Abstract： Objective To summarize our operative experiences of cardiac reoperation after mechanical valve prosthesis replacement and investigate the causes of reoperation and the perioperative techniques and operation methods. Methods From January 2001 to December 2008, we performed reoperation on 105 patients (59 males and 46 females, aged 50.2±10.6 years old) who had undergone mechanical valve prosthesis replacement. Among the patients, there were 31 cases of mitral valvular replacement (+ tricuspid valvular plasticity), 38 cases of aortic valvular replacement (+ tricuspid valvular plasticity), 11 cases of Bentall procedure, 7 cases of mitral and aortic bivalvular replacement (+tricuspid valvular plasticity), 8 cases of tricuspid valvular replacement, 6 cases of repairing of prosthetic leakage, and 4 others cases. The time interval between two operations was 3 months to 18 years (46.3 ±31.9 months). Before reoperation, the cardiac function (NYHA) of the patients was class Ⅱ in 27 patients, class Ⅲ in 53 patients, and class Ⅳ in 25 patients. Results There were 6 hospital deaths with a mortality of 5.71%(6/105). All others recovered to NYHA class ⅠⅡ. The causes of mortality included 1 case of multiple organ failure, 1 case of low cardiac output after operation, 1 case of aortic pseudoaneurysm rupture, 1 case of severe infection due to brain complication and 2 cases of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). The causes for cardiac reoperation after mechanical valve prosthesis replacement were 67 cases of prosthetic leakage (63.80%), 16 cases of PVE (15.23%), 14 cases of prosthetic thrombosis (13.33%) and 8 cases of other valvular anomalies. Followup was done for 11 to 107 months, which showed two cases late deaths of cardiac arrest and cerebral hemorrhage. Conclusion Patients who have received mechanical valve prosthesis replacement may undergo cardiac reoperation due to paravalvular prosthetic leakage, paravalvular endocarditis, and prosthetic thrombosis. The keys to a successful cardiac reoperation include appropriate preoperative preparations, operational timing, and suitable choosing of cardiopulmonary bypass and operational skills.
Objective To analyze the causes of mechanical valve dysfunction and the reconstructive surgical procedure, and summarize the treatment experiences in perioperative period. Methods From October 1996 to October 2008, 12 276 patients underwent mechanical valve replacement in Fu Wai Hospital. Thirtytwo of them were reoperated because of mechanical valve dysfunction. There were 12 male and 20 female aged from 1661 years with an average age of 43.8 years. All the reoperations were performed under hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass, including 16 mitral valve replacement, 8 aortic valve replacement, 3 aortic and mitral valve replacement, 3 tricuspid valve replacement, 2 disc rotation and 1 excision of an excessive knot. There were 13 emergency operation and 19 elective operation. Results The time of ventilator assistant respiration was 5.1-144.0 hours.The median time was 15 hours and tracheostomy was needed in 2 cases. Six patients died after reoperations, the mortality rate was 18.8%(6/32). Three died of low cardiac output syndrome, 2 died of multiple organ failure and 1 died of malignant arrhythmia. Three cases had complications. There were 1 infective endocarditis, 1 intractable hiccup and 1 incisional infection, respectively. They were all cured and discharged. Conclusion Prosthetic valve dysfunction is one of the serious complications after mechanical valve replacement. Early detection, early diagnosis and early reoperation are needed.
