Objective To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA)for the salvage of immature arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and to identify the incidence of arterial and venous puncture site spasm.Methods The medical records and radiological data of 88 patients with 112 interventional procedures for immature AVFs were retrospectively reviewed.Results The stenosis lesions were (2.0 ± 1.4) cm long.Technical success rate and clinical success rate were 80.4％ (78/97) and 92.8％ (90/97) for PTA via brachial artery,85.7％ (6/7) and 100％ (7/7) for PTA via vein,25％ (2/8) and 50％ (4/8) for PTA via both brachial artery and vein,respectively.Spasm of pure arterial PTA occurred in 2 patients (2.1％) and was mild and moderate.Spasm of pure venous PTA occurred in 2 patients (28.6％) and was both moderate.Spasm of combined arterial and venous PTA occurred in 3 patients (37.5％) and from being severe to completely occluded.By comparison,there were statistical differences of technical and clinical success rate (P =0.000,0.019 ; P =0.000,0.029),fistulas spasm rate was statistically significant different (P =0.000).Conclusions Endovascular therapy was effective in restoring the dysfunctional native AVFs,it was safer and more effective and with less sideeffects especially in selecting coronary balloon to treat patients without large phlebangioma and round fistulas.

Objective To summarize the experience of the nursing care of indwelling catheter thrombolysis for acute thrombosis in the arteriovenous fistula in eight hemodialysis patients.Methods After breaking thrombus through indwelling catheter,both bolus injection and micro-pump continuous infusion of urokinase was employed in eight hemodialysis patients with acute thrombosis in the arteriovenous fistula.The necessary nursing measures were carried out to assist the whole therapeutic procedure.Results All the patients could well cooperate with the procedure of indwelling catheter thrombolysis and urokinase infusion.The reopening rate of the obstructed fistula was 100%.Conclusion Indwelling catheter thrombolysis with urokinase infusion is a simple,effective and safe treatment for acute thrombosis in the arteriovenous fistula in hemodialysis patients.In order to obtain optimal results,necessary nursing measures must be carried out.

Objective To study the locations, types and causes of different pseudoaneurysms in order to find out the optimal individualized treatment for different pseudoaneurysms. Methods Different methods were applied in treating 21 patients with pseudoaneurysm, which were located at limb (n = 11 ), spleen (n =3), kidney (n = 2) , common lilac artery (n = 1), internal iliac artery (n = 1), gallbladder (n = 1) and penis (n = 1 ). Different managements were employed in treating these pseudoaneurysms. Temporary obstruction of blood circulation with balloon together with arterial anastomosis or direct incision neoplasty was performed in 9 cases with pseudoaneurysms at limb arteries close to the larger joints. Endovascular stent graft was used to isolate the trunk type of pseudoaneurysm in 4 cases, in 2 of them branch arterial embolism and stent graft endovascular exclusion were applied as they had common iliae artery trunk type of pseudoaneurysm at the opening of internal iliac artery. Gelfoam together with metallic coils embolization was employed in 6 cases with terminal type of pseudoaneurysms. Results After different treatments, tumor cavities disappeared in the 21 cases with pseudoaneurysms. Distal arterial pulse returned to normal and no nerve damage occurred in 11 cases with limb pseudoaneurysms. No internal hemorrhage was observed and distal blood circulation returned to normal after graft endovascular exclusion in 2 eases with pseudoaneurysms at spleen artery trunk and in 2 cases with pseudoaneurysms at iliac artery trunk. In 6 cases with terminal type of pseudoaneurysms,the tumor cavity disappeared, hemorrhage stopped and no ischemic necrosis of organ occurred. But one of them with multiple traumatic pseudoaneurysms located at the second grade branch died one week after embolism due to a serious pelvic trauma accompanied with serious infection. Conclusion Based on the locations, types and causes of pseudoaneurysms, different individualized treatment should be adopted in order to obtain optimal results with least damages.

BACKGROUND: Gene therapy and cell transplantation therapy, especially their combined use, have certain therapeutic effects on retinitis pigmentosa. However, little attention has been paid to the combination of gene therapy and cell transplantation in the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) modified by growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) gene on the retina of rats with retinitis pigmentosa. METHODS: ADMSCs from rats with retinitis pigmentosa were isolated and cultured, and then transfected with GAP-43 lentiviral vector. Sixty retinitis pigmentosa rats were randomized into experimental group (subretinal injection of GAP-43-transfected ADMSCs), control group (subretinal injection of ADMSCs) and sham operation group (PBS injection). The expressions of GAP-43 protein, Rho protein and GS protein in the retina of rats were determined by western blot. The outer nuclear layer thickness of the retina was determined by hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After transfected cell transplantation, the expression of GAP-43 protein in the retina was gradually increased with time and showed significant differences at different time post-transplantation (P < 0.05).The expression levels of Rho protein and GS protein in the retina of experimental and control groups were higher than that in the sham operation group (P < 0.05). The expression of Rho protein in the retina of the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The expression of GS protein in the retina of the experimental group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The thickness of retinal outer nuclear layer was ranked as follows: the experimental group > the control group > the sham group, and there was significant difference between groups (P < 0.05). These results show that the ADMSCs modified by GAP-43 gene have protective effect on the retina of rats with retinitis pigmentosa.

