Incomplete relaxation between beats after myocardial hypoxia and ischemia.

Recovery from hypoxia has been shown to prolong cardiac muscle contraction, particularly the relaxation phase. The present studies were designed to examine whether incomplete relaxation between beats can result from this prolongation of contraction and relaxation in isolated muscle after hypoxia and in the canine heart after both hypoxia and acute ischemia. The relationship between heart rate and the extent of incomplete relaxation is emphasized in view of the known enhancement of the velocity of contraction caused by increasing heart rate. The extent of incomplete relaxation during 10-s periods of pacing at increasing rates was examined before and after hypoxia in isometric cat right ventricular papillary muscle (12-120 beats/min) and in the canine isovolumic left ventricle (120-180 beats/min). Incomplete relaxation was quantified by measuring the difference between the lowest diastolic tension or pressure during pacing and the true resting tension or pressure determined by interruption of pacing at each rate. In eight cat papillary muscles (29 degrees C), there was significantly greater incomplete relaxation 5 min after hypoxia at rates of 96 and 120 beats/min (P < 0.02 vs. before hypoxia). In seven canine isovolumic left ventricles, recovery from hypoxia and higher heart rates also resulted in incomplete relaxation. Incomplete relaxation before hypoxia at a rate of 180 beats/min was 0.8+/-0.5 cm H(2)O and at 5 min of recovery from hypoxia was 12.6+/-3.5 cm H(2)O (P < 0.01). 12 hearts were subjected to a 1.5-3-min period of acute ischemia and fibrillation. There was significant incomplete relaxation at a rate of 140 beats/min for 5 min after defibrillation and reperfusion. These data indicate that incomplete relaxation is an important determinant of diastolic hemodynamics during recovery from ischemia or hypoxia. The extent of incomplete relaxation appears to be a function of the rate of normalization of the velocity of relaxation and tension development after ischemia or hypoxia, the heart rate, and the magnitude of developed tension or pressure.

Outlet strut fracture of the Björk-Shiley 60 degrees Convexo-Concave valve: current information and recommendations for patient care.

Mechanical failure of artificial heart valves can be a catastrophic event. The problem of outlet strut fracture of the Björk-Shiley 60 degrees Convexo-Concave tilting disc prosthesis has received much attention in the medical literature and generated both concern and confusion among patients and physicians. Analysis of current data from the manufacturer, as well as a review of the medical literature, suggests that the overall risk of outlet strut fracture is low and that elective explantation of a well functioning Björk-Shiley 60 degrees Convexo-Concave valve prosthesis is not warranted. Diagnostic features of outlet strut fracture can be seen with overpenetrated chest X-ray films so that diagnosis can be established promptly. Early operation to replace the fractured prosthesis is essential for patient survival.

Hormonal and metabolic responses during coronary artery bypass surgery: role of infused glucose.

Anesthesia, surgery, and hypothermia are conventionally considered the major stress factors in the metabolic and hormonal responses to cardiac surgery. We compared these responses in 14 nondiabetics during and for 24 h after coronary artery bypass surgery; 8 received cardioplegic solutions (C+), and 6 did not (C-). The mean intraoperative glucose load in C+ was 106 g compared to 32 g in C-; postoperatively both groups received 50 g. Marked hyperglycemia (31.8 +/- 4.8 mmol/L) occurred during hypothermia in C+, but dropped to 18.9 mmol/L before surgery ended and to 11.2 +/- 1.1 mmol/L by 2 h postop. In contrast, C- showed constant mild hyperglycemia of 8.3-9.8 mmol/L throughout, significantly less than C+ until 1 h postop. Insulin was suppressed by 55% only during hypothermia, peaking with rewarming in C+ at 2,849 +/- 911 vs. 639 +/- 251 pmol/L in C- (P less than 0.05); as with glycemia, values were comparable after 2 h postop. The pancreatic beta-cell thus responded to hyperglycemia during restoration of normothermia, resulting in a rapid decline in glycemia. This occurred despite elevations in antiinsulin factors in both groups; GH was 14 +/- 4 micrograms/L, cortisol was 607 +/- 38.6 nmol/L, norepinephrine was 11.5 +/- 3.7 nmol/L, epinephrine was 13,863 +/- 3,875 pmol/L, and FFA were 0.36 +/- 0.05 g/L. Early postop, a secondary rise in stress hormones occurred in both groups. Maximal cortisol values were at 4 h (1,186 +/- 140 nmol/L) and peaks of norepinephrine (6.50 +/- 1.66 nmol/L), epinephrine (7,969 +/- 3,602 pmol/L), and FFA (0.27 +/- 0.03 g/L) occurred. The only significant glucagon elevation was at 24 h (C+, 464 +/- 53 ng/L; C-, 350 +/- 241 ng/L; P less than 0.02), Thus, 1) many metabolic responses during coronary artery bypass surgery are influenced by the glucose-containing cardioplegic solution; 2) hypothermia suppresses insulin secretion, but it responds thereafter despite marked elevations of catecholamines, and is associated with decreasing glycemia despite elevated antiinsulin factors; 3) a lesser but highly significant stress response corresponds to awakening from anesthesia; and 4) glucagon plays a minor role in intraoperative hyperglycemia; the rise at 24 h is unexplained.

