Elevated Renal-Resistive Index as an Indicator of Acute Kidney Injury Associated With Neonatal Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

OBJECTIVE: The authors aimed to assess the relationship between elevated renal-resistive index (RRI) and acute kidney injury (AKI) related to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in neonatal patients. DESIGN: This was a retrospective study. SETTING: The study was conducted at a teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen neonates treated with ECMO at the authors' hospital between June 2021 and December 2022 were included in this study. INTERVENTIONS: Demographic and clinical data of patients were collected from the computer database. The RRI of patients before and during ECMO treatment was measured by bedside ultrasound. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to evaluate the diagnostic value of elevation of RRI as evidence of neonatal ECMO-related AKI. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to calculate the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% CI. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 16 patients met the inclusion criteria. For the primary outcome, the authors observed that the RRI during ECMO therapy was significantly elevated in patients with AKI compared to those without AKI. As for the secondary outcome, ROC curve analysis revealed an optimal RRI cutoff of 0.797, with an area under the curve of 0.855 (95% CI, 0.664-1, p = 0.027). The sensitivity and specificity of RRI values >0.797 for diagnosing AKI were 72.7% and 80%, respectively. Univariate logistic regression analysis indicated an OR of 1.433 (95% CI 1.192-1.873, p < 0.05) for RRI values above 0.797. This association remained statistically significant even after adjusting for serum cystatin C and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, with an adjusted OR of 1.352 (95% CI 1.108-1.612, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The elevation of the RRI demonstrated a strong correlation with the onset of neonatal ECMO-related AKI, which may offer valuable support for diagnosing neonatal ECMO-related AKI.

Midterm Prognosis of Sexagenary Patients after Transcatheter Device Closure of Atrial Septal Defects: a Single-Chinese Center Experience

Abstract Introduction: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and midterm prognosis of transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) in sexagenary patients in China. Methods: Forty-six sexagenary patients who underwent transcatheter device closure of ASDs in our hospital were included in this study. The patients' preoperative and postoperative clinical symptoms, echocardiographic results, and quality of life were investigated and analyzed. Results: Of the 46 sexagenary patients who participated in the study, 40 completed the study. After ASD closure, the clinical symptoms of the patients significantly improved, and the number of patients with dyspnea and palpitations significantly decreased after the operation. According to the echocardiographic results, few patients had a tiny residual shunt after closure, but the shunt disappeared completely at the three-month follow-up. The size of the right ventricular cavity was significantly smaller postoperatively compared with preoperatively. Regarding the patients' quality of life, their feedback in all dimensions of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (or SF-36) was significantly improved at the three-month follow-up, and it remained improved at the one-year follow-up. Conclusion: The clinical outcomes and subjective quality of life of sexagenary patients with ASDs improved significantly after transcatheter device closure of ASDs. Therefore, we believe that for sexagenary patients with ASDs, transcatheter device closure is a favorable treatment.

Midterm Prognosis of Sexagenary Patients after Transcatheter Device Closure of Atrial Septal Defects: a Single-Chinese Center Experience.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and midterm prognosis of transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) in sexagenary patients in China. METHODS: Forty-six sexagenary patients who underwent transcatheter device closure of ASDs in our hospital were included in this study. The patients' preoperative and postoperative clinical symptoms, echocardiographic results, and quality of life were investigated and analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 46 sexagenary patients who participated in the study, 40 completed the study. After ASD closure, the clinical symptoms of the patients significantly improved, and the number of patients with dyspnea and palpitations significantly decreased after the operation. According to the echocardiographic results, few patients had a tiny residual shunt after closure, but the shunt disappeared completely at the three-month follow-up. The size of the right ventricular cavity was significantly smaller postoperatively compared with preoperatively. Regarding the patients' quality of life, their feedback in all dimensions of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (or SF-36) was significantly improved at the three-month follow-up, and it remained improved at the one-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: The clinical outcomes and subjective quality of life of sexagenary patients with ASDs improved significantly after transcatheter device closure of ASDs. Therefore, we believe that for sexagenary patients with ASDs, transcatheter device closure is a favorable treatment.

