A 36-year-old male patient presented with repeated myocardial infarction. Despite regular dual-antiplatelet therapy and intensive lipid-lowering therapy, he still experienced restenosis after coronary stent implantation. He then transferred to the Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University. According to the disease history, combined with coronary artery inflammation observed by PET/CT and effective anti-inflammatory treatment, he was finally diagnosed with Behçet’s disease (BD) combined with isolated coronary arteritis. BD has been included in the Chinese Second Catalog of Rare Diseases, and the disease that only involves the coronary arteries is even rarer, which makes it very easy to misdiagnose and underdiagnosis in clinical practice. Strengthening the understanding of the complex clinical phenotypes of various vasculitis, attaching importance to multidisciplinary consultation, and dynamically following up are of great value for the early diagnosis of this disease.

Objective To develop a risk assessment scale for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-associated myocarditis based on multidisciplinary collaboration, and to evaluate its diagnostic performance. Methods Based on multidisciplinary cooperation, integrating clinical experience from oncology and cardiology, literature data, and patient conditions, a risk assessment scale for ICI-associated myocarditis was developed. A total of 101 patients with malignancies who received immunotherapy at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, from October 2020 to October 2024 were included as the validation cohort. Patients were stratified into low-risk (0-1 point), medium-risk (2-4 points), and high-risk (≥5 points) groups based on their scale scores. The association between pretictive risk stratifications and actual assessment results was assessed using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. The predictive value of the scale for ICI-associated myocarditis was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Agreement between the scale scores and actual assessment results was assessed using Cohen’s Kappa coefficient. Results Based on the scale pretictive results, 28(27.7%), 8(7.9%), 65(64.4%) patients were at low risk, medium risk, and high risk for ICI-related myocarditis, respectively; however, 46(45.5%), 8(7.9%), 47(46.5%) were at low risk, medium risk, and high risk actually. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the cumulative incidence of ICI-related myocarditis in the high-risk group was significantly higher than that in the medium- and low-risk groups (P＜0.05). In the multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards model, the ICI-related myocarditis risk in high-risk group was about 4 times that in the low-risk group. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the average area under the curve (AUC) for predicting ICI-related myocarditis was 0.81, with an accuracy of 0.74. The Cohen’s Kappa coefficient was 0.55, indicating moderate agreement. In the actual high-risk group, no patient was predicted to be at low risk; in the actual low-risk group, 16 patients were predicted to be at high risk. Conclusions This risk assessment scale for ICI-associated myocarditis shows high predictive performance. It provides oncologists with a simple yet effective multidisciplinary diagnostic reference tool, potentially enhancing early identification of ICI-associated myocarditis.

Objective To explore the safety and effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in patients with ischemic heart failure (IHF). Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was designed (ClinicalTrial.gov registration number NCT03491969). From January 2019 to January 2023, 300 patients with IHF were enrolled in four medical centers in China, and were randomly assigned at a 1∶1 ratio to receive ALA (600 mg daily) or placebo on top of standard care for 24 months. The primary outcome was the composite outcome of hospitalization for heart failure (HF) or all-cause mortality events. The second outcome included non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), non-fatal stroke, changes of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) from baseline to 24 months after randomization. Results Finally, 138 patients of the ALA group and 139 patients of the placebo group attained the primary outcome. Hospitalization for HF or all-cause mortality events occurred in 32 patients (23.2%) of the ALA group and in 40 patients (28.8%) of the placebo group (HR＝0.753, 95%CI 0.473-1.198, P＝0.231; Figure 1A-1C). The absolute risk reduction (ARR) was 5.6%, the relative risk reduction (RRR) associated with ALA therapy was approximately 19.4% compared to placebo, corresponding to a number needed to treat (NNT) of 18 patients to prevent one event. In the secondary outcome analysis, the composite outcome of the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including the hospitalization for HF, all-cause mortality events, non-fatal MI or non-fatal stroke occurred in 35 patients (25.4%) in the ALA group and 47 patients (33.8%) in the placebo group (HR＝0.685, 95%CI 0.442-1.062, P＝0.091; Figure 1D). Moreover, greater improvement in LVEF (β＝3.20, 95%CI 1.14-5.23, P＝0.002) and 6MWD (β＝31.7, 95%CI 8.3-54.7, P＝0.008) from baseline to 24 months after randomization were observed in the ALA group as compared to the placebo group. There were no differences in adverse events between the study groups. Conclusions These results show potential long-term beneficial effects of adding ALA to IHF patients. ALA could significantly improve LVEF and 6MWD compared to the placebo group in IHF patients.

