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Biomedical subjects

W Daenen

Publications and source records attributed to W Daenen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Imminent fetal cardiac tamponade by right atrial hemangioma.

A fetus presented with a large pericardial effusion caused by a right atrial transmural tumor. Correct prenatal diagnosis by use of targeted fetal echocardiography indicated that treatment was not required until the gestational age of 36 weeks. At that time, cesarean section was performed because early signs of imminent cardiac tamponade developed ("swinging heart"). At birth, the pericardial effusion was drained with a percutaneous drain. Elective surgical resection was performed on day 6 of life. Histologically, the tumor was a benign capillary hemangioma.

Adult↗

Stenting of hypoplastic aortic segments with mild pressure gradients and arterial hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety, feasibility and effectiveness of stent expansion of hypoplastic aortic segments with pressure gradients in patients with arterial hypertension. DESIGN: Non-randomised prospective clinical trial. SETTING: Tertiary referral centre, congenital cardiac unit. PATIENT SELECTION: 20 consecutive patients (median age 14.5 years, range 11.6-38.8 years) with arterial hypertension and a hypoplastic segment of the aorta. Seventeen patients had successful previous arch interventions in a coarctation site. INTERVENTIONS: Stent deployment in hypoplastic arch segments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gradient across the aortic arch; complications early and during follow up; residual hypertension. RESULTS: 23 stents were deployed: 13 in the cross and 10 in the isthmus. The mean gradient across the aortic arch decreased from 16 (SD 6) (median 17) to 3 (4) (median 1) mm Hg (p < 0.001). In a few patients a mild gradient persisted just distal to the left carotid artery due to residual orificial narrowing or acute angulation. No complications occurred during or after the procedure. During follow up of 2.2 years (range 0.2-4.8 years) arterial hypertension resolved in 10 patients and 10 required residual drug treatment with better control of blood pressures. CONCLUSIONS: Pressure loss due to residual hypoplastic aortic segments can be treated effectively and safely with stent expansion. Some patients remain mildly hypertensive and require additional drug treatment.

Adolescent↗

[Surgical aspects of (cardio) pulmonary transplantation].

UNLABELLED: INTRODUCTION AND STATE OF THE ART: Both short and long-term outcomes following lung transplantation have improved substantially in recent years as a result of advances in the selection and management of donors, organ preservation, immunosuppressive therapy, and the treatment of infectious and malignant complications. In addition surgical techniques have evolved over time and have contributed to this increase in success rates. PERSPECTIVES AND CONCLUSIONS: This review outlines surgical aspects of lung transplantation including a historical note, techniques of lung harvesting, some anaesthetic considerations, the different transplant types and incisions, as well as anastomotic techniques and their pitfalls.

Anesthesia↗

Dehiscence of a valved conduit in the ascending aorta following low-velocity blunt chest trauma: case report.

We report a case of a 56-year old man presenting with dehiscence of a valved conduit in the ascending aorta following low-velocity blunt thoracic trauma. The patient had a history of a Bentall procedure in 1994. Two weeks before referral to our hospital, the patient fell during a bicycle ride and hit the handlebars of the bicycle with his chest. During the days following the accident, the patient developed progressively worsening fatigue, shortness of breath, and intolerance for even minor physical effort. The presence of an enlarged ascending aorta surrounding the implanted valved graft was confirmed, and the patient was referred to our department for surgical repair, after which the patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged home on postoperative day 12.

Accidental Falls↗

Is ABO group incompatibility really the reason of accelerated failure of cryopreserved allografts in very young patients?--Echography assessment of the European Homograft Bank (EHB) cryopreserved allografts used for reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract.

