Nanostructured fibrin agarose hydrogel as a novel haemostatic agent

Blood loss remains a major concern during surgery and can increase the morbidity of the intervention. The use of topical haemostatic agents to overcome this issue therefore becomes necessary. Fibrin sealants are promising haemostatic agents due to their capacity to promote coagulation, but their effectiveness and applicability need to be improved. We have compared the haemostatic efficacy of a novel nanostructured fibrin‐agarose hydrogel patch, with (c‐NFAH) or without cells (a‐NFAH), against two commercially available haemostatic agents in a rat model of hepatic resection. Hepatic resections were performed by making short or long incisions (mild or severe model, respectively), and haemostatic agents were applied to evaluate time to haemostasis, presence of haematoma, post‐operative adhesions to adjacent tissues, and inflammation factors. We found a significantly higher haemostatic success rate (time to haemostasis) with a‐NFAH than with other commercial haemostatic agents. Furthermore, other relevant outcomes investigated were also improved in the a‐NFAH group, including no presence of haematoma, lower adhesions, and lower grades of haemorrhage, inflammation, and necrosis in histological analysis. Overall, these findings identify a‐NFAH as a promising haemostatic agent in liver resection and likely in a range of surgical procedures.     

Fibrin glue mixed with platelet-rich fibrin as a scaffold seeded with dental bud cells for tooth regeneration

Odontogenesis is a complex process with a series of epithelial‐mesenchymal interactions and odontogenic molecular cascades. In tissue engineering of teeth from stem cells, platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF), which is rich in growth factors and cytokines, may improve regeneration. Accordingly, PRF was added into fibrin glue to enrich the microenvironment with growth factors. Unerupted second molar tooth buds were harvested from miniature swine and cultured in vitro for 3 weeks to obtain dental bud cells (DBCs). Whole blood was collected for the preparation of PRF and fibrin glue before surgery. DBCs were suspended in fibrin glue and then enclosed with PRF, and the DBC‐fibrin glue‐PRF composite was autografted back into the original alveolar sockets. Radiographic and histological examinations were used to identify the regenerated tooth structure 36 weeks after implantation. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect proteins specific to tooth regeneration. One pig developed a complete tooth with crown, root, pulp, enamel, dentin, odontoblast, cementum, blood vessels, and periodontal ligaments in indiscriminate shape. Another animal had an unerupted tooth that expressed cytokeratin 14, dentin matrix protein‐1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and osteopontin. This study demonstrated, using autogenic cell transplantation in a porcine model, that DBCs seeded into fibrin glue‐PRF could regenerate a complete tooth. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pulmonary function tests after different techniques for coronary artery bypass surgery

Pulmonary function tests were measured in 33 male patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery. Three modes of surgical technique were used: Bilateral internal mammary artery graft (BIMA), single internal mammary artery graft (SIMA) and saphenous vein grafts (VS). Following parameters were recorded: patient's age, length, body weight, preoperative forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV 1), preoperative end-diastolic pressure and function of the left ventricle, smoking habitus, the fact that the pleural cavity was entered, duration of the cardiopulmonary bypass period, perioperative fluid balance and postoperative FVC and FEV 1 on the first eight postoperative days. In the BIMA group two pleural cavities, the SIMA group one pleural sac and the VS group none of the pleural cavities was entered. The BIMA group was younger (50.1±7.6 versus 57.7±7.28 and 60.1±6.9 years (p< 0.05)) than the SIMA and VS group. Postoperative external blood loss was lower in the VS group compared to the SIMA and BIMA groups (839±255 ml versus 1346±654 ml and 1259±396 ml (p< 0.05)). The FVC shows a dramatic decrease especially on the second postoperative day and was most markedly diminished in the BIMA and SIMA compared to VS (31%±9% and 35%±8% versus 45%±10% of preoperative values (p< 0.05)). Full recovery of the FVC was not achieved eight days after surgery: BIMA and SIMA showing the same tendency versus VS (61%±10%, 60%±8% versus 71%±8% preoperative FVC (p< 0.05)). FEV 1 had the same evolution: on the second postoperative day a significant reduction for BIMA and SIMA versus VS group (32%±10%, 34%±8% versus 46%±9% of preoperative values (p< 0.05)) and incomplete recovery after eight days (59%±8% (BIMA), 59%±11% (SIMA) versus 69%±7% (VS) (p< 0.05)). No statistical difference between SIMA and BIMA group could be shown for FVC and FEV 1. We conclude that coronary artery bypass surgery causes a substantial decrease in FVC and FEV 1 especially when one or two pleural cavities are violated. The reduction of FVC in BIMA is so important that this technique should be restricted to patients with adequate pulmonary reserves.     

