Objective To observe the activation mechanism of Nrf2-ARE pathway in protective effect of ischemia and pinacidil postconditioning on isolated rat hearts.Methods The hearts of adult male Sprague Dawley rats were established ischemia-reperfusion injury model,and devided into six groups(n =8,each group),i.e.Normal group(Group N),ischemiareperfusion group (Group Con,I/R),ischemic postconditioning group (Group IPO),pinacidil postconditioning group (Group P50),N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine(MPG,2mmol/L) + IPO group(Group M + IPO),MPG + P50 group(Group M + P50).Rat hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit(K-H) buffer for 20 minutes for equilibration.Subsequently,Group N was perfused with K-H buffer for 100 minutes after equilibration,Group Con was perfused with 4℃ ST.Thomas solution to stop the heart beating after equilibration,then the hearts were underwent 40 minutes global ischemia under 32℃,and followed by the K-H solution for 60 minutes.Group IPO after global ischemia period,the hearts were subjected to six 10-seconds cycles of ischemia/reperfusion at the beginning of reperfusion,then were reperfused for 58 minutes.Group P50 after global ischemia,rat hearts were perfused with K-H buffer containing pinacidil(50.μmol/L) for 2 minutes before reperfusion.Group M + IPO after global ischemia,the hearts were subjected to perfuse with K-H buffer containing MPG(2 mmol/L) for 3 minutes,and then underwent six 10-seconds cycles of ischemia/reperfusion before reperfusion.Group M + P50 after global ischemia,the hearts were perfused with K-H buffer containing MPG(2 mmol/L) for 3 minutes,and then subjected to perfuse with K-H buffer containing pinacidil(50 μmol/L) for 2 minutes before reperfusion.Cardiac function indexes(such as HR,LVDP,LVEDP,and the Max dp/dt) at the end point of equilibration and repeffusion were observed and recorded.The ultrastructure of myocardial tissue was observed by electron microscopy and the mitochondrial Flameng score was calculated.RT-PCR and western-blot were applied to detect the gene transcription and protein expression of HO-1,NQO1,SOD1,and Nrf2 in left ventricular myocardial tissue after reperfusion.Results The HR,LVDP and + dp/dtmax at the end of reperfusion:the cardiac function indexes are lower among each group compared with group N,group 1PO and group P50 are better than group Con (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group IPO,there is no significant difference in group group P50,but group M + IPO is obviously decreased(P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group P50,group M + P50 index is decreased significantly(P ＜ 0.05).The LVEDP at the end of reperfusion is lower than that among each group as compared with group Con,which is significantly increased in group Con (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group IPO,there is no significant difference in group P50,but group M + IPO is significantly increased(P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group P50,the group M + P50 is obviously decreased(P ＜ 0.05).The ultrastructure of myocardial tissue in group N is mostly normal,group Con presence serious damage.The ultrastructure damage of myocardial tissue is improved in group IPO and group P50 as compared with that in group Con,while group M + IPO is more serious than group IPO,group M + P50 is more serious group P50.The mitochondrial Flameng score is higher among each group as compared with group N (P ＜ 0.05),the score is lower in group IPO and group P50 as compared with group Con and corresponding nonblocking group (M + IPO,M + P50,P ＜0.05).The mRNA and the protein expressions of HO-1,NQO1,SOD1 and Nrf2 among each group are lower as compared with group N(P ＜0.05).Compared with those in group Con,the mRNA and the protein expressions in group IPO and group P50 are obviously increased(P ＜ 0.05),group IPO and group P50 are higher than those in group adding active oxygen scavenger(MPG) (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Ischemic postconditioning and pinacidil postconditioning have protective effect of myocardial tissue from ischemia reperfusion injury,while improve the cardiac function index.The cardiac protective effect of Ischemic and Pinacidil postconditioning methods may be involved the ROS in early reperfusion,which activate the Nrf2-ARE pathway,and up-regulate the expression downstream antioxidant protein and phase Ⅱ detoxifying enzyme,ultimately improve the cardiac function index during the reperfusion period.

