Primary arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum in infants older than 21 days.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the surgical outcome of the primary arterial switch operation (ASO) in infants 3 weeks to 2 months old. BACKGROUND: The surgical management of transposition of the great arteries and intact ventricular septum (TGA/IVS) beyond 2 to 3 weeks of age is controversial. Concern that regression of the left ventricular (LV) myocardial mass will render the left ventricle incapable of coping with the acutely increased work of systemic perfusion has been considered a contraindication to a primary ASO. METHODS: We used retrospective analysis of 37 patients 3 weeks to 2 months old and 156 patients <3 weeks old who underwent primary ASO with TGA/IVS to determine the surgical outcomes. RESULTS: Between January 1990 and December 1996, primary ASO was performed in 37 patients 21 to 61 days old (late ASO group) and 156 patients <21 days old (early ASO group) with TGA/IVS. One (2.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07% to 14.2%) of 37 patients and 13 (8.3%, 95% CI 4.5% to 13.8%) of 156 patients died. One late death occurred in each group. Mechanical LV support was required in 1 (2.7%, 95% CI 0.07% to 14.2%) of 37 late ASO and 6 (3.8%, 95% CI 1.4% to 8.2%) of 156 early ASO group patients postoperatively. Neither death nor the need for mechanical LV support in the late ASO group patients could be attributed to LV failure. In the late ASO group, age, LV geometry, LV mass index, LV posterior wall thickness index, LV volume index, LV mass/volume ratio, patent arterial duct or pattern of coronary anatomy did not predict death, duration of postoperative ventilation or inotropic support or time in intensive care. Moreover, there was no difference in duration of ventilation, duration of inotropic support or the time spent in intensive care in comparison to a random sample of 37 neonates from the early ASO group. CONCLUSIONS: Primary ASO may be appropriate treatment for infants with TGA/IVS < or = 2 months old, regardless of preoperative echocardiographic variables. The upper age limit for which primary ASO is indicated in TGA/IVS is not yet defined.

Bail-out coronary stenting in an extremely tortuous right coronary artery with the Palmaz-Schatz stent and Teleguide sheath.

Significant vessel tortuosity is a relative contraindication to the use of the Palmaz-Schatz coronary stent for fear of stent displacement during delivery. We describe a patient with unstable angina in whom conventional coronary angioplasty in an extremely tortuous right coronary artery resulted in an occlusive dissection. Emergency bypass surgery was avoided by the successful placement of a protected Palmaz-Schatz stent using a 5F Teleguide sheath.

The long-term safety and tolerability of transdermal glyceryl trinitrate, when used with a patch-free interval in patients with stable angina.

The safety and tolerability of intermittent (16 hours on/8 hours off) nitrate patch therapy (0.2, 0.4 or 0.6 mg/hr: dose adjusted as required) was studied for a median duration of 356 days in 106 patients (mean age 60.9 +/- 8.6 years) with angina pectoris. Most patients (82%) were on existing beta-blocker and/or calcium antagonist therapy. Safety, tolerability and efficacy data were obtained by means of patient diary cards and regular clinic visits. Almost 90 treatment years revealed no significant or serious adverse events, and there were no changes in haematology or biochemistry associated with intermittent nitrate patch therapy. The most frequently reported side-effects were headache, skin reactions and dizziness (53%, 20% and 8% of patients respectively). Treatment resulted in a sustained reduction in the frequency and severity of angina attacks, reduced sublingual GTN consumption, an improvement in general wellbeing and a rise in the proportion of patients in whom angina was controlled.

Early mobilisation after percutaneous cardiac catheterisation using collagen plug (VasoSeal) haemostasis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of a haemostatic bovine collagen plug (VasoSeal) in reducing patient immobilisation after cardiac catheterisation from a percutaneous femoral arterial approach. DESIGN: A non-randomised, prospective analysis of a new biodegradable haemostatic agent on an intention to treat basis. SETTING: The catheterisation suite of a regional cardiothoracic unit. PATIENTS: A series of 63 patients having various diagnostic investigations and therapeutic interventions agreed to participate in this study. INTERVENTIONS: Cardiac catheterisation was performed from a percutaneous femoral artery approach. Patients taking aspirin and those who required formal anticoagulation were not excluded. Patients were measured for the appropriate sized collagen delivery system at the beginning of the procedure. At the end of the procedure two bovine collagen plugs were applied to the surface of the femoral artery through the channel created by the application device. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of successful delivery, insertion time, immediate outcome, inpatient complications, success of mobilisation of the patient at one and two hours after the procedure, and whether these variables relate to individual patient characteristics. RESULTS: Successful placement of the device was achieved in 57 of 63 consecutive patients (90.5%). The mean (SD) insertion time was 86 (24) seconds. Six (9.5%) patients did not receive the haemostat because of femoral artery perforation by the tissue dilator (n = 3), inability to compress the femoral artery proximal to the site of delivery (n = 1), pre-existing haematoma (n = 1), or patient withdrawal from the study (n = 1). Uncomplicated mobilisation within two hours of investigation was possible in 54 of 57 (94.7%) patients receiving this device. A sizeable haematoma (> 5 x 5 cm) prevented early mobilisation in the remaining three patients. Mobilisation was uncomplicated in 32 of 34 (94.1%) patients mobilised at two hours and 22 of 23 (95.6%) at one hour (NS). One patient who was mobilised early without complication later developed evidence of claudication in the treated leg. Femoral arteriography showed a smooth intraluminal filling defect attached to the wall of the femoral artery at the puncture site. This obstruction, presumed to be a collagen plug, was treated successfully with angioplasty. Sheath size, arterial pressure, the use of aspirin, heparin or warfarin, and body mass index did not influence patient outcome. The pattern of complications did not relate to a learning curve experience. CONCLUSIONS: The bovine collagen haemostat is a relatively safe and effective device that allows far earlier patient mobilisation than conventional haemostasis after diagnostic and therapeutic interventions from a percutaneous femoral artery approach. These results have important implications for patients undergoing investigation in mobile x ray units or in hospital based day case units.