Predicting Endometrium Receptivity with Parameters of Spiral Artery Blood Flow

In order To evaluate whether the parameters of spiral artery blood flow, as measured by transvaginal color Doppler, may be used to assess endometrium receptivity prior to embryo transfer (ET), a retrospective study of 94 infertile women who had undergone ART treatments with different outcomes (pregnant or nonpregnant) was done. Subendometrial blood flow was evaluated. The resistance index (RI), systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D) and pulsatility index (PI) were significantly lower in those who achieved pregnancy as compared with those who did not: 0.62±0.04 vs 0.68±0.04 (P<0.001), 2.66±0.33 vs 3.19±0.39 (P<0.01) and 1.15±0.17 vs 1.34±0.22 (P<0.05), respectively. Furthermore, when RI>0.72, PI>1.6, and S/D>3.6, no pregnancy occurred. These data suggest that the parameters of spiral artery blood flow could be used as a new assay in predicting endometrial receptivity before ET.

Cerebral arterial blood flow,attention,and executive and cognitive functions in depressed patients after acute hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage

BACKGROUND Intracerebral hemorrhage mainly occurs in middle-aged and elderly patients with hypertension,and surgery is currently the main treatment for hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage,but the bleeding caused by surgery will cause damage to the patient's nerve cells,resulting in cognitive and motor dysfunction,resulting in a decline in the patient's quality of life.AIM To investigate associations between cerebral arterial blood flow and executive and cognitive functions in depressed patients after acute hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage.METHODS Eighty-nine patients with depression after acute hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage who were admitted to our hospital between January 2019 and July 2021 were selected as the observation group,while 100 patients without depression who had acute hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage were selected as the control group.The attention span of the patients was assessed using the Paddle Pin Test while executive function was assessed using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test(WCST)and cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale(MoCA).The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAMD-24)was used to evaluate the severity of depression of involved patients.Cerebral arterial blood flow was measured in both groups.RESULTS The MoCA score,net scores I,II,III,IV,and the total net score of the scratch test in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).Concurrently,the total number of responses,number of incorrect responses,number of persistent errors,and number of completed responses of the first classification in the WCST test were significantly higher in the observation group than those in the control group(P<0.05).Blood flow in the basilar artery,left middle cerebral artery,right middle cerebral artery,left anterior cerebral artery,and right anterior cerebral artery was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).The basilar artery,left middle cerebral artery,right middle cerebral artery,left anterior cerebral artery,and right anterior cerebral artery were positively correlated with the net and total net scores of each part of the Paddle Pin test and the MoCA score(P<0.05),and negatively correlated with each part of the WCST test(P<0.05).In the observation group,the post-treatment improvement was more prominent in the Paddle Pin test,WCST test,HAMD-24 score,and MoCA score compared with those in the pre-treatment period(P<0.05).Blood flow in the basilar artery,left middle cerebral artery,right middle cerebral artery,left anterior cerebral artery,and right anterior cerebral artery significantly improved in the observation group after treatment(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Impaired attention,and executive and cognitive functions are correlated with cerebral artery blood flow in patients with depression after acute hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage and warrant further study.

Preliminary study of abnormal increase of postexercise systolic blood pressure in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease

Objectives This study sought to evaluate the diagnostic value of abnormal increase of postexercise systolic blood pressure (SBP) for detecting coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with or without hypertension. Methods Treadmill exercise testing (TET) was conducted in 88 patients (40 CAD patients, 48 control subjects) with or without hypertension, each of whom underwent selective coronary angiography (CAG). The abnormal increase of postexercise SBP was defined as 10mmHg higher than earlier periods during the recovery phase (6 minutes) of exercise testing. Results The abnormal increase of postexercise SBP had higher sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for detecting CAD than those of ST - segment depression in patients with or without hypertension. Its accuracy increased with the severity of CAD while decreased in patients with hypertension, and the increase value of SBP had a positive correlation with the extent of coronary artery lesion. The combination of ST - segment depression and abnormal increase of postexercise SBP diagnosed CAD most accurately in patients with hypertension. Conclusions Abnormal increase of postexercise SBP may be a useful index for diagnosing CAD.

