The success of staged Fontan palliation for patients with single ventricle is related to low pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). The complications of high PVR in Fontan physiology are numerous, such as low exercise tolerance, low cardiac output, ventricular function failure and protein-losing enteropathy; eventually it leads to failing Fontan. Therefore, a low PVR is crucial in Fontan patients. Now, targeted therapies decreasing PVR has been an advanced research hotspot in Fontan patients. In this review we present an overview of the safety and efficacy of the therapy with bosentan or sildenafil on elevated pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance in Fontan patients.
ObjectiveTo compare attitudes of nursing undergraduates to patients with mental illness before and after learning psychiatric nursing course and provide evidence for the improvement of teaching of the course. MethodsStigma scale to patients with mental illness was used as a questionnaire for collecting data, which was conducted on nursing undergraduates taking psychiatric nursing course between March and June 2012. Paired t-test was used to compare the differences between students' attitudes before and after learning the course. ResultsSignificant difference was found for danger factor (P<0.05), while there was no statistically significant difference in the social isolation factor and social ability factor before and after the psychiatric nursing course (P>0.05). ConclusionPsychiatric nursing course has a great influence on students' evaluation of the danger of patients with mental illness which reduces the discrimination against the patients.
A de-noising method for electrocardiogram (ECG) based on ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and wavelet threshold de-noising theory is proposed in our school. We decomposed noised ECG signals with the proposed method using the EEMD and calculated a series of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). Then we selected IMFs and reconstructed them to realize the de-noising for ECG. The processed ECG signals were filtered again with wavelet transform using improved threshold function. In the experiments, MIT-BIH ECG database was used for evaluating the performance of the proposed method, contrasting with de-noising method based on EEMD and wavelet transform with improved threshold function alone in parameters of signal to noise ratio (SNR) and mean square error (MSE). The results showed that the ECG waveforms de-noised with the proposed method were smooth and the amplitudes of ECG features did not attenuate. In conclusion, the method discussed in this paper can realize the ECG de-noising and meanwhile keep the characteristics of original ECG signal.
ObjectiveTo compare early clinical outcomes between systemic-pulmonary shunts (SPS) and right ventricular to pulmonary artery connection (RV-PA connection) for patients with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD), and investigate early management strategies for these 2 different palliative procedures. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 89 PA/VSD patients who underwent SPS or RV-PA connection in Fu Wai Hospital from January 2009 to December 2011. According to different surgical procedures, all the 89 patients were divided into 2 groups. In SPS group, there were 59 patients including 35 males and 24 females with their median age of 25 months (4 months to 8 years). In RV-PA connection group, there were 30 patients including 19 males and 11 females with their median age of 24 months (28 days to 7 years and 2 months). Early clinical outcomes including mechanical ventilation time, length of ICU stay, morbidity, reexploration, improvement of oxygen saturation (SO2) and mortality were compared between the 2 groups. ResultsAmong 59 patients in SPS group, 3 patients (5.1%) died postoperatively. There was no in-hospital death among 30 patients in RV-PA connection group. The improvement of percentage of SO2 of RV-PA connection group was significantly higher than that of SPS group (31.7% vs. 22.2%, P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in length of ICU stay (3.6±2.5 days vs. 4.2±5.1 days, P > 0.05), mechanical ventilation time (34.8±33.5 hours vs. 44.3±39.6 hours, P > 0.05), postoperative morbidity (37.3% vs. 30.0%, P > 0.05) or reexploration rate (15.3% vs. 6.7%, P > 0.05) between SPS group and RV-PA connection group. Incidence of serious postoperative complications of SPS group was signi-ficantly higher than that of RV-PA connection group (25.4% vs. 6.7%, P < 0.05). ConclusionEarly clinical outcomes of RV-PA connection is better than SPS for PA/VSD patients including greater SO2 improvement and lower mortality. Mid-term and long-term clinical results as well as larger study samples are needed for better evaluation.
