Sensorineural hearing dysfunction after discharge from critical care in adults:A retrospective observational study

Background Patients undergoing intensive care are exposed to risk factors for hearing impairment.This study assessed the worse changes in pure tone average(PTA)thresholds after intensive care and identified the factors associated with worse hearing function.Methods We conducted a single-centre retrospective study,and included adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU)of Kurashiki Central Hospital between January 2014 and September 2019,who had regular pure tone audiometry performed before and after ICU admission.Correlations between changes in PTA threshold and patient characteristics,were evaluated.The included ears were classified as those with worse hearing(>10 dB increase in the PTA threshold)and those without worse hearing,and the baseline characteristics were compared.Results During the study period,125 ears of 71 patients(male:female ratio,35:36;mean age,72.5±12.3 years)met the eligibility criteria.Age,sex,and the use of furosemide were not correlated with changes in PTA threshold.Univariate analysis showed that ears with worse hearing were associated with a lower serum platelet count than ears without worse hearing(153±85×10^(9)/L vs.206±85×10^(9)/L,respectively;P=0.010),and the rate of planned ICU admission(elective surgery)was higher in the worse hearing group(57.1% vs.28.8%,respectively;p=0.011).Conclusions Age,sex,and the use of furosemide did not have adversely affect hearing function.Low serum platelet count and planned admission appear to be risk factors for worse hearing.

Invasive candidiasis in critical care setting, updated recommendations from “Invasive Fungal Infections-Clinical Forum”, Iran

Invasive candidiasis(IC) bears a high risk of morbidity and mortality in the intensive care units(ICU). With the current advances in critical care and the use of widespectrum antibiotics, invasive fungal infections(IFIs) and IC in particular, have turned into a growing concern in the ICU. Further to blood cultures, some auxil-iary laboratory tests and biomarkers are developed to enable an earlier detection of infection, however these test are neither consistently available nor validated in our setting. On the other hand, patients' clinical status and local epidemiology data may justify the empiric antifungal approach using the proper antifungal option. The clinical approach to the management of IC in febrile, non-neutropenic critically ill patients has been defined in available international guidelines; nevertheless such recommendations need to be customized when applied to our local practice. Over the past three years, Iranian experts from intensive care and infectious diseases disciplines have tried to draw a consensus on the management of IFI with a particular focus on IC in the ICU. The established IFI-clinical forum(IFI-CF), comprising the scientific leaders in the field, has recently come up with and updated recommendation on the same(June 2014). The purpose of this review is to put together literature insights and Iranian experts' opinion at the IFI-CF, to propose an updated practical overview on recommended approaches for the management of IC in the ICU.

Effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blocker on one-year outcomes of patients with atrial fibrillation: insights from a multicenter registry study in China

Objective To evaluate the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor(ACEI)/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blocker(ARB)therapy on the prognosis of patients with atrial fibrillation(AF).Methods A total of 1,991 AF patients from the AF registry were divided into two groups according to whether they were treated with ACEI/ARB at recruitment.Baseline characteristics were carefully collected and analyzed.Logistic regression was utilized to identify the predictors of ACEI/ARB therapy.The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality,while the secondary endpoints included cardiovascular mortality,stroke and major adverse events(MAEs)during the one-year follow-up period.Univariable and multivariable Cox regression were performed to identify the association between ACEI/ARB therapy and the one-year outcomes.Results In total,759 AF patients(38.1%)were treated with ACEI/ARB.Compared with AF patients without ACEI/ARB therapy,patients treated with ACEI/ARB tended to be older and had a higher rate of permanent AF,hypertension,diabetes mellitus,heart failure(HF),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)<40%,coronary artery disease(CAD),prior myocardial infarction(MI),left ventricular hypertrophy,tobacco use and concomitant medications(all P<0.05).Hypertension,HF,LVEF<40%,CAD,prior MI and tobacco use were determined to be predictors of ACEI/ARB treatment.Multivariable analysis showed that ACEI/ARB therapy was associated with a significantly lower risk of one-year all-cause mortality[hazard ratio(HR)(95%CI):0.682(0.527-0.882),P=0.003],cardiovascular mortality[HR(95%CI):0.713(0.514-0.988),P=0.042]and MAEs[HR(95%CI):0.698(0.568-0.859),P=0.001].The association between ACEI/ARB therapy and reduced mortality was consistent in the subgroup analysis.Conclusions In patients with AF,ACEI/ARB was related to significantly reduced one-year all-cause mortality,cardiovascular mortality and MAEs despite the high burden of cardiovascular comorbidities.

