Group B streptococcus mycotic aneurysm of the abdominal aorta: report of a case and review of the literature

Mycotic aneurysm of the aorta is an uncommon condition, and Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is exceedingly rare in this setting. We present the first reported case of a GBS-infected abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in North America. Key clinical and imaging findings and pathologic correlation are highlighted. A relevant review of the literature is discussed, which will bring the reader up to date with this specific disease entity.     

颈动脉瘤个体化模型血流数值分析

动脉瘤日益受到广泛关注,介入术成为动脉瘤的理想化治疗方法,但现实临床实践缺少理论支撑,所以数值模拟成为研究动脉瘤血流动力学参数的关键技术。为了研究动脉瘤的血液动力特性,进而探讨不同参数对动脉瘤的血液动力学特性影响因素,本研究基于1例个体化动脉瘤的影像数据,通过影像提取的方法建立了个体化动脉瘤模型,并根据双向流固耦合的方法进行血流场分析(流线,壁面变形分布,壁面剪切力分布)。通过数值分析结果表明,在一个心动周期的不同时刻动脉瘤瘤腔内的涡流强度先增强再减弱并在0.1 s达到最强。动脉瘤壁面的壁面切应力(wall shear stress, WSS)的分布也随着时间的变化,同样在0.1 s时刻壁面WSS分布梯度较大,到0.22 s时刻以及后各个时刻达到均匀无梯度分布。而从壁面变形来看,一个心动周期前0.3 s时刻动脉瘤壁的最大变形位置均为瘤顶处并呈现由小到大再到小的变化(0.1 s时刻达到最大变形量),0.3 s时刻的最大变形量位置发生改变,为瘤颈中间部位,但变形量很小为0.01 mm。     

Intraaneurysmal flow and aspect ratio (dome/neck)

It recently has been shown that the aspect ratio (dome/neck) of an aneurysm correlates well with intraaneurysmal blood flow, and the aneurysms of aspect ratio larger than 1.6 carry a higher risk of rupture. We examined the effect of aspect ratio (AR) on intra-aneurysmal flow based on flow visualization studies using various aneurysm models. A flow visualization study with the milk tracing method was performed on ten different aneurysm models, and we calculated the mean transit time (MTT) for each aneurysm model at different flow ratios into the branches. The AR and the MTT for each aneurysm were significantly correlated. It was confirmed that the larger the AR was, the longer the MTT became. An asymetric flow ratio induced smooth circulating flow along the aneurysm wall, but a symmetric flow ratio raised complexed vortices at the neck, resulting in longer MTT for the aneurysm model. Aneurysms growing more than AR 2.0 showed very slow flow, and the bleb at the 2.0 AR aneurysm model showed almost stagnant flow, which is considered a characteristic morphology for rupture. Hemodynamics in the aneurysm larger than AR 2.0 and an accompanying daughter aneurysm at the dome definitely contribute to thrombus formation.     

Reduced M2 macrophages and adventitia collagen dampen the structural integrity of blood blister–like aneurysms and induce preoperative rerupture

ObjectiveBlood blister–like aneurysms (BBAs) are extremely rare aneurysms. They are predisposed to preoperative rerupture with a high case‐fatality rate. Here, we attempt to interrogate the distinct clinicopathology and the histological basis underlying its clinical rerupture.MethodsThree middle meningeal arteries, 11 BBA (5 reruptured, 6 non‐rerupture) and 19 saccular aneurysm samples were obtained for histopathological investigation. Three reruptured BBAs, 3 non‐reruptured BBAs and 6 saccular (3 ruptured, 3 unruptured) aneurysms were obtained for quantitative flow cytometry analysis.ResultsCompared with true saccular aneurysms, the BBA aneurysm wall lacks arterial stroma cells including CD31+ endothelial cells and α‐SMA + smooth muscle cells. Only fibroblasts and adventitial collagen were observed in the BBA aneurysm wall. Meanwhile, BBAs were enriched with infiltrated inflammatory cells, especially polarized macrophages. Based on the rerupture status, those reruptured BBAs showed drastically reduced fibroblasts and adventitia collagen. Moreover, M2‐polarized macrophages were observed dominant in BBAs and exhibit repairing cellular functions based on their interplays with arterial fibroblasts. Reduced M2 macrophages and arterial tissue repairing modulation may be responsible for the decreasing collagen synthesis and fibrosis repairment, which potentially dampens the aneurysm integrity and induces BBA aneurysm reruputre.ConclusionsBBAs poses histopathological features of occult pseudoaneurysms or dissecting aneurysms. Reduced M2 macrophages and adventitia collagen may dampen the structural integrity of BBAs and induce preoperative rerupture.     

