Comparing Short-Term Outcomes of Right Mini-Thoracotomy and Median Sternotomy for Isolated Left Atrial Myxoma Excision

Background: Left atrial myxoma (LAM) is the most common heart tumor in adults, requiring prompt surgical removal to prevent complications like valvular obstruction or embolization. Objectives: This study aimed to compare early postoperative outcomes between two surgical approaches—right mini-thoracotomy and median sternotomy—for the removal of isolated left atrial myxoma. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study at the Department of Cardiac Surgery, National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute (NHFH&RI), Mirpur, Dhaka, from March 2017 to August 2019. Twenty-eight patients undergoing surgery for isolated left atrial myxoma were included. The surgical approach was determined by the operating surgeon. We analyzed outcomes like intubation time, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay, pain levels (Visual Analogue Scale score), and overall hospital stay using SPSS. Statistical significance was set at p Results: Patients in the right mini-thoracotomy group had longer mean intubation times (11.43 vs. 5.93 hours, p Conclusion: Despite longer intubation and ICU times, the right mini-thoracotomy approach offers a minimally invasive alternative for isolated left atrial myxoma excision, with favorable outcomes overall.

Minimally Invasive Total Arterial Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Left Main Stem Disease

Objective: The aim was to show that Minimally Invasive total arterial revascularization for left main stem coronary artery disease, via a left anterior Mini thoracotomy using bilateral internal thoracic arteries is feasible, reproducible and safe. Further, there has been no exclusive data or experience with minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting in left main stem disease. Methods: From April 2019 to March 2024, 41 patients with left main stem stenosis, left main equivalent disease and unprotected left main with triple vessel disease underwent off pump minimally invasive multivessel coronary artery bypass grafting using either in situ pedicled Bilateral Internal Thoracic arteries or Left and Right Internal Thoracic artery Y composite conduits at three centers. Bilateral Internal Thoracic arteries were harvested under direct vision. All patients had an Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump inserted via the femoral artery prior to induction of anesthesia, to prevent any hemodynamic instability, arrhythmias, and was removed following completion of the procedure in the operating room without any complications. Efficacy and outcomes were evaluated by i) Primary (MACCE)-Major Adverse Cardiac and Cardiovascular events and ii) Secondary outcome measures including total length of stay, return to full physical activity and quality of life. Mean follow-up was 1.4 years (Maximum was 2.5 years). Results: 41 patients with left main stem coronary artery stenosis, underwent total arterial revascularization using bilateral internal thoracic arteries. Left main stem stenosis was present in 29 patients, Unprotected left main stem stenosis with triple vessel disease in 7 and left main equivalence in 5 patients. In this cohort, 29 patients with only left main stem stenosis had 2 grafts each, 7 patients with left main and triple vessel disease had 3 grafts and 5 patients with left main equivalent disease had 2 grafts respectively. The average number of grafts was 2.2. One patient was converted to open sternotomy as an emergency because of hemodynamic instability and myocardial revascularization was done on cardiopulmonary bypass (2.2%). The average hospital stay was 3.7 days. Ejection fraction was 45% ± 5%. There was one mortality (2.2%) but no major morbidity. The average ICU and hospital stay was 24 ± 4 hours and 3.7 days. All patients were free from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events at follow-up. Conclusions: Multivessel total arterial revascularization using left and right internal thoracic arteries, was performed via a left anterior Mini thoracotomy on patients with left main stem disease and showed that it was safe, reproducible and will help extend the armamentarium of the surgeon in minimally invasive Coronary artery bypass grafting. Concomitantly it helped enhance the potential for shorter hospital stay, increased survival, decreased morbidity, and earlier return to full activity. Furthermore, the safety, efficacy, and outcomes of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting in this high-risk group evaluated by primary and secondary outcome measures have been good in this study.

Unroofing Technique for Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery from the Right Sinus of Valsalva: Report of a Case

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery (AOLCA) from the right sinus of Valsalva constitutes a rare congenital coronary artery anomaly. Patients with an anomalous left main coronary artery face a significantly higher risk of sudden cardiac death compared to those with an anomalous right coronary artery. The anomalous coronary artery traversing between the ascending aorta and the pulmonary artery markedly heightens the risk of myocardial ischemia, arrhythmia, and sudden death. Symptomatic patients often exhibit a longer intramural course of the coronary artery, which may necessitate earlier intervention or influence the choice of surgical repair method. Surgical intervention is advocated for patients with this anomaly, even in the absence of symptoms. For anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery from the opposite sinus of Valsalva with an intramural course, coronary unroofing is the preferred revascularization procedure. This report presents a case of AOLCA originating from the right sinus of Valsalva, treated surgically using the unroofing technique for the aortic intramural segment of the anomalous coronary artery traversing between the great vessels. The unroofing technique is recommended for treating AOLCA with an extensive intramural course that does not involve the commissure.

Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction: Short-Term Results from a Single Center in Bangladesh

Background: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) is considered a safer alternative to on-pump surgery, especially in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). Objectives: This study assessed short-term outcomes and functional improvements in LVD patients post-OPCAB. Methods: The study included 200 coronary artery disease patients who underwent isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) at the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute between January 2019 and June 2020. Patients were categorized into Group 1, with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 30% - 39%, and Group 2, with an LVEF of 40% or higher. Echocardiographic assessments of left ventricular dimensions and ejection fraction were performed preoperatively, at discharge, and one month postoperatively. Results: In Group 1, preoperative left ventricular internal dimensions during diastole (LVIDd) and systole (LVIDs) were 53.48 ± 4.40 mm and 44.23 ± 3.93 mm, respectively, with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 35.28% ± 2.26%. At discharge, these values improved to 51.58 ± 4.04 mm (LVIDd), 41.23 ± 5.30 mm (LVIDs), and 39.25% ± 3.75% (LVEF). One month postoperatively, further improvements were observed: 46.29 ± 3.76 mm (LVIDd), 37.45 ± 3.68 mm (LVIDs), and 43.22% ± 4.67% (LVEF). Group 2 showed similar positive outcomes, with preoperative values of 47.09 ± 5.06 mm (LVIDd), 35.11 ± 5.25 mm (LVIDs), and 50.13% ± 7.25% (LVEF), improving to 42.37 ± 4.18 mm (LVIDd), 31.05 ± 4.19 mm (LVIDs), and 55.33% ± 7.05% (LVEF) at one month postoperatively. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in left ventricular function and NYHA class, with most patients moving from class III/IV to I/II. Complications were minimal, and no mortality was observed. Conclusion: OPCAB is safe and effective for patients with LVEF 30% - 39% and LVEF ≥ 40%, providing significant short-term functional improvements without increased risk.

实时三维超声心动图结合二维斑点追踪技术评价高龄孕晚期孕妇左心室收缩功能

目的:运用实时三维超声心动图(RT-3DE)和二维斑点追踪技术(2D-STI)评估高龄孕晚期孕妇左心室收缩功能。方法:选取20~45岁孕晚期孕妇为研究对象,另纳入年龄匹配的健康查体女性102例作为对照组。对所有纳入对象用辛普森双平面法、2D-STI及RT-3DE进行检查分析,采用t检验或Mann-Whitney U检验对比高龄孕妇与对照组受试者左室收缩功能的差异。结果:三种方法测量的左室射血分数(LVEF)组间均无统计学差异(P>0.05)。高龄孕妇较高龄对照受试者左室LSapi减低,Tmsv-16-SD%及Tmsv-16-Dif%增高(P<0.05),高龄孕妇较适龄孕妇LSbas增加(P<0.05)。结论:高龄孕妇孕晚期LVEF处于正常水平,但可能已经存在左室壁局部纵向应变减低和心肌运动同步性减低,RT-3DE及2D-STI均可早期评价左室收缩功能改变,提示临床给予早期干预。

2022年1月8日青海门源M_(S)6.9地震序列、地表破裂特征及其工程效应

2022年1月8日01时45分,青海省海北藏族自治州门源县发生M_S6.9地震。为深入了解此次地震的活动特征,以地震灾害损失调查为基础,结合无人机低空摄影测量以及余震数据分析等多种手段,对硫磺沟内的地表破裂带及交通系统的震害进行了初步调查分析,此次同震地表破裂以左旋走滑变形为主,伴有一定的逆冲分量,最大左旋位移量为3.1 m。地震还造成兰新高铁硫磺沟大桥、大梁隧道遭受严重破坏,主要表现为主梁侧翻滑移,轨道扭曲变形,隧道内部结构出现错位变形等现象。最后,对该地区今后桥梁的抗震设防措施提出建议。

