Salvia Polyphenolates Combined with Doxophylline in the Treatment of Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Heart Disease in the Compensated Stage

Objective:To statistically determine the effect of salvia polyphenolates combined with doxophylline treatment in patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease in the compensated stage.Methods:From January 2023 to January 2024,76 patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease in the compensated stage were selected as research subjects.The patients were divided into a research group and a reference group using a randomized numerical table method.The research group was treated with salvia polyphenolates combined with doxophylline,while the reference group received conventional therapy.The treatment effects of the two groups were compared.Results:The patients in the research group,treated with salvia polyphenolates combined with doxophylline,showed maximal ventilation of 73.26±4.83 L/min,left ventricular ejection fraction of 56.14±1.98%,and total effective treatment rate of 94.74%.These results were better than those of the reference group.The differences between the data of the research group and the reference group were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:For patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease in the compensated stage,treatment with salvia polyphenolates combined with doxophylline significantly improves maximum ventilation and left ventricular ejection fraction,and also results in a higher total effective treatment rate.

Short-term outcomes in heart failure patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the community

AIM:To establish the short term outcomes of heart failure(HF)patients in the community who have concurrent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).METHODS:We evaluated 783 patients(27.2%)with left ventricular systolic dysfunction under the care of a regional nurse-led community HF team between June 2007 and June 2010 through a database analysis.RESULTS:One hundred and one patients(12.9%)also had a diagnosis of COPD;94% of patients were treated with loop diuretics,83% with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors,74% with β-blockers;10.6% with bronchodilators;and 42% with aldosterone an-tagonists.The mean age of the patients was 77.9 ± 5.7 years;43% were female and mean New York Heart Association class was 2.3 ± 0.6.The mean follow-up was 28.2 ± 2.9 mo.β-blocker utilization was markedly lower in patients receiving bronchodilators compared with those not taking bronchodilators(overall 21.7% vs 81%,P < 0.001).The 24-mo survival was 93% in patients with HF alone and 89% in those with both comorbidities(P = not significant).The presence of COPD was associated with increased risk of HF hospitalization [hazard ratio(HR):1.56;95% CI:1.4-2.1;P < 0.001] and major adverse cardiovascular events(HR:1.23;95% CI:1.03-1.75;P < 0.001).CONCLUSION:COPD is a common comorbidity in ambulatory HF patients in the community and is a powerful predictor of worsening HF.It does not however appear to affect short-term mortality in ambulatory HF patients.

Effect of ivabradine in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with heart failure

Objective: To observe the effectiveness and safety of ivabradine in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and heart failure. Methods:Patients who were admitted to hospital with AECOPD during the period from August 2017 to July 2018. Then those both had heart failure with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF) and a resting heart rate>70 beats/min were enrolled. A total of 86 cases were screened and completed, which were randomly divided into two groups for treatment. The control group(41 cases) received standard treatments, such as oxygen, anti-infection, anti-spasmodic, hormone, diuretic, ACEI/ARB, recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP), etc. The bisoprolol was given 2.5~5 mg orally once a day to control heart rate, and the test group(45 cases) was further treated with ivabradine 2.5~5 mg orally twice a day on the basis of the control group. The average heart rate, cardiac function, lung function, and 6-minute walking test were compared between the two groups. Results: After treatment, the average heart rate of the test group was lower than the control group, and the heart rate control rate(<70 beats/min%) of the test group was superior to the control group. The level of N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) in test group was significantly lower than that in control group. The distance of the 6-minute walking test in e test group was significantly longer than that in control group. Conclusion: Ivabradine combined with bisoprolol could help patients with AECOPD and heart failure to further reduce the heart rates, improve heart function and exercise tolerance. Moreover, the therapeutic safety was acceptable during the short term.

