Myocardial revascularization with radial and mammary arteries: initial and mid-term results.

BACKGROUND: The radial artery is being used with increasing frequency instead of the saphenous vein in coronary artery bypass grafts. We analyzed the in-hospital and midterm results in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery in whom a combination of arterial grafts was used, including radial artery and one or both internal mammary arteries. METHODS: Between 1995 and 1998, 1,023 patients underwent coronary artery bypass surgery using arterial conduits. The left internal mammary artery and the right internal mammary artery were employed in combination with the radial artery. RESULTS: An average of 3.2 grafts per patient were done. The left internal mammary artery and radial artery were used in 100% of patients, the right internal mammary artery in 21.7%, and a venous graft in 31%. The operative mortality rate was 2.5%. On repeat angiography performed in 62 patients before their discharge, the arterial conduits were patent in 98.4%. Mean follow-up was 25.0 +/- 9.6 months (1 to 48 months). The probability of survival was 92.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Revascularization using mammary and radial artery grafts is safe. Complications are not higher than those observed with saphenous vein grafting. It was possible to use arterial conduits in all the patients, even in those with impaired left ventricular function.

Off-pump coronary operation at the Favaloro Foundation: results in 264 patients.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to determine whether complete myocardial revascularization "off pump" was feasible while maintaining the efficacy of conventional surgical techniques. METHODS: 264 patients were operated on between March 15, 1998, and August 26, 1999. A total of 218 (82.6%) were men and the average age was 61.4 years (range 28 to 87 years). Left main occlusions were present in 10.2% and 84% had multiple vessel disease. A total of 628 grafts were implanted, an average of 2.4 grafts per patient. Total arterial revascularization was achieved in 81.5% using both internal mammary arteries and the radial artery, one or more venous grafts in 18.1%, and venous alone in 0.3%. RESULTS: Surgical mortality was 2.2% and perioperative myocardial infarction was 3%. There were no neurologic events in this group of patients. In the first 73 patients coronary angiography control was performed before discharge and all grafts were patent. Angioplasty was carried out in 2 patients (0.76%) and conversion of procedure in 4 (1.5%). Follow-up time was 4 to 14 months. CONCLUSIONS: This procedure enabled revascularization of all areas of the heart, usually with total arterial revascularization, and excellent patency rates. The morbidity and mortality observed was similar to conventional surgery. The incidence of secondary complications (bleeding, need for transfusion, prolonged mechanical ventilation, or neurologic events) was lower.

Unsuspected embolic fungal endocarditis of an aortic conduit diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography.

A 66-year-old man with a history of hypertension and ascending aortic replacement because of a type A dissection had 3 successive embolic events (left lower limb, brain, and spleen). Two consecutive transesophageal echocardiography studies showed mobile masses in the ascending aorta. The patient was reoperated without a certain etiologic diagnosis, and an unsuspected fungal endocarditis caused by an unusual germ (Trichoderma species) was found. Transesophageal echocardiography proved very useful in the management of this uncommon case of endocarditis.

Azygos vein diverticulum.

A 47-year-old woman, diagnosed with a diverticulum of the arch of the azygos vein, underwent surgical treatment. With nonspecific symptomatology, she presented one of the most uncommon anomalies of the large veins.

[Coronary revascularization surgery with arterial conduits. The technic, results and 4-year follow-up in 1023 consecutive patients]. / Cirugía de revascularización coronaria con conductos arteriales. Técnica, resultados y seguimiento a cuatro años en 1,023 pacientes consecutivos.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the present study was to analyze the in-hospital and mid term results obtained in 1,023 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) in whom a combination of arterial grafts was used: radial arteries (RA) and one or both internal mammary arteries (IMA). METHODS: From May 1995 to May 1998, 1,023 consecutive patients underwent CABG alone, using arterial conduits (AC) (one or two IMA and RA) for myocardial revascularization. The left internal mammary artery (LIMA) was employed as an "in situ" graft, and the right internal mammary artery (RIMA) as a free graft or "in situ" both in combination with the RA. The latter was connected to the LIMA through a T or Y anastomosis, or emerged directly from the ascending portion of the aorta. RESULTS: An average of 3.2 bypasses per patient were performed. The LIMA was used in 100% of the patients. The RIMA was used in 21.7% and the RA in 100% of the cases. Operative mortality was 2.5% (26 patients) and 32 (3.1%) suffered perioperative acute myocardial infarction. The first 62 patients were angiographically re-studied before discharge, and a 98.4% patency of the AC used was found. Mean follow up time was 25.0 +/- 9.6 months (range, 1 to 48 months). CONCLUSIONS: a) myocardial revascularization procedures using a combination of mammary and RA grafts are safe; b) in-hospital and mid term morbidity and mortality are not higher than those observed with saphenous vein grafts; c) it is possible to achieve complete myocardial revascularization with only AC, even in patients with impaired left ventricular function, and d) AC can be used in elderly patients.