Right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction (RVOTR) with cryopreserved allograft for Ross operation and other congenital or acquired cardiac malformation has become a routine and currently, the procedure of choice for children and young patients. A tendency of accelerated degeneration in the youngest recipients has been reported. Some authors advocate the ABO group incompatibility as the main reason for such failure. This retrospective monocentric study presents the long-term outcome of the European Homograft Bank (EHB) cryopreserved allografts, used for RVOTR in Ross operation (group one) and other congenital heart malformation-s (group two). The evaluation of the allograft performance was done by means of echography, considering the allografts with the transvalvular gradient of > or =40 mmHg and/or regurgitation of > or =3+ as failed. Fifty-one patients of group one and 123 of group two were analysed after completed follow-up information. About 25.5% of patients of group one and 30.8% of group two had a compatible, whereas 74.5% of group one and 68.92 of group two an incompatible ABO group with the donor. The mean follow up was 45.77 and 68.88 months, respectively. In second group 22.76% received the aortic, while 77.24% pulmonary allograft. Only three cases of group one (5.88%) failed: one with a compatible (7.69%) and two with an incompatible ABO group (5.26%) (p=0.1), whereas 39 patients (29.4%) of group two failed between 20.1 and 120.2 months (29.73% with and 29.07% without ABO compatibility, p=0.03). Contrary, the age showed more importance in the allograft failure: out of 41 failed allografts, 24 (58.54%) were implanted in patients of 0-5 years (9 or 37.5% with compatible and 15 or 62.5% with incompatible ABO group). Generally, analysing both groups together, there was no influence of ABO mismatching on the allograft failure (p=0.79). Contrary, there was a significant difference in survival between Ross and non-Ross group (p=0.00082).

ABO Blood-Group System↗

The Aristotle score: a complexity-adjusted method to evaluate surgical results.

OBJECTIVES: Quality control is difficult to achieve in Congenital Heart Surgery (CHS) because of the diversity of the procedures. It is particularly needed, considering the potential adverse outcomes associated with complex cases. The aim of this project was to develop a new method based on the complexity of the procedures. METHODS: The Aristotle project, involving a panel of expert surgeons, started in 1999 and included 50 pediatric surgeons from 23 countries, representing the EACTS, STS, ECHSA and CHSS. The complexity was based on the procedures as defined by the STS/EACTS International Nomenclature and was undertaken in two steps: the first step was establishing the Basic Score, which adjusts only the complexity of the procedures. It is based on three factors: the potential for mortality, the potential for morbidity and the anticipated technical difficulty. A questionnaire was completed by the 50 centers. The second step was the development of the Comprehensive Aristotle Score, which further adjusts the complexity according to the specific patient characteristics. It includes two categories of complexity factors, the procedure dependent and independent factors. After considering the relationship between complexity and performance, the Aristotle Committee is proposing that: Performance = Complexity x Outcome. RESULTS: The Aristotle score, allows precise scoring of the complexity for 145 CHS procedures. One interesting notion coming out of this study is that complexity is a constant value for a given patient regardless of the center where he is operated. The Aristotle complexity score was further applied to 26 centers reporting to the EACTS congenital database. A new display of centers is presented based on the comparison of hospital survival to complexity and to our proposed definition of performance. CONCLUSION: A complexity-adjusted method named the Aristotle Score, based on the complexity of the surgical procedures has been developed by an international group of experts. The Aristotle score, electronically available, was introduced in the EACTS and STS databases. A validation process evaluating its predictive value is being developed.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗

Phrenic nerve dysfunction after heart-lung and lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Phrenic nerve dysfunction (PND) is a well-known complication after cardiac surgery, but reports on its incidence and consequences after heart-lung and lung transplantation are scarce. METHODS: The incidence and consequences (ventilator days and intensive-care unit length of stay [ICU LOS]) of PND were studied by retrospective chart review of 27 heart-lung (HLTx) and 111 lung (LTx) transplantations performed from July 1991 to June 2001 at the Leuven University Hospital, Leuven, Belgium. On clinical suspicion of diaphragmatic dysfunction, nerve conduction studies were performed, which were completed with a needle electromyogram (EMG) of the diaphragm when the conduction study was non-conclusive. RESULTS: The incidence of PND in 21 evaluable HLTx recipients was 42.8% (9 of 21 patients), resulting in significantly more ventilator days for PND patients (37.6 +/- 36.3 days vs 5.3 +/- 3 days; p < 0.05) and a prolonged ICU LOS (46.8 +/- 33 vs 9.8 +/- 4.9 days; p < 0.05). In the 97 evaluable LTx patients, 9.3% (9 of 97 patients) developed PND. This resulted in more ventilator days for the PND group (30.6 +/- 14.8 days vs non-PND 7.9 +/- 14.8 days. p < 0.05) and a longer ICU LOS (PND 37.8 +/- 18.7 days vs non-PND 12.1 +/- 17.8 p < 0.05). Needle EMG of the diaphragm revealed denervation in 1 HLTx and 5 LTx patients. In LTx patients sustaining PND more tracheostomies were performed (44.4% vs 4.5% for non-PND patients p < 0.005). Eight of 9 LTx patients with PND had sequential single-lung transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: PND represents an important clinical problem after HLTx and LTx and has a considerable influence on both number of ventilator days and ICU resource utilization.

