Fluid dynamics simulation of right ventricular outflow tract oversizing.

OBJECTIVES: Repair of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) in paediatric cardiac surgery remains challenging due to the high reoperation rate. Intimal hyperplasia and consequent arteriosclerosis is one of the most important limitation factors for graft durability. Since local shear stress and pressure are predictive elements for intimal hyperplasia and wall degeneration, we sought to determine in an oversized 12-mm RVOT model, with computed fluid dynamics simulation, the local haemodynamical factors that may explain intimal hyperplasia. This was done with the aim of identifying the optimal degree of oversizing for a 12-mm native RVOT. METHODS: Twenty domestic pigs, with a weight of 24.6 ± 0.89 kg and a native RVOT diameter of 12 ± 1.7 mm, had valve conduits of 12, 16, 18 and 20 mm implanted. Pressure and flow were measured at 75, 100 and 125% of normal flow at RVOT at the pulmonary artery, pulmonary artery bifurcation and at the left and right pulmonary arteries. Three-dimensional computed fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation in all four geometries in all flow modalities was performed. Local shear stress and pressure conditions were investigated. RESULTS: Corresponding to 75, 100 and 125% of steady-state flow, three inlet velocity profiles were obtained, 0.2, 0.29 and 0.36 m/s, respectively. At inflow velocity profiles, low shear stress areas, ranged from 0 to 2 Pa, combined with high-pressure areas ranging from 11.5 to 12.1 mmHg that were found at distal anastomosis, at bifurcation and at the ostia of the left and right pulmonary arteries in all geometries. CONCLUSIONS: In all three oversized geometries, the local reparation of shear stress and pressure in the 16-mm model showed a similar local profile as in the native 12 mm RVOT. According to these findings, we suggest oversizing the natural 12-mm RVOT by not more than 4 mm. The elements responsible for wall degeneration and intimal hyperplasia remain very similar to the conditions present in native RVOT.

Ventricularisation of the left atrium: a rare cause of left ventricular dysfunction in a patient with mitral valve prolapse

Case: A 11 yo girl with Marfan syndrome was referred to cardiac MR (CMR) to measure the size of her thoracic aorta. She had a typical phenotype with arachnodactyly, abnormally long arms, and was tall and slim (156 cm, 28 kg, body mass index 11,5 kg/m2). She complained of no symptoms. Cardiac auscultation revealed a prominent mid-systolic click and an end-systolic murmur at the apex. A recent echocardiogram showed a moderately dilated left ventricle with normal function and a mitral valve prolapse with moderate mitral valve regurgitation. CMR showed a dilatation of the aortic root (38 mm, Z-score 8.9) and a severe prolapse of the mitral valve with regurgitation. The ventricular cavity was moderately dilated (116 ml/m2) and its contraction was hyperdynamic (stroke volume (SV): 97 ml; LVEF 72%, with the LV volumes measured by modified Simpson method from the apex to the mitral annulus). In this patient however, the mitral prolapse was characterized by a severe backward movement of the valve toward the left atrium (LA) in systole and the dyskinetic movement of the atrioventricular plane caused a ventricularisation of a part of the LA in systole (Figure). This resulted in a significant reduction of LVEF: more than ¼ of the apparent SV was displaced backwards into the ventricularized LA volume, reducing the effective LVEF to 51% (effective SV 69ml). Moreover, by flow measurement, the SV across the ascending aorta was 30 ml (cardiac index 2.0 l/min/m2) allowing the calculation of a regurgitant fraction across the mitral valve of 56%, which was diagnostic for a severe mitral valve insufficiency. Conclusion: This case illustrates the phenomenon of a ventricularisation of the LA where the severe prolapse gives the illusion of a higher attachement of the mitral leaflets within the atrial wall. Besides the severe mitral regurgitation, this paradoxical backwards movement of the valve causes an intraventricular unloading during systole reducing the apparent LVEF of 72% to an effective LVEF of only 51%. In addition, forward flow fraction is only 22% after accounting for the regurgitant volume, as well. This combined involvement of the mitral valve could explain the discrepancy between a low output state and an apparently hyperdynamic LV contraction. Due to its ability to precisely measure flows and volumes, CMR is particularly suited to detect this phenomenon and to quantify its impact on the LV pump function.

Right ventricular rupture due to recurrent mediastinal infection with a closed chest.

Right ventricular (RV) rupture in cases of mediastinitis following cardiac surgery is a rare and dangerous complication. Bleeding from the right ventricle occurs mainly after sternal reopening, due to either iatrogenic manipulation (wire removal, lesions due to wiring maneuvers) or mechanical shearing forces, producing direct injury. We present a case of RV wall perforation due to infection in a recurrent postoperative mediastinitis with a closed chest. The current literature on treatment of postoperative mediastinitis is also reviewed.

Avaliação da função ventricular esquerda pela sequência de ressonância magnética sem apneia e com múltiplas excitações

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia da sequência de ressonância magnética com três excitações, para obtenção de volumes e massas ventriculares, em indivíduos com respiração livre, sem apneia. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Em 32 voluntários sadios, foram comparados os volumes e massas do ventrículo esquerdo, obtidos por meio de duas sequências de ressonância magnética em modo cine. A primeira, tradicionalmente utilizada e considerada padrão, em apneia e com excitação única, e a segunda, em respiração livre e com três excitações. Três leitores, com diferentes níveis de experiência, testaram a concordância e a reprodutibilidade. Para a análise estatística foram utilizados o coeficiente de correlação intraclasse, o teste t-pareado, os gráficos de Bland-Altman e o teste do sinal. RESULTADOS: Para os dois observadores mais experientes, os coeficientes de correlação intraclasse foram superiores a 0,913, assim como os níveis descritivos do teste t-pareado acima de 0,05, os gráficos de Bland-Altman com as diferenças distribuídas aleatoriamente em torno do zero e o teste do sinal com seu nível descritivo superior a 0,05. CONCLUSÃO: A sequência testada apresenta ótima concordância e reprodutibilidade em relação à sequência padrão, podendo ser aplicada em indivíduos com limitações respiratórias.

