Delayed adverse reactions in whole blood donors: Importance of active surveillance in identifying the missing gaps in the donor safety

Background & objectives: The information available regarding delayed adverse donor reactions (D-ADRs) is limited. Proactive follow up of donors for delayed reactions is not done routinely. This study was undertaken to analyze frequency and type of D-ADRs in whole blood donors as also the contributory factors. Methods: In this prospective observational study, all eligible whole blood donors were contacted telephonically twice (24 h and 2 wks after donation) and asked about general health and ADR specific questions. The International Society of Blood Transfusion standard guidelines were used to categorize ADRs. Results: The ADR data of 3514 donors were analyzed in the study. D-ADRs were more common as compared to immediate delayed adverse donor reactions (I-ADRs) (13.7 vs. 2.9%, P<0.001). The most common D-ADRs were bruises (4.98%), fatigue or generalized weakness (4.24%) and sore arms (2.25%). D-ADRs were more common in first time donors as compared to the repeat blood donors (16.1 vs. 12.5%, P=0.002). Females were more prone to D-ADRs (17 vs. 13.6%). Localized D-ADRs were more frequent as compared to systemic D-ADRs (P<0.001). Repeat donors had a lower incidence of systemic D-ADRs (4.11% vs. 7.37%, P<0.001). Interpretation & conclusions: D-ADRs were more common than I-ADRs with a different profile. First time, female and young donors were more prone to D-ADRs. These categories need special care at the time of blood donation. Active follow up of blood donors should be done from time to time to strengthen donor safety

Heart rate turbulence assessed through ergometry after myocardial infarction: a feasibility study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The impact of ventricular arrhythmias with impaired cardiac vagal activity is one of the most recently studied prognostic factors. However, there are no studies evaluating the phenomenon of heart rate turbulence (HRT) during physical exertion. OBJECTIVE: To study the behavior of HRT during exercise testing, among individuals after myocardial infarction. DESIGN AND SETTING: Feasibility study conducted in a university hospital among individuals 4-6 weeks after myocardial infarction. METHODS: All subjects underwent 24-hour Holter monitoring and ergometric stress testing. We considered that abnormal HRT was present if the turbulence onset was ≥ 0% or turbulence slope was ≤ 2.5 mm/relative risk interval. RESULTS: All 32 subjects were asymptomatic. Their median age was 58 years (interquartile range 12.8) and 70% were male. Abnormal HRT was associated with ventricular dysfunction in this population. We found no differences regarding the behavior of HRT, in relation to age, gender, smoking, systemic arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus or dyslipidemia. Ergometric stress testing detected premature ventricular beats (PVB) in approximately 44% of the examinations, and these occurred both during the active phase of effort and in the recovery period. The low occurrence of several isolated PVB in beta-blocked subjects made it difficult to perform statistical analysis to correlate HRT between ergometric and Holter testing. CONCLUSION: The data obtained in this study do not support performing HRT through ergometric stress testing among patients who remain on beta-blockers post-myocardial infarction, for the purpose of assessing cardiac vagal activity.

Riesgos y complicaciones durante la sedación para endoscopía diagnóstica del tubo digestivo sin enfermedad concomitante / Risks and complications during sedation for diagnostic endoscopy of the gastrointestinal tract without concomitant disease

Resumen: Durante la sedación en procedimientos endoscópicos del tubo digestivo alto y bajo, es frecuente que se susciten complicaciones ventilatorias y hemodinámicas. Se presenta una revisión de las estrategias para prevenir y tratar las complicaciones ventilatorias más frecuentes: espasmo laríngeo, apnea por fármacos anestésicos endovenosos y broncoespasmo. También se revisan las complicaciones hemodinámicas: reflejo vagal e hipotensión aguda. Se propone un algoritmo de manejo que sintetiza y esquematiza las medidas profilácticas y terapéuticas descritas en la literatura, ordenándolas de acuerdo a su prioridad y eficacia, permitiendo identificar con claridad el nivel de tratamiento necesario y la viabilidad del procedimiento endoscópico.

Abstract: During sedation in endoscopic procedures of the lower and upper digestive tract, it is common for ventilatory and hemodynamic complications to arise. This article presents a review of the strategies to treat and prevent the most common ventilatory complications: laryngeal spasm, apnea due to intravenous anesthetic drugs and bronchospasm. Hemodynamic complications are also reviewed: vagal reflex and acute hypotension. A management algorithm is proposed which synthesizes and schematizes the prophylactic and therapeutic measures described in the bibliography, ordering them by their priority and effectiveness, allowing to clearly identify the degree of treatment necessary and the viability of the endoscopic procedure.

