Objective    To analyze factors affecting the recovery of postoperative left ventricular function in patients with valvular disease combined with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction [HFrEF, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)<40%]. Methods    The clinical data of 98 patients with valvular disease combined with HFrEF who underwent surgeries in our hospital from January 2011 to June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, including 75 males and 23 females aged 9-78 (55.3±11.9) years. Results    A total of 15 patients were dead after the operation, including 4 deaths within 3 months and 11 mid-long-term deaths after the operation. Ninety-one patients were followed up for more than 6 months (10 months to 8.6 years). The postoperative cardiac function (NYHA) of 91 patients was classⅠ-Ⅱ, the LVEF of 18 (19.8%) patients increased more than 10%, that of 47 (51.6%) patients maintained at the preoperative level, and that of 26 (28.6%) patients decreased. Postoperative LVEF was more prone to recover in HFrEF patients with sinus rhythm before operation (P=0.038), valvular disease mainly in aortic valve (P=0.026), obvious reduction of left ventricular end diastolic diameter in early postoperative period (P=0.017), and higher systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) before operation (P=0.018). The risk factors for postoperative LVEF deterioration included large left atrium before operation (P=0.014), smaller left ventricle end systolic diameter before operation (P=0.003), and fast heart rate after operation (P=0.019). Conclusion    Mitral valve prolapse patients with obviously increased left ventricular diameter should receive operation as soon as possible. HFrEF patients with aortic valve disease should receive operation positively. The operation efficacy is satisfactory in the HFrEF patients with high SPAP.

Objective To evaluate the effect of left atrial enlargement on atrial myocardial fibrosis degree and levels of the angiotensinⅡ (AngⅡ)/Rac GTPase activating protein 1 (Rac1)/signal transducersand activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathways expressing in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Methods From March to December 2011, 30 patients with RHD who underwent prosthetic valve replacement in our hospital were enrolled, including 16 males and 14 females, aged 42-70 (56.9±6.8) years. Twenty RHD patients with persistent atrial fibrillation as a research group and ten RHD patients with sinus rhythm as a control group (group A) underwent transthoracic echocardiography and right atrial appendage (RAA) tissue samples were obtained from these patients during mitral/aortic valve replacement operation. The research group according to left atrial diameter (LAD) was divided into two groups, ten patients in each group: a group B with LAD of 50–65 mm and a group C with LAD of LAD>65 mm. For each sample, histological examination was performed by hematoxylin-eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining. Light-microscopic pictures of atrial tissues samples were stained and tissue fibrosis degree in each group was analyzed. AngⅡ concentration was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Rac1 and STAT3 were measured by western blotting. Results LAD was significantly greater in AF patients with RHD than in the control group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining demonstrated highly organized arrangement of atrial muscles in the control group and significant derangement in both group B and group C with reduced cell density and increased cell size. Moreover, Masson’s trichrome staining showed that atrial myocytes were surrounded by large trunks of collagen fibers in both group B and group C, but not in the group A. There was a positive correlation between atrial tissue fibrosis and LAD. AngⅡ content was positively correlated with LAD. Similarly, Rac1 and STAT3 protein levels were found considerably higher in the group C and group B than in the group A with excellent correlation to LAD. Conclusion In patients with RHD complicated with persistent atrial fibrillation, the degree of atrial fibrosis and the expression level of AngⅡ/Rac1/STAT3 signaling pathways significantly increase with the left atrialenlargement.

