Objective To introduce alternative approach of right auxiliary artery cannulation through a 8 mm hemoshield graft for cardiopulmonary bypass and selective antegrade cerebral perfusion. Methods Twentythree cases of acute type A dissection and 7 cases of ascending aortic aneurysm, in which aortic arch was involved, were evaluated. An 4-5 cm long incision beneath right clavicle was made to expose auxiliary artery with auxiliary vein and brachial plexus intact. An 8 mm hemoshield graft was anastomosed to auxiliary artery and connected to the arterial end of cardiopulmonary bypass circuit. The auxiliary artery cannula was used for arterial perfusion and also used for selective antegrade cerebral perfusion. Fifteen total arch and 15 semi-total arch replacement were performed. The graft connecting auxiliary artery was simply ligated when cardiopulmonary bypass was concluded. Results Arterial perfusion flow and pressure through auxiliary artery were not significantly different from that of cannulation via ascending aorta. No significant postoperative cerebral deficits and complications of right upper limb associated with cannulation of auxiliary artery occurred. Conclusion Arterial perfusion through right auxiliary artery provides an excellent approach for surgery of acute type A dissection and ascending aortic aneurysm with optimized body perfusion and allows for antegrade cerebral perfusion during circulatory arrest.
Abstract: Objective To explore the surgical procedures and cerebral protection and improve surgical results by summarizing the experiences of surgical treatment of 68 patients of De Bakey Ⅰ aortic dissection. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 68 patients (including 45 males and 23 females aged 29 to 72 years with an age of 44.5±17.2 years) with De Bakey Ⅰ aortic dissection who were treated in the General Hospital of Shenyang Command between May 2004 and April 2010. Acute aortic dissection (occurring within 2 weeks) was present in 57 patients and chronic aortic dissection in 11. The intimal tear was located in the ascending aorta in 45 patients, in the aortic arch in 12 and in the descending part of the aortic arch in 11. Thirtyfive patients underwent emergency operation and 33 underwent selected or limited operation. The operations were performed under hypothermic circulation arrest plus selective antegrade cerebral perfusion or right vena cave retrograde cerebral perfusion to protect the brain. Total arch replacement and stented elephant trunk were performed in 25 patients, Bentall operation with concomitant total arch replacement and stented elephant trunk in 16 patients, pure right semi aortic arch replacement and stented elephant trunk in 15 patients, total aortic arch replacement in 7 patients, right semi aortic arch replacement and stented elephant trunk in 3 patients, and Cabrol operation with concomitant aortic conduit with valve and total arch replacement and stented elephant trunk in 2 patients. Results Five patients (4 with acute aortic dissection and 1 with chronic aortic dissection) died with an operative mortality of 7.4%(5/68). The causes of death were anastomotic bleeding during surgery in 1 patient, postoperative low cardiac output syndrome and malignant arrhythmia in 2, acute renal failure in 1 and cerebral complications in 1. During perioperative period, psychotic symptoms occurred in 5 patients, pericardial effusion in 2 patients, hoarseness in 6 patients and poor wound healing in 1 patient. All of them were cured before dehospitalization. Sixty patients (95.2%, 60/63) were followed up for 2 months to 6 years with the other 3 patients lost. During the ollow-up, sudden death occurred to 1 patient with unknown reasons, and 1 patient had pericardial effusion and symptoms improved with relevant treatment. All the other patients followed up had a good quality of life with significant improvement of heart function. Fiftyfour patients had a heart function of New York Heart Association class Ⅰ and 5 had a function of class Ⅱ. Conclusion The surgical treatment for De Bakey Ⅰ aortic dissection should be active. The beneficial results can be obtained with best choice of operative procedures, methods of cerebral protection, and adequate treatment of complications of operation.
Objective To summarize the clinical experience of cardiac valve surgery with minimally invasive procedure. Methods Cardiac valve surgery with less invasive techniques were performed in 134 cases. Five aortic valve operations and 2 mitral valve operations were performed through para-sternotomy. Forty-six mitral valve operations and 15 tricuspid valve operations were performed through right anterolateral thoracotomy. Eleven aortic valve operations were performed through limited reversed Z sternotomy. Fifty-five mitral valve operations were performed through limited lower sternotomy. Results Three cases died postoperatively, the mortality was 2.2%, 2 patients died of low cardiac output syndrome, and one died of acute hepatic and renal failure. One hundred and fourteen patients were followed-up from 2 months to 7 years. The follow-up results were excellently. The scar of minimally invasive valve surgery was limited. Conclusion Minimally invasive valve surgery can accelerate recovery, while maintaining overall surgical efficacy. The advantages include a better cosmetic scar, less surgical trauma, minimal respiratory discomfort and a potentially lower risk of infection. It is extremely effective and has become our current technique of choice in every mitral and aortic valve patient.
