Impact of Pulmonary Artery Dilatation on Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical impact of computed tomography (CT)–derived pulmonary artery dilatation (PAD) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).BackgroundSeveral studies have reported an association between pulmonary hypertension and cardiovascular events, but the prognostic value of PAD in patients undergoing TAVR remains unclear.MethodsThe preprocedural computed tomographic studies of patients who underwent TAVR at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center between November 2013 and December 2017 were analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of PAD assessed on CT (pulmonary artery [PA] diameter ≥29 mm). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at 2 years.ResultsA total of 895 patients were included (mean age 81.3 ± 8.5 years), with a mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons score of 4.8%. The median PA diameter was 28.0 mm, and PAD was observed in 369 patients (41.2%). Compared with the no-PAD group, the PAD group had higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons scores and higher rates of atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The PAD group had higher 2-year all-cause mortality than the no-PAD group (28.9% vs 12.8%; P < 0.001), and PAD was independently associated with mortality (adjusted HR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.44-3.39; P < 0.001). Furthermore, PAD had strong prognostic power in the subgroup analysis, stratified according to PA pressure (>36 mm Hg).ConclusionsCT-derived PAD is a significant prognostic factor in patients undergoing TAVR.     

Surgical strategies for severely atherosclerotic (porcelain) aorta during coronary artery bypass grafting

Porcelain aorta (PA) is an asymptomatic atherosclerotic disease, characterized by circumferential calcification throughout the whole perimeter of the aorta. It is seen in 2% to 9.3% of patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and makes manipulation of the ascending aorta impossible. It has been clearly shown that most emboli seen and detected during the CABG procedure occur during aortic cross-clamping and aortic side-clamping. Manipulation of porcelain or a severely atherosclerotic aorta increases the risk of perioperative stroke. The incidence of stroke after CABG is between 0.48% and 2.9%, and the risk is correlated with the extent and severity of the atherosclerotic disease. A conventional CABG procedure involves successive steps that include cannulation of the ascending aorta, application of a cross-clamp to the aorta, and partial clamping of the aorta to create the proximal anastomosis. Therefore in procedures that involve cannulation, clamping, or proximal anastomosis, and where aortic manipulation is inevitable, preassessment of the atherosclerotic aortic plaques is crucial. Although many surgeons still rely on intraoperative manual aortic palpation, this approach has very low sensitivity and underestimates the severity of the atherosclerotic illness. Imaging methods including preoperative computed tomography or intraoperative epiaortic ultrasonography enable modification of the surgical technique according to the severity of atherosclerosis. Various surgical techniques have been described to reduce the risk of atheroembolism that may lead to cerebrovascular events in patients with severely atherosclerotic ascending aorta. Anaortic or “no-touch” techniques that do not utilize aortic manipulation may significantly decrease the development of neurological complications by avoiding aortic maneuvers known to cause emboli. In cases where severe atherosclerotic disease or other factors preclude safe use of the ascending aorta, modifications in the surgical techniques, such as switching to different cannulation sites including the axillary/subclavian, femoral and innominate arteries, or using hypothermic ventricular fibrillation and in-situ pedicled arterial grafts, or performing proximal anastomoses at alternative anatomical locations will enable CABG operations to be performed safely with low morbidity and mortality rates in patients with porcelain aortas.     

Management of acute coronary syndrome in the context of coronavirus disease 2019

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still developing worldwide. The prognosis of the disease will become worse and mortality will be even higher when it is combined with cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, COVID-19 is highly infectious and requires strict isolation measures. For acute coronary syndromes (ACS), a common cardiovascular disease, infection may aggravate the occurrence and development of ACS, making the management of more difficult. It will be an enormous challenge for clinical practice to deal with ACS in this setting of COVID-19.Aim to reduce the mortality of ACS patients during the epidemic of COVID-19 by standardizing procedures as much as possible.Pubmed and other relevant databases were searched to retrieve articles on COVID-19 and articles on ACS management strategies during previous influenza epidemics. The data was described and synthesized to summarize the diagnosis and management strategy of ACS, the preparation of catheter laboratory, and the protection of the medical staff in the context of COVID-19. Ethical approval is not required in this study, because it is a review with no recourse to patient identifiable information.Standardized diagnosis and treatment advice can help reduce the mortality of COVID-19 patients with ACS. In the absence of contraindications, the third generation of thrombolytic drugs should be the first choice for thrombolytic treatment in the isolation ward. For patients who have to receive PCI, this article provides detailed protective measures to avoid nosocomial infection.     