Computer-assisted reporting system for the follow-up of patients with prosthetic heart valves.

The implantation of large numbers of prosthetic heart valves carries with it the responsibility for continual reassessment of all aspects of patient management. Experience with more than 2,000 prosthetic valve operations since 1963 led to the development of a comprehensive computer-assisted data collection, management and reporting system. Over a 5 year period, data forms were developed for the detailed documentation of preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative information. These were designed in the form of checklists suitable for direct computer entry with use of mark-sense document readers. Special emphasis was placed on preoperative assessment of ventricular function, valve selection, intraoperative myocardial preservation, postoperative rehabilitation and prosthetic valve-related complications. This system makes possible rapid computer generation of a variety of reports to the referring physician regarding the individual patient and to the clinical investigator in relation to patient group statistics. Also, questionnaires to patients of physicians, or both, to update patient data can be produced by the computer at appropriate intervals after valve surgery. Experience indicated that a computer-assisted methodology is the only practical way to provide adequate follow-up of large groups of patients. Additionally direct access to relevant information helps to create an environment in which essential research can be carried out in the face of a demanding clinical practice.

Tricuspid valve replacement. Fifteen years of experience with mechanical prostheses and bioprostheses.

Tricuspid valve replacement is not a common operation. The purpose of this study was to examine the early and late results in 60 patients who underwent 28 (47%) bioprosthetic and 32 (53%) mechanical tricuspid valve replacements. All operations took place between January 1978 and June 1993 during which period a total of 4741 patients underwent valve replacement operation. Mean patient age was 50 +/- 15 (18 to 75) years. Forty-one patients (68%) were female and 19 patients (32%) were male. Forty-nine patients (82%) were in New York Heart Association class III or IV before operation. Forty-five patients (75%) were undergoing repeat cardiac valve operation. Seventeen patients (28%) had complex congenital cardiac problems. Operation was urgent in 15 patients (25%). The hospital mortality rate was 27% (16 patients). All patients with hospital death were in New York Heart Association class III or IV, were having repeat operations, or had complex congenital disease. Low output syndrome was observed in 21 patients (35%). Reoperation because of bleeding was required in seven patients (12%). Thirteen patients (22%) required permanent (epicardial lead) pacemaker implantation. Mean follow-up is 75 +/- 45 months (maximum 173 months) and 100% complete for the 44 patients who left the hospital. There have been 14 deaths (32%). Nine of these patients (64%) had mechanical valves and five (36%) had bioprostheses. Of the 11 cardiac deaths, three were valve related (bioprostheses). Three patients (10%) required reoperation because of tricuspid valve prosthetic failure (1 thrombosed mechanical valve, 2 failed porcine valves). Of the remaining 30 patients, 20 (67%) are in New York Heart Association class I or II. Seventeen patients have mechanical valves and 13 have bioprostheses. Twenty-six patients (90%) are receiving warfarin. Thromboembolism (transient ischemic attack) has occurred in one patient with a mechanical valve who also had a previous cerebrovascular accident. In this group there has been no hemorrhage, endocarditis, or new pacemaker requirement. Actuarial survival for the whole series is 37% +/- 9% and for the hospital survivors is 50% +/- 12% at 15 years. Linearized rates of valve-related complications are not different between groups. Tricuspid valve replacement is a beneficial procedure for patients with structural tricuspid valve disease, many of whom have other valvular or congenital disease. Contemporary mechanical prostheses and bioprostheses are equally effective in the tricuspid position. Mechanical valves should be considered for tricuspid replacement in young patients and in patients with mechanical valves implanted in the left side of the heart.

