ObjectiveTo analyze the early changes of gene expression levels and signaling pathways in 661W cell line under hypoxic conditions and to find potential functional target genes.MethodsThe cultured mouse 661W cells were divided into hypoxia treatment group and normoxia control group. Cells in the hypoxia treatment group were cultured in a three-gas incubator with volume fraction of 1% and 5% CO2 at 37 ℃. Cells in the normoxia control group were cultured in an incubator at 37 ℃ with volume fraction of 5% CO2. High-throughput sequencing technology was used to sequence the transcriptome of 661W cell treated with hypoxia and normoxia for 4 hours to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEG). Clustering heat map analysis, gene ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction network (PPI) analysis were performed. The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to verify the accuracy of the sequencing results.ResultsA total of 506 differentially expressed genes were screened, including 459 up-regulated genes and 47 down-regulated genes. GO functional enrichment analysis showed that the main biological processes of DEG were the cell's response to hypoxia, glycolysis, negative regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α pathway, glycolysis, Forkhead box O (FoxO) pathway, Insulin signaling pathway and Adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway were involved in the above process. PPI analysis results showed that hub genes related to hypoxia were Aldoa, Aldoc, Gpi1, Hk2, Hk1, Pfkl, Pfkp, Vhl, Fbxo10 and Fbxo27. The RT-PCR results showed that the relative expression levels of 15 DEG mRNA in the hypoxic treatment group were higher than that of the normoxic control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05). The mRNA expression levels of N-myc downstream-regulated gene-1 (Ndrg1), Mt1, and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) were time-dependent on hypoxia.ConclusionsUnder hypoxia, DEG is mainly related to glucose metabolism, cell response to hypoxia, regulation of proliferation and apoptosis. HIF-1α pathway, glycolysis, FoxO pathway and AMPK pathway are involved in the early changes of 661W cells under hypoxia. Aldoa, Aldoc, Gpi1, Hk2, Hk1, Pfkl, Pfkp, Vhl, Fbxo10, Fbxo27 may play key roles in the response of 661W cells to hypoxia. Ndrg1, Mt1 and VEGFA could be potential functional target genes for the study of ischemia and hypoxia-related fundus diseases.
ObjectiveTo analyze clinical experience and outcomes of bileaflet preservation in mitral valve replace-ment (MVR) for patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR). MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 17 patients with severe MR who underwent MVR with bileaflet preservation in the Department of Cardiovascular surgery of Guangdong General Hospital from June 2011 to January 2013. There were 14 males and 3 females with mean age of 63.41±11.82 years (range, 38 to 82 years). There were 13 patients with atrial fibrillation. Preoperatively, 5 patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class Ⅲ, and 12 patients were in NYHA class Ⅳ. There were 7 patients with ischemic MR, 9 patients with degenerative MR, and 1 patient with rheumatic MR. ResultsMVR with bileaflet preservation was performed for all the patients. Concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting was performed for 4 patients. Eleven patients received bioprosthetic MVR, and 6 patients received mechanical MVR. There was no in-hospital death, postoperative low cardiac output syndrome or left ventricular rupture. All the 17 patients were followed up for a mean duration of 16.44±5.02 months (range, 2 to 25 months). During follow-up, 1 patient died of severe paravalvular leak 2 months after surgery. All the other patients had good mitral valve function. None of the patients had anticoagulation or prosthetic valve related complication. Patient's heart function was significantly improved. Eleven patients were in NYHA functional class Ⅰ, 4 patients were in NYHA class Ⅱ, and 1 patient was in NYHA class Ⅲ. Cardiothoracic ratio, left atrial dimension, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension and left ventricular end-systole dimension postoperatively and during follow-up were significantly smaller than preoperative values. Postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was significantly lower than preoperative LVEF(50.94%±8.78% vs. 55.31%±10.44%, P=0.04), but LVEF during follow-up was not statistically different from preoperative LVEF(55.31%±10.44% vs. 56.13%±9.67%, P=0.73), and LVEF during follow-up was significantly higher than postoperative LVEF(56.13%±9.67% vs. 50.94%±8.78%, P=0.02). There was no statistical difference between postoperative mitral pressure half-time (PHT)and PHT during follow-up (95.06±19.00 ms vs. 94.56±19.19 ms, P=0.91). ConclusionMVR with bileaflet preservation is a safe and effective surgical technique for patients with severe MR, and can significantly improve postoperative left ventricular remodeling and function.
