Thymectomy in the treatment of ocular myasthenia gravis.

BACKGROUND: Thymectomy is an effective and accepted treatment for myasthenia gravis, but thymectomy for ocular myasthenia gravis (Osserman stage I) is controversial. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and propriety of thymectomy for the treatment of ocular myasthenia gravis. METHODS: We conducted a review and follow-up of all patients who had thymectomy for the treatment of ocular myasthenia gravis between 1970 and 1998 at the University of California, Davis, Medical Center, and the University of Rome, "La Sapienza," Rome, Italy. Patient response to thymectomy was categorized as follows: cured, patients who became symptom-free and required no further medication; improved, patients who required less medication and whose symptoms were less severe; unchanged, patients whose symptoms and medications were the same; worse, patients who had more severe symptoms, needed more medication, or died. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients (mean age 37 years; range 14-73 years) were followed up for a mean duration of 9 years (range 0.5-29 years). Ocular myasthenia gravis with mixed and cortical thymomas, stages I to IV, occurred in 12 patients, and ocular myasthenia without thymomas occurred in 49 patients. Transsternal thymectomy (n = 55) and transcervical thymectomy (n = 6) resulted in cure in 31 (51%) patients, improvement in 12 (20%) patients, no change in 16 (26%) patients, and worsening of symptoms (including 1 postoperative death) in 2 patients. Patient outcomes were statistically independent of the duration of preoperative symptoms (mean 9.5 months), patient age, or the presence or absence of thymoma. In patients with ocular myasthenia, 70% were cured or improved after thymectomy; in the subgroup of patients with ocular myasthenia and thymoma, 67% were cured or improved. CONCLUSION: Thymectomy is an effective and safe treatment for patients with ocular myasthenia gravis.

Minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy.

Ivor Lewis esophagectomy consists of a laparotomy and right thoracotomy for resection of the intrathoracic esophagus. Recent advances in minimally invasive surgical technology have allowed surgeons to apply laparoscopy and thoracoscopy to perform esophagectomy. However, there have been few reports that describe a totally minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. We present a case of combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic resection of the distal third esophagus with an intrathoracic esophagogastric reconstruction for esophageal carcinoma.

Evaluation of minimally invasive surgical staging for esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Conventional imaging studies (computed tomography and endoscopic esophageal ultrasonography) used for preoperative evaluation of patients with esophageal cancer can be inaccurate for detection of small metastatic deposits. We evaluated the efficacy of minimally invasive surgical (MIS) staging as an additional modality for evaluation of patients with esophageal cancer. METHODS: Between December 1998 and February 2001, 33 patients with esophageal cancer were evaluated for surgical resection. Conventional imaging studies demonstrated operable disease in 31 patients and equivocal findings in 2 patients. All patients then underwent MIS staging (laparoscopy, bronchoscopy, and ultrasonography of the liver). We compared the results from surgical resection and MIS staging with those from conventional imaging. RESULTS: MIS staging altered the treatment plan in 12 (36%) of 33 patients; MIS staging upstaged 10 patients with operable disease and downstaged 2 patients with equivocal findings. MIS staging accurately determined resectability in 97% of patients compared with 61% of patients staged by conventional imaging. The specificity and negative predictive value for detection of unsuspected metastatic disease in MIS staging were 100% and 96%, respectively, compared with 91% and 65%, respectively, for conventional imaging studies. CONCLUSION: In addition to conventional imaging studies, MIS staging should be included routinely in the preoperative work-up of patients with esophageal cancer.

Factors associated with false-positive staging of lung cancer by positron emission tomography.

