Metastasis from cervical carcinoma presenting with acute intestinal obstruction – a case report.

Abstract : A 55 yr. old woman attended emergency with acute intestinal obstruction ..The patient underwent emergency surgical procedure of intestinal resection after straight X-ray,few haematological and biochemical investigations. On gross examination ileal stricture due to mass in ileocaecal region with mesenteric lymph nodes found which on histological examination came out to be a squamous cell carcinoma with metastatic deposit in lymph node.The patient had a hysterectomy done 3&1/2 years back for Stage IIB squamous cell carcinoma of cervix for which she received chemoradiation.The intestinal obstruction very likely to be a metastatic presentation.

Glial heterotopia presenting as nasal polyp - Report of two cases.

This report described two cases of nasal glial heterotopia which primarily presented as nasal polyp. Glial heterotopia one form of congenital midline nasal mass is a rare anomaly usually detected at birth. There are congenital malformation of displaced normal, mature glial tissue, which is no longer in continuity with an intracranial component. The case reports correlates clinical findings with immunohistochemical investigations.

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect using self-expandable septal occluder.

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect is an accepted alternative to surgical closure. It was attempted in 63 patients (age range 1.5-55 years) using self-expandable Amplatzer septal occluder (AGA Med. Co., USA). The atrial septal anatomy was evaluated by transthoracic and multiplane transoesophageal echocardiography with special reference to septal margins and adjacent structures. The size of atrial septal defect on echocardiographic evaluation varied from 9-28 (17.5 +/- 4.7) mm. Fifty (79.4%) patients had adequate septal margins of 5 mm or larger, while remaining 13 (20.6%) had insufficient anterosuperior margin. Cardiac catheterisation revealed Qp/Qs ranging from 1.5 to 5.3 and balloon-stretched atrial septal defect diameter of 10-32 (20.3 +/- 5.3) mm. The procedure was overall successful in 62 (98.4%) patients and in all patients with insufficient anterosuperior margin. Embolisation of the device occurred in one (1.6%) patient within five minutes of the device release, which could not be retrieved non-surgically. Size of the device used was either same or preferably 1-3 mm more than the balloon-stretched atrial septal defect diameter. Total procedure time was 40-90 (59 +/- 12.4) minutes and the fluoroscopy time was 12-30 (17.3 +/- 4.2) minutes. Immediate post-procedure and pre-discharge echocardiography in patients with successful deployment of the device revealed complete abolition of shunt in 61 (98.4%) and trivial residual shunt in one (1.6%) patient. No patient developed atrioventricular valve regurgitation or cardiac arrhythmias. Thus, atrial septal defect closure using self-expandable septal occluder is a safe and efficacious procedure requiring a short procedural time. There is full control in the system for proper positioning or repositioning of the device with excellent technical success rate even in cases with insufficient anterosuperior septal margin.

Emergency mitral valve replacement for traumatic mitral insufficiency following balloon mitral valvotomy: an early haemodynamic study.

Acute severe mitral insufficiency may occur during percutaneous transvenous balloon mitarl valvotomy. Urgent surgical intervention in the form of mitral valve repair or replacement may be necessary in these patients. The haemodynamic measurements at various stages in these patients were obtained and compared with those of patients undergoing elective mitral valve replacement for chronic mitral regurgitation. Between September 1995 and December 1947, urgent mitral valve replacement was performed in 14 patients out of a total of 1688 patients who underwent balloon mitral valvotomy. Haemodynamic measurements could be obtained in 7 of these patients and they constituted group I. Eight other patients undergoing elective mitral valve replacement during the same period for chronic mitral regurgitation constituted group II. Standard haemodynamic measurements were obtained at the following stages: (1) Baseline- 20-30 min after endotracheal intubation; (2) stage 1- 20-30 min after termination of the cardiopulmonary bypass: (3) stage 2- four hours after the patient was transferred to ICU and (4) stage 3-30 min after extubation. All the patients were suffering from severe pulmonary hypertension. However, the indices of pulmonary artery hypertension such as mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance as well as right ventricular systolic and end-diastolic pressures did not decrease after surgery in group I. In contrast, in group II, there was significant decrease in mean pulmonary artery pressure (p<0.05), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (p<0.05), right ventricular systolic (p<0.001) and end-diastolic pressures (p<0.05) at stage 1. These changes persisted throughout the study period. Pulmonary vascular resistance showed a decreasing trend, but attained statistical significance at stage 1 only. Two patients died; one of intractable cardiac failure and another from septicaemia and multiple organ failure in group I, but there were no deaths in group II. Reactive pulmonary hypertension secondary to acute mitral regurgitation may not recover immediately following mitral valve replacement and may be responsible for poor outcome in these patients.

