[Single center experience of transcatheter aortic valve replacement with a simplified operative protocol].

Objective: To summarize the single center experience of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with a simplified operative protocol. Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent transfemoral TAVR (TF-TAVR) from July 2020 to December 2020 in Fuwai Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. We compared the baseline characteristic, procedure information, 30-day follow-up outcomes of the patients who underwent TF-TAVR without the simplified operative protocol (routine group) or with the simplified operative protocol (simplified protocol group). Results: 93 patients were collected, 42 patients belonging to routine group, 51 patients belonging to simplified protocol group. In simplified protocol group, there were 51 patients planned to use ultrasound-guided femoral access puncture, procedure was successful in all 51 patients (100%). There were 49 patients planned to use the radial artery as the secondary access, procedure was successful in 45 patients (92%). There were 48 patients planned to use the strategy of avoidance of urinary catheter, this strategy was achieved in 35 patients (73%). There were 12 patients planned to use the left ventricular guidewire to pace, procedure was successful in 11 patients (92%). There were no differences in baseline characteristics, major clinical endpoints and 30-day follow-up outcomes between the two groups. Meanwhile, the procedure time ((62.5±17.9)min vs. (78.3±16.7)min, P<0.001), operation room time ((133.7±25.1)min vs. (159.2±42.6)min, P<0.001), X-ray exposure time ((17.2±6.5)min vs. (20.2±7.7)min, P=0.027) were significantly shorten in simplified protocol group compared with the routine group. Conclusion: Our study results indicate that the simplified operative protocol of TF-TAVR is as effective and safe as the routine operative protocol, meanwhile using the simplified operative protocol can significantly increase the operative efficiency of TF-TAVR.

[Initial clinical experience of left bundle branch pacing after transcatheter aortic valve implantation].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of left bundle branch pacing(LBBP) in patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Methods: This is a retrospective study. A total of 35 patients underwent TAVI and received pacemaker implantation from January 2018 to December 2020 in Beijing Fuwai Hospital were enrolled. Patients were divided into LBBP group (n=12) and right ventricular apex pacing (RVAP) group (n=23) according to the pacing position. The success rate of operation in LBBP group was calculated, and the occurrence of complications were observed, and the parameters of pacemaker were measured on the 3rd day and 1, 3 and 6 months after operation. The N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), echocardiographic and ECG indexes were compared between the two groups on the 3rd day and 1, 3, and 6 months after pacemaker implantation. Result: A total of 35 patients were included, The age was (76.4±7.7) years, including 19 males (54.3%). The procedure time ((86.58±17.10)min vs. (68.74±9.18)min, P<0.001) and fluoroscopy duration ((20.08±4.44)min vs. (17.00±2.26)min, P<0.001) were significantly longer in LBBP group compared with RVAP group. The operation success rate of LBBP group was 11/12. There was no serious operation related complications such as pneumothorax, hemothorax, electrode dislocation, infection, and lower limb bleeding. The patients were followed up for 7.43 (5.21, 9.84) months. The programmed parameters of pacemaker were in the ideal range and stable during follow-up. At 3 and 6 months after operation, the left ventricular ejection fraction in LBBP group was higher than that in RVAP Group (at 3 months: (60.75±2.89)% vs. (57.35±3.33)%, P=0.004; at 6 months: (63.17±3.33)% vs. (56.17±3.97)%, P<0.001), NT-proBNP values was lower in LBBP group than that in RVAP Group (at 3 months: 822 (607, 1 150)ng/L vs. 1 052 (902, 1 536)ng/L, P=0.006; at 6 months: 440 (330,679)ng/L vs. 783 (588, 1 023)ng/L, P=0.001). At 1, 3 and 6 months after operation, the QRS duration was shorter in LBBP group than that in RVAP group (1 month: 99 (97, 107)ms vs. 126(124, 130)ms, P<0.001; 3 months: 98(96, 105)ms vs. 129(128, 133)ms, P<0.001; 6 months: 96(94, 104)ms vs. 130(128, 132)ms, P<0.001). Conclusions: For patients with permanent pacemaker indications after TAVI, LBBP is feasible, safe and reliable. It could improve the cardiac function in the short term, the long-term effect of LBBP needs to be further observed.

