Progressive Left Ventricular Hypertrophy After Ozaki Procedure: A Case Report.

We describe a 57-year-old man with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis who underwent aortic valve reconstruction with glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium with the Ozaki technique (Ozaki procedure). Seven months later, he rapidly developed progressive left ventricular hypertrophy with a left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. This required a reoperation for septal myectomy.

The perioperative effect of magnesium sulfate in patients with concentric left ventricular hypertrophy undergoing cardiac surgery: A double-blinded randomized study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the cardioprotective effect of magnesium sulfate in patients with left ventricular concentric hypertrophy undergoing cardiac surgery. Design: The study was a double-blinded randomized study. Setting: This study was conducted at a cardiac center. Patients: The study included 250 patients. Intervention: The study included two groups (each = 125): Group M - the patients who received magnesium sulfate infusion (15 mg/kg/h). The infusion was started 20 min before induction, during surgery, and the first postoperative 24 h. Group C - the patients who received an equal amount of normal saline. Measurements: The variables included troponin I level, creatinine kinase-MB (CK-MB) level, electrocardiograph (ECG) with automatic ST-segment analysis (leads II and V), E/A peak ratio, end-diastolic volume, cardiac index (CI), heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), mean arterial pulmonary pressure (mPAP), pulmonary and systemic vascular resistances, and pharmacological and mechanical support. Main Results: The troponin I level, CK-MB, and ECG changes were lower in Group M than Group C (P < 0.05). The E/A peak ratio and end-diastolic volume increased in Group M than Group C (P < 0.05). There was a significant increase in the CI and a decrease in the heart rate, mPAP, pulmonary vascular resistances, and pharmacological and mechanical support in Group M compared to Group C (P < 0.05). There were minimal changes in the MAP and systemic vascular resistance in Group M compared to Group C (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The magnesium sulfate provides a cardioprotective effect in patients with concentric ventricular hypertrophy undergoing cardiac surgery. It decreases the incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction and arrhythmia. Furthermore, it decreases the requirement of pharmacological and mechanical support.

Prevalence of cardiac amyloidosis among elderly patients with systolic heart failure or conduction disorders.

Objective: Cardiac amyloid infiltration can lead to systolic heart failure (HF) or to conduction disorders (CD). Patients with transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis are particularly exposed. We sought to determine the prevalence of ATTR and AL among patients >60 years admitted with CD or unexplained systolic HF and increased wall thickness. Materials and Methods: We studied 143 patients (57% males, 79 ± 9 years) with HF (N = 28) or CD requiring pacemaker implantation (N = 115). In total, 139 (97%) patients (28 with HF and 111 with CD) underwent 99mTc-DPD scintigraphy to detect ATTR, and 105 (73%; 19 HF and 86 CD) underwent AL screening. Results: Five patients (4%; 95%CI:0-7%) exhibited wild-type ATTR (ATTRwt) amyloidosis, 2 (2%; 95%CI:0-4%) had CD and 3 (11%; 95%CI:0-23%) HF. No patient showed AL. The 2 ATTRwt patients with CD were previously asymptomatic, did not show classical ECG signs and exhibited mild LV hypertrophy with preserved LVEF. By contrast, all ATTRwt patients with HF had ECG and echocardiographic signs of amyloid. During a mean follow-up of 18 ± 11 months, 3(60%) patients with ATTRwt amyloidosis (1 CD and 2 HF) and 14(10.4%) without died. Conclusion: Prevalence of ATTRwt amyloidosis in patients with CD requiring pacemaker is low. Although, additional studies are needed, prevalence seems to be higher in elderly patients with systolic HF.

[Mid-aortic Syndrome Requiring Surgical Intervention during Infancy;Report of a Case].

Mid-aortic syndrome (MAS) is a very rare disease characterized by stenosis from the distal of the thoracic aorta to the abdominal aorta, in many case it is found as a result of hypertension and the like, and it needs surgical intervention in early childhood to adolescence. Here, we report a case of MAS which recognized prominent left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy from the early stage and needed surgical intervention in the infancy. We selected patch angioplasty using expanded polytetrafluoro ethylene( ePTFE) graft, and after surgery pressure gradient was disappeared.