Use of a ventricular septal defect occluder for apical closure in transapical aortic valve replacement.

During transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TA-TAVR), the apical closure remains a challenge for the surgeon, having the risk for ventricular tear and massive bleeding. Apical closure devices are already under clinical evaluation, but only a few can lead to a full percutaneous TA-TAVR. We describe the successful use of a 9-mm myocardial occluder (ventricular septal defect occluder) that was used to seal the apex after a standard TA-TAVR (using the Sapien XT 23-mm transcatheter valve and the Ascendra + delivery system). The placement of the nonmodified myocardial occluder was performed through the Ascendra + delivery system, with a very small amount of blood loss and an acceptable sealing of the apical tear. This approach is feasible and represents a further step toward true-percutaneous transapical heart valve procedures. Modified apical occluders are under evaluation in animal models.

Análise microscópica do miocárdio ventricular esquerdo em cães soropositivos para cinomose

Classificado no gênero Morbillivirus da família Paramixoviridae, o vírus da cinomose possui RNA de fita simples de polaridade negativa, é causador de doença multissistêmica, altamente contagiosa e grave dos cães e carnívoros selvagens, e com elevado índice de mortalidade em animais não vacinados ou com falhas vacinais. Com o objetivo de avaliar as alterações histopatológicas no coração, particularmente na região do miocárdio ventricular esquerdo, de cães naturalmente infectados com o vírus da cinomose, foram estudados 35 animais, de ambos os sexos e com idades variadas. Das 35 amostras enviadas ao Laboratório de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva do Hospital Veterinário de Uberaba, 100% (35/35) mostrou-se soropositivas para a cinomose (técnica de imunoensaio em fase sólida) e tiveram no miocárdio ventricular esquerdo as seguintes alterações histopatológicas: miocardite, degeneração hialina, hiperemia e hemorragia, com 42,8% (15/35), 31,4% (11/35), 14,3% (5/35) e 11,4% (4/35), respectivamente. Tendo utilizado o teste Qui-Quadrado com nível de significância de 0,05, conclui-se que existe alta correlação (p=0,02) entre os animais infectados com o vírus da cinomose e as alterações histopatológicas observadas no miocárdio ventricular esquerdo.

Evaluation of left ventricular diastolic echocardiographic parameters in healthy dogs by pulsed-wave Doppler

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction plays an important role on heart failure progression. In order to obtain additional reference values of left ventricular diastolic parameters and investigate influence of common variables, peak E wave (peak E), peak A wave (peak A), E/A ratio (E/A), E wave deceleration time (EDT) and isovolumic relaxation time (IRVT) were studied in 40 clinically healthy dogs, by pulsed wave Doppler. The following values were obtained: peak E = 0.747 ± 0.117 m/s, peak A = 0.487 ± 0.062 m/s, E/A = 1.533 ± 0.198, EDT = 88.7 ± 9.2 ms and IRVT = 0.080 ± 0.009 s. Some parameters were influenced by heart rate (peak E, peak A and IRVT), by age (peak A and E/A) and by body weight (TRIV). Gender influence was absent. Values obtained can be used as reference for canine specimens but its interpretation should consider on the influence of related variables.

Análise comparativa entre a vascularização ventricular e do nó sinoatrial em gatos

A possível existência de interdependência na nutrição de territórios atriais e ventriculares tem sido objeto de preocupação por partes dos cardiologistas, especialmente no que tange a vascularização do nó sinoatrial e sua dependência apenas de uma artéria coronária ou de ambas e de sua relação com o predomínio destes vasos na vascularização ventricular. Assim, este estudo objetiva avaliar a relação da irrigação do nó sinoatrial e a origem e a predominância das artérias coronárias na vascularização dos ventrículos, para tanto utilizou-se 30 corações de gatos sem raça definida adultos, machos e fêmeas, sem sinais de afecção cardíaca. Os corações foram injetados pela aorta torácica com Neoprene Latex 450, corados com pigmento vermelho e dissecados posteriormente. Verificou-se que quando ocorria predomínio da vascularização ventricular do tipo esquerda (63,34%) a irrigação do nó sinoatrial ficou predominantemente na dependência do ramo proximal atrial direito (78,9%) ou com menor freqüência pelo ramo proximal atrial esquerdo (21,1%). Na vascularização ventricular do tipo equilibrada (33,34%), a irrigação do sinoatrial ficou na dependência mais freqüentemente do ramo proximal atrial direito (80%), ou com menor freqüência a nutrição do nó se deu pelo ramo proximal atrial esquerdo (20%). Em um caso isolado, ocorreu a vascularização ventricular do tipo direita (3,34%), a nutrição do sinoatrial, ficou na dependência exclusiva do ramo intermédio atrial direito. Estes resultados indicam que nesta espécie não existe relação entre a irrigação do nó sinoatrial e o tipo de vascularização ventricular, independentemente do sexo.