Challenges in Diagnosis and Management of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection in a Young Patient.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is characterized by tear of the inner layer in the coronary artery, creating a false lumen between the inner and central layer. Its infrequent incidence often leads to delay in diagnosis posing challenges in management. There are currently no guidelines for the treatment of this condition. We describe an adult patient who presented with multiple episodes of ventricular fibrillation, in whom cardiac catheterization showed SCAD, treated by off-pump coronary artery bypass.

Challenges in diagnosis and management of spontaneous coronary artery dissection in a young patient

Abstract Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is characterized by tear of the inner layer in the coronary artery, creating a false lumen between the inner and central layer. Its infrequent incidence often leads to delay in diagnosis posing challenges in management. There are currently no guidelines for the treatment of this condition. We describe an adult patient who presented with multiple episodes of ventricular fibrillation, in whom cardiac catheterization showed SCAD, treated by off-pump coronary artery bypass.

Perfusão da artéria pulmonar não melhora os índices de fator natriurético cerebral (BNP) em estudo experimental em suínos / Pulmonary artery perfusion does not improve brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in suine experimental research

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se perfusão controlada do tronco pulmonar durante circulação extracorpórea (CEC) modifica os níveis de BNP expressos pelo miocárdio ventricular. MÉTODOS: Estudo experimental com 32 porcos, divididos em dois grupos de acordo com estratégia de CEC - grupo I (cardioplegia) e grupo II (coração batendo). Ambos os grupos foram alocados em três subgrupos, de acordo com a estratégia de perfusão pulmonar - subgrupo A (controle: sem perfusão pulmonar), subgrupo B (perfusão pulmonar com sangue arterial) e subgrupo C (perfusão com sangue venoso). Nos subgrupos B e C, pulmões foram perfundidos por 30 minutos, utilizando pressão arterial média pulmonar (PAPM) préoperatória como pressão de perfusão, a qual foi controlada com manômetro. PAPM e resistência vascular pulmonar (RVP) foram medidas após saída de CEC com cateter de Swan-Ganz. No período pré-operatório e após 30 minutos de perfusão pulmonar, fragmentos de miocárdio ventricular direito foram coletados para avaliar expressão de peptídeo natriurético cerebral (BNP) e padrão histológico tecidual. Técnicas de imunohistoquímica e hematoxilina-eosina foram utilizadas para determinar, respectivamente, expressão de BNP e lesões inflamatórias miocárdicas. RESULTADOS: Nos animais submetidos à perfusão controlada do tronco pulmonar, houve redução pós-operatória da PAPM (P=0,03) e da RVP (P=0,005). Não houve diferenças entre os subgrupos do grupo I (P=0,228) e subgrupos do grupo II (P=0,325) quanto à expressão pós-operatória de BNP. Não houve diferenças entre subgrupos com e sem perfusão pulmonar quanto à intensidade das lesões inflamatórias miocárdicas identificadas no pós-operatório (P>0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Perfusão controlada do tronco pulmonar por 30 minutos não foi suficiente para promover alterações substanciais na expressão de BNP e no padrão histológico miocárdico do ventrículo direito.

OBJECTIVE: Assess if the main pulmonary artery controlled perfusion over cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) modifies BNP levels expressed by the ventricular myocardium. METHODS: Experimental research involving 32 pigs, divided into two groups according to CPB strategy - group I (cardioplegia) and group II (beating heart). Both groups were allocated into three subgroups according to lung perfusion strategy - subgroup A (control: no lung perfusion), subgroup B (lung perfusion with arterial blood) and subgroup C (lung perfusion with venous blood). In subgroups B and C, lung was perfused for 30 minutes, using preoperative mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) as perfusion pressure, which was monitored through manometer. MPAP and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were measured after coming off CPB using Swan-Ganz catheter. At preoperative time and 30 minutes after lung perfusion, specimens were taken from the right ventricular myocardium aiming to assess brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and histologic pattern. Immunohistochemical and hematoxylin-eosin techniques were used to determine, respectively, BNP expression and inflammatory myocardial lesions. RESULTS: In animals submitted to controlled lung perfusion, there was a postoperative reduction of MPAP (P=0.03) and PVR (P=0.005).There was no differences among subgroups within the group, I (P=0.228) and subgroups within group II (P=0.325) as to postoperative BNP expression. There were no differences among subgroups with and without lung perfusion as to postoperative inflammatory lesions (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Main pulmonary artery controlled perfusion for 30 minutes did not yield substantial modifications in BNP expression and histologic pattern of the right ventricular myocardium.

Pulmonary artery perfusion does not improve brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in suine experimental research.

