Large Ascending Aortic Pseudoaneurysm with Focal Dissection after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

Background There are many known complications that occur after surgical revascularization for patients with significant left main coronary artery disease. Case Description This case report highlights the preoperative workup, surgical approach, and postoperative management of a patient who presents with an aortic pseudoaneurysm and dissection 2 years after the index CABG. Conclusion The development of an aortic pseudoaneurysm in combination with an ascending aortic dissection after prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a rare compilation of complications that has scarcely been reported in the literature.

Ablación de taquicardia ventricular asistida con ECMO. Primera experiencia en nuestra institución / Ablation of ventricular tachycardia assisted with ECMO. First experience in our institution

Resumen La ablación con catéter de taquicardia ventricular ha demostrado mejorar la supervivencia y algunas veces es el único tratamiento efectivo, sobre todo en tormenta arrítmica; sin embargo la presencia de inestabilidad hemodinámica dificulta el procedimiento. El soporte con oxigenación por membrana extracorpórea (ECMO) es una alternativa para lograr el mapeo y ablación de taquicardia ventricular durante largos periodos de tiempo. Se presenta el caso de un paciente con cardiopatía isquémica y taquicardia ventricular con inestabilidad hemodinámica, en quien se realiza la ablación exitosa del sustrato mediante soporte con ECMO veno-arterial, sin episodios de taquicardia ventricular durante dos años de seguimiento.

Abstract Catheter ablation is useful for reducing drug refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT) episodes and can be life-saving when VT is incessant or arrhythmic storm. Left ventricular hemodynamic support may be required in patients with VT and hemodynamic instability. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is an alternative to achieve ventricular tachycardia mapping and ablation over long periods of time. We present a case of successful catheter ablation of substrate in a patient with ischemic heart disease and ventricular tachycardia with hemodynamic instability performed using venous- arterial ECMO support. There were not episodes of ventricular tachycardia after 2 years of follow-up.

Multidisciplinary approach to coronary artery revascularization: Optimal strategy for high-risk patients.

High-risk patients that are not candidates for conventional coronary artery bypass grafting surgery can undergo coronary artery revascularization through less invasive procedures. Hybrid approaches have emerged to address coronary artery disease in this subset of patients. This case report highlights the successful application of a multidisciplinary heart team approach for hybrid coronary revascularization in a very high-risk patient with complex coronary anatomy, who would not otherwise be a candidate for conventional modalities of revascularization. The optimal workup, selection criteria based on anatomy, anticoagulation strategies, and timing of intervention of hybrid coronary revascularization are outlined in this case report.

[Ablation of ventricular tachycardia assisted with ECMO. First experience in our institution]. / Ablación de taquicardia ventricular asistida con ECMO. Primera experiencia en nuestra institución.

Catheter ablation is useful for reducing drug refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT) episodes and can be life-saving when VT is incessant or arrhythmic storm. Left ventricular hemodynamic support may be required in patients with VT and hemodynamic instability. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is an alternative to achieve ventricular tachycardia mapping and ablation over long periods of time. We present a case of successful catheter ablation of substrate in a patient with ischemic heart disease and ventricular tachycardia with hemodynamic instability performed using venous- arterial ECMO support. There were not episodes of ventricular tachycardia after 2 years of follow-up.

La ablación con catéter de taquicardia ventricular ha demostrado mejorar la supervivencia y algunas veces es el único tratamiento efectivo, sobre todo en tormenta arrítmica; sin embargo la presencia de inestabilidad hemodinámica dificulta el procedimiento. El soporte con oxigenación por membrana extracorpórea (ECMO) es una alternativa para lograr el mapeo y ablación de taquicardia ventricular durante largos periodos de tiempo. Se presenta el caso de un paciente con cardiopatía isquémica y taquicardia ventricular con inestabilidad hemodinámica, en quien se realiza la ablación exitosa del sustrato mediante soporte con ECMO veno-arterial, sin episodios de taquicardia ventricular durante dos años de seguimiento.

