Does the additional usage of a local hemostatic patch reduce bleeding after aortic reimplantation?

INTRODUCTION: Our study aimed to assess the efficacy of a local hemostatic, consisting of human thrombin and fibrinogen, which was applied on the aortotomy suture line. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 93 patients undergoing elective aortic valve replacement. Patients were randomized to two groups. Group 1 comprised 41 patients, in whom a hemostatic patch (Tachosil) was used additionally. Group 2 comprised 52 patients in whom Tachosil was not applied. RESULTS: The postoperative drainage after 48 h was significantly lower in the group of patients where the local hemostatic patch (Tachosil) was additionally used, compared to the control group (p = 0.0335). The prevalence of rethoracotomies was twice as high in the control group compared to the Tachosil group (5% vs. 10%), but the statistical analysis did not show a significant difference. As a consequence, both measurements of hemoglobin concentration revealed significantly higher hemoglobin in Tachosil-treated patients than the control group (p < 0.001, p = 0.0002). Red blood cell count (RBC) was also significantly higher in the Tachosil group. The difference in perioperative blood loss between the two groups resulted in a difference in postoperative acute renal injury or renal failure. The rate of infection within the early postoperative period was also comparable between the groups, although it was slightly higher in the Tachosil group (23% vs. 18%). The perioperative mortality was higher in group 2 but the difference was not statistically significant (3% in the Tachosil group vs. 5% in the control group). CONCLUSIONS: Tachosil use reduced postoperative drainage considerably, which had an important influence on renal complications after aortic valve replacement.

Multicentre early experience with totally subcutaneous cardioverter-defibrillators in Poland.

INTRODUCTION: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) have a strong position in the prevention of sudden death. Nowadays, the most commonly used high-energy cardiac devices are transvenous ICDs. A new technology of totally subcutaneous ICDs (S-ICD) was invented and recently introduced into clinical practice in order to reduce lead-related complications of conventional ICDs. The aim of this paper is to present early experience with this new technology implemented in a few centres in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical records of patients who had S-ICD-related interventions in Poland were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: During the first year of S-ICD introduction into the Polish health system 18 patients underwent surgery connected with S-ICDs. Majority of them (17 patients) were implanted de novo. In one patient surgical revision of a device implanted abroad was performed. Most of patients (78%) had S-ICDs implanted for secondary prevention. Inability of transvenous system implantation due to venous access obstruction or high risk of infection related with transvenous leads accounted for 83% of indications for S-ICD. Only in three patients were S-ICDs implanted due to young age and active mode of life. The implantations of S-ICDs were performed without important early or late complications. During follow-up one patient had episodes of ventricular arrhythmia successfully terminated with high-energy shocks. One patient died due to progression of heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: S-ICD implantation procedure has been successfully and safely introduced in Polish clinical routine. Nevertheless, despite clear indications in recent ESC guidelines, this therapy is not directly reimbursed in Poland and needs individual application for refund.

Computed tomography angiography for imaging results of neochordal mitral valve repair.

INTRODUCTION: Degenerative mitral regurgitation is currently the most frequent indication for mitral valve repair. AIM: To visualize and assess the mid-term results of mitral valve repair with neochordae implantation, using computed tomography angiography (CTA) imaging. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The CTA with ECG gating and without modulation was applied in 10 patients to assess the results of a mitral valve sparing procedure. The results of 3 patients are presented. The patients were operated on for severe symptomatic degenerative mitral regurgitation, defined according to a modified Carpentier's functional classification. RESULTS: Neochordal repair, by placing expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sutures between the leading edge of the prolapsing segment and the corresponding papillary muscle, was conducted. From 1 to 3 double Gore-Tex loops were used. Leaflet clefts, if present, were sutured. All repairs included mitral valve ring annuloplasty. The CTA was performed at 20-24 months after the surgery. Long-axis views, reconstructed during mid-systole, seemed to be the most valuable. Good quality cardiac images, precisely presenting the mitral valve complex with its constituents, were obtained in the case of patients without obesity, with a relatively small anterior-posterior thorax dimension, with sinus, slow heart rhythm and quite good left ventricle contractility. The evaluation of the mitral valve included presence of calcifications, fibrosis or thickening, chordal insertion and coaptation points, and papillary muscle locations. Primary and secondary native chordae tendineae and artificial chordae were visualized. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast material-enhanced ECG-gated CTA applied after mitral valve repair with Gore-Tex neochordae allows one to obtain satisfactory mitral valve images, especially during mid-systole, and evaluate mid-term results of the surgery in chosen patients.

