[Long term results for the ATS valve, the first open pivot valve: 182 cases]. / Résultats a long terme de la valve ATS, premiere valve a pivot ouvert: 182 observations.

Between May 1995 and May 2004, 197 ATS valves were implanted in 182 patients: 120 males and 62 females with an average age of 58 +/- 13 years. 149 cases were for aortic valvular replacement and 48 cases were for the mitral valve. Fifteen patients had a double mitral and aortic replacement. Twelve tricuspid procedures were necessary, 17 patients underwent coronary revascularisation and 58 underwent an aortic procedure (Bentall, aortic sub-coronary, aortic cross). The in-hospital mortality (31 days) was 1.6%. The long term mortality at up to 9 years included 23 deaths. No death was attributed to the ATS valve. Nine thrombo-embolic events occurred, but six were minor. One mitral valve thrombosis was due to the voluntary cessation of anticoagulants and another was linked to a reduction in anticoagulant treatment. There were ten haemorrhagic events. They were all linked with an organic visceral lesion. Only one death was recorded. All patients received standard anticoagulant treatment with a target INR between 2.5 and 4. 155 patients were asked about the problem of valve noise. 139 (89.6%) stated that they did not notice any noise from their valves in everyday life. Conclusions The ATS valvular prosthesis is currently the only open pivot valve, fundamentally differentiating it from other valves with 2 leaflets. As a result of this, it has a very low rate of thrombo-embolic complications and a reduction in anticoagulant treatment could therefore be envisaged (Westaby, Van Nooten, Stefanidis). The haemodynamic characteristics are excellent and the ease of rotation of the leaflets allows optimal orientation. Finally, thanks to its structural characteristics, there is less leaflet closure noise and it is less perceptible than with other prostheses. It therefore offers an excellent quality of life.

[Long term survival with the Bentall button operation in 150 patients]. / Suivi à long terme de l'opération de Bentall avec collerettes sur 150 patients.

Between May 1980 and May 2000, 150 patients (123 males and 27 females) underwent surgery with the same surgeon for ascending aortic replacement with a valvular conduit and coronary reimplantation with the aid of a collar of aortic wall (button technique). The average age was 50 +/- 16 years. Within this population, 114 patients had isolated annulo-ectasial disease, 36 had Marfan syndrome and 20 had dissection (5 acute and 15 chronic). A carbon fibre valve with 2 leaflets was implanted in 124 patients, a mono-leaflet valve in 20 and 6 others required a heterograft due to their age or a contra-indication to anticoagulation. The associated procedures were: 12 arch replacements, 5 myocardial revascularisations, 4 mitral replacements, 1 tricuspid plasty, 1 inter-atrial communication closure. In 30 patients (20%) there was a cardiovascular surgical re-intervention. The operative and first month mortality amounted to one sudden death on the 19th day, ie 0.6%. Three patients were lost to follow up. The average survival was 7.87 +/- 5.37 years (minimum 1, maximum 20 years). The actuarial survival was 85% at 10 years and 60% at 20 years. These figures are much higher than those reported in our previous statistics from 1994 when the percentage of survivors at 12 years was only 61%. In the group of patients undergoing surgery before 60 years of age, the survival at 14 years was 94% and 81% at 20 years. Only four late re-interventions were attributable to the Bentall procedure, of which 2 were left coronary ostium stenoses. The rate of thrombosis and embolism was 0.42 per 100 patient-years and the rate of haemorrhagic accidents was identical, including minor accidents. This considerable improvement in long-term prognosis is explicable by the adoption of a single operative technique, considered to be the best, with the best myocardial protection thanks to coronary retro-perfusion and cold or hot cardioplegia, and also without doubt with the best medical survival.

[Remodelling the aortic root by resection of the ascending aorta and non-coronary sinus in annular dilatation of the aorta and acute dissection of the descending aorta. 29 observations]. / Remodelage du culot aortique par résection de l'aorte ascendante et du sinus non coronaire dans la maladie annulo-ectasiante aortique et la dissection aiguë de l'aorte ascendante. 29 observations.

