除术后镇痛的效果

目的探讨不同剂量右美托咪定联合罗哌卡因腹横肌平面（TAP）阻滞用于行腹腔镜卵巢切除术患者的术后镇痛效果。方法择期行腹腔镜卵巢切除术患者180例,术毕均行超声引导下双侧TAP阻滞,按随机数字表法分为4组,每组45例,Con组（0.375%罗哌卡因+0.9%氯化钠）、Dex0.5组（0.375%罗哌卡因+0.5滋g/kg右美托咪定）、Dex1.0组（0.375%罗哌卡因+1.0滋g/kg右美托咪定）及Dex1.5组（0.375%罗哌卡因+1.5滋g/kg右美托咪定）。术后均复合使用羟考酮静脉镇痛泵。以维持术后视觉模拟评分（VAS）评分≤3分为标准,记录术后4、6、8、12、24、48h的羟考酮消耗量及相应时点Ramsay镇静评分,记录术后相关并发症的发生情况。结果与Con组、Dex0.5组相比,Dex1.0组与Dex1.5组术后24h与48h的累积羟考酮消耗量均显著减少（均P＜0.05）;4组患者各时间点的Ramsay镇静评分差异均无统计学意义（均P＞0.05）;与Con组及Dex1.0组相比,Dex1.5组术后口干的发生率显著增加（P＜0.05）。结论与罗哌卡因联合使用的右美托咪定剂量为1.0、1.5滋g/kg时可显著增强TAP阻滞用于腹腔镜卵巢切除术患者的术后镇痛效果,且1滋g/kg剂量所致术后不良反应较少。     

右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因行超声引导髋关节囊周阻滞在髋关节置换术中的应用

目的 探讨右美托咪定作为髋关节囊周阻滞的佐剂对髋关节置换术患者术后疼痛缓解的效果及安全性。方法 选择2022年1—7月在本院择期行髋关节置换术的60例老年患者作为研究对象,按随机数表法分为右美托咪定复合罗哌卡因组(DR组)和罗哌卡因组(R组)两组,每组各30例。两组患者均在全身麻醉喉罩插管前行超声引导髋关节囊周阻滞,DR组注射1μg/kg右美托咪定+0.3%罗哌卡因共20 ml, R组注射0.3%罗哌卡因20 ml。两组患者术后均采用舒芬太尼行静脉自控镇痛,记录术中瑞芬太尼用量,术后2、6、12、24、48小时静息/运动数字疼痛评分(NRS)和Ramsay镇静评分(RSS),记录感觉阻滞时间,记录镇痛泵按压次数、术后不良反应及患者满意度。结果 除术后2小时外,DR组静息及运动状态数字疼痛评分(NRS)低于R组(P<0.05)。与R组比较,DR组的感觉阻滞时间更长,术中瑞芬太尼用量更少,Ramsay镇静评分(RSS)及患者满意度更高,术后镇痛泵按压次数更少。两组窦性心动过缓发生率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 相较于单纯使用罗哌卡因,罗哌卡因复合右美托咪定行髋关节囊周...     

Value of D-Dimers in patients with acute aortic dissection

Objective: To evaluatel the value of D-dimers in patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD). Methods: This study consisted of 16 patients with AAD and 27 non-AAD patients. Serum D-dimets were measured by Sta-Liatest D-DI immunoturbidimetric assay. Results: D-dimer level was higher (P ＜ 0.001) in patients with AAD(7.91 ± 5.52 μg/ml) than that in non- AAD group(1.57±1.24 μg/ml). D-dimer was positive (＞0.4 μg/ml) in all patients with AAD and in 10 control group patients (37%). Among patients with acute AAD, D-dimers tended to be higher in Stanford A than in Stanford B (8.67 ± 4.31 μg/ml vs. 3.24±1.27 μg/ml, P ＜0.01). D-dimer values tended to be higher in more extended disease(3.84 ± 1.65 μg/ml, 8.57 ± 3.58 μg/ml and 11.87 ± 5.69 μg/ml in thoracic aorta, thoracic and abdominal aorta, thoracic and abdominal aorta and iliacal arteries, respectively, P ＜ 0.05 for both 8.57 ± 3.58 and 11.87 ± 5.69 vs. 3.84 ± 1.65 ). Including the control group into the analysis, we found a sensitivity of 100%, a negative predictive value of 100%, and a specificity of 66% and a positive predictive value of 64% for D-dimer in diagnosis of AAD in our patients with suspected AAD. Conclusion: D-dimer was elevated in patients with AAD. A negative D-dimer test result could be useful in excluding AAD.     

