Expression pattern and signification of Cx43,beta-catenin and Smo in the second heart field / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:The second heart field is crucial for the development of the embryonic heart.Abnormal development of the second heart field can result in multiple cardiac malformations.After Cx43 gene knockout,reduced formation and proliferation of cells of the second heart field can be observed,but the specific reason remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:(1)To determine whether β-catenin,Smo and Cx43 were co-expressed in the second heart field and the endoderm,we observed the expression patterns of these proteins.(2)To explore whether Cx43 interacts with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway or the Shh pathway in the development of the second heart field. METHODS:Serial paraffin sections of the mouse embryos at embryonic days 10-12 were selected for immunohistochemical staining,hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunofluorescence staining.The primitive gut of mouse embryos at embryonic day 11 was separated for western blot assay and co-immunoprecipitation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Cx43 and Isl1 were co-expressed in some mesenchymal cells on the ventral side of the foregut and dorsal wall of the pericardial cavity of mouse embryos at embryonic days 10-12;Isl1 positive cells increased while Cx43 positive cells increased.(2)Cx43 and β-catenin were co-expressed in the ventral part of the endoderm at embryonic days 10-12.(3)Cx43 and Smo were co-expressed in the endoderm at embryonic days 10-12.(4)The co-immunoprecipitation results confirmed that there was an interaction between Cx43 and β-catenin,which suggested that Cx43 interacted with β-catenin to participate in the development of the second heart field.

Ablación por cateter de radiofrecuencia de extrasístoles ventriculares con origen en el seno coronario izquierdo

Las extrasístoles ventriculares (EEVV) son frecuentemente asintomáticas y no requieren de tratamiento antiarrítmico. Las EEVV de los tractos de salida son las EEVV idiopáticas más frecuentes en la práctica clínica. La anamnésis, el examen físico y el electrocardiograma son fundamentales en el diagnóstico. Aunque las EEVV de los tractos de salidas ventriculares son consideradas benignas, pueden producir diversos síntomas y desencadenar una cardiomiopatía inducida por las extrasístoles, que lleva a un deterioro de la función sistólica ventricular izquierda y en última instancia, insuficiencia cardiaca. Cuando el tratamiento farmacológico de las EEVV fracasa, nos queda la ablación de arritmias por catéter de radiofrecuencia como única alternativa eficaz. Este es el caso de la paciente de sexo femenino de 62 años, hipertensa, dislipidémica y tabaquista, que demuestra la seguridad de la ablación por catéter de radiofrecuencia, la eficacia terapéutica, y el restablecimiento integro de la función ventricular del corazón.

Premature ventricular complexes (PVC) are frequently asymptomatic and do not require antiarrhythmic treatment. Outflow tract PVC are the most common idiopathic PVC in clinical practice. The anamnesis, physical examination and electrocardiogram are essential in the diagnosis of these patients. Although PVC of the ventricular outflow tracts are considered benign, they can produce various symptoms such as dyspnea on exertion, asthenia, palpitations, dizziness, presyncope or syncope, and in those patients with very high arrhythmic burden (>24% on a 24-hour Holter monitoring), can trigger extrasystole-induced cardiomyopathy, leading to deterioration of left ventricular systolic function and ultimately heart failure. When pharmacological treatment of PVC fails, ablation of arrhythmias by radiofrequency catheter is the only effective alternative. This is the case of the 62-year-old female patient, hypertensive, dyslipidemic and a smoker, which demonstrates the safety of radiofrequency catheter ablation, the therapeutic efficacy, and the complete restoration of the ventricular function of the heart.