BACKGROUND: Positron emission tomography imaging is gaining popularity as a noninvasive staging tool in non-small cell lung cancer. Nonmalignant processes can also affect radio-tracer uptake. This study seeks to identify factors associated with false-positive staging of mediastinal metastases. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 100 patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer referred for positron emission tomography scan evaluation. All had pathologic confirmation of their disease. Positron emission tomography scans, radiology records, operative reports, and pathology results were reviewed. Patients with positron emission tomography scans interpreted as positive for mediastinal involvement and negative pathology at operation were selected. RESULTS: Seven patients were found to have a false-positive positron emission tomography evaluation for mediastinal metastases. All but 1 patient had a concurrent inflammatory process or an anatomic factor associated with the false positive. The sensitivity and specificity in detecting involved mediastinal nodes was 87.5% and 90.7%, respectively. The negative predictive value was 95.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Although positron emission tomography has been established as an accurate modality to stage non-small cell lung cancer, false-positive evaluation of mediastinal metastases can occur in the setting of concurrent inflammatory lung diseases or for centrally located tumors. Pathologic evaluation of mediastinal disease should be pursued whenever suggested by a positive positron emission tomography scan especially in the face of those factors described.

Laparoscopy or thoracoscopy for achalasia.

Achalasia is an esophageal motor disorder of unknown etiology. Typical manometric findings include aperistalsis of the esophageal body coupled with elevated pressure and incomplete relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter during swallowing. Medical treatments consist of pneumatic dilatation or injections of botulinum toxin. Surgical treatment consists of Heller's myotomy with or without an antireflux procedure. Relief of dysphagia symptoms can be achieved in 85% to 94% of patients undergoing surgical treatment. In the past decade, the minimally invasive approach for the treatment of achalasia has been proven feasible, safe, and effective. We review the role of thoracoscopy and laparoscopy and address controversies in the management of patients with achalasia.

Comparison of minimally invasive esophagectomy with transthoracic and transhiatal esophagectomy.

HYPOTHESIS: Minimally invasive esophagectomy can be performed as safely as conventional esophagectomy and has distinct perioperative outcome advantages. DESIGN: A retrospective comparison of 3 methods of esophagectomy: minimally invasive, transthoracic, and blunt transhiatal. SETTING: University medical center. PATIENTS: Eighteen consecutive patients underwent combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy from October 9, 1998, through January 19, 2000. These patients were compared with 16 patients who underwent transthoracic esophagectomy and 20 patients who underwent blunt transhiatal esophagectomy from June 1, 1993, through August 5, 1998. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Operative time, amount of blood loss, number of operative transfusions, length of intensive care and hospital stays, complications, and mortality. RESULTS: Patients who had minimally invasive esophagectomy had shorter operative times, less blood loss, fewer transfusions, and shortened intensive care unit and hospital courses than patients who underwent transthoracic or blunt transhiatal esophagectomy. There was no significant difference in the incidence of anastomotic leak or respiratory complications among the 3 groups. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive esophagectomy is safe and provides clinical advantages compared with transthoracic and blunt transhiatal esophagectomy.

Four-dimensional aortic blood flow patterns in thoracic aortic grafts.

Time-resolved cardiac gated three-directional velocity data obtained with magnetic resonance velocity-encoded phase contrast sequences were used to study blood flow patterns in thoracic aortic grafts. Twelve patients were studied, 6 with traumatic descending aortic pseudoaneurysms, 3 with atherosclerotic aneurysms, and 3 with dissecting aneurysms. All grafts had an inflow jet; outflow jet; and/or vortices proximal, in, or distal to the graft. Flow abnormalities were generally mild in the descending aortic traumatic pseudoaneurysms seen in young people. The atherosclerotic aneurysms seen in elderly patients had the most abnormal flows with multiple vortices in and outside the graft. Blood persisted up to one and a half heartbeats in some vortices and took three to five heartbeats to flow from ascending to descending aorta compared with two to three in age-matched normal subjects. Rather large energy losses, probably up to 33% of the cardiac output in our worst case, may occur in thoracic aortic grafts.

Simultaneous antegrade and retrograde reperfusion after cardioplegic arrest for coronary artery bypass.

