How to recycle a misused left internal thoracic artery: Tips and tricks.

In this case report, we describe how to recycle the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) when misused but not damaged. Eight years after a left anterior small thoracotomy followed by left anterior descending (LAD) stenting for STEMI in first postoperative day, a 67-years-old woman had an NSTEMI with angiographic evidence of intrastent re-stenosis with a perfectly patent LITA, harvested only from the fourth to the sixth intercostal space. During redo surgery, LITA was harvested as a pedicle from the anastomosis to the fourth intercostal space and primarily from the first to the fourth intercostal space. Special attention was paid at the level of the fourth intercostal space where the vessel was stuck to the sternum: a 15-blade was used being scissors or cautery too dangerous. At the end of harvesting, the LITA was full-length available for a new coronary anastomosis on LAD, distal to the previous one.

Profile of infective endocarditis observed from 2003 - 2010 in a single center in Italy.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to provide a contemporary picture of the epidemiologic, clinical, microbiologic characteristics and in-hospital outcome of infective endocarditis (IE) observed in a single center in Italy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients with definite or probable IE observed at the "L. Sacco" Hospital in Milan, Italy, from January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2010. RESULTS: 189 episodes of IE in 166 patients were included. The mean number of incident IE in the study period was of 1.27 (range 0.59-1.76) cases per 1000 patients admitted. The median age of the cohort was 57 (interquartile range, 43-72) years, 63% were male and 62.5% had native valve IE. Twenty-six percent were active intravenous drug users (IVDU), 29% had a health care-associated IE and 5% chronic rheumatic disease. Twenty-nine percent of the cases occurred in patients affected by chronic liver disease and 19% in HIV positive subjects. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen (30%), followed by streptococci. The mitral (34%) and aortic (31%) valves were involved most frequently. The following complications were common: stroke (19%), non-stroke embolizations (25%), heart failure (26%) and intracardiac abscess (9%). Surgical treatment was frequently employed (52%) but in hospital mortality remained high (17%). Health care-associated IE and complications were independently associated with an increased risk of in-hospital death, while surgery was associated with decreased mortality. CONCLUSION: S. aureus emerged as the leading causative organism of IE in a University hospital in northern Italy. Our study confirmed the high in-hospital mortality of IE, particularly if health care associated, and the protective role of surgery.

Epidemiological trends of infective endocarditis in a single center in Italy between 2003-2015.

OBJECTIVE: Changes in the incidence, clinical features and microbiology of infective endocarditis (IE) observed in a single center in Italy were compared between the period 2003-2010 and 2011-2015. METHODS: All cases of IE, defined as definite or possible according to the modified Duke criteria, observed at the 'L. Sacco' Hospital in Milan, Italy between 2003 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: 366 episodes of IE were identified in 325 patients. The mean number of incident IE over the period 2003-2015 was 1.43 (range: 0.6-2.1) cases per 1000 admissions, with a significantly increasing trend from a mean of 1.28-1.72 cases per 1000 admissions/year in 2003-2010 and 2011-2015, respectively (+34%; p = .04). Staphylococci remain the leading pathogens causing IE (29%) with a relative increase of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus between the two periods. Streptococci and enterococci account for 26% and 18% of IE, respectively. We found an increase in the proportion of cases due to enterococci (from 14% in 2003-2010 to 22% in 2011-2015). The rate of in-hospital mortality was 19%, similar in the two periods studied. CONCLUSION: The incidence of IE continuously increased in our cohort over the past decade and, along with the aging of the population, a raise in the incidence of health care-associated infections and a change in the distribution of prevalent pathogens were observed. Surgery was independently associated with higher in-hospital survival (AOR, 95% CI: 0.38, 0.19-0.74; p = .005). A constant surveillance is required to guide the optimal management of the changing epidemiology of IE.

Use of Dithiothreitol to Dislodge Bacteria From the Biofilm on an Aortic Valve in the Operating Theatre: A Case of Infective Endocarditis Caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis.

