Abstract： Objective To explore the association between transforming growth factor-β receptor typeⅡ (TGFBR2) gene rs6785358 and rs764522 polymorphisms and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in Chinese Han People. Methods The research design was a case-control study. A total of 207 patients who were hospitalized in Nanjing First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University between October 2008 and January 2011 with RHD served as RHD group while 225 age and gender matched healthy adults as control group. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique was used to determine TGFBR2 gene rs6785358 and rs764522 polymorphisms. Results The frequencies of genotype AA, AG and GG of rs6785358 in RHD group and control group were 72.0%, 25.1%, 2.9% and 68.9％, 28.0％, 3.1％,respectively. There was no significant difference in the distribution of genotype frequencies for rs6785358 between RHD group and control group（χ2=0.50，P=0.78）. The frequencies of allele A and G of rs6785358 in RHD group and control group were 84.5％, 15.5％ and 82.9％, 17.1％,respectively. There was no significant difference in the distribution of allele frequencies for rs6785358 between RHD group and control group（χ2=0.43，P=0.51）. The frequencies of genotype CC, CG and GG of rs764522 in RHD group and control group were 77.3%, 21.3%, 1.4% and 75.6％, 21.3％, 3.1％, respectively. There was no significant difference in the distribution of genotype frequencies for rs764522 between RHD group and control group（χ2=1.33，P=0.51）. The frequencies of allele C and G of rs764522 in RHD group and control group were 87.9％, 12.1％ and 86.2％, 13.8％,respectively. There was no significant difference in the distribution of allele frequencies for rs764522 between RHD group and control group（χ2=0.55，P=0.46）. Further analysis by sex stratification showed that no statistical significance was detected in the distribution of genotype and allele frequencies for rs6785358 or rs764522 between RHD patients and controls. Conclusion TGFBR2 gene rs6785358 and rs764522 polymorphisms are not associated with RHD in Chinese Han people.
Objective To compare the short and mid-term outcomes of open surgery and hybrid technique for the treatment of complex type B aortic dissection (AD). Methods A total of 45 patients (37 acute AD and 8 chronic AD) with complex type B AD were admitted to Nanjing First Hospital from January 2012 to June 2016, including 37 males and 8 females. All patients were confirmed by computed tomography angiography (CTA), and ultrasonic cardiogram (UCG) to rule out valvular diseases, aortic root and ascending aorta lesion, and pericardial effusion. According to different treatments, patients were divided into two groups: the open surgery group (OS group) with a total of 25 patients (20 males, 5 females, a mean age of 50.16±10.87 years); the hybrid technique group (HT group) with a total 20 patients (18 males, 2 females, mean age of 51.31±8.11 years). The short and mid-term outcomes of open surgery and hybrid technique for the treatment of complex type B AD were compared. Results All the patients were discharged successfully. There was no death, cognitive impairment, cerebral infarction, hemiplegia, paraplegia, coma and other neurological complications in both groups. In the OS group, one patient suffered acute kidney injury and received renal replacement therapy (RRT), whose renal function was returned to normal prior to discharge; one patient was transferred to ICU again owing to pericardial effusion, respiratory failure and lung infection; one patient underwent debridement surgery because of postoprative sternal dehiscence. In the HT group, one patient with recurrent chest pain five days after endovascular aortic repair, whose CTA showed hematoma of aortic arch and ascending aorta caused by reverse tear, underwent Sun’s procedure immediately. All patients received CTA examination three months after operation in outpatient room. In the OS Group, the tear of AD was closed well by stent-graft and no leakage or shunt was detected in CTA. The rate of thrombosis formation in thoracic aortic false lumen was 100.0%. Meanwhile, in the HT Group, there was one patient with type Ⅱ leakage and the rate of thrombosis formation in thoracic aortic false lumen was 94.7%. Conclusion For complex type B AD without optimal "landing zone" in descending aorta, open surgery is recommended as the first choice for experienced team because of its less costs and perfect results; hybrid technique which can achieve quicker recovery with less surgical trauma still has serious complications such as leakage, reverse tear, and so on.
Objective To summarize and analyze the surgical approach and early prognosis of repairing adult aortic closure insufficiency with the Florida sleeve procedure. Methods The patients with aortic insufficiency who underwent Florida sleeve repair in the First Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between August 2020 and May 2024 were selected. Their general data, perioperative conditions, and echocardiographic data before, during, and after the procedure and at follow-up were analyzed. Result Fifteen patients were included, consisting of 12 males and 3 females, aged 33-71 (53.5±12.4) years. Preoperative echocardiography indicated that there was 1 patient of rheumatic disease, 7 patients of degenerative disease, 4 patients secondary to aortic aneurysm, and 3 patients of bicuspid aortic valve. The severity distribution included 2 patients of severe insufficiency, 4 patients of moderate-to-severe insufficiency, 5 patients of moderate insufficiency, and 4 patients of mild-to-moderate insufficiency. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was (135.0±40.0) minutes, the aortic cross-clamp time was (109.9±38.6) minutes, and the median ICU stay was 1 day. No mortality was recorded within 30 days postoperatively. Follow-up echocardiography showed that the valve regurgitation, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, and sinus diameter all achieved the desired outcomes. Conclusion Florida sleeve repair for aortic valve in patients with a sinus diameter less than 50 mm not only effectively improves hemodynamics in adults with aortic insufficiency, but also has the advantages of low surgical risk and rapid postoperative recovery, making it a promising procedure for clinical application.
