Difficult mask ventilation in obese patients: analysis of predictive factors.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the accuracy of commonly used preoperative difficult airway indices as predictors of difficult mask ventilation (DMV) in obese patients (BMI >30 kg/m2). METHODS: In 309 consecutive obese patients undergoing general surgery, the modified Mallampati test, patient's Height/Thyromental distance ratio, Inter-Incisor Distance, Protruding Mandible (PM), history of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Neck Circumference (NC) were recorded preoperatively. DMV was defined as Grade 3 mask ventilation (MV) by the Han's scale (MV inadequate, unstable or requiring two practitioners). Data are shown as means±SD or number and proportions. Independent DMV predictors were identified by multivariate analysis. The discriminating capacity of the model (ROC curve area) and adjusted weights for the risk factors (odds ratios) were also determined. RESULTS: BMI averaged 42.5±8.3 kg/m2. DMV was reported in 27 out of 309 patients (8.8%; 95%CI 5.6-11.9%). The multivariate analysis retained NC (OR 1.17; P<0.0001), limited PM (1.99; P=0.046) and Mallampati test (OR 2.12; P=0.009) as risk predictors for DMV. Male gender was also included in the final model (OR 1.87; P=0.06) as biologically important variable albeit the borderline statistical significance. The model yielded a good discriminating capacity (ROC curve 0.85). The four parameters were used to create an unweighted prediction score (ROC curve 0.84) with >2 associated factors as the best discriminating point for DMV. CONCLUSION: Obese patients show increased incidence of DMV with respect to the undifferentiated surgical population. Limited PM, Mallampati test and NC are important DMV predictors.

Chordal plication and free edge remodeling for mitral anterior leaflet prolapse repair: 8-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Chordal suture plication and free edge remodeling represent a personal technique for the repair of anterior leaflet prolapse. We report the results of an 8-year experience. METHODS: Sixty-one patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation caused by prolapse of the anterior leaflet (11) or both leaflets (50) underwent anterior leaflet prolapse repair. Twenty patients who had associated cardiac procedures are included. RESULTS: There were two perioperative deaths. Postoperative mitral regurgitation fell to 0.4 +/- 0.7 versus 3.7 +/- 0.4 preoperative (p < 0.0001). Mean follow-up was 40.5 months. There were 3 late deaths and 3 mitral reoperations (1 of 3 repairs, 2 of 3 replacements). Thromboembolism and endocarditis occurred in 1 patient each. Actuarial overall survival, freedom from cardiac death, and freedom from mitral reoperation at 92 months were 85.1% +/- 7.9%, 88.9% +/- 7.7%, and 94.6% +/- 3.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our technique of anterior leaflet prolapse repair appears effective, safe, and durable at mid- to long-term follow-up, and may be used in the presence of extensive disease of both leaflets.

[High-risk pulmonary surgery in potential candidates for a heart transplant]. / Chirurgia polmonare ad alto rischio in potenziali candidati a trapianto cardiaco.

Severe ventricular dysfunction and concomitant infection are considered absolute contraindications for major thoracic operations and immunosuppressive therapy, respectively. However, cardiac transplantation represents the first-choice treatment in advanced heart failure. We report the case of a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy and severe left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction = 25%), initially not considered as a potential heart transplant candidate due to the presence of a lung abscess. The patient subsequently underwent atypical pulmonary resection with intraoperative and perioperative intraaortic balloon counter-pulsation for circulatory support and was then listed for cardiac transplant. Pitfalls and intra/postoperative strategy, all of which are potentially important aspects in minimizing operative risk, are discussed.

Combined carotid and cardiac procedures: improved results and surgical approach.

Severe cerebrovascular complications following cardiac surgical procedures remain a major concern, particularly in patients with significant carotid atherosclerotic involvement (14% of perioperative stroke). Operative mortality for carotid operations in patients with documented Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) may be as high as 20%. Seventy patients underwent combined operations (unilateral carotid stenosis > 70%, unilateral stenosis > 50% with ulcerated plaque or bilateral stenoses > 50%; and this also included patients with unilateral occlusion). Cardiac procedures were 69 coronary artery bypass grafts, four left ventricular aneurysmectomies, three aortic valve replacements and surgery on two mitral valves. Seven perioperative deaths occurred, which were all caused by cardiac events. There were no perioperative strokes. Carotid endarterectomy immediately before cardiopulmonary bypass is a safe and expeditious approach to coexisting significant cardiac and carotid disease. In our experience, technical details in monitoring and minimizing cerebral ischemia are possibly more crucial in these severe vasculopathic patients. Moreover, it is probably advantageous from an economic standpoint compared with other therapeutic treatments.

Surgery of cavo-atrial renal carcinoma employing circulatory arrest: immediate and mid-term results.

From 1990 to 1995, 12 patients with cavo-atrial renal cell carcinoma underwent resection of the tumor. Circulatory arrest was employed in 11/12 cases. The neoplasm extended to the inferior vena cava in two patients and to the intrahepatic veins or right atrium in five cases. Two severely cardiac compromised patients died perioperatively. Of five patients who showed preoperative suspicion of isolated metastases, 3 patients died postoperatively because of relapsing disease after a mean period of 10.8 months. Five patients are alive and doing well after a mean follow-up of 14.8 months. In our experience myocardial dysfunction determined poor immediate survival. Mid-term survival was influenced by preoperative metastases and lymph-node involvement, but not by intracaval extension. Circulatory arrest appears to be a relatively safe technique to remove renal carcinoma with cavo-atrial extension and should be indicated whenever there are no metastases.

