Objective::Comparative studies of median sternotomy and partial upper sternotomy in total arch replacement for type A aortic dissection are rare, and the safety and benefits of partial upper sternotomy need further evaluation. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness and prognosis of partial upper sternotomy in total arch replacement among patients with type A aortic dissection.Methods::This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent total arch replacement for type A aortic dissection at the First Medical Center of Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital between January 2016 and December 2019. They were grouped into the median sternotomy and partial upper sternotomy groups according to the different treatment methodologies. The intra-operative and prognostic indicators were compared between both groups.Results::Forty-nine patients were included: 31 in the median sternotomy group and 18 in the partial upper sternotomy group. The partial upper sternotomy group had a shorter incision ((9.0 ± 0.8) cm vs. (25.5 ± 1.3) cm, P = 0.02) and smaller postoperative total drainage volume (885 mL vs. 1,820 mL, P = 0.03) than the median sternotomy group. The differences between the 2 groups with respect to other intra-operative indicators such as operation duration, cardiopulmonary bypass duration, aortic occlusion duration, hypothermic circulatory arrest duration, and intra-operative blood loss, and prognostic indicators such as red blood cell infusion, ventilator aid duration, cardiac intensive care unit stay, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complications were not significantly different (all P > 0.05). Conclusions::The utilization of partial upper sternotomy in patients with type A aortic dissection resulted in a smaller incision and more aesthetically pleasing scar, along with reduced drainage volume compared to median sternotomy.

Objective::Comparative studies of median sternotomy and partial upper sternotomy in total arch replacement for type A aortic dissection are rare, and the safety and benefits of partial upper sternotomy need further evaluation. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness and prognosis of partial upper sternotomy in total arch replacement among patients with type A aortic dissection.Methods::This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent total arch replacement for type A aortic dissection at the First Medical Center of Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital between January 2016 and December 2019. They were grouped into the median sternotomy and partial upper sternotomy groups according to the different treatment methodologies. The intra-operative and prognostic indicators were compared between both groups.Results::Forty-nine patients were included: 31 in the median sternotomy group and 18 in the partial upper sternotomy group. The partial upper sternotomy group had a shorter incision ((9.0 ± 0.8) cm vs. (25.5 ± 1.3) cm, P = 0.02) and smaller postoperative total drainage volume (885 mL vs. 1,820 mL, P = 0.03) than the median sternotomy group. The differences between the 2 groups with respect to other intra-operative indicators such as operation duration, cardiopulmonary bypass duration, aortic occlusion duration, hypothermic circulatory arrest duration, and intra-operative blood loss, and prognostic indicators such as red blood cell infusion, ventilator aid duration, cardiac intensive care unit stay, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complications were not significantly different (all P > 0.05). Conclusions::The utilization of partial upper sternotomy in patients with type A aortic dissection resulted in a smaller incision and more aesthetically pleasing scar, along with reduced drainage volume compared to median sternotomy.

