Ischemic necrosis of the right colon in a patient with a ventricular assist device system.

Despite improvements in medical therapy, the annual high mortality rate from end-stage heart failure continues. Although cardiac transplantation is a successful treatment for these patients, the shortage of donor hearts has led surgeons to seek other options. Ventricular assist device (VAD) technology is applied to a broader population of heart failure patients, and clinicians are confronted with the specialized perioperative and chronic care of patients who receive these devices. VAD implantation is now an acceptable means of bridging to heart transplantation. We report a case of isolated right colon necrosis in a patient with VAD, who was successfully treated with right hemicolectomy and ileocolostomy.

Coronary reoperations without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: Reoperations of coronary artery surgery still carry a higher mortality and morbidity rate, compared to primary revascularization procedures. Coronary artery bypass reoperations without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a potential strategy that has been developed to decrease mortality and morbidity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1978 and 2000, 113 patients were reoperated for coronary artery revascularization, 32 (28.3%) cases on beating heart without the use of CPB (Group II) and 81 (71.7%) cases under CPB and cardioplegic arrest (Group I). Mean age of Groups I and II were 61.3+/-5 and 57.4+/-7.3 years, respectively. RESULTS: Statistically significant difference was found between the two groups, favoring off pump surgery in the early postoperative findings with respect to low cardiac output, postoperative myocardial infarction and postoperative hospitalization duration until discharge. Operative mortality was not statistically different between groups and these figures for cardiopulmonary and off pump groups were 11/81 (13.5%), 1/32 (3.1%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Reoperations of coronary artery revascularization surgery without the use of CPB is more economic, necessitating less manipulations, free of side effects of CPB, less time consuming surgical procedure compared to reoperations performed under standard techniques. When performed with a refined technique and true indications, off pump coronary reoperations have mortality and morbidity advantages over the surgery performed under CPB, improvements in techniques and instruments off pump strategy must be in the surgeons armamentarium in coronary reoperations.

Inhibition of systemic inflammatory response with sodium nitroprusside in open heart surgery.

BACKGROUND: A nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside has been reported to reduce the inflammatory response during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). To investigate this, a double-blind and prospective study was conducted. METHODS: Twenty patients with multi vessel coronary disease were randomly chosen to form study (SNP) and control groups. In the SNP group, 0.5 microg/kg/min sodium nitroprusside were administered for 20 min right after the release of the aortic crossclamp. Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) leukocyte adhesion molecule expressions, interleukin-6 levels were measured from radial artery blood as well as leukocyte and platelet counts in both groups at 6 different time points: a) before anesthesia, b) after heparin administration, c) after aortic crossclamp release, d) after protamine administration, e) 3 hours after the termination of CPB, f) 24 hours after the termination of CPB. RESULTS: The increase in Mac-1 expressions were not different between the two groups at any time point except the measurements after the administration of protamine. At this time point, Mac-1 expressions were not different between the groups (99.8+/-30.7 vs 134.6+/-95.1%, p=0.076), but higher when compared with the preinduction levels. IL-6 levels for SNP and control groups was 89+/-43 and 215+/-131 pg/dL, respectively (p=0.016) 3 hours after the termination of CPB. Twenty-four hours after the termination of CPB, IL-6 levels were still significantly higher in the control group (47+/-27 vs 111+/-68 pg/dL, p=0.039). Leukocyte and platelet counts were not different at any time point between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic inflammatory response in patients undergoing CPB can be reduced to a certain level with sodium nitroprusside, especially the activation of vascular endothelial cells can be inhibited, but activation of leukocytes still takes place.

Thirty years survival without anticoagulation after aortic valve replacement with a Björk-Shiley prosthesis.

Anticoagulation is mandatory in all mechanical valve replacements and, when well-managed, permits both embolism and valve thrombosis to be kept at low levels. Here, we report the case of a male patient who has survived 30 years without anticoagulation following aortic valve replacement with the Björk-Shiley prosthesis.

