Hospital outcome of concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty during totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery: a propensity matched study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine how concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) affects the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery. METHODS: This was a single-centre, retrospective study. Between January 2019 and June 2020, 143 patients who underwent totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery in our institution were enrolled. Ninety-two patients who underwent isolated mitral valve surgery were categorized into the minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) group (n=92), and patients who underwent mitral valve surgery with concomitant TAP were categorized into the MIMVS-TAP (n=51) group. Clinical data were collected from all patients, including demographic and perioperative data. We conducted propensity score matching (PSM) by using one-to-one ratio nearest-neighbour matching for baseline demographic data and tricuspid valve-related parameters. Forty patients in each group were matched in this way. Parametric and nonparametric tests were performed for data analysis. RESULTS: Statistically, postoperative mortality within 30 days was not significantly different between the two groups (P=1). No differences were found in serious adverse events, such as stroke or third-degree conduction block, between the two groups after 1:1 PSM (P=1 and P=0.480, respectively). The mean operation time for the MIMVS+TAP group was longer (232.13±36.05 min) than that for the MIMVS group (204.25±28.49 min; P<0.001). The same was true for the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (169.48±25.96 vs. 153.10±23.00 min; P=0.004) and aortic clamp time (110.80±17.37 vs. 101.00±14.38 min; P=0.005). The duration of the intensive care unit stay and the overall postoperative length of stay were not different between the two groups (P=0.734 and P=0.472, respectively). The postoperative systolic pulmonary artery pressure differed between the two groups [38.00±8.45 (MIMVS); 33.65±7.34 (MIMVS + TAP), P=0.022]. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery with concomitant TAP is just as safe and effective as isolated totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery, even with a long surgery duration. Our study also suggested that totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery with concomitant TAP can improve tricuspid function in patients.

Concomitant Tricuspid Annuloplasty in Patients Undergoing Totally Endoscopic Mitral Valve Surgery: A Propensity-Score Matched Analysis.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) in patients undergoing totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery. METHODS: It is a single-center, retrospective study that enrolled a total of 173 patients who underwent mitral valve surgery combined with tricuspid annuloplasty between January 2019 and June 2020 in our institution. Patients who underwent totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery with concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty were categorized into the MIMVS-TAP group (N = 51), and patients who underwent mitral valve surgery with concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty through a median sternotomy were categorized into the MVS-TAP group (N = 122). The data collected included detailed demographic and perioperative data. Each patient in the MIMVS-TAP group was individually matched to a patient in the MVS-TAP group, using the propensity scores, and we obtained a matched sample of 51 patients in each group. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used to analyze outcomes. RESULTS: There were no differences in death rates or related major adverse events between the two groups after propensity score matched analysis. The total operation time was longer in the MIMVS + TAP group versus the MVS+TAP group, as were the mean duration of cardiopulmonary bypass time and the cross-clamp time. The mean duration of intensive care unit stay was longer in the MVS + TAP group compared with that of the MIMVS + TAP group, as was the duration of post-operative hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery with concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty can improve a patient's prognosis, with comparable short-term outcomes to those of the open approaches.

Totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery: early experience in 188 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Totally endoscopic technique has been widely used in cardiac surgery, and minimally invasive totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery has been developed as an alternative to median sternotomy for many patients with mitral valve disease. In this study, we describe our experience about a modified minimally invasive totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery and reported the preliminary results of totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the results of totally endoscopic technique in mitral valve surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the profiles of 188 patients who were treated for mitral valve disease by modified totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery at our institution between January 2019 and December 2020. The procedure was performed under endoscopic right minithoracotomy and with femoro-femoral cannulation using the single two-stage venous cannula. RESULTS: A total of 188 patients underwent total endoscopic mitral valve surgery. Fifty-six patients had concomitant tricuspid valvuloplasty, 11 patients underwent concomitant ablation of atrial fibrillation and atrial septal defect repair was performed in three patients. Only one patient postoperatively died of multi-organ failure. Two patients were converted to median sternotomy. Except for one patient underwent operation to stop the bleeding from the incision site, no other serious complications nor reintervention occurred during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The modified totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery performed at our institution is technically feasible and safe with the same efficacy as reported studies.

