Per-operative stent placement in the right pulmonary artery; a hybrid technique for the management of pulmonary artery branch stenosis at the time of pulmonary valve replacement in adult Fallot patients

After having undergone surgical correction at an early age, many patients with tetralogy of Fallot develop long-term complications including progressive pulmonary regurgitation and peripheral pulmonary stenosis. A high percentage of these patients need to undergo a second operation in their adolescence or early adulthood. If simultaneous treatment of both pulmonary regurgitation and peripheral pulmonary stenosis is warranted, a complete surgical approach has several disadvantages. We describe four cases of Fallot patients with severe pulmonary regurgitation and peripheral pulmonary stenosis who were treated using a hybrid approach involving surgical implantation of a pulmonary homograft and peroperative stenting of the pulmonary artery.     

Improvement in the severity of mitral regurgitation after direct intramyocardial injection of angiogenic cell precursor

We reported a case of dilated cardiomyopathy and moderate-severe mitral regurgitation (MR) who we treated by surgical direct intramyocardial angiogenic cell precursors injection. The patient was a New York Heart Association functional class III-IV, 56 year old man, who presented with end-stage congestive heart failure, moderate/severe mitral regurgitation, and myocardial fibrosis with the left ventricular ejection fraction of 13%. After he underwent direct surgical intramyocardial cell implantation, the myocardial fibrosis was resolved at 3 months follow-up. The severity of MR reduced to moderate and mild at 3 and 9 months, respectively. The left ventricular function gradually improved up to 53% at 19 months. To our knowledge, this is one of the only reports of successful direct surgical intramyocardial peripheral blood stem cell implantation to treat MR in dilated cardiomyopathy patient.     

应用同种带瓣管道重建右室流出道的危险因素分析

目的：评价采用同种带瓣管道行右室流出道重建术的临床效果,探讨影响手术效果及临床预后的因素。方法：回顾2002年11月至2010年11月期间应用同种带瓣管道行右室流出道重建患者的临床资料,分析患者手术前后的一般信息、血流动力学表现与临床预后的关系。结果：行右室流出道重建术后49例痊愈出院,5例死亡,存活率90．7％,死亡率9-3％。手术前后比较右室流出道内径较术前明显增加,右室一左室收缩压比值、右室-肺动脉压差较术前明显降低,三尖瓣反流、肺动脉瓣反流较术前加重,肺动脉瓣狭窄较术前减轻。统计分析表明患者死亡的危险因素有术后右室平均压、术后肺动脉-主动脉收缩压比值、术后二尖瓣反流。术后心胸比、术后肺动脉收缩压、术后肺动脉一主动脉收缩压比值、术后三尖瓣反流可能和术后患者ICU时间延长有关。McGoon指数、术后心胸比、术后肺动脉收缩压、术后右室平均压、术后肺动脉一主动脉收缩压比值、合并动脉导管未闭、术后三尖瓣反流可能和术后患者呼吸机时间延长有关。结论：复杂先天性心脏病患者采用同种带瓣管道重建右室流出道可以取得较满意的临床效果,术后流出道梗阻矫正满意,可以防止肺动脉返流导致的心脏损害。     

In vitro study of flow regulation for pulmonary insufficiency

Given the tolerance of the right heart circulation to mild regurgitation and gradient, we study the potential of using motionless devices to regulate the pulmonary circulation. In addition, we document the flow performance of two mechanical valves. A motionless diode, a nozzle, a mechanical bileaflet valve, and a tilting disk valve were tested in a pulmonary mock circulatory system over the normal human range of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). For the mechanical valves, regurgitant fractions (RFs) and transvalvular pressure gradients were found to be weak functions of PVR. On the low end of normal PVR, the bileaflet and tilting disk valves fluttered and would not fully close. Despite this anomaly, the regurgitant fraction of either valve did not change significantly. The values for RF and transvalvular gradient measured varied from 4 to 7% and 4 to 7 mm Hg, respectively, at 5 lpm for all tests. The diode valve was able to regulate flow with mild regurgitant fraction and trivial gradient but with values higher than either mechanical valve tested. Regurgitant fraction ranged from 2 to 17% in tests extending from PVR values of 1 to 4.5 mm Hg/lpm at 5 lpm and with concomitant increases in gradient up to 17 mm Hg. The regurgitant fraction for the nozzle increased from 2 to 23% over the range of PVR with gradients increasing to 18 mm Hg. The significant findings were: (1) the mechanical valves controlled regurgitation at normal physiological cardiac output and PVR even though they failed to close at some normal values of PVR and showed leaflet flutter; and (2) it may be possible to regulate the pulmonary circulation to tolerable levels using a motionless pulmonary valve device.     

