Objective To investigate the perioperative changes of serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement. Methods There were 20 patients admitted to the study, the serum BNP concentrations were measured before cardiac surgery, 24 hours, 7days, 14 days, and 30 days after operation. The preoperative NYHA cardiac function and the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) were measured by echocardiogram. Results The preoperative BNP level was the baseline, it elevated markedly and acutely to a peak value 24 hours after operation ( P =0.003), then the BNP decreased 7 days later, but was still higher than the concentration before operation ( P =0.015), 14 days later it reached to the concentration before operation, 30 days later it was mild lower than preoperative BNP level, but there was no significant difference. There was a positive correlation between NYHA and BNP ( r =0.69, P lt;0.05), but no correlation between LVEF and BNP( r =0.29, P gt;0 05). Conclusion The preoperative serum BNP concentration can reflect the preoperative cardiac function in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement, the high BNP level indicates the poor cardiac function. The BNP sharply elevated in the early time after operation, then gradually decreased in the late phase postoperation.
Abstract: Objective To investigate the in vivo effective orifice area (EOA) and whether prosthesispatient mismatch (PPM) is going to happen after 19mm St.Jude Regent valves replacement were performed. Methods Twentythree patients with valvular heart diseases were divided into 2 groups according to aortic annular diameter. 19mm St. Jude Regent valves were replaced in aortic valve place (Regent valve group), and 21mm other doubleleaflet mechanical valves were replaced in aortic place (other valves group). All of the operations were accomplished under cardiopulmonary bypass in West China Hospital. All of the patients were followed up in 3 to 6 months after their surgery processes. Color Doppler echocardiography was used to measure the hemodynamic parameters in their followup. Then left ventricular mass (LV mass), EOA and effective orifice area index (EOAI) etc. were calculated and compared by using SPSS 12.0. Results No cardiac episodes were detected during the perioperative period and 36 months after operation. LVmass reduced in 36 months after operation in both groups. No statistical significance of EOA, EOAI and LVmass reduction were detected between the two groups. Conclusions (1)The EOA and in vivo hemodynamic effects of 19mm Regent valve are similar to 21mm other double leaflet mechanical valve. (2)It is safe to use 19mm Regent valve in those patients whose aortic annular diameter are small and need double valve replacement. Using 19mm Regent valve will not cause short time cardiac episodes and PPM. (3)More further works should be done to make sure what is the standard of PPM in Chinese people, such as enlarging the patients number and prolonging the followup time. (4) Further clinical and followup works should be done to make St.Jude Regent valve’s feature out.
Objective To report the experiences of cardiac valve operation in children. Methods Cardiac valve operations were performed in 87 children who were 58 male and 19 female between age of 4 to 14 years (mean 10.2 years). Of the 87 patients, 36 underwent mitral valve replacement, 13 aortic valve replacement, 6 mitral and aortic valve replacement, 13 aortic valvuloplasty, and 19 mitral valvuloplasty. Associated cardiac lesions were simultaneously managed. Results Postoperative complications included low car...
ObjectiveTo clarify the relationship between the G/C polymorphism of inflammatory gene matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) and warfarin therapy after cardiac valve replacement (CVR). MethodsWe finally identified 96 patients who received additional warfarin therapy after CVR as a trial group and 78 patients without the warfarin therapy as a control group. Gene sequencing techniques were adopted to determine single nucleotide polymorphism allele. We analyzed genotype and clinical features of the two groups and explored the relationship between the different MMP2 geno-types and warfarin therapy after CVR. Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between genotypes and risk factors after CVR and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were performed to analyze the survival time and efficacy of patients carrying MMP2 GC and GG genotypes. ResultsThe distribution of MMP2 genotype in patients receiving warfarin therapy after surgery was different from that in patients without warfarin therapy. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that GC and GG genotypes were risk factors of complications of CVR. The proportion of GG genotype was higher in the patients with postoperative complications compared with those without. The survival time of patients carrying genotype MMP2 GG was shorter than those carrying GC genotype (P < 0.05), which reveals that the level of MMP2 GG genotype was associated with the prognosis. ConclusionG allele of MMP2 is a risk factor of complications following CVR. GG genotype is relevant to CVR and prognosis, which can be regarded as a risk factor post CVR.