Objective:To introduce the early results of total aortic arch replacement (TAA) without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and without interruption of cerebral blood supply, using the technique of arch branches preferential reconstruction and whole brain perfusion for brain protection.Methods:Between June 2020 and March 2021, a total of 9 Stanford type A aortic dissection patients we performed total arch replacement by using the technique of arch branches preferential reconstruction and whole brain perfusion without cardiopulmonary bypass and without interruption of blood supply to the brain. The method of this reconstruction technique is as follows: A 24F aortic cannula was inserted into the true lumen at the root of the transverse innominate artery (IA) to connect one end of the artery for cardiopulmonary bypass. The access was connected to 14F artery via Y-connector and inserted into IA cavity to maintain blood supply to brain. Without cardiopulmonary bypass, the 10 mm branch of the four branch artificial blood vessel was anastomosed with the innominate artery IA. The perfusion collateral was connected to the second end of the artery of CPB (single pump and double tubes) to continue to supply blood for IA. The left common carotid artery (LCA) and left subclavian artery (LSCA) were reconstructed by the same method. When IA and LCA were anastomosed, the distal blood supply was not interrupted. After the three branches of the aortic arch were anastomosed, we started to turn the machine, then cooled down and blocked the ascending aorta to further complete the operation of the aortic root and arch. During the period of lower body circulatory arrest, the whole brain was perfused with low flow.Results:No intraoperative death or perioperative complications occurred in all patients, and they were discharged smoothly. The cardiopulmonary bypass time was (192.4±58.1) min, the aortic clamping time was (128.3±52.4) min, the lower body circulatory arrest time was (29.1±1.3) min, and the postoperative awake time was (8.2±3.7) h.Conclusion:Off-pump arch branches preferential reconstruction can provide physiological whole brain perfusion, shorten the cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic occlusion time, and the operation is safe and effective.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of different surgical procedures of Mayo level Ⅳ inferior vena cava tumor thrombus(IVC-TT).Methods:The clinical and pathological data of 36 patients with Mayo level Ⅳ tumor thrombus were collected in three large clinical centers in China, including 18 cases in PLA General Hospital, 7 cases in Nanfang Hospital, and 11 cases in Renji Hospital. There were 25 males and 11 females.The median age was 56.5 years (53-67 years old). The average body mass index was 24.18±2.55 kg/m 2. The average diameter of renal tumors was 8.24±3.25 cm. The average length of inferior vena cava tumor thrombus was 12.89±2.50 cm. Mayo level Ⅳ tumor thrombus were divided into level Ⅳa and level Ⅳb (301 classification) based on the criterion of whether the proximal end of the thrombus has invaded the right atrium. Among them, level Ⅳa patients underwent robot-assisted inferior vena cava thrombectomy without cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB-free group, 6 cases). Level Ⅳb patients underwent robot-assisted inferior vena cava thrombectomy with cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB group, 12 cases) or cardiopulmonary bypass with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest assisted inferior vena cava thrombectomy(CPB/DHCA group, 18 cases). The baseline data of the three groups of patients were comparable. The perioperative results and long-term survival data after surgery were compared with different surgical methods for grade Ⅳcancer thrombosis. Results:All operations were successfully completed. Compared with the CPB group, the CPB-free group had a shorter first portal blocking time[17.5(15-36)min vs. 36.5(12-102)min, P=0.044], less intraoperative bleeding [2 350(1 000-3 000)ml vs. 3 500 (1 500-12 000)ml, P=0.043] and a lower allogeneic blood transfusion [1 250(500-2 000)ml vs. 2 185(700-5 800)ml, P=0.049]. Compared with the CPB/DHCA group, the CPB-free group had an advantage in reducing intraoperative allogeneic blood transfusion [1 250(500-2 000)ml vs. 2 700(1 200-10 000)ml, P=0.003]. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of duration of surgery and postoperative hospital stay. Among the 36 patients in this group, 23(64%) developed major complications (level Ⅲ or above), including 9 (25%) grade Ⅲ, 12 (33%) grade Ⅳ, and 2 (6%) grade Ⅴ. The CPB-free group had a relatively low complication rate of grade Ⅳ or above [ 17% (1/6) vs.42% (5/12) vs.44% (8/18)]. There were no statistical differences in median progression-free survival (16.4 vs.12.3 vs.18.0 months, P=0.695) and overall survival (30.1 vs.30.2 vs.37.7 months, P=0.674) between the groups. Conclusions:Robot-assisted inferior vena cava thrombectomy without cardiopulmonary bypass has the advantages of short ischemia time of organs, less intraoperative bleeding, and low incidence of major complications, which can be used as a safe and feasible surgical strategy for selected level Ⅳ tumor thrombus.

