Objective:To explore the application value of three dimensional T 1 weighted sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts by using different flip angle evolutions (3D T 1-SPACE) combined with three dimensional time of flight MR angiography (3D-TOF MRA) in the follow-up of stent-assisted coil embolization for intracranial aneurysm. Methods:From December 2017 to October 2018, 25 patients with intracranial aneurysm who underwent stent-assisted coil embolization in Henan Provincial People′s Hospital were enrolled. All of them had wide neck intracranial aneurysms and were followed up for 6 to 10 months after endovascular treatment using 3D-TOF MRA, 3D T 1-SPACE sequence and DSA. The DSA and 3D-TOF MRA were performed to evaluate aneurysm remnants using Raymond grade scale. Meanwhile, 3D-TOF MRA and 3D T 1-SPACE sequence were performed to evaluate in-stent lumen visibility using the 4-point scale. The paired sample Wilcoxon test was used to evaluate the aneurysm remnants and the parent artery patency. DSA was used as the gold standard to calculate the specificity and accuracy of the aneurysm remnants evaluated by 3D-TOF MRA. Results:Six to ten months′ follow up after the procedure, for aneurysm occlusion, the Raymond grade scale of the 25 patients evaluated by DSA indicated grade 1 in 23 patients, 2 in 1 and 3 in 1. For patients evaluated by 3D-TOF MRA, the results demonstrated grade 1 in 21 patients, 2 in 3 and 3 in 1. There was no difference between the 2 methods ( Z=-0.557, P=0.577). The in-stent lumens of parent vessel evaluated by 3D-TOF MRA showed that there were 14 patients with grade 3, 8 patients with grade 2 and 3 patients with grade 1. However, 3D T 1-SPACE demonstrated that all 25 patients were grade 4. The 3D T 1-SPACE was superior to evaluate the in-stent lumens than 3D-TOF MRA ( Z=-4.484, P<0.001). Taking DSA as standard, the specificity and accuracy of the aneurysm remnants evaluated by 3D-TOF MRA were 86.9% (20/23) and 84.0% (21/25), respectively. Conclusion:3.0 T 3D T 1-SPACE MR sequence can be used to assess parent artery patency, with in-stent lumen being clearly visible. 3D-TOF MRA can evaluate intracranial aneurysm remnants. The combination of these two MRI imaging techniques can be used as an optional follow-up evaluation after the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

Objective:To identify the causative genes of sporadic thoracic aortic aneurysm or dissection (TAAD) and their correlation with clinical phenotype in the southern Chinese.Methods:We analyzed 11 core genes of TAAD probands without specific family history of 226 cases by next-generation sequencing technology, and performed sanger sequencing for their close relatives. Clinical data of each patient, including age of onset, syndromic phenotypes, involvement of aortic root, aortic maximum diameter and D-dimer were collected. And statistical software SPSS was used to evaluate the correlation between clinical phenotypes and gene mutations.Results:A total of 106 variants were detected in 226 probands with gene-positive frequency of 44.69%, consist of 16 pathogenic (P) variants, 18 likely pathogenic (LP) variants and 71 variants of uncertain significance (VUS). More than half of the mutations were from the non-syndromic TAAD, in which the FBN1 still was the most common causative gene. Earlier age of onset, an increase of women, larger diameter of aorta, Stanford B dissection and severe aortic regurgitation were likely to occur on carriers of P/LP, while thoracic aortic aneurysm occurs on carriers of VUS. Phenotype of both syndrome and dissection with aneurysm could increase the likelihood of carrying gene mutation, but D-dimer and involvement of aortic root couldn’t.Conclusion:Patients with sporadic aortic diseases in southern China have significant genetic heterogeneity and specific correlation between their clinical phenotype and gene mutation, especially in non-syndromic population. Earlier age of onset in carriers of FBN1 or ACTA2 genes, and larger maximum diameters of aorta in carrier of P/LP.

