Mortality Predictors in the Surgical Treatment of Active Infective Endocarditis.

INTRODUCTION: Active infective endocarditis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Surgery is indicated in high-risk conditions, and the main determinants of mortality in surgical treatment should be evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To identify mortality predictors in the surgical treatment of active infective endocarditis in a long-term follow-up. METHODS: This prospective observational study involved 88 consecutive patients diagnosed with active infective endocarditis, who underwent surgery between January 2005 and December 2015. Fifty-eight (65.9%) patients were male, the mean age was 50.87±16.15 years. A total of 31 (35.2%) patients had a history of rheumatic fever; 48 (54.5%) had had heart surgery with prosthetic valve implantation; 45 (93.8%) had biological prosthetic valve endocarditis and 3 (6.3%) mechanical prosthetic valve; 40 (45.5%) patients had the disease in their native valve. The mean EuroSCORE II was 8.9±6.5%, and the main surgical indication was refractory heart failure in 38 (43.2%) patients. A total of 68 bioprosthesis (36 aortic, 32 mitral) and 29 mechanical prostheses (12 aortic, 17 mitral) were implanted and three mitral valve plasties performed. A total of 25 (28.4%) patients underwent double or triple valve procedures. Aortic annulus reconstruction by abscess was performed in 18 (20.5%) and six (6.81%) patients had combined procedure. The mean surgery time was 359±97.6 minutes. RESULTS: The overall survival in up to a 10-year follow-up period was 79.5%. In the univariate analysis, the main mortality predictors were positive blood cultures (P=0.003), presence of typical microorganisms (P=0.008), most frequently Streptococcus viridans (12 cases; 25%); C-reactive protein (hazard ratio [HR] 1.034, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.000 to 1.070, P=0.04); creatinine clearance (HR 0.977, 95% CI 0.962 to 0.993, P=0.005); length of surgery: every five minutes multiplies the chance of death 1.005-fold (HR 1.005, 95% CI 1.001 to 1.009, P=0.0307); age (HR 1.060, 95% CI 1.026 to 1.096, P=0.001); and EuroSCORE II (HR 1.089, 95% CI 1.030 to 1.151, P=0.003). CONCLUSION: A positive blood culture with typical microorganism, C-reactive protein, age, EuroSCORE II, total surgical time and the presence of postoperative complications were the major predictors of mortality and significantly impacted survival in up to a 10-year follow-up period.

Quality of Life in Cardiovascular Surgery: Elaboration and Initial Internal Validation of a Quality of Life Questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: Elaboration and internal validation of the Quality of Life in Cardiovascular Surgery (QLCS) questionnaire adapted to the reality of Brazilian cardiovascular surgery. METHODS: Cross-sectional pilot study of a prospective cohort included in the Documentation and Surgical Registry Center (CEDREC) for internal validation of the QLCS questionnaire. Four hundred forty-five patients submitted to cardiovascular surgery and who answered a QLCS questionnaire 30 days after hospital discharge were included. It was applied via telephone. To verify the questions' internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha was used. The total QLCS score was calculated as the sum of 5 questions, ranging from 5 to 25 points. Mann-U-Whitney test was used to relate the symptoms with the quality of life (QoL). Level of significance was 5%. RESULTS: After 30 days of surgery, about 95% of the patients had already returned to normal routine and 19% of them were already performing physical activity. In the evaluation of the QLCS's internal consistency, a Cronbach's alpha of 0.74 was found, suggesting that this was probably an adequate questionnaire to evaluate QoL in this population. In the comparison between the presence and absence of symptoms and the median of QoL, the presence of pain at the incision (P=0.002), chest pain (P<0.001), shortness of breath (P<0.001), and return to physical activity (P<0.001) were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The process of elaboration and validation of questionnaires includes a series of steps. The QLCS questionnaire is probably an adequate tool for the evaluation of QoL in the postoperative patient of cardiovascular surgery, in this first stage of internal validation.