Effects of Combined Inhalation of Budesonide,Formoterol,and Tiotropium Bromide on Arterial Blood Gas and Pulmonary Function Indexes in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective:To analyze the effect of combined inhalation of budesonide formoterol and tiotropium bromide on arterial blood gas and pulmonary function indexes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods:100 patients with COPD treated from January to December 2022 were selected as observation objects,and were divided into a control group(n=50,in which budesonide and formoterol were administered)and an experimental group(n=50,the treatment drug was budesonide formoterol combined with tiotropium bromide)according to the computer grouping method,and compared the treatment results.Results:(i)Before treatment,there was no difference in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide and partial pressure of oxygen between the control group and the experimental group(P>0.05);after treatment,the partial pressure of carbon dioxide and partial pressure of oxygen in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group,with significant differences(P<0.05).(ii)Before treatment,there was no difference in forced vital capacity(FVC),forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1),FEV1/FVC between the control group and the experimental group(P>0.05);after treatment,the FVC,FEV1,and FEV1/FVC in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).(iii)There was no difference in the levels of CRP,IL-6,and TNF-αbetween the control group and the experimental group(P>0.05);after treatment,the levels of CRP,IL-6,and TNF-αin the experimental group were lower than those in the control group,with significant differences(P<0.05).(iv)Compared to the total incidence of adverse reactions in the control group(28.00%),the incidence of total adverse reactions in the experimental group was lower at 10.00%,and the difference was significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:The combined inhalation of budesonide and formoterol with tiotropium bromide has demonstrated a clear therapeutic efficacy and safety in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.This treatment approach effectively enhances arterial blood gas levels and lung function,showing promising potential for widespread application.

Analysis of uterine artery and sex hormones in treating diminished ovarian reserve with tiaojing decoction

Objective: To observe the effect of tiaojing decoction and climen on diminished ovarian reserve patients with de ficiency of Kidney-Yin by sex hormone and uterine artery blood flow parameters. To verify the e ffectiveness of tiaojing decoction on diminished ovarian reserve and uterine artery blood flow parameters, explore the correlation between uterine artery blood flow parameters and sex hormones. Methods: Total 60 diminished ovarian reserve patients with deficiency of Kidney-Yin were randomly divided into the experimental group (n=30, taking tiaojing decoction and climen) and the control group (n=30, taking climen) and they were treated in 3 months. Observe bFSH, bE2, uterine artery PSV, EDV, S/D, RI before and after the treatment in the 2-4 day of menstruation. Results: After treatment, serum sex hormone levels and uterine artery blood flow parameters of the two groups were significantly different (P < 0.05), and the experimental group was significantly better than the control group. There was a linear correlation between PSV and FSH, PSV and E2, FSH and E2. Conclusion: Tiaojing decoction combined with climen has significant effect on diminished ovarian reserve patients with deficiency of Kidney-Yin. Uterine artery blood flow parameters can reflect the sex hormone levels.

Correlation between blood pressure changes and AMS, sleeping quality and exercise upon high-altitude exposure in young Chinese men

