Anomalous origin of the left pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta: successful surgical correction in an infant with fallot's tetralogy

We describe the case of a 40-day-old female patient with a history of breathlessness since birth who was referred to our hospital for surgical correction of common arterial trunk. The invasive investigation disclosed a Fallot¢s tetralogy anatomy associated with an anomalous origin of the left pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta. Immediately after diagnosis, the patient underwent a successful total surgical correction of the defect, including simultaneous anastomosis of the left pulmonary artery to the pulmonary trunk.

Prognostic value of technetium-99m-labeled single-photon emission computerized tomography in the follow-up of patients after their first myocardial revascularization surgery

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prognostic value of Technetium-99m-labeled single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) in the follow-up of patients who had undergone their first myocardial revascularization. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective study of 280 revascularized patients undergoing myocardial scintigraphy under stress (exercise or pharmacological stress with dipyridamole) and at rest according to a 2-day protocol. A set of clinical, stress electrocardiographic and scintigraphic variables was assessed. Cardiac events were classified as "major" (death, infarction, unstable angina) and "any" (major event or coronary angioplasty or new myocardial revascularization surgery). RESULTS: Thirty-six major events occurred as follows: 3 deaths, 11 infarctions, and 22 unstable anginas. In regard to any event, 22 angioplasties and 7 new surgeries occurred in addition to major events, resulting a total of 65 events. The sensitivity of scintigraphy in prognosticating a major event or any event was, respectively, 55% and 58%, showing a negative predictive value of 90% and 83%, respectively. Diabetes mellitus, inconclusive stress electrocardiography, and a scintigraphic visualization of left ventricular enlargement were significant variables for the occurrence of a major event. On multivariate analysis, abnormal myocardial scintigraphy was a predictor of any event. CONCLUSION: Myocardial perfusion tomography with Technetium-99m may be used to identify high-risk patients after their first myocardial revascularization surgery.

Predictive factors of in-hospital mortality and of severe perioperative complications in myocardial revascularization surgery

OBJECTIVE: To investigate preoperative predictive factors of severe perioperative intercurrent events and in-hospital mortality in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and to develop specific models of risk prediction for these events, mainly those that can undergo changes in the preoperative period. METHODS: We prospectively studied 453 patients who had undergone CABG. Factors independently associated with the events of interest were determined with multiple logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: The mortality rate was 11.3% (51/453), and 21.2% of the patients had 1 or more perioperative intercurrent events. In the final model, the following variables remained associated with the risk of intercurrent events: age ³ 70 years, female sex, hospitalization via SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde - the Brazilian public health system), cardiogenic shock, ischemia, and dependence on dialysis. Using multiple logistic regression for in-hospital mortality, the following variables participated in the model of risk prediction: age ³ 70 years, female sex, hospitalization via SUS, diabetes, renal dysfunction, and cardiogenic shock. According to the Cox regression model for death within the 7 days following surgery, the following variables remained associated with mortality: age ³ 70 years, female sex, cardiogenic shock, and hospitalization via SUS. CONCLUSION: The aspects linked to the structure of the Brazilian health system, such as factors of great impact on the results obtained, indicate that the events investigated also depend on factors that do not relate to the patient's intrinsic condition.

Can patients with left main coronary artery disease wait for myocardial revascularization surgery?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the occurrence of cardiac events in patients diagnosed with left main coronary artery disease on diagnostic cardiac catheterization and waiting for myocardial revascularization surgery. METHODS: All patients diagnosed with left main coronary artery disease (stenosis > or = 50%) consecutively identified on diagnostic cardiac catheterization during an 8-month period were selected for the study. The group comprised 56 patients (40 males and 16 females) with a mean age of 61±10 years. The cardiac events included death, nonfatal acute myocardial infarction, acute left ventricular failure, unstable angina, and emergency surgery. RESULTS: While waiting for surgery, patients experienced the following cardiac events: 7 acute myocardial infarctions and 1 death. All events occurred within the first 60 days after the diagnostic cardiac catheterization. More patients, whose indication for diagnostic cardiac catheterization was unstable angina, experienced events as compared with those with other indications [p=0.03, relative risk (RR) = 5.25, 95% confidence interval = 1.47 - 18.7]. In the multivariate analysis of logistic regression, unstable angina was also the only factor that independently contributed to a greater number of events (p = 0.02, OR = 8.43, 95% CI =1.37 - 51.7). CONCLUSION: Unstable angina in patients with left main coronary artery disease acts as a high risk factor for cardiac events, emergency surgery being recommended in these cases.