OBJECTIVE: Assess if the main pulmonary artery controlled perfusion over cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) modifies BNP levels expressed by the ventricular myocardium. METHODS: Experimental research involving 32 pigs, divided into two groups according to CPB strategy--group I (cardioplegia) and group II (beating heart). Both groups were allocated into three subgroups according to lung perfusion strategy--subgroup A (control: no lung perfusion), subgroup B (lung perfusion with arterial blood) and subgroup C (lung perfusion with venous blood). In subgroups B and C, lung was perfused for 30 minutes, using preoperative mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) as perfusion pressure, which was monitored through manometer. MPAP and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were measured after coming off CPB using Swan-Ganz catheter. At preoperative time and 30 minutes after lung perfusion, specimens were taken from the right ventricular myocardium aiming to assess brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and histologic pattern. Immunohistochemical and hematoxylin-eosin techniques were used to determine, respectively, BNP expression and inflammatory myocardial lesions. RESULTS: In animals submitted to controlled lung perfusion, there was a postoperative reduction of MPAP (P = 0.03) and PVR (P = 0.005).There was no differences among subgroups within the group, I (P = 0.228) and subgroups within group II (P = 0.325) as to postoperative BNP expression. There were no differences among subgroups with and without lung perfusion as to postoperative inflammatory lesions (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Main pulmonary artery controlled perfusion for 30 minutes did not yield substantial modifications in BNP expression and histologic pattern of the right ventricular myocardium.

Giant coronary artery dilatation in an asymptomatic patient.

A case of giant dilatation of coronary arteries is presented, with review of the literature on the subject, and discussions about management of the patients with such disease.

An intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography-guided maneuver to assist the removal of an intraventricular thrombus / Manobra intraoperatória guiada por ecocardiografia transesofágica para facilitar remoção de trombo intraventricular

Intra-cavitary thrombus size, mobility and friability are of great importance in deciding whether surgical removal is indicated. Thrombus characteristics may render surgical thrombectomy incomplete, a risk for catastrophic embolization. During de-airing of the heart, after removal of an intraventricular thrombus, filling the open ventricular cavity with blood serendipitously allowed trans-esophageal echocardiographic (TEE) visualization of undetected residual thrombi fragments. This experience leads us to advocate repeated filling and emptying of the left ventricle with blood, under TEE guidance, in order to facilitate complete removal of thrombotic material prior to ventriculotomy closure, and prior to weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

O tamanho, mobilidade e friabilidade do trombo intracavitário são de importância significativa na decisão para a realização da remoção cirúrgica. Precisamente, essas características do trombo podem resultar em uma trombectomia cirúrgica incompleta, com o risco de embolização catastrófica. Durante a manobra de deaeração após a remoção de um trombo intraventricular, o enchimento da cavidade ventricular com sangue permite a visualização de fragmentos residuais possivelmente indetectáveis. É proposto o enchimento e o esvaziamento repetitivo do coração com sangue guiado por ecocardiografia transesofágica intraoperatória para facilitar a remoção de material trombótico antes do fechamento da ventriculotomia e descontinuação circulação extracorpórea.

Dilatações gigantes das artérias coronárias em paciente assintomático / Giant coronary artery dilatation in an asymptomatic patient

Um caso de dilatação gigante de artérias coronárias é apresentado, com revisão da literatura sobre o assunto, e discussão sobre como abordar esses pacientes

A case of giant dilatation of coronary arteries is presented, with review of the literature on the subject, and discussions about management of the patients with such disease

Results of beating heart mitral valve surgery via the trans-septal approach.

OBJECTIVE: Mitral valve surgery can be performed through the trans-atrial or the trans-septal approach. Although the trans-atrial is the preferred method, the trans-septal approach has also been used recently and has a particular value in beating-heart mitral valve surgery. Herein we report our experience with beating-heart mitral valve surgery via trans-septal approach, and discuss its advantages and pitfalls. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2007, 214 consecutive patients were operated upon utilizing beating heart technique for mitral valve surgery. The operation was performed via transseptal approach with the aorta unclamped, the heart beating, with normal electrocardiogram and in sinus rhythm. RESULTS: Mean age was 56.03 +/- 13.93 years (range: 19-86 years; median: 56 years). There were 131 (61.2%) males and 83 (38.8%) females. Of the prostheses used, 108 (50.5%) were biological, and 39 (18.2%) were mechanical. Mitral repairs were performed in 67 (31.3%) patients. Mean hospital stay was 17.4 +/- 20.0 days (range: 3-135 days; median: 11 days). Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) utilization was required in 12 (5.6%) of 214 patients. One-month mortality was 7.4%, and re-operation for bleeding was needed in 15 (7%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Beating-heart mitral valve surgery is an option for myocardial protection in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery. This technique is facilitated by the trans-septal approach due to reduced aortic insufficiency and improved visualization of the mitral apparatus.

