Objective To explore the effect of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) on the development of collateral formation in stable angina patients with serious coronary artery disease.Methods The subjects were patients ( n =92) who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and had chronic total occlusion (CTO) in one major coronary artery.They were divided into two groups,patients without collaterals (coil-,n =50) and patients with collaterals (coll +,n =42).EPCs were isolated from peripheral blood samples and cultured.The numbers of colony-forming units (CFUs) and the vasculargenesis capacity in vitro was assayed respectively.The plasma level of SDF-1α was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Results The number of colony-forming units ( CFUs ) [ ( 22.10 ± 4.69 ) CFUs/106 EPCs vs ( 16.90 ± 3.66) CFUs/106 EPCs ],vasculogenesis capacity in vitro (25.3 ± 3.2 vs 17.4 ± 2.6) and plasma level of SDF-1 α[ (243.7 ± 19.2 ) ng/ml vs ( 203.1 ± 17.8) ng/ml,P ＜ 0.01 ] in coll + group were higher than that of coll group.It had a positive correlation between the level of collateral circulation and the numbers of CFUs,vascular genesis activity of circulating EPCs and plasma level of SDF-1αt( r =0.74,0.69,0.82,0.81,0.64,P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions The number of CFUs and vasculargenesis activity of EPC in coll + group with serious coronary artery disease is significantly higher than that in coll- group.These changes may be related to the increase of plasma SDF-1 α.The method improving the numbers and function of EPCs,increasing the activity of SDF-1 α may benefit the patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of electronic fiberesophagoscopy in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for benign esophageal diseases.

METHODSWe determined the position of lesion, separated the lesion from the esophageal wall, resected the lesion and protected the esophageal mucosa during the process of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for benign esophageal diseases.

RESULTSThirty-six patients with benign esophageal disease underwent the operation successfully and recovered uneventfully. There was no operative death or severe perioperative complications such as esophago pleural fistula. Two patients were changed to undergo thoracotomy.

CONCLUSIONSElectronic fiberesophagoscopy is an essential equipment in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for benign esophageal diseases. It should be adopted as a routine equipment to ensure the accuracy, safety, reliability and convenience of this kind of operations.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Endoscopy ; Esophageal Diseases ; surgery ; Esophagoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Thoracoscopy