Effect of cardiopulmonary bypass on tissue injury markers and endothelial activation during coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is done either using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) or without using CPB (OPCAB). But, recently, reports have shown that CPB is associated with increased postoperative morbidity because of the involvement of many systems. AIMS: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the influence of the technique of surgery on various tissue injury markers and the extent of endothelial activation in patients undergoing CABG and OPCAB coronary revascularization. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This study was conducted at a tertiary healthcare center during the period May 2008 to December 2009. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective nonrandomized blinded study. The activities of Creatine Phosphokinase (CK) and its isoenzyme CK-MB, Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), levels of cardiac Troponin I, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-I) and systemic nitric oxide production were assessed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: All the results were expressed as Mean ± SD. P value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. The statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS Version 11.5-computer software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: The surgical trauma had elevated CK, CK-MB and Troponin I in both the groups and further elevation was seen in the CABG group in comparison to OPCAB (P<0.001). The Troponin I concentrations showed an increase from 0.11 ± 0.02 preoperatively to 6.59 ± 0.59 (ng/ml) at 24 h (P<0.001) compared to the OPCAB group. Mean serum levels of sVCAM-1 increased significantly after surgery in both the groups (P<0.02). To determine serum nitric oxide (NO) production, NO2- and NO3- (stable end products of NO oxidation) were analyzed which also increased significantly at 24 h in both the groups. But the increase was not significant at 48 h in both the groups compared to the preoperative value in our study. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that, despite comparable surgical trauma, the OPCAB significantly reduces tissue injury. The overall pattern of endothelial activation after OPCAB is significantly lower than that after CABG. This may contribute to improved organ function, and improved postoperative recovery.

Right atrial trans-septal approach for left atrial myxomas--nine-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: In this single-center study we reviewed our experience with left atrial myxomas occurring over the past 9 years. METHODS: Sixty-three patients underwent excision of cardiac myxomas between 1995 and 2004. Of these, 56 patients (32 females and 24 males) had left atrial (LA) myxoma. The mean age was 37.80+12.97 years (range 3.5-67 years). Echocardiography was the only diagnostic evaluation done. The preferred approach for resection was right atrial trans-septal. Annual echocardiographic evaluation was undertaken following surgery. Follow-up is current and available in all the survivors (range 4 months-9 years). RESULTS: Clinically 75% of the LA myxomas simulated mitral stenosis. The symptoms were present for 2-6 months before operation. Most (86%) LA myxomas were attached to the fossa ovalis. Few (14%) originated from the LA wall, mitral valve annulus and anterior mitral leaflet. One patient succumbed to low cardiac output and another died of massive embolic stroke following surgery. There were no late deaths. Two patients (3.7%) developed left hemiparesis after operation but recovered completely. There was one (1.9%) recurrence 3 years after surgery. Atrial fibrillation occurred in one patient. Mitral insufficiency which was seen in two (3.7%) patients prior to surgery subsided following excision of the tumor. Postoperatively 94% patients remained without symptoms. CONCLUSION: Owing to the risk of valvular obstruction or embolization early surgery is indicated. Right atrial trans-septal approach is safe and easy. Most patients are asymptomatic following surgery. A yearly follow-up is essential.

Transcatheter fenestration of a total cavopulmonary connection baffle.

Transcatheter creation of a de novo fenestration of a total cavopulmonary connection baffle has not been previously reported from India. We present our experience with such a procedure in a 4-year-old child with recurrent pleural effusions in the early postoperative period.

Delayed presentation of false abdominal aortic aneurysm following umbilical artery catheterisation.

