Intragraft vasculitis and gene expression analysis: Association with acute rejection and prediction of mortality in long -term heart transplantation

INTRODUCTION: Vasculitis entails heterogeneous origins; it starts with an inflammatory process that leads to small vessels' necrosis, hemorrhage, ischemic lesion, and may further result in occlusion of the vascular lumen. Vasculitis' contribution to allograft rejection is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the incidence of vasculitis in the early stages of heart transplantation as well as to assess the intragraft genes' expression associated with vascular function and subsequently verify the way in which it affects the outcome of the allograft. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 300 archives paraffin embedded endomyocardial biopsies from 63 heart allograft recipients were assessed. Cellular rejection and vasculitis were diagnosed through histological analysis, and antibody mediated rejection was performed with immunohistochemical C4d staining. The transcripts of ICAM, VCAM, VEGF, CCL2, IFNG, TGFB, TNF, ADIPOR1, and ADIPOR2 genes were examined through quantitative real -time polymerase chain reaction using B2M for normalization. RESULTS: We observed a higher prevalence of severe vasculitis in the early period of post transplant, and recovery was observed to take place around one year post the transplant. Additionally, vasculitis was found to be directly associated with acute cellular rejection and antibody -mediated rejection. The intense C4d capillary positivity predicts higher long -term cardiovascular disease mortality. In comparison to the vasculitis free group, the group with severe vasculitis displayed reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, and an up -regulation of VCAM and IFNG associated to the down -regulation of VEGF, ADIPOR1, and ADIPOR2. CONCLUSION: The vasculitis associated with the presence of C4d and the change of intragraft gene expression profile may contribute to poor allograft outcomes.

Intragraft vasculitis and gene expression analysis: Association with acute rejection and prediction of mortality in long-term heart transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Vasculitis entails heterogeneous origins; it starts with an inflammatory process that leads to small vessels' necrosis, hemorrhage, and ischemic lesion, and may further result in occlusion of the vascular lumen. Vasculitis' contribution to allograft rejection is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the incidence of vasculitis in the early stages of heart transplantation as well as to assess the intragraft genes' expression associated with vascular function and subsequently to verify the way in which it affects the outcome of the allograft. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 300 archive paraffin-embedded endomyocardial biopsies from 63 heart allograft recipients were assessed. Cellular rejection and vasculitis were diagnosed through histological analysis, and antibody-mediated rejection was performed with immunohistochemical C4d staining. The transcripts of ICAM, VCAM, VEGF, CCL2, IFNG, TGFB, TNF, ADIPOR1, and ADIPOR2 genes were examined through quantitative polymerase chain reaction using B2M for normalization. RESULTS: We observed a higher prevalence of severe vasculitis in the early period of post-transplant, and recovery was observed to take place around 1 year post-transplant. Additionally, vasculitis was found to be directly associated with acute cellular rejection and antibody-mediated rejection. The intense C4d capillary positivity predicts higher long-term cardiovascular disease mortality. In comparison with the vasculitis-free group, the group with severe vasculitis displayed reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and an upregulation of VCAM and IFNG associated with the downregulation of VEGF, ADIPOR1, and ADIPOR2. CONCLUSION: The vasculitis associated with the presence of C4d and the change in intragraft gene expression profile may contribute to poor allograft outcomes.

Effects of skeletonized versus pedicled radial artery on postoperative graft patency and flow.

BACKGROUND: Radial artery (RA) was the second arterial graft introduced in clinical practice for myocardial revascularization. The skeletonization technique of the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) may actually change the graft's flow capacity with potential advantages. This leads to the assumption that the behavior of the RA, as a coronary graft, is similar to that of the LITA, when skeletonized. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated 'free' aortic-coronary radial artery (RA) grafts, whether skeletonized or with adjacent tissues. METHODS: A prospective randomized study comparing 40 patients distributed into two groups was conducted. In group I, we used skeletonized radial arteries (20 patients), and in group II, we used radial arteries with adjacent tissues (20 patients). After the surgical procedure, patients underwent flow velocity measurements. RESULTS: The main surgical variables were: RA internal diameter, RA length, and free blood flow in the radial artery. The mean RA graft diameters as calculated using quantitative angiography in the immediate postoperative period were similar, as well as the flow velocity measurement variables. On the other hand, coronary cineangiography showed the presence of occlusion in one RA graft and stenosis in five RA grafts in GII, while GI presented stenosis in only one RA graft (p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: These results show that the morphological and pathological features, as well as the hemodynamic performance of the free radial artery grafts, whether prepared in a skeletonized manner or with adjacent tissues, are similar. However, a larger number of non-obstructive lesions may be observed when RA is prepared with adjacent tissues.