The first conservative surgical procedures of the native aortic valve in annular dilatation were performed by Yacoub and David [1, 2]. These so-called remodelling and inclusion procedures provided hope for a normal life without long-term anticoagulant therapy for patients with Marfan's syndrome, with protection from the complication of an acute dissection of the ascending aorta. The authors reported their experience in the Archives des Maladies du Coeur et des Vaisseaux in 1999, with excellent results [3]. However, a certain number of cases are encountered in which the Yacoub and David procedures cannot be performed because of the presence of a pseudo-bicuspid valve, isolated asymmetrical dilatation of the non-coronary sinus or acute dissection of the aorta without dilatation of the aortic root. In these forms, the authors have developed a technique of remodelling the aortic root with conservation of the native valve by resecting the ascending aorta and non-coronary sinus, rather than carrying out a Bentall procedure. Twenty-nine cases of this type have been treated in this way for three different indications: aneurysm of the ascending aorta with bicuspid aortic valve, aneurysm of the ascending aorta with aortic insufficiency and extension to the posterior sinus, and type A acute dissection of the aorta.

[Coronary surgery of the beating heart. First year of experience in a series of 317 non-selected coronary patients]. / Chirurgie coronaire à coeur battant. Première année d'expérience sur une série de 317 patients coronariens non sélectionnés.

From May 1999 to May 2000, 317 unselected patients, representing 92.7% of all coronary artery surgery procedures, underwent open heart surgery of the beating heart by median sternotomy with the aid of a cardiac stabilising device. The main preoperative characteristics were: mean age = 66.1 years; men = 78.9%; left main stem disease = 31.8%; mean left ventricular ejection fraction = 54.1%; mean Parsonnet index = 16.9. These 317 patients were compared with a group of 303 patients who underwent coronary bypass surgery the year before by the same surgical team with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and cardiac standstill. Seven hundred and eighty-six distal anastomoses were carried out in the beating heart group (2.48 grafts per patient) compared with 2.91 in the CPB group: p < 0.001). There were 10.1% single bypass, 37.5% double bypass, 47.3% triple bypass and 5% quadruple bypass procedures. A cardiopulmonary bypass was required in 13 patients (4.1%). The mortality at 30 days was 3.1% versus 4.6% in the CPB group (p = NS). The need for blood transfusion was reduced by nearly 40% in the beating heart group (23.7% versus 39.9%, p < 0.001). The incidence of cerebrovascular complications was reduced from 3% in the CPB group to 0.6% in the beating heart group (p = 0.06). The peak postoperative troponine I levels were much lower in the beating heart group (2.5 versus 6.4 ng/ml, p < 0.001). The authors conclude that surgery on the beating heart is feasible in most patients. Compared with conventional surgery under CPB, there seems to be less requirement for blood transfusion and a tendency to reduce the cerebral risk. Nevertheless, a large prospective randomised trial is required to validate the potential advantages and limitations of this technique with respect to conventional surgery and to determine the optimal indications of surgery on the beating heart.

Surgery of acute type A dissection: what have we learned during the past 25 years?

Every acute dissection involving the ascending aorta (Stanford type A) must undergo emergency surgical repair. However, the surgical techniques must vary according to the clinical presentation of the patients or the anatomical patterns observed. Furthermore, surgery is generally difficult because of the poor condition of the aortic tissues. To reduce those difficulties many technical artifacts have been described. In 1977, we proposed the use of gelatin-resorcin-formalin (GRF) biological glue to reinforce the suture areas. From January 1977 to July 1999, 212 patients (pts) (152 males and 60 females) aged from 15 to 80 years (mean age: 54 +/- 11 years) underwent an emergency operation for type A aortic dissection. One-hundred-seventy-eight pts (84%) were operated on within 4 hours after being referred to the hospital. Twenty-eight pts (13.2%) had Marfan's syndrome. In 44 patients (20.7%), the aortic valve was replaced either independently (6 cases--2.8%) or by means of a composite graft (38 cases--17.9%). Because of the location of the intimal tear, the aortic replacement was extended to the transverse arch in 61 pts (28.7%). Hospital mortality amounts to 21.6% (46 pts), 25% in pts with arch replacement and 19.4% in pts without arch replacement (n.s). Analysis of hospital mortality demonstrates that the main causes of death were cardiac tamponade, neurologic disorders and visceral malperfusion. One-hundred-sixty-six pts were discharged and surveyed from 5 months to 22 years postoperatively (mean follow-up: 85 +/- 66 months). During this period of time, 25 pts (15%) had to be reoperated for a total of 33 reoperations. Seven pts (28%) died at reoperation. Using univariate analysis, the presence of Marfan's syndrome (p < 0.05) and absence of arch replacement (p < 0.02) were determinant risk factors for reoperation. Emergency (p < 0.01) and thoraco-abdominal replacement (p < 0.04) were determinant riskfactors for death at reoperation. The freedom from reoperation (Kaplan-Meier, CI: 95%) is 96% (90-98), 87% (79-92), 80% (70-88), 66% (51-78) at 1, 5, 10 and 15 years respectively. A total of 39 pts (24.3%) died during follow-up. The presence of Marfan's syndrome (p < 0.01), reoperation (p < 0.02), stroke (p < 0.05), and cardiac failure (p < 0.05) were determinant risk factors of late mortality. The late survival rate (K-M. C.I.: 95%), including hospital mortality, is 71% (64-77), 66% (58-73), 56% (47-64), 46% (36-56), 37% (28-44) at 1, 10, 15 and 20 years, respectively. From our experience extending over more than 23 years, GRF glue has proved to be extremely useful, making the procedure much easier and safer. Nevertheless, many factors are of importance in the pre-, intra- and postoperative management of the patients. Cardiac tamponade and visceral malperfusion must be properly diagnosed and treated. During aortic repair, the main intimal tear must be resected. The transverse arch must be checked and replaced whenever necessary. The aortic valve should be preserved whenever possible. During CPB, perfusing the aorta in the regular antegrade manner seems to dramatically reduce the rate of malperfusion. The quality of the first emergency operation seems to have a major influence on the late results, especially concerning the rate of late reoperations and aortic ruptures. However, those late results depend also on the patient's basic condition, particularly in Marfan patients.

