Objective:To evaluate the short-term outcomes of aortic root repair using a pericardial autograft for acute type A aortic dissection.Methods:Between January 2020 and August 2021, 12 patients underwent aortic root repair using a pericardial autograft for type A aortic dissection. There were 8 males and 4 females, aged from 32.0 to 71.0 years, with a mean of (49.1±13.0) years, weight from 40.0 to 100.0 with a mean of (78.6±20.5) kg. Short-term outcomes were assessed by cardiopulmonary bypass time, cross-clamp time, circulatory arrest time, mechanical ventilation time, ICU time, postoperative stay time. The diameter of Valsalva sinus and aortic regurgitation were assessed before, after operation and during follow-up.Results:There were no postoperative and follow-up death. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was(256.4±60.6)min, ranging from 182.0 to 243.0 minutes; cross-clamp time was(195.0±52.5)minutes, ranging from 127.0 to 284.0 minutes; circulatory arrest time was(19.9±3.6)min, ranging from 15.0 to 25.0 min; mechanical ventilation time was (69.1±72.1)hours, ranging from 6.4 to 250.3 h; ICU time was (143.6±81.7) h, ranging from 56.9 to 288.0 h; postoperative stay time was (12.8±4.1) days, ranging from 8.0 to 20.0 days. One patient had transient paralysis (8.3%), and one patient needed hemofiltration due to acute kidney failure (8.3%), they all completely recovered before discharge. Follow-up time ranged from 10.0 to 21.0 months, with a median of 13 months. Heart function (NYHA) was I to II degrees. The mean diameter of aortic root was (36.7±5.8)mm(27.0-45.0 mm) preoperatively, (35.8±5.1)mm (25.0-44.8 mm) before discharge, and (35.7±5.9)mm (25.1-44.8 mm) during follow-up, respectively. There was no significant difference between them ( P>0.05). The preoperative aortic regurgitation was as follow: severe aortic regurgitation 2, moderate 1, mild to moderate 3, mild 1, trivial 1, none 4; postoperative aortic regurgitation: mild 2, trivial 2, none 8; follow-up aortic regurgitation: mild 3, trivial 1, none 8. Conclusion:Aortic root repair with a pericardial autograft is a safe and effective technique to treat acute type A dissection involving the sinus. Using this technique, residual dissection tissues could be significantly reduced, which subsequently decreases the risk of proximal bleeding, maintains the function of sinus, and increases long-term durability. Short-term results are satisfactory, and the long-term results need further follow-up.

Objective:To investigate the prognosis and risk factors for children diagnosed with all types of subaortic stenosis(SAS) who developed recurrent left ventricular outflow tract obstruction after surgical treatment.Methods:The study retrospectively included patients aged 0-18 years old who underwent open heart SAS surgery at Fuwai Hospital from 2016-2019. Children with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy were excluded. Detailed operative notes, medical records and ultrasound information, and follow-ups were extracted. Recurrent SAS was defined as left ventricular outflow tract gradient 30 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) 1 month after SAS surgical treatment.Results:A total of 137 children were included in this study. The medium age of children at the time of SAS surgery was 4.6 years old(3 months-17.8 years old). After a median follow-up of 4.36 years(3.2-5.7 years), a total of 30 patients developed recurrent LVOTO, with a recurrence rate of 21.9%, and 7(5.1%) underwent a second surgery. Compared to the non-recurrent group, children in the recurrent group were younger at the time of surgery( P=0.0443), had a smaller body surface area( P=0.0485), and a longer length of stay( P=0.0380). In Cox analysis, when only considering preoperative variables, the independent risk factor for LVOTO recurrence were a peak left ventricular outflow tract gradient higher than 50 mmHg( HR=5.25, P=0.001), a BSA less than 0.9( HR=2.5, P=0.023), and a length of SAS 5 mm( HR=2.29, P=0.050). When both preoperative and intraoperative variables were considered, preoperative peak left ventricular outflow tract gradient 50 mmHg( HR=4.91, P=0.002) and peeling from the aortic valve( HR=3.23, P=0.010) were independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence. Conclusion:Recurrent LVOTO after SAS surgical repair is common, and regular postoperative follow-up is crucial to evaluate whether a secondary intervention is required. Regular postoperative follow-up is needed for children at high risk.

Objective    To summarize the experience of surgical treatment of transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septal (TGA-IVS) after left ventricular regression by comparing the characteristics of rapid and long-term two-stage arterial switch operation (ASO). Methods    Forty-one patients who were mainly diagnosed with TGA-IVS from January 2007 to January 2019 and underwent two-stage ASO were included. They were divided into a rapid two-stage ASO group (19 patients) and a long-term two-stage ASO group (22 patients) according to the interval of left ventricular training surgery and ASO. The clinical effectiveness of the two groups was compared. Results    There was a statistical difference in age, body weight, blood oxygen saturation before ASO, end diastolic diameter of left ventricle before training, and thickness of posterior left ventricular wall before ASO (P<0.05). Children older than 1 year was an independent risk factor for long-term two-stage ASO. Conclusion    Long-term two-stage ASO is suitable for children who are older than 1 year and who have severe left ventricular regression.