Objective To summarize the preliminary experience of early anticoagulant therapy after endovascular stent graft exclusion for Stanford B type aortic dissection.Methods From June 2006 to June 2011,75 patients[ 65 males,10 fe males,mean age (59.1±13.5) years,range 22 -81 years ] under went endovascular stent-graft exclusion for Stafford B type aortic dissection in Shanghai Xinhua Hospital.Computed tomography angiography (CTA) was used to evaluate the lesions of aortic dissection before endovascular stent-graft exchusion.The descending thoracic aortic diameters were 22 mm to 42 mm [ mean (30.3±4.0) mm ].The distance from the breakage of dissection to the left vertebral artery(LSA)was longer than 1.5 mm in 29 cases,and shorter than 1.5cmin 46 cases.During the operation,left subclavian artery revascularization was per formed to patient,whose left vertebral artery was advantage and needs to be fully or partially covered From the second day after operation,asprin was given to patint,whose left subclavian artery was fully or partially coverd by endovascular stent-graft(no endoleak and residual distal tear).Early anticoagulant therapy lasted 3 months.The symptoms or signs about nervous system were observed in the early stage of postoperation,and the CTA was examined at postoperative 3 months.Results The operation succeeded in 75 patients.The diameters of aortic stent were 26mm to 46rmm[ mean(34.3±4.0) mm ].Left subclavian ar tery revascularization was carried out for 2 cases of all patients.The left subclavian artery was fully or partially coverd in 58 patients(fully covered in 19 cases,2/3 covered in 15 cases,1/2 covered in 24 cases),and 56 patints(no endoleak and residualdistal tear) were given anticoagulant therapy to prevent vertebral artery thrombosis.2 patients(2.7％)died in the early stage after operation.1 patient died of renal failure,1 patient died of dissection rupture,The duration of hospitalization was 4 to 19 days [ mean (7.9±3.5)days ].No neurological complications occurred in hospital.The follow-up period was 6 to 66 months.1 patient died during the follow-up,1 patient had recurrence of Stanford A type aortic dissection and was cured by ascending aorta and aortic arch replacement,1 patient had recurrence of Stanford B type aortic dissection and was cured by second endovascular stent-graft exclusion.All patients had no neurological complications,such as cerebral infarction and paraplegia.Concluslon Early anticoagulant therapy could safely and effectively prevent the neurological complications (such as cerebral infarction and paraplegia) related to vertebral artery thrombosis for Stanford B type aortic dissection patients whose left subclavian artery was fully or partially coverd by endovascular stent-graft.

Objective To summarized the experience of simultaneous aortic operation and coroanry artery bypass graft (CABG).Methods Ninety seven patients who underwent combined aortic operation and CABG were reviewed from January 2009 to December 2011.All patients are divided into four groups according to etiology,63 aortic aneurysm,other 25 aortic dissection,7 coarctation of aorta or occlusion of main branch,and the other two aortic ulcer.Mean age of all patients is(57.6 ±9.5) years.The rate of preoperational diagnosis of coronary disease (CAD) were respectively 93.7％ (59/63),40.0％(10/25),100.0％,100.0％.The patients made the preoperative diagnosis of CAD were performed selective simultaneous CABG with aortic procedures.The others without diagnosis of CAD had to receive urgent CABG during the aortic procedures.Results The aortic procedures with simultaneous urgent CABG had signilicant higher mortality than with selective CABG,16.7％,3.8％,Fisher's exact test P =0.078.Conclusion Selective simultaneous CABG with aortic procedures is safely.In aortic surgery,patients with risk factors of CAD should undergo preoperative coronary artery angiography or spiral computed tomography.

