BACKGROUND: Under certain condition, circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) can differentiate into endothelial cells, and further participate in angiogenesis.OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of peripheral blood-derived EPCs in promoting angiogenesis in the ischemic myocardium, in order to provide a new cell implanting method for the treatment of coronary heart disease.DESIGN: A randomized controlled experiment.MATERIALS: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, of clean grade, weighing (340±20) g, were provided by Qingdao Laboratory Animal Center. These animals were randomly divided into 2 groups with 30 rats in each: experimental group and control group. In each group, ten rats were separately observed 2, 4 and 8 weeks after EPCs being injected. The protocol was conducted in accordance with animal ethics guidelines for the use and care of animals.METHODS: This study was carried out in the Qingdao Key Laboratory of Medical Biological Technology between May 2003 and September 2004. After SD rats in the experimental group were anesthetized, peripheral blood was taken.Mononuclear cells were harvested by density gradient centrifugation. CD31, CD34, Flk-1 and von Willebrand disease factor immunofluorescence staining positive EPCs were harvested by adding the defined media of vascular endothelial growth factors and basic fibroblast growth factor. Myocardial ischemia was induced by ligation of murine left anterior descending coronary artery. Autologous EPCs isolated from the peripheral blood of each animal were infused to ischemic myocardium. In the control groups,cell culture media were infused, and the other procedures were the same as those in the experimental group. Two, four and eight weeks after ligation, all animals were sacrificed by overdose anesthesia, and heart tissue sections were made.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①After haematoxylin-eosin staining, myocardial structure changes were observed under an optical microscope. ②Cells positive for factor Ⅷ were numbered and then to calculate the total number of cells in each visual field for evaluating microvessel density with a German ZEISS Axiotron image analyzer.RESULTS: All the 60 SD rats were involved in the final analysis, without deletion. ①Myocardial structure was relatively disarrayed in the control groups, with collagens and fibroblasts substituted for cardiomyocytes. In the marginal infarct areas, cardiomyocytes were irregular and partial cells were significantly hypertrophied. As compared with control group, myocardial collagen fibers fused less, and tissue structure got more disarranged in the experimental group. Microvessel density in the implanted area was obviously increased. ②In the 2nd, 4th and 8th weeks after EPC infusion, microvessel density at the ischemic myocardium was significantly higher than that at the corresponding time point in the control group (P ＜ 0.01). In the EPCs groups, microvessel density tended to statistically increase with time going (P ＜ 0.05). No prominent difference was observed in the three control groups (P＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: Relatively purified EPCs can be obtained by certain procedure of isolation and culture from rat peripheral blood. Intramyocardial implantation of autologous EPCs promotes microangiogenesis and has a protective effect on ischemic myocardial tissue.

Objective To explore the procedures of isolation,cultivation of endothelial progenitor cells(EPC) from peripheral bloods and the feasibility of local EPC transplantation to promote neovascularization in ischemic myocardium. Methods Peripheral blood was obtained from the femoral artery of each Sprague-Dawley(SD)rat.Myocardial ischemia was induced by ligation of murine left anterior descending coronary artery.Immmdiate timepoint of ligation procedure, autologous EPC from peripheral blood,positive for CD31,D34,Flk-1 and vWF,isolated from the peripheral blood of each animal were injected to ischemic myocardium.In the control groups,cell culture media was injected.Rats were euthanized and neovascularization in local ischemia areas was evaluated.Results Hematoxylin-eosin staining indicated better myocardial arrangement in the EPC group.Capillary density in ischemic myocardium weeks after transplantation was significantly greater in the group of EPC injection than the control groups.Conclusion Relatively purified EPC can be obtained by certain procedure of isolation and culture from rat peripheral blood.Intramyocardial transplantation of autologous EPCs will promote microangiogenesis and has a protective effect on ischemic myocardial tissue.