Clinical value of transcutaneous neuromodulation in improving gastrointestinal function of 100 patients with gastrointestinal tumor after operation / 中华消化杂志

Objective:To evaluate the clinical value of the transcutaneous neuromodulation (TN) in improving gastrointestinal function after gastrointestinal tumor operation.Methods:From April 2019 to June 2020, at The Affiliated People′s Hospital of Ningbo University, 100 patients who underwent gastrointestinal tumor surgery were included. The 100 patients were randomly divided into treatment group(receiving TN treatment, 50 cases)and control group (receiving sham TN treatment, 50 cases). The clinical data of the two groups was compared to evaluate the recovery of gastrointestinal function, which included the time of first defecation, time of first flatus, time of first ambulation, time of resuming diet, the incidence of nausea and vomiting within 3 d after operation and pain score (0 to 10). Heart rate variability (HRV) was compared between two groups to analyze the possible mechanism of TN improving gastrointestinal function after gastrointestinal tumor surgery. Independent sample t test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:Among 100 patients, there were 63 male and 37 female patients, the age was (67.0±11.3) years old, ranged from 28 to 92 years old. Compared with the control group, the time of first defecation, first flatus, first ambulation and resuming diet of treatment group reduced by 31.0%, 39.8%, 38.0% and 32.4% ((72.1±3.0) h vs.(104.5±2.9) h, (49.4±5.7) h vs.(82.1±3.1) h, (3.1±0.7) d vs.(5.0±0.9) d, (4.8±0.9) d vs. (7.1±0.8) d)), respectively; the pain scores on the day 2 and day 3 after operation and incidence of nausea and vomiting within 3 d after operation decreased by 50.0%, 65.5%, 26.0%(1.5±0.6 vs. 3.0±0.7, 1.0±0.6 vs. 2.9±0.6, 16.0%, 8/50 vs. 42.0%, 21/50), respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=54.28, 35.72, 11.67, 13.66, 12.00 and 14.90, χ2=8.21, all P<0.01). The results of HRV analysis showed that the high frequency on day 3 was higher than that on day 1 of treatment group, and the ratio of low frequency to high frequency after operation was lower than that before operation of treatment group (0.5±0.1 vs. 0.4±0.1, 1.2±0.7 vs. 1.9±1.0), and the differences were statistically significant( t=-4.81 and 4.26, both P<0.01), which indicated TN could enhance vagal activity. Conclusions:TN promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function after gastrointestinal tumor operation, and can be used as an adjuvant therapy to accelerate the recovery of gastrointestinal function after gastrointestinal tumor operation.

Common risk factors for daytime sleepiness and hypertension in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objectives:To investigate the common risk factors for excess daytime sleepiness (EDS) and hypertension in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS) patients.Methods:Between January 2020 and February 2021, a total of 103 OSAHS patients diagnosed in the Department of Sleep Medicine Center, the Affiliated Huaian No.1 People′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were enrolled as the study population. During polysomnography (PSG) monitoring, noninvasive continuous blood pressure (BP) and heart rate variability (HRV) were monitored simultaneously. Low/high frequency components (LF/HF) were used to reflect sympathetic-vagal balance in frequency domain analysis. According to Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and BP levels, patients were divided into four groups: simple OSAHS group (ESS<10 scores and BP<140/90 mmHg, n=30)(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), OSAHS+hypertension group (ESS<10 scores and BP≥140/90 mmHg, n=23), OSAHS+EDS group (ESS≥10 scores and BP<140/90 mmHg, n=26) and OSAHS+hypertension+EDS group (ESS≥10scores and BP≥140/90 mmHg, n=24). The clinical and PSG parameters were analyzed and compared among the four groups. Regression analyses were used to explore the common causative factors for EDS and hypertension. Results:The LF/HF in OSAHS+hypertension+EDS group was significantly higher than the other three groups [3.2% (2.6%, 4.2%) vs 1.4% (1.2%, 1.6%), 2.2% (1.8%, 2.9%), 2.5% (1.6%, 3.1%), all P<0.05]. No difference was observed between OSAHS+hypertension group and OSAHS+EDS group ( P=0.779), but both higher than simple OSAHS group. The linear regression equation showed that LF/HF was most correlated with the percentage of sleep time with oxygen saturation<90% (T90) as compared to the other parameters of sleep disordered breathing (β=0.201, P=0.006). In addition, Pearson correlation analysis showed that LF/HF was significantly correlated with ESS scores and asleep BP levels ( r=0.536, r=0.456, all P<0.05). The logical regression equation showed that LF/HF was a causative risk factor for both EDS and hypertension in OSAHS (β=0.164, 95% CI: 1.018-1.364, P=0.028). Conclusion:The sympathetic-vagal imbalance is a common risk factor for EDS and hypertension in OSAHS patients

