[The Feasibility and Repeatability of Ultrasound Microbubble Angiography in the Determination of Pulmonary Blood Volume in Animal Models].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of measuring pulmonary blood volume (PBV) by ultrasound microbubble angiography, which may provide a feasible method for further detection of PBV changes.

Methods: Ultrasound microbubble angiography was used to calculate the PBV by detecting pulmonary transit time (PTT) and heart rate-normalized pulmonary transit time (nPTT). To evaluate the consensus degree based on the intra-, inter-observer and within-day variation in order to determine the repeatability.

[Risk Factors for Adverse Aortic Remodeling in Post-TEVAR Patients with Acute Stanford B Aortic Dissection].

Objectives: To assess morphological changes of distal aorta and the risk factors for adverse aortic remodeling inpost-TEVAR（thoracic endovascular aortic repair） patients with acute Stanford B aortic dissection.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated the patients who underwent TEVAR for a type B dissection between October 2005 and December 2015. CT angiogram (CTA) was obtained for each patients preoperatively, postoperatively and during the post-operational follow-up.

[Correlation of Krebs Von Den Lungen-6（KL-6） Expression and Perioperative Pulmonary Function in Adults Receiving Continuing Low-volume Ventilation during Valve Surgery].

Objective: To investigate the influence of continuous low-volume ventilation in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on the expression of krebs von den lungen-6 (KL-6) and perioperative pulmonary function in adults undergoing valve surgery.

Methods: From 2017 Sept. to 2018 Jan.

Global longitudinal strain in prosthesis-patient mismatch: relation to left ventricular mass regression and outcomes.

Aims: Aortic prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) increases left ventricular (LV) afterload and prevents LV mass regression (LVMR) after surgery. This study was designed to investigate the association between the baseline global longitudinal strain (GLS) and the postoperative LVMR, and its relation to adverse outcomes.

Methods: A total of 316 patients with aortic stenosis undergoing isolated mechanical prosthesis implantation were screened, and data from 91 patients with aortic PPM and 165 non-PPM patients were retrospectively collected.

Epigallocatechin gallate attenuates mitochondrial DNA-induced inflammatory damage in the development of ventilator-induced lung injury.

Objective: We aim to investigate the role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), a novel endogenous pro-inflammatory cytokine, in the development of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Moreover, the protective effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on VILI through inhibiting local mtDNA release was examined.

Methods: From March 2015 to March 2016, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from 36 patients with VILI and well-matched 36 patients without VILI after major surgery were consecutively collected.

[The Clinical Evaluation of Prosthetic Valve in Patients with Dysfunction Valve Endocarditis].

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of valve replacement of endocarditis using bioprothetic and mechanical valves.

Methods: This study comprised 52 patients [mean age (47±18) yr.,mean follow-up time (6.

[Effects of Restrictive Transfusion on the Outcome of Mitral Valve Replacement].

Objective: To investigate effects of restrictive transfusion on the outcome of mitral valve replacement.

Methods: We selected 120 continuous patients of mitral valve replacement from June 2011 to June 2016. Based on the different blood transfusion strategy,the patients were divided into two groups: liberal blood transfusion group and restrictive blood transfusion strategy group.

[Application of Biological Heart Valves (BHV) and Mechanical Heart Valves (MHV) in the Female Patients of Childbearing Age: a Matched Paired Study].

Objective: To observe the efficacy and safety of biological heart valves (BHV) and mechanical heart valves (MHV) in childbearing age women (CAW) during the perinatal and short-moderate term postoperative (SMTP) periods.

Methods: There were 33 patients [(25.2±7.

Aortoesophageal fistula and arch pseudoaneurysm after removing of a swallowed chicken bone: a case report of one-stage hybrid treatment.

Background: Aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) and arch pseudoaneurysm are rare complications induced by a foreign body, and considerable controversy remains regarding the appropriate management strategies. We herein report a successful one-stage hybrid treatment in a patient with AEF and arch pseudoaneurysm.

Case Presentation: The patient, a 40-year-old man, presented to the emergency room because of intense retrosternal discomfort for 3 days and hematemesis for 3 h.

[Risk Factors Associated with the Outcomes of Heart Valve Replacement].

Objective: To determine risk factors associated with the outcomes of heart valve replacement,especially in the patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD).

Methods: Data were extracted from 2 696 patients who received valve replacement from August 2012 to January 2015. Spearman correlation analyses were performed to identify potential risk factors.

[The Role of Bone Morphogenic Protein-4 in the Progression of Vein Graft Hyperplastic Remodeling under Hyperglycemic Condition].

Objective: This study was designed to assess the vessel wall characteristics and the expression levels of bone morphogenic protein4(BMP4) and proliferating cell antigen Ki67 in vein grafts harvested from diabetic rats,and to investigate the role of BMP4 in progression of vein graft hyperplastic remodeling under hyperglycemic condition.

Methods: 48 male SpragueDawky rats [body mass (194±16) g] aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into diabetes mellitus (DM) group ( =24) and nondiabetes mellitus (NDM) group ( =24). The DM rats were induced by streptozotocin in combination with highsugar and highfat diet.

[Correlation Between Serum Concentrations of Catecholamines and Oxygen Index in Acute Aortic Dissection].

