Association of abdominal aortic calcification with longitudinal changes in left ventricular mass of patients on hemodialysis and its prognostic value.

Vascular calcification (VC) and myocardial hypertrophy are very common in patients on hemodialysis (HD). Previous studies have only assessed the cross-sectional associations of VC with left ventricular mass (LVM) and the predictive value of individual factors. The present study investigated the relationship between abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) and LVM increment over time, and the combined effect of these factors on the outcomes of HD patients. 104 HD patients were enrolled. AAC scores were evaluated on left lateral lumbar spine radiographs. Echocardiography was performed to calculate the LVM changes during a 2-year period. At baseline, 91 patients (87.5%) had varying degrees of AAC (median score 6.0, range 2.0 - 11.0). After 2 years, the mean LVM change was 7.49 g (range -5.03 - 26.00 g), and 68 patients (65%) had an increased LVM. Patients with higher baseline AAC scores had significantly larger LVM and LVM index increments. Patients with increased LVM had significantly higher baseline AAC scores and hemoglobin, serum phosphate, and hypersensitive C-reactive protein levels. Multiple stepwise linear regression demonstrated that the baseline AAC was the only independent predictor of increased LVM after 2 years. 28 patients (26.9%) died in the subsequent 5 years. Patients with lower baseline AAC scores had a significantly higher cumulative survival rate than those with higher AAC scores. However, the LVM change (either alone or in combination with the AAC score) had no significant effect on survival. In conclusion, AAC is an independent predictor of LVM increase over time in HD patients. Prevention and treatment of VC may be a promising intervention target to improve left ventricular remodeling and outcomes in HD patients.

Relationship of Serum Soluble Klotho Levels and Echocardiographic Parameters in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Uremic cardiomyopathy, characterized by myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, has a significant contribution to these adverse cardiac outcomes. The protective effect of soluble Klotho (s-Klotho) on myocardial damage was demonstrated in in vitro and animal experiments. However, data from MHD patients is limited. The present study was designed to identify potential correlations between echocardiographic parameters and serum s-Klotho levels in MHD patients. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study involving 105 MHD patients from the Dialysis Center of Capital Medical University affiliated Beijing Friendship Hospital between March and October 2014. The general information for each patient was recorded. Fasting blood samples were collected prior to hemodialysis during the mid-week session in all patients. The echocardiogram and left lateral lumbar spine radiograph were performed after the same mid-week session. The dialysis records for each session within 3 months before the blood tests were documented. According to the quartiles of s-Klotho levels, patients were divided into four groups (Group 1-4). The demographic and clinical characteristics, echocardiographic parameters, and abdominal aortic calcification scores among the groups were compared. RESULTS: The enrolled 105 patients were predominantly male (54.3%) with an average age of 59.9 ± 11.2 years. Previous hemodialysis durations were 76 (42-133) months. Sixteen (15.2%) patients had diabetes mellitus. Mean serum s-Klotho level was 411.83 ± 152.95 pg/mL, and the 25th percentile, 50th percentile, and 75th percentile values of serum s-Klotho levels were 298.9, 412, and 498.2 pg/mL, respectively. Individuals in the bottom quartile of s-Klotho levels (Group 1) had significantly increased interventricular septal thickness (IVST) compared to those in the other three quartiles of s-Klotho levels (Group 1: 1.12 ± 0.16 cm; vs. Group 2: 1.12 ± 0.16 cm, p = 0.008; vs. Group 3: 0.94 ± 0.13 cm, p < 0.001; vs. Group 4: 1.03 ± 0.1 5 cm, p = 0.022). There were significant differences in the ratios of IVST and posterior wall thickness (PWT) between patients of Group 1 and Group 3 (1.12 ± 0.1 2 vs. 1.00 ± 0.1 4, p = 0.004). No significant differences were found for other parameters among the groups. The univariate correlation analyses showed that gender (r = -0.211, p = 0.030), Kt/V urea (r = -0.240, p = 0.014), hypersensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) (r = 0.196, p = 0.045), and serum s-Klotho levels (r = -0.260, p = 0.007) significantly correlated with IVST. Ultimately, only hs-CRP and serum s-Klotho levels were entered into a multiple regression model. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that patients with lower circulating s-Klotho levels were more often associated with larger IVST and greater ratios of IVST and PWT. There was an independent association between s-Klotho and IVST, and lower s-Klotho levels seem to be a potential risk factor of uremic cardiomyopathy in MHD patients.

[Effect of indwelling drainage tube and extubation time on recessive hemorrhage and functional recovery after total hip arthroplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To study and compare the effect of indwelling drainage tube and extubation time on occult hemorrhage and functional recovery after total hip arthroplasty(THA). METHODS: From July 2017 to June 2018, 123 patients who underwent THA in our hospital for the first time were selected as the subjects of study. According to whether the drainage tube was retained or not and the time of extubation, they were divided into three groups:in group A, 41 patients (24 males, 17 females, age 53 to 77 years) did not put drainage tube after THA;in group B, 41 patients were removed 24 hours after THA, 26 males and 15 females, aged 55 to 74 years;in group C, 41 patients were removed 48 hours after THA, 25 males and 16 females, aged 52 to 75 years. The VAS score of pain 72 hours after THA, the total and recessive blood loss, the time of starting functional exercise, and the incidence of postoperative limb swelling were recorded. All the patients were followed up for one year after discharge. Harris hip score was used to evaluate the degree of hip function recovery one year after operation. RESULTS: The occult blood loss of group A, B and C were(513.6±25.3), (521.7±33.4), (519.3±29.8) ml, respectively, with no significant difference(P>0.05). There was no significant difference in blood loss in operation among the three groups(P>0.05). In group B and C, the postoperative apparent blood loss was more than that in group A (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS scores of the three groups before and 72 hours after operation (P>0.05). The time of getting out of bed in group A was shorter than that in group B and C (P<0.05), and that in group B was shorter than that in group C(P<0.05). The Harris hip score at 1 year after operationof the three groups was significantly higher than that of before operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in Harris hip score before and after operation among three groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications among three groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Whether the drainage tube is left or not and the time of extubation have no significant effect on the latent blood loss and functional recovery after THA, but without drainage tube after THA can reduce the apparent blood loss, patients can get out of bed at 6 hours after THA, which is more conducive to the recovery and nursing of patients.

