Metachronous single lung transplantation after contralateral pneumonectomy. A ''big'' challenge?

Single lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis is an uncommon therapy. Contralateral pneumonectomy is, in these cases, rarely done before transplantation. Herein, we report the case of a single lung transplantation in a patient who had previously a contralateral pneumonectomy.

[Results of video-assisted mitral surgery in a non-selected population]. / Résultats de la chirurgie mitrale vidéo-assistée dans une population non sélectionnée.

A prospective 'analysis of operative risk and results in video-assisted mitral valve surgery performed in a non selected population is reported. Seventy two consecutive patients (1997-2004) with mean age 60 +/- 12 years underwent a video-assisted mitral valve procedure using a femoral CPB. A transthoracic direct aortic clamping was done in 28 patients (TT) and an endo-aortic occlusion balloon was used in 44 patients (Endo). The surgical approach was a right lateral minithoracotomy in all cases; 16 patients had a previous cardiac surgery. The expected mitral operation (39 repairs, 33 replacements) was done in all cases, without conversion. There were 4 early deaths (1 st month), all in Endo group: 1 aortic dissection, 1 heart failure and 2 sudden deaths. Postoperative complication occurred in 17 patients with 5 reoperations for hemostasis of the thoracic wall. Cumulative rate of mortality and morbidity was 29% in Endo and 28% in TT (ns). Hospital stay was 8 +/- 2 days. At discharge, 4 patients had a residual grade 2 echocardiographic mitral regurgitation after valve repair. In January 2005, with a 1.8 years follow-up, there were 4 late deaths, 3 patients underwent a valve reoperation, 2 patients were still in NYHA class 3 and 5 patients had a residual grade 1 or 2 mitral regurgitation. The 3-year actuarial survival was 86 +/- 10% and the 3-year probability to be free of reoperation was 95 +/- 6%. In mitral valve surgery, video-assisted approach is reliable, the operative risk is controlled and midterm results are not compromised. Video-assisted mitral valve surgery is a new less invasive standard; it is the procedure of choice in valve replacement, in reoperation and in non complex valve repair with good cosmetic results.

Management of an aortic wall ulcer after an aortic dissecting hematoma.

We report the case of a 40-year-old woman who presented with an ulcer of the descending aorta 9 months after ascending aortic surgery for intramural aortic hematoma, which was treated surgically with a supra-coronary aortic replacement. Treatment of the second aortic lesion and the choice between endovascular or surgical approaches are discussed.

Biphasic response after brain death induction: prominent part of catecholamines release in this phenomenon.

BACKGROUND: The physiopathology of hemodynamic instability that occurs after brain death remains unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the initial response to brain death induction. METHODS: After anesthesia and monitoring, 16 pigs were randomized into a control group (C, n = 8) and a brain death group (BD, n = 8). We inflated a subdural catheter balloon to induce brain death. We analyzed hemodynamic and plasmatic biochemical data for 180 minutes after brain death induction. Energetic compounds were measured. We expressed the results in comparison with the C group. RESULTS: The C group remained stable. One minute after brain death, the Cushing reflex appeared, with a hyperdynamic response to plasma catecholamines levels increasing (norepinephrine and epinephrine, 3.1-fold, p = 0. 02, and 3.8-fold, p = 0.07, respectively). After a return to baseline, we recorded a second hyperdynamic profile 120 minutes later. At this time, a second peak of catecholamines appeared (6. 3-fold, p = 0.04, and 9.1-fold, p = 0.02, concerning norepinephrine and epinephrine). At the same time, we observed brief myocardial lactate production (+175%, p < 0.01), with a rise of troponine I (+64%, p = 0.03). The energetic index was similar in both groups: 0. 85 (+/-0.02) in the C group vs 0.87 (+/-0.02) in the BD group. CONCLUSIONS: In this model, biphasic plasmatic catecholamine release appears to primarily explain the physiopathology of the hemodynamic response to brain death induction.

Antegrade/retrograde cardioplegia in arterial bypass grafting: metabolic randomized clinical trial.

