Coronary revascularization in septuagenarians.

Despite a 15 year experience with the aorta-coronary bypass operation, indications for its use remain unsettled, especially in the elderly. Between January, 1974, and June, 1980, 2,667 patients underwent coronary artery revascularization with an overall mortality of 3.8% (101/2,667). During the last 12 months the mortality has decreased to 1%. There were 2,562 patients below the age of 70, with a mortality of 3.5% (90/2,562), in contrast to 105 patients over the age of 70, with a mortality of 10.5% (11/105) (p = 0.002). In patients less than 70 years of age there was a significant difference between the mortality of men, 3.12% (67/2,146), and that of women, 5.53% (23/416) (p = 0.015). This disparity of operative risk was far more pronounced in patients over 70 years of age: men 6% (5/84) and women 28.6% (6/21) (p = 0.002). The overall operative mortality of women, 6.6% (29/437), was significantly different from the overall mortality of men, 3.2% (72/2,230) (p = 0.001). An in depth analysis of past medical history, risk factors, and catheterization data is presented in those patients over the age of 70. The average number of vessels bypassed was 2.40: men 2.47 and women 2.09 (p = NS). The ages varied from 70 to 81 years with a mean of 72.5. Smoking (p = 0.012) and diabetes (p = 0.0078) were significant risk factors for coronary disease. Smoking (p = 0.032) and abnormal pulmonary artery pressures (p = 0.0429) were significant variables affecting mortality. A 97.1% follow-up was obtained up to 78 months. Coronary artery revascularization can be performed in men below the age of 70 with acceptable mortality, but there is a twofold increase above the age of 70. Women can undergo revascularization below the age of 70 with a significantly higher risk than males. Those above the age of 70 are at severe risk and should undergo revascularization only after careful selection.

Comparison of early and long-term results with intraoperative transluminal balloon catheter dilatation and coronary artery bypass grafting.

Twenty-six patients with chronic stable angina underwent intraoperative coronary artery balloon catheter dilatation and concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In one patient (3.8%) the catheter could not be passed through the arterial narrowing, and in two patients (8%) early angiographic evidence for arterial damage was detected. Postoperative angiographic data were available in 85% of patients early (mean 10 days) and in 50% of patients late (mean 12 months). Early results showed one perioperative myocardial infarction, 100% relief of angina, and no operative mortality. Compared to preoperative studies, of 23 angiographically visualized distal narrowings dilated in an antegrade fashion, 12 (52%) were unchanged, two (9%) were worse, and nine (39%) were improved. Those arterial segments with discrete distal narrowings (n = 13) had better angiographic results than those with diffuse distal narrowings (n = 9). In 49% of the former and in 22% of the latter arterial narrowings, improvement (increased luminal diameter) was documented postoperatively. In addition, there were four proximal narrowings which were dilated in a retrograde fashion; three were unchanged and one was improved compared to preoperative studies. Only one of 27 dilated segments (3%) was totally occluded postoperatively. Late results showed two patients (8%) developed recurrent chest pain and one patient (4%) died related to congestive heart failure. The two patients who had angiographically documented coronary arterial intimal injury showed evidence of resolution at late study. In 13 distal narrowings, six (46%) were unchanged, three (23%) were worse, and four (31%) were improved compared to the preoperative appearance. In 10 distal narrowings visualized both early and late postoperatively, nine were unchanged and one was worse. In summary, coronary artery balloon catheter dilatation during CABG is relatively safe and is associated with acceptable clinical results. Angiographic evidence for improvement is less than symptomatic relief postoperatively. Therefore, objective evaluation may be necessary for accurate determination of operative results. The need for a national registry related to intraoperative angioplasty is probably warranted.

Biochemical and ultrastructural integrity of the saphenous vein conduit during coronary artery bypass grafting. Preliminary results of the effect of papaverine.

