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BACKGROUND: Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) is an infrequent disease and demands a highly specialized and experienced management. Open repair (OR) is the gold standard but it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Paraplegia and renal failure are the most important complications. AIM: To report our results with OR treatment of TAAA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study including all patients with TAAA operated electively and consecutively by OR between 1983 and 2019. Main outcomes are operative mortality, renal and neurological morbidity, and long-term survival. RESULTS: We report 45 operated patients aged 33 to 84 years, 74% males. Aneurysm extension according to Crawford classification was I in 18%, II in 18 %, III in 36% and IV in 29%. Operative mortality was 4%. The frequency of paraplegia or paraparesis at discharge was 9%. No patient was discharged on hemodialysis. Survival at 5 and 10 years were 60% and 40% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: OR of TAAA is a complex procedure. Our results show perioperative mortality rates comparable to highly experienced centers. Although being a major procedure, OR remains an alternative to treat this serious condition.

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BACKGROUND: Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) is an infrequent disease and demands a highly specialized and experienced management. Open repair (OR) is the gold standard but it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Paraplegia and renal failure are the most important complications. AIM: To report our results with OR treatment of TAAA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study including all patients with TAAA operated electively and consecutively by OR between 1983 and 2019. Main outcomes are operative mortality, renal and neurological morbidity, and long-term survival. RESULTS: We report 45 operated patients aged 33 to 84 years, 74% males. Aneurysm extension according to Crawford classification was I in 18%, II in 18 %, III in 36% and IV in 29%. Operative mortality was 4%. The frequency of paraplegia or paraparesis at discharge was 9%. No patient was discharged on hemodialysis. Survival at 5 and 10 years were 60% and 40% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: OR of TAAA is a complex procedure. Our results show perioperative mortality rates comparable to highly experienced centers. Although being a major procedure, OR remains an alternative to treat this serious condition.

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Introducción: El desarrollo de una comunicación interventricular en la evolución de un infarto miocárdico es una complicación muy grave, aunque infrecuente. Objetivo: Comunicar nuestros resultados con el tratamiento quirúrgico de pacientes con comunicación interventricular post infarto (CIVPI) intervenidos en los últimos 22 años. Método: Analizamos en forma retrospectiva los antecedentes de los pacientes intervenidos entre Enero de 1991 y Diciembre de 2012. Revisamos fichas clínicas, protocolos operatorios y certificamos la mortalidad con el Registro Civil e Identificación de Chile. Resultados: Operamos 43 pacientes, edad promedio de 66,6 +/- 10,2 años. El 58 por ciento eran hombres, de menor edad que las mujeres (63,1 +/- 10,8 vs 71,5 +/- 6,9 años, p=0,006). El tiempo promedio entre el diagnóstico de infarto y de CIVPI fue 10 +/- 15 días. El 74 por ciento fueron intervenidos de urgencia. La CIVPI fue anterior en 58 por ciento. Se realizó revascularización miocárdica concomitante en el 58 por ciento. Trece pacientes fallecieron (30 por ciento) en el posoperatorio. Factores de riesgo de mortalidad operatoria fueron: cirugía de urgencia ( p = 0,019]) y uso de balón intra aórtico (p = 0,006). La cirugía realizada después de las 24 horas del diagnóstico tuvo una mortalidad significativamente menor (7,7 por ciento, p=0,033). El seguimiento promedio fue de 8,36 +/- 5,3 años. La supervivencia alejada, excluida la mortalidad operatoria, a 5 y 10 años, fue 93 por ciento y 71 por ciento, respectivamente. Conclusión: La CIVPI tiene elevada mortalidad operatoria, especialmente en pacientes intervenidos de urgencia y en los que requirieron balón de contra pulsación, pero la supervivencia alejada de los sobrevivientes es muy satisfactoria.

