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Lars G Svensson

Publications and source records attributed to Lars G Svensson.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Elephant trunk procedure: newer indications and uses.

BACKGROUND: The elephant trunk procedure is used for extensive aortic aneurysms. We evaluated its safety, newer indications, and influence of second-stage completion on survival. METHODS: Records were reviewed for 94 consecutive patients (age 67 +/- 11 years, 47% men) who underwent the procedure between November 1990 and February 2003. The trunk was implanted as an extension of the ascending aorta and arch graft in 83 of 94 (88.3%) patients, distal arch graft in 8 of 94 (8.5%) patients, and in 3 distal to the left subclavian artery (3 of 94 patients [3.2%]). Aortic dissection was present in 37 (39.4%) patients and Marfan syndrome was present in 7 (7.4%). Twenty-three were reoperations (24.5%). In 9 patients, the trunk procedure was adjunctive in preparation for the second operation. In 15 patients, the anastomosis was completed between the left subclavian and common carotid arteries. Coronary artery bypass was performed in 36 (38.4%) and aortic valve operation in 55 (58.5%; 20 root sparing repairs, 16 composite grafts and 19 replacements) patients. RESULTS: There were two early 30-day in-hospital deaths (2.1%) and 5 permanent strokes (5.3%). Eleven died before the second-stage procedure. Forty-seven (57%) underwent second-stage procedures; 40 by thoracotomy and 7 by stent graft insertion, including 2 thoracoabdominal aneurysm repairs with visceral bypasses before stent grafting with 4 early deaths (8.5%). Five-year survival was 34% without a second-stage procedure versus 75% 3-year survival with it. CONCLUSIONS: With a current total of 142 elephant trunk procedures, we found it is safe and should be used more with initial cardiac surgery before descending or thoracoabdominal aorta repair.

Aged↗

Does the arterial cannulation site for circulatory arrest influence stroke risk?

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether axillary/subclavian artery inflow with a side graft decreases the risk of stroke versus cannulation at other sites during hypothermic circulatory arrest. METHODS: Between January 1993 and May 2003, 1,352 operations with circulatory arrest were performed for complex adult cardiac problems. A single arterial inflow cannulation site was used in 1,336 operations, and these formed the basis for comparative analyses. Cannulation sites were axillary plus graft in 299 operations, direct cannulation of the aorta in 471, femoral in 375, innominate in 24, and axillary or subclavian without a side graft in 167. Retrograde brain perfusion was used in 933 (69%). A total of 272 (20%) were for emergencies, 432 (32%) were reoperations, and 439 (32%) were for dissections. A total of 617 (46%) had aortic valve replacement and 1,160 (87%) ascending, 415 arch (31%), and 248 descending (18%) aortic replacements. Indications also included arteriosclerosis (n = 301) and calcified aorta (n = 278). Primary comparisons were made by using propensity matching, and, secondarily, risk factors for stroke or hospital mortality were identified by multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Stroke occurred in 6.1% of patients (81/1,336): 4.0% (12/299) of those had axillary plus graft and 6.7% who had direct cannulation (69/1,037; p = 0.09; p = 0.05 among propensity-matched pairs). Operative variables associated with stroke included direct aortic cannulation, aortic arteriosclerosis, descending aorta repair, and mitral valve replacement. The risk of hospital mortality was higher (11%; 42/375) for patients who had femoral cannulation than axillary plus graft (7.0%; 21/299; p = 0.06; p = 0.02 among propensity-matched pairs). CONCLUSIONS: Axillary inflow plus graft reduces stroke and is our method of choice for complex cardiac and cardioaortic operations that necessitate circulatory arrest. Retrograde or antegrade perfusion is used selectively.

Aged↗

Aortic dissection after previous cardiovascular surgery.

