Use of transesophageal echocardiography during implantation of aortic endoprosthesis (stent). Initial experience

OBJECTIVE: To report the role played by transesophageal echocardiography during implantation of self-expanding aortic endoprostheses (stent) at a hemodynamics laboratory. METHODS: Thirteen patients underwent stent implantation in the descending thoracic aorta with the aid of transesophageal echocardiography during the entire procedure. Indications for stenting were as follows: 8 aortic dissections, 2 true aneurysms, 2 penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers, and 1 traumatic pseudoaneurysm. RESULTS: No complications resulting from the use of transesophageal echocardiography were observed. In 12 patients, the initial result was considered appropriate, with total or partial resolution of the major lesion confirmed by a posterior examination. In 1 patient, the procedure was suspended after transesophageal echocardiography and angiography showed that the proximal aortic diameter was inappropriate. Transesophageal echocardiography contributed to clarifying relevant points, such as aortic diameter, anatomic detail of the intimal lesion, and location and size of the communicating orifice. In addition, it facilitated placing the stent in the target lesion, reduced the time of exposure to radiation and the use of contrast medium, and provided rapid identification of intercurrent events, possibly reducing the total duration of the procedure. CONCLUSION: The use of transesophageal echocardiography during placement of aortic stents seems appropriate. The actual advantages of the procedure will be defined in a comparative prospective study.

Mini-sternotomy for the treatment of aortic valve lesions

OBJECTIVE: To compare inverted-L mini-sternotomy performed above the sternal furcula with conventional sternotomy in patients with aortic valve diseases who undergo surgical treatment. METHODS: We operated upon 30 patients who had aortic valve lesions that had clinical and hemodynamic findings. All patients underwent inverted-L sternotomy, which extended from above the manubrium of the sternum to the 3rd right intercostal space, without opening the pleural cavity. Their ages ranged from 32 to 76 years, and 18 were males and 12 were females. We used negative pressure in a venous ¼-inch cannula, and the patients were maintained in Trendelemburg's position. Twenty-seven patients received bioprostheses with diameters ranging from 23 to 29mm. Three patients underwent only removal of the calcifications of the aortic valve leaflets and aortic commissurotomy. RESULTS: The mean duration of anoxic cardiac arrest was 63.11min. Access was considered good in all patients. One death was due to pulmonary and renal problems not related to the incision. All patients had a better recovery in the intensive care unit, got out of bed sooner, coughed more easily, and performed prophylactic physiotherapeutic maneuvers for respiratory problems more easily and with less pain in the incision. Early ambulation was more easily carried out by all patients. CONCLUSION: Mini-sternotomy proved to be better than the conventional sternotomy because it provided morecomfort for the patients in the early postoperative period, with less pain and greater desire for early ambulation and all its inherent advantages.

Arterial distensibility as a possible compensatory mechanism in chronic aortic regurgitation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate elastic properties of conduit arteries in asymptomatic patients who have severe chronic aortic regurgitation. METHODS: Twelve healthy volunteers aged 30±1 years (control group) and 14 asymptomatic patients with severe aortic regurgitation aged 29±2 years and left ventricular ejection fraction of 0.61±0.02 (radioisotope ventriculography) were studied. High-resolution ultrasonography was performed to measure the systolic and diastolic diameters of the common carotid artery. Simultaneous measurement of blood pressure enabled the calculation of arterial compliance and distensibility. RESULTS: No differences were observed between patients with aortic regurgitation and the control group concerning age, sex, body surface, and mean blood pressure. Pulse pressure was significantly higher in the aortic regurgitation group compared with that in the control group (78±3 versus 48±1mmHg, P<0.01). Arterial compliance and distensibility were significantly greater in the aortic regurgitation group compared with that in the control group (11.0±0.8 versus 8.1±0.7 10-10 N-1 m4, P=0.01 e and 39.3±2.6 versus 31.1±2.0 10-6 N-1 m², P=0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic aortic regurgitation have increased arterial distensibility. Greater vascular compliance, to lessen the impact of systolic volume ejected into conduit arteries, represents a compensatory mechanism in left ventricular and arterial system coupling.