ObjectiveTo observes the postoperative transformation of subjective and objective sleep quality and related influencing factors in patients with rheumatic valvular heart disease (RVHD) who were found with central sleep apnea (CSA) after cardiac valve replacement.MethodsA total of 262 patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement were screened for CSA by overnight polysomnography and 21 patients with CSA were enrolled and followed up successfully in the 3th, 6th and 12th month of postoperation from April 2010 to January 2013. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness, polysomnography and cardiac function were evaluated in preoperation and postoperation (in the 3th, 6th and 12th month).ResultsNew York Heart Association class ［preoperation and postoperation: (3.7±0.5), (2.3±0.6), (1.7±0.6), (1.6±0.7), F=81.124, P<0.05］ continuously decreased, left ventricular ejection fraction ［preoperation and postoperation: (58.5±6.8)%, (60.0±7.4)%, (60.9±5.6)%, (64.4±4.0)%, F=7.182, P<0.05］ steadily increased, six-minute walk distance ［preoperation and postoperation: (271.5±76.6), (422.1±71.9), (445.1±56.2), (454.5± 63.5) m, F=67.134, P<0.05］ constantly increased. During postoperative follow-up, sleep apnea-hypopnea index ［preoperation and postoperation: (26.2±13.4), (12.0±11.5), (8.6±7.5), (7.4±5.5)/h, F=20.548, P<0.05, central sleep apnea index ［preoperation and postoperation: (19.6±10.3), (0.5±1.5), (0.3±1.3), (0.2±0.7)/h, F=72.926, P<0.05］ and oxygen desaturation index ［preoperation and postoperation: (20.1±16.6), (10.8±9.5), (8.5±7.2), (6.1±5.1)/h, F=9.646, P<0.05］ sustained improved. Aroual index ［preoperation and postoperation: (23.1±12.1), (2.7±3.8), (3.5±4.8), (2.2±2.1)/h, F=58.370, P<0.05］ presented overall downward trend. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale ［preoperation and postoperation: (11.1±3.2), (8.2±3.3), (6.0±3.8), (4.4±2.5), F=27.670, P<0.05］ were constantly improved. Epworth Sleepiness scale ［preoperation and postoperation: (13.3±5.7), (6.9±4.5), (8.2±4.8), (6.1±3.7), F=15.994, P<0.05］ showed overall reduction.ConclusionThe sleep quality of patients with RVHD and CSA is improved after cardiac valve replacement, of which the trend is in keep with postoperative recovery of cardiac function.
Abstract: There is a 1% - 4% incidence of cardiac disease in pregnancy, and rheumatic heart disease is the most common diagnosis. On the condition that medical treatment is inefficacious, an open heart surgery should be performed. Because of the changes in physiological functions, there is a major difference between pregnant patients and the general population in perioperative management of valve replacement. Now , the pregnancy is not an absolute contraindication for cardiopulmonary bypass, though the incidence of mortality and birth defects remains high. It is helpful in decreasing complications and increasing survival rate by improving themethods of cardiopulmonary bypass, postoperative monitoring, anticoagulation etc. In this article, the progress in t reatments of perioperative period of cardiac valve replacement during pregnancy is reviewed.
Hemorrhage and thromboembolism are the most important long-term complications of anticoagulation therapy after mechanical heart valve replacement. The anticoagulation therapy intensity should be lowered in order to decrease the hemorrhagic complication. In recent years, the chief progresses of anticoagulation therapy are the using of International Normalized Ratio (INR) in anticoagulation therapy monitoring and the low intensity anticoagulation therapy. The proper anticoagulation intensities at home are INR 1.5-2.0 and prothrombin time ratio (PTR) 1.3-1.5. It is beneficial to adopt this low intensity anticoagulation therapy for decreasing the death rate from hemorrhage, protecting pregnant women and new borns from hemorrhage and malformation, and improving the life qualities of the patients.
