The impact of mpMRI-targeted vs systematic biopsy on the risk of prostate cancer downgrading at final pathology.

PURPOSE: Although targeted biopsies (TBx) are associated with improved disease assessment, concerns have been raised regarding the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) overgrading due to more accurate biopsy core deployment in the index lesion. METHODS: We identified 1672 patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) with a positive mpMRI and ISUP ≥ 2 PCa detected via systematic biopsy (SBx) plus TBx. We compared downgrading rates at RP (ISUP 4-5, 3, and 2 at biopsy, to a lower ISUP) for PCa detected via SBx only (group 1), via TBx only (group 2), and eventually for PCa detected with the same ISUP 2-5 at both SBx and TBx (group 3), using multivariable logistic regression models (MVA). RESULTS: Overall, 12 vs 14 vs 6% (n = 176 vs 227 vs 96) downgrading rates were recorded in group 1 vs group 2 vs group 3, respectively (p < 0.001). At MVA, group 2 was more likely to be downgraded (OR 1.26, p = 0.04), as compared to group 1. Conversely, group 3 was less likely to be downgraded at RP (OR 0.42, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Downgrading rates are highest when PCa is present in TBx only and, especially when the highest grade PCa is diagnosed by TBx cores only. Conversely, downgrading rates are lowest when PCa is identified with the same ISUP through both SBx and TBx. The presence of clinically significant disease at SBx + TBx may indicate a more reliable assessment of the disease at the time of biopsy potentially reducing the risk of downgrading at final pathology.

[The 505th case: refractory ascites and monoclonal immunoglobulin].

A 52-year-old woman was admitted with a primary complaint of abdominal distension and increased abdominal circumference for more than half a year. There was no evidence of infection or solid tumor on abdominocentesis or laparoscopic surgery. Concurrently, smoldering multiple myeloma was diagnosed. Due to refractory ascites and portal hypertension, a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was performed, but the efficacy was not satisfactory. As the anemia progressed, she was finally diagnosed with active multiple myeloma after monoclonal plasma cells were detected in the ascites by flow cytometry. Treated with a triplet regimen that included bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone (BCD), she achieved a very good partial response and ascites regressed.

[Diagnosis and surgical treatment of high-risk anomalous aortic origin of coronary artery].

Objective: To analyze the diagnosis and surgical treatment of high-risk anomalous aortic origin of coronary artery (AAOCA). Methods: This is a retrospective case series study. From January 2016 to July 2023, 24 cases of high-risk AAOCA underwent surgical treatment in Department of Cardiac Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital. There were 18 males and 6 females, operatively aged (M (IQR)) 13 (26) years (range: 0.3 to 57.0 years). They were confirmed by cardiac ultrasound and cardiac CT, all of which had anomalous coronary running between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. There were 15 cases of the right coronary artery from the left aortic sinus of Valsalva, 6 cases of left coronary artery from the right aortic sinus of Valsalva, 3 cases of the sigle coronary artery. Only 3 patients had no obvious related symptoms (2 cases were complicated with a positive exercise stress test and 1 case with other intracardiac malformations), 21 cases had a history of chest tightness, chest pain, or syncope after exercise. Three patients suffered syncope after exercise and underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (2 cases were treated with an extracorporeal membrane oxygenerator (ECMO)). The gap from the first symptom to the diagnosis was 4.0 (11.5) months (range: 0.2 to 84.0 months). The detection rate of coronary artery abnormalities suggested by the first cardiac ultrasound was only 37.5% (9/24). Seven patients were complicated with other cardiac diseases (4 cases with congenital heart defects, 2 cases with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, 1 case with mitral valve disease). Results: All 24 patients underwent surgical treatment (23 cases underwent abnormal coronary artery unroofing, 1 case underwent coronary artery bypass grafting), and 5 patients underwent other intracardiac malformation correction at the same time. There were no death or surgery related complications in the hospital for 30 days after the operation. A patient with preoperative extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation was continuously assisted by ECMO after emergency AAOCA correction and had complications such as limb ischemia necrosis and renal dysfunction after the operation. During the follow-up of 2.2 (3.3) years (range: 1 month to 7.2 years), one patient who previously underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with a stent implant experienced significant postoperative symptomatic relief, and the other discharged patients had no related symptoms. Conclusions: The accurate rate of initial diagnosis for high-risk AAOCA is still low, but the risk of cardiovascular accidents is high. For sports-related chest pain and other symptoms, more attention should be paid to the detection of AAOCA, especially for adolescents. Exercise stress testing can be helpful in evaluating the cardiovascular risk of asymptomatic AAOCA. Instant surgical treatment can achieve satisfactory curative effects.