Adult↗

Initial experiences with the Impella device in patients with cardiogenic shock - Impella support for cardiogenic shock.

BACKGROUND: We planned a study to assess the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of the Impella micro-axial blood pump in patients with cardiogenic shock. METHODS: From January 2001 to September 2002 inclusive, 16 patients in cardiogenic shock (maximal inotropic support and with IABP in 11 cases) underwent left ventricle unloading with the Impella pump. 6 were placed via the femoral artery (patients in the coronary care unit) and 10 directly through the aorta (postcardiotomy heart failure). In three patients, the device was used in combination with ECMO. Mean age was 60 years (range 43 - 75), 11 were male. RESULTS: A stable pump flow of 4.24 +/- 0.28 l/min was reached (3.3 +/- 1.9 l/min in patients with ECMO and Impella). Mean blood pressure before Impella) support was 57.4 +/- 13 mmHg, which increased to 74.9 +/- 13 mmHg after 6 hours and 80.6 +/- 17 mmHg (p = 0.003) after 24 hours. Cardiac output increased from 4.1 +/- 1.3 l/min to 5.5 +/- 1.3 (p = 0.003) and 5.9 +/-1.9 l/min (p = 0.01) at 6 and 24 hours. Mean pulmonary wedge pressure decreased from 29 +/- 10 mmHg to 17 +/- 5 mmHg and 18 +/- 7 mmHg at 6 (p = 0.04) and 24 hours. Blood lactate levels decreased significantly after 6 hours of support (from 2.7 +/- 1 to 1.3 +/- 0.5 mmol/l, p = 0.004). Device-related complications included three sensor failures (no clinical action), one pump displacement (replacement) and six incidences of haemolysis (peak free plasma haemoglobin > 100 mg/dl, no clinical action). Eleven patients (68 %) were weaned, six (37 %) survived. CONCLUSIONS: Left ventricular unloading with the Impella pump via the transthoracic or femoral approach is feasible and safe. Support led to a decrease in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, increase in cardiac output and mean blood pressure, and improved organ perfusion in patients with severe cardiogenic shock.

Adult↗

Graft dilation after redo surgery for aneurysm formation following patch angioplasty for aortic coarctation.

OBJECTIVES: Aneurysm formation after patch angioplasty for aortic coarctation is a frequent and potentially lethal complication, necessitating surgical reintervention. Although several mechanisms have been postulated, flow disturbance in a concomitant hypoplastic transverse aortic arch most likely contributes to the aneurysm formation. The outcome of the grafts after redo surgery, however, is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of the inserted graft in patients with surgery for aneurysm formation following patch angioplasty for coarctation of the aorta. METHODS: In 16 patients redo surgery was performed for aneurysm formation (diameter: 47.1+/-11.9 cm) (mean+/-SD), 12.7+/-2.1 years after the initial patch angioplasty. All patients had a concomitant arch hypoplasia. They were treated by insertion of a Dacron Gelseal graft (16-30 mm), but the associated hypoplastic arch segment was left untouched. To evaluate the evolution of the new graft, patients were followed by means of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. RESULTS: The immediate postoperative outcome was uneventful in 12 patients. Four patients, however, suffered from a recurrent nerve paralysis and one of them of a spinal cord transection. The mean follow-up time was 54.1+/-17.9 months during which 59 magnetic resonance studies were performed. The number of MR studies per patient ranged from two to seven. The graft diameter increased significantly with 56+/-18%, range 20-82 (P<0.0001). This widening was most pronounced within the first year after surgery (43+/-16%, range 5-67) (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Flow acceleration caused by an even mild hypoplastic transverse arch can put excessive strain on the distal part of the aortic arch. This can lead not only to aneurysm formation after patch angioplasty but also to excessive dilation of the Dacron Gelseal graft. At intermediate long-term follow-up, however, a stabilization of the graft dilation is observed.

