下颈椎经关节螺钉钢板固定的生物力学研究

目的:研究下颈椎单独经关节螺钉固定与经关节螺钉钢板固定的三维稳定性之间的差异。方法:12具新鲜人体颈椎标本,制成C4,5、C5,6节段三柱损伤模型。随机选取6具标本在C4,5、C5,6行单独经关节螺钉固定,另6具标本在C4,5、C5,6行经关节螺钉钢板固定。在非限制性和非破坏性的试验条件下测试它们在前屈、后伸、左右侧弯和轴向旋转运动状态的稳定性,分别测试标本损伤模型制作前完整标本组(A组)、单独经关节螺钉固定组(B组)和螺钉钢板组(C组)3组数据。结果:单独经关节螺钉固定组和经关节螺钉钢板固定组在各方向的运动范围(ROM)和中性区(NZ)的均数均小于完整标本组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。经关节螺钉钢板固定在前屈运动中的ROM和NZ与单独经关节螺钉固定比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);在后伸、左右侧弯和轴向旋转运动中,经关节螺钉钢板固定的稳定性优于单独经关节螺钉固定,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:下颈椎经关节螺钉钢板固定的稳定性优于单独经关节螺钉固定,在使用下颈椎经关节螺钉时,相对于单独螺钉固定,建议以螺钉钢板形式固定。     

寰枢椎后路四种钉棒固定方法的三维稳定性评价

目的：评价寰枢椎后路四种不同钉棒固定方法的生物力学稳定性。方法：6具人体新鲜颈椎标本，切除齿状突及寰枢间韧带等结构制造寰枢椎失稳模型．对每具标本先后进行5种方式固定：A组（双侧C1椎弓根螺钉＋C2，3经关节螺钉）、B组（C1椎弓根螺钉＋C2侧块螺钉）、C组（C1椎弓根螺钉＋C2椎弓根螺钉）、D组（C1椎弓根螺钉＋C2椎板螺钉）；与对照组E组（Magerl螺钉．即经C1/2侧块关节螺钉）进行对比，在脊柱三维运动实验机上测量比较其寰枢椎间的屈伸、侧屈、旋转三维稳定性。结果：在前屈稳定性上，四种钉棒固定方法（A、B、C、D组）间无差异（P〉0．05）．且均优于单纯Magerl螺钉固定（E组）（P〈0．05）。在后伸稳定性上．D组与E组两种固定方法间无差异（P〉0．05），其抗后伸的稳定性较A、B、C组略差（P〈0．05）；A、B、C组三种钉棒固定方法间无差异（P〉0．05）。在侧屈运动稳定性上．D组的稳定性略差，其他四种固定方式间无差异（P〉0．05）。在旋转稳定性上，所有固定方式间无统计学差异（P〉0．05）。结论：四种钉棒固定方法都具有可靠的三维稳定性．临床应用时可以根据患者的个体解剖结构情况和术者对不同手术技术的熟悉程度进行选择。     

L5S1前路椎间融合生物力学稳定性实验研究

[目的]对腰椎完整标本、单纯腰椎前路椎间融合术（ALIF）、ALIF分别行椎弓根钉固定及经椎板关节突螺钉固定4种状态进行测试，比较生物力学稳定性。[方法]采用新鲜腰椎标本8具，分别于完整状态、L5S1前路植以Cage、L5S1前路Cage分别行椎弓根钉固定及经椎板关节突螺钉固定下，测定前屈、后伸、侧弯及扭转运动下运动范围并进行比较。[结果]单纯ALIF标本同完整标本相比，其后伸运动范围增大（P〈0．01），而前屈、侧弯、扭转运动范围减小（P〈0．01）；而ALIF经椎弓根钉固定或经椎板关节突螺钉固定后各方向运动范围均小于完整标本及单纯ALIF标本（P〈0．01）。[结论]L5S1单纯行ALIF后伸稳定性差，为增加其稳定性，经椎板关节突螺钉应当是首选的内固定器械。     

