Abstract： Objective To investigate the effects of βreceptor blocker on intraventricular pressure gradient and left ventricle remodeling after valve replacement for critical aortic stenosis. Methods Fifty-six patients with critical aortic stenosis underwent aortic valve replacement surgery from January 2008 to January 2010 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Thirtytwo of them who were followed up were selected to be enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two groups under the same basis of clinical features. Twelve patients in the experimental group received oral βreceptor blocker (Metoprolol, 6.2525.00 mg once, twice daily). The rest 20 patients in the control group had no βreceptor blocker. The various indicators of ultrasound cardiogram (UCG) shortly after operation (within a week) and long after operation (6-24 months) were compared between the two groups. Results No death occurred in both groups, and chest distress, shortness of breath and other symptoms were obviously alleviated. Although left ventricular endsystolic dimension (LVESD) and left ventricular outflow tract dimension (LVOTD) of both groups increased 6-24 months after operation, compared with the early postoperative period, only the increase of LVOTD in the experimental group showed statistical difference (t=-47.937, P=0.001). In both groups, interventricular septum thickness (IVST), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT), filament band velocity of left ventricular outflow tract (V), intraventricular pressure gradient (G) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) of the later period after operation were significantly lower than those of the early postoperative period. All these indicators in the experimental group showed significant differences (t=7.781, P=0.001；t=5.749, P=0.001; t=2.637, P=0.023; t=7.167, P=0.001; t=100.061, P0.001), while only V, G， and LVMI showed statistical differences in the control group (t=4.051, P=0.001; t= 4.759, P= 0.001; t=-0.166,P=0.001). EF in the experimental group also indicated significant difference compared with early period after aortic valve replacement (t=-6.621, P=0.001). EF between two groups indicated no significant difference (t=-0.354,P=0.726). But differences between the two groups in LVEDD, IVS, G， and LVMI were all statistically significant in the later period after surgery (t=-2.494, P=0.018; t=-3.434, P=0.002;t=-2.171,P=0.038; t=-2.316, P=0.028). Conclusion β-receptor blocker is a safe and reliable drug for those patients who have undergone aortic valve replacement surgery for critical aortic stenosis, and can decrease significantly the residual intraventricular pressure gradient and accelerate left ventricular cardiac remodeling.
Objective To compare the patency of the postoperative vessel bridge grafts between the no-touch technique and the conventional technique for saphenous vein harvest in the coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods A total of 70 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting from January 2014 to January 2015 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. They were randomly divided into a conventional technique group (saphenous vein obtained by traditional technique) and a no-touch technique group (saphenous vein obtained by no-touch technique). There were 34 patients in the conventional technique group, including 16 males and 18 females with an average age of 61.6±6.4 years. There were 36 patients in the no-touch technique group, including 16 males and 20 females with an average age of 62.2±6.6 years. The 1-year postoperative coronary CT angiography (CTA) results were compared. Results Seventy patients underwent coronary CTA examination 1 year postoperatively. The patency rate of the conventional technique group and no-touch technique group were 83/116 (71.6%) and 113/122 (92.6%). Logistic regression analysis showed a statistical difference between the non-touch technique and the conventional technique (P<0.05). Conclusion The short-term patency rate of vessel bridge grafts is higher when the no-touch technique is used.
Objective To analyze the efficacy of no-touch technique and traditional technique in drawing great saphenous vein during coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods We searched the literatures on no-touch technique versus traditional technique in drawing great saphenous vein during coronary artery bypass grafting in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Chinese Journal Full-text Database, Wanfang database between January 1997 and November 2017. Jadad scale was used for quality verification. RevMan 5.0 was used for analysis. Results Six studies were included. Jadad scale for both 6 randomized controlled trials was 5 points. Meta-analysis showed that there was no statistical difference in postoperative mortality between the two groups with RR=0.68 and 95%CI 0.11 to 4.11(P=0.67). There was no statistical difference in leg wounds with RR=1.46 and 95%CI 0.23 to 9.16 (P=0.68). There was no statistical difference in short-term cardiogenic death with RR=0.33, 95%CI 0.10 to 1.03 ( P=0.06). The no-touch group’s long-term cardiogenic death was significantly lower than the traditional group withRR=0.36, 95%CI 0.16 to 0.79(P=0.01). Postoperative no-touch group’s short-term patency rate was significantly better than that of the traditional group with MD=3.08 and 95%CI 1.58 to 5.99 (P<0.01). The long-term patency rate in the no-touch group was also higher than that of the traditional group withMD=3.08 and 95%CI 1.58 to 5.99 (P<0.01). Conclusion Compared with the traditional group, the no-touch group increases postoperative long-term survival rate, short-term and long-term patency rate.
Objective To summarize the short-term results of valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation (ViV-TAVI) in the treatment of bioprosthetic valve failure after aortic valve replacement. Methods We reviewed the clinical data of patients who underwent ViV-TAVI from 2021 to 2022 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. The valve function was evaluated by echocardiography before operation, immediately after operation and 3 months after operation. The all-cause death and main complications during hospitalization were analyzed. Results A total of 13 patients were enrolled, including 8 males and 5 females with a mean age of (65.9±8.5) years, and the interval time between aortic valve replacement and ViV-TAVI was (8.5±3.4) years. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons mortality risk score was 10.3%±3.2%. None of the 13 patients had abnormal valve function after operation. The mean transvalvular pressure gradient of aortic valve was decreased (P<0.001), the peak flow velocity of aortic valve was decreased (P<0.001), and the left ventricular ejection fraction was not changed significantly (P=0.480). There were slight perivalvular leakage in 2 patients and slight valve regurgitation in 3 patients. Three months after operation, the mean transvalvular pressure difference and peak flow velocity of aortic valve in 12 patients were significantly decreased compared with those before operation (P≤0.001). Conclusion This study demonstrates that ViV-TAVI for the treatment of bioprosthetic valve failure after aortic valve replacement is associated with favorable clinical and functional cardiovascular benefits, the short-term results are satisfactory.
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of valve-in-valve transcatheter mitral valve replacement for the management of degenerated bioprosthetic mitral valves. Methods This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients who underwent transcatheter mitral valve replacement due to degenerated bioprosthetic mitral valves at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2020 to 2023. The analysis included baseline characteristics, surgical details, perioperative complications, and hemodynamic changes during the early postoperative period and subsequent follow-up. Results A total of 31 patients were included in the study, comprising 7 males and 24 females, with an average age of (66.57±9.32) years. The average duration since the initial surgical placement of the bioprosthetic valves was (9.92±3.71) years. The procedures included 7 patients utilizing the transfemoral venous-atrial septal approach and 24 patients employing the transapical approach. All patients exhibited significant improvement in cardiac function postoperatively, with a reduction in the number of patients classified as New York Heart Association (NYHA) grade Ⅲ or Ⅳ and those with moderate to severe tricuspid valve regurgitation. Echocardiographic assessments revealed a decrease in peak flow velocity across the mitral valve and a reduction in the average transvalvular pressure gradient, while left ventricular ejection fraction remained unchanged. One patient experienced a recurrent stroke and died on the fifth postoperative day; however, the remaining patients were discharged without complications, including cardiac death, all-cause mortality, or outflow tract obstruction. During a median follow-up period of 12 months, no adverse events were reported, and hemodynamic stability was maintained. Conclusion Valve-in-valve transcatheter mitral valve replacement is a safe and effective option for patients with degenerated bioprosthetic mitral valves, demonstrating favorable hemodynamic outcomes and satisfactory short-term clinical results.