Predictive value of high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (cTnT) for adverse cardiac events in patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

BACKGROUND: Elevated high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (cTnT) is a well-known biomarker to predict cardiac events following non-cardiac surgery. However, further information regarding high-sensitive cTnT in orthopedic surgery, especially total knee arthroplasty (TKA), is not present yet. This study aims to gain further insight into the predictive value of high-sensitive cTnT in adverse cardiac events in patients accepting TKA. METHODS: We performed a prospective study in our hospital with the aim to enrolling 789 consecutive patients. Included patients who underwent TKA had mean ages of 65 years, and 64.9% were female. High-sensitive cTnT measurements were performed for study purposes before operation and on 1st postoperative days respectively. Postoperative cardiac events (POCE) 2 months and 2 years postoperatively were used to be evaluated for present study and defined short-term and long-term POCE respectively. The cut-off value of high-sensitive cTnT predicting patients at increased risks of POCE was evaluated by the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: Mean preoperative, postoperative cTnT and difference value between preoperative and postoperative cTnT (D-cTnT) were 20, 32, 12 ng/L respectively. 2-month and 2-year cardiac event rate following TKA were 2.3% and 3.4%. Using difference value between preoperative and postoperative cTnT (D-cTnT) to predict short-term cardiac events, the best cut-off was 23 ng litre-1, with an AUC of 0.84 (95% CI: 0.79-0.89, p < 0.001), which was better in comparison to preoperative and postoperative cTnT. In contrast, using preoperative cTnT to predict long-term cardiac events, the best cut-off was 25 ng litre-1 with an AUC of 0.78 (95% CI: 0.73-0.83, p < 0.001), which was better in comparison to postoperative and D-cTnT. CONCLUSIONS: D-cTnT best predicted short-term POCE in comparison to preoperative and postoperative cTnT, while preoperative cTnT level best predicted long-term POCE in comparison to postoperative cTnT and D-cTnT.

Analysis of patients' sleep disorder after total knee arthroplasty-A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disorder after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is complex as it greatly differs from patient to patient. Thus, it can be seen that we should further know the detail in sleep disorders following TKA to find well solutions to achieve satisfactory sleep and better recovery. METHODS: Between October 2011 and January 2016, 965 patients accepted primary TKA. We reviewed each patient's data. Sleep disorder was evaluated via subjective instruments. The Sleep Questionnaire in the present study is a 12-item instrument that evaluates sleep in terms of three dimensions: sleep quality; disruptive factors; and specific forms. Patients were identified and confirmed as at least 1 kind of sleep disorders according to the Second Edition of the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-2). And we compare the clinical characteristics and difference in postoperative recovery of different types of sleep disorders. RESULTS: Sleep disturbances persisted approximately 2 months postoperatively. 75.9% patients was classified into primary insomnias, while 24.1% was secondary insomnias. There was the largest number of those who were adjustment sleep disorder. Pains, mental elements, and factors intrinsic to the patients were the most significant causes of insomnia of patients. There were significant differences in VAS pain score (P < 0.001*), active ROM (P < 0.001*) and LOS in hospital (P < 0.001*) among varied forms of insomnias. CONCLUSIONS: Our data revealed that adjustment insomnia ranked first. Specifically, the factors affecting sleep quality postoperatively included pains, mental elements, and factors intrinsic to the patients etc. In addition, we found that patients with difficulty in staying asleep and non-restorative sleep has increased pain scores and LOS in hospital with decreased active ROM in comparison to difficulty in falling asleep and too early awakening. Our data may be of a certain benefit to rational use of medication to improve diverse insomnias and to make patients recover better.

Effects of ethyl chloride spray on early recovery after total knee arthroplasty: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Ethyl chloride spray as a common cooling modality has been widely used in acute sports injuries and joint injection procedures. Several clinical studies reported that use of ethyl chloride has positive effects on swelling, pain reduction and recovery from sports injuries. The main aim of present study was to analyze whether postoperative use of ethyl chloride spray benefits results after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: Between April 1, 2014 and October 21, 2015, 306 subjects undergoing primary TKA used ethyl chloride spray for improving recovery from the damage from surgery. After exclusion of 31 subjects due to adverse events including periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), deep venous thrombosis (DVT), acute myocardial infarction, finally 275 subjects' data regarding pain score, knee range of motion (ROM), knee girth, time of being able to reach 90° knee flexion and analgesic consumption were analyzed. RESULTS: Significant differences in pain score, knee ROM at each time point and knee girth at on 21st and 28th postoperatively were detected without increased incidence of adverse events. Besides, time of being able to reach 90° knee flexion and analgesic consumption in the treatment group were significantly decreased in comparison to the control group. CONCLUSION: Use of ethyl chloride spray can help patients recovery from the damage from TKA safely.

