P105 A MARBLE IN THE HEART: A MYSTERIOUS MITRAL MASS

A 70–year–old woman came to our observation for acute heart failure during atrial fibrillation with high ventricular response. In the medical history she presented a previous radiofrequency ablation of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, a previous episode of atrial fibrillation treated with electrical cardioversion, two hospitalizations for transient ischemic attack (TIA), the last two months before hospitalization . The patient had always refused the introduction of oral anticoagulant therapy. The transthoracic echocardiogram showed a rounded formation, with regular margins, of 20x19 mm, isoechoic and poorly mobile, adhered to the atrial side of the annulus and the posterior mitral flap, confirmed by the transesophageal echocardiogram (Fig 1,2,3). The formation did not result in mitral obstruction or significant mitral regurgitation. The left atrium appeared markedly dilated, with moderate spontaneous echo inside. In the left appendage there was no thrombus, and there were no other relevant findings. Markers of inflammation and serial blood cultures taken during hospitalization were negative, so bacterial endocarditis appeared unlikely. Mixoma or fibroelastoma appeared to be the most likely diagnosis. In consideration of the high risk of embolization and to clarify the diagnosis, the patient underwent cardiac surgery with exeresis of the formation (Fig 4–5), subsequent quadrangular resection of the posterior mitral flap, sliding and mitral annuloplasty. Macroscopically, the mass appeared brownish–red, with a smooth surface, solid and compact consistency. The histological analysis showed red blood cells and platelets mixed with vessels and granulation tissue; the wall of the mass was made up of connective tissue. Based on the findings, the differential diagnosis was between a blood cyst or a native mitral valve thrombosis. Blood cysts are generally congenital and disappear spontaneously in childhood, rarely occurring in adults. They are fluid or semi–fluid formations, and ultrasonographically they appear as masses with anechoic or hypoechoic content, surrounded by a thin wall. Thrombosis on native mitral valve is also an infrequent event, but described in literature, particularly in the presence of hypercoagulative states, mitral stenosis, atrial fibrillation. Based on the characteristics of the mass, we believe that the most likely hypothesis is that of a rare case of thrombosis on a native mitral valve.

Simultaneous surgery for obstructive coronary artery disease and ulcerated gastric cancer

A patient with ulcerated gastric cancer causing mild anaemia and simultaneous three-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent “off pump” coronary artery bypass grafting (OP-CABG) and total D2 gastrectomy.

Echocardiographic evaluation of mitral tethering for 'chordal cutting' procedure

'Chordal cutting' is a recently proposed surgical option for the treatment of functional mitral regurgitation due to leaflet tethering. With this technique the surgeon sections second order chordae, restores leaflet's convexity towards the left atrium and eliminates mitral incompetence. Preoperative assessment of tethering mechanism, degree of leaflet distortion, surface of coaptation, annular dilation, origin and quantification of valve incompetence by echocardiographic means is essential in indicating this surgical option. Intraoperative transesophageal evaluation is crucial to assess the morphology and the absence or degree of residual incompetence after procedure.

Echocardiographic images in mitral valve repair by "edge to edge" technique

The "edge to edge" or "double orifice" technique is a new surgical option of mitral repair when functional valve insufficiency is present, due to ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy. This technique is not frequently used and radically changes mitral anatomy and hemodynamic. Therefore, echocardiographic examination is completely different and implies good experience to evaluate postoperative valve function. For these reasons we present a case report of a patient who underwent this repair and was evaluated in the follow up by standard transthoracic echocardiography: the anatomical and functional assessment that was satisfactory compared with transesophageal examination is documented.

Modified button-Bentall operation for aortic root replacement: the miniskirt technique

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the midterm results of a modified button-Bentall operation (modified-bB) specifically designed to incorporate any type of prosthetic valve in composite conduit aortic root replacement.

METHODS

Between 1991 and 2000, a total of 135 patients underwent modified-bB for annuloaortic ectasia (74 patients), type A dissection (31), or aortic aneurysm without dissection (30). Of these, 34 were emergencies (25.2%). A total of 50 bioprostheses (study group 1) and 85 bileaflet mechanical prostheses (study group 2) were implanted. Group 1 mean age was 66.9 +/- 7.4 years versus 51.5 +/- 12.1 years in group 2 (p < 0.001). Composite-conduit creation occurred during proximal suture line construction as a single-step maneuver. Interrupted extracardiac polyester mattress sutures sequentially entered the aortic annulus, the prosthetic valve ring, and the vascular graft 7 mm from its free edge (miniskirt). Running monofilament suture line secured proximal hemostasis, buttressing aortic remnants and graft edge. Coronary reimplantation was accomplished in all cases by the button technique. Concomitant procedures were performed in 51 patients (37.8%).

