Objective To analyze the efficacy and safety of closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) guided by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), and summarize the experience of some difficult cases. MethodsThe patients who underwent the percutaneous PFO occlusion in our hospital from January 2020 to May 2023 were retrospectively enrolled. Dynamic monitoring data of TEE before, during, and after the operation were recorded. Results A total of 68 patients including 30 males and 38 females at an average age of (45.6±16.3) years were included. There were 7 patients with complex PFO. Under TEE guidance, 65 patients successfully completed the occlusion treatment, with an average operation time of (55.6±26.2) min and hospital stay time of (4.2±1.1) d, and 3 patients failed to close. During the operation, the two-dimensional TEE images of the patients were clear, which fully and clearly showed the process of the sheath canal passing through the foramen ovale and the continuous observation of the occlusive umbrella after releasing the occlusive umbrella. The position of the umbrella was secure and the shape of the umbrella was satisfactory. No blood shunt or pericardial effusion was found at 6-month and 1-year follow-up. The heart structure and heart rhythm were improved, the atrioventricular valve function was normal, the blocking umbrella was firm and stable, and there was no shedding or displacement. ConclusionThe percutaneous PFO occlusion guided by TEE is safe and effective, and has fewer side effects on patients compared with traditional interventional methods, but the complex PFO occlusion surgery is still challenging.
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of hybrid perventricular device closure (PVDC) for the treatment of muscular ventricular septal defect (MVSD) in pediatric patients. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 35 pediatric patients with MVSD who received hybrid PVDC in West China Hospital between 2009 and 2012. There were 16 males and 19 females with their median age of 3.9 years (range, 1 month to 7 years). There were 10 patients with single MVSD, 12 patients with multiple MVSD, 6 patients with other congenital heart defects, and 7 patients with post-surgical residual MVSD. ResultsAmong the 35 patients, immediate complete closure was achieved in 28 (80.0%) patients. Residual shunt was noted in 7 (20.0%) patients. Median device size was 5 mm. Cardiopulmonary bypass was avoided in 19 patients. Two (5.7%) patients died postoperatively due to postoperative heart failure resulted from complex congenital heart defect. All survival patients were followed up for a mean duration of 6 months, and there was no late death. Thirty-one (93.9%) patients had good positioning of the closure devices but no residual shunt. Small residual shunt at the apex was noted in 2 (6.1%) patients. ConclusionHybrid PVDC is an effective treatment for MVSD with relatively high successful rate but low mortality and morbidity, and its short-term results are satisfactory.
This paper reported a 75-year-old female patient. She was admitted to our hospital for “repeated chest pain, shortness of breath for more than 5 years, and syncope 3 times”. The CT scan of the patient showed severe aortic valve stenosis, bicuspid valve, and severe calcification; then she underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement in our hospital. After the prosthesis was implanted, there was a significant paravalvular leak. Considering the triangular area formed between the calcified clumps, the valve was not fully dilated. Paravalvular leak closure was performed during the operation, attempted through the valve stent mesh to closuring. A rare incarceration of the transmitter occurred. An attempt was made to pull out the incarcerated transmitter through a pull-up technique, which resulted in the prosthesis prolapse. The patient was eventually transferred to surgery aortic valve replacement.
Objective To systematically evaluate the safety, efficacy, and economics of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) versus transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO). Methods PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Database were systematically searched to collect relevant studies on comparing ICE and TEE-guided LAAO from inception to June 15th, 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the literatures, extracted the data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.3 and R 4.0.3. Retrospective cohort studies were excluded for sensitivity analysis. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the types of occluder and ICE catheter. Results A total of 14 studies with 6 599 patients were included. Meta-analyses showed no statistical differences in technical success rate, overall complications, device embolization, peri-device leakage, device-related thrombus, stroke, vascular complications, bleeding, operation time, fluoroscopy time, or contrast agent volume between the ICE and TEE-guided LAAO. The total in-room time (MD=–33.47 min, 95%CI –41.20 to –25.73, P<0.00001) and radiation dosage (MD=–170.20 mGy, 95%CI –309.79 to –30.62, P=0.02) were lower in the ICE group than those in the TEE group, whereas the incidence of pericardial effusion/tamponade was higher than the TEE group (RR=1.57, 95%CI 1.01 to 2.45, P=0.048). Except for pericardial effusion/tamponade, subgroup analyses and sensitivity analysis showed similar results. The analysis based on the cost data from the United States showed comparable or even lower total costs for ICE versus TEE, but comparative domestic cost studies were lacking. Conclusion Current evidence suggests that ICE-guided LAAO can reduce radiation dosage and total in-room time, and there is no statistical difference in the overall complication rate between the two groups. Owing to the limitations of sample size and quality of the included studies, the conclusion still needs to be verified by large sample size and high-quality randomized controlled trials.