Objective To observe the intermediate-term outcome and heart function in patients with small aortic root，and to investigate the feasi bility of small size prosthesis. Methods From July 1990 to Jun e 2003, 62 patients underwent 19mm aortic valve prosthesis(19mm group). The resu lts were compaired with other 62 patients receiving larger prosthesis(≥21 mm,21 mm group). Clinical symptoms, signs, electrocardiogram(ECG) and echocardiogr a phy (UCG) were followedup, KaplanMeier survival curve was used for analysis. Results In 19mm group, there were 38 patients with ≥Ⅱ/Ⅵ grade systolic murmur in aortic valve area,18 patients with ECG ST segm ent change and 11 patients with chest pain and/or chest distress. Postoperative cardiac function showed that 33 patients with heart function New York Heart Ass ociation(NYHA) class Ⅱ and 29 patients with NYHA class Ⅲ. Postoperative ECG sh owed in 21mm group,6 patients with ECG ST segment change,3 patients with chest distress and 6 patients with occasional chest pain and there were 48 patients with NYHA class Ⅱ and 14 patients with NYHA class Ⅲ,there was statis tically difference in heart function between two groups（P＝0.020). Th ere was a significant regression of left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular wall thickness, mass index,and pressure gradients in both groups（P＜0.05）, and left ventricular ejection f raction (LVEF)had a significant increase in patients 5 years after operation tha n that before operation（P＜0.05）, and there was no statistically differenc e in both groups（P＞0.05）. Actual survival at 1,5 years were 93.5%,74 .2% in 19mm group compared with 95.2%,790% in the 21mm valve group, there were no statistically difference in both groups （P=0.231,0.110）. Conc lus ion Patients with 19mm prosthetic aortic valves can experience a satisf actory improvement and get excellent intermediate-term survival.
Abstract: Objective To investigate the in vivo effective orifice area (EOA) and whether prosthesispatient mismatch (PPM) is going to happen after 19mm St.Jude Regent valves replacement were performed. Methods Twentythree patients with valvular heart diseases were divided into 2 groups according to aortic annular diameter. 19mm St. Jude Regent valves were replaced in aortic valve place (Regent valve group), and 21mm other doubleleaflet mechanical valves were replaced in aortic place (other valves group). All of the operations were accomplished under cardiopulmonary bypass in West China Hospital. All of the patients were followed up in 3 to 6 months after their surgery processes. Color Doppler echocardiography was used to measure the hemodynamic parameters in their followup. Then left ventricular mass (LV mass), EOA and effective orifice area index (EOAI) etc. were calculated and compared by using SPSS 12.0. Results No cardiac episodes were detected during the perioperative period and 36 months after operation. LVmass reduced in 36 months after operation in both groups. No statistical significance of EOA, EOAI and LVmass reduction were detected between the two groups. Conclusions (1)The EOA and in vivo hemodynamic effects of 19mm Regent valve are similar to 21mm other double leaflet mechanical valve. (2)It is safe to use 19mm Regent valve in those patients whose aortic annular diameter are small and need double valve replacement. Using 19mm Regent valve will not cause short time cardiac episodes and PPM. (3)More further works should be done to make sure what is the standard of PPM in Chinese people, such as enlarging the patients number and prolonging the followup time. (4) Further clinical and followup works should be done to make St.Jude Regent valve’s feature out.
