Prevalence of axis II comorbidity in bipolar patients with and without alcohol use disorders.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine the prevalence of comorbid personality disorder in euthymic bipolar I patients. METHOD: Sixty-one outpatients were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Personality Disorders (SCID II) and/or the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-Revised (PDQ-R). RESULTS: Thirty-eight percent of bipolar patients met criteria for an Axis II diagnosis based on the SCID II. Bipolar subjects with a history of comorbid alcohol use disorder were significantly more likely to have a SCID II diagnosis (52%) compared to those bipolar subjects without an alcohol use disorder history (24%). Cluster A diagnoses were significantly more common in the bipolar/alcohol use disorder group. The PDQ-R consistently overdiagnosed Axis II disorders, finding 62% of the overall bipolar group to have an Axis II diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Euthymic bipolar patients may have an increased rate of personality disorders, but much less so than previously reported in studies that did not take into account (1) current mood state, (2) comorbidity for an alcohol use disorder, and (3) instrument used for assessment of Axis II psychopathology.

Prediction of long-term survival by preoperative exercise testing in patients with depressed ejection fraction undergoing myocardial revascularization.

Ejection fraction is a major determinant of morbidity and mortality for patients with ischemic heart disease. Patients with an ejection fraction of 0.40 or less are generally recognized as having a poorer prognosis than those patients with an ejection fraction of 0.50 or better and remain a heterogeneous group. It would be useful if patients with a favorable surgical prognosis could be identified preoperatively. Fifty-five patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and had an ejection fraction less than 0.40 (mean of 0.23 +/- 0.07 standard deviation) were studied by catheter measurement of pulmonary arterial pressure and radionuclide left ventriculography. Heart rate, systemic blood pressure, pulmonary artery pressures, cardiac output, and ejection fraction were measured, at rest, after nitroglycerin was given intravenously and with supine bicycle exercise. Forty-seven patients who had follow-up longer than 4 years were divided into two groups according to their life status (alive or dead) 4 years after operation. Measured variables of exercise stress tests and clinical characteristics were entered into factor analysis to obtain a cardiac function factor score for predicting the life status after 4 years. The cardiac function factor score was highly loaded by stroke index (rest, nitroglycerin), cardiac index (exercise), systemic vascular resistance index (exercise), and history of congestive heart failure. The cardiac function factor provided a predictive value superior to that of any individual variable. By dividing the patients into two groups by cardiac function factor score, the actuarial 5-year survival was 72% versus 17% for good and poor prognosis groups, respectively (p < 0.0001). Preoperative exercise stress testing data integrated by factor analysis provide a predictive tool for patients with a low ejection fraction.

Probability of valve repair for pure mitral regurgitation.

The advantages of mitral valve repair are well established. Unfortunately, not all valves can be repaired. This presents a dilemma for the surgeon in terms of advising the patient as to the timing of operation and in decision making during operation. Patients requiring correction for pure mitral regurgitation are a heterogeneous group. By classifying the patients according to the cause of mitral regurgitation and the pathologic anatomy, we determined patterns of repair in our surgical practice for 100 consecutive patients with pure mitral regurgitation treated from January 1990 through June 1991. Patients with degenerative valve disease that spares the central portion of the anterior leaflet were likely to undergo valve repair (22/24), whereas those patients with involvement of the central portion of the anterior leaflet were likely to require replacement (15/17). This disparity may be related to the techniques of repair that were used and has spurred us to use other techniques when faced with this problem. Patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation caused by anulus dilatation were likely to undergo repair (15/17), whereas patients with ruptured papillary muscle usually underwent valve replacement (8/9). Operative mortality in this series was accurately predicted by the Parsonnet risk score. Combining knowledge of the expected operative risk and the likelihood of valve repair based on anatomic and pathologic considerations should allow the surgeon to better inform patients of their surgical options.

Cardiac operation without hypothermia for the patient with cold agglutinin.

Recently, a new technique for myocardial protection that does not rely on hypothermia has been reported. In this method, the heart is continuously perfused with normothermic hyperkalemic blood cardioplegia during the cross-clamp period. Cardiac arrest is achieved and maintained using high levels of potassium. Hypothermia is not part of this technique; thus, the danger of hypothermia can be avoided in the patient with cold agglutinin disease without compromising myocardial protection. This communication reports our experience using retrograde continuous normothermic blood cardioplegia in one patient with potent cold agglutinins and severe coronary artery occlusive disease. This patient experienced an uneventful operative and postoperative course and remains asymptomatic, now more than two years after operation.

