Can preoperative myocardial perfusion scintigraphy predict changes in left ventricular perfusion and function after coronary artery bypass graft surgery?

OBJECTIVES We wanted to evaluate whether preoperative myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) could predict changes in cardiac symptoms and postoperative myocardial perfusion and left ventricular function after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS Ninety-two patients with stable angina pectoris (and at least one occluded coronary artery) underwent MPS before, and 6 months after, undergoing CABG. The result of the MPS was kept secret from the surgeons. RESULTS Before CABG, 90% of the patients had angina. After CABG, 97% of the patients were without symptoms. Overall graft patency was 84%. Before CABG, one patient had normal perfusion; in the rest of them the defects were classified as follows: reversible (60%), partly reversible (27%) and irreversible (12%). Following CABG, 33% had normal perfusion; in the rest the defects were reversible in 29%, partly reversible in 12% and irreversible in 26%. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), which was normal before operation in 45%, improved in 40% of all patients. The increase in LVEF was not related to the preoperative pattern of perfusion defects. Of 30 patients with normalized perfusion after CABG, 29 (97%) had reversible defects and one patient had partly reversible defects. Of 83 perfusion defects, which were normalized after CABG, 67 were reversible (81%) or partly reversible (12%). Seventy-five percent of all reversible coronary artery territories before CABG were normalized after operation. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that reversible or partly reversible perfusion defects at a preoperative MPS have a high chance of normalized myocardial perfusion assessed by MPS 6 months after operation. Normal perfusion is obtained almost exclusively in territories with reversible ischaemia. Symptoms improved in nearly all patients and LVEF in a significant fraction of the patients, not related to preoperative MPS.

Angiography-based prediction of outcome after coronary artery bypass surgery versus changes in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy

OBJECTIVES

The present study compared the clinical prediction of the effect of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on coronary blood flow and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) with changes in gated myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.

METHODS

A prospective group of 92 patients underwent myocardial perfusion scintigraphy before and 6 months after CABG, the results being kept secret from the surgeon. Based on clinical and angiographic findings, the surgeons filled in a questionnaire indicating the predicted changes in coronary blood flow in each of the three coronary artery territories and in the LVEF.

RESULTS

Symptomatic improvement was present in nearly all the patients. Following CABG, the perfusion defects were reduced in around two-thirds and normalized in one-third of the territories clinically predicted to improve. Improved perfusion for territories not predicted to improve was slightly lower, and correlations between predicted and observed regional changes in coronary blood flow and perfusion defects were poor. LVEF increased (by over five ejection fraction units) in almost half of the patients, but with no correlation between the predicted and the observed changes.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on clinical and angiographic findings, the marked improvements after CABG in cardiac perfusion and function are poorly predicted.

Coronary artery bypass grafting within the first year after treatment of large acute myocardial infarctions with angioplasty or fibrinolysis

OBJECTIVES

To calculate the incidence and analyse and outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) within the first year after randomisation of 1,572 patients with acute myocardial infarctions with ST-segment elevation (STEMI) to either percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or fibrinolysis.

DESIGN

The study includes 131 patients: 108 male and 23 female with a mean age 62 years.

RESULTS

The total 30-day mortality after CABG was 4.6% (7.5% in the PCI group and 2.6% in the fibrinolysis group). The 30-day mortality was 9.8% after CABG within the first 30-days and 1.3% after CABG within 31-365 days. The patients who were operated early had a reduced EF to 43% as compared to 50% in patients who were not operated or patients having CABG after 30-days (p=0.002).

CONCLUSION

CABG was performed within the first year after STEMI in 10% of patients randomised to fibrinolysis and in 6.7% of patients randomised to PCI. Patients having CABG within the first 30-days after treatment of STEMI had an increased mortality of 9.8%.

Coronary artery bypass grafting within 30 days after treatment of acute myocardial infarctions with angioplasty or fibrinolysis – a surgical substudy of DANAMI‐2

OBJECTIVE

To calculate the incidence and analyse the indications and outcome after surgical revascularization within the first 30 days after randomization of 1572 patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) associated with ST-segment elevation (STEMI).

DESIGN

Data regarding the patients undergoing heart surgery within the first 30 days after randomization were collected.

RESULTS

Three patients (0.2%) with acute STEMI and randomized to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) underwent emergent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). A total of 50 patients (3.2%), 30 in the PCI group and 20 in the fibrinolysis group were revascularized by surgery within the first 30 days after randomization. The most frequent indication for surgery in both groups was unstable angina pectoris, followed by left main stenosis. The incidence of postoperative complications was higher compared with the outcome after elective CABG.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of emergency CABG in this study was low (0.2%) after treatment of acute MI with either PCI or fibrinolysis. The overall incidence within 30 days was 3.2%, however, the mortality is increased with a 30-day mortality of 10% in this high-risk patient group.

