Abstract: Objective: The study aims to identify risk constellations for symptomatic spinal cord malperfusion in patients undergoing extensive stent-graft coverage of the thoracic aorta. Methods: From 1997 through 2009, 26 patients (mean age 70 years) underwent extensive stent-graft coverage of the thoracic aorta. Indications for stent-graft placement were atherosclerotic aneurysms (n=18) and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers (PAUs) (n=8). In 16 patients, a re-routing procedure was required to gain sufficient proximal landing zone length. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage was not routinely applied owing to the necessity of maintaining continuing anti-platelet therapy due to severe cardiovascular co-morbidities. Results: Technical success was 100%. Five patients developed symptomatic spinal cord malperfusion. All symptomatic patients had impaired spinal cord blood supply by acute or chronic occlusion of at least two major blood-supplying vascular territories of the spinal cord. Secondary CSF drainage improved neurologic symptoms in all patients without causing any anti-platelet therapy-related collateral injury. Conclusions: Extensive stent-graft coverage of the entire thoracic aorta can be performed with a high rate of success. If collateral blood supply to the spinal cord is maintained, occlusion of the intercostal arteries does not cause symptomatic malperfusion. However, if acute or chronic occlusion of the subclavian, lumbar or hypogastric arteries is present, likelihood of symptomatic malperfusion dramatically increases.
Abstract: PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of thoracic endovascular aortic repair with a newly designed Relay thoracic stent graft (Bolton Medical, Sunrise, FL). DESCRIPTION: Between 2005 and 2007, 22 patients (71.8 +/- 8.5) received 24 stent grafts. Indications were aneurysms (n = 13), penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers (n = 7), and dissections (n = 2). Due to the proximity of the lesions to the aortic arch, rerouting procedures (ie, subclavian transposition [n = 1], double transposition [n = 12], and total arch rerouting [n = 6] were performed pre-interventionally; three patients did not undergo rerouting). All patients were followed-up with a computed tomographic scan of the entire aorta at discharge, 3 months, 6 months, and annually thereafter (mean follow-up, 13 months). EVALUATION: Primary technical success was obtained in 20 of 22 patients, with one persisting type I endoleak and one asymptomatic type II endoleak. One patient died due to malignant arrhythmia 3 days after stent-graft placement. During follow-up, 1 nonaortic related death was observed. No additional endoleaks were observed. Finally, all supra-aortic rerouting procedures remained patent. CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of degenerative disease of the descending aorta and the aortic arch, the Bolton Relay stent graft offers acceptable efficacy and safety in short-term follow-up.
Abstract: We report on the case of a 35-year-old male who underwent emergency stent-graft placement in March 2007 due to a complicated type B dissection. One week after this procedure the patient developed critical visceral malperfusion. Subsequently, autologous iliaco-mesenteric as well as iliaco-hepatic bypass grafting was performed. At 6-month follow-up, aortic remodelling has occurred and visceral perfusion is regular.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to compare costs of conventional surgical therapy with costs of endovascular stent-graft placement in patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms. METHODS: Fifteen patients undergoing either conventional surgical therapy or endovascular stent-graft placement of thoracic aortic aneurysms were analyzed. A catalog of costs was then created for both procedures and this catalog was applied individually to each patient. RESULTS: Total costs of the service provision of endovascular stent-graft placement including anesthesia were 38.220.98 euros considering 1.7 stent-grafts per patient and including 5900.00 euros (Euros) for days of care. In conventional surgical therapy, adding the costs of the service provision of left heart catheterization, conventional surgical therapy including anesthesia, as well as intraoperative echocardiography a sum of 19.534.12 euros was calculated. Days of care accounted for 31.230.00 euros and total costs of 50.764.12 euros were calculated. The difference between total costs of the two procedures was 12.543.14 euros. CONCLUSIONS: Costs of endovascular stent-graft placement in patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms compare favorably with conventional surgical therapy, revealing a cost benefit of 24.7%. Higher procedural costs are outweighed by a lower number of days of care. Nevertheless, aneurysm-related secondary endovascular or surgical procedures may balance the benefit of endovascular therapy. Which strategy to choose, conventional or endovascular, should remain to be based on age, comorbidity, and technical feasibility.