Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease. It is characterized by an interventricular communication with an overriding aorta, subpulmonary obstruction, and consequent right ventricular hypertrophy. The potential for late complications is an important concern for growing number of survivors after surgical repair, although long-term survival rates are excellent. Progressive pulmonary valve regurgitation leading to right heart failure and arrhythmias are common late complications and major reasons of mortality. In this review, we focus on research progress of pathogenesis and treatment of late complications after TOF repair, and the importance of long-term follow-up is emphasized.
ObjectiveTo investigate the individualized management of severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) secondary to scleroderma, particularly the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication for this entity. MethodsFrom June, 2011 to June, 2014 six inpatient cases had severe GERD secondary to scleroderma were documented. Endoscopy, esophageal high-resolution manometry and 24 hours reflux monitoring were applied for GERD evaluation. Maintenance of conservative treatment was carried out for the 2 cases who responsed well to medication therapy, laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication was done for the 4 cases who had extraesophageal symptom and not well controlled by medication. The patients were followed-up for an average of 2.2 years (1 to 4 years) after discharge, and endoscopic was rechecked during the followed-up. ResultsThe esophageal symptom of regurgitation, heartburn and dysphagia, as well as the extraesophageal symptom of cough and asthma significantly relieved during followed-up, meanwhile the anti-reflux medication was reduced or stopped in all the patients. For the 4 surgical patient, one had partial recurrence and no complication occurred. ConclusionsThe management of severe GERD secondary to scleroderma could follow the strategy of controlling the primary disease, living adjustment, anti-reflux medication and surgery step by step. The laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication may be safe, effective and feasible for the medication unmet patients, it deserves further studies.
ObjectiveTo compare clinical results of different anticoagulation methods for patients with large left atrium in the early period after mitral valve replacement (MVR) in order to optimize anticoagulation therapy for them. MethodsA total of 144 patients with large left atrium who underwent MVR in Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College from January 2012 to September 2013 were included in this study. There were 76 male and 68 female patients with their age of 36-60 (47.4±7.0) years. All the patients were divided into 2 groups according to different anticoagulation methods after MVR. Group A patients received warfarin anticoagulation since the 2nd postoperative day. Group B patients received warfarin and aspirin (0.1 g daily) since the 2nd postoperative day. Morbidity and mortality during follow-up were compared between the 2 groups. ResultsInternational normalized ratio (INR) was 2.03±0.11 in group A and 2.01±0.11 in group B,and there was no statistical difference between the 2 groups (t=0.804,P>0.05). Twenty patients (13.9%) had hemorrhagic complications. There was no statistical difference in INR between patients with hemorrhagic complications in group A and B (t=0.496,P>0. 05) and there was no statistical difference in hemorrhagic rate between group A and B(P>0. 05). There was no thromboembolic complication in group B,and 9 patients (6.3%) in group A had thromboembolic complications. Three patients (2%) died of intracranial hemorrhage in group A during follow-up. Two patients died in group B,including 1 patient with recurrent pericardial effusion and pericardial tamponade who died 60 days after surgery,and another patient who died of unknown reason during follow-up. ConclusionFor MVR patients with large left atrium,anticoagulation with warfarin and aspirin can significantly decrease the incidence of thromboembolic complications but does not increase the incidence of hemorrhagic complications.