BACKGROUND: Umbilical cord blood-mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs) following differentiation into cardiomyocytes were transplanted into ischemic myocardium. The transplanted cells can build connection with host cells and repair the infarct myocardium. OBJECTIVE: To detect the cell-cell junction after transplantation of the cardiac-like cell derived from the canine umbilical cord blood stem cells. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized controlled animal study was performed from July 2006 to October 2007 at the Animal Experimental Center of Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. MATERIALS: A total of 2 full-term pregnant canines were used for isolation of UCB-MSCs. A total of 36 adult mongrel canines were divided into cell transplantation group and model control group (n=18) according to the rule of random digits table. METHODS: The MSCs at passage 4 were transfected by Laz-Z. After 3-day culture, MSCs were induced by 10 μmol/L 5-azacytidine (5-aza). The canine models of myocardium infarction were established following 3 weeks of culture. 2 mL (1 ×107)MSCs were transplanted into dogs with acute myocardium infarction by coronary artery infusion and local injection in cell transplantation group. An equal volume of saline was used in the model control group. The specimens were harvested and detected at 2, 4 and 8 weeks, respectively. Cell junction was determined using immunohistochemistry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The following parameters were measured: gene trensfection, myogenic induction and differentiation results of UCB-MSCs; junction of transplanted cells and host cardiomyocytes. RESULTS: Following 72 hours of transfaction, mass of cells expressed LacZ gene, synthetized galactosidase, and stained blue using X-gal staining. Following 3 weeks of 5-aza induction, the antigen a-Actin, Desmin and Connexin43 were all been positively expressed, but before induction they were all negative. From the myocardial section of 8 weeks after transplantation, the junction was formed between the transplanted cells and the host myocardium as formed between the transplanted cells. In the junction, green-fluorescence positive expression of cadherin and connexin43 could be seen. However, in the model control group, only cadherin and connexin43 expressed positively, but the transplanted UCB-MSCs with red fluorescence could not been observed. CONCLUSION: The UCB-MSCs is able to differentiate into cardiac-like cell in vitro and form cell-cell junction in vivo to communicate with surrounding cells.

Objective To sunomanize the experience of consecutive 353 patients and mean 2-years follow-up following Mei mini maze procedure for atrial fibrillation.Methods Between June 2010 and May 2015,353 patients(240 males, 113 females) of atrial fibrillation received this therapy.The age of these patients were(59.7 ± 8.5) years.Among them, 186 were with paroxysmal and 167 were with non-paroxysmal.The procedure, through three ports on left chest wall, included pulmonary vein isolation and ablations of the roof and posterior wall of left atrium which were achieved by bipolar radiofrequency ablation.Ganglionic plexus ablation was made by the ablation pen.Left atrial appendage was excluded.Results Durations of their procedures were(92.3 ± 19.1) mins.No conversion to sternotomy or pacemaker implantation occurred and none of the patients died.The hospital stay was(8.5 ± 2.1) days.The mean follow-up duration was (25.0 ± 15.1) months.308 (90.1％) patients were in sinus rhythm.34 patients could not maintain sinus rhythm.Stroke, thrombus in the left atrium and stenosis of pulmonary vein were not found after their procedures.Conclusion Mei mini maze procedure is a safe, effective, and appropiiate treatment for AF, which restores sinus rhythm and may be associated with the prevention of AF-related stroke.It deserved to be promoted in future.

Objective To evaluate the outcomes achieved by using left internal mammary artery(LIMA) to radial artery (RA) total arterial composite grafts in minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) for patients with multiple vessel disease.Methods From January 2009 to September 2015, 39 patients(24 males) with multiple vessel disease underwent MIDCAB with LIMA-RA total arterial composite grafts without cardiopulmonary bypass in our hospital .MIDCAB was performed through a left anterior minithoracotomy .Results All patients successfully underwent MIDCAB with LIMA-RA total arterial composite grafts.No patient required to convert to strenotomy during the surgery.Mean operation time was(176.1 ± 14.1)min.Revascularization was performed for 2 target vessels in 11 cases, 3 target vessels in 25 cases and 4 target vessels in 3 cases.Mean postoperative ventilation time was(21.9 ±27.9) h.Mean ICU time was(2.8 ±2.1) days, and mean postoper-ative inhosptial time was(11.2 ±3.3)days.There was no early death in perioperation.At a follow-up of 6 to 86 months[aver-age(27.5 ±18.0) months], one patient died.The overall survival at 2 years postoperatively was(96.0 ±3.9)%.The paten-cy rate of LIMA was 100%.The overall patency rate of RA grafts at 2 years postoperatively was(91.8 ±4.0)%.Conclusion MIDCAB with LIMA-RA total arterial composite grafts is a safe and effective procedure with favorable early and mid-term out-comes for patients with multiple vessel disease .

