Abstract： Objective To analyze the influence of preoperative left atrial dimension （LAD） on the effectiveness of surgical radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation （AF） through a 5-year postoperative follow-up of AF patients after surgical radiofrequency ablation. Methods Clinical data of 433 patients with persistent or permanent AF who received bipolar radiofrequency ablation procedures during concomitant cardiac surgery in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from 2006 to 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were divided into 4 groups according to their preoperative LAD：Group A， 75 patients with their LAD＜50 mm， including 22 males and 53 females with their average age of 56.50±10.05 years；Group B， 89 patients with their LAD ranging from 50 to 60 mm， including 32 males and 57 females with their average age of 55.63±10.28 years；Group C， 117 patients with their LAD ranging from 60 to 70 mm， including 41 males and 76 females with their average age of 55.13±10.96 years；and Group D， 152 patients with their LAD＞70 mm， including 68 males and 84 females with their average age of 53.22±11.49 years. Postoperative ECG records right after surgery， before discharge， at 6 months and 1，2，3，4 and 5 years during follow-up were collected. The relationship between preoperative LAD and postoperative sinus rhythm restoration rate was analyzed. Results There was statistical difference in sinus rhythm restoration rate right after surgery（P=0. 011）， before discharge（P=0. 002）， at 6 months（P＜ 0. 001） and 1 year （P＜0. 001）， 2 years（P＜0. 001）， 3 years（P＜0. 001）， 4 years（P＜0. 001） and 5 years（P= 0. 006） during follow-up among the 4 groups. Postoperative sinus rhythm restoration rates right at 6 months and 1，2，3， 4 and 5 years during follow-up was 90.4%， 89.9%， 90.3%， 91.3%， 89.1%， and 90.9% in Group A， 80.2%，79.0%，78.1%， 76.1%，72.5%，70.0% in Group B，74.7%，74.0%，71.2%，72.4%，70.0%， and 64.7% in Group C， and 61.8%，57.6%，56.8%，53.9%，50.7%，and 48.6% in Group D， respectively. Conclusion Patients with a larger preoperative LAD have a lower postoperative sinus rhythm restoration rate after surgical radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of AF.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of hybrid ablation through compared with thoracoscopic epicardial ablation.MethodsIn this study, 108 patients with all long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF) received thoracoscopic epicardial ablation (TEA) after enrollment. There were 82 males and 26 females at age of 56.5±9.4 years. After blanking-period, patients off antiarrhythmic therapy with sinus rhythm were divided into a hybrid ablation (HA) group (50 patients) and a TEA group (58 patients). Only patients in the HA group received catheter ablation after randomization subsequently. In at least two-year observation period, cardiovascular risk factors were observed in all groups’ patients.ResultsThe mean follow-up duration was 17.3-41.8 (26.9±6.1) months and there was no significant difference between two groups [8.2-40.6 (27.5±5.7) months in the HA group and 17.3-41.8 (26.4±6.7) months in the TEA group]. The off antiarrhythmic agents (AADs) sinus rhythm rate was significantly higher in the HA group than that in the TEA group at the time of postoperative 6, 12, 24 and 36 months ［96.0%, 90.0%, 83.7%, 83.7% versus 79.3%, 75.9%, 67.3%, 63.1%, HR=0.415 (95%CI 0.206-0.923)].ConclusionWe can conclude that the efficacy of two-staged hybrid ablation for LSPAF is superior to thoracoscopic epicardial ablation alone. Patients can obtain benefit from a supplemental radiofrequency catheter ablation after blanking-period of surgical ablation, instead of those without a supplemental ablation.
Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of bi-polar radiofrequency ablation (BRFA) for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in rheumatic heart disease (RHD) patients. Methods We involved 96 RHD patients who underwent valve replacement in Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital from July 2014 through May 2015. There were 74 patients with AF, 22 in sinus rhythm. All patients with AF were fully informed of BRFA, in which 40 of the 74 patients received while the other 34 patients refused. The 40 patients with AF who received BRFA were classified into a treatment group and the other 34 patients were classified into a control group. The 20 patients with sinus rhythm were classified into a blank group as well. The clinical effect and quality of life of the patients were analyzed. Results Left atrial diameter (LAD), pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP), and conversion rate of sinus rhythm at discharge, maintenance rate of sinus rhythm during follow-up in patients with AF were significantly higher than those in the patients in sinus rhythm. No difference was found in terms of survival rate, mortality, major complications among the three groups. The treatment group experienced higher scores in physical functioning (PF), role-physical (RP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social functioning (SF), mental health (MH), physical component summary (PCS), mental component summary(MCS) and total score compared with the control group both at postoperative 3-month and 6-month . At postoperative 12-month, the treatment group experienced higher scores in PF, RP, GH, PCS, and total score compared with the control group. Conclusion AF would enhance the negative impact on structure remodeling in RHD patients. BRFA is beneficial for the conversion and maintaining of sinus rhythm in RHD patients and the decreasing of LAD & PASP parameter as well. BRFA is more beneficial for the improvement of quality of life in RHD patients with AF during one-year follow-up.
