Project description:Pulmonary artery anastomosis (PAA) is a critical step in lung transplantation. The conventional approach involves end-to-end anastomosis, which can lead to arterial tortuosity, oozing, stenosis, and thrombosis. Here, we present a modified PAA technique for lung transplantation. The anesthesia protocol and the incision for lung transplantation adhere to standard lung transplantation protocols. The primary innovation is the enhanced pulmonary anastomosis technique. The donor and recipient artery stumps are adjusted to restore their natural anatomical alignment. The donor-recipient stump is everted, ensuring precise alignment of the intima of the donor and recipient arteries. Both ends of the anastomosis are secured using 5-0 Prolene sutures to ensure stability and traction, followed by continuous suturing. In this study, seven patients underwent PAA using this novel technique. Notably, no bleeding was observed upon unveiling and deaerating the anastomosis, eliminating the need for additional sutures. Furthermore, no pulmonary artery torsion or significant prolongation of the anastomotic procedure was observed. Postoperative computed tomography of the chest revealed no anastomotic stenosis or mural thrombosis. This novel cuff anastomosis technique can reduce the risk of thrombosis and prevent torsion and stenosis in the reconstructed artery.
Project description:Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rapidly fatal vascular disease, strikes women more often than men. Paradoxically, female PAH patients have better prognosis and survival rates than males. The female sex hormone 17β-estradiol has been linked to the better outcome of PAH in females; however, the mechanisms by which 17β-estradiol alters PAH progression and outcomes remain unclear. Because proximal pulmonary arterial (PA) stiffness, one hallmark of PAH, is a powerful predictor of mortality and morbidity, we hypothesized that 17β-estradiol attenuates PAH-induced changes in mechanical properties in conduit proximal PAs, which imparts hemodynamic and energetic benefits to right ventricular function. To test this hypothesis, female mice were ovariectomized and treated with 17β-estradiol or placebo. PAH was induced in mice using SU5416 and chronic hypoxia. Extra-lobar left PAs were isolated and mechanically tested ex vivo to study both static and frequency-dependent mechanical behaviors in the presence or absence of smooth muscle cell activation. Our static mechanical test showed significant stiffening of large PAs with PAH (P<0.05). 17β-Estradiol restored PA compliance to control levels. The dynamic mechanical test demonstrated that 17β-estradiol protected the arterial wall from the PAH-induced frequency-dependent decline in dynamic stiffness and loss of viscosity with PAH (P<0.05). As demonstrated by the in vivo measurement of PA hemodynamics via right ventricular catheterization, modulation by 17β-estradiol of mechanical proximal PAs reduced pulsatile loading, which contributed to improved ventricular-vascular coupling. This study provides a mechanical mechanism for delayed disease progression and better outcome in female PAH patients and underscores the therapeutic potential of 17β-estradiol in PAH.
Project description:BackgroundAortic coarctation (CoA) is a congenital heart disease that usually combines various cardiovascular malformations, including hypoplastic aortic arch (HAA). We explore end-to-side anastomosis (ESA) and autologous pulmonary artery patch (APAP) in CoA with HAA, to provide more clinical experience.MethodsThis is a single-center retrospective study. The target population is patients with aortic stenosis and HAA who underwent surgery between 2015 and 2021. All cases included were consecutive, and no instances were omitted due to absent data, lack of consent, or other factors. Collect information on gender, age, and weight at the time of the operation, detailed information on the constricted segment and pressure gradient evaluated by echocardiography and computed tomography (CT), and other factors of patients, and these data were analyzed by statistical methods.ResultsNinety-six patients (67 males and 29 females) with median age of 76 (41.75, 128.50) days and median weight of 4.20 (3.70, 5.10) kg were enrolled. The follow-up period was 46.20 (34.40, 54.70) months. The patients were divided into two groups based on surgery: ESA (G1, 59) and APAP (G2, 37). The combined cardiovascular malformations were treated simultaneously. None of the patients had neurological events or renal failure, and three died early after the operation. Finally, 93 patients were successfully followed-up. Cox regression showed that ESA was a risk factor for aortic arch geometry is closer to Gothic (G-AAg), elevated blood pressure (EBp), and aortic recoarctation (reCoA) after surgery. In G1, 18 patients had G-AAg (P=0.03), 13 had EBp (P=0.041), and 12 had reCoA (P=0.041), all of which were significantly higher than those in G2 (three had G-AAg, one of whom had EBp and reCoA).ConclusionsIt is safe and effective to repair CoA and HAA and other cardiovascular malformations through one-stage median sternotomy. Compared with ESA, APAP can lower the risks of G-AAg, EBp, and reCoA. Although APAP takes longer, the proper application of selective antegrade cerebral perfusion may lower the risks. We recommend expanding the indications for APAP when circumstances allow, which will benefit patients.
Project description:BackgroundPostoperative anastomosis-related complication rates remain high in patients undergoing McKeown esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis, and the optimal anastomotic technique remains under debate. We describe a new method of anastomosis, referred to as purse-indigitation mechanical anastomosis (PIMA) by reinforcing esophagogastric anastomosis, which can be performed after minimally invasive surgery. This study was designed to compare its feasibility, efficacy, and safety with those of traditional mechanical anastomosis (TMA).MethodsBetween September 2020 and January 2022, 264 patients undergoing McKeown esophagectomy at a single center were included. Demographic data, including patient age, sex, diagnosis, neoadjuvant chemotherapy/radiation therapy in cases of malignancy, comorbidities, and operation time, anastomotic time, estimated blood loss, post‑operative complications were collected. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed, analyzed and compared between the PIMA and TMA cohorts.ResultsThe baseline comparability of the PIMA and TMA before the comparisons is no statistical difference. Univariable analysis revealed significantly decreased anastomotic leak rate with PIMA compared to TMA (4.10% vs. 11.59%, P=0.04). No significant difference was demonstrated in total operation time, estimated blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, or pulmonary complications between PIMA and TMA (243.94±21.98 vs. 238.70±28.45 min; 201.10±67.83 vs. 197.39±65.13 mL; 8.83±2.77 vs. 9.35±3.78 days; 8.21% vs. 11.59%; all P>0.05). The incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (3.44% vs. 50%) was significantly associated with an increased rate of anastomotic leak [odds ratio (OR): 15.50; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.81-43.71; P<0.01].ConclusionsPIMA is feasible, safe to perform, and demonstrated a leak rate less than half that of TMA in this study. PIMA may represent a superior alternative to standard esophagogastric cervical anastomosis techniques. Larger sample size and long-term survival are required to fully evaluate PIMA.
