Changes in early postoperative outcomes and complications observed in a single center during the 2022 COVID-19 pandemic wave in China: A single-center ambispective cohort study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Currently, the effect of the 2022 nationwide coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) wave on the perioperative prognosis of surgical patients in China is unclear. Thus, we aimed to explore its influence on postoperative morbidity and mortality in surgical patients.@*METHODS@#An ambispective cohort study was conducted at Xijing Hospital, China. We collected 10-day time-series data from December 29 until January 7 for the 2018-2022 period. The primary outcome was major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo class III-V). The association between COVID-19 exposure and postoperative prognosis was explored by comparing consecutive 5-year data at the population level and by comparing patients with and without COVID-19 exposure at the patient level.@*RESULTS@#The entire cohort consisted of 3350 patients (age: 48.5 ± 19.2 years), including 1759 females (52.5%). Overall, 961 (28.7%) underwent emergency surgery, and 553 (16.5%) had COVID-19 exposure (from the 2022 cohort). At the population level, major postoperative complications occurred in 5.9% (42/707), 5.7% (53/935), 5.1% (46/901), 9.4% (11/117), and 22.0% (152/690) patients in the 2018-2022 cohorts, respectively. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the 2022 cohort (80% patients with COVID-19 history) had a significantly higher postoperative major complication risk than did the 2018 cohort (adjusted risk difference [aRD], 14.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.5-18.4%); adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 8.19 (95% CI, 5.24-12.81)). At the patient level, the incidence of major postoperative complications was significantly greater in patients with (24.6%, 136/553) than that in patients without COVID-19 history (6.0% [168/2797]; aRD, 17.8% [95% CI, 13.6-22.1%]; aOR, 7.89 [95% CI, 5.76-10.83]). Secondary outcomes of postoperative pulmonary complications were consistent with primary findings. These findings were verified through sensitivity analyses using time-series data projections and propensity score matching.@*CONCLUSION@#Based on a single-center observation, patients with recent COVID-19 exposure were likely to have a high incidence of major postoperative complications.@*REGISTRATION@#NCT05677815 at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ .

Establishment of risk prediction models of acute renal injury after cardiac surgery: a literature analysis / 中华麻醉学杂志

Acute renal injury (AKI) is one of the serious complications after cardiac surgery.The incidence of AKI after cardiac surgery was 5%-42%.It is independently associated with an increase in costs of treatment, prolongation of hospital stay, and increase in short- and long-term mortality rates.Currently, there is no effective treatment for AKI after cardiac surgery.Early identification of high-risk patients, early prevention and early treatment can reduce the incidence and severity of AKI after cardiac surgery.Risk prediction models of AKI after cardiac surgery can help clinicians identify high-risk patients and thus carry out corresponding measures.This paper aimed to provide a reference for the use of the model and to indicate the direction for further research though analyzing the literature information about the establishment of risk prediction model of AKI after cardiac surgery in recent years.

Long-term outcomes of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in patients aged over 75 years / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the long-term outcomes of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) in patients aged over 75 years and analyze the risk factors affecting the outcomes of the procedure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data were reviewed for 97 consecutive patients aged 75 years or above receiving OPCAB at our center between November, 2000 and November, 2013. The perioperative data including length of ICU stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, incidence of postoperative complications and mortality rate of the patients were analyzed. The follow-up data of the patients were also analyzed including all-cause mortality rate and major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE, including myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular event, and repeated revascularization).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The perioperative mortality rate was 3.09% (3/97) in these patients. Of the 97 patients analyzed, 91 (93%) were available for follow-up for 29-192 months (with a median of 95.61∓34.07 months). The 10-year survival rate of the patients was 62% with a 10-year MACCE-free survival rate of 47.4%. During the follow-up, 6 (6.8%) patients underwent repeated revascularization procedures, 12 (12.37%) had cerebrovascular accidents and 5 (5.15%) had myocardial infarction. Logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension (OR=1.388, P=0.043) and diabetes (OR=1.692, P=0.017) were independent predictors of MACCE, and incomplete revascularization did not increase the risk of postoperative MACCE.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>OPCAB is safe and effective in elderly patients with good long-term outcomes. Hypertension and diabetes are independent risk factors of MACCE, and adequate control of blood pressure and blood glucose can reduce the incidence of postoperative MACCE. Incomplete revascularization is not detrimental to the long-term outcomes of OPCAB in elderly patients.</p>

