[Efficacy of arteriovenous argatroban versus heparin flush anticoagulation after cardiovascular surgery].

Objective: To compare the effects of arteriovenous argatroban and heparin flushes on platelet count and assess the occurrence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and other complications in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgeries. Methods: A single-center, prospective randomized control study was conducted. Patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery at Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from March to December 2019 were randomly divided into the argatroban group (250 ml normal saline plus 2.5 mg of argatroban) and the heparin group (250 ml normal saline plus 10 mg of heparin). Platelet count, hemorrhage, and thrombosis were assessed. The 4T scores of HIT, the incidences of HIT and other complications were also evaluated. Results: A total of 491 patients (307 males and 184 females) were included in the study, with a mean age of (52.3±13.7) years. There were 245 cases in the argatroban group and 246 cases in the heparin group, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the preoperative platelet count between the argatroban and heparin groups [198.0 (161.0, 248.0)×109/L vs 194.0 (157.2, 243.8)×109/L, P=0.498]. Likewise, there were no statistically significant differences in the platelet count between the argatroban and heparin groups at 12 h, 1 day, and 5 days after operation [127.0 (100.0, 154.0)×109/L vs 121.5 (90.2, 149.0)×109/L, 126.0 (97.0, 162.0)×109/L vs 123.5 (88.0, 151.0)×109/L, 168.0 (130.0, 215.0) ×109/L vs 161.0 (101.0, 210.5)×109/L] (repeated measures ANOVA between groups: F=3.327, P=0.069; time comparison: F=532.523, P<0.001; time interaction between groups: F=0.675, P=0.512). The proportion of 4T scores of medium and high scores (≥4)[9.8% (24/245) vs 10.6% (26/246), P=0.777] and incidence of HIT antibody positive [1.63% (4/245) vs 1.63% (4/246), P=0.726] were similar between argatroban group and the heparin group. Mechanical ventilation time was shorter in the argatroban group than that in the heparin group [13.0 (11.0, 21.0) vs 15.5 (12.0, 21.0) h, P=0.020]. Conclusion: Compared with heparin, routine management with argatroban for arteriovenous flush in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery does not affect the HIT incidence.

[Association of thrombocytopenia with mortality after surgery in patients with Standford type A aortic dissection].

Objective: To evaluate the association of thromboytopenia with mortality of Standford type A aortic dissection after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Methods: Total of 498 patients with Standford type A aortic dissection after surgery in Fuwai Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from May 2017 to December 2018 were collected retrospectively. There were 350 males and 148 females, with a mean age of (51.7±12.0) years. The patients were divided into thrombocytopenia group (platelet count<75×1015/L, n=178) and normal platelet group (platelet count≥75×1015/L, n=320) according to the lowest platelet count within 72 hours after surgery. The perioperative in-hospital mortality and related complications were calculated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality, and the secondary endpoints included secondary thoracotomy, pneumonia, postoperative continuous renal replacement therapy, paraplegia, heart failure, length of hospital stay and intensive care unit (ICU) stay time. Results: The morbidity of thrombocytopenia after Standford type A aortic dissection surgery was 35.7% (178/498). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that postoperative thrombocytopenia was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality and 7 secondary endpoints (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed thrombocytopenia after aortic dissection surgery was significantly associated with increased postoperative mortality (OR=12.57, 95%CI: 2.26-69.93, P=0.004), secondary thoracotomy (OR=6.21, 95%CI: 1.31-29.46, P=0.022), continuous renal replacement therapy (OR=7.51, 95%CI: 2.53-22.34, P<0.001), paraplegia (OR=23.99, 95%CI: 1.47-392.21, P=0.026), heart failure (OR=4.71, 95%CI: 1.19-18.62, P=0.027) and longer ICU stay time (OR=1.86, 95%CI: 1.11-3.12, P=0.019). Conclusions: Thrombocytopenia after Standford type A aortic dissection after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery (the lowest platelet count within 72 hours) is strongly associated with postoperative in-hospital mortality. Trying to avoid the factors related to thrombocytopenia can prevent more complications at the same time.

