Risk stratification by systemic manifestations secondary to hemodynamic disorders of patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a prevalent disease that triggers systemic pathological changes including cardiac, respiratory, hepatic and digestive, hematopoietic, renal and skin issues. The burden of extra-cardiac manifestations has not been well described in TR patients and the clinical impact is unknown. METHODS: Patients with severe or more-than-severe TR during hospitalization, who did not have any previous cardiac procedures, hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease or concomitant severe aortic or mitral valve disease, were retrospectively analyzed. Pre-specified criteria and diagnosis of baseline characteristics were used to evaluate the presence of extra-cardiac manifestations secondary to TR after excluding comorbidities that may also lead to corresponding abnormalities. Extra-cardiac involvements encompass respiratory, hepatic and, digestive, renal, hematopoietic and dermatic system. Staging criteria are defined as no extra-cardiac system involvement in Stage 1, one in Stage 2, at least two extra-cardiac involvements in Stage 3 and any end-stage organ failure in Stage 4. A telephone follow-up was conducted to record the composite endpoint namely all-cause death or cardiac rehospitalization after the index hospitalization. RESULTS: A total of 258 patients were identified with a median age of 73 (interquartile range [IQR]: 62-83) years and 52.3% were female. Severe TR and more-than-severe TR patients accounted for 92.6% and 7.4% of the cohort. There were 20.5%, 27.5%, 37.6% and 14.3% of patients from Stage 1 to 4 respectively. The follow-up time was at a median of 251 (IQR: 183-324) days. TR Patients in Stage 3&4 were at an increased risk with borderline statistical significance to experience the composite endpoint compared to patients in Stage 1&2 (odds ratio [OR] 1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0 to 3.7, P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of patients with at least severe TR presented with two or more extra-cardiac systemic manifestations, which may incur a 1.9-fold higher risk of all-cause death or cardiac rehospitalization than TR patients with one or less extra-cardiac involvement.

Aneurysms in Takayasu's arteritis: a retrospective study of Chinese patients.

OBJECTIVES: Aneurysm formation can cause life-threatening complications in Takayasu's arteritis (TAK). The objective of this study was to evaluate the demographic, clinical and angiographic features, and outcomes of aneurysm secondary to TAK in Chinese patients. METHODS: The medical charts of patients diagnosed with TAK in Changhai Hospital between 2001 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Aneurysms were identified in 66 (16.6%) of 397 patients with TAK. The mean age at onset was 30.4±11.5 years, with a male:female ratio of 1:2.7. Patients with aneurysm had a higher proportion of male (p<0.01), higher incidences of bruit, chest tightness and aortic regurgitation (all p<0.001), and a lower incidence of visual disturbances (p<0.01) as compared with patients without aneurysm. The prevalence of elevated ESR and CRP and ITAS2010 score were higher in patients with than without aneurysm (all p<0.01). Angiographic classification showed that type V (30.3%) was the most frequent pattern in patients with aneurysm though Type I was dominant in patients without aneurysm. Multiple aneurysms were found in 30.3% of patients and the most common site of aneurysms was abdominal aorta (22.1%). Glucocorticoids were prescribed in 86.4% of patients with aneurysm, and surgical procedures were performed in 80.3%. Five of 52 patients died during the median 3-year follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: These findings could provide useful information on the demographical, clinical and angiographic features of TAK patients with aneurysm. Aneurysm formation in TAK may be associated with male gender and active vascular inflammation.

Retrograde Type A Dissection after Ascending Aorta Involved Endovascular Repair and Its Surgical Repair with Stented Elephant Trunk.

