Immediate preoperative renal artery embolization in the resection of complex renal tumors (UroCCR-48 Reinbol study).

PURPOSE: We evaluated the feasibility and outcomes of immediate preoperative renal artery embolization (IPRAE) before complex nephrectomy for locally advanced RCC ± inferior vena cava thrombus (IVCT). METHODS: A comparative retrospective (2007-2017) multicenter study which included 145 patients with locally advanced RCC ± IVCT: 99 radical nephrectomies vs. 46 radical nephrectomies with IPRAE identified in the prospective UroCCR national database (CNIL DR 2013-206; NCT03293563). IPRAE was performed under local anesthesia the day of nephrectomy (< 4 h prior to nephrectomy). The primary endpoint was peroperative blood loss (mL). Secondary outcomes were: tolerance of embolization (pain visual scale), success rate of IPRAE defined by complete devascularization of the kidney, perioperative complications according to Clavien score and postoperative GFR. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of IPRAE and the control groups were similar. Tumor staging was 14% T2b, 41% T3a, 27% T3b, 13% T3c, 6% T4. The success rate of IPRAE was 98%. Median artery embolizated per patient was 2 (Agochukwu and Shuch in World J Urol 32:581-589, 2014; Marshall et al. in J Urol 139:1166-1172, 1988; Yap et al. in BJU Int 110:1283-1288, 2012;Gill et al. in J Urol. 194:929-938, 2015; Wang et al. in Eur Urol 69:1112-1119, 2016). No severe complications occurred after IPRAE. Postembolization syndrome was reported in 7% (Clavien I-II). Mean peroperative blood losses in the IPRAE and control groups were: 726 ± 118 ml and 1083 ± 114 ml (P = 0.03). In a multivariate analysis that included: age, Karnofsky index, IPRAE (yes vs. no), IVCT (yes vs. no), tumor size and synchronous metastasis, no IPRAE and IVCT were significantly associated with increased peroperative bleeding. CONCLUSION: IPRAE before nephrectomy for locally advanced and/or IVCT tumors was well tolerated, was associated with lower peroperative bleeding and did not increase the incidence or severity of postoperative complications.

[Interest of echocardiography in the diagnosis and monitoring of a pulmonary embolism complicating a free-floating thrombus in right heart cavities]. / Intérêt de l'échocardiographie dans le diagnostic et la prise en charge d'une embolie pulmonaire grave associée à un thrombus mobile des cavités cardiaques droites.

We report the case of a 50-year-old patient admitted in ICU for a pulmonary embolism associated with a large thrombus in right heart cavities discovered during an assessment of faintness. Despite an excellent haemodynamic tolerance, there was a systolic and diastolic right ventricular failure and immediate threat to life. The treatment mainly relies on intravenous thrombolysis with excellent results both on thrombus lysis and on the right heart performance. Echocardiography proved to be an essential tool during the management of this patient to ensure the effectiveness and to monitor the whole procedure of thrombolysis.

[Interest of circulatory assistance mobile unit for cardiovascular surgical pathology support at distance of specialized centers: about a case of papillary muscle rupture]. / Intérêt des unités mobiles d'assistance circulatoires pour la prise en charge de pathologies chirurgicales cardiovasculaires à distance des centres spécialisés: à propos d'un cas de rupture de pilier mitral.