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical efficacy of transthoracic occlusion via a right subaxillary incision and conventional surgery in the treatment of ventricular septal defect (VSD).MethodsThe clinical data of patients with congenital VSD undergoing right subaxillary incision surgery in our hospital from January 2017 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the surgical methods, the patients were divided into two groups: a conventional surgery group (conventional group) and a transthoracic occlusion group (occlusion group). There were 221 patients in the conventional group, including 97 males and 124 females, with an average age of 2.6±2.2 years and an average weight of 13.4±6.2 kg; there were 185 patients in the occlusion group, including 90 males and 95 females, with an average age of 3.2±2.6 years and an average weight of 14.7±6.6 kg. The clinical effectiveness was compared.ResultsThe success rate of surgery was 100% in both groups. The intraoperative blood loss was less in the occlusion group (P<0.05). The incision length, operation time, postoperative mechanical ventilation time, retention time in the intensive care unit, the time to resume normal diet and normal activities after operation were all shorter than those in the conventional group (P all <0.05). The total cost during hospitalization of the conventional group was less than that of the occlusion group (P<0.001). There was no statistical difference in the incidence rate of perioperative complications between the two groups (P>0.05). During the follow-up (15.8±8.8 months), the incidence of complications in the conventional group was higher than that in the occlusion group with a statistical difference (P<0.001).ConclusionCompared with conventional surgery, transthoracic occlusion for VSD via right subaxillary incision has the advantages of smaller incision, shorter operation time, less blood loss, shorter postoperative recovery time and less long-term complications. However, the total hospitalization cost is relatively high, mainly because of the high consumables cost, and the long-term effects still need further comparative observation.
ObjectiveTo investigate clinical outcomes and safety of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided occlusion of infundibular ventricular septal defect (VSD) via minithoracotomy. MethodsClinical data of 21 pediatric patients with infundibular VSD who underwent TEE-guided occlusion via minithoracotomy in Children's Hospital of Hebei Province from January to June 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 10 male and 11 female patients with their age of 8-24 (16±8) months and body weight of 9±3 kg. The size of VSD was 4.5±2.5 mm. TEE was used to evaluate the position of the occluder, its influence on the atrioventricular valves and aortic valve, and the presence of residual shunt. ResultsThere was no perioperative death or complication. VSD occlusion was successfully performed in 20 out of 21 patients (95.2%). One patient received conversion to open VSD repair under extracorporeal circulation because VSD size was too big. Mean time of delivery of occluders was 32±16 minutes, the size of the occluders was 5±3 mm, and length of hospital stay was 6-8 days. All the patients were followed up for 3-6 months after discharge. During follow-up, echocardiography showed clear echo and normal position of the occluders, and there was no mild or more severe residual shunt or valvular regurgitation. ConclusionTEE-guided occlusion of infundibular VSD via minithoracotomy is easy to perform and safe with satisfactory clinical outcomes.
Currently, transcatheter intervention is the preferred treatment for patients with anatomically suitable atrial septal defects. However, the use of nickel-titanium alloy occluders in interventional procedures results in lifelong presence of the implant in the body, leading to complications such as metal allergies and arrhythmias in some patients. To overcome the short-term and long-term complications associated with the presence of metal, and to avoid radiation exposure and metal toxicity, this paper reports a case of successful transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect in a pediatric patient with metal allergies using fully biodegradable occluder under ultrasound guidance, achieving excellent results by interventional therapy.
Abstract： Objective To investigate videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and percutaneous catheter occlusion (PCO) in interruption of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), in order to achieve minimally invasive surgical injuries and better clinical results. Methods From November 1995 to September 2009, 312 cases of PDA were treated in Fujian provincial hospital, among whom 252 patients were interrupted with VATS(VATS group) and 60 patients with PCO technique(PCO group). For the VATS group, there were 78 males and 174 females aged from 7 d to 31 years old (9.16±8.91 years), while there were 17 males and 43 females aged from 4 to 57 years old (25.55±14.10 years) in the PCO group. We used titanium clip to interrupt PDA under videoassisted thoracoscope for patients in the VATS group, and adopted Amplatzer method for patients in the PCO group. The clinical results, complications and hospital cost in the two groups were compared in this study. Results In the VATS group, all the PDA were successfully interrupted with no residual shunt. In the PCO group, 5% (3/60) of the patients had minor residual shunt after the procedure. No mortality occurred in both groups. Time of the procedure and hospital stay in the PCO group were shorter than that in the VATS group (70.20±31.20 min vs. 112.50±16.30 min, t=6.344,P=0.002; and 4.70±2.20 d vs. 6.50±2.80 d, t=3.241, P=0.022, respectively). However, the hospital cost for each patient in the PCO group was much higher than that in the VATS group (23 222.00±4 333.40 yuan RMB vs. 8 904.50±2 634.60 yuan RMB,t=25.360, P=0.000). Conclusion Compared with PCO, VATS in interrupting PDA can achieved not only excellent clinical results, especially in the newborn and baby cases, but also very satisfying cost which is just a little more than one third of the PCO cost.