Arch Med Sci
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Although global deformation parameters have been increasingly used for myocardial function analysis, there are sparse data concerning segmental deformation of the left ventricle (LV). Moreover, some studies suggest heterogeneity of strain among LV segments, which may be especially significant during stress echocardiography. We assessed quantitatively regional LV function in the setting of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE), to examine differences of longitudinal strain between basal, mid and apical LV segments and to compare variability of regional deformation between rest and the peak stage of DSE. ⋯ Significant heterogeneity of strain and the opposite direction of the longitudinal strain changes during DSE between apical and basal LV segments were observed. This variability among non-ischemic LV segments ought to be considered in quantification of LV function during DSE.
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Chronic inflammation is a major risk factor in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is the true visceral fat depot of the heart. The relationship between coronary artery disease and EAT was shown in healthy subjects and ESRD patients. In the present study we aimed to investigate the relationship between EAT and inflammation parameters including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. ⋯ Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was found to be an independent predictor of EAT in HD patients (odds ratio = 3.178; p = 0.008). We concluded that this relationship might be attributed to increased inflammation in uremic patients.
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Stroke is the second leading cause of long-term disability and death worldwide. Diabetes and hyperglycemia may impact the outcome of stroke. We examined the impact of hyperglycemia and diabetes on in-hospital death among ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients. ⋯ Hyperglycemia on admission is associated with worsened clinical outcome and increased risk of in-hospital death in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients. Diabetes increased the risk of in-hospital death in hemorrhagic stroke patients, but not in ischemic ones.
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Using network meta-analysis, we evaluated the adverse effects of the seven most common treatment methods, i.e., bridging external fixation, non-bridging external fixation, K-wire fixation, plaster fixation, dorsal plating, volar plating, and dorsal and volar plating, by their associated risk of developing complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in distal radius fracture (DRF) patients. ⋯ Our findings suggest that compared with bridging external fixation, K-wire fixation, dorsal plating, volar plating, dorsal and volar plating, plaster fixation and non-bridging external fixation might be the better treatment methods to reduce the risk of CRPS in DRF patients.