ObjectiveTo analyze risk factors and long-term outcomes of surgical treatment for isolated tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after left-sided valve replacement. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 65 patients who underwent surgical treatment for severe isolated TR after left-sided valve replacement in Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute from January 2000 to June 2013. There were 12 male and 53 female patients with their age of 37-72 (52.3±8.0) years. Fifty-nine patients had atrial fibrillation (AF). There were 61 patients with functional TR and 4 patients with rheumatic TR. Six patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class Ⅱ,40 patients were in NYHA class Ⅲ,and 19 patients were in NYHA class Ⅳ.The duration between the first and second cardiac operation was 1-26 (11.2±4.7) years. Fifty-five patients received tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) and 10 patients received tricuspid valvuloplasty (TVP). ResultsEleven patients (16.9%) died postoperatively. Univariate analysis showed that male gender,right ventricular internal dimension,preoperative serum albumin level (ALB) direct bilirubin (DBil) level,cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time and preoperative NYHA functional class Ⅳ were significantly correlated with postoperative death. Preoperative cardiothoracic ratio(C/T) TR area,left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PAs) preoperative hemoglobin(HGB) level,creatinine (Cr) level,total bilirubin (TBil) level,alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level and the duration between the first and second cardiac operation were not significantly related with surgical mortality. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative NYHA functional class Ⅳ was an independent risk factor of in-hospital death (OR=7.23,95% CI:1.57-33.25,P=0.01). Among the 54 survivors,50 patients (92.6%) were followed up for 1-160(47.2±43.3) months. Five patients died during follow-up including 3 TVR patients with heart failure,1 TVR patient with aortic valve obstruction and 1 TVP patient with sudden cardiac arrest. One-year and 5-year survival rates of TVR patients were 95%±3% and 89%±7% respectively,and 1-year and 5-year survival rates of TVP patients were 100% and 80%±18% respectively(P=0.92). Cox regression analysis showed that preoperative Cr level was an independent risk factor of long-term mortality (HR=1.10,95% CI:1.03-1.17,P<0.01). ConclusionIn-hospital mortality of patients with isolated TR after left-sided valve replacement who undergo surgical treatment is significantly related with preoperative overall condition and heart function. Surgical therapy should be performed before severe heart failure occurs. Postoperative 5-year survival rate is good,and long-term mortality is related with preoperative Cr level.
ObjectiveTo investigate long-term outcomes of patients without warfarin anticoagulation after isolated prosthetic aortic valve replacement (AVR) and evaluate the feasibility of short-term instead of lifelong anticoagulation therapy for low-risk AVR patients. MethodsSeven patients who underwent prosthetic AVR in Guangdong General Hospital between 1996 and 1999 but discontinued warfarin anticoagulation 3 years after surgery were regularly followed up. There were 6 male and 1 female patients with their age of 25-75 (40.0±11.4) years. These patients received warfarin anticoagulation during the first 3 years after surgery but discontinued oral anticoagulant 3 years after surgery (discontinued anticoagulation group). Fifteen patients who underwent prosthetic AVR during the same period and continued warfarin anticoagulation were enrolled as the control group (continuing anticoagulation group). International normalized ratio (INR) was set between 1.8 and 2.5 during warfarin anticoagulation period in both groups. Survival rate and the incidence of severe adverse events were compared between the 2 groups. ResultsIn the discontinued anticoagulation group,1 patient was lost during follow-up. No thromboembolic event,death or prosthetic valve thrombosis was observed. All the patients were in NYHA class Ⅰ. In the continuing anticoagulation group,3 patients were lost during follow-up. Eleven patients were in NYHA class Ⅰ and 2 patients were in NYHA class Ⅱ. Severe anticoagulation-related bleeding events occurred in 3 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. One patient died of massive outbreak of vomiting blood,and another patient had sudden death. Ten-year survival rate was 100.0% and 86.7% in the discontinued anticoagulation group and continuing anticoagulation group, respectively. ConclusionFor low-risk patients after isolated prosthetic AVR,short-term warfarin anticoagulation may be acceptable, which means warfarin is administered only in the first 3 years after surgery and discontinued 3 years after surgery.
