James R. Skinner

Percutaneous Initiation of Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Improved technology has allowed us to develop support pumps that can be applied rapidly and safely. A system utilizing thin-walled (4 mm inner diameter) percutaneously inserted sheaths has been designed for rapid bedside arterial and central venous cannulation to establish femoral arterial and venous cardiopulmonary bypass. The system utilizes two 30-cm-long large-bore, thin-walled (end and side holes) venous cannulas and a single 15-cm-long (end hole) arterial reperfusion cannula, which is connected to a pediatric oxygenator and a vortex pump head. Five patients with refractory cardiac arrest who could not be resuscitated by conventional means were revived with this system. Application time was approximately five minutes. This system appears to be an easily applied and reliable short-term mechanical support device.

Internal Mammary Artery versus Saphenous Vein Graft to the Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery: Prospective Randomized Study with 10-Year Follow-up

In 1975, 80 patients undergoing revascularization were prospectively randomized to receive either a greater saphenous vein (SV) graft (41 patients, Group 1) or a left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft (39 patients, Group 2) to the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). All patients were completely revascularized. The average number of grafts per patient in both groups was 3.2. Patients were followed 10 years; follow-up was 97.5% complete. Group 1 and Group 2 were compared in regard to mortality, treadmill response, myocardial infarction, reoperation, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, and return to work. Mortality in Group 1 was 17.9% versus 7.7% in Group 2 (p less than 0.05). Treadmill studies were positive in 17 Group 1 patients and 7 Group 2 patients (p less than 0.05). Myocardial infarctions occurred in 8 patients in Group 1 versus 3 in Group 2. The number of reoperations was 2 in Group 1 versus 1 in Group 2. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was performed in 3 patients in Group 1 and 2 in Group 2. Repeat studies revealed 76.3% patency of the SV graft to the LAD (Group 1) and 94.6% patency of the LIMA graft to the LAD (Group 2). Cardiac-related mortality in Group 1 was 12.8% at 10 years (5 patients) versus 7.7% in Group 2 (3 patients). Based on this study, the IMA is a superior conduit for bypass to the LAD.

Percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass: Application and indication for use

Percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was used in 22 patients: 7 patients with cardiac arrest due to acute myocardial infarction; 4 patients in cardiac arrest because of failed angioplasty; 1 patient for high-risk elective angioplasty; 1 patient with massive pulmonary emboli; 2 patients with hypothermia; 2 pediatric patients (1 with sepsis and 1 in combination with extracorporeal membrane oxygenator support); 1 patient with refractory arrhythmia; and 4 patients with trauma. Percutaneous CPB involves a modified Seldinger technique that is easily applied. All patients except those with massive trauma were resuscitated with the use of percutaneous CPB. One patient requiring a very difficult proposed angioplasty received percutaneous CPB support while triple-vessel angioplasty was performed. Percutaneous CPB appears to be beneficial in resuscitating patients with refractory cardiac arrest or other forms of circulatory collapse except trauma. Limited use for brief periods in high-risk patients having elective angioplasty might be applicable.

Reperfusion Protocol and Results in 738 Patients with Evolving Myocardial Infarction

Reperfusion is an accepted therapy for evolving myocardial infarction (MI), as successful reperfusion reduces morbidity and mortality. A team approach between the cardiologists and cardiac surgeons must be applied to achieve reperfusion within a finite time from the onset of coronary thrombosis. Analysis of 738 patients grouped them by successful reperfusion in the catheterization laboratory versus the operating room. Factors that predict wall motion recovery related to the onset of clinical symptoms, time to reperfusion, coronary anatomy, and collateral network were reviewed. Comparisons were made between patients with stable versus unstable hemodynamics and successful or unsuccessful reperfusion. Of the 738 patients, the initial attempt at reperfusion was made in the catheterization laboratory with success in 331. These patients all had primarily single-vessel disease. With multiple-vessel disease identified at catheterization, 189 patients were immediately treated by surgical reperfusion. This method also was used for an additional 72 patients in whom reperfusion could not be achieved in the catheterization laboratory. Of the entire group of 738 patients, 146 (20%) could not be reperfused. Overall mortality for the 592 patients reperfused was 4.9% compared with 17% for those who could not be reperfused. Time was critical for wall motion recovery if no collaterals were demonstrated on angiography. If collaterals were present, time to reperfusion was not critical. Wall motion recovered in 90% of the patients if the endocardial anatomy on the initial angiogram was smooth. However, if the endocardial anatomy looked mottled and irregular, less than 10% of patients had recovery of wall motion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Correction of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection below the diaphragm