Effect of sequential assist-control ventilation on cardio-pulmonary function and systemic inflammatory state of chronic pulmonary heart disease complicated with respiratory failure patients

Objective:To discuss the effect of sequential assist-control ventilation on cardio-pulmonary function and systemic inflammatory state of chronic pulmonary heart disease complicated with respiratory failure patients.Method: A total of 90 cases of chronic pulmonary heart disease complicated with respiratory failure patients, who were treated in our hospital between May, 2012 and Feb., 2016, were selected, and were divided into study group (n=45) and control group (n=45) based on random number table. Patients in control group were given auxiliary - control ventilation. (A/C) treatment during the whole course, while patients in study group were given A/C+BiPAP treatment. Cardio-pulmonary function and serum inflammatory factor content difference was compared inboth groups before and after operation.Results: Before treatment, difference ofcardiac function indicator, ABG level and inflammatory factor content in both groups had no statistical significance. After treatment, cardiac function indicator (PASP, RVd) levels in both groups were lower than before treatment, and EFRV levels were higher than before treatment, and changes in study group were more obvious than that in control group;ABG indicator (PaO2) levels in both groups were higher than before treatment, and PaCO2 levels werelower than before treatment, and changes in study group were more obvious than that in control group;serum inflammatory factor (hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α) content in both groups was lower than before treatment, and changes in study group were more obvious than that in control group.Conclusion: sequential assist-control ventilation could optimize the cardio-pulmonary function of chronic pulmonary heart disease complicated with respiratory failure patients and reduce the systemic inflammatory response.

Heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Two for tea or tea for two?

A combination of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF) is common yet it is inadequately and rarely recognized. Because of the similar clinical manifestations, comorbidity is frequently not considered and appropriate diagnostic tests are not performed. It is very important that a combination of COPD and HF is recognized as these patients have a worse prognosis than patients with an individual disease. When present, COPD should not prevent the use of life-saving therapy in patients with HF, particularly β-blockers. Despite clear evidence of the safety and tolerability of cardioselective β-blockers in COPD patients, these drugs remain grossly underprescribed and underdosed. Routine spirometry and echocardiography in HF and COPD patients, respectively, is therefore warranted to improve current clinical practice.

Role of Voltage-gated Potassium Channels in Pathogenesis of Chronic Pulmonary Heart Disease

The influence of hypoxia on the activity of voltage-gated potassium channel in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells （PASMCs） of rats and its roles in the pathogenesis of chronic pulmonary heart disease were investigated. Eighty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into control group （n=10）, acute hypoxic group （n=10）, and chronic hypoxic groups （n=60）. The chronic hypoxic groups were randomly divided into 6 subgroups （n=10 each） according to the chronic hypoxic periods. The rats in the control group were kept in room air and those in acute hypoxic group in hypoxia envi- ronmental chamber for 8 h. The rats in chronic hypoxic subgroups were kept in hypoxia environmental chamber for 8 h per day for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 days, respectively. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure （mPAP）, right ventricular hypertrophy index （RVHI）, and the current of voltage-gated potas- sium channel （IK） in PASMCs were measured. Results showed that both acute and chronic hypoxia could decrease the IK in PASMCs of rats and the I-V relationship downward shifted to the right. And the peak Ir density at ＋60mV decreased with prolongation of hypoxia exposure. No significant difference was noted in the density oflK （at ＋60 mV） and I-V relationship between control group and chronic hy- poxic subgroup exposed to hypoxia for 5 days （P〉0.05）, but there was a significant difference between control group and chronic hypoxic subgroup exposed to hypoxia for 10 days （P〈0.05）. Significant dif- ferences were noted in the IK density （at ＋60 mV） and I-V relationships between control group and chronic hypoxic subgroups exposed to hypoxia for 20 days and 30 days （P〈0.01）. Compared with con- trol rats, the mPAP and RVHI were significantly increased after chronic exposure to hypoxia for 10 days （P〈0.05）, which were further increased with prolongation of hypoxia exposure, and there were signifi- cant differences between control group and chronic hypoxic subgroups exposed to hypoxia for 20 days and 30 days （P〈0.01）. Both the mPAP and the RVHI were negatively correlated with the density OflK （r---0.89769 and -0.94476, respectively, both P〈0.01）. It is concluded that exposure to hypoxia may cause decreased activity of voltage-gated potassium channel, leading to hypoxia pulmonary vasocon- striction （HPV）. Sustained HPV may result in chronic pulmonary hypertension, even chronic pulmonary heart disease, contributing to the pathogenesis of chronic pulmonary heart disease.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting versus on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting： which is better in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease？

