Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) can promote the quality of cardiac surgery and reduce peri-operative complications, and thus has been gradually accepted by cardiac surgeons. Through an esophageal probe, TEE can clearly visualize the internal structure of the heart without interrupting surgical procedure. As a newly developed technology which breaks the limitations tied to the traditional two-dimensional TEE, the realtime threedimensional transesophageal echocardiogram (RT3D-TEE) has the advantages of showing threedimensional structure of the heart and providing full range of anatomical information of the heart. Furthermore, it can precisely analyze the anatomical structure of the abnormal heart valves and provide assessment of the change of heart volume. Relying on its unique imaging property, it can largely facilitate preoperative decision-making and provide realtime intraoperative guidance as well as accurate postoperative evaluation. It has now been successfully applied in various types of cardiac surgical procedures including valve repair surgery, congenital heart defect intervention, cardiac mass removal as well as heart function evaluation. In this article, we will review the applications of RT3D-TEE in cardiac surgery, and try to form a basis for its further clinical application.
Abstract： Objective To evaluate clinical outcomes of endoscopic vein harvesting （EVH）for coronary artery bypass grafting（CABG） in diabetic patients. Methods In this prospective non-randomized control study, patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent CABG from December 2010 to Febuary 2012 in West China Hospital were enrolled. Based on different vein graft harvesting technique, these patients were divided into two groups: an EVH group and a conventional vein harvesting（CVH）group. Perioperative complications were compared between the two groups. Interventional or CT coronary angiogram was used to evaluate bypass graft patency during follow-up. Results A total of 51 patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in this study with 24 patients in the EVH group and 27 patients in the CVH group. There was no statistical difference in age, weight, and comorbidities between the two groups. There was no statistical difference in cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamping time between the two groups （67.2±9.8 min versus 68.3±14.5 min, P＞0.05; 62.4±11.3 min versus 65.2±10.3 min, P＞ 0.05）. The vein graft harvesting time （35.6±6.4 min versus 45.2±11.4 min, P＜ 0.05）and rate of delayed leg wound healing（0.0% with 0/24 versus 18.5% with 5/27, P＜0.05） of the EVH group were significantly shorter or lower than those of CVH group.There was no statistical difference in major postoperative complications with respect to venous graft failure rate and chest pain during short term follow-up（9.1 months in the CVH group and 9.4 months in the EVH group） between the two groups. Conclusion EVH is a safe, effective, minimally invasive and quick vein graft harvesting technique for CABG in diabetic patients.
For patients with moderate-to-severe functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) who continue to experience heart failure symptoms despite optimized medical and device therapy, transcatheter mitral valve edge-to-edge repair (TEER) is increasingly becoming a reliable treatment option. With the continuous research and development and improvement of TEER-related devices, there are currently dozens of domestically developed TEER devices undergoing clinical trials in China. In this study, we report the first case of a patient with severe FMR treated with the X-Clip® TEER system. The patient, a 60-year-old male, suffered FMR attributed to dilated cardiomyopathy. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography showed severe mitral regurgitation (4+). He underwent percutaneous repair using the X-Clip® system, and immediate postoperative ultrasound showed mild mitral regurgitation. At the 1-month follow-up, the patient’s symptoms and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class improved, and a follow-up transthoracic echocardiogram showed mild mitral regurgitation (1+).
Transcatheter left ventricular assist pump (LVAP) is widely used in cardiogenic shock, post-circulatory hypoperfusion syndrome and high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and its application scenarios cover various complex environments such as ICU, operating room, emergency department and catheterization room. It is important to quickly and accurately implant the transcatheter LVAP and monitor its position in real time. This paper reported 2 male patients with high-risk PCI, aged 47 and 45 years, both with triple coronary artery disease and reduced ejection fraction (<35%). The domestically produced transcatheter LVAP was implanted using an echocardiography guidance technology system, and PCI treatment was performed under the assistance of the interventional pump. The operation was smooth, and the interventional pump assisted for 1 h in 2 patients, and the pump was successfully removed. There were no obvious complications related to the pump and PCI after the operation, and the patients were discharged smoothly.
Echocardiography is an important imaging technique in mithal valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER). During the operation, mitral leaflets capture and clamping have the highest requirements for ultrasound image quality and should be performed under the guidance of high-quality commissural view. However, standard commissural view cannot be obtained in some patients due to cardiac enlargement, transposition or limited esophageal acoustic window. In this condition, the optimal view can be obtained by Multivue technology. This paper reports a male patient aged 67 years with successful mitral valve TEER under the real-time guidance of Multivue technology, and summarizes the key points of this technology.