Efeitos da Esqueletização em Comparação com a Manutenção do Pedículo da Artéria Radial sobre a Patência e Fluxo Pós-Operatórios do Enxerto / Effects of Skeletonized versus Pedicled Radial Artery on Postoperative Graft Patency and Flow

Fundamento: O enxerto de artéria radial (AR) foi o segundo enxerto arterial a ser introduzido na prática clínica para revascularização miocárdica. A técnica de esqueletização da artéria torácica interna esquerda (ATIE) pode, de fato, alterar a capacidade de fluxo do enxerto com potenciais vantagens, o que leva à suposição de que o comportamento da AR, como enxerto coronariano, seja semelhante ao da ATIE esqueletizada. Objetivo: Este estudo avaliou enxertos aortocoronários "livres" de AR, quer esqueletizados, quer com tecidos adjacentes. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo prospectivo randomizado comparando 40 pacientes distribuídos em dois grupos. No grupo I, foram utilizadas artérias radiais esqueletizadas (20 pacientes), e no grupo II, artérias radiais com tecidos adjacentes (20 pacientes). Após o procedimento cirúrgico, os pacientes foram submetidos a medidas da velocidade de fluxo. Resultados: As principais variáveis cirúrgicas foram: diâmetro interno, comprimento e fluxo sanguíneo livre da AR. Os diâmetros médios dos enxertos de AR calculados através de angiografia quantitativa no pós-operatório imediato foram semelhantes, assim como as variáveis de medidas de velocidade de fluxo. Por outro lado, a cinecoronariografia mostrou a presença de oclusão em um enxerto de AR e estenose em cinco enxertos de AR no GII, enquanto que apenas um caso de estenose em um enxerto de AR no GI (p = 0,045). Conclusão: Os resultados mostram que tanto as características morfológicas e anatomopatológicas quanto o desempenho hemodinâmico dos enxertos livres de artéria radial, quer preparados de forma esqueletizada ou com tecidos adjacentes, são semelhantes. Entretanto, pode-se observar um maior número de lesões não obstrutivas quando a AR ...

Background: Radial artery (RA) was the second arterial graft introduced in clinical practice for myocardial revascularization. The skeletonization technique of the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) may actually change the graft's flow capacity with potential advantages. This leads to the assumption that the behavior of the RA, as a coronary graft, is similar to that of the LITA, when skeletonized. Objective: This study evaluated 'free' aortic-coronary radial artery (RA) grafts, whether skeletonized or with adjacent tissues. Methods: A prospective randomized study comparing 40 patients distributed into two groups was conducted. In group I, we used skeletonized radial arteries (20 patients), and in group II, we used radial arteries with adjacent tissues (20 patients). After the surgical procedure, patients underwent flow velocity measurements. Results: The main surgical variables were: RA internal diameter, RA length, and free blood flow in the radial artery. The mean RA graft diameters as calculated using quantitative angiography in the immediate postoperative period were similar, as well as the flow velocity measurement variables. On the other hand, coronary cineangiography showed the presence of occlusion in one RA graft and stenosis in five RA grafts in GII, while GI presented stenosis in only one RA graft (p = 0.045). Conclusion: These results show that the morphological and pathological features, as well as the hemodynamic performance of the free radial artery grafts, whether prepared in a skeletonized manner or with adjacent tissues, are similar. However, a larger number of non-obstructive lesions may be observed when RA is prepared with adjacent tissues. .