ObjectiveTo analyze clinical experience and outcomes of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)for bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement (MVR). MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 32 patients who underwent VATS bioprosthetic MVR in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of Guangdong General Hospital from March to December 2013. There were 14 males and 18 females with a mean age of 55.6±17.3 years (range, 19 to 80 years), mean body weight of 55.7±9.7 kg (range, 37 to 78 kg) and mean body surface area of 1.67±0.16 m2 (range, 1.30 to 1.95 m2). Five patients had atrial fibrillation. There were 20 patients in New York Heart Association (NYHA)functional class Ⅱ, 11 patients in class Ⅲ, and 1 patient in class Ⅳ. There were 16 patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease, 11 patients with degenerative mitral valve disease, 4 patients with infective endocarditis and 1 patient with associated congenital heart disease. ResultsVATS bioprosthetic MVR was successfully performed for all the patients, including 27 patients with Medtronic Hancock Ⅱ Bioprosthesis and 5 patients with Medtronic Mosaic Bioprosthesis. Concomitantly, tricuspid valvuloplasty was performed for 13 patients and atrial septal defect repair was performed for 1 patient. There was no in-hospital death, low cardiac output syndrome or left ventricular rupture. Postoperative echocardiography showed good bioprosthetic function in all the patients without paravalvular leakage. Postoperative cardiac function significantly improved compared with preoperative cardiac function. There were 9 patients in NYHA functional class Ⅰ, 17 patients in class Ⅱ, and 6 patients in class Ⅲ. Left atrial diameter and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter examined postoperatively and 3 months after surgery were significantly smaller than preoperative values. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)examined postoperatively and 3 months after surgery was significantly lower than preoperative LVEF. ConclusionsVATS bioprosthetic MVR is a minimally invasive, safe and feasible procedure with a low postoperative morbidity. Incision size can be significantly reduced with a special type of bioprosthesis.
ObjectiveTo study the effectiveness of simplified blood management in cardiovascular surgery, minimize the need for blood transfusions and decrease the medical care costs. MethodsFrom March 2010 to May 2013, the simplified blood management was applied in 655 patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery in the department of cardiac surgery, Guangdong General Hospital. There were 316 males and 339 females with their age of 13-78 (45.0±13.8) years. The techniques of simplified blood management consisted of preoperative strategies, intraoperative strategies, and postoperative strategies. ResultsThere were 437 patients (66.7%) avoiding red cell transfusion in cardiac surgery. Of the 437 patients, 403 (61.5%) without any blood products transfusion, 29 had transfusion of plasma transfusion, 3 of plasma and cryoprecipitation, one of plasma and platelet, and one of platelet only. Two patients died within 30 days postoperative with 0.5% mortality rate:one died of multiple organ failure, one died of cardiac arrest. The procedures and special etiologies of 437 patients avoiding red cell transfusion included mitral valve replacement in 86 patients, double valve (aortic and mitral) replacement in 75 patients, aortic valve replacement in 51 patients, mitral valve replacement plus modified Maze procedure in 41 patients, atrial septal defect repair in 41 patients, mitral valve repair in 38 patients, double valve replacement plus modified Maze procedure in 25 patients, re-do operation in 23 patients, ventricular septal defect repair in 18 patients, coronary artery bypass grafting plus valve replacement in 10 patients, myxoma excision in 8 patients, subacute bacterial endocarditis in 8 patients, pericardium dissection in 5 patients, off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in 4 patients, Bentall procedure in 4 patients. Of 65 patients with cardiac surgery history, 23 (35.4%) were free from red cell transfusion in the second operation. ConclusionSimplified blood management is of benefit to reduce the blood transfusion safely and effectively, no using additional expensive medication and medical devices and therefore without increasing hospital costs. The technique is suitable to any institute and patient. It is worthwhile to be used widely in clinical practice. Cell salvage system is not necessary.
ObjectiveTo compare the outcomes of mechanical prosthetic versus bioprosthetic replacement of tricuspid valve. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 344 patients underwent tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) in Guangdong General Hospital between January 2000 and December 2010. There were 227 female and 117 male patients with their age of 8-74 (42.0±13.3) years. We allocated the patients into two groups: 168 patients (48.8%) at age of 37.0±11.6 years underwent mechanical tricuspid valve replacement (the MTVR group) and 176 (51.2%) patients at age of 46.0±13.4 years underwent biological tricuspid valve replacement (the BTVR group). Follow-up data were obtained via patients' visiting the outpatient clinic, telephone or mail contacts. ResultsThe mean follow-up time was 5.7 years (ranged from 2 months to 12.6 years). In the BTVR group, 149 patients survived to discharge from hospital, and 144 patients were followed-up successfully, giving a 96.6% follow-up rate. Early mortality (within 30 days post-operation) occurred in 29 patients (16.5%), and 14 patients (7.9%) died after 30 days post-operation. Eighteen bioprosthetic valve degeneration was found during follow-up, and infective endocarditis in 3 patients. In the MTVR group, 152 patients survived to discharge from hospital, 142 patients (93.4%) were followed-up. Early mortality in 13 patients (7.7%), and 14 patients (8.3%) died after 30 days post-operation. Nineteen patients suffered from mechanical prosthesis obstruction, no infective endocarditis patients was found in the MTVR group. There was no statistical difference between the BTVR group and the MTVR group in mortality rate (24.4% versus 16.1%, P=0.054) and in reoperation rate (4.2% versus 9.9%, P=0.051), respectively．There were statistical differences in long-term survival rates between the BTVR group and the MTVR group with 1 year survival rate(78% vs. 89%), 5 years survival rate(74% vs. 86%), and 10 years survival rate (66% versus 78%) with P value at 0.003. ConclusionsThis study suggests that the type of implanted prosthesis in tricuspid replacement does not affect long-term outcomes or the reoperation rate. The survival rate is higher in the MTVR group than that in the BTVR group, which may contribute to younger age in the MTVR group. There is a tendency in higher infective endocarditis incidence in the BTVR group than that in the MTVR group.