Objective To assess the result of aortic valve replacement(AVR) for patients of severe aortic stenosis(AS)with low transvalvular gradients(TVG) and severe left ventricular dysfunction,and try to identify the determinants of survival,functional status and change in left ventricular ejection fraction(LNEF) during follow-up.Methods From 2005 to 2011,35patients with aortic valve area(AVA) ＜ 1 cm2,LN EF ＜ 0.40 and mean TVG ＜ 30 mm Hg underwent AVR in our hospital.The average age of the patients was 58 yeats old,and 88.6％ of the patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class Ⅲ/IV at admission to the hospital.The AVA was (0.70 ± 0.09) cm2,LVEF was 0.276 ± 0.020,TVG was (26.0 ± 2.3) mm Hg,and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LNEDD) was (6.3 ±0.4) cm respectively.35 prosthetic valves were implanted,including 20 mechanical prostheses and 15 biological prostheses with the mean sizs of (23 ± 1) mm.Concomitant procedures included mitral valvularplasty in 5.tricuspid valve repair in 3 and coronary artery bypass grafting in 4.Results The perioperative mortaiity was 8.6％.Follow-up period was 3 to 60 monthes.The survival rates were:1-year 78％,2-year 68％,5-year 60％.LVEF increased significantly to 0.358 ± 0.047 one week postoperatively (P =0.008) and 0.426 ± 0.031 six months later (P ＜ 0.01)).LNEDD decreased to (5.7 ± 0.4) cm one week later(P =0.062) and (5.3 ±0.3)cm 6 months postoperatiwely (P ＜ 0.01).NYHA functional class improved from 88.6％ in class Ⅲ/Ⅳ to 35％ (P ＜0.01).Compared with those who surviwd during follow-up,the patients who died during follow-up were older in the year of operation[(63 ± 10) vs (54 ± 11),P =0.017],their NYHA functional class was higher[(3.9 ±0.2) vs (2.9 ±0.3),P =0.003]and the LVEDD for them in one week postoperatively was larger[(6.0 ± 1.0) cm vs (5.5 ± 0.3) cm,P =0.031].Conclusion The left ventricle contractile reserve seems to play an essential role for surgery in patients of severe aortic stenosis with low transvalvular gradients and severe left ventricular dysfunction.AVR can be performed for them with acceptable results.

Objective To review our experiences of diagnostic methods and surgical treatment of the left superior vena cava (LSVC) draining into the left atrium.Methods Nineteen patients with LSVC draining into the left atrium were diagnosed and treated surgically from February 1998 to January 2012.All the cases were combined with other congenital heart diseases including patent ductus arteriosus,ventricular septal defect,atrial septal defect,single atrium,triatriatum,partial endocardial cushion defect,anomalous pulmonary venous drainage,right ventricle outflow stenosis,pulmonary valve stenosis,tetralogy of Fallot,double outlet right ventricle,complete endocardial cushion defect,tricuspid atresia.The patients were diagnosed through different methods including echocartiographic examination,cardiac catheterization,computer tomography,and explored during the operation,even postoperatively.All were treated surgically with four techniques including simple ligation to the LSVC,including ligation during a redo procedure; intra atrial rerouting to drainage the flow from the LSVC to the right atrium,atrial septum reconstruction to make the outlet of the LSVC lying in the right side of the patched atrial septal,and bidirectional Glenn shunt to get a physiological result.Results No mortality postoperatively.All the cases were uneventful postoperatively.And the main postoperative course was related only to the main diagnosis of congenital heart disease,not to the left superior vena cava draining into the left atrium.The echo examination result was satisfied before the discharge.The early and long term follow-up(1-11 years) results are excellent,no arrhythmia,no cardiac deficits after echo examination,including stenosis obstruction and residual shunt.No death.Conclusion The diagnostic methods of the LSVC draining into the left atrium are difficult,the only way to make the diagnosis clearly enough before the operation is depending on improving of more and more comprehending to this rare cardiac anomaly,by the pediatric cardiologists,the sinologist,the intensive care unit,and the pediatric cardiae surgeons.The choice of different surgical treatment is depending on the diagnosis and the findings during the operations,and the results are excellent after a suitable choice made.

