Genetic analysis of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in ferroptosis from coronary artery disease.

Ferroptosis plays a key role in the death of cells including cardiomyocytes, and it is related to a variety of cardiac diseases. However, the role of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) in coronary artery disease (CAD) is not well characterized. We downloaded CAD-related information and FRGs from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database and Ferroptosis Database (FerrDb) respectively. A total of 10 CAD-related DE-FRGs were obtained, which were closely linked to autophagy regulation and immune response. Subsequently, CA9, CBS, CEBPG, HSPB1, SLC1A4, STMN1 and TRIB3 among the 10 DE-FRGs were identified as marker genes by LASSO and SVM-RFE algorithms, which had tolerable diagnostic capabilities. Subsequent functional enrichment analysis showed that these marker genes may play a corresponding role in CAD by participating in the regulation of immune response, amino acid metabolism, cell cycle and multiple pathways related to the pathogenesis of CAD. Furthermore, a total of 58 drugs targeting 7 marker genes had been obtained. On the contrary, the ceRNA network revealed a complex regulatory relationship based on the marker genes. Also, CIBERSORT analysis showed that the changes in the immune microenvironment of CAD patients may be related to CBS, HSPB1 and CEBPG. We developed a diagnostic potency and provided an insight for exploring the mechanism for CAD. Before clinical application, further research is needed to test its diagnostic value for CAD.

Individualized right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction using autologous pulmonary tissue in situ for the treatment of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septum defect.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of an individualized procedure for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction in pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA-VSD). METHODS: RVOT was reconstructed using autologous pulmonary artery tissue preserved in situ as the posterior wall and a bovine jugular vein patch (BJVP) as the anterior wall in patients with PA-VSD (observation group). The size of the BJVP made from a bovine jugular vein conduit (BJVC) was individually calculated using a formula based on the child's weight and the size of the autologous pulmonary artery (the diameter of BJVC DB⁢J⁢V⁢C = Dt⁢h⁢e⁢o⁢r⁢e⁢t⁢i⁢c⁢a⁢l-W⁢z^-4π). Its effect was then compared with the conventional modified Rastelli procedure based on the BJVC (control group). RESULTS: A total of 22 patients that underwent the new procedure were simultaneously compared with the 25 patients in the control group. No deaths occurred in both groups. Notably, there were no significant differences in mechanical ventilation, ICU and postoperative residence, cardiopulmonary bypass, and aortic cross-clamp time. In the follow-up, which spanned for 8-12 years (mean 9.2 years), only four cases with moderate regurgitation were noted in the observation group without obstruction. In the control group, two patients had a conduit replacement. Three patients suffered from anastomotic stenosis, which was corrected by balloon dilatation. CONCLUSION: Individualized RVOT reconstruction with autologous pulmonary tissue preserved in situ as the posterior wall is adequate for treating PA-VSD.

Surgical Management of a Giant Left Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm with Coronary Artery Abnormality.

Coronary insufficiency caused by unruptured left sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is exceedingly rare in the literature. Herein, we present a successful surgically treated case of giant left SVA with severe aortic regurgitation and coronary insufficiency, thus introducing a tailored valve-sparing aortic root repair technique.

Magnesium lithospermate B enhances the potential of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes for myocardial repair.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that activation of the cell cycle in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) enhances their remuscularization capacity after human cardiac muscle patch transplantation in infarcted mouse hearts. Herein, we sought to identify the effect of magnesium lithospermate B (MLB) on hiPSC-CMs during myocardial repair using a myocardial infarction (MI) mouse model. METHODS: In C57BL/6 mice, MI was surgically induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. The mice were randomly divided into five groups ( n = 10 per group); a MI group (treated with phosphate-buffered saline only), a hiPSC-CMs group, a MLB group, a hiPSC-CMs + MLB group, and a Sham operation group. Cardiac function and MLB therapeutic efficacy were evaluated by echocardiography and histochemical staining 4 weeks after surgery. To identify the associated mechanism, nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1) signals, cell adhesion ability, generation of reactive oxygen species, and rates of apoptosis were detected in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and hiPSC-CMs. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of transplantation, the number of cells that engrafted in the hiPSC-CMs + MLB group was about five times higher than those in the hiPSC-CMs group. Additionally, MLB treatment significantly reduced tohoku hospital pediatrics-1 (THP-1) cell adhesion, ICAM1 expression, NF-κB nuclear translocation, reactive oxygen species production, NF-κB p65 phosphorylation, and cell apoptosis in HUVECs cultured under hypoxia. Similarly, treatment with MLB significantly inhibited the apoptosis of hiPSC-CMs via enhancing signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation and B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL2) expression, promoting STAT3 nuclear translocation, and downregulating BCL2-Associated X, dual specificity phosphatase 2 (DUSP2), and cleaved-caspase-3 expression under hypoxia. Furthermore, MLB significantly suppressed the production of malondialdehyde and lactate dehydrogenase and the reduction in glutathione content induced by hypoxia in both HUVECs and hiPSC-CMs in vitro . CONCLUSIONS: MLB significantly enhanced the potential of hiPSC-CMs in repairing injured myocardium by improving endothelial cell function via the NF-κB/ICAM1 pathway and inhibiting hiPSC-CMs apoptosis via the DUSP2/STAT3 pathway.

