The general characteristics, outcomes and risk factors of the patients with aortic dissection (AD) were evaluated in a single medical center. From January 2002 to December 2008, 284 patients with AD were treated and followed-up at our institution, including 105 cases of type A AD and 179 cases of type B AD. The patients in each type were divided into three groups according to management: medical treatment group (A or B), open surgery group (A or B), and stent-graft group (A or B). The characteristics and follow-up outcomes were compared between the groups or subgroups. The results showed that there was significant difference in the prognosis for type A AD between medical treatment group and open surgery group, but there was no significant difference in the prognosis for type B AD between medical treatment group and stent-graft group. Independent risk factors of follow-up mortality for patients with type A AD included a history of atherosclerosis (HR, 3.807; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.489 to 7.611; P=0.003), in-hospital hypotension/shock (HR, 4.687; 95% CI, 1.846 to 11.900; P=0.001), in-hospital myocardial ischemia or infarction (HR, 3.734; 95% CI, 1.613 to 8.643; P=0.002), pleural effusion (HR, 2.210; 95% CI, 1.080 to 4.521; P=0.030), branch vessel involvement (HR, 2.747; 95% CI, 1.202 to 6.278; P=0.016) and surgical treatment (HR, 0.177; 95% CI, 0.063 to 0.502; P=0.001). And there were insignificant independent predictors for mortality of the patients with type B AD. It was concluded that there were significant differences in characteristics and one year mortality between type A AD and type B AD, but after one year, there was no significant difference in the mortality and complications of them. There were several discordant risk factors of AD, such as female gender, age, thrombus, abrupt onset of pain that were considered as the risk factors in some papers. And there was no definite risk factor of mortality in this study in the patients with type B AD.

Objective To investigate the diagnosis and surgical treatment of intracaval venous tumors. Methods Clinical data of 6 cases were retrospectively analyzed, including signs and symptoms diagnostic means such as type-B ultrasound, CTA, MRA, surgical procedures and prognosis. Results All six cases received type-B ultrasonic examination, final definite diagnosis was achieved by CTA exam in 2 cases and through MRA in 4 cases. Heart involvement was found in 3 cases. All patients underwent a surgery. According to the extent of the tumor,3 cases had thoraco-abdominal incision,3 cases with extracorporeal circulation and right atrium opening. All of the tumors were completely resected. Pathological exam revealed that 4 cases were of leiomyomatosis and 2 cases were of leiomyosarcoma. One case with leiomyosarcoma died of liver disfunction postoperatively.The other 5 cases recovered without major complications. An average 51 months of follow-up found no recurrence. Conclusions CT and MRI are the mainstay for the diagnosis,and MRI can provide clear anatomy image to the surgeons, help choose the surgical procedures. The one-stage operation is effective. During the operation, the main branches of the vena cava system should be detected, and the attachment of the tumor should be found and removed thoroughly to prevent the recurrence of the tumor. When the attachment point is lower than the iliac vein level, ligation of the involved iliac vein should be mandatory.

OBJECTIVE: By reviewing the clinical material in 23 cases (25 tumors) of carotid body tumors, we concluded our experience in selecting the appropriate diagnostic modality and surgical therapy to facilitate surgical maneuvers and decrease the incidence of postoperative complications. METHOD: From 2003 to 2008, 23 cases of carotid body tumors were admitted and treated in Wuhan Union Hospital. All the 23 cases were operated after determining diagnosis that was deterred by angiography and noninvasive examinations including color Doppler scan, computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance angiography. RESULT: There was no patient died, no cerebral infarctions, no recurrence after operation. Nervous complications occurred in 5 cases post operatively. CONCLUSION Preoperative angiography is a appropriate diagnostic modality for carotid body tumor, which can shows the supply arteries of the tumor and estimate the structure of the Willis Circle, so that we can judge the possibility to temporarily clamp the carotid artery during the operation to control the hemorrhage and eliminate the postoperative nervous complications.
Adult ; Aged ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Carotid Body Tumor ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

The general characteristics,outcomes and risk factors of the patients with aortic dissection (AD) were evaluated in a single medical center.From January 2002 to December 2008,284 patients with AD were treated and followed-up at our institution,including 105 cases of type A AD and 179 cases of type B AD.The patients in each type were divided into three groups according to management:medical treatment group (A or B),open surgery group (A or B),and stent-graft group (A or B).The characteristics and follow-up outcomes were compared between the groups or subgroups.The results showed that there was significant difference in the prognosis for type A AD between medical treatment group and open surgery group,but there was no significant difference in the prognosis for type B AD between medical treatment group and stent-graft group.Independent risk factors of follow-up mortality for patients with type A AD included a history of atherosclerosis (HR,3.807; 95％ confidence interval [CI],1.489 to 7.611; P=0.003),in-hospital hypotension/shock (HR,4.687; 95％ CI,1.846 to 11.900;P=0.001),in-hospital myocardial ischemia or infarction (HR,3.734; 95％ CI,1.613 to 8.643; P=0.002),pleural effusion (HR,2.210; 95％ CI,1.080 to 4.521; P=0.030),branch vessel involvement (HR,2.747;95％ CI,1.202 to 6.278; P=0.016) and surgical treatment (HR,0.177; 95％ CI,0.063 to 0.502; P=0.001).And there were insignificant independent predictors for mortality of the patients with type BAD.It was concluded that there were significant differences in characteristics and one year mortality between type A AD and type B AD,but after one year,there was no significant difference in the mortality and complications of them.There were several discordant risk factors of AD,such as female gender,age,thrombus,abrupt onset of pain that were considered as the risk factors in some papers.And there was no definite risk factor of mortality in this study in the patients with type B AD.