Abstract Introduction: Use of bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) as graft in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is controversial because it is related to higher in-hospital mortality, incidence of sternal wound-related infection, and an increase in surgical time. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate in-hospital mortality and mortality within 30 days from discharge. The secondary objective is to evaluate the occurrence of deep sternal wound infection in a 90-day follow-up. Methods: This is a retrospective review of the medical records of 152 patients undergoing elective CABG with the use of BITA and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). These patients were divided into two groups, diabetics and non-diabetics. Patients with acute myocardial infarction and concomitant valvular disease were not included in the sample. Results: Preoperative characteristics did not show significant differences between the groups, which allowed a comparative analysis. The variables electrocardiography time and aortic clamping time were higher in the diabetic group, with a significant statistical difference (P<0.0001). In-hospital mortality occurred in three patients, and there was no mortality up to 30 days in both groups. There was no significant difference in the primary end point between groups (P=0.56). Deep sternal wound infection was present in only one patient and showed no significant difference in the secondary outcome between groups (P=0.40). Conclusion: We did not observe a higher mortality and occurrence of deep sternal wound infection with the use of BITA in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetics, even with greater CPB and aortic clamping times in diabetics.

Introdução: implante de prótese aórtica transcateter no tratamento da estenose aórtica sintomática de alto risco vem aumentando de número a cada ano no mundo. A curva de aprendizado para implante da prótese aórtica transcateter melhorou os resultados ao longo dos últimos 12 anos, o que permitiu o surgimento de outras vias de acesso como alternativas. Objetivo: Este trabalho refere-se ao implante de prótese aórtica transcateter pela via transaórtica associada à revascularização do miocárdio sem em paciente do sexo masculino de 67 anos com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, hipertensão arterial sistêmica e transplante de rim. Métodos: A revascularização miocárdica e o implante da prótese aórtica transcateter foram realizados com sucesso sem o auxílio da circulação extracorpórea. Resultados: No intra e pós-operatório não houve complicações, a redução do gradiente transvalvar, o aumento do orifício efetivo e ausência de regurgitação paravalvar foram observados pelo ecocardiograma transesofágico. Conclusão: O implante da prótese aórtica transcateter pela aorta ascendente associado com revascularização do miocárdio sem circulação extracorpórea é uma nova alternativa para pacientes de alto rico.

Introdution: The transcatheter aortic valve implantation in the treatment of high-risk symptomatic aortic stenosis has increased the number of implants every year. The learning curve for transcatheter aortic valve implantation has improved since the last 12 years, allowing access alternatives. Objective: The aim of this study is to approach the implantation of transcatheter aortic valve through transaortic via associated with off-pump cardiopulmonary bypass surgery in a 67-year-old man, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arterial hypertension and kidney transplant. Methods: Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery was performed and the valve in the aortic position was released successfully. Results: There were no complications in the intraoperative and postoperative period. Gradient reduction, effective orifice increasing of the prosthesis and absence of valvular regurgitation after implantation were observed by transesophageal echocardiography. Conclusion: Procedural success demonstrates that implantation of transcatheter aortic valve through the ascending aorta associated with coronary artery bypass surgery without CPB is a new option for these patients.

A necessidade de uma nova intervenção cirúrgica para correção de pseudoaneurisma pós-operatório de coarctação de aorta torna o procedimento especialmente desafiante para o cirurgião.

The need for a new surgical procedure for correction of postoperative pseudoaneurysm of aortic coarctation makes the procedure especially challenging for the surgeon.ta abstract

A morfologia do aneurisma coronariano configura um fator predisponente para formação de trombos. Porém, a estase sanguínea causada pela alteração do fluxo pode não ser o suficiente para causar fenômenos tromboembólicos.

The morphology of coronary aneurysm sets a predisposing factor to thrombus formation. However, the blood stasis caused by the change in flow may not be enough to cause thromboembolic events.

O tratamento operatório da dissecção aórtica é um desafio para o cirurgião cardíaco, sobretudo nos pacientes submetidos a operação cardíaca prévia. Nosso objetivo neste relato de caso é demonstrar como tratamos a dissecção aórtica crônica tipo A em paciente revascularizado utilizando cânulas arterial e venosa percutâneas.

Surgical treatment of aortic dissection is a challenge for the cardiac surgeon, especially in patients undergoing cardiac operations. Our objective in this case report is to demonstrate how we treat the chronic type A aortic dissection in patients revascularized using percutaneous arterial and venous cannulae.