BACKGROUND: Risk of repairing aortic dissection after previous cardiovascular surgery has not been described clearly. This study assesses early and late outcomes of such reoperations. METHODS: From January 1, 1990, to January 1, 2002, 108 patients with prior cardiovascular surgery (isolated coronary artery bypass grafting, 51%; isolated valve surgery, 21%; aortic aneurysm repair, 24%; and combinations of these in the remainder) underwent reoperation for aortic dissection (emergency operation for acute dissection in 24%). Mean age was 63 +/- 13 years, and 85% were men. The interval since prior surgery ranged from 10 days to 22 years (median, 3.8 years). This was the third operation for 8%. Ascending aortic repair with or without aortic arch or descending aortic repair was performed in 40%, aortic valve replacement (n = 15) or repair (n = 17) with ascending aortic repair in 30%, aortic root replacement with or without aortic arch or descending aortic repair in 30%, and aortic arch with or without descending aortic repair in 1%. Circulatory arrest was used in 78%, with retrograde brain perfusion in 58%. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 6%, stroke 4%, renal failure 2%, and respiratory failure 7%. Survival at 30 days and 1, 3, 5, and 7 years was 93%, 85%, 74%, 63%, and 53%, respectively. Aortic reoperation was performed in 7 patients, with freedom from this event at 30 days and 1, 3, 5, and 7 years of 98%, 95%, 93%, 91%, and 89%., respectively CONCLUSIONS: Aortic dissection after cardiovascular surgery is rare and can be managed with acceptable operative risks and good long-term survival. Need for subsequent aortic reoperation is uncommon.

Aged↗

Chronic posttraumatic aneurysm of descending aorta with fistulous communication into pulmonary artery.

We report an unusual case of presumed posttraumatic chronic proximal descending aneurysm associated with a fistula into the pulmonary artery. Review of the literature showed that a fistula of the descending aorta into the pulmonary artery is uncommon and that only a few patients have survived. This rare entity is best treated with open repair; however, in patients at high risk an endovascular stent graft is an option.

Adult↗

Systemic temperature and paralysis after thoracoabdominal and descending aortic operations.

HYPOTHESIS: Systemic temperature influences the development of neurologic deficits after aortic surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective case-comparison study of prospectively collected data. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: We examined spinal cord injury according to mild passive hypothermia (mean temperature, 36.5 degrees C; n = 25), moderate active hypothermia (temperature range, 29 degrees C-32 degrees C; n = 76), or profound hypothermia (temperature, <20 degrees C; n = 31) for complex repairs in 132 patients. Aortic dissection was present in 67 patients (51%), 41 (31%) had leaks or rupture, 39 (30%) were reoperations on the descending thoracic aorta, and 27 (20%) had concurrent arch and/or ascending thoracic aortic repairs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Occurrence of permanent and transient deficits. RESULTS: Five patients (3.8%) had permanent deficits. One (4.0%) of the 25 patients underwent mild hypothermia, 3 (3.9%) of the 76 patients who underwent moderate hypothermia, and 1 (3.2%) of the 31 patients who underwent profound hypothermia (P =.70). Reversible deficits occurred in 7 patients (total 32%) who underwent mild hypothermia, 2 patients (total 6.6%) underwent moderate hypothermia, and 1 (total 6.5%) underwent profound hypothermia (P =.004). Six were delayed neurologic deficits. Independent predictors were intercostal ischemic time (P =.02), mild hypothermia (P =.004), and no cerebrospinal fluid drainage (P =.05). The total 30-day survival was 92.4% (122 of 132 patients). The only multivariable predictor of death was acuity of surgery (namely, emergent, urgent, or elective) (P =.06). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate or profound hypothermia resulted in fewer transient neurologic deficits. Thus, we recommend active cooling and cerebrospinal fluid drainage for most patients, and profound hypothermia for patients undergoing complex repairs and reoperations.

Aorta, Abdominal↗

Sizing for modified David's reimplantation procedure.

The problem of sizing the graft, annulus, and left ventricular outflow tract for the David reimplantation type of aortic valve preserving procedure remains a concern, particularly in patients with Marfan syndrome. To resolve this issue, a modified method used in over 20 patients is described of doing the repair around a Hegar's dilator. In essence, the size chosen is according to the patient's normalized annular size based on body surface area. This technique also creates a neosinus in the root.

Aortic Valve Insufficiency↗

Multimodal protocol influence on stroke and neurocognitive deficit prevention after ascending/arch aortic operations.

