AIM: To establish a method of simultaneously determining ginsenoside Rg1,ginsenoside Re and ginsenoside Rb1 in Tangniaole Granule (Radix Trichosanthis, Rhizoma Dioscoreae, Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng Rubra, Rhizoma Anemarrhenae, Radix Astragali, etc.). METHODS: Three components: ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Re and ginsenoside Rb1 in Tangniaole Granule were determined simultaneously by HPLC, using a Diamonsil C_ 18 ( 4.6 mm?250 mm, 5 ?m), acetonitrile-water as a mobile phase. The detection wavelength was at 203 nm. RESULTS: The relationship among the concentrations and the peak areas of ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Re and ginsenoside Rb1 were linear respectively. The RSD of precision, stability, repeatability and recovery were all less than 3%. CONCLUSION: The method is simultaneous determination for three components in Tangniaole Granule, and can be applied to the quality control of Tangniaole Granule.

Platypnea orthodeoxia syndrome is associated with dyspnea and arterial oxygen desaturation accentuated by an upright posture. It can be secondary to an intracardiac shunt. We report a case of platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) in a 58-year old male patient who had a pre-existing patent foramen ovale (PFO) and substantial pulmonary pathologies. He was successfully treated by percutaneous transcatheter closure of the PFO. Our case highlights the importance of recognition of this rare syndrome in patients who present with unexplained hy-poxia for whom transcatheter closure of the interatrial shunt can be safely carried out.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of Cardi-O-fix patent foramen ovale (PFO) occluder and Amplatzer PFO occluder for the treatment of patients with PFO. Methods: A total of 246 consecutive patients (105 males and 141 females) with PFO were prospectively enrolled from May 30, 2013 to March 30, 2015 in our hospital. PFO interventional closure was applied according to the anatomical structure of the disease and patients′ wishes.Cardi-O-fix PFO occluder was used in 180 cases (COF group), Amplatzer PFO occluder was used in the remaining 66 cases (Amp group). Post-procedure safety including recurrent stroke, transient ischemic attack, death, and complete closure rate, and efficacy including procedure related complications of different devices were compared during the 12 months follow-up. Results: (1) Rate of transient ischemic attack was similar between COF group and Amp group at 12 months after procedure(1.1%(2/180) vs. 1.5%(1/66), P=1.000). There was no recurrent stroke and death during the 12 months follow-up period.Complete closure rate was similar between COF group and Amp group at 12 months after the procedure(90.6%(163/180)vs. 86.4%(57/66), P=0.355). (2) Three cases(1.7%) of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were observed in COF group during the 12 months follow-up period, 1 patient converted spontaneously to sinus rhythm and 2 patients received successful pharmacologic conversion and converted to sinus rhythm. One patient(1.5%)developed paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and was pharmacologically converted to sinus rhythm in the Amp group. There was no significant difference in rate of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation between the two groups(P=1.000). There was no complications such as occluder translocation, erosion, pericardial effusion and puncture site bleeding in the 2 groups during the 12 months follow-up. Conclusion Efficacy and safety are similar for PFO treatment with Cardi-O-fix PFO occluder or Amplatzer PFO occluder in this patient cohort.