Post-cardiotomy intra-aortic balloon counter pulsation: application and prognostic evaluation.

Cardiac assistance by intra-aortic balloon counter pulsation was studied in 113 cardiac surgical cases comprising 91 male and 22 female patients. This included 82 percent of patients having coronary artery bypass surgery, while 18 percent were operated for valvular lesions. It was observed that the time of institution of cardiac assistance by intra-aortic balloon counter pulsation, following cardiac surgery, was of prime importance to decrease patient mortality. It was lowest (16%) when the balloon was inserted for assistance before termination and highest (50%) when there was delay of more than 15 minutes following termination of cardiopulmonary bypass. Early balloon assistance significantly lowered the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and usually 1:2 augmentation was more effective, probably because of existing tachycardia in most patients. Advances in catheter technology have reduced the vascular complication at the insertion site. Percutaneous insertion had less local complications (13.3%) than open arteriotomy technique (31.2%). Similarly with sheathless insertion, complications were less (6.6%) in comparison to sheathed insertion (21.7%). Proper placement of balloon avoided position-related complications and there was no compromise of blood flow through left internal mammary artery as noticed in our series.

Non-surgical mitral commissurotomy using metallic commissurotome.

Percutaneous transatrial mitral commissurotomy using a new miniaturised metallic commissurotome mounted on a 12 F catheter was done in 24 patients with severe mitral stenosis. There were 17 (70.8%) females and seven (29.2%) males with age ranging from 12-42 years (mean 26.0 +/- 6.7 years). Atrial fibrillation was present in three (12.5%) patients. Three (12.5%) patients had restenosis following closed mitral commissurotomy. The mitral valve score on echocardiography ranged from 6 to 10 (mean 7 +/- 1.3). The procedure was performed with one device which was reused after sterilisation with glutaraldehyde. The device was opened maximally upto 39.0 +/- 1.7 mm (range 35-40 mm). The procedure was successful in 23 (95.8%) patients. The mean left atrial pressure decreased from 26.8 +/- 8.0 to 9.3 +/- 7.1 mm Hg (p < 0.001). There was a fall of mean pulmonary artery pressure from 47.2 +/- 18.6 (range 20-29 mm Hg) to 23.6 +/- 9.6 mm Hg (range 12-51 mm Hg) (p < 0.001). The mitral valve area as assessed by Doppler echocardiography (pressure half time) increased from 0.9 +/- 0.1 (range 0.6-1.2 cm2) to 2.1 +/- 0.4 cm2 (range 1.6-2.6 cm2) (p < 0.001), with split in both commissures in 22 (95.6%) cases. One patient developed severe mitral regurgitation with tear in the anterior mitral leaflet needing immediate mitral valve replacement. One patient developed transient aphasia which recovered completely within four hours. Percutaneous transatrial mitral commissurotomy using metallic commissurotome offers reliable and effective alternative to balloon mitral commissurotomy and may be more cost-effective because of its reusability.

Bacteriological Profile of Patients Undergoing Open Heart Surgery and Evaluation of a Bacterial Filter using Protected Broncho-Alveolar Lavage.

Twenty seven patients undergoing elective open heart surgery were included in this prospective study. They were randomly divided into two groups. Group C (n = 12) constituted the control group in whom no breathing filter was used in the anaesthesia circuit in the operating room or in the ICU. Humidification of breathing gases was achieved with the help of conventional heated humidifier. In group F (n = 15), heat and moisture exahanging bacterial / viral filter was incorporated in the breathing circuit at the patient end between the catheter mount and Y connection of the breathing circuit. In both the groups, samples of throat swab, protected broncho-alveolar lavage with double catheter and Ryles tube aspirate were collected preoperatively (in the operation theatre) and postoperatively (in the Intensive Care Unit on day 1). All the samples were sent to the laboratory immediately after the collection for Gram staining and culture and sensitivity. Pathogenic organisms were isolated from a total of 9 patients (33%) preoperatively. Exogenous spread of the organisms to the lungs was considered to have occurred if new pathogenic organisms were isolated from the postoperative bronchoalveolar lavage and the simultaneous samples of the throat swab and Ryles tube did not contain the same organism. By this definition, the exogenous spread of the organisms occurred in one patient in group C and in no patient in group F (P = 0.46, Fishers test). The commonest organisms isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella sp. and Pseudomonas sp. We conclude that colonization of the pathogenic organisms is common (33%) in orophrynx and gastrointestinal tract in hospitalized patients. There was no difference in the exogenous spread of the organisms between the two groups. The unity of the filter, therefore, appears to be limited to prevent contamination of anaesthesia machines or ventilators as has been shown by earlier studies.

Thrombolytic therapy for prosthetic valve thrombosis in Third World countries.

