Chylothorax after coronary artery bypass grafting: Is it always early?

BACKGROUND: Chylothorax is a rare complication of cardiothoracic surgical interventions and usually presents early in the postoperative period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present a case of 63 years female who presented with chylothorax 5 months after undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Chylothorax should be considered in patients with recurrent pleural effusions even if the effusions do not have the typical milky appearance. Although chylothorax in most cases will present early in post operative period, it should be remembered that it can present in a delayed manner. Morbidity and health care costs associated with this entity can be remarkably high and therefore it is of great importance to diagnose and treat it.

Early and midterm results of extended septal myectomy: Indian experience.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is a genetic disorder, which is a cause of significant morbidity and sudden cardiac death. Extended septal myectomy (ESM) is the therapeutic gold standard to treat left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) in HOCM resulting in long-term symptomatic relief. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of ESM on midterm symptom relief, LVOTO, and survival in patients suffering from HOCM in the Indian population. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 36 consecutive symptomatic patients with HOCM having symptoms refractory to medical treatment and LVOTO with resting gradient ≥ 50 mmHg and who underwent ESM at our institution from 2010 to 2019. Preoperative and postoperative transthoracic echocardiography was performed to assess left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient, septal thickness, and assessment of valvar and cardiac function. RESULTS: ESM was performed successfully in all 36 patients. The mean preoperative LVOT gradient was 113.06 ± 36.70 mmHg and decreased to 15.17 ± 7.30 mmHg (p < .0001) in the initial postoperative period. There were two in-hospital deaths (5.6%). There was no further mortality in the subsequent follow-up. The mean septal thickness was 23.89 ± 5.77 mm preoperatively and 13.17 ± 3.48 mm (p < .0001) postoperatively. During a mean follow-up of 2 years, the NYHA functional class improved from 3.50 ± 0.70 (III-IV) to 1.50 ± 0.70 (I) (p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: ESM results in immediate abolition of mechanical obstruction to LVOT with normalization of left ventricular pressure and eliminates symptoms associated with HOCM.

Aneurysm of Pulmonary Sinus of Valsalva: Successful Management of a Case.

Pulmonary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is an extremely rare entity, reported only twice in the literature. It can remain asymptomatic or can present with symptoms when associated with pulmonary artery aneurysms. We present a case of pulmonary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm causing severe right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. This report aims to alert the physicians of such an entity when evaluating the causes of subvalvar right ventricular outflow tract obstruction.