Prominent eustachian valve: An uncommon cause of a common problem during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support.

Suck down events in an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuit, due to vein wall being suctioned onto the cannula inflow ports, lead to low circuit flows. These low flow states can be reversed with fluid administration. We present a patient with a prominent eustachian valve (EV) which was encountered while managing the patient on ECMO post lung transplantation for pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis. We hypothesize that presence of a prominent EV can induce suck down events and needs to be recognized in the differential diagnosis of this problem. This case adds to the literature to increase the awareness of this rare but significant problem.

Hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE) safely and effectively extends acceptable donor heart preservation times: Results of the Australian and New Zealand trial.

BACKGROUND: Cold static storage preservation of donor hearts for periods longer than 4 hours increases the risk of primary graft dysfunction (PGD). The aim of the study was to determine if hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE) could safely prolong the preservation time of donor hearts. METHODS: We conducted a nonrandomized, single arm, multicenter investigation of the effect of HOPE using the XVIVO Heart Preservation System on donor hearts with a projected preservation time of 6 to 8 hours on 30-day recipient survival and allograft function post-transplant. Each center completed 1 or 2 short preservation time followed by long preservation time cases. PGD was classified as occurring in the first 24 hours after transplantation or secondary graft dysfunction (SGD) occurring at any time with a clearly defined cause. Trial survival was compared with a comparator group based on data from the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) Registry. RESULTS: We performed heart transplants using 7 short and 29 long preservation time donor hearts placed on the HOPE system. The mean preservation time for the long preservation time cases was 414 minutes, the longest being 8 hours and 47 minutes. There was 100% survival at 30 days. One long preservation time recipient developed PGD, and 1 developed SGD. One short preservation time patient developed SGD. Thirty day survival was superior to the ISHLT comparator group despite substantially longer preservation times in the trial patients. CONCLUSIONS: HOPE provides effective preservation out to preservation times of nearly 9 hours allowing retrieval from remote geographic locations.

Repair of injuries to the thoracic aorta and great vessels: Auckland, New Zealand 1995-2004.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic injury to the aorta and great vessels is a surgical emergency with survivors who reach hospital typically having suffered multiple injuries. There are several diagnostic and treatment options available, with new modalities emerging to challenge the gold standards. A review of recent trends in management of these injuries in Auckland, New Zealand was carried out and patient outcomes assessed. METHODS: The charts of patients admitted to Auckland and Green Lane Hospital's cardiothoracic intensive care unit, with a diagnosis of injury to the thoracic aorta or great vessels since 1995 were retrospectively reviewed. Imaging techniques, injury types and treatment methods were analysed along with survival and neurological morbidity. RESULTS: In the study period our unit operated on 29 cases of traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta or great vessels. Digital subtraction angiography and more recently, multidetector computed tomography scanning have been used to diagnose the injury. Twenty-seven injuries were to the aorta and two to the innominate artery. The 30-day survival rate of those reaching the operating theatre was 90%. There was one case of postoperative hemiparesis and five cases of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, but none of spinal cord ischaemic injury. Endoluminal stent grafting was carried out for one patient, without complication. CONCLUSIONS: Good survival rates exist for those who reach surgery for traumatic rupture of the aorta or great vessels. Multidetector computed tomography scanning is an alternative to digital subtraction angiography, potentially reducing treatment delay. In addition endoluminal grafting as opposed to open repair has been reported as a safe technique. The injury remains a surgical emergency requiring urgent diagnosis and transfer to an equipped cardiothoracic unit for definitive treatment.

Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus endocarditis: Staphylococcus lugdunensis.

Staphylococcus lugdunensis is an infrequent cause of native valve endocarditis. A case of triple-valve involvement of Staphylococcus lugdunensis with intracardiac fistula formation in a 47-year-old woman was managed successfully with surgery. The importance of early diagnosis and prompt referral for surgical treatment is highlighted.

Hybrid management of an unusual presentation of acute ischaemic ventricular septal defect.

Acute ischaemic ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a severe complication of acute myocardial infarction. We present the unusual case of a 66-year-old man with a haemodynamically stable acute posterior basal ischemic VSD, who was managed successfully with hybrid primary coronary artery bypass grafting followed by delayed percutaneous VSD closure, with an excellent intermediate-term outcome. We feel this management strategy should be considered in selected patients with acute posterior VSDs and stable clinical status.