[The application value of diaphragm ultrasound in the weaning of ventilator for patients undergoing heart valve replacement].

Objective: To explore the role of diaphragm ultrasound in guiding the successful weaning of ventilators in patients undergoing heart valve replacement. Methods: Prospectively selected 103 patients who received heart valve replacement in the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Fuwai Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from December 2019 to February 2021 were selected, who have received mechanical ventilation for ≥48 h and have entered the pre-weaning spontaneous breathing test. The patients were divided into a successful weaning group (n=83) and failed weaning group (n=20) according to the patient's weaning result. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the value of diaphragm thickening rate and diaphragmatic excursion to predict the result of ventilator weaning. Results: Among 83 patients in the successful weaning group, 52 were male patients and 31 were female patients, with an average age of (56.5±5.5) years; 20 patients in the failed weaning group included 12 male patients and 8 female patients, with an average The age is (57.3±6.2) years old.The left DTF, right DTF, left DE, and right DE of the patients in the successfully weaned group were (39.0±17.8)%, (57.7±1.2)%, (11.9±4.3) mm, (18.5±1.4) mm, respectively, which were higher than those in the weaning failure group (18.1±4.5)%, (19.9±2.3)%, (6.2±2.8) mm, (11.9±1.5) mm, respectively. And the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the best cut-off values, the sensitivity and the specificity for the thickening rate of the left diaphragms of patients with successful weaning were 61%, 90.46% and 87.83%, respectively; while the best cut-off values, the sensitivity and the specificity for the thickening rate of the right diaphragms of patients with successful weaning were 88%, 96.07% and 89.67%, respectively. The optimal cut-off values, the sensitivity and the specificity of mobility of the left right diaphragms of patients are 11.3 mm, 81.38% and 80.24%, respectively; while the optimal cut-off values, the sensitivity and the specificity of right diaphragms of patients were 12.7 mm, 87.23% and 85.56%, respectively. Conclusion: Diaphragm ultrasound can more accurately predict the outcome of ventilator weaning in patients undergoing heart valve replacement surgery, and it has good clinical application value.

[Diagnosis and treatment value of bedside pulmonary ultrasound for atelectasis in patients after cardiac surgery].

Objective: To investigate the value of bedside pulmonary ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of atelectasis in patients after cardiac surgery. Methods: A total of 45 patients developed respiratory failure within 1 week after cardiovascular surgery from April 2017 to April 2018 were enrolled in this study. Among them, 27 were male and 18 were female, mean age was (47±5) years. The postoperative pulmonary ultrasound and chest CT findings were collected, and the consistency, efficacy evaluation, timeliness and safety value of pulmonary ultrasound and chest CT diagnosis were compared. The consistency of the two diagnostic methods was checked based on the Kappa consistency test. Results: A total of 87 foci of atelectasis were diagnosed in 45 patients, including 29 foci of complete atelectasis and 58 foci of incomplete atelectasis. Thoracic CT examination confirmed 44 cases of atelectasis (positive rate 97.8%), and 42 cases (93.3%) were found with atelectasis with ultrasound test. The two methods were consistent in the diagnosis of atelectasis (Kappa value was 0.741, P<0.05). In the evaluation of the atelectasis, the results of the two examination methods were completely consistent, and the pulmonary ultrasound couldcheck the lung recruitment in real time. Ultrasound examination after lung recruitment showed that the total ventilation score of 42 patients decreased significantly when compared with that before treatment ((18.3±3.6) vs (26.6±3.8), t=10.229, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the safety between the two examination methods. The time the bedside pulmonary ultrasound used was significantly shorter than that in the chest CT. Conclusions: The accuracy of bedside pulmonary ultrasound in assessing atelectasis after cardiovascular surgery is consistent with chest CT, it brings dynamic monitoring of lung status and assessment of lung recruitment by changes in lung ventilation scores. The inspection takes a short time and is worth promoting.

[Experts consensus on the management of delirium in critically ill patients].

