Objective To explore the application value of artificial intelligence (AI) pulmonary artery assisted diagnosis software for suspected pulmonary embolism patients. Methods The data of 199 patients who were clinically suspected of pulmonary embolism and underwent pulmonary artery CT angiography (CTA) from June 2016 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Images of pulmonary artery CTA diagnosed by radiologists with different experiences and judged by senior radiologists were compared with the analysis results of AI assisted diagnostic software for pulmonary artery CTA, to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of this software and low, medium, and senior radiologists for pulmonary embolism. The agreement of pulmonary embolism based on pulmonary artery CTA between the AI software and radiologists with different experiences was evaluated using Kappa test. Results The agreement of the AI software and the evaluation of pulmonary embolism lesions by senior radiologists based on pulmonary artery CTA was high (Kappa=0.913, P<0.001), while the diagnostic results of pulmonary artery CTA AI software was good after judged by senior radiologists based on pulmonary artery CTA (Kappa=0.755, P<0.001). Conclusions The AI software based on pulmonary artery CTA diagnosis of pulmonary embolism has good consistency with diagnostic images of radilogists, and can save a lot of reconstruction and diagnostic time. It has the value of daily diagnosis work and worthy of clinical promotion.
ObjectiveTo explore the predictive value of systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) on autonomic nerve excitation in patients with valvular disease, so as to provide reference for the formulation of clinical intervention plans. Methods The clinical data of patients with valvular disease who received surgical treatment in the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from August 28, 2020 to February 3, 2021 were prospectively collected. According to the standard deviation of normal-to-normal R-R intervals (SDNN) of the heart rate variability (HRV) of the long-range dynamic electrocardiogram (ECG) 7 days before the operation, the patients were divided into three groups: a sympathetic dominant (SE) group (SDNN≤50 ms), a balance group (50 ms<SDNN<100 ms) and a parasympathetic dominant (PSE) group (SDNN≥100 ms). The correlation between the changes of echocardiographic indexes and autonomic nerve excitation among the groups and the predictive values were analyzed. Results A total of 186 patients were enrolled, including 108 males and 78 females aged 55.92±11.99 years. There were 26 patients in the SE group, 104 patients in the balance group, and 56 patients in the PSE group. The left anteroposterior diameter (LAD), left ventricular end diastolic inner diameter, ratio of peak E to peak A of mitral valve (Em/Am), left ventricular end diastolic volume, left ventricular end systolic volume and SPAP in the SE group were higher than those in the balance group (P<0.05), while peak A of tricuspid valve (At) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were lower than those in the balance group (P<0.05). The LAD and Em/Am in the balance group were significantly higher than those in the PSE group (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that patients in the SE group had lower At (right atrial systolic function declines), lower LVEF and higher SPAP than those in the balance group (P=0.04, 0.04 and 0.00). When HRV increased and parasympathetic nerve was excited in patients with valvular disease, Em/Am decreased (left atrial function and/or left ventricular diastolic function declined) with a normal LAD. Pearson analysis showed that there was a linear negative correlation between SPAP and SDNN, with a coefficient of −0.348, indicating that the higher SPAP, the lower HRV and the more excited sympathetic nerve. Receiver operating characteristic curve showed that when SPAP≥45.50 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa), the sensitivity and specificity of sympathetic excitation in patients with valvular disease were 84.60% and 63.70%, respectively. ConclusionParasympathetic excitation is an early manifestation of the disease, often accompanied by decreased left atrial function and/or left ventricular diastolic function. Sympathetic nerve excitation can be accompanied by the increase of SPAP and the decrease of left ventricular and right atrial systolic function. SPAP has a unique predictive value for the prediction of autonomic nerve excitation in patients with valvular disease.
Objective To confirm the changes of pulmonary artery pressure, neo pulmonary artery stenosis and reoperation in children with unilateral absence of pulmonary artery (UAPA) undergoing pulmonary artery reconstruction. Methods The clinical data of the infants with UAPA undergoing pulmonary artery reconstruction in our hospital from February 19, 2019 to April 15, 2021 were analyzed. Changes in pulmonary artery pressure, neo pulmonary artery stenosis and reoperation were followed up. Results Finally 5 patients were collected, including 4 males and 1 female. The operation age ranged from 13 days to 2.7 years. Cardiac contrast-enhanced CT scans were performed in all children, and 2 patients underwent pulmonary vein wedge angiography to confirm the diagnosis and preoperative evaluation. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography and intraoperative direct pulmonary arterial pressure measurement indicated that all 5 children had pulmonary hypertension, with a mean pulmonary arterial pressure of 31.3±16.0 mm Hg. Pulmonary arterial pressure decreased immediately after pulmonary artery reconstruction to 16.8±4.2 mm Hg. The mean follow-up time was 18.9±4.7 months. All 5 patients survived during the follow-up period, and 1 patient had neo pulmonary artery stenosis or even occlusion and was re-operated. Conclusion Pulmonary artery reconstruction can effectively alleviate the pulmonary hypertension in children with UAPA. The patency of the neo pulmonary artery should be closely followed up after surgery, and re-pulmonary angioplasty should be performed if necessary.