Background: The development of a ventricular septal defect (VSD) after myocardial infarction is a rare but very serious complication for which the treatment of choice is surgical repair. Aim: To report our results with patients operated on for post-infarction VSD in the last 22 years. Methods: This is a retrospective review of all patients operated for post infarction VSD between january 1991 and december 2012. We reviewed all clinical charts and operative notes. Longterm mortality was certified by the "Registro Civil e Identificación de Chile". Results: Fourty three patients with a mean age of 66.6 +/- 10.2 years underwent surgical repair. Fifty eight percent were males. The average time between myocardial infarction and the diagnosis of vsd was 10 +/- 15.2 days. Seventy four percent of patients were operated on as an emergency. In 58 percent of cases the VSD was located in the anterior septum. Myocardial revascularization was performed in 58 percent. Thirteen patients died for an operative mortality of 30 percent. Risk factors for operative mortality were emergency surgery (p = 0,04) and the use of intraaortic balloon pump (p = 0,004). Non emergency surgery had a much lower mortality rate ( 7,7 percent, p = 0,033). Survival excluding operative mortality at 5 and 10 years was 90 percent and 71 percent, respectively. Conclusions: Operative mortality for repair of post infarction VSD remains high, mainly in patients undergoing an emergency operation. Surgical survivors have a very good life expectancy.

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BACKGROUND: There is no consensus regarding which risk factors influence the outcome of mitral valve replacement. AIM: To study the effects of the referring health care system and other factors on the results of mitral replacement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included 632 patients operated between 1990 and 2010 receiving the St Jude prosthesis. Patients were divided into three groups, group 1 composed by 180 patients coming from the Public System, group 2 composed by 182 patients coming from the University System and group 3 composed by 270 patients coming from the Private System. RESULTS: Overall operative mortality was 4.3%. There was no difference between groups in mortality. Factors responsible for operative mortality were: emergency operation (Odds Patio (OR): 5.6 P < 0.01) and left ventricular function (according to ejection fraction) grade III to IV (OR: 2.5 p = 0.048). Actuarial survival rates at 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 years were 95%, 87%, 76%, 61% and 41%, respectively. Risk factors for long-term mortality were diabetes (OR: 3.3 p < 0.01), left ventricular function grades III-IV (OR: 2.6 p < 0.01), New York Heart Association functional class III to PV (OR: 2.1 p < 0.005) and male sex (OR: 1.5 p < 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Referring health care system and type of surgery do not constitute a risk factor for mitral replacement. Risk factors were: emergency surgery, ventricular function grades III-IV, diabetes, functional capacity class III-IV and male sex. Integration of public and private health care systems in a university hospital setting achieves excellent outcomes for complex pathology.

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Background: There is no consensus regarding which risk factors influence the outcome of mitral valve replacement. Aim: To study the effects ofthe referring health care system and other factors on the results of mitral replacement. Patients and Methods: We included 632 patients operated between 1990 and 2010 receiving the St Jude prosthesis. Patients were divided into three groups, group 1 composed by 180 patients coming from the Public System, group 2 composed by 182 patients coming from the University System and group 3 composed by 270 patients coming from the Private System. Results: Overall operative mortality was 4.3%. There was no difference between groups in mortality. Factors responsible for operative mortality were: emergency operation (Odds Patio (OR): 5.6 P < 0.01) and left ventricular function (according to ejection fraction) grade III to IV (OR: 2.5 p = 0.048). Actuarial survival rates at 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 years were 95%, 87%, 76%, 61% and 41%, respectively. Risk factors for long-term mortality were diabetes (OR: 3.3 p < 0.01), left ventricular function grades III-IV (OR: 2.6 p < 0.01), New York Heart Association functional class III to PV (OR: 2.1 p < 0.005) and male sex (OR: 1.5 p < 0.032). Conclusions: Referring health care system and type of surgery do not constitute a risk factor for mitral replacement. Risk factors were: emergency surgery, ventricular function grades III-IV, diabetes, functional capacity class III-IV and male sex. Integration of public and private health care systems in a university hospital setting achieves excellent outcomes for complex pathology.

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OBJECTIVES: To report the results of 13 years worth of epidemiologic surveillance of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) following heart surgery and the main interventions applied in order to reduce VAP incidence. METHODS: This is a retrospective and descriptive study of active epidemiologic surveillance of VAP. National diagnostic criteria were used. Interventions associated with a decrease in VAlP incidence in adults who underwent heart surgery are described. RESULTS: A significant and sustained reduction was observed in the rate of VAP; being 56.7 per 1,000 ventilator-days in 1998 vs 4.7 per 1,000 ventilator-days in 2010 (p < 0.001). The strongest reduction was observed following 2003 (34.4 to 14.8 per 1,000 ventilator-days in 2004, p < 0.001). The interventions with greatest impact were the implementation of an early-weaning protocol, the introduction of trained nurses to perform the mechanical ventilator equipment management and the routine use of alcohol-based hand rubs. CONCLUSION: Epidemiologic surveillance associated with the establishment of a multifactorial intervention program applied in collaboration with the attending team, have demonstrated a significant reduction of VAP incidence after heart surgery.

