Objective To explore the application value of artificial intelligence (AI) pulmonary artery assisted diagnosis software for suspected pulmonary embolism patients. Methods The data of 199 patients who were clinically suspected of pulmonary embolism and underwent pulmonary artery CT angiography (CTA) from June 2016 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Images of pulmonary artery CTA diagnosed by radiologists with different experiences and judged by senior radiologists were compared with the analysis results of AI assisted diagnostic software for pulmonary artery CTA, to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of this software and low, medium, and senior radiologists for pulmonary embolism. The agreement of pulmonary embolism based on pulmonary artery CTA between the AI software and radiologists with different experiences was evaluated using Kappa test. Results The agreement of the AI software and the evaluation of pulmonary embolism lesions by senior radiologists based on pulmonary artery CTA was high (Kappa=0.913, P<0.001), while the diagnostic results of pulmonary artery CTA AI software was good after judged by senior radiologists based on pulmonary artery CTA (Kappa=0.755, P<0.001). Conclusions The AI software based on pulmonary artery CTA diagnosis of pulmonary embolism has good consistency with diagnostic images of radilogists, and can save a lot of reconstruction and diagnostic time. It has the value of daily diagnosis work and worthy of clinical promotion.
ObjectiveTo compare the benefits and drawbacks of primary patch expansion versus pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection in patients diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD). MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PA/VSD who underwent primary right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection surgery at our center between 2010 and 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection: a pericardial tube group and a patch expansion group. Clinical data and imaging findings were compared between the two groups. ResultsA total of 51 patients were included in the study, comprising 31 males and 20 females, with a median age of 12.57 (4.57, 49.67) months. The pericardial tube group included 19 patients with a median age of 17.17 (7.33, 49.67) months, while the patch expansion group consisted of 32 patients with a median age of 8.58 (3.57, 52.72) months. In both groups, the diameter of pulmonary artery, McGoon index, and Nakata index significantly increased after treatment (P<0.001). However, the pericardial tube group exhibited a longer extracorporeal circulation time (P<0.001). The reoperation rate was notably high, with 74.51% of patients requiring further surgical intervention, including 26 (81.25%) patients in the patch expansion group and 12 (63.16%) patients in the pericardial tube group. No statistical differences were observed in long-term cure rates or mortality between the two groups (P＞0.005). Conclusion In patients with PA/VSD, both patch expansion and pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection serve as effective initial palliative treatment strategies that promote pulmonary vessel development and provide a favorable foundation for subsequent radical operations. However, compared to the pericardial tube approach, the patch expansion technique is simpler to perform and preserves some intrinsic potential for pulmonary artery development, making it the preferred procedure.
ObjectiveTo explore whether nesiritide (recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide, rh-BNP) could be used to treat pulmonary artery hypertension. MethodsA 34-year-old female patient with severe symptomatic idiopathic pulmonary artery hypertension was reported, who was refractory to routine therapies, including prostacyclin. Therapy with continuous nesiritide infusion resulted in significant decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance and an improvement in dyspnea. The relevant literature was reviewed. ResultsThe clinical symptoms of this patient relieved significantly after nesiritide therapy. Literature review showed that nesiritide could increase the production of nitrogen oxides and cyclic guanosine monophosphate in the body, so as to dilate the vessels which were shrunk due to hypoxia and low down the pulmonary vascular resistance. ConclusionNesiritide is useful to treat severe pulmonary artery hypertension, and combination with phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors may be a brand new therapy of value.
Objective To observe and describe anatomical types of the pulmonary arteries to keep safety of lung resection. Methods Between November 25, 2005 and January 22, 2013, 194 patients who underwent right upper lobectomy/sleeve lobectomy or combined lung resection including right upper lobectomy were included in Peking University Cancer Hospital. There were 128 males with a median age of 59 (37-86) years and 66 females with a median age of 60 (42-77) years. We separated the pulmonary arteries and recorded the number and positions of them. Some patients were recorded photographically. Results There were 10 types of right upper lobe pulmonary artery branches in this study. Type 1: 1 apicoanterior segmental artery, 1 ascending segmental artery, 96 patients (49.5%); Type 2: 1 apicoanterior segmental artery, 2 ascending segmental arteries, 48 patients (24.7%); Type 3: 2 apicoanterior segmental arteries, 1 ascending segmental artery, 28 patients (14.4%); Type 4: 2 apicoanterior segmental arteries, 2 ascending segmental arteries, 9 patients (4.6%); Type 5: 1 apicoanterior segmental artery only, 6 patients (3.1%); Type 6: 1 apicoanterior segmental artery, 3 ascending segmental arteries, 3 patients (1.5%); Type 7: 4 apicoanterior segmental arteries, 1 ascending segmental artery, 1 patient (0.5%); Type 8: 3 apicoanterior segmental arteries, 1 ascending segmental artery, 1 patient (0.5%); Type 9: 2 apicoanterior segmental arteries, 1 patient (0.5%); Type 10: 3 apicoanterior segmental arteries, 2 ascending segmental arteries, 1 patient (0.5%). Conclusion The types of pulmonary artery branches are predictable in some way. It would be helpful to reduce the risk of pulmonary artery injury and improve the operation safety by following the rules. Variations of pulmonary artery should be noticed to avoid the major bleeding due to the pulmonary artery injury.
