Tricuspid Valve-in-Valve Procedure with An Edwards S3 Valve in a 15-kg Child in Latin America

ABSTRACT A 5-year-old child, weighing 15 kg, with three previous sternotomies, presented with right heart failure due to severe stenosis and regurgitation of the bioprosthetic tricuspid valve. A percutaneous tricuspid valve-in-valve procedure with an Edwards S3 valve was ofered for compassionate use, performed with no complications and with a significant clinical condition improvement.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyelolithotomy with intracorporeal pyeloscopy in a horseshoe kidney.

Horseshoe kidneys are one of the most common congenital genitourinary malformations and can increase the complexity of common urologic procedures, especially nephrolithiasis. We present a patient who underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyelolithotomy with intracorporeal pyeloscopy and stone basketing to treat a left lower pole stone burden located in a horseshoe kidney. This procedure provided benefits of expanded maneuverability, dexterity, and stability, which resulted in successful elimination of stone burden on post-operative imaging. We believe that robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyelolithotomy with intracorporeal pyeloscopy should be considered as a treatment option in similar cases of complicated nephrolithiasis due to complex renal anatomy.

Tricuspid Valve-in-Valve Procedure with An Edwards S3 Valve in a 15-kg Child in Latin America.

A 5-year-old child, weighing 15 kg, with three previous sternotomies, presented with right heart failure due to severe stenosis and regurgitation of the bioprosthetic tricuspid valve. A percutaneous tricuspid valve-in-valve procedure with an Edwards S3 valve was ofered for compassionate use, performed with no complications and with a significant clinical condition improvement.

Atrial approaches in mitral valve surgery: a propensity analysis of differences in the incidence of clinically relevant adverse effects.

BACKGROUND: The lack of evidence on complications using mitral valve approaches leaves the choice of risk exposure to the surgeon's preference, based on individual experience, speed, ease, and quality of exposure. METHODS: The present study analysed patients undergoing mitral valve surgery using a superior transseptal approach or a left-atrial approach between 2006 and 2018. We included first-time elective mitral valve procedures, isolated, or combined, without a history of rhythm disturbances. We used propensity score matching based on 26 perioperative variables. The primary endpoint was the association between the superior transeptal approach and clinically significant adverse outcomes, including arrhythmias, need for a permanent pacemaker, cerebrovascular events, and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 652 patients met the inclusion criteria; 391 received the left atrial approach, and 261 received the superior transseptal approach. After matching, 96 patients were compared with 69 patients, respectively. The distribution of the preoperative and perioperative variables was similar. There was no difference in the incidence of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias or the need for treatment. The incidence of nodal rhythm (p = 0.008) and length of stay in intensive care (p = 0.04) were higher in the superior transseptal group, but the need for permanent pacemaker implantation was the same. Likewise, there was no difference in the need for anticoagulation due to arrhythmia, the incidence of cerebrovascular events or mortality in the postoperative period or in the long-term follow-up. CONCLUSION: We did not find an association with permanent heart rhythm disorders or any other significant adverse clinical outcome. Therefore, the superior transeptal approach is useful and safe for mitral valve exposure.

Brachiocephalic Vein and Superior Vena Cava Reconstruction with a Superficial Femoral Vein Graft

Abstract Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is an entity that has become more frequent due to the increasing use of indwelling central venous catheters. Surgical management is considered in patients with extensive venous thrombosis and when endovascular therapy is not feasible. The use of superficial femoral vein is an excellent technique for reconstruction of the brachiocephalic vein and superior vena cava (SVC) in cases with benign and malignant etiologies. We describe two cases of SVCS that were managed surgically at our institution with replacement of the SVC and brachiocephalic veins with a superficial femoral vein graft technique.

Photuris lugubris Female Fireflies Hunt Males of the Synchronous Firefly Photinus palaciosi (Coleoptera: Lampyridae).

Femmes fatales (Ff) are female fireflies that hunt and feed on the males of other firefly species that they attract by responding with glows or flashes to their bioluminescent signals. Here, we present field observations demonstrating that Photuris lugubris females are Ff of male Photinus palaciosi, a synchronous firefly exploited as a tourist attraction in the mountains of central Mexico. We show that the hunting success of the Ff is low, as observed in previous studies, suggesting that the impact of predation on the prey population is low. We present experimental data showing sex-specific hunting behaviour, since only female P. lugubris fed on P. palaciosi. We also present experimental data showing that at least some female P. lugubris mate multiple times; we discuss the implications of this discovery for the switch between the mating and hunting modes of Ff. We discuss open questions, as well as the possible impact of Ff on tourism focused on synchronous fireflies.

