Right ventricular and pulmonary vascular function indices for risk stratification of patients with pulmonary regurgitation

Background: We hypothesized that echocardiographic indices of right ventricular to pulmonary artery (RV‐PA) coupling were comparable to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI)‐derived RV volumetric indices in predicting disease severity in chronic pulmonary regurgitation (PR).
Methods: Patients with ≥ moderate PR (2003‐2015) with and without prior CMRI scans were enrolled into the study cohort and validation cohort, respectively. Endpoint was to determine the association between noninvasive RV‐PA coupling in‐ dices (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/right ventricular systolic pressure [TAPSE/RVSP] and fractional area change [FAC]/RVSP ratio) and markers of disease severity, and compared this association to that of CMRI‐derived RV volumetric indi‐ ces and markers of disease severity (peak oxygen consumption [VO2], NT‐proBNP and atrial and/or ventricular arrhythmias).
Results: Of the 256 patients in the study cohort (age 33 ± 6 years), 187 (73%) had tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) while 69 (27%) had valvular pulmonic stenosis (VPS). TAPSE/ RVSP (r = 0.73, P < .001) and FAC/RVSP (r = 0.78, P < .001) correlated with peak VO2. Among the CMRI‐derived RV volumetric indices analyzed, only right ventricular end‐ systolic volume index correlated with peak VO2 (r = −0.54, P < .001) and NT‐proBNP (r = 0.51, P < .001). These RV‐PA coupling indices were tested in the validation cohort of 218 patients (age 37 ± 9 years). Similar to the study cohort, TAPSE/RVSP (r = 0.59, P < .001) and FAC/RVSP (r = 0.70, P < .001) correlated with peak VO2. TAPSE/RVSP (but not FAC/RVSP) was also associated with arrhythmia occurrence in both the study cohort and validation cohorts.
Conclusion: Noninvasive RV‐PA coupling may provide complementary prognostic data in the management of chronic PR. Further studies are required to explore this clinical tool.     

Long‐term cardiovascular outcome of Williams syndrome

Objective: Cardiovascular lesions are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with Williams syndrome. Recent studies have rebutted conventional reports about the natural course of cardiovascular anomalies in Williams syndrome.
Design: Retrospective study.
Setting: Single tertiary center.
Patients: Eighty patients with Williams syndrome followed up for more than 5 years.
Interventions: Not applicable.
Outcome Measures: Long‐term outcome of cardiovascular lesions, peak velocity change in obstructive cardiovascular lesions over time, post‐interventional courses of disease‐specific intervention, and intervention‐free survival of obstructive cardio‐ vascular lesions.
Results: The median follow‐up duration was 11.0 (5.1‐28.3) years. Among 80 pa‐ tients, supravalvular aortic stenosis (87.5%) was the most common cardiovascular lesion, followed by branch pulmonary stenosis (53.8%), mitral valve prolapse (22.5%), and aortic arch hypoplasia/coarctation (5.0%). During the follow‐up period, the peak flow velocity of supravalvular aortic stenosis did not change on peak Doppler echo‐ cardiography. Initially, severe supravalvular aortic stenosis was aggravated (P < .027). Conversely, the peak velocity of branch pulmonary stenosis decreased (from 3.08 to 1.65 m/s; P < .001) within age 3.2 (0.4‐6.9) years. Even the group with severe branch PS improved over time. Twenty‐two patients (27.5%) with Williams syndrome under‐ went disease‐specific interventions without mortality, mostly for supravalvular aortic stenosis or mitral valve prolapse. No patient in the late‐onset and initially mild sup‐ ravalvular aortic stenosis group needed intervention and 37.5%, 48.4%, and 65.1% in initially moderate and severe supravalvular aortic stenosis groups needed inter‐ vention at age 5, 10, and 20 years, respectively. Unlike the conventional therapeutic concept, the intervention for branch pulmonary stenosis was almost unnecessary.
Conclusions: In Williams syndrome, initially severe supravalvular aortic stenosis worsened over time and most branch pulmonary stenoses, including those in the severe group, improved spontaneously. Most patients with branch pulmonary ste‐ nosis did not require disease‐specific intervention. Surgical repairs for cardiovascular abnormalities in Williams syndrome showed favorable results.     

