[Abstract]Acute type A aortic dissection is a lethal disease that requires immediate surgical intervention and lifesaving measures. The treatment of this condition primarily involves addressing the complex structure and vital role of the aortic root. Since 1968, surgical techniques for Aortic dissection type A have rapidly advanced, resulting in significantly improved patient outcomes. In recent years, various approaches to aortic root management have emerged. This article provides a comprehensive overview of these approaches.
Objective To study the protective effect of exogenous matrix metalloproteinases9(MMP-9) inhibitor Doxycycline against lung injury during cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) in dogs. Methods Twenty healthy mongrel puppies(weighed 10 -12 kg) were divided into control group (n=10) and experimental group(n=10) with random number table. In control group, no measure was taken to protect lung before and after CPB. In experimental group, the feeding food was mixed with Doxycycline (30 mg/kg, body weight) daily for three days before operation. Enzymelinked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure the plasma concentration of MMP-9. Hemodynamic and respiratory parameters in two groups were monitored. The preoperative and postoperative alveolararterial oxygen partial pressure difference (A-aDO2) and respiratory index(RI) were calculated. The myeloperoxidase（MPO）activity of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid（BALF）was determined by colorimetry. The total protein of BALF was measured by Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250. After CPB, light microscope and electronic microscope were used to observe the morphological changes of lung tissue. The dry to wet weight index(W/D) was calculated. Results In both groups, the plasma concentrations of MMP-9 increased significantly as the time of CPB prolonged. The plasma MMP-9 at 150 min and 270 min after CPB in experimental group decreased significantly than those in control group (9.45±5.29 [CM(159mm]ng/ml vs. 18.66±5.90 ng/ml,t=3.664, P=0.005;16.63±2.90 ng/ml -vs.26.17±5.96 ng/ml, t=5.216, P=0.001). MPO activity, total protein of BALF, W/D, postoperative A-aDO2 and RI in experimental group decreased significantly than those in control group. There were significant differences between two groups（t=5.622,P=0.000; t=5.081, P=0.001; t=2.266, P=0.050; t=4.927, P=0.001; t=6.679,P=0.000）. The lung histopathology and electronic microscope showed that the lung injury reduced significantly. Conclusion Doxycycline plays a role in lung protection by inhibiting the secretion of MMP9, reducing the degradation of cell basement membrane, pulmonary neutrophil infiltration and pulmonary edema. Key words: Cardiopulmonary bypass; Acute lung injury; Matrix metalloproteinase; Doxycycline; Lung protection
ObjectiveTo investigate the association of preoperative serum uric acid (UA) levels with postoperative prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) in patients undergoing mechanical heart valve replacement.MethodsClinical data of 311 patients undergoing mechanical heart valve replacement in The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2017 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 164 males at age of 55.6±11.4 years and 147 females at age of 54.2±9.8 years. The patients were divided into a PMV group (>48 h) and a control group according to whether the duration of PMV was longer than 48 hours. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and logistic regression analysis were conducted to evaluate the relationship between preoperative UA and postoperative PMV. The predictive value of UA for PMV was undertaken using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve..ResultsAmong 311 patients, 38 (12.2%) developed postoperative PMV. Preoperative serum UA level mean values were 6.11±1.94 mg/dl, while the mean UA concentration in the PMV group was significantly higher than that in the control group (7.48±2.24 mg/dl vs. 5.92±1.82 mg/dl, P<0.001). Rank correlation analysis showed that UA was positively correlated with postoperative PMV (rs=0.205, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that preoperative elevated UA was associated independently with postoperative PMV with odds ratio (OR)=1.44 and confidence interval (CI) 1.15–1.81 (P=0.002). The area under the ROC curve of UA predicting PMV was 0.72, 95% CI0.635–0.806, 6.40 mg/dl was the optimal cut-off value, and the sensitivity and specificity was 76.3% and 63.0% at this time, respectively.ConclusionPreoperative elevated serum UA is an independent risk factor for postoperative PMV in patients undergoing mechanical heart valve replacement and has a good predictive value.
ObjectiveTo compare the short-term outcomes of surgical repair for atrial septal defect (ASD) with a robotic (da Vinci Si) approach versus a conventional open procedure.MethodsClinical data of 140 patients undergoing ASD closure in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2016 to May 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into a robotic group and a sternotomy group according to different surgical methods. In the robotic group, there were 67 patients including 20 males and 47 females at a median age of 40.0 (25.0) years, and in the sternotomy group there were 73 patients including 23 males and 50 females at a median age of 41.0 (29.0) years. Multivariate linear regressions were used to produce risk-adjusted analysis of pertinent clinical characteristics. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to compare the speed of sternotomy versus robotic group returning to exercise or daily life.ResultsRobotic-assisted surgery was associated with significantly shorter 24 h postoperative drainage volume [220.0 (210.0) mL vs. 345.0 (265.0) mL, P<0.001], mechanical ventilation [6.0 (11.0) h vs. 8.0 (11.0) h, P=0.024], intensive care unit length of stay (LOS) [19.0 (19.0) h vs. 22.0 (25.0) h, P=0.005], postoperative hospital LOS [9.0 (5.0) d vs. 10.0(6.0) d, P=0.003], and a lower rate of perioperative blood transfusion (28.36% vs. 84.93%, P<0.001). After controlling for patient comorbidity in the multiple regression model, there remained a trend toward decreased 24 h postoperative drainage volume (β=–115.30, 95%CI–170.78 to –59.82, P<0.001), mechanical ventilation (β=–4.96, 95%CI –8.33 to –1.59, P=0.004) and postoperative hospital LOS (β=–2.31, 95%CI –3.98 to –0.63, P=0.007) in the robotic group. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients returned to exercise or daily life earlier in the robotic group [35.0 (32.0) d vs. 90.0 (75.0) d, P<0.001].ConclusionClosure of ASD can be performed safely and effectively via robotic approach. And the minimally invasive technique is beneficial to postoperative recovery.
