Objective To assess the echogenicity of the ultrasound-guided catheter and its associated delivery system. Methods The study consisted of in vitro characterization experiments and animal studies. In the in vitro phase, the acoustic and mechanical properties of the ultrasound-guided catheter were compared with those of the traditional MPA2 catheter, including parameters such as echo intensity, recognizability, and angle dependence. In the animal experiments, a ventricular septal defect (VSD) model was established in miniature pigs to compare the procedural performance of the ultrasound-guided delivery system versus the conventional system. Evaluation indicators included the time required for the system to cross the VSD, the detection rate of the system within the right ventricle, and the occurrence of intraoperative complications. Results The ultrasound-guided catheter demonstrated a significantly higher mean echo intensity than the MPA2 catheter [(237.3±1.8) dB vs. (190.9±13.1) dB, P<0.001] and a markedly improved recognizability rate (82.3%±5.6% vs. 26.7%±3.2%, P<0.001), along with better angle independence and image quality. In animal experiments, the ultrasound-guided delivery system significantly reduced the time required to cross the VSD [(18.5±5.7) min vs. (30.3±4.5) min, P<0.001] and substantially increased the detection rate within the right ventricle (100.0% vs. 30.0%). No severe complications occurred in any experimental animal. Conclusion The ultrasound-guided catheter and its corresponding delivery system exhibite superior ultrasound visibility and operational performance in both in vitro and animal experiments, indicating strong potential for clinical application.

Objectives:To explore the feasibility of zero-ray radiofrequency catheter ablation for paroxymal atrial fibrillation under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography combined with three-dimensional mapping system.Methods:This is a single-center prospective observational study.A total of 12 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation in Fuwai Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from June 1,2024 to September 30,2024 were included.All patients underwent successful percutaneous puncture,atrial septal puncture under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography,and all patients underwent left atrial modeling and discharge ablation under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography combined with three-dimensional mapping system.The disappearance of pulmonary vein potential was confirmed after the ablation operation and as the ablation endpoint and successful ablation marker.The operation results and 1-month and 3-month follow-up results of the patients were observed.Results:There were 12 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,9 males and 3 females,aged(56.8±11.2)years,with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(4.2±2.3)years.The mean left atrial diameter was(36.5±2.5)mm,the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was(47.8±4.1)mm,and the left ventricular ejection fraction was 55%-65%.The mean overall operation time was(102.25±14.51)min,the ultrasound operation time was(29.58±6.23)min,and the catheter operation time was(33.08±4.10)min.All patients completed circumferential pulmonary vein isolation without intraoperative complications.The hospitalization time was 2-6 days.At the 1-month follow-up after ablation,all patients showed sinus rhythm on 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram,and 2 patients had occasional atrial premature contractions without recurrence of atrial fibrillation.At the 3-month follow-up,two patients had occasional premature atrial contractions,and no recurrence of atrial fibrillation was recorded on the electrocardiogram of all patients.Conclusions:It is feasible to complete radiofrequency catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography combined with three-dimensional mapping system.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of minimally invasive bone plate technology combined with interlocking intramedullary nail fixation in the treatment of Schatzker type V-VI tibial plateau fractures.Methods:This study is a prospective randomized controlled trial involving 102 patients with Schatzker type V-VI tibial plateau fractures admitted to the First People's Hospital of Yuhang District from November 2020 to October 2023. The patients were randomly divided into a control group ( n = 48) and a study group ( n = 54) using the random number table method. The study group received treatment with minimally invasive plate technology combined with interlocking intramedullary nail fixation, while the control group underwent double bone plate fixation through medial and lateral knee incisions. Surgical outcomes and bone healing were compared between the two groups. All participants were followed up for 1 year after surgery, during which knee joint function was assessed at 1, 6, and 12 months using the Hospital for Special Surgery knee score and balance ability was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale. The incidence of postoperative complications was also compared between the two groups. Results:The study group had significantly shorter surgical time [(69.38 ± 12.64) minutes], intraoperative blood loss [(165.20 ± 17.58) mL], and fracture healing time [(14.51 ± 3.02) weeks] compared with the control group [(91.24 ± 15.18) minutes, (222.19 ± 20.47) mL, (17.04 ± 4.11) weeks, t = 7.93, 15.13, 3.51, all P < 0.05]. At 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery, the Berg Balance Scale scores in the study group were (44.55 ± 4.01), (49.31 ± 3.67), and (53.11 ± 3.18), respectively. These scores were significantly higher than those in the control group [(40.27 ± 3.98), (45.65 ± 3.16), (48.26 ± 3.20), t = -5.40, -5.36, -7.65, all P < 0.05]. At 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery, the Hospital for Special Surgery knee scores in the study group were (68.29 ± 4.25), (76.37 ± 5.25), (83.31 ± 5.01) respectively. These scores were significantly higher than those in the control group [(63.57 ± 4.14), (72.08 ± 4.50), (80.05 ± 4.57), t = -5.67, -4.40, -3.42, all P < 0.05]. There was no significant incidence in the incidence of complications between the study and control groups [12.96% (7/54) vs. 18.75% (9/48), P > 0.05]. Conclusions:The use of minimally invasive bone plate technology combined with interlocking intramedullary nail fixation for the treatment of Schatzker type V-VI tibial plateau fractures has demonstrated significant short-term clinical results, including reduced intraoperative blood loss, shorter fracture healing time, and improved recovery of joint function after surgery.