Achieving biventricular circulation in patients with moderate hypoplastic right ventricle in pulmonary atresia intact ventricular septum after transcatheter pulmonary valve perforation

Objective: Transcatheter valve perforation for pulmonary atresia intact ventricular septum is the standard of care for patients with mild right ventricular hypoplasia. However, its role in moderate right ventricular hypoplasia has been less well defined. We sought to report the long‐term outcome of patients with moderate hypoplastic right ventricle who had undergone the procedure.
Design, Settings, and Patients: We performed a retrospective analysis on patients who had undergone transcatheter pulmonary valve perforation from January 1996 to January 2015 at our institution. The procedures would be carried out irrespective of the right ventricular size, as long as there were no absolute contraindications. Intervention and Outcome Measures: Demographic and procedural data were cor‐ related with outcome measures. Outcomes analyzed included procedural success, reintervention rates, final circulation type, and functional class. Multivariate analysis and receiver operator curve were used to identify for parameters in predicting biven‐ tricular circulation.
Results: The procedural success rate was 92% (33 out of 36) in this group with mod‐ erate right ventricular hypoplasia (tricuspid valve z score −4.2 ± 3.0, 69.4% of pa‐ tients with z score <−2.5). Early reintervention rate was 39%, mostly being insertion of modified Blalock–Taussig shunt. Overall reintervention‐free survival was 53%, 30%, and 19% at 1, 6, and 12 months postintervention. Despite no significant catch‐ up right ventricular growth, majority of survivors (84%) enjoyed a biventricular circu‐ lation with good functional status. A tricuspid to mitral valve ratio >0.79 was a good predictor of biventricular outcome. (specificity of 100%, positive predictive value 100%).
Conclusion: Encouraging long‐term results with biventricular circulation and func‐ tional status were demonstrated with transcatheter pulmonary valve perforation in patients even with moderate hypoplastic right ventricle, which is comparable to that with mild right ventricular hypertrophy. The baseline tricuspid to mitral valve ratio was identified as a potentially useful tool in predicting biventricular circulation.     

Bioprosthetic pulmonary valve endocarditis: Incidence,risk factors,and clinical outcomes

Background: Pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) is a common operation in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). As survival with CHD improves, infective endo‐ carditis (IE) is a growing complication after PVR. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of IE after surgical PVR in patients with CHD at our institution.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of all cases of surgical PVR performed at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin between 1975 and 2016 was performed. All cases of IE after PVR were identified and clinical and imaging data were obtained by review of medical records.
Results: Out of 924 surgical PVRs, there were 19 (2%) cases of IE. The incidence of IE after surgical PVR was 333 cases per 100 000 person‐years. The median age at diag‐ nosis of IE was 21 years (range = 1.2‐34 years) and the median time from PVR to di‐ agnosis of IE was 9.4 years. The overall freedom from IE after PVR was 99.1%, 96.9%, and 93.4%, at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. There was no significant difference in freedom from IE based on valve type, including bovine jugular vein grafts. Patients with IE were more likely to have had a history of multiple PVRs, while length of fol‐ low‐up after PVR, age at time of PVR, and gender were not significant risk factors. Eleven (58%) cases of IE required surgical intervention, while 8 (42%) were success‐ fully treated with intravenous antibiotics alone. There were no deaths and no recur‐ rences of IE after treatment.
Conclusion: The overall risk for IE after PVR is low. There was no association be‐ tween age or type of pulmonary valve and risk of IE. The majority of cases require surgical intervention, but in general the outcomes of IE after PVR are good with low mortality and risk of recurrence.     

