Objective To explore the application effect of 3D printed heart models in the training of young cardiac surgeons, and evaluate their application value in surgical simulation and skill improvement. MethodsEight young cardiac surgeons were selected form West China Hospital as the trainees. Before training, the Hands-On Surgical Training-Congenital Heart Surgery (HOST-CHS) operation scores of the 8 cardiac surgeons were obtained after operating on 2 pig heart models of ventricular septal defect (VSD). Subsequently, simulation training was conducted on a 3D printed peri-membrane VSD heart model for 6 weeks, once a week. After the training, all trainees completed 2 pig heart VSD repair surgeries. The improvement of doctors’ skills was evaluated through survey questionnaires, HOST-CHS scores, and operation time after training. ResultsBefore the training, the average HOST-CHS score of the 8 trainees was 52.2±6.3 points, and the average time for VSD repair was 54.7±7.1 min. During the 6-week simulation training using 3D printed models, the total score of HOST-CHS for the 8 trainees gradually increased (P<0.001), and the time required to complete VSD repair was shortened (P<0.001). The trainees had the most significant improvement in scores of surgical cognition and protective awareness. The survey results showed that trainees were generally very satisfied with the effectiveness of 3D model simulation training. Conclusion The 3D printed VSD model demonstrates significant application advantages in the training of young cardiac surgeons. By providing highly realistic anatomical structures, 3D models can effectively enhance surgeons’ surgical skills. It is suggested to further promote the application of 3D printing technology in medical education, providing strong support for cultivating high-quality cardiac surgeons.
Objective To explore the clinical effect of ventricular septal defect repair and lung allograft (simply as "heart repair and lung transplant") in the treatment of ventricular septal defect complicated with severe pulmonary hypertension. Methods A 21-year-old female patient with ventricular septal defect and severe pulmonary hypertension was treated with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) under general anesthesia, and then right lung transplantation was performed, and then left lung transplantation was performed after changing body position. Results The operation was conducted successively. The intraoperative CPB support time was 90 minutes, and the blood loss was 2000 mL. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was removed on the second day after operation, the ventilator was evacuated on the third day, and the patient recovered and discharged on the 38th day. Postoperative echocardiography showed significant improvement in pulmonary artery pressure. Conclusion For patients with simple congenital heart disease complicated with severe pulmonary hypertension, "heart repair and lung transplant" can improve their quality of life.
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.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical efficacy of transthoracic occlusion via a right subaxillary incision and conventional surgery in the treatment of ventricular septal defect (VSD).MethodsThe clinical data of patients with congenital VSD undergoing right subaxillary incision surgery in our hospital from January 2017 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the surgical methods, the patients were divided into two groups: a conventional surgery group (conventional group) and a transthoracic occlusion group (occlusion group). There were 221 patients in the conventional group, including 97 males and 124 females, with an average age of 2.6±2.2 years and an average weight of 13.4±6.2 kg; there were 185 patients in the occlusion group, including 90 males and 95 females, with an average age of 3.2±2.6 years and an average weight of 14.7±6.6 kg. The clinical effectiveness was compared.ResultsThe success rate of surgery was 100% in both groups. The intraoperative blood loss was less in the occlusion group (P<0.05). The incision length, operation time, postoperative mechanical ventilation time, retention time in the intensive care unit, the time to resume normal diet and normal activities after operation were all shorter than those in the conventional group (P all <0.05). The total cost during hospitalization of the conventional group was less than that of the occlusion group (P<0.001). There was no statistical difference in the incidence rate of perioperative complications between the two groups (P>0.05). During the follow-up (15.8±8.8 months), the incidence of complications in the conventional group was higher than that in the occlusion group with a statistical difference (P<0.001).ConclusionCompared with conventional surgery, transthoracic occlusion for VSD via right subaxillary incision has the advantages of smaller incision, shorter operation time, less blood loss, shorter postoperative recovery time and less long-term complications. However, the total hospitalization cost is relatively high, mainly because of the high consumables cost, and the long-term effects still need further comparative observation.