Adolescent↗

Long-term assessment and serial evaluation of cardiorespiratory exercise performance and cardiac function in patients with atrial switch operation for complete transposition.

BACKGROUND: At present, a considerable number of patients survive who underwent an atrial switch operation for correction of complete transposition. Our study aimed to assess their long-term exercise performance and the serial evolution of cardiac function. METHODS: We studied 22 patients 5 to 17 years after an atrial switch operation, and followed them serially for 3.5 +/- 2 years after the first evaluation. Cardiorespiratory exercise function was assessed by analysis of gas exhange and by determination of the ventilatory anaerobic threshold. Echocardiography was performed on all evaluations. RESULTS: All patients were in Class I of the classification of the New York Heart Association at all assessments. Ventilatory anaerobic threshold, however, was significantly lower than normal. It averaged 77.9% +/- 13.7 of the normal mean value at the initial evaluation, and remained stable when re-evaluated later (76.2 +/- 13.7%). At the initial study, the increase in oxygen uptake during graded exercise was below the 95% confidence limit in 6 of the patients, and was below this level in 10 patients at re-assessment. The subnormal values for oxygen uptake during submaximal exercise were associated with moderate to severe haemodynamic dysfunction. At echocardiography, 15 of 17 patients studied twice had mild to moderate right ventricular dilation and tricuspidregurgiation, which remained virtually the same at reasssesment. A stable sinus rhythm was initially present in 17 patients, and persisted in 15 patients during follow-up. CONCLUSION: At medium term follow-up, cardiorespiratory exercise performance remains stable in patients after atrial switch repair. Serial exercise testing appears useful, because in individual patients in the present study, a decreasing exercise tolerance correlated with development of haemodynamic sequels.

Adolescent↗

Cardiorespiratory exercise function after the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries.

AIMS: This study compares the functional outcome and cardiorespiratory response to exercise, in patients who have undergone arterial switch for transposition of the great arteries, with normal controls and patients who have undergone atrial switch operation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifteen patients who had undergone arterial switch (mean age 8.5+/-2.9 years) were compared to 32 patients who had undergone atrial switch (9.2+/-1.8 years) and 27 normal controls (8.5+/-2.1 years). Exercise testing was performed on a treadmill and gas exchange measured breath-by-breath. Aerobic capacity, assessed by determination of the ventilatory anaerobic threshold, averaged 91+/-7.8% of normal (95% confidence limits: 92-108%) for arterial switch and 75.1+/-13.1% for atrial switch (P<0.001 patients vs normals). Aerobic exercise function was evaluated by calculation of the slope of oxygen uptake vs exercise intensity. The mean value for this slope was 2.0+/-0.25 for arterial switch, 2.5+/-0.46 for normals and 1.7+/-0.80 for atrial switch (P<0.05; patients vs normals). Efficiency of the pulmonary gas exchange was assessed by calculation of the slope of ventilation vs carbon dioxide output during exercise. This averaged 38.7+/-14.7 for arterial switch, 48.1+/-14.1 for atrial switch and 30.3+/-7.6 for normals (P<0.001; patients vs normals). CONCLUSION: Cardiorespiratory exercise function is at, or slightly below, the lower limit of normal in patients with arterial switch, while the lowest values were observed for those who had undergone atrial switch.

Child↗

Homograft insertion for pulmonary regurgitation after repair of tetralogy of fallot improves cardiorespiratory exercise performance.

Surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) with reconstruction of the right ventricular (RV) outflow tract invariably results in pulmonary regurgitation. Chronic pulmonary regurgitation has been associated with RV dysfunction and decreased exercise performance. The present study assessed the influence of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) for severe pulmonary regurgitation after previous TOF repair on cardiorespiratory exercise performance and RV function. Eighteen patients, between the ages of 8 and 18 years, underwent an exercise test and a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging scan at least 1 year after PVR. The exercise data were compared with those obtained from 24 age-matched normal controls and 27 age-matched patients with repaired TOF and a moderate degree of pulmonary regurgitation. A subgroup of 11 patients had an exercise test performed before and after PVR. Cardiopulmonary exercise performance was evaluated by determination of the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) and by the steepness of the slope of oxygen uptake versus exercise intensity (SVO2). After PVR there was a significant increase in VAT (86+/-11% before to 106.9+/-14% after, p = 0.03) and in SVO2 (1.71+/-0.47 to 2.3+/-0.39, p = 0.004). In patients examined after PVR, the VAT and SVO2 values were not significantly different from the values in the normal controls (104+/-15% [p>0.05] and 2.03+/-0.77 after PVR vs. 2.42+/-0.68 [p>0.25], respectively). In contrast, patients with repaired TOF and a moderate degree of pulmonary regurgitation had a significantly lower VAT (86+/-11%, p<0.05) and SVO2 (1.8+/-0.74 vs. 2.42+/-0.68, p<0.05) than normal controls. Magnetic resonance imaging studies revealed residual RV dilatation and dysfunction. However, there was no correlation between RV dilatation and RV dysfunction and aerobic exercise capacity. It is concluded that aerobic exercise capacity substantially improves after PVR for severe pulmonary regurgitation after previous TOF repair. Although the right ventricle remains significantly dilated and hypocontractile, there is no relation between RV function and exercise performance.

Adolescent↗

Pericardial disease is often not recognised as a cause of chronic severe ascites.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Severe chronic ascites remains a difficult diagnostic and therapeutic problem. Even in the current era, constrictive pericarditis is an underestimated and sometimes unrecognised cause. Moreover, missing the diagnosis deprives patients of remedial therapy. METHODS: Two cases of calcified constrictive pericarditis, complicated with cirrhosis and diagnosed in a late stage, are described. Due to insufficient clinical appreciation and lack of trust in echocardiography results, performed by cardiologists who were insufficiently familiar with the echocardiographic features of constrictive pericarditis, diagnosis was delayed in the two patients RESULTS: The diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis as a cause of ascites is based upon the clinical signs of right heart failure in a patient with normal systolic left and right ventricular function and a high, serumascitic albumin-content difference. Complementary workup with complete Doppler echocardiography study, right and left heart catheterisation and MRI or cine CT of the heart is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Careful history taking and clinical examination remain the cornerstone of any diagnostic work-up, even in this era of technological refinement.

Adolescent↗

Are pulmonary homografts which were subjected to pulmonary hypertension more appropriate for aortic valve replacement than normal pulmonary homografts? A long-term multicentric echography study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare long-term results of the European Homograft Bank (LHB) cryopreserved pulmonary homograft in left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) subjected to pulmonary hypertension with those subjected to normal pulmonary pressure. The mid-term study of this material published in 1997 showed different results. METHODS: Statistical analysis is calculated by the Kaplan-Meier survival curves, while differences in prevalence by the Log-Rank test. RESULTS: Follow-up (FU) was available in 69 cases (76.7%): 46 in group 1 and 23 in group 2. Five patients have been excluded from the study because of early homograft explantation (technical problems or early valve incompetence). Fourteen out of 43 cases of group 1 (32. 6%) and seven out of 21 cases of group 2 (33.3%) have been explanted after 2.5-88 months and 7-88 months, respectively. Significant echography changes have been found in 19 of 43 (44.18%) of group 1 and 11 of 21 cases (52.38%) of group 2 during the follow-up. Histology showed essentially wear and tear induced lesions. Mean FU was 36.9 (range, 6-88) and 41.3 months (range, 4-88) for group 1 and 2, respectively. No significant difference in the long-term outcome have been found between the two groups (P=0.38). CONCLUSION: Contrary to our previous echocardiography study of mid-term implants the long-term follow up of the PHGs implanted in the LVOT did not show better function of the pulmonary homografts subjected to pulmonary hypertension than those with normal pulmonary pressure. The high failure rate of the PHGs should discourage their use for LVOT reconstruction. Further echocardiography studies of remaining PHGs implanted in the LVOT, and gross and microscopic explant studies are required to judge on the definitive outcome of these grafts.