Determining the optimal interval for imaging surveillance of ascending aortic aneurysms

BackgroundCardiovascular guidelines recommend (bi-)annual computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for surveillance of the diameter of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs). However, no previous study has demonstrated the necessity for this approach. The current study aims to provide patient-specific intervals for imaging follow-up of non-syndromic TAAs.MethodsA total of 332 patients with non-syndromic ascending aortic aneurysms were followed over a median period of 6.7 years. Diameters were assessed using all available imaging techniques (echocardiography, CT and MRI). Growth rates were calculated from the differences between the first and last examinations. The diagnostic accuracy of follow-up protocols was calculated as the percentage of subjects requiring pre-emptive surgery in whom timely identification would have occurred.ResultsThe mean growth rate in our population was 0.2 ± 0.4 mm/year. The highest recorded growth rate was 2.0 mm/year, while 40.6% of patients showed no diameter expansion during follow-up. Females exhibited significantly higher growth rates than men (0.3 ± 0.5 vs 0.2 ± 0.4 mm/year, p = 0.007). Conversely, a bicuspid aortic valve was not associated with more rapid aortic growth. The optimal imaging protocol comprises triennial imaging of aneurysms 40–49 mm in diameter and yearly imaging of those measuring 50–54 mm. This strategy is as accurate as annual follow-up, but reduces the number of imaging examinations by 29.9%.ConclusionsIn our population of patients with non-syndromic TAAs, we found aneurysm growth rates to be lower than those previously reported. Yearly imaging does not lead to changes in the management of small aneurysms. Thus, lower imaging frequencies might be a good alternative approach.     

颅内动脉瘤夹闭术、血管内栓塞术治疗颅内动脉瘤的疗效及安全性研究

目的:探讨颅内动脉瘤夹闭术、血管内栓塞术治疗颅内动脉瘤的疗效及安全性。方法:回顾性分析2016年9月-2019年1月接受手术治疗的76例颅内动脉瘤患者的临床资料,根据手术方式的不同分为接受颅内动脉瘤夹闭术治疗的A组40例和接受血管内栓塞术治疗的B组36例。对比两组患者的动脉瘤完全闭合率、住院费用及血清炎性因子[C反应蛋白(CRP)、白介素-1β(IL-1β)、白介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)]、脑氧饱和度水平及日常生活能力量表(ADL)评分值,记录并发症发生情况。结果:两组患者的动脉瘤完全闭合率比较差异无统计学意义(x~2=0.515,P=0.473)。A组患者的住院费用低于B组患者(t=17.732,P=0.000);A组患者术后血清中CRP、IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α的水平高于B组(t=10.580、12.904、9.355、19.176,P均=0.000);A组患者术后脑氧饱和度水平低于B组(t=2.113,P=0.019),两组ADL评分值的差异无统计学意义(t=1.211,P=0.115);A组术中再破裂、脑血管痉挛发生率高于B组患者(x~2=4.817、5.383,P=0.028、0.020)。结论:颅内动脉瘤夹闭术应用于颅内动脉瘤患者,动脉瘤完全闭合率与血管内栓塞术无明显差异,住院费用更低,但对目标血管的刺激较大,可能存在术中再破裂、脑血管痉挛等风险。     

Aortic aneurysm in a Cebus apella monkey with experimentally induced atherosclerosis

The sudden death of a Cebus apella female (>19 years old) on an experimental hyperlipidic diet during three years is described. The gross lesions were hemothorax, atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic curve, and an aneurysm in the ascending aorta. Histologically, an enlargement of the intima in the ascending aorta with hyalinization and a thrombus were observed. The media was thinned and showed sclerosis and hemorrhage extending to the tunica adventicia.     

