Influence of Acupuncture on Microcirculation Perfusion of Pericardium Meridian and Heart in Acute Myocardial Ischemia Model Rats / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the influence of acupuncture on microcirculation perfusion of the pericardium meridian and heart in acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) rats and evaluate whether acupuncture can simultaneously affect the meridians and corresponding viscera. Additionally, acupoints at different meridians were compared and whether they exert the same effects was discussed.@*METHODS@#Totally 32 Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to left anterior descending (LAD) ligation to develop an AMI model. Rats were divided into 4 groups, including AMI, acupuncture Neiguan (PC 6), Lieque (LU 7) and Qiansanli (LI 10) groups (n=8). Eight rats received only thoracotomy (sham-operated group). The rats in the acupuncture groups received manual acupuncture at PC 6, LU 7 and LI 10 acupoints for 15 min, respectively. The microcirculation perfusion of pericardium meridian and heart was monitored by laser speckle perfusion imager (LSPI) before, during and after acupuncture manipulation for 15 min. Subsequently, the perfusion unit (PU) was calculated and analyzed by PSI System.@*RESULTS@#After LAD, compared to pre-acupuncture stage, the heart microcirculation perfusion (HMP) in the AMI group decreased continuously at during-acupuncture (P>0.05) and post-acupuncture stages (P0.05). Compared to pre-acupuncture stage, the PMP and HMP in PC 6 group significantly increased during acupuncture manipulation (both P0.05); however, they were significantly reduced after acupuncture manipulation (both P<0.05). Additionally, HMP of LI 10 group was decreased significantly during acupuncture, especially compared to pre-acupuncture stage (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Acupuncture at PC 6 obviously increased the PMP and HMP in AMI rats, and the effects were superior to at LU 7 and LI 10 acupoints. It was further confirmed that acupuncture promoted qi and blood circulation, indicating that acupoint specificity exists and features a meridian-propagated effect.

Application value of contrast enhanced ultrasound for postoperative monitoring after split liver transplantation / 器官移植

Objective To investigate the application value of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for postoperative monitoring after split liver transplantation. Methods Ten recipients undergoing split liver transplantation received conventional two-dimensional ultrasonography, color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) and CEUS. Clinical prognosis of 10 recipients undergoing split liver transplantation was summarized. The findings of postoperative conventional two-dimensional ultrasonography, CDU and CEUS were analyzed. Results Among 10 recipients, 8 cases obtained favorable clinical prognosis, one died from the recurrence and metastasis of malignant tumors and multiple organ failure, and one died from sudden cardiac arrest. CDU detected the hepatic artery in 8 of 10 recipients(80%). CEUS revealed hepatic artery embolism in one recipient and normal hepatic artery in the other case. Conventional two-dimensional ultrasonography demonstrated abnormality of the hepatic parenchyma in 5 recipients including hyperecho in S5 segment in 1 case, hypoecho in S7 segment in 1 case, hyperecho in S4 segment in 1 case, hypoecho followed by hyperecho in S5 and S6 segments in 1 case and multiple hypoecho and slight hyperecho in 1 case. CEUS revealed significant asynchrony in the microcirculation blood perfusion between the normal and abnormal echo regions, manifested with imaging features of early perfusion and early regression, which was considered to be associated with hepatic venous back-flow obstruction. Evident asynchrony in microcirculation blood perfusion between the normal and abnormal echo regions was observed in 1 case, manifested with the imaging features of early perfusion and synchronous regression,suggesting that congestion and edema on the hepatic resection surface caused by hepatic venous back-flow obstruction and myocardial infarction. Multiple intrahepatic abnormal blood perfusion region of 'fast-in and fast-out' echo was noted in 1 case, which was probably correlated with postoperative recurrence of malignant tumors. Conclusions CEUS is an effective supplement of conventional two-dimensional ultrasonography and CDU for postoperative monitoring after split liver transplantation, which contributes to understanding of hepatic blood flow and blood perfusion and identifying early postoperative complications after split liver transplantation.