Objective To confirm the changes of pulmonary artery pressure, neo pulmonary artery stenosis and reoperation in children with unilateral absence of pulmonary artery (UAPA) undergoing pulmonary artery reconstruction. Methods The clinical data of the infants with UAPA undergoing pulmonary artery reconstruction in our hospital from February 19, 2019 to April 15, 2021 were analyzed. Changes in pulmonary artery pressure, neo pulmonary artery stenosis and reoperation were followed up. Results Finally 5 patients were collected, including 4 males and 1 female. The operation age ranged from 13 days to 2.7 years. Cardiac contrast-enhanced CT scans were performed in all children, and 2 patients underwent pulmonary vein wedge angiography to confirm the diagnosis and preoperative evaluation. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography and intraoperative direct pulmonary arterial pressure measurement indicated that all 5 children had pulmonary hypertension, with a mean pulmonary arterial pressure of 31.3±16.0 mm Hg. Pulmonary arterial pressure decreased immediately after pulmonary artery reconstruction to 16.8±4.2 mm Hg. The mean follow-up time was 18.9±4.7 months. All 5 patients survived during the follow-up period, and 1 patient had neo pulmonary artery stenosis or even occlusion and was re-operated. Conclusion Pulmonary artery reconstruction can effectively alleviate the pulmonary hypertension in children with UAPA. The patency of the neo pulmonary artery should be closely followed up after surgery, and re-pulmonary angioplasty should be performed if necessary.
Objective To explore and compare the diagnostic value of blood pressure, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) in evaluating right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 84 APE patients who were diagnosed by computed tomographic pulmonary angiography. The patients were divided into a RVD group and a non-RVD group by echocardiography. Eighteen clinical and auxiliary examination variables were used as the research factors and RVD as the related factor. The relationship between these research factors and RVD were evaluated by logistic regression model, the diagnostic value of BNP and PASP to predict RVD was analyzed by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results The patients with RVD had more rapid heart rate, higher diastolic blood pressure, higher mean arterial pressure, higher incidence of BNP>100 pg/ml and higher incidence of PASP>40 mm Hg (allP<0 05="" upon="" logistic="" regression="" model="" bnp="">100 pg/ml (OR=4.904, 95%CI 1.431–16.806, P=0.011) and PASP>40 mm Hg (OR=6.415, 95%CI 1.509–27.261, P=0.012) were independent predictors of RVD. The areas under the ROC curve to predict RVD were 0.823 (95%CI 0.729–0.917) for BNP, and 0.798 (95%CI 0.700–0.896) for PASP. Conclusions Blood pressure related parameters can not serve as a predictor of RVD. Combined monitoring of BNP level and PASP is helpful for accurate prediction of RVD in patients with APE.
Abstract: Objective To observe the physical characteristics of decellularized porcine pulmonary valved conduits crosslinked by carbodiimide (EDC). Methods [WTBZ]Twenty porcine pulmonary valved arteries were mobilized on relative asepsis condition. They were cut longitudinally into three samples at the junction position of pulmonary valve (every sample was comprised of a part of the pulmonary conduit wall and the corresponding valve). The samples were randomly divided into three groups by lotdrawing method. Group A was the control group which was made up of the fresh porcine arterial valved conduit samples without any other treatments. Group B was comprised of porcine pulmonary samples decellularized by trypsindetergent digestion. Group Cincluded the decellularized porcine pulmonary samples crosslinked by EDC. We observed the water content, thickness, tensile strength, and shrinkage temperature of all the samples, based on which the physical characeteristics of these samples were analyzed. Results [WTBZ]Complete cellfree-pulmonary conduit matrix was achieved by trypsindetergent digestion. Compared with group A, in group B, the water content of pulmonary wall was significantly higher (P=0.000), while the water content of pulmonary valve was not significantly different; the thickness of pulmonary wall and valve (P=0.000，0.000) and tensile strength of pulmonary wall and valve (Plt;0.01） was significantly lower, while shrinkage temperature was not significantly different. Compared with group B, in group C, the water content of pulmonary wall was significantly lower (P=0.000), while the water content of pulmonary valve, and the thickness of pulmonary wall and valve were not significantly different; the tensile strength of pulmonary wall (Plt;0.01) and valve (P=0.000), and the shrinkage temperature of them (P=0.000, 0.000) were significantly higher. Compared with group A, in group C, the water content of pulmonary wall and valve, and the tensile strength of them were not statistically different, while the thickness of pulmonary wall and valve was significantly lower (P=0.000, 0.000), and the shrinkage temperature of them was significantly higher (P=0.000, 0.000). Conclusion [WTBZ]EDC crosslinking method is available for treating decellularized porcine pulmonary valved conduits in order to enhance its tensile strength, and decrease water content of pulmonary wall.