The acute effects of 30 mg vs 60 mg of intravenous Fasudil on patients with congenital heart defects and severe pulmonary arterial hypertension

Objective: The optimal dose of Fasudil is still controversial in congenital heart disease accompanied with severe pulmonary hypertension (CHD‐PAH). This study aimed to compare acute hemodynamic changes after different doses of Fasudil in 60 consecu‐ tive adult patients with CHD‐PAH.
Design: Prospective randomized controlled trial.
Setting: Tertiary cardiology center.
Patients: Adult patients with CHD‐PAH.
Interventions: Patients were randomized to Fasudil 30 or 60 mg.
Outcome Measures: The hemodynamic parameters were measured at baseline and after 30 minutes of Fasudil through right cardiac catheterization. Blood gas results were obtained from the pulmonary artery, right ventricle, right atrium, superior and inferior vena cava, and femoral artery. Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and sys‐ temic arterial resistance (SVR) were calculated.
Results: The changes in systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) (−13.1% vs −9.3%, P < .05), diastolic PAP (dPAP) (−17.6% vs −14.5%, P < .05), mean PAP (mPAP) (−12.4% vs −8.5%, P < .05), and PVR (−35.8% vs −22.2%, P < .05) were more pronounced in the 60‐mg group than in the 30‐mg group. All patients had no obvious adverse reac‐ tions related to peripheral blood pressure.
Conclusions: Fasudil could improve the hemodynamics of patients with CHD‐PAH, especially with the 60‐mg dose. There were no serious adverse reactions.     

Serial assessment of postoperative ventricular mechanics in young children with tetralogy of Fallot: Comparison of transannular patch and valve‐sparing repair

Background: Little is known about the early time course of biventricular function and mechanics after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair. We sought to evaluate and describe the evolution of the right ventricle (RV) after TOF repair in young infants and children using conventional echocardiographic parameters and global longitudinal strain (GLS).
Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all patients with TOF and pulmo‐ nary stenosis who underwent repair from January 2002 to September 2015 and had at least 3 serial postsurgical echocardiograms spanning from infancy to early child‐ hood (<8 years). Student’s t test was performed to compare patients who underwent valve sparing (VS) versus transannular patch (TAP) repair. ANOVA was used to track measures of ventricular systolic function over time.
Results: We analyzed 151 echocardiograms performed on 42 patients. Pulmonary regurgitation (PR, moderate or severe) and the RV to left ventricular (LV) basal dimen‐ sion ratio were higher in TAP patients (P < .04 at all‐time points). Along with a signifi‐ cant increase in RV basal diameter Z‐score in the TAP group (P < .001), there was an improvement in RV and LV GLS over time in both groups (P < .001). The LV GLS at last follow‐up was lower in patients who underwent reoperation than those who did not (P = .050). LV GLS at the last follow‐up echocardiogram was lower in patients with significant PR than those without (P < .001).
Conclusions: Ventricular function appeared improve over time from the initial post‐ operative period in TOF patients. TAP repair was associated with a progressively higher RV/LV ratio in young children. GLS and RV/LV basal diameter ratio may be useful when following young children after TOF repair. Further research is necessary to understand the trajectory of ventricular functional and volumetric changes in young children in order to provide the most effective lifetime management of pa‐ tients with TOF.     

中药脑肺康对大鼠缺氧性肺动脉高压疗效的病理观察

目的 观察中药复方脑肺康对大鼠缺氧性肺动脉高压模型的治疗作用,并与西药合心爽对比,探讨其药效.方法 Wistar大鼠70只,雌雄各半,采用常压缺氧[氧气浓度(10±1)%,8小时/天,6天/周]的方法建立缺氧性肺动脉高压模型,分别设立正常对照组,模型组,脑肺康小剂量组(2.5g生药/kg体重)、中剂量组(25g生药/kg体重)和大剂量组(50g生药/kg体重),814对照组,合心爽对照组.各治疗组均于缺氧2周后开始灌胃给药至缺氧4周结束,正常对照组和模型组分别给予等量生理盐水.检测右心室压(RVSP)、右心室肥大指数(RVHI)、血液循环内皮细胞(CEC)计数、肺细小动脉平均中膜厚度百分比(MT%)、中膜面积百分比(MS%)和光镜心、肺组织病理学检查等.结果 模型组RVSP、RVHI、CEC、MT%和MS%较正常组显著增加(P<0.05或P<0.01),光镜下可见肺细小动脉中膜增厚,证明模型建立成功.脑肺康小剂量组上述指标除CEC、RVHI外与模型组比较无明显改善(P>0.05);中、大剂量组、814组和合心爽组MT%、MS%和病理学改变较模型组有显著改善(P<0.05或P<0.01);脑肺康三个剂量组的CEC均较模型组显著下降(P<0.05),而合心爽组CEC与模型组无显著改善(P>0.05或P<0.017);各治疗组RVSP(除小剂量组)RVHI与模型组比较均有显著差别(P>0.01).结论 脑肺康中、大剂量组有明显减轻     

