In 2022, there were 367.7 thousands new cases and 316.5 thousands deaths of primary liver cancer in China. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is one of the radical treatments for liver cancer. It has the characteristics of definite curative effect, minimal invasion and low cost. In patients with early liver cancer, the curative effect is similar to surgical resection. The concept and practice of precision surgery provide new ideas for improving the efficacy of RFA. Based on the RFA treatment experience of more than ten thousand cases, the author’s team has carried out research on the precise ablation treatment of primary liver cancer. Now, the author will combine the existing literature and our team’s experience to discuss the application and prospect of the precise surgery concept in RFA treatment.
ObjectiveTo investigate influence of left atrial contraction on lone atrial fibrillation recurrence after minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation. MethodsClinical data of 57 patients with lone atrial fibrillation underwent minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation in Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University from September 2010 to December 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the absence of mitral A velocity, patients were divided into Group A (absence of mitral A velocity, 20 patients with their age of 56.32±17.18 years, including 5 females) and Group B (mitral A velocity exists, 37 patients with their age of 60.33±11.22 years, including 17 females). Minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation via thoracoscope were performed in all patients. Preoperative and postoperative left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and mitral A velocity, as well as clinical and follow-up data were recorded and compared. ResultsPreoperative clinical characters were not statistically different between two groups (P > 0.05). All the patients were followed up for 24.3±8.8 months (range, 12-26 months). Rate of postoperative atrial fibrillation recurrence in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (20.0% vs. 2.7%, P < 0.05). LAD and LVEF of 57 patients at 6 months after surgery were significantly higher than preoperative LAD and LVEF (P < 0.05), but there was no statistic difference between two groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionDamage of left atrial contraction was related to lone atrial fibrillation recurrence after minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation. Absence of mitral A velocity could be a crucial predictor of postoperative lone atrial fibrillation recurrence.
Objective To compare the effect of monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation and concomitant rheumatic heart disease. Methods The clinical data of 261 patients who underwent valve replacement and radiofrequency Maze Ⅲ procedure in Shanghai First People's Hospital from 2010 to 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the radiofrequency ablation system, patients were assigned to a monopolar radiofrequency ablation group (n=209, 129 males, 80 females, aged 59.6±9.7 years) and a bipolar radiofrequency ablation group (n=52, 36 males, 16 females, aged 58.6±11.2 years). After procedures, clinical factors such as patients' basic information, perioperative complication and mortality, the elimination rate of atrial fibrillation were measured. Results There was no statistic difference in perioperative morbidity and mortality between two groups. The ablation time of the monopolar radiofrequency ablation group was longer than that of the bipolar group (29.7±3.3 minvs. 22.3±7.8 min,P=0.035). Postoperative diameter of left atrium was reduced in both groups. Compared with the monopolar radiofrequency ablation group, bipolar group had a better elimination rate of atrial fibrillation at three months and one year follow-up (82.0%vs. 66.3%,P=0.037; 80.0%vs. 59.6%,P=0.008). Conclusion Valve replacement combined with radiofrequency Maze Ⅲ procedure is safe and efficient. Compared with monopolar radiofrequency ablation, bipolar radiofrequency ablation has advantage on elimination rate of atrial fibrillation, ablation time and cardiopulmonary bypass time.