Main pulmonary artery enlargement predicts 90-day readmissions in Chinese COPD patients

BackgroundNumerous studies have shown pulmonary artery enlargement when measured by chest computed tomography (CT) could predict a worse outcome in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Herein, we studied the prognostic implication of main pulmonary artery diameter (MPAD) in Chinese COPD patients.MethodsThis is an observational case-control study. Patients with 90-day readmissions are case group and those without 90-day readmission are control group. The study comprised of 417 COPD patients who underwent chest CT in their initial admission due to acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). We analyzed their clinical characteristics such as MPAD, arterial blood gas (ABG) results, other chest CT findings and comorbidities to identify the cause of readmission within 90 days.ResultsMedian age of our study population is 75 years old, and 79.6% of them are male. The median MPAD is 2.8 cm and 80.6% were also diagnosed with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in their first admission. The median MPAD in patients with 90-day readmission was 3.1 cm while patients without 90-day readmission had median MPAD of 2.8 cm. Through multivariate logistic regression analysis CAP (P=0.019, OR: 3.105, 95% CI: 1.203–8.019) and MPAD (P<0.001, OR: 2.898, 95% CI: 1.824–4.605) were statistically significant. In the second stage of analysis, subgroup of patients diagnosed with CAP and AECOPD (pAECOPD) were analyzed, MPAD remained statistically significant (P<0.001, OR: 3.490, 95% CI: 1.929–6.316) and receiver operative characteristic (ROC) curve for pAECOPD patients; area under the curve (AUC) was 0.704 (95% CI: 0.631–0.778) with a MPAD cut off value of 2.9 cm (sensitivity 72%, specificity 53%).ConclusionsEnlarged MPAD and pAECOPD in initial admission are independent risk factors for 90-day readmission. In our pAECOPD patient population, MPAD >2.9 cm are at increased risk of 90-day readmission.     

双源CT低管电压降低冠状动脉CTA辐射剂量

目的 观察低管电压在体质指数(BMI)正常范围患者双源CT冠状动脉成像(CTA)中的应用,并评价其图像质量.方法 将65例BMI在正常范围并接受冠状动脉CTA检查的患者随机分为两组,A组管电压采用常规扫描120 kV,B组管电压采用100 kV,均采用回顾性心电门控螺旋扫描.对两组扫描的冠状动脉分别做图像处理,应用秩和检验比较两组患者冠状动脉段图像质量总体评分,两独立样本t检验比较两组患者的辐射剂量和对比剂用量. 结果 A组评价443段冠状动脉,B组评价451段冠状动脉.A组图像质量评价为优和良好的占97.74%,B组占97.56%.冠状动脉段图像质量评分两组之间比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.126).A组平均有效剂量为(15.04±2.42)mSv;B组平均有效剂量为(7.95±1.69)mSv,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.001).A组对比剂用量为(75.17±3.69)ml,B组对比剂用量为(62.27±3.42)ml,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.001). 结论 对于BMI在正常范围内的患者,冠状动脉CTA检查时管电压设为100 kV可在保证图像质量的同时显著降低辐射剂量和对比剂用量.     

血管回声跟踪技术诊断2型糖尿病患者动脉早期硬化

目的 探讨血管回声跟踪(echo-tracking,ET)技术对2型糖尿病患者早期动脉硬化的应用价值.方法 在ET模式下,采集30例正常人和54例2型糖尿病患者的股动脉的二维超声图像,测量双侧股动脉内-中膜厚度(IMT).应用ET技术检测弹性指标β、Eρ、AC、AI及PWVβ.按照股动脉IMT是否＜1.0 mm将糖尿病患者分为A(IMT＜1.0 mm) 组和B(IMT≥1.0 mm) 组.结果 A组及B组股动脉弹性指标β、Eρ、PWVβ均较对照组显著增高(P<0.05),AC值显著降低(P<0.05).B组股动脉弹性指标β、Eρ、PWVβ较A组也显著增高,统计学有显著性差异(P<0.05).结论 糖尿病患者存在动脉硬化的病理改变,而且在形态学变化之前就有动脉弹性的减低.ET技术可以在动脉粥样硬化的形态学改变出现之前早期发现动脉硬化.     