Approach to sinus of Valsalva aneurysms: a review of 53 cases.

OBJECTIVE: The reported experience with sinus of Valsalva aneurysms (SVAs) is limited. Our approach to this subset of patients and an algorithm-dependent classification are presented. METHODS: Between 1985 and 2000, 53 patients (mean age: 24+/-12; range 4--60) underwent repair for ruptured (64%) or non-ruptured (36%) SVA. Associated lesions were present in 21 patients; VSD in 18, moderate to severe aortic insufficiency in five, aortic stenosis in four (two subaortic membrane and one bicuspid valve), PDA in two, mitral insufficiency in one, tetralogy of Fallot in one and endocarditis in one. Operative procedures included simple or Teflon pledgetted direct suturing (31 cases; 58%), patch repair (21 cases; 40%), and stentless porcine bioprosthetic aortic root replacement in a case with extensive involvement and aortic root distortion (2%). Concomitant procedures were VSD repair in 18 patients, aortic valve replacement in four, aortic valve resuspension in three, subaortic membrane resection in two, PDA ligation in two, mitral annuloplasty in one and total correction in one. RESULTS: Early mortality was 1.9%. A permanent pacemaker was inserted in one patient due to complete heart block. The survivors were followed up for 8.2+/-5 years (range: 21 days to 15 years). There were three reoperations due to suture dehiscence; patch repair was undertaken in these patients with no further unfavorable consequences. All patients were in NYHA Class I or II as of their last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Repair of SVA can be performed with an acceptably low operative risk and a good symptom-free long-term outcome expectation. Echocardiography provides all the necessary details for diagnosis. Dual exposure/patch repair strategy is advocated in the ruptured cases.

Closed commissurotomy versus balloon valvuloplasty for rheumatic mitral stenosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Closed mitral commissurotomy (CMC) and percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV) were compared by their initial results and Doppler echocardiographic data obtained at one week and one year after the procedure. METHODS: Of 580 patients with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis, 280 underwent CMC and 300 PMBV. The mean pre-procedural transmitral gradient (TMG) was 21 +/- 6 mmHg in the CMC group and 20 +/- 5 mmHg in the PMBV group (p = 0.6); the mean mitral valve area (MVA) was 1.1 +/- 0.2 cm2 in both groups. RESULTS: Mortality was 0.7% after CMC and 0.3% after PMBV; the primary success rates were 98.3% and 89% respectively (p <0.0001). Two CMC patients and three PMBV patients underwent emergency mitral valve replacement. At the first week, the mean TMG was decreased to 4 +/- 3 mmHg in the CMC group, and to 5.8 +/- 2 mmHg in the PMBV group (p <0.0001). The mean MVA was increased to 2.5 +/- 0.5 cm2 after CMC, and to 2.1 +/- 0.4 cm2 after PMBV (p <0.0001). After one year, TMG was 5.4 +/- 4 mmHg in the CMC group (p <0.0001) and 7.1 +/- 3 mmHg in the PMBV group (p <0.0001); MVA was 2.3 +/- 0.5 cm2 (p <0.0001) and 1.9 +/- 0.4 cm2 (p <0.0001), respectively. The results of CMC were significantly better (p <0.0001) with regard to TMG and MVA at these times. A significant decrease was also seen in mean left atrial diameter and pulmonary artery pressure in both groups (p <0.0001). CONCLUSION: Although satisfactory results can be achieved using either approach, CMC provides a higher primary success rate, greater MVA augmentation, and better technical control during the procedure, while reducing the cost. PMBV shortens in-hospital stay and eliminates the risk imposed by thoracotomy and anesthesia. Therefore, in our practice, when surgical intervention is contraindicated due to associated problems, PMBV may be the preferred approach, but exposure to radiation may be of concern in pregnant patients.

Long-term patency of sequential and individual saphenous vein coronary bypass grafts.

