Working Group on Extracorporeal Life Support, National Center for Cardiovascular Quality Improvement developed guidelines on patient blood management for adult cardiovascular surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass, aiming to standardize patient blood management in adult cardiovascular surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass, reduce blood resource consumption, and improve patients outcomes. Forty-eight domestic experts participated in the development of the guidelines. Based on prior investigation and the PICO (patient, intervention, control, outcome) principles, thirteen clinical questions from four aspects were selected, including priming and fluid management during cardiopulmonary bypass, anticoagulation and monitoring during cardiopulmonary bypass, peri-cardiopulmonary bypass blood product infusion, and autologous blood infusion. Systemic reviews to the thirteen questions were performed through literature search. Recommendations were drafted using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) system. After five rounds of experts discussions between 2023 and 2024, 19 recommendations were finally formed.
ObjectiveTo analyze the causes and preventions of stent graft induced new entry (SINE) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for Stanford type B dissection, particularly from the standpoint of biomechanical behavior of stent graft. MethodsSINE was defined as the new tear caused by the stent graft itself, excluding those arising from natural disease progression or any iatrogenic injury from the endovascular manipulation. Twentytwo patients with SINE were retrospectively collected and analyzed out of 650 cases undergoing TEVAR for type B dissection from August 2000 to June 2008 in our center. An additional case included was referred to our center in 14 months after TEVAR performed in another hospital. ResultsTotally, there were 24 SINEs found in 23 cases, including SINE at the proximal end in 15 cases, at the distal end in 7, and at both in 1, and 6 patients died. The incidence was 3.4% ( 22/650) in our hospital, and the mortality was 26.1% (6/23). All 16 proximal SINEs was located at the greater curve of the arch and caused retrograde type A dissection. All 8 distal SINEs occurred at the dissected flap, and 5 of them caused enlarging aneurysm while 3 remained stable. All 23 cases had the endograft placed across the distal aortic arch during the primary TEVAR. ConclusionsSINE is not rare following TEVAR for type B dissection, and associates with a high substantial mortality. The stress yielded by the endograft seems to play a predominant role in its occurrence. It is of significance to take the stressinduced injury into account during both design and placement of the endograft.
Objective To systematically evaluate the clinical effects of remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) in elective vascular surgery. Methods Electronic searches were conducted in The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP Database, and CBM. Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software, and the risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results A total of 15 studies involving 1 382 patients were included. The meta-analysis results showed no statistically significant difference between RIPC and non-RIPC groups in reducing perioperative mortality in elective vascular surgery (P>0.05). There were also no statistically significant differences between the two groups of vascular surgery patients regarding the incidence of myocardial infarction, renal injury, postoperative stroke, postoperative length of hospital stay, duration of surgery or total anesthesia time, or the incidence of limb injury, arrhythmia, heart failure, and pneumonia (P>0.05). Conclusion For patients undergoing elective vascular surgery, there are no significant differences between RIPC and non-RIPC in terms of perioperative mortality and other clinical endpoint outcomes.
