Percutaneous treatment of late complications of the Bentall procedure.

Aortic pseudo-aneurysm following the Bentall procedure is a rare but potentially severe complication. Surgical reintervention represents a high risk. We report on two cases with different pseudo-aneurysm types which were successfully treated using two different percutaneous techniques. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Blood glucose level on postoperative day 1 is predictive of adverse outcomes after cardiovascular surgery.

AIM: Hyperglycaemia is now a recognized predictive factor of morbidity and mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). For this reason, we aimed to evaluate the postoperative management of glucose control in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery, and to assess the impact of glucose levels on in-hospital mortality and morbidity. METHODS: This was a retrospective study investigating the association between postoperative blood glucose and outcomes, including death, post-surgical complications, and length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and in hospital. RESULTS: A total of 642 consecutive patients were enrolled into the study after cardiovascular surgery (CABG, carotid endarterectomy and bypass in the lower limbs). Patients' mean age was 68+/-10 years, and 74% were male. In-hospital mortality was 5% in diabetic patients vs 2% in non-diabetic patients (OR: 1.66, P=0.076). Having blood glucose levels in the upper quartile range (> or =8.8 mmol/L) on postoperative day 1 was independently associated with death (OR: 10.16, P=0.0002), infectious complications (OR: 1.76, P=0.04) and prolonged ICU stay (OR: 3.10, P<0.0001). Patients presenting with three or more hypoglycaemic episodes (<4.1 mmol/L) had increased rates of mortality (OR: 9.08, P<0.0001) and complications (OR: 8.57, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Glucose levels greater than 8.8 mmol/L on postoperative day 1 and having three or more hypoglycaemic episodes in the postoperative period were predictive of mortality and morbidity among patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. This suggests that a multidisciplinary approach may be able to achieve better postoperative blood glucose control.

[Hybrid treatment of aortic aneurysms]. / Les cures hybrides des lésions anévrismales.

The hybrid treatment of aortic aneurysms is indicated in patients having the ostia of supra aortic or visceral branches taken in to the aneurysm. Indeed, these lesions are not eligible for classic endovascular treatment because the existing endoprostheses cannot provide perfusion of the side branches without inducing major endoleaks. The surgical technique consists of 2 steps: firstly, a by-pass between normal aorta and the major aortic branches involved in the aneurysm is performed to guarantee the perfusion of the organs such as brain, bowel, and after endoprosthesis deployment. Secondly, the endoprosthesis is deployed using the classical technique to isolate the aneurysm. The hybrid approach provides safe and reliable treatment of complex aortic aneurysms with mortality and morbidity rate far below the classical open surgery.

[Cell therapies in cardiology: results from the first randomized clinical trials]. / Thérapie cellulaire en cardiologie: bilan des premiers essais cliniques randomisés.

Following acute myocardial infarction, necrotic cardiac tissue is replaced by scar leading to ventricular remodeling and pump failure. Transplantation of autologous bone marrow-derived cells into the heart, early post-infarct, aims to prevent ventricular remodeling. This strategy has been evaluated in four controlled, randomized clinical trials, which provided mixed results. A transient improvement in ventricular function was observed in one trial, and a modest improvement (the duration of which remains to be determined) in an additional trial, whereas two trials showed negative results. A modest benefit of bone marrow cell transplantation was also observed in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease. Despite mixed results reported so far, cell therapy of heart disease still is in its infancy and has considerable room for improvement.

[Surgical options for terminal heart failure]. / Options chirurgicates pour l'insuffisance cardiaque terminale.

Terminal heart failure can be the cause or the result of major dysfunctions of the organisms. Although, the outcome of the natural history is the same in both situations, it is of prime importance to differentiate the two, as only heart failure as the primary cause allows for successful mechanical circulatory support as bridge to transplantation or towards recovery. Various objective parameters allow for the establishment of the diagnosis of terminal heart failure despite optimal medical treatment. A cardiac index <2.0 l/min, and a mixed venous oxygen saturation <60%, in combination with progressive renal failure, should trigger a diagnostic work-up in order to identify cardiac defects that can be corrected or to list the patient for transplantation with/without mechanical circulatory support.