Predictive value of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) for adverse cardiac events in patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

BACKGROUND: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a well-known biomarker to predict cardiac events following orthopedic procedures. However, further information regarding BNP can be completed. The present study aims to determine which of preoperative, postoperative or the difference between them (DVPPB) can best predict adverse cardiac events following TKA procedure and detect possible risk factors of high level of BNP. METHODS: Between Jan. 2012 and Jan. 2014. 1120 included patients in 3 institutions have a minimum of 2-years follow-up. All clinical characteristics related to TKA procedure were put in total joint arthroplasty registry system and analyzed finally. The cut-off value of BNP predicting patients at increased risks of cardiac events after TKA was evaluated by the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: Our results reveal DVPPB in comparison to preoperative and postoperative BNP can best predict cardiac events following primary TKA, and the optimal cut-off value was 825.5 pg/ml with the highest Youden index of 0.62. Cigarette smoking, ASA III/IV/V, prior history of cardiac events, general anesthesia, surgery time, and tourniquet time are risk factors for DVPPB > 825.5 pg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: DVPPB in comparison to preoperative and postoperative BNP can best predict cardiac events following primary TKA. Cigarette smoking, ASA III/IV/V, prior history of cardiac events, general anesthesia, surgery time, and tourniquet time are risk factors for DVPPB > 825.5 pg/ml. We hope these results could be helpful to optimize health care among patients undergoing primary TKA.

Impact of atrial fibrillation on postoperative outcomes after total knee arthroplasty-A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is primarily preformed among the elderly population who is commonly affected by cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a very common heart disease and its prevalence increases significantly with age. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the outcomes of patients with AF following TKA and analyze the risk factors of AF patients who underwent postoperative complication. METHODS: We designed a retrospective cohort study using data from three institutions in China. We evaluated a total of 453 AF patients who received primary TKA and 453 matched control patients. Comparisons of specific parameters between AF and non-AF cohorts were performed. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that AF patients had significantly higher odds of more intraoperative bleeding, periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), post-operative cerebral stroke (POCS), post-operative cardiovascular events (POCE) and worse SF-36 physical component score and mental score at mean 24-month after surgery, but had no increased incidence of post-operative gastrointestinal events, DVT and PE in comparison to patients without AF than those without AF disease. Additionally, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors of patients who underwent severe complication. Smoking, diabetes mellitus and persistent AF were common risk factors of PJI, POCS, and POCE. Heart rate＞70/min and absence of Beta blocker use were common risk factors of POCS and POCE. Absence of LMWH bridging was risk factor of POCS. BMI >25 kg/m2 and hypertension were risk factors of POCE. CONCLUSIONS: These findings should be taken into consideration when discussing the expected outcomes of AF patients after TKA. AF disease impaired SF-36 physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS) of patient after TKA.

Analysis of Interlimb Asymmetry in Patients Undergoing Simultaneous Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Simultaneous bilateral TKA (SBTKA) has been a favored surgical solution due to reduced costs and patient suffering. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the risk factors of asymmetric recovery in patients who underwent SBTKA and whether that affected quality of life. A total of 187 patients undergoing SBTKA were included. During this study, patients underwent physical examination (knee swelling, active range of motion (ROM) of knee and quadriceps strength) and completed three surveys (VAS pain rating, Short Form-36 and requisite information lists in this study). Our results reveal interlimb asymmetries existed at least two years postoperatively. Between-limb differences in active ROM, quadriceps strength, and VAS pain scores were significantly detected in our study. Risk factors included being female, being older, and having high BMI and high levels of anxiety and depression; different diagnosis and different component size could be risk factors. Finally, interlimb differences in VAS pain scores and active ROM were negatively associated with SF-36 scores. However, interlimb differences in swelling and quadriceps strength were unrelated to SF-36 scores. Risk factors of asymmetric recovery should be evaluated and appreciated due to their significant impact on patients' quality of life. Before performing SBTKA, clinicians should consider possible risk factors and inform patients of asymmetric recovery between limbs, which could help decrease the unnecessary consultations and postoperative patient dissatisfaction.

Changes of contact characteristics of the subtalar joint after calcaneus fracture / 中国矫形外科杂志

[Objective]To observe the changes of contact characteristics of the subtalar joint after calcaneus fracture in load condition, so as to provid a theoretical basis for its clinical treatment.[Method]Six fresh speciments consisting of foots and lower legs were harvested.A specimen,including an intact foot and 15~20cm of the distal tibia and fibula prepared by removing the skin,muscle and tendons down to the level of the hindfoot and the ligaments and joint capsules were kept intact with the exception of the posterior aspect of the posterior facet and the lateralaspect of middle and anterior facets of the talocalcaneal joint.The pressure sensitive film was inserted into the posterior and anterior-middle facets of the talocalcaneal articulation,and 500-N load was applied in the neutral position.After testing of the intact foot,the calcaneus was splited into anterointernal and posterolateral compoments using microoscillating saw to simulate primary fracture of calcaneus.The test was repeated after tile posterolateral fragment was anatomically reduced and displaced 2mm,5mm and 10mm respectively in a planter direction.The changes of contact characteristics of the subtalar joint ware recorded.[Result]The average pressure area of the intact posterior facet was(275.67?46.02) mm~2,the average stress to bear the weight was(1.83?0.56) MPa.The bearing average pressure area decreased to(167.67?25.09) mm~2 when the posterolateral compoment was displaced to plantar in 2 mm,it was significantly lower(P0.05).The bearing stress the anterior and middle facets significant increased only in a 1 10mm plantar displacement of the posterolateral component(P