Currently, as the key raw material of artificial biological heart valve, bovine pericardium is mainly depend on import and has become a "bottleneck" challenge, greatly limiting the development of domestic biological heart valve. Therefore, the localization of bovine pericardium is extremely urgent. In this study, the pericardium of Sichuan yak was compared with that of Australian cattle in terms of fundamental properties and anti-calcification performance. The results demonstrated that the appearance and thickness of yak pericardium were more advantageous than the Australian one. Sichuan yak pericardium and Australian cattle pericardium had comparable performance in shrinkage temperature, mechanical test and anti-calcification test. This study preliminarily verifies the feasibility of substitution of Australian cattle pericardium by Sichuan yak pericardium and promotes the progression of bovine pericardium localization with data support.
Animals ; Australia ; Bioprosthesis ; Cattle ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Pericardium

INTRODUCTION: Since there are limited studies about the return-to-work experiences of Filipino amputees, this study will be able to contribute to studies that delve deeper into the lower extremity amputees’ experiences and put into light the factors that may be present in relation to their return to work. METHODS: This study utilized a qualitative phenomenological design. Participants who were willing to join the study were all gathered for a focus group discussion conducted by a hired interviewer. The researchers adapted Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenological method for analyzing the data. RESULTS: Factors that allowed amputees to have a successful return to work experience were motivation to continue with life, positive impact of lower extremity prosthesis, and rehabilitation. Factors that hindered the successful return to work of amputees were social barriers, work environment, negative self-image, discrimination from the community, and ft of prosthesis. CONCLUSION Employment was possible after amputation among amputees who were provided with prosthesis at UERMMMCI, since most of the respondents of this study were employed. Positive and negative factors that infuenced their return to work were also identifed. Non-compliance to rehabilitation limited the usage of prosthesis resulting in not being able to return to work.
Bioprosthesis

Bioprosthesis ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Humans ; Prosthesis Failure ; Treatment Outcome

In the present study, the performance of the liquid nitrogen frozen and thinned bovine pericardium was studied and compared with the porcine pericardium. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the bovine pericardium were observed and tested by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and tensile test respectively. In all conditions, porcine pericardium was selected as a control group. The results showed that there was little difference in the performance of bovine pericardium after being frozen by liquid nitrogen. The secant modulus and ultimate strength of the thinned bovine pericardium were similar to those of porcine pericardium, however, the elastic modulus was a little higher than porcine pericardium. The study suggested that the performance of the thinned bovine pericardium was similar to those of porcine pericardium. It was easy for the thinned bovine pericardium to obtain a relatively ideal thickness and expected performance, therefore, the thinned bovine pericardium can be used as the materials of transcatheter aortic valve leaflets.
Animals ; Aortic Valve ; Bioprosthesis ; Cattle ; Elastic Modulus ; Freezing ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Nitrogen ; Pericardium ; physiology ; Swine

BACKGROUND: Scarce data have been reported on the efficacy of concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in patients undergoing bioprosthetic valve replacement. METHODS: From 2001 and 2014, 146 consecutive patients (69.3±9.4 years, 84 females) who underwent bioprosthetic heart valve replacement concomitant with AF ablation were assessed. We evaluated long-term rhythm and valve-related outcomes. RESULTS: During 49.1 months of follow-up (interquartile range, 22.5–96.8 months), 7 in-hospital and 49 (6.7% per person-year) post-discharge deaths occurred. The thromboembolic event-free survival rate at 5 years was 79.2%±3.5%. The freedom from AF recurrence rate at 5 years was 59.8%±4.9%. Multivariate analysis showed that old age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.11; p=0.002), previous cardiac operation (HR, 3.01; 95% CI, 1.22–7.43; p=0.02), and a large left atrial (LA) dimension (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00–1.05; p=0.045) were significantly associated with AF recurrence. CONCLUSION: The overall long-term clinical outcomes in these predominantly elderly patients undergoing AF ablation concomitantly with bioprosthetic valve replacement were satisfactory; however, AF recurrence was frequent. Older age, a history of prior cardiac surgery, and large LA size were associated with an increased risk of AF recurrence.
Aged ; Anticoagulants ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Bioprosthesis ; Disease-Free Survival ; Follow-Up Studies ; Freedom ; Heart Valves ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Recurrence ; Thoracic Surgery