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.

Risk factors for pre, intra, and postoperative hospital mortality in patients undergoing aortic surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to identify predictors of hospital mortality in patients undergoing aortic surgery. The secondary objective was to identify factors associated with clinical outcome composed hospital (death, bleeding, neurologic complications or ventricular dysfunction). METHODS: A cross-sectional design with longitudinal component. Through chart review, 257 patients were included. Inclusion criteria were: aortic dissection Stanford type A and ascending aortic aneurysm. Exclusion criteria were acute aortic dissection, of any kind, and no aortic aneurysm involving the ascending segment. Variables assessed: demographics, preoperative factors, intraoperative and postoperative. RESULTS: Variables with increased risk of hospital mortality (OR, 95% CI, P value): black ethnicity (6.8, 1.54-30.2; 0.04), cerebrovascular disease (10.5, 1.12-98.7; 0.04), hemopericardium (35.1, 3.73-330.2; 0.002), Cabrol operation (9.9, 1.47-66.36; 0.019), CABG simultaneous (4.4; 1.31 to 15.06; 0.017), bleeding (5.72, 1.29-25.29; 0.021) and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time [min] (1.016; 1.0071.026; 0.001). Thoracic pain was associated with reduced risk of hospital death (0.27, 0.08-0.94, 0.04). Variables with increased risk of hospital clinical outcome compound were: use of antifibrinolytic (3.2, 1.65-6.27; 0.0006), renal complications (7.4, 1.52-36.0; 0.013), pulmonary complications (3.7, 1.58.8, 0.004), EuroScore (1.23; 1.08-1.41; 0.003) and CPB time [min] (1.01; 1.00 to 1.02; 0.027). CONCLUSION: Ethnicity black, cerebrovascular disease, hemopericardium, Cabrol operation, CABG simultaneous, hemostasis review and CPB time was associated with increased risk of hospital death. Chest pain was associated with reduced risk of hospital death. Use of antifibrinolytic, renal complications, pulmonary complications, EuroScore and CPB time were associated with clinical outcome hospital compound.

Quality of life in cardiovascular surgery: elaboration and initial internal validation of a quality of life questionnaire

Abstract Objective: Elaboration and internal validation of the Quality of Life in Cardiovascular Surgery (QLCS) questionnaire adapted to the reality of Brazilian cardiovascular surgery. Methods: Cross-sectional pilot study of a prospective cohort included in the Documentation and Surgical Registry Center (CEDREC) for internal validation of the QLCS questionnaire. Four hundred forty-five patients submitted to cardiovascular surgery and who answered a QLCS questionnaire 30 days after hospital discharge were included. It was applied via telephone. To verify the questions' internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha was used. The total QLCS score was calculated as the sum of 5 questions, ranging from 5 to 25 points. Mann-U-Whitney test was used to relate the symptoms with the quality of life (QoL). Level of significance was 5%. Results: After 30 days of surgery, about 95% of the patients had already returned to normal routine and 19% of them were already performing physical activity. In the evaluation of the QLCS's internal consistency, a Cronbach's alpha of 0.74 was found, suggesting that this was probably an adequate questionnaire to evaluate QoL in this population. In the comparison between the presence and absence of symptoms and the median of QoL, the presence of pain at the incision (P=0.002), chest pain (P<0.001), shortness of breath (P<0.001), and return to physical activity (P<0.001) were statistically significant. Conclusion: The process of elaboration and validation of questionnaires includes a series of steps. The QLCS questionnaire is probably an adequate tool for the evaluation of QoL in the postoperative patient of cardiovascular surgery, in this first stage of internal validation.