Acute Stanford type A aortic dissection has the characteristics of acute onset, severe condition and high mortality. Once making a definite diagnosis, surgical treatment is needed as soon as possible. It is difficult for cardiac surgeons to treat the acute aortic dissection involving the aortic sinus, which is an important risk factor for death. Improving the surgical treatment for the aortic sinus can be a key to improving the prognosis. In this review, we will introduce the modified sandwich technique for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection and the prognosis, and summarize the experiences of different modified sandwich techniques. However, there is still no unified standardized technique in aortic root repair, and there is a lack of large studies with long-term follow-up, so it is necessary to further improve the aortic root repair techniques.

A 12-year-old girl with double outlet of right ventricle, complete atrioventricular septal defect, pulmonary valve stenosis, single atrium, inferior vena cava-hemiazygos vein drainage and left isomerism, who had undergone surgical left superior vena cava-pulmonary artery connection was referred to our hospital. Echocardiography revealed thickening, crimping and malalignment of common atrioventricular valve, moderate-to-severe regurgitation mainly from the left side and the main pulmonary artery was poorly developed. We preserved the autologous valve and used the 31# mechanical mitral valve which was sutured to mitral annulus. After the main pulmonary artery was transected, proximal end was sutured and a 20# Gore-tex artificial vessel was anastomosed to the distal end of the main pulmonary artery. We excised hepatic vein from the right atrium which was then anastomosed to another artificial vessel. Postoperative oxygen saturation was 95%-100%. Echocardiography and CT showed that the function of mechanical valve and heart was good before discharge. Common atrioventricular valvuloplasty is the preferred choice of the management of impaired valve. However, when dysfunction of valve is too severe and valvuloplasty is more likely to fail, the risk of barely performing a valvuloplasty will increase dramatically. On this condition, the mechanical valve replacement should be performed.

Objective    To investigate the efficacy of subclavian-carotid transposition (SCT) in treating patients with proximal subclavian artery occlusive diseases who were unable to be intervened, such as failure of intervention, congenital malformation and unwillingness to intervention. Methods    A retrospective review of 19 patients with proximal subclavian artery occlusion who underwent SCT from May 2016 to December 2018 was done. There were 14 males and 5 females with an average age of 54.05±17.34 years. The advantages and disadvantages of SCT in the treatment of proximal subclavian artery occlusion were analyzed. Results    All patients achieved immediate remission of symptoms after surgery. The stenosis degree of the proximal subclavian artery decreased from 100.0%±0.0% to 12.7%±10.1% after surgery. The average blood pressure difference between the unaffected side and the affected side decreased from 11.95±10.60 mm Hg to 0.89±5.75 mm Hg (P<0.01). Peripheral nerve injury occurred in 7 (36.8%) patients. The in-patient cost of subclavian artery occlusion patients who received subclavian artery interventional therapy in our hospital during the corresponding period was 3 392.12 yuan higher than that of the SCT group in average (if eliminating the patients whose cost was far from the average value, the cost of interventional therapy was 4 812.01 yuan higher than that of the SCT group in average). During 1-3 years' follow-up, 6 patients with neurological complication relieved. One- and three-year patency rates were 100.0%. No perioperative stroke, death or re-operation happened. Conclusion    SCT is an ideal process for the patients with subclavian artery occlusion who cannot accept subclavian artery interventional therapy.

Objective    To investigate the best anatomical classification, surgical timing, procedure and clinical outcomes of congenital vascular ring. Methods    The clinical data of 58 patients who underwent congenital vascular ring surgery in Pediatric Surgery Center, Fuwai Hospital between 2014 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 32 (55.2%) males and 26 (44.8%) females with a median age of 16.5 (2-73) months. Preoperative symptoms, imaging examinations, anatomical classifications, surgical procedures and postoperative recovery were assessed. Results    There were 20 (34.5%) patients of double aortic arch, 22 (37.9%) patients of right aortic arch with left arterial duct or ligament, 15 (25.9%) patients of left aortic arch with aberrant right subclavian artery, and 1 (1.7%) patient of circumflex aorta with cervical aorta arch. The median ventilator supporting time was 6.0 (0-648) h, and the median hospital stay time was 14.5 (7-104) d. One patient with coarctation of aorta died of severe pulmonary infection during perioperative period, and the others survived without symptoms and reoperation after discharge. The median follow-up time was 7.0 (1-62) months. Conclusion    For children with unexplained dyspnea and dysphagia, or with right aortic arch, preoperative imaging examinations such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging are required to confirm the diagnosis of vascular ring. Surgical correction of congenital vascular ring is safe and reliable, and can effectively relieve symptoms. The mortality rate and reoperation rate are low, and the follow-up results are satisfactory.

