Clinical efficacy and application value of percutaneous interventional treatment for / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To investigate the clinical efficacy and application value of percutaneous interventional treatment for structural heart diseases under guidance of ultrasound. Methods    The clinical data of 1 010 patients with structural heart diseases treated by transcutaneous ultrasound-guided occlusion in our hospital from December 2, 2015 to December 31, 2019 were retrospectively reviewed, including 360 males and 650 females, aged 1-50 years. There were 692 patients of atrial septal defect (603 with central type, 9 combined with arterial catheter, 80 with ethmoid type), 116 patent foramen ovale, 25 ventricular septal defects (3 combined with atrial septal defect), 132 patent ductus arteriosus, 32 pulmonary valve stenosis (3 combined with atrial defect), 1 main pulmonary artery window, and 3 aneurysm rupture of aortic sinus. All patients were diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) before operation. Treatment was accomplished intraoperatively through TTE or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) via the femoral artery or femoral vein. After operation, echocardiography, electrocardiogram and chest radiograph were reexamined. Results    Satisfactory results were obtained in 1 005 patients, and 1 patient failed to seal the ventricular defect and was repaired under direct vision, occluder detachment occurred in 5 patients after operation (3 patients of atrial septal defects underwent thoracotomy for Amplatzer device and were repaired, 1 patient of atrial septal defects was closed after removing Amplatzer device, 1 patient of patent ductus arteriosus underwent thoracotomy for Amplatzer device and was sutured), mild pulmonary valve regurgitation occurred after balloon dilation in 2 patients with pulmonary stenosis, a small amount  of residual shunt was found in 2 patients with ventricular defect, which disappeared after 3 months of follow-up, and 1 patient of right bundle branch block occurred and disappeared after 1 week. After follow-up of 1-24 months, 3 patients of ethmoidal atrial septal defect were reexamined with mild shunt. The occluder was in good position and the pressure difference of pulmonary valve was significantly reduced. There was no complication such as hemolysis, arrhythmia, embolism or rupture of chordae tendinae. Conclusion    Percutaneous transfemoral artery and vein guided by TTE or TEE is safe and effective, with little trauma, no radiation or contrast agent damage, and has significant clinical efficacy and application values.

Valvuloplastia mitral percutánea con balón: experiencia en el Cardiocentro de Santiago de Cuba / Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty: experiences at the Cardiocentro in Santiago de Cuba

RESUMEN Introducción: La valvuloplastia mitral percutánea con balón actualmente es el primer procedimiento terapéutico que se contempla en el mundo desarrollado para los pacientes con estenosis mitral reumática e indicación para ello, y se realiza en el Cardiocentro de Santiago de Cuba desde julio de 2008. Objetivos: Describir los resultados de la valvuloplastia mitral percutánea con balón en los pacientes estudiados. Método: Se realizó un estudio observacional y descriptivo, unicéntrico, que incluyó a 91 pacientes tratados mediante este procedimiento en el Cardiocentro de Santiago de Cuba, desde julio de 2008 hasta junio de 2019. Se evaluaron variables clínico-epidemiológicas, ecocardiográficas y hemodinámicas, así como el resultado inmediato del procedimiento. Resultados: Predominaron los pacientes jóvenes (60,4% entre 15-44 años), del sexo femenino (86,8%), con antecedentes de fiebre reumática (48,4%), en clase funcional III (64,8%) de la NYHA (New York Heart Association) y en ritmo sinusal (86,8%). Se logró un aumento promedio del área valvular de más del doble (0,99 vs. 2,12 cm2) del valor inicial y una reducción de la presión auricular mayor de 50% (25,0 vs.11, 76 mmHg), lo que permitió evaluar de satisfactorio el tratamiento en el 95,6% de los pacientes. Se identificó una asociación significativa (Prueba de Fisher ≤ 0,05) entre la puntuación de Wilkins ≤ 8 y el resultado satisfactorio del procedimiento. Conclusiones: Los resultados de la aplicación de la valvuloplastia mitral percutánea con balón en el centro fueron satisfactorios y congruentes con los referidos nacional e internacionalmente.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty has flourished as a mainstream therapy (mostly in developed countries) for treating patients with medical indication and those suffering from rheumatic mitral stenosis. This procedure is performed at the Cardiocentro in Santiago de Cuba since July 2008. Objectives: To describe the results of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty in the study participants. Methods: A descriptive, single-centered and observational study including 91 patients treated by this procedure was conducted at the Cardiocentro in Santiago de Cuba from July 2008 to June 2019. Clinical/epidemiological, echocardiographic and hemodynamic variables were assessed, as well as immediate procedure outcomes. Results: Young individuals (60.4% between 15-44 years), female (86.8%), with a history of rheumatic fever (48.4%), NYHA (New York Heart Association) functional class III (64.8%) and sinus rhythm (86.8%) predominated. An average increase in valve area of over double (0.99 vs. 2.12 cm2) the initial value and a reduction in atrial pressure of more than 50% (25 vs. 11.76 mmHg) was achieved; thus evidencing that the treatment was effective in 95.6% of the patients. A significant association (Fisher Test ≤ 0.05) was identified between Wilkins score ≤ 8 and satisfactory outcome of the procedure. Conclusions: The results of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty in the medical center were successful and consistent with those achieved nationally and internationally.