Pulmonary hypertension (PH), characterized by diverse etiologies and intricate pathological mechanisms, is a complex cardiopulmonary vascular disorder featuring high morbidity and mortality. Percutaneous pulmonary artery denervation (PADN) represents an emerging interventional treatment method, which shows good prospects in the clinical practice of PH. The PADN has attained preliminary achievements in terms of safety and efficacy. Nevertheless, its long-term prognosis, the characteristics of the appropriate patient populations, and the optimization strategies combined with targeted pharmacotherapy remain to be further explored. This article reviews the current clinical applications of PADN as well as the challenges it confronts.
Unilateral absence of a pulmonary artery (UAPA) is a rare congenital malformation resulting from the failed development or premature involution of the sixth aortic arch during embryogenesis, leading to a failure to establish a connection with the main pulmonary artery. Currently, there is a notable lack of consensus regarding the surgical management of UAPA in China. Drawing upon the latest clinical research, this consensus aims to summarize surgical approaches and techniques to improve the clinical management of UAPA patients and serve as a scientific reference for physicians specializing in pediatric cardiology and structural heart disease. This consensus aims to promote the standardization of UAPA diagnosis and treatment, thereby facilitating improved patient outcomes and long-term management, and stimulating the continuous development and innovation of surgical treatment for this condition in China.
ObjectiveTo explore surgical methods and risk factors of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA). MethodsClinical data of 28 ALCAPA patients who underwent surgical repair from October 1993 to September 2013 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. There were 8 male and 20 female patients with their age of 0.6-l6.8 (4.3±0.7)years including 10 patients less than 1 years old. Surgical procedures included simple ligation of left coronary artery, intrapulmonary tunnel procedure (Takeuchi)and direct coronary reimplantation of the anomalous artery. Postoperative death, complication and cardiac function were observed. ResultsAmong the 28 patients, 1 patient received simple ligation of left coronary artery, and 7 patients received intrapulmonary tunnel procedure (Takeuchi), among whom 2 patients died postoperatively. Twenty patients received direct implantation of the anomalous artery into the ascending aorta, and 3 patients died postoperatively. Five patients who died postoperatively were 10.20±3.27 months old, including 3 patients with moderate mitral regurgitation (MR)and 2 patients with mild MR preoperatively. Preoperative heart function of the patients who died postoperatively was significantly reduced. Preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction of the patients who died postoperatively was significantly lower than that of the patients who survived (36.6%±8.5% vs. 60.9%±10.7%, P=0.000). Low cardiac output syndrome was the reason for all postoperative death. All survival patients were followed up from 1 month to 18 years. One patient who underwent intra-pulmonary tunnel procedure (Takeuchi)received pulmonary artery balloon dilatation for pulmonary supravalvular stenosis 15 years after discharge. None of the other patients received a secondary operation. During follow-up, left ventricular function was improved. Growth and development of all the patients was normal. MR did not significantly aggravate in all the patients. ConclusionPatients with younger age and worse left ventricular function have greater surgical risks of ALCAPA.
ObjectiveTo compare the benefits and drawbacks of primary patch expansion versus pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection in patients diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD). MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PA/VSD who underwent primary right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection surgery at our center between 2010 and 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection: a pericardial tube group and a patch expansion group. Clinical data and imaging findings were compared between the two groups. ResultsA total of 51 patients were included in the study, comprising 31 males and 20 females, with a median age of 12.57 (4.57, 49.67) months. The pericardial tube group included 19 patients with a median age of 17.17 (7.33, 49.67) months, while the patch expansion group consisted of 32 patients with a median age of 8.58 (3.57, 52.72) months. In both groups, the diameter of pulmonary artery, McGoon index, and Nakata index significantly increased after treatment (P<0.001). However, the pericardial tube group exhibited a longer extracorporeal circulation time (P<0.001). The reoperation rate was notably high, with 74.51% of patients requiring further surgical intervention, including 26 (81.25%) patients in the patch expansion group and 12 (63.16%) patients in the pericardial tube group. No statistical differences were observed in long-term cure rates or mortality between the two groups (P＞0.005). Conclusion In patients with PA/VSD, both patch expansion and pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection serve as effective initial palliative treatment strategies that promote pulmonary vessel development and provide a favorable foundation for subsequent radical operations. However, compared to the pericardial tube approach, the patch expansion technique is simpler to perform and preserves some intrinsic potential for pulmonary artery development, making it the preferred procedure.
