阿托伐他汀对颈动脉狭窄并支架置入术后患者临床预后及炎症因子的影响

目的：研究阿托伐他汀对颈动脉狭窄并支架置入术后患者临床预后及炎症因子的影响。方法：选取2013 年1 月到2014 年1 月我院收治的接受支架置入术的颈动脉狭窄患者90例,按照随机数字表法将患者分为研究组和对照组,每组45 例,对照组给予 常规治疗,研究组在对照组的基础上给予阿托伐他汀治疗,连续治疗1 年,比较两组支架内再狭窄率及不良反应发生率,分析治 疗前和治疗后两组超敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）水平。结果：研究组1 年内支架再狭窄率显著低于对照组,两 组比较差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;治疗后两组hs-CRP 和IL-6 水平均显著低于治疗前,且研究组显著低于对照组,比较差异 具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;两组不良反应比较无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论：阿托伐他汀治疗颈动脉狭窄并支架置入术患者,能 显著降低支架内再狭窄率及炎症因子水平。     

CYP2C19 Phenotype,Stent Thrombosis,Myocardial Infarction,and Mortality in Patients with Coronary Stent Placement in a Chinese Population

Background

Several studies have indicated that CYP2C19 loss-of-function polymorphisms have a higher risk of stent thrombosis (ST) after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). However, this association has not been investigated thoroughly in a Chinese population. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*3 loss-of-function polymorphisms on the occurrence of ST and other adverse clinical events in a Chinese population.

Methods

We designed a cohort study among 1068 consecutive patients undergoing intracoronary stent implantation after preloading with 600 mg of clopidogrel. CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*3 were genotyped by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The adverse clinical events recorded were ST, death, myocardial infarction (MI), and bleeding events. The primary end point of the study was the incidence of cumulative ST within 1 year after PCI. The secondary end point was other adverse clinical outcomes 1 year after the procedure.

Results

The cumulative 1-year incidence of ST was 0.88% in patients with extensive metabolizers (EMs) (CYP2C19*1/*1 genotype), 4.67% in patients with intermediate metabolizers (IMs) (CYP2C19*1/*2 or *1/*3 genotype), and 10.0% in patients with poor metabolizers (PMs) (CYP2C19*2/*2, *2/*3, or *3/*3 genotype) (P<0.001). The one-year event-free survival was 97.8% in patients with EMs, 96.5% in patients with IMs, and 92.0% in patients with PMs (P = 0.014). Multivariate analysis confirmed the independent association of CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele carriage with ST (P = 0.009) and total mortality (P<0.05).

Conclusion

PM patients had an increased risk of ST, death, and MI after coronary stent placement in a Chinese population.     

Iron Supplementation and Mortality in Incident Dialysis Patients: An Observational Study

Background

Studies on the association between iron supplementation and mortality in dialysis patients are rare and conflicting.

Methods

In our observational single-center cohort study (INVOR study) we prospectively studied 235 incident dialysis patients. Time-dependent Cox proportional hazards models using all measured laboratory values for up to 7.6 years were applied to study the association between iron supplementation and all-cause mortality, cardiovascular and sepsis-related mortality. Furthermore, the time-dependent association of ferritin levels with mortality in patients with normal C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (<0.5 mg/dL) and elevated CRP levels (≧0.5 mg/dL) was evaluated by using non-linear P-splines to allow flexible modeling of the association.

Results

One hundred and ninety-one (81.3%) patients received intravenous iron, 13 (5.5%) patients oral iron, whereas 31 (13.2%) patients were never supplemented with iron throughout the observation period. Eighty-two (35%) patients died during a median follow-up of 34 months, 38 patients due to cardiovascular events and 21 patients from sepsis. Baseline CRP levels were not different between patients with and without iron supplementation. However, baseline serum ferritin levels were lower in patients receiving iron during follow up (median 93 vs 251 ng/mL, p<0.001). Iron supplementation was associated with a significantly reduced all-cause mortality [HR (95%CI): 0.22 (0.08–0.58); p = 0.002] and a reduced cardiovascular and sepsis-related mortality [HR (95%CI): 0.31 (0.09–1.04); p = 0.06]. Increasing ferritin concentrations in patients with normal CRP were associated with a decreasing mortality, whereas in patients with elevated CRP values ferritin levels>800 ng/mL were linked with increased mortality.