Reestructuración del abordaje de la patología estructural cardiaca en tiempos de pandemia por COVID-19 / Restructuring of the approach to structural pathology Cardiac in times of pandemic by COVID-19

Resumen La red sanitaria en el entorno de la pandemia por COVID-19 ha sufrido un gran impacto. La reorganización de la misma ha sido fundamental para poder atender la emergencia sanitaria, y en algunos países, ha sido incluso de forma abrupta. La atención oportuna de las enfermedades cardiovasculares continúa siendo una prioridad por la elevada mortalidad que ella implica especialmente en estadios muy avanzados de la enfermedad, y la modificación en la atención médica en el contexto actual no puede afectar la asistencia de patologías cardíacas. Los programas de cardiología estructural y cirugía cardíaca en nuestro país se han consolidado y crecido en los últimos años, ofreciendo múltiples procedimientos percutáneos o mínimamente invasivos para cardiopatías de alta morbimortalidad. La continuación de los mismos, a pesar de las dificultades por la pandemia, es necesaria en ciertos casos. Este documento reúne las principales recomendaciones basados en textos internacionales al respecto, para mantener el cuidado cardiovascular en Costa Rica pese al COVID-19 en el ámbito de la cardiopatía estructural.

Abstract The health system in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic has suffered a great impact. Thus, organization has been essential in maintaining the ability to respond to the health emergency, and in some countries, it has even been abrupt. The treatment of cardiovascular diseases continues to be a priority, and the modification of medical care in the current context cannot affect the timely procedures of cardiac pathologies. The structural cardiology and cardiac surgery programs in our country have been consolidated and grown in recent years, offering multiple percutaneous or minimally invasive procedures for heart disease with high morbidity and mortality. Their continuation, despite the difficulties caused by the outbreak, is necessary in certain cases. This document brings together the main recommendations based on international guidelines and experts opinions in this regard, to maintain cardiovascular care in Costa Rica despite COVID-19.

Cardiac sympathetic denervation for conventional treatment refractory arrhythmias / Denervación simpática cardíaca en arritmias refractarias al tratamiento convencional

