Objective To study the responsiveness change of neutrophils when experiencing the second insult after the initial temperature activation in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) by using an in vitro model. Methods The neutrophils were isolated from blood which was drawn from each of 60 health volunteers. The samples were divided into 5 groups including normothermia, tepid temperature, moderate hypothermia, deep hypothermia, and rewarming hyperthermia by random digital table with 12 in each group according to the change of temperature during CPB. An in vitro model for studying neutrophil responsiveness was established by using a polymerase chain reaction thermocycler. Five time points were set for each group, including T0: starting CPB, T1: starting rewarming, T2: 0.5 h after rewarming, T3: 1 h after rewarming, and T4: 1.5 h after rewarming. Platelet activating factor (PAF) was added into each group at T2, T3, and T4, and then the value of membranebound elastase (MBE) activity was measured as responsiveness of neutrophils. Analysis of covariance was applied by using SPSS 13.0 for statistic analysis. If the [CM(159mm]covariance had significant difference between main effects, Bonferroni method would be applied for pairwise comparison. Results The main effect difference of neutrophil responsiveness among different groups was statistically different (F=4.372,P=0.002). MBE value had no statistical difference between the normothermia and tepid temperature groups (81.9±4.5 ng/10.6 cells vs. 76.5±3.6 ng/106 cells, P=0.134). while the MBE values in these two groups were higher than those in the other three groups (P=0.001). MBE value in the rewarming hyperthermia group was higher than that in the deep hypothermia group (61.2±2.7 ng/106 cells vs. 50.9±3.7 ng/106 cells, P=0.005). There was no statistical difference between the moderate hypothermia group (56.4±3.2 ng/106 cells) and the rewarming hyperthermia group (P=0.167), so was it between the moderate hypothermia group and the deep hypothermia group (P=0.107). The main effects of neutrophil responsiveness at different time points was statistically different (F=3.566, P=0.03) when PAF was added. MBE value at T4 was higher thanthat at T2 (70.9±2.5 ng/106 cells vs. 59.9±2.3 ng/106 cells, P=0.027). There was no statistical difference among T3 (65.5±1.8 ng/106 cells), T2 (P=0.168), and T4 (P=0.292) in MBE value. Conclusion Normothermia， tepid temperature， and rewarming hyperthermia during CPB can enhance neutrophil responsiveness and MBE release when neutrophils suffer the second insult. There is a time window for neutrophils to be easily activated during rewarming period.
Objective To summarize our experience on leaflet extension in reoperation after tricuspid valve repair in children at age≤15 years and to explore the application indicators and skills of this technique. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 23 children who underwent reoperation after tricuspid valve repair in Xinhua Hospital between January 2006 and October 2015. There were 15 males and 8 females with a mean age of 8.7 years, ranging from 5 to 15 years. The leaflet was extended by artificial pericardium patch. After surgery, warfarin anticoagulation therapy was done, and international normalized ratio was maintained 2.0 to 3.0. Results The average cardiopulmonary bypass time was 87-132 (98.5±35.7) minutes, and average aortic cross-clamping time was 56-97 (68.40±23.78) minutes. One patient died in hospital. There were 3 patients with complications including respiratory failure in 1 patient, acute renal failure in 1 patient, and right heart insufficiency in 1 patient. All the children cured and were followed up for 5 months to 10 years, with a mean follow-up of 3.5 years. One patient died during the follow-up. Six patients suffered mild to moderate tricuspid regurgitation and tricuspid valve function of the rest patients was good. No other redo-valve surgery or complications correlated to anticoagulation occurred. Conclusion Leaflet extension in reoperation after tricuspid valve repair in children is useful with optimistic middle to long term efficacy and needs intensive care therapy during the perioperative period.
Taking advantages of the sparsity or compressibility inherent in real world signals, compressed sensing (CS) can collect compressed data at the sampling rate much lower than that needed in Shannon’s theorem. The combination of CS and low rank modeling is used to medical imaging techniques to increase the scanning speed of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), alleviate the patients’ suffering and improve the images quality. The alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) algorithm is proposed for multiscale low rank matrix decomposition of CMR images. The algorithm performance is evaluated quantitatively by the peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) and relative l2 norm error (RLNE), with the human visual system and the local region magnification as the qualitative comparison. Compared to L + S, kt FOCUSS, k-t SPARSE SENSE algorithms, experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can achieve the best performance indices, and maintain the most detail features and edge contours. The proposed algorithm can encourage the development of fast imaging techniques, and improve the diagnoses values of CMR in clinical applications.
