Abstract In cases of aortic valve disease, prosthetic valves have been increasingly used for valve replacement, however, there are inherent problems with prostheses, and their quality in the so-called Third World countries is lower in comparison to new-generation models, which leads to shorter durability. Recently, transcatheter aortic valve replacement has been explored as a less invasive option for patients with high-risk surgical profile. In this scenario, aortic valve neocuspidization (AVNeo) has emerged as another option, which can be applied to a wide spectrum of aortic valve diseases. Despite the promising results, this procedure is not widely spread among cardiac surgeons yet. Spurred on by the last publications, we went on to write an overview of the current practice of state-of-the-art AVNeo and its results.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate whether there is any difference on the results of patients treated with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the setting of ischemic heart failure (HF). Methods: Databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register [CENTRAL/CCTR], ClinicalTrials.gov, Scientific Electronic Library Online [SciELO], Literatura Latino-americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde [LILACS], and Google Scholar) were searched for studies published until February 2019. Main outcomes of interest were mortality, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, and stroke. Results: The search yielded 5,775 studies for inclusion. Of these, 20 articles were analyzed, and their data were extracted. The total number of patients included was 54,173, and those underwent CABG (N=29,075) or PCI (N=25098). The hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality (HR 0.763; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.678-0.859; P<0.001), myocardial infarction (HR 0.481; 95% CI 0.365-0.633; P<0.001), and repeat revascularization (HR 0.321; 95% CI 0.241-0.428; P<0.001) were lower in the CABG group than in the PCI group. The HR for stroke showed no statistically significant difference between the groups (random effect model: HR 0.879; 95% CI 0.625-1.237; P=0.459). Conclusion: This meta-analysis found that CABG surgery remains the best option for patients with ischemic HF, without increase in the risk of stroke.

Abstract Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the impact of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) on the risk of early-term mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Methods: Databases (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online [MEDLINE], Excerpta Medica dataBASE [EMBASE], Cochrane Controlled Trials Register [CENTRAL/CCTR], ClinicalTrials.gov, Scientific Electronic Library Online [SciELO], Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences [LILACS], and Google Scholar) were searched for studies published until February 2019. PPM after TAVI was defined as moderate if the indexed effective orifice area (iEOA) was between 0.85 cm2/m2 and 0.65 cm2/m2 and as severe if iEOA ≤ 0.65 cm2/m2. Results: The search yielded 1,092 studies for inclusion. Of these, 18 articles were analyzed, and their data extracted. The total number of patients included who underwent TAVI was 71,106. The incidence of PPM after TAVI was 36.3% (25,846 with PPM and 45,260 without PPM). One-year mortality was not increased in patients with any PPM (odds ratio [OR] 1.021, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.979-1.065, P=0.338) neither in those with moderate PPM (OR 0.980, 95% CI 0.933-1.029, P=0.423). Severe PPM was separately associated with high risk (OR 1.109, 95% CI 1.041-1.181, P=0.001). Conclusion: The presence of severe PPM after TAVI increased early-term mortality. Although moderate PPM seemed harmless, the findings of this study cannot not rule out the possibility of it being detrimental, since there are other registries that did not address this issue yet.

Abstract Prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is an issue that has been overlooked (not to say neglected). Cardiac surgeons must bear in mind that this is a real problem that we must tackle. The purpose of this paper is to be a wake-up call to the surgical community by giving a brief overview of what PPM is, its incidence and impact on the outcomes. We also discuss the increasing role played by imaging for predicting and assessing PPM after SAVR (with which surgeons must become more acquainted) and, finally, we present some options to avoid PPM after the surgical procedure.

