Objective To compare the benefits and drawbacks of primary patch expansion versus pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection in patients diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PA/VSD who underwent primary right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection surgery at our center between 2010 and 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection: a pericardial tube group and a patch expansion group. Clinical data and imaging findings were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 51 patients were included in the study, comprising 31 males and 20 females, with a median age of 12.57 (4.57, 49.67) months. The pericardial tube group included 19 patients with a median age of 17.17 (7.33, 49.67) months, while the patch expansion group consisted of 32 patients with a median age of 8.58 (3.57, 52.72) months. In both groups, the diameter of pulmonary artery, McGoon index, and Nakata index significantly increased after treatment (P<0.001). However, the pericardial tube group exhibited a longer extracorporeal circulation time (P<0.001). The reoperation rate was notably high, with 74.51% of patients requiring further surgical intervention, including 26 (81.25%) patients in the patch expansion group and 12 (63.16%) patients in the pericardial tube group. No statistical differences were observed in long-term cure rates or mortality between the two groups (P＞0.005). Conclusion In patients with PA/VSD, both patch expansion and pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection serve as effective initial palliative treatment strategies that promote pulmonary vessel development and provide a favorable foundation for subsequent radical operations. However, compared to the pericardial tube approach, the patch expansion technique is simpler to perform and preserves some intrinsic potential for pulmonary artery development, making it the preferred procedure.

Objective To introduce a modified technique of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction using a handmade bicuspid pulmonary valve crafted from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and to summarize the early single-center experience. Methods Patients with complex congenital heart diseases (CHD) who underwent RVOT reconstruction with a handmade ePTFE bicuspid pulmonary valve due to pulmonary regurgitation at Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital from April 2021 to February 2022 were selected. Postoperative artificial valve function and right heart function indicators were evaluated. Results A total of 17 patients were included, comprising 10 males and 7 females, with a mean age of (18.18±12.14) years and a mean body weight of (40.94±19.45) kg. Sixteen patients underwent reconstruction with a handmade valved conduit, with conduit sizes ranging from 18 to 24 mm. No patients required mechanical circulatory support, and no in-hospital deaths occurred. During a mean follow-up period of 12.89 months, only one patient developed valve dysfunction, and no related complications or adverse events were observed. The degree of pulmonary regurgitation was significantly improved post-RVOT reconstruction and during follow-up compared to preoperative levels (P<0.001). Postoperative right atrial diameter, right ventricular diameter, and tricuspid regurgitation area were all significantly reduced compared to preoperative values (P<0.05). Conclusion The use of a 0.1 mm ePTFE handmade bicuspid pulmonary valve for RVOT reconstruction in complex CHD is a feasible, effective, and safe technique.

Objective To evaluate early outcomes of transthoracic pulmonary valve implantation for the treatment of moderate and severe pulmonary regurgitation by using homemade self-expanding valve (SalusTM). Methods Patients with severe pulmonary regurgitation who underwent transthoracic pulmonary valve implantation in Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital from September 2, 2021 to November 25, 2022 were prospectively enrolled. The early postoperative complications and improvement of valve and heart function were summarized and analyzed. Results A total of 25 patients were enrolled, including 16 males and 9 females, with an average age of 24.5±1.5 years and an average weight of 57.0±3.0 kg. The mean systolic diameters of the bifurcation near the main pulmonary artery, the stenosis of the middle segment of the aorta and near the valve of the right ventricular outflow tract of the patients were 31.8±7.4 mm, 30.6±5.9 mm and 38.4±8.0 mm, respectively. All patients were successfully implanted with valves, and there were no serious complications such as death, coronary compression, stent fracture, valve displacement and infective endocarditis in the early postoperative period. The indexed left atrial longitudinal diameter, indexed right atrial longitudinal diameter, and indexed right ventricular outflow tract anteroposterior diameter decreased significantly after the operation. The degree of tricuspid and pulmonary valve regurgitation and the indexed regurgitation area decreased significantly. The above differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The early outcomes of transthoracic pulmonary valve implantation with homemade self-expanding pulmonary valve (SalusTM) in the treatment of severe pulmonary regurgitation is relatively good, and the long-term outcomes need to be verified by the long-term follow-up studies with large samples.

