Custodiol Solution and Cold Blood Cardioplegia in Arterial Switch Operation: Retrospective Analysis in a Single Center.

BACKGROUND: The cardioplegia is one of the most significant tools used to increase myocardial protection. The aim of our study is to compare the use of Custodiol solution versus intermitted blood cardioplegia in a retrospective analysis of data for patients who underwent arterial switch operation in our institution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2008 to March 2011, myocardial protection was performed in 44 neonates (blood group) with intermittent blood cardioplegia. From March 2011 to November 2014, myocardial protection was performed in 50 neonates (Custodiol group) with one-shot anterograde Custodiol cardioplegia. RESULTS: Cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp were more favorable in Custodiol group (p-value 0.005 and ≤ 0.00001). The rate of delayed sternal closure was 63.6% in the blood group and 52% in the Custodiol group (p = 0.25). In the postoperative outcomes we did not find differences between the two groups. The 30-day mortality was one patient in the blood group (p = 0.46). We observed a transient ischemic electrocardiogram in 10 patients of the blood group and in 14 of the Custodiol group (p = 0.72), all cases with full resolution during hospitalization without coronary reoperation. A trend of higher peak of troponin-I and brain natriuretic peptide in Custodiol group has been reported. CONCLUSION: No prefect cardioplegia exists, the Custodiol solution does not cause extra/additional myocardial damage in arterial switch operation. In our experience this strategy seems warranted to simplify the procedure and to be more comfortable for the surgeon.

An unusual association: anomalous origin of the left pulmonary artery from the thoracic aorta with total anomalous venous return of the left lung.

This report describes an extremely rare case involving anomalous origin of the left pulmonary branch from the thoracic aorta associated with ipsilateral anomalous pulmonary venous return in a 4-month-old boy and its successful repair.

[Cardiac surgery in octogenarians: a five-year experience]. / La cardiochirurgia nell'ultraottantenne: cinque anni di esperienza.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac surgery in octogenarians is increasing in industrialized countries and therefore represents a growing population. The aim of this study was to evaluate characteristics and outcomes of octogenarian patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: We reviewed all consecutive octogenarians operated on during the last 5 years. Among 1912 patients operated on between April 2000 and December 2004, we identified 223 patients (11.6%) aged > 80 years. Median age was 82.17 +/- 2.11 years, and 52.5% were males. The mean EuroSCORE score was 9.4 +/- 1.8. Among them 43 patients (19.3%) had isolated aortic valve replacement, 127 patients (57%) had isolated coronary artery bypass graft, 40 patients (17.9%) had aortic valve replacement combined with coronary artery bypass graft, 11 patients (4.9%) had mitral valve repair, and 2 patients (0.9%) had ventricular septal rupture repair. RESULTS: The overall hospital mortality was 5.4%; cumulative actuarial survival at 4 years was 77.6%. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that for unselected octogenarians the operative mortality is acceptable and only slightly increased than in younger age groups; the late survival rate is good.

Transatrial approach of acquired posterior ventricular septal rupture and double orifice technique in tricuspid valve repair.

We present a successful transatrial repair of ventricular septal rupture and tricuspid valve reconstruction, using the "edge-to-edge" technique, as a serious complication of a posterior myocardial infarction in an 83-year-old woman.

Aortic arch laceration during aortic coarctation repair in a low-weight neonate and use of an extra-anatomical conduit.

We report the case of a 3-day-old male baby, weighing 1.6 kg with severe aortic coarctation and associated cardiac anomalies and extracardiac defects. We adopted an extra-anatomical conduit running from the left carotid artery to the descending aorta after laceration of the distal aortic arch due to extreme tissue fragility and baby immaturity.