OBJETIVO: Analisar as características cirúrgicas de pacientes operados após a intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP). MÉTODO: Cinqüenta e seis pacientes (41 H e 15 M), no momento da revascularização cirúrgica do miocárdio, já tinham sido manejados com o implante de stents coronarianos. Foram implantados 116 stents em 101 intervenções. Trinta e dois pacientes tinham três ou mais vasos com estenose significativa. Seis pacientes com lesões graves no tronco da artéria coronária esquerda (TCE) foram tratados com stents. Desde a colocação do primeiro stent, 12 pacientes desenvolveram lesões de novo graves no TCE. Em seis (50%), a estenose grave se desenvolveu em até seis meses da colocação do stent. Vinte (35,7%) pacientes eram diabéticos. Em 22 (39,2%) doentes, no momento da cirurgia, havia diminuição significativa da fração de ejeção do VE (p< 0,001), quando comparada à da primeira ICP. A revascularização cirúrgica constou do implante de 160 enxertos coronarianos. A análise transoperatória incluiu biópsia da parede coronária e do músculo adjacente. RESULTADOS: Achados transoperatórios evidenciaram tecidos adjacentes à área do stent mais endurecidos e inflamados quando comparados a outros sítios coronarianos. Dezessete pacientes operados sem descontinuidade dos antiadesivos plaquetários necessitaram de maior reposição sangüínea. Não houve mortalidade hospitalar pós-cirúrgica. CONCLUSÃO: Nos pacientes operados após a colocação de stents, questões como perda da função ventricular, arterite ou lesões de novo adicionam complexidade ao ato cirúrgico. Em razão da disfunção endotelial causada pelos stents, enxertos poderão ocluir mais cedo. Em adição, a eficiência do tratamento clínico associado poderá não ser a mesma.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the surgical characteristics of patients operated on after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHOD: Fifty-six patients (41 M and 15 F), by the time of coronary artery by-pass grafts (CABG), already had undergone coronary stenting procedures. In 101 PCI, 116 stents were implanted. By the time of the first PCI, 32 patients had three or more coronaries with severe stenosis. Six patients were treated with PCI for severe left main stem stenosis. Since the implantation of the first stent, 12 patients developed severe de novo lesions in the left coronary trunk. In six of these, the stenosis was developed in 6 months after the implant of the stent. Diabetes was present in 35.7% of the patients. In 22 patients (39.2%), at the time of CABG, the left ventricular (LV) function was reduced (p<0.001). At surgery, 160 grafts were implanted. Surgical studies included coronary and muscle biopsy. RESULTS: Surgical observation showed arteritis and inflammatory tissues adjacent to the stent in comparison to other areas. Seventeen patients that could not have antiplatelets drugs withdrawn needed more blood transfusion. There were no hospital deaths. CONCLUSION: In patients operated on after stents implantation, facts like loss in LV function or de novo vascular lesions add complexity to surgical cases and may impair long-term results. Due to endothelial dysfunction caused by stents, grafts may close earlier. In addition, the efficiency of clinical therapy may not be the same.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the major causes of surgical morbidity and mortality in patients with infective endocarditis operated upon in a regional cardiology center. METHODS: Thirty-four patients underwent surgical treatment for infective endocarditis. Their ages ranged from 20 to 68 years (mean of 40.6) and 79% were males. Their NYHA functional classes were as follows: IV - 19 (55.8%) patients; III - 12 (35.2%) patients; II - 3 (8.8%) patients. Blood cultures were positive in only 32% of the cases. Eight patients had already undergone previous cardiac surgery, whose major indication (82.3%) was heart failure refractory to clinical treatment. RESULTS: Four (11.7%) patients died at the hospital. Follow-up was complete in 26 (86%) patients. Five (14.7%) patients died later, 12, 36, 48, 60, and 89 months after hospital discharge. Of the 21 patients being currently followed up, 1 is in NYHA functional class III, and 5 in NYHA functional class II. CONCLUSION: A high degree of clinical suspicion, at an early diagnosis, and indication of surgical treatment prior to deterioration of left ventricular function and installation of generalized sepsis may improve prognosis.

INTRODUÇÃO:O tratamento das bradicardias com o emprego de marcapassos (MP) de dupla câmara com resposta de freqüência (DDD,R) tem incentivado a procura de um sensor ideal. Reavaliamos tardiamente (3 anos) a resposta de freqüência desses MP com sensor de contractilidade miocárdica em sistema de alça fechada. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: Do estudo inicial feito em 1997 foram reavaliados 30 pacientes que possuíam doença binodal e 3 anos de implante, sendo 60% do sexo masculino, com idades de 17-87 anos (média = 61). A freqüência cardíaca (FC) foi observada através do Holter de 24h e do histograma de freqüência do MP nas atividades diárias e testes de caminhada de 6 minutos e de subir/descer escadas. Determinaram-se os limiares crônicos de estimulação e sensibilidade atriais (A) e ventriculares (V), cotejando-os com os obtidos no implante e no pós-operatório imediato. RESULTADOS: As médias dos limiares no intra-operatório, 30 dias e 3 anos foram as seguintes: estimulação A (0,8, 1,4 e 1,1V) e V (0,5, 1,1 e 1,0V), sensibilidade A (2,3, 2,8 e 2,6mV) e V (10,6,6,3 e 6,3mV). A FC aos 3 anos aumentou nas atividades diárias (físicas e mentais) de 33 a 91% e nos testes de esforço físico de 21 a 130%, à semelhança dos resultados em 30 dias (teste t de Student e análise de variância). Esse sensor de contractilidade manteve aos 3 anos os bons resultados obtidos aos 30 dias, observando-se, como efeitos adversos: o alto consumo energético em 2 pacientes e a dificuldade de ajuste do sensor em outros dois.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of bradycardias with bicameral pacemakers (PM) with frequency response (DDD,R) has motivated the search of an ideal sensor. We did a late re-evaluation (3 years) the frequency response of those PM with myocardial contractility sensor in closed loop system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients (pts) of the initial study done in 1997, who presented binodal disease and 3-year implantation were evaluated, being 60% male, ages between 17-87 (average = 61). Their heart frequency (HF) was observed through a 24 Holter monitoring and MP frequency histogram on the daily activities, plus 6-minute walk and going up and downstairs tests. Chronic pacing thresholds were determined as well as atrial (A) and ventricular (V) sensitivity, checking them against those obtained in the implantation and immediate post-operative periods. RESULTS: The average threshold in the intra-operative, 30 days and 3 years were as follows: A pacing (0.8, 1.4 and 1.1V) and V (0.5, 1.1 e 1.0V), A sensitivity (2.3, 2.8 e 2.6mV) and V (10.6, 6.3 and 6.3mV). The HF at the 3rd year increased for daily activities (physical and mental) from 33 to 91%, and for physical exercises tests from 21 to 130%, similarly to the results obtained in 30 days (test t student and variation analysis). This contractility sensor kept at the 3rd year the same good results obtained at the 30th day, presenting the following adverse effects: high-energy consumption in 2 pts and difficulty of sensor adjustment in other 2.

This is a case report of a 48-year-old female patient with a compatible history of Kawasaki disease during childhood, who was admitted to the emergency coronary unit with unstable angina pectoris. Coronary angiography identified two coronary aneurysms, one causing right coronary occlusion and the other causing severe obstruction of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Coronary artery bypass surgery was indicated.