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Biomedical subjects

H Gulbins

Publications and source records attributed to H Gulbins.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Minimally invasive extirpation of a left-ventricular myxoma.

As myxomas usually are benign neoplasms a minimally invasive technique would be an interesting alternative for their extirpation because the surgical trauma is reduced. In one male patient with a diagnosed left-ventricular myxoma minimally invasive surgery was carried out using the Port-Access method. 2D echocardiography, EBT, and MRI were performed preoperatively to obtain exact information about topography, calcifications, and malignity. Minimally invasive extirpation was successful and the mitral valve could be preserved. Histopathological examination revealed a cardiac myxoma extirpated in toto. At one-year follow-up there was no recurrence of the tumor.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography for control of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass conduits (MIDCAB/OPCAB).

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to delineate the course and determine the patency of venous and arterial conduits in the early postoperative period following minimally invasive bypass grafting. A less invasive magnetic resonance angiogram was evaluated as alternative to standard contrast angiography and cardiac catheterization. METHODS: Twelve patients (8 males and 4 females) with a mean age of 65.3 (+/- 7.4 ) years were evaluated four to seven days following minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery (MIDCAB) or off-pump multivessel revascularization with the Octopus stabilizer on the beating heart. Altogether 17 coronary bypass grafts were investigated: 12 left-sided mammary artery grafts to the LAD and five aortocoronary venous bypass grafts. The examination was performed with a 1.5 Tesla Magnetom Vision (Siemens AG, Erlangen) with phased array coil technology. Data acquisition was done with an ultrafast 3D gradient-echosequence in single breathhold and sagittal and coronal views. Contrast enhancement of the vessels was performed with automatic intravenous bolus injection of Gadolinium-DTPA after determination of the individual contrast transit time. Traditional contrast angiography was obtained in all patients during the same time period as a comparison to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: All five venous grafts and 11 of the 12 IMA grafts were detected and shown to be patent with the MRA technique. Contrast angiography demonstrated complete patency for all 17 bypass grafts with adequate anastomoses and no evidence of stenosis. The calculated sensitivity for the visualization with MRA was therefore 92% for IMA grafts and 100% for venous grafts. CONCLUSION: The contrast-enhanced ultrafast MRA in single breathhold technique is a reliable, noninvasive method for visualization and determination of the patency of arterial and venous coronary grafts.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

3D-visualization improves the dry-lab coronary anastomoses using the Zeus robotic system.

BACKGROUND: Robotic surgical instruments enable quick and precise movements and may allow complete endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting. However, cardiac surgeons will have to become familiar with this technology and endoscopic viewing. We present our training program with special focus on 2D- and 3D-visualization. METHODS: A thoracic skeleton, covered with a neoprene suit, served as model for the chest wall. Either a glove, fixed on a metal plate, or a pig heart were placed inside for training. On the glove, a suture line consisting of two lines of 16 points each, with a distance of 2 mm between each point, was stamped. On the pig heart, the LAD was prepared and incised; subsequently an anastomosis was done using the dissected right coronary artery as a graft. The time required was measured for both models. For suturing, the Zeus System (Computer Motion, Goleta, CA) was used and the third robotic arm positioned the endoscopic camera. The scopes were connected to a 3D-camera and the picture was displayed on a headset with two integrated monitors. Visualization was set to either 2D or 3D. Three surgeons were involved in the study. Each one did at least 12 anastomoses on 2D and 3D. RESULTS: The three surgeons involved showed a clear and rapid learning curve. The times required for the suture line decreased from 12.5 +/- 1.6 to 8.5 +/- 0.5 minutes with 2D and from 11.9 +/- 5.4 to 7.8 +/- 0.5 minutes for 3D respectively. This decrease did reach statistical significance (p = 0.03). In the pig heart model, the anastomosis times decreased from 33.2 +/- 8.4 to 15.7 +/- 0.3 minutes with 3D-visualization, and from 36.2 +/- 2.2 to 29.5 +/- 3.3 minutes with 2D. The decrease in anastomosis time did again reach significance (p = 0.025). At the end of the study, the times achieved with 2D-visualization were significantly longer than those with 3D (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A surgical training program is mandatory to become familiar with these new technologies. Both models showed learning curves over an acceptable time course. 3D-visualization facilitated quick and precise movements, thus resulting in shorter anastomosis times.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1998

Preoperative 3D-reconstructions of ultrafast-CT images for the planning of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass operation (MIDCAB).

BACKGROUND: The direct left internal mammary artery (LIMA) bypass to the left anterior descending (LAD) without the use of extracorporal circulation through a small anterolateral thoracotomy has become established among the minimally invasive techniques in cardiac surgery. Technical difficulties may occur in patients with an enlarged left ventricle and subsequent lateral positioning of the LAD, a small LAD, or a small LIMA. We used electron beam tomography (EBT) for preoperative visualization of the topographical structures to seek out patients with potential technical difficulties. METHODS: Eighteen patients, mean age 62 +/- 13 years, were entered in this study; in all cases the indication for revascularization was a significant stenosis of the LAD. Preoperatively an ECG-triggered EBT was performed. Following the image acquisition, a three-dimensional reconstruction of the data was performed. The LIMA, LAD, first diagonal branch, and chest wall were stained different colors for better visualization. Surgery was performed using a left anterolateral mini-thoracotomy and through this access, the LIMA was dissected and anastomosed using a stabilizer without the use of extracorporal circulation. RESULTS: In all but one of the 18 patients who had a preoperative EBT, the minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) procedure was successfully performed using an anterolateral mini-thoracotomy. Based on the results of the EBT, the 5 centimeter incision was done parasternally in six patients, and more laterally (2-4 cm parasternally) in the other eleven cases. In 13 patients the access penetrated the fourth intercostal space; in four cases the fifth intercostal space was used. In one patient EBT revealed a very laterally positioned and diffusely arteriosclerotic LAD so the patient was operated using a median sternotomy, but without the use of extracorporal circulation. In all 18 patients the preoperatively acquired information of the anatomical topography was confirmed intraoperatively. One case without a preoperative EBT had to be converted to a conventional procedure due to a small, intramyocardial LAD and a very small LIMA. Postoperative angiography revealed patent LIMA grafts and uneventful anastomoses. CONCLUSIONS: For minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) the topography of the LIMA, LAD and intercostal spaces is of major importance. Using the ECG-triggered EBT with subsequent three-dimensional reconstruction these relationships can be visualized. This enables an individual planning of the operation and a minimalization of the skin incision.

Aged↗