This is the first reported case of 2 biofilm-producing bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis, identified from an aortic valve using an innovative device with dithiothreitol solution, able to dislodge bacterial biofilm. The method is usable in the operating theatre and recommended in infective endocarditis nonresponders to empiric therapy.

St. Jude Medical Trifecta aortic valve: results from a prospective regional multicentre registry.

BACKGROUND: The Trifecta aortic bioprosthesis (St. Jude Medical, Inc., St. Paul, MN, USA) is a stented pericardial heart valve with excellent preliminary results. Aim of the study was to evaluate its early clinical and hemodynamic performances in a multicenter regional registry. METHODS: Between January 2011 and June 2012, 178 consecutive patients undergoing aortic valve replacement with the Trifecta bioprosthesis were prospectively enrolled at 9 Italian centers. Clinical and echocardiographic data were collectedat discharge, 6-months and at 1-year postoperatively. RESULTS: The average age was 75.4 ± 7.7 years,and 95 (53 %) were men. Indication for valve replacement included stenosis in 123 patients (69 %), mixed lesions in 25 (14 %), and regurgitation in 30 (17 %). Ninety-three (52 %) patients were in NYHA functional class III/ IV. Hospital mortality accounted for 5 (2.8 %) patients. No valve-related perioperative complications were encountered. Median follow-up was 20.5 months (range: 1-34). Early (≤6 months) complications included one thromboembolic event, one major bleeding, and 3 endocarditis (2 explants). Two late (>6 months) thromboembolic events and two endocarditis (1 explant) were registered. No valve thrombosis or structural deterioration were observed after discharge. At 30-months, freedom from all-cause mortality was 87 %, freedom from valve-related mortality 99.4 %, freedom from endocarditis 97.5 %, and freedom from valve explants 98 %. At 1-year, mean gradients ranged from 8 to 16 mmHg, and effective orifice area indexes from 1.0 to 1.2 cm(2)/m(2) for valve sizes from 19 to 27 mm, respectively. No patients had severe prosthesis-patient mismatch. CONCLUSIONS: Trifecta bioprosthesis provided favourable clinical and hemodynamic results over time.

Assessment of an aortosaphenous vein graft anastomotic device in coronary surgery: clinical experience and early angiographic results.

BACKGROUND: Until now technologic evolution in coronary bypass surgery has focused on extracorporeal circulation, on operation without extracorporeal circulation, and on the exposure of the operative site. Recently a one-shot anastomotic device for the proximal anastomosis in coronary surgery was developed. We investigated whether the use of the aortic connector system (ACS) could facilitate the creation of aortosaphenous vein graft anastomoses in myocardial revascularization. METHODS: From November 2000, 40 ACS devices were used in 36 consecutive patients (mean age 70.7 +/- 8.9 years); 12 patients (33.3%) underwent surgery on pump and 24 patients (66.6%) off pump; 50 distal anastomoses were performed. In all cases the connection with the ascending aorta was created before the distal anastomoses because of the necessity to slide the saphenous vein graft (SVG) over the vein transfer sheath. Intraoperative graft function was tested measuring blood flow by Doppler analysis. Postoperative evaluation of the anastomotic patency was carried out by early angiography in 34 patients (94.7%) but was excluded in 5 patients (5.3%) with extensive extracardiac vascular occlusive disease. RESULTS: Of 38 AC (95%) evaluated, 36 (94.7%) functioned properly. The end-to-side proximal anastomosis without aortic clamping is instantaneous, the quality of anastomoses was highly rated, no additional stitches were required, and all coronary arteries could be reached. Intraoperative quantity flow was measured by Doppler analysis and all but one showed good flow. Early postoperative angiography demonstrated good patency of the grafts in all cases but 2 (5.3%). At 1-year follow-up, 1 patient died of stroke; all other patients remained free of symptoms and no reoperation was required. CONCLUSIONS: The use of ACS makes end-to-side anastomosis rapid, effective, and reproducible while eliminating aortic cross clamping; it opens a new era in beating or nonbeating coronary surgery. Long-term results are mandatory to confirm our favorable preliminary results.

