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Infertility has become a global public health issue. In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) is widely performed as an infertility treatment. However, a significant number of infertile women continue to experience serial implantation failure, despite the high quality of the transferred embryos. Jian-Pi-An-Tai formula is an experience formula in treating threatened abortion in our team. It has also been used to treat infertile women after embryo transfer and shows superiority compared to single use of conventional western medicine. However, the of evidence on its effective in treating infertile women undergo IVF-ET is lacking.This randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be carried out in Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University planning to recruit 180 infertile patients undergoing IVF-ET with the type of deficiency of both the spleen and kidney. The control group will be treated by conventional western medicine and the treatment group will use conventional western medicine plus Jian-Pi-An-Tai formula. The primary outcomes will include Embryo implantation rate, Clinical pregnancy rate, Persistent pregnancy rate; and the secondary outcomes will include TCM symptom score and reproductive hormones. Safety evaluation will be recorded during the whole study. All data in this RCT will be analyzed by SPSS 23.0 software. This study has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (2022KY130).The results of this RCT will contribute to provide scientific and rigorous evidence for the efficacy and safety of Jian-Pi-An-Tai formula in treating infertile women undergo IVF-ET. And the results from this RCT will be published in a relevant journal after finished.

Epimedium has gained widespread clinical application in Traditional Chinese Medicine, with the functions of promoting bone reproduction, regulating cell cycle and inhibiting osteoclastic activity. However, its precise cellular pharmacological therapeutic mechanism on osteoporosis (OP) remains elusive. This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanism of epimedium in the treatment of OP based on system bioinformatic approach. Predicted targets of epimedium were collected from TCMSP, BATMAN-TCM and ETCM databases. Differentially expressed mRNAs of OP patients were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus database by performing Limma package of R software. Epimedium-OP common targets were obtained by Venn diagram package for further analysis. The protein-protein interaction network was constructed using Cytoscape software. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were carried out by using clusterProfiler package. Molecular docking analysis was conducted by AutoDock 4.2 software to validate the binding affinity between epimedium and top 3 proteins based on the result of protein-protein interaction. A total of 241 unique identified epimedium targets were screened from databases, of which 62 overlapped with the targets of OP and were considered potential therapeutic targets. The results of Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis revealed that these targets were positive regulation of cell cycle, cellular response to oxidative stress and positive regulation of cell cycle process as well as cellular senescence, FoxO, PI3K-Akt, and NF-kappa B signaling pathways. Molecular docking showed that epimedium have a good binding activity with key targets. Our study demonstrated the multitarget and multi-pathway characteristics of epimedium on OP, which elucidates the potential mechanisms of epimedium against OP and provides theoretical basis for further drug development.

To study the changes of plantar fascia in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Collect knee arthritis surgery patients and according to the length of the course is divided into long-course and short-course group, collection of healthy volunteers as control group at the same time, basic information such as age, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were recorded; the application of Philips and Siemens ultrasonic diagnostic instrument, a foot plantar fascia in patients with knee osteoarthritis in ultrasonic scanning, measuring the thickness of the heel of plantar fascia, observe its sonographic manifestation; age, BMI, and plantar fascia thickness were compared between groups. The plantar fascia thickness of the normal control group was 0.30 ± 0.06 cm on the left side and 0.30 ± 0.05 cm on the right side. The plantar fascia thickness of the long-course group was 0.44 ± 0.10 cm on the left side and 0.42 ± 0.10 cm on the right side. The plantar fascia thickness of the group with short course of disease was 0.37 ± 0.06 cm on the left side and 0.34 ± 0.7 cm on the right side. Multivariable analysis of variance was used to compare the thickness of plantar fascia in the long-course group, the short-course group, and the control group, P .05; there were statistical differences among the 3 groups. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to compare the general data of the long-course group, the short-course group, and the control group. Age: the long-course group was compared with the short-course group and the control group, P .05; short-course group compared with control group, P .05. BMI: compared with long-course group and short-course group, P .05; long course of disease group compared with short course of disease group, P .05. BMI was statistically different between the case group and the control group. Plantar fascia was thickened in patients with knee osteoarthritis, and the thickening of plantar fascia was related to BMI. The thickening of plantar fascia was uneven, and the degree of thickening was related to the course of disease. At the same time, the sonogram of plantar fascia was less echogenic than that of normal controls.