Objective To observe the influence of edaravone perfusion via the pulmonary artery on postoperative lung tissue and lung function during pulmonary ischemia in deep hypothermic circulatory arrest （DHCA）， and explore its possible mechanism. Methods A total of 24 healthy New Zealand white big-ear rabbits were randomly divided into three groups： （1） control group： DHCA model under cardiopulmonary bypass （CPB） was established； （2）low potassium dextran （LPD）group： LPD solution perfusion via the pulmonary artery after the establishment of DHCA； （3）edaravone group：LPD solution containing edaravone （5 mg/kg） perfusion via the pulmonary artery after the establishment of DHCA. Oxygenation index and lung compliance were observed at the time of baseline condition， recovery of ventilation， 1 hour and 2 hours after recovery of ventilation， and postoperative lung function of the three groups were compared. Malondialdehyde （MDA） and superoxide dismutase （SOD） in pulmonary venous blood were measured. All the rabbits were sacrificed after the operation. HE staining and immunohistochemistry were performed on the lung tissues to investigate lung structure changes and inflammatory reaction. Transmission electron microscopy was used to compare ultrastructural changes of lung.Results There were no statistical difference in oxygenation index， lung compliance， MDA and SOD among the 3 groups under the baseline condition （P＞0.05）. After recovery of ventilation， oxygenation index and lung compliance deteriorated to varying degrees in all 3 groups. Oxygenation index and lung compliance of the control group and LPD group at the time of recovery of ventilation， 1 hour and 2 hours after recovery of ventilation were significantly lower than those of edaravone group （oxygenation index：recovery of ventilation and in control group and edaravone group: 198.25±11.02 mm Hg vs. 244.87±13.05 mm Hg；lung compliance：one hour after recovery ventilation in control group and edaravone group：45.88±1.64 ml/cm H2O vs. 59.75±2.38 ml/cm H2O；P＜0.05）. After CPB removal， MDA levels were increased to varying degrees in all 3 groups. MDA levels of the control group and LPD group at the time of CPB removal， 1 hour and 2 hours after CPB removal were significantly higher than those of edaravone group （P＜0.05）. After CPB removal， SOD levels were decreased to varying degrees in all 3 groups. SOD levels of the control group and LPD group at the time of CPB removal， 1 hour and 2 hours after CPB removal were significantly lower than those of edaravone group （P＜0.05）. HE staining showed clear lung structure， less red blood cell leakage， less inflammatory cell infiltration， and less alveolar fluid accumulation in the edaravone group. Immunohistochemistry showed that integral light density of interleukin 6 （IL-6）in edaravone group was significantly lower than those of the LPD group and control group （14.44±1.75 vs. 20.18±2.22， P＜0.05）. Transmission electron microscopy showed integral basement membrane structure， clear blood gas barrier structure， significantly larger number of type II epithelial cells， abundant but not swollen mitochondria and lamellar bodies in the cytoplasm in the edaravone group， which were destroyed in varying degrees in the LPD group and control group. Conclusion Pulmonary artery perfusion of protective solution in low temperature can significantly reduce lung injury induced by DHCA and CPB. Protective solution containing edaravone in low temperature can better decrease lung injury and protect oxygenation.