[The 503rd case: monoclonal IgM immunoglobulinemia, severe anemia with recurrent fever].

A 42-year-old woman was diagnosed with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) with fatigue, anemia, and monoclonal IgM immunoglobulinemia 6 years prior. She experienced persistent severe anemia with only transient remission after initial chemotherapy and after multiple chemotherapy regimens and immunosuppressive therapies, which were accompanied by recurrent high fever with severe complications including urinary infection, sepsis and shock, rectal perforation, and severe obstructive jaundice. The anemia was diagnosed as warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia and aplastic crisis with inflammation anemia. She received ibrutinib 140 mg once a day, and her hemoglobin levels returned to normal. WM remained stable in very good partial remission with no infection.

[Efficacy and prognostic analysis of orthopedic surgery in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and prognosis of orthopedic surgical resection surgery in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). Methods: This retrospective cohort study collected clinical data of patients with NDMM who underwent surgery due to spinal cord compression or pathological long-bone fractures at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2021. Patients who received biopsy or vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty were excluded and patients with the same degree of bone disease and who did not undergo any surgical intervention were selected as controls. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and physical status (ECOG) scores, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were compared. Statistical analysis included the χ2-test, t-test, and Kaplan-Meier methods. Results: Baseline data were compared between the surgical group (n=40 with 43 interventions) and the non-surgical group (n=80), and included sex, age, paraprotein type, International Staging System (ISS), number of lytic lesions, cytogenetic abnormalities, first-line treatment, and the proportion of patients receiving autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) (all P>0.05). Serum M protein levels in the surgical group were significantly lower than those of the non-surgical group [(21.95±16.44) g/L vs. (36.18±20.85) g/L, P=0.005]. The surgical lesions involved the axial skeleton (79.1%, 34/43) or the extremities (20.9%, 9/43). VAS and ECOG scores improved significantly after surgery (VAS: 2.30±0.80 vs. 6.60±1.50, P<0.001; ECOG: 2.09±0.59 vs. 3.09±0.73, P<0.001). The median follow-up time was 51 months. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis suggested that the median PFS (25 vs. 29 months) and OS (46 vs. 60 months) were comparable between the surgical and non-surgical intervention groups (both P>0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that among patients with ISS Ⅰ or those who had received ASCT, PFS in the surgical group was similar to that of the non-surgical intervention group (both P>0.05), while OS was worse (P=0.005, 0.017). Patients with ISS Ⅱ/Ⅲ scores or without ASCT had similar PFS and OS between the surgical and non-surgical intervention groups (all P>0.05). Cox multivariate analysis suggested that ISS and ASCT were independent prognostic factors for OS (ISS: HR=0.42, 95%CI 0.19-0.93, P=0.031; ASCT: HR=0.41, 95%CI 0.18-0.97, P=0.041), while orthopedic surgery did not influence survival (P=0.233). Conclusion: For patients with NDMM, orthopedic surgical resection decreased bone-related complications and improved quality of life, but did not affect survival.

[Clinical and molecular characteristics and prognosis of classical hairy cell leukemia and hairy cell leukemia variant].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics, treatment response, and outcomes in patients with classical hairy cell leukemia (cHCL) and HCL variant (HCL-V). Methods: This is a retrospective case series study. Between January 2011 and December 2021, clinical data of 30 patients newly with diagnosed HCL at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were analyzed. The main outcome measures include clinical characteristics, treatment efficacy and survival. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Results: Twenty-one cases of cHCL and 9 cases of HCL-v were included. The median age at diagnosis was 55.5 (range, 30-86) years, with the ratio of male to female 2.75∶1. The main clinical manifestations included fatigue in 11 cases (36.7%), abdominal distension in 7 cases (23.3%), and infection in 4 cases, while 8 cases were asymptomatic. Splenomegaly was reported in 24 cases (80.0%), including 7 (23.3%) with megalosplenia. The white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, and the proportion of peripheral hairy cells in HCL-v group were significantly higher than those in cHCL group, whereas the development of anemia, thrombocytopenia, and monocytopenia in cHCL group was more remarkable than that in HCL-v group (all P<0.05). The BRAF-V600E gene mutation was detected only in cHCL patients (11/14 vs. 0/9, P<0.001). In terms of immunophenotype, the expression of CD25, CD103, CD123 and CD200 in cHCL group (20/20, 20/20, 4/7, 7/17) were all stronger than those in HCL-v group (3/9, 7/9, 0/4, 2/8). Twenty-two patients were treated, of which 13 cases (12 cases of cHCL and 1 case of HCL-v) with cladribine, and 9 cases (4 cHCL and 5 HCL-v) with interferon. Complete remission rate and overall response rate were comparable between cladribine and interferon treatment groups (both P<0.05). The median follow-up time was 31 (range, 1-125) months, and the median overall survival (OS) of the entire group was 125 months. The 5-year OS rate in HCL-v patients represented a trend of inferior (50.0% vs. 95.0%, P=0.207). Conclusions: The clinical features of HCL are unspecific, which includes fatigue, splenomegaly and recurrent infection. The clinical features, immunophenotype, treatment response and prognosis of HCL-v are different from those of cHCL. BRAF-V600E gene mutation is suggested as a key marker for differential diagnosis. Cladribine is recommended as front-line regimen of cHCL patients with satisfactory efficacy and prognosis. Conversely, response and clinical outcome in HCL-v patients still need to be improved.

