ObjectiveTo explore the key points, indications and safety of trans-jugular transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) in infants.MethodsThe clinical data of 53 infants with ASD from January 2017 to May 2019 in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. There were 20 males and 33 females with the age of 1.2 (0.5-2.9) years, and body weight of 9.0 (6.8-10.6) kg. The ASD diameter was 9.8 (8.0-14.0) mm. Thirty-one patients were treated under the guidance of transesophageal ultrasound (TEE), and the other 22 patients under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). We used the steerable curved sheath through the internal jugular vein under the guidance of echocardiography, and the average occluder size was 13.5±4.5 mm.ResultsAll of the 53 patients were successfully occluded, and none of them changed to radiation-guided or transthoracic surgery. Postoperative hospital stay was 3.35±0.70 d. There was no complication such as peripheral vascular injury, occluder malposition or displacement, serious arrhythmia or pericardial effusion. The patients were followed up for 14.3±5.1 months without arrhythmia, residual shunt, occluder malposition or displacement or thrombus.ConclusionEchocardiography-guided trans-jugular closure of ASD for infants with low weight and large ASD shunt or patients with inferior vena cava abnormalities not suitable for femoral vein treatment, not only overcomes the radiation risk of radiation guidance, but also maintains the advantages of minimal invasiveness and safety, providing a new treatment option for such patients.
Objective To analyze pathologic features and surgical procedures for patients with unroofed coronary sinus syndrome (UCSS) associated with endocardial cushion defect (ECD). Methods The clinical data of 44 patients with UCSS and ECD from May 1998 to July 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 18 males and 26 females with a mean age of 10.4±12.1 years (range: 5.0 months to 44.0 years) and mean weight of 25.2±20.9 kg (range 5.2-80.0 kg). According to the Kirklin and Barratt-Boyes classification, 28 patients were categorized into type Ⅰ, 5 typeⅡ , 4 type Ⅲ and 7 type Ⅳ. Among them 25 patients suffered partial ECD, 10 complete ECD, 9 transitional ECD, and 27 were associated with single atrium, 34 involved persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC), and in 27 of the 34 patients PLSVC directly drained into the left atrium (LA). Among the 44 patients, 1 patient associated with complex anomalies underwent palliative operation, and other cardiac malformations were corrected simultaneously by surgical correction. PLSVC was ligated in 2 patients, and the intracardiac tunnels or baffles to drain PLSVC to right atrium (RA) were reconstructed in 25 patients. The associated cardiac lesions were corrected concomitantly. Results In-hospital death occurred in 2 patients, among whom 1 died of low cardiac output syndrome on postoperative day 8 and the other pulmonary infection on postoperative day 21. Thirty-one were followed up from 1 month to 10 years, and there was no death or severe complications. Conclusion When ECD is associated with PLSVC and a single atrium, UCSS may develop. Repair according to the type of UCSS is effective.
Objective To investigate the effects of different types of tricuspid regurgitation, implantation positions, and device models on the treatment outcomes of K-Clip for tricuspid regurgitation using numerical simulations. Methods Three-dimensional reconstruction of the heart model was performed based on CT images. Two different regurgitation orifices were obtained by modifying the standard parameterized tricuspid valve leaflets and chordae tendineae. The effects of different K-Clip models at different implantation positions (posterior leaflet midpoint, anterior-posterior commissure, anterior leaflet midpoint, posterior septal commissure) were simulated using commercial explicit dynamics software Ls-Dyna. Conclusion For the two types of regurgitation in this study, clipping at the posterior leaflet midpoint resulted in a better reduction of the regurgitation orifice (up to 75% reduction in area). Higher clamping forces were required for implantation at the anterior leaflet midpoint and posterior septal commissure, which was unfavorable for the smooth closure of the clipping components. There was no statistical difference in the treatment outcomes between the 18T and 16T K-Clip components, and the 16T component required less clamping force. Therefore, the use of the 16T K-Clip component is recommended.