Dominique Blin

Prevalence, therapeutic management and medium-term prognosis of spontaneous coronary artery dissection : results from a database of 11,605 patients

OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence, clinical presentation, therapeutic management and medium-term prognosis of spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). METHODS Over a 5-year period, and out of a cath-lab database of 11,605 files, 23 cases of SCAD were confirmed by re-analysis of angiograms. Therapeutic management and in-hospital outcome were obtained from medical files and prospective follow-up was performed. RESULTS The population consisted of 17 women and 6 men (mean age 45 years). A total of 83% of men had >/=2 cardiovascular risk factors versus only 35% of women (p=0.07). Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) was the clinical presentation in 21 cases (ST+ 61%). The prevalence of SCAD was: 0.2% in the whole population (men: 0.07%, women: 0.6%, p<0.001), and 8.7% and 10.8% in women <50 years with ACS and ST+ ACS, respectively. Left and right coronary arteries were involved in 20 (87%) and 3 (13%) cases, respectively. Coronary stenting alone was performed in 8 (35%), bypass surgery alone in 2 (9%), and both in 3 (13%) cases. Ten patients (44%) were medically managed. One patient died during hospitalization. At 1-year follow-up (100%), 77% of discharged patients were event-free. One patient died, four experienced heart failure, and none had angina or new ACS. CONCLUSION SCAD is observed in as much as 1 out 10 women <50 years presenting with ACS. After immediate coronary angiography, medical therapy is the chosen strategy in half of cases. Most patients who survive the acute phase are free from coronary events at 1 year.

An aortic ring: From physiologic reconstruction of the root to a standardized approach for aortic valve repair

OBJECTIVE We suggest standardizing aortic valve repair using a physiologic approach by associating root remodeling with resuspension of the cusp effective height and external subvalvular aortic ring annuloplasty. METHODS A total of 187 patients underwent remodeling associated with subvalvular aortic ring annuloplasty (14 centers, 24 surgeons). Three strategies for cusp repair were evaluated: group 1, gross visual estimation (74 patients); group 2, alignment of cusp free edges (62 patients); and group 3, 2-step approach, alignment of the cusp free edges and effective height resuspension (51 patients). The composite outcome was defined as recurrence of aortic insufficiency of grade 2 or greater and/or reoperation. RESULTS The operative mortality rate was 3.2% (n = 6). Treatment of a cusp lesion was most frequently performed in group 3 (70.6% vs 20.3% in group 1 and 30.6% in group 2, P < .001). Nine patients required reoperation during a follow-up period of 24 months (range, 12-45), 6 patients in group 1 and 3 patients in group 2. At 1 year, no patients in group 3 presented with composite outcome events compared with 28.1% in group 1 and 15% in group 2 (P < .001). Residual aortic insufficiency and tricuspid anatomy were independent risk factors for the composite outcome in groups 1 and 2. The annulus diameter, the presence of Marfan syndrome, and cusp repair had no effect on aortic insufficiency recurrence or reoperation. CONCLUSIONS A standardized and physiologic approach to aortic valve repair, considering both the aorta (root remodeling) and the valve (resuspension of the cusp effective height and subvalvular ring annuloplasty) improved the preliminary results and might affect their long-term durability. The ongoing Conservative Aortic Valve Surgery for Aortic Insufficiency and Aneurysm of the Aortic Root (CAVIAAR) trial will compare this strategy to mechanical valve replacement.

An aortic ring to standardise aortic valve repair: preliminary results of a prospective multicentric cohort of 144 patients