The metabolic effects of combined antegrade/retrograde and antegrade cardioplegia on myocardial protection were evaluated and compared in 30 patients who underwent myocardial revascularization. All patients had three-vessel coronary artery disease, and the revascularization was done with exclusive use of arterial grafts (internal mammary artery, gastroepiploic artery). Myocardial protection consisted of oxygenated crystalloid cardioplegia, topical slushed ice, and moderate systemic hypothermia (34 degrees C). The patients were randomly separated into two groups: group A (n = 15), who received antegrade cardioplegia, and group A/R (n = 15), who received combined antegrade/retrograde cardioplegia. There was no significant difference between the two groups concerning preoperative and intraoperative data. After the first dose of cardioplegia, right ventricular temperature was significantly lower in group A/R (15 +/- 2 degrees versus 19 +/- 5 degrees C; p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups in left ventricular temperature. Coronary sinus blood samples were obtained before bypass and 5, 10, and 15 minutes after reperfusion; there was no difference between the two groups concerning lactates, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. After reperfusion, malondialdehyde levels increased significantly in group A and there was no change in group A/R, with a significant difference between the two groups (at 10 minutes after reperfusion, 0.80 +/- 0.20 versus 0.53 +/- 0.16 mumol/L; p < 0.05). Right and left ventricular myocardial biopsies were performed before bypass and 15 minutes after reperfusion; there was no significant difference between the two groups concerning adenosine triphosphate and creatine phosphate myocardial concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Risk and results of bypass grafting using bilateral internal mammary and right gastroepiploic arteries.

From January 1990 to June 1994, 240 patients (mean age, 60 +/- 10 years) underwent myocardial revascularization with the exclusive use of in situ bilateral internal mammary and right gastroepiploic arteries. Left ventricular function was normal in 34% of patients, moderately impaired in 58.5%, and severely impaired in 7.5%. The mean number of distal anastomoses was 3.5 +/- 0.7 and the rate of complete myocardial revascularization was 80%. Early mortality was 0.4%, and complications occurred in 20 patients: myocardial infarction, 1.6%; intraaortic balloon pump, 0.8%; reoperation for bleeding, 0.8%; and mediastinitis, 0.4%. Early (15th postoperative day) angiographic control of grafts was performed in 51 patients; the rate of functional and patent anastomoses was 100% for internal mammary arteries and 96% for gastroepiploic arteries. Early functional results (3 +/- 1 postoperative months) were studied in 141 patients during exercise test with medical treatment: 99% were symptom-free and 14% had ischemic modification of electrocardiograms. A 2-year postoperative functional assessment without medical treatment was performed during exercise test in 66 patients: 98% were symptom-free and 26% had ischemic modification of electrocardiograms; during the same procedure, thallium myocardial scintigraphy was obtained in 50 patients and 18 patients had moderate ischemic defect on exercise. Ischemic modifications of electrocardiograms and defects seen on thallium scintigraphy were correlated significantly with incomplete revascularization (p < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Thromboembolic risk and late survival after mitral valve replacement with the St. Jude Medical valve.

From January 1979 to December 1990, 397 consecutive patients (mean age, 55 +/- 11 years) underwent mitral valve replacement with the St. Jude Medical valve. Associated procedures performed were 174 multiple valve replacements, 24 coronary artery bypass graftings, 25 tricuspid repairs, and 13 left ventricular myectomies. The continuous intravenous administration of heparin was started on the first postoperative day and maintained until effective oral anticoagulation, started on the seventh day, was achieved (INR, 3 to 4.5). Follow-up consisted of 2,402 patient-years (pt-y) (mean, 6.1 +/- 0.2 years) and was 97% complete. The early (30-day) mortality was 3.5%; the 5-year and 10-year actuarial survivals were 86% +/- 4% and 73% +/- 6%, respectively. Survival was less in patients who had been in an advanced preoperative functional class (p = 0.02) and in those who underwent multiple valve replacements (p = 0.05). The 5-year and 10-year survivals in patients who underwent isolated mitral valve replacement and who were in preoperative New York Heart Association functional class II and III, were 90% +/- 5% and 82% +/- 7%, respectively. The early and late mortality and the incidence of deaths resulting from heart failure and sudden deaths were higher in patients who had undergone multiple valve replacements (p = 0.05). In terms of all deaths, 47% (36/77) were valve related (including 12 sudden deaths, 0.50%/pt-y). Thromboembolic complications occurred in 44 patients, and these were broken down as follows: embolism, 1.46%/pt-y, and valve thrombosis, 0.37%/pt-y.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Late hemodynamic results after cardiomyoplasty in congestive heart failure.

