[RESULTS OF APPLICATION OF THE METHOD OF STERNAL INFECTION ELIMINATION IN CARDIOSURGICAL PATIENTS].

A retrospective analysis of cases of sternal infection development was made in 388 cardiovascular patients from 2006 to 2012. The standard preventive measures of wound infection development were applied in the first period from 2006 to 2009. The method of "elimination of sternal infection" was used in the second period from 2009 to 2012. The application of the method of "elimination of sternal infection" allowed reducing the rate of sternal infection from 7.7 to 0.5% (odds ratio 0.099, 95% CI: 0.013-0.747; p = 0.025). According to results of statistical analysis the most significant factors were: body mass index (p = 0.002), resternotomy in early postoperative period (p < 0.001), risk according EuroSCORE Logistics (p < 0.001) and usage of the method of "elimination of sternal infection" (p = 0.006). The prevention of postoperative infectious complications shorthens the terms of hospital stay no less than 3 weeks, improves the quality of life for the patients and decreases treatment costs on 2.5 times.

Beneficial effects of intravenously administered N-3 fatty acids for the prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery: a prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication after coronary artery bypass grafting operation (CABG). Experimental data have shown antiarrhythmic effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on myocardial cells. Orally administered PUFA could significantly reduce the rate of postoperative AF. We assessed the efficacy of PUFA for the prevention of AF after CABG. PUFA were given intravenously to prevent variation in bioavailability. METHODS AND RESULTS: 52 patients were randomized to the interventional group, 50 served as controls. In the control group free fatty acids (100 mg soya oil/kg body weight/day) were infused via perfusion pump, starting on admission to hospital and ending at discharge from intensive care. In the interventional group PUFA were given at a dosage of 100 mg fish oil/kg body weight/day. Primary end point was the postoperative development of AF, documented by surface ECG. Secondary end point was the length of stay in the ICU. The demographic, clinical and surgical characteristics of the patients in the two groups were similar. Postoperative AF occurred in 15 patients (30.6 %) in the control and in 9 (17.3 %) in the PUFA group ( P < 0.05). After CABG, the PUFA patients had to be treated in the ICU for a shorter time than the control patients. No adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative intravenous infusion of PUFA reduces the incidence of AF after CABG and leads to a shorter stay in the ICU and in hospital. Our data suggest that perioperative intravenous infusion of PUFA should be recommended for patients undergoing CABG.

Incidence, progression and functional significance of cardiac allograft vasculopathy after heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac allograft vasculopathy after heart transplantation leads to an accelerated form of atherosclerosis with marked and often diffuse vessel wall changes that limit long-term survival. Previous studies showed contradictory results relating vessel wall changes to endothelial vasodilator response. METHODS: A total of 30 cardiac transplant recipients were studied 3, 12, and 24 months after heart transplantation. Coronary angiography was performed at rest, during supine bicycle ergometry, and after 1.6 mg sublingual nitroglycerin. Coronary cross-sectional area (biplane coronary angiography) and coronary artery wall changes (intravascular ultrasound) were assessed and extent of intimal changes correlated to vasodilator responses to nitroglycerine and bicycle ergometry. RESULTS: Intravascular ultrasound showed significant intimal thickening in 43, 64, and 58% of patients at 3, 12, and 24 months. Intimal thickening 3 months after transplantation was related to donor age (r=0.70, P<0.01) but did not predict progression of disease that manifested itself angiographically as a decrease in coronary cross-sectional area at 12 and 24 months (P<0.005) and significant coronary stenosis in 12% of patients after 24 months. Endothelium-independent vasodilatation after nitroglycerin (33+/-15, 44+/-20, and 43+/-24%) was normal. Endothelium-dependent, flow-induced vasodilatation during exercise was decreased (14+/-11, 18+/-14, and 16+/-17%) but did not correlate to intimal changes assessed by ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms the high incidence of intimal thickening after heart transplantation as assessed by intravascular ultrasound. Impaired exercise-induced vasodilatation suggests diminished bioavailability of endothelium-derived nitric oxide to physiological stimulation but the lack of relationship between coronary wall changes and this functional impairment suggests intermittent and presumably reversible endothelial injury in graft atherosclerosis.

Operative results of "repair" of ventricular septal rupture after acute myocardial infraction.

Fifty-four consecutive patients with postinfarction ventricular septal defect were reviewed. The rupture was closed with a patch and the left ventricle remodeled in all patients. Coronary artery bypass surgery was performed in 28 patients (52%). Fourteen patients (26%) died after operation and 19 during follow-up (mean 42 months). Cumulative survival (including operative deaths) was 78%, 65%, and 40% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. A short interval between septal rupture and operation was a risk factor for early mortality (p = 0.03). Treated associated coronary artery disease had no effect. A residual septal shunt, detected in 10 patients (18%), warranted reoperation in 7 and contributed to 2 early and 1 late death. The location and morphology of the septal rupture were not associated with increased risk of residual shunt. Thus, patch closure of the ventricular septal rupture, remodeling of the left ventricle to improve stroke volume and reduce wall stress, and selective myocardial revascularization provided acceptable results.

