Do Electrode and Lead Design Differences for Permanent Cardiac Pacing Translate into Clinically Demonstrable Differences? (Comparison of Sintered Platinum and Activated Vitreous and Porous Carbon Electrodes)

A randomized prospective study was undertaken to compare the electrical performances of three permanent, endocardial, tined pacing leads with different electrode designs--sintered platinum, vitreous carbon, and porous carbon. Ninety-nine patients received one of the leads (S80 31; 423S 32; S100 36). Acute R wave amplitude and ST elevation of the native endocardial electrogram, voltage threshold, impedance, and current flow at four pulse durations (0.25-1.0 msec) were measured. Voltage thresholds were measured noninvasively at each of four pulse durations at 2 days and 1, 3, and 6 months after implantation. No significant differences were found in sensing properties, or current flow at threshold at 0.5 msec pulse duration. The 423S lead had a significantly higher impedance at threshold and both a higher impedance and lower current flow at 5 V. No significant differences in threshold voltages were found between the three leads at any pulse duration, at any of the assessed times after implantation. Six-month thresholds for the S80, 423S, and S100 leads were 1.18 +/- 0.35, 1.17 +/- 0.29, and 1.06 +/- 0.38 V respectively at 0.5 msec pulse duration. Differences between 'high performance' pacing leads need to be of a greater order of magnitude before they can be exploited to give any real clinical advantage to patients.     

双腔右心室(附四例报告)

本文对我院1983～1985年经手术证实的4例双腔右心室病例,进行了分析讨论。本病除右心导管检查发现肺动脉与右心室有压力阶差移行曲线、右心造影时心腔内显示充盈缺损、超声心动图等检查有助于诊断外,X线心脏平片、心电图、临床症状、体征均无特异性的诊断价值。认为,由于本病多合并室缺,因此对室缺修补时,应常规探查右心室腔,以免漏诊。另外,对本病与法乐氏四联症的鉴别作了较详细的讨论。     

连续浅缝法修补膜周型室间隔缺损

目的探讨连续浅缝法修补单纯膜周型室间隔缺损(pVSD)法的效果。方法选取2002年1月至2004年10月我院收治的体重10kg以内(≤10kg)50例单纯膜周型室间隔缺损患者,均采用自体心包连续浅缝法修补。结果主动脉阻断时间32±21min(14-52min),体外循环时间56±35min(29-69min)。无°房室传导阻滞发生,9例发生右束支传导阻滞,2例结性心律。2例膜周偏流出道型VSD患者因前上缘残余分流分别为0.4cm和0.3cm,再次手术修补;1例后下缘残留细束样分流,直径0.15cm,随访6个月后自愈;10例膜周偏流出道型VSD患者剪开三尖瓣,8例垂直瓣环,2例平行瓣环;1例三尖瓣中度反流,随访无加重;5例轻度反流,4例轻微反流,随访均无加重;1例心包积液;1例再次进入手术室止血。结论连续浅缝法是修补单纯膜周型室间隔缺损的有效外科纠治方法。     

A randomized trial comparing two different approaches of pacemaker selection.

AIMS: DDD-pacemakers are favoured in patients with sick-sinus-syndrome or AV-block. However, AAI-pacemakers for sick-sinus-syndrome or VDD-pacemakers for AV-block may provide similar benefit with lower costs. The aim is to show that a tailored approach (TA) with arrhythmia-specific pacemaker selection was equal to a standard approach (SA) regarding quality of life (QoL) at lower costs. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study was prospective and randomized with QoL as primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints were a combined endpoint of all-cause mortality, worsening heart failure or angina, atrial fibrillation (AF), stroke, these endpoints individually and costs. Of 198 patients (age 77 +/- 10 years, 43% female, ejection fraction 54 +/- 12%, follow-up 38 +/- 15 months), 94 were randomized to SA and 104 to TA. Thirty-two patients (34%) died in the SA group vs. 25 (24%) in the TA (P= ns). QoL showed no differences in all dimensions. The combined secondary endpoint was reached more frequently with SA (51%) compared to TA (37%, P = 0.045). There was no difference regarding all single secondary endpoints. Hardware costs were reduced by 15% (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In long-term follow-up, a TA is equal to SA regarding the primary endpoint QoL and secondary endpoints as AF and mortality. Depending on the healthcare system, it may significantly reduce costs.     

护士执业权及其法律保护初探

护士执业权是依法取得护士执业证书,以护士名义为社会提供护理服务的医务人员进行护理工作的权利和相关权益,是护士执业规则的核心内容,护士执业权属于公民劳动权益的范畴,是一种具有职业特权性质的特殊劳动权,应立法保护。本文试图通过对护士执业权的法理初步探讨,结合目前存在的侵害护士执业权的突出现象分析,提出保护该项权利的立法建议。     

Management of adult patients with a left ventricular assist device.

The number of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantations is growing as a result of increased waiting periods for cardiac transplantation and the decreased availability of organ donors. Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved permanent LVAD support. After an acute hospitalization, patients with LVADs may need prolonged convalescence in a healthcare facility because they have complex medical needs and are physically disabled. Admission criteria need to be developed as essential patient and nursing competencies need to be defined as a part of a successful LVAD program in an acute rehabilitation center. Acute rehabilitation centers can help patients with LVADs transition to a home setting.     

An Implantable Aortic Valvo-pump for Destination Therapy

To investigate the possibility of a long-term applicable left ventricular assist device, a 23 mm outer diameter and 31 g weight implantable aortic valvo-pump was developed. It consists of a rotor and a stator; the rotor has a driven magnets assemble and an impeller, the stator has a motor coil with iron core and a outflow guide vane. The device locates the position of aortic valve, delivers the blood directly from left ventricle to aorta. Neither connecting conduits nor “bypass” circuits are necessary. Therefore, the device has promisingly better antithrombogenicity than other heart pumps. In hemodynamic testing, the pump can produce a blood flow of 7 l/min volume with 50 mmHg pressure increase at 15,000 rpm rotating speed, and at zero flow rate the pump can maintain a diastolic pressure over 80 mmHg at same rotating speed. For further studies the blood compatibility and the durability of the device are of most importance.     

Concomitant mitral valve repair and left ventricular reconstruction in a patient with chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation and inferior left ventricular aneurysm

The surgical approach to ischemic mitral regurgitation with concomitant inferior left ventricular aneurysm remains uncertain in terms of the indication for operation and the short-and long-term outcomes. We performed concomitant mitral valve repair, left ventricular reconstruction, and aortic valve replacement on a 71-year-old male with severe ischemic mitral regurgitation, inferior left ventricular aneurysm, and degenerative aortic regurgitation. Postoperative status was in New York Heart Association functional class I without mitral regurgitation 8 months after operation. We discuss, and review the procedures reported in the literature.