Validity of clinical symptoms in benign esophageal disease, assessed by questionnaire

A questionnaire designed to test the value of questions identifying benign esophageal disease was sent to patients representing four well-defined entities: angina pectoris (n = 30), benign esophageal disease (n = 25), gastroduodenal ulcer or former gallstones (n = 27) and normal subjects (n = 38). By means of logistic regression, three key-questions were selected. A combination of an affirmative answer to "difficulty in swallowing solid food" and to "pain in the chest" or "heartburn at night" or both did not occur in the group of normal subjects, while occurring in 68% of the patients with esophageal diseases. The combination occurred in only 10% of the patients with angina pectoris and 15% of those suffering from gastroduodenal ulcer or gallstones. The predictive accuracy of the combination of the three questions is estimated for various hypothetic prevalences of esophageal disease. These questions appear to identify approximately two-thirds of individuals with esophageal disease with acceptable false-positive rates and can therefore be used in epidemiological studies.

Nuclear cardiology and coronary surgery

Rising age, repeated percutaneous coronary revascularizations, and co-morbidity such as overweight, diabetes, and hypertension, characterize a change over the last 20-30 years in coronary patients referred to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This patient group represents a great part of today's large and increasing patient population with heart failure, and their treatment remains a limited success. CABG may lead to symptomatic and prognostic improvement, but the limited risk of operative complications has to be balanced against the chances of symptomatic and prognostic benefit from the operation. Identification of culprit lesions and estimation of the severity of coronary stenoses of intermediate or uncertain degree are important in preoperative decision-making. Location and extent of a perfusion abnormality must reflect the anatomical distribution of an angiographic stenosis, supporting or arguing against the decision to revascularize . Myocardial perfusion imaging by single photon emission computed tomography or positron emission tomography before surgery will increase the level of information about coronary hemodynamics and myocardial viability before surgical intervention and is therefore highly recommended to increase the chances of successful coronary surgery, as well as to reduce the small risk of operative complications.

[Mediastinitis following cardiac surgery. Patient insurance reports]

INTRODUCTION

Mediastinitis in cardiac surgery is a well-known complication associated with high morbidity, invalidity, and mortality. Since the establishment by law of patients insurance in Denmark 1992, it has been possible to get compensation in some instances.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

During a period of 8 years (1996-2003) 30 cases of mediastinitis were reported to the Danish Patient Insurance Association (DPIA). The initial cardiac operations consisted of 28 coronary artery bypass graft operations (CABG), 1 CABG associated with substitution of the aortic valve, and 1 CABG with cryoablation because of atrial fibrillation. The median preoperative mortality risk (EuroSCORE) was 2 (0-6+). The treatment of mediastinitis consisted of open revision or closed rinsing-system and of vacuum assisted closure in the later part of the period.

RESULTS

Eighty percent of the patients had a transposition of thoracic muscle undertaken as a compensation for the lack of sternum. The median number of universal anaesthesias was 23 (3-32). The median admission time was 73 days (21-180), hospital mortality was 6.7%. A patient may receive compensation for an injury sustained during treatment if: 1) the best specialist would have acted differently, 2) the injury was caused by defect or malfunction of equipment, 3) the injury could have been prevented by using a different similar method of treatment, or 4) the patient had suffered more than is acceptable given the severity of the disease. Seventeen claims were approved (57%), the remainders were rejected. The criteria for acceptance according to the law of patient insurance are presented. In the actual period 511 cases of deep sternal infection after cardiac surgery were reported to the Danish Patient Registry.

CONCLUSION

The majority of mediastinitis cases were not reported to the DPIA. The parties involved (patients, patient advisors, general practitioners, and hospital departments) are asked to concentrate on the need of reporting these cases to the DPIA.

[Coronary angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery in older patients. Incidence, complications and mortality, 1999-2003]

INTRODUCTION

Persons over 70 years of age are the fastest-growing segment of the population. A major proportion of these elderly have ischemic heart disease and may need treatment. We describe the development of mechanical coronary revascularization in patients aged 70-79 years versus those 80 years of age or older over a five-year period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

During 1999, 2001 and 2003, a total of 774 patients over 70 years of age had coronary angioplasty (PCI) or coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) performed at Odense University Hospital. The patients were separated according to type of intervention and age: 70-79 versus > or = 80 years of age. Retrospectively, descriptive characteristics, complication rates and six-month mortality rates were compiled.

RESULTS

During the study period, the number of interventions increased from 182 to 374 per year. In the patients > or = 80 years of age, a tenfold increase in the number of procedures was noted, whereas the frequency in the younger patients was approximately doubled. During the five-year period, the proportion of CABGs performed was stable, but the frequency of PCIs increased by a factor of five. Over time, the number of acute interventions increased. Patients > or = 80 years of age more frequently had complications than did patients 70-79 years of age. The six-month mortality rate increased throughout the study period and was highest in patients > or = 80 years of age.

CONCLUSION

During the five-year period from 1999 to 2003, the total number of coronary revascularizations in the elderly increased. The main reason for this was a marked increment in the use of PCIs and a general increase in the use of revascularizations in patients 80 years of age or older. PCI in the elderly is associated with a lower frequency of complications.

[Endovascular treatment of diseases of the descending thoracic aorta]

INTRODUCTION

Endovascular repair as treatment of aortic diseases seems promising. We report the first Danish results of endografting of the descending thoracic aorta.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nineteen patients (median age 68 years, range 22-78 years) underwent endovascular treatment of diseases in the descending thoracic aorta: atherosclerotic aneurysm (n = 7), ruptured aneurysm (n = 3), Type B dissection (n = 3), traumatic rupture (n = 3), pseudoaneurysm (n = 2) and a defective aortic prosthesis (n = 1). The patients were followed with chest CT scans and clinically.