Objective To discuss the key points of anesthesia for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) surgery. Methods We retrospectively collected and analyzed the data of 70 patients who underwent TAVI in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital from March 2014 to October 2015. There were 39 males and 31 females with an average age of 73.7±4.5 years. The perioperative preparation and anesthesia points of TAVI were summarized. Results All of the 70 included patients were aged and at high risk severe comorbidities such as ischemic heart disease and stroke. The aortic stenosis and regurgitation occurred in 39 and 31 patients respectively. No patients died during the surgery. The total success rate was 95.7%. Conclusion TAVI is a complex procedure for high risk patients and need more attention during anesthesia. The successful conduction of the procedure requires the whole team to prepare carefully and cooperate closely.
Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the most common valvular heart disease, however, majority of patients are not suitable for open heart surgery due to comorbidity such as organ and heart dysfunction. Transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair has become an effective treatment option for high-risk patients with MR. Two patients were enrolled in this study inlcuding one 60-year degenerative mitral regurgitation patient and one 72-year functional mitral regurgitation patient. Transcatheter repair procedure was successfully done for the two patients without postoperative complication.
The heart valve prosthesis must have excellent hydrodynamic performance which is usually tested in vitro, not in vivo. This paper comprehensively introduced the principles and methods of hydrodynamic performance in vitro testing, helping clinicians to understand valve performance parameters, evaluate valve applicability, and reduce clinical risk of the valve prosthesis. In vitro testing not only serves as the "gold standard" for valve prosthesis assessment, but also provides detailed data for design and optimization of the prosthesis. ISO 5840 defines the items and methods for valve in vitro testing, which consists of three parts: (1) pulsatile flow testing, which reproduces the pulsating flow of the valve prosthesis after implantation in the human body; (2) steady flow testing, which assesses valve forward flow resistance; (3) durability testing, which evaluates the durability of the valve prosthesis and determines the expected failure mode. In addition, the paper presented the differences between atrioventricular and aortic valve testing, the method of mitral valve testing, the differences between transcatheter and surgical valve testing, and the method of valve flow visualization.
ObjectiveTo explore the anesthesia management experience in the interventional treatment of pediatric congenital heart diseases (CHD) percutaneously guided by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) on a mobile operating platform. Methods From March to July 2023, a total of 13 patients from remote areas underwent interventional treatment for CHD on the mobile operating platform of Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital. Patients who received non-tracheal intubation general anesthesia were retrospectively included. ResultsEight children who had difficulty cooperating with the surgery (due to young age, emotional tension, crying) received monitored anesthesia care with local anesthesia supplemented by sedative and analgesic drugs while maintaining spontaneous breathing under the monitoring and management of an anesthesiologist (i.e., non-tracheal intubation general anesthesia). Among them, there were 5 males and 3 females, with an age of (6.95±3.29) years and a body weight of (19.50±6.04) kg. Through transthoracic echocardiography, they were diagnosed with atrial septal defect (6 patients), residual shunt after patent ductus arteriosus ligation (1 patient), and severe pulmonary valve stenosis (1 patient). The surgery proceeded smoothly, with satisfactory anesthesia and surgical effects, complete analgesia, and satisfactory postoperative recovery. There was 1 patient of body movement and 1 patient of respiratory depression during the operation, and both patients completed the surgery successfully after treatment. All children had no serious surgery- and anesthesia-related complications. The anesthesia time was 40.5 (34.5, 47.5) min, the surgery time was 39.0 (33.0, 45.5) min, and the recovery time was 43.0 (28.0, 52.5) min Conclusion Interventional surgery for CHD guided by TTE at a mobile platform is a minimally invasive approach without radiation damage. Non-tracheal intubation general anesthesia with spontaneous breathing can be safely and effectively implemented in children who cannot cooperate.
Patients with Takayasu arteritis combined with aortic valve disease often have a poor prognosis following surgical valve replacement, frequently encountering complications such as perivalvular leakage, valve detachment, and anastomotic aneurysm. This article presents a high-risk case wherein severe aortic valve insufficiency associated with Takayasu arteritis was successfully managed through transcatheter aortic valve implantation via the transapical approach. The patient had satisfactory valve function with no complications observed during the six-month postoperative follow-up period. This case provides a minimally invasive and feasible alternative for the clinical management of such high-risk patients.