Subannular left ventricular aneurysm in a patient with bicuspid aortic valve stenosis.

The term "subannular" left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) implies that the aneurysm's origin is very close to the aorta. In the absence of an infective etiology, subannular LVAs are very rare among Caucasians. Only a few cases have been reported in the literature. We present the case of a patient with a subannular LVA who underwent surgery at our Institution.

Cardiac precursors in human bone marrow and cord blood: in vitro cell cardiogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Cell transplantation has come of age but numerous questions still remain. Which type of cell should be used? Cardiac precursors are present in mouse bone marrow and used to repair the infarcted myocardium in mice. We searched for these precursors in human bone marrow and analyzed gene expression patterns in cells induced to differentiate in vitro. METHODS: Cells from human bone marrow were isolated and cultured in medium supplemented with autologous serum and 5% CO2. Cell characterization was performed by immunocytochemical analysis. mRNA was isolated and retrotranscribed. The active genes were detected with polymerase chain reaction by using specific oligonucleotides. RESULTS: Some inducers pushed the cell through different stages of cardiogenesis, with expression of cardiac transcriptional activators and structural proteins. Some combinations of stimuli were able to drive cells to advanced stages of cardiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: These studies lead to an exact description of in vitro cardiogenesis in humans. Our aim was also to assess the residual proliferative capacity of cells and to enhance the differentiation efficiency, thus maximizing their repair capacity and the likelihood that they functionally integrate with the surrounding cardiac tissue.

Aortic valve repair: a ten-year single-centre experience†.

OBJECTIVES: Aortic valvuloplasty could represent an alternative to valve replacement resulting in optimal haemodynamic conditions, avoiding anticoagulation and allowing, in young people, normal aortic annulus growth. We analysed our results of aortic valve repair for incompetence due to leaflets and root pathology. METHODS: From January 2003 to January 2013, 235 patients affected by aortic valve regurgitation, pure or associated with aortic dilatation, were treated with a combination of the principal leaflet repair techniques and, when necessary, sparing procedures. Of these patients, 218 were considered eligible in this study. All of them were submitted to pre- and postoperative transthoracic echocardiography and pre- and post-repair transoesophageal echocardiography. Follow-up was achieved with periodic echocardiograms and clinical evaluations. RESULTS: Eight patients (3.40%) died before discharge. Median clinical and echocardiographic follow-up for all patients was 2.94 (1.41-5.41) years. Mean cross-clamping time was 101.94 ± 40.22 min and mean hospital stay was 10 ± 6.69 days. Kaplan-Meier freedom from aortic regurgitation >2 and freedom from aortic valve replacement were, respectively, 92.9 ± 2.8 and 94.5 ± 2.5% at 9.24 years: 6 patients (2.75%) were reoperated on with aortic valve replacement for severe aortic regurgitation. We also observed a good effect of aortic surgery on the left ventricle: the end-diastolic volume decreased from 137.89 ± 50.23 ml in the preop to 105.17 ± 31.19 ml at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic valve leaflet repair seems to be a good and feasible option for selected patients, both alone or associated with an aortic sparing technique concerning long-term results.

Endovascular repair of ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm in a high-risk patient.

Mycotic ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm (AAP) is an uncommon but surgically challenging problem with high morbidity and mortality rates. We describe endovascular repair of an acute mycotic AAP in a high-risk patient. A 45-year old man, HIV serum positive, chronic hepatitis HBV and HCV related, presented, after two sternotomies, with a fast growing 11 6 cm AAP that was sealed with two Gore Exluder aortic cuffs, inserted from the left axillary artery. Nine months control CT continued to show no endoleak with shrinking of the AAP.