To establish the experts consensus on the management of delirium in critically ill patients. A special committee was set up by 15 experts from the Chinese Critical Hypothermia-Sedation Therapy Study Group. Each statement was assessed based on the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) principle. Then the Delphi method was adopted by 36 experts to reassess all the statements. (1) Delirium is not only a mental change, but also a clinical syndrome with multiple pathophysiological changes. (2) Delirium is a form of disturbance of consciousness and a manifestation of abnormal brain function. (3) Pain is a common cause of delirium in critically ill patients. Analgesia can reduce the occurrence and development of delirium. (4) Anxiety or depression are important factors for delirium in critically ill patients. (5) The correlation between sedative and analgesic drugs and delirium is uncertain. (6) Pay attention to the relationship between delirium and withdrawal reactions. (7) Pay attention to the relationship between delirium and drug dependence/withdrawal reactions. (8) Sleep disruption can induce delirium. (9) We should be vigilant against potential risk factors for persistent or recurrent delirium. (10) Critically illness related delirium can affect the diagnosis and treatment of primary diseases, and can also be alleviated with the improvement of primary diseases. (11) Acute change of consciousness and attention deficit are necessary for delirium diagnosis. (12) The combined assessment of confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit and intensive care delirium screening checklist can improve the sensitivity of delirium, especially subclinical delirium. (13) Early identification and intervention of subclinical delirium can reduce its risk of clinical delirium. (14) Daily assessment is helpful for early detection of delirium. (15) Hopoactive delirium and mixed delirium are common and should be emphasized. (16) Delirium may be accompanied by changes in electroencephalogram. Bedside electroencephalogram monitoring should be used in the ICU if conditions warrant. (17) Pay attention to differential diagnosis of delirium and dementia/depression. (18) Pay attention to the role of rapid delirium screening method in delirium management. (19) Assessment of the severity of delirium is an essential part of the diagnosis of delirium. (20) The key to the management of delirium is etiological treatment. (21) Improving environmental factors and making patient comfort can help reduce delirium. (22) Early exercise can reduce the incidence of delirium and shorten the duration of delirium. (23) Communication with patients should be emphasized and strengthened. Family members participation can help reduce the incidence of delirium and promote the recovery of delirium. (24) Pay attention to the role of sleep management in the prevention and treatment of delirium. (25) Dexmedetomidine can shorten the duration of hyperactive delirium or prevent delirium. (26) When using antipsychotics to treat delirium, we should be alert to its effect on the heart rhythm. (27) Delirium management should pay attention to brain functional exercise. (28) Compared with non-critically illness related delirium, the relief of critically illness related delirium will not accomplished at one stroke. (29) Multiple management strategies such as ABCDEF, eCASH and ESCAPE are helpful to prevent and treat delirium and improve the prognosis of critically ill patients. (30) Shortening the duration of delirium can reduce the occurrence of long-term cognitive impairment. (31) Multidisciplinary cooperation and continuous quality improvement can improve delirium management. Consensus can promote delirium management in critically ill patients, optimize analgesia and sedation therapy, and even affect prognosis.

[Short-term efficacy of anti-IgE monoclonal antibody in patients with recurrent chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps combined with asthma].