Peripheral vascular complications following totally endoscopic cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Clinical application of minimally invasive cardiac surgery has increased annually. Cardiopulmonary bypass is established by peripheral cannulation during minimally invasive cardiac surgery. The methodology of peripheral cannulation has unique characteristics, which have associated risks and complications. Few studies have been conducted on this topic. In this study, we focused on complications of peripheral cannulation in totally endoscopic cardiac surgery. METHODS: Patients who underwent totally endoscopic cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass established by peripheral cannulation at our institution between January 2019 and June 2020 were reviewed. Specific cannulation strategies and related cannulation complications were noted. RESULTS: One hundred forty-eight patients underwent totally endoscopic cardiac surgery. One hundred forty-eight cannulations were performed in the femoral artery and vein, and eleven were performed in the internal jugular vein (combined with the femoral vein). The median size of the femoral artery cannula was 22Fr, and that of the venous canula was 24Fr. One patient died of retroperitoneal haematoma due to femoral artery injury. Three patients had postoperative lower limb oedema. One patient had a postoperative diagnosis of femoral vein thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: Different from cannulation in patients with aortic dissection and aneurysms, femoral artery cannulation is safe in totally endoscopic cardiac surgery. Venous cannulation is characterized by a large-bore venous cannula and a short period of use. There are few reports about complications of venous cannulation. The main complication in this study was mechanical injury, and the key to preventing this injury is meticulous manipulation during surgery.

Combined femoral and axillary perfusion strategy for Stanford type a aortic dissection repair.

BACKGROUND: The optimal cannulation strategy in surgery for Stanford type A aortic dissection is critical to patient survival but remains controversial. Different cannulation strategies have their own advantages and drawbacks during cardiopulmonary bypass. Our centre used a combined femoral and axillary perfusion strategy for the surgical treatment of type A aortic dissection. The purpose of this study was to review and clarify the clinical outcome of femoral artery cannulation combined with axillary artery cannulation for the treatment of Stanford type A aortic dissection. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study that included 327 patients who were surgically treated for type A aortic dissection in our institution from January 2017 to June 2019. Femoral and axillary artery cannulation was used to establish cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with type A aortic dissection. The demographic data, surgical data, and clinical results of the patients were calculated. RESULTS: Femoral artery combined with axillary artery cannulation was technically successful in 327 patients. The cardiopulmonary bypass time was 141.60 ± 34.89 min, and the selective antegrade cerebral perfusion time was 14.94 ± 2.76 min. The early mortality rate was 3.06%. The incidence of permanent neurologic dysfunction was 0.92%. Sixteen patients had postoperative renal insufficiency, and five patients had liver failure. CONCLUSION: Femoral artery combined with axillary artery cannulation for type A aortic dissection can significantly improve the prognosis of patients, especially in terms of cerebral protection, and can reduce the occurrence of adverse malperfusion syndrome and neurological complications.

The use of the Scar Cosmesis Assessment and rating scale to evaluate the cosmetic outcomes of totally thoracoscopic cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Conventional median sternotomy is widely used in cardiac surgery, while thoracoscopic cardiac surgery, which is considered to have aesthetic advantages, is being performed increasingly more often in China because patients' requests for minimally invasive procedures yielding aesthetically pleasing results have significantly increased. Few studies have been conducted to assess surgical scars after cardiac surgery. Compared to the median sternotomy approach, multiple-incision totally thoracoscopic cardiac surgery requires smaller but numerous and scattered incisions. In addition to two working ports on the upper and lower margins of the right breast, an inguinal incision and an axillary incision are made. Therefore, does totally thoracoscopic cardiac surgery truly have aesthetic advantages? This study has the following objectives: (a) to compare median sternotomy cardiac surgery and total thoracoscopic cardiac surgery in terms of the long-term cosmetic outcomes of post-operative scars and (b) to evaluate the effectiveness of the Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating scale in combination with the numeric rating scale in the assessment of surgical scars after cardiac surgery. METHODS: Consecutive patients who visited our institution from January 2019 to May 2019 for cardiac surgery via median sternotomy or the totally thoracoscopic approach and followed up for at least one year were included. Inter-rater reliability, internal consistency and convergent validity were evaluated for the Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating scale and the numeric rating scale. Clinical characteristics and the scores of the two scales were compared between the two groups using Student's t test or the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients underwent cardiac surgery via the totally thoracoscopic approach, and 42 patients underwent cardiac surgery via the median sternotomy approach. No significant differences were found in the demographic or clinical data between the two groups. The validity and reliability of the two scales were satisfactory. For the Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating scale, the median sternotomy group scored statistically significantly higher than did the totally thoracoscopic group on the "overall impression" and "patient question" subscales (P < 0.05). The overall scores of the Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating scale and numeric rating scale were statistically significantly different (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating scale in combination with the numeric rating scale is an effective tool for the assessment of scar aesthetics after cardiac surgery. Surgical scars of totally thoracoscopic cardiac surgery can yield desirable cosmetic outcomes in Chinese individuals, especially in susceptible individuals with a high risk of keloid and hypertrophic scars. Patients with appropriate indications can undergo cardiac surgery with the totally thoracoscopic approach and exhibit a satisfactory scar appearance.