ObjectiveTo investigate pulmonary artery growth, valvular regurgitation and right heart function after right ventricle-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) anastomosis for right ventricle outflow (RVOT) reconstruction in patients with different types of pulmonary atresia and ventricle septal defect (PA/VSD). MethodsClinical data of 31 PA/VSD patients who underwent right ventricle-pulmonary anastomosis for RVOT reconstruction from November 2002 to September 2012 in Guangdong General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 20 male and 11 female patients with their age ranging from 14 days to 14.50 years (47.90±53.84 months). Patients were followed up after discharge to evaluate the anastomasis, pulmonary artery growth, pulmonary artery and tricuspid regurgitation and their relationship with follow-up duration. Right ventricular strain and other echocardiography indexes were used to evaluate right heart function. ResultsThree patients died postoperatively. Twenty-seven patients (27/31, 87.1%)were followed up for 4-129 (35.97±28.24)months. There was no late death during follow-up. There was no anastomotic restenosis in patients who received radical surgery. Four patients who received palliative surgery had comparative anastomotic restenosis. The diameters of RV-PA anastomasis, left and right branches of the pulmonary artery during follow-up were significantly larger than early postoperative diameters (P < 0.05). Echocardiography showed that pulmonary artery and tricuspid regurgitation were aggravated, which was not correlated to follow-up duration. Overall right heart function was good during follow-up. ConclusionsClinical outcomes of RV-PA anastomosis for RVOT reconstruction in patients with PA/VSD are satisfactory. RV-PA anastomasis, left and right branches of the pulmonary artery can keep their growth and development. Mid-term and long-term right heart function is good.
Objective To improve the knowledge of pulmonary artery sarcoma ( PAS) and early diagnosis.Methods The clinical data of 8 patients with PAS confirmed by biopsy from April 2001 to April 2012 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Results There were 5 males and 3 females, with mean age of 46. 75 ±11. 47 years [ range: 32-67 years] . The main clinical manifestations were chest tightness, shortness of breath, intermittent syncope, heart palpitations at exertion, etc. Laboratory examinations showed the patients with PAS have no obvious hypoxemia and most of them have normal D-dimer level. Echocardiography revealed pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular enlargement, and echo of massive lumps in main pulmonary truck. Lower limb veins were normal in color doppler ultrasonography. Chest X-ray revealed prominent pulmonary artery segment, full segment of the right pulmonary artery, an increased hilum and pleural effusion. CT pulmonary angiography showed expansion of pulmonary artery, large filling defect in main pulmonary truck and left or right pulmonary artery, combined with pericardial effusion, pleural effusion. Lung ventilation/perfusion imaging did not match, showing radioactive sparse and defects in multiple lung segments and subsegments, involved 3 to 13 lung segments. Pulmonary angiography showed filling defects in the main pulmonary artery, left or right pulmonary artery. 8 patients were confirmed pathologically after operation. Pathological results showed leiomyosarcoma differentiation in 3 cases, undifferentiated sarcoma in2 cases, and undefined pathological type in 3 cases. All 8 patients were misdiagnosed as pulmonary embolism before surgery. The average days of misdiagnosis were 85. 6 ±21. 5 days. 7 cases were given simple surgical resection, one case underwent surgical resection combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. 7 cases were relieved and discharged, and one case died. Conclusion PAS is a rare disease clinically and is easily misdiagnosed as pulmonary embolism. Clinicians should enhance the recognition in order to diagnose early and treat comprehensively.