Objective To evaluate the effect of keeping atrial septal fenestration in correction of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) with left ventricular hypoplasia.Methods We reviewed 44 TAPVC patients between June,2006 and June,2013 in Shanghai Xinhua Hospital.According to whether keeping atrial septal fenestration during operation,patients were divided into group A(keeping fenestration,25 cases) and group B(no fenestration,19 cases).Retrospective statistical analysis was carried on the in-patient data and follow-up outcomes.Results No statistically significant differences between the two group on age,weight,left ventricular volume and crossclamp time (P ＞ 0.05).While cardiopulmonary bypass time,ventilation time,dosage of positive inotropic drugs,and ICU stay time of group A were shorter compares with group B (P ＜ 0.05).4 patients in group A (16.00％) suffered from low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) postoperatively,and 6 in group B(31.58％).Pulmonary edema occurred in 3 patients,1 in group A(4.00％),and 2 in group B(10.53％).Total post-operative mortality was 6.82％ (3/44).2 cases died of serious LCOS(1 from group A,and the other from group B),1 cases died of infection and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(group B).No significant difference of mortality was observed between two groups.Follow-up data showed some fenestrations can close naturally.Conclusion Keeping atrial septal fenestration can be done as a feasibility tactic in correction of TAPVC with left ventricular hypoplasia.

Objective To evaluate the effect of novel modified bipolar radiofrequency(RF) ablation for preoperative atrial fibrillation(AF) combined with off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting(OPCABG) for patients with AF and coronary artery disease(CAD).Methods From January 2007 to January 2014, 49 patients with AF, and CAD underwent the novel modified bipolar RF ablation combined with OPCABG in our department, 29 males and 20 females(11 paroxysmal, 19 persistent and 19 long-standing persistent).The patients were followed up with 24 hours Holter monitoring and echocardiography for (37.89 ± 18.1) months after the procedure.Results There were no perioperative death, serve low cardiac output syndrome or permanent pacemaker implantation.Mean AF ablation time was(33.2 ± 5.2) min, and the mean OPCABG time was(90.3 ± 16.6) min.Mean ICU stay time was(4.7 ± 2.5) days, and mean postoperative time was(14.5 ± 6.1) days.The maintenance of sinus rhythm was 93.9％ (46/49) at discharge, while the rate was 83.7 ％ (41/49) one year later.Follow-up echocardiography data at 6 months postoperatively showed that left atrial diameter was significantly reduced and left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly increased.Conclusion The novel modified bipolar RF ablation combined with OPCABG procedure was safe, feasible and effective.It may be useful in selecting the best ablation approaches for patients with AF and CAD.

Objective Objectives: To introduce the technique of performing minimally invasive concomitant Cox Maze Ⅳ ablation procedure entirely by bipolar clamp through right lateral minithoracotomy for patients with atrial fibrillation(AF) associated with mitral valve diseases.Methods Sixty nine patients with mitral valve disease and long-standing persistent AF received minimally invasive Cox Maze Ⅳ ablation procedure combined with mitral valve surgery from June 2012 to January 2015.The etiology of mitral valve disease was rheumatic(41 cases) and degenerative(28 cases).Age at operation ranged from 52 to 71 years.There were 43 males and 26 females.AF duration ranged from 1.5 years to 13 years.Diameter of the left atrium ranged from 42 to 60 mm.Diameter of the left ventricle ranged from 43 to 66 mm.Left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) ranged from 0.45 to 0.67.Concomitant Maze Ⅳ ablation procedure was performed through right lateral minithoracotomy entirely by bipolar radiofrequency clamp.Results All patients successfully underwent this minimally invasive concomitant Maze Ⅳ ablation procedure and mitral valve surgery.The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was(130.3 ± 17.7) minutes.The mean aortic crossclamp time was(91.8 ± 12.7) minutes.No patient needed conversion to sternotomy during the surgery.There was no early death or pacemaker implantation in the perioperation.The average length of hospital stay was(9.8 ± 3.3) days.At discharge, 65 patients(65/69, 94.2％) maintained sinus rhythm.At a mean follow-up time of(21.0 ± 8.6) months, sinus rhythm was restored in 62 patients(62/69, 89.9％).Cumulative maintenance of normal sinus rhythm without AF recurrence at 2 years postoperatively was(85.1 ± 5.8)％.Conclusion The minimally invasive concomitant Maze Ⅳ ablation procedure performed entirely by bipolar clamp through right lateral minithoracotomy was a safe, feasible, and effective technique for patients with AF associated with mitral valve diseases.