Successful surgical repair in an older adult with supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection: A case report.

Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) is a rare, cyanotic and critical congenital heart disease where the entire left and right pulmonary veins fail to drain into the left atrium directly. Also, TAPVC-induced tissue hypoxia gradually worsens after birth. Thus, timely surgical repairs are recommended once diagnosed, particularly with pulmonary venous drainage obstruction(s). Nonetheless, in sporadic cases, patients with TAPVC survive to adulthood with no surgical treatment. Herein, we report a 46-year-old female with TAPVC, where the four pulmonary veins drain into to the innominate vein (IV) via the vertical vein. The patient developed palpitations and non-anginal chest pain following routine activities for over three months. The patient had a successful surgical correction with excellent postoperative recovery.

A Rare Case of Cardiac Metastatic Uterine Intravenous Leiomyomatosis.

Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) is a distinct uterine leiomyoma, even rare when combined with intracardiac invasion. Although leiomyomas are histologically benign, intracardiac metastasis may cause circulatory failure and death. Herein, we report a 55-year-old woman with a tricuspid chordae mass on echocardiography. Subsequently, gynecological ultrasonography revealed that the patient had masses in the ovaries, internal iliac vein, and inferior vena cava. The patient successfully underwent resection of the tricuspid chordae tendinea mass and implantation of the tricuspid annuloplasty ring. The patient underwent inferior vena cava, common iliac vein, hysterectomy, and bilateral adnexectomy after 4 months. To our knowledge, the present study is the first reported case with such a rare combination.

A case of rare pulmonary sequestration complicated with congenital heart disease treated by arterial embolization and atrial defect closure: A case report and review of literature.

Pulmonary sequestration with congenital heart disease is a rare congenital malformation. Herein, we report a 19-month-old toddler diagnosed with right lower pulmonary sequestration, right pulmonary artery dysplasia, right lower pulmonary venous ectopic drainage, and a right-sided heart with an atrial septal defect. The pulmonary sequestration had a rare blood supply, such as confluent arteries with the renal vessels draining into the hepatic veins. Arterial embolization and atrial defect closure were used to treat the rare congenital malformation with satisfactory results.

Individualized Analysis and Treatment of Difficult Weaning From Ventilation Following Open Cardiac Surgery in Young Children With Congenital Heart Disease.

Aims: The study explores the leading causes of postoperative extubation difficulties in pediatric patients (neonates and toddlers) with congenital heart diseases and establishes individualized treatment for different reasons. Method: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of 4,971 pediatric patients with congenital heart defects treated in three tertiary Congenital Heart Disease Centres in China from January 2005 to December 2020, from whom we selected those with difficulty extubation but successful weaning during the postoperative period. Next, we performed an analysis of risk factors and reported the combined experience of individualized treatment for successful extubation. Results: Seventy-five pediatric patients were identified in our database, among whom 23 had airway stenosis, 17 had diaphragmatic dysfunction, and 35 had pulmonary infection. The patients were all successfully weaned from the ventilator after an individualized treatment plan. In addition, the intubation time in the airway stenosis group was 17.7 ± 9.0, 33.6 ± 13.9 days in the diaphragmatic dysfunction group, and 11.9 ± 3.8 days in the pulmonary infection group. Conclusion: Given the primary reasons for difficult weaning following open-heart surgery in pediatric patients with congenital heart diseases, an individualized treatment scheme can achieve the ideal therapeutic effect where patients can be weaned faster with a shorter intubation period.

