Ning Li

Hyperglycemia is an independent risk factor for perioperative complications and mortality after cardiac surgery. Freestyle Libre Continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is an interstitial glucose monitoring system, which has been proven to be stable and accurate in various disease. 86 patients with hyperglycemia after cardiac surgery between October 2021 and October 2022 in the cardiovascular ICU, were enrolled in this study. We evaluated systematic errors and numerical accuracy in blood glucose (BG) between two groups using Bland-Altman analysis and mean absolute relative difference (MARD). The clinical accuracy was assessed by consensus and Clarke error grid. 435 paired sensor–reference values were enrolled between the Freestyle and venous BG. The MARD was 18.2% with the Bland-Altman standard bias of 31.87 mg/dL. 1851 paired values were enrolled between the Freestyle and arterial BG. The MARD was 21.5%, and the Bland-Altman standard bias was 41.45 mg/dL. 432 paired values were enrolled between the arterial and venous BG. The MARD was 8.4%, and the Bland-Altman standard bias was − 9.95 mg/dL. Our study demonstrated the relatively low accuracy of Freestyle Libre CGM for critical patients after cardiac surgery. The arterial blood gas glucose analysis acts as an effective tool to improve BG management.

Background: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a common valvular heart disease worldwide, and current guidelines for TR treatment are relatively conservative, as well as with detrimental outcomes. Restoration of sinus rhythm was reported to improve the TR severity in those TR patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, relevant research was limited. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of restoration of sinus rhythm in TR patients with AF. Methods: In this study, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched for study enrollment until July 2023. This study was designed under the guidance of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. These studies containing the patient’s baseline characteristics, surgical procedure, and at least one of the clinical outcomes were included. The primary endpoint was TR grade during follow-up after restoration of sinus rhythm. Results: Out of 1074 records, 6 were enrolled. Restoration of sinus rhythm is associated with a reduction of TR severity (TR grade, odds ratio 0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01 to 1.28, P = 0.08, I² = 83%; TR area, mean difference (MD) -2.19 cm², 95% CI: -4.17 to -0.21 cm², P = 0.03, I² = 96%). Additionally, remolding of right heart with a significant reduction of tricuspid valve annulus diameter (MD -0.36 cm, 95%CI: -0.47 to -0.26 cm, P < 0.00001, I² = 29%) and right atrium volume index (MD -11.10 mL/m², 95%CI: -16.81 to -5.39 mL/m², P = 0.0001, I² = 79%) was observed during follow-up. Conclusions: In conclusion, rhythm-control therapy could reduce TR severity in AF patients with TR and is associated with right heart remodeling.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become a popular treatment for surgical high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Recently, we have applied TAVI to the treatment of aortic regurgitation (AR). Compared with conventional surgical procedures, TAVI is less invasive and considered a useful option for these high-risk patients. In this study, we reported a patient who underwent transapical TAVI. The patient was a 52-year-old female with Takayasu arteritis (TA) for 25 years, as well as with severe aortic regurgitation, porcelain aortas, and heart failure. Transapical TAVI successfully was accomplished without neurological complications, and heart failure immediately improved postoperatively.

Background: Postoperative hypoxemia is a high-risk complication after acute type A aortic dissection (TAAD) surgery. Prone position (PP) is an effective treatment for acute respiratory failure, which may improve the gas exchange of the injured lung and the patient’s survival. PP is reported to improve the respiratory condition after cardiac surgery. However, limited data exist on the effect of PP in patients who underwent acute TAAD surgery. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcomes of seven patients with severe hypoxemia who underwent PP after acute TAAD surgery. The results of arterial blood gas, chest X-ray, and survival were collected. Results: Seven patients (3 female, mean age 48.3±11.7 years) were recruited in this study. All patients received total arch replacement and frozen elephant trunk implantation procedure. The PaO2 at day 1 after PP was higher than before PP (126.3±49.3 vs. 77.8±15.5 mmHg). The oxygenation index rose sharply from 83.0 (80.0, 87.0) to 188.3±56.5 at day 3 after PP. There was no significant difference in heart rate between before and after PP procedure. Chest X-ray showed the diffuse shadow was significantly improved after PP. All patients responded well to PP, and all patients were discharged except for one patient, who died perioperatively due to multiple organ failure. Conclusions: PP is a safe and feasible option for severe hypoxemia patients after TAAD surgery.