BACKGROUND: Retrograde type A dissection (RTAD) is a serious complication after ascending aorta involved endovascular repair (AAIER). We here report our surgical approach to this serious complication. METHODS: From July 2011 to July 2014, 8 RTADs after AAIER patients received surgical repair in our institution. Data of these RTAD patients were retrospectively collected for further analysis. All patients received urgent surgical repair based on the stented elephant trunk technique. We took 2 different ways to handle the previous stent during operation. In patients who had a prior hybrid aortic repair, we removed the proximal part of the stent while the distal part was left in place. In patients who had prior ascending aorta stent implantation (AASI), the stent was totally removed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 57.6 ± 11.9 years. Regarding the index intervention, 2 patients received hybrid aortic repair and 6 patients received AASI. In patients who received AASI, 1 patient underwent simultaneous thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and another patient received simultaneous chimney technique in innominate artery and left common carotid artery combined with bypass from left subclavian artery to left common carotid artery to cure the type I endoleak induced by the previous implanted TEVAR stent. All patients received a new elephant trunk implantation during surgical repair. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass, selective cerebral perfusion, and aortic cross-clamp time were 172.1 ± 13.3, 40.8 ± 4.2, and 121.8 ± 11.4 min, respectively. The mean intensive care unit time was 7.8 ± 3.4 days. Two patients (25.0%) experienced transient neurologic dysfunction and recovered completely before discharge. In-hospital death rate was 12.5% (1 of 8). The mean follow-up time was 17.1 ± 9.5 months. No late deaths or complications occurred during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: AAIER especially AASI used in aortic dissection treatment should be seriously considered since RTAD might occur. Our study indicated that surgical repair with stented elephant trunk was feasible and according to the cause of RTAD, different surgical strategies should be taken to manage the stent.

The use of intra-aortic balloon pump in patients undergoing heart valve replacement: outcome and risk analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in heart valve surgical patients is associated with a higher mortality than coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The study aim was to analyze the early outcome of heart valve surgical patients requiring IABP support, and to assess the risk factors for early mortality. METHODS: Among a cohort of 5,786 patients undergoing heart valve replacement without CABG, 81 (1.4%) required IABP support. Data from these latter patients were collected and analyzed retrospectively, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression were applied to identify risk factors for early mortality in patients requiring IABP support. RESULTS: IABP was inserted in 30 patients intraoperatively, and in 51 patients postoperatively. The overall mortality was 50.6%. Mortality in the intraoperative IABP subgroup was significantly lower than in the postoperative IABP subgroup (26.7% versus 64.7%, p = 0.001). The independent risk factors for early mortality were: age increasing by 10 years (OR 1.906, 95% CI: 1.165-3.116, p = 0.010) and pulmonary hypertension (OR 4.153, 95% CI: 1.380-12.499, p = 0.011). Intraoperative IABP insertion (OR 0.297, 95% CI: 0.100-0.876, p = 0.028) was identified as a protective factor compared to postoperative insertion. CONCLUSION: The mortality of patients requiring IABP support after heart valve replacement was high. The efficacy of intraoperative IABP insertion was better than a postoperative mandatory use. Clearly, more attention should be paid to older patients or those with pulmonary hypertension, who may benefit less from IABP.

Comparison of six risk scores for in-hospital mortality in Chinese patients undergoing heart valve surgery.

BACKGROUND: To compare six risk scores with regard to their validity to predict in-hospital mortality after heart valve surgery in a single-centre patient population of China. METHODS: From January 2006 to December 2011, 3479 consecutive patients who underwent heart valve surgery at our centre were collected and scored according to the EuroSCORE II, VA risk score, NNE risk score, Ambler risk score, NYC risk score, and STS risk score. Calibration of the six risk scores was assessed by the Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) test. Discrimination was tested by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: Observed mortality was 3.32% overall. The STS score showed good calibration in predicting in-hospital mortality (H-L: P = 0.126). The EuroSCORE II, VA score, NNE score, and NYC score underpredicted observed mortality (H-L: P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, P = 0.001, and P < 0.0001, respectively) and the Ambler score overpredicted observed mortality (H-L: P = 0.005). The discriminative power (i.e. the area under the ROC curve) for in-hospital mortality was highest for the STS score (0.706), followed by the EuroSCORE II model (0.693), NNE score (0.684), NYC score (0.682), Ambler score (0.677) and VA score (0.643). CONCLUSION: Compared with the EuroSCORE II, VA score, NNE score, NYC score, and the Ambler score, the STS score gives an accurate prediction for individual operative risk in patients undergoing heart valve surgery at our centre. Therefore, the use of the STS score for risk evaluation maybe suitable in patients undergoing heart valve surgery at our centre in the future.

Validation of EuroSCORE II in Chinese patients undergoing heart valve surgery.