老年单纯收缩期高血压降压对颈动脉粥样硬化的影响

目的:观察老年单纯收缩期高血压(EISH)患者降压治疗前、后颈动脉粥样硬化的改变。方法:以彩色多普勒超声仪检查109例EISH患者降压治疗前、后颈动脉的形态、结构和血流动力学等指标,并进行分析。结果:降压治疗使斑块性质改变(P<0.01),阻力指数(RI)降低、搏动指数(PI)降低(P<0.01)。结论:EISH患者在良好控制血压后,可改善颈动脉硬化程度。     

不稳定型心绞痛患者肌钙蛋白Ⅰ与心电图ST段变化及冠脉造影的关系探讨

目的　探讨不稳定型心绞痛 (UAP)患者肌钙蛋白 I(c Tn I)与心电图 ST段移位及冠状动脉病变性质之间的关系。方法　对 5 7例 U AP患者于心绞痛发作时 ,发作 6、2 4小时取静脉血 2 ml,用酶联免疫分析法测血清 c Tn I浓度 ,同时做 12～ 18导联心电图 ,计算 ST段缺血性下移或上移情况。5 7例患者按 Judkins法行冠状动脉造影术 ,按 2 0 0 1年 ACC/AHA PCI标准将冠状动脉解剖病变分低危险、中危险、高危险病变 ,按传统 Proudilit狭窄分级法将冠脉狭窄分为 ～ 级 ,分析 c Tn I与心电图 ST段移位及冠状动脉危险病变之间的关系。结果　UAP患者心绞痛发作后 6、2 4小时 c Tn I明显增高 ,且 2 4小时 c Tn I浓度与心电图 ST段移位相关 (r =0 .5 9,P<0 .0 5 ) ,病变愈复杂 (中、高危险病变 )狭窄程度愈重 (>5 0 %以上狭窄 ) ,c Tn I愈高。结论　 c Tn I可预测 U AP患者的预后 ,c Tn I愈高 ,心电图 ST段移位愈大 ,冠脉危险病变愈重     

16层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像的临床研究

目的探讨16层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像方法及评估其临床应用价值。方法应用西门子SOMATOM16层螺旋CT对21例可疑或已诊断冠心病人进行扫描,获取相关数据,应用后处理工作站对其进行容积再现图像（VRT）、最大密度投影（MIP）、曲面重建（CPR）、平面重组（MPR）成像,分析冠状动脉狭窄程度及狭窄原因,再与该21例病人的CAG结果进行对比。结果16层螺旋CT判断冠状动脉轻度、中度及高度狭窄的敏感度,特异度,阳性预测值,阴性预测值分别为84．6％、40．0％、55．0％、75．0％、88．2％、69．6％、72．7％、88．9％、90．0％、87．5％、78．3％、94．6％;未钙化斑块致冠脉中高度狭窄程度结果与CAG评价结果一致性为94．7％;而钙化斑块对冠状动脉狭窄程度评价有一定局限性。结论16层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像用于可疑冠心病筛查及冠心病的诊断有很高的临床价值。且相对CAG检查是一种无创安全可靠价廉的检查方法,适合推广。     

非高密度脂蛋白胆固醇与系统性红斑狼疮颈动脉内膜中层厚度的相关性研究

目的探讨血清非高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（non-HDL-C）与系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）颈动脉内膜中层厚度（IMT）之间的关系。方法对42例SLE患者进行颈动脉超声检测IMT,按照IMT结果将其分为IMT阳性组（1MT≥0．85mm）和IMT阴性组（IMT〈0．85mm）;选取30例健康者为对照组。分别测定2组总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL—C）及低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）,通过Frost法计算出non-HDL-C,并进行比较分析。结果①与对照组相比,SLE组呈现出高TG（t’=2．92,P=0．03）、高TC（t’=2．72,P=0．005）、低HDL-C（t=-6．221。P=0．000）,且non-HDL-c（t=4．875,P=0．000）值明显升高。②IMT阳性组血清HDL-C及non-HDL-C值明显高于IMT阴性组（P〈0．01）。③SLE患者的IMT与non-HDL-C呈正相关（r=0．426,P=0．000）,与HDL-C呈负相关（r=-2．450,P=0．018）,其中以non-HDL-C相关性最强。结论高血清non-HDL-C是SLE动脉粥样硬化的危险指标,血清non-HDL-C检测是评价和预测SLE动脉粥样硬化的可信指标。