ObjectiveTo analyze the early outcomes of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction after surgical repair, and to explore the predictors for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for these patients.MethodsThe clinical data of ALCAPA patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction<40%) who underwent coronary artery reimplantation in the pediatric center of our hospital from 2013 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into an ECMO group and a non-ECMO group. Clinical data of the two groups were compared and analyzed.ResultsA total of 64 ALCAPA patients were included. There were 7 patients in the ECMO group, including 4 males and 3 females aged 6.58±1.84 months. There were 57 pateints in the non-ECMO group, including 30 males and 27 females aged 4.34±2.56 months. The mortality of the patients was 6.25% (4/64), including 2 patients in the ECMO group, and 2 in the non-ECMO group. The postoperative complications rate was significantly higher in the ECMO group than that in the non-ECMO group (P=0.041). There were statistical differences in the cardiopulmonary bypass time [254 (153, 417) min vs. 106 (51, 192) min, P=0.013], aortic cross-clamping (ACC) time (89.57±13.66 min vs. 61.58±19.57 min, P=0.039), and preoperative left ventricular end-diastolic diameter/body surface area (132.32±14.71 mm/m2 vs. 108.00±29.64 mm/m2, P=0.040) between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ACC time was an independent risk factor for postoperative ECMO support (P=0.005). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve was 0.757, the sensitivity was 85.70%, specificity was 66.70%, with the cut-off value of 66 min.ConclusionACC time is an independent risk factor for postoperative ECMO support. Patients with an ACC time>66 min have a significantly higher risk for ECMO support after the surgery.
ObjectiveTo summarize the surgical experience of patients with anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) and intramural left coronary artery and analyze the early and mid-term clinical outcomes. Methods The infants with ALCAPA and intramural left coronary artery who underwent surgical treatment in Fuwai Hospital from January 2014 to September 2020 were retrospectively enrolled, and the clinical data of the patients were analyzed. Results A total of 10 patients were included. There were 8 males and 2 females, with a median age of 7.5 (3-46) months at surgery. The surgical techniques included coronary unroofing in 7 patients, coronary unroofing with coronary reimplantation in 2 patients, and coronary unroofing with ligation of left coronary artery ostium in 1 patient. Seven infants received additional procedures, including 5 mitral valve repair. Delayed chest closure was required in 2 infants, and no operative death or major complications occurred in the whole group. Postoperative chest radiograph showed that the mean cardiothoracic ratio was lower than that before surgery (0.62±0.05 vs. 0.67±0.06, P=0.006). Postoperative echocardiography indicated that the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was increased than that before surgery, but there was no statistical difference (38.7%±15.9% vs. 30.0%±16.1%, P=0.066). The follow-up was available for all 10 survivors, with an average follow-up time of 13-92 (46.6±25.0) months. During the follow-up period, the patients had no obvious symptoms, death, coronary complications or other major complications. The chest radiograph at last follow-up showed that the mean cardiothoracic ratio was further decreased (0.60±0.07 vs. 0.62±0.05, P=0.024). The echocardiography at last follow-up showed that the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was further improved (60.1%±9.3% vs. 38.7%±15.9%, P=0.002). Conclusion ALCAPA with intramural left coronary artery is a rare malformation. It can be treated with different surgical techniques with satisfactory early and mid-term outcomes.
Abstract： Objective To summarize our experience of surgical treatment for anomalous origin of one pulmonary artery in infants and children. Methods From March 2005 to May 2010，11 patients with anomalous origin of one pulmonary artery and other concomitant congenital cardiovascular malformations underwent surgical repair in Xijing Hospital of Fourth Military Medical University．The mean age of the patients was 11.5 months with a range from 2 months to 36 months．Their mean body weight was 7.1 kg with a range from 4 to 13 kg. Seven patients had anomalous origin of the right pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta, and four patients had anomalous origin of the left pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta. All the eleven patients had other concomitant intracardiac anomalies or vascular malformations as well as pulmonary hypertension, and underwent one stage surgical repair via median sternotomy under hypothermia and cardiopulmonary bypass. Results Their operation time was 169 - 293 （231±55） min, cardiopulmonary bypass time was 87-210 （138±47） min, and aortic-clamping time was 45-133 （86±28） min. There was one postoperative death who had low cardiac output syndrome after repair for tetralogy of Fallot and anomalous origin of the right pulmonary artery. The overall postoperative mortality was 9.1％. Postoperative echocardiography of all the surviving patients showed their left and right pulmonary artery origined from the right ventricle and pulmonary artery with satisfactory malformation correction but no residual shunt and pulmonary stenosis . All the surviving ten patients were followed up with a follow-up rate of 100% and mean follow-up time of 13.5 months with a range from 3 to 32 months. Their echocardiography during follow-up showed that there was no pulmonary stenosis in all the patients, and pulmonary blood pressure significantly decreased in 9 patients. Conclusion Patients with anomalous origin of one pulmonary artery should undergo surgical repair as early as possible with satisfactory short-term outcomes in infants and children. For elder patients with irreversible pulmonary hypertension, the choice of surgical treatment should be more cautious. During the surgery, the anomalous pulmonary artery and ascending aorta should be dissociated fully, and transection of the ascending aorta is helpful to get a satisfactory operating field view for the surgeon. Repairing aortic defect with autologous pulmonary arterial patch can effectively avoid the occurrence of postoperative aortic aneurysm.