Papillary muscle rupture is a classical, but not frequent life-threatening complication of myocardial infarction. The only treatment consists in mitral valve surgical replacement. It should be performed in a hospital with specialized critical care and a cardiac surgery unit. The problem we are talking about in this article is the transfer of very instable patients in a specialized center before surgery. We also discuss the interest of mobile unit of cardiac assistance to manage patients in hospital without cardiac surgery then to transfer them. We discuss also the initial management in the cardiac surgery and critical care unit.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of infective endocarditis in adults with bicuspid aortic valves: a multicentre observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse characteristics and outcomes of infective endocarditis (IE) on bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) and to compare the risk of death according to the presence or absence of BAV. DESIGN: 5-year observational study. SETTING: Population of 856 patients with definite IE according to the Duke criteria from two tertiary centres (Amiens and Marseille, France). PATIENTS: 310 consecutive patients with definite native aortic valve IE enrolled between 1991 and 2007. INTERVENTIONS: Patients underwent transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography during hospitalisation. Surgery was performed on a case-by-case basis according to conventional guidelines. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: In-hospital mortality and 5-year overall mortality. RESULTS: Patients with BAV IE (n=50, 16%) were younger, had fewer comorbidities and a higher frequency of aortic perivalvular abscess (50%). Presence of BAV (OR 3.79 (1.97-7.28); p<0.001) was independently predictive of abscess formation. Early surgery was performed in 36 BAV patients (72%) with a peri-operative mortality of 8.3%, comparable to that of patients with tricuspid aortic valve IE (p=0.89). BAV was not independently predictive of in-hospital mortality (OR 0.89 (0.28-2.85); p=0.84) or 5-year survival (HR 0.71 (0.37-1.36); p=0.30). Age, comorbidities, heart failure, Staphylococcus aureus and uncontrolled infection were associated with increased 5-year mortality in BAV patients. CONCLUSION: BAV is frequent in adults with native aortic valve IE. Patients with BAV IE incur high risk of abscess formation and require early surgery in almost three-quarters of cases. IE is a severe complication in the setting of BAV and warrants prompt diagnosis and treatment.

[Cardiac tumors]. / Les tumeurs cardiaques.

Primary cardiac tumor is a rare disease, with an incidence ranging from 0.001 to 0.03%. Eighty percent of them are benign tumors, and among them 70% are myxomas, the others are: fibroelastoma, rhabdomyoma, fibroma, angioma and lipoma. Primary malignant tumors of heart are in 95% of cases sarcomas, the remaining 5% are lymphomas. Cardiac's metastases are more frequent than primary tumors. Diagnosis is made by echocardiography TAC and MRI. Whereas surgery is indicated in patients with benign tumors, or localised sarcomas, chemotherapy in those with widespread disease and radiotherapy and chemotherapy in lymphoma. Prognosis is excellent in benign cardiac tumor. Mean survival for sarcomas is 11 months, and lymphoma 5 years.

[Surgical management of cardiac wounds: cardiac or general surgical service?]. / Plaies du coeur, prise en charge de chirurgie cardiaque ou générale?

OBJECTIVE: To define modalities of cardiac wound management with a special emphasis on the initial direction of the patient toward a surgical service, rapid diagnosis, and surgical treatment. METHOD: Sixteen patients with thoracic injury to the region of the heart treated between 1996 and 2006 were evaluated retrospectively. Pre-operative clinical data, echography, and CT results were collected; time elapsed between injury and treatment, type of surgical treatment, use of cardio-pulmonary bypass, morbidity and mortality were evaluated. RESULTS: There were 16 patients (12 men); age ranged from 18 to 80 with an average of 45.7 years. Nine patients had penetrating cardiac wounds, two had blunt trauma, and five suffered iatrogenic trauma. Cardio-pulmonary bypass was used in two cases. The mean time elapsed between trauma and surgical evaluation was 63 minutes (p=0.18). In all cases, surgery consisted of a myorraphy without coronary or valvular repair. Post-operative complications occurred in 4 patients (25%) and resulted in 2 deaths (12.5%). Complication and death were associated with a prolonged interval between injury and surgical management. CONCLUSION: Patients with cardiac wounds should be transported to the nearest surgical hospital. There are no benefits to cardio-pulmonary bypass in cardiac trauma.

Prosthetic valve endocarditis: who needs surgery? A multicentre study of 104 cases.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the prognostic markers of a bad outcome in a large population of 104 patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE), and to study the influence of medical versus surgical strategy on outcome in PVE and thus to identify patients for whom surgery may be beneficial. DESIGN: Multicentre study. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among 104 patients, 22 (21%) died in hospital. Factors associated with in-hospital death were severe co-morbidity (6% of survivors v 41% of those who died, p = 0.05), renal failure (28% v 45%, p = 0.05), moderate to severe regurgitation (22% v 54%, p = 0.006), staphylococcal infection (16% v 54%, p = 0.001), severe heart failure (22% v 64%, p = 0.001), and occurrence of any complication (60% v 90%, p = 0.05). By multivariate analysis, severe heart failure (odds ratio 5.5) and Staphylococcus aureus infection (odds ratio 6.1) were the only independent predictors of in-hospital death. Among 82 in-hospital survivors, 21 (26%) died during a 32 month follow up. A Cox proportional hazards model identified early PVE, co-morbidity, severe heart failure, staphylococcus infection, and new prosthetic dehiscence as independent predictors of long term mortality. Mortality was not significantly different between surgical and non-surgical patients (17% v 25%, respectively, not significant). However, both in-hospital and long term mortality were reduced by a surgical approach in high risk subgroups of patients with staphylococcal PVE and complicated PVE. CONCLUSIONS: Firstly, PVE not only carries a high in-hospital mortality risk but also is associated with high long term mortality and needs close follow up after the initial episode. Secondly, congestive heart failure, early PVE, staphylococcal infection, and complicated PVE are associated with a bad outcome. Thirdly, subgroups of patients could be identified for whom surgery is associated with a better outcome: patients with staphylococcal and complicated PVE. Early surgery is strongly recommended for these patients.

