Objective:To evaluate the long-term results of combined ganglion plexus ablation(GPA) during radiofrequency ablation(RF) with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation(LSP-AF).Methods:This retrospective study sample consisted of 268 patients with LSP-AF underwent valve operations concomitant RF maze Ⅳ procedure. Data were collected prospectively on perioperative outcomes, rhythm status, survival, and clinical events. Propensity score matching conducted by RF and RF+ GPA resulted in 102 patients per group.Results:Independent predictors for rhythm success at 1 year were combined GPA( OR=0.205, P=0.005), smaller left atrium size( OR=1.091, P=0.000); at 5-year and 8-year were a shorter history of AF( OR=1.069, P=0.023; OR=1.066, P=0.030), and smaller left atrium size( OR=1.091, P=0.000; OR=1.086, P=0.000). After matching, RF+ GPA group had significantly higher sinus rhythm(SR) without antiarrhythmic drugs(AADs) at 6 months(91.3% vs. 79.8%, P=0.026), 1-year(90.2% vs. 78.5%, P=0.028), but there were no difference between the two groups at 5-year(64.8% vs. 64.4%, P=0.956), and 8-year(53.3% vs. 50.6%, P=0.711). During the 6 postoperative months, fewer patients in the RF+ GPA group underwent follow-up cardioversions(2.0% vs. 8.8%, P=0.030). Actuarial survival curves did not differ significantly between the 2 groups( HR=1.327, 95% CI 0.4633-3.802, P=0.598). Conclusion:The combination of GPA can be effective at the early postoperative stage for SR restoration in Maze Ⅳ procedures for the treatment of LSP-AF in heart valve surgeries, particularly for lower AADs use and lower cardioversions. However, this effect will gradually diminish after one year.

The host inflammatory reaction is a normal response to injury and the presence of foreign substances. Macrophage is one of the principal cell types in controlling host inflammatory and immune processes; hence, its response to biomaterials has a direct impact on biocompatibility and stability of biomaterials in vivo. This review describes the interaction of macrophages with tissue engineering related biomaterials. The bulk physicochemical structure and surface performance of biomaterials could be designed to control macrophages behaviors (i. e. adhesion, activation, fusion, apoptosis) and host responses, resulting in improving biocompatibility of biomaterials.
Apoptosis ; physiology ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Cell Adhesion ; physiology ; Foreign-Body Reaction ; immunology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; immunology ; Macrophage Activation ; Macrophages ; cytology ; physiology ; Prosthesis Implantation ; Tissue Engineering ; methods

Objective:To evaluate the long-term results of bipolar radiofrequency(BRF) ablation in restoring sinus rhythm in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation(AF) undergoing surgery for cardiac surgery.Methods:This retrospective study sample consisted of 268 patients with LSP-AF underwent cardiac operations concomitant BRF maze Ⅳ procedure. Data were collected prospectively on perioperative outcomes, rhythm status, survival, and clinical events.Results:15 patients died in the early postoperative period, perioperative mortality rate was 5.5%. The rate of stable sinus rhythm(sSR)was 86.6%, 75.4%, 67.7%, 57.8% in 1, 2, 5, 8 years after operation. Multivariate analysis proved the size of the left atrium( HR=1.073, P<0.001) and duration of AF( HR=1.070, P=0.025) to be an independent predictor of the radiofrequency ablation outcome. Conclusion:Bipolar radiofrequency maze procedure can effectively eliminate AF, maintain long-term of sinus rhythm. Bipolar radiofrequency maze procedure is a safe, easy and effective surgical option for the treatment of AF, with satisfactory long-term results, is worthy of promotion.