ObjectiveTo compare and investigate the efficacy and differences of modified B-T shunt, central shunt and right ventricle-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) connection in the treatment of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD).MethodsA total of 124 children with PA/VSD underwent initial palliative repair in Shanghai Children's Medical Center from September 2014 to August 2019, including 63 males and 61 females, aged 7 days to 15 years. They were divided into in a modified B-T shunt group (55 patients), a central shunt group (22 patients) and a RV-PA connection group (47 patients). The clinical data of these children were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsThere were 9 early deaths after palliation, with an early mortality rate of 7.3%. The mean follow-up time was 26.5±20.3 months, with 5 patients lost to follow-up, 5 deaths during the follow-up period, and 105 survivors. The 1-year and 5-year survival rates were both 89.7%. The monthly increased Nakata index was 5.2 (–0.2, 12.3) mm2/m2, 9.2 (0.1, 23.6) mm2/m2, 6.3 (1.8, 23.3) mm2/m2 in the modified B-T shunt group, the central shunt group, and the RV-PA connection group, respectively, with no statistical difference among the three groups. The 1-year survival rate was 85.3%, 78.4%, 95.2%, and the 5-year (4-year in the central shunt group) survival rate was 85.3%, 58.8%, 95.2% in the three groups, respectively, with a statistical difference among them (P<0.05). The complete repair rate was 36.5%, 19.0% and 67.4% in the three groups, respectively, with a statistical difference among the three groups (P<0.001).ConclusionAll these three palliative surgical approaches can effectively promote pulmonary vascular development. But compared with systemic-pulmonary shunt, RV-PA connection has a lower perioperative mortality rate and can achieve a higher complete repair rate at a later stage, which is beneficial for long-term prognosis.
ObjectiveTo study the clinical characteristics of patients with partial and transitional atrioventricular septal defects (P/TAVSDs) in our hospital, and to evaluate the early follow-up outcomes from a real-world research perspective.MethodsThe clinical data of all patients diagnosed with P/TAVSDs from January 1, 2018 to July 12, 2020, in our hospital were collected, and all patients' examination results were used as the real-world follow-up data, univariable Cox risk proportional model was used to analyze the outcomes. A total of 93 patients were finally included in the analysis, 72 with partial and 21 with transitional AVSD. There were 38 males and 55 females at age of 182.0 months (20.0 d to 779.5 months).ResultsUnivariable Cox proportional risk model suggested that at least one cardiac malformation (HR=15.00, 95%CI 3.00 to 75.00, P=0.001), preoperative moderate or greater mitral regurgitation (HR=6.60, 95%CI 1.70 to 26.00, P=0.007), and preoperative moderate or greater tricuspid regurgitation (HR=13.00, 95%CI 3.10 to 51.00, P<0.0001) were risk factors for moderate or greater postoperative atrioventricular valve regurgitation.ConclusionChildren with coarctation of the aorta or partial pulmonary vein connection, moderate or greater preoperative mitral regurgitation, and moderate or greater preoperative tricuspid regurgitation need to be alerted to the risk of moderate or greater postoperative atrioventricular valve regurgitation. Real-world data, with relaxed statistical P values and combined expertise, can suggest clinical conclusions that are close to those of high-quality retrospective studies.
Abstract: Objective To investigate the clinical anatomy of ventricular septal defect(VSD) in tetralogy of Fallot(TOF)，reassess its classification and technique of surgical closure. Methods The data of one hundred consecutive patients with TOF (between January 2002 and June 2006) were reviewed. Their ages ranged from 2 months to 13 years, weights ranged from 5 to 38kg, percutaneous oxygen saturation(SpO2) ranged from 57％ to 92％, haematocrit(HCT) ranged from 0.34 to 0.74, Nakata index ranged from 90 to 210mm2/m2 and McGoon ratio ranged from 0.8 to 2.0. The clinic anatomy of the VSD was studied intraoperatively. Results Among them, seventy one patients had fibrous continuity between the leaflets of the aortic and tricuspid valve. Ninteen patients had a muscular postero-inferior border. Ten patients had subpulmonary VSD’s. There was no third degree atrioventricular block (3°AVB). Two patients had transient-atrioventricular dissociation but subsequent returned to sinus rhythm. Twenty two patients had incomplete right bundle branch block. Three patients were found to have very small residual VSD (less than 0.2cm) in the posteroinferior borders which closed spontaneously after 6 months. ConclusionVSD in TOF when classified as peri-membranous, muscular and subpulmonary VSD may improve the accuracy of surgical closure.
