肺部超声评分在急性呼吸窘迫综合征患者早期病情评估中应用

目的探讨肺部超声(lung utrasonography,LUS)评分在急性呼吸窘迫综合征(acute respiratory distress syndrome,ARDS)患者早期病情评估中的价值。方法选取2016年7月～2018年1月入住鄞州医院ICU和EICU且符合柏林标准诊断的ARDS患者,根据氧合指数(oxygenation index,OI)将ARDS患者分为轻中度组(100 mmHgOI≤300 mmHg)和重度组(OI≤100 mmHg)。记录患者临床资料及第1天(D1)、第2天(D2)、第3天(D3)LUS评分与OI、急性生理学与慢性健康状况评分系统Ⅱ(acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II,APACHE-Ⅱ)、序贯器官衰竭评分(sequential organ failure assessment,SOFA),通过Pearson相关分析讨论LUS评分与OI、APACHE-Ⅱ、SOFA评分之间的相关性。ROC曲线分析LUS评分判断ARDS患者病情严重程度及敏感性、特异性。结果收集ARDS患者33例,72 h死亡3例。D1 LUS评分与OI负相关(r=-0.419,P=0.015),与APACHE-Ⅱ评分正相关(r=0.414,P=0.017)、与SOFA评分正相关(r=0.477,P=0.005),且相关性较好。D2、D3时,LUS评分与APACHE-Ⅱ评分、SOFA评分依然具有较好的正相关性(D2 r值分别为:0.392、0.368,P值分别为0.027、0.038;D3 r值分别为0.466、0.390,P值分别为0.010、0.033)。通过LUS评分ROC曲线下面积(AUC=0.933)分析得到,以20.5为阈值判断重度ARDS敏感性为89%,特异性为79%。结论 LUS评分可以很好地反映ARDS患者肺组织失气化改变及肺通气面积的缺失,且具有良好的信度和稳定性,可以早期评估ARDS患者病情严重程度。     

肺部超声评分在新型冠状病毒肺炎并发ARDS患者中的应用

目的：探讨肺部超声评分在新型冠状病毒肺炎（coronavirus disease 2019,COVID-19）并发急性呼吸窘迫综合征（acute respiratory distress syndrome,ARDS）患者中的应用方法和价值。方法：选取武汉市第一医院18例COVID-19并发ARDS患者为研究对象,采用前瞻性双盲对照研究,记录患者临床资料,行胸部CT检查、肺部超声检查及评分,以胸部CT为“金标准”,评价超声对肺不张/实变的诊断价值,并采用Pearson相关性检验比较肺部超声评分与氧合指数、COVID-19并发ARDS的诊断相关性,ROC曲线评价肺部超声评分预测COVID-19并发ARDS的敏感性及特异性。结果：纳入COVID-19并发ARDS患者18例,共进行38次肺部超声评分及胸部CT检查,检查了456个肺区,CT诊断肺不张/实变185区,超声诊断肺不张/实变166区,超声诊断的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值及诊断正确率分别为83.9％、95.9％、93.4％、89.7％、91.0％。肺部超声评分与氧合指数有显著相关性（r=-0.812）。以肺部超声评分20.5分为界时,COVID-19并发重度ARDS的ROC曲线下面积为0.885,敏感度为76.9%,特异度为88.0%。结论：肺部超声简单易行,对COVID-19并发ARDS具有较高的诊断效能,肺部超声评分可以评估COVID-19并发ARDS的病情严重程度,值得在临床推广应用。     

重症超声对急性呼吸窘迫综合征患者血流动力学及预后的评估价值

目的 探讨重症超声评估急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)患者血流动力学及预后价值.方法 选取本院2020年3月至2021年3月收治的40例ARDS患者,根据预后结果分为存活组(n=28)与死亡组(n=12),比较两组不同病情(轻度、中度及重度)、不同病因(肺内源性、肺外源性)LUS评分.结果 存活组LUS评分、APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分、CPIS评分、呼气末正压(PEEP)、二氧化碳分压(PaCO2)均低于死亡组,左室射血分数(LVEF)、平均动脉压(MAP)均高于死亡组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).随着病情程度加重,LUS评分明显增加(P<0.05),重度>中度>轻度;肺外源性患者LUS评分明显低于肺内源性(P<0.05).结论 重症超声评估ARDS患者LUS评分情况,可为临床评估病情、病因、预后提供参考依据,结合血流动力学指标变化、APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分、CPIS评分等综合评估,有更好的应用价值.     