Use of autologous bone marrow cells concentrate enriched with platelet-rich fibrin on corticocancellous bone allograft for posterolateral multilevel cervical fusion

The outcomes of posterolateral multilevel spine fusion in difficult clinical settings, such as in an aged multi-diseased osteoporotic patient, remain unpredictable. The osteoprogenitor cells in bone marrow decrease with ageing without losing their osteogeneic potential. Autologous bone marrow cells (BMCs) from iliac crest aspirate can be concentrated in the operating room and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) can be obtained from a peripheral blood as a source of autologous osteoprogenitor cells and growth factors, respectively. We present the case of an 88 year-old multi-diseased osteoporotic patient affected by cervical stenosis and subjected to C3--C7 posterior decompression, instrumentation and posterolateral fusion, using an intraoperative 'tissue-engineered' composite made of corticocancellous bone allograft augmented with autologous BMCs concentrate from iliac crest aspirate enriched with PRF from peripheral blood. Lateral dynamic X-rays and CT scan showed consolidation signs at 3 months follow-up, with solid C3--C7 fusion at 6 months follow-up. This paper describes a simple and effective method for potentially improving the fusion rate in aged osteoporotic patients by using corticocancellous bone allograft augmented with autologous BMCs concentrate from the iliac crest, enriched with PRF from peripheral blood, rapidly obtained before the surgical procedure.     

血小板参数MPC、MPM、L-PLT等在冠心病诊断中的应用

目的探讨血小板新型参数——平均血小板内容物浓度(MPC)、平均血小板内容物含量(MPM)、大血小板(L-PLT)等在(CHD)患者中的变化及其临床意义。方法根据CHD的诊断标准及冠状动脉造影结果,选取CHD患者92例和正常对照98名,采用德国Bayer公司生产的ADVIA120血液分析仪测定血小板新型参数MPC、MPM、L-PLT及原有血小板参数血小板数(PLT)、平均血小板体积(MPV)、血小板分布宽度(PDW),并用统计学方法(t检验)对其数据进行分析。结果CHD患者血中PLT明显低于正常对照组(P<0.01),而MPV、PDW均明显高于正常对照组(P<0.05),且MPC、MPM、L-PLT均明显高于正常对照组(P<0.05)。结论血小板新型参数MPC、MPM、L-PLT联合血小板原有参数PLT、MPV、PDW在辅助诊断CHD中有一定的临床价值。     

血小板参数MPC、MPM、L-PLT等在冠心病诊断中的应用

目的探讨血小板新型参数——平均血小板内容物浓度（MPC）、平均血小板内容物含量（MPM）、大血小板（L-PLT）等在（CHD）患者中的变化及其临床意义。方法根据CHD的诊断标准及冠状动脉造影结果,选取CHD患者92例和正常对照98名,采用德国Bayer公司生产的ADVIA120血液分析仪测定血小板新型参数MPC、MPM、L-PLT及原有血小板参数血小板数（PLT）、平均血小板体积（MPV）、血小板分布宽度（PDW）,并用统计学方法（t检验）对其数据进行分析。结果CHD患者血中PLT明显低于正常对照组（P〈0.01）,而MPV、PDW均明显高于正常对照组（P〈0.05）,且MPC、MPM、L-PLT均明显高于正常对照组（P〈0.05）。结论血小板新型参数MPC、MPM、L-PLT联合血小板原有参数PLT、MPV、PDW在辅助诊断CHD中有一定的临床价值。     

冠心病介入术后行非心脏外科手术的抗栓策略研究

目的 明确药物涂层支架植入患者行非心脏手术围手术期应用Ⅱb/Ⅲa受体拮抗剂替代口服双联抗血小板药物是否发挥预防支架内血栓的作用,同时不增加外科手术的出血.方法 入选入院前1年内曾因冠心病植入药物涂层支架服用双联抗血小板药物(阿司匹林和氯吡格雷)而后无缺血性胸痛症状,心功能纽约分级为2级,年龄60 ～75岁,因外科疾病保守治疗无效需手术治疗的6例患者,手术前5d停用口服双联抗血小板药物,应用Ⅱb/Ⅲa受体拮抗剂替罗非班0.1 μg/( kg· min)持续静脉微量泵泵入,外科手术前2h停用替罗非班,手术结束后在重症监护室中应用替罗非班0.1 μg(kg· min)持续静脉微量泵泵入,术后根据外科情况允许,停用替罗非班,尽早恢复口服双联抗血小板药物使用.分析围手术期新发心血管事件,特别是支架内血栓事件,以及严重出血事件,替罗非班的药物不良反应事件.结果6例患者围手术期均未发生缺血性室性恶性心律失常、心绞痛、心肌梗死、心源性猝死,未发生大量出血而导致输血或需二次手术止血等出血事件,并且未发生替罗非班的药物不良反应.结论药物涂层支架植入术后患者行非心脏手术Ⅱb/Ⅲa受体拮抗剂替代口服双联抗血小板药物预防围手术期支架内血栓的治疗措施可能是可行的和安全的,但需要大样本随机对照试验以进一步证实.     