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Objectives: To report the results of 13 years worth of epidemiologic surveillance of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) following heart surgery and the main interventions applied in order to reduce VAP incidence. Methods: This is a retrospective and descriptive study of active epidemiologic surveillance of VAP. National diagnostic criteria were used. Interventions associated with a decrease in VAlP incidence in adults who underwent heart surgery are described. Results: A significant and sustained reduction was observed in the rate of VAP; being 56.7 per 1,000 ventilator-days in 1998 vs 4.7 per 1,000 ventilator-days in 2010 (p < 0.001). The strongest reduction was observed following 2003 (34.4 to 14.8 per 1,000 ventilator-days in 2004, p < 0.001). The interventions with greatest impact were the implementation of an early-weaning protocol, the introduction of trained nurses to perform the mechanical ventilator equipment management and the routine use of alcohol-based hand rubs. Conclusion: Epidemiologic surveillance associated with the establishment of a multifactorial intervention program applied in collaboration with the attending team, have demonstrated a significant reduction of VAP incidence after heart surgery.

Objetivos: Comunicar los resultados de 13 años de vigilancia epidemiológica de neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica (NAVM) post cirugía cardíaca y las principales intervenciones implementadas para reducir su incidencia. Metodología: Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, de vigilancia epidemiológica activa de NAVM utilizando los criterios del ]Ministerio de Salud (MINSAL) y de las intervenciones asociadas con una disminución de la tasa de NAVM en adultos operados de cirugía cardíaca. Resultados: Se observó una reducción significativa y sostenida de la tasa de NAVM, siendo 56,7 por 1.000 días de ventilación mecánica (VM) en 1998 vs 4,7 por 1.000 días de VM en 2010 (p < 0,001). La mayor reducción fue observada a partir de 2003 (desde 34,4 a 14,8 por 1.000 días de VM en 2004, p < 0,001). Las intervenciones con mayor impacto fueron la implementación de un protocolo de extubación precoz, la incorporación de enfermeras capacitadas en el manejo de los equipos de VM y el uso rutinario de alcohol gel. Conclusión: La vigilancia epidemiológica asociada a un programa de intervención multifactorial aplicado en conjunto con el equipo tratante permitió reducir significativamente la incidencia de NAVM post cirugía cardíaca.

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Background: symptoms predominate. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings and appropriate imaging. We report two females, aged 35 and 51 years. One of them presented with a pelvic mass and dyspnea, the other patient had severe cardiac failure on admission. Computed axial tomography scan allowed an accurate preoperative diagnosis on both patients. Successful one stage resection of the tumor was performed under cardiopulmonary bypass. Both patients are asymptomatic on follow up at 6 months and 25 years.

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Symptoms predominate. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings and appropriate imaging. We report two females, aged 35 and 51 years. One of them presented with a pelvic mass and dyspnea, the other patient had severe cardiac failure on admission. Computed axial tomography scan allowed an accurate preoperative diagnosis on both patients. Successful one stage resection of the tumor was performed under cardiopulmonary bypass. Both patients are asymptomatic on follow up at 6 months and 25 years.

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BACKGROUND: Aortic valve stenosis is the most prevalent valvulopathy in the elderly, but it is frequently undertreated. AIM: To assess early and long term results of valve replacement with bioprostheses in patients 70 years old or older with aortic stenosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A review of the database of the Cardiovascular Surgery Service of our hospital, for the period 1990-2007, identified 156 patients with aortic valve stenosis, aged 76.7 ± 4.5 years (67% males), that were subjected to an aortic valve replacement with bioprosthesis. Seventy eight (50%) were in functional class III-IV. Six patients had emergency surgery. In 67 patients (43%) coronary artery bypass graft were performed. Long term mortality was ascertained obtaining death records from Chilean death registry. RESULTS: Operative mortality was 3.2% (5 patients). Four patients (2.6%) required a reoperation due to bleeding. The mean follow up was 66 ± 41 months. The survival rate at 1, 3 and 5 years was 94%, 88% and 80%, respectively. Forty two patients (27%) were 80 years old or older. In this sub-group, 1 patient (2.3%) died during the peri operative period and the estimated survival rate at 1, 3 and 5 years was 97%, 92%, and 80%, respectively. Multivariate risk analysis, for the whole group, identified low ejection fraction and concomitant coronary artery bypass graft surgery as predictors of late mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis with bioprostheses in patients 70 years old or older had low perioperative mortality and morbidity and a good long term survival.

