Validity of the Functional Classification of the Upper Extremities for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Objectives: Some upper-limb function assessments can evaluate treatments in the non-ambulatory stage of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The Functional Classification of the Upper Extremities (FCUE) was developed for DMD in Japan. The FCUE is easier to use than the Performance of Upper Limb (PUL) and is more detailed than the Brooke Upper Extremity Scale. This study aimed to determine the concurrent validity of FCUE with other methods of assessment for DMD. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 39 boys with DMD from the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry to evaluate the concurrent validity of the FCUE and PUL using non-parametric Spearman rank correlation (ρ). We also determined the concurrent validity of the Brooke Upper Extremity Scale and PUL for comparison. Results: The ρ value between the FCUE and PUL was -0.914 (P<0.001). The FCUE showed robust concurrent validity with the PUL. That correlation between the FCUE and Brooke Upper Extremity Scale gave a ρ value of -0.854 (P<0.001). Conclusions: The FCUE had a higher concurrent validity with the PUL than with the Brooke Upper Extremity Scale. The FCUE is considered a valid assessment tool of upper-limb function in boys with DMD. Selecting the best assessment method depends on the severity of the patient's condition and a balance between assessment accuracy and evaluation time.

Penetrating cardiac injury repaired under "intentional cardiac arrest" with adenosine triphosphate.

BACKGROUND: Repairing a cardiac injury with beating heart is sometimes difficult and is associated with increased risks of complications. Here we report a case of cardiac injury repaired with administration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). CASE PRESENTATION: A 46-year-old man was stabbed in his chest with a knife and transferred to our hospital. He was hemodynamically unstable, and echocardiography showed pericardial effusion. Emergency thoracotomy revealed a full-thickness injury in the right ventricle next to the coronary artery. He went into cardiac arrest and was resuscitated with adrenaline administration. We tried to suture immediately, but it was difficult because of tachycardia. After administering 20 mg of ATP (80 mg in total over 15 min), bradycardia was induced that led to "intentional cardiac arrest" after which suturing was performed. He was discharged on the 13th day without complications. CONCLUSION: Cases of penetrating cardiac injury repaired using ATP are rare. Administration of ATP may be a useful option while repairing cardiac injuries.

A Hybrid Technique to Manage a Large Perigraft Seroma after an Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: A Case Report.

Perigraft seroma (PGS) is a relatively rare complication of aortoiliac reconstructive surgery. We, herein, describe a case of a large PGS that was managed by using a hybrid technique of relining the original graft with simultaneous open drainage. An 86-year-old man with a 17.3-cm diameter PGS after prosthetic bifurcated graft replacement for abdominal aortic aneurysm was admitted to our hospital. He presented with abdominal distension and discomfort and had difficulty in taking food. The entire relining of the original covered stent graft with GORE® EXCLUDER® using aortic extension cuff and iliac extenders and simultaneous open evacuation of PGS were successfully performed. The symptoms of the patient totally improved, and no recurrence was detected at 2 years after the operation. This technique would be a feasible treatment option for this rare complication.

Aorto-right ventricular fistula following transcatheter aortic valve implantation using a 29 mm SAPIEN XT valve.

An 83-year-old man with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using a 29 mm SAPIEN XT valve. He was haemodynamically stable, but developed haemolytic anaemia. Transthoracic echocardiography conducted 7 days after TAVI revealed an abnormal continuous flow from the right sinus of Valsalva adjacent to the implanted valve to the right ventricle. The amount of shunt flow was considered small and the patient was managed with diuretics successfully. He was discharged from the hospital 35 days after TAVI. He was doing well at 9 months after TAVI, despite persistence of the aorto-right ventricular fistula on repeat echocardiographic examinations.