To evaluate the clinic outcome of off-pump coronary bypass grafting (OPCABG) of patients with coronary heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, we collected and analyzed 1998-2002 data on 28 patients with these two diseases who had received off-pump coronary bypass operation in our hospital, and compared with data on those who also had the same two diseases but received on-pump coronary artery bypass at same time. There were no operation-related death;one died of respiratory failure 14 days after operation while staying in hospital; there were more respiratory complications in the conventional coronary artery bypass grafting group (CCABG) than in the OPCABG group; and the PaO2/FiO2 in the CCABG group was higher than that in the OPCABG group during operation because of CPB, but lower than that in the OPCABG group 6-12 hours after operation. OPCABG seemed more suitable than CCABG for coronary artery disease patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to less damage to their oxygen-exchange capability and the fewer respiratory complications.

Effect of low-dose glucocorticoid on corticosteroid insufficient patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence rate of critical illness-related corticosteroid insuffi ciency(CIRCI) and the effect of low-dose glucocorticoid on prognosis of CIRCI in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD).METHODS: Since January 2010 to December 2012, 385 patients, who met the criteria of AECOPD, were enrolled in the Intensive Care Unit(ICU) of the First People's Hospital and Municipal Central Hospital of Xiangtan City. The AECOPD patients complicated with CIRCI screened by an adrenalcorticotrophic hormone test within 12 hours after admission to ICU were divided into a treatment group(n=32) and a control group(n=31) for a prospective, randomized and controlled clinical trial. Hydrocortisone(150 mg/d) or normal saline was injected intravenously for 7 days. The patients were followed up for 28 days after injection. The endpoint included 28-day survival time, non-shock time, ICU stay and the period of non-mechanical ventilation. The markers ofinfl ammation C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin 6 and procalcitonin were measured at baseline and 7 days after treatment. The variables were analyzed by Student's t test, the non-parametric statistical test, the Chi-square test or the Kaplan-Meier method with SPSS18.0 statistic software. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically signifi cant.RESULTS: Totally 63 patients were diagnosed with CIRCI by an adrenalcorticotrophic hormone test and the prevalence rate was 16.4%. The shock rate of the AECOPD patients complicated with CIRCI was higher than that of the AECOPD patients without CIRCI(23.8% vs. 8.7%, P<0.01). KaplanMeier analysis revealed that the 28-day survival time of the treatment group was obviously longer than that of the control group(P<0.05). Compared with the control group, shock-free days within 28 days was longer in the treatment group(18.2±9.5 vs. 25.8±4.1, P<0.05). Treatment with low-dose glucocorticoid obviously decreased the markers ofinfection and inflammation(P<0.01), such as C-reactive protein(13.2±5.5 mg/L vs. 8.3±3.1 mg/L for the control group; 13.5±5.9 mg/L vs. 5.1±2.3 mg/L for the treatment group), tumor necrosis factor-α(26.1±16.2 g/L vs. 17.5±11.7 g/L for the control group; 25.0±14.8 g/L vs. 10.4±7.8 g/L for the treatment group) and procalcitonin(3.88 g/L vs. 2.03 g/L for the control group; 3.77 g/L vs. 1.26 g/L for the treatment group). Furthermore, the markers in the treatment group decreased more obviously than those in the control group(P<0.01).CONCLUSION: The prevalence rate of CIRCI was higher in the patients with AECOPD in the department of critical medicine, and low-dose glucocorticoid treatment for one week reduced the 28-day mortality, shock time and markers ofinfection and infl ammation.

