Abstract: Objective To summarize the immediate effects and the near and midterm followup results of transthoracic balloon valvuloplasty for newborns and infants with severe and critical pulmonary valve stenosis to find out an effective plan for onestop balloon valvuloplasty. Methods From March 2006 to March 2010, 32 patients including 23 males and 9 females with severe and critical pulmonary valve stenosis were treated in Fu Wai Hospital. Their age ranged from 5 days to 11 months (4.59±3.21 months). Weight of the patients ranged from 2.3 to 10.5 kg (6.48±2.05 kg). Dilatation was performed under general anesthesia with intubation and the guidance of echocardiography. During the follow-up period, all survivors had serial echocardiographic assessment to measure the transpulmonary pressure gradient (TPG) and the degree of pulmonary regurgitation. Results All operations were successful with no severe postoperative complications. Hemodynamic indexes were stable after operation with TPG lowered from from 82±27 mm Hg preoperatively to 23±12 mm Hg postoperatively (t=15.28, Plt;0.05). Only 4 patients had a TPG of more than 40 mm Hg on echocardiography before leaving the hospital. Tricuspid regurgitation was decreased significantly with 17 cases of nonregurgitation, 13 cases of light regurgitation and 2 cases of moderate regurgitation. Saturation of peripheral oxygen in all the patients increased to higher than 95%. Followup time ranged from 1 month to 4 years (16±11 months). The results of the follow-up were satisfying for all the patients. The average TPG was 17±10 mm Hg with only one above 40 mm Hg. Pulmonary valve regurgitation was found in 24 patients including 23 with light pulmonary regurgitation and 1 with moderate regurgitation. Conclusion Transthoracic balloon valvuloplasty for newborns and infants with severe and critical pulmonary valve stenosis is safe and effective.
The interventional therapy of vascular stent implantation is a popular treatment method for cardiovascular stenosis and blockage. However, traditional stent manufacturing methods such as laser cutting are complex and cannot easily manufacture complex structures such as bifurcated stents, while three-dimensional (3D) printing technology provides a new method for manufacturing stents with complex structure and personalized designs. In this paper, a cardiovascular stent was designed, and printed using selective laser melting technology and 316L stainless steel powder of 0−10 µm size. Electrolytic polishing was performed to improve the surface quality of the printed vascular stent, and the expansion behavior of the polished stent was assessed by balloon inflation. The results showed that the newly designed cardiovascular stent could be manufactured by 3D printing technology. Electrolytic polishing removed the attached powder and reduced the surface roughness Ra from 1.36 µm to 0.82 µm. The axial shortening rate of the polished bracket was 4.23% when the outside diameter was expanded from 2.42 mm to 3.63 mm under the pressure of the balloon, and the radial rebound rate was 2.48% after unloading. The radial force of polished stent was 8.32 N. The 3D printed vascular stent can remove the surface powder through electrolytic polishing to improve the surface quality, and show good dilatation performance and radial support performance, which provides a reference for the practical application of 3D printed vascular stent.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and the value of balloon kyphoplasty in treating aged osteoporosis thoracolumbar vertebrae burst fracture. Methods Between January 2003 and January 2008, 36 thoracolumbar vertebrae burst fracture patients were treated. There were 15 males and 21 females with an average age of 65.4 years (range, 59-72 years). Fourteen cases had no obvious history of trauma, 19 had a history of sl ight trauma, and 3 had a history of severe trauma. Forty vertebral bodies were involved, including 1 T7, 3 T9, 8 T10, 10 T12, 9 L1, 7 L2, and 2 L4. All patients displayed local pain and osteoporosis by bone density measurement with no neurological symptom of both lower limbs. Balloon kyphoplasty through unilateral (31 cases) or bilateral (5 cases) vertebral pedicles with polymethylmethacrylate was performed at the injection volume of (3.46 ± 0.86) mL per vertebral body. Before and after operation, the anterior height and posterior height of fractured vertebral body and the sagittal displacement were measured. Results Two cases had intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage; 1 case had no remission of waist-back pain and pain was released after symptomatic treatment. All 36 patients were followed up 2.3 years on average (range, 1.5-4.0 years). No cement leakage was found with good diffusion of cement on X-ray film. The restoration of the height of vertebral bodies was satisfactory without nerve compression symptoms and other compl ications. The Visual Analogue Score at last follow-up (2.34 ± 1.03) was significantly lower than that of preoperation (6.78 ± 1.21), (P lt; 0.05). The compressive percentage of anterior height (19.80% ± 1.03%) of fractured vertebral body after operation was significantly lower than that before operation(25.30% ± 2.50%), (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in posterior compressive percentage and sagittal displacement between pre- and post- operation (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Based on roentgenographic scores, balloon kyphoplasty is selectively used to treat aged osteoporosis thoracolumbar vertebrae burst fracture, and the radiographic and cl inical results were satisfactory.