Assessment of systematic use of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography during cardiac surgery in adults: a prospective study of 203 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of systematic intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in a cardiac surgical unit. DESIGN: Open prospective observational survey. SETTING: University Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive adult patients (n = 203) undergoing elective or urgent cardiac operations. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Pre-cardiopulmonary bypass imaging yielded unsuspected findings in 26 patients (12.8%) and changed the planned surgery in 22 patients (10.8%). Transesophageal echocardiography modified the diagnosis in eight patients (17%) operated on for mitral valvulopathy, in seven patients (15.5%) with aortic valvular disease, in four patients (4.6%) with coronary artery disease, in five patients operated on for thoracic aorta diseases regardless of their localization (18.5%), and in two miscellaneous cases. On the basis of the data obtained from the transesophageal echocardiography carried out at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass, an immediate reintervention was required in five cases (2.5%). CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that systematic intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography significantly affected decision making in this cardiac surgical unit. Its routine use in all cardiac surgical patients is recommended.

Surgery of acute type A dissection: what have we learned during the past 25 years?

Every acute dissection involving the ascending aorta (Stanford type A) must undergo emergency sugical repair. However, the surgical techniques must vary according to the clinical presentation of the patients or the anatomical patterns observed. Furthermore, surgery is generally difficult because of the poor condition of the aortic tissues. To reduce those difficulties many technical artifacts have been described. In 1977, we proposed the use of gelatin-resorcin-formalin (GRF) biological glue to reinforce the suture areas.From January 1977 to July 1999, 212 patients (pts) (152 males and 60 females) aged from 15 to 80 years (mean age: 54±11 years) underwent an emergency operation for type A aortic dissection. One-hundred-seventy-eight pts (84%) were operated on within 4 hours after being referred to the hospital. Twenty-eight pts (13.2%) had Marfan's syndrome. In 44 patients (20.7%), the aortic valve was replaced either independently (6 cases - 2.8%) or by means of a composite graft (38 cases - 17.9%). Because of the location of the intimal tear, the aortic replacement was extended to the transverse arch in 61 pts (28.7%).Hospital mortality amounts to 21.6% (46 pts), 25% in pts with arch replacement and 19.4% in pts without arch replacement (n. s.). Analysis of hospital mortality demonstrates that the main causes of death were cardiac tamponade, neurologic disorders and visceral malperfusion.One-hundred-sixty-six pts were discharged and surveyed from 5 months to 22 years postoperatively (mean follow-up: 85±66 months). During this period of time, 25 pts (15%) had to be reoperated for a total of 33 reoperations. Seven pts (28%) died at reoperation. Using univariate analysis, the presence of Marfan's syndrome (p < 0.05) and absence of arch replacement (p < 0.02) were determinant risk factors for reoperation. Emergency (p < 0.01) and thoraco-abdominal replacement (p < 0.04) were determinant riskfactors for death at reoperation. The freedom from reoperation (Kaplan-Meier, CI: 95%) is 96% (90-98), 87% (79-92), 80% (70-88), 66% (51-78) at 1, 5, 10 and 15 years respectively.A total of 39 pts (24,3%) died during follow-up. The presence of Marfan's syndrome (p < 0.01), reoperation (p < 0.02), stroke (p < 0.05), and cardiac failure (p < 0.05) were determinant risk factors of late mortality. The late survival rate (k-M. C.I.: 95%), including hospital mortality, is 71% (64-77), 66% (58-73), 56% (47-64), 46% (36-56), 37% (28-44) at 1, 10, 15 and 20 years, respectively.From our experience extending over more than 23 years, GRF glue has proved to be extremely useful, making the procedure much easier and safer. Nevertheless, many factors are of importance in the pre-, intra- and postoperative management of the patients. Cardiac tamponade and visceral malperfusion must be properly diagnosed and treated. During aortic repair, the main intimal tear must be resected. The transverse arch must be checked and replaced whenever necessary. The aortic valve should be preserved whenever possible. During CPB, perfusing the aorta in the regular antegrade manner seems to dramatically reduce the rate of malperfusion. The quality of the first emergency operation seems to have a major influence on the late results, especially concerning the rate of late reoperations and aortic ruptures. However, those late results depend also on the patient's basic condition, particularly in Marfan patients.