Objective To summarize treatment experience and evaluate clinical outcomes of surgical therapy for Stanford type A aortic dissection （AD）. Methods Clinical data of 48 patients with Stanford type A AD who underwent surgical treatment in General Hospital of Lanzhou Military Region from October 2006 to March 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 41 males and 7 females with their age of 26-72 （47.6±9.2） years. There were 43 patients with acute Stanford type A AD （interval between symptom onset and diagnosis＜14 days） and 5 patients with chronic AD. There were 19 patients with moderate to severe aortic insufficiency and 6 patients with Marfan symdrome but good aortic valve function，who all received Bentall procedure，total arch replacement and stented elephant trunk implantation. There were 8 patients with AD involving the aortic root but good aortic valve function who underwent modified David procedure，total arch replacement and stented elephant trunk implantation. There were 10 patients with AD involving the ascending aorta who received ascending aorta replacement，total arch replacement and stented elephant trunk implantation. There were 5 patients with AD involving partial aortic arch who underwent ascending aorta and hemiarch replacement. Patients were followed up in the 3rd，6th and 12th month after discharge then once every year. Follow-up evaluation included general patient conditions，blood pressure control，chest pain recurrence，mobility and computerized tomography arteriography （CTA）. ResultsCardiopulmonary bypass time was 121-500 （191.4±50.6） minutes，aortic cross-clamp time was 58-212 （112.3±31.7） minutes，and circulatory arrest and selective cerebral perfusion time was 26-56 （34.8±8.7） minutes. Postoperative mechanicalventilation time was 32-250 （76.2±35.6） hours，and ICU stay was 3-20 （7.1±3.4） days. Thoracic drainage within 24 hours postoperatively was 680-1 600 （1 092.5±236.3） ml. Seven patients （14.5%） died perioperatively including 2 patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome，2 patients with low cardiac output syndrome，1 patient with renal failure，1patient with delayed refractory hemorrhage，and 1 patient with coma. Twenty patients had other postoperative complicationsand were cured or improved after treatment. A total of 38 patients ［92.7% （38/41）］ were followed up for 3-48 （13.0±8.9） months，and 3 patients were lost during follow-up. During follow-up，there were 36 patients alive and 2 patients who died of other chronic diseases. There was no AD-related death during follow-up. None of the patients required reoperation for AD or false-lumen expansion. CTA at 6th month after discharge showed no anastomotic leakage，graft distortion or obstruction.Conclusion According to aortic intimal tear locations，ascending aorta diameter and AD involving scopes，appropriate surgical strategies，timing and organ protection are the key strategies to achieve optimal surgical results for Stanford type A AD. Combined axillary and femoral artery perfusion and increased lowest intraoperative temperature are good methods for satisfactory surgical outcomes of Stanford type A AD.
ObjectiveTo explore the postoperative characteristics and management experience of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) undergoing cardiac and vascular surgery. MethodsFrom December 7, 2022 to January 5, 2023, the patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to Cardiovascular Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University and underwent cardiac and vascular surgery were selected. The clinical history, surgical information, postoperative recovery process and treatment plan were analyzed retrospectively. ResultsThere were 18 patients in this group, including 11 (61.1%) males and 7 (38.9%) females, with an average age of 58.1±10.9 years. There were 7 patients of hypertension, 5 patients of diabetes, 3 patients of respiratory diseases, and 2 patient of chronic renal insufficiency. There were 5 (27.8%) patients receiving emergency operations and 13 (72.2%) elective operations. All the 18 patients underwent cardiac and vascular surgery in the period of COVID-19, and the time between the last positive nucleic acid test and the surgery was 1.50 (1.00, 6.25) days. There were 8 patients of pulmonary imaging changes, including 3 patients with chest patch shadow, 3 patients with thickened and disordered lung markings, and 2 patients with exudative changes before operation. Antiviral therapy was not adopted in all patients before operation. Three patients were complicated with viral pneumonia after operation, including 2 patients with high risk factors before operation, who developed into severe pneumonia after operation, and underwent tracheotomy. One patient with thrombus recovered after anticoagulation treatment. Another patient of mild pneumonia recovered after antiviral treatment. The other 15 patients recovered well without major complications. There was no operation-related death in the whole group. One patient died after surgery, with a mortality rate of 5.6%. Conclusion Patients with COVID-19 are at high risk of cardiac and vascular surgery, and patients with high-risk factors may rapidly progress to severe pneumonia. Patients with preoperative lung imaging changes or other basic visceral diseases should consider delaying the operation. Early antiviral combined with immunomodulation treatment for emergency surgery patients may help improve the prognosis.
3D printing technology has a promising prospect of medical use and clinical value, and may play an important role in the field of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, such as preoperative diagnosis, surgical planning, surgical approach alternatives and organ replacement. This review focuses on the development of 3D printing technology in recent years and its use and prospect in the field of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery including surgical teaching and simulation, personalized prosthesis implantation, and artificial organ transplantation.
Facing the increasing cardiovascular disease burden and prevailing population risk factors, the cardiovascular surgery in China was also encountering challenges including imbalances in discipline development, significant divergencies in healthcare quality, lacking of clinical guidelines and domestic critical evidence. The concept of quality control and improvement has been practiced and tested in many disease specialties. Quality improvement programs are urgently needed in China to promote the universal cardiovascular surgery healthcare quality.
