Objective To investigate the expression of transcription factors including nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） and activator protein-1 （AP-1） in vascular endothelial cells （ECs） in different flow fields， and provide experimental evidence for mechanical signal effects on gene regulation pattern of ECs. Methods Cultured human umbilical vein ECs were loaded into steady flow chambers of laminar flow or turbulent flow and observed at 6 time points （0.5 h， 1 h， 2 h， 3 h， 4 h and 5 h） based on different load time. Spacial and temporal characteristics of NF-κB and AP-1 expression in ECs in different flow chambers were detected at a protein level by laser confocal microscope. Results In laminar flow， NF-κB expression rose to peak at 1 hour （26.49±1.63， P＜0.05）and then declined. In turbulent flow， NF-κB expression rose to peak at 3 hours （34.41±6.43， P＜0.05）. In laminar flow， c-Jun/AP-1 expression was transiently elevated， reached its peak at 0.5 hour （18.95±5.38，P＜0.05）and then fell to its baseline level. In turbulent flow， c-Jun/AP-1 expression rose slowly but steady to peak（P＜0.05） . Conclusion The effects of turbulent flow on NF-κB and AP-1 expression in ECs are different from those of laminar flow. Up-regulation and activation of NF-κB and AP-1 expression in ECs induced by turbulent flow may cause pathological changes in morphological structure and functional behavior of ECs.
Abstract: Objective To summarize the experience of surgical treatment of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) with anomalous coronary artery. Methods From March 1993 to April 2006, 22 patients with TOF and anomalous coronary artery underwent repair. The resection of hypertrophied parietal, septal band and the ventricular septal defect (VSD) repairs were performed by trans-right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) approach in 5 cases, and by transatrial approach in 17 cases, which consisted of 7 cases required a transannular patch to enlarge a pulmonary annulus, construction of a double barrel outlet in 6 cases, by autologous pericardium conduit (3 cases), homograft (1 case) and reflected anterior wall of the main pulmonary artery in combination with bovine pericardium (2 cases). Results There was one operative death because of the anomalous coronary artery impairment. The accessory left anterior descending artery was severed because it was mistaken for the conal arteryin 1 case, which caused failure to wean from bypass, after the left internal mammary artery was anastomosed to the accessory left anterior descending artery, the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was stopped successfully. Mean early gradient(ΔP) was 23.4mmHg and ΔP＞20mmHg in 9 cases. Eighteen cases were followed up, mean time was 13.2 months. Late ΔP＞20mmHg in 7 cases, and ΔP were less than 20mmHg in 11 cases. Conclusion The repair of TOF with anomalous coronary artery is more safe by using the transatrial approach. The surgical reconstruction of RVOT depends on the anatomic characteristic of anomalous coronary artery.
Objective To compare the short- to mid-term outcomes of aortic valve plasty (AVP) and Ross surgery in children with severe aortic valve disease. Methods The patients (aged<18 years) with severe aortic valve disease who underwent AVP (an AVP group) or Ross surgery (a Ross group) at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital from January 2019 to September 2023 were retrospective included. We compared perioperative and follow-up data between the groups. Results A total of 48 pediatric patients were included, including 28 males and 20 females, with an average age of (9.3±4.5) years. There were 25 patients in the AVP group, and 23 in the Ross group. Leaflet thinning (15/25, 60.0%) and leaflet extension (10/25, 40.0%) were the most common strategies used in the AVP group, while root replacement technique (12/23, 52.2%) and subcoronary technique (10/23, 43.5%) were the most frequently used strategies in the Ross group. There was no in-hospital death. The median follow-up time was 16.0 (7.0, 30.0) months. Peak flow velocity of the aortic valve was higher in the AVP group [2.0 (1.4, 2.9) m/s vs. 1.2 (1.0, 1.5) m/s, P<0.001], while there was no difference in the postoperative aortic valve regurgitation severity between the two groups (P=0.127). During follow-up, the overall reoperation rate and aortic valve reoperation rate were similar between the AVP group and the Ross group (8.0% vs. 13.0%, P=0.922; 8.0% vs. 0.0%, P=0.266). The rate of recurrent aortic valve disease was higher in the AVP group (52.0% vs. 4.3%, P<0.001), while further analysis failed to recognize any risk factors. Conclusion AVP and Ross procedure show similar perioperative safety, survival and reoperation rate. The rate of recurrent aortic valve disease is higher in the AVP group, but further investigations are needed to confirm the causes.