Background: Primary insomnia (PI) is a common disease affecting human health. As the side effects of drug therapy were revealed, people began to seek more safe and effective non-drug therapies. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and acupuncture are 2 commonly used non-drug therapies. However, there are few comparative studies on the efficacy of these 2 therapies. Therefore, this study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of the 2 therapies through network meta-analysis. Methods: We will search the following electronic bibliographic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chongqing VIP database, and Wanfang database. Randomized controlled trials in which the intervention was acupuncture or CBT, and in which the control group was any of the above, western medicine or blank control, would be included. The primary outcome will be the changes of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the additional outcomes will include the changes in Insomnia Severity Index, quality of life, clinical effective rate and adverse events. Two independent authors will screen the literature in the above database, extract data and cross-check. Heterogeneity and inconsistencies are detected before using a network meta-analysis method based on frequency analysis. The risk of bias will be assessed in accordance with the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and the strength of the recommendations will be assessed by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Ethics and dissemination: This network meta-analysis will provide a reference for clinicians and PI patients to choose a more appropriate non-drug regimen among multiple kinds of acupuncture or CBT-I therapies. This review does not require ethical approval and will be reported in a peer-reviewed journal. Trial registration number: PROSPERO CRD42020155327

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text, Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life-threatening disease, and its mortality rate is 10% to 20%. However, there are currently only a few markers to predict the prognosis in patients with TTP. We aimed to identify several clinical indices and laboratory parameters for predicting the prognosis of TTP at admission. A single-centre observational cohort study that included patients with TTP from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in China was conducted from January 1, 2012 to November 30, 2018. The primary outcome was prognosis, including in-hospital mortality, major thromboembolic events, or failure to achieve remission at discharge. We used the random forest method to identify the best set of predictors. Eighty-seven patients with TTP were identified, of whom 12 died during the treatment. The total number of patients within-hospital mortality, major thromboembolic events, and failure to achieve remission at discharge was 58. The machine learning method showed that the D-dimer level was the strongest predictor of the primary outcome. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated that the sensitivity and specificity of the D-dimer level alone for identifying high-risk patients were 78% and 81%, respectively, with an optimum diagnostic cut-off value of 770 ng/mL. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.80, and the 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.70 to 0.90. This study found that the D-dimer level exhibited a good predictive ability for prognosis in patients with TTP. These findings may aid in the development of new and intensive treatment strategies to achieve remission among high-risk patients. However, external validation is necessary to confirm the generalizability of our approach across populations and treatment practices.

Background: The incidence of anorectal diseases has been increasing year by year, and the acupuncture treatment for postoperative pain of anorectal diseases has the excellent therapeutic effect. Currently, there are no relevant articles for systematic review. Methods: We will search the randomized controlled trials related to acupuncture therapy and postoperative anorectal diseases from inception to January 2020. The following database is our focus area: PubMed, EMBASE, Springer, EBSCO, Web of Science, Cochrane, Controlled Trials Register (CENTRAL), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan-Fang Database and Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP database). The primary outcome is the pain of visual analogue scale (VAS). The secondary outcomes are the Symptom Checklist, Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating (WB) Scale, verbalrating scale (VRS), and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) scale. We will use Review Manager Software (RevMan) V.5.2 for data analysis and quantitative data synthesis. The Cochrane collaborative tool will be used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. Results: Given the available evidence, this study will provide high level results for acupuncture therapy in treating postoperative pain of anorectal diseases. Conclusion: The conclusions of this study will provide evidence for whether acupuncture is effective in treating postoperative pain of anorectal diseases. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020150015.

Background: Intrauterine adhesion seriously affects reproductive health in women. Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis using cold scissors or electrosurgery is the main treatment, although there is no consensus on the preferable method. This review aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of these methods for treating moderate to severe intrauterine adhesion. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched on April 30, 2020. Randomized controlled trials and observational studies that were published in all languages (must contain English abstracts) and compared hysteroscopic cold scissors with electrosurgery for the treatment of intrauterine adhesion were included. Mean differences, odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool for randomized controlled trials and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies. Data were analyzed using RevMan software (Review Manager version 5.3, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2014). Two researchers independently extracted data and assessed the quality of the included studies. If a consensus was not reached, a third researcher was consulted. Results: Nine studies (n = 761; 6 randomized controlled trials and 3 retrospective studies) were included. The intrauterine adhesion recurrence rate with second look hysteroscopy was significantly lower (odds ratio = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.16–0.56; P = .0002) with hysteroscopic cold scissors than with electrosurgery. The total operation time was significantly shorter (mean difference = –7.78, 95% confidence interval = –8.50 to –7.07; P

