Abstract: Eisenmenger’s syndrome is a kind of pathophysiologic syndrome that occurs in the end stage of congenital heart disease. The diagnosis of Eisenmenger’s syndrome is clear, but its early clinical presentations are nonspecific and its prognosis is poor. Recently, the therapeutic regimen is steadily improved by the endless efforts that lots of scientists have made. Treatments including new drugs, modified surgery, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, transplantation and gene therapy can not only relieve symptoms, correct abnormal pulmonary hemodynamics, but also can improve prognosis to some extent. We will review and introduce the advance of research on Eisenmenger’s syndrome, including its pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment.
Objective To investigate appropriate treatment strategy and timing for patients with subacute myocardial infarction and severe ischemic mitral regurgitation （IMR）. Methods A total of 89 patients with subacute myocardial infarction and severe IMR underwent surgical treatment from January 2005 to December 2011 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital. There were 66 male patients and 23 female patients with their mean age of 64 （55-73） years. All the patients received only coronary artery bypass grafting （CABG） after 3 months of medication treatment without specific management for their IMR. Echocardiography was examined before medication treatment，preoperatively and 6 months after CABG to analyze their IMR degree and measure left ventricular end-systolic dimension （LVESD），left ventricular end diastolic dimension （LVEDD） and left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）. Results There was no surgery-related death，perioperative myocardial ischemia or other severe postoperative complication. Eighty-one patients （91.0%） were followed up for 6-60 months. At 6 months after CABG，mitral regurgitation area （3.1±1.3 cm2 vs. 5.6±2.3 cm2），LVEDD （51.3±4.2 mm vs. 54.3±5.5 mm） and LVESD （31.7±3.9 mm vs. 34.6±4.3 mm） were significantly decreased than preoperative values （P＜0.05），but LVEF was not statistically different from preoperative value （59.1%±3.9% vs. 58.9%±5.6%，P＞0.05）. From the third year during follow-up，all the patients received annual CT examination of their coronary artery，and no significant graft stenosis （graft stenosis＞50%） was found. Conclusion With appropriately delayed CABG and right medication treatment，patients with subacute myocardial infarction and severe IMR may no longer need concomitant surgical management for their IMR， which can decrease surgical risks and reduce treatment cost.
Abstract： Objective To explore the optimal timing and treatment of acquired Lutembacher’s syndrome. Methods Sixteen acquired Lutembacher’s syndrome patients were studied retrospectively based on records collected between January 2000 and December 2009 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital. There were 9 males and 7 females at age of （39.45±10.23）years. All of them underwent endotracheal intubation, intravenous general anesthesia, and cardiopulmonary bypass. All patients were operated on through a median sternotomy incision into the chest, the right atrium, atrial septal defect to expand with mitral valve replacement and atrial septal defect repair. Postoperative mortality and perioperative complications were observed. During follow-up, periprosthetic leakage was observed using echocardiography, along with the level of residual atrial septal shunt, ventricular size, pulmonary artery pressure changes, and improvement in cardiac function. Results Two of the 16 patients（12.5%）died, one of renal failure, and one of respiratory failure. One patient required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for 3 days, one required continuous renal replacement therapy for 11 days because of acute renal failure, and one experienced respiratory failure and used a respiratory machine for 23 days. All three of those patients recovered. Fourteen patients were followed up for between six months and five years, and the follow-up rate was 100%. The left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was （42.1±5.7） mm, as measured by echocardiography six months post-operation. There was no detectable periprosthetic leakage or residual shunt. The ejection fraction was （67.4%±6.7%）, and estimation of pulmonary artery pressure was （23.4±5.4） mm Hg. Twelve patients were class Ⅱ（ New York Heart Association） and two patients were class Ⅲ. Conclusion Acquired Lutembacher’s syndrome should be treated promptly if patients’ left ventricular end stage diastolic volume index is good enough to ensure they can tolerate surgery. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation （ECMO）should be used early in patients who are anticipated to be difficult to withdraw from extracorporeal circulation perioperatively.
