Volume 13 - Número 3
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Complete myocardial revascularization with exclusive use of arterial grafts
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/1/2025
The authors present their experience over a period of 30 months with 385 patients submitted to myocardial revascularization procedures using only arterial grafts. Eight patients had already been revascularized: 114 (29.6%) had lesions just in one coronary artery, 118 (30.6%) in two arteries and 153 (39.7%) in three or more arteries. The left internal thoracic artery was preferably used for bypassing the anterior interventricular branch. The right internal thoracic artery was used "in situ" for the right coronary artery and its branches or as a free graft from the aorta or even in artificial "Y" from the left internal thoracic artery to the diagonal and marginal branches of the left coronary artery. Other arteries such as the radial artery were used in 215 (55.8%). The right gastroepiploic artery in 24 (6.3%) and the inferior epigastric artery in 4 (1.1%) patients. Summing up, 809 arterial grafts were used in that group of patients and in 839 anastomoses to the coronary arteries. In patients with lesions in three coronary arteries the average of revascularized arteries was 3.2 for each patient. There were no intra-operative deaths. Seven (1.8%) patients died during their stay in the hospital but only 3 (42.8%) of them presented low cardiac output. The authors also emphasize the advantages of using just arterial grafts in a selected group of patients especially young ones. This conclusion is based on the low incidence of morbimortality observed in that group and also due to the well-known superiority of arterial grafts as the internal thoracic arteries which present a high percentage of patency over the years and also make possible a composition with other arterial grafts.
Keywords: Myocardial revascularization, methods; Arteries, surgery; Thoracic arteries, surgery
Myocardial revascularization with minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass graft (MIDCAB): results in 46 patients
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/1/2025
Objective: To present the experience with myocardial revascularization by Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass Graft via left anterior minithoracotomy without extracorporeal circulation (MIDCAB).
Material and Methods: 46 patients were submitted to MIDCAB from February 1997 to January 1998. Everyone has obstructive disease in the proximal portion of the interventricular descending artery (IDA). The technique consisted of a small transverse incision, of about 8.0 cm, traverse, in the left infra-mammary area, allowing good visibility and easy access for dissection of the thoracic internal artery (TIA) and anastomosis with IDA. The evaluation of the results was made by clinical, laboratory and angiographic control.
Results: The mean duration of operation was 2 hours with about 18 hours of permanence in ICU and 5 days of maximum hospital stay. There were no intra-operative deaths. There was a case of sudden death after discharge (15º post-operative day). The patients followed did not refer anginal pain. Four cases of TIA occlusion and 2 AIA stenoses were documented, probably secondary to vessel banding during the procedure. There was no correlation between troponin-I blood levels and occlusion of the graft. It was verified that the levels of troponin-I in patients submitted to MIDCAB were significantly lower than in the conventional procedure. There was no significant clinical complication.
Conclusions: MIDCAB has proved to be a useful procedure with low morbidity and mortality, with the possibility of shorter hospital stay and consequent lower cost. The low Troponin-I blood levels indicate reduced myocardial injury during the procedure.
Keywords: Myocardial revascularization, methods; Surgical procedures, minimally invasive
The importance of pulse oxymetry in evaluation of hand's perfusion for harvesting the radial artery. Is the Allen test satisfactory?
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/1/2025
With the increasing utilization of the radial artery as a graft in CABG a reliable evaluation of the integrity of the palmar arch in each patient, is important in order to prevent classically vascular complications of the hand, one uses the Allen test, which is based on a subjective evaluation of the colour change of the hand, when the radial and ulnar pulse are pressed and, therefore, more prone to misinterpretations. For an objective evaluation, we propose this test, analyzing perfusion through pulse oxymetry, a simple method easily available in the operating room.
Purpose: The authors present a new proposal to evaluate perfusion and integrity of the palmar arch by pulse oxymetry, comparing information obtained through method with the one obtained through the Allen test.