Artificial aortic valve dysfunction due to pannus and thrombus - different methods of cardiac surgical management.

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 60 000 prosthetic valves are implanted annually in the USA. The risk of prosthesis dysfunction ranges from 0.1% to 4% per year. Prosthesis valve dysfunction is usually caused by a thrombus obstructing the prosthetic discs. However, 10% of prosthetic valves are dysfunctional due to pannus formation, and 12% of prostheses are damaged by both fibrinous and thrombotic components. The authors present two patients with dysfunctional aortic prostheses who were referred for cardiac surgery. Different surgical solutions were used in the treatment of each case. CASE STUDY 1: The first patient was a 71-year-old woman whose medical history included arterial hypertension, stable coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and hypercholesterolemia; she had previously undergone left-sided mastectomy and radiotherapy. The patient was admitted to the Cardiac Surgery Department due to aortic prosthesis dysfunction. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed complete obstruction of one disc and a severe reduction in the mobility of the second. The mean transvalvular gradient was very high. During the operation, pannus covering the discs' surface was found. A biological aortic prosthesis was reimplanted without complications. CASE STUDY 2: The second patient was an 87-year-old woman with arterial hypertension, persistent atrial fibrillation, and COPD, whose past medical history included gastric ulcer disease and ischemic stroke. As in the case of the first patient, she was admitted due to valvular prosthesis dysfunction. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography revealed an obstruction of the posterior prosthetic disc and significant aortic regurgitation. Transesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopy confirmed the prosthetic dysfunction. During the operation, a thrombus growing around a minor pannus was found. The thrombus and pannus were removed, and normal functionality of the prosthetic valve was restored. CONCLUSIONS: Precise and modern diagnostic methods facilitated selection of the treatment method. However, the intraoperative view also seems to be crucial in individualizing the surgical approach.

Iatrogenic left main-stem dissection extending to the circumflex artery and retrogradely involving the left and non-coronary sinuses of Valsalva: iatrogenic aortocoronary dissection.

We present the case of a 57-year-old female who experienced iatrogenic left main-stem (LMS) dissection during elective coronary angiography. The dissection immediately affected the circumflex artery (Cx), causing its total distal occlusion, and the left anterior descending artery (LAD), in which a metal stent, implanted six months earlier, provided blood flow. The dissection spread retrogradely to the left and non-coronary sinuses of Valsalva (SV). Ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurred but the patient was successfully defibrillated. The subsequent introduction of a catheter resulted in recurrent VF, again successfully defibrillated. Total arterial myocardial revascularisation with double skeletonised internal thoracic arteries was performed without complications and SV repair was avoided. At the one-year follow up, a control multi-slice CT (MSCT) angiography was conducted, revealing complete healing of the SV and LMS dissections. It also showed native blood flow, the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) graft to the Cx occlusion, and a patent right internal thoracic artery (RITA) graft implanted to the LAD.

Cardiac tamponade and para-aortic hematoma post elective surgical myocardial revascularization on a beating heart - a possible complication of the Lima-stitch and sequential venous anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery can be associated with some intrinsic, but relatively rare complications. A pericardial effusion is a common finding after cardiac surgeries, but the prevalence of a cardiac tamponade does not exceed 2% and is less frequent after myocardial revascularization.Authors believe that in our patient an injury of a nutritional pericardial or descending aorta vessel caused by the Lima stitch resulted in oozing bleeding, which gradually leaded to cardiac tamponade. The bleeding increased after introduction of double antiplatelet therapy and caused life-threatening hemodynamic destabilization. According to our knowledge it is the first report of such a complication after OPCAB. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 61-year old man, who underwent elective surgical myocardial revascularization on a beating heart. On the 11th postoperative day the patient was readmitted emergently to the intensive care unit for severe chest pain, dyspnoea and hypotension. Coronary angiographic control showed a patency of the bypass grafts and significant narrowing of circumflex artery, treated with angioplasty and stenting. The symptoms and hemodynamic instability exacerbated. A suspicion of dissection of the ascending aorta and para-aortic hematoma was stated on 16-slice cardiac computed tomography. The patient was referred to the Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed cardiac tamponade. On transesophageal echocardiography there were no signs of the ascending aorta dissection, but a possible lesion of the descending aorta with para-aortic hematoma was visualized. Emergent rethoracotomy and cardiac tamponade decompression were performed. 12 days after intervention the control 64-slice computed tomography showed no lesions of the ascending or descending aorta. On one-year follow-up patient is in a good condition, the left ventricular function is preserved and there is no pathology in thoracic aorta on echocardiography. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical complications of surgical myocardial revascularization on a beating heart should be considered as a cause of the clinical and hemodynamic instability relatively early in the postoperative period. Echocardiographic examination must be the first step in diagnostics process in a patient after cardiac surgery.

