Del Nido cardioplegia in coronary surgery: a propensity-matched analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Del Nido cardioplegia (DNC) has been shown to be safe in adults with normal coronary arteries who are undergoing valve surgery. This study compared the effects of DNC versus traditional blood-based cardioplegia on postoperative complications in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 863 patients who underwent CABG with DNC (n = 420) or control cardioplegia (CC) (n = 443) between 2014 and 2017. The full cohort of DNC and CC recipients, as well as propensity score-matched pairs, was compared regarding preoperative risk variables and outcomes. RESULTS: The DNC and CC groups showed no significant differences in mean cardiopulmonary bypass time (53.09 vs 52.10 min, P = 0.206) or aortic cross-clamp time (32.82 vs 33.28 min, P = 0.967). The groups also showed no difference in operative mortality (2.1% vs 2.5%, P = 0.734); however, DNC use resulted in lower rates of overall infections (1.7% vs 4.3%, P = 0.024), total sternal infections (0.9% vs 3.2%, P = 0.023), postoperative atrial fibrillation (23.8% vs 30.7%, P = 0.023) and postoperative ventricular tachycardia (0.5% vs 3.4%, P = 0.002). A propensity-matching analysis (n = 335 pairs) showed similar statistically significant decreases with DNC. CONCLUSIONS: In this large cohort of CABG patients, DNC was shown as a safe alternative to CC and was associated with lower postoperative dysrhythmia and infection rates. These findings show that DNC is safe and effective in patients whose operative interventions may require only single-dosing cardioplegia; its use in longer cases should be further explored given its low complication rate.

Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis Due to Alkaptonuric Ochronosis.

Alkaptonuric ochronosis is a rare cause of aortic valve stenosis. We report the case of a 61-year-old female patient with alkaptonuria who presented to our institute with the clinical picture of severe aortic valve stenosis, which was confirmed by transthoracic echocardiography. On aortotomy, she was noted to have an impressive black discoloration of ascending aorta and the aortic root complex involving the aortic valve leaflets. She underwent an uneventful aortic valve replacement. She was discharged home 10 days postoperatively.

Resection of Celiac Artery Aneurysm with Bypass Grafting to the Splenic and Common Hepatic Arteries.

Celiac artery aneurysms are rare and typically warrant surgical treatment. Atherosclerosis is their chief cause. Symptomatic patients usually present with abdominal pain. Surgical resection of celiac artery aneurysms is associated with low morbidity and mortality rates. We report the case of a patient whose 2.2-cm celiac artery aneurysm we resected, with subsequent saphenous vein bypass grafting from the celiac trunk to the splenic and common hepatic arteries. In addition, we briefly discuss other treatment options.

Giant Right Coronary Artery Aneurysm Associated with a Fistula Draining into the Superior Vena Cava.

Giant coronary artery aneurysm associated with a coronary-cameral fistula is an uncommon condition. Such aneurysms are usually associated with other cardiac diseases, such as coronary atherosclerosis, and therefore might augment myocardial ischemia in adults. The main indications for surgical intervention are severe coexisting coronary artery disease, evidence of embolization, and aneurysmal enlargement or rupture. We describe a large right coronary artery aneurysm and a coronary-cameral fistula that drained into the superior vena cava. The surgical repair was successful.

Aortic valve regurgitation that resolved after a ruptured coronary sinus aneurysm was patched.

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms appear to be rare. They occur most frequently in the right sinus of Valsalva (52%) and the noncoronary sinus (33%). More of these aneurysms originate from the right coronary cusp than from the noncoronary cusp. Surgical intervention is usually recommended when symptoms become evident. We report the case of a 34-year-old woman who presented with a congenital, ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm that originated from the noncoronary cusp. Moderate aortic regurgitation was associated with this lesion. Simple, direct patch closure of the ruptured aneurysm resolved the patient's left-to-right shunt and was associated with decreased aortic regurgitation to a degree that valve replacement was not necessary. Only trace residual aortic regurgitation was evident after 3 months, and the patient remained free of symptoms after 6 months. Our observations support the idea that substantial runoff blood flow in the immediate supra-annular region can be responsible for aortic regurgitation in the absence of a notable structural defect in the aortic valve, and that restoring physiologic flow in this region and equalizing aortic-cusp closure pressure can largely or completely resolve aortic insufficiency. Accordingly, valve replacement may not be necessary in all cases of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysms with associated aortic valve regurgitation.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia as a cause of intracoronary drug-eluting-stent thrombosis.