Objective To explore efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of large hepatocarcinoma. MethodsFortythree cases of large hepatocarcinoma underwent RFA with the expandable cluster electrode,eight of all cases had undergone transcatheter artery chemoembolization (TAE) for 1-2 sessions within 2 months before RFA; the tumors were 5-10 cm in diameter, mean 7.5 cm. Hepatic function examination, alphafetoprotein, enhanced CT scans,color ultrasonography and needle biopsy were performed,pre and posttreatment. Complete necrosis was evaluated by dynamic enhanced CT scans and biopsy. Therapeutic time and sessions of RFA,length of stay in hospital and complications of RFA were observed; and thirtynine of 43 cases after RFA were followed up for 12-18 months.ResultsFortythree cases of large hepatocarcinoma received RFA for 67 sessions， 1-3 sessions per case，mean 1.6 sessions; therapeutic time 55-150 min,mean 75 min; length of stay in hospital 3-15 day， mean 8.7 day; major complications of RFA included local skin burn of electrode board in 2 cases （4.6%） and moderatetolarge right pleural effusion in 3 cases （7.0%），overall complications rate was 11.6%; complete necrosis was achieved in 41.0% of cases which were evaluated by dynamic enhanced CT scans at least 6 months followed RFA; of thirtyone cases of positive AFP, AFP level became negative in 3,decreased obviously in 5 within 6-12 months after RFA; in 12-18 months followup,oneyear survival rate was 69.2%.Conclusion RFA appears to be safe, effective and minor invasive for the treatment of large hepatocarcinoma.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) combined with laparoscopic-assisted microwave ablation (Lap-MWA) for the liver resection in the treatment of unresectable primary hepatic carcinoma. Methods This study analyzed the clinical data of 12 hepatic carcinoma patients who underwent ALPPS combined with Lap-MWA for the liver resection from January 2019 to June 2021 in the Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery of Qinzhou First People’s Hospital. The patients had insufficient future liver remnant (FLR) and different degrees of liver cirrhosis. The 1-stage ALPPS was to perform after the laparoscopic-assisted ligation of the portal vein of the loaded tumor. At the same time, the microwave ablation was used for the liver parenchyma segmentation under the guidance of laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS) without separating liver parenchyma. Other steps were the same as classic ALPPS. Results All the 12 patients successfully completed the operation. The 1-stage ALPPS lasted 90–130 min, (110.25±35.34) min; the blood loss was 80–140 mL, (100.37±42.24) mL. The interval between 2 stages was 12–16 d, (14.0±2.5) d. The FLR/standard liver volume (SLV) increased to (58.00±3.30) %. The 2-stage ALPPS lasted 120–180 min, (150±30) min; the blood loss was 300–1 200 mL, (453.50±107.70) mL; the hospital stay after 2 stages of ALPPS operations was 11–16 d, (14±2) d. Among all patients, 4 U of leukocyte suspension was transfused in 1 patient, and pleural ascites occurred in 3 patients. There were no serious complications such as liver failure and severe infection, and no death cases. The total hospital stay was 14–22 d, (17±3) d. After the 1-stage ALPPS, the total bilirubin, white blood cells, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase level increased (P＜0.05), and total bilirubin and white blood cells gradually returned to the normal level on the 5th day after 1-stage ALPPS. On the 1st day after finishing the 2-stage ALPPS, albumin and hemoglobin decreased, while white blood cells, total bilirubin, prothrombin time and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase increased in varying degrees (P<0.05). And on the 5th day after the 2-stage ALPPS, all indicators gradually returned to normal. All the patients were followed up for 6–30 months, (20±6) months. Two patients died of tumor recurrence and metastasis at 6.2 months and 13 months after the surgery, respectively. No recurrence was found in other patients, and their life quality was good. Conclusion Preliminary results of this study indicate that ALPPS combined with Lap-MWA is safe and effective for the treatment of unresectable primary hepatic carcinoma.
