Mendelian randomization did not support the causal effect of diabetes on aortic diseases.

Observational studies revealed paradoxically inverse associations between diabetes and aortic diseases (aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection), yet the causality remains to be determined. To investigate the causal associations between diabetes and aortic diseases using Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. Summary-level data for exposures (type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, glycated hemoglobin) and outcomes (aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm) were obtained from public genome-wide association study data.

Causal effect of hypertension and blood pressure on aortic diseases: evidence from Mendelian randomization.

Hypertension or elevated blood pressure was documented to be an important risk factor for aortic diseases in observational studies, yet the causality remains to be determined. By applying a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, we aim to determine whether hypertension or elevated blood pressure (systolic blood pressure [SBP] or diastolic blood pressure [DBP]) is linked causally to aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection. Genetic instruments and summary statistics for hypertension and aortic diseases were obtained from large genome-wide association studies.

Numerical investigation of the influence of a bearing/shaft structure in an axial blood pump on the potential for device thrombosis.

Adverse events caused by flow-induced thrombus formation around the bearing/shaft of an axial blood pump remain a serious problem for axial blood pumps. Moreover, excessive anticoagulation with thrombosis around the bearing potentially increases the risk of postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding. The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of the bearing structure on the thrombosis potential of an axial blood pump.

Outcomes of Ebstein's Anomaly Patients Treated with Tricuspid Valvuloplasty or Tricuspid Valve Replacement: Experience of a Single Center.

Background: The incidence of Ebstein's anomaly is extremely low, and except for the Mayo Clinic, no cardiac center has reported on a sufficient number of patients. The aim of our study was to report the outcomes of Ebstein's anomaly patients treated with tricuspid valvuloplasty (TVP) or tricuspid valve replacement (TVR).

Methods: TVP or TVR was performed in 245 patients from July 2006 to April 2016.

Numerical Investigation of the Influence of Blade Radial Gap Flow on Axial Blood Pump Performance.

The gaps between the blades and the shroud (or hub) of an axial blood pump affect the hydraulics, efficiency, and hemolytic performance. These gaps are critical parameters when a blood pump is manufactured. To evaluate the influence of blade gaps on axial blood pump performance, the flow characteristics inside an axial blood pump with different radial blade gaps were numerically simulated and analyzed with special attention paid to the hydraulic characteristics, gap flow, hydraulic efficiency, and hemolysis index (HI).

Design and numerical evaluation of an axial partial-assist blood pump for Chinese and other heart failure patients.

A fully implantable axial left ventricular assist device LAP31 was developed for Chinese or other heart failure patients who need partial support. Based on the 5-Lpm total cardiac blood output of Chinese without heart failure disease, the design point of LAP31 was set to a flow rate of 3 Lpm with 100-mmHg pressure head. To achieve the required pressure head and good hemolytic performance, a structure that includes a spindly rotor hub and a diffuser with splitter and cantilevered main blades was developed.

Dysfunction of mechanical heart valve prosthesis: experience with surgical management in 48 patients.

Background: Dysfunction of mechanical heart valve prostheses is an unusual but potentially lethal complication after mechanical prosthetic valve replacement. We seek to report our experience with mechanical valve dysfunction regarding etiology, surgical techniques and early outcomes.

Methods: Clinical data of 48 patients with mechanical valve dysfunction surgically treated between October 1996 and June 2011 were analyzed.

Myocardial scar identified by magnetic resonance imaging can predict left ventricular functional improvement after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: Previous studies have shown that viable myocardium predicts recovery of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction after revascularization. Our aim was to evaluate the prognostic value of myocardial scar assessed by late gadolinium-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-CMR) on functional recovery in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: From November 2009 to September 2012, 63 patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) referred for first-time isolated CABG were prospectively enrolled, 52 were included in final analysis.

Surgical management of left circumflex coronary artery fistula: a 25-year single-center experience in 29 patients.

Background: Left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) fistula is rare, and surgical experience is limited. We report our experience with 29 patients with LCX fistula during a 25-year period in terms of clinical features, pathology, surgical procedure, and late outcomes.

Methods: Between June 1988 and July 2013, 29 patients (19 males, 10 females; median age, 10 years) with LCX fistula were treated surgically and followed up.

Surgical treatment for primary mitral valve tumor: a 25-year single-center experience.

Objective: Primary mitral valve (MV) tumor is a rare lesion, and to date, there have been few larger surgical series of MV tumors. We retrospectively analyzed 11 cases of primary MV tumors regarding clinical and pathological features, surgical procedure and long-term outcomes.

Methods: From November 1983 to December 2008, we operated on 11 patients (age 36.

Surgical treatment of traumatic tricuspid insufficiency: experience in 13 cases.

Background: Traumatic tricuspid insufficiency (TTI) is uncommon and surgical experience is limited. We report our surgical experience with TTI in 13 patients.

