Objective:To evaluate the reliability and clinical application of a self-established classification system for the lower 1/3 humeral fractures in adults.Methods:A retrospective study was performed to analyze the 88 patients with lower 1/3 humeral fracture who had been admitted to Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Fuzhou between January 2013 and December 2020. There were 61 males and 27 females with an age of (34.6±12.7) years. The lower 1/3 humeral fractures were classified according to the location of the fracture line, displacement, and bone mass into 3 types: type Ⅰ: transverse and short oblique ones; type Ⅱ: oblique and spiral ones; type Ⅲ: oblique and spiral ones with butterfly-shaped bone mass. After a junior orthopedic surgeon, an intermediate orthopedic surgeon, a senior orthopedic surgeon, and a radiologist had learned this novel classification system, they were asked to classify the lower 1/3 humeral fractures in this cohort independently to assess the reliability of the classification system. Our treatments were based on this novel classification. Open reduction and internal fixation with a unilateral plate through a lateral approach was performed for type Ⅰ fractures, internal fixation with a unilateral plate plus compression screws through a lateral approach for type Ⅱ fractures, and double plate internal fixation through the ulnar and anterolateral approaches for type Ⅲ fractures. The functions of the radial, ulnar, and musculocutaneous nerves and fracture healing time were observed postoperatively. The shoulder and elbow functions were evaluated using Neer shoulder function score and Mayo elbow function score.Results:Of the 88 patients in this cohort, 20 were type Ⅰ, 25 type Ⅱ, and 43 type Ⅲ. The mean Kappa value for inter-observer reliability was 0.878 at the first stage and 0.914 at the second stage, and the mean Kappa value for intra-observer reliability was 0.950. All patients were followed up for (14.1±3.7) months. Iatrogenic injury to the radial nerve was observed in 2 patients, but no injury to the ulnar nerve, the musculocutaneous nerve or important blood vessels or failure of internal fixation was reported. All patients achieved bony union after (12.7±2.0) weeks. The maximum elbow flexion was 137.8°±4.8°, and the maximum elbow extension 2.4°±1.6°. The Mayo elbow function score was (92.0±3.1) points and the Neer shoulder function score (92.2±3.2) points.Conclusions:Our classification system for the lower 1/3 humeral fractures in adults is reliable. As the treatments corresponding to the novel classification system can achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes, the classification system has a clinical value.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of modified anterior subacromial approach plate internal fixation for three- or four-part valgus impacted proximal humeral fractures.Methods:A retrospective analysis of 35 patients treated between November 2018 and November 2021 at Fuzhou Second General Hospital was performed, including 15 males and 20 females aged 61.7±7.8 years (range: 40 to 73 years). Patients were classified under the Neer system; 17 had 3-part fractures and 18 had 4-part fractures. The modified approach accessed the fracture site via the natural interval of the deltoid anterior bundle, facilitating fracture reduction and fixation using a plate. Operative time, incision length, intraoperative fluoroscopy time, follow-up duration, Constant-Murley score, fracture healing time, visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, and humeral neck-shaft angle were assessed. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were also recorded.Results:All patients underwent successful surgery, with an average incision length of 8.1±0.3 cm (range, 7.6-9.0 cm) and intraoperative fluoroscopy time of 6.6±0.3 seconds (3-part fractures: 6.3±0.2 s, 4-part fractures: 6.8±0.2 s, t=6.350, P<0.001). Follow-up averaged 22.1±5.8 months (range, 14-31 months). Fracture healing occurred in 11.8±1.4 weeks (range, 10-15 weeks). At the final assessment, the VAS score was 1.6±0.7 (range, 1-3), the Constant-Murley score was 89.6±2.9 (range, 84-95), and the humeral neck-shaft angle was 133.4°±3.1° (range, 128°-138°; 3-part fractures: 133.6°±3.5°, 4-part fractures: 133.3°±2.8°, t=0.288, P=0.075). No complications such as avascular necrosis of the humeral head, varus collapse of the fracture site, or axillary nerve injury were recorded. Conclusion:The modified anterior subacromial approach plate internal fixation is a minimally invasive, safe, and effective treatment for valgus impacted three- and four-part proximal humeral fractures, demonstrated by excellent surgical outcomes and absence of major complications.