Optimal timing of biliary drainage based on the severity of acute cholangitis:A single-center retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND Biliary decompression is well known to greatly decrease the risks of mortality in acute cholangitis(AC).Although early biliary drainage is recommended by the treatment guidelines for AC,the best time for performing this procedure is yet to be established.Furthermore,since the clinical outcomes of patients with severe AC vary dramatically,screening for patients that could benefit the most from early drainage would be more beneficial than the drainage performed based on the severity grade criteria.AIM To investigate the optimal drainage timing for AC patients with each disease severity grade and organ dysfunction.METHODS In this retrospective monocenter cohort analysis,we reviewed 1305 patients who were diagnosed with AC according to the Tokyo guidelines 2018 at a Chinese tertiary hospital between July 2016 and December 2020.Demographic characteristics including age and sex,clinical and laboratory characteristics,and imaging findings of each patient were obtained from electronic medical records.We investigated the all-cause in-hospital mortality(IHM),hospital length of stay(LOS),and hospitalization costs associated with the timing of biliary drainage according to the severity grading and different dysfunctioning organs and predictors[age,white blood cell(WBC)count,total bilirubin,albumin,lactate,malignant obstruction,and Charlton comorbidity index(CCI)].RESULTS Biliary drainage within 24 or 48 h in Grade Ⅲ AC patients could dramatically decrease IHM(3.9%vs 9.0%,P=0.041;4%vs 9.9%,P=0.018,respectively),while increasing LOS and hospitalization costs.Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that neurological,respiratory,renal,and cardiovascular dysfunctions,hypoalbuminemia,and malignant obstruction were significantly associated with IHM(odds ratio=5.32,2.541,6.356,4.021,5.655,and 7.522;P<0.001,P=0.016,P<0.001,P=0.012,P<0.001,and P<0.001;respectively).Biliary decompression performed within 12 h of admission significantly decreased the IHM in AC patients with neurological dysfunction(0%vs 17.3%,P=0.041)or with serum lactate>2 mmol/L(0%vs 5.4%,P=0.016).In the subgroup of AC patients with renal dysfunction,abnormal WBC count,hyperbilirubinemia,or hypoalbuminemia,early drainage(<24 h)reduced the IHM(3.6%vs 33.3%,P=0.004;1.9%vs 5.8%,P=0.031;1.7%vs 5.0%,P=0.019;0%vs 27%,P=0.026;respectively).The IHM was lower in patients with AC combined with hepatic dysfunction,malignant obstruction,or a CCI>3 who had undergone biliary drainage within 48 h(2.6%vs 20.5%,P=0.016;3.0%vs 13.5%,P=0.006;3.4%vs 9.6%,P=0.021;respectively).CONCLUSION Biliary drainage within 12 h is beneficial for AC patients with neurological or cardiovascular dysfunction,while complete biliary decompression within 24 h of admission is recommended for treating patients with Grade Ⅲ AC.