Repair with a pulmonary neovalve in tetralogy of Fallot: does this avoid ventricular dysfunction?

OBJECTIVES: Given the anatomical variations of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), different surgical techniques can be used to achieve correction. Transannular patches (TAPs) are the most commonly used technique; they are associated with right ventricular dysfunction, the incidence of which can be reduced through pulmonary valve preservation. METHODS: Between January 2010 and July 2019, we performed 274 surgical corrections of tetralogy of Fallot at Fundación Cardioinfantil; 63 patients (23%) underwent repair with a TAP in addition to a pulmonary neovalve (Group I), 66 patients (24.1%) received a TAP without a pulmonary valve (Group II) and 145 patients (52.9%) had a repair with valve preservation (Group III). We analysed patient's characteristics before, during and after surgery at a 30-day follow-up. RESULTS: We found that patients in Group III were older (P = 0.04). Group II had the lowest level of O2 saturation before surgery (82%, P = 0.001). Cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times were longer in Group I (P < 0.001). Right ventricular dysfunction was less frequent in Group III (15.9%, P = 0.011). Severe residual pulmonary regurgitation was more common in Group II (21.9%, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Preservation of the pulmonary valve is an important factor for immediate postoperative management of tetralogy of Fallot. Patients who were repaired with a TAP with or without a pulmonary neovalve had a higher incidence of right ventricular dysfunction than those with pulmonary valve preservation.

2640 Meters Closer to the Stars: Does High Altitude Affect Fontan Results?

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for and postoperative results of the Fontan operation in patients living at high altitude (>2500 meters above sea level) in the Andean region remain unknown. This study was conducted to evaluate immediate postoperative outcomes and to assess short- and long-term functional class after the Fontan operation. METHODS: From June 2003 to February 2019, 104 patients receiving the Fontan procedure at 2640 meters (8661 feet) above sea level were retrospectively studied. Preoperative catheterization, intraoperative variables, and postoperative outcomes were described. Functional class was evaluated in patients living permanently below (group I) and at or higher than 2500 meters (8202 feet) above sea level (group II). Risk factors for mortality were analyzed. RESULTS: Median age at operation was 8.5 ± 4.4 years; pulmonary artery pressure, 16.2 ± 3.6 mm Hg; end-diastolic systemic ventricular pressure, 13.3 ± 3.8 mm Hg; and pulmonary vascular resistance index, 2.1 (interquartile range, 07-3.7) Wood units. Chest tube duration was 8.5 (6-12) days. Mortality was 4.8%, with 0 in the last 5 years. Higher preoperative pulmonary pressure (16.2 ± 3.6 mm Hg vs 21.2 ± 3.40 mm Hg; P = .01), aortic cross-clamp time (P < .001), and renal failure (P < .01) were associated with mortality. Functional class improved to class I in 86.4%. Overall survival was 90.7% at 10 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Increased pulmonary pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance index are directly related to high altitude. The Fontan-Kreutzer operation performed at high altitude in the Andean region is feasible with good results. We routinely fenestrate all cases to avoid dysfunction in the early postoperative period. Functional status is adequate after the operation.

Evolution of Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) and Its New Emerging Modalities in Prostate Cancer: An Update for Practicing Urologists, Clinicians and Medical Providers.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been the main management strategy for prostate cancer for more than eight decades, nowadays achieved commonly by administration of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists. ADT markedly suppresses androgen hormones with the long-term risks of adverse events such as muscle weakness, impairment of glucose and lipid metabolism, impotence, osteoporosis, and secondary fractures. Extensive research has provided significantly better insight into the dynamics of ADT including identification of the benefits of sequential and combination therapies. This has led to the development of new pharmaceutical ADT modalities. This review provides a general overview of the evolution of ADT in the context of the new emerging pharmaceutical ADT modalities so that clinicians and medical providers have a better understanding of personalizing the available ADT options with their different risk-benefit profiles.

Brachiocephalic Vein and Superior Vena Cava Reconstruction with a Superficial Femoral Vein Graft.

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is an entity that has become more frequent due to the increasing use of indwelling central venous catheters. Surgical management is considered in patients with extensive venous thrombosis and when endovascular therapy is not feasible. The use of superficial femoral vein is an excellent technique for reconstruction of the brachiocephalic vein and superior vena cava (SVC) in cases with benign and malignant etiologies. We describe two cases of SVCS that were managed surgically at our institution with replacement of the SVC and brachiocephalic veins with a superficial femoral vein graft technique.