Between November 1989 and September 1990, a cardiomyoplasty procedure was performed in 12 male patients with a mean age of 59 years. All patients were in New York Heart Association class III. Reinforcement cardiomyoplasty was isolated in 4 patients and associated with a cardiac procedure in 8. There were no perioperative deaths. Failure of cardiomyoplasty occurred in 5 patients because of recurrence of disabling congestive heart failure: 3 patients died late, and 2 had heart transplantation. The actuarial survival rate was 83% at 1 year and 73% at 2 years. Hemodynamic studies were done preoperatively in all patients, at 6 months postoperatively in 11 patients, at 1 year in 8, and at 2 years in 7. At the 2-year follow-up, 6 of the 7 survivors who did not have transplantation were functionally improved with reduced medical treatment. The following indices improved significantly at the 2-year evaluation compared with baseline: exercise capacity (63 +/- 13 W versus 83 +/- 17 W); left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic pressure (20 +/- 7 mm Hg versus 11 +/- 5 mm Hg); and angiographic LV ejection fraction (0.25 +/- 0.09 versus 0.40 +/- 0.15). Pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and cardiac index remained unchanged. Four patients underwent beat-to-beat analysis of LV function at 2 years; during skeletal muscle stimulation, stroke volume increased by 7% to 35% and LV end-systolic pressure, by 5% to 9%. In the 5 patients with failed cardiomyoplasty, mean pulmonary artery pressure and LV end-diastolic volume were higher preoperatively than in the 7 survivors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cardiomyoplasty does not preclude heart transplantation.

Stimulated skeletal muscle grafts have been proposed to improve left ventricle function in patients with severe myocardial failure. In 1 particular case reported here, however, the postoperative functional improvement was only transient and disabling heart failure recurred after 9 months in spite of a vigorous latissimus muscle contraction. Heart transplantation was proposed to this patient and performed successfully. Technically, the key to heart removal depends on the retrograde dissection of the ventricular cavities, starting from the right atrioventricular groove. The intraoperative observations confirmed the viability of the latissimus dorsi muscle, inefficient on a highly dilated cardiomyopathy. Histopathological examination of the latissimus dorsi muscles showed that the transformation process of the stimulated muscle was good. Thus, severe cardiac dilatation seems to be one of the limitations of cardiomyoplasty. Cardiomyoplasty, when it fails, does not preclude heart transplantation. The histochemical studies confirm the electrophysiologic principle of cardiomyoplasty in humans.

Surgical angioplasty of the coronary trunks: an alternative to bypass techniques.

AIM: To test the value of surgical angioplasty of the coronary trunks as an alternative to bypass techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Surgical angioplasty of the coronary trunks was performed in 12 patients (mean age 59 +/- 9 years), of whom nine underwent right coronary trunk angioplasty, five underwent left main coronary artery angioplasty, and two patients underwent bilateral coronary trunk angioplasty. A transpulmonary approach to the left main coronary artery was used. The patch consisted of saphenous vein in the first two patients but in the rest pericardium was preferred. Associated bypass procedures to the other coronary network using internal mammary or gastroepiploic arteries were performed in six patients, and one patient had a concomitant aortic valve replacement. RESULTS: No early mortality (30-day) or morbidity was observed and all procedures were successful. A 15-day angiographic study revealed an excellent result in all 14 angioplasties. After 6 months, all patients were free of symptoms during exercise stress testing (maximum level of exercise 140 +/- 20 W). One patient with a recurrence of angina underwent a second operation after 1 year because of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion after bilateral angioplasty. Another angiographic study was obtained after 1 year in three other patients, which showed excellent results (four angioplasties controlled). After a mean follow-up period of 17 +/- 7 months (range 6-31), all patients were symptom-free, and with the exception of the one reoperation, no cardiac events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Provided that contraindications (calcifications, involvement of the distal bifurcation) are respected, surgical angioplasty of the coronary trunks is safe, restores physiologic coronary perfusion, is economical with bypass material, and provides good results.