Objective To analyze the characteristics of pathogens causing bloodstream infection (BSI) after cardiovascular surgery, and provide instructions for prevention and treatment of such kind of disease. Methods A retrospective investigation of clinical and pathogenic data of the patients suffering from BSI after cardiovascular surgery in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2015 to December 2016 was performed. There were 61 patients with 36 males and 25 females at average age of 48.2±17.1 years. A percentage of 65.6% (40/61) of the underlying diseases was rheumatic heart disease. Results Sixty-five strains were isolated from the blood culture specimens of the 61 patients. Gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria and fungi isolates accounted for 56.9% (37/65), 35.4% (23/65), and 7.7% (5/65), respectively. Among these isolates, Streptococcus spp. was predominant (19/65, 29.2%), followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis (8/65, 12.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (6/65, 9.2%), Acinetobacter calcoaceticus- A. baumannii (5/65, 7.7%) and Escherichia coli (5/65, 7.7%). The resistance rate of Streptococcus spp. to erythromycin and clindamycin was 73.4% (14/19) and 63.2% (12/19), while its resistance to cefepime, vancomycin or linezolid was not observed. Staphylococcus spp. showed the resistance rate of 71.4% (10/14) to oxacillin. All of A. calcoaceticus-A. baumannii isolates were multidrug resistant (5/5, 100.0%), and 80.0% (4/5) of them were resistant to imipenem. The isolates producing extended spectrum beta-lactamase accounted for 80.0% (4/5) of E. coli. Conclusion Streptococcus spp. was the common pathogen causing BSI after cardiovascular surgery. Staphylococcus spp. and gram-negative bacilli show high resistance.
In recent years，West China Hospital of Sichuan University actively participated in medical assistance and rescue in Wenchuan，Yushu and Lushan earthquakes. However，professional roles of cardiovascular surgeons in medical assistance and rescue in earthquakes remain unclear because of the particularity of cardiovascular surgery, which often affects the assembly of medical assistance and rescue teams. Thus，we need to explore the necessity for cardiovascular surgeons to join medical rescue teams within 72 hours after earthquake. In this article，medical rescue work of cardiovascular surgeons within 72 hours after 2008 “5•12” Wenchuan earthquake and 2013 “4•20” Lushan earthquake is analyzed and compared to identify professional roles of cardiovascular surgeons in medical rescue within 72 hours after earthquake. It is necessary for cardiovascular surgeons to join medical rescue teams within 72 hours after earthquake.
Objective To introduce a novel approach using parallel placement of another oxygenator in the recirculation line as oxygen supply for oxygenator failure without circulatory arrest in cardiopulmonary bypass （CPB），and confirm its outcomes in an animal experiment. Methods A traditional piglet CPB model was established. Oxygenator failure model was established by reducing fraction of inspired oxygen （FiO2） from 80% to 21% after aortic cross-clamp and cardiac arrest in CPB. Another oxygenator was then parallel placed in the recirculation line to supply 100% oxygen.Dynamic changes in partial pressure of oxygen （PaO2），mixed venous oxygen saturation （SvO2），arterial oxygen saturation（SaO2） and blood pH of blood samples from the arterial perfusion duct were monitored with different blood flow of400 ml/min，800 ml/min and 1 100 ml/min. Results When FiO2 was reduced to 21%，PaO2 decreased to 64-67 mm Hg（P＜0.001），SaO2 decreased significantly to 88%-90% （P＜0.001），SvO2 decreased to 69%-72% （P＜0.001），and blood pH decreased too，all indicating oxygenator failure. After parallel placement of another oxygenator in the recirculation line was performed，PaO2，SaO2 and SvO2 all significantly increased，as well as blood pH. When the blood flow in the recirculation line achieved 33% or above of overall arterial perfusion flow，clinical oxygen demand was generally satisfied. Conclusion Parallel placement of another oxygenator in the recirculation line may be utilized as a treatment strategy for oxygenator failure without circulatory arrest and changeover of failed oxygenator.