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INTRODUCTION: Acute haemodynamic changes and/or loss of abdominal muscle tone can occur during induction of general anaesthesia and may be the Achilles' tendon in endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of ruptured aortoiliac aneurysms (rAIA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of local anaesthesia (LA) for EVAR to overcome these limitations. METHODS: Twenty-one consecutive patients with rAIA are included in this study. Twenty patients underwent EVAR under LA, and 1 patient was treated under general anaesthesia. Haemodynamics were stabilised during assessment of EVAR feasibility by CT-scan and during the procedure itself by controlled hypotension (MAP 50-60 mmHg) and moderate fluid resuscitation. RESULTS: Median procedure time was 120 min. Haemodynamics remained stable in all but 3 patients who required transfemoral balloon occlusion of the supra-renal aorta. Perioperative intubation was necessary in 5 patients because of respiratory distress (n = 3), or retroperitoneal access (n = 2). Temporary deterioration of renal function occurred in 6 patients, with 2 requiring hemofiltration. CT-scan confirmed sealing of the rAIA in all patients at discharge. 30-day mortality was 9.5% (2 deaths). In the median follow-up of 19 months, there were no deaths, but 3 endovascular re-interventions, 1 crossover femoro-femoral bypass, and 1 open surgical graft repair. DISCUSSION: Our series is the first to show that EVAR for rAIA can be safely performed under LA. This approach allows implantation of commercially available bifurcated SG and improves patient outcome.

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OBJECTIVES: Medical treatment is generally advocated for patients with acute type B aortic dissection without complications. The objective of this retrospective analysis was to determine whether there are any initial findings that can help predict the long-term course of the disease. METHODS: Case records of the 130 patients treated for type B aortic dissection between 1988 and 1997 were reviewed; 41 (31%) were operated on in the acute phase (<14 days), 31 (24%) were operated on in the chronic phase and 58 (45%) were treated medically. RESULTS: Overall acute mortality was 10.8%; 22% for patients operated on in the early phase and 5.6% for medically treated patients. Age (P=0.002), persistent pain (P=0.01) and malperfusion (P=0.001) were significant independent predictors of the need for surgery. Paraplegia/para paresis (P=0.0001), leg ischaemia (P=0.003), pleural effusion (P=0.003), rupture (P=0.0001), shock (P=0.0001), age (P=0.003), cardiac failure (P=0.002) and aortic diameter >4.5 cm (P=0.002) were significant predictors of poor survival. Age and shock also emerged as independent risk factors. Patients without malperfusion (P=0.0001), pleural effusion (P=0.003), rupture (P=0.0001) and shock (P=0.0001) had a significantly better event-free survival (freedom from repeat surgery and death). The actuarial survival rate for high-risk patients (malperfusion, rupture, shock) was 62% at 1 year and 40% at 5 years; the corresponding values for low-risk patients were 94 and 84%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Rupture, shock and malperfusion are significant predictors of poor survival in patients with acute type B aortic dissection.

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INTRODUCTION: acute haemodynamic changes and/or loss of abdominal muscle tone can occur during induction of general anaesthesia and may be the Achilles' tendon in endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of ruptured aortoiliac aneurysms (rAIA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of local anaesthesia (LA) for EVAR to overcome these limitations. METHODS: twenty-one consecutive patients with rAIA are included in this study. Twenty patients underwent EVAR under LA, and 1 patient was treated under general anaesthesia. Haemodynamics were stabilised during assessment of EVAR feasibility by CT-scan and during the procedure itself by controlled hypotension (MAP 50-60 mmHg) and moderate fluid resuscitation. RESULTS: median procedure time was 120 min. Haemodynamics remained stable in all but 3 patients who required transfemoral balloon occlusion of the supra-renal aorta. Perioperative intubation was necessary in 5 patients because of respiratory distress (n=3), or retroperitoneal access (n=2). Temporary deterioration of renal function occurred in 6 patients, with 2 requiring hemofiltration. CT-scan confirmed sealing of the rAIA in all patients at discharge. 30-day mortality was 9.5% (2 deaths). In the median follow-up of 19 months, there were no deaths, but 3 endovascularre-interventions, 1 crossover femoro-femoral bypass, and 1 open surgical graft repair. DISCUSSION: our series is the first to show that EVAR for rAIA can be safely performed under LA. This approach allows implantation of commercially available bifurcated SG and improves patient outcome.

