Patients with Takayasu arteritis combined with aortic valve disease often have a poor prognosis following surgical valve replacement, frequently encountering complications such as perivalvular leakage, valve detachment, and anastomotic aneurysm. This article presents a high-risk case wherein severe aortic valve insufficiency associated with Takayasu arteritis was successfully managed through transcatheter aortic valve implantation via the transapical approach. The patient had satisfactory valve function with no complications observed during the six-month postoperative follow-up. This case provides a minimally invasive and feasible alternative for the clinical management of such high-risk patients.

Objective To assess the echogenicity of the ultrasound-guided catheter and its associated delivery system. Methods The study consisted of in vitro characterization experiments and animal studies. In the in vitro phase, the acoustic and mechanical properties of the ultrasound-guided catheter were compared with those of the traditional MPA2 catheter, including parameters such as echo intensity, recognizability, and angle dependence. In the animal experiments, a ventricular septal defect (VSD) model was established in miniature pigs to compare the procedural performance of the ultrasound-guided delivery system versus the conventional system. Evaluation indicators included the time required for the system to cross the VSD, the detection rate of the system within the right ventricle, and the occurrence of intraoperative complications. Results The ultrasound-guided catheter demonstrated a significantly higher mean echo intensity than the MPA2 catheter [(237.3±1.8) dB vs. (190.9±13.1) dB, P<0.001] and a markedly improved recognizability rate (82.3%±5.6% vs. 26.7%±3.2%, P<0.001), along with better angle independence and image quality. In animal experiments, the ultrasound-guided delivery system significantly reduced the time required to cross the VSD [(18.5±5.7) min vs. (30.3±4.5) min, P<0.001] and substantially increased the detection rate within the right ventricle (100.0% vs. 30.0%). No severe complications occurred in any experimental animal. Conclusion The ultrasound-guided catheter and its corresponding delivery system exhibite superior ultrasound visibility and operational performance in both in vitro and animal experiments, indicating strong potential for clinical application.

Background and Objectives: There is no dedicated occlusive device for closing coronary artery fistulas (CAFs), and specific efficacy and safety data of various off-label occlusive devices for CAFs closure are scarce. Methods: Patients undergoing transcatheter closure of CAFs from January 2011 to December 2022 were included in the single-center retrospective study. The study population was divided into 2 groups: coils group (n=35) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occluders group (n=66). Results: No significant intergroup differences were observed in demographic characteristics except age. The presence of multiple CAF origins (54.3% vs. 4.5%, p<0.001) and multiple draining sites (51.4% vs. 3.0%, p<0.001) were more common in the coils group. In contrast, the presence of aneurysm (72.7% vs. 14.3%, p<0.001), and large fistula (75.8% vs. 37.1%, p<0.001) were more prevalent in the PDA occluders group. The acute procedural success rate of the PDA occluders group was higher compared to that of the coils group (87.9% vs.62.9%, adjusted odds ratio [OR], 7.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.59–32.64; p=0.01).In addition, no significant intergroup differences were noted in both the recanalization rate (7.8% vs. 20%, p=0.107) and the reintervention rate (3.1% vs. 8.6%, p=0.342). Conclusions Transcatheter closure of CAFs using PDA occluders was associated with significantly higher acute procedural success rates compared to coil embolization with comparable late outcomes.