Intracardiac air clearing in valvular surgery guided by transesophageal echocardiography.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE STUDY: Air embolism during open heart surgery seems to be a common occurrence and may be responsible for neuropsychological deficit or myocardial damage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-two consecutive patients undergoing valvular surgery were studied using the long axis view of the heart by two dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The patients were randomized into two groups of 21 each. In group 1, the routine air evacuation method was used. In group 2, the same air evacuation method was used and controlled with a Doppler ultrasonic probe adjusted around the root of the aorta. At the end of air evacuation, intracardiac microbubbles and retained air were analyzed with TEE and when air was founded, its location was communicated to the surgeons who tried to remove it by shaking the heart and tilting the operating table for 15 minutes. The patients were assessed for detection of cardiac or neurological postoperative complications. RESULTS: The incidences of microbubbles and retained air were 57% and 43% in group 1, and 62% and 38% in group 2 respectively (ns). The mean grade of microbubbles was lower in group 2: 1.4 +/- 0.8 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.9, p < 0.05. TEE allowed to significantly decrease (p < 0.05) retained air and mean grade of microbubbles to 14% and 1.3 +/- 0.8 in group 1, and to 10% and 0.8 +/- 0.8 in group 2, without statistical difference between the two groups. Despite the help of TEE, manual attempts to eradicate retained air were unsuccessful in five patients (three in group 1, two in group 2). CONCLUSIONS: The use of aortic ultrasonic probe allowed to reduce the amount of microbubbles. TEE was a useful tool not only for the detection of retained air but also for locating it, and guiding the procedure to eliminate it.

Is continuous warm retrograde blood cardioplegia completely safe for coronary artery surgery?

Sixty consecutive coronary patients operated on by the same team in 1992 were divided into two groups: group 1 (30 patients) using intermittent oxygenated cold Fresenius solution antegrade and retrograde (FR), group 2 (30 patients) using warm retrograde blood cardioplegia (WRC) with the Fremes solution initially antegrade and retrograde (high potassium solution) then continuous retrograde low potassium solution. All patients were submitted to only arterial grafts (3 to 4) using both internal mammary arteries and the the right gastroepiploic artery. There were no differences in mean preoperative data between the 2 groups. The times of aortic cross-clamping (P < 0.05) and bypass after release of the aortic clamp (P < 0.01) were significantly higher in the WRC group. No significant difference was observed in the number of postoperative supraventricular arrhythmias or electrocardiographic infarctions. A significant difference was observed with higher values of the enzymes (aspartate amino transferase, creatine kinase) for the WRC group on the first (P < 0.05) and the second postoperative days (P < 0.01). More patients in the WRC group received vasoactive or inotropic drugs in the intensive care unit, where they stayed a longer time because of hemodynamic instability or enzyme elevation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, for coronary arterial revascularization, WRC is technically more demanding and does not appear to afford optimal myocardial protection.

Two-year assessment by exercise thallium scintigraphy of myocardial revascularization using bilateral internal mammary and gastroepiploic arteries.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the blood flow supply offered to the myocardium by surgical revascularization using bilateral internal mammary (IMAs) and gastroepiploic (GEA) arteries. METHODS: Two-year assessment by exercise thallium myocardial scintigraphy without medical treatment was performed in 122 patients (mean age 61 +/- 9 years) who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with exclusive use of IMAs and GEA. Usually, the right IMA was used to bypass the left anterior descending coronary artery, and the left IMA to bypass the diagonal and the marginal arteries as a sequential graft if required. The GEA was used to bypass the right coronary artery (RCA) in 50 patients and its posterior branches in 72 patients. RESULTS: During maximal or submaximal exercise stress testing, 119 patients (98%) were asymptomatic and 26 patients (21%) exhibited moderate ischemic ECG modifications which were correlated (P < 0.01) with incomplete revascularization and with the use of GEA to bypass the RCA. A third of patients had moderate ischemic thallium defects on exercise reversible after redistribution (anterior, 10; lateral, 2; inferior, 28). Silent residual myocardial ischemia detected by thallium scintigraphy was correlated (P < 0.001) with ECG modifications and incomplete revascularization; and inferior thallium defects were more frequent when GEA bypassed the RCA (P < 0.05). However, 26% of patients had residual ischemia despite a complete revascularization, and in at least 18% of cases for GEA and 8% for right IMA, arterial graft blood flow was insufficient at maximum exercise level and caused silent residual myocardial ischemia detected by thallium scintigraphy. CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial revascularization using bilateral IMAs and GEA offers a satisfactory myocardial perfusion in the majority of cases; however silent residual myocardial ischemia was detected in a third of patients and was related to incomplete revascularization and to insufficient blood flow supply probably due to small diameter of the arterial grafts.