ObjectiveTo evaluate clinical results of left ventricular retraining followed by double switch operation (DSO) for patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA) and a deconditioned morphologically left ventricle (mLV). MethodsClinical data of 14 patients with CCTGA and a deconditioned mLV who underwent surgical therapy in Fu Wai Hospital from May 2005 to May 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 male and 6 female patients with their age of 2.5-72.0 (34.4±24.0) months and body weight of 5.1-23.0 (12.7±4.9) kg. Preoperative diagnosis was confirmed by echocardiography, angiography or cardiac catheterization. Major concomitant anomalies included tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in 13 patients, restrictive ventricular septal defect in 10 patients, atrial septal defect or patent foramen ovale in 7 patients, mild pulmonary valve stenosis in 4 patients, patent ductus arteriosus in 4 patients, and third-degree atrioventricular block in 1 patient. All the patients underwent first-stage morphologic left ventricular retraining under general anesthesia followed by second-stage atrial switch and arterial switch operations (DSO) under cardiopulmonary bypass with the interval of 0.67-34.0(10.23±9.47)months. ResultsAfter the first-stage morphologic left ventricular retraining, there was no postoperative complication or death. During follow-up, mLV end-diastolic diameter (mLVEDd) and posterior wall thickness of mLV were significantly larger than preoperative parameters (P < 0.05). The interventricular septum moved partially towards morphologically right ventricle (mRV). TR degree was significantly decreased, the pressure gradient across the pulmonary artery band was significantly increased (P < 0.05), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was not statistically different from preoperative LVEF. And mLV/mRV pressure ratio was significantly increased (P < 0.05). After the second-stage DSO, 2 patients died with the in-hospital mortality of 14.3% (2/14). The causes of death included serious arrhythmia, circulatory collapse and sudden death. Early postoperative complications included pulmonary infection in 6 patients, atrial arrhythmias in 2 patients, pleural effusion in 2 patients, pneumothorax in 1 patient, diaphragmatic paralysis cured by diaphragm placation in 1 patient, respiratory tract hemorrhage in 1 patient, mild aortic insufficiency in 1 patient, peritoneal dialysis for 1 patient, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for 1 patient, and tracheal intubation for a second time for 1 patient. All the 12 patients who were discharged alive were followed up for 2 to 8 years. One patient died during follow-up with the late mortality of 8.33% (1/12), and the cause of death was serious arrhythmia and circulatory collapse. Eight patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) classⅠ, and 3 patients were in NYHA class Ⅱ. Major late complications included left ventricular dysfunction in 3 patients, moderate aortic valve regurgitation in 3 patients, and moderate mitral valve regurgitation in 1 patient. ConclusionShort-term clinical results of left ventricular retraining followed by DSO for patients with CCTGA and a deconditioned mLV are satisfactory, and its middleand long-term results need further follow-up. But postoperative left ventricular dysfunction and new-onset aortic valve regurgitation deserve more attention.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety of modified blood-sparing approach in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in low-weight infants (≤15 kg) with congenital heart disease. MethodsA total of 283 infants were applied a new blood-sparing approach, known as without homologous blood priming, during the cardiac surgery with CPB between August 2012 and October 2013. There were 154 males and 129 females with a median (interquartile range) age of 13 (9, 20) months. The infants were assigned to an intraoperative transfusion (IT) group once having transfusion during operation. And the infants without transfusion during operation were assigned to a postoperative transfusion (PT) group or a transfusion-free (TF) group according to post-operative transfusion. All infants experienced routine heart surgery with CPB. Blood samples were collected at following time points, ie. pre-CPB, 10 minutes after CPB, before termination of CPB, and after modified ultrafiltration. Clinical data and transfusion requirements were collected and compared between three groups. ResultsA total of 106 infants (53 males and 53 females) completed bloodless surgery. The median (interquartile range) age was 14 (9, 22) months. A total of 121 infants (71 males and 50 females) received red blood cell (RBC) transfusion intraoperatively. The median (interquartile range) age was 10 (8, 12) months. A total of 56 infants (30 males and 26 females) at age of 15 (7, 20) months received RBC transfusion postoperatively. The intraoperative transfusion (IT) group had lower body weight (9 (7,10) kg vs. 12.6 (9,14) kg) and size (72 (68, 80) cm vs. 86 (78, 97) cm), younger age (10 (8, 12) months vs. 14 (9, 22) months), and higher 24-hour chest tube drainage volume (89 (40, 122) ml vs. 58 (30, 106) ml, P<0.05) than those in the transfusion free (TF) group. Pre-operative hematocrit was also lower in the IT group than that in the PT group and the TF group (32% (29%, 37%) vs. 39% (34%, 41%) vs. 36% (33%, 38%), P<0.05). The hospital stay in the PT group and the IT group was longer than that in the TF group, respectively (13 (8, 23) d vs. 14 (11, 22) d vs. 11(8, 20) d, P<0.05). ConclusionAlthough applied with blood-sparing approach, perioperative transfusion is required in some infants. Infants who are free from transfusion have shorter hospital stay and less 24-hour chest tube drainage volume. Consideration of risk factors of transfusion in this population may benefit further reduction in blood transfusion in the future.
