Pregnancy complicated by aortic root aneurysm in patients with Marfan syndrome is one of the main causes of termination of pregnancy or even death in pregnant women. A very small number of pregnant women require cardiac surgery to preserve pregnancy under extracorporeal circulation, and all surgeries use aortic root replacement. We reported a 30-year-old patient with severe aortic regurgitation combined with giant aortic root aneurysm and Marfan syndrome in mid-pregnancy. Valve-sparing root replacement using reimplantation technology was performed via a multidisciplinary cooperation model. This not only achieved the patient’s desire to continue pregnancy but also avoided the anticoagulation and bleeding complications brought by mechanical valve replacement, reduced pregnancy risks and improved long-term quality of life. Postoperative echocardiography showed a small amount of aortic valve regurgitation, aortic valve coaptation height of 0.6 cm, effective height of 1.1 cm, maximum aortic flow velocity of 1.4 m/s, mean transvalvular pressure gradient of 4.4 mm Hg, and satisfactory clinical results.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of two-stage retrograde hybrid repair for acute aortic dissection involving the aortic arch complicated with distal malperfusion syndrome. Methods From May 2019 to December 2022, the patients presented with acute aortic dissection involving the aortic arch complicated with distal malperfusion syndrome treated in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of West China Hospital, Sichuan University were enrolled. After preoperative evaluation, all patients underwent priority emergency interventional surgery to improve distal malperfusion, and then underwent two-stage hybrid surgery to repair proximal aortic lesions. The perioperative clinical and imaging data were retrospectively analyzed. Results Five patients were collected, including 4 males and 1 female, with a median age of 58 years. The main manifestations were lower limb ischemia and renal insufficiency in 3 patients, and poor intestinal perfusion in 2 patients. All patients were given priority to interventional surgery to implant graft stents or bare stents and necessary branch artery intervention, and then successfully performed two-stage hybrid surgery, including type Ⅰhybrid surgery for 2 patients, type Ⅱ hybrid surgery for 1 patient and type Ⅲ hybrid surgery for the other 2 patients, with a success rate of 100.0%. All patients were discharged successfully, and the function of the organs with poor perfusion returned to normal. Only 1 patient recovered to grade 4 muscle strength of the diseased lower limbs upon discharge. No adverse events such as amputation, exploratory laparotomy and intestinal resection or long-term hemodialysis occurred. Conclusion The application of two-stage retrograde hybrid repair in the surgical treatment of acute aortic dissection involving the aortic arch complicated with distal malperfusion syndrome is safe and effective, and is helpful to improve the perioperative survival rate, and clinical outcomes of such patients.

Objective:To analyzed the 3-year follow-up results in a single center to evaluate the mid-term clinical efficacy of aortic endovascular remodeling device(AERD).Methods:From January 2019 to June 2019, 18 patients with residual aortic dissection after proximal repair of acute aortic dissection were treated with AERD in our heart center of West China Hospital of Sichuan University. They were followed up for 3 years after surgery and underwent vascular enhanced CT review. The primary outcome of our study included all-cause mortality and stent-related mortality. Secondary outcome included branch patency rate, reoperation rate and the incidence of serious adverse events. Morphological measures assessed the effectiveness of AERD in treating residual distal dissection.Results:17 patients completed the 3-year follow-up, and 1 was lost to follow-up. There was no stent-related death, branch artery occlusion, or new serious adverse events. 12 patients completed vascular enhanced CT review, the true lumen was significantly expanded and the false lumen was reduced considerably at 3-year follow-up, true lumen volume, (52.39±22.32)cm 3 vs. (74.34±14.64) cm 3( P<0.01), false lumen volume(50.42±25.44) cm 3 vs. (32.32±31.75)cm 3( P<0.01). Increased true lumen diameter and area ( P<0.001) and decreased false lumen diameter( P<0.001) were significantly different from those before operation, especially in the level below the renal artery and 5 cm below the renal artery. Conclusion:The mid-term effect of AERD in treating distal residual dissection is satisfactory, and it promoted positive distal aorta remodeling with safety and effectiveness.

Objective:To construct a biospecimen bank of patient derived organoids (PDOs) from pancreatic cancer tissues and to explore the feasibility of PDOs drug sensitivity assay technology to guide chemotherapy drug selection for pancreatic cancer.Methods:Pancreatic cancer tissue specimens obtained after surgical resection and puncture biopsy from Mar 2020 to Dec 2022 at Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine were collected. Pancreatic cancer PDOs were cultured in vitro and histologically identified; PDOs were treated with gemcitabine, Nab-paclitaxel, fluorouracil, Oxaliplatin, and Irinotecan and cell viability was measured to analyze the correlation between PDOs drug sensitivity and the actual clinical treatment response.Results:The PDOs can reproduce the pathological features of corresponding tumor tissues; the sensitivity of different PDOs to the same chemotherapeutic drug is significantly different; The sensitivity of PDOs was highly consistent with the actual treatment effect of the corresponding patients 75.76% (25/33); organoid organ-based susceptibility testing had predictive value for the treatment response of patients (AUC=0.733, 95% CI: 0.546-0.919, P<0.05). Conclusion:A biobank of pancreatic cancer PDOs was successfully constructed, and the drug susceptibility test results were significantly correlated with the actual medication response of patients, suggesting that the drug susceptibility test technology based on PDOs has the potential to guide individualized chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer.

ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of Fugan Huaxian Decoction （扶肝化纤汤， FHD） against hepatic fibrosis （HF） from the perspective of immunity. MethodsForty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， colchicine group， FHD high-， medium- and low-dose group， with eight rats in each group. Except for the blank group， the disease-syndrome combined model of HF with healthy qi deficiency and toxin accumulation pattern was established during six weeks in the other five groups. After successful modeling， the high-， medium- and low-dose FHD groups were respectively given 37.5， 18.75 and 9.38 g/（kg·d） of FHD granules by gavage， while the colchicine group received 2 mg/ （kg·d） of colchicine tablets by gavage， and the blank group and the model group were given 10 ml/（kg·d） of purified water， all for 3 weeks. The general condition of the rats was recorded. After the treatment， the histopathological morphology of the liver was observed by HE staining， and the levels of interleukin 10 （IL-10） and interleukin 17 （IL-17） in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The expression of helper T cells 17 （Th17） and regulatory T cells （Treg） in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry， and the Th17/Treg value was calculated. The mRNA expression of retinoic acid-related nuclear orphan receptor γ （RORγt） and fork-head/wing-like helix transcription factor （FoxP3） in liver tissue were detected by qRT-PCR. ResultsCompared to the general condition of rats in the blank group， those in the model group were listless， less active， stretched and pushed， arched and prone， having no resistance to gavage， significantly reduced food intake， loose stools， dirty anus， slow weight gain， dry and dull hair， purple and darkening skin of the limbs with ecchymoses， purple and black spots with varying degrees of the skin of the tail； hepatic fibrosis and hyperplasia of rats in model group were more obvious； serum IL-17， peripheral blood Th17 expression and Th17/Treg value， RORγt mRNA expression in the liver tissue significantly increased in the model group， while expression of IL-10， Treg and FoxP3 mRNA significantly decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to those in the model group， the general condition of the rats and the liver fibrosis of HE stained liver tissue were improved in all the medication groups； the expression of IL-17 and Th17， Th17/Treg， and RORγt mRNA expression significantly decreased， while expression of IL-10， Treg， and FoxP3 mRNA increased in the high- and medium-dose FHD groups and the colchicine group； the expression of IL-17， Th17， and RORγt mRNA decreased， while the expression of IL-10 and FoxP3 mRNA increased in the low-dose FHD group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. And more improvements were found in the FHD high-dose group than FHD medium- and low-dose groups and colchicine group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionFHD can may regulate immune balance and act against fibrosis by regulating the expression of specific transcription factors FoxP3 and RORγt， affecting the differentiation of Th17 and Treg cells and Th17/Treg balance， and regulating the secretion of IL-10 and IL-17.

Patients with bicuspid aortic valve are often complicated with aortic dilatation. If the aortic valve is of good quality, aortic root replacement with aortic valve preservation is feasible. A 35-year-old male patient with bicuspid aortic regurgitation complicated with ascending aortic aneurysm underwent Remodeling+Ring (modified Yacoub) operation. Echocardiography showed that there was no aortic regurgitation on the 3rd day after operation, and the patient was discharged satisfactorily on the 6th day after operation. Remodeling+Ring surgery ensures the physiological movement of the aortic valve, solves the enlarged annulus, avoids the problems caused by valve replacement, and significantly improves the quality of life of patients, which is worth popularizing.

Objective     To evaluate the early clinical effect of reimplantation in the treatment of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with aortic root aneurysm. Methods     The clinical data of 25 patients with BAV and aortic root aneurysm [mean diameter: 45-63 (52.68±5.55) mm] undergoing reimplantation in West China Hospital from November 2019 to May 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 22 males and 3 females. The mean age was 15-65 (50.00±13.10) years and body surface area was 1.79±0.23 m2. Results    The pathological classification of BAV malformation was confirmed during the operation: Type 0 in 3 patients and Type 1 in 22 patients. There were 12 patients undergoing cusp central plication, and 2 patients were sutured with a closed fusion crest. Postoperative valve leaflet coaptation height was 0.78±0.15 cm, and effective height was 1.27±0.19 cm. In operation, maximum aortic valve flow velocity was 1.65±0.42 m/s, pressure difference was 5.46±3.05 mm Hg, and aortic valve annulus diameter was 21.32±0.95 mm. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was 225.84±35.34 min, and aortic block time was 189.60±26.51 min. In-hospital time was 11.64±3.07 d, ICU stay time was 2.64±0.99 d, and mechanical ventilation time was 1.48±0.87 d. The follow-up time was 17.20±4.70 months, and no death or major complications occurred during the follow-up in all patients. The cardiac function of the patients significantly improved postoperatively (P≤0.05). Echocardiography suggested that 12 patients had no aortic regurgitation, 10 minor aortic regurgitation, 3 mild aortic regurgitation, and no patients with moderate or more severe regurgitation. The diameter of the aortic sinus, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and volume decreased during the follow-up, compared to preoperative ones (P≤0.05). The maximum flow velocity of the aortic valve was 1.54±0.36 m/s, and the pressure difference was 5.17±2.38 mm Hg during the follow-up. Conclusion    Reimplantation technology has a good clinical effect for highly selective BAV patients. It can effectively avoid long-term postoperative anticoagulation, but the maximum flow rate after surgery is slightly increased, which may be related to the configuration of BAV itself. While compared with valve replacement, the effect is still worthy of recognition.