[The 502nd case: thrombocytopenia, splenomegaly, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and spontaneous rupture of the spleen].

A young man with a history of thrombocytopenia for seven years presented with splenomegaly and fever and rapidly evolved to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and hemorrhagic shock. Spontaneous rupture of the spleen was diagnosed. The critical patient underwent an emergency splenectomy. Pathological examination revealed splenic peliosis, an extremely rare disease with unknown etiology and pathogenesis. Despite the high mortality rate due to spontaneous splenic rupture with DIC, the patient was successfully treated and the details of the case are presented in this report.

[Efficacy of different regimens and prognostic factors in patients with first relapsed multiple myeloma treated after front-line bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone].

Objective: To analyze the efficacy of second-line regimens and prognostic factors in patients with first-relapsed multiple myeloma (MM) treated with bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone (BCD). Methods: A retrospective cohort study. Clinical data were collected in first-relapsed MM patients after BCD treatment from three tertiary hospitals in north China from July 2009 to October 2022. Patients were classified according to the second-line regimen into the immunotherapy group, single novel agent group [either proteasome inhibitor (PI) or immunomodulatory drug (IMiD)], combination treatment group (both PI+IMiD), and traditional treatment group. Responses to second-line regimens and survival data were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis and the Cox proportional risk model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: A total of 217 patients were enrolled including 8.8% (19/217) in the immunotherapy group, 48.4% (105/217) in the PI/IMiD group, 29.9% (65/217) in the PI+IMiD group, and 12.9% (28/217) in the traditional treatment group. The median age was 62 years (range 31-83 years) and 56.2% (122/217) were males. The overall response rates (ORRs) in the four groups were 94.7% (18/19) vs. 56.2% (59/105) vs. 73.8% (48/65) vs. 32.1% (9/28) (χ2=24.55; P<0.001), respectively. The progression-free survival (PFS) of the second-line regimens (2ndPFS) was 17.7 vs. 9.0 vs. 9.2 vs. 4.6 months (χ2=22.74; P<0.001), respectively, among which patients in the PI/IMiD and PI+IMiD groups had comparable 2ndPFS (χ2=1.76; P=0.923). Patients with high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities (HRCAs) achieved the longest 2ndPFS of 22.0 months in the immunotherapy group (χ2=15.03; P=0.002). Multivariate analysis suggested that immunotherapy (HR=0.11, 95%CI 0.05-0.27), achievement of efficacy of partial response or better (HR=0.47, 95%CI 0.34-0.66), and non-aggressive relapse (HR=0.25, 95%CI 0.17-0.37) were independent prognostic factors of 2ndPFS. Conclusion: In this real-world study, immunotherapy was associated with a more favorable efficacy and PFS for first-relapsed MM patients after BCD treatment, with similar outcomes in patients with HRCAs.

