Recurrent mitral regurgitation due to ruptured artificial chordae: case report and review of the literature.

The use of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) sutures has become an established method to correct mitral regurgitation due to elongated or ruptured mitral chordae. Mitral valve repair using artificial chordae has demonstrated excellent long-term results, particularly as ePTFE retains its flexibility with time and is highly resistant to mechanical stress. On conducting a literature review, four cases were found of recurrent mitral regurgitation due to the late (6-14 years postoperatively) rupture of ePTFE chordae. Herein, the case is described of artificial chordal rupture that required reoperation at 11 years after the initial mitral valve repair. In all previously reported cases, chordal rupture was related to the calcification of ePTFE, whereas in the present case only minimal calcification was observed at histology, and chordal rupture was most likely due to ePTFE fatigue-induced lesion. Although rare, rupture of the artificial chordae may cause recurrent mitral regurgitation; hence, the continuous monitoring of these patients, especially when the follow up extends beyond 10 years, appears mandatory.

Aortopulmonary fistula after a modified Bentall procedure.

A 68-year-old man presented with aortic pseudoaneurysm and aortopulmonary fistula, due to dehiscence of the left coronary button anastomosis, at three months after surgery for acute aortic dissection using a composite conduit. At reoperation, the pulmonary trunk was repaired by direct suture and the coronary ostial anastomosis with single sutures, reinforced with pericardial pledgets from inside the aortic graft. Aortopulmonary fistula due to pseudoaneurysm formation is an extremely rare complication of operations on the proximal aorta. Furthermore, pseudoaneurysm caused by dehiscence of a coronary anastomosis complicated by an aortopulmonary fistula, as in the present case, has been previously reported only twice. Patients with acute aortic dissection, due to tissue fragility, appear particularly prone to develop such complications, which can occur even in the early postoperative period. Therefore, after the repair of acute aortic dissection, particularly when the insertion of a composite conduit is required, continuous follow up is mandatory for the early detection of this rare, but potentially lethal, complication.

Splenectomy and Valve Replacement in Patients With Infective Endocarditis and Splenic Abscesses.

In patients with infective endocarditis (IE), splenic involvement is a rare but well-known adverse event. The treatment of patients with IE and splenic abscesses is still challenging and controversial. We report 3 patients with IE and splenic abscesses who underwent successful valve replacement and splenectomy. Our experience confirms that in such a patient, a valve operation combined with splenectomy can be performed with excellent results during the same hospitalization. The timing of splenectomy and the type of surgical approach should be based mainly on the stability of a patient's hemodynamic condition.

Single center experience with the Sorin Bicarbon prosthesis: a 17-year clinical follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term results of aortic valve replacement (AVR) and mitral valve replacement (MVR) with the Sorin Bicarbon prosthesis (SBP). METHODS: Five hundred seven patients (306 men, 201 women), mean age 62±10 years (range, 21-86 years), received an SBP between 1994 and 2000; AVR was performed in 344 (67%) and MVR in 163 (33%). The main concomitant procedure was coronary artery grafting in 79 patients (16%). Follow-up was 99% complete; mean follow-up was 12.7±4.0 years with a cumulative duration of follow-up of 6475 patient-years in the entire group (4348 patient-years for AVR and 2124 patient-years for MVR). RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 2.7% (AVR, 2.03%; MVR, 4.3%). There were 169 late deaths (AVR, 128; MVR, 41). Actuarial survival at 17 years is 49.7%±5.3% for AVR and 62.0%±6.1% for MVR. At the last follow-up, 310 survivors (199 AVR, 111 MVR) are in New York Heart Association functional class I or II. At 17 years, actuarial freedom from valve-related deaths, embolism, and bleeding is 89.8%±4.8%, 85.8%±5.4%, and 96.2%±1.2% after AVR, and 91.9%±3.9%, 96.3%±1.8%, 95.0%±2.9% after MVR. Reoperation was required in 5 patients with AVR (thrombosis in 4 and perivalvular leak in 1). Actuarial freedom from reoperation is 98.1%±0.8% after AVR and 100% after MVR; freedom from endocarditis is 100% after AVR and 99.2%±0.7% after MVR. No cases of intrinsic structural valve failure were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The SBP has shown excellent results in terms of clinical improvement and freedom from valve-related complications, even up to 17 years after AVR and MVR. It therefore seems to be a safe option whenever a mechanical prosthesis is needed.

One-step laparoscopic and endoscopic treatment of gallbladder and common bile duct stones: our experience of the last 9 years in a retrospective study.

The optimal timing and best method for removal of common bile duct stones (CBDS) associated with gallbladder stones (GBS) is still controversial. The aim of this study is to investigate the outcomes of a single-step procedure combining laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), intraoperative cholangiography (IOC), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Between January 2003 and January 2012, 1972 patients underwent cholecystectomy at our hospital. Of those, 162 patients (8.2%; male/female 72/90) presented with GBS and suspected CBDS. We treated 54 cases (Group 1) with ERCP and LC within 48 to 72 hours. In 108 patients (Group 2) we performed LC with IOC and, if positive, was associated with IO-ERCP and sphincterotomy. In Group 1, a preoperative ERCP and LC were completed in 50 patients (30%). In four cases (2%), an ERCP and endobiliary stents were performed without cholecystectomy and then patients were discharged because of the severity of clinical conditions and advanced American Society of Anesthesiologists score (III to IV). Two months later a preoperative ERCP and removal of biliary stents were performed followed by LC 48 to 72 hours later. In Group 2, the IOC was performed in all cases and CBDS were extracted in 94 patients (87%). In two cases, the laparoscopic choledochotomy was necessary to remove large stones. In another two cases, an open choledochotomy was performed to remove safely the stones with T-tube drainage. In three cases, conversion was necessary to safely complete the procedure. The mean operative time was 95 minutes (range, 45 to 150 minutes) in Group 1 and 130 minutes (range, 50 to 300 minutes) in Group 2. The mean hospital stay was 6.5 days (range, 4 to 21 days) in Group 1 and 4.7 days (range, 3 to 14 days) in Group 2. Five cases (two in Group 2 and three in Group 1) presented with CBDS at 12 to 18 months after surgery. They were treated successfully with a second ERCP. There was no perioperative mortality. Our experience suggests that when clinically and technically feasible, a single-stage approach combining LC, IOC, and ERCP to the patients diagnosed with chole-choledocholithiasis is indicated. The IO-ERCP with CBDS extraction is a safe and effective method with low risk of postoperative pancreatitis. One-step treatment is more comfortable for the patient and also reduces the mean hospital stay.

Delayed papillary muscle rupture following repair of post-infarction ventricular septal defect.

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) and papillary muscle rupture are severe complications of myocardial infarction which are usually observed individually although their simultaneous occurrence has been observed in pathological studies. An 82-year-old female underwent repair of a post-infarction VSD and 13 days later required mitral valve replacement due to delayed papillary muscle rupture. Mechanical complications of myocardial infarction can occur in the same patient even in delayed fashion and a two-stage correction may be successfully accomplished.