Objective To investigate the suppression effect and mechanism of Astilbin on lung allograft rejection in rats, in order to know the function of Astilbin on rats’ lung acute rejection. Methods The model of rat left lung transplantation was set up. Sixty lung transplanted rats were divided into two groups randomly, control group: rats were fed with normal saline 1ml per day, experimental group: rats were fed with Astilbin 1mg/kg per day. Survival time, transforming rate of T cells in spleen, activity of interleukin 2 (IL-2) in spleen lymph cells and apoptosis of T cells were observed. Changes in ultrastructure of pulmonary arteries were observed by electron microscope. Results The survival time in experimental group was prolonged than that in control group (25.4±2.1 d vs. 13.4±1.2 d;t=2.042, Plt;0.05）. Transforming rate of T cells of spleen in experimental group was significant lower than that in control group (23 465.8±8 783.4 cpm vs. 74 567.3±12 874.6 cpm; t=2.284，Plt;0.05）.Activity of IL-2 of spleen lymph cells in experimental group was significant lower than that in control group (425±2.65U/ml vs. 23.46±1.82U/ml; t=3.165, Plt;0.01).Effectively derive apoptosis of activated T cells in acute rejection were observed in experimental group, the ultrastructure of pulmonary arteries showed attenuated injury in experimental group. Conclusion Astilbin decreased the IL-2 concentration in plasma and induced the apoptosis in activated T cells, then suppressed the acute rejection of lung allograft and prolonged the survival period of lung transplantation rats.
Objective To investigate the experience of operative technique of donor organ harvesting and lung transplantation in some unusual circumstance, and to improve surgical success ratio of lung transplantation. Methods Lung transplants were preformed in 65 cases, including 47 singlelung transplants and 18 double single lung transplants. All the recipients were suffered from intensive respiratory failure,and nine patients were longterm ventilatordependented of the total. The recipients included emphysema (n=23), pulmonary fibrosis (n=24), pneumosilicosis(n=5), pulmonary tuberculosis(n=2), lymphangioleiomyomatosis(n=1) and ventricular septal defect(VSD) or VSD with Eisenmenger’s syndrome(n=4),bronchiectasis (n=4), diffuse panbronchiolitis (n=1) and primary pulmonary hypertension(n=1). Retrospectively summarize clinical experience of lung transplant operation especially experience of dealing with special circumstances encountered in operation. Results 64 donor organ harvesting were achieved successfully. Inhospital death was 11cases (16.9%) after operation. Early death was due to primary lung graft dysfunction (n=3), severe infection(n=6), acute rejection(n=1), pulmonary vein embolism(n=1). Complications took place after operation in 9 cases, to exploratory thoracotomy to stop bleeding after transplantation in 3 cases, pulmonary artery anastomosis again because of stenosis in 1 case, bronchus stoma stenosis in 3 cases, pulmonary infarction in 2 cases, of which one patient accepted pulmonary lobectomy. Follow-up period was from 1.0 year to 5.6 years of 54 cases. 1year survival rate was 72.3%（47/65）.The pulmonary function was improved and the quality of life is well in most patients of the group. Conclusion To improve the technique of donor organ harvesting and lung transplantation is important to decrease the early mortality after transplantation.
