Decision making, management, and midterm outcomes of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture: Our experience with 21 patients.

Context: Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a dreaded complication following myocardial infarction. Surgical repair of VSR is associated with significant early mortality. Variable outcomes in terms of early mortality and midterm functional status have been reported from different centers. Aims: In our study, we attempt to review the experience of decision making and surgical repair of postinfarction VSR, and to analyze the factors contributing to the early mortality and midterm outcome after repair. Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective study. Data were summarized retrospectively by frequencies and percentages for categorical factors, and means and standard deviations for continuous factors. Multivariate logistic regression, odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and P value were calculated for different variables to determine their independent effect on operative mortality. All surviving patients answered the EQ-5D Health Questionnaire. Results: Preoperative renal failure, left ventricular dysfunction (moderate and severe), and Killip class (III and IV) were significantly associated with early mortality after surgery. Small residual ventricular septal defect (VSD) was not found to affect the midterm quality of life. Conclusions: Early surgical repair benefits the patient by preventing early end-organ damage. The renal failure left ventricular dysfunction (moderate and severe) and Killip class (III and IV) adversely affect early outcomes after surgery. Small residual ventricular septal defect (VSD) does not affect the midterm quality of life.

Isolated persistent left superior vena cava: A case report and its clinical implications.

The venous anomaly of a persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) affects 0.3%-0.5% of the general population. PLSVC with absent right superior vena cava, also termed as "isolated PLSVC," is an extremely rare venous anomaly. Almost half of the patients with isolated PLSVC have cardiac anomalies in the form of atrial septal defect, endocardial cushion defects, or tetralogy of Fallot. Isolated PLSVC is usually innocuous. Its discovery, however, has important clinical implications. It can pose clinical difficulties with central venous access, cardiothoracic surgeries, and pacemaker implantation. When it drains to the left atrium, it may create a right to left shunt. In this case report, we present the incidental finding of isolated PLSVC in a patient who underwent aortic valve replacement. Awareness about this condition and its variations is important to avoid complications.

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm versus aneurysm a diagnosis dilemma.

Free wall rupture of the left ventricle (LV) is a rare but life-threatening complication of acute myocardial infaction. Very rarely such rupture may be contained by the adhering pericardium creating a pseudoaneurysm. This condition warrants for an emergency surgery. Left ventricular aneurysm is the discrete thinning of the ventricular wall (<5 mm) with akinetic or dyskinetic wall motion causing an out-pouching of the ventricle. Given the propensity for pseudoaneurysms to rupture leading to cardiac tamponade, shock, and death, compared with a more benign natural history for true aneurysms, accurate diagnosis of these conditions is important. True aneurysm, usually, calls for an elective surgery. Clinically differentiating the two conditions remains a challenge. We report the case of a patient with LV pseudoaneurysm, initially diagnosed as true aneurysm at our institution. We have attempted to review the existing literature and discussed the characteristic findings of each entity.

Left ventricular rupture postmitral valve replacement: surviving a catastrophe.

One of the dreaded mechanical complications of mitral valve replacement (MVR) is rupture of the left ventricle (LV). This report describes the early diagnosis and successful repair of rupture of posterior wall of LV in an elderly patient who underwent MVR. We have discussed the risk factors and perioperative issues implicated in such complication. The anesthesiologist as an intra-operative echocardiographer can aid in identifying the patient at risk. Though important surgical steps are necessary to prevent the complication; nonetheless, the anesthesiologist needs to take key measures in the perioperative period.

Aortopulmonary fistula: a rare complication of an aortic aneurysm.

In a patient with degenerative disease of the thoracic aorta, an aortopulmonary fistula with an aortic aneurysm after trauma is a rare occurrence. Few cases of successful surgical management have been reported. Aortopulmonary fistula should be suspected in a patient who has an aortic aneurysm and exhibits signs of congestive heart failure. Herein, we report the case of a 50-year-old man who underwent surgical repair of an ascending aortic aneurysm with fistula into the main pulmonary artery. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention were crucial to the successful outcome.

Pentalogy of Cantrell: a case report.

Pentalogy of Cantrell is a rare congenital anomaly characterised by deficiency of midline mesodermal structures with congenital heart disease. Here a six-year-old girl who underwent surgery was presented with a large abdominal swelling. She had a large supra-umbilical abdominal wall defect covered with coarse tissue through which the abdominal contents were herniating. The lower sternum and xiphoid were deficient. Collaboration between cardiac surgeons and plastic surgeons is essential for optimal treatment.