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OBJECTIVE: Prospective evaluation of early stent-graft repair of acute traumatic aortic rupture. METHODS: Twelve patients with acute traumatic aortic rupture of the descending aorta, out of a series of 337 endovascular aortic procedures, were treated by implantation of self-expanding stent-grafts. The procedures were performed within a mean post-injury time-period of 5+/-7 days (median: 1 day). The feasibility of stent-grafting was assessed by CT scanning and echography. Implantation was performed under local (n=6), or general anesthesia (n=6) if patients were already intubated (n=5) or required a common iliac artery access (n=1). RESULTS: The immediate technical success rate was 100%. There were no post-procedure complications in all but one patient, who died 12 h postoperatively (8% mortality). Complete sealing of the aortic rupture in the remaining 11 patients was confirmed by postoperative CT scans. There were no intervention-related morbidity or mortality during the mean follow-up of 17 months. One patient with peri-graft leakage was successfully repaired with an additional stent-graft 12 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Non-delayed or early stent-grafting in acute traumatic rupture of the descending aorta is feasible. This technique seems to be a valuable option, in particular when associated lesions may interfere with the surgical outcome. Immediate post-procedural CT scanning and/or echography should be performed, in order to rule out residual leakage.

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OBJECTIVE: In order to determine the optimal surgical strategy for acute ascending aortic dissection, the graft inclusion technique was compared with the open resection technique. METHODS: Between 1985 and 1995 a consecutive series of 193 patients (77% male, mean age 58 years) had emergency surgery during a mean interval of 13.2 h after onset of symptoms. Graft replacement of the ascending aorta was performed in all patients (supracoronary graft 143/193=74%, aortic root replacement 50/193=26%, aortic valve replacement 73/193=38%, arch replacement 44/193=20%) The open resection technique was applied in 93 patients and the inclusion technique in 100 patients with a Cabrol-shunt in 26%. Preoperative risk factors were equally distributed between groups (inclusion technique vs. open technique): left ventricular ejection fraction<45% (13 vs. 2%, not significant (n.s.)), neurological deficit (31 vs. 25%; n.s.), systolic blood pressure<90 mm Hg (20 vs. 15%, n.s.) pericardial tamponade (25 vs. 9%, n.s.), renal failure (6 vs. 4%; n.s.). RESULTS: The overall early mortality was 24%. Following graft inclusion it was 31% compared with 16% in the open technique group (P=0.0154). Postoperative complications (graft inclusion vs. open technique): myocardial infarction (9 vs. 12%, n.s.), low cardiac output (40 vs. 32%, n.s.), reexploration for hemorrhage (23 vs. 25%, n.s.). Survival at 8 years was significantly increased in the open technique group (P=0.0300). Pseudoaneurysm formation occurred in 3% of patients and only after graft inclusion. Freedom from reoperation was 80% at 8 years and did not differ between groups. Graft inclusion was an independent significant predictor of early (P=0.0069; relative risk=2.3673) and late mortality (P=0.0119; relative risk=2.0981). CONCLUSIONS: Surgery of acute ascending aortic dissection still carries a considerable early mortality whereas the late outcome is satisfactory. The open resection technique is the method of choice showing superior early and late results and avoiding pseudoaneurysm formation. The inclusion technique may be indicated in situations with increased risk of bleeding. A consequent decompression of the perigraft-space could reduce the rate of pseudoaneurysms.

