Objective To evaluate the right ventricular function of the patients 2 years after surgery by ultrasonic cardiography (UCG) who underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR) concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP). Method We finally identified 36 patients required MVR with tricuspid valve annular dilation concomitant merely mild tricuspid regurgitaion (TR) based on preoperative UCG in our hospital between April and November 2012 year. All patients were randomly divided into two groups by digital table including a tricuspid annuloplasty group (a TAP group, n=18, 7 males and 11 females at age of 45.67±12.49 years) and a no-tricuspid annuloplasty group (a NTAP group, n=18, 6 males and 12 females at age of 45.44±10.48 years). General clinical data and extracorporeal circulation data were recorded. UCG evaluation was practiced preoperation, alone with 1 week, 6 months, and 2 years after surgery. Results Two years postoperative maximal long-axis of RA (RAmla), mid-RA minor distance (RAmmd), right ventricle dimension-1(RVD1) , right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC), 3D RV end-systolic volume (3DRVESV), tricuspid valve annular end-diastolic dimension (TVAEDD), tricuspid valve annular end-systolic dimension (TVAESD) of patients were all smaller in the TAP group than those in the NTAP group. Yet right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), percent shorting of tricuspid valve annulus (PSTVA) were greater in the TAP group than those in the NTAP group, although there was no statistical difference between the two groups in two years postoperative 3D RV end-diastolic volume (3DRVEDV). The patients in the TAP group had a superior trend than that of the NTAP group. Moreover, the patients' TR constituent ratio in the TAP group was much better than that of the NTAP group in 2 year after operation. Conclusions Concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty for patients with tricuspid valve annulus dilation and mild TR underwent MVR is favorable for the recovery of their 2 years postoperative function of tricuspid valve and right ventricle. It is benefit to reduce patient's long term postoperative TR residues and exacerbation.
Objective To evaluate the changes of right ventricular function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) before and after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI). Methods Fifty patients with moderate and severe OSAHS were selected for CPAP treatment, and another 40 healthy volunteers were selected as a control group. 2D-STI and traditional echocardiography were conducted in the study group before treatment, after 3 months of continuous treatment and after 6 months of continuous treatment and in the control group. Results The differences between the control subjects and the OSAHS patients were statistically significant in right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS), right ventricular free lateral wall longitudinal strain (RVLLS), apical segment of the right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (Apical RV-SL), basal segment of the right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (Basal RV-SL), and media segment of the right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (Media RV-SL) (all P<0.05). RVGLS, RVLLS and Apical RV-SL were significantly improved after 3 months of CPAP treatment (all P<0.05). Basal RV-SL was significantly improved after 6 months of CPAP treatment (P<0.05). Conclusions The right ventricular function of patients with OSAHS is abnormal. CPAP treatment can improve the right ventricular function of OSAHS patients. 2D-STI can accurately assess the changes of right ventricular function.
ObjectiveTo compare early clinical outcomes between systemic-pulmonary shunts (SPS) and right ventricular to pulmonary artery connection (RV-PA connection) for patients with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD), and investigate early management strategies for these 2 different palliative procedures. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 89 PA/VSD patients who underwent SPS or RV-PA connection in Fu Wai Hospital from January 2009 to December 2011. According to different surgical procedures, all the 89 patients were divided into 2 groups. In SPS group, there were 59 patients including 35 males and 24 females with their median age of 25 months (4 months to 8 years). In RV-PA connection group, there were 30 patients including 19 males and 11 females with their median age of 24 months (28 days to 7 years and 2 months). Early clinical outcomes including mechanical ventilation time, length of ICU stay, morbidity, reexploration, improvement of oxygen saturation (SO2) and mortality were compared between the 2 groups. ResultsAmong 59 patients in SPS group, 3 patients (5.1%) died postoperatively. There was no in-hospital death among 30 patients in RV-PA connection group. The improvement of percentage of SO2 of RV-PA connection group was significantly higher than that of SPS group (31.7% vs. 22.2%, P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in length of ICU stay (3.6±2.5 days vs. 4.2±5.1 days, P > 0.05), mechanical ventilation time (34.8±33.5 hours vs. 44.3±39.6 hours, P > 0.05), postoperative morbidity (37.3% vs. 30.0%, P > 0.05) or reexploration rate (15.3% vs. 6.7%, P > 0.05) between SPS group and RV-PA connection group. Incidence of serious postoperative complications of SPS group was signi-ficantly higher than that of RV-PA connection group (25.4% vs. 6.7%, P < 0.05). ConclusionEarly clinical outcomes of RV-PA connection is better than SPS for PA/VSD patients including greater SO2 improvement and lower mortality. Mid-term and long-term clinical results as well as larger study samples are needed for better evaluation.
Follow the advance of surgical treatment in complex congenital heart disease, the application of right ventricular(RV)-bypass procedures in RV-hypoplasia/dysfunction was gradually recognized; the pathological pattern of RV-hypoplasia/dysfunction, the histological change of RV-bypass operation and the option on different operative procedure, emphasis on the indication of bidirectional superior cavopulmonary anastomosis(BCPA),the form and method of procedure,and peri-operative management were reviewed in this paper,the optimal age for BCPA, the optimal timing for conversion to Fontan procedure, on pump or off pump, section of the pulmonary trunk, and its difference from hemi-Fontan and 1 1/2 ventricular operation were discussed.