Background: Excessive elevation of arterial blood pressure(BP) at high altitude can be detrimental to our health due to acute mountain sickness(AMS) or some AMS symptoms. This prospective and observational study aimed to elucidate blood pressure changes induced by exposure to high-altitude hypoxia and the relationships of these changes with AMS prevalence, AMS severity, sleep quality and exercise condition in healthy young men.Methods: A prospective observational study was performed in 931 male young adults exposed to high altitude at 3,700 m(Lhasa) from low altitude(LA, 500 m). Blood pressure measurement and AMS symptom questionnaires were performed at LA and on day 1, 3, 5, and 7 of exposure to high altitude. Lake Louise criteria were used to diagnose AMS. Likewise, the Athens Insomnia Scale(AIS) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale(ESS) were filled out at LA and on day 1, 3, and 7 of exposure to high altitude.Results: After acute exposure to 3,700 m, diastolic blood pressure(DBP) and mean arterial blood pressure(MABP) rose gradually and continually(P【0.05). Analysis showed a relationship with AMS for only MABP(P【0.05) but not for SBP and DBP(P】0.05). Poor sleeping quality was generally associated with higher SBP or DBP at high altitude, although inconsistent results were obtained at different time(P【0.05). SBP and Pulse BP increased noticeably after high-altitude exercise(P【0.05).Conclusions: Our data demonstrate notable blood pressure changes under exposure to different high-altitude conditions: 1) BP increased over time. 2) Higher BP generally accompanied poor sleeping quality and higher incidence of AMS. 3) SBP and Pulse BP were higher after high-altitude exercise. Therefore, we should put more effort into monitoring BP after exposure to high altitude in order to guard against excessive increases in BP.

Arterial pulse impact on blood flow

Numerous pathophysiologic observations in humans and animals led to the formulation of the response-to-injury hypothesis of atherosclerosis, which proposed that endothelial denu- dation by the blood flow was the first step in atherosclerosis. At present it is impossible to describe hemodynamics only by the Navier-Stokes or Oldroyd-B equations because in the large arteries blood flow is unsteady, with the flow separation and waveform propagation of the thyxotropic mass. The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of the arterial pulse wave on the blood flow and initial factors of atherosclerosis. In 12 healthy men (25-39 years of age) peak velocity, mean velocity, mean flow and net flow in the aorta have been investigated by МR angiography. Initial velocity was registered after 43msec of the ECG-R wave, and it differed from zero at all sites of the aorta, although net flow was equal to zero. Womersley’s number from the ascending to the thoracic aorta decreased from 12.5 &#177;1.5 to 7.3 &#177;1.2;flow modified from inertio-elastic to viscous. In the aortic arch in protodiastole blood flow separated into the opposite directed streams resulting in wave superposition with the high net flow. At the isthmus area separated waves interferences and reflects to anterograde direction. Here flow acceleration in protodiastole is 6 times higher than in systole. Pulse waves move on artery walls fifteen or more times more rapidly than the blood flow. Pulse oscillation increases strain rate to the contiguous vessel wall flow layers. At the sites with the flow wave negative interference vessel pulse oscillation attenuates and at the boundary reflection flow wave can shift the vessel wall.

Electroacupuncture induces acute changes in cerebral cortical mi RNA profile, improves cerebral blood flow and alleviates neurological deficits in a rat model of stroke

Electroacupuncture has been shown to improve cerebral blood flow in animal models of stroke. However, it is unclear whether electroacupuncture alters mi RNA expression in the cortex. In this study, we examined changes in the cerebral cortical mi RNA profile, cerebral blood flow and neurological function induced by electroacupuncture in a rat model of stroke. Electroacupuncture was performed at Renzhong（GV26） and Neiguan（PC6）, with a frequency of 2 Hz, continuous wave, current intensity of 3.0 m A, and stimulation time of 1 minute. Electroacupuncture increased cerebral blood flow and alleviated neurological impairment in the rats. mi RNA microarray profiling revealed that the vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway, which links cell proliferation with stroke, was most significantly affected by electroacupuncture. Electroacupuncture induced changes in expression of rno-mi R-206-3p, rno-mi R-3473, rno-mi R-6216 and rno-mi R-494-3p, and these changes were confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Our findings suggest that changes in cell proliferation-associated mi RNA expression induced by electroacupuncture might be associated with the improved cerebral blood supply and functional recovery following stroke.

EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE ON BLOOD FLOW OF VERTEBRAL AND BASILAR ARTERIES IN STROKE PATIENTS

Objective: To observe the short-term effect and long-term effect of acupuncture on blood flow of vertebral and basilar arteries in stroke patients. Methods: A total of 58 stroke patients (34 males and 24 females) were agreed to participate in this study, and changes of blood flow of the vertebral and basilar arteries were detected after one week’s and 45 days’ continuous acupuncture treatment by using a Doppler’s ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus. Bilateral Fengchi (GB 20), Wangu (GB 12), Tianzhu (BL 10), etc. were punctured and stimulated with small amplitude, high frequency and twirling-reinforcing method for 3 min. The treatment was conducted once daily. Results: Following one week’s and 45 days’ acupuncture treatment, diastolic velocity (DV), systolic velocity (SV) and mean velocity (MV) of the basilar artery increased significantly in comparison with pre-treatment (P<0.05～0.01). After one week’s acupuncture treatment, DV, SV and MV of the vertebral artery on the affected side of the brain and after 45 days’ treatment, DV, SV and MV of the vertebral artery on the bilateral sides of the brain all increased considerably compared with their individual basic levels of pre-treatment (P<0.05～0.01). No significant differences were found between pre-treatment and post-treatment in pulse index (PI) of the basilar artery and bilateral vertebral arteries (P> 0.05). Results indicated that acupuncture treatment could effectively improve blood supply of the basilar artery and regulate the uneven blood flow of the bilateral vertebral arteries. Conclusion: Acupuncture treatment can raise blood flow of the brain in stroke patients.

Algorithm-based arterial blood sampling recognition increasing safety in point-of-care diagnostics

AIM To detect blood withdrawal for patients with arterial blood pressure monitoring to increase patient safety and provide better sample dating.METHODS Blood pressure information obtained from a patient monitor was fed as a real-time data stream to an experimental medical framework. This framework was connected to an analytical application which observes changes in systolic, diastolic and mean pressure to determine anomalies in the continuous data stream. Detection was based on an increased mean blood pressure caused by the closing of the withdrawal three-way tap and an absence of systolic and diastolic measurements during this manipulation. For evaluation of the proposed algorithm, measured data from animal studies in healthy pigs were used.RESULTS Using this novel approach for processing real-time measurement data of arterial pressure monitoring, the exact time of blood withdrawal could be successfully detected retrospectively and in real-time. The algorithm was able to detect 422 of 434(97%) blood withdrawals for blood gas analysis in the retrospective analysis of 7 study trials. Additionally, 64 sampling events for other procedures like laboratory and activated clotting time analyses were detected. The proposed algorithm achieved a sensitivity of 0.97, a precision of 0.96 and an F1 score of 0.97.CONCLUSION Arterial blood pressure monitoring data can be used toperform an accurate identification of individual blood samplings in order to reduce sample mix-ups and thereby increase patient safety.

Most patients with non-hypertensive diseases at a critical care resuscitation unit require arterial pressure monitoring: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND:Blood pressure(BP)monitoring is essential for patient care.Invasive arterial BP(IABP)is more accurate than non-invasive BP(NIBP),although the clinical signifi cance of this diff erence is unknown.We hypothesized that IABP would result in a change of management(COM)among patients with non-hypertensive diseases in the acute phase of resuscitation.METHODS:This prospective study included adults admitted to the Critical Care Resuscitation Unit(CCRU)with non-hypertensive disease from February 1,2019,to May 31,2021.Management plans to maintain a mean arterial pressure>65 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)were recorded in real time for both NIBP and IABP measurements.A COM was defined as a discrepancy between IABP and NIBP that resulted in an increase/decrease or addition/discontinuation of a medication/infusion.Classification and regression tree analysis identified significant variables associated with a COM and assigned relative variable importance(RVI)values.RESULTS:Among the 206 patients analyzed,a COM occurred in 94(45.6%[94/206])patients.The most common COM was an increase in current infusion dosages(40 patients,19.4%).Patients receiving norepinephrine at arterial cannulation were more likely to have a COM compared with those without(45[47.9%]vs.32[28.6%],P=0.004).Receiving norepinephrine(relative variable importance[RVI]100%)was the most signifi cant factor associated with a COM.No complications were identifi ed with IABP use.CONCLUSION:A COM occurred in 94(45.6%)non-hypertensive patients in the CCRU.Receiving vasopressors was the greatest factor associated with COM.Clinicians should consider IABP monitoring more often in non-hypertensive patients requiring norepinephrine in the acute resuscitation phase.Further studies are necessary to confi rm the risk-to-benefi t ratios of IABP among these high-risk patients.