Aortic valve replacement with a stentless porcine aortic valve. A six-year experience.

A stentless porcine aortic valve was used for aortic valve replacement in 123 patients from 1987 to 1993. The mean age of 86 men and 37 women was 61 +/- 12 years. Most patients had aortic stenosis; one-third had coronary artery disease and six had mitral valve disease. The stentless valve was secured in the subcoronary position by the same technique used for a freehand aortic valve homograft. The size of valve was based largely on the diameter of the sinotubular junction of the aortic root. The mean valve size was 26.5 mm (range 19 to 29 mm) and 87% were 25 mm or larger. Two operative deaths occurred, one the result of myocardial infarction and the other the result of infective endocarditis. Patients have been followed up from 3 to 77 months, mean 22 months. Three late deaths, none related to the valve, have occurred. The actuarial survival at 6 years was 91% +/- 4%. Four transient cerebral ischemic events have occurred, but two patients had extracranial cerebrovascular disease. One patient had endocarditis late in the postoperative period and required reoperation. All patients had Doppler echocardiographic studies before discharge from the hospital, 3 to 6 months later and annually. Only 15 patients have aortic insufficiency, trivial in 6 and mild in 9. The peak and mean systolic gradients decreased significantly during the first 3 to 6 months after implantation (p < 0.001), and the effective valve areas increased significantly during this time interval (p < 0.001). This improvement in valve hemodynamics is believed to be due to remodeling of the aortic root and regression of left ventricular hypertrophy. The results of aortic valve replacement with this stentless bioprosthesis have been excellent and justify its continued use in older patients.

Comparison between antibiotic irrigation and mobilization of pectoral muscle flaps in treatment of deep sternal infections.

Between January of 1978 and December of 1983, 41 patients developed deep sternal infections with mediastinitis after cardiac operations. Between January of 1978 and December of 1981, 19 of these patients were treated with débridement, primary wound closure, and mediastinal antibiotic irrigation (Group I). Between January of 1982 and December of 1983, 22 patients were treated with débridement, open "clean" packing, and delayed wound closure by the technique of pectoral muscle flap mobilization, which preserves the thoracoacromial pedicles and the pectoral humeral attachments (Group II). The purpose of this study was to compare the results of the treatment of deep sternal infections after cardiac operations with these two techniques. The perioperative hemodynamic, operation, functional, and pathological profiles of both groups of patients were the same. The cosmetic and functional results were the same in both groups as were shoulder girdle and torso mobility. We conclude that either technique is equally effective in the management of patients in whom the serious complication of deep sternal infection with mediastinitis develops after cardiac operation, and we now recommend débridement and pectoral muscle flap closure in one stage.

Reoperative coronary bypass surgery: effect of patent grafts and retrograde cardioplegia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of patent or diseased aorta-coronary bypass grafts and retrograde cardioplegia on mortality during reoperative coronary bypass surgery. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of prospectively gathered data, supplemented by systematic chart review, of all patients (n = 744) undergoing reoperative coronary bypass surgery at our institution between 1990 and 1997. Independent predictors of survival were determined by stepwise logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: At least one patent or stenosed graft to the left anterior descending artery was present in 50% of patients, to the circumflex territory in 27% of patients, and to the right coronary artery territory in 33% of patients. The previous left anterior descending graft was a saphenous vein in 82% and a left internal thoracic artery in 18% of patients. In-hospital mortality occurred in 42 (5.6%) patients. Patent or diseased grafts of any coronary artery territory did not significantly increase the risk of mortality. Retrograde cardioplegia use increased in more recent years, was more frequent in patients with stenosed grafts, and was associated with improved survival. Independent predictors of mortality were as follows (with odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals in parentheses): failure to use retrograde cardioplegia (odds ratio 2.81; 1.28-6.20), New York Heart Association class (odds ratio 2.69; 1.25-5.81), peripheral vascular disease (odds ratio 2.60; 1.25-5.41), and left ventricular grade (2.07; 1.31-3.27). CONCLUSIONS: In this series, patent or stenosed grafts were not associated with an increased risk of mortality during reoperative coronary bypass surgery, possibly because of increased use of retrograde cardioplegia in this patient group. We strongly recommend the routine use of retrograde cardioplegia during redo coronary bypass surgery.

