Safety of Transesophageal Echocardiography to Guide Structural Cardiac Interventions

BackgroundDespite the widespread use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to guide structural cardiac interventions, studies evaluating safety in this context are lacking.ObjectivesThis study sought to determine the incidence, types of complications, and factors associated with esophageal or gastric lesions following TEE manipulation during structural cardiac interventions.MethodsThis was a prospective study including 50 patients undergoing structural cardiac interventions in which TEE played a central role in guiding the procedure (mitral and tricuspid valve repair, left atrial appendage closure, and paravalvular leak closure). An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed before and immediately after the procedure to look for new injuries that might have arisen during the course of the intervention. Patients were divided in 2 cohorts according to the type of injury: complex lesions (intramural hematoma, mucosal laceration) and minor lesions (petechiae, ecchymosis). The factors associated with an increased risk of complications were assessed.ResultsPost-procedural EGD showed a new injury in 86% (n = 43 of 50) of patients, with complex lesions accounting for 40% (n = 20 of 50) of cases. Patients with complex lesions presented more frequently with an abnormal baseline EGD (70% vs. 37%; p = 0.04) and had a higher incidence of post-procedural dysphagia or odynophagia (40% vs. 10%; p = 0.02). Independent factors associated with an increased risk of complex lesions were a longer procedural time under TEE manipulation (for each 10-min increment in imaging time, odds ratio: 1.27; 95% confidence interval: 1.01 to 1.59) and poor or suboptimal image quality (odds ratio: 4.93; 95% confidence interval: 1.10 to 22.02).ConclusionsMost patients undergoing structural cardiac interventions showed some form of injury associated with TEE, with longer procedural time and poor or suboptimal image quality determining an increased risk. Imaging experts performing this technique should be aware of the nature of potential complications, to take the necessary precautions to prevent their occurrence and facilitate early diagnosis and treatment.     

Predictors of a successful primary bladder closure in cloacal exstrophy: A multivariable analysis

Purpose

To investigate the factors affecting primary bladder closure in cloacal exstrophy (CE). A successful primary closure is important for optimizing reconstructive outcomes, and it is a critical first-step in the reconstruction of CE. The authors' hypothesize that a smaller diastasis and use of an osteotomy are independent predictors of a successful closure.

Suture pulley countertraction method reduces procedure time and technical demand of endoscopic submucosal dissection among novice endoscopists learning endoscopic submucosal dissection: a prospective randomized ex vivo study

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Paradoxical emboli through the patent foramen ovale as the suspected cause of myocardial and renal infarction in a 48-year-old woman.

We review the case of a 48-year-old woman who underwent elective percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure following successive renal and myocardial infarction with normal renal and coronary arteries, probably as a consequence of paradoxical emboli.     

Intracardiac echocardiography: an ideal guiding tool for device closure of interatrial communications.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to evaluate safety and radiation exposure when using intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) in comparison to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in order to guide transcatheter closure of interatrial communications. METHODS: Eighty patients (44 males, 36 females, mean age 46, SD 13 years) undergoing device closure of atrial septal defect (n=12) or patent foramen ovale (n=68) had the procedure guided by ICE (n=50, group 1) or TEE (n=30, group 2). In group 1, all procedural stages were completely guided by ICE, including imaging of the interatrial communication during balloon sizing, device unfolding and release, and during the final check for adequate positioning. In group 2, exclusive implantation of devices was guided by use of TEE. RESULTS: Especially, the spatial relationship between device and cardiac structures (e.g. the ascending aorta, the interatrial septum and the superior vena cava) was accurately demonstrated in group 1. Image resolution provided by ICE was superior to that of TEE. No severe complications, including any related to ICE, were seen. Fluoroscopy time (FT) and procedure time (PT) were shorter in group 1 than in group 2 (FT: 5.5+/-1.5 min vs. 9.3+/-1.6 min, P<0.0001; PT: 31.9+/-4.6 min vs. 38.8+/-5.8 min, P<0.01). Neither sedation nor anesthesia was required in group 1. CONCLUSIONS: ICE is a safe tool to guide device closure of interatrial communications. For the patient, procedural stress and radiation exposure are negligible. ICE can be considered the guiding tool of choice for device closure, particularly when long or repeated echocardiographic viewing is required.     

