Objective To explore the effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on preoperative heart rate variability in patients with heart valves. Methods Patients scheduled to undergo on-pump cardiac valve surgery in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, between January and July 2022 were initially enrolled. Eligible patients were randomly assigned at a 1 : 1 ratio to either the RIPC group or the control group. Relevant indicators of heart rate variability [standard deviation of NN interval (SDNN), standard deviation of mean value of NN interval in every five minutes (SDANN), mean square root of difference between consecutive NN intervals (RMSSD), percentage of adjacent RR interval>50 ms (PNN50), low frequency (LF) component, high frequency (HF) component and LF/HF] at 8 hours in the morning on the surgical day between two groups were compared. Results A total of 118 patients were initially assessed. After screening, 58 patients were excluded, and 60 patients provided written informed consent and were enrolled in the trial, with 30 allocated to the RIPC group and 30 to the control group. Seven patients in the control group and 5 patients in the RIPC group were subsequently excluded due to missing heart rate variability data resulting from cancelled operations. Finally, 23 patients in the control group and 25 patients in the RIPC group were included in the analysis. There was no statistical difference in baseline characteristics between the two groups, and there was no significant difference in heart rate variability 24 hours before intervention (P>0.05). After the intervention measures were taken, the comparison of the results of heart rate variability at 8 hours on the day of operation showed that SDNN and SDANN of patients in the RIPC group were higher than those in the control group, with statistical differences (P<0.05). Conclusion RIPC can stabilize the preoperative heart rate variability of patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery.

Objective To compare the mid- and long-term clinical results of mitral valve plasty (MVP) and mitral valve replacement (MVR) in the treatment of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). Methods Patients with FMR who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from 2012 to 2021 were collected. The patients who underwent MVP were divided into a MVP group, and those who underwent MVR into a MVR group. The clinical data and mid-term follow-up efficacy of two groups were compared. Results Finally 236 patients were included. There were 100 patients in the MVP group, including 53 males and 47 females, with an average age of (61.80±8.03) years. There were 136 patients in the MVR group, including 72 males and 64 females, with an average age of (61.29±8.97) years. There was no statistical difference in baseline data between the two groups (P＞0.05). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the extracorporeal circulation time, aortic occlusion time, postoperative hospital and ICU stay, intraoperative blood loss, or hospitalization death (P＞0.05), but the time of mechanical ventilation in the MVP group was significantly shorter than that in the MVR group (P=0.022). The total follow-up rate was 100.0%, the longest follow-up was 10 years, and the average follow-up time was (3.60±2.55) years. There were statistical differences in the left atrial diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter and cardiac function between the two groups compared with those before surgery (P<0.05). The postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction in the MVP group was statistically higher than that before surgery (P=0.002), but there was no statistical difference in the MVR group before and after surgery (P=0.658). The left atrial diameter in the MVP group was reduced compared with the MVR group (P=0.026). The recurrence rate of mitral regurgitation in the MVP group was higher than that in the MVR group, and the difference was statistically significant (10.0% vs. 1.5%, P=0.003). There were 14 deaths in the MVP group and 19 in the MVR group. The cumulative survival rate (P=0.605) and cardiovascular events-free survival rate (P=0.875) were not statistically significant between the two groups by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Conclusion The safety, and mid- and long-term clinical efficacy of MVP in the treatment of FMR patients are better than MVR, and the left atrial and left ventricular diameters are statistically reduced, and cardiac function is statistically improved. However, the surgeon needs to be well aware of the indications for the MVP procedure to reduce the rate of mitral regurgitation recurrence.

Objective To evaluate the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after dexmedetomidine and diazepam in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted in the patients who underwent CABG in the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from October 2020 to June 2021. By propensity score-matching method, the incidence of POAF after dexmedetomidine and diazepam application in patients undergoing CABG was evaluated. Results Finally 207 patients were collected, including 150 males and 57 females, with an average age of 62.02±8.38 years. Among the 207 patients, 53 were treated with dexmedetomidine and 154 with diazepam before operation. There was a statistical difference in the proportion of hypertension patients and smoking patients between the two groups before matching (P<0.05). According to the 1∶1 propensity score-matching method, there were 53 patients in each of the two groups, with no statistical difference between the two groups after matching. After matching, the incidence of POAF in the dexmedetomidine group was lower than that in the diazepam group [9.43% (5/53) vs. 30.19% (16/53), P=0.007]. There was no death in the two groups during hospitalization, and there was no statistical difference in the main adverse events after operation. The ICU stay (21.28±2.69 h vs. 22.80±2.56 h, P=0.004) and mechanical ventilation time (18.53±2.25 h vs. 19.85±2.01 h, P=0.002) in the dexmedetomidine group were shorter. Regression analysis showed that age, smoking and diabetes were related to the increased incidence of POAF (P<0.05), and preoperative use of dexmedetomidine was associated with a reduced incidence of POAF (P=0.002). Conclusion For patients undergoing CABG, the incidence of POAF with dexmedetomidine before operation is lower than that with diazepam. Preoperative application of dexmedetomidine is the protective factor for POAF, and old age, smoking and diabetes are the risk factors for POAF.