Abstract Objective: This study sought to evaluate the impact of prosthesis-patient mismatch on the risk of perioperative and long-term mortality after mitral valve replacement. Methods: Databases were researched for studies published until December 2018. Main outcomes of interest were perioperative and 10-year mortality and echocardiographic parameters. Results: The research yielded 2,985 studies for inclusion. Of these, 16 articles were analyzed, and their data extracted. The total number of patients included was 10,239, who underwent mitral valve replacement. The incidence of prosthesis-patient mismatch after mitral valve replacement was 53.7% (5,499 with prosthesis-patient mismatch and 4,740 without prosthesis-patient mismatch). Perioperative (OR 1.519; 95%CI 1.194-1.931, P<0.001) and 10-year (OR 1.515; 95%CI 1.280-1.795, P<0.001) mortality was increased in patients with prosthesis-patient mismatch. Patients with prosthesis-patient mismatch after mitral valve replacement had higher systolic pulmonary artery pressure and transprosthethic gradient and lower indexed effective orifice area and left ventricle ejection fraction. Conclusion: Prosthesis-patient mismatch increases perioperative and long-term mortality. Prosthesis-patient mismatch is also associated with pulmonary hypertension and depressed left ventricle systolic function. The findings of this study support the implementation of surgical strategies to prevent prosthesis-patient mismatch in order to decrease mortality rates.

Abstract The best treatment for patients with ischemic heart failure (HF) is still on debate. There is growing evidence that coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) benefits these patients. The current recommendations for revascularization in this context are that CABG is reasonable when it comes to decreasing morbidity and mortality rates for patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction <35%), and significant coronary artery disease (CAD) and should be considered in patients with operable coronary anatomy, regardless whether or not there is a viable myocardium (class IIb). Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) does not have enough data to allow the panels to reach a conclusion. The Korean Acute Heart Failure registry (KorAHF) had its data released recently, showing that patients with acute HF who underwent CABG had lower death rates, more complete revascularization and less adverse outcomes compared with patients treated with PCI. Recent ESC/EACTS guidelines on myocardial revascularization clearly recommended CABG as the first choice of revascularization strategy in patients with multivessel disease and acceptable surgical risk to improve prognosis in this scenario of left ventricular dysfunction. However, a high peri-procedural risk must be compared with the benefit of late mortality, and pros and cons of each strategy (either PCI or CABG) must be weighed in the decision-making process. Spurred on by the publication of the above-mentioned article and the release of new guidelines, we went on to write an overview of the current practice of state-of-the-art coronary revascularization options in patients with HF.

Abstract Objective: We aimed to analyze whether patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure reduces the risk of stroke, assessing also some safety outcomes after the publication of a new trial. Introduction: The clinical benefit of closing a PFO has been an open question, so it is necessary to review the current state of published medical data in regards to this subject. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL/CCTR, SciELO, LILACS, Google Scholar and reference lists of relevant articles were used to search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported any of the following outcomes: stroke, death, major bleeding or atrial fibrillation. Six studies fulfilled our eligibility criteria and included 3560 patients (1889 for PFO closure and 1671 for medical therapy. Results: The risk ration (RR) for stroke in the “closure” group compared with the “medical therapy” showed a statistically significant difference between the groups, favouring the “closure” group (RR 0.366; 95%CI 0.171–0.782, P=0.010). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the safety outcomes, death and major bleeding, but we observed an increase in the risk of atrial fibrillation in the “closure” group (RR 4.131; 95%CI 2.293–7.443, P<0.001). We also observed that the larger the proportion of effective closure, the lower the risk of stroke. Conclusion: This meta-analysis found that stroke rates are lower with percutaneously implanted device closure than with medical therapy alone, being these rates modulated by the rates of hypertension, atrial septal aneurysm and effective closure. The publication of a new trial did not change the scenario in the medical literature.

Abstract Objective: We aimed to determine whether patent foramen ovale closure reduces the risk of stroke, also assessing some safety outcomes. Introduction: The clinical benefit of closing a patent foramen ovale after a cryptogenic stroke has been an open question for several decades, so that it is necessary to review the current state of published medical data in this regard. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL/CCTR, SciELO, LI-LACS, Google Scholar and reference lists of relevant articles were searched for randomized controlled trials that reported any of the following outcomes: stroke, death, major bleeding or atrial fibrillation. Five studies fulfilled our eligibility criteria and included 3440 patients (1829 for patent foramen ovale closure and 1611 for medical therapy). Results: The risk ratio (RR) for stroke in the "device closure" group compared with the "medical therapy" showed a statistically significant difference between the groups, favouring the "device closure" group (RR 0.400; 95% CI 0.183-0.873, P=0.021). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the safety outcomes death and major bleeding, but we observed an increase in the risk of atrial fibrillation in the "device closure group (RR 4.000; 95% CI 2.262-7.092, P<0.001). We also observed that the larger the proportion of effective closure, the lower the risk of stroke. Conclusion: This meta-analysis found that stroke rates are lower with percutaneously implanted device closure than with medical therapy alone, being these rates modulated by the rates of effective closure.

