Introduction of ex vivo perfusion of extended-criteria donor hearts in a single center in Asia.

The shortage of organs for heart transplantation has created a need to explore the use of extended-criteria organs. We report the preliminary use of normothermic TransMedics Organ Care System-an ex vivo approach to preserve extended-criteria brain-dead donor hearts. This System maintains a normal temperature, provides continuous perfusion and oxygenation, reduces ischemic time, and enables additional viability assessment options.

CT texture analysis in predicting treatment response and survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with transarterial chemoembolization using random forest models.

Background: Using texture features derived from contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) combined with general imaging features as well as clinical information to predict treatment response and survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who received transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) treatment.

Methods: From January 2014 to November 2022, 289 patients with HCC who underwent TACE were retrospectively reviewed. Their clinical information was documented.

Feasibility of concomitant exclusion of left atrial appendage during novel transapical off-pump beating heart mitral valve repair.

The AtriClip device enables the safe and reproducible epicardial clipping of the left atrial appendage. Transapical off-pump beating heart mitral valve repair using NeoChord DS100 Artificial Chordae Delivery System has matured and become more standardized. We aim to evaluate the feasibility of combining NeoChord repair and left atrial appendage exclusion in a single procedure through the same minithoracotomy in patients with mitral valve prolapse and atrial fibrillation.

Proximalization of Frozen Elephant Trunk Procedure: Zone 0 or 1 versus Zone 2 or 3 Arch Repair.

Background:  Total arch replacement with the frozen elephant trunk (FET) procedure has changed the landscape of therapy for aortic arch diseases. The optimal landing zone for a FET is controversial. We sought to share our early and midterm results of the FET procedure as well as compare the clinical outcomes of proximal and distal FET anastomosis.

Hybrid approach for cerebral protection in open-heart surgery: Case series.

Background: Stroke remains one of the most important complications of cardiac surgery and occurs in 2.2% after open-heart procedure. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

Transapical transcatheter J-valve for aortic regurgitation in dextrocardia situs inversus.

A 71-year-old lady with dextrocardia and pure aortic regurgitation was treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement using the transapical J-valve system. Good clinical and echocardiographic results were demonstrated at one-year follow-up. Herewith we describe this simple, safe, and a minimally invasive aortic valve replacement option for this condition.

Transmembrane 29 , a Newly Identified Molecule Showed Downregulation in Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Damage.

Transmembrane 29 () gene with unknown function is a gene located on the X chromosome of the mouse genome. The gene showed differential expression in the Vannucci neonatal hypoxic-ischemic mouse brain model. We found the gene expresses with different molecular forms, including a group of long non-coding RNA forming a family of transcripts.

Emerging roles of left ventricular assist device therapy as bridge to transplant in an Asian city with scarce heart transplant donor.

Background: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has been increasingly used in patients with advanced heart failure. This study aimed to assess the impact of implementation of LVAD therapy on heart transplantation (HTx) service in Hong Kong (HK).

Methods: LVAD program was started in 2010 in HK and patients who had been put on HTx waiting list since the start of HTx program in HK from 1992 to 2020 were included for analysis.

Long term CentriMag biventricular support using hybrid cannulation as a bridge to transplant in a pediatric patient.

Paracorporeal continuous-flow ventricular assist devices designed for short-term support can also potentially provide long-term circulatory support as bridges to transplantation in children. We describe the long-term use of the CentriMag biventricular assist device with multiple pump changes in a 9-year-old boy with idiopathic-dilated cardiomyopathy. The initially implanted Berlin Heart EXCOR pumps were replaced by CentriMag due to thromboembolic complications.

Feasibility of novel transapical off pump beating heart mitral valve repair in a patient with dextrocardia and situs inversus.

We present a case to demonstrate the feasibility of transapical beating heart mitral valve repair in a patient with dextrocardia. This minimally invasive technique provides simple, safe and satisfactory mitral repair. The surgical technique, outcome and prognosis are not affected by the condition.

Pediatric ventricular assist device therapy for advanced heart failure-Hong Kong experience.

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are life-saving options for children with heart failure unresponsive to medical therapy as a bridge to transplantation or cardiac recovery. We present a retrospective review of 13 consecutive children who underwent implantation of VAD between 2001 and 2018 in our center. The median age was 12 years (1-17 years), weight was 45 kg (10-82 kg).

Porcine Versus Pericardial Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Adults With Prior Congenital Cardiac Surgery: Midterm Outcomes.

Background: Postcongenital heart surgery pulmonary regurgitation requires subsequent pulmonary valve replacement. We sought to compare the outcomes of pulmonary valve replacement after using bioprosthetic valves, porcine versus pericardial bioprosthesis.

Method: Retrospective single-center study of consecutive pulmonary valve replacement in patients with pulmonary regurgitation following initial congenital cardiac surgery.

The history of lung transplantation in Hong Kong.

Clinical lung transplant was first performed in Hong Kong in 1995. In the early years, the volume of activity was very low. There has been a clear trend of increasing volume in the past few years.

Proteomic analysis of neonatal mouse brain: evidence for hypoxia- and ischemia-induced dephosphorylation of collapsin response mediator proteins.

Perinatal hypoxia and ischemia (HI) are a significant cause of mortality and morbidity. To understand the molecular mechanisms for HI-induced brain damage, here we used a proteomic approach to analyze the alteration and modification of proteins in neonatal mouse brain 24 h after HI treatment. Significant changes of collapsin response mediator proteins (CRMPs) were observed in HI brain.

Comparing diffusion-weighted and T2-weighted MR imaging for the quantification of infarct size in a neonatal rat hypoxic-ischemic model at 24h post-injury.

Purpose: In a neonatal rat model of hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury, using T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), we aim to determine the best MRI method of lesion quantification that reflects infarct size.

Materials And Methods: Twenty 7-day-old rats underwent MRI 24h after HI brain injury was induced. Lesion size relative to whole brain was measured using T2WI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, applying thresholds of 60%, 70% and 80% contralateral control hemisphere mean ADC, and at day 10 post-HI on pathology with TTC staining.