Objective To evaluate the hematological adverse events of sunitinib in treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma.Methods Forty-four male patients and 18 female patients were included in this study.They were all with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and received sunitinib treatment at the dose of 50 mg daily in repeated 6 weeks cycle (4 weeks on and 2 weeks off).Toxicity was assessed every cycle with tumor assessments every 2 cycles via CT or PET-CT.Results Fifty patients (80.6％) had experienced treatment-related hematotoxicity,including leucocytopenia,anemia and thrombocytopenia.Severe hematological adverse events ( grade 3 -4 ) occured in 18 patients ( 29.0％ ) and slight events ( grade 1 - 2 ) in others (51.6％).Most of the hematological adverse events were manageable and reversible and treatment-changes (dose reduction,interruption) were necessary in severe cases.Almost half of the dose reduction (9/21,42.9％ ) were owing to hematotoxicity.Conclusions Sunitinib of 50 mg dose on schedule 4/2 is effective and well-tolerated in advanced renal carcinoma patients.Hematological adverse events are frequent in Chinese patients and can be controlled well.

Objective To summanrize the operative method and follow-up data of total aortic arch replacement combined with transaortic stented graft implantation into the descending aorta (Sun's procedure) for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection.Methods Between August 2004 and March 2012,73 patients with acute type A aortic dissection underwent this procedure.60 males and 13 females ranging in age from 26 to 79 years (mean age,49,6 years).Right axillary or femoral artery cannulation was routinely used for cardiopulmonary bypass.Cerebral protection was achieved by bilatero-antegrade or selected hrain perfusion.The stented elephant trunk was implanted throuugh the aortic arch under hypothermic circulatory arrest.The stented elephant trunk was a 10cmlong self expandable graft.Patent false lumina were evaluated using computed tomography 3 months and once each year after discharge to evaluate the postoperative time course of the residual false lumen.Results Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was (248.1±69.8)min,and selected cerebral perfusion time was (38.2±10.5)min.Hospital morality was 6.85 ％ (5/73).Thrombus obliteration of the residual false lumen in the descending thoracic aorta was observed in 9 1.7％ of the aortic dissections 3 months postoperatively.The mean follow-up time was(36.4 ± 31.6)months (range,2 to91 months).Survival at 1,5,7 years was 97％,87％ and 81％,respectively.Conclusion Total aortic arch replacement combined with transaortic stented paft implantation into the descending aorta is an effective treatment and n more promising choice for acute type A aortic dissection.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety in the treatment of the visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs) by Viabahn stent graft and the detachable coils combined with Onyx embolization.Methods:A retrospective study on clinical and follow up results of 46 patients in the treatment of visceral aneurysms (VAAs) from Jun 2012 to Jun 2018 was carried out.Result:In 18 patients of VAAs treated with Vabahn endovascular stent grafting, the aneurysm cavity was completely isolated after injection of contrast and the technical success rate was 100% (18/18). In 28 patients of VAAs treated with the detachable coils combined with Onyx embolization, the aneurysm cavities of 26 patients among the 28 cases were filled tightly. In 2 patients the aneurysm neck was still visible. The average follow-up period was (36.5±2.3) months by CTA. After treating VAAs with the Viabahn stent graft, the complete isolation rate and the patency of aneurysm bearing artery were respectively 100% (18/18) and 94.4% (17/18). When VAAs was treated with the detachable coils combined with Onyx embolization, the complete isolation rate and the patency of aneurysm bearing artery were respectively 85.7% (24/28) and 92.9% (26/28) (χ 2=3.915, P=0.048), the difference of the patency of aneurysm bearing artery between the two groups was no significant difference (χ 2=0.074, P=0.786). Conclusion:VAAs treated with Viabahn endovascular stent grafting or detachable coils combined with Onyx embolization are both safe and effective.