Factors associated with early and late graft patency related to aorta-coronary artery bypass grafting with a reversed segment of saphenous vein are clinically important. The present investigation examines the biochemical and electron microscopic integrity of this venous conduit intraoperatively with regard to pharmacologic manipulation with papaverine. Portions of saphenous vein were analyzed in 22 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass operations. Levels of a stable derivative of prostacyclin, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, were measured by radioimmunoassay. Scanning as well as transmission electron microscopy was also performed. In particular, the efficacy of local vein treatment with papaverine, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, was evaluated. We found that levels of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in venous effluent showed a biphasic response with initial elevation followed by a relative depression after papaverine exposure. There were no such changes observed in veins subjected to a balanced electrolyte solution (Plasma-Lyte). In addition, levels of the platelet-inhibitory substance 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in venous tissue were less in papaverine-treated veins than those found in veins treated only with the balanced electrolyte solution (Plasma-Lyte). Furthermore, evidence for ultrastructural damage was also somewhat greater in the papaverine-treated group. An alternative method of dilating the saphenous vein after harvesting, which involves the creation of the proximal aorta-coronary anastomosis first and gentle finger manipulation subsequently, appeared to minimize venous injury. Under present clinical conditions, it appears that some amount of injury is inevitable during harvesting and suturing of the human saphenous vein during coronary bypass grafting.

Macroamylasemia.

Macroamylasemia, characterized by hyperamylasemia and a normal urinary amylase, has no known specific clinical symptoms. The disparity in serum and urinary amylase levels is due to a macromolecular amylase complex too large for glomerular filtration. This syndrome is presented in a patient with cholecystitis and a partial small bowel obstruction accompanied by persistent pre- and postoperative hyperamylasemia with proven macroamylasemia. The renal amylase clearance to creatinine clearance (CAM/CCR) ratio confirms this hyperamylasemic entity.

Management of surgical gastrointestinal complications in renal transplant recipients.

Gastrointestinal (GI) complications developed in 19 (7.2%) of 265 patients after renal transplantation, and 3 (16%) patients died. Complications included colon perforations, colonic bleeding, small-bowel infarction, pancreatitis, subphrenic abscess, and upper GI tract bleeding. Ulcers located in the second portion of the duodenum developed in six patients; four of them required operation for massive hemorrhage, which occurred during or immediately after the administration of high-dose methylprednisolone for rejection. However, the association of methylprednisolone and colon perforation was not clear from this report. Early diagnosis and prompt operation for surgical-type GI complications in transplant recipients contribute to a low mortality.

Disruption of aortic arch branches due to nonpenetrating chest trauma.

From 1967 through 1979, six patients sustained non-penetrating chest trauma with disruption of the Innominate, carotid, and subclavian arteries. Diagnosis was established in each case by aortography. Two patients with subclavian artery injuries underwent exploration through lateral thoracotomies, and three patients underwent sternotomy for innominate artery disruptions. A cervical approach was used for a common carotid artery disruption. One patient had innominate and left common carotid artery disruption. Two patients with subclavian injuries had associated bronchial disruptions. Cardiopulmonary bypass was used in one patient and should be available in all cases. One patient died with multiple vessel and bronchial disruption. A variety of repairs were used, varying from simple oversewing of the subclavian artery to elaborate graft replacement of the innominate and left common carotid arteries.

Superficial femoral-profunda femoris artery transposition.

Generally, either reconstruction of or bypassing the femoropopliteal artery is used in lower-limb ischemia. During the last three years, five patients with advanced aortoiliac atherosclerotic occlusive disease, occlusion of the superficial femoral arteries, and multiple stenotic lesions of the profunda femoris artery underwent aortofemoral bypass, superficial femoral artery eversion endarterectomy, and superficial femoral-profunda femoris artery transposition. Three patients have been followed up to four years with patent grafts. One patient died in the immediate postoperative period of a cerebrovascular accident and another required amputation because of persistent ischemic changes and severe "distal" vessel disease. Revascularization of the profunda is necessary when there is concurrent superficial femoral artery occlusion and stenotic lesions of the profunda femoris artery. Transposition of an endarterectomized superficial femoral artery to distal undiseased profunda femoris artery affords on alternative revascularization procedure in the multisegmental diseased profunda where a long segmental endarterectomy of the profunda femoris artery would be hazardous.

One-lung high-frequency ventilation for tracheoplasty and bronchoplasty: a new technique.

Major airway surgery requires the maintenance of adequate ventilation and oxygenation during the period of resection and reconstruction, as well as an unobstructed surgical field and optimal access to the airway's circumference. High-frequency positive-pressure ventilation (HFPPV) at a frequency of 1 Hz (60 breaths/min) or more, along with a small tidal volume (50 to 250 cc), provides adequate ventilation and oxygenation with minimal impairment of pulmonic and systemic circulatory functions. We have used HFPPV of one lung through a 2 mm internal diameter catheter in six patients (three undergoing right sleeve pneumonectomies, two having carinal tumor resections, and one having tracheal resection). High-frequency positive-pressure ventilation of the left lung provided continuous and adequate ventilation and oxygenation during the period of resection and reconstruction of the airways, while the small catheter permitted unimpaired visualization and adequate access to the operative site.

