Elective femoro-femoral bypass for operations on the heart and great vessels.

Femoro-femoral bypass with "circulatory arrest" is no longer used in routine cardiac operations. Its use today is normally limited to operations wherein access to the arch of the aorta is required or the thoracic aorta is to be temporarily occluded. We have recently encountered three patients presenting with complications of previous operations. In all three, the use of this technique allowed us to approach the defect safely.

Results of mitral valvuloplasty with a suture plication technique.

Between January, 1975, and October, 1978, a total of 243 patients underwent repair of the mitral valve with a suture plication technique. Mitral valve replacement (MVR) was performed in 36 cases in which significant residual regurgitation was apparent on testing the valve after repair. The hospital mortality rate was 5.7%. Five patients required MVR within 1 month of operation. A total of 190 patients were discharged from hospital with what was considered to be a satisfactorily functioning mitral valve. Excluding patients from overseas, detailed follow-up information is available in 80 cases. Of these 80 patients, 13 have subsequently undergone MVR. Factors favorably affecting survival and durability of repair are degenerative valve disease and age below 55 years. Clinical and echocardiographic assessment indicate that this method of repair initially produces good symptomatic improvement and a normal or nearly normal pattern of left ventricular filling. The good early results are only maintained in patients with degenerative valve disease. We therefore no longer use or recommend this technique for elderly patients with rheumatic valve disease.

Relief of superior vena caval syndrome with autologous femoral vein used as a bypass graft.

Two patients presenting with superior venal caval syndrome have been treated surgically. In one patient the obstruction was caused by benign idiopathic mediastinal fibrosis; in the other it was secondary to carcinoma. In both cases venous decompression was achieved by using a segment of autogenous femoral vein to bypass the obstruction.

Sleeve lobectomy (lobectomy and bronchoplasty) for bronchial carcinoma.

We present a series of 90 patients who underwent sleeve lobectomy for malignant bronchial tumors at the Brompton Hospital, London, between 1964 and 1974. The operative mortality was low (1%), and technical complications were infrequent. Bronchial stenosis, which occurred in 6% of patients, was due to recurrence of tumor in 4% and cicatrization in 2%. The majority of patients had squamous cell carcinomas of the upper lobe (76/90). In this group, the 5-year survival was 71% when the hilar lymph nodes were clear of tumor at the time of operation and 17% when the hilar lymph nodes were involved. Because these 5-year survival figures suggest that tumor-free survival is not significantly compromised by this conservative approach, we believe that sleeve lobectomy rather than pneumonectomy should be considered the operation of choice for squamous cell carcinomas of the upper lobe orifice involving the main bronchus.

Complement activation during bypass in acquired C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency.

Serial complement estimations during cardiopulmonary bypass are reported in a patient with acquired C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency. Although the extent of classic and alternative pathway activation appeared appropriate, exaggerated common pathway activation with massive increase in the C3d:C3 ratio occurred. A fatal hemostatic disorder, pulmonary edema, and circulatory collapse ensued despite prophylaxis and therapy.

Aortic valve replacement in the over seventy age group.

Between 1970 and 1979 50 patients over the age of seventy years underwent aortic valve replacement. The overall hospital mortality was 14% but has been reduced to 5% following the introduction of cold cardioplegia for myocardial protection. Actuarial survival curves predict a 60% five year survival. Whilst all patients considered for surgery were severely limited in terms of effort tolerance, only 5% of the survivors remain in New York Heart Association functional class III or IV. In conclusion aortic valve replacement may be safely performed in septagenarians and results in increased longevity and quality of life.

Valve repair versus replacement in the surgical management of ruptured chordae. A post-operative echocardiographic assessment of mitral valve function.

Between January 1971 and December 1978, 74 patients (pts) underwent surgery for ruptured chordae (RC) of the mitral valve. Thirty-eight patients underwent mitral valve replacement and 36 patients underwent repair. The hospital mortality was 8.3% after repair and 7.9% after replacement. Repair was performed by trapezoidal excision of redundant leaflet, re-approximation of the leaflet edges and annuloplasty. At six years the incidence of re-operation after repair was 3% (1/33) and after mitral valve replacement was 14.7% (5/35). The five years survival was 68 +/- 8% after mitral valve replacement and 100% after repair. The incidence of major thrombo-embolic episodes was 0.67 per 100 patient years, without anticoagulation, after repair and 5.7 per 100 patient years, with anticoagulation, following mitral valve replacement. The peak rate of dimension change (PRDC) of the transverse dimension of the left ventricle was determined by echocardiography in 17 patients after repair. The PRDC was within normal range (10/20 cms/sec) in 15 patients, in the stenotic range (10 cms/sec) in 1 patient, and in the regurgitant range (20 cms/sec) in 1 patient. Mitral valve replacement invariably produces PRDC values in the stenotic range. Valve repair is the procedure of choice in ruptured chordae of the posterior leaflet.

