If one word is used to describe the development of congenital heart disease surgery in China, "hardship" would be the most appropriate. Generations of pioneers have used their ingenuity to overcome obstacles and promoted the development of the discipline. Seventy years of efforts have established the world's largest congenital heart disease treatment system. However, the huge number of potential patients, low early diagnosis rate and over-screening as well as the uneven developed diagnosis and treatment capabilities hinder the future development. The overall improvement of treatment of congenital heart disease in China lies on more efforts from our fellow experts. The publication of the "Chinese expert consensus on surgical treatment of congenital heart diseases" undoubtedly provides theoretical and practical guidance for the improvement of treatment.
Abstract: Objective To study the impact of different kinds of mechanical circulation support devices on plasma free hemoglobin(FHb). Methods From Mar. 2004 to Dec. 2005, 20 patients received mechanical circulation support in Fu Wai Hospital, who were divided into 4 groups according to the different type of supporting devices. 9 got extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment, 8 received BVS5000 left ventricular support, 2 got MEDOS left ventricular support and 1 received AB5000 left ventricular support. Random control group included 9 cardiotomy patients after CPB supporting and 9 patients with offpump coronary artery bypass grafting during the same period. Parameters such as FHb, Tbil, Dbil, Cr and BUN were monitored throughout the supporting term. The results were compared according to the different types of mechanical circulation support devices. Results The elevation of FHb caused by CPB could be decreased to normal within 1d. However, in BVS5000 group, the elevated FHb level decreased to normal till 2 days later. The others mechanical circulation support devices such as ECMO, MEDOS, AB5000 elevated the FHb throughout the whole supporting period. Compared with those in ECMO group, the patients in BVS5000 group had obviously lower level of FHb since the third day after the beginning of supporting. In patients who got ECMO treatment, there was a trend that the elevation degree of FHb was lower in those with support flow rate less than 2.5 L/min. For most patients got devices support, there was also an elevation of Tbil and BUN level during the supporting period. Conclusion Mechanical circulation support devices, such as ECMO, BVS5000, MEDOS and AB5000, can cause red cell destruction in acceptable level. BVS5000 has much smaller impact on cell destruction than others do in postoperative patients.
Abstract: Objective To investigate changes of left ventricularregional systolic function after surgical treatment of left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) by realtime threedimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE). Methods From February 2009 to February 2010, 14 consecutive patients who were diagnosed to have coronary artery diseases with LVA underwent surgical repair and coronary artery bypass grafting (LVA group) in our hospital. All patients of the LVA group were followed up for a mean period of 4 months. Twodimensional echocardiography (2DE) and RT-3DE were performed before operation and during the follow-up. Left ventricular regional ejection fraction (EF) was acquired by Qlab software analysis. At the same time, 12 healthy persons were included as controls (control group). Statistical analyses were carried out to compare left ventricular regional EF between the LVA group (before operation and 4 months after operation) and the control group. Results Contrary to the control group, preoperative regional EF of the LVA group increased from apex to base. In addition to the inferior basal segment, lateralinferior basal segment and anteriorinferior basal segment, regional EF in the remaining 14 segments were significantly lower than that of the control group (P＜0.05). At postoperative followup, regional EF recovered the increase from base to apex, and there was no significant difference between anteriorinferior segment and lateral segment regional EF of the LVA group and those of the control group (P＞0.05), while regional EF of other segments in the LVA group was lower than that in the control group (P＜0.05). Conclusion RT-3DE is an effective method to assess left ventricular regional systolic function in patients with LVA. After LVA repair and coronary artery bypass grafting, regional systolic function will restore to the normal direction of progressive increase, and some nonaneurysm segments systolic function will go back to normal.
Objective To investigate the surgical indications and the mid and long term results of morphologic tricuspid valve replacement for corrected transposition of the great arteries（cTGA）. Methods From September 1997 to September 2007, 18 cases with cTGA were treated in Fu Wai Hospital. There were 15 male and 3 female, aged from 16 to 51 years（33.3±12.8 years）, and weighed from 47 to 90 kg(60.9±14.7 kg). There were 10 cases with isolated morphologic tricuspid valve insufficiency, 3 complicated with ventricular septal defect, 2 complicated with ventricular septal defect and pulmonary valve stenosis, 2 with morphologic tricuspid valve insufficiency after septal defect repair, and 1 with mechanical valve dysfunction after morphologic tricuspid valve replacement. The preoperative mean morphologic right ventricle ejection fraction was 562%±11.6%. Of the 18 cases, 12 were in grade Ⅱ and 6 were in grade Ⅲ according to New York Heart classification（NYHA）.All the cases had undergone morphologic tricuspid valve replacement. Postoperative indices such as cardiac function and morphological right ventricle ejection fraction were followed up. Results One patient died of postoperative low cardiac output syndrome. Two had pervavlvular leak, which were cured by pervavlvular leak repair at 7th and 30th day after operation, respectively. Sixteen were followed up with a followup time of 57.0±407 months. There was no statistical significance between preoperative and postoperative mean morphologic right ventricle ejection fraction（52.8%±9.2% vs.56.2%±11.6%; t=2.062, Pgt;0.05）. The followup showed that 12 were in NYHA grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ, and 4 were in NYHA grade Ⅲ. There was no statistical significance between preoperative and postoperative percentage of cases in NYHA grade Ⅲ（χ2=1.532，Pgt;0.05）. Conclusion Morphologic tricuspid valve replacement can prevent the further damage to morphologic right ventricular function caused by morphologic tricuspid valve insufficiency. The mid and long term results were satisfying. During the followup, the morphologic right ventricle can function appropriately.