An eight-month-old male child presented with a nonpulsatile abdominal mass, which was detected during a routine follow-up examination. After ultrasound examination a tentative diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm of the abdominal aorta was made. An umbilical artery catheterisation had been performed for procuring arterial blood gases after birth for treatment of birth hypoxia. There was a history of fever subsequent to the umbilical artery catheterisation with positive blood and catheter tip cultures for coagulase-positive Staphylococci and Klebsiella pneumoniae. He had also suffered from infectious arthritis of the left hip joint one month after the catheterisation. CT scan with enhancement and angiography confirmed the diagnosis. He was treated successfully with excision of the aneurysm and direct repair of the aorta. A false abdominal artery aneurysm has been noted very rarely as a complication of umbilical artery catheterisation. Such an aneurysm most probably develops from infected thrombi which weaken the aortic wall. Diagnosis may be delayed as the child can remain asymptomatic. CT scan with contrast enhancement can give precise diagnosis. Angiography may be done preoperatively. The safest management is early surgery with direct repair.

Surgical considerations in the management of significant acute mitral regurgitation following mitral valvotomy.

Repair of the mitral valve should be the primary goal in the surgical management of acute mitral regurgitation following valvotomy. The earlier the repair is done, the better it is because the preoperative haemodynamics affect the overall outcome. The disadvantages and anticoagulation of prosthetic valves are avoided. Besides, it is economical to avoid the high cost of the prosthetic valves in a poor socio-economic group of patients. With good patient selection and additional effort by the surgeon to acquire the necessary expertise to reproduce the techniques of mitral valve repair, a superior quality of life can be offered to these patients. The present study is a retrospective analysis of 14 patients who required emergency open heart surgery following balloon or closed mitral valvotomy. The valve was successfully repaired in 8 patients. The medium term follow-up indicates that repair is reproducible, safe, reliable, and a stable procedure free of complications.

Surgical considerations in management of left hemianomalous pulmonary venous connections.

Anomalous pulmonary venous connection of the entire left lung into the left innominate vein is very rare. 5 patients with this anomaly were managed in the authors' institution over the last 12 years. Clinically they were diagnosed as cases of pretricuspid left-to-right shunt at atrial level. Cardiac catheterisation and angiography demonstrated the anomalous drainage of the entire left lung into the left innominate vein. Anastomosis between the vertical vein and the left atrium was established using conventional cardiopulmonary bypass, hypothermia, and cold cardioplegic diastolic arrest of the heart. Postoperative course was uneventful. 4 of the 5 patients presented for follow-up during 1-12 years (mean 6.5 years). All are asymptomatic and have been studied with echocardiography, angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging techniques. The anastomatic site was found to be non obstructive in all the patients.

Biatrial drainage of right superior vena cava with anomalous right pulmonary venous connection.

A case of right superior vena cava draining to both atria, predominantly to the left atrium, with anomalous right pulmonary venous connection to the lower right superior vena cava is reported. The haemodynamic significance of these anomalies is discussed, and the technique of surgical repair is described. The literature on this rare but interesting clinical entity is briefly reviewed.

Surgical considerations in the management of thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Nineteen patients of Thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm were operated during a nine year period. All were larger than 10 cm. in size. Four were operated in emergency. Seven underwent patch aortoplasty while eleven required tube inlay aortoplasty with visceral vessel reimplantation. One patient continued to be paraplegic postoperatively. Two (10.52%) had acute renal failure and there were two (10.52%) deaths. A sincere effort to keep the aortic and renal occlusion times to minimum and successful reimplantation of lower intercoastals and visceral branches appear to offer significant help in accomplishing successful repair with justifiable expectancy.

Surgical correction of aneurysms of sinus of Valsalva--a report of 22 cases.

Twenty two cases of aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva managed during a 12 year period are analysed. The right coronary sinus was involved in 14 and the non-coronary sinus in eight cases. It had ruptured in 20 patients while in the other two it had produced right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction. Six patients had associated ventricular septal defect (VSD), and eight had aortic regurgitation (AR), five of these requiring aortic valve replacement (AVR). Aortocameral approach was preferred and was used in 18 patients. Recurrence had occurred in one. Surgical management and results are discussed.

