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Biomedical subjects

M Massetti

Publications and source records attributed to M Massetti.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Phaeochromocytoma as an unusual aetiology of cardiogenic shock].

The authors reported a case involving a young patient with a cardiogenic shock associated to an acute pulmonary oedema. According to the seriousness of the shock, an external ventricular assist device (VAD) was initially inserted and replaced thereafter because of the cardiovascular instability, by an external pneumatic biventricular assist device. A cardiogenic shock induced by an acute adrenergic myocarditis due to a phaeochromocytoma was diagnosed. The patient was weaned from the VAD on day 84 and was scheduled for elective surgery of the phaeochromocytoma on day 93. The authors discussed the time of the surgery according to the anticoagulation therapy necessary to the VAD and the necessary caution taken if a cardiogenic shock appeared around surgery.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Pre-operative balloon counterpulsation and off-pump coronary surgery for high-risk patients.

UNLABELLED: Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) can be performed less invasively without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Multivessel off-pump CABG (OPCAB) is challenging in patients with critical left main stenosis (> 70%) and/or severe ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction < 0.35) Our objective was the evaluation of efficiency of intra aortic balloon pump (IABP) preoperatively in this high-risk group in order to perform OPCABG safely. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In a consecutive 10-month period (out of 88 OPCABG patients) 23 high-risk patients were treated and were compared with 15 on-pump patients (out of 69) with the same criteria. RESULTS: Preoperative implantation of IABP was significantly higher in the OPCABG group (70% vs 46%, p < 0.05). No conversion to CPB was required in the OPCABG group. Post-operative angiography was systematically performed and demonstrated 97.5% patency of anastomosis. No device-related complications occurred. No difference was found concerning age, risk factors, emergency surgery, ejection fraction, mean number of grafts per patient (2.64 versus 2.75) and average operating time. In contrast, OPCABG demonstrated a trend toward reduced morbidity in terms of atrial fibrillation, reexploration for bleeding and prolonged ventilator requirement > 12 h. Mortality was less in the OPCABG group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: More randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate the true efficacy of elective IABP in OPCABG high-risk patients. Until such studies are evaluated, and therefore because older and sicker patients now constitute a greater percentage of candidates for OPCABG, the timing of application of the IABP is warranted. These results may further justify preoperative use of the IABP in a large proportion of this group of patients.

Aged↗

Surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms associated with aortic valve incompetence: strategies and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The exact incidence of associated aortic valve incompetence (AVI) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in the general population is not known. In recent years, we have observed this association with increasing frequency. This observation is probably due to the extensive preoperative screening of the cardiac and vascular status of patients who are candidates for surgical procedures. The choice of the optimal surgical strategy is needed to achieve low operative morbidity and mortality. The present study reviews our experience with a subset of patients suffering the association of AVI and large AAA. Surgical strategy, clinical management and outcome are presented. METHODS: Between January 1982 and May 2000, 76 patients with the association of AAA and AVI have been evaluated in our institution. Forty-four patients have been treated for both AAA and aortic valve (AV) regurgitation. These patients have been divided into three groups on the basis of the surgical strategy adopted. Group 1: combined procedure (16 patients); group 2: AAA repair prior to AV surgery (nine patients); group 3: AV surgery prior to aneurysm repair (19 patients). RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 4.5% (two patients); overall mortality was 6.8% (three patients). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AAA and AVI, an accurate and complete preoperative evaluation is essential. Surgical strategy should be individualized on the basis of the cardiac preoperative status.

Adult↗

Less invasive radial artery harvest.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have sparked a renewed interest in the use of autogenous radial arteries in coronary operations. Some concerns have been found about sequelae of conventional harvesting. A less invasive technique for radial artery harvesting has been proposed by others using endoscopic devices. This technique is time consuming, needs expensive instrumentation and an important learning curve. METHODS: A new less invasive approach for radial harvesting has been developed with a light assisted retractor under direct vision. A small skin incision, median in the forearm, is followed by dissection of the proper plane of the artery. A subcutaneous tunnel is created around the vessel and all the branches are ligated or clipped. The dissection of the pedicle under the skin is completed with the aid of a modified light assisted retractor, originally designed for the saphenous vein harvesting. The incision is closed after heparin reversal with a small redon as drainage. RESULTS: A preliminary serie of 15 patients have been operated with this technique. In all patients the radial artery was patent and functional at the postoperative angiography. Morbidity included only a light hematoma at the beginning of our experience. CONCLUSION: This less invasive technique for the radial artery harvesting appears to be an excellent surgical compromise between the open technique and the endoscopic procedure; it is easy to perform, the learning curve is acceptable and it offers an excellent aesthetic result.