Coarctation of the aorta: four unusual instances.

Four unusual instances of coarctation of the aorta are presented. Three coarctations were located proximal to the left subclavian artery, and the other was in the normal location with a patent ductus arteriosus and an anomalous distal right subclavian artery. Unusual coarctations can be identified on physical examination on the basis of variations of blood pressure and pulses in the upper extremities. Unilateral rib notching may be noted on chest roentgenogram, and an aortogram can delineate its exact location. Four separate means of surgical repair are described.

Relative efficacy of left ventricular venting and venous drainage techniques commonly used during coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Sixty patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease undergoing coronary artery bypass graft operation were prospectively randomized into one of six equal groups based on the intraoperative method of left ventricular venting and venous drainage. Group 1 had bicaval venous drainage without snaring and left ventricular venting through the superior pulmonary vein; Group 2, two-stage venous drainage and venting as in Group 1; Group 3, bicaval venous drainage without snaring and no left ventricular vent; Group 4, two-stage venous drainage and no left ventricular vent; Group 5, bicaval venous drainage without snaring and with ascending aortic venting through a catheter; and Group 6, two-stage venous drainage and venting as in Group 5. Left ventricular performance was determined by radionuclide ventriculography from which global ejection fraction and regional wall motion were determined. Cardiac output was obtained by the thermodilution technique. Myocardial temperature was assessed by a needle thermistor during aortic cross-clamping. Serial electrocardiograms and levels of myocardial-specific isoenzymes (serum CPK-MB) were also analyzed. Each of the techniques tested was equally effective as determined by an analysis of intraoperative myocardial cooling and postoperative hemodynamic profiles, radionuclide ventriculography, and ECG or enzymatic evidence of myocardial damage. However, we maintain that this conclusion is valid only if adequate ventricular decompression is provided intraoperatively.

Tracheal agenesis.

Tracheal agenesis is a rare cause of respiratory distress in the neonatal period. Temporary survival depends on ventilation through the esophagus. Thirty-eight case reports of tracheal agenesis (including one from this institution) have appeared in the literature. In this paper, we present the case reports of our 2 patients and review the literature. Tracheal agenesis is associated with a wide variety of congenital anomalies, the most frequent being ventricular septal defect. A new classification encompassing seven types of tracheal agenesis is described.

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery: relative efficacy of initial proximal versus distal anastomoses.

Controversy exists concerning the most appropriate sequence of anastomoses in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures. While the more commonly employed method of distal coronary anastomoses first has withstood a long clinical experience, a recent study and several cardiac surgical groups have suggested that construction of the proximal anastomoses first offers certain advantages. In 30 patients undergoing CABG, we performed a prospective, randomized trial comparing both techniques. Relative efficacy was assessed by hemodynamic, radionuclide, electrocardiographic, enzymatic, thermographic, and clinical evaluation. The length of cardiopulmonary bypass was longer in the group having the distal anastomoses done first. Myocardial temperature mapping was similar between groups. Hemodynamic changes, including cardiac output, ejection fraction, and regional wall motion, were nearly identical between the groups. The incidence of myocardial damage reflected by levels of myocardial-specific isoenzymes (serum CK-MB) and electrocardiographic changes was also similar. In conclusion, the sequence of anastomoses is not critical in routine CABG operations. However, we speculate that each technique may have certain advantages under different clinical circumstances found on occasion. Ideally, each method should be part of the coronary surgeon's armamentarium.

Emergency coronary artery bypass graft surgery for threatened acute myocardial infarction related to coronary artery catheterization.

