ObjectiveTo assess outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for pure native aortic valve regurgitation.MethodsA total of 129 patients underwent transfemoral TAVR in Fuwai Hospital from May 2019 to October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 83 males and 46 females with an average age of 72.26±8.97 years. The patients were divided into a pure native aortic valve regurgitation group (17 patients) and an aortic valve stenosis group (112 patients).ResultsThe incidence of valve in valve was higher in the pure native aortic valve regurgitation group (47.0% vs. 16.1%, P<0.01). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in conversion to surgery, intraoperative use of extracorporeal circulation, intraoperative left ventricular rupture, postoperative use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), peripheral vascular complications, disabled stroke, death, or pacemaker implantation. There was no statistical difference in the diameter of annulus (25.75±2.21 mm vs. 24.70±2.90 mm, P=0.068) or diameter of outflow tract (25.82±3.75 mm vs. 25.37±3.92 mm, P=0.514) between the pure native aortic valve regurgitation group and the aortic valve stenosis group.ConclusionTransfemoral TAVR is a feasible method for patients with pure native aortic valve regurgitation. The diameter of annulus plane, the diameter of outflow tract and the shape of outflow tract should be evaluated.
ObjectiveTo discuss the influence of early postoperative hemodynamic, postoperative mortality and the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events with the phenomenon of prosthesis-patient mismatch. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 89 patients who had simple aortic valve replacement in our hospital bewteen January 2012 and January 2014. The 89 patients were divided into two groups including a match group (16 females and 48 males with average age of 58.1±10.4 years) and a mismatch group (15 females and 10 males with average age of 65.3±12.8 years). We compared early results between the two groups. ResultsThere is a statistic difference (P < 0.05) in aortic flow velocity, mean pressure gradient, and the maximum pressure gradient between the two groups. The survival rate of the match group is significantly lower than that of the mismatch group (P < 0.05). And there is a statistical difference in adverse cardiovascular event-free incidence between the two groups (P < 0.001). ConclusionThe phenomenon of prosthesis-patient mismatch can affect postoperative hemodynamic and lead to heart failure after surgery. And early mortality and the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events in patients are increased due to prosthesis-patient mismatch.
Objective To study the development of a physiologic fixation method and investigate the effect of physiologic fixation method on porcine aortic root and aortic valve leaflets. Methods Physiological fixer of aortic root was manufactured in a factory. The fixers with different diameter were made of organic glass. Porcine aortic root with ascending aorta and anterior leaflet of mitral valve and partial ventricular septum were dissected out from the fresh heart. The roots were attached to appropriately sized inflow and outflow spigots. Physiologic fixation was utilized to maintain aortic root and leaflets natural anatomical shape, the aortic root was pressurized to the inflow and outflow portions simultaneously, and the leaflets floated freely at zero-pressure differential with in the pressurized root. Results The process of physiologic fixation retained the properties of a native valve. The leaflets were much softer and extensible than those from valves fixed under low pressure. The results of pulsatile flow testing indicated that the effective orifice areas of predilation at 80mmHg were significantly greater than those of predilation at 40 mmHg（P〈0.05）, while mean pressure differences were found to be lower comparatively（P〈0.05）. This difference translates into a mode of valve function that more closely approximates that of the native aortic valve. Conclusion Physiologic fixation process retains the valve＇s natural anatomical shape as well as the underlying structure of the leaflets, providing improved flow characteristics.
Objective To observe preserving effect on myocytes in porcine aortic valve replacement with minimal extracorporeal circulation (MECC). Methods 7 pigs were collected as experimental animals and undertook aortic valve replacement with MECC. Morphological and immunofluorescence intensity changes of right atrial and left ventricular tissues were observed. Results HE staining showed that there were not significant changes and edema or injury of myocytes of right atriums and left ventricles between preoperation and postoperation. Immunofluorescence staining showed complement C3b/c in right atrial myocardial tissues after the operation were a little ber, and innate antibody IgG were a little ber in left ventricular myocardial tissues but similarly weak in right atrial myocardial tissues pre- and post-operation. There was not significant changes in HSPG staining in pre-and post-operative right atrial myocardial tissues, but HSPG were obviously weaker in left ventricular myocardial tissues after the operation. Conclusion MECC is effective on support of porcine aorta valve replacement.
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 summarize the clinical experience in the treatment of high-risk patients with severe aortic valve disease by transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) via heart apex approach and to evaluate the early efficacy.MethodFive patients who underwent TAVI via heart apex approach from September 2017 to February 2019 in Henan Thoracic Hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including 3 males and 2 females, aged 65-84 (74.6±4.5) years.ResultAll operations were performed through a small left incision into the thoracic cavity (3-5 cm), and then through the J-Valve transport system, the aortic valve was successfully released via heart apex after precise positioning under digital subtraction angiography. One patient developed ventricular fibrillation during the operation, and the operation was completed with the assistance of emergency femoral arteriovenous catheterization cardiopulmonary bypass; one patient underwent percutaneous coronary intervention first because of severe coronary stenosis; one patient had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation during the perioperative period, and had hepatorenal insufficiency and thrombocytopenia after the operation, and was improved after medical treatment; one patient had perivalvular leak during the operation, and was improved after re-implantation of the valve; one patient was in stable condition during operation and recovered smoothly after operation. Surgery was successful in all 5 patients. The follow-up time was 2-19 months, and the early clinical effect was good.ConclusionThe short-term clinical efficacy of TAVI via heart apex approach in the treatment of high-risk severe aortic valve disease is definite and safe, but the long-term and medium-term effects need to be further evaluated.
