Echocardiographic Diagnosis of Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection

To investigate the value of echocardiography in the diagnosis of total anomalous pulmo-nary venous connection ( TAPVC ), 16 patients in our hospital were diagnosed to have TAPVC by echocardiography from year 1994 to 2001. In 11 cases the results of echocardiography were com-pared to those of surgery. Each patient was examined by using a combination of precordial, su-prasternal and subcostal windows to visualize all the pulmonary veins and their drainage sites, com-mon pulmonary venous trunk, and other associated abnormalities. Of the 16 cases, the drainage sites were as follow: supracardiac in 10, via vertical vein in 9, directly to superior vena cava in 1 ;cardiac in 5, via coronary sinus in 2, directly to right atrium in 3. Diagnoses were correctly made in all the 11 cases as confirmed by surgery. Echocardiography can also assess pulmonary arterial pres-sure and detect other associated abnormalities. It is concluded that echocardiography is the preferred examination method in the diagnosis of TAPVC before surgery. With careful examination using multiole windows and sections, TAPVC can be accurately diagnosed by echocardiograohy.     

Classification and surgical management of benign biliary strictures

Abstract Objective:To summarize and analyze the causes,types and surgical treatment for benign biliary strictures (BBS),Methods:A total of 568 patients with BBS were diagnosed and treated at our center from 1975 to 1998,Among them,352 were females and the mean age was 48.5,The types of biliary stricture were proposed according to their sites and degrees.The causes of BBS were analyzed and different procedures were performed in relation to the types of strictures.Results:In lines with the classification,all 568 patients were divided into 6 types,that is ,Type I,papillary stricture(n=7);Type IIor Ⅲ,stricture of common bile or hepatic duct with common hepatic duct longer (n=79),or shorter (n=82),than 2 cm respectively;Type IV,Common hepatic duct absence but with intact confluence(n=35);Type V.stricture of the confluence(n=102);and Type VI,Stricture of left of right main intrahepatic duct (n=199);The major causes of BBS were lithiasis(54.58%);operative strictures(44.96%)and postoperatively inflammatory strictures(2.28%).Of 568 patients,546 underwent varied operations,In278 followed patients,excellent results were achieved in 210(75.53%).The mortality rate was 1.69%(9 patients),The incidece rate of complica tions was 14.29%(78 patients).Conclusion:The lithiasis,operative and postoperative inflammatory strictures are 3 major causes of BBS.Different procedures should be used according to the different types of BBS,and bilio-enteric anastomosis is the most common treatment for the cases.     

Application of Pulmonary Venoplasty in the Surgical Treatment of Lung Cancer

Presented in this study were three cases of lung cancer undergoing pulmonary venoplasty. In the 3 patients with central type of carcinoma of lung involving pulmonary vein, the main branch of right superior pulmonary vein and the distal end of the superior-lobe vein were occluded. The root part of the vein of right-middle lobe, plus part of vessel of of right superior vein was resected. The right superior vein was reconstructed by continuous 6-0 Prolene sutures. After the operation, the reconstructed was patent and the surgical margin was tumor-free. Postoperatively, clinical manifestations and plain chest films did not show any signs of venous blockade. The patients were discharged healed 3 weeks after the operation. The technical details of the surgery were presented, the improvements on the basis of traditional methods were discussed and its clinical application was evaluated. It is concluded that pulmonary venoplasty is a safe and feasible operation. Further improvement of the surgery will help conserve more lung tissue and benefit more patients because of expanded indications.     

Congenital absence of right pulmonary artery associated with left patent ductus arteriosus and aortic coarctation

To the editor:A 7-month-old appeared with acyanosis,an Ⅲ/6 continuous murmur at left sternal border and weak femoral pulses.Electrocardiography presented biventricular enlargement with strain.Chest X-ray showed asymmetric bilateral pulmonary blood flow.Echocardiography revealed absence of right pulmonary artery (RPA),aortic coarctation (CoA),patent ductus arteriosus (PDA),moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation,enlargement of right atrium and right ventricle.Cardiac catheterization and angiogram were performed under general anesthesia.The main pulmonary artery was extended only by the left pulmonary artery (LPA).A small isolated RPA was shown by right pulmonary vein wedge angiography,and there were fine collateral vessels into the right lung firom right brachiocephalic artery and the descending aorta.The right ductus arteriosus closed with a diverticulum left in the base of the innominate artery in this left aortic arch.The long tube-shaped left ductus was patent with 3 mm diameter,and there was preductal discrete aortic coarctation with systemic pressure gradient 34 mmHg (Figure 1):QP/QS was 1.25 and PVR was 8.2 wood unit.     

