A case of quadricuspid aortic valve characterized by echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging.

We report a rare subtype of quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) associated with moderate aortic regurgitation in a 17-year old woman symptomatic for palpitations. The patient was admitted to our department for cardiac evaluation due to a previous diagnosis of bicuspid aortic valve; she underwent a new two-dimensional echocardiography revealing a rare type of quadricuspid aortic valve with a moderate regurgitation. For further investigating potentially associated abnormalities, patient was referred to Cardiac MRI; MRI showed no other abnormalities and confirmed echocardiographic findings. Quadricuspid aortic valve is a rare form of congenital valvular anomaly often occasionally diagnosed. In most cases this malformation causes a valve dysfunction, commonly aortic regurgitation, and can be associated with other cardiac abnormalities such as ventricular or atrial septal defect, anomalies of coronary arteries, patent ductus arteriosus, subaortic fibromuscolar stenosis and mitral valve malformation.

Assessment of fluid-responsiveness parameters for off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: a comparison among LiDCO, transesophageal echochardiography, and pulmonary artery catheter.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the reliability of different markers of fluid-responsiveness during off-pump cardiac surgery (OPCAB). DESIGN: A clinical prospective, nonblinded, nonrandomized study. SETTING: A community hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Nineteen patients. INTERVENTIONS: Pulmonary artery catheter (PAC), LiDCO (LiDCO, London, UK), and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) parameters were measured before (t0) and after (t1) a fluid challenge was performed 20 minutes after induction of anesthesia, but before sternotomy and without inotropic infusion. A Student t test and Spearman test were performed for statistical analysis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: According to the variation of cardiac index after the fluid challenge (DeltaCI%), 2 groups of patients were identified: the responders (Re, DeltaCI% > 15%) and the nonresponders (nRe). Mean pulse pressure variation (PPV) and mean stroke volume variation (SVV) before the fluid challenge (t0) were significantly different between the 2 groups. No significant differences were shown in systolic pressure variation (SPV), left ventricular end-diastolic area, left ventricular end-diastolic volume, and peak changes of aortic flow (DeltaVAo). A statistically significant correlation was observed between DeltaCI% and PPV (R = 0.793), DeltaCI% and SVV (R = 0.809), and DeltaCI% and SPV (R = 0.766). No correlation with central venous pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was found. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic parameters of fluid responsiveness by LiDCO are highly sensitive for assessment of intravascular volume status during OPCAB surgery. In contrast, even if static parameters by TEE reflect changes in ventricular diastolic volume, they are poor indicators of fluid responsiveness. Surprisingly, no significant correlation between DeltaVAo (TEE) and DeltaCI% was found.

The use of "LAST" operation in high risk patient.

BACKGROUND: The LAST operation, in spite of few drawbacks, represents a good option for single Left Anterior Descending (LAD) revascularization. This procedure does not allow multivessel revascularization, where hybrid procedure have been previous described. We report preliminary experience with the LAST operation performed in high risk patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From October 2004 to February 2005, 11 male high risk patients (mean age 74 +/- 8 years) underwent the LAST operation. Mean predicted death with EUROSCORE and Parsonnet score were 29% and 31% respectively. All patients had a proximal LAD lesion either not suitable for PTCA and multivessel coronary artery disease. The mean preoperative Ejection Fraction was 42 +/- 5% (27-55%). Four patients (36.4%) had previous surgical myocardial revascularization. An incision of about 6 cm was made in the appropriate intercostal space and the LIMA (Left Internal Mammary Artery) was harvested using a special costal retractor. After heparin administration the LIMA is distally divided to check the adequacy of the blood flow. Following the insertion of a temporary intracoronary shunt, the LIMA was LAD anastomosis was carried out with a continuous 8-0 polypropylene suture. RESULTS: No hospital or late mortality was observed. Uneventful conversion to midline sternotomy was necessary in one patient with low value of mammary flow. All patients were discharged within the first postoperative week. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the LAST operation enhances the role of minimally invasive surgery also in high risk patients who need coronary revascularization.

[What's the best assessment of preload after cardiac surgery?]. / La valutazione del precarico post-intervento cardiochirurgico: quale monitoraggio?