A new technique of percutaneously adjustable pulmonary artery banding.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary artery banding is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. We describe a new technique of adjustable pulmonary artery banding to prevent these problems. METHODS: Between December 2003 and May 2005, 32 patients aged 18 days to 2 years (mean age, 2.5 +/- 0.5 months) and weighing 2.1 to 6.3 kg (mean, 3.6 +/- 1.3 kg) underwent adjustable pulmonary artery banding. RESULTS: All patients survived the operation. There were 2 deaths, one caused by meningitis and another caused by aspiration pneumonitis. Satisfactory band gradients were achieved between 3 and 10 days (7.2 +/- 2.6 days) in 3 to 6 sittings. Mean follow-up was 7.5 +/- 3.8 months (1-16 months). One patient required reoperation for unsatisfactory band gradient 2 weeks after discharge. There were no late deaths. Follow-up computed tomographic angiograms (n = 4) demonstrated proper band placement and ruled out distortion of the pulmonary arteries. Four patients underwent uneventful definitive operations after an interval of 7 to 13 months. CONCLUSION: This technique of percutaneously adjustable pulmonary artery banding is simple and inexpensive and allows easy band adjustments without the need for multiple reoperations.

Mitral valve replacement with a bioprosthesis: prevention of suture entanglement.

A simple technique of prevention of suture entanglement in the struts of bioprosthesis during implantation in the mitral position is described.

Aortic homograft: a suitable substitute for aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study is to assess the results of aortic valve replacement with the aortic homograft. METHODS: From January 1994 through September 2003, 154 patients with aortic valve disease (rheumatic = 118, nonrheumatic = 36), and a mean age of 28.8 +/- 18.2 years, underwent aortic valve replacement with an aortic homograft by the scalloped subcoronary (n = 110) or root replacement (n = 38) technique, or as a valved homograft conduit (n = 6). Associated procedures included mitral valve repair (n=30), open mitral commissurotomy (n = 22), tricuspid valve repair (n = 8), coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 6), and atrial septal defect closure (n = 1). RESULTS: Early mortality was 7.8% (12 patients). Mean follow-up was 62 +/- 33.4 months (4 to 127 months; median, 68.5 months). One hundred and twenty-four survivors (87.3%) had no or trivial to mild aortic regurgitation. A total of six patients required reoperation for homograft dysfunction alone (n = 4), infective endocarditis (n = 1), or failure of mitral valve repair (n = 1). There were four late deaths. Actuarial and reoperation-free survival at the median follow-up were 92.2 +/- 2.2% and 95.8 +/- 1.9%, respectively. Freedom from significant aortic stenosis or regurgitation was 86.1 +/- 3.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic valve replacement with an aortic homograft can be performed with acceptable early and late mortality and provides satisfactory midterm results. We did not note any difference in homograft dysfunction and reoperation with the use of either scalloped subcoronary or root replacement technique.

Aortic valve replacement with the pulmonary autograft: mid-term results.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to assess the mid-term results of aortic valve replacement with the pulmonary autograft. METHODS: From October 1993 through September 2003, 153 patients with aortic valve disease (81 rheumatic and 72 non-rheumatic), with a mean age of 28 +/- 14.2 years underwent the Ross procedure with root replacement technique and right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction using a homograft. Associated procedures included mitral valve repair (n = 19), open mitral commissurotomy (n = 15), tricuspid valve repair (n = 2), homograft mitral valve replacement (n = 2), and subaortic membrane resection (n = 1). RESULTS: Early mortality was 6.5% (10 patients). Mean follow-up was 77 +/- 42 months (range, 7 to 132 months; median, 90 months). One hundred, twenty-one survivors (84.6%) had no significant aortic regurgitation. Reoperation was required in 10 patients for autograft dysfunction alone (n = 3), infective endocarditis (n = 2), autograft dysfunction with failed mitral valve repair (n = 3), and failed mitral valve repair alone (n = 2). No reoperations were required for the pulmonary homograft. There were 8 late deaths. Actuarial and reoperation-free survival at 90 months were 91.% +/- 3.5%, 95.3% +/- 2.7%, in non-rheumatics and 86.1 +/- 3.9%, 90.5 +/- 3.7% in rheumatics, respectively. Freedom from significant aortic stenosis or regurgitation was 91.5 +/- 2.8% in non-rheumatics and 80.6 +/- 4.8% in rheumatics. Event-free survival was 86.2 +/- 4.9% in non-rheumatics and only 68.9 +/- 5.3% in rheumatics. CONCLUSIONS: The Ross procedure is not recommended for young patients (< 30 years) with rheumatic heart disease. It provides satisfactory hemodynamic and clinical results in properly selected patients. Important autograft dilatation was not observed in our patients.