Evaluation of different types of inferior vena cava cannulae placement by transesophageal echocardiography and its impact on hepatic dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative hepatic dysfunction may occur in an otherwise uncomplicated open heart surgery. One of the reasons is malpositioning of the inferior vena cava (IVC) cannula in the hepatic vein (HV) or beyond. A straight cannula is considered more likely to be malpositioned compared to the angled cannula and a malpositioned cannula can lead to hepatic dysfunction. METHODS: In this prospective study, forty adult patients undergoing atrial septal defect repair were randomized into two groups as: straight cannula group (n=20) and angled cannula group (n=20). The cannula position was assessed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) (hepatic vein view). Alanine aminotransferase levels (ALT) and bilirubin levels were measured immediately, at 6 hours and on day 1, day 2 and day 7 after surgery as a marker of hepatic injury. RESULTS: TEE localization of the IVC cannula was achieved in all patients except one. Visualization was good in 85% of patients. A cannula in the HV or beyond the HV in the IVC was considered malpositioned. The number of cases of cannula malposition was 10 (50%) and 4 (20%) in the straight and angled cannula groups, respectively. The pattern of change in serum bilirubin and liver enzymes levels in the postoperative period was similar in both the groups (p>0.05). The mean distance between the right atrium (RA) - inferior vena cava (IVC) junction to the hepatic vein was 1.94±0.56 cm and the mean diameters of the IVC and HV were 1.95±0.5 and 1.31±0.33 cm, respectively. CONCLUSION: TEE can be used to monitor IVC cannula position. A higher frequency of cannula malposition was observed with the straight cannula compared to the angled cannula, but was not found to be associated with hepatic dysfunction.

Management of iatrogenic RV injury - RV packing and CPB through PTFE graft attached to femoral artery.

Cardiac injuries during repeat sternotomy are rare. While undergoing debridement for chronic osteomyelitis (post arterial septal defect closure), a 4-year-old girl sustained significant right ventricular (RV) injury. Bleeding from the RV was controlled by packing the injury site, which helped in maintaining stable hemodynamics till arrangements were made for instituting cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Since the femoral artery was very small and unsuitable for direct cannulation, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft sutured end-to-side to the femoral artery was used for establishing CPB. The injury was successfully repaired.

Mediastinitis following pediatric cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Mediastinitis following pediatric cardiac surgery is associated with significantly high morbidity and mortality. METHOD: In our review, 21 studies from 1986 to 2011 (12 retrospective studies, eight prospective studies, and a multi-institutional study) including 44,693 pediatric cardiac patients were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Younger age, malnutrition, preoperative respiratory tract infection, high American anesthesiology score, longer duration of surgery, prolonged ventilation, and ICU stay were definite risk factors for mediastinitis. Early primary closure over drains, vacuum-assisted closure, muscle flap, and omental flap remain the most frequently performed treatments for post-sternotomy mediastinitis. Vacuum-assisted closure has emerged as the technique of choice in recent years.

The success rate and safety of internal jugular vein cannulation using anatomical landmark technique in patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Landmark-guided internal jugular vein (IJV) cannulation is a basic procedure, which every anesthetist is expected to acquire. A successful first attempt is desirable as each attempt increases the risk of complications. The present study is an analysis of 976 IJV cannulations performed in adults undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The IJV was cannulated with a triple lumen catheter using the anatomical landmarks. The following data were recorded: Patient demographics, age, sex, body mass index, diagnosis, operative procedure, operator (resident/consultant), site of cannulation (central approach, right IJV, left IJV, external jugular vein), number of attempts and duration of cannulation, length of insertion of the catheter, number of correct placements on X-ray and any complications. RESULTS: The success rate of IJV cannulation was 100%. In 809 (82.9%) patients, cannulation was performed in the first attempt. Residents performed 792 cannulations and the consultants performed 184 cannulations. In 767 patients, the residents were successful in inserting the catheter and in 25 they failed after 5 attempts, hence, they were cannulated by the consultant. The time taken for insertion of the catheter was 6.89 ± 3.2 minutes. Carotid artery puncture was the most common complication, it occurred in 22 (2.3%) patients. CONCLUSION: IJV cannulation with landmark technique is highly successful with minimal complications in the adult patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. Basic training of cannulating the IJV by landmark technique should be imparted to all the traines as ultrasound may not be available in all locations.

Cardiac myxomas: experience over one decade.

BACKGROUND: This single-center study reviews our experience with cardiac myxomas over the past decade. METHODS: Sixty-two patients (23 male) with median age 38 years (range: 8 to 69 years) underwent excision of primary or recurrent cardiac myxomas between 2000 and 2009. Patients were evaluated with echocardiography preoperatively and annually postoperatively. Follow-up is current for all survivors (range 13 months to 10 years). RESULTS: Fifty-two patients had left atrial myxomas, seven right atrial, two biatrial, and one right ventricular. Three cases were familial. Maximum number of myxomas in a single patient was four. Symptom duration ranged from two to eight months. Two early deaths were due to low cardiac output and embolic cerebrovascular accident; one late death was due to a noncardiac cause. Actuarial survival was 96.8 ± 1.8% at 10 years. Most patients were asymptomatic following surgery. No sporadic, multiple, or biatrial myxomas recurred. Recurrence occurred in two familial cases, both with single, left atrial myxoma. Freedom from reoperation was 98.4 ± 1.3% at five years and 96.8 ± 1.8% at 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Biatrial involvement or multiplicity of myxomas does not mandate recurrence. Surgical excision has excellent overall survival and freedom from reoperation rates, but annual follow-up including echocardiographic surveillance is recommended as familial cases tend to recur.