ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the effect of conventional coronary CT angiography (CCTA) bolus injection of contrast agent on the diameter and angle of the left main coronary artery (LMA) bifurcation area, and to provide a basis for the application of CCTA to accurately measure the coronary artery.Methods:In Cangzhou Central Hospital of Hebei Province from January to December 2020, the clinical data of 54 patients with suspected coronary heart disease who underwent coronary artery calcification score (CACS) and CCTA with conventional bolus injection of contrast agent were retrospectively analyzed. Two physicians measured middle lumen diameter of LMA (d1), proximal lumen diameter of left anterior descending (LAD) (d2), proximal lumen diameter of left circumflex (LCX) (d3) and bifurcation angle between LAD and LCX (∠1). The consistency of 2 physicians was compared, and the results of CACS and CCTA were compared.Results:The consistency analysis result showed that only d3 measured by CCTA had a moderate consistency (intra-group correlation coefficient = 0.717), and the remaining indexes were in good agreement (intra-group correlation coefficient >0.75). There were no statistical differences in indexes measured results between CACS and CCTA ( P>0.05). According to the degree of left coronary artery stenosis, 54 patients were divided into 2 groups: LMA and branches normal or stenosis degree < 50% group (25 cases) and LMA and branches 1 or more branches stenosis degree≥50% group (29 cases). There were no statistical differences in indexes measured results between CACS and CCTA in patients with different disease severity ( P>0.05). Conclusions:In the CCTA examination, the conventional bolus injection of contrast agent does not affect the diameter and angle of the lumen of the LMA bifurcation area of the coronary artery.
ABSTRACT
To explore the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in multiple myeloma (MM) patients, as well as to compare the clinical characteristics and outcome between HBV infected and non-HBV infected patients. Methods:The serology markers of HBV were detected in 363 MM patients and 11227 cases of healthy controls through chemiluminescence. HBV-DNA was measured via real-time quantitative chain reaction. Results:Sixteen out of 363 MM patients (4.4%) were HBsAg-positive, showing significant difference with healthy controls (2.4%). No statistically significant differences were observed in terms of sex, age, type of monoclonal (M) protein, International Staging System (ISS) stage, stem cell transplantation, and risk stratification between HBsAg-positive and HBsAg-negative patients. No significant effect of HBV infection was found on the OS of MM patients. HBV reactivation was observed in two HBsAg-positive MM patients who were treated with combination chemotherapy, including bortezomib and dexamethasone. The replication of HBV could be inhibited by anti-HBV drugs. Conclusion:A higher prevalence of HBV infection was revealed in MM patients. Close monitoring of HBV replication should be conducted in MM patients with HBV infection before and during the courses of chemotherapy.
ABSTRACT
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of clonal disorders of hematopoietic stem cells.Recent studies have shown that the change of telomere length is closely related to the development and progression of MDS.Therefore,the dynamics of telomere length in MDS and the measurement methods of telomere length have been focused on gradually.Here the recent advances in this field were reviewed.