Multiple triangular resection: a reliable technique for correction of multiple prolapse of the mitral valve.

Quadrangular resection of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve is a well-established technique for the treatment of mitral regurgitation from prolapse of P2. Recently, Suri described triangular resection of the prolapsing scallop, a technique that, avoiding the plication of the annulus corresponding to the resected leaflet, maintains the geometry of the mitral annulus, allowing a more physiologic function of the mitral valve. In this paper, we report multiple triangular resection for the treatment of multiple prolapse of the posterior leaflet.

Early and long-term outcome of mitral valve repair with a Cosgrove band combined with coronary revascularization in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and moderate-severe mitral regurgitation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Clinical and echocardiographic results were investigated to evaluate mitral valve repair in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) with moderately severe mitral regurgitation (MR). METHODS: A total of 78 patients (21 women, 57 men; mean age 69.5 +/- 7.8 years) with ischemic mitral regurgitation underwent mitral valve repair and CABG. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 42.4 +/- 12.4%. Among the patients, 19 (24.4%) had preoperative congestive heart failure (CHF). This surgery constituted a second such operation in five patients (6.4%). The MR was grade 3+ in 28 patients (35.9%) and 4+ in 50 (64.1%). The mean number of grafts was 3.6 per patient. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 11.5% (n = 9). Risk factors for early mortality were preoperative NYHA class > or = III (p = 0.014), preoperative heart failure (p <0.001) and reoperation (p = 0.002). The five-year survival was 82.6 +/- 5.9%, and freedom from grade > or =2+ MR was 93.1 +/- 4.1%. Postoperatively, 66 patients (89.6%) were in NYHA class I and seven (9.4%) in class II, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement (p = 0.03). Late echocardiography showed a significant improvement in LVEF (from 42.4 +/- 12.4% to 51.7 +/- 10.9%; p = 0.01) and a reduction in pulmonary artery pressure (from 37.6 +/- 11.9 mmHg to 29.3 +/- 7.4 mmHg; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that in patients with ICM, mitral valve repair combined with CABG provides a dramatic improvement in ejection fraction and in CHF, with excellent long-term survival, even in patients with a low LVEF.

Embolization of an Amplatzer atrial septal closure device to the pulmonary artery.

A 44-year-old woman with a history of transient ischemic attack underwent closure of atrial septal defect with a 26 mm Amplatzer device. The device was released without residual shunt or impingement on intracardiac structures. Within seconds, the transesophageal echocardiography showed the initial dislodgement of the device from the atrial septum and its consequent slipping back into the right atrium close to the tricuspid valve. Soon after the device disappeared from the right atrium and it could be founded into the right ventricle under the tricuspid valve. The patient was transferred in the operating room for an emergency operation. The device could not be found in the right ventricle because its downstream migration. The Amplatzer septal occluder was identified by palpation into the pulmonary artery trunk: it was retrieved from the right ventricle through the pulmonary valve and the atrial septal defect was closed by running suture.

Shaping a vascular graft for total aortic arch replacement.

Aortic arch replacement extended to the ascending and/or descending thoracic aorta with a single vascular graft may cause kinking of the prosthesis. We propose an artifact to obtain a curved prosthesis from a straight one for total aortic arch replacement without the risk of kinking.

Effective method to control catastrophic hemorrhage during redo sternotomy.

Redo sternotomy is a challenging surgical procedure performed with increasing frequency; catastrophic hemorrhage is a rare but highly lethal complication. We report our experience in treating this complication in 3 cases of 307 reoperations and propose a simple method to control catastrophic hemorrhage during sternal reentry.