Association between prostate size and the incidence of prostate cancer: a meta-analysis and review for urologists and clinicians.

PURPOSE: To review the literature regarding any clinically significant association between prostate size and the incidence of prostate cancer (PCa). No previous review or meta-analysis has reported this clinical question. METHODS: A thorough literature review was performed using PubMed and applying the 'PRISMA' guidelines. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined. RESULTS: A total of 30 articles met the search criteria. Of these 30 articles, 27 reported an inverse correlation between prostate volume (PV) and incidence of biopsy-proven PCa. The remaining three articles provided no clear statistically significant results, and there was no study showing a direct or positive correlation between PV and the incidence of PCa. CONCLUSION: This review and meta-analysis is the first report summarizing the literature on the clinical question of whether prostate size affects the incidence of PCa. Ninety percent of studies (27/30) show significant evidence supporting the hypothesis that prostate size may be protective of PCa. This review and the outlined discussion should encourage other clinical investigators to explore the relationship between PV and the incidence and aggressiveness of PCa. If future studies should confirm the hypothesis of the dynamic interactions between the different prostatic zones in a growing prostate, it will have relevant clinical implications on the management of BPH and PCa.

Surgical management of a giant right coronary artery aneurysm with coronary arteriovenous fistula: case report.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) are uncommon, and giant aneurysms (>2 cm) are even more unusual. Coronary atherosclerosis and Kawasaki disease are the leading causes for this pathology. The treatment for this condition is controversial because the evidence is based on case report series. CASE SUMMARY: We describe the case of a 77-year-old female patient who presented with heart failure symptoms. She was diagnosed with a giant saccular aneurysm arising from the right coronary artery (RCA) ostium and a fistula between the RC and the left anterior descending artery (LAD) to the coronary sinus. And an atrial septal defect (ASD) and severe tricuspid regurgitation were also found. The patient underwent surgery through a medium sternotomy, the aneurysm was opened and resected under cardiopulmonary bypass. The RCA was ligated at the distal end of the aneurysm, and a saphenous vein graft bypass was performed. A coronary arteriovenous fistula from the distal portion of RC and LAD artery to a severely enlarged coronary sinus was found and corrected with an autologous pericardial patch. Closure of the ASD was performed with a pericardial patch and a tricuspid ring annuloplasty was done. Post-operative course was uneventful. DISCUSSION: There are few cases of giant coronary aneurysms associated with fistulas reported in the literature. Despite the endovascular percutaneous techniques available to treat these patients, we believe that surgical treatment was the best option for this particular case. We consider that surgical treatment is a very good option for giant CAAs associated with AV fistulas that are not susceptible for current endovascular available devices. The literature lacks evidence regarding the best approach for these cases, and we think that invasive treatment should be tailored according to the heart's anatomy and patient risk.

Wide Dissection and Intercostal Vessel Division Allows for Repair of Hypoplastic Aortic Arch Through Thoracotomy.

BACKGROUND: The approach to coarctation of the aorta with hypoplastic aortic arch is controversial. We evaluated the outcomes in patients with coarctation of the aorta with or without hypoplastic aortic arch operated through a posterior left lateral thoracotomy. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of patients with aortic coarctation, who underwent repair between January 2009 and October 2017, was analyzed. Preoperative, postoperative, and echocardiographic characteristics were reviewed. Statistical analysis examined survival, freedom from reintervention, and freedom from recoarctation. RESULTS: In nine years, 389 patients who underwent surgical treatment for coarctation of the aorta were identified; after exclusion criteria and complete echocardiographic reports, 143 patients were analyzed, of which 29 patients had hypoplastic aortic arch. The modification in the extended end-to-end anastomosis technique was a wide dissection and mobilization of the descending aorta that was achieved due to the ligation and division of 3 to 5 intercostal vessels. In both groups, patients were close to one month of age and had a median weight of 3.6 and 3.4 kg for hypoplastic and nonhypoplastic arch, respectively. In postoperative events, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups ( P = .57 for renal failure, P = .057 for transient, nonpermanent neurologic events, P = .496 for sepsis), as for intensive care unit ( P = .502) and total in-hospital stay ( P = .929). There was one case of postoperative mortality in each group and both were associated with noncardiac comorbidities. Regarding survival (log-rank = 0.060), freedom from reintervention (log-rank = 0.073), and freedom from recoarctation (log-rank = 0.568), there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: We believe that it is the modified technique that allowed greater mobilization of the aorta and successful repair of hypoplastic arch through thoracotomy, without an increase in paraplegia or other adverse outcomes.