[Results of surgery for coarctation of the aorta in children under one year of age]. / Résultats de la chirurgie de la coarctation aortique chez l'enfant de moins de 1 an.

The aim of this study was to determine the surgical results of repair of coarcta tion of the aorta in children under 1 year of age and to assess the risk of recoarctation. Between 1984 and 2004, 206 children under 1 were operated for coarctation of the aorta. Three groups of patients were identified: Group I (isolated coarctation, N=99), Group II (associated ventricular septal defect, N=63), and Group III (complex congenital heart disease, N=44). The transverse aorta was hypoplastic in 51% of cases. Uni- and multivariate analysis of the risk factors for mortality and recoarctation was performed. An extended resection anastomosis was performed in 206 patients. Reconstruction of the transverse aorta was performed in 32 cases. The hospital mortality was 3.9% (N=8). The presence of a complex intracardiac anomaly was a risk factor for mortality on multivariate analysis (p=0.023). In univariate analysis, a two-step management of patients in Group III was a significant risk factor for mortality (p=0.036). Thirty patients (14.6%) had recoarctation (gradient > 20 mmHg, follow-up 40 +/- 44 months). On multivariate analysis the severity of the immediate postoperative gradient was the only risk factor for recoarctation. The authors conclude that surgery for coarctation of the aorta is associated with excellent results in children under 1 year of age. The prognosis is related to the presence of associated severe cardiac malformations. Survival seems to be better if treatment is carried out in a single stage in this group. The risk of recoarctation is related to the immediate postoperative transisthmic gradient which justifies extensive repair of hypoplastic aortic arches.

Comparison of clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of Streptococcus bovis endocarditis with that caused by other pathogens.

The aim of our study was to compare the clinical, echographic, and prognostic features of Streptococcus bovis (S. bovis) endocarditis with those caused by other streptococci and pathogens in a large sample of patients with definite endocarditis by Duke criteria, using transesophageal echocardiography. Two hundred six patients (149 men, mean age 57 +/- 15 years) with a diagnosis of infective endocarditis formed the study population. All patients underwent multiplane transesophageal echocardiography and blood cultures. Cerebral, thoracoabdominal computed tomographic scan was performed in almost all patients (95%). All patients with S. bovis endocarditis underwent colonoscopy. Incidence of S. bovis endocarditis in our sample was 19%. Patients with S. bovis endocarditis were older than other groups. Multiple valve involvement, native valves, and large vegetations (>10 mm) were more frequent in patients with S. bovis. There was a significantly higher occurrence of embolism in the S. bovis group. Splenic embolism and multiple embolisms were significantly more frequent in patients with S. bovis. Gastrointestinal lesions, anemia, and spondylitis were observed more frequently with S. bovis endocarditis. In addition to the requirement for gastrointestinal examination for S. bovis endocarditis, our study underlines the need for systematic screening for vertebral and splenic localizations, and suggests the use of early surgery to prevent the high risk of embolism in these patients.

Pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect, extremely hypoplastic pulmonary arteries, major aorto-pulmonary collaterals.

