Simulations can mimic the environment that refers to the surgery operation to improve the technical skills of the trainees. In this paper, we designed a new cardiac surgery simulative training system. The isolated pig heart was selected as the heart model. A mechanical device was designed to achieve the beating of heart model. At the same time, adjusting frequencies of mechanical movement could change the rating of heartbeat. In order to validate the rationality of the system, 12 non-medical specialty students and 12 medical specialty students were divided into two groups, which consecutively accepted seven-days of training for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using the cardiac surgery simulative training system. The time for completing bypass grafting before and after training were recorded. And the bridging outcomes of each trainee were assessed by 3 surgery cardiac surgeons using the object structured assessments of technical skill (OSATS) criteria. After training, each trainee could finish the bypass suturing in a shorter time than before training, and the scores of each trainee assessed by OSATS criteria were also improved. The results showed that the cardiac surgery simulative training system had better training effect in improving the surgical techniques, operation skills and proficiency of surgical instruments of trainees.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic has a tremendous impact on the countries around the world since the outbreak in December 2019. From December 2022, with the loosening of domestic epidemic control policies, the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) rose significantly and reached to its epidemic peak in the majority of the cities in China, which further overwhelmed our medical care system. The cardiac surgery departments in China lack the experience in conducting work under the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we summarize the main topics that might be faced during the pandemic by reviewing the previous related literatures, which included: the cardiac surgery volume trends, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the prognosis of cardiac surgery, the timing of cardiac surgery and the surgical strategy should be modified, and possible recommendations for the manager or governors during the pandemic, so as to outline a path forward for cardiac surgery for the near future.
The incidence of postoperative excessive bleeding and reexploration is relatively high, and it will bring a series of serious complications, such as an additional surgery, a longer intensive care unit stay, longer time on mechanical ventilation, an increase need of allogeneic blood product transfusions and increased mortality. However, the understanding of postoperative excessive bleeding and reexploration in China is significantly different from the international level, and the understanding of postoperative excessive bleeding and reexploration after cardiac surgery in clinical work is still not enough. This review will focus on some problems, such as related factors analysis of postoperative excessive bleeding, hemostatic process optimization and the serious complications of reexploration after cardiac surgery.
Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are frequently used in cardiac surgery. A minority of patients assume most of the blood products transfusion during and after cardiac operations. Observational analysis of transfusion in patients undergoing cardiac surgery has uniformly demonstrated that RBC transfusion is associated with a significantly increasing risk of all-cause mortality and other serious adverse outcomes. In addition, it is an established fact that such patients can tolerate relatively low hemoglubin (Hb) levels. Consequently, it becomes widely accepted that appropriate limitation of transfusions could confer a substantial benefit to patients and decrease the use of limited resource. As a result, a restrictive threshold for blood transfusion is likely to be favored under most circumstances. However, an increasing amount of data differing from the observational analysis shows that clinical outcomes in patients who received transfusions with restrictive thresholds for Hb level are not superior to those with liberal thresholds. It has created a new uncertainty regarding the use of a restrictive threshold for transfusion during the perioperative period of cardiac surgery.
Objective To examine the influence of hormonal fluctuations on the perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing congenital heart surgery. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical data from fertile women diagnosed with congenital heart disease at the Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, between January 1, 2015, and July 30, 2019. Initially, patients were categorized into groups based on serum progesterone levels: a low progesterone group (n=31) and a high progesterone group (n=153). Furthermore, based on serum estrogen levels, they were divided into a low estrogen group (n=10), a medium estrogen group (n=32), and a high estrogen group (n=118) for comparative analysis. A control group (n=24) consisted of patients who received progesterone injections before their menstrual period. Results We finally included 184 patients. The patients’ average age was 27.6±5.7 years, with 142 (77.17%) presenting with complex congenital heart conditions. There were statistically significant differences in total postoperative standard thoracic drainage volume and postoperative albumin level between the high and low progesterone groups (P<0.05), while other perioperative outcome indicators showed no statistical differences (P>0.05). Among the different serum estrogen level groups, there were statistically significant differences in postoperative blood urea nitrogen levels, total postoperative standard thoracic drainage volume, and hospital stay (P<0.05), while other perioperative outcome indicators showed no statistical differences (P>0.05). ConclusionConsidering the overall clinical significance, the physiological changes in sex hormone levels appear to have a negligible effect on the perioperative outcomes of fertile women with congenital heart disease.