Abstract Introduction: Advances in modern medicine have led to people living longer and healthier lives. Frailty is an emerging concept in medicine yet to be explored as a risk factor in cardiac surgery. When it comes to CABG surgery, randomized controlled clinical trials have primarily focused on low-risk (ROOBY, CORONARY), elevated-risk (GOPCABE) or high-risk patients (BBS), but not on frail patients. Therefore, we believe that off-pump CABG could be an important technique in patients with limited functional capacity to respond to surgical stress. In this study, the authors introduce the new national, multicenter, randomized, controlled trial "FRAGILE", to be developed in the main cardiac surgery centers of Brazil, to clarify the potential benefit of off-pump CABG in frail patients. Methods: FRAGILE is a two-arm, parallel-group, multicentre, individually randomized (1:1) controlled trial which will enroll 630 patients with blinded outcome assessment (at 30 days, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years), which aims to compare adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events after off-pump versus on-pump CABG in pre-frail and frail patients. Primary outcomes will be all-cause mortality, acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest with successful resuscitation, low cardiac output syndrome/cardiogenic shock, stroke, and coronary reintervention. Secondary outcomes will be major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, operative time, mechanical ventilation time, hyperdynamic shock, new onset of atrial fibrillation, renal replacement therapy, reoperation for bleeding, pneumonia, length of stay in intensive care unit, length of stay in hospital, number of units of blood transfused, graft patency, rate of complete revascularization, neurobehavioral outcomes after cardiac surgery, quality of life after cardiac surgery and costs. Discussion: FRAGILE trial will determine whether off-pump CABG is superior to conventional on-pump CABG in the surgical treatment of pre-frail and frail patients. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT02338947. Registered on August 29th 2014; last updated on March 21st 2016.

Abstract Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using drug-eluting stents (DES) in patients with unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL/CCTR, SciELO, LILACS, Google Scholar and reference lists of relevant articles were searched for clinical studies that reported outcomes at 1-year follow-up after PCI with DES and CABG for the treatment of ULMCA stenosis. Five studies fulfilled our eligibility criteria and they included a total of 4.595 patients (2.298 for CABG and 2.297 for PCI with DES). Results: At 1-year follow-up, there was no significant difference between CABG and DES groups concerning the risk for death (risk ratio [RR] 0.973, P=0.830), myocardial infarction (RR 0.694, P=0.148), stroke (RR 1.224, P=0.598), and major adverse cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events (RR 0.948, P=0.680). The risk for target vessel revascularization (TVR) was significantly lower in the CABG group compared to the DES group (RR 0.583, P<0.001). It was observed no publication bias regarding the outcomes, but only the outcome TVR was free from substantial statistical heterogeneity of the effects. In the meta-regression, there was evidence that the factor "female gender" modulated the effect regarding myocardial infarction rates, favoring the CABG strategy. Conclusion: CABG surgery remains the best option of treatment for patients with ULMCA disease, with lower TVR rates.