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BACKGROUND: Following mitral valve replacement, surgical closure of paravalvular leaks is usually advised in severely symptomatic patients and in those requiring blood transfusions for persisting haemolysis. However, the long-term prognosis of less symptomatic patients or those not needing blood transfusions is unknown. METHODS: Between 1987 and 1997, we observed 96 patients with mitral paravalvular leakage. A paraprosthetic leak was diagnosed after a median time of 119 days (range: 1 day-23 years) after primary mitral valve replacement. During an average follow-up of 5 years (range: 1-23 years), 50/96 patients were referred for surgical closure. RESULTS: Compared with patients who received conservative treatment, those referred for surgery had a significantly lower mean preoperative haematocrit (P = 0.002) with a higher proportion of patients being in the NYHA class III/IV (P = 0.03). Age, gender, left ventricular function and number and size of leaks did not differ between the groups. The 30-day postoperative mortality for valve reoperation was 6% (3/50); during follow-up three further patients died, resulting in an overall mortality rate of 12%. In the group treated conservatively there was a mortality rate of 26% (12/46). Thus, the actuarial survival for patients referred for surgery was 98, 90 and 88% after 1, 5 and 10 years, compared with 90, 75 and 68% for patients treated conservatively (long-rank P = 0.03). In addition, there was a significant increase in mean haematocrit levels (P = 0.0001) and an improvement in NYHA class III/IV symptoms (P = 0.002), vertigo (P = 0.001) and fatigue (P = 0.001) after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Following mitral valve replacement, a more aggressive surgical treatment is recommended for patients with paraprosthetic leaks. Surgery should be offered to less symptomatic patients, as well as those not requiring blood transfusion.

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BACKGROUND: Long-term results after composite graft replacement of the aortic root may depend on the insertion technique. METHODS: 181 consecutive patients (mean age 53 years; 153 men) operated on between 1983 and 1993 were studied. Indications for surgery were annuloaortic ectasia (n=98), acute aortic dissection (n = 46), other indications (n = 12), and various indications after previous aortic valve replacement (n = 25). Mean follow-up was 28 months. The open-button technique was performed in 74 patients (41 %) and the Bentall inclusion technique in 107 patients (59%), with a Cabrol shunt to the right atrium in 16 patients. RESULTS: Overall survival was 75% after 7 years, significantly decreased in acute aortic dissection (p = 0.0019) and without difference between the two surgical techniques (p = 0.3166). Reoperation-free survival was 69% at 7 years and significantly decreased after acute dissection (p = 0.0421 ). Pseudoaneurysm formation only occurred in 3 patients operated with the Bentall technique not including a Cabrol shunt. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term results are satisfactory. In acute aortic dissection survival is decreased and late reoperations more frequent. The open technique is safe in non-dissection and in acute dissection and avoids pseudoaneurysm formation. The Bentall technique combined with Cabrol shunt is indicated if there is a high risk of hemorrhage. Long-term monitoring of the aorta is mandatory in patients with acute dissection and/or Marfan disease.

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OBJECTIVE: In acute type A dissection long-term results of conservative aortic root surgery were compared with the outcome of primary valve and/or root replacement. METHODS: Between 1985 and 1995, 199 patients (mean age 59 years, 154 men) were operated on. The aortic root was involved in the dissection process and valve incompetence of varying degree was present without exception. Replacement of a proximal aortic segment was standard procedure in all patients. The aortic valve was preserved in 126 patients: commissural suture resuspension (12 patients), root reconstruction with GRF-glue (gelatine-resorcin-formaldehyde/glutaraldehyde-glue) (114 patients). Valve replacement was performed in 73 patients (50 composite grafts, 23 valve prostheses with separate supracoronary grafts). Preoperative risk factors (valve replacement vs. preservation): coronary artery disease (11 vs. 8%, NS), tamponade (18 vs. 17%, NS), unstable hemodynamics (22 vs. 15%, NS), renal failure (4 vs. 6%, NS), neurologic disorder (19 vs. 32%, NS). RESULTS: The overall early mortality was 23.6% (47/199 patients) and increased after commissural suture resuspension compared with GRF-glue reconstruction (P = NS). Parameters of the early postoperative period did not differ between conservative treatment and root/valve replacement: low cardiac output, 34 versus 38% (P = NS); myocardial infarction, 10 versus 11% (P = NS); hemorrhage, 25 versus 23% (P = NS); duration of intensive care (P = NS). Survival was 61% after 8 years without difference between the two principal treatment groups (P = NS) and between the two conservative subgroups (P = NS). At 2 years, GRF-glue reconstruction had an increased freedom from reoperation on the aortic root (92 vs. 70%, P = 0.0253) and event free survival (77 vs. 41%, P = 0.0224) compared with suture resuspension. Commissural suture resuspension was an independent, significant predictor for reoperation (P = 0.0221, relative risk = 4.7130). CONCLUSION: Surgery for acute type A dissection still carries a considerable early risk. Preservation of the aortic root is safe in the absence of Marfan or annuloaortic ectasia, but a certain incidence of reoperations on the aortic valve and the aortic root has to be accepted. Root reconstruction using GRF-glue is the method of choice and is superior to suture resuspension, with a significantly better reoperation-free and event-free survival.