肺部超声对新生儿呼吸窘迫综合征分级的诊断价值

目的 研究肺部超声对新生儿呼吸窘迫综合征(NRDS)分级的诊断价值。方法 回顾性分析2019年1月—2021年7月在江苏大学附属医院及江苏大学附属人民医院新生儿科住院并经临床及胸部X线确诊的120名NRDS患儿和80名对照组新生儿。受试对象均进行肺部超声(LUS)检查,确定LUS评分和肺实变面积,应用受试者曲线(ROC)分析LUS评分和肺实变面积以评估NRDS分级。结果 NRDS患儿的LUS评分高于非NRDS患儿(P<0.05)。NRDS患儿的LUS评分随着NRDS严重程度的增加而增加(P<0.05)。对照组新生儿无肺实变区,NRDS患儿的肺实变区数量也随着NRDS严重程度的增加而增加(P<0.05)。LUS评分诊断NRDS的ROC曲线下面积为0.928,最佳截断值为19.2,敏感性、特异性分别94.2%、99.0%。LUS评分鉴别诊断重度与轻度/中度NRDS的ROC曲线下面积为0.993,最佳截断值为25.5,敏感性、特异性分别91.7%、97.5%。LUS评分评估机械通气的ROC曲线下面积为0.955,最佳截断值为27.5,敏感性、特异性分别83.9%、97.6%...     

肺部超声联合超声心动图在ARDS患儿中的应用价值

目的:探讨肺部超声联合超声心动图在急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)患儿中的应用价值。方法:收集2017年9月—2020年9月我院收治的以呼吸困难为主要症状的患儿100例,入院后进行肺部超声、超声心动图检查,以美国儿科急性肺损伤委员会(pediatric acute lung injury consensus conference,PALICC)诊断作为金标准,将60例确诊ARDS患儿作为观察组,将40例非ARDS患儿作为对照组。同时根据病情严重程度,将观察组患儿分为轻度组、中度组和重度组。比较观察组内肺部超声评分、肺部超声联合超声心动图的诊断结果及两组治疗前后肺部超声评分。结果:观察组内三组肺部超声评分比较,差异有统计学意义(F=79.181,P<0.05);重度组肺部超声评分高于轻度组,差异有统计学意义(t=8.330,P<0.05);重度组肺部超声评分高于中度组,差异有统计学意义(t=7.569,P<0.05);肺部超声联合超声心动图对ARDS患儿的诊断灵敏度93.33%、特异度82.50%、准确性89.00%,经一致性检验,Kappa=0.768;观察组治疗前后肺...     

血管外肺水指数联合肺血管通透性指数在预测脓毒症致急性呼吸衰竭综合征患者预后中的价值分析

目的:分析血管外肺水指数(EVLWI)联合肺血管通透性指数(PVPI)在预测脓毒症致急性呼吸衰竭综合征(ARDS)患者预后的价值。方法:选取2016年6月-2018年12月在本院住院治疗的63例脓毒症致ARDS患者,根据28 d疾病转归情况分为病死组(n=27)和存活组(n=36)。比较两组治疗前后EVLWI、PVPI、氧合指数(OI)、急性生理学与慢性健康状况评分系统Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)及感染相关器官功能衰竭评分系统(SOFA)评分。分析EVLWI、PVPI与OI、APACHEⅡ及SOFA评分的相关性。采用ROC曲线分析EVLWI、PVPI、EVLWI联合PVPI预测脓毒症致ARDS患者预后的价值。结果:治疗前,两组EVLWI、PVPI、OI、APACHEⅡ及SOFA评分比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,存活组EVLWI、PVPI、APACHEⅡ及SOFA评分明显低于病死组,而OI明显高于病死组(P0.05)。治疗后,存活组EVLWI、PVPI、APACHEⅡ及SOFA评分明显低于治疗前,而OI明显高于治疗前(P0.05);治疗后,病死组EVLWI、PVPI、APACHEⅡ及SOFA评分明显高于治疗前,而OI明显低于治疗前(P0.05)。EVLWI、PVPI与OI均呈负相关,而与APACHEⅡ、SOFA评分均呈正相关(P0.05)。EVLWI联合PVPI的ROC曲线下面积(AUC)最高。结论:EVLWI联合PVPI在预测脓毒症致ARDS患者预后方面具有较高的临床价值。     

肺部超声定量分析用于新生儿肺部感染严重程度评价的临床意义

目的:探讨肺部超声定量分析评价新生儿肺部感染严重程度的临床价值。方法:根据是否合并呼吸衰竭,将82例肺部感染新生儿分为观察组(n=42)与对照组(n=40)。两组患儿均接受肺部超声定量分析,对比两组患儿肺超声(LUS)评分、呼吸指数(RI)、氧合指数(OI),同时对比分析观察组中不同危重程度患儿的LUS评分、RI、OI,并分析3个指标之间的关系。结果:观察组患儿LUS评分低于对照组,RI及OI值高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);观察组患儿中,随着危重程度的加重,新生儿危重病评分(neonatal critical illness score,NCIS)降低,LUS评分、OI值随之降低,RI值随之增高,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);观察组患儿LUS评分与NCIS评分及OI值均呈正相关(P<0.05),LUS评分与RI呈负相关(P<0.05)。结论:LUS评分可用于评估新生儿肺部感染的严重程度,检查方法简便、无创、准确率高,对患儿治疗与预后具有重要的意义,值得临床推广。     