Research of combined liver-kidney transplantation model in rats

Objective： To set up a simple and reliable rat model of combined liver-kidney transplantation. Methods： SD rats served as both donors and recipients. 4℃ sodium lactate Ringer＇s was infused from portal veins to donated livers,and from abdominal aorta to donated kidneys, respectively. Anastomosis of the portal vein and the inferior vena cava （IVC） inferior to the right kidney between the graft and the recipient was performed by a double cuff method, then the superior hepatic vena cava with suture. A patch of donated renal artery was anastomosed to the recipient abdominal aorta. The urethra and bile duct were reconstructed with a simple inside bracket. Results： Among 65 cases of combined liver-kidney transplantation, the success rate in the late 40 cases was 77.5%. The function of the grafted liver and kidney remained normal. Conclusion： This rat model of combined liver-kidney transplantation can be established in common laboratory conditions with high success rate and meet the needs of renal transplantation experiment.     

BLOOD PRESSURE CHANGE WITH AGE IN SALT-SENSITIVE TEENAGERS

Objective To observe blood pressure change with age in salt-sensitive teenagers whose salt sensitivity were determined by repeated testing.Methods Salt sensitivity was determined through intravenous infusion of normal saline combined with volume-depletion by oral diuretic furosemide in 55 teenagers. After five years, salt sensitivity was re-examined and subject blood pressure was followed up. Blood pressure changes in salt-sensitive teenagers were compared to that of non-salt sensitive teenagers over five years.Results After 5 years, the repetition rate of salt sensitivity determined by intravenous saline loading is 92.7%. In teenagers with salt sensitivity on the baseline, both the systolic blood pressure increments and increment rates were much higher than non-salt sensitive teenagers (12.7±12.1 mmHg vs. 2.8±5.2 mmHg, P＜ 0.01; 12.2%± 12.0% vs. 2.5% ±4.4%, P＜ 0.001,respectively). There was a similar trend for diastolic blood pressure (8.4 ± 6.4 mmHg vs. 3.7 ± 6.4 mmHg, P = 0.052; 13.2% ±10.6 % vs. 6.8%± 10.1%, P = 0.053, respectively).Conclusions Salt sensitivity determined by intravenous saline loading showed good reproducibility. Blood pressure increments with age were much higher in salt-sensitive teenagers than non-salt sensitive teenagers, especially in terms of systolic blood pressure.     

安心颗粒对急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术后生活质量影响的研究

目的：评价使用安心颗粒对急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术（PPCI）术后生活质量的影响.方法：将160例接受PPCI的急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者随机分为安心颗粒组（术前顿服安心颗粒8.8g,术后安心颗粒4.4 g/次,每日2次）和对照组（仅接受基础药物治疗）.所有患者均服用阿司匹林、氯吡格雷和阿托伐他汀.分别在入院时、出院前1d、出院后180 d时,应用心肌梗死多维度量表（MIDAS）、中文版SF-36评价量表对患者生活质量评分.并观察术后30 d以内的出血并发症、血小板减少症发生情况.结果：入院时和出院前1d,两组患者的心肌梗死MIDAS、SF-36量表评分比较无差异（P＞0.05）;出院后180 d时,与对照组比较,安心颗粒组MIDAS、SF-36评分明显减低（P＜0.05）;组内与入院时比较,两组出院前1d、出院后180 d时,MIDAS、SF-36评分均降低（P＜0.05）.两组患者在随访期间均无大量出血、少量出血、重度和极重度血小板减少症发生,安心颗粒组有4例、对照组有7例发生不明显出血（P＞0.05）.两组发生轻度血小板减少症的患者数比较无差异（P＞0.05）.结论：PPCI使用安心颗粒,能改善急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者的生活质量,且不增加出血风险.     

The comparative studies of the influences of Urapidil and Nicardipine on sino-atrial node function, atrio-ventricular node function and hemodynamics

Objective:To investigate the influences of urapidil and nicardipine on rabbit sinus function,atrio-ventricular node function and hemodynamics.Methods:Thirty-two Angora's rabbits were selected and randomly divided into four groups.U1 group:urapidil 0.25 mg/kg;U2 group:urapidil 0.5 mg/kg;N1 group:nicardipine 10 μg/kg;N2 group:nicardipine 20 μg/kg.All these medicine were administrated within 30 seconds.Measurements were taken before and after the administration of urapidil or nicardipine for the following data:mean blood pressure(MAP),heart rate(HR),sino-atrial conduction time(SACT),maximal sinoatrial recovery time(SNRTmax)corrected sinus node recovery time(CSNRT),index of sinus node recovery time(SNRTI),Wenckebach A-V conduction frequency (WB),and P-R interval.Results:Significant MAP and HR changes were identified in all of the four groups before and after administration of both urapidil and nicardipine.No significant changes could be found in the rest of the parameters.Intergroup analysis showed that SACT and CSNRT of N1 and N2 groups were shorter than those of the U2 group(P＜0.01);the MAP decreased(P＜0.01)and the HR increased drastically(P＜0.01).Conclusions:Neither urapidil(0.25 mg/kg,0.5 mg/kg)nor nicardipine(10μg/kg,20μg/kg)has any significant influence on rabbit sinus function or rabbit atrio-ventricular node function.Nicardipine could be a better choice than urapidil for parafunctional sinus node patients.     