Evaluation of ablation patterns using a biophysical model of atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia. Surgical/Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is a therapeutic procedure that consists of creating lines of conduction block to interrupt AF. The present study evaluated 13 different ablation patterns by means of a biophysical model of the human atria. In this model, ablation lines were abruptly applied transmurally during simulated sustained AF, and success rate, time to AF termination and average beat-to-beat interval were documented. The gold standard Cox's Maze III procedure was taken as reference. The effectiveness of twelve less invasive patterns was compared to it. In some of these incomplete lines (entailing a gap) were simulated. Finally, the computer simulations were compared to clinical data. The results show that the model reproduces observations made in vivo: (1) the Maze III is the most efficient ablation procedure; (2) less invasive patterns should include lines in both right and left atrium; (3) incomplete ablation lines between the pulmonary veins and the mitral valve annulus lead to uncommon flutter; (4) computer simulations of incomplete lines are consistent with clinical results of non-transumural RF ablation. Biophysical modeling may therefore be considered as a useful tool for understanding the mechanisms underlying AF therapies.

[The heart transplant in Lausanne from 1987 to 2003]. / La greffe cardiaque à Lausanne de 1987 à 2003.

Since the availability of ciclosporine, the survival after heart transplantation has dramatically improved. We present our results since the beginning of our experience in 1987. We treated in the Lausanne University hospital, 150 patients for end-stage cardiac disease. Hundred and fifty-two transplantations were performed. The survival rate is comparable to the literature with 81% at one year, 70% at five year and 63 at ten year included the hospital mortality. We review the incidence of complications during the follow-up and report the modification in the management of these patients especially concerning the immunosuppression.

Intrapericardial urokinase irrigation and systemic corticosteroids: an alternative to pericardectomy for persistent fibrino-purulent pericarditis.

A 39-year-old man was admitted for upper abdominal pain and shortness of breath. The chest roentgenogram demonstrated cardiomegaly and left lower lobe atelectasis. Echocardiography showed circumferential pericardial effusion with signs of cardiac tamponade. Pericardial biopsy and fluid analysis were consistent with fibrino-purulent pericarditis. Despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, percutaneous and subsequently surgical drainage, pericardial effusion and tamponade recurred. We report successful treatment of a non-resolving fibrino-purulent pericardial effusion by combined intrapericardial irrigation of fibrinolytics and systemic corticosteroids administration as an alternative to pericardectomy.

Routine use of intravascular ultrasound for endovascular aneurysm repair: angiography is not necessary.

INTRODUCTION: to assess the outcome of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) without angiography. MATERIALS/METHODS: eighty consecutive patients (median age 69 years (range 25-90): male 72 (90%), female 8 (10%)) underwent endovascular aneurysm repair (AAA 68 (85%), TAA 12 (15%)) using either angiography in 31/80 patients (39%) or IVUS in 49/80 patients (61%) in accordance to the surgeons preference. RESULTS: hospital mortality was 2/80 (3%), 1/68 for AAA (2%), 1/12 for TAA (8%), 2/31 for angiography (7%), and 0/49 for IVUS (0.0%: NS). Median quantity of contrast medium was 190 ml (range: 20-350) for angiography versus 0 ml for IVUS (p<0.01). Median X-ray exposure time 24 min (range 9-65 min) versus 8 min (range 0-60 min) for IVUS (p<0.05). No coverage of renal or suprarenal artery orifices occurred in either group. Conversion to open surgery was necessary in 4/80 patients (5%), 1/31 for angiography (3%) and 3/49 patients for IVUS (6%: NS). Early endoleaks were observed in 13/80 patients (16%): 8/31 patients for angiography (26%) versus 5/49 for IVUS (10%: p<0.05): 5/13 endoleaks resolved spontaneously (39%) whereas 8/13 (61%) required additional procedures. CONCLUSIONS: IVUS is a reliable tool for EVAR. In most cases, perprocedural angiography is not necessary.

[Open heart radio frequency left atrial compartmentation during mitral valve surgery: an alternative to the labyrinth procedure?]. / Compartimentation auriculaire gauche par radiofréquence à ciel ouvert lors de chirurgie mitrale: une alternative possible à l'opération du labyrinthe?