BACKGROUND: To assess the performance of the The European System for Cardiac Operative. Risk Evaluation II (EuroSCORE II) in Chinese patients undergoing heart valve surgery at our centre. METHODS: From January 2006 to December 2011, 3479 consecutive patients who underwent heart valve surgery at our centre were collected and scored according to the original EuroSCORE and EuroSCORE II models. All patients were divided into single valve surgery and multiple valve surgery subgroups. The entire cohort and each subgroup were analysed. Calibration of the original EuroSCORE and EuroSCORE II models was assessed by the Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) test. Discrimination was tested by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: Observed mortality was 3.32% overall, compared to expected mortality 3.84% for the original additive EuroSCORE (H-L: P = 0.013), 3.33% for the original logistic EuroSCORE (H-L: P = 0.08), and 2.52% for the EuroSCORE II (H-L: P < 0.0001). The EuroSCORE II model showed good calibration in predicting in-hospital mortality for patients undergoing single valve surgery (H-L: P = 0.103) and poor calibration for patients undergoing multiple valve surgery (H-L: P < 0.0001). The discriminative power of the original EuroSCORE model (area under the ROC curve of 0.684 and 0.673 for the additive and logistic model, respectively) and EuroSCORE II model (area under the ROC curve of 0.685) for the entire cohort was poor. The discriminative power of the EuroSCORE II model was good for the single valve surgery group (area under the ROC curve of 0.792) and was poor for the multiple valve surgery group (area under the ROC curve of 0.605). CONCLUSION: The EuroSCORE II model gives an accurate prediction for individual operative risk in patients undergoing single valve surgery but an imprecise prediction in patients undergoing multiple valve surgery at our centre. Therefore, the use of the EuroSCORE II model for risk evaluation may be suitable in patients undergoing single valve surgery, and the creation of a new model which accurately predicts outcomes in patients undergoing multiple valve surgery is possibly required at our centre in the future.

Pulmonary and tricuspid regurgitation after Tetralogy of Fallot repair: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is one of the most common congenital heart defects, and surgery is the primary treatment. There are no precise guidelines on the treatment protocol for tricuspid regurgitation (TR) as a common complication of TOF repair. The timing for treatment in patients presenting with valve regurgitation after TOF repair is often difficult to determine. Here, we report the first case of sequential treatment of pulmonary and TR using interventional therapy. CASE SUMMARY: We present the case of a 52-year-old female patient, who had a history of TOF repair at a young age. A few years later, the patient presented with pulmonary and tricuspid regurgitation. The symptoms persisted and TR worsened following percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation. Preoperative testing revealed that the patient's disease had advanced to an intermediate to advanced stage and that her general health was precarious. Because open-heart surgery was not an option for the patient, transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement was suggested. This procedure was successful, and the patient recovered fully without any adverse effects. This case report may serve as a useful resource for planning future treatments. CONCLUSION: Treatment of both valves should be considered in patients with tricuspid and pulmonary regurgitations following TOF repair. The interventional strategy could be an alternative for patients with poor general health.

Transjugular Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Implantation of LuX-Valve Bioprosthesis in a Preclinical Model.

The purpose of this preclinical study in a sheep model was to confirm the feasibility and safety of the LuX-Valve transjugular tricuspid valve (TV) replacement apparatus and to optimize the implantation procedure before beginning first-in-man study. The LuX-Valve was implanted in a sheep model (n = 8) via transjugular approach. Six of eight sheep underwent successful implantation procedure on beating heart. The first two sheep died during the prostheses deployment. In the remaining 6 sheep that survived, postoperative echocardiography results showed there was no paravalvular leakage (PVL) and central tricuspid regurgitation in 5 animals, whereas 1 animal had mild PVL. The mean transvalvular gradient was 1.1 ± 0.9 mm Hg at the 4-week follow-up. No right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction, device malposition, pericardial effusion, coronary artery compression, or arrhythmias were observed. This technology may be a promising alternative for TR patients who are at high risk for open-heart surgery. Transjugular tricuspid valved-stent implantation. a Transjugular tricuspid valve replacement in a sheep model. b and c Valved stent. d, e, and f Schematic depiction of the implantation procedure.

