Extrinsic compression of the left main coronary artery: a case of atrial septal defect with enlarged pulmonary artery.

We report the case of an adult referred to our center with an initial diagnosis of stenosis of the left main coronary artery (LMCA). A preoperative investigation disclosed an atrial septal defect (ASD) with pulmonary artery hypertension. The angiographic studies confirmed the diagnosis and showed external compression of the LMCA by an enlarged pulmonary artery. Surgical closure of the ASD and tricuspid valve ring annuloplasty with coronary artery bypass surgery (left internal mammary artery to left anterior descending artery) were undertaken. Six months after the surgery, the patient is doing well.

Prosthetic valve implantation with preservation of the entire valvular and subvalvular apparatus of the tricuspid valve in congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries.

Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, which is characterized by atrioventricular and ventriculoarterial discordance, is a rare congenital heart disease. Most of the cases are diagnosed in childhood, owing to associated cardiac anomalies, such as ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis or pulmonary atresia, and Ebstein-like malformation of the tricuspid valve. We present a patient with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries who underwent surgical replacement of the tricuspid valve with a bioprosthesis and reconstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract with bovine conduit.

High-risk left main coronary artery bypass surgery supported by the Impella Recover LP 2.5 assist device: an alternative insertion technique.

Patients with high-risk coronary lesions such as left main stenosis and a severely depressed left ventricular ejection fraction are at risk of death and morbidity-related complications during coronary artery bypass surgery. Several alternative methods have been developed for managing this problem, but it is still challenging, even for highly experienced and well-equipped cardiac surgery centers. We report the case of a successful coronary artery bypass surgery supported by the Impella Recover LP 2.5 assist device and using an alternative insertion technique for the ascending aorta in a patient with high-risk coronary lesions, such as left main disease.

Clinical experience with the Novare Enclose II manual proximal anastomotic device during off-pump coronary artery surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of a new proximal anastomotic device during off-pump coronary surgery. METHODS: The Novare Enclose II is a manual proximal anastomotic device that enables the surgeon to perform proximal anastomoses without side-biting clamps in a fully pressurized aorta. The device was used in 30 off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients (Group A) for performing 25 vein, 10 free right internal thoracic artery and 14 radial artery anastomoses to the aorta. The number of proximal anastomoses varied between 1 and 3 per patient. Intraoperative transcranial Doppler measurements were performed to detect cerebral microemboli during the use of the device and were compared with transcranial Doppler measurements of 30 off-pump patients where a partial side clamp was used for proximal anastomoses (Group B). The aorta was evaluated using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and epiaortic echocardiography (EAE) in both groups before the procedure and patients with a calcified aorta were excluded. RESULTS: In Group A, 49 proximal anostomoses were performed as planned with the device using conventional hand-sewn methods. Twenty-four of these were arterial conduits. In Group B, 32 proximal anastomoses were performed using 25 veins and 7 arterial grafts. There were no procedure related to adverse events or complications in both groups. The median number of microemboli was 15 (range 5-48) in Group A and 68 (range 35-290) in Group B (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The Enclose II device can be a valuable tool to perform venous or arterial proximal anastomoses during off-pump CABG. Transcranial Doppler results suggest that the device seems to be less traumatizing than side clamping and may reduce clamp-associated complications during off-pump coronary artery surgery.

A radiofrequency modified maze and valve procedure through a port-access approach.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the irrigated radiofrequency modified maze procedure through a port-access approach during mitral valve surgery. METHODS: Forty-three patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and mitral valve disease underwent a combined procedure through a port-access approach. The indication was a history of continuous AF for more than 6 months in patients eligible for minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. RESULTS: The incidence of early mortality was 1 patient (2.3%), and that of freedom from AF was 100% at the end of the operation (70% of patients with normal sinus rhythm, 30% with a pacemaker). One patient (2.3%) required permanent pacemaker implantation after surgery. One patient (2.3%) required reoperation for bleeding. There were no reoperations for failed valve repairs. The incidences of freedom from AF were 87% and 92% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. At 12 months, functional capacity had improved significantly (P < .05). There were no procedure-related complications. No thromboembolic events were detected during follow-up. CONCLUSION: The port-access approach provided a good access for both valve surgery and the radiofrequency maze procedure. The combination of direct and videoscopic vision allowed an adequate view and led to a safe and efficient combined procedure. Short- and intermediate-term follow-up results were favorable.