The midterm effect of exercise capacity and quality of life in adult patients who underwent hybrid transthoracic device closure of ventricular septal defects.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the midterm effect of exercise capacity and quality of life (QoL) of adult patients who underwent transthoracic device closure of ventricular septal defects (VSDs) and explore the gap in the quality of life and cardiopulmonary function between those patients and healthy people. METHODS: From January 2010 to January 2015, 58 adult patients who underwent transthoracic device closure of VSD and 60 healthy people matched for age and sex were selected and analyzed. Echocardiography and exercise capacity tests were performed, and the MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) was used to investigate the changes in QoL. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients completed the study. At the 1-year and 5-year follow-ups, the patients' left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic diameters were smaller than those preoperatively, but the difference was not statistically significant. In the QoL survey, the patients' scores after treatment showed a trend of improvement, and the improvement effect was not transient. After VSD closure, the difference in QoL between the patients and the control group was significantly reduced. However, in the exercise capacity test, the patients' results were still worse than those of the controls. CONCLUSION: Transthoracic device closure of VSDs is significant in improving adult patients' QoL at the midterm follow-up, reflected in their physical and psychological fields. However, they are still unable to achieve normal levels of peak exercise ability. Therefore, further exploration and interventions are worth considering.

Quality of life analysis of children with patent ductus arteriosus after closure treatment: A single-centre study.

AIM: To explore the changes in quality of life (QoL) in children who underwent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure and the difference in the QoL between the post-operative patients and healthy children. METHODS: The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 scale was used to assess the QoL of 48 children before and after receiving PDA closure and 50 healthy children who underwent physical examination in our hospital. Relevant clinical data were collected and analysed. RESULTS: In this study, a total of 45 patients completed the follow-up, and all the children in the control group completed the follow-up. The results showed that the patients' QoL had been improved after PDA closure, and the scores of emotional functioning and social functioning had been significantly improved compared with those in the pre-operative status. In comparing the QoL between the patient group and the control group, the results before treatment were worse than those of the control group. After treatment, the gap between the score of QoL of the patients and the healthy control group was reduced to some extent. However, in terms of social functioning, the patients' feedback was not as positive as healthy children. CONCLUSION: For children with PDA, closure treatment can significantly improve their clinical symptoms and QoL. However, there is still a gap compared with healthy children, so health education and further intervention after treatment are still necessary.

Evaluation of analgesic and sedative effects of remifentanil-based fast-track anesthesia in children undergoing transthoracic device closure of ventricular septal defects.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the analgesic and sedative effects of remifentanil-based fast-track cardiac anesthesia in children undergoing transthoracic device closure of ventricular septal defects (VSDs). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 62 children who underwent transthoracic device closure of VSDs from May 2019 to August 2019. The patients were divided into two groups based on the anesthesia methods: group F was given remifentanil-based fast-track cardiac anesthesia, and Group C was given conventional anesthesia. Patient-related clinical data, postoperative analgesia scores, and sedation scores were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in intraoperative hemodynamic changes, bispectral index values, postoperative analgesia scores, sedation scores, or the incidence of adverse events between the two groups. Compared with Group C, the duration of mechanical ventilation and the length of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay in group F were significantly lower. CONCLUSION: Remifentanil-based fast-track anesthesia can be safely applied in children undergoing transthoracic device closure of VSDs, with acceptable postoperative analgesia and sedation effects and shorter mechanical ventilation times and ICU and hospital stays compared with conventional anesthesia.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents with Simple Congenital Heart Defects before and after Transcatheter Intervention Therapy: A Single-Center Study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children and adolescents with simple congenital heart defects before and after the transcatheter intervention. METHODS: The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 scale was used to assess the quality of life of 78 children and adolescents before and after the transcatheter intervention and to evaluate the parents' perception of their children's quality of life. RESULTS: In all, 76 patients were completed the study. The results showed that the scores of the four dimensions and the total score for the quality of life of the patients significantly improved 1 month after the intervention. At 6 months after treatment, the scores in all dimensions continued to improve. From the parents' perspective, the scores of the patients in all dimensions improved significantly at 1 month and 6 months after treatment. In terms of the quality of life assessment, the self-assessment results of the patients were more positive than those of their parents. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the quality of life of children and adolescents with simple congenital heart defects can be positively affected by the transcatheter intervention. Moreover, this improvement is not transient and seems to increase over time.