腔内修复术治疗腹主动脉瘤的临床疗效分析

目的:评价腔内修复术(EVAR)治疗腹主动脉瘤(AAA)的临床疗效及安全性。方法:选择2008年12月至2013年12月收治的29例AAA患者,给予EVAR治疗,观察其围术期的疗效及血管破裂死亡、伤口愈合情况、截瘫、腔内隔绝术后并发症的发生情况和随访期疗效及血管破裂死亡、截瘫及内漏的发生情况。结果:29例手术均成功,1例术后3天出现右髂动脉支架内血栓、消化道出血及肝肾功能衰竭,行持续性血液净化好转出院。2例术区切口愈合延迟,9例术后发热,无在院死亡及截瘫病患。随访期间,1例术后30天死亡,死于肝肾功能衰竭;1例3个月出现肾功能不全;1例双下肢乏力,无截瘫发生。存活的28例患者复查增强CT见支架位置、形态良好,无移位及内漏发生。结论:EVAR具有成功率高、创伤小、恢复快等特点,且并发症少,治疗AAA安全有效。     

Epigenetic response of endothelial cells to different wall shear stress magnitudes: A report of new mechano-miRNAs

Endothelial cells (ECs) respond to flow stress via a variety of mechanisms, leading to various intracellular responses that can modulate the vessel wall and lead to diseases if the flow is disturbed. Mechano-microRNAs (miRNAs) are a subset of miRNAs in the ECs that are flow responsive. Mechano-miRNAs were shown to be related to atherosclerosis pathophysiology, and a number of them were identified as pathologic. Here, we exposed human carotid ECs to different wall shear stresses (WSS), high and low, and evaluated the response of miRNAs by microarray and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. We discovered five new mechano-miRNAs that were not reported in that context previously to the best of our knowledge. Moreover, functional pathway analysis revealed that under low WSS conditions, several pathways regulating apoptosis are affected. In addition, KLF2 and KLF4, known atheroprotective genes, were downregulated under low WSS and upregulated under high WSS. KLF2 and VCAM1, both angiogenic, were upregulated under high WSS. NOS3, which is vascular protective, was also upregulated with higher WSS. On the contrary, ICAM-1 and E-selectin, both atherogenic and proinflammatory, were upregulated with high WSS. Collectively, the epigenetic landscape with the gene expression analysis reveals that low WSS is associated with a proapoptotic state, while high WSS is associated with a proliferative and proinflammatory state.     

栓塞治疗颅内动脉瘤的并发症及处理方法分析

目的:分析栓塞治疗颅内动脉瘤过程中并发症的发生原因及处理方法。方法:回顾性分析微弹簧圈栓塞治疗的97例颅内动脉瘤患者的临床资料,包括性别、年龄、Hunt-Hess分级,对住院患者进行术前整体状况评估。影像学检查主要记录动脉瘤的位置、瘤体长度和瘤颈宽度,测量其长宽比例。血管内介入手术治疗观察各种介入治疗方法以及相关并发症。结果:本组97例颅内动脉瘤患者中,男44例、女53例,男性平均年龄51.3岁,女性平均年龄46.7岁,男女共同平均年龄48.7岁。颈内动脉-后交通支及其附近动脉瘤51个,前交通动脉和大脑前动脉29个,大脑中动脉11个,椎-基底动脉系统6个,所用到的栓塞材料包括各种弹簧圈、颅内支架、不可脱球囊等。97例中15例出现并发症(15.5%),动脉瘤破裂出血4例,术中发生血管痉挛3例,血栓形成或血栓性栓塞5例,3例死亡。结论:栓塞治疗颅内动脉瘤过程中最主要并发症包括动脉瘤破裂、栓塞和血栓形成、血管痉挛等,术前评估、术中谨慎操作以及正确及时的处理能够降低栓塞治疗颅内动脉瘤的并发症。     

Aortic dissection in a gorilla

Autopsy findings in a 39-year-old male gorilla included aortic dissection, internal rupture of the aortic arch with axial direction of the tear, external rupture of the ascending aorta, cardiac tamponade, myocardial hypertrophy, cystic and basophilic degeneration of the aortic media, marked obesity, severe degenerative joint disease, focal glomerulonephritis, and widespread hemosiderosis.     

经翼点入路显微手术治疗后交通动脉瘤

目的：探讨显微手术治疗后交通动脉瘤的手术时机,避免术后脑积水的手段及双侧后交通动脉瘤的处理方法。方法：采用翼点入路,早期显微手术夹闭后交通动脉瘤41例,两例双侧后交通动脉瘤患者成功采用一侧翼点入路夹闭双侧动脉瘤。结果：本组41例动脉瘤均顺利夹闭,28例患者术前存在动眼神经麻痹,27例术后症状消失或者缓解,1例未有明显改善。41例患者均行终板造瘘,术后出现脑积水患者1例。无死亡病例。随访1～10月无动脉瘤残留及复发。结论：早期手术夹闭后交通动脉瘤有利于动眼神经麻痹的恢复,术中行终板造瘘可降低术后脑积水的发生,对侧后交通动脉瘤的指向、位置及后交通动脉与颈内动脉的解剖关系是影响一侧入路夹闭双侧后交通动脉瘤的关键因素。     