Conclusions

Iron supplementation is associated with reduced all-cause mortality in incident dialysis patients. While serum ferritin levels up to 800 ng/mL appear to be safe, higher ferritin levels are associated with increased mortality in the setting of concomitant inflammation.     

Temperature Variability during Delirium in ICU Patients: An Observational Study

Introduction

Delirium is an acute disturbance of consciousness and cognition. It is a common disorder in the intensive care unit (ICU) and associated with impaired long-term outcome. Despite its frequency and impact, delirium is poorly recognized by ICU-physicians and –nurses using delirium screening tools. A completely new approach to detect delirium is to use monitoring of physiological alterations. Temperature variability, a measure for temperature regulation, could be an interesting component to monitor delirium, but whether temperature regulation is different during ICU delirium has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ICU delirium is related to temperature variability. Furthermore, we investigated whether ICU delirium is related to absolute body temperature.

Methods

We included patients who experienced both delirium and delirium free days during ICU stay, based on the Confusion Assessment method for the ICU conducted by a research- physician or –nurse, in combination with inspection of medical records. We excluded patients with conditions affecting thermal regulation or therapies affecting body temperature. Daily temperature variability was determined by computing the mean absolute second derivative of the temperature signal. Temperature variability (primary outcome) and absolute body temperature (secondary outcome) were compared between delirium- and non-delirium days with a linear mixed model and adjusted for daily mean Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale scores and daily maximum Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores.

Results

Temperature variability was increased during delirium-days compared to days without delirium (β_unadjusted=0.007, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.004 to 0.011, p<0.001). Adjustment for confounders did not alter this result (β_adjusted=0.005, 95% CI=0.002 to 0.008, p<0.001). Delirium was not associated with absolute body temperature (β_unadjusted=-0.03, 95% CI=-0.17 to 0.10, p=0.61). This did not change after adjusting for confounders (β_adjusted=-0.03, 95% CI=-0.17 to 0.10, p=0.63).

Conclusions

Our study suggests that temperature variability is increased during ICU delirium.     

Mechanical Ventilation and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Retrospective Observational Study

Purpose

Patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and respiratory impairment may be treated with either invasive or non-invasive mechanical ventilation (MV). However, there has been little testing of non-invasive MV in the setting of AMI. Our objective was to evaluate the incidence and associated clinical outcomes of patients with AMI who were treated with non-invasive or invasive MV.

Methods

This was a retrospective observational study in which consecutive patients with AMI (n = 1610) were enrolled. The association between exclusively non-invasive MV, invasive MV and outcomes was assessed by multivariable models.

Results

Mechanical ventilation was used in 293 patients (54% invasive and 46% exclusively non-invasive). In-hospital mortality rates for patients without MV, with exclusively non-invasive MV, and with invasive MV were 4.0%, 8.8%, and 39.5%, respectively (P<0.001). The median lengths of hospital stay were 6 (5.8–6.2), 13 (11.2–4.7), and 28 (18.0–37.9) days, respectively (P<0.001). Exclusively non-invasive MV was not associated with in-hospital death (adjusted HR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.40–1.99, P = 0.79). Invasive MV was strongly associated with a higher risk of in-hospital death (adjusted HR = 3.07, 95% CI 1.79–5.26, P<0.001).

Conclusions

In AMI setting, 18% of the patients required MV. Almost half of these patients were treated with exclusively non-invasive strategies with a favorable prognosis, while patients who needed to be treated invasively had a three-fold increase in the risk of death. Future prospective randomized trials are needed to compare the effectiveness of invasive and non-invasive MV for the initial approach of respiratory failure in AMI patients.     

