Objective Background and objective The Cox maze Ⅲ procedure has been considered the gold standard for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and the modified Cox maze use bipolar radiofrequency ablation instead of the cut-and-sew technique,while also reducing the connecting lines in left atrium.This study was to understand whether completely isolation the posterior left atrium by increasing left atrium ablation lines can enhance the survival after modified Cox maze procedure.Methods From Jan 2009 to Dec 2009,all the patients underwent the Cox maze procedure,following the same examination,were divided into two groups (case-control): box lesion group (n =60),which is means the right and lefi pulmonary vein lesions were connected inferiorly by adding ablation lines,thereby completely isolating the posterior left atrium and the non-box lesion group (n =60).Similar interventions were given during the perioperative periods.Comparing the risk factors before surgeries,then follow-up was 100％ complete,and the mean follow-up was 9 ± 8.4 months.Results Except the box lesion had long time of extracorporeal circulation,the characteristics of the 2 groups were similar because there were no differences in age,AF duration,left atrial diameter,left ventricular ejection fraction or homochronous operation between the groups and there was no operative death.No patient was lost to follow-up.In the mean follow-up duration,a patient was died of intracerebral hemorrhage at 2 months postoperationly in the box lesion group and a patient suffered from stroke at 12 months postoperationly in the non-box lesion.The overall freedom from AF recurrence was higher in the box lesion group at 1 (70％ vs 51.2％,P =0.039) and 3 (78.3％ vs 60％,P =0.030) months.While it was 80％ vs 71.7％ (P =0.286) at 6 months.Eight patients wrere readmitted because of the recurrence of AF,4 and 2 patients underwent catheter ablation in box and non-box group respectively,one patient in each group underwent electrical conversion.After treatment,all of the patients were recovered to sinus rhythm and continued to take cordarone.Conclusion Compared to the single connecting between right and left pulmonary vein,isolating the entire posterior left atrium by creating a box lesion showed higher freedom from AF in the earlier months (1-3months).However,half a year after the surgery,there were no significant differences between the two groups.

BACKGROUND:Calcium metaphosphate has excel ent biocompatibility, degradability, and cel affinity. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s can grow and proliferate in the pores of the porous calcium metaphosphate, but less is known about calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles.
OBJECTIVE:To prepare calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles, and to analyze the effect of calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles at different concentrations on apoptosis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s by flow cytometry.
METHODS:The calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles were prepared by wet bal mil ing. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the morphology of the calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles, and the crystal structure of nanoparticles was analyzed by X-ray diffraction. Calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles were mixed in the CYAGON Oricel TM basal medium, and the concentrations of calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles in the medium were 10, 1, 0.1 mg/L. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s were cultured for 7 days in the above-mentioned media, and apoptosis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s was analyzed by flow cytometry.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles were successful y prepared by wet bal mil ing, irregular in shape, and the mean diameter was 10-30 nm. X-ray diffraction results showed the crystal structure of nonaparticles was mainlyβ-Ca(PO3)2. The cel ratio of G0/G1 phase and G2/M phase in 10 mg/L group was obviously higher than that in 1, 0.1 mg/L groups (P<0.01). The cel apoptosis rates during the early, middle, late stages in 10 mg/L group were obviously higher than those in 1, 0.1 mg/L groups (P<0.01), and the total cel apoptosis was also significantly increased in 10 mg/L group (P<0.01). These findings indicate that human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s proliferation can be inhibited by calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles, and apoptosis rate is increased significantly when the concentration of calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles increases from 1 mg/L to 10 mg/L.