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic value of the frailty index based on routine laboratory data (FI-L) in elderly patients who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). METHODS: A total of 154 elderly patients (≥ 75 years) (78.7 ± 3.6 years; men:women = 78:76) who underwent aortic valve replacement with stented bioprosthesis between 2001 and 2018 were enrolled. The FI-L was calculated as the proportion of abnormal results out of 32 items based on laboratory tests, pulse rate and blood pressure. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included operative mortality and aortic valve-related events (AVREs) during follow-up. The predictive values of FI-L for the early and late outcomes were evaluated using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models, respectively. The median follow-up duration was 40 months (interquartile, 15–74). RESULTS: The operative mortality rate was 3.9% (n = 6). Late death occurred in 29 patients. The overall survival (OS) rates at 5, 10, and 15 years were 83.3%, 59.0%, and 41.6%, respectively. The AVREs occurred in 28 patients and the freedom rates from AVREs at 5, 10, and 15 years were 79.4%, 72.7%, and 52.9%, respectively. Multivariable analyses demonstrated that FI-L was a significant factor for OS (hazard ratio, 1.075; 95% confidence interval, 1.040–1.111). A minimal P value approach showed that a FI-L of 25% was the best cutoff value to predict OS after SAVR. CONCLUSION: The FI-L is significantly associated with early and long-term outcomes after SAVR in elderly patients. Frailty rather than a patient's age should be considered in the decision-making process for SAVR in elderly patients.
Aged ; Aortic Valve Stenosis ; Aortic Valve ; Bioprosthesis ; Blood Pressure ; Follow-Up Studies ; Freedom ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Mortality ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Stents

OBJECTIVETo observe the safety and efficacy of biological patch (Biodesign Surgisis mesh, SIS) in hybrid technique for incisional herniorrhaphy.

METHODSClinical and follow-up data of 14 incisional hernia patients who underwent incisional herniorrhaphy with hybrid technique, using porcine small intestinal submucosa acellular matrix patch, at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 1, 2012 to June 31, 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. This Biodesign Surgisis patch for incisional hernia is produced by the Cook company in the United States. The size of patch ranged from 9 cm × 15 cm to 20 cm × 25 cm. During operation, according to abdominal wall defect, the patch was cut to ensure the distance from its edge to the border of abdominal wall defect more than 5 cm.

RESULTSThere were four male and tenfemale patients with average age of (67.7±11.6) years and average body mass index(BMI) of (25.5±1.7) kg/m². As for operative history of these 14 cases, 7 cases had gastrointestinal tumor surgery, 2 had appendectomy, 1 had upper abdominal white line hernia repair, 1 had hysterectomy, 1 had cholecystectomy, 1 had splenectomy plus portal vein dissection, and 1 had right kidney and right ureter total resection plus partial excision of bladder wall. Ten casesdeveloped incisional infection after previous surgery. The duration of incisional hernia ranged 1 to 180 months (median, 8 months). Two cases were refractory hernia, 1 was incarcerated hernia, and 11 were reversible hernia. The locations of incisional hernia included 4 cases of right ventral wall, 1 case of left ventral wall, 2 cases of supra-umbilical incision, 4 cases of infra-umbilical midline incision, and 3 cases of peri-umbilical midline incision. There were 3 cases of middle incisional hernia, 5 cases of large incisional hernia and 6 cases of huge incisional hernia. All the patients completed operations eventlessly. The average operative time was (202.5±72.9) minutes. The average length and width of hernia ring were (10.9±4.3) cm and (9.3±3.9) cm, respectively. Clean operation was performed in 11 cases, potential contaminative operation in 2 cases and contaminative operation in 1 case. The amount of operative bleeding was (15.0±4.8) ml. The NRS pain scores within 24 hours after the operation, at POD3 and at POD7 were 5.1±0.9, 4.2±0.7 and 3.7±0.9, respectively. The time to flatus after operation was (2.5±0.9) days and the time to liquid diet was (3.8±1.2) days. No patient died during the perioperative period. The average hospitalization time was (21.5±12.0) days. Postoperative complications occurred in 8 cases, including 4 cases of fever, 8 cases of incision complications, 4 cases of abdominal infection, 4 cases of intestinal obstruction, 5 cases of effusion under patch, 2 cases of pneumonia, and 1 case of acute myocardial infarction. According to the Clavien-Dindo classification, 3 cases were grade zero, 3 cases were grade I(, 6 cases were grade II(, 1 case was grade III(, and 1 case was grade IIII(. Thirteen patients received follow-up and the average follow-up time was (33.2±12.3) (18.2-61.0) months. One patient died of cerebral infarction 38 months after operation. The chronic abdominal pain or discomfort was found in 4 cases. The recurrent incisional hernia developed in 5 cases and the average time of recurrence was (11.0±8.3) months.

CONCLUSIONSBiological patch can be used safely and effectively in hybrid technique for incisional herniorrhaphy. However, the morbidity of postoperative complication and the risk of recurrence are high. Terefore, the long-term outcome is still subject to observation.