Objective To assess the clinical feasibility of a self-developed augmented reality(AR)system in surgeries for cerebral arteriovenous malformation(AVM),dural arteriovenous fistula(DAVF),moyamoya,and internal carotid artery stenosis.This system integrates preoperative vascular imaging(CTA,MRA,DSA)with intraoperative real-time visualization through high-precision patient-image registration and virtual-real integration technology.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 6 patients(1 cerebral AVM,1 DAVF,3 moyamoya and 1 internal carotid artery stenosis)collected between March 2023 and April 2024.AR with three-dimensional reconstruction was used for preoperative precise localization and intraoperative navigation guidance.Clinical feasibility was evaluated and analyzed using an intraoperative self-controlled method.Results All 6 patients with diverse etiologies successfully underwent preoperative precise localization and intraoperative navigation guidance under AR three-dimensional reconstruction modeling.This technology achieved visualization of intracranial arteriovenous structures and precise lesion locations,providing surgeons with a visual reference for accurate planning of the surgical approach and operative field.Conclusion The application of AR with three-dimensional reconstruction is safe and feasible in neurosurgical procedures for cerebrovascular diseases.It demonstrates satisfactory effectiveness in preoperative localization and intraoperative navigation guidance.

Objectives:To explore the feasibility of zero-ray radiofrequency catheter ablation for paroxymal atrial fibrillation under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography combined with three-dimensional mapping system.Methods:This is a single-center prospective observational study.A total of 12 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation in Fuwai Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from June 1,2024 to September 30,2024 were included.All patients underwent successful percutaneous puncture,atrial septal puncture under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography,and all patients underwent left atrial modeling and discharge ablation under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography combined with three-dimensional mapping system.The disappearance of pulmonary vein potential was confirmed after the ablation operation and as the ablation endpoint and successful ablation marker.The operation results and 1-month and 3-month follow-up results of the patients were observed.Results:There were 12 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,9 males and 3 females,aged(56.8±11.2)years,with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(4.2±2.3)years.The mean left atrial diameter was(36.5±2.5)mm,the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was(47.8±4.1)mm,and the left ventricular ejection fraction was 55%-65%.The mean overall operation time was(102.25±14.51)min,the ultrasound operation time was(29.58±6.23)min,and the catheter operation time was(33.08±4.10)min.All patients completed circumferential pulmonary vein isolation without intraoperative complications.The hospitalization time was 2-6 days.At the 1-month follow-up after ablation,all patients showed sinus rhythm on 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram,and 2 patients had occasional atrial premature contractions without recurrence of atrial fibrillation.At the 3-month follow-up,two patients had occasional premature atrial contractions,and no recurrence of atrial fibrillation was recorded on the electrocardiogram of all patients.Conclusions:It is feasible to complete radiofrequency catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography combined with three-dimensional mapping system.

This article reports a case of transcatheter aortic valve replacement guided by echocardiography only for the treatment of aortic valve bioprosthesis failure.The patient developed bioprosthesis stenosis eight years after surgical bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement and underwent successful transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve replacement under echocardiography guidance.This offers a new treatment option for valve replacement after bioprosthetic valve failure under echocardiography guidance,and demonstrates the feasibility of echocardiography-guided interventional transcatheter valve-in-valve replacement.Also,this report discusses the technique details in valve positioning,reducing the risk of complications and improving prognosis.

Objectives:To explore the feasibility of zero-ray radiofrequency catheter ablation for paroxymal atrial fibrillation under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography combined with three-dimensional mapping system.Methods:This is a single-center prospective observational study.A total of 12 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation in Fuwai Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from June 1,2024 to September 30,2024 were included.All patients underwent successful percutaneous puncture,atrial septal puncture under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography,and all patients underwent left atrial modeling and discharge ablation under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography combined with three-dimensional mapping system.The disappearance of pulmonary vein potential was confirmed after the ablation operation and as the ablation endpoint and successful ablation marker.The operation results and 1-month and 3-month follow-up results of the patients were observed.Results:There were 12 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,9 males and 3 females,aged(56.8±11.2)years,with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(4.2±2.3)years.The mean left atrial diameter was(36.5±2.5)mm,the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was(47.8±4.1)mm,and the left ventricular ejection fraction was 55%-65%.The mean overall operation time was(102.25±14.51)min,the ultrasound operation time was(29.58±6.23)min,and the catheter operation time was(33.08±4.10)min.All patients completed circumferential pulmonary vein isolation without intraoperative complications.The hospitalization time was 2-6 days.At the 1-month follow-up after ablation,all patients showed sinus rhythm on 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram,and 2 patients had occasional atrial premature contractions without recurrence of atrial fibrillation.At the 3-month follow-up,two patients had occasional premature atrial contractions,and no recurrence of atrial fibrillation was recorded on the electrocardiogram of all patients.Conclusions:It is feasible to complete radiofrequency catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography combined with three-dimensional mapping system.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)has become an important therapeutic approach for severe aortic stenosis.However,complications associated with TAVR cannot be overlooked,among which contrast agents induced acute kidney injury(AKI)is a common complication.To explore methods to reduce the occurrence of AKI,this article reports two cases of successful treatment of severe aortic stenosis by TAVR under pure echocardiographic guidance,both of whom were elderly women aged 75 and 69,respectively,and both were implanted with a Evolute Pro 26 mm valve.Postoperative echocardiography showed good valve positioning and function.

