ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacy of glucosamine hydrochloride and diacerein for patients with knee osteoarthritis and the MRI variation. MethodsBetween January and June 2014, 90 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomized into three groups: group A (treated by glucosamine hydrochloride), group B (treated by diacerein) and group C (treated by both glucosamine hydrochloride and diacerein). The score of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index of osteoarthritis, MRI cartilage injury Recht grading and the curative effects for bone marrow edema, joint cavity effusion and meniscus injury were compared before and after the treatment. ResultsThe scores of WOMAC after treatment in all the groups were improved, while the therapeutic effect of group C lasted longer when medical treatment suspended. The number of articular surface with different degrees of cartilage injury showed no statistically significant change in all three groups (P ＞ 0.05) . The state of bone marrow edema and joint cavity effusion were improved with a statistically significant difference in all groups (P ＜ 0.05) . Patients with lateral meniscus degeneration in group A and patients with medial meniscal tear in group B both increased with statistically significant differences (P ＜ 0.05) . However, in group C, patients with lateral meniscus degeneration or meniscal tear decreased with statistically significant differences (P ＜ 0.05) . ConclusionsThe treatment for osteoarthritis by glucosamine hydrochloride is effective, and the curative effect lasts longer when treated by both glucosamine hydrochloride and diacerein. Glucosamine hydrochloride ameliorates the bone marrow edema and joint cavity effusion. Treatment together with diacerein leads to a better therapeutic effect for patients with meniscus degeneration, yet further studies are needed to prove its effects in ameliorating cartilage injury.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of cardiac surgery concomitant with bipolar radiofrequency ablation(BRFA) for the patients with heart disease and atrial fibrillation(AF). MethodsFrom April 2008 to September 2014, clinical data of 167 patients(43 males, 124 females) of organic-heart-disease patients combined with atrial fibrillation were analyzed retrospectively in our hospital. Within 167 patients, 102 patients underwent bipolar radiofrequency ablation without aortic cross-clamping were as a trial group and the other 65 patients underwent cardiac surgery and bipolar radiofrequency ablation with aortic cross-clamping were as a control group. And there were no significant difference in the age and gender between the two groups. ResultsThe time of radiofrequency ablation was 23.1±5.0 minutes in all the patients and there was no significant difference between the two groups(P=0.279). The extracorporeal circulation time was 156.6±56.4 minutes and the aortic cross-clamping time was 82.1±42.6 minutes. There was a significant difference between two groups in extracorporeal circulation time and aortic cross-clamping time. One patient underwent bipolar radiofrequency ablation with aortic cross-clamping died of severe pulmonary infection and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS) in one month after the surgery. The duration of follow-up was 1-77(35.3±3.5) months. The sinus rhyme conversion rate was estimated by electrocardiogram(ECG) in 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 36 months, 60 months after operation. The sinus rhyme conversion rates were 85.3%(133/156), 83.4%(126/151), 82.7%(115/139), 77.0%(94/122), 75.9%(41/54), and 72.0%(18/25). There was no significant difference during the follow-up in all of the sinus rhyme conversion rate. During the fellow-up, 2 patients died. One died after 1 month and another died after 6 months after their hospital-discharges. ConclusionThe efficacy and safety of cardiac surgery concomitant with bipolar radiofrequency ablation is satisfied. It can reduce the time of myocardial ischemia in bipolar radiofrequency ablation without aortic cross-clamping. It is beneficial to critical patients.