Method: Fifty radial and 50 ulnar arteries from 25 patients in prone position were studied. Patients were 45 years or over, 19 males and 6 females, in stable cardiorespiratory conditions, and free of known peripheral vascular disease in the upper limbs. The oxymeter used was from Ohmeda, and the portable Doppler, with continuous flow from Medical Electronics. At first, the probe was put over the index finger of each hand sequentially observing the saturation level which we called initial. The Doppler was used for the radial and ulnar pulses. The Allen test was performed in each hand, digitally compressing both arteries, with the oxymeter in the second finger, observing the disappearance of the pulse wave. The ulnar artery was then released, causing the return of the pulse wave and obtaining the final saturation. In 96% of cases, there was a drop in saturation ranging from 0 to 2 points. The Doppler probe was located distally to the compression of the radial artery, showing no flow in it.
Results: The Allen test proved to be satisfactory (return of colour to the hand in 5 seconds or less) in 35 procedures (70%), and unsatisfactory in 15 of them (30%). The oxymetry was normal in 49 procedures (98%), with an important saturation drop in just one case (2%), in which the Allen test was unsatisfactory.
Conclusions: We observed a rather meaningful difference between the results from the Allen test and those from oxymetry, leading one to question the validity of the Allen test regarding its efficacy, since it is a subjective method compared to an objective one (oxymetry). Therefore, we could not be using the radial artery as a graft in 26% of the cases evaluated through the Allen test.
Keywords: Oximetry; Hand, blood supply; Radial artery, surgery
Mitral homografts: a reality
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/1/2025
Background: the use of cryopreserved aortic valve homografts is associated with excellent quality of life, low morbidity and satisfactory durability. We expect to achieve similar results in the mitral position with the use of cryopreserved mitral homografts.
Objectives: Evaluate the immediate and short-term results of mitral valve replacement with cryopreserved mitral homografts.
Material and Methods: Between July/97 and February/98, 8 patients with a mean age of 40.3 ± 6.2 years were submitted to mitral valve replacement with cryopreserved mitral homografts. Operative technique consisted of latero-lateral papillary muscle fixation, a running continuous suture at annulus level and annuloplasty with a Carpentier ring. Before hospital discharge, all patients were submitted to Doppler echocardiographic control for assessment of valvar and ventricular function. Patients were requested to return at the first and subsequently every 3 months postoperatively for further clinical and echocardiographic control.
Results: There was one early non valve-related death. Echocardiographic evaluation before hospital discharge revealed a mean mitral valve area of 3.1 ± 0.6 cm2 and a mean gradient of 3.5 ± 1.6 mmHg. Valvar insufficiency was graded as non-existent or trivial in four cases and mild in the remaining three patients. Ejection fraction which was 57 ± 7% pre-operatively was well preserved in the postoperative period (62 ± 6%). Pulmonary hipertension reduced significantly from 87 ± 15 mmHg pre-operatively to 48 ± 12 mmHg post-operatively. There was also a reduction in the left atrial cavity from 61 ± 10 mm to 53 ± 7 mm. No patient was lost to follow-up. After a mean follow-up time 4.1 ± 2.5 months, all patients are functionally well without postoperative events. Late echocardiographic control showed persistence of the good immediate results.
Conclusions: The immediate and short-term results of mitral valve replacement with mitral homografts are satisfactory, demonstrating the feasibility of the technique. Longer follow-up periods are necessary to determine durability of this graft and to eventually expand its indications.
Keywords: Mitral valve, transplantation; Mitral valve, ultrasonography; Transplantation, homologous; Cryopreservation
Mitral valve repair in rheumatic patients
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/1/2025
Purpose: To analyze the late results of mitral valve repair in rheumatic patients.