Abstract Objective: Cardiac sympathetic denervation (CSD) using video-assisted thoracoscopy is a therapeutic alternative for cardiac arrhythmias refractory to conventional treatment in patients with ventricular structural heart disease, mainly due to ischemia, and in patients with hereditary conditions associated with sudden death such as long QT syndrome. In general, it is performed in cases with recurrent episodes of ventricular tachycardia or electrical storm, in spite of conventional treatment. The objective of this study is to show the experience of this institution with DSCI in refractory patients to conventional management and the results derived from its application. Methods: This was an observational retrospective study. The records of patients with a history of ventricular arrhythmias treated in our center with pharmacological treatment, catheter ablation, or implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), who underwent video-assisted CSD were analyzed and described. Results: A total of six patients were included in the study. Patients with structural heart disease were the most frequent, median age was 56 � 16 years; 67% were male. The procedure evolved without complications in any of the patients and an overall significant improvement was observed. A 24-month follow-up was conducted; two patients had recurrence episodes presenting as slow ventricular tachycardia without severe symptoms and a third patient presented an episode of ventricular fibrillation aborted by the ICD. Conclusion: Video-assisted CSD should be considered as a treatment option for patients with potentially dangerous arrhythmias that do not respond to conventional treatment, especially in recurrent ventricular tachycardia.

Resumen Objetivo: La denervación simpática cardiaca izquierda (DSCI) por toracoscopia se ha convertido en una alternativa terapéutica para el manejo de arritmias cardíacas refractarias al tratamiento convencional en pacientes con cardiopatía estructural, principalmente isquémicos, y enfermedades hereditarias asociadas con muerte súbita como el síndrome de QT largo. Generalmente se realiza en quienes manifiestan episodios recurrentes de arritmias ventriculares o incluso tormenta eléctrica a pesar del tratamiento convencional. El objetivo de este estudio es mostrar la experiencia de esta institución con la DSCI en pacientes refractarios al manejo convencional y los resultados derivados de su aplicación. Métodos: Se revisaron los registros de 6 pacientes con antecedente de arritmias ventriculares tratados previamente con medicamentos y en algunos casos con ablación con catéter y la mayoría con desfibrilador automático implantable, que fueron llevados DSCI por toracoscopia video-asistida (VATS). Resultados: La principal enfermedad de base fue la cardiopatía estructural, la indicación más prevalente fue tormenta arrítmica incontrolable, la edad promedio fue de 56 +- 16 años, el 67% de los individuos fueron hombres. Este procedimiento no mostró complicaciones en ninguno de los pacientes y se encontró mejoría sintomática en todos los casos. Se realizó seguimiento por 24 meses; dos pacientes tuvieron recurrencias por taquicardia ventricular lenta sin síntomas severos y uno por fibrilación ventricular. Conclusion: La DSCI por VATS debe considerarse como opción terapéutica para pacientes con arritmias de difícil manejo.

Percutaneous left ventricular transapical access guided by cardiac 3D CT angiography combined with echocardiography / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To investigate the reliability and safety of the technique of percutaneous left ventricular transapical access guided by cardiac three dimensional CT angiography (3D-CTA) combined with echocardiography applied in structural heart defects. Methods    The clinical data of 9 patients (7 males and 2 females with a median age of 50 years ranging from 43 to 64 years) with paravalvular leaks closed by percutaneous left ventricular transapical access in West China Hospital, from April 2015 to August 2018, were retrospectively analyzed. We applied preoperative cardiac 3D-CTA to define the puncture site and trace, which was established by combining with real-time guidance of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE/3D-TEE), and an occluder was deployed at the apical access point for hemostasis with real-time guidance of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Results    The puncture needles were successfully introduced into the left ventricular cavity at one time in all patients without injury of lung tissue, coronary artery or papillary muscle. There was no occluder displacement or apex bleeding. One patient developed pleural effusion caused by intercostal artery injury. Conclusion    That cardiac 3D-CTA is used to define puncture sites and trace with advantages of simplicity and repeatability. A safe access and secure exit of left ventricle can be achieved by combining with real-time guidance of echocardiography. There are acceptable technology-related complications.

Cardiovascular system involvement of methylmalonic acidemia / 国际儿科学杂志

Methylmalonic acidemia is the most common disease of congenital organic acid metabolic disorders,and it is an autosomal recessive disease.The clinical manifestations of methylmalonic acidemia are non-specific.It is characterized by the neurological symptoms.Cardiovascular diseases have little been associated with methylmalonic acidemia.But,cardiovascular diseases including structural heart disease,pulmonary hypertension,cardiomyopathy,hypertension,arrhythmias,may cause rapid deterioration,or even sudden death.This paper is a review of cardiovascular diseases of methylmalonic acidemia.