Introduction Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with increasing incidence. The externalizing and internalizing problems among children with ASD often persistent and highly impair functioning of both the child and the family. Children with ASD often develop gut-related comorbidities and dysbiosis can have negative effects on not only the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but also psychological symptoms. Dietary exclusions and probiotic supplements also have been investigated in the management of ASD symptoms. Especially, there is some anecdotal evidence that probiotics supplements are able to alleviate GI symptoms as well as improve behaviors in children with ASD. Method and analysis This review will report on overall studies that include randomized control trials, randomized cross-over studies and cluster-randomized trials designs that consider curative effect in children with ASD by probiotic supplements. We will search 6 databases: MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science and we will perform a manual search the journal Autism and information of ongoing or unpublished studies. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) will be used to assess quality of articles and the Jadad scale will be used to assess for bias. Assessment of publication bias will be performed using funnel plots generated by Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) 3.0 software. Clarifying the evidence in this area will be important for future research directions when reformulating and promoting the therapeutic regime in the field. Ethics and dissemination There are no human participants, data, or tissue being directly studied for the purposes of the review; therefore, ethics approval and consent to participate are not applicable. The results of this study will be presented at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. Registration and status PROSPERO 2019 CRD42019132754.

Introduction Chronic bronchitis (CB) is a clinically common and recurrent respiratory disease. However, many trials have shown that acupuncture can effectively treat CB. There is currently no systematic review of this therapy. The plan is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this treatment in patients with CB. Methods and analysis This systematic evaluation will entail an electronic and manual search of all acupuncture for CB from inception to December 31, 2020, regardless of the publication status or language. Databases include PubMed, Embase, Springer, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, the World Health Organization International Clinical Trial Registration Platform, the Chinese Medicine Database, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, the China Science Journal Database, and the Wanfang Database. Other sources of information, including bibliographies and meeting minutes for identified publications, will also be searched. A manual search for grey literature, including unpublished conference articles will be performed. Additionally, any clinical randomized controlled trials related to acupuncture for CB, regardless of the publication status and language limitations, will be included in the study. Study selection, data extraction, and research quality assessments will be conducted independently by 2 researchers. The main result was the Change in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator function as measured by sweat chloride analysis or treatment effect. Secondary outcomes included Quality of life (eg, SF-36), change in Breathlessness, Cough, and Sputum Scale score, follow-up relapse rate, and adverse events. The system searches for randomized controlled trials of this therapy for CB. Implement the Cochrane RevMan V5.3 bias assessment tool to assess bias risk, data integration risk, meta-analysis risk, and subgroup analysis risk (if conditions are met). Mean difference, standard mean deviation, and binary data will be used to represent continuous results. Results This study will provide a comprehensive review and evaluation of the available evidence for the treatment of CB using this therapy. Conclusion This study will provide new evidence to evaluate the effectiveness and side effects of acupuncture on CB. Because the data are not personalized, no formal ethical approval is required. Prospero registration number CRD42020170287.

Background We performed a meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of stem cell therapy as a clinical treatment of knee osteoarthritis. This meta-analysis is expected to provide evidence of the efficacy of stem cell therapy, which is currently controversial, as a conservative treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Methods An online search for relevant articles was conducted in the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. The search terms were "stem cells" and "osteoarthritis." We conducted a quality assessment of the included articles and extracted the following indicators: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, Subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) subscales, and adverse events. The RevMan5.3 software was used for determining effect sizes. Results Nine randomized controlled trials involving 339 patients were included. VAS score and IKDC score from baseline to 24 months were improved in the stem cell therapy group compared to those in the control group. However, no significant difference was observed between the 2 groups in IKDC score changes from baseline to 6 and 12 months, as well as in WOMAC-Pain, WOMAC-Stiffness, and WOMAC-Physical Function score changes at each visit point. Conclusion Stem cell therapy is certainly superior to traditional treatments in the conservative treatment of KOA; it considerably reduces pain with no obvious additional side effects.