Dissection↗

Aortic root remodeling with the "cuff" technique for stentless valve implantation.

Aortic root and sinotubular junction dilatation and aneurysm of ascending aorta are considered relative contra-indications to implantation of a stentless valve prosthesis, because the modified aortic geometry leads to aortic incompetence and early failure of the prosthesis. Aortic root reconstruction can be performed according to various techniques. We present a surgical technique in which a tubular graft, replacing an ascending aortic aneurysm, allows sinotubular remodeling and satisfactory implantation of a stentless prosthesis. The native aorta is inserted into the vascular prosthesis at the level of the sinotubular junction which is wrapped in order to prevent commissure spreading. Sizing of the vascular and valve prosthesis is made according to annular diameter. Since October 1999, 6 patients have been operated using this technique with good results.

Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic↗

Beating heart myocardial revascularization on extracorporeal circulation in patients with end-stage coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate in a cohort of ESCAD patients (pts) the effects of on-pump/beating-heart versus conventional CABG in terms of early and mid-term survival and morbidity and LV function improvement. METHODS: Between January 1993 and December 2000, 78 (Group I) ESCAD pts underwent on-pump/beating-heart surgery. Mean age in Group I was 66.2+/-6 (58-79), NYHA and CCS class were 3.2+/-0.6 and 3.3+/-0.4 respectively, Myocardial viability index 0.69+/-0.1 (%), LVEF (%) 24.8+/-4, LVEDP (mmHg) 28.1+/-5.8 and LVEDD(mm) 69.5+/-6. Group II consisted in 78 ESCAD patients undergoing conventional CABG selected in a randomized fashion from an age, sex, and LVEF corrected group of patients. Mean age in Group II was 65.7+/-5 (57-78), NYHA 3.1+/-0.7, CCS 3.4+/-0.8, LVEF(%) 25+/-5, LVEDP(mmHg) 27.9+/-4.4 and LVEDD(mm) 69.2+/-7.2. RESULTS: Postoperatively, 5(7.7%) patients died in Group I versus 7(11.5%) patients in Group II (P>0.1). CPB time resulted to be in Group II patients (P=0.001) and the mean distal anastomoses per patient was similar between groups (P=Ns). Perioperative AMI (P=0.039), LCOS (P=0.002), necessity for ultrafiltration (P=0.018) and bleeding>1000 ml (P=0.029) were significantly higher in Group II. None of the Group I patients underwent surgical revision for bleeding versus 8(10.3%) patients in Group II (P=0.011). At 6 months after surgery, the LV function improved significantly in Group I patients, demonstrated by an increased LVEF=27.2+/-4(%)(P=0.001), lower LVEDP=26.4+/-3(mmHg)(P=0.029) and LVEDD=67+/-4(mm) (P=0.004) instead of a lower LVEDD=66.8+/-6(mm)(P=0.032) versus the preoperative data in Group II. The actuarial survival at 1, 3 and 5 yr were 90, 82 and 71% in Group I and 89, 83 and 74% in Group II (P=Ns). CONCLUSION: In ESCAD patients who may poorly tolerate cardioplegic arrest, on-pump/beating-heart CABG may be an acceptable alternative associated with lower postoperative mortality and morbidity. Such a technique offers a better myocardial and renal protection associated with lower postoperative complications due to intraoperative hypoperfusion.

Aged↗

Catastrophic consequences of a free floating thrombus in ascending aorta.

Floating masses in ascending aorta are an uncommon source of embolism. We report the case of a 46-year-old woman, smoker, on synthetic progestagen, with no previous history of thrombotic events, who was admitted to our emergency department for an acute anterior myocardial infarction. Coronary angiogram showed occlusion of left main coronary trunk. Recanalization of the artery was obtained. Ascending aorta angiogram revealed a free floating mass attached to the aortic wall without evidence of aortic dissection. Transesophageal echocardiography confirmed the presence of a pedunculated mobile mass attached to the aortic wall superior to the left coronary ostium. The patient underwent urgent surgery. Intraoperatively a floating thrombus was localized in the posterior wall of ascending aorta. At macroscopical examination aortic wall and leaflets were normal. Post-operative low cardiac output refractory to inotropic drugs and intraaortic balloon counterpulsation required a circulatory assist device. Consequences for the patient were catastrophic in terms of outcome.

