Objective:To evaluate the clinical outcomes of combined complete preservation of chordal structure mitral valve replacement (C-MVR) with total anatomical arterial myocardial revascularization (TACR) in coronary patients with moderate-to-severe or severe ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR).Methods:This is a retrospective multi-center case series study. Data were retrospectively collected from 127 patients with coronary artery disease with moderate to severe or severe IMR who received TACR with C-MVR from July 2015 to April 2024 in 13 hospitals in China. There were 90 males and 37 females, aged (56.5±10.7) years (range: 33 to 74 years). Perioperative data and follow-up data including left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, and patency rate of arterial grafts of patients were collected. Comparisons were made using paired sample t-test or χ2 test. Results:In this cohort of 127 patients, 67 underwent concurrent tricuspid valve repair. During surgery, 113 grafts of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA), 127 grafts of the left radial artery, 80 grafts of the right radial artery, and 110 grafts of the right internal mammary artery (RIMA) were harvested. The number of the distal anastomosis was 4.2±0.4 (range: 3 to 5). The aortic cross-clamp time and cardiopulmonary bypass time were (97.5±23.4) minutes (range: 90 to 161 minutes) and (145.4±19.2) minutes (range: 101 to 210 minutes), respectively. There was one operative death. Intraoperative placement of an intra-aortic balloon pump was performed in 21 patients to improve the left ventricular ejection. No sternal ischemic occurred. All patients completed follow-up, with a mean follow-up period of (64.3±7.5) months (range: 4 to 110 months). No major cerebrovascular events occurred during the follow-up period, and all patients survived. Left ventricular ejection fraction improved postoperatively (55.0%±5.3% vs. 41.0%±15.3%, t=17.23, P<0.01). The proportion of patients with New York Heart Association functional class ≤2 increased postoperatively (23.6% (30/127) vs. 87.3% (110/126), χ2=103.77, P<0.01). The proportion of patients with Canadian Cardiovascular Society Angina Classification ≤3 decreased postoperatively (4.8% (6/126) vs. 78.7% (100/127), χ2=142.19, P<0.01). The left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased postoperatively ((5.70±4.50) cm vs. (6.10±0.23) cm, t=12.15, P<0.01). Coronary multi-detector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) follow-up was conducted for (60.5±11.7) months (range: 6 to 109 months) postoperatively. MDCTA confirmed the patency rates of the grafts: 96.4% (108/112) for the LIMA grafts, 88.9% (112/126) for the left radial artery grafts, 93.7% (74/79) for the right radial artery grafts, and 90.9% (100/110) for the free RIMA grafts. No significant differences in graft patency rates were observed between the arterial grafts ( χ2=5.24, P=0.155). Conclusion:The results of this multi-centre study demonstrate satisfactory mid-term results of C-MVR with TACR for the treatment of coronary artery disease with moderate to severe or severe IMR.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical outcomes of combined complete preservation of chordal structure mitral valve replacement (C-MVR) with total anatomical arterial myocardial revascularization (TACR) in coronary patients with moderate-to-severe or severe ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR).Methods:This is a retrospective multi-center case series study. Data were retrospectively collected from 127 patients with coronary artery disease with moderate to severe or severe IMR who received TACR with C-MVR from July 2015 to April 2024 in 13 hospitals in China. There were 90 males and 37 females, aged (56.5±10.7) years (range: 33 to 74 years). Perioperative data and follow-up data including left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, and patency rate of arterial grafts of patients were collected. Comparisons were made using paired sample t-test or χ2 test. Results:In this cohort of 127 patients, 67 underwent concurrent tricuspid valve repair. During surgery, 113 grafts of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA), 127 grafts of the left radial artery, 80 grafts of the right radial artery, and 110 grafts of the right internal mammary artery (RIMA) were harvested. The number of the distal anastomosis was 4.2±0.4 (range: 3 to 5). The aortic cross-clamp time and cardiopulmonary bypass time were (97.5±23.4) minutes (range: 90 to 161 minutes) and (145.4±19.2) minutes (range: 101 to 210 minutes), respectively. There was one operative death. Intraoperative placement of an intra-aortic balloon pump was performed in 21 patients to improve the left ventricular ejection. No sternal ischemic occurred. All patients completed follow-up, with a mean follow-up period of (64.3±7.5) months (range: 4 to 110 months). No major cerebrovascular events occurred during the follow-up period, and all patients survived. Left ventricular ejection fraction improved postoperatively (55.0%±5.3% vs. 41.0%±15.3%, t=17.23, P<0.01). The proportion of patients with New York Heart Association functional class ≤2 increased postoperatively (23.6% (30/127) vs. 87.3% (110/126), χ2=103.77, P<0.01). The proportion of patients with Canadian Cardiovascular Society Angina Classification ≤3 decreased postoperatively (4.8% (6/126) vs. 78.7% (100/127), χ2=142.19, P<0.01). The left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased postoperatively ((5.70±4.50) cm vs. (6.10±0.23) cm, t=12.15, P<0.01). Coronary multi-detector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) follow-up was conducted for (60.5±11.7) months (range: 6 to 109 months) postoperatively. MDCTA confirmed the patency rates of the grafts: 96.4% (108/112) for the LIMA grafts, 88.9% (112/126) for the left radial artery grafts, 93.7% (74/79) for the right radial artery grafts, and 90.9% (100/110) for the free RIMA grafts. No significant differences in graft patency rates were observed between the arterial grafts ( χ2=5.24, P=0.155). Conclusion:The results of this multi-centre study demonstrate satisfactory mid-term results of C-MVR with TACR for the treatment of coronary artery disease with moderate to severe or severe IMR.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of total arterial off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) using a left internal thoracic artery (LITA) combined with bilateral radial arteries (RAs). Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with severe multi-vessel coronary artery disease who underwent total arterial OPCABG with a LITA and bilateral RAs at Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital from November 2020 to April 2023. Results A total of 24 patients were included, comprising 23 males and 1 female, with a mean age of (53.63±4.33) years. The New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class was Ⅱ to Ⅲ. The mean number of distal anastomoses was 3.17±0.38. A Y-graft was constructed in 12 patients and sequential grafting was performed in 4 patients. Concomitant procedures included coronary endarterectomy in 1 patient, intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) implantation in 10 patients, and thymoma resection in 1 patient. The mean operative time was (308.13±30.39) min, mechanical ventilation time was (15.42±7.42) h, ICU stay was (46.08±27.32) h, and postoperative hospital stay was (11.71±1.90) d. There were no in-hospital deaths. Postoperative complications included one patient of acute renal failure and one patient of cerebral infarction. Pre-discharge color Doppler echocardiography revealed that the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was significantly smaller than before surgery (P<0.05), while the left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening were significantly higher (P<0.05). Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed that all arterial grafts were patent. During a mean follow-up of (14.58±8.75) months, no patients experienced angina recurrence or mortality. Repeat coronary CTA or angiography in 16 patients one year postoperatively confirmed that all arterial grafts remained patent. Conclusion Total arterial OPCABG using a LITA and bilateral RAs is a safe and effective treatment for patients with severe multi-vessel coronary artery disease. For high-risk patients, intraoperative IABP support is recommended.