Introduction Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) during an operation is a very urgent occurrence, especially when the patient with hemodynamic instability. Generally, drugs are administered intravenously; however, these drugs have little effects under most circumstances. We present a case of successful resuscitation in a patient with endotracheal administration. Patient concerns A 67-year-old female presented for laparoscopic hepatectomy. Acute pulmonary gas embolism occurred during the operation with hemodynamic instability. The total amount of carbon dioxide and argon reached 300 mL. We used a novel way of administering drugs instead of intravenous administration for rescuing and the patient condition had improved greatly and was discharged from the hospital without any neurological deficits. Diagnoses A diagnosis of APE was made because of a lot of gas was extracted out from central venous catheter and sudden observable decrease in end-tidal CO2. Interventions These measures included endotracheal administration, position adjustment, manual ventilation, and gas extraction. Outcomes The patient was discharged from the hospital and had no signs of neurological deficits. Conclusion Intravenous administration may not the best appropriate way of administration when patients occurred APE. Endotracheal administration as a unique method may work wonders and has the value of research and application.

Background: The high incidence of Diabetes mellitus (DM) has become a serious challenge for the global epidemic. Increased blood glucose leads to abnormal ocular surface structure and metabolic disorder in patients. DM is a high-risk factor for dry eye disease (DED), with high incidence and increased difficulty in treatment. The disease can cause discomfort, visual impairment, tear film instability and ocular surface damage, and even cause corneal erosion in severe cases, which has a serious impact on people's daily life. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) plays an important role in the evaluation and treatment of DM and its complications. However, whether TCM treatment could improve the treatment efficacy of DM suffering from DED remains poorly understood. Objective: To investigate the curative effect of TCM for the alleviation of clinical symptoms in Diabetic patients with DED, and to evaluate its long-term efficacy. Methods: This trial is a single-case randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study. A total of 12 subjects will be recruited in this trial. The trial is divided into three cycles, and one cycle has 2 treatment periods. There is a washout period at each adjacent treatment stage. TCM individualized treatment and placebo will be randomized during the treatment period. The test period will last for 29 weeks, with 4 weeks for each treatment period and 1 week for each washout period to minimize carryover effects. Subjects will be selected by the researcher strictly in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The outcomes will evaluate the efficacy of treatment by changes in the various observation indicators. Discussion: This study will realize a patient-centered outcome approach necessary to provide clinical researchers with the evidence that TCM treatment can effectively improve the objective indicators of the eye and systemic symptoms in Diabetic patients with DED. Trial registration: This study has been registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn, No. ChiCTR1900024481), (October, 2019).

Rationale Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is a rare developmental deformity of the lower respiratory tract. The disease occurs more in newborns. However, on rare occasions, CPAM can be found in adults. Radiologic features of CPAM include cystic or solid mass pattern. In an elderly patient, CPAM can be easily misdiagnosed as lung cancer. Patient concerns A 66-year old woman was admitted with complaints of chronic cough, expectoration. Her past history was unremarkable with no history of tuberculosis or smoking. Physical examination was normal. Computerized tomography of the chest showed an irregular cystic lesion in right lower lobe. Diagnosis Histopathological results confirmed the diagnosis of CPAM. Intervention The right pulmonary wedge resection was performed via thoracoscopic surgery. Outcomes On follow up 1 year later, the patient is asymptomatic. Lessons CPAM is rare in adults, and imaging cannot accurately distinguish CPAM from thin-walled cystic lung cancer. Hence, histopathology is mandatory to confirm the diagnosis.

Background: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of combined high-dose interferon (IFN) and red light therapy for the treatment of subclinical and latent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Methods: Ninety women diagnosed with subclinical or latent HPV infection were randomized to receive topical application of low-dose recombinant IFNα-2b (1 million IU), high-dose IFNα-2b (9 million IU), or a combination of high-dose IFNα-2b and red light therapy on the cervix and vagina. All patients received treatment once daily for 4 weeks. HPV titer was measured immediately and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment to determine the rates of viral clearance and infection cure. Treatment of HPV-associated vaginitis and cervicitis was also evaluated. Results: Results showed that immediately and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment, the HPV clearance rates and infection cure rates were higher in the high-dose IFN and combination groups compared to the low-dose IFN group. High-dose IFN and combination therapies were significantly effective against both low-risk and high-risk HPV infections. Although the cure rates for vaginitis and cervicitis were significantly higher in the high- compared to the low-dose IFN group, rates were even higher in the combination group compared to the high-dose IFN group. Mild adverse effects were reported by a very small subset of patients (3/30) in the combination group. Conclusions: This study suggests that combination of high-dose IFN and red light therapy is safe and effective against subclinical and latent HPV infections.

