Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Rheumatic Valve Disease.

OBJECTIVE:: To assess heart rhythm and predictive factors associated with sinus rhythm after one year in patients with rheumatic valve disease undergoing concomitant surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation. Operative mortality, survival and occurrence of stroke after one year were also evaluated. METHODS:: Retrospective longitudinal observational study of 103 patients undergoing rheumatic mitral valve surgery and ablation of atrial fibrillation using uni- or bipolar radiofrequency between January 2013 and December 2014. Age, gender, functional class (NYHA), type of atrial fibrillation, EuroSCORE, duration of atrial fibrillation, stroke, left atrial size, left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiopulmonary bypass time, myocardial ischemia time and type of radiofrequency were investigated. RESULTS:: After one year, 66.3% of patients were in sinus rhythm. Sinus rhythm at hospital discharge, lower left atrial size in the preoperative period and bipolar radiofrequency were associated with a greater chance of sinus rhythm after one year. Operative mortality was 7.7%. Survival rate after one year was 92.3% and occurrence of stroke was 1%. CONCLUSION:: Atrial fibrillation ablation surgery with surgical approach of rheumatic mitral valve resulted in 63.1% patients in sinus rhythm after one year. Discharge from hospital in sinus rhythm was a predictor of maintenance of this rhythm. Increased left atrium and use of unipolar radiofrequency were associated with lower chance of sinus rhythm. Operative mortality rate of 7.7% and survival and stroke-free survival contribute to excellent care results for this approach.

Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation in patients with rheumatic valve disease

Abstract Objective: To assess heart rhythm and predictive factors associated with sinus rhythm after one year in patients with rheumatic valve disease undergoing concomitant surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation. Operative mortality, survival and occurrence of stroke after one year were also evaluated. Methods: Retrospective longitudinal observational study of 103 patients undergoing rheumatic mitral valve surgery and ablation of atrial fibrillation using uni- or bipolar radiofrequency between January 2013 and December 2014. Age, gender, functional class (NYHA), type of atrial fibrillation, EuroSCORE, duration of atrial fibrillation, stroke, left atrial size, left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiopulmonary bypass time, myocardial ischemia time and type of radiofrequency were investigated. Results: After one year, 66.3% of patients were in sinus rhythm. Sinus rhythm at hospital discharge, lower left atrial size in the preoperative period and bipolar radiofrequency were associated with a greater chance of sinus rhythm after one year. Operative mortality was 7.7%. Survival rate after one year was 92.3% and occurrence of stroke was 1%. Conclusion: Atrial fibrillation ablation surgery with surgical approach of rheumatic mitral valve resulted in 63.1% patients in sinus rhythm after one year. Discharge from hospital in sinus rhythm was a predictor of maintenance of this rhythm. Increased left atrium and use of unipolar radiofrequency were associated with lower chance of sinus rhythm. Operative mortality rate of 7.7% and survival and stroke-free survival contribute to excellent care results for this approach.

Technical modification for correction of aortic coarctation using hypoplastic arch.

OBJECTIVES: To study technical feasibility and early results of the technical modification suggested by Caliani et al. for correction of aortic coarctation and aortic arc. METHODS: Between January 2005 and July 2006, nine newborn patients with aortic coarctation and significant aortic hypoplasia were selected, and underwent a new surgical approach in order to correct this aortic defect. The definition of aortic arch hypoplasia according to Moulaert's criteria is an aortic arch with a diameter that is less than 50% of the diameter of the ascending aorta. In this study, only patients with proximal and distal aortic hypoplasia were selected. Many techniques were previously used, but significant residual gradients were observed, as well as the incovenience of definitive occlusion of the left subclavian artery. The aim of this study is to describe a new surgical technique that includes left posterolateral thoracotomy, wide mobilization of descending aorta with occlusion of the first two intercostal branches, transection of the left subclavian artery at its base, wide resection of the hypoplastic area and the surrounding regions of the ductus arteriosus; end-to-end anastomosis between the aortic arch and descending aorta, with 7-0 PDS thread and reimplantation of the subclavian artery into the left carotid artery with side-to-end anastomosis. RESULTS: There were no perioperative or late deaths. The mean residual gradient was 5 mmHg. Up to now, there were no cases of recoarctation or medullary neurological lesions. CONCLUSION: Despite the small number of cases and the short follow-up, this technique modification may be an excellent option for the treatment of this complex situation.