Objective To analyze and summarize the early and medium-term outcomes of self-expanding interventional pulmonary valve stent (SalusTM) for right ventricular outflow tract dysfunction with severe pulmonary valve regurgitation. Methods We established strict enrollment and follow-up criteria. Patients who received interventional pulmonary valve in transthoracic implantation in Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital from September 2, 2021 to July 18, 2023 were prospectively included, and all clinical data of patients were collected and analyzed. Results A total of 38 patients with severe pulmonary regurgitation were included, with 23 (60.5%) males and 15 (39.5%) females. The mean age was 24.08±8.12 years, and the mean weight was 57.66±13.54 kg. The preoperative mean right ventricular end-diastolic volume index (RVEDVI) and right ventricular end-systolic volume index (RVESVI) were 151.83±42.84 mL/m2 and 83.34±33.05 mL/m2, respectively. All patients successfully underwent transcatheter self-expandable pulmonary valve implantation, with 3 (7.9%) patients experiencing valve stent displacement during the procedure. Perioperative complications included 1 (2.6%) patient of postoperative inferior wall myocardial infarction and 1 (2.6%) patient of poor wound healing. The median follow-up time was 12.00 (6.00, 17.50) months. During the follow-up period, there were no deaths or reinterventions, and no patients had recurrent severe pulmonary regurgitation. Three (7.9%) patients experienced chest tightness and chest pain, and 1 (2.6%) patient developed frequent ventricular premature beats. Compared with preoperative values, the right atrial diameter, right ventricular diameter, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion were significantly reduced at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively, with improvement in the degree of pulmonary regurgitation (P<0.01). Compared with preoperative values, RVEDVI and RVESVI decreased to 109.51±17.13 mL/m2 and 55.88±15.66 mL/m2, respectively, at 1 year postoperatively (P<0.01). Conclusion 　Self-expanding interventional pulmonary valve in transthoracic implantation is safe and effective for severe pulmonary valve regurgitation and shows good clinical and hemodynamic results in one-year outcome.

Objective:To summarize the clinical treatment of complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) after the transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD).Methods:A case series study was conducted on the treatments and outcomes of 25 children with CLBBB after transcatheter VSD closure in Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital from January 2010 to December 2023.Paired sample t test was used to evaluate the effect of occlude removal. Results:Among the 25 patients, 12 were males (48%), and 13 were females (52%).The age at surgery was 3.18 (2.51-3.86) years, the height before surgery was 95.0 (90.0-97.5) cm, and the weight before surgery was 13 (12-15) kg.Fourteen children were early-onset cases (≤ 1 month), while the other 11 were late-onset cases (> 1 month).The mean follow-up time was (6.63±3.93) years.Of the 14 early-onset cases, 6 children underwent occluder removal within 1 month and restored normal heart rhythm or incomplete right bundle branch block; 4 children underwent occluder removal after 1 month, of whom 2 recovered, 1 remained CLBBB, and 1 had complete atrioventricular block (CAVB); the other 4 children received drug treatment, of whom 2 had normal heart rhythm, 1 had left anterior fascicular block, and 1 died of cardiac shock and heart failure.All the 11 late-onset cases were first treated by drugs, of whom 3 recovered, and the other 8 remained CLBBB.One of the 8 cases received occluder removal at 8 months after surgery and recovered, 1 had CAVB, and the other 6 remained CLBBB.Conclusions:For patients with CLBBB after transcatheter closure of VSD, drug therapy is not always effective, and CLBBB is easy to recur.Therefore, occluder removal is recommended to be done immediately after CLBBB is discovered.Patients with persistent CLBBB should be followed up regularly, and pacemaker implantation may be performed if necessary.