Retrograde coronary sinus reperfusion with warm blood during proximal anastomoses permits completion of myocardial revascularization under a single cross-clamp application. Reperfusion with both antegrade (via arterial and vein grafts) and retrograde (via coronary sinus catheter) warm blood has raised concerns about maldistribution of perfusate or overpressurization of capillary beds. This prospective, randomized design compares postcardioplegic myocardial recovery among patients receiving retrograde reperfusion only and patients receiving simultaneous antegrade/retrograde reperfusion. Twenty-four patients were selected among all presenting as outpatients for elective coronary artery bypass (CAB). Each patient underwent CAB with cardioplegic arrest and single cross-clamp technique. During proximal anastomoses the heart was reperfused with warm blood from the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit. Twelve received retrograde reperfusion only, and 12 received simultaneous antegrade/retrograde reperfusion via an internal mammary artery (IMA) graft, all vein grafts, and the coronary sinus catheter. Vein graft perfusion was interrupted in each vein as the proximal anastomosis was performed. Myocardial recovery time (interval from initiating reperfusion until electrical and mechanical activity), cardioversion incidence, requirement for inotropic support, and Swan-Ganz hemodynamic parameters measured immediately 6 and 24 hours postoperatively were compared between groups. There were no differences between groups in age, ventricular function, number of grafts, or CPB time. Also, there were no differences in cardioversion, inotropic need, or postoperative hemodynamic performance. Myocardial recovery time was reduced in patients receiving simultaneous antegrade/retrograde reperfusion (13.9+/-7.0 vs 2.6+/-2.1 minutes). Simultaneous reperfusion of warm blood antegrade and retrograde is not deleterious to the myocardium. More rapid recovery of myocardial function may represent a shorter period of warm ischemia but does not appear to translate to improved postoperative myocardial performance.

Comparison of functional state between bilateral lung volume reduction surgery and pulmonary rehabilitation: a six-month followup study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The effectiveness of bilateral lung volume reduction surgery (BLVRS) in the improvement of functional state in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has not been reported. This study examined the effects of BLVRS on subjective and objective measures of functional state (FS) and compared these effects with those gained from pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). METHODS: Twenty-eight consecutive patients were studied. Of 13 BLVRS and 15 PR patients enrolled in the study, 12 and 13 patients, respectively, completed the 6-month protocol. Pulmonary function (FEV1, FVC, and FEF25-75) was measured by spirometry. Subjective FS was measured with the activity component of the Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnea Questionnaire (PFSDQ) and objective FS was determined as the 6-min walk distance (6mwD). Additionally, the maximal dyspnea intensity measured with the Borg scale during the 6-min test was recorded. All outcomes were recorded prior to, and six months following treatment. RESULTS: In patients undergoing BLVRS, FEV1 and FVC increased (17.3% and 16.8%) while in those treated with PR alone, FEV1 and FVC decreased (7.6% and 16.1%,p < 0.05). The subjective functional state (PFSDQ) was also significantly different between BLVRS and PR alone (PFSDQ = -49.4% vs. +4.7%, p < 0.05). Although the absolute distance walked over 6 min did not reach statistical significance, the BLVRS group increased the distance by 20% while the PR alone group had a decrease (-28%). Both groups demonstrated a reduction in dyspnea with exercise but the volume reduction patients showed a significantly greater reduction (PR = -1.0; BLVRS = -2.6, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: BLVRS results in greater improvement in pulmonary function, dyspnea with exercise, and subjective FS when compared to PR 6 months after surgery.

Use of cardiopulmonary bypass to salvage patients with multiple-chamber heart wounds.

