Should minimally invasive aortic valve replacement be restricted to primary interventions?

BACKGROUND: The role of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement in cardiac reoperations has not yet been defined. The purpose of this study is to report our experience with this technique. METHODS: Nineteen consecutive patients underwent aortic valve replacement via J-sternotomy as a reoperative cardiac procedure between 1999 and 2005. The mean age was 73.6 +/- 11.4 years. Previous cardiac operations included 12 (63.2 %) coronary artery bypass graftings, 6 (31.5 %) aortic valve replacements and 1 (5.2 %) mitral valve replacement. Mean follow-up was 23.6 +/- 19.7 months. The medical records were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: All procedures were successful. Mean aortic cross-clamping time and cardiopulmonary bypass time were 87.4 +/- 32.7 and 133.1 +/- 54.4 minutes, respectively. Cannulation sites were: ascending aorta (52.6 %), femoral artery (47.4 %), femoral vein (94.8 %) and right atrium (5.2 %). Myocardial protection was obtained by selective coronary osteal cold crystalloid cardioplegia and systemic cooling (mean 26.2 +/- 4 degrees C). Average intubation time was 1.5 +/- 1.4 days. Mean intensive care unit stay and postoperative hospital stay was 2.9 +/- 2.6 and 12.9 +/- 5.7 days, respectively. Median chest tube output was 550 ml. There were 4 revisions for bleeding. There were 2 late deaths and one non-incision related hospital death (5 %). This patient, who was already being treated for chronic dialysis, died on day 22 due to a cerebrovascular accident. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement is feasible as a reoperative procedure. Its major advantage is avoidance of cardiac reexposure with potential damage to coronary grafts. We think this technique deserves more widespread application.

Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation is a very common arrhythmia that carries a considerable risk of thromboembolic complications. Surgical treatment is an effective way to convert atrial fibrillation into sinus rhythm and significantly prevents thromboembolism postoperatively. In this review we describe recent advancements in the surgical options and detail our strategy for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Robotically enhanced minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery: a winning strategy?

AIM: Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) through a small anterolateral thoracotomy on the beating heart can be considered as the better approach for treating isolated lesions on the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. This original MIDCAB procedure, however, involves a larger and often painful thoracotomy due to rib spreading. We describe our experience with robotically enhanced harvesting of one or both internal mammary arteries (IMAs), and with anastomosis performed under direct vision on a beating heart through a very small thoracotomy without rib retraction. METHODS: Between February 2001 and January 2006, 146 consecutive patients underwent robotically enhanced MIDCAB surgery. Perioperative and early follow-up data were analyzed. RESULTS: In all, 144 left and 13 right IMAs were harvested. The mean extubation time was 11.3 h, the mean intensive care (ICU) stay was 30.3 h, the mean hospital stay 8 days. There were no in-hospital deaths, postoperative myocardial infarctions or renal failures. Systematic control angiograms performed in the first 64 patients showed a 96.3% patency rate of the investigated anastomoses. CONCLUSION: Robotically assisted takedown of the IMA and direct off-pump anastomosis through a small anterolateral thoracotomy with no rib retraction appears to be safe, with minimal morbidity, little blood loss, and a reasonable ventilation time, ICU and hospital stay. It is recommended as the preferred method of revascularization for a growing number of indications and certainly an acceptable alternative to percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Minimally invasive aortic root replacement: a bridge too far?

