A 71-year-old male presented with esophageal cancer and severe aortic valve regurgitation. Treatment strategies for such patients are controversial. Considering the risks of cardiopulmonary bypass and potential esophageal cancer metastasis, we successfully performed transcatheter aortic valve implantation and minimally invasive three-incision thoracolaparoscopy combined with radical resection of esophageal cancer (McKeown) simultaneously in the elderly patient who did not require neoadjuvant treatment. This dual minimally invasive procedure took 6 hours and the patient recovered smoothly without any surgical complications.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the short and mid-term outcomes of valve repair in patients with insufficient bicuspid aortic valves (BAV).MethodsThe clinical data of 27 consecutive patients with insufficient BAV undergoing valve repair in Shanghai Chest Hospital from September 2016 to January 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 24 males and 3 females with a mean age of 38.5±14.6 years (range: 20-68 years). BAV of all patients was type 1 in Seviers' classification. There were 23 patients with left-right fusion and 4 patients with right-noncoronary fusion. There was aortic regurgitation in the patients measured by the echocardiogram, including moderate regurgitation in 3 patients, moderate-severe in 18 patients, and severe in 6 patients. The diameter of aortic annular base was 27.9±3.4 mm, and the largest diameter of aortic sinus was 39.9±7.6 mm. Left ventricular end diastolic diameter was 62.7±6.5 mm, and the volume was 197.9±53.6 mL.ResultsAll 27 patients completed the follow-up, and the mean time was 24.2±12.5 months (range: 12-51 months). No patient died or required aortic valve-related reoperation during the follow-up. The cardiac function of the patients significantly improved postoperatively (P<0.05). By echocardiography, 11 patients had no aortic regurgitation, 13 had mild aortic regurgitation, and 3 had moderate aortic regurgitation, and no patient had severe aortic regurgitation. Postoperative left ventricular end diastolic diameter and volume decreased, compared to preoperative ones (P<0.05).ConclusionIn patients with insufficient BAV, valve repair is safe and effective, and has excellent short and mid-term outcomes.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the midterm effect of valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSRR) on aortic root aneurysm and moderate to severe aortic regurgitation (AR). MethodsThe clinical data of patients with aortic root aneurysm and moderate to severe AR undergoing VSRR and surviving from the operation from October 2013 to May 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 31 males and 9 females, with an average age of 47.1±13.4 years. There were 30 patients with true aneurysm of aortic root and 10 patients with dissecting aneurysm of aortic root. There were 3 patients with bicuspid aortic valve, and 12 patients with Marfan syndrome. The AR measured by the echocardiogram was moderate in 18 patients and severe in 22 patients. The average diameter of aortic annulus was 27.0±3.9 mm, and the mean largest diameter of aortic sinus was 52.3±6.1 mm. ResultsA total of 32 patients underwent David technique and 8 patients underwent Yacoub technique, and 10 patients underwent aortic cusp repair simultaneously. All 40 patients completed the follow-up, and the follow-up period was 12-86 (45.7±18.9) months. During the period, 1 patient died of heart failure, 2 had reoperation due to new-onset Stanford B aortic dissection, and no patients had reoperation related to aortic valve. The postoperative New York Heart Association cardiac function classification (1.6±0.5 vs. 2.8±0.8), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (52.2±7.8 mm vs. 61.4±10.6 mm) and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (136.0±58.8 mL vs. 193.3±83.9 mL) of the patients were significantly improved compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). By echocardiography, 19 patients had no AR, 18 patients had mild AR, 3 patients had mild-moderate AR, and no patients had moderate or higher AR. ConclusionIn patients with aortic root aneurysm and moderate to severe AR, VSRR technique avoids prosthetic valves and anticoagulation-related complications, has lower rate of AR recurrence and reoperation, and improves the quality of life in the midterm period.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been confirmed to be safety and efficacy for high-risk elderly aortic stenosis, and the clinical effect of TAVR for medium and low-risk aortic stenosis is not worse than that of surgery. The development of surgical techniques and instruments has made cardiologists attempt to broaden the surgical indications. Many elderly and high-risk patients with pure native aortic regurgitation have been treated “off label” with similar techniques, completing artificial valve replacement, restoring valve function and improving the prognosis. However, due to the high requirements of surgical techniques and surgical complications, there is a lack of randomized controlled studies to confirm its safety and effectiveness. Unlike aortic stenosis, native aortic regurgitation presents unique challenges for transcatheter valves. In this article, the authors review current advances in the treatment of aortic valve regurgitation with TAVR.
