Mitral valve repair for the treatment of degenerative mitral valve disease with or without prosthetic ring annuloplasty: long-term outcomes.

AIM: Aim of the study was to evaluate late outcomes of mitral valve repair with and without the use of prosthetic ring annuloplasty and standardized techniques for the treatment of degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR). METHODS: Three hundred and five patients (mean age 62 ± 12 years) underwent mitral valve repair between January 1992 and February 2010 for degenerative MR. In the last five years, all repair techniques were performed routinely using prosthetic ring annuloplasty, with or without quadrangular or triangular resection of posterior leaflet and/or edge-to-edge technique. Mean follow-up (99% complete) was 78 ± 46 (2-220) months. RESULTS: Operative mortality was 0.9% (3/305), 15-year actuarial survival 82% ± 4%. At 15 years freedom from cardiac death was 89% ± 3.7%, from reoperation 84% ± 5.8%, from endocarditis 100%. Independent predictors of all-causes mortality were advanced age at operation (P=0.0006) and mitral valve repair without reductive prosthetic annuloplasty (P=0.0019). Death for cardiac causes was significantly higher when reductive annuloplasty was performed without the use of prosthetic ring (P<0.01). Late progression to moderate or severe MR was observed in 23/299 patients (7.7%). Independent predictors of progression to moderate or severe MR was annuloplasty without the use of prosthetic ring (P=0.0053) and postoperative residual mild MR (P=0.0014). Reoperation was required in 13/299 patients (4.4%). At 10 years freedom from moderate or severe MR was 86% ± 6% and 92% ± 4% in patients with postoperative absent or trivial residual MR, respectively, as compared to 38% ± 15% in those with postoperative residual mild MR (P<0.0001), freedom from reoperation 94% ± 4% and 90% ± 14% vs. 56% ± 16% (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Prosthetic annuloplasty in association with standardized techniques confers over 10 years survival advantage and better durability.

Comparación entre la cirugía videolaparoscópica y la cirugía abierta para las enfermedades renales benignas en el niño / Comparison of videolaparoscopic versus open surgery for benign renal diseases in Children

Introducción: La nefrectomía laparoscópica en niños se ha convertido en una alternativa razonable a la nefrectomía abierta y ha sustituido a la cirugía abierta en muchas enfermedades renales. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es evaluar los procedimientos videolaparoscópicos transperitoneales en las enfermedades renales benignas en comparación con el abordaje quirúrgico abierto. Pacientes y método: 34 niños de edades comprendidas entre los 17 días y los 15 años (media, 6, 14 años) fueron divididos en dos grupos de nefrectomía; el primero fue sometido a nefrectomía videolaparoscópica transperitoneal y estaba compuesto por 21 pacientes (12 mujeres y 9 varones) con edades comprendidas entre los 2 meses y los 15 años (media, 7, 42 años). El segundo grupo fue sometido a nefrectomía abierta y estaba compuesto por 13 pacientes (6 mujeres y 7 varones) con edades comprendidas entre los 17 días y los 11 años (media, 3,91 años). Los grupos se compararon respecto al tiempo de anestesia, el tiempo operatorio, la duración de la estancia hospitalaria, el dolor postoperatorio y el tiempo de reinstauración de la ingesta oral. También se evaluaron las complicaciones acorto y largo plazo. El análisis estadístico se llevó a cabo mediante la prueba de la t de Student, y se estimó significativo el valor de p < 0,05. El Comité de Ética Científica de nuestra institución aprobó previamente el estudio. Resultados: Se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas sólo en cuanto a la variable duración de la estancia hospitalaria. Ningún caso del grupo a laparoscopia se convirtió en cirugía abierta. No se observaron complicaciones inmediatas ni tardías. La pérdida de sangre fue insignificante y no fue necesario administrar transfusiones. Conclusiones: Según nuestra experiencia, la nefrectomía videolaparoscópica transperitoneal presenta resultados similares a los de la nefrectomía abierta, excepto en lo que respecta al tiempo de hospitalización (AU)

