A Randomized Comparison of Positional Stability: The EZ-Blocker Versus Left-Sided Double-Lumen Endobronchial Tubes in Adult Patients Undergoing Thoracic Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess if there is a difference in the repositioning rate of the EZ-Blocker versus a left-sided double-lumen endobronchial tube (DLT) in patients undergoing thoracic surgery and one-lung ventilation. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized. SETTING: Single center, university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred sixty-three thoracic surgery patients. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to either EZ-Blocker or a DLT. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was positional stability of either the EZ-Blocker or a left-sided double-lumen endobronchial tube, defined as the number of repositionings per hour of surgery and one-lung ventilation. Secondary outcomes included an ordinal isolation score from 1 to 3, in which 1 was poor, up to 3, which represented excellent isolation, and a visual analog postoperative sore throat score (0-100) on postoperative days (POD) one and two. Rate of repositionings per hour during one-lung ventilation and surgical manipulation in left-sided cases was similar between the two devices: 0.08 ± 0.15 v 0.11 ± 0.3 (p = 0.72). In right-sided cases, the rate of repositioning was higher in the EZ-Blocker group compared with DLT: 0.38 ± 0.65 v 0.09 ± 0.21 (p = 0.03). Overall, mean isolation scores for the EZ-Blocker versus the DLT were 2.76 v 2.92 (p = 0.04) in left-sided cases and 2.70 v 2.83 (p = 0.22) in right-sided cases. Median sore throat scores for left sided cases were 0 v 5 (p = 0.13) POD one and 0 v 5 (p = 0.006) POD two for the EZ-Blocker and left-sided DLT, respectively. CONCLUSION: For right-sided procedures, the positional stability of the EZ-Blocker is inferior to a DLT. In left-sided cases, the rate of repositioning for the EZ-Blocker and DLT are not statistically different.

Transesophageal Echocardiographic Evaluation of a Double Orifice Mitral Valve.

Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography currently is used routinely for many cardiothoracic surgical procedures. Although it is often used for intraoperative cardiac monitoring and to confirm preoperative echocardiographic findings, it may sometimes result in the discovery of unexpected pathology. In this e-challenge, a patient was found to have a mitral valve abnormality that was not previously detected on the preoperative transthoracic echocardiogram. The mitral valve anomaly subsequently was evaluated to characterize the anatomy, interrogate the valve, and provide a diagnosis.

Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiographic Detection of a Gerbode Defect in a Patient Referred for Aortic Valve Endocarditis: A Case Report.

This clinical challenge discusses a case in which a patient was referred for aortic valve repair or replacement due to severe aortic regurgitation from infective endocarditis. In addition to discovering a previously unknown tricuspid valve vegetation, the intraoperative echocardiographic evaluation was instrumental in revealing an undiagnosed Gerbode defect. The flow through this Gerbode defect was previously mistaken for tricuspid regurgitation, and the patient was misdiagnosed as exhibiting severe pulmonary hypertension. This case highlights the importance of reviewing preoperative echocardiographic imaging, as well as diligence in completing a thorough intraoperative transesophageal echocardiographic exam prior to cardiopulmonary bypass. In addition, while flow typically occurs in Gerbode defects during systole, this case demonstrates that flow can also occur during diastole, which was most likely due to the severe aortic regurgitation. Fortunately, the patient was able to undergo successful treatment for the unexpected sequalae of the infective endocarditis, including repair of the Gerbode defect, tricuspid valve repair, and aortic valve and root replacement. Importantly, the incorrect diagnosis of severe pulmonary hypertension was removed.

Patellar tendon rupture in a basketball player.

The patient was a 21-year-old male who was referred to physical therapy with a 1-week history of right knee pain and stiffness following an injury of traumatic onset. While attempting to jump off of both legs to dunk a basketball during a game, the patient heard and felt a pop in his right knee that was associated with an immediate onset of pain and swelling. He was unable to bear weight following the injury and, therefore, immediately went to the emergency department, where radiographs were completed and interpreted as negative for a fracture. However, the patella for the right knee was superiorly displaced. The patient was issued crutches and referred to physical therapy. At the time of the initial physical therapy examination, the patient was still not able to bear full weight on the right lower extremity or actively fully extend his right knee. Due to concern over possible meniscal, medial collateral ligament, or patellar tendon involvement, the patient's physician was contacted and magnetic resonance imaging was ordered. Five days later, the patient presented with decreased knee effusion and the special tests for the medial collateral ligament and meniscus were negative. However, the patient was still not able to actively extend his knee, suggesting a possible rupture of the patellar tendon, which was later confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging. Surgical repair of the patellar tendon was performed 2 weeks later.

Inability to Utilize Retrograde Cardioplegia due to a Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava.

A persistent left superior vena cava is a congenital abnormality that affects a minority of the general population. While this finding is not hemodynamically significant in all patients, failure to recognize the altered anatomy in any of these patients can be consequential during procedures such as central venous catheter placement, pacemaker/defibrillator wire placement, and use of retrograde cardioplegia during cardiac surgery. We present a case of an intraoperative diagnosis of a persistent left superior vena cava that altered the original plan to arrest the heart using retrograde cardioplegia. Echocardiography was instrumental in this diagnosis and avoided potentially inadequate myocardial protection during cardiopulmonary bypass.