Objective To analyze and explore the risk factors of secondary tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after left-sided valve surgery (left cardiac valve replacement or valvuloplasty) using meta-analysis, so as to provide evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment of secondary TR. Methods We electronically searched databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, CBM, CNKI, VIP, for literature on the risk factors of secondary TR after left-sided valve surgery from 1995 to 2012. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we screened literature, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0 software. Results A total of 6 case-control studies were included, involving 437 patients and 2 102 controls. The results of meta-analysis showed that, the risk factors of progressive exacerbation of secondary TR after left-sided valve surgery included preoperative atrial fibrillation (OR=3.90, 95%CI 3.00 to 5.07; adjusted OR=3.04, 95%CI 2.21 to 4.16), age (MD=5.36, 95%CI 3.49 to 7.23), huge left atrium (OR=5.17, 95%CI 3.12 to 8.57; adjusted OR=1.91, 95%CI 1.49 to 2.44) or left atrium diameter (MD=4.85, 95%CI 3.18 to 6.53), degradation of left heart function (OR=2.97, 95%CI 1.73 to 5.08), rheumatic pathological change (OR=3.06, 95%CI 1.66 to 4.68), preoperative TR no less than 2+ (OR=3.52, 95%CI 1.26 to 9.89), and mitral valve replacement (MVR) (OR=2.35, 95%CI 1.68 to 3.30). Sex (OR=1.54, 95%CI 0.94 to 2.52) and preoperative pulmonary arterial hypertension (OR=1.28, 95%CI 0.77 to 2.12) were not associated with secondary TR after left-sided valve surgery. Conclusion The risk factors of progressive exacerbation of secondary TR after left-sided valve surgery include preoperative atrial fibrillation, age, huge left atrium or left atrium diameter, degradation of left heart function, rheumatic pathological change, preoperative TR no less than 2+, and MVR. Understanding these risk factors helps us to improve the long-time effectiveness of preventing and treating TR after left-sided valve surgery.
Objective To conduct a systematic review to evaluate preoperative and postoperative changes of echocardiography indexes which reflect left ventricular morphology and contractile function after heart valve replacement of patients with valvular heart disease with giant left ventricle. Methods We electronically searched CBMdisc， VIP database，Wanfang database， CNKI database， PubMed and ScienceDirect from time of establishment of each database to June 2012 to identify literatures addressing heart valve replacement for patients with valvular heart disease and giant left ventricle. Quality of included literatures was evaluated， and relevant data were extracted to conduct meta-analysis. Preoperative and postoperative changes of echocardiography indexes of patients undergoing heart valve replacement were compared. R2.15.2 software was used for statistical analysis. Results Twelve retrospective cohort studies were included in this study involving 833 patients. The quality of included literature was relatively high. Meta-analysis showed that left ventricular end-diastolic diameter （LVEDD） at 2 weeks， 6 months， 1 year， 2 to 3 years postoperatively were reduced by 11.72 mm［95% CI （9.52，13.92）， P＜0.001］， 20.02 mm ［95% CI （18.28， 21.76）， P＜0.001］， 22.48 mm ［95% CI （19.55， 25.40）， P＜0.001］ and 24.69 mm ［95% CI （22.21， 27.18）， P＜0.001］ respectively compared with preoperative value. Left ventricularend-systolic diameter （LVESD） at 2 weeks， 6 months， 1 year， 2 to 3 years postoperatively were reduced by 7.74 mm ［95% CI （3.76， 11.72）， P＜0.001］， 15.54 mm ［95% CI （12.55， 18.54）， P＜0.001］， 18.84 mm ［95% CI （15.54， 21.14），P＜0.001］ and 21.02 mm［95% CI （17.67， 24.37）， P＜0.001］ respectively compared with preoperative value. Compared with preoperative value， left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） decreased by 7% at 2 weeks postoperatively ［95% CI （1%， 12%）， P=0.013］， increased by 9% at 6 months postoperatively ［95% CI （-14%， -3%）， P=0.002］， increased by 11% at 1 year postoperatively ［95% CI （-22%， 0%）， P=0.041］， and increased by 13% at 2-3 years postoperatively ［95% CI （4%， 21%）， P=0.004］. Compared with preoperative value， left ventricular fraction shortening （LVFS） decreased by 0.05 at 2 weeks postoperatively ［95% CI （0.03， 0.07）， P＜0.001］， increased by 0.02 at 6 months postoperatively ［95% CI （0.00， 0.04）， P=0.055］， increased by 0.03 at 1 year postoperatively ［95% CI （0.00， 0.06）， P=0.035］， and increased by 6% at 2-3 years postoperatively ［95% CI （0.02， 0.11）， P=0.008］. Conclusions LVEED and LVESD of patients with valvular heart disease and giant left ventricle continuously decrease after heart valve replacement， especially in the first 6 months postoperatively， and return to normal in 2 to 3 years. LVEF and LVFS decrease in the first 2 weeks postoperatively， then start to increase， are higher than preoperative values at 6 months， and return to normal in 2 to 3 years. Heart valve replacement is conducive for the recovery of left ventricular morphology and systolic function of patients with valvular heart disease and giant left ventricle.