Health-related quality of life following minimally invasive totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery.

BACKGROUND: To compare the impact of two different types of mitral valve surgery on health-related quality of life, we conducted a retrospective study comparing modified totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery with median sternotomy mitral valve surgery. METHODS: A total of 163 patients who underwent mitral valve surgery at our institution between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019 were enrolled. For these 163 patients, mitral valve surgery was performed using either a modified totally endoscopic approach or median sternotomy approach. We used the numerical rating scale and the Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating Scale to measure pain intensity and the aesthetic appearance of the surgical incision and used the MOS 36-item Short-Form Health Survey to assess health-related quality of life. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients underwent the modified totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery, and eighty-five patients underwent the median sternotomy mitral valve surgery. The two groups of patients were similar in terms of demographics and echocardiography findings. The number of bioprosthetic valve replacements performed was significantly higher in the totally endoscopic group than in the median sternotomy group (p = 0.04), whereas the subvalvular apparatus was less preserved in only 33 cases in the totally endoscopic group (p = 0.01). The rate of postoperative adverse events was similar between the two groups. The pain was mild and aesthetic appearance was significantly better in the totally endoscopic approach group than in the sternotomy approach group. Significant differences in the scores for the bodily pain and mental health subscales of the MOS 36-item Short-Form Health Survey were found between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with median sternotomy mitral valve surgery, totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery has an equally good treatment effect, improving patient's health-related quality of life with a better cosmetic appearance and a lower pain intensity. Our study suggested that the totally endoscopic approach is superior to the median sternotomy approach in terms of pain intensity, aesthetic appearance and health-related quality of life.

Transthoracic Balloon Pulmonary Valvuloplasty for Treatment of Congenial Pulmonary Atresia Patients with Intact Ventricular Septum.

BACKGROUND To summarize our clinical experience in performing transthoracic balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty for the treatment of patients suffering from congenial pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS). MATERIAL AND METHODS Between April 2009 and April 2016, 38 patients with PA/IVS underwent transthoracic balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in our hospital. All of them were combined with patent ductus arteriosus, tricuspid insufficiency, and atrial septal defect or patent foramen ovale. The valvuloplasty was performed from the right ventricular outflow tract through a median sternotomy incision under TEE guidance for all cases. RESULTS Thirty-five patients were successfully discharged, and 3 patients died after the operation. The 35 surviving patients were followed up. Spo2 in the 35 patients was 88-96% after the operation. The transpulmonary valvular gradient pressure was less than or equal to 30 mmHg in 31 patients and between 36 and 52 mmHg in the other 4 patients. After the surgery, tricuspid regurgitation was significantly reduced. We found only 4 patients with moderate regurgitation, 5 patients with mild to moderate regurgitation, and mild regurgitation in the remaining 26 patients. Five patients underwent a second-stage operation, including biventricular repair in 4 patients and ligation of ductus arteriosus in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS The application of transthoracic balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty for the treatment of PA/IVS is minimally invasive and safe, which has great significance for improving the curative effect for this condition and reducing operation mortality.

Multicenter Analysis of Clinical Follow-Ups in Patients with a Star GK Cardiac Valve Replacement for More than One Year.