The authors report their experience of radiofrequency left atrial compartimentation during open heart mitral valve surgery on 37 patients with a 42 +/- 12 months history of atrial fibrillation. The preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was 62 +/- 8%; the left atrial diameter was 59 +/- 11 mm. The mean operative time was 245 +/- 60 minutes, which included 19 +/- 5 minutes for the ablation procedure. There were 2 early postoperative deaths and 2 deaths from non-cardiac causes at 3 and 6 months. The left ventricular ejection fraction and left atrial dimension were significantly decreased at the time of hospital discharge (54 +/- 12% and 51 +/- 7 mm respectively) (p < 0.01). After an average follow-up of 1 year, 81% of patients were free of atrial fibrillation: 6 patients had undergone DC cardioversion and 1 had a dual-chamber pacemaker. Patients in sinus rhythm after the ablation were associated with shorter periods of atrial fibrillation and smaller left atrial dimensions postoperatively than those who remained in fibrillation. The authors conclude that radiofrequency compartimentation of the left atrium associated with antiarrhythmic therapy can interrupt atrial fibrillation in 81% of patients at 1 year: the ablation procedure takes only 8% of the operation time. Predictive factors of success of ablation should be defined to determine which patients benefit most from this technique.

Left atrial radiofrequency compartmentalization for chronic atrial fibrillation during heart surgery.

BACKGROUND: The excellent results of the Maze III operation have demonstrated that a surgical cure of atrial fibrillation (AF) is possible. A simplified Maze procedure with radiofrequency (RF)ablation of the atrial tissue added to open heart surgery may help to cure chronic AF with low risk. METHODS: From May 1998 to March 2001, an RF left atrial compartmentalization concomitant to a cardiac surgical intervention was performed on 40 of 1,258 patients (3.2 %). Thirty-seven patients had mitral valve disease, two had aortic valve disease and one had coronary artery disease. All patients presented with chronic refractory AF for a mean time of 40.4 months ranging from 4 months to 18 years. RESULTS: Mitral valve replacement (MVR) was performed in 19 patients, mitral valve repair in 12, combined aortic and mitral valve procedures were performed in 6, aortic valve replacement(AVR) in 2 and CABG in 1 patient. Cardiopulmonary bypass time for the complete procedure was 138 +/- 32 minutes with an ablation time of 19 +/- 5 minutes. No complication related to RF application was noted. Sinus rhythm was present in 68% after 12.5 +/- 8.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: RF left atrial compartmentalization combined with cardiac surgical interventions proved to be easy and safe to perform. The long-term results still have to be confirmed with further regular patient follow-up examinations.

Automatic classification of HITS into artifacts or solid or gaseous emboli by a wavelet representation combined with dual-gate TCD.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Transcranial Doppler (TCD) can detect high-intensity transient signals (HITS) in the cerebral circulation. HITS may correspond to artifacts or solid or gaseous emboli. The aim of this study was to develop an offline automated Doppler system allowing the classification of HITS. METHODS: We studied 600 HITS in vivo, including 200 artifacts from normal subjects, 200 solid emboli from patients with symptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis, and 200 gaseous emboli in stroke patients with patent foramen ovale. The study was 2-fold, each part involving 300 HITS (100 of each type). The first 300 HITS (learning set) were used to construct an automated classification algorithm. The remaining 300 HITS (validation set) were used to check the validity of this algorithm. To classify HITS, we combined dual-gate TCD with a wavelet representation and compared it with the current "gold standard," the human experts. RESULTS: A combination of the peak frequency of HITS and the time delay makes it possible to separate artifacts from emboli. On the validation set, we achieved a sensitivity of 97%, a specificity of 98%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 99%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 94%. To distinguish between solid and gaseous emboli, where positive refers now to the solid emboli, we used the peak frequency, the relative power, and the envelope symmetry of HITS. On the validation set, we achieved a sensitivity of 89%, a specificity of 86%, a conditional PPV of 89%, and a conditional NPV of 89%. CONCLUSIONS: An automated wavelet representation combined with dual-gate TCD can reliably reject artifacts from emboli. From a clinical standpoint, however, this approach has only a fair accuracy in differentiating between solid and gaseous emboli.

Venous drainage with a single peripheral bicaval cannula for less invasive atrial septal defect repair.