Hemodilution during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: can we improve flow and reduce hypercoagulability?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare intraoperative coronary graft flows performed on pump and off pump and to evaluate the effects of hemodilution on coronary graft flows in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients by using transit time flow measurements (TTFM). METHODS: Three hundred patients undergoing only CABG procedures were enrolled in a prospective randomized manner into 3 groups. Group 1 consisted of 100 patients undergoing operations with standard cardiopulmonary bypass techniques. Group 2 consisted of 100 patients scheduled for revascularizations using off-pump techniques. Group 3 consisted of 100 patients who underwent operations with offpump techniques under controlled hemodilution (hematocrit levels kept between 25% and 28%). TTFM were performed with the coronary Flometer system. Mean flows, pulsatility indices, and flow patterns were evaluated. Twenty-five patients in each group were randomly assigned for control angiography 6 days postoperatively. Thromboelastographic (TEG) measurements were performed for each patient before and after surgery to evaluate the patient's coagulation status. RESULTS: The mean number of anastomoses was higher in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3 (P < .05). Mean arterial pressures and heart rates were similar between groups during measurements. Hematocrit values were higher in group 2 than in groups 1 and 3 (P < .05). Mean flows for left anterior descending coronary artery and right coronary artery territories were significantly lower in group 2 patients (P < .05). For the circumflex artery territory, mean flows did not reach statistically significant levels despite lower flows again in group 2. The pulsatility indices were similar in all 3 groups for all 3 coronary territories. Postoperative coronary angiographic results revealed similar graft patencies among the 3 groups (not significantly different). Postoperative TEG patterns failed to show a hypercoagulable state in off-pump patients. CONCLUSION: Off-pump CABG patients with hemodilution had significantly higher graft flows than off-pump CABG patients without hemodilution. Although we failed to show the existence of a hypercoagulable state for patients in the offpump group, an examination of the TTFM findings suggests that hemodilution may help to improve graft patency in offpump CABG patients during the early postoperative period.

Fate of vena saphena magna stump after endovenous laser ablation with 980-nm diode laser: 12-month follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the fate of VSM stump and its relation to the incidence of thrombosis during a-12 mo follow-up. BACKGROUND DATA: Varicose veins are a common problem. There are several treatment alternatives available. Conventional surgical treatment is associated with high recurrence and complications. However, with the recent development of minimal invasive surgery, various techniques have been developed. Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) is one of these techniques, which has proven to be safe and effective. Since EVLA is safe and has minor adverse reactions, residual VSM stump and its association with thrombosis after EVLA has not been well studied in literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-nine patients underwent EVLA with a 980-nm diode laser (Ceralas D, Biolitec AG, Jena, Germany), and retrospectively obtained data were analyzed over a 12-mo period. Twenty-six patients were excluded due to the lack of follow-up. All EVLA procedures were performed by the same surgeon, who has experience of EVLA. Laser power was set at 10-15 W depending on the size of targeted vein. The saphenous vein was percutaneously punctured with an 18-gauge needle under ultrasonography guidance. Patients were reassessed at 1 wk, and at 3, 6, and 12 mo after the procedure. RESULTS: Technical success was accomplished in all patients. One patient had flow signals with patent segment of the VSM visualized by venous duplex ultrasonography at 1 mo, which persisted until the 12-mo follow-up. None of the patients developed acute deep-venous thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that residual VSM stump-length measurement differences at 7 d and 12 mo were statistically significant. In future, large-scale studies are needed, focusing on the proper position of the catheter tip to the saphenofemoral junction and timing the intervals of follow-up after EVLA.

Chylothorax after aortic valve replacement.

A 71-year-old-man was diagnosed with chylothorax after aortic valve replacement. He was treated with a low-fat diet and pleural drainage with thoracentesis. The pleural effusion completely resolved by the 14th postoperative day.

Combined radiofrequency ablation and myxoma resection through a port access approach.

Myxomas are common cardiac tumors that are traditionally managed by complete excision through a median sternotomy approach with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. We discuss a patient with left atrial myxoma and chronic atrial fibrillation who underwent surgical excision and combined irrigated radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation through a Port Access approach. Minimally invasive operations constitute an expanding field for the treatment of many cardiac diseases and may be an alternative for the treatment of this pathology because of less surgical trauma and cosmetic superiority. In this case, both excision of the myxoma and radiofrequency ablation were feasible through this minimally invasive approach. The combination of direct and endoscopic views enabled both procedures to be performed safely and efficiently.