Endoscopic radial artery harvest for coronary artery bypass grafting: applications and histologic assessment / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the influence of endoscopic radial artery harvesting techniques on the prevalence of complications after coronary artery bypass grafting, and to assess the potential trauma to the radial artery through the histological changes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From August 2003 to June 2008, 87 patients undergoing CABG had radial artery harvested by endoscopic harvesting system. About 4 mm proximal and distal radial artery end segment of 10 patients undergoing endoscopic and conventional harvesting were examined with light and electro-microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The endoscopic harvest time was 42 to 98 min, with a mean of (57.6 +/- 17.3) min. The harvested conduit length was 15 to 20 cm, with a mean of (17.5 +/- 1.6) cm. Objective dorsal thenar numbness remained in 7 patients, none complained of forearm numbness at 3-month follow-up. The result of light and electro-microscope had no differences in the intima, media, or adventitia between endoscopically and conventionally obtained radial artery segments.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The use of endoscopic radial artery harvesting in coronary artery bypass grafting can be performed safely with infrequent complications. This method results in excellent patient satisfaction, particularly regarding the cosmetic outcome.</p>

Clinical effect of off-pump epicardial microwave ablation of atrial fibrillation / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To apply the off-pump epicardial microwave ablation (MW) to treat the permanent atrial fibrillation (PAF) and evaluate the clinical effect.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From April 2003 to April 2005, a total of 46 patients with PAF underwent off-pump epicardial MW, including the patients with mitral valve disease (28 cases), mitral and aortic valve disease (5 cases), coronary artery disease (8 cases) and lone PAF (5 cases). FLEX 10 probe was placed around four pulmonary orifices and the access orifice of the inferior vena cava to tricuspid annulus. The microwave application was set 65 W, 90 s and a continuous ablation line was finished encircling the pulmonary veins. Subsequently, patients underwent either off-pump coronary artery bypass graft or valve surgery on-pump. Mean left atrial diameter was (52.5 +/- 15.3) mm, LVEF 42% - 70% before operation. All patients were followed up in the discharge, 3, 6, 12 months after surgery by standard 12-lead ECG, 24 h Holter, UCG and clinical examination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All procedures were completed successful on the off-pump cardiac surgery and 46 patients were converted sinus rhythm when the operations were performed. Mean ablation time was (37.7 +/- 7.8) min, without any related complications. At discharge, 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up, 63.0%, 66.7%, 72.7% and 80.6% of the patients kept sinus rhythm and left atrial diameter of < 50 mm.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Using MW, electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins can be achieved epicardially without cardiopulmonary bypass support. Off-pump epicardial microwave ablation is an efficient option with an excellent benefit/risk ratio for the treatment of PAF with or without other cardio-surgical disease.</p>