[Open surgical treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. Experience in 45 patients]. / Cirugía convencional del aneurisma tóraco-abdominal.

BACKGROUND: Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) is an infrequent disease and demands a highly specialized and experienced management. Open repair (OR) is the gold standard but it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Paraplegia and renal failure are the most important complications. AIM: To report our results with OR treatment of TAAA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study including all patients with TAAA operated electively and consecutively by OR between 1983 and 2019. Main outcomes are operative mortality, renal and neurological morbidity, and long-term survival. RESULTS: We report 45 operated patients aged 33 to 84 years, 74% males. Aneurysm extension according to Crawford classification was I in 18%, II in 18 %, III in 36% and IV in 29%. Operative mortality was 4%. The frequency of paraplegia or paraparesis at discharge was 9%. No patient was discharged on hemodialysis. Survival at 5 and 10 years were 60% and 40% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: OR of TAAA is a complex procedure. Our results show perioperative mortality rates comparable to highly experienced centers. Although being a major procedure, OR remains an alternative to treat this serious condition.

[Influence of the referring health care systems and other factors on the results of mitral valve replacement]. / Influencia del sistema de salud de procedencia y otros factores en el resultado del reemplazo valvular mitral.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus regarding which risk factors influence the outcome of mitral valve replacement. AIM: To study the effects of the referring health care system and other factors on the results of mitral replacement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included 632 patients operated between 1990 and 2010 receiving the St Jude prosthesis. Patients were divided into three groups, group 1 composed by 180 patients coming from the Public System, group 2 composed by 182 patients coming from the University System and group 3 composed by 270 patients coming from the Private System. RESULTS: Overall operative mortality was 4.3%. There was no difference between groups in mortality. Factors responsible for operative mortality were: emergency operation (Odds Patio (OR): 5.6 P < 0.01) and left ventricular function (according to ejection fraction) grade III to IV (OR: 2.5 p = 0.048). Actuarial survival rates at 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 years were 95%, 87%, 76%, 61% and 41%, respectively. Risk factors for long-term mortality were diabetes (OR: 3.3 p < 0.01), left ventricular function grades III-IV (OR: 2.6 p < 0.01), New York Heart Association functional class III to PV (OR: 2.1 p < 0.005) and male sex (OR: 1.5 p < 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Referring health care system and type of surgery do not constitute a risk factor for mitral replacement. Risk factors were: emergency surgery, ventricular function grades III-IV, diabetes, functional capacity class III-IV and male sex. Integration of public and private health care systems in a university hospital setting achieves excellent outcomes for complex pathology.

[Reducing the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia following heart surgery: 13-year experience of epidemiologic surveillance in a teaching hospital]. / Reducción de incidencia de neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica post cirugía cardíaca: experiencia de 13 años de vigilancia epidemiológica en un hospital universitario.

OBJECTIVES: To report the results of 13 years worth of epidemiologic surveillance of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) following heart surgery and the main interventions applied in order to reduce VAP incidence. METHODS: This is a retrospective and descriptive study of active epidemiologic surveillance of VAP. National diagnostic criteria were used. Interventions associated with a decrease in VAlP incidence in adults who underwent heart surgery are described. RESULTS: A significant and sustained reduction was observed in the rate of VAP; being 56.7 per 1,000 ventilator-days in 1998 vs 4.7 per 1,000 ventilator-days in 2010 (p < 0.001). The strongest reduction was observed following 2003 (34.4 to 14.8 per 1,000 ventilator-days in 2004, p < 0.001). The interventions with greatest impact were the implementation of an early-weaning protocol, the introduction of trained nurses to perform the mechanical ventilator equipment management and the routine use of alcohol-based hand rubs. CONCLUSION: Epidemiologic surveillance associated with the establishment of a multifactorial intervention program applied in collaboration with the attending team, have demonstrated a significant reduction of VAP incidence after heart surgery.