AIM: Minimally invasive aortic valve surgery has been studied widely with outcomes comparable or better than standard sternotomy. We recently reported on decreased blood loss, cross clamp time and length of hospital stay when compared to conventional full sternotomy. We expanded the indication to aortic root surgery and report here our 8 years experience. METHODS: From December 1997 to November 2005, 35 patients (mean age 51.3+/-15 years) underwent aortic root replacement, through a partial upper J-sternotomy. A homograft was implanted in 26 (74.3%) patients; the remainder received a valved (4 bioprosthesis, 5 mechanical) conduit. Mean preoperative euroscore was 7+/-2.7 and mean predicted mortality was 11.5+/-13.8%. Mean and median follow-up time was 51+/-31 and 66 months, respectively. RESULTS: Mean aortic cross clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass time were 126+/-25 and 182+/-61 min respectively. Revision for bleeding was necessary in 1 (2.9%) patient. Mean extubation time was 10.4+/-4.8 hours. No postoperative strokes occurred. Intensive care unit stay ranged from 1 to 42 days (2.7+/-7.4 days, median 1). There were 3 (8.5%) early deaths (sepsis, multi-organ failure and low cardiac output) and 2 late non-cardiac deaths. Hospital morbidity included acute renal failure (n=3), pacemaker implantation (n=3), and prolonged ventilation (n=3). Eleven (31.4%) patients experienced atrial fibrillation. No other reoperations were performed. Actuarial survival at 99 months was 74.4% (n=30). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that minimally invasive aortic root replacement is a challenging but feasible procedure with a lower observed mortality than predicted mortality. We continue to perform this procedure in good risk patients.

Thoracoscopic ASD closure is a reliable supplement for percutaneous treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of endoscopic atrial septal defect (ASD) closure when percutaneous ASD closure is impossible or has failed. PATIENTS: Between March 1997 and February 2003, 74 patients (63% female, mean (SD) age 44 (16) years) underwent an endoscopic ASD closure. Median preoperative New York Heart Association functional class was I. Clinical and echocardiographic follow up was obtained for all patients (mean (SD) 38 (19) months). Patients were assessed for scar aesthetics, procedure related pain, functional recovery, and overall patient satisfaction. RESULTS: ASD closure was successful in all patients (two primum ASD, 68 secundum ASD, four sinus venosus type). Patch repair was performed in 42%. Mean aortic cross clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were 54 (24) minutes and 98 (35) minutes, respectively. There were no in-hospital deaths and no conversions to sternotomy. Complications included one iliac vein stenting, one femoral arterioplasty, two revisions for suspected bleeding, and seven cases of atrial fibrillation. Two patients required late reoperation: one for atrial thrombus and another for tricuspid regurgitation. Echocardiographic control confirmed complete ASD closure in 71 patients and a small residual shunt in three patients. Ninety three per cent of the patients were highly satisfied with very low procedure related pain and 97% felt they had an aesthetically pleasing scar. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic ASD closure can be safely done with a high degree of patient satisfaction. It is now the authors' exclusive surgical approach whenever percutaneous treatment is not indicated or has failed.

Video-assisted Port-Access surgery for radical myxoma resection.

The curative treatment of choice for myxomas is surgical removal. Most of the patients are young and active and are focused on postoperative comfort, cosmesis and a fast track to complete rehabilitation, all of which is related to the degree of invasiveness of the intervention. We report our first experience with video-assisted Port-Access surgery for atrial myxoma. From February 1997 until April 2000, nine patients (3M/6F)) had an atrial myxoma resection with the Heartport Endo-CPB and Endo-aortic clamp system. Mean age was 54 +/- 21.9 years. Most of the patients were symptomatic and had good LV function. Two patients had a combined procedure: one mitral valve replacement and one vascular shunt for dialysis. Mean aortic cross clamp time was 69 +/- 32.8 min and mean perfusion time was 103 +/- 42.7 min. There were no conversions to sternotomy. Three patients had minor complications. Mean ICU and hospital stay were 1 +/- 1.4 and 6 +/- 3.9 days respectively. No thromboembolic or peripheral ischaemic complications were observed. There were no hospital deaths. No recurrent tumors have been identified. The Port-Access approach for myxoma resection constitutes a invaluable alternative to sternotomy with the same gold standards of results and quality.

