Comparative of clinical performance between next-generation sequencing and standard blood culture diagnostic method in patients suffering from sepsis.

Background: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a massively unbiased sequencing technology. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of NGS-based approach in the detection of microorganisms from septic patients and compare with results of blood culture (BC).

Methods: The observational and non-interventional study was conducted from April 2019 to August 2019.

Comparable long-term results of the extracardiac conduit total cavopulmonary connection in heterotaxy to non-heterotaxy patients.

Background: Fontan operation in heterotaxy patients has been associated with high mortality. We studied whether adoption of the extracardiac conduit (EC) total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) in heterotaxy demonstrated comparable results to non-heterotaxy population.

Methods: A retrospective medical record review of 35 consecutive patients with heterotaxy and 70 consecutive patients without heterotaxy syndrome who underwent EC TCPC between 2000 and 2018 was performed.

Differential Gene Expression Profile of Renin-Angiotensin System in the Left Atrium in Mitral Regurgitation Patients.

Background: Left atrial enlargement is a mortality and heart failure risk factor in primary mitral regurgitation (MR) patients. Pig models of MR have shown differential expression of genes linked to the renin-angiotensin system. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the key genes of the renin-angiotensin that are expressed differentially in the left atrial myocardium in MR patients.

and Are Affected by Stretch in HL-1 Atrial Myocytes.

Background: Lipid expression is increased in the atrial myocytes of mitral regurgitation (MR) patients. This study aimed to investigate key regulatory genes and mechanisms of atrial lipotoxic myopathy in MR.

Methods: The HL-1 atrial myocytes were subjected to uniaxial cyclic stretching for eight hours.

Successful repair of neonatal tricuspid regurgitation due to chordae rupture.

Neonatal rupture of the chordae of tricuspid valve with severe regurgitation is rare and disastrous. We report on a full-term female neonate presented with cyanosis caused by severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) due to anterior leaflet chordal rupture. After initial stabilization by prostaglandin E1 infusion, successful early repair was achieved with artificial chordae implantation.

Intramedullary reinforcement of sternal fixation with autologous xiphoid tenon.

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery through a partial sternotomy or a ministernotomy is popular. However, the transverse nonunion of the sternum will be a potential complication. Valid and valuable techniques have been introduced for securing the sternotomy fixation.

Long-term results of radiofrequency maze procedure for persistent atrial fibrillation with concomitant mitral surgery.

Background: The radiofrequency (RF) maze procedure can effectively restore sinus rhythm in most patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) and mitral disease. However, long-term results and predictors for late AF recurrence are still under investigation.

Methods: From December 1995 to November 2011, 207 consecutive patients with persistent AF and mitral disease underwent RF maze procedure and concomitant mitral surgery.

Exploring Regulatory Mechanisms of Atrial Myocyte Hypertrophy of Mitral Regurgitation through Gene Expression Profiling Analysis: Role of NFAT in Cardiac Hypertrophy.

Background: Left atrial enlargement in mitral regurgitation (MR) predicts a poor prognosis. The regulatory mechanisms of atrial myocyte hypertrophy of MR patients remain unknown.

Methods And Results: This study comprised 14 patients with MR, 7 patients with aortic valve disease (AVD), and 6 purchased samples from normal subjects (NC).

Fontan Operation in a Patient with Severe Hypoplastic Right Pulmonary Artery, Single Ventricle, and Heterotaxy Syndrome.

Assessment of the pulmonary circulation status including pressure, resistance, size, and absence of anatomical distortion, is crucial to the successful Fontan operation. Most patients are found to have acceptable pulmonary arteries after previous palliation, although some degree of distortion is not uncommon. However, in rare instances, some patients have only one functioning lung with another pulmonary artery seriously hypoplastic or atretic.

Circulating miR-148b-3p and miR-409-3p as biomarkers for heart failure in patients with mitral regurgitation.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRs) regulate gene expression in heart failure. Circulating miRs as biomarkers for heart failure in mitral regurgitation patients (MR) remain unexplored.

Methods: This case-control study enrolled 32 MR patients with heart failure, 16 asymptomatic MR patients, and 12 control subjects without heart failure.

Deciphering the gene expression profile of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathway in the left atria of patients with mitral regurgitation.

Background: Differentially expressed genes in the left atria of mitral regurgitation (MR) pigs have been linked to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway in the KEGG pathway. However, specific genes of the PPAR signaling pathway in the left atria of MR patients have never been explored.

Methods: This study enrolled 15 MR patients with heart failure, 7 patients with aortic valve disease and heart failure, and 6 normal controls.

Early and intermediate-term results of the extracardiac conduit total cavopulmonary connection for functional single-ventricle hearts.

