ObjectiveTo compare clinical outcomes between biatrial ablation and right atrial ablation in the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF)for adult patients with atrial septal defect (ASD). MethodsClinical data of 47 patients with ASD and AF who underwent surgical ASD repair and radiofrequency ablation from January 2007 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 20 male and 27 female patients with their age of 35-76 years. AF duration ranged from 3 months to 15 years. There were 18 patients with persistent AF and 29 patients with long-standing persistent AF. There were 10 patients with mild-to-moderate or more severe mitral regurgitation (MR), and 28 patients with mild-to-moderate or more severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). According to different surgical strategies, all the 47 patients were divided into 2 groups. In right atrial ablation group, there were 19 patients who received ASD repair and right atrial ablation. In biatrial ablation group, there were 28 patients who received ASD repair and biatrial ablation. For patients with mild-to-moderate or more severe MR or TR, concomitant mitral or tricuspid valvuloplasty was performed. All the patients received 24-hour Holter monitoring at 3, 6 and 12 months after discharge, and were intermittently followed up thereafter. ResultsCardio-pulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamping time and postoperative hospital stay of biatrial ablation group were significantly longer than those of right atrial ablation group. But there was no statistical difference in postoperative morbidity or recovery between the 2 groups. After heart rebeating, there were 25 patients (89.3%)with sinus rhythm (SR)and 3 patients with junc-tional rhythm (JR), and none of the patients had AF in biatrial ablation group. There were 14 patients (73.7%)with SR, 2 patients with JR and 3 patients with AF in right atrial ablation group. At discharge, 28 patients (100%)in biatrial ablation group had SR, and in right atrial ablation group there were 15 patients (78.9%)with SR and 4 patients with AF relapse (P=0.045). All the patients were followed up for 3-75 months, and there was no death or residual ASD shunt during follow-up. Two patients had mild-to-moderate or more severe MR, and 4 patients had mild-to-moderate or more severe TR. Cumulative SR maintenance rate of biatrial ablation group (87.7%±6.7%)was significantly higher than that of right atrial ablation group (47.4%±11.5%, P=0.003)at 2 years after discharge. ConclusionFor adult patients with ASD and AF, biatrial ablation can produce better clinical outcomes than right atrial ablation without increasing surgical risks.
ObjectiveTo explore surgical techniques and follow-up results of concomitant transaortic repair for moderate functional mitral regurgitation (MR)during surgical treatment for aortic root or aortic valve disease. MethodsClinical data of 25 patients who underwent concomitant transaortic repair for moderate functional MR during surgical treat-ment for aortic root or aortic valve disease between January 2006 and June 2012 in Xinhua Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 18 male and 7 female patients with their age of 42-75 (57.9±9.6)years. All these patients had aortic root or aortic valve disease as well as concomitant moderate functional MR (type I Carpentier's classification). Aortic valve replacement or aortic root replacement and concomitant transaortic mitral valvuloplasty (MVP, commissure repair)were performed under general anesthesia, hypothermia and cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients were followed up at the outpatient department as well as with phone calls to evaluate the structures and function of the mitral valve and the heart. ResultsIntraoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed satisfactory MVP results as trivial residual MR in 2 patients and no MR or mitral stenosis in the other 23 patients. There was no in-hospital death in this group. Postoperative echocardiography showed that left atrial diameter and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension were significantly reduced than preoperative values (t=4.086, P=0.000;t=4.442, P=0.000), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)was significantly lower than preoperative LVEF (t=3.671, P=0.001). Postoperative mitral annulus diameter (MAD)was smaller than preoperative MAD (32.4±3.6 mm vs. 35.6±6.4 mm). Postoperative mitral valve pressure gradient (MVPG)(1.4±0.7 mm Hg vs. 1.5±0.7 mm Hg)and peak MVPG (3.7±2.2 mm Hg vs. 3.3±1.5 mm Hg)were no statistical difference than preoperative values. Twenty-three patients (92%)were followed up after discharge for 7-92 (50.4±25.3)months, and the other 2 patients were lost in follow-up. Three patients had mild MR during follow-up. Latest echocardiography examination showed MAD was 33.9±4.6 mm, MVPG was 1.3±0.6 mm Hg, and peak MVPG was 3.6±2.3 mm Hg. ConclusionConcomitant transaortic MVP during surgical treatment for aortic root or aortic valve disease is a safe, convenient and effective procedure for the treatment of moderate functional MR.