Renal Sympathetic Denervation: Does Reduction of Left Ventricular Mass Improve Functional Myocardial Parameters? A Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in resistant hypertensive patients is associated with a reduced intramyocardial perfusion. Renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) has been shown to reduce blood pressure (BP) and sympathetic tone. We aimed to prospectively investigate the effect of RDN on functional myocardial parameters and myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) in patients with resistant hypertension. METHODS: A total of 15 resistant hypertensive patients (11 male individuals, mean age 62±13 y) were included. Adenosine stress-induced cMRI was performed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months after RDN. RDN was performed using a single soft-tip radiofrequency catheter (Symplicity). cMRI semiquantitative perfusion analysis was performed using the upslope of myocardial signal enhancement to derive the myocardial perfusion reserve index. RESULTS: Both systolic-BP and diastolic-BP significantly decreased from 148±14 to 133±14 mm Hg and 87±14 to 80±10 mm Hg, respectively (P<0.05). LV septal wall thickness was significantly reduced (P<0.001). LV ejection fraction and MPR lacked significant trends 12 months after RDN. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, RDN significantly reduced LV mass and LV septal wall thickness, as diagnosed by cMRI, with no significant changes in MPR. cMRI may help in diagnosing clinically relevant changes of functional myocardial parameters after interventional therapy in resistant hypertensive patients.

Cardio-omentopexy Reduces Cardiac Fibrosis and Heart Failure After Experimental Pressure Overload.

BACKGROUND: The pedicled greater omentum has been shown to offer benefit in ischemic heart disease for both animal models and human patients. The impact of cardio-omentopexy in a pressure overload model of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is unknown. METHODS: LVH was created in rats by banding the ascending aorta after right thoracotomy (n = 23). Sham surgery was performed in 12 additional rats. Six weeks after banding, surviving LVH rats were assigned to cardio-omentopexy by left thoracotomy (LVH+Om, n = 8) or sham left thoracotomy (LVH, n = 8). Sham rats also underwent left thoracotomy for cardio-omentopexy (Sham+Om, n = 6); the remaining rats underwent sham left thoracotomy (Sham, n = 6). RESULTS: Echocardiography 10 weeks after cardio-omentopexy revealed LV end-systolic diameter, cardiomyocyte diamter, and myocardial fibrosis in the LVH group were significantly increased compared with the LVH+Om, Sham+Om, and Sham groups (p < 0.01). LV ejection fraction of the LVH group was lower than the LVH+Om group (p < 0.01). Gene expression analysis revealed significantly lower levels of sarcoendoplasmic reticulum calcium adenosine triphosphatase 2b in LVH rats than in the LVH+Om, Sham+Om, and Sham groups (p < 0.01). In contrast, collagen type 1 α 1 chain, lysyl oxidase-like protein 1, nuclear protein-1, and transforming growth factor- ß1 in the LVH group were significantly higher than in the LVH+Om cohort (p < 0.01), consistent with a reduced fibrotic phenotype after omentopexy. Lectin staining showed myocardial capillary density of the LVH group was significantly lower than all other groups (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Cardio-omentopexy reduced cardiac dilation, contractile dysfunction, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and myocardial fibrosis, while maintaining other molecular indicators of contractile function in this LVH model.

New morphological classification of congenital quadricuspid aortic valve and its histopathologic features.

We report a 52-year-old male patient who had a quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) associated with aortic regurgitation (AR) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). A new accessory cusp (ACC) with maximum thickness than other cusps was located between right coronary cusp (RCC) and left coronary cusp (LCC). The histopathological features revealed markedly thickened and distorted cusp architecture with fibrosis and/or myxomatous degeneration in both non-coronary cusp (NCC) and ACC. Two equal sizes for larger cusps (RCC and NCC) and two equal sizes for smaller cusps (LCC and ACC) were obtained. This QAV belonged to type C QAV of Hurwitz's classification, but also suggested as a modified type III of Jagannath's classification or a new type V of Nakamura's classification by locating ACC between RCC and LCC.