Mechanical versus biological aortic valve implants in the elderly. A comparison of early and mid-term results

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to compare, in a non randomized study, the surgical outcome in elderly patients with mechanical (Group 1; n=83) and bioprosthetic valve implants (Group 2; n=136). METHODS: During a three year period, 219 patients >75 years underwent Aortic Valve Replacement. The groups matched according to age, sex, comorbidity, valve pathology and concomitant Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery. Follow-up was a total of 469 patient-years (mean follow-up 2.1 years, maximum 4,4 years). RESULTS: Operative mortality was zero and the overall early mortality was 2.3 % (within 30 days). Actuarial survival was 87.5 ± 4.0% and 66.1 ± 7.7% (NS) at 4 years in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. Freedom from valve-related death was 88.9 ± 3.8% in Group 1 and 69.9±7.9% (NS) in Group 2 at 4 years. CONCLUSION: Aortic Valve Replacement in the elderly (>75 years) is a safe procedure even in cases where concomitant coronary artery revascularization is performed. Only a few anticoagulant-related complications were reported and this may indicate that selected groups of elderly patients with significant life expectancy may benefit from mechanical implants .

Aortopulmonary window and double aortic arch. A rare association

We report the case of a 27-year-old male patient with dyspnea on physical exertion. Clinical assessment and various tests led to the diagnosis of aortopulmonary window and double aortic arch. According to a literature search, this may be the first report on such association.

Neonate Aortic Stenosis: Importance of Myocardial Perfusion in Prognosis

OBJECTIVE: To analyze our experience with percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty in newborn infants with aortic stenosis, emphasizing the extraordinary importance of myocardial perfusion.METHODS: Over a 10-year-period, 21 neonates underwent percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty. Age ranged from 2 to 27 days, weight ranged from 2.2 to 4.1 kg and 19 were males. All patients presented with congestive heart failure that could not be treated clinically. The onset of symptoms in the first week of life occurred in 9 patients considered as having critical aortic stenosis. Severe aortic stenosis occurred in 12 patients with the onset of symptoms in the second week of life.RESULTS: Mortality reached 100% in the patients with critical aortic stenosis. The procedure was considered effective in the 12 patients with severe aortic stenosis. Vascular complications included the loss of pulse in 12 patients and rupture of the femoral artery in 2 patients. Cardiac complications included acute aortic regurgitation in 2 patients and myocardial perforation in one. In an 8.2±1.3-year follow-up, 5 of the 12 patients died (2 patients due to septicemia and 3 patients due to congestive heart failure). Five of the other 7 patients underwent a new procedure and 2 required surgery.CONCLUSION: Percutaneous aortic valvuloplasty in neonates is not an effective procedure in the 1st week of life, because at this age the common presentation is cardiogenic shock. It is possible that, in those patients with critical aortic stenosis, dilation of the aortic valve during fetal life may change the prognosis of its clinical outcome.

Short- and midterm follow-up results of valvuloplasty with balloon catheter for congenital aortic stenosis

OBJECTIVE: To report short and midtem follow-up results of balloon aortic valvuloplasty to treat congenital aortic stenosis. METHODS: Seventy-five patients (median age: 8 years) underwent the procedure through the retrograde femoral or carotid route. RESULTS: The procedure was completed in 74 patients (98.6%). The peak-to-peak systolic gradient dropped from 79.6±27.7 to 22.3±17.8 mmHg (P<0.001), the left ventricular systolic pressure dropped from 164±39.1 to 110±24.8 mmHg (P<0.001), and the left ventricular end diastolic pressure dropped from 13.3±5.5 to 8.5±8.3 mmHg (P< 0.01). Four patients (5.3%) died due to the procedure. Aortic regurgitation (AoR) appeared or worsened in 27/71 (38%) patients, and no immediate surgical intervention was required. A mean follow-up of 50±38 months was obtained in 37 patients. Restenosis and significant AoR were observed in 16.6% of the patients. The estimates for being restenosis-free and for having significant AoR in 90 months were 60% and 50%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Aortic valvuloplasty was considered the initial palliative method of choice in managing congenital aortic stenosis, with satisfactory short- and midterm results.

Aneurysmal dilation of the reimplant segment of the visceral vessels after thoracoabdominal aneurysm correction

We present a case of aneurysmal dilation of the aortic residual segment, involving abdominal vessels in corrective surgeries for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, through the identification of risk groups for recurrent dilation, aiming at using a specific operative technique with a branched graft, to prevent aneurysm relapse.