急性左主干完全闭塞与次全闭塞的心电图特点和院内死亡因素的分析

目的探讨左主干完全闭塞与次全闭塞的心电图特点差异,并对该类患者院内死亡因素进行分析。方法纳入94例左主干完全闭塞患者(完全闭塞组)和99例左主干次全闭塞患者(次全闭塞组),比较其心电图特点、冠状动脉造影和其他临床资料差异,并对患者的院内死亡因素进行分析。受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析心电图特点对左主干完全闭塞患者院内死亡风险的预测价值。分析左主干完全闭塞患者心电图特点与休克和侧支循环的关系。结果与次全闭塞组比较,完全闭塞组Ⅰ、avL、V2—V5导联ST段抬高,avR+avL导联ST段抬高,左前分支传导阻滞、左前分支+右束支传导阻滞比例升高,QRS时限延长,而avR导联ST段抬高和avR+V1导联ST段抬高比例降低(P<0.01)。avR+avL导联ST段抬高预测左主干完全闭塞特异度为0.97,左前分支+右束支阻滞预测左主干完全闭塞特异度为1.00。完全闭塞组院内死亡率为46.8%(44/94),次全闭塞组院内死亡率为14.1%(14/99)。在左主干完全闭塞患者中,Ⅰ、avL、V2—V5导联ST段抬高,QRS时限,休克,无侧支循环,Ⅰ、avL、V2—V5导联ST段抬高合并左前分支+右束支阻滞,Ⅰ、avL、V2—V5导联ST段抬高合并休克对于院内死亡有一定预测价值,曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.716、0.619、0.766、0.688、0.572、0.785;Ⅰ、avL、V2—V5导联ST段抬高合并休克诊断特异度为0.82,敏感度为0.75。Ⅰ、avL、V2—V5导联ST段抬高合并左前分支+右束支阻滞预测完全闭塞患者院内死亡特异度为0.94。在急性左主干完全闭塞中,Ⅰ、avL、V2—V5导联ST段抬高,左前分支+右束支阻滞和无侧支循环患者中休克比例较高(P<0.05)。完全闭塞患者中,Ⅰ、avL、V2—V5导联ST段抬高患者未建立侧支循环,avR导联(包含avR+V1导联)ST段抬高患者中82.4%存在右冠状动脉侧支循环供应前降支+回旋支范围。而在avR+avL导联ST段抬高患者中69.2%存在右冠状动脉侧支循环供应前降支+回旋支范围。结论左主干完全闭塞与次全闭塞具有不同的心电图特点,左主干完全闭塞的心电图特征可预测院内死亡风险。

心脏磁共振对房颤患者左心房/左心耳血栓诊断价值的系统评价与Meta分析

目的 通过系统评价与Meta分析评估心脏磁共振(cardiac magnetic resonance, CMR)对心房纤颤(atrial fibrillation, AF)患者左心房/左心耳(left atrial/left atrial appendage, LA/LAA)血栓的诊断价值,并分析不同的成像序列下所形成的诊断效能之间的差异。材料与方法 从Pub Med、Embase、Web of Science、Cochrane Library、中国知网、万方和维普数据库查找关于经食道超声心动图(transesophageal echocardiography, TEE)或外科病理活检的方法检测AF患者LA/LAA结构内是否存在血栓的研究,同时比较CMR成像与其诊断效能上的差异,检索的时间为2000年至2022年。将这些文献分为四个类别:(1)CMR电影(cine-cardiac magnetic resonance, cine-CMR)成像;(2)对比增强磁共振血管造影(contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography, CE-MRA);(3)对比增强CMR(contrast enhanced CMR, CE-CMR)成像;(4)CMR。分别进行统计分析,提取相关的临床数据,利用Stata 17.0、Review Manager 5.3及Meta-Di Sc 1.4等专业数据分析应用软件对患者的医疗记录进行详细统计,并进一步对合并敏感度、特异度、阳性似然比、阴性似然比及诊断比值比的具体数值进行运算,最后绘制了受试者工作特征曲线,同时对曲线下面积(area under the curve,AUC)进行计算得出诊断效能大小。结果 共纳入11篇文献,包含868例患者。Meta分析结果显示,各成像方式的合并敏感度、特异度、阳性似然比、阴性似然比、诊断比值比、AUC值如下:cine-CMR分别为92%、93%、12.8、0.08、154、0.93;CE-MRA分别为91%、100%、476.4、0.09、5 044、0.99;CE-CMR分别为96%、100%、247.5、0.04、6 656、1.00;CMR分别为99%、99%、95.1、0.01、7 357、1.00。结论 CMR对AF患者LA/LAA血栓的诊断具备较高的诊断效能。