Purpose To explore the forensic pathological features of deaths caused by craniocerebral injury in traf-fic accidents,in order to provide forensic practitioners with a more rigorous approach to identification.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 225 autopsy reports of traffic accident fatalities resulting from craniocerebral in-jury.The causes of death were classified,tabulated,and analyzed.Results Among the 225 autopsy reports,the main causes of death included primary brain injury,secondary brainstem injury,and complications.The main types of injuries craniocerebral injuries observed were skull fractures,cerebral hemorrhage,cerebral contusion,cerebral edema and so on.Conclusion The occurrence of craniocerebral injury is related to factors such as age,vehicle,collision speed,and road conditions,and there is an inherent regularity to these factors.Forensic practitioners should combine comprehesive and systematic pathological examinations,clinical data,and the inherent regularities of related factors to make objective,comprehensive,and accurate determinations of the cause of death in traffic accident-related craniocere-bral injuries.

Purpose To explore the forensic pathological features of deaths caused by craniocerebral injury in traf-fic accidents,in order to provide forensic practitioners with a more rigorous approach to identification.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 225 autopsy reports of traffic accident fatalities resulting from craniocerebral in-jury.The causes of death were classified,tabulated,and analyzed.Results Among the 225 autopsy reports,the main causes of death included primary brain injury,secondary brainstem injury,and complications.The main types of injuries craniocerebral injuries observed were skull fractures,cerebral hemorrhage,cerebral contusion,cerebral edema and so on.Conclusion The occurrence of craniocerebral injury is related to factors such as age,vehicle,collision speed,and road conditions,and there is an inherent regularity to these factors.Forensic practitioners should combine comprehesive and systematic pathological examinations,clinical data,and the inherent regularities of related factors to make objective,comprehensive,and accurate determinations of the cause of death in traffic accident-related craniocere-bral injuries.