Surgical Management for a Rare Pedunculated Left Ventricular Apical Lipoma: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Cardiac lipomas, though extremely rare, are encapsulated tumors composed primarily of mature fat cells. Despite their benign character, cardiac lipomas can cause life-threatening complications by rapid growth. Cardiac lipomas, which are frequently located in the left ventricle (LV) or right atrium, can originate either from the subendocardium, subpericardium, or the myocardium. They are usually asymptomatic and carry a good prognosis during long-term follow-up; however, published reports show that untreated cardiac lipomas may be fatal when they cause arrhythmic or obstructive symptoms. In addition, several surgical options have been reported to obtain an appropriate operative view following poor visualization, primarily when tumors are located in the LV. Herein, we present a case of a pedunculated LV apical lipoma in a symptomatic patient successfully managed by surgical resection. We also discuss diagnostic modalities in surgical planning and the choice of surgical approach.

Cell Death and Exosomes Regulation After Myocardial Infarction and Ischemia-Reperfusion.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the global population, accounting for about one-third of all deaths each year. Notably, with CVDs, myocardial damages result from myocardial infarction (MI) or cardiac arrhythmias caused by interrupted blood flow. Significantly, in the process of MI or myocardial ischemic-reperfusion (I/R) injury, both regulated and non-regulated cell death methods are involved. The critical factor for patients' prognosis is the infarct area's size, which determines the myocardial cells' survival. Cell therapy for MI has been a research hotspot in recent years; however, exosomes secreted by cells have attracted much attention following shortcomings concerning immunogens. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles containing several biologically active substances such as lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins. New evidence suggests that exosomes play a crucial role in regulating cell death after MI as exosomes of various stem cells can participate in the cell damage process after MI. Hence, in the review herein, we focused on introducing various cell-derived exosomes to reduce cell death after MI by regulating the cell death pathway to understand myocardial repair mechanisms better and provide a reference for clinical treatment.

Delayed Therapy of Descending Aortic Coarctation Results in Anterior Cerebral Rupture: A Case Report.

Background: Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is the congenital constriction or narrowing of the aortic lumen. These constrictions are primarily located in the descending aorta causing significant discrepancies in systolic blood pressures of the upper and lower extremities. Thus, a delay in diagnosis and treatment may lead to severe and adverse consequences. Case presentation: Herein, we present a 13-year-old boy with anterior cerebral rupture following a delayed diagnosis for descending CoA. Percutaneous transluminal balloon dilatation and endovascular stent implantation were urgently and successfully performed alongside cerebral clipping of the vascular aneurysm. Conclusion: An early diagnosis is crucial for CoA's successful treatment and management to prevent complications, including anterior cerebral rupture.

Case Report: The Cox-Maze IV Procedure in the Mirror: The Use of Three-Dimensional Printing for Pre-operative Planning in a Patient With Situs Inversus Dextrocardia.

The safety and efficacy of the Cox-Maze IV procedure (CMP-IV) for situs inversus dextrocardia patients with atrial fibrillation is yet to be determined. Herein, we present the case of a 39-year-old male patient admitted to our cardiac center following progressive exertional dyspnea. The patient was diagnosed with situs inversus dextrocardia, severe mitral regurgitation, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. A three-dimensional (3D) heart model printing device embedded with designated ablation lines was used for pre-operative planning. Mitral valvuloplasty, CMP-IV, and tricuspid annuloplasty were performed. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was in sinus rhythm during a 12-month follow-up period using a 24-h Holter monitoring device. The case herein is one of the first to report on adopting the CMP-IV procedure for situs inversus dextrocardia patients with complex valvuloplasty operation. In addition, the 3D printing technique enabled us to practice the Cox-maze IV procedure, given the patient's unique cardiac anatomy.