[Application of Rotarex catheter system in femoropopliteal artery stenosis accompanied with thrombosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Rotarex catheter system in treating femoropopliteal artery stenosis accompanied with thrombosis. METHODS: From Jun. 2017 to Dec. 2019, the clinical data of 32 femoropopliteal artery stenosis accompanied with thrombosis cases treated with Rotarex catheter system were retrospectively analyzed. There were 23 males and 9 females aged from 50 to 89 years and the mean age was (70.7±10.3) years. Six cases had acute course of disease (≤2 weeks), 17 cases had subacute course of disease (>2 weeks, ≤3 months), and 9 cases had chronic course of disease (>3 months). Mean lesion length was (23.4±13.7) cm, mean occlusion length was (19.9±13.3) cm, and in-stent occlusion 7 cases. The superficial femoral artery (SFA) was involved in 13 cases, the popliteal artery (PA) was involved in 8 cases, and both SFA and PA were involved in the other 11 cases. All the cases were treated with Rotarex catheter system. When necessary, suction with large lumen catheter was enabled. Residual stenosis was treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Drug-coated balloon (DCB) was only used in patients with financial status, and stent was used only when it was necessary. Heparin was used for 24 h after procedures, and after that, antiplatelet agents were used. Doppler ultrasonography was taken during the followed-up. RESULTS: Technical success was 100%, and mean procedure time was (107.4±21.5) min. 8F (1F≈0.33 mm) and 6F Rotarex catheter were used in 27 and 5 cases respectively. In 27 cases, forward flow was obtained immediately after debulking with Rotarex catheter, and in the other 5 cases, suction with large lumen catheters were used. PTA was used in all 32 cases. DCB were used in 8 cases, of which 4 were used in in-stent stenosis. Twelve cases were implanted stents. There were no perioperative deaths. The only one procedure related complication was distal embolism. We took out the thrombus with guiding catheter. In all cases, mean hospital stay were (4.6±1.5) d. The ankle brachial index increased from 0.32±0.15 to 0.86±0.10 after treatment (t=-16.847, P < 0.001). The Rutherford stages decreased significantly (Z=-4.518, P < 0.001). All the patients were followed up for 6.0-36.0 months, and the median time was 16.0 months. 2 cases stopped antiplatelet agents, which resulted in acute thrombosis. Another percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy and PTA were taken in one of them. Two cases died of cardiovascular disease during the follow-up, and no amputation was observed. Target lesion restenosis occurred in 7 cases during the follow-up, and target lesion revascularization (TLR) was taken in two of them. CONCLUSION: In treating femoropopliteal artery stenosis accompanied with thrombosis, Rotarex catheter can remove thrombus effectively, and that can expose underlying lesions and reduce stent use and complications rates. It is a safe and effective method.

[Characteristics of autonomic neuropathy in patients with vestibular migraine].

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of autonomic neuropathy in patients with vestibular migraine (VM) by sympathetic skin reflex (SSR) and R-R interval variation (RRIV). Methods: Seventy-three patients with interseizure VM and 36 healthy controls in the Department of Neurology affiliated to Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital of Tongji University from November 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 were prospectively enrolled. SSR and RRIV were performed and relevant parameters were recorded, including SSR latency, SSR amplitude, RRIV during calm breathing (R%), RRIV during deep breathing (D%), RRIV difference between deep breathing and calm breathing (D%-R%), RRIV ratio between deep breathing and calm breathing (D%/R%), and the difference and correlation of various parameters between VM patients and healthy controls were analyzed. Results: Among the 73 patients with VM, there were 12 males and 61 females, and aged (46±13) years. While among 36 healthy controls, there were 6 males and 30 females, and aged (46±7) years. Among the 73 VM patients, abnormal SSR, abnormal RRIV, abnormal SSR and RRIV, and abnormal SSR or RRIV was detected in 38 cases (52%), 17 cases (23%), 11 cases (15%) and 44 cases (60%), respectively. Compared with healthy controls, the lower extremity SSR latency [(1 719±289) ms] in VM patients was longer than that in control group [(1 500±349) ms] (P=0.001), but the upper extremity SSR amplitude [1.6 (0.8, 3.0) mV] was lower than that in control group [2.6 (1.8, 4.2) mV] (P=0.006). SSR amplitude, R% and D% were negatively correlated with age in VM patients (rs=-0.311, P=0.007; rs=-0.237, P=0.043; rs=-0.263, P=0.024, respectively). SSR of lower extremity in VM patients was longer than that of upper extremity [(1 719±289) ms vs (1 244±185) ms, P<0.001], but the amplitude of lower extremity was lower than that of upper extremity [0.8 (0.3, 1.7) mV vs 1.6 (0.8, 3.0) mV, P<0.001]. SSR latency of upper limb was positively correlated with SSR latency of lower limb (r=0.436, P<0.001), the amplitude of upper limb was positively correlated with amplitude of lower limb (rs=0.456, P<0.001), and D% was positively correlated with R% (rs=0.357, P=0.002). Conclusion: The autonomic neuropathy during VM interphase features with imbalance between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, and the sympathetic nerve function is mainly impaired.

[Effect analysis of myectomy guided by personalized three-dimensional reconstruction and printing in the treatment of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].