Risk model of prolonged intensive care unit stay in Chinese patients undergoing heart valve surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to develop a preoperative risk prediction model and an scorecard for prolonged intensive care unit length of stay (PrlICULOS) in adult patients undergoing heart valve surgery. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study of collected data on 3925 consecutive patients older than 18 years, who had undergone heart valve surgery between January 2000 and December 2010. Data were randomly split into a development dataset (n=2401) and a validation dataset (n=1524). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was undertaken using the development dataset to identify independent risk factors for PrlICULOS. Performance of the model was then assessed by observed and expected rates of PrlICULOS on the development and validation dataset. Model calibration and discriminatory ability were analysed by the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, respectively. RESULTS: There were 491 patients that required PrlICULOS (12.5%). Preoperative independent predictors of PrlICULOS are shown with odds ratio as follows: (1) age, 1.4; (2) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 1.8; (3) atrial fibrillation, 1.4; (4) left bundle branch block, 2.7; (5) ejection fraction, 1.4; (6) left ventricle weight, 1.5; (7) New York Heart Association class III-IV, 1.8; (8) critical preoperative state, 2.0; (9) perivalvular leakage, 6.4; (10) tricuspid valve replacement, 3.8; (11) concurrent CABG, 2.8; and (12) concurrent other cardiac surgery, 1.8. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic was not statistically significant in both development and validation dataset (P=0.365 vs P=0.310). The ROC curve for the prediction of PrlICULOS in development and validation dataset was 0.717 and 0.700, respectively. CONCLUSION: We developed and validated a local risk prediction model for PrlICULOS after adult heart valve surgery. This model can be used to calculate patient-specific risk with an equivalent predicted risk at our centre in future clinical practice.

[Methods and results of surgical treatment for aortic root pathology due to Stanford A aortic dissection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of surgical approaches, outcomes and prognosis of aortic root pathology due to Stanford A aortic dissection. METHODS: Retrospective analysis the clinical data of 161 patients (122 male and 39 female, mean age of (44 ± 21) years) underwent surgical treatment for Stanford A aortic dissection between January 2001 and June 2011. There were 146 patients of acute aortic dissection and 15 patients of chronic aortic dissection. All the patients had aortic root pathologies that included commissural prolapsed in 140 cases, more than moderate aortic insufficiency in 75 cases, aortic sinus intima rupture in 15 cases, right and/or left coronary artery tearing in 8 cases, right and/or left coronary artery dissection in 16 cases, aortic root aneurysm in 31 cases. RESULTS: Aortic root replacement (Bentall procedures) were used in 72 cases, aortic root remodeling (including aortic valve replacement) in 80 cases, aortic root reimplantation (David procedure) in 9 cases. The cardiopulmonary bypass time was shorter in aortic root remodeling group ((193 ± 42) minutes) than the other two groups ((210 ± 61) minutes, (197 ± 34) minutes, F = 3.22, P = 0.04). The in-hospital mortality was 8.1% (13 cases), 5 cases (6.9%) in aortic root replacement group, 7 cases (8.8%) in aortic root remodeling group, 1 case in aortic root reimplantation. The cause of death included respiratory failure (4 cases), permanent neurological deficits (3 cases), multiple organ failure (4 cases), acute renal failure (2 cases). The survivors were followed up for 6 months to 6 years. There was no patient required reoperation for aortic root pathologies. There was no statistically significant difference between aortic root remodeling group and reimplantation group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The surgical treatment for aortic root pathology due to Stanford A aortic dissection is challenging. Appropriate procedures according to the specialty of aortic root pathology can be performed with favorable functional results.

[Clinical analysis of the edge-to-edge technique for mitral regurgitation due to myxomatous degeneration].

OBJECTIVES: To explore the feature of the edge-to-edge technique and its effect for mitral regurgitation due to myxomatous degeneration. METHODS: The in-patient data and follow-up outcomes of 58 patients after the edge-to-edge technique for mitral regurgitation due to myxomatous degeneration from January 2000 to January 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. Of the 58 patients, 32 patients were male and 26 patients were female, and the age range was from 43 years to 65 years with a mean of (56 ± 6) years, and moderate mitral regurgitation was observed in 18 patients and severe regurgitation in 40 patients, and the prolapse of the anterior leaflet was observed in 50 patients and the prolapse of the bileaflet in 8 patients. The edge-to-edge technique was performed in all patients and the annuloplasty was performed in 44 patients. RESULTS: There was no perioperative death and serious complication. Postoperative transthoracic echocardiography of all the survivors indicated that the dimensions of left atrial and left ventricular were obviously decreased (P < 0.05) and mitral insufficiency was obviously improved (no regurgitation was observed in 9 patients and trace regurgitation in 30 patients and mild regurgitation in 19 patients) and there was no mitral stenosis. Totally 58 patients were followed up from 24 months to 95 months with a mean of (58 ± 20) months. During the follow-up, there were 2 deaths for noncardiac factors. Freedom from recurrent moderate or severe mitral regurgitation at 5 years after operations was 91.9%. According to undergoing combined annuloplasty or not, 58 patients were divided into the edge-to-edge technique group (14 cases) and the edge-to-edge technique + annuloplasty group (44 cases), and the survival analysis shows there was significant difference on freedom from long-term recurrent moderate or severe mitral regurgitation after operations between two groups (χ(2) = 4.034, P = 0.045) and long-term effect of the latter group was better. CONCLUSIONS: The edge-to-edge technique can be conveniently used and bring about satisfactory perioperative and long-term effects for mitral regurgitation due to myxomatous degeneration. The combination of the edge-to-edge technique and the annuloplasty can improve the long-term effect significantly.