Long-term results of porcine bioprostheses in the tricuspid position.

Between 1974 and 1990, 58 patients underwent tricuspid valve replacement with porcine bioprostheses (Hancock 42, Carpentier-Edwards 16) during multiple valve replacement (double, 21; triple, 37). Perioperative mortality was 12%; 16 patients died later, mostly from cardiac causes. Actuarial survival (1 patient lost to follow-up) was 81% +/- 11% at 5 years, and 60 +/- 17% at 10 years. Reoperation because of Hancock prosthesis deterioration was performed in 2 patients at 11 and 15 years, respectively. At last follow-up (mean 108 +/- 48 months), 82% of survivors (28/34) were functionally improved. Doppler echocardiography was performed in 29 patients in February 1991. In 21 patients, after 88 +/- 40 months of follow-up, the bioprosthesis was normal, there was no leaflet malformation, no significant tricuspid regurgitation and the mean diastolic transprosthetic gradient (DTPG) was 3.8 +/- 1.7 mmHg. In 7 patients (follow-up: 129 +/- 40 months, P less than 0.05), there was moderate dysfunction (all Hancock prostheses) with leaflet sclerosis, tricuspid regurgitation grade 2, and mean DTPG 5.7 +/- 1.8 mmHg (P less than 0.05). Only 1 patient (Hancock prosthesis implanted in 1981) had severe tricuspid prosthesis stenosis with very thickened leaflets and mean DTPG 13 mmHg. Pulmonary artery hypertension (most often fixed) was present in 11 patients, associated with a poor functional result and a significantly higher DTPG. We conclude that porcine bioprostheses in tricuspid position have an acceptable long-term durability and satisfactory performance. Prosthetic dysfunction correlates with the length of follow-up of patients and with the presence of fixed pulmonary artery hypertension.

Technical aspects and late functional results of gastroepiploic bypass grafting (400 cases).

From January 1990 to February 1994, 400 patients (mean age 59 +/- 9 years) underwent myocardial revascularization using the right gastroepiploic artery (GEA) to bypass the right coronary artery trunk or branches. They represented 40% of all patients undergoing isolated coronary surgery during the same period, from 19% in 1990 to 54% in 1994. Left ventricular function was normal in 32% of patients, moderately impaired in 62% and severely impaired in 6%. The GEA was used alone in six patients, associated with one internal mammary artery (IMA) in 111 patients (two arterial grafts, 2.2 +/- 0.4 anastomoses) and with both IMAs in 283 patients (three arterial grafts, 3.4 +/- 0.6 anastomoses); no vein graft was used. The rate of complete myocardial revascularization was 79%. Early mortality was 1.7% and influenced by left ventricular ejection fraction (P < 0.05). Complications occurred in 37 patients: myocardial infarction 4%, intra-aortic balloon pump 0.5%, reoperation for bleeding 0.5%, mediastinitis 0.25%. Early (15th postoperative day) angiographic control of the GEA graft was performed in 104 patients operated from January 1990 to December 1991 and the patency rate was 92%; anomalies of GEA were three occlusions, five stenoses, three competitive flow, no string or slender sign. Early functional results (3 +/- 1 months postoperatively) were studied in 192 patients during exercise test with medical treatment: 99% were symptom-free and 14% had electrocardiographic (ECG) ischemic modification significantly correlated with incomplete revascularization (P < 0.01). The 2- and 4-year actuarial survival rate was 96.7 +/- 1.9%. The rate of late cardiac events was 2% patient/year; Angioplasty for GEA graft failure was required in four patients. A 2-year postoperative functional assessment without medical treatment was performed during exercise test in 66 patients who had received three arterial grafts: 98% were symptom-free and 26% had ECG ischemic modification significantly correlated with incomplete revascularization (P < 0.01); during the same procedure, thallium myocardial scintigraphy was obtained in 50 patients: 18 patients (36%) had asymptomatic ischemic defects on exercise significantly correlated with incomplete revascularization and ECG ischemic changes (P < 0.01). However, posterior thallium defects demonstrated limited GEA flow at the maximum level of exercise in at least 8% of patients. Myocardial revascularization using the GEA can be achieved with minimal operative risk and offers satisfactory functional results and midterm survival rate.

