Quality of care in adult heart surgery: proposal for a self-assessment approach based on a French multicenter study

A prospective study was carried out from January to April 1993 in 42 centers to assess the quality of care in adult heart surgery in France. One hundred eight parameters were collected (i.e., risk factors, surgery, postoperative course) for 7181 patients. Eight simple, objective factors were selected using a multivariate analysis. Point weighting was assigned to each factor. A simple cumulative score was thereby established to classify patients within four incremental risk groups (respective distribution of patients and mortality were 38.6%, 26.5%, 21.3%, 13.5% and 2%, 3.9%, 6.1%, 21.4%). This score was highly predictive for mortality and severe morbidity. Objectivity and independence of the observer, coupled with a reliable score, are needed for meaningful assessment of the quality of care. Administrative supervision and/or comparison of raw center results therefore remain controversial. A national data base was developed as a part of this study, that includes anonymous information from two-thirds of all cardiac surgery cases. Nation-wide results for France allow each center freely to assess its results. This self-assessment approach is, in our view, the most accurate way of quality of care assessment. A pan-European system using a similar approach should be developed.

Surgical experience of coronary artery-right ventricular fistula in a heart transplant patient

Routine follow-up catheterization 4 years after heart transplantation in a 55-year-old revealed a fistula from the main left anterior descending artery (LAD) to the right ventricle. The left anterior descending artery was dilated and tortuous because of this fistula. As he had effort dyspnea and fatigue 3 months after this catheterization, we decided to operate on the fistula, and direct closure of this through the LAD and coronary artery bypass grafting from the proximal to distal LAD were performed. Surgery and the postoperative course were uneventful. We discuss the surgical indication and technique for coronary artery fistula acquired as a result of endomyocardial biopsy after heart transplantation.

Mechanical cardiac valve thrombosis. Is fibrinolysis justified?

BACKGROUND

Thrombosis is a serious complication of heart valve replacement, and management is often difficult. In recent years, thrombolytic therapy has been used as the primary technique by some investigators.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Sixty-four consecutive patients presenting with 75 instances of prosthetic heart valve thrombosis (41 mitral, 33 aortic, one tricuspid) were treated with fibrinolytic agents. Obstructed prosthetic valves comprised 39 tilting disc and 36 bileaflet valves. The time interval between valve replacement and obstruction ranged from 15 days to 192 months (mean, 38 months). Fibrinolytic agents used were streptokinase (42 patients), urokinase (27 patients), or recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (six patients). Immediate results of fibrinolytic treatment were 1) full success after one or several consecutive fibrinolytic regimens in 55 cases (73%), 2) incomplete improvement in two cases, and 3) failure in 18 cases, leading to an emergency surgery in nine cases. Nine patients died (four strokes, four cardiac arrests, one hemorrhage). Only one severe hemorrhagic complication was observed, but 11 cases of embolism occurred during fibrinolytic treatment (14.6%) (four major cerebral embolisms with death). The immediate efficacy was better for thrombosed aortic prosthesis than with the mitral prosthesis (85% versus 63%).

CONCLUSIONS

Fibrinolytic treatment appears to be an attractive nonsurgical alternative for prosthetic heart valve thrombosis, but because of the risk of cerebral embolism, its use should be reserved for tricuspid valve thrombosis or critically ill patients with mitral or aortic valve thrombosis. The use of a fibrinolytic agent in cases of small, nonobstructive paravalvular thrombosis demonstrated with transesophageal echocardiography needs further studies.

Isolation of the right subclavian artery

Loss of continuity between subclavian artery and aorta with persistent connection to the homolateral pulmonary artery through a ductus arteriosus is an uncommon malformation, involving generally the left subclavian artery and associated with intracardiac or aortic arch anomalies. We report a case of right subclavian isolation with a left-sided aortic arch, presenting as a single anomaly and surgically corrected by aortic reimplantation.

Bronchial revascularization in double-lung transplantation: a series of 8 patients. Bordeaux Lung and Heart-Lung Transplant Group

Donor airway ischemia is the main cause for defective tracheal or bronchial healing after double-lung transplantation. Anatomical studies and bronchial arteriograms have shown that the right intercostal bronchial artery is constant (95% of instances) and provides an important blood supply to the distal trachea, the carina, and the right bronchial tree as well as to the left side through a subcarinal and periadventitial anastomostic network. To maintain this important bilateral bronchial circulation, it is of capital importance not to mobilize the arteries individually and to avoid large dissections around the carina. Both bronchi can thus be revascularized by indirect aortic reimplantation using a bypass graft to a single aortic patch that includes the origin of the right intercostal bronchial artery. Furthermore, the origin of other vessels (a common trunk and left arteries) can be found within a short distance of the right intercostal bronchial artery and possibly be contained within the same aortic patch. From a series of 56 lung transplantations, 8 patients underwent restoration of the bronchial vascularization using a recipient saphenous vein graft between the donor bronchial arteries and the anterior aspect of the recipient's ascending aorta. A lower tracheal anastomosis was performed. Bronchial arterial blood supply was evaluated both by endoscopy and by arteriography at about the 15th postoperative day. The bronchial circulation was visualized at this time in five of seven arteriographies, and this was associated with excellent tracheal healing in all 8 patients.