Project description:ObjectivesPercutaneous pulmonary artery cannulas, used as inflow for left ventricular venting or as outflow for right ventricular mechanical circulatory support, are easily and rapidly deployable with transesophageal and fluoroscopic guidance.MethodsWe chose to review our institutional and technical experience with all right atrium to pulmonary artery cannulations.ResultsBased on the review, we describe 6 right atrium to pulmonary artery cannulation strategies. They are divided into total right ventricular assist support, partial right ventricular assist support, and left ventricular venting. A single limb cannula or a dual lumen cannula can be used for right ventricular support.ConclusionsIn the right ventricular assist device configuration, percutaneous cannulation may prove beneficial in cases of isolated right ventricular failure. Conversely, pulmonary artery cannulation can be used for left ventricular venting as drainage to a cardiopulmonary bypass or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit. This article can be used as a reference for the technical aspects of cannulation, decision-making in patient selection, and management of patients in these clinical scenarios.
Project description:AimsThis study aimed to evaluate a novel echocardiographic algorithm for quantitative estimation of pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in patients with heart failure and pulmonary hypertension (PH) scheduled to right heart catheterization (RHC).Methods and resultsIn this monocentric study, 795 consecutive patients (427 men; age 68.4 ± 12.1 years) undergoing echocardiography and RHC were evaluated. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify echocardiographic predictors of PAWP and PVR measured by RHC in the derivation group (the first 200 patients). The diagnostic accuracy of the model was then tested in the validation group (the remaining 595 patients). PH was confirmed by RHC in 507 (63.8%) patients, with 192 (24.2%) cases of precapillary PH, 248 (31.2%) of postcapillary PH, and 67 (8.4%) of combined PH. At regression analysis, tricuspid regurgitation maximal velocity, mitral E/e' ratio, left ventricular ejection fraction, right ventricular fractional area change, inferior vena cava diameter, and left atrial volume index were included in the model (R = 0.8, P < 0.001). The model showed a high diagnostic accuracy in estimating elevated PAWP (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.97, 92% sensitivity, and 93% specificity, P < 0.001) and PVR (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.96, 89% sensitivity, and 92% specificity, P < 0.001), outperforming 2016 American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging recommendations (P < 0.001) and Abbas' equation (P < 0.001). Bland-Altman analysis showed satisfactory limits of agreement between echocardiography and RHC for PAWP (bias 0.7, 95% confidence interval -7.3 to 8.7) and PVR (bias -0.1, 95% confidence interval -2.2 to 1.9 Wood units), without indeterminate cases.ConclusionsA novel quantitative echocardiographic approach for the estimation of PAWP and PVR has high diagnostic accuracy in patients with heart failure and PH.
Project description:A greater understanding of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and pathophysiology of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) has led to significant advances, but the disease remains fatal. Treatment options are neither universally available nor always effective, underscoring the need for development of novel therapies and therapeutic strategies. Clinical trials to date have provided evidence of efficacy, but were limited in evaluating the scope and duration of treatment effects. Numerous potential targets in varied stages of drug development exist, in addition to novel uses of familiar therapies. The pursuit of gene and cell-based therapy continues, and device use to help acute deterioration and chronic management is emerging. This rapid surge of drug development has led to multicenter pivotal clinical trials and has resulted in novel ethical and global clinical trial concerns. This paper will provide an overview of the opportunities and challenges that await the development of novel treatments for PAH.
Project description:Because lipid bilayers can bend and stretch in ways similar to thin elastic sheets, physical models of bilayer deformation have utilized mechanical constants such as the moduli for bending rigidity (κC) and area compressibility (KA). However, the use of these models to quantify the energetics of membrane deformation associated with protein-membrane interactions, and the membrane response to stress is often hampered by the shortage of experimental data suitable for the estimation of the mechanical constants of various lipid mixtures. Although computational tools such as molecular dynamics simulations can provide alternative means to estimate KA values, current approaches suffer significant technical limitations. Here, we present a novel, to our knowledge, computational framework that allows for a direct estimation of KA values for individual bilayer leaflets. The theory is based on the concept of elasticity and derives KA from real-space analysis of local thickness fluctuations sampled in molecular dynamics simulations. We explore and validate the model on a large set of single and multicomponent bilayers of different lipid compositions and sizes, simulated at different temperatures. The calculated bilayer compressibility moduli agree with values estimated previously from experiments and those obtained from a standard computational method based on a series of constrained tension simulations. We further validate our framework in a comparison with an existing polymer brush model and confirm the polymer brush model's predicted linear relationship with proportionality coefficient of 24, using elastic parameters calculated from the simulation trajectories. The robustness of the results that emerge from the method allows us to revisit the origins of the bilayer mechanical (compressible) thickness and in particular its dependence on acyl-chain unsaturation and the presence of cholesterol.