RESULTS

In all cases the endograft was successfully deployed in the intended positions. Median total hospital stay was 5 days, range 2-21 days. Eight patients had post-implantation syndrome. No deaths occurred within the first post-operative month. During the follow-up period (median 12 months, range 1-56 months) five deaths were observed. One of the patients died from aortobronchial fistula related to the endograft. One patient had an endoleak, and two had expanded aneurysm. None of these patients was treated.

CONCLUSION

In selected patients, endoluminal grafting of the descending thoracic aortic is a safe and successful alternative to open graft repair in treating aneurysm, ruptured aneurysm, traumatic rupture and dissection. However, long-term evaluation is still required.

[Five years (1995-2000) of coronary artery bypass surgery at the Odense University Hospital]

INTRODUCTION

A large-scale Danish study on late outcomes after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS) has never been done. We therefore did a retrospective study and follow-up of 2,333 patients, accounting for 2,361 consecutive CABS operations over a five-year period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The material consisted of 23.5% women and 76.5% men. The patients' median age was 63 years (32-85 years). The rate of response to the questionnaire was 95.3%. The median observation time was 26 months (3-63 months). In 94% of the patients, primary CABS had been undertaken, and 6% were reoperations. Ninty-three percent were elective operations, and 7% were acute. The risk score estimated 20% of the patients to be in high-risk groups, 22% in the 5% group and 53% in the low-risk group. There was three-vessel disease in 68% and left main stenosis in 24%. The EF was normal in 73% of the patients, while 4% had EF <30%.

RESULTS

The total early mortality rate was 3%, the primary elective CABS rate was 2.6%, and we found a statistically significant higher mortality for elective reoperations (5.9%) and for acute CABS (7%). Comparison with the Danish background population indicates a better survival rate for the CABS patients. One-third developed atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation. Reoperation for bleeding was done in 6.9% and for mediastinitis 1.9%. About 10% were readmitted because of various complications. In the observation period, 99 patients (7,2%) died. Patients with EF <30% and those undergoing reoperations had a statistically significant higher late mortality rate. About 20% suffered from recurrent angina in the observation period, one-fourth had wound healing of the graft leg and 96% did not regret the operation.

DISCUSSION

Apart from the rather high reoperation rate because of bleeding and the prolonged healing time of the graft leg, these results as well as the prognostic value of CABS in selected patient groups justifies the coronary artery bypass graft operation as a good treatment for angina pectoris.

[Protamine allergy in heart surgery]

A 68-year-old woman was admitted for open heart surgery. She had no history of allergy, but had suffered acute heart failure after having received protamine twice. Possible predisposition to adverse reactions is discussed and ways of reducing adverse reactions to protamine are suggested.

[DANAMI. A Danish study of invasive versus conservative treatment of patients with post-infarction ischemia who had received thrombolytic therapy]

INTRODUCTION

To compare an invasive strategy employing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary artery by-pass grafting (CABG) with a medical strategy in patients who had received thrombolytic treatment for first acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and with signs of inducible ischaemia.

METHODS

In a prospective study 1008 patients were randomized, 503 to invasive treatment, of whom 266 (52.9%) had PTCA, and 147 (29.2%) CABG, 505 to conservative treatment, of whom eight (1.6%) were revascularized within two months.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 2.4 years the mortality in the invasive group was 3.6% vs. 4.4% (p = 0.45) in the conservative group, re-infarction incidence was 5.6% vs. 10.5% (p = 0.0038) and percentage of admissions with unstable angina was 17.9% vs. 29.5% (p < 0.00001).

DISCUSSION

We conclude that post-infarct patients with inducible ischaemia should be referred to coronary angiography and revascularised accordingly.

Emergency coronary artery bypass surgery after failed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Coronary complications caused by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) may necessitate emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In 1994-1998, 132 patients (1.5% of the patients registered in the Danish PTCA registry) underwent CABG within 24 h because of angioplasty complications. We reviewed the files of 86 patients who had emergency operations within 6 h and found that 35% suffered from 1-vessel disease. Fifty-eight percent were taken directly to the operating room from the cardiovascular laboratory, and 13% were given preoperative cardiovascular resuscitation. The vessels most frequently injured were the right coronary artery and the left anterior descending branch (LAD). The patients received a mean of 2.4 coronary bypasses each. Forty-three percent of the patients with lesions of the left main coronary artery and/or the LAD received a vein graft to the LAD. A perioperative Q-wave myocardial infarction developed in 51% of the patients. The in-hospital mortality rate was 12%. These results are inferior to those obtained after elective surgery. Local cardiothoracic backup is vital when PTCA is performed in an unselected patient group.

Expanding the use of total mitral valve preservation in combination with implantation of the CarboMedics heart valve prosthesis

BACKGROUND

Preservation of the mitral valve and subvalvular apparatus was introduced into the clinic in the early sixties, but for two decades the standard technique for mitral valve replacement included excision of both leaflets and their attached chordae tendineae. Lately, increased emphasis has again been placed on retention of the mitral subvalvular apparatus during valve replacement because of its role on left ventricular function.

