Long-term follow-up and quality of life after closure of ventricular septal defect in adults.

OBJECTIVE: To study patients who underwent surgical closure of a congenital ventricular septal defect (VSD) and presenting at adult age. METHODS AND RESULTS: A retrospective study was carried out of 28 patients (15 male) operated upon between 1980 and 2004. Patients were investigated by echocardiography, ECG and assessed for quality of life by a questionnaire. The indication for surgery was volume overload in 11 patients, endocarditis in 8, aortic valve regurgitation in 8 and the combination of a VSD with subvalvular aortic stenosis in 1. Follow-up was complete with a mean duration of follow-up of 13 years. There was no early or late mortality. One patient was reoperated for recurrent VSD. Twenty-five patients underwent echocardiography, which revealed a trivial residual VSD in two and mild aortic regurgitation in 10 (40%) patients. One patient was in atrial fibrillation. Health related quality of life in the dimensions cognitive functioning and sleep differed significantly from that of the general population. CONCLUSION: With a relative difference in indications for closure of a VSD in adulthood, surgical closure of VSD at adult age is an adequate and safe procedure, with good results on long-term follow-up. Progression of aortic valve regurgitation is a matter of concern.     

Total autologous Ross procedure in a child with aortic root abscess

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Endocarditis with aortic root abscess is one of the most complicated surgical problems. METHODS: An 8-year-old girl presented with dyspnea, high fever, and fatigue. She had stenotic bicuspid aortic valve with endocarditis and aortic root abscess. Ross procedure was performed with fresh autologous pericardial tube and pericardial monocusp valve. Right internal mammary artery to right coronary artery bypass was also done due to destroyed right coronary artery ostium. RESULTS: Four years after the operation she is in excellent clinical condition without medications. Echocardiography reveals mild autograft regurgitation and mildly stenotic right ventricular outflow tract. CONCLUSIONS: If homografts are not available, total reconstruction of RVOT with autologous fresh pericardium may offer reasonable early and mid-term results especially when active endocarditis and aortic root abscess is involved.     

A surgical technique of tricuspid valve repair for infective endocarditis using an autologous pericardium

We report a surgically treated case of tricuspid valve endocarditis. A 33-year-old man was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and active infective endocarditis associated with severe tricuspid regurgitation. Ultrasonic echocardiography (UCG) showed vegetations attached to the tricuspid valve. His blood culture was positive for Streptococcus oralis. Although intravenous antibiotics therapy was effective, chest computed tomography( CT) revealed multiple septic pulmonary enboli in right lung and UCG showed severe tricuspid valve regurgitation. So we performed tricuspid valve repair by reconstructing septal leaflet using an autologous pericardium, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene( ePTFE) artificial chordae and annuloplasty ring. The postoperative course was uneventful, without tricuspid regurgitation or stenosis. He has been free from any complication for over 8 months. This surgical technique of tricuspid valve repair with an autologous pericardium and ePTFE artificial chordae for infective endocarditis might be useful choice of procedure for patients with leaflet destruction, in particular for young patients because of less recurrence of infection, less chance of anticoagulant therapy and expected long uneventful course.     

A case of two-chambered right ventricle complicating infective endocarditis and tricuspid regurgitation

A 31-year-old male of two-chambered right ventricle with ventricular septal defect, complicating infective endocarditis and tricuspid regurgitation, was presented. Two-dimensional echocardiographic study demonstrated tricuspid vegetations and a hypertrophied, anomalous muscle bundle in the right ventricle. Cardiac catheterization revealed 58 mmHg pressure gradient between inflow chamber and outflow chamber of the right ventricle. It seems that tricuspid regurgitation was resulted from infective endocarditis. He underwent resection of anomalous muscle bundle, repair of ventricular septal defect, and tricuspid valve replacement with satisfactory result. It has not been reported in Japan so far that tricuspid valve replacement was performed for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation due to infective endocarditis in the patient with two-chambered right ventricle. In our case, cardiac catheterization was performed after subsidence of infective endocarditis. As echocardiography can detect vegetations and anomalous muscle bundle precisely, surgical intervention would be performed without cardiac catheterization in the case of infective endocarditis intractable to medical therapy.     