Expression and role of adrenomedullm and its receptor in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective To investigate the expression and role of adrenomedullin (ADM) and adrenomedullin receptor (ADMR) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods Small pulmonary artery remodeling was observed using morphometric analysis. The expression of ADM and ADMR mRNA in lung tissue was calculated by in situ hybridization in 9 COPD cases. Cardiac catheterization was performed in 22 COPD cases to monitor changes of hemodynamic parameters and patients were divided into two groups based on mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP). The cases without pulmonary hypertension (PH) were placed in Group A (n =12) and those with PH were placed in Group B (n =10). The levels of pulmonary arterial plasma ADM were measured by radioimmunoassay. Blood gas analysis was also conducted.Results The ratio of vascular wall thickness to external diameter (MT%) and the ratio of vascular wall area to total area (MA%) were higher in patients with COPD ( P < 0. 01). In situ hybridization showed that ADM mRNA and     

Dual-energy computed tomography angiography for evaluating the renal vascular variants

Background  Recognizing renal vascular variants preoperatively is important in order to avoid vascular complications during surgery. This study aimed to investigate the renal vascular variants with dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) angiography to provide valuable information for surgery.

Methods  A total of 378 patients underwent DECT. The number, size, course and relationships of the renal vessels were retrospectively observed from the scans. Anomalies of renal arteries and veins were recorded and classified. Multiplanar reformations (MPR), maximum intensity projections (MIP), and volume renderings (VR) were used for analysis.

Results  In 378 patients (756 kidneys), renal artery variations were discovered and recorded in 123 kidneys (16.3%, 123/756) of 106 patients (28.0%, 106/378). Type IB (early branches of the only one main renal artery) and IC (accessory renal artery with only one main renal artery) were found most frequently with an incidence of 11.4% (43/378) and 14.5% (55/378). The incidence of renal artery variations in the left kidney was not statistically different than in the right kidney (12.4% vs. 11.1%). The incidence of renal vein variations was detected in 104 patients (27.5%, 104/378). The incidence of venous variants in the right kidney was higher than in the left kidney (20.1% vs. 7.4%), but left renal vein variations were more complex. Variants of the left renal vein were detected in 28 patients including type 1 (circumaortic left renal vein) in eight cases, type 2 (retroaortic left renal vein) in seven cases, type 3 (abnormal reflux) in six cases, type 4 (late venous confluence of left renal vein) in five cases, and type 5 (rare type) in two cases. The frequency of left renal vein variation associated with the left renal accessory artery was significantly higher than with early branches of the left renal artery (P=0.037).

Conclusions  The renal vascular variants are rather common and complex. DECT angiography can demonstrate the precise anatomy of the renal vessels, which is a benefit for renal transplantation or other renal operations

     

The dynamic study of the pulmonary artery obstruction degree and the right ventricular function in massive pulmonary embolism on CT pulmonary angiography

Objective: To analyze the value of CTPA in assessing the dissolve of embolus and the function of the right ventricle dynamically. Methods:Twenty-three cases of massive pulmonary embolism were analyzed retrospectively. The pulmonary artery obstruction index and the right ventricular function parameters were collected and analyzed on CTPA before thrombolytic therapy, 24 hours and 14 days after therapy, respectively. Results:The pulmonary artery obstruction index decreased gradually, and there was significant difference before therapy, 24 hours and 2 weeks after therapy. Twenty-four hours after therapy, the maximal short axes diameter and the maximal transverse area of right ventricle(RVd, RVs) decreased significantly, the maximal short axes diameter and the maximal transverse area of left ventricle(LVd, LVs) increased significantly, and the RVd/LVd, RVs/LVs decreased apparently. The pulmonary artery symbolic pressure before and 24 hours after therapy were apparently different. There was no significant difference between azygos vein, the super vena cava, the main pulmonary artery and vein reflux before and after therapy. Conclusion:CTPA can evaluate the pulmonary artery obstruction degree and right ventricular function dynamically.     