Abstract： Objectives To evaluate the early and mid-term follow-up outcomes of “one-stop” hybrid coronary revascularization strategy for patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. Methods From June 2007 to December 2009, 104 consecutive patients underwent “one-stop”hybrid coronary revascularization in Fu Wai Hospital. There were 93 male patients and 11 female patients with mean age of （61.8±10.2）years（ranging from 35 to 81 years）. All the patients had multivessel coronary artery disease including left anterior descending （LAD）coronary artery stenosis, and underwent “one-stop”hybrid coronary revascularization. “One-stop”hybrid procedure was first performed through a lower partial sternotomy at the second left intercostal space. The distal anastomosis of in situ left internal mammary artery （LIMA）to LAD graft was completed. Angiography was performed immediately to confirm patency of the LIMA graft after closure of the thorax. A 300 mg loading dose of clopidogrel was administered through a nasogastric tube after confirmation of LIMA graft patency. Intravenous unfractionated heparin was administered to obtain an activated clotting time of greater than 250 s. Then percutaneous coronary intervention（PCI）was performed on the non-LAD lesions. Results All the patients underwent“one-stop”hybrid coronary revascularization including grafted LIMA to LAD，and one hundred and ninety one drug eluting stents and three bare metal stents were used for other non-LAD lesions. No death event occurred during surgery and in hospital. All the patients were followed up for a mean duration of 1.5 years. There was no myocardial infarction, neurologic event or death occurred during follow-up except one patient with stent stenosis who was treated by PCI. Conclusion “One-stop” hybrid coronary revascularization is a feasible and safe alternative for patients with multivessel coronary artery disease.
Objective To study the development of a physiologic fixation method and investigate the effect of physiologic fixation method on porcine aortic root and aortic valve leaflets. Methods Physiological fixer of aortic root was manufactured in a factory. The fixers with different diameter were made of organic glass. Porcine aortic root with ascending aorta and anterior leaflet of mitral valve and partial ventricular septum were dissected out from the fresh heart. The roots were attached to appropriately sized inflow and outflow spigots. Physiologic fixation was utilized to maintain aortic root and leaflets natural anatomical shape, the aortic root was pressurized to the inflow and outflow portions simultaneously, and the leaflets floated freely at zero-pressure differential with in the pressurized root. Results The process of physiologic fixation retained the properties of a native valve. The leaflets were much softer and extensible than those from valves fixed under low pressure. The results of pulsatile flow testing indicated that the effective orifice areas of predilation at 80mmHg were significantly greater than those of predilation at 40 mmHg（P〈0.05）, while mean pressure differences were found to be lower comparatively（P〈0.05）. This difference translates into a mode of valve function that more closely approximates that of the native aortic valve. Conclusion Physiologic fixation process retains the valve＇s natural anatomical shape as well as the underlying structure of the leaflets, providing improved flow characteristics.
Objective To evaluate the longterm results of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in treating cardiac diseases with heart insufficiency by analyzing the longterm survival rate and heart failure exemption rate of the patients. Methods A total of 239 patients who had coronary heart disease with left heart dysfunction (LVEFlt;40%) were enrolled in our study. Among the patients, there were 215 males and 24 females aged from 32 to 78 years old with an average age of 59.1. Before operation, 193 patients had a past history of myocardial infarction and 31 had angina. According to the New York heart function assessment (NYHA), 26 patients were categorized as class Ⅰ, 106 as class Ⅱ, 73 as class Ⅲ and 34 as class Ⅳ. Coronary angiography showed 10 cases (4.2%) of single vessel disease, 35 cases (14.6%) of double vessel disease and 194 cases (81.2%) of triple vessel disease. The result of preoperative ultrasound cardiogram showed that LVEF was 35.7%±4.6%. All patients received CABG, including 153 (64.0%) onpump surgeries and 86 (35.9%) offpump surgeries. Selective operation was done on 237 patients and there were 2 emergency cases. Valve repair or replacement, ventricular aneurysmectomy or aneurysm plication were not carried out during the operation. Results There were 1 to 6 (3.4±1.1) bypass grafting vessels in each case. Five (2.09%) patients died during the hospital stay, among which 2 died of low cardiac output and circulation failure, 1 died of malignant arrhythmia, 1 died of renal failure, and 1 died of coma with multiorgan failure. The followup period was 512±1.79 years. During the followup, 18 patients (7.7%) were lost and 29 patients died. Among them, there were 24 cardiac deaths and the cardiac death rate at the first year and the fifth year was 2.8% and 9.4% respectively. There were 40 cases of heart failure during the followup period. The exemption rate of heart failure was 93.7% and 81.8% at the first year and the fifth year respectively. The survival rate was 97.2% at the first year and 89.3% at the fifth year. Conclusion The longterm result of CABG in treating patients with ischemic heart insufficiency is satisfying.
