Although heart transplantation remains to be the optimal treatment for advanced heart failure, its use has been largely limited due to shortage of available donor organs. Over the past two decades, left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has been significantly modified in size, durability and hemocompatibility. In addition to the bridge to transplantation, LVAD has become an attractive alternative to heart transplantation for end-stage heart failure as destination therapy for unsuitable candidates. Although the performance of LVAD has been improving greatly in recent years, there are still great challenges in the management of device complications and low quality of life after implantation. This review will summarize the types of LVAD, indications for implantation, postoperative management and adverse events.
ObjectiveTo summarize the clinical experience of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in adult patients with cardiac surgery, analyze the risk factors associated with the mortality and other severe complications and to discuss prevention methods of complications during ECMO treatment.MethodsThe clinical data of 26 patients with cardiac surgery, who underwent ECMO because of cardiopulmonary insufficiency ect in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from January 2012 to September 2017, were retrospectively analyzed. There were 19 males and 7 females aged 24–80 (58.0±13.9) years.ResultsTwelve (42.3%) patients successfully weaned from ECMO and six (23.1%) were discharged from hospital. Among 26 patients, 24 received VA ECMO (veno-arterial ECMO), including 5 after heart transplantation, 9 after heart valve surgery, and 3 were successfully weaned from ECMO. Seven patients with valvular surgery underwent ECMO within 48 hours due to refractory low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS). Eight patients underwent major angioplasty, 3 of whom were successfully weaned from ECMO. Four patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and other cardiac surgeries. Patients with VA ECMO were treated with femoral vein-femoral artery cannulation except for 2 patients undergoing femoral vein-radial artery cannulation after major angioplasty. Patients with VV ECMO (veno-venous ECMO) underwent femoral vein-jugular vein cannulation. After ECMO support, 10 patients with bleeding occurred, and 5 patients were successfully weaned from ECMO. All patients had transfusion therapy during the assist period, 7 patients had infection after ECMO support, 4 patients suffered severe distal limb ischemia. There was no significant difference in the lactic acid between the survival and the dead patients before and after ECMO support. However, the decline of serum lactic acid in the survivors was faster than that of the dead patients. The trend was the most significant within 6 h after the operation.ConclusionECMO is one of the significant treatments for LCOS and refractory hypoxemia after cardiac surgery. The type of cardiac surgery and the timing of catheter placement are key factors for the success of ECMO. The different ways of ECMO intubation, prevention and control of bleeding during ECMO, monitoring and management of internal environment and the strategies of anti-infection are all important for success of ECMO.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility, safety, and short-term effect of minimally invasive ascending aorta surgery through a right anterior thoracotomy via the second intercostal incision.MethodsThe clinical data of 13 patients who underwent minimally invasive ascending aorta surgery (including minimally invasive Bentall operation in 7 patients, minimally invasive Wheat operation in 2 patients, and minimally invasive ascending aorta replacement in 4 patients) through a right anterior thoracotomy via the second intercostal incision in our center from October, 2019 to September, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 12 males and 1 female at age of 19-69 (52.4±13.7) years.ResultsThe aortic cross-clamping time was 84.3±18.3 min. Three patients received blood transfusion, with the rate of 23.1%. The drainage volume in the first 24 hours after operation was 214.5±146.3 mL, with no redo for bleeding. The duration of mechanical ventilation was 19.0±11.3 hours and the length of intensive care unit stay was 1.8±1.3 days. The drainage tube was removed 2.5±1.0 days after operation. All the 13 patients recovered and discharged 6.4±2.0 days after operation, with no dead patients found. All patients survived with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classⅠandⅡduring a median follow-up of 8 months.ConclusionMinimally invasive ascending aorta surgery through a right anterior thoracotomy via the second intercostal incision may be a safe and effective method with less injury and quick recovery.
ObjectiveTo discuss the feasibility of establishment of animal model of "functional" bicuspid aortic valve with swine and observe its effect on the wall shear stress inside the aorta. MethodsFour common Shanghai White Swine with body weight between 50 kg to 55 kg were selected. Under general anesthesia and cardiopulmonary bypass, the aortic transverse incision approach was used, continuous suture with 6-0 polypropylene to align the left and right coronary valve leaflets to create a bicuspid valve morphology. After the operation, echocardiography was used to observe the aortic valve morphology and the hemodynamic changes of the aortic valve orifice. The effect on the wall shear stress inside the aorta was studied with 4D-Flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). ResultsA total of 4 swine "functional" bicuspid aortic valve models were established, with a success rate of 100.0%. Echocardiography showed that the blood flow velocity of the aortic valve orifice was faster than that before the operation (0.96 m/s vs. 1.80 m/s). 4D-Flow MRI showed abnormally increased wall shear stress and blood flow velocity in the aorta of the animal models. After the surgery, in model animals, the maximal wall shear stress inside the ascending aorta was greater than 1.36 Pa, and the maximum blood flow velocity was greater than 1.4 m/s. ConclusionEstablishment of the animal model of "functional" bicuspid aortic valve in swine is feasible, scientific and reliable. It can be used in researches on evaluating the pathophysiological changes.
ObjectiveTo review and analyze the clinical manifestations of common aortitis in cardiac surgery. MethodsWe screened 41 552 patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Cardiac Surgery of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from 2010 to 2020, analyzed the patients' clinical data, and classified according to the type of diseases. Then we summarized all their clinical manifestations. ResultsIn our center 145 patients were operated for aortitis diseases, including 75 males and 70 females, with the age of 24-76 (45.6±11.3) years. There were 61 patients of Takayasu's arteritis, 51 patients of Behcet's disease, 8 patients of syphilitic aortitis, 8 patients of systemic lupus erythematosus, 2 patients of Kawasaki disease, 4 patients of ankylosing spondylitis, 10 patients of dry syndrome, and 1 patient of scleroderma. ConclusionAortitis is not uncommon in cardiac surgery, and awareness of the disease should be enhanced. So that we can distinguish various types of aortitis and to make proper management to improve patients' prognosis.