Application of etomidate target controlled infusion in the total thoracoscopic mitral valve replacement surgery / 临床麻醉学杂志

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of the etomidate target controlled in-fusion (TCI)in the total thoracoscopic mitral valve replacement surgery.Methods One hundred and ten patients,aged 29-55 years,48 males and 62 females with ASA grade Ⅱ or Ⅲ rheumatic mitral valve disease planned to be corrected with total thoracoscopic mitral valve replacement surgery were randomly divided into group E and group P,55 cases in each group.In group E,etomidate-sufentanil target controlled infusion was used for induction (the initiate plasma concentration of etomidate was 0.2 ng/ml and increased 0.1 ng/ml per minute according to the bispectral index and the effect-site concentration of sufentanil was maintained at 1.0 ng/ml)and maintenance.In group P,using propo-fol-sufentanil target controlled infusion for induction (the initiate plasma concentration of propofol was 1.0 ng/ml and increased 0.3 ng/ml per minute according to the bispectral index and the effect-site concentration of sufentanil was maintained at 1.0 ng/ml)and maintenance.We documented the incidence of hypotension during the induction phase, recorded the basic clinical parameters of patients,the dosage of vasopressors during induction and sufentanil during anesthesia,time of eyelash reflex absence,operation time,CPB time,clamping time,APACHE Ⅱ score when enter CCU,pos-itive inotropic score 24 h postoperatively,wakening time,mechanical ventilation time,CCU stay,in-hospital stay,blood glucose and lactic acid preoperatively,2,6,24 h postoperatively,cortisol,aldo-sterone and adrenocorticotropin preoperatively and 24 h postoperatively and postoperative complications in both groups.Results The incidence of hypotension during induction in group E was much lower than that in group P (P<0.05).The dosage of norepinephrine during the induction in group E were much less than group P (P <0.05).The wakening time,mechanical ventilation time,CCU stay and in-hospital stay in group E were significantly shorter than group P (P <0.05).The blood glucose and lactic acid at postoperative 2,6,24 h were much higher than the preoperative value within each group (P <0.05).They reached the maxim at 6 h postoperatively and began to decline at 24 h postoperatively. Blood glucose and lactic acid at all the time points between two groups were similar.Cortisol at 24 h postoperatively was much higher than the preoperative value in group P (P <0.05).The dosage of cortisol and aldosterone 24 h postoperatively in group E were much less than that in group P (P <0.05).The incidence of postoperative lung infection in hospital in group E was remarkably lower than that in group P (P <0.05).Conclusion Etomidate target controlled infusion can maintain stable he-modynamics during the induction period, shorten postoperative recovery time and reduce postoperative lung infection obviously,which can be safely used in total thoracoscopic mitral valve re-placement surgery.

Perioperative Red Blood Cell Transfusion: What We Do Not Know / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Blood transfusion saves lives but may also increase the risk of injury. The objective of this review was to evaluate the possible adverse effects related to transfusion of red blood cell (RBC) concentrates stored for prolonged periods.</p><p><b>DATA SOURCES</b>The data used in this review were mainly from PubMed articles published in English up to February 2015.</p><p><b>STUDY SELECTION</b>Clinical and basic research articles were selected according to their relevance to this topic.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ex vivo changes to RBC that occur during storage are collectively called storage lesion. It is still inconclusive if transfusion of RBC with storage lesion has clinical relevance. Multiple ongoing prospective randomized controlled trials are aimed to clarify this clinical issue. It was observed that the adverse events related to stored RBC transfusion were prominent in certain patient populations, including trauma, critical care, pediatric, and cardiac surgery patients, which leads to the investigation of underlying mechanisms. It is demonstrated that free hemoglobin toxicity, decreasing of nitric oxide bioavailability, and free iron-induced increasing of inflammation may play an important role in this process.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is still unclear whether transfusion of older RBC has adverse effects, and if so, which factors determine such clinical effects. However, considering the magnitude of transfusion and the widespread medical significance, potential preventive strategies should be considered, especially for the susceptible recipients.</p>

