Natriuretic peptides: Another tool for the management of cancer?

The connection between heart failure (HF) and cancer through multiple pathways such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurohormonal activation, among others, is well established. As a consequence, increases in plasma levels of several biomarkers have been described in both disorders. The most consistent information is related to natriuretic peptides (NPs). Although they are known to be produced in the ventricles as a response to myocardial distension, and thus can be useful for the diagnosis and prognosis of HF, and also for the management of chemotherapy-induced myocardial damage, they are also produced by tumour cells. In this regard, increased plasma levels of NPs have been described in patients with multiple malignancies in the absence of volume overload. Natriuretic peptide levels have been shown to correlate directly with the extension of tumours and with poorer outcomes. Moreover, some data indicate that they may help in the detection of subclinical tumours. Given that these peptides have been described to have anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic effects, a plausible hypothesis is that they may be produced by tumours as a negative feed-back mechanism to avoid tumour progression. This would lead to increased levels of NPs in plasma that could be potentially useful for early detection of malignancies as well as for a prognostic assessment. Nevertheless, since the sample size of many studies published so far is limited, more data are needed to provide consistent data in order to confirm or rule out this hypothesis.

Cardiac Surgery Exposure in General Surgery Residency-A Survey of General Surgery Residency Program Directors.

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding how much exposure general surgery residents have to cardiac surgery, despite cardiothoracic (CT) surgery being an offered postresidency fellowship and career. Exposure to a subspecialty is important in shaping residents' interests and career decisions. METHODS: A survey was sent to all general surgery program directors via the Association of Program Directors in Surgery examining cardiac surgery exposure during training. The survey examined the presence of operative rotations in cardiac surgery and cardiac critical care, portions of cases residents were permitted to perform, cardiac surgery mentorship and education, and perceived biases in applying to cardiac surgery. Differences between programs with and without cardiothoracic training programs were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 44% (102/230) of program directors responded to the survey. Residents were involved in operative cardiac and cardiac ICU rotations in 61 programs (69.8%) and 39 programs (38.2%), respectively. Twenty programs (19.6%) had a dedicated cardiothoracic surgery training program and these programs had significantly more graduates who aspired to be cardiac surgeons (M = 2.75, SD = 2.47) compared to hospitals with no CT programs (M = 1.43, SD = 1.41; p = 0.031). 35.3% of program directors reported resident concern over family life. CONCLUSIONS: There is a notable heterogeneity in general surgery resident exposure to cardiac surgery, cardiac ICU, and cardiac surgery mentorship. Increased exposure, mentorship and mitigating resident concern over the impact of social factors on cardiac surgical careers should be key areas of focus to ensure continued encouragement of future trainees and surgeons.

Cardiac surgical simulation program during general surgery residency increases resident physician exposure to cardiac surgery and technical expertise.

Objective: The changing surgical education landscape in surgical training pathways greatly diminished cardiac surgical knowledge, interest, and skills among general surgery trainees. To address this issue, our department developed a cardiac surgery simulation program. Methods: All simulation sessions lasted at least 2 hours and occurred during resident physician protected education time. Participants were postgraduate year 2 through 5 general surgery residents assisted by staff and led by cardiac surgery faculty. Five of the 6 sessions were porcine heart wet labs simulating coronary anastomoses, surgical aortic valve replacement, mitral valve repair and replacement, and left ventricular assist device implantation. The transcatheter aortic valve replacement session was designed as a video simulation and a manikin for wire manipulation and implantation. At the end of each lab, all participants were surveyed about their experiences. Results: An average of 10 resident physicians participated in each session (range, 8-13), for a total of 120 simulation hours. One hundred percent of residents surveyed agreed that the labs improved knowledge and understanding of the disease process, improved understanding of cardiac surgical principles, and helped acquire skills for surgical residency and treatment. Factors that residents cited for increased attendance rate included protected education time, hands-on experience, and a high faculty-to-resident ratio. Conclusions: This program successfully demonstrates that cardiac surgery training and simulation can be integrated into general surgery residency programs, despite the lack of cardiac surgery requirements. Additional metrics for future study includes technical grades on resident physicians' performance to further assess the value of this program.

Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery expands the surgical options for high-risks patients.

BACKGROUND: A simplified minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) approach avoiding cross-clamping and cardioplegic myocardial arrest using a small (5 cm) right antero-lateral incision was developed. We hypothesized that, in high-risk patients and in patients with prior sternotomy, this approach would yield superior results compared to those predicted by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) algorithm for standard median sternotomy mitral valve surgery. METHODS: Five hundred and four consecutive patients (249 males/255 females), median age 65 years (range 20-92 years) underwent MIMVS between 1/06 and 8/09. Median preoperative New York Heart Association function class was 3 (range 1-4). Eighty-two (16%) patients had an ejection fraction ≤35%. Forty-seven (9%) had a STS predicted mortality ≥10%. Under cold fibrillatory arrest (median temperature 28°C) without aortic cross-clamp, mitral valve repair (224/504, 44%) or replacement (280/504, 56%) was performed. RESULTS: Thirty-day mortality for the entire cohort was 2.2% (11/504). In patients with a STS predicted mortality ≥ 10% (range 10%-67%), the observed 30-day mortality was 4% (2/47), lower than the mean STS predicted mortality of 20%. Morbidity in this high-risk group was equally low: 1 of 47 (2%) patients underwent reexploration for bleeding, 1 of 47 (2%) patients suffered a permanent neurologic deficit, none had wound infection. The median length of stay was 8 days (range 1-68 days). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that MIMVS without aortic cross-clamp is reproducible with low mortality and morbidity rates. This approach expands the surgical options for high-risk patients and yields to superior results than the conventional median sternotomy approach.

Detrimental effects of mechanical stretch on smooth muscle function in saphenous veins.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the smooth muscle functional response and viability of human saphenous vein (HSV) grafts after harvest and explored the effect of mechanical stretch on contractile responses of porcine saphenous vein (PSV). METHODS: The contractile responses (stress, 10(5) N/m(2)) of deidentified, remnant HSV grafts to depolarizing potassium chloride and the agonist norepinephrine were measured in a muscle organ bath. Cellular viability was evaluated using a methyl thiazole tetrazolium (MTT) assay. A PSV model was used to evaluate the effect of radial, longitudinal, and angular stretch on smooth muscle contractile responses. RESULTS: Contractile responses varied greatly in HSV harvested for autologous vascular and coronary bypass procedures (0.04198 ± 0.008128 × 10(5) N/m(2) to 0.1192 ± 0.02776 × 10(5) N/m(2)). Contractility of the HSV correlated with the cellular viability of the grafts. In the PSV model, manual radial distension of ≥ 300 mm Hg had no impact on the smooth muscle responses of PSV to potassium chloride. Longitudinal and angular stretch significantly decreased the contractile function of PSV by 33.16% and 15.26%, respectively (P < .03). CONCLUSIONS: There is considerable variability in HSV harvested for use as an autologous conduit. Longitudinal and angular stretching during surgical harvest impairs contractile responsiveness of the smooth muscle in saphenous vein. Avoiding stretch-induced injuries to the conduits during harvest and preparation for implantation may reduce adverse biologic responses in the graft (eg, intimal hyperplasia) and improve patency of autologous vein graft bypasses.