Mitral valve repair, how to make volume not matter; techniques, tendencies, and outcomes, a single center experience.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence has showed us that quality of mitral valve repair is strongly related to volume. However, this study shows how low-volume centers can achieve results in mitral valve repair surgery comparable to those reported by referral centers. It compares outcomes of mitral valve repair using resection versus noresection techniques, tendencies, and rates of repair. METHODS: Between 2004 and 2017, 200 patients underwent mitral valve repair for degenerative mitral valve disease at Fundación Cardioinfantil-Institute of Cardiology. Fifty-eight (29%) patients underwent resection and 142 (71%) noresection. RESULTS: Follow-up was 94% complete, mean follow-up time was 2.3 years. There was no 30-day mortality. Five patients required mitral valve replacement after an average of 5.3 years (Resection = 2; Noresection = 3). Freedom from severe mitral regurgitation was 98% at 6.6 years of follow-up for the noresection group, and 92.5% at 7 years for the resection group (log rank: 0.888). At last follow-up, two patients died of cardiovascular disease related to mitral valve, 181 patients (86%) showed no or grade I mitral regurgitation. Patients with previous myocardial infarction had increased risk of recurrent mitral regurgitation (p = 0,030). Within four years, we inverted the proportion of mitral valve replacement and repair, and in 2016 we achieved a mitral valve repair rate of 96%. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that resection and noresection techniques are safe and effective. Recurrence of severe mitral regurgitation and need for mitral valve replacement are rare. We show that low-volume centers can achieve results comparable to those reported worldwide by establishing a mitral valve repair team. We encourage hospitals to follow this model of mitral valve repair program to decrease the proportion of mitral valve replacement, while increasing mitral valve repair.

Mechanical circulatory support as bridge therapy for heart transplant: case series report.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) represents an effective urgent therapy for patients with cardiac arrest or end-stage cardiac failure. However, its use in developing countries as a bridge therapy remains controversial due to costs and limited duration. This study presents five patients who underwent MSC as bridge therapy for heart transplantation in a developing country. CASE PRESENTATION: We present five patients who underwent MCS as bridge therapy for heart transplant between 2010 and 2015 at Fundación Cardioinfantil-Instituto de Cardiología. Four were male, median age was 36 (23-50) years. One patient had an ischemic cardiomyopathy, one a lymphocytic myocarditis, two had electrical storms (recurrent ventricular tachycardia) and one an ischemic cardiomyopathy with an electrical storm. Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) was used in three patients, left ventricular assistance in one, and double ventricular assistance in one (Levitronix® Centrimag®). Median assistance time was 8 (2.5-13) days. Due to the inability of cardiopulmonary bypass weaning, two patients required ECLS after transplant. One patient died in the intensive care unit due to type I graft rejection. Endpoints assessed were 30-day mortality, duration of bridge therapy and complications related to MCS. Patients that died on ECLS, or were successfully weaned off ECLS were not included in this study. CONCLUSIONS: MCS is often the only option of support for critically ill patients waiting for a heart transplant and could be considered as a short-term bridge therapy.

Occlusion of bilateral dorsal penile arteries resulting in glans necrosis in an obese male truck driver.

Ischemic penile gangrene is an uncommon urologic condition associated with significant morbidity. Etiology of the disease is due to vasculogenic ischemia of the penile tissue. Presented are a series of images from a case of a 51-year-old morbidly obese male truck driver with idiopathic ischemic penile gangrene. The patient was evaluated with penile angiography and treated with urinary diversion via suprapubic catheter placement and serial debridement of the necrotic tissue.

Thermogenic capacity of human periaortic adipose tissue is transformed by body weight.

The anatomical location of adipose tissue might have direct implications for its functionality and risk of cardiovascular disease. Adipose tissue surrounding blood vessels may be thermogenically more active in specific areas of the body, releasing substances that regulate vascular metabolism. In humans, the phenotypic characteristics of adipose tissue surrounding the aorta and the cardiovascular disease risk that it might entail remain largely unknown. Here, we compared thermogenesis-related molecular features of human periaortic adipose tissue samples with those of subcutaneous adipose tissue, obtained by sternotomy from 42 patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. To determine the expression of genes related to energy expenditure and the levels of some adipokines, histological examinations, quantitative PCR, and protein expression measurements in adipocyte precursor cells were performed. Periaortic adipocytes were smaller than those from subcutaneous tissue. Moreover, weight gain induced periaortic adipocyte hypertrophy (r = -0.91, p<0.01). Compared to subcutaneous tissue, adiponectin, FABP4, IL-4 and IL-6 was decreased in periaortic adipocytes, whereas FGF21, UCP-1, PGC-1a, CITED1, Omentin and TFAM (Mitochondrial protein) increased. Upon analyzing patients' clinical conditions, it emerged that the levels of PGC-1a both in male (r = -0.48 p<0.04) and female (r = -0.61, p<0.05) and TFAM in male (r = -0.72, p<0.0008) and female (r = -0.86, p<0.002) decreased significantly with progressive weight gain. However, no differences were observed in patients with diabetes mellitus 2 or Hyperlipidemia. Adipocytes surrounding the ascending aorta present markers of major thermogenic activity than those in subcutaneous tissue. Nevertheless, this characteristic might change, due to unfavorable metabolic conditions such as obesity, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Functional Characterization of Preadipocytes Derived from Human Periaortic Adipose Tissue.

