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I Degrieck

Publications and source records attributed to I Degrieck.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Initial experience with an endoscopic radial artery harvesting technique.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the feasibility of an endoscopic radial artery harvesting technique to improve esthetic results and possibly reduce the incidence of neurologic complications observed with the open method. METHODS: Between July 1, 2002, and October 1, 2003, a total of 54 patients underwent endoscopic radial artery harvesting at our institution. Standard endoscopic equipment and a Harmonic Scalpel (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc, Cincinnati, Ohio) were used. Mean age of the patients was 63 +/- 8.1 years, and 16% were female. All patients underwent a preoperative Allen test and duplex ultrasonography to demonstrate adequate ulnar collateral flow. The nondominant arm was used for radial artery harvesting. Mean clinical follow-up was 13 +/- 4.6 months. RESULTS: The artery was harvested through a 3-cm incision at the wrist and was divided at the elbow either through a small counterincision (n = 16) or endoscopically with the use of clips, Endoloop, and endoscopic scissors (n = 38). Mean harvest time was 42.2 +/- 16.9 minutes but decreased from 85 minutes for the first cases to 25 minutes for the last 5 cases. Mean harvested length was 19.6 +/- 1.7 cm. Harvesting complications included 1 conversion, 2 postoperative hematomas, 1 injury, 8 endoscopically controlled bleedings, and 15 cases of at least some superficial radial nerve paresthesia at 6 weeks (clinically relevant in 4 cases). Selective postoperative angiography revealed 1 occluded graft and 1 stenotic graft requiring percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of the native vessel. Eighty-seven percent of the patients were enthusiastic about this new procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic radial artery harvesting is a feasible procedure that requires a definite learning curve. Although nerve paresthesias were not completely eliminated in our experience, the technique provided ample patient satisfaction. Further clinical follow-up is required to determine long-term patency rates.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Endovascular treatment of the descending thoracic aorta.

OBJECTIVES: to report our initial experience with endovascular stent graft repair of a variety of thoracic aortic pathology. DESIGN: retrospective single center study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: between February 2000 and January 2002, endovascular stent graft repair was performed in 26 patients: traumatic aortic isthmus rupture (n=3), Type B dissection (n=11) and descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (n=12). The deployed stent graft systems were AneuRx-Medtronic (n=1), Talent-Medtronic (n=13) and Excluder-Gore (n=12). RESULTS: successful deployment of the stent grafts in the intended position was achieved in all patients. No hospital mortality neither paraplegia were observed. Late, non procedure related, death occurred in four patients (15%). Access artery complications with rupture of the iliac artery occurred in two patients and were managed by iliac-femoral bypass. The left subclavian artery was overstented in seven patients (27%). Only the first patient received a carotido-subclavian bypass. The mean maximal aortic diameter decreased significantly in patients treated for descending thoracic aneurysm. Only one patient had an endoleak type II after 6 months without enlargement of the aneurysm. Complete thrombosis of the thoracic false lumen occurred in all but one patient treated for Type B dissection 6 months postoperatively. Two patients underwent a consecutive stent graft placement, due to a large re-entry tear distal to the first stent graft. CONCLUSIONS: endovascular stent graft repair for Type B dissection, descending thoracic aneurysm and aortic isthmus rupture is a promising less-invasive alternative to surgical repair. Further studies are mandatory to determine its long-term efficacy.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Video-assisted Port-Access surgery for radical myxoma resection.

