Left Atrial Voltage during Atrial Fibrillation in Paroxysmal and Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Patients

Background: Left atrial (LA) endocardial voltage characteristics assessed during atrial fibrillation (AF) have not been previously compared in different AF types. This study was aimed at investigating the LA voltages and volumes in patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF. Methods: LA electroanatomic voltage maps acquired during AF were compared between consecutive patients without major structural heart disease undergoing first catheter ablation for paroxysmal AF (n = 100) or persistent AF (n = 100). The groups were comparable in baseline clinical characteristics. Results: Patients with persistent AF presented with lower median LA voltage (median 0.41, interquartile range [IQR] 0.31–0.51 mV versus median 0.99, IQR 0.47–1.56 mV; P < 0.001), and maximum LA voltage (4.07 ± 1.76 vs 6.42 ± 2.16 mV; P < 0.001). They also had a higher proportion of the LA points exhibiting voltage <0.2 mV (30 ± 20 vs 12 ± 11%; P < 0.001) and voltage 0.2–1.0 mV (55 ± 15 vs 42 ± 19%; P < 0.001). They further displayed higher LA volume/body surface area (75 ± 16 vs 58 ± 13 mL/m²; P < 0.001). In the multivariate regression model, both LA voltage (P < 10^?9) and LA volume (P < 10^?5) were significant determinants of AF type. Conclusion: Patients with persistent AF had significantly lower LA voltage compared with patients with paroxysmal AF even after adjustment for differences in indexed LA volume. LA voltage represents an independent covariate of clinical manifestation of AF. (PACE 2010; 541–548)     

The global burden of headache in children and adolescents – developing a questionnaire and methodology for a global study

Background

Burden of headache has been assessed in adults in countries worldwide, and is high, but data for children and adolescents are sparse. The objectives of this study were o develop a questionnaire and methodology for the global estimation of burden of headache in children and adolescents, to test these in use and to present preliminary data.

Methods

We designed structured questionnaires for mediated-group self-administration in schools by children aged 6-11 years and adolescents aged 12-17 years. In two pilot studies, we offered the questionnaires to pupils in Vienna and Istanbul. We performed face-to-face interviews in a randomly selected subsample of 199 pupils to validate the headache diagnostic questions.

Results

Data were collected from 1,202 pupils (mean 13.9 ± 2.4 years; 621 female, 581 male). The participation rate was 81.1% in Istanbul, 67.2% in Vienna. The questionnaire proved acceptable: ≤5% of participants disagreed partially or totally with its length, comprehensibility or simplicity. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values ranged between 0.71 and 0.76 for migraine and between 0.61 and 0.85 for tension-type headache (TTH). Cronbach’s alpha was 0.83. The 1-year prevalence of headache was 89.3%, of migraine 39.3% and of TTH 37.9%. The prevalence of headache on ≥15 days/month was 4.5%. One fifth (20.7%) of pupils with headache lost ≥1 day of school during the preceding 4 weeks and nearly half (48.8%) reported ≥1 day when they could not do activities they had wanted to. The vast majority of pupils with headache experienced difficulties in coping with headache and in concentrating during headache. Quality of life was poorer in pupils with headache than in those without.

Conclusion

These pilot studies demonstrate the usefulness of the questionnaires and feasibility of the methodology for assessing the global burden of headache in children and adolescents, and predict substantial impact of headache in these age groups.     