Objective To evaluate the early and middlelongterm clinical results of tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) and compare the relative merit between bioprothesis and mechanical valve in tricuspid position，so as to elevate the operative effect. Methods The data of 128 TVR from April 1992 to February 2008 in An Zhen Hospital were retrospectively reviewed， and classified into mechanical prosthesis group（n=89）and bioprothesis group（n=39）according to the prosthesis used in the first procedure. Kaplan-Meier curve were estimated to evaluate the midlong term survival rate and events incidence related to prosthesis（including thrombosis, embolism and bleeding related to prosthesis and the prosthesis deterioration）. Multivariate binary logistic regressions were used to evaluate the independent risk factor for early and late death. Results There were 19 early deaths( 14.84%). With the followup of 4.93±2.92 years, there were 11 late deaths(10.7%). According to the Kaplan-Meier curve, the 10year actuarial survival rate for the bioprothesis group and mechanical prosthesis group were 65.6%±17.4% and 68.7%±10.8% respectively(Log-rank test,χ2=0.74，P=0.390). Freedom from prosthesis-related embolism at 5 years for the bioprothesis group and mechanical prosthesis group were 92.3%±7.4% and 87.1%±4.6% respectively(Log-rank test, χ2=0.962，P=0.327). Freedom from anticoagulationrelated bleeding at 10 years for the bioprothesis group and mechanical prosthesis group were 100% and 79.7%±9.7% respectively(Log-rank test, χ2=1.483，P= 0.223). There were 9 TVR reoperation, freedom from reoperation at 7 years for the bioprothesis group was 71.1%±18.0%, and freedom from reoperation at 10 years for the mechanical prosthesis group was 78.8%±10.2% (Log-rank test, χ2=2.76，P=0.096). Binary logistic regression revealed that the redo procedure and ascites were independent risk factors for early death, whereas ascites, heart function of New York Heart Association class Ⅲ/Ⅳ and multi valve replacement were independent risk factors for late death.Conclusion To lower the operative mortality and late mortality and morbidity, TVR should be adopted prior to the deterioration of right heart function, and bioprothesis valve has similar early and middlelong term clinical effect with mechanical valve in tricuspid position.
Objective To analyze the medium-and long-term r esults of tricuspid valve replacement(TVR), to summarize the experience in opera tive therapy for tricuspid valve disease. Methods From January 1998 to May 2006, sixty seven patients had undergone TVR. The etiology was rheumatic disease in 25 cases, congenital disease in 37 cases, degenerative disease in 1 case, infective endocarditis in 3 cases, a nd cardiac tumor in 1 case. All operations were performed under general anesthes i a and by cardiopulmonary bypass. Bioprostheses was replaced in 28 patients, whil e mechanical valve was replaced in 39 patients. Associated procedure included mi tral valve replacement in 13 cases, mitral valve replacement and aortic valve replac ement in 12 cases, repair of ventricular septal defect in 1 case, repair of atri al septal defect in 1 case, and radioablation of atrial fibrillation in 3 case s. Results The operative mortality was 11.94% (8/67)，among these patients , 6 cases died of serious heart failure,1 case died of ventricular fibrillation, 1 case died of multi organ failure. During follow-up, 1 patient died of biopro thesis dysfunction 1 year after the operation, 1 patient died of cerebral emboli s m 6 years after the operation. Through statistical analysis, it showed that the mortality of TVR in rheumatic tricuspid valve disease was higher than that in co ngenital tricuspid valve disease ［5.56%（2/36）vs. 24.00% (6/25); χ2=4.425 , P=0.036］; the mortality in second time operation was higher than that in first time operation ［30.00%（3/10）vs. 8.77% (5/57);χ2=3.646，P=0.033 ］; while there was no significant difference in immediate and long-term result s with different choice of bioprosthetic or mechanical valve in TVR (χ2=0.002 , P=0.961). Conclusion Operative an d follow-up mortality is high in the TVR, valve replac ement is the last selection for the treatment of serious tricuspid disease, appr opriate operative technique and perioperative therapy is the key for success o f the operation.
