Volume 27 - Issue 3

BACKGROUND: Several techniques and cardioplegic solutions have been used for heart preservation during transplant procedures. Unfortunately, there is a lack of ideal method for myocardial preservation in the clinical practice. The use of retrograde cardioplegia provides continuous infusion of cardioplegic solution during the graft implantation. This strategy may provide better initial recovery of the graft. The objective of this study is to describe the experience of a single center where all patients received the same solution for organ preservation and were subjected to continuous retrograde blood microcardioplegia during implantation of the graft and to evaluate factors associated to early and late mortality with this technique.
METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational and descriptive study of a single center.
RESULTS: During the study period were performed 35 heart transplants. Fifteen (42.9%) patients were in cardiogenic shock. The probability of survival was 74.8±7.8%, 60.4±11.3% and 15.1±13.4% at 1 year, 5 years and 10 years of follow-up, respectively. The median survival time was 96.6 months.
CONCLUSION: The use of myocardial protection with retrograde cardioplegic solution may reduce the risks associated morbidity due to cold ischemia time during the heart transplant, and we suggest that this benefit may be even greater in cases of cold ischemia time longer ensuring protection to the myocardium.

OBJECTIVE: Aortic valve replacement for bioprosthesis dysfunction is a procedure involving considerable risk. In some cases, mortality is high and may contraindicate the procedure. Minimally invasive transcatheter aortic "valve-in-valve" implant appears to be an alternative, reducing morbidity and mortality. The objective is to evaluate aortic valve-in-valve procedure using Braile Inovare prosthesis.
METHODS: The Braile Inovare prosthesis, transcatheter, expandable balloon, was used in 14 cases. Average EuroSCORE was 42.9%. All patients had double aortic bioprosthesis dysfunction. Procedures were performed in a surgical hybrid environment under echocardiographic and fluoroscopic guidance. Using left minithoracotomy prostheses were implanted through the ventricular apex under high-frequency ventricular pacing. Serial clinical and echocardiographic controls were performed. Follow-up ranged 1-30 months.
RESULTS: Correct prosthetic deployment was obtained in all cases. There was no conversion. There was no operative mortality. The 30-day mortality was 14.3% (two cases). Ejection fraction increased significantly after the 7^th postoperative day. Aortic gradient significantly reduced. The residual aortic regurgitation was not present. There were no vascular complications or complete atrioventricular block.
CONCLUSION: The transcatheter "valve-in-valve" procedure for bioprosthesis dysfunction is safe with low morbidity. This possibility may change prosthesis choice during the first aortic valve replacement, favoring bioprostheses.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate lung function and respiratory muscle strength in the postoperative period and investigate the effect of inspiratory muscle training on measures of respiratory muscle performance in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.
METHODS: A randomized study with 47 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass. They were divided into study group (SG) 23 patients and control group (CG) 24 patients, mean age 61.83 ± 8.61 and 66.33 ± 10.20 years, EuroSCORE SG 0.71 ± 0.0018 and CG 0.76 ± 0.0029, respectively. The study group underwent physical therapy and inspiratory muscle training with threshold IMT^® and CG underwent conventional physiotherapy. We compared the maximal respiratory pressures (MIP and MEP), tidal volume (TV), vital capacity (VC) and peak expiratory flow (peak flow) preoperatively (Pre-OP), 1^st (PO1) and 3^rd (PO3) postoperative day.
RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in all variables measured on PO1 compared to preoperative values in both groups, MIP (P <0.0001), MEP (P <0.0001), TV SG (P <0.0004) and CG (P <0.0001) and VC SG (P <0.0001) and CG (P <0.0001) and peak flow (P <0.0001). At PO3, SG presented higher value of VC, GE 1230.4 ± 477.86 ml vs. GC 919.17 ± 394.47 ml (P=0.0222) and TV SG 608.09 ± 178.24 ml vs. CG 506.96 ± 168.31 ml (P= 0.0490).
CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery experience reduced ventilatory capacity and respiratory muscle strength after surgery. Muscle training was performed to retrieve TV and VC in the PO3, in the trained group.