Minimally invasive right lateral thoracotomy without aortic cross-clamping: an attractive alternative to repeat sternotomy for reoperative mitral valve surgery.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aim was to determine the safety and benefits of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery without aortic cross-clamping for mitral valve surgery after previous cardiac surgery. METHODS: Between January 2006 and August 2008, a total of 90 consecutive patients (38 females, 52 males; mean age 66 +/- 9 years) underwent minimally invasive mitral valve surgery after having undergone previous cardiac surgery. Of these patients, 80 (89%) underwent mitral valve replacement and 10 (11%) mitral valve repair utilizing a small (5 cm) right lateral thoracotomy along the 4th or 5th intercostal space under fibrillatory arrest (mean temperature 28 +/- 2 degrees C). The predicted mortality, calculated using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) algorithm, was compared to the observed mortality. RESULTS: The mean ejection fraction was 45 +/- 13%, mean NYHA class 3 +/- 1, while 66 patients (73%) had previous coronary artery bypass grafting and 37 (41%) had previous valve surgery. Twenty-six patients (29%) underwent non-elective surgery. Cardiopulmonary bypass was instituted through axillary (n = 19), femoral (n = 70) or direct use aortic (n = 1) cannulation. Operative mortality was 2% (2/90), lower than the STS-predicted mortality of 7%. Three patients (3%) developed acute renal failure postoperatively, one patient (1%) required new-onset hemodialysis, and one (1%) developed postoperative stroke. No patients developed postoperative myocardial infarction. The mean postoperative packed red blood cell transfusion requirement at 48 h was 2 +/- 3 units. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive right thoracotomy without aortic cross-clamping is an excellent alternative to conventional redo-sternotomy for reoperative mitral valve surgery. The present study confirmed that this technique is safe and effective in reducing operative mortality in high-risk patients undergoing reoperative cardiac surgery.

Role of cardiac surgery in the post-myocardial infarction patient with heart failure.

Limited donor availability for orthotopic cardiac transplantation has led surgeons to develop surgical alternatives to treat congestive heart failure as a result of ischemic cardiomyopathy. Coronary revascularization plays a clear role in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, substantial viable myocardium subtended by coronary stenoses, and presence of anginal symptoms. It is unclear whether patients with heart failure symptoms but no angina benefit from bypass surgery. Some of these patients present with left ventricular dilatation and akinetic/dyskinetic scars, and are therefore candidates for surgical ventricular restoration. Current evidence is lacking as to whether ventricular reconstruction should be performed along with coronary revascularization. Functional mitral regurgitation is often seen in patients with end-stage cardiomyopathy, and its presence portends decreased survival. Mitral valve repair has been shown to improve quality of life, functional class, and to contribute to left ventricle reverse remodeling; however, it has been insufficient in improving survival.

Tissue-based coronary surgery simulation: medical student deliberate practice can achieve equivalency to senior surgery residents.

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to assess the impact of dedicated instruction and deliberate practice on fourth-year medical students' proficiency in performing a coronary anastomosis using a porcine heart model, compared with nonsimulator-trained senior general surgery residents. METHODS: Ten fourth-year medical students were trained to perform a coronary anastomosis using the porcine simulator. Students trained for 4 months using deliberate practice methodology and one-on-one instruction. At the end of the training, each student was filmed performing a complete anastomosis. Eleven senior general surgery residents were filmed performing an anastomosis after a single tutorial. All films were graded by 3 independent cardiac surgeons in a blinded fashion. The primary outcome was the median final score (range, 1-10) of a modified Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skill scale. The secondary outcome was time to completion in seconds. Statistical analysis used both parametric (Student t test) and nonparametric (Wilcoxon rank-sum) methods. RESULTS: The median combined final score for medical students was 3 (interquartile range, 2.3-4.8), compared with 4 (interquartile range, 3.3-5.3) for residents (P = .102). The overall median individual final scores were 3 (interquartile range, 2-6) for grader 1, 3 (interquartile range, 2-5) for grader 2, and 4 (interquartile range, 3-5) for grader 3. For each individual grader, there was no difference in median final scores between medical students and residents. The mean time to completion was 792.7 seconds (95% confidence interval, 623.4-962) for medical students and 659 seconds (95% confidence interval, 599.1-719) for residents (P = .118). CONCLUSIONS: Dedicated instruction of fourth-year medical students with deliberate and distributed practice of microvascular techniques using a porcine end-to-side coronary artery anastomosis simulation model results in performance comparable to that of senior general surgery residents. These results suggest that focused tissue simulator training can compress the learning curve to acquire technical proficiency in comparison with real-time training.

