Development of a high-fidelity minimally invasive mitral valve surgery simulator

Objectives

The aim of this study was to develop a high-fidelity minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) simulator.

Bilateral mini‐thoracotomy approach for minimally invasive implantation of HeartMate 3

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are an established option for the treatment of end‐stage heart failure. Last‐generation devices are characterized by a miniaturized pump size, allowing for intra‐pericardial placement. This feature enabled the introduction of less‐invasive implantation techniques, which have been linked to many favorable effects. The HeartMate 3 LVAD is a continuous‐flow centrifugal pump, recently introduced for clinical use. Here, we describe the minimally invasive implantation of the HeartMate 3 through a bilateral mini‐thoracotomy.     

Superior septal approach for mitral valve surgery: a word of caution

Objective: Superior septal approach provides excellent exposure of the mitral valve and the subvalvular structures. The unavoidable section of the sinus node artery is in relationship with this technique. We have studied the electrical changes associated after using this approach. Material and Methods: We studied 247 cases of mitral valve surgery from 1996 to 2003. The patient population was divided into two comparative groups: group I (128 cases) was represented by the superior septal approach and group II (119 cases) composed the conventional right lateral approach through the left atrium. Preoperatively, 48 patients (37.5%) in group I and 46 (38.6%) in group II were in a normal sinus rhythm. Mean follow-up was 30.7 months in group I and 33.5 months in group II. Results: There was no mortality in group I and eight cases (6.7%) in group II. A high incidence of changes as junctional rhythm was observed in group I, especially after weaning of cardiopulmonary bypass and on the first day after surgery (P>0.001). Postoperative P–R interval of the patients in sinus rhythm was 100±30 ms in group I and 148±24 ms in group II (P>0.05). P–R interval in group I was shorter than normal. P-wave morphology changed becoming inverted in leads II, III and aVF after surgery in these cases in group I. A full recuperation in P–R interval and the P-wave axis was seen in 52 cases (87.5%) in patients in group I after the third postoperative month. A definitive pacemaker implantation was need in two cases (1.5%) in group I and in six (5%) in group II (P>0.05). Conclusions: A superior septal approach is directly related with the loss of normal sinus rhythm because of the section of the sinus node artery. After a brief period of transient electrical changes, a new low atrial or coronary sinus rhythm slower than normal sinus rhythm appears. In consequence, a word of caution must be strongly considered in patients critically dependent on normal sinus rhythm, despite the low incidence of definitive electrical changes. Normal sinus rhythm appears again after the third postoperative month.     

Different approaches for minimally invasive closure of atrial septal defects

Background. To improve the acceptance of cosmetic results after closure of atrial septal defects, anterior or lateral thoracotomies are preferred rather than median sternotomies. Along with the availability of minimally invasive techniques, a further reduction in incision length appeared feasible while preserving thoracic stability.

Methods. Various minimally invasive approaches differing in the type of incision and mode of cannulation have been applied under conditions of normothermic ventricular fibrillation. In technique 1 (n = 5), a right parasternal mini-incision was combined with a central aortic and bicaval cannulation. Technique 2 (n = 2) was composed of an anterior submammary mini-incision with femoral arterial and central bicaval cannulation. To optimize the surgical access, the transincisional cannulation of the superior vena cava was replaced by a percutaneous cervical cannulation (technique 3, n = 17).

Results. Effective atrial septal defect closure assessed by intraoperative echocardiography was achieved in all patients. Central neurologic complications were completely absent. Besides temporary atrial fibrillation in one case, no other cardiac complications occurred. There were no cases with complicated wound healing.

Conclusions. Along with modified cannulation techniques and intraoperative echocardiography, minimally invasive techniques can be safely applied for atrial septal defect closure. Submammary incisions were highly accepted and allowed for adequate surgical exposure.     

经右胸—右心房途径微创室间隔缺损封堵术

目的 探讨经右胸—右心房途径微创封堵室间隔缺损(VSD)的可行性、安全性和优势.方法 2011年5月至2012年7月,采用经右胸—右心房途径微创封堵VSD 47例(经右心房组),分年龄段随机选取同期经胸骨正中—右心室途径行微创封堵术的膜周部VSD 47例作为对照(经右心室组).经右心房组手术于胸骨右缘第4或第3肋间、长1.5 ～2.0 cm的切口进胸,于右心房表面缝荷包,穿刺,插入特殊构型的中空探条,经三尖瓣入右心室.在食管超声引导下将探条对准VSD,沿探条孔送入导丝,再送入输送管和封堵器完成封堵.结果 两组均封堵成功.经右心房组VSD出口直径2.0～7.0mm,置入封堵器型号4～12 mm.心内操作时间[经右心房组(15 ±13) min,经右心室组(8±5)min]和手术时间[经右心房组(56±24) min,经右心室(72±16) min]组间差异均有统计学意义,P＜0.01.随访1 ～12个月,两组均无封堵器脱落等并发症.结论 经右胸—右心房途径微创封堵VSD安全、可行,创伤更小,手术时间更短.     

Benefits of robotically-assisted surgery for complex mitral valve repair

OBJECTIVESTo determine whether robotic mitral valve repair can be applied to more complex lesions compared with minimally invasive direct mitral valve repair through a right thoracotomy. Open in a separate windowMETHODSWe enrolled 335 patients over a 9-year period; 95% of the robotic surgeries were performed after experience performing direct mitral valve repair.RESULTSThe mean age in the robotic versus thoracotomy repair groups was 61 ± 14 vs 55 ± 11 years, respectively (P < 0.001); 97% vs 100% of the patients, respectively, had degenerative aetiologies. Repair complexity was simple in 106 (63%) vs 140 (84%), complex in 34 (20%) vs 20 (12%) and most complex in 29 (17%) vs 6 (4%) patients undergoing robotic versus thoracotomy repair, respectively. The average complexity score with robotic repair was significantly higher versus thoracotomy repair (P < 0.001). The robotic group underwent more chordal replacement using polytetrafluoroethylene and less resections. All patients underwent ring annuloplasty. Cross-clamp time did not differ between the groups, and no strokes or deaths occurred. More patients undergoing robotic repair underwent concomitant procedures versus the thoracotomy group (30% vs 14%, respectively; P < 0.001). The overall repair rate was 100%, with no early mortality or strokes in either group. Postoperative mean residual mitral regurgitation was 0.3 in both groups, and the mean pressure gradient through the mitral valve was 2.4 vs 2.7 mmHg (robotic versus thoracotomy repair, respectively; P = 0.031).CONCLUSIONSRobotic surgery can be applied to repair more complex mitral lesions, with excellent early outcomes.     

右前胸第二肋间小切口升主动脉手术的单中心分析

目的 评估右前胸第2肋间小切口升主动脉手术的可行性、安全性和近期疗效.方法 回顾性分析2019年10月至2020年9月在我中心实施的13例右前胸第2肋间小切口升主动脉手术(Bentall 7例、Wheat 2例、升主动脉置换4例)患者的临床资料.男12例、女1例,年龄(52.4土13.7)岁.结果 主动脉阻断时间(84...