Aortic valve replacement with stentless and stented porcine valves: a case-match study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the potential benefits of the hemodynamic superiority of stentless valves, we conducted a case-match study among patients who underwent aortic valve replacement with two types of porcine bioprostheses: the Toronto SPV and the stented Hancock II bioprosthesis. METHODS: Preoperative clinical variables predictive of death after aortic valve replacement were determined by a stepwise logistic regression analysis in a series of 908 consecutive patients who received porcine aortic bioprostheses during a 14-year interval. Advanced age, New York Heart Association functional class IV, left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 30%, and coronary artery disease were independent predictors of death. On the basis of these four variables, 198 pairs of patients who survived aortic valve replacement with stentless and stented porcine valves were matched. The follow-up, truncated to the shortest interval for each matched pair, was 43 +/- 24 months for both groups. RESULTS: At 8 years the actuarial survival was 91% +/- 4% for the Toronto SPV group and 69% +/- 8% for the Hancock II group (p = 0.006); the freedom from cardiac-related death was 95% +/- 4% for the Toronto SPV and 81% +/- 8% for the Hancock II (p = 0.01); the freedom from any valve-related complication was 81% +/- 5% for the Toronto SPV and 50% +/- 10% for the Hancock II (p = 0.008). A Cox proportional hazard model demonstrated a significant reduction in cardiac mortality rates and valve-related morbidity in patients who received the Toronto SPV bioprosthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is possible that confounding factors may have played a role in the clinical outcomes of this case-control study, the study suggests that aortic valve replacement with a stentless porcine valve enhances survival. This is believed to be due to the hemodynamic superiority of these valves.

Comparison of alternative cardioplegic techniques.

Cold potassium cardioplegia provides adequate protection for coronary bypass operations, but severe coronary stenoses limit cardioplegic delivery to ischemic regions. The traditional technique delivers cardioplegic solution into the aortic root during the performance of distal anastomoses. The proposed alternative technique constructs proximal as well as distal anastomoses during a prolonged cross-clamp period, but permits more uniform cooling. The two techniques were compared in a prospective concurrent trial of 45 patients undergoing elective coronary bypass grafting. The traditional technique was employed in 26 patients (Group A) and the alternative technique in 19 patients (Group B). In both groups, 700 to 1,000 ml of a crystalloid cardioplegic solution was infused into the aortic root after application of the aortic cross-clamp. In Group A (traditional technique), 500 ml was infused into the aortic root after each distal anastomosis. In Group B (alternative technique), cardioplegic solution was administered through the vein graft after each distal anastomosis, and a proximal anastomosis was constructed after distal anastomoses to the most ischemic regions to permit continued cardioplegic delivery to these regions. The cross-clamp period was shorter in Group A than in Group B (44 +/- 15 versus 60 +/- 18 minutes, p less than 0.01), but the mean temperature in the most ischemic region was warmer (Group A, 19 degrees +/- 3 degrees C; Group B, 15 degrees +/- 3 degrees C, p less than 0.05). The postoperative CK-MB was higher in Group A (Group A, 47 +/- 36; Group B, 21 +/- 9 IU/L, p less than 0.01). Cardiac lactate production persisted longer in Group A (Group A, 4 +/- 1; Group B, 1 +/- 1 hours postoperatively, p less than 0.05). Volume loading 4 hours postoperatively produced a similar increase in left atrial pressure and cardiac index in both groups. In response to volume loading, Group A patients produced lactate, but Group B patients extracted lactate (change in cardiac lactate extraction: Group A, -1.7 +/- 2.3; Group B, +2.5 +/- 5.1 mg/dl, p less than 0.05). The construction of proximal as well as distal anastomoses during a prolonged cross-clamp period permits more uniform cooling and immediate reperfusion. This alternative technique resulted in less injury (CK-MB release) and more rapid recovery of myocardial metabolism.