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical significance of quantitative CT measurement of pulmonary vascular indexes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MethodsFifty-three stable COPD patients who were diagnosed in our hospital between May 2013 and February 2015 were recruited in the study. The HRCT results were analyzed, and the pulmonary vascular indexes were measured including the main pulmonary artery diameter (mPAD), axial diagonal mPAD, sagittal mPAD, right pulmonary artery diameter (RPAD), left pulmonary artery diameter (LPAD) and etc. The % CSA<5 (the percent of total cross-sectional area of the vascular with cross-sectional area less than 5 mm2 to total area of the lung) was calculated with Image J 1.48. The % LAA[volume percentage of low attenuation areas (<-950 HU)] representing degree of emphysema was calculated with GE ADW 4.5. Lung function test and questionnaires including CAT, mMRC, SGRQ and frequency of acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) were completed and collected. ResultsIn COPD patients, the mPAD,axial diagonal mPAD, sagittal mPAD, RPAD and LPAD were positively correlated with % LAA respectively (r=0.36, 0.33, 0.43, 0.45, 0.33) and % CSA<5 was negatively correlated with % LAA (r=-0.37). mPAD was positively correlated with CAT, SGRQ and frequency of AECOPD respectively (r=0.52, 0.29, 0.35), and negatively correlated with FEV1% pred (r=-0.30).% CSA<5 was negatively correlated with CAT, SGRQ and frequency of AECOPD, respectively (r=-0.29,-0.30,-0.29), and positively correlated with FEV1% pred (r=0.28). The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed a linear relationship of mPAD with body mass index,% LAA and CAT. There was also linear relationships between axial diagonal mPAD, sagittal mPAD, RPAD and % LAA, CAT, respectively, and linear relationships between % CSA<5 and FEV1% pred,% LAA. The P value were all less than 0.05. ConclusionQuantitative CT measurement of cross-sectional area of small pulmonary vessels and pulmonary artery diameter are associated with clinical indexes in COPD patients, which will provide a new appraoche for the disease assessment of COPD patients.
ObjectiveTo investigate the regulatory roles and changes of M3 receptor subtype in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-preincubated rabbit pulmonary arteries, and assess the mechanism of altered vascular reactivity in septic shock. MethodsPulmonary arteries with intact endothelium were isolated from 26 male New ealand white rabbits weighing 2.0 to 2.5kg. he isolated pulmonary arteries were randomized into two grouops, including a normal group with normal saline and darifenacin adminstration, and an endotoxin group with LPS-preincubation and darifenacin adminstration.he response of arteries to phenylephrine (100μmol/L) and acetylcholine(ACH)(1μmol/L, 10μmol/L, 100μmol/L)were measured in normal and darifenacin-preincubated circumstances. ResultsThe percentages of ralaxation to ACH (1μmol/L, 10μmol/L, 100μmol/L) were (0.095±0.034)%, (0.150±0.036)%, and (0.445±0.090)% in the normal group, and (0.044±0.016)%, (0.093±0.029)%, (0.311±0.028)% in the endotoxin (LPS 4μg/mL, 4h) group. After pretreatment with M3 receptor antagonist darifenacin on different concentrations, the EC50 values responding to ACH (1μmol/L, 10μmol/L, 100μmol/L) were 1.483, 2.757, 2.958 in the normal group, and 6.015, 6.242, 6.411 in the endotoxin group. After pretreatment with M3 receptor antagonist darifenacin on different concentrations, the inherent activity of a value to ACH (1μmol/L, 10μmol/L, 100μmol/L) were 0.0146, 0.0323, 0.0825 in the normal group, and 0.0124, 0.0245, 0.0556 in the endotoxin group. ConclusionsLPS pre-incubation can reduce the relaxation response to ACH, and M3 receptor subtypes mediated this relaxation response. LPS also reduce the M3 receptor subtype intrinsic activity, which may be one of the mechanisms of decreased relaxation response to ACH in pulmonary arteris after LPS pretreatment, and also one of the mechanisms of pulmonary hypertension in septic shock.