Stent thrombosis is a potentially lethal complication of percutaneous coronary intervention. We describe the case of a 51-year-old man who presented with acute anterior ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction and underwent successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and placement of 3 drug-eluting stents in the left anterior descending coronary artery. Despite receiving dual antiplatelet therapy, the patient presented a week later with a non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction and was found to have nonocclusive thrombosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery stents and his ostial left main and left circumflex coronary arteries. Subsequently, bone marrow biopsy analysis indicated that the patient had acute myelogenous leukemia, which we believe was the underlying cause of his prothrombotic state and stent thrombosis.

Contemporary relevancy of carotid-subclavian bypass defined by an experience spanning five decades.

BACKGROUND: The contemporary impact of and indications for carotid-subclavian bypass (CSB) are essential considerations in decision making for brachiocephalic reconstruction. METHODS: We analyzed operative outcomes, long-term graft patency, and the extended epidemiological impact of the primary disease process in 287 consecutive patients (mean age, 60.6 years; 43.2% male) who received CSB for symptomatic brachiocephalic disease. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in each patient. Operative mortality was 1.0% (3/287) and total (ipsilateral [1.4%, 4/287] plus contralateral [0.7%, 2/287]) stroke rate was 2.1% (6/287). Primary patency rates at 5, 10, and 15 years were 94.2 ± 1.9%, 88.6 ± 3.2%, and 86.5 ± 3.8%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier freedom from specific events at 15 years was as follows: restenosis, 86.5 ± 3.8%; death, 67.5 ± 5.2%; coronary revascularization, 59.6 ± 6.3%; myocardial infarction, 82.8 ± 3.9%; stroke, 85.6 ± 4.9%; other vascular procedure, 60.0 ± 5.5%; adverse cardiac outcome (death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization), 44.5 ± 5.5%; and adverse vascular outcome (restenosis, stroke, or other vascular procedure), 48.7 ± 5.3%. CONCLUSIONS: CSB produces excellent long-term patency and extended symptom relief, with acceptably low operative morbidity and mortality. Despite the durability and success of CSB, the primary disease process has an adverse impact on long-term prognosis and significantly influences decision making with regard to management. The proven durability may offer extended symptom relief to the relatively younger patient, a survival advantage associated with preservation of internal mammary artery perfusion in patients at risk for myocardial revascularization, optimal durability in patients requiring a concomitant open procedure, and preservation of limb function in patients who require aortic endovascular graft placement.

Reoperative myectomy via the left ventricular apex in a patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Transaortic myectomy is the standard treatment for symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy that proves to be refractive to medical therapy. We encountered a case that required a modified surgical approach to relieve a left ventricular outflow tract obstruction that could not be adequately resected through the aortic annulus because of poor exposure of the ventricular septum. Persistent high gradients after the 1st operation necessitated a 2nd operation. We used a novel approach via the left ventricular apex that enabled us to resect a large amount of obstructive tissue under direct vision and thereby to relieve the left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

Left main coronary artery originating from the proper sinus but with acute angulation and an intramural course, leading to critical stenosis.

Because of the variety of their anatomy and clinical implications, coronary anomalies tend to confuse many observers. Recently, our group and other investigators have proposed that only 1 specific type of anomaly, by means of a specific mechanism, is able to cause both symptoms of myocardial ischemia and sudden death. This anomaly is known as anomalous origin of a coronary artery from the opposite sinus of Valsalva, with intramural course (ACAOS). Its defining pathophysiologic feature is that the proximal section of the ectopic artery has an intramural course, which leads to variable degrees of functional obstruction. Herein, we describe an unusual, previously unreported coronary anomaly: a "normal origin" of the left main coronary artery from the left sinus of Valsalva that resulted in progressive, critical ischemia. The proximal few millimeters of this artery were intramural, embedded into the aortic-sinus wall, and laterally compressed. Therefore, this anomaly may be regarded also as "ACAOS of the left coronary artery without an ectopic origin." Angiography and intravascular ultrasonography revealed a variable degree of obstruction without intimal thickening and, likely, without spasm. Surgical repair, including ostioplasty, completely relieved the patient's clinical symptoms.

Papillary fibroelastoma of the aortic valve as a cause of transient ischemic attack.