OBJECTIVE: Among 63 patients with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect (VSD), 10 patients with extreme hypoplasia of the pulmonary arteries (PA) (mean Nakata index 20.6 mm(2)/m(2)), but with confluent arteries and a diminutive main PA, and major aorto-pulmonary collaterals (MAPCAS), have been submitted to a 'rehabilitation' of the PA with several stages: (i) connection between RV and PAs, (ii) interventional catheterizations, (iii) complete correction with or without unifocalisation. We report here the results of this approach. METHODS: The RV-PA connection was direct (nine cases) or with an homograft conduit (one case), done under normothermic cardiopulmonary by-pass in patients aged 4.9 months (range 0.1-18 months). Subsequently, six underwent interventional catheterizations (dilations and stents in the PA, MAPCAS occlusion by coils). Complete correction was done in seven patients (mean age 30 months, range 8-49). One patient is awaiting correction. RESULTS: One patient died after the first stage. All patients having had the third stage had a satisfactory development of the PA, had a complete closure of the VSD and a satisfactory reconstruction of the PA bifurcation. There was one death of severe pulmonary infection 6 months after repair. All other patients have been followed by catheterization and/or echocardiograms. With a follow-up of 83+/-65 months, all patients are improved, 50% have no cardiac medications, none has residual shunt, RV/LV pressure ratio is 0.6 (range 0.3-1). CONCLUSIONS: The strategy of 'rehabilitation' of PA allowing: (i) antegrade flow in the PA, (ii) interventional catheterizations, (iii) growth of the PA with possible angiogenesis, (iv) complete correction, is a logical approach to be undertaken in the young patient and is a valid alternative to strategies relying more on MAPCAS for pulmonary vascular supply. The therapeutic sequences depend upon the individual anatomy.

Systemic embolism: a serious complication after cardiac transplantation avoidable by bicaval technique.

OBJECTIVE: Systemic embolism is a serious complication after classical orthotopic transplantation, presumably originating from enlarged left atrium. We specifically studied this problem after classical and modified bicaval transplantation. METHODS: Between December 1985 and March 1999 we consecutively performed 72 classical and 106 modified heart transplantation. Modification included bicaval anastomosis and recipient left atrium maximal reduction. Mean age was 47 years. All the patients received an antiplatelet therapy and were routinely followed. When clinical signs of systemic embolism were present, a neurological evaluation and transesophageal echocardiography were done. Sixty matched patients (30 of each group) had comparative transesophageal echocardiography study, at least 6 months after transplantation. RESULTS: Perioperative mortality was 17.4%. Mean follow-up was 6.8 2+/47 years. All patients were in sinus rhythm. Among 147 survivors, 11 patients who underwent classical transplantation had a systemic embolism, 1 month to 12 years after transplantation, 15.3%, (11/72). Two limb ischemia and one mesenteric ischemia (needing surgery), seven strokes (one death, two permanent neurological deficit). There was no systemic embolism in the modified technique group (P=0.013). Left atrial comparative transesophageal echocardiography study showed a larger left atrial surface in classical transplantation. 33+/-4 cm(2) versus 20+/-3 cm(2) in a modified technique, P=0.01. Spontaneous echo contrast was present in 56% of classical technique group associated with atrial thrombosis in nine patients, there were no atrial thrombosis in modified technique group and spontaneous echocontrast was present in 0.5% (P=<0.001). CONCLUSION: The occurrence of systemic embolism, left atrial spontaneous echocontrast and thrombosis when using classical technique, and the absence of these complications with the bicaval technique justified the use of this method. Our experience with atrial thrombosis and spontaneous echocontrast rises the question of anticoagulation in classical transplantation.

Lung infections in pediatric lung transplantation: experience in 49 cases.

OBJECTIVES: Pulmonary infections, and particularly cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, are a major cause of morbidity after lung transplantation. We report here our results in 49 pediatric lung transplantations. METHODS: Between may 1988 and 1997, we have done 49 lung transplantations in 42 children (en bloc double lung transplantation (DLT):10, HLTx:7, sequential bilateral sequential-lung transplantation (BSLT):31, single-lung transplantation (SLT): 1). In seven, it was a retransplantation. Among these, 34 were cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, all with multiresistant organisms (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia, Achromobacter xylososydans, Staphylococcus aureus). All patients were treated with multiantibiotic prophylaxy adapted to the preoperative cultures. Donor-recipient CMV matching was possible in only 31 cases. CMV prophylaxy and immunosuppression protocols have evolved with time, with a current protocol of IV Gancyclovir prophylaxy for 3 months and triple drug immunosuppression without post-operative rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (RATG) induction. There was no perioperative mortality in the primary transplantations and three early deaths in the whole group (6.1%). RESULTS: Only five patients had no pulmonary infection. The patients presented 3.2 infection episodes per year, 75% localized on the lungs, 41% during the first 3 months. Among the 13 deaths in the 1st year, 10 were directly related to infection, 60% due to CMV. After the 1st year, in all patients dying of pulmonary dysfunction or obliterative bronchiolitis (OB), bacterial infections were associated. There was no serious fungal infection. Actuarial survival at 3 months, 1, 3, 5 years were 85, 65.7, 47.5 and 28.5%, respectively. There was a significant difference in 3 year survival between patients receiving CMV negative organs (40%) and CMV positive organs (17%). CONCLUSION: In our experience, as in other's, pulmonary infection risk is important in lung transplantation. Bacterial infections were mainly an aggravating factor of secondary pulmonary dysfunction or OB, and were not the primary cause of death. CMV infections have been very severe and lead us, despite the scarcity of donors, to avoid positive donors in negative recipients, this leads to disastrous mid-term results in our experience, despite prophylaxis.