Cervical Vagal Schwannoma: A Diagnostic and Surgical Challenge

Cervical vagal schwannoma is a rare tumor. It presents a great difficulty in diagnosis and surgical treatment. We are presentinga case of 30-year-old female patient referred to us with the left side neck swelling. We investigated the patient and we faceddifficulty in diagnosis. We carefully planned the surgical excision of the left side cervical schwannoma and successfully excisedthe tumor.

Is dorsal vagal complex the key nucleus of acupuncture regulation of gastric function？ / 中国针灸

Acupuncture has remarkable effects on treating functional gastrointestinal diseases, but its central mechanism is not clear. At present, the research has mainly focused on several central nuclei, such as the dorsal vagus complex (DVC), nucleus raphe magnus (NRM), locus coeruleus (LC), subnucleus reticularis dorsalis (SRD), hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), cerebellar fastigial nucleus (FN), central amygdala (CeA), etc. It is not clear whether the nuclei are involved in acupuncture regulation of gastric function through certain interrelation. A further summary of related literature indicates that many brain regions or nuclei in the central nervous system are closely related to gastric function, such as DVC, NRM, parabrachial nuclei (PBN), LC, periaqueductal gray (PAG), cerebellum, PVN, arcuate nucleus (Arc), hippocampus, CeA, etc. Most of these nuclei have certain fiber connections with each other, in which DVC is the basic center, and other nuclei are directly or indirectly involved in the regulation of gastric function through DVC. Is DVC the key target in acupuncture regulation of gastric function? Does other nuclei have direct or indirect neural circuit with DVC to participate in the regulation of gastric function by acupuncture, such as the possibility of CeA-DVC neural loop in acupuncture regulating gastric function. Therefore, more advanced techniques such as photogenetics, chemical genetics should be introduced and the central mechanism of acupuncture on regulating gastric function with DVC as center, from the view of nerve loop, will become the focus of further research, which could explain the central integration mechanism of acupoint compatibility by modern neuroscience technology.

Does the number of sets in a resistance exercise session affect the fast and slow phases of post-exercise cardiac autonomic recovery?

Abstract Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of different resistance exercise (RE) volumes on postexercise cardiac autonomic modulation in men. Methods: Ten young men (25.5 ± 4.9 years, 24.8 ± 2.1 kg/m2) performed 3 trials of RE with 1, 2 or 3 sets (48-72 h between each trial) of 10-12 repetitions (70% of the one-maximum repetition) of bench press, leg press, and barbell row. Heart rate variability (HRV) was assessed at the 1st and 5th minutes of recovery (fast phase) and 3 consecutive 5-minute intervals from the 5th to 20th minute of recovery (slow phase). Parasympathetic and global modulations were assessed using the SD1 and SD2 indices of HRV, respectively. The comparison of the interventions was performed using the Friedman and Wilcoxon tests (p<0.05). Results: Lower parasympathetic modulation was identified after 2 and 3 sets compared to 1 set in both the fast and slow recovery phases (p= 0.004-0.05). Lower global modulation was identified after 3 sets compared to 1 set in both fast and slow recovery phases (p= 0.005-0.01). No differences in post-exercise parasympathetic and global modulation were observed between 2 and 3 sets. Conclusion: We concluded that 2 and 3 sets of RE compared to 1 set promoted higher autonomic reduction on the post-exercise phase, which should be considered by coaches when prescribing an RE program for untrained participants or intend to manipulate the postexercise organic recovery.