Six infants with total anomalous pulmonary venous connection below the diaphragm had correction by modification of conventional surgical technique. Catheterization revealed the confluence of the pulmonary veins draining into a descending vein below the diaphragm. Symptoms of pulmonary venous hypertension and low cardiac output were typical. All had repair with circulatory arrest (average time, 32 minutes). Mobilization of the pulmonary veins and the descending vein is important. The descending vein was transected at the diaphragm. Its anterior surface was incised through the confluence of the pulmonary veins, thus creating an open Y incision. This large Y-shaped vein was anastomosed to the left atrium and carried obliquely to the tip of the left atrial appendage. The anastomosis was fashioned so that the long limb of the Y rotated anteriorly and superiorly to substantially enlarge the left atrium, making the total diameter of the anastomosis larger than the mitral valve orifice. This simplified the surgical repair and allowed direct suture closure of the atrial septal defect in all patients, as the left atrial size was at least doubled. No postoperative complications occurred, and the patients were discharged an average of 4.2 days postoperatively. Restudy at an average of 3.5 years revealed normal pressures and normal architecture by angiography. Use of the descending vein as an integral part of the reconstruction and enlargement of the left atrium was the major technical factor leading to a successful outcome in these patients and eliminating a patch or transposition of the atrial septum.

Hematocrit Changes After Uncomplicated Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

Abstract Certain aspects of percutaneous transhuninal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), such as blood loss during PTCA, have not been investigated. This study reports blood loss in 90 patients undergoing uncomplicated successful PTCA.

Disrupted coronary artery caused by angioplasty: Supportive and surgical considerations

Of 2,859 patients having percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, 201 (7%) underwent emergency coronary artery bypass grafting. Two categories of patients were reviewed. Group 1 consisted of 126 patients of 2,304 who had immediate coronary artery bypass grafting after failed elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Ninety-eight of these patients had angiographic evidence of occlusion of a coronary artery, and 28 had angiographic evidence of coronary artery dissection. Epicardial hemorrhage was observed at operation in 20% (25 patients). Three deaths (2.4%) occurred in group 1, and an average of 3.3 grafts was performed per patient. Group 2 comprised 75 of 555 patients who had unsuccessful attempted percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty during an evolving myocardial infarction and required immediate coronary artery bypass grafting. Angiography revealed coronary artery occlusion in 61 patients with dissection in 14. All group 2 patients had evidence of myocardial injury by electrocardiographic and enzymatic (myocardial-specific isoenzyme of creatine kinase) criteria. Three deaths (4%) occurred in this group, and there was an average of 3.4 grafts per patient. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is routinely performed without surgical consultation, although an operating room and team are usually available. Supportive techniques include the intraaortic balloon pump and percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass. In those patients with coronary artery dissection, care must be taken to reestablish the true lumen of the coronary artery. Hemopericardium should be surgically explored and broken guidewires or other foreign bodies or debris removed. From 1979 through 1986, the number of patients requiring emergency coronary artery bypass grafting after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty steadily declined to less than 5%.

Natural history of surgically treated ventricular aneurysm

Forty-one patients underwent resection of a postinfarction ventricular aneurysm. Thirty-seven of them had associated saphenous vein grafting procedures (average, 2.3 grafts per patient). Thirty-five patients sustained left ventricular dysfunction preoperatively. Forty patients were followed until death or for a minimum of five years (1 was lost to follow-up), and functional status was evaluated. Hospital mortality was 12%. Twenty-four patients survived five years or longer, and 20 patients were alive after a mean follow-up of 84 months. Eighty percent of the nonsurvivors died of atherosclerosis-related events. Forty-nine percent of the patients who survived the operation sustained severe atherosclerotic events postoperatively. Only 2 of 15 nonsurvivors ever regained functional status as judged by return to work. Twelve of the 20 long-term survivors returned to work. Of those patients less than 50 years old at operation, only 17% returned to work. Preoperative left ventricular function was a significant predictor of long-term functional results of aneurysmectomy and saphenous vein grafting. All patients remained at high risk for continued events related to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and only 37% returned to full-time, preoperative work status. Return to productive status was especially disappointing in patients less than 50 years old.

A Technique for Immediate Manual External Aortic Counterpulsation during Cardiac Surgery

Intraaortic balloon pump counterpulsation is well established as a lifesaving measure. Aortic counterpulsation may be achieved externally as well as internally. A simple technique for manual external aortic counterpulsation during cardiovascular surgical procedures is presented. This technique is available on immediate demand and identical in effect to intraaortic balloon pumping, and it may be lifesaving in patients with acute cardiovascular decompensation since it allows time for institution of necessary emergency therapy.

Emergency Revascularization-Reply

In Reply.— From 1975, until the advent of streptokinase and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, our only means for coronary reperfusion during evolving MI was direct revascularization. Since the advent of streptokinase and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, alternate means have become available. If these alternate means are successful—and in our experience they have been in a large percentage of the cases—then we see no need to invade the patients surgically, as suggested by Dr Reid in his letter. We also state unequivocally in our manuscript that if adequate reperfusion by nonsurgical means is unsuccessful (single-vessel disease) with streptokinase alone or combined with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, then immediate surgery is carried out. We certainly agree with Dr Reid that single coronary artery occlusion can be catastrophically fatal, and either our article did not state it strongly enough or he misread the fact that reperfusion is our therapeutic end point and goal.