Limitations of blood conservation.

Blood conservation has been most successful when blood salvage techniques have been combined with postoperative normovolemic hemodilution. The hemodynamic and myocardial metabolic responses to normovolemic hemodilution were assessed in a prospective randomized trial. Twenty-seven patients were randomized to receive either blood and colloid solutions (colloid group, 13 patients) or crystalloid fluids (crystalloid group, 14 patients) following elective coronary revascularization. Although seven patients in the crystalloid group received blood products when the hemoglobin level fell below 7 gm/dl, blood bank requirements were less in the crystalloid group (colloid, 3.6 +/- 1.2 L; crystalloid, 1.5 +/- 1.0 L, p less than 0.01). The crystalloid group received twice as much fluid to maintain normovolemia (left atrial pressure between 8 and 10 mm Hg) in the first 72 hours postoperatively (colloid, 6.5 +/- 1.9 L; crystalloid, 14.5 +/- 3.1 L, p less than 0.01). The infusion of large volumes of crystalloid fluids resulted in a progressive postoperative anemia (hemoglobin: colloid, 12.1 +/- 1.6 gm/dl, crystalloid 8.9 +/- 1.7 gm/dl, p less than 0.01, 20 hours postoperatively). Although the crystalloid-treated patients had peripheral edema, pulmonary edema could not be documented and there was no difference in the physiological shunt fractions between the two groups. Preload (left atrial pressure), afterload (mean arterial pressure), and cardiac index were similar in the two groups. The crystalloid group had a delayed recovery of myocardial oxygen and lactate extraction postoperatively. Volume loading and atrial pacing 3 to 5 hours postoperatively maintained myocardial lactate extraction in the colloid group but decreased myocardial lactate extraction to ischemic levels in the crystalloid group. The use of crystalloid rather than colloid fluids in the early postoperative period conserved blood products but resulted in postoperative anemia and was associated with a delay in myocardial metabolic recovery. Normovolemic hemodilution should be employed with caution in patients who are at risk of perioperative ischemic injury.

Increased risk of urgent revascularization.

To determine the risk factors for operative mortality and morbidity, we performed a prospective analysis of 1,980 patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass operations between 1982 and 1984. The operative mortality was 3.5%, and the incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction was 8.6% and low output syndrome, 12.0%. Stepwise logistic regression identified sex, preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction, and the urgency of operation as independent risk factors for postoperative mortality. Urgent revascularization was performed in patients with unstable angina refractory to maximal medical therapy. In these patients the operative mortality was 8.5%. Independent risk factors of postoperative morbidity, in addition to sex, ejection fraction, and urgent revascularization, included a previous bypass procedure, age, and New York Heart Association functional class. Unstable angina unresponsive to medical therapy contributed significantly to the operative risk. Interventions to reduce perioperative ischemic injury, such as improved methods of myocardial protection, may improve the results in high-risk patients.

Can the results of contemporary aortic valve replacement be improved?

Although the results of contemporary aortic valve replacement are excellent, cardiac surgeons must identify the factors that predict postoperative morbidity and mortality to develop alternative strategies for high-risk patients. Two hundred seventy-seven consecutive patients undergoing isolated aortic valve replacement between 1982 and 1984 were evaluated. Thirty-seven clinical and 13 preoperative hemodynamic variables were analyzed by univariate and multivariate statistics to determine the risk factors for postoperative morbidity and mortality. The operative mortality was 3%, the incidence of a postoperative low output syndrome was 12%, and the incidence of a perioperative myocardial infarction was 5%. A multivariate, logistic regression analysis found that age was the only the only independent predictor of mortality. Three factors independently predicted postoperative low output syndrome: age, the presence of coronary artery disease, and the peak systolic gradient in patients with aortic stenosis. Patients with aortic stenosis had a higher incidence of postoperative ventricular dysfunction (17%) than those with mixed valvular disease (9%) or aortic regurgitation (5%). Perioperative myocardial infarction was predicted by the extent of coronary artery disease. The incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction was higher in patients with triple-vessel coronary artery disease (13%) and those with left main stenosis (18%) than in patients with single- or double-vessel disease (4%) or those without coronary artery disease (4%). Because of the higher risk of aortic valve replacement in older patients, the risk-benefit ratio of the operation must be carefully assessed in the elderly. Improved methods of myocardial protection may reduce the risks for patients with aortic stenosis and symptomatic triple-vessel coronary artery disease.

