Minimally-Invasive Mitral Valve Repair for Isolated Anterior Leaflet Cleft in a 66 Year Old Woman.

Mitral valve regurgitation caused by an isolated cleft of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve is a rare condition, usually corrected early in life. We report the case of a 66 year old patient with an isolated cleft, which was successfully corrected through a minimally-invasive approach, demonstrating good visibility and direct closure of the cleft.

Mycotic aneurysm of the extracranial carotid artery: a case report and review of the literature.

Aneurysm of the extracranial carotid artery is a rare condition; mycotic aneurysms are even less common. They always need surgical treatment to prevent possible rupture, embolisation or death. The literature before 1980 mentions ligation as the only treatment for mycotic aneurysms of the carotid artery, obviously with a high morbidity and mortality rate. We describe an 85-year-old male with a left carotid artery mycotic aneurysm. He presented with a history of Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) four weeks after a gastrointestinal infection. Resection of the aneurysm and interposition with autologous vein was performed. Escherichia coli was isolated from the excised tissue. Primary resection of the aneurysm with autologous vein interposition, in association with prolonged antibiotic therapy, is the preferred strategy. Prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment is essential to prevent serious complications.

Successful minimally invasive emergency surgery for descending necrotising mediastinitis.

We present a case of descending necrotising mediastinitis in a healthy young patient, complicated by pneumonia of the right inferior lobe of the lung with parapneumonic effusions. We describe a successful outcome following adequate antibiotics, effective surgical drainage by thoracoscopy and parasternotomy, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Robotically enhanced minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery: a winning strategy?

AIM: Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) through a small anterolateral thoracotomy on the beating heart can be considered as the better approach for treating isolated lesions on the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. This original MIDCAB procedure, however, involves a larger and often painful thoracotomy due to rib spreading. We describe our experience with robotically enhanced harvesting of one or both internal mammary arteries (IMAs), and with anastomosis performed under direct vision on a beating heart through a very small thoracotomy without rib retraction. METHODS: Between February 2001 and January 2006, 146 consecutive patients underwent robotically enhanced MIDCAB surgery. Perioperative and early follow-up data were analyzed. RESULTS: In all, 144 left and 13 right IMAs were harvested. The mean extubation time was 11.3 h, the mean intensive care (ICU) stay was 30.3 h, the mean hospital stay 8 days. There were no in-hospital deaths, postoperative myocardial infarctions or renal failures. Systematic control angiograms performed in the first 64 patients showed a 96.3% patency rate of the investigated anastomoses. CONCLUSION: Robotically assisted takedown of the IMA and direct off-pump anastomosis through a small anterolateral thoracotomy with no rib retraction appears to be safe, with minimal morbidity, little blood loss, and a reasonable ventilation time, ICU and hospital stay. It is recommended as the preferred method of revascularization for a growing number of indications and certainly an acceptable alternative to percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Minimally invasive aortic root replacement: a bridge too far?

AIM: Minimally invasive aortic valve surgery has been studied widely with outcomes comparable or better than standard sternotomy. We recently reported on decreased blood loss, cross clamp time and length of hospital stay when compared to conventional full sternotomy. We expanded the indication to aortic root surgery and report here our 8 years experience. METHODS: From December 1997 to November 2005, 35 patients (mean age 51.3+/-15 years) underwent aortic root replacement, through a partial upper J-sternotomy. A homograft was implanted in 26 (74.3%) patients; the remainder received a valved (4 bioprosthesis, 5 mechanical) conduit. Mean preoperative euroscore was 7+/-2.7 and mean predicted mortality was 11.5+/-13.8%. Mean and median follow-up time was 51+/-31 and 66 months, respectively. RESULTS: Mean aortic cross clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass time were 126+/-25 and 182+/-61 min respectively. Revision for bleeding was necessary in 1 (2.9%) patient. Mean extubation time was 10.4+/-4.8 hours. No postoperative strokes occurred. Intensive care unit stay ranged from 1 to 42 days (2.7+/-7.4 days, median 1). There were 3 (8.5%) early deaths (sepsis, multi-organ failure and low cardiac output) and 2 late non-cardiac deaths. Hospital morbidity included acute renal failure (n=3), pacemaker implantation (n=3), and prolonged ventilation (n=3). Eleven (31.4%) patients experienced atrial fibrillation. No other reoperations were performed. Actuarial survival at 99 months was 74.4% (n=30). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that minimally invasive aortic root replacement is a challenging but feasible procedure with a lower observed mortality than predicted mortality. We continue to perform this procedure in good risk patients.

Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation is a very common arrhythmia that carries a considerable risk of thromboembolic complications. Surgical treatment is an effective way to convert atrial fibrillation into sinus rhythm and significantly prevents thromboembolism postoperatively. In this review we describe recent advancements in the surgical options and detail our strategy for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Initial experience with an endoscopic radial artery harvesting technique.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the feasibility of an endoscopic radial artery harvesting technique to improve esthetic results and possibly reduce the incidence of neurologic complications observed with the open method. METHODS: Between July 1, 2002, and October 1, 2003, a total of 54 patients underwent endoscopic radial artery harvesting at our institution. Standard endoscopic equipment and a Harmonic Scalpel (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc, Cincinnati, Ohio) were used. Mean age of the patients was 63 +/- 8.1 years, and 16% were female. All patients underwent a preoperative Allen test and duplex ultrasonography to demonstrate adequate ulnar collateral flow. The nondominant arm was used for radial artery harvesting. Mean clinical follow-up was 13 +/- 4.6 months. RESULTS: The artery was harvested through a 3-cm incision at the wrist and was divided at the elbow either through a small counterincision (n = 16) or endoscopically with the use of clips, Endoloop, and endoscopic scissors (n = 38). Mean harvest time was 42.2 +/- 16.9 minutes but decreased from 85 minutes for the first cases to 25 minutes for the last 5 cases. Mean harvested length was 19.6 +/- 1.7 cm. Harvesting complications included 1 conversion, 2 postoperative hematomas, 1 injury, 8 endoscopically controlled bleedings, and 15 cases of at least some superficial radial nerve paresthesia at 6 weeks (clinically relevant in 4 cases). Selective postoperative angiography revealed 1 occluded graft and 1 stenotic graft requiring percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of the native vessel. Eighty-seven percent of the patients were enthusiastic about this new procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic radial artery harvesting is a feasible procedure that requires a definite learning curve. Although nerve paresthesias were not completely eliminated in our experience, the technique provided ample patient satisfaction. Further clinical follow-up is required to determine long-term patency rates.

Minimally invasive video-assisted mitral valve surgery: our lessons after a 4-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Right thoracotomy is a well known alternative to median sternotomy to gain access to the left atrium. To avoid the potential drawbacks associated with sternotomy coupled to the desire for a smaller scar and a more rapid rehabilitation in young and active patients, we investigated the purported advantages in patients undergoing video-assisted Port-Access mitral valve surgery. METHODS: Between February 1997 and November 2000, 175 patients (94 men, 81 women) with a mean age of 60 years (range 25 to 84) underwent either Port-Access mitral valve repair (n = 117) or replacement (n = 57) for degenerative disease (n = 112), rheumatic disease (n = 36), chronic endocarditis (n = 15), annular dilatation (n = 8), sclerotic disease (n = 2), and ingrowing myxoma (n = 1). There was one closure of a preexisting paravalvular leak. Standard Carpentier-Edwards repair procedures were used in all patients; in 14 patients polytetrafluoroethylene chordae were inserted for anterior leaflet prolapse. A total of 74 patients (42%) were in New York Heart Association functional class III/IV. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 1.1% (n = 2). Four patients had conversion to sternotomy and conventional extra corporeal circulation for repair of a dissected aorta (n = 2) or the inabilty to proceed to a safe femoral cannulation (n = 2). Sixteen patients (9%) underwent a revision for bleeding. Mean cross-clamp time and perfusion time was 95 minutes (range 24 to 160) and 135 minutes (range 75 to 215) respectively. Mean intensive care unit and total hospital stay was 1.8 days (1 to 30) and 8.7 days (4 to 36), respectively. Three patients experienced late acute endocarditis: 2 had late mitral valve replacements and 1 patient had medical therapy for late prosthetic valve endocarditis. There were no myocardial infarctions, cerebrovascular events or peripheral ischemia due to thromboembolic phenomena. No wound complications were observed. The degree of patient satisfaction was very high. CONCLUSIONS: The video-assisted Port-Access mitral valve approach is a valid alternative to sternotomy, with the same standards of results and quality.