OBJECTIVES Multiplicity of aortic valve repair or sparing techniques results in a lack of standardisation, limiting widespread adoption of such procedures. To treat dilated diameters at the aortic annular base and sinotubular junction while maintaining root dynamics, we propose a standardised and physiological repair approach to the surgical management of aortic root aneurysms, consisting of root remodelling, cusp re-suspension and subvalvular aortic ring annuloplasty. METHODS From May 2003 to September 2009, 144 unselected patients with aortic root aneurysms underwent remodelling with external subvalvular ring annuloplasty in 13 centres (21 surgeons). Preoperative aortic insufficiency (AI) > or =grade 2 was present in 63.9% (92), Marfan syndrome in 12.5% (18) and bicuspid valve in 22.9% (33). Cusp repair was performed in 40.3% (58) patients. RESULTS Valve repair was successful in all but two cases. Repair of cusp prolapse was necessary in 58 patients, significantly more frequent in bicuspid (24/33, 72.7%) than in tricuspid (34/111, 30.6%) valves (p<0.05). Operative mortality was 2.8% (four). Subvalvular ring implantation produced a significant annular base reduction from 27.6+/-2.5 mm to 20.5+/-2.6 mm (p<0.01) without significant mean trans-valvular gradient (7.2+/-1.7 mmHg). During follow-up (median 2.2 years (0.75-4.4, maximum 6.25 years)), five patients died while eight required a re-operation. Six were operated on during our early experience. Strategy for cusp re-suspension evolved over three operative periods, with a significant increase in the rate of cusp repair. From May 2003 to December 2006: eye balling evaluation (15/67 (22.4%)); from January 2007 to August 2008: alignment of cusp free edges (17/38 (44.7%)); and from September 2008 to September 2009: a two-step standardised repair consisting of alignment of cusp free edges and effective height re-suspension (26/39 (66.7%) p<0.05). Freedom from AI> or =grade 2 was 91.3% (115) at the end of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Implantation of an external aortic ring provides a reproducible technique for aortic valve repair with satisfactory preliminary results. The ongoing CAVIAAR trial (Conservative Aortic Valve surgery for aortic Insufficiency and Aneurysm of the Aortic Root) will compare this standardised repair technique using an expansible aortic ring to mechanical valve replacement.

Coronary artery bypass grafting with left internal mammary artery and right gastroepiploic artery, with and without bypass

BACKGROUND Total arterial and off-pump revascularization are increasingly used in coronary artery bypass grafting. This study describes our experience with the exclusive use of both left internal thoracic artery and gastroepiploic artery by means of a median sternotomy, with and without cardiopulmonary bypass, in a subgroup of patients with two-vessel disease. METHODS From January 1995 to July 2000, 171 consecutive patients were reviewed in a prospective database. Ninety-one patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass (group A), and 80 patients were operated on under cardiopulmonary bypass with aortic cross-clamp and cardioplegia (group B). RESULTS Patient data were similar in both groups except for the Euroscore (mean; 3.4+/-6.1, group A versus 2.5+/-4.5, group B; Euroscore > 6: 26.4%, group A versus 10%, group B; p < 0.05) and ejection fraction (mean, 54.6%+/-15.8%, group A versus 63.1%+/-12.7%, group B; p < 0.001). Severe aortic calcification was present in 6 group A patients, versus no patient in group B. Operative time was shorter in group A (185 versus 213 minutes, p < 0.0001), with less distal anastomoses (2.26 versus 2.5, p < 0.05). Conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass occurred in 1 patient, who was excluded from the study. Bleeding was higher in group A (852.6+/-288 mL versus 712.4+/-274 mL, p < 0.05), but transfusion was similar in both groups. Atrial fibrillation, postoperative inotropic support, and hospital stay were similar in both groups. Myocardial infarction was less frequent in group A (1 versus 4). Postoperative intraaortic balloon pump was used in 2 patients (group B). One patient died (group A) and 1 had an embolic stroke (group B). After discharge, 2 more patients died (group A, day 91; group B day 141), and 1 patient suffered an embolic stroke (group B). One patient in each group presented with dysfunction of the gastroepiploic artery graft requiring successful percutaneous transluminal angioplasty on the right posterolateral artery. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using the left internal thoracic artery and gastroepiploic artery is safe even in high-risk patients. This approach allows an absolute no-touch technique of the aorta.

Endovascular Stent-graft Management of Aortic Intramural Hematomas

PURPOSE To report initial experience with endovascular stent-grafting in aortic intramural hematoma (IMH). MATERIALS AND METHODS From 2000 to 2006, 15 patients (mean age, 67 years; range, 54-83 y) underwent endovascular treatment of aortic IMH. Thirteen patients were admitted for acute aortic syndrome and two for traumatic aortic injury. An endovascular procedure was performed as primary treatment for four patients (type A IMH, n = 3; type B IMH, n = 1) and as a second-line therapy in 11 patients because of unfavorable evolution (type A IMH, n = 1; type B IMH, n = 10). All stent-grafts were placed in the descending aorta, even for type A IMH. The mean follow-up was 21 months (range, 6-72 months). RESULTS The primary success rate was 93%, with complete exclusion of the lesion (n = 14). Exclusion was partial for one patient with a type I endoleak (7%). The 30-day mortality rate was zero. IMH evolution was favorable in all cases, with decreased aortic wall thickening (n = 8) or complete regression (n = 7). Complications associated with endovascular repair were mainly related to aneurysm formation (20%). The late death rate was 7%. CONCLUSIONS Endovascular stent-graft treatment can be performed in the management of complicated IMH, even in some cases of type A IMH, when an intimal lesion is located in the isthmus or descending aorta with contraindications to surgery. This procedure offers low morbidity and mortality rates, representing a feasible therapeutic option especially for elderly patients with comorbidities. Further studies are necessary to confirm these preliminary results.