Modificação técnica para correção de coarctação aórtica com hipoplasia do arco aórtico / Technical modification for correction of aortic coarctation using hypoplastic arch

OBJETIVO: Estudar a viabilidade técnica e resultados imediatos da modificação técnica proposta por Caliani et al. para correção da coarctação aórtica com hipoplasia do arco aórtico. MÉTODOS: Entre janeiro de 2005 e julho de 2006, nove neonatos com coarctação aórtica e hipoplasia do arco aórtico foram submetidos a uma nova abordagem cirúrgica para correção do defeito. A definição de hipoplasia do arco aórtico seguiu os critérios de Moulaert, segundo os quais o arco aórtico é considerado hipoplásico quando seu diâmetro atinge 50% do diâmetro da aorta ascendente. Nesta série, foram selecionados apenas pacientes com hipoplasia proximal e distal do arco aórtico. Várias técnicas foram propostas anteriormente, mas gradientes residuais importantes foram observados, assim como há o inconveniente da ligadura definitiva da artéria subclávia esquerda. A modificação técnica consiste em: toracotomia póstero-lateral esquerda, ampla mobilização da aorta descendente, com ligadura dos dois primeiros ramos intercostais, transecção da artéria subclávia esquerda em sua base, ressecção ampla de toda zona hipoplásica e adjacências do ducto arterioso, anastomose término-terminal entre o arco aórtico e aorta descendente com fio de PDS 7-0 e reimplante da artéria subclávia sobre a artéria carótida esquerda com anastomose látero-terminal. RESULTADOS: Não houve óbito per-operatório ou tardio, o gradiente residual médio foi de 5 mmHg. Até o presente, não observamos nenhum caso de recoarctação ou de lesão neurológica medular. CONCLUSÃO: A despeito do reduzido número de casos e do seguimento curto, esta modificação técnica pode representar uma excelente opção para tratamento deste complexo grupo de pacientes.

OBJECTIVES: To study technical feasibility and early results of the technical modification suggested by Caliani et al. for correction of aortic coarctation and aortic arc. METHODS: Between January 2005 and July 2006, nine newborn patients with aortic coarctation and significant aortic hypoplasia were selected, and underwent a new surgical approach in order to correct this aortic defect. The definition of aortic arch hypoplasia according to Moulaert's criteria is an aortic arch with a diameter that is less than 50% of the diameter of the ascending aorta. In this study, only patients with proximal and distal aortic hypoplasia were selected. Many techniques were previously used, but significant residual gradients were observed, as well as the incovenience of definitive occlusion of the left subclavian artery. The aim of this study is to describe a new surgical technique that includes left posterolateral thoracotomy, wide mobilization of descending aorta with occlusion of the first two intercostal branches, transection of the left subclavian artery at its base, wide resection of the hypoplastic area and the surronding regions of the ductus arteriosus; end-to-end anastomosis between the aortic arch and descending aorta, with 7-0 PDS thread and reimplantation of the subclavian artery into the left carotid artery with side-to-end anastomosis. RESULTS: There were no perioperative or late deaths. The mean residual gradient was 5 mmHg. Up to now, there were no cases of recoarctation or medullary neurological lesions. CONCLUSION: Despite the small number of cases and the short follow-up, this technique modification may be an excellent option for the treatment of this complex situation.