Impact of Tobacco Smoking on Health Care Utilization and Medical Costs in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,Coronary Heart Disease and Diabetes

Objective To determine the impact of smoking on disease-specific health care utilization and medical costs in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases(NCDs).Methods Participants were middle-aged and elderly adults with chronic NCDs from a prospective cohort in China.Logistic regressions and linear models were used to assess the relationship between tobacco smoking,health care utilization and medical costs.Results Totally,1020 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD),3144 patients with coronary heart disease(CHD),and 1405 patients with diabetes were included in the analysis.Among patients with COPD,current smokers(β:0.030,95%CI:−0.032-0.092)and former smokers(β:0.072,95%CI:0.014-0.131)had 3.0%and 7.2%higher total medical costs than never smokers.Medical costs of patients who had smoked for 21-40 years(β:0.028,95%CI:−0.038-0.094)and≥41 years(β:0.053,95%CI:−0.004β0.110)were higher than those of never smokers.Patients who smoked≥21 cigarettes(β:0.145,95%CI:0.051-0.239)per day had more inpatient visits than never smokers.The association between smoking and health care utilization and medical costs in people with CHD group was similar to that in people with COPD;however,there were no significant associations in people with diabetes.Conclusion This study reveals that the impact of smoking on health care utilization and medical costs varies among patients with COPD,CHD,and diabetes.Tobacco control might be more effective at reducing the burden of disease for patients with COPD and CHD than for patients with diabetes.

Effects of Huang Qi Wu Wu Decoction on Plasma Proteins in 70 Cases of Chronic Pulmonary Heart Disease

Simple immune agar diffusion test was used to assay the contents of 12 plasma proteins in 70 cases of chronic pulmonary heart disease treated by Huang Qi Wu Wu Decoction (黄芪五物汤), with the other 70 cases who were not given Huang Qi Wu Wu Decoction as the control group. The total clinical effective rate in the treatment group was 90.0%, while that in the control group was 75.7%, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). In the treatment group, the levels of prealbumin, transferrin and fibronectin elevated obviously after treatment, and the contents of C-reactive protein, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, a 1-antitrypsin and a 1-acid glycoprotein decreased markedly (P<0.01). In the control group, only the levels of ceruloplasmin and C-reactive protein decreased significantly (P<0.05). It is shown that Huang Qi Wu Wu Decoction may enhance the therapeutic effects for pulmonary heart disease, regulate the metabolism of plasma proteins, and improve the life quality of the patients.

Effects of serum Fractalkine on vascular remodeling and oxidative stress activation in patients with COPD complicated by pulmonary heart disease

Objective: To study the effects of serum Fractalkine on vascular remodeling and oxidative stress activation in patients with COPD complicated by pulmonary heart disease. Methods:Patients who were hospitalized in Chongqing Armed Corps Police Hospital due to COPD between June 2014 and April 2017 were selected, the patients with COPD alone were included in COPD group, and the patients with COPD complicated by pulmonary heart disease were included in COPD+PHD group;healthy volunteers who underwent physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group of the study. The serum was collected to determine the contents of Fractalkine, vascular remodeling indexes and oxidative stress indexes. Results: Serum Fractalkine, ANG-2, MMP2, MMP9, VEGF, FGF2, Nogo-B, ET-1 and MDA contents of COPD+PHD group and COPD group were higher than those of control group whereas T-AOC contents were lower than that of control group;serum Fractalkine, ANG-2, MMP2, MMP9, VEGF, FGF2, Nogo-B, ET-1 and MDA contents of COPD+PHD group were higher than those of COPD group whereas T-AOC content was lower than that of COPD group. Serum ANG-2, MMP2, MMP9, VEGF, FGF2, Nogo-B, ET-1 and MDA contents of COPD+PHD group of patients with high Fractalkine content were significantly higher than those of COPD+PHD group of patients with low Fractalkine content whereas T-AOC content was lower than that of COPD+PHD group of patients with low Fractalkine content. Conclusion: The increase of serum Fractalkine in patients with COPD complicated by pulmonary heart disease can aggravate the vascular remodeling and promote the oxidative stress activation.

Effect of aerobic exercise training on red blood cell parameters, vascular endothelial function in elderly patients with coronary heart disease and chronic heart failure