[Pelvic intravenous leiomyomatosis with intracardiac extension: report of two cases]. / Leiomiomatosis intravenosa de origen pelviano con extensión intracardiaca: Reporte de dos casos.

Symptoms predominate. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings and appropriate imaging. We report two females, aged 35 and 51 years. One of them presented with a pelvic mass and dyspnea, the other patient had severe cardiac failure on admission. Computed axial tomography scan allowed an accurate preoperative diagnosis on both patients. Successful one stage resection of the tumor was performed under cardiopulmonary bypass. Both patients are asymptomatic on follow up at 6 months and 25 years.

[Aortic valve replacement with bioprosthesis in patients 70 years old or older with aortic stenosis]. / Reemplazo valvular aórtico con prótesis biológica en pacientes mayores de 70 años con estenosis aórtica.

BACKGROUND: Aortic valve stenosis is the most prevalent valvulopathy in the elderly, but it is frequently undertreated. AIM: To assess early and long term results of valve replacement with bioprostheses in patients 70 years old or older with aortic stenosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A review of the database of the Cardiovascular Surgery Service of our hospital, for the period 1990-2007, identified 156 patients with aortic valve stenosis, aged 76.7 ± 4.5 years (67% males), that were subjected to an aortic valve replacement with bioprosthesis. Seventy eight (50%) were in functional class III-IV. Six patients had emergency surgery. In 67 patients (43%) coronary artery bypass graft were performed. Long term mortality was ascertained obtaining death records from Chilean death registry. RESULTS: Operative mortality was 3.2% (5 patients). Four patients (2.6%) required a reoperation due to bleeding. The mean follow up was 66 ± 41 months. The survival rate at 1, 3 and 5 years was 94%, 88% and 80%, respectively. Forty two patients (27%) were 80 years old or older. In this sub-group, 1 patient (2.3%) died during the peri operative period and the estimated survival rate at 1, 3 and 5 years was 97%, 92%, and 80%, respectively. Multivariate risk analysis, for the whole group, identified low ejection fraction and concomitant coronary artery bypass graft surgery as predictors of late mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis with bioprostheses in patients 70 years old or older had low perioperative mortality and morbidity and a good long term survival.

Cirugía convencional del aneurisma tóraco-abdominal / Open surgical treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. Experience in 45 patients

BACKGROUND: Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) is an infrequent disease and demands a highly specialized and experienced management. Open repair (OR) is the gold standard but it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Paraplegia and renal failure are the most important complications. AIM: To report our results with OR treatment of TAAA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study including all patients with TAAA operated electively and consecutively by OR between 1983 and 2019. Main outcomes are operative mortality, renal and neurological morbidity, and long-term survival. RESULTS: We report 45 operated patients aged 33 to 84 years, 74% males. Aneurysm extension according to Crawford classification was I in 18%, II in 18 %, III in 36% and IV in 29%. Operative mortality was 4%. The frequency of paraplegia or paraparesis at discharge was 9%. No patient was discharged on hemodialysis. Survival at 5 and 10 years were 60% and 40% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: OR of TAAA is a complex procedure. Our results show perioperative mortality rates comparable to highly experienced centers. Although being a major procedure, OR remains an alternative to treat this serious condition.

[Coronary artery surgery in the first 24 hours after myocardial infarction]. / Cirugía coronaria en el infarto de miocardio de menos de 24 horas de evolución.