Objective:To evaluate left atrial(LA) function and its value in predicting left ventricular(LV) remodeling in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) by four dimensional automatic left atrial quantitation (4D Auto LAQ).Methods:A total of 176 patients with CHD were prospectively enrolled in Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from October 2021 to September 2022. They were divided into two groups according to left ventricular mass index: LV remodeling group (female>95 g/m 2, male>115 g/m 2, n=88) and Non-LV remodeling group (female≤95 g/m 2, male≤115 g/m 2, n=88). The 3D dynamic image of LA was analyzed by 4D Auto LAQ on machine to obtain the LA parameters, including the minimum, maximum, pre-systolic and emptying volumes of LA (LAVmin, LAVmax, LAVpreA, LAEV), LA ejection fraction (LAEF), LA reservoir longitudinal and circumferential strains (LASr, LASr-c), LA conduit longitudinal and circumferential strains (LAScd, LAScd-c) and LA contraction longitudinal and circumferential strains (LASct, LASct-c). Logistic regression models were used to analyze the value of LA parameters in predicting LV remodeling in patients with CHD. ROC curve was used to evaluate LA parameters and left atrial volume index (LAVI) to predict the diagnostic efficiency of LV remodeling. Results:Compared with the Non-LV remodeling group, LAVmin, LAVmax, LAVpreA were significantly increased and LAEF, LASr, LAScd, LASct, LASr-c, LAScd-c, LASct-c were significantly decreased in the LV remodeling group ( P<0.05). Logistic regression model showed that LASct-c was an independent risk factor for LV remodeling in patients with CHD after adjustment( OR=2.018, 95% CI=1.214-3.355). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of LASct-c for predicting LV remodeling in CHD patients was 0.844, the sensitivity was 0.784, and the specificity was 0.761. Conclusions:4D Auto LAQ can effectively evaluate LA function in patients with CHD.LASct-c can be used as a reference index to predict LV remodeling in patients with CHD, which provides a new evaluation method in prognosis evaluation of CHD patients.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) assisted by the "3-2-1" surface positioning method in the treatment of femoral subtrochanteric fractures.Methods:A total of 97 patients with subtrochanteric fractures admitted to the Second Hospital of Fuzhou from January 2015 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into two groups according to whether the "3-2-1" surface positioning method (3 longitudinal axes, 2 preset incisions, and 1 auxiliary incision) was used. There were 44 patients in the surface positioning group, including 25 males and 19 females, aged 61.59±18.43 years (range, 22-90 years). According to the Seinsheimer classification, there were 13 cases of type II, 11 cases of type III, 6 cases of type IV, and 14 cases of type V. The mechanism of injury was low energy injury in 26 cases and high energy injury in 18 cases. There were 53 patients in the traditional positioning group, including 30 males and 20 females, aged 56.38±17.24 years (range, 24-90 years). According to the Seinsheimer classification, there were 9 cases of type II, 22 cases of type III, 9 cases of type IV, and 13 cases of type V. According to the mechanism of injury, there were 30 cases of low energy injury and 23 cases of high energy injury. The length of incision, operation time, and blood loss were recorded. At 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation, the anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films of the hip were taken to evaluate the imaging indicators (neck-shaft angle, anteroposterior and lateral displacement, and angulation), fracture healing, and complications (infection, malunion, loosening and breakage of the internal fixation, and periprosthetic fracture). The Harris hip score and EuroQol five dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D) were evaluated.Results:All patients successfully completed the operation and were followed up for 15.12±1.54 months (range, 12-18 months). The operation time, incision length, dominant blood loss and hidden blood loss in the surface positioning group were 1.78(1.50, 2.00) h, 8(8, 9) cm, 300(200, 400) ml and 843(629, 1 130) ml, respectively, which were less than 2.10(1.69, 2.38) h, 10(9, 12) cm, 400(300, 500) ml and 1 030(954, 1 266) ml in the traditional positioning group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The neck-shaft angle in the surface positioning group was 135.54°±2.83°, which was larger than 132.33°±3.37° in the traditional positioning group, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=5.02, P<0.001). The anterolateral and lateral displacement and lateral image angle in the surface positioning group were 4.70±1.60 cm, 4.52±1.71 cm and 9.36°±2.94°, respectively, which were lower than 6.14±2.57 cm, 5.98±2.70 cm and 11.46°±4.68° in the traditional positioning group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). One year after operation, the Harris hip score and EQ-5D score of the surface positioning group were 92(84, 99) points and 0.90(0.73, 1.00) points, respectively, which were higher than 88(74, 96) points and 0.81(0.72, 0.94) points of the traditional positioning group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The "3-2-1" surface positioning method assisted PFNA internal fixation in the treatment of femoral subtrochanteric fracture can improve the quality of reduction, reduce intraoperative blood loss, and improve hip function and quality of life.

