ObjectiveTo compare the safety and clinical outcomes of isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR)through right anterior minithoracotomy (RAMT)and conventional median sternotomy. MethodsFrom March 2006 to March 2013, 169 patients underwent isolated AVR in Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine. Among them, 42 patients received AVR via RAMT (RAMT group)including 30 males and 12 females with their age of 59.31±8.30 years. And 127 patients received AVR via conventional median sternotomy (conventional surgery group)including 89 males and 38 females with their age of 60.02±5.93 years. There were 75 patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS), 42 patients with aortic regurgitation (AR)and 52 patients with AS+AR. Postoperative outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. ResultsThere was no statistical difference in preoperative clinical characteristics between the 2 groups. All the patients successfully received isolated AVR. 153 patients received mechanical prosthesis and 16 patients received bioprosthetic valves. Fifty-two patients received 21 mm valves, and 117 patients received 23 mm valves. Cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamping time of RAMT group were significantly longer than those of conventional surgery group (P < 0.001). But mechanical ventilation time, length of postoperative ICU stay and hospital stay of RAMT group were significantly shorter than those of conventional surgery group (P < 0.001). Postoperative thoracic drainage, intraoperative and postoperative blood transfusion of RAMT group were significantly less than those of conventional surgery group (P < 0.001). In conventional surgery group, 2 patients underwent reexploration for bleeding and 2 patients had wound infection postoperatively. Two patients died postoperatively, both in conventional surgery group, including 1 patient with low cardiac output syndrome and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and another patient with prosthetic valve endocarditis secondary to sternal wound infection. ConclusionCompared with conventional median sternotomy, RAMT is safe and efficacious for patients undergoing isolated AVR with minimal surgical injury, better postoperative recovery and 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.
Objective To summarize the surgical treatment strategies and the clinical outcomes of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) with severe mitral regurgitation. Method We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 23 patients of HOCM with severe mitral regurgitation in our hospital from January 2004 through January 2014 year. There were 14 males and 9 females, aged from 15-71(50.2±15.4) years. The preoperative left ventricular outflow tract gradient (LVOTPG) of these patients was 75-161(98.1±19.3) mm Hg. And the septal thickness was 25.8±2.8 mm. All 23 patients had at least moderate mitral regurgitation and systolic anterior motion (SAM). All of them had extend septal myectomy (extend Marrow procedure) and mitral valve repair(MVP),while 4 patients with atrial fibrillation had left atrial ablation and left atrial appendage operation. Results All patients were successfully operated. The left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient was 16-39(26.9±4.9) mm Hg when the cardiopulmonary bypass stopped and SAM phenomenon was completely eliminated. Except for 2 mitral valve patients with trace amounts of regurgitation, 1 patient with mild regurgitation, the other 20 patients of mitral regurgitation were completely corrected. All patients survived after operation and only 1 patient suffered from transient complete atrioventricular block and then back to normal sinus rhythm. A long-term follow-up from 6 months to 126 months with an average of 53.1±34.9 months showed no late postoperative death. No mitral regurgitation need reoperation. Two patients had mild reflux. Four patients were of trace reflux. The left ventricular outflow tract the maximum pressure gradient was less than 42 mm Hg. The thickness of interventricular septum dropped from preoperative 25.8±2.8 mm to postoperative 14.1±1.3 mm (P<0.001) . No recurrence was noted in the 3 patients with atrial fibrillation. And one patient still had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Long term follow-up of the patients' symptoms disappeared or with only mild symptoms. And quality of their life improved significantly. And there was no long-term complication, reoperation, or death. Conclusions The extensive septal myectomy can completely dredge left ventricular outflow tract stenosis and eliminate SAM phenomenon. The mitral valve repair can correct mitral regurgitation. The comprehensive surgical treatment strategy can achieve a good long-term therapeutic effect.