Minimally invasive video-assisted mitral valve repair: short and mid-term results.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Port-Access video-assisted surgery for mitral valve repair has become an alternative for mid-sternotomy. However, mid-term results are not yet available. METHODS: Between February 1997 and December 1999, 121 patients underwent mitral valve surgery through a 4- to 5-cm right anterolateral thoracotomy using the Heartport endovascular cardiopulmonary bypass system; among these patients, 77 (57 males, 20 females; mean age 59 years; range 31-84 years) underwent mitral valve repair. Severe (4+) mitral regurgitation (MR) was seen in 63 patients (82%). Mean NYHA class was 2.5+/-0.4. Standard Carpentier mitral valve repair procedures were used in all patients; 11 received PTFE chordae for anterior leaflet prolapse. RESULTS: Pathologies were degenerative (n = 69), chronic endocarditis (n = 4), annular dilatation (n = 3) and rheumatic (n = 1). Hospital mortality was 1.3% (n = 1). Two patients (2.6%) had conversion to sternotomy for aortic dissection caused by the Endo-Aortic Clamp. Nine patients (11%) underwent revision for bleeding. Mean cross-clamp and perfusion times were 103 min (range: 24-160 min) and 140 min (range: 75-215 min), respectively. Mean hospital stay was eight days (range: 4-36 days). During follow up (mean 31 months; range: 17-51 months) all patients improved their NYHA class; eight (11%) remained in class II. Left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic and LV end-systolic diameters decreased from 61+/-7.3 mm to 53+/-6.9 mm (p <0.01) and from 37+/-6.8 mm to 34+/-6.9 mm (p <0.05), respectively. Sixty-two patients (88%) had no or trivial MR, and nine (12%) had moderate MR (2+). There were two late valve replacements for endocarditis, and no late deaths. CONCLUSION: Port-Access mitral valve repair constitutes a valid alternative to the standard procedure, and has good mid-term results. Video-assisted mitral valve repair appears to be safe and reproducible.

Aggressive primary treatment for poststernotomy acute mediastinitis: our experience with omental- and muscle flaps surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The surgical treatment of poststernotomy acute mediastinitis remains challenging. After disappointing results with a conservative management of post coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) mediastinitis, we shifted towards a more aggressive surgical management. METHODS: From March 1993 until December 1999, 32 patients (6 female/26 male), 0.5% of the total sternotomy population, were operated for mediastinitis, defined as wound and sternal dehiscence with medistinal pus and positive culture. Mean age was 66 years (32-79 years). Twenty-two patients (75%) underwent CABG and 16 patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV. RESULTS: We performed an omentoplasty in 11 patients, a pectoralis muscle flap associated with an omentoplasty in 20 patients. One patient had a bilateral pectoralis myoplasty. The reconstruction surgery occurred at an average of 11 days (6-26) after primary surgery. Twelve patients had a previous surgical drainage (1-3 surgical procedures) of the mediastinum. Hospital mortality was nine patients (28%). Seven of these patients (77%) were in NYHA IV with inotropic support. Five patients had to be reoperated on: four patients had a bilateral myoplasty after omentoplasty, one patient had an omentoplasty after a unilateral myoplasty. Late epigastric hernia was seen in three patients, two patients had wound revision and one had a retroperitoneal drainage for pancreatitis. There were no early or late flap failures. CONCLUSION: In our experience, omental and pectoralis flaps for poststernotomy acute mediastinitis provides good outcome of our stable patients. We would be reluctant to use it as standard therapy in our unstable patients.