BACKGROUND: Thrombolysis and angioplasty in the first hours after myocardial infarction minimize necrosis, leading to better early and late survival, but these therapies have limited effect in patients with three-vessel disease and cardiogenic shock. Emergency coronary surgery is an alternative treatment in some cases. AIM: To assess perioperative complications, mortality and long-term survival in patients undergoing coronary surgery within 24 h of myocardial infarction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 57 patients undergoing surgery within 24 h of the onset of symptoms of myocardial infarction between 1982 and 1998. Multiple vessel disease was present in 31 patients (54%), shock or cardiac arrest in 19 (33%) and coronary angiography complications in 7 (12%). The mean time between onset of symptoms and surgery was 6.32 h. At the beginning of surgery 32 patients (56%) were hemodynamically stable, 15 (26%) were in shock and 10 (17%) were in cardiac arrest. RESULTS: The operative mortality was 0% for those who were hemodynamically stable at the start of surgery and 44% (11 of 25 patients) for those in shock or cardiac arrest. Shock or prior cardiac arrest were associated with higher rates of sternal infection and heart failure and longer hospital stays.Follow-up (mean 67 months) was possible for all remaining patients. The 5- and 10-year survival rates were 89 and 82%, respectively, for patients who were hemodynamically stable at the time of surgery. Five-year survival was 55%, however, for those who underwent surgery in shock or cardiac arrest. The overall rate of freedom from myocardial infarction, angioplasty or reoperation was over 95% at 5 years and over 85% at 10 years of follow-up. Age and shock or cardiac arrest were risk factors for a poor long-term outcome. CONCLUSION: The early and long-term outcome of coronary surgery within 24 h of myocardial infarction is good for patients who are hemodynamically stable when surgery begins. Shock and cardiac arrest are important risk factors for complication and death. Coronary artery bypass grafting is a good treatment option in the first hours after myocardial infarction.

[Early and late morbidity and mortality of aortic valve replacement with mechanical or biological prostheses during the last decade: the gold standard]. / Morbimortalidad precoz y alejada del reemplazo valvular aórtico con prótesis mecánica y biológica durante la última década: El estándar de oro.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing interest in alternative techniques for aortic valve replacement (AVR). Therefore it is important to have updated results of conventional AYR as a valid comparative standard. AIM: To evaluate both perioperative and late morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing conventional AVR, with either mechanical (RVAm) or biological (RVAb) prostheses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records and operative protocols of patients undergoing AVR between January 1995 and December 2005. Patients with previous cardiac surgery, aortic balloonplasty or simultaneous cardiovascular procedures were excluded. RESULTS: During the study period, 788 patients underwent AVR and 317 met the inclusion criteria. Of the latter, 175 patients aged 13 to 83 years (63% males) were subjected to AVRm and 142 patients aged 49 to 87 years (64% males), were subjected to AVRb. Five (1.6%) patients died during the perioperative period (one AVRm and four AVRb). All were older than 65 years. Perioperative complications were recorded in 29 and 25% of patients in AVRm and AVRb groups, respectively (NS). During a median follow-up of six years, complications were recorded in 12 and 4% of patients in AVRm and AVRb groups, respectively (p <0.05). The actuarial survival for AVRm group at 1, 5 and 10 years, was 96, 92 and 87%, respectively. The figures for AVRb group were 95, 86 and 83%, respectively (NS). The 10 year reintervention free survival was 97% for the AVRm group and 84% for the AVRb (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative mortality and rates of complications of AVR in this series of patients are low, which compares favorably with other series.

Cirugía de la comunicación interventricular post infarto: análisis de los últimos 22 años / Surgery for post infarction ventricular septal defect: a 22-year experience