Objective To observe the availability and safety of ventricular septal defect (VSD) occluder in infants and young children with large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) associated with severe pulmonary hypertension.Methods Five patients (1 male and 4 fomale) of large PDA aged 5 months to 3 years,weighted from 5.1 to 15 kg,body surface area (BSA) 0.37-0.58 m2 underwent transcathter intervention with concentric VSD occluders from June 2008 to May 2009.Arterial ducta were tube-like and their diameters were 5.7 to 8.5 mm,with ulmonary vascular resistance from 4.8 to 5.7 Wood Unit,Qp/Qs 3.4-4.6.Three patients were given Bosentan after intervention.Results The large PDAs were successfully closed with VSD occluders,including 1 concentric perimembranous VSD occluder and 4 muscular VSD occluders.They all discharged 4 to 5 days with hidrosis and weight improved.Echocardiogram indicated VSD occluder was stable,no residue shunt and no stricture of left pulmonary artery and descending aorta were found.According to tricuspid and pulmonary regurgitation,pulmonary arterial pressure decreased differently and returned to normal after 6 months follow-up.Conclusion VSD occluder is available and effective to close large PDA associated with severe pulmonary hypertension in inrants and young children,but more cases and long-term follow-up are necessary.

Pulmonary artery denervation (PADN) can block local sympathetic nerve of pulmonary artery, reduce the hemodynamic parameters of pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH), attenuate pulmonary vascular remodeling, right ventricular hypertrophy and fibrosis, thus improving cardiac function.Early basic experiment has determined the position of sympathetic nerve of pulmonary artery in pulmonary endarterium and confirmed the safety and effectiveness of PADN in the animal model of PAH.PADN may play a role by inhibiting execssive activation of the sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotension-aldosterone system.PADN has been applied to adult clinical research, and has achieved a good clinical effect.On this basis, the possibility of applying PADN to children′s PAH is being explored preliminarily.

Objective Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guided, minimally invasive perventricular device occlusion of ventricular septal defects ( VSDs) without cardiopulmonary bypass ( CPB) has been applied in multiple centers. We reported experiences and the mid-term results. Methods Four hundred and thirty-two cases from 4 cardiac centers were involved in the study. There were 235 males and 197 females, aged from 3 months to 15 years, with a body weight varying from 4.0 to 26.0 kg. Three hundred and fifty-one patients had perimembranous VSDs, 57 had intracristal or supracristal VSDs and 24 had muscular VSDs (17 had multiple muscular VSDs). The diameter of the VSD ranged from 3 to 12 (5.3 ±1.6 ) mm.For those with perimembranous or muscular VSDs, a 3 to 5 cm inferior sternotomy was made, but for those with intracristal or supracristal VSDs, a 2 to 3 cm incision was made parastemally through the left third intercostal space. Being monitored and guided with TEE, the device was deployed to occlude the VSD through the puncture at the free wall of the right ventricle. TEE was used for assessing the residual shunting, the left and right ventricular outlet tracts, valvular function and for detecting any arrhythmia, The devices would be released if the heart rhythm was normal, as well as the residual shunting and valvular regurgilalion were not detected. Results The procedure was completed successfully in 417 cases(96.5% ) and converted to traditional surgical closure with CPB in the other 15 cases(3.5% ). Concentric devices were used in 238 cases(57.1% )and eccentric devices were used in 179 patients(42.9% ). Successful procedures finished in less than 90 minutes, and the deployment and evaluation of the devices were completed in 5 to 60 (18. 2 ± 8.6) minutes. No residual shunt and detectable aortic or tricuspid insufficiency and arrhythmia was observed. Patients were extubated within 2 hours and discharged 3 to 5 days after the operation. During fellow-up period from 3 months to 2 years, no clinically significant complications occurred. Conclusion The minimally invasive device closure of VSD under TEE guidance without CPB is proved to be a simple, safe and effective treatment for a considerable number of children with VSD. Its use in the clinical practice should be encouraged.

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is a serious disease that endangers the life of a newborn.Currently,extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is an important component of life support for PPHN patients who is ineffective of the conventional treatment.In recent years,the domestic related reports have gradually increased.This paper summarizes the related research results at home and abroad in recent years,and expounds its application progress.