复合式小梁切除术治疗原发性慢性闭角性青光眼效果探讨

目的：探讨和分析采用复合式小梁切除术对原发性慢性闭角性青光眼患者进行临床治疗的情况和效果。方法随机抽选68例原发性慢性闭角性青光眼患者,根据抽签法对他们进行平均分组(对照组和观察组)分方法(传统小梁切除术和复合式小梁切除术)治疗,并对两组患者的治疗效果进行统计、对比以及分析。结果经过一年的治疗后观察组患者的眼压、临床总有效率以及并发症发生率都比对照组的患者要显著,比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论对原发性慢性闭角性青光眼患者采用复合式小梁切除术的疗效显著,并发症少,术后恢复好,因而,它是一种科学、有效、理想、安全的临床治疗方法。     

腹腔镜探查在单侧腹股沟疝患儿LPEC术中的应用及对对侧异时性疝的预防价值*

目的探讨腹腔镜探查在经皮腹膜外疝囊高位结扎术(LPEC)中的应用效果及对对侧异时性疝(MCH)的预防价值。方法回顾性分析300例行开放疝囊修补术(对照组)、200例行LPEC治疗(观察组)的单侧腹股沟疝患儿,其中观察组术中通过腹腔镜探查对侧腹股沟情况,若有对侧鞘状突未闭(CPPV),则给予结扎处理,对照组术中未探查。比较各组手术指标、术后并发症及MCH发生率,并分析MCH发生率与CPPV、年龄的关系。结果术后疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)、术后开始下床活动时间及住院时间方面,观察组均明显优于对照组(P0.05);手术时间、术后并发症总发生率方面两组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);观察组术后MCH发生率1.00%,明显低于对照组的4.67%(P0.05);观察组术中发现CPPV 72例,CPPV发生率36.00%,其发生率与观察组患儿年龄相关(P0.05);MCH/CPPV风险率比(RR)=0.03,1/RR≈33;所有患儿中2.0~4.0岁者(不包括2.0岁)MCH占43.75%,0.5~2.0岁占31.25%。结论腹腔镜下LPEC相比开放疝囊修补术治疗单侧腹股沟疝具有术后疼痛轻、恢复快特点,能明显降低MCH发生率;腹腔镜探查能准确发现CPPV,结扎处理虽能减少MCH发生,但会过度医疗。     

Safety and efficacy of larger ASD devices in small children of less than 2 years

We herein report our single center experience of safety and efficacy of device closure of large sized ostium secundum atrial septal defects (OS ASD) in small children with less than 2 years of age performed over the period of 10 years from 2009 to 2019.148 symptomatic children with ASD size of more than 8 mm were included in our study. We obtained a high rate of successful deployment (98 %) with no major complications.     

A Higher Angiogenin Expression is Associated With a Nonnuclear Maspin Location in Laryngeal Carcinoma

Objectives

In numerous malignancies, angiogenin (ANG) and Maspin are important proangiogenic and antiangiogenic regulators, respectively. The aim of this study was to identify potential relationships between the biological roles of these two proteins in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).

Methods

Immunohistochemical staining for ANG and Maspin was performed on specimens from 76 consecutive LSCC patients treated with surgery alone, considering the subcellular pattern of Maspin expression. Univariate and multivariate statistical models were used for prognostic purposes.

Results

On univariate analysis, a different level of ANG expression was seen for patients stratified by subcellular Maspin expression pattern: the mean ANG expression was higher in cases with a nonnuclear MASPIN expression than in those with a nuclear pattern (P=0.002). Disease-free survival (DFS; in months) differed significantly when patients were stratified by N stage (P=0.01). Patients whose Maspin expression was nonnuclear (i.e., it was cytoplasmic or there was none) had a significantly higher recurrence rate (P<0.001), and shorter DFS (P=0.01) than those with a nuclear Maspin pattern. The mean ANG expression was significantly higher in cases with loco-regional recurrent disease (P=0.007); and patients with an ANG expression ≥5.0% had a significantly shorter DFS than those with an ANG expression <5.0% (P=0.007). On multivariate analysis, ANG expression ≥5.0% was a significant, independent, negative prognostic factor in terms of DFS (P=0.041).

Conclusion

Our results support the hypothesis that a higher ANG expression is associated with a nonnuclear Maspin expression pattern in patients with LSCC. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between the ANG and Maspin pathways, and their potential diagnostic and therapeutic role in LSCC.     

Endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure of upper intestinal anastomotic leaks

BACKGROUND: Management of intrathoracic anastomotic leaks remains an interdisciplinary challenge. Established treatment options include percutaneous drainage, endoscopic closure, or even surgical revision. All these procedures are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. OBJECTIVE: We report a new, effective endoscopic treatment option for intrathoracic esophageal anastomotic leaks by using an endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure system. PATIENTS: Two patients with intrathoracic anastomotic leaks after esophagectomy and gastrectomy were included. METHODS: Surgical reinterventions failed to seal the leaks in 1 patient, whereas in the other patient the anastomotic leakage persisted after endoscopic placement of 2 covered self-expanding metal stents. We endoscopically placed transnasal draining tubes that were armed with a size-adjusted sponge at their distal tip in the necrotic anastomotic cavities. Continuous suction was applied. Sponge and drain were changed twice a week. RESULTS: No complications were noted during the course of treatment. After a median of 15 days, closure of the wound cavities was achieved in all cases. A median of 5 endoscopic interventions was necessary. Both patients returned gradually to a solid diet without recurrence of the leaks. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure might be an effective alternative in the treatment of upper intestinal anastomotic leaks.