Mycotic aortic aneurysm presenting as multiple cerebral abscesses.

A 68-year-old male presented with multiple cerebral abscesses. Possible intrathoracic embolic sources were not detected by echocardiography and chest radiography and the main lesion was surgically excised. Following deterioration of the neurological status, computerized tomography performed 2 weeks later revealed a mycotic aneurysm of the ascending aorta, probably related to a previous cardiac operation. This is the first case in the literature of aortic infection presenting as multiple brain abscesses.

Aortic diverticulum without vascular ring: a rare cause of dysphagia.

In an adult with severe dysphagia, diagnosis of aneurysmal aberrant subclavian artery was suspected on computed tomogram; no vascular ring was visible on arteriogram. A diverticulum of the aortic isthmus was surgically resected. Histologic analysis ruled out acquired disease. In conclusion, dysphagia related to esophageal compression may be caused by an isolated congenital aortic diverticulum.

Primary cardiac malignancy presenting as left atrial myxoma. Clinical and surgical considerations.

Primary heart neoplasms occur in 0.002-0.3% of autopsies: 30% are myxomas and 20-30% are malignancies, almost always sarcomas. Cardiac metastases are 10 to 40 times more frequent than primary heart cancer. We describe a case of a left atrial sarcoma erroneously diagnosed as myxomas preoperatively. Standard surgical indication for resection of cardiac myxomas is based on echocardiography. Because of the severity of cardiac malignant lesions than can mimic atrial myxomas at echocardiography, through preoperative investigation should be accomplished, best by magnetic resonance imaging. In case of suspected malignancy, total body computed tomography should be performed to avoid unnecessary cardiac operations in case of disseminated cancer. To date the only good medium and long-term results in the therapeutic management of heart sarcomas have been achieved by transplantation: the probable explanation is that criteria of surgical radicality should be those followed for soft tissue tumors located elsewhere in the organism.

Warm heart surgery in cold haemagglutinin disease.

Continuous warm retrograde blood cardioplegia and systemic normothermia are a promising method for heart surgery in patients with cold autoimmune disorders in order to avoid the adverse effects of both systemic and coronary hypothermia during cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary bypass. A 59-year-old white man with cold haemagglutinin disease who underwent coronary surgery using continuous retrograde normothermic blood cardioplegia and systemic normothermia is reported.

Assisted circulation in postcardiotomy heart failure: experience with the Bio-Medicus centrifugal pump in ten patients.

Between January 1990 and September 1992, ten patients required assisted circulation for postcardiotomy heart failure which was unresponsive to inotropic drugs and aortic counterpulsation. All patients were supported by a Bio-Medicus centrifugal pump (biventricular assist in five, left ventricular in three, right ventricular in two); six had ischaemic heart disease, two a congenital ventricular septal defect, one an acute mitral valve incompetence and one an aortic type 'A' dissection. The mean duration of circulatory support was 5.1 days (range 2 hours to 8 days). Six patients were weaned from the device and four were discharged; the perioperative deaths among the patients weaned from support were the result of cerebral haemorrhage and multiorgan failure respectively. No late deaths occurred at a mean follow-up of 15 months. Common complications were bleeding (40%), acute renal failure (30%) and sepsis (30%). All patients who developed renal failure died. The high incidence of haemorrhagic complications makes the use of pre-heparinized circuits desirable as these patients do not then require additional anticoagulation.

Myocardial revascularization in patients with severe ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction: a clinical experience.

The benefits of myocardial revascularization in patients with ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction are widely reported. However, myocardial revascularization in such cases is associated with higher mortality and morbidity rates. Sixty patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction underwent myocardial revascularization at the authors' institution. Ejection fraction was assessed by angiocardioscintigraphy before and at 3 months after surgery. All patients underwent elective surgery and received complete myocardial revascularization. Myocardial protection was achieved using Buckberg's protocol. One perioperative death occurred. Weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass required inotropic drug therapy in 22 cases and aortic counterpulsation in nine. Perioperative myocardial infarction occurred in three patients with no further haemodynamic impairment. The mean postoperative ejection fraction was 41.0%, compared with a mean preoperative value of 26.5%. The extent of left ventricular functional improvement was greatest in those patients having the worst preoperative left ventricular function. It is concluded that, with this technique, myocardial revascularization can be achieved in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction with an acceptable operative mortality.

Successful treatment of coronary artery spasm following coronary artery bypass grafting.

A case of coronary artery spasm developed 6 hours after myocardial revascularization inducing both hemodynamic and electrocardiographic changes, is reported. The spasm was documented by coronary angiography, and it was not reversed by intracoronary infusion of isosorbide dinitrate. Intravenous infusion of nifedipine (initial dose of 0.0104 mg/min to final dose of 0.0208 mg/min), along with infusion of glyceronitrate (1.0 micrograms/kg/min) was able to significantly improve hemodynamic impairment and to reverse electrocardiographic changes in 12 hours. Coronary angiography, repeated in postoperative day 3, after 48 hours of continuous nifedipine infusion, showed a resolution of coronary spasm. There was no evidence of myocardial infarction as resulted from total CPK and MB isoenzyme release. Nifedipine infusion was gradually reduced as oral administration of slow release nifedipine (40 mg twice daily) was started. The combined intravenous infusion of glyceronitrate and nifedipine seems to be able to control and overcome coronary artery spasm following coronary surgery.