Introducción: El desarrollo de una comunicación interventricular en la evolución de un infarto miocárdico es una complicación muy grave, aunque infrecuente. Objetivo: Comunicar nuestros resultados con el tratamiento quirúrgico de pacientes con comunicación interventricular post infarto (CIVPI) intervenidos en los últimos 22 años. Método: Analizamos en forma retrospectiva los antecedentes de los pacientes intervenidos entre Enero de 1991 y Diciembre de 2012. Revisamos fichas clínicas, protocolos operatorios y certificamos la mortalidad con el Registro Civil e Identificación de Chile. Resultados: Operamos 43 pacientes, edad promedio de 66,6 +/- 10,2 años. El 58 por ciento eran hombres, de menor edad que las mujeres (63,1 +/- 10,8 vs 71,5 +/- 6,9 años, p=0,006). El tiempo promedio entre el diagnóstico de infarto y de CIVPI fue 10 +/- 15 días. El 74 por ciento fueron intervenidos de urgencia. La CIVPI fue anterior en 58 por ciento. Se realizó revascularización miocárdica concomitante en el 58 por ciento. Trece pacientes fallecieron (30 por ciento) en el posoperatorio. Factores de riesgo de mortalidad operatoria fueron: cirugía de urgencia ( p = 0,019]) y uso de balón intra aórtico (p = 0,006). La cirugía realizada después de las 24 horas del diagnóstico tuvo una mortalidad significativamente menor (7,7 por ciento, p=0,033). El seguimiento promedio fue de 8,36 +/- 5,3 años. La supervivencia alejada, excluida la mortalidad operatoria, a 5 y 10 años, fue 93 por ciento y 71 por ciento, respectivamente. Conclusión: La CIVPI tiene elevada mortalidad operatoria, especialmente en pacientes intervenidos de urgencia y en los que requirieron balón de contra pulsación, pero la supervivencia alejada de los sobrevivientes es muy satisfactoria.

Background: The development of a ventricular septal defect (VSD) after myocardial infarction is a rare but very serious complication for which the treatment of choice is surgical repair. Aim: To report our results with patients operated on for post-infarction VSD in the last 22 years. Methods: This is a retrospective review of all patients operated for post infarction VSD between january 1991 and december 2012. We reviewed all clinical charts and operative notes. Longterm mortality was certified by the "Registro Civil e Identificación de Chile". Results: Fourty three patients with a mean age of 66.6 +/- 10.2 years underwent surgical repair. Fifty eight percent were males. The average time between myocardial infarction and the diagnosis of vsd was 10 +/- 15.2 days. Seventy four percent of patients were operated on as an emergency. In 58 percent of cases the VSD was located in the anterior septum. Myocardial revascularization was performed in 58 percent. Thirteen patients died for an operative mortality of 30 percent. Risk factors for operative mortality were emergency surgery (p = 0,04) and the use of intraaortic balloon pump (p = 0,004). Non emergency surgery had a much lower mortality rate ( 7,7 percent, p = 0,033). Survival excluding operative mortality at 5 and 10 years was 90 percent and 71 percent, respectively. Conclusions: Operative mortality for repair of post infarction VSD remains high, mainly in patients undergoing an emergency operation. Surgical survivors have a very good life expectancy.

Influencia del sistema de salud de procedencia y otros factores en el resultado del reemplazo valvular mitral / Influence of the referring health care systems and other factors on the results of mitral valve replacement

Background: There is no consensus regarding which risk factors influence the outcome of mitral valve replacement. Aim: To study the effects ofthe referring health care system and other factors on the results of mitral replacement. Patients and Methods: We included 632 patients operated between 1990 and 2010 receiving the St Jude prosthesis. Patients were divided into three groups, group 1 composed by 180 patients coming from the Public System, group 2 composed by 182 patients coming from the University System and group 3 composed by 270 patients coming from the Private System. Results: Overall operative mortality was 4.3%. There was no difference between groups in mortality. Factors responsible for operative mortality were: emergency operation (Odds Patio (OR): 5.6 P < 0.01) and left ventricular function (according to ejection fraction) grade III to IV (OR: 2.5 p = 0.048). Actuarial survival rates at 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 years were 95%, 87%, 76%, 61% and 41%, respectively. Risk factors for long-term mortality were diabetes (OR: 3.3 p < 0.01), left ventricular function grades III-IV (OR: 2.6 p < 0.01), New York Heart Association functional class III to PV (OR: 2.1 p < 0.005) and male sex (OR: 1.5 p < 0.032). Conclusions: Referring health care system and type of surgery do not constitute a risk factor for mitral replacement. Risk factors were: emergency surgery, ventricular function grades III-IV, diabetes, functional capacity class III-IV and male sex. Integration of public and private health care systems in a university hospital setting achieves excellent outcomes for complex pathology.