生物衍生肌腱双侧关节突交叉固定动力重建颈椎后柱动态稳定性的体外生物力学研究

目的对于颈椎后柱不稳定进行动态稳定性重建研究鲜有报道。探讨采用冻干处理的生物衍生肌腱动力重建颈椎后柱动态稳定性的生物力学性能。方法收集死亡捐献者残肢掌长屈肌腱及掌伸肌腱制备生物衍生肌腱。20个新鲜成年山羊颈椎标本(C1～7),随机分为4组,每组5个标本。A组为完整标本组,B组为损伤模型组,C组为后柱钉棒固定组,D组为肌腱动力重建组。B、C、D组通过破坏颈椎后方韧带复合体制作屈曲分离型损伤模型,C组用侧块螺钉经后路固定,D组用生物衍生肌腱行侧块经关节突交叉固定。用脊柱三维运动测量系统测算各组标本C3、C4节段前屈、后伸、侧屈、旋转的运动范围(range of motion,ROM)。结果前屈运动:C组ROM明显小于其他3组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);B组ROM较A、D组明显增加,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);A、D组间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。后伸、侧屈、旋转运动:C组ROM明显小于其他3组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);其他3组间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论新鲜成年山羊颈椎标本行生物衍生肌腱侧块经关节突交叉固定,能够限制颈椎过度前屈,完全保留后伸运动,不限制侧屈和旋转运动,重建屈曲分离型损伤下颈椎的动态稳定性。     

颈椎前路静力性与动力性钉板系统在三柱不稳定损伤中生物力学性能的比较

目的比较颈椎前路静力性、动力性钉板系统在三柱屈曲牵张型不稳定损伤中的生物力学测试结果，为临床提供生物力学依据。方法采用6具小牛颈椎标本，在C4、5节段制作屈曲牵张损伤模型，切除椎间盘、植骨后，随机分为3组，分别采用Orion、Codman、Window钢板螺钉固定，分别测定正常颈椎及固定后脊柱在前屈、后伸、旋转运动时的稳定性并与正常标本比较。结果3种钢板固定后的活动度（ROM）与正常颈椎相比要大。其中Orion在前屈、后伸、侧屈与正常相比无显著的差异（P〉0．05）；Codman和Window在前屈、后伸时与正常相比有显著的差异（P〈0．05）；Codman在侧屈时正常相比无显著的差异（P〉0．05），Window侧屈时与正常相比有显著的差异（P〈0．05）；3种钢板在旋转时与正常相比均有显著的差异（P〈0．05）。结论在三柱屈曲牵张型不稳定损伤的模型中，前路静力化固定相对稳定，动力化固定可能降低一定的固定强度，尤其是选择平移类设计的钢板固定应慎重。     

寰椎椎弓根螺钉联合经寰枢关节螺钉内固定稳定性的生物力学研究

【摘要】 目的：评估寰椎椎弓根螺钉联合经寰枢关节螺钉固定技术的力学稳定性。方法：选取成人颈椎新鲜标本6具,解剖剔除肌肉制备上颈椎完整模型（完整组）,用生物力学测试及计算机视觉分析软件测量在1.5Nm力矩下前屈后伸、左右侧弯和左右旋转时C1-C2的活动度（ROM）;破坏寰椎前弓和侧块制备不稳模型（失稳组）,再次测量相同力矩下各运动方向C1-C2的ROM活动度。随后暴露寰枢椎置钉点,根据先后顺序置入寰椎椎弓根螺钉+枢椎椎弓根螺钉固定（C1P+C2P组）、单纯经寰枢关节螺钉固定（TA组）、寰椎椎弓根螺钉+经寰枢关节螺钉固定（C1P+TA组）,依次分别测量相同力矩下各运动方向C1-C2的ROM,比较各组C1-C2 ROM的差异。结果：失稳组相较于完整组在六个方向上有更大的ROM,两组所有方向上的ROM均有显著性差异（P<0.05）;C1P+C2P组、C1P+TA组、TA组与失稳组比较,所有方向上的ROM均有显著性减少（P<0.05）,三组间比较,前屈、后伸、左旋转和右旋转方向上的ROM存在统计学差异（P<0.05）,C1P+TA组相似文献   

