Objective To observe early and intermediate-term clinical outcomes of tricuspid valvuloplasty withannuloplasty ring for the treatment of secondary tricuspid regurgitation （TR） of patients with rheumatic heart disease. MethodsFrom December 2009 to September 2011, 41 patients with rheumatic heart disease underwent left-side heart valve replacementand concomitant tricuspid valvuloplasty with annuloplasty ring in Sichuan Jianyang People’s Hospital. There were 12 males and 29 females with their mean age of 49 （21-67） years. Preoperatively, there were 38 patients with atrial fibrillation, 13 patients with left atrial thrombus; 2 patients with trivial TR, 5 patients with mild TR, 11 patients with moderate TR, and 23 patients with severe TR. Twenty-eight patients received mitral valve replacement and 13 patients received mitral and aortic valve replacement. All the patients were followed up every 3 months at the outpatient department, and received color Doppler echocardiography examination to observe TR degree at the 6th postoperative month. Results Postoperative heart function improved by 2-3 class in all the patients. There were 39 patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) classⅠorⅡ postoperatively, and postoperative heart function was significantly better than preoperative heart function（P＜0.05）. All the patients were followed up for 6-27 months, and there was no death during follow-up. Color Doppler echocardiography at the 6th postoperative month showed that TR degrees were significantly decreased than preoperative TR degrees. There were 39 patients with trivial or mild TR during follow-up, which was significantly different with preoperativeTR degree （P＜0.05）. Right ventricle dimension decreased from preoperative 20 mm to 17 mm during follow-up, which were statistically different （P＜0.05）. Conclusion Early and intermediate-term clinical outcomes of tricuspid valvuloplasty with annuloplasty ring for the treatment of TR are satisfactory, while further evaluation for its long-term outcome is needed.
Objective To summarize surgical techniques，advantages and clinical outcomes of mitral valvuloplasty for anterior mitral leaflet prolapse with looped artificial chordae. Methods Clinical data of 13 patients with anteriormitral leaflet prolapse and severe mitral regurgitation （MR） who underwent mitral valvuloplasty with looped artificial chordaefrom January 2009 to December 2011 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 male and 5 female patients with their age of 21-61 （39.5±12.9） years. There were 10 patients with anterior mitral leaflet chordal rupture and 3 patients with anterior mitral leaflet elongation. Preoperative left ventricular end-diastolic diameter （LVEDD） was 52-65 （58.3±1.7） mm，and left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） was 53%-65% （58.8%±2.8%）. All the patients underwent mitral valvuloplasty. We measured the neighboring normal chordae with a caliper for reference and constructed the artificial chordal loops on the caliper with expended polytetrafluoroethylene（ePTFE） CV4 Gore-Tex suture lines. Three to five loops were made and fixed to the papillary muscle with a Gore-Tex suture line and the free edge of the prolapsedanterior mitral leaflet with another Gore-Tex suture line，with the intervals between the loops of 5 mm. Left ventricular watertesting was performed to evaluate MR status，annuloplasty ring implantation or “edge to edge” technique was used if nece-ssary，and left ventricular water testing was performed again to confirm satisfactory closure of the mitral valve. Patientsreceived re-warming on cardiopulmonary bypass and the heart incision was closed. The effect of mitral annuloplasty was alsoassessed by transesophageal echocardiography （TEE） after heart rebeating. Warfarin anticoagulation was routinely used for 3 months after discharge. Results There was no perioperative death in this group. Twelve patients received satisfactory outcomes after 1-stage mitral valvuloplasty with looped artificial chordae and annuloplasty ring implantation. One patient didn’t receive satisfactory outcomes in the left ventricular water testing after mitral valvuloplasty with looped artificial chordae，but satisfactory outcome was achieve after “edge to edge” technique was used，and annuloplasty ring was not used for this patient. Postoperative echocardiography showed trivial to mild MR in all the patients，their LVEDD was significantly reducedthan preoperative LVEDD （47.5±2.1 mm vs. 58.3±1.7 mm，P＜0.05），and there was no statistical difference between postoperative and preoperative LVEF（58.5%±2.6% vs. 58.8%±2.8%，P＞0.05）. All the patients were followed up for 3-36 （19.5±3.7） months. Echocardiography showed mild MR in 4 patients and none or trivial MR in 9 patients during follow-up.Conclusion Mitral valvuloplasty with looped artificial chordae is an effective surgical technique for the treatment of anterior mitral leaflet prolapse with satisfactory clinical outcomes，and this technique is also easy to perform.