METHODS

We have preserved the valvular and subvalvular mitral apparatus, when possible, in connection with mitral valve replacement during the last seven years and the present investigation (partly prospective and partly retrospective) was done with the aim of making up the results of our mitral preservation technique. In the period between January 1990 and December 1995, 30% of the patients who underwent mitral valve replacement had complete retention of all mitral tissue. In 1996, the percentage had increased to 50, and during the first seven months of 1997, 70% of the patients had complete retention of all mitral tissue. Since January 1997, we have exclusively used the CarboMedics mitral heart valve prosthesis. A total of 56 patients were identified to have had a CarboMedics heart valve prosthesis implanted. There were 33 men and 23 women with a mean age of 63 years, range 23-77 years. Coronary bypass was a concomitant procedure in 22 patients. In seven patients, both the mitral and aortic valves were replaced. A severely altered valve with thickened and or calcified leaflets, stenotic leaflets, or shortened, retracted and thickened chordae tendineae were not a contraindication for the procedure. Calcified plaques were removed. Adhesion between anterior and posterior leaflets was treated with sharp dissection. Valve and subvalvular tissue were preserved. The leaflets were reefed within the valve-sutures and compressed between the sewing ring and the native annulus when implanting the valve prosthesis. Chordal tension on the ventricle was thereby maintained and the chordae pulled away from the valve effluent. Echocardiography with measurement of ejection-fraction was performed preoperatively during the postoperative course in case of cardiac problems and on a routine basis 1 month after surgery and at various intervals when the patient was seen in the outpatient clinic. Left ventricular outflow tract gradients were measured during the postoperative course in case of cardiac problems and routinely 1 month postsurgically.

RESULTS

Five patients died in the postoperative period and one patient had transient neurological symptoms. In none of the patients was death or transient neurological symptoms a consequence of the retention of mitral leaflets with subvalvular apparatus. The remaining 51 patients were all alive at follow-up. Postoperative echocardiography demonstrated a preserved left ventricular function and a left ventricular outflow tract without obstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

We find that the described technique in combination with implantation of a CarboMedics heart valve prosthesis is very useful even in patients with a severely altered valve, when preserving the mitral leaflets with subvalvular apparatus during valve replacement. The technique is without procedure related complications and preserves left ventricular function without obstructing the left ventricular outflow tract.

CABG shortly after AMI treated with thrombolysis: an analysis of the surgical group and a comparison with PTCA in the DANAMI study. Danish multicenter randomized study of invasive versus conservative treatment in patients with inducible ischemia after thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

To present surgical results of the DANAMI study comparing conservative and invasive treatment of postinfarction myocardial ischaemia and to compare these with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTCA) which was the alternative invasive treatment in that study.

METHODS

A group of 413 patients with verified acute myocardial infarction treated with thrombolysis within 12 h of the onset of symptoms, who demonstrated postinfarction myocardial ischaemia were treated with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or PTCA. Patients with left main lesions, three-vessel disease, two-vessel disease with more than three stenoses and patients with occlusions of a non-infarct related vessel had primary CABG. Patients with 1- and 2-vessel disease with not more than a total of three stenoses had PTCA. In case of failed PTCA patients had secondary CABG. The median distance from AMI to CABG was 45 days. PTCA was performed at a mean of 39 days after the infarction.

RESULTS

A total of 147 patients had CABG and 266 had PTCA. The operative mortality for CABG was 1.4%. No PTCA patients died in relation to the procedure, 0.8% developed acute myocardial infarction as a consequence of the procedure, 1.5% had acute CABG and 3.5% elective CABG due to failed PTCA. In spite of more severe coronary artery disease among the CABG patients there was no difference in survival at 2.4 years. The CABG group had significantly fewer episodes of unstable angina, 10.2% versus 25.6% (P = 0.0002). No CABG patients had re-do revascularisation at 2.4 years follow-up versus 15.4% of the PTCA patients. At 3 years 80% of the CABG patients were free of angina compared to the 61% of the PTCA group (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Low morbidity and mortality justifies the deferred elective revascularisation in patients with postinfarction myocardial ischaemia even in patients with silent ischaemia. There is no difference in survival at 2.4 years between CABG and PTCA but CABG offers more lasting results concerning incidence of stable and unstable angina than PTCA, which, however, is a valuable alternative in patients with less severe coronary artery disease.

Danish multicenter randomized study of invasive versus conservative treatment in patients with inducible ischemia after thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction (DANAMI). DANish trial in Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

The aim of the DANish trial in Acute Myocardial Infarction (DANAMI) study was to compare an invasive strategy of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with a conservative strategy in patients with inducible myocardial ischemia who received thrombolytic treatment for a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Of the 503 patients randomized to an invasive strategy, PTCA was performed in 266 (52.9%) and CABG in 147 (29.2%) from 2 to 10 weeks after the AMI. Of the 505 patients in the conservative treatment group, only 8 (1.6%) had been revascularized 2 months after the AMI. The patients were followed up from 1 to 4.5 years. The primary end points were mortality, reinfarction, and admission with unstable angina. At 2.4 years' follow-up (median), mortality was 3.6% in the invasive treatment group and 4.4% in the conservative treatment group (not significant). Invasive treatment was associated with a lower incidence of AMI (5.6% versus 10.5%; P=.0038) and a lower incidence of admission for unstable angina (17.9% versus 29.5%; P<.00001). The percentages of patients with a primary end point were 15.4% and 29.5% at 1 year, 23.5% and 36.6% at 2 years, and 31.7% versus 44.0% at 4 years (P=<.00001) in the invasive and conservative treatment groups, respectively. At 12 months, stable angina pectoris was present in 21% of patients in the invasive treatment group and 43% in the conservative treatment group.