Material and Methods: Between March 1980 and December 1997, 201 rheumatic patients underwent mitral valve repair in the Heart Institute of HCFMUSP. Average age was 26.9 ± 15.4 years and 59.6% were female. Other diagnoses were present in 67.7% of patients and the most common was tricuspid regurgitation (31.3%). The techniques of repair were: Carpentier ring annuloplasty in 75 (37.3%), posterior annuloplasty with pericardial sling in 68 (33.8%), posterior segmental annuloplasty in 16 (7.9%), quadrangular resection of the posterior leaflet in 11 (5.5%), partial resection of the anterior leaflet in 6 (3%), De Vega type annuloplasty in 6 (3%), Kay in 5 (2.5%), Reed in 4 (2%) and others in 10 patients. Associated techniques were employed in 94 patients (46.8%), the most frequent was chordal shortening (48 patients - 23.9%). Associated procedures were performed in 113 patients (56.2%). The actuarial curves (Kaplan-Meier) were compared through linear regression analysis.
Results: Hospital mortality was 4 patients (2.0%) and the causes were multiorgan failure in 2 (50%) and low cardiac output in 2 (50%). In the late postoperative period, 83.9% of the patients were in functional class I (NYHA). The actuarial survival was 93.9 ± 1.9% in 125 months. Twenty three patients were reoperated in the post-operative period with a mean interval of 35.7 months. The actuarial freedom from reoperation was 43.3 ± 13.7% in 125 months. Comparing the patients according to age, in the group over 16 years (group 1), the actuarial survival was 91.3 ± 3.8%, against 95.6 ± 2.7% in the group with more than 16 years (group 2), with a statistic difference (p < 0.0001). Freedom from reoperation was 50.8 ± 16.9% in group 1 and 47.0 ± 14.9% in group 2 (p < 0.0001).
Conclusions: Late results with mitral valve repair in rheumatic mitral insufficiency were satisfactory.
Keywords: Mitral valve, surgery; Rheumatic fever, surgery; Mitral valve insufficiency, surgery; Rheumatic fever, complications; Mitral valve insufficiency, etiology; Mitral valve, insufficiency
Mid term results of conservative procedures in rheumatic mitral valve
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/1/2025
ABSTRACT: Objective: Conservative procedures on the valve mitral have advantages over its replacement. We evaluated the mid term results in patients with rheumatic mitral disease regarding clinical and echocardiography variables.
Material and Methods: Fifty six patients with rheumatic etiology were submitted to mitral valve repair. Forty six patients were female (82.1%) and ten male (17.9%). The average age was 34.70 years (standard deviation 13.88 years). Average time of follow-up was 23.84 months (standard deviation 9.23 years). Twenty five patients (44.6%) were in functional class III or IV and eleven patients with atrial fibrillation (19.6%) before surgery. The procedures were commissurotomy, commissurotomy with papillaromyotomy in 11 patient (19.6%), commissurotomy with malleable annuloplasty bovine pericardium prosthesis in 27 patients (48.2%) and malleable annuloplasty bovine pericardium prosthesis in 18 patients (32.1%).
Results: There was one death (30 days) in this series (1.7%). One patient presented transitory vascular accident in the operative period with total recovery. Improvement ocurred with regard to the final diastolic volume of the left ventricule from 52.0 ± 12.4 mm to 48.8 ± 9.9 (p = 0.001), left atrium size from 53.0 ± 8.0 mm to 47.8 ± 7.6 mm (p < 0.0001). Functional class improved significantly (p = 0.0001), with just one patient in class III (1.8%). It happened two reoperations with 28.5 months and 2.93 months of follow-up, 96.43% were free reoperation in the follow-up period.
Conclusion: We conclude that mitral valve repair over the mid term provides good results with improvement of echocardiography and clinical parameters.
Keywords: Mitral valve, surgery; Rheumatic fever, surgery; Mitral valve insufficiency; Rheumatic fever, complications; Mitral valve insufficiency, etiology; Mitral valve insufficiency, surgery
Comparative study between stented and stentless porcine aortic bioprosthesis
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/1/2025
ABSTRACT: Objective: The purpose of this retrospective study is to compare clinical performance of 2 heart valve substitutes used in the aortic position. Both groups were operated consecutively during the same period of time: Group 1 (G1): patients with composite porcine aortic stentless valves; Group 2 (G2): patients with composite porcine stented aortic bioprostheses.