Resultados da abordagem transeptal para a valva mitral com coração batendo / Results of beating heart mitral valve surgery via the trans-septal approach

OBJETIVO: A cirurgia da valva mitral pode ser feita via transatrial ou transeptal. Embora a transatrial seja a preferida, a via transeptal tem sido utilizada mais recentemente e tido um grande valor nas operações com o coração batendo. Mostramos a nossa experiência na cirurgia da valva mitral via transeptal com coração batendo e discutimos seus benefícios e problemas. MÉTODOS: Entre 2000 e 2007, 214 pacientes consecutivos foram operados com o coração batendo. A operação foi feita por via transeptal sem pinçamento da aorta, com o coração batendo e eletrocardiograma normal e em ritmo sinusal. RESULTADOS: A idade média foi de 56,03 ± 13,93 anos (intervalo: 19-86 anos; mediana: 56 anos). Havia 131 (61,2 por cento) pacientes do sexo masculino e 83 (38,8 por cento), do feminino. Foram utilizadas 108 (50,5 por cento) próteses biológicas e 39 (18,2 por cento) mecânicas. Reparo da valva foi feito em 67 (31,3 por cento) pacientes. A estadia hospitalar foi de 17,4 ± 20,0 dias (intervalo: 3-135 dias; mediana: 11 dias). Balão intra-aórtico foi utilizado em 12 (5,6 por cento) pacientes. A mortalidade hospitalar foi de 7,4 por cento. Reoperação para revisão de hemostasia foi necessária em 15 pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: A operação com o coração batendo é uma opção para proteção miocárdica em pacientes submetidos a cirurgia da valva mitral. A técnica é facilitada ao se usar a via transeptal, reduzindo a insuficiência aórtica e melhorando a visualização do aparato mitral.

OBJECTIVE: Mitral valve surgery can be performed through the trans-atrial or the trans-septal approach. Although the trans-atrial is the preferred method, the trans-septal approach has also been used recently and has a particular value in beating-heart mitral valve surgery. Herein we report our experience with beating-heart mitral valve surgery via trans-septal approach, and discuss its advantages and pitfalls. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2007, 214 consecutive patients were operated upon utilizing beating heart technique for mitral valve surgery. The operation was performed via transseptal approach with the aorta unclamped, the heart beating, with normal electrocardiogram and in sinus rhythm. RESULTS: Mean age was 56.03 ± 13.93 years (range: 19-86 years; median: 56 years). There were 131 (61.2 percent) males and 83 (38.8 percent) females. Of the prostheses used, 108 (50.5 percent) were biological, and 39 (18.2 percent) were mechanical. Mitral repairs were performed in 67 (31.3 percent) patients. Mean hospital stay was 17.4 ± 20.0 days (range: 3-135 days; median: 11 days). Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) utilization was required in 12 (5.6 percent) of 214 patients. One-month mortality was 7.4 percent, and re-operation for bleeding was needed in 15 (7 percent) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Beating-heart mitral valve surgery is an option for myocardial protection in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery. This technique is facilitated by the trans-septal approach due to reduced aortic insufficiency and improved visualization of the mitral apparatus.

An intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography-guided maneuver to assist the removal of an intraventricular thrombus.

Intra-cavitary thrombus size, mobility and friability are of great importance in deciding whether surgical removal is indicated. Thrombus characteristics may render surgical thrombectomy incomplete, a risk for catastrophic embolization. During de-airing of the heart, after removal of an intraventricular thrombus, filling the open ventricular cavity with blood serendipitously allowed trans-esophageal echocardiographic (TEE) visualization of undetected residual thrombi fragments. This experience leads us to advocate repeated filling and emptying of the left ventricle with blood, under TEE guidance, in order to facilitate complete removal of thrombotic material prior to ventriculotomy closure, and prior to weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Lung perfusion during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: is it necessary?

Thirty-two pigs were randomized into group I (aortic cross clamping, antegrade cardioplegia, moderate hypothermia) and group II (normothermia, beating empty heart). Groups were subdivided into subgroups A, B and C, receiving no lung perfusion, perfusion with arterial blood and perfusion with venous blood. Swan-Ganz catheter was used to take mean pulmonary artery pressure which would be used as lung perfusion pressure. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was established through cannulating aorta and double venae cavae, mechanical ventilation was interrupted and lung perfusion was carried out for 30 min. Blood samples and pulmonary specimens were withdrawn pre- and postoperatively for gasometrical, histological and genic analyses. Postoperative comparison revealed that pulmonary vascular resistance was lower in IC than IA (P=0.01) and it was lower in IIC than IIA (P=0.005). Subgroup IIB had increasing venous oxygen tension (P=0.01) as well as arterial and venous oxygen saturation (P=0.01) compared to IIA. Arterial oxygen saturation was decreased in IIC vs. IIA (P=0.006). Histological differences were observed between subgroups A and B as well as A and C (P=0.003). Lung perfusion during CPB may improve pulmonary hemodynamic performance, optimize gas exchange and maintain cellular integrity.