A Case of Intermediate Type Atrioventricular Septal Defect Associated with a Membranous Ventricular Septal Aneurysm in a 70-Year-Old Female Patient / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

The case was a 70-year-old female. Atrioventricular septal defect was diagnosed in her childhood, however, surgical treatment had not been performed. The patient had suffered from heart failure at the age of 69, and she was referred to our hospital for treatment. Her diagnosis was intermediate type atrioventricular septal defect, moderate left atrioventricular valve regurgitation, membranous ventricular septal aneurysm and atrial flutter. An autologous pericardial patch was used to close the ostium primum type atrial septal defect associated with simultaneous covering of membranous ventricular septal aneurysmal wall. Concomitant left and right atrioventricular valvuloplasty and arrhythmia surgery were performed. Her postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged from our department on the 16th postoperative day. To our knowledge, there are few reports of surgery for incomplete type atrioventricular septal defect in the elderly and no report for intermediate type atrioventricular septal defect in Japan. In incomplete type atrioventricular septal defect, symptoms such as supraventricular arrhythmia and heart failure develop according to aging. Reported surgical results in the elderly are quite good, and improvement of excise tolerance is expected. Precise evaluation and proper indication of surgical treatment is mandatory even in older patients.

Results of reoperation of left atrioventricular valve after atrioventricular septal defect repair / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:This study aims to review two surgical techniques results of the reoperation for left atrioventricular valve(LAVV) failure in repaired atrioventricular septal defect.Methods:All consecutive patients with repaired atrioventricular septal defect(AVSD) who underwent redo-LAVV surgery from 2005 to 2019 were included. Patients with single ventricles, banding, atrial isomerism, and complex associated anomalies were excluded. Univariate analysis included repair and replacement. Data analyzed included number and year of primary AVSD and redo-LAVV operation, morphology of AVSD, mortality, and reoperation, early and long-term survival.Results:There were a total of 28 patients including 7 boys(25%) with age of 114.5 months(63.0-194.5 months). The mean body weight was 28.55 kg(15.5-55.9 kg). There were 11(39.3%) patients with complete AVSD and 17(60.7%) with partial AVSD, and 21(75%) patients with LAVV valvuloplasty(LAVVP), 7(25%) patients with LAVV replacement(LAVVR). The aortic cross clamp time was significantly longer in patients who underwent LAVVR compared to LAVVP[LAVVR 94 min(79-107)min vs. LAVVP 66 min(45-83 min), P<0.05]. The technique of cleft closure with LAVVP 18(87.5%) more than LAVVR 2(28.6%), P<0.05. Conclusion:The postoperative left atrio-ventricular valve(LAVV) regurgitation is the main reason of the reoperation. The technique of cleft closure with LVVR-Repair is favorable. At follow-up, survivors with re-LVVR-Repair have high rates with numerous operations.

Fibras musculares cardíacas en las cúspides de la valva atrioventricular izquierda humana / Cardiac muscle fibers at the cusps of the human left atrioventricular valve

Las valvas cardíacas y especialmente la valva atrioventricular izquierda (VAVI) ha sido considerada por largo tiempo, como una estructura pasiva. Sin embargo, han surgido nuevas teorías que reconocen a esta estructura como una "valva viva", con un funcionamiento de mayor autonomía y dinámico. En esta línea, existen estudios en donde se ha concluido que la ausencia de tejidos contráctiles en una valva, generan ondulaciones no fisiológicas. Por el contrario, se ha señalado la presencia de tejido contráctil en la valva, lo que refleja una activación ondulante. Basado en lo anterior, el objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la presencia de fibras musculares cardíacas en las cúspides de la VAVI. Se utilizaron 12 cúspides, 6 anteriores y 6 posteriores, de 7 cadáveres adultos (4) y lactantes (3) de distintas edades, sin patologías cardíacas. Las muestras pertenecían a la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Estadual de Ciencias da Saúde de Alagoas, Maceió, Brasil. Estas muestras fueron tratadas con procesamiento histológico de rutina. Los hallazgos morfológicos a un aumento de 4x mostraron células musculares que fueron visibles principalmente por el lado atrial en la totalidad de las cúspides, tanto inmersas en el tejido conectivo denso del anillo fibroso como en el tejido conectivo laxo. Al verificar la naturaleza de las fibras con un aumento mayor (100x), se detectaron estrías transversales en todas las muestras estudiadas, lo cual afirma la presencia de fibras musculares estríadas cardíacas en la VAVI. Los resultados obtenidos aportan al conocimiento de la microestructura y tejido contráctil de las cúspides de la VAVI. Por lo tanto, resulta de gran relevancia seguir profundizando en los conocimientos morfológicos de la VAVI, para sentar una base sólida sobre la microestructura contráctil en los diferentes estadíos del ser humano.

