Population Density, Climate Variables and Poverty Synergistically Structure Spatial Risk in Urban Malaria in India.

BACKGROUND: The world is rapidly becoming urban with the global population living in cities projected to double by 2050. This increase in urbanization poses new challenges for the spread and control of communicable diseases such as malaria. In particular, urban environments create highly heterogeneous socio-economic and environmental conditions that can affect the transmission of vector-borne diseases dependent on human water storage and waste water management. Interestingly India, as opposed to Africa, harbors a mosquito vector, Anopheles stephensi, which thrives in the man-made environments of cities and acts as the vector for both Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum, making the malaria problem a truly urban phenomenon. Here we address the role and determinants of within-city spatial heterogeneity in the incidence patterns of vivax malaria, and then draw comparisons with results for falciparum malaria. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Statistical analyses and a phenomenological transmission model are applied to an extensive spatio-temporal dataset on cases of Plasmodium vivax in the city of Ahmedabad (Gujarat, India) that spans 12 years monthly at the level of wards. A spatial pattern in malaria incidence is described that is largely stationary in time for this parasite. Malaria risk is then shown to be associated with socioeconomic indicators and environmental parameters, temperature and humidity. In a more dynamical perspective, an Inhomogeneous Markov Chain Model is used to predict vivax malaria risk. Models that account for climate factors, socioeconomic level and population size show the highest predictive skill. A comparison to the transmission dynamics of falciparum malaria reinforces the conclusion that the spatio-temporal patterns of risk are strongly driven by extrinsic factors. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Climate forcing and socio-economic heterogeneity act synergistically at local scales on the population dynamics of urban malaria in this city. The stationarity of malaria risk patterns provides a basis for more targeted intervention, such as vector control, based on transmission 'hotspots'. This is especially relevant for P. vivax, a more resilient parasite than P. falciparum, due to its ability to relapse and the operational shortcomings of delivering a "radical cure".

Role of hybrid operating room in surgery for the right atrial thrombus, pulmonary thrombi, and ventricular septal rupture after myocardial infarction.

Free-floating right heart thrombi are uncommon and need emergency treatment in view of their tendency to dislodge and cause pulmonary embolism. We report a successful surgical management of a patient who had large mobile right atrial thrombus, bilateral pulmonary thrombi, coronary artery disease, and postmyocardial infarction ventricular septal rupture (VSR). The patient underwent coronary angiography, inferior vena cava filter placement, removal of thrombi from the right atrium and pulmonary arteries, repair of VSR, and coronary artery bypass graft surgery in a hybrid operating room.

Cardiac surgery during pregnancy: continuous fetal monitoring using umbilical artery Doppler flow velocity indices.

The fetal death rate associated with cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is as high as 9.5-29%. We report continuous monitoring of fetal heart rate and umbilical artery flow-velocity waveforms by transvaginal ultrasonography and their analyses in relation to events of the CPB in two cases in second trimester of pregnancy undergoing mitral valve replacement. Our findings suggest that the transition of circulation from corporeal to extracorporeal is the most important event during surgery; the associated decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) at this stage potentially has deleterious effects on the fetus, which get aggravated with the use of vasopressors. We suggest careful management of CPB at this stage, which include partial controlled CPB at initiation and gradual transition to full CPB; this strategy maintains high MAP and avoids the use of vasopressors. Maternal and fetal monitoring can timely recognize the potential problems and provide window for the required treatment.

Preliminary estimate of immediate cost of chikungunya and dengue to Gujarat, India.

This study aims to provide a preliminary estimate of the immediate cost of chikungunya and dengue to household in the Indian state of Gujarat. Combining nine earlier studies and data from interviews, we analysed the costs of non-fatal illness and of intervention programmes; building a more comprehensive picture of the immediate cost of these Aedes aegypti mosquito-borne diseases to Gujarat. The “RUHA matrix” was used to estimate the cost of illness by combining the shares of reported (R) and unreported (U) hospitalized (H) and ambulatory (A) cases of chikungunya and dengue with ambulatory and hospitalization costs per case and the number of reported cases. Using Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis, the immediate cost to households incurred on account of chikungunya and dengue to Gujarat was estimated to be 3.8 (range 1.6–9.1) billion Indian rupees (INR) per annum (US$ 90 million, range US$ 38 and US$ 217 million). It is hoped that this preliminary estimate will trigger more refined studies on cost of illness as well as cost-effectiveness of vaccines and other interventions to combat these neglected tropical diseases.