New peripheral venous cannulae have recently been proposed for minimally invasive open cardiac surgery. We present a femoral venous cannula designed to simultaneously drain both superior and inferior vena cavae. Used in adult patients for atrial septal defect repair, the cannula allowed passive blood drainage of 70.6% +/- 11.7% of theoretical cardiac output. Drainage was augmented to 93.4% +/- 8.6% of theoretical cardiac output by means of a centrifugal pump.

Preliminary clinical experience with the Heartflo anastomosis device.

UNLABELLED: A clinical, prospective trial to evaluate a multi-suture anastomotic device (Heartflo) is currently underway. This new surgical tool can be used during CABG to perform end-to-side or side-to-side coronary arteries anastomoses with interrupted suture technique. This reports our interim preliminary clinical experience. METHODS: From February to November 2000, we attempted 15 anastomoses with the multi-suture anastomotic device (Heartflo) in 11 patients with coronary artery disease. RESULTS: 7 males, 4 females, mean age 64 +/- 3 yrs received 15 anastomoses with the device. The target vessels were: 8 RCA, 3 LAD, 4 OM. Mean coronary diameter was 2 +/- 0.3 mm. Grafts used were 14 saphenous veins and 1 IMA. 13/15 anastomoses were completed with the device. 5/13 required 0 - 1 additional stitches versus 8/13 requiring more due to inappropriate tissue capture on the native coronary side. Average time was 17.7 +/- 2 min. In 2/15 cases, the procedure was converted to a traditional handsaw anastomosis. Postoperative CK movement without Q-wave in the EKG was observed in 1/11 patients. CONCLUSIONS: This device is a reliable instrument that provides reproducible coronary anastomoses with interrupted suture technique, although it also requires additional measures to improve tissue capture and process of handling sutures before extensive clinical application.

Tricuspid valve involvement in combined mitral and aortic valve surgery.

BACKGROUND: Combined mitral and aortic valve disease requiring surgery may involve the tricuspid valve as well. Our treatment policy is conservative especially for tricuspid regurgitation which is operated on when severe only. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed at a tertiary and secondary referral center for cardiovascular disease. Over a 15-year period, 65 consecutive patients underwent aortic and mitral surgery with concomitant tricuspid regurgitation and/or stenosis. Fifty-five/65 (85%) patients were in NYHA class III-IV. Fifty-eight/65 (89%) patients had tricuspid regurgitation secondary to right chamber dilatation and 7/65 (11%) had tricuspid stenosis and/or regurgitation because of previous endocarditis. Twenty-two/65 (34%) tricuspid valves were operated on: 18/22 (82%) de Vega annuloplasty, 2/22 (9%) commissurotomies and 2/22 (9%) prosthetic valves. Mortality and complications were recorded during a mean follow-up of 5.3 yrs (range, 6 months-15.3 yrs). Event-free survivals were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 6.2% (4/65) and the complication rate was 18.5% (12/65). The freedom from late valve related mortality and morbidity at 5, 10 and 15 years was 86+/-5.5%, 81.9+/-6.8%, and 81.9+/-6.8% respectively. One valve related complication was due to the tricuspid valve. At last follow-up, 87% (47/54) of the survivors were in NYHA class I-II. CONCLUSIONS: With a conservative policy of tricuspid valve intervention, functional results of this patient population are good and long-term valve related morbidity and mortality are mainly related to the mitral and aortic valve procedures.

A cardiopulmonary bypass score system to assess quality of perfusion performance.

