ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of the "key anatomical structure detection method" and "working length marking method" on the safety and efficacy of echocardiography-guided percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). MethodsPatients who underwent echocardiography-guided percutaneous PDA closure at Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, with complete clinical data, between January 2016 and December 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into a study group (procedure performed using both "key anatomical structure detection method" and "working length marking method") and a control group (procedures performed without these methods). Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied for 1∶1 matching between the two groups. The primary endpoint was procedure success at 30 days after procedure. Secondary endpoints included intraoperative echocardiography localization success, major and minor complication at 6 months after procedure, and days of hospital stay. Results A total of 273 patients were included, among which 141 were in the study group and 132 in the control group. Before PSM, all patients achieved procedure success. After PSM, 77 matched pairs (154 patients) were analyzed. The study group demonstrated a significantly higher intraoperative echocardiography localization success rate (98.70% vs. 50.64%, P<0.001) and shorter hospitalization duration at (4.10±1.98) d vs. (5.01±2.16) d (P=0.007). The 6-month minor complication rate was lower in the study group (0.00% vs. 6.49%, P=0.058). All patients were successfully discharged, with no cases of device embolization, infective endocarditis, or death observed during follow-up.Conclusion "Key anatomical structure detection method" and "working length marking method" are effective echocardiography-guided adjunctive methods that enhance the safety and efficacy of PDA closure. These approaches deserve further validation in prospective multicenter studies in the future.
Objective To investigate the effect of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty under echocardiographic guidance for patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis during pregnancy. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted to include pregnant women who were diagnosed with moderate to severe mitral stenosis and underwent percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty under echocardiographic guidance in Fuwai Hospital from August 2018 to June 2022, and their baseline characteristics, surgical outcomes, echocardiographic results, and follow-up results were analyzed. Results A total of 3 pregnant women aged 30-35 years, with gestational age of 19-26 weeks, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) function class Ⅲ were included. All the procedures were successfully performed. The mitral valve orifice area increased from 0.9 cm2 preoperatively to 2.1 cm2 postoperatively. The mean transvalvular pressure gradient decreased from 15.0 mm Hg preoperatively to 6.7 mm Hg postoperatively. No perioperative adverse events occurred. The follow-up time ranged from 3 to 48 months. All patients delivered uneventfully and returned to normal life, with maternal-fetal safety. Conclusion Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty under echocardiographic guidance is a feasible and effective procedure for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis in pregnancy, with satisfactory maternal-fetal outcomes.