Objective To compare surgical outcomes of Stanford type A acute aortic dissection between operations at midnight and daytime. Methods From January 2004 to March 2013，195 patients with Stanford type A acute aortic dissection received surgical treatment in Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University （Nanjing Cardiovascular Disease Hospital）. Patients with identical or similar propensity scores were matched from 127 patients who underwent emergency operation at daytime and 68 patients who underwent emergency operation at midnight. A total of 58 pairs of matched patients which had the same or similar propensity score were selected in daytime surgery group （n=58，43 males and 15 females，47.7±14.6 years） and midnight surgery group （n=58，45 males and 13 females，48.3±14.6 years）. Operation time，postoperative chest drainage，mechanical ventilation time，postoperative incidence of dialysis and tracheostomy，length of ICU stay and in-hospital mortality were compared between the daytime group and midnight group. Results A total of 58 pair of patients were matched in this study. There was no statistical difference in postoperative incidence of tracheostomy ［19.0% （11/58） vs. 6.9% （4/58），P=0.053］ or in-hospital mortality ［8.6% （5/58） vs. 6.9%（4/58），P=0.729］ between the midnight group and daytime group. Operation time （485.7±93.5 minutes vs. 428.5±123.3 minutes，P=0.048），postoperative chest drainage （979.5±235.7 ml vs. 756.6±185.9 ml，P=0.031），mechanical ventilation time （67.9±13.8 hours vs. 55.7±11.9 hours，P=0.025），postoperative incidence of dialysis ［17.2% （10/58） vs. 5.2%（3/58），P=0.039］ and length of ICU stay （89.4±16.2 hours vs. 74.8±12.5 hours，P=0.023） of the midnight group weresignificantly longer or higher than those of the daytime group. A total of 107 patients were followed up for 4-6 months after discharge. During follow-up，there was no late death. Among the 13 patients who required postoperative dialysis，12 patientsno longer needed regular dialysis. Conclusion Emergency operation at midnight does not increase in-hospital mortalitybut increase some postoperative morbidity in patients with Stanford type A acute aortic dissection. Whether at midnight or daytime，better preoperative preparation and surgeons’ vigor are needed for timely surgical treatment for patients with Stanford type A acute aortic dissection.
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) level and in-hospital prognosis in patients with acute type A aortic dissection within 24 hours of admission.MethodsFortysix patients diagnosed with type A aortic dissection were included in our hospital and their Lp-PLA2 levels within 24 hours of admission were measured between January 2017 and June 2019. According to their Lp-PLA2 levels within 24 hours of admission, 23 patients were classified into a high Lp-PLA2 group (Lp-PLA2 > 200 μg/L, 16 males and 7 females at age of 52.0±14.0 years) and 23 patients were into a low Lp-PLA2 group (Lp-PLA2 ≤200 μg/L, 15 males and 8 females at age of 53.0±11.0 years). The relationship between Lp-PLA2 level and clinical outcome was analyzed.ResultsThe incidences of bleeding, hospital infection, multiple organ dysfunction and mortality in the high Lp-PLA2 group were higher than those in the low Lp-PLA2 group (P<0.05). Seven (15.2%) patients died during 3 months of follow-up. The 3-month survival rate of patients with an increase of Lp-PLA2 was significantly lower than that of the patients with normal Lp-PLA2 (P<0.01), which was an independent predictor of adverse outcomes at 3 months of onset (P<0.01).ConclusionLp-PLA2 may be a predictor of disease progression in the patients with acute type A aortic dissection, and the patients with significantly elevated Lp-PLA2 have a higher 3-month mortality than the patients with normal Lp-PLA2.
Objective To analyze the clinical effect of partial aortic root remodeling for root reconstruction on Stanford type A aortic dissection. Methods From January 2010 to December 2015, 30 patients (25 males, 5 females) underwent partial aortic root remodeling for root reconstruction on Stanford type A aortic dissection with involvement of aortic root. The range of age was from 27 to 72 years, and the mean age was 51.2±8.0 years. The proximal aortic dissection received partial aortic root remodeling, and the operation procedures included partial aortic root remodeling+ascending aortic replacement in 9 patients, partial aortic root remodeling+ascending aortic replacement+hemi-arch replacement in 6 patients, partial aortic root remodeling+ascending aortic replacement+Sun's procedure in 15 patients. The patients were followed up for 10 to 60 months with a mean of 37.9±3.2 months. Preoperative and postoperative degrees of aortic regurgitation were compared. Results All patients survived from the operation, and one patient died from severe pulmonary infection 15 days after operation. The overall survival rate was 96.7% (29/30). One patient died during the follow-up. Two patients underwent aortic valve replacement in the 12th and 15th postoperative month respectively because of severe aortic regurgitation (AI). Up to the last follow-up, trivial or no aortic regurgitation was demonstrated in 24 patients, but mild aortic regurgitation occurred in 2 patients. Conclusion The surgical treatment for aortic root pathology due to Stanford type A aortic dissection is challenging, and partial aortic root remodeling operations could restore valve durability and function, and obtains the early- and mid-term results.
