We analyzed the multifractal singularity spectrum of synchronous 12-lead ECG (electrocardiogram) signals from heart and brain disease patients, and found that multifractal curves of different leads do not overlap each other. After calculating the scope of the singularity strength, we noticed that the averages of scope are not the same in different subjects,and the dispersing degree is also different in someone's different leads. Both the deltaalpha, the average of the deltaalpha, and the dispersing degree deltaalpha (be defined as standard deviation) of the deltaalpha of every one's 12-lead ECG were computed. Then, a comparison was made between the spectrum of the healthy subjects and the heart disease patients. The results showed that their deltaalpha are close, but their deltaalpha are markedly different. Also the healthy subjects and brain disease patients were compared, we found that their deltaalpha are close, but their deltaalpha are markedly different. These indicate that the character of multifractal spectrum is controlled by both the neurosystem of body and the self-syntonic property of cardiac structures. Furthermore, the deltaalpha is related with the neuroautonomic control of people's body on the ECG, and the deltaalpha is related with the anisotropy of the heterogeneous tissue and the electric signal propagation in heart.
Aged ; Brain Concussion ; physiopathology ; Coronary Disease ; physiopathology ; Electrocardiography ; methods ; Humans ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted

OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes of brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) in patients with brain concussion. METHODS: Nineteen patients with brain concussion were studied with BAEP examination. The data was compared to the healthy persons reported in literatures. RESULTS: The abnormal rate of BAEP for patients with brain concussion was 89.5%. There was a statistically significant difference between the abnormal rate of patients and that of healthy persons (P<0.05). The abnormal rate of BAEP in the brainstem pathway for patients with brain concussion was 73.7%, indicating dysfunction of the brainstem in those patients. CONCLUSION BAEP might be helpful in forensic diagnosis of brain concussion.
Accidents, Traffic ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Brain Concussion/physiopathology* ; Child ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo discuss the mechanism of cerebral vessel spasm caused by concussion and the effect of Nimodipine on concussion.

METHODSA total of 224 patients who were treated from March 1995 to October 1999 were divided into two groups randomly, ie, Nimodipine group (113 cases) and control group (111 cases). Middle cerebral artery (MCA), basilar artery (BA) and the average peak forward velocity of cerebral blood flow were observed by color three-dimensional transcranial Doppler (3D-TCD) within 24 hours after admission and at the end of 3-6 days of treatment. Cerebral blood flow changes, characteristics and treatment effect were analyzed and determined by clinical main symptom disappearance rate.

RESULTSIn concussion, cerebral blood flow was divided into 3 phases: cerebral blood flow low infusion dilation phase, cerebral blood vessel spasm phase and cerebral blood flow recovery phase. In the Nimodipine group, clinical main symptom disappearance rate was higher than that in the control group in the cerebral spasm and recovery phases with a significant difference (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSCerebral vessel spasm, hypoxia and ischemia lesion are the main pathological changes. Whether cerebral dysfunction is reversible or not is mainly determined by spasm time of cerebral blood vessel. Nimodipine has a good effect on releasing spasm and diminishing the cerebral blood flow velocity. It not only improves curative effect on concussion, but also reduces and prevents concussion sequelae. Hence, concussion patients who have cerebral spasm confirmed by 3D-TCD should be given Nimodipine routinely and early.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Brain Concussion ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Cerebral Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; drug effects ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Injury Severity Score ; Male ; Mannitol ; administration & dosage ; Middle Aged ; Nimodipine ; administration & dosage ; Reference Values ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial ; Vasospasm, Intracranial ; drug therapy ; etiology ; physiopathology