[Contained rupture of the non-coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm into the right atrium (Sakakibara type IV) treated by surgery]. / Anévrisme non rompu du sinus de Valsalva non coronaire déversant dans l'auricule droit (Type IV de la classification de Sakakibara) traité par chirurgie.

A 26-year-old woman of Cap Verdean origin was admitted to emergency unit with chest pain and dyspnea. Because of sinus tachycardia without any other electrocardiogram abnormalities, high NT-pro BNP level, and weakly positive cardiac troponin I and D-dimer levels, an aortic and pulmonary non ECG-gated CT-angiography was performed that excluded pulmonary embolism and aortic dissection. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed a contained rupture of the non-coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm sized 23 to 24mm into the right atrium. According to the high rupture risk, patient had been immediately transferred in a cardiologic surgical center where transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and thoracic angiography ECG-gated Multiple Detector Computerized Tomography (ECG-gated MDCT) reinforced the diagnosis. Patient underwent surgical repair resection of the aneurysmal sac, which was described as "tissue paper thin" and at risk for impending rupture, without evidence of communication between the aorta and the right atrium. Anatomopathological examination described a thick sclerotic and oedematous aneurysm wall without inflammation, and bacteriological examination was negative. It is a rare case of contained rupture of the congenital non-coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm into the right atrium (Type IV of Sakakibara classification), with a high rupture risk. This case shows that the use ECG-gated-MDCT is more appropriate when aortic dissection is suspected, allowing a detailed analysis of aorta, especially the proximal portion which is more susceptible to motion artifacts.

[Very late intrastent thrombosis--at 27 months!]. / Une thrombose de stent très tardive...à 27 mois!

Interrupting platelet antiaggregant therapy in coronary patients treated by stenting exposes them to the risk of cardiac complications. The risk of acute thrombosis of the stent is well known but late intrastent thrombosis is less common and mainly observed with drug eluting stents. The authors report the case of a 54 year old man who had thrombosis of an ordinary stent implanted 27 months previously which occurred in the immediate post-operative period after repair of an inguinal hernia. The interruption of platelet antiaggregant therapy was relayed by flurbiprofen in accordance with recommendations of scientific societies. After a review of the literature, the authors discuss late stent thrombosis and interruption of platelet aggregant therapy in coronary patients before non-cardiac surgery.

[Mechanical cardiac assistance and artificial heart: historical perspectives]. / Histoire de l'assistance circulatoire mécanique et du coeur artificiel.

The impact of heart failure on patients and economical burden on health insurance resources is increasing. Cardiac transplantation is still the primary treatment for patients who are in end stage heart failure. The development of artificial hearts (total and partial) was implemented by the discrepancy between the scarcity of available donors and the importance of waiting lists for cardiac transplantation. The technical progresses achieved since the first works of Kolff in 1957 now allow these patients to have their circulation restored and go home to wait for their transplantation. The encouraging results of the artificial heart and the miniaturization of these devices allow them to be considered as a possible destination therapy for patients not eligible for cardiac transplantation.

[Five years experience with non-pulsatile flow]. / Enseignement de 5 années d'expérience avec les assistances circulatoires à flux non pulsé.

Mechanical circulatory assistances now belong to the therapeutic stock in case of advanced heart failure. Their mainspring lays on the substitution of the failing left and/or right ventricle function with a pump. The goal being to maintain or restore the system main functions. Their main indication is a bridge to transplant mechanical circulatory assistance, allowing the patient to await transplantation. However, indications for definitive implantation appear in case of transplantation counter indication, mechanical circulatory assistances already emerging as a possible alternative to transplantation. For over 10 years, we have used pulsatile flow assistances, either with pneumatic ventricles or electro-mechanic implantable left ventricles. We henceforth observe the development of a new generation of implantable assistance providing a non-pulsatile flow. These are axial pumps. We evaluated the first model, the DeBakey axial pump which became the most used axial pump worldwide. We now observe the development of other axial pumps as well as the development of new implantable centrifugal pumps.

[Pediatric mechanical circulatory assistance. Biventricular assistance for fulminant myocarditis in a 5 year old child]. / Assistance circulatoire mécanique pédiatrique. A propos d'une assistance biventriculaire pour une myocardite fulminante chez un enfant de 5 ans.

The authors report the case of a 5 years old infant with cardiogenic shock due to a fulminant myocarditis. The severity of the shock which was refractory to conventional therapies necessitated to require to a cardiopulmonary bypass on emergency, followed by an external pneumatic bi-ventricular assistance. After 10 days (3 days with cardioplumonary bypass and 7 days of bi-ventricular assistance), the patient had been able to be disconnected of any mechanical circulatory supply with total recovery of the cardiac function.

[Results of 17 months' surgical experience in the Cardiological Centre of Phnom-Penh (CCPP). The challenge of sanitation in a developing country]. / Bilan de 17 mois d'activité chirurgicale au Centre de cardiologie de Phnom-Penh.

