Role of Computed Tomography Angiography in the Short-Term Follow-up of Aortic Coarctation Repair.

INTRODUCTION: Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a narrowing of the thoracic aorta that often manifests as discrete stenosis but may be tortuous or in long segment. The study aimed to evaluate pre and post-surgical aspects of pediatric patients submitted to CoA surgical correction and to identify possible predisposing factors for aortic recoarctation. METHODS: Twenty-five patients were divided into groups according to presence (N=8) or absence (N=17) of recoarctation after surgical correction of CoA and evaluated according to clinical-demographic profile, vascular characteristics via computed angiotomography (CAT), and other pathological conditions. RESULTS: Majority of males (64%), ≥ 15 days old (76%), ≥ 2.5 kg (80%). There was similarity between groups with and without recoarctation regarding sex (male: 87% vs. 53%; P=0.277), age (≥ 15 days: 62.5 vs. 82%; P=0.505), and weight (≥ 2.5 kg: 87.5 vs. 76.5; P=0,492). Altered values of aortic root/Valsalva diameter, proximal transverse arch, and distal isthmus, and normal values for aorta prevailed in preoperative CAT. Normal values for the aortic root/Valsalva sinus diameter were observed with and without recoarctation, the same for both groups regarding ascending and descending aorta in postoperative CAT. No significant difference for altered values of proximal transverse arch and alteration in distal isthmus was observed. CONCLUSION: No predictive risk for recoarctation was observed. CTA proved to be important in CoA diagnosis and management, since CoA is mainly related with altered diameter of aortic root/sinus of Valsalva and proximal and distal aortic arch/isthmus, however, it failed to show predictive risk for recoarctation.

Role of Computed Tomography Angiography in the Short-Term Follow-up of Aortic Coarctation Repair

ABSTRACT Introduction: Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a narrowing of the thoracic aorta that often manifests as discrete stenosis but may be tortuous or in long segment. The study aimed to evaluate pre and post-surgical aspects of pediatric patients submitted to CoA surgical correction and to identify possible predisposing factors for aortic recoarctation. Methods: Twenty-five patients were divided into groups according to presence (N=8) or absence (N=17) of recoarctation after surgical correction of CoA and evaluated according to clinical-demographic profile, vascular characteristics via computed angiotomography (CAT), and other pathological conditions. Results: Majority of males (64%), ≥ 15 days old (76%), ≥ 2.5 kg (80%). There was similarity between groups with and without recoarctation regarding sex (male: 87% vs. 53%; P=0.277), age (≥ 15 days: 62.5 vs. 82%; P=0.505), and weight (≥ 2.5 kg: 87.5 vs. 76.5; P=0,492). Altered values of aortic root/Valsalva diameter, proximal transverse arch, and distal isthmus, and normal values for aorta prevailed in preoperative CAT. Normal values for the aortic root/Valsalva sinus diameter were observed with and without recoarctation, the same for both groups regarding ascending and descending aorta in postoperative CAT. No significant difference for altered values of proximal transverse arch and alteration in distal isthmus was observed. Conclusion: No predictive risk for recoarctation was observed. CTA proved to be important in CoA diagnosis and management, since CoA is mainly related with altered diameter of aortic root/sinus of Valsalva and proximal and distal aortic arch/isthmus, however, it failed to show predictive risk for recoarctation.

Angiotomografía de la arteria cística en preoperatorio y comorbilidad en colecistectomía laparoscópica por colelitiasis / Angiotomography of the cystic artery in preoperative and comorbidity in laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis

La colecistectomía laparoscópica es el tratamiento de elección de la colelitiasis; sin embargo, se acompaña de comorbilidades y no está exenta de complicaciones mayores que pueden ser letales; la identificación del trígono cistohepático con disección y ligadura de la arteria cística son pasos obligatorios de la cirugía; la identificación de las variaciones de la arteria cística y los conductos biliares pueden minimizar las eventuales complicaciones. Al protocolo preoperatorio se implementó una angiotomografía con Tomógrafo Siemens Somatón Sensation ® de 64 cortes para identificar la arteria cística en pacientes con colelitiasis de la Unidad de Cirugía General del Hospital de Especialidades Teodoro Maldonado Carbo IESS de Guayaquil. Se escogieron 60 pacientes femeninos en forma aleatoria (edades 19-70 años, promedio 44,25 años) y la muestra se dividió en dos grupos de 30; al grupo estudio se aplicó angiotomografía hasta un mes antes de la cirugía y al grupo control se le aplicó el protocolo convencional. Se evaluó morbilidades relacionadas con: hemorragia operatoria por lesión de la arteria cística y en el posoperatorio: infección de herida operatoria, íleo y drenaje. La angiotomografía permitió identificar la arteria cística en el preoperatorio y contribuyó a disminuir comorbilidades que acompañan a la colecistectomía laparoscópica.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment of cholelithiasis of choice; however, it is accompanied by comorbidities and is not exempt from major complications that can be lethal; the identification of the cystohepatic trigone with dissection and ligation of the cystic artery are mandatory steps of surgery; the identification of the variations of the cystic artery and the bile ducts can minimize the possible complications. The preoperative protocol was implemented with an angiotomography with Siemens Somatón Sensation ® 64-slice Tomograph to identify the cystic artery in patients with cholelithiasis of the General Surgery Unit of the Teodoro Maldonado Carbo IESS Specialty Hospital of Guayaquil. 60 female patients were chosen at random (ages 19 -70 years, average 44.25 years) and the sample was divided into two groups of 30; Angiotomography was applied to the study group up to one month before surgery and the conventional protocol was applied to the control group. Morbidities related to: operative haemorrhage due to cystic artery and postoperative injury: operative wound infection, ileus and drainage were evaluated. Angiotomography allowed to identify the cystic artery in the preoperative period and contributed to decrease comorbidities that accompany laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Angiotomografía de las variantes anatómicas de la arteria cística: estudio en el preoperatorio de colelitiasis / Angiotomography of the anatomical variants of the cystic artery: pre-operative study of cholelithiasis

