Objective To compare plasma D-dimmer (D-D) levels of hospitalized patients and healthy controls,and to investigate D-D level changes in different age groups and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to analyze the clinical value of diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) by plasma D-dimer in different ages.Methods Totally 5798 healthy cases and 3756 cases of hospitalized patients were used for this study.Blood samples were collected and plasma D-dimer levels were analyzed.Results No significant difference was found in D-D level between the 50-year old hospitalized patients and healthy controls.D-D level of more than 50-year-old patient groups studied were significantly higher.D-D level was positively related to occurrence of VTE rate (r =0.9189,P ＜0.05).The sensitivity and specificity of D-D diagnosis of VTE in 50-year-old hospitalized patients were the highest,with the increase of age,the sensitivity and specificity of D-D diagnosis of VTE were decreased.Conclusions Plasma D-dimer levels were increased with age,The sensitivity of D-dimer was significantly decreased in the diagnosis of VTE of the elderly.The comprehensive indices should be used in the diagnosis of VTE.

Objective To evaluate the effect of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) on paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.Methods Fifty-four male Kunming mice,aged 8-10 weeks,weighing 30-35 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=18 each) using a random number table:control group (C group),pulmonary fibrosis group (PF group) and CNP group.Paraquat 10 mg/kg (in 0.1 ml of normal saline) was injected intraperitoneally once every 3 days for 5 times in total in PF and CNP groups,and in addition CNP 3 μg/kg (in 0.1 ml of normal saline) was simultaneously injected via the tail vein once every 2 days for 14 times in total in group CNP.The equal volume of normal saline was given instead of paraquat in group C.On days 1,8 and 15 after the end of administation of paraquat,6 mice were sacrificed,and lungs were removed for determination of wet to dry weight ratio (W/D ratio),hydroxyproline (HYP) content (using alkaline hydrolysis),and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) content (using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay) in lung tissues.Results Compared with group C,the W/D ratio and contents of HYP and TGF-β1 in lung tissues were significantly increased at each time point after the end of administation of paraquat (P＜0.05),and the pulmonary fibrosis was obvious in group PF.Compared with group PF,the W/D ratio and contents of HYP and TGF-β1 in lung tissues were significantly decreased at each time point after the end of administation of paraquat (P＜0.05),and the pulmonary fibrosis was significantly attenuated in group CNP.Conclusion CNP can reduce paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.

Objective To summarize the experience of surgical treatment of congenital heart diseases combined with infective endocarditis. Methods All the patients of congenital heart diseases combined with infective endocarditis who received the surgical treatment in our department from January 1995 to December 2001 were retrospectively reviewed,which including 28 cases of single malformation and 11 cases of complex malformations. Results There were 3 early postoperative deathes, and the mortality rate was 7 7%. Followed up 5 months to 5 years with a mean of 3 6 years, there was 1 case of recurrent endocarditis and not late death. Conclusions Congenital heart diseases with infective endocarditis is an absolute surgical indication, and early surgical treatment of congenital heart diseases will lower the incidence of infective endocarditis.

Objective To investigate the early surgical outcomes of 86 patients with complete atrioventricular septal defect.Methods Between January 2007 and December 2014,consecutive 86 cases received surgical repair in our department.There were 44 male patients,and 42 female patients.Two-patch repair was performed in 69 cases,and modified single-patch repair in 17 cases.The mean age,height,and weight at the time of operation were (32.3 ± 46.5)months with a range from 1 month to 17 years,(82.1 ±27.6) cm with a range from 53 to 165 cm,and (10.8 ± 8.7) kg with a range from 4.1 to 43 kg,respectively.Rastelli A type was found in 67 cases,B type in 15 cases,and C type in 4 cases.Down's syndrome was complicated in 6 cases.Preoperative mild regurgitation of common atrioventricular valve was shown in 32 cases,moderate regurgitation in 38 cases,and moderate to severe regurgitation in 16 cases.Mild pulmonary hypertension was observed in 15 cases,moderate in 54 cases,and severe in 17 cases.Results After operation,all patients were sent into intensive care units (ICU).The mean duration mechanical ventilation,ICU stay,and hospitalization were (30.9 ± 47.7) h with a range from 2.5 to 244 h,(87.7 ± 76.8) h with a range from 14 to 306 h,and (16.4 ±9.2)d with a a range from 6 to 50 d,respectively.We encountered 4 operatively mortalities (4.7％),including 3 in two-patch repair group,and 1 in modified single-patch repair group.The cause of death was mitral regurgitation.Conclusions Modified single-patch and two-patch technique have a satisfied early outcomes.