Objective To explore the operability of concomitant ablation for the patients with valvular heart diseases with left atrium bigger than 60 mm. Methods We prospectively included 306 patients with concomitant ablation in our hospital between 2013 and 2015 year. Based on diameter of left atrium measured by intra-operative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), we separated these patients into two groups including a group L (left atrium >60 mm, 93 patients, 55 males and 38 females at age of 57.0±10.1 years) and a group S (left atrium <60 mm, 213 patients, 120 males and 93 females at age of 55.2±9.9 years) and followed them on 4 time points (time on discharge, three months, six months, and one year after surgery). Then, we analyzed the impact of left atrial size on cardioversion outcome of surgical ablation based on the following data. Results The successful rate of the group S and the group L in the 4 time points was 72.8% vs. 75.3%, 74.2% vs. 75.3%, 78.9% vs. 77.4%, and 77.0% vs. 77.4%, respectively . The result of both univariate logistic regression analysis and receiver operation characteristic(ROC) curve analysis showed that there was no statistical difference in cardioversion rates between the group S and the group L. And there was no evident correlation between size of left atrium and ablation failure. Conclusion Patients with left atrium enlarged from 60 mm to 70 mm can achieve the same satisfactory results in cardioversion, and should not be the contraindication of concomitant surgical ablation.
Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of mild hypothermia on the inflammatory response, organ function and outcome in perioperative patients with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (AAAD). Methods From February 2017 to February 2018, 56 patients with AAAD admitted in our department were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups including a control group and an experimental group. After deep hypothermia circulatory arrest during operation, in the control group (n=28), the patients were rewarmed to normal body temperatures (36 to 37 centigrade degree), and which would be maintained for 24 hours after operation. While in the experimental group (n=28), the patients were rewarmed to mild hypothermia (34 to 35 centigrade degree), and the rest steps were the same to the control group. The thoracic drainage volume and the incidence of shivering at the first 24 hours after operation, inflammatory indicators and organ function during perioperation, and outcomes were compared between the two groups. There were 20 males and 8 females at age of 51.5±8.7 years in the control group, 24 males and 4 females at age of 53.3±11.2 years in the experimental group.Results There was no obvious difference in the basic information and operation information in patients between the two groups. Compared to the control group, at the 24th hour after operation, the level of peripheral blood matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) was lower than that in the experimental group (P=0.008). In the experimental group, after operation, the awakening time was much shorter (P=0.008), the incidence of bloodstream infection was much lower (P=0.019). While the incidence of delirium, acute kidney injury (AKI), hepatic insufficiency, mechanical ventilation duration, intensive care unit (ICU) stays, or hospital mortality rate showed no statistical difference. And at the first 24 hours after operation, there was no difference in the thoracic drainage volume between the two groups, and no patient suffered from shivering. Conclusion The mild hypothermia therapy is able to shorten the awakening time and reduce the incidence of bloodstream infection after operation in the patients with AAAD, and does not cause the increase of thoracic drainage volume or shivering.
ObjectiveTo analyze the cause of death in low-risk cardiac surgery patients during postoperative period and discuss the prevention and treatment methods to increase the survival rate.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 132 patients dead after cardiac surgery from January 2014 to December 2018, among whom 35 patients had a EuroSCORE Ⅱ score <4% (low-risk cardiac surgery patients), including 20 males and 15 females aged 62.7±13.4 years. The cause of death in these low-risk patients was analyzed.ResultsThe main causes of death were cardiogenic and brain-derived causes (60.0%), and infections and ogran failure (45.7%). Pulmonary infection and low cardiac output after surgery were the main causes of death. Cerebral infarction, malignant arrhythmia and multiple organ failure were the common causes of death. There were 4 deaths (11.4%) caused by accidents, including gastrointestinal bleeding caused by esophageal ultrasound probe, cough and asphyxia caused by drinking water, postoperative paralytic ileus and multiple perioperative allergic reactions caused by allergic constitution.ConclusionPostoperative treatment and prevention for low-risk cardiac surgery patients should be focused on postoperative infection, and cardiac and brain function protection. Changes in various organ functions need to be closely monitored for preventing organ failure, accidents should be strictly controlled, and more details of intraoperative and postoperative treatment still need to be further improved.