Introduction: Laparoscopic nephrectomy in children has become a reasonable alternative to open nephrectomy and has replaced open surgery for many renal diseases. The purpose of our study is to evaluate transperitoneal videolaparoscopic procedures in renal benign diseases in comparison to an open surgery approach. Patients and methods: 34 children aged between 17 days and 15 years old (mean 6.14) were divided into two groups in order to be submitted to nephrectomy. The first one underwent transperitoneal videolaparoscopic nephrectomy and was composed by 21 patients aged from 2 months to 15 years (mean 7.42), from which 12 were females and 9 males. The second group was submitted to open nephrectomy and was composed by 13 patients aged from 17 days to 11 years (mean 3.91), 6 females and 7 males. The groups were compared regarding anesthesic time, operative time, length of hospital stay, postoperative pain and time of reintroduction of oral intake. Short and long term complications were also evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed by Student t-test with the level of significance set at P < 0.05. The study was previously approved by the Committee on Ethics in Research of our institution. Results: Significant statistical difference was observed only for the variable length of hospital stay. No laparoscopy group case was converted to open surgery. There was no immediate or late complication. Blood loss was negligible and no transfusion was required. Conclusions: In our experience, transperitoneal videolaparoscopic nephrectomy has similar results to open nephrectomy, except for time of hospitalization (AU)

Comparison of videolaparoscopic versus open surgery for benign renal diseases in children.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic nephrectomy in children has become a reasonable alternative to open nephrectomy and has replaced open surgery for many kidney diseases. The aim of our study is to evaluate transperitoneal videolaparoscopic procedures in benign renal disease compared with the open surgical approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 34 children aged between 17 days and 15 years (mean, 6.14 years) were divided into two nephrectomy groups. The first underwent transperitoneal videolaparoscopic nephrectomy and was composed of 21 patients (12 female and 9 male) aged between 2 months and 15 years (mean, 7.42 years). The second group underwent open nephrectomy and was composed of 13 patients (6 female and 7 male) aged between 17 days and 11 years (mean, 3.91 years). The groups were compared for time of anaesthesia, operating time, length of hospital stay, postoperative pain and time to restore oral intake. Short and long term complications were also evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed by a Student's t test, with a p value < 0.05 being considered significant. The study was approved beforehand by the Scientific Ethics Committee in our institution. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed only for the length of hospital stay. No cases in the laparoscopic group were converted into open surgery. There were no immediate or late complications. Blood loss was negligible and so it was not necessary to administer any transfusions. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, transperitoneal videolaparoscopic nephrectomy has similar results to those of open nephrectomy, except for hospitalisation times.

Surgical treatment for recurrent refractory skenitis.

We report a case of persistent skenitis that was initially misdiagnosed and treated as a urinary infection. Despite an adequate course of antibiotics, the symptoms failed to improve. The case was ultimately resolved with surgical intervention, which resulted in its prompt and complete resolution.

Influence of sternal size and inadvertent paramedian sternotomy on stability of the closure site: a clinical and mechanical study.

BACKGROUND: The influence of sternal size and of inadvertent paramedian sternotomy on stability of the closure site is not well defined. METHODS: Data on 171 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery through a midline sternotomy were prospectively collected. Intraoperative measurements of sternal dimension included thickness and width at the manubrium, the third and fifth intercostal spaces; paramedian sternotomy was defined as width of one side of the sternum equaling 75% or more of the entire width, at any of the three levels. The chest was closed with simple peristernal steel wires and inspected to detect deep wound infection and/or instability for 3 postoperative months. The sternal factors and several patient/surgery-related factors were included in a multivariate analysis model to identify factors affecting stability. An electromechanical traction test was conducted on 6 rewired sternal models after midline or paramedian sternotomy and separation data were analyzed. RESULTS: Chest instability was detected in 12 (7%) patients and wound infection in 2 (1.2%). Patient weight (P = .03), depressed left ventricular function (P = .04), sternum thickness (indexed to body weight, P = .03), and paramedian sternotomy (P = .0001) were risk factors of postoperative instability; paramedian sternotomy was the only independent predictor (P = .001). The electromechanical test showed more lateral displacement of the two rewired sternal halves after paramedian than midline sternotomy (P = .002); accordingly, load at fracture point was lower after paramedian sternotomy (220 +/- 20 N vs 545 +/- 25 N, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Inadvertent paramedian sternomoty strongly affects postoperative chest wound stability independently from sternal size, requiring prompt reinforcement of chest closure.

