Santiago Miro

Apical Aortic Valve Implantation in a Patient With a Mechanical Valve Prosthesis in Mitral Position

A 67-year-old man diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis was admitted to our institution with pulmonary edema. The patient had a history of severe pulmonary fibrosis (total lung capacity, 57% of predicted value; diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, 33% of predicted value) and had undergone coronary bypass grafting and mitral valve replacement with a St Jude mechanical valve (St Jude Medical, St Paul, Minn) 18 years ago. Doppler echocardiography showed a mean aortic gradient of 36 mm Hg, an aortic valve area of 0.50 cm2, and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 45%. Although the mean predicted operative mortality by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 7.5%, the patient was considered at too high risk for surgical aortic valve replacement because of his pulmonary condition, and he was then evaluated for percutaneous aortic valve implantation (PAVI). Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) showed an aortic annulus of 23 mm as well as proximity between the mitral prosthesis and the aortic annulus (Figure 1A). Contrast computed tomography showed the presence of moderate stenosis and severe calcification of both iliofemoral arteries precluding …

Adjustments in cardiorespiratory function after pneumonectomy: Results of the pneumonectomy project

OBJECTIVE To assess lung function, gas exchange, exercise capacity, and right-sided heart hemodynamics, including pulmonary artery pressure, in patients long term after pneumonectomy. METHODS Among 523 consecutive patients who underwent pneumonectomy for lung cancer between January 1992 and September 2001, 117 were alive in 2006 and 100 were included in the study. During a 1-day period, each patient had complete medical history, chest radiographs, pulmonary function studies, resting arterial blood gas analysis, 6-minute walk test, and Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS Most patients (N = 73) had no or only minimal dyspnea. On the basis of predicted values, functional losses in forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity were 38% ± 18% and 31% ± 24%, respectively, and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity decreased by 31% ± 18%. There was a significant correlation between preoperative and postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second (P < .01), and more hyperinflation was associated with better lung function (P < .01 for forced expiratory volume in 1 second). Gas exchange was normal at rest (Pao(2) = 88 ± 10 mm Hg; Paco(2) = 42 ± 3 mm Hg), and exercise tolerance (6-minute walk) was also normal (83% ± 17% of predicted values). Thirty-two patients had some degree of pulmonary hypertension, but in most of those cases, it was mild to moderate (mean systolic pressure of 36 ± 9 mm Hg) and not associated with significant differences in lung function (P = .57 for forced expiratory volume in 1 second), gas exchange (P = .08), and exercise capacity (P = .66). CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that despite worsening of lung function by approximately 30% after pneumonectomy, most patients can adjust to living with only 1 lung. Pulmonary hypertension is uncommon and in most cases only mild to moderate.

Long-Term Physiological Consequences of Pneumonectomy

Ever since the first successful pneumonectomy for lung cancer was performed in 1933, a number of largely historical reports have attempted to look at the physiological consequences of this operation in order to define patient long-term functional status. The pertinence of these contributions is, however, limited because most were performed in patients who had their pneumonectomy for benign diseases or were carried out in small and heterogeneous populations. Thus, several surgical myths and beliefs such as phrenic nerve interruption at the time of operation might be desirable, marked hyperinflation of the residual lung is associated with reduced lung function, and patients develop pulmonary hypertension over time and have poor exercise tolerance have persisted over the years. Our findings based on a study of 100 patients evaluated 5 or more years after surgery (mean follow-up time, 9.1 ± 2.8 years [5.0-14.7 years]) show that most patients can adjust to living with only one lung and are thus able to live a near-normal life. Although diaphragmatic paralysis is characterized by significant alterations in respiratory function, hyperinflation of the residual lung is beneficial.

Large Free-Floating Intra-Aortic Thrombus

A 56-year-old woman was admitted with chronic chest and back pain with recent exacerbation. Cardiac enzyme levels and ECG were normal. Her history was positive for a patent ductus arteriosus ligation at 13 years of age and a total left mastectomy owing to cancer 4 months earlier. Her son died at 30 years of age as a result of type A aortic dissection. A chest computed …

Correlative Anatomy for Thoracic Inlet; Glottis and Subglottis; Trachea, Carina, and Main Bronchi; Lobes, Fissures, and Segments; Hilum and Pulmonary Vascular System; Bronchial Arteries and Lymphatics

Because it is relatively inexpensive and universally available, standard radiographs of the thorax should still be viewed as the primary screening technique to look at the anatomy of intrathoracic structures and to investigate airway or pulmonary disorders. Modern trained thoracic surgeons must be able to correlate surgical anatomy with what is seen on more advanced imaging techniques, however, such as CT or MRI. More importantly, they must be able to recognize the indications, capabilities, limitations, and pitfalls of these imaging methods.