Kinetic analysis of cardiac troponin I release is no more accurate than a single 24-h measurement in predicting in-hospital outcome after cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A single cardiac troponin I (cTnI) 24-h measurement is an independent predictor of short- and long-term adverse outcome after coronary surgery. We compared a single cTnI 24-h measurement and kinetic analysis of cTnI release in predicting in-hospital outcome in unselected cardiac surgery patients. METHODS: Consecutive patients (n = 184) undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were included and divided into two groups according to the time course of postoperative peak serum cTnI (6 or 24 h after surgery). Serial measurements of cTnI were performed the day before surgery, at the end of surgery and 6, 24 and 120 h after surgery in all patients. The total amount of cTnI released (integrated area under the curve), postoperative major adverse cardiac events (ventricular arrhythmias, myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure) and in-hospital death were recorded. Data are expressed as median (95% CI). RESULTS: In all, 152 (83%) patients had an early peak cTnI (6 h after surgery) and 32 (17%) patients had a late peak cTnI (24 h after surgery). The integrated area under the curve differed between both groups: 159 (142-178) vs. 321 (255-590), respectively, P < 0.001. Major adverse cardiac events and/or death (22 vs. 9%, P = 0.04) was greater in patients with a late peak cTnI. The integrated area under the curve and the peak value of cTnI were no more accurate than a single 24-h measurement in predicting the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events and/or death. CONCLUSIONS: Kinetic analysis of cTnI release was no more accurate than a single 24-h measurement in predicting in-hospital poor outcome.

Total aortic root replacement with pulmonary autografts: short term results in 45 consecutive patients.

From March 1992 through March 1995 we have performed 45 Ross procedures for total aortic root replacement in our institution. There were 32 males and 13 females with a mean age of 31 years (range: 3-49 years). Indications for surgery were: aortic stenosis (n = 20), aortic regurgitation (n = 16), native valve endocarditis (n = 6), replacement of prosthetic valve (n = 3). Of these 45 patients 13 (28%) had at least one prior repair. Additional procedures were Dacron graft extension of the autograft (n = 7), enlargement of aortic annulus (n = 3), mitral valve repair (n = 2), CABG (n = 1), closure of VSD (n = 1). The mean cross-clamp time was 132 minutes (76-187 minutes) and the mean bypass time 156 minutes (106-240 minutes). There were two postoperative cardiac deaths, not valve-related, and five non-lethal postoperative complications: right ventricular failure (n = 1), low cardiac output (n = 1), sternal re-entry for bleeding (n = 3). The follow up is complete (1.5-37 months) for the 43 survivors. There was one non-cardiac late death (acute fulminating hepatitis) in an eight years old boy eight months post-operatively. Discharge echo-Doppler studies showed normal autograft and homograft valve function except in one patient who had a grade two aortic regurgitation. Serial echo-Doppler studies showed no significant progression of aortic regurgitation, no significant pulmonary gradients, no dilatation of the autografts during the follow up. It is suggested in conclusion that aortic root replacement with a pulmonary autograft is a safe procedure in selected patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Pregnancy in women with a mechanical heart valve. Review of the literature]. / Grossesse chez les femmes porteuses d'une valve cardiaque mécanique, Revue de la littérature.

AIM: To define therapeutic ways to manage obstetrics at an optimal level for a patient carrying a mechanical prosthetic heart valve. METHOD: From a review of literature and documented cases, we propose an obstetrical and cardiological management scheme for pregnant patients carrying a mechanical prosthetic heart valve. We deal successively with the preventive (anticoagulation) and curative treatment (surgery and thrombolytic therapy) of valvular thrombosis, in fact, a severe -but unfortunately frequent- complication of these pregnancies. RESULTS: Pregnancy concerning patients with mechanical prosthetic heart valves is a high-risk pregnancy. In fact, the risk of thrombo-embolic accidents even with a closely followed anticoagulant treatment seems to come from the existence of the prothese, the state of physiological hypercoagulation and peri-partum hemorrhages. Naturally, multidisciplinary follow-up is indispensable. The prescription of anticoagulant treatments must respect the main principals and the normal counter-indications in order to minimise maternal and fetal complications. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy amongst patients carrying mechanical prosthetic heart valves should be considered rare and highly exceptional cases, from a cardio-vascular surgeon's point of view. For obstetricians, it is sometimes difficult to forbid pregnancy to a nullipara. The discussion whether to authorize a pregnancy will be treated case-by-case, holding into account the socio-cultural environment of the patient, as the principles of an anticoagulant treatment and the underlying risks must be well understood.