Aorta↗

Operation for acute type A aortic dissection in octogenarians: is it justified?

BACKGROUND: With the progressive aging of Western populations, cardiac surgeons are faced with treating an increasing number of elderly patients. Controversy exists as to whether the expenditure of health care resources on the growing elderly populations represents a cost-effective approach to resource management. The potential to avoid surgery in patients with little chance of survival and poor quality of life would spare unnecessary suffering, reduce operative mortality, and enhance the use of scarce resources. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 24 consecutive patients aged 80 years or older (mean age 83 years, range 80-93 years) who underwent operations for acute type A dissection from 1985 through 1999. No patient with acute type A dissection was refused surgery because of age or concomitant disease. Seventeen patients were men. Preoperatively, none of the patients was moribund, although 66% had hemodynamic instability and 41% experienced cerebral ischemia. All patients had one or more associated pathologic conditions. Hospital mortality and morbidity models, based on our overall experience with 197 patients operated on for acute type A aortic dissection during the period of the study, were developed by means of multivariate logistic regression with preoperative and intraoperative variables used as independent predictors of outcome. RESULTS: Overall hospital mortality was 83%. Intraoperative mortality was 33%. All patients who survived the operation had one or more postoperative complications. Mean hospital stay was 37 days with a total of 314 days in the intensive care unit (average 19 days, median 17 days). None of the survivors (4 patients) discharged from the hospital was able to function independently and their survival at 6 months was 0%. Statistical analysis of the overall experience with operations for type A acute aortic dissection confirmed that age in excess of 80 years is the most important independent patient risk factor associated with 30-day mortality and morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Operations for acute type A dissection performed on octogenarians involve increased hospital mortality and morbidity. Short-term survival is unfavorable and is associated with a poor quality of life. Without additional corroborative studies to endorse the present findings, the use of age as a parameter to limit access of patients to expensive medical resources remains an unsubstantiated concept. In the context of acute type A aortic dissection, however, the hypothesis that older patients should be denied such a complicated surgical intervention to conserve resources is supported by the presented data.

Aged↗

Proximal aortic dissection with coronary malperfusion: presentation, management, and outcome.

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial ischemia and infarction due to retrograde dissection of the aortic root reaching the coronary ostia is a potentially fatal condition. Surgical treatment of these patients relies on the re-establishment of an adequate coronary blood flow and on the rescue of jeopardized myocardium. This article reports the results of a selected group of 24 patients with type A acute aortic dissection and coronary artery dissection. We review our experience and illustrate our approach to this condition, which evolved over a 15-year period. METHODS: Between July 1985 and March 2000, 24 patients from a total of 211 (11.3%) treated for acute type A aortic dissection had dissection of at least one of the coronary ostia. There were 14 men and 10 women. The mean age was 65.5 years (median 61.7; range 41-78 years). The right coronary artery was involved in 11 patients, the left in 4 patients, and both coronary arteries in 9 patients. At admission, 16 patients had Q waves (66%), inferior in 6 (25%) and anterior, lateral, septal, or posterior in 10 (41%). All procedures were done on an emergency basis within 10 hours (median 4 hours) after initial chest pain and within 2 hours after the patient's arrival. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 20% (5 patients); 3 patients could not be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass and died intraoperatively, and 2 patients died postoperatively of low cardiac output. CONCLUSIONS: As illustrated in this study, direct coronary repair is a safe alternative to bypass grafting. Aggressive myocardial resuscitation together with early operation is a key factor in the management of these patients.

Adult↗

Cocaine-induced intramural hematoma of the ascending aorta.

We report the case of a 35-year-old man who presented at our institution with intramural aortic hematoma shortly after inhaling cocaine and smoking crack cocaine. To our knowledge, such a case has not previously been reported in the English medical literature. Problems of diagnosis and the mechanisms of intramural hematoma and aortic dissection are discussed.

Adult↗

[Severe intoxication with cardiotoxic drugs: value of emergency percutaneous cardiocirculatory assistance].