OBJETIVO: Analisar evolução e a influência prognóstica dos níveis séricos da troponina I cardíaca nos pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca congestiva (ICC) submetidos a ressincronização interventricular (RV), com seguimento de até 59 meses. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados 33 pacientes com miocardiopatia dilatada idiopática em classe funcional III/IV da NYHA, submetidos a RV. A qualidade de vida (QV) foi analisada pré e pós-operatoriamente com o Minnesota Code e a função ventricular através da ecocardiografia. Os níveis séricos da troponina I foram dosados em 23 pacientes, utilizando o teste exato de Fischer para avaliar sua relação com o evento óbito, e a curva de Kaplan-Meier para análise da taxa de sobrevivência. RESULTADOS: A QV foi significantemente melhor após a RV, com mediana de 73 pontos, no pré e 36, no pós (p<0,0001). O diâmetro diastólico do VE (DDVE) apresentou redução de 65mm, no pré para 60mm, no pós (p=0,0014), com aumento da fração de ejeção (FEVE) de 37 para 47% (p=0,0004). Nos 15 pacientes com valores normais de troponina, não ocorreram óbitos e dos oito pacientes com valores elevados, seis faleceram (p=0,0003). A curva atuarial de livres de óbitos mostrou uma taxa de sobrevivência de 47,1±13,3%, ao final de 59 meses. CONCLUSÕES: A RV em pacientes com ICC melhora a QV e os parâmetros ecocardiográficos. Constitui uma boa alternativa para os pacientes em classe funcional III/IV NYHA. Os níveis séricos elevados da troponina I cardíaca foram preditores de risco para óbito.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the evolution and prognostic influence of the cardiac troponin I serum levels in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) submitted to interventricular resynchronization (VR) over a 59-month follow-up period. METHOD: Thirty-three patients with idiopathic dilated myocardiopathy in NYHA functional classes III and IV were submitted to VR. The pre- and post-operative quality of life (QV) was analyzed using the Minnesota Code and the left ventricle function was assessed by echocardiography. The cardiac troponin I levels were compared in 23 patients utilizing the Fisher exact test to analyze the correlation with death and the Kaplan-Meier curve was used to analyze the survival rate. RESULTS: The QV was better after VR with a median of 73 points in the pre-operative period and 36 in the postoperative period (p-value < 0.0001). The left ventricle diastolic diameter (LVDD) reduced from 65 mm in the preoperative period to 60 mm in the postoperative period (p-value = 0.0014) with an increase in the ejection fraction from 37 to 47% (p-value = 0.0004). In 15 patients with normal cardiac troponin I levels, no deaths occurred and of the 8 patients with high levels, six died (p-value = 0.0003). The actuarial survival curve showed a survival rate of 47.1 ± 13.3% at the end of 59 months. CONCLUSION: VR in patients with CHF improves the QV and echocardiographic parameters (ejection fraction and LVDD). It is a good alternative for functional class III and IV patients. The serum levels of cardiac troponin I are predictors of risk to life.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a importância dos níveis séricos de troponina I-cardíaca no pré-operatório de pacientes portadores de obstrução no tronco da artéria coronária esquerda (OTCE) sem evento cardíaco prévio. MÉTODO: Foram analisados os níveis séricos da troponina I-cardíaca de 115 pacientes com doença coronariana obstrutiva, com idade variando entre 32 e 81 anos (média e desvio-padrão de 59,7±10,5 anos). Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: Grupo A - 41 pacientes portadores de OTCE, variando o grau de obstrução entre 20% de perda do diâmetro e subtotal (moda de 60%); Grupo B - 74 pacientes sem OTCE. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a cineangiocoronariografia de forma eletiva e não apresentavam infarto agudo do miocárdio prévio. O método empregado na dosagem da troponina-I cardíaca foi o da Quimioluminiscência, admitindo-se como valor normal abaixo de 0,1 nanogramas por mililitro (ng/ml). RESULTADOS: Não houve correlação entre o grau de OTCE e os níveis séricos de troponina-Ic (P= 0,4617), porém a média dos níveis séricos da troponina-I nos grupos A e B foi, respectivamente, 0,3841 ng/ml e 0,1711 ng/ml (P=0,0324); teste de Mann-Whithey; OR= 4,44 (IC95% 1,60 _ 12,31). CONCLUSÕES: Os pacientes do grupo A têm 3,44 vezes mais chance de apresentar lesão miocárdica representada por elevação de troponina I-cardíaca que o grupo B, independente do grau da OTCE. A sensibilidade para suspeita clínica de mionecrose foi relativamente baixa (31,7%), porém a especificidade foi elevada (90,5%). Destaca-se, entretanto, a importância clínica da documentação de mionecrose em uma determinada porcentagem de pacientes com lesão de tronco, sem constatação eletrocardiográfica. Assim, os pacientes com OTCE devem ser submetidos com rapidez a procedimento operatório, a fim de evitar extensão da mionecrose.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the importance of cardiac troponin-I serum levels in the preoperative period of patients suffering from left coronary branch obstruction but without prior cardiac events. METHOD: The cardiac troponin-I serum levels of 115 patients with obstructive coronary disease were analyzed. The ages of the patients varied between 32 and 81 years old with a mean age and standard deviation of 59.7 ± 10.5 years. The patients were divided into two groups: Group A, 41 patients suffering from left coronary branch obstruction with the degree of obstruction varying between 20% to subtotal occlusion (about 60%) and Group B, 74 patients without left coronary branch obstruction. All the patients were submitted to catheterism and no evidence of previous acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was identified. Chemoluminescence was utilized to measure the cardiac troponin-I level using the Sanofi-Pasteur Access apparatus, with values of less than 0.l nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml) considered normal. RESULTS: No association was evidenced between the degree of left coronary branch obstruction and troponin-Ic serum levels (P= 0.4617), however the average serum levels of troponin-I, in Groups A and B were 0.3841 ng/mL and 0.1711 ng/mL respectively (P=0.0324 Mann-Whitney test; OR = 4.44 95% CI 1.60 - 12.31). CONCLUSIONS: The patients of Group A have 3.44 times higher chance of presenting with myocardial injury as identified by increased cardiac troponin-I levels than Group B, independent of the degree of left coronary branch obstruction. The sensitivity of clinical suspicion of myonecrosis was relatively low (31.7%), but the specificity was high (90.5%). However the clinical importance of the documentation of myonecrosis in a determined percentage of patients with branch injury without electrocardiographic evidence is stressed. Thus, patients with left coronary branch obstruction should be quickly submitted to operative procedures, in order to avoid worsening of the myonecrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the immediate behavior and the prognostic value in terms of late survival of serum troponin I measurement in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization surgery with extracorporeal circulation. METHODS: We studied 88 random patients, 65 (73.8%) of the male sex, who underwent myocardial revascularization surgery with extracorporeal circulation. Troponin measurements were performed as follows: in the preoperative period, right after intensive care unit admission, and on the first and second postoperative days. Values below 0.1 nanogram per milliliter (ng/mL) were considered normal. The cut points for late prognostic assessment were 0.5 ng/mL; 1 ng/mL; 2.5 ng/mL; and 5 ng/mL. RESULTS: The serum troponin I levels were elevated on the first postoperative day, suggesting the occurrence of specific myocardial damage. Patients with a poor prognosis could be identified, because the serum levels above 2.5 ng/mL and 5 ng/mL in the postoperative period resulted, respectively, in mortality rates of 33% and 50% in a maximum 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Troponin I values around 2.5 ng/mL in the postoperative period should call attention to the need for more aggressive diagnostic or therapeutical measures.

