Assessment of tricuspid annulus: anatomic and echocardiographic correlation.

Tricuspid regurgitation is associated with a poor outcome and its quantification remains a challenge. Tricuspid annulus dilatation is one of the parameters that influences clinical decision-making. The aim of this study was to compare the use of 2D transoesophageal echocardiography with surgical assessment for the measurement of the tricuspid annulus. Sixty-one cardiac patients (median age 64 years) were included in the study. Echocardiographic tricuspid annulus measurements were obtained from four chamber and transgastric short axis views and compared with the surgical measurements of this valve. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of our institution. The tricuspid annulus measurements were obtained from the four chamber and the short axis views in 57 and 49 patients, respectively, while surgical measurement was performed in all 61 patients. Bland-Altman analysis of 49 tricuspid annulus-matched dimensions of the short axis view and surgical values showed a mean bias of 0.223 mm/m2, with limits of agreement of -5.86 to 6.31 mm/m2. Echocardiographic measurements of the tricuspid annulus dimension were accurate (90% sensitivity and 90% specificity for a four chamber view cut-off value ≥ 24.5 mm/m2, and 89% sensitivity and 97% specificity for a short axis view cut-off value ≥ 37.6 mm/m2, P < 0.0001; both cases) for detecting directly assessed annular dilatation by the surgeon in the operative field. Echocardiographic values of tricuspid annulus dimension have a good predictive value to detect surgically assessed annular dilatation and may help identify patients who require surgical tricuspid intervention.

Medical and surgical management for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: a single center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary endarterectomy (PE) is the treatment of choice for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The aim of this study was to analyze our experience in the medical and surgical management of CTEPH. METHODS: We included 80 patients diagnosed with CTEPH between January 2000 and July 2012. Thirty two patients underwent PE and 48 received medical treatment (MT). We analyzed functional class (FC), six-minute walking distance (6MWD) and pulmonary hemodynamics. Mortality in both groups and periods were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients who underwent PE were younger, mostly men, and had longer 6MWD. No differences were observed in pulmonary hemodynamics or FC at diagnosis. One year after treatment, all PE patients versus 41% in MT group were at FCI-II. At follow-up, the PE group showed greater increase in 6MWD, and greater reduction in mean pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance than the MT group (P<.05). Overall survival in the MT group at 1 and 5years was 83% and 69%, respectively. Conditional survival in patients alive 100days post-PE at 1 and 5years was 95% and 88%, respectively. Surgical mortality in operated patients in the first period (2000-2006) was 31,3%, and 6,3% in the second (2007-2012). CONCLUSIONS: PE provides good clinical results, and improves pulmonary hemodynamics in patients who successfully overcome the immediate postoperative period. After a learning period, the current operatory mortality in our center is similar to international standards.

Disfunción cognitiva después de cirugía cardiaca: Saturación cerebral e índice biespectral: estudio longitudinal / Neuropsychological dysfunction after cardiac surgery: Cerebral saturation and bispectral index: A longitudinal study

Background: Neuropsychological dysfunction is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. Aim: To evaluate if intraoperative cerebral desatu-ration and depth of anesthesia measured by bispectral index are related to postoperative cognitive dysfunction in cardiac surgery. Material and Methods: Prospective study in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment was applied preoperatively and 3 months after surgery. Postoperative dysfunction was defined as a decrease of at least one standard deviation in two or more neuropsychological tests. Cerebral oxygenation and bispectral index were continuously recorded and corrected throughout surgery. Cerebral oxygenation data were analyzed by the mean value and at three thresholds: 50%, 40% and < 25% of the basal value. Bispectral index was analyzed at threshold of 45. Results: Fifty-six patients were initially enrolled and 48 completed the study. Nine of these (18.8 %) presented postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Mean cerebral saturation and bispectral index data were not different among the patients with or without cognitive dysfunction. There was no association between cerebral desaturation and bispectral index with changes in neurocognitive tests or with length of stay in the intensive care unit. A significant but weak correlation was found between baseline Ray-neurocognitive score and intensive care unit stay (rho = -0.46; P = 0.001). Conclusions: We did not find a significant association between cerebral desaturation and depth of anesthesia with postoperative cognitive decline in this population of patients.

[Neuropsychological dysfunction after cardiac surgery: Cerebral saturation and bispectral index: A longitudinal study]. / Disfunción cognitiva después de cirugía cardiaca: Saturación cerebral e índice biespectral: estudio longitudinal.

BACKGROUND: Neuropsychological dysfunction is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. AIM: To evaluate if intraoperative cerebral desaturation and depth of anesthesia measured by bispectral index are related to postoperative cognitive dysfunction in cardiac surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment was applied preoperatively and 3 months after surgery. Postoperative dysfunction was defined as a decrease of at least one standard deviation in two or more neuropsychological tests. Cerebral oxygenation and bispectral index were continuously recorded and corrected throughout surgery. Cerebral oxygenation data were analyzed by the mean value and at three thresholds: 50%, 40% and < 25% of the basal value. Bispectral index was analyzed at threshold of 45. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were initially enrolled and 48 completed the study. Nine of these (18.8 %) presented postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Mean cerebral saturation and bispectral index data were not different among the patients with or without cognitive dysfunction. There was no association between cerebral desaturation and bispectral index with changes in neurocognitive tests or with length of stay in the intensive care unit. A significant but weak correlation was found between baseline Ray-neurocognitive score and intensive care unit stay (rho = -0.46; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We did not find a significant association between cerebral desaturation and depth of anesthesia with postoperative cognitive decline in this population of patients.