[Changes in the diameter and length of hypertrophic cardiomyocytes in the dilated left ventricle of cardiac surgical patients]. / Izmenenie diametra i dliny gipertrofirovannykh kardiomiotsitov dilatirovannogo levogo zheludochka u kardiokhirurgicheskikh bol'nykh.

AIM: to investigate changes in the diameter and length of hypertrophic cardiomyocytes (CMCs) in the dilated left ventricle (LV). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Light microscopy, morphometry, and statistical analysis were used to investigate the status of the contractile apparatus and changes in the length, diameter of CHC and diameter of CMC nuclei, by using intraoperative dilated LV biopsy samples from 31 patients with valvular disorders and dilated cardiomyopathy. Morphological findings were compared with the clinical parameters of the patients. RESULTS: CMCs in the patients with the dilated LV were hypertrophic and were at different stages of restructuring with progressive myofibrillar loss (PML). In 81% of patients, the diameter of CMCs was not significantly changed as their zones of PML extended. The length of CMCs, which correlated with the enlarged LV cavity, was increased in 52% of patients during cell restructuring with PML. In 42% of patients, the CMC nuclear diameter increased during restructuring with PML, which appeared to be associated with CMC polyploidization; in some of these patients (19% of the total number of patients), the diameter of CMCs increased in parallel with the higher diameter of their nuclei. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that after completion of their transverse growth, hypertrophic CMCs are involved in a restructuring process with PML. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that dilatation of the hypertrophied LV cavity is related to the preferential elongation of CMCs with an inadequate increase in their diameter. The results of the investigation may assume that the higher CMC diameter that brings to completion before the entry of the cells into the restructuring process with PML, resumes in the cells, the ploidy of which increases in the course of restructuring with PML, triggering an additional mechanism for raising the CMC diameter at this stage of myocardial hypertrophy. The results are indicative of different mechanisms for increasing the diameter and length of hypertrophic CMCs, since the diameter of CMCs directly correlates with that of their nuclei, and the length increases as the zones of PML extend in the CMCs.

Preservation of Myocardial Perfusion and Function by Keeping Hypertrophied Heart Empty and Beating for Valve Surgery: An In Vivo MR Study of Pig Hearts.

Objectives. Normothermic hyperkalemic cardioplegia arrest (NHCA) may not effectively preserve hypertrophied myocardium during open-heart surgery. Normothermic normokalemic beating perfusion (NNBP), keeping hearts empty-beating, was utilized as an alternative to evaluate its cardioprotective role. Materials and Methods. Twelve hypertrophied pig hearts at 58.6 ± 7.2 days after ascending aorta banding underwent NNBP and NHCA, respectively. Near infrared myocardial perfusion imaging with indocyanine green (ICG) was conducted to assess myocardial perfusion. Left ventricular (LV) contractile function was assessed by cine MRI. TUNEL staining and western blotting for caspase-3 cleavage and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) degradation were conducted in LV tissue samples. Results. Ascending aortic diameter was reduced by 52.7% ± 0.4% at approximately fifty-eight days after banding. LV wall thickness was significantly higher in aorta banding than in sham operation. Myocardial blood flow reflected by maximum ICG absorbance value was markedly higher in NNBP than in NHCA. The amount of apoptotic cardiomyocyte was significantly lower in NNBP than in NHCA. NNBP alleviated caspase-3 cleavage and cTnI degradation associated with NHCA. NNBP displayed a substantially increased postoperative ejection fraction relative to NHCA. Conclusions. NNBP was better than NHCA in enhancing myocardial perfusion, inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and preserving LV contractile function for hypertrophied hearts.

Therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cells on experimentally induced hypertensive cardiomyopathy in adult albino rats.

Hypertensive heart diseases affect millions of people worldwide. We aimed to investigate the hypertensive left ventricular histological changes and assess the effectiveness of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy in the treatment of hypertensive cardiomyopathy. Adult male albino rats were assigned into two groups: group I (control), group II (Experimental) subdivided into subgroup IIa (hypertensive) and subgroup IIb (stem cell therapy). Left ventricles (LVs) were processed for light and electron microscope. Mallory's trichrome and immunostaining for caspase-3 and desmin were carried out. Hypertension caused left ventricular histological and immunohistochemical changes that had been effectively improved by MSCs therapy.

