Abstract:Objective To investigate clinical characteristics of patients with aortic valve disease and coronary artery disease （CAD）， and improve the pertinence of clinical management. Methods Clinical data of 78 patients who were older than 50 years and underwent isolated aortic valve replacement （AVR） in General Hospital of Shenyang Command from January to October 2010. All the patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had CAD：20 patients with CAD in the CAD group， including 19 males and 1 female with their average age of 64.6±8.3 years， and 58 patients without CAD in the control group， including 28 males and 30 females with their average age of 58.7±6.2 years. Clinical characteristics of AVR patients with CAD were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and multiple factor analysis. Results One-way analysis showed that the incidence of old age （P=0.000）， male patients （P=0.004）， diabetes （P=0.004）， aortic regurgitation （P=0.034）， valvular lesion （P=0.028）， and postoperative mechanical ventilation time （P=0.008）of CAD group patients were significantly higher or longer than those of control group patients. Multiple factor analysis showed that independent clinical characteristics of AVR patients with CAD included male patients， old age， prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation time， significantly decreased pulmonary arterial systolic pressure （PASP） at 6th postoperative month， and significant preoperative right ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Conclusion The screening age for possible CAD should be reasonably lowered if male patients with aortic valve disease have concomitant preoperative right ventricular diastolic dysfunction and/or tricuspid aortic valve degeneration. Patients undergoing isolated AVR need to take medications to reverse left ventricular remodeling for a long time to avoid severe arrhythmia.
Objective To evaluate clinical outcomes of mild-to-moderate or moderate functional mitral regurgitation（FMR）after aortic valve replacement （AVR） in patients with severe aortic stenosis （AS），and analyze prognostic factors of these patients with mild-to-moderate or moderate FMR （2＋to 3＋）. Methods From September 2008 to December 2011，a total of 156 patients with severe AS （peak aortic gradient （PAG）≥50 mm Hg） as well as FMR （2＋to 3＋） underwent surgical treatment in Zhongshan Hospital. There were 95 male and 61 female patients with their average age of 59.2±10.5 years. Detailed perioperative clinical data were collected，and postoperative patients were followed up. The ratio of FMRpreoperative/FMR postoperative was calculated. Patient age，gender，body weight，history of hypertension，ventricular arrhythmia，atrial fibrillation （AF），left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF），left ventricular end-diastolic diameter （LVEDD），left atrial diameter （LAD），pulmonary artery hypertension （PAH），PAG were assessed by logistic multivariate regression analysis. Results Six patients died postoperatively，including 4 patients with low cardiac output syndrome and 2 patients with refractory ventricular arrhythmia. Perioperative mortality was 3.8%. The average follow-up time was 20.3±8.5 months and follow-up rate was 85.3% （133/156）. Eight patients died during follow-up，including 3 patients with heart failure，2 patients with ventricular arrhythmia，and 3 patients with anticoagulation-related cerebrovascular accident. Multivariate regression analysis showed that FMR preoperative/FMR postoperative ratio was not correlated with age≥55 years，male gender，body weight≥80 kg，LVEDD≥55 mm，LVEF≤50%，history of hypertension or ventricular arrhythmia. However，LAD≥50 mm，PAH≥50 mm Hg，PAG≤75 mm Hg and preoperative AF were negatively correlated with postoperative FMR improvement. Conclusions Risk factors including LAD≥50 mm，PAH≥50 mm Hg，PAG≤75 mm Hg and preoperative AF are negatively correlated with postoperative improvement of FMR （2＋to 3＋）. Patients with severe AS and above risk factors should receive concomitant surgical treatment for their FMR during AVR，since preoperative FMR（2＋to 3＋）usually does not improve or even aggravate after AVR.
Abstract： Objective To summarize the methods and results of supra-annular aortic valve replacement（AVR） in patients with severely damaged aortic annulus. Methods Supra-annular AVR was performed in 5 patients between March 2008 and Dec. 2010 in Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University. There were 4 males and 1 female with their mean age of 46.3 years (ranging from 38 to 53 years). Non-specific infectious diseases were diagnosed in 4 patients who had severe paravalvular leakage after their first AVR operations (2 patients with Behcet’s disease and 2 patients with arteritis), and one patient had severe infectious endocarditis. All the patients had severely destroyed aortic annulus and could not undergo routine AVR. The prosthetic valves were fixed to the aortic sinus wall between the annulus and coronary arterial ostia, and the sutures passed through from the outside of aortic wall into the inside and prosthetic valve ring. Coronary artery bypass grafting was performed if the coronary ostium was involved. Results All patients recovered from the operations uneventfully, and were followed up from 6 months to 3 years. All patients were in New York Heart Association（NYHA） functional class Ⅰ or Ⅱ during the follow-up period, and paravalvalar leakage, pseudoaneurysm and aortic root aneurysm were not found by the examination of 3D computed tomographic angiography and echocardiography at 6 months（4 cases）, 1 year（2 cases）, and 3 years（1 case）, respectively . Conclusions Supra-annular AVR is an alternative surgical method for patients with severely damaged aortic annulus. The procedure is simple and effective to prevent paravalvular leakage and pseudoaneurysm formation.