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.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial progenitor calls are the cells that can form new blood vessels in the way of angiogenesis in the body,which updates the conventional theory of angiogenesis, vascular damage and repair after birth and provides new ideas for research and treatment of ischemic diseases.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of dog umbilical cord blood endothelial progenitor call (UCB-EPC) transplantation on angiogenesis after myocardial infarction.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: An in vivo cytological experiment was performed at the Laboratory Center of Xinhua Hospital between May 2006 and March 2007.MATERIALS: One full-term pregnant hybrid dog was included for preparation of UCB-EPCs. Thirty-six adult dogs were randomly divided into a cell transplantation group (n = 18) and a model control group (n = 18).METHODS: Acute myocardial infarction model was established in each group by ligation of antedor descending coronary artery.In the cell transplantation group, 2 mL physiological saline containing 5×10<'6> BrdU-labeled EPCs was injected into the coronary artery, while in the model control group, simple physiological saline of the same amount was given. At 1,4, and 8 weeks after transplantation, dogs were sacrificed for harvesting myocardial tissue.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Myocardial infarction was confirmed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Myocardial angiogenesis was observed by BrdU immunohistochemical staining. The number of infarcted myocardial vessels was calculated by yon Willebrand (vW) factor staining.RESULTS: There was plenty of scar tissue, flbroblasts, and small vessels in the myocardial infarction region. In the cell transplantation group, brown yellow particles (BrdU-positive expression) appeared in some nuclei in small vessels from infarcted myocardium. Newly formed vessels were not found in the model control group. In the cell transplantation group, brown yellow particles (vW factor-positive expression) appeared in the cytoplasm of the vascular endothelial cells in the myocardial ischemia and infarction regions, vW factors were not expressed in the model control group. At 1, 4, and 8 weeks after myocardial infarction,there was no significant difference in vessel counts no matter in myocardial ischemia region or in myocardial infarction region between the call transplantation and model control groups.CONCLUSION: EPCs derived from UCB of pregnant dog can participate in the formation of blood vessels but can not promote angiogenesis after acute myocardial infarction.

Objective To review the surgical methods and mid-term results of mitral valve repair in pediatric patients with moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (MR).Methods 132 children with moderate to severe MR,aged (18.9 ± 7.2)months,weighted(11.3 ±4.8) kg.The etiology for mitral regurgitation is congenital heart disease in 126 cases,infective endocarditis in 5 cases and Marfan syndrome in 1 case.Mitral valvuloplasty(MVP) was performed with cardiopulmonary bypass under moderate systemic hypothermia.The methods of MVP included annuloplasty,annuloplasty ring,cleft closure,reconstruction of posterior leaflet.The coucomitant cardiac anomalies were treated at the same time.The results of repair were evaluated by saline injection test and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) during operation.Results Intra-operative TEE results: 131 cases had none to mild MR,and only one case had moderate MR.The patient underwent second repair immediately,subsequent TEE was mild.Mean cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time was (80.0 ± 31.1) minutes.Mean aortic clump time was (48.0 ± 17.9) minutes.The in-hospital mortality was 2.3％ (3 cases died).One died of heart failure on postoperative day 7,the other died of low cardiac output syndrome resulting on postoperative day 2.Another one was large ventricular septal defect(VSD) with pulmonary hypertension (PH),died of pulmonary infection.Mean postoperative ventilation time was (34.4 ± 31.9) hours,and mean postoperative inhosptial time was (9.0 ± 5.4) days.The average follow-up period was (40.5 ± 8.3) months (2 to 74 months).122 cases were fully followed up.Echocardiography showed that moderate MR was in 7 patients,and 3 patients had severe MR.4 patients underwent re-do mitral valve repair or mitral valve replacement.There was no late death.The overall survival rate at 5 years was 97.7％ and the overall freedom from reoperation at 5 years was 92.0％.Conclusion Pediatric patients with moderate to severe MR need early surgical treatment,the early and mid-term results were satisfactory.Individualized treatment protocol based on specific pathology was the keypoint of surgical therapy.