Thoracoscopic epicardial ablation of atrial fibrillation: Safety, efficacy, single center experience.

AIMS: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with reduced quality of life and increased risk of ischaemic cerebrovascular events. The left atrial epicardial ablation procedures have evolved towards a successful and safe rhythm control strategy for patients with symptomatic drug-refractory paroxysmal, persistent or post-ablation AF or with a high risk of catheter ablation failure. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of thoracoscopic ablation at our instituiton. METHODS: We observed 81 patients undergoing thoracoscopic ablation from January 2015 to December 2019. RESULTS: The mean age was 61.3±8.5 years and the average duration of AF was 3.1±2.6 years. The cohort consisted of 16.5% of paroxysmal AF, 36.7% persistent, and 46.8% of long-standing AF. The procedure was completed in 79 patients; during follow-up, 15 patients (19%) received radiofrequency ablation. Freedom from atrial arrhythmia recurrence was 55.7% after a follow-up (FUP) period of 3.1±1.4 years. At the follow-up visit, sinus rhythm was present in 81% of patients. No relationships between arrhythmia recurrence and BMI, LVEF, left atrial dimension, gender, and AF duration were found. Major complications were noticed in 4 patients (5.0%); 2 had peripheral embolisation, 2 patients were converted to a sternotomy. At the time of the FUP visit, 25.3% of patients were using antiarrhythmic and 74.7% were still using anticoagulants. CONCLUSION: In the majority of patients, sinus rhythm remained despite a considerable atrial tachycardia recurrence rate, with a relatively low percentage of patients on antiarrythmic drugs.

Metal splinter ejected by circular saw into the left ventricle.

We report a case of a metal splinter ejected by a circular saw tooth from a wooden board into the left ventricle of the heart. A 35-year old man was admitted second day after accident attributed to work complaining about general weakness. Only a small non-bleeding wound was found near his sternum. CT scan showed a metal wire entrapped inside his heart. Successful removal was done during surgery.

Pericardial tamponade: a rare complication of sternal bone marrow biopsy.

Injury of the heart with concomitant pericardial tamponade as a result of sternal bone marrow biopsy is rare. An 80-year-old man was admitted with dehydration and non-specified abdominal pain to the regional hospital. Sternal aspiration biopsy was performed because of anemia and thrombocytopenia. Later on, because of the back pain, general weakness and blood pressure drop, an echocardiography examination was indicated. Pericardial fluid collection was found. Anticipated ascending aortic dissection was excluded on computed tomography scan, but pericardial fluid collection was confirmed. Transfer to our cardiac surgical facility ensued. Limited heart tamponade was affirmed on echocardiography and surgery was immediately indicated. Blood effusion was found in upper mediastinal fat tissue and 300 mL of blood were evacuated from opened pericardial space. Stab wound by sternal biopsy needle at the upper part of ascending aorta was repaired by pledgeted suture. Postoperative course was uneventful.

Predictors of failure following restrictive annuloplasty for chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation.

AIM OF THE STUDY: We sought to determine the results of restrictive annuloplasty for chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation. METHODS: Hospital outcome and serial clinical and echocardiographic (preoperative, discharge, 3 months, 12 months, 24 months) follow-up assessments were analyzed in 87 consecutive patients with chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation having coronary artery bypass grafting. Persistent/recurrent mitral regurgitation was defined by grade ≥2 at discharge/during follow-up. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 5.7% and persistence of regurgitation was present in 8.4%. Mean follow-up was 24.4 ± 1.7 months and recurrent mitral regurgitation was observed in 32.4% patients. In multivariate analysis only anterior leaflet angle remained an independent predictive factor for regurgitation recurrence with cutoff 27° (sensitivity of 67% and specificity of 76%, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: There is high occurrence of early and delayed restrictive annuloplasty failure, particularly in patients with increased anterior leaflet tethering.

