Comparison of uniatrial and biatrial radiofrequency ablation procedures in atrial fibrillation: initial results.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most commonly sustained cardiac rhythm disturbance. Surgical ablation techniques were developed involving the left atrium only and modifications of the maze procedure in ablating both atria. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare, in patients with permanent AF, the efficacy of uniatrial versus biatrial radiofrequency ablation procedure in the treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation in patients with associated cardiac disease. METHOD: Between September 2003 and May 2009, 30 patients were submitted to the radiofrequency ablation procedure for AF associated with concomitant cardiac surgery; 15 patients underwent a uniatrial procedure, and 15 patients underwent biatrial ablation. The mean age was 47.73 ± 9.85 years, and 53.4% were men. The average followup time was 12.16 ± 10.89 months for the uniatrial group and 7.0 ± 4.0 months for the biatrial group. RESULTS: Neither hospital mortality nor complications related to radiofrequency ablation were was registered. At the time of hospital discharge, 9 patients (60%) were in a state of sinus rhythm in both groups. However, patients undergoing biatrial ablation (range 73.3% versus 46.7%) demonstrated complete freedom from atrial fibrillation at all times. CONCLUSION: Biatrial ablation surgical procedures were more effective in controlling atrial fibrillation than procedures limited to the left atrium.

Surgical biatrial ablation of atrial fibrillation: initial results.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of intraoperative radiofrequency ablation with biatrial procedure in the treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation in patients with associated cardiac disease. METHODS: Between February 2008 and May 2009, 15 consecutive patients were underwent mitral valve procedure plus modified radiofrequency biatrial ablation of chronic atrial fibrillation. The mean age was 47.73 +/- 9.85 years and 60% were male. The mean left atrial diameter was 55.06 +/- 7.56 mm. RESULTS: There were no hospital mortality or complications related to radiofrequency ablation. The mean follow-up period was 7 +/- 4 months. At the time of hospital discharge nine (60%) patients were in sinus rhythm. After a mean follow-up period 11 (73.3%) were in sinus rhythm. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative biatrial radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation, with satisfactory midterms outcomes in terms of conversion to sinus rhythm.

Topical use of antifibrinolytic agent to reduce postoperative bleeding after coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Antifibrinolytic agents reduce bleeding after cardiac surgery, but there are adverse effects after their systemic use. These effects are avoided by topical application of antifibrinolytic agents in pericardial cavity. We compared the effects of topically applied epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) and placebo on postoperative bleeding and transfusion requirements after coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS: In this single center prospective, randomized, double-blind trial, 53 patients were randomized into two groups to receive EACA (24 g in 250 ml of saline solution) or placebo (250 ml of saline solution) before sternal closure. Groups were comparable with respect to all preoperative and intraoperative variables. Postoperative bleeding, transfusion requirements and hematologic parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: Postoperative bleeding within first 24 hours (h) period (EACA group 154.66+/-74.64 x Placebo group 220.21+/-136.42 ml; P=0.031) showed statistically significant inter-group difference, within 48 h (EACA group 259.14+/-420.07 x Placebo group 141.67+/-142.58 ml; P=0.614), as well as cumulative blood loss (EACA group 832.07+/-576.86 x Placebo group 827.50+/-434.12 ml; P=0.975), not showed statistically inter-group differences. Inter-group difference of blood product requirements was statistically significant (EACA group 185.90+/-342.07 x Placebo group 439.42+/-349.07 ml; P=0.016). Laboratory analyses showed no differences between the two groups postoperative (hematologic characteristics: hemoglobin (g/dl)- EACA group 9.18+/-0.92 x Placebo group 8.85+/-1.48 g/dL; P=0.11; hematocrit (%)-EACA group 28.15+/-3.35 x Placebo group 26.67+/-4.15%; P=0.06). CONCLUSION: Topical use of epsilon aminocaproic acid reduces postoperative bleeding in the first 24 hours and requirements of blood transfusion after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Operative treatment after iatrogenic left main dissection.