Surgical Therapy for Valve Diseases Combined with Coronary Heart Diseases in Patients Over or Below 70 Years Old YU Lei, GU Tianxiang, SHI Enyi, XIU Zongyi, FANG Qin, ZHANG Yuhai. (Department of Cardiac Surgery, The No. 1 Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, P.R. China)Corresponding author: GU Tianxiang, Email: cmugtx@sina.comAbstract： Objective To summarize the experiences of valve replacement combined with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in senile patients by comparing clinical outcomes of valve diseases combined with coronary heart diseases in patients over or below 70 years old. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 49 patients who received valve replacement combined with CABG in our department from May 1999 to December 2007. Based on the age, the patients were divided into ≥70 years group (17 cases) with its patients at or above 70 years old and lt;70 years group (32 cases) with its patients younger than 70. The percentage of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) before surgery in ≥70 years group was higher than that in lt;70 years group(Plt;0.05). No significant difference was found in the other relevant factors between the two groups. The clinical index of patients in the two groups were compared and analyzed. Results There were significant differences between the two groups in such factors as the percentage of biovalve use (82.4% vs. 12.5%, χ2=23.311, P=0.000), the time of mechanic ventilation (34.5±29.3 h vs. 18.0±16.1 h, t=-2.542,P=0.014), the time of ICU stay (4.4±1.5 d vs. 3.3±0.7 d, t=-3.522, P=0.001), the time of hospital stay (21.4±7.7 d vs. 18.1±1.8 d, t=-2.319, P=0.025), the percentage of IABP use (29.4% vs. 6.3%, χ2=4.862, P=0.037), the percentage of pulmonary function failure (35.3% vs. 6.3%, χ2=6.859, P=0.009), the percentage of acute renal failure (23.5% vs. 3.1%, χ2=5.051, P=0.025), and the percentage of cerebrovascular accident (11.8% vs. 0.0%, χ2=3.933, P=0.048). There was no significant difference between the two groups in factors like the anastomosis of distal graft (2.5±3.1 vs. 2.4±14, t=0.301, P=0.758), the time of aortic occlusion (89.3±25.4 min vs. 88.5±31.0 min, t=0.108,P=0.913), the time of cardiopulmonary bypass (144.6±44.8 min vs. 138.3±52.9 min, t=0.164, P=0.871) and the mortality (5.9% vs. 6.3%, χ2=0.002,P=0.959). The perioperative myocardial infarction rate was zero in both groups. ≥70 years group patients were followed up for 2 months to 9 years with only 1 case missing. One patient who had undergone mechanic valve replacement died of cerebral hemorrhage 1.5 years after operation. Two died of heart failure and lung cancer 3 months and 6 years after operation respectively. For all the others, the cardiac function was at class Ⅰ to Ⅱ and their life quality was significantly improved. The follow up time of lt;70 years group was 1 month to 6 years and 5 cases were missing. Four patients who had undergone mechanic valve replacement died of complications in relation to anticoagulation treatment. One died of severe low cardiac output. Another died of traffic accident. Conclusion Surgery operation and effective perioperative treatment are key elements in improving surgery successful rate and decreasing mortality in patients with valve and coronary artery diseases. Valve replacement combined with CABG is safe for patients older than 70 years old.
Objective To explore clinical application and significance of coronary angiography （CAG） prior to heart valve replacement for patients with rheumatic valvular heart disease （RVHD）. Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 313 RVHD patients who underwent heart valve replacement in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2002 to June 2012. All the patients received screening CAG before surgery. According to CAG results，313 patients were divided into two groups. In the coronary artery lesion （CAL） group，there were 29 patients including 17 male and 12 female patients with their age of 60.0±5.2 years. In the non-coronary artery lesion （non-CAL）group，there were 284 patients including 98 male and 186 female patients with their age of 57.0±5.4 years. Surgicaloutcomes were compared between the two groups. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed to analyze risk factors of CAL for RVHD patients. Results CAG showed 29 patients with CAL，and the overall prevalence of CAL was 9.27%. In CAL group，11 patients underwent concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting with 2.2 grafts for each patient on the average. Postoperatively 1 patient （3.45%） died of low cardiac output syndrome （LCOS）. In non-CAL group，5 patients （1.76%） postoperatively died mainly because of LCOS，ventricular fibrillation，sudden cardiac arrest or respiratory failure. Cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamp time of CAL group were significantly longer than those of non-CAL group （P＜0.05）. There was no statistical difference in postoperative mortality，incidence of LCOS，acute renal failure，respiratory failure，reexploration for bleeding，intraoperative blood loss，mechanical ventilation time or hospital stay between the two groups（P＞0.05）. There was no significant correlation between the types of valvular lesions and CAL. Age≥ 55 years （OR=5.534，P=0.005），male gender （OR=2.335，P=0.038） and diabetes mellitus （OR=4.265，P=0.006） were independent risk factors of CAL for RVHD patients undergoing heart valve replacement. Conclusion For RVHD patients with independent risk factors of CAL （age≥55 years，male gender and diabetes mellitus），CAG must beseriously considered before heart valve replacement. RVHD patients with CAL can obtain similarly satisfactory surgicaloutcomes of heart valve replacement as RVHD patients without CAL by appropriate surgical strategy and strengthened perio-perative management.
