ObjectiveTo study the clinical results of Mini Maze procedure in atrial fibrillation patients with impaired left ventricular systolic function.MethodsFrom June 2010 to December 2017, 86 atrial fibrillation patients with impaired left ventricular systolic function received Mini Maze procedure including 54 males and 32 females, with an average age of 60.7±5.9 years. Among them, 12 were with paroxysmal, 27 were with persistent and 47 were with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. The mean atrial fibrillation duration was 6.5±4.8 years. CHA2DS2-VASc score was 2.2±1.1. The mean diameter of left atrium was 46.9±3.8 mm. The mean diameter of left ventricle was 51.7±4.6 mm. The preoperative ejection fraction was 42.2%±4.7%. All patients received Mini Maze procedure after general anesthesia. The ablation included 3 annular ablations and 3 linear ablations. The left atrial appendage was excised by Endo-Gia. Ablation of Marshall ligament and epicardial autonomic ganglions were made by an ablation pen.ResultsEighty-six patients successfully completed the procedure without transition to thoracotomy. There was no death during the perioperative period. Seventy-seven patients (89.5%) maintained sinus rhythm at discharge. Eighty patients were followed up for 27.2±12.1 months and 72 patients maintained sinus rhythm. The overall postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was 47.1%±6.2%. The ejection fraction of the postoperative sinus rhythm group was 48.2%±5.8%, and the ejection fraction of the non-sinus group was 41.6%±5.8% (P<0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed a left atrial diameter (HR=1.485, 95%CI 1.157-1.906, P<0.05) and an increase in ejection fraction over 10% (HR=18.800, 95%CI 1.674-189.289, P<0.05) were closely related to postoperative recurrence. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that the recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation was significantly lower in patients with an increase in postoperative ejection fraction over 10% (P<0.05).ConclusionMini Maze procedure is safe and effective in the treatment of atrial fibrillation patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction, which helps to improve left ventricular function to prevent the vicious circle of atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
We have tried to explore the energy loss (EL) within the left ventricle in hypertension by using vector flow mapping (VFM) to detect left ventricular hemodynamic changes in hypertensive patients as early as possible and reflect changes of left ventricular function in hypertension by using EL. Twenty-one hypertensive patients with increased left ventricle mass index (LVMI), 14 hypertensive patients with normal LVMI and 22 control subjects were enrolled in this study. Systolic and diastolic EL derived from VFM within the left ventricle and E/e' by dual Doppler were recorded and analyzed. Compared with those of the controls, diastolic and systolic EL were significantly increased in hypertensive group (P<0.05). In diastole, EL=0.439×SBP (systolic blood pressure)–8.349; in systole, EL=0.385×SBP+0.644×LVMI–10.854. And the EL was positively correlated with E/e', but there was no significant correlation between EL and ejection fraction (EF) in the pooled population. The study shows that the increased EL can help us detect changes of left ventricular hemodynamic in hypertensive patients. It needs further investigation to prove whether EL within the left ventricle could be a new parameter to evaluate diastolic function. SBP and LVMI are the independent predictors for systolic EL, while SBP is the independent predictor for diastolic EL.
Objective We probed how to predict left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of the ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) patients would be improved apparently after revascularization. Methods Between July 2010 and December 2015, 245 ICM patients (30%≤LVEF≤40%) with coronary bypass grafting (CABG) were retrospectively observed. Among them, 146 patients were accompanied by ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) (146/245, 59.6%), and 41 patients underwent mitral valvuloplasty or replacement because of more than moderate IMR. There were 13 patients early death, and other 232 patients who were followed up over 6 months were divided into two groups based on whether or not post-operative LVEF increased by 10%: a LVEF recovered group (group A, 124 patients) and a non-recovered group (group B, 108 patients). Results Preoperative NT-proBNP in the group A was significantly higher than that in the group B (P=0.036). There were less patients with myocardial infarction in the group A than that in the group B (P=0.047), and more with angina pectoris in the group A than that in the group B (P=0.024). There was no significant difference in the extent of mitral regurgitation or mitral surgery between the groups A and B (P>0.05). There were lower left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) in the group A than those in the group B (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that preoperative LVEDD dilated apparently and no angina pectoris existed before surgery were independent risk factors for LVEF with no recovery in the ICM patients (30%≤LVEF≤40%) after revascularization. The LVEDD of 245 patients (including 13 early deaths) was 41-71 mm. We found that the ICM patients with LVEDD ≥60 mm were more likely to signify the unfavourable prognosis (χ2=8.63, P=0.003, OR=2.21, 95% confidence interval 1.25 to 3.91). Conclusion Preoperative LVEDD dilated and no angina pectoris before surgery are independent risk factors for LVEF with no recovery in the ICM patients (30%≤LVEF≤40%) after revascularization. LVEDD≥60 mm can be regarded as the preoperative forecasting factors for the unfavourable prognosis in the ICM patients (30%≤LVEF≤40%) after revascularization.