Individualized Surgical Reconstruction of the Right Ventricle Outflow Tract in Double Outlet Right Ventricle With Mirror Image-Dextrocardia.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to report our experience in the surgical reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract in double outlet right ventricle with a major coronary artery crossing the right ventricular outflow tract in the presence of mirror image-dextrocardia. Methods: From January 2005 to December 2019, 19 double outlet right ventricle patients (median age 4 years) with mirror image-dextrocardia and a major coronary artery crossing the right ventricular outflow tract received surgical repair. An autologous pericardial patch was used to enlarge the right ventricular outflow tract in four patients without pulmonary stenosis and three patients with mild pulmonary stenosis. A valved bovine jugular venous conduit was added to a hypoplastic native pathway in nine patients, among which six patients with moderate pulmonary stenosis received small-sized bovine jugular venous conduit implantation (diameter ≤ 16 mm). In comparison, a large-sized bovine jugular venous conduit (diameter >16 mm) was adopted in a total of three patients with severe pulmonary stenosis. Finally, three patients with preoperative pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥40 mmHg) did not undergo further intervention of right ventricular outflow tract due to the adequate outflow tract blood flow. Results: There was no hospital mortality. One patient with sub-pulmonary ventricular septal defect and concomitant severe pulmonary hypertension died from respiratory failure 11 months after the operation. Kaplan-Meier survival was 94% at 5, 10 years. Within a mean echocardiographic follow-up of 6.9 ± 3.6 years, a total of two patients received reintervention due to valvular stenosis of the bovine jugular venous conduit (pressure gradient > 50 mmHg at 4 and 9 years) after surgical operation. Actuarial freedom from reoperation was 90 and 72% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. During the last echocardiographic follow-up phase, all the survivors were in NYHA class I. Conclusions: Double outlet right ventricle with mirror image-dextrocardia is a rare and complicated congenital cardiac malformation. Surgical reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract should be individualized based on the degree of pulmonary stenosis and the specific anatomical features of each patient. Reconstructing the pulmonary artery using the various sizes of valved bovine jugular venous conduit is a safe and effective surgical method.

Case Report: Giant Biatrial Myxoma Mimicking Malignant Cardiac Tumor in a Patient With a Hepatic Angiomatous Mass.

Cardiac myxomas, primarily originating from the left atrium, are the most prevalent types of benign cardiac tumors; however, biatrial myxomas are extremely rare. Herein, we present a rare case of a 55-year old male with exertional dyspnea and intermittent chest discomfort due to a giant biatrial mass with concomitant atrial fibrillation and hepatic hemangioma. The giant tumor with its peduncle at the interatrial septum involved both atria; however, bulging through the tricuspid valve to the right ventricle during systole. Hence, excision of the giant cardiac tumor (which grossly composed of three parts: stiff, fleshy, and soft) and Cox-Maze IV procedure was performed with the resected specimen measuring 100 × 80 × 40 mm. The patient who was in a stable condition was discharged home on the 12th post-operative day. Thus, given the excellent post-operative results achieved, surgical treatment in large multi-cavitary benign cardiac tumors is feasible and should be considered a potentially curative therapy.

TMSB4 Overexpression Enhances the Potency of Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Myocardial Repair.

OBJECTIVE: The actin-sequestering proteins, thymosin beta-4 (Tß4) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, are known to be associated with angiogenesis after myocardial infarction (MI). Herein, we aimed to identify the mechanism of HIF-1α induction by Tß4 and investigate the effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMMSCs) transfected with the Tß4 gene (TMSB4) in a rat model of MI. METHODS: Rat BMMSCs were isolated, cultured, and transfected with the TMSB4 gene by using the lentivirus-mediated method. Rats with surgically induced MI were randomly divided into three groups (n = 9/group); after 1 week, the rats were injected at the heart infarcted border zone with TMSB4-overexpressed BMMSCs (BMMSC-TMSB4 O E ), wild-type BMMSCs that expressed normal levels of TMSB4 (BMMSC-TMSB4 W T ), or medium (MI). The fourth group of animals (n = 9) underwent all surgical procedures necessary for MI induction except for the ligation step (Sham). Four weeks after the injection, heart function was measured using transthoracic echocardiography. Infarct size was calculated by TTC staining, and collagen volume was measured by Masson staining. Angiogenesis in the infarcted heart area was evaluated by CD31 immunofluorescence histochemistry. In vitro experiments were carried out to observe the effect of exogenous Tß4 on HIF-1α and explore the various possible mechanism(s). RESULTS: In vivo experiments showed that vascular density 4 weeks after treatment was about twofold higher in BMMSC-TMSB4 O E -treated animals than in BMMSC-TMSB4 W T -treated animals (p < 0.05). The cardiac function and infarct size significantly improved in both cell-treatment groups compared to controls. Notably, the cardiac function and infarct size were most prominent in BMMSC-TMSB4 O E -treated animals (both p < 0.05). HIF-1α and phosphorylated HIF-1α (p-HIF-1α) in vitro were significantly enhanced by exogenous Tß4, which was nonetheless blocked by the factor-inhibiting HIF (FIH) promoter (YC-1). The expression of prolyl hydroxylase domain proteins (PHD) was decreased upon treatment with Tß4 and further decreased with the combined treatment of Tß4 and FG-4497 (a specific PHD inhibitor). CONCLUSION: TMSB4-transfected BMMSCs might significantly improve recovery from myocardial ischemia and promote the generation of HIF-1α and p-HIF-1α via the AKT pathway, and inhibit the degradation of HIF-1α via the PHD and FIH pathways.

