[Surgery of aortic regurgitation with reduced left ventricular function]. / Chirurgie de l'insuffisance aortique avec dysfonction ventriculaire gauche.

BACKGROUND: Aortic valve replacement improves clinical symptoms and left ventricular systolic function in patients with chronic aortic regurgitation despite a higher surgical risk. The objective of this study is to determine if left ventricular function will be normalized after surgery. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This retrospective study included 40 patients (nine females and 31 males) with chronic aortic regurgitation and left ventricular systolic dysfunction who were evaluated by echocardiography Doppler. Were included patients with left ventricular ejection fraction less or equal to 45%. Ages ranged from 18 to 77 years (mean = 46.4 ± 12.6 years). Preoperatively, six patients (15%) were asymptomatic, ten (25%) were in NYHA II, half (50%) in NYHA III and four (10%) in NYHA IV. The mean preoperative ejection fraction (EF) was 36.2 ± 2%. The mean end systolic and diastolic dimensions were 61.7 ± 8.5 mm and 78.9 ± 9.7 mm respectively. Aortic regurgitation was quantified grade III in sixteen patients (40%) and grade IV in twenty-four (60%). RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients underwent aortic valve replacement and three Bentall operations. Hospital mortality was 7.5% (3/40). The mean follow-up period was 69.7 months. All survivor patients were investigated. Out of these, five were lost and 32 were controlled. Symptomatic improvement was noted in most of the survivors. Sixty percent (24/40) were severely symptomatic before and only 6.25% (2/32) during follow-up. The ejection fraction increased significantly after surgery (36.2 ± 2% in preoperative period vs. 55.2 ± 10% in postoperative period, P < 0.02). Left ventricular diameters decreased significantly also. Survival rates were 3-year 94%, 5-year 91% and 7-year 89%. CONCLUSION: Despite reduced left ventricular systolic function, aortic valve replacement in chronic aortic regurgitation was associated with acceptable operative risk. Surgery improves functional status, symptoms and ejection fraction in most patients.

[Results of coronary artery bypass grafting with left ventricular dysfunction (comparison of off-pump versus on-pump)]. / Résultats du pontage coronaire en cas de dysfonction ventriculaire gauche (comparaison du cœur battant et de la CEC).

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the results of myocardial revascularisation with or without cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with impaired left ventricular function. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five hundred and sixteen consecutive patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting from January 2000 through December 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. One hundred and eight cases had a left ventricular EF (ejection fraction) of 45% or less. Of these patients, 78 underwent conventional coronary artery bypass (CCABG) and 30 underwent off-pump procedure (OCABG). The CCABG group received 300IU/kg of heparin while the OCABG received 100IU/kg. The off-pump coronary surgery was carried out using a tissue stabilizer Octopus II. Different pre-, per- and postoperative variables were evaluated among both groups. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 11.5. The variables were compared between these two groups using univariate analysis (Chi(2) test, Fisher's test exact) for qualitative variable and (Student's t test, Mann-Whitney's test) for quantitative variable. RESULTS: Patients profiles and risk factors were similar among both groups except for age (CCABG: 57.8±9.2 year vs OCABG: 52±9.9 year; P=0.004) and left ventricular EF (CCABG: 37.4±6.3% vs OCABG: 34±7.8%; P=0.02). The number of grafts performed per patient was significantly more among patients who underwent extracorporeal circulation (CCABG: 2.53±0.7 graft/patient vs OCABG: 1.77±0.8 graft/patient; P<0.0001). The hospital mortality was more among CCABG group 9% vs 3.3% in OCABG but the difference was not significant (P=0.3). However, the operative time and the operative room stay were long in CCABG (252±61min vs 175±38min; P<0.0001 - 389±70min vs 298±54min; P<0.0001). The ventilation time was also long in CCABG (32.3±67hour vs 10.4±5.9hour; P=0.15). There was more postoperative myocardial infarction in CCABG (P=0.008), but the EF increased and was better in CCABG. CONCLUSION: Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery provides satisfactory operative results for most patients with reduced left ventricular function. Prospective and randomly study will be necessary before concluding.