Troponin I release after CABG surgery using two different strategies of myocardial protection and systemic perfusion.

BACKGROUND: Controversies still exist over the optimal temperature for blood cardioplegia and systemic perfusion. This study investigates the effect of temperature of blood cardioplegia and systemic perfusion on the release of troponin I and other biochemical markers. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-four consecutive patients were randomly assigned to one of two cardioplegic and systemic perfusion strategies of cold blood cardioplegia with moderate systemic hypothermia (27 degrees C) or tepid blood cardioplegia with mild systemic hypothermia (33 degrees C). Cardiac troponin I and other biochemical markers were measured at baseline, at the end of surgery, at 12 hours and daily thereafter. A two-way ANCOVA for repeated measure was performed to test the effect of cardioplegia on enzyme release independently of variables that were different between the two groups. RESULTS: The time course of dismission of troponin I, creatine kinase MB, and lactate dehydrogenase were significantly lower with tepid blood cardioplegia and mild systemic perfusion independently of the number of distal anastomoses, CPB time, cross clamp time or total volume of cardioplegia. There were no differences between the two groups in the release of total creatine kinase, aspartate transaminase and alanine transferase. CONCLUSIONS: Both strategies of myocardial protection and systemic perfusion guarantee subclinical minor myocardial damage. The strategy of tepid whole blood cardioplegia and mild systemic hypothermia seems to preserve myocardium better than whole blood cold cardioplegia.

Clinical evaluation of St Jude Medical Hemodynamic Plus versus standard aortic valve prostheses: The Italian multicenter, prospective, randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: Hemodynamic and clinical performances of 21-mm and 23-mm St Jude Medical Hemodynamic Plus aortic valves (St Jude Medical, Inc, St Paul, Minn) were compared with those of 21-mm and 23-mm St Jude Medical standard cuff aortic valves in the first such multicenter, prospective, randomized study. Hemodynamic Plus valves are mechanical, bileaflet prostheses suitable for the small aortic anulus. METHODS: Patients with 21-mm and 23-mm anulus diameters were randomized to receive either a Hemodynamic Plus or a standard cuff valve. Postoperatively and at 6 months after the operation, patients underwent 2-dimensional Doppler echocardiography. Ejection fraction, cardiac output, peak gradient, mean gradient, effective orifice area, effective area index, and performance index were calculated. Postoperative and 6-month echocardiographic measurements and their variations across observation times were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Of the 140 patients enrolled, 5 died at operation and 1 died of aortic dissection during the follow-up period. Eight patients were lost to follow-up. A total of 125 patients completed the study. In 1 patient a sewing cuff escaped intraoperatively. At 6 months the 21-mm and 23-mm Hemodynamic Plus valves showed significantly lower peak gradients and mean gradients than those of the 21-mm and 23-mm standard cuff valves. The 21-mm Hemodynamic Plus valves had gradients similar to those of the 23-mm Hemodynamic Plus valves. The effective orifice area did not differ significantly between the Hemodynamic Plus and standard cuff valves at either measurement. No valve mismatch was found in the 4 groups of patients. A more enhanced decrease of peak gradients and mean gradients and a more enhanced increase of effective orifice areas, effective area indices, and performance indices were found across observation times for patients with Hemodynamic Plus valves compared with those with standard cuff valves. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical hemodynamic performances of 21-mm and 23-mm St Jude Medical Hemodynamic Plus valves correspond closely with those of standard cuff valves, and gradients are substantially better than those of standard cuff valves of the same diameter. Therefore, use of this valve may minimize the need for aortic anulus enlargement. Early follow-up results with the Hemodynamic Plus valves were excellent, although more time is required to confirm this outcome.