[Feasibility of single-stage stent implantation following rotational atherectomy combined with TAVR].

Objective: To explore the feasibility of the single-stage stent implantation following rotational atherectomy combined with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in treating patients with severe aortic stenosis(AS) and severe calcified coronary artery stenosis. Methods: Three patients who received single-stage stent implantation following rotational atherectomy combined with TAVR in Fuwai hospital from April to October 2019 were included in this retrospective analysis. Clinical and anatomical features (including echocardiography and aortic CT) of the patients were collected, efficacy and safety of this operation strategy were observed and 6 months follow up results were summarized. Results: Three patients (2 females, 66-80 years old) were included. The mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk score was 7.8%. The mean maximum velocity of aortic valve was 4.4 m/s, the mean transvalvular pressure gradient was 53.2 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 48.6%. All three patients had severe calcified coronary artery stenosis: left anterior descending artery (LAD, n=2) and left main coronary artery (LM, n=1), requiring rotary grinding. The mean SYNTAX score was 20. All the procedures were performed through transfemoral access. After aortic valve crossing, all coronary lesions were successfully treated with stent implantation following rotational atherectomy, transfemoral TAVR was then immediately performed with a self-expandable Venus-A valve. One patient underwent"valve-in-valve"implantation due to the high-implantation position of the first valve. The procedures were completed without complications in all the three patients. The immediate effect was satisfactory. Echocardiography results showed that the mean maximum velocity of aortic valve was 2.1 m/s, mean gradient was 9.3 mmHg, and mean LVEF was 59% after the procedure. There was no death and revascularization during the 6 months follow-up. Conclusion: In patients with severe calcified coronary artery and severe AS with high risk of cardiac surgery, the single-stage stent implantation following rotational atherectomy combined with TAVR is feasible and results are satisfactory in this patient cohort.

[Left ventricular guidewire pacing during transcatheter aortic valve replacement].

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of left ventricular guidewire pacing during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods: This is a retrospective study. Thirteen patients, who underwent TAVR with left ventricular guidewire pacing from October 2019 to December 2019 in Fuwai Hospital, were included. Clinical data and operational procedure data of the patients were collected. Changes in blood pressure and electrocardiogram were observed during operations. Ascending aorta angiography was performed to evaluate the regurgitation of aortic valve after valve implantion. The incidence of major adverse cardiac events during hospitalization and at 3-months after discharge was recorded. Results: There were 7 male and 6 female patients in this cohort,and age was (73.8±8.3) years old. Among the 13 patients, 9 were tricuspid aortic valves, 3 were bicuspid aortic valves, and 1 was degenerated bioprosthetic surgical aortic valve. TAVR were successfully performed in all of the 13 cases using pacing through the left ventricular guidewire. During balloon dilation, the blood pressure decreased to below 60 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) after 180 beats/min pacing, and the valve release process was smooth and the position was stable. The results of aortography showed that there was no regurgitation in 7 cases, mild regurgitation in 5 cases and moderate regurgitation in 1 case. Three patients required temporary pacing during the procedure due to complete heart block, among whom 1 patient was implanted with permanent pacemaker during hospitalization, and the other 2 patients recovered within 24 hours after operation. In another case, there was no significant change of electrocardiogram during the operation, and complete heart block occurred 10 days after the operation, and treated with permanent pacemaker. The other 10 patients began to carry out bedside activities and rehabilitation training 24 hours after operation. There was no death, myocardial infarction, stroke and other major adverse cardiac events during hospitalization and at 3-month follow-up after discharge. Conclusion: Left ventricular guidewire pacing is a safe and effective strategy for TAVR.

[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].

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 mm(3)) or severe-calcification(HU850, >1 000 mm(3)) 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.

[Outcome comparison of different therapy procedures in surgical high-risk elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis].