Material and Methods: The clinical data of 725 patients were reviewed and we found 752 operations for aortic valve replacement performed between January 1990 and December 1996. Only patients with at least one year of follow-up were included. Data collected included clinical characteristics, valve size implanted, cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic crossclamp time and in house and outpatient follow-up. Echocardiographic data were also compared as far as the following parameters: effective orifice area, effective orifice area index, mean transvalvar gradient and severity of aortic insufficiency.
Results: We performed 169 operations in G1 and 583 operations in G2. Clinical characteristics of the 2 groups were similar, except the data related to age (38.0 ± 17.5 vs 46.0 ± 19.0 years) (p < 0.05) and etiology of aortic valve disease, as there were more native and prosthetic endocardites in G1 (p < 0.02). Perioperative data showed that more than 70% of patients of the 2 groups received bioprostheses nº 25 or less, chosen in all cases based on the size of the aortic annulus. Cardiopulmonary by-pass (99.9 ± 28.8 vs 86.3 ± 31.0 minutes) and aortic crossclamp time (80.9 ± 25.2 vs 65.0 ± 24.4 minutes) were longer in G1 (p < 0.0001). Nevertheless, intensive care unit and hospital stay, morbidity and mortality of the 2 groups were similar. The echocardiographic studies disclosed effective orifice area (1.94 ± 0.31 vs 1.48 ± 0.33 cm2) and effective orifice area index (1.15 ± 0.23 vs 0.89 ± 0.06 cm2/m2) significantly larger in the stentless group (p < 0.000001), thus leading to lower mean transvalvar gradient (8.3 ± 4.9 vs 13.2 ± 4.6 mmHg) (p < 0.0001). Postoperative aortic insufficiency was negligible in both subsets.
Conclusion: Biocor porcine stentless aortic bioprostheses compared to Biocor stented bioprostheses have shown better hemodynamic performance, without increasing morbididy or mortality rates, which may enhance valve durability and ventricular remodeling with important prognostic implications for patient survival. Longer follow-up will provide the test of time.
Keywords: Bioprosthesis; Heart valve prosthesis; Aortic valve; Heart valve prosthesis, comparative study
Minimally invasive thoracotomy for heart valve surgery
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/1/2025
ABSTRACT: Background - Less invasive procedures for cardiac surgery are presently under evaluation. Valve repair or replacement are clearly feasible through small thoracotomies, even with video techniques. The purpose of this paper is to study results of less invasive valve surgery compared with standard techniques.
Patients and Method - From November 1996 to February 1998, 2 groups of patients (8 cases in each), comparable regarding age, Sex, height, weight, functional class, valve lesion and valve procedure were assigned either to standard medium sternotomy or parasternal minithoracotomy (longitudinal or oblique, maximum 8 cm, plus femoral arteriovenous cannulation). During the immediate post-operative period, the following parameters were analyzed: duration of procedure, perfusion, myocardial ischemia, ICU, mechanical ventilation, hospitalization and period with opioid analgesia, plus volume of chest drainage.
Results - There was no hospital mortality. Two major complications with good recovery were perioperative myocardial infraction with permanent heart block leading to pacemaker implant, and cerebrovascular accident. Both patients were from the medium sternotomy group and submitted to aortic decalcification. There was no significant difference in the remaining parameters between the two groups. In addition there were no related difficulties in valve approach, no differences in chest drainage, no femoral vascular complications, no wound problems, no case of conversion to sternotomy. The accompanying table summarizes the results.
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Conclusion - Although feasible, heart valve surgery through less invasive thoracotomy presented no significant advantage over conventional sternotomy other than aesthetic aspect in this initial small series.
Keywords: Surgical procedures, minimally invasive; Thoracotomy; Aortic valve, surgery
Conclusion - Although feasible, heart valve surgery through less invasive thoracotomy presented no significant advantage over conventional sternotomy other than aesthetic aspect in this initial small series.
