Stanton K. Shernan

EAE/ASE recommendations for image acquisition and display using three-dimensional echocardiography.

Roberto M. Lang, MD, FASE*‡, Luigi P. Badano, MD, FESC†‡, Wendy Tsang, MD*, David H. Adams, MD*, Eustachio Agricola, MD†, Thomas Buck, MD, FESC†, Francesco F. Faletra, MD†, Andreas Franke, MD, FESC†, Judy Hung, MD, FASE*, Leopoldo Pérez de Isla, MD, PhD, FESC†, Otto Kamp, MD, PhD, FESC†, Jaroslaw D. Kasprzak, MD, FESC†, Patrizio Lancellotti, MD, PhD, FESC†, Thomas H. Marwick, MBBS, PhD*, Marti L. McCulloch, RDCS, FASE*, Mark J. Monaghan, PhD, FESC†, Petros Nihoyannopoulos, MD, FESC†, Natesa G. Pandian, MD*, Patricia A. Pellikka, MD, FASE*, Mauro Pepi, MD, FESC†, David A. Roberson, MD, FASE*, Stanton K. Shernan, MD, FASE*, Girish S. Shirali, MBBS, FASE*, Lissa Sugeng, MD*, Folkert J. Ten Cate, MD†, Mani A. Vannan, MBBS, FASE*, Jose Luis Zamorano, MD, FESC, FASE†, and William A. Zoghbi, MD, FASE*

The safety of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography: a case series of 7200 cardiac surgical patients.

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is an invaluable intraoperative diagnostic monitor that is considered to be relatively safe and noninvasive. Insertion and manipulation of the TEE probe, however, may cause oropharyngeal, esophageal, or gastric trauma. We report the incidence of intraoperative TEE-associated complications in a single-center series of 7200 adult cardiac surgical patients. Information related to intraoperative TEE-associated complications was obtained retrospectively from the intraoperative TEE data form, routine postoperative visits, and cardiac surgical morbidity and mortality data. The overall incidences of TEE-associated morbidity and mortality in the study population were 0.2% and 0%, respectively. The most common TEE-associated complication was severe odynophagia, which occurred in 0.1% of the study population. Other complications included dental injury (0.03%), endotracheal tube malpositioning (0.03%), upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (0.03%), and esophageal perforation (0.01%). TEE probe insertion was unsuccessful or contraindicated in 0.18% and 0.5% of the study population, respectively. These data suggest that intraoperative TEE is a relatively safe diagnostic monitor for the management of cardiac surgical patients.

Pharmacology and Biological Efficacy of a Recombinant, Humanized, Single-Chain Antibody C5 Complement Inhibitor in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery With Cardiopulmonary Bypass

BACKGROUND Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) induces a systemic inflammatory response that causes substantial clinical morbidity. Activation of complement during CPB contributes significantly to this inflammatory process. We examined the capability of a novel therapeutic complement inhibitor to prevent pathological complement activation and tissue injury in patients undergoing CPB. METHODS AND RESULTS A humanized, recombinant, single-chain antibody specific for human C5, h5G1.1-scFv, was intravenously administered in 1 of 4 doses ranging from 0.2 to 2.0 mg/kg before CPB. h5G1.1-scFv was found to be safe and well tolerated. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed a sustained half-life from 7.0 to 14.5 hours. Pharmacodynamic analysis demonstrated significant dose-dependent inhibition of complement hemolytic activity for up to 14 hours at 2 mg/kg. The generation of proinflammatory complement byproducts (sC5b-9) was effectively inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion. Leukocyte activation, as measured by surface expression of CD11b, was reduced (P<0.05) in patients who received 1 and 2 mg/kg. There was a 40% reduction in myocardial injury (creatine kinase-MB release, P=0.05) in patients who received 2 mg/kg. Sequential Mini-Mental State Examinations (MMSE) demonstrated an 80% reduction in new cognitive deficits (P<0.05) in patients treated with 2 mg/kg. Finally, there was a 1-U reduction in postoperative blood loss (P<0. 05) in patients who received 1 or 2 mg/kg. CONCLUSIONS A single-chain antibody specific for human C5 is a safe and effective inhibitor of pathological complement activation in patients undergoing CPB. In addition to significantly reducing sC5b-9 formation and leukocyte CD11b expression, C5 inhibition significantly attenuates postoperative myocardial injury, cognitive deficits, and blood loss. These data suggest that C5 inhibition may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for preventing complement-mediated inflammation and tissue injury.