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BACKGROUND: There is a growing interest in alternative techniques for aortic valve replacement (AVR). Therefore it is important to have updated results of conventional AYR as a valid comparative standard. AIM: To evaluate both perioperative and late morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing conventional AVR, with either mechanical (RVAm) or biological (RVAb) prostheses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records and operative protocols of patients undergoing AVR between January 1995 and December 2005. Patients with previous cardiac surgery, aortic balloonplasty or simultaneous cardiovascular procedures were excluded. RESULTS: During the study period, 788 patients underwent AVR and 317 met the inclusion criteria. Of the latter, 175 patients aged 13 to 83 years (63% males) were subjected to AVRm and 142 patients aged 49 to 87 years (64% males), were subjected to AVRb. Five (1.6%) patients died during the perioperative period (one AVRm and four AVRb). All were older than 65 years. Perioperative complications were recorded in 29 and 25% of patients in AVRm and AVRb groups, respectively (NS). During a median follow-up of six years, complications were recorded in 12 and 4% of patients in AVRm and AVRb groups, respectively (p <0.05). The actuarial survival for AVRm group at 1, 5 and 10 years, was 96, 92 and 87%, respectively. The figures for AVRb group were 95, 86 and 83%, respectively (NS). The 10 year reintervention free survival was 97% for the AVRm group and 84% for the AVRb (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative mortality and rates of complications of AVR in this series of patients are low, which compares favorably with other series.

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Background: There is a growing interest in alternative techniques for aortic valve replacement (AVR). Therefore it is important to have updated results of conventional AYR as a valid comparative standard. Aim: To evaluate both perioperative and ¡ate morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing conventional AVR, with either mechanical (RVAm) or biological (RVAb) prostheses. Patients and methods: Retrospective review of medical records and operative protocols of patients undergoing AVR between January 1995 and December 2005. Patients with previous cardiac surgery, aortic balloonplasty or simultaneous cardiovascular procedures were excluded. Results: During the study period, 788 patients underwent AVR and 317 met the inclusion criteria. Of the latter, 175patients aged 13 to 83years (63 percent males) were subjected to AVRm and 142patients aged 49 to 87 years (64 percent males), were subjected to AVRb. Five (1.6 percent) patients died during the perioperative period (one AVRm and four AVRb). All were older than 65years. Perioperative complications were recorded in 29 and 25 percent of patients in AVRm and AVRb groups, respectively (NS). During a median follow-up of six years, complications were recorded in 12 and 4 percent of patients in AVRm and AVRb groups, respectively (p <0.05). The actuarial survival for AVRm group at 1, 5 and 10years, was 96, 92 and 87 percent, respectively. The figures for AVRb group were 95, 86 and 83 percent, respectively (NS). The 10 year reintervention free survival was 97 percent for the AVRm group and 84 percent for the AVRb (p <0.05). Conclusions: Perioperative mortality and rates of complications of AVR in this series of patients are low, which compares favorably with other series (Rev Méd Chile 2009; 137:1153-62).