Clinical Application of Individualized Pulmonary Bi-Orifice for the Reconstruction of Right Ventricular Outflow Tract in Tetralogy of Fallot.

Objective: The study aims to establish a new method in the Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) called the pulmonary valve bi-orifice method (pulmonary annular sparing with an individualized autologous pericardial patch; thus, two orifices are formed at the level of the pulmonary valve annulus) to reconstruct the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). Methods: A retrospective analysis of 128 TOF patients from October 2009 to June 2018 with severe pulmonary valve dysplasia who underwent transvalvular annular patch (TAP) procedure (control group) or an individualized pulmonary valve bi-orifice procedure (observation group) were studied. The RVOT for each patient in the observation group was individually reconstructed per the patient's weight and the size of the autologous pulmonary valve using the bi-orifice method; however, increasing the cross-sectional area of the pulmonary valve annulus without destroying its integrity. The result was then compared to the control group, where TAP procedures were applied to evaluate the short to mid-term outcome(s). An in vitro simulation test was used to verify the anti-regurgitation mechanism of the new method. Results: The in vitro simulation test indicated that the anti-regurgitation mechanism was completed by the pericardial patch and the autologous pulmonary valve movement toward each other. Thus, for clinical applications, patients in both groups were compared. The results showed no significant differences in cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp time, mechanical ventilation, and ICU and post-operative residence between the two groups. During the follow-up period (3- to 12-years), 14 patients in the observation group had mild regurgitation after surgery (22.2%), while 10 patients had moderate pulmonary regurgitation (15.8%) with no right ventricular (RV) dilation. On the other hand, 22 patients (39.6%) had moderate to severe regurgitation in the control group, while left pulmonary artery stenosis occurred in one patient. In the control group, six patients (9.2%) with severe RV dilation were reoperated. Conclusion: Individualized pulmonary valve bi-orifice procedure is a safe and excellent method for reconstructing RVOT in ToF.

Cardiac Repair With Echocardiography-Guided Multiple Percutaneous Left Ventricular Intramyocardial Injection of hiPSC-CMs After Myocardial Infarction.

Objective: We investigated the potency of cardiac repair based on echocardiography-guided multiple percutaneous left ventricular intramyocardial injection of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) after myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: Mice with surgically induced MI were randomly divided into three groups (n = 8 in each group) and subjected to echocardiography-guided percutaneous left ventricular infarcted border injection of hiPSC-CMs (single dose; 10 µl 3 × 105 cells) or repeated injections of hiPSC-CMs at post-MI weeks 1 and 2 (multiple doses). The sham group of animals underwent all surgical procedures necessary for MI induction except for ligation. Then 4 weeks after MI, heart function was measured with transthoracic echocardiography. Engraftment was evaluated through the detection of human-specific cardiac troponin T. Infarct size and collagen volume were calculated with Sirius Red/Fast Green staining. Angiogenesis was evaluated with isolectin B4 staining. Cardiac remodeling was evaluated from the cardiomyocyte minimal fiber diameter in the infarcted border zone. Apoptosis was detected via TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) staining in cardiomyocytes from the infarcted border zone. Results: No mice died after echocardiography-guided percutaneous left ventricular intramyocardial injection. hiPSC-CMs were about nine-fold higher in the multiple-dose group at week 4 compared to the single-dose group. Multiple-dose transplantation was associated with significant improvement in left ventricular function, infarct size, angiogenesis, cardiac remodeling, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Conclusion: Echocardiography-guided multiple percutaneous left ventricular intramyocardial injection is a feasible, satisfactory, repeatable, relatively less invasive, and effective method of delivering cell therapy. The delivery of hiPSC-CMs indicates a novel therapy for MI.