Outcomes of Surgical Repair for Persistent Truncus Arteriosus from Neonates to Adults: A Single Center's Experience

Objective

This study aimed to report our experiences with surgical repair in patients of all ages with persistent truncus arteriosus.

Methods

From July 2004 to July 2014, 50 consecutive patients with persistent truncus arteriosus who underwent anatomical repair were included in the retrospective review. Median follow-up time was 3.4 years (range, 3 months to 10 years).

Results

Fifty patients underwent anatomical repair at a median age of 19.6 months (range, 20 days to 19.1 years). Thirty patients (60%) were older than one year. The preoperative pulmonary vascular resistance and mean pulmonary artery pressure were 4.1±2.1 (range, 0.1 to 8.9) units.m² and 64.3±17.9 (range, 38 to 101) mmHg, respectively. Significant truncal valve regurgitation was presented in 14 (28%) patients. Hospital death occurred in 3 patients, two due to pulmonary hypertensive crisis and the other due to pneumonia. Three late deaths occurred at 3, 4 and 11 months after surgery. The actuarial survival rates were 87.7% and 87.7% at 1 year and 5 years, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified significant preoperative truncal valve regurgitation was a risk factor for overall mortality (odds ratio, 7.584; 95%CI: 1.335–43.092; p = 0.022). Two patients required reoperation of truncal valve replacement. One patient underwent reintervention for conduit replacement. Freedom from reoperation at 5 years was 92.9%. At latest examination, there was one patient with moderate-to-severe truncal valve regurgitation and four with moderate. Three patients had residual pulmonary artery hypertension. All survivors were in New York Heart Association class I-II.

Conclusions

Complete repair of persistent truncus arteriosus can be achieved with a relatively low mortality and acceptable early- and mid-term results, even in cases with late presentation. Significant preoperative truncal valve regurgitation remains a risk factor for overall mortality. The long-term outcomes warrant further follow-up.     

RECONSTRUCTION OF THE RIGHT VENTRICULAR OUTFLOW TRACT WITH A POSTERIOR MONOCUSP VALVE

Reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract with sections of pericardium or with Dacron patches often leads to pulmonary regurgitation. This report presents a technique for minimizing regurgitation by creating a single posterior leaflet using the patient's own valve. After incision of the pulmonary artery and valvular ring, the valve is brought forward to cover the opening of the reconstructed pulmonary artery. This time-saving technique avoids the risk of calcification which usually accompanies the use of homografts and heterografts.     

Mitral re-repair and right coronary fistula closure: advantage of minimally invasive approach

A 51-year-old man developed severe mitral regurgitation 10 years after previous mitral valve repair; the echocardiographic images showed a remarkable eccentric jet toward posterior wall of left atrium associated with a high degree of pulmonary vein retrograde flow. The coronary arteriography pointed out no pathologic lesions but a coronary fistula from the proximal right coronary to the right atrium. The standard approach was avoided, and a right anterolateral minithoracotomy was chosen, providing an excellent view. Under cardiopulmonary bypass and mild hypothermia, the mitral valve was re-repaired, and a new ring was implanted. After aortic cross-clamp release, the right coronary fistula was closed through the right atrium. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the fourth postoperative day. In such a high-risk reintervention and concomitant procedure, we think that this different approach may represent a feasible and reliable alternative.     

改良Nikaidoh手术治疗合并肺动脉瓣狭窄的右室双出口

目的：总结改良Nikaidoh手术治疗右心室双出口（DORV）患者的临床经验,以提高手术疗效。方法：2例先天性心脏病右心室双出口伴肺动脉瓣狭窄行改良Nikaidoh手术,游离主动脉根部及冠状动脉,重建左心室流出道,以带单瓣牛心包片补片重建肺动脉及右心室流出道。结果：术后患者紫绀消失,复查心脏彩超仅有轻度肺动脉瓣关闭不全,未发现左、右心室流出道梗阻,康复出院。结论：采用改良Nikaidoh手术治疗伴肺动脉瓣狭窄的右室双出口,术后可获得良好的血流动力学效果,早期临床结果满意。     

Fluid–structure interaction in a fully coupled three-dimensional mitral–atrium–pulmonary model

