Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery
-
Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Mar 2013
Case ReportsLate ventriculo-atrial shunt migration leading to pericardial cerebrospinal fluid effusion and cardiac tamponade.
We present the case of a patient with cardiac tamponade secondary to late intrapericardial migration of a disrupted ventriculo-atrial shunt (VAS). A 48-year old woman was referred for cardiac tamponade. She had a history of congenital hydrocephalus with implantation of a VAS (Codman(®)) in 1994. ⋯ Surprisingly, cardiac tamponade was not related to bleeding but to the accumulation of translucid liquid whose gross aspect and biochemistry were very suggestive of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We hypothesize that a fibrin sheath had developed around the VAS at the time of its disconnection and acted as a fibrous tunnel allowing continued CSF drainage through its distal part. Surgical strategies to prevent late VAS disconnection should be considered at the time of implantation.
-
Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Mar 2013
Case ReportsPseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa as a complication after minimally invasive mitral valve repair.
Pseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular body is a rare condition, which has been reported as a result of endocarditis, chest trauma or cardiac surgery. We describe here the first case after minimally invasive mitral valve repair. Such a complication may be overlooked in the early postoperative echocardiographic study and may lead to fistula formation, compression of adjacent structures, infection, or rupture. Both computed tomography and echocardiography provide a detailed anatomy of the pseudoaneurysm and its communication with the left ventricular outflow tract.
-
Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Mar 2013
Palliative surgical treatment of congenital heart defects associated with unilateral absence of the pulmonary artery.
Experience with the palliative treatment of congenital heart defects (CHDs) associated with unilateral absence of the pulmonary artery (UAPA) is limited. There is a description of 32 interventions in the available literature. The aim of this retrospective study was to present our experience with palliative interventions in patients with cyanotic CHDs associated with UAPA and to suggest a rational surgical strategy. ⋯ Palliative surgical treatment of CHDs associated with UAPA can be performed with a relatively low risk. Systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt and transluminal balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty are methods of choice in patients with non-severe hypoplasia of the single pulmonary artery. The intravascular intervention is indicated more in patients with a prevailing valvular component of the pulmonary stenosis. Palliative reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract is a more favourable procedure for patients with a severe hypoplasia of the single pulmonary artery.
-
Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Mar 2013
A new marking technique for peripheral lung nodules avoiding pleural puncture: the intrathoracic stamping method.
While performing thoracoscopic wedge resection of the lung, the location of the lesion is generally identified by visual inspection or palpation. When difficulty in identification of the lesion by thoracoscopy is anticipated, preoperative marking is performed. However, complications and technical difficulties plague current marking techniques. To overcome this problem, we designed a new, safe and easy marking technique that avoids pleural puncture, called the intrathoracic stamping method.
-
Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Mar 2013
Aortic arch reconstruction in newborns with an autologous pericardial patch: contemporary results.
The incidence of recurrent aortic arch obstruction after Norwood procedure and other types of aortic arch reconstruction in newborns remains high. Biological and synthetic materials are used to enlarge the aorta. We report our experience using autologous pericardium to reconstruct the aortic arch in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, aortic arch interruption and hypoplastic aortic arch. ⋯ The use of autologous pericardium in aortic arch reconstruction procedure is effective and associated with an acceptable incidence of recurrent arch obstruction. Its availability and characteristics make it an attractive alternative to other materials.