Objective To summarize the outcomes and clinical features for surgical treatment of nonischemic heart valve disease(HVD) combined with coronary artery disease(CAD), so that to get better surgical result. Methods From January 2000 to June 2007, 105 patients with the mean age of 61.96±7.61 years (range 36-79 years), underwent the combined procedures.The etiology of HVD included: 59 rheumatic valve disease, 24 degenerative mitral lesion, 13 calcified aortic valve lesion, and 9 other aortic valve disease. CAD was preoperatively diagnosed by coronary arteriongraphy in 98 patients, and intraoperatively identified in 7 patients. Left ventricular ejection fraction was 50% or less in 45 patients. The total number of bypass grafts was 216 with the mean of 2.06 grafts per patient. Valve procedures included: 36 mitral valve valve replacement, 15 mitral repair,43 aortic valve replacement, 11 mitral valve and aortic valve replacement. Results There were 6 postoperative deaths with the mortality of 5.7%. The causes of death were 3 low cardiac output syndrome, 2 renal failure, and 1 heart arrest resulting in multiple organs failure. Ninety-three survivals were followed up from 1 month to 7 years, 6 patients were missed on follow-up. There were no late death. New York Heart Association class Ⅰ was observed in 25 patients, class Ⅱ53, class Ⅲ 10 and class Ⅳ 5. One patient still had existential chest pain. Conclusion There were no typical angina in majority of patients with nonischemic HVD combined with CAD, coronary arteriongraphy must be taken in patients with the age of 50 years and more, or with the risk factors for CAD.Intraoperative myocardial protection is very important because CAD further deteriorates myocardial dysfunction caused by HVD.The decreased left ventricular function is the important factor affecting the surgical results and it is hard to evaluate the underlying cause before the operation.
Abstract: Objective To summarize the clinical experience of 13 patients of tricuspid valve replacement and to investigate the indication and method. Methods From January 1994 to December 2005, the clinical datum of the thirteen patients suffering from tricuspid valve disease were reviewed, including rheumatic heart disease 6 cases, congenital heart disease 3 cases, infective endocarditis 3 cases and right ventricular tumor 1 case. All the cases underwent tricuspid valve replacement. Results Two reoperative rheumatic heart disease patients died early after operation and their cardiac function was New York Heart Association (NYHA) class Ⅳ before operation. The followup interval was 3 months to 12 years in 11 cases. There were 2 late death, one died of recurrence of infective endocarditis, and another died of the recurrence of the tumor. One Ebstein anomaly case’s NYHA functional recovered to class Ⅲ, eight cases’s recovered to NYHA classⅠ-Ⅱ. Conclusion The tricuspid valve disease may be a secondary lesion from many causes. Indication of tricuspid valve replacement must be strictly commanded. The late results of tricuspid valve mechanical prostheses replacement is satisfactory.
Abstract： Objective To use tissue Doppler strain rate imaging to evaluate the impact of low dose dopamine and milrinone on systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle of patients undergoing heart valve replacement. Methods Forty patients undergoing selective heart valve replacement in West China Hospital of Sichuan University between March and May 2011 were included in this study. All the patients were randomized into 2 groups with 20 patients in each group： milrione group and dopamine group. After anesthesia induction and before cardiopulmonary bypass setup， left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） was measured by echocardiography. Tissue Doppler strain rate imaging was used to measure the left ventricular lateral wall and midventricular segment from the four-chamber view， which was compared with Doppler parameters. Results LVEF， ratio of early-diastolic to end-diastolic velocity （E/A） of transmitral flow， ratio of mitral inflow velocity to early diastolic velocity in the annulus （E/Et） of both 2 groups were significantly different between before and after dopamine and milrinone administration （P＜0. 05）. In the milrinone group， 4 segments systolic peak velocity （Vs）， 1 segment early diastolic peak velocity （Ve）， 4 segments late diastolic peak velocity （Va）， 3 segments Ve/Va ratio， 2 segments systolic peak strain rate （SRs）， 2 segments late diastolic peak strain rate （SRa）， and 3 segments early diastolic peak strain rate SRe/SRa ratio after dopamine and milrinone administration were significantly higher than those before dopamine and milrinone administration （P＜0. 05）. In the dopamine group， 4 segments systolic peak velocity （Vs）， 1 segment Ve， 4 segments Va， 1 segment Ve/Va ratio， 2 segments SRs， 1 segment SRe， 1 segment SRa， and 1 segment SRe/SRa ratio after dopamine and milrinone administration were significantly higher than those before dopamine and milrinone administration （P＜0.05）. To compare the milrione group and dopamine group after medication administration， 2 segments Vs， 4 segments Va， 1 segment SRe， 1 segment SRa， 2 segments Ve/Va ratio， and 2 segments SRe/SRa ratio of the milrione group were significantly higher than those of the dopamine group （P＜0.05）， and 1 segment Vs， two segments SRs of the milrione group were significantly lower than those of the dopamine group （P＜0.05）. Conclusion Both milrinone and dopamine can improve left ventricular systolic function of perioperative patients undergoing heart valve replacement assessed by tissue Doppler strain rate imaging， while milrinone can improve the diastolic function of the left ventricle on the long axis more significantly.
