ObjectiveTo summarize the indication and surgical experiences of valve replacement, high-risk factors and long-term results for aortic regurgitation and large left ventricle. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 42 patients with aortic regurgitation and left ventricle end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) ≥70 mm and left ventricle end-systolic diameter (LVESD) ≥ 50 mm in our hospital from March 2004 through December 2012. There were 38 males and 4 females,aged 16-73 (45.86±14.99) years. The patients underwent aortic valve replacement, who were evaluated by echocardiography at pre-operation, pre-discharge and early follow-up. The follow up period was 12-132 months. ResultsEarly death occurred in one patient. And five patients died during the follow-up. One week after surgery in 41 patients, LVEDD (62.00±13.21 mm), LVESD (50.71±14.02 mm), indexed LVEDD (35.23±8.58 mm/m2), indexed LVESD (28.92±9.08 mm/m2), LVEF (46.41%±12.49%), were significantly smaller than those before the operation (P<0.01). Heart function grades, preoperative EF, LVEDD and indexed LVEDD were the predictors for left ventricular function recovery. One-year, 5-year, 10-year survival rate was 92.9%, 90.2%, 83.8%, respectively. ConclusionMost of patients with aortic regurgitation and large left ventricle still have indications for surgical treatment, but severe left ventricular dysfunction and ventricular arrhythmia are high risk factors for long-term survival.
Objective To investigate the mid- to long-term follow-up results of ascending aorta (AAO)-descending thoracic aorta (DTA) bypass grafting via median sternotomy incision for the treatment of complex aortic arch coarctation. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with complex aortic arch coarctation who underwent AAO-DTA bypass grafting via median sternotomy incision at the First Affiliated Hospital of Tsinghua University from August 2004 to May 2017. ResultsA total of 7 patients were enrolled, including 4 males and 3 females, aged (13.3±4.6) years, and weighted (40.2±12.2) kg. Six (85.7%) patients had concomitant upper limb hypertension. Four patients were aortic arch coarctation combined with intracardiac malformations, two were post-operative restenosis, and 1 was post-operative restenosis combined with intracardiac malformation. All patients underwent surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. There were no perioperative deaths or major complications. The pre-operative upper-lower limb pressure difference was (51.4±13.5) mm Hg, which decreased to (2.9±2.7) mm Hg post-operatively (P<0.01). The follow-up period was (14.9±5.9) years. There were no long-term deaths or artificial graft-related complications. Except for one patient who still had mild hypertension, the blood pressure of the remaining patients returned to normal. Conclusion AAO-DTA bypass grafting via median sternotomy incision for the treatment of complex aortic arch coarctation can effectively reduce upper limb blood pressure and the upper-lower limb arterial pressure difference, has fewer complications, and demonstrates satisfactory mid- to long-term efficacy.