In the individual assessment of a scientific performance, five scientometric indices have been used most: the h-index, the index g, the h-major index, the contemporary h-index and the normalized h-index. We propose an alternative index ("Index h-fac"), which considers positively the participation of the first author and that, by having a dynamic characteristic, continuously monitors his/her performance and is easily adaptable to particular or individual situations from different research groups. Results from the geometric mean between the original h-index as proposed by Hirsh and a correction factor ("fac", "first author commitment") and, in turn, this value is divided by the mean interval (in years) of all studies. The index emphasizes two scores (X and Y). These scores X and Y were obtained by asking to all 83 cardiovascular surgeons from Southern Brazil (Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul) and Specialists, how they realistically estimated, in percentage, their effective contribution in each published paper in which they appeared as first author. Of the total, 80 (96.4%) responded. The average obtained was 78.0% and on this basis, the X score was established as 0.75 and the score Y as 0.25. The new index also considers the total number of citations as first author and as co-author, the average number of coauthors per publication and the total number of papers published. Theoretical examples are presented, discussing the main advantages of application. Serial evaluations in real world situations should be instituted to confirm the diagnostic and prognostic utility of this new index.

BACKGROUND: Deep sternal wound infection and mediastinitis determine high in-hospital mortality. International studies show that these patients are also at increased cardiovascular mortality risk in long-term follow-up. However, data are scarce and there is no national data.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the mortality and incidence of cardiovascular events in long-term follow-up of patients suffering from deep sternal wound infection and mediastinitis.
METHODS: Case-control study, matched by propensity score in a 1:1 proportion, in patients submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting between 2005 and 2008 at the Institute Dante Pazzanese of Cardiology (São Paulo, SP, Brazil). The primary outcome was death. As a secondary outcome, we analyzed the composite event of myocardial infarction, new revascularization, stroke or death.
RESULTS: Of 1975 patients, 114 developed one of the infections. During the mean follow up of 3.6 years, deep sternal wound infection and mediastinitis increased the risk of death by 8.26 (95% CI 1.88-36.29, P = 0.005) and the incidence of combined end point by 2.61 (95% CI 1.2-5.69, P = 0.015). The Kaplan-Meier curves for both outcomes demonstrated that the greatest risk occurs in the first six months, followed by a period of stabilization and further increase in the incidence of events after 4 years of hospital discharge. The similarity between the curves of primary and secondary outcomes may be consequent to the predominance of death on the combined cardiovascular events.
CONCLUSION: The presence of deep sternal wound infection or mediastinitis increased mortality in long-term follow-up in this sample of the Brazilian population according to the same pattern displayed by the developed countries.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive cardiovascular operations have been proposed as an alternative method to correct several cardiac congenital and acquired heart diseases, with the aim to reduce morbidity and mortality.
OBJECTIVES: Describe the two years initial experience with minimally invasive operations, with emphasis on technical aspects and the learning curve.
METHODS: Between July 2009 and March 2012, 95 patients were operated using minimally invasive operations. Mean age was 55 ± 15 years and 53% were females. The operations performed were atrial septal defect closure (25), aortic valve replacement (32), mitral valve repair (23), mitral valve replacement (12), excision of atrial myxoma (2) and resection of subaortic membrane (1). The incision was a mini right thoracotomy in 87 cases and ministernotomy in 8.
RESULTS: Early mortality was 4.2%. Mean size of the incision was 6.3 ±1.2 cm. Extension of the original thoracotomy was necessary in only one case. Two patients suffered a stroke, and the mean total blood loss was 470 ± 277 ml. There were no cases of incision infection and 67% the patients had no major morbidity.
CONCLUSIONS: Our initial results with minimally invasive operations demonstrated that it was safe and with good clinical results. Patient satisfaction is quite high. After the learning phase has been transversed, minimally invasive operations may be an excellent alternative for many patients with congenital and acquired diseases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present investigation is to determine if the tissue reaction to the Riccinus communis (mamona) polymer has significant statistical difference compared to the tissue reaction provoked by the titanium implant.
METHODS: Thirty two Cavia porcellus were divided into four groups containing eight animals each one. We implanted the two types of materials in the retroperitoneal space of all the animals. They were sacrificed at 7, 20, 30 and 40 days after surgery and the samples were submitted to histological study.
RESULTS: The quantitative analysis did not show difference between the tissue reaction of the two materials (P>0.05). The analysis of the qualitative variable also did not show difference between the tissue reaction of the materials (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION: Macroscopic and microscopic results showed that the castor oil polymer implant has no significant statistical difference compared to the titanium implant tissue reaction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate intraoperative graft patency and identify grafts under risk of early occlusion.
METHODS: Fifty four patients were submitted to coronary artery bypass surgery and the graft flow was assessed by the Flowmeter (Medtronic Medistim), which utilizes the TTFM method. Three patients had left main disease and 48 had normal or mildly reduced left ventricular function.
RESULTS: In hospital mortality was 3.7% (two patients), one for mesenteric thrombosis and one due to cardiogenic chock. Seventeen patients (34%) were submitted to off pump CABG. Arterial Graft flow measures ranged from 8 to 106 ml/min (average 31.14 ml/min), and venous grafts flow ranged from 9 to 149 ml/min (average 50.42 ml/min).
CONCLUSION: Flowmeter use represents higher safety both for patients and surgeons. Even under legal aspects, the documentation provided by the device can avoid future questionings.