Objective To assess clinical outcomes of valve-sparing aortic root replacement for patients with aortic root aneurysm.?Methods?From February 2001 to September 2010， sixty patients with aortic root aneurysm underwent valve-sparing aortic root replacement in Fu Wai Hospital. There were 44 male patients and 16 female patients with an average age of 37.2±13.0 years （ranging from 9-64 years）. Fifteen patients had aortic dissection， 10 patients had ascendingaorta aneurysm， 25 patients had Marfan syndrome， and 2 patients had bicuspid aortic valve. Aortic root reconstruction was performed in 53 patients and aortic valve reimplantation was performed in 7 patients. Preoperative and postoperative heart function and degree of aortic insufficiency （AI） were compared.?Results?Valve-sparing aortic root replacement was performed in all patients. There was no in-hospital death or severe postoperative complications in this group. The median duration of mechanical ventilation was 13 hours （ranging from 2 to 1 110 hours） ， while the mean intensive care unit stay was 2.7±2.5 days （ranging from 1 to 18 days） . Postoperative echocardiography showed AI degree was significantly reduced in all the patients. Only three patients had moderate to severe AI， and all the other patients had none or trivial AI. All the patients were followed up for 2-122 （61.5±35.9） months. During follow-up， 4 patients were lost， 9 patients died， and the overall survival rate was 83.9% （47/56）. Two patients underwent aortic valve replacement in the 13 th and 14 th postoperative month respectively because of severe AI. Heart function of 47 patients was significantly improved compared with their preoperative heart function. Thirty-five patients （74.4%）were in New York Heart Association （NYHA） functional classⅠ， and 8 patients （17.0%） were in class II. Forty patients （85.1%）were free from moderate or severe AI.?Conclusion Valve-sparing aortic root replacement has satisfactory long-term outcomes for patients with aortic root aneurysm， and valve-related complication rate is low.
Abstract：?Objective?To analyze surgical procedures and clinical outcomes for patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy （HOCM） complicated by infective endocarditis.?Methods?We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 7 patients with HOCM complicated by infective endocarditis who underwent modified Morrow procedure，removal of intracardiac vegetation，and valve replacement in Fu Wai Hospital from Sep. 2006 to Feb. 2012. There were 5 male patients and 2 female patients with their mean age of 39.80±13.60 years（ranging 21-55）. Postoperative clinical outcomes were observed. Preoperative and postoperative left ventricular outflow tract （LVOT） gradients， left atrium （LA） diameter，left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） and heart function were compared.?Results?There was no in-hospital death and perioperative survival rate was 100% in this group. Bacteria vegetations were multiply detected on the mitral valve leaflet （7 cases）， aortic valve leaflet （4 cases） and ventricular septum （1 case） with their diameter of 2-19 mm. Blood culture showed Staphylococcus aureus （3 cases），Squirrel aureus （1 case） . Postoperatively， first-degree atrioventricular block occurred in 2 patients， complete left bundle branch block in 1 patient， left anterior division block in 2 patients， and all these complications were not treated. Postoperative LVOT gradient and LA diameter were significantly lower than preoperative values （P＜0.05）， and cardiac function was significantly improved in these patients. All the patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography at a mean follow-up of 13.00±17.19 （1-49） months in outpatient service. The clinical symptoms of all these patients were diminished or significantly ameliorated and their quality of life was considerably improved. All the patients had NYHA classⅠorⅡ without any reintervention or death during follow-up.?Conclusion?Modified Morrow procedure and valve replacement is a good surgical strategy for patients with HOCM complicated by infective endocarditis with satisfactory early and mid-term clinical outcomes.
Abstract： Objective To investigate the effects of βreceptor blocker on intraventricular pressure gradient and left ventricle remodeling after valve replacement for critical aortic stenosis. Methods Fifty-six patients with critical aortic stenosis underwent aortic valve replacement surgery from January 2008 to January 2010 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Thirtytwo of them who were followed up were selected to be enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two groups under the same basis of clinical features. Twelve patients in the experimental group received oral βreceptor blocker (Metoprolol, 6.2525.00 mg once, twice daily). The rest 20 patients in the control group had no βreceptor blocker. The various indicators of ultrasound cardiogram (UCG) shortly after operation (within a week) and long after operation (6-24 months) were compared between the two groups. Results No death occurred in both groups, and chest distress, shortness of breath and other symptoms were obviously alleviated. Although left ventricular endsystolic dimension (LVESD) and left ventricular outflow tract dimension (LVOTD) of both groups increased 6-24 months after operation, compared with the early postoperative period, only the increase of LVOTD in the experimental group showed statistical difference (t=-47.937, P=0.001). In both groups, interventricular septum thickness (IVST), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT), filament band velocity of left ventricular outflow tract (V), intraventricular pressure gradient (G) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) of the later period after operation were significantly lower than those of the early postoperative period. All these indicators in the experimental group showed significant differences (t=7.781, P=0.001；t=5.749, P=0.001; t=2.637, P=0.023; t=7.167, P=0.001; t=100.061, P0.001), while only V, G， and LVMI showed statistical differences in the control group (t=4.051, P=0.001; t= 4.759, P= 0.001; t=-0.166,P=0.001). EF in the experimental group also indicated significant difference compared with early period after aortic valve replacement (t=-6.621, P=0.001). EF between two groups indicated no significant difference (t=-0.354,P=0.726). But differences between the two groups in LVEDD, IVS, G， and LVMI were all statistically significant in the later period after surgery (t=-2.494, P=0.018; t=-3.434, P=0.002;t=-2.171,P=0.038; t=-2.316, P=0.028). Conclusion β-receptor blocker is a safe and reliable drug for those patients who have undergone aortic valve replacement surgery for critical aortic stenosis, and can decrease significantly the residual intraventricular pressure gradient and accelerate left ventricular cardiac remodeling.
