ObjectiveTo summarize the indication and surgical experiences of valve replacement, high-risk factors and long-term results for aortic regurgitation and large left ventricle. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 42 patients with aortic regurgitation and left ventricle end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) ≥70 mm and left ventricle end-systolic diameter (LVESD) ≥ 50 mm in our hospital from March 2004 through December 2012. There were 38 males and 4 females,aged 16-73 (45.86±14.99) years. The patients underwent aortic valve replacement, who were evaluated by echocardiography at pre-operation, pre-discharge and early follow-up. The follow up period was 12-132 months. ResultsEarly death occurred in one patient. And five patients died during the follow-up. One week after surgery in 41 patients, LVEDD (62.00±13.21 mm), LVESD (50.71±14.02 mm), indexed LVEDD (35.23±8.58 mm/m2), indexed LVESD (28.92±9.08 mm/m2), LVEF (46.41%±12.49%), were significantly smaller than those before the operation (P<0.01). Heart function grades, preoperative EF, LVEDD and indexed LVEDD were the predictors for left ventricular function recovery. One-year, 5-year, 10-year survival rate was 92.9%, 90.2%, 83.8%, respectively. ConclusionMost of patients with aortic regurgitation and large left ventricle still have indications for surgical treatment, but severe left ventricular dysfunction and ventricular arrhythmia are high risk factors for long-term survival.
Objective To summarize the experience with median sternotomy ascending-descending thoracic aortic bypass grafting via median sternotomy for the treatment of complex coarctation of aorta (COA), and to present the intermediate to long-term follow-up outcomes. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with complex COA who underwent ascending-descending thoracic aortic bypass grafting through a median sternotomy in the First Hospital of Tsinghua University from August 2004 to May 2017. ResultsA total of 7 children were enrolled, including 4 males and 3 females, with an average age of (13.3±4.6) years and an average weight of (40.2±12.2) kg. Six (85.7%) patients had hypertension in the upper limbs. Among them four patients had coarctation associated with intracardiac anomalies, two with recurrent coarctation post-surgery, and one with both recurrent coarctation and intracardiac anomalies. All surgeries were performed under cardiopulmonary bypass, with no operative mortality or severe complications. The systolic pressure gradient between the upper and lower extremities decreased significantly from preoperative (51.4±13.5) mm Hg to postoperative (2.9±2.7) mm Hg (P<0.01). During a follow-up period of (14.9±5.9) years (ranging from 7 to 19 years), there were no late deaths or graft-related complications. Except for one patient who continued to have mild hypertension, the blood pressure of all other patients returned to normal. Conclusion The ascending-descending thoracic aortic bypass grafting via median sternotomy for complex COA is a safe and reliable procedure that effectively reduces upper limb blood pressure and the pressure difference between the upper and lower extremities. It has a low rate of complications and satisfactory intermediate to long-term outcomes.