[Aortocoronary bypass in severe left ventricular dysfunction: 9 years of clinical experience and mid-term results]. / Il bypass aortocoronarico nella disfunzione ventricolare sinistra severea: nove anni di esperienza clinica e risultati a medio termine.

BACKGROUND: Compared with medical therapy alone, coronary artery bypass surgery improves survival in patients with coronary disease and left ventricular dysfunction. Many of these patients have a hibernating myocardium secondary to chronic ischemia with the potential for improvement in left ventricular function and heart failure symptoms following revascularization therapy. Cardiac transplantation remains the treatment of choice for patients with severe congestive heart failure. METHODS: From January 1992 to June 2000, 351 consecutive patients (318 men, 33 women, mean age 62.8 +/- 8.9 years) with a left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) < or = 35% and with multivessel coronary artery disease underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. Preoperatively 226 patients were in CCS class III-IV and 113 in NYHA class III-IV. The mean number of grafts was 3.4 +/- 0.8/patient and complete revascularization was achieved in 98.6% of cases. The internal mammary artery was used in 341 patients (97.2%) and in 328 (96%) as a graft for the left anterior descending artery. Follow-up was obtained in 97% of the patients and on average lasted 42 +/- 28 months. RESULTS: The hospital mortality was 5.9%. At multivariate analysis urgent operation (p < 0.01) and a lower EF (25.9% in deaths vs 29.1%, p < 0.05) were predictors of an increased operative mortality. EF (assessed postoperatively at transthoracic echocardiography in survivors) improved from 28.9 +/- 5.7 to 34.4 +/- 7.7% (p < 0.0001). At 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 years respectively, the all-cause survival was 93 +/- 1.5, 85 +/- 2.2, 77 +/- 3.1, 69 +/- 4.9, and 60 +/- 7.3% and the freedom from cardiac death was 94 +/- 1.4, 89 +/- 1.9, 88 +/- 2, 80 +/- 4.7, and 76 +/- 5.7% with an improvement in the anginal and congestive heart failure status (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with coronary artery disease and severe left ventricular dysfunction, after evaluation of the clinical presentation, of the usefulness of vessels as grafts and of the presence of myocardial viability, 1) coronary artery bypass grafting can be performed with a low mortality and a good mid-term survival, 2) improvement in left ventricular function can be documented after coronary bypass surgery, 3) the internal mammary artery can be safely used as a graft, 4) the quality of life is improved as demonstrated by the improvement in the anginal and congestive heart failure status.

[Isolated aortic valve replacement with CarboMedics mechanical prosthesis: 9-year clinical experience and mid-term results]. / Sostituzione valvolare aortica isolata con protesi meccanica carbomedics: nove anni di esperienza clinica e risultati a medio termine.

BACKGROUND: Appraisal of the medium-term results of isolated aortic valve replacement with a CarboMedics mechanical prosthesis. METHODS: We assessed the clinical data of 195 consecutive patients (mean age 59.7+/-10.9 years) operated on between January 1992 and June 2000. Valve disease consisted of aortic stenosis regurgitation in 94 patients (48.2%), isolated aortic failure in 57 (29.2%) and isolated stenosis in 44 (22.6%). One hundred and four patients were in NYHA functional class III and 25 in NYHA functional class IV Follow-up was by telephone interview to 100% of the patients (average follow-up 39+/-20 months). RESULTS: The operative mortality was 3.6% (5% in the period January 1992-December 1995, 1.3% in the period January 1996-June 2000). Sixteen deaths occurred in the long term. Thus, the actuarial survivals at 36 and 72 months were 92+/-7% and 82+/-16% respectively. In the group of survivors, 139 patients (81%) were in NYHA class 1,26 (15%) in NYHA class II, and 7 (4%) in NYHA class III. The freedom from embolic events was 96+/-3.7% and that from hemorrhagic events was 90+/-9.4%. All the events occurred during the first 36 months; none of the patients developed infections or periprosthetic leaks. CONCLUSIONS: At the medium term, the CarboMedics mechanical valve prosthesis appears to be reliable, with an actuarial survival, quality of life and incidence of morbidity comparable to those reported for other types of second-generation mechanical prostheses.