Objective     To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSARR) in the treatment of patients with dilated aortic root after operation for tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Methods     A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of TOF patients with aortic root dilation who underwent VSARR in our hospital from 2016 to 2022. Results     Finally 14 patients were collected, including 8 males and 6 females, with a median age of 22 years ranging from 12-48 years. Among them, 5 patients had severe aortic valve regurgitation, 4 moderate regurgitation, and 5 mild or no regurgitation. Six patients had sinus of valsalva dilation, and 8 significant dilation of the ascending aorta. One patient had residual shunt due to ventricular septal defect, and 9 severe pulmonary valve regurgitation. The David procedure was performed in 10 patients, Yacoub procedure in 2 patients, and Florida sleeve in 2 patients. There was no perioperative mortality in the group. The median follow-up time was 2.9 years (ranging from 0.4 to 6.0 years). One patient had mild aortic valve regurgitation, and the rest had minimal or no regurgitation. One patient had mild stenosis of the left ventricular outflow tract, and the rest patients had no obvious stenosis. Conclusion     VSARR is a satisfactory treatment for aortic root dilation in patients with TOF, with no significant increase in the incidence of left ventricular outflow tract stenosis or aortic regurgitation during mid-term follow-up.

Aortic regurgitation (AR) is a common complication after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, leading to poor clinical prognosis. Echocardiography is the main method for evaluating the function of the aortic valve (AV). This article focuses on summarizing the indicators and parameters of echocardiography used in the quantitative evaluation of AR before and after LVAD, combined with the current AR management methods. Based on the existing clinical evidence, the prevention and treatment strategies of AR in the whole-process management of LAVD were summarized.

Cardiopulmonary exercise test(CPET) is the most commonly used non-invasive tool in the world to objectively evaluate cardiopulmonary reserve function and exercise tolerance. CPET play an important role in diagnosis, risk stratification, prognosis evaluation and therapeutic planning in heart failure(HF) patients. In recent years, due to the increasing number of advanced HF patients and the paucity of heart donors, left ventricular assist device(LVAD) has represented a valid alternative to heart transplantation(HT) from bridge to transplantation indication to destination therapy. This article summarizes several topical issues regarding the current use of CPET in assessing the prognosis of HF patients, implantation and withdrawal of LVAD, postoperative right ventricular failure, and the effects of exercise rehabilitation in LVAD patients.

Type A aortic aneurysm and dissection secondary to bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with untreated coarctation of the aorta (CoA) in adults is a rare finding because there are almost no "abnormalities" in these patients’ medical histories. Here, we report on a 47-year-old man with unexplained weakness followed by unconsciousness. He was diagnosed with cardiogenic shock and underwent venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). BAV, ascending aortic aneurysm and dissection (based on bedside echocardiography) and concomitant CoA (based on computed tomography angiography) were confirmed. The patient then underwent emergency surgery including aortic root replacement with a composite mechanical valve conduit, additional ascending-to-descending aortic bypass, and coronary artery bypass grafting with a saphenous vein graft to the right coronary artery. After treatment, he recovered uneventfully. Thus, here we present a case involving a patient in a critical condition with ascending aortic aneurysm and dissection secondary to complex congenital heart defects, who was successfully treated with composite surgical procedures combined with life-saving VA-ECMO.

Type A aortic aneurysm and dissection secondary to bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with untreated coarctation of the aorta (CoA) in adults is a rare finding because there are almost no "abnormalities" in these patients’ medical histories. Here, we report on a 47-year-old man with unexplained weakness followed by unconsciousness. He was diagnosed with cardiogenic shock and underwent venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). BAV, ascending aortic aneurysm and dissection (based on bedside echocardiography) and concomitant CoA (based on computed tomography angiography) were confirmed. The patient then underwent emergency surgery including aortic root replacement with a composite mechanical valve conduit, additional ascending-to-descending aortic bypass, and coronary artery bypass grafting with a saphenous vein graft to the right coronary artery. After treatment, he recovered uneventfully. Thus, here we present a case involving a patient in a critical condition with ascending aortic aneurysm and dissection secondary to complex congenital heart defects, who was successfully treated with composite surgical procedures combined with life-saving VA-ECMO.