Volume 13 - Número 4
EDITORIAL
A RBCCV e o Ano de 1998
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
Keywords:
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Orthotopic heart transplants: experience of the São Paulo Federal University
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
From November, 1986 to April, 1997; 92 orthotopic heart transplants were performed, with recipient mean age of 44,9 years (range 3 to 63 years). Recipient diagnoses included dilated cardiomyopathy in 42 (44.6%) ischemic cardiomyopathy in 23 (25%), Chagas disease in 21 (22.8%), valve disease in 3 (3.2%) patients. The surgical technique used (described by Lower e Shumway, in 1960, with minor modification) was satisfactory and without complication. Graft ischemic time - Longer in heart transported from other institutions compared to side-by-side transplantation - was always less than 4 hours. The most common chronic complications of immunosuppressive therapy were: arterial hyperthension (84.6%), hyperuricemia (75.4%) and hypercholesterolemia (63%). Regarding infections, viral were the most common ones with 92 (45.6%) followed by bacterial with 35 (38.0%), and protozoal with 15 (16.3%) cases. Among bacterial infections, 7 occurred in the surgical wound, with good evolution. Among those infections caused by protozoal, 7 (46.6%) were due to Trypanossoma cruzi. The overall mortality rate within 30 days of transplantation was 17.3%, with infection, neurologic complications and rejection as major causes. From 30 days to 1 year of transplantation, the mortality rate was 10.3%, with infection and rejection as primary causes. And after one year post-transplantation, the mortality rate was 14%, with several different causes: sudden death, infection, rejection and others. The actuarial survival estimates at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 years were 71.6%, 66.5%, 60.5%, 54.4%, 54.4% and 54.4%, respectively. There were no follow-up losses, and all the surviving patients are in functional type I of the NYHA. Cardiac transplantation procedure is possible in our community with accetable survival and post-operative complication rates acceptable, even though different from international statistics.
Keywords: Heart transplantation; Graft rejection, mortality; Heart transplantation, mortality; Heart transplantation, methods; Heart transplantation, adverse effects
Mitral valve reconstruction in 66 patients where the Gregori-Braile was used
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
The complications of valvular prosthesis has led us to preserve the mitral valve.
Objective: This paper analyses mitral reconstruction in 66 patients (pts.) where the ring of Gregori-Braile was used, in the period between October 1989 and October 1995.
Casuistic and Methods: 45 (74.1%) were male and the mean age was 32.9 years. Rheumatic disease was present in 49 pts. and mitral insufficiency in 38 pts. (57.5%). The follow-up was 2.560 pts./mounth (mean 38.8 months) in 64 pts. (96.9%). The method used to evaluate the patients were as follows: clinical symptoms in FC (NYHAC), systolic mitral murmur and Doppler-echocardiographic study in the pre and post-operative period. The mitral techniques were: ring implantation, mobilization of leaflets and chordae tendinae and restriction of valve mobility. Shortening of the chordae was used in 44 pts. (66.6%). Associated procedures were: reduction of the LA (8 pts.), aortic valve replacement (3 pts.) and Cox procedure in 3 pts. One patient died (1.5%) in early PO from pulmonar thromboembolism.
Results: The PO functional class improved. In the pre-op 41 pts. (62.1%) were in FC III and 23 pts. in FCIV (34.8%). In the PO, 53 pts (80.3%) were in FC I and 8 pts. (12.1%) in FC II. The mitral murmur was absent or + intensity in 92.4% in PO. The FC and murmur improved significantly (p < 0.001). The Doppler-echocardiographic study showed: mean left ventricular diastolic diameter was 5.96 cm in the pre-op and 5.33 cm in the PO (p < 0.001); mean LA dimension was 5.67 cm (pre-op) and 4.65 cm in the PO (p < 0.001); mean aortic diameter was 2.97 cm in the pre-op and 3.13 cm in PO (p < 0.01); the mean shortening was 35.38% in pre-op and 34.12% in PO (not significantly). The mean valve area was 1.7 cm2 in the pre-op period and 2.43 cm2 in PO (p < 0.003) and the mean gradient pressure in the pre-op and PO period was 11.10 mmHg and 5.58 mmHg (p < 0.003), respectively. In the late PO, 3 pts. died (4.5%). After 72 months, the survival was 95.5%, 96% free from reoperation and 98.4% free from thromboembolism.