[Atrial septal aneurysm with cerebral ischemia: potential pathogenetic role of associated cerebral vascular malformation]. / Aneurisma del setto interatriale ed eventi ischemici cerebrali: il possibile ruolo patogenetico di una malformazione vascolare cerebrale associata.

Atrial septal aneurysm can be associated with other cardiovascular diseases such as atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary hypertension and cerebrovascular events (transient ischemic attack or stroke). The introduction of transthoracic and more recently transesophageal echocardiography allowed for a more frequent observation of this pathology and also suggested that atrial septal aneurysm is a risk factor for cerebral ischemia. However, the pathophysiological pathway is still unclear. In January 1997 a 33-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of atrial septal aneurysm and a previous cerebrovascular event. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cerebrovascular malformation and transesophageal echocardiography confirmed the presence of atrial septal aneurysm. We hypothesize that a common etiopathogenetic pathway may cause both the cardiac and cerebrovascular anomaly and that the latter may be responsible alone for cerebral ischemic events; thus in the presence of an atrial septal aneurysm associated with a cerebrovascular malformation, a conservative medical approach may be the treatment of choice.

Extraperitoneal access for kidney transplantation in children weighing 20 kg. or less.

PURPOSE: We present our experience with kidney transplantation in children weighing 20 kg. or less. Surgery was done via extraperitoneal access while preserving the peritoneal cavity intact with special attention given to technical feasibility and the complication rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Included in our study were 46 children with a median age of 7 years weighing 20 kg. or less (mean 16.6), of whom 16 weighed less than 15 kg. (median 13.2). The 25 boys and 21 girls underwent a total of 49 kidney transplants, including 2 in 3 during the study. Donors were living related in 44 cases and cadaveric in 5. Surgical access was obtained by making a J-shaped pararectal incision in a curvilinear fashion from the symphysis pubis to near the costal border. RESULTS: Mean hospital stay was 22.9 days (range 6 to 83) and mean followup was 55.8 months (range 12 to 131). All patients received water on day 1 and food on day 2 postoperatively. In 6 patients 7 surgical complications developed, including urinary fistula in 2, superficial wound infection in 2 and vascular complications in 3 (renal vein thrombosis, stenosis and renal artery kinking in 1 each). Only 1 graft was lost due to a surgical complication. CONCLUSIONS: There are many advantages to using extraperitoneal access without an increase in surgical complications or technical difficulty. Absent gastrointestinal complications, an easier way to perform percutaneous biopsy, treatment of any surgical complication with no need for repeat laparotomy and the possibility of using the peritoneal cavity when dialysis is needed postoperatively are attractive justifications for extraperitoneal access.

[Coronary heart surgery in women: the risk factors and short-term results]. / Cardiochirurgia coronarica nella donna: fattori di rischio e risultati a breve termine.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass grafting is reported to have a higher (2-3 times) mortality in women than in men, most likely due to older age, higher incidence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, angina and preoperative myocardial infarction, smaller diameter of coronary arteries, and smaller body surface area. METHODS: From January 1992 to December 1997, 347 female and 2098 male patients were submitted to isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. For both groups were considered: a) clinical presentation (age, height, weight, body surface area, NYHA and CCS functional classes, incidence of preoperative myocardial infarction); b) risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (diabetes mellitus, smoking habit, dyslipidemia, hypertension, familiarity); c) concomitant diseases (obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral vascular disease, thyroid dysfunction); d) hemodynamic and anatomical data (extent of coronary artery disease, diameter of coronary arteries, left ventricular function); e) surgical procedure (number and type of grafts used, urgent procedures, incidence of redo procedures). Early (up to 30 days after surgery) results were evaluated in terms of complications and mortality. RESULTS: On admission, women were older than men (p = 0.0001), were shorter (p < 0.0001), weighed less (p < 0.0001), and had a smaller body surface area (p < 0.0001); they had more severe angina (p = 0.002), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.002), hypercholesterolemia (p = 0.003), thyroid dysfunction (p < 0.0001), their coronary arteries were smaller (left anterior descending artery, p = 0.05; obtuse marginal branch, p = 0.008; diagonal branch, p = 0.01), and had less grafts implanted at surgery (p = 0.02). There was no difference between women and men in the use of the internal thoracic artery. Women did not have a higher mortality than men (4.6 vs 3.2%). Uni- and multivariate analysis did not show extraoperative risk factors for women; for men older age (p = 0.005) and poor left ventricular function (p = 0.01) were independent predictive factors of operative mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of what is suggested by the literature, coronary artery bypass grafting does not have a significant higher operative risk for women than men, probably due to surgical technique refinements and extensive use of the internal thoracic artery.