Current status of hybrid coronary revascularization.

Hybrid coronary revascularization combines coronary artery bypass surgery with percutaneous coronary intervention techniques to treat coronary artery disease. The potential benefits of such a technique are to offer the patients the best available treatments for coronary artery disease while minimizing the risks of the surgery. Hybrid coronary revascularization has resulted in the establishment of new 'hybrid operating suites', which incorporate and integrate the capabilities of a cardiac surgery operating room with that of an interventional cardiology laboratory. Hybrid coronary revascularization has greatly augmented teamwork and cooperation between both fields and has demonstrated encouraging as well as good initial outcomes.

Intraoperative grafts assessment.

Graft patency strongly influences early and late outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. The current standard of care in CABG surgery does not require intraoperative imaging. Because coronary angiography is rarely available in the operating room (OR), other techniques have been developed to assess graft integrity intraoperatively. The 2 most commonly used are the transit time flow measurement (TTFM) and the intraoperative fluorescence imaging (IFI). The TTFM is a quantitative volume flow technique, whereas the IFI is based on the fluorescent properties of indocyanine green. TTFM cannot define the degree of graft stenosis nor discriminate between the influence of the graft conduit and the coronary arteriolar bed on the mean graft flow. IFI provides a "semiquantitative" assessment of the graft patency with images that provide some details about the quality of coronary anastomoses. Both methods are valuable in identifying only at the extremes, that is, either patent or occluded grafts, and can confirm very good grafts; however, neither method is sensitive or specific enough in identifying more subtle abnormalities. These abnormal grafts most likely have poor long-term patency and are predestined to fail. The hybrid suite has the capability of serving both as a complete surgical OR and as a catheterization laboratory. It allows for routine completion angiogram following CABG surgery and identifies abnormal grafts, providing the opportunity to revise them with percutaneous coronary intervention or surgery before leaving the OR.

Surgical therapy for complex coronary artery disease.

Recent advances in medical therapy, percutaneous myocardial revascularization, and coronary artery bypass grafting have allowed patients to live longer without eliminating the underlying pathology of coronary artery disease. In this review the authors discuss surgical options, perioperative assessment, procedural details, and outcomes after repeated coronary artery bypass surgery and coronary endarterectomy, in patients with severe coronary artery disease that is not suited for further percutaneous coronary intervention. Furthermore, the authors also discuss the role of transmyocardial revascularization and protein/gene therapy in those extreme situations where complex coronary artery disease is no longer amenable to traditional surgical intervention.

Routine intraoperative completion angiography after coronary artery bypass grafting and 1-stop hybrid revascularization results from a fully integrated hybrid catheterization laboratory/operating room.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to report our experience with a routine completion angiogram after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and simultaneous (1-stop) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at the time of CABG performed in the hybrid catheterization laboratory/operating room. BACKGROUND: The value of a routine completion angiogram after CABG and 1-stop hybrid CABG/PCI remains unresolved. METHODS: Between April 2005 and July 2007, 366 consecutive patients underwent CABG surgery, with (n = 112) or without (n = 254) concomitant 1-stop PCI (hybrid), all with completion angiography before chest closure. Among the 112 1-stop hybrid CABG/PCI patients, 67 (60%) underwent a planned hybrid procedure based on pre-operative assessment, whereas 45 (40%) underwent open-chest PCI (unplanned hybrid) based on intraoperative findings. RESULTS: Among the 796 CABG grafts (345 left internal mammary artery, 12 right internal mammary artery/radial, and 439 veins), 97 (12%) angiographic defects were identified. Defects were repaired with either a minor adjustment of the graft (n = 22, 2.8%), with intraoperative open-chest PCI (unplanned hybrid, n = 48, 6%) or with traditional surgical revision (n = 27, 3.4%). Hybrid patients had clinical outcomes similar to standard CABG patients. CONCLUSIONS: Routine completion angiography detected 12% of grafts with important angiographic defects. One-stop hybrid coronary revascularization is reasonable, safe, and feasible. Combining the tools of the catheterization laboratory and operating room greatly enhances the options available to the surgeon and cardiologist for patients with complex coronary artery disease.