Pulmonary artery interventions after the arterial switch operation: Unique and significant risks

Background: In the modern era, results of the arterial switch operation (ASO) for transposition of the great arteries are excellent. However, because of the LeCompte maneuver, there may be a propensity for development of pulmonary artery stenosis. We encountered atypical complications of pulmonary artery stenting in patients after the ASO, including aorto‐pulmonary fistula and coronary compression.
Methods: We performed a 10‐year retrospective review of catheterizations per‐ formed in patients after ASO in our institution with a focus on adverse events.
Results: Diagnostic and interventional catheterizations were performed in 47 pa‐ tients. In 29 patients, 37 interventional procedures performed, which included pul‐ monary artery angioplasty and/or stenting. In this group, there were five major adverse events (14%), including three aorto‐pulmonary fistulae and one coronary artery compression among patients having stent implantation or stent redilation. In addition, there were 6/37 (16%) intended stent procedures, which were aborted be‐ cause there appeared to be high‐risk of significant adverse events.
Conclusions: This review suggests that percutaneous intervention on pulmonary ar‐ tery stenosis after ASO has high‐risk and should be undertaken advisedly. Prior thor‐ ough evaluation of coronary arteries is mandatory as coronary reimplantation sites may be adjacent to sites of pulmonary artery stenosis. Furthermore, if pulmonary artery stent implantation or stent redilation is contemplated, the risk of stent fracture and possible AP fistula should be recognized. Primary use of reinforced covered stents should be considered.     

Midterm outcomes of right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction using the Freestyle xenograft

Objective: Various options exist for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) recon‐ struction in congenital heart disease. The Freestyle porcine aortic root may be used but its longevity is not well defined.
Design: We performed a retrospective review of all non‐Ross RVOT reconstructions using the Freestyle root in our institution. Survival and reintervention, either by sur‐ gery, transcatheter valve implantation, balloon valvuloplasty, or bare metal stent placement, were recorded. Factors associated with reintervention were assessed using Cox regression.
Results: Between January 2002 and December 2015, there were 182 patients identi‐ fied. Sixteen patients were lost to follow‐up and 3 patients died, unrelated to cardiac surgery. Of the remaining 163 patients, the median age was 12.2 years (interquartile range 6.4‐16.4), median weight was 39.0 kg (interquartile range 19.9‐59.3), and the median body surface area was 1.23 m² (interquartile range 0.79‐1.64). Ninety‐three (57%) patients had tetralogy of Fallot. The median follow‐up was 5.4 years (inter‐ quartile range 2.9‐8 years). There were no operative or cardiac‐related deaths. Thirty‐eight patients (23%) required reintervention. The rate of freedom from rein‐ tervention was 93.2% (95% CI 86.7%‐96.6%) at 5 years and 48.4% (95% CI 34.9%‐60.6%) at 10 years. Age < 10 years, weight < 39 kg, and body surface area <1.2 m2 at the time of valve placement, as well as valve size ≤25 mm were signifi‐ cantly associated with need for earlier reintervention.
Conclusions: The Freestyle root in the RVOT is associated with excellent survival and low midterm need for reintervention. Its longevity is comparable to published data on homografts and other bioprosthetic valves.     

Long‐term follow‐up of adult patients with congenital heart disease and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator

Objective: Sudden cardiac death is common in the adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) population. Knowledge and experience about the use of implantable cardio‐ verter defibrillators (ICD) in ACHD patients is very limited. We aimed to characterize a cohort of patients with ACHD and ICDs.
Design: Thirty consecutive ACHD patients submitted to an ICD implantation in a single tertiary center were evaluated. Data on baseline clinical features, heart defect, indication for ICD, type of device, appropriate therapies, ICD‐related complication, and mortality during follow‐up were collected.
Results: Of the 30 patients, 56.7% received appropriate therapies due to ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF). The rate of inappropriate therapies and device‐related complications was 33.3%. Secondary prevention and primary pre‐ vention patients with class I indications for ICD had more appropriate therapies than complication, but this relationship was reversed for patients with class II indications. Remote monitoring played an important role in diagnosing new atrial arrhythmias be‐ fore scheduled visits in 46.2% of patients, leading to a change in medication. VT/VF episodes were associated with a composite of death, cardiac transplantation, and hos‐ pital admission (OR 13.0; 95% CI: 2.1‐81.5).
Conclusion: ICDs are not only useful in preventing SCD, but also have a major role in diagnosing atrial tachyarrhythmias ahead of scheduled visits. Although improve‐ ments in ICD technology might reduce complications and inappropriate therapies, adequate selection of candidates for primary prevention still remains difficult be‐ cause of the lack of clear indications.     

Echocardiographic parameters associated with biventricular circulation and right ventricular growth following right ventricular decompression in patients with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum: Results from a multicenter study

Background: In patients with pulmonary atresia, intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS) following right ventricular (RV) decompression, RV size and morphology drive clinical outcome. Our objectives were to (1) identify baseline and postdecompression echo‐ cardiographic parameters associated with 2V circulation, (2) identify echocardio‐ graphic parameters associated with RV growth and (3) describe changes in measures of RV size and changes in RV loading conditions.
Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent RV de‐ compression for PA/IVS at four centers. We analyzed echocardiograms at baseline, postdecompression, and at follow up (closest to 1‐year or prior to Glenn circulation).
Results: Eighty‐one patients were included. At last follow‐up, 70 (86%) patients had 2V circulations, 7 (9%) had 1.5 ventricle circulations, and 4 (5%) had single ventricle circulations. Follow-up echocardiograms were available in 43 (53%) patients. The ma‐ jority of patients had improved RV systolic function, less tricuspid regurgitation (TR), and more left‐to‐right atrial shunting at a median of 350 days after decompression. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that larger baseline tricuspid valve (TV) z‐score (P = .017), ≥ moderate baseline TR (P = .045) and smaller baseline RV area (P < .001) were associated with larger increases in RV area. Baseline RV area ≥6 cm² /m² had 93% sensitivity and 80% specificity for identifying patients who ultimately achieved 2V circulation. All patients with RV area ≥8 cm² /m² at follow up achieved 2V circula‐ tion. This finding was confirmed in a validation cohort from a separate center (N = 25). Factors associated with achieving RV area ≥8 cm² /m² included larger TV z‐score (P = .004), ≥ moderate baseline TR (P = .031), and ≥ moderate postdecompression pulmonary regurgitation (P = .002).
Conclusions: Patients with PA/IVS and smaller TV annuli are at risk for poor RV growth. Volume‐loading conditions signal increased capacity for growth sufficient for 2V circulation.     

Long‐term outcomes up to 25 years following balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty: A multicenter study

Objective: Evaluate long‐term outcomes following balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV) for pulmonary stenosis (PS).
Background: Long‐term data following BPV is limited to small, single center studies.
Methods: BPV from April 12, 1985 to January 7, 2015 from three centers were included. Outcomes studied were ≥ moderate PI by echocardiogram and residual PS ≥ 40 mm Hg. Risk factors for ≥ moderate PI, residual PS, and repeat intervention were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis.
Results: Among 254 patients, mean age at BPV was 3.8 years (range 1 day‐67 years), initial PS catheter gradient was 56 mm Hg (IQR 40‐70), 19% had critical PS, and 9% had genetic syndromes. Mean follow‐up duration was 7.5 years (maxi‐ mum 25 years). Sixty‐nine (29%) had ≥ moderate PI, 41 patients (17%) had residual PS > 40 mm Hg, and 31 (13%) had re‐intervention. In univariate analysis, younger age, lower weight, greater initial PS gradient, greater initial RV/systemic pressure ratio, critical PS, and longer follow‐up duration were associated with ≥ moderate PI. Greater initial PS gradient was associated with long‐term residual PS or repeat intervention. In multivariate analysis, greater initial gradient and lower weight were independently associated with > moderate PI and greater initial PS gradient and genetic abnormality were independently associated with residual PS and repeat intervention.
Conclusion: Smaller patients with greater initial PS were more likely to develop sig‐ nificant long‐term PI. Patients with greater initial PS and genetic abnormalities were more likely to have residual PS or require repeat intervention following BPV.     