Video-assisted Port-Access mitral valve surgery: from debut to routine surgery. Will Trocar-Port-Access cardiac surgery ultimately lead to robotic cardiac surgery?

A right thoracotomy is a well-known alternative for midsternotomy to have access to the left atrium. The Port-Access (Heartport, Inc, Redwood City, CA) approach is an invaluable option to avoid cracking of ribs and cartilage. EndoCPB (Heartport, Inc) and Endo-Aortic Clamp (Heartport, Inc) allows installation of the extracorporeal circulation and cardiac arrest from the groin. Videoassistance and shafted instruments help the surgeon to perform the surgery through a 5 x 2-cm port and fulfill the main goals of minimally invasive cardiac surgery, comfort, cosmesis, and fast rehabilitation. From February 1997 to November 1998, 75 patients (40 men/35 women) had either Port-Access mitral valve repair (n = 41) or replacement (n = 33) for a variety of reasons: myxoid degeneration (n = 45), rheumatic disease (n = 21), chronic endocarditis (n = 4), annular dilatation (n = 2), and sclerotic disease (n = 2). One valve was replaced because of an ingrowing myxoma. There was one closure of a paravalvular leak. The mean age was 59.3 years of age (range, 32 to 83 years). Most patients had normal ejection fractions but different grades of mitral valve insufficiency and were in NYHA class II. One 71-year-old patient died after reoperation on postoperative day 1 for failed repair. Two patients had conversion to sternotomy and conventional ECC for repair of a dissected aorta. One patient died, one patient suffered a minor cerebrovascular deficit. Three patients had prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stays for respiratory insufficiency, 5 patients underwent revision for bleeding. Mean ICU stay was 2.5 days; and mean hospital stay, 9 days (range, 4 to 36). A significant difference between the first 30 and last 38 patients in terms of length of stay in the ICU and the hospital was noticed. Two late mitral valve replacements for chronic endocarditis after repair occurred. One patient had medical therapy for endocarditis after mitral valve replacement. The debut of Port-Access mitral valve surgery may be nerve-racking; the routine is a smooth and sure surgery with maximum comfort, a very discrete scar, and a fast rehabilitation. There were no paravalvular leakages nor myocardial infarctions. Cerebrovascular accidents owing to thromboembolic phenomena, vascular lower limb or wound complications were not seen. Port-Access mitral valve surgery is a very important investment in the future of cardiac surgery. Some learning curve pitfalls were associated with the process of starting this revolutionary technique.

