Long-term Mortality Predictors in Patients with Small Aortic Annulus Undergoing Aortic Valve Replacement with a 19- or 21-mm Bioprosthesis.

Introduction: Replacement of the aortic valve in patients with a small aortic annulus is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A prosthesis-patient mismatch is one of the main problems associated with failed valves in this patient population. Objective: To evaluate the long-term mortality predictors in patients with a small aortic annulus undergoing aortic valve replacement with a bioprosthesis. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, a total of 101 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement from January 2000 to December 2010 were studied. There were 81 (80.19%) women with a mean age of 52.81±18.4 years. Severe aortic stenosis was the main indication for surgery in 54 (53.4%) patients. Posterior annulus enlargement was performed in 16 (15.8%) patients. Overall, 54 (53.41%) patients underwent concomitant surgery: 28 (27.5%) underwent mitral valve replacement, and 13 (12.7%) underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Results: Mean valve index was 0.82±0.08 cm(2)/m(2). Overall, 17 (16.83%) patients had a valve index lower than 0.75 cm(2)/m(2), without statistical significance for mortality (P=0.12). The overall 10-year survival rate was 83.17%. The rate for patients who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement was 91.3% and 73.1% (P=0.02) for patients who underwent concomitant surgery. In the univariate analysis, the main predictors of mortality were preoperative ejection fraction (P=0.02; HR 0.01) and EuroSCORE II results (P=0.00000042; HR 1.13). In the multivariate analysis, the main predictors of mortality were age (P=0.01, HR 1.04) and concomitant surgery (P=0.01, HR 5.04). Those relationships were statistically significant. Conclusion: A valve index of < 0.75 cm(2)/m(2) did not affect 10-year survival. However, concomitant surgery and age significantly affected mortality.

Risk factors associated with cardiac surgery during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: This study is aimed at analyzing risk factors for fetal and maternal mortality in cardiac surgery during pregnancy. METHODS: Seventy-four pregnant women underwent cardiac surgery and 58 (78.3%) were followed. The most frequent pathology was valve disease (93.2%). Mitral valve disease was the most prevalent (72.9%), and mitral commissurotomy or replacement was required in 78% of the cases. Most were in functional class III or IV and mean gestational age was 22 weeks. RESULTS: There was functional class improvement after surgery (91% into class I or II), and 70.4% were restored to sinus rhythm. Twenty percent required reoperation. There were five maternal deaths (8.6%) and 11 fetal deaths (18.6%). Several aspects were considered as contributing risk factors for maternal mortality, such as the use of vasoactive drugs and other preoperative medications, age, kind of surgery, reoperation, and functional class. Functional class was the factor that predicted higher risk for maternal death. As to fetal mortality, several factors played a role, such as maternal age more than 35 years, functional class, reoperation, emergency surgery, type of myocardial protection, and anoxic time. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac surgery during pregnancy is associated with acceptable maternal and fetal mortality rates. These rates may be even lower if the factors mentioned above are maintained under control.

Fibrinolytic therapy for thrombosis in cardiac valvular prosthesis short and long term results.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the short- and long-term results of the use of streptokinase (SK) for the treatment of thromboses in cardiac valvular prostheses. METHODS: Seventeen patients with cardiac prosthetic thrombosis diagnosed by clinical, echocardiographic, and radioscopic findings underwent fibrinolytic treatment with a streptokinase bolus of 250,000 U followed by 100.000 U/hour. Short- and long-term results were assessed by radioscopy and echocardiography. RESULTS: Of the 17 patients, 12 had mechanical double-disk prostheses (4 aortic, 6 mitral, 2 tricuspid), 4 had single-disk prostheses (2 aortic, 1 mitral, and 1 tricuspid), and 1 had a tricuspid bioprosthesis. The success rate was 64.8%, the partial success rate was 17.6%, and the nonsuccess rate was 17.6%. All patients with a double-disk prosthesis responded, completely or partially, to the treatment. None of the patients with a single-disk prosthesis had complete resolution of the thrombosis. The time of streptokinase infusion ranged from 6 to 80 hours (mean of 56 h). The mortality rate due to the use of streptokinase was 5.8% and was secondary to cerebral bleeding. During streptokinase infusion, 3 (17.6%) embolic episodes occurred as follows: 1 cerebral, 1 peripheral, and 1 coronary. The rethrombosis index was 33% in a mean follow-up of 42 months. CONCLUSION: The use of fibrinolytic agents was effective and relatively safe in patients with primary thrombosis of a double-disk prosthesis. A fatal hemorrhagic complication occurred in 1 (5.8%) patient, and embolic complications occurred in 3 (17.6%) patients. In a mean 42-month follow-up, 67% of the patients were free from rethrombosis.