Objective To examine the safety, efficacy and durability of totally endoscopic minimally invasive (TEMI) mitral valve repair in Barlow’s disease (BD). Methods A retrospective study was performed on patients who underwent mitral valve repair for BD from January 2010 to June 2021 in the Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital. The patients were divided into a MS group and a TEMI group according to the surgery approaches. A comparison of the clinical data between the two groups was conducted. Results A total of 196 patients were enrolled, including 133 males and 63 females aged (43.8±14.9) years. There were 103 patients in the MS group and 93 patients in the TEMI group. No hospital death was observed. There was a higher percentage of artificial chordae implantation in the TEMI group compared to the MS group (P=0.020), but there was no statistical difference between the two groups in the other repair techniques (P>0.05). Although the total operation time between the two groups was not statistically different (P=0.265), the TEMI group had longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (P<0.001) and aortic clamp time (P<0.001), and shorter mechanical ventilation time (P<0.001) and postoperative hospitalization time (P<0.001). No statistical difference between the two groups in the adverse perioperative complications (P>0.05). The follow-up rate was 94.2% (180/191) with a mean time of 0.2-12.4 (4.0±2.4) years. Two patients in the MS group died with non-cardiac reasons during the follow-up period. The 3-year, 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates of all patients were 100.0%, 99.2%, 99.2%, respectively. Compared with the MS group, there was no statistical difference in the survival rate, recurrence rate of mitral regurgitation, reoperation rate of mitral valve or adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in the TEMI group (P＞0.05). Conclusion TEMI approach is a safe, feasible and effective approach for BD with a satisfying long-term efficacy.

Objective To research the procedure for creating an animal model of mitral regurgitation by implanting a device through the apical artificial chordae tendineae, and to assess the stability and dependability of the device. Methods Twelve large white swines were employed in the experiments. Through a tiny hole in the apex of the heart, the artificial chordae tendineae of the mitral valve was inserted under the guidance of transcardiac ultrasonography. Before, immediately after, and one and three months after surgery, cardiac ultrasonography signs were noted. Results All models were successfully established. During the operation and the follow-up, no swines died. Immediately after surgery, the mitral valve experienced moderate regurgitation. Compared with preoperation, there was a variable increase in the amount of regurgitation and the values of heart diameters at a 3-month follow-up (P<0.05). Conclusion In off-pump, the technique of pulling the mitral valve leaflets with chordae tendineae implanted transapically under ultrasound guidance can stably and consistently create an animal model of mitral regurgitation.

Objective To develop a novel transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement device and test its performance. Methods The transcatheter tricuspid valve stent consisted of double-layer self-expanding nitinol stent, biotissue-derived bovine pericardial leaflets, and PTFE woven. The delivery system, mainly consisting of a handle control unit and a delivery sheath, was sent to the correct position via right atrium or jugular vein. The sheath had a visualization feature, and the handle control unit could realize the functions of stable release and partial recovery of the interventional valve. In addition, this study performed animal survival experiments on the basis of in vitro experiments. A large-white pig was used as the experimental animal. Cardiopulmonary bypass was established through median thoracotomy, then the right atrium was opened, and the interventional valve was released under direct vision without cardiac arrest. Approximately 1 month after interventional valve implantation, the maneuverability and stability of the interventional tricuspid device were evaluated by autopsy. Results Through the animal experiment, the interventional valve was successfully released, and the anchoring was satisfactory. Postoperative transthoracic echocardiography showed that the interventional valve opened and closed well, the flow rate of tricuspid valve was 0.6 m/s, and there was no obvious tricuspid regurgitation. One month after the operation, we dissected the large-white pig and found the interventional valve was not deformed or displaced, the leaflets were well aligned, and there was thrombus attachment in the groove between the inner and outer layers of the interventional valve. Conclusion Animal experiment shows that the novel device can stably and firmly attach to the tricuspid annulus, with good anchoring effect, and effectively reduce paravalvular leakage.