Objective To analyze the characteristics of pathogens causing bloodstream infection (BSI) after cardiovascular surgery, and provide instructions for prevention and treatment of such kind of disease. Methods A retrospective investigation of clinical and pathogenic data of the patients suffering from BSI after cardiovascular surgery in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2015 to December 2016 was performed. There were 61 patients with 36 males and 25 females at average age of 48.2±17.1 years. A percentage of 65.6% (40/61) of the underlying diseases was rheumatic heart disease. Results Sixty-five strains were isolated from the blood culture specimens of the 61 patients. Gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria and fungi isolates accounted for 56.9% (37/65), 35.4% (23/65), and 7.7% (5/65), respectively. Among these isolates, Streptococcus spp. was predominant (19/65, 29.2%), followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis (8/65, 12.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (6/65, 9.2%), Acinetobacter calcoaceticus- A. baumannii (5/65, 7.7%) and Escherichia coli (5/65, 7.7%). The resistance rate of Streptococcus spp. to erythromycin and clindamycin was 73.4% (14/19) and 63.2% (12/19), while its resistance to cefepime, vancomycin or linezolid was not observed. Staphylococcus spp. showed the resistance rate of 71.4% (10/14) to oxacillin. All of A. calcoaceticus-A. baumannii isolates were multidrug resistant (5/5, 100.0%), and 80.0% (4/5) of them were resistant to imipenem. The isolates producing extended spectrum beta-lactamase accounted for 80.0% (4/5) of E. coli. Conclusion Streptococcus spp. was the common pathogen causing BSI after cardiovascular surgery. Staphylococcus spp. and gram-negative bacilli show high resistance.
Cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) is associated with thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction. The primary cause of acquired platelet defect is thought to be activation and release of alpha granules during CPB. Before CPB, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was prepared by obtaining the required amount of patient’s whole blood by autologous plateletpheresis. PRP could be reinfused after operation in order to protect the function and quantities of the platelets. On the other hand, PRP could be made into autologous platelet gel (APG). APG contains supraphysiologic amounts of growth factors, and has adequate tensile strength and adhesive ability. Therefore, it can be used for hemostasis in operation, sealing wound and enhancing incision or dehiscent sternal wounds healing.
In recent years，West China Hospital of Sichuan University actively participated in medical assistance and rescue in Wenchuan，Yushu and Lushan earthquakes. However，professional roles of cardiovascular surgeons in medical assistance and rescue in earthquakes remain unclear because of the particularity of cardiovascular surgery, which often affects the assembly of medical assistance and rescue teams. Thus，we need to explore the necessity for cardiovascular surgeons to join medical rescue teams within 72 hours after earthquake. In this article，medical rescue work of cardiovascular surgeons within 72 hours after 2008 “5•12” Wenchuan earthquake and 2013 “4•20” Lushan earthquake is analyzed and compared to identify professional roles of cardiovascular surgeons in medical rescue within 72 hours after earthquake. It is necessary for cardiovascular surgeons to join medical rescue teams within 72 hours after earthquake.
Hybrid cardiovascular surgical procedure is an emerging concept that combines the skills and techniques of minimally invasive surgery and interventional catheterization. It allows surgeons to use interventional equipment and techniques during operations, which are traditionally used by physicians, in order to reduce the magnitude of therapeutic interventions and to increase therapeutic effectiveness. This review provides a snapshot of the main application and progress of current hybrid procedures in the field of cardiovascular surgery, including the hybrid therapy of coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease and thoracic aortic aneurysm, also discusses the precondition with which the hybrid procedure should ideally be performed.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical application of fresh autologous pericardial patch transplantation in cardiovascular surgery. MethodFrom January 2008 to December 2014, we used fresh autologous pericardial patch as a repair material in surgical treatment of congenital heart disease, valvular and vascular malformation. A total of 239 patients were included (130 males, 109 females), with a mean age of 0.40±13.80 years ranging from 0.25-69.00 years, including 180 infants. ResultThe time of intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 3-15 days and the time of ventilator-assisted breathing was 4-100 hours. Postoperative atelectasis and pleural effusion occured in 8 patients and was cured successfully by closed thoracic drainage and anti-infection therapy. Nine patients died within 30 days after surgery, including 3 deaths caused by low cardiac output syndrome and acute renal failure, 5 deaths caused by multiple organ failure, and 1 death caused by malignant arrhythmia. All patients had no infective endocarditis, thrombosis, hemolysis, blood vessel stenosis, or calcification of pericardial patch. The cause of death was associated with the primary lesion, but not with transplanted pericardium. We followed up 198 patients for 3-64 months. During follow-up, echocardiography showed no patch graft vegetation, thrombosis, perforation or calcification. ConclusionThe fresh autologous pericardium is a good material for repairing cardiac defects.