Objective To examine the effect and safety of thoracoscopic surgery for left atrium myxoma excision. Method Sixty-nine left atrial myxoma patients underwent excision of left atrial myxoma in our hospital between January 2012 and August 2014 year. The patients were divided into two groups according to the procedure. Thirty patients under-went thoracoscopic surgery, as a thoracoscopic group, with 8 males and 22 females, aged 47.36±13.02 years. Thirty-nine patients received median sternotomy surgery, as a median sternotomy group, with 10 males and 29 females, aged 49.17±13.09 years. The effect and safety between the two groups were compared. Results All patients survived after surgery without death and other serious complications. Compared with the median sternotomy surgery group, longer cardiopul- monary bypass and aortic cross clamp time, shorter ICU stay, ventilator support, and postoperative drainage time, shorter hospital stay time, less postoperative drainage, lower cost, and more higher rate of returning to work in 1 month after surgery were found in the thoracoscopic group with P value less than 0.05. There was no complication of stroke and other neurological complication in the two groups. All patients were followed up for 11 months to 4 years and 7 months, average age of 38.5±12.7 months. There was no recurrence in both groups. Conclusions The thoracoscopic left atrial myxoma excision cardiopulmonary is effective and safe. It can be used as a surgical treatment of left atrial myxoma preferred.
Objective To evaluate the outcomes and summarize the clinical experience of totally endoscopic mitral valve repair with artificial chordae implantation. Methods From May 2013 to June 2016, 71 patients with mitral valve insufficiency were admitted to our hospital who underwent totally endoscopic mitral valve repair with artificial chordae implantation. There were 47 males and 24 females with the age of 46.0±14.4 years ranging from 13-78 years. The pathogenesis included degenerative valvular diseases in 63 patients, congenital valvular diseases in 4, infectious endocarditis in 2, rheumatic disease in 1 and cardiomyopathy in 1. Prolapse of anterior, posterior, or both leaflets was present in 26 (36.6%), 19 (26.8%), and 25 (35.2%) patients, respectively; one patient (1.4%) presented valve annulus enlargement and thirteen were associated with commissure lesion. The mitral regurgitation area ranged from 4.2 to 26.3 cm2 (mean, 12.2±5.6 cm2). All the procedures were performed by total endoscopy under cardiac arrest. 5-0 Gore-tex sutures were used as the material of artificial chordae which was implanted one by one. Results There was no in-hospital death. One patient was transferred to mitral valve replacement, and one median sternotomy due to bleeding. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 156.0±31.6 min and aortic cross-clamp time 110.0±20.1 min. We finally had 39 isolated mitral valve repair, 28 mitral valve repair combined tricuspid valve repair, 3 mitral valve repair combined atrial septal defect closure, and 1 mitral valve repair combined correction of partial anomalous pulmonary vein connection. Each patient was implanted artificial chordae of 2.5±1.7 (ranging from 1 to 7), and 65 patients received mitral annulus (full ring). The intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography found no mitral regurgitation in 44 patients, the area of mitral regurgitation was 0-2 cm2 in 24, and 3 patients with mitral regurgitation>2 cm2 experienced serious systolic anterior motion. Of the 3 patients with systolic anterior motion (SAM), one transferred to mitral valve replacement, one underwent mitral re-repair, and one took conservative treatment. The mean follow-up was 12.7±10.5 months (range: 1 to 36 months), while 2 patients were lost to follow up with the follow-up rate of 97.2%. Recurrent severe regurgitation occured in 3 patients, moderate in 5, mild or trivial in 27 and no regurgitation in 36. During the follow-up, 1 patient died of myocardiopathy-induced heart failure post discharge, 1 suffered from cerebral infarction, and no patient underwent reoperation. Conclusion The totally endoscopic surgical treatment of mitral valvuloplasty with artificial chordae is reliable for patients with mitral valve prolapse, which provides favorable clinical efficacy and outcomes. The difficulty lies in how to determine the appropriate length of the chordae and keep the stability of length.