Dynamic behavior of suture-anastomosed arteries and implications to vascular surgery operations.

BACKGROUND: Routine vascular surgery operations involve stitching of disconnected human arteries with themselves or with artificial grafts (arterial anastomosis). This study aims to extend current knowledge and provide better-substantiated understanding of the mechanics of end-to-end anastomosis through the development of an analytical model governing the dynamic behavior of the anastomotic region of two initially separated arteries. METHODS: The formulation accounts for the arterial axial-circumferential deformation coupling and suture-artery interaction. The proposed model captures the effects of the most important parameters, including the geometric and mechanical properties of artery and sutures, number of sutures, loading characteristics, longitudinal residual stresses, and suture pre-tensioning. RESULTS: Closed-form expressions are derived for the system response in terms of arterial radial displacement, anastomotic gap, suture tensile force, and embedding stress due to suture-artery contact interaction. Explicit objective functionalities are established to prevent failure at the anastomotic interface. CONCLUSIONS: The mathematical formulation reveals useful interrelations among the problem parameters, thus making the proposed model a valuable tool for the optimal selection of materials and improved functionality of the sutures. By virtue of their generality and directness of application, the findings of this study can ultimately form the basis for the development of vascular anastomosis guidelines pertaining to the prevention of post-surgery implications.

Surgical excision of papillary fibroelastoma for known or potential embolization.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) is a rare and histologically benign tumor, but it may have malignant propensity for life-threatening complications. Herein are described four cases of PFE which reflect the clinical diversity of this lesion. The diagnostic and surgical approach utilized is also briefly reviewed. METHODS: The files of four patients with cardiac valvular PFE treated at the authors' center between January 2002 and November 2003 were reviewed. The diagnosis was strongly suggested by echocardiography. Tumors were noted in aortic (n = 2), mitral (n = 1) and tricuspid (n = 1) sites. Indications for surgery were myocardial infarction (both aortic tumors), previous stroke (mitral tumor), and preventive (tricuspid tumor). RESULTS: Surgical excision with a conservative, valve-sparing approach was performed in all cases. For the first aortic tumor, the aortic valve was reconstructed with a patch of autologous pericardium. None of the patients had evidence of valvular regurgitation after excision on intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography, and all had an uneventful recovery. There were no cases of recurrence or regurgitation on follow up echocardiography. CONCLUSION: PFE is an uncommon but increasingly recognized cause of embolic phenomena. Prompt identification allows for surgical excision, which seems to be curative, safe and well-tolerated. A conservative valve-sparing approach is recommended because of the absence of recurrence after total excision.

Advantages of the ultrasonic harmonic scalpel for radial artery harvesting.

The aim of the study was to examine the safety and effectiveness of the Harmonic Scalpel for reducing spasm caused by thermal injury during radial artery harvesting. The study sample included 100 candidates undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. In half the patients, radial artery harvesting was performed using the ultrasonic Harmonic Scalpel equipped with coagulating curved shears and a 14 cm scissor-grip handle and in the other half, hemostatic clips, scissors, and minimal electrocautery were employed. Comparison of outcome between the groups showed that radial artery harvesting with the Harmonic Scalpel was associated with a shorter harvesting time, lower frequency of spasm, larger internal diameter of the radial artery graft, and a significantly reduced need for clips to control bleeding than the standard method. In addition, there were no cases of hematoma or superficial wound infection in the arm, and no postoperative reduction in soft touch sensation or objective pin-prick sensation. In conclusion, the Harmonic Scalpel provides excellent control of bleeding without the need for potentially damaging electrocautery, and with a markedly decreased use of hemostatic clips. Harvesting time is also shorter. The minimized thermal injury decreases the rate of radial artery spasm. Further studies using additional objective measures are currently underway to confirm these findings.