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OBJECTIVE: Life expectancy of cryopreserved allografts implanted in infants is different from those implanted in adults. A morphological study of explanted allograft heart valves was performed to determine the mechanism of deterioration and to compare cryopreserved arterial and heart valve allografts from adult patients with those explanted from infants. METHOD: Between 1987 and 1996, 209 cryopreserved allografts were implanted: 125 valved conduits or monocusps to reconstruct the right ventricular outflow tract in congenital heart disease, 50 allograft heart valves to treat native aortic and prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis and 34 cryopreserved arterial allografts to replace mycotic aortic aneurysms or infected aortic prosthetic grafts. Two months to 8 years after implantation, 23 heart valve allografts, 11 right-sided and 12 left-sided, and four arterial allografts had to be explanted for reasons such as degeneration, recurrent infection, aneurysm formation or rupture. Besides conventional staining, immunohistochemical detection of cell populations was performed as follows: CD45RO, CD3 and CD43 for T lymphocytes, CD20 for B lymphocytes, CD68 for macrophages, protein S100 for Langerhans-cells, vimentin for fibroblasts, alpha-actin for smooth muscle cells and factor VIII for endothelial cells. RESULTS: Explanted cryopreserved allografts were all fibrotic, acellular, non-vital and without endothelial cells. The fibrous tissue was preserved. T lymphocytes, indicating rejection, were found in all right-sided allografts from the paediatric population, but only in 9% of left-sided valves explanted from adults and in one of the four of arterial allografts. Macrophages and Langerhans-cells were found only in right-sided allografts from paediatric patients. CONCLUSION: Right-sided cryopreserved allografts from a paediatric population showed ongoing cellular rejection. By contrast, there was only a weak T-cell mediated rejection to adult heart valve and arterial allografts. Therefore, similar long-term results can be expected in adult arterial and heart valve allografts, whereas longevity of right-sided heart valve allograft in the paediatric age group seems endangered by cellular rejection.

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The Abiomed BVS 5000 is an automatic volume-driven paracorporeal pulsatile assist device providing left, right or biventricular support. The paracorporeal position allows optical adjustment of filling volumes of the device, which determines the output of the system. A procedure to adjust for maximal stable flow has not yet been established. In vitro measurements have been performed to assess the flow and pressure characteristics of the Abiomed BVS 5000 by raising the preload in 5 mmHg steps before running the system. Doppler probes were placed at the inflow and outflow lines of the pump. After setting the afterload at 80 mmHg the assist device was started. Two measurements were performed to find optimal flow (based on Doppler control and optical adjustment). (1) By Doppler control a stable flow pattern was found at a preload of 25 mmHg with a mean atrial pressure of 5 mmHg and a mean flow of 5.3 +/- 0.7 l/min (mean +/- standard deviation) at the inflow and outflow sites (the console flow was 4.8 +/- 0.4 l/min with a frequency of 61.8 +/- 2.0 l/min). (2) Optical adjustment of the pump height gave rise to a preload of 35 mmHg where we recorded a maximal atrial pressure of 107 +/- 5.8 mmHg, a maximal retrograde flow of -4.3 +/- 1.2 l/min at the inflow and -1.2 +/- 0.4 l/min at the outflow site. The mean flow at the inflow and outflow sites was 5.1 +/- 0.5 l/min (the console flow was 4.6 +/- 0.3 l/min with a frequency of 59.6 +/- 2.6 Hz). At an initial afterload of 60 and 40 mmHg the system showed the same qualitative behaviour, but the results were less accurate. Optical adjustment of the pump height may result in an atrioventricular valve insufficiency with undetected retrograde flow and high atrial pressures. We conclude that a Doppler flow probe must be placed at the inflow site to guarantee maximal stable flow.