BACKGROUND: Star GK valves were widely used in China, and we studied the clinical follow-up results of patients with Star GK valve implants for more than one year.  METHODS: Clinical data were collected from those patients who had Star GK valve implants for over one year. Patients were divided into three groups: (1) AVR group: received aortic valve replacement surgery. Based on the valve model this group was further sub-divided into two groups: 21A group, and 23A group; (2) MVR group: received mitral valve replacement surgery. Based on the valve model this group was further sub-divided into three groups: 25M group, 27M group, and 29M group; (3) DVR group: received combined replacement surgeries including AVR + MVR. According to postoperative follow-up time these patients were divided into two groups: 1-year group and 3-year group. Follow-up data were collected by telephone, outpatient visits, or correspondence. Clinical data were aggregated by professional data scientists to conduct independent analyses.  RESULTS: 959 patients were included in the study following Star GK valve implant. Follow-up after 1 year found that thrombosis occurred in 4 cases, hemorrhage in 15 cases, left heart failure in 13 cases, paravalvular leakage in 5 cases, and death due to cardiac causes in 2 cases.  CONCLUSION: The long-term efficacy of Star GK valve implants was satisfactory with low incidence of valve-related complications, and following Star GK valve implant, valve and blood were highly compatible and blood component damage was minor. Very low incidence rate of thrombosis was observed following Star GK valve implant, however, attention should be paid to adjust the anticoagulation intensity.

Novel cardioprotective strategy combining three different preconditioning methods to prevent ischemia/reperfusion injury in aged hearts in an improved rabbit model.

The use of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) to protect the myocardium is usually not effective in elderly patients. The aim of the present study was to design new methods to achieve enhanced myocardial protection, based on the differential role of endogenous adenosine (ADO) and ADO receptors (ARs) in the effects of IPC on young and old animals. An improved New Zealand white rabbit model of ischemia/reperfusion was established based on the Langendorff model. Adult or elderly rabbit hearts, with or without exposure to IPC, were used in order to assess the roles of ADO and ARs in the different effects of IPC. Different protective methods were designed based on a combination of endogenous and exogenous interventions. Cardiac function, as well as biochemical, histopathological and apoptotic indices, were measured in the different intervention groups. The improved Langendorff model was stable, reliable and suitable for the undertaking of the experiments. The ADO levels in the aged rabbit hearts pre- and post-IPC were lower than those in the adult hearts, indicating that ADO levels may be an endogenous factor influencing IPC. A new protection strategy combining ADO-enhanced IPC, A1AR agonist 2-chloro-N(6)-cyclopentyladenosine preconditioning and cold crystalloid cardioplegia had a significant protective effect in aged hearts. The results of the present study suggested that endogenous ADO enhancement, A1AR agonist preconditioning and exogenous treatment yield an additive effect in aged rabbit hearts. The simultaneous application of these three types of intervention provided the most effective myocardial protection in the improved aged rabbit heart model.

Star GK Bileaflet Mechanical Valve Prosthesis-Patient Mismatch after Mitral Valve Replacement: A Chinese Multicenter Clinical Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and immediate and mid-term effects of heart valve prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) after mitral valve replacement using the GK bileaflet mechanical valve. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 493 cases of mechanical mitral valve replacement were performed in the departments of cardiac surgery in 7 hospitals from January 2000 to January 2008. The patients included 142 men and 351 women ages 21 to 67 (average age, 48.75). The patients were followed for 3 years after surgery. The effective orifice area index (EOAI), ≤1.2 cm2/m2, was detected during the follow-up period and was defined as PPM. The patients were assigned to either the PPM group or the non-PPM group. Finally, the preoperative, perioperative and postoperative indexes of the 2 groups of patients were compared. RESULTS: A total of 157 patients had PPM 3 years after surgery. The incidence of PPM was 31.84%. Sixty-three patients in the PPM group received a 25-mm GK bileaflet valve (40.13%), 82 received a 27-mm valve (52.23%), and 12 (7.64%) received a 29-mm valve. There were significant differences in length of intensive care unit stay, duration of ventilator use, length of hospitalization, body surface area, EOAI, mean transmitral pressure gradient, and pulmonary artery pressure between the PPM and non-PPM group (P<0.05). There was a significant difference between preoperative and postoperative pulmonary artery pressures among non-PPM patients (P<0.05); however, there was no statistical difference in preoperative and postoperative pulmonary artery pressures among patients with PPM (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PPM after mitral valve replacement influences postoperative hemodynamics. Thus, larger-sized GK bileaflet mechanical valves are often used to reduce the risk of PPM.

Influence of microRNA-related polymorphisms on clinical outcomes in coronary artery disease.

