Echocardiographic Correlation between Right Ventricular Function and Left Atrial Volume.

BACKGROUND: Few reports exist on the relationship of the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) with its most important features including enlargement of the left atrium and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and with the right ventricular (RV) function. OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between the left atrial size and the RV function and dimensions in patients with and without LVDD and LVH. METHODS: Fifty patients were included, 25 (40% men) of them with LVDD, aged 67.1 ± 10.6 years (study group) and 25 without LVDD (52% men) aged 49.9 ± 16.3 years (control group). Patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography with evaluation of the left atrial size and volume (LAV), LVDD, LVH, and RV function and dimensions. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: LAV > 34 mL/m2 and left atrial size > 40 mm were associated with lower absolute values of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and RV lateral S' (p ≤ 0.001, Pearson's correlation coefficient -0.4 and -0.38, respectively) in the study group. Patients in the study group showed higher incidence of LVH (p = 0.02) and greater left atrial diameter (p = 0.03) compared with the control group. In addition, greater left atrial diameter (p = 0.02) and LAV (p = 0.01) values were found in patients with LVDD grade II compared with LVDD grade I. CONCLUSIONS: The present study determined, for the first time, the correlation of left atrial enlargement with progressive RV dysfunction in patients with LVDD.

Echocardiographic Correlation between Right Ventricular Function and Left Atrial Volume / Correlação Ecocardiográfica entre Função Ventricular Direita e Volume Atrial Esquerdo

Abstract Background: Few reports exist on the relationship of the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) with its most important features including enlargement of the left atrium and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and with the right ventricular (RV) function. Objective: To determine the correlation between the left atrial size and the RV function and dimensions in patients with and without LVDD and LVH. Methods: Fifty patients were included, 25 (40% men) of them with LVDD, aged 67.1 ± 10.6 years (study group) and 25 without LVDD (52% men) aged 49.9 ± 16.3 years (control group). Patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography with evaluation of the left atrial size and volume (LAV), LVDD, LVH, and RV function and dimensions. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: LAV > 34 mL/m2 and left atrial size > 40 mm were associated with lower absolute values of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and RV lateral S' (p ≤ 0.001, Pearson's correlation coefficient -0.4 and -0.38, respectively) in the study group. Patients in the study group showed higher incidence of LVH (p = 0.02) and greater left atrial diameter (p = 0.03) compared with the control group. In addition, greater left atrial diameter (p = 0.02) and LAV (p = 0.01) values were found in patients with LVDD grade II compared with LVDD grade I. Conclusions: The present study determined, for the first time, the correlation of left atrial enlargement with progressive RV dysfunction in patients with LVDD.

Resumo Fundamentos: A relação entre a disfunção diastólica do ventrículo esquerdo (DDVE), seus achados mais importantes, como aumento do átrio esquerdo e hipertrofia ventricular esquerda (HVE), e a função do ventrículo direito (VD) tem pouca documentação na literatura científica. Objetivo: Avaliar a correlação entre o tamanho atrial esquerdo em indivíduos com e sem DDVE e HVE e função e dimensões do VD. Métodos: Foram selecionados 50 pacientes, sendo 25 com DDVE (grupo de estudo [GE]; 67,1 ± 10,6 anos; 40% homens) e 25 sem DDVE (grupo-controle [GC]; 49,9 ± 16,3 anos; 52% homens). Os pacientes foram submetidos a ecocardiografia transtorácica com avalição do tamanho e volume atrial esquerdo (VAE), DDVE, HVE, dimensões e função do VD. Valores de p < 0,05 indicaram significância estatística. Resultados: VAE > 34 ml/m2 e tamanho atrial esquerdo > 40 mm apresentaram menores valores absolutos de excursão sistólica do plano do anel tricúspide (TAPSE) e S' lateral do VD (p ≤ 0,001, coeficiente de correlação de Pearson de -0,4 e -0,38, respectivamente) no GE. O GE apresentou maior incidência de HVE e maior diâmetro atrial esquerdo quando comparado ao GC (p = 0,02 e p = 0,03, respectivamente). O GE apresentou maior diâmetro e VAE nos indivíduos com DDVE grau II quando comparados aos indivíduos com DDVE grau I (p = 0,02 e p = 0,01, respectivamente). Conclusões: O presente estudo permitiu correlacionar de maneira inédita o aumento atrial esquerdo com diminuição progressiva da função ventricular direita em pacientes com disfunção diastólica de VE.