High mortality associated with precluded coronary artery bypass surgery caused by severe distal coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Patients with extensive coronary artery disease (CAD) have better prognosis when treated with coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG), especially when left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) is present. However, there are scanty data about the clinical course of patients not referred to CABG because of extensive and severe atherosclerotic involvement of distal coronary arteries (ENDCAD). The aim of this study was to evaluate patients with multivessel (MV) or left main CAD (LM) who had CABG precluded because of ENDCAD. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between August 1999 and July 2001, 51 patients who had clinical indication but were not eligible for CABG because of ENDCAD were followed for at least 12 months or until death. There were 32 men and 19 women (age 61+/-9 years). Previous acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was present in 31 (60.8%), diabetes mellitus (DM) in 28 (54.9%), systemic arterial hypertension in 37 (72.5%), LVD (left ventricular ejection fraction <40%) in 26 (51%), 3 vessel CAD in 31 (60.8%), and LM in 4 (7.8%). During follow-up there were 20 cardiac (39.2%) deaths, 19 (37.2%) AMI, and 3 (5.8%) patients developed congestive heart failure. There were 2 (3.9%) noncardiac deaths. Patients with DM (60.7% versus 13%; P=0.001; odds ratio [OR], 10.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.46 to 43.09), LVD (76.9% versus 0%; P<0.0001; OR, 4.33; 95% CI, 2.14 to 8.74), 3-vessel CAD (51.6% versus 20%; P=0.039; OR, 4.26; 95% CI, 1.16 to 15.69), and LM (100% versus 34%; P=0.019; OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.004 to 1.556) were more likely to die. There was no deaths in patients with 2-vessel CAD but they had more nonfatal AMI (43.8% versus 14.3%; OR, 4.667; 95% CI, 1.188 to 18.332). CONCLUSIONS: Patients in whom CABG could not be performed because of ENDCAD had high mortality, especially in the presence of LVD. DM (particularly insulin-dependent), LM CAD, and 3-vessel CAD were independent markers of increased risk.

Correção da origem anômala de artéria coronária esquerda com insuficiência mitral e hemólise mecânica / Correction of anomalous origin of left coronary artery with mitral insufficiency and mechanical hemolisys

Criança do sexo feminino, 2 meses de idade, apresentando quadro clínico de insuficiência cardíaca e sopro. Durante a investigação, foi realizado ecocardiograma e estudo cineangiocardiográfico que evidenciaram origem anômala da artéria coronária esquerda do tronco pulmonar e insuficiência mitral importante demonstrada ao doppler. A paciente foi submetida a tratamento cirúrgico com auxílio de circulação extracorpórea, que consistiu no reimplante da artéria coronária esquerda na aorta, associado à anuloplastia da valva mitral. No pós-operatório tardio, houve importante hemólise mecânica ocasionada pela plastia mitral. A paciente foi reoperada para remoção de retalho de pericárdio bovino. O ecocardiograma pós-operatório mostra insuficiência mitral leve e o paciente apresenta-se em classe funcional I (NYHA).

Tratamento cirúrgico do túnel ventrículo esquerdo-aorta / Surgical treatment of aortic-left ventricular fistula

Criança do sexo masculino, oito meses, com quadro clínico de insuficiência cardíaca e sopro. Durante a investigação foi realizado ecocardiograma e estudo cineangiocardiográfico que evidenciou comunicação secundária tipo túnel entre o ventrículo esquerdo e a aorta, a qual apresentava regurgitação severa. O paciente foi submetido a tratamento cirúrgico com auxílio de circulação extracorpórea, sendo o túnel fechado com sutura direta através de aortotomia convencional. O ecocardiograma pós-operatório não evidenciou fluxo pelo túnel e o paciente apresenta-se em grau funcional I (NYHA).

Resultados imediatos e tardios da dupla troca valvar mitro-aórtica por prótese mecânica / Early and late results in combined mitral and aortic replacement by mechanical prosthesis

Quarenta pacientes foram submetidos a dupla troca valvar mitral e aórtica por prótese mecânica e em 4 deles também foi realizada a plastia tricuspídea. A mortalidade precoce foi de 10% (4 pacientes). Dos 36 sobreviventes conseguimos acompanhar 33 num período total de 6 anos. Durante este follow-up" a letalidade foi de 12% (4 pacientes). Foram observadas as seguintes complicaçöes; 2 acidentes hemorrágicos (sem óbito) e 2 endocardites infecciosas que foram ao óbito. Houve melhora significativa da classe funcional após a cirurgia, com retorno da grande maioria dos pacientes a suas atividades habituais. No pré-operatório havia igual número de pacientes (42,5%) nas classes funcionais III e IV e no pós-operatório 85% dos pacientes estavam em classe funcional. Os autores salientam a baixa mortalidade cirúrgica em grupo de pacientes de alto risco, submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca de grande porte e os excelentes resultados a longo prazo da dupla troca mitro-aórtica por prótese mecânica. É importante assinalar a ausência de episódios tromboembólicos e o baixo índice de acidentes hemorrágicos na nossa casuística