Texas Heart Institute journal
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Intraoperative antifibrinolysis and blood-saving techniques in cardiac surgery. Prospective trial of 3 antifibrinolytic drugs.
Sixty consecutive patients undergoing elective open-heart surgery were prospectively enrolled in a study to compare the efficacy of 3 different antifibrinolytic drugs to reduce postoperative bleeding and to reduce homologous blood requirements in combination with blood-saving techniques and restrictive indications for blood transfusion. The patients were randomized to 1 of 4 intraoperative treatment regimens: 1) control (no antifibrinolytic therapy); 2) epsilon-aminocaproic acid (10 g IV at induction of anesthesia, followed by infusion of 2 g/h for 5 hours); 3) tranexamic acid (10 mg/kg IV within 30 minutes after induction of anesthesia, followed by infusion of 1 mg/kg per hour for 10 hours); or 4) high-dose aprotinin (2 million KIU IV at induction of anesthesia and 2 million KIU added to the extracorporeal circuit, followed by infusion of 500 thousand KIU/h during surgery). Hemoconcentration and reinfusion of blood drained from the operative field and the extracorporeal circuit after operation were used in all patients. ⋯ Homologous blood requirements were not significantly different among the groups; postoperative hematologic values and coagulation times were also comparable. Despite the efficacy of aprotinin and epsilon-aminocaproic acid shown in the present study, the blood requirements were not significantly different from those that are found when transfusions are restricted, autotransfusions are used, and blood from the operative field and extracorporeal circuit is concentrated and reinfused. Therefore, intraoperative antifibrinolysis may not be indicated in routine cardiac surgery when other blood-saving techniques are adopted.
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Bleeding remains an important complication after repeat and complicated cardiac surgery. Although aprotinin has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as an antifibrinolytic agent, many surgeons continue to have concerns about its added cost and potential side effects. We review here the current state of antifibrinolytic therapy for excessive bleeding in cardiothoracic surgery and suggest the use of a single intravenous dose of 10 g of epsilon-aminocaproic acid immediately before cardiopulmonary bypass as a safe, inexpensive, and effective alternative to aprotinin. Further clinical and laboratory studies are needed to confirm or modify this protocol.
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In recent years, coronary artery bypass grafting has been extended to include patients with very low left ventricular ejection fractions. Should concomitant mitral valve regurgitation be corrected simultaneously? Between January 1990 and July 1994, 43 patients with preoperative left ventricular ejection fractions < or = 25% and echocardiographic evidence of concomitant mitral valve regurgitation (grade I, 18 patients; II, 19 patients; and III, 6 patients) underwent primary coronary artery bypass grafting. None of these patients underwent simultaneous mitral valve surgery. ⋯ Coronary artery bypass grafting is possible in patients with very low left ventricular ejection fractions who present with 2- or 3-vessel disease, significant coronary artery stenoses (less than or equal 70%), and angina. The mortality rate is acceptable and morbidity is low. If there is no rupture of papillary muscle or chordae, concomitant ischemic mitral regurgitation (grades I through III) seems to return to normal after coronary artery bypass grafting and, therefore, does not need to be corrected surgically during the primary operation.
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We describe an operative technique used in 30 patients from 1982 to 1995, in which sinus venosus atrial septal defect with anomalous pulmonary venous connection is repaired through longitudinal incision confined to the vena cava. A single oval patch is folded like the wings of a butterfly: the posterior wing is used to separate superior vena caval and pulmonary venous blood, and the anterior wing is used to enlarge the terminal cava. ⋯ Operative findings suggest that the sinus venosus defect is a malformation involving abnormal confluence of sinus venosus, anomalous right superior pulmonary, and right common cardinal veins. Further, the sinus venosus contributes more to the formation of the right atrium, displacing the crista terminalis downward and forward and separating the atrial component of the right atrium from the terminal cava.