ObjectiveTo evaluate the mid-term outcomes between tricuspid valve detachment (TVD) and non-detachment (NTVD) for ventricular septal defect (VSD).Methods The patients who underwent perimembranous VSD repair in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital from 2015 to 2020 were included. According to the surgical method, the patients were divided into a TVD group and a NTVD group. The clinical data of the two groups were compared.Results Totally 538 patients were included in the study. There were 240 patients in the TVD group, including 121 males and 119 females, with an average age of 3.85±8.42 years and an average weight of 14.12±12.97 kg. There were 298 patients in the NTVD group, including 149 males and 149 females, with an average age of 4.42±9.36 years and an average weight of 14.87±12.51 kg. There was no statistical difference in the age, weight, sex, preoperative New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification or tricuspid regurgitation (TR) degree between the two groups (P>0.05). Median follow-up was 30 (23, 40) months in the TVD group, and 29 (23, 41) months in the NTVD group (P=0.600). After operation, one patient in each group developed third-degree atrioventricular block and recovered to sinus rhythm before discharge (P=0.848). No pacemaker was needed. There was no statistical difference in the length of stay (P=0.054), mortality (P=1.000), in-hospital reoperation (P=0.199), or follow-up reoperation (P=0.505). More than 98% of patients in both groups had postoperative TR less than moderate (P=0.926). At the last follow-up, only 7 (2.9%) patients in the TVD group were detected trivial residual shunting, and 14 (4.7%) in the NTVD group (P=0.289). No one needed to have reoperation because of residual VSD. The TVD group showed less TR during the follow-up (P=0.019).Conclusion TVD is an alternative technique which can be safely used in the closure of VSD, especially in technologically mature medical center. Appropriate tricuspid valve detachment for those hard-to-expose VSDs does not result in poorer tricuspid valve function or higher risk of atrioventricular block, and might reduce the incidence of residual shunting.
ObjectiveTo analyze the assessment and maintenance of 125 donor hearts from brain death donation and explore the use of marginal donor hearts.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on the evaluation, maintenance, operation and follow-up results of 125 donor hearts from April 2016 to August 2019. There were 98 males and 27 females at age of 6-50 (36.0±2.4) years.ResultsTwelve donor hearts were discarded due to unqualified evaluation after heart harvest. 113 patients of heart transplantation were performed with a double lumen venous anastomosis manner. The mean time of cold ischemia was 220.1±6.7 min. Four patients died within 30 days after operation. Postoperative right ventricular assist circulation was performed in 4 patients, intra-aortic balloon counterattack (IABP) in 12 patients and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in 12 patients. Marginal donors included 15 hepatitis B antigen positive donor hearts, 2 tricuspid regurgitation, 1 mitral regurgitation, 5 coronary calcification, 4 myocardial stunning and 2 severe weight mismatch. The results of follow-up (2 years) after marginal donor heart transplantation were satisfactory.ConclusionImproving the assessment and maintenance of donor hearts can improve the utilization rate of the heart, and the marginal donor heart transplantation needs long-term follow-up.
Preoperative evaluation is crucial for heart valvular surgery. This article discusses some issues that need to be emphasized: the impact of hypertension on the severity of aortic valve lesions, and how to improve the accuracy of clinical assessment; the identification of functional tricuspid regurgitation, in order to choose the appropriate surgical technique; the need for right ventricular function testing, and the use of risk scoring models, to better grasp surgical timing and indications and improve efficacy; and the importance of evaluating atrial mitral and/or tricuspid regurgitation complications in chronic atrial fibrillation, and making rational choices for interventional and surgical treatment.
Objective To investigate the effects of different types of tricuspid regurgitation, implantation positions, and device models on the treatment outcomes of K-Clip for tricuspid regurgitation using numerical simulations. Methods Three-dimensional reconstruction of the heart model was performed based on CT images. Two different regurgitation orifices were obtained by modifying the standard parameterized tricuspid valve leaflets and chordae tendineae. The effects of different K-Clip models at different implantation positions (posterior leaflet midpoint, anterior-posterior commissure, anterior leaflet midpoint, posterior septal commissure) were simulated using commercial explicit dynamics software Ls-Dyna. Conclusion For the two types of regurgitation in this study, clipping at the posterior leaflet midpoint resulted in a better reduction of the regurgitation orifice (up to 75% reduction in area). Higher clamping forces were required for implantation at the anterior leaflet midpoint and posterior septal commissure, which was unfavorable for the smooth closure of the clipping components. There was no statistical difference in the treatment outcomes between the 18T and 16T K-Clip components, and the 16T component required less clamping force. Therefore, the use of the 16T K-Clip component is recommended.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an important alternative in treating high-risk patients with aortic valve regurgitation. Transcatheter tricuspid valve implantation (TTVI) is also an important treatment option for high-risk patients with tricuspid regurgitation. We reported a 72-year male patient who underwent TAVI due to severe aortic valve regurgitation using a J-Valve. During a two-year follow-up, the patient developed secondary tricuspid regurgitation to atrial fibrillation, and subsequently received TTVI using a LuX-Valve. Following the interventions, the patient's symptoms were significantly improved, and echocardiography indicated good hemodynamic performance of both transcatheter heart valves. This case highlights the feasibility and effectiveness of performing multiple valve implantations via transcatheter approaches in high-risk elderly patients.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of goat tricuspid regurgitation (TR) model by one chordae tendineae cutter via right anterior-lateral minimal incision.MethodsTR model was established in 6 goats with a self-made tricuspid valve chordae tendineae cutter. The goats were placed in a left lateral position and procedure was performed via a right anterior-lateral minimal thoracotomy in the fourth intercostal. Under the guidance of transesophageal ultrasound and digital subtraction angiography, the chordae tendineae of anterior leaflet was cut until moderate to severe regurgitation was confirmed. Echocardiography and laboratory examinations were performed preoperatively, immediately and 3 months after surgery. Additionally, all goats were sacrificed to clarify pathological evaluation.ResultsTR was successfully established in 6 goats. The right atrium pressure increased significantly immediately after surgery (P<0.05). During a follow-up of 3 months, the progression of TR was aggravated (P<0.05), and the annular diameter increased from 2.15±0.23 cm to 2.65±0.20 cm. Overall, there was no statistically significant change in transvalvular gradient and velocity between preoperation and postoperation. Laboratory test results showed no abnormalities between preoperation and postoperation. Autopsy evaluation demonstrated obvioue chordae tendineae transection of the anterior leaflet.ConclusionIt is feasible to establish TR model via a right minimal anterior lateral thoracotomy in the fourth intercostal space. This novel TR goats model will allow investigation of transcatheter interventional device and serve as a chronic model in the future.