Impact of durable ventricular assist devices on post‐transplant outcomes in adults with congenital heart disease

Background: There are no published data on post‐transplant outcomes in durable ven‐ tricular assist device (VAD)‐supported adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients.
Methods: We compared post‐transplant outcomes in VAD‐supported vs non‐VAD‐ supported ACHD patients using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients.
Results: At 1 year, there was no difference in post‐transplant mortality between VAD‐supported (12 patients) and non‐VAD‐supported (671 patients) ACHD patients.
Conclusions: In appropriate ACHD patients, VAD use as a bridge to transplant is a reasonable strategy.     

Pulmonary artery pulsatility index predicts prolonged inotrope/pulmonary vasodilator use after implantation of continuous flow left ventricular assist device

Objective: Predictors of right ventricle (RV) dysfunction after continuous‐flow left ventricular assist device (CF‐LVAD) implantation in children are not well described. We explored the association of preimplantation Pulmonary Artery Pulsatility index (PAPi) and other hemodynamic parameters as predictors of prolonged postoperative inotropes/pulmonary vasodilator use after CF‐LVAD implantation.
Design: Retrospective chart review.
Setting: Single tertiary care pediatric referral center.
Patients: Patients who underwent CF‐LVAD implantation from January 2012 to October 2017.
Interventions: Preimplantation invasive hemodynamic parameters were analyzed to evaluate the association with post‐CF‐LVAD need for prolonged (>72 hours) use of inotropes/pulmonary vasodilators.
Measurements and main results: Preimplantation cardiac catheterization data was available for 12 of 44 patients who underwent CF‐LVAD implant during the study period. Median (IQR) age and BSA of the cohort were 15.3 years (10.2, 18) and 1.74 m2 (0.98, 2.03). Group 1 (n = 6) included patients with need for prolonged inotropes/pulmonary vasodilator use after CF‐LVAD implantation and Group 2 (n = 6) included those without. Baseline demographic parameters, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and markers of RV afterload (pulmonary vascular resistance, PA compliance and elastance) were similar among the two groups. PAPi was significantly lower in group 1 compared to group 2 (0.96 vs 3.6, respectively; P = .004). Post‐LVAD stay in the intensive care unit was longer for patients in group 1 (46 vs 23 days, P = .52). Brain natriuretic peptide was significantly higher at 3 months after implantation in group 1; P = .01.
Conclusions: The need for inotropes/pulmonary vasodilators in the postoperative period can be predicted by the preimplantation intrinsic RV contractile reserve as assessed by PAPi rather than the markers of RV afterload. Further investigation and correlation with clinical outcomes is needed.     

辛伐他汀对野百合碱诱导肺动脉高压大鼠Rho／Rock的影响

目的观察辛伐他汀在野百合碱（MCT）诱导的肺动脉高压（PAH）大鼠模型中对Rh0／Rock表达的影响,探讨辛伐他汀改善MCT所致PAH的机制。方法雄性SD大鼠30只随机均分为对照组、MCT模型组和辛伐他汀干预组（SS组）。测量各组大鼠干预后平均肺动脉压力（mPAP）、右心室肥厚指数（RVHI）;观测大体的组织形态病理改变,采用免疫组化和Westernblot检测肺组织中的PCNA、α-SMA、Rho／Rock的表达。结果与对照组及干预组相比,MCT组的mPAP及RVHI显著增加（P〈0．05）,PCNA、α—SMA、Rho／Rock的表达显著增多（P〈0．05）;与对照组相比,SS组的mPAP及RVHI差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;而PCNA、α—SMA、Rho／Rock的表达显著增多（P〈0．05）。结论辛伐他汀可有效减轻MCT诱导的PAH大鼠肺动脉压力,其机翩可能与辛伐他汀通过Rho／Rock信号通路改善肺动脉平滑肌增生重构有关。     

Arteriovenous fistula creation for hypoxia after single ventricle palliation: A single‐institution experience and literature review