Coronary dissection has a significant morbidity and mortality. The ideal management of acute coronary occlusion is the prompt restoration of the vessel patency to limit the extent and duration of ischemia. In the setting of dissection during percutaneous procedure, the usual approach has been emergency aortocoronary bypass surgery. The authors present a case of a patient with left main dissection during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. This problem was successfully managed with emergent aortocoronary bypass surgery.

[Surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation using radiofrequency]. / Ablação operatória da fibrilação atrial por radiofreqüência.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of intraoperative atrial fibrillation ablation using radiofrequency during mitral valve procedure. This report describes the early and midterms results. METHODS: Between September 2003 and September 2005, 15 patients with mitral disease were operated. All patients were in chronic atrial fibrillation and with congestive symptoms despite full medication. The patients were analysed according to clinical criteria, electrical and echocardiographic findings. RESULTS: There were no hospital mortality or complications related to radiofrequency ablation. The mean follow-up period was 12.16 +/- 10.29 months. All patients left operating room in sinus rhythm, however, before hospital discharge, only nine (60%) were in regular cardiac rhythm. During follow-up, two patients presented atrial fibrillation recurrence and currently seven (46.7%) keep sinus rhythm. CONCLUSION: Despite low morbimortality related to the procedure, initial results in this report showed a less effectiveness of this technique when compared with other papers.

Effect of ventral cardiac denervation in the incidence of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of ventral cardiac denervation in the incidence of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS: Between September and November, 50 patients without history or previous diagnosis of atrial arrhythmia from the same institution presenting coronary heart disease with indication for coronary artery graft bypass surgery were enrolled in a prospective and randomized study. The exclusion criteria were: patients older than 75 years of age, previous history of atrial arrhythmia and associated heart surgeries. Denervation was performed before cardiopulmonary bypass and it was achieved by removing the adipose tissues around the superior vena cava, aorta and pulmonary artery. The groups were compared regarding demographic, clinical and operative variables. RESULTS: There were no hospital mortalities. The additional time for the denervation was 7.64+/-2.33 minutes, and there were no associated complications. Postoperative atrial fibrillation was present in two (8%) patients of the Control Group and in three (12%) patients who underwent ventral cardiac denervation. The risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing ventral cardiac denervation was 22% higher than in the Control Group (0.56-2.66,confidence interval); however, this outcome was not statistically significant (p=0.64). CONCLUSION: Ventral cardiac denervation, despite being a fast and low-risk procedure, does not significantly reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Simultaneous repair of congenital heart defect and pectus excavatum.

The author describes the simultaneous treatment of pectus excavatum and congenital intracardiac defect (atrial septal defect) represented by the interatrial foramen secundum. An 8-year-old boy, with clinical and echocardiography diagnosis of atrial septal defect associated with pectus excavatum was referred to a simultaneous surgical treatment of both abnormalities. The simultaneous surgical treatment of both pectus excavatum and congenital intracardiac defects make it difficult to access the heart. In this case, the simultaneous surgical treatment of atrial septal defect and pectus excavatum was a valuable alternative to surgical repair of both abnormalities, mainly due to its cosmetic outcome.

Avaliação inicial da ablação operatória biatrial por radiofrequência de fibrilação atrial / Surgical biatrial ablation of atrial fibrillation: initial results

