The anesthesia management of totally thoracoscopic cardiac surgery: A single-center retrospective study.

Anesthesia management of Totally thoracoscopic cardiac surgery (TTCS) has been the subject of much debate and discussion. In this single center retrospective study, we summarize the experience of clinical anesthesia management for TTCS by review the medical records of our medical center and look forward to its future development. In this retrospective study, 103 patients (49 male and 54 female) were enrolled, the mean age was 56.7 ± 14.4 years old. The participants underwent Mitral Valve Replacement (MVR) + Tricuspid Valve Annuloplasty (TVA) (42, 40.8%), Mitral Valve Annuloplasty (MVA) + TVA (38, 36.9%), MVA (21, 20.4%), and MVR (2, 1.9%)，respectively. Intraoperative hypoxemia, radiographic pulmonary infiltrates, and pneumonia were observed in 19 (18.4%), 84 (81.6%), and 13 (12.6%) patients, respectively. The LOS of ICU and POD were as follows: MVR + TVA (55.1 ± 25h, 9.9 ± 3.5 d), MVA + TVA (56.5 ± 28.4h, 9.4 ± 4.2d), MVA (37.9 ± 21.9h, 8.1 ± 2.3d) and MVR (48 ± 4.2h, 7.5 ± 2.1d). No reintubation, reoperations, postoperative cognitive dysfunction, 30-day mortality were observed in the present study. The present study demonstrated that applying this anesthesia management for TTCS associated with acceptable morbidity, intensive care unit and postoperative hospital lengths of stay. The finding from the present study might provide some new approach for Anesthesia management of TTCS.

Intraoperative Implantation of Temporary Endocardial Pacing Catheter During Thoracoscopic Redo Tricuspid Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The placement of a temporary epicardial pacing wire is a challenge during a minimally invasive redo cardiac operation. The aim of this study is to assess the application of temporary endocardial pacing in patients who underwent minimally invasive redo tricuspid surgery. METHODS: Perioperative data of consecutive patients who underwent thoracoscopic redo tricuspid surgery were collected. All the tricuspid surgeries and combined procedures were performed under peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass without aortic cross-clamping. A sheath was introduced into the right jugular vein beside the percutaneous superior vena cava cannula and a temporary endocardial pacing catheter was guided into the right ventricle via the sheath prior to the right atrial closure. The pacemaker was connected and run as needed during or after operation. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients who underwent thoracoscopic redo tricuspid surgery were enrolled. Symptomatic tricuspid valve regurgitation (93.9%) and tricuspid valvular prosthesis obstruction (6.1%) after previous cardiac operations were noted as indications for a redo surgery. The mean time from previous cardiac operation to this time redo surgery was 13.3±6.4years. Isolated tricuspid valve replacement was performed in 18 patients (54.5%) and tricuspid valve plasty combined with or without mitral valve replacement was performed in 15 patients (45.5%). A temporary endocardial pacing catheter was successfully placed in the right ventricle for all patients with good sensing and pacing. No temporary pacing related complications occurred from insertion to removal of pacing catheter in the patients. CONCLUSIONS: This application of temporary endocardial pacing provided a safe and effective substitute for epicardial pacing in patients who underwent minimally invasive redo tricuspid surgery.