Background: Hypoxia is a common and sometimes severe morbidity of single ven‐ tricle congenital heart disease (CHD). Creation of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is occasionally performed for patients after superior or total cavopulmonary connec‐ tion (SCPC or TCPC) in an attempt to improve oxygen saturations. Despite previ‐ ous reports, AVF creation is a rare palliation with inadequately defined benefits and risks. We sought to determine changes in peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and risk of adverse event after AVF creation in children with single ventricle CHD at our institution.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with a history of single ventricle palliation and history of surgical AVF creation who were seen at our tertiary care center from 1996 to 2017.
Results: A total of seven patients were included in our study. SpO₂ for the overall co‐ hort did not significantly increase after AVF creation (pre‐AVF 79.1 ± 6.9%, post‐AVF 82.7 ± 6.0% [P = .23]). SpO₂ trended up for large shunts (>5 mm) (pre‐AVF 75.0 ± 7.6%, post‐AVF 84.0 ± 5.3% [P = .25]). SpO₂ did not improve for small shunts (≤5 mm) (pre‐ AVF 82.3 ± 6.5%, post‐AVF 81.0 ± 8.5% [P = .50]). The 12‐month overall and transplant‐ free survival were 85.7% and 71.4%, respectively. Freedom from AVF‐related compli‐ cation (cephalic edema, thrombotic occlusion) was 51.4% at 12 months.
Conclusion: Palliative AVF creation for patients with single ventricle CHD and hy‐ poxia does not universally improve SpO₂ and is prone to early complications. Despite a lack of durable benefit and known risks, AVF creation remains a reasonable pallia‐ tion for a subset of patients after SCPC who are not candidates for TCPC, or poten‐ tially as a bridge to heart transplantation.     

肺栓塞大鼠肺动脉和右心室HIF-1α的表达

目的观察肺栓塞大鼠肺细小动脉和右心室HIF-1α的表达,并探讨其在疾病发展过程中的作用。方法大鼠,体外制备栓子,经颈静脉注入栓子,两周后同法进行二次栓塞。测定平均肺动脉压（mPAP）;心肺组织：（1）测定肺动脉相对中膜厚度（PAMT）和管壁面积／管总面积（WA／TA）及右心室肥大指数（RVHI）;（2）分别用原位杂交方法和免疫组化方法检测肺动脉和右心室HIF-1α mRAN和HIF-1α蛋白的表达。结果（1）mPAP从4周组开始持续明显升高（P均〈0.01）;PAMT和WA／TA在栓塞8周组开始升高（P均〈0.05）;RVHI在12周组明显高于对照组（P〈0.01）。（2）肺动脉和右心室HIF-1α mPAN2周组开始升高（P均〈0.01）;肺动脉HIF-1α蛋白3天组开始升高（P均〈0.01）,右心室HIF-1α蛋白1周开始升高（P均〈0.01）。（3）相关关系：肺动脉HIF-1α mRAN和HIF-1α蛋白均与mPAP、PAMT和WA／TA呈正相关关系;右心室HIF-1α mRAN和HIF-1α蛋白均与mPAP和RVHI呈正相关关系。结论HIF-1α在肺动脉和右心室表达明显增高并与肺动脉高压,肺动脉重构的病理生理过程有明显相关关系。     

Postoperative and short‐term atrial tachyarrhythmia burdens after transcatheter vs surgical pulmonary valve replacement among congenital heart disease patients

Objective: We examined the atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT) burden among patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) following transcatheter (TC‐) or surgical (S‐) pulmo‐ nary valve replacement (PVR).
Design/Setting: This was a retrospective observational study of patients who under‐ went PVR from 2010 to 2016 at UCLA Medical Center.
Patients: Patients of all ages who had prior surgical repair for CHD were included. Patients with a history of congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, underwent a hybrid PVR procedure, or had permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) without a concomitant ablation were excluded.
Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was a time‐to‐event analysis of sustained AT. Sustained ATs were defined as focal AT, intra‐atrial reentrant tachycardia/atrial flutter, or AF lasting at least 30 seconds or terminating with cardioversion or anti‐ tachycardia pacing.
Results: Two hundred ninety‐seven patients (TC‐PVR, n = 168 and S‐PVR, n = 129) were included. During a median follow‐up of 1.2 years, nine events occurred in TC‐PVR group (5%) vs 23 events in S‐PVR group (18%). In the propensity adjusted models, the following factors were associated with significant risk of AT after PVR: history of AT, age at valve implantation, severe right atrial enlargement, and S‐PVR. In the secondary analysis, TC‐PVR was associated with lower adjusted risk of AT events in the postoperative epoch (first 30 days), adjusted IRR 0.31 (0.14‐0.97), P = .03, but similar risk in the short‐term epoch, adjusted IRR 0.64 (0.14‐2.94), P = .57.
Conclusion: There was an increased risk of AT in the first 30 days following S‐PVR compared to TC‐PVR. Additional factors associated with risk of AT events after PVR were a history of AT, age at valve implantation, and severe right atrial enlargement.     