[Bentall-DeBono intervention: 8 years of clinical experience]. / Intervento di Bentall-DeBono: otto anni di esperienza clinica.

BACKGROUND: Annulo-aortic ectasia is a dilation of the aortic root with the involvement of the Valsalva sinuses. In 1968 Bentall and DeBono proposed to replace the aortic valve, the Valsalva sinuses and the ascending aorta with a composite tube graft containing aortic valve prosthesis. Consequently coronary ostia had to be reimplanted on the prosthetic tube. Recently the use of new materials has resulted in a more acceptable operative risk, and postoperative bleeding and late mortality have been reduced. METHODS: From January 1991 to December 1998, 44 out of 241 patients were operated on with the Bentall-DeBono procedure, affected by dissecting or expansive aneurysm of the ascending aorta. Of the 44 patients (35 males, 9 females, mean age 53.7 years), 3 presented with acute aortic dissection, 5 were asymptomatic, 10 were in NYHA functional class II, 14 in class III, 9 in class IV, and 2 in CCS class 4; 1 patient had dysphonia; 37 patients presented with isolated aortic regurgitation, and 7 associated aortic valvular stenosis. The diagnosis of acute dissection was made by transesophageal echocardiography and that of expansive aneurysm by thorax helical computed tomographic scanning and/or magnetic resonance imaging and cardiac catheterization. Follow-up was obtained in 100% of the patients for an average of 23 +/- 20.9 months (range 4-79 months). RESULTS: Four patients (9%) died; in 4 patients (9%) postoperative bleeding needed reoperation, in 5 (11.4%) a permanent pacemaker for atrioventricular block was implanted, and 1 patient (2.3%) had transient hemiparesis. At univariate analysis predictive factors for operative risk were NYHA functional class IV (p < 0.005) and atherosclerotic etiology (p < 0.05). At follow-up 7 late deaths occurred for an actuarial survival at 24 months of 75 +/- 9%. Causes were sudden death in 3 patients, cardiac failure in 3 and stroke in 1 patient; 31 surviving patients (94%) were in NYHA functional class I and 2 patients in class II (6%). CONCLUSIONS: The Bentall-DeBono procedure involves moderate risk with good results; clinical presentation and associated valvular pathology influence early and mid-term results.

[Neurologic complication of carotid thrombendarterectomy]. / Complicanze neurologiche nella tromboendoarteriectomia carotidea.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is often carried out to prevent cerebrovascular strokes. It is obviously important that neurological morbidity of the procedure is contained within acceptable limits (< 2%). METHODS: Between January 1991 and December 1997 a total of 239 CEA were performed in 216 patients (169 males and 47 females, mean age 66.6 +/- 14.2 years; range 43-81). Angioplasty was carried out using a precoagulated Dacron patch, except in cases in which the residual diameter of the internal carotid artery was greater than 5 mm. A Javid shunt was used selectively if stump pressure < 50 mmHg. RESULTS: No major neurological complications were observed. A reversible focal neurological deficit was reported in 3 cases (1.2%). Neurological morbidity correlated to peripheral arterial occlusive disease appears to be correlated mainly with technical reasons or cerebral ischemia following clamping. CONCLUSIONS: The extensive use of angioplasty with patch and the selective use of a protective shunt improve the technical success rate of surgery, significantly helping to limit morbidity.

Kidney transplantation: the use of living donors with renal artery lesions.