An analysis of isolated aortic valve surgery and combined procedures in patients over 70 years of age.

Ninety-four patients over the age of 70 years were submitted to 95 operations for aortic valve disease. Seventy-seven patients had isolated aortic valve operations and a further 17 underwent additional procedures. The hospital mortality for the whole group was 15.7%. The actuarial five year survival was 66%. Concomitant coronary revascularization increased the perioperative risk. Myocardial protection by cold crystalloid cardioplegia improved results reducing the perioperative mortality for AVR alone from 21.7 to 11.1%. We believe that these patients should not be denied operative intervention since worthwhile improvement generally ensues. Coronary artery grafting can be hazardous. Bioprostheses inserted with myocardial protection favours surgery over continued medical management which offers little for these elderly symptomatic patients.

Mitral valve surgery in infants and children.

The pre-operative findings and surgical results of forty-three patients under thirteen years of age undergoing mitral valve surgery, are presented. Eight underwent surgery for mitral stenosis. Four had open mitral valvotomy with a satisfactory result, one developed severe regurgitation which required mitral valve replacement. Two had primary valve replacement and two had excision of a mitral subvalvar diaphragm. Thirty five children underwent surgery for mitral regurgitation. Twelve had a mitral annuloplasty. Two of these developed further regurgitation which required mitral valve replacement. Twenty one children had primary mitral valve replacement. The results and choice of valve replacement are discussed.

The surgery of aortic valve disease in neonates, infants and children.

The pre-operative findings and surgical results of forty-three patients under thirteen years of age undergoing isolated aortic valve surgery are reported. Twenty-six underwent open aortic valvotomy for isolated aortic valve stenosis. Of the nine who died, five were neonates. These deaths are attributed to an underdeveloped myxoid valve and aortic valve ring. Eleven children underwent excision of the subvalvar diaphragm but four developed asymptomatic left ventricular strain on ECG and required re-operation. There was one death. One child underwent successful surgery for supravalvar stenosis. Five children underwent surgery for isolated aortic regurgitation. Two underwent repair, but one required aortic valve replacement for uncontrolled regurgitation. Three had aortic valve replacement as a primary procedure. The management of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and the choice of replacement valve is discussed.

Changes in vein interstitium following distension for aortocoronary bypass.

Some patients who undergo aortocoronary bypass develop lesions in the graft and recurrence of symptoms. Hydraulic distension is used for preparation of veins. We have studied properties of vein interstitium, before and after peroperative distension, in 30 consecutive unselected patients. Segments of vein were studied for water content, swelling behaviour, tracer distribution, and uronic acid content. Initial water content was the same in distended and undistended vein; initial uronic acid content was slightly lower in distended veins, 8.7 (SD = 2.3) micrograms/m, n = 4 vs 10.5 (SD = 5.1) micrograms/mg dry weight, n = 6, not significant. The initial ratio, uronate/hydroxyproline was less in distended veins, 0.14 (SD = 0.05) n = 4 vs 0.19 (SD = 0.07), n = 6 in controls, not significant. Distended veins swelled less during incubation in saline. Average weight gain/initial weight was 0.65 (SD = 0.45), n = 27, and 1.1 (SD = 0.66), n = 25 in controls (p less than 0.01); change in water content/dry weight was 1.2 (SD = 1.1), n = 22, and 1.7 (SD = 1), n = 23 (p less than 0.02), in controls. Distended veins desorbed less uronic acid into the bath; 0.40 (SD = 0.2) microgram/mg wet tissue, n = 26 and 0.59 (SD = 0.3), n = 25 in controls (p less than 0.01). The pattern of uptake of two tracers 125I Serum albumin and 51Cr EDTA, was similar in both groups. These findings suggest alteration of the interstitial matrix of veins during distension. Histologic examination of glutaraldehyde-fixed tissue by light and electron microscopy revealed mural thinning and endothelial cell damage in distended veins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The management of prosthetic valve endocarditis.

During the period 1970 to 1980 2,945 patients underwent valve replacement at the Brompton Hospital. Thirty-one (1%) patients subsequently developed prosthetic valve endocarditis (P.V.E.). Twenty-one (0.7%) patients developed endocarditis within two months of valve replacement. Ten patients were treated medically, with seven deaths, whilst four of the eleven surgical cases died. There were ten cases of late P.V.E. occurring between two months and eight years after initial valve replacement (0.12% per annum). Eight patients were treated surgically, with two deaths, whilst both medical cases died. Thus 67% patients were effectively treated by immediate valve replacement, whilst only 25% medical cases survived. Actuarial survival curves predict a 41% five-year survival following surgery for P.V.E. We stress the importance of early diagnosis of this condition and recommend immediate valve replacement in all patients with P.V.E. developing signs of haemodynamic failure.