Risk factors for recurrent left ventricular outflow tract obstruction after surgical repair for subaortic stenosis / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the prognosis and risk factors for children diagnosed with all types of subaortic stenosis(SAS) who developed recurrent left ventricular outflow tract obstruction after surgical treatment.Methods:The study retrospectively included patients aged 0-18 years old who underwent open heart SAS surgery at Fuwai Hospital from 2016-2019. Children with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy were excluded. Detailed operative notes, medical records and ultrasound information, and follow-ups were extracted. Recurrent SAS was defined as left ventricular outflow tract gradient 30 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) 1 month after SAS surgical treatment.Results:A total of 137 children were included in this study. The medium age of children at the time of SAS surgery was 4.6 years old(3 months-17.8 years old). After a median follow-up of 4.36 years(3.2-5.7 years), a total of 30 patients developed recurrent LVOTO, with a recurrence rate of 21.9%, and 7(5.1%) underwent a second surgery. Compared to the non-recurrent group, children in the recurrent group were younger at the time of surgery( P=0.0443), had a smaller body surface area( P=0.0485), and a longer length of stay( P=0.0380). In Cox analysis, when only considering preoperative variables, the independent risk factor for LVOTO recurrence were a peak left ventricular outflow tract gradient higher than 50 mmHg( HR=5.25, P=0.001), a BSA less than 0.9( HR=2.5, P=0.023), and a length of SAS 5 mm( HR=2.29, P=0.050). When both preoperative and intraoperative variables were considered, preoperative peak left ventricular outflow tract gradient 50 mmHg( HR=4.91, P=0.002) and peeling from the aortic valve( HR=3.23, P=0.010) were independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence. Conclusion:Recurrent LVOTO after SAS surgical repair is common, and regular postoperative follow-up is crucial to evaluate whether a secondary intervention is required. Regular postoperative follow-up is needed for children at high risk.

The long-term durability of valved homograft conduit in right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction after Ross surgery and non-Ross surgery / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To compare the long-term durability of valved homograft conduit (VHC) in patients with Ross and non-Ross right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction. Methods    Patients who underwent RVOT reconstruction using VHC in Fuwai Hospital from January 2008 to October 2020 were retrospectively included. Patients who received Ross RVOT reconstruction were allocated to a Ross group and patients who received non-Ross RVOT reconstruction were allocated to a non-Ross group. The survival and reintervention-free rates of the two groups were evaluated with the Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank test. The propensity score matching analysis was performed on the patients who completed ultrasound follow-up in the two groups, and the VHC dysfunction-free rate was compared between the two groups. Results    A total of 243 patients were enrolled, including 142 males and 101 females, with a median age of 6 years (4 months to 56 years). There were 77 patients in the ROSS group and 166 patients (168 operations) in the non-ROSS group. The cardiopulmonary bypass time in the Ross group was shorter than that in the non-Ross group (175.4±45.6 min vs. 200.1±83.5 min, P=0.003). Five patients in the non-Ross group died early after the operation. The follow-up was available in 231 patients (93.1%), with the average follow-up time of 61.7±44.4 months. During the follow-up, 5 patients in the non-Ross group died. The 12-year survival rate was 100.0% in the Ross group and 93.2% in the non-Ross group (log-rank, P=0.026). In addition, 1 patient in the Ross group and 7 patients in the non-Ross group received VHC reintervention. There was no significant difference in the reintervention-free rate between the two groups (log-rank, P=0.096). Among the 73 patients in the Ross group and 147 patients in non-Ross group who were followed up by ultrasound after discharge, 45 patients (20.5%) developed VHC dysfunction. Before matching, the long-term durability of VHC in the Ross group was better than that in non-Ross group (10-year VHC dysfunction-free rate: 66.6% vs. 37.1%, log-rank, P=0.025). After the propensity score matching, 64 patients included in each group, and there was no statistical difference in the long-term durability of VHC between the two groups (10-year VHC dysfunction-free rate: 76.3% vs. 43.0%, log-rank, P=0.065). In the subgroup analysis, the 10-year VHC dysfunction-free rate in the Ross group was higher than that in the non-Ross group (71.0% vs. 20.0%, log-rank, P=0.032) among patients aged<6 years at surgery. However, there was no significant difference in the 10-year VHC dysfunction-free rate between the two groups (53.7% vs. 56.7%, log-rank, P=0.218) among patients aged ≥6 years at surgery. Conclusion    After the propensity score matching analysis, the long-term durability of VHC has no significant difference between the Ross group and non-Ross group. The long-term durability of VHC after Ross surgery is superior to that of non-Ross surgery in patients aged<6 years at surgery.