OBJECTIVE: Kidney dysfunction is a major complication in the postoperative cardiac surgery setting. Operative risk factors for its development are cardiopulmonary bypass, anemia, antifibrinolytic drugs and blood transfusion. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors for developing kidney dysfunction in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
METHODS: Ninety-seven patients were studied and 84 were analyzed. The sample was stratified into two groups. A serum creatinine higher than 30% compared to the preoperative period was considered for the kidney dysfunction group (n=9; 10.71%). There also was a control group when the increase in serum creatinine remained lower than 30% (n=75; 89.28%).
RESULTS: It was observed that intraoperative transfusion of fresh frozen plasma in the control group was 2.05 ± 0.78 units and 3.80 ± 2.16 units in the kidney dysfunction group with P= 0.032.
CONCLUSION: It was possible to associate that fresh frozen plasma transfusion is a risk factor for postoperative kidney dysfunction after cardiovascular surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the profile of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated at the emergency department and to verify the time of arrival of each patient (ΔT). Identify how the patient was transported and to correlate Delta-T (ΔT) with the treatment and the prognosis of each patient.
METHODS: Cross-sectional survey involving 52 patients with AMI admitted to the Emergency Department of a Teaching Hospital took part in the study from July to December 2010. Data collection was performed using medical records and interviews.
RESULTS: The majority of the patients were male with a mean age of 62.35 ± 14.66 years. The participants were married, with low education levels, family history of heart diseases, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, and a sedentary lifestyle. The symptoms presented were pains in the chest, epigastric region, or a chest discomfort associated to dyspnea and/or sudden sweating. The majority of the patients were transported by ambulance. They were submitted to cardiac catheterization followed by angioplasty. Delta-T found was 9h45min ± 18h9min. In this study, the overall lethality was 3.85%.
CONCLUSIONS: The perception of signs and symptoms of AMI by the patient was a decisive factor when seeking out specialized treatment. Those with the lowest Delta-T presented better prognosis.

INTRODUCTION: The cardiac bioprostheses are related to thromboembolic events, infectious and degenerative diseases. Wear is mainly attributed to the denaturation of collagen. Glutaraldehyde, the predominant method of preservation of bioprostheses, favors the calcification process and limits their durability. Several techniques try to contain the degenerative process of bioprostheses.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the process of calcification in vivo pulmonary valve heterografts preserved in non-aldehydic (L-Hydro^®).
METHODS: Seventeen sheep underwent replacement of the pulmonary artery valved tubular grafts of bovine pericardium. The animals were divided into two groups: Group L-Hydro^® (test / n = 14) and Group Glutaraldehyde (control / n = 3). About 150 days after implantation the animals were sacrificed, necropsied and implants subjected to a pathological study, radiological evaluation and measurement of calcium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Statistical analysis was obtained through the Fisher's exact test, Student's t or Mann-Whitney test (significance: 5%).
RESULTS: The radiological evaluation, the macroscopic and microscopic measurement of serum calcium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry showed increased calcification of the prosthetic group Glutaraldehyde, when compared to denture-HydroR Group L (P = 0.001). Seven animals in Group L-Hydro^® (50%) had adherence of the leaflets to the wall of the tube (P = 0.228).
CONCLUSIONS: Prostheses preserved in L-Hydro^® were more resistant to calcification when compared with glutaraldehyde preserved.