Rationale Primary malignant mixed mullerian tumors of the fallopian tube is very rare and has only 1 case in the current literature with cervix metastasis. Patient concerns We reported a 49-year-old woman sufferring from primary malignant mixed mullerian tumors of the fallopian tube with cervix metastasis, and the imaging examination found a strip of solid mass in the right fallopian tube and a nodular mass in cervical canal, which were both hyperintense on T2 weighted image (T2WI) and diffusion weighted image (DWI) and continuous moderate enhancement on dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). Diagnoses The diagnosis was confirmed according to the specific anatomical location and pathological examination which was proved as primary malignant mixed mullerian tumors of the fallopian tube with cervix metastasis. Interventions The patient underwent radical hysterctomy, bilateral adnexectomy, pelvic lymph node dissection, omentum majus excision and intravenous chemotherapy. Outcomes Her posttreatment condition was good. Lessons Primary malignant mixed mullerian tumors of the fallopian tube can be located by magnetic resonance image examination, which may also offer several diagnostic tips according to changes in signal and enhancement. When combined with pathological findings, qualitative diagnosis can be determined. Surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy are considered as effective methods. Our paper discussed its epidemiology, clinical symptoms, pathologic characters, therapeutic method as well as magnetic resonance imaging findings suggesting the diagnosis and differential diagnosis, including precontrast scan, contrast scan and diffusion weighted image and provided magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of primary malignant mixed mullerian tumors of the fallopian tube described in other literatures.

Rationale: Adrenal mature TMT is very rare. So far, only two cases have been reported. Patient: We report a rare case of malignant transformation of a mature teratoma in the right adrenal gland of a 36-year-old Chinese female. The patient had been asymptomatic until physical exam identified a palpable mass in the right abdomen. Abdominal non-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan showed a huge tumor with mixed density in right adrenal region, which had cystic components, fat, calcifications, and separations. Contrast-enhanced CT showed significant enhancement of the cyst wall and septations as well as mural nodules. In addition, the patient had four abnormal laboratory results, including cortisol 773.58 mol/L ↑ (reference range 118.6 to 618 mol/L), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) 70.980 pg/ml ↑ (reference range 7.2 to 63.3 pg/ml), aldosterone 317.84 pg/ml ↑ (reference range prone: 49.3–175 pg/ml; Standing: 34.7–275 pg/ml; 24h urine 2.84–33.99 ug/d), and vanillyl mandelic acid (VMA) 22.38 mg / 24 h ↑ (reference range 0–13.6 mg / 24 h) which to our knowledge have not been reported by any adrenal mature teratoma's reference literature. Dignoses: It was initially diagnosed as a right adrenal hamartoma by the radiologist. Final pathology confirmed it as malignant transformation of a right adrenal mature teratoma, which is extremely rare. Interventions: Laparoscopic resection is usually the treatment of choice for adrenal teratoma and our case report is no exception. Outcomes: This article is a case report, no outcomes. Lessons: Non-enhanced CT findings of a mass with cystic change, fat, calcification and separation are suggestive of a teratoma. If there is significant enhancement of the cyst wall and septations as well as mural nodules in contrast-enhanced CT, then adrenal TMT should be considered. In addition, abnormal levels of hormones including cortisol, ACTH, aldosterone and VMA may also aid in the diagnosis of adrenal TMT.

Evidence indicated a positive association between subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and cardiovascular diseases. But the relationship between SCH and chronic kidney diseases (CKD) remains unclear. A case-control study was performed to ascertain this relationship followed by a meta-analysis. I