Risk stratification with troponin I in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization surgery

OBJECTIVE: To determine the immediate behavior and the prognostic value in terms of late survival of serum troponin I measurement in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization surgery with extracorporeal circulation. METHODS: We studied 88 random patients, 65 (73.8%) of the male sex, who underwent myocardial revascularization surgery with extracorporeal circulation. Troponin measurements were performed as follows: in the preoperative period, right after intensive care unit admission, and on the first and second postoperative days. Values below 0.1 nanogram per milliliter (ng/mL) were considered normal. The cut points for late prognostic assessment were 0.5 ng/mL; 1 ng/mL; 2.5 ng/mL; and 5 ng/mL. RESULTS: The serum troponin I levels were elevated on the first postoperative day, suggesting the occurrence of specific myocardial damage. Patients with a poor prognosis could be identified, because the serum levels above 2.5 ng/mL and 5 ng/mL in the postoperative period resulted, respectively, in mortality rates of 33% and 50% in a maximum 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Troponin I values around 2.5 ng/mL in the postoperative period should call attention to the need for more aggressive diagnostic or therapeutical measures.

Assessment of factors that influence weaning from long-term mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVE: To analyze parameters of respiratory system mechanics and oxygenation and cardiovascular alterations involved in weaning tracheostomized patients from long-term mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery. METHODS: We studied 45 patients in their postoperative period of cardiac surgery, who required long-term mechanical ventilation for more than 10 days and had to undergo tracheostomy due to unsuccessful weaning from mechanical ventilation. The parameters of respiratory system mechanics, oxigenation and the following factors were analyzed: type of surgical procedure, presence of cardiac dysfunction, time of extracorporeal circulation, and presence of neurologic lesions. RESULTS: Of the 45 patients studied, successful weaning from mechanical ventilation was achieved in 22 patients, while the procedure was unsuccessful in 23 patients. No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in regard to static pulmonary compliance (p=0.23), airway resistance (p=0.21), and the dead space/tidal volume ratio (p=0.54). No difference was also observed in regard to the variables PaO2/FiO2 ratio (p=0.86), rapid and superficial respiration index (p=0.48), and carbon dioxide arterial pressure (p=0.86). Cardiac dysfunction and time of extracorporeal circulation showed a significant difference. CONCLUSION: Data on respiratory system mechanics and oxygenation were not parameters for assessing the success or failure. Cardiac dysfunction and time of cardiopulmonary bypass, however, significantly interfered with the success in weaning patients from mechanical ventilation.

Behavior of inflammatory markers of myocardial injury in cardiac surgery: laboratory correlation with the clinical picture of postpericardiotomy syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To verify the association of serum markers of myocardial injury, such as troponin I, creatinine kinase, and creatinine kinase isoenzyme MB, and inflammatory markers, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), C-reactive protein, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the perioperative period of cardiac surgery, with the occurrence of possible postpericardiotomy syndrome. METHODS: This was a cohort study with 96 patients undergoing cardiac surgery assessed at the following 4 different time periods: the day before surgery (D0); the 3rd postoperative day (D3); between the 7th and 10th postoperative days (D7-10); and the 30th postoperative day (D30). During each period, we evaluated demographic variables (sex and age), surgical variables (type and duration , extracorporeal circulation), and serum dosages of the markers of myocardial injury and inflammatory response. RESULTS: Of all patients, 12 (12.5%) met the clinical criteria for a diagnosis of postpericardiotomy syndrome, and their mean age was 10.3 years lower than the age of the others (P=0.02). The results of the serum markers for tissue injury and inflammatory response were not significantly different between the 2 assessed groups. No significant difference existed regarding either surgery duration or extracorporeal circulation. CONCLUSION: The patients who met the clinical criteria for postpericardiotomy syndrome were significantly younger than the others were. Serum markers for tissue injury and inflammatory response were not different in the clinically affected group, and did not correlate with the different types and duration of surgery or with extracorporeal circulation.