Prosthetic valve sparing aortic root replacement: an improved technique.

We describe a modified surgical technique to treat patients with a previous history of isolated aortic valve replacement who now require aortic root replacement for an aneurysmal or dissected aorta. This technique consists of replacing the aortic root with a Dacron conduit, leaving intact the previously implanted prosthesis, and re-implanting the coronary arteries in the Dacron graft. Our technique differs from other techniques in that we do not leave behind any aortic tissue remnant and also in that we use a felt strip to obliterate any gap between the old sewing ring and the newly implanted graft. In our opinion, this promotes better hemostasis. We demonstrate that this technique is safe, feasible, and results in acceptable outcomes.

Safety of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery without aortic cross-clamp.

BACKGROUND: We developed a technique for open heart surgery through a small (5 cm) right-anterolateral thoracotomy without aortic cross-clamp. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-five consecutive patients (103 male and 92 female), age 69 +/- 8 years, underwent surgery between January 2006 and July 2007. Mean preoperative New York Heart Association function class was 2.2 +/- 0.7. Thirty-five patients (18%) had an ejection fraction 0.35 or less. Cardiopulmonary bypass was instituted through femoral (176 of 195, 90%), axillary (18 of 195, 9%), or direct aortic (1 of 195, 0.5%) cannulation. Under cold fibrillatory arrest (mean temperature 28.2 degrees C) without aortic cross-clamp, mitral valve repair (72 of 195, 37%), mitral valve replacement (117 of 195, 60%), or other (6 of 195, 3%) procedures were performed. Concomitant procedures included maze (45 of 195, 23%), patent foramen ovale closure (42 of 195, 22%) and tricuspid valve repair (16 of 195, 8%), or replacement (4 of 195, 2%). RESULTS: Thirty-day mortality was 3% (6 of 195). Duration of fibrillatory arrest, cardiopulmonary bypass, and "skin to skin" surgery were 88 +/- 32, 118 +/- 52, and 280 +/- 78 minutes, respectively. Ten patients (5%) underwent reexploration for bleeding and 44% did not receive any blood transfusions. Six patients (3%) sustained a postoperative stroke, eight (4%) developed low cardiac output syndrome, and two (1%) developed renal failure requiring hemodialysis. Mean length of hospital stay was 7 +/- 4.8 days. CONCLUSIONS: This simplified technique of minimally invasive open heart surgery is safe and easily reproducible. Fibrillatory arrest without aortic cross-clamping, with coronary perfusion against an intact aortic valve, does not increase the risk of stroke or low cardiac output. It may be particularly useful in higher risk patients in whom sternotomy with aortic clamping is less desirable.

Síndrome coronario agudo secundario a hipoplasia grave del tronco y de la arteria descendente anterior / Acute Coronary Syndrome Secondary to Hypoplastic Left Main and Left Descending Coronary Arteries / Acute Coronary Syndrome Secondary to Hypoplastic Left Main and Left Descending Coronary Arteries

Las anomalías coronarias congénitas representan una rara entidad que infrecuentemente resulta la etiología subyacente de un síndrome coronario agudo. En esta presentación se describe el caso de una paciente de 48 años portadora de una hipoplasia grave del tronco y de la arteria descendente anterior asociada con un infarto agudo de miocardio sin elevación del segmento ST y se evalúan sus diagnósticos diferenciales, así como la decisión terapéutica. La paciente fue intervenida quirúrgicamente, con una evolución inicial favorable.

Congenital coronary artery anomalies are a diverse group of congenital disorders and an uncommon cause of acute coronary syndrome. We describe the case of a 48-year old woman with severe hypoplasia of the left main and left anterior descending coronary arteries associated with non-STsegment elevation acute myocardial infarction. Differential diagnoses and treatment options are evaluated. The patient underwent surgery with favorable outcomes.