Abstract： Objective To construct an Anticoagulation Therapy Database of Chinese Patients after Heart Valve Replacement in accordance with blood coagulation characteristics of Chinese patients， fill the gap of Chinese clinical research in valvular heart diseases， and provide a scientific and objective basic data and information exchange platform. Methods A national multicentre，prospective and cohort clinical research method was applied to establish an anticoagulation therapy database of Chinese patients after heart valve replacement， using the Internet as a platform. A case report form （CRF）， which was in line with the actual situation of Chinese anticoagulation patients after heart valve surgery， was formulated through the discussion of experts from 36 cardiovascular surgery centers in China in the starting meeting of National Science amp; Technology Support Program during the Twelfth Five-year Plan Period.We planned to prospectively include patients receiving warfarin anticoagulation therapy and formal anticoagulation monitoring after heart valve replacement from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014. Database was constructed using warehousing technology， which allowed not only data monitoring， query and statistics， but also regular data backup and system updates. Results A network database entitled Anticoagulant Therapy Database of Chinese Patients after Heart Valve Replacement was constructed and linked with the homepage of Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery （http：//www. zgxxwkzz. com）， which constituted a national Internet information platform. From 1 January 2011 to 1 December 2012， 8 452 anticoagulation patients after heart valve replacement from 34 level-3A hospitals in China had been registered in the database. Further follow-up of these patients was being carried out in respective hospitals. Conclusion A large multi-center and open database and network information platform has been constructed. The database variables are in line with clinical characteristics of Chinese anticoagulation patients after heart valve replacement， which provide scientific and objective basic data and support for future clinical research and systemic analysis.
Abstract： Objective To use tissue Doppler strain rate imaging to evaluate the impact of low dose dopamine and milrinone on systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle of patients undergoing heart valve replacement. Methods Forty patients undergoing selective heart valve replacement in West China Hospital of Sichuan University between March and May 2011 were included in this study. All the patients were randomized into 2 groups with 20 patients in each group： milrione group and dopamine group. After anesthesia induction and before cardiopulmonary bypass setup， left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） was measured by echocardiography. Tissue Doppler strain rate imaging was used to measure the left ventricular lateral wall and midventricular segment from the four-chamber view， which was compared with Doppler parameters. Results LVEF， ratio of early-diastolic to end-diastolic velocity （E/A） of transmitral flow， ratio of mitral inflow velocity to early diastolic velocity in the annulus （E/Et） of both 2 groups were significantly different between before and after dopamine and milrinone administration （P＜0. 05）. In the milrinone group， 4 segments systolic peak velocity （Vs）， 1 segment early diastolic peak velocity （Ve）， 4 segments late diastolic peak velocity （Va）， 3 segments Ve/Va ratio， 2 segments systolic peak strain rate （SRs）， 2 segments late diastolic peak strain rate （SRa）， and 3 segments early diastolic peak strain rate SRe/SRa ratio after dopamine and milrinone administration were significantly higher than those before dopamine and milrinone administration （P＜0. 05）. In the dopamine group， 4 segments systolic peak velocity （Vs）， 1 segment Ve， 4 segments Va， 1 segment Ve/Va ratio， 2 segments SRs， 1 segment SRe， 1 segment SRa， and 1 segment SRe/SRa ratio after dopamine and milrinone administration were significantly higher than those before dopamine and milrinone administration （P＜0.05）. To compare the milrione group and dopamine group after medication administration， 2 segments Vs， 4 segments Va， 1 segment SRe， 1 segment SRa， 2 segments Ve/Va ratio， and 2 segments SRe/SRa ratio of the milrione group were significantly higher than those of the dopamine group （P＜0.05）， and 1 segment Vs， two segments SRs of the milrione group were significantly lower than those of the dopamine group （P＜0.05）. Conclusion Both milrinone and dopamine can improve left ventricular systolic function of perioperative patients undergoing heart valve replacement assessed by tissue Doppler strain rate imaging， while milrinone can improve the diastolic function of the left ventricle on the long axis more significantly.