In order to clarify the role of thrombolytic therapy for treatment of prosthetic valve thrombosis, all cases admitted in the intensive care unit (ICU), between March 1987 and March 1997 with the diagnosis of prosthetic valve thrombosis and treated with streptokinase, were analysed. In total, 42 patients with clinical and echocardiographic evidence of left side tilting disc prosthetic valve thrombosis were treated. All the patients had only mitral valve prosthesis involvement. Streptokinase was administered as a bolus of 2.5 lac units over 30 minutes followed by 1 lac units/hour for 48-72 hours. Thirty-seven (88%) patients had successful thrombolysis. Overall mortality occurred in 9.5 percent patients due to systemic embolism and bleeding complications. Serial clinical, radiological and echocardiographic studies showed successful thrombolysis in 88 percent patients. This study demonstrates that streptokinase therapy is safe and effective first line treatment for left-sided prosthetic valve thrombosis and surgery should be reserved for those patients who fail to respond to thrombolytic therapy.

Transcatheter coil occlusion of persistent ductus arteriosus using detachable steel coils: short-term results.

Twenty patients underwent transcatheter occlusion of persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA), 1.5-5.5 mm in diameter, with detachable steel coils. A coil having a diameter at least twice that of the narrowest ductal diameter was used. Procedural success was achieved in all, using a single coil in 14 and multiple coils in the remaining 6. At follow-up after 2-12 (6.7 +/- 2.8) months, continuous murmur persisted in only one patient, while 4 (20%) patients had residual shunt on Doppler colour-flow imaging. There was no instance of coil embolisation, thromboembolism, intravascular haemolysis, local vascular complication or sepsis. Transcatheter occlusion of PDA with detachable coils is a safe, technically easy and cost-effective method with the added advantage of feasibility in small children.

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect using buttoned device--Indian experience.

Transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) < 21 mm in diameter with adequate septal margins, assessed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was attempted using Sideris buttoned device under fluoroscopic and TTE guidance in 27 patients (age range 5-35 years). The stretched diameter of ASD estimated by balloon sizing at cardiac catheterization was, on an average, 3 mm larger than assessed on TTE. A 25 to 50 mm second-generation Sideris device could be successfully implanted in 24 patients, with disappearance of left-to-right shunt, assessed by colour flow mapping on TTE in 17 patients. Residual shunt of 0.12-0.54 L/min/m2 was seen on day one in 7 patients which increased on follow-up in 3 patients over a period of 12 months. The maximum shunt in one patient was 1.1 L/min/m2. On follow-up (14.5 +/- 3.8 months), the device was in a stable position in all patients evaluated by fluoroscopy and TTE, and intracardiac ultrasound study in two patients. The procedure was unsuccessful in 3 patients, due to unbuttoning of the device in one and recurrent slippage of the device through the ASD in two patients. Mitral regurgitation was detected in 5 patients on follow-up (mild in 4 and moderate in 1). There was no mortality and none of the patients required any surgical intervention. It is concluded that transcatheter closure of some selected cases of secundum ASD can be safely and effectively done using Sideris buttoned device through a small sheath; however, a centering device is likely to close larger defects with less interference with mitral valve function.

A case of bilateral pulmonary hydatid cysts.

A case of bilateral hydatid lung disease is reported who presented with a history of short duration and large opacities in both lung fields. A trial of medical treatment with albendazole 400 mg BD for 6 weeks failed. The patient was managed by surgical intervention which also ultimately established the diagnosis of hydatid disease.

Blood conservation in valve surgery.

Blood utilization in 40 patients undergoing elective valve surgery was prospectively studied. The patients had valvular lesions of rheumatic origin with a mean age of 29.1 years and a mean preoperative hematocrit of 35.23 +/- 4.16. Blood was removed from all patients after induction of anesthesia and reinfused after bypass (mean 365.12 +/- 66.96 ml). Membrane oxygenator was used in all the patients. All discard suction was routed through a regionally heparinised collecting and processing system, and the resulting red cell concentrate was transfused. At the conclusion of bypass, all blood remaining in the pump oxygenator was also processed by cell saver and used for subsequent reinfusion. Normovolemic anemia was accepted in hemodynamically stable patients. Thirty two patients (80%) received no bank blood or blood products during their entire hospital course. A total of twelve units of whole blood was transfused into eight patients.

Dual exposure and repair technique for ruptured aneurysms of aortic sinus of Valsalva.

