Clinical outcomes of acute pulmonary embolectomy as the first-line treatment for massive and submassive pulmonary embolism: a single-centre study in China.

BACKGROUND: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is one of the most critical cardiovascular diseases. PE treatment ranges from anticoagulation, and systemic thrombolysis to surgical embolectomy and catheter embolectomy. Surgical pulmonary embolectmy (SPE) indications and outcomes are still controversial. Although there have been more favourable SPE reports over the past decades, SPE has not yet been considered broadly as an initial PE therapy and is still considered as a reserve or rescue treatment for acute massive PE when systemic thrombolysis fails. This study aimed to evaluate the early and midterm outcomes of SPE, which was a first-line therapy for acute central major PE in one Chinese single centre. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent SPE for acute PE was conducted.Patients with chronic thrombus or who underwent thromboendarterectomy were excluded. SPE risk factors for morbidity and mortality were reviewed, and echocardiographic examination were conducted for follow-up studies to access right ventricular function. RESULTS: Overall, 41 patients were included; 17 (41.5%) had submassive PE, and 24 (58.5%) had massive PE. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 103.2 ± 48.9 min, and 10 patients (24.4%) underwent procedures without aortic cross-clamping. Ventilatory support time was 78 h (range, 40-336 h), intensive care unit stay was 7 days (range, 3-13 days), and hospital stay was 16 days (range, 12-23 days). Operative mortalities occurred in 3 massive PE patients, and no mortality occurred in submassive PE patients. The overall SPE mortality rate was 7.31% (3/41). If two systemic thrombolysis cases were excluded, SPE mortality was low (2.56%,1/39), evenlthough there were 2 cases of cardiac arrest preoperatively. Patients' right ventricle function improved postoperatively in follow-ups.There were no deaths related to recurrent PE and chronic pulmonary hypertension in follow-ups, though 3 patients died of cerebral intracranial bleeding, gastric cancer,and brain cancer at 1 year, 3 years, and 8 years postoperatively, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SPE presented with a low mortality rate when rendered as a first-line treatment in selected massive and submassive acute PE patients. Favorable outcomes of right ventricle function were also observed in the follow-ups. SPE should play the same role as ST in algorithmic acute PE treatment.

Microinvasive surgical occlusion for ostium secundum atrial septal defects:A report of 43 cases / 中国微创外科杂志

Objective To summarize the experience of microinvasive surgical occlusion for ostium secundum atrial septal defects (ASD). Methods A total of 43 patients with ostium secundum ASD was given microinvasive surgical occlusion. The diameter of ASD was 9.8~36.3 mm. An incision 2~3 cm in length was made on the right anterior chest. A special occluder was inserted to close the ostium under the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography. Results All of the patients were successfully occluded. Transient third degree AV block happened in 2 patients during the procedure. Moderate amount of pleural effusion occurred in 3 patients (cured). Echocardiography at 3 months after operation showed significant relief of pulmonary artery hypertension (from 52?21 mm Hg to 38?16 mm Hg; t=2.917, P=0.005). The patients were followed for 3~21 months (13.6?8.3 months), no dislocation of the device or atrial shunt was found. Conclusions Microinvasive surgical occlusion is safe and efficient for the closure of ostium secundum ASD. It is suitable for all patients in various age ranges.

Hemodynamic characteristics of the denervated orthotopic transplanted hearts / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the hemodynamic characteristics of the denervated orthotopic transplanted hearts. METHODS: Eighteen patients with end - stage cardiopathy underwent orthotopic cardiac transplantation received immunosuppressive induction therapy. The changes of hemodynamics were closely monitored during the perioperative period and the periodic check-up of echocardiogram and electrocardiograph were followed up in the postoperative long-term period. RESULTS: All recipients were received vasoactive drug and active diuretic therapy during the perioperative period. An increase in central venous pressure in concomitance with decrease in cardiac output, cardiac index and mixed venous oxygen saturation within 24 to 48 hours and tend to stable 48 hours postoperation were detected. In the follow - up period, the cardiac functions of allografts were all recovered well. No recipient complained angina pectoris. CONCLUSIONS: The hemodynamic characteristics and clinical pharmacological therapeutic implications of cardiac denervation are very unique. Rational application of inotropic support and diuretic therapy and vasodilatation combined with prudent administration of some agents, which affect the physiology of denervated heart, are the most effective measures for the prevention of postoperative complications of cardiac allograft.

Effect of low flow perfusion on rabbit heart-lung preservation / 中华器官移植杂志

Kaneko's rahbit heart-lung transplant model was used xo investigate the effect of low flow perfusion(LFP)on rabbit heart-lung preservation.Thirty-two healthy rabbits were randomly divided into control group and experimental group.The donors in the experimental group were continuously perfused via aorta and pulmonary artery at low flow rate with the same perfusates during preservation.After heart-lung transplanted, the donors' LVsp, LVedp, RAP and Paw, and PaO2 were measured every 30 min for 90 min to evaluate the function of heart and lung.After finishing the trial, the contents of MDA in heart and lung were determined and the water weight gain calculated.The results showed that the rabbits in the experimental group had a significantly lower water weight gain and better cardiac and pulmonary function than in the control group.The experimental group produced less levels of MDA in heart and lung than did the control group.It is concluded that LFP is more effective than cold storage on rabbit heart-lung preservation.