Abstract： Objective To summarize surgical experiences and explore risk factors of patients undergoing repeated heart valve surgery. Methods Clinical records of 325 consecutive patients who underwent repeated heart valve surgery from January 1998 to December 2008 in Changhai Hospital of Second Military Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. There were 149 male patients and 176 female patients with their average age of （47.1±11.8） years. Following variables were collected: preoperative morbidity， heart function， indications and surgical strategies of repeated heart valve surgery， postoperative mortality and morbidity， which were compared with those clinical data of patients who underwent their first heart valve surgery during the same period. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine risk factors of perioperative death of patients undergoing repeated heart valve surgery. Results The main reasons for repeated heart valve surgery were mitral valve restenosis after closed mitral commissurotomy and new other valvular diseases. Postoperatively， 28 patients died in the early-stage with the overall mortality of 8.6% （28/325）. The main reasons of in-hospital death included low cardiac output syndrome （LCOS）and acute renal failure. Compared with patients undergoing their first heart valve surgery， patients who underwent repeated heart valve surgery were more likely to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD)， New York Heart Association (NYHA） classⅢ-Ⅳ， and atrial fibrillation， preoperatively. Their cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross clamp time were comparatively longer. They also had more postoperative morbidities such as LCOS， acute renal failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome （ARDS）. Multivariate logistic regression showed that preoperative critical state （OR=2.82， P=0.002）， cardiopulmonary bypass time longer than 120 minutes （OR=1.13， P=0.008）， concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting （OR=1.64， P=0.005）， postoperative LCOS（OR=4.52， P＜0.001）， ARDS （OR=3.11， P＜0.001） and acute renal failure （OR=4.13， P＜0.001）were independent risk factors of perioperative death of patients undergoing repeated heart valve surgery. Conclusion Repeated heart valve surgery is a difficult surgical procedure with comparatively higher risks. Full preoperative assessment of the valvular lesions， proper timing for surgery and perioperative management are helpful to reduce postoperative mortality and morbidity.
