Objective To evaluate the short-term efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using Venus A-Plus valve delivery system in patients with severe aortic stenosis. Methods The clinical data of patients undergoing TAVR in our hospital from August 2018 to March 2022 were collected and they were divided into a Venus A-Plus and a Venus A group according to the type of valve delivery system used. The perioperative data of the two groups were compared. Results A total of 121 patients were included, including 70 patients in the Venus A-Plus group [45 males and 25 females with a mean age of (67.81±6.62) years], and 51 patients in the Venus A group [33 males and 18 females with a mean age of (68.25±7.01) years]. All patients underwent TAVR, and the postoperative hemodynamic features (left ventricular ejection fraction, mean cross-valve pressure difference, peak flow rate) were significantly improved (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in surgical success rate, all-cause mortality, conversion to thorax opening, valve-in-valve placement, moderate or above perivalvular regurgitation, new left bundle branch block or new right bundle branch block between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion TAVR with Venus A-Plus valve delivery system in patients with severe aortic stenosis shows comparable efficacy to the first-generation Venus A system and is satisfactory, safe and reliable.

Objective: To validate the analytical performance, operational performance, and process control measures of a domestic fully automatic nucleic acid testing (NAT) system, thereby ensuring an efficient and orderly blood screening workflow. Methods: The concordance rate and sensitivity of WanTag-Vortex Plus system were verified using WHO standard reference panels of HIV-1, HCV and HBV, while precision was assessed using weak positive samples of HIV-1, HCV and HBV. As for its operational performance evaluation, cross-contamination resistance was assessed using strong positive samples, and throughput and stress testing were conducted using negative samples. Reagent stability was verified using weak positive samples, and inter-system performance consistency was assessed using verification panels. In addition, the process control measures were verified using the laboratory quality control demand scale. Results: 1) Verification of concordance rate: The detection results of negative and positive samples of HIV-1, HCV and HBV by WanTag-Vortex Plus system were all consistent with expectations, and the concordance rate was 100%. 2) Precision verification: the repeatability and intermediate precision were extremely high, and the coefficient of variation was less than 5%. 3) Verification of analytical sensitivity: The detection limit of 95% for standard strains of HIV-1, HCV and HBV by WanTag-Vortex Plus system in our laboratory was consistent with the analytical sensitivity provided by reagent manufacturers. 4) Verification of cross-contamination resistance: Five strong positive samples and 87 negative samples were placed according to the actual working conditions and equipment operation design, and the test results were consistent with expectations, with no cross-contamination in the testing system. 5) Throughput and stress testing: Each system completed the individual donor-nucleic acid amplification testing (ID-NAT) of 276 samples in three batches within 12 hours, and successfully completed the ID-NAT test of 828 samples in three consecutive days. 6) Verification of reagent stability: After extreme storage (unsealed storage for 1 week with 4 freeze-thaw cycles), the reagents maintained 100% detection rate in the weak positive samples of HIV-1, HCV, and HBV, showing no significant differences from the control group (Kappa=1). 7) Verification of inter-system performance consistency: The system has stable operation performance, and the performance comparison results across the four devices were consistent (Kappa=1). 8) Process control measures: WanTag-Vortex Plus system software accurately controlled the equipment operation process with strict quality control measures, and correctly interpreted and safely reported the test results. Conclusion: The analytical and operational performance of the WanTag-Vortex Plus system complies with manufacturer design standards and essential laboratory workflow requirements. Integrated with laboratory information system (LIS), the system's control software meets standard process control requirements, yet requires further improvement.