RESULTS

The 30-day mortality was 5.18% (7/135 patients). Eight patients (5.9%) required revision for proximal (1 patient), coronary button (3), or distal (4) anastomosis leakage. Three patients (2.2%) perioperatively developed nonfatal inferior myocardial infarction. Kaplan-Meier 9-year survival is 91.8% +/- 0.026 SE with 88.1% (95% confidence limits 71.7% to 95.5%) reoperation freedom. According to the Cox proportional hazard method, stratification of the risk for death according to prosthesis type indicates previous operation (p = 0.001) and emergency (p = 0.0465) as independent predictors of hospital mortality. Associated procedures to modified-bB increased risk of reoperation (p = 0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

Modified-bB was associated with low mortality, excellent midterm survival, and freedom from reoperation. Absence of valve-to-graft tapering, reduced coronary button anastomosis tension, and prosthesis selection according to patient profile, are apparent advantages of modified-bB.

Seven-year experience with chordal replacement with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene in floppy mitral valve

Among 106 patients operated on for implantation of artificial mitral chordae (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene), usually associated with other traditional procedures, 82 had degenerative valve disease. Two of them had the valve replaced during the same operation because of residual regurgitation, and one patient died (1.3%) of respiratory insufficiency. Seventy-nine patients left the hospital and were followed up to 84 months. No late deaths and only one valve-related complication were reported. This occurred in a patient who required reoperation after 18 months for sudden recurrence of mitral regurgitation caused by the rupture of natural chordae, which had been shortened during the first procedure, whereas the artificial chordae had retained their function. The clinical experience confirms positive experimental data, because this technique was reliable with lasting results. Application of artificial chordae, associated with other traditional techniques, is useful to improve the results and to extend the indications for mitral valve repair.

Total parenteral nutrition in patients with intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation

The effects of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) were studied in nine of 19 patients with intra-aortic balloon pumping TPN (c. 27 kcal/kg/day) was begun 3 hours after the start of pumping. The non-protein caloric source was composed of hypertonic dextrose and fat emulsion (60% and 40%). The nitrogen intake was 1 g/150-200 kcal/day. The ten control patients received 5% dextrose in corresponding volume/hour. Hemodynamic studies were performed before and 24, 48 and 72 hours after the start of counterpulsation. The predicted and the observed resting energy expenditure were recorded in both patient groups during counter-pulsation. Systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance differed significantly between the groups. Cardiac function improved in both groups. In the TPN group the measured resting energy expenditure increased by 33% more than predicted on day 2 and by 56% on day 3 and in the controls the figures were 31% and 40%--all rises significant. Total parenteral nutrition with low fat content thus alters the hemodynamic equilibrium without clinically significant effects in patients undergoing intra-aortic balloon pumping. These patients are hypermetabolic and should receive artificial nutrition as soon as possible.

Efficacy and safety of predeposit blood autodonation in 500 cases of myocardial revascularization

Since 1985 all patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting have been evaluated for admission to a program of predeposited blood autodonation. From a total of 816 consecutive patients, 505 were admitted to the program (group 1). The other 311 (group 2) were excluded on the basis of one or more of the following criteria: 1) emergency surgical indication, 2) hemoglobin less than 12 g/dl, or 3) uncontrolled angina or clinically manifest cardiac failure. Postoperative use of homologous blood products was required by 16% of the group 1 and 44% of the group 2 patients (p less than 0.001). Altogether 597 patients (73%) had no contact with homologous blood products. There was no intergroup difference in the incidence of postoperative complications. Non-A, non-B hepatitis developed in three group 1 and four group 2 patients. Its incidence was 0.9% among all discharged patients and 3.2% of the homologous blood recipients. The findings emphasize the safety and value of the autodonation with predeposit program in significantly reducing the requirement for homologous blood in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Successful treatment of a patient after sudden loss of the disc in a Björk-Shiley convexo-concave mitral prosthesis

The patient's survival after minor strut fracture and migration of a Björk-Shiley mitral prosthetic disc is presented. The operation was carried out in two stages: first emergency replacement of the mitral prosthesis and, later, elective removal of the dislocated disc.