Objective:To evaluate carotid plaque neovascularization and vessel stability using superb microvascular imaging.Methods:Seventy-two patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques received treatment in The Seventh People's Hospital of Wenzhou from June 2018 to June 2020 and were included in this study. A total of 100 carotid plaques were surgically removed from these patients. These patients were subject to superb microvascular imaging and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography before carotid plaques were removed. Taking pathological results of carotid plaque as a gold standard, we investigated the efficacy of superb microvascular imaging versus contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in detecting carotid plaque neovascularization and vessel stability and evaluated the detection consistency of each imaging method with the gold standard. Results:The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of superb microvascular imaging in detecting carotid plaque neovascularization were 93.24%, 92.31%, and 93.00%, and they were 95.96%, 96.15%, and 96.00% for contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. The Kappa values of consistency of agreement on carotid plaque neovascularization identification were 0.825 and 0.923 for superb microvascular imaging and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of superb microvascular imaging in detecting vessel stability were 94.74%, 95.35%, and 95.00%, respectively and they were 96.49%, 97.67%, and 97.00%, respectively for contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. The Kappa values of consistency of agreement on vessel stability evaluation were 0.898 and 0.939 for superb microvascular imaging and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, respectively.Conclusion:Superb microvascular imaging has equivalent efficacy in detecting carotid plaque neovascularization and vessel stability to contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. Superb microvascular imaging is non-invasive, provides ease in operation, and is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective:To investigate the biomechanical properties of cannulated screws fixation in a configuration of "axial compression and lateral buttress" in the treatment of Pauwels type Ⅱ femoral neck fractures.Methods:Ten specimens of Sawbones artificial femur were first made into models of type Ⅱ femoral neck fracture with a Pauwells angle of 50° and then randomized into 2 equal groups ( n=5). The specimens in the experimental group were subjected to fixation with cannulated screws in a configuration of "axial compression and lateral buttress" in which the axial screw was 8.5 mm in diameter and the lateral screw 6.5 mm in diameter. The specimens in the control group were subjected to conventional fixation with cannulated screws in a configuration of "inverted triangle and parallel compression" in which the 3 screws was 7.3 mm in diameter. Finally, the specimens were placed onto a biomechanical testing machine to determine the parameters of static axial stiffness, displacement under 60 to 600 N load for 5,000 cycles, ultimate load and ultimate stiffness in turn. The 2 groups were compared to find out their differences. Results:The static axial stiffness was (1,492.00 ± 87.86) N/mm, significantly higher than that in the control group [(1,200.22 ± 228.06) N/mm] ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the cyclic load displacement [(0.44 ± 0.01) mm versus (0.57 ± 0.17) mm] ( P>0.05), but the experimental group showed a lower trend. The ultimate load and ultimate stiffness were (4,292.61 ± 804.29) N and (1,623.55 ± 180.94) N/mm in the experimental group and (4,383.64 ± 1,423.24) N and (1,433.77 ± 289.93) N/mm in the control group, showing no significant difference between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:In the treatment of Pauwels type Ⅱ femoral neck fractures, fixation with cannulated screws in a configuration of "axial compression and lateral buttress" may exhibit better biomechanical properties than that in a conventional configuration of "inverted triangle" .