Surgical removal of stent from multiply stented vessel: problem with choice of place for anasthomosis - one year follow-up.

Since the advent of percutaneous coronary intervention there have been increasing numbers of patients with so-called 'full metal jacket' coronary arteries disease. This is creating a challenging problem for the cardiac surgeon. A 73 year-old woman after the implantation of two metal stents to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and four to the right coronary artery (RCA), with ejection fraction of 28%, significant mitral and tricuspid insufficiency, and high systolic pulmonary pressure, was admitted to our department with unstable angina and with symptoms of pulmonary oedema. Coronary angiogram revealed restenosis in all stents. She agreed to a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with mitral and tricuspid valve reconstruction. The RCA was opened just above the postero-lateral branch. Due to lack of space, the metal stent was removed and saphenous bypass graft performed.Six months later, control angiography showed a properly working LITA-LAD graft; the stents in the RCA had been occluded above anasthomosis and the venous graft to RCA had been stenosed. Percutaneous cardiac intervention was performed and the metal stent was implanted with good early effect. After a further six months, coronarography revealed in stent stenosis in the place of venous anasthomosis. The patient was qualified for conservative treatment. Long term results after such procedures are hard to predict;we believe patients should be qualified earlier for CABG and that doctors should avoid implanting too many stents into one artery.

Early and long term coronary artery bypass grafting outcomes in patients under 45 years of age.

BACKGROUND: In Poland, mortality and morbidity rates due to ischaemic heart disease (IHD) remain high and concern the whole population. An interesting issue is rapid development of IHD in some younger subjects and uncertain treatment outcomes in this patient subset. Premature cessation of professional activity, along with worsening of quality of life due to IHD in the population under 45 years of age is a huge medical, economic, and social problem. Only few studies evaluated early and long-term outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) used for the treatment of IHD in young patients, especially in premenopausal women. AIM: The purpose of the study was to analyse early and long-term outcomes of CABG in patients under 45 years of age. METHODS: We studied 125 patients under 45 years of age who underwent a CABG procedure. The study group included 65 women aged 27-45 (mean 41.5 ± 3.5) years operated upon in 1990-1999, and 60 men aged 33-45 (mean 41 ± 3.2) years operated upon in 1993. We evaluated early postoperative outcomes. The two genders were compared in regard to survival free from death, recurrent angina, and repeated myocardial during long-term follow-up. We also evaluated other variables such as education level, professional activity, and exposure to IHD risk factors before and after the operation. RESULTS: Seven women and two men died in hospital after CABG (p = 0.2). Analysis of major postoperative outcomes like myocardial infarction, low cardiac output syndrome requiring support with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), a lower limb amputation following the use of IABP, ischaemic stroke, and respiratory failure showed that these complications were significantly more frequent in women than in men (p < 0.01). Differences between the two groups regarding other adverse outcomes including atrial fibrillation, sternal instability, haemothorax, and pneumothorax were not significant. Analysis of long-term survival curves did not show any significant differences between men and women in regard to rates of death, recurrent angina, and the need for repeated myocardial revascularisation (p = 0.64, p = 0.93, and p = 0.13, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Young women who underwent CABG were burdened with higher early postoperative morbidity and mortality than young men. However, long-term outcomes (mortality, recurrent angina, and repeated myocardial revascularisation rates) did not differ significantly between the two groups. Regardless of gender, repeated myocardial revascularisation rate was significantly higher among those patients who continued to smoke after the surgery (p < 0.01).

[Tumour in left atrium diagnosed 6 years after ablation of pulmonary vein ostia and inferior right atrial isthmus: thrombus or myxoma?]. / Guz w lewym przedsionku rozpoznany 6 latpo ablacji ujsc zyl plucnych i ciesni dolnejprawego przedsionka: skrzeplina czy sluzak?