BACKGROUND:Incidence of degenerative mitral regurgitation show a gradual increase tendency,but there is no report on degenerative mitral regurgitation due to pure mitral valve ring expansion in China.OBJECTIVE:To summarze the early and midterm outcomes of pure mitral valve annuloplasty in the treatment of degenerative mitral regurgitation due to pure mitral valve ring expansion. METHODS :Forty-eight patients with degenerative mitrlal regurgitation due to pure mitral valve ring expansion underwent pure mitral valve annuloplasty, including 23 cases treated with Carpentier-Edwards Physio ring and 23 with SJMTM rigid saddle ring.Affter discharge,echocardiography was used to evaluate heart function and mitral regurgitation degree during the follow-up.The outcomes were compared between the two groups. RWSULTS AND CONCLUSION:There was no early death after operation and all cases were cured and discharged.All patients were followed up for 3 months to 4years,and the cardiac function and mitral valve regurgitation were significantly improved (no mitral regurgitation in 36 cases,trivial regurgitation in 10 cases and mild mitral regurgitation in 2cases).According to NYHA grading,there were 32 cases of level 1 and 16 ceses of level Ⅱ. The echocardiography showed that postoperative left atrium diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, pulmonary artery systolic pressure and the ratio of regurgitation beam area to left atrial area were significantly lower than those before operation (P < 0.01). The left ventricular ejection fraction increased greatly (P < 0.01). There was no ring rupture, ring avulsion and hemolysis. Postoperative transvalvular pressure was less than 3 mm Hg. However, there were no significant differences in the above-mentioned parameters between the Carpentier-Edwards Physio ring and SJMTM rigid saddle ring groups. The results suggest that the pure mitral valve annuloplasty is excelent in the treatment of degenerative mitral regurgitation due to pure mitral valve ring expansion, through the right surgical techniques and the right choice of artificial valve ring.

Objective Atrial structure remodeling is the important pathologic basis of generate and development in chronic atrial fibrillation(AF) of valvular heart disease.To analyze the changed feature of AF in rheumatic mitral valve stenosis (MS) and mitral valve prolapse(MVP) after mitral valve surgery,along with fundamental change of hemodynamics in left atrial.Methods Firstly,divided into sinus rhythm (SR) group and AF group according to cardiac rhythm postoperative 6 months,and then divided into MS and MVP two subgroups with age matched,namely rheumatic sinus rhythm group (RS group),MVP sinus rhythm group(PS group),rheumatic AF group(RAF group) and MVP AF group(PAF group),30 patients in each group.Independent sample t test andx2 test were used in comparison among groups,and matched t test in preoperative and postoperative comparison of each group.Results There are 15 (50％) AF patients before surgery and 10 (33.3％) AF patients postoperative 1 month in RS group.But cardiac rhythm of MVP patients has no significant change.Left atrial diameter(LAD) in AF group was larger than in SR group significantly preoperative and postoperative 1 month and 6 months(P ＜ 0.05),and LAD have no significant difference between RAF and PAF group,P ＞ 0.05 ; LAD in RS group preoperative and postoperative 1 month was larger than in PS group(P =0.008 and 0.018,respectively),but there is no significant difference between RS and PS groups postoperative 6 months(P =0.558).Systolic peak velocity(Smm) at valve ring with PWTDI were(6.0 ± 1.4) cm/s,(6.7 ± 1.8) cm/s and (6.2 ± 1.6) cm/s preoperative and postoperative 1 month and 6 months,lower than normal range obviously; Smm before surgery in PAF group was(9.3 ± 3.7)cm/s,but reduced obviously after surgery 1 month and 6 months and near the level of rheumatic patients.Conclusion Generate and development mechanism of AF in MS and MVP patients exist some extent difference,the rhythm of partial MS patients with chronic AF will turn to and maintain sinus rhythm along with LAD decreased,there is no this characteristic in MVP patients.

Objective Investigate the Protective effect of paeoniflorin in rats with acute liver injury. Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, paeoniflorin in small, middle and high dose group (20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, 80 mg/kg), paeony glycoside group (50 mg/kg). Except normal group, the rest of groups were irradiated fractionally by VARIN 21-EX linear accelerator at right liver, The paeoniflorin group and paeony glycoside group were lavaged everyday after irradiation for corresponding drugs and doses. Normal group and model group give equal volume normal saline everyday. All rats were killed on 2nd and 4th weekend. Measure rats serum AST, ALT, hepatic tissue GSH, SOD, and HE staining score. Results The rats in model group liver tissue HE staining scores increased to(2.25±0.53)on 2nd weekend, The serum levels of AST, ALT increased to(112.83±19.20)U/L, (80±21.97)U/L, it significantly increased Compared with the normal group(63.06±7.15)U/L, (42.30±4.45)U/L, P<0.01. The liver GSH contents of paeoniflorin in each dosage groups rats were(60.89±8.43)U/mg, (67.84±9.05)U/mg, (71.92±8.11)U/mg on 2 nd weekend, Compared with the model group(37.32±11.25)U/mg, (90.54±12.12)U/mg, P<0.05或<0.01. Conclusions The irradiated rats go into acute liver injury on 2nd weekend, paeoniflorin has protective effect on acute liver injury in rats.

