Objective To estimate the degree of the angle between left principal bronchus and trachea, and it is correlative with the pulmonary function in the patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease. Methods According to various degree of angles between left principal bronchus and trachea,53 patients were divided into three groups, group 1: angle between left principal bronchus and trachea less than 50 degree, group 2: between 50 and 64 degree, group 3: between 65 and 79 degree. The pulmonary function tests,ultrasonic cardiography and left principal bronchus X-ray tomographic film were carried out in three groups before operation. Compare pulmonary function data with different angle between left principal bronchus and trachea in three groups. Results Exception of vital capacity ,residual volume and total lung capacity,the rest markers of lung function showed significant differences (Plt;0.05) in three groups. The correlation of the angle between left principal bronchus and trachea and the ratio of residual volume and total lung capacity among three groups were positively correlative, and the other parameters of lung function were negatively correlative (Plt;0.01). Conclusion The degree of the angle between left principal bronchus and trachea is positively correlative with the extent of pulmonary function impairing.
Objective To investigate whether angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) have significant relation to permanent atrial fibrillation (Af) with mitral valvular diseases. Methods 124 consecutive lone mitral valvular disease patients who need surgery were studied. At baseline, all patients underwent a physical examination, 12lead electrocardiography and echocardiography. The plasma ACE level was measured in all patients by a radioimmunoassay technique. Patients who had permanent Af formed the Af group, and those who still kept sinus rhythm (SR) comprised the SR group. In Af group, patients were separated into two groups by the subgroup of mitral valvular disease ［mitral stenosis(MS) and mitral regurgitation(MR)］, then formed MSAf group and MRAf group. Results Af was diagnosed in 47.58% (59/124) of lone mitral valvular disease patients. Patients who had Af were older (by 6 years) than sinus rhythm patients and more frequently had a history of stroke. Mitral stenosis patients were easy to have Af (60.53% vs. 27.08%，Plt;0.05). The plasma level of ACEwas significantly higher in Af group than that in SR group (72.60 ±22.03 U/L vs. 56.40±17.96 U/L，Plt;0.05). In Af group, the ACE level in MSAf group was higher than that in MRAf group (82.92±18.75 U/L vs. 66.25±21.10 U/L，Plt;0.05). Mitral stenosis patients more frequently had a history of stroke than that of mitral regurgitation patients. Af correlated significantly with the level of ACE (r=0.089, P=0.021) and left atrial dimension (r=0.447, P=0.033). Conclusion We validated and extended the hypothesis that increasing ACE level predicted an increasing risk of Af in mitral valvular diseases. It was expressed significantly in mitral stenosis patients especially.
ObjectiveTo observe the changes of left atrial geometry before and after mitral valve replacement in patients with different types of mitral valve disease and different heart rhythm, and to identify factors determining left atrial remodeling after mitral valve replacement. MethodsA total of 215 consecutive patients of mitral valve replacement in Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of West China Hospital, Sichuan University from January 2003 to March 2008 were selected and followed up for this study. There were 52 male and 163 female patients with their age of 40.58±10.54 years (ranged, 18-67 years). St. Jude Medical mechanical valves were used. According to the type of mitral valve diseases (mitral stenosis (MS) or mitral regurgitation (MR)) and heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation (AF) or sinus rhythm (SR)), patients were divided into 4 groups. There were 54 patients with MS and SR (including 13 male and 41 female patients with their age of 39.31±9.46 years), 56 patients with MS and AF (including 14 male and 42 female patients with their age of 41.12±10.72 years), 52 patients with MR and SR (including 12 male and 40 female patients with their age of 39.71±10.09 years), 53 patients with MR and AF (including 13 male and 40 female patients with their age of 40.19±11.87 years). All patients had routine examinations and echocardiogram preoperatively and two years after surgery. Left atrial anteroposterior diameter (LAD), left atrial area (LAA), left atrial volume (LAV) and left atrial volume index (LAVi) were used to analyze the changes of left atrial geometry. ResultsThere was no in-hospital death. Major postoperative complications included low cardiac output syndrome in 5 patients, pneumonia in 6 patients. LAVi were lower in mitral stenosis patients than that in mitral regurgitation patients (P<0.05), LAVi were lower in patients with sinus rhythm than that in patients with atrial fibrillation (P<0.05). Two years after mitral valve replacement, the extent of left atrial reverse remodeling were significantly greater in mitral regurgitation patients than in mitral stenosis patients (P<0.05), and the extent of left atrial reverse remodeling were significantly greater in patients with sinus rhythm than that in patients with atrial fibrillation (P<0.05). ConclusionsAge, atrial fibrillation, preoperative left atrial volume, mitral regurgitation, left ventricle end-diastolic diameter are important influencing factors of left atrial reverse remodeling after mitral valve replacement.