[Strategy of dealing with left subclavian artery in total arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk implantation for Stanford type A aortic dissection].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the experiences of ligating left subclavian artery (LSA) in total arch replacement and stented elephant trunk implantation for Stanford type A aortic dissection patients with difficulty in exposing the LSA. METHODS: Total arch replacement and stented elephant trunk implantation were performed on 79 consecutive patients from January 2008 to June 2010. Twenty-nine cases of the cohort undertook LSA ligation due to bad exposure. There were 21 males and 8 females patients, aged from 19 to 55 years with a mean of (44 ± 12) years. There were 12 acute dissections, 4 sub-acute dissections and 13 chronic dissections. Based on thoroughly evaluation of the Willis' circle and bilateral vertebral arteries through pre-operative imaging and intra-operative circulative parameters, if the collateral circulation was considered sufficient, LSA was ligated directly and only the innominate artery and carotid artery were reconstructed; if considered insufficient, an additional bypass from ascending aorta to left axillary artery was performed. RESULTS: All the 29 operations were completed successfully. There was one patient died from pulmonary infection and the others recovered well.Blood pressure of left arms were lower than right postoperatively [(78 ± 17) mmHg vs. (126 ± 24) mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa, P < 0.01], but oxygen saturation, skin temperature and strength of the left hand were normal compared to the right. All the survived patients have been followed 1 - 27 months and none of them presented with any symptoms of left subclavian artery steal syndrome and ischemia of left arms. CONCLUSIONS: Ligation of LSA under strict evaluation of collateral circulation could be safe in Type A dissection patients with bad exposure due to big ascending aortic aneurysm and will simplify the procedure significantly.

Injectable conductive hydrogel can reduce pacing threshold and enhance efficacy of cardiac pacemaker.

Background: Pacemaker implantation is currently used in patients with symptomatic bradycardia. Since a pacemaker is a lifetime therapeutic device, its energy consumption contributes to battery exhaustion, along with its voltage stimulation resulting in local fibrosis and greater resistance, which are all detrimental to patients. The possible resolution for those clinical issues is an injection of a conductive hydrogel, poly-3-amino-4-methoxybenzoic acid-gelatin (PAMB-G), to reduce the myocardial threshold voltage for pacemaker stimulation. Methods: PAMB-G is synthesized by covalently linking PAMB to gelatin, and its conductivity is measured using two-point resistivity. Rat hearts are injected with gelatin or PAMB-G, and pacing threshold is evaluated using electrocardiogram and cardiac optical mapping. Results: PAMB-G conductivity is 13 times greater than in gelatin. The ex vivo model shows that PAMB-G significantly enhances cardiac tissue stimulation. Injection of PAMB-G into the stimulating electrode location at the myocardium has a 4 times greater reduction of pacing threshold voltage, compared with electrode-only or gelatin-injected tissues. Multi-electrode array mapping reveals that the cardiac conduction velocity of PAMB-G group is significantly faster than the non- or gelatin-injection groups. PAMB-G also reduces pacing threshold voltage in an adenosine-induced atrial-ventricular block rat model. Conclusion: PAMB-G hydrogel reduces cardiac pacing threshold voltage, which is able to enhance pacemaker efficacy.

Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation.