Bilateral subclavian vein sheaths for superior vena cava drainage during thoracoscopic repair of atrial septal defects: cosmetic outcomes, safety and effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cosmetic outcomes, safety and effectiveness of using bilateral subclavian vein sheaths for superior vena cava drainage during thoracoscopic repair of atrial septal defects. METHODS: Sixty-one consecutive adults scheduled for thoracoscopic repair of atrial septal defects between July 2012 and June 2013 were randomized into two groups: one group underwent placement of a 16 Fr percutaneous superior vena cava cannula (n = 30) and the other group underwent placement of bilateral 8 Fr subclavian vein sheaths (n = 31) for superior vena cava drainage during peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass. The perioperative data, central venous pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass, complications and the patient satisfaction scale scores for the incisions were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The theoretical cardiopulmonary bypass flow rate was reached without complications in all patients. The average central venous pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass was not significantly different between the two groups [(6.9 ± 3.1) mmHg vs. (7.0 ± 3.5) mmHg, p=0.92]. The patient satisfaction scale scores for the incisions were significantly higher in the patients who underwent placement of bilateral subclavian vein sheaths than in the patients who underwent placement of a percutaneous superior vena cava cannula [(2.81 ± 0.75) vs. (2.07 ± 0.74), p<0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Placement of bilateral subclavian vein sheaths is a safe and effective alternative to placement of a percutaneous superior vena cava cannula for superior vena cava drainage during thoracoscopic repair of atrial septal defects and results in greater patient satisfaction with the cosmetic outcome.

Superior vena cava drainage during thoracoscopic cardiac surgery: bilateral internal jugular vein sheaths versus one percutaneous superior vena cava cannula.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate bilateral internal jugular vein sheaths as a replacement of one percutaneous superior vena cava cannula for superior vena cava drainage during thoracoscopic cardiac surgery. DESIGN: A prospective and randomized study. SETTING: Single cardiovascular institute. PARTICIPANTS: Adults undergoing thoracoscopic cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized into a percutaneous superior vena cava cannula group and a bilateral internal jugular vein sheaths group. The superior vena cava drainage for cardiopulmonary bypass was performed with one percutaneous superior vena cava cannula (14-18 Fr) or the bilateral internal jugular vein sheaths (8 Fr). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Both interventions reached theoretic flow rate in all patients. In patients weighing<50 kg (n=38) and 50-70 kg (n=64), the average central venous pressure values during cardiopulmonary bypass of both groups showed no significant differences. The patients weighing>70 kg (n=15) in the bilateral internal jugular vein sheaths group had a normal average central venous pressure value, but it was significantly higher than that of percutaneous superior vena cava cannula group ([10.5±3.1] mmHg vs. [4.5±4.4] mmHg, p=0.013). The patient satisfaction scale scores for the cervical incisions were significantly higher in the bilateral internal jugular vein sheaths group than in the percutaneous superior vena cava cannula group ([2.6±0.9] vs. [2.1±0.8], p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The bilateral internal jugular vein sheaths were a feasible and effective option to replace one percutaneous superior vena cava cannula during thoracoscopic cardiac surgery, with better patient satisfaction.

Matrine inhibits disturbed flow-enhanced migration via downregulation of ERK1/2-MLCK signaling vascular smooth muscle cells.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effects of matrine on the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration modulated by disturbed flow and their underlying molecular mechanisms in vitro. METHODS: Isolated rat aortic VSMCs were grown to confluence on 20- × 80-mm fibronectin-coated glass cover slides, and then, denuded zones were made at the position calculated to be the oscillating flow-reattachment zone and also in the downstream laminar flow region. VSMCs were treated with different doses of matrine (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/L), or PD98059 (30 µM), ML-7 (10 µM) combined with matrine (40 mg/L) for 30 minutes before and during the experiments. Then, the wounded monolayers were kept under static conditions or were subjected to laminar or disturbed flow for 21 hours or 10 hours. The VSMC migration was assessed by microscopic images. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) proteins were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Disturbed flow significantly increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Selective inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation by inhibitor PD98059 and matrine significantly suppressed VSMC migration under disturbed flow. Disturbed flow significantly enhanced phosphorylation of MLCK, whereas both matrine and PD98059 inhibited the phosphorylation of MLCK under disturbed flow. The complete inhibition of MLCK phosphorylation using the selective MLCK inhibitor ML-7 significantly inhibited VSMC migration under disturbed flow. CONCLUSION: Matrine inhibits VSMC migration under disturbed flow, in part, by downregulation of ERK1/2-MLCK signaling pathway.