Keywords: Surgical procedures, minimally invasive; Thoracotomy; Aortic valve, surgery
Total cavo-pulmonary anastomosis without prosthetic material
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/1/2025
The authors describe two cases (one tricuspid atresia without TGA or pulmonary stenosis, but with a restrictive IVC: the second of an Ebstein disease) of total cavo-pulmonary anastomosis using only the tissue of the atrial wall, avoiding any prosthetic material. Both cases were done under cardiopulmonary bypass and cold blood cardioplegia. A flap of the right atrial wall was used to re-direct the blood flow. Pleural effusion in one patient and complete AV block in the other were the complications found. They conclude that right intra-atrial tunneling for total cavo-pulmonary anastomosis, avoiding the use of any foreign material is feasible, thus diminishing the possible late risks (calcification, embolization, retraction) of prosthetic materials.
Keywords: Heart bypass, right, methods; Tricuspid atresia, surgery; Ebstein's anomaly, surgery
Reversible pulmonary trunk banding: experimental model for rapid pressure of the pulmonary ventricle
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/1/2025
ABSTRACT: A balloon catheter was developed to induce rapid "pulmonary ventricle"(RV) hypertrophy. The hearts of six young goats (avg. Wt: 5.3 kg) were submitted to increased afterload by the balloon catheter and assessed morphologically and by echocardiogram. Through a left thoracothomy, right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) was exposed and baseline myocardial samples were harvested for electron and optical microscopic studies. The balloon catheter was then placed through the RVOT, in the lumen of the PA. After the convalescence postoperative period, RV training was begun by inflating the balloon with 0.5 ml of water and progressively reimflating with additional volumes (0.5 ml) at intervals of two days, causing progressive afterload. Serial echocardiographic assessments of the cardiac muscle mass were performed every one to two days. The animals were sacrificed after two to three weeks of RV training for morphologic evaluation of the heart. The external diameter of longitudinally sectioned myocytes was measured at the level of the nucleus, using an image analysis system (Quantimet-Leica). One micra thick sections from RV wall were examined at Philips 301 electron microscope to determine the volume density for mitochondria. The echocardiogram showed equality of the ventricles' thickness with a short interval of six to ten days of RV training. There was a significant increase in the diameter of the myocyte (p<0.001) and the nucleus (p<0.003) of RV. There was no change between the mean volume density for the mitochondria of the RV myocardial samples before and after RV training (p=0.385). This catheter permits the manipulation of the pulmonary artery lumen, allowing for the nonsurgical rapid prepare of the pulmonary ventrícle. It preserves the anatomical integrity of the pericardial cavity and contents in patients with TGA.
Keywords: Balloon dilatation; Heart ventricle; Lung, blood supply
Influence of isoflurane in myocardial contractility and coronary flow of isolated rat hearts
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/1/2025
Eighteen adult rat hearts were studied by Langendorff's Technique under Krebs-Henseleit solution perfusion (90 ± 10 cm of H2O pressure, 36.5 ± 0.5°C temperature). Nine rats were assigned to two groups: Group I - control group and Group II - isoflurane group. Hearts in Group II were treated with isoflurane at 1.5%. After stabilization during 15 minutes, initial values were obtained (t0), the next parameters were registered over the following periods: 1, 2, 4, 6, 10 minutes, respectively. There were no statistically significant variations in systolic pressure nor in dp/dt (p > 0.05) in period t1 in both groups. An increase was observed in diastolic pressure, statistically significant in Group II (4.8 mmHg - t0 period; 12.8 mmHg - t1 period). There was a decrease in heart rate and increase in coronary flow in Group II, statistically significant(p < 0.05), one minute after drug infusion. The coronary flow decreased progressively in every recovery period (t2 t0 t5) in Group II (p < 0.05). During the same periods there were no statistically significant variations in Group I. Isoflurane increases coronary flow during its administration, decreasing it during the recovery periods; it decreases heart rate, increases diastolic pressure and shows evidence of myocardial contractility depression in isolated rat hearts.