Objective:To summarize the feasibility and clinical experience of various types of aortic surgery through upper hemisternotomy.Methods:From June 2016 to October 2019, 63 patients underwent various types of aortic operations through upper hemisternotomy in our department. Among them, there were 51 males and 12 females with an average age of(49.7±12.7) years. All kinds of major vascular operations include: 33 cases of aortic dissection procedure; 9 cases of Bentall procedure; 7 cases of wheat procedure; 2 cases of Ross procedure; 2 cases of David procedure; 2 cases of simple ascending aorta replacement procedure; 3 cases of redo thoracic Bentall procedure; 2 cases of redo thoracic wheat operation; 1 case of redo thoracic aortic root leakage repair procedure; 2 cases of redo thoracic ascending aorta procedure, innominate artery, left common carotid artery replacement and removal of intravalvular vegetation procedure; 1 case of Bentall plus pulmonary valve and pulmonary artery replacement procedure. Among them, aortic dissection included 11 cases of ascending and total arch replacement plus descending aortic stent implantation procedure; 2 cases of AVR plus ascending and total arch replacement procedure; 5 cases of ascending and semi-arch replacement procedure; 4 cases of David plus ascending and total arch replacement plus descending aortic stent implantation procedure; 1 case of redo thoracotomy David plus ascending and total arch replacement with descending aortic stent implantation procedure; 1 case of David plus ascending and total arch replacement procedure; 6 case of AVP/AVR/Bentall plus ascending and total arch replacement and descending aortic stent implantation procedure; 2 cases of redo total arch replacement and descending aortic stent implantation procedure and aortic root vascular graft wrapping plus ascending aorta and 1 case of total arch replacement with descending aortic stent implantation procedure.Results:All 63 cases of operation were successfully completed without transforming to middle sternotomy; 1 case with acute renal failure was treated by dialysis, and then complicated with septic shock and intracranial hemorrhage, and died of ineffective rescue; 2 cases were treated by thoracotomy exploration and hemostasis; 9 cases with pericardial effusion needed pericardiocentesis; 2 cases with lower extremity muscle weakness after operation: one treated by drainage of spinal fluid and the muscle strength of the lower extremities was restored, another one complicated with infection, acute renal failure and hypoxemia was treated by anti-infection, continuous CRRT, gamma globulin infusion and rehabilitation exercise, the muscle strength of the lower extremities was eventually restored. Except for one death in hospital, all the other patients were cured and discharged.Conclusion:Well exposure of aortic root, ascending aorta and descending part of arch can be obtained through upper hemisternotomy and various types of aortic proceduer can be done with satisfactory results through this approach.

Objective:In comparison with full sternotomy, we explore the safety and clinical efficacy of upper hemisternotomy for Stanford A acute aortic dissection.Methods:Retrospective analysis of 78 patients with Stanford type A acute aortic dissection from January 2014 to December 2018(20 patients underwent UHS invasive, 58 patients underwent FS invasive). Based on variables including gender、age、BMI、LVEF、Euro SCORE Ⅱ and type of surgery, two matched cohorts including 18 patients respectively were constructed: group UHS and group FS, the baseline data and perioperative indicators were analyzed.Results:Operative mortality was 3.9%(3 of 78). The patients＇baseline data were nearly balanced between the two groups after matching( P>0.05), only 1 case died of infectious cerebral hemorrhage in the FS group. The UHS group had a shorter cardiopulmonary bypass time than the FS group[(202±41)min vs.(235±39)min, P=0.041]. There was no significant difference in aorta clamping time[(159±38)min vs.(158±59)min, P=0.918] and hypothermic circulatory arrest time[(40±10)min vs.(50±20)min, P=0.081] between the two groups. The bladder temperature in the UHS group was significantly higher than that in the FS group[(24.0±3.1)℃ vs.(28.2±2.3)℃, P=0.001]. Compared with the FS group, the UHS group had less red blood cell transfusion[(4.8±2.8)U vs.(7.2±3.9)U, P=0.038], less postoperative drainage[(855±657)ml vs.(1510±703)ml, P=0.007], shorter ventilation support time(22 h vs. 58 h, P=0.037), shorter intensive care unit retention time[(4.6±2.7) days vs.(7.2±2.8) days, P=0.009], and shorter postoperative hospital stay time[(8.2±3.8) days vs.(18.4±3.8) days, P=0.001], but the incidence of pericardial puncture was higher in the UHS group[7(33%) vs. 1(6%), P=0.041]. 3 cases had postoperative renal insufficiency(requires dialysis), 5 cases(13.9%)had neurological complications, 1 case received re-exploration in the two groups respectively. Conclusion:The upper hemisternotomy approach is safe and feasible for Stanford A acute aortic dissection, with excellent early outcomes.