Modification of Serum Natriuretic Peptide Profile and Echocardiographic Parameters After Surgical Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion/Resection During Mitral Valve Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Being a well-recognised source of cardiac embolism, the left atrial (LA) appendage (LAA) is frequently excluded during mitral valve (MV) surgery. However, the LAA is also a source of cardiac hormones and a new drug (sacubitril), which beneficially interferes with hormonal imbalance during heart failure, leads to re-evaluation of the LAA for the maintenance of adequate hormone production in the heart. We compared the effects of LAA surgical resection/exclusion in patients with MV replacement (MVR) on natriuretic peptides (NPs) and related enzymes versus similar patients, in whom the LAA was preserved. A comparison of clinical response was also carried out. METHOD: Haemodynamically stable patients scheduled for MV surgery with or without elimination of the LAA were studied before and 3 months after surgery. Serum NPs, furin, corin, and neprilysin were determined. A transthoracic echocardiogram was also performed before and after surgery. RESULTS: Patients in the LAA intervention group exhibited lower levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) 3 months after surgery than patients with intact LAAs. There were no differences in NP and related enzyme levels pre- or postsurgery. The echocardiograms indicated a similar decrease in the diameters and volumes of the LA, and normal pulmonary arterial pressure values, in both groups. The indexed LA volume showed a positive correlation with postoperative brain natriuretic peptide. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical resection or exclusion of the LAA in patients with MVR promotes a decrease in ANP production at 3 months postsurgery. Echocardiography is useful when evaluating surgical replacement of the MV with elimination of the LAA.

RESECTION OF THE ATRIAL APPENDAGES AND ITS IMPACT IN THE NATRIURETIC HOMEOSTASIS: DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF AN ANIMAL MODEL IN AN ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTER.

BACKGROUND: The left atrial appendage (LAAp) resection is an effective treatment approach to reduce the risk of thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. OBJECTIVE: To study was to study the impact of removing atrial appendages in the production of natriuretic peptides (NPs) in conditions of volume overload and to develop an experimental model of LAAp resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a swine model of ischemic heart failure (HF), serum NP levels were measured before (Basal-1A) and after (Basal-1B) a fluid overload. Animals were grouped as follows: (0) preserved appendages, (1) resected LAAp, and (2) both atrial appendages resected. Levels of NP were measured before (2A) and after a fluid overload (2B). RESULTS: Furin levels were higher in Group 0-2A than in Group 2-2A, and a significant increase was found in Group 0-2B compared to Groups 1-2B and 2-2B. Corin levels increased in Basal-1B versus Basal-1A. Atrial NP (ANP) decreased in Basal-1B compared to Basal-1A. After HF induction, ANP increased in Groups 2-2A and 2-2B. CONCLUSIONS: Resection of atrial appendages drastically modifies the natriuretic mechanisms of cardiac homeostasis, especially after a fluid overload challenge. Herein, we describe the face and predictive validation of an animal model of atrial appendage resection useful to investigations in translational medicine.

Resection of the atrial appendages and its impact in the natriuretic homeostasis: development and validation of an animal model in an academic medical center

ABSTRACT Background: The left atrial appendage (LAAp) resection is an effective treatment approach to reduce the risk of thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. Objective: To study was to study the impact of removing atrial appendages in the production of natriuretic peptides (NPs) in conditions of volume overload and to develop an experimental model of LAAp resection. Materials and Methods: In a swine model of ischemic heart failure (HF), serum NP levels were measured before (Basal-1A) and after (Basal-1B) a fluid overload. Animals were grouped as follows: (0) preserved appendages, (1) resected LAAp, and (2) both atrial appendages resected. Levels of NP were measured before (2A) and after a fluid overload (2B). Results: Furin levels were higher in Group 0-2A than in Group 2-2A, and a significant increase was found in Group 0-2B compared to Groups 1-2B and 2-2B. Corin levels increased in Basal-1B versus Basal-1A. Atrial NP (ANP) decreased in Basal-1B compared to Basal-1A. After HF induction, ANP increased in Groups 2-2A and 2-2B. Conclusions: Resection of atrial appendages drastically modifies the natriuretic mechanisms of cardiac homeostasis, especially after a fluid overload challenge. Herein, we describe the face and predictive validation of an animal model of atrial appendage resection useful to investigations in translational medicine.

Immunohistochemical Diagnosis of Primary Cardiac Leiomyosarcoma in a Latin American Patient.

Primary cardiac malignancies are rare entities. Although sarcomas enclosed the main group of malignant heart neoplasms, primary cardiac leiomyosarcomas are extremely rare and constitutes less than 8% of cardiac tumors. Leiomyosarcoma usually originates from the pulmonary veins and have a worm-like shaped structure. In this article, we present a case of a 40-year-old Hispanic man diagnosed with a cardiac tumor who underwent surgical resection, during pathological examination the tissue samples were consistent with a malignancy of mesenchymal origin that contained irregular bundles of spindle cells. Subsequent immunohistochemical study categorized the mass as a primary heart leiomyosarcoma with positive smooth muscle actin and muscle specific actin. As usual in this type of malignancy, patient's clinical status declined overtime, recurrence was diagnosed two months after surgery, and four months after the procedure the patient was discharge for palliative care.