OBJETIVO: Comparar segurança e eficácia do seguimento a longo prazo da cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica (CRM) com intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP), utilizando stents farmacológicos (SF) em pacientes com lesão de tronco de coronária esquerda não-protegida (TCE). MÉTODOS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL/CCTR, SciELO, LILACS, Google Scholar e listas de referências artigos relevantes foram escaneados para estudos clínicos que relataram resultados em 5 anos de seguimento após ICP-SF eCRM para o tratamento de lesão de TCE. Cinco estudos (um de ensaio clínico randomizado e quatro estudos observacionais) foram identificados e incluíram um total de 2914 pacientes (1300 para CRM e 1614 para ICP-SF). RESULTADOS: Aos 5 anos de seguimento, não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos CRM e ICP-SF no risco de morte (odds ratio [OR] 1,159, P=0,168) ou desfecho composto de morte, infarto do miocárdio , ou AVC (OR 1,214, P=0,083). O risco de necessidade de nova revascularização foi significativamente menor no grupo CRM em comparação com o grupo de ICP-SF (OR 0,212, P<0,001). O risco de eventos adversos cardíacos maiores e cerebrovasculares (EACMC) foi significativamente menor no grupo CRM em comparação com o grupo de ICP-SF (OR 0,526, P<0,001). Não foi observado viés de publicação sobre os resultados e considerável heterogeneidade dos efeitos sobre EACMC. CONCLUSÃO: CRM continua sendo a melhor opção de tratamento para pacientes com lesão de TCE, com menos necessidade de novas revascularizações e EACMC no seguimento a longo prazo.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy at long-term follow-up of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using drug-eluting stents (DES) in patients with unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL/CCTR, SciELO, LILACS, Google Scholar and reference lists of relevant articles were searched for clinical studies that reported outcomes at 5-year follow-up after PCI with DES and CABG for the treatment of ULMCA stenosis. Five studies (1 randomized controlled trial and 4 observational studies) were identified and included a total of 2914 patients (1300 for CABG and 1614 for PCI with DES). RESULTS: At 5-year follow-up, there was no significant difference between the CABG and PCI-DES groups in the risk for death (odds ratio [OR] 1.159, P=0.168 for random effect) or the composite endpoint of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (OR 1.214, P=0.083). The risk for target vessel revascularization (TVR) was significantly lower in the CABG group compared to the PCI-DES group (OR 0.212, P<0.001). The risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) was significantly lower in the CABG group compared to the PCI-DES group (OR 0.526, P<0.001). It was observed no publication bias about outcomes and considerably heterogeneity effect about MACCE. CONCLUSION: CABG surgery remains the best option of treatment for patients with ULMCA disease, with less need of TVR and MACCE rates at long-term follow-up.

INTRODUÇÃO: A meta-análise mais recente de estudos randomizados controlados (ERC) mostrou que cirurgia de revascularização (CRM) sem circulação extracorpórea (CEC) reduz a incidência de acidente vascular cerebral em 30% em comparação com CRM com CEC, mas não mostrou diferença em outros resultados. Novos ERCs foram publicados, indicando necessidade de nova meta-análise para investigar resultados agrupados adicionando esses estudos. MÉTODOS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL / CCTR, SciELO, LILACS, Google Scholar e listas de referências de artigos relevantes foram pesquisados para ERCs que compararam os resultados de 30 dias (mortalidade por todas as causas, infarto do miocárdio ou acidente vascular cerebral - AVC) entre CRM com CEC versus sem CEC até maio de 2012. As medidas sumárias principais foram o risco relativo (RR) com intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC) e os valores de P (considerado estatisticamente significativo quando <0,05). Os RR foram combinados entre os estudos usando modelo de efeito randômico de DerSimonian-Laird. Meta-análise e meta-regressão foram concluídas usando o software versão Meta-Análise Abrangente 2 (Biostat Inc., Englewood, Nova Jersey, EUA). RESULTADOS: Quarenta e sete ERCs foram identificados e incluíram 13.524 pacientes (6.758 sem CEC e 6.766 com CEC). Não houve diferença significativa entre CRM com CEC e sem CEC no RR de mortalidade em 30 dias ou infarto do miocárdio, mas houve diferença em favor da CRM sem CEC no desfecho AVC (RR 0,793, IC 95% 0,660-0,920, P = 0,049). Não foi observado importante heterogeneidade dos efeitos sobre qualquer resultado, mas observou-se um viés de publicação sobre o desfecho "AVC". Meta-regressão não demonstrou influência do sexo feminino, o número de pontes ou idade nos resultados. CONCLUSÃO: CRM sem uso da CEC reduz a incidência de acidente vascular cerebral pós-operatória de 20,7% e não tem efeito significativo sobre a mortalidade ou infarto do miocárdio em comparação com CRM com CEC. Sexo do paciente, número de enxertos realizados e idade não parecem explicar o efeito de RM sem CEC sobre a mortalidade, infarto do miocárdio ou acidente vascular cerebral, respectivamente.