Minimally invasive video-assisted mitral valve repair: short and mid-term results.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Port-Access video-assisted surgery for mitral valve repair has become an alternative for mid-sternotomy. However, mid-term results are not yet available. METHODS: Between February 1997 and December 1999, 121 patients underwent mitral valve surgery through a 4- to 5-cm right anterolateral thoracotomy using the Heartport endovascular cardiopulmonary bypass system; among these patients, 77 (57 males, 20 females; mean age 59 years; range 31-84 years) underwent mitral valve repair. Severe (4+) mitral regurgitation (MR) was seen in 63 patients (82%). Mean NYHA class was 2.5+/-0.4. Standard Carpentier mitral valve repair procedures were used in all patients; 11 received PTFE chordae for anterior leaflet prolapse. RESULTS: Pathologies were degenerative (n = 69), chronic endocarditis (n = 4), annular dilatation (n = 3) and rheumatic (n = 1). Hospital mortality was 1.3% (n = 1). Two patients (2.6%) had conversion to sternotomy for aortic dissection caused by the Endo-Aortic Clamp. Nine patients (11%) underwent revision for bleeding. Mean cross-clamp and perfusion times were 103 min (range: 24-160 min) and 140 min (range: 75-215 min), respectively. Mean hospital stay was eight days (range: 4-36 days). During follow up (mean 31 months; range: 17-51 months) all patients improved their NYHA class; eight (11%) remained in class II. Left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic and LV end-systolic diameters decreased from 61+/-7.3 mm to 53+/-6.9 mm (p <0.01) and from 37+/-6.8 mm to 34+/-6.9 mm (p <0.05), respectively. Sixty-two patients (88%) had no or trivial MR, and nine (12%) had moderate MR (2+). There were two late valve replacements for endocarditis, and no late deaths. CONCLUSION: Port-Access mitral valve repair constitutes a valid alternative to the standard procedure, and has good mid-term results. Video-assisted mitral valve repair appears to be safe and reproducible.

Aggressive primary treatment for poststernotomy acute mediastinitis: our experience with omental- and muscle flaps surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The surgical treatment of poststernotomy acute mediastinitis remains challenging. After disappointing results with a conservative management of post coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) mediastinitis, we shifted towards a more aggressive surgical management. METHODS: From March 1993 until December 1999, 32 patients (6 female/26 male), 0.5% of the total sternotomy population, were operated for mediastinitis, defined as wound and sternal dehiscence with medistinal pus and positive culture. Mean age was 66 years (32-79 years). Twenty-two patients (75%) underwent CABG and 16 patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV. RESULTS: We performed an omentoplasty in 11 patients, a pectoralis muscle flap associated with an omentoplasty in 20 patients. One patient had a bilateral pectoralis myoplasty. The reconstruction surgery occurred at an average of 11 days (6-26) after primary surgery. Twelve patients had a previous surgical drainage (1-3 surgical procedures) of the mediastinum. Hospital mortality was nine patients (28%). Seven of these patients (77%) were in NYHA IV with inotropic support. Five patients had to be reoperated on: four patients had a bilateral myoplasty after omentoplasty, one patient had an omentoplasty after a unilateral myoplasty. Late epigastric hernia was seen in three patients, two patients had wound revision and one had a retroperitoneal drainage for pancreatitis. There were no early or late flap failures. CONCLUSION: In our experience, omental and pectoralis flaps for poststernotomy acute mediastinitis provides good outcome of our stable patients. We would be reluctant to use it as standard therapy in our unstable patients.

Free-hand sewn allografts, stentless (Prima Edwards) and stented (CESA) porcine bioprostheses. A comparative hemodynamic study.

In a retrospective, non-randomized study, the clinical and hemodynamic properties of 50 consecutively implanted hand-sewn allografts (group I), 50 stentless bioprostheses (group II) and 50 stented bioprostheses (group III) were compared. Preoperative hemodynamic and clinical data were identical in the three groups, except for age (group I: 54.4 +/- 8.7, group II: 67.0 +/- 5.1, group III: 70.0 +/- 5.1). Peak and mean gradients and flow characteristics with echo Doppler were performed at 1 week, 6 and 12 months. For the 21, 23 and 25 diameter prostheses, group differences between groups II and III in peak and mean gradients were not significant after 1 week and 1 year. In all groups, allografts had significantly lower gradients. Regurgitation (I-II) was present after 1 week and 1 year in group I: in 17/48 and 22/42 patients respectively, in group II 7/49 and 11/44 patients and in group III: in 1/49 and 2/44 patients. Early mortality and morbidity were comparable in all groups. Allografts have superior hemodynamic properties. Differences in gradients in groups II and III were not significant, though differences in technique allowed the implantation of a larger bioprostheses in group II. Regurgitation was most prominent in the allograft group. Immediate postoperative results were not influenced by the type of prosthesis.