A Case of Right Ventricular Outflow Tract and Pulmonary Artery Reconstruction Using a Composite Graft in a Patient with Pulmonary Artery Intimal Sarcoma / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 46-year-old man had a 3-week history of persistent cough. Chest radiography showed a mass in the left pulmonary hilum and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed an infiltrative mass extending from the main pulmonary trunk to the left hilar region into the lung. He was referred to our hospital for multidisciplinary treatments. Echocardiography showed that the proximal side of the tumor reached the pulmonary valve. CT revealed that the heterogeneous low-density tumor extended from the main pulmonary trunk to the left and right pulmonary arteries, and the left side of the tumor extended beyond the left pulmonary hilum into the left lung. A mass shadow of 54 mm in length was also seen in the lower lobe of the left lung along the pulmonary artery. Although the left bronchus was compressed by the tumor, there was no obvious intratracheal invasion. Direct invasion to the descending thoracic aorta was suspected. He underwent the resection of the main pulmonary trunk and the left pulmonary artery along with the tumor concomitant with total left pneumonectomy. Reconstruction of the pulmonary artery and right ventricular outflow tract were performed as follows: The right ventricular outflow tract was reconstructed by using a semilunar shaped bovine pericardial patch. The pulmonary artery was replaced by using a composite graft with a Dacron tube graft and an aortic bio-prosthesis. He was discharged on the 22nd postoperative day. The pathological diagnosis of the tumor was pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma. Although there are various reconstruction methods for pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma depending on the affected site, reconstruction of the pulmonary artery and the right ventricular outflow tract by using a composite graft are considered to be a useful method.

Cardiac Surgery through Upper Hemi Sternotomy and Pulmonary Trunk Incision for Calcified Amorphous Tumor in Right Ventricular Outflow Tract / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 35-year-old man was followed up for systemic lupus erythematous with antiphospholipid antibody-positive. He underwent an echocardiogram for a closer examination of his heart murmur. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a calcified mass of 30 mm in diameter in the right ventricular outflow tract. Surgery was performed through an upper hemi-sternotomy. After establishment of beating-heart cardiopulmonary bypass, the pulmonary trunk was opened with a longitudinal incision. The highly calcified mass was located immediately below the pulmonary valve. We exfoliated the mass from the right ventricle, and resected it en bloc during short-term cardiac arrest. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was a calcified amorphous tumor. The patient was discharged from our hospital on postoperative day 12．No tumor recurrence was observed 9 months after the surgery.

Clinical application progress of radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy / 中国医师杂志

Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is the most common type of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is prone to left ventricular outflow obstruction and causes various adverse effects. It is also the main cause of sudden death in adolescents and athletes. Timely intervention is crucial for the prognosis of patients. Radiofrequency ablation has been widely used in the treatment of various arrhythmias, but it is still a new treatment method in HOCM. This article mainly reviews the clinical application progress of radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of HOCM patients.

Application status of right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction with valved homograft conduits: 13 years’ clinical analysis of a single center / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To evaluate the clinical outcome of valved homograft conduits (VHC) used for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction in Fuwai Hospital in recent 13 years, and explore the factors influencing the long-term durability of VHC. Methods    Clinical data of patients using VHC for RVOT reconstruction in Fuwai Hospital from November 2007 to October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to evaluate survival, VHC reintervention and VHC dysfunction. Cox proportional risk regression model was used to analyze the risk factors for VHC dysfunction. Results    Finally 251 patients were enrolled, including 145 males and 106 females. The median age at surgery was 6.0 (0.3-67.0) years. Early death occurred in 5 (2.0%) patients. The follow-up was available for 239 (95.2%) patients, with the follow-up time of 0.3-160.0 (61.3±45.4) months. Five patients died during the follow-up, and the 1-year, 6-year, and 13-year survival rates were 96.6%, 95.5% and 95.5%, respectively. Eight patients received VHC reintervention during the follow-up, and freedom rates from VHC reintervention were 100.0%, 97.1% and 82.4% at 1 year, 6 years and 13 years, respectively. A total of 226 patients were followed up by echocardiography after discharge, with the follow-up time of 0.2-138.0 (48.5±40.5) months. During the follow-up, 46 (20.4%) patients developed VHC dysfunction, and freedom rates from VHC dysfunction at 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years were 92.6%, 79.6% and 59.3%, respectively. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that age<6 years and VHC diameter<19 mm were risk factors for VHC dysfunction (P=0.029, 0.026), but multivariate regression analysis only indicated that age<6 years was an independent risk factor for VHC dysfunction (P=0.034). Conclusion    The early and late outcomes of VHC used for RVOT reconstruction are satisfactory, and the long-term durability of VHC is also optimal. In addition, age<6 years is an independent risk factor for VHC dysfunction.

