Christine Watremez

Repair of Bicuspid Aortic Valves in Patients With Aortic Regurgitation

Background— Bicuspid aortic valve regurgitation can be caused by a defect in the valve itself or by dysfunction of one or more components of the aortic root complex. A successful repair thus requires correction of all aspects of the problem simultaneously. We review our experience addressing both the valve and the aortic root when correcting bicuspid valve regurgitation. Methods and Results— Between 1996 and 2004, we treated 68 patients for aortic regurgitation. Thirty patients had isolated aortic regurgitation, and 38 had an associated ascending aortic aneurysm. All patients were treated using a standardized and integrated surgical technique, which included resection of the median raphe or leaflet plication, subcommissural annuloplasty, reinforcement of the leaflet free edge, and sinotubular junction plication. In the 38 patients with proximal aortic dilatation, reimplantation or remodeling of the aortic root was performed. Immediate postoperative echocardiography showed grade ≤1 aortic regurgitation in all patients. Three patients nonetheless needed an early re-operation because of recurrent regurgitation. No hospital mortality was observed. At a mean follow-up of 34 months after surgery, all patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class 1 or 2. Two patients needed a re-operation (23 and 92 months, respectively). Echocardiographic follow-up showed no progression of the regurgitation in 58 surviving patients. Four patients progressed to grade 2 regurgitation. Conclusion— Our data indicate that regurgitant bicuspid aortic valves, whether alone or in association with a proximal aortic dilatation, can be repaired successfully provided that both the valve and the aortic root problems are treated simultaneously.

Cusp Prolapse Repair in Trileaflet Aortic Valves: Free Margin Plication and Free Margin Resuspension Techniques

BACKGROUND Cusp prolapse management is important in aortic valve (AV) sparing and repair to achieve durable results. We analyzed the midterm outcomes of two different techniques for trileaflet AV prolapse repair. METHODS Between 1996 and 2008, 376 patients underwent elective AV repair: 88 with trileaflet AV (23%) had cusp prolapse repair, plication technique was performed in 34 (39%), resuspension technique in 33 (37%) and plication plus resuspension in 21 (24%). One cusp was repaired in 55 (62%), 2 cusps in 18 (21%), and 3 cusps in 15 (17%). RESULTS No hospital deaths occurred. Patients undergoing resuspension with or without plication had more preoperative aortic insufficiency (AI; p = 0.01) and multiple cusp prolapses (p = 0.01). During follow-up (median, 41 months), 4 deaths occurred and 2 were cardiac related. Overall survival at 5 years was 95% +/- 5%. Two patients needed AV reoperation because of recurrent AI or AI plus AV stenosis. Recurrent AI grade > or =3+ developed in 4 patients; 1 with moderate AV stenosis. Freedom from reoperation at 5 years was 100% for plication, 96% +/- 4% for resuspension, and 93% +/- 7% for plication plus resuspension (p = 0.6); respective freedom from AI > or =3+ at 3 years was 100%, 92% +/- 8%, and 89% +/- 11% (p = 0.8). CONCLUSIONS Cusp plication or resuspension are efficient and durable techniques to correct cusp prolapse in the trileaflet AV. Plication is typically the first choice because of its ease of use and lower risk of overcorrection; however, free margin resuspension is useful in specific situations.

A comparison of sevoflurane, target-controlled infusion propofol, and propofol/isoflurane anesthesia in patients undergoing carotid surgery: a quality of anesthesia and recovery profile.

In a prospective randomized study in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy, we compared the hemodynamic effects, the quality of induction, and the quality of recovery from a hypnotic drug for the induction of anesthesia with sevoflurane, a target-controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol, or propofol 1.5 &mgr;g/kg followed by isoflurane. All patients were premedicated with midazolam and received sufentanil 0.4 &mgr;g/kg at induction. The induction of anesthesia was associated with a decrease in arterial blood pressure in all groups, but this was least pronounced in the Sevoflurane group. There were similar a number of episodes of hypotension, hypertension, and tachycardia among groups, but the incidence of bradycardia was less in the TCI group (P < 0.05) compared with the other groups. The duration of episodes of hypotension was shorter (P < 0.05) in the TCI Propofol group (1.9 ± 2.3 min) compared with the Sevoflurane group (4.7 ± 3.6 min). The duration of episodes of bradycardia was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the TCI Propofol group (0.1 ± 0.5 min) in comparison with the Propofol Bolus group (2.5 ± 3.9 min). Similar doses of vasoactive drugs were used in all groups. The induction of anesthesia with sevoflurane was associated with inferior conditions for intubation in comparison with both Propofol groups, although the time to intubation was faster in the Sevoflurane group (P < 0.05). The recovery characteristics were similar in the three groups.