Mechanical ventilation and outcomes in COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care unit in a low-resources setting: A retrospective study

Objective:To describe the strategies and outcomes of mechanical ventilation in a poorly equipped facility.Methods:This retrospective descriptive study included patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU)and mechanically ventilated between September 1,2020,and May 31,2021.Data were collected from medical records and databases.Results:54 Patients aged(62.9±13.3)years were included.Among these cases,79.6%had at least one comorbidity.On admission,all patients had hypoxia.The median peripheral oxygen saturation in room air was 76%(61%,83%).Non-invasive ventilation(NIV)was performed in 75.9%of the patients,and invasive mechanical ventilation(IMV)in 68.5%.IMV was performed on patients due to severe coma(8.1%),failure of standard oxygen therapy(27.0%),and failure of NIV(64.9%).An arterial blood gas test was performed in 14.8%of the patients.NIV failed in 90.2%of cases and succeeded in 9.8%.IMV was successful in 5.4%of cases,vs.94.6%of mortality.The overall mortality rate of patients on ventilation in the ICU was 88.9%.The causes of death included severe respiratory distress syndrome(85.2%),multiple organ failure(14.8%),and pulmonary embolism(13.0%).Conclusions:The ventilation management of COVID-19 patients in the ICU with NIV and IMV in a scarce resource setting is associated with a high mortality rate.Shortcomings are identified in ventilation strategies,protocols,and monitoring.Required improvements were also proposed.

Theoretical investigations on a variable-coefficient generalized forced–perturbed Korteweg–de Vries–Burgers model for a dilated artery,blood vessel or circulatory system with experimental support

Recent theoretical physics efforts have been focused on the probes for nonlinear pulse waves in,for example,variable-radius arteries.With respect to the nonlinear waves in an artery full of blood with certain aneurysm,pulses in a blood vessel,or features in a circulatory system,this paper symbolically computes out an auto-B?cklund transformation via a noncharacteristic movable singular manifold,certain families of the solitonic solutions,as well as a family of the similarity reductions for a variable-coefficient generalized forced–perturbed Korteweg–de Vries–Burgers equation.Aiming,e.g.,at the dynamical radial displacement superimposed on the original static deformation from an arterial wall,our results rely on the axial stretch of the injured artery,blood as an incompressible Newtonian fluid,radius variation along the axial direction or aneurysmal geometry,viscosity of the fluid,thickness of the artery,mass density of the membrane material,mass density of the fluid,strain energy density of the artery,shear modulus,stretch ratio,etc.We also highlight that the shock-wave structures from our solutions agree well with those dusty-plasma-experimentally reported.

Pulmonary complications in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease following transthoracic esophagectomy