Onset,Early Stages,and Prognosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Clinical Study of 100 Patients with 11-year Follow-up

One hundred patients with “definite” or “classical” rheumatoid arthritis were followed in a hospital clinic from within one year of the onset of the arthritis. The average interval between onset and first attendance was 3·7 months. Onset was commoner in the winter, transient prodromal symptoms being noted in 23, with possible precipitating factors in 14. The serum rheumatoid factor test was positive at some time in 88.The patients were reassessed between eight and 14 years later. Seventeen died during this period, five possibly as a result of the disease or its treatment.The remaining patients had improved as a whole in terms of the blood sedimentation rate, haemoglobin, titre of the rheumatoid factor test, and status of the disease, but there was an overall deterioration in functional capacity. Both the rheumatoid factor titre and the functional capacity at an earlier review could be directly correlated with the outcome, but other factors were not found to influence the ultimate prognosis.     

Weight Loss Expectations in Obese Patients and Treatment Attrition: An Observational Multicenter Study

Objective: To investigate the influence of weight loss expectations (expected 1‐year BMI loss, dream and maximum acceptable BMI) on attrition in obese patients seeking treatment. Research Methods and Procedures: Obese subjects (1785; 1393 women; median age, 46 years; median BMI, 36.7 kg/m²) seeking treatment in 23 medical Italian centers were evaluated. Baseline diet and weight history, weight loss expectations, and primary motivation for seeking treatment (health or improving appearance) were systematically recorded. Psychiatric distress, binge eating, and body image dissatisfaction were tested at baseline by self‐administered questionnaires (Symptom Check List‐90, Binge Eating Scale, and Body Uneasiness Test). Attrition and BMI change at 12 months were prospectively recorded. Results: At 12 months, 923 of 1785 patients (51.7%) had discontinued treatment. Compared with continuers, drop‐outs had a significantly lower age, a lower age at first dieting, lower dream BMI, a higher expected 1‐year BMI loss, and a higher weight phobia. At logistic regression analysis, the strongest predictors of attrition at 12 months were lower age and higher expected 1‐year BMI loss. The risk of drop‐out increased systematically for unit increase in expected BMI loss at 12 months (hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 1.20; p = 0.0018). The risk was particularly elevated in the first 6 months. Discussion: Baseline weight loss expectations are independent cognitive predictors of attrition in obese patients entering a weight‐losing program; the higher the expectations, the higher attrition at 12 months. Unrealistic weight goals should be tackled at the very beginning of treatment.     

Procoagulant,Tissue Factor-Bearing Microparticles in Bronchoalveolar Lavage of Interstitial Lung Disease Patients: An Observational Study

Coagulation factor Xa appears involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. Through its interaction with protease activated receptor-1, this protease signals myofibroblast differentiation in lung fibroblasts. Although fibrogenic stimuli induce factor X synthesis by alveolar cells, the mechanisms of local posttranslational factor X activation are not fully understood. Cell-derived microparticles are submicron vesicles involved in different physiological processes, including blood coagulation; they potentially activate factor X due to the exposure on their outer membrane of both phosphatidylserine and tissue factor. We postulated a role for procoagulant microparticles in the pathogenesis of interstitial lung diseases. Nineteen patients with interstitial lung diseases and 11 controls were studied. All subjects underwent bronchoalveolar lavage; interstitial lung disease patients also underwent pulmonary function tests and high resolution CT scan. Microparticles were enumerated in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid with a solid-phase assay based on thrombin generation. Microparticles were also tested for tissue factor activity. In vitro shedding of microparticles upon incubation with H₂O₂ was assessed in the human alveolar cell line, A549 and in normal bronchial epithelial cells. Tissue factor synthesis was quantitated by real-time PCR. Total microparticle number and microparticle-associated tissue factor activity were increased in interstitial lung disease patients compared to controls (84±8 vs. 39±3 nM phosphatidylserine; 293±37 vs. 105±21 arbitrary units of tissue factor activity; mean±SEM; p<.05 for both comparisons). Microparticle-bound tissue factor activity was inversely correlated with lung function as assessed by both diffusion capacity and forced vital capacity (r² = .27 and .31, respectively; p<.05 for both correlations). Exposure of lung epithelial cells to H₂O₂ caused an increase in microparticle-bound tissue factor without affecting tissue factor mRNA.Procoagulant microparticles are increased in interstitial lung diseases and correlate with functional impairment. These structures might contribute to the activation of factor X and to the factor Xa-mediated fibrotic response in lung injury.     