We conducted the detection the Francisella spp.nucle acid from Hyalomma asiaticum asiaticum that main distribution is on railway line area from China-Kazakhstan border.The free-living ticks were collected and then identified by morphological and molecular methods.After species identification,they were detected by PCR targeting 16S rRNA and sdhA of Francisella spp.The amplified products were sequenced and the sequences was analyzed by using the Blast.A phylogenetic tree was constructed using MEGA 6 software.A total of 243 fleas were identified as H.asiaticum asiaticum.Only 35 samples were detected for Francisella spp.positive and the positive rate was 14.4％.Sequence analysis showed that two different sequences (seql and seq2) and all belong to Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs).Phylogenetic analyses showed that two FLEs were belong to the same cladd.This is first detection of FLEs nucleic acid from H.asiaticum Railway line area of China-Kazakhstan border.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and safety of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (PmVSD) closure solely by femoral vein approach under transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance.Methods:From January 1,2014 to May 31,2016,26 patients with PmVSD in Second Xiangya Hospital were selected,with age at 3.2-6.0 (4.3±0.7) years old and body weight at 15.0-19.5 (16.7±1.4) kg.The diameter of VSD was 3.5-4.8 (4.1±0.3) mm.All patients were treated by percutaneous PmVSD closure solely by femoral vein approach under TEE guidance.The effect of the procedure was evaluated by TEE and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).The clinical follow-up study was conducted by TTE at 1,3,6 and 12 month (s) after the procedure.Results:Twenty cases were successfully treated with percutaneous PmVSD closure solely by femoral vein approach under TEE guidance,and the success rate was 76.9％.Six patients were converted to perventricular closure under TEE guidance because the guide wire in two cases or catheter in other cases could not pass through PmVSD.The diameter of symmetrical VSD occluder was 6.0-7.0 (6.2±0.4) mm.The procedural time was 12.0-64.0 (26.8±6.3) min.The residence time at ICU was 1.8-2.4 (26.8±6.3) h.The in-hospital time was 4.0-5.0 (4.4±0.5) d.There were 3 patients with immediate post-operative trivial residual shunt and incomplete right bundle branch block (IRBBB).All patients survived with no peripheral vascular injury or complications such as tricuspid regurgitation,pericardial tamponade and pulmonary infection.The residual shunt disappeared in 3 patients and IRBBB became normal rhythm in 3 patients at 1 month follow-up time point.No patients suffered from occluder malposition,residual shunt,pericardial effusion,arrhythmia (atrio-ventricular block),aortic valve regurgitation and tricuspid regurgitation.Conclusion:TEE-guided percutaneous PmVSD closureby femoral vein approach is safe and effective.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of Down syndrome (DS) on surgical management in patients with congenital heart defects (CHD). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data from 35 children with DS and CHD, who underwent cardiac surgery between 2004 and 2009. The data on surgical mortality, complications and follow-up results are emphasized. RESULTS: All of the patients underwent primary repair. One child (2.9%) with DS and complete atrioventricular septal defect (CAVSD) died early postoperatively because of pulmonary hypertension. Two patients (5.7%) had low cardiac output syndrome, and 15 (42.9%) suffered pulmonary complications. III degree atrioventricular block (AVB) occurred in 4 patients (11.5%). Thirty children who were followed up 10 months to 6 years [(3.8±1.1) years] are in NYHA class I or II. There were no reoperations or later death. CONCLUSION CHD in DS children can be repaired with a low risk of mortality, although a high incidence of severe infections and III degree AVB can result in a complicated postoperative course. The results of mid-term follow up are satisfactory.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Down Syndrome ; complications ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; complications ; mortality ; surgery ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; complications ; mortality ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characters and surgical treatment methods of anomalous drainage of left superior vena cava to left atrium. METHODS: Clinical data of 8 cases were analyzed retrospectively.The patients aged from 6 months to 168 months with weight between 6 and 29 kg. RESULTS: The associated cardic lesions existed in all patients: 4 had partial atrioventricular septal defect (PAVSD),including 1 coronary sinus orifice atresia (CSOA), 1 ventricle septal defect (VSD), 1 ventricle septal defect associated with right ventricular outlet tract stenosis (VSD/RVOTS), and 1 atrial septal defect (ASD) and complete atrioventricular septal defect (CAVSD), respectively.No patient died. Preoperation diagnosis was in 1 case, intraoperation diagnosis in 5 cases,and postoperation diagnosis in 2 cases due to reoperation for hypoxemia.Three patients were repaired by intratrium tunnel, and the other 5 were managed by extracardic shunt. CONCLUSION This lesion is easily missed in preoperation diagnosis,which can be avoided by awareness and careful inspection.The methods for management of anomalous drainage of left superior vena cava to left atrium depend on time of diagnosis and experience of surgeons.
Adolescent ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heart Atria ; abnormalities ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; complications ; surgery ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; complications ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Vena Cava, Superior ; abnormalities ; surgery

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility and safety of device closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)using only venous access under echocardiography guidance alone.Methods:A total of 102 consecutive pediatric patients underwent transcatheter PDA closure without arterial access,under the guidance of only echocardiography.The patients were followed up by clinical examination,electrocardiogram,and echocardiogram at 1,3,6 12,and 24 months.Results:Transvenous PDA closure under echocardiographic guidance was successful in 99 (97.1％)patients.There were no acute procedural complications or severe adverse events.The duration ranged from 10 to 65 minutes (median,21 minutes).Immediate complete closure of PDA was achieved in 87 patients (87.9％),and 100％ of the patients were completely closed after 24 h.There were no severe adverse events in the period of 1-24 months (median,12 months) follow up.Conclusion:Transvenous PDA closure without fluoroscopy avoids radiation exposure,contrast agent usage and potential arterial complications.It can be used as an alternative procedure,especially for children.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce peratrial device closure of secundum atrial septal defects (ASD) under the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in children, and to summarize the clinical experiences. METHODS: A total of 115 children with secundum ASD (the occlusion group) underwent peratrial device closure of atrial septal defects through a small sternotomy under TEE guidance without cardiopulmonary bypass. Children were followed up closely for 1-13 months. Another 59 children (the bypass group) had closed atrial septal defects under cardiopulmonary bypass during the same period. The differences in the operation duration, convalescence and complication between the 2 groups were compared. RESULTS: Except 1 patient was operated under the CPB, the rest 114 patients in the occlusion group were successfully closed by the occluders. The duration of the operation, mechanical ventilation, intensive care and hospitalization, and the rate of blood-transfusion in the occlusion group were significantly lower than those in the bypass group (P<0.01), with no difference in complications in the 2 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Minimally invasive peratrial device closure of ASD without CPB is a relatively simple, safe and effective operation under the guidance of TEE for children. The short and mid-term clinical outcomes are promising. Long-term follow-up is indispensable.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Septal Occluder Device ; Ultrasonography, Interventional