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.

Cintilografia com MIBI-dipiridamol negativa em doença coronariana grave no pré-operatório de correção de aneurisma de aorta abdominal

Descreve-se o caso de um paciente de 73 anos, candidato à correção de aneurisma de aorta abdominal, sem anormalidades na primeira avaliação cardiológica. A cirurgia foi postergada para tratamento de epididimite. Duas semanas após, o paciente retornou ao hospital com dor torácica e a angiografia mostrou obstruções de duas coronárias, tratadas com sucesso por angioplastia transluminal percutânea com implante de stent. Após 45 dias, o paciente foi submetido à cirurgia para correção do aneurisma de aorta abdominal sob anestesia peridural e geral, evoluindo sem complicações.

Estudo prospectivo da morbi-mortalidade precoce e tardia da cirurgia do aneurisma da aorta abdominal

OBJETIVO: Avaliar, prospectivamente, a morbidade e mortalidade precoce e tardia de pacientes submetidos a correção cirúrgica eletiva de aneurisma de aorta abdominal infra-renal e determinar os preditores independentes de eventos cardiológicos. MÉTODOS: Estudados 130 pacientes durante seis anos consecutivos, submetidos a rotina de avaliação pré-operatória padronizada e cirúrgica, sempre pela mesma equipe clínica, cirúrgica e anestesiológica. RESULTADOS: A mortalidade hospitalar foi de 3,1% (4 pacientes), sendo a principal causa de óbito isquemia mesentérica, ocorrida em três pacientes. Houve 48 (37%) complicações não-operatórias, 8,5% consistiram em complicações cardíacas e 28,5% em complicações não cardíacas. As complicações pulmonares foram as mais comuns, ocorridas em 14 (10,8%) pacientes. A sobrevida no 1º, 3º e 6º ano pós-operatório foi, respectivamente, de 95%, 87% e 76%. As variáveis que se correlacionaram significativamente com a morbimortalidade foram preditor clínico, idade média de 70,5 anos, presença de insuficiência cardíaca e insuficiência renal crônica. Não foi identificado nenhum preditor de morbimortalidade tardia. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar de ser uma cirurgia considerada de alta complexidade, a mortalidade é baixa, as complicações cardíacas são de pequena monta e os pacientes apresentam boa evolução a longo prazo.

Relação da cintura abdominal com a condição nutricional, perfil lipídico e pressão arterial em pré-escolares de baixo estrato socioeconômico

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o diagnóstico nutricional, o perfil lipídico, os níveis pressóricos e a medida de cintura em pré-escolares. Pretende-se ainda verificar se a medida de cintura está associada com índices antropométricos usuais no diagnóstico nutricional, perfil lipídico e pressão arterial em crianças obesas e eutróficas. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado com 65 pré-escolares de baixo estrato socioeconômico, em escola municipal de Santo André. As avaliações clínico-laboratoriais consistiram em: medida de PA (Task Force, 1996), peso (P) e estatura (E) expressos como escore z (OMS, 1995) e IMC (índice de massa corpórea); níveis séricos de triglicérides, colesterol total e frações (VLDL-c, HDL-c, LDL-c) (Kwiterowich e AHA). Análise estatística: Teste exato de Fisher e correlação. RESULTADOS: Observamos alto porcentual de inadequação da PA e lipídios séricos, independentemente da condição nutricional. A medida de cintura mostrou correlação positiva e significante com IMC e ZPE (r = 0,87 e r = 0,83; p < 0,001, respectivamente). Visando ao estudo do poder diagnóstico da cintura, utilizando-se como ponto de corte o percentil 75 da amostra dessa medida, tendo como padrão o ZPE, observou-se acurácia de 89,1%, especificidade de 87,2%, sensibilidade de 70,6%, e valores preditivos (+) 66,7% e (-) 66,7%. Não houve correlação significativa entre a cintura e o perfil lipídico e níveis pressóricos. CONCLUSÕES: A medida de cintura mostrou relação direta com os índices antropométricos habitualmente usados e não funcionou na faixa etária pré-escolar como preditor de risco cardiovascular.