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness and safety of Mei mini maze procedure for atrial fibrillation (AF). MethodsWe analyzed the clinical data of 207 patients with 111 males, 96 females at 58.9±14.8 years in our hospital between October 2010 and February 2014. Among them, 98 patients were with paroxysmal AF and 109 patients were with persistent AF. The procedure was performed through three ports on left chest wall. Radiofrequency ablation procedures of AF included pulmonary veins isolation and ablations of the roof and posterior wall of left atrium, which were achieved by bipolar radiofrequency ablation. Ganglionic plexus ablation was made by the ablation pen. Left atrial appendage was excluded. ResultsTime of the procedures was 112.4±32.5 minutes. No conversion to sternotomy or pacemaker implantation occurred and no patients died. The hospital stay was 7.2±3.1days. The mean follow-up time was 24.2±8.9 months. A total of 187 (90.3%) patients were in sinus rhythm. And 20 patients could not maintain sinus rhythm. Stroke, thrombus in the left atrium and stenosis of pulmonary vein were not found after their procedures. ConclusionMei mini maze procedure is safe and presents optimistic outcomes for the atrial fibrillation.
ObjectiveTo investigate influence of left atrial contraction on lone atrial fibrillation recurrence after minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation. MethodsClinical data of 57 patients with lone atrial fibrillation underwent minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation in Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University from September 2010 to December 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the absence of mitral A velocity, patients were divided into Group A (absence of mitral A velocity, 20 patients with their age of 56.32±17.18 years, including 5 females) and Group B (mitral A velocity exists, 37 patients with their age of 60.33±11.22 years, including 17 females). Minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation via thoracoscope were performed in all patients. Preoperative and postoperative left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and mitral A velocity, as well as clinical and follow-up data were recorded and compared. ResultsPreoperative clinical characters were not statistically different between two groups (P > 0.05). All the patients were followed up for 24.3±8.8 months (range, 12-26 months). Rate of postoperative atrial fibrillation recurrence in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (20.0% vs. 2.7%, P < 0.05). LAD and LVEF of 57 patients at 6 months after surgery were significantly higher than preoperative LAD and LVEF (P < 0.05), but there was no statistic difference between two groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionDamage of left atrial contraction was related to lone atrial fibrillation recurrence after minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation. Absence of mitral A velocity could be a crucial predictor of postoperative lone atrial fibrillation recurrence.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of the epicardial circumferential left atrial ablation (CLAA) with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in curing atrial fibrillation (AF). MethodsThirty experimental pigs, weight from 60-78 kg, were divided into 3 groups with the method of random sampling:a group of AF (AF group, n=10), a group of PVI (PVI group, n=10), and a group of CLAA and PVI (CLAA+PVI group, n=10). AF mode was induced by rapid atrial pacing. After AF was induced, no ablation was performed for pigs in the AF group, PVI was performed for pigs in the PVI group with bipolar radiofrequency ablation clamp, and the CLAA+PVI group underwent CLAA after accepted PVI with bipolar radiofrequency ablation clamp. After ablation, we applied electrovert on AF pigs to recover to sinus rhythm, then we tested the vulnerability and lasting time of AF in all 3 groups. ResultsAll pigs developed a stable and sustained AF by rapid left atrial pacing. The pigs of the PVI group and the CLAA+PVI group successfully underwent ablation with the beating heart. Isolated PVI terminated AF in 3 of 20 pigs, and CLAA with PVI terminated AF in 5 of 8 pigs (15% vs. 62.5%, P=0.022). After all pigs recovered to the sinus rhythm, compared with the AF group (10/10), the incidence of sustained AF by burst pacing was statistically decreased in the PVI group (3/10, P=0.003) and the CLAA+PVI group (0/10, P<0.001). There was no statistical difference between the PVI group and the CLAA+PVI group (P=0.211). There was a statistical decreasing of AF duration in the PVI group (P=0.003) and the CLAA+PVI group (P<0.001) compared with the AF group and there was a statistical decreasing of AF duration in the CLAA+PVI group compared to that of the PVI group (P=0.008). ConclusionCompared with isolated PVI, CLAA+PVI may effectually stop the lasting of AF, restrain the recurrance of AF, and improve the treatment effect of AF.