Changes of plasma beta-endorphin levels before and after percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy in patients with mitral stenosis.

To clarify the contribution of left atrial pressure to the secretion of beta-endorphin, we have investigated the relation between plasma beta endorphin levels and hemodynamic changes in 35 patients with mitral stenosis undergoing percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC). Before PTMC, plasma beta-endorphin levels obtained from the antecubital vein (28.91 ± 5.59 pg / ml) and from the femoral vein (28.20 ± 5.44 pg / ml) in the patients with mitral stenosis were significantly higher than those obtained from the antecubital vein in the healthy volunteers (22.59 ± 3.86 pg / ml, n = 34, P< 0.001 for each). The levels of beta-endorphin in the femoral vein correlated well with the mean left atrial pressure (r=0.777, P< 0.001) and the mean right atrial pressure (r = 0.450, P<0.01) before the procedure. The antecubital venous levels of beta-endorphin in patients in New York Heart Association functional Classess Ⅱ (26.45 ± 5.39 pg / ml, n = 20) and Ⅲ (32.20 ± 4.02 pg / ml, n = 15) were significan     

Sectional anatomy of the caudate lobe of liver: based on coronal and sagittal sections

To provide practical and surgical anatomy for the imaging diagnosis and surgical treatment of the disease of the caudate lobe of the liver. Methods： Based on Chinese Visible Human 1-5 data sets and assisted by 3D visualization and reconstruction, the 3D models of the upper abdomen or the liver were reconstructed and the cross-sectional images were converted to the coronal and sagittal images. The anatomy of the caudate lobe of the liver on the coronal and sagittal planes was investigated on serial planes of the upper abdomen. Results： The caudate lobe was bordered on the left by the fissura ligamenti venosi, posteriorly by the IVC, superiorly by the hepatic veins and inferiorly by the hepatic hilum. Its right and ventral borders might be obscure, with only relative borders existent. The right wall of the IVC was a good landmark to judge the relative realm of paracaval portion, and the relative ventral plane might exist between the hepatic hilum and entrance of hepatic veins. The caudate lobe could be divided into two principal regions： the left Spiegel lobe and the right paracaval portion. The caudate process, and the right rear process occurring in some individuals belonged to the right paracaval portion. The caudate lobe was blood supplied by the portal vein, which directly drained into the IVC. Conclusion： There are not definite borders for the right part of the caudate lobe, and most of the knowledge on it is based on the cast study, which may not suit for the clinical diagnosis and practice. The coronal and sagittal sections can better show the anatomic relationships between the caudate lobe, the other parts of the liver and the adjacent structures. The 3D digital visualization is an accurate and convenient study method for clinical anatomy.     

Inhibition of rho kinase attenuates high flow induced pulmonary hypertension in rats

Background The RhoA/Rho kinase pathway may participate in the pathogenesis of hypoxia and monocrotaline induced pulmonary hypertension. This study tested whether RhoA/Rho kinase pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of high flow induced pulmonary hypertension in rats. Methods Male Wistar rats （4 weeks） were randomly divided into 4 shunt groups, 4 treated groups and 4 control groups. Shunt and treated groups underwent left common carotid artery/external jugular vein shunt operation. Control groups underwent sham operation. Treated groups received fasudil treatment and the others received same dose of saline. At weeks 1, 2, 4 and 8 of the study, nght ventricular systolic pressure was measured and blood gases were analysed to calculate Qp/Qs. The weight ratio of right ventricle to left ventricle plus septum and the mean percentage of medial wall thickness in moderate sized pulmonary arteries were obtained. RhoA activity in pulmonary arteries was detected using Rho activity assay reagent. Rho kinase activity was quantified by the extent of MYPT1 phosphorylation with Western blot. Proliferating cells were evaluated using proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunohistological staining, Results Carotid artery/jugular vein shunt resulted in high pulmonary blood flow, both an acute and a chronic elevation of right ventricular systolic pressure, significant medial wall thickening characterized by smooth muscle cells proliferation, nght ventricular hypertrophy and increased activation of RhoA and Rho kinase. Fasudil treatment lowered pulmonary artery systolic pressure, suppressed pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells proliferation, attenuated pulmonary artery medial wall thickening and inhibited right ventricular hypertrophy together with significant suppression of Rho kinase activity but not Rho activity. Conclusions Activated RhoNRho kinase pathway is associated with both the acute pulmonary vasoconstriction and the chronic pulmonary artery remodelling of high flow induced pulmonary hypertension. Fasudil treatment could improve pulmonary hypertension by inhibiting Rho kinase activity.     

