The echocardiographic characteristics and risk stratification of patients with above grade 3+ mitral regurgitation: Based on the preliminary findings of echo core-lab / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective     To analyze the echocardiographic characteristics of above grade 3+ mitral regurgitation (MR) patients by 3D transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) in transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) and compare the intervention rate of TEER treatment in patients with different risk stratification. Methods     We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 91 patients with above grade 3+ MR in Anzhen Hospital between June 2021 and April 2022. There were 45 males and 46 females aged 66.5±15.9 years. According to pathogenesis, the patients were divided into different anatomical groups and risk stratification groups. There were 34 patients in a simple degenerative group (simple DMR group), 28 patietns in a complex disease group (Complex group), 14 patients in a simple ventricular  functional reflux group (simple VFMR group), 9 patients in a simple atrial functional reflux group (simple AFMR group), and 6 patients in a mixed functional reflux group (mixed FMR group). All patients were examined with a unified standard of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and 3D-TEE to compare the characteristic three-dimensional structural changes of the mitral valve in each group. According to the three partition strategy of preoperative anatomical evaluation of TEER, the risk stratification was conducted for the enrolled patients, which was divided into three regions from light to heavy: green area, yellow area, and red area. TEER treatment intervention rate of patients with different risk stratification was calculated. Results     Ant leaf angle and post leaf angle were negative in the simple DMR and Complex groups, and non-planar angle, prolapse height and prolapse volume were higher than those of the other groups (P=0.000). Ant leaf angle and post leaf angle were positive in the VFMR group and the mixed FMR group. Anterior and posterior (AP) diameter of valve ring (P=0.036), tenting height and tenting volume were higher than those of other groups (P=0.000).  AP diameter, tenting height and tenting volume were changed mildly in patients with simple AFMR. MR patients in red and yellow zone achieved a 28.1% TEER intervention rate. Conclusion     Standardized TTE and TEE examinations are crucial for the qualitative and quantitative diagnosis of MR in the echo core-lab. 3D-TEE mitral valve parameter can help determine the exact pathogenesis of MR and to improve the interventional rate of challenging MR patients.

Clinical pathway for transcatheter mitral valve edge-to-edge repair in China (abbreviated version 2022) / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Transcatheter mitral valve edge-to-edge repair (TEER) has become an important treatment opinion for patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) at high risk for surgery. The devices and procedural techniques of TEER are complex and require excellent team cooperation. However, there is still a lack of standardized clinical pathways in China. Based on the latest evidence, the expert group wrote this clinical pathway to guide and optimize TEER therapy in clinical practice. It demonstrates the following key issues of clinical concern: (1) TEER team building; (2) preoperative clinical evaluation of TEER patients; (3) imaging assessment before TEER procedure; (4) standardized procedures for TEER; (5) TEER for complex MR; (6) the standard process of perioperative comprehensive management; and (7) full life-cycle rehabilitation and follow-up. This clinical pathway might be helpful to facilitate the standardized development of TEER therapy and application, and promote the improvement of management and life quality for patients with MR.

Cardiac rehabilitation for patients with aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common primary valve lesion requiring surgery or transcatheter intervention in modern era. Its prevalence is rising rapidly as a consequence of the aging population. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) as a therapy option for older high-risk symptomatic severe AS patients has emerged and is currently extending its indications towards surgery intermediate- and low-risk subjects. Considering the common characteristics of frailty and high comorbidity among AS patients, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has been proven to improve not only survival but also quality of life in previous reports. CR as a classⅠ recommendation in guidelines for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease has been widely used in clinical practice. The purpose of this article is to sort out the current CR programs for TAVR patients in global medical management, and explore the CR optimization program fit for China medical model in post COVID-19 pandemic era.