Adipose tissue can affect the metabolic control of the cardiovascular system, and its anatomic location can affect the vascular function differently. In this study, biochemical and phenotypical characteristics of adipose tissue from periaortic fat were evaluated. Periaortic and subcutaneous adipose tissues were obtained from areas surrounding the ascending aorta and sternotomy incision, respectively. Adipose tissues were collected from patients undergoing myocardial revascularization or mitral valve replacement surgery. Morphological studies with hematoxylin/eosin and immunohistochemical assay were performed in situ to quantify adipokine expression. To analyze adipogenic capacity, adipokine expression, and the levels of thermogenic proteins, adipocyte precursor cells were isolated from periaortic and subcutaneous adipose tissues and induced to differentiation. The precursors of adipocytes from the periaortic tissue accumulated less triglycerides than those from the subcutaneous tissue after differentiation and were smaller than those from subcutaneous adipose tissue. The levels of proteins involved in thermogenesis and energy expenditure increased significantly in periaortic adipose tissue. Additionally, the expression levels of adipokines that affect carbohydrate metabolism, such as FGF21, increased significantly in mature adipocytes induced from periaortic adipose tissue. These results demonstrate that precursors of periaortic adipose tissue in humans may affect cardiovascular events and might serve as a target for preventing vascular diseases.

Fibroelastoma papilar incidental o sintomático ¿Debeintervenirse? / Incidental or symptomatic papillary fibroelastoma: Should it be treated?

Resumen El fibroelastoma papilar, también conocido como papiloma fibroelástico, es un tumor benigno poco común, que se puede observar en las válvulas cardíacas o, en algunas ocasiones, en el endocardio ventricular. Se describen dos casos; el primero corresponde a un paciente de 72 años con fibrilación auricular paroxística, asintomático por lo demás, en quien en estudio de su fibrilación auricular se evidenció masa pediculada de 1 y 1 cm dependiente de la válvula pulmonar y por riesgo de embolia se llevó a cirugía en la que se resecó masa, sin complicaciones. El reporte de histopatología fue positivo para fibroelastoma papilar. El segundo caso es una paciente de 67 años, sintomática, con angina de esfuerzo en quien, mediante ecocardiograma transtorácico, se documentó masa de 1,5 y 1,5 cm dependiente de la valva coronariana derecha, se consideraron síntomas secundarios a la masa. Se llevó a cirugía por técnica mínimamente invasiva y se resecó la masa. El reporte de histopatología fue positivo para fibroelastoma papilar. Conclusión: el fibroelastoma papilar es una causa poco frecuente pero cada vez más reconocida de fenómenos embólicos. Su identificación oportuna permite la extirpación de la lesión, que es aparentemente curativa, segura y bien tolerada.

Abstract The papillary fibroelastoma, also known as fibroelastic papilloma, is a fairly uncommon benign tumour that can be found in cardiac valves or, in some occasions in the ventricular endocardium. Two cases are presented, with the first corresponding to a 72 year-old patient with intermittent atrial fibrillation, with no other symptoms. During the study of the atrial fibrillation, a pedunculated mass of 1 × 1 cm was observed hanging from the pulmonary valve. Due to the risk of emboli, the patient was taken to surgery where the mass was resected with no complications. The histopathology reported positive for a papillary fibroelastoma. The second case was a 67 year-old patient with symptoms of with angina of effort, which on observing a mass of 1.5 × 1.5 cm hanging from the right coronary valve, they were considered as symptoms secondary induced by the mass. He was taken to surgery, and the mass was resected using a minimally invasive technique. The histopathology reported positive for a papillary fibroelastoma. Conclusion: Papillary fibroelastoma is a rare cause, but increasingly recognised due to its embolic phenomena. Their timely identification allows the lesion to be extirpated, which is apparently curative, safe and well tolerated.