后路寰椎侧块螺钉联合枢椎椎板钩内固定的生物力学稳定性

目的研究后路寰椎侧块螺钉联合枢椎椎板钩内固定的生物力学稳定性。方法取6例新鲜尸体颈椎标本,每具标本分别依次进行完整(正常组)、寰枢椎不稳(失稳组)、寰枢侧块螺钉联合枢椎椎弓根螺钉钉棒固定(Harms组)、寰椎侧块螺钉联合枢椎椎板钩固定(钉钩组)状态的生物力学测试,每组6个标本,将各标本装载在脊柱三维运动机上,分别施予1.5 N·m力矩,记录标本在前屈后伸、左右侧曲、左右旋转3个方向上的活动度(ROM),比较各组ROM。结果相对于正常组标本,失稳组标本在上述3个方向上的ROM显著增大;相较于正常和失稳组标本,Harms组和钉钩组的标本在上述3个方向上ROM显著减小;钉钩组与Harms组间在上述3个方向的ROM差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论后路寰椎侧块螺钉联合枢椎椎板钩内固定在生物力学稳定性上与Harms固定相似,可以起到良好的固定效果。     

胸腰椎爆裂性骨折伤椎固定的生物力学研究

目的 比较跨节段椎弓根钉固定与三椎体六枚椎弓根钉固定术固定胸腰椎骨折的生物力学效果。方法 采用8具新鲜小牛椎体标本（T11-L3）,MTS机压缩制作L1椎体爆裂性骨折模型。实验分完整状态组、骨折组、跨节段椎弓根钉固定组、三椎体六枚椎弓根钉固定组。应用脊柱三维运动试验机对标本进行前屈,后伸,左、右侧弯及左、右旋转6个方位的运动范围（ROM）测试并计算刚度值,所得数据进行统计学处理,比较各组间差异。结果 脊柱骨折状态6个方向ROM均显著增加（P〈0．05）,椎间刚度值明显降低（P〈0．05）;固定状态的ROM均较完整状态、骨折状态显著减小（P〈0．01）,而刚度值均较完整状态、骨折状态增大,差异有显著性意义（P〈0．05）;跨节段椎弓根钉固定组与三椎体六枚椎弓根钉固定组之间的ROM、刚度值差异均无显著性意义（P〉0．05）。结论 跨节段椎弓根固定与三椎体六枚椎弓根钉固定术在重建脊柱骨折稳定性方面,效果无明显差异。     

三种后路寰枢椎融合术的离体生物力学研究

目的 通过离体生物力学研究方法,比较3种后路寰枢椎融合技术的力学稳定性.方法 将8具新鲜尸体的颈椎标本(C1～4)置于1.5 Nm载荷下,测量C1、2关节的三维运动范围(ROM).每具标本依双侧经寰枢关节间隙螺钉结合Gallie内固定术、双侧经寰枢关节间隙螺钉结合寰椎椎板钩内固定术、双侧寰椎侧块螺钉结合枢椎椎弓根螺钉内固定术的顺序实施固定,每次固定后测量三维运动范围.结果 包含经寰枢关节间隙螺钉的内固定组在旋转和侧屈方向上具有最小的ROM角度,其中新型的双侧经寰枢关节间隙螺钉结合寰椎椎板钩内固定组在前屈后伸运动方向上也具有最小ROM角度.寰椎侧块螺钉结合枢椎椎弓根螺钉内固定组在旋转方向上ROM角度显著大于单独经寰枢关节螺钉内固定组,但在侧屈和前屈后伸方向上ROM角度近似于经寰枢关节间隙螺钉,差异无统计学意义.结论 双侧经寰枢关节间隙螺钉结合寰椎椎板钩内固定术具有最强的生物力学稳定性;双侧寰椎侧块螺钉结合枢椎椎弓根螺钉内固定术与双侧经寰枢关节间隙螺钉结合寰椎椎板钩内固定技术比较,具有相似的力学稳定性.     