This paper aims to investigate detailed mechanical interactions between the pulmonary haemodynamics and left heart function in pathophysiological situations (e.g. atrial fibrillation and acute mitral regurgitation). This is achieved by developing a complex computational framework for a coupled pulmonary circulation, left atrium and mitral valve model. The left atrium and mitral valve are modelled with physiologically realistic three-dimensional geometries, fibre-reinforced hyperelastic materials and fluid–structure interaction, and the pulmonary vessels are modelled as one-dimensional network ended with structured trees, with specified vessel geometries and wall material properties. This new coupled model reveals some interesting results which could be of diagnostic values. For example, the wave propagation through the pulmonary vasculature can lead to different arrival times for the second systolic flow wave (S2 wave) among the pulmonary veins, forming vortex rings inside the left atrium. In the case of acute mitral regurgitation, the left atrium experiences an increased energy dissipation and pressure elevation. The pulmonary veins can experience increased wave intensities, reversal flow during systole and increased early-diastolic flow wave (D wave), which in turn causes an additional flow wave across the mitral valve (L wave), as well as a reversal flow at the left atrial appendage orifice. In the case of atrial fibrillation, we show that the loss of active contraction is associated with a slower flow inside the left atrial appendage and disappearances of the late-diastole atrial reversal wave (AR wave) and the first systolic wave (S1 wave) in pulmonary veins. The haemodynamic changes along the pulmonary vessel trees on different scales from microscopic vessels to the main pulmonary artery can all be captured in this model. The work promises a potential in quantifying disease progression and medical treatments of various pulmonary diseases such as the pulmonary hypertension due to a left heart dysfunction.

     

Prognostic analysis of Behçet’s disease with aortic regurgitation or involvement

Background

Aortic regurgitation is the most common cardiovascular damage in Chinese patients with Behçet’s disease (BD) and is usually associated with aortic disease. These patients are easily misdiagnosed, and their prognosis is poor, even after surgical treatment. This study aimed to analyse potential factors that can improve the prognosis of BD patients with aortic regurgitation and/or aortic involvement.

Methods

Twenty-two patients with diagnosed or suspected BD as well as aortic regurgitation and/or aortic involvement in our hospital from 2012 through 2017 were collected in this study. Their clinical characteristics were listed, and the diagnosis of BD was evaluated by two different criteria sets. The influences of surgical treatment and immunosuppressive therapy (IST) on their prognosis were also explored.

Results

The diagnostic positive rate of the International Criteria for Behçet’s Disease was higher than that of the International Study Group criteria (kappa value 0.31, p?<?0.05), indicating that the diagnostic consistency between the criteria sets was poor. There was no significant difference in survival between patients who had undergone ≤?1 operation and those with ≥?2 operations. Aortic valve replacement alone or in combination with aortic root replacement had no significant effect on the incidence of reoperation or death, but IST did significantly reduce this incidence (p?<?0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the occurrence of reoperation or death between preoperative and postoperative IST versus postoperative IST only.

Conclusion

IST significantly improved the prognosis of BD patients with aortic regurgitation and/or aortic involvement.

     

室间隔缺损介入封堵和外科手术对瓣膜功能影响的对比研究

目的:通过对介入封堵治疗的室间隔缺损患者进行中长期临床随访,并和同期行外科修补手术的室间隔缺损患者进行对比,分析两种术式对心脏瓣膜功能的影响。方法:选择行介入封堵治疗患者279例(介入组),行外科手术修补治疗患者243例(手术组)。利用超声心动图检查瓣膜反流发生情况及随访转归情况,并对两组瓣膜反流的发生率进行对比研究。结果:术后短期介入组二尖瓣反流发生率较手术组高(P0.05),三尖瓣和主动脉瓣反流发生率两组相比无统计学差异。中长期随访中,三尖瓣反流、主动脉瓣反流以及二尖瓣反流两组相比均无统计学差异。结论:室间隔缺损介入封堵治疗疗效确切,安全性高,创伤较小。术前利用超声心动图对患者的严格筛选,术中熟练轻柔稳定的操作和适合封堵器的选择是减少介入封堵术后发生瓣膜反流最重要的因素。     

Surgery Issue: Solving the Puzzle of Chronic Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation

Chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation is a prevalent problem among patients following a myocardial infarction. Until recently, the pathophysiology was poorly understood, resulting in surgical strategies with suboptimal results and limited durability. The surgical approach has evolved from revascularization alone to an additional mitral valve procedure, replacement, or repair. When the valve was repaired, isolated annuloplasty was performed. The dilemma that surgeons had when repairing a mitral valve was which type of ring to use and what size. In all series with annuloplasty alone, the results were poor with very high recurrence rates. The primary feature of ischemic mitral regurgitation is a prolapse of the anterior leaflet at A3 ± A2. This prolapse can be caused by fibrotic elongation of the papillary muscle supporting A3 ± A2 or tethering of P3 by a ballooning posterior left ventricular wall. Using a technique that corrects this prolapse with Gore-Tex neochords, we have achieved excellent results with effective and durable correction of the ischemic mitral regurgitation.     

