If one word is used to describe the development of congenital heart disease surgery in China, "hardship" would be the most appropriate. Generations of pioneers have used their ingenuity to overcome obstacles and promoted the development of the discipline. Seventy years of efforts have established the world's largest congenital heart disease treatment system. However, the huge number of potential patients, low early diagnosis rate and over-screening as well as the uneven developed diagnosis and treatment capabilities hinder the future development. The overall improvement of treatment of congenital heart disease in China lies on more efforts from our fellow experts. The publication of the "Chinese expert consensus on surgical treatment of congenital heart diseases" undoubtedly provides theoretical and practical guidance for the improvement of treatment.
Abstract: Objective To investigate changes of left ventricularregional systolic function after surgical treatment of left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) by realtime threedimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE). Methods From February 2009 to February 2010, 14 consecutive patients who were diagnosed to have coronary artery diseases with LVA underwent surgical repair and coronary artery bypass grafting (LVA group) in our hospital. All patients of the LVA group were followed up for a mean period of 4 months. Twodimensional echocardiography (2DE) and RT-3DE were performed before operation and during the follow-up. Left ventricular regional ejection fraction (EF) was acquired by Qlab software analysis. At the same time, 12 healthy persons were included as controls (control group). Statistical analyses were carried out to compare left ventricular regional EF between the LVA group (before operation and 4 months after operation) and the control group. Results Contrary to the control group, preoperative regional EF of the LVA group increased from apex to base. In addition to the inferior basal segment, lateralinferior basal segment and anteriorinferior basal segment, regional EF in the remaining 14 segments were significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). At postoperative followup, regional EF recovered the increase from base to apex, and there was no significant difference between anteriorinferior segment and lateral segment regional EF of the LVA group and those of the control group (P>0.05), while regional EF of other segments in the LVA group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion RT-3DE is an effective method to assess left ventricular regional systolic function in patients with LVA. After LVA repair and coronary artery bypass grafting, regional systolic function will restore to the normal direction of progressive increase, and some nonaneurysm segments systolic function will go back to normal.
Objective To introduce a modified REV procedure of complicated transposition of the great arteries (TGA) or double outlet right ventricle (DORV) which was combined with ventrieular septal defect (VSD) and pulmonary valve stenosis(PS). Methods From Sep. 2005 to Feb. 2006, 3 children with complicated transposition of the great arteries underwent a modified REV operation. This modified REV operation was designed on the basis of classical REV procedure to preserve the native pulmonary artery valve and its function. Results Two patients recovered uneventfully but one died after extraeorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) treatment. After 4 and 1 months follow-up respectively, the discharged 2 patients were asymptomatie and the eehoeardiography revealed that the pressure gradient between left ventrieular-main pulmonary were estimated to be 15 and 5mmHg. Conclusion This modified REV operation for preservation of pulmonary artery valve is an ideal procedure to complicated transposition of the great arteries. Advantages and disadvantages of this modified REV procedure were discussed.
Abstract: Objectives To evaluate the early and mid-term follow-up outcomes of “one-stop” hybrid coronary revascularization strategy for patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. Methods From June 2007 to December 2009, 104 consecutive patients underwent “one-stop”hybrid coronary revascularization in Fu Wai Hospital. There were 93 male patients and 11 female patients with mean age of (61.8±10.2)years(ranging from 35 to 81 years). All the patients had multivessel coronary artery disease including left anterior descending (LAD)coronary artery stenosis, and underwent “one-stop”hybrid coronary revascularization. “One-stop”hybrid procedure was first performed through a lower partial sternotomy at the second left intercostal space. The distal anastomosis of in situ left internal mammary artery (LIMA)to LAD graft was completed. Angiography was performed immediately to confirm patency of the LIMA graft after closure of the thorax. A 300 mg loading dose of clopidogrel was administered through a nasogastric tube after confirmation of LIMA graft patency. Intravenous unfractionated heparin was administered to obtain an activated clotting time of greater than 250 s. Then percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)was performed on the non-LAD lesions. Results All the patients underwent“one-stop”hybrid coronary revascularization including grafted LIMA to LAD,and one hundred and ninety one drug eluting stents and three bare metal stents were used for other non-LAD lesions. No death event occurred during surgery and in hospital. All the patients were followed up for a mean duration of 1.5 years. There was no myocardial infarction, neurologic event or death occurred during follow-up except one patient with stent stenosis who was treated by PCI. Conclusion “One-stop” hybrid coronary revascularization is a feasible and safe alternative for patients with multivessel coronary artery disease.