[Antifibrinolytic agents and repeat open-heart surgery: a comparison of tranexamic acid and low dose aprotinin]. / Antifibrinolytiques et réinterventions chirurgicales à coeur ouvert: comparaison de l'acide tranexamique aux faibles doses d'aprotinine.

PURPOSE: This retrospective study has for objective to compare the effect of tranexamic acid with low-dose of aprotinin therapy on blood loss in reoperative cardiac surgery. METHODS: Ninety-one adult patients underwent repeated open-heart surgery. Two groups of patients were collected. The aprotinin group AP (N=60) has received an intravenous full low dose of 500000 UIK of aprotinin. The tranexamic group TA (N=31) has received 30 mg/kg of tranexamic acid. Criteria for assessment included: cumulative blood loss at 4 hours and 20 hours after operation, need for transfusion and parameters of coagulation (platelet, fibrinogen count). RESULTS: Demographics characteristics and echocardiographic data were similar between the tow groups. Postoperative blood loss at 4th hour and at 20th hour were reduced in tranexamic group compared with aprotinin group (P=0,009, P=0,001). The transfusion requirement was frequent in the AP group 39% vs 19.4% in TA group. The TA group received fewer total unit of red blood (0.38 unit RBC/patient vs 1.06 in AP group) [RBC=red blood cells]. There was no statistically significant difference in platelet and fibrinogen profiles. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that tranexamic acid and low dose aprotinin effectively reduces postoperative bleeding in repeat open-heart surgery. However, the marked difference in superiority between these tow drug therapies needs the randomized and controlled study.

[Upper digestive bleedings after cardiac surgery]. / Hémorragies digestives hautes après chirurgie cardiaque.

INTRODUCTION: Upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage (UGH) following cardiac surgery is infrequent with high mortality. The aim of this study is to compare the frequency and outcome of UGH in patients who had undergone open heart surgery at our institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1994 to December 2005, 1278 cardiac operations were performed. A systematic prophylaxis antiacid was used by antagonists of histaminic receptor (anti-H2, ranitidine 150 mg/12 h) in all patients. The diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms (haematemesis and/or melaena) in the postoperative period and confirmed by fibroscopy. We conducted a retrospective study of these patients. RESULTS: Only 8 of the 1278 (0,6%) cardiac operations were complicated by UGH. Demographic data were reported in Table 1. The mean interval between surgery and UGH was 10+/-3,7 days (range 5,15 days). Gastro-duodenal ulcer was the most common cause of UGH in 5 patients (62%), ulcero-hemorrhagic eosophagitis was developed in one patient (12,5%), candidosic eosophagitis in one and multiple gastric ulcer in one patient (12,5%). Medical treatment was applied in 6 patients (72%) with successful result. Surgical intervention was necessary in 2 patients (25%). 2 patients had repeat gastrointestinal bleeding. One patient was died; he was recorded as having severe sepsis and multiple organ failure in addition to UGH. CONCLUSION: UGH in patients undergoing heart operation is rare but associated with poor prognosis despite antiacid prophylaxis. These complications occurred in patients who had in postoperative bad hemodynamic conditions.

[Tranexamic acid versus aprotinin for the prevention of bleeding during mitral valve surgery ]. / Prévention du saignement dans la chirurgie de la valve mitrale: comparaison de l'acide tranexamique aux faibles doses d'aprotinine.