Adult↗

Neonatal pulmonary artery banding does not compromise the short-term function of a Damus-Kaye-Stansel connection.

BACKGROUND: The surgical approach of neonates with a functionally univentricular heart, transposition of the great arteries and excessive pulmonary bloodflow remains a challenge. Pulmonary artery banding remains a valuable option, but may induce ventricular hypertrophy, restriction of the bulboventricular foramen and dysplastic changes of the pulmonary valve. These secondary changes might compromise a later Damus-Kaye-Stansel connection because of pulmonary regurgitation but also a subsequent Fontan repair because of ventricular hypertrophy. The aim of this study is to investigate whether a previous pulmonary artery banding might compromise the function of a Damus-Kaye-Stansel connection. METHODS: Thirteen neonates underwent pulmonary artery banding for functionally univentricular heart, transposition of the great arteries and pulmonary hypertension. Coarctation repair was associated in seven patients. All but one survived the operation. The twelve survivors underwent at a second stage a Damus-Kaye-Stansel connection after a mean interval of 1.1 years. The length of this interval was dictated by the degree of ventricular hypertrophy, the restriction of the bulboventricular foramen and by the degree of cyanosis. The Damus-Kaye-Stansel connection was constructed without any foreign material and with resorbable sutures. Associated procedures were: Glenn/hemi-Fontan (8 pts), Blalock-shunt (2 pts), biventricular correction with a homograft (1 pt), Fontan repair (1 pt). Four patients underwent successfully a Fontan repair at a third stage; seven patients are waiting for such repair. RESULTS: All patients survived the second and third stage of this surgical approach. The mean follow-up after the Damus-Kaye-Stansel connection was 2.5 years. Echocardiography at the last follow-up revealed: PR grade 0 (1 pt), grade 1 (8 pts), and grade 2 (3 pts). All patients - except one patient with a systolic gradient of 24 mmHg - had laminar flow without any gradient in the ascending aorta. All patients, including those who underwent a definitive repair, are doing extremely well. CONCLUSION: This experience demonstrates that a neonatal pulmonary artery banding does not compromise the function neither of a Damus-Kaye-Stansel connection nor a Fontan repair.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Mechanical support with microaxial blood pumps for postcardiotomy left ventricular failure: can outcome be predicted?

OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify the indications of mechanical support in postcardiotomy left ventricular failure in patients who are unable to undergo transplantation. METHODS: From 1989 through 1997, 61 patients with postcardiotomy left ventricular failure beyond intra-aortic balloon pumping were assisted with the Hemopump cardiac assist system (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minn). Their mean age was 64 +/- 8 years. Comorbidity was prevalent; 47% underwent cardiac massage before pump support, and evolving myocardial infarction was diagnosed in 43% before surgery. Multivariable logistic regression of data known at the moment of pump insertion was performed to identify the risk factors for mortality. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of the patients were weaned from the device, but only 30% were discharged home. Cardiac index evolution during the first hours after pump insertion (P <.001) is the only independent predictor for possibility to wean from the device in the multivariable analysis. Acute renal failure is the only variable retained in the model for 90-day mortality. Device-related complications were far more frequent with the femoral (54%) than with the transthoracic (6%) cannula. Only 13% of the patients had bleeding complications. CONCLUSIONS: One third of the patients with postcardiotomy heart failure refractory to use of the intra-aortic balloon pump can be saved with the use of an endovascular axial flow pump. It is impossible to predict lethal outcome on preoperative data alone. The early hemodynamic response to support seems to be related to functional recovery of the heart and subsequent weaning from the device.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