Dissection of the interventricular septum (IVS) is an extremely rare entity. An institutional echocardiographic database was retrospectively reviewed; 13 patients with a diagnosis of IVS dissection were found and confirmed by cardiac surgery. The purposes of the study were: to determine the value of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in establishing the diagnosis of IVS dissection, and to detail the TTE features of IVS dissection. Thirteen patients with IVS dissection diagnosed by TTE, 8 males and 5 females were taken from 789,114 TTE studies performed between 1985 and 2014. All underwent cardiac surgery during which their diagnosis was confirmed. The etiology, location, 2-dimensional morphology, and color Doppler findings of IVS dissection were noted. The right sinus of Valsalva (SOV) was involved in 11 of the 13 patients. In 5 patients, a single aneurysm of the right SOV was seen dissecting into the IVS. One patient with a combination of a bicuspid aortic valve and a right SOV aneurysm dissected into the IVS. In 4 patients, aortic valve infective endocarditis resulted in IVS dissection. In 1 patient, mechanical aortic valve prosthetic replacement was complicated by annular detachment and a severe paravalvular leak causing IVS dissection. In all 11 patients, TTE showed a dissecting cystic-like mass in the IVS from the base to the mid-septum or confined to the septal base. The path of the dissection in these 11 patients was traced to the right SOV and communications between the IVS dissection and the aortic root were identified. In the remaining 2 patients, IVS dissection followed septal rupture due to a myocardial infarction, and communication was seen between the IVS dissection and the right ventricle. The study showed that most of the dissections of the IVS commence in the right SOV, due to either congenital anomalies or infective endocarditis, or following aortic valve replacement or myocardial infarction. The TTE characteristic of IVS dissection is a cystic-like mass seen in the IVS.

Rationale Coronary artery aneurysms and fistulas are not rare conditions in clinical practice, but bilateral fistulas with a giant coronary aneurysm in just one person are quite rare. Patient concerns We report a case of a 66-year-old woman with these 2 coronary abnormalities accompanied with a huge mediastinum mass. Interventions The giant aneurysm was ligated and the mass was resected which was proved to be an organized hematoma finally. Outcomes The patient was discharged soon with no complications. Lessons The best treatment of giant coronary aneurysm is not clear because of its rarity, surgical resection may be the right procedure for the potential serious complications like this case.

Pseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa (P-MAIVF) is a rare but potentially fatal entity. Early diagnosis and surgical treatment are particularly important to decrease risk of mortality. The purpose of this study was to explore the echocardiographic characteristics and outcome of P-MAIVF and to evaluate the potential application of three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography in the evaluation of P-MAIVF. Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were retrospectively evaluated in 9 patients with P-MAIVF, 5 of them assessed by 3D echocardiography. P-MAIVF was identified on echocardiography and located in the posterior aspect of the aortic root, expanding in systole and collapsing in diastole. Of the 9 cases examined, 8 were associated with endocarditis and 1 was caused by radio frequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. Five cases were associated with bicuspid aortic valve, and rupture of P-MAIVF was identified in 3 patients. The morphology of P-MAIVF was clearly demonstrated on 3D echocardiography in 5 cases. In conclusion, echocardiography provides a useful tool in the diagnosis of P-MAIVF. Color Doppler flow imaging can ease identification of the ostium in cases of ruptured pseudoaneurysms. Three-dimensional echocardiography shows the relationship between P-MAIVF and the adjacent anatomic structures.

The purpose of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of current literature to determine whether lowering blood pressure (BP) during the acute phase of an ischemic stroke improves short- and long-term outcomes. PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase were searched until September 5, 2014 using combinations of the search terms: blood pressure reduction, reduced blood pressure, lowering blood pressure, ischemic stroke, acute stroke, and intra-cerebral hemorrhage. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trial and patients with acute stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) treated with an antihypertensive agent or placebo. Outcome measures were change in systolic and diastolic BP (SBP, DBP) after treatment, and short- and long-term dependency and mortality rates. A total of 459 studies were identified, and ultimately 22 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The total number of participants in the treatment groups was 5672 (range, 6–2308), and in the control groups was 5416 (range, 6–2033). In most studies, more than 50% of the participants were males and the mean age was more than 60 years. The mean follow-up time ranged from 5 days to 12 months. As expected, treatment groups had a greater decrease in BP than control groups, and this effect was seen with different classes of antihypertensive drugs. Short-term and long-term dependency rates were similar between treatment and control groups (short-term dependency: pooled odds ratio [OR] = 1.041, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.936–1.159, P = 0.457; long-term dependency: pooled OR = 1.013, 95% CI: 0.915–1.120, P = 0.806). Short-term or long-term mortality was similar between the treatment and control groups (short-term mortality: pooled OR = 1.020, 95% CI: 0.749–1.388, P = .902; long-term mortality: pooled OR = 1.039, 95% CI: 0.883–1.222, P = 0.644). Antihypertensive agents effectively reduce BP during the acute phase of an ischemic stroke, but provide no benefit with respect to short- and long-term dependency and mortality.