Valve operations through a minimally invasive approach.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed in-hospital results of 87 patients undergoing minimally invasive valvular operations (right parasternal incision through third and fourth cartilages). METHODS: Age was 21 to 84 years (mean, 56.2 +/- 16); 45 patients (51.7%) were female. Five (5.7%) had a previous valvular operation and 8 (9.2%) had severe left ventricular dysfunction. Valve diseases were as follows: aortic in 35 patients (40.2%), mitral in 44 (50.5%), double in 5 (5.7%), tricuspid regurgitation in 2 (2.2%), and mitral periprosthetic leak in 1 (1.1%). RESULTS: Nineteen mitral repairs (21.9%), 22 replacements (25.3%), 1 leak closure (1.1%), 1 tricuspid repair (1.1%), and 1 replacement (1.1%) were performed. Thirty-one patients (35.7%) underwent aortic replacement, 2 (2.3%) aortic decalcification, 1 (1.1%) subaortic membrane resection, 4 (4.6%) a double-valve procedure, and 5 (5.7%) a single-valve operation combined with myocardial revascularization. In-hospital mortality was 5.7% (5 patients). Univariate analysis was significant for previous operation, New York Heart Association class IV and severe ventricular dysfunction. Multivariate analysis was significant for previous operation and severe ventricular dysfunction. Atrial fibrillation (12.6%) was the most frequent complication. Postoperative stay was 6.5 +/- 6 days. CONCLUSIONS: The minimally invasive approach is a useful technique in valvular surgery. Patients with a previous valvular operation, severe ventricular dysfunction, and New York Heart Association class IV dyspnea have higher in-hospital mortality.

Surgical treatment of acute type A dissecting aneurysm, with preservation of the native aortic valve and use of biologic glue. Follow-up to 6 years.

We present an analysis of 59 patients operated on between 1983 and 1987 for acute type A dissecting aneurysm with aortic valve insufficiency. The ascending aorta was replaced with a Dacron tube, the layers of the dissection were unified with gelatin-resorcine-formaldehyde glue, and the natural aortic valve was preserved. Follow-up every 6 months was subject to actuarial analysis. The hospital mortality rate was 22%. The survivors were studied for 35.9 +/- 18.6 months (mean +/- standard deviation). Eight patients died (six of cardiovascular causes, one of cancer of the colon, and one of an unknown cause). Seventeen (36.9%) had aortic insufficiency, eight mild and nine moderate to severe. Four patients with severe insufficiency had reoperation with valve replacement. Excluding patients who have died or undergone reoperation, 29 of the remainder (90.6%) are free of symptoms. The follow-up survival rate is 61% +/- 6.93% (standard error) including hospital mortality. It is 55.4% +/- 7% (standard error) excluding reoperation and 44.2% +/- 7.1% (standard error) additionally excluding modest or severe aortic insufficiency. The use of gelatin-resorcine-formal glue allowed preservation of the native aortic valve, obviating the need for anticoagulants, and no embolic or hemorrhagic episodes were registered.

Deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest as an elective technique in the treatment of type B dissecting aneurysm of the aorta.

The combination of deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest has been used in a variety of cardiovascular surgical techniques and is presented in this article as an elective method in the treatment of type B dissecting aneurysms that may or may not involve the distal aortic arch. Out of 190 patients operated on with acute aortic dissection, 10 patients with type B underwent surgical procedures, between January 1985 and December 1987, four with acute dissection (less than 14 days evolution), and six with chronic dissection (more than 14 days evolution). The approach was by left posterolateral thoracotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass using femoro-femoral cannulation, deep hypothermia, and circulatory arrest. The duration of circulatory arrest was between 27 and 58 minutes, mean 37 minutes. Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) lasted between 68 and 142 minutes, with a mean perfusion time of 83.7 minutes, and temperature fell to 14 degrees C and 16 degrees C. Intrahospital mortality was 20% (two patients). No long-term mortality has been recorded. Eighty percent of the patients (eight patients) are alive and showed good evolution between 10 and 44 months following surgery, with a long-term mean survival of 24 months and 23 days. The only neurological complication was a single case of right unilateral blindness followed by complete visual recuperation. Myocardial and spinal cord protection are excellent, without any incidence of postoperative infarct or paraplegia. Postsurgical blood loss ranged from 200 to 650 mL with a mean of 385 mL. Acute renal insufficiency was not detected. We believe that the combined techniques of deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest used electively, and not just out of occasional necessity, is a viable choice that allows easier surgical manipulation of type B dissection aneurysms and complete resolution of those involving retrograde dissection to the aortic arch. In addition. this combined technique does not increase postoperative mortality in this critically dangerous disease.