Effect of triiodothyronine-induced thyrotoxicosis on airway hyperresponsiveness

To determine whether thyrotoxicosis has an effect on the asthmatic state in subjects with mild asthma, airway responsiveness, lung function, and exercise capacity were measured in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial before and after liothyronine (triiodothyronine, T3)-induced thyrotoxicosis. Baseline evaluation of 15 subjects with mild asthma included clinical evaluation, thyroid and routine pulmonary function tests, airway responsiveness assessment by methacholine inhalation challenge, and a symptom-limited maximal exercise test. For all subjects, the initial testing revealed that the dose of methacholine which provoked a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1s (PD20) was in a range consistent with symptomatic asthma. There was no significant change in pulmonary function tests, airway reactivity (PD20), or exercise capacity in either the placebo or the T3-treated groups. Thyroid function tests confirmed mild sustained thyrotoxicosis in the T3-treated groups. We conclude that mild T3-induced thyrotoxicosis of 4-wk duration had no effect on lung function, airway responsiveness, or exercise capacity in subjects with mild asthma.     

Prognostic analysis of Behçet’s disease with aortic regurgitation or involvement

BackgroundAortic regurgitation is the most common cardiovascular damage in Chinese patients with Behçet’s disease (BD) and is usually associated with aortic disease. These patients are easily misdiagnosed, and their prognosis is poor, even after surgical treatment. This study aimed to analyse potential factors that can improve the prognosis of BD patients with aortic regurgitation and/or aortic involvement.MethodsTwenty-two patients with diagnosed or suspected BD as well as aortic regurgitation and/or aortic involvement in our hospital from 2012 through 2017 were collected in this study. Their clinical characteristics were listed, and the diagnosis of BD was evaluated by two different criteria sets. The influences of surgical treatment and immunosuppressive therapy (IST) on their prognosis were also explored.ResultsThe diagnostic positive rate of the International Criteria for Behçet’s Disease was higher than that of the International Study Group criteria (kappa value 0.31, p < 0.05), indicating that the diagnostic consistency between the criteria sets was poor. There was no significant difference in survival between patients who had undergone ≤ 1 operation and those with ≥ 2 operations. Aortic valve replacement alone or in combination with aortic root replacement had no significant effect on the incidence of reoperation or death, but IST did significantly reduce this incidence (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the occurrence of reoperation or death between preoperative and postoperative IST versus postoperative IST only.ConclusionIST significantly improved the prognosis of BD patients with aortic regurgitation and/or aortic involvement.Supplementary InformationThe online version of this article (10.1007/s12471-021-01567-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery: the effects of aortocoronary vein bypass on left ventricular function

The diagnosis, angiographic evaluation and surgical treatment by aortocoronary vein bypass are described in a 3½-year-old girl with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. The anomaly had resulted in cardiac dilatation, diminished left ventricular contractility, an aneurysm of the left ventricular free wall and mitral regurgitation.At the postoperative cardiac catheterization the graft was demonstrated to be patent, but a significant proportion of the flow to the left coronary artery was derived from anastomotic connections with the right coronary artery. The most striking evidence of improvement was obtained from the left ventricular volume studies which showed that the end systoiic volume had decreased from 85 to 49 ml./m.² with an increase in ejection fraction from 0.39 to 0.62, suggesting enhanced left ventricular contractility after surgery.The patient continues to do well and is free from symptoms.     