Prevalence of chikungunya in the city of Ahmedabad, India, during the 2006 outbreak: a community-based study.

Prevalence of chikungunya in the city of Ahmedabad, India during the 2006 outbreak was investigated to estimate the prevalence of suspected chikungunya cases to find out demographic parameters and proportion of various symptoms among suspected chikungunya cases, and to evaluate the effectiveness of control measures implemented by the public health sector. A total of 6667 people from 1301 households were surveyed. The prevalence of suspected chikungunya cases was 32.9% (31.8% – 34.2%). Prevalence was higher in females (p

CABG in a patient recovering from dengue fever.

Dengue fever (DF) is the most common and widespread arbovirus infection worldwide. It is endemic in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world especially in Southeast Asia, the Pacific, East and West Africa, the Caribbean and South America with cyclical epidemics. Major epidemics of DF have occurred in India and Southeast Asia in the last two decades. We have outlined the anaesthetic management of a 64-year-old man with DF who needed urgent Coronary artery Bypass graft surgery.

Ten-year experience with single-vessel and multivessel reoperative off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE: Patients undergoing reoperative coronary artery bypass have increased mortality and morbidity compared with those undergoing primary coronary bypass. The experience in applying off-pump techniques to coronary reoperations is limited. In this article we report a 10-year experience using various techniques of reoperative off-pump coronary bypass. METHODS: Between January 1996 and December 2005, 332 patients underwent reoperative off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Data were collected regarding the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative clinical course of all patients. These were compared with similar data obtained from patients who had undergone conventional coronary reoperation during this period. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-six (89.2%) male and 36 female patients underwent reoperative off-pump coronary artery bypass. Of these, 265 (79.8%) patients underwent multivessel bypass through a median sternotomy, an anterolateral thoracotomy was performed in 63 (19%) patients, and a posterolateral thoracotomy was performed in 4 (1.2%) patients. The early mortality for patients undergoing off-pump surgery was lower than for those undergoing conventional reoperations (3.3% vs 5.5%, P = .066). Those who had undergone off-pump reoperations had less need for prolonged ventilation or prolonged inotropic support and had shorter intensive care unit and hospital stays than patients who had undergone redo coronary artery bypass grafting. CONCLUSION: For many patients requiring coronary reoperations, off-pump techniques are safe and feasible. Complete revascularization was achieved in at least 75% of patients in an unselected population, with mortality and perioperative event rates that are comparable with those of conventionally performed coronary reoperations.

Coronary artery bypass grafts assessment at one year by noninvasive multislice computed tomography and invasive coronary angiography.

OBJECTIVE: : The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the postoperative graft patency by multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in patients with multivessel coronary artery bypass grafting at 1 year of surgery. METHODS: : Patients (n = 114) who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting at least 1 year (1.4 ± 0.4 years) previously were subjected to both 16-slice CT angiography with cardiac gating and ICA, and their results were evaluated and compared. All patients were receiving ß-blockers; mean heart rate was 64 ± 6 beats/min. RESULTS: : The mean age of the patients was 59.7 ± 8.5 years. There was a total of 338 grafts (113 internal mammary artery grafts, 8 radial artery grafts, and 217 saphenous venous grafts). On MSCT angiography, all the left internal mammary arteries were visualized with 3D reconstruction. All internal mammary arteries were found to be patent. Twenty-one grafts were occluded or stenosed (21/338, 6.25%). One occluded graft was on the anterior wall (1/20, 0.83%), 11 occluded grafts were on the lateral wall of the heart (11/128, 8.59%), and 9 occluded grafts were on the inferior wall of the heart (9/90, 10.0%); MSCT resulted in no false-positive diagnosis of stenosis (specificity, 100%). However, 2 grafts that were found to be patent on MSCT angiography were blocked on ICA (MSCT sensitivity, 96.3%). CONCLUSIONS: : Postoperative assessment of coronary bypass grafts is possible with an excellent resolution by MSCT angiography. Patency of bypass grafts can be checked by MSCT angiography, and the assessment is comparable with ICA.