Surgical treatment of partial atrioventricular septal defect: functional analysis of the mitral valve in the postoperative period.

OBJECTIVE: To study mitral valve function in the postoperative period after correction of the partial form of atrioventricular septal defect. METHODS: Fifty patients underwent surgical correction of the partial form of atrioventricular septal defect. Their mean age was 11.8 years and 62% of the patients were males. Preoperative echocardiography showed moderate and severe mitral insufficiency in 44% of the patients. The mitral valve cleft was sutured in 45 (90%) patients (group II - GII). Echocardiographies were performed in the early postoperative period, and 6 and 12 months after hospital discharge. RESULTS: The patients who had some type of arrhythmia in the postoperative period had ostium primum atrial septal defect of a larger size (2.74 x 2.08 cm). All 5 patients in group I (GI), who did not undergo closure of the cleft, had a competent mitral valve or mild mitral insufficiency in the preoperative period. One of these patients began to have moderate mitral insufficiency in the postoperative period. On the other hand, in GII, 88.8% and 82.2% of the patients had competent mitral valve or mild mitral insufficiency in the early and late postoperative periods, respectively. CONCLUSION: The mitral valve cleft was repaired in 90% of cases. Echocardiography revealed competent mitral valve or mild mitral insufficiency in 88.8% and 82.2% of GII patients in the early and late postoperative periods, respectively.

Effects of skeletonized versus pedicled radial artery on postoperative graft patency and flow.

BACKGROUND: Radial artery (RA) was the second arterial graft introduced in clinical practice for myocardial revascularization. The skeletonization technique of the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) may actually change the graft's flow capacity with potential advantages. This leads to the assumption that the behavior of the RA, as a coronary graft, is similar to that of the LITA, when skeletonized. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated 'free' aortic-coronary radial artery (RA) grafts, whether skeletonized or with adjacent tissues. METHODS: A prospective randomized study comparing 40 patients distributed into two groups was conducted. In group I, we used skeletonized radial arteries (20 patients), and in group II, we used radial arteries with adjacent tissues (20 patients). After the surgical procedure, patients underwent flow velocity measurements. RESULTS: The main surgical variables were: RA internal diameter, RA length, and free blood flow in the radial artery. The mean RA graft diameters as calculated using quantitative angiography in the immediate postoperative period were similar, as well as the flow velocity measurement variables. On the other hand, coronary cineangiography showed the presence of occlusion in one RA graft and stenosis in five RA grafts in GII, while GI presented stenosis in only one RA graft (p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: These results show that the morphological and pathological features, as well as the hemodynamic performance of the free radial artery grafts, whether prepared in a skeletonized manner or with adjacent tissues, are similar. However, a larger number of non-obstructive lesions may be observed when RA is prepared with adjacent tissues.

Assessment of sternal closure using titanium plate.

INTRODUCTION: The use of plates and screws for more rigid fixation of the sternum, without maintaining contact between the upper portion of the sternum and mediastinum. The present study seeks new choice of plate with a significant difference, the same does not need to be removed in order to proceed to open when necessary sternal emerging opening of the bone. OBJECTIVE: The current study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this procedure. METHODS: To this end, we selected ten patients with coronary artery disease have shown no significant risk factors for mediastinitis. The surgery was thus performed in the usual way that all patients with coronary artery disease surgeries are done at the institution. Only at the time of sternal closure is that there was a change, with the combination of steel wires and plates. RESULTS: All cases had sternal closure properly with good outcome in the medium term. CONCLUSION: The use of plates ENGIMPLAN proved safe and effective for sternal closure.