Objective:To analyze the left atrial (LA) function and predict the value of diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in patients with heart failure (HF) by four-dimensional automatic left atrial quantitation (4D Auto LAQ) technology.Methods:A total of 90 patients with HF(LVDD group) and 30 healthy volunteers (control group)were enrolled from January 2021 to July 2021 in Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital. The patients with HF were divided into 3 groups according to the degree of LVDD: grade Ⅰ( n=30), grade Ⅱ( n=30), grade Ⅲ( n=30). Four-dimensional dynamic images of LA were collected by 4D Auto LAQ technology for on-machine analysis. LA volume and strain parameters were obtained, including LA maximum volume index (LAVImax), LA reservoir longitudinal and circumferential strains (LASr, LASr-c), LA conduit longitudinal and circumferential strains (LAScd, LAScd-c) and LA contraction longitudinal and circumferential strains (LASct, LASct-c). Pearson linear correlation was used to analyze the correlation between LA strain parameters and diastolic function parameters (LAVImax, E/A, E/e′) in HF patients. ROC curves were plotted to analyze the diagnostic performance of LA strain parameters and LAVImax for grade Ⅲ LVDD, the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated and pairwise comparisons were made. Results:①Compared with the control group, LAVmin, LAVpreA, LAScd, LASct, LAScd-c, and LASct-c were increased, and LASr, and LASr-c were decreased in the grade Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ LVDD groups (all P<0.05). LAVmin, LAVpreA, LAVmax, LAVImax, LAScd, LASct, LAScd-c and LASct-c were increased, and LASr and LASr-c were decreased in grade Ⅲ LVDD group compared with grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ LVDD groups (all P<0.05). ②Pearson correlation analysis showed that LASr, LASct, LASr-c and LASct-c were strongly correlated with diastolic function parameters (LAVImax, E/A, E/e′) (all P<0.01). ③ROC curve analysis showed that LASr-c had significantly better performance (AUC 0.868, sensitivity 96.7%, specificity 66.7%) than other parameters in the diagnosis of grade Ⅲ LVDD. Conclusions:4D Auto LAQ can effectively evaluate the LA volume and function in patients with HF. LASr-c is optimal in predicting grade Ⅲ LVDD, 4D Auto LAQ provides a new reference for evaluating diastolic function in patients with HF.

Objective:To evaluate the distribution of diastolic left ventricular pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by relative pressure imaging (RPI) based on vector flow mapping (VFM), and to explore the clinical risk factors for the diastolic left ventricular pressure distribution.Methods:Thirty patients with T2DM and thirty normal controls were included from August 2020 to July 2021 in Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital. All selected subjects underwent conventional echocardiography.Left intraventricular pressure difference (IVPD) and left intraventricular pressure gradient (IVPG) were measured using RPI of VFM in isovolumic relaxation (IR), rapid filling (RF), atrial contraction (AC), isovolumic contraction (IC) and rapid ejection (RE) phases. The relationships between IVPD with other parameters were analyzed.Results:①Compared with the control group, E/A, e′, IVPD-IR, IVPG-IR, IVPD-RF, IVPG-RF, IVPD-AC, and IVPG-AC were significantly lower and E/e′ was significantly greater in the T2DM group ( P<0.05). ②IVPD-IR, IVPD-RF, and IVPD-AC were positively correlated with E/A ( r=0.309, P<0.05; r=0.274, P<0.05; r=0.273, P<0.05). IVPD-IR, IVPD-RF, and IVPD-AC were negatively correlated with E/e′ ( r=-0.587, P<0.05; r=-0.273, P<0.05; r=-0.415, P<0.05). IVPD-IR and IVPD-AC were positively correlated with e′ ( r=0.451, P<0.05; r=0.431, P<0.05). ③Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that hemoglobin A 1c (HbA 1c) was an independent risk factor affecting IVPD-IR, IVPD-RF, and IVPD-AC (β=-0.417, P<0.05; β=-0.451, P<0.05; β=-0.460, P<0.05). Conclusions:RPI of VFM can quantitatively evaluate diastolic left ventricular pressure distribution in patients with T2DM. HbA 1c is an independent risk factor affecting IVPD-IR, IVPD-RF, and IVPD-AC.