AIM： To investigate the incidence of various types of postoperative pulmonary complications （POPCs） and to evaluate the significance of perioperative arterial blood gases in patients with esophageal cancer accompanied with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） after esophagectomy. MEHTODS： Three hundred and fifty-eight patients were divided into POPC group and COPD group. We performed a retrospective review of the 358 consecutive patients after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer with or without COPD to assess the possible influence of COPD on postoperative pulmonary complications. We classified COPD into four grades according to percent-predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s （FEV1） and analyzed the incidence rate of complications among the four grades. Perioperative arterial blood gases were tested in patients with or without pulmonary complications in COPD group and compared with POP（： group. RESULTS： Patients with COPD （29/86, 33.7%）had more pulmonary complications than those without COPD （36/272, 13.2%） （P〈0.001）. Pneumonia （15/29, 51.7%）, atelectasis （13/29, 44.8%）, prolonged 02 supplement （10/29, 34.5%）, and prolonged mechanical ventilation （8/29, 27.6%） were the major complications in COPD group. Moreover, patients with severe COPD （grade Ⅱ B, FEV1 〈 50% of predicted） had more POPCs than those with moderate（gradeⅡA,50%-80% of predicted） and mild （grade Ⅰ≥80% of predicted） COPD （P〈0.05）. PaO2 was decreased and PaCO2 was increased in patients with pulmonary complications in COPD group in the first postoperative week.CONCLUSION： The criteria of COPD are the critical predictor for pulmonary complications in esophageal cancer patients undergoing esophagectomy. Severity of COPD affects the incidence rate of the pulmonary complication,and percent-predicted FEV1 is a good predictive variable for pulmonary complication in patients-with COPD.Arterial blood gases are helpful in directing perioperative management.

Intensivists’response to hyperoxemia in mechanical ventilation patients:The status quo and related factors

BACKGROUND:Due to the still sparse literature in China,the investigation of hyperoxemia management is required.Thus,we aim to conduct a retrospective study to provide more information about hyperoxemia management in intensive care unit(ICU)patients.METHODS:We retrospectively screened the medical records of adult patients(age≥18 years)who required mechanical ventilation(MV)≥24 hours from January 1,2018,to December 31,2018.All arterial blood gas(ABG)tested during MV was retrieved,and MV settings were recorded.The median arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2)>120 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)was defined as mild to moderate hyperoxemia,and PaO2>300 mmHg as extreme hyperoxemia.Intensivists’response to hyperoxemia was assessed based on the reduction of fraction of inspired oxygen(FiO2)within one hour after hyperoxemia was recorded.Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent factors associated with the intensivists’response to hyperoxemia.RESULTS:A total of 592 patients were fi nally analyzed.The median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II(APACHE II)score was 21(15-26).The PaO2,arterial oxygen saturation(SaO2),FiO2,and positive end expiratory pressure(PEEP)were 96.4(74.0-126.0)mmHg,97.8%(95.2%-99.1%),0.4(0.4-0.5),and 5(3-6)cmH2O,respectively.Totally 174(29.39%)patients had PaO2>120 mmHg,and 19(3.21%)patients had extreme hyperoxemia at PaO2>300 mmHg.In cases of mild to moderate hyperoxemia with FiO2≤0.4,only 13(2.20%)patients had a decrease in FiO2 within one hour.The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that a positive response was independently associated with FiO2(odds ratio[OR]1.09,95%confi dence interval[CI]1.06-1.12,P<0.001),PaO2(OR 1.01,95%CI 1.00-1.01,P=0.002),and working shifts(OR 5.09,95%CI 1.87-13.80,P=0.001).CONCLUSIONS:Hyperoxemia occurs frequently and is neglected in most cases,particularly when mild to moderate hyperoxemia,hyperoxemia with lower FiO2,hyperoxemia during night and middle-night shifts,or FiO2 less likely to be decreased.Patients may be at a risk of oxygen toxicity because of the liberal oxygen strategy.Therefore,further research is needed to improve oxygen management for patients with MV in the ICUs.