Mortality predictors in the surgical treatment of active infective endocarditis

Abstract Introduction: Active infective endocarditis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Surgery is indicated in high-risk conditions, and the main determinants of mortality in surgical treatment should be evaluated. Objective: To identify mortality predictors in the surgical treatment of active infective endocarditis in a long-term follow-up. Methods: This prospective observational study involved 88 consecutive patients diagnosed with active infective endocarditis, who underwent surgery between January 2005 and December 2015. Fifty-eight (65.9%) patients were male, the mean age was 50.87±16.15 years. A total of 31 (35.2%) patients had a history of rheumatic fever; 48 (54.5%) had had heart surgery with prosthetic valve implantation; 45 (93.8%) had biological prosthetic valve endocarditis and 3 (6.3%) mechanical prosthetic valve; 40 (45.5%) patients had the disease in their native valve. The mean EuroSCORE II was 8.9±6.5%, and the main surgical indication was refractory heart failure in 38 (43.2%) patients. A total of 68 bioprosthesis (36 aortic, 32 mitral) and 29 mechanical prostheses (12 aortic, 17 mitral) were implanted and three mitral valve plasties performed. A total of 25 (28.4%) patients underwent double or triple valve procedures. Aortic annulus reconstruction by abscess was performed in 18 (20.5%) and six (6.81%) patients had combined procedure. The mean surgery time was 359±97.6 minutes. Results: The overall survival in up to a 10-year follow-up period was 79.5%. In the univariate analysis, the main mortality predictors were positive blood cultures (P=0.003), presence of typical microorganisms (P=0.008), most frequently Streptococcus viridans (12 cases; 25%); C-reactive protein (hazard ratio [HR] 1.034, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.000 to 1.070, P=0.04); creatinine clearance (HR 0.977, 95% CI 0.962 to 0.993, P=0.005); length of surgery: every five minutes multiplies the chance of death 1.005-fold (HR 1.005, 95% CI 1.001 to 1.009, P=0.0307); age (HR 1.060, 95% CI 1.026 to 1.096, P=0.001); and EuroSCORE II (HR 1.089, 95% CI 1.030 to 1.151, P=0.003). Conclusion: A positive blood culture with typical microorganism, C-reactive protein, age, EuroSCORE II, total surgical time and the presence of postoperative complications were the major predictors of mortality and significantly impacted survival in up to a 10-year follow-up period.

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. .

Fatores de risco pré, intra e pós-operatórios para mortalidade hospitalar em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de aorta / Risk factors for pre, intra, and postoperative hospital mortality in patients undergoing aortic surgery