Keywords: Isoflurane, pharmacology; Anesthetics, inhalation, pharmacology; Myocardial contraction, drug effects; Coronary circulation, drug effects; Heart rate, drug effects
Implant of left ventricular pacemaker in the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy and left branch bundle block associated with paradoxical septal motion
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/1/2025
Left branch bundle block may present as an isolated entity, even in normal hearts, in which apparently it does not impair the left ventricular function importantly. Studies in LBBB created by the implant of a right ventricular pacemeker, have shown deleterious effects on left ventricle systolic and diastolic functions associated sometimes with presence of mitral valve regurgitation. Paradoxical interventricular septal motion that follows the LBBB cause an additional impairment of left ventricular function and is in general present in patients with cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure, with poor prognosis. In 1994 studying patients with cardiomyopathy Cazeau demonstrated that the use of four chamber pacing can increase cardiac output and decrease pulmonary capillary wedge pressures. Stimulated by this work, we decided to investigate the possibility of stimulation of the left ventricle apex alone, after sensing the P wave by the use of a dual-chamber pacemaker in patients with LBBB and paradoxical septal movement, aiming at the synchronization of interventricular septal contraction. This procedure was done in three patients and before hospital discharge they were submitted to echocardiographic studies with the pacemaker turned on and scintigraphy off to analyze the ejection fraction and the septal movement. In the first case the EF increased from 17 to 25%; in the second from 13 to 30% and in the third from 13 to 27%. The paradoxical movement disappeared in two cases and was classified as mild (+/+4+) in the first case. The functional class and mitral regurgitation were not included in this study because all three patients had combined procedures which could induce a false-positive improvement. Although this is a small number of cases, we believe that the procedure is promising for the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, left bundle branch block and paradoxical septal movement and it might be a future indication for the treatment of LBBB, before the deterioration of the left ventricle happens changing the quality of life and survival of these patients.
Keywords: Pacemaker, artificial; Cardiomyopathy, congestive; Heart block, surgery; Heart septum, surgery; Heart ventricle
Initial experience of a single lead VDD pacing system
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/1/2025
The authors present an evaluation of the first results in the use of artificial cardiac stimulation, with a VDD single electrode pacemaker, (Dromos Biotronic). In 1995 26 VDD single electrode pacemaker implants were done. Twenty one patients were female, average age 59.8 years (range 01-77 years). A total AVB due to myocardiopathy secondary to Chagas disease was the first indication. All the patients used an SL 60/13 up electrode. A standard implant technique using intracavity pacers, always observing if the atrial sensors were in good position inside the atrial cavity getting good values of sensibility. The post-op was on an out patient basis and the pacemaker was analysed routinely. Echocardiograms and stress tests for evaluation of left ventricular function, exercise tolerance and the mantainace of the atrial sensibility in movament were done. All cases kept adequate atrial sensibility, with limits below 1.0 mv, kept synchronism of AV, and in consequence improvement of symptoms. Echocardiograms demonstrated an increase of ejection fraction with VDD model and stress test showed a better resistance to stress and AV synchronism in all patients. Artificial VDD cardiac stimulation with single electrode resulted to be an excellent alternative to the DDD stimulation, since it mantained the AV synchronism improved hemodinamic performance and consequently the functional class, without need of a second electrode and all the problems related to its management.
Keywords: Pacemaker, artificial; Cardiac pacing, artificial; Heart block, therapy
CASE REPORT
Surgical technique decision for the treatment of the scimitar syndrome
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/1/2025
The scimitar syndrome, anomalous drainage of pulmonary veins from the right lung to the inferior vena cava, is not a common pathology. Most surgeons when faced with such a case have doubts about which surgical technique is best for its treatment. This paper shows some of the controversies in the surgical repair of this syndrome based upon one case successfully treated by us.
Keywords: Scimitar syndrome, surgery; Cardiovascular surgical procedures, methods