[Surgical evaluation of transthoracic tridimensional echocardiography in the anatomic study of atrial septal defect]. / Validation chirurgicale de l'échocardiographie tridimensionnelle transthoracique pour l'évaluation anatomique des communications interauriculaires.

The closure of atrial septal defects by interventional catheterisation requires an accurate assessment of their morphology and anatomical relationships. This study evaluated transthoracic three-dimensional echocardiography for the selection of atrial septal defects accessible to an occlusive prosthesis. The transthoracic three-dimensional echocardiographic measurements of 17 patients (4 to 55 years) with ostium secundum atrial septal defects were compared with those of the surgeon in a prospective study. The maximal diameters of the defect, the height of the interatrial septum, the distances to the superior vena cava (postero-superior border) and inferior vena cava (postero-inferior border), to the coronary sinus and the tricuspid valve were measured as a reconstruction of the interatrial septum seen from the right atrium. The aortic border was measured from a three-dimensional view from the left atrium. Thirteen of the 17 investigations (76%) were exploitable. The diameters of the defect varied during the cardiac cycle (p = 0.0002). Ther correlations between the surgical and echocardiographic measurements varied from 0.82 for the maximal diameter to 0.6 for the postero-inferior limits. Three-dimensional echocardiography is capable of detecting all the contra-indications of an occlusive prosthesis: 2 inadequate postero-inferior and 1 inadequate aortic borders, 9 maximal diameters which were too large, 3 insufficiently high atrial septa, 1 double atrial septal defect. The coronary sinus was only visualised in 1 case. Transthoracic three-dimensional echocardiography is a non-invasive technique capable of improving the selection of atrial septal defects for interventional closure. The transoesophageal approach should be reserved for candidates selected by the transthoracic investigation for the detection of small structures (coronary sinus) and when the transthoracic window is poor.

Autogenous valve reconstruction technique for post-thrombotic reflux.

Post-thrombotic reflux in deep veins of the lower extremities cannot be treated by in situ valvuloplasty because of valve degeneration. The outcome of transplantation and transposition of segments with valves is controversial. From feasibility tests in animals and fresh human cadavers we have developed an autogenous valve reconstruction technique. The valve is fashioned from the proximal end of the greater saphenous vein that is left attached to the femoral vein, invaginated, and fixed to the venous wall. This technique provides a competent bicuspid valve. In a series of 19 patients operated on in 1995 we performed 20 valve reconstruction procedures at the level of the femorosaphenous junction by invagination of a fragment from the proximal end of the greater saphenous vein in the common femoral vein. Mean follow-up time was 10 months. No complications were observed. All femoral veins were patent and competent except one in which mild reflux was observed because of insufficient valve size. Further follow-up is needed to confirm the efficacy of this simple, new technique.

A 8-year follow-up of the Edwards-Duromedics bileaflet prosthesis.

Following reports of leaflet escapes, distribution of the Edwards-Duromedics prosthesis (ED), introduced in 1982, was suspended from 1988 to 1990. From our experience of 257 patients operated on between March, 1983, and April, 1988, it appeared to us that, among the five key factors identified by extensive studies, surgical mishandling, specially in mitral position, could have been the main contributing factor. These 257 patients, mean age 57 years (range 2 to 75 years), underwent 138 aortic (AVR), 86 mitral (MVR), and 33 double valve (DVR) replacements. Hospital mortality was 2.3% (6 patients): 1.4% for AVR, 3.5% for MVR, and 3% for DVR, none of them being directly valve-related. But there were 3 early replacements of a mitral ED for intra or postoperative impingement of one leaflet. Follow-up has been 93%, with a total of 1.155 patient-years. Among the 20 late deaths (8%), 4 (20%) were considered as valve-related; there was one MV thrombosis and 7 non-fatal systemic emboli, the total incidence of thromboembolism being 0.7% patient-year. No structural failure or leaflet escape was observed in this series. At 8 years, actuarial survival, hospital mortality excluded, was 85.5% for AVR, 95% for MVR, and 89% for DVR. The ED prosthesis is, from a hydrodynamic point of view, an advance in terms of both mechanical and bileaflet valve: the valve design accounts for its low thrombogenicity. But its persistent drawback remains the prohibitive vertical exposure of leaflets in mitral position, that can be responsible for immediate or delayed leaflet entrapment, or for incautious handling for rotating the mechanism, leading to extensive fissuration of pyrolitic carbon and delayed rupture. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Long-term results of valve replacement with the St. Jude Medical prosthesis.

To assess with truly long follow-up the long-term results of valve replacement with the St. Jude Medical prosthesis (St. Jude Medical, Inc., St. Paul, Minn.), we reviewed the case histories of the first 1112 patients undergoing 1244 valve replacements with this valve between June 12, 1978, and June 12, 1987: 690 male (62%) and 422 female patients, mean age 56 years. A total of 773 patients (69%) had the aortic valve replaced, 207 (19%) the mitral valve, and 132 (12%) the aortic and mitral valves. There were 42 hospital deaths (3.8%). Follow-up was 97.5% complete (8988 patient-years). There were 213 late deaths. Ninety-one (43%) were considered valve-related: sudden death, n = 27; anticoagulant-related hemorrhage, n = 22; thromboembolism, n = 19; prosthetic valve endocarditis, n = 13; valve thrombosis, n = 9; and noninfectious perivalvular leak, n = 1. Overall actuarial survival, including hospital mortality, was 68% +/- 6% (95% confidence limits) 14 years after the operation. Linearized rates of late valve-related events were as follows: thromboembolism, 1.09% per patient-year; anticoagulant-related hemorrhage, 0.94% per patient-year; prosthetic valve endocarditis, 0.32% per patient-year; valve thrombosis, 0.33% per patient-year; and perivalvular leak, 0.19% per patient-year. Actuarial freedom, at 14 years, from thromboembolism was 89% +/- 3%, anticoagulant-related hemorrhage 83% +/- 8%, valve thrombosis 97% +/- 1%, and reoperation 95% +/- 3%. Actuarial freedom from all valve-related deaths and valve-related morbidity and mortality, at 14 years, was 84% +/- 6% and 61% +/- 8%, respectively. We conclude that, because of its low thrombogenicity, low incidence of valve-related events, and low valve-related mortality, the St. Jude Medical valve is one of the best performing mechanical prosthesis currently available. Nevertheless, the late valve-related complications and deaths illustrate that the quest for a "perfect" prosthesis remains unfulfilled.