偏头痛患者合并中量右向左分流卵圆孔未闭行介入封堵术的疗效分析

目的:通过对比介入封堵治疗偏头痛合并中、大量右向左分流(right⁃to⁃left shunt,RLS)卵圆孔未闭(patent foramen ovale,PFO)患者的手术难度与近期疗效,评价偏头痛伴中量RLS⁃PFO患者行介入封堵的可行性。方法:入选偏头痛合并中量或大量RLS⁃PFO并行介入封堵的患者95例,分析两组患者的偏头痛症状、封堵成功率、封堵难度、术后RLS量及术后头痛缓解水平的差异。结果:两组术前头痛影响测试⁃6(headache impact test⁃6,HIT⁃6)、偏头痛残疾评估量表(migraine disability as⁃sessment questionnaire,MIDAS)评分无统计学差异(P>0.05);两组封堵成功率无统计学差异(92.00%vs.98.57%,P=0.137),但中量RLS⁃PFO组术中第2根导丝使用率、心腔内超声利用率及X线曝光时间明显高于大量RLS⁃PFO组(P<0.01);中量RLS⁃PFO组术后3 d有效封堵率高于大量RLS⁃PFO组(86.96%vs.56.52%,P=0.008),两组间术后1个月、3个月、6个月RLS量及有效封堵率无统计学差异(P>0.05);两组患者术后6个月HIT⁃6和MIDAS评分较术前改善(P<0.001),但中量RLS⁃PFO组术后6个月HIT⁃6评分较大量RLS⁃PFO组下降(P=0.012),而MIDAS评分无统计学差异。结论:偏头痛合并中量RLS⁃PFO患者行介入封堵的手术难度较大量RLS⁃PFO高,但介入封堵后头痛缓解疗效两组相似。

The Clinical Association of Left Atrial Function with Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

The left atrium (LA) has been recognized as a morphophysiological barometer of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. Because in the myocardial ischemia cascade where LV diastolic dysfunction often precedes LV systolic dysfunction, the LA which fashions as an early marker of diastolic anomaly, could equally reflect a declining LV function and/or be a good predictor of potential sequelae. We assessed this association of LA function with reduced LV systolic function among hospitalized patients. Among patients with reduced LV ejection fraction, LA passive ejection fraction was lower (0.172 ± 0.12 vs. 0.232 ± 0.14, p = 0.013) whereas LA kinetic energy was higher (6.48 ± 6.3 vs. 4.57 ± 3.5, p = 0.005). Echocardiographic assessment of LA function, therefore, appears correlated with LVEF and could be important when risk stratifying hospitalized patients.

农村留守儿童教育政策的演变逻辑

农村留守儿童是我国城市化进程中产生的特殊群体,党和政府为此陆续出台了一系列政策,不断完善留守儿童关爱服务机制。我国留守儿童政策经历了萌芽期(1996—2007年)、形成期(2007—2016年)和深化期(2016年至今)三个阶段。留守儿童政策制定有其内在逻辑,从关注留守儿童基本教育保障到关心弱势群体教育,维护教育公平,再到促进教育脱贫与实现乡村振兴,政策制定的立意持续深化,内容不断丰富,成效日益突出。政府应进一步完善寄宿制学校新型教育模式,设置留守儿童专项经济资助经费,进一步健全社会关爱体系,构建留守儿童社会情感能力评价机制,确保农村留守儿童健康成长。

V_(1)导联r'波振幅结合阻抗变化评价左束支区域起搏电极植入深度的研究

目的:探讨左束支区域起搏时,V_(1)导联r’波振幅结合阻抗变化判断电极植入的合适深度。方法:纳入2019年1月1日至2021年12月31日于南昌大学第二附属医院就诊的心脏结构正常、有起搏器植入指征并行左束支区域起搏的住院患者78例,收集患者基线数据、术中数据和影像学资料,以及术后3、6、9和12个月的随访情况。将起搏时V_(1)导联r’波振幅、阻抗、电极植入深度进行线性相关性及回归分析。结果:78例患者中70例(89.7%)起搏时V_(1)导联QRS波末端出现r’波,8例(10.3%)QRS波表现为r S、RS型或终末端无r’波。线性相关性分析显示,r’波振幅与电极植入深度呈正相关(r=0.424,P<0.01),与阻抗呈负相关(r=-0.256,P=0.03);电极植入深度与阻抗无明显相关性(r=-0.132,P=0.27)。回归分析显示,电极植入深度是r’波振幅的重要影响因素(回归系数=0.056,P=0.000)。结合建立的回归模型和阻抗大小显示,V_(1)导联r’波振幅在0.24~0.69 mV范围内,阻抗在648.30~828.90Ω之间,电极植入深度6~11 mm最合适,穿孔风险小,且能较大概率成功夺获左束支,起搏参数满意,起搏QRS波时限较窄。在术中、术后48 h及12个月随访期间内,患者均未出现电极穿孔、血栓栓塞、心脏填塞、感染、导线脱位等并发症。结论:左束支区域起搏是一种安全可行的起搏方式。在左束支区域起搏时,V_(1)导联r’波振幅在一定合适范围内,并结合阻抗变化可指导左束支区域起搏,有助于降低电极穿孔的风险。