Preliminary study of HCT-CI score system for prognosis prediction in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia after chemotherapy / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the value of the HCT-CI score in chemotherapy risk assessment and prognosis of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 116 AML patients older than 60 years in the department of Hematology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2000 to December 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients received cytarabine-based regimens, including protocol DA, MA, IA, AA or CAG, followed by cytarabine-based postremission treatment. (1) Comorbidities were evaluated by using HCT-CI score, the early death rates and median survival time were compared among these different groups. (2) These prognostic factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) All 116 cases were followed-up. The patient cohort was divided into those with HCT-CI scores of 0, 1 or 2, or ≥ 3. Early death rates were 3.7%, 12.1% and 23.21% in above three groups, respectively (P < 0.01). Overall survival were 345, 225 and 113 days, respectively (P < 0.01). (2) HCT-CI score ≥ 3 (P < 0.01), antecedent MDS history (P = 0.035), high-risk karyotype (P = 0.018), white blood cells at diagnosis ≥ 100×10(9)/L (P = 0.041) were independent adverse prognostic factors with multivariate analysis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>(1) The HCT-CI score can objectively assess elderly AML patients with comorbidities and predict chemotherapy risk in older patients receiving AML induction therapy. (2) Antecedent MDS history, high-risk karyotype, high white blood cell, and HCT-CI score ≥ 3 are independent adverse prognostic factors of elderly AML patients.</p>

Study on the diagnostic value of lung biopsy in hematologic patients with lung infection / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the diagnostic value and safety of percutaneous lung biopsy in hematologic patients with lung infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>28 cases hematologic patients received CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy when they developed a fever associated with pulmonary nodules or lumps in CT scan whose clinical diagnosis were unclear during or after chemotherapy. Sample of each lesion were drawn twice. The lung tissue was re-scanned after lung biopsy to check up in order to discover bleeding and pneumothorax. Biopsy tissue was examined by bacteria culture, acid-fast staining and pathology. Pathological examination contained HE staining, acid-fast stain, PAS stain, TB-DNA, methenamine silver and others.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>28 cases contain 24 males and 4 females. Median age was 40 15 - 77 years old. Blood tests were as follows: 3 cases with HGB > 110 g/L, 9 with HGB 90 - 110 g/L, 12 with HGB 60 - 89 g/L, 4 with HGB < 60 g/L. 8 with WBC > 10×10(9)/L, 6 with WBC (4 - 10)×10(9)/L, 13 with WBC < 4×10(9)/L, 1 with WBC < 2×10(9)/L; 14 with PLT > 100×10(9)/L, 5 with PLT (50 - 100)×10(9)/L, 5 with PLT < 50×10(9)/L, 4 with PLT < 30×10(9)/L. 4 cases had mild extended PT, 3 mild extended APTT, 3 FIB lower than normal. Lung CT scans were as follows: 4 cases with simply lesion in right lung, 4 with simply lesion in left lung, 20 with lesions in bilateral lung. 8 cases were diagnosed as fungal infection, 3 as tuberculosis infection, 1 as lung cancer, 1 as pulmonary infiltration of lymphoma, 1 as pulmonary infiltration of leukemia, and 14 as inflammatory changes with no specific diagnosis. 4 cases came with pneumothorax during lung biopsy, mild to moderate in 3 cases and severe in 1 case. Severe patient turned better after CT-guided suction. 3 cases with mild hemoptysis turned better after treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>When hematopathy patients are with pulmonary nodules or lumps in CT scan whose clinical diagnosis is unclear, CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy is safe and conducive to early diagnosis and conducive to early rehabilitation of patients if the coagulation function is basically normal and platelet count is not too low.</p>