Auscultation of heart sounds is an important method for the diagnosis of heart conditions. For most people, the audible component of heart sound are the first heart sound (S1) and the second heart sound (S2). Different diseases usually generate murmurs at different stages in a cardiac cycle. Segmenting the heart sounds precisely is the prerequisite for diagnosis. S1 and S2 emerges at the beginning of systole and diastole, respectively. Locating S1 and S2 accurately is beneficial for the segmentation of heart sounds. This paper proposed a method to classify the S1 and S2 based on their properties, and did not take use of the duration of systole and diastole. S1 and S2 in the training dataset were transformed to spectra by short-time Fourier transform and be feed to the two-stream convolutional neural network. The classification accuracy of the test dataset was as high as 91.135%. The highest sensitivity and specificity were 91.156% and 92.074%, respectively. Extracting the features of the input signals artificially can be avoid with the method proposed in this article. The calculation is not complicated, which makes this method effective for distinguishing S1 and S2 in real time.
Objective To summarize diagnosis and treatment outcomes of coronary arterial fistulas （CAFs） so as to improve surgical results. Methods Clinical data of 23 patients with CAFs who underwent surgical repair in Xinhua Hospital，School of Medicine，Shanghai Jiaotong University from July 2006 to January 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 male and 8 female patients with their age of 35.4±8.7 years. CAFs originated from left anterior descendingartery in 7 patients，right coronary artery in 13 patients，dual coronary arteries in 1 patient，left main coronary artery in 1 patient，and obtuse marginal artery in 1 patient. CAFs drained into pulmonary artery in 16 patients，right ventricle in 5patients，and right atrium in 2 patients. Twelve patients received surgical repair under off-pump condition with beating heart，and the other 11 patients underwent surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass （CPB）. Surgical techniques included extracardiacgasket interrupted suture ligation，intracardiac mattress suture ligation，intracardiac gasket interrupted suture for fistula repair，and a combination of intracardiac suture ligation and extracardiac repair. Results There was no in-hospital death or seriouspostoperative complication in this group. For the 11 patients undergoing surgical repair under CPB，average CPB time was 78.6±7.4 minutes，and average aortic cross-clamping time was 39.0±5.9 minutes. Postoperatively，patients’ heart functionrecovered well，their symptoms disappeared，and there was no myocardial ischemia or residual fistula. Twelve patients werefollowed up at the outpatient department and via telephone for 3 months to 6 years after discharge. During follow-up，theirheart function all recovered well，and echocardiogram detected no abnormality. There was no late death，myocardial ischemiaor residual fistula. Conclusion All CAFs patients need early surgical repair once their diagnosis is clear. Appropriate surgical strategies should be chosen according to the characteristics of pathological anatomy and associated intracardiaclesions. Surgical outcomes are satisfactory.
Objective To investigate the influence of T helpers 17 (Th17) cells, regulatory T (Treg) cells and their related cytokines on postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Methods A total of 132 consecutive patients undergoing CABG between May 2013 and July 2016 were recruited. There were 82 males and 50 females with the age ranging from 39-76 years. Venous blood samples were collected within 2 hours after surgery. The expression of Th17 cells, Treg cells and their related cytokines in the peripheral blood was determined. Results POAF occurred in 35 patients (a POAF group) and 97 patients did not develop POAF (a No POAF group). Compared to the No POAF group, the proportion of Th17 cells and Th17/Treg ratio in the peripheral blood significantly increased in the POAF group (P>0.05) while proportion of Treg cells remained no significant change (P>0.05). The expression of Th17-related cytokines (IL-6, IL-8 and IL-17) all obviously increased in the POAF group (P>0.05). However, no significant difference was found in the expression of Treg-related cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β) between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Th17/Treg is unbanlanced in POAF patients and regulation of this imbalance may decrease the occurrence of POAF.
Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of biatrial Cox Maze Ⅳ cryoablation for concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF) during minimally invasive valve surgery. Methods A total of 47 patients (26 males, 21 females, age of 42-69 years) with mitral valve disease and long-standing persistent AF received minimally invasive biatrial Cox Maze Ⅳ cryoablation procedure combined with mitral valve surgery through right minithoracotomy from January 2014 to September 2015. The etiology of mitral valve disease was rheumatic (n=31) and degenerative (n=16). AF duration ranged from 2 to 11 years. Diameter of the left atrium ranged from 43 to 60 mm. Concomitant biatrial Cox Maze Ⅳ cryoablation procedure was performed through right lateral minithoracotomy. Results All 47 patients successfully underwent this minimally invasive concomitant biatrial Cox Maze Ⅳ cryoablation procedure and valve surgery. No patient needed conversion to sternotomy during the surgery. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamp time and cryoablation time was 95-146 (120.3±12.3) min, 82-115 (93.3±7.7) min and 32-48 (38.6±4.5) min, respectively. There was no death perioperatively. The average postoperative length of hospital stay was 5-16 (7.9±1.9) d. At discharge, 44 patients (44/47, 93.6%) maintained sinus rhythm. At a mean follow-up of 6-26 (14.4±5.4) months, sinus rhythm was maintained in 41 patients (41/47, 87.2%). Cumulative maintenance rate of normal sinus rhythm without AF recurrence at one year postoperatively was 86.3%±5.8%. Conclusion Biatrial Cox Maze Ⅳ cryoablation procedure is safe, feasible and effective for AF during concomitant minimally invasive valve surgery.
