Massive pulmonary embolism: surgical embolectomy versus thrombolytic therapy—should surgical indications be revisited?†

OBJECTIVES The treatment of massive pulmonary embolism (PE) is a matter of debate. We present our institutional experience of patients suffering from massive PE with the aim of comparing the early results, the outcome and quality of life (QoL) between patients primarily assigned to either pulmonary surgical embolectomy (SE) or thrombolytic therapy (TL). A subgroup of patients (TS) with failed responses to TL requiring SE was separately analysed. METHODS All consecutive patients (January 2001-December 2007) with computed tomography (CT)-scan-confirmed massive bilateral central or paracentral PE were reviewed. All clinical data were retrieved from our patients' registry and completed by the evaluation of the CT-scan-derived right ventricle/left ventricle ratio (RV/LV ratio). Follow-up focused on clinical outcome and QoL was obtained. RESULTS Eighty patients were analysed including 28 SE (35%) and 52 TL (65%), of whom 11 (21%) required TS. Demographics and preoperative characteristics were similar between SE and TL. Analysis of the RV/LV ratio revealed a ratio of 1.66 for SEand 1.44 for TL. The early mortality rate was not significantly different between the two groups (SE: 3.6% versus TL: 13.5%), whereas early mortality was 27% in those patients treated initially with thrombolysis and subsequently requiring SE (TS-group). Severe bleeding complications were lower in the SE-group (3.6% versus 26.5% P=0.013). Intracerebral bleeding rates and neurological events were not statistically different. After a mean follow-up of 63±21 months, the mortality rate was 17.9% in the SE-group and 23.1% in the TL-group. CONCLUSIONS SE is an excellent treatment option in massive PE with comparable early mortality rates and significantly less bleeding complications than TL. Patients having surgery after inefficient thrombolysis have the worst early outcome. The RV/LV CT-scan ratio might serve as a predictor to differentiate patients, who could profit from direct surgical intervention than thrombolytic treatment attempts. Further studies are required to confirm these result

Effect on false-lumen status of a combined vascular and endovascular approach for the treatment of acute type A aortic dissection

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to evaluate midterm results with regard to false-lumen status of a combined vascular and endovascular approach for the treatment of acute type A aortic dissection. METHODS We performed ascending/hemiarch replacement during hypothermic circulatory arrest with additional open implantation of the Djumbodis Dissection System (non-self-expanding bare metal stent) to readapt the dissected layers in the arch and the proximal descending aorta in a consecutive series of 15 patients (mean age 61 years, 20% female) suffering from acute type A aortic dissections. The primary end point was the status of the false lumen at the level of the stent. RESULTS We observed three in-hospital deaths (20%). Complete thrombosis of the false lumen was observed in one patient (8%). In 25% of patients, partial thrombosis of the false lumen was observed. The remaining patients had continuing antegrade perfusion. Surgical conversion during a mean follow-up of 37 months was required in two patients (16%) due to continuing enlargement of the distal arch and the proximal descending aorta. No late deaths were observed. CONCLUSION Additional implantation of the Djumbodis Dissection System to readapt the dissected layers in the arch and the proximal descending aorta does not seem to have additive value as an adjunct to standard ascending/hemiarch replacement with regard to closure of the false lumen in the arch and the proximal descending aorta. The most limiting factor seems to be the non-self-expanding capability of the devic

Persistent sensitivity disorders at the radial artery and saphenous vein graft harvest sites: a neglected side effect of coronary artery bypass grafting procedures

Objective: The use of radial artery conduits in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is associated with improved long-term patency and patient survival rates as compared with saphenous vein conduits. Despite increasing popularity, relative incidence of local harvest-site complications and subjective perception of adverse long-term sequelae remain poorly described. Methods: To allow for direct comparison, we investigated a consecutive series of patients in whom both the radial artery and the saphenous vein had been harvested for isolated CABG during a 36-month period. Patients were identified from a prospective database that collects baseline clinical information. The patients' own perceptions were assessed by a standardized direct telephone survey regarding any persistent functional impairment from their arm and leg operation sites. Results: Out of 1756 CABG patients during the study period, 168 (10%) were eligible (78% men, median age: 60.1 ± 9.6 years, range: 29.6-82.4 years). Of these, 123 (73%) could be contacted and interviewed at a median follow-up time of 2.5 ± 0.9 years. Surgical wound complications at harvest sites (arms and legs) had occurred in 3% and 12%, respectively, and persistent symptoms (arms and legs) were self-reported as follows: chronic pain (5% and 8%), numbness (32% and 34%) and paresthesia/dysesthesia (14% and 7%). Overall, 39% of the patients reported persistent discomfort at the arm and 39% at the leg. Both sites were simultaneously affected in 21% (P = n.s., paired testing). Logistic regression modeling showed that patients with adverse long-term sequelae were younger (P < 0.005), had a higher body mass index (P < 0.05) and a lower EuroSCORE (P < 0.001) at the time of operation (EuroSCORE, European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation). Perioperative wound complications, however, did not predict persistence of symptoms. Conclusions: Persistent harvest-site discomfort occurs with astonishing frequency after CABG surgery and affects arms and legs equally. Although usually considered a minor complication, long-term limitation to quality of life may be substantial, particularly in younger and relatively healthy patients. Thus, harvest-site discomfort clearly belongs to the list of possible post-CABG complications of which patients need to be awar