Correlação entre Índice de Cálcio Cardíaco e Doença Arterial Coronariana / Correlation Between Cardiac Calcium Index and Coronary Artery Disease

Introdução: Depósitos valvares de cálcio quantificados por ecocardiografia transtorácica estão associados à presença de doença aterosclerótica sistêmica, embora seu valor prognóstico e a influência de fatores de risco cardiovascular associados ainda não estejam definidos. Objetivos: Correlacionar o índice de calcificação cardíaca valvar pela ecocardiografia transtorácica com fatores de risco cardiovascular e presença de doença arterial coronariana (DAC). Métodos: Foram selecionados 203 pacientes (61,2 ± 14,3 anos; 57,6% do sexo feminino) que realizaram ecocardiografia transtorácica com quantificação do índice de cálcio cardíaco. A presença ou não de DAC, hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS), diabetes mellitus (DM), dislipidemia e tabagismo foi avaliada. Resultados: Idade acima de 65 anos (p < 0,001) e presença de HAS (p < 0,001) mostraram correlação significativa com a presença de calcificação cardíaca, enquanto que o DM (p = 0,056) e a DAC (p = 0,08) apresentaram apenas uma tendência a se correlacionar com a mesma. A calcificação isolada da valva mitral mostrou correlação significativa com idade acima de 65 anos (p < 0,001), presença de DAC (p = 0,004), HAS (p = 0,054) e DM (p = 0,07), sendo que na análise multivariada a DAC (odds ratio [OR] 3,39, intervalo de confiança de 95% [IC95%] 1,58-7,29, p = 0,002) e idade > 65 anos (OR 1,05, IC95% 1,02-1,08, p = 0,003) mostraram correlação significativa e independente com calcificação mitral. A calcificação isolada da valva aórtica não mostrou correlação com a presença de DAC (p = 0,435), mas apresentou uma correlação significativa com idade acima de 65 anos (p < 0,001) e HAS (p < 0,001). Na análise multivariada, apenas a idade (OR 1,1 IC95% 1,06-1,14, p < 0,001) manteve uma correlação independente e significativa com calcificação aórtica. Conclusão: Idade acima de 65 anos e hipertensão arterial sistêmica foram fatores de risco independentes para a presença de calcificação cardíaca valvar, sendo que a calcificação isolada da valva mitral esteve associada de forma significativa e independente com a presença de DAC

Introduction: Valvular deposits of calcium quantified by transthoracic echocardiography are associated with the occurrence of systemic atherosclerotic disease, but its prognostic value and influence of associated cardiovascular risk factors have not been defined yet. Objectives: To correlate the valvular cardiac calcium index by transthoracic echocardiography with cardiovascular risk factors and presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: We selected 203 patients (61.2 ± 14.3 years; 57.6% females) who underwent transthoracic echocardiography with cardiac calcium index quantification. The presence or absence of CAD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia, and smoking was assessed. Results: Age above 65 years (p < 0.001) and the presence of hypertension (p < 0.001) showed a significant correlation with the presence of cardiac calcification, whereas DM (p = 0.056) and CAD (p = 0.08) showed only a trend toward a correlation with calcification. Mitral valve calcification alone correlated significantly with age above 65 years (p < 0.001), presence of CAD (p = 0.004), hypertension (p = 0.054), and DM (p = 0.07). On multivariate analysis, CAD (odds ratio [OR] 3.39, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.58-7.29, p = 0.002) and age > 65 years (OR 1.05, 95%CI 1.02-1.08, p = 0.003) correlated significantly and independently with mitral valve calcification. Aortic valve calcification alone showed no correlation with the presence of CAD (p = 0.435), but correlated significantly with age above 65 years (p < 0.001) and hypertension (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, only age (OR 1.1, 95%CI 1.06-1.14, p < 0.001) remained independently and significantly correlated with aortic calcification. Conclusion: Age above 65 years and hypertension were independent risk factors for the presence of valvular cardiac calcification, with mitral valve calcification alone emerging as significantly and independently associated with the presence of CAD

Troca valvar aórtica minimamente invasiva: uma alternativa à técnica convencional / Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement: an alternative to the conventional technique