ObjectiveTo analyze the long-term efficacy and its influencing factors in the treatment of the permanent atrial fibrillation(AF) using monopolar radiofrequency ablation during concomitant cardiac valve replacement surgery with rheumatic heart disease. MethodsClinical data of the 116 patients with rheumatic heart disease and permanent AF who underwent modified maze procedure using monopolar radiofrequency ablation and concomitant cardiac valve replacement in the affiliated hospital of Qingdao university from October 2004 to December 2010 were collected and retrospectively analyzed, including 43 males and 73 females with their age of 50.5±7.5 years. Electrocardiogram (ECG) with 12-lead and echocardiography data, as well as the related complications, cardiac function and life quality were collected at the time of the immediately after the operation, discharge from hospital, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year postoperatively and every year after the operation. Patients were divided into eliminating group of AF (including sinus rhythm and nodal rhythm) and AF group according to the results of the ECG at the time of the ending follow-up. In the eliminating group of AF, there were 52 patients (16 males, 36 females) with their age of 48.4±7.3 years, and in the AF group, there were 50 patients (22 males, 28 females) with their age of 51.9±7.1 years. Analyzed the difference of the related factors between the two groups using statistical methods and tried to find the factors affecting the long-term clinical efficacy of the operation. ResultsThree patients died in hospital (one died of the hemolysis, acute renal insufficiency and hyperkalemia. One died of the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome caused by the acute renal insufficiency. And the other one died of the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome caused by the repetitive ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation on the day of the automatic discharge). Three patients died during the follow-up (one died after the reoperation because of the perivalvular leakage in other hospital, and the causes of death in the two others could not be catched). One patient occurred cerebral embolism, and the other one occurred cerebral hemorrhage in the af group during the follow-up. There was statistical significance between two group at the aspects of age, preoperative AF duration, preoperative left atrium diameter, time of the cardiopulmonary bypass and time of the cross-clamp ascending aorta. In multivariate analysis, age and preoperative left atrium diameter are risk factors affecting the long-term efficacy. ConclusionThe treatment of the permanent atrial fibrillation using monopolar radiofrequency ablation concomitant cardiac valve replacement with rheumatic heart disease is effective and has good long-term efficacy. The factors of affecting the long-term clinical efficacy are the patient's age and the diameter of left atrium.
ObjectiveTo assess the effect of a novel modified epicardial radiofrequency (RF) ablation for preoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) combined with aortic valve disease. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 28 patients with AF and aortic valve disease underwent the novel modified epicardial RF ablation combined with aortic valve replacement (AVR) in our hospital between December 2009 and December 2014. There were 18 males and 10 females at age of 53-73 (64.9±4.8) years. The patients were performed epicardial atrial fibrillation RF ablation plus aortic valve replacement. ResultsThe modified epicardial RF ablation and AVR were performed successfully in all the patients. The maintenance of sinus rhythm was 96.4% (27/28) at discharge. There were no early death and permanent pacemaker implantation in perioperation. At a mean following-up of 29.2±17.7 months, 26 of 28 (92.9%) patients were in sinus rhythm. Following-up transthoracic echocardiography(TTE) at 6 months postoperatively showed that left atrial diameter was significantly reduced and left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly increased. ConclusionThe novel modified epicardial RF ablation procedure is safe, feasible, and effective. It may be useful in selecting the best ablation approaches for patients with AF and aortic valve disease.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical presentations and radiological characteristics of pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency ablation. MethodsClinical and radiological data of 2 patients with pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation were retrospectively analyzed and literatures were reviewed. ResultsBoth patients had undergone circumferential pulmonary vein isolation. The symptoms appeared approximately 2 months after the operation. The major symptoms were cough, hemoptysis, exacerbation of dyspnea and chest pain. Both patients were misdiagnosed as other diseases such as pneumonia in other hospitals, and the anti-infection therapy was invalid. Both CT scans showed parenchymal exudative consolidation with varying degrees of interstitial septal thickening and small nodules. Both patients were confirmed as pulmonary vein stenosis by CT angiography. Literature review identified 21 cases of pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation. The main clinical features are hemoptysis, chest pain, shortness of breath and cough. The most common features of thoracic radiological imaging are consolidation, groud-glass attenuation, pleural effusion and interstitial septal thickening. ConclusionsIf a patient presents with hemoptysis, dyspnea, chest pain or other clinical manifestations after ablation therapy and image findings show parenchymal exudative consolidation with interstitial septal thickening and multiple small nodules, the possibility of pulmonary vein stenosis should be considered. Contrast-enhanced CT combined with pulmonary vein imaging technology can clearly show the opening diameter of each pulmonary vein and its branches, so it is an important non-invasive examination method for the evaluation and diagnosis of pulmonary vein stenosis.
Based on the experience of more than 10 000 times of radiofrequency ablation treatment and the clinical and basic research results of radiofrequency ablation treatment of liver cancer obtained during the period, the author shares the experience of radiofrequency ablation indication selection, preoperative preparation, concept of radiofrequency ablation and postoperative follow-up of liver cancer. The purpose is to explore how to improve the curative effect of RFA treatment for small liver cancer, and reduce local residue, recurrence, as well as relevant complications.