Bleeding from the sternal marrow can be stopped using vivostat patient-derived fibrin sealant.

BACKGROUND: Median sternotomy is the most important method of access to the heart. Bleeding from the sternal marrow may become significant, especially in elderly patients. Vivostat (ConvaTec, a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Skillman, NJ) patient-derived fibrin sealant is biocompatible and easily applied to the sternal marrow using the Vivostat Spraypen applicator. METHODS: Thirty patients undergoing elective cardiac operation were randomized to receive Vivostat fibrin sealant applied to either the right or left side of the sternum immediately after median sternotomy, with the untreated side serving as control. RESULTS: The average time to hemostasis was 43 seconds after treatment with Vivostat and 180 seconds on the control sides (p<0.001). At the end of the operation, complete hemostasis was observed on 24 of 30 sides treated with Vivostat compared with on 4 of 30 of the control sides (p<0.001). The average volume of sealant used to cover one side of the sternum was 0.9 mL. CONCLUSIONS: Vivostat patient-derived fibrin sealant is a biocompatible alternative to bone wax, with the results of this study showing that it provides effective control of bleeding after median sternotomy.

Vivostat system autologous fibrin sealant: preliminary study in elective coronary bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: The Vivostat System is a medical device for the preparation of an autologous fibrin sealant from 120 mL of the patient's blood in the operating room. The system is fully automated and microprocessor controlled and is made up of three components: an automated processor unit, an automated applicator unit, and a disposable, single-patient-use unit, which includes a preparation set and a Spraypen applicator. The biochemical process is initiated by batroxobin, which acts upon the fibrinogen in the patient's plasma. The completion of the process depends entirely on endogenous thrombin in producing the sealant. METHODS: Twenty-four volunteer patients undergoing elective primary coronary artery bypass grafting were randomized to either conventional hemostasis (control group) or the use of Vivostat fibrin sealant as an adjunct to conventional hemostasis. The patients were followed up at 1 month and 1 year. RESULTS: The preparation process was completed in 30 minutes. No safety issues associated with the use of the sealant were identified. From 120 mL of the patient's blood the yield of fibrin sealant was 4.5 mL (range, 3.9 to 4.8 mL). There was a favorable trend toward lower amounts of chest tube drainage in the Vivostat group. In the Vivostat group, 1 of 11 patients (9%) required a perioperative transfusion and in the control group 3 of 12 patients (25%) required a perioperative transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to prepare autologous fibrin sealant with the Vivostat system in 30 minutes. No exogenous thrombin is required. The sealant has no known adverse effects and may prove to be a useful adjunct to hemostasis in cardiothoracic surgery.

A comparison of the effects of membrane and bubble oxygenators on platelet counts and platelet size in elective cardiac operations.

To compare the effects of membrane and bubble oxygenators on platelet counts and the size of circulating platelets, serial hematocrits, platelet counts, and platelet sizing were measured in 23 patients undergoing elective cardiac operations. In 10 patients a bubble oxygenator was used and in 13, a SciMed membrane oxygenator. The two groups were statistically similar with respect to age, weight, time on bypass, and mean blood flow rates during bypass. It was found that platelet counts, when corrected for hemodilution, did not fall from control levels during or up to 24 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass in either group. In both groups, the relative number of platelets per gram of hemoglobin increased slightly during and after bypass, and this increase was significant in the bubble oxygenator group. The average size of circulating platelets increased only in the bubble oxygenator group, and then only in the one-day postoperative sample. These findings suggest that the membrane oxygenator offers no advantage with respect to preservation of platelets during cardiopulmonary bypass lasting up to 2 to 3 hours.

Chronic foreign body aspiration diagnosed by lung scan.

The case of a two-year-old child with foreign body aspiration is presented. It was complicated by a delay in diagnosis and treatment. Lung scan was helpful in eventually establishing the diagnosis. Key points in the management of patients with foreign body aspiration are reviewed and pathophysiologic mechanisms are discussed.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm with rupture into inferior vena cava associated with horseshoe kidney.

The first patient with an abdominal aortic aneurysm with rupture into the inferior vena cava associated with a horseshoe kidney is reported. Rupture of an aortic aneurysm into the inferior vena cava with formation of an aortocaval fistula has been reported in 100 patients. Aortic aneurysm in combination with horseshoe kidneys has been described in 34 patients. The diagnosis was made by an abdominal aortogram. The patient's preoperative condition was characterized by circulatory and renal failure subsequent to the development of a large aortocaval fistula. Operative repair was performed by dividing and rotating the kidney, dividing a renal polar artery, incising the aneurysm, and over-sewing the fistula from within. The patient's postoperative course was complicated by renal failure and sepsis and he died two months later. It is essential to preserve renal function in patients with this combination of anomalies.