Objective    To explore the clinical effect of mitral valvuloplasty on children with Barlow disease combined with moderate to severe or severe mitral regurgitation. Methods    The clinical data of 10 patients with Barlow disease combined with moderate to severe or severe mitral regurgitation in Fuwai Hospital from January 2014 to August 2019 were analyzed retrospectively, including 3 males and 7 females, with a mean age of 8.7±7.9 years. Echocardiography before and during the operation confirmed that the mitral valve leaflets were long and swinging, the valve leaflets and the opposite edge protruded into the left atrium and were higher than the level of the mitral valve rings, the mitral valve rings were dilated, the papillary muscles and tendons were long, and the pathological changes after the operation showed mucoid degenertion of the valve leaflets and tendons, and some fibrous foci hyperplasia. Mitral valve repair included implantation of artificial valve ring, implantation of artificial tendon, posterior leaflets sliding, partial resection of posterior leaflets (excluding sliding), valve leaflets folding, tendon folding, papillary muscle splitting and annular valve contraction (excluding artificial valve ring implantation). The technique of mitral valve repair, early clinical results and follow-up echocardiographic data were analyzed. Results    All the patients successfully completed the mitral valve repair. The mean time of aortic occlusion was 73.2±17.4 min, and cardiopulmonary bypass time was 99.5±19.8 min. At the same time, 4 patients received tricuspid valve repair and 1 funnel chest correction. There was no reoperation in perioperative period. The 1-year and 5-year survival rates were 100.0% and 100.0%, respectively. The incidence of below moderate mitral regurgitation was 90.0% at postoperative 1 year and 72.0% at postoperative 5 years. Conclusion    For the young children who have Barlow disease and mitral regurgitation, considering the characteristics of heavy lesions, small operation space, and the need to meet the growth and development of valve, it is suggested to adopt the surgical techniques different from those of older children, such as valve ring retraction and tendon folding, if necessary, to adopt "edge to edge" suture, which can shorten aortic occlusion time and achieve good early effects, and its long-term effects still need further follow-up observation. Mitral valvuloplasty technique for Barlow disease similar to that of adults can be used in older children, including implantation of artificial valve ring and implantation of artificial tendon, etc.

Objective     To summarize the characteristics of children diagnosed with secondary subaortic stenosis after the surgical closure for ventricular septal defect and explore its potential mechanism. Methods     We retrospectively collected patients aged from 0 to 18 years, who underwent ventricular septal defect closure and developed secondary subaortic stenosis, and subsequently received surgical repair from 2008 to 2019 in Fuwai Hospital. Their surgical details, morphological features of the subaortic stenosis, and the follow-up information were analyzed. Results     Six patients, including 2 females and 4 males, underwent the primary ventricular septal defect closure at the median age of 9 months (ranging from 1 month to 3 years). After the first surgery, patients were diagnosed with secondary subaortic stenosis after 2.9 years (ranging from 1 to 137 months). Among them, 2 patients underwent the second surgery immediately after diagnosis, and the other 4 patients waited 1.2 years (ranging from 6 to 45 months) for the second surgery. The most common type of the secondary subaortic stenosis after ventricular septal defect closure was discrete membrane, which located underneath the aortic valve and circles as a ring. In some patients, subaortic membrane grew along with the ventricular septal defect closure patch. During the median follow-up of 8.1 years (ranging from 7.3 to 8.9 years) after the sencond surgery, all patients recovered well without any recurrence of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Conclusion     Regular and persistent follow-up after ventricular septal defect closure combining with or without other cardiac malformation is the best way to diagnose left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in an early stage and stop the progression of aortic valve regurgitation.

Objective    To investigate the treatment of modified vertebral-carotid transposition (VCT) in patients with severe stenosis or occlusion at V1 segment of vertebral artery. Methods    A retrospective study of 13 patients with severe stenosis or occlusion at V1 segment of vertebral artery treated by modified VCT in our hospital from October 2016 to December 2018 was done. There were 10 males and 3 females with an average age of 70.5±7.1 years. Results    The operation was successful in this series of patients. The follow-up duration was 1-3 years. The stenosis degree of the V1 segment of the vertebral artery decreased from 86.8%±7.5% to 17.4%±14.5%. All patients achieved remission of symptoms after the surgery. Temporary peripheral nerve injury occurred in 6 patients. Four patients with neurological complications relieved during follow-up. The patency rate was 100.0% at postoperative 1 and 3 years. There was no perioperative death, stroke or re-intervention. Conclusion    Modified VCT can precisely restore the distal blood flow of patients with severe stenosis or occlusion at V1 segment of vertebral artery, and relieve their symptoms.