Totally endoscopic transmitral septal myectomy for the treatment of recurrent left ventricular outflow tract obstruction after alcohol septal ablation / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To investigate the surgical strategies and clinical efficacy of transmitral septal myectomy in the treatment of recurrent left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) after alcohol septal ablation. Methods    The clinical data of patients with recurrent LVOTO after alcohol septal ablation from July 2020 to July 2021 in the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were preoperatively evaluated by echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, cardiac computed tomography, 3D modeling and printing technology. A personalized surgical strategy was preoperatively developed according to multimodality imaging assessment, while visual exploration was performed on the digital model and simulated surgical resection was performed on the printed model. Results     Two female patients were enrolled, aged 62 years and 64 years, respectively. Totally endoscopic transmitral extended myectomy was successfully performed on both patients with aortic cross-clamping time of 96 min and 85 min, respectively. LVOTO was relieved immediately (subaortic peak pressure gradient decreased from 100 mm Hg to 4 mm Hg and from 84 mm Hg to 6 mm Hg, respectively) and the mitral regurgitation significantly improved after the procedure. No patient had complete atrioventricular block or required permanent pacemaker implantation. The patients were discharged uneventfully without postoperative complications. Conclusion    Personalized totally endoscopic transmitral extended myectomy combined with multimodality imaging assessment and 3D modeling and printing has an acceptable clinical effect in patients with recurrent LVOTO after alcohol septal ablation. The procedure can precisely resect the hypertrophic septal myocardium while avoiding serious complications such as septal perforation or complete atrioventricular block.

Brugada syndrome unmasked by fever and paradoxical lower degree of dromotropic disturbance in the right ventricular outflow tract

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited clinical-electrocardiographic arrhythmic entity with an autosomal dominant genetic pattern of inheritance or de novo variant. The syndrome has low worldwide prevalence, but is endemic in Southeast Asian countries (Thailand, Philippines and Japan). The BrS is a subtle structural heart disease (SHD), and the diagnosis is only possible when the so-called type 1 Brugada ECG pattern is spontaneously present or induced for example with fever. Repolarization-depolarization disturbances in BrS patients can be caused by genetic mutations, abnormal neural crest cell migration, low expression of connexin-43 gap junction protein, or connexome disturbances. A recent autopsy study revealed increase in biventricular collagen with myocardial fibrosis when compared with control subjects although the main affected cardiac territory is the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). In this location, there is abnormally low expression of significant connexin-43 gap junction responsible for the electro-vectorcardiographic manifestations of terminal QRS conduction delay in the right standard precordial leads (V1-V2), high right precordial leads (V1H-V2H), as well as in the unipolar aVR lead ("the forgotten lead"). Based on their location, these leads reflect the electrical activity of the RVOT.

A síndrome de Brugada (SBr) é uma entidade arrítmica clínico-eletrocardiográfica hereditária com padrão genético autossômico dominante de herança ou variante de novo. A síndrome tem baixa prevalência mundial, porém sendo endêmica no Sudeste Asiático (Tailândia, Filipinas e Japão). A SBr é uma doença cardíaca minimamente estrutural, sendo o diagnóstico só possível na presença do chamado padrão ECG de Brugada tipo 1 espontâneo ou induzido, por exemplo, a febre. Os distúrbios de repolarização-despolarização em pacientes com SBr podem ser causados por mutações genéticas responsáveis pela migração anormal de células da crista neural, baixa expressão "gap junctions" conexina-43 ou distúrbios do conexoma. Um estudo recente de autópsia revelou aumento do colágeno biventricular com fibrose miocárdica quando comparado aos controles, embora o principal território cardíaco afetado seja a via de saída do ventrículo direito (VSVD). Nessa área, há menor expressão da conexina-43, o que se traduz no ECG-VCG por atraso final de condução do QRS nas derivações precordiais direitas (V1-V2), precordiais direitas altas (V1H-V2H), bem como na derivação unipolar aVR ("a derivação esquecida"). Com base em sua localização, esses eletrodos refletem a atividade elétrica da VSVD

Anesthetic Management of A Patient with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Posted For Non朇ardiac Surgery � Case Report

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is a complex cardiac disorder of genetic origin. Though the patients may be asymptomatic the stress of surgery and anaesthesia is known to exacerbate the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction leading to catastrophic complications. We hereby report a successful anaesthetic management of a patient with left intertrochantric fracture diagnosed with HOCM. Careful and meticulous strategies to prevent LVOT obstruction led to entire uneventful introperative and perioperative course.