The curative treatment of choice for myxomas is surgical removal. Most of the patients are young and active and are focused on postoperative comfort, cosmesis and a fast track to complete rehabilitation, all of which is related to the degree of invasiveness of the intervention. We report our first experience with video-assisted Port-Access surgery for atrial myxoma. From February 1997 until April 2000, nine patients (3M/6F)) had an atrial myxoma resection with the Heartport Endo-CPB and Endo-aortic clamp system. Mean age was 54 +/- 21.9 years. Most of the patients were symptomatic and had good LV function. Two patients had a combined procedure: one mitral valve replacement and one vascular shunt for dialysis. Mean aortic cross clamp time was 69 +/- 32.8 min and mean perfusion time was 103 +/- 42.7 min. There were no conversions to sternotomy. Three patients had minor complications. Mean ICU and hospital stay were 1 +/- 1.4 and 6 +/- 3.9 days respectively. No thromboembolic or peripheral ischaemic complications were observed. There were no hospital deaths. No recurrent tumors have been identified. The Port-Access approach for myxoma resection constitutes a invaluable alternative to sternotomy with the same gold standards of results and quality.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Minimally invasive video-assisted mitral valve surgery: our lessons after a 4-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Right thoracotomy is a well known alternative to median sternotomy to gain access to the left atrium. To avoid the potential drawbacks associated with sternotomy coupled to the desire for a smaller scar and a more rapid rehabilitation in young and active patients, we investigated the purported advantages in patients undergoing video-assisted Port-Access mitral valve surgery. METHODS: Between February 1997 and November 2000, 175 patients (94 men, 81 women) with a mean age of 60 years (range 25 to 84) underwent either Port-Access mitral valve repair (n = 117) or replacement (n = 57) for degenerative disease (n = 112), rheumatic disease (n = 36), chronic endocarditis (n = 15), annular dilatation (n = 8), sclerotic disease (n = 2), and ingrowing myxoma (n = 1). There was one closure of a preexisting paravalvular leak. Standard Carpentier-Edwards repair procedures were used in all patients; in 14 patients polytetrafluoroethylene chordae were inserted for anterior leaflet prolapse. A total of 74 patients (42%) were in New York Heart Association functional class III/IV. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 1.1% (n = 2). Four patients had conversion to sternotomy and conventional extra corporeal circulation for repair of a dissected aorta (n = 2) or the inabilty to proceed to a safe femoral cannulation (n = 2). Sixteen patients (9%) underwent a revision for bleeding. Mean cross-clamp time and perfusion time was 95 minutes (range 24 to 160) and 135 minutes (range 75 to 215) respectively. Mean intensive care unit and total hospital stay was 1.8 days (1 to 30) and 8.7 days (4 to 36), respectively. Three patients experienced late acute endocarditis: 2 had late mitral valve replacements and 1 patient had medical therapy for late prosthetic valve endocarditis. There were no myocardial infarctions, cerebrovascular events or peripheral ischemia due to thromboembolic phenomena. No wound complications were observed. The degree of patient satisfaction was very high. CONCLUSIONS: The video-assisted Port-Access mitral valve approach is a valid alternative to sternotomy, with the same standards of results and quality.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Aggressive primary treatment for poststernotomy acute mediastinitis: our experience with omental- and muscle flaps surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The surgical treatment of poststernotomy acute mediastinitis remains challenging. After disappointing results with a conservative management of post coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) mediastinitis, we shifted towards a more aggressive surgical management. METHODS: From March 1993 until December 1999, 32 patients (6 female/26 male), 0.5% of the total sternotomy population, were operated for mediastinitis, defined as wound and sternal dehiscence with medistinal pus and positive culture. Mean age was 66 years (32-79 years). Twenty-two patients (75%) underwent CABG and 16 patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV. RESULTS: We performed an omentoplasty in 11 patients, a pectoralis muscle flap associated with an omentoplasty in 20 patients. One patient had a bilateral pectoralis myoplasty. The reconstruction surgery occurred at an average of 11 days (6-26) after primary surgery. Twelve patients had a previous surgical drainage (1-3 surgical procedures) of the mediastinum. Hospital mortality was nine patients (28%). Seven of these patients (77%) were in NYHA IV with inotropic support. Five patients had to be reoperated on: four patients had a bilateral myoplasty after omentoplasty, one patient had an omentoplasty after a unilateral myoplasty. Late epigastric hernia was seen in three patients, two patients had wound revision and one had a retroperitoneal drainage for pancreatitis. There were no early or late flap failures. CONCLUSION: In our experience, omental and pectoralis flaps for poststernotomy acute mediastinitis provides good outcome of our stable patients. We would be reluctant to use it as standard therapy in our unstable patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Minimally invasive video-assisted mitral valve repair: short and mid-term results.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Port-Access video-assisted surgery for mitral valve repair has become an alternative for mid-sternotomy. However, mid-term results are not yet available. METHODS: Between February 1997 and December 1999, 121 patients underwent mitral valve surgery through a 4- to 5-cm right anterolateral thoracotomy using the Heartport endovascular cardiopulmonary bypass system; among these patients, 77 (57 males, 20 females; mean age 59 years; range 31-84 years) underwent mitral valve repair. Severe (4+) mitral regurgitation (MR) was seen in 63 patients (82%). Mean NYHA class was 2.5+/-0.4. Standard Carpentier mitral valve repair procedures were used in all patients; 11 received PTFE chordae for anterior leaflet prolapse. RESULTS: Pathologies were degenerative (n = 69), chronic endocarditis (n = 4), annular dilatation (n = 3) and rheumatic (n = 1). Hospital mortality was 1.3% (n = 1). Two patients (2.6%) had conversion to sternotomy for aortic dissection caused by the Endo-Aortic Clamp. Nine patients (11%) underwent revision for bleeding. Mean cross-clamp and perfusion times were 103 min (range: 24-160 min) and 140 min (range: 75-215 min), respectively. Mean hospital stay was eight days (range: 4-36 days). During follow up (mean 31 months; range: 17-51 months) all patients improved their NYHA class; eight (11%) remained in class II. Left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic and LV end-systolic diameters decreased from 61+/-7.3 mm to 53+/-6.9 mm (p <0.01) and from 37+/-6.8 mm to 34+/-6.9 mm (p <0.05), respectively. Sixty-two patients (88%) had no or trivial MR, and nine (12%) had moderate MR (2+). There were two late valve replacements for endocarditis, and no late deaths. CONCLUSION: Port-Access mitral valve repair constitutes a valid alternative to the standard procedure, and has good mid-term results. Video-assisted mitral valve repair appears to be safe and reproducible.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Gene flow from a large scale release of genetically modified herbicide tolerant and hybrid winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.).