Lung transplantation with bronchial revascularisation. Surgical anatomy, operative technique and early results

Ischaemic anastomotic complications are an important cause of mortality and morbidity after lung transplantation. Anatomical studies have demonstrated that the pattern of bronchial arterial supply is relatively constant and therefore amenable to attempts at revascularisation. From May 1990, 10 patients who had a double lung transplantation (tracheal anastomosis) and 1 patient who had a right lung transplantation underwent concomitant bronchial revascularisation. There were two early and one late deaths. There were no anastomotic complications. Regular endoscopic examination showed satisfactory healing in all patients. Early angiography showed patent grafts in 7 of 9 patients. At a mean follow-up of 11 months (range 6-17 months) 8 patients are well and leading a normal life. This report describes the anatomical basis, technical aspects and early results of a promising operative procedure in the field of lung transplantation.

[Leiomyosarcoma of the right ventricle. Report of a case and review of the literature]

Primary cardiac leiomyosarcoma is a very rare condition. Only 15 cases have been reported in the literature. We report the case of a 27 year old man admitted to hospital for chest pain in March 1985. Echocardiography showed a right ventricular tumour which was completely resected at surgery. The diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma was confirmed by histological examination. After 22 months follow-up, the patient was still alive despite pulmonary metastases. The diagnosis of cardiac tumour used to be made post-mortem but since the introduction of new methods of investigation, especially 2D echocardiography, the diagnosis can be made at an early stage and allows rapid surgical resection, the only means of obtaining the histological diagnosis and of completely curing benign tumours.

[Total anomalous infra-cardiac pulmonary venous connection. Value of the color Doppler echocardiography]

A case of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection is described in a newborn. The pulmonary veins join a common trunk entering portal vein below the diaphragm. The pattern of pulmonary venous connections was identified by two-dimensional Doppler color flow-mapping echocardiography. The common pulmonary venous trunk was anastomosed to the left atrium at the age of 3 weeks but the infant died because of pulmonary hypertension and acute renal insufficiency. The Doppler color echocardiography allows a good preoperative evaluation. The spontaneous prognosis being poor, surgical correction is indicated and should be performed early, even for critically ill neonates. Patients who survive to childhood lead active and full lives.

[Value of Naito's criteria in the surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot]

Naito suggested criteria for the optimal reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract in total correction of tetralogy of Fallot based on the minimum acceptable diameter of the pulmonary artery. The value of these criteria was assessed in 78 operated patients by haemodynamic measurements at surgery and 6 months after operation. Using these criteria, a ratio of right ventricular/left ventricular systolic pressure less than 0.60 was obtained with the creation of pulmonary regurgitation which was usually moderate. Long-term assessment of these results is required.

Lung and heart-lung transplantation for end-stage lung disease. The Bordeaux Lung and Heart-Lung Transplant Group

Between February 1988 and December 1989, 15 combined heart-lung, 2 double lung and 5 single lung transplants were performed at our institution for end stage lung disease. The indication for heart-lung transplantation was primary lung disease with associated secondary heart failure in 11 cases, diffuse pulmonary disease with extensive adenopathy of the hilum in 2 cases and profuse and antibiotic-resistant tracheobronchial infection due to Pseudomonas in 2 cases. A double lung transplant was performed in 2 patients with hypertensive emphysema. The indication for a single lung transplantation was emphysema in 2 cases and pulmonary fibrosis in 3 cases; in this last indication, transplantation should be performed on the right side with a slight lengthening of the main bronchus to avoid the side-effects of mediastinal shift. There were 2 early deaths, 7 secondary deaths (from the 2nd to the 5th month) due to viral or bacterial infectious complications, and 1 late death in the 7th month (infection due to a syncitial virus). All 12 surviving patients have an excellent functional result; the size of the tracheal or bronchial anastomosis ranges from 85% to 100% of normal. From this experience, we conclude that specificity and severity of lung hazards are mainly related to bronchial infection, dependence on steroids and pleural adhesions. Moreover, posttransplant pulmonary oedema, mucociliary dysfunction and the differential diagnosis between rejection and infection require careful endobronchial suction and periodical sampling.

