Herbert Hangler

Combined CMV prophylaxis improves outcome and reduces the risk for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) after lung transplantation.

Background. The benefit of cytomegalovirus (CMV) hyperimmune globuline in preventing CMV infection after lung transplantation still remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of combined prophylaxis using ganciclovir (GAN) and CMV hyperimmune globulin (CMV-IG) on CMV infection, CMV disease, survival and its role in preventing Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). Methods. A consecutive series of 68 CMV high-risk lung transplant recipients (D+/R−, D+/R+), who had a minimum follow-up of 1 year posttransplant were analyzed. Thirty patients (44.1%) received single GAN prophylaxis for 3 months (control group) and 38 recipients (55.9%) received GAN together with CMV-IG 7 times during the first postoperative month (study group). Median follow-up was 16.5 months in the control and 23.8 months in the study group (P=0.54). Results. Five CMV-related deaths (16.7%) occurred in the control group (P=0.014). Fifteen recipients suffered from CMV pneumonitis and three patients had CMV syndrome. In the control group, 13 recipients (43.3%) suffered from clinically manifested CMV disease compared to 5 (13.2%) in the study group (P=0.007). Additionally, recipient survival was significantly better in the study group (P=0.01). One year freedom from CMV affection was 52.1% in the control and 71.5% in the study group (P=0.027). Three-year freedom from BOS was significantly higher in the study group (54.3% vs. 82%, P=0.024). Conclusions. In CMV high risk patients, additional CMV-IG administration seems to be effective to reduce CMV-related morbidity and to avoid CMV-related mortality. Reduced incidence of BOS may result from improved CMV prevention, although randomized trials are warranted.

Modification of surgical technique for ascending aortic atherosclerosis: impact on stroke reduction in coronary artery bypass grafting

OBJECTIVE Use of epiaortic scanning in coronary surgery is still a matter of debate. It is unclear whether the findings obtained by epiaortic scanning lead to effective changes in surgical technique that may reduce stroke rates. METHODS Epiaortic scanning was performed in 352 patients undergoing primary coronary artery bypass grafting before opening the pericardium using a 7.5-MHz ultrasonic probe. In the presence of moderate atherosclerosis (maximum aortic wall thickness of 3 to 5 mm), primarily single aortic crossclamping was carried out. In cases of severe sclerosis (maximum aortic wall thickness > 5 mm), aortic no-touch techniques on the beating heart were used. RESULTS The degree of ascending aortic atherosclerosis was normal or mild in 151 patients (42.9%), moderate in 167 patients (47.5%), and severe in 34 patients (9.6%). The operative technique was modified in 31.1% of patients with moderate aortic sclerosis and in 91.2% of patients with severe aortic sclerosis. Perioperative mortality was 0.0% for mild disease, 3.0% for moderate disease, and 8.8% for severe disease (P =.005). Corresponding stroke rates reached 2.0%, 2.4%, and 2.9% (P =.935). Logistic regression adjusting for EuroSCORE showed that ascending aortic atherosclerosis was an independent predictor of perioperative mortality (P =.013, odds ratio 1.67, confidence interval 1.11-2.50). The influence of aortic disease on the stroke prevalence was probably due to chance (P =.935), demonstrating a potentially positive effect of operative modifications concerning stroke caused by aortic manipulation. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that intraoperative screening of coronary artery bypass grafting patients by epiaortic scanning can reveal useful information about the operative risk and with an aortic no-touch concept, perioperative stroke rates in high-risk patients may be lower than predicted.

Transvenous Pacemaker Lead Removal Is Safe and Effective Even in Large Vegetations: An Analysis of 53 Cases of Pacemaker Lead Endocarditis

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether transvenous lead removal is safe and effective in patients with lead vegetations greater than 1 cm in size.

Effects of vasopressin and epinephrine on splanchnic blood flow and renal function during and after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in pigs.