Persistent and recurrent ischemic mitral regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) is a consequence of coronary artery disease and the main underlying mechanism is augmented leaflet tethering due to outward displacement of the papillary muscles. Although mitral annuloplasty combined with coronary revascularization is usually effective in the treatment of IMR, occasionally the regurgitation can persist or recur and this can affect patient prognosis. METHODS: We searched Medline and Google scholar database for articles published since 1996 to June 2009. Search terms included ischemic mitral regurgitation, recurrent mitral regurgitation, persistent mitral regurgitation and annuloplasty failure. CONCLUSION: This article reviews current knowledge about IMR, the reasons and mechanisms of persistent and recurrent mitral regurgitation. We review clinic and echocardiographic predictive factors associated with persistence a recurrence of mitral regurgitation after annuloplasty.

Acute aortic dissection complicated by fistula from aorta to right ventricle through ventricular septum.

A case report of aortic dissection (AoD) complicated by a shunt to the right ventricle is presented. Complications, treatment options, and survival of patients with Type A and Type B AoD are reviewed.

Mistakes in dealing with aortic dissection. Lessons from three warning cases.

BACKGROUND: Aortic dissection is a dangerous condition with a high mortality in the acute stage. Aortic dissection requires early diagnosis and treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: This short review discusses and focuses on known complications of aortic dissection and its natural mortality applying data from already published reports and from cohorts and registers, especially IRAD. Survival data of patients with type A and type B of dissection are presented and treatment options are proposed. The review presents three interesting cases from our database pointing out mistakes made in the diagnostic process and in dealing with the patient even after establishing the correct diagnosis. In one case, a patient with chest pain + "immeasurable" BP was suspected to suffer from an acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock instead of AoD + aortic branch obstruction. In another patient with chest pain + V1V2 ST elevation, again the acute coronary syndrome was suspected. In fact, AoD with a perforation to cardiac chambers through the interventricular septum was the explanation. In the third case, the correct diagnosis of AoD was established. This patient was at a significant risk of aortic rupture because of his uncontrolled blood pressure. Instead of sedation administration and effective BP lowering, the patient was stressed even more by detailed information about this life threatening disease. This led to an aortic rupture with cardiac tamponade. Other mistakes made when dealing with all these presented cases are also discussed. CONCLUSION: The high mortality in patients suffering from aortic dissection is often potentiated by misdiagnosing and mishandling of these patients in clinical scenario.

Sequential bypass grafting on the beating heart: blood flow characteristics.

BACKGROUND: The sequential bypass technique is a routine method of myocardial revascularization. The aim of this study was to determine flow characteristics of individual and sequential bypass grafts created on the beating heart. METHODS: Between January 2003 and February 2004, a consecutive series of 50 patients underwent off-pump coronary bypass surgery with at least one venous sequential coronary graft. During the procedure, flow values and pulsatility indexes were measured in both segments of the sequential graft using a CardioMed transit time flow meter (CM 4008; Medi-Stim, Oslo, Norway). The flow values were simultaneously compared with those of individual venous grafts sutured to the same coronary arteries. RESULTS: The mean flow through the distal anastomosis (individual bypass; D1) was 37.4 mL/min, and this was not significantly influenced by the creation of a proximal sequential anastomosis (D2, 39.0 mL/min). In 32% of the patients, the sequential bypass was unwittingly connected proximally to a larger coronary bed; despite this, the flow in its distal segment was not less than that in the individual bypass. CONCLUSIONS: The blood flow through an individual bypass is comparable with that through the distal segment (end-to-side anastomosis) of a sequential bypass. The grafting of a sequential bypass proximally to the larger artery (coronary bed) in sequence does not appear to have a significant effect on the blood flow in the distal segment of a sequential bypass.

Unusual cause of femorofemoral cardiopulmonary bypass failure.

A case of femorofemoral cardiopulmonary bypass failure in a patient undergoing an emergent operation because of acute aortic dissection is described. The importance of the accurate deduction of preoperative transesophageal echocardiography findings is emphasized.