Objective To evaluate the technique of finger palpation in thoracoscopic localization in patients with pulmonary nodules,and to summarize its technical details,especially with exploit of chest computed tomography (CT) facilitating it.Methods 95 patients with total amount of 109 pulmonary nodes 20 mm or smaller in size shown with lung window of CT,were reviewed.They were located subpleurally,with a median depth of 8.2 mm and a median size of 10.0 mm.The value of their depth over their size (D/d value) could be used as the extent of localizing difficulty.Each node had its own radiographic fealures for being localized,which was built preoperatively.Under thoracoscopic vision,nodules were finger-palpated by index finger via the 4th or 5th intercostal space on anterior axillary line,followed by wedgectomy or lobectomy for instant histopathological diagnosis to further decide the final surgical type.The distance between the nodule and the origin of segmental bronchus (L value) were also calculated out,as it might be relevant to the way the nodule could be biopsied.Results All nodules were successfully localized and resected for biopsy goal,105 by wedgectomy,4 by lobectomy.After intraoperative diagnosis was made by the pathologist,VATS lobectomy and lymph node dissection were further performed in 55 patients.L value of 4 cases being biopsied by lobectomy ranged from 18.3 to 30.3 mm,averaging 26.1 mm.Conclusion Finger palpation is viable in any cases of pulmonary nodules.Detailed reference of CT digital information,and enough detachment of mediastinal pleura,can greatly facilitate thoracoscopic localization by finger palpation.Lobectomy or segementectomy is preferable when L value is less than 30 mm.

Objective To analyze the delay in diagnosis and treatment lung cancer expressed as solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN) found by physical examination,and to discover the relative reasons and consequence for future improvement.Methods From January 2000 to August 2011,162 patients (93 males,69 females,ranging 33-82 years,median age 63.9 years) with SPN found by physical examination and diagnosed lung cancer by surgical pathology subsequently were enrolled to this study.Depending on the interval between the date when finding SPN and the date of surgery,these cases were divided into 6 groups,including the group with interval less than 1 month (74 patients),1-3 months (48 patients),3-6 months (10 patients),6-12 months (7 patients),12-24 months (8 patients),and more than 24 months (15 patients).Factors which impact the delay interval between SNP finding and surgery were discussed.The change of tumor' s diameter during observation period,and the pathological characters were also analyzed among each group.Results Of all the delay cases,30.2％ were attributed to doctor,30.9％ attributed to patients themselves,and 38.9％ attributed to hospitals.51.0％ (25/49) of the cases delayed by doctors were misdiagnosed as inflammation,16.3％ (8/49) misdiagnosed as tuberculosis,and 16.3％ (8/49)misdiagnosed as old lesions,which were three common reasons.Patients delayed more than 3 months were more likely to be related to doctor's misdiagnosis than those delayed less than 3 months[70.0％ (28/40) vs.36.8％ (21/57),x2 =10.338.P =0.001].Moreover,the possibility of SPN enlargement was positively correlated with the delay interval.In groups with delay interval more than 24 months or between 12 and 24 months,the percentage of SPN enlargement were 73.3％ (11/15) and 87.5％ (7/8) separately.The proportion of patients with stage IV disease in groups whose delay interval exceeded 12 months (13.3％ for more than 24 months and 12.5％ for 12-24 months) also significantly surpassed others groups with shorter delay interval.Conclusion There exists obvious delayed diagnosis and treatment in lung cancer initially expressed as solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN) during physical examination.Nearly 1/3 patients were delayed by doctors and half of them were misdiagnosed as inflammation.Increase of observation time could result in enlargement of SPN and advancement of disease staging.Thus,patients and doctors should pay more attention and clarify the diagnosis through surgery in less than 3 months after finding SPN,which could remarkably benefit early treatment.