Endothelium Dependent Vasomotion and In Vitro Markers of Endothelial Repair in Patients with Severe Sepsis: An Observational Study

Background

Outcome in sepsis is mainly defined by the degree of organ failure, for which endothelial dysfunction at the macro- and microvascular level is an important determinant. In this study we evaluated endothelial function in patients with severe sepsis using cellular endothelial markers and in vivo assessment of reactive hyperaemia.

Materials and Methods

Patients with severe sepsis (n = 30) and 15 age- and gender- matched healthy volunteers were included in this study. Using flow cytometry, CD34+/KDR+ endothelial progenitor cells (EPC), CD31+ T-cells, and CD31+/CD42b- endothelial microparticles (EMP) were enumerated. Migratory capacity of cultured circulating angiogenic cells (CAC) was assessed in vitro. Endothelial function was determined using peripheral arterial tonometry at the fingertip.

Results

In patients with severe sepsis, a lower number of EPC, CD31+ T-cells and a decreased migratory capacity of CAC coincided with a blunted reactive hyperaemia response compared to healthy subjects. The number of EMP, on the other hand, did not differ. The presence of organ failure at admission (SOFA score) was inversely related with the number of CD31+ T-cells. Furthermore, the number of EPC at admission was decreased in patients with progressive organ failure within the first week.

Conclusion

In patients with severe sepsis, in vivo measured endothelial dysfunction coincides with lower numbers and reduced function of circulating cells implicated in endothelial repair. Our results suggest that cellular markers of endothelial repair might be valuable in the assessment and evolution of organ dysfunction.     

血清乳酸评估对危重患者预后的临床研究

目的:研究血清乳酸评估对危重患者预后的意义,为后期临床诊断提供参考。方法:选取2012年3月—2014年4月我院收治的危重患者78例,对其血清乳酸进行评估,根据评估结果分为观察组与对比组,40例患者血清乳酸在监测过程中升高为观察组,38例患者血清乳酸监测持续正常为对比组。分析两组患者不良预后与临床变化,同时将观察组存活与死亡患者的血清乳酸监测情况进行评估。结果:观察组多器官功能不全者32例,休克31例,死亡22例;对比组多器官功能不全者15例,休克3例,死亡8例。观察组进入重症监护病房后,死亡组乳酸值为(6.21±2.51)mmol/L,乳酸峰值为(8.87±2.59)mmol/L,0.5天乳酸清除率为(23.21±18.54)mmol/L;存活组乳酸值为(2.21±1.89)mmol/L,乳酸峰值为(4.12±2.15)mmol/L,0.5天乳酸清除率为(44.78±26.58)mmol/L。结论:血清乳酸评估对危重患者预后具有十分重要的意义。     

Prediction of Post-Weaning Fibrinogen Status during Cardiopulmonary Bypass: An Observational Study in 110 Patients

Background

After cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), acquired coagulopathy often leads to post-CPB bleeding. Though multifactorial in origin, this coagulopathy is often aggravated by deficient fibrinogen levels.

Objective

To assess whether laboratory and thrombelastometric testing on CPB can predict plasma fibrinogen immediately after CPB weaning.

Patients / Methods

This prospective study in 110 patients undergoing major cardiovascular surgery at risk of post-CPB bleeding compares fibrinogen level (Clauss method) and function (fibrin-specific thrombelastometry) in order to study the predictability of their course early after termination of CPB. Linear regression analysis and receiver operating characteristics were used to determine correlations and predictive accuracy.