Impact of aortic root morphology on the implantation depth of aortic valve prosthesis during trans-catheter aortic valve replacement in patients with native bicuspid aortic valve stenosis / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective@#To investigate the impact of aortic root morphology on the implantation depth of aortic valve prosthesis during trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in bicuspid aortic valve patients.@*Methods@#Clinical data of 40 patients with native bicuspid aortic valve stenosis who underwent TAVR using the self-expandable prosthesis (the Venus A-valve) from 2014 to 2017 in Fuwai Hospital was retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into non-deep implantation group (implant depth ≤10 mm by instant angiogram after implantation,29 cases) and deep implantation group (implant depth> 10 mm by instant angiogram after implantation,11 cases).Pre-procedural aortic root characteristics (e.g. calcification, angle and dimensions) were assessed by CT. The impact of aortic root morphology on the implantation depth and clinical outcomes were also evaluated.@*Results@#The age was (75.1±5.9) years with equal representation from the raphe-type and non-raphe type (52.5%(21/40) and 47.5%(19/40)).The bigger aorta angle ((56.5±4.5)° vs. (47.4±9.4)°, P=0.004),more frequent mild-calcification (HU850, <200 mm3) or severe-calcification(HU850, >1 000 mm3) of aortic leaflets (7/11 vs. 4/29, P=0.006), as well as higher ratio of left ventricular outflow tract perimeter to annulus perimeter ((109.2±7.5)% vs. (101.5±6.5)%, P=0.004) were found in the deep implantation group compared to the non-deep implantation group. The new in-hospital onset of bundle-branchheart-block or atrioventricular block conduction disturbance rate was higher in the deep implantation group than in the non-deep implantation group (6/11 vs. 2/29, P=0.030).Left ventricular ejection fraction was similar between deep implantation group and non-deep implantation group at baseline((49.9±8.9)% vs. (55.8±10.4)%, P=0.117), and was significantly lower in the deep implantation group than in the non-deep implantation group at 30 days after implantation ((51.6±12.8)% vs. (60.9±8.1)%, P=0.020).@*Conclusion@#Aortic root morphology of bicuspid aortic valve patients is associated with implantation depth of the prosthesis during TAVR, which affects the conduction system and left ventricular function during and post TAVR.

Preliminary Study of Low-dose Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram in Patients With Low-flow/Low-gradient Aortic Stenosis Combining Ventricular Dysfunction / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To explore the application value and safety of low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiogram (LDDSE) in patients of low-flow/low-gradient aortic stenosis combining left ventricular dysfunction with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods: A total of 5 eligible consecutive patients with contradiction of routine surgical valve replacement and going to receive TAVR in our hospital from 2013-10 to 2016-07 were enrolled. The mean aortic valvegradient, maximum flow velocity, each stroke volume and ejection fraction were recorded before and during LDDSE examination. The patients having confirmed diagnosis of true severe aortic stenosis with left ventricular contractile reserve received TAVR, for those without left ventricular contractile reserve received drug therapy or TAVR conditionally. The changes of cardiac function and NT-proBNP level were observed after TAVR. Results: All 5 patients showed positive finding in LDDSE; the mean aortic valve gradient ≥40mmHg and stroke volume≥20% implied that the patients had true severe aortic stenosis with left ventricular contractile reserve. No adverse reaction occurred during and after LDDSE. TAVR was performed in 4 patients and 1 was waiting for TAVR or balloon dilatation since temporary lacking of valve. The post-operative cardiac function was improved in all patients and NT-proBNP level was declined continuously. Conclusion: LDDSE examination could be considered in patients of aortic stenosis combining left ventricular dysfunction, low-flow and low-gradient to clarify ventricular contractile reserve and the severity of aortic stenosis. If the patients with ventricular contractile reserve, TAVR was recommended which was the effective treatment for relevant patients.