BACKGROUND: Most recent published meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showed that off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) reduces incidence of stroke by 30% compared with on-pump CABG, but showed no difference in other outcomes. New RCTs were published, indicating need of new meta-analysis to investigate pooled results adding these further studies. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL/CCTR, SciELO, LILACS, Google Scholar and reference lists of relevant articles were searched for RCTs that compared outcomes (30-day mortality for all-cause, myocardial infarction or stroke) between off-pump versus on-pump CABG until May 2012. The principal summary measures were relative risk (RR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) and P values (considered statistically significant when <0.05). The RR's were combined across studies using DerSimonian-Laird random effects weighted model. Meta-analysis and meta-regression were completed using the software Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 2 (Biostat Inc., Englewood, New Jersey, USA). RESULTS: Forty-seven RCTs were identified and included 13,524 patients (6,758 for off-pump and 6,766 for on-pump CABG). There was no significant difference between off-pump and on-pump CABG groups in RR for 30-day mortality or myocardial infarction, but there was difference about stroke in favor to off-pump CABG (RR 0.793, 95% CI 0.660-0.920, P=0.049). It was observed no important heterogeneity of effects about any outcome, but it was observed publication bias about outcome "stroke". Meta-regression did not demonstrate influence of female gender, number of grafts or age in outcomes. CONCLUSION: Off-pump CABG reduces the incidence of post-operative stroke by 20.7% and has no substantial effect on mortality or myocardial infarction in comparison to on-pump CABG. Patient gender, number of grafts performed and age do not seem to explain the effect of off-pump CABG on mortality, myocardial infarction or stroke, respectively.

INTRODUÇÃO: Mediastinite é uma complicação séria da esternotomia mediana e está associada a significativa morbidade e mortalidade. Diabetes é um temido fator de risco para mediastinite, visto com cautela pelos cirurgiões cardiovasculares. OBJETIVO: Identificar fatores de risco para mediastinite em diabéticos submetidos à CRM com uso unilateral da ATI na Divisão de Cirurgia Cardiovascular do Pronto Socorro Cardiológico de Pernambuco - PROCAPE. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo de 157 pacientes diabéticos operados entre maio de 2007 e abril de 2010. Nove variáveis pré-operatórias, cinco variáveis intraoperatórias e sete variáveis pós-operatórias possivelmente envolvidas no desenvolvimento de mediastinite foram avaliadas. Análises univariada e multivariada por regressão logística foram aplicadas. RESULTADOS: A incidência de mediastinite foi de 7% (n=11), com taxa de letalidade de 36,1% (n=4). Variáveis associadas com maior risco de mediastinite foram: uso de ATI pediculada (OR 8,25, IC 95% 2,03-66,10, P=0,016), complicações renais (OR 5,10, IC 95% 1,03-25,62, P = 0,049) e reoperação (OR 7,45, IC 95% 1,24-42,17, P=0,023). Na análise multivariada por regressão logística, apenas uma variável permaneceu como fator independente de risco: uso ATI pediculada (OR 7,64, IC 95% 1,95-61,6, P = 0,048), em comparação à ATI esqueletizada. CONCLUSÕES: Sugerimos que diabéticos devem ser considerados para estratégias de minimização do risco de infecção. Nos diabéticos que recebem ATI unilateral, o problema parece estar relacionado à forma como a ATI é dissecada. Diabéticos devem sempre ser considerados para utilização da ATI esqueletizada.

