ABSTRACT Introduction: The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of severe and moderate primary graft dysfunction (PGD) in our center, to identify, retrospectively, donors’ and recipients’ risk factors for PGD development, and to evaluate the impact of PGD within 30 days after heart transplantation. Methods: Donors’ and recipients’ medical records of 64 consecutive adult cardiac transplantations performed between January 2016 and June 2017 were reviewed. The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) criteria were used to diagnose moderate and severe PGD. Associations of risk factors for combined moderate/severe PGD were assessed with appropriate statistical analyses. Results: Sixty-four patients underwent heart transplantation in this period. Twelve recipients (18.7%) developed severe or moderate PGD. Development of PGD was associated with previous donor cardiopulmonary resuscitation and a history of prior heart surgery in the recipient (P=0.01 and P=0.02, respectively). The 30-day in hospital mortality was similar in both PGD and non-PGD patients. Conclusion: The use of the ISHLT criteria for PGD is important to identify potential risk factor. The development of PGD did not affect short-term survival in our study. More studies should be done to better understand the pathophysiology of PGD.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of severe and moderate primary graft dysfunction (PGD) in our center, to identify, retrospectively, donors’ and recipients’ risk factors for PGD development, and to evaluate the impact of PGD within 30 days after heart transplantation. Methods: Donors’ and recipients’ medical records of 64 consecutive adult cardiac transplantations performed between January 2016 and June 2017 were reviewed. The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) criteria were used to diagnose moderate and severe PGD. Associations of risk factors for combined moderate/severe PGD were assessed with appropriate statistical analyses. Results: Sixty-four patients underwent heart transplantation in this period. Twelve recipients (18.7%) developed severe or moderate PGD. Development of PGD was associated with previous donor cardiopulmonary resuscitation and a history of prior heart surgery in the recipient (P=0.01 and P=0.02, respectively). The 30-day in hospital mortality was similar in both PGD and non-PGD patients. Conclusion: The use of the ISHLT criteria for PGD is important to identify potential risk factor. The development of PGD did not affect short-term survival in our study. More studies should be done to better understand the pathophysiology of PGD.

Abstract Since Barnard’s first heterotopic heart transplant in 1974, Copeland’s method has been the greatest contribution to heterotopic transplants but has the drawback of donor’s right ventricular atrophy. This new method proposes a modification in the anastomosis of the superior vena cava aiming to pre-serve donor’s right ventricular function by decompressing the pulmonary territory and reducing the pulmonary arterial pressure, as a biological ventricular assist device. Finally, a second intervention is proposed, where a “twist” is performed to place the donor’s heart in an orthotopic position after re-moval of the native heart. A pioneering research on this method received approval from the ethics committee of the Heart Institute of São Paulo. We believe that this method has the potential to im-prove quality of life in a selected group of patients.

INTRODUÇÃO: O ramo descendente da artéria circunflexa lateral é um enxerto pouco avaliado e pode ser uma opção para a revascularização do miocárdio. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a perviabilidade e o remodelamento arterial do ramo descendente da artéria circunflexa lateral, em três meses de seguimento, por meio de angiotomografia de artérias coronárias. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados 32 pacientes submetidos à revascularização do miocárdio com ramo descendente da artéria circunflexa lateral, artéria torácica interna esquerda e outros enxertos. A avaliação foi realizada por meio da tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução, realizada no 7º e 90º dias de pós-operatório. O diâmetro do ramo descendente da artéria circunflexa lateral foi medido 3 cm antes da anastomose distal, na porção média e 3 cm após a anastomose proximal. As mesmas medidas foram realizadas para a artéria torácica interna esquerda. Os diâmetros foram comparados pelo método t de Student pareado (significância P<0,05). RESULTADOS: O ramo descendente da artéria circunflexa lateral foi adequado para a utilização em 26 pacientes. Em seis (18%) pacientes, o ramo descendente da artéria circunflexa lateral era inviável. Em todos os casos, o ramo descendente da artéria circunflexa lateral foi empregado sob a forma de enxerto composto. Todos os pacientes receberam artéria torácica interna esquerda para o ramo descendente anterior. A perviabilidade do ramo descendente da artéria circunflexa lateral foi de 96% e 92%, em 7 e 90 dias de pós-operatório, respectivamente. Não foram detectadas oclusões da artéria torácica interna esquerda. Não foram detectados sinais de espasmo do ramo descendente da artéria circunflexa lateral. O ramo descendente da artéria circunflexa lateral apresentou aumento de diâmetro nas porções média (P=0,001) e distal (P=0,006) e a artéria torácica interna esquerda, aumento na porção média (P=0,001). CONCLUSÃO: O remodelamento positivo sugere que o ramo descendente da artéria circunflexa lateral tem comportamento semelhante à artéria torácica interna esquerda e pode ser uma excelente opção para a revascularização do miocárdio com enxertos arteriais. Em virtude das variações anatômicas, estudos de pré-operatório podem auxiliar na seleção de casos.