OBJETIVO: Demonstrar o uso da cirurgia minimamente invasiva para tratamento da valva aórtica e comparar seus resultados com o método tradicional. MÉTODOS: Entre 2006 e 2011, 60 pacientes foram submetidos à cirurgia na valva aórtica, após consentimento escrito, destes 40 pela técnica minimamente invasiva com acesso por minitoracotomia ântero-lateral direita (Grupo 1/G1)e 20 por esternotomia mediana (Grupo 2/G2). Comparamos os tempos operatórios e a evolução pós-operatória intra-hospitalar. RESULTADOS: Os tempos médios de circulação extracorpórea (CEC) e pinçamento aórtico no G1 foram, respectivamente, 142,7 ± 59,5 min e 88,6 ± 31,5 min e, no G2, 98,1 ± 39,1 min e 67,7 ± 26,2 min (P<0,05), uma diferença nas medianas de 39 minutos no tempo de CEC e 23 minutos no pinçamento aórtico foram observados a favor da técnica convencional. A perda sanguínea pelos drenos torácicos foi significativamente menor no grupo minimamente invasivo: 605,1 ± 679,5 ml (G1) versus 1617 ± 1390 ml (G2) (P<0,05). Os tempos médios de internamento em UTI e hospitalar foram menores em G1: 2,3 ± 1,8 dias e 5,5 ± 5,4 dias versus 5,1 ± 3,6 dias e 10 ± 5,1 dias em G2 (P<0,05), respectivamente. O uso de drogas vasoativas no pós-operatório também foi menor no grupo minimamente invasivo 12,8% em G1 versus 45% em G2. CONCLUSÃO: Troca valvar aórtica com o uso de técnicas minimamente invasivas, apesar de demonstrar maiores tempos intraoperatórios, não afeta os resultados pósoperatórios, que nesta casuística mostraram-se melhores quando comparado ao método tradicional.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the use of minimally invasive surgery for aortic valve replacement and compare your results with the traditional method. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2011 sixty patients underwent surgery on aortic valve, after written consent, these 40 by minimally invasive technique with right anterior minithoracotomy access (Group 1/G1) and 20 by median sternotomy (Group 2/G2). Compare the operating times and postoperative evolution intra-hospital. RESULTS: The average times of bypass and aortic crossclamp in G1 were, respectively, 142.7 ± 59.5 min and 88.6 ± 31.5 min and, in G2, 98.1 ± 39.1 min and 67.7 ± 26.2 min (P < 0.05), a difference in medians of 39 minutes in bypass time and 23 minutes in aortic cross-clamp were observed in favour of conventional technique. The blood loss by the thoracic drains was significantly lower in the Group: minimally invasive 605.1 ± 679.5 ml (G1) versus 1617 ± 1390 ml (G2) (P < 0.05).The average time of ICU and hospital stay were shorter in G1: 2.3 ± 1.8 and 5.5 ± 5.4 days versus 5.1 ± 3.6 and 10 ± 5.1 in G2 (P < 0.05), respectively. Vasoactive drug use was also less post-operative at 12.8% in minimally invasive group G1 versus 45% in G2. CONCLUSION: Aortic valve replacement through minimally invasive techniques, although intraoperative times larger, not demonstrate affect postoperative results that this case proved best when compared to the traditional approach.

Video-assisted cardiac surgery: 6 years of experience.

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive and video-assisted cardiac surgery (VACS) has increased in popularity over the past 15 years. The small incisions have been associated with a good aesthetic effect and less surgical trauma, therefore less postoperative pain and rapid recovery. OBJECTIVES: To present our series with VACS, after 6 years of use of the method. METHODS: 136 patients underwent VACS, after written consent, between September 2005 and October 2011, 50% for men and age of 47.8 ± 15, 4 anos, divided into two groups: with cardiopulmonary (CEC) (GcCEC=105 patients): mitral valve disease (47/105), aortic disease (39/105), congenital heart disease (19/105) and without extracorporeal circulation (CEC) (GsCEC=31 patients): cardiac resynchronization (18/ 31), cardiac tumor (4/31) and minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (6/31). GcCEC was held in right minithoracotomy (3 to 5 cm) and femoral access to perform cannulation. RESULTS: In GcCEC, mean length of ICU stay and hospital stay were respectively 2.4 ± 4.5 days and 5.0 ± 6.8 days. Twelve patients presented complications in post-operative and five (4.8%) death. Ninety-three (88.6%) patients evolved uneventful, were extubated in operating room, and remained a mean of 1.8 ± 0.9 days in ICU and 3.6 ± 1.3 days in the hospital. In GsCEC, were mean 1.3 ± 0.7 days in ICU and 2.9 ± 1.4 days in hospital and without complications or deaths. CONCLUSION: The results found in this series are comparable to those of world literature and confirm the method as an option the conventional technique.