Transesophageal echocardiographic evaluation during aortic valve repair surgery

For patients with aortic valve (AV) disease, the classic treatment has been AV replacement and this remains true for aortic stenosis. In contrast, repair of isolated aortic insufficiency (AI), with or without aortic root pathology, is emerging as a feasible and attractive option to replacement. The AV is one of the elements of the aortic root. As such, AI can develop if one or more elements of the aortic root are diseased. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiographic evaluation permits analysis of the mechanisms of aortic regurgitation as well as differentiation between repairable and unrepairable AV pathology. Immediate postrepair transesophageal echocardiography provides important information about the quality and durability of repair and identifies variables associated with recurrent AI.

Assessment and repair of aortic valve cusp prolapse : Implications for valve-sparing procedures

OBJECTIVES Cusp prolapse causing aortic insufficiency is associated with unique echocardiographic, clinical, and surgical features. Recognition and appropriate surgical repair of this pathologic condition can not only treat affected patients but also improve results of aortic valve-sparing procedures, for which pre-existing or induced cusp prolapse is an important cause of failure. METHODS Of 428 patients undergoing aortic valve repair, 195 (46%) were treated for cusp prolapse, and 111 (57%) of those had trileaflet aortic valve and make up this cohort. Cusp disease was the sole mechanism for aortic insufficiency (isolated group) in 50 patients whereas aortic dilatation was contributory in 61 (associated group). In total, 144 cusps were repaired in 111 patients. Preoperative echocardiograms, intraoperative findings, and clinical and echocardiographic outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS On preoperative echocardiography, presence of an eccentric aortic insufficiency jet, regardless of severity, had 92% sensitivity and 96% specificity for the detection of single cusp prolapse. A transverse fibrous band was characteristically identified on the prolapsing cusp (sensitivity 57%; specificity 92%), correctly localizing a prolapsing cusp in all cases. Freedom from aortic valve reoperation at 8 years was 100% in the isolated group and 93% ± 5% in the associated group (p = 0.33). Freedom from recurrent aortic insufficiency (>2+) at 5 years was 90% ± 5% in the isolated and 85% ± 8% in the associated group (P = .54). The choice of surgical technique did not affect aortic insufficiency recurrence at follow-up (P = .6). CONCLUSIONS Recognition and repair of isolated aortic cusp prolapse provides durable midterm outcome. An eccentric aortic insufficiency jet and a fibrous band can aid in the diagnosis and localization of cusp prolapse associated with ascending aortic disease and may help to improve results of aortic valve-sparing procedures.

Fibrinogen concentration significantly decreases after on-pump versus off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: a systematic point-of-care ROTEM analysis

OBJECTIVES Studies have emphasized the importance of normal fibrinogen concentrations in surgical patients. The primary hypothesis of this study was that fibrinogen levels significantly decrease in on-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery versus off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCAB) surgery. The second objective was to show that ROTEM (TEM International, GmbH, Munich, Germany) rapidly detects these abnormalities compared with standard tests. DESIGN A prospective, nonrandomized study. SETTING A university hospital. PARTICIPANTS Forty-two and 62 patients in the CABG and OPCAB groups, respectively, undergoing first-time bypass surgery were included. INTERVENTIONS CABG versus OPCAB surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Routine coagulation tests and ROTEM values were measured before anesthesia (T0), after the first dose of heparin (T1), after protamine (T2), upon intensive care unit arrival (T3), and 4 hours postoperatively (T4). The outcome measures were followed until 4 hours postoperatively. Fibrinogen concentrations were significantly lower in the CABG versus the OPCAB group at T2 (170 ± 44 v 243 ± 73 mg/dL, p < 0.001) and T3 (179 ± 42 v 232 ± 68 mg/dL, p < 0.001). This was confirmed by significantly lower FIBTEM maximal clot firmness values at T2 (9 ± 4 v 14 ± 5 mm, p < 0.001) and T3 (9 ± 4 v 13 ± 6 mm, p < 0.001). In the CABG group, patients received significantly more transfusions of all blood products except fresh frozen plasma. CONCLUSIONS Fibrinogen concentration significantly decreases after cardiopulmonary bypass. ROTEM helps in its fast detection.