The use of biological glue in aortic surgery.

The biologic sealants presently available on the market that are used in cardiovascular surgery and particularly during surgery of the aorta are described in this article. Two of these biological sealants, the gelatin-resorcinol-formaldehyde (GRF) glue and two-component fibrin sealant have been in use for two decades. Their respective properties are described beneficial in modifying the natural history of the disease. Certain pharmacological agents that result in improved aortic function have been identified.

[Preservation of the native aortic valve in the treatment of aortic aneurysmal dilatation]. / Conservation de la valvule aortique native dans le traitement de la maladie annulo-ectasiante.

Mechanical valve conduit replacement of the aortic root is a durable and appropriate procedure for aortic root dilatation with or without aortic aortic insufficiency. But this procedure may sacrifice an anatomically salvageable aortic valve and requires a life-long anticoagulation with its attendant thromboembolic versus haemorrhagic risks, which is not ideal for young active patients. Recently, two techniques of aortic root replacement with aortic valve sparing have been described, based on experimental data. The first one is Yacoub's procedure (1983), where the correction of the aortic root is performed by correcting the sinotubular junction and replacement of the aortic sinuses with an appropriately tailored Dacron graft (remodelling). The second technique was described by David (1992). In this one, the aortic root reconstruction is performed by reimplanting the aortic valve in a tubular Dacron graft (reimplantation). Since 1993, we have been interested in these procedures and the aim of this study was to examine the perioperative and intermediate term results of these techniques. From 1993 to 1998, 14 patients had either reimplantation of the aortic valve (3 patients) or remodelling of the aortic root (11 patients). Patients' ages ranged from 17 to 57 years (40.2 +/- 7.9 years). Four patients had Marfan's syndrome (29%). There were 11 cases of aortic insufficiency, three 1+ (21.4%), 3+ (21.4%), seven 2+ (50%) and one 3+ (7.2%). All the patients had morphologically normal aortic leaflets. The mean diameter of the sinuses was 57 +/- 4 mm. There was no acute or chronic dissection. The left ventricular function was measured as the percentage of the fractional shortening of the left ventricular diameter. The mean of the fractional shortening was 38.3 +/- 4%. There was no mortality and all patients underwent early and late follow-up echocardiography. The 14 patients have only mild or no insufficiency, which has not progressed in any patient. No other valve-related complication has occurred. Aortic valve-sparing replacement of the aortic root is an excellent procedure for patients with aortic root dilatation and anatomically salvageable valves. The long-term results are still unknown but it seems an attractive alternative to composite replacement of the aortic valve and descending aorta. Morbidity and mortality rates are very low, even lower than a Bentall procedure, while the savings in cost and human lives due to the absence of a mechanical valve prosthesis are significant.

Antegrade cerebral perfusion with cold blood: a 13-year experience.