Reducción de incidencia de neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica post cirugía cardíaca: experiencia de 13 años de vigilancia epidemiológica en un hospital universitario / Reducing the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia following heart surgery: 13-year experience of epidemiologic surveillance in a teaching hospital

Objectives: To report the results of 13 years worth of epidemiologic surveillance of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) following heart surgery and the main interventions applied in order to reduce VAP incidence. Methods: This is a retrospective and descriptive study of active epidemiologic surveillance of VAP. National diagnostic criteria were used. Interventions associated with a decrease in VAlP incidence in adults who underwent heart surgery are described. Results: A significant and sustained reduction was observed in the rate of VAP; being 56.7 per 1,000 ventilator-days in 1998 vs 4.7 per 1,000 ventilator-days in 2010 (p < 0.001). The strongest reduction was observed following 2003 (34.4 to 14.8 per 1,000 ventilator-days in 2004, p < 0.001). The interventions with greatest impact were the implementation of an early-weaning protocol, the introduction of trained nurses to perform the mechanical ventilator equipment management and the routine use of alcohol-based hand rubs. Conclusion: Epidemiologic surveillance associated with the establishment of a multifactorial intervention program applied in collaboration with the attending team, have demonstrated a significant reduction of VAP incidence after heart surgery.

Objetivos: Comunicar los resultados de 13 años de vigilancia epidemiológica de neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica (NAVM) post cirugía cardíaca y las principales intervenciones implementadas para reducir su incidencia. Metodología: Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, de vigilancia epidemiológica activa de NAVM utilizando los criterios del ]Ministerio de Salud (MINSAL) y de las intervenciones asociadas con una disminución de la tasa de NAVM en adultos operados de cirugía cardíaca. Resultados: Se observó una reducción significativa y sostenida de la tasa de NAVM, siendo 56,7 por 1.000 días de ventilación mecánica (VM) en 1998 vs 4,7 por 1.000 días de VM en 2010 (p < 0,001). La mayor reducción fue observada a partir de 2003 (desde 34,4 a 14,8 por 1.000 días de VM en 2004, p < 0,001). Las intervenciones con mayor impacto fueron la implementación de un protocolo de extubación precoz, la incorporación de enfermeras capacitadas en el manejo de los equipos de VM y el uso rutinario de alcohol gel. Conclusión: La vigilancia epidemiológica asociada a un programa de intervención multifactorial aplicado en conjunto con el equipo tratante permitió reducir significativamente la incidencia de NAVM post cirugía cardíaca.

Leiomiomatosis intravenosa de origen pelviano con extensión intracardiaca: Reporte de dos casos / Pelvic intravenous leiomyomatosis with intracardiac extension: Report of two cases

Background: symptoms predominate. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings and appropriate imaging. We report two females, aged 35 and 51 years. One of them presented with a pelvic mass and dyspnea, the other patient had severe cardiac failure on admission. Computed axial tomography scan allowed an accurate preoperative diagnosis on both patients. Successful one stage resection of the tumor was performed under cardiopulmonary bypass. Both patients are asymptomatic on follow up at 6 months and 25 years.

[Long-term results of repair versus replacement for degenerative mitral valve regurgitation]. / Resultados alejados de la reparación versus reemplazo en insuficiencia mitral degenerativa.