Effects of postoperative hypertension and its treatment.

Hypertension following aorta-coronary bypass operations can contribute to myocardial ischemia. Nitroprusside therapy will reduce afterload, preload, and coronary perfusion pressure. Since both hypertension and its treatment can result in ischemic injury, nitroprusside must be carefully titrated to optimize cardiac function and metabolism. Thirty-one patients undergoing elective coronary bypass grafting were studied during a hypertensive episode (mean arterial pressure [MAP] = 119 +/- 18 mm Hg) and during nitroprusside therapy at an MAP of 97 +/- 11 mm Hg and at an MAP of 80 +/- 11 mm Hg (normotension). Nitroprusside also produced a significant (p less than 0.05) decrease in left atrial pressure (LAP), left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (EDVI) (stroke index divided by ejection fraction by nuclear angiography), stroke index, and stroke work index (SWI). Cardiac lactate extraction (LEx) and the ratio LEx/SWI increased (p less than 0.05) with the initial nitroprusside therapy, but lactate production resulted when the MAP was lowered to 80 mm Hg. Volume loading studies were performed during hypertension in four patients and during nitroprusside therapy in 15 patients. Neither performance nor compliance was significantly altered at an MAP of 97 mm Hg, but compliance decreased at normotension. Both hypertension and its treatment can result in inadequate myocardial metabolism. Nitroprusside should be titrated to maintain MAP between 90 and 100 mm Hg.

Optimal postoperative volume loading.

Intravenous infusions are required to maintain ventricular preload after uneventful coronary bypass operation. During the early postoperative period, when myocardial metabolic recovery is incomplete, volume loading is intended to stabilize ventricular function and metabolism and to prevent progressive ischemic injury. This study attempts to define the optimal preload for both metabolism and performance. Thirty-seven patients recovering from elective coronary bypass operations and cold potassium cardioplegia underwent volume loading with whole plasma. The initial response (VLA) from a low left atrial pressure (LAP = 7.3 +/- 3.3 mm Hg) was compared with the subsequent response (VLB) from a higher filling pressure (LAP = 10.9 +/- 2.7 mm Hg). Both VLA and VLB produced a similar increase in cardiac index, stroke work index, and end-diastolic volume index (EDVI), and a decrease in ejection fraction (measured by nuclear angiography). Myocardial lactate extraction increased with VLA, but myocardial lactate production resulted with VLB. A careful analysis of these volume loading studies suggested that myocardial performance and compliance were not altered in the early postoperative period. The decrease in ejection fraction with volume loading may have resulted from a combination of increased wall tension and decreased inotropic stimulation. After uneventful coronary bypass surgery, an LAP between 5 and 12 mm Hg corresponded to an EDVI between 30 and 80 ml/m2 and produced adequate cardiac index, stroke work index, and lactate extraction. A lower or higher preload did not improve function and resulted in abnormal metabolism.

Surgical management of complicated acute coronary insufficiency.

Acute coronary insufficiency (ACI) has a one year mortality rate approximating 40 percent with medical treatment alone. This report reviews our experience over 24 months with preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump assist (IABPA) in 42 patients with ACI. Abnormal left ventricular (LV) hemodynamics were present in the majority of patients; the ejection fraction was less than 40 percent in 14 patients. The endocardial viability ratio (EVR) was less than 0.7 in eight patients. The mean coronary artery score was 13, compared to 9 in an otherwise comparable group of patients with stable angina. Left main coronary stenosis greater than 75 percent was present in seven patients and combined with significant stenosis (less than 72 percent) in the dominant right system in four patients. Four patients had proximal stenoses greater than 90 percent in all three major coronary arteries. IABPA was initiated in 11 patients prior to angiography because of refractory rest pain. One of these six patients died. Twenty-five other patients were supported before and six after induction of general anesthesia. Thirty-three of 36 revascularized patients survived. Of four patients with perioperative myocardial infarctions (12 percent), three had IABPA after induction of general anesthesia. Inotropic support and duration of stay both in intensive care and in the hospital were less than in similar patients treated before the use of IABPA.