BACKGROUND: In 1986 we introduced the technique of antegrade selective perfusion of the brain with cold blood during surgery of the aortic arch. METHODS: Between January 1984 and March 1998, 171 patients (118 males and 53 females) aged 25 to 83 years (mean 56.5 +/- 17), underwent replacement of the transverse aortic arch with the aid of cold blood antegrade selective perfusion. One hundred twenty two patients (71.3%) with chronic lesions were operated on electively; 49 patients (28.6%) were operated on urgently for acute aortic dissection (42 patients) or for a ruptured chronic aneurysm (7 patients). Fifty-one patients (29.8%) had previously undergone a surgical procedure on the thoracic aorta. Mean duration of cardiopulmonary bypass was 121 minutes (range: 65-248); mean duration of cerebral perfusion was 60 minutes (range: 15-90), and mean duration of systemic circulatory arrest circuit was 32 minutes (range: 10-57). The electroencephalogram, routinely recorded, showed disappearance of electrical activity in a mean of 9 minutes (range: 3-16) initial return of electrical activity after a mean of 12 minutes (range: 1-35) and normalization in a mean time of 66 minutes. RESULTS: All patients but 7 (4%) showed signs of normal awakening within 8 hours postoperatively. Six patients (3.5%) had fatal neurologic complications, and 16 patients (9.3%) had a non-fatal neurologic complications. Twenty-nine patients (16.9%) died during the postoperative hospital course. There was a significant difference between patients aged less than 60 years (9%) and patients older than 60 years (mortality rate 26.4%, p < 0.02). There was also a significant difference between patients undergoing an isolated replacement of the arch, and those in whom the replacement was extended to the descending aorta in whom mortality was 36.4% (chi2, p < 0.02). Lesion and gender had no significant influence on the outcome of the patients, nor had the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, circulatory arrest, and cerebral perfusion. In particular, no correlation could be established between the duration of cerebral perfusion and the occurrence of neurologic complications. CONCLUSION: The clinical results obtained throughout this experience have demonstrated that selective antegrade cerebral perfusion with cold blood provides excellent protection during surgery of the transverse aortic arch. In addition, it avoids the use of deep hypothermia and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass and does not limit the time allowed to perform the aortic repair. In our opinion it is the technique of choice, especially in frail patients or those requiring a long and difficult procedure.

Surgery for acute type A aortic dissection: the Hopital Foch experience (1977-1998).

BACKGROUND: In 1977, we proposed the use of gelatin-resorcinol-formol (GRF) biological glue during surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. METHODS: From January 1977 to March 1998, 204 patients (146 men and 58 women) aged from 15 to 79 years (mean 54 +/- 11) underwent emergency operation for type A aortic dissection in our institution. One hundred sixty-five patients (84%) were operated on within 48 h after the onset of symptoms. Twenty-eight patients (13.7%) had Marfan's syndrome. In 43 patients (23%), the aortic valve was replaced either independently (6, 3%) or by means of a composite graft (37, 18.1%). Because of the location of the intimal tear, aortic replacement included the transverse arch in 60 patients (29.4%). RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 21% (39 patients): 25% in patients with arch replacement and 19.4% in patients without arch replacement (ns). One hundred sixty-one patients were discharged and followed from 2 months to 21 years postoperatively (mean 85 +/- 66 months). During this interval, 25 patients (15.5%) required reoperation for a total of 33 reoperations. Seven patients (28%) died at reoperation. Upon univariate analysis, presence of Marfan's syndrome (p < 0.05) and absence of arch replacement (p < 0.02) were risk factors for reoperation. Emergency operation (p < 0.01) and thoracoabdominal replacement (p < 0.04) were risk factors for death at reoperation. The actuarial freedom from reoperation (Kaplan-Meier, confidence interval 95%) is 96.1% (90.9%-98.2%) at 1 year, 87.6% (79.8%-92.7%) at 5 years, 80.9% (70.8%-88.1%) at 10 years, and 66.4% (51.1%-78.9%) at 15 years. A total of 39 patients (24.3%) died during follow-up. The presence of Marfan's syndrome (p < 0.01), reoperation (p < 0.02), stroke (p < 0.05), and cardiac failure (p < 0.05) were risk factors for late mortality. The actuarial late survival including hospital mortality is 71.5% (64.3%-77.8%) at 1 year, 66% (58.3%-73%) at 5 years, 56.4% (47.7%-64.7%) at 10 years, and 46.3% (36.4%-56.5%) at 15 years. CONCLUSIONS: The GRF glue has proven extremely useful during emergency initial surgery for acute type A dissection, making the procedure much easier and safer. As a result of this operative improvement, the use of the GRF glue seems to have had a beneficial influence on late results, but these also depend upon the patient's basic condition.

[Surgical treatment of acute dissection of the ascending aorta (20 years experience)]. / Traitement chirurgical des dissections aiguës de l'aorte ascendante (20 ans d'expérience).