Sympatho-Vagal Imbalance is Associated with Sarcopenia in Male Patients with Heart Failure / Desequilíbrio Simpático-Vagal está Associado com Sarcopenia em Pacientes do Sexo Masculino com Insuficiência Cardíaca

Abstract Background: Resting sympathetic hyperactivity and impaired parasympathetic reactivation after exercise have been described in patients with heart failure (HF). However, the association of these autonomic changes in patients with HF and sarcopenia is unknown. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of autonomic modulation on sarcopenia in male patients with HF. Methods: We enrolled 116 male patients with HF and left ventricular ejection fraction < 40%. All patients underwent a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Maximal heart rate was recorded and delta heart rate recovery (∆HRR) was assessed at 1st and 2nd minutes after exercise. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) was recorded by microneurography. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure body composition and sarcopenia was defined by the sum of appendicular lean muscle mass (ALM) divided by height in meters squared and handgrip strength. Results: Sarcopenia was identified in 33 patients (28%). Patients with sarcopenia had higher MSNA than those without (47 [41-52] vs. 40 [34-48] bursts/min, p = 0.028). Sarcopenic patients showed lower ∆HRR at 1st (15 [10-21] vs. 22 [16-30] beats/min, p < 0.001) and 2nd min (25 [19-39] vs. 35 [24-48] beats/min, p = 0.017) than non-sarcopenic. There was a positive correlation between ALM and ∆HRR at 1st (r = 0.26, p = 0.008) and 2nd min (r = 0.25, p = 0.012). We observed a negative correlation between ALM and MSNA (r = -0.29, p = 0.003). Conclusion: Sympatho-vagal imbalance seems to be associated with sarcopenia in male patients with HF. These results highlight the importance of a therapeutic approach in patients with muscle wasting and increased peripheral sympathetic outflow.

Resumo Fundamento: Hiperatividade simpática de repouso e uma reativação parassimpática diminuída pós-exercício têm sido descritas em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca (IC). No entanto, a associação dessas alterações autonômicas em pacientes com IC sarcopênicos ainda não são conhecidas. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto da modulação autonômica sobre sarcopenia em pacientes com IC do sexo masculino. Métodos: Foram estudados 116 pacientes com IC e fração de ejeção ventricular esquerda inferior a 40%. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos ao teste de exercício cardiopulmonar máximo. A frequência cardíaca máxima foi registrada, e o delta de recuperação da frequência cardíaca (∆RFC) foi avaliado no primeiro e no segundo minuto após o exercício. A atividade nervosa simpática muscular (ANSM) foi registrada por microneurografia. A Absorciometria Radiológica de Dupla Energia foi usada para medir composição cpororal, e a sarcopenia definida como a soma da massa muscular apendicular (MMA) dividida pela altura em metros ao quadrado e força da mão. Resultados: A sarcopenia foi identificada em 33 pacientes (28%). Os pacientes com sarcopenia apresentaram maior ANSM que aqueles sem sarcopenia - 47 (41-52) vs. 40 (34-48) impulsos (bursts)/min, p = 0,028). Pacientes sarcopênicos apresentaram ∆RFC mais baixo no primeiro [15 (10-21) vs. 22 (16-30) batimentos/min, p < 0,001) e no segundo [25 (19-39) vs. 35 (24-48) batimentos/min, p = 0,017) minuto que pacientes não sarcopênicos. Observou-se uma correlação positiva entre a MMA e a ANSM (r = -0,29; p = 0,003). Conclusão: Um desequilíbrio simpático-vagal parece estar associado com sarcopenia em pacientes com IC do sexo masculino. Esses resultados destacam a importância de uma abordagem terapêutica em pacientes com perda muscular e fluxo simpático periférico aumentado.

Cardiac surgery in a patient with implanted vagal nerve stimulator

The prevalence of epilepsy worldwide is around 0.5%–2% of the population. Antiepileptic medications are the first line of treatment in most of the cases but approximately 25%–30% epilepsy patients are refractory to the single or combination therapy. The surgical option for temporal lobe epilepsy is temporal lobectomy, which has its inherent risk of neurological deficits after the surgery. Patients who are either refractory to combination therapy or do not want surgical temporal lobectomy are the candidates for electrical stimulation therapy. Refractory cases require implantable device such as vagal nerve stimulator (VNS). We are reporting perioperative management of a patient, with an implanted VNS, posted for pericardiectomy. It is important for the anesthesiologist to be familiar with the mechanism of VNS for proper perioperative care.