Hand-sewn expanded polytetrafluoroethylene valved conduit for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#Due to the lack of large-sized pulmonary valved conduit products in clinical practice, hand-sewn expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) valved conduit has been used for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction in many heart centers around the world. This study aims to summarize the early results of the ePTFE valved conduit and the sewing technology of the conduit in combination with the latest progress, and to provide a reference for the application of ePTFE valved conduit.@*METHODS@#A total of 21 patients using ePTFE valved conduit for RVOT reconstruction in the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from October 2018 to October 2020 were prospectively enrolled in this study. The age at the implantation of the conduit was 4.3 to 43.8 (median 15.1) years old, with weight of (38.9±4.1) kg. In this cohort, 14 patients underwent re-reconstruction of RVOT, including 12 patients with pulmonary regurgitation at 6.3 to 31.0 (median 13.8) years after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair, and 2 patients with failed bovine jugular vein conduit (BJVC). Seven patients underwent Ross operations. Among them, 3 were for aortic valve stenosis, 2 were for aortic regurgitation, and 2 were for both stenosis and regurgitation. The ePTFE valved conduits were standard hand-sewn during the surgery. The 3 leaflets were equal in size with arc-shaped lower edge of the valve sinus. The free edge of the valve leaflets was straight with the length of about 1 mm longer than the diameter. The height of the valve sinus was 4/5 of the diameter. The junction of the valve leaflet was 3/4 of the height of the sinus. The designed leaflets were then continuous non-penetrating sutured into the inner surface of Gore-Tex vessel to make a valved conduit. Valved conduits with diameter of 18, 20, and 22 mm were used in 2, 9, and 10 cases, respectively. The surgical results, postoperative recovery time, and serious complications were summarized, and the changes of postoperative cardiac function status and hemodynamic status of the conduits were investigated.@*RESULTS@#During the implantation of ePTFE valved conduit for RVOT reconstruction, 2 patients underwent mechanical mitral valve replacement with Ross operation, 2 patients with pulmonary regurgitation with repaired TOF underwent left and right pulmonary artery angioplasty, and 1 patient with failed BJVC underwent tricuspid valvuloplasty. The cardiopulmonary bypassing time for patients underwent re-reconstruction of RVOT was (130.9±16.9) min, with aorta clamping for 1 patient to repair the residual defect of the ventricular septum. The cardiopulmonary bypassing and aorta clamping time for Ross operation were (242.7±20.6) min and (145.6±10.5) min, respectively. The duration of postoperative ventilator assistance, intensive care unit stay, and hospital stay were 3.5 h to 7.7 d (median 17.1 h),11.2 h to 29.5 d (median 1.9 d), and 6.0 to 56.0 (median 13.0) d, respectively. All patients survived after discharge from hospital. The follow-up rate after discharge was 100% with median time at 15.0 (13.0 to 39.0) months. No death happened during the follow-up. One patient underwent stent implantation due to right coronary stenosis 2 months after Ross operation. One patient underwent balloon dilation due to right pulmonary artery ostium stenosis 1 year after re-reconstruction of RVOT. The cardiac function of all patients recovered to NYHA class I 6 months after operation. The peak pressure gradient across the valve measured by transthoracic echocardiography before discharge was (9.4±2.6) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), and (18.3±6.1) mmHg at the last follow-up. There was no significant increase in the gradient during the follow-up (P=0.134). No patient suffered from mild or more pulmonary regurgitation.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Hand-sewn ePTFE valved conduit is feasible for RVOT reconstruction. It is a promising material for RVOT reconstruction which can effectively meet clinical need. In our experience, the ePTFE valved conduit is simple to manufacture with satisfactory early outcomes.In the application of ePTFE valved conduit, attention should be paid to implantation indications and postoperative anticoagulation management, especially to the preparation details of the valved conduit, to obtain better function and durability of the conduit after implantation.