Objective: To examine the clinical efficacy of myectomy guided by personalized three-dimensional reconstruction and printing for patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Methods: The clinical data of 28 patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, who underwent septal myectomy guided by personalized three-dimensional reconstruction and printing in the Department of Cardiaovascular Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from May 2020 to December 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. There were 14 males and 14 females, aging (51.1±14.0) years (range: 18 to 72 years). Enhanced cardiac computed tomography images were imported into Mimics software for preoperative three-dimensional reconstruction. The direction of the short axial plane of each segment was marked perpendicularly to the interventricular septum on the long axial plane of the digital cardiac model, then the thickness was measured on each short axial plane. A figurative digital model was used to determine the extent of resection and to visualize mitral valve and papillary muscle abnormalities. Correlation between the length, width, thickness, and volume of the predicted resected myocardium and those of the surgically resected myocardium was assessed by Pearson correlation analysis or Spearman correlation analysis. The accuracy of detecting mitral valve and papillary muscle abnormalities of transthoracic echocardiography and three-dimensional reconstruction was also compared. Results: There was no death or serious complications like permanent pacemaker implantation, re-sternotomy for bleeding, low cardiac output syndrome, stroke, or multiple organ dysfunction syndromes in the whole group. Namely, the obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract was effectively relieved. The systolic anterior motion of the anterior mitral valve leaflet was absent in all patients after myectomy. The length, width, and thickness of the predicted resected myocardium by three-dimensional reconstruction were significantly positively correlated with the length (R=0.65, 95%CI: 0.37 to 0.82, P<0.01), width (R=0.39, 95%CI: 0.02 to 0.67, P<0.01), and thickness (R=0.82, 95%CI: 0.65 to 0.92, P<0.01) of the surgically resected myocardium, while the relation of the volume of the predicted resected myocardium and the volume of the surgically resected myocardium was a strong positive correlation (R=0.88, 95%CI: 0.76 to 0.94, P<0.01). Importantly, the interventricular septal myocardial thickness measured by preoperative transthoracic echocardiography showed a moderate positive correlation with the volume of surgically resected myocardium (R=0.52, 95%CI: 0.19 to 0.75, P<0.01). During a follow-up of (14.4±6.8) months (range: 3 to 22 months), no death occurred, and 1 patient was readmitted for endocardial radiofrequency ablation due to atrial fibrillation. Conclusion: Personalized three-dimensional reconstruction and printing can not only visualize the intracardiac structure but also guide septal myectomy by predicting the thickness, volume, and extent of resected myocardium to achieve ideal resection.

[Early outcomes of thoracoscopic trans-mitral myectomy in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients with left midventricular obstruction].

Objective: To examine the early effect of thoracoscopic trans-mitral myectomy for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients with left midventricular obstruction. Methods: From April 2020 to July 2021, 10 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients with left midventricular obstruction underwent thoracoscopic trans-mitral myectomy at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital. The whole group of patients consisted of 7 males and 3 females aged (52.0±16.4) years (range: 18 to 68 years). The EuroSCORE Ⅱ predicted mortality rate was 1.78% (1.20%) (M(IQR)) (range: 0.96% to 4.86%). The clinical data were collected and analyzed retrospectively to evaluate the clinical efficacy by comparing preoperative and postoperative echocardiographic parameters using paired t-test, paired Wilcoxon test or Fisher exact test, including left ventricular outflow tract peak pressure gradient, maximum interventricular septum thickness, systolic anterior motion of the anterior mitral leaflet and so on. The safety was determined by summarizing the incidence of perioperative and follow-up complications. Results: All the procedures successed with no conversion to median sternotomy, septal defect, ventricular rupture. There was no in-hospital 30-day death, neither serious complications like permanent pacemaker implantation, re-sternotomy for bleeding, low cardiac output syndrome, stroke, or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. The left ventricular outflow tract obstruction was effectively relieved in all patients expect a patient developed residual obstruction. Compared with that of pre-operation, the thickness of the interventricular septum was significantly reduced from (22.1±4.0) mm to (10.3±1.7) mm (t=10.693, P<0.01), while the left ventricular outflow tract peak pressure gradient was significantly reduced from (81.7±21.1) mmHg to 12.3 (11.5) mmHg (Z=-2.805, P<0.01) (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). Conclusion: Thoracoscopic trans-mitral myectomy is an effective and safe procedure for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients with left midventricular obstruction.

[The 492nd case: recurrent thrombosis, thrombocytopenia].

A 43-year-old female patient was admitted with recurrent thrombosis for more than 2 years and thrombocytopenia for more than 1 year. Both arterial and venous thromboses developed especially at rare sites even during anticoagulation therapy such as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Antinuclear antibody, anti-ENA antibody and antiphospholipid antibody were all negative. Platelet count elevated to normal after high dose glucocorticoid and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Immune thrombocytopenia was suspected. When 4 grade thrombocytopenia recurred, intravenous heparin, rituximab 600 mg, IVIG and eltrombopag were administrated. After 3 weeks, thrombocytopenia did not improve, and new thrombosis developed instead. Screening of thrombophilia related genes revealed PROS1 gene heterozygous mutation and MTHFR TT genotype. Low amount of serum IgG κ monoclonal protein was detected. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia was differentiated and excluded. Finally, serum negative antiphospholipid syndrome was considered the most likely diagnosis. Dexamethasone 20 mg/day × 4 days combined with sirolimus 2 mg/day was prescribed. The patient was discharged with low molecular weight heparin. At one month, her headache was greatly relieved. The platelet count raised to 20-30×109/L, and no new thrombosis or bleeding was reported.