Aortic valvotomy in the treatment of congenital aortic stenosis.

Forty patients aged 1.5-23 (mean 11) years underwent open aortic valvotomy for congenital aortic stenosis. Mean preoperative peak aortic gradient for the group was 88 (SD +/- 24) mmHg. Follow-up data was available on all patients for a total of 269 patient-years (means 6.6 year). There was no early mortality, and only one (2.5%) late death. During the follow-up period 3 patients (7.5%) required aortic valve replacement. Actuarial survival curves predict a 7 year survival of 95.7 (SE +/- 8.4%) for all patients, and a freedom from reoperation rate at 6 years of 8.7 (SE +/- 9.3)%. Symptomatic results in the survivors were excellent (97.5% NYHA Class I). Data from this series compares favourably with the literature which is reviewed for a total of 1136 patients undergoing open aortic valvotomy.

Dissection of the thoracic aorta. A comparison between medical and surgical treatment.

We have reviewed 113 patients with acute thoracic aortic dissection seen between 1965 and 1979. There were no "diagnostic" symptoms or signs of acute dissection, and diagnosis could only be reliably made by aortography. The latter also allowed typing of the dissection (De Bakey classification) which permitted appropriate therapy to be instituted. Aortography should be performed early because of the high mortality of this condition within the first 24 hours. Early surgery is warranted in all patients with Type I dissection since it significantly increases long term survival: 40% 5 year-survival for surgical treatment compared with 13% survival for medical treatment (p less than 0.01). There is no significant difference in long or short term survival for patients with Type III dissection whether patients are treated medically or surgically.

The results of surgery for active endocarditis of the native aortic valve.

Between 1968 and 1981, 40 patients with active endocarditis of the native aortic valve were treated by aortic valve replacement (A.V.R.). There were 8 postoperative deaths (hospital mortality 20%). This included 5 patients who had developed cardiogenic shock prior to surgery. Antibiotic treatment for less than one week and positive cultures on the excised valve had poor prognostic implications but tended to be associated with irreversible haemodynamic failure. Twenty five patients underwent A.V.R. following the onset of severe pulmonary oedema. The hospital mortality in this group was 28% and the 5 year actuarial survival 56% (+/- 11%). Fifteen patients who had developed premature closure of the mitral valve (P.C.M.V.) on M-mode echocardiography but who had no overt signs of cardiac failure underwent A.V.R. with a single death (7% hospital mortality). The 5 year actuarial survival in this group was 87% (+/- 9%). P.C.M.V. is a useful prognostic sign identifying those patients with endocarditis on the native aortic valve likely to benefit from early surgery.

Aorto-pulmonary window.

Aorto-pulmonary window (septal defect) is an uncommon congenital cardiac malformation accounting for only about 0.5% of the cases of congenital heart disease catheterised at our institution. Of 15 patients with this anomaly eight had associated cardiac malformations. Three patients presented in the neonatal period and in these patients the other cardiac anomalies (aortic interruption in two, pulmonary atresia in one) determined the clinical presentation and haemodynamic disturbance. A second group of five patients presented with heart failure during infancy and in these patients additional anomalies, present in three, were "incidental" findings. A third group of seven patients with similar physical signs but without heart failure did not present until after the first year of life and all were asymptomatic. Associated anomalies, present in two, were again "incidental" in that they did not influence the presentation. Of 12 patients without serious associated anomalies, five, operated on before 1970, had division and suture of the aorto-pulmonary window with one death. In two the defect was patched from the pulmonary artery but one required re-closure from the aorta. In six the defect was successfully patched from the aorta, which is now the preferred technique.

Long-term survival following left ventricular aneurysmectomy.

Ninety-four patients who underwent left ventricular aneurysmectomy between 1971 and 1980 are reviewed. In thirty-four cases this operation was combined with myocardial revascularisation. The overall hospital mortality was 6% with a five-year survival of 72% +/- 6%. Symptomatology dominated by dyspnoea, a raised left ventricular end diastolic pressure (L.V.E.D.P.) and ventricular dysrhythmias adversely affected survival. Combined myocardial revascularisation did not affect the hospital mortality but was associated with a trend toward improved long-term survival in two groups of patients viz those presenting with predominant angina and those with major stenoses of two or more coronary arteries. Fifteen patients agreed prospectively to post-operative cardiac catheterisation. Despite symptomatic relief no improvement in L.V.E.D.P. or ejection fraction was demonstrated in this group.