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve repair is considered better than mitral valve replacement for degenerative mitral regurgitation. AIM: To evaluate late clinical results of mitral valve repair as compared to mitral valve replacement in patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients subjected to open heart surgery for degenerative mitral regurgitation between 1990 and 2002 were assessed for surgical mortality, late cardiac and overall mortality, reoperation, readmission to hospital, functional capacity and anticoagulant therapy. Eighty eight patients (48 males) had mitral valve repair and 28 (19 males) had mitral valve replacement (23 with a mechanical prosthesis). Mean age was 59.9 +/- 14.8 (SD) and 61.3 +/- 14.6 years, respectively. Sixty three percent of patients with repair and 50% of those with valve replacement were in functional class III or IV before surgery. RESULTS: Operative mortality was 2.3% for mitral valve repair and 3.6% for mitral valve replacement (NS). Also, there was no statistical difference in the need of reoperation during the follow-up period between both procedures (2.3% and 0%, respectively). Ninety four percent of the replacement patients but only 26% of the repair patients were in anticoagulant therapy at the end of the follow-up period (p < 0.001). Ten years survival rates were 82 +/- 6% for mitral valve repair and 54 +/- 11% for replacement. The corresponding cardiac related survival rates were 89 +/- 6% and 79 +/- 10%. At the end of follow-up, all surviving patients were in functional class I or II. Ten years freedom from cardiac event rates (death, cardiac related rehospitalization and reoperation) were 90 +/- 3% for mitral valve repair and 84 +/- 6% for replacement. CONCLUSION: Repair of the mitral valve offers a better overall survival and a better chance of freedom from cardiac events as well as need for anticoagulation 10 years after surgery.

[Valve repair surgery for incompetent bicuspid aortic valves]. / Ciruguía reparadora de la válvula aórtica bicúspide insuficiente.

BACKGROUND: Surgical valve repair is a good alternative for correction of incompetent bicuspid aortic valve. AIM: To report the early and late surgical, clinical and ecochardiographic results of surgical repair of incompetent bicuspid aortic valves. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records of 18 patients aged 19 to 61 years, with incompetent bicuspid aortic valve in whom a valve repair was performed. Four patients had infectious endocarditis and 17 were in functional class I or II. Follow up ranged from 3 to 113 months after surgery. RESULTS: A triangular resection of the prolapsing larger cusp, which included the middle raphe, was performed in 17 cases; in 13 of these, a complementary subcommisural annuloplasty was performed. In the remaining case, with a perforation of the non-coronary cusp, a pericardial patch was implanted; this procedure was also performed in 2 other cases. In 3 cases large vegetations were removed. Postoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed no regurgitation in 11 patients (62%) and mild regurgitation in 7 (38%). There was no operative morbidity or mortality. There were no deaths during the follow-up period. In 3 patients (17%) the aortic valve was replaced with a mechanical prosthesis, 8 to 108 months after the first operation. Reoperation was not needed in 93%+/-6,4% at 1 year and 85%+/-9,5% at 5 years, these patients were all in functional class I at the end of the follow-up period. 60% had no aortic regurgitation, 20% had mild and 20% moderate aortic regurgitation on echocardiographic examination. A significant reduction of the diastolic diameter of the left ventricle was observed, but there were no significant changes in systolic diameter or shortening fraction. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical repair of incompetent bicuspid aortic valves has low operative morbidity and mortality and has a low risk of reoperation.

[Axillary artery cannulation for extracorporeal circulation]. / Canulación de arteria axilar para circulación extracorpórea.