AIM: To explore the variance in efficacy between botulinum toxin A(BTA)injection and extraocular muscle surgery in managing large-angle(≥+60 PD)acute acquired concomitant esotropia(AACE).METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 60 patients with AACE treated at our hospital from June 2020 to December 2022. Patients were divided into three groups based on different treatments: 2.5 IU BTA injection group(14 cases), 5.0 IU BTA injection group(29 cases), and surgical group(17 cases). Follow-up was conducted for 6 mo after treatment to observe the degree of strabismus after the correction of refractive error, visual function, treatment effectiveness, and occurrence of complications after BTA injection.RESULTS: At 6 mo post-treatment, the degree of strabismus in the surgical group and the 5.0 IU BTA injection group was lower than that in the 2.5 IU BTA injection group(P<0.017). However, there was no significant difference in the degree of strabismus between the surgical group and the 5.0 IU BTA injection group(P>0.017). The effective rate of the 5.0 IU BTA injection group was higher than that of the 2.5 IU BTA injection group(86% vs 43%, P<0.017). There was no difference in visual function among the three groups(P>0.05). The incidence of complications after treatment was not significantly different between the 2.5 IU BTA injection group and the 5.0 IU BTA injection group(43% vs 52%, P>0.05).CONCLUSION: For AACE patients with esotropia degree ≥+60 PD, bilateral medial rectus injection of 5.0 IU BTA can yield outcomes comparable to traditional extraocular muscle surgery, with the advantages of minimal trauma and simple and convenient operation.

Objective:Explore the feasibility and advantages of using proximal and distal ends of thoracodosal artery and vein as recipient vessels in deep inferior epigastric perforator flap immediate breast reconstruction.Methods:The clinical data of patients who underwent breast reconstruction surgery using the proximal and distal ends of the thoracodorsal vein as recipient vessels at the Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University from March 2022 to June 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. Preoperative examinations included thoracoabdominal angiography and color Doppler ultrasonic localization of the main trunk and perforators of the inferior epigastric vessels. The procedure began with mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection, followed by the isolation of bilateral perforators and the main trunk of the abdominal flap. The main trunks of the bilateral inferior epigastric arteries were then transected, and their vascular pedicles exposed and anastomosed respectively to the proximal and distal ends of the thoracodorsal artery and vein. Both arteries and veins were joined end-to-end. The flap after trimming and reconstruction was then implanted into the cavity left after mastectomy through the incision. Breast positioning was performed with the patient in a knee-bent and hip-flexed position. After adjusting the shape of the reconstructed breast. The donor site was closed, the umbilicus was reconstructed, drainage tubes were placed, and the breast incision was closed. Postoperative follow-up monitored complications associated with the flap and patient satisfaction with the breast reconstruction, utilizing a self-assessment method.Results:Four female patients were included, aged (46.0±6.5) years, ranging from 37 to 52 years. All four patients had bilateral vascular pedicles in the donor area, with three patients having thoracodorsal vessels at the distal and proximal ends as recipient vessels, and one patient having anterior serratus branch of the thoracodorsal vessels at the distal and proximal ends. All drainage tubes were removed within 7 to 10 days after surgery. Patients were discharged. Follow-up period ranged from 1 to 15 months, averaging 6 months. The patients recovered well postoperatively, with no flap-related complications occurring. All four patients were satisfied with the result of the reconstruction.Conclusion:The simultaneous application of the proximal and distal ends of the thoracodorsal artery and vein can ensure the safety of flap survival while reducing damage to the ribs and intercostal muscles, achieving better aesthetic result.