Objective To investigate surgical strategy for the treatment of muscular ventricular septal defect （MVSD） in infants with multiple ventricular septal defects（VSD）. Methods Clinical data of 46 infants with multiple VSD who underwent surgical repair in Shanghai Children’s Medical Center from January 2010 to April 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 24 males and 22 females with their age of 8±6 months and body weight of 6.1±1.9 kg. All the patients received one-stage surgical repair，among whom MVSD of 10 patients was not found and repaired during the surgery. MVSD was repaired by surgical suture in 19 patients，hybrid repair under direct vision in 12 patients，and hybrid repair via the right ventricle in 5 patients. All the patients were regularly followed up after discharge by chest X-ray，ECG and color Doppler echocardiography to observe the closure of MVSD and the presence of residual shunt. Results All the 46 patients with multiple VSD survived their surgery without perioperative death. Three patients undergoing hybrid repair under direct vision received delayed sternal closure. One patient undergoing hybrid repair under direct vision had postoperative cardiac dysfunction. All the 46 patients were followed up for 1-17 months. Twenty-three patients had residual shunt of varying degrees during follow-up，and most of the MVSD of patients with residual shunt were ＜4 mm，who were receiving further follow-up and evaluation. Conclusion Appropriate surgical strategies can be applied according to specific surgical views during the operation for the treatment of MVSD in infants with multiple VSD，and satisfactory clinical outcomes can be achieved.
Objective To investigate the effect of low-flow inhaling NO for short time on postoperative cardiac and pulmonary functions in infants with congenital ventricular septal defect complicated with severe pulmonary hypertension. Methods Forty-five patients with congenital ventricular septal defect complicated with severe pulmonary hypertension from May 2014 to May 2016 in our hospital were enrolled. There were 19 males and 26 females, whose age ranged from 1 to 22 months (average age: 7.2±14.4 months) and weight ranged from 2.7 to 10.5 kg (average weight: 6.8±3.6 kg). The patients were randomly divided into three groups (n=15 in each): the blank group, the prior inhalation group and the posterior inhalation group. The blank group did not inhale NO, and the prior inhalation group inhalated NO for 10 min after tracheal and intubation. After the opening of the aorta, the posterior inhalation group inhaled NO for 10 min. The concentration of NO was 20 × 10–6. The pressure ratio of pulmonary circulation/systematic circulation, heart index and oxygenation index were calculated and the troponin value of the three groups was monitored 10 min after returning to intensive care unit (ICU) and postoperatively 1 h, 3 h and 24 h. Differences among above indicators between three groups were compared. Results The troponin value of the posterior inhalation group within 3 h increased most, followed by the blank group and the prior inhalation group. Postoperatively 1 h and 3 h, the troponin value of the prior inhalation group was significantly less than that of the blank group and posterior inhalation group (P<0.01) and the value on postoperative 24 h in each group was lower than that on postoperative 3 h. The cardiac index of prior inhalation group was higher than that of the blank group and the posterior inhalation group at each time point. Postoperatively 3 h and 24 has well as 10 min after returning to ICU, the cardiac index in prior inhalation group was significantly higher than that of the posterior inhalation group (P<0.05). The pressure ratio of pulmonary circulation/systematic circulation of posterior inhalation group increased more than that of blank group; the differences in two groups were significant between postoperative 3 h and 10 min after returning to ICU (P<0.01). There was no statistical significance in the pressure ratio on postoperative 24 h and 10 min after returning to ICU (P>0.05) in three groups. The index of oxygenation of the prior inhalation group was higher than that of the blank group and the posterior inhalation group and statistically different from that of posterior inhalation group (P<0.05). Conclusion Inhaling NO 10 min preoperatively can reduce the injury to the heart and lung function effectively, but the result is the opposite when inhalating NO 10 min after aorta opening.
Objective To analyze the influencing factors and outcomes of atrial septal defect (ASD) and ventricular septal defect (VSD) occlusion guided by echocardiography. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 188 patients receiving transthoracic and percutaneous transcatheter closure of ASD and VSD from July 2009 to July 2017 in our department, including 74 males and 114 females, aged 13.48±13.53 years ranging from 1 to 65 years. Results Fifty-three ASD patients accepted transthoracic closure surgery, of whom 4 patients were difficult to close and 6 patients failed to close; 24 patients underwent percutaneous transcatheter ASD occlusion surgery, of whom 3 were difficult to close and 1 failed in occlusion; 108 VSD patients implemented transthoracic closure surgery, of whom 10 patients were difficult to close and 5 patients failed in closure; 9 VSD patients underwent percutaneous transcatheter closure, of whom 5 failed and then was converted to transthoracic closure. Our study showed that too large or too small aperture was the independent risk factor. Two kinds of closure surgery had their own advantages and disadvantages. The special type of VSD was the influencing factor of transthoracic closure. Conclusion When the ASD diameter≥25 mm, transthoracic closure is the best choice to avoid the use of large occluder. When the ASD diameter<25 mm, percutaneous closure surgery is the best choice. When the ASD diameter≥35 mm, it is best to give up the closure operation. Technical improvements can significantly raise the closure success rate of the subarterial VSD. For the entry diameter>10 mm and membranous aneurysm with multi-break, occlusion surgery should be avoided in VSD.