Objective To evaluate the early clinical effect of reimplantation in the treatment of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with aortic root aneurysm. Methods The clinical data of 25 patients with BAV and aortic root aneurysm[mean diameter: 45-63 (52.68±5.55) mm] undergoing reimplantation in West China Hospital from November 2019 to May 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 22 males and 3 females. The mean age was 15-65 (50.00±13.10) years and body surface area was 1.79±0.23 m2. ResultsThe pathological classification of BAV malformation was confirmed during the operation: Type 0 in 3 patients and Type 1 in 22 patients. There were 12 patients undergoing cusp central plication, and 2 patients were sutured with a closed fusion crest. Postoperative valve leaflet coaptation height was 0.78±0.15 cm, and effective height was 1.27±0.19 cm. In operation, maximum aortic valve flow velocity was 1.65±0.42 m/s, pressure difference was 5.46±3.05 mm Hg, and aortic valve annulus diameter was 21.32±0.95 mm. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was 225.84±35.34 min, and aortic block time was 189.60±26.51 min. In-hospital time was 11.64±3.07 d, ICU stay time was 2.64±0.99 d, and mechanical ventilation time was 1.48±0.87 d. The follow-up time was 17.20±4.70 months, and no death or major complications occurred during the follow-up in all patients. The cardiac function of the patients significantly improved postoperatively (P≤0.05). Echocardiography suggested that 12 patients had no aortic regurgitation, 10 minor aortic regurgitation, 3 mild aortic regurgitation, and no patients with moderate or more severe regurgitation. The diameter of the aortic sinus, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and volume decreased during the follow-up, compared to preoperative ones (P≤0.05). The maximum flow velocity of the aortic valve was 1.54±0.36 m/s, and the pressure difference was 5.17±2.38 mm Hg during the follow-up. ConclusionReimplantation technology has a good clinical effect for highly selective BAV patients. It can effectively avoid long-term postoperative anticoagulation, but the maximum flow rate after surgery is slightly increased, which may be related to the configuration of BAV itself. While compared with valve replacement, the effect is still worthy of recognition.
Abstract: Objective To observe the longterm condition of patients after mitral valve replacement with or without mild aortic valve regurgitation (AR) and discuss whether treatment of AR is necessary during the course of mitral valve replacement. Methods From March 1999 to April 2004, 88 patients who underwent mitral valve replacement (with or without mild AR before surgery) in West China Hospital of Sichuan University were followed up for 5 years or more. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had mild AR based on the result of preoperative echocardiography examination. In the AR group, there were 35 patients including 7 males and 28 females aged 49.26±11.87. By the New York Heart Association (NYHA) grading system before surgery, 4 patients were classified as Class Ⅱ, 26 Class Ⅲ and 5 Class Ⅳ. In the nonAR group, there were 53 patients including 7 males and 46 females aged 48.59±10.22. Using the NYHA grading system before surgery, we found there were 7 patients with Class Ⅱ cardiac function, 39 Class Ⅲ and 7 Class Ⅳ. After operation, all patients were followed up regularly and 5 years after surgery, patients were examined by echocardiography again. Results The followup period ranged from 5 to 9 years (6.39±1.26). There was no statistical difference in gender (P=0.394), age (P=0.841), preoperative cardiac function (P=0.960) and cardiac rhythm (P=0.732) between the two groups. For the AR group, after operation, NYHA heart function, left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricle fraction shortening (LVFS) significantly increased or improved(Plt;0.05). In the nonAR group, after operation, NYHA heart function and LVEF significantly improved (Plt;0.05), while LVFS had no significant change (Pgt;0.05). Left [CM(159mm]ventricular dimensions (LVD) and aortic dimensions between the two groups had no significant difference afteroperation (Pgt;0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of AR cases before and after surgery (Pgt;005) in the AR group, while there was a significant difference in the nonAR group (Plt;0.05). Conclusion For patients with mild AR who underwent mitral valve surgery 5 to 9 years ago, there is little change in their AR condition. There is no need to treat mild AR preventively during the course of mitral valve replacement.