动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血的治疗进展与探讨

颅内动脉瘤破裂导致的自发性蛛网膜下腔出血是一种致残率以及病死率都非常高的一种疾病,其中动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血Hunt-Hess和世界神经外科医师联盟Ⅳ、V级的患者为高分级颅内动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血,这部分患者,无论采取何种治疗方案,预后仍较差。目前对高分级动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血的治疗仍处于探索阶段,并没有形成统一的临床治疗指导规范或临床路径,其中是在采取保守治疗或者手术治疗的问题上存在较大争议,而在选择手术治疗时又存在手术时机的问题,并且随着显微颅内动脉瘤夹闭术的成熟以及颅内动脉瘤的血管内治疗材料和技术的迅速发展及治疗经验的积累,对于患者采取何种手术方式已成为近年来的争议热点,所以如何对这部分患者实施积极有效的治疗而改善其预后,已成为目前神经外科医生必须要解决的焦点问题。     

Challenge of Biomechanics

The application of mechanics to biology – biomechanics – bears great challenges due to the intricacy of living things. Their dynamism, along with the complexity of their mechanical response (which in itself involves complex chemical, electrical, and thermal phenomena) makes it very difficult to correlate empirical data with theoretical models. This difficulty elevates the importance of useful biomechanical theories compared to other fields of engineering. Despite inherent imperfections of all theories, a well formulated theory is crucial in any field of science because it is the basis for interpreting observations. This is all-the-more vital, for instance, when diagnosing symptoms, or planning treatment to a disease. The notion of interpreting empirical data without theory is unscientific and unsound. This paper attempts to fortify the importance of biomechanics and invigorate research efforts for those engineers and mechanicians who are not yet involved in the field. It is not aimed here, however, to give an overview of biomechanics. Instead, three unsolved problems are formulated to challenge the readers. At the microscale, the problem of the structural organization and integrity of the living cell is presented. At the meso-scale, the enigma of fingerprint formation is discussed. At the macro-scale, the problem of predicting aneurysm ruptures is reviewed. It is aimed here to attract the attention of engineers and mechanicians to problems in biomechanics which, in the author’s opinion, will dominate the development of engineering and mechanics in forthcoming years.     

瑞芬太尼复合七氟醚在颅内动脉瘤栓塞术中的临床观察

目的：探讨瑞芬太尼复合七氟醚在颅内动脉瘤栓塞术中的临床效果。方法：回顾性分析在我院行择期颅脑动脉瘤栓塞术的70例患者的临床资料,按照随机序号的方式将其分为观察组和对照组各35例,观察组患者采用瑞芬太尼复合七氟醚麻醉,对照组采用瑞芬太尼复合异丙酚麻醉,对两组麻醉诱导前1min（T1）、麻醉诱导后1min（T2）、插管时（T3）、手术开始后30min（T4）以及拔管时（T5）患者的血压、心率变化及清醒后拔管时间进行记录和分析。结果：两组患者在T2时收缩压（Systolic blood pressure,SBP）、舒张压（Diastolic blood pressure,DBP）和心率（HeartRate,HR）均较T1明显下降,比较差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;观察组患者的清醒时间（5．1±1．5）min及拔管时间（15．5±7．5）min均明显短于对照组,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05o结论：在进行颅内动脉瘤栓塞术时,选择使用瑞芬太尼复合七氟醚的麻醉方式,可使患者血流动力学较为稳定,术后苏醒较快,值得在临床推广应用。     

多层螺旋CT 血管造影在脑动脉瘤中应用

目的:观察多层螺旋CT血管造影对脑动脉瘤的诊断价值.方法:对16例脑动脉瘤患者的多层螺旋CT血管造影结果进行总结分析.结果:多层螺旋CT血管造影的诊断准确性与DSA无明显差异;多层螺旋CT血管造影显示动脉瘤的部位、大小、动脉瘤颈结构及其与周围血管的关系等与手术结果基本符合.结论:多层螺旋CT血管造影对脑动脉瘤的诊断准确率高,具备十分重要的临床应用价值.     