Diagnostic evaluation of embolic neurologic events requires the consideration of cardiac causes. We recently encountered a case that emphasizes the importance of cardiac tumor as a source of embolic events. We present herein the case of a 42-year-old woman who suffered a transient ischemic attack caused by a papillary fibroelastoma that originated from the aortic valve.

Outcomes and risk factors in 1,609 carotid endarterectomies.

Severe carotid stenosis is typically treated with carotid endarterectomy (CEA), but there is debate about the safety of this procedure in patients with occlusion of the contralateral artery, previous CEA in the same artery, and other risk factors. To evaluate the association of these factors with outcomes in standard CEA with Dacron patch angioplasty, we examined the records of 1,609 consecutive isolated CEAs performed at our institution over a 10-year period on 1,400 patients (851 men and 549 women; mean age, 69.5 yr) with symptomatic or high-grade asymptomatic carotid lesions. Twenty-three patients (1.4%) had perioperative strokes, of which 2 were fatal. The overall same-admission mortality was 0.2% (4 patients). Same-admission stroke/death was more likely in patients with any history of tobacco use (odds ratio [OR], 4.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6-13.6), contralat-eral occlusion (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.2-9.1), angina with a Canadian Cardiovascular Society classification of 2 or greater (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.4-7.6), or transient ischemic attack within the 6 weeks before surgery (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.05-5.3). A total of 9 patients (0.6%) died within 30 days of CEA; our multivariate analysis did not reveal any significant predictors of 30-day mortality. We conclude that standard CEA with patch angioplasty is associated with low rates of death and morbidity for most patients, but patients with any history of tobacco use, substantial angina, contralateral occlusion, or preoperative transient ischemic attack may have an elevated risk of adverse outcomes.

The transition from open to endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting and its clinical impact: The Texas Heart Institute experience.

Open saphenous vein harvesting can be associated with wound complications, incision pain, prolonged convalescence, and poor cosmetic results. Endoscopic vein harvesting has been widely used for prevention of these problems. We compared outcomes of open and endoscopic vein harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting at the Texas Heart Institute. We retrospectively analyzed data from 1,573 consecutive coronary artery bypass procedures performed at our institution during a 20-month period. Each procedure included saphenectomy by endoscopic vein harvesting (n = 588) performed by physician assistants, or by traditional open vein harvesting (n = 985) performed by physicians or physician assistants. The primary outcome variable was the incidence of postoperative leg infections. Both groups were similar in terms of preoperative risk factors. After surgery, leg wound infections were significantly less frequent in the endoscopic vein harvesting group (3/588, 0.5%) than in the open vein harvesting group (27/985, 2.7%; P < 0.002). The most common organism involved in leg infections was Staphylococcus (20/30, 66%): S. aureus was present in 14 of 30 infections (47%). Open vein harvesting was the only significant independent risk factor for leg infection. We conclude that endoscopic vein harvesting reduces leg wound infections, is safe and reliable, and should be the standard of care when venous conduits are required for coronary artery bypass grafting and vascular procedures. Although the transition from open to endoscopic vein harvesting can be challenging in institutions, it can be successful if operators receive adequate training in endoscopic technique and are supported by surgeons and staff.

Symptomatic anomalous origination of the left coronary artery from the opposite sinus of valsalva. Clinical presentations, diagnosis, and surgical repair.

Anomalous origination of a coronary artery can have serious, even fatal, consequences. Intravascular ultrasonography has recently provided new insights into anomalous coronary artery origination from the opposite sinus of Valsalva. On the basis of these insights, we describe 3 typical forms of this anomaly with left coronary artery involvement, including clinical presentations, diagnostic methods (particularly intravascular ultrasonography), and details of surgical treatment. In this case series, the left coronary artery originated from the noncoronary sinus in 1 patient and from the right sinus in another patient. In the 3rd patient, both the left and right coronary arteries originated from the ascending aorta above the sinotubular junction. Baseline areas of stenosis ranged from 48.6% to 70.1%. Intravascular ultrasonography was the only method that enabled us to clarify the mechanisms and the severity of the anomaly. Pharmacologic challenge was useful to predict worsening that might have occurred under physiologic conditions. We found that, in cases of symptomatic left anomalous coronary artery origination from the opposite sinus of Valsalva, the proximal segment of the left coronary artery consistently has (1) an intramural course inside the aortic wall; (2) hypoplasia, as determined by its circumference; and (3) a cross-sectional ovaloid deformity (lateral compression) with phasic and exercise-induced worsening of the deformity With regard to surgical treatment, ostioplasty is preferable to coronary bypass. To establish sound guidelines for managing these anomalies, a larger series should be studied prospectively with quantitative parameters and long-term follow-up.