Abstract： Objective To investigate the longterm complications and preventions of rapid twostage arterial switch operation through longterm follow-up. Methods We reviewed the clinical information of 21 patients of rapid twostage arterial switch operation from September 2002 to September 2007 in Shanghai Children’s Medical Center. Among them, there were 13 males and 8 females with an average age of 75 d (29-250 d) and an average weight of 5 kg (3.5-7.0 kg). The data of left ventricle training period and the data before and after the twostage arterial switch operation were analyzed, and the risk factors influencing the aortic valve regurgitation were analyzed by the logistic multivariable regression analysis. Results The late diameter of anastomosis of pulmonary and aortic artery were increased compared with those shortly after operation (0.96±0.30 cm vs. 0.81±0.28 cm, t=-1.183,P=0.262; 1.06±0.25 cm vs. 0.09±0.21 cm, t=-1.833,P=0.094), but there was no significant difference. The late velocity of blood flow across the anastomoses was not accelerated, which indicated no obstruction. The late heart function was better than that shortly after operation, while there was no significant difference between left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) during these two periods (62.88%±7.28% vs. 67.92%±7.83%,t=1.362,P=0.202). The late left ventricular end diastolic dimension(LVDd) was significantly different from that shortly after operation (2.16±0.30 cm vs.2.92±0.60 cm，t=-5.281，P=0.003). Compared with earlier period after operation, the thickness of left ventricular posterior wall thickness（LVPWT）was also increased (0.39±0.12 cm vs. 0.36±0.10 cm,t=0.700,P=0.500), but there was no significant difference. The postoperative aortic valve regurgitation was worsened in 4 patients (30.77%, 4/13), not changed in 7 patients and alleviated in 2 patients compared with that before operation. There was no severe regurgitations during the followup. The logistic regression analysis showed that the small preoperative diameter ratio of aortic valve to pulmonary valve and long follow-up time were two risk factors for the [CM(159mm]aggravation of aortic regurgitation. Conclusion There is a relatively high aortic regurgitation rate after rapid two stage arterial switch operation, but there is no later death or reoperation and the survival conditions are satisfactory. All patients must be followed up periodically to check the anastomosis of pulmonary and aortic arteries and the aortic valve.
Severe symptomatic native aortic regurgitation (AR) is associated with poor prognosis. Surgical aortic valve replacement is presently the main choice of treatment according to current guidelines. The data of safety and efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for patients with pure native AR were limited. In this paper, a case of AR patient with heart failure was reported. After preoperative CT evaluation and operation plan, the postoperative symptoms improved significantly. Bundle branch block and retroperitoneal hematoma appeared during hospitalization. After the treatment, the patient’s condition improved. Before the discharge, cardiac ultrasound indicated that the reflux was significantly improved, no perivalvular leakage was observed, and cardiac function was improved. AR remains a challenging pathology for TAVR. TAVR is a feasible and reasonable option for carefully selected patients with pure AR.
ObjectiveTo explore growth pattern of neo-aortic root as well as development of neo-aortic regurgitation after arterial switch operation (ASO) for Taussig-Bing anomaly. MethodsFrom 2002 to 2017, the patients who received ASO, and were discharged alive from Shanghai Children’s Medical Center and followed up for more than 3 years were retrospectively involved in this study. ResultsA total of 127 patients were enrolled. There were 98 (77.2%) males, the median age at ASO was 73.0 d and the average weight was 4.7 kg. Forty-five (35.4%) children were complicated with mild or mild-to-moderate pulmonary insufficiency (PI) before ASO. The average follow-up time was 7.0 years. During the follow-up, 14 (11.0%) children presented moderate or greater neo-aortic regurgitation (neo-AR). The diameter of neo-aortic annulus and sinus of Valsalva was beyond normal range during the entire follow-up. The average diameter of neo-aortic annulus was 18.0 mm at 5 years and 20.5 mm at 10 years. The average diameter of sinus of Valsalva was 25.9 mm at 5 years and 31.1 mm at 10 years. Neo-AR continued to develop over time. The diameter of children who developed moderate or greater neo-AR was constantly larger than that of children who did not (χ2=18.3, P<0.001). Preoperative mild or mild-to-moderate PI was an independent risk factor for the development of moderate or greater neo-AR during mid-to-long term follow-up (c-HR=3.46, P=0.03). ConclusionThe diameters of neo-aortic annulus and sinus of Valsalva of Taussig-Bing children who receive ASO repair continue to expand without normalization. The dilation of annulus correlates with the development of neo-AR. PI before ASO repair increases the risk of neo-AR development.