Objective To investigate the clinical effect and safety of balloon angioplasty (BAP) for patients with venous hypertension associated with autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Methods Thirty-three patients with venous hypertension associated with AVF were hospitalized between August 2012 and August 2014 in the Department of Nephrology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University. All of the patients received BAP therapy. The clinical characteristics and therapeutic effects were comparatively summarized before and after operation. Results Venous hypertension in all the 33 patients was caused by central venous stenosis or occlusion. Among them, there were 13 cases of stenosis on the site where the left innominate vein crossed the aorta, 10 cases of stenosis at the junction of the left innominate vein and superior vena cava, 4 cases of stenosis at the junction of the left subclavian vein and the innominate vein, 3 cases of right innominate vein stenosis, and 3 cases of innominate vein occlusion. The lesions were most common in the innominate vein. Innominate vein stenosis or occlusion occurred in 19 cases (57.6%), and stenosis at the junction of innominate vein and the superior vena cava or subclavian vein occurred in 14 cases (42.4%). Of the 33 patients, one patient with complete occlusion of the innominate vein did not receive BAP treatment because guide wire could not pass through the occlusion site. The other 32 patients underwent BAP treatment, among whom 30 (93.8%) were successful, and 2 (6.2%) failed. No obvious complications occurred. One day after BAP treatment, patients’ symptoms were significantly relieved. One to seven days later, swelling of the hands, pain, and other symptoms were relieved. In the 30 patients who underwent the treatment successfully, 29 were followed up for 3 to 24 months. Among them, 21 (72.4%) maintained clinical remission and the AVFs were functional, 6 patients (20.7%) got a restenosis later, and 2 patients died. Conclusions BAP is effective and safe for venous hypertension associated with AVF. However, the follow-up of patients has displayed the possible risk of restenosis in long-term outcomes.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficiency of pelvic and sacrum tumor surgery using sizing balloon occlusion of the lower abdominal aorta. MethodsFrom January 2005 to June 2011, 156 patients were diagnosed to have sacrum or pelvic tumor and underwent surgery in our institution. Temporary balloon occlusion of abdominal aorta was used in 51 patients during the resection of sacrum and pelvic tumors (balloon group). Another 105 patients received the traditional surgery resection (control group). The results of the whole operation time, the volume of blood loss and transfusion, the complication and the total days of stay in hospital in the two groups were compared with each other. ResultsAfter the abdominal aorta was occluded, 92.2% of the patients in the balloon group had holistic resection or edge resection, while the number was 86.7% for the control group. In the balloon group, the average operation time was (171.96±65.16) minutes, the average intraoperative blood loss was (746.86±722.73) mL, and the blood transfusion was (411.76±613.73) mL. The postoperative lead flow was (294.50±146.09) mL, and the postoperative tube removal was within (2.98±1.07) days. Improvement of patients'condition was significantly better than the control group (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in the total days of stay in hospital and the postoperative complications between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionUsing abdominal aorta occlusion can effectively control intraoperative hemorrhage, and show the operation field clearly. It also can reduce operation time and control the blood transfusions. Appropriately extended balloon blocking time can obviously improve the tumor removal rate and the safety of the operation.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficiency of balloon occlusion of the lower abdominal aorta in blood loss control during resections of pelvic or sacral tumor. MethodsFrom April 2006 to April 2010, 24 patients diagnosed as pelvic or sacral tumor in this hospital were collected. Balloon occlusion of the lower abdominal aorta to control blood loss was used in these cases. Balloon catheters were placed via femoral artery to occlude the abdominal aorta before operation. Resections of pelvic or sacral tumors were performed after occlusion of abdominal aorta, duration no longer than 60 min per occlusion, if repeated occlusions needed, 10－15 min release in between. Results Average operative time was 153 min (range 40－245 min) and average blood loss was 310 ml (range 200－650 ml) in this series, and the procedure helped in clearly identifying the surgical margin, neurovascular structures, and adjacent organs. The blood pressure were stable in all the cases. No postoperative renal function impairment was found in all the cases, no side injuries to adjacent organs was identified. One case complicated with thrombosis in iliac artery at same puncture side was successfully treated with catheter thrombectomy. ConclusionIntraoperative abdominal aorta balloon occluding in pelvic and sacral tumor surgical operation could reduce blood loss, and improve the safety of operation.
Objective To evaluate the application value of spiral CT virtual endoscopy and three dimensional imaging in fiberoptic bronchoscopic balloon dilation in patients with benign tracheobronchial stenosis. Methods Thirty-three cases of benign tracheobronchial stenosis from June 2004 to November 2008 were checked by spiral CT with airway tracheobronchial reconstruction. For the patients with indications, balloon dilatation was performed under fiberoptic bronchoscope. The three-dimensional reconstruction images were compared with the findings under bronchoscopy. And the preoperative and postoperative three-dimensional reconstruction images were compared for airway diameter. Results Three cases were found stenosis of middle lobe by CT virtual endoscopy and did not undergo balloon dilatation. The remaining 30 cases were confirmed by bronchoscopy findings similar to the images by tracheobronchial reconstruction with CT, with consistent rate of 100% . Immediate postoperative three-dimensional CTreconstruction of tracheal bronchus revealed that diameter of stenotic bronchus increased from ( 2. 7 ±1. 3) mm to ( 6. 9 ±1. 6) mmafter operation. Conclusion Multislice spiral CT virtual endoscopy is helpful in fiberoptic bronchoscopic balloon dilation in patients with benign tracheobronchial stenosis and postoperative follow-up.