Objective To analyze early and midterm outcomes and summarize clinical experience of mitral valve repair with artificial chordae for degenerative mitral regurgitation （MR）. Methods Clinical data of 78 patients with degenerative MR who underwent mitral valve repair with Gore-Tex artificial chordae from October 2008 to December 2011 in General Hospita1 of Shenyang Military Command were retrospectively analyzed. There were 47 male patients and 31female patients with their age of 52.7±9.6 years，who all had degenerative MR. Operation techniques included simple GoreTex artificial chordae replacement in 15 patients，artificial chordae replacement plus quadrangular resection of the posterior leaflet in 58 patients，artificial chordae replacement plus quadrangular resection of the posterior leaflet and Sliding technique in 5 patients. One to three （2.15±1.05） Gore-Tex artificial chordae were used for each patient，and annuloplasty ring was used for all the patients. Thirty-nine patients underwent concomitant tricuspid valvuloplasty. Intraoperative transesophagealechocardiography showed none obvious MR in 62 patients，trivial MR in 13 patients and mild MR in 3 patients. All thepatients were followed up after discharge. Echocardiography was used to evaluate heart function and MR degree duringfollow-up. Results There was no in-hospital death in this group. Postoperative complications included sinus bradycardiain 5 patients，supraventricular tachycardia in 8 patients，late cardiac tamponade in 1 patient，and permanent pacemakerimplantation in 1 patient. Seventy patients were followed up for 1-2 years with the follow-up rate of 89.74% （70/78）. Duringfollow-up，1 patient died of cerebral embolism 13 months after discharge，and all the other patients remained alive. There were 60 patients with NYHA classⅠand 9 patients with NYHA classⅡ. Echocardiography at 1 year after dischargeshowed that left atrial diameter，left ventricular end-diastolic diameter，left ventricular end-systolic diameter，and pulmonary artery systolic pressure were significantly smaller or lower than preoperative values （P＜0.05），left ventricular ejection fraction （68.00%±7.00% vs. 55.00%±6.00%） and cardiac output were significantly higher than preoperative values（P＜0.05），and MR degree （ratio of regurgitation beam area and left atrial area） was significantly reduced compared with preoperative MR degree （3.45%±5.56% vs. 39.55%±9.86%，P＜0.05）. No artificial chordae rupture was found. There were47 patients without MR and 22 patients with trivial MR during follow-up. Conclusion Gore-Tex artificial chordae replacement is a safe and effective surgical technique for the treatment of degenerative MR.
Abstract： Objective To evaluate the surgical effect of ring annuloplasty using prosthetic vascular graft for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation. Methods From July 2000 to July 2010, ring annuloplasty using prosthetic vascular graft was performed to a total of 56 patients with tricuspid regurgitation in Changhai Hospital of Second Military Medical University. There were 24 male patients and 32 female patients. Their mean age was（45.7±21.8）years (ranging from 14 to 73 years). All the patients were diagnosed as moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation by color Doppler echocardiography examination, including 47 patients with rheumatic heart valve diseases, and 9 patients with congenital heart disease (Ebstein’s anomaly). All the 56 patients underwent ring annuloplasty using prosthetic vascular graft instead of Carpentier annuloplasty ring for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation. Results There was no in-hospital death. Postoperatively, one patient had acute respiratory failure, one patient had acute kidney failure, and one patient had re-exploration for bleeding. All patients had none or mild tricuspid regurgitation by echocardiography examination one month after surgery. Forty eight patients were followed up from 1.0 to 9.5 years with a median follow-up time of 3.8 years. During follow-up, there was no late death, but one patient had brain embolism as an anticoagulation complication. Sixteen patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classⅠ, 26 patients in NYHA classⅡ, and 6 patients in NYHA class Ⅲ. Thirty six patients had no tricuspid regurgitation, 10 patients had mild tricuspid regurgitation, and 2 patients had moderate tricuspid regurgitation by echocardiography examination during follow-up. Conclusion The early and mid-term follow-up results of ring annuloplasty using prosthetic vascular graft instead of Carpentier annuloplasty ring for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation are satisfactory. It is a good choice for the surgical treatment of tricuspid regurgitation.
