Spinal factors affecting pulmonary function in patients with scoliosis / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate pulmonary function impairment and the spinal factors that may determine pulmonary function in patients with scoliosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-eight patients with idiopathic scoliosis or congenital scoliosis and 78 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. The radiographic parameters of spinal deformity were obtained from patients with scoliosis. Both two groups received pulmonary function tests.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Patients with scoliosis demonstrated a restrictive pattern of pulmonary function impairment with a proportional decrease in both forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity. Total lung capacity and functional residual capacity were reduced. Carbon monoxide diffusion capacity was decreased, while diffusion coefficient remained normal or slightly higher. Airway resistance and conductance were not affected. In addition, airway resistance and residual volume were found abnormal in patients with congenital scoliosis. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that three spinal factors including involved thoracic vertebrae, vertical height from C7 to S1, and Cobb angle were independently responsible for 40%-51% of total variances of forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, total lung capacity, and functional residual capacity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Patients with scoliosis have restrictive ventilation defects. More thoracic vertebrae involvement, lower vertical height, and larger Cobb angle are associated with severer impairment of lung volume.</p>

Efficacy and safety of low molecular weight heparin prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism following lumbar decompression surgery / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) after lumbar decompression surgery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients at high or the highest risk of VTE who underwent lumbar spine surgery in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2004 to April 2011 were included in the present study. All the patients received a half dose of LMWH 6 hours after surgery followed by a full dose LMWH once per day until discharge. We recorded incidences of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), bleeding complications, and medication side effects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seventy-eight consecutive patients were eligible and enrolled in this study. The mean hospital stat was 8.5±4.5 days. No symptomatic DVT, PE, or major bleeding events were observed. One patient developed wound ecchymosis, another developed wound bleeding, four had mild hepatic aminotransferase level elevation, and one developed a suspicious allergic reaction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>LMWH may be applied as an effective and safe prophylaxis for VTE in high-risk patients undergoing lumbar decompression surgery.</p>