Sternitis and mediastinitis after coronary artery bypass grafting. Analysis of risk factors.

As part of a quality control program, we analyzed possible risk factors in the development of sternitis and mediastinitis after coronary artery bypass grafting. From 1 January 1990 through 31 December 1991, 1,368 consecutive coronary artery bypass grafting procedures were performed at our institution, either alone or in combination with other procedures. Twenty-three patients (1.7%) developed sternitis and/or mediastinitis; 7 (30.4%) of these patients died in an early postoperative phase. Univariate analysis revealed the following statistically significant (p < or = 0.05) risk factors: perfusion time, length of stay in operating room of longer than 5 hours 30 minutes, presence at the operation of a certain surgical resident, revision for bleeding, and postoperative mechanical ventilation lasting longer than 72 hours. After multivariate analysis, statistically significant independent risk factors were: diabetes mellitus, recent cigarette-smoking, reoperation, presence of a certain surgical resident at the operation, revision for bleeding, and length of mechanical ventilation of longer than 72 hours. The use of both internal thoracic arteries was not, in this study, shown to be an independent risk factor. We conclude that although the technique of using both internal thoracic arteries for myocardial revascularization carries no extra risk by itself in the development of sternitis or mediastinitis, associated factors such as prolonged stay in the operating room and reoperation could be responsible for a higher frequency of sternitis-mediastinitis in patients who have undergone this procedure. Therefore, it is advisable to use this technique selectively in high-risk patients. Close surveillance and reporting of wound infections is mandatory to detect risk factor related to the surgical staff (such as Staphylococcus aureus dissemination).

[Direct enteral reinfusion of secretions produced in the upper part of the digestive tract]. / Directe enterale reïnfusie van secreties geproduceerd in de hogere digestieve tractus.

Two techniques are presented by which secretions from the upper intestinal tract are reinfused directly, into a more distal part of the intestine. The advantages of the methods described includes: no severe bacterial contamination; the enteral nutrition going on; the possibility to break off progressively; less needs of biochemical correction or compensation; no needs to take into account the production-rate or the release of gas.

Endovascular treatment of an acute type B dissection: a case report.

The case of a young man with acute type B dissection is reported. Inserting an endovascular stentgraft was the treatment of choice, with a good short-term result. We do believe that this is a promising strategy in the management of this serious pathology in which the classical surgical treatment is still associated with an important mortality and morbidity.

Video-assisted Port-Access surgery for radical myxoma resection.

The curative treatment of choice for myxomas is surgical removal. Most of the patients are young and active and are focused on postoperative comfort, cosmesis and a fast track to complete rehabilitation, all of which is related to the degree of invasiveness of the intervention. We report our first experience with video-assisted Port-Access surgery for atrial myxoma. From February 1997 until April 2000, nine patients (3M/6F)) had an atrial myxoma resection with the Heartport Endo-CPB and Endo-aortic clamp system. Mean age was 54 +/- 21.9 years. Most of the patients were symptomatic and had good LV function. Two patients had a combined procedure: one mitral valve replacement and one vascular shunt for dialysis. Mean aortic cross clamp time was 69 +/- 32.8 min and mean perfusion time was 103 +/- 42.7 min. There were no conversions to sternotomy. Three patients had minor complications. Mean ICU and hospital stay were 1 +/- 1.4 and 6 +/- 3.9 days respectively. No thromboembolic or peripheral ischaemic complications were observed. There were no hospital deaths. No recurrent tumors have been identified. The Port-Access approach for myxoma resection constitutes a invaluable alternative to sternotomy with the same gold standards of results and quality.

Cross-pollination between genetically modified and conventional oilseed rape fields.