Genetic variants in pre-microRNA (miRNA) genes or the 3'UTR of miRNA target genes could influence miRNA-mediated regulation of gene expression and thus contribute to the susceptibility and prognosis of human diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 6 miRNA-related polymorphisms (miR-149 rs71428439, miR-146a rs2910164, miR-499 rs3746444, miR-423 rs6505162, miR-4513 rs2168518, and FABP2 rs11724758) on prognosis in 1004 patients with angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD). We found that miR-4513 rs2168518 was associated with blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and fasting glucose levels, and risk of diabetes mellitus. miR-499 rs3746444 and miR-423 rs6505162 were associated with blood pressure and HDL levels, respectively. Both miR-4513 rs2168518 and miR-499 rs3746444 had significant impact on even-free survival. Furthermore, miR-4513 rs2168518 was associated with higher morality in CAD patients. In conclusion, miR-4513 rs2168518 and miR-499 rs3746444 might be potential biomarkers for the clinical prognosis of CAD.

A clinical study of thoracoscopy-assisted mitral valve replacement concomitant with tricuspid valvuloplasty, with domestically manufactured pipeline products for cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the feasibility and experience of treating valvular heart diseases with thoracoscopy-assisted mitral valve replacement concomitant with tricuspid valvuloplasty, with domestically manufactured pipeline products for cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: A total of 135 patients with valvular heart disease were admitted to our hospital between January 2011 and January 2013. They received thoracoscopy-assisted mitral valve replacement concomitant with tricuspid valvuloplasty, with domestically manufactured pipeline products. A cardiopulmonary bypass with domestically-manufactured pipeline products was established during the surgery. The procedure was accomplished with the assistance of thoracoscopy through a small incision in the right chest wall. RESULTS: All 135 patients underwent a successful surgery, and were followed up for the duration of half a year to two years. None of them displayed any evidence of complications. Our procedure had the advantage of fewer complications and a significantly shortened time period for the patient care and hospitalization. As opposed to imported pipeline products for cardiopulmonary bypass, our procedure had the advantage of similar clinical results at a lower cost. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopy-assisted mitral valve replacement concomitant with tricuspid valvuloplasty was proved to be a safe and effective method for cardiopulmonary bypass, with the use of domestically manufactured pipeline products.

Comparison of transvenous versus transthoracic catheter-based device closure of patent ductus arteriosus with amplatzer duct occluder.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the clinical outcome of the transvenous versus transthoracic approach for closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). BACKGROUND: There are no data regarding the results of transvenous versus transthoracic catheter-based device closure of PDA with Amplatzer duct occluder (ADO) despite their increasing use as alternatives to conventional surgery. METHODS: In this observational study, a total of 150 consecutive patients with PDA were allocated either to the transvenous approach (group A, n = 108) and the transthoracic approach (group B, n = 42) by using ADO between January 2010 and April 2012. Echocardiography was performed to evaluate the prespecified initial and 6-month success of PDA closure. The technical indices and procedure-related major acute and chronic complications were documented. RESULTS: There were similar initial success rates (98.2% vs 100%; P>.05) and 6-month success rates (99.1% vs 100%; P>.05) between groups, and group A had fewer major acute complications (3.7% vs 85.7%; P<.001), shorter operating time (1.3 hours vs 2.1 hours; P<.001), Intensive Care Unit stay (0 hours vs 23.0 hours; P<.001), and recovery time (3.8 days vs 9.5 days; P<.001), and lower rates of general anesthesia (36.1% vs 100%; P<.001), blood transfusion (0.9% vs 71.4%; P<.001), and extra use of antibiotics (27.8% vs 78.6%; P<.001), and lower total cost of hospitalization ($3815.78 vs $5730.21; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Despite similar efficacy for duct closure with ADO, transvenous approach was associated with fewer acute complications, more periprocedural comfort, and lower cost; thus, transthoracic approach should not be a reasonable choice for duct closure except for particular indications.

Balloon valvuloplasty through the right ventricle: another treatment of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum.