Impact of main vessel calcification on procedural and clinical outcomes of bifurcation lesion undergoing provisional single-stenting intervention: a multicenter, prospective, observational study

Background Few data on the combined effects of bifurcation and calcification on coronary artery disease(CAD)patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)are available.This study evaluated the impact of main vessel(MV)calcification on the procedural and long-term outcomes in patients with CAD who underwent provisional single stent PCI.Methods This is a multicenter,prospective,observational study.Patients with bifurcation lesions were enrolled at 10 PCI centers in China from January 2015 to December 2017.Intravascular ultrasound or optical coherence tomography was performed in all patients to evaluate the MV calcification.Patients were treated with provisional single stent strategy using drug eluting stents and followed-up at 1 month,6 months and 12 months after discharge by telephone contact or outpatient visit.Repeated coronary imaging was performed within one year.We compared the procedural success rates in MV and in side branch(SB),and target lesion failure(TLF),defined as a composite of cardiac death,non-fatal myocardial infarction,definite or possible stent thrombosis and target lesion revascularization between patients with and without MV calcification.Results A total of 185 subjects were enrolled according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria of this study.MV calcification was detected in 119(64.3%,calcification group)and not found in 66(35.7%,non-calcification group)patients.The angiographic success rate of MV was 95.8%in the calcification group and 97.0%in the non-calcification group(P=0.91);the angiographic success rate of SB was 32.8%in the calcification group and 53.0%in the non-calcification group(P<0.05).During the one-year follow-up period,TLF occurred in 14(11.8%)patients in the calcification group and in 13(19.7%)in the non-calcification group{P=0.31).Multivariate regression analysis showed the same result(HR=1.23,95%CI:0.76-1.52,P=0.47).Calcification on group had higher recurrent angina than non-calcification group(13.51%vs.17.65%,P<0.05).Conclusions In patients with coronary bifurcation lesion treated with provisional one stent approach,calcification of MV is associated with lower SB procedural success rate,it could increase recurrence of angina;however,it was not associated with an increased risk of TLF.

How could we reduce antifungal use in the intensive care unit?

Fungal infection is common in critically ill patients. However, this infection is difficult to diagnose, and alarge proportion of patients receive empirical antifungal treatment without further confirmation of invasive fungal disease. Whilst prompt appropriate antifungal treatment is associated with better outcome in patients with confirmed infections, this treatment has several drawbacks. In addition, no clear beneficial effect of empirical antifungal treatment was found in patients without confirmed infection. Reducing antifungal treatment in the intensive care unit(ICU) is feasible, and would allow avoiding drawbacks of this treatment without negative impact on outcome. Antifungal stewardship, preemptive antifungal treatment, based on colonization index and fungal biomarkers; and deescalation of antifungal treatment based on microbiology results and fungal biomarkers could be suggested to reduce antifungal use in the ICU, and are currently under investigation.

Predictive value of diaphragm ultrasound for mechanical ventilation outcome in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)is often combined with respiratory failure,which increases the patient's morbidity and mortality.Diaphragm ultrasound(DUS)has developed rapidly in the field of critical care in recent years.Studies with DUS monitoring diaphragm-related rapid shallow breathing index have demonstrated important results in guiding intensive care unit patients out of the ventilator.Early prediction of the indications for withdrawal of non-invasive ventilator and early evaluation of patients to avoid or reduce disease progression are very important.AIM To explore the predictive value of DUS indexes for non-invasive ventilation outcome in patients with AECOPD.METHODS Ninety-four patients with AECOPD who received mechanical ventilation in our hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed,and they were divided into a successful ventilation group(68 cases)and a failed ventilation group(26 cases)according to the outcome of ventilation.The clinical data of patients with successful and failed noninvasive ventilation were compared,and the independent predictors of noninvasive ventilation outcomes in AECOPD patients were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis.RESULTS There were no significant differences in gender,age,body mass index,complications,systolic pressure,heart rate,mean arterial pressure,respiratory rate,oxygen saturation,partial pressure of oxygen,oxygenation index,or time of inspiration between patients with successful and failed mechanical ventilation(P>0.05).The patients with successful noninvasive ventilation had shorter hospital stays and lower partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PaCO_(2))than those with failed treatment,while potential of hydrogen(pH),diaphragm thickening fraction(DTF),diaphragm activity,and diaphragm movement time were significantly higher than those with failed treatment(P<0.05).pH[odds ratio(OR)=0.005,P<0.05],PaCO_(2)(OR=0.430,P<0.05),and DTF(OR=0.570,P<0.05)were identified to be independent factors influencing the outcome of mechanical ventilation in AECOPD patients.CONCLUSION The DUS index DTF can better predict the outcome of non-invasive ventilation in AECOPD patients.

