Effect of intra-arterial heparin flushing (IAHF) to prestin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in hearing loss patients

Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hearing loss is the fourth largest disability globally, affecting an estimated 466 million people in 2018. In Indonesia, the prevalence of hearing loss was estimated at 16.8% in 2016. Intra-Arterial Heparin Flushing (IAHF) is an endovascular technique that uses heparin to promote reperfusion and increases Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) expression. VEGF is a polypeptide angiogenesis factor present in the nervous system, which functions as a neurotrophic and neuroprotective. Meanwhile, prestin is a protein of outer ear hair cells that shows early signs of hearing loss through increased levels in cases of ear hair cell damage. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of IAHF on prestin and VEGF levels in hearing-impaired patients. Methods: The design is experimental with Pre-Post Test One-Group Only. A total of 22 patients with hearing loss were measured for prestin and VEGF before and 4 hours after the IAHF procedure. Results: The results of the Wilcoxon test showed no significant differences in prestin level (p=0.658) and VEGF level (p=0.291) before and after the IAHF procedure. The mean showed an insignificant decrease in prestin level before and after the IAHF procedure with values of 1,185+1,229 pg/mL and 1,096+1,183 pg/mL, respectively. However, the VEGF level insignificantly increased before and after the procedure with values of 484.83+274.6 pg/mL and 498.79+257.7 pg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: There were no significant differences in prestin and VEGF levels before and after the IAHF procedure. However, there was a decrease in the prestin level and an increase in the VEGF level

Effect of intra-arterial heparin flushing (IAHF) to prestin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in hearing loss patients

Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hearing loss is the fourth largest disability globally, affecting an estimated 466 million people in 2018. In Indonesia, the prevalence of hearing loss was estimated at 16.8% in 2016. Intra-Arterial Heparin Flushing (IAHF) is an endovascular technique that uses heparin to promote reperfusion and increases Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) expression. VEGF is a polypeptide angiogenesis factor present in the nervous system, which functions as a neurotrophic and neuroprotective. Meanwhile, prestin is a protein of outer ear hair cells that shows early signs of hearing loss through increased levels in cases of ear hair cell damage. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of IAHF on prestin and VEGF levels in hearing-impaired patients. Methods: The design is experimental with Pre-Post Test One-Group Only. A total of 22 patients with hearing loss were measured for prestin and VEGF before and 4 hours after the IAHF procedure. Results: The results of the Wilcoxon test showed no significant differences in prestin level (p=0.658) and VEGF level (p=0.291) before and after the IAHF procedure. The mean showed an insignificant decrease in prestin level before and after the IAHF procedure with values of 1,185+1,229 pg/mL and 1,096+1,183 pg/mL, respectively. However, the VEGF level insignificantly increased before and after the procedure with values of 484.83+274.6 pg/mL and 498.79+257.7 pg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: There were no significant differences in prestin and VEGF levels before and after the IAHF procedure. However, there was a decrease in the prestin level and an increase in the VEGF level

Transcatheter Closure of Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect Using the Lifetech Konar-Multi Functional Occluder: Early to Midterm Results of the Indonesian Multicenter Study

Background: The alternative device to close perimembranous ventricular septal defect (pmVSD) has been searched for better result, less complications and applicable for infants. However, the ideal device is still unavailable. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and outcome of transcatheter pmVSD closure using the KONAR-multi functional occluder (MFO). Methods: Clinical, procedural, follow-up data of pmVSD patients with symptom of heart failure or evidence of significant left to right shunt, growth failure, recurrent respiratory tract infection, and history of endocarditis who underwent transcatheter closure using the MFO were prospectively evaluated. Results: Between January 2016 and December 2017, there were complete records of 132 pmVSD children closed using MFO from eleven centers in Indonesia. The median of age was 4.5 (0.3-17.4) years; weight 14.8 (3.5-57) kg, defect size at the smallest part 3.4 (1.0-8.1) mm, flow ratio 1.6 (1.3-4.9), mean pulmonary artery pressure 18 (7-79) mmHg, fluoroscopy time 18 (3.8-91) and procedural time 75 (26-290) minutes. A retrograde approach was done in 41 (31%) patients. Procedures succeeded in first attempt in 126 (95.4%), failed in three and migration in three patients. Six of eight infants with congestive heart failure were closed successfully. Of 126 patients with successful VSD closure, 12 months follow-up were completed in all patients. The rate of complete occlusion at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after intervention were 95.2%, 97.6%, 99.2%, and 99.2%, respectively. New-onset aortic regurgitation and moderate tricuspid regurgitation developed only in five and three patients. Neither complete atrioventricular block, nor other complications occurred. Conclusion: Transcatheter closure of pmVSD using the MFO is safe, effective, and feasible in infants and children