Objective To compare the result of different anticoagulation methods after mechanical heart valve replacement in order to optimize the early-stage anticoagulation therapy. Methods Eighty-six patients with mechanical valve replacement were divided into four groups according to different anticoagulation methods, warfarin group 1 ： warfarin was given from the 1st day after operation; warfarin group 2： warfarin was given from the 2nd day after operation; dipyridamole group： dipyridamole was given for two days from the 1st day after operation, and usage of warfarin from the 2nd day after operation ; fraxiparine group ： fraxiparine was given for two days from the 1st day after operation, and warfarin was given from the 2nd day after operation. Complication and post-operative death were observed. The value of porthrombin time （PT）, international normal ratio （INR）, and blood clotting factor Ⅱ , Ⅶ etc. were monitored respectively at the day before operation, the day of operation and the 3rd, 5th day after operation. Results All the results of 4 groups have met the anticoagulation requirement on the 5th day after operation （INR 1.5-2. 0）, and no hemorrhage, embolism and death occurred. In warfarin group 1, level of blood clotting factor Ⅱ , Ⅶ decreased, and level of PT, INR rose continuously, level of INR was 2.13±1.14 at the 5th day after operation, 1NR of 7 cases more than 2.0 in warfarin group 1 which was significant statistically compare with the other 3 groups（P〈0. 01）. Conclusions To adopt warfarin with the maintainable dose from the 2nd day after mechanical valve replacement could simplify anticoagulation method, with no increased risk of post-operative complications, such as hemorrhage and embolism. There is no need for additional anticoagulation methods.
Objective To explore the impact of the women taking warfarin throughout pregnancy after mechanical valve replacement on the children’s physical and mental development.Methods A total of 12 children whose mothers had taken mechanical valve replacement before pregnancy were enrolled in the experimental group in this study, for determination of their physical and mental development. The following indicators were measured: a) Physical development indexes: height, weight, sitting height, head circumference, chest circumference; b) Mental development indexes: intelligence quotient (IQ), and development quotient (DQ) which included adaptability, big movement, fine motor, language, and individual-society. According to the 1?∶?2 matching ratio, 24 children of the healthy women were selected in the control group, and then the difference of each index between the two groups was analyzed. Results In the aspects of both physical development indexes and mental development indexes, there were no significant differences in the children aged 0 to 3 yrs, 4 to 6 yrs, and 6 to 12 yrs in the two groups (Pgt;0.05). Conclusion After mechanical valve replacement, women taking oral anticoagulant warfarin in daily dose not exceeding 5mg are safe, and there are no negative effects on children’s physical and mental development.
Heart valve replacement is the major surgical treatment of severe valvular diseases. Due to the durability and reoperation-free, mechanical valves are widely used. Bioprosthesis valves became popular recently because of long service life and no demand for lifelong anticoagulation. However, how to choose the appropriate prosthetic heart valves, especially the application of bioprosthesis valves for patients at 55 to 65 years is still a major problem. This review focuses on more effective and scientific basis for rational choice of mechanical and bioprosthesis valve.
Objective Influence factors of the stable warfarin dose in the early period after mechanical prosthetic valve replacement were analyzed to guide the anticoagulation therapy for these patients. Methods A total of 288 patients within 6 months after mechanical prosthetic valve replacement in West China Hospital were followed up and registered at outpatient department from July 2012 to April 2014, including basic information (name, sex, age, height, weight, etc.), general clinical data (cardiac function, heart rate, surgery pattern, etc.) and related data about anticoagulation therapy. The target international standardized ratio (INR) range was 1.60 to 2.20 and the acceptable INR was 1.50 to 2.30. The sex, age, height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), body surface area (BSA) and related clinical factors were analyzed to find the relationship with the dose of warfarin. Results Sex was found to have a significant effect on the stable warfarin dose (P<0.05). Women needed a lower stable warfarin dose than men during the early anticoagulation therapy. There was no significant difference in the stable warfarin dose of patients with different ages, rhythms, NYHA classification, surgery pattern and diseases before operation; but the stable warfarin dose was lower in the patients with radiofrequency ablation during valve replacement procedures than the patients with single valve replacement (P<0.05). There was an association between age, height, weight, BMI, BSA and the stable warfarin dose withR2 of 1.2%, 3.2%, 3.5%, 1.1%, 4.2%, respectively and they could explain 6.1% of variability in warfarin dose. Conclusion During early anticoagulation therapy in patients with mechanical prosthetic valve replacement, it is necessary to consider the effects of various preoperative factors, drug factors and demographic factors on warfarin dose. Even though there is an association between age, height, weight, BMI, BSA and the stable warfarin dose, which can only explain 6.1% of variability in warfarin dose, thus cannot guide the postoperative anticoagulation of these patients.