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Background--There are limited data on the frequency of and factors associated with quantitative coronary angiography (QCA)-defined longitudinal stent deformation (LSD) in various contemporary drug-eluting stents platforms. This study sought to evaluate the predictors of LSD and its long-term clinical implication. Methods and Results--A patient-level pooled analysis was performed with 7350 lesions in 5871 patients treated with platinum-chromium-based everolimus-eluting stent (Promus Element), cobalt-chromium-based everolimus-eluting stent (Promus/Xience V), or cobalt-chromium-based zotarolimus-eluting stent (Endeavor Resolute). QCA was performed to analyze differences of stent length between immediate post-deployment and final post-procedure. Independent factors associated with LSD were identified. Clinical outcomes at 3 years were compared between those with and without QCAbased LSD. The frequency of QCA-based LSD was 1.12% (82 cases). Nine of these cases were angiographically overt. Left main or ostial lesion, bifurcation treatment with provisional side branch stenting or ballooning, additional downstream intervention of a distal lesion, intravascular ultrasound use, and adjunctive post-dilatation were independently associated with QCA-based LSD. The type of stent was not associated with QCA-based LSD. Rates of target lesion failure were nominally higher in lesions with QCA-based LSD than in those without (8.97% versus 5.88%; hazard ratio, 1.415; 95% confidence interval, 0.631-3.175; P=0.399). Conclusions--LSD is uncommon with contemporary drug-eluting stents, regardless of the type of stent platform. LSD is mainly associated with procedural factors, especially with additional downstream procedures which require the passage of devices through the stent. Careful manipulation of poststent imaging or procedural devices is required to prevent LSD. More data are needed to clarify the impact of LSD on clinical events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of ethyl chloride and placebo sprays for reducing pain induced by needle electromyography and changes in parameters of the motor unit action potential during needle electromyography of the upper extremity. Design: Sixty patients were randomized into the ethyl chloride or placebo spray groups. In both groups, spray was applied just before needle electromyography of the flexor carpi radialis, and a visual analog scale to evaluate the pain of needle electromyography and a five-point Likert scale for patient satisfaction and preference for reexamination were compared between the two groups. Then, changes in the amplitude, phases, turns, and duration of the motor unit action potential during needle electromyography of the biceps brachii were compared before and after spraying in each group. Results: The visual analog scale was significantly lower, and patient satisfaction and preference for reexamination were significantly higher in the ethyl chloride spray group. Among the parameters of the motor unit action potential, there were no significant changes except for an increased duration after spraying with ethyl chloride. Conclusions: Ethyl chloride spray can effectively reduce pain, but it must be used with caution because it may affect parameters of the motor unit action potential during needle electromyography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a randomized controlled trial carried out to compare extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) with a session of CS injection for carpal tunnel syndrome management. The comparison showed that both are equally effective in relieving symptoms of carpel tunnel syndrome, however, ESWT has the noninvasive property unlike the CS injection.

The article discusses the study with an aim to determine whether two bolus transition durations were different in post-stroke patients during oropharyngeal swallowing. The result to which says that oral transition of the bolus did not differ between the two patients whereas pharyngeal transition did. The article concluded by stating that patients who demonstrate prolonged pharyngeal transit times may be at risk for aspiration.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of arthroscopic repair of isolated superior labral lesions of the shoulder. Methods: We evaluated thirty-four patients at a mean of thirty-three months (range, twenty-four to forty-nine months) following arthroscopic repair of an isolated superior labral lesion of the shoulder with suture anchors. The outcome of treatment was evaluated with the University of California at Los Angeles shoulder score and on the basis of the patient's ability to return to prior activities. There were thirty male patients and four female patients with a mean age of twenty-six years (range, sixteen to thirty-five years). Thirty patients were involved in athletic activities, and eighteen of them were engaged in overhead sports. Results: Repair of the superior labral lesion resulted in a satisfactory University of California at Los Angeles shoulder score for thirty-two patients (94%) and an unsatisfactory score for two. Thirty-one patients (91%) regained their preinjury level of shoulder function. The shoulder score and the return to activity were correlated with the type of sports activity (r = 0.291, p < 0.0001 and r = 0.373, p = 0.010, respectively. Patients participating in overhead sports had significantly lower shoulder scores and a lower percentage of return to their pre-injury level of shoulder function compared with patients who were not engaged in overhead activity (p = 0.024 and 0.015, respectively). Conclusions: Arthroscopic repair of an isolated superior labral lesion is successful in a majority of patients. However, the results in patients who participate in overhead sports are not as satisfactory as those in patients who are not involved in overhead sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]