BACKGROUND: This was a study to evaluate the safety and feasibility of balloon valvuloplasty of the pulmonary valve through the right ventricle (RV) for the treatment of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA-IVS). METHODS: Ten neonates with PA-IVS, who underwent balloon valvuloplasty of the pulmonary valve through the RV at our institution from January 2008 to May 2010, were enrolled in this study. The oxygen saturation range was 60% to 83% (median 76%). The Z-value range of the tricuspid valve annulus was -2 to 2 (median 0.15), the diameter range of the pulmonary valve annulus was 4.6 to 8.6 mm (median 7.3), and the RV systolic pressure range was 88 to 124 mm Hg (median 106.5). A guidewire was used to perforate the pulmonary valve through the RV, followed by balloon dilation of the valve. The procedure was guided by transesophageal echocardiography. RESULTS: The procedure was carried out successfully in all patients. The procedure time ranged from 64 to 110 minutes (median 82.5). Mechanical ventilation time ranged from 8 to 36 hours (median 11), and hospital stay ranged from 7 to 13 days (median 9). After the procedure, the median oxygen saturation increased to 89.5%, the median RV systolic pressure decreased to 45 mm Hg, and the gradient across the pulmonary valve ranged from 20 to 45 mm Hg (median 27.5). Minor complications included transient supraventricular tachycardia (n = 1), blood loss requiring transfusion (n = 2), moderate pulmonary regurgitation (n = 1), and mild pulmonary regurgitation (n = 3). There were no cases of cardiac perforation, main pulmonary artery aneurysm, or low output syndrome. Follow-up of patients ranged from 8 to 15 months (median 12.3). All patients remained clinically well. CONCLUSIONS: Balloon valvuloplasty of the pulmonary valve through the RV is a safe and feasible alternative to surgical valvotomy or percutaneous balloon dilation. Early results are encouraging.

Minimally invasive perventricular device closure of ventricular septal defect in infants under transthoracic echocardiograhic guidance: feasibility and comparison with transesophageal echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: A hybrid approach to minimally invasive perventricular closure of VSD in infants is safe and effective, and has been performed under guidance of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). We applied transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) guidance to this hybrid approach, and compare results guided by TTE with those by TEE. METHODS: From January 2011 to January 2012, 71 infants with VSD were enrolled to undergo a minimally invasive device closure. After evaluation of VSD by TTE, either TEE or TTE was used to guide the minimally invasive device closure. 30 patients had TEE guidance, and 41 patients had TTE. All patients were followed for 3 months after the operation. RESULTS: The TEE group had a success rate of 93.3% (28/30) for device implantation, compared with 92.7% (38/41) in the TTE group. Two patients in the TEE group turned to surgical closure, one for involvement of the inlet area of VSD demonstrated by TEE, another for moderate aortic regurgitation after device implantation. Two patients in the TTE group also transferred to surgical closure, one for residual shunt, another for failure of the floppy wire across the defect. In addition, one patient in the TTE group experienced dropout of the occluder one day postoperatively. At 3-month follow-up, one patient had mild aortic regurgitation in the TEE group and in two patients in the TTE group. There were no episodes of cardiac block, thromboembolism, or device displacement in either group. CONCLUSIONS: TTE-guided VSD closure is feasible in infants, with results similar to those of TEE guidance, although caution is advisable.

[Multiple surgical treatment of complex aortic arch and descending aorta disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the methods and effectiveness of multiple surgical treatment for complex aortic arch and descending aorta disease, including cardiopulmonary bypass operation, hybrid operation, and total endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: Between October 2006 and September 2011, 48 patients with complex aortic arch and descending aorta disease were treated. There were 31 males and 17 females, aged from 28 to 81 years (mean, 52.4 years). The disease duration ranged from 1 to 90 days (mean, 10.2 days). There were 30 cases of type B aortic dissection involving the aortic arch, 11 cases of thoracic aortic aneurysm, 3 cases of thoracic pseudoaneurysme, 3 cases of penetrating aortic ulcer, and 1 case of aortoesophageal fistula. Cardiopulmonary bypass operation, hybrid operation, and total EVAR were performed in 15, 12, and 21 cases, respectively. RESULTS: In the patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass operation, the following complications occurred: 1 case of bleeding, 1 case of coma, 3 cases of psychiatric disorders, 4 cases of pneumonia, 2 cases of acute renal insufficiency, and 2 cases of multi-organ dysfunction; finally 3 patients died. In the patients undergoing hybrid operation, cerebral infarction and renal function failure occurred in 1 case. In the patients undergoing total EVAR, no complication occurred. A total of 41 patients were followed up 2 to 60 months (mean, 28.6 months). Slight left subclavian steal syndrome occurred in 3 cases, but self relieved. Other patients recovered to normal life. CONCLUSION: In the surgical treatments of complex aortic arch and descending aorta disease, cardiopulmonary bypass operation will be gradually replaced by EVAR because of the surgical trauma and risk, hybrid operation is an important technique, and total EVAR will be the future progress.