Objective To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension ( PAH) due to rare causes. Methods The clinical presentation, laboratory testing, diagnosis and treatment of 4 patients with PAH associated with rare causes in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2001 to March 2008 were analysed retrospectively. Results Primary biliary cirrhosis, hyperthyroidism, antiphospholipid syndrome and pulmonary artery sarcoma may cause PAH, which were improved after corresponding diagnosis and management. Conclusion PAH can result from rare causes. The enhancement of its recognition will help earlier diagnosis and treatment and improve the prognosis.
Abstract: Objective To retrospectively compare the difference of the effects of pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) between distal and proximal types of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Methods The data of 70 patients (including 44 male patients and 26 female patients, the average age was 46.2 years old, ranging from 17 to 72) with CTEPH having undergone PTE from March 2002 to March 2009 in Anzhen Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. We classified them into two different groups which were the proximal CTEPH group (n=51) and the distal CTEPH group (n=19) according to the pathological classification of the CTEPH. Clinical data, hemodynamics blood gas analysis and so on of both groups were compared. Results There was no perioperative deaths in both groups. Compared with the proximal group, cardiopulmonary bypass time [CM(159mm](189.5±41.5 min vs.155.5±39.5 min,P=0.003), aorta cross clamp time (91.3±27.8 min vs.67.2±27.8 min,P=0.002) and DHCA time (41.7±14.6 min vs.25.7±11.6 min,P=0.000) were significantly longer in the distal group. The incidence of residual pulmonary hypertension in the distal group was significantly higher than that in the proximal group (42.1% vs.13.7%,P=0.013), while the incidence of pulmonary reperfusion injury postoperatively in the proximal group was significantly higher than that in the distal group (41.2% vs.10.5%, P=0.021). SwanGanz catheterization and blood gas index were obviously improved in both groups. However, the pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP, 67.8±21.3 mm Hg vs.45.5±17.4 mm Hg,P=0.000) and the pulmonary vascular resistance ［PVR, 52.8±32.1 kPa/(L·s) vs.37.9±20.7 kPa/(L·s),P=0.024］ in the distal group were significantly higher than those in the proximal group and the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood of the distal group was significantly lower than that of the proximal group (76.7±8.7 mm Hg vs.88.8±9.3 mm Hg,P=0.000). After operation, 70 patients were followed up with no deaths during the followup period. The time of the followup ranged from 2 to 81 months (32.7±19.6 months) with a cumulative followup of 191.8 patientyears. Three months after operation, 47 patients were examined by pulmonary artery computer tomography angiogram (PACTA) and isotope perfusion/ventilation scan, which showed that the residual occlusive pulmonary artery segment in the proximal group was significantly fewer than that in the distal group (isotope perfusion/ventilation scan: 2.2±11 segments vs. 4.7±2.1 segments, P=0.000; PACTA: 3.5±1.4 segments vs. 4.9±2.0 segments,P=0.009). The New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and 6 minute walk distance (6MWD) in the proximal group were significantly better than those in the distal group (1.7±0.5 class vs 2.3±0.4 class; 479.2±51.2 m vs. 438.6±39.5 m, P=0.003). Venous thrombosis in double lower limbs reoccurred in two patients. According to KaplanMeier actuarial curve, the freedom from reembolism at 3 years was 96.7%±2.8%. Bleeding complications occurred in three patients. The linear Bleeding rate related to anticoagulation was 2.47% patientyears. Conclusion Although the early and midlong term survival rate of PTE procedure to treat both proximal and distal types of CTEPH is agreeable, the recovery of the PASP, PVR and 6MWD, and blood gases in patients with proximal type of CTEPH are significantly better than those in patients with distal type of CTEPH. On one hand, anticoagulation can singularly provide enough protection to patients with proximal type of CTEPH, but on the other hand, diuretics and pulmonary hypertension alleviation drug should be added to the treatment regimen for patients with distal type of CTEPH after the procedure of PTE.