Objective To evaluate the feasibility to fabricate tissue engineered heart valve leaflet with poly hydroxybutyrate co hydroxyvalerate (PHBV) scaffold. Methods Constructive characteristics of PHBV were observed by scanning electron microscope. PHBV was implanted subcutaneously in rabbit and extirpated at 2,4,6,8, and 10 weeks in order to study its biocompatibility and biodegradability. Cell growth curve, smooth muscle α actin and ultra microscopic characteristics were observed in canine aortic valve interstitial cells. The cells were seeded on the PHBV and their function of prostaglandin I 2 (PGI 2) synthesis was determined. Results Porous diameter of PHBV was 130μm, PHBV had good biocompatibility and completely degraded at the end of the 10th week. Smooth muscle α actin were expressed in canine aortic valve interstitial cells and grew well. Cells implanted on PHBV grew well, PGI 2 were synthesized and secreted( P lt;0.05). Conclusion It is feasible to fabricate a tissue engineering heart valve leaflet in vitro with PHBV scaffold.
Objective To summarize the experiences of surgical treatment for periprosthetic leakage(PPL). Methods A total of 63 patients with PPL (mitral PPL in 34, aortic PPL in 29), age 41±12 years, underwent reoperation with prosthetic valve replacement from Dec. 1980 to Dec. 2005 in this department. Patient characteristics, operative profiles and follow-up data were described and analyzed in detail. Results The perioperative complications occurred in 11 patients (17.5%), five of whom died (the overall hospital mortality: 7.9%). Fifty-five patients were in close follow-up and three of them lost in that period, five patients died in late. Fifty patients long-term survivals were in New York Heart Association class Ⅰ-Ⅱ and follow-up evaluation by echocardiography showed no evidence of recurrence or residual PPL and PPL-related complications. Conclusion More attention should be paid to the study on etiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic methods, and clinical classification of PPL. For patients with PPL, reoperation with prosthetic valve replacement is considerably effective and can obtain an acceptable longterm results.
Objective To discuss the application value in increasing the frequency of monitoring and ensuring the safety of anticoagulation therapy in patient self-monitoring (PST) and self-management (PSM) of portable coagulometer. Method This non-randomized prospective controlled study was conducted in 100 patients receiving oral warfarin anticoagulation therapy after heart valve replacement and met the inclusion criteria in our hospital between March 2013 and April 2014 year. All the patients were divided into three groups including an outpatient follow-up group(outpatient group), a self-monitoring group and a self-management group. Meanwhile, the patients in the outpatient group visited professional institutions, performed international normalized ratio (INR) testing with central lab and adjusted the dosage of orally administered warfarin by the doctors. And the other two groups performed INR testing with CoaguChek XS portable coagulometer by themselves, and the patients in the self-management group performed management by themselves. The follow-up time was 6 months. The dates of time in therapeutic range (TTR), fraction of time in therapeutic range (FTTR) and anticoagulation complications in the three groups were analyzed and compared. Results There was no significant difference in the INR results obtained from the follow-up time among the three groups (P=0.845) . TTR value of INR of the outpatient group, the self-monitoring group, and the self-management group was 45.9% (4368.0 days/9517.0 days), 61.2% (6057.0 days/9897.0 days), and 65.4% (2833.8 days/4333.0 days), respectively with a statistical difference among the three groups (P<0.001) . FTTR value of INR obtained from the outpatient group, the self-monitoring group, and the self-management group was 48.3% (99 times/205 times), 60.7% (164 times/270 times), and 64.9% (100 times/154 times) respectively. There was a statistical difference in the FTTR between the outpatient group and the self-monitoring group (P=0.007) , and also between the outpatient group and the self-monitoring group (P=0.002) . But there was no statistical difference between the self-monitoring group and the self-management group (P=0.392) . There were not any major bleeding and thrombosis complications in all study. And there was no statistical difference in the total complications, thrombosis, and bleeding complications rates between the outpatient group and the self-monitoring group, and also between the outpatient group and the self-management group (P>0.05) . Conclusions The patients receiving oral anticoagulation after heart valve replacement or their care providers were able to perform PST and PSM. The use of portable coagulometer for self-monitoring and self-management can increase the frequency of anticoagulation monitoring and achieve better INR target value control. PST and PSM could achieve higher quality of anticoagulation management and life and without increasing the risk of oral anticoagulation than the traditional monitoring method. The monitoring frequency of once a month is reasonable for the patients receiving oral anticoagulation more than half a year after heart valve replacement.