Objective To investigate the correlation between plasma aminoterminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level and severity of coronary artery lesions in patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Methods NSTEMI patients presenting to the Emergency Department and Department of Cardiology from January 2013 to March 2017 were divided into four groups: thrombosis without stenosis, single vessel disease, double vessel diseases, and three vessel diseases. The general situation of the patients, the plasma NT-proBNP, troponin T, echocardiogram and coronary angiography results were analyzed. Results A total of 88 patients were included including 6 in thrombosis without stenosis group, 20 in single vessel disease group, 31 in double vessel diseases group, and 31 in three vessel diseases group. The NT-proBNP level, left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end diastolic diameter, and coronary Gensini score in three vessel diseases group differed much from those in the other groups (P<0.05). The correlation of NT-proBNP with coronary Gensini score in all the patients was positve (t=0.663, P<0.05). Conclusion The level of plasma NT-proBNP in patients with NSTEMI is related to the severity of coronary artery disease.
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of intravenous diltiazem in controlling ventricular rate in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation. MethodWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients suffering from atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate presented to the Emergency Department between January 2014 and January 2015, and found that 57 elderly patients aged over 70 were treated with intravenous diltiazem for ventricular rate controlling. We analyzed the general situation of this group of patients, the changes of heart rate and mean arterial pressure before and after the treatment, and the adverse reactions to the treatment. ResultsThe total effective rate was 92.9%, and the mean onset time was (13.3±7.3) minutes. The mean arterial pressure showed no significant difference after treatment, and the heart function showed no significant deterioration. Only 4 patients (7.0%) had symptoms of transient hypotension. ConclusionsFor elderly patients with atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate, intravenous diltiazem can control the ventricular rate rapidly, efficiently, safely, and sustainably.
Objective To investigate the correlation between the initial arterial blood lactic acid and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) Ⅱ score in trauma patients and its value in prognosis. Methods From August 1st 2015 to July 31st 2016, the clinical data of trauma patients treated in Department of Emergency were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were divided into survival group and death group by observing 28-day prognosis. We compared the relationship between the initial blood lactate level and APACHEⅡ score, and analyzed the relationship between the above indexes and the prognosis of the patients. Results A total of 743 patients were enrolled, with692 in survival group and 51 in death group.The APACHEⅡ score and initial blood lactate level in the survival group [(9.93±4.62) points, (2.02±1.44) mmol/L] were significantly lower than those in the death group [(22.84±7.26) points, (4.60±3.69) mmol/L] with significant differences (t=18.20, 9.77; P<0.01). The APACHEⅡ score and the mortality rate of patients with lactic acid level >4 mmol/L were significantly higher than those of patients with lactic acid of 2-4 mmol/L and <2 mmol/L; the differences were significant (P<0.05). The blood lactate and mortality in patients with APACHEⅡ score >20 were significantly higher than those in the patients with ≤10 and 11-20; the differences were significant (P<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between initial blood lactate level and APACHEⅡ score (r=0.426, P<0.01). Conclusions The initial blood lactate level and APACHEⅡ score of trauma patients are correlated with the severity of injury and mortality. Both of the increase of initial blood lactic acid level and APACHEⅡ score suggest the risk of death in trauma patients.