Objective To assess mid- and long-term outcomes of ascending aortic wrapping (AAW) in adult patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of adult patients who underwent AVR and AAW in Fuwai Hospital from January 2010 to August 2019. Ascending aorta diameter (AAD) was measured by echocardiography or CT scan preoperatively and postoperatively. Results A total of 33 patients were enrolled, including 23 males and 10 females aged 22-73 (51.06±12.61) years. There was no perioperative death. The mean preoperative, postoperative and follow-up AAD of the patients were (46.06±3.54) mm, (34.55±5.17) mm, and (37.12±5.64) mm, respectively. The differences in the AAD between pre-operation and post-operation, and between pre-operation and the last follow-up were both statistically significant (P<0.05). The median follow-up time was 38.20 (18.80-140.30) months. The median increase rate of diameter was 0.63 (−0.11, 1.36) mm per year after the surgery. The increase rate was >5 mm per year in 1 patient, and >3 mm in another one. Conclusion The mid- and long-term outcomes of AAW in adult patients undergoing AVR are satisfactory and encouraging.

Objective    To investigate the effect of simvastatin and mechanical pretreatment on intimal hyperplasia of venous graft and its mechanism. Methods    Twelve New Zealand rabbits were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups: a blank control group, a simvastatin topical treatment group, a mechanical precondition group and a combined group (n=3 in each group). Ultrasound was used to evaluate the changes of graft wall and blood flow velocity in the graft, and pathological section was used to evaluate the intimal hyperplasia. Human umbilical cord endodermal cells were cultured in vitro. A simvastatin group and a solvent control group were set to detect YAP phosphorylation, downstream target gene expression and cell proliferation. Results    Vascular ultrasound showed that except the simvastatin topical treatment group, the flow velocity in vein grafts in the other three groups significantly increased 21 days after surgery compared with 7 days after surgery (P<0.01). Pathological sections showed that the thickness of new intima in the simvastatin topical treatment group, mechanical precondition group, combined group and blank control group were 45.56±4.11 μm, 201.28±16.71 μm, 143.57±7.82 μm, 249.45±13.33 μm, respectively, and there were statistical differences compared with the blank control group (P<0.05). In vitro results showed that compared with the solvent control group, cell death was observed in high concentration simvastatin (5 mmol/L) group, cell proliferation was inhibited in low concentration simvastatin (2.5 mmol/L) group (P<0.05), the expression of YAP protein in the simvastatin group was unchanged, but the expression of phosphorylated YAP protein significantly increased (P<0.05), and the expression of downstream target gene ccn1 was down-regulated (P<0.001). Conclusion    Intravascular local application of simvastatin and mechanical preconditioning alone or in combination can inhibit intimal hyperplasia of venous graft. High concentration of simvastatin has cytotoxicity, while low concentration of simvastatin has inhibitory effect on cell proliferation. Simvastatin can inhibit the formation of new intima by inhibiting the entry of YAP into the nucleus and reducing the transcription of cell proliferation-related target gene ccn1.

Objective    To assess mid- and long-term outcomes and share our clinical method of reduction ascending aortoplasty (RAA) in adult patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods    We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 41 adult patients with aortic valve disease and ascending aortic dilatation before and after operation of RAA+AVR in Fuwai Hospital from January 2010 to July 2017. There were 28 male and 13 female patients aged 28-76 (53.34±12.06) years. Twenty-three patients received AVR+RAA using the sandwich technique (a sandwich technique group), while other 18 patients received AVR+ascending aorta wrap (a wrapping technique group). Ascending aorta diameter (AAD) was measured by echocardiography or CT scan preoperatively and postoperatively. Results    There was no perioperative death. The mean preoperative AAD in the sandwich technique group and the wrapping technique group (47.04±3.44 mm vs. 46.67±2.83 mm, P=0.709) was not statistically different. The mean postoperative AAD (35.87±3.81 mm vs. 35.50±5.67 mm, P=0.804), and the mean AAD at the end of follow-up (41.26±6.54 mm vs. 38.28±4.79 mm, P=0.113) were also not statistically different between the two groups. There were statistical differences in AAD before, after operation and at follow-up in each group. All 41 patients were followed up for 23-108 (57.07±28.60) months, with a median follow-up of 51.00 months. Compared with that before discharge, the AAD growth rate at the last follow-up was –1.50-6.78 mm/year, with a median growth rate of 0.70 mm/year, and only 3 patients had an annual growth rate of above 3 mm/year. Conclusion    Mid- and long-term outcomes of RAA in adult patients undergoing AVR with both methods are satisfying and encouraging.