单平面和多平面截骨术治疗脊柱后凸的生物力学特征

目的探讨单平面截骨Dick钉固定和多平面截骨Luque棒固定治疗脊柱后的生物力学特点。方法12具新鲜小牛胸腰段脊柱标本（T8-L5）随机分成完整组（INT组），单平面截骨Dick钉固定组（Dick组）和多平面截骨Luque棒固定组（Luque组），每组4具。进行生理负荷下的前屈、后伸、左右侧弯、顺逆时针轴向旋转6种运动范围（ROM）的测试，记录载荷值的变化，对ROM值进行统计学分析。结果在生理负荷下，两种术式的脊柱标本的屈伸和侧弯运动的稳定性均达到或超过完整组标本，其中多平面截骨Luque棒固定组的稳定性更好；在轴向旋转稳定性上，两种术式的标本稳定性均不能达到完整组水平。结论实验中多平面截骨Luque棒固定的稳定性稍优于单平面截骨Dick钉固定组，但不足以构成临床应用中决定取舍的依据。     

Vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction during major abdominal surgery

Background : We investigated the vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction (MT) with hypotension due to prostacyclin (PGI₂) release in patients undergoing abdominal surgery with a combined general and epidural anesthesia. Methods : In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study we administered 400 mg ibuprofen (i.v.) in 42 patients scheduled for abdominal surgery. General anesthesia was combined with epidural anesthesia (T4-L1). Before as well as 5, 15, 30, 45, and 90 min after MT we recorded plasma osmolality, hemodynamics and measured 6-keto-PGFlα (stabile metabolite of PGI₂), TXB₂ (stabile metabolite of thromboxane A₂) active renin, and arginine vasopressin (AVP) plasma concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Catecholamine levels were assessed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. Results : Following MT, arterial hypotension occurred along with a substantial PGI₂ release. This was completely abolished by ibuprofen administration. Although plasma levels of 6-keto-PGF_1α (1133 (708) vs. 60 (3) ng/L, median (median absolute deviation), P=0.0001, placebo vs. ibuprofen) remained significantly elevated, blood pressure was restored within 30 min after MT in the placebo group. At the same point in time plasma concentrations of TXB² (164 (87) vs. 58 (1) ng/L, P=0.0001), epinephrine (46 (33) vs. 14 (6) ng/L, P=0.001), AVP (41 ± (18) vs. 12 (7) ng/L, P=0.0004), and active renin (27 (12) vs. 12 (4) ng/L, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in placebo-treated patients. Conclusion : Under combined general and epidural anesthesia arterial hypotension following MT due to endogenous PGI₂ release is associated with enhanced release of AVP, active renin, epinephrine and thromboxane A₂, presumably contributing to hemodynamic stability within 30 min after MT.     

Microspheres Based Detoxification System: A New Method in Convective Blood Purification

Abstract: A variety of protein-bound or hydrophobic substances, accumulating as a result of pathologic conditions such as exogenous or endogenous intoxications, are removed poorly by conventional detoxification methods because of low accessibility (hemodialysis), insufficient adsorption capabilities (hemosorption), low efficiency (peritoneal dialysis), or economic limitations (high-volume plasmapheresis). Combining advantages of existing methods with microspheric technology, a module-based system was designed. Major operating parameters of the latter can be modified to allow for adjustment to individual clinical situations. An extracorporeal blood circuit including a plasmafilter is combined with a secondary high-velocity plasma circuit driven by a centrifugal pump. Different microspheric adsorbers can be combined in one circuit or applied in sequence. Thus, a prolonged treatment can be tailored using specially designed selective adsorber materials. Comparing this system with existing methods (high-flux hemodialysis, molecular adsorbent recycling system), results from our in vitro studies and animal experiments demonstrate the superior efficiency of substance removal.     

