Bronchial Artery Embolization in Pediatric Pulmonary Hemorrhage: A Single-Center Experience

PurposeTo explore the safety and effectiveness of bronchial artery (BA) embolization (BAE) in children with pulmonary hemorrhage.Materials and MethodsBetween February 2016 and February 2019, 41 patients (median age, 4 y; interquartile range, 2.3-8 y; median weight, 17.6 kg; interquartile range, 12.3–23.6 kg) underwent BAE. The indication of BAE included massive hemoptysis in 10 patients (24.4%), recurrent hemoptysis in 18 patients (43.9%), and refractory anemia in 13 patients (31.7%). The main etiology of pulmonary hemorrhage included pulmonary hemosiderosis (58.5%), congenital heart disease (17.1%), and infection (14.6%). A retrospective review was conducted of clinical outcomes of BAE.ResultsThere were 44 embolization sessions, with a total of 137 embolized vessels. Pulmonary hemorrhage was caused by BAs in 30 cases, nonbronchial systemic arteries plus BAs in 10, and nonbronchial systemic arteries in 1. Embolic particles were used in 30 cases (24 polyvinyl alcohol [PVA] and 6 microsphere), coils in 9 cases, and particles plus coils in 5 cases (4 PVA and 1 microsphere). Technical success (ability to embolize abnormal vessel) was achieved in 97.6% of patients (40 of 41), and clinical success (complete or partial resolution of hemoptysis within 30 days of embolization) was achieved in 90.2% (37 of 41). There was 1 procedure-related complication (2.4%) of cerebral infarction and 1 death from multiple-organ dysfunction (2.4%). Bleeding-free survival rates at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months were 92.5%, 83.9%, 83.9%, and 70.8%, respectively.ConclusionsBAE is a safe and effective procedure in children with pulmonary hemorrhage.     

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Toxicities

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are molecules that increase the endogenous immune response against tumors. They have revolutionized the field of oncology. Since their initial approval for the treatment of advanced melanoma, their use has expanded to the treatment of several other advanced cancers. Unfortunately, immune checkpoint inhibitors have also been associated with the emergence of a new subset of autoimmune-like toxicities, known as immune-related adverse events. These toxicities differ depending on the agent, malignancy, and individual susceptibilities. Although the skin and colon are most commonly involved, any organ may be affected, including the liver, lungs, kidneys, and heart. Most of these toxicities are diagnosed by excluding other secondary infectious or inflammatory causes. Corticosteroids are commonly used for treatment of moderate and severe immune-related adverse events, although additional immunosuppressive therapy may occasionally be required. The occurrence of immune-related toxicities may require discontinuation of immunotherapy, depending on the specific toxicity and its severity. In this article, we provide a focused review to familiarize practicing clinicians with this important topic given that the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors continues to increase.     

血清白蛋白水平对血液透析低血压发生的影响

目的了解血浆白蛋白水平对血液透析时低血压发生率的影响。方法按血清白蛋白水平分为三组:血清白蛋白>35g/L组、25-35g/L组和<25g/L组,观察三组在血透期间低血压的发生率。结果随着血清白蛋白水平的下降,低血压的发生率呈升高趋势,三组的发生率分别为4.8%,6.4%,25.7%,三组间有显著性差异(P<0.01)。结论血浆白蛋白在维持血透期间的血压起着重要的作用,低白蛋白血症,尤其白蛋白<25g/L时,易发生低血压,在拟定超滤方案时应充分考虑这一因素。     

维持性血透患者的心理状态研究

研究我国血透患者的心理状况并进行针对性的心理治疗。方法 采用症状自评量表(SCL90-R)、多维度健康状况心理控制源量表(MHLC)、艾森克个性问卷(EPQ)及终末期肾脏病(ESRD)患者专用的生活质量表对北京六个医院透析中心的92名维持性血透患者进行了心理状态的研究,并与美国及加拿大相同的研究进行了比较分析。结果 本组的血透存在着抑郁、焦虑、恐怖等心理障碍,出现心理障碍的比例显著高于美国同类患者(P<0.01),且焦虑的发生率高于美国同类患者(P<0.01)。这些障碍与MHLC中机遇项分(CED)显著相关(P<0.01)。EPQ中神经质项分高者倾向于发生抑郁、焦虑等心理障碍。本组的血透患者客观生活质量较加拿大同类患者低(P<0.01),但在总的生活满意度上没有显著性差异。生活质量与心理及躯体因素均呈显著相关,心理障碍与躯体症状也显著相关(P<0.01)。结论 本组的血透患者心理状态与美国加拿大同类患者相比既有相同之处,又有特殊之处。我们应该兼顾病人的躯体和精神两方面的健康,努力提高他们的生活质量。     