Objective To observe the differences in dynamic stability and kinematic/kinetic characteristics of the lower limbs between patients with knee osteoarthritis(KOA)and healthy individuals at the begining stage of practicing Tai Chi Yunshou movement.Methods Thirty Tai Chi beginners,including 15 patients with KOA and 15 healthy controls,were recruited to practice Tai Chi Yunshou movement for two hours under the guidance of a Tai Chi expert.A motion capture system and a three-dimensional force platform were used to collect and calculate dynamic stability parameter as well as kinematic and kinetic parameters of the left lower limb during the Yunshou movement.Results Compared with healthy controls,patients with KOA demonstrated a smaller center of mass(COM)-center of pressure(COP)inclination angle,reduced mean and peak ankle dorsiflexion angle,reduced peak hip adduction angle and increased peak knee flexion moment during the Yunshou movement(P<0.05).Conclusions Patients with KOA use adaptive postural strategies to maintain the lateral stability in Tai Chi Yunshou exercise,but a comprehensive training programme should be recommended to reduce the joint loading during flexion of the lower limbs at the benginning stages of this exercise.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of flow diverter (FD) implantation versus stent-assisted coil embolization (SACE) in unruptured saccular aneurysms located at distal segments of the Willis circle.Methods:A retrospective study was performed; 119 patients with unruptured saccular aneurysms located at distal segments of the Willis circle who received FD implantation or SACE in Department of Neurosurgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Southern Medical University and Department of Cerebrovascular Surgery, Neurosurgery Center, Southern Medical University from January 2018 to May 2025 were selected. According to different surgical methods, they were divided into a FD group ( n=60) and a SACE group ( n=59). These patients were subjected to propensity score matching (PSM) using 1:1 nearest neighbor matching method to eliminate confounding factors such as gender, age, aneurysm location, and aneurysm diameter (maximum diameter); and then, differences in neurological functional prognosis (good prognosis: modified Rankin scale scores of 0-2), complete aneurysm occlusion rate (O'Kelly-Marotta grade D or Raymond occlusion classification class I), and overall (perioperative and follow-up) complications were compared between the two groups. Results:After PSM, there were 43 patients in both FD group and SACE group. No significant difference was found in clinical and imaging follow-ups (12[6, 19] months vs. 10[6, 15] months, 10[5, 19] months vs. 9[2, 15] months) between the FD group and SACE group ( P>0.05). At the last imaging follow-up, the complete aneurysm occlusion rate in the FD group (65.1%[28/43]) was significantly lower than that in the SACE group (76.7%[33/43], P<0.05). At the last clinical follow-up, no significant difference was noted in good prognosis rate (95.3%[41/43] vs. 97.7%[42/43]) and overall complication rate (30.2%[13/43] vs. 18.6%[8/43]) between the FD group and SACE group ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Both FD implantation and SACE are safe and effective for unruptured saccular aneurysms located at distal segments of the Willis circle; the complete aneurysm occlusion rate within 1 year of FD implantation is relatively low.