Objective:To explore the clinical significance of multi-sample next-generation sequencing (NGS) in detecting gene mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), so as to provide a basis for individualized targeted treatment.Methods:The data of 51 patients with NSCLC in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University Medical College from June 2016 to February 2019 was retrospectively analyzed. The patients' age, gender, smoking status, pathological type, tumor staging, pleural invasion status and meningeal invasion status were collected, and the tissues, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural effusion and plasma samples were detected by NGS. The correlations between the driver gene mutations [epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), and ROS proto-oncogene 1, receptor tyrosine kinase (ROS1)] and the clinicopathological features of patients were analyzed by χ 2 test or Fisher exact probability method. Cohen Kappa coefficient analysis was used to compare the consistency of NGS detection results in different samples. Results:Among the 51 patients, 3 different types of specimens were examined in 7 patients. Of which, the driver gene mutations were all positive in 3 cerebrospinal fluid samples and double gene mutations were found in 2 hydrothorax samples. Driver gene mutations were more common in female [90.48% (19/21) vs. 50.00% (15/30), χ 2 = 9.107, P = 0.003], non-smokers [80.00% (24/30) vs. 47.62 (10/21), χ 2 = 5.829, P = 0.016], adenocarcinoma patients [72.34% (34/47) vs. 0, P = 0.017] and patients with malignant pleural effusion [92.86% (13/14) vs. 56.76% (21/37), χ 2 = 4.443, P = 0.035], and the differences were statistically significant. However, there was no statistically significant difference in mutations of driver gene among patients with different age or tumor stages (both P > 0.05). The consistency rate of genetic test results of the driver gene mutations in 37 plasma samples and matched tissue samples was 70.27% (26/37), κ value was 0.430, which suggested a good consistency between them. Conclusions:In patients with advanced NSCLC, gene detection of cerebrospinal fluid is of high application value for patients with meningeal metastasis; for patients with pleural invasion, gene detection of pleural effusion is an effective means to screen targeted therapy drugs. NGS detection of multiple specimens can better reflect the status of gene mutations and guide the individualized targeted therapy of lung cancer patients.

Objective To analyze and compare the clinical characteristics and therapeutic effects on pediatric patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) among infants and children more than 3 years old.Methods The data of 1 015 ITP children who were hospitalized in West China Secondary Hospital of Sichuan University between January,2005 to January,2012 were collected.All of the patients were given hormone shock treatment and/or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).According to the extent of platelet count and bleeding improvement,the outcome included complete response,response and no response.The patients were divided into the infant group(≤3 year old) and the elderly group (＞3 years old) based on age,acute group(≤6 months) and chronic group(＞6 months) based on the course of disease,their clinic data were retrospectively analyzed by software SPSS 12.0.Results (1) The male/female ratio of infants group was higher than that of the elderly group,and there was significant differences (57.1％ vs 45.3％,x2 =13.927,P ＜ 0.001).(2) The median platelet count on admission in the infant group was statistically higher than that of the elderly group(9 × 109/L vs 8 × 109/L,Z =2.448,P =0.014).The course of disease in the infant group was statistically shorter than that in the elderly group(7 d vs 75 d,Z =13.317,P ＜ 0.001).(3) The increase ratio of megakrocytes in infants group was lower than that in the elderly group,but no statistical differences were found (86.4％ vs 90.4％,x2 =2.534,P =0.111).(4) There was a significant difference in terms of hospital stays between the transfused patients and untransfused patients (6.5 d vs 7.1 d,Z =4.571,P ＜ 0.001).Under the same treatment,the time for the platelets to become normal in the transfused group was statistically lower than that in the non-transfused group (72 h vs 89 h,Z =4.116,P ＜ 0.001).(5)The time needed for the platelets to become normal (≥ 100 × 109/L) in the infant group were statistically lower than that in the elderly group(72 h vs 95 h,Z =6.540,P ＜0.001).(6)The ratio of chronic patients in the infant group was statistically lower than that in the elderly group (3.2％ vs 30.1％,x2 =178.42,P ＜ 0.001).Conclusions The male infants with ITP are more than the female and the course of disease is shorter.The infants' platelet count returns to normal faster,with better treatment efficacy and lower ratio of chronic patients.The hospital stays can be shortened in the patients with ITP who were transfused with platelets,but the course of treatment with hormone can not be shortened.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the experience with emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (ECABG) for management of acute coronary syndrome and analyze the mid-term follow-up results.