Objective To investigate the risk factors for arrhythmia after robotic cardiac surgery. Methods The data of the patients who underwent robotic cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) from July 2016 to June 2022 in Daping Hospital of Army Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether arrhythmia occurred after operation, the patients were divided into an arrhythmia group and a non-arrhythmia group. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic analysis were used to screen the risk factors for arrhythmia after robotic cardiac surgery. ResultsA total of 146 patients were enrolled, including 55 males and 91 females, with an average age of 43.03±13.11 years. There were 23 patients in the arrhythmia group and 123 patients in the non-arrhythmia group. One (0.49%) patient died in the hospital. Univariate analysis suggested that age, body weight, body mass index (BMI), diabetes, New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, left atrial anteroposterior diameter, left ventricular anteroposterior diameter, right ventricular anteroposterior diameter, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, uric acid, red blood cell width, operation time, CPB time, aortic cross-clamping time, and operation type were associated with postoperative arrhythmia (P<0.05). Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis suggested that direct bilirubin (OR=1.334, 95%CI 1.003-1.774, P=0.048) and aortic cross-clamping time (OR=1.018, 95%CI 1.005-1.031, P=0.008) were independent risk factors for arrhythmia after robotic cardiac surgery. In the arrhythmia group, postoperative tracheal intubation time (P<0.001), intensive care unit stay (P<0.001) and postoperative hospital stay (P<0.001) were significantly prolonged, and postoperative high-dose blood transfusion events were significantly increased (P=0.002). Conclusion Preoperative direct bilirubin level and aortic cross-clamping time are independent risk factors for arrhythmia after robotic cardiac surgery. Postoperative tracheal intubation time, intensive care unit stay, and postoperative hospital stay are significantly prolonged in patients with postoperative arrhythmia, and postoperative high-dose blood transfusion events are significantly increased.
Cardiogenic shock (CS) describes a physiological state of end-organ hypoperfusion characterized by reduced cardiac output in the presence of adequate intravascular volume. Mortality still remains exceptionally high. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) has become the preferred device for short-term hemodynamic support in patients with CS. ECMO provides the highest cardiac output, complete cardiopulmonary support. In addition, the device has portable characteristics, more familiar to medical personnel. VA ECMO provides cardiopulmonary support for patients in profound CS as a bridge to myocardial recovery. This review provides an overview of VA ECMO in salvage of CS, emphasizing the indications, management and further direction.
ObjectiveTo evaluate clinical outcomes of de-airing technique in minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS). MethodsFifty-six patients undergoing MICS in Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University between June 2011 and June 2013 were recruited as a MICS group, including 31 male and 25 female patients with their age of 33-71 (57.3±7.2)years. Fifty-six patients who underwent mitral valvuloplasty via routine median sternotomy during the same period were recruited as the control group, including 27 male and 29 female patients with their age of 51-69 (53.7±6.8)years. Postoperative residual air in the heart, abnormal ECG findings, time to recovery of consciousness, cognitive function and neurological complications were compared between the 2 groups. ResultsThere were 69.6% patients with mild residual air and 30.4% patients with moderate residual air in the heart of MICS group, and 73.2% patients with mild residual air and 26.8% patients with moderate residual air in the heart of the control group (P > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of abnormal ECG findings between the 2 groups (32.1% vs. 26.8%, P > 0.05). Patients with better, good and bad postoperative cognitive function accounted for 85.7%, 12.5% and 1.8% in MICS group respectively, and 78.6%, 19.6% and 1.8% in the control group respectively (P > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of neurological complications between the 2 groups (1.8% vs. 1.8%, P > 0.05). ConclusionWith appropriate de-airing techniques, postoperative incidence of air embolism of MICS is comparable with that of conventional cardiac surgery via median sternotomy, and the risk of air embolism of MICS is not higher.
Objective To evaluate the application of three-dimensional printing technique in surgical treatments on complex congenital heart diseases. Methods Two patients were enrolled with complex congenital heart diseases. The computerized tomography data were used to build the 3D architecture of cardiac anomalies. The White-Jet-Process technique was used to print the models with 1∶1 ratio in size. The models were used to make the treatment strategy making, young surgeon training and operation simulation. Results The full color and hollowed-out cardiac models with 1∶1 ration in size were printed successfully. They were transected at the middle point of vertical axis, which was conveniently to explore the intracardiac anomalies. However, for patient 1, the model lost the atrial septal defect. Taking the two models as references, operation group held preoperative consultation, operation simulation, and finally, the operation plans were determined for the two patients. Both the two operation were carried out smoothly. Conclusion Although the limitations of 3D printing still exist in the application for congenital heart diseases, making the preoperative plan and operation simulation via 3D cardiac model could enhance the understanding of following operation and procedure details, which could improve the tacit cooperation among operation group members. Furthermore, operation results also could be improved potentially. Therefore, the cardiac 3D printing should be popularized in clinic in the future.
Patients with cardiac diseases undergoing non-cardiac surgery have high risk and mortality. Management of these kind of patients is complicated and difficult. Appropriate use of circulation monitoring is good for clinical decision making and prognosis improvement. This article reviews the circulation monitoring technologies for patients with cardiac diseases undergoing non-cardiac surgeries from pressure monitoring, haemodynamics monitoring and cardiac structure and function monitoring. To choose suitable circulation monitor individually according to advantages, disadvantages and interference factors of every technology, the comorbidities and surgical characteristics can provide references for clinical decision making.