肺部超声在急性呼吸窘迫综合征患者中的应用研究

目的探讨肺部超声在急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)患者肺水肿评估以及指导肺部治疗的应用价值。方法将上海市第七人民医院重症医学科收治的60例ARDS患者随机分为肺部超声组和对照组,每组各30例。收集患者性别、年龄、病因,记录患者入科时及第7 d的相关数据:急性生理学和慢性健康状况评分系统Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)评分、序贯器官衰竭评分(SOFA)、白细胞计数(WBC)、C反应蛋白(CRP)、降钙素原(PCT)、血管外肺水指数、氧合指数、机械通气治疗时间,肺部超声组收集肺部超声评分,两组患者的7天好转率、重症加强治疗病房(ICU)住院时间、28天死亡率。研究肺部超声在评估患者病情危重程度、治疗过程、预测预后的价值,以及肺部超声评分与血管外肺水指数等的相关性。结果两组在治疗前的APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分、氧合指数、血管外肺水指数、WBC、CRP、PCT差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),治疗7 d后两组患者均有改善,肺部超声组改善更明显,机械通气时间更短(P<0.05)。肺部超声组患者7天好转率较对照组高,入住ICU时间较对照组缩短,28天死亡率较对照组低(P<0.05)。所有患者的血管外肺水指数与APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分均呈正相关,与氧合指数呈负相关。肺部超声评分与APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分、血管外肺水指数均呈正相关,与氧合指数呈负相关。结论肺部超声在ARDS患者中能有效评估患者的严重程度,指导ARDS患者的个体化治疗,预测患者预后,可作为ARDS患者的常规监测手段。     

肺部超声联合血清sCD163对小儿重症肺炎并发急性呼吸窘迫综合征的诊断价值

目的 评估肺部超声（LUS）联合血清可溶性单核巨噬细胞血红蛋白清道夫受体（sCD163）对小儿重症肺炎（SP）并发急性呼吸窘迫综合征（ARDS）的诊断价值。方法 选取2019年6月—2022年6月在上海儿童医学中心三亚市妇女儿童医院就诊的SP患儿82例（SP组）,SP并发ARDS患儿79例（ARDS组）。根据疾病严重程度将ARDS组分为轻、中、重度组。比较SP组、ARDS组LUS评分、血清sCD163水平;比较不同严重程度ARDS患儿LUS评分、血清sCD163水平;采用Spearman法分析LUS评分、血清sCD163水平与ARDS严重程度的相关性;绘制受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线评价LUS评分联合血清sCD163水平对ARDS的诊断效能。结果ARDS组LUS评分、血清sCD163水平均高于SP组（P <0.05）。中、重度组LUS评分、血清sCD163水平均高于轻度组（P <0.05）,重度组LUS评分、血清sCD163水平均高于中度组（P <0.05）。Spearman相关性分析显示,LUS评分、血清sCD163水平与ARDS严重程度呈正相关（rs=0.809和...     

C-反应蛋白与血清白蛋白比值预测脓毒性休克患者发生急性呼吸窘迫综合征的价值分析

目的探讨C-反应蛋白(CRP)与血清白蛋白(ALB)比值(CRP/ALB)预测脓毒性休克患者发生急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)的临床价值。方法将141例脓毒性休克患者按照入科后第7天是否发生ARDS分为ARDS组与对照组。比较两组患者CRP/ALB、急性生理与慢性健康评分Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ评分)、序贯器官衰竭评分(SOFA评分)、血乳酸(Lac)和氧合指数(OI)之间的差异并分析其相关性,寻找CRP/ALB预测脓毒性休克患者发生ARDS的最佳截断点。结果入科时ARDS组患者CRP/ALB明显高于对照组患者(P0.05)。脓毒性休克患者入科时CRP/ALB与入科第7天时APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分及Lac水平呈正相关,与OI呈负相关(均P0.05)。入科时CRP/ALB预测脓毒性休克患者发生ARDS的曲线下面积(AUC)为0.652(P0.05),最佳截断点为2.78×10-3,此时敏感性、特异性和约登指数分别为0.778、0.545和0.323。结论 CRP/ALB对预测脓毒性休克患者发生ARDS具有极高的临床价值,有助于判断病情,值得在临床中推广应用。     

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.