Aortic valve preservation in acute type A dissection: is it sound?

A series of 200 consecutive patients with acute Stanford type A dissection (157 men, 78%; 43 women, 22%) was analyzed to assess the validity of aortic valve preservation or repair. Indication for the operation in most cases was based on echocardiographic examination alone, to reduce the delay. In the majority of patients (111/200, 56%) the aortic valve was preserved or repaired if necessary. Aortic root replacement with a composite graft was performed in 66 of 200 patients (33%), mainly because of an enlarged aortic anulus and sinus. Replacement of the aortic valve and the supracoronary ascending aorta was performed in 23 of 200 patients (12%) with a diseased aortic valve (e.g., bicuspid valve) but an acceptable aortic sinus. Follow-up totaled 656 patient-years (maximum 14 years). Actuarial analyses as a function of type of repair and type of aortic valve provided the following probabilities plus or minus errors (95%): overall survival of the 200 patients was 78.3% +/- 2.9% after 30 days, 74.95% +/- 3.1% after 1 year, 67.9% +/- 3.6% after 5 years, and 48.5% +/- 6.1% after 10 years. Actuarial probability of freedom from reoperation for valve failure in the complete series was calculated as 100.0% +/- 0.0% after 30 days, 99.3% +/- 0.7% after 1 year, 97.5% +/- 1.5% after 5 years, and 95.1% +/- 2.8% after 10 years. During long-term follow-up, there was no significant difference among groups with regard to structural deterioration, valve thrombosis, thromboembolic complications, anticoagulant-induced hemorrhage, and endocarditis. Freedom from valve failure and valve-related complications are similar for preserved, repaired, mechanical, and biologic valves. Valve-related reoperations are rare during at least 5 years of follow-up. Hence preservation or repair of the aortic valve can be recommended in the majority of patients with acute type A dissection.

Cryopreserved arterial allografts in the treatment of major vascular infection: a comparison with conventional surgical techniques.

OBJECTIVE: Recent findings with cryopreserved heart valve allografts in the treatment of infectious endocarditis suggest that the use of cryopreserved arterial allografts may improve the outcome in patients with vascular infections. METHODS: Seventy-two patients with mycotic aneurysms (n = 29) or infected vascular prostheses (n = 43) of the thoracic (n = 26) or abdominal aorta (n = 46) were treated with in situ repair and extra-anatomic reconstruction using prosthetic material (n = 38) or implantation of a cryopreserved arterial allograft (n = 34). Disease-related survival and survival free of reoperation were assessed. Morbidity, cumulative lengths of intensive care, hospitalization, antibiotic treatment, and costs were calculated per year of follow-up. RESULTS: The use of cryopreserved arterial allografts was superior to conventional surgery in terms of disease-related survival (P =.008), disease-related survival free of reoperation (P =.0001), duration of intensive care per year of follow-up (median 1 vs 11 days; range 1 to 42 vs 2 to 120 days; P =.001), hospitalization (14 vs 30 days; range 7 to 150 vs 15 to 240 days; P =.002), duration of postoperative antibiotic therapy (21 vs 40 days; range 21 to 90 vs 60 to 365 days; P =.002), incidence of complications (24% vs 63%; P =.005), and elimination of infection (91% vs 53%; P =.001). In addition, costs were 40% lower in the group treated by allografts (P =.005). CONCLUSIONS: The use of cryopreserved arterial allografts is a more effective treatment for mycotic aneurysms and infected vascular prostheses than conventional surgical techniques.