五种布鲁氏菌核酸检测试剂盒检测性能的评价北大核心CSCD

目的比较5种布鲁氏菌核酸实时荧光PCR检测试剂盒的一致性和检出能力,为临床实验室选择检测方法和布鲁氏菌的诊断提供参考依据。方法选用经病原学检测确定为布鲁氏菌阳性的血液样本38份,健康人的血液样本24份,潘氏变形杆菌、溶藻弧菌、河弧菌、铜绿假单胞菌、肺炎克雷伯菌DNA各1份,使用5种试剂盒(编号A-E)分别进行核酸检测,比较5种试剂盒临床样本检测的一致性;选择1份阳性样本核酸用无RNA酶水梯度稀释得到5个浓度(浓度1:4453.13 fg/μL,浓度2:1113.28 fg/μL,浓度3:278.32 fg/μL,浓度4:69.58 fg/μL,浓度5:17.40 fg/μL),每个浓度使用5种试剂盒(编号A-E)分别进行3次检测,比较5种试剂盒的阳性检出率及批内重复性。结果5种试剂盒检测67份DNA样品的符合率稍有不同,试剂盒ABDE的符合率均为100%,试剂盒C的符合率为98.51%。批内重复性显示5种试剂盒在浓度1、浓度2、浓度3水平重复检测DNA的Ct值变异系数均<5%;在浓度1与浓度4梯度区间,试剂盒的阳性检出能力比较显示试剂盒A、B、D较高,为11/12,试剂盒C和E较低,为8/12。结论5种试剂盒的真实性和可靠性较好,灵敏度和符合率稍有差别,特异度均为100%;重复性较好,检测性能良好。部分试剂盒对弱阳性样本的检出能力不强,该类样本可使用多种试剂盒复核,以保障结果的准确性。     

α-珠蛋白生成障碍性贫血干预效果分析

目的探讨α-珠蛋白生成障碍性贫血产前诊断在降低出生缺陷中的效果。方法选择2003年1月至2012年7月进行α-珠蛋白生成障碍性贫血产前诊断的妊娠1 037例,采用聚合酶链反应结合琼脂糖凝胶电泳和反向点杂交技术对脐带血和原位培养后的羊水或绒毛组织检测α珠蛋白基因,同时对合并β-珠蛋白生成障碍贫血者进行β-珠蛋白基因检测。结果 1 037例妊娠中α-珠蛋白生成障碍性贫血检出率为79.27%,其中血红蛋白H（Hb Bart′s）胎儿水肿综合征292例,HbH病45例;同时检出中间型、重型β-珠蛋白生成障碍贫血5例,β-珠蛋白生成障碍贫血杂合子28例,包括α复合β-珠蛋白生成障碍贫血26例,终止妊娠339例。结论α-珠蛋白生成障碍性贫血产前干预是防止该类患儿出生的有效措施,同时应加强复合型珠蛋白生成障碍贫血的干预。     

自闭症患儿父母心理状况调查及健康教育意义分析

目的分析自闭症儿童父母的心理状况,实施及时有效的健康教育。方法采用症状自评量表（SCL-90）、抑郁自评量表（SDS）、焦虑自评量表（SAS ）对89例自闭症儿童父母进行测评。并对这些父母实施有效的健康教育,对健康教育前的测评结果分别同国内常模、健康教育后比较。结果在健康教育实施前,自闭症儿童父母SCL-90、SAS、SDS得分均高于全国常模,差异有统计学意义（P＜0．01）;健康教育前后得分比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0．01）。结论自闭症儿童父母普遍存在心理问题,及时开展健康教育能改善其心理状况。     

New England Medical Center Posterior Circulation Stroke Registry: I. Methods, Data Base, Distribution of Brain Lesions, Stroke Mechanisms, and Outcomes

Among 407 New England Medical Center Posterior Circulation Registry (NEMC-PCR) patients, 59% had strokes without transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), 24% had TIAs before strokes, and 16% had only posterior circulation TIAs. Embolism was the commonest stroke mechanism accounting for 40% of cases (24% cardiac origin, 14% arterial origin, 2% had potential cardiac and arterial sources). In 32%, large artery occlusive lesions caused hemodynamic brain infarction. Stroke mechanisms in the posterior and anterior circulation are very similar. Infarcts most often included the distal posterior circulation territory (rostral brainstem, superior cerebellum and occipital and temporal lobes), while the proximal (medulla and posterior inferior cerebellum) and middle (pons and anterior inferior cerebellum) territories were equally involved. Infarcts that included the distal territory were twice as common as those that included the proximal or middle territories. Most distal territory infarcts were attributable to embolism. Thirty day mortality was low (3.6%). Embolic stroke mechanism, distal territory location, and basilar artery occlusive disease conveyed the worst prognosis.     