Assistência circulatória na insuficiência cardíaca refratária: estado atual das suas indicações e resultados / Circulatory assistance on the refractory cardiac insufficiency: present status of its indications and results

Objetivo: O artigo busca apresentar o cenário atual da terapêutica assistência mecânica circulatória por meio da aplicação de dispositivos artificiais cardíacos aos pacientes portadores de estados avançados de insuficiência cardíaca, por vários tipos de indicações. Métodos: Metodologia descritiva abordando aspectos como remodelamento cardíaco reverso obtido, tipos de dispositivos e das aplicações e desenvolvimento dos modelos, desmame e eventuais aplicações decorrentes e cuidados especiais em pacientes portadores. Resultados: São disponibilizados os resultados do último registro INTERMACS (2012) que listam 4533 pacientes que receberam implante de dispositivos de assitência circulatória no período entre junho 2006 e junho 2011 nos EUA e dados da experiência nacional. Conclusões: Tendo em vista a experiência internacional, observa-se que a aplicação desta modalidade vem aumentando significativamente, consolidando-se como terapêutica coadjuvante no tratamento da insuficiência cardíaca terminal.

This paper describes present stage of the mechanical circulatory assistance by the application of artificial devices in patients with advanced stages of cardiac insufficiency with different treatment indication. Methods: A descriptive methodology was approaching aspects like reverse cardiac remodeling, types of devices and its applications, outcomes and development of the models, the wear and caution with this kind of patient. Results: The last INTERMACS (2012) results are stabilished for 4533 patients who received a ventricular assist device (VAD) implant between June, 2006 to June, 2011 in the USA, and some aspects and experiences in Brazil. Conclusion: We are seen that the international experience regarding the application of this kind of therapeutics is showing a vigorous growth and consolidating like a coadjuvant therapy in the treatment of the cardiac insufficiency.

Vasculites e eosinófilos em biópsia endomiocárdica, como preditores de rejeição em transplante cardíaco / Vasculitides and eosinophils in emdomyocardial biopsies as rejection predictors in heart transplantation / Vasculitis y eosinófilos en biopsia endomiocárdica, como predictores de rechazo en transplante cardíaco

FUNDAMENTO: O significado clínico de vasculites, lesões isquêmicas, efeito Quilty e da presença de eosinófilos em biópsias endomiocárdicas de receptores de transplante cardíaco com rejeições leves não foi ainda estabelecido. OBJETIVO: Verificar se esses achados histológicos encontrados nas biópsias endomiocárdicas (eosinófilos, vasculites, efeito Quilty e lesões isquêmicas) são capazes de predizer rejeição aguda do enxerto. MÉTODOS: Foram reavaliadas 1.012 biópsias endomiocárdicas consecutivas; dessas, 939 foram classificadas como OR ou 1R pela Nomenclatura da Sociedade Internacional de Transplante de Coração e Pulmão de 2005, e divididas em dois grupos: (1) Biópsias preditoras: aquelas que precederam rejeição aguda; e (2) Biópsias não preditoras: aquelas que não precederam rejeição aguda. Comparamos a ocorrência dos seguintes achados histológicos: vasculites, lesões isquêmicas, efeito Quilty e eosinófilos por análise uni e multivariada entre os grupos. RESULTADOS: Após análise estatística verificou-se a presença de vasculite intensa e de eosinófilos como maiores preditores para rejeição aguda futura, apresentando respectivamente as seguintes razões de chance: 10,60 (IC95 por cento: 3,62 - 31,06. p < 0,001) e 6,26 (IC95 por cento: 3,16 - 12,43. p < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Vasculites intensas e eosinófilos em biópsias do miocárdio são os principais fatores preditores de rejeição aguda pós-transplante cardíaco.

BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of vasculitides, ischemic lesions, Quilty effect and the presence of eosinophils in endomyocardial biopsies of heart transplantation recipients with mild rejection has yet to be established. OBJECTIVE: To verify whether these histological findings observed in endomyocardial biopsies (eosinophils, vasculitides, Quilty effect and ischemic lesions) are capable of predicting acute graft rejection. METHODS: A total of 1,012 consecutive endomyocardial biopsies were reevaluated; of these, 939 were classified as OR or 1R according to the Nomenclature of the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation of 2005 and divided in two groups: (1) Predictive biopsies: those that preceded acute rejection; and (2) Nonpredictive biopsies: those that did not precede acute rejection. We compared the occurrence of the following histological findings: vasculitides, ischemic lesions, Quilty effect and eosinophils between the groups by uni- and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The statistical analysis showed that the presence of severe vasculitides and eosinophils were the best predictors for future acute rejection, with the following odds ratios: 10.60 (95 percentCI: 3.62 - 31.06. p < 0.001) and 6.26 (95 percentCI: 3.16 - 12.43, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Severe vasculitides and eosinophils in myocardial biopsies are the main predictive factors of acute graft rejection post-heart transplantation.