左室收缩功能评估的超声新方法:心肌做功

心肌做功是一种无创评估左室收缩功能的超声新方法,其通过整合左室整体长轴应变和无创左室收缩压来评估心肌收缩功能。心肌做功能在心血管疾病的早期阶段评估左室整体和局部收缩功能,随访患者病情进展情况以及预后。为了让超声医师更好地理解和应用这一超声新方法,本文就心肌做功的概念、参数、正常参考值及临床应用做一评述。

心房颤动患者左心耳封堵术护理方案的构建

目的 构建一套科学、标准化、具有较强临床实践性且符合我国心房颤动(房颤)患者的左心耳封堵术护理方案。方法 于2022年1-6月,通过国内外文献回顾和半结构式访谈初步构建方案,对19名专家实施德尔菲函询完成方案调整,并结合层次分析法确定各指标权重系数。结果 2轮函询问卷有效回收率分别为95%和100%;专家权威系数分别为0.879和0.896。最终确立了6个一级指标,28个二级指标,50个三级指标构成的房颤患者左心耳封堵术护理方案。各指标重要性赋值均数为4.47~5.00,满分率为52.6%~100.0%,变异系数为0.00~0.16,肯德尔系数为0.202~0.327(P<0.001)。结论 构建的房颤患者左心耳封堵术护理方案可信且具科学性,能够为房颤患者左心耳封堵术护理实践提供参考。

Dyspnea in a 26-Year-Old Woman with Fatal Left Atrial Myxoma

Cardiac myxoma is one of the primary intracardiac tumours. We report the case of a left atrial myxoma in a 26-year-old female patient admitted for investigation of dyspnoea. Echocardiography led to the diagnosis of a giant hypermobile myxoma prolapsing into the left ventricle. The patient died before being evacuated for surgical treatment.

冠状动脉CT血管造影预测冠心病患者发生左心室重构及远期心血管不良事件的价值

目的分析冠状动脉CT血管造影预测冠心病患者发生左心室重构及远期心血管不良事件的价值。方法选取郑州大学第一附属医院2021年1月至2022年7月诊治的120例冠心病患者,随访1 a,根据左心室重构发生情况分为左心室重构组(26例)、无左心室重构组(94例),根据心血管不良事件发生情况分为发生组(24例)、未发生组(96例)。比较不同组别患者冠状动脉CT血管造影结果,分析冠状动脉CT血管造影预测冠心病患者发生左心室重构及远期心血管不良事件的价值。结果左心室重构组、无左心室重构组在冠状动脉管腔狭窄程度和高危斑块特征方面的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。发生组、未发生组斑块总体积、钙化斑块体积、非钙化斑块体积、病变长度、斑块负荷比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析显示,冠状动脉CT血管造影在预测冠心病患者发生左心室重构及远期心血管不良事件中具有较高的价值。结论冠状动脉CT血管造影在预测冠心病患者发生左心室重构及远期心血管不良事件中具有较高的价值。

集体记忆与历史重述——左翼作家的“左翼文学”回忆

左翼作家对“左翼文学”的回忆蔚为大观,构成现代中国不容忽略而又意味深远的文化景观。其重构历史的强烈意图,与当下政治生态、社会现实之间的深层互动,使其足以作为实践中国现代文学研究“记忆的转向”的典型样本。左翼作家通过个人史、“左联”史和左翼文学史的叙述,完成形象重塑、身份认同、重构历史、接续传统等多种意图,充分体现话语生产与意识形态之间的紧密关系。“左翼文学”回忆对社会框架十分依赖,呈现出明显的“集体记忆”特征,打上了社会主导思想和主流意识形态的深深印记,但“个体记忆”又常常逸出“社会框架”,对集体记忆构成冲击与反抗,使得左翼作家的回忆呈现出微妙的张力。然而无论如何,左翼作家的“左翼文学”回忆都在很大程度上重构了中国现代文学史,深度影响了我们对左翼文学的认知。