Abstract: Objective To induce calcification in aortic valvular interstitial cells (VICs) in vitro and observe the shift of cellular phenotype during the process. Methods Porcine aortic VICs were isolated and expanded by collagenase methods. Fluorescent staining was performed to identify the interstitial cells. VICs at 48 passages were used for experiments. The cells were divided into two groups: the experimental group in which cells were cultured in osteogenic media supplemented with βglycerophosphate, vitamin C and dexamethasone, and the control group in which cells were cultured in normal media. After 2 weeks, calcified nodules were quantified. Calcium deposit was stained and measured by Alizarin Red S staining and assay. Real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) was performed to measure expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and calcification related factors such as osteocalcin, osteopontin and Corebinding factor α1/Runx2 (Cbfα1/Runx2). Results VICs were successfully harvested from porcine aortic valves, identified by positive staining of α-SMA, vimentin and negative staining of Von Willebrand factor (vWF). VICs could calcify after 2 weeks of osteogenic induction with calcified nodules formed. Quantification of calcified nodules and calcification deposit were significantly higher (Plt;0.05) in the experimental group than those in the control group (156.25±17.38 vs. 2.50±1.29, 17.52±2.04 vs. 1.00±0.22). Real Time RT-PCR indicated that expression of α-SMA, as well as calcification related markers like osteocalcin, osteopontin and Cbfα1/Runx2 was much higher in the experimental group than those in the control group (Plt;0.05). Conclusion VICs are activated during the progress of calcification with phenotype shifting to contraction and ossification, which might be the pathological basis of valvular calcification.
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.
Objective To summarize the clinical experiences of using selfpericardial patch heightening to treat aortic valve prolapse. Methods From May 2000 to July 2007, seventeen patients with aortic valve prolapse were treated by selfpericardial patch heightening. Fifteen cases had right coronary cusp prolapse, one had left coronary cusp prolapse, and one had no coronary cusp proplapse. There were 10 cases with moderate aortic regurgitation and 7 with severe regurgitation. Autologous pericardium was continuously sutured on the proplapsed cusp by 5-0 or 6-0 Prolene suture. The transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) showed that there was few or mild aortic regurgitation during operation. Preoperative and postoperative echocardiography results were compared. Results The comparison between preoperative and postoperative echocardiography results showed that postoperative left ventricular enddiastolic diameter reduced obviously(38.3±9.6 mm vs. 47.2±10.3 mm，P=0.013)；postoperative aortic valve systolic pressure difference reduced（9.8±5.6 mm Hg vs. 10.3±5.3 mm Hg，P=0.792）; postoperative aortic valve diastolic pressure difference reduced obviously(45.7±13.6 mm Hg vs. 78.4±19.9 mm Hg，P= 0.000). Echocardiographic examination before discharge showed that 4 cases had no obvious aortic regurgitation, 9 had mild aortic regurgitation and 4 had moderate aortic regurgitation. The average followup time was 32 months(4.74 months). One case underwent aortic valve replacement because of severe aortic regurgitation 4 months later after the operation, and the rest needed no second operation. Conclusion Using selfpericardial patch heightening to treat aortic valve prolapse is a simple operative method, and it is good for young patients or small aortic annulus.
Objective To observe preserving effect on myocytes in porcine aortic valve replacement with minimal extracorporeal circulation (MECC). Methods 7 pigs were collected as experimental animals and undertook aortic valve replacement with MECC. Morphological and immunofluorescence intensity changes of right atrial and left ventricular tissues were observed. Results HE staining showed that there were not significant changes and edema or injury of myocytes of right atriums and left ventricles between preoperation and postoperation. Immunofluorescence staining showed complement C3b/c in right atrial myocardial tissues after the operation were a little ber, and innate antibody IgG were a little ber in left ventricular myocardial tissues but similarly weak in right atrial myocardial tissues pre- and post-operation. There was not significant changes in HSPG staining in pre-and post-operative right atrial myocardial tissues, but HSPG were obviously weaker in left ventricular myocardial tissues after the operation. Conclusion MECC is effective on support of porcine aorta valve replacement.