Asistencia ventricular sistémica con dispositivo HeartMate 2como puente al trasplante en la transposición corregida de los grandes vasos / Systemic Ventricular Assistance Using a HeartMate 2 Device as Bridge to Transplant in a Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Vessels / Systemic ventricular assistance using a HeartMate 2 device as bridge to transplant in a congenitally corrected transposition of the great vessels

Merced a los continuos progresos en el tratamiento médico y quirúrgico, el número de pacientes adultos portadores de cardiopatías congénitas se encuentra en incremento, quienes con el paso del tiempo desarrollan diversas complicaciones, entre ellas insuficiencia cardíaca avanzada, la cual puede requerir terapéuticas como el trasplante cardíaco y en ocasiones plantea la necesidad del implante de un dispositivo de asistencia circulatoria, ya sea como puente al trasplante o como tratamiento definitivo. En esta presentación se describe un caso que ilustra la problemática de la población portadora de cardiopatías congénitas en el adulto. Se trata de un paciente de sexo masculino, de 41 años, portador de transposición corregida de los grandes vasos que desarrolló insuficiencia cardíaca avanzada del ventrículo morfológicamente derecho, el cual sostiene la circulación sistémica. Ante reiteradas descompensaciones bajo tratamiento médico, incluido el uso domiciliario de inotrópicos, se procedió al implante de un dispositivo de asistencia circulatoria inicialmente planteado como puente al trasplante. Tras diversas complicaciones posoperatorias, el paciente fue derivado a una institución de rehabilitación a la espera del trasplante.

Due to continuous advances in medical and surgical treatment, the large number of adult patients with congenital heart diseases is increasing; with the passing of time, these conditions develop several complications including advanced heart failure, which may require therapeutic approaches such as cardiac transplant and, in certain cases, the implantation of a circulatory support device, both as a bridge to transplant or as a definitive treatment. This report describes a case that shows the problem of the adult population with congenital heart disease. We present a 41 year-old male patient with congenitally corrected transposition of the great vessels who developed advanced heart failure of the morphologically right ventricle, which supports the systemic circulation. Due to several decompensations under medical treatment, including the home use of inotropes, a circulatory support device was implanted as an early bridge to transplant. After several postoperative complications, the patient was transferred to a rehabilitation center to wait for transplantation.

Aneurisma del seno de Valsalva con obstrucción del tracto de salida del ventrículo derecho / Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm with Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction

Los aneurismas del seno de Valsalva representan una patología infrecuente, congénita o adquirida, que puede permanecer asintomática por largo tiempo, o presentarse con complicaciones, principalmente por su rotura y la consiguiente generación de una comunicación anormal entre la aorta y otra cavidad o, más raramente, por su extensión, que lleva a la compresión o a la invasión de estructuras vecinas. En esta presentación se describe un caso de aneurisma del seno de Valsalva derecho con desarrollo de obstrucción del tracto de salida del ventrículo derecho.

The aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva are rare and can be either congenital or acquired. They may not produce symptoms or present with complications which are often related to aneurysm rupture producing a communication between the aorta and a cardiac chamber or, rarely, to mass effect on adjacent cardiac structures. We describe the case of a right sinus of Valsalva aneurysm producing right ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

Combined percutaneous coronary intervention and valve surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviews unique advantages emerging in valvular heart disease as the technology of invasive cardiology and cardiac surgery begin to merge. RECENT FINDINGS: Minimally invasive valve surgery is increasing in popularity and has helped to reduce morbidity. In addition, preoperative or intraoperative treatment of coronary artery disease by a percutaneous approach has simplified operations and allowed more liberal use of non-traditional incisions. SUMMARY: Percutaneous intervention with drug-eluting stents has provided early evidence for decreased restenosis and improved long-term patency rates. At the same time, cardiac surgery has moved toward less invasive approaches performed in new imaging arenas known as 'hybrid' operating rooms. Combining these technological advances is providing unique solutions to valvular heart disease also requiring revascularization, and will likely become the next horizon for strategies in cardiovascular medicine.