Early experience with a novel plaque excision system for the treatment of complex coronary lesions.

The use of directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) in current practice has been limited. The SilverHawk System is a newly developed plaque excision device that aims to overcome the drawbacks of prior DCA platforms. The device was evaluated in a porcine coronary model and in a series of patients. Procedural variables along with outcomes were reviewed. Quantitative angiography (QCA) was performed and excised tissue fragments were weighed and examined histologically. In porcine cases, pretreatment MLD increased from 0.51 +/- 0.26 to 2.36 +/- 0.59 mm postdebulking and 19.9 +/- 7.6 mg of tissue was retrieved. In human cases, pretreatment MLD increased from 0.8 +/- 0.4 to 2.2 +/- 0.5 mm postdebulking and 15.2 +/- 7.8 mg of tissue was retrieved without complications. These data show that the SilverHawk System may offer significant utility in treating a wide variety of complex coronary lesions.     

(iii) Minimal invasive techniques in the management of tibial plateau fractures

Intra-articular fractures of the proximal tibia present a wide spectrum of injury patterns with associated soft tissue injury. The last two decades have seen the techniques of management evolve from extensive open reduction and rigid internal fixation to arthroscopy-assisted minimal invasive surgery (MIS) and biologically benign internal fixation. The ultimate aim is to prevent the occurrence of late degenerative arthritis. This could be achieved in selected patients using minimal invasive surgery, which offers the advantages of better visualisation and management of intra-articular soft tissue injuries, confirmation of fracture reduction viewed from the joint surface, faster rehabilitation and fewer wound complications.     

In Vitro Evaluation of Platelet/Biomaterial Interactions in an Epifluorescent Video Microscopy Combined with a Parallel Plate Flow Cell

Abstract: Suitable evaluation systems are critical for ranking various biomaterials in order to develop a method to design and synthesize nonthrombogenic biomaterials. We have recently developed an in vitro test system to evaluate platelet/biomaterial interactions in whole blood. The system consists of a parallel plate flow cell and epifluorescent video microscopy (EVM). A glass coverslip coated with a polymer was incorporated into the flow cell, and blood was perfused using a syringe pump via a polymer–coated PVC tubing connected to the flow cell. Whole human blood was anticoagulated with heparin (2 U/ml), and the platelets were labeled with the fluorescent dye mepacrine (5 μM). This system permitted real–time and dynamic observations of platelet/biomaterial interactions in whole blood under a defined flow condition. In order to evaluate the feasibility of this system, two different segmented polyether–polyurethanes (SPEUs), PU–PTMG(650) and PU–PTMG(2000), were chosen as test polymers. Surface characteristics verified with electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and contact angle measurements showed similar results in both SPEUs. Blood was perfused at a wall shear rate of 200 s^–1 for 20 min. Excitation light was applied for 2 s at 1 min intervals. The real–time image was then analyzed at each time point for the percentage of surface area of platelet coverage. Plasma β–thromboglobulin (β–TG) levels were also measured before and after each run. PU–PTMG(650) showed a significantly higher number of adhered platelets than PU–PTMG(2000) at each time point. β–TG levels of PU–PTMG(650) were also higher than those of PU–PTMG(2000), which is comparable to the results of EVM. Thus, this EVM system has been proven to be an excellent and highly sensitive in vitro analytical method for evaluating platelet/biomaterial interactions.     

无创正压通气不同压力支持水平对正常人呼吸做功的影响

目的 :观察无创正压通气 (NIPPV)不同压力水平对正常人呼吸做功的影响 ,为临床合理地应用NIPPV提供理论依据。方法 :选择 9例正常人行NIPPV并寻找出“最舒适”的吸气压力水平 (IPAP) ,在此压力基础上增加或减少 2 5 %的压力 ,构成低IPAP、最舒适IPAP和高IPAP三个压力水平 ,每一IPAP水平通气 15min以上 ,比较不同压力水平呼吸做功改变。结果 :受试者认为“最舒适”的IPAP为 (11.33± 3.2 0 )cmH2 O ,EPAP为 (4 .5 6± 0 .88)cmH2 O[相当于PSV水平为 (6 .77± 3.2 0 )cmH2 O]。与自主呼吸相比 ,NIPPV增加VE的同时 ,总的呼吸做功(Wtot)明显增加 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,而受试者吸气肌做功占总的吸气做功的百分比 (Wi,p/Wi)明显减少 (P <0 .0 5 )。在最舒适IPAP时 ,Wi,p/Wi降低到基础值的 14 %± 9%。这种变化趋势与IPAP的水平相关。结论 :NIPPV可以显著降低吸气肌肉做功。吸气肌做功减少的比例与IPAP的水平相关。研究的结果为NIPPV时PSV的参数设定提供了生理学的依据。     

