Objective: To explore the effect of low-level laser irradiation (LLLI) preconditioning on milieu of infarcted myocardium in experimental rats.
Methods: The myocardial infarction (MI) model was established by left anterior descending (LAD) artery ligation in female rats. 3 weeks later, the qualified MI rats were randomly divided for 3 groups: ① LLLI preconditioning group, the rats received thoracotomy for LLLI by a 635nm, 5mW diode laser with the energy density of 0.96 J/cm2 for 150 seconds, n=26. ② Control group, the rats received thoracotomy for daylight irradiation, n=27. ③ Sham operation group, the rats received thoracotomy without LAD ligation, n=24. The Expressions of myocardial vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluate by real time-PCR, Western blot analysis and other relevant laboratory test at 1 hour, 1 day and 1 week after treatment. The myocardial cell apoptosis was examined by TUNEL staining, and left ventricular function was detected by echocardiography.
Results: LLLI preconditioning obviously increased the myocardial VEGF, GRP78 expression and SOD activity, decreased MDA production; while it could not really improve the myocardial cell apoptosis at peri-infarcted area and left ventricular function in experimental rats.
Conclusion: LLLI preconditioning may improve the milieu of infarcted myocardium via decreasing the oxidative stress in experimental rats.

Objective: To explore the effect of omentopexy combining autologous atrial tissue patch cardiomyoplasty for treating the chronic myocardial infarction (MI) in experimental rats.
Methods:The MI model of SD rats was established by left coronary artery ligation. 3 weeks later, the qualiifed animals were randomized into 4 groups for the 2nd operation. ① Control group, the rats only received re-thoracotomy, ② Atrial appendage group, the autologous atrial tissue patch was harvested from left atrial appendage of rats and transplanted to infarcted zone, ③ Omentum group, the omentum of rats was transplanted to infarcted zone through diaphragm and ④ Combination group, the left atrial appendage tissue and omentum were transplanted to infarcted zone together. 4 weeks after the 2nd operation, the cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography, the size and scar thickness of the infarction were examined by Masson staining, the survival of transplanted atrial tissue and angiogenesis were measured by immunohistochemistry, the protein expressions of VEGF, MMPs and TIMP-3 were examined by Western blot analysis, and the activities of MMPs were
identiifed by gelatin zymography.
Results:4 week after the 2nd operation, transplanted left atrial appendage tissue only survived in Combination group. The areas of infarction were similar among different groups, P>0.05. Compared with Control group, Combination group had the increased scar thickness (329 ± 33)μm vs (391±31)μm, improved LVEF (47.5 ± 4.5)%vs (57.9 ± 5.8)%, improved LVFS (20.7 ± 2.0)%vs (25.2 ± 3.6)%, all P<0.05. Compared with Control group, both Omentum group and Combination group demonstrated higher density of angiogenesis at infracted area (33/0.2) mm2 vs (49/0.2) mm2 and (33/0.2) mm2 vs (48/0.2) mm2, all P<0.01. Combination group had decreased protein expressions of MMPs, while the expressions of TIMP-3 were similar among different groups, the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were decreased by 68%, P=0.002 and 64%, P=0.016 respectively.
Conclusion:Omentopexy could improve the angiogenesis and support the survival of transplanted autologous atrial tissue patch, therefore improve the cardiac function in experimental rats with chronic MI.

Objective: To conifrm the omentopexy decreasing the susceptibility of ventricular arrhythmia in experimental rats with chronic myocardial infarction (MI) by nerve remodeling.
Methods: The MI model of SD rats was established by left coronary artery ligation. 3 weeks later, the qualiifed animals were randomized into 3 groups for the 2nd operation. ① Sham operation group, the rats received the 2nd operation without ligation, ② Isolated MI group, the rats received the 2nd operation without omentopexy, ③ Omentopexy group, the rats received the 2nd operation with omentopexy. n=20 in each group. 4 weeks after the 2nd operation, the electrophysiological characteristics were assessed by relevant techniques, the new and sympathetic nerves in MI border zone were examined by immunohistochemistry, the protein expressions of connexin43 and nerve growth factor (NGF) were measured by western blot analysis and the cardiac endothelin-1 (ET-1) level was evaluated by ELISA.