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcome in patients with a small aortic root receiving either a standard CarboMedics mechanical aortic valve or a Top Hat CarboMedics valve (CarboMedics, Austin, TX), specifically designed for the small aortic root. METHODS: Between 1986 and 2006, 316 consecutive patients underwent 19- or 21-mm mechanical aortic valve replacement, receiving either a CarboMedics Top Hat bileaflet valve (n = 56; mean age, 66 +/- 14 years) or a standard CarboMedics aortic valve replacement (n = 260; mean age, 60 +/- 13 years) at our institution based on institutional indications for the choice of type of valve prostheses. Median follow-up time was 83.5 months. We studied survival, valve-related and non-valve-related events, and hemodynamic performance by serial echocardiographic follow-up studies. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was 8.9% in the Top Hat group and 10.0% in the standard group (p = 0.354). Five- and ten-year survival in patients in the Top Hat group was 83% and 67%, respectively. Five- and ten-year survival in the standard group was 73% and 59%, respectively (log-rank = 0.331). There were no differences in regard to valve-related and non-valve-related events. Cox regression analysis revealed age (hazard ratio, 1.045; 95% confidence interval, 1.026 to 1.066), previous cardiac surgery (hazard ratio, 1.812; 95% confidence interval, 1.101 to 2.982), additional procedures at the time of valve replacement (hazard ratio, 2.604; 95% confidence interval, 1.651 to 4.108), New York Heart Association class IV (hazard ratio, 3.645; 95% confidence interval, 1.214 to 10.945), and severely impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (hazard ratio, 2.253; 95% confidence interval, 1.289 to 3.941) to be independent predictors of survival. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical aortic valve replacement in the small aortic root is associated with substantial perioperative mortality, in particular in the subset of patients requiring additional cardiac surgical procedures. Nevertheless, long-term outcome is satisfying. Because the type of prosthesis does not predict outcome in the multivariate Cox model, we conclude that use of the smaller Top Hat prosthesis can be recommended for the challenging cohort of patients with a small aortic root.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to address a previously not described mechanism underlying intramural hematoma (IMH) of the entire thoracic aorta and to test the hypothesis whether endovascular stent graft placement in this particular mechanism could be beneficial. METHODS: Within a 5-year period, we treated 8 patients with IMH affecting the entire thoracic aorta. The presumed site of initial plaque rupture was chosen as target for endovascular stent graft placement. RESULTS: In all patients, a small atherosclerotic plaque at the free lateral wall or at the concavity of the distal aortic arch could be identified as initial site of IMH. Endovascular stent graft placement was performed successfully in all patients. By covering the suspected primary lesion, resorption of IMH especially within the ascending aorta could be achieved. Mean follow-up is 16 months (range, 1 to 25). CONCLUSIONS: Plaque rupture may be identified as the cause of IMH in a previously unrecognized subgroup of patients. If at the convexity of the distal arch, supra-aortic branches prevent retrograde extension toward the ascending aorta. If at the free lateral wall or at the concavity, IMH may affect the entire thoracic aorta, owing to the lack of the natural barrier of the supra-aortic branches. Endovascular stent graft placement of this plaque-associated IMH may be more effective and less invasive than conventional surgery to treat the entire thoracic aortic disease.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: To determine mid-term durability of endovascular stent-graft placement in patients with penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers (PAU) involving the thoracic aorta and to identify risk factors for death as well as early and late cardiovascular events. METHODS: From 1997 to 2006, 27 patients (mean age 66 yrs) presented with PAU (rupture n=7). Mean numeric EuroScore was 11 and mean logistic EuroScore was 35. Median follow-up was 42 (10-86) months, being complete in all patients. Outcome variables included death and occurrence of early and late cardiovascular events. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was 11%. Primary success rate was 100%. Actuarial survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 93%, 78% and 70%, respectively. Hemodynamic instability (HR 2.5, 2.1-3.9; p=0.034) as well as logistic EuroScore (HR 2.8, 2.4-4.3; p=0.019) was identified as independent predictor of early and late cardiovascular events. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular stent-graft placement in patients with PAU is an effective palliation for a life-threatening sign of a severe systemic process. Hemodynamic instability at referral and a high preoperative risk score predict adverse outcome. During mid-term follow-up, patients are mainly limited by sequelae of their underlying disease.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Supra-aortic transpositions in various extents followed by endovascular stent graft placement are now an established tool in the treatment of various pathologies affecting the aortic arch. Results remain to be determined. METHODS: From 1996 through 2007, 73 patients (median age, 71 years) presented with aortic arch pathology (atherosclerotic aneurysms, n = 42; type B dissections, n = 9; penetrating ulcers, n = 17; traumatic lesions, n = 2; aneurysms based on prior surgery for aortic coarctation, n = 3). Strategy for distal arch disease was subclavian-to-carotid transposition (n = 24) or autologous double-vessel transposition through upper hemisternotomy (n = 36). For entire arch disease, total supra-aortic rerouting with a reversed bifurcated prosthesis was applied (n = 13). Endovascular stent graft placement was performed metachronously. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was 6.8% (n = 5). Persistent early type I and III endoleak rate was 9.6%. Persistent late type I and III endoleak rate was 5.5%. Overall actuarial survival was 90%, 86%, and 72% at 1, 3, and 5 years. Mean follow-up is 37 months (range, 1 to 120). Early and late endoleak formation was independently predicted by the number of prostheses (early odds ratio [OR] 0.210, p = 0.0003; late OR 0.216, p = 0.012), whereas logistic EuroSCORE (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation) reached borderline significance regarding late endoleaks (OR 2.1, p = 0.095). An earlier year of implantation reached borderline significance predicting survival (OR 1.9, p = 0.062). Furthermore, survival was independently predicted by higher logistic EuroSCORE levels (OR 1.8, p = 0.020). Interestingly, type of arch rerouting did not influence endoleak formation and survival (OR 0.9, p = 0.812). CONCLUSIONS: Results after supra-aortic transpositions in various extents followed by endovascular stent graft placement for the treatment of various pathology affecting the aortic arch are promising. Endoleak formation is directly related to the number of prostheses and may be reduced by longer devices. Each type of arch rerouting, irrespective of extent, has turned out to be effective. Therefore, extended applications of these combined treatment strategies substantially augment the therapeutic options.
Abstract: We report 2 patients who were referred for treatment of hemodynamically significant symptomatic stenosis of the aorta at the thoracoabdominal transition (coral reef aorta) that was causing abdominal angina and intermittent claudication. Both patients underwent successful transfemoral endovascular stent-graft placement and are free of symptoms, with regular findings at 6-month follow-up completion computed tomography scan.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Surgical methods for treatment of tricuspid valve (TV) endocarditis include complete TV excision, TV replacement, and the use of various reconstructive techniques even in cases of severe TV destruction and incompetence. This study summarizes our experience with TV reconstruction and replacement in patients with severe TV endocarditis. METHODS: Between October 1997 and July 2004, TV reconstruction was performed in 18 patients (mean age, 38 +/- 17 years; 7 women, 11 men), and TV replacement in 4 patients (mean age, 48 +/- 22 years; 2 women, 2 men). All patients presented with active endocarditis and severe TV incompetence. Reconstructive techniques included debridement of vegetations, complete resection of infected or destroyed leaflet tissue, leaflet reconstruction with pericardial tissue, sliding plasty of residual valve tissue and bicuspid valve formation with construction of a new commissure, and consecutive ring annuloplasty in all patients. RESULTS: There were no perioperative deaths. Late mortality was 0% for patients with TV reconstruction and 25% (n = 1) in the TV replacement group. At the latest follow-up (78% complete; mean, 53 +/- 18 months), 11 patients had no recurrent TV incompetence. Three patients presented with TV incompetence grade I or II. Two patients with TV reconstruction had recurrent TV endocarditis between 3 and 18 month postoperatively, including new vegetations in both patients and an additional pleural empyema in one. In all cases, conservative treatment was successful and no reoperation was required. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study clearly demonstrate that in patients with severe TV endocarditis, complex reconstructive techniques yield excellent midterm results with regard to freedom of recurrence of endocarditis and valvular competence and should be considered as the primary surgical option in these patients. Tricuspid valve replacement should only be performed in cases of severe TV destruction that renders reconstructive techniques impossible.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the technical success after endovascular treatment of acute type B aortic dissections and to evaluate true and false lumen diameter changes at long-term follow-up. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with acute type B-dissection who were treated by stent graft repair presented with rupture (n = 1), contained rupture (n = 2), compromised branch vessels (n = 14), pleural effusion (n = 11), rapid aortic diameter progression (n = 5), persistent pain (n = 3), refractory hypertension (n = 10), and an aortic diameter of more than 4 cm (n = 4). Taking into account the perfusion status of the false lumen, diameter changes were monitored in the thoracic aorta at the level of the stented segment (L1), distal to the stent graft (L2), and at the level of the celiac trunk (L3). RESULTS: Severe complications in 9 patients (32%) resulted in 3 deaths for a 30-day mortality rate of 10.7%. Primary sealing of the entry tear was achieved in 86%. At all levels, the true lumen diameter increased significantly after stent graft placement. At the 1-year follow-up, the false lumen in L1 was thrombosed in 90% and the mean difference of diameter reduction was highly significant. In L2, complete false lumen thrombosis occurred in 60% with a significant diameter decrease. In L3, the false lumen thrombosed in only 22%, and the mean difference of false lumen diameter increase reached significance at the 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Ninety percent of patients were treated successfully with thrombosis of the false lumen in the stented segment. False lumen perfusion distal to the stent graft resulted in diameter increase in several patients leaving these segments an area of concern.
Abstract: Continuous enlargement of the aneurysmal sac after endovascular stent-graft treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms due to graft wall porosities (type V endoleak) is a novel problem. Two patients having undergone prior endovascular stent-graft placement of a thoracic aortic aneurysm presented with a continuous enlargement of the aneurysmal sac without a detectable endoleak. Both patients underwent redo stent-graft placement. Subsequently, shrinkage of the aneurysmal sac could be observed. Therefore endovascular redo stent-graft placement may represent an effective means in treating type V endoleaks.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine durability and need for reinterventions after endovascular stent graft placement in atherosclerotic aneurysms involving the descending aorta. METHODS: We performed a prospective follow-up analysis of a consecutive series of 79 patients undergoing endovascular stent graft placement due to atherosclerotic aneurysms involving the descending aorta between 1996 and 2006. Acute aortic syndromes were excluded from this analysis. Mean follow-up was 42 months (range, 1 to 108 months). Data were collected for in-hospital mortality, occurrence of early and late endoleaks, reintervention due to early and late endoleaks, and survival. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was 6.3% (n = 5). Two of these patients underwent emergent treatment. Early type I and III endoleaks were observed in 29% of patients (n = 23). The assisted primary endoleak rate was 11%. Late type I or III endoleaks occurred in 21% (n = 17). At 1, 3, and 5 years, overall actuarial survival was 96%, 86%, and 69%, and event-free survival was 90%, 82%, and 65%, respectively. Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that a short proximal landing zone and a high number of stent grafts used were independent risk factors for early and late endoleak formation. Late endoleak formation was an independent predictor of survival. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular stent graft placement in atherosclerotic aneurysms involving the descending aorta has satisfactory durability. An extensive landing zone is a prerequisite of early and late success. Further clinical investigations are warranted to evaluate long-term durability of this attractive treatment modality.