Objective: To investigate effect of aerobic exercise training combined with conventional drug on red blood cell parameters, vascular endothelial function and cardiac function in elderly patients with coronary heart disease complicated with chronic heart failure. Methods: A total of 110 elderly patients with coronary heart disease and chronic heart failure according to random data table were divided into control group (n=54) and observation group (n=56). The patients in control group were treated with conventional drug, and patients in the observation group received conventional drug combined with aerobic exercise training. Before and after treatment, levels of red blood cell parameters, vascular endothelial function and cardiac function indexes were compared between the two groups. Results: Before treatment, the difference of HCT, RDW, RBC, NO, ET-1, LVEF, LVEDD and LVESD levels in the two groups were not significantly. After treatment, HCT and RBC levels in two groups were no statistically significant difference;The levels of RDW, ET-1, LVEDD and LVESD in observation group were significantly lower than those in this group before treatment, and significantly lower than those in the control group after treatment;The levels of NO and LVEF in two groups were significantly higher than those in the group before treatment, and levels of NO and LVEF in the observation group were significantly higher than those in control group after treatment. Conclusion: The clinical effect of aerobic exercise training combined with conventional drug in treatment of senile coronary heart disease with chronic heart failure was significant, which can effectively increase the RDW level of patients, improve vascular endothelial function and heart function, it has important clinical value.

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide, platelet parameters, and cardiopulmonary function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)is a chronic respiratory disease with worldwide occurrence and high disability and mortality rate.It occurs mostly in the elderly population with pulmonary heart disease,type II respiratory failure,and other serious complications.AIM To investigate the correlation of plasma brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)and platelet parameters with cardiac function and pulmonary hypertension in patients with COPD and pulmonary heart disease.METHODS From June 2016 to June 2019,52 patients with COPD-pulmonary heart disease(pulmonary heart disease group),30 patients with COPD(COPD group),and 30 healthy individuals(control group)in our hospital were enrolled in the study.The pulmonary heart disease group was further divided into subgroups according to cardiac function classification and pulmonary artery pressure.Plasma BNP and platelet parameters were estimated and compared among each group and subgroup.The correlation of plasma BNP and platelet parameters with cardiac function classification and pulmonary artery pressure was then analyzed.RESULTS In the pulmonary heart disease group,the COPD group,and the control group,the levels of plasma BNP,platelet distribution width(PDW),and mean platelet volume(MPV)showed a decreasing trend(P<0.05),while an increasing trend was found in platelet count(PLT)and plateletcrit(PCT)levels among the three groups(P<0.05).In the pulmonary hypertension mild,moderate,and severe subgroups,the levels of plasma BNP,PDW,and MPV showed an increasing trend(P<0.05),while a decreasing trend was observed in PLT levels(P<0.05);however,PCT levels showed no significant difference among the three subgroups(P>0.05).In the cardiac function grade I,II,III,and IV subgroups,the levels of plasma BNP,PDW,and MPV showed an increasing trend(P<0.05),while a decreasing trend was noted in PLT and PCT levels among the four subgroups(P<0.05).Correlation analysis showed that the levels of plasma BNP,PDW,and MPV in patients with pulmonary heart disease were positively correlated with their pulmonary artery pressure(P<0.05),while PLT was negatively correlated with their pulmonary artery pressure(P<0.05).Moreover,plasma BNP,PDW,and MPV levels were positively correlated with cardiac function grade(P<0.05)of these patients,while PLT and PCT levels were negatively correlated with their cardiac function grade(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Plasma BNP and PLT parameters are significantly correlated with the cardiac function and pulmonary hypertension in patients with COPD and pulmonary heart disease,indicating that these parameters have high clinical relevance in reflecting the health condition of these patients and for guiding their treatment.

Chronic pancreatitis and the heart disease:Still terra incognita?