Minimally invasive video-assisted mitral valve surgery: our lessons after a 4-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Right thoracotomy is a well known alternative to median sternotomy to gain access to the left atrium. To avoid the potential drawbacks associated with sternotomy coupled to the desire for a smaller scar and a more rapid rehabilitation in young and active patients, we investigated the purported advantages in patients undergoing video-assisted Port-Access mitral valve surgery. METHODS: Between February 1997 and November 2000, 175 patients (94 men, 81 women) with a mean age of 60 years (range 25 to 84) underwent either Port-Access mitral valve repair (n = 117) or replacement (n = 57) for degenerative disease (n = 112), rheumatic disease (n = 36), chronic endocarditis (n = 15), annular dilatation (n = 8), sclerotic disease (n = 2), and ingrowing myxoma (n = 1). There was one closure of a preexisting paravalvular leak. Standard Carpentier-Edwards repair procedures were used in all patients; in 14 patients polytetrafluoroethylene chordae were inserted for anterior leaflet prolapse. A total of 74 patients (42%) were in New York Heart Association functional class III/IV. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 1.1% (n = 2). Four patients had conversion to sternotomy and conventional extra corporeal circulation for repair of a dissected aorta (n = 2) or the inabilty to proceed to a safe femoral cannulation (n = 2). Sixteen patients (9%) underwent a revision for bleeding. Mean cross-clamp time and perfusion time was 95 minutes (range 24 to 160) and 135 minutes (range 75 to 215) respectively. Mean intensive care unit and total hospital stay was 1.8 days (1 to 30) and 8.7 days (4 to 36), respectively. Three patients experienced late acute endocarditis: 2 had late mitral valve replacements and 1 patient had medical therapy for late prosthetic valve endocarditis. There were no myocardial infarctions, cerebrovascular events or peripheral ischemia due to thromboembolic phenomena. No wound complications were observed. The degree of patient satisfaction was very high. CONCLUSIONS: The video-assisted Port-Access mitral valve approach is a valid alternative to sternotomy, with the same standards of results and quality.

Video-assisted Port-Access combined mitral valve and CABG surgery.

Although conventional right thoracotomy is a well-known alternative for mid-sternotomy to access the left atrium, a combined video-assisted mitral and left anterior descending (LAD) approach via Port-Access has not yet been described. We report the case of a 68-year-old patient with severe mitral valve regurgitation due to myxoid degeneration associated with a critical LAD coronary artery stenosis. A totally video-assisted 'true' Port-Access (i.e. no costal retraction) mitral valve repair and direct coronary artery bypass were performed in combination, without complications.

Minimally invasive video-assisted mitral valve surgery: from Port-Access towards a totally endoscopic procedure.

UNLABELLED: Right thoracotomy is an alternative to mid-sternotomy for left atrium access. The Port-Access approach is an option that reduces the skin incision and obviates rib spreading. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From February 1997 until November 1999, 121 patients underwent mitral valve surgery through a right antero-lateral thoracotomy using the Heartport cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) system. Mean age was 60 years (31-84). Most patients had normal ejection fractions and were in NYHA Class II or III. Seventy-five patients had valve repair (62%) and 46 (38%) had valve replacement. Pathologies were myxoid (n = 80), rheumatic (n = 30), chronic endocarditis (n = 5), annular dilatation (n = 3), sclerotic (n = 1), ingrowing myxoma (n = 1), and one closure of a paravalvular leak. RESULTS: Two patients had conversion to sternotomy for aortic dissection (one died) with the Endo-Aortic Clamp, and two others for peripheral vascular problems. One patient died at postoperative day 1 after reoperation for failed repair, another with double valve surgery on postoperative day 4 after two revisions for bleeding. Twelve underwent revision for bleeding (10%). Three had prolonged ICU stay for respiratory insufficiency. Two late valve replacements for endocarditis occurred. Echographic control revealed residual insufficiencies (grade 1-2) in two valvular repairs. There were neither paravalvular leaks nor myocardial infarcts. There were no cerebrovascular accidents due to embolic phenomena. Mean ICU and hospital stay were 2.1 and 8.7 days, with a major difference between the first 30 patients and those who followed. CONCLUSION: Port-Access mitral valve surgery can be a valid alternative to conventional sternotomy and seems to be an important improvement in minimally invasive cardiac surgery.