NeuroAid (MLC601) versus piracetam in the recovery of post-infarct homonymous hemianopsia

In the clinic, the natural recovery rate of homonymous hemianopsia caused by occipital lobe infamtion is low. At present, ideal therapeutic effects of piracetam for improving visual field defects following homonymous hemianopsia do not exist. The present randomized, controlled study compared the effects of NeuroAid （MLC601） versus piracetam for improving visual field defects in post-infarct homonymous hemianopsia patients matched for age and sex. After 3 months of treatment with NeuroAid （MLC601） or piracetam, visual field defects were significantly improved, compared with prior to treatment （P 〈 0.001）. After treatment with MLC601, relative reduction of right and left visual field defects was 45% and 45.7%, respectively, while relative reduction after treatment with piracetam was 32.7% and 30.3%, respectively. These findings suggested that MLC601 was superior to piracetam for reducing visual field defects in homonymous hemianopsia patients.

Recurrent Stroke after Percutaneous Placement of Post-Infarct Septal Occluder Device

Surgical intervention for post-infarct ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a challenging procedure due to patients’ complex preoperative conditions. While percutaneous VSD closure can be considered as an alternative to surgical repair, complete closure of the defect remains difficult and is associated with various procedural complications. We report a rare case of a patient with postoperative residual shunts who experienced recurrent stroke episodes, requiring surgical intervention for repair. The patient, a 71-year-old female, developed acute anterior myocardial infarction and post-infarct VSD. Percutaneous closure with a 14-mm Amplatzer VSD occluder device was performed, yet the closure was incomplete. Following discharge, she developed multiple embolic stroke episodes, likely stemming from the residual VSD, which led to the surgical extraction of the device and VSD repair. Fibrous tissue was found to be solely attached to the core and right ventricle side of the device, whilst no fibrous tissue was observed on the side of the left ventricle. The patient has not experienced new neurological symptoms at an 18-month follow-up. Thus, it is paramount to keep in mind that an embolic stroke may occur in the setting of percutaneous post-infarct VSD closure. Surgical repair of VSD with device removal should be considered as a treatment option to such a complex case.

Surgery for left ventricular aneurysm after myocardial infarction： techniques selection and results assessment

Background The most appropriate surgical approach for patients with post-infarction left ventricular （LV） aneurysm remains undetermined. We compared the efficacy of the linear versus patch repair techniques, and investigated the mid-term changes of LV geometry and cardiac function, for repair of LV aneurysms. Methods We reviewed the records of 194 patients who had surgery for a post-infarction LV aneurysm between 1998 and 2010. Short-term and mid-term outcomes, including complications, cardiac function and mortality, were assessed. LV end-diastolic and systolic dimensions （LVEDD and LVESD）, LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume indexes （LVEDVI and LVESVI） and LV ejection fraction （LVEF） were measured on pre-operative and follow-up echocardiography. Results Overall in-hospital mortality was 4.12%, and major morbidity showed no significant differences between the two groups. Multivariate analysis identified preoperative left ventricular end diastolic pressure 〉20 mmHg, low cardiac output and aortic clamping time 〉2 hours as risk factors for early mortality. Follow-up revealed that LVEF improved from 37% pre-operation to 45% 12 months post-operation in the patch group （P=0.008）, and from 44% pre-operation to 40% 12 months postoperation in the linear group （P=0.032）. In contrast, the LVEDVI and LVESVI in the linear group were significantly reduced immediately after the operation, and increased again at follow-up. However, in the patch group, the LVEDVI and LVESVI were significantly reduced at follow-up. And there were significant differences in the correct value changes of LVEF and left ventricular remodeling between linear repair and patch groups. Conclusions Persistent reduction of LV dimensions after the patch repair procedure seems to be a procedure-related problem. The choice of the technique should be tailored on an individual basis and surgeon＇s preference. The patch remodeling technique results in a better LVEF improvement, further significant reductions in LV dimensions and volumes than does the linear repair technique. The results suggest that LV patch remodeling is a better surgical choice for patients with post-infarction LV aneurysm.