Objective To evaluate early outcomes of transthoracic pulmonary valve implantation for the treatment of moderate and severe pulmonary regurgitation by using homemade self-expanding valve (SalusTM). Methods Patients with severe pulmonary regurgitation who underwent transthoracic pulmonary valve implantation in Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital from September 2, 2021 to November 25, 2022 were prospectively enrolled. The early postoperative complications and improvement of valve and heart function were summarized and analyzed. Results A total of 25 patients were enrolled, including 16 males and 9 females, with an average age of 24.5±1.5 years and an average weight of 57.0±3.0 kg. The mean systolic diameters of the bifurcation near the main pulmonary artery, the stenosis of the middle segment of the aorta and near the valve of the right ventricular outflow tract of the patients were 31.8±7.4 mm, 30.6±5.9 mm and 38.4±8.0 mm, respectively. All patients were successfully implanted with valves, and there were no serious complications such as death, coronary compression, stent fracture, valve displacement and infective endocarditis in the early postoperative period. The indexed left atrial longitudinal diameter, indexed right atrial longitudinal diameter, and indexed right ventricular outflow tract anteroposterior diameter decreased significantly after the operation. The degree of tricuspid and pulmonary valve regurgitation and the indexed regurgitation area decreased significantly. The above differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The early outcomes of transthoracic pulmonary valve implantation with homemade self-expanding pulmonary valve (SalusTM) in the treatment of severe pulmonary regurgitation is relatively good, and the long-term outcomes need to be verified by the long-term follow-up studies with large samples.

Objective To analyze and summarize the early and medium-term outcomes of self-expanding interventional pulmonary valve stent (SalusTM) for right ventricular outflow tract dysfunction with severe pulmonary valve regurgitation. Methods We established strict enrollment and follow-up criteria. Patients who received interventional pulmonary valve in transthoracic implantation in Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital from September 2, 2021 to July 18, 2023 were prospectively included, and all clinical data of patients were collected and analyzed. Results A total of 38 patients with severe pulmonary regurgitation were included, with 23 (60.5%) males and 15 (39.5%) females. The mean age was 24.08±8.12 years, and the mean weight was 57.66±13.54 kg. The preoperative mean right ventricular end-diastolic volume index (RVEDVI) and right ventricular end-systolic volume index (RVESVI) were 151.83±42.84 mL/m2 and 83.34±33.05 mL/m2, respectively. All patients successfully underwent transcatheter self-expandable pulmonary valve implantation, with 3 (7.9%) patients experiencing valve stent displacement during the procedure. Perioperative complications included 1 (2.6%) patient of postoperative inferior wall myocardial infarction and 1 (2.6%) patient of poor wound healing. The median follow-up time was 12.00 (6.00, 17.50) months. During the follow-up period, there were no deaths or reinterventions, and no patients had recurrent severe pulmonary regurgitation. Three (7.9%) patients experienced chest tightness and chest pain, and 1 (2.6%) patient developed frequent ventricular premature beats. Compared with preoperative values, the right atrial diameter, right ventricular diameter, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion were significantly reduced at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively, with improvement in the degree of pulmonary regurgitation (P<0.01). Compared with preoperative values, RVEDVI and RVESVI decreased to 109.51±17.13 mL/m2 and 55.88±15.66 mL/m2, respectively, at 1 year postoperatively (P<0.01). Conclusion 　Self-expanding interventional pulmonary valve in transthoracic implantation is safe and effective for severe pulmonary valve regurgitation and shows good clinical and hemodynamic results in one-year outcome.

Objective To investigate the expression of Acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4(ACSL4)in liver cancer and its role in regulating ferroptosis and proliferation of liver cancer cells.Methods Clinical samples of liver cancer and adjacent normal liver tissues were examined for malondialdehyde(MDA)contents and for expressions of mRNA and protein expressions of ACSL4 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)using RT-qPCR and Western blotting.Human liver cancer Huh-7 cells were treated with Erastin(a ferroptosis inducer),Fer-1(a ferroptosis inhibitor),or both,and the changes in expression levels of MDA,ACSL4 and PCNA were detected,and the cell proliferation was assessed with plate cloning assay.Results MDA contents were lower and ACSL4 and PCNA expressions were higher significantly in liver cancer tissues than in adjacent liver tissues.In Huh-7 cells,Erastin treatment significantly inhibited mRNA and protein expressions of ACSL4 and PCNA,suppressed cell proliferation,and increased MDA contents.Fer-1 alone did not produce significant effect on cell viability but reversed the effect of Erastin on ACSL4 and PCNA expressions,cell proliferation and MDA contents.Conclusion ACSL4 level is significantly overexpressed in liver cancer.Erastin increases MDA contents and down-regulates ACSL4 expression,thereby promoting ferroptosis and inhibiting proliferation of liver cancer cells,and these effects can be reversed by Fer-1.