Background/purpose: Fontan operation has evolved from atriopulmonary connection to total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) due to its advantages in terms of hemodynamics and reduction of atrium-related complications. We analyzed the early and intermediate-term results of extracardiac conduit TCPC (EC-TCPC) procedure in patients with functional single ventricle to investigate the risk factors of surgical mortality and intermediate failure.

Methods: Retrospective review of the medical records of 88 consecutive patients with functional single ventricle who underwent EC-TCPC from 2000 to 2013 was conducted.

Thoracoscopic lobectomy for pulmonary vein occlusion after radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Background: Radiofrequency catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is well established but not drawback free. Pulmonary vein stenosis is one of the complications and usually treated with stenting with the disadvantages of high re-stenosis rate and anticoagulant dependence.

Case Presentation: Herein, we present the case of a 47 year-old lady, who suffered from fever and hemoptysis due to right inferior pulmonary vein occlusion after radiofrequency catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

The Prognostic Scoring System Establishment and Validation for Chronic Atrial Fibrillation Patients Receiving Modified Cox-Maze IV and Concomitant Cardiac Surgery.

Objectives: Traditional Cox maze III is the gold standard for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Because of its invasiveness, it has been replaced by a simplified procedure involving radiofrequency ablation of modified Cox maze IV. Although the modified Cox maze IV has the advantages of simplicity and less morbidity, a lower rate of sinus rhythm conversion has been reported.

Mitochondrial apoptotic pathway activation in the atria of heart failure patients due to mitral and tricuspid regurgitation.

Apoptosis occurs in atrial cardiomyocytes in mitral and tricuspid valve disease. The purpose of this study was to examine the respective roles of the mitochondrial and tumor necrosis factor-α receptor associated death domain (TRADD)-mediated death receptor pathways for apoptosis in the atrial cardiomyocytes of heart failure patients due to severe mitral and moderate-to-severe tricuspid regurgitation. This study comprised eighteen patients (7 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and 11 in sinus rhythm).

Enhanced expression of ROCK in left atrial myocytes of mitral regurgitation: a potential mechanism of myolysis.

Background: Severe mitral regurgitation (MR) may cause myolysis in the left atrial myocytes. Myolysis may contribute to atrial enlargement. However, the relationship between Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) and myolysis in the left atrial myocytes of MR patients remain unclear.

Unraveling regulatory mechanisms of atrial remodeling of mitral regurgitation pigs by gene expression profiling analysis: role of type I angiotensin II receptor antagonist.

Left atrial enlargement associated with mitral regurgitation (MR) predicts a poor prognosis. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms of atrial remodeling remain unclear. We used high-density oligonucleotide microarrays and enrichment analysis to identify the alteration of RNA expression pattern and biological processes involved in the atrial remodeling of pigs with and without MR.

Thymectomy for myasthenia gravis: video-assisted versus transsternal.

Background/purpose: Thymectomy may benefit patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) or myasthenia with thymomas. Currently, video-assisted (VA) thoracic surgery is popular and plays an important role in thymectomy. We compared the clinical outcomes of VA thymectomy with conventional transsternal (TS) approach to investigate the effectiveness of VA technology in the current era.

Thrombocytopenia, dual antiplatelet therapy, and heparin bridging strategy increase pocket hematoma complications in patients undergoing cardiac rhythm device implantation.

Background: Pocket hematoma is a troublesome complication associated with the implantation of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). This study aims to determinate the risk factors of pocket hematoma complications in relation to different antithrombotic strategies and severity of thrombocytopenia in Chinese patients.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 1093 consecutive patients undergoing implantation of CIEDs and divided them into 3 groups: no antithrombotic group (n = 512), continuing antiplatelet group (n = 477), and temporarily discontinuing warfarin with or without heparin bridging strategy (n = 104).

Novel method for evaluating tricuspid valve function after tricuspid valve detachment in the repair of perimembranous ventricular septal defects.

Tricuspid valve detachment has been used for decades in the repair of type II ventricular septal defects (VSDs); however, the procedure can damage the tricuspid valve and conduction system. We retrospectively reviewed 177 consecutive type II VSD repairs performed at our hospital from 1997 through 2004. Patients were included if they had symptoms, pulmonary hypertension, or a Qp/Qs ratio>1.

Plasma C-reactive protein is not related to sinus non-conversion by maze procedure adjunct to mitral valve surgery.

In Framingham cohort study, C-reactive protein was not associated with incident atrial fibrillation (AF) after adjustment for left atrial size. This study examined whether levels of plasma inflammatory markers would be significant risk factors for failed maze procedure for AF. This study enrolled 88 patients with mitral valve disease undergoing valve surgery (n=32, sinus control group) or concomitant maze procedure for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) (n=56, AF group).