Effect of aortic pericardial valve choice on outcomes and left ventricular mass regression in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess the effect of 2 contemporary pericardial valves on left ventricular mass regression and clinical outcomes after aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). METHODS: Patients were followed postoperatively in a dedicated valve clinic. A propensity score was derived for each patient and used to adjust all analyses. Longitudinal analysis was performed using a repeated measures growth curve model. Survival analysis was assessed with a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Since February 2011, 258 patients with AS and left ventricular hypertrophy underwent AVR with the Trifecta (TR) (St Jude Medical, St Paul, Minn) or Perimount Magna Ease (ME) (Edwards LifeSciences, Irvine, Calif) bioprosthesis. There were longer bypass and crossclamp times and the indexed left ventricular outflow tract was smaller in the TR group. For the TR and ME, respectively, peak (14.4 ± 5.1 mm Hg vs 20.9 ± 7.2 mm Hg; P < .001) and mean (7.3 ± 2.7 mm Hg vs 10.9 ± 4.3 mm Hg; P < .001) gradients were significantly smaller postoperatively in the TR group. There was greater total mass regression (44.3 g/m2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 36.3-52.3 vs 29.5; 95% CI, 20.4-38.5 g/m2; P = .020) and mass regression over time in the TR group compared with the ME group (P = .016). Freedom from readmission, congestive heart failure, and the composite outcome of all-cause mortality, readmission, and congestive heart failure at 2.5 years was significantly improved in the TR group (composite outcome in TR and ME groups, respectively, 90.2; 95% CI, 81.9-94.9 and 78.2; 95% CI, 67.1-86.0; P = .013) CONCLUSIONS: TR use was associated with significantly increased left ventricular mass regression and improved intermediate-term clinical outcome in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy undergoing AVR for AS, compared with use of the ME.

Left ventricular mass regression after two alternative sutureless aortic bioprostheses.

OBJECTIVE: Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in aortic stenosis (AS) constitutes a risk factor for cardiac morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of LV mass regression after aortic valve replacement (AVR) with two alternative sutureless self-expanding strategies: Perceval S (Sorin Group, Saluggia, Italy) (P) and 3f Enable (Medtronic, ATS Medical, Minneapolis, MN USA) (E) aortic bioprostheses. METHODS: Between March 2010 and December 2011, 129 patients with symptomatic AS underwent AVR with the Perceval S or 3f Enable bioprostheses in two cardiac surgery departments (Massa, Italy; Nuremberg, Germany). We analyzed 45 patients in group P and 19 in group E undergoing isolated AVR with a 6-month follow-up. The LV mass was calculated using the Devereux formula and was indexed to body surface area. RESULTS: Baseline patient characteristics showed no significant differences between the two groups. There were no in-hospital deaths. Two patients in group P died at follow-up versus zero in group E (P = 0.49). Mean LV mass index decreased from 146.6 (78) g/m at baseline to 123.3 (63) g/m at follow-up (P < 0.001) in group P and from 146.1 (47.6) g/m to 118.1 (39.8) g/m (P = 0.003) in group E, with no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.315). This effect was accompanied by significant clinical improvement. CONCLUSIONS: In isolated AS, AVR with sutureless bioprostheses is associated with a significant regression in LV mass at 6-month follow-up. No significant differences were present between the two alternative sutureless strategies. However, regression needs an evaluation with long-term echocardiographic examinations.

Full-root aortic valve replacement with stentless xenograft achieves superior regression of left ventricular hypertrophy compared to pericardial stented aortic valves.