Objective:To explore the value of nomogram based on dual-energy CT (DECT) enhanced imaging in predicting postoperative recurrence-free survival (RFS) of early-stage glottic carcinoma (EGC).Methods:The clinicopathological and DECT data of patients with EGC confirmed by pathology in the Tianjin First Central Hospital from January 2015 to July 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 178 patients were enrolled, including 162 males and 16 females, with the age from 44 to 86 (62±9) years old. According to the follow-up data, the patients were divided into recurrent group ( n=32) and non-recurrent group ( n=146). The differences of clinicopathological data and DECT iodine maps parameters between the two groups were analyzed using χ 2 test, independent-sample t test and Mann-Whitney U test. The survival related cut-off values of the quantitative data between the two groups were selected by X-tile software. The survival curve was drawn using Kaplan-Meier method, and the difference of survival rate was tested with log-rank analysis. The variables with statistical differences were included in the Cox proportional hazard model for multivariate analysis to select the independent predictors of postoperative RFS. Based on the multivariate Cox analysis, the nomogram was drawn to predict the RFS at 1, 2 and 5 years. The prediction efficiency and clinical benefit of the nomogram were evaluated by C-index, calibration curve and decision curve analysis. Results:The median follow-up time was 24.3 months, ranging from 2 to 63 months. There was a significant difference in T-stage between recurrent and non-recurrent groups (χ2=9.21, P=0.002). The prognostic cutoff values obtained by X-tile software were arterial phase standardized iodine concentration (SIC AP)=0.28 and venous phase standardized iodine concentration (SIC VP)=0.87. The results of log-rank test showed that there were significant differences in RFS among patients with different T-stage, SIC AP and SIC VP (χ2=10.74, 15.50, 17.97, P=0.001,<0.001,<0.001). T-stage, SIC AP and SIC VP were identified as independent predictors of postoperative RFS (hazard ratio=2.271, 3.552, 3.266, P=0.026,<0.001, 0.003). The C-index of the nomogram combined with DECT parameter and T-stage was 0.785, which was higher than that of T-stage alone (0.622). The calibration curve showed that there was good consistency between the actual and predicted probability of the sample. The decision curve analysis showed that the clinical benefit of the nomogram was higher than that of the T-stage alone. Conclusion:The nomogram based on preoperative clinical factors (T-stage) and DECT iodine map factors (SIC AP and SIC vp) can predict the postoperative RFS of patients with EGC.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of open cardiac operation and interventional therapy in pregnant patients and describe the feto-neonatal and maternal outcomes.Methods:A retrospective study of 39 cases of women undergoing open cardiac operation or interventional therapy during pregnancy was conducted in Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital from Jan. 2014 to Oct. 2019.Results:The age of 39 pregnant women with gestational heart disease was (30±6) years old (21-43 years old). Among them, 37 cases were single and 2 cases were twin pregnancy. Modified World Health Organization (mWHO) pregnancy risk classification were all level Ⅳ. There were 22 women receiving cardiac operation under cardiopulmonary bypass during pregnancy, 14 patients undergoing percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty, 2 patients accepting percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty, and 1 case receiving atrial septal defect occluder with ultrasound guidance. Three were no maternal deaths during and after the operation. One patient had an inevitable abortion. Four fetuses died in the uterine after open cardiac surgery. There patients chose termination of the pregnancy after cardiac operation. There were 31 live birth, in which 7 cases were preterm live birth and 24 patients were term live birth. The total number of newborns were 33. Two fetuses suffered neonatal intracranial hemorrhage and died after birth. Thirty-one fetuses were alive and born without any abnormity.Conclusion:For pregnant women with high risk of cardiovascular disease and classified as mWHO pregnancy risk level Ⅳ, cardiopulmonary bypass and interventional therapy during pregnancy could be used as an alternative for better materal and fetal outcomes.

Objective:To explore the value of the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney generalized dominance ratio (T max-weighted ratio) based on residual tissue time to peak (T max) delayed severity weighting in predicting the moderate to severe edema after acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke. Methods:The clinical and imaging features of patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke from January 2019 to April 2022 in Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 85 patients were enrolled, including 60 males and 25 females, with the age from 34 to 93 (67±11) years old. Patients underwent non-contrast CT, CT angiography of the head and neck, and CT perfusion imaging of the head, and ischemic core volume and the ratio of T max 4-6 s volume, T max 6-8 s volume, T max 8-10 s volume, and T max >10 s volume relative to the entire hypo-perfused area (T max>4 s volume) was measured, and the T max-weighted ratio was calculated, the collateral circulation were assessed. Patients were divided into mild edema group and moderate to severe edema group according to whether local swelling exceeded 1/3 of the unilateral cerebral hemisphere on non-contrast CT at 24-48 h. The indicators were compared between the two groups by independant t test, Mann-Whitney U and χ 2 test. The performance to predict moderate to severe edema was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for the moderate to severe edema. Differences in baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and infarct core volume were equalized by 1∶1 propensity score matching (PSM) and the differences of T max-weighted ratio between the two groups were further compared. Results:There were 52 cases in the mild edema group and 33 cases in the moderate to severe edema group. Baseline NIHSS score, T max>10 s volume, ischemic core volume, T max-weighted ratio and proportion of poor collateral circulation were higher in the moderate-severe edema group than those in the mild edema group ( P<0.001), T max 4-6 s volume was lower than in the mild edema group ( P<0.001). ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of T max-weighted ratio for predicting the incidence of moderate to severe edema was 0.885 (95%CI 0.798-0.944), with an optimal cut-off value of 1.17, sensitivity of 84.85% and specificity of 82.69% before PSM. The predictive ability based on T max-weighted ratio was similar to ischemic core volume( Z=0.64, P=0.520), T max 4-6 s volume ( Z=1.48, P=0.140) and superior to T max 6-8 s volume( Z=5.65, P<0.001), T max 8-10 s volume( Z=4.46, P<0.001), T max >10 s volume ( Z=2.91, P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that T max-weighted ratio>1.17 was an independent predictor of the development of moderate to severe edema (OR=10.40,95%CI 2.65-40.83, P=0.001) through adjusted for baseline NIHSS score and ischemic core volume. After PSM, 14 patients in each group were included; the T max-weighted ratio was higher in the moderate-to-severe edema group than that in the mild edema group ( P<0.001), and the differences in other factors were not statistically significant (all P>0.05); ROC analysis showed that the AUC of T max-weighted ratio to predict the occurrence of moderate-to-severe edema was 0.852 (95%CI 0.667-0.957). Conclusion:The T max-weighted ratio can predict the occurrence of moderate-to-severe edema in brain tissue after acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke.