Objective:To review the clinical outcomes following perinatal multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment of fetal D-transposition of great arteries (D-TGA).Methods:This retrospective analysis involved 37 fetuses (two fetuses were one of the twins) with D-TGA that were diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound at the Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University from January 2016 to December 2020. All the subjects received perinatal multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment, from the Departments of Fetal Medicine, Genetics, Obstetrics, Ultrasonography, Pediatric Cardiology, Neonatology, etc., and the outcomes were described and summarized.Results:The detection rate of D-TGA was 0.059% (37/62 413), among which intact ventricular septum with D-TGA accounted for 56.8% (21/37) and ventricular septal defect with D-TGA for 43.2% (16/37). All the 37 cases were observed with normal nuchal translucency and four of them were at high risk in fetal Down syndrome screening. All the 31 cases who received non-invasive cell-free fetal DNA screening had normal results and two of 26 cases who received amniocentesis for karyotype analysis and chromosome microarray analysis were abnormal. In terms of pregnancy outcome, 19 pregnancies (51.4%) were terminated, of which 10 cases were terminated for medical reasons and others for non-medical reasons, and 18 cases gave birth to alive body (48.6%, 18/37). Postnatal ultrasound re-examination of one neonate revealed D-TGA with ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, and bicuspid pulmonary valve malformation and severe hypoxia and acidosis occured. The patient was discharged after withdrawing treatment and was lost to follow-up. The other 17 neonates all underwent successful surgical treatment with a mean age of (10.2±6.0) d and length of hospital stay of (26.3±9.3) d. Postoperative follow-up (3.3±1.2) years showed all with good cardiac function.Conclusion:Perinatal multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment of D-TGA can improve the success rate of postnatal treatment and prognosis.

Objective:To explore the value of current indications for fetal pulmonary valvuloplasty (FPV) by summarizing the postnatal diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of fetuses with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS) and right ventricular hypoplasia (RVH).Methods:This prospective study was conducted at the Heart Center of Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University from September 2018 to March 2021, which included pregnant women who were (1) with fetal PA/IVS and RVH; (2) unable to receive FPV due to fetal position or gestational age despite the indications; (3) given integrated pre- and postnatal management. Prenatal fetal echocardiography assessment, postnatal diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up were summarized using Wilcoxon matched-pair signed-rank test.Results:A total of 35 singleton pregnant women were diagnosed with fetal PA/IVS and RVH by ultrasonic cardiogram and admitted during the study period. Among the 28 fetuses meeting the FPV indications, 18 underwent FPV, while the other 10 did not due to inappropriate fetal position or gestational age. After excluding four terminated pregnancies, the rest six cases were enrolled. The median gestational age at the initial prenatal fetal echocardiography diagnosis was 28.9 weeks (28.3-30.4 weeks). Compared with the initial evaluation, the fetal right ventricular to left ventricular length/diameter ratio [0.8 (0.6-0.9) vs 0.6 (0.5-0.8)] and tricuspid regurgitation velocity [4.7 m/s (3.2-5.1 m/s) vs 4.1 m/s (3.3-4.8 m/s)] were increased, while tricuspid valve Z value [－0.8(－1.6-0.8) vs 0.4 (－0.3-1.9)] and single-ventricular predictive score [0.5 (0.0-2.0) vs 2.0 (1.0-3.0)] were decreased when re-evaluated six weeks later ( T were－2.21, 2.00,－2.20, and 2.00; all P<0.05). All of the six fetuses were born alive with a median gestational age of 38.9 weeks (37.3-40.1 weeks). The median weight was 3 425 g (3 100-4 160) g after being transferred to cardiac intensive care unit. The median age was 12.5 d (0.0-20.0 d) at the first surgical intervention. The median follow-up duration was 15 months (11.8-18.5 months). At initial diagnosis, the single-ventricular predictive score was 1-2 points in four fetuses, and =3 points in two fetuses. There was no death during follow-up. Four patients achieved anatomical biventricular circulation, one achieved clinical biventricular circulation, and one still needed further follow-up, with single-ventricular predictive score at initial diagnosis of 1-3, 3, and 2 points, respectively. Conclusions:The prognosis is good in fetuses with PA/IVS and RVH who have FPV indications but do not receive intrauterine intervention, which suggests that the current FPV indications may be too broad, and a more suitable FPV indication need to be further explored given the difficulty of implementing FPV.