Infective native aortic aneurysm primarily presenting as gastrointestinal bleeding:a case report

Infective native aortic aneurysm(INAA)is a rare vascular disease.Previous studies reported that this type of aneurysm accounts for 0.6% to 2.6% of all aortic aneurysms in the European Union and USA,but accounts for 13% of all aortic aneurysms in Asia.[1,2]Early and accurate detection and intervention are effective in improving patient prognosis,although the non-specific symptoms can make diagnosis challenging.

Respiratory complications of propofol,sevoflurane,and dexmedetomidine anesthesia for fiberoptic bronchoscopy in children aged 1 month to 3 years:a randomized trial

Objective To evaluate the effect of propofol,sevoflurane,and dexmedetomidine on respiratory complications inchildren undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy(FOB).Methods This double-blind randomized clinical trial was conductedamong 120 children aged 1 month to 3 years undergoing FOB.The patients were randomized into 3 groups(n=40)foranesthesia induction with sevoflurane inhalation,1 mg/kg propofol,or 1μg/kg dexmedetomidine before bronchoscopy,andthe changes in hemodynamic parameters,sedation level,and respiratory complications during and after the procedure wereassessed.Results The patients'heart rate during bronchoscopy was significantly lower and the mean arterial blood pressuresignificantly higher in dexmedetomidine group than in sevoflurane and propofol groups(P<0.05).Cough duringbronchoscopy did not occur in any of the cases in propofol group,while the highest frequency of cough was recorded indexmedetomidine group.The incidence of laryngospasm in the propofol group(12.5%)was significantly lower than those insevoflurane and dexmedetomidine groups(30%and 32.5%,respectively)(P<0.05).Conclusion Sevoflurane and propofol aresafe and suitable for anesthesia induction in children below 3 years of age undergoing diagnostic FOB and can achieve bettersedative effect and lower the incidences of cough and respiratory complications as compared with dexmedetomidine.

Non-invasive ventilation improves hemorheology status in hypoxemic patients with acute myocardial infarction after PCI

Background Hypoxemia sometimes occurs in the emergency room in the patients with acute myocardial infarction （AMI） after percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）, even in those with administration of conventional high-flow oxygen inhalation. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of non-invasive ventilation （NIV） in improving blood oxygen content and hemorheology in patients with AMI and hypoxemia. Methods This prospective study enrolled 50 consecutive eligible patients with AMI （aged 72.3 ± 9.5 years）, who had undergone PCI and been administered high-flow oxygen but still had hypoxemia. Blood was taken before NIV and at 0.5, 1, and 2 h after NIV. Blood gases, hemorheological variables including erythrocyte deformability, erythrocyte aggregation, erythrocyte osmotic fragility, membrane fluidity, and oxidative stress level were measured. Results Blood PaO2 increased to normal by 1 h after NIV. Assessed hemorheological variables had all improved and plasma malondialdehyde concentration decreased significantly after 2 h of NIV. Conclusions Our data suggest that NIV can help to improve blood oxygen content, hemorheological status, and minimize plasma lipid peroxidation injury in hypoxemic patients with AMI who have undergone PCI.

