Results of the Ross operation in a pediatric population

Objective: To analyse the results of the mid-term clinical and echocardiographic follow-up of the pediatric Ross operation. Methods: Echo-Doppler follow-up of 53 consecutive pediatric Ross procedures performed between 1994 and 2003. Median age was 9.7 years at time of operation (2 weeks–17.7 years). Six patients were younger than 3 months. Median age at follow-up was 15.6 years. Aortic valve/left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) anomalies were congenital in 49 (92%). Seventy percent had previous surgery or balloon valvuloplasty. Root replacement was used in all. Thirteen patients (25%) had LVOT enlargement. Mean cross-clamp time was 113 (69–189) minutes. Results: Early mortality occurred in 3 patients after emergency surgery following balloon failure (n=1) and extended Ross following interrupted arch/VSD repair (n=2). Late mortality was due to LV fibroelastosis in 2 patients and complicated pulmonary artery stenting in another. RVOT reoperations were required because of late homograft obstruction in 2 patients and because of pulmonary artery stenosis in another. Five patients (9.4%) were reoperated for pulmonary autograft dilatation (n=3) and for leaflet fibrosis or perforation (n=2). Autografts were repaired in two patients, while a mechanical valve was inserted in 3 cases. At 9 years the actuarial survival and event free survival were 89 and 74%, respectively. At last follow-up 90% of autograft diameters indexed to body surface area was above the 90th percentile of normal aortic root diameters. LVOT and RVOT gradients were low and autograft insufficiency was trivial to mild in 84% and mild to moderate in 16%. Autograft stenosis was not noticed. Conclusions: The pediatric Ross procedure remains an important tool but autograft dilatation also occurs in the pediatric population. The significance of this finding has yet to be determined.     

The impact of mitral valve morphology on the long-term outcome of mitral balloon valvuloplasty.

BACKGROUND: The effect of mitral valve morphology (MVM) on the long-term results of mitral balloon valvuloplasty (MBV) is not well established. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of MVM on long-term outcome of MBV. METHODS: Five hundred and eighteen consecutive patients (mean age, 31+/-11 years) who underwent successful MBV were followed up for 0.5-16.5 (mean, 6+/-4.5) years. Patients were divided into two groups according to their mitral echo score (MES) before MBV: group A (n=340; MES8). RESULTS: We report the immediate and long-term clinical and echocardiographic results of the above-mentioned 518 consecutive patients. The mitral valve area was significantly larger in group A than in group B, both immediately after MBV (2.0+/-0.3 vs. 1.82+/-0.3 cm2, respectively; P<0.0001) and also at the last follow-up (1.8+/-0.33 vs. 1.5+/-0.33 cm2, respectively; P<0.0001). Restenosis occurred in 38/340 (11%) in group A vs. 73/178 (41%) in group B (P<0.0001). Actuarial freedom from restenosis at 5, 10, 15 years were 92+/-2%, 85+/-3%, 65+/-6% for group A vs. 72+/-4%, 44+/-5%, 9+/-6% for group B (P<0.001). Event-free survival rates at 5, 10, 15 years for group A were 93+/-1%, 88+/-2%, 66+/-6% vs. 82+/-3%, 59+/-6%, 8+/-7% for group B (P<0.0001). Stepwise Cox multivariate regression analysis identified MES, preprocedure functional class, and postprocedure mitral valve area相似文献   

脑保护下的颈动脉狭窄内支架治疗

目的 评价经皮血管内支架成形术联合应用颈动脉滤器对颈动脉狭窄的治疗效果。方法12例有临床症状的颅外颈动脉狭窄患者接受血管内支架植入治疗，术中同时使用颈动脉滤器进行脑保护，并对颈动脉滤器所回收的物质进行病理学分析。结果12例患者支架及滤器均成功植入，滤器均成功回收。回收物质为微小血栓颗粒、泡沫细胞、胆固醇颗粒。结论经皮血管内支架成形术联合应用颈动脉滤器，可有效缓解颈动脉狭窄所致的血流障碍，预防术中脱落的微小栓子进入脑内。     