Objective Engineer heart tissue (EHT) was constructed with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and poly lacticacidCOglycolic acid (PLGA), and grafted onto the surface of myocardial infarction rats. We hypothesized that great omentum wrapping would increase EHT blood supply and ameliorate EHT microenvironment which is in favor of cardiac collagen remodling and heart function. We hope that omentun wrapped EHT could provide a valuable strategy for surgically myocardial infarction therapy. Methods MSCs were isolated from SD rats.Eight weeks after SD rats were subjected to left anterior descending (LAD) ligation, 18 rats were enrolled and divided into three groups, group A(n=6): great omentum wrapped MSCsPLGA EHT implantation; group B (n=6):MSCsPLGA EHT implantation; control group (n=6): the myocardial infarction; the sham group (n=6): only opened and closed chest, underwent LAD ligation, but no EHT implantation. Four weeks after transplantation, the following variables were evaluated: specimen stained with picrosirius red, left ventricle function evaluated by echocardiography, infarction ventricular wall motion by color kinesis (CK). Results Hearts of group A showed significantly less fibrosis than group B and control group (Plt;0.05). Infarction ventricular wall motion assessed by CK indicated significantly improvement in group A compared with group B and control group (Plt;0.05). Four weeks after transplantation, cardiac echocardiography showed left ventricle ejection fraction was lower in control group and group B compared with group A (Plt;0.05). Conclusion Transplantation of MSCsPLGA EHT with great omentum wrapping ameliorated infarction ventricular collagen remodeling, ameliorated infarction ventricular wall motion and preserved left ventricular function.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility of using acellular bovine pericardium as a viable tissue engineering vascular patch.MethodsFresh bovine pericardium was treated by enzyme detergent cell extraction, then they were used as vascular patches, ovine jugular vein segments were harvested, separated into endothelial and myofibroblast cells, expanded in cell culture, sequentially seeded onto acellular bovine pericardium patches (3cm×3cm). After 7 days of in vitro culture, the autologous cell/patches as experimental group ( n =5) were used to replace partial pulmonary artery wall. Animals were sacrificed at 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 weeks. The acellular bovine pericardium patches without autologous cells were used as control group ( n =3). Animals were sacrificed at intervals of 4, 12 and 24 weeks. Explanted patches were evaluated by macroscopic and histologic examinations, assayed for calcium, elastin and collagen content.ResultsAll animals were survived without complications of thrombosis and aneurysm before sacrificed; there was no significant difference in calcium content in two groups; elastin ratio assay showed progressive increase over 4 to 24 weeks, similar to normal pulmonary artery wall, suggesting an ongoing tissue remodeling.ConclusionThe acellular bovine pericardium patch with or without autologous cell seeded to a certain extent can be changed into viable vascular wall tissue after being used to replace partial ovine pulmonary artery wall.
Abstract: Objective To investigate the clinical application of a novel modified aortic and pulmonic translocation in surgical repair of transposition of great arteries(TGA) with ventricular septal defect(VSD) and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction(LVOTO). Methods Five patients received surgical repair of the TGA with VSD and LVOTO at our heart center. The surgical technique used was a modification of the Nikaidoh procedure by which the native pulmonary root was preserved and translocated to reconstruct the right ventricular outflow tract. Two patients with atrioventricular discordance required a Senning procedure. Results All patients survived the operation and were discharged from the hospital. There were no major complications. At a median follow-up of 5.40 months, the echocardiography demonstrated normal ventricular function in all patients. No residual aortic stenosis or insufficiency was found in all the patients. Two patients had mild pulmonary insufficiency. Conclusions The novel modification of the Nikaidoh procedure may have excellent early results with minimal postoperative pulmonary insufficiency. The procedure may also allow growth of the pulmonary root and therefore decrease the need for reoperation. However, this has to be further investigated and long-term follow-up studies are warranted.