IFN-γ,IL-4水平对血透患者外周血PBLC Fas,Bcl-2表达的影响

目的研究IFN-γ,IL-4水平对血透患者外周血淋巴细胞(PBLC)凋亡调控蛋白Fas,Bcl-2表达的影响.方法采用流式细胞术的间接免疫荧光素标记法和双抗体夹心ELISA法,分别检测30例HD患者PBLC Fas,Bcl-2的表达水平和血清IFN-γ,IL-4水平.结果H-D患者血清IFN-γ水平明显低于健康对照组,IL-4浓度显著高于对照组(P均＜0.01);其外周血PBLC的Fas表达水平明显高于健康对照组,而Bcl-2水平则明显低于健康对照组(P均＜0.01).经相关分析发现:Fas表达水平与血清IFN-γ水平呈负相关,而与血清IL-4水平呈正相关(P均＜0.01);Bcl-2表达水平与血清IFN-γ水平呈正相关,而与血清IL-4水平呈负相关(P均＜0.01).结论HD患者PBLC存在异常凋亡现象;并与Th1型细胞因子分泌低下,以及TTh2型细胞因子分泌增加之间有一定的相关性,上述改变可能在HD患者的免疫功能紊乱中起着重要作用.     

Impact of Ultrafiltration on Back-Diffusion in Hemodialyzer

Abstract: Ultrafiltration of water from blood to dialysate decreases the rate of back–diffusion of solutes from dialysate to blood. Therefore, back–clearance ( bK ) of hemodialyzers may be expressed as bK = bK _o – bTrQ _u, where bK _o is the diffusive back–clearance, bTr is the "back–"transmittance coefficient, and Qu is the net ultrafiltration rate. A formula for bK was derived from the one–dimensional theory of hemodialyzer, and bTr was described as a function of bK _o and the Staverman reflection coefficient. The transport parameters, bK _o and bTr , for creatinine and vitamin B₁₂ were measured in two types of hemodialyzers with negligible back–filtration, using water solutions, and compared with the transport parameters, K _o and Tr , for the case of both diffusion and ultrafiltration from blood to dialysate. bK _o was in general equal to K_o. bTr was not different from Tr for creatinine whereas bTr was lower than Tr for vitamin B₁₂. Experimental values of bTr for vitamin B₁₂ were in general agreement with theoretical predictions. However, experimental values of bTr for creatinine were lower than predicted values. We conclude that the impact of ultrafiltration on back–clearance for slowly diffusing solutes is weaker than on their clearance.     

The Decline in Serum Albumin after Conversion to High Flux, High Efficiency Dialysis

Abstract: Hypoalbuminemia among chronic hemodialysis patients is recognized as a poor prognostic sign. We observed that many of our chronic patients had a progressive decrease in their plasma albumin concentrations after they were converted to high flux, high efficiency dialysis from conventional dialysis mode. This change occurred in the absence of changes in the KTIV and protein catabolic rate (per) normalized to body mass. When nitrogen losses were measured, we found no difference in the dialysate concentrations of urea, alpha amino nitrogen, uric acid, or total nitrogen when high flux polysulfone was compared with high efficiency Cuprophan. While urea was the predominant nitrogen solute in all dialysate samples, there were some with a large gap between total and urea nitrogen. Alpha amino nitrogen losses, expressed as leucine equivalents, were substantial, ranging from 8. 4 to 9. 8 g/3. 5 h dialysis treatment. We believe that the increased losses of nitrogen experienced by patients after their conversion to a more efficient method of dialysis and not compensated for by a spontaneous increased intake of protein led to the observed fall in plasma albumin. Both urea and amino acid nitrogen losses need to be accounted for when achievement of higher KTIV dialysis is pursued.     

血液透析脑型失衡综合征发生机制的研究

目的 探讨血液透析脑型失衡综合征的发生机制。方法 采用急性肾功能衰竭的动物模型,观察血液透析后血浆渗透浓度迅速下降对脑水含量、颅内压、脑脊液生化和酸碱平衡的影响。结果 血液透析使血浆渗透浓度迅速下降,形成明显的脑/血渗透浓度梯度和尿素浓度梯度,使脑水含量明显增加,颅内压显著升高。透析后脑脊液pH下降、碳酸氢根(HCO_3~-)降低、Pco_2升高,与同期血浆相应值比较,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05)。结论 血液透析引起的血浆尿素氮快速下降可以导致脑水增加及颅压增高,其机制主要是由尿素的反向渗透效应引起。     

伦拿连灭菌剂在透析器复用中灭菌效果观察

目的观察伦拿连灭菌剂复用透析器的灭菌效果.方法使用0.5%过氧乙酸(A组)、2%甲醛(B组)和3.5%伦拿连(C组)复用透析器,观察3组热原反应和透析器破膜发生率.结果随机抽取3组血路管、透析器进行细菌学监测,无细菌生长;C组、B组和A组热原反应发生率分别为0.12%、2.54%和1.82%,提示3组间热原反应发生率差异有非常显著性(χ2=82.5,P<0.05);透析器破膜发生率分别为0.053%、0.46%和2.92%(χ2=107.1,P<0.05),提示3组间透析器破膜发生率差异有非常显著性.结论选用伦拿连灭菌剂对透析器进行复用灭菌,热原反应及透析器破膜发生率明显低于过氧乙酸和甲醛.