Aspiration and Brushing Cytology in tumors and tumor-like conditions of the tongue: A Study of 27 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Lesions of the tongue have a broad differential diagnosis ranging from benign idiopathic processes to infections, cancers, and infiltrative disorders. An important thing to remember is that most tongue lesions will resolve spontaneously or with simple therapy within a week, if not, they should be biopsied or evaluated further for a definitive diagnosis of a potentially serious disorder. Some tongue lesions may be clues to other underlying illnesses which require further evaluation Tongue lesions are traditionally evaluated by surgical biopsy. Most of them, however, are easily accessible by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) or brushing. STUDY DESIGN: Fifteen males and twelve females aged from 15 to 72 were examined in our institution over a period of 15 years and 27 lesions, were evaluated by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) or brushing cytology. RESULTS: The lesions were located at the mobile aspect of the tongue.10 malignant tumors were diagnosed: 9 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and 1 non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In addition, 13 benign tumors (7 cases of papillomas / fibromas, 3 cases of hemangiomas, 2 cases lymphangiomas, and 1 case of lipoma), and 4 nonneoplastic benign conditions (3 traumatic ulcers and 1 hematoma) were found. There were no false-positive diagnoses. There were no clinical complications resulting from FNA or brushing. CONCLUSION: Cytologic examination is rapid, safe, accurate, inexpensive, and patient-friendly for establishing preoperative diagnosis in tumors and tumor-like conditions of the tongue, and we recommend this method as the first diagnostic step in the evaluation of these lesions.

Pulmonary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor invading the left atrium.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is a rare solid tumor that most often affects children and young adults. Although benign, the tumor may be very aggressive locally. We describe a 9-year-old boy with primary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the left upper lobe involving the left atrium.

Surgical management of aortopulmonary window and associated lesions.

BACKGROUND: Aortopulmonary window is a rare congenital heart defect commonly associated with other cardiac anomalies. Although single institutional experience is low, several surgical techniques have been reported. The purpose of this study is to describe our approach to the management of aortopulmonary window and its associated lesions. METHODS: Between February 1996 and November 2002, 13 patients underwent repair of aortopulmonary window. The age range went from 4 days to 5.5 months (mean 42 +/- 52 days), with 9 patients younger than 1 month old. The weight range was from 1.9 to 6.7 kg (mean 3.5 +/- 1.2 kg). Concomitant cardiac anomalies were present in 11 patients. The major additional anomalies were interruption of aortic arch in 4 patients and tracheal stenosis in 1 patient. Initial diagnoses were made using two-dimensional echocardiography only. RESULTS: There was one postoperative death. In general, patients with aortopulmonary window and additional major defects had a prolonged intensive care unit and hospital stay when compared with the other patients. Follow-up time ranged from 2 months to 6.8 years (mean of 2.5 +/- 2.2 years). There were no reoperations and no late deaths. Transcatheter balloon dilatation of the repaired aortic arch was required in 1 patient and of the right pulmonary artery in another. All other patients had good flow to both pulmonary arteries. No residual shunts were detected at the aortopulmonary window site, and pulmonary pressures were normal. CONCLUSIONS: Aortopulmonary window may be effectively diagnosed with echocardiography. Early surgical treatment (neonatal period, if possible) is safe and associated with the best long-term results, even in the presence of other cardiac anomalies. Complete separation and reconstruction of both aorta and pulmonary arteries under direct vision may prevent recurrence and distortion of adjacent structures.

Successful resuscitation of a patient with acute massive pulmonary embolism using emergent embolectomy.

Acute massive pulmonary embolism is associated with a high mortality rate. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are mandatory for a successful outcome. Although thrombolysis is effective, it is associated with a high rate of bleeding complications. This report describes the use of emergent pulmonary embolectomy as an effective and aggressive therapeutic approach to a massive saddle pulmonary embolism in a 66-year-old woman. With the application of specific surgical techniques and good interdisciplinary cooperation, pulmonary embolectomy may serve as more than a last resort for the management of this clinically unstable and dangerous condition.