Effect of topical vasodilators on gastroepiploic artery graft.

BACKGROUND Mobilization of the gastroepiploic artery (GEA) often results in a vasospasm with reduction of early graft flow. In order to prevent or suppress this highly reactive arterys spasm, we have compared the effect of 4 vasodilators, used in external application to prepare the GEA graft, prior to myocardial revascularization. METHODS WE performed a double-blind clinical study to compare the effects of external application of vasodilators on gastroepiploic artery grafts. Fifty patients, whose gastroepiploic artery was used for coronary artery bypass grafting, were randomized into 5 groups of 10 patients. Gastroepiploic artery free flow and hemodynamic measurements were evaluated immediately after harvesting, before any pharmacological manipulation, and 10 minutes after the topical application of vasodilators, respectively: papaverine, linsidomine, nicardipine, glyceryl trinitrate, and normal saline solution. RESULTS A significant increase in free flow occurred in all groups except for the normal saline solution group with measurements from 26.1+/-3.6 mL/min to 26.4+/-6.5 mL/min; p = 0.9. The most important increase in flow before and after local application occurred with glyceryl trinitrate and papaverine: from 25.5+/-2 mL/min to 50+/-6.1 mL/min (p < or = 0.01) and from 36.8+/-3.2 mL/min to 62+/-7.8 mL/min (p < 0.01) respectively. Nicardipine and linsidomine produced a less significant increase in flow: from 33.1+/-3.6 mL/min to 47.7+/-8.9 mL/min (p < 0.05) and from 28+/-3.8 mL/min to 39.8+/-7.5 mL/min (p < 0.05) respectively. When comparing percentage of flow increase, glyceryl trinitrate appeared to be significantly more efficient than nicardipine and linsidomine (p < 0.01 versus both groups). Although papaverine was more efficient than nicardipine and linsidomine, it did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS During intraoperative preparation of the GEA graft, glyceryl trinitrate and papaverine to a lesser extent, used as topical vasodilators, appear to be more efficient in external application to increase the free flow of the GEA.

Thromboxane A2 modulates cyclic AMP relaxation and production in human internal mammary artery

Abstract Two forms of thromboxane A2 (TP) receptors, TPα and TPβ receptors, have recently been cloned. These receptors regulate adenylate cyclase activity in two opposite ways: TPα receptors activate, whereas TPβ receptors inhibit adenylate cyclase and cAMP generation. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the thromboxane A2 analogue, U46619 (9,11-dideoxy-9α,11 α-methanoepoxy-prostaglandin F2α), on forskolin-induced relaxation and cAMP accumulation in human internal mammary artery (IMA) and saphenous vein (SV). In organ baths, IMA rings precontracted with U46619 (3.10−9 and 3.10−8 M) were less sensitive to forskolin than rings precontracted with methoxamine (3.10−6 M). In contrast, the sensitivity to forskolin was similar in SV rings contracted with the same concentrations of these agonists. U46619 reduced significantly the ten-fold increase in cAMP induced by forskolin in IMA but not in SV rings. Sensitivity and maximal relaxation in response to sodium nitroprusside were not altered in either IMA or SV. In summary, stimulation of TP receptors with the thromboxane A2 analogue, U46619, inhibited the cAMP pathway of relaxation through the inhibition of cAMP synthesis in human IMA but not in SV. It is suggested that thromboxane A2 may play a role in the control of muscle tone in IMA both by its potent contractile effect and by its inhibitory effect on the cAMP pathway of relaxation.

Vasorelaxant actions of enoximone, dobutamine, and the combination on human arterial coronary bypass grafts.