Long-term mortality predictors in patients with small aortic annulus undergoing aortic valve replacement with a 19- or 21-mm bioprosthesis

Abstract Introduction: Replacement of the aortic valve in patients with a small aortic annulus is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A prosthesis-patient mismatch is one of the main problems associated with failed valves in this patient population. Objective: To evaluate the long-term mortality predictors in patients with a small aortic annulus undergoing aortic valve replacement with a bioprosthesis. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, a total of 101 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement from January 2000 to December 2010 were studied. There were 81 (80.19%) women with a mean age of 52.81±18.4 years. Severe aortic stenosis was the main indication for surgery in 54 (53.4%) patients. Posterior annulus enlargement was performed in 16 (15.8%) patients. Overall, 54 (53.41%) patients underwent concomitant surgery: 28 (27.5%) underwent mitral valve replacement, and 13 (12.7%) underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Results: Mean valve index was 0.82±0.08 cm2/m2. Overall, 17 (16.83%) patients had a valve index lower than 0.75 cm2/m2, without statistical significance for mortality (P=0.12). The overall 10-year survival rate was 83.17%. The rate for patients who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement was 91.3% and 73.1% (P=0.02) for patients who underwent concomitant surgery. In the univariate analysis, the main predictors of mortality were preoperative ejection fraction (P=0.02; HR 0.01) and EuroSCORE II results (P=0.00000042; HR 1.13). In the multivariate analysis, the main predictors of mortality were age (P=0.01, HR 1.04) and concomitant surgery (P=0.01, HR 5.04). Those relationships were statistically significant. Conclusion: A valve index of < 0.75 cm2/m2 did not affect 10-year survival. However, concomitant surgery and age significantly affected mortality.

Efeitos da Esqueletização em Comparação com a Manutenção do Pedículo da Artéria Radial sobre a Patência e Fluxo Pós-Operatórios do Enxerto / Effects of Skeletonized versus Pedicled Radial Artery on Postoperative Graft Patency and Flow

Fundamento: O enxerto de artéria radial (AR) foi o segundo enxerto arterial a ser introduzido na prática clínica para revascularização miocárdica. A técnica de esqueletização da artéria torácica interna esquerda (ATIE) pode, de fato, alterar a capacidade de fluxo do enxerto com potenciais vantagens, o que leva à suposição de que o comportamento da AR, como enxerto coronariano, seja semelhante ao da ATIE esqueletizada. Objetivo: Este estudo avaliou enxertos aortocoronários "livres" de AR, quer esqueletizados, quer com tecidos adjacentes. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo prospectivo randomizado comparando 40 pacientes distribuídos em dois grupos. No grupo I, foram utilizadas artérias radiais esqueletizadas (20 pacientes), e no grupo II, artérias radiais com tecidos adjacentes (20 pacientes). Após o procedimento cirúrgico, os pacientes foram submetidos a medidas da velocidade de fluxo. Resultados: As principais variáveis cirúrgicas foram: diâmetro interno, comprimento e fluxo sanguíneo livre da AR. Os diâmetros médios dos enxertos de AR calculados através de angiografia quantitativa no pós-operatório imediato foram semelhantes, assim como as variáveis de medidas de velocidade de fluxo. Por outro lado, a cinecoronariografia mostrou a presença de oclusão em um enxerto de AR e estenose em cinco enxertos de AR no GII, enquanto que apenas um caso de estenose em um enxerto de AR no GI (p = 0,045). Conclusão: Os resultados mostram que tanto as características morfológicas e anatomopatológicas quanto o desempenho hemodinâmico dos enxertos livres de artéria radial, quer preparados de forma esqueletizada ou com tecidos adjacentes, são semelhantes. Entretanto, pode-se observar um maior número de lesões não obstrutivas quando a AR ...

