The evaluation of levosimendan in patients with acute myocardial infarction related ventricular septal rupture undergoing cardiac surgery: a prospective observational cohort study with propensity score analysis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of levosimendan in patients with acute myocardial infarction related ventricular septal rupture (AMI-VSR) underwent cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study with propensity score analysis. PATIENTS: There were 261 patients with AMI-VSR in our study. After 1:1 propensity matching, 106 patients (53 levosimendan and 53 control) were selected in the matched cohort. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS: Patients who received levosimendan were assigned to the levosimendan group (n = 164). The patients who were not received were levosimendan assigned to the control group (n = 97). The levosimendan was initiated immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass. Then, it has been maintained during the postoperative 3 days. The poor outcomes were identified as follows: death and postoperative complications (postoperative stroke, low cardiac output syndromeneeded mechanical circulatory support after surgery, acute kidney injury (≥ stage III), postoperative infection or septic shock, new developed atrial fibrillation or ventricular arrhythmias). MAIN RESULTS: Before matching, the control group had more length of ICU stay (6.69 ± 3.90 d vs. 5.20 ± 2.24 d, p < 0.001) and longer mechanical ventilation time (23 h, IQR: 16-53 h vs. 16 h, IQR: 11-23 h, p < 0.001). Other postoperative outcomes have not shown significant differences between two groups. After matching, no significant difference was found between both groups for all postoperative outcomes. The Kaplan-Meier survivul estimate and log-rank test showed that the 90-day survival had no significant differences between two groups before and after matching. CONCLUSION: Our study found that a low-dose infusion of levosimendan in AMI-VSR patients underwent surgical repair did not associated with positively affect to postoperative outcomes.

Use of Levosimendan as bridge therapy to surgical correction of post-infarction ventricular septal defect: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is an uncommon but frequently fatal complication following acute myocardial infarction. In medically treated patients, mortality rates exceed 90%, while the surgical repair is associated with better outcomes, even though optimal surgical timing is still under debate. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 78-years-old man with no previous remarkable cardiological history admitted to our Emergency Department with the diagnosis of anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction and significant reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction. The emergency coronary angiography showed sub-occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery, treated with stent implantation. The post-procedural echocardiography unveiled the presence of an apical VSD with a large left-to-right shunt, significant right ventricular overload and dysfunction. An intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) was positioned and, after Heart Team evaluation, a delayed surgical approach was planned. As a bridge to the intervention Levosimendan infusion was administered, on top of IABP support, and a significant improvement in bi-ventricular function and pressure profiles was obtained. Cardiac surgery was successfully performed 9 days after the admission without periprocedural complications. CONCLUSIONS: This unique case supports the use of Levosimendan as a valid pharmacological strategy for perioperative management of VSD.

Successful Medical Treatment Using Tolvaptan of Ventricular Septal Rupture Following Myocardial Infarction.

Although improved treatments for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have considerably reduced the mortality of AMI in the past two decades, the treatment for ventricular septal rupture (VSR)-a rare but life-threatening mechanical complication of AMI-still remains quite challenging. We herein describe the case of a high-surgical-risk patient with VSR after AMI who was successfully treated using tolvaptan (a novel V2-receptor antagonist) without any mechanical support.

Clinical and surgical profile of patients operated for postinfarction interventricular septal rupture.

OBJECTIVES: To study clinical features, complications and in-hospital outcomes of patients operated for postinfarction ventricular septal rupture. METHODS: A retrospective study involving 21 patients between January/1996 and June/2009. All operations were performed at the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery of Complexo Hospitalar HUOC/PROCAPE. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 62.81 years (± 8.21), 61.9% (n = 13) were male. Rupture occurred on average 4.8 days after infarction. Cardiogenic shock was observed in 57.1% (n = 12), being risk factor for death (100% with shock vs. 22.2% without shock; P<0.001). Survivors had a higher mean ejection fraction compared to deaths (66.29% ± 4.61% versus 42.71% ± 4.79%, P <0.001). All were classified as high risk by the EuroSCORE, and the survivors had lower average score compared to deaths (6.57 ± 0.53 versus 10.93 ± 2.23; P <0.001). The majority (76.2%, n = 16) of the patients needed to use vasoactive drugs and 57.1% (n = 12) considered hemodynamically unstable. Need for vasoactive drugs was a risk factor for death (81.3% with vasoactive drugs versus 20% without vasoactive drugs, P = 0.025). Hemodynamic instability was also a risk factor for death (100% in the unstable group versus 22.2% in the stable group; P <0.001). The rate of in-hospital mortality was 66.7% (n = 14). CONCLUSIONS: The need for vasoactive drugs, hemodynamic instability and cardiogenic shock were associated with higher rates of mortality. Patients who had adverse outcomes had less ventricular function and higher score in the EuroSCORE. Mortality remains high.