A modified HEART risk score in chest pain patients with suspected non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome

ObjectiveTo validate a modified HEART [History, Electrocardiograph （ECG）, Age, Risk factors and Troponin] risk score in chest pain patients with suspected non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome （NSTE-ACS） in the emergency department （ED）.Methods This retrospective cohort study used a prospectively acquired database and chest pain patients admitted to the emergency department with suspected NSTE-ACS were enrolled. Data recorded on arrival at the ED were used. The serum sample of high-sensitivity cardiac Troponin I other than conventional cardiac Troponin I used in the HEART risk score was tested. The modified HEART risk score was calculated. The end point was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events （MACE） defined as a composite of acute myocardial infarction （AMI）, percu-taneous intervention （PCI）, coronary artery bypass graft （CABG）, or all-cause death, within three months after initial presentation.Results A total of 1,300 patients were enrolled. A total of 606 patients （46.6%） had a MACE within three months： 205 patients （15.8%） were diag-nosed with AMI, 465 patients （35.8%） underwent PCI, and 119 patients （9.2%） underwent CABG. There were 10 （0.8%） deaths. A progres-sive, significant pattern of increasing event rate was observed as the score increased （P ＆lt; 0.001 byχ2 for trend）. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.84. All patients were classified into three groups： low risk （score 0-2）, intermediate risk （score 3-4）, and high risk （score 5-10）. Event rates were 1.1%, 18.5%, and 67.0%, respectively （P ＆lt; 0.001）.ConclusionsThe modified HEART risk score was validated in chest pain patients with suspected NSTE-ACS and may complement MACE risk assessment and patients triage in the ED. A prospective study of the score is warranted.

Predictors and in-hospital outcomes of preoperative acute kidney injury in patients with type A acute aortic dissection

Background Acute kidney injury （AKI） is common after surgery for acute aortic dissection （AAD） and increases in-hospital and long-term mortality. However, few data exist on the clinical and prognostic relevance of early preoperative AKI in patients with type A AAD We aimed to determine the incidence and predictors of preoperative AKI and the impact of AKI on in-hospital outcomes in patients with type A AAD. Methods From May 2009 to June 2014, we retrospectively enrolled 178 patients admitted to our hospital within 48 h from symp- tom onset and receiving open surgery for type A AAD. The patients were divided into no AKI and AKI groups and staged with AKI severity according to the KDIGO criteria before surgery. Results AKI occurred in 41 patients （23.0%）. The incidence of in-hospital complications was significantly higher in patients with preoperative AKI compared to no AKI （41.5% vs. 9.5%, P 〈 0.001）, including renal infarction （7.3% vs. 0, P = 0.012）, and it increased with AKI severity （Ptrend〈 0.001）. Patients with AKI had higher in-hospital mortality compared with pa- tients without AKI, although no significant difference was found （14.6% vs. 5.1%, P = 0.079）. Multivariate analysis indicated that male gender, diastolic blood pressure on admission and bilateral renal artery involvement were independent predictors of preoperative AKI in patients with type A AAD. Conclusions Early AKI before surgery was common in patients with type A AAD, and was associated with increased in-hospital complications. Male gender, diastolic blood pressure on admission and bilateral renal artery involvement were major predictors for preoperative AKI.

C-reactive protein as a predictor of malignant ventricular arrhythmias in non-ST elevation myocardial infarction