Objective To investigate the changes of hemodynamics in patients weaning intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) by using progressive volume deflation followed by rate reduction. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 36 patients aged 68.9±4.7 years, 22 males and 14 females, who underwent progressive volume deflation followed by rate reduction for IABP weaning in Xinhua Hospital between September 2006 and January 2016. Progressive volume deflation followed by rate reduction was used to wean IABP and collect hemodynamics parameters of each time point. Results All the patients successfully weaned IABP. One patient got re-IABP assistant 36 hours after the first successful weaning. One early death and three patients (8%) with postoperative IABP-related complications were embolization of the toe artery. One was in ipsilateral limb, and two of contralateral limb. One patient with acute hepatic insufficiency and one patient with acute renal insufficiency cured after treatment. Conclusion Intra-aortic balloon pump weaning is successful by using volume deflation followed by rate reduction which allowed better hemodynamic parameters.
ObjectiveTo study the clinical results of Mini Maze procedure in atrial fibrillation patients with impaired left ventricular systolic function.MethodsFrom June 2010 to December 2017, 86 atrial fibrillation patients with impaired left ventricular systolic function received Mini Maze procedure including 54 males and 32 females, with an average age of 60.7±5.9 years. Among them, 12 were with paroxysmal, 27 were with persistent and 47 were with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. The mean atrial fibrillation duration was 6.5±4.8 years. CHA2DS2-VASc score was 2.2±1.1. The mean diameter of left atrium was 46.9±3.8 mm. The mean diameter of left ventricle was 51.7±4.6 mm. The preoperative ejection fraction was 42.2%±4.7%. All patients received Mini Maze procedure after general anesthesia. The ablation included 3 annular ablations and 3 linear ablations. The left atrial appendage was excised by Endo-Gia. Ablation of Marshall ligament and epicardial autonomic ganglions were made by an ablation pen.ResultsEighty-six patients successfully completed the procedure without transition to thoracotomy. There was no death during the perioperative period. Seventy-seven patients (89.5%) maintained sinus rhythm at discharge. Eighty patients were followed up for 27.2±12.1 months and 72 patients maintained sinus rhythm. The overall postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was 47.1%±6.2%. The ejection fraction of the postoperative sinus rhythm group was 48.2%±5.8%, and the ejection fraction of the non-sinus group was 41.6%±5.8% (P<0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed a left atrial diameter (HR=1.485, 95%CI 1.157-1.906, P<0.05) and an increase in ejection fraction over 10% (HR=18.800, 95%CI 1.674-189.289, P<0.05) were closely related to postoperative recurrence. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that the recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation was significantly lower in patients with an increase in postoperative ejection fraction over 10% (P<0.05).ConclusionMini Maze procedure is safe and effective in the treatment of atrial fibrillation patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction, which helps to improve left ventricular function to prevent the vicious circle of atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
Objective To systematically review the efficacy of intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGF) on macular edema (ME) secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Methods Databases including PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP were electronically searched to identify randomized controlled trials on different anti-VEGF drugs in the treatment of RVO-ME from inception to September 17th 2021. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk bias of the included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Results A total of 11 RCTs were included. Data from these studies included 2 436 eyes, of which 1 682 involved central retinal vein occlusion and 754 involved branch retinal vein occlusion. The results of meta-analysis showed that at 6 months of follow-up, anti-VEGF drug treatment of RVO-ME improved corrected visual acuity (MD=14.97, 95%CI 10.09 to 19.86, P<0.000 01) and reduced central retinal thickness (MD= −218.21, 95%CI −295.56 to −140.86, P<0.000 01) compared with control groups. At 12 months, anti-VEGF treatment of RVO-ME showed better improvement in corrected visual acuity compared with control group (MD=5.70, 95%CI 3.90 to 7.50, P<0.000 01). No statistically differences were observed in the improvements corrected visual acuity with different anti-VEGF drugs. However, for central retinal vein occlusion, different anti-VEGF drugs improved the central retinal thickness including aflibercept vs. bevacizumab (MD=−46.79, 95%CI −83.12 to −10.46, P=0.01), and bevacizumab vs. ranibizumab (MD=76.03, 95%CI 30.76 to 121.30, P=0.001) had significant differences. Conclusions The current evidence shows that anti-VEGF drugs can improve vision and reduce macular edema in the treatment of RVO-ME. Bevacizumab may be an effective alternative to ranibizumab or aflibercept. Existing evidence cannot determine differences between the improvement of best-corrected vision and the reduction of central retinal thickness during the long-term treatment of RVO, which requires to be verified by further research.