ObjectiveTo study the pulmonary arterial development over five years in patients underwent extracardiac total cavopulmonary connection (ETCPC).Methods43 survived patients,who had undergone ETCPC were examined with pulmonary perfusion at one month and five year following the operation.Central venous pressure (CVP) and arterial oxygenation saturation (SatO2 ％ ) were measured by right cardiac catheter,pulmonary arterial index (PAI) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were calculated.Pulmonary blood distribution were measured and calculated by 99m Tc-MAA perfusion imaging.ResultsThe PAI and PVR of the follow-up group reduced significantly ( t =2.41,P ＜ 0.05 ; t =2.08,P ＜ 0.05 ),CVP also reduced significantly ( t =2.69,P ＜ 0.05 ),but SatO2 ％ did not changed significantly.Total radionuclide counts and the ratio of rightorleft pulmonary perfusion did not change significantly.( t =0.38,P ＞ 0.05 ;t =1.12,P ＞ 0.05 ),but the ratio of the superior and inferior lobe decreased significantly( t =2.54,P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionThe weak pulsation and low dynamic of Fontan circulation also can promote pulmonary vascular development.However,the improvement of hemodynamic in pulmonary circulation at mid-term follow will not lead to an increased amount of pulmonary perfusion or oxygen supply,which is probably due to the massive opening of the arteriovenous shunt and increased futile circulation.

Objective To assess the results of the Fontan procedure in patients with visceroatrial heterotaxy syndrome and complex cardiac anomalies.Methods From April 2002 through December 2010,25 patients (male 10,female 15) had undergone the Fontan procedure for heterotaxy syndrome or atrial isomerism and complex congenital heart disease 28 times.Median age at operation was (9.1 ± 5.5) years (2 to 18 years).Heterotaxy syndrome were associated with right atrial isomerism (n =18) or left atrial isomerism (n =7),asplenia (n =13) or polysplenia (n =7),double inlet of left ventricle (n =15),double inlet and outlet of left ventricle (n =5),double outlet right ventricle with pulmonary atresia (n =2) and with pulmonary stenosis (n =1),tricuspid or mitral atresia (n =2).A bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt was performed in 8 patients (bilateral in 3 patients).A cavopulmonary shunt placement,so-called Kawashima operation,was performed in 4 patients.An extracardiac conduit Fontan connection was pefformed in 15 patients and intracardiac lateral tunnel Fontan connection in one patient.Results 2 patients died in hospital caused by ventricular failure.Five patients developed early postoperative atrial arrhythmias and 2 patients had sinus node dysfunction.Mean arterial oxygen saturation at discharge was 0.86 ± 0.07 (range,0.78 to 1.00).Follow-up (range,0.5 to 7 years) was available on 15 patients.Mean arterial oxygen saturation was 0.82 ±0.08 (range,0.68 to 0.97).Ventricular function was normal in 13 patients (EF range,0.50 to 0.66) and depressed in 2 patients.Four patients had a junctional rhythm.Conclusion The Fontan procedure was still the main procedure for patients with visceroatrial heterotaxy syndrome and complex cardiac anomalies,which can reach satisfactory early and medium-term results.The choice of Fontan procedure,extracardiac conduit Fontan connection,aggressive treatment of concomitant malformations were essential to improve the outcomes.

Objective To summarize the clinical features and treatment experience of subpulmonic ventricular septal defect (SPVSD). Method The clinical data of 241 cases of SPVSD were analyzed retrospectively. Results Two hundred and fifteen cases were confirmed by echocardiography before operation, while other 26 cases were misdiagnosed (10.79%, 26/241), 42 cases with aortic valve prolapsed,ECG showed left ventricular hypertrophy. All patients underwent surgical repair of VSD. Other procedures had been done in the same stage including aortic valve replacement (AVR) in 8 cases, aortic valvuloplasty (AVP) in 6 cases and other operations. The size of VSD was larger than the value echocardiography measured before operation. There were no perioperative death and no complete atrioventricular block. Two hundred and thirty cases (95.44%, 230/241) were followed up for 3 months to 5 years. The cardiac function (NYHA) in 189 cases were grade Ⅰ and 41 cases were grade Ⅱ. There was no residual shunt of VSD. Among patients who underwent AVP or AVR, 1 case developed mild insufficiency, others developed well. Others underwent another operations all developed well. Conclusion To achieve satisfactory results, it should enhance the overall understanding of SPVSD, improve the diagnostic accuracy of SPVSD, take positive surgical repair of VSD and reasonable treatment with aortic valve disease, and other malformation or disease.

