Cardiac arrhythmias six months following traumatic spinal cord injury

ObjectiveTo investigate the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias at six months following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) and to compare the prevalence of arrhythmias between participants with cervical and thoracic SCI.DesignA prospective observational study using continuous twenty-four-hour Holter monitoring.SettingInpatient rehabilitation unit of a university research hospital and patient home setting.ParticipantsFifty-five participants with acute traumatic SCI were prospectively included. For each participant, the SCI was characterized according to the International Standards for Neurological Classification of SCI by the neurological level and severity according to the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale.Outcome measuresComparisons between demographic characteristics and arrhythmogenic occurrences as early as possible after SCI (4 ± 2 days) followed by 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks and 6 month time points of Holter monitoring.ResultsBradycardia (heart rate [HR] <50 bpm) was present in 29% and 33% of the participants with cervical (C1–C8) and thoracic (T1–T12) SCI six months after SCI, respectively. The differences in episodes of bradycardia between the two groups were not significant (P < 0.54). The mean maximum HR increased significantly from 4 weeks to 6 months post-SCI (P < 0.001), however mean minimum and maximum HR were not significantly different between the groups at the six-month time point. There were no differences in many arrhythmias between recording periods or between groups at six months.ConclusionsAt the six-month timepoint following traumatic SCI, there were no significant differences in occurrences of arrhythmias between participants with cervical and thoracic SCI compared to the findings observed in the first month following SCI.     

Prevalence of depression in coronary heart disease in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Coronary heart diseases （CHD） have been identified as one of topmost diseases affecting the Chinese population.However,depression in CHD has not been reported and there are limited high quality empirical studies in China focused on the prevalence of the comorbidity.This study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of depression with CHD in China.Methods Systematic review and meta-analysis of published epidemiologic studies on the depression in CHD patients in China were conducted.The research findings dated before 30 September 2013 were obtained from Ovid Medline,EMBASE and two Chinese electronic publication libraries WANFANG and CNKI.We used ＂cardiovascular disease＂,＂depression＂ and ＂China＂ as the search themes in Ovid Medline and EMBASE and ＂cardiovascular disease＂ and ＂depression＂ in WANFANG and CNKI.Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the prevalence of depression in CHD patients.Results Twenty-seven studies were included in the review.Twenty-three studies had 5 236 participants who were hospitalized and four studies had 1 353 participants from community.The overall prevalence of depression in CHD from hospital was 51% （95% CI：0.43,0.58; Ⅰ-squared=97%,P=-0.000）.The prevalence of depression in CHD from community ranged between 34.6% to 45.8%,and the severe depression was found ranging between 3.1% to 11.2%.Conclusions On comparing data with other countries,the prevalence of depression in CHD among admitted patients in China was found to be high.The physicians and healthcare providers should pay more attention to the ＂physical-mental＂ health of the CHD patients.     

从澳大利亚护理实践的演变看中国社区护理的发展(二)——中国社区护理的发展和挑战

目的从历史纵深角度,探讨我国护理的发展沿革及社区护理面临的严峻挑战,揭示阻碍社区护理发展的历史和文化渊源,从而为制定发展社区护理的政策,迎接老龄化社区卫生服务挑战,提供有意义的依据。方法以文献研究和政策分析作为主要的研究手段。结果中国的护士源于鸦片战争后医学传教士带来的西医技术医学体系,从传统的家庭护理一步跨入医院为中心的护理。然而机构内护理与东方文化传统的矛盾,医护比例的严重倒置,以及护理培训制度不健全,不但影响了医院护理质量,也使得社区护理资源奇缺。社区护理教育边缘化和人力发展严重滞后,是困扰我国社区卫生服务发展的主要障碍。结论大力发展社区护理是保证社区协调发展和满足人群健康需要的关键战略。我国的社区护理发展与其他国家一样,受到历史传承因素的影响,面临迅速增长的社区需要与发育不良的社区护理之间的矛盾,医学界和政府都应该从历史和文化的角度理解这个问题的背景,并从中获得启迪。     

澳大利亚建立全民医疗保险的政治过程

本文采用描述政治过程的方法，比较全面地回顾了澳大利亚全民医疗保险的缘起，并特别关注系统建立和完善过程中政治因素的影响和对中国同行的启示。全民医疗保险制度是一个具有鲜明政治特征的社会政策，它是人权运动和社会公平思想与传统的经济学和市场理论相互较量的结果。全民医疗保险正在成为中国学术界和政界的一个重要议题，是提高卫生服务的公平性和可及性，建立和谐社会的重要方面。澳大利亚建立全民医疗保险的故事，可以让我们开阔视野和深入思考。     

An unusual origin of the celiac trunk and the superior mesenteric artery in the thorax