OBJECTIVE: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a common valvular heart disease with unsatisfactory medical therapeutics and high surgical mortality. The present study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) in high-risk patients with severe TR. METHODS: This was a compassionate multicentre study. Between September 2018 and November 2019, 46 patients with TR who were not suitable for surgery received compassionate TTVR under general anaesthesia and the guidance of trans-oesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopy in four institutions. Access to the tricuspid valve was obtained via a minimally invasive thoracotomy and transatrial approach. Patients' data at baseline, before discharge, 30 days and 6 months after the procedure were collected. RESULTS: All patients had severe TR with vena contracta width of 12.6 (11.0, 14.5) mm. Procedural success (97.8%) was achieved in all but one case with right ventricle perforation. The procedural time was 150.0 (118.8, 180.0) min. Intensive care unit time was 2.0 (1.0, 4.0) days. 6-month mortality was 17.4%. Device migration occurred in one patient (2.4%) during follow-up. Transthoracic echocardiography at 6 months after operation showed TR was significantly reduced (none/trivial in 33, mild in 4 and moderate in 1) and the primary safety end point was achieved in 38 cases (82.6%). Patients suffered from peripheral oedema and ascites decreased from 100.0% and 47.8% at baseline to 2.6% and 0.0% at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed TTVR was feasible, safe and with low complication rates in patients with severe TR.

[Surgical treatment of congenital quadricuspid aortic valve].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the understanding of congenital quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV), explore its echocardiographic diagnostic value and summarize the methods and outcomes of surgical treatments. METHODS: The clinical data of 11 QAV patients from January 2000 to December 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 9 males and 2 females with a mean operative age of (32±16) years (range: 4-55). RESULTS: In 766 patients undergoing aortic valve surgery, 11 were of congenital quadricuspid aortic valve (1.4%); cardiac pathology: infective endocarditis (n=1), left superior vena cava (n=1), aortic aneurysm (n=1), mitral prolapse (n=1) and tricuspid insufficiency (n=1). The patients of congenital QAV deformity was diagnosed by echocardiography (n=7), misdiagnosed as single valve (n=1), misdiagnosed as bicuspid valve (n=1) and misdiagnosed as rheumatic heart disease (n=2). Type B (n=7), Type A (n=2), Type F (n=1) and Type G (n=1). Eleven patients underwent the procedure of aortic valve replacement. And the concomitant procedures were aortic root broadening (n=1), ascending aortoplasty (n=1), mitral valvuloplasty (n=1) and tricuspid valvuloplasty (n=1). CONCLUSION: Quadricuspid aortic valve is rare in clinical practice. And echocardiography plays an important diagnostic role. Surgical replacement of aortic valve is the first-line therapy for these patients.

[Reoperative valve replacement in patients undergoing cardiac reoperation: a report of 104 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To review the experience of reoperative valve replacement for 104 patients. METHODS: From January 2002 to December 2009, 104 patients underwent heart valve replacement in reoperations, accounting for 2.92% of the total patient population (3557 cases) who had valve replacement during this period. In this group, 53 male and 51 female patients were included with a median age of 46 years (ranged from 13 to 72 years). The reasons of reoperation included 28 cases suffered from another valve lesion after valve replacement, 10 cases suffered from valve lesion after mitral valvuloplasty, 19 cases suffered from perivalvular leakage after valve replacement, 18 cases suffered from valve lesion after previous correction of congenital heart defect, 7 cases suffered from bioprosthetic valve decline, 10 cases suffered from prosthetic valve endocarditis, 9 cases suffered from dysfunction of machine valve, and 3 cases suffered from other causes. The re-operations were mitral and aortic valve replacement in 2 cases, mitral valve replacement in 59 cases, aortic valve replacement in 24 cases, tricuspid valve replacement in 16 cases, and Bentall's operation in 3 cases. The interval from first operation to next operation was 1 month-19 years. RESULTS: There were 8 early deaths from heart failure, renal failure and multiple organ failure (early mortality 7.69%). Major complications were intraoperative hemorrhage in 2 cases, re-exploration for mediastinal bleeding in 2 cases and sternotomy surgical site infection in 1 case. Complete follow-up (3 months-7 years and 2 months) was available for all patients. Two patients died, one patient died of intracranial hemorrhage, and another cause was unknown. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory short-term and long-term results can be obtained in reoperative valve replacement with appropriate timing of operation control, satisfactory myocardial protection, accurate surgical procedure and suitable perioperative treatment.

Surgical Outcomes of Stent-Related Type A Dissection Compared with Spontaneous Type A Dissection.