Effect of transcatheter aortic valve replacement using Venus-A valve for treating patients with severe aortic stenosis / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the effect of transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR) using Venus-A valve for treating patients with severe aortic stenosis.@*Methods@#In this prospective study, 101 consecutive severe aortic stenosis patients with high surgical risk(Society of Thoracic Surgeon(STS) score ≥4%) or at prohibitive surgical risk were enrolled from 5 academic cardiovascular centers in China(Fuwai hospital, the second affiliated hospital of Zhejiang university school of medicine, West China hospital of Sichuan university, the first affiliated hospital of Nanjing medical university, Ruijin hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong university school of medicine) from September 2012 to January 2015, and Venus-A valves were used in TAVR for these patients. The primary endpoints were death from any cause and major stroke in 1 year. The secondary endpoints included efficacy and safety of TAVR in 1 year.@*Results@#TAVR success rate was 97.9%(98/101), and 3 patients were transferred to receive surgical AVR. There were 85 patients using 1 Venus-A valve, and 13 patients underwent valve-in-valve implantation using 2 Venus-A valves. There were 1 case(1.0%) of stroke, 2 cases(2.0%)of acute myocardial infarction, 5 cases(5.0%) of pericardial effusion, 6 cases(5.9%) of severe vascular complication, and 2 cases(2.0%) of death after 7 days of TAVR. Meanwhile, aortic pressure gradient derived from echocardiography was significantly reduced when compared with pre-procedure level(11(8, 15) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) vs. 59(45, 71)mmHg, P<0.01), and there was no aortic root rupture or leaflets thrombosis. Rate of NYHA functional class ≤Ⅱ improvements were observed at 6 months follow-up when compared with pre-procedure(94.4%(84/89)vs. 21.3%(21/89), P<0.01). The primary endpoint was 7.9%(8/11), and the incidence of all cause death and stroke was 5.9%(6/101) and 2.0%(2/101) respectively at 1 year after the procedure. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that cumulative survival rate was 94.1% at 1 year after the procedure.@*Conclusion@#TAVR using Venus-A valve for treating patients with severe aortic stenosis is effective and safe in the early and medium term post procedure.

Short-term Echocardiography and Blood NT-proBNP Changes in Aortic Stenosis Patients After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To explore the cardiac function and outcomes in patients of aortic stenosis (AS) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) within 6 months in order to provide the guidance for clinical treatment. Methods: A total of 49 consecutive severe AS patients with surgical contradiction or STS high risk score and received successful TAVR in our hospital from 2013-12 to 2015-12 were studied. Echocardiography and blood levels of NT-proBNP were examined at pre- and 1 month, 6 months after TAVR. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), aortic valve mean gradient (MG), peak gradient (PG) and peak velocity (PV) were recorded. Based on pre-operative LVEF, the patients were divided into 2 groups: Cardiac dysfunction group, LVEF<50%,n=15 (30.6%) and Normal cardiac function group, LVEF≥50%, n=34 (69.4%). Post-operative cardiac function and blood levels of NT-proBNP were compared between 2 groups. Results: In all 49 patients, the following parameters were significantly improved within 7 days after TAVR: LVEF (56.0±14.6) % vs (52.5±13.8)%, MG (11±5) mmHg vs (58±18) mmHg, PG (21.7±9.5) mmHg vs (93.0±28.6) mmHg, PV (2.3±0.5) m/s vs (4.8±0.7) m/s, blood NT-proBNP level [1831 (1098-3363)] pg/ml vs [3842 (1763-8664)] pg/ml and aortic valve area (1.57±0.43) cm2 vs (0.58±0.23) cm2 allP<0.05. Within 6 months after TAVR, LVEF was continuously increasing especially in Cardiac dysfunction group; MG, PV and NT-proBNP level were continuously decreasing, NYHA grade was continuously improving, allP<0.05. Conclusion: TAVR was an effective treatment in AS patients with surgical contradiction or STS high risk score; it may continuously improve cardiac function, especially in patients with left heart dysfunction.

Preliminary Study of Levosimendan on Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis and Heart Failure / 中国循环杂志