Disease characteristics and surgical effect of 22 children with Shone′s syndrome / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To analyze the characteristics and surgical outcomes of Shone′s syndrome in children, and to explore the surgical treatment strategy and technical key.Methods:Retrospective study.Children with Shone′s syndrome treated in the Pediatric Heart Center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University from May 2013 to June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed for their baseline characteristics and surgical data.The data were compared by Student t-test. Results:A total of 22 children with Shone′s syndrome were recruited, involving 15 males (68.2%) and 7 females (31.8%). There were 6 cases (27.3%) of complete form of Shone′s syndrome and 16 cases (72.7%) of incomplete form.No deaths were reported.The postoperative mitral valve velocity [(149.7±38.2) cm/s vs.(234.9±34.0) cm/s, t=7.341, P<0.05], left ventricular outflow tract velocity [(202.0±105.0) cm/s vs.(328.6±120.3) cm/s, t=6.575, P<0.05] and aortic arch coarctation velocity [(186.1±60.9) cm/s vs.(347.9±100.8) cm/s, t=7.630, P<0.05]were significantly lower than those of preoperative levels.There were no complications occurred at 1-year follow-up, and 91.7% of the patients were followed up for 3 years, and 80.2% were followed up for 5 years without complications, 2 cases needed reoperation. Conclusions:Surgical treatment of Shone′s syndrome achieved satisfactory outcomes.Early diagnosis and early intervention are beneficial to children with Shone′s syndrome, although they need to be followed up and have the risk of reoperation in the long term.

Clinical analysis of peroral endoscopic diverticulotomy for the treatment of esophageal epiphrenic diverticulum with esophagogastric junction outflow tract disorder / 中华消化杂志

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of combination of submucosal tunneling endoscopic septum division (STESD) and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for the treatment of esophageal epiphrenic diverticulum with esophagogastric junction (EGJ) outflow tract disorder.Methods:From October 2017 to August 2021, 6 patients with esophageal epiphrenic diverticulum complicated with EGJ outflow tract disorder receiving combination of STESD and POEM in the Endoscopic Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were enrolled. The clinical characteristics of the patients were retrospectively analyzed, which included the ratio of male to female, age, course of disease, length of diverticula, location, whether with multiple diverticula, type of EGJ outflow tract disorders, whether the endoscopic technique was successful (the completion of all steps under endoscopy, including tunnel establishment and diverticulum cristae, lower esophageal sphincter and cardia muscularis propria incision); operation time, changes in the severity of clinical symptoms before and after operation (including weight loss, dysphagia, retrosternal pain, and reflux assessed using the Eckardt score), intraoperative and postoperative complications, and follow-up, including whether achieved clinical success (complete or nearly complete improvement of dysphagia, vomiting after eating, retrosternal pain, regurgitation, weight loss, no need for repeat endoscopic intervention during follow-up) and adverse events. Descriptive methods were used for statistical analysis.Results:The male to female ratio of the 6 patients was 3 to 3, the median age was 69.2 years old, and the median disease course was 92.3 months. The median length of the diverticula was 47.5 mm. Diverticulum was located in the right wall of esophagus in 4 cases and in the left wall of esophagus in 2 cases, of which 1 patient was multiple diverticulum of esophagus. Achalasia was found in 5 cases, and EGJ outflow obstruction was found in 1 case. All the 6 patients successfully completed combination of STESD and POEM, and all achieved successful edoscopic technique. The operation time (range) was 55 min (40 to 70 min). Clinical symptom Eckardt score (range) before and after operation was 9.0 (7.0 to 11.0) and 1.3 (1.0 to 2.0), respectively. After operation the clinical symptom improved compared with that before operation. There were no delayed bleeding, perforation, infection, subcutaneous emphysema and other complications and severe adverse events. Six patients were all cured and discharged. Follow-up period was 1 to 50 months. The symptoms of dysphagia, vomiting after eating, retrosternal pain, regurgitation and weight loss were all significantly improved compared with those before operation. There were no severe adverse events and all achieved clinical success.Conclusions:Combination of STESD and POEM is safe and effective in the treatment of esophageal epiphrenic diverticulum with EGJ outflow tract disorder, and has good short-term and long-term effects.

Application of virtual reality technology in surgical treatment of congenital heart disease complicated with ventricular outflow tract stenosis / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:To explore the application value of virtual reality(VR) technology in the surgical diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease complicated with ventricular outflow tract stenosis.Methods:From November 2017 to October 2018, a total of 11 cases of congenital heart disease complicated with ventricular outflow tract stenosis were diagnosed and treated by VR technology assisted surgery in our center, including 9 cases of tetralogy of Fallot, 1 case of right ventricular double outlet stenosis and 1 case of right ventricular double outlet complicated with right ventricular outflow tract and pulmonary valve stenosis. The matching degree and value score of VR model by surgeons after operation. The data of these cases, including postoperative severe complications, maximum flow velocity and peak pressure difference and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) 3 months after surgery, were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the application value of VR technology and summarize the application experience of our center.Results:The operations were successful in all the 11 cases with no death in hospital. No serious complications related to the ventricular outflow tract occurred after the operation. The peak systolic velocity of the ventricular outflow tract in all the patients decreased to less than 2 m/s, and LVEF was in the normal range three months after the operation. In terms of VR model scores, the matching degree of all cases was 8/10 or above and 8 patients received a 3/3 of value score.Conclusion:For patients with congenital heart disease complicated with ventricular outflow tract stenosis, VR technology based on CT three-dimensional reconstruction can help surgeons more intuitively understand the spatial location information of each intra- and extra-cardiac structure and evaluate the feasibility of key surgical procedures, which is conducive to individual surgery and guarantees a good surgical outcome.

