Traditional Chinese medicine for pressure ulcer: a meta-analysis.

To assess the effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) [Chinese herbal medicine ointment (CHMO), acupuncture and moxibustion] on pressure ulcer. In this study, we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTER, CBM, CNKI, WAN FANG and VIP for articles published from database inception up to 4 April 2011. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), which compared the effects of TCM with other interventions. We assessed the methodological quality of these trials using Cochrane risk of bias criteria. Ten of 565 potentially relevant trails that enrolled a total of 893 patients met our inclusion criteria. All the included RCTs only used CHMO intervention, because acupuncture and moxibustion trials failed to meet the inclusive criteria. A meta-analysis showed beneficial effects of CHMO for pressure ulcer compared with other treatments on the total effective rate [risk ratio (RR): 1·28; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1·20-1·36; P = 0·53; I(2) = 0%), curative ratio (RR: 2·02; 95% CI: 1·73-2·35; P = 0·11; I(2) = 37%) and inefficiency rate (RR: 0·16; 95% CI: 0·02-0·80; P = 0·84; I(2) = 0%). However, the funnel plot indicated that there was publication bias in this study. The evidence that CHMO is effective for pressure ulcer is encouraging, but due to several caveats, not conclusive. Therefore, more rigorous studies seem warranted.

[GAO Wei-bin's clinical experience of electric eye acupuncture and stagnant-moving needling for ophthalmopathy].

Professor GAO Wei-bin's clinical experience of electric eye acupuncture and stagnant-moving needling for ophthalmopathy was introduced. The indications of electric eye acupuncture and stagnant-moving needling include external ophtalmoplegia and visual impairment. Professor GAO has proposed new acupoints at the ocular muscles attachment of eyeball, and put forward five experience points: Shangming point, Neiming point, Xiaming point, Waiming point and Tijian point. The points are selected according to different pathological changes of ocular muscles. In the treatment of ophthalmopathy, the tendons and vessels are often regulated at the same time. Neiming point, Shangming point, Xiaming point and Qiuhou point are the main points, with Fengchi (GB 20) and Gongxue (Extra) as the matching points. In addition, attention is paid to the application of stagnant-moving needling and electroacupuncture (continuous dense wave, frequency of 50 Hz).

The changes of the peripheral CD4+ lymphocytes and inflammatory cytokines in Patients with COVID-19.

To investigate the clinical value of changes in the subtypes of peripheral blood lymphocytes and levels of inflammatory cytokines in patients with COVID-19, the total numbers of lymphocytes and CD4+ lymphocytes and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ lymphocytes were calculated and observed in different groups of patients with COVID-19. The results show that the lymphocytopenia in patients with COVID-19 was mainly manifested by decreases in the CD4+ T lymphocyte number and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio. The decreased number of CD4+ T lymphocytes and the elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were correlated with the severity of COVID-19 disease.

Complications associated with transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the complications associated with transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (PmVSD) using the Amplazter PmVSD occluder (AGA Medical, USA). METHODS: Between October 2002 and November 2006, transcatheter closure PmVSD was attempted in 210 patients and performed in 206 patients. Those patients were followed-up for 6-24 months (mean, 10.6 +/- 3.9 months) to identify the complications. RESULTS: Device implantation was successfully accomplished in 206 of the 210 patients (98%). Serious complications such as high degree atrioventricular block (AV block), infective endocarditis, and device embolization occurred in eight cases (3.8%). Other complications including mild aortic or tricuspid regurgitation, femoral pseudoaneurysm, and femoral arteriovenous fistula occurred in four cases. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter closure of PmVSD can be performed safely and successfully. But further studies should continue to evaluate the potential complications associated with this procedure.

Atrioventricular block: a serious complication in and after transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter closure is an effective approach for perimembranous ventricular septal defects (PMVSD). However, atrioventricular blocks (AVB) emerged possibly due to the close proximity of the PMVSD to the conduction system, but concern for the complication was not adequately emphasized. In this study, we report the incidence of AVBs, in and after transcatheter closure of a PMVSD, and the outcome of the complication in our center. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-eight PMVSD patients were accepted for transcatheter closure with Amplazter PMVSD occluder (AGA Medical, Plymouth, Minn., USA). The procedure was discontinued when a second- or third-degree AVB occurred. A steroid was administered to all patients who developed AVBs. Temporary pacemakers were inserted in patients who developed a complete AVB or Mobitz type II AVB during or after the procedure. RESULTS: During the follow-up period of 6-24 mo (mean 10.6 +/- 3.9), the incidence of AVBs occurring during or after transcatheter closure of PMVSD was 3.5%. The AVB disappeared quickly after discontinuing the procedure in patients who developed AVBs during the procedure, whereas the AVBs disappeared between 2 and 21 d (mean 8.0 +/- 8.8) in the patients who developed AVBs after the procedure. However, complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB) was observed, and a transient complete AVB emerged after 8 mo in 1 case, incomplete right bundle branch block (IRBBB) in 1 case, and CRBBB and left anterior hemiblock (LAH) in 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: The AVB is a serious complication during and after transcathter closure of PMVSD. More attention should be paid to the complication, and multicentres are required to monitor the complication.