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of preoperative peripheral blood CD4/CD8 ratio in predicting the prognosis of patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAD) after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG).MethodsA total of 118 patients with CAD who underwent OPCABG in our hospital from September 2016 to April 2017 were included in the study, including 82 males and 36 females aged 62.74±4.50 years. The primary end point was the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Patients were divided into a high CD4/CD8 group (≥1.40, 62 patients) and a low CD4/CD8 group (<1.40, 56 patients) according to the results of flow cytometry. The correlation between CD4/CD8 ratio and prognosis of patients after OPCABG and the value of CD4/CD8 ratio for predicting postoperative MACE were evaluated.ResultsMedian duration of follow-up was 23.25 (20.91, 24.70) months, during which 21 patients (17.80%) experienced MACE and 4 patients (3.39%) were lost to follow-up. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that high CD4/CD8 group had a significantly higher MACE rate than the low CD4/CD8 group did (log-rank χ2=5.797, P=0.02). The results of adjusted Cox proportional hazards model showed that CD4/CD8 ratio (HR=3.103, 95%CI 1.557-6.187, P<0.01) was an independent risk factor of MACE in patients with CAD after OPCABG. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that area under curve was 0.778 (95%CI 0.661-0.894, P<0.01), the optimal cut off value was 2.24, the sensitivity was 57.1%, and the specificity was 87.6%.ConclusionPreoperative peripheral blood CD4/CD8 ratio is an independent predictor of MACE after OPCABG in patients with CAD.
ObjectiveTo investigate the independent risk factors associated with postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients undergoing type A aortic dissection surgery.MethodsThe clinical data of 147 patients who underwent acute type A aortic dissection surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from 2015 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 110 males at age of 51.9±10.1 years and 37 females at age of 54.3±11.1 years. According to whether the patients developed ARDS after surgery, all of the patients were divided into a ARDS group or a non-ARDS group. Logistic regress analysis was utilized to establish the predictive mode to identify the independent risk factors related to ARDS.ResultsOf the patients, 25 developed postoperative ARDS. Among them, 5 patients were mild ARDS, 13 patients were moderate, and 7 patients were severe ARDS. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that deep hypothermic circulatory arrest time [odds ratio (OR)=1.067, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.014-1.124, P=0.013], cardiopulmonary bypass time (OR=1.012, 95%CI 1.001-1.022, P=0.027) and perioperative plasma input (OR=1.001, 95%CI 1.000-1.002, P=0.011) were independently associated with ARDS in patients undergoing acute A aortic dissection surgery. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated a good discrimination ability of the logistic regression model, with an area under the curve of 0.835 (95%CI 0.740-0.929, P=0.000).ConclusionDuration of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, cardiopulmonary bypass time and perioperative plasma are independent risk factors for postoperative ARDS in patients undergoing type A aortic dissection surgery.
ObjectiveTo assess the early outcome of transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for patients with aortic insufficiency. MethodsThe patients with aortic valvular disease who underwent transapical TAVR from October 2020 to October 2022 in the Department of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University were enrolled in the current retrospective study. The patients with aortic stenosis were assembled in a group A, and the patients with aortic insufficiency were assembled in a group B. The improvements of heart function and complications were assessed for the two groups. ResultsA total of 56 patients were enrolled, including 32 males and 24 females with an average age of 73.34±5.10 years. There were 31 patients in the group A and 25 patients in the group B. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the age, gender, height, weight, hypertension, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal disorder or classification of heart function (P>0.05). Also, there was still no statistical difference in the rate of permanent peacemaker implants, emergent open surgery, valve re-implants, or perivalvular leakage (P>0.05). After TAVR, the left ventricular diastolic diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction, complicated moderated mitral and tricuspid regurgitation were significantly improved in both groups compared with preoperative findings (P<0.05); however, there was no statistical difference in these parameters between groups (P>0.05). ConclusionInterventional valve (J-Valve) in the treatment of patients with aortic insufficiency through transapical TAVR significantly improves cardiac function and reduces functional valve regurgitation.
