Objective Background and objective The Cox maze Ⅲ procedure has been considered the gold standard for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and the modified Cox maze use bipolar radiofrequency ablation instead of the cut-and-sew technique,while also reducing the connecting lines in left atrium.This study was to understand whether completely isolation the posterior left atrium by increasing left atrium ablation lines can enhance the survival after modified Cox maze procedure.Methods From Jan 2009 to Dec 2009,all the patients underwent the Cox maze procedure,following the same examination,were divided into two groups (case-control): box lesion group (n =60),which is means the right and lefi pulmonary vein lesions were connected inferiorly by adding ablation lines,thereby completely isolating the posterior left atrium and the non-box lesion group (n =60).Similar interventions were given during the perioperative periods.Comparing the risk factors before surgeries,then follow-up was 100％ complete,and the mean follow-up was 9 ± 8.4 months.Results Except the box lesion had long time of extracorporeal circulation,the characteristics of the 2 groups were similar because there were no differences in age,AF duration,left atrial diameter,left ventricular ejection fraction or homochronous operation between the groups and there was no operative death.No patient was lost to follow-up.In the mean follow-up duration,a patient was died of intracerebral hemorrhage at 2 months postoperationly in the box lesion group and a patient suffered from stroke at 12 months postoperationly in the non-box lesion.The overall freedom from AF recurrence was higher in the box lesion group at 1 (70％ vs 51.2％,P =0.039) and 3 (78.3％ vs 60％,P =0.030) months.While it was 80％ vs 71.7％ (P =0.286) at 6 months.Eight patients wrere readmitted because of the recurrence of AF,4 and 2 patients underwent catheter ablation in box and non-box group respectively,one patient in each group underwent electrical conversion.After treatment,all of the patients were recovered to sinus rhythm and continued to take cordarone.Conclusion Compared to the single connecting between right and left pulmonary vein,isolating the entire posterior left atrium by creating a box lesion showed higher freedom from AF in the earlier months (1-3months).However,half a year after the surgery,there were no significant differences between the two groups.

Objective To validate of the Chinese system for cardiac operative risk evaluation (SinoSCORE) in Cantonese surgery patients. Methods Data from Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute in the period January 2004 through December 2008 were analyzed on 2462 Cantonese heart surgery patients. First, compared risk factors of this series and database of SinoSCORE, and then calculated the additive score of each patients and evaluate the discrimination and calibration of sinoSCORE in Cantonese patients. Results There were some differences between the risk factors of patients from two groups. The gender,smoking, diabetes, hyperlipemia, hypertension, chronic pulmonary diseases, stroke, cardiovascular surgery history, left main disease, atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter, pulmonary arterial hypertension, concomitant coronary surgery and concomitant valve surgery in Cantonese patients were different between two groups. However, The SinoSCORE was able to predict the in-hospital mortality of senior patients with good discrimination ( Hosmer-Lemeshow test, P = 0. 34 ) and calibration ( the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.84, P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusion SinoSCORE was able to predict the in-hospital mortality of Cantonese heart surgery patients.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the social and economic burden of Downs syndrome for patients and their families residing in Changsha, China. METHODS: An 160-item self-administered questionnaire was designed and distributed to the primary caregivers of the patients in March 2020. A total of 81 eligible participants had completed the questionnaire, among which 20 were excluded for incomplete data. A patient perspective was taken to estimate the economic burden of the disease. The social impact of the disease on the patient's family was evaluated through questions adapted from the Stanford Psychological Wellbeing (PWB) Scale. RESULTS: The estimated life-course cost of a Downs syndrome patient in Changsha is 4 985 659 RMB, with the patient and caregiver's loss of income taking the greater proportion. In addition, as the majority of the patients' primary caregivers, female caregivers experienced not only considerable financial hardship caused by the care provision, but also a significant amount of psychological pressure and social discrimination. CONCLUSION Increased level of social welfare for the patients and social support for their female caregivers are essential for reducing economic burden and improving their quality of life in the area. In addition, prenatal screening and diagnosis for Downs syndrome are important for reducing both the social and economic burden of the disease by preventing its occurrence.
Caregivers ; China ; Down Syndrome ; Female ; Financial Stress ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Social Discrimination ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To analyze the death status and main causes of death among children under 5 years old in Changsha from 2016 to 2021, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating preventive measures for children's health care. Methods The data of 1 761 deaths of children under 5 years old in Changsha City from 2016 to 2021 were collected, and the mortality trend, the order of causes of death and the utilization of pre-death medical care services were retrospectively analyzed. Results The 7-day neonatal mortality, 28-day neonatal mortality, 0-1-year-old neonatal mortality, and the mortality rate of children under 5 years old (U5MR) in Changsha City from 2016 to 2021 were 0.76‰, 1.28‰, 2.41‰, and 3.86‰, respectively. All the mortality rates showed a decreasing trend (P<0.05). U5MR in males was significantly higher than that in females (P<0.05), and U5MR in rural areas was significantly higher than that in urban areas (P<0.05). The top five causes of U5MR were drowning, premature delivery or low birth weight, pneumonia, other congenital anomalies, and accidental asphyxia, respectively. The death places of children under 5 years old were mainly medical and health institutions, and 81.72% of them were treated in hospitals before death. Conclusion From 2016 to 2021, the mortality rate of children under the age of 5 in Changsha City has gradually decreased. Preventing congenital malformations, reducing preterm birth or low birth weight, improving the treatment level of pneumonia, and preventing accidents such as drowning and accidental suffocation are the key to reducing the mortality rate of children under 5 years old.