OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of a new triple-branched aortic arch covered stent graft on DeBakey Type I aortic dissection, and to assess its efficacy in comparison with traditional surgery. METHODS: From January 2010 to November 2010, 38 patients of DeBakey Type I aortic dissection were treated surgically in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, in which 16 operations used triple-branched aortic arch covered stent grafts (stent graft group, SG group), 22 operations used traditional 4 sides branches aortic arch grafts (arch graft group, AG group). RESULTS: Compared with AG group, the cardiopulmonary bypass time[(138.1± 56.42) vs (179.21± 67.64) min], the clamp time [(98.56±28.08) vs (134.36±46.46) min] and the selective cerebral perfusion time[(27.3±14.76) vs (48.74±18.22) min] in SG group were obviously shortened(P<0.05). The volume of drainage 24 hours after operation in SG group also reduced[(608.93±308.15) vs (899.04±437.79) mL](P<0.05). The SG group had a lower rate of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (6.25% vs 27.3%) and duration of hospitalization[(16.15±6.68) vs (21.18±12.69) d](P<0.05). During a following-up period of 14 to 24 months,reexamination of aortic CT angiography showed that the triple-branched aortic arch covered stent graft expanded well, and attached to the wall satisfactorily, while the corresponding false lumen of the aortic artery disappeared and the distal false lumen was filled with thrombus. The life quality of patients were good. CONCLUSION The new triple-branched aortic arch covered stent graft is appropriated for most patients with DeBakey Type I aortic dissection. Its use can simplify the aortic arch procedure,decrease the operation risk and has satisfactory results in early and middle stage after operation.
Adult ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Aorta, Thoracic ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDIn recent years, computers have been intensively used at home. In contrast to paper-based books and documents, computer screen is self-illuminated with larger screen-background luminance difference, which greatly induces visual discomfort. To compensate for that, one effective solution is to offer an additional background luminance. In this study, we investigated whether and to what extent additional background lighting is needed in looking at a computer display comfortably.

METHODSIn this study, 60 healthy children aged from 9 to 12 years and 58 adults aged from 21 to 39 years participated in the experiments. They were asked to choose their most preferred background luminance intensities at three screen luminance levels. The data were analyzed by Matlab (R2012b) and SPSS 20.0.

RESULTSBoth children and adult participants selected a non-dark background as their comfortable lighting condition when watching a computer display (children: t (59) = 22.0, P < 0.01, adults: t (57) = 15.5, P < 0.01). Comparatively, children preferred brighter background in general ( F (1,116) = 7.0, P < 0.01). More importantly, participants' preferred background luminance levels were linearly correlated with screen luminance intensities (children: slope = 0.97, R(2) = 0.98; adults: slope = 0.38, R(2) = 1.00).

CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that varying background luminance to maintain screen-background luminance ratio is beneficial to human visual comfort.

Adult ; Child ; Computers ; Contrast Sensitivity ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Lighting ; Male ; Myopia ; prevention & control ; Young Adult