BACKGROUND: Mediastinitis is a serious complication of median sternotomy and is associated to significant morbidity and mortality. Diabetes is a feared risk factor for mediastinitis and viewed with caution by cardiovascular surgeons. OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for mediastinitis in diabetics undergoing CABG surgery with use of unilateral ITA in the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery of Pronto Socorro Cardiológico de Pernambuco - PROCAPE. METHODS: Retrospective study of 157 diabetics operated between May 2007 and April 2010. Nine preoperative variables, five intraoperative variables and seven postoperative variables possibly involved in the development of postoperative mediastinitis were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied. RESULTS: The incidence of mediastinitis was 7% (n=11), with a lethality rate of 36.1% (n=4). Variables associated with increased risk of mediastinitis were: use of pedicled ITA (OR 8.25, 95% CI 2.03 to 66.10, P=0.016), postoperative renal complications (OR 5.10, 95% CI 1.03 to 25.62, P=0.049) and re-operation (OR 7.45, 95% CI 1.24 to 42.17, P=0.023). In multivariate analysis using backward logistic regression, only one variable remained as independent risk factor: use of pedicled ITA (OR 7.64, 95% CI 1.95 to 61.6, P=0.048), in comparison to skeletonized ITA. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that diabetics should be considered for strategies to minimize risk of infection. In diabetics that undergo unilateral ITA, the problem seems to be related to how ITA is harvested. Diabetics should always be considered for use of skeletonized ITA.

OBJETIVO: Utilização de nova tecnologia na desmineralização química da valva aórtica, em cirurgia cardíaca com circulação extracorpórea, avaliação de suas alterações hemodinâmicas e reportar eventos relacionados à técnica. MÉTODO: Cinco pacientes, submetidos à revascularização miocárdica e portadores de estenose aórtica leve a moderada, receberam tratamento químico na valva aórtica. A idade dos pacientes variou de 65 a 81 anos, com média de 73 anos; sendo todos do sexo masculino. Um paciente tinha doença uniarterial e quatro, multiarterial (quatro vasos). O gradiente médio variou de 13 a 49 mmHg, com média de 25 mmHg. A área média do orifício aórtico variou de 0,8 a 1,3 cm², com média de 1,1cm². Os antecedentes observados foram: hipertensão arterial, hipercolesterolemia, diabete melito e fumo. RESULTADOS: O período de pinçamento aórtico variou de 94 a 126 minutos, com média de 107 minutos. O tempo de "bypass" variou de 134 a 171 minutos, com média de 152 minutos. O tempo de tratamento variou de 13 a 33 minutos, com média de 28 minutos. Não foi observado nenhum óbito. Complicações pós-operatórias observadas foram: bloqueio atrioventricular total em três pacientes. Não foram observados eventos que comprometessem a integridade da valva aórtica ou provocassem insuficiência aórtica pós-tratamento. Também não se observaram eventos neurológicos, sistêmicos, metabólicos ou hematológicos. O gradiente transvalvar pós-operatório, determinado pelo ecocardiograma, demonstrou melhora no gradiente sistólico e médio. CONCLUSÕES: O tratamento demonstrou ser efetivo e seguro, não causando lesão à valva ou algum evento sistêmico. As alterações do sistema de condução parecem relacionadas com o equipamento e seu sistema de liberação da substância de lavagem. A utilização desta tecnologia poderá ser, no futuro, um importante coadjuvante na substituição da valva aórtica por via transcutânea.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the use of new technology in the chemical demineralization of the aortic valve in coronary artery bypass surgery, together with its hemodynamic changes and to report events related to the technique. METHOD: Five patients with mild to moderate aortic stenosis submitted to myocardial revascularization underwent chemical treatment of the aortic valve. The patients' ages ranged from 65 to 81 years, with a mean of 73 years. All were men. One patient had the involvement of a single artery and four multiple arteries (four vessels). The gradient ranged from 13 to 49 mmHg, with a mean of 25 mmHg. The size of the aortic orifice ranged from 0.8 to 1.3 cm², with a mean of 1.1 cm². The following antecedents were observed: arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus and smoking. RESULTS: The aorta clamping time ranged from 94 to 126 minutes, with a mean of 107 minutes and the bypass time was from 134 to 171 minutes, with a mean of 152 minutes. The time of surgery was from 13 to 33 minutes with a mean of 28 minutes. No deaths were recorded. The only postoperative complication noted was a total AV block in three patients. No events were observed that might impair the integrity of the aortic valve or cause aortic insufficiency following treatment. Likewise, no neurologic, systemic, metabolic or hematologic events were seen. The postoperative transvalvular gradient identified by echocardiography showed an improvement in the systolic gradient and in the mean gradient. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment proved to be effective and safe, causing no lesions of the valve or any systemic event. The changes in the conduction system appear to be related to the equipment and its system of releasing the lavage solution. The use of this technology may, in the future, be an important adjuvant in aorta valve replacement using percutaneous techniques.