Objective    To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of using ultrasound to evaluate the internal mammary artery (IMA) and explore the related factors affecting the quality of IMA. Methods    From July 2020 to January 2021, for patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fuwai Hospital, ultrasound was applied to measure bilateral IMA at the parasternal second intercostal space. There were 62 males and 18 females with an average age of 59.9±8.3 years. The clinical data of the patients were recorded and analyzed. Results    A total of 160 IMA were measured. The IMA was detected in 99.4% (159/160), and the one that was not measured was proved to be occluded by enhanced CT. A total of 157 (98.1%) IMA intima were smooth, 2 (1.3%) were found to have uneven intimal thickening and less smooth, and only 1 (0.6%) was occluded. The intravascular diameter, peak systolic flow rate, peak diastolic flow rate, and blood flow rate of the left second intercostal IMA were 1.9±0.3 mm, 66.8±17.7 cm/s, 6.4 (0.0, 9.7) cm/s, 19.7±9.4 mL/min; and those of the right one were 2.1±0.3 mm, 69.7±18.5 cm/s, 6.0 (0.0, 9.2) cm/s and 22.8±11.5 mL/min, respectively. IMA vessel diameter and blood flow were greater on the right than those on the left side in the same individual (P<0.01). In univariate analysis, sex and body surface area were the factors that influenced the size of the IMA vessel among different individuals, and by linear regression analysis, the size of the IMA vessel was only related to body surface area among different individuals. On univariate analysis, diabetes mellitus was the only factor affecting IMA blood flow, with a mean reduction in blood flow of 18.4% (left) and 21.7% (right) in the diabetic group (P<0.05). Conclusion    Preoperative evaluation of the IMA using ultrasound over the parasternal second intercostal space is easy, noninvasive, and has a high success rate. The internal diameter of the IMA is positively correlated with body surface area, and blood flow is significantly reduced in patients with diabetes.

Objective    To assess mid-term outcomes of reduction ascending aortoplasty (RAA) in adult patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods    We retrospecctively analyzed clinical data of 30 adult patients with aortic valve diseases and ascending aortic dilatation in Fuwai Hospital from 2010 to 2019. There were 20 males and 10 females with an age of 38-72 (55.73±9.95) years. All patients received AVR+RAA using the wedge resection technique. Ascending aorta diameter (AAD) was measured by echocardiography or CT scan preoperatively and postoperatively. Results    There was no perioperative death. The mean preoperative and postoperative AAD in all patients were 48.23±3.69 mm and 37.60±5.02 mm, respectively. And the mean AAD of follow-up was 40.53±4.65 mm. There was a statistical difference in AAD between preoperation and postoperation, postoperation and final follow-up, preoperation and final follow-up. The median follow-up time was 28.50 (12-114) months. The median rate of increase in AAD postoperatively was 0.76 mm per year. And the rate of increase was ≥3 mm per year in 5 patients, while ≥5 mm per year in 4 patients with indications for reoperation. Conclusion    Mid-term outcomes of RAA in adult patients undergoing aortic valve replacement using the wedge resection technique are satisfying and encouraging. However, some patients still need surgical re-intervention.

Objective:To explore the surgical strategy of coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG) for moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation(IMR), and to clarify the impact of mitral valve surgical intervention(MVS) on the long-term prognosis of such patients.Methods:The clinical data of 234 consecutive patients with moderate IMR who received CABG from January 2013 to December 2018 were retrospectively included, with 184 males and 50 females. The age ranged from 29 to 78 years, with a mean of(61.5 ± 8.7) years old. According to whether MVS was performed at the same time, they were divided into CABG group(108 cases, CABG alone) and CABG+ MVS group(126 cases, CABG+ MVS at the same time). The long-term cardiac events, all-cause deaths, major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular adverse events(MACCE) and other end events were followed up. A matching queue was established by propensity matching score for statistical analysis.Results:After propensity matching score, a matching queue was established, including 78 pairs of patients. Survival analysis showed that the incidence of long-term cardiac events and postoperative new onset atrial fibrillation in CABG+ MVS group was significantly higher( P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in all-cause mortality, cardiogenic mortality, and the incidence of MACCE events( P>0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that simultaneous CABG+ MVS was a risk factor for long-term cardiac events and new postoperative atrial fibrillation. The results of subgroup studies showed that for patients without tricuspid regurgitation before operation, left ventricular end diastolic diameter>55 mm, and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) ≤0.55, the probability of cardiac events after MVS at the same time of CABG was higher( P<0.05). However, patients with no tricuspid regurgitation before operation, left ventricular end diastolic diameter>55 mm, LVEF≤0.55, and left atrial diameter≥40 mm had a higher probability of atrial fibrillation after MVS at the same time of CABG( P<0.05). Conclusion:CABG can improve left ventricular remodeling in patients with moderate IMR, whether MVS intervention is performed at the same time or not, and the long-term survival rate of both is similar. CABG+ MVS in the same period can maintain a low residual reflux, but the incidence of long-term cardiac events and arrhythmias is high. The longer-term prognosis needs to be further studied. The surgical strategy of such patients should be selected individually according to the specific situation and the surgical quality in medical centers.