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate mid-term results of supraaortic transpositions for extended endovascular repair of aortic arch pathologies. METHODS: From October 2002 to July 2006, 27 patients (mean age 72 years) with aortic arch diseases were treated (arch aneurysms n=18, type B dissections n=5, perforating ulcers n=4). Strategy for distal arch disease was autologous sequential transposition of the left carotid artery and of the left subclavian artery in 17 patients. Strategy for entire arch disease was total supraaortic rerouting using a reversed bifurcated prosthesis in 10 patients. Endovascular stent-graft placement was performed metachronously thereafter. RESULTS: Two in-hospital deaths occurred (myocardial infarction on the day prior to discharge n=1, rupture while waiting for stent-graft placement n=1). At completion angiography, all reconstructions were fully patent. Four patients had small type Ia endoleaks, two of them resolving spontaneously. Mean follow-up is 15 months (1-43 months). Three late deaths occurred (myocardial infarction n=2, sudden unknown death n=1). One-year survival was 83% and 3-year survival was 72%, respectively. Redo stent-graft placement was performed in one patient after 25 months (type III endoleak). The remaining patients had normal CT scans with regular perfusion of the supraaortic branches without any signs of endoleaks. CONCLUSIONS: Mid-term results of alternative treatment approaches in elderly patients with aortic arch pathologies are satisfying. Extended applications provide safe and effective treatment in patients at high risk for conventional repair.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The performance of endovascular stent-graft placement in patients suffering from aneurysms involving the descending aorta originating from chronic type B dissections is unclear. METHODS: Within a 2-year period, we treated 6 patients with this pathology. Four patients required extension of the proximal landing zone (autologous double transposition, n = 2; subclavian-to-carotid artery transposition, n = 2) before stent-graft placement. RESULTS: Supra-aortic rerouting procedures and endovascular stent-graft placement were performed successfully in all patients. Closure of the primary entry tear, full expansion of the stent-graft, and eventually, thrombosis of the false lumen was achieved in 5 patients. In 1 patient with a short proximal landing zone, a persisting type Ia endoleak was observed. In all patients with successful primary entry closure, a reduction in aneurysm diameter occurred. Mean follow-up is 16 months (range, 4 to 25). CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular stent-graft placement of aneurysms involving the descending aorta originating from chronic type B dissections may serve as a valuable treatment option in this complex pathology. The chronic dissection membrane can be successfully compressed against large areas of the native aortic wall. A sufficient proximal landing zone is mandatory for early and late success.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Supraaortic branches limit extended application of endovascular aortic repair. For this purpose, we applied extensive reconstructions. METHODS: Between October 2002 and March 2005, 11 patients (mean age 72.3 years) presented with acute or chronic aortic diseases originating from the aortic arch (arch aneurysms n=8, type B dissections n=3). Treatment was by autologous sequential transposition of the left carotid artery into the brachiocephalic trunk and of the left subclavian artery into the already transposed left common carotid artery in nine patients and by additional reconstruction of the brachiocephalic trunk in two patients. Endovascular stent-graft placement was successfully performed thereafter. RESULTS: Procedure-related mortality was 0%. At completion angiography, all reconstructions were fully patent. One patient had a small type Ia endoleak that resolved spontaneously within one week. Mean follow-up was 18 months (1-29 months). One patient underwent redo stent-graft placement after 25 months due to a type III endoleak. The remaining patients had normal follow-up CT scans with regular perfusion of the supraaortic branches without any signs of endoleaks. CONCLUSIONS: Extended application of this technique will enable safe and effective treatment of a highly selected group of patients by avoiding conventional repair.
Abstract: Conventional surgical repair of the aortic arch using cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest still carries a substantial rate of mortality and morbidity. Endovascular stent-graft placement has developed as a safe and effective treatment modality in various diseases of the aorta. We report on the case of a 64-year-old male presenting with an aortic arch aneurysm involving the origin of the brachiocephalic trunk. A second thoracic aortic aneurysm was detected in the distal third of the descending aorta. The patient was treated by entire prosthetic rerouting of the supraaortic branches. Metachronously, the patient underwent endovascular stent-graft placement from the distal ascending aorta up the thoracoabdominal transition.