[Vascular bypass grafting combined with endovascular aortic repair for treatment of aortic dilatation disease].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical experience of vascular bypass grafting combined with endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) for aortic dilatation disease. METHODS: Between January 2008 and August 2011, 12 patients with aortic dilatation disease were treated with vascular bypass grafting combined with EVAR. Of 12 patients, 11 were male and 1 was female, aged 47-81 years (mean, 65.9 years). All cases were diagnosed through computed tomography angiography (CTA), including 1 case of Stanford type A dissection, 5 cases of Stanford type B dissection, 4 cases of aortic arch aneurysm, and 2 cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Eight patients received neck artery bypass grafting before EVAR, and 4 patients underwent femoral artery bypass grafting after EVAR. RESULTS: After operation, pulmonary infection occurred in 3 patients, renal insufficiency in 2 patients, cerebral infarction in 1 case, decreased hemoglobin and platelets in 7 cases, and poor healing of groin wound in 1 case. Eleven patients were followed up 3-42 months, with an average of 18.6 months. In 1 case undergoing EVAR of the thoracic and abdominal aorta, EVAR was performed again because new aneurysms formed at 6 months after operation, and the patient achieved good recovery after 3 months. CTA showed reduced false lumen, thrombosis formation, no endoleak, no deformation or displacement of stent, and anastomotic patency of artificial blood vessels in the other patients at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation. CONCLUSION: Vascular bypass grafting combined with EVAR can expand the indications for endovascular repair. It not only provides sufficient anchoring area, but also ensures the blood supply to vital organs, simplifies the surgical procedure, and reduces the difficulty of endovascular treatment.

Intraoperative device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects: another safe and feasible alternative to surgical repair in infants.

OBJECTIVES: Conventional surgical closure has been considered the gold standard for the treatment of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (PVSDs) in infants for many years, but it requires a cardiopulmonary bypass and midline sternotomy which can lead to both physical and psychological trauma in the future. An intraoperative device closure can be performed with the advantages of reduced invasion, faster recovery and so on. We evaluate the safety and feasibility of intraoperative device closure of PVSDs in infants in comparison with surgical closure. METHODS: One hundred eighty-six infants with a PVSD were enrolled in our study. Among them, 97 patients were treated by surgical closure and 89 were treated by intraoperative device closure. The success rates, complications, length of hospital stay and costs were measured. RESULTS: The success rate was similar (P = 0.228) in the two groups: 87/89 patients (97.8%) in the device group versus 97/97 patients (100%) in the surgical group. Complication needs management was required in one patient of the device group (1.1%) and in two patients of the surgical group (2.0%) (P = 1.000). Minor complications were observed in 7/87 patients (8.0%) of the device group versus 15/99 patients (15.2%) of the surgical group (P < 0.001). Both groups were similarly effective in reducing the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension, pulmonary arterial pressure and cardiothoracic rate. The procedure time, inpatient stay and intensive care unit stay are shorter in the device group; the total cost was similar for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative device closure of PVSDs under real-time transoesophageal echocardiography guidance is safe and feasible without CPB. Under the right conditions, intraoperative device closure can be a good alternative to surgical closure for the treatment of PVSDs in infants.

Transthoracic echocardiographic guidance of minimally invasive perventricular device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect without cardiopulmonary bypass: initial experience.

BACKGROUND: Our purpose was to investigate the feasibility of transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) guidance for minimally invasive periventricular device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (VSDs). METHODS: From June 2011 to September 2011, we enrolled 18 young children with perimembranous VSDs to receive minimally invasive device closure in our hospital. All of the patients were examined by TTE to determine the VSD morphology, diameter, and rims. During intra-operative device closure, real-time bedside TTE alone was used to guide device implantation. RESULTS: Device implantation using TTE guidance was successful in 16 patients. Symmetric devices were used in 14 patients, and asymmetric devices were used in 2 patients. Only one patient experienced mild aortic regurgitation, and there were no instances of residual shunt, significant arrhythmias, thromboembolism, or device displacement. Two patients were transferred to surgical closure, one due to residual shunting and the other as a result of unsuccessful wire penetration of the VSD gap. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that TTE-guided VSD closure is feasible in young children, although a longer follow-up may be needed to document the long-term success.