Percutaneous coronary intervention as an alternative to bypass surgery for unprotected LMCA stenosis

Hemodynamically significant left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis is found in approximately 4% of diagnostic coronary angiograms and is known as unprotected LMCA stenosis if the left coronary artery and left circumflex artery have no patent previous grafts. Previous randomized studies have demonstrated a significant reduction in mortality when revascularization by coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery was undertaken compared with medical treatment. Therefore, current practice guidelines do not recommend percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for such a lesion, owing to the proven benefit of surgery and high rates of restenosis with the use of bare metal stents. However, with the advent of drug-eluting stents (DES), the long-term outcomes of PCI with DES to treat unprotected LMCA stenoses have been reported to be acceptable. Therefore, apart from the current guidelines, PCI for unprotected LMCA stenosis in many countries is often undertaken in individuals who are at very high risk of CABG or refuse to undergo a sternotomy. Future randomized studies comparing CABG versus PCI using DES for treatment of unprotected LMCA stenosis would be a great advance in the clinical knowledge of adopting appropriate treatments.     

The relationship between quality of life,sense of coherence and self-esteem in persons after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

We examined the contribution of Antonovsky's sense of coherence in explaining the variance of quality of life (QOL) in 84 patients 1-2 years following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The hypothesis was: after controlling for variables related to poor health vulnerability, perceived support, self-esteem, and chronic illness trajectory instability and work, the addition of sense of coherence will significantly add to the explained variance of quality of life. The first two variables explained 49% of the variance of the QOL scale. Adding perceived social support, self-esteem and sense of coherence increased explained variance to 64%, 69%, and 75%, respectively. These findings supported our hypothesis.     

Small,dense low-density lipoprotein as a risk factor for coronary heart disease

Summary Data from case-control and cross-sectional studies uniformly demonstrate an association between small, dense low-density lipoprotein and risk of coronary heart disease. This relationship may be attributable to the association of small, dense low-density lipoprotein with other atherogenic lipoproteins, the presence of the insulin resistance syndrome in subjects with small low-density lipoprotein, and/or the increased oxidative susceptibility of small, dense low-density lipoprotein particles. Furthermore, because small low-density lipoprotein appears to be a common trait in the general population, more than one of these atherogenic mechanisms may be operating simulataneously to increase risk of coronary heart disease.     

Convalescent plasma as a therapeutic agent for SARS-CoV,MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2: A scoping review

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and SARS-CoV-2 are three kinds of coronaviruses that are exceptionally pathogenic to humans via zoonotic infections. The outbreaks of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2, to some extent, posed a severe threat to human health, daily activities as well as the economic status of many countries. When faced with these emerging viruses and no accessible vaccines and drugs, convalescent plasma (CP) is required as passive immunotherapy, since CP has the potential to neutralize and eliminate the virus from blood circulation. The sources of CP are individuals who have recovered from the viruses. Currently, CP is administered as emergency use and investigational treatment. Some studies have shown that CP is effective to treat infected individuals with viral pandemics such as influenza A, Ebola virus, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV. Moreover, following the deadly outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in 2019, plenty of non-randomized clinical studies have been done on the effectiveness of CP for the treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and most of these studies have indicated that CP therapy is promising and saved many critically-ill patients. Therefore, CP is a helpful immune therapeutic agent for the immediate response of such pandemics because of its clinical efficacy, immediate availability, cost-effectiveness, ease of production, delivery, and storage. This review aims to summarize the effectiveness of CP in the treatment of these three coronaviruses, i.e. SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2.     

Efficacy, safety and user-friendliness of two devices for postoperative autologous shed red blood cell re-infusion in elective orthopaedic surgery patients: A randomized pilot study

To determine the safety, efficacy and user-friendliness of two different postoperative autologous blood re-infusion systems, an open, randomized, controlled study was performed. Eligible consecutive primary and revision total hip and knee replacement patients were randomized for one of the two systems or for a control group in which shed blood was not re-infused. The nursing staff scored user-friendliness. Patients were monitored after re-infusion. In all three patient groups, a restrictive transfusion trigger was used. Sixty-nine of 70 randomized patients were evaluated. Ease of use, efficacy and safety of both re-infusion systems were comparable. There was no difference in allogeneic blood use between the groups. Thirty per cent of the patients re-infused with autologous blood developed a mainly mild, febrile transfusion reaction. No other adverse reactions were seen. Signs of coagulopathy after re-infusion were not found. In multivariate analysis, autologous re-infusion was an independent factor associated with a shorter hospital stay. Both postoperative autologous blood re-infusion systems were of equal efficacy and safety. The contribution of autologous wound blood re-infusion to reduce allogeneic transfusions must be investigated in a larger study.