Abstract： Objective To explore clinical outcomes of nitroglycerin perfusion via the aortic root before heart re-beating for patients undergoing heart valve replacement. Methods A total of 254 patients with valvular heart diseases underwent heart valve replacement in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2008 to December 2011. According to whether or not they received nitroglycerin perfusion via the aortic root before heart re-beating during cardiopulmonary bypass （CPB）， all the 254 patients were randomly divided into two groups， the nitroglycerin group and the control group. There were 134 patients in the nitroglycerin group including 57 males and 77 females with their average age of 58.47±12.34 years. They received aortic root perfusion of 5 mg nitroglycerin diluted into 20 ml after full de-airing of the heart， and repeated aspiration was performed 8 to 10 times before heart re-beating during CPB. Aortic cross-clamp was released after the heart showed signs of automatic re-beating， and the aortic root was squeezed in high frequency by hand to make sure that the aorta was squeezed to close each time. In the control group， there were 120 patients including 64 males and 56 females with their average age of 61.85±11.97 years. Patients in the control group received routine procedures of CPB except nitroglycerin perfusion before heart re-beating. Automatic heart re-beating rate， CPB supporting time after heart re-beating， postoperative usage of inotropic drugs， mechanical ventilation time， perioperative morbidity and length of hospital stay were compared between the 2 groups， and patients were followed up and further evaluated. Results There was no in-hospital death. CPB supporting time after heart re-beating（12.32±9.76 min vs. 23.43±10.33 min， t=-1.233， P=0.000）， dopamine usage［3.45±2.33 μg/ （kg?min） vs. 5.67±3.12 μg/ （kg?min） ， t=-0.943 ， P=0.034］ and epinephrine usage ［0.026±0.013 μg/ （kg?min） vs. 0.056±0.021 μg/ （kg?min） ， t=-0.822 ， P=0.027］ of the nitroglycerin group were significantly shorter or lower than those of the control group. Automatic heart re-beating rate of the nitroglycerin group was significantly higher than that of the control group ［97.01% vs. 66.67 % ， χ 2 =-2.115 ， P=0.000］. A total of 121 patients in the nitroglycerin group were followed up for 2-36 months， and 13 patients were lost during follow-up. There was no death during follow-up. Conclusion For patients undergoing heart valve replacement， some myocardial protection strategies including nitroglycerin perfusion via the aortic root before heart re-beating， use of norepinephrine， and aortic root squeezing in high frequency by hand can significantly increase the automatic heart re-beating rate， shorten the CPB supporting time after heart re-beating， and improve postoperative clinical outcomes.
Objective To explore the impact of recombinant human growth hormone （rhGH） on T lymphocyte subsets in patients with rheumatic heart disease during the perioperative period of heart valve replacement. Methods A total of 65 patients with rheumatic valvular heart disease who received heart valve replacement in Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery of Xiangyang Central Hospital from June 1， 2011 to March 31， 2012 were enrolled in this double-blind randomized controlled clinical study. All the patients were divided into 2 groups by random number produced by SAS software：the trial group and the control group. There were 35 patients in the trial group including 19 males and 16 females with their average age of 50.57 years， and 30 patients in the control group including 16 males and 14 females with their average age of 49.87 years. Apart from routine cardiac glycosides， diuretics， glucose-insulin-potassium solution， and postoperative anti-infective therapy， patients in the trial group also received subcutaneously injection of rhGH 5 U （1 ml）daily from 1 day before surgery to 3 days after surgery， and patients in the control group received subcutaneously injection of normal saline 1 ml as placebo. Peripheral venous blood samples were taken in the morning 2 days before surgery and 1 st， 3 rd， 7 th day after surgery respectively. Percentages of CD3+， CD4+， CD8+ were examined timely by flow cytometry and CD4+ /CD8+ ratio was calculated. Results In the control group， percentages of CD3+， CD4+ and CD4+ /CD8+ ratio on the 1st， 3rd， 7th postoperative day were significantly lower than preoperative levels， and percentages of CD8+ on the 1st and 3rd postoperative day were significantly lower than preoperative level （P＜0.05）. In the trial group， percentages of CD3+， CD4+， and CD8+ on the 1st and 3rd postoperative day were significantly lower than preoperative levels（P＜0.05）， while percentages of CD3+， CD4+， and CD8+ on the 7th postoperative day were not statistically different from preoperative levels （P＞0.05）; CD4+ /CD8+ ratio on the 1st postoperative day was significantly lower than preoperative level （P＜0.05）， while CD4+ /CD8+ ratios on the 3rd and 7th postoperative day were not statistically different from preoperative level （P＞0.05）. There was no statistical difference in preoperative T lymphocyte subsets between the trial group and the control group （P＞0.05）. The percentages of CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the trial group were significantly higher than those of the control group on the 1st postoperative day （P＜0.05）， while the percentages of CD3+ and CD4+ and CD4+ /CD8+ratio in the trial group were significantly higher than those of the control group on the 3rd and 7th postoperative day（P＜0.05）. Conclusion Use of rhGH can significantly increase T lymphocyte subsets expression， enhance body cellular immunity， and improve postoperative recovery of patients with rheumatic valvular heart disease during the perioperative period of heart valve replacement.