Objective To investigate whether C-reactive protein (CRP) is a biomarker of malignant ventricular arrhythmias (MVA) occurring in non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients with Global Registry of Acute Coronary events (GRACE) scores < 140. Methods A total of 1450 NSTEMI patients were included in this study. Hs-CRP blood levels were measured via a turbidimetric immunoassay after confirming the diagnosis of NSTEMI with GRACE scores < 140. Results Consistent with prior studies, the MVA occurrence rate in our cohort was 6.7%, and patients with MVA exhibited a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (46.1%± 6.9% vs. 61.5%± 8.7%, P = 0.032), a higher incidence of Killip classification > 1 (34.1% vs. 24.2%, P < 0.001), an increased surgical revascularization rate (34.1% vs. 9.7%, P < 0.001), and increased mortality (16.5% vs. 5.8%, P < 0.001). Serum hs-CRP levels were higher (P = 0.003) in NSTEMI patients with MVA, and this increase appeared unrelated to other clinical parameters. The C-statistic to discriminate MVA was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.74–0.89). Using receiver operating characteristics analysis, we optimized a cutoff point of 16 mL/L, and the sensitivity and specificity were 95% and 61%, respectively;the positive predictive value was 20% and the negative predictive value was 99%. Conclusions An hs-CRP assay is a potential MVA biomarker in low-risk NSTEMI patients with GRACE scores < 140. If validated in prospective studies, hs-CRP may offer a low-cost supplementary strategy for risk stratification for NSTEMI patients.

Relationship between acute kidney injury before thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair and in-hospital outcomes in patients with type B acute aortic dissection

Objective Acute kidney injury （AKI） frequently occurs after catheter-based interventional procedures and increases mortality. However, the implications of AKI before thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair （TEVAR） of type B acute aortic dissection （AAD） remain unclear. This study evaluated the incidence, predictors, and in-hospital outcomes of AKI before TEVAR in patients with type B AAD. Methods Between 2009 and 2013, 76 patients were retrospectively evaluated who received TEVAR for type B AAD within 36 h from symptom onset. The patients were classified into no-AKI vs. AKI groups, and the severity of AKI was further staged according to kidney disease： im- proving global outcomes criteria before TEVAR. Results The incidence of preoperative AKI was 36.8%. In-hospital complications was significantly higher in patients with preoperative AKI compared with no-AKI （50.0% vs. 4.2%, respectively; P 〈 0.001）, including acute renal failure （21.4% vs. O, respectively; P 〈 0.001）, and they increased with severity of AKI （P 〈 0.001）. The maximum levels of body tem- perature and white blood cell count were significantly related to maximum serum creatinine level before TEVAR. Multivariate analysis showed that systolic blood pressure on admission （OR： 1.023; 95% CI： 1.003-1.044; P ： 0.0238） and bilateral renal artery involvement （OR： 19.076; 95% CI： 1.914 190.164; P = 0.0120） were strong predictors of preoperative AKI. Conclusions Preoperative AKI frequently occurred in patients with type B AAD, and correlated with higher in-hospital complications and enhanced inflammatory reaction. Systolic blood pressure on admission and bilateral renal artery involvement were major risk factors for AKI before TEVAR.

Positive correlation between plasma PCSK9 and tissue factors levels in patients with angiographically diagnosed coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus

Background Pro-protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 （PCSK9） is a secreted protein that influences plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）. Both oxidized LDL and tissue factor （TF） contributed to the development of prothrombofic state. The pre- sent study aims to explore the relationship between plasma level of PCSK9 and that of TF in patient with coronary artery disease （CAD）. Methods From July 2013 to March 2014, we enrolled 197 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography because of suspected CAD at Beijing Anzhen Hospital in this study. All patients had no history of using lipid-lowering medication. Of these 197 patients （1B 1 male and 66 female, mean age 56.9 ± 11.8 years）, 81 had angiographically diagnosed CAD. Clinical data were collected. Plasma PCSK9 and TF were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Levels of plasma PCSK9 and TF were compared and their correlation analyzed among different patient groups. Results Both plasma levels of PCSK9 （279.8 ± 60.4μg/L vs. 216.5 ± 45.3μg/L, P 〈 0.01） and TF （156.4 ± 26.6 μg/mL vs. 112.1 ± 38.3 μg/L, P 〈 0.01） were significantly higher in patients with CAD, as compared with those with- out CAD. Correlation analysis showed plasma level of PCSK9 was significantly correlated with that of TF in both patients with and without CAD. However, multivariate regression analysis after adjustment for age, gender, smoking, alcohol, hypertension and hyperlipidemia showed that only in CAD patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, there was significant positive correlation between plasma levels of PCSK9 and TF （β = 0.353, P 〈 0.01）. Coneluslons The plasma level of PCSK9 is independently and positively associated with that of TF in CAD patients with diabetes mellitus, but not in those without diabetes mellitus. Further study is needed to investigate the underlying mechanism.

