Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in Chinese population. It is of great significance to further explore the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Ferroptosis is a recently discovered iron-dependent and non-apoptotic form of regulated cell death, which exerts a regulatory role in a variety of biological events. Some studies have shown that ferroptosis plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases. According to newly scientific reports, we summarized the mechanism and regulation in ferroptosis, and reviewed the results of ferroptosis in common cardiovascular diseases such as cardiac ischemia-reperfusion/myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, cardiac hypertrophy, atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Objective To retrospectively review the clinical experience and early surgical results of combined cardiac valve surgery and coronary artery bypass grafting （CABG）. Methods From Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2005, combined valve surgery and CABG was performed in 81 patients. 37 patients were rheumatic heart disease with coronary stenosis, and 44 patients were coronary artery disease with valvular dysfunction. Single vessel disease was in 18 patients, two vessels disease in 9 and triple-vessel disease in 54. All the patients received sternotomy and combined valve surgery and CABG under cardiopulmonary bypass. Mitral valve repair and CABG were done in 26 patients. Valve replacement and CABG were done in 55 patients with 49 mechanical valves and 16 tissue valves. Four patients had left ventricular aneurysm resection concomitantly. The number of distal anastomosis was 3.12 5= 1.51 with 66 left internal mammary arteries bypassed to left anterior descending. Post-operative intra-aortic balloon pump was required in 4 cases for low cardiac output syndrome. Results Two patients died of low cardiac output syndrome with multiple organs failure. 79 patients had smooth recovery and discharged from hospital with improved heart function. 64 patients had completed follow-up with 5 late non cardiac related death in a mean follow-up period of 14.2 months. Conclusion Combined one stage valve surgery and CABG is effective with acceptable morbidity and mortality.
Objective To investigate the effect of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on patients with coronary heart disease and giant left ventricular dimension but without aneurysm. Methods The clinic data of 51 consecutive patients with coronary heart disease accompanied by enlarged left ventricle dimension without aneurysm, including 50 males and 1 female, undergoing CABG between January 2004 and December 2006 in Nanjing First Hospital of Nanjing Medical University was retrospectively reviewed. The patients were at the age of 54-61 years with an age of 57.5±3.2 years. All patients received CABG, combined with aortic valve replacement in 7, mitral valve replacement in 16, mitral valvoplasty in 17 and tricuspid valvoplasty in 7. After surgery, perioperative complications and mortality were closely observed and followup for a period of 37 months was carried out. Results The number of distal anastomoses per patient was 2.0-4.0(3.8±1.1). Four patients died perioperatively (7.8%), among whom 2 died from malignant ventricular fibrillation, 1 from acute kidney failure and 1 from stroke caused by severe low cardiac output syndrome. All other patients were discharged from hospital with good recovery. After operation, 5 patients had atrial fibrillation and 11 had ventricular fibrillation, but all of those patients survived after proper treatment. The followup period for 47 patients was 37-49 months (43±11months), with a followup rate of 100%. No death occurred during the follow-up. Ultrasound cardiography in the followup period showed that there was a decreased left ventricular enddiastolic dimension (59±2 mm vs. 68±5 mm; t=7.320, Plt;0.05) and an improved left ventricular ejection fraction (45%±17% vs. 34%±15%; t=4.770, Plt;0.05) compared with those before operation with statistical significance. Conclusion CABG is an effective surgical procedure in the treatment of coronary heart disease with giant left ventricular dimension but without aneurysm.