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Antecedentes: La cirugía cardíaca se asocia a un alto consumo de sangre homóloga. Si conocemos los factores quepredicen una mayor necesidad de transfusión, podremos implementar mejores estrategias de ahorro sanguíneo. Objetivo: Describir la práctica transfusional en pacientes adultos sometidos a cirugía con circulación extracorpórea (CEC) en la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Materiales y métodos: Se recolectaron en forma retrospectiva los datos de 194 pacientes adultos sometidos a cirugía cardíaca con CEC, entre octubre de 2003 y marzo de 2004. Se realizó una descripción de la práctica transfusional y un análisis de riesgo uni y multivariado. Resultados: El 61,8 por ciento de los pacientes se transfundieron durante la hospitalización. La transfusión intraoperatoria se relacionó con sangrado y la transfusión postoperatoria con la corrección de un hematocrito bajo. Los factores predictores de transfusión fueron cirugía de urgencia, tiempo prolongado de CEC, edad avanzada y un menor hematocrito al momento de ingresar a la unidad de cuidado postoperatorio. El hematocrito bajo al inicio de la cirugía, una menor temperatura durante CEC y un mayor sangrado en el postoperatorio predijeron el uso de más de dos unidades de glóbulos rojos (GR).Los pacientes que recibieron más de 2 unidades de GR presentaron en forma significativa mayor incidencia de neumonía, insuficiencia respiratoria y sepsis. Conclusiones: La transfusión sanguínea en cirugía cardíaca se relaciona directamente con la complejidad de los pacientes y los procedimientos. Las técnicas de ahorro de sangre deben dirigirse hacia la disminución del sangrado, la hemodilución y a estrictos criterios de transfusión intra y postoperatorios.

Background: Cardiac surgery is associated with frequent use of homologous blood. The knowledge of factors that influence the need for transfusion might help us implement strategies to avoid unnecessary blood administration. Objective: To describe the current transfusion practices in adults undergoing open cardiac surgery with extra corporeal circulation (ECC) at the Pontificia Universidad Católica of Chile Hospital. To identify factors that predict the use of transfusion. Methods: Data from 194 adult patients submitted to cardiac surgery with ECC between October 2003 and March 2004 were obtained retrospectively. Transfusional practices were identified. Uni and multivariate risk analysis was used to predict the need for transfusion.Results: 61,8 percent of patients were transfused during their hospital stay. Intraoperative transfusion was related to bleeding while post operative transfusion was performed to correct a low hematocrit value. Factors predicting transfusion were: emergency surgery, prolonged EEC time, older age and lower hematocrit value when entering the ICU. Preoperative hematocrit, lower temperature during ECC and post operative bleeding predicted the use of more than 2 red blood cell (RBC) packs. Patients receiving more than 2 RBC packs had a significantly higher incidence of pneumonia, sepsis and respiratory failure. Conclusion: Blood transfusion during cardiac surgery is directly related to complexity of procedures and severeness of patient illness. Blood saving techniques must be directed to reducing the amount of bleeding, allowing hemodilution and defining strict criteria for intra and post operative transfusions.

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BACKGROUND: Mitral valve repair is considered better than mitral valve replacement for degenerative mitral regurgitation. AIM: To evaluate late clinical results of mitral valve repair as compared to mitral valve replacement in patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients subjected to open heart surgery for degenerative mitral regurgitation between 1990 and 2002 were assessed for surgical mortality, late cardiac and overall mortality, reoperation, readmission to hospital, functional capacity and anticoagulant therapy. Eighty eight patients (48 males) had mitral valve repair and 28 (19 males) had mitral valve replacement (23 with a mechanical prosthesis). Mean age was 59.9 +/- 14.8 (SD) and 61.3 +/- 14.6 years, respectively. Sixty three percent of patients with repair and 50% of those with valve replacement were in functional class III or IV before surgery. RESULTS: Operative mortality was 2.3% for mitral valve repair and 3.6% for mitral valve replacement (NS). Also, there was no statistical difference in the need of reoperation during the follow-up period between both procedures (2.3% and 0%, respectively). Ninety four percent of the replacement patients but only 26% of the repair patients were in anticoagulant therapy at the end of the follow-up period (p < 0.001). Ten years survival rates were 82 +/- 6% for mitral valve repair and 54 +/- 11% for replacement. The corresponding cardiac related survival rates were 89 +/- 6% and 79 +/- 10%. At the end of follow-up, all surviving patients were in functional class I or II. Ten years freedom from cardiac event rates (death, cardiac related rehospitalization and reoperation) were 90 +/- 3% for mitral valve repair and 84 +/- 6% for replacement. CONCLUSION: Repair of the mitral valve offers a better overall survival and a better chance of freedom from cardiac events as well as need for anticoagulation 10 years after surgery.