The temperature dependence of relative permittivity and conductivity of ex-vivo pig liver, lung and heart at 2 450 MHz was studied. The relative permittivity and conductivity of three kinds of biological tissues were measured by the open-end coaxial line method. The dielectric model was fitted according to the principle of least square method. The results showed that the relative permittivity and conductivity of pig liver, pig lung and pig heart decreased with the increase of tissue temperature from 20 to 80 ℃. The relative permittivity and conductivity models of pig liver, pig lung and pig heart were established to reflect the law of dielectric properties of biological tissue changing with temperature and provide a reference for the parameters setting of thermal ablation temperature field.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treating primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods From March 2004 to March 2006, 137 patients with primary HCC underwent TACE alone (n=87) and TACE+RFA (n=50), respectively, after the interventional treatment, all patients periodically received CT reexaminations and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) measurement. The therapeutic efficacy, AFP level and survival rate between two groups were compared with each other. Results In TACE group the effective rate (CR+PR) was 34.5%, AFP decreasing amplitude was 54.2%, and 2 years survival rate was 43.7%. While in TACE+RFA group, the effective rate (CR+PR) was 70.0%, AFP decreasing amplitude was 78.0%, and 2 years survival rate was 62.0%, there were significant differences between two groups (P＜0.05). Conclusion Combined application of TACE and RFA is significantly superior to TACE alone in treatment of primary HCC.
Objective To overview the systematic reviews/meta-analyses of radiofrequency ablation combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for primary liver cancer. Methods We searched China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, Chongqing VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases using computers, with a search deadline of December 31, 2022 for systematic reviews/meta-analyses of radiofrequency ablation combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for primary liver cancer. The AMSTAR 2 scale, PRISMA statement, and GRADE grading system were used to evaluate the reporting quality, methodological quality, and evidence level. Results A total of 13 systematic reviews/meta-analyses were included, published from 2011 to 2022. The evaluation results of the AMSTAR 2 scale showed that 4 systematic reviews/meta-analyses were of low quality, while the rest were of extremely low quality, without medium to high quality systematic reviews/meta-analyses. The evaluation results of PRISMA statement showed that the scores of 9 systematic reviews/meta-analyses were 15-21, with certain reporting defects, and only 4 were relatively complete. The GRADE system evaluation of 75 evidence bodies for 9 clinical outcome indicators showed that there was no high quality of evidence, with medium quality accounting for 29%, low quality accounting for 32%, and extremely low quality accounting for 39%. Conclusions Radiofrequency ablation combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization can improve the 1-year and 3-year overall survival rates of patients with primary liver cancer with medium quality of evidence. However, its impact on 5-year overall survival rate, recurrence-free survival rate, complications, and whether it is more effective for hepatocellular carcinoma with a diameter of 3-5 cm still require more high-quality clinical research and systematic evaluation to verify.
Objective To evaluate the effect on microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression of combining radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with arsenious acid (AA) locally treating liver VX2 tumor in rabbits. Methods Twenty-eight New Zealand White rabbits with implanted liver VX2 tumors were randomly divided into four groups, control group (n=7), AA group (n=7), RFA group (n=7) and combination (RFA+AA) group (n=7). All rabbits were killed 14 days after treatment. MVD and VEGF expression were examined by immunohistochemistry. Results The MVD degraded one by one in control group,AA group,RFA group and RAF+AA group, which were (38.50±0.44), (23.07±0.47), (18.65±0.39) and (11.36±0.36)/HP respectively, compared while each two groups, P＜0.05. The VEGF expression also degraded one by one, the ratio of positive cases were 7/7, 5/7, 4/7 and 2/7 respectively, compared while each two groups, P＜0.05. There was positive correlation between VEGF expression and MVD (Person conefficient of product-moment correlation r=0.47, P＜0.01). Conclusion Combining RAF with AA therapy can greatly decrease MVD and VEGF expression of tumor tissue.
ObjectiveTo investigate efficacy and safety of three-step radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treatment for giant hepatic hemangioma (GHH,diameter ≥5 cm) with symptoms. MethodsThe patients with GHH met the inclusion criteria were collected.The main steps were as follows:The first step was to destroy the main arteries of the tumor to block the blood.The second step was to withdraw the blood of the tumor to shrink the tumor.The third step was to damage the shrunk tumor by RFA. ResultsThere were 13 patients with GHH met the inclusion criteria.The median preoperative diameter was 8.0 cm.The median volume of withdrawing blood was 78 mL.The median diameter after withdrawing blood was 5.3 cm.The diameters between after and before withdrawing blood had a significant difference (P<0.01).The time for damaging tumor blood supply was (4.4±1.0) min.The median frequency of tumor RFA was 4 times.The median time of tumor RFA was 16 min.The median time of total operation was 20 min.There were 3 cases of tumor residual after RFA,10 cases were met full damage,and the damage rate was 85.9%-100% with an average of 97.0%.The hospital stay after RFA was (3.9±1.2) d.One case was remission after conservative treatment because of complication. ConclusionThe preliminary results of limited cases in this study show that three-step RFA for GHH is effective and safe,but it needs to be researched for large samples data.