Association of mild hyperhomocysteinemia with cardiac graft vascular disease.

In non-transplant patients mild hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for vascular disease. The aim of this study was to determine whether hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with graft vascular disease. Fasting total plasma homocysteine was assessed in 18 patients with graft vasculopathy and 18 transplanted patients without graft vasculopathy matched for age, sex and the time since transplant. All were on cyclosporin. Graft vasculopathy was defined at coronary angiography as stenoses > or = 25%, or aneurysms. We found that hyperhomocysteinemia ( > or = 15 micromol/l) is common among transplanted heart recipients and significantly more frequent in the patients with graft vasculopathy (17/18 versus 11/18). Accordingly, the mean homocysteinemia was significantly higher in the group with graft vasculopathy (23.6+/-7.8 versus 16.9+/-7.1 micromol/l, P=0.01). The elevation of homocysteine plasma levels in the heart transplant recipients has probably multiple causes. The main cause seems to be renal failure. Additional causes could be azathioprine treatment or genetic polymorphisms. These results suggest that besides the immunological factors, homocysteine can play an additional role in the pathogenesis of graft vascular disease.

Anatomic repair of corrected transposition or atrio-ventricular discordance: report of 8 cases.

BACKGROUND: It is well recognized that a right ventricle (RV) may eventually fail if working as systemic. This has led to arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries (TGA), but more recently to anatomic correction of 'corrected transposition' or atrio-ventricular discordance (AVD) combining an atrial switch and a ventricular outflow repair (arterial switch or Rastelli type). METHODS: We report here 8 cases of such anatomic correction of AVD in patients from 3 months to 10 years. Of these patients, 6 had situs solitus, and 2 situs inversus; 7 patients had a ventricular septal defect (VSD); 5 had an increased pulmonary flow, and 3 had a decreased pulmonary flow with pulmonary stenosis (PS) or pulmonary atresia (PA). In all, 6 had discordant and 1 had concordant ventriculo-arterial (VA) relations, and 1 had double-outlet RV, 2 had an associated coarctation, and 1 had a cor triatriatum. Of the 8 patients, 5 had pulmonary artery hypertension, 3 a moderate to severe tricuspid insufficiency and 6 had undergone one or more previous operations. Correction was done between 3 months and 10 years of age, with 7 having a Senning procedure (twice left-sided) and 1 a Mustard type operation. VA outflows were repaired with: 4 arterial switches, 1 left ventricle to aorta rerouting, 1 right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) repair and 2 Rastelli. A tricuspid annuloplasty was done once. RESULTS: All patients survived the operation, but 2 patients needed a reoperation (both successful): late obstruction of pulmonary venous channel after a left-sided Senning, and residual VSD closure. Mean follow-up is 45 months (3-122). Of the 8 patients, 6 patients are in sinus rhythm, 2 have junctional rhythm. A patient with junctional rhythm and occasional tachycardia died suddenly 18 months after surgery 1 week after satisfactory evaluation. All have a normal left ventricle function as evidenced by echocardiography. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a more demanding procedure, the 'anatomic repair' of hearts with AVD is possible, even in infancy, with good early and mid-term result. Despite the potential late rhythmic problems of the Senning operation (somehow more frequent with AVD in our experience), it may become, with increasing experience, the procedure of choice in corrected transposition.