ObjectiveTo compare the outcomes of repeated tricuspid valve surgery for patients with late severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after cardiac surgery through right anterior minithoracotomy and conventional median sternotomy approaches. MethodsBetween June 2002 and June 2013, 89 patients with late severe tricuspid regurgitation after cardiac surgery underwent repeated tricuspid valve surgery through right anterior minithoracotomy in our hospital. The patients were divided into two groups. Fifty one patients were in a minimally invasive group with 28 males and 23 females at age of 46.59±11.53 years. Thirty eight patients were in a conventional median sternotomy (conventional group) with 15 males and 23 females at age of 50.42±9.30 years. The outcomes of the two groups were compared. ResultsThere was no statisitcal difference in preoperative clinical data between two groups. All patients successfully underwent repeated tricuspid valve surgery. Tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) was performed in 68 patients (38 patients vs. 30 patients), and tricuspid valvuloplasty (TVP) was performed in 21 patients (13 patients vs. 8 patients). Compared with the conventional group, operation time, time of establishing cardiopulmonary bypass and postoperative in-hospital time were significantly shorter in the minimally invasive group (P<0.001). The postoperative drainage was significantly reduced in the minimally invasive group compared with the value of the conventional group (P<0.001). Three patients died in the early postoperative period (1 patient vs. 2 patients). In the conventional group, one patient needed re-exploration for bleeding and 2 patients had wound infection. At discharge, transthoracic echocardiography showed that all patients had no or mild TR and no paravalvular leakage occurred. During the follow-up (12-144 months), 4 patients died (2 patients vs. 2 patients). In the minimally invasive group, one patient underwent repeated TVR due to severe TR associated with infective endocarditis, and another patient had moderate TR. In the conventional group, one patient underwent repeated TVR due to mechanical valve thrombosis. ConclusionRight anterior minithoracotomy is safe, effective and reliable for patients with late severe TR after cardiac surgery. It has the similar effect of the correction of valvular lesions with conventional median sternotomy, but right anterior minithoracotomy has more benefits, including more, minimally invasive, less blood loss, shorter operation time and faster recover.
ObjectiveTo explore the mid-term outcomes achieved by using the left internal mammary artery to saphenous vein composite grafts in off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB) for elderly patients. MethodsA total of 59 elderly patients (≥70 years old) underwent OPCAB by using left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to radial artery (RA) or saphenous vein (SV) composite grafts in Xinhua Hospital between March 2006 and October 2012. There was 37 males and 22 females at age of 72.71±1.95 years. Twenty one patients used LIMA-SV composite grafts (LIMA-SV group), and 38 patients used LIMA-RA composite grafts (LIMA-RA group). ResultsAll patients successfully underwent OPCAB with LIMA-SV or LIMA-RA composite grafts. There was one early death in the LIMA-RA group. No statistical differences in early postoperative outcomes were found between the two groups (P > 0.05). During a follow-up of 12 to 91 months, no patient occurred revascularization. There were no statistical differences in overall survival or graft patency rate, and 1 year, 3 years or 5 years survival rates between the two groups (P > 0.05). The patency rate of LIMA in each group was 100% respectively. There was also no statistical difference in overall patency rate of SV and RA between the two groups at the end of 1 year, 3 years or 5 years (P > 0.05). ConclusionAlthough artery grafts are the best choice for OPCAB, LIMA-SV composite grafts can be used as an alternative graft for elderly patients whose RA or right internal mammary artery is not possible or advisable.