Objective [WTBZ]To assess the impact of dual antiplatelet therapy using aspirin and clopidogrel on postoperative bleeding and blood transfusion early after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods [WTBZ]In this randomized controlled trial, 249 patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups after coronary artery bypass grafting from December 2007 to December 2008. Daily clopidogrel (75 mg) and aspirin (100 mg) were initiated in 124 patients (group AC) while aspirin (100 mg) alone was administered to 125 patients (group A). Antiplatelet therapy was initiated within 48h postoperatively. Demographic, operative, and postoperative data were compared between the two groups. Chest tube drainage and quantity of blood products used in both groups were recorded. The effects of the antiplatelet regimen on chest tube drainage were compared using a linear regression model. Results [WTBZ]No statistical difference of demographic, operative, and preoperative data was observed between the two groups (Pgt;0.05). Chest tube drainage after patients received ntiplatelet agents was not significantly different between group A and group AC(495.00±270.89 ml vs. 489.25±316.68ml,t=0.146, P=0.884). No statistical difference of cases of transfusion(81 cases vs. 91 cases,χ2=1.937, P=0.164) or quantity of red cells (2.51±2.88 U vs. 2.25±2.87 U, t=0.690, P=0.491) and plasma (195.45±300.88 ml vs. 223.01±238.68 ml,t=0.759, P=0.449) transfused was found between group A and group AC. No perioperative mortality, reexploration or extrathoracic bleeding occurred in either group. Early postoperative use of dual antiplatelet therapy was not associated with increased bleeding after coronary artery bypass grafting on multivariable analysis(r=2.297,95%CI:-64.526,69.121,P=0.946). Conclusionpresent study suggests that according to a predefined administration protocol, dual antiplatelet therapy of aspirin and clopidogrel can safely be administered in the early postoperative period in CABG patients, without increasing the risk of bleeding complications.
Objective To summarize and analyze the clinical outcomes and experiences of continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT) in patients with acute renal insufficiency after heart transplantation. Methods There were 39 patients received orthotopic heart transplantation from September 2007 to September 2008 in Fu Wai hospital. Seven cases required the use of PRISMA CRRT machine (Gambro Healthcare,Inc.) because of acute renal insufficiency after heart transplantation, and received continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration(CVVHDF) treatment via M100 blood filter (hemofilters). Activated coagulation time (ACT) was maintained in 160200 s. Results Six survivals with New York Heart Association (NYHA)Ⅰdischarged ,1 case died of multiple system organ failure (MSOF) and severe infection. The time of CRRT was 48658 h, with an average of 252 h. Seven patients were oliguric or anuric during CRRT, but hemodynamics and internal environment were stable. After stopping CRRT, the creatinine level rose to 267.1±68.5 μmol/L, then the creatinine level decreased to normal range with urine increasing gradually. Postoperative glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 56.5±19.0 ml/min, and there was no statistical significance compared with preoperative GFR(Pgt;0.05). Six survivals were followed up for 513(9.7±3.8)months,and their creatinine level was in normal range(90.6±26.7 μmol/L). There was no statistical significance compared with the creatinine level at discharge (83.2±26.5 μmol/L, Pgt;0.05). Conclusion The prognostic outcomes of patients with acute renal insufficiency after heart ransplantation are excellent after using CRRT. No significant renal dysfunction is found.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and associated with incremental morbidity and mortality. It is implicated that multiple reentry circuits have been the dominant mechanism of AF. The classical surgical treatment for medically refractory AF is the maze procedure composed of aultiple cuts and sutures within the atrial walls to disrupt the abnormal reentry circuits. Although the maze procedure is recognized as the most effective treatment of AF, it is complicated, time consuming and much invasive. New surgical ablation therapy, applying alternate energy sources (cryothermy, radiofrequency, microwave) have evolved to simplify the maze procedure without cut and suture and demonstrated promising success rates. The optimal lesion set has not yet been defined, Modification of lesion sets and techniques that ensure continuous and transmural lesions may improve the outcomes of ablation therapy and recover rate of sinus rhythm.