ObjectiveTo explore the risk factors for 24-hour death in acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) patients with conservative treatment.MethodsFrom January 2009 to January 2018, 243 ATAAD patients who received non-surgical intervention were admitted in Beijing Anzhen Hospital, including 167 males and 76 females with an average age of 53.0±12.0 years. The risk factors for 24-hour mortality were analyzed.ResultsThe total in-hospital mortality rate was 37.9% (93/243), and 13.6% (33/243) patients died within 24 hours of onset. We found that left ventricular end diastolic diameter [LVEDD, OR=0.45, 95%CI (0.25, 0.83), P<0.01] and aortic regurgitation [OR=7.26, 95%CI (1.67, 31.53), P<0.01] were independent risk factors for 24-hour death in patients with ATAAD.ConclusionIn this study, LVEDD and aortic regurgitation are identified as independent risk factors for 24-hour mortality in ATAAD patients. Therefore, patients with aortic regurgitation and small LVEDD should be treated with sugery as soon as possible.
Objective To investigate the feasibility of a long-term left ventricular assist device placed in the aortic valve annulus for terminal cardiopathy. Methods An implantable aortic valve pump （23ram outer diameter, weighing 31g） was developed. There were a central rotor and a stator in the device. The rotor was consisted of driven magnets and an impeller, the stator was consisted of a motor coil with an iron core and outflow guide vanes. The device was implanted identical to an aortic valve replacement, occupying no additional anatomic space. The blood was delivered directly from left ventricle to the aortic root by aortic valve pump like natural ventricle, neither connecting conduits nor ＂bypass＂ circuits were necessary, therefore physiologic disturbances of natural circulation was less. Results Aortic valve pump was designed to cycle between a peak flow and zero net flow to approximate systole and diastole. Bench testing indicated that a blood flow of 7L/min with 50 mmHg（1kPa = 7.5mmHg） pressure could be produced by aortic valve pump at 15 000r/min. A diastole aortic pressure of 80mmHg could be maintained by aortic valve pump at 0L/min and the same rotating speed. Conclusions This paper exhibits the possibility that an aortic valve pump with sufficient hemodynamic capacity could be made in 23mm outer diameter, 31g and it could be implantable. This achievement is a great progress to extend the applications of aortic valve pump in clinic and finally in replacing the natural donor heart for heart transplantation. Meanwhile, this is only a little step, because many important problems, such as blood compatibility and durability, require further investigation.
Implantable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has become an essential treatment for end-stage heart failure, and its effect has been continuously improved. In the world, magnetic levitation LVAD has become mainstream and is increasingly used as a destination treatment. China has also entered the era of ventricular assist device. The continuous improvement of the ventricular assist device will further improve the treatment effect. This article reviews the current situation and development trend of LVAD treatment in China and abroad.
ObjectiveTo compare the superiority of total arterial revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) complicated with left ventricular dysfunction. MethodsThis retrospective study included the patients who were diagnosed with CAD and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≤40% and underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at our hospital from January 2016 to July 2019. The patients were divided into two groups according to the different types of bypass vessels: a total arterial revascularization group (TAR group) and a conventional group (a CON group). The clinical data were compared between the two groups to explore the incidence of important complications and evaluate the safety of total arterial revascularization and its protective effect on cardiac function. Results Finally 75 patients were enrolled including 52 males and 23 females with a mean age of (61.58±7.93) years. There were 35 patients in the TAR group and 40 patients in the CON group. The operation time and the drainage volume at 24 hours after operation in the TAR group were longer or more than those in the CON group (P<0.001), but there was no statistical difference in hospital stay, postoperative complications (such as respiratory failure, mediastinal infection, renal failure), intra-aortic balloon pump or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use rate (P>0.05). After 2 years of follow-up, compared with the CON group, the cardiac function of the TAR group was significantly improved, the LVEF was higher, the left ventricular end diastolic diameter was reduced, and the graft stenosis rate was lower (all P<0.05). Conclusion Total arterial revascularization is a safe and feasible surgical method, which is helpful to improve the cardiac function and improve the quality of life.