Objective To investigate the expression of Acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4(ACSL4)in liver cancer and its role in regulating ferroptosis and proliferation of liver cancer cells.Methods Clinical samples of liver cancer and adjacent normal liver tissues were examined for malondialdehyde(MDA)contents and for expressions of mRNA and protein expressions of ACSL4 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)using RT-qPCR and Western blotting.Human liver cancer Huh-7 cells were treated with Erastin(a ferroptosis inducer),Fer-1(a ferroptosis inhibitor),or both,and the changes in expression levels of MDA,ACSL4 and PCNA were detected,and the cell proliferation was assessed with plate cloning assay.Results MDA contents were lower and ACSL4 and PCNA expressions were higher significantly in liver cancer tissues than in adjacent liver tissues.In Huh-7 cells,Erastin treatment significantly inhibited mRNA and protein expressions of ACSL4 and PCNA,suppressed cell proliferation,and increased MDA contents.Fer-1 alone did not produce significant effect on cell viability but reversed the effect of Erastin on ACSL4 and PCNA expressions,cell proliferation and MDA contents.Conclusion ACSL4 level is significantly overexpressed in liver cancer.Erastin increases MDA contents and down-regulates ACSL4 expression,thereby promoting ferroptosis and inhibiting proliferation of liver cancer cells,and these effects can be reversed by Fer-1.

Objective:To summarize the clinical treatment of complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) after the transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD).Methods:A case series study was conducted on the treatments and outcomes of 25 children with CLBBB after transcatheter VSD closure in Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital from January 2010 to December 2023.Paired sample t test was used to evaluate the effect of occlude removal. Results:Among the 25 patients, 12 were males (48%), and 13 were females (52%).The age at surgery was 3.18 (2.51-3.86) years, the height before surgery was 95.0 (90.0-97.5) cm, and the weight before surgery was 13 (12-15) kg.Fourteen children were early-onset cases (≤ 1 month), while the other 11 were late-onset cases (> 1 month).The mean follow-up time was (6.63±3.93) years.Of the 14 early-onset cases, 6 children underwent occluder removal within 1 month and restored normal heart rhythm or incomplete right bundle branch block; 4 children underwent occluder removal after 1 month, of whom 2 recovered, 1 remained CLBBB, and 1 had complete atrioventricular block (CAVB); the other 4 children received drug treatment, of whom 2 had normal heart rhythm, 1 had left anterior fascicular block, and 1 died of cardiac shock and heart failure.All the 11 late-onset cases were first treated by drugs, of whom 3 recovered, and the other 8 remained CLBBB.One of the 8 cases received occluder removal at 8 months after surgery and recovered, 1 had CAVB, and the other 6 remained CLBBB.Conclusions:For patients with CLBBB after transcatheter closure of VSD, drug therapy is not always effective, and CLBBB is easy to recur.Therefore, occluder removal is recommended to be done immediately after CLBBB is discovered.Patients with persistent CLBBB should be followed up regularly, and pacemaker implantation may be performed if necessary.

Objective     To summarize the surgical treatment experience in neonates with coarctation of the aorta (CoA) and aortic arch hypoplasia (AAH). Methods     The neonates with CoA and AAH who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from 2013 to 2020 were retrospectively enrolled. The postoperative complications, long-term survival rate, and freedom from aortic reobstruction were analyzed. Patients undergoing extended end-to-end anastomosis were allocated into an extended end-to-end group, those undergoing extended end-to-side anastomosis into an extended end-to-side group, and those undergoing pulmonary autograft patch aortoplasty into a patch aortoplasty group. Results     Finally 44 patients were  enrolled, including 37 males and 7 females, aged 5.00-30.00 (19.34±7.61) days and weighted 2.00-4.50 (3.30±0.60) kg. There were 19 patients of extended end-to-end anastomosis, 19 patients of extended end-to-side anastomosis, and 6 patients of pulmonary autograft patch aortoplasty. The mean values of the Z scores of the proximal, distal, and isthmus of the aortic arch were –2.91±1.52, –3.40±1.30, and –4.04±1.98, respectively. The mean follow-up time was 45.6±3.7 months. There were 2 early deaths and no late deaths. Aortic reobstruction occurred in 8 patients, and 3 patients underwent reoperation intervention. The 5-year rate of freedom from reobstruction was 78.8%. The Cox multivariable regression analysis showed that the related factors for postoperative reobstruction were the Z score of the preoperative proximal aortic arch (HR=0.152, 95%CI 0.038-0.601, P=0.007) and the postoperative left main bronchus compression (HR=15.261, 95%CI 1.104-210.978, P=0.042). Conclusion     Three surgical procedures for neonates with CoA and AAH are safe and effective, but the aortic reobstruction rate in long term is not low. The smaller Z score of the preoperative proximal aortic arch and the postoperative left main bronchus compression are risk factors for long-term aortic reobstruction.