Background: Radial artery (RA) was the second arterial graft introduced in clinical practice for myocardial revascularization. The skeletonization technique of the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) may actually change the graft's flow capacity with potential advantages. This leads to the assumption that the behavior of the RA, as a coronary graft, is similar to that of the LITA, when skeletonized. Objective: This study evaluated 'free' aortic-coronary radial artery (RA) grafts, whether skeletonized or with adjacent tissues. Methods: A prospective randomized study comparing 40 patients distributed into two groups was conducted. In group I, we used skeletonized radial arteries (20 patients), and in group II, we used radial arteries with adjacent tissues (20 patients). After the surgical procedure, patients underwent flow velocity measurements. Results: The main surgical variables were: RA internal diameter, RA length, and free blood flow in the radial artery. The mean RA graft diameters as calculated using quantitative angiography in the immediate postoperative period were similar, as well as the flow velocity measurement variables. On the other hand, coronary cineangiography showed the presence of occlusion in one RA graft and stenosis in five RA grafts in GII, while GI presented stenosis in only one RA graft (p = 0.045). Conclusion: These results show that the morphological and pathological features, as well as the hemodynamic performance of the free radial artery grafts, whether prepared in a skeletonized manner or with adjacent tissues, are similar. However, a larger number of non-obstructive lesions may be observed when RA is prepared with adjacent tissues. .

Assessment of sternal closure using titanium plate / Avaliação do fechamento esternal com placa de titânio

INTRODUCTION: The use of plates and screws for more rigid fixation of the sternum, without maintaining contact between the upper portion of the sternum and mediastinum. The present study seeks new choice of plate with a significant difference, the same does not need to be removed in order to proceed to open when necessary sternal emerging opening of the bone. OBJECTIVE: The current study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this procedure. METHODS: To this end, we selected ten patients with coronary artery disease have shown no significant risk factors for mediastinitis. The surgery was thus performed in the usual way that all patients with coronary artery disease surgeries are done at the institution. Only at the time of sternal closure is that there was a change, with the combination of steel wires and plates. RESULTS: All cases had sternal closure properly with good outcome in the medium term. CONCLUSION: The use of plates ENGIMPLAN proved safe and effective for sternal closure.

INTRODUÇÃO: A utilização de placas e parafuso para a mais rígida fixação do esterno, sem manter contato entre a porção superior do esterno e o mediastino. O estudo atual busca nova opção de placa, com um diferencial importante; a mesma não precisa ser retirada para que se proceda à abertura esternal em caso de necessidade emergente de abertura do osso. OBJETIVO: O presente estudo tem por objetivo avaliar a eficácia e a segurança de tal procedimento. MÉTODOS: Para tal, foram selecionados dez pacientes portadores de doença arterial coronária que não apresentassem importantes fatores de risco para mediastinite. As cirurgias foram, portanto, realizadas da maneira habitual, a todas os procedimentos em portadores de coronariopatias são feitas na Instituição. Somente no momento do fechamento esternal é que houve uma modificação, com a associação de fios de aço e placas. RESULTADOS: Todos os casos apresentaram fechamento esternal de forma adequada com boa evolução a médio prazo. CONCLUSÃO: O emprego das placas ENGIMPLAN se mostrou seguro e eficaz no fechamento esternal.

Surgery for aortic valve endocarditis: treatment options for aortic abscess.

BACKGROUND: Patients with infective endocarditis show a large diversity of anatomical presentations, which has been a complicating factor for the surgical treatment of this condition, especially in those who develop abscesses in the aortic ring or intracardiac fistulae. For this reason, surgeons have been developing tactical options to repair it. There is consensus around the fact that the removal of infected tissue promotes radical cleaning, and that the outcome of the treatment has been improved by the manufacture of biological glues which facilitate the closure of abscesses and by the creation of new valve replacements. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate yet one more treatment option for aortic abscess for selected cases: a valved conduit placed in infra-coronary position. METHODS: We employed the technique in three patients: in two of them we employed a valved conduit with a mechanical prosthesis and in one of them a valved conduit with a biological prosthesis. Two patients needed associated procedures such as replacement of mitral valve in one of them and tricuspid valvoplasty in the other. All cases involved reoperation of prostheses in aortic position. RESULTS: The progression during surgery and in the early postoperative period was satisfactory and the three patients were discharged from the Intensive Care Unit and were sent to hospital rooms. One of the patients progressed to death during hospital stay due to severe comorbidities which were present in the preoperative period, and which related to esophageal varices and hepatic involvement. The other two progressed well in the late postoperative period. CONCLUSION: We believe that this option is yet one more alternative for the treatment of abscesses with great involvement of aortic ring structures and mitro-aortic continuity.