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OBJECTIVES: To assess prognosis and factors influencing survival of transplant candidates in whom continued medial therapy was recommended in comparison to that of immediately listed patients. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of clinical, echocardiographic and hemodynamic data as related to survival or listing for transplantation of medically treated transplant candidates. PATIENTS: 160 patients considered 'too well' for cardiac transplantation and 133 patients immediately listed for transplantation. RESULTS: Forty-one of the medically treated patients deteriorated clinically and were listed after 10.7+/-12.3 months after initial evaluation. Mid-term prognosis (2 years) of patients never listed was comparable to that of immediately listed patients (74% vs. 70%) but long-term prognosis (5 years) was worse (41% vs. 54%, p<0.001). Cardiothoracic ratio and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure were independent predictors of survival (multivariate analysis) in patients whose NYHA class and physical working capacity improved and cardiothoracic ratio decreased significantly after adjustment of medical therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Mid-term prognosis of selected patients considered 'too well' for transplantation is comparable to patients immediately listed. Lower left ventricular filling pressures, smaller hearts on chest X-ray on initial evaluation, and improvement of symptoms during follow up may identify a subgroup of patients who do well on optimized therapy.

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OBJECTIVE: In acute type A dissection the indication for composite graft replacement of the aortic root and the optimal implantation technique are a matter of debate. In this study early and late results of root replacement in acute dissection are determined and compared with supracoronary graft replacement. Two implantation techniques (open vs. inclusion) are evaluated. METHODS: Between 1985 and 1995, 207 consecutive patients (mean age 58 +/- 12 years, 78% men) were operated for acute type A dissection of the aorta. Root replacement in 50 patients (inclusion technique in 34/50 patients with Cabrol shunt in 15/34 patients, open technique in 16/50 patients) was compared with more conservative procedures in 157 patients: supracoronary graft replacement in 143 patients (with aortic valve replacement in 23 patients) and local repair without graft interposition in 14 patients. Preoperative risk factors, like hemodynamic instability, renal failure, neurologic disorder and coronary artery disease did not differ in the two treatment groups. RESULTS: Early results, survival and reoperation-free survival after 5 years were insignificantly better after root replacement: mortality 10/50 (20%) vs. 38/157 (24%) P = n.s.; hemorrhage 10/50 (20%) vs. 39/157 (25%) P = n.s.; stroke 5/50 (10%) vs. 27/157 (17%) P = n.s.; survival 70 +/- 7% vs. 63 +/- 4%, reoperation free survival 92 +/- 6% vs. 78 +/- 5% P = 0.0815). For the open technique, early mortality was 18.8 vs. 20.6%, P = n.s. and reoperation free survival at 5 years was 80.7 vs. 65.2%, P = n.s. Perioperative complications did not differ in the two technical groups and a single pseudoaneurysm occurred in the Bentall group. CONCLUSION: In acute dissection composite graft replacement of the aortic root can be carried out with good early and late results not inferior to more conservative procedures. The open technique is the implantation method of choice and the modified Bentall technique is indicated in situations with increased risk of bleeding.

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Orthotopic heart transplantation was successfully performed in a 62-year-old man by use of a heart harvested from a donor with situs inversus. This procedure is a reasonable alternative when no other donor is available. The technique of this operation is described here. A month later the patient was discharged in good condition and is still doing well 1 year after the transplantation.

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The gold standard to clarify an acute pathology of the ascending aorta is transesophageal echocardiography or contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Neither of these methods led to the correct finding in our case of an inflammatory aneurysm of the ascending aorta. Both assessments resulted in the diagnosis of an acute dissection of the ascending aorta.