超声心动图诊断小儿完全型肺静脉异位引流

目的：探讨超声心动图诊断完全型肺静脉异位引流（TAPVC）的方法。方法：超声从胸骨上、胸骨旁、剑突下、心尖多个切面，观察肺静脉异位引流的途径，右房、右室的扩大程度，房间隔缺损引流方向及上下腔静脉是否扩张等，并与手术结果相对照。结杲：手术证实的28例TAPVC患儿中26例超声诊断为TAPVC，1例超声诊断为部分型肺静脉异位引流，另1例诊断为三房心和TAPVC可能。超声检查结果与手术符合率为92．86％。28例TAPVC患儿中心上型17例，心内型11例。所有患儿的右房右室扩大，房间隔缺损右向左分流。心内型TAPVC中肺静脉干或4支肺静脉直接入右房或经冠状静脉窦入右房。心上型TAPVC经垂直静脉-左无名静脉-右上腔静脉入右房。结论：超声在胸骨上及剑突下多个切面探查可提高小儿TAPVC的诊断准确性。4支肺静脉各自入右房的TAPVC需与部分型肺静脉异位引流和三房心鉴别。     

多层螺旋 CT 评价完全性肺静脉异位引流

分析完全性肺静脉异位引流（TAPVC）术前多层螺旋CT（MSCT）资料,观察其影像学解剖类型,以提高对该病的诊断价值并为临床手术方式提供参考。16例 TAPVC 的影像学解剖分型结果显示：心上型8例,心内型3例,心下型2例,混合型3例,所有病例 CT 诊断与手术结果相符。MSCT结合其多种重建方法不仅能明确诊断肺静脉异位引流的部位和支数,还能直观判断肺静脉有无狭窄,明确 TAPVC 各型的具体引流位置,对于伴发的心脏大血管畸形也能准确诊断。     

完全性肺静脉异位连接的外科治疗

目的:总结完全性肺静脉异位连接(TAPVC) 的手术方法及治疗效果.方法:回顾性分析中南大学湘雅二医院胸心外科收治的49例TAPVC 患者治疗情况,其中心上型37例,采用左心房后壁与肺总静脉吻合35例,左心房顶后缘与肺总静脉吻合2例;心内型12例,予切开冠状静脉窦上缘,将肺总静脉汇合部与原左心房合并形成新的左心房,自体心包补片修补房间隔缺损.结果:痊愈46例, 死亡3例.38例随访3个月～8年,1例术后2个月出现肺静脉回流梗阻,余患者肺静脉回流通畅,心功能达Ⅰ级.结论:TAPVC 患者一旦诊断明确,应尽早手术,通畅的肺总静脉与左心房吻合口和完善的术后监护可提高手术成功率.     

完全性肺静脉异位连接的外科治疗

目的总结完全性肺静脉异位连接的外科治疗经验,以进一步提高手术成功率和远期疗效。方法2000年1月~2005年12月,我院手术治疗完全性肺静脉异位连接患儿32例,其中心上型18例,心内型13例,心下型1例。心上型经心内法吻合12例,心上法吻合6例。心内型均扩大共同静脉至4个肺静脉开口,再以自体心包补片修补房间隔缺损。心下型采用左右心房联合切口,将左房后壁与共同静脉作侧侧吻合。结果手术死亡1例,手术死亡率3.1%,死亡原因为低心排血量综合征,其余均顺利康复出院;随访1~68个月,1例心内型患者于术后6个月出现肺静脉回流梗阻死亡,余生长发育良好。结论完全性肺静脉异位连接及时、正确的手术治疗可以获得良好的手术效果。     

完全性肺静脉异位引流的外科治疗经验体会

目的完全性肺静脉异位引流是一种少见的先天性心脏病,总结9例完全性肺静脉异位连接（TAPVC）患者的外科治疗经验,以提高手术疗效.方法总结2004年1月至2010年1月我科收治的完全性肺静脉异位引流病人9例.常规体外循环下手术,手术包括心上型及心内型的矫治及房间隔缺损、动脉导管的修补,三尖瓣成型手术.结果组术后心功能均恢复到I～II级,无心律失常发生,术后随访3～6月,未发现肺静脉梗阻病例;无死亡病例.结论完全性肺静脉异位引流一经确诊应尽快手术治疗,其治疗效果满意,以免发生肺静脉梗阻影响手术效果以及发生艾森曼格综合征失去手术时机。     