Objective: To investigate the short-term efficacy of anti-IgE monoclonal antibody (Omalizumab) in the treatment of recurrent chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) complicated with asthma. Methods: Patients with recurrent CRSwNP and comorbid asthma in Beijing TongRen Hospital from May to December of 2020 were continuously recruited and received a 4-month therapy of stable background treatment plus Omalizumab. Results of visual analog scales (VAS) of nasal symptoms, sino-nasal outcome test-22 (SNOT 22) and nasal polyp scores were collected at baseline and post-treatment (1, 2, 3 and 4 months after treatment). Blood routine tests, total nasal resistances (TNR), minimum cross-sectional areas (MCA), total nasal cavity volumes (NCV), forced expiratory volumes in one second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) and adverse events were collected at baseline and 4 months after treatment. All results were evaluated for short-term efficacy of Omalizumab. GraphPad Prism 8.2.1 was used for statistic analysis. Results: Ten patients were collected, including 3 males and 7 females, aged (41.13±12.64) years old (x¯±s). Compared to results at baseline, the VAS scores of nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, hyposmia and headache after 4 months treatment were significantly decreased (1.80±1.48 vs 6.70±2.83, 2.40±1.27 vs 6.40±3.44, 2.70±2.91 vs 8.20±2.25, 0.60±1.08 vs 3.60±2.72, t value was 5.045, 4.243, 5.312, 3.402, respectively, all P<0.01). The scores of SNOT-22 (25.6±20 vs 61.3±33.32, t=4.127, P=0.002 6), nasal polyp scores (2.20±0.92 vs 4.60±0.84, t=9.000, P<0.01) and the count and percentage of eosinophils in peripheral blood were significantly decreased ((94.10±97.78)×109/L vs (360.00±210.80)×109/L, (32.90±27.06)% vs (64.40±20.73)%, t value was 3.678, 2.957, respectively, all P<0.05). NCV (0-5 cm and 0-7 cm) of patients were improved from baseline ((12.62±2.84) cm3 vs (10.40±2.09) cm3, (27.50±14.15) cm3 vs (16.81±6.40) cm3, t value was 2.371, 2.445, respectively, all P<0.05). Conclusions: The 4-month treatment of Omalizumab can significantly improve the nasal symptoms and quality of life of patients with recurrent CRSwNP complicated with asthma, shrink nasal polyps size and reduce the number of peripheral blood eosinophils. Omalizumab can be used as an alternative therapy for refractory CRSwNP patients in the future.

[Long-term efficacy of house dust mite subcutaneous immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis patients].

Objective:This study was aimed to compare the long-term effects of house dust mite (HDM) subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in a cohort of Chinese pediatric and adult patients with allergic rhinitis (AR).Method:Total of 48 AR patients received standardized HDM-SCIT for 3 years, and they received 3 years of standardized dust mite-specific subcutaneous immunotherapy, followed by 2 years after treatment. Prior to treatment (baseline) and at the end of the 3-year and 5-year treatment periods, all patients were evaluated for total nasal symptom scores(TNSS),total combined score (TCS;symptoms(nasal+ocular)+daily medication score),and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire(RQLQ).Safety of HDM-SCIT was assessed according to adverse events reported.Result:Fifteen pediatric and 33 adult AR patients completed the study.HDM-SCIT significantly improved symptoms and RQLQ scores at the 3 rd year and 5th year in both children and adults. Superior efficacy was observed at the 3-year and 5-year timepoints in children compared to adults. The safety of HDM-SCIT was comparable in children and adults with AR.Conclusion:A 3-year course of HDM-SCIT is an effective, safe and sustainable long-term treatment in both pediatric patients and adults with AR, although children appear to achieve better long-term efficacy compared to the adults.

[Minimum battery of test inhalant allergens needed in screeningallergic rhinitis patients in Beijing].

Objective:The aim was to assess the prevalence of sensitized inhalant allergens in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), analyze the differences of aeroallergen sensitization rates (SRs) in different areas, and define the minimal number and the type of aeroallergens required to identify patients as sensitized. Method:Six thousand two hundred and eighty five patients suffering from AR symptoms in Beijing, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Hebei and Shandong areas underwent standardized skin prick test (SPT) with 20 common aeroallergens during the period from Jan 2011 to Jul 2013 when seeking medical help in Beijing Tongren Hospital. The differences of aeroallergen sensitization rates in different areas were compared. Chi square was used in statistical analysis. Conditional approach allowed to determine the aeroallergen selection. Result:Among the 6 285 self-reported AR patients investigated, 5 575 (88.7%) patients had at least one positive skin prick reaction. The most common aeroallergen in Beijing, Heilongjiang, Hebei and Shandongwere house dust mites (HDMs). SRs of HDMs in these four areas decreased with latitude increment, whereas SRs of mugwort, ragweed and dandelion in these four areas increased with latitude increment. The three most prevalent aeroallergens in Inner Mongolia were mugwort (59.86%), ragweed (47.62%) and dandelion (46.26%), respectively. Overall, 8 allergens allowed identification ≥95% of sensitized subjects in Beijing. Conclusion:Der f was the most prevalent allergen in patients with AR in Beijing, Heilongjiang, Hebei and Shandong Areas, whereas SR of mugwort was highest in Inner Mongolia. Sensitization pattern of aeroallergens varied with areas. Eight allergens allowed identification of the majority of sensitized subjects in screening panels for allergy in Beijing.