ObjectiveTo summarize the experience and lessons of right ventricular decompression in children with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS) and to reflect on the strategies of right ventricular decompression.MethodsThe clinical data of 12 children with PA/IVS who underwent right ventricular decompression in our hospital from March 2015 to December 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 10 males and 2 females with a median age at the time of surgery was 5 d (range, 1-627 d). Correlation analysis between the pulmonary valve transvalvular pressure gradient and changes in Z score of tricuspid valves after decompression was performed.ResultsOne patient died of refractory hypoxemia due to circulatory shunt postoperatively and family members gave up treatment. There were 2 (16.67%) patients received postoperative intervention. The pulmonary transvalvular gradient after decompression was 31.95±21.75 mm Hg. Mild pulmonary regurgitation was found in 7 patients, moderate in 2 patients, and massive in 1 patient. The median time of mechanical ventilation was 30.50 h (range, 6.00-270.50 h), and the average duration of ICU stay was 164.06±87.74 h. The average postoperative follow-up time was 354.82±331.37 d. At the last follow-up, the average Z score of tricuspid valves was 1.32±0.71, the median pressure gradient between right ventricle and main pulmonary artery was 41.75 mm Hg (range, 21-146 mm Hg) and the average percutaneous oxygen saturation was 92.78%±3.73%. Two children underwent percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvoplasty at 6 and 10 months after surgery, respectively, with the rate of reintervention-free of 81.8%. There was no significant correlation between pulmonary transvalvular gradients after decompression and changes in Z score of tricuspid valves (r=–0.506, P=0.201).ConclusionFor children with PA/IVS, the simple pursuit of adequate decompression during right ventricular decompression may lead to severe pulmonary dysfunction, increase the risk of ineffective circular shunt, and induce refractory hypoxemia. The staged decompression can ensure the safety and effectiveness for initial surgery and reduce the risk of postoperative death.
ObjectiveTo compare the benefits and drawbacks of primary patch expansion versus pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection in patients diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD). MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PA/VSD who underwent primary right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection surgery at our center between 2010 and 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection: a pericardial tube group and a patch expansion group. Clinical data and imaging findings were compared between the two groups. ResultsA total of 51 patients were included in the study, comprising 31 males and 20 females, with a median age of 12.57 (4.57, 49.67) months. The pericardial tube group included 19 patients with a median age of 17.17 (7.33, 49.67) months, while the patch expansion group consisted of 32 patients with a median age of 8.58 (3.57, 52.72) months. In both groups, the diameter of pulmonary artery, McGoon index, and Nakata index significantly increased after treatment (P<0.001). However, the pericardial tube group exhibited a longer extracorporeal circulation time (P<0.001). The reoperation rate was notably high, with 74.51% of patients requiring further surgical intervention, including 26 (81.25%) patients in the patch expansion group and 12 (63.16%) patients in the pericardial tube group. No statistical differences were observed in long-term cure rates or mortality between the two groups (P＞0.005). Conclusion In patients with PA/VSD, both patch expansion and pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection serve as effective initial palliative treatment strategies that promote pulmonary vessel development and provide a favorable foundation for subsequent radical operations. However, compared to the pericardial tube approach, the patch expansion technique is simpler to perform and preserves some intrinsic potential for pulmonary artery development, making it the preferred procedure.
Objective To investigate the hemodynamic performance of valved bovine jugular vein conduits (BJVC) for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in canine model. Methods The BJVC that were treated with the glutaraldehyde were implanted between the pulmonary artery and right ventricle in seven young canines. Right ventricular and pulmonary artery pressures were measured directly before and after the implantation. Hemodynamic evaluations were carried out by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization after the implantation. Results Seven canines were survival one year after the implantation. The pulmonary artery pressures (including systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and mean pressure) had not significantly changed after reconstruction with the conduits. The right ventricular diastolic pressures had not increased after the reconstruction, but the right ventricular systolic pressure and mean pressure had increased. One year later, the echocardiography showed valve motion with no obvious thickening of the leaflets. No graft kinking or obvious regurgitation of the valve was observed. Cardiac catheterization and angiography showed that the pressure gradients between the right ventricle and the conduits varied from 3 to 19mmHg, the diastolic pressures in the conduits were higher than that of right ventricle((Plt;)0.01), and the conduits and pulmonary arteries had no obvious obstruction. Conclusion The glutaraldehyde-fixed bovine jugular vein conduit has good hemodynamic performance in the pulmonary circulation.
Double outlet right ventricle (DORV) is a complex cardiac malformation with many anatomic variations and various approaches for surgical repair. DORV is mainly defined as the congenital heart disease with ventriculoarterial connection in which both pulmonary artery and aorta arising primarily (>50%) from the right ventricle, associated with continuity or discontinuity between the aorta and mitral valve. DORV can be subclassified by various ways. Now subclassification is usually performed according to the relationship between the ventricular septal defect (VSD) and the great arteries. Various approaches for surgical repair of DORV ranging from single ventricle palliation to biventricular repair are reported from many centers. However, the high-grade guideline of surgical management of DORV is still absent. Hence, we developed the Chinese expert consensus on DORV as the evidence for surgical strategies.