Objective: To validate the analytical performance, operational performance, and process control measures of a domestic fully automatic nucleic acid testing (NAT) system, thereby ensuring an efficient and orderly blood screening workflow. Methods: The concordance rate and sensitivity of WanTag-Vortex Plus system were verified using WHO standard reference panels of HIV-1, HCV and HBV, while precision was assessed using weak positive samples of HIV-1, HCV and HBV. As for its operational performance evaluation, cross-contamination resistance was assessed using strong positive samples, and throughput and stress testing were conducted using negative samples. Reagent stability was verified using weak positive samples, and inter-system performance consistency was assessed using verification panels. In addition, the process control measures were verified using the laboratory quality control demand scale. Results: 1) Verification of concordance rate: The detection results of negative and positive samples of HIV-1, HCV and HBV by WanTag-Vortex Plus system were all consistent with expectations, and the concordance rate was 100%. 2) Precision verification: the repeatability and intermediate precision were extremely high, and the coefficient of variation was less than 5%. 3) Verification of analytical sensitivity: The detection limit of 95% for standard strains of HIV-1, HCV and HBV by WanTag-Vortex Plus system in our laboratory was consistent with the analytical sensitivity provided by reagent manufacturers. 4) Verification of cross-contamination resistance: Five strong positive samples and 87 negative samples were placed according to the actual working conditions and equipment operation design, and the test results were consistent with expectations, with no cross-contamination in the testing system. 5) Throughput and stress testing: Each system completed the individual donor-nucleic acid amplification testing (ID-NAT) of 276 samples in three batches within 12 hours, and successfully completed the ID-NAT test of 828 samples in three consecutive days. 6) Verification of reagent stability: After extreme storage (unsealed storage for 1 week with 4 freeze-thaw cycles), the reagents maintained 100% detection rate in the weak positive samples of HIV-1, HCV, and HBV, showing no significant differences from the control group (Kappa=1). 7) Verification of inter-system performance consistency: The system has stable operation performance, and the performance comparison results across the four devices were consistent (Kappa=1). 8) Process control measures: WanTag-Vortex Plus system software accurately controlled the equipment operation process with strict quality control measures, and correctly interpreted and safely reported the test results. Conclusion: The analytical and operational performance of the WanTag-Vortex Plus system complies with manufacturer design standards and essential laboratory workflow requirements. Integrated with laboratory information system (LIS), the system's control software meets standard process control requirements, yet requires further improvement.

Objective To analyze the short-term clinical outcomes of emergency conversion to surgery during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods Clinical data of patients who underwent emergency surgical conversion from TAVR in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, from 2018 to 2023 were collected. Postoperative follow-up results at 1 month were recorded. Results A total of 253 patients underwent TAVR, of whom 11 (4.3%) required emergency conversion to surgery. Among these 11 patients, 7 were male and 4 were female, with a mean age of (69.55±5.01) years. The primary cause for emergency surgical conversion was valve stent displacement (63.6%), followed by left ventricular perforation/rupture (18.2%) and significant perivalvular regurgitation persisting after a second valve implantation (18.2%). One (9.1%) patient died intraoperatively. Among the 10 surviving patients, postoperative complications included pulmonary infection in 8 patients, severe pneumonia in 7, pleural effusion in 3, liver dysfunction in 8, renal dysfunction in 3, upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 5, cerebrovascular complications in 1, atrial fibrillation in 1, ventricular premature contractions in 1, atrioventricular block in 1, and complete left bundle branch block in 3. At 1-month postoperative follow-up, one additional patient died, yielding a 30-day mortality rate of 18.2% after TAVR emergency surgical conversion. The quality of life improved significantly compared to preoperative status in 9 (81.8%) patients, and no patients were readmitted for cardiovascular diseases. Conclusion The incidence of emergency conversion to surgery during TAVR is low, but the rates of surgical complications and 30-day postoperative mortality are high. Nevertheless, when severe complications occur during TAVR, emergency conversion to surgery can still yield satisfactory short-term clinical outcomes for a majority of these patients.

BACKGROUND: The potential impact of pre-existing coronary artery stenosis (CAS) on right ventricular (RV) function during acute pulmonary embolism (PE) episodes remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the association between pre-existing CAS and RV dysfunction in patients with acute PE. METHODS: In this multicenter, case-control study, 89 cases and 176 controls matched for age were enrolled at three study centers (Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Fuwai Hospital, and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University) from January 2016 to December 2020. The cases were patients with acute PE with CAS, and the controls were patients with acute PE without CAS. Coronary artery assessment was performed using coronary computed tomographic angiography. CAS was defined as ≥50% stenosis of the lumen diameter in any coronary vessel >2.0 mm in diameter. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between CAS and RV dysfunction. RESULTS: The percentages of RV dysfunction (19.1% [17/89] vs. 44.6% [78/176], P <0.001) and elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) (19.3% [17/89] vs. 39.5% [68/176], P = 0.001) were significantly lower in the case group than those in the control group. In the multivariable logistic regression model, CAS was independently and negatively associated with RV dysfunction (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.367; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.185-0.728; P = 0.004), and elevated sPAP (OR: 0.490; 95% CI: 0.252-0.980; P = 0.035), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Pre-existing CAS was significantly and negatively associated with RV dysfunction and elevated sPAP in patients with acute PE. This finding provides new insights into RV dysfunction in patients with acute PE with pre-existing CAS.
Humans ; Pulmonary Embolism/complications* ; Case-Control Studies ; Male ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Right/physiopathology* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Coronary Stenosis/complications* ; Logistic Models ; Adult