Effects of olmesartan therapy on the expression of lung adrenoceptors in rats with chronic heart failure.

INTRODUCTION: Adrenergic receptors (AR) play important roles in regulating lung function. However, there are few reports concerning AR expression and the protective effect of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) on the lung in chronic heart failure (CHF). In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of the ARB olmesartan on the lung in CHF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control, sham-operated rats, rats with CHF induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary arteries, and rats with CHF treated with olmesartan (1 mg/kg) once daily for 8 weeks. Heart function, plasma renin activity (PRA) and angiotensin II (Ang II) levels, lung microscopic structure inspection and mRNA and protein expressions of α1A-, ß1- and ß2-AR in lung were tested. RESULTS: Compared with the CHF group, PRA and Ang II levels were decreased while heart function and mRNA and protein expression of α1A-AR, ß1-AR and ß2-AR were up-regulated in the olmesartan group (p<0.05 or p<0.01). The inflammation and cell proliferation in CHF lung tissue were reduced in the olmesartan group. CONCLUSION: Olmesartan may play a beneficial role in protecting lung in CHF by up-regulating AR and decreasing levels of PRA and Ang II.

The protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: The application of newer signaling pathway-targeted agents has become an important addition to chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and toxicities of PKC inhibitors combined with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for patients with advanced NSCLC systematically. PATIENTS AND MATERIALS: Literature retrieval, trials selection and assessment, data collection, and statistic analysis were performed according to the Cochrane Handbook 5.1.0. The outcome measures were tumor response rate, disease control rate, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse effects. RESULTS: Five randomized controlled trials, comprising totally 1,005 patients, were included in this study. Meta-analysis showed significantly decreased response rate (RR 0.79; 95 % CI 0.64-0.99) and disease control rate (RR 0.90; 95 % CI 0.82-0.99) in PKC inhibitors-chemotherapy groups versus chemotherapy groups. There was no significant difference between the two treatment groups regarding progression-free survival (PFS, HR 1.05; 95 % CI 0.91-1.22) and overall survival (OS, HR 1.00; 95 % CI 0.86-1.16). The risk of grade 3/4 neutropenia, leucopenia, and thrombosis/embolism increased significantly in PKC inhibitors combination groups as compared with chemotherapy alone groups. CONCLUSION: The use of PKC inhibitors in addition to chemotherapy was not a valid alternative for patients with advanced NSCLC.

Association of LPR5 polymorphism with bone mass density and cholesterol level in population of Chinese Han.

Recently, two single nucleotide polymorphisms, rs4355801 near the osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene and rs3736228 in the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) gene, were found to be associated with osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures in Caucasians in a genome wide association study. In the present study, we investigated the association between these two SNPs (rs4355801 and rs3736228) and bone mass density (BMD), whole body T score and metabolic phenotypes (e. g., body mass index, glucose, triglyceride, and total cholesterol) in 425 Chinese Han subjects. We observed a significant association between rs3736228 in LRP5 and hip BMD, total BMD, and T score. The level of hip BMD, total BMD, and T score was significantly reduced with the number of at risk T alleles (p=0.006, p=0.003, and p=0.006, respectively). This finding was still significant after accounting for gender and age. We also observed a significant association between rs3736228 and total cholesterol (CHO) levels in our sample. The CHO levels of the CC, CT, and TT genotypes were 4.71, 4.76, and 5.24, respectively (p=0.031). For OPG rs4355801, the level of hip BMD, spine BMD, and total BMD was consistently reduced in persons with the copy of A allele, but none of these findings were statistically significant. We also did not observe a significant association between the above two polymorphisms and body mass index, glucose, and triglyceride levels in Chinese Han subjects. Thus, our observations support the association between rs3736228 and BMD in Han subjects. We also provide first evidence that the T allele of rs3736228 increases the total cholesterol level in a general Han population.