Application of DynaCT angiographic reconstruction in balloon pulmonary angioplasty.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) using DynaCT angiographic reconstruction guidance. METHODS: Thirty-four BPAs (23 CTEPH patients) targeting 175 pulmonary arteries were included. Eleven BPAs (2D group) were guided by DSA two-dimensional angiography. Another twenty-three BPAs (3D group) were guided using DynaCT angiographic reconstruction. The volume rendering (VR) method was used to obtain a three-dimensional image of the blood vessels. This image was used as a reference to continue BPA treatment under the guidance of vascular three-dimensional reconstruction technology. Procedure durations and radiation exposure data were compared between the two groups using Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Using the DynaCT angiographic reconstruction technique, more target vessels were treated in a single BPA procedure (5.83 ± 2.33 vs 3.73 ± 1.10 vessels per BPA, p = 0.008) in a shorter operation time (3.58 ± 0.61 vs 4.49 ± 0.91 h, p = 0.002). Overall, the dose area product (DAP) was significantly higher for the 2D group than for the 3D group (13,901.82 ± 5549.69 vs 4682.82 ± 1950.64, p < 0.001). The use of the DynaCT angiographic reconstruction technique to guide BPA required a lower dose of contrast agent (225.22 ± 48.70 vs 292.73 ± 76.82 mL, p = 0.013) and less radiation exposure. CONCLUSIONS: The use of DynaCT angiographic reconstruction guidance in patients undergoing BPA is feasible and accurate. Images of DynaCT angiographic reconstruction may be beneficial for optimizing the operative process in BPA with reduced radiation exposure. KEY POINTS: • BPA guidance by DynaCT angiographic reconstruction is feasible and accurate. • DynaCT angiographic reconstruction may be beneficial for optimizing the operative process. • DynaCT angiographic reconstruction can reduce patient radiation dose due to multi-times of BPA sessions.

A novel zipper device versus sutures for wound closure after surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

We performed an updated meta-analysis to compare the efficacy of the zipper device and sutures for wound closure after surgery. A computerised literature search was performed for published trials in PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Two reviewers independently scrutinised the trials, extracted data, and assessed the quality of trials. The primary outcome was surgical site infections (SSI). The secondary outcomes were wound dehiscence, total wound complications, wound closure time, and scar score. Statistical analysis was performed in the Stata 12.0. Of the 130 citations, eight trials (1207 participants) met eligibility criteria and were included. The zipper device achieved a lower SSI rate (RR: 0.63, [95% CI: 0.41-0.96, P = 0.032]), a shorter wound closure time (SMD: -8.53 [95% CI: -11.93 to -5.13, P = 0.000]) and a better scar score (SMD: 0.42 [95% CI: 0.22-0.62, P = 0.000]) than sutures. No significant difference was shown in the incidence of wound dehiscence and total wound complications. Therefore, the zipper device provides the advantages of anti-infection, time-saving, and cosmesis for wound closure.