Bariatric Surgery in Some "Central and East-European (former Eastern bloc)"Countries - Current Status and Prediction for the Next Millennium

Background: Obesity is increasing globallly, including in the formerly "Eastern Bloc" countries. Methods: A survey was made of obesity and bariatric surgery. Results: In the 8 East and Central European countries studied, with total population 300 million, roughly 43% of the population was overweight (BMI 25-30), 23% obese (BMI > 30), with about 15 million people morbidly obese (BMI > 40). From 0-10 morbidly obese individuals/100,000/year undergo bariatric surgery. Conclusion: Most countries were found to provide inadequate treatment for obesity.The majority of the morbidly obese are not treated effectively. However, health-care awareness of obesity and bariatric surgeons are slowly increasing.     

Synergistic interaction between the effects of propofol and midazolam with fentanyl on phrenic nerve activity in rabbits

Background: It has been shown that the depressive effects of both propofol and midazolam on consciousness are synergistic with opioids, but the nature of their interactions on other physiological systems, e. g. respiration, has not been fully investigated. The present study examined the effect of propofol and midazolam alone and in combination with fentanyl on phrenic nerve activity (PNA) and whether such interactions are additive or synergistic. Methods: PNA was recorded in 27 anaesthetised and artificially ventilated rabbits. In three groups, propofol, fentanyl and midazolam were administered intravenously in incremental doses to construct dose-response curves for the depressant effects of each one on PNA. In another two groups, the effect of pretreatment with either fentanyl 1 μg · kg^?1 i. v. or midazolam 0.05 mg · kg^?1 i. v. on the effects of propofol and fentanyl respectively on PNA were studied. Results: Propofol and fentanyl caused a dose-dependent depression of PNA with complete abolition at the highest total doses of 16 mg · kg^?1 i. v. and 32 μg · kg^?1 i. v., respectively. In contrast, midazolam in incremental doses to a total of 0.8 mg · kg^?1 reduced mean PNA by 63%, but approximately 12% of PNA remained at a total dose as high as 6.4 mg · kg^?1. The mean ED₅₀s, calculated from dose-response curves, were 5.4 mg · kg^?1, 3.9 μg · kg^?1 and 0.4 mg · kg^?1 for propofol, fentanyl and midazolam, respectively. Initial doses of either fentanyl 1 μg · kg^?1 i. v. or midazolam 0.05 mg · kg^?1 i. v. acted synergistically with subsequent doses of either propofol or fentanyl to abolish PNA at total doses of 8 mg · kg^?1 and 8 μg · kg^?1, respectively. Conclusion: Fentanyl has a synergistic interaction with both propofol and midazolam on PNA and hence potentially on respiration.     

Influence of dopexamine hydrochloride on haemodynamics and regulators of circulation in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery

Background: Catecholaminergic support is often used to improve haemodynamics in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Dopexamine is a synthetic vasoactive catecholamine with beneficial microcirculatory properties. Methods: The influence of perioperative administration of dopexamine on cardiorespiratory data and important regulators of macro- and microcirculation were studied in 30 patients undergoing Whipple pancreaticduodenectomy. The patients received randomized and blinded either 2 μg · kg^?1 · min^?1 of dopexamine (n=15) or placebo (n=15, control group). The infusion was started after induction of anaesthesia and continued until the morning of the first postoperative day. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), vasopressin, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and catecholamine plasma levels were measured from arterial blood samples. Measurements were carried out after induction of anaesthesia, 2 h after onset of surgery, at the end of surgery, 2 h after surgery, and on the morning of the first postoperative day. Results: Cardiac index (CI) increased significantly in the dopexamine group (from 2.61±0.41 to 4.57±0.78 1 · min^?1 · m^?2) and remained elevated until the morning of the first postoperative day. Oxygen delivery index (DO₂I) and oxygen consumption index (VO₂I) were also significantly increased in the dopexamine group (DO₂I: from 416±91 to 717±110 ml/m² · m²; VO₂I: from 98±25 to 157±22 ml/m² · m²), being significantly higher than in the control group. pHi remained stable only in the dopexamine patients, indicating adequate splanchnic perfusion. Vasopressive regulators of circulation increased significantly only in the untreated control patients (vasopressin: from 4.37±1.1 to 35.9±12.1 pg/ml; ET-1: from 2.88±0.91 to 6.91±1.20 pg/ml). Conclusion: Patients undergoing major abdominal surgery may profit from prophylactic perioperative administration of dopexamine hydrochloride in the form of improved haemodynamics and oxygenation as well as beneficial influence on important regulators of organ blood flow.     