Safety of transesophageal echocardiography.

Since its introduction into the operating room in the early 1980s, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has gained widespread use during cardiac, major vascular, and transplantation surgery, as well as in emergency and intensive care medicine. Moreover, TEE has become an invaluable diagnostic tool for the management of patients with cardiovascular disease in a nonoperative setting. In comparison with other diagnostic modalities, TEE is relatively safe and noninvasive. However, the insertion and manipulation of the ultrasound probe can cause oropharyngeal, esophageal, or gastric trauma. Here, the authors review the safety profile of TEE by identifying complications and propose a set of relative and absolute contraindications to probe placement. In addition, alternative echocardiographic modalities (e.g., epicardial echocardiography) that may be considered when TEE probe placement is contraindicated or not feasible are discussed.

Transmyocardial laser revascularization: Operative techniques and clinical results at two years

OBJECTIVES A new technique, transmyocardial laser revascularization, provides direct perfusion of ischemic myocardium via laser-created transmural channels. From 1993 to 1995, we have treated 20 patients (mean age 61 years, four women and 16 men) with transmyocardial laser revascularization. Preoperatively, the average angina class was 3.7. The patients were screened before the operation by a technetium sestamibi perfusion scan to identify the location and extent of their reversible ischemia. METHODS Operative exposure is gained via a left anterior thoracotomy. With the use of a 850-watt carbon dioxide laser, an average of 21 +/- 4 channels were created in 22 minutes with a total operative time of less than 2 hours. RESULTS The in-hospital mortality was two of 20 patients. Three additional patients died after discharge. After an accumulated 172 patient-months (mean follow-up 11 +/- 8 months, range 1 to 26 months), the mean angina class is I (p = 0.01). Postoperative sestamibi scans were obtained at 3, 6, and 12 months. Using the septum as a control and comparing the postoperative results with the preoperative baseline, we noted a significant improvement in perfusion particularly in the areas of reversible ischemia. CONCLUSION These early results indicate that transmyocardial laser revascularization is a simple operative technique that may improve myocardial perfusion and provide angina relief for patients in whom standard methods of revascularization is contraindicated.

Recommendations for Noninvasive Evaluation of Native Valvular Regurgitation: A Report from the American Society of Echocardiography Developed in Collaboration with the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance

William A. Zoghbi, MD, FASE (Chair), David Adams, RCS, RDCS, FASE, Robert O. Bonow, MD, Maurice Enriquez-Sarano, MD, Elyse Foster, MD, FASE, Paul A. Grayburn, MD, FASE, Rebecca T. Hahn, MD, FASE, Yuchi Han, MD, MMSc,* Judy Hung, MD, FASE, Roberto M. Lang, MD, FASE, Stephen H. Little, MD, FASE, Dipan J. Shah, MD, MMSc,* Stanton Shernan, MD, FASE, Paaladinesh Thavendiranathan, MD, MSc, FASE,* James D. Thomas, MD, FASE, and Neil J. Weissman, MD, FASE, Houston and Dallas, Texas; Durham, North Carolina; Chicago, Illinois; Rochester, Minnesota; San Francisco, California; New York, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Boston, Massachusetts; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Washington, DC

Real-Time Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography in Valve Disease: Comparison With Surgical Findings and Evaluation of Prosthetic Valves

BACKGROUND Recently, a novel real-time 3-dimensional (3D) matrix-array transesophageal echocardiographic (3D-MTEE) probe was found to be highly effective in the evaluation of native mitral valves (MVs) and other intracardiac structures, including the interatrial septum and left atrial appendage. However, the ability to visualize prosthetic valves using this transducer has not been evaluated. Moreover, the diagnostic accuracy of this new technology has never been validated against surgical findings. This study was designed to (1) assess the quality of 3D-MTEE images of prosthetic valves and (2) determine the potential value of 3D-MTEE imaging in the preoperative assessment of valvular pathology by comparing images with surgical findings. METHODS Eighty-seven patients undergoing clinically indicated transesophageal echocardiography were studied. In 40 patients, 3D-MTEE images of prosthetic MVs, aortic valves (AVs), and tricuspid valves (TVs) were scored for the quality of visualization. For both MVs and AVs, mechanical and bioprosthetic valves, the rings and leaflets were scored individually. In 47 additional patients, intraoperative 3D-MTEE diagnoses of MV pathology obtained before initiating cardiopulmonary bypass were compared with surgical findings. RESULTS For the visualization of prosthetic MVs and annuloplasty rings, quality was superior compared with AV and TV prostheses. In addition, 3D-MTEE imaging had 96% agreement with surgical findings. CONCLUSIONS Three-dimensional matrix-array transesophageal echocardiographic imaging provides superb imaging and accurate presurgical evaluation of native MV pathology and prostheses. However, the current technology is less accurate for the clinical assessment of AVs and TVs. Fast acquisition and immediate online display will make this the modality of choice for MV surgical planning and postsurgical follow-up.