Endomyocardial fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a neglected cardiovascular disease of poverty which carries a poor prognosis with no specific treatment affecting mainly children and young adults. Here, we report our 10-year experience in the therapeutic management and surgical treatment for EMF. METHODS: From February 2009 to 2019 March, 55 patients diagnosed with EMF from our cardiology unit underwent surgical repair at our department's pediatric surgical division. There were 35 male, and 20 female patients whose ages varied from 1 year 2 months to 12 years mean age 5.7 (±3.2). We designed the study aimed at assessing the cardio-structural abnormalities and coronary vascular changes faced with EMF patients using echocardiography, and coronary angiography with a detailed and thorough surgical examination of each case. RESULTS: Of the 55 operated patients, 1 had mild lesions, 26 had moderate lesions, and 28 had severe heart disease. All but one patient was in NYHA functional class III or IV at the time of surgery. All but one female patient with mild ventricular lesions and no valvular involvement had severe atrioventricular valve regurgitation with valves considered suitable for both replacements; 45 patients mean age 6.0 (±3.1) and repair nine patients mean age 3.8 (±2.9). The mean endocardial thickness was 3,000 (±1519) µm. CONCLUSIONS: The echocardiographic changes corresponded well to the findings on surgery and histopathology. The coronary changes seen included a spectrum of fibrin deposition, medial sclerosis and degeneration, and the formation of plexiform lesions. Surgically evaluating the resected cardiac tissue might help improve disease management.

Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: The pursuit of a clearer understanding of the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AFib) and the development of new technology has resulted in a surge of interest in the surgical ablation for AFib. Here, we report our 8-year experience in the surgical treatment and management of AFib alongside, evaluating the cost-effectiveness in southern Mainland China over a 1-year follow-up. METHODS: Data of 3,068 patients from March 2011 through June 2019 was retrospectively extracted from The Provincial National Cardiac Database of Xiangya Second Hospital. The activities considered (and costs calculated) were outpatient consultations, hospital admissions, and drug treatment. Quality of life (QoL) questionnaires were also carried out to assess whether concomitant AFib correction procedures increase risk in patients, or improve patient's QoL. RESULTS: A total of 3,068 patients completed the questionnaires at a minimum of one time-point during the follow-up. The total cost was combined to obtain incremental costs per quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). The total costs of the AFib catheter ablation group were remarkably higher compared to surgery as usual group. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $76,513,227 (¥542,287,667) per QALY, with an acceptability line graph for cost at 43%. CONCLUSIONS: AFib is an extraordinarily costly and worrisome public health problem. Precision medicine is vital as it provides a platform for the clinical translation of targeted interventions that are designed to help treat and prevent AFib. Thus, to improve the QoL expectancy outcome(s), both therapeutic and surgical interventions should be aimed at addressing the underlying heart disease rather than restoring sinus rhythm.

Application of Modified Sliding Anastomosis in the Repair of Aortic Coarctation.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the early and midterm results of a modified sliding anastomosis technique in patients with aortic coarctation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we reported a new repair method and compared the early and midterm outcome(s) with a conventional surgical approach for the management of patients with aortic coarctation. Forty-eight aortic coarctation patients with a narrowed segment length longer than 2 cm were operated at our department's pediatric surgical division. Excision of the coarctation and end-to-end anastomosis was carried out in twenty-five patients (control group). In contrast, a modified sliding technique was used for twenty-three cases in the observation group. Other accompanying cardiac anomalies simultaneously repaired included ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus. All patients received 1.5-10 years of postoperative echocardiographic follow-up. RESULTS: This is a retrospective study carried out between January 2005 and June 2018. The study population consisted of forty-eight patients, which included twenty-six male and twenty-two female patients, with an average age of 5.2 ± 1.9 months (range, 28 days to 1 year). There was no mortality. The operative time, the number of intercostal artery disconnection, the drainage volume, and arm-leg systolic pressure gradient postoperation were less in the observation group as compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Also, cases with an anastomotic pressure gradient exceeding 10 mmHg during follow-up were less in the observation group as compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The postoperative complications encountered were chylothorax (control group 2 cases vs. observation group 0) and pulmonary atelectasis (control group 4 cases vs. observation group 1). They all, however, recovered after conservative treatment. Three patients in the control group underwent balloon angioplasty (reintervention) postoperative 2-4 years due to an increase in the anastomotic pressure gradient (>20 mmHg). After reintervention, the anastomotic pressure gradient reduced to 14 mmHg, 15 mmHg, and 17 mmHg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: For long segment aortic coarctation patients (longer than 2 cm), the use of the modified sliding anastomotic technique effectively helps to retain more autologous tissues, enlarge the diameter of the anastomosis, and decrease anastomotic tension and vascular injury. Therefore, this technique provides a new idea for the surgical treatment of aortic coarctations.