互联网使用对低龄留守儿童自我管理能力影响的门槛效应研究

基于湖北省8县(区)3791名小学生调查,从互联网使用条件、使用偏好和使用时长等维度探讨了互联网使用对低龄留守儿童自我管理能力的影响。研究发现,互联网使用条件对低龄留守儿童自我管理能力没有显著影响,互联网使用偏好和时长对低龄留守儿童自我管理能力有显著影响,儿童上网学习时长对儿童自我管理能力有显著的门槛效应。因此,应合理引导低龄儿童互联网使用偏好,规范互联网使用时间和上网学习时间以增进留守儿童信息素养;全方位关心支持低龄留守儿童身心健康发展,减少其网络依赖,提升低龄留守儿童自我管理能力。

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Congenital Heart Disease with Left-to-Right Shunt: According to a Retrospective Study at Albert Royer’s National Children’s Hospital Center

Pulmonary arterial hypertension PAH is a progressive disease characterized by an increase in pulmonary arterial pressure and resistance. It often complicates congenital heart disease with a left-to-right shunt. The objective of this study is to evaluate the evolutionary profile of the pulmonary pressures of children with congenital heart disease with left-to-right shunt and to identify the factors favoring an evolution towards PAH. This is a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study over a period of four years and six months (from January 1, 2016 to June 30, 2020) at the Center National d’Enfant Albert Royer in Dakar on a series of 87 cases. The hospital frequency was 3.98 per thousand, and the incidence of PAH was 9.44%. The sex ratio of 0.74. The average age was 44.76 months. The average time between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis of heart disease is 78.81 days. Dyspnea was found in 70.11% of cases, the burst of pulmonary B2 was found in 55%. Global heart failure was noted in 39.08% of cases. Cardiomegaly was found in 89.66% and pulmonary hypervascularization was found in 57.72% of cases. CIV was present in 54.02% of cases, followed by PCA in 21.14% and CAVc in 18.39% of cases. furosemide was used in 97.70% of cases and Captopril in 74.71% of cases. Sildenafil was used in 10.34% of patients, and 12.64% of patients benefited from surgical management. Eisenmenger syndrome was found in 12.64% of patients. PAH in these heart diseases is a formidable and frequent complication, due to an increase in precapillary flow. The major improvement in mortality and morbidity is early surgical management, in the first months of life, to prevent pulmonary vascular disease.

Analysis of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-Induced Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (VEGFR-TKI), an oral molecular targeted drug, reportedly causes serious adverse cardiovascular events such as hypertension and left ventricular failure. The association between VEGFR-TKI-induced hypertension and heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (HFpEF) has been previously studied. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between hypertension onset and associated cardiac diastolic dysfunction due to VEGFR-TKI use. Patients who used VEGFR-TKIs (target drugs: sunitinib, axitinib, sorafenib, pazopanib, and cabozantinib) at the Department of Urology, Hokkaido Cancer Center were recruited between May 2009 and October 2021 and were divided into two groups based on whether their blood pressure was elevated during VEGFR-TKI use. The markers of left ventricular diastolic function (E/A, Dct (ms), mean E/e, septal e') and left ventricular systolic function (LVEF, LVDd, and LVDs) were evaluated. LVEF and mean E/e in the elevated blood pressure group (n = 41) showed significant changes before and after treatment. LVEF values (contractile function markers) in the TKI-HT (+) group significantly decreased from 70.7% ± 6.8% before treatment to 68.3% ± 7.8% after treatment (p = 0.03). Conversely, no significant difference was observed for any ventricular systolic function marker in the TKI-HT (−) group. E/e (diastolic function marker) in the TKI-HT (+) group significantly decreased from 11.9% ± 3.6% before treatment to 10.3% ± 3.0% after treatment (p = 0.02). However, no change was observed in any ventricular diastolic function marker in the TKI-HT (−) group. The results of this study suggest that cardiac function may be affected in patients using VEGFR-TKI. Furthermore, appropriate antihypertensive treatment and early monitoring with regular echocardiography, even in asymptomatic patients, may help prevent VEGFR-TKI-induced deterioration of systolic and diastolic function.