OBJECTIVES: The long-term patency rates for individual and sequential saphenous vein grafts (SVG) as coronary bypass conduits are angiographically compared; the impact of native coronary vessel characteristics is investigated. METHODS: A total of 875 distal coronary anastomoses on 500 SVGs were assessed in 430 patients at an average of 5.8+/-3 years after a coronary revascularization procedure. RESULTS: The patency rates of sequential conduits were markedly higher than those of individual ones (82 vs. 68%, P=0.0005). Also, the anastomoses on the sequential conduits had better patency (75 vs. 68%, P=0.03). This difference was even more pronounced in coronary arteries of poor quality and small (<1.5 mm) diameter (57 vs. 28% for the sequential grafts and individual grafts, respectively, P=0.001). Also, when the most distally located coronary artery on a sequential graft was of poor run-off, the patency rate for the entire conduit was considerably low (42.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The patency of a sequential vein graft conduit is generally better than that of an individual one, especially for poor run-off coronary vessels, provided that the most distally located anastomosis is done on a good coronary artery in terms of quality and diameter. Using a minimal length of conduits is another advantage. However, failure of a single sequential conduit jeopardizes all the anastomoses along that graft segment. Besides, sequential grafting is technically more demanding, and the technical expertise in performing a sequential anastomosis is probably among the important determinants of short- and long-term patency.

Beneficial effect of BioGlue surgical adhesive in repair of iatrogenic aortic dissection.

We report the benefits of using BioGlue surgical adhesive to repair an iatrogenic aortic rupture and dissection that resulted from cannulation of the ascending aorta during open-heart surgery.

Mid-term results of partial left ventriculectomy in end-stage heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: Immediate and mid-term effectiveness of partial left ventriculectomy (PLV) is assessed in 27 idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy patients. METHODS: All patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III (17) or IV (ten). The average left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 19+/-4% by MUGA, and 23+/-4% by digital echocardiography. The mean end-systolic volume (LVESV) was 259+/-66 ml and the mean end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) was 342+/-83 ml. Mitral valve replacement was a routine part of the procedure. RESULTS: Operative mortality was 18.5%, a LVEDP>25 mmHg, left atrial diameter>55 mm, pulmonary artery systolic pressure>40 mmHg, congestive hepatomegaly and NYHA class IV being the mortality predictors. Three-year Kaplan-Meier survival was 64+/-10%, including operative mortality; freedom from congestive heart failure was 65+/-11%. Functional status improved from 3.2+/-0.4 to 1.5+/-0.6 (P=0.0003). The mean LVEF was dramatically increased after PLV (to 40+/-4%, P=0.0001); LVESV was decreased to 90+/-30 ml (P<0.0001) and LVEDV to 160+/-49ml (P<0.0001). This improvement was sustained during the first 30 months. CONCLUSIONS: PLV is a reasonable approach for end-stage patients, providing sustained dramatic changes in ventricular geometry and functional capacity, especially in the absence of compromised right and diastolic left heart functions. Routine replacement of the mitral valve allows a more liberal ventriculectomy and eliminates mitral regurgitation, and this may help minimize ventricular distention.

Comparison of 21-23 size St. Jude medical valves to the 27-29 size mechanical valves in aortic position. Ten-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Between 1986 and 1996, 194 patients underwent isolated aortic valve replacement with 21-23 no. St. Jude Medical mechanical heart valves (small sized group) and 163 patients with 27-29 no. (large sized group). METHODS: The mean age at operation was 45.04+/-15.90 years (range: 12-76 years) for the small sized group and 38.05+/-13.41 years (range: 16-68 years) for the large sized group. Preoperatively, 39.7% of the patients from the small sized group and 42.9% from the large sized group had pure aortic stenosis, 31.9% and 27.6% had pure aortic insufficiency. Most of the patients had rheumatic valve disease. RESULTS: The overall hospital mortality rate was 12.4% and 3.07% respectively in the small sized and large sized groups (p<0.001). The overall actuarial survival rate for 10 years was 95.33+/-2.73% and 93.06+/-3.98% respectively in the small sized group and large sized group (p>0.05). In the small sized group male sex and all complications, in large sized group age and all complications were the statistically important hospital mortality predictors (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although, operative mortality and long term morbidity were higher in the small sized group, these changes did not reflect the actuarial survivals between the groups. Small sized valves carry some risk, but these risks do not affect long-term survival.