[Application of mechanical debulking in arteriosclerosis occlusive disease of lower extremity].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of mechanical debulking in treating arteriosclerosis occlusive disease of lower extremity. Methods: The clinical data of 52 arteriosclerosis occlusive disease of lower extremity cases treated with Rotarex mechanical debulking system from June 2017 to June 2020 at Department of Intervention Vascular Surgery,Peking University Third Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 37 males and 15 females,aged(69.4±10.1)years(range:47 to 89 years).Lesion length was (21.6±12.9)cm(range:4 to 45 cm),occlusion length was (18.5±11.8)cm(range:4 to 45 cm).The lesion was located in iliac artery(IA) in 6 cases,femoral-popliteal artery(FPA) in 42 cases,and both IA and FPA in 4 cases. All the cases were treated with Rotarex mechanical debulking system. Residual stenosis more than 50% were treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA).Drug coated balloon was used in part of them,and stent was used only when it was necessary. The patient's operation, complications, postoperative target vessel restenosis and reoperation were collected. The paired sample t test and rank sum test was used for data comparison and the postoperative target vessel patency rate was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curve. Results: All the 52 cases obtained technical success. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was used in all cases,and drug coated balloon were used in 11 cases. Twenty-six stents were implanted in 24 cases (2 cases implanted 2 stents).Nine stents were implanted in IA and 15 in FPA. The length of stents was (11.3±3.3)cm(range:6 to 23 cm).There were 3 procedure related complications: one of them was acute occlusion in an iliac lesion,and thrombectomy was applied urgently,and the result was good. And the other two were distal embolism. The thrombus were took out with guiding catheter. The hospital stay was (4.8±1.9)days. The ankle brachial index increased from 0.34±0.16 to 0.81±0.16 after treatment(t=-25.160,P<0.01).The Rutherford stages decreased from (M(IQR)) 3(1) to 1(1(Z=-6.825,P<0.01).The median followed up time was 19 months(range:6 to 42 months).Two cases stopped antiplatelet agents during follow-up and which result in acute thrombosis 2 weeks and 2 months later respectively. One of them was treated with percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy and the other one was not for gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Four cases died during follow-up,one case died of lung cancer,one died of abdominal infection,and the other 2 cases died of cardiovascular disease,and no amputation was observed. Target lesion restenosis(TLR) more than 50% occurred in 13 cases during the follow-up. All TLR were observed in FPA,and target lesion revascularization was taken in 3 of them. According to Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis,half-year,1-year and 2-year cumulative patency rates of target vessels in this group was 94.2%,87.4% and 51.4%, respectively. And half-year and 1-year cumulative patency rates just in FPA cases was 92.9% and 84.3%, respectively. Conclusions: Percutaneous mechanical debulking using Rotarex catheter combining PTA can reduce the use of stents in femoral-popliteal artery. It is safe and effective in treating with arteriosclerosis obliterans of lower extremity.

[The 491st case: thrombocytosis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, intestinal perforation].

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) featured by clonal proliferation of platelets, thrombosis and hemorrhage. Portal hypertension is a serious complication of ET associated with poor prognosis. We report a patient with ET complicated with acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and intestinal perforation due to portal hypertension. She had an uneventful recovery after surgical and endoscopic treatment.

