Objective To elucidate the influence of two procedures aortic root remodeling using a straight tubular artificial vessel while preserving the aortic valve and the Florida sleeve procedure on the biomechanics of the aortic root.Methods Five finite element models of the aortic root were reconstructed using computed tomography angiography images,including two cases of aortic root remodeling(A1 and A2),two cases of the Florida sleeve procedure(B1 and B2),and one control group without aortic root pathology(C).Numerical simulations were performed to obtain the blood flow and pressure distribution result to assess the differences in the hemodynamics of the aortic root.Results There were no significant differences in the peak systolic velocity between the two procedures and the control.However,the flow velocity after aortic root remodeling was smoother,similar to the model of the control group,with a more stable average aortic pressure and wall shear stress.In the Florida sleeve procedure,high-speed blood flow affected the vessel wall,leading to various degrees of wall shear stress and pressure concentrations along the aortic wall.Conclusions After aortic root replacement with valve preservation,blood flow patterns in the reconstructed aortic root depended on postoperative changes in sinus geometry.Both surgical procedures showed favorable blood flow patterns;however,the flow pattern after aortic root remodeling was more stable than that after the Florida sleeve procedure.

Objective:A residual false lumen progress risk prediction model was constructed based on computational fluid dynamics and biomechanical parameters were calculated to assess the factors affecting the long-term reintervention after the first operation.Methods:Patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection admitted to Fuwai hospital were retrospectively collected and divided into control group and thoracoabdominal aortic replacement group according to long-term prognosis or history of reintervention. The fluid parameters of the descending aorta were calculated based on the early CTA imaging data after first operation. The differences of parameters between the two groups were compared to explore the risk factors.Results:A total of 24 patients were included from January 2015 to May 2021. The average age was(47.88±9.84) years old, 21(87.5%) male, and 3 female. The balance position of luminal pressure difference in the descending aorta was closer to the opening of the left subclavicular artery[(22.00±3.91)cm vs.(36.00±1.77)cm, P<0.001], and the false lumen pressure was greater than the true lumen pressure in the thoracoabdominal aortic replacement group. Conclusion:The computational fluid dynamics method can simplify and visualize the complex human blood flow and postoperative structure based on the mathematical model. The lumen pressure balance point moving to the proximal are the risk factors for poor remodeling of the descending aorta and reintervention.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of adventitial inversion technique for root repair in patients with acute type A aortic dissection(ATAAD).Methods:Between 2015 and 2018, ATAAD patients with dissected root and underwent open surgery were included. The exclusion criteria were as follows: previous root intervention, traumatic dissection and patient underwent root replacement(Bentall or David procedure). 490 ATAAD patients were included, 366(74.69%) male and 124(25.31%) female, aged(51.28±10.99) years(range 24-77 years). The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed with ANOVA/ nonparametric test and Chi- square test. Follow-up mortality and reoperation were displayed with Kaplan- Meier curve. Results:All patients were technically divided into three groups: adventitial inversion(A), direct suture(B) and Cabrol-shunt(C). The mean age in group A was(53.05±11.09) years, whereas worse cardiac and renal function occurred in group C. The mean duration of HCA, CPB and ACC were shortest, with a highest average of minimum rectal temperature during surgical interval in group A. Postoperative complications and early mortality were similar among groups. There were no significant differences of mid-term mortality and reoperation among these three techniques. Though no late reintervention for aortic root was found in both group A and B, the root diameter was more stable in group A during follow-up period[(33.14±3.74)mm vs.(34.51±3.83)mm vs.(33.89±3.89)mm, P=0.008]. Conclusion:Adventitial inversion technique is safe and effective for root repair in patients with ATAAD, achieving satisfactory short- and mid-term effects.

A 44-year-old pregnant woman (G5P3) who had delivered two children with DMD was admitted and underwent prenatal diagnosis at Peking Union Medical College Hospital in 2019. (1) The karyotype of the fetus in 2019 was 47,XXY. The fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) result showed a nucish(CSPX×2, CSPY×1)[100] and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) suggested sex chromosome abnormality. Based on the above results, the fetus was diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome. Fetal short tandem repeat (STR) linkage analysis and Sanger sequencing indicated a heterozygous mutation of c.9543delG(p.Trp3181CysfsTer2). (2) Sanger sequencing of the proband found a novel frameshift mutation of c.9543delG(p.Trp3181CysfsTer2 ) in exon 65 of the DMD gene. (3) The male fetus performing prenatal diagnosis in 2008 was found to have the same maternal gene markers as the proband with the same genotype. While the genotype of the fetus in 2009 obtained a different maternal gene marker from the proband and did not detect the same DMD gene mutation. This fetus was delivered at full term and was good during follow-up. (4) The elder brother and cousin of the proband had the same frameshift mutation in exon 65 of the DMD gene as the proband. The mother of the proband was a heterozygous carrier of the mutation.

