退行性腰椎滑脱症的现代中医研究进展

文章在简要阐述现代中医对退行性腰椎滑脱症的病名、病因病机、中医分型的研究现状基础上,从现代中医治疗方面总结了退行性腰椎滑脱症的现代中医治疗研究进展。文章主要从以下几方面进行综述：现代中医手法治疗退行性腰椎滑脱症、中药治疗、中医针灸治疗、针刀治疗、拔罐、刮痧等其他综合治疗以及中医综合疗法治疗。文章以期为退行性腰椎滑脱症的现代中医治疗提供参考。     

Neuromuscular disorders: a guide for the orthopaedic surgeon

Patients with neuromuscular conditions are frequently seen in final professional clinical examinations as they have good clinical signs, which often point towards the underlying diagnosis. This paper outlines some of the most common neuromuscular disorders that you are likely to come across in orthopaedic practise.     

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in the Elderly: Who to Refer?

In recent years, experience with transcatheter aortic valve implantation has led to improved outcomes in elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) who may not have previously been considered for intervention. These patients are often frail with significant comorbid conditions.     

Echocardiography for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic cardiomyopathy. The prevalence of phenotypic expression, in the absence of another systemic or cardiac disease causing increased left ventricular (LV) wall thickness, is estimated to be 1:500. The frequency of clinical presentation is far less, highlighting the need for a non-invasive diagnostic imaging tool. Echocardiography is readily available and allows for structural characterization and hemodynamic assessment of the hypertrophic heart and to screen patients at-risk for HCM, such as first degree relatives of affected individuals, and differentiate HCM from the athletic heart. Echocardiography can also be used to assess for anatomic abnormalities of the mitral valve apparatus that may exacerbate LV outflow track obstruction and to further risk stratify patients during exercise. Finally, echocardiography plays an integral role in guiding alcohol septal ablation procedures.     

The Global Burden of Aortic Stenosis

Degenerative, calcific valvular aortic stenosis (AS), caused by an active process of atherosclerosis, calcification and ossification, is the most common cause of AS in industrialized nations. The prevalence of calcific AS is age-dependent, and thus is expected to increase due to demographic aging of the global population. It is well recognized that severe AS carries a poor prognosis if left untreated. Despite this recognition, many patients are inappropriately denied surgery because of perceived risk. This article will examine the etiology, prevalence, and current trends in the treatment of degenerative AS focusing on indications for surgical aortic valve replacement.     

Self-Expanding Prostheses for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement in patients who are considered high surgical risk or inoperable due to advanced age and comorbidities. Randomized trial and registry data have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of TAVR in such patients. Currently available transcatheter heart valves (THVs) employ either balloon-expandable or self-expanding designs, and several new designs have shown promising early results. Differences in valve design may offer specific advantages for accurate deployment and minimizing complications. This article reviews several designs of self-expanding THVs that are currently available or have undergone successful implantation in humans. Additional studies are required to compare the relative performance of these devices.     

重视老年钙化性主动脉瓣狭窄的防治研究

钙化性主动脉瓣狭窄(CAVS)是老年人的多发病,由于其无症状期漫长,先前一直被认为是"良性的"被动性老年退变现象。新近研究发现,CAVS的病变实际上是主动的发展过程,最终并可导致严重后果。到后期,一旦出现症状,病情很快恶化,致死率很高,此时只能进行外科换瓣手术解除狭窄,抢救和延长生命。目前尚无其他有效办法防止CAVS的发生、发展,亟待深入研究。