Surgical treatment with modified Morrow procedure in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the experience of ventricular septal myectomy (modified Morrow procedure) in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From June 2003 to March 2011, 38 patients (26 male and 12 female) with HOCM underwent modified Morrow procedure. The mean age was 36.3 years (ranging from 18 to 64 years). The diagnosis was made by echocardiography and spiral CT. The mean systolic gradient between the left ventricle and the aorta from transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was (89±31) mmHg (ranging from 50 to 184 mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) before operation. There was moderate or severe systolic anterior motion (SAM) in 38 cases and mitral regurgitation in 29 cases. Ventricular septal myectomy with modified Morrow procedure was performed in all 38 cases. TEE was used intraoperatively to evaluate the results of the surgical procedures. After 1 to 2 weeks of operation, TTE was performed to evaluate the effect of operation. All patients were followed up with TTE after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were discharged without complications. Intraoperative TEE showed that the mean systolic gradient between the left ventricle and the aorta was decreased from (95±36) mmHg before procedures to (14±11) mmHg after operation (t=13.265, P=0.000), and the thickness of ventricular septum was decreased from (28±8) mm to (12±3) mm (t=11.656, P=0.000). TTE showed that the mean systolic gradient between the left ventricle and the aorta was decreased from (89±31) mmHg preoperatively to (18±13) mmHg (t=12.729, P=0.000) in 1 to 2 weeks after operation. Mitral regurgitation and SAM were significantly improved or disappeared (t=7.930, t=5.213, both P=0.000). During the follow-up, all patients promptly became completely asymptomatic or complained of mild effort dyspnea only and syncope was abolished, and TTE showed that the pressure gradient was kept on the postoperative level or slightly decreased (P=0.494).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Ventricular septal myectomy with modified Morrow procedure is a mostly effective method for patients with HOCM. Good surgical exposure and the hypertrophied septum thoroughly excised are paramount for successful surgery.</p>

Prosthesis-patient mismatch in the mitral valve position: the initial result of a single-institutional observational study in China / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analysis the causes of valve prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) after mitral valve replacement in Chinese patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Consecutive 100 patients for elective mitral valve replacement from January 2009 to June 2009 were enrolled and followed for this study. There were 37 males and 63 females. The mean age at operation was (52 ± 9) years (ranging 32 to 76 years). The predominant mitral valve lesion was stenosis in 60 patients, regurgitation in 14 patients and mixed in 26 patients. Among them, 63 patients were combined tricuspid valve regurgitation. Mitral valve effective orifice area was measured by Doppler echocardiography in 100 patients who received mitral valve replacement and indexed for body surface area (EOAI). PPM was defined as not clinically significant if the EOAI was above 1.2 cm(2)/m(2), as moderate if it was >0.9 and ≤ 1.2 cm(2)/m(2), and as severe if it was ≤ 0.9 cm(2)/m(2). By using the criteria, all 100 patients were classified to two groups: PPM group and no PPM group. The clinical characteristic of the patients between the two groups was compared to determine the causes of PPM and the predictors of outcomes after mitral valve replacement, such as the gender, age, valve prosthesis type, size, body surface area, and mitral valve lesion, et al.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 100 patients after MVR, 52 (52.0%) had significant PPM, 51 (51.0%) had moderate PPM, and 1 (1.0%) had severe PPM. In comparison to patients in no PPM group, patients in PPM group had a significantly larger body surface area [(1.76 ± 0.17) m(2) vs. (1.59 ± 0.13) m(2), P < 0.01] and higher prevalence of male gender (55.8% vs. 16.6%, P < 0.01). The other preoperative and operative data were similar in both groups, such as the valve prosthesis type, size, and mitral valve lesion, et al. There were no significant differences in postoperative Doppler-echocardiographic data of cardiac structure and heart function between the two groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The higher incidence of PPM in mitral valve position was in male or large body surface area patients. At the time of operation, surgeons should consider the related factors, such as the patient's gender and body surface area, et al. A larger prosthesis size might be implanted to avoid PPM in mitral valve position.</p>