Objectives:To explore the feasibility of zero-ray radiofrequency catheter ablation for paroxymal atrial fibrillation under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography combined with three-dimensional mapping system.Methods:This is a single-center prospective observational study.A total of 12 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation in Fuwai Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from June 1,2024 to September 30,2024 were included.All patients underwent successful percutaneous puncture,atrial septal puncture under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography,and all patients underwent left atrial modeling and discharge ablation under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography combined with three-dimensional mapping system.The disappearance of pulmonary vein potential was confirmed after the ablation operation and as the ablation endpoint and successful ablation marker.The operation results and 1-month and 3-month follow-up results of the patients were observed.Results:There were 12 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,9 males and 3 females,aged(56.8±11.2)years,with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(4.2±2.3)years.The mean left atrial diameter was(36.5±2.5)mm,the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was(47.8±4.1)mm,and the left ventricular ejection fraction was 55%-65%.The mean overall operation time was(102.25±14.51)min,the ultrasound operation time was(29.58±6.23)min,and the catheter operation time was(33.08±4.10)min.All patients completed circumferential pulmonary vein isolation without intraoperative complications.The hospitalization time was 2-6 days.At the 1-month follow-up after ablation,all patients showed sinus rhythm on 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram,and 2 patients had occasional atrial premature contractions without recurrence of atrial fibrillation.At the 3-month follow-up,two patients had occasional premature atrial contractions,and no recurrence of atrial fibrillation was recorded on the electrocardiogram of all patients.Conclusions:It is feasible to complete radiofrequency catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography combined with three-dimensional mapping system.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of minimally invasive bone plate technology combined with interlocking intramedullary nail fixation in the treatment of Schatzker type V-VI tibial plateau fractures.Methods:This study is a prospective randomized controlled trial involving 102 patients with Schatzker type V-VI tibial plateau fractures admitted to the First People's Hospital of Yuhang District from November 2020 to October 2023. The patients were randomly divided into a control group ( n = 48) and a study group ( n = 54) using the random number table method. The study group received treatment with minimally invasive plate technology combined with interlocking intramedullary nail fixation, while the control group underwent double bone plate fixation through medial and lateral knee incisions. Surgical outcomes and bone healing were compared between the two groups. All participants were followed up for 1 year after surgery, during which knee joint function was assessed at 1, 6, and 12 months using the Hospital for Special Surgery knee score and balance ability was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale. The incidence of postoperative complications was also compared between the two groups. Results:The study group had significantly shorter surgical time [(69.38 ± 12.64) minutes], intraoperative blood loss [(165.20 ± 17.58) mL], and fracture healing time [(14.51 ± 3.02) weeks] compared with the control group [(91.24 ± 15.18) minutes, (222.19 ± 20.47) mL, (17.04 ± 4.11) weeks, t = 7.93, 15.13, 3.51, all P < 0.05]. At 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery, the Berg Balance Scale scores in the study group were (44.55 ± 4.01), (49.31 ± 3.67), and (53.11 ± 3.18), respectively. These scores were significantly higher than those in the control group [(40.27 ± 3.98), (45.65 ± 3.16), (48.26 ± 3.20), t = -5.40, -5.36, -7.65, all P < 0.05]. At 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery, the Hospital for Special Surgery knee scores in the study group were (68.29 ± 4.25), (76.37 ± 5.25), (83.31 ± 5.01) respectively. These scores were significantly higher than those in the control group [(63.57 ± 4.14), (72.08 ± 4.50), (80.05 ± 4.57), t = -5.67, -4.40, -3.42, all P < 0.05]. There was no significant incidence in the incidence of complications between the study and control groups [12.96% (7/54) vs. 18.75% (9/48), P > 0.05]. Conclusions:The use of minimally invasive bone plate technology combined with interlocking intramedullary nail fixation for the treatment of Schatzker type V-VI tibial plateau fractures has demonstrated significant short-term clinical results, including reduced intraoperative blood loss, shorter fracture healing time, and improved recovery of joint function after surgery.