Surgical treatment of tricuspid regurgitation.

The technique of tricuspid valve repair for tricuspid regurgitation has been used effectively since 1961. The first publication of the method appeared in 1965 in the Annals of Surgery. The procedure has changed little since that time and has afforded excellent long-term results. The procedure consists of excluding the annulus of the posterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve. The technique is simple, fast, hemodynamically effective, and durable. It carries no risk of heart block because the posterior leaflet annulus is far from the conduction system. An inferior caval snare may produce inadequate drainage with resulting increased back pressure on the liver leading to hepatocellular necrosis and lethal postoperative liver dysfunction in 3 to 5 days. Therefore, an inferior caval snare is never used when repairing or replacing the tricuspid valve for acquired or rheumatic heart disease. Morbidity and mortality are also decreased by restricting fluids in the postoperative period.

Rapid sustained recovery after cardiac operations.

After successful cardiac operations in the early 1980s the most common causes of prolonged hospitalizations were noncardiac disorders. We prevented or quickly corrected these noncardiac disorders after operations in succeeding patients and observed in the following 2 years that the shortest postoperative stays in the hospital were followed by the fewest rehospitalizations. In 240 consecutive patients the median length of hospital stay after operation was 4 days. The operations included coronary artery bypass procedures, aortic valve replacements, and mitral valve operations. Six patients (2.5%) were rehospitalized within 6 months after discharge and five patients (2.1%) were rehospitalized 6 to 24 months after discharge: Longer initial hospitalizations would not have prevented rehospitalizations. Forty of the 240 patients were discharged on the third postoperative day or earlier (one patient). None died or were rehospitalized in the following 2 years. Prevention or quick correction of noncardiac disorders allowed rapid recovery after heart operations, and rapid recovery indicated that health would be maintained.

Tricuspid regurgitation associated with mitral valve disease: repair and replacement.

Between January 1975 and June 1988, 156 patients with combined mitral and tricuspid valve disease underwent mitral and tricuspid valve repair or replacement. There were 127 (81%) patients with tricuspid valve repair and 29 (19%) patients with tricuspid valve replacement. Hospital mortality was 14% and was strongly influenced by preoperative pulmonary hypertension (systolic pressure greater than 65 mm Hg) and poor left ventricular function (ejection fraction less than 0.4). Five-year survival for the entire series was 57% +/- 5%; 12-year survival was 44% +/- 9%. Ejection fraction was the only age-adjusted risk factor for long-term survival. Of the patients who underwent tricuspid annuloplasty, 91% +/- 4% were free from reoperation after 10 years, indistinguishable from valve replacement (90% +/- 7%). Our tricuspid annuloplasty is simple and effective, and exhibits excellent long-term durability as well as immediate hemodynamic improvement.

Long-term results of operations for mitral regurgitation secondary to coronary artery disease.

There are few published reports regarding the long-term results of the operative treatment of significant mitral regurgitation secondary to coronary artery occlusive disease. The few available reports deal with mitral replacement and myocardial revascularization. We prefer repair of the mitral apparatus to replacement, whether combined with myocardial revascularization or done alone. On the basis of our experience with 141 patients requiring myocardial revascularization with mitral valve repair or replacement over the past 12 years, we have come to the following conclusions: Good long-term survival and short-term results can be expected when patients with symptomatic mitral regurgitation and coronary artery disease require surgical treatment. The in-hospital mortality in these patients approaches 15 percent. Patients who are so symptomatic that they require operation within 60 days of a myocardial infarction can be helped but will have poorer results than patients with more remote events. Patients with poor ejection fractions do worse than patients with good ejection fractions. Mitral valve repair is superior to mitral valve replacement. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, peak systolic pulmonary artery pressure, and the grade of mitral regurgitation do not seem to be significant determinants of outcome and should not be the basis for denying operation to symptomatic patients. Patients with minimal mitral regurgitation (grade 1/6) and good ventricular function should not undergo corrective valve operation because of the unduly high risk that valve replacement will be required.

Mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation secondary to coronary artery disease.