Objective To investigate the new-onset conduction block after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and summarize the relevant experience. Methods The perioperative data of TAVR patients in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2016 to February 2023 were collected, and the new-onset incidence of conduction block after TAVR was analyzed retrospectively. Results Finally 352 patients were included, including 225 males and 127 females, with an average age of (67.2±5.1) years, among whom 256 patients were treated with Venus-A valves, 69 patients with Vita-Flow valves, and 27 patients with J-Valve valves. There were 38 (10.8%) patients of new-onset postoperative block. There were 6 (1.7%) patients of new-onset postoperative grade Ⅲ atrioventricular block, including 5 (2.0%) patients of Venus-A and 1 (1.4%) patient of Vita-Flow. Conduction function was restored in 2 patients within 14 days after surgery, and failed to be restored in 4 patients, who then received permanent pacemaker implantation in the Department of Cardiology. There were 27 (7.7%) patients of new left bundle branch block after surgery, including 22 (8.6%) patients of Venus-A, 4 (5.8%) patients of Vita-Flow and 1 (3.7%) patient of J-Valve; and conduction function was restored within 7 days after surgery in 23 patients, and 5 (1.4%) patients developed new right bundle branch blocks after surgery including 4 (1.5%) patients of Venus-A and 1 (1.4%) patient of Vita-Flow. Conclusion New-onset conduction block is a common complication after TAVR, and the new-onset rate of left bundle branch block is the highest, followed by the grade Ⅲ atrioventricular block. Mastering reasonable methods and applying appropriate strategies can effectively reduce the new-onset rate of postoperative conduction block and improve the overall success rate of TAVR surgery.

Objective To investigate the distribution and antibiotic resistance profiles of clinical isolates in Beijing Children's Hospital,Capital Medical University from 2016 to 2022.Methods All the strains isolated from inpatients in Beijing Children's Hospital during the period from 2016 to 2022 were analyzed.Antimicrobial susceptibility test was conducted by Kirby-Bauer method or automated system.Results were interpreted according to the breakpoints recommended in the CLSI Ml00 2022 edition.Results A total of 24 904 isolates were analyzed,including Gram-positive bacteria(49.4％)and Gram-negative bacteria(50.6％).The top three Gram-positive bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus(15.6％),coagulase-negative Staphylococcus(14.0％),and Streptococcus pneumoniae(8.9％).The top three Gram-negative bacteria were Klebsiella spp.(8.6％),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(8.6％),and Haemophilus influenzae(8.1％).The prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains was 30.9％in SS.aureus(MRSA)and 82.7％in coagulase-negative Staphylococcus(MRCNS).The prevalence of PRSP was 75.0％(24/32)in meningitis isolates and 2.6％(57/2 195)in non-meningitis isolates.Five strains of E.faecium and 10 strains of E.faecalis were found resistant to linezolid.Two strains of E.faecium were resistant to vancomycin.The prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases(ESBLs)and carbapenem-resistant strains(CREco)in E.coli isolates was 69.0％and 9.7％,respectively.The prevalence of ESBLs and carbapenem-resistant strains(CRKpn)in K.pneumoniae isolates was 73.7％,and 37.2％,respectively.The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant strains was 21.9％in P.aeruginosa isolates and 59.3％in A.baumannii isolates.β-lactamase was detected in 68.3％of the H.influenzae isolates.Conclusions Antimicrobial resistance is still serious in children.It is necessary to strength the surveillance of bacterial resistance and use antibiotics rationally in order to curb the spread of drug-resistant strains.