Conclusions: Mitral reconstruction is a safe procedure, the improvement in functional class was statistically significant, and the procedure should be done whenever possible to correct the mixed lesion and mitral insufficiency.
Keywords: Mitral valve, surgery; Prosthesis and implants; Rheumatic heart disease, surgery; Endocarditis, surgery
Ministernotomy for aortic valve surgery: initial experience
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
We present our initial experience with minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of aortic valve diseases, through a minithoracotomy. From June to November of 1997, 12 patients underwent aortic valve replacement. The surgical technique utilized was ministernotomy from the notch to the fourth right intercostal space. There was no mortality, nor reoperation. There was necessity of complete sternotomy in one case because of difficult of leaving CPB. Late evolution was possible in 91.6% of the cases and they are all free of symptons.
Keywords: Heart valve diseases, surgery; Aortic valve, surgery; Heart valve prosthesis; Bioprosthesis; Minimal surgical procedures, methods
Valve repair in congenital mitral lesions: late clinical results
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
Background: Congenital mitral valve disease is associated with complex deformities of mitral apparatus. Annular support should be avoided in children and adolescents. Since 1975 we have employed non-supported techniques for mitral repair.
Objective: This paper presents long term clinical results for repair in congenital mitral valve disease in children under 12 years of age.
Patients and Methods: This series comprises 21 patients operated from 1995 to 1998. Mean age 4.6 ± 3.4 years. Female sex 47.6% mitral regurgitation in 57.1% (12 pt), stenosis 28.6% (6 pt) and mixed lesion 14.3% (3 pt). Perfusion time was 43.1 ± 9.5 min and ischemic time 29.4 ± 10.5 min. Follow-up time was 41.5 ± 53.6 months for the regurgitation group (12 pt) and 46.3 ± 32.0 months for the stenosis group (4 pt followed).
Results: Operative mortality was 9.5% (2 cases), both in the stenosis group. There was no late death. In the regurgitation group, 10 pt (83.3%) were assymptomatic. Echocardiographic control at a mean follow-up time of 37.1 ± 39.5 months showed, in 9 cases, 1 without reflux, 6 mild and 2 moderate reflux. There was 1 reoperation at 48 months post operative for a new valve repair. In the stenosis group, there were 4 patients followed, all in functional class I, 2 without drugs. Echo control at a mean follow-up time of 42.6 ± 30.5 months showed mean gradient from 8 to 12 mmHg. The mixed lesion group had 1 reoperation after 43 post-operative months. There were no cases of endocarditis or thromboembolism.
Conclusion: Mitral valve repair in congenital lesions is associated with good late results. The majority of cases remain assymptomatic and free of reoperations. Failures are related to complexity of deformities. Rings on annular support are not necessary. Repair of regurgitation performs better than these for stenosis.
Keywords: Mitral valve, abnormalities; Mitral valve, surgery; Mitral valve insufficiency, surgery; Mitral valve stenosis, surgery; Mitral valve, surgery, child
Immediate postoperative avaliation of the tricuspid valve takedown influence in the treatment of the ventricular septal defect
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
Although the tricuspid valve and its attachments can sometimes obscure the margins of the ventricular septal defect from the vision of the surgeon, concern for valvular competence has made surgeons hesitate to take down the tricuspid valve. In this paper, the records of 34 patients divided into two groups (comparable by gender, age and associated anomalies) were reviewed retrospectively. Treatment of the ventricular septal defect was done without (Group I, with 19 patients) and with (Group II, with 15 patients) takedown of the tricuspid valve to determine the degree of the tricuspid regurgitation and also the incidence of residual ventricular septal defects and atrioventricular block. The anterior and septal leaflets of the valve were taken down at the annulus and resuspended after VSD repair with running 6-0 polypropylene sutures. The degree of valvular regurgitation and the presence of residual VSD were determined by echo done on post-operative day one and at the the patient's discharge. Valvular regurgitation was graded as none in 12 patients of the Group I and in 10 patients of the Group II; trivial regurgitation in 5 patients of Group I and 4 of Group II; mild to moderate regurgitation in 2 cases of Group I and 1 in Group II. No patient had severe regurgitation. Even with a small number of cases, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. There was only one case of residual VSD in Group I with spontaneous closure. The mortality in Group I was 10.5% and 6.6% in Group II. The authors conclude that takedown and re-suspension of the tricuspid valve in VSD repair surgery does not adversely affect valve competence neither increases the incidence of residual VSD or the incidence of A-V block.