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BACKGROUND: Graft coronary artery disease (CAD) is an increasingly important problem during long-term survival after heart transplantation, but the importance of cellular rejection, in particular late after transplantation, remains undetermined. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed 492 coronary angiographies (967+/-705 days after transplantation; range, 49 days to 9.4 years) and 5201 endomyocardial biopsies (518+/-648 days after transplantation) from 156 patients (age, 47+/-11 years). Patients with angiographically detectable graft CAD had significantly more episodes of rejection requiring augmentation of immunosuppressive therapy (i.e., International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation score > or = 3A) than those without graft CAD during the first (3.7+/-2.6 vs. 2.2+/-2.0, P<0.001) as well as subsequent years after transplantation (1.2+/-1.9 vs. 0.4+/-0.9, P<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis including established risk factors for CAD, ischemic time, gender and age of donors and recipients, number of mismatches, cytomegalovirus infection, and drug therapy showed that the number of rejections during the first [odds ratio (OR)=1.39, P<0.005] as well as subsequent years (OR=1.49, P<0.05), previous cytomegalovirus infection (OR=3.21, P<0.05), donor age >40 years (OR=2.97, P<0.05), and current or former smoker status (OR=2.76, P<0.05) were independent predictors of graft CAD. In patients without angiographically detectable graft CAD 1 year after transplantation, the number of rejections after the first year was even more strongly related to graft coronary artery disease than in the total patient population, underlining the importance of late cellular rejection (OR=1.74, P<0.005). CONCLUSION: Rejection requiring augmentation of immunosuppression early and late after transplantation is an independent risk factor for the development of angiographically detectable graft CAD. Hence, the search for and treatment of moderate or severe rejection seems to be prudent even late after transplantation.

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BACKGROUND: In acute type A dissection of the aorta, local repair with glue-aortoplasty was compared with aortic replacement. METHODS: Between 1992 and 1996, 106 consecutive patients (mean age, 59 years; 84 men) were operated on average 14.5 hours after onset of dissection. A local repair (gelatin-resorcine-formaldehyde/glutaraldehyde glue, Trigon AG, Monchengladbach, Germany) without graft replacement was performed in 21 patients. Graft replacement and reinforcement of aortic stumps with gelatin-resorcine-formaldehyde/glutaraldehyde glue was performed in 85 patients (supracoronary graft, 68; aortic root replacement, 17). RESULTS: Survival was 79% after 30 days and 69% after 2 years. There was no difference in early mortality (p = 0.2240) and survival (p = 0.07649). Risk factors for early mortality were preoperative shock, neurologic disorder, duration of crossclamp, and extracorporeal circulation. The rate of reoperation on the proximal aorta was 31.6% (6 of 19) after local repair and 9% (6 of 64) after aortic replacement (p = 0.0157). Local repair was a significant predictor for reoperation (p = 0.0087), with decreased reoperation-free survival (p = 0.01164). In all reinterventions (four supracoronary grafts, including two valve replacements; two composite grafts; two arch replacements) breakdown of the aortoplasty was confirmed. CONCLUSION: Local repair has satisfactory early results but an increased incidence of reoperations due to a breakdown of the glue-aortoplasty. Indications for local repair should be restricted to high-risk patients requiring a minimal emergency surgical procedure.

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Broad-range PCR amplification of part of the 16S rRNA gene followed by single-strand sequencing was applied to samples of 18 resected heart valves from patients with infective endocarditis. The PCR results were compared with those of cultures of valves and with those of previous blood cultures. For two patients there was agreement with the cultures of the valves; for nine patients there was agreement with the previous blood cultures, which were positive, while the cultures of the valves were negative; a Streptococcus sp. and Tropheryma whippelii each were found in one patient with negative cultures (valve and blood); for two patients the cultures of the valves as well as the PCR results were negative but the blood cultures were positive; for one patient amplification was inhibited; and for two patients the PCR results were positive but the amplicons could not be sequenced. It is concluded that broad-range PCR is a promising tool for patients with culture-negative endocarditis and allows the detection of rare, noncultivable organisms.

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