OBJETIVO: Apresentar o resultado inicial da ablação operatória de fibrilação atrial (FA) por radiofrequência irrigada, aplicada em ambos os átrios, para reversão e manutenção do ritmo sinusal, a curto e médio prazo, nos pacientes submetidos à operação cardíaca concomitante da valva mitral. MÉTODOS: Entre fevereiro de 2008 e maio de 2009, 15 pacientes consecutivos portadores de FA permanente foram submetidos à ablação intraoperatória da taquiarritmia por radiofrequência irrigada, aplicada de forma biatrial, com operação cardíaca concomitante (plastia ou troca valvar mitral). O grupo era constituído de nove (60 por cento) pacientes do sexo masculino, com idades variando de 25 a 59 anos (média de 47,73 ± 9,85 anos). O diâmetro do átrio esquerdo variou de 44 a 70 mm (média de 55,06 ± 7,56 mm). RESULTADOS: Não houve mortalidade hospitalar ou complicações relacionadas à radiofrequência. Na alta hospitalar, 9 (60 por cento) pacientes estavam em ritmo sinusal. No tempo médio de seguimento de 7 ± 4 meses, 11 (73,3 por cento) pacientes estavam em ritmo sinusal. CONCLUSÕES: A ablação operatória por radiofrequência irrigada da fibrilação atrial crônica, aplicada em ambos os átrios, é efetiva na reversão e manutenção do ritmo sinusal, no seguimento a curto e médio prazo. A inclusão de maior número de pacientes e a continuidade do seguimento pós-operatório são necessárias para confirmar a efetividade da técnica empregada.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of intraoperative radiofrequency ablation with biatrial procedure in the treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation in patients with associated cardiac disease. METHODS: Between February 2008 and May 2009, 15 consecutive patients were underwent mitral valve procedure plus modified radiofrequency biatrial ablation of chronic atrial fibrillation. The mean age was 47.73 ± 9.85 years and 60 percent were male. The mean left atrial diameter was 55.06 ± 7.56 mm. RESULTS: There were no hospital mortality or complications related to radiofrequency ablation. The mean follow-up period was 7 ± 4 months. At the time of hospital discharge nine (60 percent) patients were in sinus rhythm. After a mean follow-up period 11 (73.3 percent) were in sinus rhythm. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative biatrial radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation, with satisfactory midterms outcomes in terms of conversion to sinus rhythm.

Uso tópico de agente antifibrinolítico na redução do sangramento após revascularização cirúrgica do miocárdio / Topical use of antifibrinolytic agent to reduce postoperative bleeding after coronary artery bypass surgery

OBJETIVO: Verificar o efeito do uso tópico do ácido epsilon-aminocapróico (AEAC), aplicado na cavidade pericárdica, na redução do sangramento e necessidade de transfusão sanguínea no pós-operatório de revascularização cirúrgica do miocárdio. MÉTODOS: Entre outubro de 2007 e outubro de 2008, 53 pacientes da mesma instituição foram alocados em um estudo prospectivo, randomizado e duplo-cego. Foram selecionados portadores de insuficiência coronariana crônica com indicação para revascularização cirúrgica do miocárdio. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo AEAC e grupo Placebo, comparados de acordo com as características clínicas, demográficas e variáveis operatórias. Foram avaliados o volume de sangramento pelos drenos, a necessidade de transfusão e os níveis de hemoglobina e hematócrito de pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: O sangramento pós-operatório pelos drenos nas primeiras 24 horas (grupo AEAC 154,66±74,64 x grupo placebo 220,21±136,42 ml; P=0,031) foi menor no grupo AEAC, porém, em 48 horas (grupo AEAC 259,14±420,07 x grupo placebo 141,67±142,58 ml; P=0,197) e a perda acumulada até a retirada dos drenos (grupo AEAC 832,07±576,86 x grupo placebo 827,50±434,12 ml; P=0,975) não apresentou diferença estatística significante. Houve menor necessidade de transfusão no grupo AEAC, com diferença estatística significante (grupo AEAC 185,90±342,07 x grupo placebo 439,42±349,07 ml; P=0,016). Os valores de hemoglobina (grupo AEAC 9,18±0,92 x grupo placebo 8,85±1,48 g/dL; P=0,331) e hematócrito (grupo AEAC 28,15±3,35 x grupo placebo 26,67±4,15 por cento; P=0,162) não mostraram diferença estatística significante na comparação entre os grupos. CONCLUSÕES: O uso tópico do ácido epsilon-aminocapróico apresentou efeito favorável na redução do sangramento nas primeiras 24 horas de pós-operatório e na necessidade de transfusão sanguínea após revascularização cirúrgica do miocárdio. Trabalhos adicionais com maior número de pacientes serão necessários ...