Objective To investigate the dose-dependent relationship of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) transplantation in improving ischemic myocardial dysfunction? in a rat ischemic heart model. Methods Myocardial infarction was induced in 32 inbred F344 rats by acute ligation of the left anterior descending(LAD) coronary artery. One week after ligation, the ratswere randomized? into four equal groups, with eight rats in each group. Equal volume Iscove’s modified Dulbecco’s medium was injected in the control group, 1×103(group 1), 1×105(group 2), and 1×107(group 3) 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeled bone marrow MSCs were injected into the infarcted myocardium. Cardiac function was evaluated by ultrasound before the ligation of the LAD, before the transplantation and the 4th week after transplantation. The expressions of BrdU,Connexin43,Myosin heavy chain β(MHC), and smooth muscle actin α(α-SMA) were detected by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry at the 4th week after transplantation. The amount of functional vessels stained by α-SMA was counted simultaneously. Results At the 4th week? after transplantation, the ejection fraction(EF) in goup 2 was more significantly improved than that in group1(0.54±0.20 vs. 0.34±0.16, P＝0.004) and EF in group 3 was more significantly improved than that in group 2(0.71±0.24 vs. 0.54±0.20,P＝0.018), whereas no significant difference between group 1 and control group was detected (0.34±0.16 vs. 0.36±0.15,Pgt;0.05). The BrdU labeled MSCs could be found in host myocardium. The number of cells in group 2 by double staining both for BrdU and for MHC observed in ischemic myocardium were significantly more than that in group 1? (323.20±91.62 n/HP vs. 51.75±27.58 n/HP,P＝0.049) and the same was true between group 3 and group 2(409.75±106.65 n/HP vs. 323.20±91.62 n/HP,Plt;0.001), whereas the result of control group was negative.The majority of transplanted cells were found positive staining both for MHC and for Connexin43 in all groups. There were lots of positive staining of α-SMA whose form were partly irregular in ischemic myocardium indicating that there was neovascularization in group1 and control group. More neovascularization in group2 was found than that in group 1 (28.38±12.79 n/HP vs. 22.75±9.07 n/HP, P＝0015) and more neovascularization in group 3 was found? than that in group 2 (35.63±13.27 n/HP vs. 28.38±12.79 n/HP, P＝0.002) . Conclusion Transplanted into infarcted myocardium, bone marrow MSCs may have significant and dose-dependent potential for cardiomyogenesis with functional recovery from myocardial ischemia.
Abstract: Objective To observe the expression of integrinlinked kinase (ILK) and matrix metalloproteinases9 (MMP9) in human nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and investigate the correlation of ILK and MMP9 expression with the prognosis of NSCLC. Methods The expression of ILK and MMP9 in 75 specimens of NSCLC resected from January 2002 to January 2004 were detected by immunohistochemistry. According to the median of integral optical density (IOD), all patients were divided into the high or low ILK expression group and the high or low MMP-9 expression group. The relativity of ILK and MMP9 was determined, and the relationship of survival time with clinical features including expression of ILK and MMP-9 was compared by Logrank test. Results Both ILK and MMP-9 were expressed in NSCLC specimens. The expression between ILK and MMP-9 was positively correlated in 75 patients of our group (r=0.79, Plt;0.05). Patients with lower expression of ILK and MMP9 had a significantly longer survival time than those with higher expression of ILK and MMP-9 in the postoperative followup (χ2=15.067,14301,Plt;0.05). The survival time was not correlated with sex,age,smoking history or pathological type(χ2=0450,0078, 1.460, 1.623，Pgt;0.05), while tumor diameter, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, the expression of ILK and MMP-9 significantly influenced the survival time (χ2=3.963, 15.169,20.529, 15.067，14.301，Plt;0.05). Conclusion The expression of ILK and MMP9 affects the prognosis of NSCLC. MMP-9 may advance infiltration and metastasis of tumor cells through ILK pathway. In summary, the expression of ILK and MMP9 may play an important role in the evaluation of prognosis for patients with NSCLC.