'BioGlue' for the repair of aortic insufficiency in acute aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Concern has been raised regarding the late effects of tissue glues. Herein is described the authors' experience with a new bioadhesive (BioGlue; Cryolife) for repair of the aortic root in acute dissection. METHODS: BioGlue is composed of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and glutaraldehyde. Glutaraldehyde exposure causes the lysine molecules of BSA, extracellular proteins and cell surfaces to bind to each other, creating a strong scaffold. Between January 2001 and January 2003, BioGlue was used to repair the aortic root in 22 patients with acute aortic dissection. Moderate or severe insufficiency was present in 16 cases, and mild insufficiency in six. The mechanism of insufficiency was commissure detachment in 15 cases, penetration of the intimal flap into the valve in three, and dilatation of the sinotubular junction in four. The aortic valve was resuspended to the aortic wall using pledgeted sutures. BioGlue was used to glue the dissected layers of the aortic root and create stronger tissue for sewing. Two patients required complete resection of the sinuses and aortic root remodeling with a Dacron graft. RESULTS: There were two operative deaths. Postoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed mild or no aortic insufficiency in 18 patients, and moderate insufficiency in two. During follow up (mean 16 months), none of the patients required reoperation for proximal redissection, delayed rupture, or aortic insufficiency. CONCLUSION: BioGlue is useful for aortic valve repair in aortic dissection. It is less toxic and has a stronger adhesive effect than the older surgical glues, and is expected to have better long-term results.

Double-valve Libman-Sacks endocarditis: an entity that demands special consideration.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Valvular heart disease, with a propensity for the left valves, is the most important cardiac manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Libman-Sacks endocarditis complicating SLE has rarely been reported to cause hemodynamically significant valvular lesions necessitating valve replacement. METHODS: This report describes a young woman with moderate aortic regurgitation and moderate to severe mitral regurgitation due to Libman-Sacks endocarditis. RESULTS: Treatment consisted of aortic and mitral valve replacement with mechanical prostheses due to intractable heart failure. The patient's recovery was uneventful. CONCLUSION: A literature survey disclosed only nine reports of double-valve replacement in patients with SLE. These findings, together with the present experience, suggest that valvular disease in SLE changes frequently with time, appears to be temporally unrelated to the other clinical features of SLE, and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Corticosteroid treatment may slow the progression of valvular regurgitation. If surgery is necessary, replacement with a mechanical valve may be better than with a bioprosthesis.

The Ross procedure as the surgical treatment of active aortic valve endocarditis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The authors' experience is reported of aortic valve replacement (AVR) using the pulmonary autograft in patients with active aortic valve endocarditis, including an urgent Ross procedure in infants with the acute condition. METHODS: Nine patients aged between 8 months and 38 years, with a diagnosis of aortic valve endocarditis, have undergone AVR using the Ross procedure at the authors' institution since October 1997. The diagnosis was established by clinical and echocardiographic findings. Indications for surgery were severe aortic insufficiency and congestive heart failure in all patients, with the addition of thromboembolic events (n = 3), persistent hyperpyrexia (n = 3) and vegetations (n = 5). Four infants with no history of congenital cardiac malformation underwent urgent surgery because of acute bacterial endocarditis and rapid hemodynamic deterioration. Blood cultures were positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae in three patients, and Kingella kingi and Staphylococcus aureus in one patient each. Four patients were culture-negative. All patients were treated with intravenous antibiotics for four to six weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: There were no perioperative or late deaths, and no recurrent endocarditis at the implanted valves. Echocardiographic evaluation at discharge showed trivial to mild aortic insufficiency, with no stenosis at the left ventricular outflow tract. Similar findings were found across the right ventricular outflow tract. At follow up (range: 4 months to 5.5 years), none of the patients showed progression of aortic valve insufficiency or developed stenosis; three had mild and moderate homograft stenosis (Doppler gradient 20-40 mmHg), and all children had moderate homograft insufficiency. CONCLUSION: The Ross procedure is an excellent therapeutic option for active aortic valve endocarditis in young patients, and demonstrates low morbidity and mortality. Early surgery may be indicated in patients with acute aortic valve endocarditis because of the rapidly progressive nature of this disease.