Intracranial Angioplasty and Stenting in the Awake Patient

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endovascular treatment for intracranial atherosclerosis is evolving, but complications remain an issue. Most interventions are performed under general anesthesia, preventing intraprocedural clinical evaluations. We describe our approach to intracranial angioplasty and stenting, using local rather than general anesthesia, and intraprocedural neurological assessment. METHODS: We prospectively collected procedural and outcome information on all patients undergoing intracranial angioplasty and stenting. Patients underwent interventions under local anesthesia with mild intravenous sedation or analgesia only if needed. Intraoperative neurological evaluations were performed, and symptomatology was used to guide the interventional technique. RESULTS: Forty-eight arteries in 40 patients with a mean age of 65.2 years were treated. Thirty-two anterior and 16 posterior circulation segments were treated. Technical success was achieved in 100% of patients with reduction of the mean pretreatment stenosis from 85 +/- 8.6% to 7 +/- 10.1%. Stents were deployed in 40 segments; five patients were treated with drug-eluting stents. The cobalt-chromium coronary stents were the easiest to deliver. Thirty-seven patients were treated under local anesthesia and, of those, 61.4% experienced intraprocedural symptoms that led to some alteration of the interventional technique. Headache was the most common symptom, and, when persistent, it heralded the occurrence of subarachnoid hemorrhage. There were seven total neurological complications, but only five (10.5%) led to permanent morbidity (4 strokes) or mortality (1 death). CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial angioplasty and stenting can be successfully performed using coronary techniques and equipment including drug-eluting stents. Local anesthesia permits neurological evaluations and often leads to the adjustment of the interventional technique, potentially making the procedure safer.     

Voice prosthesis insertion after endoscopic balloon-catheter dilatation in case of a stenotic hypopharyngo-oesophageal junction

Stenosis of the hypopharyngo-oesophageal junction can be a rare complication of laryngectomy and/or partial pharyngectomy and makes the insertion of voice prosthesis extremely difficult. This study describes the authors’ experiences gained by endoscopic balloon-catheter dilatation of hypopharyngo-oesophageal stenoses prior to implantation of voice prostheses in four cases. In two patients a single balloon-catheter dilatation resulted in wide enough pharyngo-oesophageal lumen on the long run. The average prosthesis wearing-times were 6.8 months in case 1 and 4.6 months in case 2, corresponding to the published literature data. In case 3, repeated dilatation of the pharyngo-oesophageal transition had proved to be unsuccessful despite taking every effort with the endoscopic balloon-catheter method. Having excised the stenotic segment, reconstruction with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) was indicated. Eighteen months later, a repeated restenosis was observed and a free jejunal flap needed to be performed as a final solution. In case 4, the insertion was carried out into a previously dilated jejunal free flap, which became gradually ischemic and stenotic since the major head-and neck procedure was carried out that resulted in prosthesis rejection after just 1 week. The authors emphasize that correct indication of pedicled and free flaps in head and neck reconstruction is a prerequisite from the aspect of prevention of pharyngo-oesophageal strictures. Endoscopic balloon-catheter dilatation is a safe and established method for dilatating hypopharyngo-oesophageal stenoses of different origin. The procedure provides maximum patient benefit with minimal trauma and morbidity; moreover, facilitates insertion of voice prostheses. However, a single balloon-catheter dilatation cannot always result in wide enough oesophageal lumen on the long run (case 3). Insertion of a voice prosthesis into a previously dilated ischemic jejunal segment is challenging and avoidable due to risks of complications.     

Endoscopic observation of pathophysiology of ventricular diverticulum

Background Although there have been reports dealing with ventricular diverticulum (VD) analyzed by cisternography and computed tomography (CT), those focusing on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or neuroendoscopic findings are rare. Case report We present a case of noncommunicating hydrocephalus caused by aqueductal stenosis with cystic lesion located in supracerebellar region. Third ventriculostomy was performed on this case. The conventional CT and MRI were compatible with usual VD, but neuroendoscopic examination suggested otherwise. The endoscopic view inside of the cystic lesion demonstrated passing veins and no membrane. We diagnosed this cystic lesion as a unique subtype of advanced VD mimicking spontaneous ventriculostomy. Endoscopic observation of the cyst was very useful for accurate diagnosis and safe treatment.     