BACKGROUND: When the ascending aorta and the femoral artery cannot be used for extracorporeal circulation, an emerging alternative is the use of axillary artery. AIM: To report the experience using the axillary artery for extracorporeal circulation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between November 1998 and May 2002, 22 patients (14 male) were operated with extracorporeal circulation, cannulating the axillary artery. Briefly, an incision is made below the middle third of the clavicle and a cut is made on major pectoris muscle. Minor pectoris muscle is retracted and axillary artery is exposed. It is cannulated directly or with the aid of a prosthesis. RESULTS: Right axillary artery was used in 21 patients and in 20 it was cannulated with the aid of a prosthesis. Mean flow was 4.5 +/- 0.6 l/min. The most common indications were aortic dissection or aneurysms. The most common procedures done, were ascending aorta replacement in 8 cases and replacement of ascending aorta and aortic arch in 5. Thirty five percent of operations were emergencies and 32% were reoperations. In 15 patients (68%), a circulatory arrest was done. Of these, retrograde brain perfusion was used in 9, antegrade brain perfusion through the same axillary artery was used in 2 and mixed perfusion was used in 2. One patient had a complication related to the axillary cannulation. None had cerebrovascular accidents or thromboembolic complications. Two patients died in the postoperative period. Patients were followed up to 42 months after the procedure and no secondary complications of the cannulation were detected. CONCLUSIONS: When the ascending aorta and the femoral artery cannot be used, axillary artery is a good alternative for extracorporeal circulation.

[Surgery for mitral valve insufficiency]. / Cirugía de la insuficiencia mitral isquémica.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) is a severe condition which may be best treated by surgery, notwithstanding a relatively high mortality rate. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the results of mitral valve replacement or repair in patients with IMR. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of the clinical records in 29 patients with IMR who were surgically treated from 1990 to 1999. They represent 8% of surgical procedures on the mitral valve. RESULTS: Mean age was 67 +/- 9 years. Surgery was performed urgently in 19 patients (66.5%). NYHA functional class was 3.4 +/- 0.8. The mechanism of IMR was annular dilatation and spreading of papillary muscles in 18 patients, papillary muscle rupture in 9 and fibrosis in 2. Mitral valve replacement was performed in 14 patients and mitral valve repair in 15. Twenty four patients (83%) had concomitant myocardial revascularization. Overall surgical mortality was 24%; 26% for mitral replacement and 13% for mitral valve repair (p = 0.215). On follow up of 26 +/- 33 months, one year survival was 76 +/- 0.8% and 5 years survival was 59 +/- 12%. Excluding in hospital mortality, survival was 100% at one year and 78 +/- 14% at 5 years. Functional class improved in all survivors, to 1.4 +/- 0.5. Late echocardiographic evaluation of patients with mitral valve repair showed absence of mitral regurgitation in 58%, 1+ MR in 17% and 2+ MR in 25%. CONCLUSION: In spite of a high perioperative mortality, surgery for IMR is a valuable procedure for patients with an otherwise highly lethal disease.

[Fontan procedure: early and mid-term results with total cavopulmonary anastomosis]. / Operación de Fontan: resultados inmediatos y a mediano plazo con anastomosis cavopulmonar total.

BACKGROUND: During the last five years, 65 patients with univentricular heart have been treated surgically in our institution, according to a protocol of staged operations that have been previously reported. AIM: To evaluate the early and mid-term outcome of those patients that have completed their staging protocol by means of a Fontan procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 1996 and June 2001, 23 patients (age 16 to 223 months) underwent a Fontan procedure, 15 with an intracardiac lateral tunnel technique and 8 with an extracardiac conduit. A retrospective review of their clinical, surgical, echocardiographic, angiographic and hemodynamic data was performed, trying to identify risk factors for both mortality and functional capacity (FC). Follow up was complete in all survivors. RESULTS: Three patients died early after surgery (13.04%). Excessive pulmonary blood flow was a risk factor for early death (p = 0.03). One patient died at 14 months. Follow up was 29.9 months (1-63). For those who survived the operation, five years survival was 93.3%. The majority of patients are in FC I or II, with no related risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Our current results are comparable with those of larger series. Patients reach good FC and mid-term survival, irrespective of type of single ventricle or the surgical strategy.

[Immediate results of palliative surgery for different forms of univentricular heart using the Norwood procedure]. / Cirugía paliativa mediante operación de Norwood en distintas formas de corazón univentricular: resultados quirúrgicos inmediatos.