Mitral valve surgery with surgical embolectomy for mitral valve endocarditis complicated by septic coronary embolism.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by septic coronary embolism due to active infective endocarditis is rare but usually fatal. We report a case of successful mitral valve surgery with surgical embolectomy in a 27-year-old man with an AMI complicated by septic coronary embolism due to mitral valve endocarditis. A chest radiograph revealed cardiomegaly and marked pulmonary edema. A transthoracic echocardiogram disclosed severe mitral regurgitation with highly mobile vegetations and hypokinesia of the left ventricular apex. The electrocardiographic findings of ST segment elevation in leads V2-4 and elevated cardiac enzyme levels were strongly suggestive of an acute anterolateral AMI. Nevertheless, emergent cardiac surgery was needed without selective coronary angiography because of intractable heart failure and life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmia requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A total occlusion of the distal left anterior descending artery caused by embolic vegetation and thrombus, which was incidentally detected intraoperatively, was successfully recanalized by surgical embolectomy and thrombectomy using a direct coronary incision. The mitral valve endocarditis was managed with wide debridement and mechanical valve replacement. Three years after the surgery a follow-up echocardiogram showed no abnormalities of the regional wall, motion in the left ventricle and the patient is living an active life without any complications.     

Active infective endocarditis of a bicuspid aortic valve causing left ventricular outflow tract pseudoaneurysm and right atrium shunt: A case report

Introduction and importanceLeft ventricular outflow tract pseudoaneurysm associated with infective endocarditis is a rare but life-threatening condition.Case presentationA 68-year-old man developed infective endocarditis of a bicuspid aortic valve with suspected annulus abscess and was transferred to our department for further treatment. Cardiac workup revealed the formation of a left ventricular outflow tract pseudoaneurysm penetrating the right atrium. We successfully treated the patient with pseudoaneurysm repair using a bovine pericardium patch in combination with aortic valve replacement. The patient was uneventfully discharged after 6-week antibiotic therapy and remained well for the following 2 years.Clinical discussionSurgery is the recommended treatment for left ventricular outflow tract pseudoaneurysms. Accurate diagnosis and identification of the anatomical conditions are crucial for determining the appropriate treatment.ConclusionWhen considering the appropriate surgical treatment for left ventricular outflow tract pseudoaneurysm associated with infective endocarditis, pseudoaneurysm repair using a bovine pericardial patch and concomitant aortic valve replacement can be an effective and feasible therapeutic option.     

主动脉窦瘤破裂的外科治疗及远期疗效

目的 总结主动脉窦瘤破裂的临床特点及外科疗效,讨论对合并感染性心内膜炎及主动脉瓣关闭不全患者的处理.方法 回顾性分析1997年9月至2007年9月43例主动脉窦瘤破裂患者的临床资料.其中男性32例,女性11例;年龄11～50岁,平均年龄(29.0±11.5)岁.破口源于右冠状动脉窦34例,无冠状动脉窦9例.破入有心室30例,右心房8例,右心室及右心房3例,破人室间隔2例.合并室间隔缺损26例,主动脉瓣关闭不全15例,感染性心内膜炎8例,三尖瓣反流6例,房间隔缺损4例,二尖瓣反流2例,动脉导管未闭2例,肺动脉赘牛物1例.全部患者于心肺转流下行窦瘤修补及合并畸形矫治术.结果 无围手术期死亡.并发症5例,包括急性左心功能衰竭3例,Ⅲ度房室传导阻滞2例.随访6～120个月,平均(68.0±17.7)个月;2例分别于术后第6、8年行主动脉瓣置换术,2例进展为Ⅱ级主动脉瓣父闭小全.结论 主动脉窦瘤破裂外科治疗可获得满意效果.对合并主动脉瓣关闭小全及感染性心内膜炎的患者应早期手术,积极防治术后并发症并长期随访.     

A new method of closing the ventricular septal defect in corrected transposition of the great arteries

A new method of closing a perimembranous malalignment ventricular septal defect (VSD) in corrected transposition of the great arteries (TGA) of the [S,L,L] type is presented. The method consists of combined approaches to the VSD through both a right atriotomy and an aortotomy without a ventriculotomy. The VSD is patched obliquely from the morphological right ventricular side of the septum, cranially through the aortic valve to the left ventricular side of the septum, caudally through the mitral valve. Although this method has been successfully applied in only one adult patient, some advantages may be expected: (1) prevention of trauma to the His bundle, which runs along the anterosuperior rim of the VSD on the left ventricular side; and (2) prevention of trauma to the tricuspid, mitral, and aortic valves without having to open the ventricles. We believe that this new method warrants a further trial as possibly better for closure of the VSD in corrected TGA of the [S,L,L] type.     