Enoximone (a type III-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor) and dobutamine (a beta-receptor agonist) are positive inotropic drugs frequently used in the postoperative management of coronary bypass surgery. The purpose of this study was to characterize their relaxant effects on the human internal mammary artery (IMA) and the gastroepiploic artery (GEA) and to test the hypothesis that their combination may have greater than additive relaxant effects. In organ baths, the relaxant effects of enoximone and dobutamine were tested on rings of IMA (n = 86) precontracted with U46619 (a thromboxane A2 mimetic), norepinephrine (NE), or KCl. The relaxant effects of dobutamine and enoximone also were tested on rings of GEA (n = 42) precontracted with U46619 and NE. The effect of the combination of enoximone and dobutamine were tested on rings of IMA (n = 24) precontracted with U46619 or NE. With respect to maximal relaxations induced by papaverine (10(-4) M), enoximone (< or =10(-3) M) caused full relaxations of IMA precontracted with NE, U46619, or KCI. Dobutamine (< or =10(-3) M) caused full relaxations of IMA precontracted with NE or KCI but only 46% (95% CI, 27-65) relaxation in the rings precontracted with U46619. Similar patterns of relaxation were observed in GEA rings, with dobutamine inducing partial relaxation in GEA precontracted with U46619. The pD2 values of enoximone and dobutamine were both significantly lower in segments precontracted with U46619. The in vitro threshold relaxant concentrations were in the upper limits or over the range of therapeutic plasma concentrations. The relaxant effect of the combination was significantly more important than the theoretic additive effect in IMA contracted with U46619 or NE. Enoximone and dobutamine are potent in vitro vasodilators but exert weak relaxant effects in IMA and GEA at concentrations in the therapeutic range. There is, however, a greater than additive vasorelaxant effect of the combination, suggesting that the vasorelaxant effect of the combination, in addition to the additive inotropic effect, may be beneficial to patients undergoing coronary bypass grafting.

Computer-guided pericardiocentesis: experimental results and clinical perspectives.

Percutaneous pericardial puncture is a relatively safe and effective technique in case of large pericardial effusions when practiced under echographic or radiological control. The goal of our project is to improve the performance of this technique, mainly in case of smaller and loculated effusions using an accurate guidance towards a preplanned target, based on a model of the pericardial effusion. This paper presents preclinical results of this new computer-assisted technique used to reach the pericardial cavity.The procedure is divide into 3 steps: 1. acquisition of ultrasound data, using an echocardiographic device connected to a 3-D localizer and to a computer, 2. modeling procecure to define the optimal strategy taking into account the mobility of organs on a digital model, 3. guided puncture with a localized needle to reach the predefined target using a passive guidance system. After validation on a dynamic phantom and a feasibility study on dogs, an accuracy and reliability analysis protocol was realized on pigs with experimental pericardial effusion.Feasibility of the technique is demonstrated on animal study with an accuracy of at least 2.5 mm. Further clinical investigation is in progress using a more ergonomic and less cumbersome system.This study demonstrates the feasibility of computer-assisted pericardiocentesis. Beyond the simple improvement of the current technique, this could be a new way to reach the heart or a new tool for percutaneous access and image-guided puncture of soft tissues.ZusammenfassungDie perkutane Perikardpunktion ist ein relativ sicheres und wirksames Therapieverfahren bei größeren Perikardergüssen, wenn sie unter echokardiographischer oder radiologischer Kontrolle erfolgt. Das Ziel einer computergestützten Perikardpunktion ist es, die Punktionstechnik zu verbessern und insbesondere bei kleinen und gekammerten Perikardergüssen eine gezielte Punktion vornehmen zu können. Die Untersuchungen sind Modellversuche einer Perikardpunktion im Sinne präklinischer Datenerhebung.Eine Perikardpunktion mit Computerunterstützung lässt sich in drei Schritte aufteilen: 1. echokardiographische Datenerhebung im 3-D-Format, die in einen Computer eingespeist werden, 2. Wandlung der Daten in ein digitales Modell und 3. gezielte Punktion mit einer computermäßig lokalisierbaren Nadel, um das ausgewählte Ziel (lokalisierter Perikarderguss) zu erreichen. Nach Untersuchungen an einem dynamischen Phantom sowie einer weiteren Untersuchung an Hunden wurden Genauigkeit und Verlässlichkeit des Systems an Schweinen mit einer experimentell induzierten Perikarditis geprüft.Mit Hilfe des Systems kann die Punktion mit einer Genauigkeit von mindestens 2,5 mm erfolgen. Diesen Untersuchungen folgt gegenwärtig eine klinische Erprobungsphase an Patienten mit einem für die Klinik geeigneteren Prototypen.Die Untersuchung zeigt, dass eine computergesteuerte Perikardpunktion durchführbar ist. Sie stellt darüber hinaus eine Perspektive für einen perkutanen Zugang zum Perikard mit gezielter Punktion dar und lässt sich auch an anderen Punktionsorten anwenden.

Exposed prosthesis of a complex reconstruction of the ascending aorta and aortic arch in a sternal wound infection Successful treatment by a pectoral muscle flap

A local wound infection developed in a 42-year-old female patient after replacement of ascending aorta, aortic arch and supra-aortic vessels, following aortic dissection. Because of the high risk of infection due to the vascular prosthesis and its location at the upper part of the sternum, a right pectoral muscular flap, detached from the humerus and vascularized by medial perforators originating from the internal mammary artery, was isolated. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient remains well 16 months after the operation.