OBJECTIVE: Antifibrinolytic agents reduce bleeding after cardiac surgery, but there are adverse effects after their systemic use. These effects are avoided by topical application of antifibrinolytic agents in pericardial cavity. We compared the effects of topically applied epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) and placebo on postoperative bleeding and transfusion requirements after coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS: In this single center prospective, randomized, double-blind trial, 53 patients were randomized into two groups to receive EACA (24 g in 250 ml of saline solution) or placebo (250 ml of saline solution) before sternal closure. Groups were comparable with respect to all preoperative and intraoperative variables. Postoperative bleeding, transfusion requirements and hematologic parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: Postoperative bleeding within first 24 hours (h) period (EACA group 154.66±74.64 x Placebo group 220.21±136.42 ml; P=0.031) showed statistically significant inter-group difference, within 48 h (EACA group 259.14±420.07 x Placebo group 141.67±142.58 ml; P=0.614), as well as cumulative blood loss (EACA group 832.07±576.86 x Placebo group 827.50±434.12 ml; P=0.975), not showed statistically inter-group differences. Inter-group difference of blood product requirements was statistically significant (EACA group 185.90±342.07 x Placebo group 439.42±349.07 ml; P=0.016). Laboratory analyses showed no differences between the two groups postoperative (hematologic characteristics: hemoglobin (g/dl)- EACA group 9.18±0.92 x Placebo group 8.85±1.48 g/dL; P=0.11; hematocrit ( percent)-EACA group 28.15±3.35 x Placebo group 26.67±4.15 percent; P=0.06). CONCLUSION: Topical use of epsilon aminocaproic acid reduces postoperative bleeding in the first 24 hours and requirements of blood transfusion after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Tratamento operatório da dissecção iatrogênica do tronco de coronária esquerda / Operative treatment after iatrogenic left main dissection

A dissecção coronária iatrogênica apresenta alta morbidade e mortalidade. Diante da oclusão aguda do fluxo coronariano, é fundamental a restauração imediata da perviabilidade do vaso para limitar a extensão e duração da isquemia. Nesta situação, pode estar indicada a revascularização cirúrgica do miocárdio de emergência. Os autores apresentam caso de um paciente com dissecção iatrogênica do tronco de coronária esquerda durante angioplastia transluminal percutânea, que foi solucionada pela realização de revascularização completa do miocárdio, com resultado satisfatório.

Coronary dissection has a significant morbity and mortality. The ideal management of acute coronary occlusion is the prompt restoration of the vessel patency to limit the extent and duration of ischemia. In the setting of dissection during percutaneous procedure, the usual approach has been emergency aortocoronary bypass surgery. The authors present a case of a patient with left main dissection during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. This problem was successfully managed with emergent aortocoronary bypass surgery.

Ablação operatória da fibrilação atrial por radiofreqüência / Surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation using radiofrequency

OBJETIVO: Avaliar, prospectivamente, a efetividade da ablação operatória da fibrilação atrial (FA) pelo uso da radiofreqüência, para reversão ao ritmo sinusal e sua manutenção a curto e médio prazo, nos pacientes submetidos a intervenção operatória sobre a valva mitral. MÉTODOS: Entre setembro de 2003 e setembro de 2005, 15 pacientes com indicação de operação da valva mitral associada ao diagnóstico de FA crônica foram operados com aplicação de radiofreqüência intra-operatória apenas no endocárdio do átrio esquerdo. A idade variou de 28 a 59 anos (46,33 ± 9,54 anos), sendo 10 (66,7 por cento) pacientes do sexo feminino. O diâmetro do átrio esquerdo pelo ecocardiograma variou de 48 a 71 mm (56,66 ± 6,77mm). RESULTADOS: Não ocorreu nenhum óbito hospitalar ou complicações relacionadas à utilização de radiofreqüência. O tempo médio de acompanhamento foi 12,16 ± 10,29 meses. Todos os pacientes deixaram a sala de operação em ritmo sinusal, porém, antes da alta hospitalar, somente nove (60 por cento) estavam em ritmo cardíaco regular, apesar da utilização de drogas antiarrítmicas e/ou cardioversão elétrica, na tentativa de reversão e manutenção do ritmo sinusal. Durante o seguimento, outros dois pacientes retornaram para FA e atualmente sete (46,7 por cento) encontram-se em ritmo sinusal. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar da baixa morbimortalidade operatória da ablação de FA por radiofreqüência, os resultados iniciais obtidos neste trabalho sugerem menor efetividade no tratamento da arritmia (FA), quando comparado a outros trabalhos da literatura que utilizaram a mesma técnica proposta.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of intraoperative atrial fibrillation ablation using radiofrequency during mitral valve procedure. This report describes the early and midterms results. METHODS: Between September 2003 and September 2005, 15 patients with mitral disease were operated. All patients were in cronic atrial fibrillation and with congestive symptoms despite full medication. The patients were analysed according to clinical criteria, electrical and echocardiographic findings. RESULTS: There were no hospital mortality or complications related to radiofrequency ablation. The mean follow-up period was 12.16 ± 10.29 months. All patients left operating room in sinus rhythm, however, before hospital discharge, only nine (60 percent) were in regular cardiac rhythm. During follow-up, two patients presented atrial fibrillation recurrence and currently seven (46.7 percent) keep sinus rhythm. CONCLUSION: Despite low morbimortality related to the procedure, initial results in this report showed a less effectiveness of this technique when compared with other papers.