Congenital intrapericardial aneurysm of the left-atrial appendage.

An interesting case of congenital intrapericardial aneurysm of the left-atrial appendage is reported. The patient presented with recurrent supraventricular arrhythmias and progressive exercise intolerance and fatigue. Computerised axial tomography aided in the diagnosis by excluding the presence of any thrombus in the sac. The aneurysm could be safely excised via a left thoracotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass. The relevant literature on this problem is briefly discussed.

Temporary intravascular shunts for peripheral vascular trauma.

Polyvinylchloride (PVC) disposable endotracheal suction catheters were successfully used as temporary intravascular shunts in 5 patients of popliteal artery trauma. These simple shunts should be used routinely in such conditions to immediately re-establish blood supply to the ischaemic limb particularly in patients of polytrauma where systemic anticoagulation is contraindicated. This avoids the inherent delay prior to vascular repair and reduces the incidence of irreversible ischemia.

Tetralogy of Fallot with complete atrioventricular canal: a report of successful surgical treatment.

A case of successful surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot with complete atrioventricular canal in 4 year old female child is reported. Double patch technique and combined right atrial and right ventricular (RV) approach were used to repair this defect. The ventricular patch was tailored wide and redundant anteriorly in the form of a sail to prevent subaortic obstruction. Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction was relieved through an infundibular incision with subsequent use of subannular pericardial patch. The relevant literature on the management of this rare anomaly is briefly reviewed.

Surgical management of tetralogy of Fallot with anomalous coronary artery.

Fifteen patients of tetralogy of Fallot with an anomalous left anterior descending coronary artery arising from the right coronary artery were operated during a period of 1982 and 1988. One patient died in the early post-operative period (6.6%). Two patients had a hemodynamically insignificant residual ventricular septal defect. Post-operative peak systolic pressure gradient between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery ranged from 10 mm Hg to 40 mm Hg (mean 24 mm Hg) in 4 patients. There was no incidence of inadvertent coronary artery division.

Localized epicarditis mimicking cardiac tumor.

A rare case of localized epicarditis mimicked a cardiac tumor. The diagnosis was confirmed at surgery. Epicardial peel with resection of the aneurysmal right atrial appendage resulted in complete recovery.

Delayed presentation of pericardial pseudocyst following blunt chest trauma.

An unusual presentation of blunt chest trauma is reported. A 21-year-old man presented with symptoms and signs of congestive cardiac failure. 2D echocardiogram showed a thickened pericardium with a mass compressing the right ventricle. CT scan revealed a large mass anterior and to the right of the heart with evidence of pericardial thickening and calcification. However, its delineation from the pericardium and its exact tissue characterization were not possible. Cardiac catheterization showed elevation and equalization of diastolic pressures in all cardiac chambers with characteristic waveforms suggestive of pericardial constriction. The precise definition and characterization of the mass was obtained only on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the chest which showed it to be a solid, well encapsulated, partially calcified mass between the heart and the diaphragm extending anteriorly and to the right of the right ventricle. These findings were confirmed at the time of thoracotomy. Histopathology revealed blood clots and hyalinised fibrous tissue without any evidence of granuloma or malignancy. This report highlights an insiduous, late presentation of blunt chest trauma. It also demonstrates the superiority of MRI over computed X-ray tomography for mediastinal paracardiac masses.

Repeat open intracardiac operation--analysis of 55 patients.

Of the 4170 open intracardiac operations performed at our hospital in the last 6 years, 55 (1.3%) were reoperations. Of these failed valve repairs or valve substitutes formed the major group (58%) and the interval between first and second operation ranged from 6 months to 8 years. There were 4 deaths on table and another 6 patients died during their hospital stay giving an early mortality rate of 18 per cent. There was one late death during a follow-up period of 1 month to 3 years. There was no death due to perioperative bleeding complications. We conclude that it should now be possible to perform reoperations with an acceptable mortality and good late functional results.