INTRODUCTION: Neurological dysfunction is a feared postoperative morbidity of cardiac surgery, an important cause of death and increased spending in hospitals. Its prediction, however, is still uncertain.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the applicability of a preoperative score as a predictor of neurological dysfunction after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).
METHODS: Prospective study that evaluated 77 patients who underwent CABG from February to October 2011. Using the score CABDEAL (creatinine, age, body mass index, diabetes, emergency surgery, abnormality on ECG, lung disease), patients were grouped into high (CABDEAL > 4) and low risk (CABDEAL<4). The predictive value of the score was compared with intraoperative and postoperative variables (aortic clamping time, CPB and ventilation time) as predictors of encephalopathy and stroke. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and compared with the Fisher exact test. ROC curve analysis was performed to evaluate the accuracy of the model for the neurological outcomes. It was considered the significant value P<0.05.
RESULTS: The mortality rate was 2.6% (n=2). There were 2 episodes of stroke (2.6%) and 12 (15.5%) of encephalopathy. High risk CABDEAL (P=0.0009), ventilation time (P=0.014), CPB time (P=0.02) and aortic clamping time (P=0.006) were significantly associated with encephalopathy. The aortic clamping time was also associated with stroke (P=0.03) and death (P=0.006). CABDEAL score showed the largest area under the ROC curve rather than others variables.
CONCLUSION: In this study, the CABDEAL score stood out as the best predictor of encephalopathy after CABG when compared to the others intraoperative variables.

Neurological complications are an important cause of morbidity in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery and its incidence reaches up to 75% of patients. An important cause of these events is the formation of microbubbles in the bloodstream during cardiopulmonary bypass. Integrative review was carried out on gaseous microemboli in cardiopulmonary bypass. This study analyzed studies with different methodological approaches, but that address the issue. The result suggests the denitrogenation of blood by hyperoxia dissolved microbubbles in the blood and venoarterial shunt can balance the respiratory parameters changed with hyperoxia.

This study aimed to update knowledge regarding to noninvasive ventilation (NVI) on postoperative of cardiac surgery in addition at investigating if exists superiority of any modalities NVI in relation to the others. The literature review was performed on the period between 2006 and 2011, on PubMed, SciELO and Lilacs databases crossing the keywords: artificial respiration, continuous positive airway pressure, intermittent positive-pressure ventilation, cardiac surgery and their corresponding in English. Based on the criteria adopted, nine articles were selected being six of them use NVI, through the modalities such as continuous positive airway pressure, positive pressure with bilevel pressure and intermittent positive-pressure ventilation in postoperative of cardiac surgery; only three of them performed comparisons between different modalities. The NVI modalities that were described on the literature had showed satisfactory results. A few studies compare different NVI modalities; however some of them showed superiority in relation to the others, such as the intermittent positive-pressure ventilation to threat hypoxemia and to positive pressure with bilevel pressure to increase oxygenation, respiratory rate and heart rate in these patients, when compared with other modalities.

We present a patient with severe aortic valvular bioprosthesis dysfunction implanted for 11 years, presenting with acute pulmonary edema due to severe valvular insufficiency with severe systolic dysfunction (EF <30%) and comorbid conditions that amounted operative risk (STS score > 10). We carried out the transcatheter aortic valve implantation (Inovare^® - Braile Biomedica), which was implemented successfully by transfemoral access and good patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the agreement of multiplanar and rendering modes in the assessment fetal atrioventricular valves (mitral and tricuspid) areas by three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography using the software spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC).
METHODS: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study with normal pregnant women, with single fetuses, between 18-33 weeks. To measure the areas, we used the plan of four-chamber view. In the case of multiplanar, the plane was rotated on the axis "Z" form the heart to position at 9h. For rendering, the green line (region of interest - ROI) was placed from the atria of the heart perpendicular to the crux. The agreement was assessed by a Bland-Altman (limits of agreement) using the relative difference between the measures: ((rendering mode) - (multiplanar mode)) / (average).
RESULTS: 328 fetuses were evaluated. We have not identified the occurrence of systematic error between methods: the average relative difference was 1.62% (-2.07% to 5.32%, confidence interval 95%) in the mitral and 1.77% (- 1.08% to 4.62%) in the tricuspid valve. The limits of agreement between methods were -65.26% to 68.51% for the mitral and -49.91% to 53.45% for the tricuspid.
CONCLUSIONS: There was no systematic error between modes and thus the observed values for the area of fetal atrioventricular valves can be used for comparisons needs to be corrected. However, relatively large variations may be observed when repeating the measurement area by different modes.

Three-years-old boy presenting with a subvalvar aortic stenosis without a precise definition by echocardiography, where the surgical approach revealed an accessory mitral leaflet.

The superior vena cava syndrome represents the set of signs and symptoms resulting from obstruction of superior vena cava. The syndrome has as main causes malignant tumors such as bronchogenic carcinoma, lymphoma and mediastinal metastases. Lung cancer accounts for 80% of cases, mediastinal lymphomas by 15% and 5% correspond to other causes. This case report aims to present an unusual case of this syndrome, which occurred in a male patient after penetrating wound in the chest, which developed a pseudoaneurysm of the aortic arch and superior vena cava syndrome.