Abstract: Objective To summarize the experiences of treatment for prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE), paying special emphasis on some interrelated conceptions of PVE, its microbiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Methods From September 1979 to September 2009, 33 patients diagnosed to have PVE were treated in our department. There were 17 males and 16 females. Their age ranged from 19 to 57 years old with an average age of 34 years. The incidence of PVE was 1.48% （33/2 236）including 1.03%（16/1 551）, 3.00%（7/233）, 2.28%（10/438）, and 0% of PVE in mitral valve replacement (MVR), aortic valve replacement (AVR), double valve replacement (DVR), tricuspid valve replacement (TVR), respectively. Pure medical treatment (Penicillin or Vancomycin with other broadspectrum antibiotics, Fluconazole and Amphotericin) was performed on 22 patients. Combined medical and surgical treatment was performed in 11 patients. The patients underwent operation after adequate antibiotics treatment and general condition improvement. The infective tissue and vegetation were completely debrided after the infective prosthetic valve was removed. Before the new valve was transplanted, paravalvular tissue was cleaned with antibiotics, iodine solution and normal saline. Results Hospital death occurred in 19 patients (86.36%) and only 3 patients (13.64%) recovered in the group with pure medical treatment. The main reasons for death were infective shock and cardiac failure in 9 patients, and cerebral complications including embolism, bleeding and multipleorgan failure in 10 patients. For the group with combined medical and surgical treatment, 10 patients (90.91%) survived and only one patient (9.09%) died of multipleorgan failure. Follow-up was done in 13 patients for 6 months to 15 years averaging 41 months. During the follow-up, only one patient was reoperated because of the paravalvular leak eight year later. There was no PVE recurrence in all the rest patients. Conclusion Compared with pure medical treatment, combined medical and surgical treatment is a better solution for PVE.
Objective To explore the affecting factors on sinus rhythm maintenance after electric cardioversion for patients with atrial fibrillation (Af) after cardiac valve replacement. Methods One hundred fifty two valvular disease patients with Af after cardiac valve replacement were randomized to 2 groups: Amiodarone group and control group (without anti arrhythmic drugs) after cardioversion. Af recurrence was observed during one year follow up. Results (1) No significant difference of Af recurrence betwe...
Objective To compare the efficacy of 6-epsilon-aminocaproic acid （EACA） with aprotinin on reducing postoperative bleeding in cardiac valve replacement procedures, and to investigate its influence on the possible thromboembolism and the renal function. Methods Seventy-nine patients who underwent cardiac valve replacement were randomly divided into two groups： EACA group （n = 39） and aprotinin group （n = 40）, which were given EACA and aprotinin separately in operations. The volumes of drainage to body surface area （BSA）, blood transfusion were recorded during 24 h after operations. The concentrations of serum D-dimer and α2-antiplasmin （a2- AP） were measured before, during operation and at 72h post-operatively. The serum creatinine levels before operation and at the 72 h after operation were also measured. Results The volume ratio of drainage to BSA in EACA group was significantly higher than that in the aprotinin group at 24 h after operation （P = 0. 019）. However, there was no significant difference in the volumes of blood transfusion between two groups （P〉0. 05）. Also no statistical difference in the concentrations of D-dimer and a2-AP were found between two groups whether preoperatively or at 72h post-operatively （P= 0. 960,0. 485）, D-dimer and a2-AP of the aprotinin group were higher than those in the EACA group after aortic off-clamping （P = 0. 001,0. 000）. There was no statistically difference of △CrCl72 in both groups （P〉0. 05）. No patient with thrombosis or thromboembolism was detected in two groups.Conclusion Although the efficacy of EACA in reducing postoperative bleeding in cardiac valve replacement can not compare favorably with that of aprotinin, the blood transfusion volume would not increase when EACA is used introoperatively. Proper usage of EACA will not cause thrombosis and renal damage.