BACKGROUND: The need for cardiopulmonary bypass in the treatment of penetrating heart injuries is debated. OBJECTIVES: To review our experience with penetrating heart injuries and determine the indications and outcome for cardiopulmonary bypass. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: A university-based, level I trauma center. PATIENTS: All victims of penetrating heart injury presenting between July 1, 1989, and December 31, 1995. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed for demographic and physiological data, operative findings, and outcome. RESULTS: Overall survival for 106 patients with penetrating heart injury was 55%. In an effort to resuscitate the heart, 4 patients with unresponsive cardiogenic shock were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass; none survived. Of 30 patients with multiple-chamber injuries, 11 presented with signs of life and 7 survived. Cardiopulmonary bypass was essential to repair complex injuries in 2 of the 7 survivors. CONCLUSION: Cardiopulmonary bypass was ineffective in salvaging patients with cardiogenic shock but was essential in some patients with complex multiple-chamber cardiac injuries that could not be exposed and repaired by other means.

Cardiac function and glycogen content after twenty-four-hour preservation with various metabolic substrates.

BACKGROUND: Previous work has suggested that recovery of cardiac function after long preservation periods is improved if a suitable exogenous substrate is provided. However, interpretation of existing data on the benefit of added substrate is complicated by differing preservation media and protocols studied, as well as differing models used to evaluate postpreservation recovery. These experiments were designed to evaluate glucose, pyruvate, aspartate, and glutamate as exogenous substrates for prolonged perfusion preservation of hearts with a rat heart model preserved with crystalloid medium and with function quantified in an isolated working heart preparation. METHODS: Cardiac function (n = 5/group) and tissue glycogen content (n = 5/group) were measured in fresh control rat hearts and four groups of hearts preserved for 24 hours in an extracellular-type cardioplegic medium containing 11 mmol/L glucose and either 20 mmol/L sodium aspartate, 20 mmol/L sodium glutamate, 20 mmol/L sodium pyruvate, or no other substrate. Postpreservation cardiac function was measured in an isolated working rat heart preparation for a 4-hour reperfusion period. Exogenous substrate consumption during preservation and tissue glycogen content at the end of preservation were measured with spectrophotometric assays. RESULTS: All hearts in the aspartate- and glutamate-preserved groups functioned for the full 4-hour period with stroke work that was 50% to 60% of control. Hearts preserved with only glucose substrate had inconsistent recovery: two of five hearts in that group did not recover, whereas three recovered similar to the aspartate and glutamate groups. None of the pyruvate-preserved hearts recovered contractile function. There was no association between postpreservation tissue glycogen content and extent of cardiac function recovery. CONCLUSION: Aspartate or glutamate plus glucose was the best substrate mixture among those tested for long-term perfusion preservation of hearts. These amino acids offer advantages over pyruvate because they produced better recovery of the hearts and because they are chemically more stable than pyruvate. Aspartate or glutamate plus glucose also produced better postpreservation function compared with glucose alone.

Improved oxygenation and increased lung donor recovery with high-dose steroid administration after brain death.

BACKGROUND: The number of patients waiting lung transplantation greatly exceeds the supply of donors. This study was conducted to determine the effect of high-dose steroid administration on oxygenation and donor lung recovery after brain death. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 118 consecutive organ donors from January 1 through December 31, 1995. Eighty donors received high-dose steroids (methylprednisolone, mean 14.5+/-0.06 mg/kg) after organ procurement organization management began; a second group was composed of 38 patients who received no steroids. PaO2/FiO2 ratios were used to evaluate oxygenation. The number of single and double lungs transplanted served as the endpoint. RESULTS: No differences were noted in hemodynamics, most clinical or demographic variables and initial values of PaO2/FiO2 between groups. However, nonsteroid-treated donors showed an overall decrease in oxygenation (mean decrease in PaO2/FiO2 -34.2+/-14), whereas steroid-treated donors had a significant and progressive increase in oxygenation (mean increase in PaO2/FiO2: 16+/-14) before aortic cross-clamping (p = 0.01). Time before cross-clamping was longer in the steroid-treated patients (p = 0.003). The number of procured lungs was markedly greater in steroid-treated than nonsteroid-treated donors (25/80 patients vs 3/38; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: High-dose methylprednisolone given during donor management results in improved oxygenation at organ recovery. This treatment resulted in a significant increase in the number of lungs transplanted and may have enabled donors to be treated longer.