Role of three-dimensional echocardiography in structural heart disease / 中国医学影像技术

A series of papers on the applications of three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) on the diagnosis of structural heart diseases are selected in this issue. The topics include the applications of 3DE in valvular disease and congenital heart disease, etc. The techniques used are ranging from transthoracic and transesophageal adult 3DE imaging to belly fetal echocardiography; from disease diagnosis to selection of device before interventional therapy, monitoring during processing and evaluation of postoperative efficiency; from detection of cardiac structure to 3D printing of the heart, showing the application status and prospect of 3DE.

Current status and future of adult congenital heart disease / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Congenital heart disease refers to the structural or functional abnormality of the macrovascular in the heart or thoracic cavity caused by the failure of the formation of the heart and large blood vessels during the embryonic development or the abnormal closure of the heart or the closure of the channel after birth. In the past few years, a new and broader definition of structural heart disease has been gradually proposed. Structural heart disease narrowly refers to the pathological and physiological changes of the heart caused by abnormal anatomical structures in the heart, including congenital heart disease. A few decades ago, congenital heart disease was considered as a pediatric disease, because most patients with severe lesions rarely survive to adulthood. Due to recent advances in echocardiography, anesthesia, intensive care, percutaneous intervention, especially cardiac surgery in recent decades, the treatment and intervention strategies for congenital heart disease in children have been greatly improved, a fatal defect in childhood can now be successfully repaired or alleviated. Because of these successes, more than 90% of congenital heart disease patients are expected to survive to adulthood, which has led to emerge a new population: adult patients with congenital heart disease. Adult congenital heart disease patients are different from children. Pulmonary hypertension leads to right heart failure and eventually progresses to whole heart failure. The appearance of Eisenmenger syndrome leads to severe cyanosis and worsening of the disease. At present, the continuous development of mechanical assisted circulation support devices and heart or cardiopulmonary transplantation technology has increased the survival rate of end-stage adult congenital heart disease patients with heart failure. The high incidence of cardiovascular events in pregnant patients requires comprehensive multidisciplinary team care and early coordination planning for delivery, including early counseling for pregnancy-related risks, close monitoring of cardiac function and regular scan of fetal assessment. The prenatal and postpartum integrated diagnosis and treatment model and the development of intrauterine treatment technology reduce the incidence of congenital heart disease in adults from the source through fetal intervention. Other complications such as arrhythmia, infective endocarditis, cerebrovascular accidents, and other medical underlying metabolic diseases also challenge future diagnosis and treatment. The incidence and epidemiology of adult congenital heart disease, pulmonary hypertension and end-stage heart failure complications, as well as prenatal and postpartum integrated diagnosis and treatment and intrauterine treatment are summarized in this review.

Fusión de ecocardiografía 2D/3D-fluoroscopia: nueva herramienta en el intervencionismo cardiaco / Fusion of 2 D and 3 D echocardiography with fluoroscopy: a new tool in cardiac interventionism

Resumen La evolución en el intervencionismo estructural percutáneo ha generado un desarrollo paralelo en las técnicas de imagen avanzada. Teniendo en cuenta que este tipo de procedimientos requiere un entendimiento total de la anatomía cardiaca y con el fin de garantizar los mejores resultados y seguridad para el paciente durante procedimientos complejos, se desarrolló un software capaz de fusionar la fluoroscopia y la ecocardiografía 3 D en una sola imagen. La tecnología del Echonavigator® integra dos técnicas de imágenes dinámicas de un corazón en movimiento; el adecuado co-registro y visualización de fluoroscopia y ecocardiografía transesofágica 2D/3D es la clave en la obtención de resultados óptimos. La fusión de dos imágenes dinámicas en tiempo real es una herramienta factible y segura en los procedimientos de intervencionismo estructural del corazón; los estudios iniciales han logrado disminuir el tiempo de realización de los procedimientos y las dosis de radiación al paciente. El futuro es prometedor y su progresiva expansión de uso teniendo en cuenta su reciente aparición, aportará más datos en el crecimiento de esta tecnología.