Objective To investigate the effect of combined carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and offpump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) on patients with carotid arteriostenosis and coronary heart diseases. Methods A total of 121 consecutive patients with carotid arteriostenosis and coronary artery diseases underwent CEA and OPCAB between January 2003 and December 2009 in Nanjing First Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. There were 81 males and 40 females, with their ages ranged from 62 to 72 years (67.2±4.5 years). All patients had 3vessel coronary artery lesions, and there were 3 cases of left main coronary artery lesion. Unilateral carotid arteriostenosis (≥50%) occurred in 95 patients, and bilateral (≥50%) in 26 patients. The occurrence of stroke, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris and other complications after operation was observed, and followup was carried out. Results All patients underwent unilateral CEA including 50 on the right side and 71 left. The mean block time of carotid artery in CEA was 20.5±7.0 minutes. The average number of distal grafts per patient in OPCAB was 2.9±0.3. None of the patients had stroke or myocardial infarction and no perioperative death occurred. Eightyseven patients felt well in terms of their neuropsycho symptoms; 32 felt no change; and 2 worsened. Follow-up was done for all the patients with a follow-up rate of 100%. The mean time of the follow-up was 67.5±12.5 months. During this period, none of the patients manifested stroke, myocardial infarction or neuropsycho symptoms. Conclusion Concomitant OPCAB and CEA is a safe and effective procedure in patients with carotid arteriostenosis and coronary artery diseases. It can reduce the rate of postoperative stroke significantly. However, longterm outcome of the procedure needs operative experience accumulation, longterm follow-up and observation, and serious research and illumination.
Objective To summarize and analyze the clinical experience and surgical results of re-do coronary artery bypass grafting (Re-CABG) for reconvert coronary artery disease. Methods Eighteen patients who underwent Re-CABG in this hospital between June 2001 and December 2006 were analyzed. There were 15 males and 3 females aged from 65 to 78 years old. Seven patients were in class III angina(CCS) and 11 patients were in class IV. Coronary artery angiography showed stenosis or occlusion of great saphenous vein grafts in 16 patients, occlusion of left internal mammary artery(LIMA) grafts in 2 patients and new significant stenosis of the native coronary artery in 6 patients. All Re-CABG were done through re-sternotomy. Fifteen patients underwent cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB for their Re-CABG and 3 patients underwent off-pump Re-CABG. The concomitant procedures included left ventricular aneurysmectomy in 1 patient, mitral valve repair in 3 patients, combined aortic and mitral valve replacement and carotid endarterectomy in 1 patient. Bilateral IMA were used in 4 patients, LIMA in 12 patients, radial artery in 3 patients, and the rest of the grafts consisted of great and lesser saphenous vein. Results In on-pump Re-CABG, the aortic cross clamp time was 57±26min (range 45 to 112 min), the CPB time was 78±24min (range 66 to 140 min).The mean number of distal anastomosis per patient was 3.11(range 1 to 5). Intraoperative flow study of the grafts by Medi-Stim Butterfly showed a mean flow rate of 27.0±12.5 ml/min with pulsatility index( PI)less than 4.2. Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) was used in 1 patient who underwent concomitant aortic and mitral valve replacement and carotid endarterectomy. Post-operatively this patient developed renal failure and expired 6 days later. There was no residual angina and peri-operative myocardial infarction in the remain 17 patients.The post-operatively mechanical ventilation time varied from 5 to 15 hours, chest drainage varied from 290 to 1 040ml. Seventeen patients were discharged uneventfully. Follow-up from 6 months to 4.5years in 17 patients showed no evidence of recurrent angina. Postoperative coronary artery angiography in 4 patients showed patent grafts. Conclusion Re-CABG can be performed as safely and effectively as primary CABG in spite of the fact that it is more demanding. Selecting the proper target vessels, satisfactory blood flow of grafts, complete revascularization and proper peri-operative management are all key factors to a successful Re-CABG.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical effects of allograft orthotopic heart transplantation.MethodsThe clinical data of 36 patients with allograft orthotopic heart transplantation performed in the Heart Centre of Nanjing First Hospital from January 1, 2014 to January 1, 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 31 males and 5 females, aged 23-65 (46.2±8.8) years. Protopathy diseases of recipients included dilated cardiomyopathy in 33 patients, end-stage coronary heart disease in 2 patients, and end-stage valvular heart disease in 1 patient. Heart transplantations were performed through double vena cava anastomosis. Immune induction during operations was treated with a combination therapy of both bariximab and methylprednisolone. Postoperatively, all patients were treated with a new triple immunosuppression protocol: FK506+cellcept+prednisone.ResultsDuring the perioperative period, 1 patient died of severe infection. For 8 patients with heart failure, after adjustment and intra-aortic balloon pump, the cardiac function of all the 8 patients improved. For 5 patients with renal failure, after continuous renal replacement therapy, the renal function of all the patients returned to normal. One patient died of graft failure after 1 year of follow-up. The follow-up time for each patient postoperatively differed from 3 to 49 months with an average time of 16±4 months while the 1-year survival rate was 97.1% (34/35). Among them, 10 patients were marginal donors, with no significant differences between conventional donors and them. Conclusion For end-stage heart diseases, heart transplantation is one of the effective treatment methods in China with fine early- and middle-term curative effects. Reasonable application of intra-aortic balloon pump, continuous renal replacement therapy and other adjuvant treatments and the new triple immunosuppression protocol can significantly improve the success rate of heart transplantation, reduce the occurrence of acute and chronic rejections. The application of marginal donors can alleviate the current situation of shortage of donors to some extent.