Abstract： Objective To evaluate the effect of a surgical method for treating mild- to moderate-ischemic mitral regurgitation（IMR） using a self-designed device during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting（OPCAB）. Methods From September 2009 to August 2011, six patients（4 males, 2 females； age was 52-73 years） with mild- to moderate-IMR underwent OPCAB and concomitant mitral valvuloplasty using a self-designed device in Beijing An Zhen Hospital. Their degree of IMR, anteroposterior diameter of mitral annulus, left ventricular long-axis diameter, left ventricular short-axis diameter and left ventricular spherical index（left ventricular short-axis diameter/left ventricular long -axis diameter）were measured using transesophageal Doppler echocardiography before and after mitral valvuloplasty. Their mean aorta pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure and central venous pressure were also measured via Swan-Ganz catheter before and after mitral valvuloplasty. Perioperative cardiac function indexes were compared. Results There was no in-hospital death. IMR of all patients disappeared postoperatively. After mitral valvuloplasty their anteroposterior diameter of mitral annulus（3.43±0.08 cm vs.3.68±0.08 cm；t=5.430, P=0.001）, left ventricular short-axis diameter（4.80±0.21 cm vs.5.53±0.11 cm；t=7.530, P=0.001）and left ventricular spherical index（0.64±0.02 vs.0.74±0.01；t=11.110, P=0.002）significantly decreased than those before mitral valvuloplasty . But their left ventricular long-axis diameter and hemodynamic indexes did not change significantly after mitral valvuloplasty. All the six patients were followed up at the out-patient department 3 months postoperatively without autonomous symptoms. Their heart function improved to I class（New York Heart Association）. Echocardiography showed 4 patients without IMR and 2 patients with trace of minimalIMR. Conclusion Off-pump surgical therapy for mild- to moderate- IMR during OPCAB can help the patients reverseremodeling of the left ventricle, avoid the risks of cardiopulmonary bypass and improve cardiac function with good short-term effects. This method may be a good choice for treating patients with IMR.
Abstract: Objective To explore whether clinically mild functional tricuspid regurgitation should be addressed at the time of mitral valve repair (MVP) for moderate or severe mitral regurgitation due to myxomatous degeneration. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 135 patients with moderate or severemitral regurgitation due to myxomatous degeneration with mild functional tricuspid regurgitation. All patients were treated between January 1993 and March 2008 in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery of Changhai Hospital, the Second Military Medical University. We divided the patients into a MVP group (n=76) and a MVP+tricuspid valvuloplasty (TVP) group(n=59) according to whether they underwent combined TVP, and observed the perioperative mortality rate, degree of tricuspid regurgitation, and compared survival rate, and freedom from longterm moderate or severe tricuspid regurgitation after operation. Cox regression was used to analyzethe risk factors for longterm moderate or severe tricuspid regurgitation after operations. Results (1) There were no deaths during the perioperative period, and postoperative transthoracic echocardiography of all patients indicated that tricuspid regurgitation was mild or less. (2) Survival rate at 5 years, 10 years after operations in MVP group was 98.4%, 95.0%, respectively, and survival rate at 5 years, 10 years after operations in MVP+TVP group was 100.0%, 93.7%, respectively, and there was no significant difference in the survival rate after operations between the two groups(P=0.311), butthere was a significant difference in the freedom from longterm moderate or severe tricuspid regurgitation after operations between the two groups (P=0.040). Multivariate Cox regression showed that preoperative pulmonary artery pressure gt;30 mm Hg (95%CI 1.127 to 137.487, P=0.040 )and atrial fibrillation (95%CI 1.177 to 23.378, P=0.030) wereindependent risk factors for longterm moderate or severe tricuspid regurgitation afteroperations.Conclusion TVP is necessary for most patients undergoing MVP for moderate or severe mitral regurgitation due to myxomatous degeneration who have coexistent mild functional tricuspid regurgitation, especially those patients with preoperative pulmonary artery pressure gt;30 mm Hg or atrial fibrillation.
Abstract： Ebstein anomaly is a relatively rare congenital heart malformation which can affect heart function significantly. It may cause right heart failure, even whole heart failure and eventually death. In recent years, the surgery has made much progress in dealing with the abnormal valve, improving the right ventricle function and pretreatment of its related complications. However, because of its complexity and diversity in pathological anatomy and clinical manifestations, the disease has not got an “almighty standard” to treat all pathological anatomy types of the deformity, or asurgery strategy to solve the practical problems encountered in all clinic situations. Furthermore, the therapeutic effect is also unsatisfactory. This article will review the advance of treatment of Ebstein anomaly and prevention of its related complications.