ObjectiveTo compare the outcomes of concomitant mitral valve surgery and tricuspid valve surgery through right minithoracotomy and conventional median sternotomy approaches. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 475 patients underwent mitral valve surgery combined with tricuspid valve surgery through right minithoracotomy or conventional median sternotomy in Xinhua Hospital between June 2006 and June 2013. The patients were divided into two groups including a minimally invasive group(116 patients) and a conventional group (359 patients). ResultsAll the patients successfully underwent mitral valve and tricuspid valve surgery. During operation, there were 426 patients with no trivial mitral regurgitation (MR) and 49 patients with trivial MR. There were 282 patients with no tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and 193 patients with trivil TR. At discharge, transesophageal echocardiography showed that trivial MR in 38 patients, mild MR in 5 patients, trivial tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in 150 patients and mild TR in 7 patients. There was no significant difference between the two groups in complications. ConclusionRight minithoracotomy can achieve the similar therapeutic effect to conventional median sternotomy for patients with mitral valve disease and concomitant tricuspid valve disease. In addition, patients through right minithoracotomy had better cosmetic outcomes.
ObjectiveTo discuss the intraoperative anesthesia management for complete thoracoscopic surgical atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation via the left chest. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 201 patients (106 males and 95 females aged 58.7±15.4 years) with AF underwent complete thoracoscopic surgical ablation via the left chest in Department of Cardiothoracic surgery, Xinhua Hospital From September 2010 through December 2013. ResultsAll the patients successfully underwent the minimally invasive ablation procedure. No patient required conversion to sternotomy during the surgery. The average time of operation was 104.9±37.2 min. During the ablation procedure, the patients' blood pressure and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) reduced at different levels. The average minimum arterial blood pressure was 44-79 (62.4±8.4) mm Hg. The average minimum SpO2 was 83%-95% (88.8%±3.1%). After the ablation, the patients' respiratory function and hemodynamic gradually recovered. The average heart rate was 40-108 (70.0±16.6) bpm when sinus rhythm was restored. The maintenance of sinus rhythm rate was 94.5% (190/201) at discharge. There was no early death, stroke, hemorrhage or permanent pacemaker implantation during perioperation. ConclusionComplete thoracoscopic surgical AF ablation via the left chest has some influence on patients' respiratory function and hemodynamic. Reasonable anesthetic management can ensure the minimally invasive ablation procedure safe and effective.
ObjectiveTo assess the effect of a novel modified epicardial radiofrequency (RF) ablation for preoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) combined with aortic valve disease. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 28 patients with AF and aortic valve disease underwent the novel modified epicardial RF ablation combined with aortic valve replacement (AVR) in our hospital between December 2009 and December 2014. There were 18 males and 10 females at age of 53-73 (64.9±4.8) years. The patients were performed epicardial atrial fibrillation RF ablation plus aortic valve replacement. ResultsThe modified epicardial RF ablation and AVR were performed successfully in all the patients. The maintenance of sinus rhythm was 96.4% (27/28) at discharge. There were no early death and permanent pacemaker implantation in perioperation. At a mean following-up of 29.2±17.7 months, 26 of 28 (92.9%) patients were in sinus rhythm. Following-up transthoracic echocardiography(TTE) at 6 months postoperatively showed that left atrial diameter was significantly reduced and left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly increased. ConclusionThe novel modified epicardial RF ablation procedure is safe, feasible, and effective. It may be useful in selecting the best ablation approaches for patients with AF and aortic valve disease.