To explore the safety and efficacy of levosimendan in treating the patients with severe aortic stenosis and to analyze the cardial function before and after medication in order to guide clinical treatment. Methods: A total of 20 patients admitted in our hospital from 2014-01 to 2015-12 were enrolled with the standard of echocardiography confirmed severe aortic stenosis, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)≤45%, NYHA III-IV and inefficacy for conventional anti-heart failure drug therapy. The patients received intravenous infusion of levosimendan at 0.1μg/(kg·min) by persistent pumping for 24 hours. Echocardiography, LVEF, dyspnea condition, NYHA grading and plasma levels of NT-proBNP were recorded pre- and post-medication to compare the cardiac function and symptoms of levosimendan therapy. Results: After levosimendan treatment, NYHA grade was improved, P=0.025 and NT-proBNP was reduced (9101.6±7368.0) pg/mLvs (13776.5±9503.7) pg/mL, P=0.018. The following parameters were similar before and after levosimendan therapy: LVEF (31.1±7.5)% vs (33.1±8.5)%, P=0.078, the average heart rate (79.6±13.8) bmp vs (82.8±9.5)bmp, P=0.200 and systolic blood pressure (99.6±11.7) mmHg vs (97.2±12.1) mmHg, P=0.071. There were 40% (8/20) patients with obviously improved and 50% (10/20) with improved dyspnea symptoms after levosimendan treatment. Conclusion: Our preliminary study presented that levosimendan could improve NYHA grading, remit dyspnea symptom and reduce blood NT-proBNP level in patients with severe aortic stenosis and heart failure; it had safety and tolerability at certain degree in clinical practice.

Clinical Observation of Cutting Balloon Combining Single Stent Cross-over Technique for Treating the Patients With Coronary Bifurcation Lesions / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efifcacy of cutting balloon combining main branch single stent cross-over technique for treating the patients with coronary bifurcation lesions. Methods: A total of 113 patients with 121 bifurcation lesions treated in our hospital from 2012-01 to 2014-01 were enrolled. Cutting balloon pre-dilation was applied in both main and side branches followed by drug-eluting stent implantation at main branch. The procedural success rates, side branch blood lfow status and complications were observed. Follow-up studied for MACE occurrence was conducted at 9 months after the operation. Results: Quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) presented that the minimum lumen diameters at pre- and post-operation in main branches were (2.12 ± 1.07) mm and (3.24 ± 0.87) mm, in side branches were (1.44 ± 0.73) mm and (1.82 ± 0.64) mm respectively,P<0.05-0.01, the procedural success rate was 100%. There were 11 (9.1%) lesions with dissection at proximal side branch, 5 (4.1%) lesions with side branch TIMI blood lfow

Establishment and characterization of a minipig model of microvascular coronary artery spasm / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the feasibility of establishing a porcine model of microvascular coronary artery spasm by intracoronary neuropeptide Y (NPY) infusion, and to analyze the characterization of this model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Minipigs were divided into four groups (n = 4 each): normal saline (NS) group, 1 nmol NPY group, 3 nmol NPY group, and 6 nmol NPY group. Arterial sheaths were planted into bilateral femoral arteries of minipigs. A pigtail catheter was placed at the left sheath to determine the hemodynamic parameters. NS and different doses of NPY were injected into the left anterior descending branch through the right sheath. Intravenous myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) was applied to measure the microvessel volume (α), filling velocity (β), and microcirculation blood flow (MBF) before and at 10 and 30 minutes after NS and NPY injection.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Before and after injection, there were no difference in α, β and MBF between NS and 1 nmol NPY group (all P > 0.05). In 3 nmol NPY group, α and MBF decreased at 10 min (P < 0.01 and 0.05, respectively), which were recovered at 30 min except α. Reductions of β (P < 0.05) and MBF (P < 0.01) were observed at 10 min in 6 nmol NPY group, which were recovered at 30 min, but MBF still remained lower than at baseline (P < 0.01) and compared to 3 nmol NPY group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intracoronary injection of NPY into the anterior descending coronary artery can establish the porcine model of microvascular coronary artery spasm, which might serve as a useful animal model for coronary microvascular studies.</p>

Preparation and immunogenicity analysis of a recombinant pneumococcal surface protein / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To prepare a recombinant pneumococcal surface protein A clade 4 ( PspA4) and to analyze its immunogenicity.Methods The gene encoding PspA4 protein was synthesized and inserted into pET-20b to construct the recombinant expression plasmid.The transformed E.coli strains carrying expression plasmid were induced to express PspA4 protein.ELISA was performed to analyze the ti-ters of PspA4-specific IgG in a mouse model.Results The recombinant PspA4 protein of high purity ( 90%) was successfully prepared.The titers of PspA4-specific antibody in mice received PspA4 immuniza-tion were 106 times higher than those of the blank control group, suggesting that the expressed PspA4 protein had the advantage of high immunogenicity.Conclusion This study suggested that the PspA4 protein might be used as one of the candidate protein for the development of pneumovax and laid a foundation for further in-vestigation on pneumococcal protein based vaccine.