Objective: To compare the effects of vasopressin versus epinephrine on splanchnic blood flow during and after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and to evaluate the effects of these vasopressors on renal function in the postresuscitation phase. Design: Prospective, randomized laboratory investigation using an established porcine CPR model with instrumentation for continuous measurement of splanchnic and renal blood flow. Setting: University hospital experimental laboratory. Subjects: A total of 12 anesthetized, 12‐ to 16‐wk‐old domestic pigs weighing 30‐35 kg. Interventions: After 4 mins of cardiac arrest, and 3 mins of CPR, 12 pigs were randomly assigned to receive either 0.4 units/kg vasopressin (n = 6) or 45 μg/kg epinephrine (n = 6). Defibrillation was performed 5 mins after drug administration; all animals were observed for 6 hrs after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Measurements and Main Results: Mean ± SEM superior mesenteric artery blood flow was significantly (p < .05) lower after vasopressin compared with epinephrine at 90 secs after drug administration (13 ± 3 vs. 129 ± 33 mL/min); at 5 mins after drug administration (31 ± 18 vs. 155 ± 39 mL/min); at 5 mins after ROSC (332 ± 47 vs. 1087 ± 166 mL/min); and at 15 mins after ROSC (450 ± 106 vs. 1130 ± 222 mL/min); respectively. Mean ± SEM left renal and hepatic artery blood flow after ROSC was comparable in both groups ranging between 120‐290 mL/min (renal blood flow), and 150‐360 mL/min (hepatic blood flow), respectively. Median urine output after ROSC showed no difference between groups, and highest values (180‐220 mL/hr) were observed in the first 60 mins after ROSC. Median calculated glomerular filtration rate showed no difference between groups with values ranging between 30 and 80 mL/min in the postresuscitation phase. Calculated fractional sodium excretion and osmolar relationship between urea and plasma indicated no evidence for renal tubular dysfunction. Conclusions: In the early postresuscitation phase, superior mesenteric blood flow was temporarily impaired by vasopressin in comparison with epinephrine. With respect to renal blood flow and renal function after ROSC, there was no difference between either vasopressor given during CPR. Vasopressin given during CPR did not result in an antidiuretic state in the postresuscitation phase.

Coronary endothelial injury after local occlusion on the human beating heart

BACKGROUND Occlusion of coronary arteries during beating heart surgery bears the potential for mechanical trauma to the arterial wall with consequent endothelial injury. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of local occlusion on the beating heart in human coronary arteries. METHODS Coronary arteries of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 7) or ischemic heart disease (n = 10) undergoing heart transplantation were locally occluded after starting cardiopulmonary bypass. Immediately after excision of the diseased heart, the vessels were fixed. Unoccluded segments served as controls. Integrity of endothelial lining was observed with scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS Scanning electron microscopy revealed significantly more severe endothelial injury in the area of occlusion than in the adjacent, not manipulated control segments. In the region of local occlusion, plaque rupture was noted in three of 34 atherosclerotic vessel specimens, injury to side branches was evident in two of 44, and local microthrombus formation was evident in six of 44 samples. CONCLUSIONS Local occlusion of human coronary arteries during beating heart coronary surgery may cause focal endothelial denudation, local microthrombosis, atherosclerotic plaque rupture, and injury to target vessel side branches.

Myocardial damage after minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting on the beating heart

BACKGROUND In conventional coronary artery bypass grafting, the rate of perioperative myocardial infarction is reported in the 2% to 6% range; however, significantly higher rates are observed if sensitive myocardial marker proteins are used to detect perioperative myocardial damage. For minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting, few data are available concerning myocardial marker protein release. METHODS Fifteen consecutive patients (11 male, 4 female; mean age, 59.6 +/- 8.5 years) received minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting procedures via minithoracotomy on the beating heart. Electrocardiography and transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography as well as determination of creatine kinase-MB mass concentration and cardiac troponin I level were used for ischemic monitoring. RESULTS One patient had a perioperative myocardial infarction according to standard criteria and died despite mechanical circulatory support. Determination of cardiac troponin I level showed small but definitive ischemic damage in 4 of 9 patients (44%) who presented transient ischemic signs intraoperatively or postoperatively. In 2 of these 4 patients pathologic findings could be detected on angiographic restudies. CONCLUSIONS Subclinical myocardial injury is a common event in minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting on the beating heart. Cardiac troponin I could serve as an adequate diagnostic tool for diagnosis of perioperative myocardial infarction in minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting.

The Influence of High Versus Normal Impedance Ventricular Leads on Pacemaker Generator Longevity

As pacemaker generator longevity is dependent on current consumption and resistance of the pacing lead, the use of a high impedance pacing lead theoretically results in an extension of battery longevity. Therefore, the effect of high versus standard impedance ventricular leads on generator longevity was studied. In 40 patients (21 women, age 73 ± 13 years) with a standard dual chamber pacemaker indication, a bipolar standard impedance ventricular lead was implanted in 20 patients, the remaining patients received a bipolar high impedance lead in a randomized fashion. All patients received identical pacemaker generators and atrial leads. The estimated longevity of the generator was calculated automatically by a programmed pacemaker algorithm. After a mean follow‐up of 39 ± 4.8 months, no significant differences were observed with respect to mean pacing and sensing thresholds of the atrial and ventricular leads in both groups. However, the high impedance leads displayed a significantly higher impedance and a significantly lower current drain as compared to standard impedance leads (1,044 ± 139 vs 585 ± 90 Ω, and 2.2 ± 0.4 vs 4.3 ± 1.1 mA). The extrapolated generator longevity was significantly longer in the high impedance lead group, as compared to the standard impedance lead group (107.3 ± 8.5 vs 97.6 ± 9.0 months; P = 0.02). In conclusion, implantation of a high impedance lead for ventricular pacing results in a clinically relevant extension of generator longevity. (PACE 2003; 26:2116–2120)