ObjectiveTo explore the value of the long time lower abdominal aorta balloon block technology in the pelvis or sacrum tumor surgery. MethodsFrom January 2005 to June 2013, the sacrum or pelvic tumor patients underwent the long time lower abdominal aorta balloon block technology in the Orthopedics Department of West China Hospital of Sichuan University were enrolled. According to the balloon blocking time, patients were divided into A (<90 mins), B (90 to 180 mins), and C (>180 mins) groups. The intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion amount, average lengths of hospital stay, postoperative volume of drainage, and postoperative complications were compared among the three groups. ResultsA total of 78 patients were included, of which 21 were in group A, 38 were in group B and 19 were in group C. All patients received en bloc resection, and did not experience intraoperative balloon shift and abdominal aorta flow leakage. Comparing the three groups, there were significant differences in intraoperative blood loss (P=0.026) and average lengths of hospital stay (P=0.021). Further pairwise comparison showed the intraoperative blood loss and average lengths of hospital stay in group C were significantly higher than those in group A and group B. In addition, there were no statistical differences among the three groups in blood transfusion amount, postoperative volume of drainage and postoperative complications. ConclusionIn the pelvis and sacrum tumor surgery, extending the time of abdominal aorta balloon block can reduce bleeding, save blood, increase the safety of surgery without increasing in postoperative complications.
Stent migration is one of the common complications following transcatheter valve implantation. This study aims to design a “drum-shaped” balloon-expandable aortic valve stent to address this issue and conduct a mechanical analysis. The implantation process of the stent was evaluated using a method that combines numerical simulation and in vitro experiments. Furthermore, the fatigue process of the stent under pulsatile cyclic loading was simulated, and its fatigue performance was assessed using a Goodman diagram. The process of the stent migrating toward the left ventricular side was simulated, and the force-displacement curve of the stent was extracted to evaluate its anti- migration performance. The results showed that all five stent models could be crimped into a 14F sheath and enabled uniform expansion of the native valve leaflets. The stress in each stent was below the ultimate stress, so no fatigue fracture occurred. As the cell height ratio decreased, the contact area fraction between the stent and the aortic root gradually decreased. However, the mean contact force and the maximum anti-migration force first decreased and then increased. Specifically, model S5 had the smallest contact area fraction but the largest mean contact force and maximum anti-migration force, reaching approximately 0.16 MPa and 10.73 N, respectively. The designed stent achieves a “drum-shaped” change after expansion and has good anti-migration performance.
ObjectiveTo investigate the short-term effectiveness of balloon vertebroplasty combined with short-segment pedicle screw instrumentation for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures. MethodsBetween June 2011 and December 2013, 22 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures were included. There were 14 males and 8 females, aged 20-60 years (mean, 42.5 years). The fracture segments included T11 in 1 case, T12 in 4 cases, L1 in 10 cases, L2 in 6 cases, and L3 in 1 case. According to AO classification system, there were 13 cases of type A and 9 cases of type B. Spinal cord injury was classified as grade C in 2 cases, grade D in 3 cases, and grade E in 17 cases according to Frankel scale. The time from injury to operation was 3-10 days (mean, 5.5 days). All patients underwent posterior reduction and fixation via the injured vertebra, transpedicular balloon reduction of the endplate and calcium sulfate cement (CSC) injection. The ratio of anterior vertebral height, the ratio of central vertebral height, the sagittal Cobb angle, the restoration of nervous function, and internal fixation failure were analyzed. ResultsPrimary healing of incision was obtained in the others except 2 cases of poor healing, which was cured after dressing change or debridement. All the patients were followed up 9-40 months (mean, 15 months). CSC leakage occurred in 2 cases. Absorption of CSC was observed at 8 weeks after operation with complete absorption time of 12-16 weeks (mean, 13.2 weeks). The mean fracture healing time was 18.5 weeks (range, 16-20 weeks). The ratio of anterior vertebral height, ratio of central vertebral height, and sagittal Cobb angle were significantly improved at 1 week and 3 months after operation and last follow-up when compared with preoperative values (P<0.01), but no significant difference was found among 3 time points after operation (P>0.01). There was no internal fixation failure or Cobb angle loss more than 10°. Frankel scale was improved with no deterioration of neurologic function injury. ConclusionBalloon vertebroplasty combined with short-segment pedicle screw instrumentation is simple and safe for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures, and it can improve the quality of reduction, restore vertebral mechanical performance effectively, and prevent the loss of correction and internal fixation failure.