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BACKGROUND: Surgical valve repair is a good alternative for correction of incompetent bicuspid aortic valve. AIM: To report the early and late surgical, clinical and ecochardiographic results of surgical repair of incompetent bicuspid aortic valves. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records of 18 patients aged 19 to 61 years, with incompetent bicuspid aortic valve in whom a valve repair was performed. Four patients had infectious endocarditis and 17 were in functional class I or II. Follow up ranged from 3 to 113 months after surgery. RESULTS: A triangular resection of the prolapsing larger cusp, which included the middle raphe, was performed in 17 cases; in 13 of these, a complementary subcommisural annuloplasty was performed. In the remaining case, with a perforation of the non-coronary cusp, a pericardial patch was implanted; this procedure was also performed in 2 other cases. In 3 cases large vegetations were removed. Postoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed no regurgitation in 11 patients (62%) and mild regurgitation in 7 (38%). There was no operative morbidity or mortality. There were no deaths during the follow-up period. In 3 patients (17%) the aortic valve was replaced with a mechanical prosthesis, 8 to 108 months after the first operation. Reoperation was not needed in 93%+/-6,4% at 1 year and 85%+/-9,5% at 5 years, these patients were all in functional class I at the end of the follow-up period. 60% had no aortic regurgitation, 20% had mild and 20% moderate aortic regurgitation on echocardiographic examination. A significant reduction of the diastolic diameter of the left ventricle was observed, but there were no significant changes in systolic diameter or shortening fraction. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical repair of incompetent bicuspid aortic valves has low operative morbidity and mortality and has a low risk of reoperation.

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Antecedentes: Los resultados precoces del tratamiento quirúrgico de la insuficiencia tricúspide con la técnica de González de Vega (G de V) y campentier (CE) son satisfactorios. Sin embargo, existen pocos estudios con evaluación clínica y ecocardiográfica tardía. Objetivos: Comparar los resultados a largo plazo de la valvuloplastía tricúspide con las 2 técnicas más usadas e identificar factores asociados a recidiva de la insuficiencia valvular. Métodos: Realizamos un análisis retrospectivos clínico y ecocardiográfico de pacientes operados entre 1990 y 2002. Hubo 54 pacientes (38 con G de V y 16 con CE) que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión para el análisis comparativo: mayores de 15 años, insuficiencia tricúspide grados III o IV por ecocardiografía preoperatoria y evaluación clínica y ecocardiográfica con al menos 6 meses de seguimiento. Resultados: Ambos grupos fueron comparables en cuanto a sus características pre-operatorias. El seguimiento promedio fue de 49 ± 36 meses. La sobrevida actuarial en el grupo G de V fue de 84 por ciento al año y 75 por ciento a los 5 años. En el grupo CE fue de 72 por ciento y 62 por ciento respectivamente (p = NS). El 87 por ciento de los pacientes mejoraron en forma importante su capacidad funcional. La ecocardiografía de control alejado mostró ausencia o insuficiencia tricúspide grado (II en 12 (31,6 por ciento) de los pacientes del grupo G de V y en 10 (62,5 por ciento) de los pacientes del grupo CE. Se observó insuficiencia tricúspide grados III o IV en 26 pacientes (68,4 por ciento) con G de V y en pacientes (37,5 por ciento) con la técnica CE (p = 0,035). En ambos grupos se demostró una correlación significativa entre el grado de insuficiencia tricúspide alejada y la presión de arteria pulmonar (p = 0,001). Conclusión: La valvuloplastía de CE produce mejores resultados que la G de V a largo plazo. Consigue mejoría clínica y ausencia de regurgitación ecocardiográfica importante en 2/3 de los pacientes. La persistencia de hipertensión pulmonar se asoció a recidiva de regurgitación tricúspide.

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BACKGROUND: Valve replacement has been the treatment of choice for patients with valvular complications of infectious endocarditis (IE). However, excellent results with valve repair allowed it to become a new therapeutic alternative for these patients. AIM: To evaluate the results of valve repair in patients with valvular complications of IE. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1991 to December 2000, 14 patients with valvular complications of IE underwent valve repair. Mean age was 37.9 +/- 14.9. RESULTS: New York Heart Association (NYHA) class was 2.8 +/- 0.9. IE was located in the aortic in 6 (42%), in the mitral valve in 4 (29%) and in both valves in 4 cases (29%). Surgical indication was hemodynamic in 50% of the cases, echocardiographic in 29% and septic in 21%. Five aortic valves were bicuspid, 3 mitral valves were myxomatous and the rest were normal. The most common septic lesions were vegetations and leaflet perforations. A total of 23 aortic and 21 mitral valve repair procedures were performed. There were no deaths. Only 1 patient had a surgical complication (renal failure and prolonged mechanical ventilation). Follow-up was 100% complete. There was not late mortality. One patient with bone marrow aplasia required reoperation for a new episode of IE 19 months later. At the end of the follow-up NYHA class was 1.3 +/- 0.6 and echocardiography showed a mild or absence of valve regurgitation in most patients. CONCLUSIONS: Valve repair surgery in IE has good results, with advantages over valve replacement.