BACKGROUND: Norwood procedure is used as the first stage in the palliative treatment of the hypoplastic heart syndrome and can be used, with some technical modifications, in other forms of univentricular heart with aortic stenosis or hypoplasia. These patients have a high mortality (50%), derived from the procedure itself and from their abnormal physiological status. AIM: To report our experience with the Norwood procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all patients subjected to the Norwood procedure between February, 2000 and June 2003. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (9 females, age range 5-60 days and median weight of 3.3 kg) were operated. Eight had hypoplastic heart syndrome and five had a single ventricle with aortic arch hypoplasia. The diagnosis was done in utero in eight patients. All technical variations, according to the disposition and anatomy of the great vessels, are described. Cardiac arrest with profound hypothermia was used in all and regional cerebral perfusion was used in nine. Three patients died in the perioperative period and three died in the follow up (two, four and 10 months after the procedure). Gleen and Fontan procedures were completed in five and one patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results with the Norwood procedure are similar to other series. There is an important mortality in the immediate operative period and prior to the Glenn procedure.

[Endovascular treatment of descending thoracic aorta aneurysm]. / Tratamiento endovascular del aneurisma de aorta torácica descendente.

BACKGROUND: The natural history of aneurysms ends in rupture and death. In 1990 the first endovascular exclusion of an aneurysm, using an endoluminal graft implanted through the femoral arteries was performed. More recently, the same procedure has been used for aneurysms of the thoracic aorta. AIM: To report our experience with endovascular treatment of thoracic aorta aneurysms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of 14 patients (nine male), aged 30 to 79 years, treated between May 2001 and August 2002. RESULTS: The mean diameter of the aneurysms was 6.9 cm. The etiology was atherosclerotic in nine patients. The Excluder device (Gore) was preferentially used. There was no operative mortality or paraplegia. One patient had a transient leg monoparesis that reverted completely. No patient had type I endoleaks. Two patients had type II endoleaks on discharge, that sealed spontaneously. In a follow up, ranging from 2 to 17 months, one patient died of a bronchopneumonia and no aneurysm rupture has been detected. CONCLUSIONS: The short term results of endoluminal treatment of thoracic aorta aneurysms are excellent. This treatment is less invasive and has less complications than conventional surgery.

[Long-term results of repair surgery of degenerative mitral insufficiency]. / Resultados alejados de la cirugía reparadora de la insuficiencia mitral degenerativa.

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve repair is probably the procedure of choice for the surgical treatment of degenerative mitral insufficiency. AIM: To evaluate the late results of mitral valve repair in degenerative mitral insufficiency. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The records of 88 patients who underwent mitral valve repair for degenerative mitral insufficiency from December 1991 through June 2002 were reviewed. Mean age was 59.9 years (range 22 to 82). At least moderate mitral insufficiency was present in every patient. Mean left atrial diameter was 55 mm and mean end diastolic and end systolic left ventricular diameters were 61 and 37 mm respectively. RESULTS: The most common underlying lesion was ruptured chordae tendineae (66%) and posterior leaflet prolapse (68%). The surgical procedure most frequently performed was quadrilateral resection of the posterior leaflet (68%). A Carpentier-Edwards ring was placed in 97% of patients. An associated procedure was performed in 34%. Operative mortality was 2.3%. A complete follow up was obtained in 93% of cases with a mean of 54 +/- 36 months. Overall survival rate was 98% at one year, 88% at 5 and 82% at 10 years. Free of cardiac death rates were 94% at 5 and 89% at 10 years. Only 2 patients were reoperated during follow up, resulting in a 98% reoperation free rate follow up. Functional class improved in all patients at the end of follow up. Late echocardiographic evaluation showed absent or minimal mitral regurgitation in 83% and mild mitral regurgitation in 17%. CONCLUSION: Good late results have been obtained with mitral valve repair, avoiding the inconveniences of prosthetic replacement. Therefore, mitral valve repair should be the procedure of choice to treat degenerative mitral insufficiency.