Assessment of intraventricular mechanical synchrony in systole by tissue synchronization imaging in normal subjects / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate intraventricular mechanical synchrony in systole by real-time tri-plane tissue synchronization imaging (TSI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Real-time tri-plane TSI was performed in 20 normal subjects, and the apical 4-chamber, 2-chamber and long-axis views of the left ventricular (LV) were obtained simultaneously. The data were post-processed offline, and a TSI surface map of LV colorized according to the time-to-positive peak systolic velocity (TTP) was generated to reflect the segment TTP semi-quantitatively. The segmental TTP of the six-basal and six-mid segments of LV was measured and compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The myocardium was color-coded mainly by well-distributed green, and only a small portion displayed yellow or red color in the apical area; the TTP showed no significant differences between the segments measured (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In normal subjects, the long-axis systolic motions of the LV are highly synchronized. TSI allows immediate visual identification of intraventricular mechanical synchrony and quantitative measurement of regional TTP.</p>

miRNA deregulation in multiple myeloma / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy and is the second most common hematological cancer. It is characterized by complex, recurrent genetic and epigenetic abnormalities. Recent publications have linked miRNAs, a novel class of gene regulators to cancer including MM. miRNAs are about 20 nucleotide, single strand, non-coding RNAs that repress gene expression by mRNA degradation or translational repression. Aberrant miRNA expression profiles have been described in MM, and their functional roles in MM pathogenesis are being increasingly recognized. This review summarizes the current literature on the role of miRNAs in MM and offers perspectives on future research and utilization of miRNAs in MM management.

Effects of peri-operative intra-aortic balloon pump support in high EuroSCORE patients undergoing cardiac surgery / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the effects of perioperative intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support in EuroSCORE high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery, and evaluate the risk factors associated with mortality and midterm survival.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-eight patients with EuroSCORE of no less than 6 underwent cardiac surgery and received peri-operative IABP support, including 29 with preoperative IABP support, 21 with intra-operative IABP support, and 8 with postoperative IABP support. The patients who survived the surgeries were followed up for at least 1 year.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Complications related to IABP support occurred in 2 cases (3.45%). The in-hospital mortality was 6.89% (4/58) in this series. Patients with intra-operative IABP had a lower ejection fraction, and those with pre-operative IABP showed more frequent unstable angina and recent myocardial infarction. The number of emergency procedures was also significantly higher in patients with pre-operative IABP support. Patients with intra- or postoperative IABP support had a longer ICU stay. The 1-year follow-up was completed in 54 patients and 4 deaths were recorded, with a 1-year survival of 86.21%. The 1-year survival rate was significantly higher in patients with preo- and intra-operative IABP support than those with post-operative IABP.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Peri-operative IABP support benefit cardiac support for cardiac surgery, and its preoperative use does not increase the surgical risk. Early prophylactic IABP support according to the EuroSCORE can improve the outcome of the high-risk cardiac surgery.</p>

Live three-dimensional and two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography for evaluating functional anatomy of mitral regurgitation: a comparative study / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the accuracy of live three-dimensional (Live-3D-TEE) and two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2D-TEE) in the evaluation of functional anatomy of mitral regurgitation. METHDOS: Thirty-eight consecutive patients with severe mitral regurgitation were enrolled prospectively. The accuracy of Live-3D-TEE and 2D-TEE for functional assessment of mitral regurgitation was evaluated against surgical findings.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The accuracy in etiological assessment of mitral regurgitation was 94.7% with Live-3D-TEE and 89.5% with 2D-TEE (P=0.09). For assessment of lesions of the mitral valve, Live-3D-TEE showed an overall accuracy of 93.2%, significantly higher than that of 2D-TEE (88.6%, P=0.001). Live-3D-TEE also showed a significantly higher accuracy than 2D-TEE in localization of mitral valve lesions (93.3% vs 86.7%, P=0.000).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both Live-3D-TEE and 2D-TEE allow accurate assessment of the etiology of mitral regurgitation, but Live-3D-TEE can be more accurate in the evaluation of the lesions of the mitral valve and their localization.</p>