Keywords: Ventricular septal defects, surgery; Tricuspid valve, surgery; Tricuspid valve insufficiency, etiology; Tricuspid valve insufficiency, surgery
Two-stage surgical management of ruptured thoracoabdominal aneurysm by intraluminal prosthesis without suture
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
The surgical management of thoracoabdominal aneurysms requires thoracophrenic laparotomy, prolonged periods of aortic clamping with visceral ischemia, profuse bleeding leading to a difficult postoperative course with pulmonary, renal, neurological complications, coagulation disturbances and others. All this resulting in an elevated morbidity/mortality very often contraindicating it for the very elderly or those with prior respiratory, renal or cardiac symptoms. Rupture of this aneurysm greatly increases the already high rate of morbidity/mortality. Crawford and Borst have described a two-stage surgery with good results, for aneurysms that affect more than one segment of aorta. The objective of our report is to demonstrate a two-stage operation, employing an intraluminal prosthesis without suture. This procedure results in a less agressive surgery since it approaches only the ruptured segment of aorta, therefore, only one cavity is manipulated (thorax or abdomen). The anastomosis with intraluminal prosthesis greatly decreases the time necessary for clamping the aorta and consequently visceral ischemia and also reduces bleeding. The reduction of surgical aggression on these already severely ill patients yielded very good surgical results.
Keywords: Aortic aneurysm, abdominal, surgery; Aortic aneurysm, thoracic, surgery; Aortic rupture, surgery; Blood vessels prosthesis implantation, methods; Bioprosthesis
Cardiac contratility sensor evoluation in a DDDR system multisentric study
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
Introduction: The treatment of AV conduction disorders associated with sinus node illness employing DDDR pacemakers, has motivated the surch for an ideal sensor.
Objective: Evaluate the heart rate response of the contractility sensor pacemaker both during the physical effort and mental stress of daily life in out patient tests for patients with bradycardia and chronotropic incompetence.
Material and Methods: We use the brazilian Multicentric Study "Inos DR Project - Brazil" working with a DDDR stimulation system which uses the myocardial contractility state chronotropic 38 patients presenting; incompetence were selected, 21 men and 17 women, with age ranging from 13 to 83 years (mean 57 years). The pacemaker utilizes intrinsic cardiovascular information (cardiac contractility from the measure of the unipolar cardiac impedance) for heart rate adaptation, in a closed loop system that theoretically adjusts to all physiologic needs. The system calibration and programation were performed 30 days after implantation (stabilization of heart-lead interface), based on the tests of mental stress (mathematical) and treadmill test, monitoring heart rate histogram of frequency and oxygen consumption.
Results: The acute stimulation threshold mean is 0.82 volts and 0.55 volts, and the mean sensibility is 2.37 mV and 10.61 mV, to atrium and ventricle respectively. The mean chronic stimulation threshold is 1.44 V and 1.18, and the mean sensibility threshold mean is 2.81 mV and 6 mV, to atrium and ventricle respectively. The heart rate varied from 5% to 128% on physical activity and from 5% to 80% on mental activity, with elevation right at the beginning of activity, permitting a normal oxygen consumption curve similar to that of normal person of the same age, sex and weight. The average data were compared using T Student test and the variables using variance analysis.