Efficacy of neuroendoscope-assisted exploration and release of the outflow tract of the fourth ventricle in patients with Chiari malformation type I / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective:To explore the treatment efficacy of neuroendoscope-assisted exploration and release of the outflow tract of the fourth ventricle in patients with Chiari malformation type I.Methods:Ninety-five patients with Chiari malformation type I, admitted to our hospital from January 2016 to January 2020, were chosen in our study. Patients from observation group ( n=57) were treated with posterior cranial fossa decompression+subdural tonsillectomy+endoscope-assisted exploration and release of the outflow tract of the fourth ventricle+enlarged reconstruction of the occipital cistern. Patients from control group ( n=38) were treated with posterior fossa decompression+subdural tonsillectomy+enlarged reconstruction of the occipital cistern. All patients were followed up for one year. Data of surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative length of hospital stay, and incidence of complications were retrospectively analyzed in patients from the two groups, and the imaging changes of spinal cavity were observed before surgery and during postoperative follow-up. Chicago Chiari Outcome Scale (CCOS) was used to evaluate the prognoses of all patients (scores of 11-16 were defined as good prognosis). The differences of good prognosis rate among patients with different gender, age, degrees of tonsillar herniation and distributions of spinal cavity segments were analyzed. Results:There was no significant difference in surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative length of hospital stay or incidence of complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). As compared with the control group (65.5%), the observation group had higher syringomyelia minification (75.5%) during postoperative follow-up, without significant difference ( P>0.05). The good prognosis rate of the observation group during postoperative follow-up (91.2%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (78.9%, P<0.05). Female patients, patients with age≤45 years, and patients with tonsillar herniation level below the atlas had significantly higher good prognosis rate than male patients, patients with age>45 years, and patients with tonsillar herniation level between the foramen magnum and the atlas during postoperative follow-up, respectively ( P<0.05). Conclusion:As compared with conventional surgery, neuroendoscope-assisted exploration and release of the outflow tract of the fourth ventricle is more effective in patients with Chiari malformation type I, and the good prognosis rate is likely higher in female patients, patients with age≤45 years, and patients with tonsillar herniation level below the atlas.