Objective:To summarize the clinical features and postoperative efficacy of patients with oval window atresia accompanied by facial nerve aberration.Methods:The clinical data of patients with congenital middle ear malformation with facial nerve aberration admitted to our hospital from January 2015 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 97 cases (133 ears) in total. Among them, 39 patients (44 ears) had complete follow-up data, including 27 male patients and 12 females, aged 7-48 years old, with an average age of 17.8 years old. Of these, 14 cases (16 ears) were patients combined with facial nerve aberration, and 25 cases (28 ears) were without facial nerve aberration. The results of imaging examination, pure-tone audiometry, selection of surgical strategy, intraoperative findings and postoperative hearing improvement were summarized and analyzed. The malformations of malleus, incus, stapes, oval window and facial nerve were recorded. Prism 9 software was used to statistically analyze the mean bone conductance and air-bone gap of patients before and after surgery.Results:All the 14 patients (16 ears) with middle ear malformation accompanied by facial nerve aberration and oval window atresia showed poor hearing and no facial palsy since childhood. High resolution CT (HRCT) examination of temporal bone, pure tone audiometry and Gelle test were performed before surgery. The malformations of malleus, incus, stapes, oval window and facial nerve were recorded. Preoperative high-resolution CT (HRCT) examination of temporal bone found 12 ears with 4 or more deformities, accounting for 75.00%, in the group of patients with facial nerve malformation. The preoperative average bone conductive threshold was (15.3±10.4) dB and the average air-bone gap was (46.3±10.6) dB in pure-tone audiometry (0.5, 1, 2, 4kHz). According to the different degrees of facial nerve and ossicle malformation, we performed three different hearing reconstruction strategies for the 14 patients (16 ears) with facial nerve aberration and oval window atresia, including 7 ears of incus bypass artificial stape implantation, 7 ears of Malleostapedotomy (MS) and 2 ears of Malleus-cochlear-prothesis (MCP). After 3 months to 18 months of follow-up, all patients showed no facial paralysis. The postoperative mean bone conductive threshold was (15.7±7.9) dB and air-bone gap was (19.8±8.5) dB. There were significant differences in mean air-bone gap before and after operation ( t=7.766, P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the mean bone conductive threshold before and after surgery ( t=0.225, P=0.824). There was no significant difference of mean reduction of air-bone gap between patients with and without facial nerve aberration ( t=1.412, P=0.165). There was no significant difference between the three hearing reconstruction strategies. There was no significant displacement of the Piston examined by U-HRCT. Conclusion:For patients of middle ear malformation whose facial nerve cover the oval window partially, incus bypass artificial stape implantation or Malleostapedotomy (MS) can be selected according to the specific condition of auditory ossis malformation, and for patients whose facial nerve completely covers the oval window area, Malleus-cochlear-prothesis (MCP) can be selected. Three types of stapes surgery are safe and reliable for patients with oval window atresia accompanied by facial nerve aberration. There was no significant difference in efficacy between them. Preoperative HRCT assessment of middle ear malformation is effective. There is no significant difference of surgical effect with or without facial nerve aberration. The U-HRCT can be used to evaluate the middle ear malformation before surgery and the Piston implantation status after surgery. Due to the risks of surgery, those who do not want to undergo surgery can choose artificial hearing AIDS, such as hearing aid, vibrating soundbridge, bone bridge or bone-anchored hearing aid.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of necrotizing otitis externa(NOE) and to discuss its clinical staging and treatment.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted in the Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Center of Beijing Friendship Hospital. Patients hospitalized in our department with diagnosis of NOE between June 2015 to December 2021 were included. There were 23 patients (23 affected ears), with 19 males and 4 females, aged 32-85 years (the median age was 68 years old). We analyzed and summarized the main symptoms and signs, laboratory examinations, imaging examinations, treatments and prognosis of the patients, and established a database for data collection and sorting.Results:All the 23 patients had various complications. There were 19 cases of type 2 diabetes, 5 cases of anemia, 3 cases of hypoalbuminemia, 2 cases of chronic renal insufficiency, and 1 case of uremia. The main symptoms on admission were otalgia, otorrhea, hearing loss, angular deviation, limited mouth opening, dysphagia and hoarseness. Physical examination showed swelling of the external ear canal (EEC), granulation tissue of the EEC, thin purulent secretion of the EEC, facial paralysis, restricted mouth opening, and decreased vocal cord movement. Etiological results showed 15 cases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 5 cases of Staphylococci and 3 cases of Aspergillus fumigatus. Imaging mainly showed abnormal soft tissue shadows of the EEC and middle ear, and temporomandibular joint, parapharyngeal space, skull base, intracranial and other adjacent structures were involved according to the different invasion directions of the lesions. According to the characteristics of these patients, we summarized a diagnostic criteria and clinical staging. All patients received systematic anti-infection, surgery and symptomatic support treatment. Until January 30, 2022, 4 patients died, including 1 case of extensive intracranial infection caused by NOE, and 3 cases of other systemic diseases after the affected ears were recovered and discharged from hospital. The other 19 patients′ ears were cured, the symptoms of otalgia and otorrhea disappeared, and the epithelization of the surgical cavity was good. Conclusion:The clinical manifestations of NOE lack specificity, and the diagnosis should be made according to the medical history, physical examination and auxiliary examination. According to different clinical stages, corresponding treatment measures should be formulated. The treatment is based on multidisciplinary comprehensive treatment, mainly surgical treatment. Early intervention has a good prognosis, otherwise, multiple-group of cranial nerve injury or intracranial infection implies poor prognosis.

