Efficacy and safety of 595-nm pulsed dye laser treating port wine stains in Vietnamese patients: analysis of 124 cases and optimal treatment regimens.

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of 595-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) for port wine stains (PWS) treatment in Vietnamese patients. The study also analyzed the association between the response to treatment and the characteristics of patients and treatment regimens. Parallelly, the study contributed to further optimal treatment sessions for different subjects based on the data collected. One hundred twenty-five patients who underwent 595-nm PDL to treat PWS were included in the study, in which data from 124 patients was retrospectively analyzed. Data on demographic characteristics of patients, treatment regimens, and clinical improvement were collected. SPSS version 25 was used to analyze the relationship between associated factors and the response rate. The overall response rate of Vietnamese patients who had Fitzpatrick skin classification type III and IV was 73.4%. Age, gender, treatment sessions, and lesion positions were generally not associated with the response rate. The lesion grade was the sole element that affected the clinical improvement. The lesion grade 1 had the best response (100%) even after a short duration of treatment (six to ten treatments). Lesion grade 4 demanded over 16 treatments to reach > 60% of improvement. The lesion grades 1 and 2 could be blanched with regimen < 10 treatments while regimens exceeding 15 treatments should be carefully considered for lesions at grade 3 after evaluating associated conditions. Lesions at grade 4 demanded ≥ 16 treatments to reach acceptable outcomes. These results could help physicians establish a reasonable treatment strategy for patients.

Safety and Efficacy of a Direct Aspiration First-Pass Technique with Large-Bore Catheters for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Vietnam: Experience of a Single Center.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy with a direct aspiration first-pass technique (ADAPT) using large-bore catheters in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO) in a hospital in Vietnam. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of patients with acute ischemic stroke due to LVO who were diagnosed and underwent mechanical thrombectomy using ADAPT with large-bore catheters at Bach Mai Hospital from January 2017 to June 2018. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients (47.9% female; age: 61.29 ± 14.49 years) met study criteria. The average procedure duration was 45.09 ± 38.26 min. Successful recanalization post-ADAPT (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2b-3) was achieved in 72.6% (53/73) of patients. Good functional outcome (Modified Rankin Scale 0-2) at 3 months was achieved in 50.7% (37/73), with poor functional outcome in 24.7% (18/73). The 90-day mortality rate was 24.7% (18/73). The hemorrhagic transformation rate was 31.6%, in which 19.2% were symptomatic. Vessel perforation occurred in 5.5% (4/73) of patients but in all cases was associated with the guidewire and not the reperfusion catheter. Vessel dissection occurred in 1.4% (1/73) and vasospasm in 5.5% (4/73) of patients. CONCLUSION: Mechanical thrombectomy using ADAPT with large-bore catheters for acute ischemic stroke due to LVO is a method that yielded good results in recanalization and clinical recovery in a Vietnamese patient population.