Case mix measures and diagnosis-related groups: opportunities and threats for inpatient dermatology

OBJECTIVE: The changing healthcare environment world-wide is leading to extensive use of per case payment systems based on diagnosis-related groups (DRG). The aim of this study was to examine the impact of application of different DRG systems used in the German healthcare system. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 2334 clinical data sets of inpatients discharged from an academic dermatological inpatient unit in 2003. Data were regarded as providing high coding quality in compliance with the diagnosis and procedure classifications as well as coding standards. The application of the Australian AR-DRG version 4.1, the German G-DRG version 1.0, and the German G-DRG version 2004 was considered in detail. To evaluate more specific aspects, data were broken down into 11 groups based on the principle diagnosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: DRG cost weights and case mix index were used to compare coverage of inpatient dermatological services. Economic impacts were illustrated by case mix volumes and calculation of DRG payments. RESULTS: Case mix index results and the pending prospective revenues vary tremendously from the application of one or another of the DRG systems. The G-DRG version 2004 provides increased levels of case mix index that encourages, in particular, medical dermatology. CONCLUSIONS: The AR-DRG version 4.1 and the first German DRG version 1.0 appear to be less suitable to adequately cover inpatient dermatology. The G-DRG version 2004 has been greatly improved, probably due to proceeding calculation standards and DRG adjustments. The future of inpatient dermatology is subject to appropriate depiction of well-established treatment standards.     

EFFECTS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF 18 CLINICAL PATHWAYS ON COSTS AND QUALITY OF CARE AMONG PATIENTS UNDERGOING UROLOGICAL SURGERY

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effects on the costs and quality of care of implementation of 18 clinical pathways for urological operations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 1997 to March 1998 patients undergoing 1 of 18 urological operations were treated according to clinical pathways. The outcomes in terms of length of hospital stay and admission charges of these patients were compared with those of patients treated between April 1996 and March 1997 before clinical pathways were implemented. We also selected 7 clinically relevant quality indicators to assess the quality of care before and after clinical pathway implementation. RESULTS: Of the 1,784 patients undergoing urological surgery from April 1997 to March 1998, 1,382 (77.5%) were treated according to 1 of the 18 clinical pathways. Before implementation 1,279 of 1,615 patients (79.2%) underwent these procedures. The length of hospital stay decreased from 5.5 to 4.9 days (p < 0.01) and the average hospital admission charges decreased by 12.9% (p < 0.01) after implementation. Five of the quality indicators, including the rate of surgical complications, were significantly improved after pathway implementation. The hospitalization rate was not affected (1.3 before versus 0.8% after implementation, p = 0.18). Variations from the clinical pathways occurred in 543 cases (39.3%) and affected the length of hospital stay only (11.6%) or the admission charge only (12.9%) more often than both (7.8%, p < 0.01) or neither (7.0%, p < 0.01). The most common variances in these patients were patient related (30.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of multiple clinical pathways in a urology department can improve urological practice by decreasing the length of hospital stay, admission charges and rate of surgical complications, and by improving the quality of care.     

乳腺癌术后化疗后放疗期间同期或序贯内分泌治疗的临床观察

目的 探讨乳腺癌术后化疗后放疗期间同期或序贯内分泌治疗的临床效果.方法 收集2003年1月～2007年1月本院行乳腺癌手术治疗且病理证明激素受体阳性的乳腺癌患者100例,将其分为同期组和序贯组,每组各50例.同期组给予化疗后放疗同期内分泌治疗,序贯组给予化疗后放疗序贯内分泌治疗.比较两组患者的临床疗效,随访统计两组患者毒副反应发生率及长期生存率.结果 同期组放射性肺炎、放射性肺纤维化、放射性皮肤纤维化发生率（分别为6.0％、10.0％、8.0％）与序贯组（分别为6.0％、8.0％、6.0％）比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.同期组局部复发率（8.0％）、远处转移率（10.0％）及5年生存率（80.0％）与序贯组（分别为10.0％、14.0％、82.0％）比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.结论 同期和序贯内分泌治疗并没有增加放疗的不良反应发生率,不会影响放疗的敏感性及总生存率.