CONCLUSIONS

Invasive treatment in post-AMI patients with inducible ischemia results in a reduction in the incidence of reinfarction, fewer admissions due to unstable angina, and lower prevalence of stable angina. We conclude that patients with inducible ischemia before discharge who have received treatment with thrombolytic drugs for their first AMI should be referred to coronary arteriography and revascularized accordingly.

Mitral valve replacement with total preservation of native valve and subvalvular apparatus

BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE STUDY

Preservation of the mitral valve and subvalvular apparatus was introduced clinically in the early 1960s, but for two decades the technique for mitral valve replacement included excision of both leaflets and their attached chordae tendineae. Lately, emphasis has been replaced on retaining the mitral subvalvular apparatus during valve replacement because of its role in left ventricular function. Hence, during the past six years, when performing mitral valve replacement we have, when possible, preserved the valvular and sub-valvular mitral apparatus.

METHODS

Between January 1990 and November 1996, complete retention of all mitral tissue in connection with mitral valve replacement was performed in 58 patients (23 women and 35 men). Mean age was 63 years (range: 23 years to 77 years). Coronary bypass was a concomitant procedure in 19 patients; both the mitral and aortic valve was replaced in four cases. Calcified and/or stenotic valves were not a contraindication for the procedure; calcified plaques were removed. Adhesion between anterior and posterior leaflets was treated with sharp dissection. Valve and subvalvular tissue were preserved. The leaflets were reefed within the valve-sutures and compressed between the sewing ring and the native annulus when implanting the valve prosthesis. Chordal tension on the ventricle is thus maintained and the chordae pulled away from the valve effluent.

RESULTS

Six patients died in the postoperative period and three had transient neurological symptoms. In no patient was death or transient neurological symptoms a consequence of the retention of mitral leaflets with subvalvular apparatus.

CONCLUSIONS

We find the described technique to be useful not only in valve insufficiency but also in valve stenosis when preserving the mitral leaflets with sub-valvular apparatus during valve replacement. The technique is without procedure-related complications and prevents obstruction of left ventricular outflow tract.

[Rational transfusion therapy. A study of transfusion practice and possibilities of optimization in elective coronary bypass surgery]

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of intervention on physicians' transfusion behavior in elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We analyzed transfusion data on 176 patients who underwent primary elective CABG during two periods, either before (phase one, n = 102) or after (phase two, n = 74) intervention. The intervention was based on cooperation with the involved department of cardiac surgery, interviews of the surgeons and anaesthesiologists ordering blood, and concurrent audit of transfusion practice using a blood order form. The proportion af patients receiving allogenic transfusions decreased from 90% in phase one to 58% in phase two and the total use of blood components was reduced from an average of 6.3 units/patient to 2.7 units/patient, p < 0.01. Indications for transfusion documented in the medical record increased from 19% in phase one to 63% in phase two. It is concluded that intervention on physicians' transfusion behavior can improve the transfusion therapy in patients who undergo elective CABG.

[Digoxin poisoning treated with Digibind]

A case of digoxin intoxication and hyperkalaemia causing cardiac arrest in a 63-year-old female who had undergone cardiac surgery is presented. Symptomatic treatment was given. However, as the patient continued to be unstable we introduced digoxin Fab-antibody in the treatment. The patient changed her heart rhythm from atrioventricular conduction block to atrial fibrillation within a few minutes and recovered later on. The pharmacology and the indications for treatment with digoxin Fab-antibody fragments are discussed.

[Screening for prehypoxemia with oximetry--a study of two methods]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the validity of pulse oximetry screening for prehypoxaemia, to assess the agreement between pulse- and haem-oximetry and to elucidate any influence of peripheral temperature on pulse oximeter measurements. A consecutive prospective study was undertaken in 91 cardiac surgery patients still in treatment with controlled mechanical ventilation in the early postoperative period. We examined arterial oxygen tension (paO2), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) and pulse oximeter saturation (SpO2) from 657 arterial blood samples. The sensitivity of the pulse oximeter was 0.83, the specificity 0.73, and the diagnostic specificity was 0.10, at the chosen level of screening. The pulse oximeter showed a tendency to underestimate the oxygen saturation by 0.85%. The agreement between pulse- and haem-oxymetry was found to be good. The authors conclude that the pulse oximeter is acceptable for respiratory screening in postoperative cardiac surgery. The low specificity and the low diagnostic specificity results in frequent false alarms. Low peripheral temperature (down to 25%) do not influence the validity of either methods.