Objective: To explore the application value of pressure-strain loop (PSL) in evaluating left ventricular myocardial work (MW) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods: Seventy patients with CHF were selected as case group(CHF group) and were divided into 2 groups according to the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in ultrasonic cardiogram: LVEF preserve group (HFpEF group, LVEF≥50%, n=35) and LVEF reduced group (HFrEF group, LVEF<50%, n=35). Thirty-three healthy volunteers were selected as control group at the same period. Two-dimensional dynamic images in apical two chamber, three chamber and four chamber views were collected by two-dimensional speckle-tracking. Using the off-line EchoPAC software, a tracing analysis was conducted and the blood pressure was entered to obtain left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), global MW index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW) and MW efficiency (GWE). The differences of GLS and MW parameters (GWI, GCW, GWW, GWE) were compared between each groups, and Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between MW parameters and LVEF. Results: Compared with the control group and HFpEF group, the left atrial dimension(LAD), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension(LVDd), left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV) in HFrEF group increased, while LVEF decreased significantly(P<0.05). Compared with the control group, LAD in HFpEF group increased, the vaules of GLS, GWI, GCW were obviously lower in HFpEF group and HFrEF group(all P<0.05), GWW was higher and GWE was lower in HFrEF group(all P<0.05). GLS, GWI, GCW, GWE decreased and GWW increased in HFrEF group than those in HFpEF group, and all the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05). In CHF group, GWW was negatively correlated with LVEF (r=-0.521, P<0.001) while positive correlations between GWI, GCW, GWE and LVEF were discovered (r=0.846, 0.807, 0.788; all P<0.001). Conclusions PSL can effectively evaluate the left ventricular MW in CHF patients. It has a certain correlation with LVEF and can reflect left ventricular systolic function. It provides a new reference index for the clinical diagnosis and evaluation of prognosis in CHF patients.

Objective:To compare the conventional percutaneous minimally invasive plate fixation sparing pronator quadratus versus the 3-point positioning percutaneous minimally invasive palmar locking plate fixation sparing pronator quadratus for distal radial fractures.Methods:Between January 2015 and December 2017, 50 patients with distal radius fracture were treated surgically at Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Hospital of Fuzhou by percutaneous minimally invasive plate fixation sparing pronator quadratus. They were 24 males and 26 females, aged from 21 to 71 years. Conventional percutaneous minimally invasive plate fixation was conducted for 25 patients and 3-point positioning minimally invasive plate fixation for the other 25 patients. The 2 groups were compared in terms of fluoroscopic adjustments of the plate under the pronator quadratus, fracture healing time, visual analogue scale (VAS) on days 1, 3 and 7 postoperation, and wrist flexion and extension, forearm rotation and upper limb function by Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand(DASH) scores and Gartland-Werley scores at 3 months postoperation.Results:There was no significant difference in the general data between the 2 groups, showing comparability between groups ( P>0.05). The fluoroscopic adjustments of the plate under the pronator quadratus for the conventional group (3.4±0.5) were significantly more than for the 3-point positioning group (1.1±0.3) ( P<0.05). The VAS scores on days 1, 3 and 7 postoperation for the conventional group were significantly higher than for the 3-point positioning group ( P<0.05). At 3 months postoperation, the wrist pronation was respectively 76.6°±1.9° and 82.3°±2.0°, and the Gartland-Werley scores were respectively 3.4±0.5 and 1.9±0.2 for the conventional and 3-point positioning groups, showing significant differences between the 2 groups ( P< 0.05). Conclusions:In the treatment of distal radial fractures, compared with conventional percutaneous minimally invasive plate fixation, the 3-point positioning minimally invasive plate fixation sparing pronator quadratus may minimize the damage to the pronator quadratus, be more minimally invasive, and lead to less early postoperative pain and faster functional recovery.