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of mitral valve surgery and cryoablation in elderly patients with mitral valve disease and persistent or long-term persistent atrial fibrillation.MethodsFrom May 2014 to July 2018, 144 patients with mitral valve diseases combined with persistent or long-term persistent atrial fibrillation in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command were selected. Among them, there were 69 patients in a non-elderly group (<60 years) including 18 males and 51 females aged 52.07±5.56 years, and 75 patients in an elderly group (≥60 years) including 32 males and 43 females aged 65.23±4.29 years. A propensity-score matching (PSM) study was conducted to eliminate confounding factors. Both groups underwent mitral valve surgery and cryoablation at the same time. A 2-year follow-up was conducted after discharge from the hospital, and the perioperative and postoperative efficacy indexes were compared between the two groups.ResultsAfter PSM analysis, there were 56 patients in each group. The sinus rhythm conversion rate of the two groups at each follow-up time point was above 85%, and the cardiac function was graded asⅠorⅡ, which was significantly improved compared with that before the surgery, but there was no statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Among the perioperative indicators of the two groups, the elderly group had more coronary artery bypass graft surgeries and longer postoperative ICU stay time compared with the non-elderly group (P<0.05), and the differences in other indicators were not statistically different (P>0.05).ConclusionThe mitral valve surgery and cryoablation in elderly patients with mitral valve diseases combined with persistent or long-term persistent atrial fibrillation are safe, and the short-term outcome is satisfactory.
Objective To compare the clinical outcomes and safety of minimally invasive and routine mitral valve repair or replacement for patients with single mitral valve disease. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 67 patients with single mitral valve disease （without aortic valve and tricuspid valve lesion or other heart diseases including atrial septal defect） who underwent mitral valve repair or replacement in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University between January and July 2011. The patients were divided into two groups according to different surgical approaches：the minimally invasive surgery group （n=29，8 males and 21 females，age 51.4±9.4 years） underwent minimally invasive mitral valve repair or replacement via right mini-thoractomy；and the routine surgery group （n=38，11 males and 27 females，age 53.6±11.9 years） underwent mitral valve repair or replacement via middle sternotomy. In the minimally invasive surgery group，9 patients underwent mitral valve repair while the other 20 patients underwent mitral valve replacement. And no patient underwent transition to routine operation. In the routine surgery group，15 patients underwent mitral valve repair and 23 patients underwent mitral valve replacement. Clinical outcomes and safety of the operations were compared between the two groups. Results There was no statistical difference in operation time between the two groups （207.9±18.1 min versus 198.4±27.5 min，P=0.076）. The amount of postoperative drainage （126.7±34.5 ml versus 435.6±87.2 ml，P=0.000） and blood transfusion （red blood cell 1.4±0.8 U versus 2.3±1.1 U，P=0.000；blood plasma 164.3±50.4 ml versus 405.6±68.9 ml，P=0.000） of the minimally invasive surgery group were significantly lower than those of the routine surgery group. The cardiopulmonary bypass time （81.7±23.9 min versus 58.7±13.6 min，P=0.000） and aortic-clamping time （51.6±12.7 min versus 38.4±11.7 min，P=0.000） of the minimally invasive surgery group were significantly longer than those of the routine surgery group. The length of ICU stay （22.5±3.6 h versus 31.7±8.5 h，P=0.000），mechanical ventilation （7.4±3.2 h versus 11.2±5.1 h，P=0.000） and postoperative hospitalization （7.1±1.6 d versus 13.5±2.4 d，P=0.000） of the minimally invasive surgery group were significantly shorter than those of the routine surgery group. There was no statistical difference in postoperative complications between the two groups. Minimally invasive surgery group patients were followed up for 5.3±2.4 months with a follow-up rate of 72.4%（21/29）. Routine surgery group patients were followed up for 5.5±3.8 months with a follow-up rate of 71.0%（27/38）. There was no significant complication during follow-up in both two groups. Conclusion Minimally invasive mitral valve operation via right mini-thoracotomy is effective and safe with a good cosmetic result. Compared with routine operation，patients undergoing minimally invasive operation recover better and faster.