Predictors of operative mortality following primary coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Although quality assessment of coronary artery patients can be done by 30 days risk-adjusted operative mortality, it is still insufficient to study the outcome after primary coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). In our study, we attempted to determine the factors, which can help predict operative mortality before and after CABG. METHODS: The study population consisted of 1000 prospective patients who underwent primary isolated CABG. Assessment was done by dividing the patients into two groups, i.e. non-survivors ( n= 12) and survivors ( n= 988). Data were analyzed using both univariate and multivariate models. RESULTS: On univariate analysis, recent acute myocardial infarction, intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABC), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <25%, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), tracheostomy, re-exploration, ventricular arrhythmias, low cardiac output (CO), multiple blood transfusions, post-operative renal dysfunction and longer intensive care unit and hospital stay were found as risk factors for mortality. Multivariate analysis showed that LVEF <25%,VAP, ventricular arrhythmias and low CO independently predicted mortality. Prior knowledge of these risk factors can help not only in predicting the outcome and the risks but also helps to plan the surgical and post-operative course of the patients to improve the morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that operative mortality can be predicted prior to and after surgery considering factors such as LVEF, use of IABC, onset of ventricular arrhythmias and low CO.

Mitral valve repair for ischemic mitral regurgitation in dilated cardiomyopathy.

Ischemic mitral regurgitation contributes to poor survival in patients with heart failure. The intermediate-term outcome of mitral reconstruction in 15 patients who had ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy with mitral regurgitation requiring surgical intervention was studied. They underwent mitral valve repair along with coronary artery bypass surgery. The mitral valve coaptation depth was considered an important parameter in deciding on repair. Ages ranged from 43 to 72 years. Left ventricular ejection fractions were 15-38% (mean, 26.5% +/- 4.3%). The operative technique in all 15 patients was posterior annuloplasty using Dacron felt. At a mean follow-up of 4.6 +/- 1.2 months (1-8 months), postoperative transesophageal echocardiography revealed mild mitral regurgitation in 2 patients and none in 13. There was a significant improvement in New York Heart Association functional class from 3.9 +/- 1.1 to 1.9 +/- 0.3. Mitral valve repair by posterior felt annuloplasty provides favorable results in the intermediate-term in selected patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and severe left ventricular dysfunction.

Post-operative outcome of ventricular reshaping by septal exclusion in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Post-myocardial infarction, anteroseptal dysfunction or akinesia is treated by septal reshaping to improve the surgical outcome in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between February 2003 to December 2003, 30 consecutive patients with previous anterior wall myocardial infarction and severe ventricular dysfunction underwent septal reshaping. All the dyskinetic and akinetic septal areas were excluded using an oval dacron patch which was sutured from the healthy septal area to the anterior wall, resulting in formation of a new apex. There were two mortalities in the group. After a mean follow-up of 4.2 +/- 1.6 months (1-7 months) it was seen that this procedure resulted in significant reduction of ventricular volume, increase in ejection fraction, an improvement in New York Heart Association class from 2.9 +/- 1.1 to 1.7 +/- 0.3, and a better apical geometry. CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients with left anterior descending artery occlusion resulting in anteroseptal dyskinesia or akinesia, septal exclusion technique provides good clinical and morphological results with significant improvement in left ventricular function.

Evolution of Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting over 15 Years: A Single-Institution Experience of 14,030 Cases.

BACKGROUND: : Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting for multivessel disease is an important alternative to conventional myocardial revascularization using cardiopulmonary bypass. The development of exposure and stabilization techniques has made this surgery simple, safe, and routine. Experience with the technique, its evolution, the learning curve, and the pitfalls is presented. METHODS: : A retrospective analysis was made of 28,216 patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting over a 15-year period from January 1990 through December 2004. Isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 14,030 patients and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in 14,186 patients. The overall period was divided into 3 groups of 5 years each: group I (1990-1994), group II (1995-1999), and group III (2000-2004). Initially, off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting was performed selectively in high-risk patients (eg, atheromatous aorta, severe systemic impairment, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, octogenarian). Recently (2000-2004), multivessel off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting has been performed electively in 96% to 98% of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Patients' medical charts were reviewed for age, preoperative risk factors, operative findings, intraoperative conversion rate to cardiopulmonary bypass, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: : In the years 1990-1994 (group I), mostly high-risk cases and cases with left anterior descending coronary artery lesions were included for off-pump coronary artery surgery. In the years 1995-1999 (group II), patients with double and triple vessel disease presenting for coronary artery bypass surgery were accepted for off-pump surgery irrespective of preoperative risk factors. However, in the years 2000-2004 (group III), off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery was the first choice of approach for any patient presenting for coronary artery bypass surgery. The mean number of grafts was lower in off-pump cases than in on-pump cases in group I (2.0 ± 0.4 vs. 3.2 ± 0.80) and group II (2.6 ± 0.6 vs. 3.3 ± 0.4), whereas the mean number of grafts was higher in off-pump cases than in on-pump cases in group III (3.5 ± 0.2 vs. 3.4 ± 0.8). In groups I and II, the conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass was 5.2% and 5.9%, respectively. The conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass decreased to 1.7% in group III, which was statistically significant. Perioperative myocardial infarction was 5.2% in group I, 1.7% in group II, and 1.5% in group III. The difference between groups II and III was not statistically significant. Hospital mortality was higher in group I (5.2%) than in group II (1.2%) or III (1.1%). The difference between groups II and III was not statistically significant. Length of intensive care unit stay was 36 ± 8 hours in group I, 28 ± 7 hours in group II, and 20 ± 8 hours in group III. These differences were statistically significant. Length of postoperative hospital stay was 8 ± 2 days in group I, 7 ± 2 days in group II, and 5 ± 2 days in group III These differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: : As surgeons' experience matures, off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery permits total myocardial revascularization in virtually all patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. Despite a significant learning curve, evolution to routine off-pump coronary artery bypass with good patient outcomes can be achieved with careful patient selection during the "learning curve." The method is safe and reproducible, and patients benefit with shorter intensive care unit and hospital stays.

Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Ultrafast 16-Slice Computed Tomography Images and CT Angiography Versus Conventional Coronary Angiography at One Year in Multivessel Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

BACKGROUND: : The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the postoperative graft patency assessment by multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) scan and conventional coronary angiography (CCA) in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients 1 year after surgery. METHODS: : Sixty-nine patients who underwent isolated CABG at least 1 year before the study, were subjected to both MSCT angiography with cardiac gating and CCA. The results were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: : There were 209 grafts in 69 patients. All grafts were evaluated by both MSCT angiography and CCA. Seventy-eight grafts were on the anterior wall, 83 on the lateral wall and 48 on the inferior wall of the heart.On MSCT angiography, all left internal mammary arteries were visualized with 3-dimensional reconstruction and found to be patent. Of 209 grafts, 11 grafts (5.26%) were blocked, 6 grafts on the lateral wall and 5 on the inferior wall. All patent grafts were correctly evaluated by MSCT angiography (specificity 100%). However, 2 grafts that were found to be patent on MSCT angiography were blocked on CCA (MSCT sensitivity 81.8%). CONCLUSIONS: : Postoperative evaluation of coronary bypass grafts is possible with very good resolution by MSCT angiography. This method allows evaluation of the bypass grafts and the quality of anastomosis with a noninvasive method that is comparable with CCA.

Concomitant carotid endarterectomy and coronary bypass surgery: outcome of on-pump and off-pump techniques.

BACKGROUND: There continues to be a dilemma regarding the best means of surgical management of significant carotid artery disease in patients requiring coronary artery bypass surgery. A combined approach of coronary artery bypass and carotid endarterectomy has shown good results in patients with concomitant carotid and coronary artery disease. We reviewed our results of coronary artery surgery using conventional cardiopulmonary bypass or off-pump techniques and carotid endarterectomy done as a combined procedure. METHODS: Between January 1996 and June 2002, 358 patients underwent concomitant coronary artery bypass and carotid endarterectomy. There were 140 males (84.3%) and 26 females (15.7%) in group I. Group II consisted of 158 males (82.3%) and 34 females (17.7%). One hundred sixty-six patients (group I) were done off pump whereas in 192 patients (group II), the procedure was done using conventional cardiopulmonary bypass. Carotid endarterectomy was performed before coronary artery bypass surgery in both groups. RESULTS: The average number of grafts were 3.4 +/- 0.8 with average operative time of 4.2 +/- 0.4 hours in group I, and 3.3 +/- 0.8 graft with operative time of 5.3 +/- 1.2 hours in group II (p = 0.239 and p < 0.001, respectively). There were 2 deaths (1.2%) in group I and 3 deaths (1.6%) in group II (p = 0.870). No patient from group I and 1 patient (0.5%) from group II had postoperative stroke (p = 0.941). Mean hospital stay was 9.0 +/- 1.2 days in group I and 11.2 +/- 1.7 days in group II (p < 0.001). At mean follow-up of 2.8 +/- 0.9 years in group I, 2 patients (1.2%) had late death due to cardiac failure and contralateral carotid endarterectomy was done in 2 patients (1.2%). Group II had mean follow-up of 2.4 +/- 0.6 years, during which 4 patients (2.1%) had late death and contralateral carotid endarterectomy was done in 3 patients (1.6%). Late stroke was seen in 1 patient (0.6%) from group I and 2 patients (1.0%) from group II. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant carotid endarterectomy and coronary artery bypass is a safe and effective procedure in patients with significant coronary and carotid artery disease. Equally good results can be reproduced using cardiopulmonary bypass or off-pump techniques for coronary artery surgery, with low morbidity, mortality, and good long-term results.

