Rupture of Right Ventricular Free Wall Following Ventricular Septal Rupture in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy with Right Ventricular Involvement

Most patients diagnosed with takotsubo cardiomyopathies are expected to almost completely recover, and their prognosis is excellent. However, complications can occur in the acute phase. We present a case of a woman with takotsubo cardiomyopathy with right ventricular involvement who developed a rupture of the right ventricular free wall following ventricular septal rupture, as a consequence of an acute increase in right ventricular afterload by left-to-right shunt. Our case report illustrates that takotsubo cardiomyopathy can be life threatening in the acute phase. Ventricular septal rupture in biventricular takotsubo cardiomyopathy may be a harbinger of cardiac tamponade by right ventricular rupture.

Características clínicas, modalidades de tratamiento y mortalidad en la ruptura del septum interventricular posinfarto / Clinical characteristics and treatment of ventricular septum rupture after acute myocardial infarction

Objetivo: Conocer las características, estrategia de tratamiento y mortalidad en pacientes con infarto agudo al miocardio y ruptura del septum interventricular posinfarto. Métodos: Se incluyeron 40 pacientes atendidos en un periodo de ocho años por infarto agudo al miocardio complicado con ruptura del septum interventricular posinfarto. Se utilizó ecocardiograma para confirmar la ruptura del septum interventricular posinfarto. Se evaluaron las características clínicas, el tipo de tratamiento y la mortalidad hospitalaria. Las variables se compararon con prueba U de Mann-Withney o prueba exacta de Fisher. Resultados: Edad 64 años (56 a 73), 67% hombres, 53% diabetes, 43% hipertensión, 40% tabaquismo. Los tratamientos fueron: conservador 45%, quirúrgico 38% o dispositivo Amplatzer 17%. La mortalidad general fue de 65%, con manejo conservador 54%, con cirugía 35% y con Amplatzer 12% (p = 0.02), y estuvo asociada a menor tiempo entre infarto agudo al miocardio y ruptura del septum interventricular posinfarto (p <0.001) y menor tiempo entre ruptura del septum interventricular posinfarto y tratamiento de cierre (p <0.001). Todos los pacientes con Killip Kimbal III o IV murieron. Conclusiones: Hasta el momento no existe una estrategia de manejo en la ruptura del septum interventricular posinfarto que demuestre ventajas sobre las demás. El único marcador de buen pronóstico podría ser el mayor tiempo entre la ruptura y el tratamiento de cierre. Es probable que la indicación de manejo de las guías internacionales no aplique para todos los pacientes y estos deban estratificarse de acuerdo a su estado hemodinámico.

Objective: To identify the characteristics, management strategy and mortality of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and rupture of ventricular septum (RVS). Methods: The study included 40 patients admitted during a period of 8 years, due to AMI complicated with RVS. RVS was confirmed by echocardiogram. The clinical characteristics, type of treatment and hospital mortality were evaluated. Variables were compared by Mann-Withney U tests or Fisher exact test. Results: Patients were 64 years old (56 - 73), 67% men, 53% diabetes mellitus, 43% hypertension, 40% smokers. Treatments were medical (45%), surgical (38%) or Amplatzer (17%). Overall mortality was 65%, in conservative group was 45%, in surgery group 38%, and Amplatzer group 17% (p = 0.02), it was associated to shorter time between AMI and RVS (p <0.001) and shorter time between and treatment (p <0.001). All patients with Killipp Kimbal III or IV died. Conclusions: Currently there is no management strategy in RSV with demonstrated advantage over other strategies. The only marker with good prognosis could be a long time between rupture and treatment. It is likely that the indication of management of International guidelines does not apply to all patients and these should be stratified according to their hemodynamic status.

Perfil clínico-cirúrgico de pacientes operados por ruptura do septo interventricular pós-infarto do miocárdio / Clinical and surgical profile of patients operated for postinfarction interventricular septal rupture

OBJETIVOS: Estudar características clínicas, complicações e desfechos intra-hospitalares de pacientes operados por ruptura do septo interventricular pós-infarto. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo envolvendo 21 pacientes entre janeiro/1996 e junho/2009. Todas as operações foram realizadas na Divisão de Cirurgia Cardiovascular do Complexo Hospitalar HUOC/PROCAPE. RESULTADOS: Idade média dos pacientes foi de 62,81 anos (± 8,21), sendo 61,9 por cento (n=13) do sexo masculino. Ruptura ocorreu, em média, 4,8 dias após o infarto. Foi observado choque cardiogênico em 57,1 por cento (n=12) dos casos, sendo este fator de risco para óbito (100 por cento com choque vs. 22,2 por cento sem choque; P<0,001). Sobreviventes apresentaram média de fração de ejeção maior em comparação aos óbitos (66,29 por cento ± 4,61 por cento versus 42,71 por cento ± 4,79 por cento; P<0,001). Todos pacientes foram classificados em alto risco pelo EuroSCORE, tendo os sobreviventes média de pontuação menor em comparação aos óbitos (6,57 ± 0,53 versus 10,93 ± 2,23; P<0,001). A maioria (76,2 por cento; n=16) dos pacientes teve necessidade de uso de drogas vasoativas e 57,1 por cento (n=12) foram considerados instáveis hemodinamicamente. Necessidade de drogas vasoativas foi fator de risco para óbito (81,3 por cento no grupo com drogas vasoativas versus 20 por cento no grupo sem drogas vasoativas, P=0,025). Instabilidade hemodinâmica também foi fator de risco para óbito (100 por cento no grupo instável versus 22,2 por cento no grupo estável; P<0,001). A taxa de mortalidade intra-hospitalar foi de 66,7 por cento (n=14). CONCLUSÕES: Necessidade de drogas vasoativas, instabilidade hemodinâmica e choque cardiogênico se associaram com maiores taxas de mortalidade. Pacientes que evoluem com desfecho adverso apresentam menor função ventricular e maior pontuação no EuroSCORE. A taxa de mortalidade permanece alta.