Cirurgia da endocardite em valva aórtica: opção para tratamento de abscesso aórtico / Surgery for Aortic Valve endocarditis: treatment options for aortic abscess

FUNDAMENTO: A grande diversidade de apresentações anatômicas encontradas em pacientes com endocardite infecciosa, especialmente nos que desenvolvem abscessos do anel aórtico ou fistulas intracardíacas, tem sido um complicador para o tratamento cirúrgico dessa doença. Por esse motivo, os cirurgiões têm desenvolvido opções táticas para sua correção. A consciência geral de que a retirada do tecido infectado promove uma limpeza radical, o aparecimento de colas biológicas que facilitam o fechamento dos abscessos e o surgimento de novos substitutos valvares melhoraram o resultado do tratamento. OBJETIVO: Demonstrar mais uma opção no tratamento do abscesso aórtico, para casos selecionados, tubo valvulado em posição infra-coronariana. MÉTODOS: Empreendemos a técnica em três pacientes: em dois, empregamos tubo valvulado com prótese mecânica, e em um, com prótese biológica. Dois pacientes necessitaram procedimentos associados com troca da valva mitral em um deles e plástica da valva tricúspide no outro. Todos eram reoperações de próteses em posição aórtica. RESULTADOS: A evolução cirúrgica e pós-operatória imediata foi satisfatória com os três recebendo alta da Unidade de Terapia Intensiva para o quarto. Um dos pacientes evoluiu para óbito durante a internação em razão de co-morbidades graves que já apresentava no pré-operatório, relacionadas a varizes de esôfago e comprometimento hepático. Os outros dois apresentam boa evolução no pós-operatório tardio. CONCLUSÃO: Acreditamos que essa opção seja mais uma alternativa para o tratamento de abscessos com grande comprometimento de estruturas do anel aórtico e da continuidade mitro-aórtica.

BACKGROUND: Patients with infective endocarditis show a large diversity of anatomical presentations, which has been a complicating factor for the surgical treatment of this condition, especially in those who develop abscesses in the aortic ring or intracardiac fistulae. For this reason, surgeons have been developing tactical options to repair it. There is consensus around the fact that the removal of infected tissue promotes radical cleaning, and that the outcome of the treatment has been improved by the manufacture of biological glues which facilitate the closure of abscesses and by the creation of new valve replacements. OBJECTIVE:To demonstrate yet one more treatment option for aortic abscess for selected cases: a valved conduit placed in infra-coronary position. METHODS: We employed the technique in three patients: in two of them we employed a valved conduit with a mechanical prosthesis and in one of them a valved conduit with a biological prosthesis. Two patients needed associated procedures such as replacement of mitral valve in one of them and tricuspid valvoplasty in the other. All cases involved reoperation of prostheses in aortic position. RESULTS: The progression during surgery and in the early postoperative period was satisfactory and the three patients were discharged from the Intensive Care Unit and were sent to hospital rooms. One of the patients progressed to death during hospital stay due to severe comorbidities which were present in the preoperative period, and which related to esophageal varices and hepatic involvement. The other two progressed well in the late postoperative period. CONCLUSION: We believe that this option is yet one more alternative for the treatment of abscesses with great involvement of aortic ring structures and mitro-aortic continuity.

Cirurgia cardíaca na gravidez / Cardiac surgery during pregnancy

A cirurgia cardíaca na gravidez vem sendo realizada desde 1985 no Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia, em São Paulo (SP). Inúmeras melhorias foram desenvolvidas desde essa época. Até os dias de hoje, 80 gestantes foram submetidas a cirurgia, das quais 64 foram acompanhadas (84 por cento). A doença valvar foi a afecção mais frequente (94 por cento), sendo a valvopatia mitral a doença mais prevalente (76,5 por cento). Foi necessário tratamento cirúrgico dessa valva em 82 por cento dos casos (comissurotomia mitral ou troca valvar). A maioria dessas pacientes estava em classe funcional III ou IV da New York Heart Association (NYHA) e a idade gestacional média era de 22 semanas. Houve melhora da classe funcional após a cirurgia (93 por cento dos casos em classe funcional I ou II) e a maioria das pacientes se encontra em ritmo sinusal (70,4 por cento). A reoperação foi necessária em 20 por cento dos casos. Ocorreram 5 óbitos maternos (6,2 por cento) e 11 óbitos fetais (16,2 por cento). A classe funcional é o maior fator de risco para mortalidade materna, mas também devem ser considerados o uso de drogas vasoativas, a idade da paciente, o tipo de afecção e a reoperação. Para a mortalidade fetal, devemos considerar idade materna...