Antegrade cerebral protection in thoracic aortic surgery: lessons from the past decade

Objective: Prolonged deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) adversely affects outcome and quality of life in thoracic aortic surgery. Several techniques of antegrade cerebral perfusion are routinely used: bilateral selective antegrade cerebral protection (SACP) by introducing catheters in the innominate and left carotid artery, unilateral perfusion through the right axillary antegrade cerebral perfusion (RAACP) or a combination of right axillary perfusion with an additional catheter in the left carotid artery (RAACCP), resulting also in bilateral perfusion. The aim of the present study was to analyse the impact of the different approaches on the quality of life (QoL). Methods: The data of 292 patients who underwent surgery of the thoracic aorta using DHCA at our hospital between January 2004 and December 2007 have been analysed and a follow-up was performed focussing on QoL, assessed with the Short Form-36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36). Results were analysed according to the type of cerebral perfusion and the duration of DHCA. Results: Patients' characteristics were similar in all groups. Of the total, 3.4% patients underwent DHCA (average 8.3±6.4min) without ACP, 45.9% underwent SACP (average DHCA of 15.6±7.1min), 40.4% had RAACP (average DHCA of 28.1±11.6min) and 9.4% bilateral perfusion (RAACCP) (average DHCA of 43.1±16.7min). The average follow-up was 23.2±15.1 months. QoL was preserved in all groups. For DHCA above 40min, bilateral ACP provides superior midterm QoL than unilateral RAACP (average SF-36 95.1±44.4 vs 87.6±31.3; p=0.072). Conclusions: When midterm QoL is assessed, bilateral SACP provides the best cerebral protection for prolonged DHCA (>40min

A História da Alimentação: balizas historiográficas

Os M. pretenderam traçar um quadro da História da Alimentação, não como um novo ramo epistemológico da disciplina, mas como um campo em desenvolvimento de práticas e atividades especializadas, incluindo pesquisa, formação, publicações, associações, encontros acadêmicos, etc. Um breve relato das condições em que tal campo se assentou faz-se preceder de um panorama dos estudos de alimentação e temas correia tos, em geral, segundo cinco abardagens Ia biológica, a econômica, a social, a cultural e a filosófica!, assim como da identificação das contribuições mais relevantes da Antropologia, Arqueologia, Sociologia e Geografia. A fim de comentar a multiforme e volumosa bibliografia histórica, foi ela organizada segundo critérios morfológicos. A seguir, alguns tópicos importantes mereceram tratamento à parte: a fome, o alimento e o domínio religioso, as descobertas européias e a difusão mundial de alimentos, gosto e gastronomia. O artigo se encerra com um rápido balanço crítico da historiografia brasileira sobre o tema

Preliminary results following reinforcement of the pulmonary autograft to prevent dilatation after the Ross procedure

The Ross operation remains a controversially discussed procedure, because concern exists regarding late dilatation of the neoaortic root and progressive regurgitation of the autograft valve. We present our early experience with an external reinforcement of the autograft, which is inserted into a prosthetic Dacron graft with an artificial aortic root configuration. This detail should help to prevent neoaortic root dilatation

Ideal site for ventricular anchoring of artificial chordae in mitral regurgitation

Surgical treatment of mitral leaflet prolapse using artificial neochordae shows excellent outcomes. Upcoming devices attempt the same treatment in a minimally invasive way but target the left ventricular apex as an anchoring point, rather than the tip of the corresponding papillary muscle. In this study, cine cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was used to compare these 2 different anchoring positions and their dynamic relationship with the mitral leaflets

Massive pulmonary embolism: surgical embolectomy versus thrombolytic therapy--should surgical indications be revisited?

The treatment of massive pulmonary embolism (PE) is a matter of debate. We present our institutional experience of patients suffering from massive PE with the aim of comparing the early results, the outcome and quality of life (QoL) between patients primarily assigned to either pulmonary surgical embolectomy (SE) or thrombolytic therapy (TL). A subgroup of patients (TS) with failed responses to TL requiring SE was separately analysed