Abstract: We report the case of a 78-year-old man who presented with an aortic arch aneurysm that involved the origin of the left carotid artery and extended up to the origin of the brachiocephalic trunk. The left vertebral artery originated separately from the arch. The patient was treated by a reversed bifurcated prosthesis from the ascending aorta to the brachiocephalic trunk as well as to the left common carotid artery, and a simultaneous left-sided vertebral-to-carotid artery transposition was also performed. Metachronously, the patient later underwent successful endovascular stent-graft placement into the entire aortic arch.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: A simplified alternative to the Cox maze procedure to treat atrial fibrillation with epicardial high-intensity focused ultrasound was evaluated clinically, and the initial clinical results were assessed at the 6-month follow-up visit. METHODS: From September 2002 through February 2004, 103 patients were prospectively enrolled in a multicenter study. Atrial fibrillation duration ranged from 6 to 240 months (mean, 44 months) and was permanent in 76 (74%) patients, paroxysmal in 22 (21%) patients, and persistent in 5 (5%) patients. All patients had concomitant operations, and ablation was performed epicardially on the beating heart before the concomitant procedure. The device automatically created a circumferential left atrial ablation around the pulmonary veins in an average of 10 minutes, and an additional mitral line was created epicardially in 35 (34%) patients with a handheld device by using the same technology. RESULTS: No complications or deaths were device or procedure related. There were 4 (3.8%) early deaths and 2 late extracardiac deaths. The 6-month follow-up was complete in all survivors. At the 6-month visit, freedom from atrial fibrillation was 85% in the entire study group (80% in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation, 88% in the 35 patients who had the additional mitral line, and 100% in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation). A pacemaker was implanted in 8 patients. Only the duration and type of atrial fibrillation significantly increased the risk of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Epicardial, off-pump, beating-heart ablation with acoustic energy is safe and cures 80% of patients with permanent atrial fibrillation associated with long-standing structural heart disease.
Abstract: We report the case of a 57-year-old man who underwent emergency stent-graft placement in August 2003 due to a contained rupture of a distal descending aortic aneurysm. After 1 month the patient was readmitted with chest pain as well as swallowing disorders. A computed tomographic scan revealed a fistula between the distal esophagus and the excluded aneurysm sac. The patient was treated by an esophagectomy, a cervical esophagostomy, as well as a feeding gastrostomy. The infectious parietal thrombus was partially debrided and the aneurysm sac was filled with vancomycin. After 3 months continuity was reinstalled with a pedicled isoperistaltic transverse colonic conduit. The patient recovered uneventfully. At a 3 month follow-up, he showed no signs of infection. However, he is still being treated with antibiotic therapy of ciprofloxacin for a minimum of 1 year.
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The outcome of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) may be affected by the influence of prosthesis-patient mismatch on left ventricular mass regression. However, due to the discrepancies in labeled valve size, size of sizer and actual valve dimension, it is difficult to compare different valve types. In order to perform an objective comparison, this study was designed to compare the hemodynamics of the Edwards Lifescience pericardial (ELP) and the Medtronic Mosaic porcine (MM) bioprosthesis between patients receiving the same valve size and between patients with the same aortic annulus diameter. METHODS: This prospective, randomized study was performed on 81 hospital survivors out of 86 patients undergoing AVR with either the ELP (n=39) or the MM (n=42) bioprosthesis. Intra-operative randomization was performed after the surgeon had excised the aortic valve, measured the size of the aortic annulus with three different sizers (ELP, MM and a set of metric sizers), and decided which size he would implant for either of the valve types. All valves were implanted in supra-annular position with the same implantation technique. Echocardiographic follow-up was performed early postoperatively and 6 months thereafter. RESULTS: In 12 (31%) of the patients receiving the ELP-valve, as compared to 3 (7.1%) of the patients receiving the MM-valve, the labeled valve size was smaller than the aortic annulus diameter (P<0.05). Early postoperatively, mean (17.4+/-3.1 vs 20.3+/-3.6 mmHg) and peak gradients (30.1+/-4.8 vs 37.6+/-9.6 mmHg) for the 21 mm ELP-valve were lower than for the 21 mm MM-valve (P<0.05). All other hemodynamic parameters did not show significant differences at any time point. When the same aortic annulus diameter was taken as a reference, there were no significant hemodynamic differences between either valve type at any time point, regardless of the valve size implanted. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the hemodynamic performance of the ELP and the MM bioprosthesis are comparable when the same aortic annulus diameter is taken as a reference. The significant variabilities between different valve types with regard to labeled valve size, valve-sizer size and actual valve size have to be taken into account, when hemodynamic comparisons are performed.