Abstract The evolution of percutaneous structural interventionism has led to the simultaneous development of advanced imaging techniques. Taking into account that these types of procedures require a full understanding of cardiac anatomy, and with the aim of ensuring the best results and patient safety during complex procedures, a software program was developed that was capable of fusing and 3D-echocardiography into a single image. The Echonavigator® technology combines two dynamic imaging techniques of a heart in movement. The appropriate co-recording and visualising of fluoroscopy and 2D/3D transoesophageal echocardiography is essential for obtaining optimal results. The fusion of two images in real-time is a feasible and safe tool in structural heart interventionist procedures. Initial studies have managed to decrease the time of performing the procedures, as well as the dose of radiation to the patient. The future is promising, and its gradual expansion of use, taking into account its recent appearance, will provide more data on the growth of this technology.

Structural heart disease as the cause of syncope

We described the clinical evolution of patients with structural heart disease presenting at the emergency room with syncope. Patients were stratified according to their syncope etiology and available scores for syncope prognostication. Cox proportional hazard models were used to investigate the relationship between etiology of the syncope and event-free survival. Of the 82,678 emergency visits during the study period, 160 (0.16%) patients were there due to syncope, having a previous diagnosis of structural heart disease. During the median follow-up of 33.8±13.8 months, mean age at the qualifying syncope event was 68.3 years and 40.6% of patients were male. Syncope was vasovagal in 32%, cardiogenic in 57%, orthostatic hypotension in 6%, and of unknown causes in 5% of patients. The primary composite endpoint death, readmission, and emergency visit in 30 days was 39.4% in vasovagal syncope and 60.6% cardiogenic syncope (P<0.001). Primary endpoint-free survival was lower for patients with cardiogenic syncope (HR=2.97, 95%CI=1.94-4.55; P<0.001). The scores were analyzed for diagnostic performance with area under the curve (AUC) and did not help differentiate patients with an increased risk of adverse events. The differential diagnosis of syncope causes in patients with structural heart disease is important, because vasovagal and postural hypotension have better survival and less probability of emergency room or hospital readmission. The available scores are not reliable tools for prognosis in this specific patient population.

Progress in application of ultrasound guided three-dimensional printing on the assessment of structural heart disease / 天津医药

Structural heart disease includes congenital cardiovascular structural abnormalities, valvular heart disease and cardiomyopathy, which shows the common features of cardiac anatomical structure and hemodynamic abnormalities, especially anatomical abnormalities. Echocardiography, especially three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound, is good at displaying anatomical structure and blood flow abnormalities. As a non-invasive method of examination, it has advantage in the evaluation of such heart diseases. In recent years, the gradual rise of 3D printing technology can make physical printing, and the printed heart model can stereoscopically display abnormal state of heart diseases. Ultrasound combined with 3D printing technology may provide more intuitive and accurate information for the assessment of structural heart disease.

An Observational Study Showing Incidence of Heart Disease in the Male Population from North India.

Background: Structural Heart Disease (SHD) is a preventable cause of mortality. As age advances the morbidity rates due to SHD increases. SHD is more common in rural areas and lower socio-economic status because of poor hygiene and poor nutrition. The aim of this study was to find the incidence of heart disease in a male north Indian population. Method: A team consisting of three doctors examined all the candidates presenting over a period of one and a half years for enrollment at a particular Centre. The age group of this population was between 18 years to 22 years. All candidates underwent medical examination. Candidates having suspicion of SHD were referred to the physician/cardiologist. All those persons whose disability was within permissible limits were taken as fit and the others were taken as unfit. Results: Total 4223 candidates reported in the above period. 334 candidates who had disabilities were lost to follow-up and excluded, leaving a total of 3889 candidates. After specialist review, 1471 candidates were found unfit for various causes, out of which 283 were for cardiac murmurs. Many candidates were found to be suffering from multiples disabilities. Conclusion: Our study found an incidence rate of 72.7 per thousand which is much higher than that of other studies. The possible reasons for this could be that the persons are primarily from rural background and low socioeconomic strata which have a comparatively incidence of SHDs. Also contributing to the higher incidence may be the fact of stricter application of physical standards for enrollment in the army.