The authors report the preliminary results of the first 17 months' experience at the Cardiological Centre of Phnom-Penh (CCPP), set up by the initiative of the "Chaîne de l'Espoir" organisation. The CCPP has only two operative theatres, 8 intensive care beds and 32 hospital beds. During the 17 months, 1193 patients under 30 years of age were examined. Nine hundred and five had cardiac disease. Three hundred and twenty-two patients underwent surgery for congenital and valvular heart disease. The commonest operated congenital lesions were left-to-right shunts (71%) and tetralogy of Fallot (24%). In the valvular group, 53% had mitral insufficiency, 40% had mitral stenosis and 7% had aortic insufficiency. The selection of patients and surgical strategy depended on the economic constraints specific to developing countries: --strict selection of operable patients: exclusion of severe pulmonary hypertension, left ventricular dysfunction or cachexia and neonates with complex congenital heart disease; --simple, effective and low cost surgical procedures are preferred, repair in the majority of cases, preference given to valvuloplasty over valve replacement. The quality of the results with low morbid-mortality, justifies the creation of such cardiac surgical centres; surgery must be accompanied by strict measures of prevention of endemic rheumatic fever which remains a major public health problem.

[Hydatid cyst of the heart interventricular septum: multidetector CT scan and MRI findings]. / Kyste hydatique du septum interventriculaire du coeur: aspect en scanner multibarrette et en IRM.

The present case illustrates the value of multidetector CT scan and cardiac MRI for the diagnosis of a hydatid cyst of the interventricular septum of the heart. These new modalities can help both for surgery planning and follow-up.

Bridge to transplantation with the DeBakey VAD axial pump: a single center report.

AIMS: To report our experience with a left ventricular assist device axial pump as a bridge to transplantation: the DeBakey Ventricular Assist Device (VAD). METHODS: From February 1999 to February 2002, nine patients (among which eight males), with a mean age of 47 years, all in NYHA functional class IV, were proposed for a bridge to transplantation with the DeBakey VAD. Five patients had primary dilated cardiomyopathy, four had ischemic cardiomyopathy. All the patients had inotropic support prior to the intervention (dobutamine with a mean dose of 12 mcg/kg per min), six had an intra-aortic counterpulsation, four presented ventricular rhythm disorders. Interventions were performed through sternotomy alone (no need for an abdominal pocket) under extra-corporeal circulation on beating heart (except in one patient suffering from an apical thrombosis for which cardioplegic arrest was performed) as followed: implantation of the apical inflow cannula, tunneling of the percutaneous cable, implantation of the outflow graft under aortic side clamping, starting of the DeBakey VAD during CPB weaning-off. RESULTS: Mean support duration was 81+/-62 days (16-224 days). Eight reoperations were required (three for bleeding or cardiac tamponade, one for haemoperitoneum, one for aortic bifurcation thrombectomy, one for right ventricular assist device implantation, two for iterative replacements of the DeBakey VAD). A significant hemolysis was observed in two patients. No device infection or dysfunction were observed. Secondary recovery of a pulsed flow was observed either clinically or by Echo-Doppler in six patients. Five patients were transplanted, four died prior to transplantation (three from multi-organ failure on post-operative day 35, 16 and 50, respectively, and the last patient was found disconnected at day 109). CONCLUSIONS: The DeBakey VAD is at the origin of renewed interest for continuous flow assist devices. Still under evaluation, the advantages of miniaturization and facility of implantation of this new device seem to be promising.

Tricuspid bioprosthesis replacement with cryopreserved mitral homograft.

We report the case of replacement of a dysfunctional tricuspid Hancock bioprosthesis by a cryopreserved mitral homograft. Tricuspid bioprosthesis was approached on a beating heart. The mitral homograft was orientated so as the anatomic anterior leaflets corresponding and a semi rigid prosthetic ring was inserted. At 1 year follow-up, the patient's clinical condition and echocardiographic results were satisfactory.

Severe intermittent intraprosthetic regurgitation after mitral valve replacement with subvalvular preservation.

Preservation of the subvalvular apparatus during mitral valve replacement preserves left ventricular function and improves long-term survival. Complications of subvalvular preservation include left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and prosthesis impingement. We report a case of severe intermittent intraprosthetic mitral regurgitation detected by transesophageal echocardiography after mitral valve replacement by a bileaflet mechanical prosthesis with subvalvular preservation. Intravalvular prosthetic valve regurgitation was caused by remnants of the subvalvular apparatus, which were shown at reoperation to interfere with prosthetic leaflet motion and which were excised. Postoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed neither abnormal mitral regurgitation nor residual mass. The use of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography could enable the detection of this rare complication.

Left ventricular reconstruction after resection of a large fibroma.

Cardiac fibromas are rare tumors that are histologically benign but potentially lethal because of their location. The prognosis is related to complete resection. We report the case of a 15-year-old boy who, 1 year after partial excision of a large fibroma, underwent successful complete resection through a conventional surgical approach with left ventricular reconstruction.

[Human valvular substitutes for the treatment of complex progressive endocarditis. Application to aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves]. / Substituts valvulaires humains dans le traitement des endocardites évolutives complexes. Application sur les orifices valvulaires aortiques, mitraux et tricuspides.