OBJETIVOS: O objetivo primário deste estudo é identificar preditores de óbito hospitalar em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de aorta. O objetivo secundário é identificar fatores associados ao desfecho clínico composto hospitalar (óbito, sangramento, disfunção ventricular ou complicações neurológicas). MÉTODOS: Delineamento transversal com componente longitudinal; por meio de revisão de prontuários, foram incluídos 257 pacientes. Os critérios de inclusão foram: dissecção crônica de aorta tipo A de Stanford e aneurisma de aorta ascendente. Foram excluídos casos de dissecção aguda de aorta, qualquer tipo, e aneurisma de aorta não envolvendo segmento ascendente. As variáveis avaliadas foram demografia, fatores pré, intra e pós-operatórios. RESULTADOS: Variáveis com risco aumentado de óbito hospitalar (RC; IC95%; P valor): etnia negra (6,8; 1,54 30,2; 0,04), doença cerebrovascular (10,5; 1,12-98,7; 0,04), hemopericárdio (35,1; 3,73-330,2; 0,002), operação de Cabrol (9,9; 1,47-66,36; 0,019), cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica simultânea (4,4; 1,31-15,06; 0,017), revisão de hemostasia (5,72; 1,29-25,29; 0,021) e circulação extracorpórea (CEC) [min] (1,016; 1,007-1,026; 0,001). Dor torácica associou-se com risco reduzido de óbito hospitalar (0,27; 0,08-0,94; 0,04). Variáveis com risco aumentado do desfecho clínico composto hospitalar foram: uso de antifibrinolítico (3,2; 1,65-6,27; 0,0006), complicação renal (7,4; 1,52-36,0; 0,013), complicação pulmonar (3,7; 1,5-8,8; 0,004), EuroScore (1,23; 1,08-1,41; 0,003) e tempo de CEC [min] (1,01; 1,00-1,02; 0,027). CONCLUSÃO: Etnia negra, doença cerebrovascular, hemopericárcio, operação de Cabrol, revascularização miocárdica simultânea, revisão de hemostasia e tempo de CEC associaram-se com risco aumentado de óbito hospitalar. Dor torácica associou-se com risco reduzido de óbito hospitalar. Uso de antifibrinolítico, complicação renal, complicação pulmonar, EuroScore e tempo de CEC associaram-se ao desfecho clínico composto hospitalar.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to identify predictors of hospital mortality in patients undergoing aortic surgery. The secondary objective was to identify factors associated with clinical outcome composed hospital (death, bleeding, neurologic complications or ventricular dysfunction). METHODS: A cross-sectional design with longitudinal component. Through chart review, 257 patients were included. Inclusion criteria were: aortic dissection Stanford type A and ascending aortic aneurysm. Exclusion criteria were acute aortic dissection, of any kind, and no aortic aneurysm involving the ascending segment. Variables assessed: demographics, preoperative factors, intraoperative and postoperative. RESULTS: Variables with increased risk of hospital mortality (OR, 95% CI, P value): black ethnicity (6.8, 1.54-30.2; 0.04), cerebrovascular disease (10.5, 1.12-98.7; 0.04), hemopericardium (35.1, 3.73-330.2; 0.002), Cabrol operation (9.9, 1.47-66.36; 0.019), CABG simultaneous (4.4; 1.31 to 15.06; 0.017), bleeding (5.72, 1.29-25.29; 0.021) and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time [min] (1.016; 1.0071.026; 0.001). Thoracic pain was associated with reduced risk of hospital death (0.27, 0.08-0.94, 0.04). Variables with increased risk of hospital clinical outcome compound were: use of antifibrinolytic (3.2, 1.65-6.27; 0.0006), renal complications (7.4, 1.52-36.0; 0.013), pulmonary complications (3.7, 1.58.8, 0.004), EuroScore (1.23; 1.08-1.41; 0.003) and CPB time [min] (1.01; 1.00 to 1.02; 0.027). CONCLUSION: Ethnicity black, cerebrovascular disease, hemopericardium, Cabrol operation, CABG simultaneous, hemostasis review and CPB time was associated with increased risk of hospital death. Chest pain was associated with reduced risk of hospital death. Use of antifibrinolytic, renal complications, pulmonary complications, EuroScore and CPB time were associated with clinical outcome hospital compound.

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.

Coronary artery bypass grafting using both internal mammary arteries in patients with diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe the use of both internal mammary arteries (IMA) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHOD: Between January of 1995 to August of 2005, 4.569 patients received isolated CABG in our institution, of these, 1.298 had DM. Mean sample age was 62 years, and total mortality was 2.18% (100 patients). We have used both IMA's in 700 patients, that here are split in two groups, with DM (group I, 148 patients), and without DM (group II, 552 patients). Patient selection for double IMA grafting was based on coronary artery anatomy and sternal bone quality, the later was evaluated during sternal transsection. When these two factors were considered favorable, we harvested both IMA's, not mattering if the patient had or had not DM. During IMA's harvest, care was taken not to open the pleural spaces. RESULTS: There was small difference between the two groups in terms of morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that patients with DM can benefit of double IMA's grafting, with little increase in risk for complications if its application is carefully indicated.

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.

Revascularização do miocárdio com emprego de ambas artérias mamárias internas em pacientes com diabetes mellitus / Coronary artery bypass grafting using both internal mammary arteries in patients with diabetes mellitus

Objetivo: Descrever a utilização de ambas artérias mamárias internas (MIs) em pacientes submetidos à operação de revascularização do miocárdio (RM), que sejam portadores de diabetes mellitus (DM)...

