Abstract： Objective To estimate the effectiveness and safety of intra-aortic balloon pump （IABP）in the patients with mild or mild to moderate aortic regurgitation. Methods A total of 15 patients with mild or mild to moderate aortic regurgitation and low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF＜ 40.00%) including 11 males and 4 females, who underwent IABP application after cardiac surgery between September 2006 and January 2011, were included in this study. Their age ranged from 50 to 74 years with an average age of 63.60 years. There were 9 patients with mild aortic regurgitation and 6 patients with mild to moderate aortic regurgitation, all with LVEF ＜ 40.00%. IABP catheters were inserted before operation and IABP worked after heart the recovery of heart beat. Mean aortic pressure (MAP), cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI), LVEF , and aortic regurgitation volume before the use of IABP and after stopping use of it were compared. Results The total mortality was zero. The patients’ CI significantly improved from 1.99±0.23 L/(min.m2) to 3.30±0.29 L/(min.m2) after IABP （t =48.30，P=0.00）. Their LVEFs were significantly improved after use of IABP (37.20%±1.37% versus 42.60%±2.87%， t =11.34，P=0.00）. Their SVRI improved significantly (2 347.00±190.00 dyn·s/(cm5·m2) versus 2 128.00±204.00 dyn·s/(cm5 · m2)，t=20.60, P=0.00）after use of IABP. However, their aortic regurgitation volume were not significantly increased（χ2=0.60, P=0.44）. Conclusion Application of IABP in patients with mild or mild to moderate aortic regurgitation and low LVEF can obtain good circulation support after operation without increasing their aortic regurgitation.
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.
ObjectiveTo assess clinical results of single aortic cusp replacement with bovine pericardium for children with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and severe aortic regurgitation (AR). MethodsClinical data of 42 children with VSD and severe AR who underwent single aortic cusp replacement with bovine pericardium in Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital from March 2006 to September 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 28 male and 14 female patients with their age of 2-14 (9.0±3.6) years. All the patients were in NYHA class Ⅱ. ResultsNo early mortality or major morbidity was recorded. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed successful repair with normal coaptation of the aortic leaflets in all the patients. AR grade was less than mild in all the patients with peak aortic valve pressure gradients of 14.2±2.8 mm Hg. All the patients were discharged from the hospital within 11 postoperative days without any adverse symptom,and were followed up for 32-72 (50±16) months. During follow-up,all the patients were in NYHA class I. There were 17 patients without AR,21 patients with mild AR and 4 patients with moderate AR. The peak aortic valve pressure gradient was 12.4±3.2 mm Hg. None of the patients died or required reoperation,and structural valve degeneration was not observed during follow-up. ConclusionSingle aortic cusp replacement with bovine pericardium can produce good hemodynamics and midterm results for children with VSD and severe AR.
ObjectiveTo explore clinical features and surgical strategies for patients with aortic dissection (AD) manifesting as pure aortic regurgitation (AR), avoid preoperative misdiagnosis, and provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. MethodsClinical data of 5 AD patients who were preoperatively diagnosed as pure AR in Beijing Fu Wai Hospital from January 2005 to May 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 4 male and 1 female patients with their median age of 41 (34-53) years. All the 5 patients were diagnosed as AD during the operation. One patient received aortic valvuloplasty, 1 patient received Wheat procedure, and 3 patients received Bentall procedure. Clinical manifestations, accessory examinations, intraoperative findings, surgical strategies and follow-up results were summarized. ResultsNo postoperative death or complication occurred in this study. Echocardiogram of patient 1 before discharge showed that transverse diameters of the ascending aorta and aortic sinus decreased with satisfactory closure of aortic valves but no AR. Echocardiogram and CT all showed normal function in mechanical valves and patent blood vessel prosthesis in the other 4 patients. All the 5 patients were followed up for 4 (1-5) years and were alive during follow-up. Echocardiogram showed normal function in mechanical valves and patent blood vessel prosthesis without paravalvular leak in 4 patients and mild AR in 1 patient. ConclusionAD manifesting as pure AR is rare and easily misdiagnosed preoperatively. Careful analysis of medical history and accessory examinations can reduce the risk of misdiagnosis. Appropriate surgical strategies should be chosen according to intraoperative findings of intimal tears and aortic sinus damage of AD.
ObjectiveTo assess clinical results of aortic cusps replacement with bovine pericardium for bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and severe aortic regurgitation (AR). MethodsClinical data of 79 patients with BAV and severe AR who underwent aortic cusps replacement with bovine pericardium in Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital from June 2008 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 60 male and 19 female patients with their age of 38±14 years (ranged 12-78 years). All the patients were in NYHA class Ⅱ. There were 26 patients with ascending aorta and sinotubular expanding. ResultsNo early death or major complication was recorded. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed successful repair with normal coaptation of the aortic leaflets in all the patients. AR grade was less than mild in all the patients with peak aortic valve pressure gradients of 14.2±2.8 mm Hg. All the patients were discharged from the hospital within 15 postoperative days without any adverse symptom, and were followed up for 50±16 months (ranged 9-64 months). During follow-up, all the patients were in NYHA classⅠ. There were 57 patients without AR, 16 patients with mild AR, 5 patients with moderate AR and 1 patients with severe AR. The peak of aortic valve pressure gradient was 12.4±3.2 mm Hg. The average diameter of ascending aorta was 2.7 cm in the patients with ascending aorta and sinotubular expanding. The shape of sinotubular kept normal. The height of coaptation of aortic valve was 0.58 cm by echocadiography. None of the patients died or required reoperation. The structural valve degeneration was not observed during the follow-up. ConclusionThree aortic cusps replacement with bovine pericardium can produce good hemodynamics and midterm results for patients with BAV and severe AR. The ascending aorta and sinotubular should be reduced and fixed in the patients with ascending aorta and sinotubular expanding.
