Abstract Placement of a mediastinal drain is a routine procedure following heart surgery. Postoperative bed rest is often imposed due to the fear of potential risk of drain displacement and cardiac injury. We developed an encapsulating stitch as a feasible, effective and low-cost technique, which does not require advanced surgical skills for placement. This simple, novel approach compartmentalizes the drain allowing for safe early mobilization following cardiac surgery.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the sequential changes of hemodynamic and metabolic parameters in patients who underwent aorta no-touch off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB). Methods: Prospective study involving twenty-seven consecutive patients who underwent aorta no-touch OPCAB. The FloTrac/PreSep/Vigileo™ system (Edwards Lifesciences) was used to continuously record heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), central venous pressure (CVP), continuous cardiac index (FCI), stroke volume (SV), stroke volume variation (SVV), and central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2). The parameters were assessed 5 min before, during and 5 min after each anastomosis (left anterior descending [LAD], posterior descending [PD], obtuse marginal [OM] and diagonal [Dg]). Postoperative lactate was also evaluated. Results: There was no significant change in HR and MABP for all anastomoses, except for MABP during PD grafting (-10.1±2.7 mmHg, P=0.03). There was a significant decrease in ScvO2 only during PD and OM anastomoses (-9.4±0.4, P=0.03; -4.4±0.4, P=0.02; respectively). CVP drop after PD manipulation was strongly associated with a higher lactate during the first hours after surgery (r=-0.82; P=0.001). These hemodynamic changes were transient and entirely recovered after the heart was returned to its anatomical position. No significant differences were observed in FCI, SVV, or the systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) during all anastomoses, except for a drop in SVRI during PD grafting (-8.03±2.3, P=0.007). SV tended to decrease during the procedure in all territories, but with statistically significant drop only in PD and OM grafting (-10.4±1.2, P=0.02; -13.6±5.1, P=0.007; respectively). Conclusion: Heart displacement for performing aorta no-touch OPCAB is well tolerated, with transient and endurable hemodynamic variations.

OBJETIVO: A cirurgia de reconstrução do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) é efetiva no tratamento da cardiomiopatia isquêmica com grandes áreas acinéticas ou discinéticas. Entretanto, resultados de sobrevida tardia estão relacionados ao tamanho da cavidade ventricular esquerda remanescente, portanto eliminar retalhos intracavitários pode proporcionar redução adicional do VE. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar os resultados com a cirurgia de reconstrução ventricular esquerda utilizando o conceito da máxima redução ventricular, com sistemática eliminação de retalhos. MÉTODOS: Setenta e seis pacientes consecutivos com cardiomiopatia isquêmica (idade 30-78 anos, média 57,6 ± 10,1), evoluindo em classe funcional III e IV foram submetidos à cirurgia de reconstrução ventricular direta sem utilização de retalhos intracavitários ou materiais protéticos. RESULTADOS: O diâmetro sistólico final do VE diminuiu de 52,3 ± 5,4 no pré-operatório para 45,2 ± 6,9 mm no pós-operatório. A fração de ejeção aumentou de 34,2% ± 10,4% para 45,5% ± 9,4%. Revascularização miocárdica associada foi realizada em 75/76 pacientes, com média de 2,4 enxertos/paciente. Mortalidade em 30 dias foi 3/76 (3,9%). No acompanhamento médio de 39 meses, a maioria dos pacientes (91,4%) permanece em CF I ou II. CONCLUSÃO: O conceito de maximizar a redução do VE com a reconstrução sistemática sem uso de retalhos mostrou-se viável, segura e eficaz, com os resultados precoces e tardios comparando favoravelmente às séries relatadas na literatura médica. Além disso, o conceito harmoniza-se à base fisiopatológica contemporânea da insuficiência cardíaca.