洛沙坦对蛋白激酶C在慢性缺氧大鼠模型肺动脉胶原表达作用的影响

目的　观察洛沙坦对蛋白激酶C(PKC)在慢性缺氧大鼠模型肺动脉胶原表达作用的影响。方法　将二级SD大鼠分为 3组 :A组 (正常对照组 )大鼠室内常规饲养。B组 (单纯缺氧 4周组 )大鼠置于常压低氧舱中 ,舱内充入氮气 ,使氧浓度维持在 (1 0 0± 0 5) % ,每天 8h ,每周 6d ,连续 4周 ;大鼠每天缺氧前用 2ml蒸馏水灌胃。C组 (洛沙坦干预组 )缺氧条件同B组 ,大鼠每天缺氧前用洛沙坦 (洛沙坦 50mg/kg溶于 2ml蒸馏水 )灌胃。采用透射电镜、放射活性测定法、免疫组化、原位杂交等方法观察 3组大鼠肺细小动脉超微结构、肺组织PKC活性、肺动脉管壁PKC免疫组化及Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原和Ⅰ、Ⅲ型前胶原基因表达的变化。结果　 (1 )B组大鼠平均肺动脉压、右心室重量比显著高于A组(P <0 0 1 ) ,C组显著低于B组 (P <0 0 1 )。 (2 )光镜下可见B组大鼠肺血管管壁厚度占血管外经的百分比、管壁面积占管总面积的百分比显著高于A组 (P <0 0 1 ) ,C组显著低于B组 (P <0 0 1 )。电镜下可见B组大鼠肺动脉胶原纤维较A组明显为多 ,C组较B组明显为少。 (3)B组大鼠肺组织细胞PKC总活性、胞膜PKC活性、胞质PKC活性及胞膜PKC活性占PKC总活性的百分比显著高于A组(P <0 0 1 ) ,C组上述指标均显著低于B组 (P <0 0 1 )。 (4)免疫组化显示 ,B     

Assessment of Right Ventricular Afterload in COPD

Background: We aimed to study whether pulmonary hypertension (PH) and elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) could be predicted by conventional echo Doppler and novel tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in a population of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) free of LV disease and co-morbidities.Methods: Echocardiography and right heart catheterization was performed in 100 outpatients with COPD. By echocardiography the time-integral of the TDI index, right ventricular systolic velocity (RVSmVTI) and pulmonary acceleration-time (PAAcT) were measured and adjusted for heart rate. The COPD patients were randomly divided in a derivation (n = 50) and a validation cohort (n = 50). Results: PH (mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) ≥ 25mmHg) and elevated PVR ≥ 2Wood unit (WU) were predicted by satisfactory area under the curve for RVSmVTI of 0.93 and 0.93 and for PAAcT of 0.96 and 0.96, respectively. Both echo indices were 100% feasible, contrasting 84% feasibility for parameters relying on contrast enhanced tricuspid-regurgitation. RVSmVTI and PAAcT showed best correlations to invasive measured mPAP, but less so to PVR. PAAcT was accurate in 90- and 78% and RVSmVTI in 90- and 84% in the calculation of mPAP and PVR, respectively. Conclusions: Heart rate adjusted-PAAcT and RVSmVTI are simple and reproducible methods that correlate well with pulmonary artery pressure and PVR and showed high accuracy in detecting PH and increased PVR in patients with COPD. Taken into account the high feasibility of these two echo indices, they should be considered in the echocardiographic assessment of COPD patients.