Modificação técnica da conexão cavo-pulmonar total / Technical modification of total cavo-pulmonary connection

Masculino, 11 anos, submetido à uma variaçäo da derivaçäo cavo-pulmonar total, na qual a veia cava superior näo necessitou ser seccionada e anastomosada ao ramo direito da artéria pulmonar, aproveitando-se o apêndice atrial direito, que em casos favoráveis, como este, permite fazer esta conexäo com mais conforto. O túnel intra-atrial foi também modificado para permitir este procedimento e deixar uma ampla comunicaçäo entre o àtrio esquerdo e a cavidade ventricular. Quando necessário, a comunicaçäo inter-atrial pode ser aumentada. A técnica foi empregada com sucesso em um paciente e é aqui discutida

Meningite e outras complicaçöes neurológicas na endocardite infecciosa / Meningitis and other neurological complications in infectious endocarditis

Objetivo - Verificar as estruturas cardíacas acometidas, os agentes etiológicos responsáveis mais freqüentes e o prognóstico em três grupos de pacientes com endocardite infecciosa (EI), quando associada ou não a complicações neurológicas, com ênfase na associação de endocardite e meningite. Métodos - Duzentos e vinte e dois pacientes com diagnóstico clínico, ecocardiográfico e laboratorial compatível com EI, atendidos no Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia, no período de 1985 a 1990, foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo A - constituido por 166 pacientes sem qualquer manifestação de comprometimento neurológico, com idade variando de 4 meses a 76 (média 30) anos, sendo 110 (66,3%) do sexo masculino; grupo B - 56 pacientes com qualquer mani-festação de comprometimento neurológico, com idades variando de 1 a 71 (média = 31) anos, sendo 26 (46,4%) do sexo masculino. Um 3° grupo, denominado grupo C, constituido por 17 pacientes, com idades entre 8 anos a 51 (média = 23, 7) anos, sendo 9 (52,9%) do sexo masculino, atendidos no Hospital Emílio Ribas, tendo a meningite como 1ª manifestação de comprometimento neurológico associada ao diagnóstico de EI. Em todos os pacientes, o diagnóstico de EI baseou-se na presença de, pelo menos, dois dados positivos, dos três considerados essenciais para a sua realização: ecocardiograma demonstrando vegetações ou disfunções valvares, as hemoculturas positivas e o quadro clínico compatível. A análise comparativa entre os grupos A com B e A com C foi realizada utilizando-se o teste do Qui quadrado corrigido segundo Yates. Resultados - Não houve diferença em relação ao sexo e idade média dos pacientes dos três grupos. Houve predominância do Staphylococcus aureus como agente etiológico, nos grupos B e C quando comparados com o grupo A (p < 0,01 e p < 0,001). A distribuição do acometimento cardíaco foi semelhante nos três grupos com exceção da válvula tricúspide acometida em 16,3% dos pacientes do grupo A e em apenas 2,3% do grupo B. Em relação ao lado do coração acometido, houve uma maior associação das estruturas do lado esquerdo do coração no grupo B (p < 0,05). Os grupos B e C, apresentaram mortalidade global maior do que no grupo A (p < 0,001). Conclusão - Meningite e as outras complicações guardaram estreita relação com a presença do "Staphylococcus aureus" como responsável pela endocardite e a asoociação com as endocardites das estruturas do lado esquerdo do coração