Objective To report the preliminary results of intraoperative saline-irrigated radiofrequency modified maze procedure for chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) in mitral valve diseases. Methods From May 2003 to April 2004 forty-one patients underwent intraoperative saline-irrigated modified maze procedure. The patients included 13 male and 28 female. Their age ranged from 27-65 years (46±10 years). The duration of AF varied from 5 months to 15 years (4.5±3.6 years).The left atrial diameter varied from 37-93 mm (54±11mm). There were mitral stenosis 20, mitral regurgitation 1 and mitral stenosis with regurgitation 20 cases. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was established as usual. Ablation lines were made with Cardioblate (Medtronic, 25-30 W, 180-240ml/h). Having finished right-sided maze procedure, the aorta was cross-clamped and cold crystalloid or blood cardioplegia were used for myocardial protection. Left atrial incision was performed through the interatrial groove. The ablation lines were created to encircle the orifices of the left and right pulmonary veins respectively. The ablation lines were also performed from the left encircling line to the posterior mitral valvular annulus and to the orifice of left atrial appendage respectively. A ablation line was used to connect left and right pulmonary veins circumferential line. Concomitant procedures were performed (there were double valve replacement 10 cases, mitral valve replacement 31 cases, tricuspid annuloplasty 6 cases, removing the left atrial thrombi 6 cases). Results CPB time varied from 71-160 min (105±24 min) and cross-clamping time varied from 32-106 min (62±20 min). The ablation time varied from 4-22 min (11±4 min). One patient died during hospitalization and the death was caused by acute mechanic valve obstruction. During follow-up at discharge and 3 months 35% patients (14/40) were free of AF and the others were not. But at 6 months 67% patients (10/15) were free of AF. Conclusion The intraoperative saline-irrigated radiofrequency modified maze procedure is comparatively simpler and its efficacy is satisfactory.
Objective To evaluate a score system to allow stratification of complexity in degenerative mitral valve repair. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 312 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for mitral valve repair and whose preoperative echocardiography was referable in our hospital from January 2012 to December 2013. A scoring system for surgical complexity was used based mainly on the preoperative echocardiography findings. Complexity of mitral valve repair was scored as 1 to 9, and patients were categorized into 3 groups based on the score for surgical complexity: a simple group (1 point), an intermediate group (2-4 points) and a complex group (≥5 points). There were 86 males and 35 females in the simple group (n=121) with an average age of 51.6±12.6 years, 105 males and 53 females in the intermediate group (n=158) with an average age of 51.1±12.8 years and 25 males and 8 females in the complex group (n=33) with an average age of 49.3±13.0 years. Results There was significant difference in surgical complexity in different groups. In the simple, intermediate and complex groups, the mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 111.7±45.5 min, 117.7±40.4 min and 153.4±74.2 min (P<0.001), the mean cross-clamping time was 77.5±33.8 min, 83.2±29.9 min and 108.8±56.2 min (P<0.001), and the mean number of repair techniques utilized was 2.1±0.4, 2.4±0.6 and 2.8±0.8 (P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the early and late outcomes in different groups. Conclusion It is feasible to use echocardiography to quantitatively evaluate the difficulty of mitral valvuloplasty.
ObjectiveTo investigate whether lysyl oxidase(LOX) has significant relation to persistent atrial fibrillation(AF) with mitral valvular diseases. MethodsWe included 184 consecutive lone mitral valvular disease patients who needed surgery in our hospital between March 2012 and February 2014. Patients who had persistent AF formed the AF group, and those who still kept sinus rhythm(SR) comprised the SR group. In the AF group, patients were separated into two groups by the subgroup of mitral valvular disease(mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation), then formed a MS+AF group and a MR+AF group. There were 97 patients with 44 males and 53 females at age of 52.76±11.35 years in the AF group and 90 patients with 48 males and 42 females at age of 47.95±14.22 years in the SR group. Blood specimens were obtained from patients for the first time peripheral venous blood after admitted to hospital. LOX levels were measured by ELISA test kits of LOX. ResultsAF was diagnosed in 51.87%(97/187) of lone mitral valvular disease patients. Mitral stenosis patients were easy to have AF(60.31% vs. 34.43%, P<0.05). The plasma level of LOX was significantly higher in the AF group than that in the SR group(73.78±25.42 IU/L vs. 51.05±18.96 IU/L，P<0.05). In the AF group, the LOX level in the mitral stenosis group was higher than that in the mitral regurgitation group(84.21±32.15 IU/L vs. 59.74±35.21 IU/L， P<0.05). Mitral stenosis patients more frequently had a history of stroke than mitral regurgitation patients did. AF correlated significantly with the level of LOX(r=0.124， P=0.036) and left atrial dimension(r=0.531，P=0.042). ConclusionWe validate and extend the hypothesis that increasing LOX level predicts an increasing risk of AF in mitral valvular diseases. Lysine oxidase is a potential diagnostic biomarker for AF. It is expressed significantly in mitral stenosis patients with AF especially.