Spontaneous coronary artery dissection in a young woman: from emergency coronary artery bypass grafting to heart transplantation

Primary spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) as cause of acute myocardial infarction is a rare entity with complex pathophysiology. SCAD must be considered every time that a healthy young patient presents an onset of acute myocardial ischemic syndrome or sudden death. Mostly it appears in young women without traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease and a significant proportion of them are hutted during the peripartum or early postpartum period. SCAD is frequently fatal and a great number of known cases have been diagnosed at necroscopy. The quick recognition of SCAD as cause of acute myocardial ischemia in a young patient is important to establish the best medical/surgical treatment between the different therapeutic attitudes. We describe the case occurred to a young low cardiac risk woman who suffered of idiopathic SCAD and was successfully treated by heart transplantation few days after that a conventional surgical myocardial revascularization had been attempted. Waiting for cardiac transplantation the patient survived several days, thanks to a mechanical left ventricular assist device (LVAD). The following hospital course was uncomplicated. To our knowledge, this is the second case of SCAD treated successfully by LVAD and orthotopic heart transplantation reported in literatur

Transaortic transcatheter aortic valve replacement with the Sapien™ valve and the first generations of Ascendra™

Traditionally, the transcatheter aortic valve replacement is performed through a transapical, a transfemoral or a trans-subclavian approach. Recently, the transaortic approach for transcatheter aortic valve replacement through the distal part of the ascending aorta was successfully implemented in order to avoid peripheral vascular access-related complications and apical life-threatening haemorrhage. The Sapien™ stent valve has great transaortic potential because it can be loaded ‘upside down' in different generations of delivery systems. However, because of their health regulatory systems and despite the launch, in 2012, of the latest generation of the Ascendra™ delivery system, the Ascendra+™, specifically designed for transapical and transaortic valve placements, several countries are still using the first generations of Ascendra™ (Ascendra™ 1 and 2). This device was specifically designed for transapical procedures, and retrograde stent-valve positioning through the stenotic aortic valve may be very challenging and risk the integrity of the aorta. We describe the manoeuvre required in order to pass the stenotic aortic valve safely in a retrograde direction using the Sapien™ stent valve and the first generations of Ascendra

Impact of endoluminal stenting for aortic surgery

The advent of stents has profoundly changed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), peripheral transluminal artery angioplasty (PTA), and treatment strategies of numerous other problems. Similar developments can be observed for stent applications in peripheral vascular lesions, cerebro-vascular disease, and many other fields. With the advent of covered stent-grafts, aneurysm surgery, has been put up for competitive treatment approaches. Such new approaches are perceived as less invasive, and draw significant attention. Endovsacular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is here to stay. In addition new developments are coming in many ways and stent derived devices can by now be found everywhere in the cardio-vascular system. This includes stenosed vessels, aneurysmal vessels, diseased valves, all sorts of congenital heart defects, and even cardiopulmonary bypass. The key technologies and know-how for EVAR are available or can be made available in most cardio-vascular surgical units. Special interest in this field (clinical and/or experimental) can enhance recruitment of patients. The opposite is also tru

The transventricular-transseptal access to the aortic root: a new route for extrapleural trans-catheter aortic stent-valve implantation