Results: Compared with Isolated MI group, Omentopexy group showed decreased susceptibility of arrhythmia (3.5 ± 1.2) vs (0.9 ± 0.2), improved electrical transduction (1.5 ± 0.2) mV vs (3.4 ± 0.3) mV and decreased capture threshold (5.5 ± 0.3) mV vs (2.2 ± 0.2) mV, all P<0.05. Compared with Isolated MI group, immunihistochemisty indicated that Omentopexy group had decreased new and sympathetic nerves in MI border zone, as for GAP43:(1388.4 ± 244.9)μm2/mm2 vs (768.6 ± 144.1)μm2/mm2, for TH:(1552.4 ± 270.3)μm2/mm2 vs (1018.5 ± 124.7)μm2/mm2, all P<0.05. Western blot analysis showed that Omentopexy group had the lower NGF expression and higher connexin43 expression;ELISA demonstrated that Omentopexy group had the lower ET-1 expression, P<0.05.
Conclusion: Omentopexy may decrease the susceptibility of ventricular arrhythmia after MI in experimental rats, which might be related to the cardiac nerve remodeling.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) incision for pain induced by brachial plexus injury. Methods A cohort study was performed in 41 consecutive patients with pain induced by brachial plexus injury treated with DREZ incision from July 2005 to December 2007. Of all, 19 patients were amputated and had phantom limb sensation. Oral pain relief (0%-100%) and complications were followed up by one professional doctor. Oral pain relief rate ≥50% was considered satisfactory outcome. Results The proportion of patients with satisfactory pain relief was 90% (37/41), 81% (30/37), 77% (24/31) and 70% (16/23) at 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and last follow-up (over one year) after surgery. At last follow-up, 15 out of 16 patients with over 10 years of pain duration got satisfactory pain relief; while only 16 out of 25 patients with less than 10 years of pain duration got satisfactory pain relief (x2 =4.682, P =0.030). In 16 amputees who were followed up for more than three months, seven patients with alteration of phantom limb sensation got satisfactory pain relief, while only four out of nine patients without alteration of phantom limb sensation got satisfactory pain relief. Among 37 patients followed up for more than three months, severe neurological defects were found in three patients including one with mild motor disturbance in the ipsilateral lower limb and two with severe sensory disturbance in the ipsilateral lower limb. Conclusions DREZ incisions are effective and safe neurosurgical procedure for relieving pain induced by brachial plexus injury. The possible predictive factors of better outcome are the long preoperative pain duration and postoperative phantom limb sensation among amputees.

Objective To improve short-and mid-term surgical outcomes ofter the tricuspid ring annuloplasty,and to provide theoretic basis for strategy making among patients with tricuspid regurgitation secondary to left-sided heart diseases.Methods Tricuspid regurgitation secondary to left-sided heart diseases ( including mitral valve diseases and aortic valve diseases) were treated by using tricuspid ring annuloplasty techniques.Patients'age averaged (47.3 ± 12.0) years old,there were a total of 84 female patients(53.2％ ).The average systolic pulmonary pressure was (53.4 ± 19.8) mm Hg.From August 2002 to December 2007,a total of 158 consecutive patients underwent tricuspid ring annuloplasty in Fuwai Cardiovascular disease Hospital.Among this group of patients,there were 66 mild tricuspid regurgitation(41.8％ ),54 moderate(34.2％ ),and 38 severe tricuspid regurgitation(24.0％ ).The average age was (47.3 ± 12.0) years old and female accounted for 53.2％ of the whole cohort.The indications for the tricuspid ring annuloplasty included:moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation or moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension ( systolic pulmonary hypertension ＞40 mm Hg).In the current study,the ring annuloplasty techniques were modified in the following aspects:selection of undersized ring and partial fixation of tricuspid septal segment.In all the patients,we chose Cosgrove-Edwards ring for tricuspid annuloplasty.The surgical outcomes were evaluated through multivariate regression and Cox analysis.Results Compared with moderate and severe tricuspid regurgitation groups,mild regurgitation group had the smallest ring diameter,mild group ( 38.2 ± 4.9 ) mm,moderate group(47.0 ± 11.6 ) mm,severe group(44.5 ± 8.9) mm,P ＜0.001.No significant differences were noted in terms of ejection fraction among three groups (0.59 ± 0.08,0.59 ± 0.06 and 0.58 ± 0.09,P =0.73 ).Compared with mild and moderate tricuspid regurgitation groups,severe regurgitation group had the highest systolic pulmonary pressure.The diameter reduction was most significant in severe regurgitation group,diameter reduction in mild,moderate and severe regurgitation groups were ( 12.4 ±5.6) mm,(20.8 ± 11.5 ) mm,( 18.6 ± 8.3 ) mm,respectively,P ＜ 0.00 1.An in-hospital death occurred in moderate regurgitation group.157 patients discharged alive.The median follow-up time was 49.1 months.During follow up,three moderate to severe regurgitation occurred,among which one was in moderate regurgitation group,two in severe regurgitation group ( P =0.06).There were three deaths in mild regurgitation group,two in moderate regurgitation group,and four in severe regurgitation group.No significant differences were found in terms of mid-term morality,P =0.10.Conclusion For patients with tricuspid regurgitation secondary to left-sided heart diseases,the mid-term outcomes of modified Cosgrove-Edwards ring annuloplasty were satisfactory.The taking home messages include:positive recommendation for patients with pulmonary hypertension to accept tricuspid annuloplasty,use of undersized ring,and partial fixation of septal segment.

Objective: To compare the long term prognosis between revascularization (REV) and medical therapy (MP) in patients with three-vessel disease (3VD) with or without left main (LM) lesion.
Methods: A total of 4,875 consecutive patients with elective coronary angiography (CAG) diagnosed 3VD with or without LM lesion treated in our hospital from 2007-01 to 2008-12 were retrospectively studied. The patients were divided into 2 groups: MT group,n=705 (14.5%) and REV group,n=4170 (85.5%). The all cause mortality and the rate of revascularization during follow-up period were compared between 2 groups by inverse-probability-weighting approach with propensity score.
Results: There were 3962/4875 (81.3%) patients with simple 3VD (right, left anterior descending and left circumlfex coronary arteries) and 913 (18.7%) with 3VD+LM lesion. The in-hospital mortality was similar between 2 groups (OR=0.7, 95% CI 0.3-1.4,P=0.30). With the longest 2-year follow-up study, the adjusted all cause mortality and the rate of revascularization in MT group were both higher than those in REV group (HR=8.3, 95% CI 6.7-11.1,P<0.001) and (HR=1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.6,P<0.001). No matter the patients with simple 3VD or 3VD+LM lesion, compared with REV group, MT group had the higher all cause mortality, for 3VD+LM lesion (HR=10.4, 95% CI 7.1-15.4,P<0.001) and for simple 3VD (HR=7.1, 95% CI 5.3-10.0,P<0.001).
Conclusion: In real world, the long term prognosis by revascularization treatment was superior to medical treatment in patients with either simple 3 vessel coronary disease or 3 vessel combining LM disease.

