Surgical repair of subacute left ventricular free wall rupture

Background: The natural course of subacute ventricular free wall rupture (FWR) as a complication of acute myocardial infarction (MI) is usually lethal. The aim of this study was to investigate the curability of this entity and to report on five patients successfully treated by rapid diagnosis, hemodynamic stabilization, and emergency surgical repair. Methods: Five patients with subacute FWR of the left ventricle after previous MI were operated on. Infarctectomy with subsequent closure of the ruptured area was carried out in two patients with anterolateral infarction. Three other patients (two with posterior and one with lateral infarction) were treated by direct closure and the application of a patch. Furthermore, in two patients, concomitant myocardial revascularization was performed. Results: All patients survived the procedure and were alive and well at, long-term follow-up (mean 36.4 months). None of the patients suffered recurrent Ml. Conclusions: Our experience and a review of the literature shows that prompt diagnosis and emergency surgical intervention may save the patient. Anterior rupture (with a moderate sized infarcted area) is best treated by infarctectomy and subsequent closure of the ventriculotomy with sutures buttressed with felt, whereas posterior rupture may be treated by direct closure and the application of an epicardial patch. Considering our results, we cannot conclude whether additional coronary artery bypass grafting is beneficial or not. Our suggestion is to perform additional myocardial revascularization only if indicated

A COMPARISON OF INTERNAL MAMMARY ARTERY AND SAPHENOUS-VEIN GRAFTS AFTER CORONARY-ARTERY BYPASS-SURGERY - NO DIFFERENCE IN 1-YEAR OCCLUSION RATES AND CLINICAL OUTCOME

Background Superior patency rates for internal mammary artery (IMA) grafts compared with vein coronary bypass grafts have been demonstrated by retrospective studies. This difference may have been affected by selection bias of patients and coronary arteries for IMA grafting. Methods and Results To estimate the difference between IMA and vein grafts, we analyzed graft patency data of 912 patients who entered a randomized clinical drug trial. In this trial, 494 patients received both IMA and vein grafts (group 1) and 418 only vein grafts (group 2). Occlusion rates of IMA grafts and IMA plus vein grafts in group 1 were compared with those of vein grafts in group 2. Multivariate analysis was used to compare occlusion rates of IMA and vein grafts while other variables related to graft patency were controlled for. In addition, 1-year clinical outcome was assessed by the incidence of myocardial infarction, thrombosis, major bleeding, and death. Occlusion rates of distal anastomoses in group 1 versus group 2 were 5.4% (IMA grafts) versus 12.7% (vein grafts) (P Conclusions The observed difference in 1-year occlusion rates between IMA and vein grafts can be explained by a maldistribution of graft characteristics by selection of coronary arteries for IMA grafting rather than being ascribed to graft material. One-year clinical outcome is not improved by IMA grafting

A COMPARISON OF INTERNAL MAMMARY ARTERY AND SAPHENOUS-VEIN GRAFTS AFTER CORONARY-ARTERY BYPASS-SURGERY - NO DIFFERENCE IN 1-YEAR OCCLUSION RATES AND CLINICAL OUTCOME

Background Superior patency rates for internal mammary artery (IMA) grafts compared with vein coronary bypass grafts have been demonstrated by retrospective studies. This difference may have been affected by selection bias of patients and coronary arteries for IMA grafting. Methods and Results To estimate the difference between IMA and vein grafts, we analyzed graft patency data of 912 patients who entered a randomized clinical drug trial. In this trial, 494 patients received both IMA and vein grafts (group 1) and 418 only vein grafts (group 2). Occlusion rates of IMA grafts and IMA plus vein grafts in group 1 were compared with those of vein grafts in group 2. Multivariate analysis was used to compare occlusion rates of IMA and vein grafts while other variables related to graft patency were controlled for. In addition, 1-year clinical outcome was assessed by the incidence of myocardial infarction, thrombosis, major bleeding, and death. Occlusion rates of distal anastomoses in group 1 versus group 2 were 5.4% (IMA grafts) versus 12.7% (vein grafts) (P Conclusions The observed difference in 1-year occlusion rates between IMA and vein grafts can be explained by a maldistribution of graft characteristics by selection of coronary arteries for IMA grafting rather than being ascribed to graft material. One-year clinical outcome is not improved by IMA grafting