Aged ; Animals ; Bioprosthesis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hernia, Ventral ; surgery ; Herniorrhaphy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Mesh ; Swine

BACKGROUND: Sutureless aortic valve replacement (SU-AVR) has been developed as an alternative surgical treatment for patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of SU-AVR through an assessment of hemodynamic performance and safety. METHODS: From December 2014 to June 2016, a total of 12 consecutive patients with severe AS underwent SU-AVR. The endpoints were overall survival and valve-related complications (paravalvular leakage, valve thrombosis, migration, endocarditis, and permanent pacemaker implantation). The mean follow-up duration was 18.1±8.6 months. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 77.1±5.8 years and their mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 9.2±17.7. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times were 94.5±37.3 minutes and 54.9±12.5 minutes, respectively. Follow-up echocardiography showed good prosthesis function with low transvalvular pressure gradients (mean, 13.9±8.6 mm Hg and peak, 27.2±15.0 mm Hg) at a mean of 9.9±4.2 months. No cases of primary paravalvular leakage, valve thrombosis, migration, or endocarditis were reported. A new permanent pacemaker was implanted in 1 patient (8.3%). The 1-year overall survival rate was 83.3%±10.8%. CONCLUSION: Our initial experience with SU-AVR demonstrated excellent early clinical outcomes with good hemodynamic results. However, there was a high incidence of permanent pacemaker implantation compared to the rate for conventional AVR, which is a problem that should be solved.
Aortic Valve Stenosis ; Aortic Valve ; Bioprosthesis ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Echocardiography ; Endocarditis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Incidence ; Prostheses and Implants ; Surgeons ; Survival Rate ; Thrombosis

BACKGROUND: The question of which type of prosthetic aortic valve leads to the best outcomes in patients in their 60s remains controversial. We examined the hemodynamic and clinical outcomes of aortic valve replacement in sexagenarians according to the type of prosthesis. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 270 patients in their 60s who underwent first-time aortic valve replacement from 1995 to 2011. Early and late mortality, major adverse valve-related events, anticoagulation-related events, and hemodynamic outcomes were assessed. The mean follow-up duration was 58.7±44.0 months. RESULTS: Of the 270 patients, 93 had a mechanical prosthesis (mechanical group), and 177 had a bioprosthesis (tissue group). The tissue group had a higher mean age and prevalence of preoperative stroke than the mechanical group. The groups had no differences in the aortic valve mean pressure gradient (AVMPG) or the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) at 5 years after surgery. In a sub-analysis limited to prostheses in the supra-annular position, the AVMPG was higher in the tissue group, but the LVMI was still not significantly different. There was no early mortality. The 10-year survival rate was 83% in the mechanical group and 90% in the tissue group. The type of aortic prosthesis did not influence overall mortality, cardiac mortality, or major adverse valve-related events. Anticoagulation-related events were more common in the mechanical group than in the tissue group (p=0.034; hazard ratio, 4.100; 95% confidence interval, 1.111–15.132). CONCLUSION: The type of aortic prosthesis was not associated with hemodynamic or clinical outcomes, except for anticoagulation-related events.
Aortic Valve ; Bioprosthesis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Mortality ; Prevalence ; Prostheses and Implants* ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are pathophysiologic similarities between calcification and atherosclerosis because both are the product of an active inflammatory process. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of statin treatment on calcification in bovine pericardial tissue valves. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups according to hypercholesterolemia induction and statin intake (Group 1, n=10: normal diet without statin treatment, Group 2, n=10: normal diet with statin treatment, Group 3, n=10: high fat diet without statin treatment, Group 4, n=10: high fat diet with statin treatment). Serum lipid levels were measured just before the experiment and after 4 and 12 weeks. Bovine pericardial tissue valve cusps were surgically implanted in rat dorsal subcutis at 4 weeks. After the surgery, statin was administered daily to Groups 2 and 4. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) level was measured at 5 weeks. Cusps were explanted at 12 weeks and calcium levels were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. RESULTS: Mean IL-6 was significantly higher in Group 3 at 5 weeks (7.14, 2.03, 31.70, and 6.90 pg/dL for each group, respectively). Mean calcium level in Group 3 was significantly higher among groups but Group 4 was significantly lower compared to Group 3 and was similar to Group 1, 2 (1.86, 1.92, 2.55, and 1.80 mg/g for each group, respectively, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Hypercholesterolemia may be a significant risk factor for bovine pericardial valve calcification. Statin treatment significantly attenuated calcification of bovine pericardial valve tissue in a rat subdermal implantation model and might prolong the durability of bioprostheses.
Absorption ; Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; Bioprosthesis ; Calcium ; Diet ; Diet, High-Fat ; Heart Valves ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Interleukin-6 ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Risk Factors ; Rosuvastatin Calcium* ; Spectrum Analysis