During cardiopulmonary bypass, the perfusionist maintains physiological parameters laid down in protocols; this is his or her performance capability. In order to assess his or her performance we need to be able to analyse these physiological parameters objectively. We defined six parameters, pH, BE, PaCO2, PaO2, ACT and oesophageal temperature and gave them ideal values of 7.40+/-0.05, 0.0+/-2.5 mmol/l, 39.0+/-3.0 mmHg, 150+/-50 mmHg, 540+/-60 s and 37.2+/-0.2 degrees C, respectively. We established ranges and a score system: +/- one standard deviation of the mean for a score of zero; between +/- one and two standard deviations for a score of one; and greater than +/- two standard deviations for a score of two. We captured and analysed the most outlying value, with respect to known normal values, for each parameter recorded on the pump sheet. This was performed for 100 consecutive patients. Mean +/- standard deviation (medians) values for pH, BE, PaCO2, PaO2, ACT and oesophageal temperature were 7.41+/-0.07 (7.41), -1.85+/-2.37 mmol/l (-1.85 mmol/l), 34.6+/-5.42 mmHg (34.0 mmHg), 320+/-96.2 mmHg (317 mmHg), 558+/-164 s (503 s) and 37.3+/-0.5 degrees C (37.4 degrees C), respectively. We then analysed what percentage of our 100 patients fell within each score range for each of the six parameters. This is an efficient means in analysing whether the perfusionist abides by the protocols, what quality is supplied to the patient, does he or she react when he or she is faced with parameters that are out of range and finally advocating in-line blood gas monitoring. This is another step towards our goal of total quality management.

Endovascular treatment of aortic rupture by blunt chest trauma.

BACKGROUND: The usual treatment of blunt aortic injury (BAI) is prompt surgery. Frequently severe injuries to the brain or lungs exclude further surgical treatment. The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of placing endovascular stent-grafts. METHODS: From 1992 through 1999, in our primary and referral trauma center, 26 acute BAI, 21 males and 5 females, mean age 40.2+/-16.3 yrs were diagnosed. The last 4 patients underwent prospectively endovascular repair with Talent endograft. Endoprosthesis parameters were measured on three-dimensional spiral CT reconstruction. While waiting for devices, blood pressure was aggressively lowered and aortic lesions were monitored by transesophageal echography. RESULTS: Stent-graft deployment was successful in all 4 patients. There were no complications of endoleak, stent migration, paraplegia or death. Angiographic exclusion was complete in all 4 patients. CT scans at a mean follow-up of 11+/-5 months showed complete healing of the aortic wall in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: For stable acute BAI, endovascular stent-graft repair is feasible and safe, and is an effective therapeutic alternative to open surgery. Because of the normal proximal and distal wall in aortic injuries, endoluminal treatment might be the therapy of choice in the near future.

Active cooling during open repair of thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms improves outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate impact of active cooling with partial cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and low systemic heparinization during open repair of thoracoabdoninal aortic aneurysms. METHODS: Prospective analysis of 100 consecutive patients undergoing surgical repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. Partial CPB and normothermic (36 degrees C) or hypothermic (29 degrees C) perfusion was selected in accordance to the surgeons preference. In the hypothermic group, aortic cross clamp was applied when the target temperature of the venous blood was achieved and rewarming was started after declamping. RESULTS: 52/100 patients (62.2+/-10.9 years) received normothermic and 48/100 patients hypothermic perfusion (63.8+/-10.6 years: NS). Emergent procedures accounted for 18/52 (35%) with normothermia vs. 21/48 (44%: NS) with hypothermia. The number of aortic segments (eight = maximum including arch and bifurcation) replaced was 3.9+/-1.5 with normothermia vs. 4.1+/-1.5 with hypothermia (NS); Crawford type II aneurysms accounted for 21/52 patients (40%) for normothermia vs. 20/48 (42%:NS) for hypothermia. Total clamp time was 38+/-21 min with normothermia vs. 47+/-28 min with hypothermia (P=0.05). Pump time was 55+/-28 min with normothermia vs. 84+/-34 min with hypothermia (P=0.001). Mortality at 30 days was 8/52 patients (15%) with normothermia vs. 2/48 (4%) with hypothermia (P=0.06; odds ratio = 4.1). Parapareses/plegias occurred in 4/52 patients (8%) with normothermia vs. 4/48 (8%) with hypothermia (NS). Revisions for bleeding were required in 4/52 patients (8%) with normothermia vs. 2/48 patients (4%) with hypothermia (P=0.38). Revisions for distal vascular problems were necessary in 5/52 patients (10%) with normothermia vs. 2/48 (4%) with hypothermia (P=0.25). Freedom from death, paraplegia, and surgical revision was 89.9% with normothermia vs. 94.8% with hypothermia (P=0.04; odds ratio 2.0). CONCLUSIONS: Active cooling during repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms allows for longer cross-clamp times, more complex repairs and improves outcome.