Extending the concept of the autograft for complete repair of transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction: a report of ten cases of a modified procedure.

BACKGROUND: In most cases of transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, a Lecompte procedure (réparation à l'étage ventriculaire) is possible without interposition of a conduit between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery. However, the anterior location of the pulmonary arteries after the Lecompte maneuver may be a potential cause for right ventricular outflow obstruction, which continues to be reported in 5% to 25% of cases. We have used a tubular segment of aortic autograft to connect the pulmonary artery, left in the orthotopic posterior position (without the Lecompte maneuver), to the right ventricle in 10 consecutive patients with transposition, ventricular septal defect, and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. METHODS: Ten consecutive patients aged 2 months to 11 years (mean 32 months) have undergone a modified Lecompte operation. Eight had severe pulmonary stenosis, two had pulmonary atresia, and four had a restrictive ventricular septal defect at the time of the operation. Two had multiple ventricular septal defects. Seven had undergone one (n = 5) or two (n = 2) previous modified Blalock-Taussig shunts. All patients underwent a total correction with left ventricular-aortic intraventricular connection (four needed a ventricular septal defect enlargement), connection between the right ventricle and pulmonary arteries with a tubular segment of autograft aorta, without the Lecompte maneuver (anterior location of the bifurcation of the pulmonary arteries) on the right (n = 6) or the left (n = 4) of the aorta. No valvular device was used for the right ventricular outflow repair. RESULTS: No early or late deaths occurred. One patient with multiple ventricular septal defects needed an early (2 weeks) reoperation for a residual muscular ventricular septal defect. All patients are currently in New York Heart. Association class I, without medications, in sinus rhythm, at a mean follow-up of 30 months. Late results up to 3.6 years show no calcification on the chest roentgenogram, and at the most recent echocardiogram, right ventricular pressures were low (25 to 40 mm Hg, mean 33 mm Hg) and no significant gradient (over 10 mm Hg) was found between the right ventricle and pulmonary arteries. Left and right ventricular function was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: This modification of the Lecompte operation using a segment of autograft allows an excellent early and late result, with no danger of compression of anteriorly placed pulmonary arteries, no significant right ventricular outflow obstruction, and normal appearance of the tubular autograft. In view of laboratory and clinical evidence, normal growth of the autograft can be anticipated. It allows an elective correction of transposition, ventricular septal defect, and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction without a previous Blalock-Taussig shunt (three patients) and correction at a young age (three patients younger than 1 year).

Growth potential of aortic autografts and allografts: effects of cryopreservation and immunosuppression in an experimental model.

OBJECTIVE: An animal model has been used to evaluate the potential of growth of vascular autografts and allografts, and the effects of cryopreservation, rejection and immunosuppression on this growth. METHODS: In 35 animals (seven groups of five female NZW rabbits; age 5-6 weeks; weight 1.1 kg), a graft interposition was performed at the level of the infrarenal aorta. Different groups included fresh autografts, fresh and cryopreserved consanguineous allografts (donor: litter sister), fresh and cryopreserved immunosuppressed (IS) consanguineous allografts (receiving cyclosporin 10 mg/kg per day) and fresh and cryopreserved allografts. Animals were allowed to grow normally and were sacrificed at the mean weight of 2.89 kg. We studied the growth of the native aorta and of the graft and calculated the growth ratio (growth of the graft/growth of native vessel). Grafts and adjacent aorta were histologically studied. RESULTS: Growth of the graft was normal (mean ratio 1.08; S.D. = 0.21) for autografts, and for fresh and cryopreserved IS consanguineous grafts. Growth was absent (mean ratio 0.12; S.D. = 0.15) for fresh and cryopreserved allografts (P = 0.0001). In consanguineous grafts without IS, growth was absent or normal, presumably according to genetic compatibility, but never intermediate. Histological study showed normal optic microscopic aspects when growth was normal and, when growth was absent, aspects compatible with rejection including mainly intimal hyperplasia and medial thinning. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Normal growth of arterial autografts was confirmed; (2) cryopreservation did not prevent potential growth of an arterial graft; and (3) in an allogenic situation, without IS, an aortic graft, fresh or cryopreserved, never showed any growth potential.

[A comparative study of standard and total orthotopic cardiac transplantation]. / Etude comparative de la transplantation cardiaque orthotopique standard et totale.