FUNDAMENTO: El significado clínico de vasculitis, lesiones isquémicas, efecto Quilty y de la presencia de eosinófilos en biopsias endomiocárdicas de receptores de transplante cardíaco con rechazos leves no fue aun establecido. OBJETIVO: Verificar si esos hallazgos histológicos encontrados en las biopsias endomiocárdicas (eosinófilos, vasculitis, efecto Quilty y lesiones isquémicas) son capaces de predecir rechazo agudo del injerto. MÉTODOS: Fueron reevaluadas 1.012 biopsias endomiocárdicas consecutivas; de esas, 939 fueron clasificadas como OR o 1R por la Nomenclatura de la Sociedad Internacional de Transplante de Corazón y Pulmón de 2005, y divididas en dos grupos: (1) Biopsias predictoras: aquellas que precedieron rechazo agudo; y (2) Biopsias no predictoras: aquellas que no precedieron rechazo agudo. Comparamos la ocurrencia de los siguientes hallazgos histológicos: vasculitis, lesiones isquémicas, efecto Quilty y eosinófilos por análisis uni y multivariado entre los grupos. RESULTADOS: Después de análisis estadístico se verificó la presencia de vasculitis intensa y de eosinófilos como mayores predictores para rechazo agudo futuro, presentando respectivamente las siguientes razones de posibilidad: 10,60 (IC95 por ciento: 3,62 - 31,06. p < 0,001) y 6,26 (IC95 por ciento: 3,16 - 12,43. p < 0,001). CONCLUSIÓN: Vasculitis intensas y eosinófilos en biopsias del miocardio son los principales factores predictores de rechazo agudo post transplante cardíaco.

Vasculitides and eosinophils in endomyocardial biopsies as rejection predictors in heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of vasculitides, ischemic lesions, Quilty effect and the presence of eosinophils in endomyocardial biopsies of heart transplantation recipients with mild rejection has yet to be established. OBJECTIVE: To verify whether these histological findings observed in endomyocardial biopsies (eosinophils, vasculitides, Quilty effect and ischemic lesions) are capable of predicting acute graft rejection. METHODS: A total of 1,012 consecutive endomyocardial biopsies were reevaluated; of these, 939 were classified as OR or 1R according to the Nomenclature of the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation of 2005 and divided in two groups: (1) Predictive biopsies: those that preceded acute rejection; and (2) Nonpredictive biopsies: those that did not precede acute rejection. We compared the occurrence of the following histological findings: vasculitides, ischemic lesions, Quilty effect and eosinophils between the groups by uni- and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The statistical analysis showed that the presence of severe vasculitides and eosinophils were the best predictors for future acute rejection, with the following odds ratios: 10.60 (95%CI: 3.62 - 31.06. p < 0.001) and 6.26 (95%CI: 3.16 - 12.43, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Severe vasculitides and eosinophils in myocardial biopsies are the main predictive factors of acute graft rejection post-heart transplantation.

Tratamento cirúrgico da coarctação da aorta / Surgical treatment of aortic coarctation

A coarctação da aorta é uma cardiopatia congênita que se caracteriza pelo estreitamento da luz da aorta, geralmente ao nível do istmo e é diagnosticadamormente em crianças e adultos jovens. Sua ocorrência na infância se manifesta como uma das principais causas da insuficiência cardíaca e comumentese associa a outros defeitos congênitos. Nos adultos jovens, costuma ser óligo ou assintomática, constituindo-seem causa importante de hipertensão arterial secundária. O diagnóstico pode ser suspeitado através do exame clínico, pela palpação dos pulsos periféricos e medida da pressão arterial...

Surgery for aortic valve endocarditis: treatment options for aortic abscess.