Prevalence of esophageal Candida colonization in a Danish population: special reference to esophageal symptoms, benign esophageal disorders, and pulmonary disease

A population sample selected at random after stratification for the presence of pulmonary disease was screened for benign esophageal disease; 175 subjects agreed to participate in the invasive investigation, 86 without pulmonary disease and 89 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Of these, 169 underwent endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract, 164 had mucosal brushings for the presence of Candida albicans in the esophagus, 169 had esophageal pressure measurements, and 113 had 12-h pH measurements. One hundred fourteen subjects with benign esophageal disease were found. The prevalence of C. albicans in the esophagus (greater than or equal to 50 colonies) in subjects with and without COPD was 12.3% and 25.1%, respectively. C. albicans occurred equally in subjects with and without esophageal symptoms. There was no relation between the presence of C. albicans and benign esophageal disease and no significant clinical correlation between esophageal plaques and colony counts of C. albicans.

Risk factors for benign oesophageal disease in a random population sample

The association of sex, age, relative weight, smoking and drinking habits, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and economic and marital status, with benign oesophageal disease (BOD) was investigated by means of a point-prevalence study of BOD in a Danish population. A total of 346 individuals, representing subjects who gave positive responses to the discriminating questions pertaining to BOD and risk factors in a previously described questionnaire, as well as control subjects, were invited to participate in a clinical examination. Invasive investigation was accepted by 175 subjects, 114 of whom were diagnosed as having BOD. A statistically significant relationship between BOD and COPD was demonstrated by univariate analysis, and later confirmed by multivariate analysis (P less than 0.01). Odds ratios suggested a non-significant association between BOD and smoking at least 20 g tobacco a day and consuming greater than or equal to 50 alcoholic drinks per week. Obesity, sex, age, marital and economic status were not risk factors for BOD.

[Surgical treatment of lung cancer in Denmark in 1982-1986. Special attention to the surgical procedure and mortality]

The operative activity and hospital mortality for lung cancer in Denmark, were investigated for the five year period from 1982 to 1986. Of the 2,898 operations performed 38.3% were pneumonectomies, 34.2% lobectomies, 6.0% lesser resections (segmental or wedge) and 21.5% were exploratory thoracotomies. The total hospital mortality was 7.2% (208 patients). Following pneumonectomy, the hospital mortality was 11.2%, after lobectomy 3.5% (p less than 0.001). Lesser resections carried a 2.3% mortality, not statistically different from lobectomy. Exploratory thoracotomy was connected with a mortality of 7.2%. In patients under the age of 60 years the mortality was 4.7% and in patients at the age of 60 to 69 years 7.9% (p less than 0.01). Patients over 70 years carried a mortality of 9.7%, not statistically different from patients from 60 to 69 years. The hospital mortality was significantly higher in the nonspecialized departments.

IN CONCLUSION

Lung cancer is still increasing. Compared to the past the resectability rate is decreasing and hospital mortality is almost unchanged. To improve the results of efforts to increase the proportion of curable patients have to go hand in hand with efforts to reduce the numbers of exploratory thoracotomies and pneumonectomies as well as the number of operative and postoperative complications. Further centralization must be considered, in order to obtain better selectionscriteries and optimal treatment modalities per- and postoperatively.

Twelve hour overnight oesophageal pH monitoring in patients with reflux symptoms

Results of continuous 12 hour overnight pH monitoring (duration of pH less than 4) were reviewed in 112 patients with heartburn or regurgitation, or both, and in 56 normal subjects. Patients had more reflux than normal subjects. Medically controlled patients (n = 51) had less acid reflux than patients who subsequently underwent reflux surgery (n = 61), but there was a considerable overlap between those two groups. Surgery was followed by a reduction in acid reflux to a value similar to that in normal subjects. Patients in whom surgery was deemed to have failed had more reflux after the operation than those in whom it was successful, but no difference could be found in the preoperative reflux values of these two subgroups. Monitoring pH is not of value in selecting candidates for surgery since the results are not a good predictor of outcome, but it is useful in the objective evaluation of surgical results.

[Surgical treatment of cancer of the cardia and the esophagus]

During the period 1977 to 1989, 379 patients with cancer cardiac and cancer esophagi were admitted. The ages ranged from 18-88 years with an average of 65 years. The treatment concept was basically unchanged during the study period. Resection as described by Ivor Lewis was employed as palliative or curative treatment when resection was considered possible. Intubation of the esophagus was employed when no other treatment was considered possible. Resection was employed in 251 patients, eight of these emergencies on account of perforation or haemorrhage. Bypass operations were employed in five patients, intubations in 63 and no surgical treatment was undertaken in 60 patients. The all over operative mortality for resections was 11.2% and for elective operations 9.9%. The operative mortality increased with the TNM stage of the tumour and was 3.2% for stages I + II, 8.2% for stage III and 24.4% for stage IV. The complication ration was 42%. 15% of the patients submitted to resection required reoperation. Anastomotic leaks were encountered in 18 patients and nine of these died. Pulmonary complications were the most frequent and resulted in ten early postoperative deaths. The mortality connected with intubations was 15%. The over all five-year survival rate after resections was 10.4%. In stages I + II this was 42% and 8% in stage III. None of the patients in stage IV survived for two years. The longest survival after intubation was less than one year.