Systemic analgesia adapted to the children's condition

A concept of balanced analgesia using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), paracetamol (acetaminophen), opioids, and corticosteroids can also be used in patients with pre-existing illnesses. NSAIDs are the most effective treatment for acute pain of moderate intensity in children; however, these drugs should be avoided in patients at increased risk for serious side effects, e.g. patients with renal impairment, bleeding tendency, or extreme prematurity. NSAIDs can be given with minimal risks to the younger child with mild to moderate asthma, and, in these patients, the use of steroids can be encouraged; in addition to their antiemetic and analgesic action, a beneficial effect on asthma symptoms can be expected. In the non-intubated child with cerebral trauma, exaggerated sedation caused by opioids and increased bleeding tendency caused by NSAIDs must be avoided. In neonates and small infants, the oral administration of sucrose or glucose is helpful to minimize pain reaction during short uncomfortable interventions.     

Intraoperative autotransfusion is associated with modest reduction of allogeneic transfusion in prosthetic hip surgery

Background: The efficacy of intraoperative salvage and washing of wound blood and the predictors of allogeneic red cell transfusions in prosthetic hip surgery are insufficiently known.
Methods: In 96 patients, undergoing primary or revision surgery, salvaged and washed red cells and, if necessary, allogeneic blood were used to keep haematocrit not lower than 33%. The bleeding of red cells during hospital stay was calculated from the red cell balance. The preoperative red cell reserve (millilitres of red cells in excess of a haematocrit of 33%) was estimated and the difference between this volume and the total bleeding of red cells was retrospectively used to classify patients with regard to the need for red cells. Stepwise regression analysis was used to define patient-related variables associated with allogeneic blood transfusion.
Results: Preoperative knowledge of the type of operation (primary, revision), the preoperative red cell reserve, and the body mass could predict roughly half of the need for banked blood (r²=0.45). Only one-third of the total bleeding of red cells was retransfused. For complete avoidance of allogeneic blood, autotransfusion was most effective in patients with a moderate need (0–4 u). However, 32% of such patients required allogeneic blood.
Conclusions: Autotransfusion has a limited efficacy to decrease the need for allogeneic blood, and other blood-saving methods should be added for this purpose. It is difficult to predict the need for allogeneic blood preoperatively.     

缺氧对肾小管上皮细胞分泌外泌体的影响

目的    观察缺氧对肾小管上皮细胞分泌外泌体的影响,探讨外泌体在缺氧致肾脏损伤中的作用及机制。 方法    （1）常氧（21% O₂）及缺氧（1% O₂）分别处理大鼠肾小管上皮细胞（NRK-52E）48 h,收集细胞上清液并使用高速梯度离心法分离外泌体。采用透射电镜、纳米示踪分析、Western印迹、蛋白浓度定量鉴定并比较两组外泌体的基本特性。（2）在共培养实验中,以不同浓度（1、10、50、100、300 mg/L）的常氧外泌体、缺氧外泌体分别干预脂多糖（LPS）诱导的大鼠原代腹腔巨噬细胞,使用实时荧光定量PCR与酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）法分别检测巨噬细胞白细胞介素6（IL-6）、肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）、诱导型氮氧化物合酶（iNOS）水平;使用Western印迹法检测巨噬细胞磷酸化（p）STAT/STAT及细胞因子信号传导抑制蛋白1（SOCS1）的蛋白表达;最后,使用实时荧光定量PCR法检测常氧外泌体与缺氧外泌体中炎性反应相关微RNA（microRNA,miR）的表达差异。 结果    （1）离心得到的囊泡具有外泌体典型的结构,粒径小于150 nm,表达外泌体标志蛋白CD63,说明分离得到外泌体。缺氧对肾小管上皮细胞分泌的外泌体形态、粒径分布比例无明显影响,但提高了外泌体的分泌量。（2）缺氧外泌体相比于常氧外泌体促进了LPS诱导的M1型巨噬细胞IL-6、TNF-α、iNOS 的表达和分泌（均P＜0.01）,同时提高STAT的磷酸化水平并减少SOCS1的蛋白表达（均P＜0.01）;对炎性反应相关microRNA检测发现缺氧外泌体中miR-155、miR-27a表达量较常氧外泌体明显升高（P＜0.05）。 结论    缺氧可改变外泌体的生物学功能,表现为协同促进LPS诱导的M1型巨噬细胞的表型转化,这可能是慢性肾脏病微炎性反应状态持续的原因之一。     