Application of percutaneous transluminal septal branch microsphere embolization in the treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of percutaneous transluminal septal branch anhydrous alcohol ablation (PTSAAA) and percutaneous transluminal septal branch microsphere embolization (PTSBME) in the treatment of patients with symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.Methods:The clinical data of 55 patients with symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy treated by PTSAAA and PTSBME were retrospectively analyzed, among whom 27 were treated with PTSAAA and 28 with PTSBME. The changes of postoperative indicators of the two groups of patients were compared, including the improvement degree of symptoms [shortness of breath after activity (cardiac function NYHA classification), chest tightness, chest pain (angina CCS classification) and amaurosis, the decrease of left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient (LVOTPG)], the ventricular septum thickness shown by color Doppler echocardiography, the incidences of complications at postoperative month 6 and 12, and the incidences of cardiovascular events at follow-up month 12. LSD- t, χ 2 or Fisher exact probability methods were used to compare the differences of indicators between the two groups. Results:Compared to the relative indicators before operation, there were significant differences in shortness of breath after activity, chest pain and amaurosis, LVOTPG, ventricular septum thickness, the incidences of complications at postoperative month 6 and 12 and the incidences of cardiovascular events at follow-up month 12 in both the PTSAAA group and PTSBME group ( P<0.05). The PTSBME group was not inferior to the PTSAAA group in the improvement degree of amaurosis, cardiac function NYHA classification and angina CCS classification and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at postoperative month 6 and 12 ( P>0.05) as well as in the LVOTPG decrease and the ventricular septum thickness at postoperative month 6 [(16.8±7.5) mmHg vs (15.8±7.3) mmHg, (19.8±4.9) mm vs (17.4±4.1) mm, P>0.05], but was superior to the PTSAAA group in the LVOTPG decrease and the ventricular septum thickness at postoperative month 12 [(15.2±6.7) mmHg vs (9.8±5.4) mmHg, (18.4±5.1) mm vs (12.2±3.2) mm, P<0.05]. There were statistical significances in the incidences of cardiovascular events and third degree atrio-ventricular block and nosocomial mortality between the two groups (6 vs 1; 5 vs 0, P<0.05), and the PTSBME group was superior to the PTSAAA group in safety. Conclusion:PTSBME may be a safe and effective method for the management of patients with symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Investigation of fetal cardiac function and morphology in fetuses with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction using fetal heart quantification / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To explore the application value of fetal heart quantification (fetal HQ) in evaluation of fetal cardiac function and morphology in fetuses with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO).Methods:Twenty-five fetuses with LVOTO diagnosed by fetal echocardiography in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical College from April to July 2020 were enrolled. The end-diastolic basal apical length(BAL), transverse length (TL), global spherical index (GSI) of fetal four-chamber view, and the left and right ventricular end-diastolic area, long diameter, 24-segment end-diastolic transverse length (ED) and its Z-scores adjusted by gestational age and 24-segment spherical index(SI) were calculated by using fetal HQ. Subsequently the Z-scores of left and right ventricle fractional shortening (FS) in 24 segments were obtained by gestational age.Results:SI of 24-segments of left ventricles in fetuses with LVOTO were significantly different from that of right ventricles (all P<0.05). There was significant difference between left and right ventricular areas ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between left and right ventricular lengths ( P>0.05). There were significant differences between the 24-segment Z-scores of left and right ventricular ED(all P<0.05). The ratios of RVED to LVED of 24 segments were analyzed by box diagram. The results showed that the transverse length of right ventricle was significantly higher than that of left ventricle. The highest value was 1.49(1.26-1.86), and the lowest value was 1.40(1.26-1.86), both significantly higher than the normal value of 1.19. There were no significant differences between the 1-19-segment Z-scores of left and right ventricular FS( P>0.05). There were significant differences between the 20-24-segment Z-scores of left and right ventricular FS( P<0.05). Conclusions:Fetal HQ can be used to quantitatively analyze left ventricular shape, size and function of fetuses with LVOTO, which provides a new method for quantitative analysis of fetal heart function.

Evaluation of fluid field of left ventricle outflow tract in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy with fluid models based on three-dimensional echocardiography with inverted grey values / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of systolic anterior motion (SAM) of mitral valves on the morphology and function of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) using computer fluid dynamics based on three-dimensional echocardiography with inverted grey values.Methods:A total of 40 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were divided into SAM group (24 cases) and non SAM group (16 cases) in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from April 2016 to October 2019. Two dimensional and three-dimensional echocardiographic data of the patients were collected. The LVOT morphological model was constructed based on the post-processing of three-dimensional echocardiography data, and the LVOT flow field model was constructed based on the time-volume curve of left ventricle. LVOT peak velocity was obtained to assess the agreement with echocardiography measurements. Area of LVOT, average velocity, flow rate and iso-surface area of vortex of different levels were obtained and compared between the two groups.Results:There was a good correlation between cardiac fluid model and echocardiographic measurement ( r=0.943, P<0.01). The Bland-Altman consistency interval was -75.0-111.3, and 92.5% of the points were within the consistency limit. Compared with non-SAM group patients, the peak velocity of LVOT increased, the area of LVOT decreased, the flow rate decreased and the area of vortex increased in SAM patients (all P<0.01). In the SAM group, in 16 patients the double orifice LVOT was observed due to the contact between mitral valve and septum, in 1 patient the single orifice LVOT structure was observed with contact between mitral value and septum, and in 7 patients, single orifice LVOT without contact between mitral value and septum. In SAM patients, compared with single orifice LVOT, patients with double orifice LVOT were observed with higher LVOT velocity, smaller LVOT area and higher vortex area with high level(all P<0.05). Conclusions:Accurate fluid models can be obtained using three-dimensional echocardiography with inverted grey values. In SAM patients, contact between mitral valve and septum leads to the formation of double orifice structure and the increase of vortex level in LVOT.