Methods: From January 2000 through March 2008, we operated on 13 patients with TTI (10 men 3 women; mean age, 39.

[Diagnostic value of NT-proBNP in identifying aortic stenosis patients with heart failure].

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of NT-proBNP in aortic stenosis (AS) patients with heart failure.

Method: We measured the whole venous blood of NT-proBNP with enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (Biomedica, Vienna, Austria) in 40 AS patients with heart failure and 76 normal subjects and assessed the diagnostic value of NT-proBNP for heart failure.

Results: NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in AS patients with heart failure compared to controls (P < 0.

[Clinical value of NT-proBNP in the diagnosis and analysis of correlation of NT-proBNP with clinical and echocardiographic findings in patients with aortic stenosis].

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of NT-proBNP in patients with aortic stenosis (AS), analyze the relation of NT-proBNP to NYHA functional class and echocardiographic findings.

Methods: Measured the whole venous blood of NT-proBNP with enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay in 40 aortic stenosis patients (AS group) and 76 normal subjects (control group). We assessed the diagnostic value of NT-proBNP for aortic stenosis, and related NT-proBNP to clinical NYHA functional class and echocardiographic findings.

Coronary artery bypass grafting for Kawasaki disease.

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of pediatric ischemic heart disease. The incidence of serious coronary sequelae is low and about 2% - 3% of patients with KD, but once myocardial infarction occurs in children, the mortality is quite high and 22% at the first infarction.This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with KD.

[Value of estimated glomerular filtration rate and serum creatinine for predicting long-term survival in Chinese patients after isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery].

Objective: To compare the predictive value of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated by the Cockcroft-Gault formula or the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) equation and serum creatinine for in-hospital and long-term mortality post coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).

Methods: Clinical data of 5559 consecutive patients undergoing isolated CABG were retrospectively analyzed. The main outcomes were in-hospital mortality and long-term mortality.

[Estimated glomerular filtration rate as a risk factor for long-term survival in Chinese renal insufficiency patients after isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery].

Objective: To investigate the eGFR as a risk factor for long-term (4-year) outcome in Chinese renal insufficiency patients after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at our institution.

Methods: From January 1999 to September 2003, 3371 consecutive patients who underwent isolated CABG were retrospectively reviewed. Of these patients, 549 (16.

[Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in adult patients with cardiac arrest].

Objective: To review the experience of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR) for cardiac arrest in adults.

Methods: From July 2005 to July 2009, extracorporeal life-support (ECLS) was performed for 10-15 minutes failed in CPR in 11 patients (male 7, female 4, age 24-71 years) with cardiac arrest. In 7 patients after cardiac operation, regular cardiopulmonary bypass was urgently established through re-opening of sternotomy incision, followed by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for continuous support.

[Clinical experience of surgical treatment on hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy].

Objective: To evaluate the surgical outcome of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM).

Methods: From October 1996 to December 2007, 54 HOCM patients underwent surgical treatment. There were 37 males and 17 females ranging from 6 to 68 years old (36 +/- 16) with body weight 27-83 (60 +/- 14) kg.

[Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for treatment of cardiorespiratory function failure in adult patients].

Objective: To explore the experience on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in adult patients with cardiac failure.

Methods: From February 2005 to June 2008, 45 patients (male 34, female 11) undergoing cardiogenic shock required temporary ECMO support. Average age was (49.

[Clinical analysis of unroofed coronary sinus syndrome with atrioventricular canal defect].

Objective: To analyze symptoms, associated anomalies, diagnostic approach, and surgical procedures in patients with unroofed coronary sinus syndrome and atrioventricular canal defect.

Methods: The clinical data of 20 patients with unroofed coronary sinus syndrome from September 1999 to October 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 10 male and 10 female patients.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for treatment of cardiac failure in adult patients.

This report reviews our experience in venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support treatment in adult patients with cardiac failure, as well as analysis of the risk factors of early mortality. From February 2005 to June 2008, 45 patients undergoing cardiogenic shock required temporary ECMO support. They were divided into three groups: post-cardiotomy (n=31) and post-transplantation (n=5) heart failure, decompensated heart failure (n=9).

[Mechanical circulation support as emergency bridging for heart transplantation].

Objective: To investigate the experience of patients in acute cardiogenic shock required insertion of mechanical circulation support devices (MCS) before undergoing standard pretransplant evaluations.

Methods: From February 2005 to August 2007, 10 patients including 7 male and 3 female required emergency bridging placement of MCS. Average age was (40 +/- 16.

In vivo experimental testing of the FW axial blood pump for left ventricular support in Fu Wai Hospital.

A fully implantable, axial flow blood pump has been developed in Fu Wai Hospital aiming for clinical use. This ventricular assist device (VAD), which was developed after numerous CFD analyses for the flow characteristics of the pump, is 58.5-mm long, 30-mm wide (including DC motor), and weighs 240 g.