OBJECTIVE: The assessment of the role of transesophageal echocardiography and invasive tests with pulmonary modified catheter to monitor the preload indexes in patients in intensive-care-unit after cardiac coronary surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January and December 2004 24 patients (14 male, 10 female) with coronary artery disease were prospectively enrolled for preload assessment during off-pump myocardial revascularization. Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure (PCWP), Left Ventricular End Diastolic Indexed Area (LVEDAI), delta Aortic Velocity (deltaVAo), Right Ventricular End Diastolic Volume (RVEDVI) as preload indexes were evaluated. Transesophageal echocardiography and pulmonary modified catheter monitoring were performed during the preoperative period at T1 and after fluid infusion (T2). Patients were considered Responders (R) or No Responders (NR) if the Stroke Volume Index increase at T2 was >20% with respect to T1. RESULTS: Mean T1 PCWP was similar in both groups (12.8+/-2.2 in R vs. 11.4+/-3 mmHg in NR; p=NS) and mean increase of PCWP at T2 was similar in both groups (1.5+/-0.3% in R vs. 1.2+/-3% in NR; p=NS). Mean T1 RVEDVI was similar in both groups (97.33+/-34 in R vs. 101+/-21 ml/m2 in NR; p=NS); T2 RVEDVI was similar in R and NR Groups (122.11+/-49 vs. 138.54+/-30 ml/m2; p=NS); mean T1 and T2 LVEDAI was similar in R and NR (11.2+/-3.5 vs. 10.2+/-2.3 at T1 and 14.04+/-3.35 vs. 14.67+/-2.1 cm2/m2 at T2 respectively; p=NS). Higher mean value of T1 deltaVAo (20+/-7% in R vs. 10+/-2% in NR; p=0.006) were recorded while similar mean value of T2 deltaVAo were observed (11+/-3% in R vs. 5+/-2% in NR; p=0.743). Correlation index between T1 and T2 deltaVAo (R=0.82) in R was significant (p=0.0002), while correlation index between T1 and T2 deltaVAo (R=0.11) in NR was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed in patients soon after coronary cardiac surgery deltaVAo is the only predictor of "fluid responsiveness" and of ventricular compliance.

Acute effects of beating heart coronary surgery on left ventricular performance.

BACKGROUND: The increasing use of off-pump bypass grafting (OPCABG), requires an evaluation of its effects on left ventricular (LV) performance. METHODS: In 8 patients with multivessel coronary disease who were undergoing to off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, LV performance was analyzed from the pressure-volume (P-V) plane by the conductance catheter technique. Measurements were performed at base line, after the exposure of the vessels, after the application of the stabilization system, and at the end of the procedure. RESULTS: No significant changes in heart rate, LV end-systolic volume, LV end-diastolic pressure, mean pulmonary artery, and mean systemic blood pressure were observed in the various stages of the procedure. Cardiac index decreased during left anterior descending coronary artery grafting after application of the stabilizer with a concomitant decrease in LV end-diastolic volume, together with decreases in LV peak negative -dP/dt and increases in tau, indicating an impairment of LV relaxation but without a change in preload recruitable stroke work, indicating preserved LV contractile state. Exposure of posterior and lateral vessels induced a decrease in cardiac index and preload recruitable stroke work without a decrease in LV preload, indicating a decrease in LV contractile state together with a decrease in peak -dP/dt and increase in tau, indicating an impairment in LV relaxation CONCLUSIONS: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting can be performed without decreasing LV performance. Major cardiac displacement like that used for posterior and lateral exposure induces acutely significant decrease in LV contractile state.

Totally endoscopic atrial septal defect closure with a robotic system: experience with seven cases.

BACKGROUND: The development of minimally invasive cardiac surgery has shown good clinical results with shorter recovery time and better cosmetic results. The introduction of the robotic systems can further reduce the surgical trauma and improve the surgical dexterity. We report seven cases of complete closed chest atrial septal defect closure using the "da Vinci" Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Mountain View, CA). METHODS: Following peripheral cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), aortic occlusion and cardioplegia delivery, five patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) and two patients with patent forame ovale (PFO) with atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) were successfully treated using the robotic system. Two robotic arms and an endoscopic camera were inserted through ports in the right hemithorax and an accessory port was placed for blood suction and ancillary instruments insertion. The defect closure was carried out with interrupted stitches in one patient and with a continuous suture in the others. RESULTS: Mean cardiopulmonary bypass and cross clamp time were 101.8 +/- 39.6 and 63.4 +/- 21.9 minutes respectively. Extubation was carried out within the seventh postoperative hour. All patients returned to normal lifestyle in one week. CONCLUSION: Complete closed chest ASD closure can be carried out using robotic technique with rapid postoperative recovery and excellent cosmetic result.