One of the major concerns regarding the cultivation of transgenic crops is the uncontrolled spread of transgenes among fields or to related wild species. To address this concern a long-term study has been set up to assess the amount of gene flow that is occurring from a large scale field trial of genetically modified herbicide tolerant and hybrid (GMHTH) oilseed rape. During the first year of the project, outcrossing of the herbicide tolerance gene from a large scale release of GMHTH winter oilseed rape to a non-transgenic oilseed rape crop in the vicinity and to wild relatives in the environment has been monitored. After harvesting seeds on oilseed rape plants or wild relatives, the seeds are sown in the greenhouse. Seedlings are sprayed with the herbicide on two different occasions. In this way escapes of the first treatment that are not transgenic will be eliminated. To confirm the transgene state of the surviving plants, leaf material is collected from resistant plants. DNA is extracted and the material is examined for the presence of the herbicide tolerance gene by means of a PCR assay. Results on the levels of cross pollination will be discussed.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1999

Video-assisted Port-Access mitral valve surgery: from debut to routine surgery. Will Trocar-Port-Access cardiac surgery ultimately lead to robotic cardiac surgery?

A right thoracotomy is a well-known alternative for midsternotomy to have access to the left atrium. The Port-Access (Heartport, Inc, Redwood City, CA) approach is an invaluable option to avoid cracking of ribs and cartilage. EndoCPB (Heartport, Inc) and Endo-Aortic Clamp (Heartport, Inc) allows installation of the extracorporeal circulation and cardiac arrest from the groin. Videoassistance and shafted instruments help the surgeon to perform the surgery through a 5 x 2-cm port and fulfill the main goals of minimally invasive cardiac surgery, comfort, cosmesis, and fast rehabilitation. From February 1997 to November 1998, 75 patients (40 men/35 women) had either Port-Access mitral valve repair (n = 41) or replacement (n = 33) for a variety of reasons: myxoid degeneration (n = 45), rheumatic disease (n = 21), chronic endocarditis (n = 4), annular dilatation (n = 2), and sclerotic disease (n = 2). One valve was replaced because of an ingrowing myxoma. There was one closure of a paravalvular leak. The mean age was 59.3 years of age (range, 32 to 83 years). Most patients had normal ejection fractions but different grades of mitral valve insufficiency and were in NYHA class II. One 71-year-old patient died after reoperation on postoperative day 1 for failed repair. Two patients had conversion to sternotomy and conventional ECC for repair of a dissected aorta. One patient died, one patient suffered a minor cerebrovascular deficit. Three patients had prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stays for respiratory insufficiency, 5 patients underwent revision for bleeding. Mean ICU stay was 2.5 days; and mean hospital stay, 9 days (range, 4 to 36). A significant difference between the first 30 and last 38 patients in terms of length of stay in the ICU and the hospital was noticed. Two late mitral valve replacements for chronic endocarditis after repair occurred. One patient had medical therapy for endocarditis after mitral valve replacement. The debut of Port-Access mitral valve surgery may be nerve-racking; the routine is a smooth and sure surgery with maximum comfort, a very discrete scar, and a fast rehabilitation. There were no paravalvular leakages nor myocardial infarctions. Cerebrovascular accidents owing to thromboembolic phenomena, vascular lower limb or wound complications were not seen. Port-Access mitral valve surgery is a very important investment in the future of cardiac surgery. Some learning curve pitfalls were associated with the process of starting this revolutionary technique.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Free-hand sewn allografts, stentless (Prima Edwards) and stented (CESA) porcine bioprostheses. A comparative hemodynamic study.