Abstract： Objective To summarize the experiences and analyze the efficacy of mitral valvuloplasty in treating anterior leaflet prolapse. Methods A total of 152 consecutive nonrheumatic heart disease patients including 96 males and 56 females with anterior leaflet prolapse who underwent mitral valvuloplasty from February 1997 to March 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. The age of these patients ranged from 10 to 73 years old (38.54±17.22 years). There were 119 cases of mitral degenerative prolapse or chordae rupture, 24 of ongenital heart disease, 3 of ischemic mitral insufficiency, and 6 of native valve endocarditis. Echocardiography before operation showed the degree of mitral regurgitation was severe in 19, moderate to severe in 63, and moderate in 70 patients. Among the patients, 87 had anterior prolapse and 65 had bilateral prolapse. All patients underwent mitral valve repair under standard cardiopulmonary bypass. Results During the operation, transesophageal echocardiography and saline injection test showed satisfying results in all the patients. No early death occurred after operation. Followup was done to 135 patients for 3 months to 8.5 years with a followup rate of 88.82%. During the follow up, 93 patients were in New Yoke Heart Association（NYHA）class Ⅰ, 35 in Class Ⅱ, 3 in class Ⅲ and 4 in class Ⅳ. The Echocardiography showed that postoperative left atrium diameter (41.09±10.40 mm vs. 45.32±10.07 mm, t=4.186, P=0.000) and left ventricular enddiastolic dimension (52.04±7.74 mm vs. 60.70±7.72 mm,t=9.676, P=0.000) were significantly smaller than that before operation. No or trace mitral regurgitation (MR) was found in 36 patients, mild MR in 45 patients, mild to moderate MR in 38 patients, moderate MR in 9 patients, and moderate to severe MR in 7 patients. Mitral valve replacement was performed in 5 patients after valvuloplasty. Three died during the follow-up. Two of them died of heart failure and one of unknown cause. Conclusion In spite of the complexity, the longterm results of mitral valve repair for anterior leaflet prolapse are satisfactory if the best surgery method is chosen.
Abstract: Objective To summarize the immediate effects and the near and midterm followup results of transthoracic balloon valvuloplasty for newborns and infants with severe and critical pulmonary valve stenosis to find out an effective plan for onestop balloon valvuloplasty. Methods From March 2006 to March 2010, 32 patients including 23 males and 9 females with severe and critical pulmonary valve stenosis were treated in Fu Wai Hospital. Their age ranged from 5 days to 11 months (4.59±3.21 months). Weight of the patients ranged from 2.3 to 10.5 kg (6.48±2.05 kg). Dilatation was performed under general anesthesia with intubation and the guidance of echocardiography. During the follow-up period, all survivors had serial echocardiographic assessment to measure the transpulmonary pressure gradient (TPG) and the degree of pulmonary regurgitation. Results All operations were successful with no severe postoperative complications. Hemodynamic indexes were stable after operation with TPG lowered from from 82±27 mm Hg preoperatively to 23±12 mm Hg postoperatively (t=15.28, Plt;0.05). Only 4 patients had a TPG of more than 40 mm Hg on echocardiography before leaving the hospital. Tricuspid regurgitation was decreased significantly with 17 cases of nonregurgitation, 13 cases of light regurgitation and 2 cases of moderate regurgitation. Saturation of peripheral oxygen in all the patients increased to higher than 95%. Followup time ranged from 1 month to 4 years (16±11 months). The results of the follow-up were satisfying for all the patients. The average TPG was 17±10 mm Hg with only one above 40 mm Hg. Pulmonary valve regurgitation was found in 24 patients including 23 with light pulmonary regurgitation and 1 with moderate regurgitation. Conclusion Transthoracic balloon valvuloplasty for newborns and infants with severe and critical pulmonary valve stenosis is safe and effective.
Objective To summarize the clinical experiences of using selfpericardial patch heightening to treat aortic valve prolapse. Methods From May 2000 to July 2007, seventeen patients with aortic valve prolapse were treated by selfpericardial patch heightening. Fifteen cases had right coronary cusp prolapse, one had left coronary cusp prolapse, and one had no coronary cusp proplapse. There were 10 cases with moderate aortic regurgitation and 7 with severe regurgitation. Autologous pericardium was continuously sutured on the proplapsed cusp by 5-0 or 6-0 Prolene suture. The transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) showed that there was few or mild aortic regurgitation during operation. Preoperative and postoperative echocardiography results were compared. Results The comparison between preoperative and postoperative echocardiography results showed that postoperative left ventricular enddiastolic diameter reduced obviously(38.3±9.6 mm vs. 47.2±10.3 mm，P=0.013)；postoperative aortic valve systolic pressure difference reduced（9.8±5.6 mm Hg vs. 10.3±5.3 mm Hg，P=0.792）; postoperative aortic valve diastolic pressure difference reduced obviously(45.7±13.6 mm Hg vs. 78.4±19.9 mm Hg，P= 0.000). Echocardiographic examination before discharge showed that 4 cases had no obvious aortic regurgitation, 9 had mild aortic regurgitation and 4 had moderate aortic regurgitation. The average followup time was 32 months(4.74 months). One case underwent aortic valve replacement because of severe aortic regurgitation 4 months later after the operation, and the rest needed no second operation. Conclusion Using selfpericardial patch heightening to treat aortic valve prolapse is a simple operative method, and it is good for young patients or small aortic annulus.