Vascular wall flow-induced forces in a progressively enlarged aneurysm model

The current study is focused on the numerical investigation of the flow field induced by the unsteady flow in the vicinity of an abdominal aortic aneurysm model. The computational fluid dynamics code used is based on the finite volume method, and it has already been used in various bioflow studies. For modelling the rheological behaviour of blood, the Quemada non-Newtonian model is employed, which is suitable for simulating the two-phase character of blood namely a suspension of blood cells in plasma. For examining its non-Newtonian effects a comparison with a corresponding Newtonian flow is carried out. Furthermore, the investigation is focused on the distribution of the flow-induced forces on the interior wall of the aneurysm and in order to study the development of the distribution with the gradual enlargement of the aneurysm, three different degrees of aneurysm-growth have been assumed. Finally and for examining the effect of the distribution on the aneurysm growth, a comparison is made between the pressure and wall shear-stress distributions at the wall for each growth-degree.     

腔内修复术与传统开腹手术对腹主动脉瘤的治疗效果对比

目的:探讨腔内修复术与传统开腹手术在腹主动脉瘤患者治疗中的效果。方法:收集我院就诊或住院治疗的40例腹主动脉瘤患者,根据手术方式不同,将所选研究对象分为OR组和EVAR组,每组20例。OR组患者行传统开腹手术,EVAR组患者行腔内修复术。观察并比较两组患者术中出血量、输血量、手术时间、住院天数以及并发症的发生率。结果:与OR组患者相比,EVAR组患者手术出血量、输血量较少,手术时间、住院天数、ICU住院天数较短,患者围手术期的并发症发生率较低,但患者的远期并发症发生率较高(P0.05)。结论:腔内修复术与传统开腹手术相比,在手术的出血量以及患者的恢复时间等方面具有较为明显的优点,但远期的并发症发生率较高,对临床有指导意义。     

介入栓塞治疗内脏动脉瘤的临床研究

目的:探讨介入血管腔内栓塞治疗内脏动脉瘤的方法、疗效及安全性。方法:选择内脏动脉瘤患者23例,包括脾动脉瘤13例,肝动脉瘤2例,胃十二指肠动脉瘤3例,肠系膜上动脉瘤4例,肾动脉瘤1例。其中,9例行远近端动脉栓塞术,4例采用支架辅助弹簧圈瘤体内填塞,3例采用弹簧圈瘤体内填塞加瘤体内注胶栓塞术,4例行弹簧圈瘤体内栓塞术,2例行分支动脉颗粒栓塞术,1例行单纯注胶栓塞术。术后1月、3月、6月行超声、CTA或血管造影复查,以后每年复查一次。结果:本组均成功行介入血管腔内栓塞治疗内脏动脉瘤,栓塞治疗后造影示动脉瘤体和/或载瘤动脉闭塞,动脉瘤体内无明显对比剂显影,脾动脉瘤栓塞患者有3例出现发热,脾区疼痛等脾梗塞症状,未见栓塞术相关严重并发症发生。4例消化道出血患者出血均停止。术后随访3~48个月,未见动脉瘤破裂出血、动脉瘤复发或增大,支架置入者,支架内及分支动脉血流均保持通畅。结论:介入血管腔内栓塞是一种治疗内脏动脉瘤的简便、微创、安全有效的方法。     

球囊辅助栓塞技术治疗未破裂颅内动脉瘤的有效性及安全性分析

目的:探究球囊辅助栓塞技术治疗未破裂颅内动脉瘤的有效性和安全性。方法:选择2014年1月~2019年1月在本院介入诊疗科接受介入治疗的540例患者作为研究对象。根据治疗方案分为两组,球囊辅助栓塞组有340例,单纯栓塞组有200例。回顾性分析研究对象的一般资料、临床资料、手术并发症等情况。结果:球囊辅助栓塞组和单纯栓塞组在性别组成、年龄、颅内动脉瘤性质、位置、Hunt-Hess分级等方面,差异不具有统计学意义(P>0.05);在术后即刻及术后6个月血管造影结果显示,前者栓塞程度明显优于后者,两组差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);前者改良Rankin量表评分明显优于后者,两组差异具有统计学意义(P=0.005);前者预后良好率明显高于后者,两组差异具有统计学意义(P<0.001);手术过程中,球囊辅助栓塞组发生2例破裂出血、2例脑血管痉挛、1例弹簧圈移位,单纯栓塞组发生2例破裂出血、1例栓塞、2例脑血管痉挛、3例弹簧圈移位。前者并发症发生率明显低于后者,两者差异具有统计学意义(P<0.001)。结论:在治疗未破裂颅内动脉瘤方面,球囊辅助栓塞技术的有效性、安全性明显优于单纯栓塞介入治疗,值得临床推广。