Abstract: Objective To determine the incidence, course, potential risk factors and outcomes of postoperative noninfectious fever in aortic surgical patients. Methods We reviewed 549 patients who received operation for aortic aneurysm or dissection in Beijing FuWai Cardiovascular Disease Hospital from January 2006 to January 2008. After excluding patients with a known source of infection during hospitalization, patients who had preoperative oral temperature greater than or equal to 38.0℃, patients who underwent emergency surgery, patients who died of other reasons other than feverrelated factors, and patients with incomplete data, we finally enrolled a total of 463 patients for final analysis. Depending on whether the patients developed a noninfectious fever after operation, we classified them into the febrile group (n=345, highest oral temperature ranging from 38.0-39.3℃) and the afebrile group (n=118, without postoperative fever). Univariate analysis was performed between these two groups of patients, with respect to demographics, operative data and postoperative conditions. Risk factors for postoperative fever were considered for the multivariate logistic regression model if they had a P value≤0.001 in the univariate analysis. Results After operation, 74.5%(345/463) of the patients had noninfectious fever. The minimum temperature of febrile patients on the operation day and the first postoperative day were both higher than afebrile patients（P=0.000，0.000）. The maximum temperature of febrile patients on the operation day, the first, second，third and fourth postoperative days were also higher than afebrile patients（P=0.000，0.000, 0.047, 0.018）. Univariate analysis demonstrated that weight (P=0.000), surgical type (P=0.000), minimum intraoperative bladder temperature (P=0.000), temperature upon ICU admission (P=0.000) and blood transfusion (P=0.000) were all risk factors for noninfectious postoperative fever. The multivariate logistic regression showed that surgical sites of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta (odds ratio: 4861; 95% confidence interval: 3.029，5.801; P=0.004), lower minimum intraoperative bladder temperature (odds ratio: 1.117; 95% confidence interval:1.013，1.244;P=0.040) and higher temperature on admission to the ICU (odds ratio: 2.570; 95% confidence interval:1.280，5.182;P=0.008) were significant predictors for postoperative noninfectious fever. Conclusion Noninfectious postoperative fever following aortic surgery is very common. Predictors of noninfectious postoperative fever following aortic surgery include surgical sites (thoracic or thoracoabdominal aorta), low intraoperative core temperature and temperature elevation in the immediate postoperative period.
Abstract： Objective To investigate the change of tissue structure and epithelial barrier function of excluded esophagus after esophageal exclusion surgery for tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). Methods Twentyeight hybrid dogs were divided into 3 groups with random number method. For group A (n=12), fistula was excluded; for group B (n=12), only the esophagus was excluded; and group C (n=4) was the control group. The normal and excluded esophagus of the three groups were observed through general sampling, HE staining, transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Lanthanum trace labeling. The interstitial space dilation (ISD) of the cells on the esophageal mucosa was measured and the number of desmosome in the intercellular space was calculated. Results The changes of tissue structure and epithelial barrier function of the excluded esophagus were similar between group A and group B. Compared with group C, group A and B showed the following changes: esophageal structure changed, submucous glandular tissues reduced or disappeared; the interstitial space increased, the number of desmosome decreased, and the epithelial barrier function attenuated, but the basal lamina did not changed and lanthanum did not break through it. For the dogs in group C, esophageal mucosa could be observed, submucosa was complete and a large number of gland tissues and micrangiums could be seen in it. The number of desmosome for group A, B and C was 0.21±0.03 entries/μm2, 0.22±0.05 entries/μm2, and 0.32±0.03 entries/μm2 respectively, which showed a significant difference between group A, B and group C (Plt;0.05), while there was no significant difference between group A and group B (Plt;0.05). The average interstitial space for group A, B and C was 2.11±0.56 μm, 2.04±0.77 μm, and 1.84±0.49 μm respectively. There was no significant difference between group A and B, while there was significant difference between group A, B and group C. Conclusion The esophageal exclusion surgery for refractory TEF is safe, feasible, and effective with few complications, and deserved to be popularized.
Objective To study the influence of three different ways of myogenic induction on Ca2+ regulation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from umbilical cord blood. Methods From January 2007 to April 2010, three different ways of myogenic induction including the adoptions of 5azacytidine, extraction of myocardium, and myocardial differentiation medium were used to induce MSCs derived from the umbilical cord blood of dogs in Xinhua Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University. Confocal laser scanning microscope was used to detect cells induced by the three abovementioned methods, cardiomyocytes and Ca2+ combined with Fluo3/AM inside the MSCs. For each group of cells, 2 to 5 visual fields were chosen, and 30 visual fields were recorded for each kind of cells. The mean fluorescence intensity of ten images shot in one minute was used to reflect the concentration of free intracellular Ca2+. Furthermore, the change of the concentration was continuously monitored by optical density(OD) value. Results After induction, the Ca2+ concentration inside the MSCs was significantly higher than that inside the cardiomyocytes (F=59.400, P=0.000). There was a statistical difference among the intracellular Ca2+ concentration induced respectively by 5azacytidine, extraction of myocardium, and myocardial differentiation medium (F=18.988, P=0.000). No significant difference existed between the intracellular Ca2+ concentration induced by 5-azacytidine and extraction of myocardium (OD value: 1 076.88±44.65 vs. 1 040.90±37.48, P=0.186), while the intracellular Ca2+ concentration induced by 5azacytidine was significantly higher than that induced by myocardial differentiation medium (OD value: 1 076.88±44.65 vs. 973.91±46.49, P=0.001), and the intracellular Ca2+ concentration induced by extraction of myocardium was significantly higher than that induced by myocardial differentiation medium (OD value: 1 040.90±37.48 vs. 973.91±46.49, P=0.001). The concentration of intracellular Ca2+ induced by all the three different methods fluctuated spontaneously, which was quite similar with the cardiomyocytes, but the frequency and the scope of the fluctuation were quite different. Ca2+ was released instantly by KCl stimulation in the two groups of MSCs pretreated by 5-aza and extraction of myocardium. Though MSCs pretreated by myocardial differentiation medium had response to KCl stimulation, Ca2+ could not be released in this group. On the contrary, the duration of Ca2+ release was prolonged. Conclusion Ca2+ regulation system of MSCs derived from umbilical cord blood can be influenced by these myogenic inductions. However, the reason and effect of the differences need to be elucidated by further investigation.