BACKGROUND: Full-root aortic valve replacement with stentless xenografts has potentially superior hemodynamic performance compared to stented valves. However, a number of cardiac surgeons are reluctant to transform a classical stented aortic valve replacement into a technically more demanding full-root stentless aortic valve replacement. Here we describe our technique of full-root stentless aortic xenograft implantation and compare the early clinical and midterm hemodynamic outcomes to those after aortic valve replacement with stented valves. METHODS: We retrospectively compared the pre-operative characteristics of 180 consecutive patients who underwent full-root replacement with stentless aortic xenografts with those of 80 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement with stented valves. In subgroups presenting with aortic stenosis, we further analyzed the intra-operative data, early postoperative outcomes and mid-term regression of left ventricular mass index. RESULTS: Patients in the stentless group were younger (62.6 ± 13 vs. 70.3 ± 11.8 years, p < 0.0001) but had a higher Euroscore (9.14 ± 3.39 vs.6.83 ± 2.54, p < 0.0001) than those in the stented group. In the subgroups operated for aortic stenosis, the ischemic (84.3 ± 9.8 vs. 62.3 ± 9.4 min, p < 0.0001) and operative times (246.3 ± 53.6 vs. 191.7 ± 53.2 min, p < 0.0001) were longer for stentless versus stented valve implantation. Nevertheless, early mortality (0% vs. 3%, p < 0.25), re-exploration for bleeding (0% vs. 3%, p < 0.25) and stroke (1.8% vs. 3%, p < 0.77) did not differ between stentless and stented groups. One year after the operation, the mean transvalvular gradient was lower in the stentless versus stented group (5.8 ± 2.9 vs. 13.9 ± 5.3 mmHg, p < 0.0001), associated with a significant regression of the left ventricular mass index in the stentless (p < 0.0001) but not in the stented group (p = 0.2). CONCLUSION: Our data support that full-root stentless aortic valve replacement can be performed without adversely affecting the early morbidity or mortality in patients operated on for aortic valve stenosis provided that the coronary ostia are not heavily calcified. The additional time necessary for the full-root stentless compared to the classical stented aortic valve replacement is therefore not detrimental to the early clinical outcomes and is largely rewarded in patients with aortic stenosis by lower transvalvular gradients at mid-term and a better regression of their left ventricular mass index.

Long-term effects of adrenalectomy or spironolactone on blood pressure control and regression of left ventricle hypertrophy in patients with primary aldosteronism.

INTRODUCTION: Primary aldosteronism (PA) represents the most common cause of secondary hypertension. Beyond increased blood pressure, additional harmful effects of aldosterone excess including inappropriate left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy were found. We evaluated the effect of adrenalectomy and spironolactone on blood pressure and myocardial remodelling in a long-term follow-up study. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with PA were recruited. Fifteen patients with confirmed aldosterone-producing adenoma underwent adrenalectomy; in the remaining 16 patients, treatment with spironolactone was initiated. Laboratory data, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and echocardiography parameters were evaluated at baseline and at a median follow-up of 64 months. RESULTS: Both approaches reduced blood pressure (p = 0.001 vs. baseline). In both groups we observed a decrease in end-diastolic (p = 0.04, p = 0.01) and end-systolic LV cavity diameters (p = 0.03, p = 0.01). Interventricular septum and posterior wall thickness reduction was significant only after adrenalectomy (p = 0.01, p = 0.03) as was reduction of LV mass index (p = 0.004). A trend to lower LV mass on spironolactone was caused predominantly by diminution of the LV cavity, which was reflected in increased relative wall thickness (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although both surgical and conservative treatment can induce a long-term decrease of blood pressure, adrenalectomy seems to be more effective in reduction of LV mass, as it reverses both wall thickening and enlargement of the LV cavity.