Is left main coronary artery stenosis a risk factor for early mortality in coronary artery surgery?

It is accepted universally that the treatment of critical left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis is surgical revascularization. This study was designed to evaluate critical LMCA stenosis as a risk factor in coronary artery bypass surgery. We compared the surgical results of 760 patients with critical LMCA disease, including 58 cases who were operated under emergency conditions (LMCA-em) and 702 patients who were operated electively (LMCA-el), with randomly chosen 707 coronary bypass patients (CONT-el) without LMCA disease, but who had double- or triple-vessel disease. Another group of patients (n = 99) who were operated on under emergency conditions (CONT-em) but without LMCA disease were also compared with the corresponding groups. The mortality of LMCA-em group and CONT-em group was markedly higher from the other two groups. Univariate analysis revealed that female gender, older age, presence of diabetes mellitus, poor left ventricular function, and the presence of unstable angina were major risk factors for fatal outcome in LMCA-el and CONT-el groups. Age was also a risk factor in LMCA-em group, as well as unstable angina pectoris. The coexistence of critical right coronary artery disease did not affect the early outcome in both groups with LMCA lesions. In the multivariate analysis, critical LMCA disease was not a risk factor for mortality. Logistic regression analysis revealed diabetes [odds ratio (OR): 3.66], poor left ventricular function (higher left ventricle end-diastolic pressure, OR: 1.08), and emergent operations (OR: 5.09) were risk factors for early mortality. Patients with LMCA disease should have surgery promptly for favorable results, because emergency conditions have higher mortality rates.

A clinical dilemma: cardiac and pericardiac echinococcosis.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac and pericardial echinococcosis as a life-threatening disease may present with a clear picture most of the time, however it may also become a clinical puzzle. METHODS: In the period between 1977 and 1998, 14 patients were operated on with the diagnosis of cardiac and pericardial echinococcosis. Nine patients were operated on with standard cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) techniques, and the remaining 5 patients were operated on without CPB. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) or intraoperative surface echocardiography were used to plan and perform the operation for the late cases. RESULTS: One patient died during the postoperative period due to the rupture of interventricular septum. All other patients survived the perioperative period, received mebendazole treatment, and exhibited no recurrence during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The definitive treatment is the surgical extraction of the cyst. Because the clinical picture may vary according to the number, size, and location of cysts, as well as complications, cardiac echinococcosis should be remembered and included in the differential diagnosis to achieve the treatment. Intraoperative surface echocardiography is of paramount value for diagnosis and planning the management of a successful surgery.

Experimental evaluation of retrograde cerebral perfusion by single photon emission computed tomography technique (SPECT).

BACKGROUND: Protection of the brain is of vital importance during aortic arch aneurysms. In this study efficiency of retrograde cerebral perfusion was evaluated with the use of single photon emission computed tomography technique (SPECT) by using 99mTc hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (HMPAO). METHODS: Four animals were used. The internal maxillary vein was the site of retrograde cerebral perfusion. The animals were studied after the heart rate and respiration were stopped with the use of the high dose drug administration and the brain was perfused with cold Ringer's lactated solution. After this procedure, 99mTc HMPAO-SPECT study was performed. RESULTS: In one animal we did not get any cerebral image because of the competent venous valve in the internal maxillary vein. In the remaining animals, normal brain perfusion was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: 99mTc HMPAO-SPECT study documented that blood flow via the retrograde way meets the metabolic demand of the brain. Retrograde delivery of 99mTc HMPAO did not conclude any poorly perfused area in the brain when in given both sides and all parts of the brain can be effectively perfused by cerebral venous system in hypothermic conditions.