Objectives: To explore whether the serum concentration of adrenaline (AD) and noradrenaline (NA) elevate and its correlation with oxygenation index (OI) in the patients of acute aortic dissection (AAD).

Methods: From April 2013 to December 2013, clinical data were collected from three groups of patients (38 cases of AAD in Group A, 28 cases of ascending aortic aneurysm in Group B, and 22 cases of angina in Group C). All patients received the measurement of serum concentrations of AD, NA and endotoxin (ET).

[The Association Between Bone Morphogenic Protein-4 and Saphenous Vein Graft Pathology in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Coronary Revascularization].

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the expression levels of bone morphogenic protein-4 (BMP4) in saphenous veins harvested from diabetic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and to investigate its association with morphological and pathological changes within the venous wall.

Methods: From January 2013 to December 2014, forty patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and risk factors matched non-DM controls ( =40) were enrolled prospectively. Of the 40 DM patients, 24 had noninsulin-dependent diabetes (NIDM) and the remaining 16 had insulin-dependent diabetes (IDM).

[Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Attenuates Myocardial Reperfusion Injury in Rats Through Activation of PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway].

Objective: This study was designed to investigate whether epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) postconditioning protects the heart against ischemic-reperfusion injury (IRI), and to explore its potential mechanisms in a rat model.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were subjected to myocardial ischemia (30 min) and reperfusion (up to 2 h) and the rats were divided into sham group (SO) group, ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) model group and EGCG group. EGCG group were treated with EGCG (10 mg/kg) via intravenous infusion 5 min before reperfusion.

[Proximal Aorta Reconstruction for Type A Aortic Dissection Patients without Intimal Tear in Aortic Arch: the Early and Mid-outcomes].

Objective: To evaluate the early and mid-outcomes of proximal aorta reconstruction for type A aortic dissection (AAD) patients without intimal tear in aortic arch, and assess the safety and efficacy of this surgical strategy.

Methods: From January 2010 to February 2013, there were 23 AAD patients without intimal tear in the aortic arch received proximal aorta reconstruction surgery. Clinical data of these patients were analyzed retrospectively, the mean age was (48.

Sternal fractures and delayed cardiac tamponade due to a severe blunt chest trauma.

Sternal fractures caused by blunt chest trauma are associated with an increased incidence of cardiac injury. Reports of the incidence of cardiac injury associated with sternal fracture range from 18% to 62%. Delayed cardiac tamponade is a rare phenomenon that appears days or weeks after injury.

[Clinical significances of plasma interleukin-6,C-reaction protein and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in patients with aortic dissection].

Objective: To investigate the clinical significances of plasma IL-6, CRP and TNF-alpha concentration changes in aortic dissection.

Methods: Plasma concentrations of IL-6, TNF-alpha and CRP were determined in 68 aortic dissection patients,50 patients with essential hypertensionand 50 healthy volunteers. The changes of plasma IL-6, CRP and TNF-alpha concentration were analyzed in aortic group along with the progression of the disease which was divided into 9 differenttime courses.

Novel findings: Expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in thoracic aortic dissection and aneurysm.

Introduction: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 are key regulators of the renin-angiotensin system, which has been shown to participate in a series of cardiovascular diseases. We hypothesized that dysregulated gene expression of ACE and ACE2 contribute to the formation of thoracic aortic dissection and aneurysm.

Materials And Methods: We assessed ACE plasma concentration in 73 patients with acute thoracic aortic dissection (n=34), aneurysm (n=18), coronary heart disease (n=21) and 13 healthy volunteers.

Transoesophageal echocardiography for prediction of postoperative atrial fibrillation after isolated aortic valve replacement: two-dimensional speckle tracking for intraoperative assessment of left ventricular longitudinal strain.

Objectives: Recent studies suggested association between impaired left ventricular long-axis function and arrhythmic events early after open heart surgery. This prospective study investigated the predictive value of a depressed intraoperative global longitudinal strain (GLS) for postoperative atrial fibrillation after isolated aortic valve replacement in patients with preserved ejection fraction.

Methods: A total of 107 patients with ejection fraction ≥50% and moderate-to-severe aortic stenosis undergoing isolated aortic valve replacement were enrolled.

Seventeen-millimeter St. Jude Medical Regent valve in patients with small aortic annulus: dose moderate prosthesis-patient mismatch matter?

Background: The study was designed to evaluate the effects of moderate prosthesis-patient mismatch (defined as 0.65 cm(2)/m(2)  View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Tricuspid valve obstruction and right heart failure due to a giant right atrial myxoma arising from the superior vena cava.

Myxomas are the most common primary cardiac tumors. The cardiac myxomas are mostly diagnosed within the atria, and only a few such tumors are reported to have arisen from atrioventricular valves or pulmonary vessels. The authors here present a case of 59-year-old Chinese woman who was hospitalized for exacerbating symptoms of tricuspid stenosis and right heart failure.

[Mid-long-term clinical results and hemodynamic evaluation of aortic valve replacement with 17 mm St. Jude medical regent valve].

Objective: To investigate the mid-long-term clinical results of aortic valve replacement with 17 mm St. Jude medical regent valve with hemodynamic evaluation including the measurement of effective orifice area, the occurrence of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) and its affect on heart function.

Methods: There were 44 patients accepted aortic valve replacement with 17 mm St.