Objective To investigate the change of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide ( NT-proBNP) levels in plasma of patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD) at exertion. Methods Pulmonary function testing, increamental and constant cycle ergometer exercise testing were performed in 19 patients with stable COPD and 10 healthy subjects. Arterial blood gas analysis were measured at rest and maximal exertion in incremental testing. Venous blood samples were drawn both at rest and maximal exercise in constant-load exercise testing and NT-proBNP levels were measured. Results NT-proBNP levels did not change significantly during exercise in the patients with stable COPD[ ( 4803. 86 ±1027. 07 ) ng/L vs ( 4572. 39 ±1243. 33 ) ng /L, P = 0. 542 ] and the control group [ ( 4303. 18 ±771. 74) ng/L vs ( 4475. 71 ±1025. 50) ng /L, P = 0. 676] . NT-proBNP levels were not correlated with parameters of cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Conclusion The factors other than cardiac function may contribute to the exercise intolerance in stable COPD patients without heart failure.
ObjectiveTo observe clinical outcomes of laser photocoagulation on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). MethodsClinical data of 64 cases of ROP infants (127 eyes) were studied retrospectively. Fifteen infants (30 eyes) were diagnosed of pre-threshold ROP (type Ⅰ, 23.6%) and 49 cases (97 eyes) of threshold ROP (76.4%). All the eyes underwent photocoagulation through binocular indirect ophthalmoscope (532 nm or 810 nm) within 72 hours after the confirmation ROP. In all the 15 cases (30 eyes) of pre-threshold ROP (type Ⅰ), 6 of them (12 eyes) were photocoagulated by laser of 532 nm, and the other 9 ones (18 eyes) were treated with 810 nm. In 49 threshold ROP infants (97 eyes), 37 cases (73 eyes) and 12 ones (24 eyes) were treated with laser of 532 nm or 810 nm respectively. All the infants were followed up 12-36 months (18.4 months) since photocoagulation to investigate regression of ROP. All the data of ROP infants photocoagulated, such as recovery rate of one-time photocoagulation, repeat rate, unfavorable outcomes, and complications, were analyzed statistically according to the severity of ROP and wave length of laser employed. ResultsIn all the 127 photocoagulation treated eyes, ROP regressed completely in 125 eyes (98.4%), temporal retinal traction remained in 2 eyes (1.6%), and no retinal detachment was found. ROP regressed completely in 118 eyes (92.9%) after one-time photocoagulation, recovered totally in 6 eyes (4.7%) after repeating photocoagulation 2-3 times, and resorted to cryotherapy in 3 eyes (2.4%). Subconjunctiva hemorrhage, found in 12 eyes (9.4%), was the most common complication. During photocoagulation, anesthetic accident occurred in 1 infant (1.6%), and 1 eye developed cataract (0.8%). It was suggested from statistical analysis that there was no significant difference on efficiency or safety between pre-threshold (type Ⅰ) and threshold ROP photocoagulated by laser of 532 nm or 810 nm. However, almost all of the ROP infants need repeat photocoagulation or additional cryotherapy, and patients with unfavorable outcomes or severe complications, occurred in threshold ROP treated with 532 nm laser. ConclusionPhotocoagulation with 532 nm or 810 nm laser is effective for type Ⅰ pre-threshold or threshold ROP.