Successful reoperation after Batista partial left ventriculectomy demonstrates patient's hemodynamic recovery.

We report an emergency reoperation due to mechanical valve thrombosis following a Batista partial left ventriculectomy and mitral valve replacement with a St. Jude prosthesis. We re-replaced the valve with an identical St. Jude device and counseled the patient on the importance of routine anticoagulation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the 1st reported case of a patient who has survived cardiac reoperation after a Batista partial left ventriculectomy. Moreover, our report demonstrates that the hemodynamic recovery achieved after a Batista operation can enable a patient to tolerate reoperation on cardiopulmonary bypass, even in the presence of acute pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock.

Coronary sinus retroperfusion during acute experimental coronary artery occlusion.

BACKGROUND: This study was planned to show the effect of retroperfusion and cardiopulmonary bypass on myocardial hemodynamic recovery. METHODS: Eighteen dogs entered this study. After, left anterior descending artery (LAD) was dissected and occluded, the animals were divided into three equal groups; Group I: retrograde coronary sinus perfusion, group II: cardiopulmonary bypass and retrograde coronary sinus perfusion, Group III: control group, left anterior descending artery occlusion only. RESULTS: In Group III, deterioration of the hemodynamic values progressed parallel with the degree of ischemic damage but in Group I, hemodynamic parameters were better because of the retrograde coronary sinus perfusion and minimally affected by the reperfusion. In Group II, at the end of the cardiopulmonary bypass minimal myocardial damage was observed. CONCLUSIONS: There is no statistical difference between Group I and II if we examine the data that was taken after reperfusion although myocardial performance was better in Group II.

Perinatal mitral valve interventions: a report of 10 cases.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatic mitral valve stenosis is still an endemic disease in some parts of the world and may complicate pregnancy and perinatal period. During the 10-year period between January 1988 and December 1997, 10 pregnant women with mitral stenosis were operated on. METHODS: Combined cesarean delivery and closed mitral valvulotomy (CMV) were performed on 6 patients, combined cesarean delivery and Mitral Valve Replacement (MVR) were performed on 1 patient, and 3 patients had CMV during their third trimester. RESULTS: There was 1 stillbirth. All other patients and delivered babies were healthy. MVR was necessary for mitral restenosis in one patient 5 years after her CMV. Three of the remaining patients had some degree of restenosis but did not require reoperation. CONCLUSION: CMV when indicated during pregnancy can be performed with low risk. For symptomatic patients responding to medical therapy, a combined approach of cesarean section and CMV will prevent possible complications that may arise on perinatal period due to hemodynamic fluctuation.

Carotid disease in patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass: analysis of 678 patients.

The purpose of this article is to investigate the frequency of carotid disease and to identify high-risk groups among patients scheduled for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures under nonemergent conditions. A total of 678 consecutive patients underwent preoperative carotid artery duplex scanning (CADS) before CABG procedures. Morphology of carotid artery was determined and five groups were formed. Age, sex, cervical bruit, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, smoking, history of cerebrovascular event (CVE), peripheral vascular disease (PVD), and severity of coronary artery disease were investigated to describe the high-risk group for carotid artery disease. In 41% of patients carotid examination produced normal findings; 46.2% had less than 60% luminal stenoses, 7.1% had 60-79% stenoses, 4.6% had 80-99% stenoses, and 1.2% had total occlusion. Previous cerebral ischemic events (CVE) (p<0.05), hypertension (p < 0.01), smoking (p < 0.01), advanced age (p < 0.01), and female sex (p < 0.01) were identified as high-risk factors for carotid artery stenoses. There was a linear association between carotid disease and coronary disease (p < 0.05). Documentation of previous CVE, hypertension, smoking, advanced age, female sex, and severe coronary artery disease may be helpful in identifying patients at high risk for carotid artery stenoses.