Objective To explore the effect of aortic valve neo-cuspidization (AVNeo) for patients with severe aortic valve lesions simultaneously. Methods Patients who underwent AVNeo combined valve repair surgery for multiple valve diseases were included in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from May 2016 to September 2023. Results We included 11 patients with 7 males and 4 females at a median age of 38 (36, 49) years. Rheumatic heart disease was found in 5 (45.5%) patients and non-rheumatic heart disease in 6 (54.5%) patients. The median EuroSCORE Ⅱ score was 1.62 (1.18, 1.75) points. Eight patients underwent AVNeo plus mitral and tricuspid valve repair, and 3 patients underwent AVNeo plus mitral valve repair. The median operative time was 356 (315, 415) min, and the median cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic clamping time were 203 (174, 231) min and 168 (131, 188) min, respectively. In the early stage, 2 patients underwent combined valve repair surgery, and 1 patient underwent in-hospital reoperation for aortic valve replacement because of severe aortic regurgitation. There were 9 patients in the mature stage of AVNeo, and no perioperative adverse events or moderate or above residual valvular disease occurred. All patients recovered and were discharged from the hospital. The follow-up period was 3-99 months, and no reoperation, severe valve disease, bleeding, cerebral infarction, or other adverse events occurred in all patients. Conclusion For non-elderly patients whose mitral and tricuspid valves can be repaired successfully with severe aortic valve lesions, AVNeo can be attempted after proficiency. But the operation time and cardiopulmonary bypass time will inevitably be prolonged, and the patient's basic situation should be carefully evaluated before surgery.
The first aortic valve repair was performed in 1958, but the clinical outcome was limited. Since the invention of prosthetic valves, aortic valve replacement has become and still maintained the dominated surgical treatment option. As the impact of the prosthetic valve-related event to quality of life of the patients and the studies of the mechanism of aortic regurgitation and the functional anatomy of aortic root grow, the application of aortic valve repair gets more popular, and the short- and mid-term outcomes are good.
Objective To compare the short- to mid-term outcomes of aortic valve plasty (AVP) and Ross surgery in children with severe aortic valve disease. Methods The patients (aged<18 years) with severe aortic valve disease who underwent AVP (an AVP group) or Ross surgery (a Ross group) at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital from January 2019 to September 2023 were retrospectively included. We compared perioperative and follow-up data between the groups. Results A total of 48 pediatric patients were included, including 28 males and 20 females, with an average age of (9.3±4.5) years. There were 25 patients in the AVP group, and 23 in the Ross group. Leaflet thinning (15/25, 60.0%) and leaflet extension (10/25, 40.0%) were the most common strategies used in the AVP group, while root replacement technique (12/23, 52.2%) and subcoronary technique (10/23, 43.5%) were the most frequently used strategies in the Ross group. There was no in-hospital death. The median follow-up time was 16.0 (7.0, 30.0) months. Peak flow velocity of the aortic valve was higher in the AVP group [2.0 (1.4, 2.9) m/s vs. 1.2 (1.0, 1.5) m/s, P<0.001], while there was no statistical difference in the postoperative aortic valve regurgitation severity between the two groups (P=0.127). During follow-up, the overall reoperation rate and aortic valve reoperation rate were similar between the AVP group and the Ross group (8.0% vs. 13.0%, P=0.922; 8.0% vs. 0.0%, P=0.266). The rate of recurrent aortic valve disease was higher in the AVP group (52.0% vs. 4.3%, P<0.001), while further analysis failed to recognize any risk factors. Conclusion AVP and Ross procedure show similar perioperative safety, survival and reoperation rate. The rate of recurrent aortic valve disease is higher in the AVP group, but further investigations are needed to confirm the causes.
Nowadays, aortic bioprostheses are used more and more widely in clinical practice, but the valve will experience structural valve degradation over time, and eventually lose its function, which is valve failure. Valve failure has become a significant challenge for aortic valve replacement and especially limits the expansion of indications for transcatheter aortic valve replacement. This review focuses on the current status and relevant evidence on the definition, risk factors, epidemiological characteristics, diagnosis and evaluation, treatment strategies of aortic bioprostheses failure. The purpose is to provide a basis for a more comprehensive understanding of aortic bioprostheses failure, finding better coping strategies and further improving the long-term durability of the valve.