Anthony L. Panos

Pulmonary embolectomy: recommendation for early surgical intervention.

Abstract  Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life‐threatening disease which often results in death if not diagnosed early and treated aggressively. Despite all efforts at improving outcomes, there is no consensus on the management of acute severe PE. Methods: From May 2000 to June 2009, 16 consecutive patients underwent surgical pulmonary embolectomy at our institution. Mean age was 45 ± 17 years (range, 14 to 76) with nine (56%) males and seven (43%) females. Preoperatively, all cases were classified as massive PE; seven (43%) patients were in hemodynamic collapse and emergently underwent operation while receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Results: There were nine (56%) urgent/emergent and seven (44%) salvage patients undergoing surgical pulmonary embolectomy. Of nine nonsalvage patients, seven (77%) patients presented with moderate to severe right ventricular (RV) dilation/dysfunction. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 43 ± 41 minutes (range, 9 to 161). Mean follow‐up duration was 48 ± 38 months (range: 0.3 to 109), with seven in‐hospital deaths (43%): mortality was 11% (1/9) in emergent operations and 85% (6/7) in salvage operations. Conclusions: Surgical pulmonary embolectomy should be considered early in the management of hemodynamically stable patients with PE who show evidence of RV dilation and/or failure, as it is associated with satisfactory outcomes. Conversely, pulmonary embolectomy has dismal results under salvage conditions. Revision of current guidelines for the surgical management of this condition may be warranted. (J Card Surg 2010;25:261‐266)

Epicardial adipose tissue has a unique transcriptome modified in severe coronary artery disease

To explore the transcriptome of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) as compared to subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and its modifications in a small number of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) versus valvulopathy.

Primary Repair of Infracardiac Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection Using a Modified Sutureless Technique

Primary repair of infracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection is associated with a significant risk of recurrent pulmonary venous obstruction. Herein we describe a technique of primary repair in which a modified sutureless anastomosis is constructed by suturing the left atrium to the posterior mediastinal pleura that surrounds the pulmonary venous confluence.

Initial experience with the tandemheart circulatory support system in children

Options for mechanical ventricular assistance in pediatric patients are limited. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is used in most cases for short-term support. The TandemHeart circulatory support system is an established device that is used in adult patients to provide short-term ventricular support. In this article, we report three children in whom a TandemHeart ventricular assist device was used for right ventricular support, two after heart transplantation and another for failed Fontan physiology. Herein, we report the novel application of this technology to pediatric patients, and we discuss the lessons learned from its utilization.

Simultaneous Antegrade/Retrograde Normothermic Perfusion with Blood (Beating Heart) for Aortic Root Replacement in Acute Type‐A Dissection of the Aorta

Abstract  A new technique of myocardial protection was utilized in performing surgery for acute type‐A dissection involving the aortic valve, requiring replacement of the root. Simultaneous antegrade and retrograde perfusion of the heart with normothermic blood at high flows allows for safe and precise surgery, without concerns for the period of aortic clamping, since ischemia is eliminated altogether.

Anatomy of the Lungs

Life and respiration are complementary. There is nothing living which does not breathe nor anything which breathing which does not live.

Modified Cabrol Shunt After Complex Aortic Surgery

Uncontrollable hemorrhage during complex aortic surgery was controlled by a new modification of the Cabrol shunt, which is reported here.

Effects of Prophylactic Use of Sirolimus on Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome Development in Lung Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND Sirolimus (SIR) has been shown to stabilize the lung function in lung transplant recipients with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). However, there is no long-term data on the prophylactic use of SIR in lung transplant recipients. This retrospective study examines the effects of SIR in the prevention of BOS. METHODS From 1999 to 2009, 24 lung transplant recipients whose maintenance immunosuppression regimen consisted of tacrolimus (Tac), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or azathioprine (AZA), and prednisone (Pred), were switched to Tac, SIR, and Pred at 1 year after transplantation. From these 24 patients, 5 developed side effects that necessitated the cessation of SIR within 1 year, while 19 patients tolerated long-term use of SIR. The clinical outcomes of these 19 patients (SIR group) were compared with 22 lung transplant recipients whose immunosuppression regimen consisted of Tac, MMF or AZA, and Pred from the time of transplant (MMF group). Survival rates and freedom from BOS were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS The SIR group had a lower incidence of BOS and viral infection (p = 0.05), and higher survival rates (p = 0.004). The SIR group had lower levels of Tac and received less Pred. The incidences of acute rejection, carcinoma, hypertension, and diabetes were similar between both groups. CONCLUSIONS Results from this study suggest that conversion to SIR 1 year after lung transplantation improves survival and decreases the development of BOS. Randomized studies with higher number of patients are needed to determine the prophylactic efficacy of sirolimus in preventing the development of BOS.

Results of beating heart mitral valve surgery via the trans-septal approach

OBJECTIVE Mitral valve surgery can be performed through the trans-atrial or the trans-septal approach. Although the trans-atrial is the preferred method, the trans-septal approach has also been used recently and has a particular value in beating-heart mitral valve surgery. Herein we report our experience with beating-heart mitral valve surgery via trans-septal approach, and discuss its advantages and pitfalls. METHODS Between 2000 and 2007, 214 consecutive patients were operated upon utilizing beating heart technique for mitral valve surgery. The operation was performed via transseptal approach with the aorta unclamped, the heart beating, with normal electrocardiogram and in sinus rhythm. RESULTS Mean age was 56.03 +/- 13.93 years (range: 19-86 years; median: 56 years). There were 131 (61.2%) males and 83 (38.8%) females. Of the prostheses used, 108 (50.5%) were biological, and 39 (18.2%) were mechanical. Mitral repairs were performed in 67 (31.3%) patients. Mean hospital stay was 17.4 +/- 20.0 days (range: 3-135 days; median: 11 days). Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) utilization was required in 12 (5.6%) of 214 patients. One-month mortality was 7.4%, and re-operation for bleeding was needed in 15 (7%) patients. CONCLUSIONS Beating-heart mitral valve surgery is an option for myocardial protection in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery. This technique is facilitated by the trans-septal approach due to reduced aortic insufficiency and improved visualization of the mitral apparatus.

Successful use of a custom-made paracorporeal total artificial heart as a bridge to retransplantation in adult and adolescent patients.

Because the currently available total artificial hearts are rather bulky, the use of a custom-made paracorporeal total artificial heart constructed with 2 ventricular assist devices is an alternative for children and adults with small stature. This article reports our experience using this system in an adult and a pediatric patient. The advantages and disadvantages of this technique are discussed.