Cardiac device implant wound closure with 2-octyl cyanoacrylate.

2-Octyl Cyanoacrylate (2-OCA) is a tissue adhesive developed for skin laceration closure that has not been previously evaluated for cardiac device implant wound closure. We reviewed 460 consecutive device implants with 475 incisions between November 1993 and May 2001. From November 1993 to December 1998, all patients (n 335) had a 3-layer reabsorbable suture closure with the application of topical bacitracin and dressing material. They were advised to avoid exposure to moisture for 10 days. From January 1999 to May 2001, the superficial suture layer was replaced with 2-OCA (n=125). No topical bacitracin or dressing was applied and patients were allowed to shower within 72 hours. The two groups did not differ significantly with respect to age (69 +/- 12 vs 70 +/- 13 years, P=NS), sex (59% vs 62% male, p=NS) or device type (77% vs 68% pacemakers/loop recorders, p=NS). All incisions were evaluated at 24 hours, 7-14 days, and 6-12 weeks postprocedure. The 2-OCA and suture groups did not differ significantly with respect to allergic reaction (0% vs 1.4%, P=NS), cellulitis (0% vs 0.9%, P=NS), and infection requiring explant (0.8% vs 0.3%, P=NS), respectively. Total adverse events occurred in 1 of 125 (0.8%) of the 2-OCA group versus 9 of 350 (2.6%) of the suture group (P=NS). In cardiac device implant closure 2-OCA obviated the need for topical antibiotics and dressing materials while facilitating wound care without increased complications.

HIV disease and an atherosclerotic ascending aortic aneurysm.

Cardiovascular dysfunction appears to be an important complication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and is being reported with greater frequency. There have been recent reports in the literature of HIV patients who suffer from vascular lesions such as large artery vasculopathy secondary to vasculitis, as well as accelerated atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries. The latter has been linked to patients on protease inhibitors that are used as part of a highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen and have also been implicated in a lipodystrophy syndrome. We report a rare case of an HIV-infected patient on HAART who presented with a large ascending aortic aneurysm associated with symptomatic severe aortic regurgitation. A noteworthy finding on pathological analysis of the aorta was an etiology of accelerated atherosclerosis rather than the more expected vasculitis.

The monolithic fetal pacemaker: prototype lead design for closed thorax deployment.

Prenatal sudden cardiac death and hydrops fetalis are often due to complete heart block. However, no pacing modality exists for intrauterine application for fetal bradycardia. A prototype lead for a novel fetal pacemaker has been developed and used in a direct pacing model. It has been demonstrated that the lead can be safely and successfully deployed using a hypochondriac and transdiaphragmatic or subxiphoid approach. Pacing with ventricular capture was evident with the widening of QRS duration from 50.2 +/- 9.8 to 95.1 +/- 12.8 ms (P = 0.0001). Further studies by echocardiogram revealed an increase in the pulse with pacing, confirming pacing. This study documents proof-of-concept for closed thorax over-the-wire deployment of a novel lead design applicable to fetal pacing. By combining the lead design with microcircuitry and a small power source, it is possible to create a monolithic fetal pacemaker system capable of being deployed in utero.

False aneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa after uncomplicated aortic valve replacement.

False aneurysms of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa are rare and usually complicate aortic valve endocarditis. We report a case of a false aneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa after recent bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement in the absence of endocarditis.