生物医学测量及控制技术新进展

介绍生物医学测量及控制技术领域中的一些研究进展。     

Minimally invasive spinal surgery

Minimally invasive surgery offers quicker recovery and less morbidity for our patients through smaller surgical wounds and less tissue trauma. Although minimally invasive surgery has progressed in other fields of surgery for many years, spine surgeons have not previously embraced this philosophy for the various reasons discussed. However, minimally invasive spinal surgery has gained much interest in recent years. With the advent of new instrumentation, technology, and techniques, the promise of minimally invasive surgery in the spinal arena has become a reality. With the use of the microscope, navigational tools, newly developed canula for retraction, and image-guided percutenous pedicle screw systems, we can accomplish the same surgical procedures as currently used through smaller wounds and with greater precision. Nevertheless, all new technology does offer us an initial challenge of steep learning curves. Minimally invasive should not equate to minimal and inadequate treatment for our patients. Furthermore, careful analysis of this new technique is underway to assess its true advantages as compared with our current and proven techniques.     

扩大经额硬膜外入路切除巨大侵袭性垂体瘤

目的:探讨采用扩大的经额硬膜外入路切除巨大侵袭性垂体瘤的临床应用.方法:1997年6月至2002年3月采用该入路显微外科切除巨大侵袭性垂体瘤10例,肿瘤主要累及于鞍上、蝶筛窦及上斜坡区.结果:本组10例中,肿瘤全切6例,次全切除3例,大部分切除1例.术后发生颅神经麻痹4例,其中动眼神经障碍3例,外展神经障碍1例.全组无手术死亡.术后影像学随访6～24个月,全切除肿瘤病例未见肿瘤复发,次全切除者无明显增大.结论:该入路可充分显露鞍区肿瘤,术野开阔,对脑组织损伤小,适用于已侵犯蝶筛窦区及上斜坡的侵袭性垂体瘤.     

Unplanned admissions after outpatient cardiac catheterization

Increasing numbers of patients are undergoing diagnostic catheterization as outpatients; however, a small proportion of patients requires hospital admission following the procedure. Unplanned admissions after consecutive outpatient cardiac catheterizations performed during 1 year were prospectively reviewed to determine the incidence of and reasons for admission. Among 847 patients undergoing outpatient cardiac catheterization, 130 patients (15%) required hospital admission after the procedure. Admitted patients were divided into four groups: patients undergoing immediate percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) (Group 1; 33%), patients with severe cardiac disease requiring urgent intervention (Group 2; 48%), patients suffering complications or hemodynamic instability (Group 3; 15%), and patients whose procedures were completed too late to allow same-day discharge (Group 4; 4%). Patients over 65 were more likely to require admission and women were more likely to be admitted with complications or hemodynamic instability. Findings are compared with results of other outpatient series, and implications regarding appropriate setting for outpatient catheterization are discussed.     

微创手术治疗高血压脑出血

目的 探讨微创手术治疗高血压脑出血的临床疗效。方法 132例高血压脑出血分成微创手术组(68例)和传统开颅手术组(64例)，分析两组手术的特点和手术时机，比较两组手术治疗的疗效。结果 微创组术后GOS良好23例、中残24例、重残9例、植物生存3例、死亡9例；传统组术GOS良好16例、中残15例、重残12例、植物生存6例、死亡15例。两组超早期或早期手术均有良好的预后，而微创组效果更佳。结论 微创手术治疗高血压脑出血能明显提高临床疗效，降低病死率。