Objective Aprotinin has been suspended in cardiac surgery since risks factors associated with mortality and other adverse events in western Literatures.This study was to investigate the effect of aprotinin on short-term outcomes in cardiac surgery in Chinese patients.Methods Two groups of patients who underwent cardiac surgery during equal period just before and after aprotinin was suspended in China.Aprotinin groupp(n=1699) was defined as operations from june 19,2007 to Dec 18,2007,when aprotinin was used in all the patients.Control group(n=2225)was defined as operations from Dec19,2007 to June 18,2008,when aprotinin was not umed.Postoperative outcomes between the two groups,including blood loes and transfusion requirement,in-hospital mortality and major adveme outcome events were compared,using univariate analysis and mulfivariable logistic regression analysis.Results Aprotinin group had less postoperative blood loes,transfusion requirement and reoperation for bleeching as compared with the control group.Application of aprotinin did not increase the risk of in-hospital mortality (0.5%vs.10%,P=0.08)and other major ad-verse events,including renal dysfunction,renal failure requiring dialysis,low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS),neurological and pulmonary complications.Aprltinin group also had and shorter mechanical ventilation time(P=0.04),a lowwer rate of delayed mechan-ical ventilation time(P=0.04)and a higher PaO2/FiO2 in the bolld gas analysis(P<0.001).which presented a better respiratory function.Multivariable Logistic regression analysis got identical results with univariate analysis.Conclusion The use of aprotinin in cardiac surgery could reduce blood loss and transfusion requirement significantly,and showed a protective effect on the lungs.In the mean time it did not increase the risk of mortality or major complications.We suggest further studies should be performed to make a decision of continuing or stopping the use of aprotinin in cardisc surgery in Chinese or Asian population.

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical application of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency thermocoagulaion in brachial plexus block.MethodsC5-C7 brachial plexus block was performed by 6-13 MHz high-frequency ultrasound probe in 65 patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score were compared before and after treatment.ResultsThe brachial plexus was showed clearly in 62 patients; however, 3 patients had to be confi rmed by nerve stimulation positioning. The percentage of successful rate is 100%. There was no operation related nerve injury and other complications. The VAS score of preoperation and 1st, 4th and 12nd week after treatment was 8.67±0.76, 3.58±0.62, 2.46±0.2 and 1.77±0.28, respectively. There were significantly difference between before and after treatment (t=58.71, 6.23, 107.72, allP<0.01).ConclusionThe brachial plexus block using radiofrequency thermocoagulaion combined with ultrasound guidance is a safe and radiation-free treatment and warrants to be promoted in clinical practices.

From November 2003 to May 2010, intrathecal drug delivery system (IDDS) was implanted in 18 patients with chronic intractable pain. Analgesia was provided with morphine. Thirteen patients suffered from late stage cancer and 5 from diseases other than cancer. VAS score was used to measure intensity of pain in all 18patients. QLQ-C30 score was used to evaluate quality of life in cancer patients. The patients were followed up for 3-62 months in 5 non-cancer patients. All 13 cancer patients died at 57 days-10 months after operation. VAS scores were significantly decreased and QLQ-C30 scores increased by intrathecal administration of morphine. Side effects developed in all patients to some extent including nausea, vomiting, constipation, urinary retention, pruritus and over-sedation and vanished in a week. Intrathecal catheter was cut while being pulled out of the needle in 1 patient. Two patients developed low intracranial pressure after operation. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 1 patient. One patient developed neuropathic pain in the posterolateral side of right leg.

Seventy-four patients aged 26-63 yr who had suffered cervicogenic headache for 3 months-21 yr were treated with puked radiofrequency applied to C2 dorsal root ganglion, which is located in the middle of the posterior side of lateral atlantoaxial joint. A trochar was introduced percutaneously under the guidance of X-ray aiming at the target point. As it was inserted through the deep fascia, the stylet was withdrawn and a 10 cm long 22 gauge curved blunt electrode was inserted into the trochar and advanced until the patients felt radiating pain from the point of puncture to occiput. Lateral radiograph was obtained to verify the placement of electrode. The tip of the electrode was usually located in front of spinal canal at the atlantoaxial joint level. Sensory stimulation was performed with 50 Hz and 0.1-0.5 V and the patients could feel radiating pain at occiput. Motor stimulation was performed with 2 Hz and 0.4-1.0 V and regular pulsation of the patient's muscle of occiput could occur. Pulsed radiofrequency was applied at 42 ℃7 for 240 s and was performed twice on each side. VAS scores and disturbances of daily activity, mood and sleep were recorded before operation and at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after pulsed radiofrequency treatment. Complications and recurrence within 12 and 18 months were recorded. Follow-up was lost in 22 patients. VAS scores and disturbances of daily activity, mood and sleep significantly decreased after procedure. All of the patients responded without complications like infection, spinal cord and vertebral artery injury. Some patients had transient occipital neuralgia which was usually relieved within 24 h. The recurrence rate in 12 and 18 months after operation was 19% and 31% respectively.