Objective Endothelin is a key role in the pathogenic of pulmonary arterial hypertension. High concentrations of endothelin-1 have been recorded in plasma and lungs of patients with pulmonary artery hypertension associated with congenital heart disease, and the concentrations of endothelin-1 was correlated with severity degree of pulmonary arterial disease.Endothelin exerting vasoconstrictor and mitogenic effects by binding to two distinct receptor isoforms in the pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells: endothelin A and B receptors. Bosentan is an orally active dual ( A and B) endothelin receptor antagonist that has been shown to improve exercise capacity, haemodynamics, and clinical worsening in many clinical trials, but have no experience in post-operation of congenital heart disease with PAH. In our country, there are lots of elder patients of congenital heart disease accompany with pulmonary arterial hypertension. And they have poor prognosis after operation because pulmonary arterial hypertension leads to right ventricular failure and sudden death. So we hope bosentan can improve clinical outcome of these patients. This time we present the results of the bosentan trial in post-operative patients still with pulmonary arterial hypertension, a randomized controlled trial designed to assess the efficacy and safety of the dual endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan in post-operative pulmonary arterial hypertension, and present the first experience of bosentan for these patients.Methods This study was a prospective clinical trial. The objects were 30 patients ( age:4 months - 6.8years,weight:5 - 15 kg) who still had pulmonary artery hypertension at one week after cardiac defects repaired. They were randomized to controlled ( n = 15 ) or to bosentan ( n = 15 ). Dosage regimen: 10 - 20 kg patients, 31. 25 mg qd ( 4 weeks ) ,31.25 mg bid ( 8 weeks);5 - 10 kg patients, 15.6 mg qd ( 4 weeks), 15.6 mg bid ( 8 weeks). Evaluate the efficacy and safety of Bosentan through the amelioration of pulmonary arterial systolic pressure, WHO functional class, and clinical worsening. Results We monitored pulmonary arterial systolic pressure after operation by echocardiogram 2 times, baseline ( 1 week after operation) and at 12 weeks later. The pulmonary arterial systolic pressure decreased 19.5 mm Hg in Bosentan group( P =0. 000), and decreased 10.3 mm Hg in control group(P =0. 164), with the mean treatment effect of 9.2 mm Hg (P=0.049,95%CI:0. 1 -18.3). The effct of bosentan on haemodynamics is also reflected in the reduction plasma ET-1 concentration in bosentan group. Plasma ET-1 in control group increased (0. 15 ±0.1 )fmol/ml(P =0.77), however, decreased (2.01 ±0.3)fmol/ml (P=0. 03) in bosentan group; Bosentan prevented post-operation PAH. Bosentan treatment was associated with lower incidence of worsening NYHA functional class compared with controlled(0 in the bosentan group vs 13% in the placebo group) There was a delay in time to clinical worsening with bosentan compared wih controlled group. Abnormal liver function occurred in 2 cases in bosentan group but resolved after discontinuation of bosentan treatment, no other side effects. Bosentan produced hemodynamic improvement and was well tolerated in infant. Conclusion Bosentan administration in patients with postoperative PAH is safe and efficient. Bosentan is a new effective approach to therapy for postoperative pulmonary arterial hypertension in children.

Objective The aim of this report was to study the early and mid-term outcome in hospital and follow-up mortality, predictors for late pulmonary stenosis (PAS) and insufficiency of neo-aortic valve (neo-AVI) in patients with transposition of great arteries (TGA) and Taussig-Bing malformation undergoing arterial switch operation ( ASO ). Methods Between January 2004 and December 2007, 169 patients (129 male, 40 female; mean age of [(11.71 ± 26.3 ) months] with TGA or Taussig-Bing malformation underwent ASO. The patients were divided into Group Ⅰ (n = 56 ): TGA with intact ventricular septum and Group Ⅱ ( n = 113 ): TGA with ventricular septal defect (VSD). All patients were followed up in out-patient department by ultrasonic cardiogram. The mean follow-up periods was (27.66 ± 14.6 ) months. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to find out the risk factors. Results The overall hospital mortality was 11.24% (19/169)and there was no significant difference between the two Groups. With the improving of perioperative management, the hospital mortality decreased from 16.67% in 2004 to 3.92% in 2007. The overall actuarial survival at 1-, 3- and 5-year follow-up was 94.00%,91.33%, and 91.33%, respectively. The multivariate analysis revealed that age above 6 months was a strong predictor for poor postoperative survival. Predictors for neo-AVI were: combined with VSD, age > 6 months and postoperative neo-AVI Z-score > 1. Predictors for moderate to severe PAS were age ＜ 1 months and pulmonary artery plasty with an unstretchable patch. Conclusion ASO remains the optimal choice for treating various forms of TGA with an acceptable early and mid-term outcome regarding overall survival rate. Patients with TGA should be treated as early as possible. Age >6 months is a predictor for poor postoperative survival and neo-AVI. Mismatch between the neo-aortic root and distal aorta may induce neo-AVI. Unstretchable patch in pulmonary artery plasty may induce PAS.