Objective To compare and evaluate the short-term outcomes of 3 different tricuspid valve plasty for functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in patients with rheumatic heart disease. Methods Between October 2010 and June 2011, 148 patients with rheumatic heart disease undergoing left heart valve replacement and tricuspid valve plasty for functional TR were enrolled in the study. There were 32 males and 116 females with an average age of 47.5 years (range, 15-66 years). The patients were divided into 3 groups depending on tricuspid valve plasty: Cosgrove-Edwards annuloplasty ring group (annuloplasty ring group, 58 cases), Kay annuloplasty group (Kay group, 61 cases), and DeVega annuloplasty group (DeVaga group, 29 cases). There was no significant difference in general data among groups (P gt; 0.05), except more severe TR degree, higher atrial fibrillation, and higher radiofrequency ablation in annuloplasty ring group (P lt; 0.05). Perioperative data were recorded. The heart function was evaluated according to the standard of New York Heart Association (NYHA). Echocardiography (ECG) was used to record the TR class during perioperative period and follow-up. Results After operation, 1 case in Kay group and 1 case in annuloplasty ring group were dead because of low cardiac output syndrome. Pneumonia happened in 2 cases of Kay group and in 1 case of annuloplasty ring group; re-operation was performed in 1 case of annuloplasty ring group because of sternal dehiscence. There was no significant difference in perioperative complication among 3 groups (P=0.840). The TR degree was significantly improved at discharge when compared with preoperative degree in 3 groups (P lt; 0.001). A total of 146 patients were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 7.3 months). The NYHA grade of 3 groups at last follow-up was improved when compared with preoperative grade (P lt; 0.001), but no significant difference among 3 groups (χ2=0.120, P=0.942). The TR degree at last follow-up was all improved in 3 groups when compared with preoperative degree (P lt; 0.001); the improved efficiency showed significant difference among 3 groups (χ2=26.827, P=0.000), it was significantly better in annuloplasty ring group than in the other 2 groups (P lt; 0.001), but no significant difference between DeVega group and Kay group (Z=1.467, P=0.142). Conclusion The early improved efficiency of TR after Cosgrove-Edwards annuloplasty is superior to that of Kay annuloplasty and DeVega annuloplasty.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical effect of LuX-Valve implantation in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and review articles about similar devices.MethodsWe reported the data of a 58-year-old male patient with severe TR, who was hospitalized on March 17th, 2020 because of “abdominal distention and edema for 5 years”, and then received LuX-Valve implantation in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University. Articles about transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement were reviewed in PubMed according to the key words including “transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement” “TTVR” and “transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention”.ResultsThe patient with severe TR received LuX-Valve implantation under general anesthesia and the guidance of digital subtraction angiography and transesophageal echocardiography. The patient’s TR was totally corrected after implantation and postoperative one-month follow-up showed well clinical effects. The result of literature review showed that there were two similar devices and both had been implanted in TR patients.ConclusionLuX-Valve is an effective and reliable transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement device.
A 23-year-old male patient was diagnosed with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA) at the age of 3 during a routine physical examination. Due to the absence of significant symptoms, the patient was managed conservatively with follow-up without surgical treatment. He developed chest tightness one year prior to admission, with symptom exacerbation in the recent month. Echocardiography demonstrated significantly worsened morphological tricuspid regurgitation. The patient presented to Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital for surgical evaluation. Given the patient’s age and clinical presentation, a totally thoracoscopic morphological tricuspid valve replacement was performed. Postoperative assessment showed good prosthetic valve function, with no regurgitation or paravalvular leakage; the electrocardiogram confirmed sinus rhythm without atrioventricular block. Extubation occurred within 12 hours postoperatively, and the patient was transferred from the intensive care unit (ICU) on postoperative day 2. At the three-month follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic and had resumed normal activities. This report describes the first case of a totally thoracoscopic morphological tricuspid valve replacement in a ccTGA patient in China. This initial experience suggests that the totally thoracoscopic approach for morphological tricuspid valve replacement in ccTGA patients is a feasible, safe, and effective minimally invasive option associated with rapid recovery.