Abstract: This study describes the technique of triangular plication in patients with mitral valve incompetence that is due to segmental anterior leaflet prolapse. A nonabsorbable suture plicates the prolapsed leaflet area towards the ventricular aspect in a triangular fashion by decreasing the suture width towards the leaflet base. Because no leaflet tissue is resected, this technique allows for the intraoperative correction of an imperfect plication. Triangular plication was successful in all except one patient. In this patient, a failed repair was corrected with mitral valve replacement. Freedom from mitral valve incompetence of more than grade 0-I was 100% at 12 months and 86% at 36 months postoperatively.
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Morbidity and mortality rates rise with increasing age in patients undergoing conventional redo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The aim of this study was to compare our experience of minimal tissue dissection and target vessel revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with the standard procedure of total dissection of the heart and complete revascularization with CPB for a population of elderly patients undergoing elective redo coronary artery CABG. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed morbidity, mortality, and functional status of 47 patients older than 75 years who underwent redo CABG between January 1995 and June 2002. Thirty-one patients underwent redo CABG with CPB, and 16 patients underwent redo CABG without CPB. Follow-up end points were defined by patient survival, freedom from recurrence of angina (Canadian Cardiovascular Society [CCS] score), freedom from rehospitalizations and reinterventions, and the need for antianginal medication. RESULTS: There were 2 perioperative deaths (2 in the CPB group versus 0 in the group without CPB; P =.151). Nonfatal myocardial infarction occurred in 3 patients (3 in the CPB group versus 0 in the group without CPB; P =.082). Major adverse cardiac events occurred in 5 patients (5 in the CPB group versus 0 in the group without CPB; P =.058). At the time of follow-up, the mean CCS score of patients who underwent redo CABG with CPB was 1.5 +/- 0.8 and was 1.6 +/- 0.7 for patients who underwent redo CABG without CPB (P =.432). The rates of angina recurrence (16% with CPB versus 13.3% without CPB; P =.243), use of nitrates (8.7% with CPB versus 14.3% without CPB; P =.542), and survival (89% with CPB versus 93% without CPB; P =.238) were very comparable for the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this high-risk subgroup of patients, those patients who underwent target vessel revascularization without CPB showed a trend toward a lower rate of major adverse cardiac events, and this procedure seems promising with regard to long-term outcome. Therefore, target vessel revascularization may be offered liberally to elderly patients who are at high risk in surgeries involving complete revascularization with CPB. Further studies are needed to elucidate the long-term outcome of target vessel revascularization for elderly patients undergoing redo CABG.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: We compared our experience of minimal tissue dissection and target vessel revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with the standard procedure of total dissection of the heart and complete revascularization with CPB in patients who had elective reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting (redo-CABG). METHODS: We analyzed recurrence of angina and clinical outcome in 118 patients who had elective redo-CABG between January 1995 and April 2002. Seventy-four patients had redo-CABG with CPB, and 44 patients had redo-CABG without CPB. RESULTS: Perioperative outcome was comparable with regard to morbidity and mortality rates. At follow-up, the mean Canadian Cardiovascular Society score was 1.3 +/- 0.6 in patients who had redo-CABG with CPB and 1.7 +/- 0.8 in patients who had redo-CABG without CPB (p = 0.02). At follow-up, patients who had redo-CABG without CPB had a higher rate of recurrence of angina (log rank = 0.001) and higher use of nitrates (p = 0.015). Target vessel revascularization was an independent predictor of recurrence of angina in younger patients (< 75 years; p = 0.012) but not in the elderly (> or = 75 years; p = 0.142). CONCLUSIONS: In elective redo-CABG patients, minimal tissue dissection and target vessel revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass did not add significant benefit with regard to perioperative morbidity and mortality. The unsatisfactory relief of symptoms does not seem to justify target vessel revascularization by a less invasive approach. Therefore, this technique should be offered exclusively to patients at high risk with complete revascularization using CPB, such as the elderly.