Objective To compare early outcomes of the minimally invasive aortic valve surgery (MIAVS) through right parasternal mini-thoracotomy with conventional mitral valve surgery (AVS),and evaluate feasibility and safety of MIAVS.Methods From January 2017 to December 2017,60 patients undergoing elective AVS in Nanjing First Hospital were prospectively enrolled in this study.There were 32 male and 28 female patients with their age of 28-72 (46.5 ± 10.2)years.Using a random number table,all the patients were randomly divided into a port-access MIAVS group (MIAVS group,n =20) and a conventional AVS group (conventional group,n =60).MIAVS group patients received port-access cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) establishment via femoral artery,femoral vein and right internal jugular vein cannulation through right the 3rd in tercostal space with 5-6 cm right parasternal incision in length.Special MIAVS operative instruments were used for mitral valve repair or replacement.Conventional group patients received mitral valve repair or replacement under conventional CPB through median sternotomy.Perioperative clinical data,morbidity and mortality were compared between the 2 groups.Results There was no death in-hospital or shortly after discharge in this study.CPB time [(106.0 ± 21.0) minutes vs (73.0 ± 15.0) minutes] and aortic cross-clamping time [(78.0 ± 10.0) minutes vs (47.0 ± 7.0) minutes] of MIAVS group were significantly longer than those of conventional group (P ≤ 0.05).Postoperative mechanical ventilation time [(7.0 ±4.2) hours vs (10.2 ±5.3)hours],length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay [(19.0 ± 4.0) hours vs (27.5 ± 8.0) hours] and postoperative hospital stay [(8.5 ± 2.5) days vs (13.0 ± 3.0) days] of MIAVS group were significantly shorter than those of conventional group (P ≤ 0.05).Chest drainage volume within postoperative 12 hours [(100.0 ±40.0)ml vs (410.0 ±80.0)ml] and the percentage of patients receiving blood transfusion (15.0％ vs 55.0％) of MIAVS group were significantly lower than those of conventional group (P ≤0.05).Patients were followed up for 1-12 months,and the follow-up rate was 96.7％.There was no statistical difference in postoperative morbidity or mortality between the 2 groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Minimally invasive aortic valve surgery through right right parasternal mini-thoracotomy is a safe and feasible procedure for surgical treatment of mitral valve diseases.MIAVS can achieve similar clinical outcomes as conventional AVS,with more quickly recovery and less blood transfusion,and is a good alternative to conventional AVS.

Objective: To summarize the experience of reoperations on patients who had late complications related to previous aortic surgery for Stanford type A dissection. Methods: From August 2008 to October 2016, 14 patients (10 male and 4 female patients) who underwent previous cardiac surgery for Stanford type A aortic dissection accepted reoperations on the late complications at Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University. The range of age was from 41 to 76 years, the mean age was (57±12) years. In these patients, first time operations were ascending aorta replacement procedure in 3 patients, ascending aorta combined with partial aortic arch replacement in 4 patients, aortic root replacement (Bentall) associated with Marfan syndrome in 3 patients, aortic valve combined with ascending aorta replacement (Wheat) in 1 patient, ascending aorta combined with Sun′s procedure in 1 patient, Wheat combined with Sun′s procedure in 1 patient, Bentall combined with Sun′s procedure in 1 patient. The interval between two operations averaged 0.3 to 10.0 years with a mean of (4.8±3.1) years. The reasons for reoperations included part anastomotic split, aortic valve insufficiency, false aneurysm formation, enlargement of remant aortal and false cavity. The selection of reoperation included anastomotic repair, aortic valve replacement, total arch replacement and Sun′s procedure. Results: Of the 14 patients, the cardiopulmonary bypass times were 107 to 409 minutes with a mean of (204±51) minutes, cross clamp times were 60 to 212 minutes with a mean of (108±35) minutes, selective cerebral perfusion times were 16 to 38 minutes with a mean of (21±11) minutes. All patients survived from the operation, one patient died from severe pulmonary infection 50 days after operation. Three patients had postoperative complications, including acute renal failure of 2 patients and pulmonary infection of 1 patient, and these patients were recovered after treatment. Thirteen patients were finally recovered from hospital. The patients were followed up for 16 to 45 months, and no aortic rupture, paraplegia and death were observed in the follow-up. Conclusions Patients for residual aortic dissection after initial operations on Stanford type A aortic dissection should be attached great importance and always need emergency surgery, but the technique is demanding and risk is great for surgeons and patients, which need enough specification and accurate on aortic operation. More importantly, the Sun′s procedure also should be performed on the treatment of residual aortic dissection or distal arch expansion, and obtains the short- and long-term results in the future.

Objective    To analyze the cause of death in low-risk cardiac surgery patients during postoperative period and discuss the prevention and treatment methods to increase the survival rate. Methods    We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 132 patients dead after cardiac surgery from January 2014 to December 2018, among whom 35 patients had a EuroSCORE Ⅱ score <4% (low-risk cardiac surgery patients), including 20 males and 15 females aged 62.7±13.4 years. The cause of death in these low-risk patients was analyzed. Results    The main causes of death were cardiogenic and brain-derived causes (60.0%), and infections and ogran failure (45.7%). Pulmonary infection and low cardiac output after surgery were the main causes of death. Cerebral infarction, malignant arrhythmia and multiple organ failure were the common causes of death. There were 4 deaths (11.4%) caused by accidents, including gastrointestinal bleeding caused by esophageal ultrasound probe, cough and asphyxia caused by drinking water, postoperative paralytic ileus and multiple perioperative allergic reactions caused by allergic constitution. Conclusion    Postoperative treatment and prevention for low-risk cardiac surgery patients should be focused on postoperative infection, and cardiac and brain function protection. Changes in various organ functions need to be closely monitored for preventing organ failure, accidents should be strictly controlled, and more details of intraoperative and postoperative treatment still need to be further improved.