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of mitral valve replacement combined with cryoablation Maze surgery in patients with atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR). Methods From January 2014 to June 2020, patients with AFMR who underwent mitral valve replacement in our department were enrolled. They were divided into two groups, a cryoablation Maze group who received cryoablation Maze surgery during mitral valve replacement, and a non-cryoablation Maze group who did not receive cryoablation Maze surgery. The baseline data, surgical data, efficacy, and prognosis between the two groups were compared. Results Finally 85 patients were enrolled. There were 16 males and 24 females with an average age of 58.65±6.86 years in the cryoablation Maze group, and 24 males and 21 females with an average age of 61.29±8.30 years in the non-cryoablation Maze group. There was no statistical difference in baseline data between the two groups (P＞0.05). The aortic occlusion time and extracorporeal circulation time of the cryoablation Maze group were longer than those of the non-cryoablation Maze group with statistical differences (P＜0.01). There was no statistical difference in postoperative ICU retention time, ventilator assistance time, length of hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss, drainage volume on the first day or occurrence rate of complications (temporary pacemaker application, electrical cardioversion, thoracic puncture drainage, hospitalization death) between the two groups (P＞0.05). At the time of discharge, postoperative 3-month, 6-month, 12-month, and 24-month, the maintenance rates of sinus rhythm in the non-cryoablation Maze group were statistically different from those of the cryoablation Maze group (P＜0.001). Compared with the non-cryoablation Maze group, the decrease values of left atrial diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter and pulmonary artery systolic pressure were statistically different (P＜0.05). Postoperative cardiac function grading of both groups was grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ, which was significantly improved compared with preoperative level, but there was no statistical significance between the two groups (P＞0.05). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of adverse events during follow-up (P＞0.05). Conclusion Cryoablation Maze surgery combined with mitral valve replacement is safe and effective in the treatment of AFMR patients, which is conducive to the recovery and maintenance of sinus rhythm, and is beneficial to the remodeling of the left atrium and left ventricle, the reduction of pulmonary systolic blood pressure, and the improvement of life quality of the patients.

Objective    To study the relationship between preoperative heart rate variability (HRV) and postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). Methods    A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 290 patients who were admitted to the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from May to September 2020 and received OPCAB. There were 217 males and 73 females aged 36-80 years. According to the incidence of POAF, the patients were divided into two groups: a non-atrial fibrillation group (208 patients) and an atrial fibrillation group (82 patients). The time domain and frequency domain factors of mean HRV 7 days before operation were calculated: standard deviation of all normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences, percentage difference between adjacent normal-to-normal intervals that were greater than 50 ms, low frequency power (LF), high frequency power (HF), LF/HF. Results    The HRV value of patients without POAF was significantly lower than that of patients with POAF (P<0.05). The median SDNN of the two groups were 78.90 ms and 91.55 ms, respectively. Age (OR=3.630, 95%CI 2.015-6.542, P<0.001), left atrial diameter (OR=1.074, 95%CI 1.000-1.155, P=0.046), and SDNN (OR=1.017, 95%CI 1.002-1.032, P=0.024) were independently associated with the risk of POPAF after OPCAB. Conclusion     SDNN may be an independent predictor of POAF after OPCAB.

Objective    To evaluate the safety and efficacy of mitral valve surgery and cryoablation in elderly patients with mitral valve disease and persistent or long-term persistent atrial fibrillation. Methods    From May 2014 to July 2018, 144 patients with mitral valve diseases combined with persistent or long-term persistent atrial fibrillation in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command were selected. Among them, there were 69 patients in a non-elderly group (<60 years) including 18 males and 51 females aged 52.07±5.56 years, and 75 patients in an elderly group (≥60 years) including 32 males and 43 females aged 65.23±4.29 years. A propensity-score matching (PSM) study was conducted to eliminate confounding factors. Both groups underwent mitral valve surgery and cryoablation at the same time. A 2-year follow-up was conducted after discharge from the hospital, and the perioperative and postoperative efficacy indexes were compared between the two groups. Results    After PSM analysis, there were 56 patients in each group. The sinus rhythm conversion rate of the two groups at each follow-up time point was above 85%, and the cardiac function was graded asⅠorⅡ, which was significantly improved compared with that before the surgery, but there was no statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Among the perioperative indicators of the two groups, the elderly group had more coronary artery bypass graft surgeries and longer postoperative ICU stay time compared with the non-elderly group (P<0.05), and the differences in other indicators were not statistically different (P>0.05). Conclusion    The mitral valve surgery and cryoablation in elderly patients with mitral valve diseases combined with persistent or long-term persistent atrial fibrillation are safe, and the short-term outcome is satisfactory.

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.

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.

Objective    To analyze the recovery rule of atrial contractility (AC) function after Maze Ⅳ procedure of valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods    In our hospital from March 2016 to April 2018, 103 patients who underwent cryoablation Maze Ⅳ procedure due to mitral valve lesions associated with persistent or long-term persistent AF were enrolled. There were 42 males and 61 females, with an average age of 58.5±9.1 years. Electrocardiogram and echocardiography were followed up at discharge and 1, 3, 6, 12 months after procedure. A multivariate Cox analysis of predictive factors for AC recovery was applied. Results    All the 103 patients were followed up for 1 year. The recovery rate of AC increased gradually after operation. It was not until 3 months after procedure that most of the right atrial contractility (RAC) was accompanied by synchronous recovery of the corresponding left atrial contractility (LAC, Kappa coefficient≥0.40, P<0.05). However, the coexistence of sinus rhythm (SR) and bilateral AC was not consistent well until 1 year after operation (Kappa coefficient≥0.40, P<0.05). One year after procedure, the recovery rates of SR and bilateral AC were 86.4% (89/103) and 66.0% (68/103) respectively. By Cox multivariate regression analysis, longer preoperative AF duration (P=0.040), larger preoperative left atrial diameter (LAD, P=0.003), and AC deletion 3 months after surgery (P=0.037) were predictive factors for AF recurrence in the middle and advanced stages (>3 months) after Maze surgery. At the same time, longer preoperative AF duration and larger preoperative LAD were also negative predictors of middle and late recovery of LAC and bilateral AC (All P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the best critical value of preoperative AF time and preoperative LAD for prediction of AC recovery was 37 months (sensitivity 99.6%, specificity 76.3%) and 60.5 mm (sensitivity 98.5%, specificity 78.9%), respectively. Conclusion    The recovery of AC after Maze procedure is a dynamic improvement process. Early recovery of AC is beneficial to the stable maintenance of SR in the future. Prolonged duration of AF and enlarged LAD have adverse effects on the outcome of Maze Ⅳ procedure.

[Abstract] Objective: To observe the short-term efficacy and safety of Apatinib combined with radiotherapy and concurrent docetaxel and cisplatin chemotherapy in driver-gene-negative non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastases. Methods: A total of 72 NSCLC patients with brain metastases, who were treated in our hospital from June 2018 to June 2019, were enrolled in this study. The driver gene was proved to be negative by next generation sequencing (NGS). The patients were divided into control group (36 cases) and treatment group (36 cases) by Digital random grouping method.The control group received 2 cycles of chemotherapy with docetaxel and cisplatin and concurrent radiotherapy for brain metastases, and the treatment group was given Apatinib anti-angiogenic treatment based on the regimen in control group. Primary study endpoints: confirmed objective response rate (cORR) and disease control rate (DCR); Secondary study endpoints: progression-free survival (PFS), quality of life (QOL) score, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and incidence of adverse drug events (AE). Results: Compared with the control group, cORR and DCR in treatment group were significantly improved [41.67% (15/36) vs 33.33% (12/36), 80.56% (29/36) vs 69.44% (25/36), all P<0.05], the median PFS was significantly prolonged (5.9 vs 4.6 months, P<0.05), and serum CEA and VEGF levels were significantly reduced [(16.5±2.3) vs (22.9±3.7) ng/ml, (291.6±42.6) vs (479.3±50.2) ng/L, all P<0.05], while the QOL score was slightly increased, but the difference was not statistically significant [(69.5±8.5) points vs (64.1±7.3) points, P>0.05]. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of acute brain edema, gastrointestinal reaction, bone marrow suppression, and liver dysfunction between the two groups of patients (all P>0.05); however, the incidences of oral mucositis, hand-foot syndrome, hypertension and proteinuria in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: The efficacy of Apatinib combined with radiochemotherapy in driver-negative NSCLC patients with brain metastases is significantly better than that of radiochemotherapy alone, and the adverse reactions can be controlled. It is worthy of clinical recommendation.