The authors report a case of a 44‐year‐old male found to have unusual origins of the celiac trunk (CT) and superior mesernteric artrery (SMA) as revealed by routine multidetector computed tomograph (MDCT) angiography. The CT and SMA originate from the thoracic aorta (TA) 21 mm and 9 mm above the aortic hiatus, respectively. The median arcuate ligament (MAL) is located at the level of the L1–L2 intervertebral disc. The course of the CT descends in the thoracic cavity making a 14° acute downward angle in front of the TA; below the level of the MAL, the CT descends, making an angle of 47°. The course of the SMA descends at both the thoracic and abdominal level making an angle of 17°, and having an aortomesenteric distance of 9 mm at the level of the third part of the duodenum. In the present case, the supradiaphragmatic origin of the CT and the SMA was determined by their incomplete caudal descent, associated with a pronounced apparent descent of the diaphragm. A thoracic origin of the CT and SMA and the acute downward aortomesenteric angle (17°) associated with a reduced aortomesenteric distance at the level of the third part of the duodenum (9 mm), although no clinical signs are present, may predispose the patient to develop simultaneously a triple syndrome: the compression of CT by MAL (celiac axis compression syndrome), the compression of SMA by MAL (superior mesenteric artery compression syndrome), and the compression of the duodenum by the SMA (superior mesenteric artery syndrome). Clin. Anat. 26:975–979, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Applications of the transfibular approach to the hindfoot: A systematic review and description of a preferred technique

BackgroundThe indications and technique for the transfibular approach to the tibiotalar joint have evolved since its initial popularization in 1942. The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the indications, techniques, and postoperative outcomes among procedures performed with the transfibular approach.MethodsA comprehensive search of PubMed, Medline, and Embase databases from 1942 to 2018 was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. After an initial broad search of transfibular approach indications, articles were stratified into 4 major surgical categories for assessment: (1) tibiotalar arthrodesis (2) tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis (3) total ankle replacement and (4) distal tibial tumor excision. Data was analyzed according to these 4 categories.ResultsA total of 32 studies (874 ankles) were included. Fibular non-union rates were 0.7 % (5 of 672) across all studies, 0.6% (2 of 329) for tibiotalar arthrodesis, 0.0% (0 of 12) for tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis, 1.0 % (3 of 296) for total ankle arthroplasty and 0.0% (0 of 15) for other procedures. Rates of deep infection were 2.5% (23 of 903) across all studies, 3.2% (15 of 466) for tibiotalar arthrodesis, 3.7% (4 of 106) for tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis, 1.3% (4 of 296) for total ankle arthroplasty, and 0.0% (0 of 15) for other procedures.ConclusionsThe transfibular approach is useful for cases requiring extensile exposure of the tibiotalar joint. This study provides evidence that the transfibular approach yields satisfactory results, with low complication and infection rates.Level of evidenceIV     

Previously undescribed palpebral branch from the infraorbital canal: Application to surgery of the eyelid and treatment of orbital floor fractures

The sensory innervation of the inferior eyelid is mainly derived from the inferior palpebral branch (IPb) of the infraorbital nerve (ION). This study aimed to investigate another, to our knowledge, previously unknown branch, and elucidate its location and distribution. Twelve sides from seven fresh frozen cadaveric Caucasian heads were used in this study. The specimens were derived from two male and four female adult cadavers age. The diameter of the IPb of the ION (D1) and branch arising from the upper wall of the infraorbital canal (D2), and distance between the branching points of this branch and the anterior border of the orbit floor (L1) was measured. A branch to the lower eyelid was found arising from the infraorbital canal on the majority of sides. D1 ranged from 0.4 to 1.1 mm. The branch arising from the upper wall of the infraorbital canal was found 10 sides (83%). D2 ranged 0.6 to 1.0 mm. L1 ranged from 10.2 to 19.8 mm. All of the branches arising from the upper wall of the infraorbital canal (10 sides) primarily innervated to the inferior eyelid. We suggest this branch should be named the “posterior IPb” of the ION. Knowledge of this branch might decrease sensory loss following invasive procedures of the lower orbit. Clin. Anat. 30:835–838, 2017. © 2017Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Trautmann's triangle anatomy with application to posterior transpetrosal and other related skull base procedures

Trautmann's triangle (TT) faces the cerebellopontine angle and is exposed during posterior transpetrosal approaches. However, reports on the morphometric analysis of this structure are lacking in the literature. The goal was to better understand this important operative corridor. TT was exposed from an external approach (transmastoid) in ten cadavers (20 sides) and from an internal approach on 20 dry adult temporal bones. Measurements included calculation of the area of TT and the distance of the endolymphatic sac from the anterior border of the sigmoid sinus. The area range of TT was 45–210 mm² (mean 151 mm²; SD 37 mm²). Three types of triangles were identified based on area. Type I triangles had areas less than 75 mm², Type II areas were 75–149 mm², and Type III areas were 150 mm² and greater. These types were observed in 37.5%, 35%, and 27.5% of sides, respectively. The distance from the jugular bulb's anterior border to the posterior border of the posterior semicircular canal ranged from 6 to 11 mm (mean 8.5 mm). The endolymphatic sac was located in the inferior portion of TT and traveled anterior to the sigmoid sinus. The horizontal distance from the anterior edge of the sigmoid sinus to the posterior edge of the endolymphatic sac ranged from 0 to 13.5 mm (mean 9 mm). Additional anatomic knowledge regarding TT may improve neurosurgical procedures in this region by avoiding intrusion into the endolymphatic sac and sigmoid sinus. Clin. Anat. 27:994–998, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.