Does the extended use of arterial grafts compromise the myocardial recovery after coronary artery bypass grafting in left ventricular dysfunction?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prognostic factors of myocardial recovery expected after coronary bypass surgery and the impact of surgical technique used, a prospective non-randomized study including a 1-year postoperative evaluation of left ventricular function was performed in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 0.40). METHODS: From 1993 to 1996, 110 patients (mean age 61+/-11 years) were included in the study. The mean LVEF was 31+/-6%. All patients had preoperative radionuclide investigations based on the combination of stress/reinjection thallium single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and planar evaluation of LVEF; 88% of patients had reversible ischemic thallium defects. Two surgical technique were used: 53 patients received the left internal mammary artery with associated sequential vein graft, and 57 patients received only arterial grafts, internal mammary and gastroepiploic arteries. The mean number of distal anastomoses was 3.2+/-0.8 and 54% of patients had complete revascularization. At 1 year, all survivors had clinical evaluation and the same radionuclide investigations. RESULTS: The early mortality was 2.7%. At 1 year, 100 patients were surviving; on average, NYHA class decreased 1.9+/-0.8 to 1.4+/-0.6 (P < 0.01) and CCS class from 2.8+/-0.6 to 1+/-0.3 (P < 0.01). The mean LVEF increase from 31+/-9 to 34+/-10% (P < 0.01) and the mean LV end-diastolic volume decreased from 317+/-112 to 285+/-108 ml (n.s.). The postoperative improvement in LV function was higher in patients in NYHA class 3 or 4 before surgery (P < 0.05), when associated sequential vein graft had been used (P < 0.01), and in patients with low preoperative LVEF (P < 0.01). The postoperative LVEF improvement observed was significantly correlated with the improvement in left ventricular end-diastolic (LVED) volume and the improvement in redistribution/reinjection thallium uptake. Multivariate analysis showed that the surgical technique used and the preoperative LVEF were independent prognostic factors of the postoperative myocardial function recovery, with a significant positive impact of the vein use. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the excellent clinical results of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with coronary artery disease and LV dysfunction; improvement in LV function can be documented objectively and is correlated with reperfusion of hibernating myocardium. However, the extended use of arterial grafts does not allow to achieve the significant myocardial recovery observed with the use of one internal mammary artery (IMA) and associated sequential vein graft; it seems to be related to the preoperative selection of patients, but a direct negative impact of arterial grafts was documented and leads to be cautious in patients with severe LV dysfunction.

A comparative study of Euro-Collins, low potassium University of Wisconsin and cold modified blood solutions in lung preservation in acute autotransplantations in the pig.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the quality of lung preservation offered by Euro-Collins solution (EC), Cold Modified Blood solution (CMB) and low potassium University of Wisconsin solution (UWLP). METHOD: Fifteen right lung auto-transplantations (five for each solution) in the pig (Large White) were performed after 2 h of cold ischaemic storage in physiological solution at 4 degrees C. Right lung biopsies were performed before ischaemia and 30 min after reperfusion, for histoenzymatic, histopathological and electron microscope studies. RESULTS: After reperfusion, significant alterations were observed in the haemodynamics with only the right lung perfused; pulmonary arteriolar resistance increased by a factor of 5 in the EC group, by a factor of 4 in the CMB group and by a factor of 1.2 in the UWLP group; the right ventricular ejection fraction fell by 60% in the EC group, by 50% in the CMB group and by 31% in the UWLP group. Haemodynamic impairment was lower in the UWLP group (P<0.05; P<0.001) as was ischaemic-reperfusion injury (P<0.05). Oedema was observed in the EC group and extensive alveolar wall damage in the CMB group. Hypoxaemia was observed in all groups but the differences in the degree of hypoxaemia were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: The authors concluded that UWLP solution was the most effective of the three in this transplant model.