BACKGROUND: Patients with infective endocarditis show a large diversity of anatomical presentations, which has been a complicating factor for the surgical treatment of this condition, especially in those who develop abscesses in the aortic ring or intracardiac fistulae. For this reason, surgeons have been developing tactical options to repair it. There is consensus around the fact that the removal of infected tissue promotes radical cleaning, and that the outcome of the treatment has been improved by the manufacture of biological glues which facilitate the closure of abscesses and by the creation of new valve replacements. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate yet one more treatment option for aortic abscess for selected cases: a valved conduit placed in infra-coronary position. METHODS: We employed the technique in three patients: in two of them we employed a valved conduit with a mechanical prosthesis and in one of them a valved conduit with a biological prosthesis. Two patients needed associated procedures such as replacement of mitral valve in one of them and tricuspid valvoplasty in the other. All cases involved reoperation of prostheses in aortic position. RESULTS: The progression during surgery and in the early postoperative period was satisfactory and the three patients were discharged from the Intensive Care Unit and were sent to hospital rooms. One of the patients progressed to death during hospital stay due to severe comorbidities which were present in the preoperative period, and which related to esophageal varices and hepatic involvement. The other two progressed well in the late postoperative period. CONCLUSION: We believe that this option is yet one more alternative for the treatment of abscesses with great involvement of aortic ring structures and mitro-aortic continuity.

Cirurgia da endocardite em valva aórtica: opção para tratamento de abscesso aórtico / Surgery for Aortic Valve endocarditis: treatment options for aortic abscess

FUNDAMENTO: A grande diversidade de apresentações anatômicas encontradas em pacientes com endocardite infecciosa, especialmente nos que desenvolvem abscessos do anel aórtico ou fistulas intracardíacas, tem sido um complicador para o tratamento cirúrgico dessa doença. Por esse motivo, os cirurgiões têm desenvolvido opções táticas para sua correção. A consciência geral de que a retirada do tecido infectado promove uma limpeza radical, o aparecimento de colas biológicas que facilitam o fechamento dos abscessos e o surgimento de novos substitutos valvares melhoraram o resultado do tratamento. OBJETIVO: Demonstrar mais uma opção no tratamento do abscesso aórtico, para casos selecionados, tubo valvulado em posição infra-coronariana. MÉTODOS: Empreendemos a técnica em três pacientes: em dois, empregamos tubo valvulado com prótese mecânica, e em um, com prótese biológica. Dois pacientes necessitaram procedimentos associados com troca da valva mitral em um deles e plástica da valva tricúspide no outro. Todos eram reoperações de próteses em posição aórtica. RESULTADOS: A evolução cirúrgica e pós-operatória imediata foi satisfatória com os três recebendo alta da Unidade de Terapia Intensiva para o quarto. Um dos pacientes evoluiu para óbito durante a internação em razão de co-morbidades graves que já apresentava no pré-operatório, relacionadas a varizes de esôfago e comprometimento hepático. Os outros dois apresentam boa evolução no pós-operatório tardio. CONCLUSÃO: Acreditamos que essa opção seja mais uma alternativa para o tratamento de abscessos com grande comprometimento de estruturas do anel aórtico e da continuidade mitro-aórtica.

BACKGROUND: Patients with infective endocarditis show a large diversity of anatomical presentations, which has been a complicating factor for the surgical treatment of this condition, especially in those who develop abscesses in the aortic ring or intracardiac fistulae. For this reason, surgeons have been developing tactical options to repair it. There is consensus around the fact that the removal of infected tissue promotes radical cleaning, and that the outcome of the treatment has been improved by the manufacture of biological glues which facilitate the closure of abscesses and by the creation of new valve replacements. OBJECTIVE:To demonstrate yet one more treatment option for aortic abscess for selected cases: a valved conduit placed in infra-coronary position. METHODS: We employed the technique in three patients: in two of them we employed a valved conduit with a mechanical prosthesis and in one of them a valved conduit with a biological prosthesis. Two patients needed associated procedures such as replacement of mitral valve in one of them and tricuspid valvoplasty in the other. All cases involved reoperation of prostheses in aortic position. RESULTS: The progression during surgery and in the early postoperative period was satisfactory and the three patients were discharged from the Intensive Care Unit and were sent to hospital rooms. One of the patients progressed to death during hospital stay due to severe comorbidities which were present in the preoperative period, and which related to esophageal varices and hepatic involvement. The other two progressed well in the late postoperative period. CONCLUSION: We believe that this option is yet one more alternative for the treatment of abscesses with great involvement of aortic ring structures and mitro-aortic continuity.