Hypnosis in the Perioperative Management of Breast Cancer Surgery: Clinical Benefits and Potential Implications

The aim of this review is to summarize data published on the use of perioperative hypnosis in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery (BCS). Indeed, the majority of BCS patients experience stress, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and pain. Correct management of the perioperative period and surgical removal of the primary tumor are clearly essential but can affect patients on different levels and hence have a negative impact on oncological outcomes. This review examines the effect of clinical hypnosis performed during the perioperative period. Thanks to its specific properties and techniques allowing it to be used as complementary treatment preoperatively, hypnosis has an impact most notably on distress and postoperative pain. During surgery, hypnosis may be applied to limit immunosuppression, while, in the postoperative period, it can reduce pain, anxiety, and fatigue and improve wound healing. Moreover, hypnosis is inexpensive, an important consideration given current financial concerns in healthcare. Of course, large randomized prospective studies are now needed to confirm the observed advantages of hypnosis in the field of oncology.

Propofol-induced anaphylactoid reaction during anesthesia for cardiac surgery.

A 51-year-old man with a history of unstable angina was scheduled for CABG surgery. He had no history of a prior general anesthetic or allergies. He sustained a Q-wave inferior myocardial infarction 12 years ago, and his ejection fraction was 54%. Current medications were nisoldipine, 5 mg, a calcium channel blocker; celiprolol, 200 mg, a P-blocker; and md the peak inspiratory pressures were normal. Intravenous epinephrine was administered at a dose of 200 pg, repeated 1 minute later, and followed by a continuous infusion at a rate of 0.2 pg/kg/min. The propofol infdsion was then stopped. In addition, hemodynamic stabilization required volume loading with crystalloids and the percutaneous placement of an intraaortic balloon pump. Isoflurane was gradually introduced with midazolam and a continuous infusion of morphine to replace the anesthetic drugs used during the induction. As the hemodynamics improved, epinephrine was progressively reduced and discontinued over 90 minutes. The surgical procedure was uneventful. Weaning hrn cardiopulmonary bypass was possible without inotropes. Extubation was performed 8 hours

The dose of hydroxyethyl starch 6% 130/0.4 for fluid therapy and the incidence of acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery: A retrospective matched study

The safety of hydroxyethyl starches (HES) is still under debate. No studies have compared different dosing regimens of HES in cardiac surgery. We analyzed whether the incidence of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) differed taking into account a weight-adjusted cumulative dose of HES 6% 130/0.4 for perioperative fluid therapy. This retrospective cohort study included all adult patients undergoing elective or emergency cardiac surgery with or without cardiopulmonary bypass. Exclusion criteria were patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT), cardiac trauma surgery, heart transplantation, patients with ventricular assist devices, subjects who required a surgical revision for bleeding and those whose medical records were incomplete. Primary endpoint was AKI following the creatinine based RIFLE classification. Secondary endpoints were 30-day mortality and RRT. Patients were divided into 2 groups whether they had received a cumulative HES dose of < 30 mL/kg (Low HES) or ≥ 30 mL/kg (High HES) during the intra- and postoperative period. A total of 1501 patients were analyzed with 983 patients in the Low HES and 518 subjects in the High HES group. 185 (18.8%) patients in the Low HES and 119 (23.0%) patients in the High HES group developed AKI (P = 0.06). In multivariable regression analysis the dose of HES administered per weight was not associated with AKI. After case-control matching 217 patients were analyzed in each group. AKI occurred in 39 (18.0%) patients in the Low HES and 50 (23.0%) patients in the High HES group (P = 0.19). In conditional regression analysis performed on the matched groups a lower weight-adjusted dose of HES was significantly associated with a reduced incidence of AKI [(Odds Ratio (95% CI) = 0.825 (0.727–0.936); P = 0.003]. In the absence of any safety study the cumulative dose of modern HES in cardiac surgery should be kept less than 30 mL/kg.

An increase in endogenous erythropoietin concentrations has no cardioprotective effects in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery

OBJECTIVE Preliminary data showed an increase in endogenous erythropoietin (EPO) concentrations after acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Numerous studies have shown the organ protective properties of EPO. The aim of this study was to investigate the cardioprotective effects of these increased EPO concentrations that resulted from ANH during cardiac surgery. DESIGN A prospective, randomized, blind study. SETTING A university hospital. PARTICIPANTS A total of 93 patients undergoing isolated CABG surgery with or without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). INTERVENTIONS Subjects with CPB were randomized into the control (C) or ANH group. Those in the off-pump coronary artery bypass group underwent no treatment. In the ANH group, a precalculated amount of blood was withdrawn and replaced by colloids after the induction of anesthesia. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Hemodynamic parameters were recorded intra- and postoperatively. Troponin concentrations were measured as a routine parameter postoperatively. Upon intensive care unit arrival, the EPO levels were higher in the ANH group than in the C group. There was no significant difference between the troponin values of the C and the ANH groups at 4 hours postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS In patients undergoing CABG surgery on CPB, an increase in endogenous EPO concentrations in the physiologic range has no cardioprotective effects.