[Delayed diagnosis of bronchial foreign body]

An open safety pin was found in the middle lobe bronchus in a 3-year old girl with pneumonia. The point was directed downwards, and the pin could be removed during bronchoscopy. The lock was found to be partly corroded following months in the bronchial tree. The safety pin had thus most probably been closed when aspirated, and had thereafter remained silent until its spontaneous opening.

Prevalence of benign oesophageal disease in the Danish population with special reference to pulmonary disease

A population sample, selected at random after stratification for the presence of pulmonary disease, was examined for benign oesophageal disease by means of a mailed questionnaire, which has been described in a previous report. Eight hundred and nine subjects without pulmonary disease, 264 with chronic bronchitis, and 248 with bronchial asthma answered the questionnaire. Subjects answering affirmatively to a discriminating combination of questions, as well as some of the participants with single symptoms and randomly selected controls without oesophageal symptoms, were invited to a clinical examination (n = 346). One hundred and seventy-five subjects accepted an invasive investigation, 86 without pulmonary disease and 89 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract was performed in 169 subjects, while 168 underwent pressure measurements of the oesophagus, and 113 had oesophageal 12-h pH measurements taken. On the basis of accepted definitions we found 114 subjects with benign oesophageal disease. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the discriminating combination in the non-COPD and COPD groups were 73.9%/42.9% and 89.5%/47.1% respectively. The predictive accuracy of the questionnaire in the non-COPD and COPD group was 0.41 and 0.56, respectively. Prevalence rates of benign oesophageal disease in the non-COPD and the COPD groups were 34.5% (20-49%) and 44.5% (34-55%) respectively (P less than 0.001). We estimated the prevalence rate in the general population to be about 30%.

Inability to elicit vagal responses from the acid-infused esophagus of pigs

Acid application in the esophagus and esophageal distension were undertaken in pigs. One group (n = 9) had operatively induced esophagitis. The other group (n = 7) was normal. We found no discrepancy between the groups neither in inspiratory pressure nor in expiratory PCO2 nor in plasma concentrations of pancreatic polypeptide. The results indicate inability to elicit vagal responses from the acid-infused esophagus of pigs.

Brain histology, blood-brain barrier and brain water after normothermic and hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass in pigs

The effect of hypothermia during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on cerebral histopathology, blood-brain barrier permeability to serum proteins and water content was evaluated. Pigs were subjected to non-pulsatile CPB for 2 h at either normothermia or hypothermia, and a group of anaesthetised pigs served as normothermic controls. The histopathology was assessed on paraffin embedded sections. The permeability of the cerebral vessels was studied by immunocytochemical demonstration of extravasated serum proteins. The cerebral water content was assessed by specific gravity measurements. The histological studies demonstrated hydropic degeneration of the brain parenchyma and perivascular swelling of the astrocytic endfeet throughout both white and gray matter in the normothermic CPB group. Similar changes were not encountered during hypothermic CPB, which suggests a beneficial effect of decreased temperatures on brain tissue during CPB. Neither normothermic nor hypothermic CPB induced significant changes in the cerebrovascular permeability or in the specific gravities.

Brain microvascular function during cardiopulmonary bypass

Emboli in the brain microvasculature may inhibit brain activity during cardiopulmonary bypass. Such hypothetical blockade, if confirmed, may be responsible for the reduction of cerebral metabolic rate for glucose observed in animals subjected to cardiopulmonary bypass. In previous studies of cerebral blood flow during bypass, brain microcirculation was not evaluated. In the present study in animals (pigs), reduction of the number of perfused capillaries was estimated by measurements of the capillary diffusion capacity for hydrophilic tracers of low permeability. Capillary diffusion capacity, cerebral blood flow, and cerebral metabolic rate for glucose were measured simultaneously by the integral method, different tracers being used with different circulation times. In eight animals subjected to normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass, and seven subjected to hypothermic bypass, cerebral blood flow, cerebral metabolic rate for glucose, and capillary diffusion capacity decreased significantly: cerebral blood flow from 63 to 43 ml/100 gm/min in normothermia and to 34 ml/100 gm/min in hypothermia and cerebral metabolic rate for glucose from 43.0 to 23.0 mumol/100 gm/min in normothermia and to 14.1 mumol/100 gm/min in hypothermia. The capillary diffusion capacity declined markedly from 0.15 to 0.03 ml/100 gm/min in normothermia but only to 0.08 ml/100 gm/min in hypothermia. We conclude that the decrease of cerebral metabolic rate for glucose during normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass is caused by interruption of blood flow through a part of the capillary bed, possibly by microemboli, and that cerebral blood flow is an inadequate indicator of capillary blood flow. Further studies must clarify why normal microvascular function appears to be preserved during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass.

Changes in serum zinc and serum albumin after operation for bronchogenic carcinoma

Serum zinc and serum albumin were measured in 11 patients operated on for bronchogenic carcinoma and in six who underwent thoracotomy for nonmalignant disease. The postoperative changes in serum zinc values were identical in the two groups of patients, and could to some extent be explained by the changes in serum albumin. Earlier reports suggesting a prognostic value of serum zinc measurements in surgically treated bronchogenic cancer thus were not confirmed.

