Objective To investigate the effects of cardioplegic solution containing different concentrations of emulsified isoflurane on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in isolated rat hearts. Methods Fifty-six male SD rats, weighing 180-250 g, were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 20% urethane 1 g/kg and heparin 1 000 U/kg. Their hearts were excised and perfused in a Langendorff apparatus. Fifty-six isolated hearts were randomly divided into 7 groups ( n = 8 each) : St. Thomas cardioplegic solution group (group C) and St. Thomas cardioplegic solution containing 6 different concentrations of emulsified isoflurane groups (group E1-6 ). After 20 min equilibration, cardiac arrest was induced with St. Thomas cardioplegic solution 20 ml and St. Thomas cardioplegic solution containing 0.28, 0.56, 1.12, 1.68, 2.24 and 2.80 mmol/L emulsified isoflurane 20 ml at 4℃for 45 min followed by 60 min reperfusion in group C and E1-6 respectively. HR, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and + dp/dtmax were recorded at the end of 20 min equilibration, 20, 40 and 60 min of reperfusion. Coronary effluent 1.5 ml was collected for determination of LDH and SOD activity and the concentration of cTnI. At the end of 60 min reperfusion, the area of myocardial infarction was calculated. Results Compared with group C, HR, LVDP, + dp/dtmax and SOD activity were significantly higher, LVEDP, LDH activity and cTnI concentration lower, and the area of myocardial infarction lower in group E4, and HR, LVDP, + dp/dtmax and SOD activity were significantly lower, LVEDP, LDH activity and cTnI concentration higher, and the area of myocardial infarction higher in group E6 and E6 ( P < 0.05) , but there was no significant difference in the above indices between group E1-3 and group C ( P > 0.05) . HR, LVDP, + dp/dtmax and SOD activity were significantly lower, LVEDP, LDH activity and cTnI concentration higher, and the area of myocardial infarction higher in group E1-3-5-6 than in group E4 (P < 0.05 ). Conclusion St. Thomas cardioplegic solution containing 1.68 mmol/L emulsified isoflurane can attenuate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in isolatede rat hearts.

Objective To explore the relationship between Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). Methods A total of 78 patients with AOSD who had completed medical information were included in this study. Eleven patients who were diagnosed as rheumatic disease associated hemophagocytic syndrome among 26 patients who had hemophagocytic syndrome with histological evidence consisted of the MAS group. Clinical and laboratory data were analyzed in 78 patients with AOSD and 11 patients with MAS. Results Among 78 cases of AOSD, 9 patients (12%) could be diagnosed as MAS but didn't have hemophagocytic histological evidence. In the 11 MAS cases with hemophagocytic phenomenon, 6 patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of AOSD, 2 cases with panniculitis, 1 case with SLE, 1 case of dermatomyositis and 1 case of systemic vasculitis. Logistic analysis showed that splenomegaly (OR =2.13, 95%CI=1.11-3.42), leukopenia (OR=3.57, 95%CI=2.30～4.86), anaemia (OR=0.85, 95%CI=1.03～2.76), thrombocytopenia (OR=2.98, 95%CI=1.17-4.30) and hypertriglyceridemia (OR=1.66, 95%CI=1.02～2.74) were associated with development of MAS in AOSD. Conclusion The development of MAS in AOSD patient is frequent and hemophagocytic histological evidence could be found in severe cases. When splenomegaly and hypocytomsis present in AOSD patients, bone marrow examination should be done and the level of triglyceride and fibrinogen and activity of NK cells should be measured for early diagnosis.

Objective Some major procedures for DeBakey type Ⅰ aortic dissection used to be performed with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, which had been associated with more complications than seen with standard extracorporeal circulation. We reviewed the cases who received the treatment for DeBakey type Ⅰ aortic dissection by hybrid procedure without deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. The procedure consisted of ascending aorta replacement, ascending aorta-aortic arch branch vascular bypass reconstruction and endovascular graft exclusion. Methods From January 2009 to June 2010, 39 patients [mean age (55 ±16) years] who had DeBakey Ⅰ aortic dissection underwent hybrid procedure without deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. The femoral artery and right axillary artery were cannulated for perfusion. The ascending aorta and/or aortic valves were replaced under conventional extracorporeal circulation with Bentall procedure or Wheat procedure. The aortic arch branch vessels were dissected and the proximal part was sealed. Then the ascending aorta-aortic arch branch vascular bypasses were constructed with 4-bifurcation vascular grafts, Y-shape bifurcated vascular grafts or artificial vessels. Finally the endovascular grafts were deployed via the femoral incisions monitored dynamically with DSA, or via the ascending aortic bifurcated vessels monitored with transesophageal echocardiography. Results The operation succeeded in all 39 patients. Eight patients underwent ascending aorta replacement without aortic valve replacement or prosthesis, 20 patients underwent Bentall procedure ( Carbrol procedure were used in 11 cases), and 11 underwent Wheat procedure. For ascending aorta-aortic branch vascular bypass reconstruction, sequential anastomoses were performed in 8, Y-shaped bifurcated grafts were used in 15, and 4-bifurcated grafts were employed in 16 patients. The endovascular stent grafts were deployed via the former femoral incisions in 36 patients and via ascending aortic bifurcated vessels in 3. The cardiopulmonary bypass time was (61 ±22) minutes, the aortic crossclamp time was (48 ±18) minutes, and the post-operative intubation time was (30 ±9) hours. The thoracic drainage from each patient was less than 300 ml in 24 hours. No complication, such as hemiplegia, paraplegia, severe infections, renal failure or coagulation disorder, was observed. The duration of hospitalization was (21 ±6) days. No hospital death occurred. Follow-up was performed 1 to 15 months [mean (8.4 ±7.2) months] postoperatively. All patients survived without any organ dysfunction at follow up. The CTA examination 3 months after operation revealed that the false lumens had been closed in 91.2% of the patients. Conclusion Our findings indicated that the hybrid procedure, which combining ascending aorta replacement,ascending aorta-aortic arch branch vascular bypass reconstruction and endovascular graft exclusion under conventional extracorporeal circulation, may be an option for avoiding the possible complications associated with profound hypothermic circulatory arrest. The novel hybrid operation may improve the surgical outcomes and provide a simplified surgical approach for the treatment of DeBakey Ⅰ aortic dissection.