Mitral regurgitation secondary to ischemic heart disease carries a significant mortality in the untreated patient. We report on 141 patients with mitral regurgitation secondary to ischemic heart disease who underwent complete coronary revascularization and correction of mitral regurgitation by either repair (101 patients) or replacement (40 patients). Good long- and short-term palliation was obtained. Left ventricular function (ejection fraction) and recent myocardial infarction were important preoperative determinants of outcome. Repair of the mitral apparatus rather than valve replacement was associated with better long- and short-term survival, especially in the patient with a low ejection fraction. The repaired valve is durable and repair minimizes the risks of thromboembolism, hemolysis, anticoagulation, and intracardiac infection associated with prosthetic valve replacement. Mitral valve repair was possible in 70% of the patients in this series. The benefit to the patient, especially the patient with compromised ventricular function, compensates the surgeon for any extra effort involved in conservation of the mitral apparatus.

Myocardial revascularization for patients with an ejection fraction of 0.2 or less. 12 years' results.

From 1969 through December 31, 1981, a total of 232 patients with an ejection fraction of 0.2 or less (normal 0.67) had myocardial revascularization. The in-hospital mortality in these patients decreased from 25 deaths in 82 patients (30%) from 1969 through 1972 to 10 deaths in 150 patients (7%) from 1973 through December 31, 1981. There was a 24% five-year survival for patients in congestive heart failure at the time of operation, a 40% survival at five years for patients successfully treated for failure before operation and a 60% five-year survival for those patients who had never been in failure. These results would appear to be better than those with cardiac transplantation, with neither the restrictions for operation nor the long-term immunotherapy required with cardiac transplantation.

Ventricular septal rupture secondary to myocardial infarction. Clinical approach and surgical results.

Twenty-four patients underwent operation for ventricular septal rupture secondary to acute myocardial infarction. There were 14 hospital survivors (58%) and two late deaths (8%). There were eight hospital deaths (62%) of 13 patients referred in cardiogenic shock, but only two deaths (18%) of 11 patients not in shock at time of referral. All 12 current survivors showed clinical improvement, and 11 of them are in New York Heart Association functional class I or II. Eleven patients had bedside catheterization with a balloon catheter and were operated on immediately thereafter, and eight survived (73%) with no late deaths at five years. With formal heart catheterization followed by operation, there were only six survivors of 13 operated on (46%).

Long-term results of operations for mitral insufficiency secondary to coronary artery disease.

There are few published reports regarding the long-term results of the operative treatment of significant mitral insufficiency secondary to coronary artery disease. The few available reports deal with mitral replacement and myocardial revascularization. However, we prefer mitral repair to mitral replacement with myocardial revascularization. Eighty-seven patients were operated upon with ejection fractions between 0.1 and normal. In 16 patients it was necessary to replace the mitral valve; however, the valve was repaired in the remaining 71 patients. By actuarial curve the survival rate at 9 years was 60 percent for the entire series, and 18 percent in the 16 patients with mitral valve replacement and revascularization. This contrasted with a 73 percent survival rate for those patients with repair of the mitral valve and revascularization. We feel strongly that if repair is done properly, it is far superior to mitral valve replacement for the patient with mitral insufficiency secondary to coronary artery disease.

Aortic valve replacement in patients with poor ventricular function-early and late results with long-term follow-up.

A series of 62 consecutive patients with an ejection fraction of 0.4 or less (mean 0.28 with a range from 0.10 to 0.40; 22 between 0.10 and 0.20, 18 between 0.21 and 0.30, and 22 between 0.31 and 0.40) who underwent aortic valve replacement from January 18, 1972 to December 20, 1976 was reviewed. Preoperatively two patients were in Class II, 35 in Class III and 25 in Class IV of the New York Heart Association functional classification (N.Y.H.A.). Thirty-nine patients (Group 1) underwent isolated aortic valve replacement and 23 patients (Group 2) underwent aortic valve replacement with associated procedures including aortocoronary bypass in 15. The operative mortality was 8 percent in Group 1, 17 percent in Group 2, and 11 percent overall. In the group of 15 patients with coronary artery disease, the operative mortality of aortic valve replacement and aorto-coronary bypass was 27 percent. Since January 1974, isolated aortic valve replacement was performed with no operative deaths in 25 consecutive patients in Group 1 including 10 patients with an ejection fraction of 0.2 or less. Five-year survival rates were 70 percent in Group 1, 64 percent in Group 2 and 68 percent overall. In the 38 currently living patients, 32 showed clinical improvement and 27 are in Class I or II of N.Y.H.A. In conclusion, isolated aortic valve replacement can be performed with a low mortality and a high survival rate in patients with impaired left ventricular function.