Objective To assess clinical results of three different conduit materials （Gore-Tex synthetic graft，bovinejugular vein and autologous pericardium）for palliative right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery （RV-PA） shunt，and explore the correlation between suitable conduit size and patients’ body weight and McGoon ratio. Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 24 patients with congenital heart diseases who underwent palliative RV-PA shunt in Department of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery of Fu Wai Cardiovascular Hospital from July 2010 to July 2012. There were 11 males and 13 females with their age ranging from 60 days to 6 years and body weight of 10.22±7.41 kg. There were 22 patients with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect （PAVSD），1 patient with tetralogy of Fallot （TOF） and 1 patient with doubleoutlet right ventricle （DORV）. Among different conduit materials，autologous pericardium was used for 17 patients，Gore-Texsynthetic graft was used for 5 patients，and bovine jugular vein was used for 2 patients. Conduit size and children’s body weight were analyzed with linear regression，then the equation was corrected with McGoon ratio. Results There was no perioperative death. Postoperative percutaneous saturation （SpO2）of the 24 children was 20.37%±28.33% higher than preoperative SpO2 . Electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm in all the patients. Twenty-three patients were NYHA classⅡ，and 1 patient was NYHA classⅢ. Postoperative mechanical ventilation time of patients with autologous pericardium were significantly shorter than those of patients with other 2 materials （P=0.017）. Sixteen patients were followed up from 10 months to 2 years after discharge，including 12 patients with autologous pericardium，3 patients with Gore-Tex synthetic graft and 1 patient with bovine jugular vein. During follow-up，McGoon ratio of patients with autologous pericardium，Gore-Tex synthetic graft and bovine jugular vein were 1.98±0.46，1.83±0.33 and 1.68 respectively，all of which weresignificantly higher than preoperative McGoon ratio （P＜0.05）. Six patients underwent radical corrective surgery，including5 patients with autologous pericardium and 1 patient with Gore-Tex synthetic graft. There was no complication directly related to surgery during follow-up. Linear regression was performed to form an equation between suitable conduit size and patients’ body weight：conduit diameter （mm）=0.327×body weight （kg）＋4.599. McGoon ratio，conduit size and equationresult were compared to find a practical choice of conduit size. If McGoon ratio＜0.8，the first integer greater than the equation result could be chosen. If McGoon ratio＞1.2，the first integer less than the equation result could be chosen. If 1.2＞McGoon ratio＞0.8，the first integer either less or greater than the equation result could be chosen. Group analysis showed that patients who recovered better postoperatively were those whose conduit sizes were closer to equation results as well as equation results corrected with McGoon ratio. Conclusion All the 3 materials can be conventionally chosen for RV-PA shunt. Appropriate conduit size can be decided upon patients’ body weight and McGoon ratio for RV-PA shunt.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical applications of 3D-CT reconstruction combined with 3D printing in the analysis of anatomical types and variations of bilateral pulmonary arteries. MethodsFrom January 2019 to February 2022, the clinical data of 547 patients who underwent anatomical lung lesion resection in our hospital were retrospectively collected. They were divided into a 3D-CT reconstruction plus printing technology group (n=298, 87 males and 211 females aged 53.84±12.94 years), a 3D-CT reconstruction group (n=148, 55 males and 93 females aged 54.21±11.39 years), and a non-3D group (n=101, 28 males and 73 females aged 53.17±10.60 years). ResultsIn the 3D-CT reconstruction plus printing technology group, the operation time of patients (right: 125.61±20.99 min, left: 119.26±28.44 min) was shorter than that in the 3D-CT reconstruction group (right: 130.48±11.28 min, left: 125.51±10.59 min) and non-3D group (right: 134.45±10.20 min, left: 130.44±9.53 min), which was not associated with the site of surgery; intraoperative blood loss (right: 20.92±8.22 mL, left: 16.85±10.43 mL) was not statistically different compared with the 3D-CT reconstruction group (right: 21.13±8.97 mL, left: 19.09±7.01 mL), but was less than that of the non-3D group (right: 24.44±10.72 mL, left: 23.72±11.45 mL). Variation was found in the right pulmonary artery of 7 (3.91%) patients and in the left pulmonary artery of 21 (17.65%) patients. We first found four-branched lingual pulmonary artery in 2 patients.ConclusionPreoperative CT image computer-assisted 3D reconstruction combined with 3D printing technology can help surgeons to formulate accurate surgical plans, shorten operation time and reduce intraoperative blood loss.