Shunt or Snare: Coronary Endothelial Damage due to Hemostatic Devices for Beating Heart Coronary Surgery

BACKGROUND Occlusion of coronary arteries during off-pump coronary bypass operations bears the potential for endothelial injury. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of hemostatic devices on the beating heart in human coronaries by means of scanning electron microscopy. METHODS The coronary arteries of 9 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and 13 with ischemic heart disease undergoing heart transplantation were handled with intracoronary shunts as well as external snaring techniques on a beating heart, after cannulation but before starting cardiopulmonary bypass. Adjacent noninstrumented coronary artery segments served as controls. Integrity of endothelial lining was observed with scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS Nearly all coronary artery segments manipulated with a shunt exhibited a severe injury with extensive endothelial denudation. Endothelial injury was significantly higher after manipulation with intracoronary shunts compared with external occlusion devices (p < 0.001) or control specimens (p < 0.001). Plaque rupture was apparent in 3 samples. CONCLUSIONS Manipulation of human coronary arteries during off-pump operations leads to endothelial denudation and plaque rupture. From this investigation we conclude that insertion of intracoronary shunts during beating heart operations leads to severe endothelial denudation in human coronary arteries. We therefore recommend using shunts selectively in cases where critical ischemia or technical difficulties due to anatomic conditions are expected during anastomosis. The clinical significance of these structural damages has to be further investigated with clinical trials.

Inferior vena caval loop of an endocardial pacing lead did not solve the growth problem in a child.

ANTRETTER, H., et al.: Inferior Vena Caval Loop of an Endocardial Pacing Lead Did Not Solve the Growth Problem in a Child. This report describes a transvenous pacemaker lead insertion into a childs right ventricle with a loop formed within the inferior vena cava to allow growth. Five years later emergency revision was necessary because of loss of capture. The expected lead release had not taken place.

Remote access perfusion for minimally invasive cardiac surgery: to clamp or to inflate?

OBJECTIVES Endoaortic balloon occlusion (EBO) and aortic transthoracic clamping (TTC) are the dominant methods of remote access perfusion (RAP) in minimally invasive cardiac surgery. The aim of the study was to compare the two methods in terms of feasibility, success and complications. METHODS From June 2001 to November 2011, 307 (median age; range) (57; 16-77 years) and 460 (62; 11-88 years) patients underwent minimally invasive CABG, ASD and mitral valve surgery using EBO and TTC, respectively. Perioperative procedure feasibility, success and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS Overall 30-day mortality was 0 and 2 (0.43%) for the EBO and TTC groups, respectively (P = 0.52). Overall and RAP-associated conversions were noted in 21 (6.8%) and 4 (1.3%) patients in the EBO and in 9 (2%) and 6 (1.3%) patients in the TTC groups (P < 0.001, P = 1.00, respectively). Incidence of major complications, including aortic dissection, major vessel perforation, injury of intrapericardial structures, limb ischaemia, myocardial infarction and neurologic events, was similar [EBO: 12 (4%); TTC: 11 (2.4%); P = 0.23]. Minor complications such as minor vessel injury, groin bleeding or lymphatic fistula were noted in 31 (10.1%) and 35 (7.6%), respectively (P = 0.23). Successful RAP procedures defined as absence of RAP-associated conversions and major complications were equal [EBO: 295 (96%); TTC: 449 (97.6%); P = 0.23]. Complications detected during follow-up included pain: 30 of 249 (12%) and 13 of 279 (4.7%) (P = 0.002); sensational disturbances: 60 of 249 (24.1%) and 40 of 278 (14.4%) (P = 0.005) and wound-healing complications: 49 of 249 (19.7%) and 42 of 277 (15.2%) (P = 0.172) for EBO and TTC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS RAP can be successfully and safely implemented in minimally invasive cardiac surgery. EBO and transthoracic clamping of the ascending aorta are performing equally in terms of feasibility and procedural success.