Objective To explore the relationship between the index of SPECT myocardial viability teat of the left ventricle and long-term cardiovascular adverse events following the coronary artery bypass graft.Methods Clinical data were selected from the coronary-heart-disease patients with CABG and the isotopic SPECT test of myocardial viability prior to the operation in the Fuwai Cardiovascular Hospital,the Chinese Academy of Medical Science from January 1,1999 to December 31,2005.Total 709 patients were included in this study.Regular follow-up in patients was performed following operation.Investigate the nuclear medicine documents of the patients above;make the semi-quantitative scores of myocardial viability prior to operation by the 17-segment method of ventricle.Through the COX multi-factor analysis of the statistical methods to explore the relationship between the index of the myocardial viability and the long-term cardiac adverse events selected in advance.Results The mean duration of follow-up was(3.43±2.42)years.The COX multi-analysis revealed that the total score of left ventricular myocardial viability is the independent impact factors for long term cardiac death,long terrm re-hospitalization rate and long term composite end points events.The cut off values of total score of left ventricular myocardial viability for long term cardiac death,long term re-hospitalization rate and long term composite end points events is 15,9,13 respectively.Conclusion The total score of left ventricular myocardial viability of SPECT is independently associated with long-term events,and the cut values of myocardial viability total score for long-term cardiac death,re-hospitalization and composite MACE events are 15,9,and 13 respectively.For the groups with total scores above and below the cut off values,there is significant difference of long term cardiac events risk between groups.

Objective To summarize the clinical experience of "One-stop" hybrid procedure that performs minimally in-vasive direct coronary artery bypass ( MII)CAB ) and percutaneous coronary intervention ( PC! ) concurrently on 35 patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods Between June 2007 and May 2008, 35 patients [33 men and 2women, mean age (63.5±9.2) years] with multivessel CAD ( two-vessel CAD, n = 19; three-vessel CAD, n = 16, left main coronary artery disease, n = 7 ; coronary artery lesions, 2.5 lesions per patient) underwent "one-stop" hybrid procedure. The hybrid strategy was performed as a primary MIDCAB procedure for bypassing the left internal mammary artery ( LIMA ) to the left anterior descending artery ( LAD ), simultaneously followed by PCI ( pereutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and/or stenting) on the remaining non-LAD vessels. Concomitant diseases included hypertention in 20 patients, hy-perlipemia in 12 patients, previous myocardial infarction (MI) in 10 patients, diabetes mellitus (type 2) in 9 patients, previ-ous cerebrovascular disease in 2 patients, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 1 patient, renal dysfunction in 1 patient, and ostium secundum atrial septal defect in 1 patient. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) averaged 0. 62±0.07. Results There were no reexploration for bleeding, strokes, myocardial infarctions, acute renal dysfunctions, or deaths in hospetal. Of the total 35 patients, 34 patients (97.1%) were successfully treated with "one-stop" hybrid procedure, and 1 patient (2.9%) was converted to conventional coronary artery bypass grafting ( CABG ) because of dissection of one obtuse marginal branch during PCI. One of the LIMA-LAD grafts was confirmed to be anastomotic stenosis by followed coronary angiog-raphy and was corrected immediately. The patient with ostium secundum defer underwent tranesophageal echocardiography guiding transcatheter closure after LIMA-LAD anastomosis. Catheter-based interventions were carried out in 61 coronary le-sions, including PTCA in 6 lesions and implantation of 62 drug-elating stents (DES) in the rest appropriate lesions. The mean number of DES implantation was 1.8 per patient, and the average diameter and length of implanted DES were respectively ( 3.2±0.5 )mm and 37.3 mm per patient. Of the 34 patients receiving hybrid procedure, the average mechanical ventrilation time was ( 10.8±7.9) hours, and 4 ( 11. 8% ) pateints were extubated in the operating room; length of stay in the intencive care unit averaged (33.6±33.0) hours and hospital stay (9±3) days; 24 patients (70.6%) avoided transfusion require-ment. Conclusion Our findings indicate that in high-risk patients with multivessel CAD, the "one-stop" hybrid procedure by performing MIDCAB and PCI simultaneously is a feasible and safe alternative.