Objective To explore clinical application and significance of coronary angiography （CAG） prior to heart valve replacement for patients with rheumatic valvular heart disease （RVHD）. Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 313 RVHD patients who underwent heart valve replacement in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2002 to June 2012. All the patients received screening CAG before surgery. According to CAG results，313 patients were divided into two groups. In the coronary artery lesion （CAL） group，there were 29 patients including 17 male and 12 female patients with their age of 60.0±5.2 years. In the non-coronary artery lesion （non-CAL）group，there were 284 patients including 98 male and 186 female patients with their age of 57.0±5.4 years. Surgicaloutcomes were compared between the two groups. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed to analyze risk factors of CAL for RVHD patients. Results CAG showed 29 patients with CAL，and the overall prevalence of CAL was 9.27%. In CAL group，11 patients underwent concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting with 2.2 grafts for each patient on the average. Postoperatively 1 patient （3.45%） died of low cardiac output syndrome （LCOS）. In non-CAL group，5 patients （1.76%） postoperatively died mainly because of LCOS，ventricular fibrillation，sudden cardiac arrest or respiratory failure. Cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamp time of CAL group were significantly longer than those of non-CAL group （P＜0.05）. There was no statistical difference in postoperative mortality，incidence of LCOS，acute renal failure，respiratory failure，reexploration for bleeding，intraoperative blood loss，mechanical ventilation time or hospital stay between the two groups（P＞0.05）. There was no significant correlation between the types of valvular lesions and CAL. Age≥ 55 years （OR=5.534，P=0.005），male gender （OR=2.335，P=0.038） and diabetes mellitus （OR=4.265，P=0.006） were independent risk factors of CAL for RVHD patients undergoing heart valve replacement. Conclusion For RVHD patients with independent risk factors of CAL （age≥55 years，male gender and diabetes mellitus），CAG must beseriously considered before heart valve replacement. RVHD patients with CAL can obtain similarly satisfactory surgicaloutcomes of heart valve replacement as RVHD patients without CAL by appropriate surgical strategy and strengthened perio-perative management.
Abstract： Objective To establish a risk prediction model and risk score for inhospital mortality in heart valve surgery patients, in order to promote its perioperative safety. Methods We collected records of 4 032 consecutive patients who underwent aortic valve replacement, mitral valve repair, mitral valve replacement, or aortic and mitral combination procedure in Changhai hospital from January 1,1998 to December 31,2008. Their average age was 45.90±13.60 years and included 1 876 (46.53%) males and 2 156 (53.57%) females. Based on the valve operated on, we divided the patients into three groups including mitral valve surgery group (n=1 910), aortic valve surgery group (n=724), and mitral plus aortic valve surgery group (n=1 398). The population was divided a 60% development sample (n=2 418) and a 40% validation sample (n=1 614). We identified potential risk factors, conducted univariate analysis and multifactor logistic regression to determine the independent risk factors and set up a risk model. The calibration and discrimination of the model were assessed by the HosmerLemeshow (H-L) test and [CM(159mm]the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve,respectively. We finally produced a risk score according to the coefficient β and rank of variables in the logistic regression model. Results The general inhospital mortality of the whole group was 4.74% (191/4 032). The results of multifactor logistic regression analysis showed that eight variables including tricuspid valve incompetence with OR=1.33 and 95%CI 1.071 to 1.648, arotic valve stenosis with OR=1.34 and 95%CI 1.082 to 1.659, chronic lung disease with OR=2.11 and 95%CI 1.292 to 3.455, left ventricular ejection fraction with OR=1.55 and 95%CI 1.081 to 2.234, critical preoperative status with OR=2.69 and 95%CI 