Conclusion: The cardiac contractility sensor has an excelent performance on heart rate adaptation, with similar values produced by the autonomous nervous system of normal subjects.
Keywords: Pacemaker, artificial; Heart contractility; Heart rate, physiology; Cardiography, impedance; Sensory thresholds; Step test; Multicenter trials
Intra-aortic balloon pump for postcardiotomy heart failure: prospective analysis over 22 months
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
Intra-aortic balloon pump is a cardiac assist device developed to help in recovery from postcardiotomy heart failure. All patients submitted to intra-aortic balloon pump were followed prospectively at the Instituto do Coração do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo-InCor over a period of 22 months. Although we did not find statistically significant evidence of correlation between mortality and patient data (Surgery done, emergency or not, redo or not, age, gender, medical problem, functional class, cardiac function, clamp, bypass, and support time and complications) the evaluation showed our patient universe in the InCor Institute.
Keywords: Intra-aortic balloon pumping; Shock, cardiogenic; Intra-aortic balloon pumping, cardiac surgery, postoperative period; Intra-aortic balloon pumping, cardiac surgery, prospective studies
Intraoperative end - tidal carbon diorcide tension to assess cardiac output
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
Capnography has been recommended as an anesthetic technique and the end-tidal carbon dioxide tension (PETCO2) is available in the operating room. PETCO2 is governed by metabolism, ventilation and circulation. When the first two parameters are controlled, PETCO2 reflects the lung flow, therefore the cardiac output. Studies have shown that PETCO2 lower than 20 mmHg is invariably associated with a cardiac output less than 2 L/min, even if other hemodynamic parameters are appropriate. Further increases in the preload, reduction of the afterload, establishment of an appropriate atrioventricular synchrony or increasing inotropy is necessary to increase PETCO2 above 25 mmHg. A considerable body of literature describes the use of PETCO2 to assess the adequacy of cardiopulmonary resuscitation after cardiac arrest. Besides, attempts have been made to use PETCO2 as an alternative to the thermodilution technique for determining cardiac output. Little has been reported of its use in cardiac surgery. From June 1996 to June 1997 we have studied 200 patients, submitted to CPB suggesting that PETCO2 around 27 mmHg would indicate a cardiac output good enough to wean the patients on the cardiopulmonary circulation so long as other hemodynamic and metabolic parameters were adequate. None of the patients required CPB giving us the impression that end-tidal carbon dioxide tension generally indicates an appropriate cardiac output.
Keywords: Extracorporeal circulation; Carbon dioxide; Cardiac output; Myocardial revascularization
The use of intraaortic balloon pump associated with centrifugal pump for left ventricular assistance: an experimental study in dogs
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
Mechanical assist ventricular devices have been used in the treatment of low cardiac output syndrome. These devices can be generically grouped in pulsatile and nonpulsatile. There is a great controversy about the advantages and disadvantages of each one of these groups. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the influence of the centrifugal pump used for left ventricular assistance on the coronary and carotid flow in dogs with normal heart. The efficacy of the simultaneous use of an intraaortic balloon pump to compensate the possible deleterious effects of the circulatory assistance with continuous flow was analysed. Fifteen dogs with a mean weight of 16.3 kg were studied. Hemodynamic evaluation included serial measurements of pressures of the right atrium, pulmonary capillary wedge, pulmonary artery, systemic arterial circulation and heart rate. Cardiac output was measured and the following derived hemodynamic parameters were calculated: cardiac index, systolic index, systemic vascular resistance and pulmonary vascular resistance. Carotid and coronary blood flow were obtained by electromagnetic tranducers. The parameters were analysed in four situations: S1. Standard situation; S2. Test situation - the centrifugal pump as a left ventricular assist device; S3. Test situation - the centrifugal pump associated with intraaortic balloon pump; S4. Final situation, where the intraaortic balloon is turned off to confirm its influence. The hemodynamic evaluation didn't show significant statistic changes in the analysed parameters in the four situations. In relation to the coronary flow, however, the use of circulatory isolated assistence with centrifugal pump (S2 and S4) displayed a reduction (24.6% ± 6.1) in relation to the standard situation - S1 as much as to the associated intraaortic balloon - S3 (p = 0.0079); S1 and S3 showed similar coronary flow. In relation to the carotid flow, the profile analysis suggests the existence of a difference between the multiple situations, but it is not significant (p = 0.0582). It is possible to conclude that the centrifugal pump used as a left ventricular assist device reduces the coronary flow and leads to a drop in the carotid flow in dogs with normal hearts. The use of intraaortic balloon pump associated with the centrifugal pump for left ventricular assistance increases significantly the dogs coronary flow, reaching similar values as those observed without the circulatory assistance and leads to a tendency of normalizing the carotid flow in dogs with normal hearts.