Multicentre double-blind randomized controlled trial of perhexiline as a metabolic modulator to augment myocardial protection in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy undergoing cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery require adequate myocardial protection. Manipulating myocardial metabolism may improve the extent of myocardial protection. Perhexiline has been shown to be an effective anti-anginal agent due to its metabolic modulation properties by inhibiting the uptake of free fatty acids into the mitochondrion, and thereby promoting a more efficient carbohydrate-driven myocardial metabolism. Metabolic modulation may augment myocardial protection, particularly in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) known to have a deranged metabolic state and are at risk of poor postoperative outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the role of perhexiline as an adjunct in myocardial protection in patients with LVH secondary to aortic stenosis (AS), undergoing an aortic valve replacement (AVR). METHODS: In a multicentre double-blind randomized controlled trial of patients with AS undergoing AVR ± coronary artery bypass graft surgery, patients were randomized to preoperative oral therapy with either perhexiline or placebo. The primary end point was incidence of inotrope use to improve haemodynamic performance due to a low cardiac output state during the first 6 h of reperfusion, judged by a blinded end points committee. Secondary outcome measures included haemodynamic measurements, electrocardiographic and biochemical markers of new myocardial injury and clinical safety outcome measures. RESULTS: The trial was halted early on the advice of the Data Safety and Monitoring Board. Sixty-two patients were randomized to perhexiline and 65 to placebo. Of these, 112 (54 perhexiline and 48 placebo) patients received the intervention, remained in the trial at the time of the operation and were analysed. Of 110 patients who achieved the primary end point, 30 patients (16 perhexiline and 14 placebo) had inotropes started appropriately; there was no difference in the incidence of inotrope usage OR of 1.65 [confidence interval (CI): 0.67-4.06] P = 0.28. There was no difference in myocardial injury as evidenced by electrocardiogram odds ratio (OR) of 0.36 (CI: 0.07-1.97) P = 0.24 or postoperative troponin release. Gross secondary outcome measures were comparable between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Perhexiline as a metabolic modulator to enhance standard myocardial protection does not provide an additional benefit in haemodynamic performance or attenuate myocardial injury in the hypertrophied heart secondary to AS. The role of perhexiline in cardiac surgery is limited.

Modified septal myectomy using a curved knife for left ventricular septal hypertrophy.

An 86-year-old woman presented with chest pain and discomfort. Echocardiography revealed severe aortic valve stenosis and asymmetric septal hypertrophy. Aortic valve replacement and myectomy were performed using a curved knife. The blade was U-shaped in cross-section, and was curved upward along the long axis. Hypertrophic septal myocardium was removed along the long axis of the left ventricle (LV), and a groove for blood flow was constructed. The patient was discharged uneventfully without recurrence of her chest discomfort. Our result suggested that a curved knife is a reasonable option for transaortic septal myectomy in patients with obstructive LV hypertrophy.

Implantation of the syncardia total artificial heart.

With advances in technology, the use of mechanical circulatory support devices for end stage heart failure has rapidly increased. The vast majority of such patients are generally well served by left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). However, a subset of patients with late stage biventricular failure or other significant anatomic lesions are not adequately treated by isolated left ventricular mechanical support. Examples of concomitant cardiac pathology that may be better treated by resection and TAH replacement includes: post infarction ventricular septal defect, aortic root aneurysm / dissection, cardiac allograft failure, massive ventricular thrombus, refractory malignant arrhythmias (independent of filling pressures), hypertrophic / restrictive cardiomyopathy, and complex congenital heart disease. Patients often present with cardiogenic shock and multi system organ dysfunction. Excision of both ventricles and orthotopic replacement with a total artificial heart (TAH) is an effective, albeit extreme, therapy for rapid restoration of blood flow and resuscitation. Perioperative management is focused on end organ resuscitation and physical rehabilitation. In addition to the usual concerns of infection, bleeding, and thromboembolism common to all mechanically supported patients, TAH patients face unique risks with regard to renal failure and anemia. Supplementation of the abrupt decrease in brain natriuretic peptide following ventriculectomy appears to have protective renal effects. Anemia following TAH implantation can be profound and persistent. Nonetheless, the anemia is generally well tolerated and transfusion are limited to avoid HLA sensitization. Until recently, TAH patients were confined as inpatients tethered to a 500 lb pneumatic console driver. Recent introduction of a backpack sized portable driver (currently under clinical trial) has enabled patients to be discharged home and even return to work. Despite the profound presentation of these sick patients, there is a 79-87% success in bridge to transplantation.

Surgery for an adult with tetralogy of Fallot and acquired heart disease.

We experienced the rare case of an elderly woman with uncorrected tetralogy of Fallot. She also had significant mitral and tricuspid regurgitation with deteriorated ventricular function and ischemic coronary artery disease. We performed a radical repair of the tetralogy of Fallot, valvular operations for the mitral and tricuspid regurgitation, and coronary artery bypass grafting. Although mechanical circulatory support was required postoperatively, she recovered well to New York Heart Association functional class II.