PURPOSE: In 1977, the use of gelatine-resorcine-formaline (GRF) biological glue during surgery of acute type A aortic dissection was proposed. The present study retrospectively analyses the late results obtained with this adjunct in an experience extending over a 20-year period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1977 to July 1997, 193 patients (139 males and 54 females) aged from 15 to 79 years (mean age: 53 +/- 14 years) underwent an emergency operation for type A aortic dissection in our institution. All patients suffering from acute type A dissection and 162 (84%) were operated on within 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. Twenty-eight patients (15.2%) had Marfan's syndrome. In all patients the ascending aorta was replaced and the aortic stumps were reinforced with the GRF glue. In 43 patients (22.2%), the aortic valve was replaced either independently (5 cases-2.5%) or by means of a composite graft (35 cases-19.5%). Recently three patients underwent a complete replacement of the ascending aorta and coronary reimplantation with preservation of the native aortic valve. Because of the location of the intimal tear, the aortic replacement was extended to the transverse arch in 58 patients (30%). RESULTS: Hospital mortality amounted to 21% (40 patients) (22.8% in patients with arch replacement and 20.3% in patients without arch replacement) (ns). The survivors were surveyed from 2 months to 20 years post-operatively (cumulative follow-up: 856 pt/years, mean follow-up: 85 +/- 66 months). During this period of time, 23 patients (15%) had to be reoperated on for a total of 29 procedures. Six of those patients (26%) died at reoperation. At univariate analysis, presence of Marfan's syndrome (P < 0.05) and absence of arch replacement (P < 0.02) were determinant risk factors for reoperation. Emergency (P < 0.01) and thoraco-abdominal replacement (P < 0.04) were determinant risk-factors of death at reoperation. The actuarial freedom from reoperation (Kaplan-Meier, CI: 95%) was: 96.5% (90.9-98.2), 87.6% (79.8-92.7), 80.9% (70.8-88.1), 66.4% (51.1-78.9) at one, 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively. A total of 36 patients (27.7%) died during follow-up. Presence of Marfan's syndrome (P < 0.01), reoperation (P < 0.02), stroke (P < 0.05), cardiac failure (P < 0.05) were determinant risk factors of late mortality. The actuarial late survival rate (Kaplan-Meier. CI: 95%), including hospital mortality, was: 71.5% (64.3-77.8), 66% (58.3-73), 56.4% (47.7-64.7), 46.3% (36.4-56.5) at one, 5, 10 and 15 years. CONCLUSION: The GRF glue has proved to be extremely useful during initial emergency surgery for acute type A dissection, making the procedure much easier and safer. Through this operative improvement, the use of the GRF glue seems to have a beneficial influence on the late results which, however, depend mainly on the patient's basic condition.

[A prospective comparative study of coronary angiography and endocoronary ultrasonography in the detection of coronary lesions after cardiac transplantation]. / Etude prospective comparée de la coronarographie et de l'échographie endocoronaire dans la détection des lésions coronaires après transplantation cardiaque.

Coronary angiography is the reference method for the detection of coronary disease of the cardiac grafts which threatens the long-term prognosis of cardiac transplantation. The primary results of treatment for slowing, stabilising or even improving coronary transplant disease are encouraging and make necessary the development and evaluation of reliable diagnostic methods. The authors undertook a prospective study of 48 asymptomatic patients with normal graft wall motion between January 1995 and March 1997 to compare the results of coronary angiography and endocoronary ultrasonography. The patients had been transplanted in the 10 years preceding the study. The results of the two methods were concordant in 33 cases (69%) (NS), for the confirmation (9 cases) or the information of coronary transplant disease (24 cases). The results were contradictory in 15 cases (31%): in 12 cases, endocoronary ultrasonography showed signs of coronary disease whereas the coronary angiography was estimated to be normal: in the remaining 3 cases, coronary angiography was abnormal but no signs of coronary disease were found on endocoronary ultrasonography. The specificity of coronary angiographic detection was 89% and therefore very satisfactory, but its sensitivity (43%) was poor. In addition, endocoronary ultrasonography allows analysis of the extension of coronary lesions to unstenosed segments, the quantification of intimal thickening. Therefore, endocoronary ultrasonography should become the reference investigation for coronary disease of cardiac transplants.

[Giant cell myocarditis. Report of a case]. / Myocardite à cellules géantes. A propos d'un cas.

The authors report a case of giant cell myocarditis leading to rapidly progressive cardiac failure despite immuno-suppressor treatment in a 20 year old woman. The cardiac failure was successfully managed by implantation of a left ventricular assist device and then cardiac transplantation. The problems encountered underline the importance of accurate diagnosis by endomyocardial biopsy before undertaking treatment and the difficulties in the choice of appropriate method of assistance in this indication. Giant cell myocarditis is a rare cause of cardiac failure and should be considered in the differential diagnosis in view of its clinical features and risk of progression. The literature and the therapeutic implications are discussed.