The aim of this study was to assess the immediate and long-term results of human valvular substitutes (homografts and autografts) in the treatment of complex progressive endocarditis in aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves. Since 1992, 80 patients (64 men, 16 women) aged 44 +/- 16 years (range 15 to 76 years), were treated. In 53 patients, the endocarditis involved native valves, 4 on previously plastified valves, or prosthetic valves in 27 patients. The endocarditis was recurrent 6 patients. The lesions were situated on the aortic valve (N = 59), mitral valve (N = 5), aortic and mitral valves (N = 12), aortic and tricuspid valves (N = 3), mitral and tricuspid valves (N = 1). The peroperative findings confirmed the lesions diagnosed at echocardiography: prosthetic valve dehiscence (27 patients), prosthetic cusp tear (N = 7), vegetations (N = 61), perforations (N = 48), periannular abscess (N = 47), aorto-ventricular discontinuity (N = 12), aorto-mitral discontinuity (N = 7), right ventricular aortic fistula (N = 1), aorto-pulmonary fistula (N = 1), pseudo-aneurysm (N = 1), ventricular septal defect (N = 1). Eighty-six human valvular substitutes were used (double homograft in 6 patients): aortic homograft (N = 63), pulmonary in the aortic position (N = 1), the mitral position (N = 12), of which 8 were in the mitral and 4 in the tricuspid position, pulmonary autograft (N = 10). Ten mitral valve repairs were performed on infected lesions. Associated procedures included mitral valve repair (N = 5), tricuspid valve repair (N = 1) for non-infarcted valve lesions, replacement of the ascending aorta (N = 2), the aortic arch (N = 1), coronary bypass surgery (N = 2) and one nephrectomy. The hospital mortality was 5% (4 patients). The causes of death were: infarction (N = 2), myocardial failure (N = 1) and multiorgan failure (N = 1). Four early reoperations were required for technical problems, none for endocarditis. Seventy-three of the 76 survivors were followed up for 43 +/- 24 months (range 1 to 84 months). Eight patients died during follow-up, but only 1 of cardiac causes (operation for recurrent endocarditis in a drug abuser). Seven operations were performed, 3 for technical problems or structural failure, 4 for recurrent endocarditis. At 5 years' follow-up, the survival was 81 +/- 5%; 88 +/- 6% of patients were free of endocarditis, 77 +/- 6% had no reoperation: no patient had thromboembolic complications. These results show that human valvular substitutes are adapted for the treatment of complex, progressive aortic, mitral and tricuspid valve endocarditis when techniques of valvular repair are no longer feasible.

[Cardiac fibroelastoma. Six operated cases and review of the literature]. / Fibroélastomes cardiaques. Six cas opérés et revue de la littérature.

The authors reviewed the cases of 6 patients operated between September 1994 and February 1999 for a rare benign tumour: papillary fibroelastoma of the heart. These patients, aged 51 +/- 14 years, all have single valvular involvement: mitral (N = 3), aortic (N = 2), tricuspid (N = 1). Five patients were symptomatic: transient ischaemic cerebral events (N = 3) associated with mesenteric infarction requiring ileal resection in 1 case; constituted cerebrovascular accident (N = 1); syncope (N = 1). In this last patient, the fibroelastoma was diagnosed fortuitously on the tricuspid valve. The features and location of the tumours were determined by transoesophageal echocardiography. Surgical treatment in all patients consisted in excising the tumour and preserving the valve. One aortic cusp was reconstructed after excising the tumour with a cryopreserved partial aortic homograft. Peroperative transoesophageal echocardiography confirmed the absence of regurgitation after the procedures in all patients. There were no postoperative complications in any of the cases. No cases of valvular regurgitation or of tumour recurrence were observed during follow-up. Despite the benign histology, cardiac fibroelastomas should be excised because of their embolic complications. Absence of recurrence justifies conservative reconstruction of the affected valve.

Morphometric study of the pulmonary trunk: implications for a new approach of the Ross procedure.

A pulmonary valve autograft may be proposed to replace diseased aortic valves. The explanted pulmonary valve is replaced with a pulmonary homograft with the inherent risk of calcified degeneration. A monocusp valve using the anterior pulmonary trunk has been proposed to reconstruct the right ventricular outflow tract. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of this technique. In hearts from 17 adult cadavers, we measured: pulmonary trunk diameter at the leaflet tops (D1). H1 and H2 were respectively from leaflet top to lower and upper levels of the pulmonary trunk bifurcation. D2 = 1.4 D1 was calculated as the monocusp size allowing a 45 degrees opening of the valve and thus permitting good valvular efficacy. G = H1 - D2 determined the feasibility of the technique: G greater than 10 mm, appeared the most favorable, G between 0 and 10 mm, appeared possible, and G less than 0, appeared to be impossible. Mean values of D1, H1 and H2 were respectively: 20.19 mm, 37 mm and 57 mm. The technique was possible in 16 cases (94%) and impossible in 1 case (6%). Preoperative determination of these parameters, by echocardiography or magnetic resonance imaging, appears necessary before applying this new surgical technique.