OBJECTIVES: To study clinical features, complications and in-hospital outcomes of patients operated for postinfarction ventricular septal rupture. METHODS: A retrospective study involving 21 patients between January/1996 and June/2009. All operations were performed at the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery of Complexo Hospitalar HUOC/PROCAPE. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 62.81 years (± 8.21), 61.9 percent (n = 13) were male. Rupture occurred on average 4.8 days after infarction. Cardiogenic shock was observed in 57.1 percent (n = 12), being risk factor for death (100 percent with shock vs. 22.2 percent without shock; P<0.001). Survivors had a higher mean ejection fraction compared to deaths (66.29 percent ± 4.61 percent versus 42.71 percent ± 4.79 percent, P <0.001). All were classified as high risk by the EuroSCORE, and the survivors had lower average score compared to deaths (6.57 ± 0.53 versus 10.93 ± 2.23; P <0.001). The majority (76.2 percent, n = 16) of the patients needed to use vasoactive drugs and 57.1 percent (n = 12) considered hemodynamically unstable. Need for vasoactive drugs was a risk factor for death (81.3 percent with vasoactive drugs versus 20 percent without vasoactive drugs, P = 0.025). Hemodynamic instability was also a risk factor for death (100 percent in the unstable group versus 22.2 percent in the stable group; P <0.001). The rate of in-hospital mortality was 66.7 percent (n = 14). CONCLUSIONS: The need for vasoactive drugs, hemodynamic instability and cardiogenic shock were associated with higher rates of mortality. Patients who had adverse outcomes had less ventricular function and higher score in the EuroSCORE. Mortality remains high.

Infarto agudo al miocardio en pacientes de 80 y más años. Evolución hospitalaria y seguimiento / Clinical features and prognosis of acule myocardial infarction among patients aged 80 years or older

Background: Subjects older than 80 years have more complicated acute myocardial infarctions and are subjected to less reperfusion procedures. Aim: To describe the hospital evolution and follow up of patients older than 80 years, suffering an acute myocardial infarction. Material and methods: Patients older than 80 years, were selected from a prospective registry of acute myocardial infarction. Among these, the hospital evolution, mortality and events during a períod ofñve years of follow up, were recorded. Results: Of a total of 1200 patients, 83 (7 percent) were aged 80 years or older. Among these, 59 percent were male and 22 percent were diabetic. The mean lapse between onset of symptoms and admission was 11 hours and 59 percent were admitted with less than 6 hours of evolution. Sixty three percent had a history of a previous infarction and 24 percent had a Killip IV classification on admission. Reperfusion therapy was done in 19 percent and 70 percent had heart failure during evolution. A coronary angiography was done in 22 percent and 6 percent were subjected to revascularization. Mortality was 34 percent, specially due to cardiogenic shock or ventricular rupture. Of 55 patients discharged from the hospital, 31 percent died within one year and 64 percent within five years, mainly due to cardiac causes. Conclusions: Patients aged 80 years or older have more complicated myocardial infarctions, most of them are managed conservatively andlong term mortality is high.

Ruptura do septo interventricular após trauma torácico fechado / Ventricular septal rupture following blunt chest trauma

Relatamos a seguir um caso de ruptura do septo interventricular após trauma torácico automobilístico com evolução relativamente benigna a despeito da extensão da lesão anatômica.

We report a case of ventricular septal rupture following chest trauma resulting from a car accident. The outcome was relatively favorable despite the extension of the anatomic lesion.

Delayed Ventricular Septal Rupture after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Acute Myocardial Infarction

In the era before reperfusion therapy, ventricular septal rupture complicated 1~3% of acute myocardial infarctions (AMI) usually 3-5 days after onset. Studies have reported a positive correlation between the incidence of septal perforation and total occlusion of the coronary arteries. A 70-year old female patient was referred to the emergency room with the diagnosis of acute anterior myocardial infarction (MI) and recent cerebral infarction. The coronary angiogram showed a 90% stenosis at the mid-portion of the left anterior descending artery (LAD), and the lesion was successfully treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent implantation. After PCI, the anterior wall motion improved on the follow-up echocardiogram. However, on the 20th hospital day, the patient condition deteriorated suddenly with pulmonary congestion. The echocardiography revealed a 1.3 cm ventricular septal defect at the apical septum with a left-to-right shunt. We report this rare case of delayed septal rupture in a patient with patent LAD after PCI and recovery of wall motion.