PURPOSE: A shortage of organs for transplantation has forced surgeons to optimize the use of marginal organs, such as kidneys with arterial disease. We present a retrospective study of the outcome of donors with renal artery disease and recipients of kidneys from living related and unrelated donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Kidneys with vascular abnormalities from healthy living donors were grafted into 11 recipients. These kidney transplants comprised 1.8% of those performed at our institution. The vascular abnormalities were aneurysms in 3 cases, atherosclerotic lesions in 4 and fibromuscular dysplasia in 4. After nephrectomy all abnormalities were corrected under hypothermic conditions during bench surgery except in 3 cases of ostial atherosclerotic plaque, which was left in the donors. The renal artery was anastomosed to the external iliac artery in 5 cases and to the internal iliac artery in 6. The ureter was reimplanted using an extravesical technique. RESULTS: All patients had immediate diuresis and no delayed post-transplant graft dysfunction was observed. One patient died of an unrelated cause and 3 had post-transplant graft function loss due to acute vasculopathy in 1, post-diarrhea with acute arterial thrombosis in 1 and recurrence of the hemolytic-uremic syndrome in 1. All remaining patients are well with median serum creatinine of 1.4 mg./dl. (normal 0.4 to 1.4). All donors are well and normotensive with normal renal function. CONCLUSIONS: The use of kidneys with arterial disease from living donors with unilateral disease is safe. Complete informed consent regarding the risks and benefits by donor and recipient is mandatory.

[Clinical value of intracavitary electrograms stored by implantable automatic defibrillator in patients resuscitated after cardiac arrest]. / Valore clinico degli elettrogrammi intracavitari memorizzati dal defibrillatore automatico impiantabile in pazienti rianimati da un arresto cardiaco.

A major limitation of implantable defibrillators in the past has been the inability to document the arrhythmia precipitating discharge of the device. Although symptoms can be of some help in identifying the arrhythmia, symptomatic supraventricular arrhythmias and asymptomatic ventricular tachycardia (VT) have been documented in some cases before device discharge. The aim of this study was to systematically assess the value of stored intracardiac electrograms by implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in survivors of cardiac arrest during an antiarrhythmic drug free-period, in order to better define the arrhythmic profile determining device activation. The stored intracardiac electrograms of a fourth-generation cardioverter-defibrillator, implanted in 18 survivors of cardiac arrest were retrieved. The number of device activations, and the characteristics of any stored arrhythmic events were analyzed. A total number of 249 arrhythmic events were detected and stored over a mean follow-up of 378 +/- 107 days. These resulted in 78 delivered shocks, 84% of which were appropriate. Most of the detected events were episodes of unsustained VTs (33%), and atrial fibrillation or flutter (31%), which led to inappropriate shocks in 16% of the cases. The remaining recorded events were: sustained VT or fibrillation (66 episodes, 26%), sinus rhythm (11 events, 4%), not classified episode (6%). Of the 171 (69%) arrhythmic episodes not resulting in shocks, 73 events aborted before shock delivery by the device's reconfirmation algorithm, and the remaining 98 (39%) were detected but unsustained in duration, thus terminating before charging. In some cases, sustained and unsustained episodes of both supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias gave symptoms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Intraoperative antifibrinolysis and blood-saving techniques in cardiac surgery. Prospective trial of 3 antifibrinolytic drugs.