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 evaluate postoperative quality of life （QOL） of patients aged over 65 after mitral valvereplacement （MVR）. Methods Ninety patients aged over 65 undergoing MVR by the same surgical group in Departmentof Cardiovascular Surgery of Anzhen Hospital were prospectively enrolled in this study. There were 62 male and 28 femalepatients with their age of 65-76 （68.6±6.8） years. There were 55 patients with hypertension，38 patients with type 2 diabetes，and all the patients had persistent atrial fibrillation. Nottingham Healthy Profile （NHP，Part I） and Duke Activity StatuIndex （DASI） were used to evaluate preoperative and postoperative QOL. According to the choice of prosthetic heart valves they received，all the patients were divided into two groups with 45 patients in each group: biological valve group and mechanical valve group. All the patients received MVR via the interatrial groove approach under general anesthesia and cardiopulmonary bypass. Mechanical valve replacement was performed using continuous suture without preserving the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve. Biological valve replacement was performed using interrupted suture and some of the posteriorleaflet of the mitral valve was routinely preserved. Patients in both groups underwent intraoperative bilateral pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial appendage ablation using a bipolar radiofrequency ablation device. The left atrial appendage was not excised or ligated. Results Postoperative QOL of all the patients was significantly better than preoperative QOL. There was no statistical difference in NHP and DASI at the 6th month after discharge between the 2 groups. But from the 1st year after discharge，QOL of the biological valve group was significantly better than that of the mechanical valve group. At the 3rd year after discharge，NHP and DASI of the mechanical valve group was not statistically different from those at the 1st year after discharge，but NHP and DASI of the biological valve group was significantly better than those at the 1st year after discharge. Conclusions QOL of elderly patients are significantly improved after MVR. Patients who receive biologicalvalve replacement may acquire better long-term QOL than patients who receive mechanical valve replacement.
Objective To explore the effect of aortic root perfusion of amiodarone when intractable ventricular fibrillation occurs during valve replacement. Methods Totally 42 patients were selected as a drug group, who underwent intractable ventricular fibrillation following ascending aortic opening in valve replacement in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from October 2006 to October 2016. There were 26 males and 16 females with an average age of 56.31±12.56 years. The aorta was re-blocked when intractable ventricular fibrillation occured, amiodarone (150 mg diluted to 20 ml) through the aortic root perfusion tube was applicated, and suction was repeated 8-10 times with the cumulative amount of 150-200 ml, and then the ascending aorta was opened and fast compressed with a frequency of 200 times/min. While 53 patients with the same condition during the same period were selected as a control group. There were 35 males and 18 females with an average age of 58.79±19.81 years. The commonly used clinical treatment method of intractable ventricular fibrillation was adopted, such as continuous intravenous injection of 1 mg/kg lidocaine, while ascending aortic was re-blocked. The warm blood perfusion was given until the heart re-beated. The clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results There was one perioperative death in the drug group and two deaths in the control group during perioperative period. Defibrillation frequency (3.11±0.59 times vs. 4.91±1.34 times, t=–2.917, P=0.000), heart rate 5 min after re-beating (91.65±9.81 beats/min vs. 98.32±10.21 beats/min, t=–2.019, P=0.032), cardiopulmonary bypass time (71.68±10.21 min vs. 81.59±12.93 min, t=–2.512, P=0.032), dopamine dosage (4.32±1.28 μg·kg–1·min–1 vs. 5.79±1.98 μg·kg–1·min–1, t=–2.781, P=0.015), epinephrine dosage (0.03±0.01 μg·kg–1·min–1 vs. 0.06±0.02 μg·kg–1·min–1, t=–3.996, P=0.000) and norepinephrine dosage (0.01±0.01 μg·kg–1·min–1 vs. 0.03±0.01 μg·kg–1·min–1, t=–4.163, P=0.000) of the drug group were significantly shorter or lower than those of the control group. The rate of cardiac rhythm 5 min after re-beating (42.8% vs. 9.4%, χ2=11.211, P=0.000) of the drug group was higher than that of the control group. Conclusion During intractable ventricular fibrillation following ascending aortic opening in valve replacemen, re-blocking the aorta and amiodarone reperfusion of the aortic root can significantly improve the heart re-beating rate and avoid ventricular re-fibrillation, shorten the cardiopulmonary bypass time and reduce the dosage of inotropic drugs.
ObjectiveTo explore the difference of myocardial injury between off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) and modified perfusion on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (ONCAB).MethodsA total of 558 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from 2017 to 2019 were included. According to whether or not they received modified perfusion cardiopulmonary bypass, all the 558 patients were divided into two groups including an OPCAB group (OP group) and an ONCAB group (ON group). There were 465 patients in the OP group including 282 males and 183 females with an average age of 63.58±7.87 years. In the ON group, there were 93 patients including 64 males and 29 females with an average age of 63.91±7.51 years. Creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) and cardiac specific troponin I (cTnI) were measured 24 hours before operation, 30 minutes after operation, 12 hours after operation, 36 hours after operation and 48 hours after operation.ResultsNo perioperative death occurred in all patients. CK-MB (5.00 ng/mL vs. 8.60 ng/mL, Z=–2.189, P=0.029) and cTnI (3.00 ng/mL vs. 7.80 ng/mL, Z=–5.307, P=0.000) in postoperative 12 hours in the ON group were less than those in the OP group. CK-MB (5.00 ng/mL vs. 5.60 ng/mL, Z=–2.280, P=0.023) and cTnI (0.10 ng/mL vs. 1.02 ng/mL, Z=–6.418, P=0.000) in postoperative 36 hours in the ON group were less than those in the OP group. cTnI (0.07 ng/mL vs. 0.81 ng/mL, Z=–1.946, P=0.032) in postoperative 48 hours in the ON group was less than that in the OP group.ConclusionCompared with OPCAB, modified perfusion ONCAB has less myocardial damage.
ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of different discontinuation time of clopidogrel and aspirin before off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting on postoperative volume of drainage and blood products imported.MethodsA total of 454 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2017 through December 2019 were included. According to the preoperative discontinuation of clopidogrel and aspirin, all the 454 patients were divided into three groups including a guide group, a non-stop group and a stop group. There were 86 patients in the guide group including 59 males and 27 females with an average age of 64.12±6.15 years. They continued to take aspirin 100 mg/d before operation, but stopped clopidogrel for more than 5 days. In the non-stop group, there were 234 patients including 141 males and 93 females with an average age of 63.71±7.01 years. They continued to take aspirin 100 mg/d before operation, and stopped clopidogrel <5 days. In the stop group, there were 134 patients including 76 males and 58 females with an average age of 62.90±7.78 years. They stopped aspirin and clopidogrel for more than 5 days before operation. The clinical effectiveness was compared among the three groups.ResultsNo perioperative death occurred in all patients. There was no statistical difference in platelet count, coagulation function, liver function, renal function, or myocardial markers among the groups (P>0.05). The hemoglobin [97 (15) g/ L vs. 98 (21) g/L vs. 100 (20) g/ L, F=4.894, P=0.008] in the non-stop group was lower than that in the guide group and the non-stop group at 30 minutes postoperatively. The flow volume (399.87±127.19 mL vs. 367.05±125.89 mL vs. 349.63±130.68 mL, F=7.770, P=0.000) in the non-stop group at 3 hours postoperatively, the flow volume [600 (300) mL vs. 580 (245) mL vs. 550 (350) mL, Z=8.218, P=0.016] in the non-stop group at 6 hours postoperatively, the flow volume [750 (370) mL vs. 730 (350) mL vs. 730 (350) mL, Z=8.329, P=0.016] in the non-stop group at 12 hours postoperatively, the flow volume [890 (365) mL vs. 850 (340) mL vs. 850 (350) mL vs. Z=6.585, P=0.037] in the non-stop group at 24 hours postoperatively and the flow volume [950 (375) mL vs. 940 (360) mL vs. 940 (380) mL, Z=8.680, P=0.013] in the non-stop group at 48 hours postoperatively were more than those of the guide group and the stop group. The retention time of drainage tube was longer in the non-stop group [3 (1) d vs. 3 (1) d vs. 3 (1) d, Z=6.579, P=0.037] than in the guide group and the non-stop group. The amount of suspended erythrocytes input [0 (2) U vs. 0 (2) U vs. 0 (0) U, Z=6.150, P=0.046], and the amount of plasma input [200 (200) mL vs. 0 (200) mL vs. 0 (200) mL, F=4.144, P=0.016], the number of cases of plasma input (119 patients vs. 34 patients vs. 47 patients, Z=10.116, P=0.006) were more than those of the guide group and the stop group.ConclusionAspirin maintenance is recommended for patients before off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. If not necessary, clopidogrel is discontinued for at least 5 days.
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of whether or not to stop beating after conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.MethodsFrom 2016 to 2018, 177 patients with off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in Beijing Anzhen Hospital were transferred to CPB. According to whether they stopped beating after conversion to CPB during the operation, they were divided into two groups. A non-stop beating group: there were 76 patients with 45 males, 31 females. aged 63.53±6.98 years, who were not to stop beating after conversion to CPB. A stop beating group: there were 101 patients with 66 males and 35 females, aged 63.98 ± 8.37 years, who were to stop beating and underwent the modified perfusion and application of papaverine in perfusion after conversion to CPB. The clinical effect of the two groups was compared.ResultsThere were 14 deaths in the perioperative period. The mean graft flow (MGF) in the stop beating group was higher (P=0.033), and the pulse index (PI) was lower (P=0.001) than those in the non-stop beating group. Intra-aortic balloon counter pulsation (P=0.036), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (P=0.038), continuous renal replacement therapy (P=0.014), ventilator-assisted time (P=0.021), ICU monitoring time (P=0.012), perioperative mortality (P=0.025) and the ejcetion fraction value (P=0.023) were significantly different between the groups.ConclusionCompared with not to stop beating, those to stop beating can get better perioperative clinical effect after conversion to CPB, which is worthy of recommendation.