OBJECTIVE：To study the improvement effects of Weijing deco ction on AECOPD model rats and its possibile mechanism. METHODS ：Totally 55 male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group ，model group ，Weijing decoction low-dose and high-dose groups （8.37，16.74 g/kg，by crude drug ），dexamethasone group （positive control group ，0.09 mg/kg），with 11 rats in each group. Except for normal group ，AECOPD model was induced by cigarettes combined with lipopolysaccharide in other groups. After modeling ，normal group and model group were given constant volume of water intragastrically ，and other groups were given relevant medicine intragastrocally ，twice a day ，for 14 days. After last intragastric administration ，the serum level of IL- 1 β was determined，and pathological changes of lung tissue and bronchus were observed in each group ；mRNA expression of MMP-9 and TIMP- 1 genes in lung tissue were detected ；protein expression of Ras homologous gene family member （RhoA）， dishevelled associated activator of morphogenesis- 1（DAAM1）and hyperplasic suppress gene （HSG）in lung tissue were also determined. RESULTS ：Compared with normal group ，the levels of IL- 1β in serum，mRNA expression of MMP- 9 and TIMP-1 as well as protein expression of RhoA and DAAM 1 in lung tissue were increased significantly in the model group（P＜0.05），while protein expression of HSG in lung tissue was decreased significantly （P＜0.05）；there were many chronic inflammatory cells infiltrating around the bronchus ，some airway mucosa epithelium exfoliating ，alveolar compensatory dilation，pulmonary septal capillary dilation and hyperemia. Compared with model group ，the levels of IL- 1β in serum，mRNA expression of MMP- 9 and TIMP- 1 in lung tissue were decreased significantly in Weijing decoction high-dose group （P＜0.05）；the protein expression of RhoA and DAAM 1 in lung tissue were decreased significantly in Weijing decoction low-dose and high-dose groups（P＜0.05），while the protein expression of HSG in lung tissue was increased （P＜0.05）；the pathological changes of Weijing decoction high-dose group ，such as inflammatory cells infiltrating around the bronchus and shedding of airway mucosa ， were improved significantly ， and there was complete alveolar epithelium structure but no obvious pulmonary dilation. CONCLUSIONS：Weijing decoction can improve AECOPD model rats to certain extent ；its mechanism may be associated with down-regulating mRNA expression of MMP- 9 and TIMP -1 as well as protein expression of RhoA and DAAM 1 in lung tissue ， up-regulating protein expression of HSG in lung tissue so as to inhibit the airway remodeling.

Objective    To analyze the effect of modified Blalock-Taussig shunt on the treatment of cyanotic congenital heart diseases in neonates. Methods    The clinical data of 33 neonates undergoing modified Blalock-Taussig shunt between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017 were reviewed, including 28 males and 5 females with the age of 3.0-28.0 (18.0±6.1) d and weight of 1.9-3.7 (2.9±0.5) kg. Results    There were 3 (9.1%) in-hospital deaths. Ten (30.3%) patients required early unplanned reoperations after surgery. Five (15.2%) patients were lost to follow-up. In the multivariate analysis, preoperative acidosis, emergency operation and postoperative bedside thoracotomy were independent risk factors of early death. During the follow-up of 18.0-93.0 (40.2±22.5) months, there was no death and 9 (36.0%) survival patients underwent corrective surgery and stage-two palliative surgery. In the multivariate analysis, preoperative hyperhemoglobinemia was an independent risk factor of nonadministration of the corrective surgery and stage-two palliative surgery. Receiver operating characteristic curve showed that preoperative hyperhemoglobinemia was significant in determining whether secondary surgery was possible. Conclusion    The modified Blalock-Taussig shunt is effective in promoting development of pulmonary arteries and preparing for the secondary surgery. The rate of mortality and postoperative complications after the neonatal modified Blalock-Taussig shunt remains high. The rate of secondary surgery is still low during follow-up.

Objective    To explore the correlation between perioperative blood transfusion and acute kidney injury (AKI) after heart transplantation. Methods    A retrospective study was performed on 67 patients who underwent heart transplantation in the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from January 2016 to December 2018, and finally 63 patients were included according to the exclusion criteria. There were 53 males and 10 females with an average age of 44.3±12.9 years. Twenty patients who adopted continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) after heart transplantation were divided into a RT group and the other 43 patients who did not use CRRT were divided into a non-RT group. Baseline characteristics, perioperative blood transfusion data and clinical prognosis were compared between the two groups. Results    The preoperative baseline characteristics of the two groups were basically the same. There were significant differences in perioperative infusion of red blood cells and plasma, postoperative 24 h bleeding and re-exploration (P<0.05) between the two groups. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.923 (95%CI 0.852 to 0.995, P<0.001). The ROC curve showed that perioperative infusion of red blood cells more than 18 mL/kg would increase the incidence of AKI after heart transplantation. Conclusion    Perioperative blood transfusion is closely related to AKI after heart transplantation. The more blood transfusion is in clinics, the higher incidence of renal injury is and the worse prognosis is. It is suggested that various blood-saving measures can be carried out.