ObjectiveTo summarize the surgical experience of aortic regurgitation with lower ejection fraction (EF). MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 34 patients with aortic regurgitation and lower ejection fraction received aortic valve replacement in the General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region between January 2012 and December 2013. There were 27 males and 7 females with age of 21-74 (51.03±12.06) years. All surgical procedures were performed under general anesthesia during cardiopulmonary bypass. ResultsThere was no operative mortality. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was 40-155 (60.92±22.89) minutes, aortic clamping time varied from 24 to 79 (37.12±12.61) minutes. Postoperative ventilator-assisted time was 4 to 67 (16.12±12.74) hours. The patients were discharged 8-15 (11.03±2.04) days after surgery. When discharged, EF value was 30% to 48% (41%±4%) and significantly improved compared with that before operation (P<0.01). Pulmonary artery systolic pressure varied from 33 to 50 (38.35±4.35) mm Hg and decreased significantly than that before operation (P<0.01). Left ventricular end-diastolic volume reduced to 168-380 (269.12±52.01) ml and obviously decreased than that before operation (P<0.01). ConclusionSurgical treatment can be carried out on patients with aortic insufficiency and lower EF. Treatment results are satisfactory.
Objective To investigate the early safety and efficacy of transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for high-risk elderly patients with pure aortic valve insufficiency. Methods A prospective multicenter clinical study of domestic J-valveTM TAVI for high-risk native non-calcified aortic valve insufficiency was conducted from April 2014 to May 2018, and the early postoperative results were analyzed. A total of 82 patients were enrolled, including 62 patients from West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 16 patients from Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, and 4 patients from Beijing Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases. There were 55 males and 27 females. The age was 61-90 (73.8±6.3) years. The logistic EuroSCORE was 10.0%-44.4% (17.5%±8.1%). All patients underwent TAVI using J-ValveTM system. Clinical evaluation and echocardiography were performed preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively. Multislice spiral CT was reviewed before discharge. Results Three patients were transferred to thoracotomy for cardiopulmonary bypass operation, and 1 patient had decreased cardiac function due to leakage of the valve 1 week after surgery. The overall technical and procedural success rate was 95.1% and 93.9%, respectively. During hospitalization, 1 patient died of moderate pericyclosis complicated with multiple organ failure, and 1 patient died of pulmonary infection. Six (7.6%) patients received pacemaker implantation due to new onset Ⅲ° atrioventricular block. Echocardiographic follow-up showed paravalvular leak was observed in the few of patients, mild paravalvular leak was in 13 patients on the 30th day. Two patients showed moderate paravalvular leak. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume decreased from 197.7±66.8 mL (pre-TAVI) to 147.2±53.3 mL (30-day post-TAVI) (P<0.05). Mean pressure gradient was 9.5±4.1 mm Hg (30-day post-TAVI). Conclusion This multicenter study demonstrates that TAVI with the J-Valve system for the treatment of pure aortic regurgitation is associated with sustained clinical and functional cardiovascular benefits in high-risk patients with symptomatic aortic regurgitation early-term follow-up. Our results further support that TAVI with the specific designed J-Valve system is an acceptable alternative therapy for high-risk patients with pure AR. Our result demonstrates good early-term durability and preserved hemodynamic function. The procedure appears to offer an adequate and lasting resolution for selected patients with pure aortic regurgitation.
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.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for severe aortic stenosis is growing rapidly. The use of new heart valves prosthesis has improved surgical safety and efficacy. This report described a 72-year-old male patient with severe aortic stenosis combined with severe aortic regurgitation, who was evaluated at moderate-high risk of surgery and received a transapical TAVR using the Ken-Valve heart valve. The transcatheter operation time was 8 min, and the blood loss was 50 mL. The tracheal intubation was removed immediately after the surgery. Transesophageal echocardiography on the 4th postoperative day showed that the aortic valve leaflets worked well, and there was no valve orifice and paravalvular leakage. The patient was discharged on the 5th day after the surgery without complications. Transapical TAVR using Ken-Valve was an easy surgical procedure for aortic valve disease, and had short operation time.
Aortic regurgitation (AR) is a common heart valve disease, and aortic valve replacement is an important treatment at present. With the advent of new methods such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement, patients with high-risk AR have been effectively treated. In particular, the emergence of new generations of transcatheter prosthetic valve systems has made the treatment of patients with AR more and more abundant. To treat patients with AR, it is necessary to establish the concept of “once diagnosed, lifelong management”, delay the progression of the disease through various means, and ultimately reduce the mortality of patients with AR and improve the quality of life. Therefore, this article reviews the basic characteristics of AR patients in China, the development and challenges faced by transcatheter aortic valve replacement surgery, follow-up, and postoperative rehabilitation plans, aiming to help physicians use different methods in a reasonable and standardized manner when facing AR patients with different causes and disease progression, and achieve the goal of achieving correct and effective lifelong management of AR patients.