A simultaneous occurrence of pulmonary embolism and cerebral infarction following Micra^(TM)leadless pacemaker implantation

Since the successful implantation of the first cardiac pacemaker(PM)in 1958,PM has been widely used in clinical practice.With the advancement of interventional technology,PMs have become smaller and more effective.Despite continuous improvements,traditional PMs remain associated with a proportional risk of immediate-and short-term complications(9%–12%),[1]which are mainly related to electrodes or pockets.Short-term complications include pneumothorax,cardiac tamponade.

Clinicopathological and prognostic analysis of 429 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

AIM:To understand the clinicopathological characteristics and treatment selections and improve survival and provide valuable information for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC). METHODS:We retrospectively evaluated 5311 liver cancer patients who received resection between October 1999 and December 2003.Of these,429(8.1%)patients were diagnosed with ICC,and their clinicopathological, surgical,and survival characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS:Upper abdominal discomfort or pain(65.0%), no symptoms(12.1%),and hypodynamia(8.2%)were the major causes for medical attention.Laboratory tests showed 198(46.4%)patients were HBsAg positive, 90(21.3%)hadα-fetoprotein>20μg/L,50(11.9%) carcinoembryonic antigen>10μg/L,and 242(57.5%) carbohydrate antigen 19-9(CA19-9)>37 U/mL.Survival data was available for 329(76.7%)patients and their mean survival time was 12.4 mo.The overall survival of the patients with R0,R1 resection and punching exploration were 18.3,6.6 and 5.6 mo,respectively. Additionally,CA19-9>37 U/mL was associated with lymph node metastases,but inversely associated withcirrhosis.Multivariate analysis indicated that radical resection,lymph node metastases,macroscopic tumor thrombi and size,and CA19-9 were associated with prognosis. CONCLUSION:Surgical radical resection is still the most effective means to cure ICC.Certain laboratory tests(such as CA19-9)can effectively predict the survival of the patients with ICC.

Hepatectomy in the treatment of very big primary liver cancer: report of 86 cases

Objective: To study the indications for resection ofvery big primary liver cancer and the operative re-sults.Methods: From January 1985 to June 1996, 86 pa-tients with very big primary liver cancer (≥15cm indiameter) underwent hepatectomy in our hospital.The volume of bleeding and blood transfusion wasrecorded during the operation. After the operation,the draining quantity from their abdominal cavities,and the days of transfusion and hospitalization wererecorded. The occurrence of complications and sur-vival time of the patient were followed up.Results: The postoperative mortality was 3.48% andthe occurrence rate of complications was 31.40%, whichwas significantly correlated with preoperative lowerlevel of serum albumin or the elevated γ-globulin lev-el and the amount of resected liver tissue. But their liverfunction before operation was fairly good, the 1-, 3-and 5-year survival rates after hepatectomy were58.2%, 35.7% and 17.64%.Conclusions: Patients with very big primary liver can-cer, should be subjected to hepatectomy if their liverfunction before operation are normal and the marginsare distinct between the tumor and liver tissues. Afterthe operation, other treatments are suitable for goodeffects.