A utilização de retalho composto de pele e tecido mamário na reparação de área cruenta resultante da deiscência de esternotomia em cirurgia cardíaca / Use of a flap composed of skin and breast tissue for repairing a recalcitrant wound resulting from dehiscence of sternotomy in cardiac surgery

OBJETIVO: Descrever nova técnica para a reparação de áreas cruentas resultantes de infecção e deiscência de esternotomia na cirurgia cardíaca em seis mulheres que, além de área cruenta extensa na região esternal, haviam sido submetidas a uma primeira reintervenção com recidiva. MÉTODOS: É descrita a técnica cirúrgica utilizada baseada em retalho triangular composto de pele e tecido mamário com base no sulco inframamário inferior, transposto para a área cruenta a fim fornecer uma cobertura de tecido bem vascularizado. RESULTADOS: São discutidos os diversos tratamentos da fase aguda e também de reconstrução nas deiscências de região esternal. CONCLUSÃO: Este retalho preenche as necessidades em relação às dimensões da perda de tecido da área cruenta além de fornecer uma maior proteção contra infecção a uma área que, pela deiscência ocorrida, permaneceu por certo tempo exposta.

Transplante cardíaco / cardiac transplant

O transplante de órgãos é um dos avanços mais audaciosos e revolucionários da medicina em nossa época. O primeiro transplante cardíaco entre huamanos foi realizado em 1967, na África do Sul, e despertou grande entusiasmo; porém, em decorrência das complicações, como rejeição e infecção, e da repercussão que envolveu a realização deste procedimento, a maioria das equipes interrompeu temporariamente os transplantes. Nos anos 80, com a introdução de uma nova droga, a ciclosporina, o método foi retomado, observando-se crescimento importante tanto do número de transplantes como de centros em que esta cirurgia era realizada em todo o mundo...

Surgical treatment of partial atrioventricular septal defect: functional analysis of the mitral valve in the postoperative period.

OBJECTIVE: To study mitral valve function in the postoperative period after correction of the partial form of atrioventricular septal defect. METHODS: Fifty patients underwent surgical correction of the partial form of atrioventricular septal defect. Their mean age was 11.8 years and 62% of the patients were males. Preoperative echocardiography showed moderate and severe mitral insufficiency in 44% of the patients. The mitral valve cleft was sutured in 45 (90%) patients (group II - GII). Echocardiographies were performed in the early postoperative period, and 6 and 12 months after hospital discharge. RESULTS: The patients who had some type of arrhythmia in the postoperative period had ostium primum atrial septal defect of a larger size (2.74 x 2.08 cm). All 5 patients in group I (GI), who did not undergo closure of the cleft, had a competent mitral valve or mild mitral insufficiency in the preoperative period. One of these patients began to have moderate mitral insufficiency in the postoperative period. On the other hand, in GII, 88.8% and 82.2% of the patients had competent mitral valve or mild mitral insufficiency in the early and late postoperative periods, respectively. CONCLUSION: The mitral valve cleft was repaired in 90% of cases. Echocardiography revealed competent mitral valve or mild mitral insufficiency in 88.8% and 82.2% of GII patients in the early and late postoperative periods, respectively.