ObjectiveTo observe the short-term therapeutic outcomes of atrial septal defects (ASD) repair using on-pump beating-heart technique assisted by robotic surgery system (Da Vinci Si) or thoracoscopy.MethodsClinical data of 50 patients undergoing ASD repair at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different surgical methods, patients were divided into a robot group and a total thoracoscopy group. In the robot group, there were 35 patients including 11 males and 24 females, at an average age of 42.1±16.8 years, and in the total thoracoscopy group there were 15 patients including 8 males and 7 females at an average age of 38.4±10.9 years. During follow-up, the left ventricular ejection fraction, left and right atrial diameter, and right ventricular end-diastolic diameter in the cardiac Doppler echocardiography were recorded. The operation time, extracorporeal circulation time, ventilation time, postoperative ICU stay, postoperative hospital stay, perioperative pleural drainage and early complications were compared between the two groups.ResultsIn the perioperative period, the robot group had less operation time (3.8±0.3 h vs. 6.1±1.4 h), extracorporeal circulation time (72.3 ± 10.4 min vs. 139.1 ± 32.8 min), ventilation time (5.5±1.2 h vs. 9.5 ± 2.1 h), postoperative hospital stay (6.7±0.5 d vs. 9.8 ± 0.6 d) and thoracic drainage (253.4±26.8 mL vs. 289.3 ± 29.5 mL) than the total thoracoscopy group (P<0.05), while the postoperative complications were not statistically significant between the two groups (P>0.05). All patients were reviewed by color Doppler ultrasound at 1 month after operation. The postoperative dilated right atrium, right ventricle and left atrium were smaller than those before surgery.ConclusionFor patients undergoing ASD repair, robot-assisted and total thoracoscopy can achieve good results, but the robot group has more advantages in terms of operation time, extracorporeal circulation time, ventilation time, postoperative hospital stay and thoracic drainage.
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of pulmonary hypertension on the clinical efficacy of Cox Maze Ⅳ procedure in treating atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with valvular heart disease.MethodsThe clinical data of 84 patients who received cardiac valve replacement and Cox Maze Ⅳ ablation in our hospital from July 2017 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the estimation of pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) by ultrasound, the patients were divided into two groups: a group A (PAP<45 mm Hg, 20 males, 26 females with an average age of 59.1±7.8 years) and a group B (PAP≥45 mm Hg, 15 males and 23 females with an average age of 58.5±8.5 years). The PAP was less than 70 mm Hgin all patients. A systematic follow-up review was performed for 6 months after operation. The recovery and recurrence rate of sinus rhythm after surgical ablation were compared between the two groups, and the efficacy was analyzed.Results(1) All the patients completed the operation successfully, and there was no statistical difference in the ablation time between the two groups (P>0.05); no patients died of pulmonary infection after the operation, and one patient underwent implantation of a permanent pacemaker due to conduction block. (2) At the end of the operation and 3 months after the operation, the conversion rate of AF in the group A was 91.3% (42 patients) and 82.6% (38 patients), respectively, and in the group B was 89.5% (34 patients) and 73.7% (28 patients), respectively (P>0.05). The conversion rate of AF was 82.6% (38 patients) in the group A and 63.2% (24 patients) in the group B at 6 months after operation (P=0.043). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that PAP≥45 mm Hg had a significant effect on the long-term effect of surgical Maze procedure in treating AF patients with valvular heart disease [P=0.014, OR=5.661, 95%CI (1.429, 22.432)].ConclusionPAP may be an influencing factor for the long-term effect of surgical Maze procedure in treating AF patients with valvular heart disease. Although the long-term recurrence rate of AF in the moderate pulmonary hypertension group is higher than that in the group A, the overall effect is still safe and effective; therefore it is still worth promoting in clinical application.
Objective To investigate the feasibility and early efficacy of transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) combined with transcatheter mitral valve edge-to-edge repair (TEER) in patients with high-risk aortic valve lesions combined with severe mitral regurgitation. Methods The clinical data of patients who underwent "one-stop" transapical TAVR+TEER in our hospital from August 2022 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Five patients were collected, including 3 males and 2 females with a mean age of 66.6±1.8 years. Four patients had aortic valve insufficiency combined with mitral regurgitation and one had aortic valve stenosis and insufficiency combined with mitral regurgitation. All patients successfully completed transapical TAVR+TEER, and the immediate postoperative echocardiographic results revealed that none of them had more than mild perivalvular leakage and mitral regurgitation, and the prosthetic valves were in good position and function. At 1 week postoperatively, echocardiographic results showed 5 patients with no displacement of the prosthetic valve, detachment of the mitral clip, or damage to the leaflets. At 1 month postoperatively, cardiac function was improved to varying degrees in 4 patients, and 1 patient died of multiorgan failure. At 2 months postoperatively, 1 patient died of cerebrovascular accident, and at 3 months postoperatively the echocardiographic results of the remaining 3 patients revealed that there was no more than mild perivalvular leakage or mitral regurgitation, and the patients' postoperative cardiac function and daily life ability were significantly improved. Conclusion In high-risk aortic valve lesions combined with severe mitral regurgitation, "one-stop" transapical TAVR+TEER is feasible with favorable early efficacy and safety.