Diabetes Reducing the Intensity of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase-SUMOylation of Myocardium in Experimental Rats / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To investigate the effect of diabetes on the intensity of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a)-SUMOylation and SERCA2a activity of myocardium in experimental rats. Methods: The 8 weeks old SD rats were divided into 2 groups, Diabetic group, with diet-induced type 2 diabetic rats and Control group, with normal rats. The systolic and diastolic cardiac functions were evaluated by echocardiography and left ventricular pressure measurement. The intensity of SERCA2a-SUMOylation was examined by co-immunoprecipitation and SUMOylation kit. Results: Compared with Control group, Diabetic group had decreased systolic and diastolic cardiac functions, especially for diastolic function;decreased SERCA2a protein expression and intensity of SUMOylation;decreased SUMOylation E2 (Ubc9 ) protein expression. The protein levels of SUMO1, SAE1 and SAE2 were similar between 2 groups. Conclusion: The intensity of SERCA2a-SUMOylation and Ubc9 decreased in diabetic myocardium which implies that SERCA2a-SUMOylation and Ubc9 were closely related to the damage of diabetic myocardium in experimental rats.

Accelerated cardiac remodeling of post-infarction was associated with changes of gene expression profile in untreated streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To study the time-dependent effects of diabetes mellitus (DM) on the development of cardiac remodeling in untreated streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rats with acute myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: The left anterior descending coronary arteries were ligated 10 weeks after DM induction without any therapy. Transmission electron microscopy, echocardiography, heart weight to tibial length ratios, histological examination, microarray analysis, and real time-PCR were utilized to monitor the changes up to 56 d. RESULTS: After MI, the diabetic rats experienced lower survival rate compared to non-diabetic animals. The pathophysiologic changes indicated that DM accelerated the cardiac remodeling post-infarction. In primary examination, 164 genes related to cardiac remodeling were found to be candidates for hierarchical analysis, such as leucine-rich PPR-motif containing (interleukin-6 signaling pathway), procollagen type I and III, fibronectin-1, RT1, and TIMP-1, etc. The gene expression profile at 14 d in diabetic rats were comparably similar to both 14 d and 28 d in non-diabetic rats, while such changes at 28 d and 56 d in diabetic rats was also similar to the ones at 56 d in non-diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: The accelerated cardiac remodeling of post-infarction in STZ-induced untreated diabetic rats seems be associated with the different profile of gene expressions.

Analysis of acute myocardial infarction one month after stent implantation / 中华内科杂志

Objective To study the possible causes of ST-elevated acute myocardial infarction (STEAMI) occurring one month after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods One hundred and ninety two patients aged from 40-79 years who had a successful previous PCI and also received primary PCI due to STEAMI in this hospitalization were included in this study. The AMI-related lesions and previous angiographic findings such as the number of lesions, the degree of the stenosis, the type of stents and the acute results of last PCI, etc. were recorded in detail. If the AMI-related lesion was localized in-stents or at the edge of stents (distance from the edge ≤5 mm), it was defined aslate thrombosis, otherwise it was regarded as an AMI induced by new-lesion. Results New lesions, as the cause of STEAMI, were found in 144 cases (Group A, 75%), and late thrombosis in 48 patients (Group B, 25%). There was a significant difference in the average time from previous PCI to AMI (30.1±12.4 vs. 20.3±11.9 months) between the two groups. Diabetes mellitus (DM) and drug-eluting stents (DES) utilization were associated with markedly higher morbidity of late thrombosis in adjusted logistic regressionanalysis [hazard ratio (HR) 3.387, 95% CI 1.053-10.898 and HR 5.311, 95% CI 1.066-26.464]. Conclusions STEAMI occurred 1 month after PCI are more likely to be developed from previous insignificant lesions than from late thrombosis in stents. Moreover, DM and DES are associated with a high incidence of late thrombosis, which may indicate that intensive antiplatelet therapy should be considered in diabetic patients receiving PCI.