The rotary left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has been an effective option for end-stage heart failure. However, while clinically using the LVAD, patients are often at significant risk for ventricular collapse, called suction, mainly due to higher LVAD speeds required for adequate cardiac output. Some proposed suction detection algorithms required the external implantation of sensors, which were not reliable in long-term use due to baseline drift and short lifespan. Therefore, this study presents a new suction detection system only using the LVAD intrinsic blood pump parameter (pump speed) without using any external sensor. Three feature indices are derived from the pump speed and considered as the inputs to four different classifiers to classify the pumping states as no suction or suction. The in-silico results using a combined human circulatory system and LVAD model show that the proposed method can detect ventricular suction effectively, demonstrating that it has high classification accuracy, stability, and robustness. The proposed suction detection system could be an important part in the LVAD for detecting and avoiding suction, while at the same time making the LVAD meet the cardiac output demand for the patients. It could also provide theoretical basis and technology support for designing and optimizing the control system of the LVAD.
Objective To investigate surgical outcomes and prognostic factors for patients with coronary heart disease and low left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF≤40%） undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting （OPCAB）. Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical records of 63 discharged patients with coronary heart disease and low LVEF who underwent OPCAB in Peking University People’s Hospital from 2001 to 2004 year. There were 48 males and 15 females with mean age of 65.1±9.2 years and mean LVEF of 33.8%±5.0%. Regular follow-up evaluation was completed. We investigated risk factors for long-term survival of the patients by Kapalan-Meier survival curve, log-rank test and Cox regression model.?Results?Follow-up time was 3-107 （71.3±24.4） months, and six patients were lost during the follow-up. Nineteen patients （30.2%） died during follow-up including 10 patients （15.9%） who had cardiac-related death. The survival rate at 1, 3, 5 and 8 year was 96.7% （61）, 94.9% （60）, 85.9% （55）, 77.2% （53） respectively. Univariate analysis shows LVEF≤30% and acute myocardial infarction within 30 days are risk factors for long-term survival（P＜0.05）. Cox regression analysis showed that LVEF≤30%（RR=4.662, P＜0.05）and acute myocardial infarction within 30 days（RR=5.544, P＜0.05）were two independent risk factors for cardiac-related death after discharge. Conclusion Patients with coronary heart disease and low LVEF can have satisfactory surgical outcomes after OPCAB. LVEF≤30% and acute myocardial infarction within 30 days are the two independent risk factors for cardiac-related death after discharge.
Objective To identify the relationship between preoperative left ventricular dysfunction and perioperative risk factors in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods The clinical data of 192 patients who underwent CABG from November 2015 to October 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into three groups by preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in echocardiography: a serious left ventricular dysfunction group (LVEF≤35%, 23 patients, 15 males and 8 females at age of 63.91±5.36 years), a moderate left ventricular dysfunction group (35%<LVEF<50%, 24 patients, 20 males and 4 females at age of 66.29±6.03 years) and a normal left ventricular function group (LVEF≥50%, 145 patients, 86 males and 59 females at age of 66.60±6.41 years). Results The overall mortality was 4.16% (8/192), 17.39% (4/23) in patients with LVEF≤35% and 2.76% (4/145) in those with LVEF≥50%. Preoperative LVEF≤35%, hypoxia, assisted circulation, acute kidney injury (AKI) and postoperative continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) were risk factors of perioperative mortality in coronary artery surgery. LVEF≤35% and CRRT were independent preditors of mortality. There were significant differences in mortality and postoperative complications between the serious left ventricular dysfunction group and other two groups. Conclusion Postoperative mortality and complications are obviously serious in the patients with LVEF≤35%. We should pay more attention to preoperative risk factors. Postoperative individual manipulation, intra-aortic balloon pump and CRRT can enhance survival of those patients.