Aspergillus infection in the ascending aorta of a patient with aortic and mitral valve prostheses

We report the case of implantation of metallic mitral and aortic valve prostheses 6 months earlier, with subsequent multiple embolic episodes. The anatomicopathological examination of the thrombus of the third embolic episode was compatible with Aspergillus sp, which was treated with amphotericin B, followed by oral itraconazole. On the fourth embolism, vegetations were visualized in the ascending aorta on echocardiography and resonance imaging, and the patient underwent replacement of the aortic segment by a Haemashield tube and exploration of the aortic prosthesis, which was preserved, because no signs of endocarditis were found. Four months later, the patient died due to cardiogenic shock secondary to acute myocardial infarction caused by probable coronary embolism and partial dysfunction of the aortic prosthesis.

Follow-up study of morphology and cardiac function in rats undergoing induction of supravalvular aortic stenosis

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the follow-up of an experimental model of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) induced by supravalvular ascending aortic stenosis in young rats. METHODS: Wistar rats were submitted to thoracotomy and aortic stenosis was created by placing a clip on the ascending aorta (AoS group, n=12). Age-matched control animals underwent a sham operation (C group, n=12). Cardiac function was analysed by echocardiograms performed 6, 12, and 21 weeks after aortic banding. Myocardial morphological features and myocardial hydroxyproline concentration (HOP) were evaluated 2, 6, 12, and 21 weeks after surgery in additional animals. RESULTS: Aortic banding promoted early concentric LVH and a progressive increase in HOP. Under light microscopy, we observed myocyte hypertrophy and wall thickening of the intramural branches of the coronary arteries due to medial hypertrophy. Cardiac function was supranormal after 6 weeks (percentage of fractional shortening - EAo6: 70.3±10.8; C6: 61.3±5.4; p<0.05), and depressed in the last period. Diastolic dysfunction was detected after 12 weeks (ratio of early-to-late filling velocity - EAo12: 4.20±3.25; C12: 1.61±0.16; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Ascending aortic stenosis promotes concentric LVH with myocardial fibrosis and minimal histological changes. According to the period of evaluation, cardiac function may be improved, normal, or depressed. The model is suitable and useful for studies on pathophysiology and treatment of the different phases of cardiac hypertrophy.

Tratamento cirúrgico da coarctação de aorta pela aortoplastia trapezoidal

OBJETIVO: A aortoplastia trapezoidal é uma variante técnica da anastomose término-terminal que, amparada em elementos da geometria, objetiva aumentar o diâmetro da aorta ao nível da sutura reduzida e, consequentemente, a manutenção de gradientes pressóricos residuais ou recorrentes indesejáveis a curto e a longo prazo. MÉTODOS: Após a ressecção da área coarctada e tecido ductal, são confeccionados em cada coto aórtico 3 trapezóides que, ao serem confrontados, criam linha de sutura com aspecto sinusoidal (zigue-zague). Foram operados por esta técnica 33 pacientes, a maioria homens, com idades variando de 3 meses a 36 anos (m 9,5 ± 9,7). RESULTADOS: Não ocorreu mortalidade imediata ou tardia e o tempo de evolução a longo prazo foi de 1,1 a 7,6 anos (m 3,6 ± 3,4). A maioria dos pacientes ficou assintomática com níveis normais de pressão arterial, possibilitando a descontinuação da terapêutica antihipertensiva (p<0,0001). Constatou-se importante redução dos gradientes pressóricos observados ao ecodopplercardiograma e ao cateterismo cardíaco (p<0,001). A análise das imagens das aortografias mostrou boa continuidade anatômica na região da anastomose e o estudo morfométrico da aorta revelou efeitos benéficos do método traduzidos pelo aumento do calibre da aorta no segmento distal do arco, istmo e porção descendente. CONCLUSÃO: A aortoplastia trapezoidal mostrou resultados clínicos satisfatórios que autorizam sua aplicação em todos os casos de anastomose término-terminal indicados.