Cardiac output monitoring using indicator-dilution techniques: basics, limits, and perspectives.

The ability to monitor cardiac output is one of the important cornerstones of hemodynamic assessment for managing critically ill patients at increased risk for developing cardiac complications, and in particular in patients with preexisting cardiovascular comorbidities. For >30 years, single-bolus thermodilution measurement through a pulmonary artery catheter for assessment of cardiac output has been widely accepted as the “clinical standard” for advanced hemodynamic monitoring. In this article, we review this clinical standard, along with current alternatives also based on the indicator-dilution technique, such as the transcardiopulmonary thermodilution and lithium dilution techniques. In this review, not only the underlying technical principles and the unique features but also the limitations of each application of indicator dilution are outlined.

Impact of Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography on Surgical Decisions in 12,566 Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

BACKGROUND The utility of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for different types of cardiac surgical procedures has not been thoroughly investigated despite its increasing popularity. Therefore, we retrospectively evaluated the impact of before and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) TEE on surgical decisions in 12,566 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery at a single institution. METHODS We analyzed all patients undergoing cardiac surgical procedures who had an intraoperative TEE examination between 1990 and 2005 at the Brigham and Womens Hospital. Results of the TEE examinations were entered into a database. Previously undiagnosed TEE findings from the pre- and post-CPB examinations that directly impacted surgical decisions were evaluated. RESULTS Before and after CPB TEE examinations influenced surgical decision making in 7.0% and 2.2%, respectively, of all evaluated patients (n = 12,566). In patients undergoing only coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG [n = 3,835]), surgical decisions were influenced by 5.4% of the pre-CPB and 1.5% of the post-CPB TEE examinations, and in 6.3% and 3.3%, respectively, of those patients undergoing isolated valve procedures (n = 3,840). In combined CABG and valve procedures (n = 2,944), surgical decisions were influenced by 12.3% of the pre-CPB and 2.2% of the post-CPB TEE examinations. CONCLUSIONS Intraoperative TEE influences cardiac surgical decisions in more than 9% of all patients in the presented study population, with the greatest observed impact in patients undergoing combined CABG and valve procedures.

The Usefulness of Transesophageal Echocardiography During Intraoperative Cardiac Arrest in Noncardiac Surgery

According to guidelines established by the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, life-threatening hemodynamic disturbances are classified as a category I indication for the intraoperative use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). However, the usefulness of TEE during intraoperative cardiac arrest and its impact on patient management have not been rigorously investigated. Using our departmental TEE database, we identified a population of 22 patients who underwent noncardiac surgical procedures and experienced unexpected intraoperative hemodynamic collapse requiring the initiation of Advanced Cardiac Life Support procedures between the time of induction of general anesthesia and the termination of the surgical procedure. Results of TEE examinations, patient records, detailed operative records, and outcome of patients were reviewed for the utility of TEE to diagnose the etiology of the hemodynamic collapse. Furthermore, the impact on subsequent patient management was evaluated. A primary suspected diagnosis of the underlying pathological process was established in 19 of 22 patients with TEE, including 9 with thromboembolic events, 6 with acute myocardial ischemia, 2 with hypovolemia, and 2 patients with pericardial tamponade. A definitive diagnosis could not be made in 3 patients with TEE. In 18 patients, TEE guided specific management beyond implementation of Advanced Cardiac Life Support protocols, including the addition of surgical procedures in 12 patients. Fourteen patients survived to leave the operating room, and 7 of these patients were eventually discharged from the hospital. Thus, TEE may provide additional diagnostic information in patients with intraoperative cardiac arrest and may directly guide specific, potentially life-saving therapy.