Objetivo: Apresentar a experiência com a realização de revascularização do miocárdio com técnica minimamente invasiva, via minitoratocotomia anterior esquerda sem circulação extracorpórea (MIDCAB). Casuística e Métodos: 46 pacientes foram submetidos a MIDCAB de fevereiro de 1997 a janeiro de 1998. Todos eram portadores de doença obstrutiva na porção proximal do ramo interventricular anterior (RIA). A técnica consistiu em pequena incisão, de cerca de 8,0 cm, transversal, na região inframamária esquerda, obtendo-se fácil acesso para dissecção da artéria torácica interna (ATI) e posterior anastomose com o RIA. A avaliação dos resultados foi feita com controle clínico, laboratorial e angiográfico. Resultados: O tempo médio de operação foi de 2 horas, com cerca de 18 horas de internação na UTI e permanência hospitalar máxima de 5 dias. Não ocorreram óbitos intra-operatórios. Houve 1 caso de morte súbita após alta (15º PO). Os pacientes acompanhados ambulatorialmente não referiram dor anginosa. Documentou-se 4 casos de oclusão da ATI e 2 estenoses do RIA pós anastomose, provavelmente decorrentes da bandagem desse vaso durante o procedimento. Não houve correlação entre níveis de troponina-I e oclusão do enxerto. Verificou-se, porém, que os níveis de troponina I dos pacientes submetidos à MIDCAB foram significativamente menores que no procedimento convencional. Não ocorreram complicações clínicas de significância. Conclusão: A MIDCAB demonstrou ser procedimento útil e de baixa morbidade e mortalidade, com possibilidade de menor permanência hospitalar e conseqüente menor custo. Os baixos níveis sangüíneos de troponina I indicam menor sofrimento miocárdico com o procedimento.

Objective: To present the experience with myocardial revascularization by Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass Graft via left anterior minithoracotomy without extracorporeal circulation (MIDCAB). Material and Methods: 46 patients were submitted to MIDCAB from February 1997 to January 1998. Everyone has obstructive disease in the proximal portion of the interventricular descending artery (IDA). The technique consisted of a small transverse incision, of about 8.0 cm, traverse, in the left infra-mammary area, allowing good visibility and easy access for dissection of the thoracic internal artery (TIA) and anastomosis with IDA. The evaluation of the results was made by clinical, laboratory and angiographic control. Results: The mean duration of operation was 2 hours with about 18 hours of permanence in ICU and 5 days of maximum hospital stay. There were no intra-operative deaths. There was a case of sudden death after discharge (15º post-operative day). The patients followed did not refer anginal pain. Four cases of TIA occlusion and 2 AIA stenoses were documented, probably secondary to vessel banding during the procedure. There was no correlation between troponin-I blood levels and occlusion of the graft. It was verified that the levels of troponin-I in patients submitted to MIDCAB were significantly lower than in the conventional procedure. There was no significant clinical complication. Conclusions: MIDCAB has proved to be a useful procedure with low morbidity and mortality, with the possibility of shorter hospital stay and consequent lower cost. The low Troponin-I blood levels indicate reduced myocardial injury during the procedure.