Recovery of sheep hearts after perfusion preservation or static storage with crystalloid media.

BACKGROUND: These experiments were designed to evaluate the viability of large hearts after preservation by use of procedures that have shown good results with small animal hearts. Efficacy of novel long-term preservation protocols should be documented with a large animal model before such procedures can be adopted for clinical use. We studied the recovery of sheep hearts that were perfusion-preserved in media containing two different substrate mixtures and hearts stored without perfusion either in University of Wisconsin solution modified to maintain tissue adenosine triphosphate content or in Stanford solution. METHODS: Six groups of sheep hearts were studied: I, fresh nonpreserved controls; II, hearts perfusion-preserved at 11 degrees C for 24 hours by use of an oxygenated extracellular-type medium with pyruvate + glucose substrate; III, hearts preserved as for II but with aspartate + glutamate + glucose substrate; IV, hearts stored without perfusion at 3 degrees C for 24 hours in University of Wisconsin solution containing 2,3-butanedione monoxime 30 mmol/L, CaCl2 1 mmol/L, and fresh reduced glutathione 3 mmol/L; V, hearts stored without perfusion at 3 degrees C for 4 hours in Stanford solution; VI, hearts preserved as for II but without perfusion. Recovery was measured for 6 hours in a Langendorff model, perfused with an erythrocyte + albumin medium. RESULTS: Hearts that were perfusion-preserved with both substrate mixtures and hearts stored in modified University of Wisconsin solution recovered function that was not significantly different from control subjects. Hearts stored in Stanford medium did not recover as well as did groups II, III, and IV. Left ventricular pressure and peak rate of left ventricular relaxation of the Stanford group were lower, and left ventricular enddiastolic pressure was higher, than those values for controls (repeated measures analysis of variance; Dunnett's procedure). The group VI hearts did not recover function at all. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that large hearts preserved with medium containing either aspartate + glutamate + glucose or pyruvate + glucose have comparable recovery after long-term perfusion preservation. Aspartate + glutamate may offer advantages for clinical use because of their lower production of lactate and better chemical stability compared with pyruvate. Static storage in modified University of Wisconsin solution also produced viable hearts with recovery comparable to perfusion-preserved aspartate + glutamate + glucose hearts. Tests of these preservation media and procedures with large transplanted hearts are warranted.

Steroid pretreatment improves graft recovery in a sheep orthotopic heart transplantation model.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports provide conflicting evidence concerning effects of steroids on recovery of cardiac function during procedures involving cardiopulmonary bypass. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that pretreatment of animals with steroids before heart transplantation improves graft hemodynamic function. METHODS: Four groups of sheep were studied: CON, nonsteroid-treated nontransplanted controls (n = 8); CON-S, steroid-treated nontransplanted controls (n = 5); TX, nonsteroid-treated transplanted animals (n = 5); and TX-S, steroid-treated transplanted animals (n = 5). Steroid-treated animals were given methylprednisolone 30 mg/kg immediately before surgery. Procedures for harvest and orthotopic transplantation were similar to those used clinically. Contractile function, left ventricular diameter, and cardiac output of control and transplanted hearts were measured for 6 hours. A 2 x 2 factorial repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine statistical significance (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Steroid pretreatment produced significantly higher function in controls and transplanted animals compared with nonsteroid-treated animals. On average over 6 hours, significant steroid effects were observed for left ventricular peak systolic pressure, mm Hg (CON, 85 +/- 2; CON-S, 98 +/- 3; TX, 74 +/- 3; TX-S, 91 +/- 2); global stroke work, mJoule x cm(-2) (CON, 4.69 +/- 0.21; CON-S, 5.88 +/- 0.32; TX, 2.27 +/- 0.17; TX-S, 4.23 +/- 0.16); and peak rate of pressure relaxation (-dP/dt(max)), mm Hg/msec (CON, 1.23 +/- 0.05; CON-S, 1.44 +/- 0.08; TX, 0.60 +/- 0.03; TX-S, 2.04 +/- 0.13). Steroid pretreatment produced more stable recovery for transplanted animals. All five TX-S animals could be removed from inotropic support and had stable function for 6 hours. In contrast, 1 of 5 TX animals could not be removed from inotropic support, and 1 of 5 TX hearts failed 3 hours after transplant. Arterial blood PO2 values were significantly higher in steroid-treated animals than in nonsteroid treated animals. Blood systemic lactate, which was elevated after transplantation, returned to control level by 6 hours in the steroid-treated group but not in the nonsteroid-treated group. CONCLUSION: Steroid pretreatment of heart donors and recipients improved systolic and diastolic function and hemodynamic stability after transplantation. In addition, steroid pretreatment improved pulmonary gas exchange of control and transplanted animals.