ObjectiveTo examine changes of in-hospitalization mortality for arterial switch operation (ASO) for the patients with D-transposition of the great arteries (TGA) in our hospital. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 473 consecutive TGA patients undergoing ASO to assess temporal trends of in-hospital mortality between 2001 and 2012 year. The patients in every 2 years were brought together into a group. By this way, all the patients were divided into 6 groups. In risk-adjusted analyses, mortality of each group between 2001 and 2012 year were compared within the 6 groups. ResultsAmong all the patients, 29 in-hospital deaths occurred. Between 2001 and 2012 year, the prevalence of preoperative factors-including age (P=0.13), gender (P=0.94), height (P=0.29), weight (P=0.21), combined with pulmonary hypertension (P=0.59), training for left ventricle (P=0.14), and anatomy of coronary arteries (P=0.27) did not significantly change. Crude mortality significantly decreased during that period (17.4% in the first group vs. 4.1% in the sixth group, P<0.001). Adjusted mortality also significantly became better in the ten years (the sixth group vs. the first group, odds ratio 0.098, 95% confidence interval, 0.018-0.550，P=0.01). ConclusionBetween 2001 and 2012 year, the prevalence of risk factors among TGA patients undergoing ASO remains unchanged, but the in-hospital mortality substantial decreases.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of fenestration on total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) in the treatment of complex congenital heart disease. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 142 patients undergoing TCPC in Fu Wai Hospital between January 2010 and December 2013. The patients were divided into 2 groups depending on with fenestration or not. There were 71 patients including 44 males and 27 females at age of 65.7+24.5 months in the fenestration group. There were also 71 patients with 42 males and 29 females at age of 60.7+20.8 months in the no fenestration group. Perioperative variables were compared between the two groups. ResultsFour patients (2.82%) died postoperatively. The fenestration significantly increased in the patients with atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVI). There were no statistical differences in duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU hospitalized time, early mortality and complications between the two groups (P>0.05). But there were statistical differences in the postoperative pleural effusion duration and 24 h capacity requirement (9.1 d versus 13.1 d, 4.19 ml/(kg · h) versus 5.48 ml/(kg · h)) between the two groups. In the patients whose preoperative mPAP was more than 12 mm Hg, postoperative CVP was lower (P=0.046), maintaining the same blood pressure (SBP=80-90 mm Hg) of vasoactive drugs (P=0.019) and 24 h capacity requirement (P=0.041) were lower, pleural effusion duration was shorter (9.8 d versus 17.8 d, P=0.000) in the fenestration children. 113 patients were followed up for 1.1+1.2 years. SpO2 was 92.1%+3.5% in the fenestration children. Spontaneous closure occured in 8.5% of the patients. No severe cyanosis (SpO2<85%), limb embolism, or stroke. ConclusionFenestration should not be a routine in children of TCPC. Patients with fenestration or not can obtained satisfactory early clinical efficacy. Atrial septal fenestration should be considered in high-risk children with mPAP higher than 12 mm Hg or serious AVVI and be corrected at the same time. Fenestration contributes to stable circulation after TCPC surgery. It can shorten the duration of pleural effusion.
Objective Complex congenital heart defects are sometimes treated by Fontan palliation for various reasons. However, the middle- and long-term prognosis of single-ventricle repair is worse than that of two-ventricle repair. In this study we reported the results of biventricular conversion in these challenging patients initially palliated towards single-ventricle repair. Methods Eight patients underwent biventricular repair conversion from prior bidirectional Glenn shunt palliation in our hospital between October 2013 and March 2016. The median age in bidirectional Glenn shunt was 2.6 years (range, 1.0 to 5.9 years) and in biventricular repair conversion was 6.6 years (range, 4.5 to 11.1 years). Three patients suffered complete transposition of great arteries combined with ventricular septal defect and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, three double outlet right ventricle and non-committed ventricular septal defect combined with pulmonary stenosis or atresia, one double outlet right ventricle combined with complete ativentricular septal defect and pulmonary stenosis and one Tetralogy of Fallot. Results Bidirectional Glenn shunt was taken down and superior vena cava was reconnected to the right atrium in all patients. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp time was 275.6±107.1 min and 165.9±63.6 min, respectively. Mean length of hospital stay and ICU stay were 33.6±23.0 d and 20.3±21.0 d, respectively. At a mean follow-up of 1.4±0.7 years, there was no mortality and reoperation. No patients presented with sinoatrial node dysfunction and superior vena cava anastomotic stenosis. According to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification, all patients were classified asⅠ-Ⅱ. Conclusion Biventricular repair conversion can be safely performed with favorable mortality and morbidity in specific patients palliated towards single-ventricle repair. Further follow-up is needed to investigate the long-term outcomes.
Objective To investigate the risk factors of neoaortic regurgitation (NAR) after the arterial switch operation (ASO) for transposition of the great arteries (TGA). Methods This retrospective study enrolled 229 patients with TGA who underwent ASO from January 2008-2013 in Fu Wai Hospital, including 173 males and 56 females with an average age of 7.8±15.9 months (range, 3 days to 93.9 months; median, 47 days) and an average weight of 6.3±4.2 kg (range, 4 to18 kg; median, 2.4 kg). Results The mean follow-up was 62.5±31.1 months and the shortest was 36 months. Twenty eight patients (12.2%) suffered at least moderate NAR. In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, probability of freedom from at least moderate NAR was 100.0%, 100.0%, 99.6%, 95.3% at year 1, 2, 3 and 5, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that weight and frequency of preoperative pulmonary arterial hypertension and previous pulmonary artery banding in patients with at least moderate NAR before ASO were more than those of other patients (8.3±5.6 kgvs. 5.8±4.3 kg,P=0.006; 50.0%vs. 20.4%,P=0.001; 28.6%vs. 10.4%,P=0.013). Multivariate analysis showed that previous pulmonary artery banding (HR=3.8,P=0.005) and preoperative pulmonary arterial hypertension (HR=16.5,P<0.001) were risk factors of NAR. Conclusion The incidence of at least moderate NAR after ASO is favorable. At least moderate NAR is associated with preoperative pulmonary arterial hypertension and previous pulmonary artery banding.