Purpose - To study the localization, etiological agents and the respective prognosis in patients with infective endocarditis with or without neurological complications, with emphasis on the association of endocarditis and meningitis. Methods - 222 patients with clinical, echocardiographic and laboratorial diagnosis of infective endocarditis were treated at Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia from 1985 to 1990. They were classified in two groups: group A - 116 patients without neurological complications, ages 4 months 76 (mean 30) years old and 66.3% males. group B - 56 patients with neurological males. A third group, group C, comprised 17 patients, ages 8-51 (mean 23. 7) years old and 9 patients (52.9%) male, assisted at Hospital Emilio Ribas, which is specialized at infectious diseases, which presented meningitis as the unique manifestation of neurological complication associated to the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE). In all patients the diagnosis of IE was based on the presence of at least two of three essential findings: echocardiogram with vegetations or valvar dysfunctions, positive haemocultures and the compatible clinical picture. For the comparative analysis among the groups was employed through the qui-square test corrected according to Yates. Results - No differences of sex and age of the patients were found among the three groups. Predominated the Staphylococcus aureus as etiological agent. The localization of cardiac lesions was similar in the three groups, except forthe tricuspid valve affected in 16.3% of patients of group A and 2,3% of group B. There was a greater association of the structures on the left side of the heart with IE of group B (p<0.05). Group Band C showed a general mortality rate greater than group A (p<0.001). Conclusion - Meningitis and other neurological complications showed interrelationship between the presence of "Staphylococcus aureus" as etiological agent of endocarditis and the association with infection of the left heart side

Endocardite infecciosa em toxicômanos / Infectious endocarditis in drug addict

Objetivo - Através da comparaçäo entre dois grupos de pacientes com endocardite infecciosa (EI), toxicômanos, tentar estabelecer as particularidades em relaçäo aos vários aspectos que envolvem um paciente com endocardite decorrente do uso crônico de cocaína por via endovenosa. Método - No Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia e Hospital Emílio Ribas de Säo Paulo, no período de 1984 a 1990, foram atendidos 29 pacientes, grupo B, com diagnóstico clínico compatível com EI, que tinham como fator de risco a toxicomania parenteral por cocaína. Os dados obtidos em relaçäo aos agentes etiológicos, patologia cardíaca prévia, estruturas e evoluçäo clínico-cirúrgico do grupo B säo comparados com o grupo A (193 pacientes), constituíndo pelos demais pacientes também com endocardite, mas sem antecedentes de uso crônico endovenoso de cocaína. Os dois grupos foram analisados comparativamente segundo o teste do Qui quadrado com a correçäo de Yates. Resultados - Houve predominância do sexo masculino (89,7%) no grupo B em relaçäo ao grupo A(57,0%), p < 0,01. A presença de cardiopatia prévia, congênita ou adquirida, como antecedentes predisponente para a endocardite, foi encontrada em 89,1% dos pacientes do grupo A, significantemente maior que 17,2% dos pacients do grupo B (p , 0,001). O Staphyloccus aureus foi o agente mais freqüente responsável pelas endocardites do grupo B, com 86,4% dos casos, significantemente maior, quando comparado a 23,9% do grupo A (p , 0,01). O Streptococcus viridians por sua vez foi o agente etiológico mais freqüente nas endocardites do grupo A(44,8%), significantemente maior que no grupo B (4,5%), (p , 0.01). Dentre as estruturas acometidas, a válvula tricúspide foi a mais freqüente no grupo B (65,5%), significantemente maior que no grupo A (45,1%) em comparaçäo ao grupo B (6,9%) p < 0,05. No grupo A, 82 pacientes (42,7% (p < 0,001); em contrapartida, a válvula mitral foi significantemente mais acometida no grupo A (45,5%) em comparaçäo ao grupo B (6,9%) p < 0,05. No grupo A 82 pacientes (42,5%) necessitaram de tratamento cirúrgico, 3(10,3%) no grupo B (p < 0,05). Näo houve diferença estatísticamente significante quanto à mortalidade global (clínica e cirúrgica) nos dois grupos: grupo A com 26, 4 e grupo B com 17,2%. Conclusäo - a) presença de cardiopatia prévia predisponente foi menor, sugerindo contaminaçäo constante da corrente circulatória pelos agentes patológicos, principalmente aqueles encontrados na pele, como o Staphyl

Emprego da cola biológica no tratamento cirúrgico da dissecçäo aórtica: relato de três casos / Use of biological glue in the surgical treatment of aortic dissection: report of 3 cases