Objective:To explore the effect of empathy nursing intervention on negative emotion, sleep quality and health literacy of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods:A total of 77 patients in Department of Infectious Diseases of People′s Hospital of Leshan from June 2019 to September 2020 were divided into intervention group ( n=39) and control group ( n=38) by random digits table method. The patients in the control group were given routine nursing, and the patients in the intervention group were given empathy nursing intervention on the basis of routine nursing. Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Health Literacy Management Scale (HeLMS) were used before and 12 weeks after intervention to evaluate the effects. Results:There was no significant difference in the total scores of HAMD, HAMA, PSQI and HeLMS between the two groups before intervention ( P>0.05), but after intervention, the scores of HAMD and HAMA in the intervention group were 10.64 ± 1.86, 12.64 ± 2.12, lower than those in the control group (14.63 ± 2.19, 15.11 ± 2.71). The differences were statistically significant ( t=-8.63, -4.46, P<0.05). The total score of PSQI and the scores of daytime dysfunction, use of hypnotic drugs, time of falling asleep, time of sleep, sleep quality, sleep disorder and sleep efficiency in the intervention group were 10.26 ± 1.65, 1.22 ± 0.22, 1.48 ± 0.23, 1.51 ± 0.27, 1.45 ± 0.26, 1.57 ± 0.22, 1.54 ± 0.21,1.49 ± 0.24, lower than those in the control group (13.07 ± 2.14, 1.92 ± 0.31, 1.75 ± 0.34, 1.95 ± 0.29, 2.02 ± 0.33, 1.84 ± 0.31, 1.72 ± 0.27, 1.87 ± 0.29). The differences were statistically significant ( t values were -11.45--3.27, all P<0.05). The total score of HeLMS and the scores of information acquisition, communication and interaction, and health improvement intention in the intervention group were 96.12 ± 14.71, 37.87 ± 5.83, 35.91 ± 5.13, 16.21 ± 2.53, higher than those in the control group (86.35 ± 14.12, 33.17 ± 5.27, 32.87 ± 5.42, 14.16 ± 2.19). The differences were statistically significant ( t values were 2.53-3.80, all P<0.05). Conclusions:Empathy nursing intervention can effectively alleviate the negative emotions of pulmonary tuberculosis patients, improve their sleep quality, and improve their health literacy level.

Objective    To study the clinical characteristics of patients with partial and transitional atrioventricular septal defects (P/TAVSDs) in our hospital, and to evaluate the early follow-up outcomes from a real-world research perspective. Methods    The clinical data of all patients diagnosed with P/TAVSDs from January 1, 2018 to July 12, 2020, in our hospital were collected, and all patients' examination results were used as the real-world follow-up data, univariable Cox risk proportional model was used to analyze the outcomes. A total of 93 patients were finally included in the analysis, 72 with partial and 21 with transitional AVSD. There were 38 males and 55 females at age of 182.0 months (20.0 d to 779.5 months). Results    Univariable Cox proportional risk model suggested that at least one cardiac malformation (HR=15.00, 95%CI 3.00 to 75.00, P=0.001), preoperative moderate or greater mitral regurgitation (HR=6.60, 95%CI 1.70 to 26.00, P=0.007), and preoperative moderate or greater tricuspid regurgitation (HR=13.00, 95%CI 3.10 to 51.00, P<0.000 1) were  risk factors for moderate or greater postoperative atrioventricular valve regurgitation. Conclusion    Children with coarctation of the aorta or partial pulmonary vein connection, moderate or greater preoperative mitral regurgitation, and moderate or greater preoperative tricuspid regurgitation need to be alerted to the risk of moderate or greater postoperative atrioventricular valve regurgitation. Real-world data, with relaxed statistical P values and combined expertise, can suggest clinical conclusions that are close to those of high-quality retrospective studies.

Objective    To review the characteristics of patients who underwent atrioventricular septal defects (AVSD) repair with prosthetic valve ring implantation in our hospital, and to analyze the safety and effectiveness of this intervention. Methods    The clinical data of all patients diagnosed with AVSD who received surgery repair and prosthetic valve ring implantation from January 1, 2018 to July 12, 2020 in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital were collected and analyzed. There were 22 patients with 9 males and 13 females at a median age of 35.00 (14.10, 53.00) years. There were 9 (40.9%) patients with prosthetic half or full rings placed on the left atrioventricular valve and 18 (81.8%) patients with prosthetic half or full rings placed on the right atrioventricular valve. Results    The median postoperative hospital stay was 7.00 (6.00, 8.80) d, and the postoperative mechanically assisted ventilation time was 11.00 (6.25, 19.00) h. There were 2 (9.1%) patients of moderate or higher postoperative atrioventricular valve regurgitation, 1 on the left and 1 on the right. There was one patient (4.5%) of the postoperative residual septal defect. There was no left ventricular inflow or outflow tract obstruction and no postoperative residual atrial septal defect during the follow-up of 152.00 (124.00, 1 030.00) d. Conclusion    Implantation of a prosthetic ring is safe and effective in patients with AVSD, and the structural strength of  the ring may be improved after the implantation. The physiological development of the AVSD annulus after prosthetic ring implantation and the results of long-term follow-up needs further attention.