Due to the abnormal structure and function of the cardiac valves, cardiac valve disease gradually appears the expansion of left ventricular inner diameter and volume. When the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension and volume expand severely, it becomes a giant left ventricle. Surgical valve replacement is still one of the main treatment methods for this disease. The degree of postoperative ventricular recovery is closely related to perioperative mortality and long-term prognosis. However, the existing clinical preoperative assessment methods still cannot accurately predict the degree of postoperative left ventricular recovery and long-term prognosis of such patients, so it is difficult to determine the optimal operation timing and surgical methods for patients. Therefore, we reviewed the existing literature and discussed different evaluation methods of the giant left ventricle associated with valvular disease before surgery, so as to optimize the perioperative treatment of such patients, clarify the timing of surgery and improve the prognosis.

Objective:To explore the clinical application value of 3D printing technology in percutaneous nephrolithotomy(PCNL) to complex renal calculi.Methods:The clinical data of 41 patients with complex renal calculi from May 2018 to October 2019, in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Xiang'an District of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University were retrospectively analyzed. There were 19 cases underwent PCNL after 3D printing (3D printing group), and 22 cases during the same period did not undergo 3D printing before operation (control group). Before operation, the two groups underwent CT plain scan enhanced examination. In 3D printing group, 3D printing technology was used to obtain 3D renal models, then 3D renal models were used for preoperative design and simulation of surgical puncture and preoperative conversation.The control group only underwent PCNL after routine examination.The ages of the patients in 3D printing group and control group were (42.9±2.5) vs. (41.3±2.9) years old, male/female ratio 11/8 vs. 12/10, body mass index (22.4±1.1) vs. (23.2±1.4) kg/m 2, serum creatinine (42.9±2.5) vs. (78.2±4.5) μmol/L, stone size (5.0±1.2) vs. (5.2±1.3) cm, the CT values of the stones was (930±210) vs.(950±200) HU. The difference of above parameters was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The following indexes were compared between the two groups: score of questionnaire on satisfaction of preoperative conversation, and datas about operation and postopetation. Results:All the operations were successfully completed. The time of locating the target calyces in 3D printing group and control group was (3.3±1.3) vs. (5.3±3.1) min, and the coincidence of puncture calices was 94.7% (18/19) vs. 54.5%(12/22), and the stone removal rate of the 3D printing group was 78.9% (17/19) vs. 36.4% (8/22), 3D printing group was better than the control group in these respects( P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in postoperative complications [21.0% (4/19) vs. 13.6% (3/22)], multi-channel[89.4% (17/19) vs. 86.4% (19/22)], operation time [(121.8±20.2) vs. (132.1±18.5) min], time of hospitalization [(7.6±1.3) vs. (8.0±1.8)d] and time of extubation for renal fistula [(3.8±1.7)vs. (4.5±2.0 )d] (all P > 0.05). During preoperative conversation between the 3D printing group and the control group , the time spent on signing the consent [(17.0±3.9) vs.(21.0±3.3) min], the degree of understanding of the stone condition [(2.5±0.6)vs.(2.0±1.2) points], the degree of understanding of the PCNL surgical process and complications [(2.6±0.6) vs.(1.8±1.3) points] and the degree of satisfaction with the doctor’s preoperative conversation effects [(2.4±0.9) vs.(1.7±1.6) points]were significantly different in comparisons ( P<0.05). Conclusions:3D printing technology can be used in PCNL to directly display the internal anatomical relationship of renal calculi, guide accurate preoperative designing, help improve the operation efficiency and stone clearance rate, and can also be used as a mold in preoperative conversation to improve communication efficiency.

The conventional total arch replacement (cTAR) with frozen elephant trunk implantation is commonly regarded as the gold standard for aortic pathologies involving ascending aorta and proximal aortic arch. By combining open supra-aortic vessels debranching and emerging endovascular technologies, hybrid arch repair (HAR) has been increasingly performed as a promising alternative in risky patients with comorbidities and frailties. Nevertheless, the advantages or disadvantages of hybrid arch procedures and cTAR in terms of survival and related outcomes remain controversial. This study is aimed to briefly review the role and results of HAR in the management of aortic arch pathology in comparison of contemporary cTAR.