Analysis on the risk factors of intracardial thrombus after prosthetic valve replacement: a 1-year follow-up study / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analysis the risk factors predicting intracardial thrombus after prosthetic valve replacement.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 29 cases from January 2005 to April 2009 with intracardial thrombus after prosthetic valve replacement during a 1-year follow-up was retrospectively analyzed. There were 11 male and 18 female, aged from 12 to 70 years with a mean of 48 years. The risk factors of intracardial thrombus were examined by univariate and multivariate analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Univariate analysis found that bioprosthetic valve replacement, anticoagulation using aspirin, valve replacement at mitral position, atrial fibrillation, preoperative and postoperative internal diameter of left atrium, postoperative fibrinogen were predict factors of intracardial thrombus after prosthetic valve replacement (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed valve replacement at mitral position (OR = 9.815, P < 0.05), atrial fibrillation (OR = 5.267, P < 0.05), preoperative internal diameter of left atrium (OR = 4.529, P < 0.05) were significant risk factors of intracardial thrombus after prosthetic valve replacement.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Valve replacement at mitral position, atrial fibrillation, and preoperative internal diameter of left atrium are the correlated risk factors of intracardial thrombus after prosthetic valve replacement. Anticoagulation after prosthetic valve (especially bioprosthetic valve) replacement should be standardized to prevent intracardial thrombus formation.</p>

Surgical treatment of isolated right-sided infective endocarditis / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the surgical treatment and outcomes of isolated right-sided infective endocarditis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 1994 to February 2009, 28 patients with isolated right-sided infective endocarditis underwent operation whose clinical data was retrospectively reviewed. There were 18 male and 10 female, age ranged from 10 to 72 years with a mean of 38 years. All of the patients presented intermittent fever, 14 patients presented heart failure (NYHA class III or IV), 25 patients had a history of pulmonary embolism or pneumonia, 18 patients had positive culture; 27 patients had intra-cardiac vegetations confirmed by echocardiogram. All the operations were performed under cardiopulmonary bypass. Antibiotic therapy continued for another 2 to 3 weeks after surgery.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One patient had underwent re-operation due to mediastinal bleeding, 2 patients needed mechanical ventilation for more than 1 week after surgery, renal dysfunction occurred in 3 patients. After surgery, 11 patients presented with mild or moderate tricuspid regurgitation before discharge. One patient (3.6%) died in hospital after surgery due to severe infection and multi-organ failure, the other 27 patients were cured and discharged. Patients were followed up for 6 months to 15 years.NYHA class decreased in all patients, and the symptoms of heart failure improved significantly after surgery. No recurrent case was found.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Surgery is an effective treatment for isolated right-sided infective endocarditis with congenital heart disease or right heart implants. Good outcomes are observed in these settings.</p>

Structural and functional changes of postoperative small left ventricle patients / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the perioperative features of surgical treatment in valvular patients with small left ventricle, and investigate the postoperative early structural changes of left ventricle and its correlation with cardiac function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 51 patients with small left ventricle underwent mitral valve replacement from January 2003 to August 2008. There were 7 males and 44 females with mean age of (48 +/- 5) years old. The mean pathologic course was (18 +/- 9) years old. The concomitant procedures included aortic valve replacement in 6 cases, coronary artery bypass grafting in 1 case, tricuspid valvular plasty in 48 cases, left atrial thrombi scavenging in 36 cases, and left atrium folding in 42 cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The perioperative mortality was 3.9% (2/51). Fourteen patients (27.5%) suffered from severe low-output syndrome in the earlier period postoperatively. Among them, 5 patients needed secondary cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to assist circulation, with the result of 1 patient died of weaning off CPB unsuccessfully, 1 patient revived with intra-aortic balloon pump assisted for another 2 d after termination of CPB and another 1 patient died of multiple organ failure (MOF) 10 d later. Eleven cases complicated with MOF. Five patients complicated with ventricular arrhythmia. The echocardiographic examinations showed that the left ventricular dimensions didn't expand significantly postoperatively at 7 to 14 d postoperatively. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) was (36.5 +/- 3.2) mm preoperatively and (38.6 +/- 5.3) mm postoperatively (P > 0.05). Preoperative LVEDD index (LVEDDI) was (45.9 +/- 3.8) ml/m(2) and postoperative LVEDDI was (48.2 +/- 7.4) ml/m(2) (P > 0.05). The contract function of left ventricle was improved postoperatively but with no statistical significance. Ejection fraction was 48.6% +/- 6.7% preoperatively and 52.8% +/- 8.3% postoperatively. Left ventricular fraction shortness was 25.5% +/- 3.3% preoperatively and 27.1% +/- 1.3% postoperatively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>For the patients with small left ventricle usually, the postoperative emphases should be put on the management of low output syndrome. The decreased dimension of left ventricle doesn't expand in the early period after valvular operation.</p>