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of transventricular-transseptal approach (TVSA) for extrapleural trans-catheter aortic valved stent implantation via a subxyphoidian access. Methods: In five porcine experiments (52.3±10.9kg) the right ventricle was exposed via subxyphoidian access. Under the guidance of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and fluoroscopy, the transseptal access from right ventricle to left ventricle was created progressively by puncture and dilation with dilators (8F-26F). Valved stents built in-house from commercial tanned pericardium and self-expandable Nitinol stents were loaded into a cartridge. A delivery sheath was then introduced from the right ventricle into the left ventricle and then into the ascending aorta. The cartridge was connected and the valved stent was deployed in the aortic position. Then, the ventricular septal access was sealed with an Amplatzer septal occluder device and the right ventricular access was closed by tying prepared purse-string suture directly. Thirty minutes after the whole procedure, the animals were sacrificed for macroscopic evaluation of the position of valved stent and septal closure device. Result: Procedural success of TVSA was 100% at the first attempt. Mean procedure time was 49±4min. Progressive dilatation of the transseptal access resulted in a measurable ventricular septal defect (VSD) after dilator sizes 18F and more. All valved stents were delivered at the target site over the native aortic valve with good acute valve function and no paravalvular leaks. During the procedure, premature beats (5/5) and supraventriclar tachycardias (5/5) were observed, but no atrial-ventricular block (0/5) occurred. Heart rate before (after) was 90±3 beatsmin−1 (100±2 beatsmin−1: p≪0.05), whereas blood pressure was 60±1mmHg (55±2mmHg (p≪0.05)). Total blood loss was 280±10ml. The Amplatzer septal occluder devices were fully deployed and the ventricular septal accesses were sealed successfully, without detectable residual shunt. Conclusion: Trans-catheter implantation of aortic valved stent via extrapleural transventricular-transseptal access is technically feasible and has the potential for a simplified procedure under local anaesthesi

Surgically induced unilateral pulmonary hypertension: time-related analysis of a new experimental model

Objective: Patients with irreversible pulmonary vascular obstructive disease caused by pulmonary hypertension due to congenital heart defects are considered either inoperable or only candidates to lung transplantation. This study evaluated an experimental model of surgically induced unilateral pulmonary hypertension. Methods: In eight pigs, 2-months-old, the left pulmonary artery was divided at the origin and end-to-side anastomosed to the descending thoracic aorta through a left thoracotomy. In this way, increased pulmonary blood flow in the right lung and systemic perfusion pressure and oxygenation in the left lung were obtained. After an interval of 6-12 weeks the animals underwent cardiac catheterization and were then sacrificed. Histological examination was done on both the lungs. Results: The mean left-to-right shunt through the left pulmonary artery diminished from 58.9±9.6% at the end of the procedure to 4.5±1.5% at the latest hemodynamic evaluation (P<0.01). Pressures and saturations remained identical in aorta and left pulmonary artery, without reduction (NS) with FiO2=1.0 ventilation; in the right pulmonary artery there was a mild elevation of the pressures, but still responsive (P<0.05) to FiO2=1.0 ventilation. Lung histology showed normal right pulmonary arteries, but irreversible vascular lesions like intimal fibrosis, medial hypertrophy, vascular occlusions, plexiform and dilatation lesions in all the left lungs. Conclusions: The lung exposed to systemic pressure and oxygenation develops irreversible vascular lesions typical of pulmonary vascular obstructive disease. The lung exposed to increased flow shows only mild elevation of the arterial pressure, remains responsive to oxygen vasodilatation, and displays normal histolog

Endoscopic off-pump aortic valve replacement: does the pericardial cuff improve the sutureless closure of left ventricular access?

Objective: Off-pump trans left ventricular approach provides more precise deployment of stented aortic valve of any size with respect to the endovascular replacement. One of the key steps of this procedure is the ventricle repair after catheter withdrawing. We designed an animal study to compare the consistency of a sutureless repair of the left ventricle access using nitinol occluder with and without pericardial cuff on the ventricular side. Methods: Material description: The Amplatz-nitinol occluder consists of two square heads squeezing ventricle wall in between them, sealing the defect. To improve its sealing property, a pericardial patch was sutured to the ventricular head of the occluder. Animal study setup: In adult pigs, a 30F sheath was inserted into the epigastric area through the cardiac apex, up to the left ventricle, simulating the approach for off-pump aortic valve replacement. The sheath was then removed and the ventricle closed with standard occluder in half of the animals, and cuffed occluder in the other half. Animals were followed-up for 3h, collecting haemodynamics data and pericardial bleeding. Results: Device was successfully deployed in 12 animals in less than 1min. In the group where the standard occluder was used, bleeding during the deployment was 80±20ml and after the deployment was 800±20ml over 3h. In the group where the cuffed occluder was used, bleeding during the deployment was 85±20ml and after the deployment was 100±5ml over 3h. In the cuffed group, bleeding was significantly lower than the standard group, p-value being ≪0.001. Conclusions: The occluder is easy to use and the pericardial cuff dramatically increases its efficacy as demonstrated by a significant reduction of blood loss. The cuffed occluder opens the way for endoscopic, off-pump, transventricular aortic valve replacemen