Objective The Nuss procedure is a minimally invasive pectus repair.The aim of this study was to explore the changes in quality of life in patients who underwent a Nuss procedure.Methods 96 patients,who underwent a Nuss procedure in our institution,were interviewed at preoperation,1 year after operation with the bar in place,and before the planned bar removal.The Nuss Questionnaire modified by George Krasopoulos et al,which evaluates psychosocial and physical well-being,was independently used by patients.Results Most of the scoring of the individual questions and the total score of individual patients revealed a significant improvement,both in preoperation vs.1 year after operation and 1 year after operation vs.before the planned bar removal.Conclusion The Nuss procedure has been shown to improve the quality of life in patients with pectus excavatum deformity in the short term.

Objective To summarize our clinical experience of surgical treatment for pediatric patients with ventricular septal defect(VSD) and mitral regurgitation(MR).Methods A retrospective study was performed including consecutive 84 patients with VSD and MR receiving mitral valvuloplasty(MVP) and VSD closure from January 2006 to January 2012 in Shanghai Xinhua Hospital.All patients were associated with pulmonary hypertension(PH,32-85 mm Hg).The diameters of ventricular septal defects were between 0.7 and 1.6 cm.Echocardiography showed that trivial MR (+) in 9 cases,mild MR (++)in 18 cases,moderate MR(+++) in 33 cases,and severe MR(++++) in 24 cases.VSD closure and MVP were performed with cardiopulmonary bypass under moderate systemic hypothermia.The results of repair were evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) during operation.Results Intra-operative TEE results: no residual shunt of VSD,none MR in 80 cases,residual trivial MR in 4 cases.Mean Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time was (84.6 ± 18.5) mins.Mean Aortic clump time was(50.8 ± 11.5) mins.Mean postoperative ventilation time was (38.7 ± 30.2) hours,and mean postoperative inhosptial time was(10.5 ±4.6) days.The in-hospital mortality was 1.2％ (1 case died).78 cases were fully followed up.There was no late death.Echocardiography showed that none MR in 62 cases,trivial MR in 10 cases,mild MR in 4 cases,moderate MR in 2 patients.The overall freedom from reoperation at 5 years was (97.4 ± 1.8) ％.Conclusion Ventricular septal defect with pulmonary hypertension need early surgical repair.MR was treated at the same time of VSD closure could effectively improve the surgical outcome of pediatric patients with ventricular septal defect and mitral regurgitation.

Objective During last decades,mechanical ventilation has been an important support in the postoperative management of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.However,a considerable number of patients need mechanical ventilation for a prolonged period after cardiac surgery,and this is associated with increased mortality and morbidity.The study was designed to determine the pre-and perioperative predictors of prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) in adult patients undergoing double valve surgery.Methods The retrospective study considered of 2026 adult patients who underwent double valve replacement surgery at Changhai Heart Center from January 1990 to December 2010.PMV is considered as mechanical ventilation period of ＞ 48 hours at postoperative hospital stay here.Results PMV occurred in 11.35 ％ of patients.The total hospital mortality was 4％.The hospital mortality of patients who had undergone double valve replacement surgery required PMV was significantly higher than control (33.5％ vs 0.2％,P ＜ 0.01).And so as comorbidities.Age more than 60 years (OR =1.943),diabetes(OR =1.757),preoperative active endocarditis (OR =3.167),New York Heart Association class higher than 3 (OR =2.464),preoperative critical state(OR =2.556),ejection fraction less than 0.50 (OR =2.026),creatinine greater than 110 μmol/L (OR =2.740),cardiopulmonary bypass time longer than 180 min (OR =3.529) and perioperative intra-aortic balloon pump(OR =18.350) were independent predictors of PMV in our patients.Conclusion PMV is associated with significant comorbidities and increased hospital mortality.Strategies to delineate the patients at risk and to modify these risk factors by prophylactic measures should probably lead to a lower incidence of prolonged mechanical ventilation for adult patients undergoing double valve replacement surgery.