PURPOSE: This retrospective stady has for objective to compare the effect of Tranexamic Acid (TA) to the low dose of aprotinin (AP) in primary mitral valve surgery in terms of blood loss and transfusion requirements. METHODS: Are included in the study operated patients of a valvulopathy mitral isolated. Two groups of 50 patients are collected. The tranexamic acid group has received 30 mg kg-1 the acid tranexamic and the aprotinin group has received a low regimen as 500,000 UIK of aprotinin. Blood loss by the chest drains are assessed to different times during first 24 hours post cardiopulmonary bypass. In the same way, we have measured the platelet and fibrinogen count. Blood products were administered according to a classic protocol. RESULTS: The two groups are comparable clinic and echocardiographic parameters what authorizes us an appariement acceptable. Various cardiopulmonary bypass times are almost similar. We noticed a tendency to excessive blood loss processed by low regimen aprotinin and a significant rate difference of platelet and the fibrinogen level. But no complication has been recorded in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates relatively different effect of the two fibrinolytics inhibitors in primary mitral valve surgery. As for the superiority of one of the two produces, it needs a confirmation by a randomised and controlled clinical trial.

[Arterial manifestations of Behcet's disease. A report of five operated cases]. / Manifestations artérielles de la maladie de Behçet. A propos de 5 cas opérés.

Vascular involvement in Behcet's disease is common, especially in deep vein thrombosis. Aneurysmal or occlusive arterial disease is, however, rare. The authors report five cases of vascular Behcet's disease reviewed over a period of 4 years (1996-1999). All these patients were men and the mean age was 38 years. The arterial disease was the presenting symptom of Behcet's disease in 3 cases. The other patients had been followed up for Behcet's disease for 4 years. The average time of onset of arterial disease was 7.2 years with respect to the presenting symptom, the range being 2 to 20 years. In all, seven arteries were involved, two patients having two arterial sites at the same time. The femoral artery was involved in 3 cases. The iliac artery was involved twice. One patient had a coronary thrombosis and the last case was of a pseudoaneurysm of the infra-renal abdominal aorta which ruptured into the retroperitoneal space. Six lesions were aneurysmal. All patients underwent surgery. The histological analysis of the resected lesions showed non-specific panvasculitis. The postoperative period was marked by short and medium term complications: four prosthetic thromboses and two anastomotic pseudo-aneurysms which required several surgical procedures and which led to two deaths. These results and a review of the literature underline the need to search for Behcet's disease in all cases of aneurysmal or occlusive arterial disease in young patients, especially those born in the Mediterranean regions. Surgical treatment should not be delayed. In these inflammatory conditions with pronounced perivascular involvement, the surgery is difficult and postoperative complications are common, especially anastomotic disunion. Medical treatment has no surgical implication, but does not prevent progression of the disease.

[Invasive thymoma extending into the superior vena cava and the right atrium: a case report and review of the literature]. / Thymome invasif à extension intra-cave supérieure et intra-atriale droite: à propos d'un cas et revue de la littérature.

If the neoplastic extension with the higher vena cava can be observed during the evolution of the invasive thymomes, the tumoral extension in the right auricle, remains on the other hand an exception. We report an invasive case of thymome to higher intracellar extension, right intraatrial and pleuropulmonary revealed by a syndrome undermines higher and a left pleurisy. The transthoracic echocardiography supplemented by the echocardiography transoesophageal pose the cardiac diagnosis of tumor, and it is the thoracic tomodensitometry which highlights a tumoral process mediastinal of malignant pace invading the left inominal venous trunk, the higher vena cava and extending in the right auricle. The diagnosis of certainty is carried by the endobronchial biopsy and the puncture tomodensitometric biopsy under control of the mediastinal mass after anatomopathological examination. Under chemotherapy, the evolution over 18 months is marked by the absence of cardiovascular complications in spite of the non regression of the tumoral mass. This observation stresses the importance of the realization of the echocardiography especially transoesophageal in front of all invasive thymome and the reliability of the puncture biopsy scanoguided like diagnoses technique not very invasive in the forms not extirpables. The forecast of this affection depends on the effectiveness of the processing. The surgery when it is possible, remains the principal therapeutic measurement which really proved reliable.