Primary isolated aortic valve surgery in octogenarians

Objectives: We reviewed our surgery registry, to identify predictive risk factors for operative results, and to analyse the long-term survival outcome in octogenarians operated for primary isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods: A total of 124 consecutive octogenarians underwent open AVR from January 1990 to December 2005. Combined procedures and redo surgery were excluded. Selected variables were studied as risk factors for hospital mortality and early neurological events. A follow-up (FU; mean FU time: 77 months) was obtained (90% complete), and Kaplan-Meier plots were used to determine survival rates. Results: The mean age was 82±2.2 (range: 80-90 years; 63% females). Of the group, four patients (3%) required urgent procedures, 10 (8%) had a previous myocardial infarction, six (5%) had a previous coronary angioplasty and stenting, 13 patients (10%) suffered from angina and 59 (48%) were in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III-IV. We identified 114 (92%) degenerative stenosis, six (5%) post-rheumatic stenosis and four (3%) active endocarditis. The predicted mortality calculated by logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) was 12.6±5.7%, and the observed hospital mortality was 5.6%. Causes of death included severe cardiac failure (four patients), multi-organ failure (two) and sepsis (one). Complications were transitory neurological events in three patients (2%), short-term haemodialysis in three (2%), atrial fibrillation in 60 (48%) and six patients were re-operated for bleeding. Atrio-ventricular block, myocardial infarction or permanent stroke was not detected. The age at surgery and the postoperative renal failure were predictors for hospital mortality (p value ≪0.05), whereas we did not find predictors for neurological events. The mean FU time was 77 months (6.5 years) and the mean age of surviving patients was 87±4 years (81-95 years). The actuarial survival estimates at 5 and 10 years were 88% and 50%, respectively. Conclusions: Our experience shows good short-term results after primary isolated standard AVR in patients more than 80 years of age. The FU suggests that aortic valve surgery in octogenarians guarantees satisfactory long-term survival rates and a good quality of life, free from cardiac re-operations. In the era of catheter-based aortic valve implantation, open-heart surgery for AVR remains the standard of care for healthy octogenarian

Biometal muscle to restore atrial transport function in a permanent atrial fibrillation animal model: a potential tool in the treatment of end-stage heart failure

Background: Half of the patients with end-stage heart failure suffer from persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Atrial kick (AK) accounts for 10-15% of the ejection fraction. A device restoring AK should significantly improve cardiac output (CO) and possibly delay ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation. This study has been designed to assess the mechanical effects of a motorless pump on the right chambers of the heart in an animal model. Methods: Atripump is a dome-shaped biometal actuator electrically driven by a pacemaker-like control unit. In eight sheep, the device was sutured onto the right atrium (RA). AF was simulated with rapid atrial pacing. RA ejection fraction (EF) was assessed with intracardiac ultrasound (ICUS) in baseline, AF and assisted-AF status. In two animals, the pump was left in place for 4 weeks and then explanted. Histology examination was carried out. The mean values for single measurement per animal with ±SD were analysed. Results: The contraction rate of the device was 60 per min. RA EF was 41% in baseline, 7% in AF and 21% in assisted-AF conditions. CO was 7±0.5lmin−1 in baseline, 6.2±0.5lmin−1 in AF and 6.7±0.5lmin−1 in assisted-AF status (p≪0.01). Histology of the atrium in the chronic group showed chronic tissue inflammation and no sign of tissue necrosis. Conclusions: The artificial muscle restores the AK and improves CO. In patients with end-stage cardiac failure and permanent AF, if implanted on both sides, it would improve CO and possibly delay or even avoid complex surgical treatment such as VAD implantatio