Results

Quantitative estimation of post-CPB Clauss fibrinogen from on-CPB fibrinogen was feasible with small bias (+0.19 g/l), but with poor precision and a percentage of error >30%. A clinically useful alternative approach was developed by using on-CPB A10 to predict a Clauss fibrinogen range of interest instead of a discrete level. An on-CPB A10 ≤10 mm identified patients with a post-CPB Clauss fibrinogen of ≤1.5 g/l with a sensitivity of 0.99 and a positive predictive value of 0.60; it also identified those without a post-CPB Clauss fibrinogen <2.0 g/l with a specificity of 0.83.

Conclusions

When measured on CPB prior to weaning, a FIBTEM A10 ≤10 mm is an early alert for post-CPB fibrinogen levels below or within the substitution range (1.5–2.0 g/l) recommended in case of post-CPB coagulopathic bleeding. This helps to minimize the delay to data-based hemostatic management after weaning from CPB.     

Heavy Metals and Neurodegenerative Diseases: An Observational Study

In this study, we evaluated the levels of some of the most investigated metals (Cu, Se, Zn, Pb, and Hg) in the blood of patients affected by the most common chronic neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and multiple sclerosis (MS), in order to better clarify their involvement. For the first time, we investigated a Sicilian population living in an area exposed to a potentially contaminated environment from dust and fumes of volcano Etna and consumer of a considerable quantity of fish in their diet, so that this represents a good cohort to demonstrate a possible link between metals levels and development of neurodegenerative disorders. More specifically, 15 patients affected by AD, 41 patients affected by MS, 23 healthy controls, and 10 healthy elderly controls were recruited and subjected to a venous blood sampling. Quantification of heavy metals was performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This technique has allowed us to establish that there is a concomitance of heavy metal unbalance associated with AD more than in other neurodegenerative pathologies, such as MS. Also, we can assess that the concentration of these elements is independent from the diet, especially from occasional or habitual consumption of fruits and vegetables, prevalence in the diet of meat or fish, possible exposure to contaminated environment due both to the occupation and place of residence.     

Association of Diabetes and Prognosis of Minor Stroke and Its Subtypes: A Prospective Observational Study

BackgroundThe association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and prognosis of minor stroke is unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate whether DM contributes to the prognosis of minor stroke or its specific subtype.MethodsAll minor ischemic stroke patients were derived from the China National Stroke Registry and classified into 5 subtypes according to the TOAST (Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment) criteria. DM was defined as either self-reported physician diagnosis of diabetes or use of hypoglycemic medications during hospitalization or at discharge. Patients were followed up for 1 year for clinical outcomes of recurrent stroke, death and functional outcome. Poor functional outcomes were defined as a score of 2–6 for modified Rankin Score. Associations between DM and prognosis of minor stroke and its subtypes were analyzed by univariable and multivariable logistic regression.ResultsOf 4,548 patients with minor stroke, 1,230(27.0%) patients had DM, 1,038(22.8%) had poor outcomes and 570(13.0%) of 4,401 patients had recurrent stroke at 1 year. In multivariable analyses, DM were significantly associated with 1-year stroke recurrence (Odds Ratio [OR], 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08–1.59) and poor outcome (OR, 1.51; 95%CI: 1.28–1.77). Among the subtypes of minor stroke, DM was only significantly associated with 1-year stroke recurrence (OR, 1.63; 95%CI: 1.07–2.50) and poor outcome (OR, 1.73; 95%CI: 1.22–2.45) in the small-artery occlusion subtype.ConclusionsDM significantly increased the risk of stroke recurrence and poor outcome in the small-artery occlusion subtype, but not in other subtypes of minor stroke.     

Gallium-67 Scintigraphy and Intraabdominal Sepsis: Clinical Experience in 140 Patients with Suspected Intraabdominal Abscess

In 140 patients with suspected intraabdominal abscess, studies were made using gallium-67 citrate and technetium-99m labeled radiopharmaceuticals. Gallium-67 scintigrams correctly localized 52 of 56 intraabdominal abscesses confirmed at surgical operation or necropsy. In an additional 20 patients in whom findings on scintigrams were abnormal, there were clinically established infections. Sixty-one patients in whom findings on scintigrams were normal were conservatively managed and discharged from the hospital; none proved to have an abscess. Four false-negative and three false-positive studies were recorded. Gallium-67 scintigraphy is a useful noninvasive diagnostic adjunct that should be employed early in the evaluation of patients with suspected intraabdominal sepsis.     