Abstract: Objective To introduce a new technique: transthoracic closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect (VSD) without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) under transesophageal echocardiography (TEE）guidance, and summarize the clinical experiences and midterm followup results. Methods A total of 136 patients with perimembranous VSD, 3 months to 15 years averaging 1.8 years, underwent transthoracic device closure. The weight of these patients ranged from 4.0 to 26.0 kg with an average weight of 12.7 kg. The diameter of their VSD ranged from 3 to 12 mm averaging 5.1 mm. A small transthoracic incision (34 cm incision by inferior sternotomy or 23 cm transverse incision in the third intercostal space) was made and the best location for right ventricular puncture was chosen and the delivery pathway was established under TEE guidance. Proper devices were delivered and then deployed to close the defect. Patients were followed up closely with a standard protocol, arranged for echocardiography, electrocardiogram and chest Xray film. Results In all the cases, 131 cases of VSD (96.3%) were successfully closed. The procedure time was less than 90 minutes and the implanting time was 5.42 minutes (16.3±5.7 min). Symmetrical devices were implanted into 89(67.9%) of the 131 patients and the other 42 patients (32.1%) were closed with asymmetrical ones. The result of TEE soon after operation showed that 3 patients had tiny residual shunt, 4 had new trivial and mild tricuspid regurgitation (TR). However, no TR worsening, aortic regurgitation (AR), complete atrioventricular heart block, or left or right outflow tract obstruction was detected in all patients. One patient 〖CM(159mm〗with transient atrioventricular block restored to sinus rhythm after 3 days of medical treatment. Five cases (3.7%) were converted to conventional open heart repair during the operation. Followup was done to all the patients for a period ranged from 6 months to 30 months (18.3±6.6 months). Tiny residual shunt in the 3 cases mentioned above vanished during the followup period. No new TR, AR, hemolysis, thrombosis, dislocation of the devices, or outflow stenosis was detected postoperatively. The tiny incision caused less psychologic depression. Conclusion Minimally invasive transthoracic device closure of VSD without CPB is a simple, effective and safe intervention under guidance of TEE for most of perimembranous VSD patients. The short and midterm clinical outcomes are promising. Longterm followup is indispensable.
Objective To explore the role of thrombus precursor protein(TPP) in the monitoring of anticoagulation in the patients with atrial fibrillation (Af) after mechanical heart valve replacement, and suggest the reasonable anticoagulant range. Methods Ninety patients were divided into Af group (n=45), sinus rhythm group (SR group, n=45), and control group (20 patients with non-valvular heart diseases), according to whether Af exist after mitral valve replacement. TPP concentrations and International Normalized Ratio(INR) in the anticoagulant patients were analyzed. Results In patients after mechanical mitral valve replacement, plasma TPP concentrations in both SR group and Af group were lower than that in control group (Plt;0.05,0.01), their INR value were higher than that in control group (Plt;0.01), and Af group had higher plasma TPP concentrations than that in SR group((Plt;)0.05). It was found that there existed contradictions between INR and plasma TPP concentrations in Af group. There were 28 patients with plasma TPP concentrations below 6 μg/ml and without spontaneous bleeding complications in the group with Af, who might be at the optimal anticoagulant status. Their 95% confidence of INR value was 1.90-2.30 and their plasma TPP concentration was 4.29±0.75μg/ml. Conclusion Patients with Af after mechanical heart valve replacement might have higher risk of thromboembolism, INR between 1.90 - 2.30 and plasma TPP concentration between 2.84-6.00 μg/ml might be the optimal anticoagulant therapeutic range.