BACKGROUND: Various techniques are used for brain protection during aortic surgery. Rather than evaluate each factor separately, we evaluated the early outcome of a multimodal protocol (mannitol, thiopental, MgSO4, lidocaine, CO2 field flooding, Leukoguard filter, head ice packing, electroencephalographic arrest at 20 degrees C, alpha-stat, increasing right subclavian artery cannulation, and antegrade/retrograde brain perfusion) for brain protection. METHODS: Prospectively collected data were analyzed on 403 ascending or arch aortic operations including 199 (49%) arch replacements conducted between July 25, 1991, and September 25, 2001. The mean age was 61.6 years (range 22 to 91 years); 48 (12%) had Marfan syndrome; 141 (35%) had dissection; 134 (33%) had composite grafts inserted; and 138 (34%) had concurrent coronary bypasses performed. RESULTS: Stroke occurred in 2.0% (8/403) (3 permanent, 5 transient), clinical neurocognitive deficits in 2.5% (10/403) either by testing or patient complaint 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, and 98% (395/403) were 30-day survivors. Univariate predictors of stroke, neurocognitive decline, or death were the following: for stroke, aorta symptom severity grade (1 to 4) (p = 0.001), pump time (p = 0.001), arrest time (p = 0.001), macroscopic atheroma (p = 0.041), concurrent descending/thoracoabdominal aneurysm (p = 0.036), and highest blood rewarming temperature (p = 0.043); for neurocognitive decline, degree of cooling (p = 0.046), pump time (p = 0.001), cooling time (p = 0.001), day extubated (p = 0.042), and antegrade brain perfusion (p = 0.004); for death, pump time (p = 0.001) and clamp time (p = 0.011). The multivariable independent predictors of stroke, neurocognitive decline, or death were the following: for stroke, aorta symptoms grade (p = 0.025), peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.043), and pump time (p = 0.015); neurocognitive decline, preoperative New York Heart Association dyspnea class (p = 0.022), pump time (p = 0.05), arrest time (p = 0.06), day extubated (p = 0.042), and antegrade perfusion (p = 0.023); and for death, pump time (p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Pump time continues to be the most important predictor of adverse events. The benefit of antegrade or retrograde perfusion remains unproven, partly because of the low event rate (< 2.5%) but may be beneficial for prolonged circulatory arrest. Embolic material either from macroscopic atheroma, descending or thoracoabdominal aneurysms, or associated with peripheral vascular disease, increases the risk of stroke. Preoperative symptoms influence outcome.

Adult↗

Reoperative cryopreserved root and ascending aorta replacement for acute aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis (PVE) is an important complication of aortic valve replacement (AVR) and is a particularly difficult situation after an operation combining AVR with ascending aortic replacement. METHODS: From 1988 through 2000, 27 patients with aortic valve PVE after previous ascending aortic replacement (aortic root replacement in 13, aortic valve replacement with a supracoronary graft in 14) underwent reoperation for aortic root replacement with a cryopreserved aortic allograft and prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy. All patients were considered to have active PVE (25 with positive cultures); root abscess formation was present in 89% and aortoventricular discontinuity in 41%. RESULTS: One patient (3.7%) died in-hospital, and permanent pacemakers were required in 10 patients (37%). Mean postoperative follow-up interval was 3.9 +/- 3.0 years, and survival at 1, 2, 5, and 7.5 years was 92%, 88%, 70%, and 56%, respectively. One patient underwent reoperation for recurrent PVE 8 months after operation. CONCLUSIONS: Radical debridement of infected prosthetic material and tissue, and allograft aortic root and ascending aorta replacement, combined with intravenous antibiotic therapy, appears to achieve a low hospital mortality and a high degree of freedom from recurrent infection for patients with PVE after AVR and ascending aortic replacement.

Abscess↗

Progress in ascending and aortic arch surgery: minimally invasive surgery, blood conservation, and neurological deficit prevention.

BACKGROUND: Herein are described recent developments in aortic surgery techniques and the improved results. METHODS: Of 403 ascending and aortic arch operations, 68 patients underwent minimally invasive aortic surgery including 23 for aortic dissection, 5 for Marfan syndrome, 29 reoperations, and 39 with hypothermic arrest. Blood conservation methods were used in 187 of the 403 patients (46.5%). Aortic valve procedures were used in 267 (66.2%), including 51 (12.7%) valve-preserving operations. A protocol for stroke and neurocognitive deficit prevention was used in an attempt to prevent neurologic deficits. Data were prospectively collected and included new neurocognitive events either by formal testing (n = 35) or by informal questioning. RESULTS: Stroke occurred in 2.0% (8 of 403); clinical gross neurocognitive deficits in 2.5% (10 of 403) with a 98% 30-day survival. For those patients undergoing the minimally invasive operation 1 hospital death occurred (98.5% survival). Homologous operative transfusions were required in only 12% of blood conservation patients (23 of 187) and their postoperative intubation time, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and hospital stay were significantly shorter (p < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive surgery is particularly useful for reoperations. The blood conservation methods appear to be beneficial and the number of neurologic deficits is low with the current protocol.

Aortic Dissection↗