BACKGROUND; As the bridge vessel, radial artery is easy to occur spasm and injury of endometrium, and the abnormal proliferation of endometrium, re-vasospasm, etc. appear at early period postoperatively, which can affect the operative outcomes.OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of nitroglycenn (NTG), verapamil (VP), paraverine (PA), and the mixture of NTG and VP on relaxing spasm of radial artery in human being.DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial.SETTING: Department of Cardiosurgery, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command of Chinese PLA.PARTICIPANTS: Thirty patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with autologous radial artery, were selected from the Department of Cardiosurgery, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command of Chinese PLA from September to November in 2006, including 18 males and 12 females, 48-74 years of age. Informed consents were obtained from all the patients or their relatives preoperatively.METHODS:① The samples of human radial artery in CABG were collected, and totally 95 vascular rings were used in this study. The rings were divided into five groups: NTG group, VP group, PA group, VP+NTG group and control group.There two parts of the experiment, vasospasm relaxation test and vasospasm prevention test. The vascular rings in the control group were only immersed in the Krebs- Ringer solution without any drug. ② Drugs: NTG was purchased from Solo Pak Laboratories (Franklin Park, IL), PA from Eli Lilly & Co., (Indianapolis, IN), VP and others from Sigma (St.Louis, MO). ③ Thirty vascular rings were used in the vasospasm relaxation test, and the method of bath chamber was applied. Deoxyepinephrine (terminal concentration of 1 ×10-3 mol/L) was added to stimulate the contraction and spasm of the vascular rings, then four vasodilatators were added, the concentrations of VP and NTG were 30 μmol/L, and that of PA was 0.1%. Relaxation rate=(resting tension after stimulation-initial resting tension)/initial resting tension× 100%. ④ The other 60 vascular rings were used in the vasospasm prevention test. Firstly, the rings were immersed in the four solutions of vasodilatators of corresponding concentrations and Krebs- Ringer solution respectively for 30 minutes. After pretreatment, the vascular rings were randomly divided intc normothermia group (n =30) and cryopreservation group (n =30). In the cryopreservation group, the vascular rings were put into the Krebs-Ringer buffer solution at 4 ℃, and kept in refrigerator at 4 ℃ for 24 hours. The spasms of radial artery were observed.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes of resting tension (degree of contraction and relaxation rate of dilatation) of vascular rings before and after administration.RESULTS: ① Effect on the dilatation of spastic radial artery: The radial artery was completely within 11 minutes in all the VP+NTG group, VP group, NTG group and PA group. But in the first 3 minutes, the dilating effects of VP+NTG and NTG were obviously better than the other two groups. The dilatation curves showed that the dilating ability in order was VP+NTG ＞ NTG ＞ VP ＞ PA. ② Effect of pretreatment of radial artery on antispasm: In the normothermia group, the contractility of the vascular ring produced by 1 ×10-3 mol/L deoxyepinephrine was close between the VP+NTG group and VP group [(0.47±0.06), (0.49±0.08) g, P ＞ 0.05], which were obviously different from those in the NTG group and PA group [(0.81±0.22), (0.87±0.26) g, P ＜ 0.05]. After cryopreservation for 24 hours, the contractility in the VP+NTG group was not obviously different from that in the VP group [(0.86±0.11), (0.90±0.13) g, P ＞ 0.05], and obviously lower than those in the NTG group, PA group and control group [(4.82±0.87), (5.00±0.53), (5.10±0.67) g, P ＜ 0.01], whereas those in the NTG group and PA group were close to that in the control group (P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: The drugs can prevent and relax the spasm of radial artery to different extents, whereas considering from preventing spasm and the time-effect of treatment, the mixture of VP and NTG seems to be more proper as the preparation solution for the treatment of radial artery in CABG.