We present a case of the left atrial myxoma 6 years after atrial fibrillation ablation. The initial diagnosis of the mass revealed on echocardiography was a thrombus. Failure of anticoagulant treatment and transesophageal echocardiography led to diagnosis of myxoma, confirmed intraoperatively and histologically.

Comparison of the clinical application of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory markers in patients with endocarditis.

INTRODUCTION: Infective endocarditis (IE) is still connected with high operative mortality. Inflammatory markers are commonly used in monitoring patient clinical condition. Respiratory burst and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the main way of pathogen elimination. Specificity of this process in the aspect of bacterial infection is the key for correlation assessment between ROS and inflammatory markers in patients with IE. In the study, assessment of ROS as a clinical indicator in IE was conducted. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During 2007/2008 in the Cardiosurgical Clinic of the Medical University in Lodz there were 20 patients operated on for IE. The examined population consisted of 13 men and 7 women, aged from 23 to 74 years. Inflammatory markers - leukocytosis (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) - were assessed preoperatively, on the 3(rd), 7(th), 12(th) and 21(st) day. Simultaneously, with the second venous blood sample chemiluminescence (luminal enhanced whole blood chemiluminescence) was carried out and used to assess ROS production. The results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Positive correlation between ESR, CRP and ROS in the preoperative period was confirmed. An increase in ROS and a statistically significant increase in inflammatory markers on the 3(rd) day were observed. The ROS normalized on the 12(th) day. Marked individual variability was specific for the inflammatory markers. Despite the significant decrease, not all of them achieved a normal level at the last control point. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of ROS seems to be a universal parameter with possible application in patients with IE.

Late diagnosis of congenital cardiovascular defect.

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a common congenital anomaly that is usually treated in infancy or childhood. Adult patients with coarctation have a high incidence of associated cardiac disorders, including valve diseases, atrial fibrillation and ischemic heart disease. Most patients with uncorrected CoA die before reaching the age of 50 from complications such as myocardial infarction, intracranial hemorrhage, congestive heart failure (HF), infective endocarditis or aortic dissection. We report the case of a 65 year-old woman admitted to hospital with symptoms of heart failure NYHA class IV. She had been treated for several years for refractory arterial hypertension and concomitant stenocardia (II CCS). The symptoms of HF had been increasing over several months. Outpatient echocardiography examination revealed significant, increasing mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation with progressive left ventricular dysfunction. The patient was referred for surgical repair of the mitral and tricuspid valves. In-hospital echocardiography and angiography revealed descending aorta discontinuity at the level of the aortic isthmus. This congenital disease revealed during hospitalization was determined to be the underlying cause of all the symptoms the patient presented. Due to the clinical status of the patient, she was discharged from surgical procedures and put on medication.

Intrapericardial lipoma: diagnosed unexpectedly and resected during coronary artery bypass surgery.

Cardiac lipomas are extremely rare tumors, they usually remain asymptomatic and are detected incidentally, mostly during autopsies. In symptomatic patients, the diagnosis can easily be made by echocardiography, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. We report a case of pericardial lipoma found unexpectedly during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. The patient underwent a successful resection of the tumor and CABG via a median sternotomy. The patient is currently asymptomatic and has not presented with evidence of recurrence at the 12-month follow-up.

[Aortic valve replacement in patients with heart failure]. / Wymiana zastawki aortalnej u chorych z niewydolnoscia miesnia serca.

UNLABELLED: Severe aortic regurgitation and stenosis are urgent indication for aortic valve replacement in patients with left ventricular dysfunction, however the effect of cardiac surgery may differ in both groups. The aim of the study was to evaluate the early changes of haemodynamic parameters of heart: ejection fraction, endsystolic and enddiastolic left ventricle diameters, endsystolic and enddiastolic left ventricular wall thickness and left atrium diameter, depending on ejection fraction value (EF), in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement due to isolated aortic stenosis or regurgitation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 250 patients engaged to the study were subjected to the mechanical aortic valve replacement in Cardiac Surgery Department in Lodz. All patients were divided into two groups--patients operated due to aortic regurgitation and aortic stenosis. Then each group, depending on EF volume before operation, was divided into two subgroups (A - EF between 35 and 50%; B - EF below 35%). RESULTS: Comparing the pre- and early postoperative period, ejection fraction rose markedly in both subgroups of patients with aortic stenosis and the highest increase was ascertained in subgroups A. Analyzing endsystolic and enddiastolic left ventricle diameters we observed the reduction of left ventricle diameters in all groups. Evaluating endsystolic left ventricular wall thickness we observed the increase of wall thickness in both subgroups B. Analogically enddiastolic left ventricular wall thickness increased in all analyzing groups, whereas in groups with lowest fraction the rise was essential. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic valve replacement both due to aortic stenosis and regurgitation is associated with improved haemodynamic status in early postoperative period.