Objective: To compare the outcome of surgical high-risk elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis(SAS) treated by different therapy procedures, including transcatheter aortic valve implantation(TAVI), surgical aortic valve replacement(SAVR), and drug therapy. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 242 surgical high-risk elderly (age ≥65 years old) SAS patients hospitalized in Fuwai Hospital between September 2012 and June 2015. According to the treatment method, patients were divided into TAVI group (81 cases), SAVR group (59 cases) and drug therapy group (102 cases). The primary end point was all-cause mortality at 1 year post procedure, and secondary end point included cardiac function class(NYHA), vascular complication, valvular function, non-fatal myocardial infarction, new atrial fibrillation, stroke, bleeding, pacemaker implantation, acute renal failure, and readmission. We used the Kaplan-Meier method to estimate survival function based on follow up data and survival was compared between groups with the use of the log-rank test. Results: (1) In the baseline data, there were statistically significant difference among 3 groups for the age, left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiac function class Ⅲ and Ⅳ, rates of combined diabetes, chronic renal failure, mild and moderate mitral regurgitation (P<0.01 or 0.05). The risk score of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons(STS) was 7.28±4.98 in the TAVI group, and 5.67±3.49 in the SAVR group(P=0.036). (2) The perioperative rates of pacemaker implantation(11.3%(9/81) vs. 0, P=0.025) and mild paravalvular regurgitation(29.6%(24/81) vs.1.7%(1/59), P<0.001) were significantly higher in TAVI group than in SAVR group.(3)The rate of rehospitalization was significantly lower in TAVI group than in SAVR group(3.0%(2/67) vs. 22.7%(10/44) P=0.005) and the rate of pacemaker implantation was significantly higher in TAVI group than in SAVR group(17.5 (12/67) vs. 0, P=0.008) after 1 year. The rates of death from any cause in the TAVI (5.8%(4/67)) and SAVR group (11.4%(5/44)) were significantly lower than that in the drug therapy group (54.9%(50/91), both P<0.05) after 1 year and was similar between TAVI group and SAVR group(P=0.622). (4) The rates of cardiac function classⅠandⅡ increased and Ⅲ and Ⅳ decreased in TAVI and SAVR group after 1 year when compared with base line(P<0.001). The rates of cardiac function class Ⅱ, and Ⅲ increased , class Ⅰ and Ⅳ decreased in drug therapy group after 1 year compared with base line (P=0.020). (5)The survival rates after 1 year were significantly higher in the TAVI group and SAVR group than in the drug therapy group(log-rank test, P<0.001), and the difference was similar between TAVI group and SAVR group (log-rank test, P=0.062). Conclusion: In surgical high-risk elderly patients with SAS, the prognosis of drug therapy was poor, and TAVI and SAVR were associated with similarly improved rates of survival after 1 year, although there were significant differences in periprocedural complications between TAVI and SAVR groups.

Correlation of Y-chromosome multiple segmental deletions and chromosomal anomalies in non-obstructive azoospermic males from northeastern China.

We investigated the frequency and types of Y-chromosome microdeletions and chromosomal anomalies in non-obstructive azoospermic and severely oligozoospermic infertile males in northeastern China. The sample consisted of 519 infertile males (456 azoospermic, 63 severely oligozoospermic). PCR assays for Y-chromosome microdeletions and chromosome analysis were performed on all patients and controls. Array-comparative genomic hybridization was performed for three patients with chromosomal anomalies. Fifty-nine of 519 patients (11.37%) had Y-chromosome microdeletions. Microdeletions were found in 11.18% (51/456) of the non-obstructive azoospermic patients and in 12.7% (8/63) of the severely oligozoospermic patients. Eleven of 51 non-obstructive azoospermic patients with Y-chromosome microdeletions had multiple segmental deletions in the AZFb+c regions; four of these patients had chromosomal anomalies. Our sample from northeastern China had a higher frequency of microdeletions among severely oligozoospermic than among non-obstructive azoospermic males.