ObjectiveTo explore surgical methods and risk factors of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA). MethodsClinical data of 28 ALCAPA patients who underwent surgical repair from October 1993 to September 2013 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. There were 8 male and 20 female patients with their age of 0.6-l6.8 (4.3±0.7)years including 10 patients less than 1 years old. Surgical procedures included simple ligation of left coronary artery, intrapulmonary tunnel procedure (Takeuchi)and direct coronary reimplantation of the anomalous artery. Postoperative death, complication and cardiac function were observed. ResultsAmong the 28 patients, 1 patient received simple ligation of left coronary artery, and 7 patients received intrapulmonary tunnel procedure (Takeuchi), among whom 2 patients died postoperatively. Twenty patients received direct implantation of the anomalous artery into the ascending aorta, and 3 patients died postoperatively. Five patients who died postoperatively were 10.20±3.27 months old, including 3 patients with moderate mitral regurgitation (MR)and 2 patients with mild MR preoperatively. Preoperative heart function of the patients who died postoperatively was significantly reduced. Preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction of the patients who died postoperatively was significantly lower than that of the patients who survived (36.6%±8.5% vs. 60.9%±10.7%, P=0.000). Low cardiac output syndrome was the reason for all postoperative death. All survival patients were followed up from 1 month to 18 years. One patient who underwent intra-pulmonary tunnel procedure (Takeuchi)received pulmonary artery balloon dilatation for pulmonary supravalvular stenosis 15 years after discharge. None of the other patients received a secondary operation. During follow-up, left ventricular function was improved. Growth and development of all the patients was normal. MR did not significantly aggravate in all the patients. ConclusionPatients with younger age and worse left ventricular function have greater surgical risks of ALCAPA.
Pulmonary hypertension (PH), characterized by diverse etiologies and intricate pathological mechanisms, is a complex cardiopulmonary vascular disorder featuring high morbidity and mortality. Percutaneous pulmonary artery denervation (PADN) represents an emerging interventional treatment method, which shows good prospects in the clinical practice of PH. The PADN has attained preliminary achievements in terms of safety and efficacy. Nevertheless, its long-term prognosis, the characteristics of the appropriate patient populations, and the optimization strategies combined with targeted pharmacotherapy remain to be further explored. This article reviews the current clinical applications of PADN as well as the challenges it confronts.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feature of the angulation between left pulmonary artery (LPA) and main pulmonary artery (MPA) and its relationship to pulmonary artery development in patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF).MethodsA total of 101 TOF patients in West China Hospital from 2014 to 2018 were enrolled in a TOF group, including 62 males and 39 females, aged 6.8 (0.3-45.8) years, and another 20 patients without basic cardiac diseases at the same stage were enrolled in a control group, including 10 males and 10 females, aged 6.9 (0.3-54.0) years. Diameters of LPA, right pulmonary artery (RPA) and MPA, the angulation between LPA and MPA (MPA-LPA), McGoon ratio, and Nakata index were measured and compared between the two groups. The relationship between the above data and MPA-LPA angulation was also analyzed.ResultsThe average MPA-LPA angulation was smaller in the TOF group than that in the control group (113.63° vs. 128.45°, P=0.001 8). The MPA Z score was also smaller in the TOF group than that in the control group (0.46 vs. 2.75, P=0.000 4). No relationship was found by correlation analysis between the MPA-LPA angulation and MPA Z score or LPA Z score in the control group (P=0.239 6, 0.114 7) and the TOF group (P=0.759 3, 0.242 7). The McGoon ratios (2.22±0.72, 2.43±0.94, P=0.340 0) and Nakata index (359.3±294.24, 395.52±329.31, P=0.650 0) were not significantly different between the two groups.ConclusionThe angulation of LPA-MPA and MPA Z score are smaller in the TOF group than those in the control group. There is no relationship between MPA-LPA angulation and pulmonary artery diameters. The LPA-MPA angulation should not be considered as an influence factor for LPA development and trans-annular patch surgery.
Objective To confirm the changes of pulmonary artery pressure, neo pulmonary artery stenosis and reoperation in children with unilateral absence of pulmonary artery (UAPA) undergoing pulmonary artery reconstruction. Methods The clinical data of the infants with UAPA undergoing pulmonary artery reconstruction in our hospital from February 19, 2019 to April 15, 2021 were analyzed. Changes in pulmonary artery pressure, neo pulmonary artery stenosis and reoperation were followed up. Results Finally 5 patients were collected, including 4 males and 1 female. The operation age ranged from 13 days to 2.7 years. Cardiac contrast-enhanced CT scans were performed in all children, and 2 patients underwent pulmonary vein wedge angiography to confirm the diagnosis and preoperative evaluation. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography and intraoperative direct pulmonary arterial pressure measurement indicated that all 5 children had pulmonary hypertension, with a mean pulmonary arterial pressure of 31.3±16.0 mm Hg. Pulmonary arterial pressure decreased immediately after pulmonary artery reconstruction to 16.8±4.2 mm Hg. The mean follow-up time was 18.9±4.7 months. All 5 patients survived during the follow-up period, and 1 patient had neo pulmonary artery stenosis or even occlusion and was re-operated. Conclusion Pulmonary artery reconstruction can effectively alleviate the pulmonary hypertension in children with UAPA. The patency of the neo pulmonary artery should be closely followed up after surgery, and re-pulmonary angioplasty should be performed if necessary.