Pulmonary function and acid application in the esophagus

The effect of acid application in the esophagus on pulmonary function was measured in three groups of patients in a double-blind investigation. Group 1 consisted of ten patients with esophagitis but without pulmonary disease, group 2 was 21 patients with bronchial asthma without esophagitis, and group 3 was eight patients with both esophagitis and bronchial asthma. Pulmonary function was assessed by total lung capacity (TLC), airway resistance (Raw), residual volume (RV), and peak expiratory flow (PEF). The four parameters were measured at the following five times during a single trial: before and after insertion of an esophageal catheter; after instillation of 50 ml of isotonic sodium chloride solution; after instillation of 50 ml of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid; and after intravenous injection of atropine (0.01 mg/kg of body weight). A significant decrease (the Wilcoxon test, p less than 0.02; and the Mann-Whitney test, p less than 0.002) in PEF and a significant increase (p less than 0.02 and p less than 0.002, respectively) in Raw after instillation of HCl were seen only in group 3. Changes in the other groups were small and without any regular pattern. Six of the patients in the third group accepted another trial after three days of pretreatment with atropine (0.01 mg/kg twice daily). Now instillation of acid did not produce any change in PEF or Raw (p less than 0.001). We conclude that a modest bronchoconstriction when acid is present in the esophagus is seen in patients with bronchial asthma and severe esophagitis. Atropine inhibits this bronchoconstriction, indicating vagal mediation.

Umbilical vein bypass in patients with severe lower limb ischemia: a report of 121 consecutive cases

In 112 patients with severe ischemia of the lower limb and without a suitable saphenous vein, 99 femoropopliteal and 22 femorodistal bypass procedures were performed with the modified human umbilical vein (Biograft, Meadox Medicals Inc., Oakland, N.J.). Seventy-eight percent of the operations were performed for limb salvage. In the remaining 22% the indication was severe disabling claudication. Forty-nine percent of the patients had previously undergone arterial reconstruction of the extremity in question. In 36% the distal anastomosis was to the popliteal artery above the knee, in 46% to the popliteal artery below the knee, and in 18% to one of the crural arteries. It was mandatory to perform an additional proximal reconstruction in 38% of the extremities. The observation time ranged from 6 to 60 months, with a mean of 24 months. Two patients died within the first month. The overall cumulative patency rate calculated by the life table method was 67.7% at 1 year, 61.2% at 2 years, and an unchanged 56.6% at 3 to 5 years. The cumulative patency rate in the limb salvage group was higher (58.6%) than the patency rate of the grafts implanted for claudication (46.5%, not significant). Graft patency decreased the more peripherally the distal anastomosis was situated, but we could demonstrate neither a significant relationship between graft patency and runoff nor any prognostic significance in the peroperatively measured flow values. Limb salvage calculated by the life table method was 86% at 1 year and 75.4% at 5 years. It is concluded that the umbilical vein graft is an acceptable alternative for bypass grafting in patients without a suitable autogenous vein.

The quadriceps angle and its relation to femoral torsion

In 29 patients with patellofemoral complaints paired values of Q-angle and internal hip rotation were determined. In addition the patellar height index of Insall & Salvati (1971) was calculated from measurements on lateral radiographs of the knees. Both Q-angle and internal hip rotation were significantly higher in women than in men and there was a statistically significant correlation between these two measurements. There was no significant correlation between Q-angles and patellar height indexes. As external hip rotation can generally be taken as a measure of internal femoral torsion, these findings favour the hypothesis of a torsional malalignment syndrome of the patellofemoral joint.

Chondromalacia patellae. The relation to abnormal patellofemoral joint mechanics

Twenty-two patients treated non-operatively for chondromalacia patellae were followed up after an average of 5.7 years in order to evaluate the effect of abnormal patellofemoral biomechanics on the natural history of the symptoms. Clinical and radiological investigation revealed 15 patients with signs of malalignment, femoral trochlear dysplasia or excessive lateral pressure syndrome, 3 patients with marginal signs of malalignment and 4 patients with no demonstrable abnormalities. A statistically significant difference in the evolution of symptoms between the normal and the abnormal group is demonstrated, 14 out of 15 in the latter group having unchanged or worsened symptoms. The stage of chondromalacia change as judged arthrographically at the beginning of the observation period did not influence the clinical outcome.

Perichondrial autograft in traumatic chondromalacia patellae. Report of a case

A case of clinically successful autografting of rib perichondrium to the patella in a 55-year-old woman suffering from painful traumatic chondromalacia patellae is reported. A postoperative arthrogram however did not show any significant regeneration of cartilage but arthroscopy revealed a smooth surface of cartilage on the patella. Biopsies were not performed.

Bilateral hallux saltans. Report of a case

A case of bilateral hallux saltans in a 13-year-old girl is reported. The signs and symptoms were a tender nodule behind the medial malleolus and a "trigger toe" as well as pain radiating up the lower leg. Operation revealed thickening of the flexor retinaculum superficially to the flexor hallucis longus tendon which showed compression and proximal thickening. Resection of the retinaculum afforded a satisfactory result.