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BACKGROUND: Norwood procedure is used as the first stage in the palliative treatment of the hypoplastic heart syndrome and can be used, with some technical modifications, in other forms of univentricular heart with aortic stenosis or hypoplasia. These patients have a high mortality (50%), derived from the procedure itself and from their abnormal physiological status. AIM: To report our experience with the Norwood procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all patients subjected to the Norwood procedure between February, 2000 and June 2003. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (9 females, age range 5-60 days and median weight of 3.3 kg) were operated. Eight had hypoplastic heart syndrome and five had a single ventricle with aortic arch hypoplasia. The diagnosis was done in utero in eight patients. All technical variations, according to the disposition and anatomy of the great vessels, are described. Cardiac arrest with profound hypothermia was used in all and regional cerebral perfusion was used in nine. Three patients died in the perioperative period and three died in the follow up (two, four and 10 months after the procedure). Gleen and Fontan procedures were completed in five and one patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results with the Norwood procedure are similar to other series. There is an important mortality in the immediate operative period and prior to the Glenn procedure.

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BACKGROUND: The natural history of aneurysms ends in rupture and death. In 1990 the first endovascular exclusion of an aneurysm, using an endoluminal graft implanted through the femoral arteries was performed. More recently, the same procedure has been used for aneurysms of the thoracic aorta. AIM: To report our experience with endovascular treatment of thoracic aorta aneurysms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of 14 patients (nine male), aged 30 to 79 years, treated between May 2001 and August 2002. RESULTS: The mean diameter of the aneurysms was 6.9 cm. The etiology was atherosclerotic in nine patients. The Excluder device (Gore) was preferentially used. There was no operative mortality or paraplegia. One patient had a transient leg monoparesis that reverted completely. No patient had type I endoleaks. Two patients had type II endoleaks on discharge, that sealed spontaneously. In a follow up, ranging from 2 to 17 months, one patient died of a bronchopneumonia and no aneurysm rupture has been detected. CONCLUSIONS: The short term results of endoluminal treatment of thoracic aorta aneurysms are excellent. This treatment is less invasive and has less complications than conventional surgery.

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BACKGROUND: When the ascending aorta and the femoral artery cannot be used for extracorporeal circulation, an emerging alternative is the use of axillary artery. AIM: To report the experience using the axillary artery for extracorporeal circulation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between November 1998 and May 2002, 22 patients (14 male) were operated with extracorporeal circulation, cannulating the axillary artery. Briefly, an incision is made below the middle third of the clavicle and a cut is made on major pectoris muscle. Minor pectoris muscle is retracted and axillary artery is exposed. It is cannulated directly or with the aid of a prosthesis. RESULTS: Right axillary artery was used in 21 patients and in 20 it was cannulated with the aid of a prosthesis. Mean flow was 4.5 +/- 0.6 l/min. The most common indications were aortic dissection or aneurysms. The most common procedures done, were ascending aorta replacement in 8 cases and replacement of ascending aorta and aortic arch in 5. Thirty five percent of operations were emergencies and 32% were reoperations. In 15 patients (68%), a circulatory arrest was done. Of these, retrograde brain perfusion was used in 9, antegrade brain perfusion through the same axillary artery was used in 2 and mixed perfusion was used in 2. One patient had a complication related to the axillary cannulation. None had cerebrovascular accidents or thromboembolic complications. Two patients died in the postoperative period. Patients were followed up to 42 months after the procedure and no secondary complications of the cannulation were detected. CONCLUSIONS: When the ascending aorta and the femoral artery cannot be used, axillary artery is a good alternative for extracorporeal circulation.

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