Application of real-time three-dimensional color doppler transthoracic echocardiography on preoperative assessment of patients with structural heart disease / 天津医药

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of preoperative real-time three-dimensional color Doppler transthoracic echocardiography on assessment of patients with structural heart disease (SHD). Methods A total of 111 pa?tients were assessed preoperatively using real-time three-dimensional color Doppler transthoracic echocardiography (RT-3D-CDTTE), which include 31 SHD patients and 80 patients without SHD that were designed as negative control. Conven?tional two-dimensional color Doppler transthoracic echocardiography (2D-CDTTE) were used to compared with RT-3D-CDTTE while cardiovascular angiography and intraoperative findings were used as“Golden Standard”simultaneously. First of all, preoperative echocardiographic examination were performed and diagnosis was given. Angiography and intraoperative findings were hired to verify the accuracy of echocardiographic diagnosis before operation. Results (1) The preoperative RT-3D-CDTTE displayed three-dimensional structure and hemodynamic status of SHD cardiac lesions clearly, which were consistent with cardiovascular angiography and intraoperative findings. (2) P value of McNemar test between 2D-CDTTE and“Golden Standard”was greater than 0.05, Kappa=0.654 (P<0.001). P value of McNemar test between RT-3D-CDTTE and“Golden Standard”was greater than 0.05, Kappa=0.932 (P<0.001). Conclusion RT-3D-CDTTE can provides essen?tial information for preoperative evaluation which is important for decision of SHD management.

Prevention and treatment of valve-related complications induced by interventional therapy in structural heart diseases / 临床儿科杂志

Structural heart diseases refer to anatomic heart or great vessels abnormalities by congential or acquired factors, including congenital heart disease, acquired heart valve disease, cardiomyopathy. In recent years, interventional therapy in structural heart diseases has gradually matured and been widely applied in clinical practice. Due to the fragility of heart valves and valve related organizations, or the congenital dysplasia of valves, the complex interventional therapeutic procedures can cause valve-related complications. In this paper, the causes, prevention and treatment of valve-related complications induced by interventional therapy in structural heart diseases are introduced.

Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients without Structural Heart Disease

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency catheter ablation therapy of idiopathic ventricular tachycardia in patients without obvious structural heart disease has been assessed in a few studies, but the clinical feasibility and efficacy are not certain. This study reports our results of catheter ablation with radiofrequency energy in thirteen patients. METHODS: Thirteen consecutive patients with idiopathic ventricular tachycardia underwent electrophysiologic study, pharmacological interventions and radiofrequency catheter ablation therapy. RESULTS: There were 7 men and 6 women with a mean age of 34+/-11years(13-55 years). The QRS configuration during tachycardia were left bundle branch block and inferior axis in 5 patients, right axis in 1 patient and right bundle branch block configuration with superior axis in 4 patients, right axis in 2 patients, left axis in 1 patients. Mean tachycardia cycle length was 361 +/-20 milliseconds. The focus of ventricular tachycardia were located in the right ventricular outflow tract(six patients) and the left ventricular inferior wall(four patients), posterobasal wall(one patients), anterolateral wall(one patients). Ventricular tachycardias were electrically induced in 9/13 patients. Mapping and radiofrequent catheter ablation was done with standard technique and ventricular tachycardia or VPCs were successfully eliminated in nine patients(69.2%). One patients complicated with transient pleural effusion. During mean follow-up period of 12+/-3months, one patients had a recurrence of symptomatic ventricular tachycardia. CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia in patients without structural heart disease is effective and safe and may be considered as primary choice of therapy in the patients.