支架术治疗颈动脉狭窄的临床研究

目的　观察支架术治疗颈动脉狭窄的近期疗效 ,探讨临床应用中的相关问题。方法　将临床经颈部B超、脑血管造影确诊的颈动脉狭窄患者 10 8例 ,实施颈动脉支架术 ,15例行预扩张 ,12例后扩张成形 ,9例使用滤器装置 ,围手术期给予抗血小板聚集等治疗。结果　 2例手术失败 ;术后 2例发生脑出血 ,1例脑栓塞 ,1例支架内血栓形成 ,除 1例脑出血死亡外 ,3例治疗后恢复 ;1～ 6个月的随访中 ,10 5例患者无复发。手术并发症发生率低 ,近期疗效满意。结论　颈动脉狭窄段支架术治疗颈动脉狭窄具有可行性 ,近期疗效肯定 ,是临床上有推广潜力的治疗颈动脉狭窄的方法 ,但远期疗效尚需进一步观察。     

颈动脉狭窄在脑保护装置下的支架置入治疗

目的探讨颈动脉狭窄患者支架治疗中的脑保护装置的有效性和安全性及治疗意义。方法对14例颈动脉狭窄患者进行血管内支架治疗。全部应用了脑保护装置(滤网型)。结果14例患者成功地释放了18枚自膨式支架。其中2例发生微栓子脱落轻度卒中,治疗1～3d完全恢复,颈动脉狭窄6例出现短暂性心率减慢和低血压。随访期所有患者均未发生脑梗死。结论在支架治疗中,脑保护装置的应用可减少治疗中的神经并发症,是一种有效和安全的治疗方法。     

彩色多普勒超声心动图与核磁共振诊断主动脉夹层动脉瘤的对比研究

目的　通过彩色多普勒超声心动图 (CDUCG)和核磁共振成像 (MRI)诊断主动脉夹层动脉瘤 (AD)的影像学特征 ,比较两种无创检查技术诊断AD的临床价值。方法　对临床疑诊AD的患者行CDUCG心脏各切面探查 ,重点扫查并测量主动脉各节段异常超声征象 (夹层发生部位、内膜片跨度、管径宽度等 ) ,对相同患者行MRI检查时在扫描图像上辨认并确定夹层发生的部位、撕裂范围等。结果　CDUCG诊断Ⅰ型AD 4例 ,Ⅱ型 2例 ,Ⅲ型AD 1例。MRI对Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ型AD均可明确诊断。本文 3例Ⅲ型AD经MRI确诊并检出附壁血栓 2例 ,1例Ⅰ型AD可疑 ,余结果同CDUCG。结论　两种技术诊断AD各有优缺点 ,CDUCG偏重于诊断Ⅰ、Ⅱ型 ,MRI适合各型AD的诊断。前者更为迅速、直观 ,重复性强 ,可了解心血管病变的全部信息 ;危急重症患者不宜或难以接受MRI检查。     

肾下型腹主动脉瘤的外科治疗

目的总结26例肾下型腹主动脉瘤的手术治疗经验。方法回顾性分析近5年多来手术治疗26例肾下型腹主动脉瘤的临床资料，全组26例，术前均经影像检查证实诊断。行择期手术21例，破裂型腹主动脉瘤急诊手术5例。26例均行腹主动脉瘤切除，人工血管重建术。结果围手术期死亡2例，均为急症手术患者，总病死率7．7％，急诊手术病死率40．0％。随访时间1-5年。术后1，3，5年生存率分别为96％，88％，75％。死亡原因均与腹主动脉瘤和手术无关。结论CTA检查是诊断腹主动脉瘤的可靠方法。手术治疗仍是治疗腹主动脉瘤的重要方法。瘤体直径不是决定手术的唯一指征。影响手术的危险因素主要是高龄、严重的心肺疾病和肾功能不全。