The cardiovascular surgery in China has reached a stable platform, with notable progress been achieved in the past several decades. However, significant divergency regarding the healthcare quality was also observed, which requiring effective intervention to start the transition from the focus on "quantity" to the pursuit of "quality". Quality improvement program, including the establishment of a national cardiovascular surgery database, the conformation of a standard key quality evaluation indicator system, and the conduction of quality intervention and improvement initiatives, are promising to consolidate and expand the advantages of cardiac surgery and lead to better patient outcomes.
The minimally invasive cardiovascular surgery developed rapidly in last decades. In order to promote the development of minimally invasive cardiovascular surgery in China, the Chinese Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular Surgery Committee (CMICS) has gradually standardized the collection and report of the data of Chinese minimally invasive cardiovascular surgery since its establishment. The total operation volume of minimally invasive cardiovascular surgery in China has achieved substantial growth with a remarkable popularization of concepts of minimally invasive medicine in 2019. The data of Chinese minimally invasive cardiovascular surgery in 2019 was reported as a paper for the first time, which may provide reference to cardiovascular surgeons and related professionals.
In 2022, many excellent clinical studies emerged in the field of cardiovascular surgery. Selecting papers published in The New England Journal of Medicine and other top medicine and cardiology journals, this review focused on the research progress on 7 topics in the field of cardiovascular surgery: coronary artery surgery, vascular surgery, valvular surgery, structural heart disease, congenital heart disease, heart transplantation, perioperative management, and special population.
Objective To summarize treatment experience and evaluate clinical outcomes of surgical therapy for Stanford type A aortic dissection （AD）. Methods Clinical data of 48 patients with Stanford type A AD who underwent surgical treatment in General Hospital of Lanzhou Military Region from October 2006 to March 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 41 males and 7 females with their age of 26-72 （47.6±9.2） years. There were 43 patients with acute Stanford type A AD （interval between symptom onset and diagnosis＜14 days） and 5 patients with chronic AD. There were 19 patients with moderate to severe aortic insufficiency and 6 patients with Marfan symdrome but good aortic valve function，who all received Bentall procedure，total arch replacement and stented elephant trunk implantation. There were 8 patients with AD involving the aortic root but good aortic valve function who underwent modified David procedure，total arch replacement and stented elephant trunk implantation. There were 10 patients with AD involving the ascending aorta who received ascending aorta replacement，total arch replacement and stented elephant trunk implantation. There were 5 patients with AD involving partial aortic arch who underwent ascending aorta and hemiarch replacement. Patients were followed up in the 3rd，6th and 12th month after discharge then once every year. Follow-up evaluation included general patient conditions，blood pressure control，chest pain recurrence，mobility and computerized tomography arteriography （CTA）. ResultsCardiopulmonary bypass time was 121-500 （191.4±50.6） minutes，aortic cross-clamp time was 58-212 （112.3±31.7） minutes，and circulatory arrest and selective cerebral perfusion time was 26-56 （34.8±8.7） minutes. Postoperative mechanicalventilation time was 32-250 （76.2±35.6） hours，and ICU stay was 3-20 （7.1±3.4） days. Thoracic drainage within 24 hours postoperatively was 680-1 600 （1 092.5±236.3） ml. Seven patients （14.5%） died perioperatively including 2 patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome，2 patients with low cardiac output syndrome，1 patient with renal failure，1patient with delayed refractory hemorrhage，and 1 patient with coma. Twenty patients had other postoperative complicationsand were cured or improved after treatment. A total of 38 patients ［92.7% （38/41）］ were followed up for 3-48 （13.0±8.9） months，and 3 patients were lost during follow-up. During follow-up，there were 36 patients alive and 2 patients who died of other chronic diseases. There was no AD-related death during follow-up. None of the patients required reoperation for AD or false-lumen expansion. CTA at 6th month after discharge showed no anastomotic leakage，graft distortion or obstruction.Conclusion According to aortic intimal tear locations，ascending aorta diameter and AD involving scopes，appropriate surgical strategies，timing and organ protection are the key strategies to achieve optimal surgical results for Stanford type A AD. Combined axillary and femoral artery perfusion and increased lowest intraoperative temperature are good methods for satisfactory surgical outcomes of Stanford type A AD.
Abstract： Arginine vasopressin （AVP） is closely related to the pathogenesis of a variety of cardiovascular diseases and kidney diseases. Currently it is often used for the treatment of severe peripheral vasodilatory shock， and particularly beneficial for patients with refractory catecholamine-resistant vasodilatory shock. For some patients who do not have adequate AVP level in plasma after cardiovascular surgery， external low-dose AVP infusion is helpful to decrease the heart rate, and the dosage and duration of catecholamine use. Early initiation of low-dose AVP infusion may be beneficial for postoperative patients’ hemodynamic recovery without adverse complications. More randomized control trials are needed to provide evidence for rational usage， dosage and duration of AVP administration.