Myocardial protection with Hamburg oxygenated crystalloid cardioplegic solution for multiple coronary bypass and multivalvular replacement.

We evaluated myocardial protection with Hamburg oxygenated crystalloid cardioplegic solution in a double study. Part I was a prospective metabolic study, measuring myocardial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and creatine phosphate (CP) contents before and after ischemia in 30 coronary bypass (CABG) patients. During ischemia, CP levels decreased significantly, whereas ATP did not. After 10 minute of reperfusion, mean ATP contents were 90% of preischemic values and CP levels increased to 85% of preischemic values. Spontaneous myocardial defibrillation was seen in 93.3% of patients. Part II included evaluation of early postischemic myocardial function in 228 patients, 48 with multiple valve replacement (MUVR) and 180 with CABG. Spontaneous myocardial defibrillation was seen in 90.3%. Cardiac index, measured before and 1 and 12 hours after surgery, increased significantly in the postischemic period (from 1.95 +/- 0.9 to 2.5 +/- 0.7 l/min m2 in MUVR, p 0.04; from 2.2 +/- 0.6 to 2.7 +/- 0.7 l/min/m2 in CABG, p 0.01). Myocardial infarction frequency was 3% among CABG patients, and unrelated to the number of distal anastomosis or to aortic cross-clamp time. Early postoperative mortality was 6.2% for MUVR and 0.5% for CABG. Thus, oxygenated cardioplegia with Hamburg solution preserves high-energy phosphate compounds and prevents ischemic injury, with excellent short-term clinical results.

Late survival up to 20 years after isolated coronary by-pass surgery using internal mammary artery in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction.

Coronary patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40% and abnormal motion of all left ventricular walls on cineangiography but without significant valve disease or left ventricular aneurysm were selected for this study. From January 1970 to December 1990, 155 patients meeting the above criteria consecutively underwent coronary by-pass surgery; preoperatively, 149 patients had angina class III or IV, and 49 patients had dyspnea class II or III. LVEF was 31 +/- 7%. During this 20-year period, two different surgical techniques have been used: from 1970 to 1981, 79 patients (group I) received internal mammary artery upon left anterior descending artery with associated simple saphenous grafts, under intermittent aortic cross clamping; from 1982 to 1990, 76 patients (group II) received internal mammary artery upon left anterior descending artery with associated sequential saphenous vein graft, under oxygenated cardioplegic myocardial protection. The mean number of by-pass was 1.6 in group I and 3.7 in group II (p = 0.001). Early mortality rate was lower in group II than in group I: 2.6% vs 7.6% (p = 0.01). After a follow-up of 79 +/- 14 months, there were 51 late deaths, 6 patients were lost to follow-up and 90 patients were still alive; 80% of all deaths were from cardiac causes, including 38% due to heart failure. Actuarial survival rate at 5, 10, 15 years was 79 +/- 7%, 63 +/- 10%, and 36 +/- 15% respectively. The 5-year survival rate was 71 +/- 10% in group I and 88 +/- 8% in group II (p = 0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prospective randomized comparison between redon catheters and chest tubes in drainage after cardiac surgery.

AIM: To compare in a prospective randomized study chest tube (CT) and redon drains (RD) for effectiveness, cost, pain and complications after heart surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: Forty patients undergoing heart surgery were analyzed prospectively. Twenty patients had small RD with strong (-700 mmHg) vacuum and 20 others standard CT. All patients had patient controlled analgesia in the postoperative period and pain was noted. Residual pericardial effusion (RPE) was controlled and quantified at postoperative day 7 with transthoracic echocardiography. Drainage complications were noted and compared in both groups. RESULTS: Surgical statistics were comparable in both groups. Two patients underwent reoperation in CT for clotting, and 1 in RD for active surgical bleeding. One patient had orifice infection in CT. Drainage volumes and times were comparable in both groups at removal (992+/-507 ml in RD, 1154+/-571 ml in CT, p=ns). Morphine consumption and pain estimation were comparable in both groups in the postoperative period and at drainage removal. Echographic control showed important RPE for 3 patients in both groups. System cost was higher in CT compared to RD (up to 7 times). CONCLUSION: RD are comparable to CT in terms of drainage, pain and complications. Nevertheless, they offer better handling and removal conditions and limited cost.