Objective    To observe the status of thrombocytopenia in adult patients after cardiac surgery, and to explore its mechanism and clinical significance. Methods    Retrospective analysis of 240 patients after cardiac surgery in the 2nd ward of surgical intensive care unit (ICU) of Fuwai Hospital from May to June 2020 was conducted, including 137 males and 103 females with a mean age of 56.0±12.0 years. According to postoperative platelet status, the patients were divided into a thrombocytopenia group and a non-thrombocytopenia group. The clinical baseline data, preoperative platelet count, postoperative minimum platelet count, volume of drainage, transfusion of blood products, mechanical ventilator time, ICU stay, hospital stay and complications were compared between the two groups. Results    The mean preoperative platelet count was 199×109/L±55×109/L and the mean postoperative platelet nadir was 109×109/L±37×109/L, with a mean reduction rate of 44.1%±15.8%. The platelet count of 235 (97.9%) patients after operation was lower than that before operation. Among them, 98 (40.8%) patients had platelet count<100×109/L, 46 (19.2%)<75×109/L and 8 (3.3%)<50×109/L. Results of multivariable logistic analysis showed that cardiopulmonary bypass time>120 min (OR=2.576, 95%CI 1.313-5.053, P<0.05) was an independent risk factor for postoperative thrombocytopenia. Mechanical ventilator time (25.5± 16.8 h vs. 17.3±8.5 h, P<0.05), ICU stay (85.2±54.7 h vs. 60.0±33.9 h, P<0.05) and hospital stay (15.8±6.2 d vs. 14.2±3.9 d, P<0.05) were longer in the thrombocytopenia group (<100×109/L) compared with the non-thrombocytopenia group (>100×109/L). More drainage volume [685 (510, 930) mL vs. 560 (440, 790) mL, P<0.05] and complications occurred in the thrombocytopenia group. In multivariable analysis, thrombocytopenia was significantly inversely associated with prolonged ICU stay (OR=2.993, 95%CI 1.622-5.524, P<0.05). Conclusion    Thrombocytopenia occurs commonly after adult cardiac surgery, and the incidence in different types of surgery varies. Postoperative thrombocytopenia is related to the prolonged recovery. Extracorporeal circulation may be a contributing factor to thrombocytopenia, and further studies investigating mechanism and strategies to reduce postoperative thrombocytopenia are needed.

With the prevalence of atrial fibrillation and the increasing use of intracardiac pacemakers, the incidence of isolated tricuspid regurgitation is gradually increasing. Severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation has a seriously negative effect on the survival rate and life quality of patients. As the major invasive therapy, surgery is not routinely carried out due to high perioperative mortality. This article attempts to summarize the etiology, natural course and adverse consequences of isolated tricuspid regurgitation, current treatment strategies, surgical indications and techniques, efficacy evaluation, prognostic factors and transcatheter treatment progress of isolated tricuspid regurgitation, aiming to provide references for cardiologists and further researches.

Objective: To detect the hemodynamic mechanism of the novel endovascular stent on complicated abdominal aortic aneurysms by Computational Fluid Dynamics(CFD) firstly, and then compare the effect of the novel endovascular stent and the streamliner multilayer flow modulator(SMFM) stent. Methods: All medical images were obtained by computed tomography. A semiautomatic segmentation protocol within Mimics(v17.0; Materialise, Leuven, Belgium) was used to extract the threedimensional aortic aneurysms. The stents was generated numerically and fitted along the aortic aneurysms. The lumen volume represented the fluid domain that was discretised in smaller volumes, which defined a mesh within the ICEM software(Ansys ICEM CFD v15.0). Hemodynamic analysis was performed with software Fluent 16.0. Results: Both kinds of stents can change the pattern of flow distribution. Compared with SMFM, the novel endovascular stent can significantly reduce the flow velocity in aneurysms, the shear force and the pressure on the aneurysms wall.What’s more, the flow velocity of the branch artery was accelerated by the novel endovascular stent. Conclusion The novel endovascular stent can significantly reduce the flow velocity in aneurysms, the shear force and the pressure on the aneurysms wall, and acceleratethe the flow velocity of the branch artery.

After a long-term co-evolution, alphaherpesviruses have established mutual adaptability with their hosts. Some alphaherpesviruses have typical neurotropic characteristics, which have received extensive attention and in-depth research. Neurotropic alphaherpesviruses can break through the host barrier to infect neurons and multiply in large numbers in the neuron cell body to complete further proliferation or establish latent infection in the cell body. Either in the process of infecting neurons or further spreading, alphaherpesviruses will undergo transmission along axons or dendrites, so this process is an integral part of the life cycle of the viruses, and is also a key factor for the viruses to spread in nervous system. Therefore, studies on transportation of alphaherpesviruses in neurons will provide new insights of the viruses and promote the development of corresponding vaccines or targeted therapeutic pharmaceuticals. In addition, the neurotropism of alphaherpesviruses is conducive to the analysis of nerve circuits. Herein, the mechanisms of alphaherpesvirus transport in axons were reviewed, and the research direction and application of the transport of alphaherpesviruses in axons were put forward, which can provide reference for the prevention and control of alphaherpesviral infections.
Alphaherpesvirinae ; Axons ; Neurons