Cardiac valves and particularly, the left atrioventricular valve (LAVV) have long been considered passive structures. Nonetheless, there are more recent hypothesis that recognize this structure as a "living valve", with greater autonomy and dynamic function. Along these lines, some studies have concluded that the absence of contractile tissues in a valve, generates non-physiological undulations. In contrast, the presence of contractile tissue in the valve has been reported, reflecting a waving activation. Based on the above, the objective of the present study was to determine the presence of cardiac muscle fibers in the cusps of the LAVV. 12 cusps, 6 anterior and 6 posterior. Therefore, 7 adult (4) and lactating (3) bodies of different ages without cardiac pathologies were used. The samples belonged to the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidade de Ciencias da Saude de Alagos, Maceió, Brazil. The samples were treated with routine histological processing. Morphological findings at an increase of 4x showed muscle cells that were visible mainly from the atrial side in all the cusps, both immersed in the dense connective tissue of the fibrous ring and in loose connective tissue. Transverse striations were detected in all samples studied, when verifying the nature of the fibers with greater increase (100x), confirming the presence of cardiac striated muscle fibers in the LAVV. The results obtained contribute to the knowledge of the microstructure and contractile tissue of the LAVV cusps. Therefore it is relevant to further morphological knowledge of this valve, in order to build a solid foundation on the contractile microstructure in the different stages of the human development.

Analysis of risk factors for second replacement of left atrioventricular valve / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To assess the factors influencing the early and mid-term survival of patients receiving a second replacement of the left atrioventricular valve, so as to provide guidance for clinical practice. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 55 patients who underwent a second replacement of the left atrioventricular valve between Jan. 2005 and Dec. 2010 at Changhai Hospital. Their survival rate and its risk factors were analyzed. The control group included patients who received their first left atrioventricular valve replacement at the same hospital and had matched age, sex, and operation time. Univariate and multivariate Cox survival analyses were used to assess the survival risk factors at 30 days and 3 years after operation. Results The 30-day, 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates of patients after reoperation were 92. 7%, 89. 1%,83. 6%, and 81.8%, respectively, which were not significantly different from those of the control group(94. 5%, 92. 7%, 90. 9%, and 87. 3%, respectively). The left ventricular ejection fraction was the only independent predictor of 30-day survival of patients after reoperation (P = 0. 018, RR= 15. 33). Diabetes mellitus and left ventricular ejection fraction were the independent predictors of 3-year survival (P = 0. 039,RR = 6. 242 and P = 0. 001,RR= 91. 957, respectively). Conclusion The early and mid-term mortality rates are not significantly different between the first and second replacement of left atrioventricular valve. Left ventricular ejection fraction is the only independent predictor of early-term survival after re-replacement of left atrioventricular valve; diabetes mellitus and left ventricular ejection fraction are the independent predictors of mid-term survival.

The microfibril-elastin fiber system distribution in left atrioventricular valve of the rat / Distribución del sistema de microfibrillas y fibras de elastina en la valva atrioventricular izquierda de la rata

The microfibril-elastin fiber system, an important constituent of the extracellular matrix, was studied in the rat left atrioventricular valve to investigate the interrelationship of oxytalan, elaunin and elastic fibers in left atrioventricular valve morphology. The elastin fibers forms continuous bundles observed along the length of the valve in atrial and ventricular layers and oriented parallel to endothelium. The elaunin and oxytalan fibers are distributed in the thickest fiber bundles along the length of the valve. The thinner fibers which radiated towards both the atrial and spongiosa layers, either as isolated or arborescent fiber bundles were identified as oxytalan fibers. With transmission electron microscopy elastic fibers were seen mainly in the atrial layer. The spongiosa layer was composed of elaunin and oxytalan fibers and ventricular layer showed elaunin fibers arranged in continuous bundles parallel to the endothelium. Both fibrillin and elastin were seen and identified by immunocytochemistry with colloidal gold in the left atrioventricular valve spongiosa and atrial layers. These observations allow us to suggest that the microfibril-elastin fiber system plays a role in the mechanical protection and maintenance of the integrity of the rat left atrioventricular valve.

Fue estudiado el sistema de fibras microfibrillas-elastina, un componente importante de la matriz extracelular, en la valva atrioventricular izquierda de rata, con la finalidad de investigar la interrelación de oxitalán, elaunin y fibras elásticas en la morfología de dicha valva. Las fibras de elastina forman paquetes continuos a lo largo de la valva en las capas atriales y ventriculares, orientadas paralelamente al endotelio. Las fibras de elaunin y oxitalán se distribuyen en haces de fibras más gruesas a lo largo de la valva. Las fibras más delgadas, las cuales se irradiaban hacia las capas atrial y esponjosa, ya sea como haces de fibras aisladas o arborescentes, fueron identificadas como fibras oxitalán. En la capa atrial a través de microscopía electrónica de transmisión se observaron principalmente fibras elásticas. La capa esponjosa estaba compuesta por fibras de elaunin y oxitalán; la capa ventricular mostró fibras de elaunin dispuestas en haces continuos paralelos al endotelio. Tanto fibrilina y elastina se observaron e identificaron por inmunocitoquímica con oro coloidal en las capas esponjosa y atrial de la valva atrioventricular izquierda. Estas observaciones nos permiten sugerir que el sistema de fibras de elastina-microfibrillas tienen participación en la protección mecánica y la mantención de la integridad de la valva atrioventricular izquierda en la rata.