The dynamic air bubble trap reduces cerebral microembolism during cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: Neuropsychologic disorders are common after coronary artery bypass operations. Air microbubbles are identified as a contributing factor. A dynamic bubble trap might reduce the number of gaseous microemboli. METHODS: A total of 50 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass operation were recruited for this study. In 26 patients a dynamic bubble trap was placed between the arterial filter and the aortic cannula (group 1), and in 24 patients a placebo dynamic bubble trap was used (group 2). The number of high-intensity transient signals within the proximal middle cerebral artery was continuously measured on both sides during bypass, which was separated into 4 periods: phase 1, start of bypass until aortic clamping; phase 2, aortic clamping until rewarming; phase 3, rewarming until clamp removal; and phase 4, clamp removal until end of bypass. S100 beta values were measured before, immediately after, and 6 and 48 hours after the operation and before hospital discharge. RESULTS: The bubble elimination rate during bypass was 77% in group 1 and 28% in group 2 (P <.0001). The number of high-intensity signals was lower in group 1 during phase 1 (5.8 +/- 7.3 vs 16 +/- 15.4, P <.05 vs group 2) and phase 2 (6.9 +/- 7.3 vs 24.2 +/- 27.3, P <.05 vs group 2) but not during phases 3 and 4. Serum S100 beta values were equally increased in both groups immediately after the operation. Group 2 patients had higher S100 beta values 6 hours after the operation and significantly higher S100 beta values 48 hours after the operation (0.06 +/- 0.14 vs 0.18 +/- 0.24, P =.0133 vs group 2). Age and S100 beta values were correlated in group 2 but not in group 1. CONCLUSION: Gaseous microemboli can be removed with a dynamic bubble trap. Subclinical cerebral injury detectable by increases of S100 beta disappears earlier after surgical intervention.

Management of infected aortic grafts: development of less invasive surgery using cryopreserved homografts.

BACKGROUND: Aortic graft infection is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Total graft replacement with homografts provides an effective treatment. Partial graft replacement at the site of infection may simplify the surgical procedure. METHODS: Between January 1991 and December 1996, homografts were used in 18 patients (mean age, 61+/-12 years; range 41-85) with thoracic (4/18; 22%) or abdominal (14/18; 78%) aortic graft infection. Sepsis was present in 14 patients (78%); 6 (33%) had various aortic fistulae. Total graft replacement using homografts was performed in 14 (78%), and partial graft replacement at the site of infection in 4 patients (22%). RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 11%. During the follow-up period of 22+/-15 months (range, 12-65) there was 1 infection and 1 homograft-related late death after complete homograft replacement, and 1 percutaneous vascular stent placement after partial graft replacement. No other instances of reinfection, suture line rupture or anastomotic aneurysms were observed. CONCLUSION: Total graft replacement with homografts provides an effective treatment for infected aortic grafts. Partial graft replacement at the site of infection is feasible and safe.

Application of successive principles of repair to correct supravalvular aortic stenosis.

The diffuse form of supravalvular aortic stenosis may extend in the takeoff of the coronary and arch arteries. Relief of the supravalvular stenosis requires a harmonious enlargement of the sinotubular junction to maintain aortic valve competence. The technique we used in a 9-year-old boy involved patch enlargement of all affected structures. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and retrograde cerebral perfusion was used during repair of the aortic arch and arch arteries.

Aortopulmonary window with anomalous origin of the right coronary artery.

We report a case of an aortopulmonary window with a right coronary artery arising from the pulmonary trunk. This exceedingly rare anomaly with anomalous coronary artery presented without myocardial ischemia owing to the aortopulmonary window. The correct diagnosis was made by angiography and a successful surgical correction was performed.

Aprotinin in pediatric cardiac operations: a benefit in complex malformations and with high-dose regimen only.

BACKGROUND: The benefits and the current indications of aprotinin in congenital operations are not well defined. At present there are only a few studies available that have investigated a small number of patients in several heterogeneous groups of malformations. METHODS: We investigated efficacy and safety of aprotinin in three groups of children < 15 kg, presenting with isolated ventricular septum defect (n = 60), tetralogy of Fallot (n = 52), and transposition of the great arteries (n = 56). Low-dose aprotinin regimen A1 (500,000 KIU in pump prime only) and high-dose aprotinin A2 (50,000 KIU/kg during induction of anesthesia, 50,000 KIU/kg in pump prime, and 20,000 KIU/h continuous infusion) were compared to a control group A0 (without aprotinin) regarding perioperative blood loss, transfusion requirements, and effects on the coagulation system. RESULTS: The most common coagulation tests of aprotinin-treated patients and the platelet numbers were comparable with those of control patients preoperatively and 15 minutes after protamine administration. A significant dose-dependent reduction in fibrin-fibrinogen split products was observed at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass in the majority of aprotinin-treated patients with transposition. In patients with ventricular septum defect and Fallot, no significant difference in blood loss and transfusion requirements could be observed between patients with or without aprotinin and no difference was observed between low- and high-dose regimen. In transposition of the great arteries, high-dose aprotinin led to significant reduction of blood loss (p = 0.02) and postoperative blood transfusion (p = 0.003). Severe side effects as a result of administration of aprotinin were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose aprotinin reduces blood loss and transfusion requirement only in complex congenital cardiac operations; therefore aprotinin cannot be recommended as a blood conservation agent in routine pediatric operations.

Surgical management of severe common carotid artery injury after mediastinoscopy.