ObjectiveTo describe the status of epilepsy inpatients healthcare service in tertiary public hospitals in China by the data collected from the Hospital Quality Monitoring System.MethodsA population-based study was conducted with data of hospitalized patients collected from the Hospital Quality Monitoring System between 2015 and 2017. Diagnoses were identified by International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision codes for epilepsy (G40). The information of demographic characteristics, costs, payment methods, and discharge status were extracted and analyzed annually to make cross-sectional studies.ResultsA total of 329 241 hospitalized epilepsy patients from 585 tertiary public hospitals were identified. The average age of the patients was 31.74 and male patients accounted for 60.00% of the total. The proportion of patients covered by the national basic medical insurance in the three years was 50.15%, and that in the year 2015, 2016, and 2017 was 49.03%, 49.79%, and 51.80%, respectively; the proportion of patients with full self-payment was 30.40%. The average length of hospital stay was 6.65 d, the average cost for each stay was 7 985.53 yuan, the average self-payed cost for each stay was 3 979.62 yuan. In terms of the discharge way of the patients, 88.02% discharged following doctors’ advice, 0.40% were transferred to another hospital with doctors’ advice, and 6.59% discharged against doctors’ advice. The in-hospital mortality in the three years was 0.16%, and that in the year 2015, 2016, and 2017 was 0.19%, 0.16%, and 0.12%, respectively.ConclusionThe study shows that the in-hospital mortality rate of epilepsy inpatients in the tertiary public hospitals in China decreased gradually from 2015 to 2017, the coverage rate of national basic medical insurance increased year by year, and there is still room for further improvement.
ObjectiveTo investigate the fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) characteristics of spontaneous regression in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and the range of retinal vascularization. MethodsA clinical retrospective study. A total of 82 eyes of 41 infants with ROP, who underwent FFA from January 2019 to December 2021 in Department of Ophthalmology of Xijing Hospital after completion of ROP regression, were included. There were 25 males (50 eyes) and 16 females (32 eyes). ROP was diagnosed in Zone Ⅱ in 44 eyes, with 38 eyes in stage 2 and 6 eyes in stage 3, and in zone Ⅲ in 38 eyes of stage 2. All patients underwent FFA examination under general anesthesia, at postmenstrual age of 70.70±12.25 weeks, after the natural regression of ROP was completed. Focus on the retinal vascular development, as well as choroid circulation and macular abnormalities, and compare and observe the differences between zone Ⅱ and Ⅲ after spontaneous regression. The extent of retinal vascularization was determined by the ratio between the distance of the center of the disc to the border of the vascularized zone (DB) and the center of the disc to the fovea distance (DF). The width of avascular area, recorded as the distance from the ora serrata to the vascular termination, was counted by disc diameters (DD). The measurement data between zone Ⅱ and zone Ⅲ ROP were compared by the independent sample t-test, and the count data were compared by χ2 test or Fisher exact probability test. ResultsThe linear choroidal pattern was present in 9 eyes (21.95%, 9/41), and the tortuous arteries in the posterior retina were detected in 32 eyes (39.02%, 32/82). It was noted that increased branching of vessels presented in 45 eyes (54.88%, 45/82), straight shape of vessels shown in 27 eyes (32.93%, 27/82), circumferential vessels arisen in 45 eyes (54.88%, 45/82), arteriovenous shunt appeared in 18 eyes (21.95%, 18/82), and capillary bed lost in 46 eyes (56.10%, 46/82) in areas from initial ridge to vascular termini. Punctate or linear dye leakage was observed in 23 eyes (28.05%, 23/82) during the late phase of FFA. Macular abnormalities, such as the absence of foveal avascular zone and hypoperfusion, were observed in 28 eyes (34.15%, 28/82), of which the macular ectopia presented in 1 eye. The mean DB/DF ratio of all the 82 eyes on the temporal side was 4.63±0.29 and 3.77±0.23 in the nasal. The mean avascular area on the temporal retina was 1.74±1.00 DD. Compared with ROP in zone Ⅲ, increased branching of vessels and dye leakage were more common (χ2=9.303, 10.774; P=0.002, 0.001), the extent of temporal retinal vascularization was smaller (t=－2.285, P=0.026), and the avascular area of the retina was more significant (t=5.491, P＜0.001) in zone Ⅱ ROP. ConclusionsEven after completion of spontaneous regression in ROP, incomplete retinal vascularization and vascular abnormalities may exist permanently in FFA, including those such as the tortuous arteries in the posterior retina, increased branching and straight shape of vessels, circumferential vessels, capillary bed lost and macular abnormality. Further appropriate follow-up is needed for long-term safety.