1.499 to 4.821, NYHA ⅢⅣ (New York Heart Association) with OR=2.75 and 95%CI 1.343 to 5641, concomitant coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) with OR=3.02 and 95%CI 1.405 to 6.483, and serum creatinine just before surgery with OR=4.16 and 95%CI 1.979 to 8.766 were independently correlated with inhospital mortality. Our risk model showed good calibration and discriminative power for all the groups. P values of H-L test were all higher than 0.05 (development sample: χ2=1.615, P=0.830, validation sample: χ2=2.218, P=0.200, mitral valve surgery sample: χ2=5.175,P=0.470, aortic valve surgery sample: χ2=12.708, P=0.090, mitral plus aortic valve surgery sample: χ2=3.875, P=0.380), and the areas under the ROC curve were all larger than 0.70 (development sample: 0.757 with 95%CI 0.712 to 0.802, validation sample: 0.754 and 95%CI 0.701 to 0806; mitral valve surgery sample: 0.760 and 95%CI 0.706 to 0.813, aortic valve surgery sample: 0.803 and 95%CI 0.738 to 0.868, mitral plus aortic valve surgery sample: 0.727 and 95%CI 0.668 to 0.785). The risk score was successfully established: tricuspid valve regurgitation (mild:1 point, moderate: 2 points, severe:3 points), arotic valve stenosis (mild: 1 point, moderate: 2 points, severe: 3 points), chronic lung disease (3 points), left ventricular ejection fraction (40% to 50%: 2 points, 30% to 40%: 4 points, ＜30%: 6 points), critical preoperative status (3 points), NYHA IIIIV (4 points), concomitant CABG (4 points), and serum creatinine (＞110 μmol/L: 5 points).Conclusion Eight risk factors including tricuspid valve regurgitation are independent risk factors associated with inhospital mortality of heart valve surgery patients in China. The established risk model and risk score have good calibration and discrimination in predicting inhospital mortality of heart valve surgery patients.
Abstract: Objective To observe the physical characteristics of decellularized porcine pulmonary valved conduits crosslinked by carbodiimide (EDC). Methods [WTBZ]Twenty porcine pulmonary valved arteries were mobilized on relative asepsis condition. They were cut longitudinally into three samples at the junction position of pulmonary valve (every sample was comprised of a part of the pulmonary conduit wall and the corresponding valve). The samples were randomly divided into three groups by lotdrawing method. Group A was the control group which was made up of the fresh porcine arterial valved conduit samples without any other treatments. Group B was comprised of porcine pulmonary samples decellularized by trypsindetergent digestion. Group Cincluded the decellularized porcine pulmonary samples crosslinked by EDC. We observed the water content, thickness, tensile strength, and shrinkage temperature of all the samples, based on which the physical characeteristics of these samples were analyzed. Results [WTBZ]Complete cellfree-pulmonary conduit matrix was achieved by trypsindetergent digestion. Compared with group A, in group B, the water content of pulmonary wall was significantly higher (P=0.000), while the water content of pulmonary valve was not significantly different; the thickness of pulmonary wall and valve (P=0.000，0.000) and tensile strength of pulmonary wall and valve (Plt;0.01） was significantly lower, while shrinkage temperature was not significantly different. Compared with group B, in group C, the water content of pulmonary wall was significantly lower (P=0.000), while the water content of pulmonary valve, and the thickness of pulmonary wall and valve were not significantly different; the tensile strength of pulmonary wall (Plt;0.01) and valve (P=0.000), and the shrinkage temperature of them (P=0.000, 0.000) were significantly higher. Compared with group A, in group C, the water content of pulmonary wall and valve, and the tensile strength of them were not statistically different, while the thickness of pulmonary wall and valve was significantly lower (P=0.000, 0.000), and the shrinkage temperature of them was significantly higher (P=0.000, 0.000). Conclusion [WTBZ]EDC crosslinking method is available for treating decellularized porcine pulmonary valved conduits in order to enhance its tensile strength, and decrease water content of pulmonary wall.