Efeito da denervação cardíaca ventral na incidência de fibrilação atrial após revascularização cirúrgica do miocárdio / Effect of ventral cardiac denervation in the incidence of atrial fibrilation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

OBJETIVO: Verificar o efeito da denervação cardíaca ventral na incidência de fibrilação atrial no pós-operatório de revascularização cirúrgica do miocárdio. MÉTODOS: Entre setembro e novembro de 2005, 50 pacientes consecutivos da mesma instituição foram alocados neste estudo prospectivo e randomizado. Foram selecionados pacientes portadores de insuficiência coronariana com indicação de revascularização cirúrgica do miocárdio, sem história ou diagnóstico prévio de arritmia atrial. Os critérios de exclusão foram: idade acima de 75 anos, história prévia de arritmia atrial e operações cardíacas associadas. A denervação era realizada antes do início da circulação extracorpórea pela remoção do tecido gorduroso ao redor da veia cava superior, aorta e artéria pulmonar. Os grupos foram comparados de acordo com as características clínicas, demográficas e variáveis operatórias. RESULTADOS: Não houve mortalidade hospitalar em ambos os grupos. O tempo médio adicional para realização da denervação foi de 7,64 + 2,33 minutos e não houve complicações associadas ao procedimento. Cinco pacientes apresentaram fibrilação atrial no pós-operatório, sendo dois (8 por cento) no grupo controle e três (12 por cento) no grupo denervação. O risco dos pacientes do grupo denervação apresentarem fibrilação atrial foi 22 por cento maior do que no grupo controle (intervalo de confiança, 0,56-2,66), porém, este resultado não foi estatisticamente significativo (p=0,64). CONCLUSÕES: A denervação cardíaca ventral, apesar de rápida execução e de baixo risco, não apresentou efeito na redução da incidência de fibrilação atrial no pós-operatório de revascularização cirúrgica do miocárdio.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of ventral cardiac denervation in the incidence of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS: Between September and November, 50 patients without history or previous diagnosis of atrial arrhythmia from the same institution presenting coronary heart disease with indication for coronary artery graft bypass surgery were enrolled in a prospective and randomized study. The exclusion criteria were: patients older than 75 years of age, previous history of atrial arrhythmia and associated heart surgeries. Denervation was performed before cardiopulmonary bypass and it was achieved by removing the adipose tissues around the superior vena cava, aorta and pulmonary artery. The groups were compared regarding demographic, clinical and operative variables. RESULTS: There were no hospital mortalities. The additional time for the denervation was 7.64±2.33 minutes, and there were no associated complications. Postoperative atrial fibrillation was present in two (8 percent) patients of the Control Group and in three (12 percent) patients who underwent ventral cardiac denervation. The risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing ventral cardiac denervation was 22 percent higher than in the Control Group (0.56-2.66,confidence interval); however, this outcome was not statistically significant (p=0.64). CONCLUSION: Ventral cardiac denervation, despite being a fast and low-risk procedure, does not significantly reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Correção simultânea de defeito congênito intracardíaco e pectus excavatum / Simultaneous repair of congenital heart defect and pectus excavatum

Relatamos tratamento simultâneo de pectus excavatum e defeito congênito intracardíaco representado por comunicação interatrial ostium secundum. Paciente do sexo masculino, 8 anos de idade, com diagnóstico clínico e ecocardiográfico de comunicação interatrial...