Comparison of Short-Term Quality of Life between Percutaneous Device Closure and Surgical Repair via Median Sternotomy for Atrial Septal Defect in Adult Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the quality of life and psychological state of patients after receiving different closure treatments for atrial septal defect (ASD) and to explore some factors affecting the quality of life of patients after ASD closure. METHODS: Fifty-five patients who underwent percutaneous device closure of ASD (group A) and fifty-five patients who underwent surgical repair via median sternotomy of ASD (group B) were followed up from before to one year after surgery to assess their quality of life. We used the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to evaluate the quality of life of patients. RESULTS: Both groups had improved HADS scores after operation. In the comparison of the postoperative quality of life between the two groups, group A was superior to group B on some dimensions of the SF-36, and there was a significant difference in HADS scores. Age was negatively correlated with quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: In adults over 18 years of age, the quality of life after surgical repair or percutaneous device closure of ASD improved significantly. Compared with surgical repair via median sternotomy, percutaneous device closure has a more significant effect on the improvement in some aspects of people's quality of life.

Effect of Treprostinil on the Early Postoperative Prognosis of Patients with Severe Left Heart Valvular Disease Combined with Severe Pulmonary Hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of treprostinil on the early postoperative prognosis of patients with severe left heart valvular disease combined with severe pulmonary hypertension (PAH). METHODS: A retrospective study including 55 patients with severe left heart valvular disease combined with severe PAH who underwent left heart valve replacement in our hospital between January 2019 and May 2019 was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups (treprostinil group and control group), and the clinical data of patients in the two groups were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with the preoperative status, the mean postoperative pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) in both groups was significantly lower. Compared with the control group, the treprostinil group had a significantly lower mPAP. Moreover, the postoperative mechanical ventilation time, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and hospital stay of the treprostinil group were significantly shorter than those of the control group. There were no serious drug-related side effects in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Treprostinil can improve the early postoperative prognosis of patients with severe left heart valvular disease combined with severe PAH undergoing prosthetic valve replacement.

Midterm postoperative prognosis of patients with severe left heart valvular disease combined with moderate or severe pulmonary hypertension treated with treprostinil.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the midterm postoperative prognosis of patients with severe left heart valvular disease combined with moderate or severe pulmonary hypertension (PAH) using subcutaneous injection of treprostinil. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 61 patients with severe left heart valvular disease combined with moderate or severe PAH who had undergone mechanical mitral and/or aortic valve replacement from April 2018 to October 2018. The patients were divided into the treprostinil group and the conventional treatment group according to whether they received treprostinil. The patients were assessed by SwanGanz catheterization, echocardiography, the 6-min walk test (6-MWT), the Borg dyspnoea score and the SF-36 questionnaire. RESULTS: Compared with the preoperative data, the mPAP measured by SwanGanz catheterization, the results of the 6-MWT and the Borg score were significantly improved in both groups during the 1 year follow-up (P < 0.05). Regarding the comparison between the groups, the results in group T were significantly better than those in group C, including the results of the 6-MWT and the general health, vitality and mental health of SF-36 during the 1 year follow-up (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous subcutaneous infusion of treprostinil was not capable of decreasing pulmonary pressures in patients with severe left heart valvular disease combined with moderate or severe PAH during 1 year follow-up, although which some of our data suggest that might improve the symptoms and quality of life of these patients.

Comparison of Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults Undergoing Transthoracic and Transcatheter Device Closure for Ventricular Septal Defects.

