Unexpected normal left ventricular systolic function after total chronic occlusion of left main coronary artery and stenosis of right coronary artery: a case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Total occlusion of the left main coronary artery is a very rare finding in coronary angiography because of its highly lethal nature. Right coronary artery dominance and extensive collateral circulation are the principal determinant factors of survival after total occlusion of the left main coronary artery. The impact on the left ventricle is often significant with a profound alteration of its systolic function. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a 52-year-old North African man, a tobacco smoker, who presented symptoms of unstable angina related to a total chronic occlusion of his left main coronary artery with a right coronary artery stenosis. Unexpectedly, the impact on his left ventricle was absent with normal dimensions and systolic function. He underwent a successful on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with uneventful postoperative course and good recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Total occlusion of the left main coronary artery is a rare condition, the fact that the left ventricle retains a normal size and systolic function makes it exceptional, which must be kept in mind to avoid dangerous examinations and delayed treatment. Coronary artery bypass surgery should be considered the main treatment of total chronic occlusion of the left main coronary artery.

[Persistence of the 5th aortic arch associated with interruption of the aortic arch]. / Persistance du 5ème arc aortique associé à une interruption de l'arche aortique.

We report a case of persistence of the 5th aortic arch associated with total interruption of the aortic arch. This clinical case shows the diagnostic pitfall of the persistence of the 5th aortic arch and its beneficial hemodynamic effect. Preoperative clinical picture was misleading, due to the persistence of femoral pulses and clinical signs of left-to-right shunt via a wide ductus arteriosus. The diagnosis was intraoperatively adjusted on the basis of blood pressure monitoring using catheter placed into the femoral artery.

Early results for active infective endocarditis.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac surgery is frequently needed during active phase of infective endocarditis (IE). The purpose of this study was to analyze the immediate and late results and determine the risk factors for death. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 101 patients with IE operated in the active phase. The mean age was 40.5 ± 12.5 years. 16 patients (15.8%) were diagnosed with prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). 81 (80.9%) were in NYHA functional class III-IV. Blood cultures were positive in only 24 cases (23.9%). RESULTS: in-hospital mortality rate was 17.9% (18 cases). Multivariate analysis indentified five determinant predictor factors: congestive heart failure (CHF), renal insufficiency, high Euroscore, prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time (> 120 min) and long ICU stay. The median follow-up period was 4.2 (2-6.5) years. Overall survival rate for all patients who survived surgery was 97% at 5 years and 91% at 10 years. CONCLUSION: Despite high in-hospital mortality rate, when patients receive operation early in the active phase of their illness, late outcome may be good.

A giant aneurysm of ascending aorta revealed by superior vena cava syndrome.

We report a 72 year-old man who presented symptoms of right heart failure and patent superior vena cava syndrome related to a huge ascending aortic aneurysm with a maximal diameter at 11 cm. The patient underwent a successful surgical repair by a modified Bentall operation with good recovery.

[Fatal evolution of a left brachio-cephalic vein perforation by a catheter for hemodialysis]. / Évolution fatale d'une perforation du tronc veineux brachio-céphalique gauche par un cathéter d'hémodialyse.

Central venous catheterisation is a common procedure in intensive care and hemodialysis units. Tunnelled catheters of hemodialysis are a great contribution for patients for whom an arteriovenous fistula is not feasible, especially for prolonged use. However, multiple complications have been described from their practice. Through a case of perforation of the left brachio-cephalic vein with a venous catheter for dialysis and a review of the literature, the authors discuss the mechanisms and ways to prevent this complication.

[Faster double-lumen tube intubation with the videolaryngoscope than with a standard laryngoscope]. / Le vidéolaryngoscope permet une intubation avec un tube à double lumière plus rapide que le laryngoscope standard.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare videolaryngoscopy with direct laryngoscopy with respect to ease of intubation when inserting a double lumen tube (DLT). METHODS: In this prospective randomized study 68 patients American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I and II were included. Patients with criteria indicating possible difficult intubation were excluded. The patients were randomized into two groups, depending on the tool used to facilitate intubation: videolaryngoscope (VL group) or direct laryngoscopy (DL group). The time required for intubation was the primary endpoint. Cormack and Lehane glottic visualization (CL) scores, the need for external laryngeal maneuvers and the number of attempts were measured. RESULTS: Glottic visualization was better in the VL group than in the DL group. The CL scores were I, II and III in 24, eight and two patients, respectively, in the VL group compared with 13, 11 and eight in the DL group (P = 0.025). Patients in the VL group required fewer attempts than the DL group (P = 0.019). Intubation time was 39.9 ± 4.4 sec in the VL group and 47.9 ± 5.4 sec in the DL group (P < 0.001). No intubation failure was noted in group VL compared with two in the DL group (not significant). CONCLUSION: The use of a videolaryngoscope reduces the time required for intubation with a DLT compared with the direct laryngoscopy in elective thoracic surgery.

The risk of performing cardiopulmonary bypass in malaria patients: a small case series.

The effects of cardiopulmonary bypass on patients who have active or dormant malaria are unknown. What is known is that malaria-induced hemolysis can be exacerbated by cardiopulmonary bypass. We report 3 cases in which patients with active or dormant malaria underwent open-heart surgery. Two of them received quinine prophylaxis, and the 3rd patient (who presented with an active infection) received longer-term preoperative treatment with quinine. In all 3 cases, the surgery was performed uneventfully. We suggest preoperative quinine prophylaxis for patients with a history of malaria whose blood smears are negative for parasites, and we advocate more radical preoperative treatment with quinine for patients whose blood smears are positive at presentation. These measures appear to prevent hemolysis and fever during both the preoperative and postoperative periods. However, there is need of a multicenter study to ascertain the actual effects of cardiopulmonary bypass on patients with malaria.

[False left ventricular aneurysm: report of 5 cases]. / Faux anevrysme du ventricule gauche: a propos de 5 observations.

Between 1972 and 2000, left ventricular false aneurysm was diagnosed in 5 patients. These patients consisted of three man and 2 women, aged between 58 and 70 years. Clinical presentation was characterized by severe heart failure, complicating a posterior myocardial infarction, in 4 patients. Left ventricular angiography, has confirmed the false aneurysm in all patients. Three patients underwent surgical management, with good result in 2 cases (follow-up of 9 and 13 years), and an early postoperative death in one case. Two patients refused surgery and died suddenly. Ischemic myocardial disease, represent the most frequent etiology. Left ventricular false aneurysm prognosis should be improved by emergent surgical management, preventing fatal rupture.