Tratamento cirúrgico da coarctação de aorta pela aortoplastia trapezoidal / Surgical treatment of coarctation of the aorta using trapezoidal aortoplasty

OBJETIVO: A aortoplastia trapezoidal é uma variante técnica da anastomose término-terminal que, amparada em elementos da geometria, objetiva aumentar o diâmetro da aorta ao nível da sutura reduzida e, consequentemente, a manutenção de gradientes pressóricos residuais ou recorrentes indesejáveis a curto e a longo prazo. MÉTODOS: Após a ressecção da área coarctada e tecido ductal, são confeccionados em cada coto aórtico 3 trapezóides que, ao serem confrontados, criam linha de sutura com aspecto sinusoidal (zigue-zague). Foram operados por esta técnica 33 pacientes, a maioria homens, com idades variando de 3 meses a 36 anos (m 9,5 ± 9,7). RESULTADOS: Não ocorreu mortalidade imediata ou tardia e o tempo de evolução a longo prazo foi de 1,1 a 7,6 anos (m 3,6 ± 3,4). A maioria dos pacientes ficou assintomática com níveis normais de pressão arterial, possibilitando a descontinuação da terapêutica antihipertensiva (p<0,0001). Constatou-se importante redução dos gradientes pressóricos observados ao ecodopplercardiograma e ao cateterismo cardíaco (p<0,001). A análise das imagens das aortografias mostrou boa continuidade anatômica na região da anastomose e o estudo morfométrico da aorta revelou efeitos benéficos do método traduzidos pelo aumento do calibre da aorta no segmento distal do arco, istmo e porção descendente. CONCLUSÃO: A aortoplastia trapezoidal mostrou resultados clínicos satisfatórios que autorizam sua aplicação em todos os casos de anastomose término-terminal indicados.

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

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

Transplante cardíaco ortotópico pela técnica bicaval / Orthotopic cardiac transplantation with bicaval technique

Há trinta anos tem sido empregada a técnica descrita por Lower e Shumway para o transplante cardíaco ortotópico, com bons resultados. Complicaçöes, como estase venosa, formaçäo de trombos, arritmias atriais e insuficiência das valvas tricúspide e mitral, estäo presentes no pós-operatório tardio. A partir de 1995, passamos a utilizar a técnica bicaval em todos os casos (6 pacientes). Cinco eram do sexo masculino e a média de idades dos receptores era de 50,6 anos. A cardiomiopatia era dilatada e isquêmica em 2 casos cada, e chagásica e reumática nos demais. Três pacientes apresentavam operaçöes prévias, sendo que um deles havia sido submetido a três operaçöes de prótese valvar aórtica, o segundo a implante de marcapasso epimiocárdico definitivo, e o último a duas operaçöes de revascularizaçäo do miocárdio associada a aneurismectomia de ventrículo esquerdo. A técnica cirúrgica consistiu, na maioria dos casos, na anastomose das veias pulmonares, em conjunto com o átrio esquerdo do coraçäo a ser implantado e, a seguir, a da cava superior, inferior, do tronco pulmonar e aorta. Todos os doadores estavam em hospitais da cidade e com retirada múltipla de órgäos. Näo tivemos óbito hospitalar e todos os pacientes estäo vivos para um período de um a quinze meses de pós-operatório. Näo houve diferença significativa quando se comparou as duas técnicas para o tempo de anóxia, tempo de CEC, tempo de implante, presença de taquiarritmias atriais, sangramento e permanência hospitalar. Houve diferença significativa (p<0,05) para a utilizaçäo de marcapasso temporário e presença de insuficiência tricúspide. Acreditamos que a técnica bicaval, além de reduzir o tamanho das cavidades atriais, é uma técnica simples, com índice menor de complicaçöes e que poderá ser empregada com mais freqüência.