This study aims to compare and analyze the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adult patients with ventricular septal defects (VSDs) who underwent transthoracic or transcatheter device closure.The HRQoL data of 30 patients who underwent transthoracic device closure for VSDs and 30 who underwent transcatheter device closure for VSDs were retrospectively evaluated before and one year after the procedure. The Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and a self-designed questionnaire were used as evaluation tools.After treatment, both groups showed significant improvements in SF-36 and HADS scores. After comparing the two groups regarding the SF-36, there was a significant difference in the two dimensions of vitality and mental health. There were no statistically significant differences in the HADS-A and HADS-D scores between these two groups. The results of the self-designed questionnaire also showed that the subjective feedback of the two groups was roughly the same. In the process of exploring the influential factors, we found that the scores of patients on most dimensions of the SF-36 in the two groups showed a significantly negative trend with increasing age. In terms of HADS scores, patients in both groups showed a tendency toward increasing scores with age.The HRQoL of adult patients undergoing transthoracic and transcatheter device closure for VSDs was similar, and the HRQoL was affected by the patient's own condition, so it is necessary to pay more attention to patients after device closure.

Sufentanil Reduces Emergence Delirium in Children Undergoing Transthoracic Device Closure of VSD After Sevoflurane-Based Cardiac Anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether sufentanil can reduce emergence delirium in children undergoing transthoracic device closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD) after sevoflurane-based cardiac anesthesia. METHODS: From February 2019 to May 2019, 68 children who underwent transthoracic device closure of VSD at our center were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into two groups: 36 patients in group S, who were given sufentanil and sevoflurane-based cardiac anesthesia, and 32 patients in group F, who were given fentanyl and sevoflurane-based cardiac anesthesia. The following clinical data were recorded: age, sex, body weight, operation time, and bispectral index (BIS). After the children were sent to the intensive care unit (ICU), pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium (PAED) and face, legs, activity, cry, consolability (FLACC) scale scores were also assessed. The incidence of adverse reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and dizziness, was recorded. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in age, sex, body weight, operation time or BIS value between the two groups. Extubation time (min), PEAD score and FLACC scale score in group S were significantly better than those in group F (P<0.05). No serious anesthesia or drug-related side effects occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Sufentanil can be safely used in sevoflurane-based fast-track cardiac anesthesia for transthoracic device closure of VSD in children. Compared to fentanyl, sufentanil is more effective in reducing postoperative emergence delirium, with lower analgesia scores and greater comfort.

Sufentanil reduces emergence delirium in children undergoing transthoracic device closure of vsd after sevoflurane-based cardiac anesthesia

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether sufentanil can reduce emergence delirium in children undergoing transthoracic device closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD) after sevoflurane-based cardiac anesthesia. Methods: From February 2019 to May 2019, 68 children who underwent transthoracic device closure of VSD at our center were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into two groups: 36 patients in group S, who were given sufentanil and sevoflurane-based cardiac anesthesia, and 32 patients in group F, who were given fentanyl and sevoflurane-based cardiac anesthesia. The following clinical data were recorded: age, sex, body weight, operation time, and bispectral index (BIS). After the children were sent to the intensive care unit (ICU), pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium (PAED) and face, legs, activity, cry, consolability (FLACC) scale scores were also assessed. The incidence of adverse reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and dizziness, was recorded. Results: There was no significant difference in age, sex, body weight, operation time or BIS value between the two groups. Extubation time (min), PEAD score and FLACC scale score in group S were significantly better than those in group F (P<0.05). No serious anesthesia or drug-related side effects occurred. Conclusions: Sufentanil can be safely used in sevoflurane-based fast-track cardiac anesthesia for transthoracic device closure of VSD in children. Compared to fentanyl, sufentanil is more effective in reducing postoperative emergence delirium, with lower analgesia scores and greater comfort.