A case report of a successful surgical treatment for infective endocarditis involving four valves in a elderly patient with ventricular septal defects

A 72-year-old female was examined because of acute congestive heart failure. Echocardiogram revealed vegetations on aortic and pulmonary valve, regurgitation of four valves, and perimembraneous ventricular septal defect. Aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, repair of tricuspid valve using a Carpentier ring, partial resection of pulmonary valve, and direct closure of VSD was performed. Pathological finding of resected valves showed acute endocarditis. A patient resumed social activities after surgery.     

Aortic regurgitation secondary to back-and-forth intimal flap movement of acute type A dissection.

We present an unusual case of acute type A dissection complicated with severe aortic valve insufficiency caused by prolapse of the tubular intimal flap into the left ventricular outflow tract, which was shown legibly by transesophageal echocardiography in the diastolic phase and by intraoperative macroscopic findings. The dissected ascending aorta was excised completely and replaced without any repairing of the aortic valve, resulting in a favorable outcome for the patient. Prolapse of an intimal flap from the aorta into the left ventricle represented a rare pathophysiology of aortic regurgitation in patients with aortic dissection.     

完全性房室间隔缺损合并法乐四联症的手术矫正

目的　报告完全性房室间隔缺损合并法乐四联症的外科治疗。　方法　 6例患者 ,年龄 3～ 9岁 ,均施行手术根治 ,经右房 右室切口修补VSD ,房室间隔缺损采用两块补片技术修复 ,左房室瓣裂隙的修复均采用间断缝合 ,右室流出道均用带单瓣的补片跨瓣加宽。　结果　全组 6例术后出现低心排综合征、多器官衰竭、灌注肺并发症各 1例 ,早期死亡 1例为多器官衰竭者 ,5例长期存活。术后随访 6个月～ 5 5年 ,1例有轻度左房室瓣关闭不全。心功能Ⅰ级 4例 ,Ⅱ级 1例。　结论　完全性房室间隔缺损合并法乐四联症可应用 2块补片法行手术根治 ,左房室瓣瓣裂的常规修补可降低其关闭不全的发生率 ,大部分患者术后心功能可获得良好的改善。     

流出道室间隔缺损合并主动脉瓣关闭不全的外科处理

目的总结流出道室间隔缺损（VSD）合并主动脉瓣关闭不全（AI）的外科处理经验。方法回顾分析94例VSD合并AI的临床资料、VSD补片修补和主动脉瓣处理方法。结果无手术死亡，术后低心排6例（6．4％）。在主动脉瓣脱垂伴轻度AI60例中，出院时超声检查（UCG）14例仍有轻度AI，随访中2例加重需再次手术。在主动脉瓣成形术25例中，UCG提示23例主动脉瓣轻度返流，2例轻微返流，2～5年后3例返流加重。9例主动脉瓣置换术中1例术后1年死于感染性心内膜炎。结论流出道VSD伴有AI，应根据主动脉瓣病理改变而选择恰当的方法。     

A case of ventricular septal defect with tricuspid regurgitation complicating infective endocarditis

A unique case of 52-year-old woman with a ventricular septal defect associated with tricuspid regurgitation complicating infective endocarditis was reported. Under cardiopulmonary bypass, the VSD was closed directly and tricuspid valve was replaced with a Carpentier-Edwards valve. Intraoperative examination showed that the VSD was perimembranous type (5 mm in diameter), all three leaflets were destroyed and one chordae of anterior leaflet was ruptured. Her postoperative course was uneventful and she has been well.     

Immediate and long-term results following repair of aortic left ventricular discontinuity: a 25-year experience

From 1967 to 1993, 21 patients underwent surgical repair of aortic left ventricular discontinuity as a result of acute bacterial endocarditis. Repair of the defect between the aorta and left ventricle was usually with interposition of a patch (prosthetic patch or autologous pericardium), using a continuous monofilament suture. Interrupted pledgetted stitches were used when the ventricular tissue appeared friable. A valve prosthesis was then sewn to the patch and remaining annulus. Three patients died in the immediate perioperative period. Long follow-up ranging from 5 to 142 months (mean 36 months) is available on 17 of 18 survivors. There were six deaths in this group from 11 to 142 months (mean 67 months) from initial surgery. Of 11 long-term survivors (5 to 61 months (mean 21 months) after operation), nine have had event-free courses. Two cases of recurrent subacute bacterial endocarditis occurred 3 and 52 months after surgery in patients who were intravenous drug abusers, both of whom were managed medically. It is concluded that while aortic left ventricular discontinuity remains a potentially lethal complication of acute bacterial endocarditis, débridement of infected necrotic tissue, patch repair of the defect, and prosthetic valve replacement offer satisfactory immediate and late results.     

