Effects of hemodynamic parameters of heart rate were studied in 19 patients with low cardiac output syndrome following open heart surgery for mitral and/or aortic valve replacement in the first five postoperative days. The central venous pressure (CVP), left atrial mean pressure (LAMP), and arterial blood pressures were determined at spontaneous heart rate (SHR), and during graded atrial (12 pts.) or ventricular (7 pts.) pacing each day. An "optimal pacing rate" (OPR), characterized by the most advantageous arterial pressures at the possible lowest levels of CVP and LAMP, and by the suppression of preexisting arrhythmias, if any, was established daily for maintaining each patient on that rate. The SHR was 69 +/- 9 and the OPR was 102 +/- 9 on the first postoperative day. For the fifth postoperative day the SHR was 68 +/- 10 and the OPR decreased to 90 +/- 9. Pacing with the OPR significantly increased cardiac performance. E.g. the hemodynamic improvement on the first postoperative day induced by pacing was comparable to the spontaneous improvement seen during the first five postoperative days. The hemodynamic effect of atrial pacing on circulation was more definitive than that of ventricular pacing. Since OPR may be significantly higher than SHR and varies from day to day, we suggest that, in cases where pacing is applied to improve cardiac performance, it be determined for each patient individually each postoperative day.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Accessory mitral valve tissue causing left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

Among the various causes of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction accessory mitral valve tissue is the least common. To the best of our knowledge there have been only five such cases reported to date. The aim of presenting two more cases and reviewing the literature is to bring attention to this rare anomaly as it is easy to treat provided it has been diagnosed preoperatively or recognised at surgery.

Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Bilateral congenital coronary artery-pulmonary artery fistulas. Report of two cases and review of the literature.

Congenital coronary arteriovenous fistulas involving both coronary arteries are rare. Two cases are presented where the origin and termination of the fistulous communication have been visualized by selective coronary angiography. Both patients underwent successful surgical treatment. Our experience and the clinical features of 12 previously reported cases treated surgically are discussed.

Adult↗