Sixty consecutive patients undergoing elective open-heart surgery were prospectively enrolled in a study to compare the efficacy of 3 different antifibrinolytic drugs to reduce postoperative bleeding and to reduce homologous blood requirements in combination with blood-saving techniques and restrictive indications for blood transfusion. The patients were randomized to 1 of 4 intraoperative treatment regimens: 1) control (no antifibrinolytic therapy); 2) epsilon-aminocaproic acid (10 g IV at induction of anesthesia, followed by infusion of 2 g/h for 5 hours); 3) tranexamic acid (10 mg/kg IV within 30 minutes after induction of anesthesia, followed by infusion of 1 mg/kg per hour for 10 hours); or 4) high-dose aprotinin (2 million KIU IV at induction of anesthesia and 2 million KIU added to the extracorporeal circuit, followed by infusion of 500 thousand KIU/h during surgery). Hemoconcentration and reinfusion of blood drained from the operative field and the extracorporeal circuit after operation were used in all patients. Indications for blood transfusion were hypotension, tachycardia, or both, with hemoglobin values < 8.5 g/dL; or severe anemia with hemoglobin values < 7 g/dL. Compared with the blood loss in the control group, patients receiving aprotinin and epsilon-aminocaproic acid showed significantly less postoperative blood loss at 1 hour (control, 128 +/- 94 mL; aprotinin, 54 +/- 47 mL, p = 0.01; and epsilon-aminocaproic acid, 69 +/- 35 mL, p = 0.03); this trend continued at 24 hours after operation (control, 724 +/- 280 mL; aprotinin, 344 +/- 106 mL, p < 0.0001; and epsilon-aminocaproic acid, 509 +/- 148 mL, p = 0.01). Aprotinin was significantly more efficient than epsilon-aminocaproic acid (p=0.002). Tranexamic acid did not have a statistically significant effect on blood loss. Homologous blood requirements were not significantly different among the groups; postoperative hematologic values and coagulation times were also comparable. Despite the efficacy of aprotinin and epsilon-aminocaproic acid shown in the present study, the blood requirements were not significantly different from those that are found when transfusions are restricted, autotransfusions are used, and blood from the operative field and extracorporeal circuit is concentrated and reinfused. Therefore, intraoperative antifibrinolysis may not be indicated in routine cardiac surgery when other blood-saving techniques are adopted.

[Arrhythmic symptoms and events in patients wearing an implantable automatic defibrillator]. / Sintomi ed eventi aritmici in pazienti portatori di defibrillatore automatico impiantabile.

BACKGROUND: Although symptoms can be of some help in identifying the arrhythmia related to implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) discharge, symptomatic supraventricular arrhythmias and asymptomatic ventricular tachycardia have been reported. METHODS: In 18 survivors of cardiac arrest implanted with an ICD, the symptoms and intracardiac electrograms were systematically evaluated, in order to better define a relationship between some symptoms and supraventricular or ventricular tachyarrhythmias. RESULTS: A total number of 249 arrhythmic episodes were detected by the ICD during a mean follow-up of 378 +/- 107 days (range 137 to 642). Within this time, in 15 out of 18 patients (83%) at least one arrhythmic event alerting the device occurred, determining a therapeutic attempt in 13 patients. Only 49% of the episode stored by the ICD were symptomatic. Symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, "going under" lacked of predictability for ventricular tachycardia; in contrast, patients describing a "hot flush", alone or associated with palpitations, lightheadedness, dizziness most commonly recognized a ventricular tachyarrhythmias. This symptom had a good sensitivity (72%) and a high specificity (95%) in detecting a sustained ventricular tachycardia. CONCLUSIONS: Since in most cases symptoms are not a reliable criterion for validating ICD discharges stored electrograms during ICD activation need to be considered for analysis. However, the data of this study showed the importance of "hot flush" as a key symptom for recognizing the occurrence of a sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia.

Improvement of cardiac function in patients with severe congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease by dual chamber pacing with shortened AV delay.

Medical therapy often fails to control symptoms of severe heart failure. The possibility of modifying to some degree the global ventricular performance with the implantation of a physiological dual chamber pacemaker, set with a short atrioventricular delay (100 msec), has been adopted in two patients with severe heart failure due to coronary artery disease. The baseline clinical condition of both patients was characterized by leg edema, ascites, dyspnea at rest, or even orthopnea with a functional New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III-IV. Acute measurements of hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters during stepwise shortening of AV interval guided the pacemaker implantation and setting of AV delay in the chronic phase. Within a few days after pacemaker implantation, both patients considerably improved their clinical status as well as their functional NYHA class, improving to class II in one patient and to class II-III in the other patient. In addition, modification of systolic and diastolic parameters paralleled these improvements functional class and clinical condition. Pacemaker therapy in severe heart failure refractory to medical therapy can be of considerable benefit in patients whose quality-of-life is severely compromised when pharmacological therapy is no longer effective. Acute hemodynamic and echocardiographic testing is useful in assessing the most appropriate AV delay and pacing mode.