Objective    To define the patient characteristics and perioperative management, and to define the mortality and its risk factors after arterial switch operation (ASO). Methods    We conducted a bidirectional cohort study with 571 consecutive patients undergoing ASO from 1997 to 2016 in our hospital. We enrolled patients who underwent ASO before 2012 retrospectively and after 2012 prospectively and followed up all the patients prospectively. Demographic characteristics, clinical information and mortality of these patients were summarized. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to identify the time trend of the overall mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to evaluate the mid- and long-term survival rate after ASO. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to explore the potential factors associated with mortality. The cumulative incidence of complications after ASO was predicted using competing risk models. Results    Several aspects of patients’ characteristics and perioperative management in our center differed from those in the developed countries. The overall mortality and in-hospital mortality after ASO was 16.3% and 15.1%, respectively. The overall cumulative survival rate at 5, 10 and 15 years after ASO was 83.3%, 82.8% and 82.8%, respectively. A significant decrease of overall mortality from 1997 to 2016 was observed. Independent risk factors of mortality included earlier ASO (1997-2006), single or intramural coronary anatomy and longer cardiopulmonary bypass time. Ten years after ASO, re-intervention, arrhythmia, pulmonary and anastomotic stenosis were the most common complications with a cumulative incidence over 10%. Conclusion    Significant improvements in the results of the ASO were observed and the postoperative mortality rate is close to reports from developed countries. Nonetheless, we have identified the need for further improvement in the early and late postoperative periods after ASO. Pulmonary stenosis, anastomotic stenosis and arrhythmia should be paid attention to during the long-term follow-up after ASO.

Objective    To investigate the prevalence, severity and consequences of acute kidney injury (AKI) in the patients who underwent total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC). Methods    The clinical data of TCPC patients in our center from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. The patients with renal replacement therapy, missing serum creatinine data before operation or combined with valve procedures were excluded. We identified whether AKI was associated with hospital length of stay, ICU duration, mechanical ventilation duration, hospital acquired infection, and early mortality by univariable and multivariable analyses. Results    A total of 163 patients were included. AKI occurred in 57% of patients (n=93), mild AKI in 26.4% (n=43), moderate AKI in 12.3% (n=20) and severe AKI in 18.4% (n=30). Compared with the no AKI group, the AKI group had higher hospital acquired infection rate (15.1% vs. 0.0%, P<0.001). AKI was independently associated with hospital length of stay (median, 10 d, 95%CI  3.9-16.0,  P=0.001), ICU duration (median, 103.9, 95%CI 48.6-159.2, P<0.001) , but not associated with mechanical ventilation duration (median, 8 h vs. 7 h, P=0.529). Conclusion    Postoperative AKI in the patients undergoing TCPC is common. AKI is associated with higher hospital acquired infection rate, longer hospital length of stay and ICU duration, but not associated with mechanical ventilation duration.

Objective    To investigate the incidence, pathogens, risk factors and clinical outcomes for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in children after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) surgical correction, in order to offer reliable data for the prevention of VAP. Methods    This was a retrospective study performed in Guangdong General Hospital and 181 children (121 males, 60 females, mean age of 11.2±10.4 months) undergoing surgical correction for TOF were included. ALL the children who received mechanical ventilation for 48 hours or longer between January 2013 and December 2017 were classified into a VAP group (n=44) and a non-VAP group (n=137). T test, χ2 test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to identify the possible risk factors for VAP. Results    This study enrolled 181 patients , of which 44 were diagnosed as VAP. And the incidence of VAP was 24.3%. The most frequent isolated pathogen was Gram-negative bacteria (69.7%). Single factor analysis showed that the variables significantly associated with a risk factor of VAP were: hypoxic spells, preoperative pneumonia, preoperative mechanical ventilation support, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, reintubation, pulmonary atelectasis, low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS), intra-abdominal drainage and transfusion of fresh frozen plasma. The multiple logistic regression showed CPB time (OR=1.011), reintubation (OR=14.548), pulmonary atelectasis (OR=6.139) and LCOS (OR=3.054) were independent risk factors for VAP in children after TOF surgical correction. Patients with VAP had prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation, a longer ICU stay and longer hospitalization time. Conclusions    The VAP rate in this population is higher than that reported abroad, which   leads to prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation and a longer hospital stay. The effective measures for prevention of VAP should be taken according to the related risk factors for VAP to decrease the incidence of VAP in children after TOF surgical correction.