[Treatment of Pipkin type I and II femoral head fractures through modified Smith-Peterson approach and modified Hardinge approach-a case-control studies].

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical results of treatment of Pipkin type I and II femoral head fractures through modified Smith-Peterson(S-P) approach and modified Hardinge approach. METHODS: From July 2005 to July 2014, 42 patients with Pipkin type I and II femoral head fractures were treated with operation. A total of 23 patients in anterior group was treated with modified S-P approach including 17 males and 6 females with an average age of (29.3±9.4) years old, 5 cases of type I by excision of the fragement, 3 cases of type I and 15 cases of type II cases by fixation of the fragement. While a total of 19 patients in the lateral group was treated with modified Hardinge approach including 15 males and 4 females with an average age of (31.4±10.0) years old, 3 cases of type I by excision of the fragement, 4 cases of type I and 12 cases of type II by fixation of the fragement. Operative time, blood loss during operation and fracture healing time were observed and compared. The clinical and radiographic outcomes of the patients were measured using Thompson-Epstein scoring scale. The effect of hip reduction time of less than 6 h, 6 to12 h, and more than 12 h, the effect of surgery time within 24 h and more than 24 h after injury were compared. RESULTS: All patients were followed up from 24 to 60 months with an average of(30.29±6.95) months. The operation time (61.96±12.22) min, blood loss (46.09±18.03) ml, and (74.74±10.06) min, blood loss (72.11±19.88) ml in lateral group in the anterior group were better than those of lateral group(P<0.05). In anterior group, fracture healing time was(12.22±1.70) weeks, the results were excellent in 8 cases, good in 10 cases, fair in 4 cases and poor in 1 case, the excellent and good rate was 78.3%, the incidence of avascular necrosis of femoral head was 8.69%(2/23), and the incidence of heterotopic ossification was 13.04%(3/23). While in lateral group, the fracture healing time was(12.42±1.95) weeks, the results were excellent in 6 cases, good in 7 cases, fair in 3 cases and poor in 3 cases, the excellent and good rate was 68.4%, the incidence of avascular necrosis of femoral head was 10.53%(2/19), and the incidence of heterotopic ossification was 5.26%(1/19). There was no significant difference in fracture healing time, postoperative effect and postoperative complications between the anterior group and lateral group(P<0.05). The effect of patients with reduction time of hip dislocation less than 12 h was significantly better than that of more than 12 h, there was no significant difference in the effect between reduction time within 6 h and 6 to 12 h. There was no significant difference in the outcome between surgical patients within 24 h and more than 24 h after injury. CONCLUSIONS: Dislocated hip of Pipkin type I and II femoral head fractures should be closed reduction within 6 h. If conditions are limited, the reduction time can be accepted within 12 h. Both of modified S-P approach and modified Hardinge approach are effective in treating Pipkin type I and II femoral head fractures, and can obtain excellent outcomes. Moreover, modified S-P approach has advantage of less trauma, less blood loss, shorter operative time.

[Anatomical study on vertebral artety and its application in transpedicle screw fixation for upper cervical vetebrae].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of upper cervical pedicle and vertebral artery (VA) location in order to improve the safety of transpedicular screw insertion. METHODS: The vertebral arteries on 12 sides of 6 adult pate cadaverous specimens were dissected. The distance between VA and VA groove at the atlas needling point of transpedicle screw, and the distance between VA and the inner edge of axis cervical foramen, and the VA external diameter in axis cervical foramen were measured respectively. RESULTS: The distance between VA and VA groove was (1.96 ± 0.72) mm on the left and (1.99 ± 0.61)mm on the right at the atlas needling point of transpedicle screw, the distance between VA and the inner edge of axis cervical foramen was (2.23 ± 0.43) mm on the left and (2.30 ± 0.39) mm on the right, the VA external diameter in axis cervical foramen was (3.03 ± 0.48) mm on the left and (2.98 ± 0.75) mm on the right. CONCLUSION: It is unlikely to injury VA when the transpedicle screws of upper cervical vertebrae were implanted correctly besides high straddled VA, and the individualization must be performed in the process.

[Percutaneous hollow screws for treatment of the vertical sacrum longitudinal fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce percutaneous hollow screws for treatment of the vertical sacrum longitudinal fracture and evaluate the preliminary therapeutic outcomes. METHODS: From January 1999 to December 2006, 24 cases with vertical sacrum longitudinal fractures inchuded 15 males and 9 females were treated by percutaneous hollow screws, with an average age of 35 years ranging from 18 to 61 years. Accordng to Denis'classification of sacral fracture, there were 6 cases of type I, 11 of type 1 and 7 of type II. RESULTS: The operation lasted for 30 to 65 minutes (averaged 48 minutes). All of them were followed up for 3 to 36 months (averaged 18.6 months). According to improved effective standard of pelvic trauma, the result of radiography was excellent in 18 cases, good in 5 and poor in 1, and the clinical evaluation was exellent in 16, good in 8. CONCLUSION: Treatment of the vertical sacrum longitudinal fracture with percutaneous hollow screws is a comparatively reliable method and has the advantages of more precise with few postoperative complications and allows the patient early mobilization.