[Early and subsequent results of operation of trivalvular diseases]. / Wyniki wczesne i odlegle operacji wad trójzastawkowych.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the thesis is the evaluation of efficacy of surgical treatment for complex valvular heart diseases. An inclusion criterion to this analysis was the performance of a mitral valve replacement (MVR) and aortic valve replacement (AVR) for an artificial valve and a tricuspid valve replacement or plastic operation (TVR or pl. TV). Such operative procedures were carried out simultaneously. Twenty five operations were performed from 1995 to 1999. TVR was carried out in 2 patients, pl. TV in 21 patients and the Revuelt method was adopted for this purpose, whereas in two cases a tricuspid valve plastic operation was performed sewing in the annulus. In the two cases the revascularization of the right coronary artery was carried out simultaneously. In another case a myxoma removal from the left atrium was additionally carried out. One patient died due to renal failure during hospitalization on the 9th day after the operation. Three patients died subsequently in the first, second and third year after operation. The causes of subsequent deaths among the patients examined in the period of five years after the operation were thrombotic-embolic complications. CONCLUSIONS: Early and subsequent results of simultaneous tri-valvular operations are good. The most frequent and difficult postoperative complication in this group of patients is a low output syndrome. Subsequent complications and deaths are most often due to thromboembolic complications, therefore a particular attention should be paid to the anticoagulant treatment in this group of patients.

[Early results of surgical coronary revascularization in patients 65 years and older]. / Wczesne wyniki chirurgicznej rewaskularyzacji miesnia sercowego u chorych powyzej 65 roku zycia.

276 patients aged 65 years or more, who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting in the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Lódz in 1999 and 2000, were assessed. The analyzed group consisted of 193 men (69.93%) and 83 women (30.07%). The mean age of the patients was 69.14 years (+/- 3.42, age range from 65 to 79 years), 18 (6.52%) patients were in the first functional class of CCS classification, 55 pts (19.93%) in the second, 106 pts (38.41%) in the third and 97 pts (35.14%) in the fourth class. 87 patients (31.52%) had no history of myocardial infarction, 137 pts (49.28%) had a history of 1 infarction and 53 pts (19.2%) of 2 or more myocardial infarctions. 68.12% of patients smoked cigarettes. Arterial hypertension was observed in 176 pts (63.77%), diabetes mellitus in 50 pts (18.11%), chronic renal failure in 10 pts (3.62%), a history of stroke in 8 pts (2.9%), peptic ulcer in 42 pts (15.22%). Left ventricular ejection fraction below 30% was observed in 16 (5.8%) patients. 10 pts (3.62%) underwent coronary angioplasty and in 26 pts (9.42%) critical stenosis of the left main stem was observed. All patients were operated on cardiopulmonary bypass and myocardial protection was obtained by the use of cold crystalloid cardioplegy solution based on St. Thomas Hospital formula. 224 patients (81.16%) were operated electively. In early postoperative period the following complications were observed: death--35 (12.68%), low cardiac output syndrome--84 (30.43%), need of use of intraaortic contrapulsation--31 (11.23%), perioperative myocardial infarction--44 (15.94%). Respiratory complications were observed in 83 pts (30.07%), neurological complications in 7 pts (2.54%), acute renal failure in 25 pts (9.06%), intestinal bleeding in 5 pts (1.81%). Rethoracotomy was necessary in 12 of the operated (4.35%). Currently the age of a patient is considered as one of many risk factors and should not be treated as a contraindication to surgical revascularization procedure. In the analyzed material mortality correlated with a number of risk factors. It is to remember that the elderly have higher prevalence of coexisting diseases and that is why their exposure to the perioperative complications is also higher.