Keywords: Intra-aortic balloon pumping; Assisted circulation, methods; Heart ventricle, physiology; Coronary circulation, physiology; Carotid arteries, physiology; Assisted circulation, experimental study, dogs; Regional blood flow; Cardiac out put
Anatomicosurgical segmentectomy of the left ventricle for systematized partial resection of the heart: an experimental study
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
A surgical experimental investigation is being carried out in an attempt to provide a viable alternative to the current approaches to cardiac resection of the left ventricular myocardium in cases of cardiomyopathies with dilated ventricle. The experiments are based upon the presence of anatomicosurgical segments in the dog's heart similar to those existing in the atria and ventricles of humans. So far three mongrel dogs (weight 15 kg) were submitted to cardiac catheterism to evaluate the anatomy of the coronary arteries and their branches, the function and cavity of the left ventricle (LV). A lateral thoracotomy on the left side was performed to expose the heart. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) of each animal was established through the right atrium and the femoral artery (4 mg/kg Heparin, at 32°C, intermittent aorta cross-clamping). The left marginal artery and veins were ligated, causing an area of acute myocardial infarction, showing well-defined sharp limits. Such an area was then resected and the left ventricle was reconstructed. The animals were weaned from CPB, one dog having remained in a stable condition during a 7-day period of observation. The second was sacrificed after 4-day period of observation and the third dog died four hours after CPB owing to an excessive reduction of the LV chamber related to an anatomical variation. Pre and post operation transthoracic echocardiograms were obtained after undergoing cardiac catheterism. The echocardiogram revealed discrete mitral insufficiency, reduction of the diameter of the left ventricle with approximation of the papillary muscles, a dysfunction and an impressive reduction of the cavity of the left ventricle. Peri-sutural areas of infarction were not observed. The orientation given by the anatomicosurgical segmentation of the coronary circulation is an important alternative to the present surgical treatment of cardiomyopathies with dilated ventricle.
Keywords: Heart ventricle, anatomy; Heart ventricle, surgery; Myocardial diseases, surgery; Heart ventricle, surgery, experimental study; Heart ventricle, patology
CASE REPORT
Combined surgical treatment with bilateral internal carotid endarterectomy and myocardial revascularization: case report
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
This report refers to a 69 year old woman, presenting severe stenosis of both carotid arteries, associated with coronary insufficiency. An acute incomplete transitory brain stroke made mandatory the simultaneous surgical approach of bilateral carotid arteries for endarterectomy and myocardial revascularization. The procedure can be performed safely in very selected and unstable cases.
Keywords: Myocardial revascularization; Endarterectomy, carotid; Carotid artery, internal, surgery; Carotid stenosis, surgery; Carotid output, low, surgery
Traumatic tricuspid regurgitation associated to congenital atrial septal defect: case report
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 13;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
The authors describe a case of traumatic tricuspid regurgitation associated to congenital atrial septal defect that presented adverse clinical evolution and has required surgical treatment over a short period.
Keywords: Tricuspid valve insufficiency, etiology; Heart septal defects, atrial, complications; Tricuspid valve insufficiency, surgery; Tricuspid valve insufficiency, diagnosis; Heart septal defects, atrial, surgery; Thorax injuries