Objective    To evaluate the efficacy of a combination of beating-heart minimally invasive approach and leaflets augmentation technique treating severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after cardiac surgery. Methods    From January 2015 to August 2017, patients undergoing reoperative tricuspid valve repair (TVP) with minimally invasive approach and leaflets augmentation were enrolled. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was established via femoral vessels and the procedures were performed on beating heart with normothermic CPB. A bovine pericardial patch was sutured to leaflets to augment the native anterior and posterior leaflets. Other repair techniques, such as ring implantation and leaflet mobilization, were also applied as needed. Results    A total of 28 patients (mean age 55.6±10.1 years, 5 males, 23 females) were enrolled. One patient was converted to median sternotomy due to pleural cavity adhesion. Twenty-seven patients underwent totally endoscopic TVP with leaflets augmentation. No patients was transferred to tricuspid valve replacement. Two patients died in hospital. All patients were followed up for 7.4±5.0 months and there was no late death and reoperation. Regurgitation area was converted from 20.7±10.1 cm2 to 3.3±3.3 cm2 after TVP according to the latest echocardiography (P<0.001). Conclusion    Minimally TVP with leaflets augmentation is effective in treating severe isolated TR after primary cardiac surgery. It can significantly increase success rate of tricuspid valvuloplasty and decrease the surgical trauma.

Objective To investigate the relationship between two-lung ventilation (TLV) with single-lumen endotracheal tube (SLT), one-lung ventilation (OLV) with double-lumen endotracheal tube (DLT) and postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) after total thoracoscopic cardiac surgery. Methods The clinical data of patients who underwent totally thoracoscopic cardiac surgeries in the Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital from October 2019 to October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into 2 group according to the type of endotracheal tube, including a SLT group and a DLT group. Baseline data, surgical variables and PPCs were compared. The influencing factors of PPCs in the two groups were analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis. Results Finally 349 patients were enrolled, including 180 males and 169 females with an average age of (50.0±14.8) years. There were 219 patients in the SLT group and 130 patients in the DLT group. There was no statistical difference in baseline data, surgical variables or PPCs between the two groups (P＞0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that PPCs were related to body mass index in the SLT group (OR=0.778, 95%CI 0.637 to 0.951, P=0.014) and preoperative smoking history in the DLT group (OR=0.058, 95%CI 0.004 to 0.903, P=0.042). Conclusion For the patients who undergo totally thoracoscopic cardiac surgery, TLV with SLT and OLV with DLT show no significant association with PPCs. At the same time, PPCs are associated with body mass index in the SLT group, while associated with preoperative smoking history in the DLT group.

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 analyze the clinical efficacy and survival outcome of totally thoracoscopic redo mitral valve replacement and evaluate its efficiency and safety. Methods     The clinical data of patients with totally thoracoscopic redo mitral valve replacement in Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital between 2013 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to determine the risk factors for postoperative death. Results     There were 48 patients including 29 females and 19 males with a median age of 53 (44, 66) years. All the procedures were performed successfully with no conversion to median sternotomy. A total of 15, 10 and 23 patients received surgeries under non-beating heart, beating heart and ventricular fibrillation, respectively. The in-hospital mortality rate was 6.25% (3/48), and the incidence of early postoperative complications was 18.75% (9/48). Thirty-five (72.92%) patients had their tracheal intubation removed within 24 hours after the operation. The 1- and 6-year survival rates were 89.50% (95%CI 81.30%-98.70%) and 82.90%(95%CI 71.50%-96.20%), respectively. Age>65 years was an independent risk factor for postoperative death (P=0.04). Conclusion     Totally thoracoscopic redo mitral valve replacement is safe and reliable, with advantages of rapid recovery, reducing blood transfusion rate, reducing postoperative complications and acceptable long-term survival rate. It is worthy of being widely popularized in the clinic.

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.