In Vitro Function and Durability Assessment of a Novel Polyurethane Heart Valve Prosthesis

Abstract While flexible-leaflet, central-flow prosthetic heart valves promise relief from anticoagulation therapy, they continue to be restricted by inadequate durability. In consequence, a novel trileaflet valve, made entirely from polyurethane, has been developed. A batch of 6 consecutively manufactured polyurethane valves was subjected to hydrodynamic function and accelerated fatigue testing. Computerized data acquisition and control systems have been introduced to improve valve testing methodologies. In terms of hydrodynamic function, the polyurethane valve demonstrates transvalvular pressure gradients similar to those for a bioprosthetic valve (Carpentier-Edwards) and levels of retrograde flow significantly less than those for either the bioprosthetic valve or a bileaflet mechanical valve (St Jude Medical). The equivalent of 10 years of cycling without failure has been exceeded by all 6 polyurethane valves in accelerated fatigue tests with 2 valves remaining intact after 674 million cycles (equivalent to approximately 17 years) in continuing tests. Highspeed photography revealed considerable differences in leaflet motion between valves cycled at accelerated and physiological rates.     

Negative pressure ventilation vs. spontaneous assisted ventilation during rigid bronchoscopy: A controlled randomised trial

Background: Ventilation during interventional rigid bronchoscopy (IRB) under general anaesthesia (jet ventilation, positive pressure ventilation and spontaneous assisted ventilation) may offer some difficulties. This study compares the effectiveness during IRB of intermittent negative pressure ventilation (INPV) and spontaneous assisted ventilation (SAV). Methods: Thirty-eight patients submitted to IRB were randomised into two groups: SAV or INPV. All patients received a total intravenous anaesthesia; INPV patients were paralysed. Pre-and intra-operative arterial blood gases and O₂ flow through a rigid bronchoscope were assessed. The endoscopist applying a subjective score evaluated the operating conditions. Results: Patients of the INPV group, as compared to the SAV group, required a lower dosage of fentanyl (2.6 ± 1.8 (μg · kg^?1· h^?1 vs. 6.6 ± 4.8 μg · kg^?1· h^?1), a lower O₂ supply (3.3 ± 2.8 1/min vs. 11.6 ± 3.4 1/min), a shorter recovery time (5.4 ± 2.9 min vs. 9.8 ± 7.1 min) and no manually assisted ventilation (0 ± 0 vs. 1 ± 1.1 nd?/procedure). Intraoperative PaCO₂ was higher in the SAV (8.1 ± 1.3 kPa) than in the INPV group (5.0 ± 1.6 kPa) and intraoperative pH differed in the two groups (7.26 ± 0.05, SAV vs. 7.47 ± 0.08, INPV). Operating conditions, as assessed by a subjective score, were considered better with INPV than with SAV (4.9 vs. 4.3). Conclusions: As compared to SAV, INPV in paralysed patients during IRB reduces administration of opioids, shortens recovery time, prevents respiratory acidosis, excludes the need for manually assisted ventilation, reduces 02 need and affords optimal surgical conditions. INPV appears a safe, non-invasive and effective ventilatory management during IRB.