Aneurysm of the sinus of valsalva.

Aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva (ASVs) are rare. They can be congenital or acquired through infection, trauma, or degenerative diseases. They frequently co-occur with ventricular septal defects, aortic valve dysfunction, or other cardiac abnormalities. Although unruptured ASVs are usually asymptomatic, ruptured ASVs often cause symptoms similar to those of heart failure and produce a continuous, mechanical-sounding murmur. Transsternal or transesophageal echocardiography is usually effective in detecting ASVs. Because symptomatic ASVs pose significant risks for the patient, and because the repair of asymptomatic ASVs generally produces excellent outcomes, surgery is indicated in most cases. The primary goals of surgical repair are to close the ASV securely, remove or obliterate the aneurysmal sac, and repair any associated defects. Operative mortality is generally low except in patients with concomitant bacterial endocarditis or other infections. Late events are uncommon and tend to be related to aortic valve prothesis or Marfan syndrome.

Myocardial thievery: the coronary-subclavian steal syndrome.

Coronary-subclavian steal syndrome entails the reversal of blood flow in a previously constructed internal mammary artery coronary conduit, which produces myocardial ischemia. The most frequent cause of the syndrome is atherosclerotic disease in the ipsilateral, proximal subclavian artery. Although coronary-subclavian steal was initially reported to be rare, the increasing documentation of this phenomenon and its potentially catastrophic consequences in recent series suggests that the incidence of the problem has been underreported and that its clinical impact has been underestimated. We review the causes and background of coronary-subclavian steal; methods of preventing, diagnosing, and treating it; and the potential influence of various treatment regimens on long-term survival and the likelihood of late adverse events in patients with coronary-subclavian steal syndrome.

Brachiocephalic reconstruction I: operative and long-term results for complex disease.

OBJECTIVES: Complex brachiocephalic disease involves multiple vessels and is frequently associated with multisystem atherosclerosis. We reviewed surgical outcome and examined the impact of this problem on decision making regarding operative staging, technique, and choice of conduit. METHODS: Between 1966 and 2000, 157 consecutive patients (mean age, 54.0 years; 48.4% male) with innominate artery or multivessel brachiocephalic disease underwent operative reconstruction using either a transthoracic approach (group A, n = 113) or a less invasive, extrathoracic approach (group B, n = 44). Reconstruction required multiple distal anastomoses in 70 patients (44.6%), concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 37 patients (23.6%), and concomitant carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in 26 patients (16.6%). RESULTS: No significant differences were found between group A and group B when operative mortality (2.7% vs 2.3%) and stroke rates (2.7% vs 6.8%) were analyzed. However, 10 years after surgery, freedom from graft failure was significantly better in group A (94.4% +/- 4.4%) than in group B (60.3% +/- 13.4%) ( P = .002). Freedom from graft failure was adversely affected by nonaortic inflow ( P = .002) and axillo-axillary cervical grafts ( P = .0001). Mortality and stroke rates for subgroups having multiple distal anastomoses (2.9%, 2/70 and 4.3%, 3/70), concomitant CABG (5.4%, 2/37 and 0, 0/37), and concomitant CEA (3.8%, 1/26 and 3.8%, 1/26) were similar to those of other patients. For the entire patient group, 10-year rates of actuarial freedom from specific events were death, 68.8% +/- 6.0%; myocardial infarction, 86.7% +/- 4.5%; stroke, 87.0% +/- 4.4%; coronary revascularization, 88.0% +/- 3.6%, and other vascular operation, 79.9% +/- 4.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Transthoracic arch reconstruction for complex brachiocephalic disease can be done with acceptably low morbidity and mortality similar to those of a less invasive, extrathoracic approach. Furthermore, the transthoracic approach is associated with significantly better long-term freedom from graft failure, possibly because it preserves aortic inflow to the great vessels. Nonetheless, the high frequency of late events in this relatively young patient population reflects the presence of multisystem atherosclerosis and suggests the need for close follow-up and lifestyle modification.