Novel coronavirus Omicron variant infection can cause severe illness and even death in certain populations. Omicron variant infection may lead to systemic inflammatory response, coagulation disorder, multi-organ dysfunction and other pathophysiological changes, which are different from other Novel coronavirus variants to a certain extent, so therapeutic strategies should not be the same. The National Medical Center for Major Public Health Events invited experts in fields of infectious diseases, respiratory medicine, intensive care, pediatrics and fever clinic to develop this quick guideline based on the current best evidence and extensive clinical practices. This quick guideline aims to standardize the diagnosis and treatment of novel coronavirus Omicron infection, and to improve the disease management abilities of clinicians.

Objective:To explore the application value of virtual reality(VR) technology in the surgical diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease complicated with ventricular outflow tract stenosis.Methods:From November 2017 to October 2018, a total of 11 cases of congenital heart disease complicated with ventricular outflow tract stenosis were diagnosed and treated by VR technology assisted surgery in our center, including 9 cases of tetralogy of Fallot, 1 case of right ventricular double outlet stenosis and 1 case of right ventricular double outlet complicated with right ventricular outflow tract and pulmonary valve stenosis. The matching degree and value score of VR model by surgeons after operation. The data of these cases, including postoperative severe complications, maximum flow velocity and peak pressure difference and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) 3 months after surgery, were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the application value of VR technology and summarize the application experience of our center.Results:The operations were successful in all the 11 cases with no death in hospital. No serious complications related to the ventricular outflow tract occurred after the operation. The peak systolic velocity of the ventricular outflow tract in all the patients decreased to less than 2 m/s, and LVEF was in the normal range three months after the operation. In terms of VR model scores, the matching degree of all cases was 8/10 or above and 8 patients received a 3/3 of value score.Conclusion:For patients with congenital heart disease complicated with ventricular outflow tract stenosis, VR technology based on CT three-dimensional reconstruction can help surgeons more intuitively understand the spatial location information of each intra- and extra-cardiac structure and evaluate the feasibility of key surgical procedures, which is conducive to individual surgery and guarantees a good surgical outcome.

Objective:To evaluate the association between the use of emergency medical services (EMS) and the severity of disease among patients admitted to the emergency room, to analyze the characteristics of the patients, and to build prediction model providing evidence-based use of EMS resources.Methods:The data of patients admitted to the Emergency Room of the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China from January 2020 to July 2021 were extracted from the Chinese Emergency Triage Assessment and Treatment (CETAT) database. Patients were divided into the EMS use group (AB+ group) and self-seeing group (AB-group) according to whether they used EMS. The patients’ general condition, vital signs and laboratory tests results were recorded. The severity of patients’ condition was judged based on whether the patient was admitted to the department of critical medicine, specialized care unit, emergency operation and/or emergency percutaneous intervention. A 9-variable model that did not require laboratory inspection and 22-variable model that required laboratory inspection were established to correct the propensity score to analyze the correlation between the severity of disease and the EMS use. In the subgroup analysis, the correlation between the EMS use and severity of the patients was analyzed according to the reason of the patient’s visit.Results:During the study period, 16 489 patients were admitted to the emergency room, and 6975 patients were finally enrolled in this study. There were 2768 patients (39.7%) in the AB+ group and 4207 patients (60.3%) in the AB-group. In the AB+ group 522 patients (18.9%) were in high risk, and in the AB-group 563 patients (13.4%) were in high risk. Compared with the AB-group, patients in the AB+ group were older and had a higher proportion of coma, a faster autonomic heart rate, and a lower diastolic blood pressure and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO 2). In the 9-variable model, sex, consciousness, temperature, heart rate and diastolic blood pressure were associated with the EMS use. In the 22-variable model, consciousness, SpO 2, neutrophils, and albumin were the relevant factors for patients using EMS. Before the correction of propensity score, the EMS use was an independent risk factor for critically ill patients ( OR=1.5, 95% CI 1.32-1.72, P<0.001). After adjusted using 9-variable propensity score, the EMS use ratio decreased significantly compared with that without correction ( OR=1.24,95% CI 1.08-1.42, P<0.001). Interestingly, after adjusted with propensity score match with 22-variable model, there was no association between the severity of disease and t the EMS use ( OR=1.10,95% CI 0.95-1.28, P=0.195). In subgroup analysis, patients’ chief complaint of central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and trauma were the top three reasons at admission. Before the propensity score correction, the EMS calling patients with chief complaint of central nervous system, digestive system, and trauma were related to the severity of the patients. After adjusted with 9-variable model the EMS use was associated with the severity of the disease only in trauma patients, and after adjusted with 22-variable model there was no statistical difference considering the severity of the disease in all subgroups. Conclusions:The EMS use is common. However, the association of the EMS use with the severity of disease is decreased with variable models using propensity score. These findings indicate that the EMS use should be based on multivariable models, which may be important in detecting critically ill patients, optimizing the EMS use, and avoiding unnecessary call in the future.