[Low molecular weight heparin: an real alternative in thrombolysis in hemodialyzed patients. A trial of coronary thrombolysis]

Fibrinolytic treatments pose serious problems in subjects at high risk for hemorrhage, such as those requiring chronic dialysis. A 36-year-old patient requiring dialysis for the last 14 years due to chronic kidney failure was hospitalized for unstable angina combined with calcified mitral stricture. Prompt coronary arteriography revealed recent intracoronary thrombi. The failure of drug treatment and the surgical indication in light of unstable angina led the authors to use low-molecular-weight heparin b.i.d. for 12 days with monitoring of laboratory parameters (anti-Xa activity, APTT). No thrombotic or hemorrhagic episode was recorded. Control angiography indicating partial lysis of the left and right intracoronary thrombi led to exact evaluation of the residual underlying stenoses. A double aortocoronary bypass was subsequently performed combined with replacement of the mitral valve. This case gives a glimpse of the potential value of low-molecular-weight heparin as a valid alternative to conventional fibrinolysis in subjects requiring dialysis.

Aneurysms of the abdominal aorta in the neonate and infant

We report a case of aneurysm of the infrarenal abdominal aorta from septic umbilical artery catheterization in a one-month old female infant. In spite of spontaneous thrombosis, the patient's course was uneventful. During the five-year follow-up period no further complications developed and operation was not required. Aneurysms of the aorta are rare in the very young and the infrarenal location is rarer. Sixteen other cases published in the literature are reviewed. Etiologic considerations and therapeutic modalities are discussed.

Ultrastructural study comparing the myocardial protective effects of four different infusates (Bretschneider's, St Thomas's, standard Ringer's and blood potassium solutions) in the human heart

Comparative mitochondrial ultrastructural changes during myocardial ischaemic periods have been assessed when using four different solutions: Bretschneider's solution (BS) (K+ = 10 mEq/l) at 4°C; St Thomas's hospital solution (STS) (K+ = 20 mEq/l) at 4°C; standard Ringer's solution (SRS) (K+ = 2.7 mEq/l) at 4°C; blood potassium cardioplegic solution (BPS) (K+ = 21 mEq/l) at 15°C.

BS (n = 8), STS (n = 10), SRS (n = 8) and BPS (n = 8) were infused in 34 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (n = 17) or aortocoronary bypass grafting (n = 17), after aortic crossclamping, either in the aorta or in both coronary ostia, until the septal myocardial temperature reached 10-13°C for crystalloid solutions or 15°C for blood cardioplegia. Myocardial biopsies were taken from the left ventricular apex, on a beating heart, at the beginning and end of bypass.

To assess the degree of ischaemic injury, an ultrastructural evaluation of the mitochondria was done and four histological classes have been defined: class I- dense matrix and cristae; class II — occasional mitochondrial swelling; class III — decrease in matrix density with extensive swelling; class IV — severe swelling and/or rupture of matrix.

This study showed that: (1) only the St Thomas's and Bretschneider's solutions provide a rapid electromechanical asystole; (2) isolated hypothermic crystalloid solution with low potassium concentration (standard Ringer) is not sufficient either to induce cardiac arrest or to prevent detrimental mitochondrial changes; (3) Bretschneider's solution appears to provide the best ultrastructural mitochondrial preservation during myocardial ischaemia.

Risk factors for myocardial infarction during coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Patients with a particular thrombotic profile may be at greater risk of myocardial infarction during coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The thrombotic profile of 50 patients admitted to hospital with stable angina pectoris was determined prior to haemodynamic investigation. ECG results and determination of cardiac enzymes showed that 12 patients had suffered a perioperative myocardial infarction. These patients had a higher mean atherosclerotic score (42.1 +/- 10.5 vs 32.9 +/- 13, P less than 0.02), a longer aortic cross clamp time (59 +/- 15.2 vs 45.7 +/- 16.3 min, P less than 0.05), lower serum levels of protein C (101.2 +/- 26 vs 124.7 +/- 31.4%, P less than 0.05) and tissue plasminogen activator (322 +/- 580 vs 2307 +/- 2830 IU ml-1, P less than 0.01). There were no differences between the two groups in Jenkin's coronary score, the number and type of grafts, ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, lipid profile or levels of markers of platelet release. In addition to a more severe distal coronary atheroma and a longer aortic cross-clamp time, patients with impaired endothelial fibrinolytic activity appeared to be at greater risk of myocardial infarction during coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Late results of the subclavian flap repair of coarctation in infancy