Effects of vagotomy on cardiovascular and heart rate variability alterations following chronic normobaric hypoxia in adult rabbits

BACKGROUND: chronic hypoxia increases basal ventilation and pulmonary vascular resistance, with variable changes in arterial blood pressure and heart rate, but it's impact on heart rate variability and autonomic regulation have been less well examined. We studied changes in arterial blood pressure, heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) in rabbits subjected to chronic normobaric hypoxia (CNH; PB ~ 719 mmHg; FIO2 ~ 9.2%) for 14 days and assess the effect of autonomic control by acute bilateral vagal denervation. RESULTS: exposure to CNH stalled animal weight gain and increased the hematocrit, without affecting heart rate or arterial blood pressure. Nevertheless, Poincaré plots of the electrocardiographic R-R intervals showed a reduced distribution parallel to the line of identity, which interpreted as reduced long-term HRV. In the frequency domain, CNH reduced the very-low- (< 0.2 Hz) and high-frequency components (> 0.8 Hz) of the R-R spectrograms and produced a prominent component in the low-frequency component (0.2-0.5 Hz) of the power spectrum. In control and CNH exposed rabbits, bilateral vagotomy had no apparent effect on the short- and long-term HRV in the Poincaré plots. However, bilateral vagotomy differentially affected higher-frequency components (> 0.8 Hz); reducing it in control animals without modifying it in CNH-exposed rabbits. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CNH exposure shifts the autonomic balance of heart rate towards a sympathetic predominance without modifying resting heart rate or arterial blood pressure.

Coughing on palpation: A rare complication of vagal schwannoma

@#Cervical vagal schwannoma is an uncommon, benign neoplasm. It is usually asymptomatic and presents as a painless, palpable mass in the neck. However, large schwannomas can cause dysphagia, dysphonia or dyspnea as a result of compression. We report a case of an extremely rare complication of vagal schwannoma in which neck palpation induced the patient to cough. As the patient refused any surgical intervention, conservative management was used.

Case Analysis of One Acute Hypotension Adverse Event after PCI Participated by Clinical Pharmacist / 中国药师

Clinical pharmacist participated in the whole process of drug therapy for one case of acute hypotension adverse event af-ter PCI. Based on the patient's preoperative and postoperative medication, the hypothesis was proposed and the causes of acute hypo-tension were positively analyzed. From the perspective of pharmacology, professional advice was given and satisfactory therapeutic effects were obtained. The experience of pharmaceutical care after PCI was summarized as well.

Hypotension and bradycardia before spinal anesthesia / Hipotensão e bradicardia antes da raquianestesia

Abstract I report a case of hypotension and bradycardia before spinal anesthesia in a pregnant woman with mild to moderate hypertension treated with nifedipine and methyldopa, scheduled for an elective cesarean delivery. She had the history of neurally-mediated syncopes. Two main factors (increased vagal tone and adverse effects of antihypertensive drugs) could explain the hypotension and bradycardia before spinal anesthesia. Monitoring allowed recognizing the problem and corrected it. Thus, it was avoided a disaster in anesthesia, as hemodynamic changes after spinal anesthesia, they would have joined to previous hypotension and bradycardia, which would have caused even a cardiac arrest.

Resumo Relato de um caso de hipotensão e bradicardia antes da raquianestesia em uma mulher grávida com hipertensão leve a moderada tratada com nifedipina e metildopa, programada para parto cesáreo eletivo. A paciente apresentava história de síncopes neuralmente mediadas. Dois fatores principais (aumento do tônus vagal e efeitos adversos de medicamentos anti-hipertensivos) poderiam explicar a hipotensão e bradicardia antes da raquianestesia. O monitoramento permitiu reconhecer o problema e corrigi-lo. Dessa forma, foi evitado um desastre em anestesia; assim como as alterações hemodinâmicas após a raquianestesia, esses fatores teriam se juntado à hipotensão e bradicardia anterior, o que poderia até ter causado uma parada cardíaca.

