Effects of haemofiltration and mannitol treatment on cardiopulmonary-bypass induced immunosuppression.

Cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) causes a systemic inflammatory response. Additionally, an impairment of the responsiveness of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to further immunological stimuli has been observed. The aim of our present study was to evaluate the ability of antioxidant therapy with mannitol or haemofiltration during CPB to modulate this immunosuppression after CPB. Forty-five patients undergoing elective heart-surgery were prospectively enrolled and randomized into three groups (control, mannitol, haemofiltration). Blood samples were taken after induction of anaesthesia (T1), 20 min after CPB (T2) and 24 h post-operatively (T3). Expression density of the monocytic surface receptor CD14, HLA-DR expression and cytokine release (TNF-alpha and IL10) after lipopolysaccharide-stimulation were evaluated. At T2, the CD14(dim) cell population was maintained in both intervention groups while in the control group there was a decrease of this proinflammatory monocytic phenotype. No significant differences regarding HLA-DR expression or cytokine release could be demonstrated. This study shows that the suppression of the stimulated immune response after CPB can potentially be alleviated by mannitol or haemofiltration in an experimental in-vitro setting. In the light of data showing that this depression of the immune response might affect the post-operative course of patients, these results could have a potential clinical relevance.

[Cystic lesion of the dorsal mediastinum]. / Zystische Raumforderung im hinteren Mediastinum.

We present the case of a 52-year-old male who underwent thoracotomy for resection of a suspected bronchogenic cyst in the right posterior mediastinum. The size of the tumor had increased over years, according to repeated X-rays, and the cyst became symptomatic with obstruction of the right subclavian and jugular veins. To our surprise, histopathology revealed a hydatid cyst.

Bronchial and bronchovascular sleeve resection for treatment of central lung tumors.

BACKGROUND: To improve postoperative pulmonary reserve, we have employed parenchyma-sparing resections for central lung tumors irrespective of pulmonary function. The results of lobectomy, pneumonectomy, and sleeve resection were analyzed retrospectively. METHODS: From October 1995 to June 1999, 422 typical lung resections were performed for lung cancer. Of these, 301 were lobectomies (group I), 81 were sleeve resections (group II), and 40 were pneumonectomies (group III). RESULTS: Operative mortality was 2% in group I, 1.2% in group II, and 7.5% in group III (group I and II vs. group III, p<0.03). Mean time of intubation was 1.0+/-4.1 days in group I, 0.9+/-1.3 days in group II, and 3.6+/-11.2 days in group III (groups I and II vs. group III, p<0.01). The incidence of bronchial complications was 1.3% in group I, none in group II, and 7.5% in group III (group I and II vs group III, p<0.001). After 2 years, survival was 64% in group I, 61.9% in group II, and 56.1% in group III (p = NS). Freedom from local disease recurrence was 92.1% in group I, 95.7% in group II, and 90.9% in group III after 2 years (p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Sleeve resection is a useful surgical option for the treatment of central lung tumors, thus avoiding pneumonectomy with its associated risks. Morbidity, early mortality, long-term survival, and recurrence of disease after sleeve resection are similar to those seen after lobectomy.

Valve repair in aortic regurgitation without root dilatation--aortic valve repair.

BACKGROUND: Aortic valve repair was established in the context of aortic root remodeling. Variable results have been reported for isolated valve repair. We analyzed our experience with isolated valve repair and compared the results with those of aortic root remodeling. METHODS: Between October 1995 and August 2003, isolated repair of the aortic valve was performed in 83 patients (REP), remodeling of the aortic valve in 175 patients (REMO). The demographics of the two groups were comparable (REP: mean age 54.4 +/- 20.7 yrs, male-female ratio 2.1 : 1; REMO: mean age 60.8 +/- 13.6 yrs, male-female ratio 2.4 : 1; p = ns). In both groups the number of bicuspid valves was comparable (REP: 41 %, REMO: 32 %; p = ns). All patients were followed by echocardiography for a cumulative follow-up of 8204 patient months (mean 32 +/- 23 months). RESULTS: Overall in-hospital mortality was 2.4 % in REP and 4.6 % in REMO ( p = 0.62). Systolic gradients were comparable in both groups (REP: 5.8 +/- 2.2, REMO: 6.5 +/- 3.1 mm Hg, p = 0.09). The mean degree of aortic regurgitation 12 months postoperatively was 0.8 +/- 0.7 after REP and 0.7 +/- 0.7 after REMO ( p = 0.29). Freedom from significant regurgitation (> or = II degrees ) after 5 years was 86 % in REP and 89 % in REMO ( p = 0.17). Freedom from re-operation after 5 years was 94.4 % in REP and 98.2 % in REMO ( p = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: Aortic regurgitation without concomitant root dilatation can be treated effectively by aortic valve repair. The functional results are equivalent to those obtained with valve-preserving root replacement. Aortic valve repair appears to be an alternative to valve replacement in aortic regurgitation.

[Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy]. / Pulmonale Thrombendarteriektomie.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension with concomitant right heart failure may develop as a sequela of acute pulmonary embolism with organization instead of thrombolysis of intravascular clots. Medical therapy aims at prevention of recurrent embolism by anticoagulation and vascular remodelling using vasodilator therapy. Lung transplantation or combined heart-lung transplantation is associated with unsatisfactory long-term results and comorbidity and therefore remains justified only in selected patients. Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy allows specific treatment of intravascular obstruction. This closed endarterectomy of the pulmonary arteries requires deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and can be performed with a perioperative mortality of less than 10%. The procedure significantly decreases pulmonary vascular resistance and often normalizes pulmonary hemodynamics and gas exchange. Postoperatively the patients' clinical condition improves and the majority have normal exercise capacity and activity.

Polyploidization and centrosome hyperamplification in inflammatory bronchi.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Inflammatory and tumorous bronchi were screened in order to obtain new tumor relevant cytogenetic parameters. MATERIAL OR SUBJECTS: Bronchial cells of 32 patients were cultivated by standard cell culture procedures. METHODS: Tetraploidy and aneuploidy was determined by enumeration of chromosome 7 and 8 versus the number of centrosomes. The resulting data were correlated with histopathological data. RESULTS: Tetra- and aneuploidy of epithelial cells were detectable in 76% of tumor cell cultures, 75% of high grade inflammatory tissues and 40% of non- and low grade-inflammatory tissues. Additionally, we observed centrosome hyper-amplification and multipolar mitoses not only in the tumor but also in the early stages of inflammation. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory bronchi already show tumor-specific features and may consequently represent the preliminary genetic stage of cancer development in bronchi.