Perioperative change in serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin level among children with congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the perioperative change in serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) level among children with congenital heart disease (CHD) and pulmonary hypertension (PH) and its significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty children with CHD were divided into four groups according to pulmonary artery systolic pressure: non-PH, mild PH, moderate PH and severe PH groups. Serum NGAL levels were measured before operation, immediately after operation and 24 hours after operation. The relationship of serum NGAL level with PH and early prognosis was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mild, moderate and severe PH groups had significantly higher serum NGAL levels than the non-PH group, and the severer the PH, the higher the serum NGAL level (P<0.01). All groups showed significant decreases in serum NGAL levels after operation (P<0.01). Serum NGAL level was positively correlated with the degree of PH and length of stay in the intensive care unit (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Serum NGAL level increases in children with CHD and PH, and it gradually decreases after operation for closing the abnormal shunt. Serum NGAL level may be used as a serological indicator for evaluating the degree of PH and surgical outcome.</p>

A meta-analysis on efficacy of antifibrinolytic agents during perioperative period in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting treated with antiplatelet agents / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy of antifibrinolytic agents in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients receiving antiplatelet.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We searched PubMed, EMbase, Highwire, CENTREN and its affiliated clinical trial registration data center, CBMdisc and CNKI databases from 2000 to 2010. Randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy of anti-fibrinolytic agents (aprotinin and tranexamic acid) in CABG patients were identified. Study selection and meta-analysis were conducted according to the Cochrane Handbook for systematic reviews. Date were extracted from these trials by 2 reviewers independently and analyzed by RevMan 5.0 software.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Eleven RCT trials (n = 725) were included and data confirmed the efficacy of antifibrinolytic therapy in terms of reducing bleeding within 24 hours after operation (MD = -306.5 ml, 95%CI: -351.52 to -261.52, P < 0.01), number of patients who need blood transfusion (OR = 0.37, 95%CI: 0.26 to 0.51, P < 0.01), amount of blood transfusion (MD = -0.59 U, 95%CI: -0.69 to -0.50, P < 0.01), surgical re-exploration(OR = 0.27, 95%CI: 0.09 to 0.78, P = 0.02), and thrombotic events (OR = 0.49, 95%CI: 0.25 to 0.97, P = 0.04) in CABG patients receiving antiplatelet, while compared with blank treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This analysis showed that antifibrinolytic agents are effective for reducing bleeding within 24 hours after operation, amount of blood transfusion, surgical re-exploration and do not increase the incidence of thrombotic events in CABG patients receiving antiplatelet before operation.</p>

Effects of alligator Zhikegao on relieving cough dispelling phlegm and anti-inflammation / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To research the effects of Alligator Zhikegao on relieving cough, dispelling phlegm and anti-inflammation.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The coughing tests in mice, the phenol red secreting tests in mice, ear edema tests in mice,and paw edema tests and subcutaneous cotton ball granuloma in rats were adopted for observing the related pharmacological effects of Alligator Zhikegao.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Alligator Zhikegao could obviously prolong the latent period and decrease the times of mouse coughing, and remarkably inhibit the mouse ear edema (P < 0.001), the rat paw edema and the hyperplasia of subcutaneous cotton ball granuloma in rats. Alligator Zhikegao 11.70 g x kg(-1) could significant improve the carbonic clearances of macrophages (P <0.05) and the hemolysin level in serum (P <0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Alligator Zhikegao has significant effects on relieving cough, dispelling phlegm, anti-inflammation and immunological regulation.</p>