[Application of Rotarex mechanical thrombectomy system in acute lower limb ischemia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Rotarex mechanical thrombectomy system in treating acute lower limb ischemia. METHODS: From December 2017 to December 2019, the clinical data of 23 acute lower limb ischemia cases treated with Rotarex mechanical thrombectomy system were retrospectively analyzed. There were 14 males and 9 females from 53- to 84-year-old patients and the mean age was (69.1±9.1) years. Duration of symptoms was 6 hours to 14 days (median time 7 days). In the study, 8 acute thromboembolism cases and 15 acute thrombosis cases were included (In which, there was one thromboangiitis obliterans case and two in-stent restenosis cases). In 5 cases, the lesions were located above the groin; in 16 cases, the lesions were located below the groin, and in the other 2 cases, the lesions were located both above and below the groin. All the cases were treated with Rotarex mechanical thrombectomy system. When residual stenosis was greater than 50%, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was used, and stent was used only when it was necessary. Heparin was used 24 h after the procedure, and after that, antiplatelet agents were used in acute thrombosis cases, and oral anti-coagulants were used in acute thromboembolism cases. Doppler ultrasonography was taken during the follow-up. RESULTS: In all the 23 cases, there were 22 successful cases and 1 unsuccessful case, the mean procedure time was (68.2±15.6) min. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was used in 18 cases, 7 of which were implanted stents (3 stents were implanted in iliac artery and 4 in superficial femoral artery). There were 3 procedure related complications. The first one was arterial wall injury which resulted in contrast medium extravazation, and in this case, we solved it with prolonged balloon inflation. The second one was distal embolism. We took out the thrombus with guiding catheter. The last one was acute occlusion in a stent, and thrombectomy was applied urgently, and the result was good. Mean hospital stay were (3.6±1.7) days. The ankle brachial index (ABI) increased from 0.25±0.10 to 0.85±0.16 after treatment (t=12.901, P < 0.001). All the patients were followed up for 4.0-28.0 months, and the median time was 12.0 months. One patient stopped antiplatelet agents, which resulted in acute thrombosis 2 months later. Another percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy and PTA were taken. In the failed case, the patient suffered amputation above the knee 3 months later and in another case, the patient died of heart failure 8 months after the procedure. Two target lesion restenosis occurred during the follow-up. Because the patients' symptom was not sever, no procedure was taken. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy using Rotarex catheter is safe and effective in treating acute lower limb ischemia. For one side, it can restore blood flow to the affected limbs quickly, and for the other, it has the characteristics of minimally invasive and good repeatability. So it should be considered that this me-thod can be widely used for acute lower limb ischemia.

[Application of Rotarex mechanical thrombectomy system in treating in-stent restenosis of lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of Rotarex mechanical thrombectomy system in treating instent restenosis of peripheral artery disease (PAD). METHODS: The clinical data of 7 in-stent restenosis (ISR) cases of lower extremity PAD from June 2017 to Dec 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 5 males and 2 females and the mean age was (70.0±7.6) years from 59.0 to 76.0 years. All the cases were treated by Rotarex mechanical thrombectomy system. In the 7 cases, time interval from the previous stent implantation to ischemia recurrence was 1.0 to 72.0 months, and the median time was 6.0 months. The period from ischemia recurrence to endovascular therapy was 3 days to 2 years, and the median time was 62 days. Rotarex mechanical debulking catheter and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) were used in all the cases, and the stent was used only when it was necessary. Anticoagulation was used for 24 hours after procedures and then antiplatelet agents were used as usual. Doppler ultrasonography was taken during the followed-up. RESULTS: All the 7 cases were successful in technology, 3 of which were implanted with new stents for the fracture of the old ones. while for the other four cases, no new stent was implanted. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) increased from 0.31±0.08 to 0.86±0.08 after treatment (t=-12.84, P < 0.001). Thrombectomy was applied urgently in one case because of acute thrombosis in the stent, and the result was good. There was no other complications in hospital. All the patients were followed up for 5.0-22.0 months, and the median time was 14.0 months. No death and amputation occurred during the follow-up. One patient stopped antiplatelet agents because of gastrointestinal bleeding, which resulted in acute thrombosis. in-stent restenosis reappeared in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: Debulking using Rotarex catheter is safe and effective in treating in-stent restenosis of PAD, especially in reducing stents implantation, but is not good at dealing with old thrombus and proliferating intima, and can do nothing about fractured stents and hyperplasia of intima, so it needs to be combined with stents and drug coated balloons.

[Treatment and prognosis of 826 infants with critical congenital heart disease: a single center retrospective study].