Objective    To assess outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for pure native aortic valve regurgitation. Methods    A total of 129 patients underwent transfemoral TAVR in Fuwai Hospital from May 2019 to October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 83 males and 46 females with an average age of 72.26±8.97 years. The patients were divided into a pure native aortic valve regurgitation group (17 patients) and an aortic valve stenosis group (112 patients). Results    The incidence of valve in valve was higher in the pure native aortic valve regurgitation group (47.0% vs. 16.1%, P<0.01). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in conversion to surgery, intraoperative use of extracorporeal circulation, intraoperative left ventricular rupture, postoperative use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), peripheral vascular complications, disabled stroke, death, or pacemaker implantation. There was no statistical difference in the diameter of annulus (25.75±2.21 mm vs. 24.70±2.90 mm, P=0.068) or diameter of outflow tract (25.82±3.75 mm vs. 25.37±3.92 mm, P=0.514) between the pure native aortic valve regurgitation group and the aortic valve stenosis group. Conclusion    Transfemoral TAVR is a feasible method for patients with pure native aortic valve regurgitation. The diameter of annulus plane, the diameter of outflow tract and the shape of outflow tract should be evaluated.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of applying peroneal artery perforator flap with super-draining techniques in repairing skin defects of extremities.Methods:The data of patients with limb wounds admitted to the 990th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the People’s Liberation Army from March 2014 to August 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. All were repaired with peroneal artery perforator flaps with super-draining techniques.Cutaneous nerves and perforating vessels were anastomosed according to the routine ratio of 1∶2.The superficial vein and the recipient veinwere matched and marked according to the relative position the diameter and length.Then one to three superficial veins were anastomosed in sequence according to the vein mark number.Upper limb wounds were evaluated by the trial standard of upper limb function evaluation of the Hand Surgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Association.Patients with lower limb wounds were evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery Association Ankle-Hindfoot Score System.All patients were evaluated according to the sensory function evaluation standard of the British Medical Research Association.Results:A total of 67 cases were included in this cohort. There were 54 males and 13 females, aged from 21 to 65 years, with an average of 44 years.Eight cases were anastomosed with three superficial veins, 38 cases were anastomosed with two flaps, and 21 cases were anastomosed with one flap.The donor sites were closed directly in 56 cases.Eleven cases received full-thickness skin grafting to cover the donor site.One case showed necrosis of the half flap for the arterial crisis. The wound was repaired by full-thickness skin grafting in further treatment. Three cases had hemorrhage under the free flap, which was healed secondarily after debridement. The remaining were healed well.All patients were followed for 6 to 44 months. There was no obvious swelling and blisters in the early postoperative period.The texture of the flap was the same as the surrounding area.In the later stage, the atrophy and scar were not obvious, without pigmentation. The sensation recovered quickly. The donor site healed without dysfunction.Sixteen patients with upper limb wounds were evaluated by the trial standard of upper limb function evaluation of the Chinese Medical Association Hand Surgery Branch. Twelve cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, and one case was fair. Fifty-one cases of lower limb wounds were evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery Association Ankle-Hind Foot Score System. Thirty-eight cases were excellent, 11 cases were good, and two cases were fair. All patients were evaluated according to the sensory function evaluation standard of the British Medical Research Association. The two-point distance discrimination was 8-10 mm, with an average of 9.1 mm. The sensory function of the flaps reached S3+ in 48 cases and S3 in 19 cases.Conclusions:Application of super-draining technique in peroneal artery perforator flap surgery can effectively prevent blood congestion and reduce the necrosis risk of the free flap and complication rate. It can improve the survival quality of the flap and facilitate the recovery of the function of the receiving area.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of applying peroneal artery perforator flap with super-draining techniques in repairing skin defects of extremities.Methods:The data of patients with limb wounds admitted to the 990th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the People’s Liberation Army from March 2014 to August 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. All were repaired with peroneal artery perforator flaps with super-draining techniques.Cutaneous nerves and perforating vessels were anastomosed according to the routine ratio of 1∶2.The superficial vein and the recipient veinwere matched and marked according to the relative position the diameter and length.Then one to three superficial veins were anastomosed in sequence according to the vein mark number.Upper limb wounds were evaluated by the trial standard of upper limb function evaluation of the Hand Surgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Association.Patients with lower limb wounds were evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery Association Ankle-Hindfoot Score System.All patients were evaluated according to the sensory function evaluation standard of the British Medical Research Association.Results:A total of 67 cases were included in this cohort. There were 54 males and 13 females, aged from 21 to 65 years, with an average of 44 years.Eight cases were anastomosed with three superficial veins, 38 cases were anastomosed with two flaps, and 21 cases were anastomosed with one flap.The donor sites were closed directly in 56 cases.Eleven cases received full-thickness skin grafting to cover the donor site.One case showed necrosis of the half flap for the arterial crisis. The wound was repaired by full-thickness skin grafting in further treatment. Three cases had hemorrhage under the free flap, which was healed secondarily after debridement. The remaining were healed well.All patients were followed for 6 to 44 months. There was no obvious swelling and blisters in the early postoperative period.The texture of the flap was the same as the surrounding area.In the later stage, the atrophy and scar were not obvious, without pigmentation. The sensation recovered quickly. The donor site healed without dysfunction.Sixteen patients with upper limb wounds were evaluated by the trial standard of upper limb function evaluation of the Chinese Medical Association Hand Surgery Branch. Twelve cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, and one case was fair. Fifty-one cases of lower limb wounds were evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery Association Ankle-Hind Foot Score System. Thirty-eight cases were excellent, 11 cases were good, and two cases were fair. All patients were evaluated according to the sensory function evaluation standard of the British Medical Research Association. The two-point distance discrimination was 8-10 mm, with an average of 9.1 mm. The sensory function of the flaps reached S3+ in 48 cases and S3 in 19 cases.Conclusions:Application of super-draining technique in peroneal artery perforator flap surgery can effectively prevent blood congestion and reduce the necrosis risk of the free flap and complication rate. It can improve the survival quality of the flap and facilitate the recovery of the function of the receiving area.