OBJETIVO: Analisar o comportamento hemodinâmico do coração na revascularização do miocárdio sem a utilização da circulação extracorpórea, através da cateterização da artéria pulmonar com cateter de San-Ganz. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: No período de agosto de 1991 a junho de 1999, foram operados 616 pacientes portadores de angina do peito, que foram submetidos a revascularização do miocárdio sem a utilização da circulação extracorpórea. Em 18 pacientes foram estudados os parâmetros hemodinâmicos intra-operatórios. RESULTADOS: A freqüência cardíaca manteve-se elevada durante todos os momentos de posicionamento do coração (p=0,0007). O débito cardíaco ao longo do procedimento apresentou variação mínima nos diversos momentos de posicionamento do coração e exposição das artérias coronárias. Entretanto, com o coração na posição normal final, observou-se um aumento importante do débito cardíaco (p=0,010). A pressão arterial média apresentou-se diminuída em todos os momentos do procedimento de exposição das artérias coronárias (p=0,022). A pressão arterial pulmonar apresentou-se diminuída durante todos os momentos de mobilização (NS). A pressão capilar pulmonar oscilou bastante durante a exposição das coronárias (NS). A pressão venosa central comportou-se de maneira mais variada durante a exposição das artérias (NS). A resistência vascular sistêmica apresentou-se diminuída durante todo o procedimento (p=0,0001). A resistência vascular pulmonar apresentou-se diminuída em todos os momentos do procedimento (p=0,002). O "stroke volume" apresentou-se inalterado durante a anastomose da interventricular anterior e só se observaram diferenças estatísticas na coronária direita (p=0,002) e artéria circunflexa (p=0,0006) e seus ramos. O índice cardíaco apresentou-se diminuído durante o procedimento (p=0,0011). CONCLUSÕES: A) A técnica presente permite a mobilização máxima do coração sem indução de instabilidade hemodinâmica. B) A melhora de alguns parâmetros de hemodinâmica ao final do procedimento pode ser justificada: 1) devido à resposta à revascularização miocárdica; 2) decorrente da liberação de catecolaminas após a manipulação do coração nas diversas posições; 3) decorrente da liberação de mediadores vasoativos depois da tração prolongada do pericárdio.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the hemodynamic behavior of the heart in revascularization of the myocardium without use of extracorporeal circulation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From August 1991 to June 1999, 616 patients suffering from angina of the chest underwent revascularization of the myocardium without use of extracorporeal circulation. In 18 patients the intraoperative hemodynamic parameters were studied. RESULTS: Heart rate remained high at all times during positioning of the heart (p=0.0007). Cardiac output throughout the procedure presented a very slight variation at different moments of positioning of the heart and exposure of the coronary arteries. However, once the heart was in its final normal position a major increase in output was noted (p=0.010). Mean blood pressure was found to be decreased throughout the procedure for exposing the coronary arteries (p=0.022). Arterial pulmonary pressure proved to be reduced at all times during mobilization, but without statistical significance. Pulmonary capillary pressure showed considerable, but statistically insignificant variation during exposure of the arteries. Central venous pressure behaved in a more varied fashion during exposure of the arteries, but again without statistical significance. Systemic vascular resistance proved to be diminished throughout the procedure (p=0.0001). Pulmonary vascular resistance remained reduced at all times during the procedure (p=0.002). Stroke volume was unchanged during anastomosis of the anterior interventricular artery and statistically significant differences were observed only in the right coronary (p=0.002) and right circumflex (p=0.0006) artery and its branches. The cardiac index was shown to be diminished throughout the procedure (p=0.0011). CONCLUSIONS: A) The present technique allows for maximum mobilization of the heart without inducing hemodynamic instability. B) The improvement of a number of hemodynamic parameters at the end of the procedure may be accounted for by: (1) the response to the myocardial revascularization; (2) the release of catecholamines following manipulation of the heart in the different positions and (3) the release of vasoactive mediators following prolonged traction of the pericardium.