OBJECTIVE: Aortic endovascular stent implantation includes thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), hybrid aortic repair (HAR), and ascending aorta stent implantation (AASI). In this study, we compared the surgical outcomes of stent-related type A dissection (SRTAD) compared with spontaneous type A dissection (STAD). METHODS: From July 2011 to July 2014, we identified 17 SRTAD patients received surgical repair in our institution. Propensity score-matching was used to identify 34 STAD patients as controls. RESULTS: Preoperative data of SRTAD group and STAD group had no statistical difference. Selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) time was longer in SRTAD group than in STAD group (P <0.05). SRTAD group had a longer cross-clamp time compared with STAD group (P <0.05). No intraoperative deaths in two groups. No differences in CPB time and concomitant procedures between two groups. In-hospital mortality was 11.76% (2 of 17) in SRTAD group and 2.9% (1 of 34) in STAD group (P <0.05). No differences were found in intensive care unit (ICU) time, ventilation, paraparesis, and other postoperative complications between SRTAD and STAD groups. No difference was found in survival rate between SRTAD and STAD groups in the postoperative 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: SRTAD patients received surgical repair had a higher in-hospital mortality compared with STAD, but no differences were found in postoperative complications and mid-term outcomes.

[Experiences on surgical treatment of severe aortic valve stenosis: a report of 171 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the experiences on surgical treatment of severe aortic valve stenosis. METHODS: From December 1990 to December 2006, 171 patients with severe aortic valve stenosis underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR). There were 135 males and 36 females aged from 10 to 75 years old, with a mean of (45.8 +/- 15.6) years old. The intervals between the first episode of exertion dyspnea and administration to operation were 2 months to 52 years. The pathological lesions of the group were rheumatic aortic valve stenosis in 75 cases, calcified aortic stenosis in 66 cases, bicuspid aortic valve in 26 cases and other congenital aortic valve stenosis in 4 cases. One hundred and twenty-four patients underwent AVR, 7 AVR combined with replacement of the ascending aorta, 5 AVR with coronary artery bypass grafting, 19 AVR with mitral valve plasty (MVP), 8 AVR with plasty of the ascending aorta and 8 AVR with enlargement of the aortic root. RESULTS: The averaged operation time was (4.4 +/- 0.6) h. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time was (124.7 +/- 38.5) min and the aorta clamp time was (78.3 +/- 21.7) min. The averaged blood loss during operation was (754.5 +/- 518.4) ml. All the procedures were successfully performed and all patients were weaned off CPB uneventfully. The indication of early complications was 12.3% (21/171), including low cardiac output syndrome in 7 cases, multi-organ failure in 3 cases, endocarditis in 1 case, renal dysfunction in 4 cases, ventricular fibrillation in 1 case, excessive bleeding in 2 cases, III atrial-ventricular block in 2 cases, and mediastinal infection in 1 case. The total mortality was 5.8% (10/171) with the main causes as cardiac failure for 4 cases, arrhythmia for 1 case, multi-organ failure for 4 cases, and infectious endocarditis for 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: Successful management of severe aortic valve stenosis requires sophisticated surgical techniques and experienced peri-operative care. Satisfactory results can be achieved if valve replace surgery is performed adequately.

Inflammation is related to preoperative hypoxemia in patients with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative hypoxemia is a frequent complication of acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). The aim of the present study was to determine which factors were associated with hypoxemia. METHODS: A series of data were collected in a statistical analysis to evaluate preoperative hypoxemia in patients with ATAAD. After retrospectively analyzing data for 172 patients, we identified the risk factors for preoperative hypoxemia. Hypoxemia was defined by an arterial partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) ratio of 200 or lower. Subsequent to identifying the patient population, a prospective study was conducted using ulinastatin as a preoperative intervention. The ulinastatin group received ulinastatin at a total dose of 300,000 units prior to surgery. All the pertinent factors were investigated through univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The factors associated with preoperative hypoxemia in ATAAD comprised the following: body mass index (BMI) ≥25; white blood cell count (WBC) and neutrophil counts; levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, and interleukin-6 (IL-6); ATAAD involving the celiac trunk, renal artery, or mesenteric artery. Logistic regression analysis showed that CRP and IL-6 levels were independent predictive factors. We found that ulinastatin effectively could improve oxygenation, since compared to the control group the oxygenation in the ulinastatin group was significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic inflammatory reactions played a vital role in preoperative hypoxemia after the onset of ATAAD. The oxygenation of the patient could be improved significantly by inhibiting the inflammatory response prior to surgery.