Giant carcinoid tumor of the lung.

A case of a giant atypical carcinoid tumor is discussed. The tumor occurred in a 33-year-old man who presented with pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath. Details of his preoperative evaluation, metastatic work-up, and use of tumor embolization are described. The operative procedure and use of cardiopulmonary support to achieve appropriate margins are described as well. Review of the literature and pathologic characteristics of carcinoid tumors and atypical carcinoid tumors are discussed.

Tamponade in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a clinical-echocardiographic diagnosis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of current echocardiographic criteria in detecting cardiac tamponade in the patient who has undergone cardiovascular surgery. Because the current echocardiographic criteria for tamponade were initially developed and studied predominantly in patients with medical problems, relatively less information is available in patients who have undergone cardiac surgery. Of 848 consecutive patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery, patients were selected for the study if they had clinical or hemodynamic deterioration and had undergone an echocardiogram just before a successful pericardiocentesis or a surgical evacuation of pericardial blood or clot. The echocardiograms were evaluated for evidence of chamber collapse, cardiac motion, Doppler flow variations, and the location and width of pericardial separation. Fourteen patients were identified who met the inclusion criteria (clinical or hemodynamic deterioration, recent echocardiogram, and successful intervention) for cardiac tamponade. The clinical and hemodynamic findings were hypotension (13 patients), low cardiac output (7), low urine output (3), cardiopulmonary arrest (1), elevated central venous pressure (1), and shortness of breath (1). In these patients current echocardiographic criteria were seen infrequently: chamber collapse in the right atrium (6 of 14 patients) and right ventricle (4 of 14); Doppler flow variation (2 of 5); and swinging heart (0 of 15), whereas increased pericardial separation (> or = 10 mm) was seen in all (14 of 14) the patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Metabolic and ventilatory adjustments and tolerance of the bat Pteropus poliocephalus to acute hypoxic stress.

We have investigated the maximum tolerance and the ventilatory responses of a bat, P. poliocephalus (PP), to normobaric hypoxic stress. PP can tolerate inspired PO2s (PiO2) down to 30 torr. This bat is one of the most hypoxia-tolerant non-hibernating species of mammals known, and has a tolerance which lies within the range of PiO2s reported for different birds. Unlike most mammals in its size range, PP maintains its normoxic oxygen consumption rate even in deep hypoxia. The maximum hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR), the air convection requirement (Vi/MO2), and the lung oxygen extraction (EL) ability of PP in deep hypoxia are all greater than those of other mammals. These and other data indicate that PP has a superior mammalian tolerance for hypocapnia. The magnitudes of both the V1/MO2 and the EL value of PP fall between those reported for Pekin ducks at corresponding PiO2s, and are inferior to the maximum capabilities of bar-headed geese. Thus, the tolerance and ventilatory adjustments of PP to deep hypoxia are intermediate between those of typical non-flying mammals and the most tolerant avian species, and suggest that at least some of this bat's respiratory adaptations for flight may serve as preadaptations for withstanding acute hypoxic stress.