ObjectiveTo explore the predictive value of N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP) for postoperative early outcomes in infants with aortic coarctation (CoA).MethodsA retrospective study was conducted in 344 children with CoA admitted to our hospital from September 2014 to October 2017, including 206 males (59.9%) and 138 females (40.1%), with an average age of 0.2-60.0 (7.1±10.6) months. The levels of NT-proBNP, clinical characteristics, imaging data and early follow-up results were collected and analyzed.ResultsCompared with the normal NT-proBNP group, there were statistical differences in age, the proportion of RACHS-1≥3, the proportion of preoperative pneumonia and dysplastic aortic arch, preoperative cardiac function, left ventricular wall thickness, left ventricular dilatation, hospital stay, ICU duration, ventilator duration, duration of vasoactive drugs use, delayed chest closure, nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP), postoperative cardiac insufficiency in the abnormal NT-proBNP group (P<0.05). According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, NT-proBNP level (>3 000 pg/mL) was an independent risk factor for prolonged ICU duration [OR=3.17, 95%CI (1.61, 6.23)], prolonged ventilator duration [OR=5.84, 95%CI (2.86, 11.95)], prolonged use of vasoactive drugs [OR=2.22, 95%CI (1.22, 4.02)], postoperative cardiac insufficiency [OR=3.10, 95%CI (1.64, 5.85)]; NT-proBNP level (> 5 000 pg/mL) was an independent risk factor for delayed chest closure [OR=3.55, 95%CI (1.48, 8.50)].ConclusionNT-proBNP level in children with CoA can be affected by many factors, including age, complexity of congenital heart disease, preoperative cardiac insufficiency, et al. The level of NT-proBNP has predictive value for postoperative early outcomes.
ObjectiveTo explore the role of increased preoperative ventricular-arterial stiffening in hypertensive infants with coarctation of the aorta (CoA).MethodsA retrospective study was conducted in 314 infants with CoA (CoA group, 193 males and 121 females, aged 5.4±2.2 months), and 314 infants receiving tumor chemotherapy with normal cardiovascular function and without pneumonia (control group, 189 males and 125 females, aged 4.4±3.8 months), who were admitted to our hospital from 2015 to 2017. The clinical data of the two groups were compared.ResultsThere were statistical differences in effective aortic elastance index (Eai), effective left ventricular end-systolic elasticity index (Eesi), ventricle-artery coupling index (VACi), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, and ratios of left ventricular hypertrophy, dilation and systolic dysfunction between the two groups (P<0.05). Compared with non-hypertensive CoA infants, CoA infants with hypertension had higher Eai, Eesi, NT-ProBNP level and proportion of left ventricular hypertrophy (P<0.05). Compared with concomitant ventricular septal defect, infants with isolated CoA had higher Eai, Eesi, NT-proBNP level, incidence of hypertension and higher proportion of left ventricular hypertrophy, dilation and systolic dysfunction (P<0.05). Eai and Eesi were positively correlated with NT-proBNP level, left ventricular hypertrophy and fractional shortening of left ventricle (P<0.05), while Eai and Eesi were negatively correlated with left ventricular end diastolic volume index, left ventricular end systolic volume index and concomitant ventricular septal defect (P<0.05). Hypertension was related to preoperative left ventricular hypertrophy, Eai, Eesi and NT-ProBNP. Eai was an independent risk factor for hypertension.ConclusionPreoperative ventricular-arterial stiffening is increased in infants with aortic coarctation, which is related to the occurrence of hypertension. Isolated CoA shows more significant increase in ventricular-arterial stiffening, higher ventricular overload and incidence of hypertension.
ObjectivePulmonary vein banding was used to establish a piglet model of pulmonary vein stenosis. We investigated the pathomorphological alterations of pulmonary veins in the model and compared it with the vascular tissue of recurrent stenosis after total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC).MethodsTen pigs of 6 weeks old were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups: 5 in a sham operation group and 5 in a pulmonary vein banding group. The operation had two stages, in which thoracotomies through intercostal space were done respectively on both sides. Biocompatible materials were applied around the pulmonary veins in the experimental group. The same method was used in the sham group. But the pulmonary veins were not banded. Six weeks after the operation, the pulmonary veins of the animals were harvested for hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunofluorescence staining to observe the pathological alterations of pulmonary veins. The proliferative tissues of patients with recurrent stenosis after TAPVC repair were collected and observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunofluorescence staining.ResultsBoth the sham operation group and the pulmonary vein banding group survived. But the pulmonary vein banding group had obvious clinical manifestations of pulmonary venous stenosis. Compared with the sham group, the pulmonary vein banding group showed intimal hyperplasia, decreased expression of endothelial marker and increased expression of mesenchymal markers, and co-expression of endothelial and mesenchymal markers in intimal cells. Human pathology also showed intimal hyperplasia and co-expression of endothelial and mesenchymal markers in intimal cells.ConclusionThe surgical pulmonary vein stenosis in piglets shows intimal hyperplasia and myofibroblasts, which was consistent with clinical pathology.