Tricuspid valve papillary fibroelastoma: an unusual cause of intermittent dyspnea.

A 67-year-old woman was referred for investigation of intermittent dyspnea, which was known for years but had been worsening over the previous 3 months. Two-dimensional echocardiography revealed the presence of a mass attached to the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve. The patient was successfully operated on to excise the right atrial mass and preserve the tricuspid apparatus. Morphological examination of the excised tissue led to the diagnosis of papillary fibroelastoma. Surgical treatment should be considered when such a tumor is diagnosed, even in asymptomatic patients, because of the possible risk of embolization.

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation treated by lobectomy.

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) may occur primarily or in association with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. We present a case of PAVM in the central lower lobe of the left lung of a 75-year-old woman, which was successfully treated by lobectomy. Contrast echocardiography is an excellent tool for evaluation of this uncommon lesion. Advances in interventional radiology have led to the introduction of obliterative techniques for the treatment of PAVM. However, in the presence of a large solitary malformation centrally located, as in our case, and in high-risk patients, surgery is still a safe and effective first option.

Coenzyme Q10 in patients with end-stage heart failure awaiting cardiac transplantation: a randomized, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: The number of patients awaiting heart transplantation is increasing in proportion to the waiting period for a donor. Studies have shown that coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has a beneficial effect on patients with heart failure. HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of the present double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study was to assess the effect of CoQ10 on patients with end-stage heart failure and to determine if CoQ10 can improve the pharmacological bridge to heart transplantation. METHODS: A prospective double-blind design was used. Thirty-two patients with end-stage heart failure awaiting heart transplantation were randomly allocated to receive either 60 mg U/day of Ultrasome--CoQ10 (special preparation to increase intestinal absorption) or placebo for 3 months. All patients continued their regular medication regimen. Assessments included anamnesis with an extended questionnaire based partially on the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, 6-min walk test, blood tests for atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and echocardiography. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients completed the study. The study group showed significant improvement in the 6-min walk test and a decrease in dyspnea, New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, nocturia, and fatigue. No significant changes were noted after 3 months of treatment in echocardiography parameters (dimensions and contractility of cardiac chambers) or ANF and TNF blood levels. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of CoQ10 to heart transplant candidates led to a significant improvement in functional status, clinical symptoms, and quality of life. However, there were no objective changes in echo measurements or ANF and TNF blood levels. Coenzyme Q10 may serve as an optional addition to the pharmacologic armamentarium of patients with end-stage heart failure. The apparent discrepancy between significant clinical improvement and unchanged cardiac status requires further investigation.

Primary cardiac valve tumors.

To assess the prevalence, characteristics, and outcome of surgical treatment of primary cardiac valve tumors in a single center, we reviewed our experience in 6 women and 1 man, aged 49 to 76 years (mean, 64.7 years) who presented between 1999 and 2006. In one patient, the diagnosis of cardiac valve tumor was made incidentally on transesophageal echocardiography during aortocoronary bypass surgery. The others had clinical symptoms: angina or myocardial infarction in 3, congestive heart failure in 2, dyspnea and cerebrovascular ischemia in 1 patient each. Four of the 7 tumors were benign, and 3 were malignant. All patients survived the operation and recovered uneventfully. Midterm follow-up was available in all patients. Two patients with malignant tumors were considered unsuitable for adjuvant therapy by the oncologist; both died during follow-up from local tumor recurrence. All 5 survivors were categorized at the last follow-up as functional class I, with normal exercise tolerance. Excellent early and midterm surgical results can be obtained in patients with benign cardiac valve tumors, but the prognosis for those with a malignant tumor is poor.