Objective:To investigate the application of diagnostic criteria for common occupational radiation-induced diseases to radiation workers, in order to provide a basis for the revision, publicity and standardization of the standards.Methods:Radiation workers were selected from 1 city, 7 provinces and 1 corporation by using cluster random sampling method from January 2021 to May 2021. Awareness of the criteria and the effects of ionizing radiation, and the suggestions for diagnostic works were investigated and analyzed.Results:A total of 2 839 radiation workers were investigated. There were differences in the awareness of different diagnostic criteria, the inclusions in complex diagnostic criteria, the materials required for applying for diagnosis, and the ways of knowing the diagnostic criteria( χ2=416.06, 2 924.14, 83.45, 895.67, 815.94, P<0.001). The correct understanding rates of deterministic effects and stochastic effects were 80.63% and 43.64%, respectively. The acceptance rates in applicable materials were 96.79% for occupational exposure history, 94.72% for occupational health monitoring records and 93.55% for individual monitoring of occupational exposure, respectively. Pre-employment training rate was 80.20%, on-job training rate was 81.19%, and untrained rate was 3.77%. The suggestions to the diagnosis of occupational radiation-induced diseases are to strengthen training, pay attention to individual monitoring, occupational health examination, and strengthen health supervision and law enforcement. Conclusions:Radiation workers have a low awareness rate of certain diagnostic standards and a high awareness rate of diagnostic procedures. Publicity and training of health effects of ionizing radiation and diagnostic criteria of occupational radiation-induced diseases should be strengthened. Diagnostic procedure should be optimized.

Objective: In order to avoid the radiation and contrast agent injury, and to extend the echocardiography guided percutaneous ventricular septal defects (VSD) closure, based on femoral artery approach, we assessed the efifcacy and safety of VSD closure via trans-jugular approach solely under the guidance of echocardiography.
Methods: A total of 12 patients with peri-membranous VSD treated in our hospital from 2014-10 to 2015-04 were enrolled. The patients were at the age at (1.2-3.5 with the mean of 2.4 ± 0.8 ) years, the body weight at (7-15 with the mean of 11.6 ± 2.6) kg and the diameter of VSD was (3.5-6 with the mean of 4.8 ± 0.7) mm. The patients received percutaneous VSD closure via transjugular approach solely under the guidance of echocardiography. The procedural effect was evaluated by echocardiography and the follow-up study was conducted at 1, 3 and 6 month safter the procedures.
Results: There were 9 patients successfully ifnished VSD closure via trans-jugular approach. 1 patient was converted to femoral artery approach because the wire could not pass through the defect of ventricular septal; 1 was converted to minimally invasive per-ventricular closure since the catheter could not pass through the defect; 1 was converted to conventional surgical repair due to the residual shunt was more than 2mm. The procedural time was (53-89 with the mean of 67.2±12.5) min, the diameter of symmetrical occluder was (6-8 with the mean of 7.0±0.9) mm. 2 patients had immediate post-operative residual shunt, all patients were recovered and discharged. No peripheral vascular injury and cardiac perforation occurred, the hospitalization time was (3-5 with the mean of 3.6 ± 0.7) days. The follow-up examination was conducted at (1-6 with the mean of 3.9 ± 2.1) months, the slight residual shunt in 2 patients disappeared at 1 month after procedure; no pericardial effusion, occluder malposition, aortic regurgitation and atria-ventricular block occurred.
Conclusion: Echocardiography guided trans-jugular approach of VSD closure is safe and effective, it may particularly avoid the radiation and contrast agent injury in clinical practice.