METHODSForty-five ECABG surgeries were performed in 34 male and 11 female patients (aged 65.6∓5.8 years) for cardiogenic shock (5 cases), acute heart failure (6 cases) and refractory unstable angina (34 cases). Twenty patients received the operation within one week after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 18 were preoperatively supported by intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP). All patients had triple-vessel disease and 15 had left main stenosis. Ten patients experienced two myocardial infarctions and 6 had chronic renal dysfunction including two requiring hemodialysis. On-pump operations were performed in all cases with a mean CPB time of 104.2∓29.7 min and cross clamping time of 69.0∓21.3 min. Cold blood or HTK cardioplegia was used for myocardial protection. The left internal mammary artery (LIMA) was routinely anastomosed to the left anterior descending artery (LAD), and the great saphenous vein (GSV) to other target vessels. The mean number of grafts was 2.9∓0.6.

RESULTSForty-one patients were cured and discharged and 4 patients died with an in-hospital mortality of 8.9%, including one associated with cardiac event (2.2%). IABP was weaned off within 28.5∓10.6 h after surgery except for one patient who died of multiple organ and system failure (MOSF). Thirty-eight patients (92.7%) were followed up for a mean of 37.3∓16.7 months, during which 2 patients died with a mid-term survival rate of 94.7%. Thirty-five (92.1%) patients had New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I and II. The freedom from cardiac event was 90.5%. Follow-up echocardiography showed significantly improved left ventricular dimension and ejection fraction in these cases (P<0.05), and graft patency was 95.8% for the LIMA and 90.5% for the GSV.

CONCLUSIONDespite a slight increase of the in-hospital mortality, ECABG can improve the mid-term survival, freedom from cardiac event, and cardiac function when the indications and timing for surgery are well controlled with optimal perioperative management.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; surgery ; Aged ; Angina, Unstable ; Aortic Valve ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping ; Male ; Mammary Arteries ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To summarize the experience with emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (ECABG) for management of acute coronary syndrome and analyze the mid-term follow-up results. Methods Forty-five ECABG surgeries were performed in 34 male and 11 female patients (aged 65.6±5.8 years) for cardiogenic shock (5 cases), acute heart failure (6 cases) and refractory unstable angina (34 cases). Twenty patients received the operation within one week after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 18 were preoperatively supported by intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP). All patients had triple-vessel disease and 15 had left main stenosis. Ten patients experienced two myocardial infarctions and 6 had chronic renal dysfunction including two requiring hemodialysis. On-pump operations were performed in all cases with a mean CPB time of 104.2 ± 29.7 min and cross clamping time of 69.0 ± 21.3 min. Cold blood or HTK cardioplegia was used for myocardial protection. The left internal mammary artery (LIMA) was routinely anastomosed to the left anterior descending artery (LAD), and the great saphenous vein (GSV) to other target vessels. The mean number of grafts was 2.9±0.6. Results Forty-one patients were cured and discharged and 4 patients died with an in-hospital mortality of 8.9%, including one associated with cardiac event (2.2%). IABP was weaned off within 28.5 ± 10.6 h after surgery except for one patient who died of multiple organ and system failure (MOSF). Thirty-eight patients (92.7%) were followed up for a mean of 37.3 ± 16.7 months, during which 2 patients died with a mid-term survival rate of 94.7%. Thirty-five (92.1%) patients had New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I and II. The freedom from cardiac event was 90.5%. Follow-up echocardiography showed significantly improved left ventricular dimension and ejection fraction in these cases (P<0.05), and graft patency was 95.8%for the LIMA and 90.5%for the GSV. Conclusion Despite a slight increase of the in-hospital mortality, ECABG can improve the mid-term survival, freedom from cardiac event, and cardiac function when the indications and timing for surgery are well controlled with optimal perioperative management.