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the quality of warfarin anticoagulant therapy in patients with stable stage after mechanical valve replacement surgery, to observe the effect of compound salvia miltiorrhiza tablet on the anticoagulant effect of warfarin in patients after mechanical valve replacement, and to understand the impact of genetic polymorphisms of VKORC1, CYP2C9 and CYP4F2 on warfarin resistance in patients with mechanical valve replacement in the stable period.MethodsFrom July 2011 to February 2014, 1 831 patients who had ≥ 6 months after mechanical valve replacement surgery were enrolled at the outpatient follow-up. The basic clinical data were recorded. Anticoagulant therapy uses a target international normalized ratio（INR, 1.60–2.20) and a weekly warfarin dose adjustment strategy. Forty-six patients who needed compound salvia miltiorrhiza tablet were screened and the INR values. Before and after taking tablets were recorded and compared. The patients were divided into three groups according to the percentile of warfarin dosage including a warfarin sensitive patients group, a control patients group, and a warfarin resistance patients group. And 101 of them were selected. TIANGEN blood DNA Kit blood genomic DNA extraction kit was used to extract samples and polymerase chain restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RELP) was used to determine the genotypes of patients. The detected gene loci included CYP4F2: rs2108622C>T locus; VKORC1:1639G>A locus; VKORC1:1173C>T locus; CYP2C9*2: rs1799853C>T locus; CYP2C9*3:1061A>C locus.ResultsThe time in therapeutic range (TTR) and fraction of time in therapeutic range (FTTR) in the target INR range of the patients included in the study period was 27.2% and 49.4%, respectively, and the TTR and FTTR in the acceptable INR range was 34.25% and 63.36%, respectively. Before and after the addition of compound salvia miltiorrhiza tablets, the INR value was 1.55±0.03 and 1.69±0.30, respectively, and the difference was statistically different (P<0.05). A total of 101 patients with genetic testing, in which the C/T composition of the VKORC1: 1173C>T locus increased in the warfarin sensitivity, contrast and warfarin resistance patients, while the ratio of allelic loci of C/T in CYP2C9*3: 1061A>C loci decreased in turn. There was no difference in the CYP4F2 gene, VKORC1639 gene, and CYP2C9*2 locus. The IWPC model predicts that warfarin dose is only consistent with the actual warfarin dose in warfarin sensitive patients.ConclusionRelatively low TTR and FTTR are acceptable in patients with stable stage after mechanical valve replacement. It is beneficial to the patients with compound salvia miltiorrhiza tablets in terms of some appropriate patients. VKORC1: 1173C>T site and CYP2C9*3: 1061A>C site mutation is the main pharmacological gene factor of warfarin dose sensitivity and warfarin resistance in stable period after mechanical valve replacement. The IWPC dose prediction model is only consistent with the actual dose of warfarin sensitive patients.
ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of mechanical and biological valves on clinical benefits of elderly patients with valvular heart disease.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 280 elderly patients with valvular heart disease treated by valve replacement between 2008 and 2014 year. The patients were divided into two groups by tendency score matching including a group A with biological valves and a group B with mechanical valves. Finally, there were 96 patients in each group. There were 43 males and 53 females at age of 64.41±6.52 years in the group A, 44 males and 52 females at age of 64.07±6.20 years in the group B.ResultsThe bleeding rate of skin and mucosa of the group B was significantly higher than that of the group A (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in mortality within 30 days after operation, all-cause mortality, re-hospitalization rate, re-valve replacement rate, combined atrial flutter/atrial fibrillation ratio, drug use, incidence of cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, new peripheral vascular embolism and visceral hemorrhage, heart function (NYHA) classification, the cumulative survival rate of all the patients during follow-up (P=0.63), or the cumulative survival rate of the patients with no thrombus/hemorrhage (P=0.75) between the two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionMechanical valve replacement and bioprosthetic valve replacement in the treatment of valvular heart disease in the elderly can achieve similar clinical benefits and both have clinical application value.