Effects of renal artery stenting on renal function and blood pressure in patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease

Objective To study the effects of percutaneous renal artery intervention on renal function and blood pressure in patients with renal artery stenosis. Methods Eighty-seven patients with severe uni- or bi-lateral renal artery stenosis (luminal diameter narrowing ≥70%) and clinical hypertension received renal artery stenting between January 2002 and December 2002. The changes in blood pressure and serum creatinine level and creatinine clearance (CCr) 48 hours after intervention and during 6 months of follow-up were assessed.Results Renal stenting was performed in 98 stenotic arteries of 87 patients,and the procedural success rate was 100%. Serum creatinine level was slightly elevated from (176±21) μmol/L to (179±11) μmol/L ( P =0.15) 48 hours after the procedure,but significantly decreased to (149±15) μmol/L at 6 months ( P <0.001). CCr was also greatly improved [(37±11) ml/min before versus (51±8) ml/min at 6 months,P <0.001]. During follow-up,61% of the patients experienced a normal renal function. Despite conventional medical treatment,systolic and diastolic blood pressures were also significantly decreased after stenting [(163±23)/(96±13) mm Hg before versus (148±12)/(79±15) mm Hg at 6 months,all P <0.001],and hypertension was well controlled in 67% of the patients at 6 months’ follow-up.Conclusion Renal artery stenting has a high success rate and is effective in improving renal function and blood pressure for patients with severe renal artery stenosis.

Modulation by anti-oketsu formulations in Kampo medicine of human arterial stiffness

Objective:In traditional herbal medicine(Kampo medicine in Japan),'sho'is diagnosed by the traditional assessments of clinical conditions.Among a variety of the shos,there is an'oketsu'syndrome,which is a stagnation and disturbance of microcirculation.The prompt effects of four anti-oketsu formulations in Kampo medicine on cardiovascular functions were compared in oketsu and non-oketsu persons.Methods:The arterial pulse wave from radial artery is formed by the combination with ejection and reflection pulses.An augmentation index(AI),a ration of the ejection and reflection pulses,indicates a degree of arteriosclerosis.For both seventy-six students with oketsu and thirty-seven students with non-oketsu,Kampo formulations overcoming oketsu of Tokishakuyakusan(TS,Dang-Gui-Shao-Yao-San),Kamishoyosan(KS,Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San),Keisibukuryogan(KB,Gui-Zhi-Fu-Ling-Wan)and Tokakujokito(TJ,Tao-He-Cheng-Qi-Tang)were taken once,and then,the cardiovascular functions including blood pressure,heart rate,central arterial blood pressure(CBP)and AI were examined for 60 min.Results:At 40-60 min after an intake,these formulations decreased the AI almost by 6-18%(n=76),by 18.3±3.1%(P<0.01,n=15)with TJ.Simultaneously,the CBP was reduced by 9.0±1.8%(P<0.05,n=23)with KS and by 9.1±2.0%(P<0.05,n=15)with TJ.On the other hands,non-oketsu group had less or no effect by any kinds of the formulations.Conclusion:The anti-oketsu formulations can exert the ameliorative action for oketsu persons via decreasing AI and CBP.

Analyses of Characteristics of Long-Term Monitoring of Arterial Pressure and Pulse

Long-term observations of pulse and arterial blood pressure taken from a patient＇s daily self-control diary have been analyzed in the paper. The diary was kept in the morning and in the evening. It contains regular observational data collected during over 13 years. Statistical estimates of series and their spectral responses were obtained. A difference between the morning and evening series was noted. Spectral harmonics with the period of 7 days was typical of the evening series. The morning series are characterized by a ＂lunar＂ component with the -27.35-day period. The examined series were also compared with the daily series of atmospheric pressure and daily Wolf numbers. Seasonal pulse and arterial pressure pattern and average monthly self-control tabulated data obtained during 13 years are presented in the paper.

A Novel Technique to Maintain Radial Arterial Catheter Position: The Arterial Catheter Stabilizer

Despite widespread use of arterial catheters, there is remarkably little described about their stabilization in the literature. A brief review of arterial catheterization techniques is included. The fixation techniques described in the literature and in commercial product information are essentially to tape or suture the arterial catheter flat against the skin. Often the wrist is immobilized in the dorsiflexed position to prevent kinking or dislodging of the catheter. We describe a simple device made from a gauze pad and tape to elevate and protect the arterial line while minimizing its kinking during wrist flexion.