二尖瓣返流患者PCI术后的短期随访研究

目的:研究PCI治疗缺血性二尖瓣返流患者的临床疗效。方法:入选2015年3月至2016年8月在第二军医大学附属长海医院心血管内科确诊为冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病并植入支架(不包括急诊PCI、风湿性心脏病、心梗病史)的患者100例,将其分为无返流、轻度返流及中重度返流三组,对行PCI患者的术前与术后三月复查心脏彩超结果进行对比。结果:三组之间LVEF差异明显(62.57±2.76%vs 60.47±6.75%vs 48.54±9.96,p0.001);但各组之间的病变血管分布及支架植入个数比较差异并无明显统计学意义(P0.05);PCI术后二尖瓣返流改善值为(-0.43±0.51 mL vs 0.58±1.65 mL vs 4.27±5.12 mL,p0.001);LVEF变化值分别为(-0.13±3.05%vs 1.52±4.13%vs 6.23±6.87%,p0.001)。中重度返流患者PCI血运重建后返流量相对于轻度返流和无返流的患者明显减少(4.27±5.12 mL vs 0.58±1.65 mL,p0.001;4.27±5.12 mL vs-0.43±0.51 mL,p0.001),轻度返流组术后二尖瓣返流及LVEF较无返流组无明显改变(p0.05)。结论:LVEF和二尖瓣返流程度密切相关,而PCI对于重度缺血性二尖瓣返流疗效较好,但并未发现冠脉病变分布上及支架植入个数的差异。     

Effects of vagotomy and increased blood pressure on the incidence of decompression-induced pulmonary hemorrhage

Sixty eight male rats were divided into four groups. They were rapidly decompressed from one atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg) to an ambient pressure of 30 mmHg in 0.4 s. It was found that about half of the control animals (47%) revealed mild pulmonary hemorrhage, while all of the cervical vagotomized rats (100%) showed mild to severe pulmonary hemorrhage. Besides, 16 of 17 epinephrine injected rats (94%) and 15 of 17 carotid arteries occluded rats (88%) also exhibited decompression-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. The differences between control and experimental groups were statistically significant. The results suggest that during rapid decompression, the overexpansion of the alveoli accompanied by an increased pressure in the pulmonary vessels may be responsible for the production of pulmonary hemorrhage.     

The influence of prolonged semi-starvation on the incidence of pulmonary hemorrhage following rapid decompression

The tolerance of lung of unanesthetized male rats to rapid decompression from one atmospheric pressure to an ambient pressure of 30 mm Hg in 0.3 s was markedly reduced when the rats were previously subjected to prolonged semi-starvation for 1.5 to 3 months. It was observed that 46.7% of the control animals revealed mild pulmonary hemorrhage, while all of the semi-starved rats (100%) exhibited mild to severe pulmonary hemorrhage. Besides, the average dry lung weight of the control group was 406 mg while the value for the semi-starved animals was 279 mg. The difference was highly significant statistically. The significant weight loss of the lung could indicate certain degree of lung atrophy. Such an atrophy of pulmonary tissue might be responsible for the decreased tolerance of lung to rapid decompression. The frequency of occurrence and the severity of the pulmonary hemorrhage may thus be increased.     

不同三尖瓣成形术治疗风湿性二尖瓣病变合并三尖瓣关闭不全临床研究

目的:比较行不同成形术治疗风湿性二尖瓣病变合并功能性三尖瓣关闭不全的外科疗效。方法:选取风湿性二尖瓣病变合并功能性三尖瓣关闭不全患者119例,按照治疗方法将患者分为对照组、三尖瓣人工环植入成形术组(成形环组)以及三尖瓣缝线成形术(缝线组),分别统计患者年龄、性别、手术方式、术前及术后心功能分级等指标,采用t检验对患者术前、术后2周以及术后6个月心脏各腔内径进行统计学分析。结果:患者行三尖瓣人工环植入成形术以及三尖瓣缝线成形术治疗后,心脏各腔内径均明显缩小,成形环组患者术后心脏内径缩小最显著,行三尖瓣缝线成形术患者次之。术前成形环组左心房、右心房以及右心室内径较对照组扩大明显(P0.05);术前缝线组左心房、右心房以及右心室内径较对照组扩大明显(P0.05);术前成形环组与缝线组右心房、右心室内径组间无明显差异;术后2周以及术后6个月三组间左心房内径无明显差异(P0.05)。术后2周成形环组以及缝线组右心房以及右心室内径仍大于对照组(P0.05),术前成形环组与缝线组组间无显著差异。术后6个月成形环组右心房以及右心室内径较缝线组显著缩小(P0.05),成形环组和对照组间无明显差异。结论:治疗风湿性二尖瓣病变合并功能性三尖瓣关闭不全的方法中,三尖瓣人工环植入成形术效果优于三尖瓣缝线环缩术。