Objective:Explore the feasibility and advantages of using proximal and distal ends of thoracodosal artery and vein as recipient vessels in deep inferior epigastric perforator flap immediate breast reconstruction.Methods:The clinical data of patients who underwent breast reconstruction surgery using the proximal and distal ends of the thoracodorsal vein as recipient vessels at the Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University from March 2022 to June 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. Preoperative examinations included thoracoabdominal angiography and color Doppler ultrasonic localization of the main trunk and perforators of the inferior epigastric vessels. The procedure began with mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection, followed by the isolation of bilateral perforators and the main trunk of the abdominal flap. The main trunks of the bilateral inferior epigastric arteries were then transected, and their vascular pedicles exposed and anastomosed respectively to the proximal and distal ends of the thoracodorsal artery and vein. Both arteries and veins were joined end-to-end. The flap after trimming and reconstruction was then implanted into the cavity left after mastectomy through the incision. Breast positioning was performed with the patient in a knee-bent and hip-flexed position. After adjusting the shape of the reconstructed breast. The donor site was closed, the umbilicus was reconstructed, drainage tubes were placed, and the breast incision was closed. Postoperative follow-up monitored complications associated with the flap and patient satisfaction with the breast reconstruction, utilizing a self-assessment method.Results:Four female patients were included, aged (46.0±6.5) years, ranging from 37 to 52 years. All four patients had bilateral vascular pedicles in the donor area, with three patients having thoracodorsal vessels at the distal and proximal ends as recipient vessels, and one patient having anterior serratus branch of the thoracodorsal vessels at the distal and proximal ends. All drainage tubes were removed within 7 to 10 days after surgery. Patients were discharged. Follow-up period ranged from 1 to 15 months, averaging 6 months. The patients recovered well postoperatively, with no flap-related complications occurring. All four patients were satisfied with the result of the reconstruction.Conclusion:The simultaneous application of the proximal and distal ends of the thoracodorsal artery and vein can ensure the safety of flap survival while reducing damage to the ribs and intercostal muscles, achieving better aesthetic result.

Objective:To study the value of coronary flow reserve (CFR) via dynamic single photon emission computed tomography (D-SPECT) in evaluating coronary microcirculation dysfunction (CMD) in patients with heart failure.Methods:A prospective research method was adopted. One hundred and ninety-four patients with heart failure from September 2019 to September 2020 in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University were selected. The patients were tested for CFR using D-SPECT, and CFR<2 was defined as CMD. The general data were recorded, including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, heart rate, smoking history, New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart function classification, comorbidities and medication situation. The laboratory test results were recorded, including blood urea nitrogen, blood creatinine, blood uric acid, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and N terminal pro B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). The left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD), interventricular septal thickness (IVST), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were measured by cardiac ultrasound. After discharge, patients were followed up in outpatient or telephone contact, with the primary endpoint event being a composite endpoint consisting of cardiovascular death and heart failure readmission. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of CFR. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was draw, and the log-rank test was used to evaluate the effect of CFR on prognosis.Results:Among 194 patients, 133 patients had CMD (CMD group), and the incidence of CMD was 68.56%; 61 patients did not have CMD (non-CMD group). There were no statistical differences in gender composition, BMI, smoking history proportion, blood pressure, heart rate, hypertension rate, atrial fibrillation rate, diabetes mellitus rate, renal dysfunction rate, medication situation, LAD, LVEDD, IVST, PASP, blood urea nitrogen, blood creatinine, blood uric acid, eGFR and hs-CRP between two groups ( P>0.05). The age, rate of NYHA heart function classification Ⅲ to Ⅳ grade, rate of myocardial infarction or revascularization history, LVESD, cTnT and NT-proBNP in CMD group were significantly higher than those in non-CMD group: (60.7 ± 14.0) years old vs. (55.9 ± 15.8) years old, 54.89% (73/133) vs. 26.23% (16/61), 22.56% (30/133) vs. 1.64% (1/61), (48.8 ± 13.1) mm vs. (44.6 ± 11.4) mm, 0.023 (0.015, 0.046) μg/L vs. 0.015 (0.010, 0.023) μg/L and 1 591 (751, 3 409) ng/L vs. 1 132 (288, 1 860) ng/L, the LVEF was significantly lower than that in non-CMD group: (40.9 ± 14.2)% vs. (45.5 ± 14.1)%, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05 or <0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis result showed that the cTnT was an risk factor of CFR ( β = - 0.18, 95% CI - 0.82 to - 0.06, P = 0.025). The median followed up time was 230 (136 to 330) d, 10 patients were lost to follow-up, with 58 patients in CMD group completing follow-up and 126 patients in the non-CMD group. The incidences of primary endpoint event and heart failure readmission in CMD group were significantly higher than those in non-CMD group: 23.02% (29/126) vs. 3.45% (2/58) and 15.87% (20/126) vs. 3.45% (2/58), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01); there was no statistical difference in incidence of cardiovascular death between two groups ( P>0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis result showed that the event free survival rate in CMD group was significantly lower than that in non-CMD group, and there was statistical difference (log-rank χ2 = 11.92, P<0.01). Conclusions:CMD is highly prevalent in patients with heart failure, and it is associated with poor prognosis. Improving CMD for improving coronary microcirculation may be potential targets for the treatment of heart failure.