Objective: To analyze the current status of clinical treatment and factors influencing postoperative mortality in infants with critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) in China, optimize the perioperative management of CCHD, and provide a new scientific basis for clinical decision-making for the optimal management of these patients. Methods: This is a retrospective single-center study. Infants diagnosed with CCHD in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from January 2017 to December 2019 (aged 0-1 years at admission) were enrolled. General clinical information, inpatient treatment information, prognosis and complications were collected and analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the independent risk factors of postoperative death in infants with CCHD. Results: A total of 826 infants with CCHD were included, including 556 males (67.3%) and the age at first admission was 51.0 (5.0,178.3) days. 264 (32.0%) cases were tetralogy of Fallot and 137 (16.6%) cases were total anomalous pulmonary venous return. 195 cases (23.6%) were diagnosed prenatally. 196 cases (23.7%) were treated with prostaglandin. The preoperative invasive ventilation time was 0 (0, 0) hour, and the postoperative invasive ventilation time was 95.0 (26.0, 151.8) hours. A total of 668 cases (80.9%) underwent surgical treatment. The age was 100.5 (20.0, 218.0) days during operation and the operation time was 190.0 (155.0, 240.0) hours. Sixty-two cases (7.5%) received medical treatment, and 96 cases (11.6%) gave up treatment. A total of 675 cases (81.7%) were discharged with improvement, 96 cases (11.6%) were discharged after giving up treatment, 55 cases (6.7%) died and 109 cases (13.2%) were readmitted within one year. Complications occurred in 565 (68.6%) cases, including pneumonia in 334 cases (40.4%) and cardiac arrhythmias in 182 cases (22.0%). Multifactorial analysis showed that delayed chest closure (OR=49.775, 95%CI 3.291-752.922, P=0.005), prolonged post-operative invasive ventilator ventilation (OR=1.003, 95%CI 1.000-1.005, P=0.038) and cardiac hypoplasia syndrome (OR=272.658, 95%CI 37.861-1 963.589, P<0.001) were the independent risk factors for mortality in CCHD infants post-operation. Conclusions: Tetralogy of Fallot and total anomalous pulmonary venous return account for the majority of infants with CCHD. The proportion of infants diagnosed prenatally was less than 1/4. The majority CCHD infants received surgical treatment. The main complications are pneumonia and arrhythmia. Delayed chest closure, prolonged postoperative invasive ventilator ventilation and low cardiac output syndrome are the independent risk factors for postoperative death in infants with CCHD.

Separation of hemodynamic signals from GCaMP fluorescence measured with wide-field imaging.

Wide-field calcium imaging is often used to measure brain dynamics in behaving mice. With a large field of view and a high sampling rate, wide-field imaging can monitor activity from several distant cortical areas simultaneously, revealing cortical interactions. Interpretation of wide-field images is complicated, however, by the absorption of light by hemoglobin, which can substantially affect the measured fluorescence. One approach to separating hemodynamics and calcium signals is to use multiwavelength backscatter recordings to measure light absorption by hemoglobin. Following this approach, we develop a spatially detailed regression-based method to estimate hemodynamics. This Spatial Model is based on a linear form of the Beer-Lambert relationship but is fit at every pixel in the image and does not rely on the estimation of physical parameters. In awake mice of three transgenic lines, the Spatial Model offers improved separation of hemodynamics and changes in GCaMP fluorescence. The improvement is pronounced near blood vessels and, in contrast with the Beer-Lambert equations, can remove vascular artifacts along the sagittal midline and in general permits more accurate fluorescence-based determination of neuronal activity across the cortex.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This paper addresses a well-known and strong source of contamination in wide-field calcium-imaging data: hemodynamics. To guide researchers toward the best method to separate calcium signals from hemodynamics, we compare the performance of several methods in three commonly used mouse lines and present a novel regression model that outperforms the other techniques we consider.

[Study on the effect of direct anti-human globulin test positive strength on patients' red blood cell transfusion].

Objective: To investigate the effect of direct antiglobulin test (DAT) positive strength on the clinical effect of red blood cell transfusion. Methods: The clinical data was collected on blood transfusion compatibility test and clinical transfusion of patients who underwent DAT testing from January 2015 to March 2019 in the Department of Blood Transfusion, Beijing Shijitan Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University. A retrospective cohort study method was used to analyze the correlation between the DAT positive strength and the blood match results, irregular antibody test results, bilirubin value after blood transfusion, and red blood cell transfusion effect. Results: According to the blood matching test results, the minor cross-matching results were significantly correlated with the DAT strength (r=0.58, P<0.01). The DAT strength of the antibody-screening positive patients was greater (χ(2)=126.810, P<0.01). DAT-positive strength influences the direct bilirubin, the higher the DAT-positive strength, the higher the direct bilirubin concentration of the patients (χ(2)=32.069, P<0.01). DAT-positive strength also had an effect on patients' total bilirubin value (χ(2)=17.981, P=0.001). From the effect of red blood cell transfusion, patients with a DAT positive strength of 0.5 had a lower effective rate of transfusion (28.6%). The remaining DAT strength had no relation to the effect of red blood cell transfusion, and the efficiency of blood transfusion in patients with different DAT-positive strengths (1, 2, 3, 4) was 57.0%, 60.1%, 65.6% and 60.0%, respectively. With the same DAT strength, the patient's transfusion efficiency was higher (χ(2)=41.071, P=0.009). Conclusion: Different DAT-positive strengths are correlated with the patient's minor cross-match results and bilirubin content, while the effect of red blood cell transfusion has no significant correlation with DAT-positive strength. However, with the increase of DAT positive strength, patients are more likely to have irregular antibodies.