Aneurisma idiopático do ventrículo esquerdo / Idiopatic left ventricle aneurysm / Aneurisma Idiopático del Ventrículo Izquierdo

El aneurisma idiopático del ventrículo izquierdo es una entidad clínica poco común y raramente descrita en la literatura que usualmente se origina en la región anular subaórtica o submitral, y su etiología no isquémica permanece poco establecida. Esta patología puede tener diferentes presentaciones clínicas desde regurgitación mitral e insuficiencia cardíaca, hasta arritmias ventriculares potencialmente fatales y muerte súbita. Aunque la gran mayoría de casos inicialmente fueron descritos en población de raza negra, se ha descrito también en población caucásica en menor incidencia. En la actualidad, el uso de multimodalidad de imágenes permite un mejor tamizaje y caracterización de las lesiones. A continuación se presenta un reporte de caso en una paciente sin evidencia de enfermedad coronaria conocida, y presencia en imágenes de ecocardiografía y resonancia magnética cardíaca de lesión aneurismática subvalvular mitral idiopática con compromiso funcional de la válvula mitral, y en la cual se descartaron otras causas etiológicas, siendo llevada a corrección quirúrgica con una adecuada evolución posterior al procedimiento. El diagnóstico fue confirmado con examen histopatológico, estudio de serología y perfil inmunológico...

Idiopathic left ventricle aneurysm is an uncommon clinical entity and seldom described in literature which usually originates in the annular subaortic or sub-mitral region, and its non ischemic etiology remains unknown. This pathology may have different clinical presentations ranging from mitral regurgitation and heart failure to ventricular arrhythmias potentially fatal as well as sudden death. Even though the vast majority of cases were described among black population, it has also been described among Caucasian population with lower incidence though. At present, the use of multimodality images allows for better screening and characterization of the lesions. Hereinafter is presented a case report of a patient without evidence of known coronary heart disease, and presence in echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging of aneurysmal idiopathic mitral subvalvular injury compromising the functioning of mitral valve, discarding other etiologic causes, the surgical correction being concluded with an adequate evolution after the procedure. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination, serology and immune profile study...

O aneurisma idiopático do ventrículo esquerdo é uma entidade clínica pouco comum e raramente descrita na literatura que usualmente se origina na região anular sub-aórtica ou sub-mitral, e sua etiologia não isquêmica permanece pouco estabelecida. Esta patologia pode ter diferentes apresentações clínicas desde regurgitação mitral e insuficiência cardíaca, até arritmias ventriculares potencialmente fatais e morte súbita. Embora a grande maioria de casos inicialmente fosse descrita em população de raça negra, se tem descrito também em população caucasiana em menor incidência. Na atualidade, o uso de multi-modalidade de imagens permite uma melhor triagem e caracterização das lesões. A seguir é apresentado caso em uma paciente sem evidência de doença coronariana conhecida, e presença em imagens de ecocardiografia e ressonância magnética cardíaca de lesão aneurismática sub-valvular mitral idiopática com comprometimento funcional da válvula mitral, e na qual se descartaram outras causas etiológicas, sendo feita a correção cirúrgica com uma adequada evolução posterior ao procedimento. O diagnóstico foi confirmado com exame histopatológico, estudo de sorologia e perfil imunológico...

Left ventricular restoration devices.

Left ventricular (LV) remodeling results in continuous cardiac chamber enlargement and contractile dysfunction, perpetuating the syndrome of heart failure. With current exhaustion of the neurohormonal medical paradigm, surgical and device-based therapies have been increasingly investigated as a way to restore LV chamber architecture and function. Left ventricular restoration has been attempted with surgical procedures, such as partial left ventriculectomy, surgical ventricular restoration with or without revascularization, and devices, such as the Acorn CorCap, the Paracor HeartNet, and the Myocor Myosplint. Whereas all these techniques require surgical access, with or without cardiopulmonary bypass, a newer ventricular partitioning device (VPD) called Parachute, can be delivered percutaneously through the aortic valve. Designed to achieve LV restoration from within the ventricle, this VPD partitions the LV by isolating aneurysmal from normal myocardium thereby diminishing the functioning cavity. This review aims to critically appraise the above methods, with particular attention to device-based therapies.