Objective To summarize experience in surgery about off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting(OPCAB)for the treatment of left main with three-vessel coronary disease. Methods OPCAB were perfomed in 33 patients of left main with three-vessel coronary disease. The left internal mammary artery(LIMA) was used to be the graft vessel to anastomose with left anterior descending. The saphenous vein was used to be the graft vessel to anastomose with left circumflex coronary artery, right coronary artery/posterior descend artery, diagonal branch, obtuse marginal branch. Results There was no operative death.The average number of grafting was 3.4 per case.There was no perioperative myocardial infarction, respiratory or hepatic or renal failure and other serious complications.Blood transfusion was not needed in 33% of cases.The angina pectoris was free after operation in all cases. Conclusions OPCAB is safe and effective for the treatment of left main with three-vessel coronary disease. The injuries were minimal. Preoperative preparation, using of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, operative matching, techniques and to create a skill and swift team for meet an emergency are the key factors to assure surgical outcome.
Objective To investigate the dynamic changes of vascular adventitia and collagen distribution in the vein graft restenosis model, and evaluate the effects of adventitia and collagen distribution on intimal hyperplasia and vascular remodeling. Methods The pig autogenous vein grafts restenosis model from 18 longwhite pigs were created. 18 pigs were divided into 3 groups: 7th day group after operation, 30th day group after operation and 45th day group after operation according to animals harvested after surgery. The preoperative graft was as control group. According to HE and Masson staining slices, the vascular thickness, cell density, collagen distribution and vascular remodeling were investigated by histomorphometrical approach. Results In 7th day group after operation, the neointima formed and continuously thickened. The thickness and cell density of adventitia increased gradually, and the collagen of adventitia and neointima gradually increased, the luminal area gradually decreased after operation, but have no significant difference with control group（F=2.03,P=0.091）. The residual restenosis rate increased inversely（F=5.16,P=0.033）. Remodeling index and external elastic lamina area (EELA) slightly increased. In 30th day group after operation, the neointima thickened significantly, the thickness and cell density of adventitia reached the peak. There were a significant increase in the collagen of neointima, and the collagen of adventitia reached maximum. The luminal area and inter elastic lamina area(IELA) reduced distinctly as compared with 7th day group, the residual restenosis rate increased significantly（F=6.63,P=0.018）, but remodeling index and EELA decreased distinctly as compared with 7th day group after operation. In 45th day group after operation, the thicknessof neointima reached maximum, but the cell density of adventitia reduced distinctly compared with 30th day group after operation（F=6.91, P=0.015）. The collagen of neointima reached maximum, but the collagen of adventitia were smaller than those in 30th day group after operation, and there were some local fibrosis in adventitia. The luminal area, remodeling index, IELA and EELA reached minimum, but the residuum restenosis rate reached maximum. Conclusion Vein grafts restenosis is resulted by intimal hyperplasia and vascular remodeling. The thickness and fibrosis of adventitia and rearrangement of collagen are the important factors on intimal hyperplasia and vascular remodeling, which takes part in and accelerate the course of vein restenosis.