BACKGROUND It has been suggested that chronic pancreatitis(CP)may be an independent risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease(CVD).At the same time,it seems that congestive heart failure(CHF)and CP share the responsibility for the development of important clinical conditions such as sarcopenia,cachexia and malnutrition due to development of cardiac cachexia and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency(PEI),respectively.AIM To explore the evidence regarding the association of CP and heart disease,more specifically CVD and CHF.METHODS A systematic search of MEDLINE,Web of Science and Google Scholar was performed by two independent investigators to identify eligible studies where the connection between CP and CVD was investigated.The search was limited to articles in the English language.The last search was run on the 1st of May 2019.The primary outcomes were:(1)Incidence of cardiovascular event[acute coronary syndrome(ACS),chronic coronary disease,peripheral arterial lesions]in patients with established CP;and(2)Incidence of PEI in patients with CHF.RESULTS Out of 1166 studies,only 8 were eligible for this review.Studies regarding PEI and CHF showed an important incidence of PEI as well as associated malabsorption of nutritional markers(vitamin D,selenium,phosphorus,zinc,folic acid,and prealbumin)in patients with CHF.However,after substitution of pancreatic enzymes,it seems that,at least,loss of appetite was attenuated.On the other side,studies investigating cardiovascular events in patients with CP showed that,in CP cohort,there was a 2.5-fold higher incidence of ACS.In another study,patients with alcohol–induced CP with concomitant type 3c diabetes had statistically significant higher incidence of carotid atherosclerotic plaques in comparison to patients with diabetes mellitus of other etiologies.Earlier studies demonstrated a marked correlation between the clinical symptoms in CP and chronic coronary insufficiency.Also,statistically significant higher incidence of arterial lesions was found in patients with CP compared to the control group with the same risk factors for atherosclerosis(hypertension,smoking,dyslipidemia).Moreover,one recent study showed that PEI is significantly associated with the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with CP.CONCLUSION Current evidence implicates a possible association between PEI and malnutrition in patients with CHF.Chronic pancreatic tissue hypoxic injury driven by prolonged splanchnic hypoperfusion is likely to contribute to malnutrition and cachexia in patients with CHF.On the other hand,CP and PEI seem to be an independent risk factor associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Plasma endothelin-1 and nitric oxide correlate with ligustrazine alleviation of pulmonary artery hypertension in patients of chronic cor pulmonale from high altitude plateau during acute exacerbation

Objective To explore the mechanisms involved in the ligustrazine alleviation of the pulmonary artery hypertension(PAH) in patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) associated with chronic cor pulmonale(CCP) during exacerbation.Methods Seventy patients of COPD and CCP with acute exacerbation were randomly and equally divided into control group and treatment group.The control group received standard treatment with antibiotics,antiasthmatic and expectorant medications,and oxygenation;and the ligustrazine treatment group received ligustrazine treatment(80 mg/d;i.v.;for 2 weeks) in addition to the standard treatment.Before and at the end of 2 week treatment,the clinic responses of the two regimens were evaluated,plasma levels of endothelin-1(ET-1) and nitric oxide(NO) were determined;arterial oxygen partial pressure(PaO_2),mean pulmonary arterial pressure(mPAP),outflow tract of right ventricle(RVOT),and internal diameter of right ventricle(RV) were measured.Results Good clinic benefits were achieved in both the standard and ligustrazine regimens,plasma level of ET-1,values of mPAP,RV and RVOT decreased significantly,plasma level of NO and PaO_2 values decreased(all P<0.01 vs pretreatment to all parameters).Compared with the control group,ligustrazine greatly enhanced the clinic efficacy from 77.1%to 97.1%(P<0.05),and also resulted in more significant changes of all these parameters(P<0.01 vs control group for all parameters).For both groups,the levels of plasma ET-1 were positively correlated with values of mPAP,RVOT,and RV(r = 0.710,0.853,and 0.766,respectively,all P = 0.000),and negatively correlated with plasma NO and PaO_2(r =- 0.823,and- 0.752,respectively,all P = 0.000).Conclusion Ligustrazine is effective in treating pulmonary artery hypertension during acute exacerbation of COPD and CCP in patients from the plateau area.The observed changes in the plasma levels of NO and ET-1 in response to ligustrazine treatment suggest that ligustrazine may act through the selective effect on pulmonary blood vessels to enhance the synthesis and release of NO and suppress those of ET-1 from lung vascular endothelial cells,thus reducing pulmonary artery pressure and decreasing pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Valvuloplasty of fetal pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum and hypoplastic right heart: Mid-term follow-up results