Acute severe self-administration of an overdose of betablockers, calcium antagonists or antiarrhythmic drugs is rare but carries a mortality of 10-15%. Between May 1997 and March 2000, 6 patients with an average age of 34 years (range 17-55 years) had a cardiac arrest on admission requiring emergency cardiac massage and emergency intubation with ventilatory assistance following massive ingestion of cardiotoxic drugs. Echocardiography confirmed complete biventricular akinesia. The surgical team implanted a cardiovascular assist device (ECMO: Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation) by the femoral approach with pre-heparinated percutaneous cannula. The first two patients died of multi-organ failure due to a delay in the installation of the assistance. The 4 other patients survived without sequellae or recurrences. The average time on ECMO was 59.25 +/- 2 hours (range 48-71 hours). The early recognition of the indication for ECMO was one of the most important predictive factors for morbidity and mortality. The strategy of patient management should be determined in the emergency room: in cases of cardiocirculatory arrest resistant to symptomatic treatment (stomach washout, intravenous fluids, isoprenaline, inotropic agents) an echocardiogram should be obtained and the cardiac surgical team alerted to the problem. The introduction of pre-heparinated circuits, percutaneous cannula and peripheral shunts has widened the indications, efficacy (detoxification, restoration of peripheral tissue perfusion) and accessibility to this material, while limiting its duration. The collaboration of experienced multidisciplinary teams (emergency room staff, cardiologists, anaesthetists and surgeons) should optimise the timing of implantation and the monitoring of these systems and improve the results of resuscitation of these patients.

Adolescent↗

Postinfarction ventricular septal rupture: early repair through the right atrial approach.

OBJECTIVE: Early repair of posterior ventricular septal rupture associated with myocardial infarction by means of transinfarct ventriculotomy is technically challenging and can be associated with significant mortality and morbidity. An alternative route of exposing the septum is through the right atrium. This technique, which avoids direct incision of the ventricle in select patients, reduces postrepair bleeding and impairment of ventricular contractile function. METHODS: The results of 12 patients operated on over a 20-year period were reviewed and analyzed. Late follow-up was obtained in all patients who survived the operation. There were 9 men and 3 women, with a mean age of 69.9 years. The mean time between acute myocardial infarction and surgery was 7.3 days (range, 2-16 days). Six patients were in New York Heart Association class IV, and 3 patients presented for surgery in cardiogenic shock. One patient had previously undergone a coronary artery bypass. The surgical technique included a standard sternotomy approach with a transatrial approach to the septal rupture. In all patients the septal rupture was repaired with a Dacron patch. RESULTS: There were 3 early deaths and 1 late death; one patient was reoperated on for a residual shunt. Postoperative complications included low cardiac output, acute renal tubular necrosis, and supraventricular arrhythmia. Eight patients are alive and undergoing echocardiographic investigation, and only 1 patient had a small residual shunt. CONCLUSION: Our experience shows that a posterior ventricular septal rupture can be safely repaired through a transatrial approach. Avoiding additional damage to the ventricle, it reduces the risks of the postoperative bleeding and enhances survival.

Aged↗

Surgical treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma: current outcome.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study was designed to confirm that aggressive pulmonary resection can provide effective long-term palliation of disease for patients with pulmonary aspergilloma. METHODS AND RESULTS: From 1959 to 1998, 84 patients underwent a total of 90 operations for treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma in the Marie-Lannelongue Hospital. The mean follow-up period was 9 years, and 83% of the patients were followed up for 5 years or until death, if the latter occurred earlier. The median age was 44 years. The most common indications were hemoptysis (66%) and sputum production (15%). Fifteen patients (18%) had no symptoms. Tuberculosis and lung abscess were the most common underlying causes of lung disease (65%). The procedures were 70 lobar or segmental resections, 8 cavernostomies, and 7 pneumonectomies. Five thoracoplasties were required after lobectomy (3 patients) or pneumonectomy (2 patients). The operative mortality rate was 4%. The major complications were bleeding (23 patients), prolonged air leak (31 patients), respiratory failure (10 patients), and empyema (5 patients). The actuarial survival curve showed 84% survival at 5 years and 74% survival at 10 years. During the first 2 years, death was related to the surgical procedure and the underlying disease. In contrast, 85% of the survivors had a good late result. CONCLUSION: Lobar resection in both the symptomatic and the asymptomatic patients was conducted in low-risk settings. For patients whose condition is unfit for pulmonary resection, cavernostomy may need to be undertaken despite the high operative risk. The better survival rate in this study may have been due to the selection of patients with better lung function and localized pulmonary disease.

Adult↗