A new mitral valve repair strategy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Previously, surgery hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) has consisted primarily of septal myectomy and/or resection of the anterior mitral leaflet with low-profile valve replacement. However, recent studies have shown that the anterior papillary muscle and chordal fan can contribute to obstruction, and also that significant mitral regurgitation (MR) may be encountered. Hence, a surgical procedure was devised to address all components of this disorder. METHODS: A 37-year-old man had a history of heart murmur and NYHA class IV symptoms, despite beta-blocker therapy. Echocardiography showed severe septal hypertrophy, systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve, severe MR and a 185 mmHg resting outflow tract gradient. At surgery, the anterior papillary muscle was found to be medially displaced and contributing to outflow obstruction. The anterior papillary muscle and chordae were resected, a 'traditional' septal myectomy was performed, and a full annuloplasty ring placed. The mitral valve was repaired by connecting the left aspect of the leaflets to the posterior papillary muscles, using Gore-Tex artificial chords. RESULTS: The patient recovered uneventfully. Interval echocardiography at one year showed a negligible outflow gradient, relief of SAM and mild residual MR. The patient currently is active, essentially asymptomatic, and not receiving any medical therapy. CONCLUSION: Previous approaches to HOCM have been limited by a small incidence of recurrent outflow gradients, pacemaker requirement, persistent MR or complications of the prosthetic valves. By comprehensively addressing all components of outflow obstruction and mitral dysfunction, this combined procedure may produce better results in certain subsets of HOCM, with the excellent late prognosis of artificial chordal replacement.

Comparison of the CobraPLA (Cobra Perilaryngeal Airway) and the Laryngeal Mask Airway Unique in children under pressure controlled ventilation.

BACKGROUND: The Laryngeal Mask Airway-Unique (LMAU) and CobraPLA (Cobra Perilaryngeal Airway) are supraglottic airway devices. There are no published studies comparing these devices in children breathing with pressure controlled ventilation (PCV). METHODS: Eighty pediatric patients, scheduled for elective general surgery of short duration, were randomly assigned to have either a CobraPLA or a LMAU used for airway management using PCV. We compared the devices with respect to (i) ability to form an effective cuff seal, (ii) oxygenation, (iii) endtidal carbon dioxide level, (iv) time to achieve an effective airway, (v) airway interventions required for insertion, (vi) fiberoptic score, (vii) respiratory variables and (vii) adverse events. RESULTS: Cuff seal pressure was significantly higher for CobraPLA (27.08 +/- 4.15 cmH(2)O) than for LMAU (20.91 +/- 2.47 cmH(2)O). Oxygenation was similar in both groups while the mean endtidal CO(2) in the CobraPLA group was significantly higher than in the LMAU group (36.47 +/- 1.93 mmHg vs 34.71 +/- 3.05 mmHg, P = 0.021). Time and ease of insertion were similar, with CobraPLA requiring more frequent jaw lift and LMAU requiring more frequent adjustment of the head and neck to achieve a proper position. Fiberoptic scores were excellent with both devices. Respiratory variables were similar with the exception that the plateau pressure and mean peak pressures were significantly lower with CobraPLA. There was a low rate of blood mucosal staining of the devices. No patient in either group reported a sore throat. CONCLUSIONS: Both devices appear to be safe and effective in establishing an adequate airway in healthy children undergoing surgery of short duration with PCV.

A comparison between the PLA Cobra and the Laryngeal Mask Airway Unique during spontaneous ventilation: a randomized prospective study.

The Laryngeal Mask (LMA) Unique and the Cobra Perilaryngeal Airway (PLA) are single-use supraglottic devices. There are no published studies comparing these devices during spontaneous ventilation. We compared the LMA Unique and the Cobra PLA with respect to 1) ventilatory variables during spontaneous ventilation, 2) time to achieve an effective airway, 3) airway intervention requirements, 4) cuff seal pressures, 5) fiberoptic score, and 6) perioperative adverse events. Eighty adult ASA physical status I-II patients undergoing general anesthesia for minor routine surgery were randomly allocated to LMA Unique or PLA Cobra for airway management. No statistically significant differences were found between the devices with respect to inspiratory tidal volume, expiratory tidal volume, end-tidal CO2 concentration, respiratory rate, number and type of airway interventions required with placement, the fiberoptic score, and the incidence of perioperative adverse events. The oropharyngeal leak (seal) pressure was higher for the CobraPLA (27 +/- 7 versus 21 +/- 4 cm H2O; P < 0.001). The oxygen saturation was higher (98.1% +/- 1% versus 97.3% +/- 2%; P = 0.02) in the LMA group. Time of insertion was shorter for LMA (23.7 +/- 2 s versus 26.6 +/- 7 s; P = 0.02) and insertion difficulty was less for LMA (P = 0.03). As these differences were not judged to be clinically important, both devices appear to be effective in establishing an adequate airway in patients who are spontaneously breathing under general anesthesia.

"Adjustable" artificial chordal replacement for repair of mitral valve prolapse.

Achieving a stable repair of mitral valve prolapse can be difficult in complex pathologies, and a 5% to 20% late reoperation rate exists with leaflet resection and reconstruction. During an 8-year period, prolapse was managed uniformly with "adjustable" Gortex (W. L. Gore & Associates Inc, Flagstaff, AZ) artificial chordal replacement and Carpentier ring annuloplasty (Edwards Lifesciences LLC, Irvine, CA), without leaflet resection. Artificial chords were placed initially in the papillary muscles, and then after ring annuloplasty they were adjusted to optimize length to the prolapsing segment(s). Of 52 patients with prolapse, 100% were repaired successfully with artificial chords. Operative mortality was 1.9%, and 4, 6, and 8-year survivals were 87%, 81%, and 71%, respectively. Only 1 of 52 patients (1.9%) experienced late failure, and this patient was re-repaired with artificial chords. Thus, "adjustable" artificial chordal replacement facilitates uniform repair of mitral valve prolapse with a low late failure rate.

Airway control via the CobraPLA during percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy in five patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of the new supraglottic airway device CobraPLA (CPLA) for performing percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy (PDT) utilizing continuous fibreoptic visualization of the larynx and trachea and uninterrupted airway control. CLINICAL FEATURES: The percutaneous tracheotomies were carried out in five patients (four males and one female; mean age 72 yr, mean height 164.6 cm, mean weight 74 kg) following the Griggs technique under continuous fibreoptic vision and airway control provided by the CPLA. The mean time required for removal of the ETT, positioning of the CPLA, and confirmation of adequate ventilation and cuff seal was 78 sec. The mean time for the entire PDT procedure was six minutes and 57 sec. In one patient a 7-mm tracheostomy cannula was used, and in the other four patients an 8-mm cannula was used. The hemodynamic and respiratory variables remained stable during the entire procedure; there were no adverse events. At no point was there any significant difficulty in placing the CPLA or in providing ventilation or oxygenation. Each procedure could be observed easily in its entirety through the FOB. CONCLUSIONS: This technique can be considered simple and safe because it is video-assisted and ensures a continuous airway control. The CPLA offers several advantages over some other supraglottic devices when performing this surgical procedure.