Thirteen patients with ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm have been operated over a 3-1/2 year period. Right coronary sinus was predominantly involved and right ventricle was the most common site of rupture. Early surgery was performed in all cases. Both aorta and chamber of entry were explored for effective repair. Main repair was always done in the chamber of rupture either with a patch or interrupted pledgeted sutures followed by assessment at either end. Subannular ventricular septal defects in three cases were closed with a common patch with additional fixation in the middle at the aortic annulus to prevent aortic leak into the left ventricle. Three patients needed aortic valve replacement for gross aortic incompetence. Postoperative echocardiographic study revealed uniformly excellent results with good aortic valve or prosthetic function. One patient developed fatal pulmonary embolism two weeks following surgery. All other surviving patients are doing well and are in NYHA class I. We recommend dual exposure and repair technique for the repair of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysms for optimal results.

Colour Doppler echocardiographic quantification of prosthetic aortic valve regurgitation in patients with normally functioning Bjork-Shiley prostheses.

Colour Doppler echocardiographic studies were performed in 46 patients (age range 16-35 years, mean 26 +/- 8; male 31, female 15) with normally functioning Bjork-Shiley prostheses in aortic position to estimate transprosthetic regurgitation. Regurgitant jet length and height were measured and assessed in multiple views. All patients showed prosthetic regurgitation of varying degree. Regurgitant jets were central in all but 3 (6.5%) patients. Single jets were seen in 28 (61%) and double jets in 18 (39%). Jet height in parasternal long axis view ranged from 0.4 to 1.2 cm (mean 0.7 +/- 0.4 cm) and jet height to left ventricular outflow tract diameter ratio was 0.22 to 0.48 (mean 0.38 +/- 0.13). Prosthetic regurgitation was < or = 2/4 grades in 42 (91%) patients, and combined height of double jets (n = 18) was less than that of the single jets (n = 28) (0.5 +/- 0.3 cm vs 0.8 +/- 0.4 cm, p < 0.05). In conclusion, colour Doppler examination frequently detects prosthetic regurgitation in patients with aortic Bjork-Shiley prostheses; regurgitation is grade 2/4 or less in most of the patients, is overestimated in patients with a single jet and weakly correlates with prosthesis size.

Surgical management of cardiac myxomas.

Cardiac myxomas are rare cardiac lesions, though they are the commonest tumours of the heart. Seventeen cases of cardiac myxomas have been operated during the last one decade. Exertional dyspnoea, palpitation and chest pain were the main presenting symptoms. Echocardiographic assessment was the only definitive diagnostic investigation required prior to surgery. Early surgical excision was planned in all the cases. Irrespective of the exposure techniques, removal of the tumour with wide excision of its base was practised. There was one early death due to low cardiac output in a patient brought in a shock like state. Follow up study has revealed 14 patients in NYHA class I and two patients are having class II symptoms. Periodic echocardiographic follow up study has not revealed any recurrence till date. It is concluded that an early diagnosis and surgery gives excellent long term results in these cases.

Immunological alterations following open heart surgery.

Immunological changes in thirty patients undergoing various cardiac surgical procedures (twenty patients undergoing open heart surgery with either the bubble or the membrane oxygenator and ten patients undergoing closed surgical procedures) were studied. There was an activation of suppressor T cells and secretion of lymphokines in patients undergoing open heart surgery with activation of the classical complement pathway. The immunological alterations were similar in all patients irrespective of the type of oxygenator used.

Non-surgical mitral valvuloplasty for rheumatic mitral stenosis.

One hundred and twenty-six patients of rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS), aged 10-30 (mean 19.5 +/- 5.9) years underwent balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV). All valvuloplasties were done by the anterograde transvenous, transatrial route. The procedure was successful in 120 (95%) cases. Single balloon was used in 10 patients early in the series and double balloon was used in the other 110 patients. BMV resulted in a significant increase in the mitral valve area (MVA) from 0.96 +/- 0.35 to 2.3 +/- 0.8 cm2 (p less than 0.0001) and a significant fall in the transmitral pressure gradient (TMG) from 28.2 +/- 3.2 to 7.4 +/- 4.8 mmHg (p less than 0.001). The MVA achieved by BMV was found to have a significant positive correlation with the balloon diameter to body surface area ratio (BD/BSA) (r = 0.69, p less than 0.001). New mitral regurgitation (MR) developed in 15 patients--trivial in 11, 2+ in 2 and 3+ in 2. One patient required emergency mitral valve replacement. Procedure induced MR did not have a significant relation to the balloon size, degree of mitral sub-valvular pathology or the severity of mitral stenosis. Iatrogenic atrial septal defect was detected by oximetry in none, by angiography in one patient, and by Doppler color flow imaging in 5 patients. Cardiac tamponade was the most frequent serious complication, occurring in 6 patients, 4 of whom died following emergency surgery. Sixty-five patients have been followed up for at least 6 months (range 6-30, mean 16.3 +/- 6.3 months) following BMV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)