Coronary embolism due to probable clinical bioprosthetic aortic valve thrombosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Coronary embolism is a relatively rare but important non-atherosclerotic cause of acute coronary syndrome, mainly caused by atrial fibrillation and mechanical heart valve thrombosis due to subtherapeutic anticoagulation. There have been increasing reports of bioprosthetic valve thrombosis (BPVT), but thromboembolic events are rare and mainly affect the cerebrovascular system. Coronary embolism is an extremely rare complication of BPVT. CASE PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old male presented with non-ST-Elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) to an Australian regional health service. Three years ago, he had undergone Bentall procedure with bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement for severe aortic regurgitation and significant aortic root dilatation. Diagnostic coronary angiography revealed embolic occlusion of first diagonal branch in the absence of underlying atherosclerosis. Prior to NSTEMI presentation, the patient was clinically asymptomatic apart from the progressive increase in transaortic mean pressure gradient on transthoracic echocardiography which was first detected seven months after surgical aortic valve replacement. Transoesophageal echocardiography showed restrictions of the aortic leaflet opening but no evidence of mass or vegetation. After eight weeks of warfarin therapy, the raised aortic valve gradient returned to normal. Lifelong warfarin was prescribed, and patient remained clinically well at 39-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: We experienced a case of coronary embolism in a patient with probable BPVT. Reversible bioprosthetic valve hemodynamic deterioration after anticoagulation strongly supports the diagnosis in the absence of histopathology. Early moderate-to-severe hemodynamic valve deterioration warrants further investigations, including cardiac computed tomography and sequential echocardiography, to investigate for probable BPVT and consideration of timely anticoagulation initiation to prevent thromboembolic events.

PrEP Willingness and Adherence Self-Efficacy Among Men Who have Sex with Men with Recent Condomless Anal Sex in Urban China.

This study investigates PrEP willingness, adherence self-efficacy and potential impact of PrEP among HIV-negative, Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM; n = 622) with recent condomless anal sex. Facilitative factors of PrEP willingness included migrant status, sexual risk, and prior PrEP use, whereas barriers included concerns over being treated as an HIV/AIDS patient, recent HIV testing, identity concealment, and HIV prevention service usage. Adherence self-efficacy was associated with PrEP knowledge and confidence in PrEP efficacy of HIV prevention. A total of 39.3% anticipated increase in sex partners, 25.6% anticipated decrease in condom use, and 38.0% anticipated increased HIV testing following PrEP uptake. Results suggest a two-step approach to (1) promote PrEP acceptance among Chinese MSM and (2) enhance adherence and risk monitoring among PrEP-willing MSM. Efforts to reduce stigma, incorporate PrEP in the HIV prevention continuum, and increase PrEP knowledge will be crucial to optimize PrEP implementation.

GreenLight laser photoselective vaporization of the prostate for treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia/lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with different post-void residual urine.

The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of GreenLight laser photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia/lower urinary tract symptoms (BPH/LUTS) in patients with different post-void residual urine (PVR). BPH/LUTS patients treated with PVP from January 2014 to January 2016 were enrolled in the present study. All patients were divided into PVR > 50, 50 ≤ PVR < 400, and PVR ≥ 400 ml groups, and standard general and urological methods for BPH/LUTS were carried out. PVP surgery was performed, and the follow-up outcome was investigated 6 months after surgery. A total of 429 patients were included, and there were no significant differences in comorbid diseases or habits among the three groups. The maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) differed significantly among the groups (P < 0.001), while patients in the PVR < 50 ml group had higher maximum detrusor pressure (Pdet.max) level than the other two groups (P < 0.001). Patients in 50 ≤ PVR < 400 (P < 0.001) and PVR ≥ 400 (P < 0.001) ml groups were more likely to develop detrusor underactivity than those in the PVR < 50 ml group. All patients were treated with PVP, and there were no severe complications requiring rehospitalization or reoperation except nine designed re-treatments. Follow-up data of 387 patients were available. Significant improvement in outcome parameters (International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS], Qmax, and PVR) was observed in comparison with baseline measurements for the three groups. PVP significantly improved the IPSS, Qmax, and PVR in patients with different PVR; PVP is a safe and effective procedure for BPH/LUTS patients.

Feasibility of a Mobile Health Intervention for Providing a Continuum of HIV Services for MSM: Pilot Study of the WeTest Program in 3 Cities in China.

BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with men (MSM) in China have a high risk for HIV infection but experience suboptimal rates of HIV testing and service engagement due to various social and structural barriers. We developed a mobile health (mHealth) intervention entitled "WeTest-Plus" (WeTest+) as a user-centered "one-stop service" approach for delivering access to comprehensive information about HIV risk, HIV self-testing, behavioral and biomedical prevention, confirmatory testing, treatment, and care. OBJECTIVE: The goal of the current study was to investigate the feasibility of WeTest+ to provide continuous HIV services to high-risk MSM. METHODS: Participants completed a 3-week pilot test of WeTest+ to examine acceptability, feasibility, and recommendations for improvement. Participants completed a structured online questionnaire and qualitative exit interviews facilitated by project staff. "Click-through" rates were assessed to examine engagement with online content. RESULTS: 28 participants were included, and the average age was 27.6 years (standard deviation = 6.8). Almost all participants (96.4%) remained engaged with the WeTest+ program over a 3-week observational period. The majority (92.9%) self-administered the HIV self-test and submitted their test results through the online platform. Overall click-through rates were high (average 67.9%). Participants provided favorable comments about the quality and relevance of the WeTest+ information content, the engaging style of information presentation, and the user-centered features. CONCLUSION: This pilot assessment of WeTest+ supports the promise of this program for promoting HIV self-testing and linkage to in-person services for MSM in China. Findings underscore the utility of a user-centered approach to mHealth program design.

User Preferences for an mHealth Approach to Support HIV Self-Testing and Linkage to HIV Prevention or Care Services for MSM in China.

This research qualitatively explored user preferences for an app-based mHealth approach to support HIV self-testing and linkage to HIV prevention or care services developed for men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. We conducted 12 online focus group discussions with MSM participants (N = 48) about their preferences for using an app to meet their HIV self-testing and service linkage needs. Data were examined using thematic analysis. Participants specified four domains to align program delivery with their preferences for app-based intervention: (1) expanding HIV prevention/antiretroviral therapy concepts beyond basic knowledge; (2) enhancing the style and presentation of app-based messages; (3) incorporating interactive and dynamic app-engagement features; and (4) creating a "one station" app that covers the continuum of HIV services. Given the changing landscapes of HIV knowledge and community/user preferences for app-based interaction, findings underscore how engagement with end-user participants is essential to optimize mHealth interventions for HIV.

[Individual management of Meniere's disease and evaluation of functional outcome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate individual management for Meniere's disease and analyze outcomes of nonsurgical and surgical management of Meniere's disease. METHOD: Patients with Meniere's disease were staged according to hearing and quality of life. The individual management according to the staging was established, including outpatient treatment (lifestyle change, medical management and intratympanic steroids), endolymphatic sac decompression or drainage, vestibular neurectomy and labyrinthectomy. The characteristics of patients who underwent surgical management were analyzed. The functional outcomes of surgery in dizziness, hearing loss and quality of life were evaluated for 12-month postoperative follow-up. RESULT: Twenty patients underwent intratympanic injection of dexamethasone. Dizziness improved in 70% (14/20), tinnitus improved in 41% (7/17), and aural fullness improved in 36% (4/11). There were 55 patients who underwent surgical managements for 57 times. Endolymphatic sac decompression or drainage was carried out in 27 patients for 28 times, vestibular neurectomy in 26 patients and labyrinthectomy in 3 patients. Vertigo control rate was 75% in patients with endolymphatic sac decompression or drainage, 100% in vestibular neurectomy and 100% in labyrinthectomy at 12-month postoperative follow-up. CONCLUSION: The non-surgical management and endolymphatic sac decompression or drainage can improve vertigo and ameliorate quality of life. Vestibular neurectomy and labyrinthectomy are effective surgical managements to eliminate vertigo. The management of Meniere's disease depends on several factors: stages of vertigo and hearing, quality of life, surgical contraindications and subjective desire. Therefore, the management for Menieres disease must be individualized for each patient.

[Diagnosis and treatment of infantile congenital subglottic hemangioma].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the diagnosis and treatment of infantile congenital subglottic hemangioma. METHOD: Nine patients with recurrent stridor, feeding difficulties and laryngeal obstruction were diagnosed as congenital subglottic hemangioma with bronchial endoscopy. The lesions were unilateral in 7 cases and bilateral in 2 cases. Eight cases were treated by intralesional Pingyangmycin injection after tracheotomy. Patients were discharged with metal trachea and were followed up endoscopically 2 weeks thereafter. A second treatment would be required if the tumor reduced in size but not disappeared completely. Plugging tubes and extubation would be done when the tumor disappeared completely. One case with unilateral lesion underwent power-assisted tumor resection without tracheotomy. RESULT: Hemangioma vanished completely in 6 patients with unilateral subglottic hemangioma who were treated with single stage procedure. Tumor size was found reduced significantly after one procedure and vanished completely after a second procedure in 2 cases with bilateral subglottic hemangioma. All of the 8 cases were extubated successfully. The patient recovered thoroughly in two weeks after power-assisted tumor resection. CONCLUSION: Intralesional Pingyangmycin injection after tracheotomy can relief the airway obstruction quickly, shorten the nature course of hemangioma, shorten the period of wearing trachea, has no complication such as subglottic stenosis and is thought to be a safe and effective therapy for large size hemangioma. Power-assisted tumor resection under good total anesthesia without tracheotomy combined with well hemostasis is effective, less injure, and suitable for small size hemangioma.