Tratamento cirúrgico do defeito do septo atrioventricular de forma parcial. Análise funcional da valva mitral no pós-operatório / Surgical treatment of partial atrioventricular septal defect. Functional analysis of the mitral valve in the postoperative period

OBJECTIVE - To study mitral valve function in the postoperative period after correction of the partial form of atrioventricular septal defect. METHODS - Fifty patients underwent surgical correction of the partial form of atrioventricular septal defect. Their mean age was 11.8 years and 62 percent of the patients were males. Preoperative echocardiography showed moderate and severe mitral insufficiency in 44 percent of the patients. The mitral valve cleft was sutured in 45 (90 percent) patients (group II - GII). Echocardiographies were performed in the early postoperative period, and 6 and 12 months after hospital discharge. RESULTS - The patients who had some type of arrhythmia in the postoperative period had ostium primum atrial septal defect of a larger size (2.74 x 2.08 cm). All 5 patients in group I (GI), who did not undergo closure of the cleft, had a competent mitral valve or mild mitral insufficiency in the preoperative period. One of these patients began to have moderate mitral insufficiency in the postoperative period. On the other hand, in GII, 88.8 percent and 82.2 percent of the patients had competent mitral valve or mild mitral insufficiency in the early and late postoperative periods, respectively. CONCLUSION - The mitral valve cleft was repaired in 90 percent of cases. Echocardiography revealed competent mitral valve or mild mitral insufficiency in 88.8 percent and 82.2 percent of GII patients in the early and late postoperative periods, respectively

Tratamento cirúrgico da rotura do septo interventricular pós infarto agudo do miocárdio / Surgical treatment of ventricular septal defect post acute myocardial infarction

A rotura do septo interventricular (RSI) reduz a perspectiva de sobrevida do paciente com infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM). Entre 1968 e 1987, atendemos 48 pacientes (p) com este diagnóstico, sendo 16 (33%) mantidos clinicamente e 32 (67%) submetidos a cirurgia. Todos os p clínicos faleceram durante a internaçäo. Dentre os p operados, o IAM se localizava na parede anterior em 18 (56%) e na inferior em 14 (44%), com mortalidades respectivas de 6 (33%) e 4 (29%). Disfunçäo ventricular esquerda severa (Killip III e IV) foi encontrada em 26 (81%). Em 18 (56%) p foi introduzido o catéter de Swan- Ganz. Dos 31 (97%) p que se submeteram a cinecoronariografia, 22 (71%) apresentavam lesäo uniarterial e 9 (29%), doença multiarterial. Entre os p com lesöes isoladas, a descendente anterior foi acometida em 15 (68%), a coronária direita em 6 (27%) e a circunflexa em 1 (5%). A cirurgia foi realizada nas 2 primeiras semanas de evoluçäo em 8 (25%) e, após este período, em 24 (75%), com mortalidades de 6 (75%) e 4 (17%), respectivamente. O baläo intra-aórtico foi usado em 7 (22%). Os procedimentos cirúrgicos associados ao fechamento da RSI foram revascularizaçäo miocárdica em 10 (31%), aneurismectomia de VE em 17 (53%) e infartectomia e 6 (19%). Na evoluçäo tardia, dos 22 sobreviventes, 14 (64%) encontram-se assintomáticos, 1 (5%) sintomático, ocorreram 4 (18%) óbitos e perdeu-se a evoluçäo de 3 (13%). Concluímos que, apesar do risco cirúrgico, a cirurgia precoce ainda é a melhor opçäo terapêutica desta complicaçäo

Revascularizaçäo cirúrgica após reperfusäo no infarto agudo do miocárdio / Surgical revascularization following reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction

A cirurgia de revascularizaçäo do miocárdio (CRM) é freqüentemente empregada como método complementar no tratamento da lesäo coronária residual, após a reperfusäo, no infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM). Pode ser feita tanto na fase aguda como tardiamente. Neste trabalho, säo analisados os resultados obtidos em 45/159 (28%) pacientes (p) submetidos a CRM após reperfusäo miocárdica, com sucesso. Foram divididos em dois grupos, segundo o método de reperfusäo utilizado: I) 27 (60%) reperfundidos com estreptoquinase (STK), sendo intracoronária em 22 (81%) e intravenosa em 5 (18%); II) 18 (40%)reperfundidos através da angioplastia coronária (AC), isolada em 10 (55%) e precedida de STK em 8 (45%). Estes pacientes foram analisados quanto ao momento da cirurgia, à evoluçäo clínica, reestudos angiográficos, avaliaçäo da funçäo ventricular e óbitos. Os mesmos foram seguidos num período de 2 a 55 meses. Os autores discutem os achados, assim como a capacidade da CRM de complementar a reperfusäo, com sucesso, no IAM