Effect of remifentanil-based fast-track anesthesia on postoperative analgesia and sedation in adult patients undergoing transthoracic device closure of ventricular septal defect.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of remifentanil-based fast-track anesthesia on analgesia and sedation after transthoracic device closure of ventricular septal defects (VSDs) in adult patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 59 patients aged 21-53 years who underwent transthoracic device closure of VSDs from January 2019 to September 2019. According to the different anesthesia strategies, the patients were divided into the R group (using remifentanil-based anesthesia, n = 33) and the S group (using sufentanil-based anesthesia, n = 26). Patient-related clinical data, postoperative analgesia, and sedation scores were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in age, gender, body weight, and operation time between the group R and the group S (P > 0.05). There was also no significant difference in intraoperative hemodynamic changes, BIS scores, postoperative analgesia, and sedation scores between the two groups (P > 0.05). The duration of mechanical ventilation, the length of ICU stay, and hospital stay in the group R were significantly lower than those in the group S (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Remifentanil-based fast-track anesthesia is effective for adult patients undergoing transthoracic device closure of VSDs, which may shorten the mechanical ventilation duration, the ICU and hospital stay of patients.

Comparison of Postoperative Changes in Inflammatory Marker Levels Between Transthoracic and Transcatheter Device Closures of Atrial Septal Defects in Children.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the postoperative changes in inflammatory markers in children who underwent device closure of an atrial septal defect (ASD) via a transthoracic or transcatheter approach. METHODS: The experimental and clinical data were retrospectively collected and analyzed for a total of 53 pediatric patients between September 2018 and December 2018. According to the different treatments, 19 patients who underwent transthoracic device closure were assigned to group A, and the remaining 34 patients who underwent a transcatheter approach were assigned to group B. RESULTS: All patients were successfully occluded without any device-related severe complication. Compared with the preoperative levels, the postoperative levels of most inflammatory cytokines in both groups were significantly increased and reached a peak on the first day after the procedure. The level of postoperative inflammatory cytokines was significantly lower in group B than in group A. In addition, there was no significant difference in procalcitonin before and after the transcatheter approach. CONCLUSION: Systemic inflammatory reactions occurred after transthoracic or transcatheter device closure of ASDs in pediatric patients. However, these inflammatory reactions were more significant in patients who underwent a transthoracic approach than in patients who underwent a transcatheter approach.

Comparison of postoperative changes in inflammatory marker levels between transthoracic and transcatheter device closures of atrial septal defects in children

Abstract Objective: To explore the postoperative changes in inflammatory markers in children who underwent device closure of an atrial septal defect (ASD) via a transthoracic or transcatheter approach. Methods: The experimental and clinical data were retrospectively collected and analyzed for a total of 53 pediatric patients between September 2018 and December 2018. According to the different treatments, 19 patients who underwent transthoracic device closure were assigned to group A, and the remaining 34 patients who underwent a transcatheter approach were assigned to group B. Results: All patients were successfully occluded without any device-related severe complication. Compared with the preoperative levels, the postoperative levels of most inflammatory cytokines in both groups were significantly increased and reached a peak on the first day after the procedure. The level of postoperative inflammatory cytokines was significantly lower in group B than in group A. In addition, there was no significant difference in procalcitonin before and after the transcatheter approach. Conclusion: Systemic inflammatory reactions occurred after transthoracic or transcatheter device closure of ASDs in pediatric patients. However, these inflammatory reactions were more significant in patients who underwent a transthoracic approach than in patients who underwent a transcatheter approach.

Quality of Life in Adults Undergoing Percutaneous Device Closure of Atrial Septal Defect.

To assess changes in the quality of life in adult patients undergoing percutaneous device closure of atrial septal defect (ASD).We used a standard Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) that includes psychological and physiological aspects to assess and analyze the quality of life of 73 adult patients who underwent percutaneous device closure of ASD.Of the 73 patients who were investigated in this study, 67 completed questionnaires successfully. The following findings were revealed after analyzing the preoperative results and postoperative results. In some dimensions ( "physical functioning," "vitality," "general health" ), the postoperative perception was better than the preoperative status. Some differences were found in the quality of life feedback between the case group and the control group. Among the different subgroups, older patients scored lower than younger patients on most dimensions, and men seemed to perform better on "role-physical" factors than women. Unmarried people performed worse on "role-physical" and "bodily pain" than married people. Among people with different academic degrees, those with higher degrees demonstrated better scores on multiple dimensions ( "role-physical," "mental health," "social functioning," and "general health" ) than those with lower degrees.After percutaneous device closure of ASD, most adult patients feel that the quality of life is improved compared with that during the preoperative status. With the change of patients' own conditions, their quality of life seems to change differently. In order to better help patients integrate into life, psychological and physical support is still needed.