O tratamento cirúrgico da dissecçäo aórtica, em sua fase aguda ou crônica, tem sofrido modificaçöes, com a finalidade de torná-lo mais completo e mais adequado a cada caso. Uma destas alteraçöes é a incorporaçäo da cola biológica, à base de gelatina, resorcina e formaldeido (GRF), ao procedimento cirúrgico, afim de torná-lo mas seguro, diminuir a dificuldade de manuseio dos tecidos e melhorar a sobrevida. Apresentamos neste trabalho os resultados iniciais do emprego da cola biológica em três casos, nos quais o resultado foi satisfatório, com conservaçäo da valva aórtica e bom aspecto no aortograma pós operatório. A técnica cirúrgica habitualmente empregada näo foi substancialmente modificada, mas teve em seu desenrolar a introduçäo da cola biológica

Revascularizaçäo cirúrgica do miocárdio com ponte de safena seqüencial / Surgical myocardial revascularization with sequential saphenous bypass

Entre fevereiro de 1981 e março de 1983, foram realizados, em 19 pacientes, pontes seqüenciais interessando 4 artérias (10 casos), 5 artérias (7 casos) e 6 artérias (2 casos). Todos os pacientes foram operados com uso de circulaçäo extracorpórea, hemodiluiçäo e hipotermia sistêmica moderada com pinçamento intermitentes da aorta, näo tendo ocorrido complicaçöes pós-operatórias ou óbitos na fase hospitalar. Foram reavaliados clinicamente todos os pacientes de 30 a 43 meses depois da operaçäo. Em agosto de 1984, 16 (84,2%) estavam assintomáticos e 3 (15,7%) apresentavam quadro clínico compatível com insuficiência coronária e por isso foram, os últimos, encaminhados para reestudo cineangiocoronariográfico, que demonstrou obstruçäo total (1 caso), obstruçäo grave (1 caso) da ponte seqüencial e progressäo de lesäo em outras artérias com a ponte seqüencial pérvia (1 caso). Ocorreram 2 óbitos tardios devido a obstruçäo das pontes seqüenciais, no 47§ e 17§ mês de pós-operatório. As vantagens deste método se fundamentam na reduçäo do número de anastomose podendo resultar em menor tempo cirúrgico e na escolha do local da anastomose proximal, principalmente nas aortas muito comprometidas por ateromatose ou calcificaçöes

Endocardite por Mycobacterium chelonei em prótese valvar / Endocarditis in Valvular Prosthesis Caused by Mycobacterium Chelonei

Male aged 40 year, with infective endocarditis in valvular prosthesis caused by Mycobacterium chelonei. This agent is unusual in this situation and rarely identified by the blood cultures

Endocardite infecciosa relacionada à gravidez / Infective Endocarditis in Pregnancy

PURPOSE--To report the intra-hospitalar and late follow-up of patients with infective endocarditis (IE) acquired in the pregnancy or puerperium. METHODS--Eleven patients, between 1984-1992 according to the beginning of the IE episode (fever and other signals) were studied. Patients were divided in two groups: IE of pregnancy (7 cases), and puerperal IE (4 cases). RESULTS--In the pregnancy IE group, mitral valve was affected in 6 (85), and aortic valve in 1 (15). During the course of the treatment, two patients had to be operated on, respectively, in the 24th and 28th week of the pregnancy. The 1st one had a successfully mitral valve replacement by a biological prosthesis but 48 h later she aborted, and the 2nd presented neurological complication (intracerebral hemorrhage) in the immediate post-operative period of a successfully mitral valve replacement by biological prosthesis. She was undergone to a cesarean but the fetus remained alive for 24 h only. If we look at the newborns (fetus), only 4 of them survived. Out of 3 fetal deaths, 2 had close association with mother cardiac surgeries. In the pregnant period acquired IE, 3 (47) mothers died. In the puerperium group, 2 mitral valves and 2 aortic valves had IE. Two of them had to be operated on due to an important aortic regurgitation and cardiac failure. There were no deaths in this group. CONCLUSION--During pregnancy, IE showed a high morbi-mortality for mother and concept. The mother's neurological complications played a major role in the poor outcome during the pregnancy period.