INTRODUCTION: The descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery is an option for coronary artery bypass grafting. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the early patency and adaptation of lumen diameter using multidetector computed angiotomography. METHODS: Thirty-two patients were selected to undergo coronary artery bypass grafting using the descending branch of the lateral circumflex artery, the internal thoracic artery, and other grafts. Evaluations were carried out through high resolution computed tomography performed on the 7th and 90th postoperative day. Diameters of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex artery and the left internal thoracic artery were measured 3 cm before the distal anastomosis, in the middle portion, and 3 cm after the proximal anastomosis. Diameters were compared using paired t-test (P<0.05). RESULTS: Descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery wDescending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery was used in 26 patients, as its use was not viable in six patients (18%). It was used as composite graft in all cases. The anterior descending branch was revascularized by the left internal thoracic artery in all cases. Patency rates of the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery were 96% and 92%, respectively. No occlusions were observed in the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) and no ischemic events were observed in the descending branch of the lateral circumflex. Descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery increased the lumen diameter in the middle (P=0.001) and distal portions (P=0.006); the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) increased in the middle portion (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Similar to the left internal thoracic artery, the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery showed high patency rate and positive luminal adaptation. This early evaluation confirms the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery as a potential alternative for grafting. Due to anatomical variations, preoperative femoral angiographic evaluation appears to be mandatory.

A utilização de sistemas robóticos em cirurgia cardíaca visa à diminuição do trauma operatório. A revascularização do miocárdio totalmente endoscópica, assistida por robô DaVinci (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, Califórnia) é factível e seu aprendizado deve ser realizado em etapas. O primeiro passo é o preparo da artéria torácica interna esquerda, já por via totalmente endoscópica. O caso apresentado propõe a dissecção da artéria torácica interna direita por esternotomia completa. Propõe um novo passo rumo ao procedimento completamente endoscópico, visando à diminuição de lesões decorrentes da curva de aprendizado.The use of robotic systems in cardiac surgeries aims at decreasing the surgical trauma.

The use of robotic systems in cardiac surgeries aims at decreasing the surgical trauma. The totally endoscopic myocardial revascularization, assisted by the DaVinci robot (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, California) is feasible and the learning process must be carried out in steps. The first step is the preparation of the left internal thoracic artery, through the totally endoscopic approach. The case presented here proposes the dissection of the right internal thoracic artery through complete sternotomy. It proposes a new step directed at the totally endoscopic procedure, aiming at decreasing the injuries caused by the learning curve.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effects of a new method of mitral valve replacement on left ventricular (LV) remodeling and heart failure functional class. METHODS: Eight patients (6 men) with severe mitral regurgitation from end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy underwent surgery. Five patients were in functional class (FC) IV, 2 were in FC III and 1 was in FC III/IV. Age ranged from 33 to 63 years. Both the anterior and posterior leaflets of the mitral valve were divided into hemileaflets. The resultant 4 pedicles were displaced under traction toward the left atrium and anchored between the mitral annulus and an implanted valvular prosthesis. The beating heart facilitated ideal chordae tendineae positioning. RESULTS: All patients survived and were discharged from the hospital. After a mean follow-up period of 6.5 months (1-12 m), 5 patients were in FC I; 2 in FC I/II; and 1 in FC II. The preoperative ejection fraction ranged from 19% to 30% (mean: 25.7±3.4 %), and the postoperative ejection fraction ranged from 21% to 40% (mean: 31.1± 5.8%). Doppler echocardiography showed evidence of LV remodeling in 4 patients, including lateral wall changes and a tendency of the LV cavity to return to its elliptical shape. CONCLUSION: This technique of mitral valve replacement, involving new positioning of the chordae tendineae, allowed LV remodeling and improvement in FC during this brief follow-up period.