The proper use of glue: a 20-year experience with the GRF glue in acute aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: In 1977, the use of Gelatine-Resorcine-Formaline (GRF) biological glue during surgery of acute Type A aortic dissection was proposed. The present study retrospectively analyzes the late results obtained with this adjunct in an experience extending over a twenty-year period of time. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1977 to March 1996, 171 patients (124 males and 47 females) aged from 15-79 years (mean age: 53 +/- 14 years) underwent an emergency operation for type A aortic dissection in our institution. All patients suffered from acute type A dissection and 144 (84%) were operated on within 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. Twenty-six patients (15.2%) had Marfan's syndrome. The ascending aorta was replaced in all patients and the aortic stumps were reinforced with the GRF glue. In 39 patients (23%), the aortic valve was replaced either independently (5 cases, 3%) or by means of a composite graft (34 cases, 19.8%). Because of the location of the intimal tear, the aortic replacement was extended to the transverse arch in 58 patients (33.9%). RESULTS: Hospital mortality amounts to 21% (36 patients), 22.8% in patients with arch replacement and 21.1% in patients without arch replacement (n.s). One hundred thirty-five patients were discharged and surveyed from 2 months to 19 years postoperatively (cumulative follow-up: 856 patients/years. Mean follow-up: 79 +/- 66 months). During this period of time, 22 patients (16.1%) had to be reoperated on for a total of 28 reoperations. Six of those (27.2%) died at reoperation. At univariate analysis, presence of Marfan's syndrome (p < 0.05) and absence of arch replacement (p < 0.02) were determinant risk factors for reoperation. Emergency (p < 0.01) and thoracoabdominal replacement (p < 0.04) were determinant risk factors of death at reoperation. The acturial freedom from reoperation (Kaplan-Meier, CI: 95%) is: 96.08% (90.9-98.2), 87.6% (79.8-92.7), 80.9% (70.8-86.1), 66.4% (51.1-78.9) at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years respectively. A total of 36 patients (27.7%) died during follow-up. Presence of Marfan's syndrome (p < 0.01), reoperation (p < 0.02), stroke (p < 0.05), cardiac failure (p < 0.05) were determinant risk factors of late mortality. The actuarial late survival rate (K-M. C.I.: 95%), including hospital mortality, is: 71.5% (64.3-77.8), 66% (58.3-73), 56.4% (47.7-64.7), 46.3% (36.4-56.5) at 1, 10 and 15 years. CONCLUSIONS: The GRF glue has proved to be extremely useful during emergency initial surgery for acute type A dissection, making the procedure much easier and safer. Through this operative improvement, the use of the GRF glue seems to have a beneficial influence on the late results which however, depend mainly on the patient's basic condition.

[Left ventricular reduction (Batista's technique). A new surgical option in dilated cardiomyopathy]. / Réduction ventriculaire gauche (Batista). Une nouvelle option chirurgicale pour les cardiomyopathies dilatées.

Cardiac transplantation remains the standard treatment for severe cardiomyopathy resistant to medical therapy. However, new techniques may help to put this off. Two patients with dilated cardiomyopathy were treated surgically since October 1996, one aged 48 and the other 52. They were in NYHA Class IV and one was dependent on inotropic drugs. Both had relative or absolute contra-indications to transplantation. The left ventricular end diastolic dimensions were over 70 mm with mild mitral regurgitation and fractional shortening of less than 12%. Coronary angiography was normal. They were operated in October 1996 and January 1997. The procedure consisted of correction of mitral regurgitation (annuloplasty) and of reduction of left ventricular volume by a triangular resection from the apese to the base of the heart. At histological examination, the resected myocardium measured 11 to 13 cm long and 5 to 7 cm at its base. The two patients were discharged from hospital after 45 and 30 days. There were no clinical signs of cardiac failure. Follow-up investigations showed a marked decrease in ventricular volumes, the end diastolic dimensions changing from 70 to 52 mm in the first, and from 76 to 54 mm in the second patient. The corresponding values of fractional shortening increased from 11 to 20% and from 6 to 17%. Left ventricular volumes decreased from 328 mL (end diastole) and 259 mL (end systole) to 140 mL and 74 mL in the first case, and from 300 mL (end diastole) and 280 mL (end systole) to 122 mL and 83 mL respectively in the second case. The ejection fraction increased from 20 to 40% and from 10 to 32%. These preliminary results show that the theoretical advantages of this surgical technique correspond to a practical reality. Larger series of patients are required to determine the optimal indications.

[Current treatment of acute dissections of the ascending aorta]. / Traitement actuel des dissections aiguës de l'aorte ascendante.