In a retrospective, non-randomized study, the clinical and hemodynamic properties of 50 consecutively implanted hand-sewn allografts (group I), 50 stentless bioprostheses (group II) and 50 stented bioprostheses (group III) were compared. Preoperative hemodynamic and clinical data were identical in the three groups, except for age (group I: 54.4 +/- 8.7, group II: 67.0 +/- 5.1, group III: 70.0 +/- 5.1). Peak and mean gradients and flow characteristics with echo Doppler were performed at 1 week, 6 and 12 months. For the 21, 23 and 25 diameter prostheses, group differences between groups II and III in peak and mean gradients were not significant after 1 week and 1 year. In all groups, allografts had significantly lower gradients. Regurgitation (I-II) was present after 1 week and 1 year in group I: in 17/48 and 22/42 patients respectively, in group II 7/49 and 11/44 patients and in group III: in 1/49 and 2/44 patients. Early mortality and morbidity were comparable in all groups. Allografts have superior hemodynamic properties. Differences in gradients in groups II and III were not significant, though differences in technique allowed the implantation of a larger bioprostheses in group II. Regurgitation was most prominent in the allograft group. Immediate postoperative results were not influenced by the type of prosthesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Sternitis and mediastinitis after coronary artery bypass grafting. Analysis of risk factors.

As part of a quality control program, we analyzed possible risk factors in the development of sternitis and mediastinitis after coronary artery bypass grafting. From 1 January 1990 through 31 December 1991, 1,368 consecutive coronary artery bypass grafting procedures were performed at our institution, either alone or in combination with other procedures. Twenty-three patients (1.7%) developed sternitis and/or mediastinitis; 7 (30.4%) of these patients died in an early postoperative phase. Univariate analysis revealed the following statistically significant (p < or = 0.05) risk factors: perfusion time, length of stay in operating room of longer than 5 hours 30 minutes, presence at the operation of a certain surgical resident, revision for bleeding, and postoperative mechanical ventilation lasting longer than 72 hours. After multivariate analysis, statistically significant independent risk factors were: diabetes mellitus, recent cigarette-smoking, reoperation, presence of a certain surgical resident at the operation, revision for bleeding, and length of mechanical ventilation of longer than 72 hours. The use of both internal thoracic arteries was not, in this study, shown to be an independent risk factor. We conclude that although the technique of using both internal thoracic arteries for myocardial revascularization carries no extra risk by itself in the development of sternitis or mediastinitis, associated factors such as prolonged stay in the operating room and reoperation could be responsible for a higher frequency of sternitis-mediastinitis in patients who have undergone this procedure. Therefore, it is advisable to use this technique selectively in high-risk patients. Close surveillance and reporting of wound infections is mandatory to detect risk factor related to the surgical staff (such as Staphylococcus aureus dissemination).

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Minimally invasive video-assisted mitral valve surgery: from Port-Access towards a totally endoscopic procedure.

UNLABELLED: Right thoracotomy is an alternative to mid-sternotomy for left atrium access. The Port-Access approach is an option that reduces the skin incision and obviates rib spreading. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From February 1997 until November 1999, 121 patients underwent mitral valve surgery through a right antero-lateral thoracotomy using the Heartport cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) system. Mean age was 60 years (31-84). Most patients had normal ejection fractions and were in NYHA Class II or III. Seventy-five patients had valve repair (62%) and 46 (38%) had valve replacement. Pathologies were myxoid (n = 80), rheumatic (n = 30), chronic endocarditis (n = 5), annular dilatation (n = 3), sclerotic (n = 1), ingrowing myxoma (n = 1), and one closure of a paravalvular leak. RESULTS: Two patients had conversion to sternotomy for aortic dissection (one died) with the Endo-Aortic Clamp, and two others for peripheral vascular problems. One patient died at postoperative day 1 after reoperation for failed repair, another with double valve surgery on postoperative day 4 after two revisions for bleeding. Twelve underwent revision for bleeding (10%). Three had prolonged ICU stay for respiratory insufficiency. Two late valve replacements for endocarditis occurred. Echographic control revealed residual insufficiencies (grade 1-2) in two valvular repairs. There were neither paravalvular leaks nor myocardial infarcts. There were no cerebrovascular accidents due to embolic phenomena. Mean ICU and hospital stay were 2.1 and 8.7 days, with a major difference between the first 30 patients and those who followed. CONCLUSION: Port-Access mitral valve surgery can be a valid alternative to conventional sternotomy and seems to be an important improvement in minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Endovascular treatment of an acute type B dissection: a case report.

The case of a young man with acute type B dissection is reported. Inserting an endovascular stentgraft was the treatment of choice, with a good short-term result. We do believe that this is a promising strategy in the management of this serious pathology in which the classical surgical treatment is still associated with an important mortality and morbidity.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Direct enteral reinfusion of secretions produced in the upper part of the digestive tract].

Two techniques are presented by which secretions from the upper intestinal tract are reinfused directly, into a more distal part of the intestine. The advantages of the methods described includes: no severe bacterial contamination; the enteral nutrition going on; the possibility to break off progressively; less needs of biochemical correction or compensation; no needs to take into account the production-rate or the release of gas.

Cholestasis↗