Objective:This study aimed to analyze and evaluate the results of mid-term follow-up after fetal pulmonary valvuloplasty(FPV)in fetuses with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum(PA/IVS).Methods:From August 31,2018,to May 31,2019,seven fetuses with PA/IVS and hypoplastic right heart were included in this study.All underwent echocardiography by the same specialist and were operated on by the same team.Intervention and echocardiography data were collected,and changes in the associated indices noted during follow-up were analyzed.Results:All seven fetuses successfully underwent FPV.The median gestational age at FPV was 27.54 weeks.The average FPV procedural time was 6 min.Persistent bradycardia requiring treatment occurred in 4/7 procedures.Finally,five pregnancies were successfully delivered,and the other two were aborted.Compared to data before fetal cardiac interventions(FCI),tricuspid valve annulus diameter/mitral valve annulus diameter(TV/MV)and right ventricle diameter/left ventricle diameter(RV/LV)of all fetuses had progressively improved.The maximum tricuspid regurgitation velocity decreased from 4.60 m/s to 3.64 m/s.The average follow-up time was 30.40±2.05 months.During the follow-up period,the diameter of the tricuspid valve ring in five children continued to improve,and the development rate of the tricuspid valve was relatively obvious from 6 months to 1 year after birth.However,the development of the right ventricle after birth was relatively slow.It was discovered that there were individual variations in the development of the right ventricle during follow-up.Conclusion:The findings support the potential for the development of the right ventricle and tricuspid valve in fetuses with PA/IVS who underwent FCI.Development of the right ventricle and tricuspid valve does not occur synchronously during pregnancy.The right ventricle develops rapidly in utero,but the development of tricuspid valve is more apparent after birth than in utero.

Risk factors and prognosis of critically ill cancer patients with postoperative acute respiratory insufficiency

BACKGROUND:This study aimed to investigate the risk factors and outcome of critically ill cancer patients with postoperative acute respiratory insufficiency.METHODS:The data of 190 critically ill cancer patients with postoperative acute respiratory insufficiency were retrospectively reviewed.The data of 321 patients with no acute respiratory insufficiency as controls were also collected.Clinical variables of the first 24 hours after admission to intensive care unit were collected,including age,sex,comorbid disease,type of surgery,admission type,presence of shock,presence of acute kidney injury,presence of acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome,acute physiologic and chronic health evaluation(APACHE Ⅱ) score,sepsis-related organ failure assessment(SOFA),and PaO_2/FiO_2 ratio.Duration of mechanical ventilation,length of intensive care unit stay,intensive care unit death,length of hospitalization,hospital death and one-year survival were calculated.RESULTS:The incidence of acute respiratory insufficiency was 37.2%(190/321).Multivariate logistic analysis showed a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases(P=0.001),surgeryrelated infection(P=0.004),hypo-volemic shock(P<0.001),and emergency surgery(P=0.018),were independent risk factors of postoperative acute respiratory insufficiency.Compared with the patients without acute respiratory insufficiency,the patients with acute respiratory insufficiency had a prolonged length of intensive care unit stay(P<0.001),a prolonged length of hospitalization(P=0.006),increased intensive care unit mortality(P=0.001),and hospital mortality(P<0.001).Septic shock was shown to be the only independent prognostic factor of intensive care unit death for the patients with acute respiratory insufficiency(P=0.029,RR:8.522,95%CI:1.243-58.437,B=2.143,SE=0.982,Wald=4.758).Compared with the patients without acute respiratory insufficiency,those with acute respiratory insufficiency had a shortened one-year survival rate(78.7%vs.97.1%,P<0.001).CONCLUSION:A history of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases,surgery-related infection,hypovolemic shock and emergency surgery were risk factors of critically ill cancer patients with postoperative acute respiratory insufficiency.Septic shock was the only independent prognostic factor of intensive care unit death in patients with acute respiratory insufficiency.Compared with patients without acute respiratory insufficiency,those with acute respiratory insufficiency had adverse shortterm outcome and a decreased one-year survival rate.