La colecistectomía laparoscópica es el tratamiento indicado en la colelitiasis, sin embargo el procedimiento no está exento de complicaciones o morbilidad concomitante. Es posible que, debido a lesiones ductales colaterales, ocurra sangrado con posibilidad de conversión de la cirugía e indeseables resultados. Para un correcto abordaje de la región se hace fundamental la identificación del trígono cistohepático (TCH) y sus componentes, a su vez de la ligadura y sección de la arteria cística (AC). Conociendo la elevada variabilidad de la AC, el objetivo de este trabajo consistió en identificar el número, origen, trayecto y relación de la AC con el TCH y sus variaciones, utilizando angiotomografía por medio de un tomógrafo detector de 64 cortes, en el preoperatorio de 30 pacientes de sexo femenino, entre 24 y 54 años de edad, con colelitiasis diagnosticadas clínicamente y por ecosonografía. La AC en el 76,67 % era única y se encontraba dentro del TCH, en el 16,67 % era única y se observó fuera del TCH. En el 6,67 % se observaron dos AC, una dentro y otra fuera del TCH. En el 66,67 % de los casos la AC se originaba de manera normal de la arteria hepática derecha. La trazabilidad de la AC fue en el 53,3 % medianamente visible y en el 46,7 % de trazabilidad excelente. En conclusión, la identificación de la AC y sus variaciones anatómicas se puede determinar en el preoperatorio y puede ser útil para mejorar el plan quirúrgico en pacientes con colelitiasis, brindando información al procedimiento, optimizarlo y disminuir los riesgos de eventuales complicaciones relacionados con sangrado.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment indicated for cholelithiasis, however the procedure is not free of complications or concomitant morbidity. It is possible that, due to collateral ductal lesions, bleeding occurs with the possibility of surgery conversion and undesirable results. For a correct approach to the region it is essential to identify the cystohepatic trigone (CHT) and its components, as well as the ligation and section of the cystic artery (AC). Knowing the high variability of CA, the aim of this work was to identify the number, origin, path and relationship of CA with the CHT and its variations using angiotomography by means of a 64-slice detector tomograph in the preoperative period of 30 female patients, between 24 and 54 years old, with clinically diagnosed cholelithiasis and by echo sonography. The AC in 76.67 % was unique and was within the CHT, in 16.67 % it was unique and was observed outside the CHT. In 6.67 %, two ACs were observed, one inside and one outside the TCH. In 66.67 % of cases, CA originated normally from the right hepatic artery. The traceability of AC was 53.3 % moderately visible and 46.7 % excellent traceability. In conclusion, the identification of AC and its anatomical variations can be determined in the preoperative period and can be useful to improve the surgical plan in patients with cholelithiasis, providing information on the procedure, optimizing it and reducing the risks of possible bleeding related complications.

Incremental value of functional assessment over coronary anatomy in an acute myocardial infarction associated with mitral valve replacement.

We present the case of a patient with an aneurysm secondary to a complicated myocardial infarction associated to an occlusion of the obtuse marginal branches during or after valve replacement surgery.

Mixoma atrial: más que una neoplasia benigna / Atrial myxoma: more than a beningn neoplasm

RESUMEN Los tumores cardíacos son parte del diagnóstico diferencial en el estudio de las masas intracardíacas, junto con vegetaciones, trombos, calcificaciones valvulares, entre otros. Su localización, tamaño y movilidad pueden dar lugar a importantes implicaciones funcionales y anatómicas que determinan la presentación clínica. Describimos el caso de una mujer de 51 años de edad, quien se presentó con cuadro sugestivo de un síndrome coronario agudo, pero gracias a los hallazgos ecocardiográficos se le diagnosticó un tromboembolismo pulmonar originado por un mixoma en la aurícula derecha con posterior verificación histopatológica..

Cardiac tumors are part of the differential diagnosis in the study of intra-cardiac masses along with vegetations, thrombi, valvular calcifications among others. Their localization, size and mobility can lead to major anatomical and functional implications determining the clinical presentation. We describe the case of a 51 year-old female, who presented with complains suggestive of an acute coronary syndrome, in which an echocardiographic showed it a pulmonary embolism caused by a right atrial myxoma with histopathological verification was made.