Objective    To discuss the efficacy of type Ⅱ hybrid aortic arch repair for type A aortic dissection in patients of different age groups. Methods    We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 126 patients with type A aortic dissection admitted to the Fuwai Hospital between January 2016 and December 2018, including 78 (61.9%) males and 48 (38.1%) females, with an average age of 61.8±6.9 years. The patients were divided into an elderly group (≥60 years, n=82) and a non-elderly group (<60 years, n=44). The preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data of patients in the two groups were compared. Results    The age between the elderly and non-elderly group was significantly different (65.9±4.1 years vs. 54.3±4.1 years, P<0.010), and no significant difference was found between the two groups in other preoperative baseline data. There were 6 (4.8%) patients of early death, 3 (2.4%) patients of stroke and 2 (1.6%) patients of paralysis. A total of 194 stents were implanted, and the average dimeter of the stents was 33.6±1.8 mm and the average length was 199.0±6.7 mm. The non-elderly group had shorter mechanical ventilation time (31.9±41.7 h vs. 61.0±89.2 h, P=0.043) and ICU stay time (77.8±51.4 h vs. 143.1±114.4 h, P<0.001) than the elderly group. There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality rate, reoperation rate or survival rate between the two groups (P>0.05). Follow-up time was 1-43 (22.6±10.8) months, and 3 patients were lost. There were 104 (82.5%) patients of complete thrombus formation of false lumen in stent and endoleak was reported in 11 (9.2%) patients. Conclusion    Type Ⅱ hybrid aortic arch repair offers an alternative approach to acute type A aortic dissection with acceptable early and mid-term clinical effects. The non-elderly patients have a similar early treatment effect to the elderly patients, but have a better mid-term outcome.

Aortic dissection is a catastrophic emergency with a high mortality rate, and its full pathogenesis remains unknown to researchers, which brings a heavy burden to the individuals, society and family because of its poor prognosis. Improving the efficiency of its diagnosis and treatment and defining the pathogenic mechanism clearly is a research hotspot. Recently, utilizing bioinformatics to find diagnostic biomarker of aortic dissection has attracted the attention of many researchers. Besides, exploring the relationship between pathogenic mechanism and inflammatory process, extracellular matrix degradation, elastic fiber fracture and the phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells is also a hot topic. We summarize recent progress made in the pathogenesis of aortic dissection. We hope to identify key molecules driving aortic dissection and provide reliable reference for the diagnosis, medical treatment and prevention of aortic dissection.

Aortic graft infections(AGI) are uncommon complications of aortic surgery, although they carry a high mortality. Due to its special anatomical location, the thoracic aorta has less surrounding covered tissue. Once the graft infection occurs, the condition is often more dangerous. Therefore, the treatment of AGI of thoracic aorta is particularly important. This article reviews the surgical treatment of thoracic aorta graft infections.