Reliability of heart rate variability threshold and parasympathetic reactivation after a submaximal exercise test

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate reproducibility of heart rate variability threshold (HRVT) and parasympathetic reactivation in physically active men (n= 16, 24.3 ± 5.1 years). During the test, HRVT was assessed by SD1 and r-MSSD dynamics. Immediately after exercise, r-MSSD was analyzed in segments of 60 seconds for a period of five minutes. High absolute and relatively reproducible analysis of HRVT were observed, as assessed by SD1 and r-MSSD dynamics (ICC = 0.92, CV = 10.8, SEM = 5.8). During the recovery phase, a moderate to high reproducibility was observed for r-MSSD from the first to the fifth minute (ICC = 0.69-0.95, CV = 7.5-14.2, SEM = 0.07-1.35). We conclude that HRVT and r-MSSD analysis after a submaximal stress test are highly reproducible measures that might be used to assess the acute and chronic effects of exercise training on cardiac autonomic modulation during and/or after a submaximal stress test.(AU)

Heart rate variability as important approach for assessment autonomic modulation

Alterations in the heart rate recovery and heart rate variability have been associated with greater risk of mortality and early prognosis of cardiac diseases. Thus, strategies for assessing autonomic nervous system and its modulation to the heart are crucial for preventing cardiovascular events in healthy subjects as well as in cardiac patients. In this review, an update of studies examining heart rate variability (HRV) and its use as indicator of cardiac autonomic modulation will be discussed. It will be described the indexes and methods of analysis and its applicability and the effects of exercise training on HRV and heart rate recovery in different population

Inducibility of human atrial fibrillation in an in silico model reflecting local acetylcholine distribution and concentration

Vagal nerve activity has been known to play a crucial role in the induction and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it is unclear how the distribution and concentration of local acetylcholine (ACh) promotes AF. In this study, we investigated the effect of the spatial distribution and concentration of ACh on fibrillation patterns in an in silico human atrial model. A human atrial action potential model with an ACh-dependent K+ current (I(KAch)) was used to examine the effect of vagal activation. A simulation of cardiac wave dynamics was performed in a realistic 3D model of the atrium. A model of the ganglionated plexus (GP) and nerve was developed based on the "octopus hypothesis". The pattern of cardiac wave dynamics was examined by applying vagal activation to the GP areas or randomly. AF inducibility in the octopus hypothesis-based GP and nerve model was tested. The effect of the ACh concentration level was also examined. In the single cell simulation, an increase in the ACh concentration shortened APD90 and increased the maximal slope of the restitution curve. In the 3D simulation, a random distribution of vagal activation promoted wavebreaks while ACh secretion limited to the GP areas did not induce a noticeable change in wave dynamics. The octopus hypothesis-based model of the GP and nerve exhibited AF inducibility at higher ACh concentrations. In conclusion, a 3D in silico model of the GP and parasympathetic nerve based on the octopus model exhibited higher AF inducibility with higher ACh concentrations.

Effects of high occupational physical activity, aging, and exercise on heart rate variability among male workers

OBJECTIVES: Effects of aging and leisure time physical activity (LPA) might influence the effect of occupational physical activity (OPA) on risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study was conducted to determine whether OPA affects CVD after controlling the effects of LPA and other risk factors for CVD such as job stress. METHODS: Participants were 131 male Korean manual workers. Tests for heart rate variability (HRV) were conducted for five minutes in the morning at work. We defined OPA as the combined concept of relative heart rate ratio (RHR), evaluated using a heart rate monitor. RESULTS: Whereas high OPA was not related to any HRV items in the younger age group, high OPA was associated with an increased number of low-value cases among all HRV items in older workers. Exercise had beneficial effects only in the younger group. After controlling for exercise and other risk factors, the odds ratios of the root-mean square of the difference of successive normal R-R intervals (rMSSD) and high frequency band power (HF) among the older age and high OPA group compared with the younger age and low OPA group were 64.0 and 18.5, respectively. Social support and shift work were independent risk factors in HRV. CONCLUSIONS: OPA in aging workers increases CVD risks. This study provides support for the need for protection of aging workers from physical work overload, and indicates the need for further study of optimal limits of OPA.

A Cervical Vagal Schwannoma Mimicking a Parathyroid Cyst

Cervical vagal schwannomas with cystic degeneration changes are extremely rare. These tumors are typically benign and slow growing. A 44-year-old woman underwent complete resection of a tumor measuring 4x3.5 cm in the right neck using the endoscopic approach, instead of the conventional transcervical approach. We applied the new scarless neck surgery technique with an endoscopic unilateral axillo-breast approach. The tumor originated from the right vagus nerve, and was confirmed to be a vagal schwannoma pathologically. The patient has been followed up for 18 months postoperatively with no evidence of tumor recurrence or neurological deficit. We report an extremely rare vagal schwannoma with cystic degeneration that was removed by an endoscopic approach, along with a review of the relevant literature.