Diagnostic study on the coronary artery bypass grafts lesions using 64 multi-slice computed tomography angiography / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy in the assessment of coronary artery bypass grafts using 64 multi-slice computed tomography angiography (64-MSCTA) technology.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>There were 228 patients post coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) underwent 64-MSCTA from July 2005 to April 2007. Thirty-one patients with 82 bypass grafts performed coronary angiography (CAG) because of angina or grafts lesion showed by 64-MSCTA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All bypass grafts could be visualized by 64-MSCTA. Thirteen bypass graft occlusions and fourteen significant stenosis were detected by 64-MSCTA and confirmed by CAG. One venous grafts distal anastomosis was missed and another one was miss diagnosed as stenosis. One false negative and one false positive CT-finding resulted in a sensitivity of 93.3%, a specificity of 98.1%, a positive predictive value of 93.3%, a negative predictive value of 98.1% and an accuracy of 97.1% for grafts stenosis. As to the grafts lesion, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy for grafts occlusion were 96.4%, 98.1%, 96.4%, 98.1% and 97.6%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>64-MSCTA demonstrates high diagnostic accuracy in the assessment of graft patency and suitable for the follow-up of patients post CABG.</p>

Shenfu injection attenuates neurotoxicity of bupivacaine in cultured mouse spinal cord neurons / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Our previous in vivo study in the rat demonstrates that Shenfu injection, a clinically used extract preparation from Chinese herbs, attenuates neural and cardiac toxicity induced by intravenous infusion of bupivacaine, a local anesthetic. This study was designed to investigate whether bupivacaine could induce a toxic effect in primary cultured mouse spinal cord neuron and if so, whether the Shenfu injection had a similar neuroprotective effect in the cell model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The spinal cords from 11- to 14-day-old fetal mice were minced and incubated. Cytarabine was added into the medium to inhibit the proliferation of non-neuronal cells. The immunocytochemical staining of beta-tubulin was used to determine the identity of cultured cells. The cultured neurons were randomly assigned into three sets treated with various doses of bupivacaine, Shenfu and bupivacaine + Shenfu, for 48 hours respectively. Cell viability in each group was analyzed by methyl thiazoleterazolium (MTT) assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The viability of the cultured neurons treated with bupivacaine at concentrations of 0.01%, 0.02%, 0.04% and 0.08% was decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Although the Shenfu injection at concentrations ranging from 1/50 to 1/12.5 (V/V) had no significant influence on the viability of cultured neurons (P < 0.05 vs control), the injection significantly increased the cellular viability of cultured neurons pretreated with 0.03% bupivacaine (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Although Shenfu injection itself has no effect on spinal neurons, it was able to reduce the bupivacaine-induced neurotoxicity in vitro.</p>

The safety of the mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in elderly donors / 中国基层医药

Objective To explore the safety of the mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells(PBSC)by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF)in elderly donors.Methods 28 peripheral arteriosclerotic occlusive disease(PAOD)elderly patients(aged≥60 years),and 29 healthy sibling young/adult donors(aged＜60 years)for peripheral allogenic stem cell transplantation were included.Blood samples were collected immediately before starting G-CSF and prior to PBSC collection to analyze the following parameters:the WBC counts,fibrinogen(FIB),D-dimer (D-D),thrombin antithrombin complex(TAT),antithrombin(AT)and yon Willebrand factor antigen(vWF:Ag). Results It had a very significant increase in D-D and vWF:Ag and a very significant decrease of AT(P＜0.01),af- ter mobilization by G-CSF,and a increase in FIB and TAT were also observed(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)in elderly group.In the young/aduh group,the increase in FIB was significant(P＜0.05).The elevating extent of D-D and TAT after G-CSF administration was significantly higher in elderly group than that in young/adult group(P＜0.05).Compared to young/adult group,there was a significant increase in thrombotic events and cerebrovascular ac- cident(P＜0.05).Conclusion In PBCS donorsreceiving G-CSF it reveals activation of both coagulation and en- dothelial cells and inhibition of anticoagulant system that can favor the developing of thrombotic events,which is more remarkable in elderly donors.Therefore a careful monitoring for coagulation system should be considered in those elderly cases.