In 20 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization, usually involving balloon-catheter dilation or streptokinase infusion, catheter-induced coronary artery intimal damage resulted in severe chest pain, electrocardiographic evidence of obstruction or dissection of a major coronary artery. These patients were surgically revascularized within 8 hours after the onset of the acute chest pain syndrome. Our experience with pharmacological and catheter-related manipulations to improve coronary blood flow after the ischemic episode but before operation suggested that the additional time spent in the catheterization laboratory was worthwhile. The injured coronary artery was the left anterior descending in 10 patients, the right in 8, the left main in 1 patient, and an obtuse marginal branch of the circumflex in 1. The average number of grafts per patient was 2.5; only 6 patients had single bypass grafts. In 5 patients, intraaortic balloon pumping was used either preoperatively or postoperatively. Inotropic support was used postoperatively in 5 patients, and 7 patients received lidocaine for ventricular irritability. Abnormal elevation of the serum isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB) was seen in 8 patients, and new Q waves were noted in 4 patients; 3 of these 4 patients with new Q waves also had abnormal serum CK-MB levels. Global ejection fraction obtained by the equilibrium-gated blood pool scan postoperatively was 60 +/- 3%, which was similar to the 62 +/- 3% obtained from the contrast-determined ventriculogram done preoperatively prior to the catheter-related injury. There were no early or late deaths, but morbidity was much higher in the group who had emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) compared with those who had elective CABG.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Clinical and angiographic experience with intraoperative transluminal balloon-catheter dilatation and coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Between April, 1980 and October, 1983, 40 patients with chronic stable angina pectoris underwent intraoperative transluminal balloon-catheter dilatation and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The main indication for this combined procedure was diffuse symptomatic coronary artery disease with at least one coronary artery having two or more areas of narrowing. Intraoperative dilatation was performed upon 42 coronary arteries involving 57 narrowed arterial segments where dilatation was attempted. The balloon-tipped catheter could not be passed through two stenotic sites. There was no documented perforation but unrecognized intimal injury was observed in two patients at postoperative catheterization. There was one perioperative myocardial infarction, one operative death and 97% early relief of angina pectoris. In 25 distal arterial narrowings that were studied angiographically in the early postoperative period (mean 10 days), 15 (60%) were unchanged, 2 (8%) were worse and 8 (32%) were improved compared to the preoperative angiogram. Patients with discrete narrowings did better than those who had balloon dilatation for diffuse narrowings; 49% of the former as compared to 17% of the latter had angiographic evidence for improvement. During the follow-up period (mean 30 months), three patients developed recurrent angina pectoris and one died of congestive heart failure. Thirteen distal arterial narrowings were studied angiographically late postoperatively (mean 12 months). In these 13 areas, 6 (46%) were unchanged, 3 (23%) were worse and 4 (31%) were improved compared to preoperative angiograms. Additionally, 10 arterial narrowings were observed angiographically, both early and late postoperatively. Nine of these serially observed segments remained unchanged while one became worse.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Megacolon in the elderly. Ischemic or inflammatory?

Ischemic colitis has been previously described in three forms: transient, strictured, and gangrenous. A fourth form of presentation in the elderly is characterized by signs of an acute abdomen, massive colonic dilatation, and systemic toxicity. Bloody diarrhea may be seen prior to the onset of dilatation. Ischemia should be considered as an etiologic factor in "colitis" in the elderly patient with segmental dilatation particularly if it follows a "low flow state." The rectum is usually uninvolved. Barium enema may confirm segmental involvement and later demonstrate stricture. Three patients with ischemic megacolon are presented. The diagnosis was suspected preoperatively in only one. In contrast to ulcerative colitis, these patients show a more abrupt onset and run a fulminant course. In patients who recover, there is lower relapse rate than young patients with ulcerative colitis. When resection is indicated, all attempts should be made to spare the rectum. Loop ileostomy and decompressive colostomy offer an excellent temporizing measure to assist the patient through the acute phase of the illness.

Intraoperative balloon-catheter dilatation: University of Florida experience.

Thirty-four patients with stable angina underwent coronary artery bypass surgery with supplemental intraoperative coronary artery balloon-catheter dilatation. Coronary dilatation was performed on 35 vessels at 50 sites. The balloon catheter could not be passed through one stenotic site. Intimal dissection occurred at two sites, as noted on early postoperative angiographic studies, with resolution on follow-up studies. There was one perioperative myocardial infarction, 100% early relief of angina, and one operative death. Of 25 distal arterial narrowings studied early by angiography (mean, 10 days), 15 (60%) were unchanged, two (8%) were worse, and eight (32%) were improved. Discrete narrowings improved more than diffuse narrowings; in 46% of the former there was an increase in luminal diameter, in comparison to only 17% of the latter. During a maximal 34-month follow-up period, two patients developed recurrent angina and one died of congestive heart failure. Of 13 distal coronary narrowings studied late (mean, 1 year), six (46%) were unchanged, three (23%) were worse, and four (31%) were improved. Postoperative serial catheterization (early and late) of 10 distal narrowings revealed that nine were unchanged and one was worse. Adjunctive intraoperative coronary balloon-catheter dilatation can be performed safely with acceptable clinical results. The procedure may also allow more complete revascularization of the myocardium.