Off-pump surgery: a choice in unstable angina.

The benefit and safety of off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with unstable angina was assessed retrospectively. From February 1996 to October 2001, 5,306 patients underwent multivessel off-pump coronary artery bypass, of whom 920 (17%) had unstable angina. In these 920 patients, ejection fractions ranged from 15% to 70%, 203 (22%) had an ejection fraction of 20%-35%, and 11 (1%) had an ejection fraction < 20%. Triple-vessel disease was present in 625 patients. Preoperative intraaortic balloon pump support was used in 28 patients. Operative approaches included mid sternotomy (86%), lower partial sternotomy (9%), and left anterior thoracotomy (2%). The number of grafts ranged from 1 to 5 with a mean of 2.43 +/- 0.86, and 92.3% of patients received a left internal mammary artery graft. Twenty-two patients need intraoperative intraaortic balloon pumping. Ten patients (1%) suffered perioperative myocardial infarction. The mean hospital stay was 7.8 +/- 4.3 days. Hospital mortality was 2/920 (0.22%). Intraaortic balloon pumping was helpful in these cases of unstable angina refractory to medical therapy. Off-pump coronary artery surgery was found to be safe and beneficial in these patients.

Left ventricular fibroma causing atypical chest pain.

A 29-year-old man with atypical chest pain for 3 years and exertional angina for 3 months was found to have a large homogenous mass in the apicolateral area of the left ventricle. The mass, weighing 78 g, was excised successfully and identified as a fibroma.

Multivessel off-pump coronary artery bypass: analysis of 4953 cases.

BACKGROUND: To avoid the harmful effects of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), cardiac surgeons are using off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) as an effective alternative to conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In the present study, we analyze our results with OPCAB in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease and compare them with those achieved in patients who underwent operations on CPB. METHODS: Between January 1997 and April 2002, 4953 patients underwent CABG without CPB (OPCAB group). These patients were compared with 7133 patients who underwent conventional on-pump CABG (CCAB group) during the same period. All patients were operated on through a median sternotomy. The Octopus was used as the mechanical stabilizer, and intracoronary shunts were used in most patients. Transesophageal echocardiography was used in all patients, and epiaortic scanning was used in selected patients. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 59 +/- 8.9 years in the OPCAB group and 57.4 +/- 8.9 years in the CCAB group (P <.001). There were more women in the OPCAB group (11.7% versus 10.4%; P =.023), and 2.8% of the patients required conversion to CPB. The mean numbers of grafts were 3.0 +/- 0.7 and 3.2 +/- 0.8 in the OPCAB and the CCAB groups, respectively (P <.001). More patients in the CCAB group received grafts to the circumflex territory. Intubation times (19 +/- 4 hours versus 25 +/- 6 hours; P <.001), blood losses (350 +/- 41 mL versus 598 +/- 74 mL; P <.001), requirements for blood and blood products (30.8% versus 45.3%; P <.001), the frequency of reopening for bleeding (0.6% versus 2.8%; P <.001), requirements for postoperative intra-aortic balloon pump (1.3% versus 2.6%; P <.001), the frequency of atrial fibrillation OPCAB group. The mortality rate was 0.97% and 1.86% in the OPCAB and the CCAB groups, respectively (P <.001). Intensive care unit stays (23 +/- 6 hours versus 34 +/- 8 hours; P <.001) and hospital stays (5 +/- 2 days versus 8 +/- 3 days; P <.001) were significantly shorter in the OPCAB group. CONCLUSION: OPCAB is a safe and effective procedure for patients with multivessel coronary artery disease and is associated with reduced morbidity and mortality. However, large randomized studies with long-term follow-up may show the real benefits of OPCAB compared with CABG on CPB.