Background and purpose:Outcomes for cancer patients with steroid-resistant immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis(srICIAM)are poor.Intensified immunosuppressive therapies,including tofacitinib,a novel Janus kinase(JAK)inhibitor,may have some therapeutic benefits.However,due to the lack of sufficient clinical data,the effectiveness of such treatments and their impact on cardiovascular outcomes remain unclear.This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of tofacitinib on srICIAM.Methods:This retrospective case-control study included 36 malignant tumor patients who received immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment at Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University from July 2019 to May 2022 and developed srICIAM.Patients receiving corticosteroids in combination with tofacitinib were assigned to the tofacitinib group(n=19),while those not treated with tofacitinib were allocated to the control group(n=17).The study compared clinical characteristics,laboratory findings,and imaging results between the two groups.Additionally,follow-up was conducted to monitor the incidence of cardiovascular endpoints in these patients.The research plan was approved by the Ethics Committee of Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University(Approval Number:B2021-275R).This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical guidelines of the Helsinki Declaration.Results:Compared to the control group,and with no significant difference in the cumulative dose and duration of corticosteroids(P＜0.05),the tofacitinib group showed a shorter myocarditis recovery time(median recovery time:86.5 days vs 126.5 days,P=0.021).The myocarditis-related mortality rate was significantly lower in the tofacitinib group than in the control group(5%vs 35%,P=0.025).Conclusion:Tofacitinib may reduce mortality and promote cardiac recovery in srICIAM patients without impeding the anti-tumor effect.It may become one of the potential treatment strategies in the future.

Humans ; Animals ; Mice ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Crohn Disease/drug therapy* ; Dextran Sulfate ; Colitis/metabolism* ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Disease Models, Animal ; Colon/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of three children with KBG syndrome. METHODS: Clinical data of the three children from two families who have presented at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between October 2019 and September 2020 and their family members were collected. Trio-whole exome sequencing (trio-WES) and Sanger sequencing were carried out. RESULTS: All children had feeding difficulties, congenital heart defects and facial dysmorphism. The sib- pair from family 1 was found to harbor a novel de novo heterozygous c.6270delT (p.Q2091Rfs*84) variant of the ANKRD11 gene, whilst the child from family 2 was found to harbor a novel heterozygous c.6858delC (p.D2286Efs*51) variant of the ANKRD11 gene, which was inherited from his mother who had a mild clinical phenotype. CONCLUSION The heterozygous frameshift variants of the ANKRD11 gene probably underlay the disease in the three children. Above findings have enriched the spectrum of the ANKRD11 gene variants.
Female ; Child ; Humans ; Abnormalities, Multiple/genetics* ; Intellectual Disability/genetics* ; Bone Diseases, Developmental/genetics* ; Tooth Abnormalities/genetics* ; Facies ; Repressor Proteins/genetics* ; Mothers ; Mutation