Thirteen years' experience with the Kay-Shiley disc valve for tricuspid replacement in Ebstein's anomaly.

From August, 1965, to November, 1974, 11 patients underwent operation for Ebstein's anomaly. In 1 patient operated on on August 16, 1965, the early Kay-Shiley disc valve was used. In the remaining 10 patients, the Kay-Shiley muscle guard valve was inserted. This valve was designed to prevent the prosthesis from encroaching on the right ventricle, thereby increasing the flow around the disc. One patient with a history of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome died of dysrhythmia on the first postoperative day. The other 10 patients have been followed from 4 to 13 years (mean, 6 years 2 months) after operation. Seven patients are working full-time without difficulty, 2 are housewives, and 1 attends school. All patients have improved at least one class in the New York Heart Association Functional Classification.

Surgical treatment of mitral insufficiency secondary to coronary artery disease.

From 1970 to 1978, 61 patients were operated upon for mitral insufficiency secondary to coronary artery disease. These patients were between 44 and 71 years of age and all were in Class III or IV of the New York Heart Association Classification. The left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was 15 mm Hg or more in 32 of the 39 patients in whom it was measured. Twenty-four of 31 patients in whom right heart catheterization was performed had a systolic pulmonary artery pressure of 50 mm Hg or greater. All 61 patients had myocardial revascularization, 52 had repair of the mitral valve, and nine had mitral valve replacement. There were five hospital deaths in these 61 patients. Among the nine patients with a preoperative ejection fraction of 0.1 to 0.2, there were two hospital deaths; among the 20 patients with a preoperative ejection fraction of 0.25 to 0.40, there were two hospital deaths; and among the 32 patients with a preoperative ejection fraction of 0.45 to 0.70, there was only 1 hospital death. For those patients with repair and revascularization, the survivability was 81% at 7 years. In the patients with repair and myocardial revascularization, the incidence of peripheral embolization was 0.5% per patient-year.

Clinical experience with the Kay-Shiley mitral valve prosthesis: an eleven-year follow-up study.

A total of 63 patients, who survived mitral valve replacement with the Kay--Shiley caged disc mitral valve prosthesis, were followed for 11 years by single clinic group to assess long-term results post valve replacement. Sixty-one patients (97%) received a muscle guard type Kay--Shiley prosthesis. All patients received oral anticoagulation therapy. The valvular damage was caused by rheumatic disease in 51 patients, infectious endocarditis in six patients, myxomatous degeneration in two patients, coronary artery disease in two patients, and idiopathic ruptured chordae tendineae in two patients. Late death occurred in 21 patients (33%); the 10-year actuarial survival was 65%. Twenty-six patients had at least one thromboembolic event, and the total number of thromboembolic events was 10.3 per 1000 patient months. Two patients developed prosthetic valve endocarditis. Both patients were heroin addicts and died of valve ring abscess. Long-term periods of clinical observation are necessary to assess the effects and benefits of prosthetic valve implantation. These data are important for comparison with other "10-years" valves.

Surgical correction of severe mitral prolapse without mitral insufficiency but with pronounced cardiac arrhythmias.

Despite what was considered adequate pharmacological treatment, the condition of six patients with severe mitral valve prolapse but with trivial or no mitral regurgitation deteriorated. These patients had marked weakness, chest pain, dyspnea, and arrhythmias. Because these patients found their condition to be intolerable, the prolapsed mitral valve was repaired. Electrocardiography, treadmill stress testing, and left ventirculography performed following operation showed complete repair of the valve and significant improvement over the preoperative findings in all six patients. Repair of the floppy mitral valve did not eradicate all abnormalities; however, it did significantly improve the chest pain, weakness, dyspnea, and arrhythmias in all six patients. Five patients no longer require any medication. The prolapsed mitral valve contributed significantly to the symptoms and arrhythmias, but it could not have been the sole cause for these patients' signs and symptoms. With complete correction of the prolapse in all six patients, few of the signs and symptoms of the disease persisted. Repair of severe mitral valve prolapse without mitral regurgitation is recommended only for those patients who continue to be severely symptomatic from chest pain, dyspnea, or ventricular arrhythmias after an extensive trial of adequate medical therapy.