Perfil clínico-cirúrgico de pacientes operados por ruptura do septo interventricular pós-infarto do miocárdio / Clinical and surgical profile of patients operated for postinfarction interventricular septal rupture

OBJETIVOS: Estudar características clínicas, complicações e desfechos intra-hospitalares de pacientes operados por ruptura do septo interventricular pós-infarto. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo envolvendo 21 pacientes entre janeiro/1996 e junho/2009. Todas as operações foram realizadas na Divisão de Cirurgia Cardiovascular do Complexo Hospitalar HUOC/PROCAPE. RESULTADOS: Idade média dos pacientes foi de 62,81 anos (± 8,21), sendo 61,9 por cento (n=13) do sexo masculino. Ruptura ocorreu, em média, 4,8 dias após o infarto. Foi observado choque cardiogênico em 57,1 por cento (n=12) dos casos, sendo este fator de risco para óbito (100 por cento com choque vs. 22,2 por cento sem choque; P<0,001). Sobreviventes apresentaram média de fração de ejeção maior em comparação aos óbitos (66,29 por cento ± 4,61 por cento versus 42,71 por cento ± 4,79 por cento; P<0,001). Todos pacientes foram classificados em alto risco pelo EuroSCORE, tendo os sobreviventes média de pontuação menor em comparação aos óbitos (6,57 ± 0,53 versus 10,93 ± 2,23; P<0,001). A maioria (76,2 por cento; n=16) dos pacientes teve necessidade de uso de drogas vasoativas e 57,1 por cento (n=12) foram considerados instáveis hemodinamicamente. Necessidade de drogas vasoativas foi fator de risco para óbito (81,3 por cento no grupo com drogas vasoativas versus 20 por cento no grupo sem drogas vasoativas, P=0,025). Instabilidade hemodinâmica também foi fator de risco para óbito (100 por cento no grupo instável versus 22,2 por cento no grupo estável; P<0,001). A taxa de mortalidade intra-hospitalar foi de 66,7 por cento (n=14). CONCLUSÕES: Necessidade de drogas vasoativas, instabilidade hemodinâmica e choque cardiogênico se associaram com maiores taxas de mortalidade. Pacientes que evoluem com desfecho adverso apresentam menor função ventricular e maior pontuação no EuroSCORE. A taxa de mortalidade permanece alta.

OBJECTIVES: To study clinical features, complications and in-hospital outcomes of patients operated for postinfarction ventricular septal rupture. METHODS: A retrospective study involving 21 patients between January/1996 and June/2009. All operations were performed at the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery of Complexo Hospitalar HUOC/PROCAPE. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 62.81 years (± 8.21), 61.9 percent (n = 13) were male. Rupture occurred on average 4.8 days after infarction. Cardiogenic shock was observed in 57.1 percent (n = 12), being risk factor for death (100 percent with shock vs. 22.2 percent without shock; P<0.001). Survivors had a higher mean ejection fraction compared to deaths (66.29 percent ± 4.61 percent versus 42.71 percent ± 4.79 percent, P <0.001). All were classified as high risk by the EuroSCORE, and the survivors had lower average score compared to deaths (6.57 ± 0.53 versus 10.93 ± 2.23; P <0.001). The majority (76.2 percent, n = 16) of the patients needed to use vasoactive drugs and 57.1 percent (n = 12) considered hemodynamically unstable. Need for vasoactive drugs was a risk factor for death (81.3 percent with vasoactive drugs versus 20 percent without vasoactive drugs, P = 0.025). Hemodynamic instability was also a risk factor for death (100 percent in the unstable group versus 22.2 percent in the stable group; P <0.001). The rate of in-hospital mortality was 66.7 percent (n = 14). CONCLUSIONS: The need for vasoactive drugs, hemodynamic instability and cardiogenic shock were associated with higher rates of mortality. Patients who had adverse outcomes had less ventricular function and higher score in the EuroSCORE. Mortality remains high.

Long-term usefulness of percutaneous intrapericardial fibrin-glue fixation therapy for oozing type of left ventricular free wall rupture: a case report.

This report describes a long-term survival case of left ventricular free wall rupture treated with percutaneous intrapericardial fibrin-glue fixation therapy. A 82-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency room because of vomiting and syncope diagnosed as acute posterolateral myocardial infarction complicated by cardiac tamponade. After her hemodynamic condition was stabilized by drawing off the bloody pericardial effusion, fibrin-glue was injected into pericardial space with the expectation that the glue would cover the oozing site of the left ventricular epicardium. After this therapy, the patient recovered and did not have any no recurrent cardiac events for 1 year. Serial echocardiographic studies revealed a preserved left ventricular function and no development of left ventricular restriction. This case suggests that percutaneous intrapericardial fibrin-glue fixation therapy is an effective treatment for the oozing type of left ventricular free wall rupture and that there is no risk of left ventricular restriction during long-term follow-up.