From June 1979 through January 1985, 22 infants under 20 months of age (mean 8 months and 4 kg) underwent coarctation repair with a left subclavian aortoplasty. The most commonly associated lesions were ventricular septal defect (50%), hypoplastic aortic arch (45%), patent ductus arteriosus (41%), transposition of great arteries (22.7%) and other intracardiac lesions comprised 30%. Indication for surgery was congestive heart failure refractory to medical management. All patients were on inotropic support. Two patients required mechanical ventilation preoperatively. Subclavian flap angioplasty was performed with 7.0 continuous polypropylene suture. Ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus was simultaneously done in 8 patients and pulmonary artery banding in 8 others. Four patients (18%) died within 30 days after operation; 3 of them had severe tubular hypoplasia of the aortic arch. Three transient postoperative complications were encountered; chylothorax, subclavian steal syndrome and Horner's syndrome. No hospital deaths occurred in patients with isolated coarctation of the aorta. All survivors were followed for a period varying from 3 to 6.5 years (mean, 2 years). There were 3 late deaths (13.6%). Non invasive studies have shown a satisfactory result in 14 patients with a residual gradient less than 20 mmHg and in 10 of them, cardiac catheterization and cineangiography showed no evidence of significant stenosis. In one patient only, femoral pulses were absent 4 months postoperatively. These results and reports of others indicate, contrary to the age, that the presence of associated disease affects mortality. Prompt repair of coarctation of the aorta in all infants with or without symptoms is recommended and the subclavian flap procedure appears to be a simple and safe method for relief of coarctation of the aorta in critically ill infants.

Traumatic rupture and aneurysm of the aortic isthmus: late results of repair by direct suture

Between 1979 and 1986, 28 patients underwent surgery for subadventitial rupture of the aortic isthmus from blunt trauma; 16 had an acute lesion which was operated within three days after the trauma, three had a delayed repair between the first and third months, while nine had a chronic post-traumatic aneurysm (2 to 27 years after the initial accident). Transection was complete in 13 cases. A left atrium-to-descending thoracic aortic bypass or ilioiliac extracorporeal bypass were used in 14 (50%) patients whereas simple clamping was employed in the 14 remaining patients. Aortic repair was performed in 22 cases by direct suture (78.5%), more often in acute ruptures (84%) than in chronic aneurysms (66%). Five of the 16 patients operated on within three days of their accident died during the first postoperative month from associated lesions. There were no in-hospital or late deaths among the patients operated on for chronic aneurysm. All of the 23 surviving patients (82%) were followed postoperatively for six to 90 months (mean: 36 months). Of the 19 who had direct suture, 15 underwent digital subtraction arteriography which demonstrated an excellent reconstruction of the aortic isthmus. Of the techniques available for repair of traumatic aortic lesions, direct suture allows the shortest clamping time (mean: 25 minutes in our series). The long-term risks of prosthetic replacement, i.e. late infection, false aneurysm due to suture breakdown, and secondary embolism arising from mural thrombosis, can therefore be avoided.

Magnetic resonance imaging of an anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery

This report describes a 34-year-old woman with an anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. The angiographic pattern was clearly demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed before surgery. This case suggests that MRI could play an important role in the pre-operative assessment of coronary anomalies.

Accuracy of M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography in the diagnosis of aortic dissection: an experience with 128 cases

The accuracy of combined M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography in the diagnosis of aortic dissection was evaluated in 673 patients with a clinical suspicion of aortic dissection, over a six-year period. In 128 cases, the diagnosis of aortic dissection was confirmed by angiographic, tomographic (CT scan), or autopsy findings, or during surgery. Two echocardiographic features were found to support a diagnosis of aortic dissection: a dilation of at least one segment of the aorta (sensitivity 95%, specificity 51%) and a typical abnormal linear intraluminal echo corresponding to the intimal flap (sensitivity 67%, specificity 100%). This pathognomonic intimal flap was observed in 86 cases, of which three types could be distinguished: (1) a long oscillating flap (n = 15), (2) a long but minimally mobile linear echo which was duplicated and parallel to one or two aortic walls (n = 64), (3) a short, double linear image with a rapid systolic motion and high frequency oscillations. These features were found to have a high sensitivity in type I aortic dissection (88%), although in types II and III the sensitivity was much lower. In some cases, a fourth type of abnormal image could be detected: a small intraluminal echo moving in parallel to the aortic wall. This feature should be interpreted with caution since its predictive value for a positive examination was low (48%). Out of 23 cases in which the diagnosis of aortic dissection was suspected on the basis of this doubtful abnormal echo, it was confirmed in only 11 patients. The results in these 128 cases of aortic dissection indicate that two-dimensional echocardiography, which is easily performed at the patient's bedside, could take priority in investigations of this condition. It is extremely sensitive in the diagnosis of ascending aortic dissection, but much less so in the diagnosis of descending aortic dissection.