Objective: Traditional percutaneous ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure had disadvantages of radiation and contrast media reaction in relevant patients. We want to investigate the efifcacy and safety of percutaneous VSD closure under solely guidance of echocardiography.
Methods: A total of 28 VSD patients treated by percutaneous VSD closure under solely guidance of trans-thoracic echocardiography in our hospital from 2014-02 to 2014-10 were summarized. The patients mean age was (9.5 ± 3.1) years with the body weight at (31.3 ± 7.7) kg. The average diameter of VSD was (4.6 ± 0.9) mm, and the clinical follow-up study was conducted by echocardiography at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the procedure.
Results: There were 26 patients with successful treatment by percutaneous VSD closure under solely guidance of echocardiography. 1 patient was converted to perventricular closure with trans-esophageal echocardiography guidance because the catheter could not pass through the defect; another patient was converted to surgical repair because of the residual shunt > 2 mm. The average procedural time was (63.3 ± 11.7) min and the mean diameter of symmetrical occluder was (6.6 ± 1.0) mm. There were 2 patients with immediate post-operative residual shunt, and the average in-hospital time was (3.7 ± 1.3) days. All patients discharged without the complications as peripheral vascular injury or cardiac perforation. The average follow-up time was (6.2 ± 3.4) months. The residual shunt disappeared in 2 patients at 1 month follow-up time point. No patients suffered from pericardial effusion, occluder malposition, atrio-ventricular block and aortic valve regurgitation.
Conclusion: Echocardiography guided percutaneous VSD closure is safe and effective, it may avoid the radiation and contrast media reaction in relevant patients.

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of transthoracic minimally invasive patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occlusion in infants and young children.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 105 infants and young children who received the transthoracic minimally invasive PDA occlusion in our hospital from 2012-10 to 2014-10. According to PDA diameter, patients were divided into 2 groups:Group A, the patients with PDA diameter ≥ 4 mm,n=64 and group B, the patients with 2 mm ≤ PDA diameter < 4 mm,n=41. All patients received the left third parasternal intercostal incision under suprasternal echocardiography guidance. The operative effect was evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography, and the follow-up study was performed at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months period and then annually after the operation by echocardiography.
Results: All 105 patients had successfully implanted PDA occluders. The patients’ gender, age, body weight, tracheal intubation time and the in-hospital time were similar between 2 groups,P>0.05. Compared with Group B, Group A had the larger diameters of PDA (5.7 ± 1.4) mm vs (2.7 ± 0.6) mm, P<0.001, PDA occluders (10.6 ± 1.8) mm vs (7.2 ± 1.3) mm, P<0.001, and the higher rates of moderate and severe post-operative thrombocytopenia 10.9% (7/64) vs 0% (0/41),P=0.028, immediate post-operative residual shunt as 15.6% (10/64) vs 2.4% (1/41),P=0.031. There was 1 patient in Group A suffered from pericardial tamponade due to hemorrhage at 2 days after operation and he was cured by emergent pericardial drainage. The patients were followed-up for (11.6 ± 7.8) months. The 1 month post-operative residual shunt was similar between 2 groups as 1.6% (1/64 ) vs 0% (0/41),P=0.421, and there was no residual shunt at 3 months after the operation. There were no complications of occluder detachment, hemolysis, pericardial effusion, left pulmonary artery or descending aortic stenosis occurred during the follow-up period.
Conclusion: Transthoracic minimally invasive PDA occlusion is a safe and effective method to treat the relevant infants and young children, while the post-operative residual shunt and thrombocytopenia should be closely observed in patients with large PDA.

Objective To compare the clinical outcome of shape memory alloy (SMA) embra-cing fixator and reconstruction plate fixation in treatment of displaced or comminuted midshaft clavicle fractures. Methods There were 65 patients with displaced or comminuted midshaft clavicle fractures surgically treated with either a SMA embracing fixator or a reconstruction plate. The patients were divided into two groups according to fixation methods, ie, SMA embracing fixator group (30 patients at average age of 28.1 years) and reconstruction plate group (35 patients at average age of 26.1 years). All pa-tients were followed up for mean 12 months and shoulder function was evaluated using shoulder score. Results Compared with reconstruction plate group, SMA embracing fixator had shorter operation time, smaller wound incision and less loss blood (all P < 0.05). However, there was no statistical difference in aspects of hospital stay, cost, JOA shoulder score and bone union rate between two groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusion The internal fixation with SMA embracing fixator is better than reconstruction plate fixation in treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures.