Volume 24 - Número 4
EDITORIAL
2009 - Year of many achievements!
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
The rescue surgeon
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Risk factors for acute renal failure after heart surgery
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to identify risk factors for acute renal failure in patients with normal levels of serum creatinine who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and/or valve surgery. METHODS: Data from a cohort of 769 patients were assessed using bivariate analyses and binary logistic regression modeling. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty one patients underwent CABG, 339 valve surgery and 49 had undergone both simultaneously. Forty six percent of the patients were female and the mean age was 57 ± 14 years (13 to 89 years). Seventy eight (10%) patients presented renal dysfunction postoperatively, of these 23% needed hemodialysis (2.4% of all patients). The mortality for the whole cohort was 10%. The overall mortality for patients experiencing postoperative renal dysfunction was 40% (versus 7%, P < 0.001), 29% for those who did not need dialysis and 67% for those who needed dialysis (P = 0.004). The independent risk factors found were: age (P < 0.000, OR: 1.056), congestive heart failure (P = 0.091, OR: 2.238), COPD (P = 0.003, OR: 4.111), endocarditis (P = 0.001, OR: 12.140), myocardial infarction < 30 days (P = 0.015, OR: 4.205), valve surgery (P = 0.016, OR: 2.137), cardiopulmonary bypass time > 120 min (P = 0.001, OR: 7.040), peripheral arterial vascular disease (P = 0.107, 2.296). CONCLUSION: Renal dysfunction was the most frequent postoperative organ dysfunction in patients undergone CABG and/or valve surgery and age, congestive heart failure, COPD, endocarditis, myocardial infarction < 30 days, valve surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass time >120 min, and peripheral arterial vascular disease were the risk factors independently associated with acute renal failure (ARF).
Keywords: Cardiovascular surgical procedures; Kidney failure, acute; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Risk Factors
New technique: Norwood operation with regional cerebral and coronary perfusion
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
OBJECTIVE: To assess the immediate result of the modified Norwood procedure with new technique of anterograde regional cerebral perfusion (ARCeP) and retrograde regional coronary perfusion (RRCoP) in substitution of profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) with extremely hypoplastic ascending aorta (HA). METHODS: In the period of December of 2006 to February 2008 the modified Norwood procedure with tube between the right ventricle and pulmonary arteries or Sano shunt was performed in eight children with HLHS and with ascending aorta diameter less than 3 mm, (four male and four female) with median age of 9.2 days (ranging from 1 to 29 days) and median weigh of 3.3 kg (ranging from 2.7 to 3.8 kg). We used cardiopulmonary bypass and hypothermia at 25ºC with two venous cannulas and suture with a polytetrafluoroethylene graft sutured to the innominate artery as an arterial line and used to ARCeP. The RRCoP was performed by a deviation in the arterial line and placement of a catheter in the ascending aorta. The immediate surgical results and the clinical neurological manifestation were assessed. RESULTS: The immediate surgical results revealed mortality of 25% and there were absence of neurological injury at clinical examination. CONCLUSIONS: The modified Norwood procedure can be accomplished with ARCeP and RRCoP in children with HLHS with HA with satisfactory immediate surgical result and without neurological complications.
Keywords: Hypoplastic left heart syndrome; Heart defects, congenital/surgery; Cardiac surgical procedures; Extracorporeal circulation/methods
Does the coronary disease increase the hospital mortality in patients with aortic stenosis undergoing valve replacement?
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
OBJECTIVES: With the increase in life expectancy occurred in recent decades, it has been noted the concomitant increase in the prevalence of aortic stenosis and degenerative disease of atherosclerotic coronary artery. This study aims to evaluate the influence of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in patients with critical aortic stenosis undergoing isolated or combined implant valve prosthesis and coronary artery by pass grafting. METHODS: In the period of January 2001 to March 2006, there were analyzed 448 patients undergoing isolated implant aortic valve prosthesis (Group I) and 167 patients undergoing aortic valve prosthesis implant combined with coronary artery bypass grafting (Group II). Pre- and intra-operative variables elected for analysis were: age, gender, body mass index, stroke, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rheumatic fever, hypertension, endocarditis, acute myocardial infarction, smoking, Fraction of the left ventricular ejection, critical atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, chronic atrial fibrillation, aortic valve operation prior (conservative), functional class of congestive heart failure, value serum creatinine, total cholesterol, size of the prosthesis used, length and number of distal anastomoses held in myocardial revascularization, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic clamping time. The statistical study employed invariant and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 14.3% (64 deaths) in Group I, and 14.5% (58 deaths) in patients with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease associated criticism (Group IB) and 12.8% (six deaths) in which had this association (Group IA). Hospital mortality in Group II was 17.6% (29 deaths), and 16.1% (20 deaths) in patients undergoing implantation of prosthetic aortic valve combined to complete myocardial revascularization (Group II) and 20.9% (nine deaths) in the myocardial revascularization with incomplete (Group IIB). CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing implant isolated from aortic valve prosthesis, the presence of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease associated critical in at least two arteries, influenced the hospital mortality. In patients undergoing surgical treatment combined the number of coronary arteries with critical atherosclerotic disease and extent of coronary artery bypass grafting (complete or incomplete), did not affect the hospital mortality, but the realization of more than three anastomoses in the distal myocardial revascularization interfered.
Keywords: Aortic valve stenosis; Heart valve prosthesis implantation; Hospital mortality
Fontan operation: a technique in evolution
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
OBJECTIVES: Recent experimental flow studies based on angiography and magnetic resonance have shown that total cavopulmonary anastomosis (TCPA) is a valid concept for surgical treatment of many congenital heart defects, but there is not agreement of the best surgical arrangement. Our purpose is to analyze the immediate results with three different techniques of TCPA. METHODS: We sought to analyze retrospectively all TCPA realized from January 2005 to July 2008; there were 40 patients, all with previous Glenn anastomosis, with mean age of 6.4 ± 3.2 years. Three different techniques were employed: Group 1 (G1) lateral tunnel, Group 2 (G2) extracardiac conduits, Group 3 (G3) intracardiac conduit directed to the left pulmonary artery. All patients had a fenestration done. RESULTS: G1 had 11 patients, G2 10 patients and G3 19 patients. Preoperative data were similar in the 3 groups (P>0.05). Surgical mortality was higher in Groups 1 and 2 (9.1% and 10%) compared to Group 3 (0%) but there was no statistical significance (P=0.3841). Pleural effusion was absent in Group 3 (0%), which was statistically significant in relation to the other groups (P=0.0128). The hospitalization time was also significantly lower in G3 (8 days) in relation to G1 (18 days) and G2 (13 days) (P=0.0164). CONCLUSION: Intracardiac TCPA was associated with lower postoperative morbidity and is currently our preferred technique.
Keywords: Fontan procedure; Heart bypass, right; Pleural effusion
Surgical reverse remodelling of the left ventricle: 111 months of follow-up
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
OBJECTIVE: To present the Instituto de Cirurgia Cardiovascular do Oeste do Paraná' (ICCOP) surgical experience, on the treatment of left ventricle aneurysms, by endoventriculoplasty, with septal exclusion (EVSE), and a 111 months follow-up. METHODS: Between April 1999 and April 2006, 28 patients were submitted to EVSE, by the author. Pre, trans and late post clinical and echocardiographic variables were analyzed retrospectively. Mean age was 59.0 ± 9.5 years, being 23 male patients. Seventeen patients were in NYHA functional class IV and the mean EuroScore was 8.2 ± 2.3. The mean pre-operative values for ejection fraction, end systolic and diastolic left ventricular volumes were 32.3 ± 9.2%, 113.9 ± 36.0 ml e 179.2 ± 48.4 ml, respectively. The BraziliAnVErsion of the SF36 quality of life questionnaire was applied in the late follow up period. RESULTS: Four patients died in the immediate post-operative period, being the major cause of morbidity low cardiac output syndrome and arrhythmias. The mean follow-up period was 5.6 ± 3.2 years. Left ventricle's ejection fraction and aortic cross clamping time were the significant factors for hospital and late mortality with P = 0.0222 and P = 0.0123, respectively. Actuarial survival curve showed a survival of 82.1 ± 7.2%, and 54.7 ± 22.9%, pre and post 107 months, of follow-up. CONCLUSION: EVSE' surgery is an effective option to treat this group of patients, with improvement of left ventricular function (from 32.3 to 46.4%) and patients' quality of life.
Keywords: Heart aneurysm, surgery; Heart failure; Cardiac surgical procedures; Myocardial revascularization
Relationship on walk test and pulmonary function tests with the length of hospitalization in cardiac surgery patients
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
OBJECTIVE: The lung function is identified as a predictor of time of hospitalization in heart surgery. Meanwhile sixminute walk test has been used to establish functional capacity of cardiac patients, however there are few studies that correlate it with the length of hospital stay. The aim of this research was to determine whether there is correlation of preoperative and postoperative lung function and the ability of walking during the hospital stay. METHODS: A prospective cohort with 18 patients was performed, being 8 males and 10 females, with age above 40 years (medium 64.89 ± 6.95 years). Patients where admitted for coronary artery bypass graft surgery and/or exchange valve. To characterize the pulmonary function, patients were submitted to spirometry in preoperative and the 5th postoperative day. In the latter period was also a test for 6 minutes walk (6MWT) to characterize the ability to walk. RESULTS: There was not significant correlation of preoperative and postoperative pulmonary function with length of hospital stay. Only the distance covered in 6MWT showed a significant negative correlation (rho= 0.62) with length of stay. The distance in 6MWT obtained a significant positive correlation with forced vital capacity (r=0.59) and first second of a maximal forced expiratory manoeuvre (r=0.52). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that patients with increased postoperative capacity to walk have a shorter time of hospitalization and it also suggest that the distance in the 6MWT can better represent the functional capacity of these patients than pulmonary function alone.
Keywords: Respiratory function tests; Early ambulation; Length of stay; Cardiovascular surgical procedures
Mitral valve repair in rheumatic patients with mitral insuficiency. Twenty years of techniques and results
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
OBJECTIVE: Mitral valve repair in rheumatic patients is still a challenge. The purpose of this study is to analyze the results of mitral valve repair in rheumatic patients in the Heart Institute University of Sao Paulo Medical School. METHODS: Were analyzed retrospectively, between 1985 and 2005, 330 patients submitted to mitral valve repair in the Heart Institute of São Paulo. The mean age was 26.9 ± 15.4 years and 57.6% were female. According do clinical evaluation, 39.5% of patients were in NYHA functional class IV. The most common techniques employed were bovine pericardial strip annuloplasty in 48.4% patients and Carpentier ring annuloplasty in 22.6%. Shortening of chordae (20%) and papillary muscle splitting (17.8%) were the most common associated techniques performed. Tricuspid valve repair (26.7%) and aortic valve replacement (27.2%) were the most common associated procedures. RESULTS: The hospital mortality was 0.9% (three patients), two of them in children with active rheumatic fever. Linearized rates of thromboembolism, endocardite, reoperation and late death were 0.2%, 0.2%, 3.5% and 0.5% patients-year, respectively. Actuarial survival in 20 years was 86.4 ± 6.6%. Freedom from reoperation in 20 years was 30.3 ± 11.1%. CONCLUSION: Mitral valve conservative surgery in rheumatic patients is a feasible procedure with low operative mortality.
Keywords: Mitral valve insufficiency/surgery; Rheumatic fever; Mitral valve/surgery
Does the pain disturb the respiratory function after open heart surgery?
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
OBJECTIVE: The post operative pain after open heart surgeries had been often reported. Meager reports about respiratory function and pain correlation had been reported. The aim of this article is to assess the pain intensity and location during hospital admittance and its effect on pulmonary function in patients underwent elective cardiac surgery. METHODS: Pulmonary function (lung volumes, respiratory pressures and peak expiratory flow) was assessed at the preoperative and post-operative time (1, 3 and 5 days) by ventilometer, manovacuometer and peak flow meter measurements. The assessment of pain intensity was carried out with a visual analogue scale for pain. RESULTS: The majority of pain site was on sternotomy incision (50% of patients) and the intensity was higher at the first postoperative day (8.32 by visual scale measurement). All pulmonary variables decreased on post-operative time when compared to baseline values. All respiratory variables remained lower than to pre-operative time at fifth postoperative time (P > 0.05), with exception for respiratory rate. The pain and maximal inspiratory pressure showed a negative correlation at the first postoperative day (P = 0.019). CONCLUSION: Postoperative pain decreased lung function in patients precluding deep inspirations, in special, at the first post-operative day.
Keywords: Pain; Cardiovascular surgical procedures; Respiratory function tests
Pain and pulmonary function in patients submitted to heart surgery via sternotomy
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
Objective: To investigate the pulmonary function and pain in adult patients undergoing heart surgery via sternotomy and to verify possible correlations of these variables with the characteristics of the surgical procedure and hospital stay. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out of 70 individuals undergoing heart surgery. The lung function was assessed before and after surgery by spirometry and incentive spirometry. Details of the surgical procedure were studied and patients were followed up postoperatively using a visual analogue scale and design of the human body to evaluate pain. Results: The pulmonary function was significantly impaired in the postoperative compared to preoperative period (P <0.01). The pain was centered in the region of the sternotomy and persisted until at least the 5th postoperative day. There was a correlation between pain and the parameters of pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second - percentage: r = -0.271, P <0.047; peak expiratory flow: r = -0.357, P <0.008; and maximum inspiratory volume: r = -0.293, P <0.032). There was no significant correlation between pain and other variables. Conclusion: There was significant impairment of lung function which had not recovered completely on the 5th postoperative day. Pain was a complaint that persisted throughout the study period. The parameters of pulmonary function showed a significant relationship with pain. There was no correlation between pain and the characteristics of individuals, the surgical procedure or the length of hospital stay.
Keywords: Postoperative complications; Respiratory function tests; Pain, postoperative; Pain measurement
Trends in animal experimentation
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
INTRODUCTION: The search of the understanding of etiological factors, mechanisms and treatment of the diseases has been taking to the development of several animal models in the last decades. OBJECTIVE: To discuss aspects related to animal models of experimentation, animal choice and current trends in this field in our country. In addition, this study evaluated the frequency of experimental articles in medical journals. METHODS: Five Brazilian journals indexed by LILACS, SciELO, MEDLINE, and recently incorporate for Institute for Scientific Information Journal of Citation Reports were analyzed. All the papers published in those journals, between 2007 and 2008, that used animal models, were selected based on the abstracts. RESULTS: Of the total of 832 articles published in the period, 92 (11.1%) experimentation papers were selected. The number of experimental articles ranged from 5.2% to 17.9% of the global content of the journal. In the instructions to the authors, four (80%) journals presented explicit reference to the ethical principles in the conduction of studies with animals. The induced animal models represented 100% of the articles analyzed in this study. The rat was the most employed animal in the analyzed articles (78.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The present study can contribute, supplying subsidies for adoption of future editorials policies regarding the publication of animal research papers in Brazilian Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery.
Keywords: Experimental surgery; Biomedical research; Models, animal
Coronary dominance patterns in the human heart investigated by corrosion casting
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to analyze the dominance patterns of the circulation of the human heart, the number of branches from the right coronary artery to the left ventricle, the number of branches from the left coronary artery to the right ventricle and the frequency and location of intercoronary anastomoses. METHODS: Casts were made of 25 hearts by the injection of colored acrylic resin and subsequent corrosion using hydrochloric acid at the experimental surgery laboratory of Furb. Specimens with lesions or scars were discarded. RESULTS: The hearts, from both men (17 - 68%) and women (8 - 32%), had a mean age of 40.2 (15 to 70) years-old. Right dominance occurred in 18 (72%) subjects, with 1, 2, 3 and 4 branches leading to the left ventricle in 2, 14, 2 and 2 casts, respectively. Left dominance occurred in 5 (20%) with 1 branch leading to the right ventricle in 4 molds and 2 in one. Balanced circulation was observed in two molds (8%). There were significant differences between right and left dominance (a > 5%) and between right dominance and balanced circulation (a > 5%), however the same was not true between left dominance and balanced circulation (a < 5%). CONCLUSION: The most common form of coronary circulation is right dominance with an average of 2.16 branches leading to the left ventricle: when dominance is left, the average is 1.2 branches. No intercoronary anastomoses were observed.
Keywords: Coronary circulation; Heart/anatomy & histology; Corrosion casting
High-dose aprotinin does not affect troponin I, N-Terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptid and renal function in children submitted to surgical correction with extracorporeal circulation
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
Objective: To evaluate if the use of hemostatic high-dose aprotinin seems influence to myocardial, renal and metabolic functions in children submitted to surgical correction with extracorporeal circulation (ECC). Material and Methods: A prospective randomized study was conducted on children aged 30 days to 4 years submitted to correction of acyanogenic congenital heart disease with ECC and divided into two groups: Control (n=9) and Aprotinin (n=10). In the Aprotinin Group the drug was administered before and during ECC and the myocardial and multiorgan dysfunctions were analyzed on the basis of clinical and biochemical markers. Differences were considered to be significant when P<0.05. Results: The groups were similar regarding demographic and intraoperative variables, except for a greater hemodilution in the Aprotinin Group. The drug had no benefit regarding time of mechanical pulmonary ventilation, permanence in the pediatric postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) and length of hospitalization, or regarding the use of inotropic drugs and renal function. The partial arterial oxygen pressure/inspired oxygen fraction ratio (PaO2/FiO2) was significantly reduced 24h after surgery in the Control Group. Blood loss was similar for both groups. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase MB fraction (CKMB), serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and the aminoterminal fraction of natriuretic peptide type B (NT-proBNP) did not differ significantly between groups. Post-ECC blood lactate concentration and metabolic acidosis was more intense in the Aprotinin Group. There were no complications with the use of aprotinin. Conclusion: High-dose aprotinin did not significant influence in serum markers troponin I, NT-proBNP and renal function, but did associated with hemodilution, blood lactate concentration and metabolic acidosis more intense.
Keywords: Cardiovascular surgical procedures; Extracorporeal circulation; Aprotinin; Troponin I, Natriuretic peptides
Flow visualization in blood aspirator and cardiotomy reservoir used in cardiopulmonary bypass
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
OBJECTIVE: One of the major damage caused by occlusion in roller pumps is hemolysis. Comparative studies between roller pump with adjustments non occlusive and centrifugal pumps have been made in recent decades in an attempt to develop new products and adjustments that cause fewer traumas to the figurative elements of blood. Usually the roller pumps are adjusted by the static method due to concern variables flow that can occur with non-occlusive settings. Excessive slack in the rollers provoke back flow and can provides errors in the calculation of flow by the rotation of the pump, according to the devices added to the circuit and the systemic resistance of the patient. The objective of this study is to evaluate the back flow caused by two types of roller pumps in blood aspirator and cardiotomy reservoir. METHOD: Back flow visualization was performed in blood aspirator and cardiotomy reservoir. It was tested two different models of roller pumps, adjusted by drop rate and dynamic calibration. The tests were conducted with silicone tubes of 3/8 x 1/16 e 1/2 x 3/32 inches in diameter in water and solution similar to blood. RESULTS: We recorded back flow visually in blood aspirator and in cardiotomy reservoir with their measure of values. The pumps had differences in refluxes measured adjusted by the dynamic calibration method. Pump#2 presents back flow adjusted fully occluded. CONCLUSION: The back flow measured in two models of pump present differences (P <0.008). The results indicate differences in its characteristics caused by the process of manufacturing, design or possible wear. Non-occlusive adjustments may cause variations in flow with the increase of resistance added to the circuit, with difficulty to fix the flow by increasing the rotation.
Keywords: Extracorporeal circulation; Pumps
REVIEW ARTICLE
Mitral insufficiency surgery to treat advanced heart failure
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
Dilated cardiomyopathy is characterized by severe, progressive myocardial dysfunction that is, irreversible. That syndrome leads to cardiac remodeling with augmentation of left ventricle volume and sphericity, dilation of the mitral annulus and dislocation of papillary muscles that pulls up the mitral cords thereby restraining leaflet excursion. These biomechanical modifications generate functional mitral valve regurgitation, a dismal prognostic sign. Mitral valve plasty or replacement was introduced as surgical coadjuvants to conventional medical treatment, with good symptomatic improvement. The long term survival benefit is yet to be demonstrated.
Keywords: Heart failure; Mitral valve/surgery; Mitral valve insufficiency
Role of exercise training on pulmonary ischemia/reperfusion and inflammatory response
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
Advances in new technologies associated with improvement of knowledge in medicine have promoted important development in therapeutic and preventive approaches in an attempt to diminish complications following cardiothoracic process involving ischemia/reperfusion (IR). Nevertheless, postoperative pulmonary injuries remain high and are considered one of the most frequent complications after cardiothoracic surgery. Thus, new strategies with prophylactic actions are crucial in cardiovascular area in an attempt to reduce complications and to improve patient life. It is well documented that exercise training is a non-pharmacological tool to prevent and/or treat cardiovascular and endocrine-metabolic diseases. The aim of this review was to provide an update of several studies pulmonary IR process and its local and systemic complications and the role of inflammatory response. Furthermore, this review focused on the effects of exercise training on the pulmonary IR as an important strategy to diminish its complications. This review shows that few studies exist regarding the health-promoting physical exercise in cardiothoracic surgery and how important is necessary to increase studies in this area. Recently, studies from our laboratory showed beneficial effects of exercise training in experimental model of pulmonary IR. Collectively, data show that physical preconditioning for patients is very important approach to reduce postsurgical complications as well as diminish the time of hospitalization which includes a specialized personal trainer in the health team. Moreover, this preventive strategy might improve patient recovery and would lead to consuming less resources of the health care system. This review included experimental studies in English and Portuguese found in SciELO and MEDLINE (from 1987 to 2008) and also classics texts related to the title.
Keywords: Ischemia; Reperfusion; Inflammation mediators; Exercise
HOW TO DO IT
Approach for surgical correction of pulmonary artery coarctation without cardiopulmonary bypass
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
Pulmonary artery coarctation often happens in patients with pulmonary atresia. The correction has been usually performed using cardiopulmonary bypass and during the neonatal period, influencing pulmonary artery development and prognosis. Three patients with pulmonary atresia with PDA underwent correction using median sternotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass. The PDA maintained the arterial saturation during Blalock Taussig anastomoses upon the contralateral pulmonary artery. Arterioplasty was performed using an autologous pericardium with 7-0 PDS running suture and saturation was maintained by Blalock shunt. All patients presented good follow-up and where discharged with good enlargment of coarctation area.
Keywords: Pulmonary artery; Pulmonary atresia; Heart defects, congenital; Extracorporeal circulation; Pulmonary circulation
Experience with the posterior leaflet extension technique for correction of rheumatic mitral insufficiency in children
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
OBJECTIVE: To describe the experience with the technique of posterior leaflet extension in children suffering of rheumatic mitral regurgitation. METHODS: Between April 2002, and October 2007, 30 children, mean age 11.3 years, underwent correction of mitral insufficiency with the technique of posterior leaflet extension with a pericardial patch. Eight also received a Carpentier ring. Six children had aortic valve disease and were submitted to Ross operation (five cases) or valve replacement with an aortic homograft. All were in functional class III or IV (NYHA classification). RESULTS: There was one death. One child presented severe hemolysis in the postoperative period and was submitted to mitral valve replacement. Clinical evolution in the remaining patients was good. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior leaflet extension of the mitral valve seems to be an effective surgical technique for correction of rheumatic mitral insufficiency in children.
Keywords: Mitral valve/surgery; Mitral valve insufficiency/surgery; Heart/surgery; Child
CASE REPORT
Pacemaker endocarditis: approach for lead extraction in endocarditis with large vegetations
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
The presence of large lead vegetations poses additional difficulties for explantation because many methods cannot be used due to the potential hazard of embolism. We report two patients with large vegetation on the ventricular lead due to endocarditis and one of them with an atrial septal defect associated. It was applied a combined technique of transvenous lead removal and sternotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass for the complete removal of pacemaker wires. This procedure resolved the pacemakers endocarditis safely and subsequently a new transvenous device was placed on the opposite site.
Keywords: Endocarditis; Endocarditis, bacterial; Pacemaker, artificial
Late outcome of right ventricular outflow tract repair using bicuspid pulmonary prosthesis in tetralogy of Fallot surgery repair: case report
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
We present a case of a 19 year-old female patient, with tetralogy of Fallot and hypoplastic pulmonary ring. Diagnosis was performed by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. The surgical repair was performed at the age of 2 years old. A right ventricular outflow tract remodeling was performed using a porcine pulmonary bicuspid prosthesis. The patient presented a uneventful follow-up during 17 years. Postoperative assessment has shown: mild pulmonary insufficiency and mild pulmonary ventricle gradient, satisfactory right ventricular performance and prosthesis not presenting calcification. This is an option to correct the tetralogy of Fallot adopted by our Institution in the last two decades.
Keywords: Tetralogy of Fallot/surgery; Heart defects, congenital/surgery; Treatment outcome
An intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography-guided maneuver to assist the removal of an intraventricular thrombus
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
Intra-cavitary thrombus size, mobility and friability are of great importance in deciding whether surgical removal is indicated. Thrombus characteristics may render surgical thrombectomy incomplete, a risk for catastrophic embolization. During de-airing of the heart, after removal of an intraventricular thrombus, filling the open ventricular cavity with blood serendipitously allowed trans-esophageal echocardiographic (TEE) visualization of undetected residual thrombi fragments. This experience leads us to advocate repeated filling and emptying of the left ventricle with blood, under TEE guidance, in order to facilitate complete removal of thrombotic material prior to ventriculotomy closure, and prior to weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).
Keywords: Embolism and thrombosis; Echocardiography, transesophageal; Echocardiography
Off-pump correction of coronary fistula: the single suture technique approach
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
The single suture technique was developed to obtain stabilization and exposure of all all coronary branches during off-pump coronary artery bypass, while maintaining hemodynamic stabilily during the procedure. We describe the use of this technique during an off-pump correction of a coronary artery fistula associated with right coronary dilatation. The suggested technique is quicker and less complex than on-pump surgery. Furthermore, it can be a useful tool for congenital fistula correction in select cases, stimulating the practice of less invasive heart surgery in these patients.
Keywords: Congenital Abnormalities; Arteriovenous Fistula; Coronary Artery Disease; Heart Defects, Congenital; Cardiopulmonary Bypass
CLINICAL-SURGICAL CORRELATION
Jatene's operation without Lecompte maneuver in child with Taussig-Bing heart
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
MULTIMEDIA
Minimally invasive video-assisted atrial septal defect correction and myocardial revascularization
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
To MCT / CNPq / MEC / CAPES Program of Editing and Publication of Brazilian Scientific Journals
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
BOOK
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Letters to the Editor
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
REVIEWERS RBCCV
Acknowledgement
Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 24;
Publish in: 8/2/2025
FREE THEMES
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