Chronic histological transmurality of high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation.

We evaluated histologic results for surgical left maze with an high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) energy source. Two patients came to our attention 6 and 48 months, respectively, after ablation concomitant to a valve procedure. Tissue specimens, obtained from the lesion site on the mitral isthmus and from the "box lesion" around the pulmonary veins were analyzed histologically. A complete transmural lesion was found in all specimens. Chronic lesions exhibited replacement of the muscular band with connective tissue. The atrial wall maintained normal thickness and vascularization. HIFU ablation represents an acceptable energy source to create transmural lesions on the beating human left atrium.

Right mini-thoracotomy for left maze with transesophageal echo guidance.

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is widening with the development of new specialized instrumentation, allied with improved surgical experience and techniques, some of which have shown to be effective for the ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). These developments enable us to achieve a so-called 'ideal procedure', epicardially on beating hearts, with less operative risk, high cure rates and rapid patient recovery. Epicor (St Jude Medical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) low profile (LP) system is a device using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). We describe the use of this technology for ablation of AF through MIS approach using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to pilot the ablation on mitral isthmus. Ten patients underwent monolateral small thoracotomy, through the 4th intercostal space. HIFU was carried out in all cases to create an epicardial box lesion of the pulmonary veins (PVs) and mitral isthmus. TEE was employed to guide the positioning of the ablation device on mitral isthmus, in all patients. There were no mortalities or major complications, including pacemaker implantation. One patient had postoperative atrial tachycardia and was cardioverted before hospital discharge. Three patients had a postoperative AF and were scheduled for cardioversion after three months, and one patient spontaneously revealed a normal sinus rhythm (SR). During the follow-up period, all patients recorded a normal SR. We consider Epicor LP system safe and effective for AF ablation through a single right minimal invasive approach.

One-stage repair of aortic coarctation and ascending aortic aneurysm by extra-anatomic graft.

The best surgical approach for patients presenting with coarctation of the aorta and additional surgical cardiovascular disorders is uncertain. We describe the case of a young man with an aneurysm of the ascending aorta and a bicuspid aortic valve with a moderate insufficiency associated with a coarctation of the aorta. The patient underwent a single-stage procedure where the ascending aorta was replaced, the aortic valve repaired and the coarctation bypassed with an extra-anatomic graft. In our opinion, ascending-to-descending extra-anatomic graft is a good solution to treat these complicated cases.

Type F quadricuspid aortic valve: surgical treatment of a rare cause of aortic valve disease.

Quadricuspid aortic valve is the rarest congenital anomaly of the semilunar valves. In the past it has been frequently detected incidentally at autopsy or during cardiac surgery. Recently, the evolution of diagnostic techniques with Doppler analysis has allowed to identify preoperatively this uncommon cardiac abnormality. We report a case of quadricuspid aortic valve diagnosed during surgery.

Hybrid technique for total arch repair: aortic neck reshaping for endovascular-graft fixation.

PURPOSE: Endovascular repairs of the aortic arch aneurysms require correct placement and an appropriate landing zone for fixation, which are not present in the majority of cases. DESCRIPTION: We report a less invasive approach in 4 patients presenting an aortic arch aneurysm. We performed a hybrid procedure that is a combination of different techniques: a mid-sternotomy is performed, followed by transposition of the supra-aortic vessels, and neck reshaping with a proximal banding of the aortic arch. In particular, we banded the aorta to facilitate and optimize the endovascular fixation of the graft, reducing postoperative type-1 endoleaks. EVALUATION: The four procedures were uneventful with 1-day intensive care unit recovery. The postoperative and the 1-year follow-up CT scan did not reveal any endoleaks. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid technique, combined with banding of proximal aortic arch and endovascular grafting are an alternative technique to the conventional open aortic repair. A polyester cloth banding of the ascending and proximal aortic arch allow the neck reshaping of the aorta optimizing the fixation of the endovascular stent graft.