The classical orthotopic heart transplant modifies size and geometry of the atria, may affect mitral and tricuspid function, and ventricular filling. A technical modification with subtotal excision of the recipient's heart, with anastomosis of a cuff of left atrium and of venae cavae has been used and compared with 2 consecutive series of transplantations : 70 classical (group I) 1986-1991, and 50 modified (group II) 1992-1994. The patients were similar for age, pretransplant characteristics, postoperative treatment. The aortic cross-clamping in the recipient (duration of cardiac excision and graft implantation) has been longer in group II (87 +/- 19 mm vs 65 +/- 15: p < 0.001). No surgical complication due to the technique was observed. Mortality was similar in the 2 groups (14% group I, 18% group II; NS). Five patients of group I has a systemic embolism (1 month to 5 years after transplant), none in group II. Two comparable groups of 30 patients were studied at least 6 months after transplantation with: surface EKG, Holter, transthoracic and esophageal echodoppler. A larger number of EKG anomalies, a significant increase in the size of atria, a significantly larger number of mitral and tricuspid insufficiencies, an increase in the variability of E/A ratio (left ventricular filling parameter) were noted after classical transplantation. Spontaneous contrast echo and thrombus in the left atrium were also noted after classical transplant. We conclude that these technical modifications result in a geometry and anatomy closer to normal. Less anomalies of the cardiac function were found. Due to the absence of left atrial thrombus and of systemic embolism we think that there is a definite advantage in this technically rather simple approach.

Aortic valve or root replacement with cryopreserved homograft for active infectious endocarditis.

Active aortic endocarditis is a serious condition that carries a high mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to analyse results obtained from 24 patients who underwent aortic valve or root replacement with cryopreserved homograft for aortic endocarditis. Eleven patients had native valve endocarditis, and 13 had prosthetic valve endocarditis. The mean age was 47.7 years: there were seven women and 17 men. Causative organisms were staphylococci (12), streptococci (four), serratia (one), candida (one), pneumococci (one), while no organisms were isolated in the remaining five patients. Complete reconstruction of the aortic annulus with homograft conduits was necessary in 20 patients (six total root and 14 mini-root). Infracoronary homograft aortic valve replacement was performed in the remaining patients. One patient died 1 day after the operation from ventricular failure, and two others died after 4 and 6 months as a result of arrhythmia. One patient died of recurrent endocarditis 1 year after surgery. The actuarial survival rate at 3 years was 83.4%. All survivors are symptom-free, with no evidence of recurrent endocarditis. Doppler echocardiography showed minimal aortic regurgitation in four patients.

[Value of echocardiography in the study of aortic valve homografts and autografts]. / Intérêt de l'échocardiographie dans l'étude des homogreffes et des autogreffes valvulaires aortiques.

Although increasingly used, the echocardiographic parameters of aortic valve homografts and autografts have not been extensively investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the value of transthoracic (TTE) and transoesophageal (TOE) echocardiography in the preoperative assessment of these patients, especially with regards to prediction of homograft size and to describe the normal and pathological echocardiographic appearances of this type of prosthesis. Thirty-seven consecutive patients were studied. Before surgery, the diameter of the aortic ring (24.1 +/- 3 mm), correlated well with the value measured by the surgeon (24.4 +/- 2 mm; r = 0.9), but in 2 cases, this measurement was impossible and in 3 cases inaccurate, the difference between the 2 measurements being greater than 2 mm. It was possible to measure the aortic ring diameter in all cases by TOE. After surgery, TTE showed normal function of 33 of the 37 prosthetic valves with minimal or no obstruction (mean gradient 5.9 +/- 4 mmHg, aortic surface area = 2.8 +/- 0.5 cm2) with no significant difference between the homografts and autografts. Better visualisation of the homograft leaflets was possible by TOE and detected minimal central regurgition in 16 (84%) of the homografts examined, the persistence of an annular abscess in 2 patients and a minimal aorto-left atrial fistula in 1 patient. In conclusion. TTE coupled with Doppler examination is usually adequate for preoperative selection of the homografts and haemodynamic evaluation and follow-up of these patients. TOE should be performed preoperatively in patients with unsatisfactory TTE studies but is mainly useful for preoperative evaluation and postoperative follow-up of patients operated for aortic endocarditis with paravalvula abscess.