Clinical characteristics and one year outcomes in Chinese atrial fibrillation patients with stable coronary artery disease： a population-based study

Background Atrial fibrillation （AF） and coronary artery disease （CAD） often coexist, however, the clinical characteristics and the impact of stable CAD on the outcomes in Chinese patients with AF has not been well understood. Methods Consecutive AF patients in 20 hospitals in China from November 2008 to October 2011 were enrolled. The primary endpoints included 1-year all-cause mortality, stroke, non-central nervous system （non-CNS） embolism, and major bleeding. Results A total of 1947 AF patients were analyzed, of whom 40.5% had stable CAD. The mean CHADS2 scores in CAD patients were significantly higher than that of non-CAD patients （2.4 - 1.4 vs. 1.4 - 1.2, P 〈 0.001）. During follow-up period, warfarin use is low in both groups, with relatively higher proportion in non-CAD patients compared with CAD patients （22.3% vs. 10.7%, P 〈 0.001）. Compared with non-CAD patients, CAD patients had higher one-year all-cause mortality （16.8% vs. 12.9%, P = 0.017） and incidence of stroke （9.0% vs. 6.4%, P = 0.030）, while the non-CNS embolism and major bleeding rates were comparable between the two groups. After multivariate adjustment, stable CAD was independently associated with increased risk of 1-year all-cause mortality （HR = 1.35, 95% CI： 1.01-1 .80, P = 0.040）, but not associated with stroke （HR = 1.07, 95% CI： 0.72-1.58, P = 0.736）. Conclusions Stable CAD was prevalent in Chinese AF patients and was independently associated with increased risk of 1-year all-cause mortality. Chinese AF patients with stable CAD received inadequate antithrombotic therapy and this grim status of antithrombotic therapy needed to be improved urgently.

New tools for optimizing fluid resuscitation in acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis(AP)is a frequent disease with degrees of increasing severity responsible for high morbidity.Despite continuous improvement in care,mortality remains significant.Because hypovolemia,together with microcirculatory dysfunction lead to poor outcome,fluid therapy remains a cornerstone of the supportive treatment.However,poor clinical evidence actually support the aggressive fluid therapy recommended in recent guidelines since available data are controversial.Fluid management remains unclear and leads to current heterogeneous practice.Different strategies may help to improve fluid resuscitation in AP.On one hand,integration of fluid therapy in a global hemodynamic resuscitation has been demonstrated to improve outcomein surgical or septic patients.Tailored fluid administration after early identification of patients with high-risk of poor outcome presenting inadequate tissue oxygenation is a major part of this strategy.On the other hand,new decision parameters have been developed recently to improve safety and efficiency of fluid therapy in critically ill patients.In this review,we propose a personalized strategy integrating these new concepts in the early fluid management of AP.This new approach paves the way to a wide range of clinical studies in the field of AP.

Ectopic gastrointestinal variceal bleeding with portal hypertension

Massive gastrointestinal bleeding from gastrointestinal varices is one of the most serious complications in patients with portal hypertension. However, if no bleeding point can be detected by endoscopy in the predilection sites of gastrointestinal varices, such as the esophagus and stomach, ectopic gastrointestinal variceal bleeding should be considered as a differential diagnosis. Herein, we report a case of ectopic ileal variceal bleeding in a 57-year-old woman, which was successfully diagnosed by multi-detector row CT(MDCT) and angiography and treated by segmental ileum resection. To date, there have been no consensus for the treatment of ectopic ileal variceal bleeding. This review was designed to clarify the clinical characteristics of patients with ectopic ileal variceal and discuss possible treatment strategies. From the PubMed database and our own database, we reviewed 21 consecutive cases of ileal variceal bleeding diagnosed from 1982 to 2017. MDCT and angiography is useful for the rapid examination and surgical resection of an affected lesion and is a safe and effective treatment strategy to avoid further bleeding.

