Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Tetralogy of Fallot: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BackgroundAlthough there are robust data about the pathophysiology and prognostic implications of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in patients with acquired heart disease, similar prognostic data about LV systolic dysfunction are sparse in the tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) population. The purpose of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of all studies that assessed the relationship between LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and cardiovascular adverse events (CAEs) defined as death, aborted sudden death, or sustained ventricular tachycardia.MethodsWe used random-effects models to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsOf the 1,809 citations, 7 studies with 2,854 patients (age 28 ± 4 years) were included. During 5.6 ± 3.4 years' follow-up, there were 82 deaths, 17 aborted sudden cardiac deaths, and 56 sustained ventricular tachycardia events. Overall, CAEs occurred in 5.1% (144 patients). As a continuous variable, LVEF was a predictor of CAE (HR 1.29, 95% CI, 1.09-1.53, P = 0.001) per 5% decrease in LVEF. Similarly, LVEF < 40% was also a predictor of CAE (HR 3.22, 95% CI, 2.16-4.80, P < 0.001).ConclusionsLV systolic dysfunction was an independent predictor of CAE, and we observed a 30% increase in the risk of CAE for every 5% decrease in LVEF, and a 3-fold increase in the risk of CAE in patients with LVEF <40% compared with other patients. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating LV systolic function in clinical risk stratification of patients with TOF and the need to explore new treatment options to address this problem.     

Diagnostic sensitivity of electrophysiology and ultrasonography in ulnar neuropathies of different severity

ObjectiveTo assess the diagnostic performance of electrophysiology and nerve ultrasound in ulnar neuropathies of varying clinical severity in 135 consecutive patients.MethodsClinical severity of ulnar neuropathy was graded on a 4 point scale from very mild (symptoms only) to severe (marked atrophy of intrinsic hand muscles). Sensitivity and localization ability of electrophysiology and nerve ultrasound were assessed for each point of the scale.ResultsUltrasound had higher sensitivity than electrophysiology in clinically very mild (20% and 3% for ultrasound and electrophysiology, respectively) and mild (62% and 47% for ultrasound and electrophysiology, respectively) neuropathies, had greater localizing ability in axonal ulnar neuropathies, and identified nerve hypermobility.Ultrasound nerve cross-sectional area had strong positive correlation with both clinical and electrophysiological severity scores, but with significant overlap across the severity groups.ConclusionThe diagnostic work-up of ulnar neuropathies was improved by using both electrophysiology and ultrasound at all levels of clinical severity. Ultrasound increased the diagnostic yield in very mild and mild neuropathies, localized all the ulnar neuropathies with abnormal non-localizing electrophysiology and identified nerve hypermobility.SignificanceThis is the first detailed analysis of the diagnostic performance of electrophysiology and ultrasound in ulnar neuropathies of varying severity.     

44例老年重症哮喘的院前急救体会

目的探讨老年重症哮喘急性发作的院前急救措施。方法在常规平喘治疗基础上,治疗组用甲基泼尼松龙80mg加入5%葡萄糖溶液(0.9%氯化钠溶液)40ml中静脉注射,对照组用地塞米松10mg加入5%葡萄糖溶液(0.9%氯化钠溶液)20ml中静脉注射,观察治疗前、后两组患者临床疗效评分变化。结果治疗组比对照组起效快,疗效好,两组疗效间差异有显著性意义(P<0.01)。结论甲基泼尼松龙是老年重症哮喘院前急救的首选方法,尽早使用,有利于提高抢救成功率。     

创伤性休克病人的早期急救护理体会

目的:讨论在院前和急诊科对创伤性休克病人施行早期急救护理,对挽救病人的生命及伤情预后有重要的意义.方法:对我科1997年2月至2001年4月27例创伤性休克病人进行早期,快速,积极的补液,输血增加有效循环量,监测生命体征等综合性抢救治疗与护理措施.结果:经早期积极急救护理,26例病人收缩压维持在60mmHg以上,意识清醒,脉搏有力,转入手术室或专科治疗,1例病人伤势严重抢救无效死亡.结论:创伤性休克病人,伤势复杂,死亡率高,伤后早期院前与急诊科的有效救护,是提高抢救成功率的关键.     

便携式负压吸引装置的设计及材料学特点

对负压吸引装置便携方式的研究一直是急救医学追求的目标之一，因为它能够极大地促进急救成功率。文章基于这种需要，研制了一套便携式负压吸引装置，并根据实际应用效果，选择优化的制造材料。研制的便携式负压吸引装置主要由特殊设计的储液罐及罐盖、负压产生装置、过渡接头等部分组成，关键部件采用特殊材料制作，体积小，质量轻，操作简单，易于携带，完全能满足临床抢救及治疗的需要。作为一种急救中必不可少的器械，便携式负压吸引装置在急救伤病员运输、转运，家庭急救，及无动力源环境等情况下，对于抢救患者及提高救治效果，具有极大的竞争优势和应用前景。     

足底深支或(和)第一跖背动脉逆行足背岛状皮瓣的临床应用

目的探索足部远端软组织缺损修复的较佳方法。方法采用足底深支或(和)第1跖背动脉逆行足背岛状皮瓣对6例足部远端软组织缺损创面进行修复。结果6例患者均一次性修复,软组织缺损最大面积8cm×6cm,术后随访1~4年,足部功能与外观均较满意。结论足底深支或(和)第1跖背动脉逆行足背岛状皮瓣血管解剖比较恒定,操作简单,是修复足远端软组织缺损的较好方法。