Predictors of early outcome after coronary artery surgery in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: The surgical survival in patients with severe myocardial dysfunction is critically dependent on the selection of patients. The present study was undertaken to identify the prognostic factors in such patients. METHODS: We analyzed the data of 176 consecutive patients (161 men, 15 women), aged 29 to 88 years (mean 58.43), with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 30% who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. The LVEF ranged from 15% to 30% (mean 27.18%). Preoperatively, 33% had angina, 19.9% had recent myocardial infarction, and 21.6% had congestive heart failure. The mean number of grafts was 2.5/patient. The intra-aortic balloon was used prophylactically in 20.5% of patients and therapeutically in 4.0% of patients. RESULTS: The hospital mortality was 2.3%. The complications occurred as follows: perioperative myocardial infarction in two (1.1%), intractable ventricular arrhythmias in two (1.1%), prolonged ventilation in four (2.3%) and peritoneal dialysis in 1 (0.6%). The mean ICU and hospital stay were 2.46 +/- 0.76 and 7.57 +/- 2.24 days, respectively. The predictors of survival on univariate analysis were New York Heart Association (NYHA) class (x2 = 14.458, p < 0.001), recent myocardial infarction (x2 = 5.852, p = 0.016), congestive heart failure (CHF) (x2 = 5.526, p = 0.019), and left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI) (x2 = 25.833, p < 0.001). However, on multivariate analysis, left ventricular end-systolic volume index was the only independent left ventricular function measurement predictive of survival (x2 = 10.228, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Left ventricular end-systolic volume index is the most important predictor of survival after coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with severe myocardial dysfunction.

Surgical treatment of post infarction left ventricular aneurysms: our experience with double breasting and Dor's repair.

BACKGROUND: This is a retrospective study of left ventricle (LV) aneurysm repair done at the Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre, New Delhi, since October 1988. Two methods of LV aneurysm repair are practiced: double breasting (DB) and Dor's repair. The method varies with location, size, and extent of aneurysm and quality of the fibrotic wall of the aneurysm. METHODS: Between October 1988 and May 2001, 129 patients underwent LV aneurysm repair using one of the two techniques; 78 patients had Dor's repair while 51 patients had DB repair. RESULTS: Overall mortality was 2.3% (three patients). One patient died in the DB group, and two patients died in the Dor's repair group. Mean preoperative ejection fraction (EF) after surgery in DB was 31% while in Dor's repair it was 29.2%. EF showed improvement after surgery to 48.5% in DB and 46.6% in Dor's repair. Decrease in end-diastolic volume (EDV) in DB was from 146 to 91.4 cm3/m2, and in Dor's repair it was from 156 cm3/m2 to 88.6 cm3/m2. Decrease in end-systolic volume was from 101 cm3/m2 to 60.2 cm3/m2 in DB and from 109 cm3/m2 to 64.5 cm3/m2 in Dor's group. All of these values showed statistically significant improvement. At six months postoperatively, 83 patients (74.1%) out of 112 patients who were preoperatively in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classes III and IV improved to class II while 7 patients (6.3%) improved to class I. CONCLUSION: In our experience Dor's repair is indicated for anteroseptal and apical isolated posterior aneurysm to restore LV volume and geometry while DB is indicated for apical, anterolateral, and lateral aneurysms where septal involvement is less. These two techniques have definite indications and advantages with good results.

Off-pump multivessel coronary artery surgery in high-risk patients.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, which may be more marked in high-risk patients. We evaluated our results of off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) in high-risk patients with multivessel coronary artery disease and compared them with results in similar patients who underwent operation on cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: A total of 1,075 patients who underwent OPCAB between October 1996 and June 2001 and who had one or more of the following risk factors were included in the study: poor left ventricular function (EF < or = 30%), advanced age (> 70 years), left main stenosis, acute myocardial infarction, and redo coronary artery surgery. These patients were compared with 2,312 similar patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting on cardiopulmonary bypass during the same period. Preoperative risk factors, intraoperative variables, and postoperative results were analyzed and compared between two groups. RESULTS: The average number of grafts was 3.0 +/- 0.4 and 3.2 +/- 0.3 in the off-pump (OPCAB) and on-pump (CCAB) groups, respectively. Hospital mortality was 3.2% and 4.5% in OPCAB and CCAB groups respectively (p = 0.109). Perioperative myocardial infarction, requirement of inotropic agents, stroke, and renal dysfunction were comparable in two groups. Intubation time (19 +/- 5 vs 24 +/- 6 hours, p < 0.001), mean blood loss (362 +/- 53 vs 580 +/- 66 mL, p < 0.001), atrial fibrillation (14.3 vs 19.7%, p < 0.001), and prolonged ventilation (4.6 vs 7.6%, p = 0.002) were less in OPCAB group. Intensive care unit stay (20 +/- 8 hours) and hospital stay (6 +/- 3 days) were significantly less in the OPCAB group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Off-pump coronary artery surgery can be safely performed in high-risk patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. Operative mortality is comparable to that associated with on-pump surgery, and avoidance of cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with reduced postoperative morbidity in these patients.