Objective To compare the clinical early results of on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting re-operations (re-CABG)and introduce our experience. Methods From April 2000 to June 2006, 21 cases with coronary artery diease of re-CABG were performed in this hospital. 10 patients received off-pump CABG (off-pump group), and 11 underwent CABG re-operations with cardiopulmonary bypass CABG(on-pump group). There were no significant difference regarding gender, age, weight, diabetes, hypertension, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between two groups before operation. On-pump CABG procedures were performed on hypothermia cardiopulmonary bypass. Standard methods were used to finish off-pump CABG. Flow meters were utilized to measure the flow of grafts in both groups. Results No one in off-pump group needed to conver to on-pump CABG. There was no operative or late mortality. The operation time, respiratory support time, the volume of chest tube drainage, blood transfusion and postoperative hospital stay were less in off-pump group than those in on-pump group after operation. Early death occurred in 1 patient in on-pump group. The number of distal anastomosis were more in on-pump group than that in off-pump group. Conclusions Both off-pump CABG and on-pump CABG can be applied to CABG re-operations and achieved similar completeness of revascularization, similar early surgical results.
Abstract： Objective To analyze risk factors for perioperative mortality in the arterial switch operation (ASO), in order to provide better operation and decrease the mortality rate. Methods We enrolled 208 ASO patients including 157 males and 51 females at Fu Wai Hospital between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2007. The age ranged from 6 h to 17 years with the median age of 90 d and the weight ranged from 3 kg to 43 kg with the median weight of 5 kg. Among the patients, 127 had transposition of great artery (TGA) with ventricular septal defect (VSD), and 81 patients had TGA with intact ventricular septum (IVS) or with the diameter of VSD smaller than 5 mm. Coronary anatomy was normal (1LCX2R) in 151 patients and abnormal in the rest including 15 patients with single coronary artery, 6 with intramural and 36 with inverse coronary artery. Preoperative, perioperative and postoperative clinical data of all patients were collected to establish a database which was then analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis to find out the risk factors formortality in ASO. Results There were 24 perioperative deaths (11.54%) in which 12 died of postoperative infection with multiple organ failure (MOF), 10 died of low cardiac output syndrome, 1 died of pulmonary hypertension, and 1 died of cerebral complications. Among them, 20 patients (18.30%) died in early years from 2001 to 2005, while only 4 (4.00%) died in the time period from 2006 to 2007, which was a significant decrease compared with the former period (Plt;0.05). The univariate analysis revealed that cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time was significantly longer in the death group than in the survival group（236±93 min vs. 198±50 min, P=0.002）, and occurrence of major coronary events (33.3% vs. 2.2%, P=0.000) and unusual coronary artery patterns（33.3% vs. 6.5%,P=0.000） were much more in the death group than in the survival group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that early year of [CM(159mm]operation (OR=7.463, P=0.003), unusual coronary artery patterns (OR=6.303,P=0.005) and occurrence of majorcoronary events (OR=17.312, P=0.000) were independent predictors for perioperative mortality. Conclusion The ASO can be performed with low perioperative mortality in our hospital currently. Occurrence of major coronary events, unusual coronary artery patterns and year of surgery before 2006 are independent predictors for perioperative mortality.
Objective To provide a ventricular assist device for patients with heart failure, Fu Wai （FW） axial blood pump was developed for partly or totally to assist the left ventricular function. Vitro hemolysis and animals tests were also employed to test the hydromechanics and hemocompatibility of the FW left ventricular assist devices developed in Fu Wai hospital. Methods Using vitro test loop, FW axial blood pump has been used to evaluate the performance of hemolysis， the pump has also been tested for hemolysis characteristic through five sheep experiments. Results At 8 400 r/min, the pump generates 5 L/min flow against 100 mm Hg, the normalized index of hemolysis (NIH) was0.17±0.06 mg/L. The plasma free hemoglobin of in vivo tests was around 30 mg/dl. Conclusion The results obtained in vitro and in vivo testing indicate an acceptable design for the blood pump, further in vivo tests will be performed before clinical use.