部分型肺静脉畸形引流的外科治疗

目的探讨部分型肺静脉畸形引流的外科治疗方法和原则.方法对99例部分型肺静脉畸形引流患者在体外循环下完成矫治术.右肺静脉部分引流至右心房和上腔静脉占90.9%,采用扩大或重建房间隔时将异位肺静脉隔入左心房,术后无肺静脉回流受阻和上腔静脉梗阻.左上肺静脉引流至上腔静脉者直接与左心耳吻合.结果本组无早期住院死亡者,严重并发症中仅1例低心排.随访85例(85.9%),随访时间2～47个月,平均23.7个月.1例因合并完全性心内膜垫缺损,术后出现二尖瓣轻度关闭不全而有短期血红蛋白尿,其余患者症状均明显缓解或解除.结论避免上腔静脉和肺静脉回流受阻和影响窦房结功能是手术治疗的关键所在.     

完全性肺静脉异位连接外科治疗的经验与体会(附11例报告)

目的 报道11例完全性肺静脉异位连接的外科治疗。方法 心上型7例，其中6例经右房行左房后壁与肺静脉共同干吻合，l例于心外行左房后壁与共同干平行吻合。心内型4例，采用扩大房间隔缺损将异位的肺静脉开口矫正人左心房，其中肺静脉开口于冠状静脉窦者，采用补片沿隔瓣根部环绕至冠状静脉窦后下方将冠状静脉窦开口于左心房。异位静脉开口于上腔静脉入口处者，切开上腔静脉外后侧壁，并用自体心包扩大上腔静脉的人口。结果 ll例患者全部存活，顺利康复。结论 最大限度地扩大左房与共同干的吻合口，远离共同干结扎垂直静脉，扩大左心房容积，加宽上腔静脉的入口，对于提高治愈率减少并发症有重要的作用。     

超声探讨部分性肺静脉异位引流的诊断价值

目的:研究超声诊断部分性肺静脉异位引流( PAPVC)的方法.方法:常规超声心动图检查发现右心容量负荷增加时,检查4支肺静脉与左心房的连接,进一步检查上、下腔静脉和右心房等处寻找肺静脉异位引流口,超声检查与手术结果相对照.结果:37例手术证实PAPVC患儿中超声确诊30例,超声漏诊7例,检出率81.08％.37例PAPVC患儿均有不同程度的右心扩大.PAPVC合并房间隔缺损(ASD) 34例,无ASD 3例.37例PAPVC中心上型7例,心内型28例,心下型2例.结论:超声显示右心容量负荷过重与心内畸形不相符时,需考虑PAPVC.超声不能完全显示4支肺静脉时,需要检查上、下腔静脉和右心房等处的肺静脉异位引流口.     

人工血管置换上腔静脉及其分支在胸腔肿瘤中的应用

目的总结12例胸腔肿瘤侵犯上腔静脉及其分支时人工血管置换手术的处理经验,分析上腔静脉及其分支人工血管置换手术的技术方法及临床意义。方法回顾性分析12例上腔静脉及其分支受到肿瘤侵犯患者的手术经验。受侵血管包括上腔静脉和（或）左右无名静脉。结果12例患者接受了不同类型的上腔静脉置换手术,包括左及右无名静脉分别与右心房人工血管搭桥术6例、左无名静脉与右心房人工血管搭桥2例、右无名静脉与右心房搭桥1例、右无名静脉与上腔静脉搭桥1例．单纯上腔静脉置换术2例。上腔静脉及其分支置换均应用Gore-Tex人工血管,共应用人工血管18支,直径8～16min。所有手术均成功进行,无手术死亡,无严重并发症。术后生存时间最长者达5年,1例良性畸胎瘤患者。结论人工血管置换上腔静脉及其分支手术,是根治性切除侵犯上腔静脉系统胸腔肿瘤的关键性技术,正确及时地应用可以提高根治性切除率,消除上腔静脉综合征,提高患者的生存质量及生存率。