In 1977, the authors introduced the gelatin resorsin formol glue for emergency surgery of dissection of the ascending aorta (Stanford Type A). This special issue devoted to surgery of the thoracic aorta gives them the opportunity of summarising the different techniques of replacing the ascending aorta, underlying the procedures available for reinforcing the sutures. The value of the gelatin resorcin formol glue extensively described and the authors then analyse the principles and methods of treating aortic insufficiency and of the extension of replacement of the aorta to the aortic arch. Based on these techniques, the authors report their experience over a period of 20 years. Between January 1977 and July 1997, 193 patients (139 men and 54 women) aged 15 to 79 (average 53 years) were operated for acute dissection of the ascending aorta. All the operations were undertaken as an emergency and 84% within 4 hours of arrival at the hospital. Twenty-eight patients had typical Marfan's syndrome. The ascending aorta was replaced in all cases and the aortic stumps reinforced with GRF glue in 99% of them. Forty-three patients underwent aortic valve replacement either separately (5 patients: 2.5%) or with a valved tube (35 patients: 19.5%). More recently, 3 patients underwent complete replacement of the ascending aorta with reimplantation of the coronary arteries and conservation of the natural valve. In view of the localisation or the extension of the intimal tear, complete replacement of the ascending aorta was extended to the aortic arch in 58 patients (30%). The global hospital mortality was 21% (23% in patients undergoing replacement of the aortic arch and 20.3% in patients undergoing replacement of the ascending aorta with or without aortic valve replacement N.S.). The patients were followed up for 2 months to 19 years (average 85 +/- 66 months). During the observation period, 23 patients (15%) were reoperated and underwent 29 reoperations. Six patients died during reoperation. Late mortality was observed in 36 patients (23.7%) giving a global actuarial survival (Kaplan-Meier-95% confidence interval) was 96.5% 87.6%, 80.9%, 66.4% at 1, 5, 10 and 15 years respectively. The clinical status of the 116 survivors is satisfactory. Eighty-two patients (71%) are in functional Classes I or II. Surgery of acute dissection of the ascending aorta remains difficult and associated with high mortality and morbidity. The use of GRF glue has significantly improved the immediate results and has made extension of surgery to sections of the aorta otherwise inaccessible, a reality. Nevertheless, the patients should be followed up indefinitely by regular non-invasive methods and maintained on betablocker therapy.

[Surgical replacement of the aortic arch]. / Remplacement chirurgical de la crosse aortique.

Deep hypothermia with circulatory arrest is the usual method of cerebral protection during replacement of the aortic arch. However, this technique only gives the surgeon a limited period of time to carry out aortic repair. It also requires that cardiopulmonary bypass be prolonged to rewarm the patient which may cause many complications. Selective carotid artery perfusion may also be used. When this perfusion is derived from the principal arterial line the aorta must be clamped to perform the repair. In addition, there is some uncertainly as to what constitutes adequate cerebral perfusion at normal temperature or during moderate hypothermia. In order to reconcile the advantages of both methods whilst avoiding the disadvantages, the authors described a new technique of cerebral protection in 1984. The principle was to selectively perfuse the carotid arteries with blood cooled to 6 to 12 degrees C via a separate heat exchanger while maintaining the central temperature in moderate hypothermia (25 to 28 degrees C rectal). In order to carry out an "open" distal anastomosis, the main cardiopulmonary bypass is stopped whilst carotid perfusion is maintained (350 to 500 ml/min). When the distal anastomosis has been completed, general cardiopulmonary bypass is restarted and the patient rewarmed. Using this technique. 158 patients aged 25 to 83 (average 55 years) were operated between January 1984 and July 1997. The operative indications were for different anatomic situations (114 patients had chronic lesions and had planned operation and 50 patients were operated as an emergency for acute dissection of the ascending aorta requiring replacement of the aortic arch). The average duration of cardiopulmonary bypass was 121 minutes and the duration of circulatory arrest was 31 minutes. The electroencephalogram recorded continuously during these operations showed return of cerebral activity after an average of 12 minutes and perfectly normal activity after an average of 66 minutes. The hospital mortality was 17% (27 deaths). Death was directly related to a neurological accident in 6 patients. All the others recovered within a normal period and were perfectly conscious at the 24th hour. Twenty non-lethal neurological complications were observed. The type of lesion, age and gender had non significant influence on the outcome of the patients: neither did the duration of circulatory arrest and of cerebral perfusion. No correlations could be established between the duration of cerebral perfusion and the frequency of neurological complications. In the authors' experience, the technique of selective anterograde perfusion of the brain with cooled blood during surgery of the aortic arch has shown its value. It does not require prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass and does not limit the time available to repair of the aorta. It should therefore be considered to be the method of choice for cerebral protection during this type of surgery.