脑弥漫性轴索损伤的MRI征象及与GCS计分及预后的关系

目的：探讨脑弥漫性轴索损伤（DAI）的磁共振成像（MRI）征象及其与格拉斯哥昏迷量表评分（GCS）计分和预后的关系。方 法：回顾性分析2012 年1 月-2014 年7 月我院收集的30 例DAI 患者的临床病历资料,根据病灶累及部位分析其与GCS 计分和 临床预后的关系。结果：30 例患者共53 个病灶,17例多发病灶,13 例单发病灶;42 个病灶T1WI显示出低信号或者是等信号,11 个病灶T1WI显示为高信号;T2WI显示为高信号,FLAIR 序列以及弥散加权像（DWI）上表现出的信号更高,范围更清晰;病灶形 态呈条索状27 例,斑片状11 例,卵圆形8 例,不规则斑点状7 例;病灶未累及脑中线部位的患者临床预后优于病灶累及脑中线 部位的患者,差异有统计学意义（Z=-2.636,P=0.008）,病灶累及脑中线部位的患者GCS 计分情况比未累及组严重,计分更低,差 异有统计学意义（Z=-2.519,P=0.012）。结论：DAI病灶累及脑中线部位的患者GCS计分较低、预后差,MRI检查是诊断DAI 首选 的影像学方法,临床有重要的参考价值。     

糖尿病急性并发症合并横纹肌溶解患者临床特征及预后

目的:分析糖尿病急性并发症患者合并横纹肌溶解的临床特征及预后,为临床及时诊断和治疗提供依据。方法:对我院2003年1月～2009年5月住院患者查阅病例资料,糖尿病酮症酸中毒及高血糖高渗状态患者根据肌酸激酶升高与否,分为血清肌酸激酶升高组(A组)和血清肌酸激酶正常组(B组),比较两组临床特征及预后。结果:A、B两组比较,A组较B组血清尿素氮、肌酐、肌红蛋白明显升高,住院时间明显延长,但出院时A组较B组每天每公斤胰岛素剂量减少,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。A组中3例患者血清肌酸激酶大于1000U/L,符合横纹肌溶解综合征诊断标准。结论:糖尿病酮酸中毒及高血糖高渗状态患者应重视肌酶检查,早期诊断横纹肌溶解综合征,保护肾脏和胰岛β细胞功能,缩短住院时间。     

不同剂量西洛他唑强化抗血小板对冠脉支架术后血小板高反应性的影响

目的：观察临床应用不同方案强化抗血小板治疗改善冠脉支架术后血小板高反应性的可行性、安全性及有效性。方法：选择2009年3月至2011年2月在沈阳军区总医院、中国医科大学第一附属医院、解放军第463医共入选560例冠脉支架术后血小板高反应性（HPR Highon-treatment Platelet Reactivity）患者,在给予阿司匹林300mg／天,氯吡格雷150mg／天,3天后HPR仍未缓解者,随机分为两组,一组在强化抗血小板治疗即阿司匹林300mg,氯吡格雷150mg的基础上加用小剂量西洛他唑（50mg,2／日）,另一组在标准两联方案即阿司匹林300mg,氯吡格雷75mg的基础上加用西洛他唑100mg,2／日,3天后测定HPR的缓解情况。结果：大剂量氯吡格雷治疗3天后HRP的缓解卒为54-3％（304／560）,接受不同西洛他唑剂量治疗3天后又有58．6％的患者HPR缓解,但是西洛他唑50mg组和100mg组HRP缓解率无差别（59．4％VS57．8％,P=0．80）。两组患者30天随访均无死亡及卒中事件,无主要及次要出血事件。结论：强化抗血小板治疗可改善冠脉支架术后的血小板高反应性且未增加出血风险,但其临床获益还需更长时间的随访结果进一步明确,两种强化抗血小板治疗方案对改善冠脉支架术后HPR的作用相似。