Associação entre o efeito de contraste espontâneo na aorta torácica e eventos isquêmicos encefálicos recentes. Estudo através do ecocardiograma transesofágico

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a existência de associação independente entre a presença de efeito de contraste espontâneo na aorta e eventos isquêmicos encefálicos recentes. MÉTODOS: Estudados com ecocardiograma transesofágico 224 indivíduos com diagnóstico de eventos isquêmicos encefálicos recente 5 e 85 controles que realizaram o exame por diversas doenças cardíacas presentes/suspeitas, sendo pesquisado a presença do efeito de contraste na aorta e de outras potenciais fontes emboligênicas cardíacas associadas. Um questionário sobre os fatores de risco clínicos para eventos isquêmicos encefálicos foi coletado no momento do exame. RESULTADOS: O efeito de contraste na aorta apresentou associação com eventos isquêmicos encefálicos (RC=2,83; IC 95%, 1,65-4,46; P<0,001), na análise bivariada. Na análise multivariada, permaneceu associado a eventos isquêmicos encefálicos recentes (RC=2,05; IC 90%, 1,10-3,85 ; P=0,06). A idade > 60 anos, história de hipertensão arterial sistêmica, história de tabagismo e de dislipidemia foram fatores de risco associados independentemente ao efeito de contraste na aorta. A presença de efeito de contraste espontâneo no átrio esquerdo e a de excrescências de Lambl foram fatores ecocardiográficos associados independentemente ao efeito de contraste na aorta. CONCLUSÃO: O efeito de contraste na aorta esteve associado, de forma independente, aos eventos isquêmicos encefálicos recentes, bem como seus fatores de risco clínicos. Estes resultados vêm reforçar a hipótese de que o fenômeno é um marcador de múltiplos fatores de risco.

Infecção de prótese vascular em cirurgia da aorta torácica: revisão da experiência e relato de caso tratado por técnica não convencional

Relatamos o caso de uma paciente de 37 anos de idade, que há cinco anos havia sido submetida à operação de Bental-de Bono em nosso serviço e retornou com dor de forte intensidade no toráx, sendo diagnosticada dissecção aguda de aorta do tipo III e tratada clinicamente. Um ano após esse episódio houve expansão dessa dissecção e a paciente foi submetida à cirurgia com interposição de prótese de dacron em aorta descendente. No pós-operatório imediato houve broncopneumonia esquerda e a paciente recebeu alta em boas condições e afebril. Após um mês da alta, retornou com febre e toxemia. Com diagnóstico de empiema pleural, foi submetida à toracotomia exploradora que não confirmou esse diagnóstico, havendo apenas intenso espessamento pleural. Quatro meses após a toracotomia exploradora, foram isolados Klebsiella pneumoniae e Enterobacter sp na hemocultura. A ressonância magnética revelou imagens compatíveis com infecção peri-prótese. Com esse quadro clínico e laboratorial foi indicada a remoção do enxerto e derivação axilo-bifemoral. A operação foi realizada com sucesso, a paciente recebeu alta em boas condições e continua fazendo controle ambulatorial e, atualmente, encontra-se com 57 meses de evolução sem complicações. São discutidos os métodos empregados para o diagnóstico e tratamento da infecção de prótese na cirurgia da aorta torácica.