Oclusión de ruptura septal interventricular en dos pacientes con infarto / Occlusion of interventricular septal rupture in two myocardic patients

Se describen dos casos de ruptura del séptum interventricula, secundaria a infarto miocárdico anteroseptal causado por la obstrucción total de la arteria coronaria descendente anterior. Con objeto de estabilizar hemodinámicamente a las pacientes, antes del cierre quirúrgico de la ruptura, se coluyó temporalmente el orificio septal por medio de un catéter con globo, introducido al ventrículo izquierdo desde la arteria femoral e inflado en el ventrículo derecho, frente a la ruptura, después de hacer pasar el globo por el defecto septal. Se observaron cambios hemodinámicos inmediatos a la oclusión de la ruptura: disminución en la relación entre el flujo sanguíneo pulmonar y el aórtico (6 por ciento en una paciente y 26 en la otra), reducción en el desvío arteriovenoso del flujo sanguíneo (8 y 31 por ciento) y elevación del flujo sanguíneo aórtico (10 por ciento) en una de las pacientes. Al disminuir el flujo pulmonar sin modificarse la presión arterial pulmonar, las resistencias arteriales pulmonares se elevaron inmediatamente después de la oclusión pero no se modificaron significativamente las presiones arteriales pulmonares y aórtica. Posteriormente las diferencias de O2 entre la arteria pulmonar y la aurícula derecha mostraron tendencias a mantenerse por debajo de los valores previos a la oclusión, favoreciendo la disminución del gasto y presión arteriales pulmonares. Una de las enfermas murió 14 días después del cierre quirúrgico de la ruptura septal; la otra murió antes de cirugía, siete días después de la colusión. Presentamos la evolución de las variables fisiológicas de las pacientes

Desenvolvimento tardio de insuficiência cardíaca congestiva em comunicaçäo interventricular por ferimento penetrante, com resoluçäo da hipertensäo pulmonar após correçäo cirúrgica / Late Development of Congestive Heart Failure After a Stab Wound Ventricular Septal Defect with Regression of Wound Ventricular Septal Defect with Regression of Pulmonary Hypertension After Surgical Intervention

Male, 33 years-old, with onset of heart failure and edema; he used to be completely asymptomatic but mentioned he underwent previously a pleural drainage, after a hemothorax provoked by a stab wound. His physical examination confirmed he was in heart failure and showed a harsh holosystolic murmur between mitral and tricuspid areas. Cardiac catheterization demonstrated a large apical ventricular septal defect (VSD) and systemic pulmonary arterial pressures. With oxygen there was an increase in the left to right shunt and normal pulmonary vascular resistance. The clinical diagnosis was that of a traumatic VSD provoking pulmonary hypertension although a congenital etiology could not be completely ruled out. At surgery there was a sharp cut at the pericardium and an apical epicardial lesion; the VSD was patch sutured and the patient did well with control of his heart failure. A control hemodynamic study performed within the first postoperative month showed no residual shunt and complete normalization of the pulmonary pressures and resistance

Rotura ventricular após substituiçäo da valva mitral / Ventricular rupture after mitral valve replacement

Entre 1979 e 1988, 4 casos de rotura do ventrículo esquerdo (VE), após substituiçao da valva mitral (SVM), foram registrados entre 332 pacientes. Os autores reconhecem, entre seus casos, 3 roturas na junçao atriventricular, ocorridas logo após a saída de by-pass e 1 rotura em parede posterior do VE, ocorrida na unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI). Os pacientes eram todos do sexo feminico e tinham, em média, 58 anos de idade. Tais acidentes aconteceram 3 vezes após substituiçao isolada da valva mitral e 1 vez em operaçao combinada de SVM e revascularizaçao do miocárdio. Admitem que o mecanismo principal da rotura está ligado à criaçao de zona de acinesia isquêmica localizada em parede do VE, secundária à superdistensao de anel mitral. Relacionam o desencadeamento dos acidentes com a superdistensao dos anéis valvares, avaliados com medidores inadequados, usados em coraçoes profundamente relaxados pela cardioplegia. Preconizam modificaçoes na cabeça desses medidores, adaptando-os a cabos maleáveis, de modo a permitir um posicionamento mais perfeito da cabeça do medidor do anel mitral. Admitem que o perfil mais ou menos elevado das próteses nao parece haver influenciado no aparecimento, ou na prevençao desses acidentes, mas sim na determinaçao do tipo anatômico da lesao. Estao de acordo com outros autores, quando admitem que a fragilidade do miocárdio, em pacientes idosos, agravada com a remoçao do aparelho valvar mitral (ventrículo sem sustentaçao), criaria condiçoes para o aparecimento desses acidentes. Consideram desejáveis a preservaçao do aparelho valvar mitral nas SVM, mas consideram que técnicas seguras, com essa finalidade, precisam ser ainda desenvolvidas.