Glucocorticoid receptor expression on acute lung injury induced by endotoxin in rats

In cases of severe sepsis and septic shock, a series of pathophysiological changes lead to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.This study aimed to investigate the expression of glucocorticoid receptor mRNA in the rat lung following endotoxin （LPS） induced shock. Totally 56 SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups： LPS shock group （n=16）, LPS＋vasoactive intestinal peptide group（VIP） group, （n=16）, LPS＋VIP＋ glucocorticoid （GC） group, （n=16）,and control group （n=8）. LPS shock was induced by intravenous injection of LPS （10 mg/kg） in rats. Within 15 minutes after LPS injection, rats in the treatment groups received VIP （5 nmol/kg） or VIP and methylprednisolone （3 mg/kg）. The control group was given normal saline instead of LPS. The rats of the four groups were sacrificed at 6 hours,24 hours after injection respectively, and the lung tissues were collected. Pathological changes of the lungs were examined by light microscopy and electron microscopy. GRmRNA expression in the lung tissues was evaluated by RT-PCR. In the LPS shock group, lung histopathology demonstrated destruction of the alveolar space,widening of the inter-alveolar space, inflammatory cell infiltration and interstitial edema. However,pathological changes in the LPS＋ VIP group and LPS＋ VIP＋GC group were milder than those in the LPS shock group. Six hours after LPS injection, GR mRNA expression was down-regulated in the LPS group （0.72± 0.24） and LPS＋ VIP group （0.88±0.27） （P〈0.05） as compared with the control group （1.17±0.22）. The LPS shock group showed a more significant down-regualtion than the LPS＋VIP group, but the difference was not statistically significant （P〉0.05）. In contrast, GRmRNA expression in the LPS＋ VIP＋GC group was significantly up-regulated at 6 hours and further at 24 hours （1.45±0.32 and 1.91±0.46 respectively） （P〈0.05）. GrmRNA expression decreased in LPS induced lung injury in rats. Combined treatment with VIP and GC mitigated lung injury ang inflammation. The mechanism may be related to up-regulation of GR mRNA expression.

Patients with ST-segment elevation of myocardial infarction miss out on early reperfusion： when to undergo delayed revascularization

Objective There are still a high proportion of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI） missing out early reperfusion even in the primary percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） era. Most of them are stable latecomers, but the optimal time to undergo delayed PCI for stable ones remains controversial. Methods We investigated all STEMI patients who underwent delayed PCI （2-28 days after STEMI） during 2007-2010 in Beijing and excluded patients with hemodynamic instability. The primary outcome was maj or adverse cardiovascular events （MACEs）. Results This study finally enrolled 5,417 STEMI patients and assigned them into three groups according to individual delayed time （Early group, 55.9%; Medium group, 35.4%; Late group, 8.7%）. During 1-year follow-up, MACEs occurred in 319 patients. The incidence of MACEs were respectively 7.1%, 5.6% and 6.7% among three groups. The Medium group had less recurrent myocardial infarction plus cardiac death （hazard ratio, 0.525; 95% confidence interval, 0.294-0.938, P = 0.030） than Late group and less repeat revascularization （hazard ratio, 0.640; 95% confidence interval, 0.463-0.883, P = 0.007） than Early group in pairwise comparisons. We depicted the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular event （MACE） by delayed time as a quadratic curve and found the bottom appeared at day 14. Conclusions The delayed PCI time varied in the real-world practice, but undergoing operations on the second week after STEMI had greater survival benefit and less adverse events for whom without early reperfusion and hemodynamic instability.