Mediastinoscopy is a widely used method to achieve pathologic diagnosis of enlarged lymph nodes or undefined mediastinal solid mass. Aortic arch penetration and injury of the supraaortic arteries are rare but very dangerous complications of mediastinoscopy. We describe the hazardous transportation of a 57-year-old woman after mediastinoscopic injury of the right common carotid artery and its successful repair with cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermia.

Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass techniques as adjunct to extracardiac procedures.

BACKGROUND: Surgical management of coronary artery disease has improved dramatically over the last decades in terms of short- and long-term results. Nevertheless, elderly patients (more than 75 years); patients with reduced ejection fraction (less than 0.25), heavily calcified aorta, or coexisting noncardiac diseases; and patients requiring cardiac reoperation have an increased perioperative risk when operated on with cardiopulmonary bypass. Successful minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass has been reported in selected cases. METHODS: In 8 of 40 high-risk patients undergoing operation on a beating heart, minimally invasive coronary bypass grafting was combined with vascular (carotid endarterectomy, n = 3; aortic replacement, n = 2) and abdominal procedures (a second look after combined pancreas and kidney transplantation) or defibrillator implantations (n = 2). RESULTS: Postoperatively, there was no mortality, no morbidity, and no blood transfusion. Patients are free of symptoms at an average follow-up time of 5.5 +/- 5 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting technique can be particularly useful if noncardiac procedures have to be performed in high-risk patients with significant coronary artery disease.

Fluorescence activated cell sorting: a reliable method in tissue engineering of a bioprosthetic heart valve.

BACKGROUND: Techniques of tissue engineering are used to seed human autologous cells in vitro on degradable mesh to create new functional tissue like a bioprosthetic heart valve. A precondition is subsequent seeding of native-valve-analogous pure endothelial and myofibroblast cell lines. The aim of this study is to find a safe method of isolating viable cell lines out of tissues from the operating room. METHODS: Mixed cells from ascending aorta obtained from the operating room were incubated with an endothelial-specific fluorescent marker. The labeled cells were activated and sorted by flow cytometry. Isolated cell lines were cultured and thereafter square sheets of polymeric scaffold were seeded with myofibroblasts, followed by endothelial cells. The created tissue was stained with hematoxylin and eosin, van Gieson stain, and stains for factor VIII and CD34. RESULTS: Control culture samples (n = 25) revealed vital uncontaminated endothelial and myofibroblast cell lines. Microscopy of the seeded meshes (n = 16) demonstrated a tissue-like structure. Van Gieson stain showed production of collagen. Endothelial cells formed a superficial monolayer, demonstrated by factor VIII and CD34; no invasive formation of capillaries was detectable. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that fluorescence activated cell sorting is a reliable and safe method to gain pure vital autologous cell lines out of human mixed cells for subsequent seeding on degradable mesh and that those cells are active to form new tissue.

Improved exposure of the pulmonary arteries for thromboendarterectomy.

Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy is a surgical technique for treating pulmonary hypertension caused by unresolved pulmonary embolism. It has been recommended to perform this procedure under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Here we describe two technical modifications: (1) improved exposure to the right pulmonary artery by division of the superior caval vein and (2) thromboendarterectomy in normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass, with beating heart or electrically induced ventricular fibrillation. These modifications allow complete endarterectomy of both pulmonary arteries under normothermic conditions, thus avoiding hypothermic circulatory arrest, which results in short cardiopulmonary bypass times and reduces the morbidity and mortality of this procedure.

Drainage of the inferior vena cava to the left atrium.

This report describes a 7-year-old girl with an anomalous connection between the inferior vena cava and the left atrium documented with intraoperative transesophageal color-coded Doppler flow echocardiography and angiography. This rare congenital disorder should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with cyanosis without cardiac murmurs. Operation is the only method for correction.

Improved visualization in minimally invasive coronary bypass grafting.

A special surgical technique is required for minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting, particularly under beating-heart conditions. We describe a very simple system that provides improved visualization of the surgical site.

Heart transplantation with bicaval anastomoses after a maze operation.

A 49-year-old man had progressive low cardiac output syndrome after mitral valve repair combined with a maze operation. A biventricular assist device was implanted and, finally, emergency orthotopic heart transplantation was performed. The multiple incisions, especially right atrial incisions, were successfully avoided by heart transplantation with bicaval anastomoses.

Treatment of left atrial dissection after mitral repair: internal drainage.

Two patients with intraoperative dissection of the entire left atrium after mitral valve repair are presented. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography detected left atrial dissection with formation of a large cavity compressing the left atrium. The false lumen was opened and widely connected to the right atrium to perform the decompression. This technique permits the runoff into the low pressure system in case of persisting hemorrhage from the unknown entry, and eliminates the risk of systemic embolization from the cavity.