Objective To identify the risk factors of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in infants after surgical correction for tetralogy of Fallot (TOF).Methods This study performed at Guangdong general hospital in China,130 infants (less than 12 months,mechanical ventilation time≥48 h) undergoing surgical correction for TOF were included between January 2013 and December 2017.Ventilator-associated pneumonia was defined according to the CDC/NHSN definitions guidelines issued in 2008.T test or Wilcoxon rank sum test was used in univariate analysis,and the variables with P ＜ 0.05 in the univariate analysis were added to a multiple logistic regression to identify the risk factors of VAP in infants after surgical correction for Tetralogy of Fallot.The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated as a measure of accuracy.Results A total of 130 infants were included,however,VAP was found in 34 (26.2％) infants.The single variables significantly associated with a risk of VAP were:pre-operative hypoxic,pre-operative pneumonia,pre-operative mechanical ventilation support,prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time,reintubation,pulmonary atelectasis,pleural effusion hydrothorax,prolonged mechanical ventilation support time,low cardiac output and transfusion of erythrocyte concentrate or fresh frozen plasma.Multiple logistic regression analysis showed prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time (OR =1.02),reintubation (OR =16.111),pulmonary atelectasis (OR =8.133),low cardiac output (OR =7.649) and prolonged mechanical ventilation support time (OR =1.014) were independent risk factors for VAP in infants after TOF surgical correction.The area under the curve demonstrates the accuracy of the model.Conclusion The occurrence rate of VAP was high and risk factors for VAP after TOF surgical correction were complex.These results can be used to prevent and reduce the occurrence of VAP.

Objective To investigate the application of delayed sternal closure (DSC) following arterial switch operation for neonates with transposition of great arteries (D-TGA). Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 172 neonates underwent arterial switch operation with transposition of great arteries (D-TGA) between June 1st 2009 and December 31st 2015. These neonates were divided into 2 groups including a DSC group (118 patients with 99 males and 19 females) and a non-DSC group (54 patients with 47 males and 7 females). The outcome of the two groups were compared. Results Preoperative mechanical ventilation(P<0.001), emergency surgery (P=0.023) and extracorporeal circulation time (P<0.001) were the risk factors for delayed sternal closure. The incidence of complications of median sternotomy incision in the DSC group was not higher than that in the non-DSC group. The mortality rate in the DSC group was markedly higher than that in the non-DSC group (P<0.001). However, DSC was not a risk factor for the death of the neonates. Conclusion Delayed sternal closure does not increase the incidence of complications of the median sternotomy incision, nor is it a risk factor for the death of the neonates. Reasonable application of delayed sternal closure is helpful for early postoperative recovery of the neonates.

Objective    To explore the feasibility of ultrasound diagnosis of diaphragmatic paralysis in patients with ventilation after congenital heart disease surgery. Methods    There were 542 patients with congenital heart disease after surgery, difficult to be weaned off the ventilator or suspected diaphragmatic paralysis of the patients, respectively, in the ventilator continous positive pressure breathing (CPAP) mode and completely independent breathing state, whose ultrasound examination of diaphragm function was conducted to determine the presence of diaphragmatic paralysis in our hospital between January 1, 2013 and April 30, 2016. There were 327 males and 215 females at age of 14±32 months. The results of ultrasound diagnosis between ventilator CPAP mode and completely spontaneous breathing mode were compared. Results    Five hundred and forty-two patients underwent ultrasound diaphragmatic examination. The results of bedside ultrasound were completely diagnosed: in completely spontaneous breathing, 82 patients who were diagnosed as diaphragmatic paralysis, including 39 on the right, 25 on the left, 18 on both sides; in CPAP mode, 82 patients who were diagnosed as diaphragmatic paralysis, 38 on the right, left 25, bilateral 19. Using ultrasound in CPAP mode to diagnose diaphragmatic paralysis after congenital heart disease surgery, compared with the completely spontaneous breathing state, the sensitivity was 100.0% and the specificity was 99.9%. Conclusion    It is accurate and feasible to diagnose the presence of diaphragmatic paralysis in patients with ventilation after congenital heart disease surgery.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related death in the world, and only 20% of HCC patients can undergo radical treatment.Radiofrequency ablation induces coagulative necrosis of cells via thermal energy, kills tumor cells, and makes it possible to cure HCC.Many clinical studies have confirmed that radiofrequency ablation provides good local control and has high safety, and therefore, it can be used to replace radical surgery.This article reviews the indications and therapeutic effect of radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of HCC, as well as its comparison with radical surgical resection and transarterial chemoembolization in terms of their therapeutic effects.It is pointed out that the treatment regimen should be selected based on the patient′s individualized conditions.