Since the introduction of genetically modified crops in Europe, gene flow from those crops to conventional crops and wild relatives has been a key element in the safety assessment. In this experiment cross-pollination frequencies from a genetically modified herbicide tolerant oilseed rape crop to a conventional one were measured at six defined distances from the GM crop by taking seed samples in the conventional crop and analysing the progeny for presence of the herbicide tolerance gene. Levels of cross-pollination tend to decrease with increasing distance from the pollen source. Transgenic volunteers emerging in the subsequent crop can however be readily controlled with normal agricultural practices.

Evolution in quality of life and epidemiological impact after endovascular treatment of chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency in patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: We report the outcome of 67 patients after endovascular treatment of chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency in patients with multiple sclerosis. Material and methods For evaluating outcome, patients were divided into three groups with respective outcome after three, six and twelve months. Assessment of outcome was done by a disease-specific quality-of-life score that reflects the physical health (physical health composite, PHC) and mental health (mental health composite, MHC) by a score. RESULTS: Improvement in PHC was significant (P < 0.05) in the three- and six-month groups. Improvement in MHC was only significant (P < 0.05) in the three-month group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we can state that the result of endovascular treatment seems to decay although the baseline is still higher than preoperative. To confirm this finding, this study needs to be reproduced in a larger patient population.

Should minimally invasive aortic valve replacement be restricted to primary interventions?

BACKGROUND: The role of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement in cardiac reoperations has not yet been defined. The purpose of this study is to report our experience with this technique. METHODS: Nineteen consecutive patients underwent aortic valve replacement via J-sternotomy as a reoperative cardiac procedure between 1999 and 2005. The mean age was 73.6 +/- 11.4 years. Previous cardiac operations included 12 (63.2 %) coronary artery bypass graftings, 6 (31.5 %) aortic valve replacements and 1 (5.2 %) mitral valve replacement. Mean follow-up was 23.6 +/- 19.7 months. The medical records were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: All procedures were successful. Mean aortic cross-clamping time and cardiopulmonary bypass time were 87.4 +/- 32.7 and 133.1 +/- 54.4 minutes, respectively. Cannulation sites were: ascending aorta (52.6 %), femoral artery (47.4 %), femoral vein (94.8 %) and right atrium (5.2 %). Myocardial protection was obtained by selective coronary osteal cold crystalloid cardioplegia and systemic cooling (mean 26.2 +/- 4 degrees C). Average intubation time was 1.5 +/- 1.4 days. Mean intensive care unit stay and postoperative hospital stay was 2.9 +/- 2.6 and 12.9 +/- 5.7 days, respectively. Median chest tube output was 550 ml. There were 4 revisions for bleeding. There were 2 late deaths and one non-incision related hospital death (5 %). This patient, who was already being treated for chronic dialysis, died on day 22 due to a cerebrovascular accident. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement is feasible as a reoperative procedure. Its major advantage is avoidance of cardiac reexposure with potential damage to coronary grafts. We think this technique deserves more widespread application.

Gene flow from a large scale release of genetically modified herbicide tolerant and hybrid winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.).

One of the major concerns regarding the cultivation of transgenic crops is the uncontrolled spread of transgenes among fields or to related wild species. To address this concern a long-term study has been set up to assess the amount of gene flow that is occurring from a large scale field trial of genetically modified herbicide tolerant and hybrid (GMHTH) oilseed rape. During the first year of the project, outcrossing of the herbicide tolerance gene from a large scale release of GMHTH winter oilseed rape to a non-transgenic oilseed rape crop in the vicinity and to wild relatives in the environment has been monitored. After harvesting seeds on oilseed rape plants or wild relatives, the seeds are sown in the greenhouse. Seedlings are sprayed with the herbicide on two different occasions. In this way escapes of the first treatment that are not transgenic will be eliminated. To confirm the transgene state of the surviving plants, leaf material is collected from resistant plants. DNA is extracted and the material is examined for the presence of the herbicide tolerance gene by means of a PCR assay. Results on the levels of cross pollination will be discussed.