OBJECTIVES: The reconstruction of the left ventricle (LV) is effective in the treatment of ischemic cardiomyopathy with large akinetic or dyskinetic areas. However, late survival outcomes are related to the remnant left ventricular cavity size, thus eliminating intracavitary patch placement provides additional LV reduction. The aim of this study was to analyze the results with left ventricular reconstruction surgery using the concept of maximum ventricular reduction, with systematic patch abolition. METHODS: Seventy-six consecutive patients with ischemic heart disease (age 30-78 years, mean 57.6 ± 10.1), evolving in functional class III and IV underwent surgical ventricular reconstruction with no use of intracavitary patches or Teflon strips for closing the left ventriculotomy. RESULTS: The left ventricular end-systolic diameter decreased from 52.3 ± 5.4 in the preoperative period to 45.2 ± 6.9 mm in the postoperative period. LV ejection fraction increased from 34.2% ± 10.4% to 45.5% ± 9.4%. Associated CABG was performed in 75/76 patients with a mean of 2.4 grafts per patient. The 30-day mortality was 3/76 (3.9%). At an average follow up of 39 months, the majority of the patients (91.4%) remain in functional class I and II. CONCLUSION: The concept of maximizing LV reduction with systematic patchless reconstruction is feasible, safe and effective, the early and late outcomes comparing favorably to previous series reported in the medical literature. Additionally, the concept meets the contemporary pathophysiologic basis of heart failure.

INTRODUÇÃO: Os enxertos compostos têm sido freqüentemente utilizados na cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio (RM). Entretanto, permanece indefinido se essa técnica é capaz de oferecer o mesmo fluxo sangüíneo (Q) aos ramos da artéria coronária esquerda (CE) que a técnica convencional. O objetivo é comparar o Q total aos ramos revascularizados pelas artérias torácica interna esquerda (ATIE) e radial (AR) nas técnicas compostas e convencional. MÉTODO: Estudamos 42 pacientes distribuídos, aleatoriamente, conforme a técnica de RM utilizada. Grupo A ou ATIE e AR composta em Y(n=14). Grupo B ou ATIE e AR composta modificada [enxerto intercoronariano com AR e anastomose da ATIE sobreposta a AR ao nível da artéria interventricular anterior (DA), n=14]. Grupo C ou ATIE pediculada para DA e AR em posição aorto-coronariana (n=14). Trinta e um pacientes foram submetidos a fluxometria (Fx) com cateter-guia doppler de 12-MHz (0,014 polegada, Flowire, Jometrics Inc.), no pós-operatório imediato. A reserva de fluxo coronariano (RFC) foi calculada pela determinação da média da velocidade de pico (APV) em hiperemia após administração de adenosina. RESULTADOS: A APV em repouso no início da ATIE foi, no grupo A, 28,4±4,8 cm/s; no grupo B, 34,4±7,9 cm/s (p=0,0384 x C) e, no grupo C, 25,8± 8,6 cm/s. A RFC foi de 2,1 ± 0,4, 2 ± 0,3 e 2±0,4 nos grupos A, B e C, (p=0,7208). O Q total distribuído aos ramos da CE revascularizados foi, no grupo A, 110±30 ml/min, no grupo B, 145±59 ml/min e, no grupo C, 133±58 ml/min (p=0,3232 A, B x C). CONCLUSÕES: Não houve diferença significativa do Q total oferecido ao território da CE revascularizado pelas técnicas de EC e convencional. A RFC da ATIE nos grupos compostos foi satisfatória.

BACKGROUND: Composite grafting techniques for coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) have been widely used. However, it remains unclear whether this technique provides similar blood flow to the left coronary artery when compared to the conventional alternative. We sought to compare the total blood flow to the left coronary branches that are revascularized with left internal thoracic (LITA) and radial artery (RA) grafts using composite and non-composite techniques. METHOD: A total of 42 patients were randomly assigned to three groups according to the CABG technique to be used: Group A or composite LITA-RA in a Y format (n=14); Group B or modified composite LITA-RA [intercoronary graft with RA and LITA to RA at the level of the left anterior descending artery (LAD), n=14)]; and Group C or pedicled LITA to the LAD and aorto-coronary RA (n=14). The patients were submitted to postoperative blow flow velocity analysis using a 0.014 inch 12 MHz Doppler flowire. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) was calculated by determining the average hyperemic peak velocity (APV) after an injection of adenosine. RESULTS: Proximal LITA baseline APV was 28.4±4.8 cm/s in group A, 34.4±7.9 cm/s in group B (p=0.0384 x C) and 25.8± 8.6 cm/s in group C. The CFR was 2.1 ± 0.4, 2±0.3 and 2±0.4 in groups A,B and C respectively (p=0.7208 A, B x C). The total Q to LCA branches was 110±30 in group A, 145±59 in B and 133±58 mL/min in C (p=0.3232 A, B x C). CONCLUSIONS: The LITA-RA composite graft maintains an adequate CFR and conveys similar blood flow to the left coronary artery branches when compared with conventional CABG technique.