Cirurgia cardíaca videoassistida: 6 anos de experiência / Video-assisted cardiac surgery: 6 years of experience

INTRODUÇÃO: A cirurgia cardíaca minimamente invasiva e videoassistida (CCVA) tem aumentado em popularidade nos últimos 15 anos. As pequenas incisões têm sido associadas a um bom efeito estético e menor trauma cirúrgico, consequentemente, menor dor e rápida recuperação pós-operatória. OBJETIVOS: Apresentar nossa casuística com CCVA, após 6 anos de uso do método. MÉTODOS: Cento e trinta e seis pacientes foram submetidos à CCVA, após consentimento escrito, entre setembro de 2005 e outubro de 2011, sendo 50% do sexo masculino, com idade de 47,8 ± 15,4 anos, divididos em dois grupos: com circulação extracorpórea (CEC) (GcCEC=105 pacientes): valvopatia mitral (47/105), valvopatia aórtica (39/105) e cardiopatia congênita (19/105) e sem CEC (GsCEC=31 pacientes): ressincronização cardíaca (18/31), tumor cardíaco (4/31) e revascularização miocárdica minimamente invasiva (6/31). No GcCEC, foi realizada minitoracotomia direita (3 a 5 cm) e acesso femoral para canulação periférica. RESULTADOS: No GcCEC, a média de dias em UTI (DUTI) e de internação hospitalar (DH) foi, respectivamente, 2,4 ± 4,5 dias e 5,0 ± 6,8 dias. Doze pacientes apresentaram complicações no pós-operatório e cinco (4,8%) foram a óbito. Noventa e três (88,6%) pacientes evoluíram sem intercorrências, foram extubados no centro cirúrgico, permanecendo 1,8 ± 0,9 DUTI e 3,6 ± 1,3 DH. No GsCEC, foram 1,3 ± 0,7 DUTI e 2,9 ± 1,4 DH, sem intercorrências ou óbitos. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados encontrados nesta casuística são comparáveis aos da literatura mundial e confirmam o método como opção à técnica convencional.

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive and video-assisted cardiac surgery (VACS) has increased in popularity over the past 15 years. The small incisions have been associated with a good aesthetic effect and less surgical trauma, therefore less postoperative pain and rapid recovery. OBJECTIVES: To present our series with VACS, after 6 years of use of the method. METHODS: 136 patients underwent VACS, after written consent, between September 2005 and October 2011, 50% for men and age of 47.8 ± 15, 4anos, divided into two groups: with cardiopulmonary (CEC) (GcCEC=105 patients): mitral valve disease (47/105), aortic disease (39/105), congenital heart disease (19/105) and without extracorporeal circulation (CEC) (GsCEC=31 patients): cardiac resynchronization (18/ 31), cardiac tumor (4/31) and minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (6/31). GcCEC was held in right minithoracotomy (3 to 5 cm) and femoral access to perform cannulation. RESULTS: In GcCEC, mean length of ICU stay and hospital stay were respectively 2.4 ± 4.5 days and 5.0 ± 6.8 days. Twelve patients presented complications in post-operative and five (4.8%) death. Ninety-three (88.6%) patients evolved uneventful, were extubated in operating room, and remained a mean of 1.8 ± 0.9 days in ICU and 3.6±1.3 days in the hospital. In GsCEC, were mean 1.3 ± 0.7 days in ICU and 2.9 ± 1.4 days in hospital and without complications or deaths. CONCLUSION: The results found in this series are comparable to those of world literature and confirm the method as an option the conventional technique.

Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement: an alternative to the conventional technique.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the use of minimally invasive surgery for aortic valve replacement and compare your results with the traditional method. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2011 sixty patients underwent surgery on aortic valve, after written consent, these 40 by minimally invasive technique with right anterior minithoracotomy access (Group 1/G1) and 20 by median sternotomy (Group 2/G2). Compare the operating times and postoperative evolution intra-hospital. RESULTS: The average times of bypass and aortic crossclamp in G1 were, respectively, 142.7 ± 59.5 min and 88.6 ± 31.5 min and, in G2, 98.1 ± 39.1 min and 67.7 ± 26.2 min (P < 0.05), a difference in medians of 39 minutes in bypass time and 23 minutes in aortic cross-clamp were observed in favour of conventional technique. The blood loss by the thoracic drains was significantly lower in the Group: minimally invasive 605.1 ± 679.5 ml (G1) versus 1617 ± 1390 ml (G2) (P < 0.05).The average time of ICU and hospital stay were shorter in G1: 2.3 ± 1.8 and 5.5 ± 5.4 days versus 5.1 ± 3.6 and 10 ± 5.1 in G2 (P < 0.05), respectively. Vasoactive drug use was also less post-operative at 12.8% in minimally invasive group G1 versus 45% in G2. CONCLUSION: Aortic valve replacement through minimally invasive techniques, although intraoperative times larger, not demonstrate affect postoperative results that this case proved best when compared to the traditional approach.

Video-thoracoscopy closure of coronary artery fistula: case report.

The coronary artery fistulas (FAC) are rare and often found occasionally. The conventional treatment can be made by surgical closure with median thoracotomy or with embolization by catheterization. We describe an innovative technique to ligature of FAC, on a full endoscopy. Women, 45 years with symptomatic fistula between coronary artery anterior descending and trunk artery pulmonary, which took thoracoscopy left, pericardiotomy and ligation of fistula with metal clip without thoracotomy. There were no complications, stayed 24 hours in the ICU and was in hospital 4 days. The technique was effective, allows easy accessibility surgical and quick post-operative recovery.

Videotoracoscopia para fechamento de fístula coronário-pulmonar: relato de caso / Video-thoracoscopy closure of coronary artery fistula: case report

As fístulas da artéria coronária (FAC) são raras e, muitas vezes, achado ocasional. O tratamento convencional é realizado por fechamento cirúrgico com toracotomia mediana ou por meio de embolização por procedimento hemodinâmico. Descrevemos uma técnica inovadora para ligadura da FAC de forma totalmente endoscópica. Mulher, 45 anos, com fístula sintomática entre artéria coronária descendente anterior e tronco de artéria pulmonar onde se realizou toracoscopia esquerda, pericardiotomia e ligadura do pertuito com clipe metálico. Não houve intercorrência, a paciente permaneceu 24 horas na UTI e teve alta hospitalar no 4º dia. A técnica foi efetiva, permitiu fácil acessibilidade cirúrgica e rápida recuperação pós-operatória.

The coronary artery fistulas (FAC) are rare and often found occasionally. The conventional treatment can be made by surgical closure with median thoracotomy or with embolization by catheterization. We describe an innovative technique to ligature of FAC, on a full endoscopy. Women, 45 years with symptomatic fistula between coronary artery anterior descending and trunk artery pulmonary, which took thoracoscopy left, pericardiotomy and ligation of fistula with metal clip without thoracotomy. There were no complications, stayed 24 hours in the ICU and was in hospital 4 days. The technique was effective, allows easy accessibility surgical and quick post-operative recovery.

Totally endoscopic mitral valve repair: a case report.

Minimum incision techniques in cardiac surgery have been on the rise after their inclusion in videothoracoscopy. Video-assisted minimally invasive cardiac surgery is considered by many centers in the world to be the approach of choice for treatment of mitral and aortic valve diseases. The aim of this is study is to report a case of valve repair in a patient with mitral restenosis after surgical repair 12 years before. Through a minimally invasive and totally endoscopic procedure, it was possible to successfully perform a mitral commissurotomy with only videoscopic support, and without any incisions larger than those needed to introduce the trocars for instrumentation.

Reoperação de valva mitral totalmente endoscópica: relato de caso / Totally endoscopic mitral valve repair: a case report

As mínimas incisões na cirurgia cardíaca receberam um grande impulso após a inclusão da videotoracoscopia. Cirurgia cardíaca minimamente invasiva videoassistida é considerada hoje, por muitos centros no mundo, abordagem de escolha para tratamento das doenças na valva mitral e aórtica. Nosso objetivo é relatar um caso de reoperação, em uma paciente com reestenose mitral pós-plastia 12 anos antes. Através de um procedimento minimamente invasivo e totalmente endoscópico foi possível realizar com sucesso uma comissurotomia mitral, somente com apoio da videoscopia, sem incisões maiores do que as necessárias para introdução dos trocateres para instrumentação.