Prediction of Pulmonary Arterial Pressure Level after Repair of Congenital Cardiac Communications and Discharge from the Hospital: Role of Down Syndrome and Early Postoperative Hemodynamics

Background:Postoperative pulmonary hypertension limits the success of surgical treatment in some patients with unrestrictive congenital cardiac communications.Identifying patients at risk of developing postoperative pulmonary hypertension is important to individualize follow-up strategies.Methods:We analyzed a prospective cohort of 52 pediatric patients(age 3 to 35 months)looking for perioperative predictors of mildly elevated pulmonary arterial pressure 6 months after surgery,defined as a systolic pressure greater than 30 mmHg by transthoracic echocardiography.This corresponds to a mean pulmonary arterial pressure of>20 mmHg.Clinical,echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters were investigated.Perioperative hemodynamics was assessed by directly measuring pulmonary and systemic arterial pressures using indwelling catheters.Early postoperative pulmonary hemodynamics was defined as the mean pulmonary/systemic mean arterial pressure ratio(PAP/SAP)obtained per patient during the first 6 h of postoperative care.Results:Among the factors that were investigated as possible predictors,perioperative hemodynamics and the presence of Down syndrome were initially selected using univariate analysis(p<0.030).Early postoperative PAP/SAP was correlated with PAP/SAP obtained in the operating room just after cardiopulmonary bypass(r=0.70,p<0.001),and it was higher in subjects with Down syndrome than in nonsyndromic individuals(p=0.003).Early postoperative PAP/SAP was the only predictor selected using multivariate analysis.It was characterized as an independent predictor after adjustments for possible confounders.An early postoperative PAP/SAP of>0.35 was 76%sensitive and 74%specific at predicting a systolic pulmonary arterial pressure of>30 mmHg 6 months after surgery(hazard ratio with 95%CI 8.972[2.428–33.158],p=0.002).Conclusion:The hypertensive early postoperative behavior of the pulmonary circulation was strongly but not exclusively associated with Down syndrome,and it was characterized as an independent predictor of altered pulmonary arterial pressure after discharge from the hospital.

Anesthetic management of a child with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome undergoing open heart surgery:A case report

BACKGROUND Cornelia de Lange syndrome(CdLS)is a congenital multisystemic genetic disorder.The expected lifespan of children with this disorder has been prolonged in parallel with the advances in medicine in recent years.However,they still more frequently undergo cardiac surgery.There are some challenges for clinicians when faced with CdLS patients.We present the perioperative management of a child with CdLS undergoing open-heart surgery.CASE SUMMARY Severe pulmonic and subpulmonic valvular stenosis,enlargement of the right side of the heart,mild tricuspid regurgitation,atrial septal defect,and patent ductus arteriosus were diagnosed in a 14-month-old boy with manifested cyanosis,developmental delay,and malnutrition.Attempted balloon valvuloplasty was unsuccessful due to a severe stenotic pulmonary valve,therefore it was decided to perform an open surgical repair.Following a successful and uncomplicated intraoperative course,the patient was extubated on postoperative day 5,and adrenalin and dopamine infusions were gradually decreased and stopped on postoperative days 6 and 10,respectively.Moderate laryngomalacia and suboptimal vocal cord movements were diagnosed,and tracheotomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy were performed under general anesthesia in the same session at postoperative day 32.The patient was discharged on postoperative day 85 after a challenging postoperative period with additional airway and nutritional problems.CONCLUSION This is the first report of the perioperative anesthetic and clinical management of a CdLS patient undergoing open-heart surgery.

Development of pulmonary hypertension remains a major hurdle to corrective surgery in Down syndrome

Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality encountered in clinical practice with 50%of them having associated congenital heart disease(CHD).Shunt lesions account for around 75%of all CHDs in Down syndrome.Down syndrome patients,especially with large shunts are particularly predisposed to early development of severe pulmonary hypertension(PH)compared with shunt lesions in general population.This necessitates timely surgical correction which remains the only viable option to prevent long term morbidity and mortality.However,despite clear recommendations,there is wide gap between actual practice and fear of underlying PH which often leads to surgical refusals in Down syndrome even when the shunt is reversible.Another peculiarity is that Down syndrome patients can develop PH even after successful correction of shunt.It is not uncommon to come across Down syndrome patients with uncorrected shunts in adulthood with irreversible PH at which stage intracardiac repair is contraindicated and the only option available is a combined heartlung transplant.However,despite the guidelines laid by authorities,the rates of cardiac transplant in adult Down syndrome remain dismal largely attributable to the high prevalence of intellectual disability in them.The index case presents a real-world scenario highlighting the impact of severe PH on treatment strategies and discrimination driven by the fear of worse outcomes in these patients.