The Effect of Perioperative Administration of Treprostinil in Infants with Non-restrictive Ventricular Septal Defect and Severe Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

This study investigated the efficacy and safety of intravenous treprostinil during the perioperative period in infants with non-restrictive ventricular septal defect (VSD) and severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) undergoing surgical VSD repair. This was a retrospective study. There were 79 infants with non-restrictive VSD and severe PAH receiving surgical treatment from January to December 2019 in our cardiac center. The patients were divided into the treprostinil group and control group according to whether intravenous treprostinil was used during the perioperative period. There were no significant differences in the preoperative characteristics, including age, sex, weight, ventricular size, or preoperative pulmonary artery pressure, between the two groups. Although the pulmonary artery pressure in both groups was significantly lower postoperatively than preoperatively, the postoperative pulmonary artery systolic pressure was significantly lower in group T than in group C. The postoperative mechanical ventilation time, ICU stay, and hospital stay in group T were shorter than those in group C. Treprostinil can be used effectively and safely to reduce the perioperative pulmonary artery pressure in infants with non-restrictive VSD and severe PAH undergoing surgical VSD repair.

A meta-analysis of perventricular device closure of doubly committed subarterial ventricular septal defects.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the safety and efficacy of perventricular device closure of doubly committed subarterial ventricular septal defects (dcsVSDs). METHODS: PubMed and Scopus were searched for studies in English that focused on perventricular device closure of dcsVSDs and were published up to the end of September 2019. We used a random-effects model to obtain pooled estimates of the success and complication rates. RESULTS: A total of 9 publications including 459 patients with dcsVSDs were included. The median follow-up duration ranged from 2 months to 5 years, with the mean age of patients ranging from 6.1 months to 4.5 years. The pooled estimate of the overall success rate of device closure in the 9 studies was 0.89 (95% CI: 0.86-0.93, I2 = 26.5%, P = 0.208). Further meta-regression analysis indicated no significant correlation between the success rate and the following factors: publication year, sample size, study type, mean age, mean weight, mean VSD size, and ratio of device size/weight. The pooled rate of postoperative aortic regurgitation was 0.045 (95% CI: 0.018-0.071, I2 = 50.96%, P = 0.000). The pooled rate of follow-up aortic regurgitation (AR) was 0.001 (95% CI, - 0.003-0.004, I2 = 63.00%, P = 0.009.) The pooled estimated rate of severe intraoperative complications was 0.106 (0.073-0.140, I2 = 70.7%, P = 0.208). Postoperative and follow-up complications were rare. No occurrence of a complete atrioventricular block was reported up to the last follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS: Perventricular device closure may be an alternative to conventional surgical repair in selected patients with dcsVSDs. The success rate was stable regarding the publication year and sample size, suggesting a relatively short learning curve and the technique's potential for application.

Effects of the Sounds of Different Mechanical Mitral Valves on Quality of Life at Different Follow-Up Times: A Single-Center Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of the sounds of different types of mechanical mitral valves on the quality of life (QoL) of patients at different follow-up times. METHODS: We collected data from 150 patients who underwent mechanical mitral valve replacement. Three time points were assessed, including at discharge, the third postoperative month (POM3), and the twelfth postoperative month (POM12). The SF-36 and a self-questionnaire were used to assess the QoL. RESULTS: Regarding the SF-36 scores, the ATS valve was superior to the Sorin and SJM valves in terms of some items. Moreover, the scores at discharge of all three mechanical valve groups were lower than those at POM3 and POM12. For the self-questionnaire scores, with the increase in postoperative time, the number of patients affected by the mechanical valve sounds decreased gradually. Considering the relevant influencing factors, older women were more likely to be affected by the valve sounds than were younger individuals and men. CONCLUSION: The overall postoperative QoL improved for patients who underwent mechanical mitral valve replacement. In the comparative study, the impact of the ATS valve was better than those of the Sorin and SJM valves, but this difference gradually disappeared over time.