Medicare: the Canadian experience.

In the 1940s Canada and the United States had similar lack of structure and reimbursement for diagnostic, hospital, and physician services. In Canada over the next 40 years there evolved a complex system mandated and partially funded by the federal government, but administered and delivered through 10 provincial and 2 territorial jurisdictions. Each must negotiate with federal government on cost sharing and deal with hospital budgets and physician compensation at the provincial or territorial level. The Medical Care Act of 1966 enshrined in law the five principles of public administration, universality, comprehensiveness, portability, and accessibility, converting all medical services in Canada from a privilege to a right. Any patient participation in hospital or physician charges came under increasing political attack. In 1984 the Canada Health Act specified financial penalties in federal transfer payments to provinces that permitted any direct patient charges. While Canada has "contained" health expenditures at 8.7% of gross national product, universal access to quality care is increasingly subject to rationing. The relationship between the profession and governments hard pressed to fund escalating costs in a deteriorating economy has been one of increasingly bitter confrontations. There have been four acrimonious doctors' strikes. More optimistically, there is now an emerging recognition of society's need to have physicians actively participating with other providers and governments to create a balance between access to quality health services and both public and private funding.

Cardiac surgery in a fixed-reimbursement environment.

Hospital and physician services in Canada are funded by public (government) sources. This article will describe the practice of cardiac surgery in this setting. Federal legislation has prescribed the principles of accessibility, universality, comprehensiveness, portability, and public administration for essential healthcare services in Canada. Provincial and territorial governments are responsible for the provision of services, receiving federal tax and cash transfers that supplement provincial/territorial funds for hospital, physician, and community health services. Hospitals negotiate annually for global budgets. Physicians work as independent contractors in hospitals (and communities) and are usually paid as specified by fee-for-service contracts negotiated at intervals with governments. Cardiac surgical services have been planned conjointly with government. Forty-two centers in Canada serve a population of 28 million. All but three of these centers are located in tertiary teaching hospitals; all but one do more than 200 pumps annually. The rate of cardiac operations is 80 per 100,000 population. In Ontario, the Provincial Adult Cardiac Care Network makes recommendations to governments about the distribution of the 7,600 pumps annually (population, 11 million), rationalizing waiting lists based on an urgency rating scale. Patients requiring emergent/urgent operations are well served. The average waiting time for an elective cardiac operation is 10.5 weeks. The waiting list mortality is less than 0.5%. The Provincial Adult Cardiac Care Network also determines the placement of new programs and participates in creating hospital funding formulas developed from a combination of resource and acuity intensity weighting. Most surgeons hold full-time academic appointments but are funded largely by practice income. Surgical fees average $2,000 (Canada) per case. Overhead, including malpractice insurance, is approximately 45%. All Canadian patients enjoy reasonably timely access to good cardiac surgical care. Further constraints on physician compensation and (academic) hospital funding will compromise this balance.

Subannular mitral prosthesis in aortic position.

Björk-Shiley subannular mitral prostheses have been used in the aortic position in 36 patients with calcific aortic annulus. We believe that the flange in the sewing ring of these prostheses offers added protection against perivalvular leakage; over an 18-month period there have been no instances of periprosthetic leakage in these patients.

Giant left atrial V-waves in post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal defect.

A 54-year-old man developed a post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal defect with a 4:1 shunt. The first cardiac catheterization showed left atrial V-waves of 70 mm Hg. Assessment of the presence or absence of mitral regurgitation was not possible because of ventricular irritability and rapid runoff from left ventricle to right ventricle. At the second catheterization two months later, the left atrial V-waves had fallen to 34 mm Hg. The absence of mitral regurgitation was shown by observing the time difference in appearance of indocyanine green in the right ventricle and the left atrium after left ventricular injection. The defect was repaired by right ventriculotomy with subsequent normalization of left atrial V-waves. This case shows that very large left atrial V-waves may occur in postinfarction ventricular septal defects without mitral regurgitation and that these V-waves may decrease with time, probably reflecting increased left atrial compliance.