Minimum incision techniques in cardiac surgery have been on the rise after their inclusion in videothoracoscopy. Video-assisted minimally invasive cardiac surgery is considered by many centers in the world to be the approach of choice for treatment of mitral and aortic valve diseases. The aim of this is study is to report a case of valve repair in a patient with mitral restenosis after surgical repair 12 years before. Through a minimally invasive and totally endoscopic procedure, it was possible to successfully perform a mitral commissurotomy with only videoscopic support, and without any incisions larger than those needed to introduce the trocars for instrumentation.

Padronização da técnica para cirurgia cardíaca videoassistida: experiência inicial / Standardization of video-assisted cardiac surgery technique: initial experience

INTRODUÇÃO: Cirurgias cardíacas videoassistidas minimamente invasivas têm sido realizadas em grandes centros mundiais, incluindo procedimentos valvares, coronários e congênitos. OBJETIVO: Apresentar nossa primeira casuística com videocirurgia cardíaca, por meio da experiência adquirida com cirurgia geral e torácica. MÉTODOS: Sempre que houve possibilidade de se realizar uma cirurgia cardíaca por acesso minimamente invasivo, esta foi a abordagem inicialmente utilizada. A toracoscopia esquerda foi utilizada em quatro casos: (1) ligadura de fistula coronário-pulmonar sintomática, (2) implante de eletrodo epicárdico em ventrículo esquerdo para ressincronização ventricular, (3) retirada de lipoma gigante de pericárdio com pedículo em átrio esquerdo e (4) ressecção de hemangio-lipoma de mediastino. Toracoscopia direita com bypass cardiopulmonar via artéria e veia femorais e parada cardíaca em fibrilação ventricular com hipotermia moderada, foram realizados nos seguintes casos: (5) paciente com estenose mitral pós-plastia, com anel de Carpentier 12 anos antes. Foi realizada comissurotomia anterior e posterior com sucesso, sem toracotomia, (6) paciente com miocardiopatia dilatada idiopática, fibrilação atrial de alta resposta e insuficiência mitral importante, realizada plastia mitral com anel de Gregori e ablação de veias pulmonares com cateter de radiofreqüência (MAZE modificada). Neste caso, uma minitoracotomia ântero-lateral direita de 6 cm foi utilizada. RESULTADOS: Nenhum óbito ocorreu nesta série e o resultado cirúrgico em todos os casos foi altamente satisfatório, sendo que todos os pacientes receberam alta hospitalar com média de 5,5 + 5 dias após a intervenção. CONCLUSÃO: Nossa experiência inicial neste campo demonstra a eficácia e exeqüibilidade de introdução deste tipo de técnica em nosso meio.

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive cardiac surgery has been performed in major worldwide centers, including procedure such as valves, coronary and congenital surgery. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate our first works with noninvasive cardiac surgery by mean of the experience gained with general and thoracic surgery. METHODS: Whenever possible to carry out a minimally invasive cardiac surgery, this was the approach of choice. The left thoracoscopy was used in four cases: (1) symptomatic coronary-pulmonary fistula ligation; (2) implant of an epicardial electrode into the left ventricle for resynchronization; (3) excision of pericardial giant lipoma in the left atrium, and (4) resection of hemangiolipoma in the mediastinum. Right thoracoscopy with extracorporeal circulation through cardiopulmonary bypass via femoral vein and artery and cardiac arrest in ventricular fibrillation with moderate hypothermia were carried out in the following cases: (5) patient with mitral stenosis after surgical repair with Carpentier ring 12 years before. An anterior and posterior commissurotomy without thoracotomy was successfully made; (6) patient with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, high-response atrial fibrillation, and severe mitral insufficiency, underwent mitral repair surgery with Gregori's ring and ablation of the pulmonary veins with radio-frequency catheter. (MAZZE modified). RESULT: No death occurred in this series and the surgical result in all cases was highly satisfactory. All patients were discharged from hospital with a mean time of 5.5 ± 5 days after intervention. CONCLUSION: Our initial experience in this field proves the effectiveness and the viability in introducing this type of technique in Brazil.