Expression of OPGmRNA and ODFmRNA in the patients of hip fracture due to osteoporosis

Objective：To investigate the gene expression of osteoprotegerin（OPG） and osteoclast differentiation factor（ODF） in the bone tissue of patients with hip fracture due to osteoporosis. Methods：OPGmRNA and ODFmRNA in the bone tissue in 50 cases of osteoporosis sufferers（over 50 years old） with hip fracture（Observer Group） and 30 cases of hip facture sufferers with no osteoporosis（Control group） were analyzed with the Semi-Quantitative RT-PCR method. Results：The mRNA expressed of ODF, OPG were both high in the patients with hip fracture. In the control group, the expression of OPG mRNA was observed, while the expression of ODF mRNA was very slight. Conclusion：Aged patients contained all signals including OPG, ODF that are essential for inducing osteoclastogenesis and promoting bone resorption.     

The clinicopathological and immuohistochemical analysis of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas： report of 9 cases

Objective：To investigate the clinical features, pathological characteristics and immunophenotype of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas（SPTP）. Methods：Nine surgically treated cases of SPTP were retrospectively reviewed. Hematoxylin and Eosin（HE） staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to analyze all cases, and the general clinical data was collected. Results：Six patients were asymptomatic except for a palpable mass. Two patients complained of vague-epigastric pain. One patient appeared jaundice. The tumor was encapsulated and solid tissues alternately with cystic tissues. Histologically, the histological structure of solid portion was pseudopapillary with a fibrovascular core. Tumor cells were uniform and medium-sized which were arranged in sheets ets or nests or pseudopapillary patterns. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that SPTP proved positive in vimentin（9/9 cases）, AAT（9/9 cases）, NSE（9/9 cases）, ACT（7/9 cases）, CK20（2/9 cases）, CgA（1/9 cases）, S-100（3/gcases）, PR（4/gcases）, Syn（3/9 cases） and CD56（5/9cases）, negative in CEA and ER. Conclusion：SPTP is a tumor predominantly occurring in young women frequently without special symptoms. This tumor has various characteristical histological patterns with different immunophenotype.     

Dynamic Changes in Serum Estradiol and Progesterone levels in Patients of Premenstrual Syndrome with Adverse Flow of Liver-qi

Objective:To probe into the influence of changes of ovarian hormones on the pathogenesis of the specific sub-type premenstrual syndrome(PMS)and reveal partial microcosmic mechanisms of adverse flow of liver-qi.Methods:Estradiol(E2)and progesterone(P)levels in serum were determined at different phases of menstrual cycle by radioimmunoassay.Results:In the group of PMS with adverse flow of liver-qi.the secretive peak value Of E2 and P at the follicular phase significantly decreased,and the secretive peak value at the luteal phase did not come into being.Conclusions:Low E2 and P secretive peak at the follicular phase and absence of secretive peak at the luteal phase is one of the microcosmic mechanisms of PMS with adverse flow of liver-qi.One of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of specific sub-type PMS is probably the continuous low level of E2and P.     

Real-time Three-dimensional Echocardiography in Assessment of Left Ventricular and Right Ventricular Volumes

Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE)is a new ultrasound technique that enables dynamic threedimensional visualization and quantification of the heart in real time. Investigation of feasibility and methodology of RT3DE in determining left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) volumes, RT3DE was performed in 35 normal adults using Philips SONOS 7500 system with a 2-4 MHz matrix array transducer. The 60°×60° "pyramid" volume database was obtained and analyzed on a TomTec echo workstation. Both LV and RV volumes were calculated with four 3DE methods (i.e. apical 2, 4, 8, and 16-plane) through manually tracing ventricular endocardial borders in end diastole and end systole. Stroke volumes were then calculated. LV volume was also measured by 2DE Simpson's rule using GE VIVID 7 ultrasound machine.     

SCREENING FOR A 21-CHROMOSOME ABNORMALITY IN PREIMPLANTED EMBRYOS OF ELDERLY WOMEN

Increasing maternal age is the only etiological factor unequivocally linked to Down's syndrome in humans. The occurrence rate of newborns with Down's syndrome is about 1/220 in women over 35 years old. However, the occurrence rate in embryos fertilized in vitro, of the elder woman is unclear. Using FISH we screened the number of chromosome 21 in preimplanted embryos of 5 elderly women (average age, 38.4 years) to study the feasibility and necessity of screening trisomy 21 in embryos in patients over 35 years old at the in vitro fertilization (IVF) center.