A case report of successful repair for ruptured aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva (I VSD) with aortic regurgitation

A nineteen-year-old female who had history of infectious endocarditis underwent surgical repair for ruptured aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva with aortic regurgitation. Through aortotomy mild degree of prolapse of right coronary cusp and perforation of left coronary cusp sized 6 mm in diameter were recognized and the latter was thought to be the dominant lesion resulting in severe aortic regurgitation. Following direct closure of ruptured aneurysm and patch closure of ventricular septal defect, perforated left coronary cusp was repaired with autologous pericardium. Post operative course was uneventful and she is now doing well.     

A successful repair of infective endocarditis accompanied by a pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle

The present paper reports a successful surgical treatment of a 47-year-old male with a pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle. The patient has also been administered Penicilin G for 5 months to treat endocarditis. Cardiac catheterization showed severe aortic stenosis and a pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle which was dilating in systole. The patient underwent patch closure of the pseudoaneurysm whose ostium was situated at the miral-aortic inter valvular fibrosa followed by aortic valve replacement and direct closure of a right Valsalva sinus aneurysm. His postoperative course was uneventful. The patient had no recurrence of endocarditis nor malfunction of the prosthetic valve for one year postsurgery. This is the first report in Japan of successful surgical treatment of a pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle due to perforation of the miral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa after endocarditis.     

The changing unnatural history of valvular regurgitation.

In the past 15 years three major advancements have improved the lot of our patients with left-sided valvular regurgitation. First, the concept that mitral and aortic regurgitation were similar volume overloading lesions has changed. Mitral regurgitation constitutes a nearly pure volume overload wherein the excess volume is ejected against relatively low pressure into the left atrium. On the other hand, aortic regurgitation represents a combined pressure and volume overload in which the excess volume being pumped is ejected against the relatively high pressure of the aorta. These differences in loading between mitral and aortic regurgitation produce a different response to operation. Afterload reduction after correction of aortic regurgitation increases ejection performance if it was decreased preoperatively. Conversely, afterload increases after mitral valve replacement, decreasing ejection performance. These differences make the left ventricle in mitral regurgitation less tolerant of preoperative dysfunction than the left ventricle in aortic regurgitation. Second, with respect to aortic regurgitation, reproducible indexes have been developed that identify when left ventricular dysfunction is present, leading to earlier operation in an attempt to avoid permanent ventricular dysfunction. In turn, earlier operation has led to a fall in operative mortality rate and an almost universal increase in left ventricular function if it was depressed preoperatively. Third, with regard to mitral regurgitation, recognition of the importance of the mitral valve apparatus in maintaining left ventricular function has led to an increased emphasis on chordal preservation during mitral valve operations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Aortic valve replacement after retrosternal gastric tube reconstruction for esophageal cancer

A 59-year-old man with a history of the thoraco-abdominal esophagus resection with retrosternal gastric tube reconstruction for esophageal cancer complicated by anastomosis leakage and purulent pericarditis was admitted for aortic regurgitation due to infective endocarditis. Floppy vegetation and worsening cardiac failure indicated aortic valve replacement. In a median sternotomy approach, the thickest adhesion between the cervical esophagus and posterior surface of the manubrium sternae was freed using an ultrasonic osteotome. Severe adhesions in the pericardium due to purulent pericarditis were found. Median sternotomy enabled minimal exposure of the aortic root, upper right atrium, and right superior pulmonary vein for instituting extracorporeal circulation and replacing the aortic valve. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful. For cardiac surgery in patients with a retrosternal gastric tube, left anterior or right thoracotomy may be considered to avoid gastric tube injury. Median sternotomy, however, is an alternative enabling safe heart exposure, and the ultrasonic osteotome was very useful in incising the sternum without injuring the cervical esophagus, which had no serosa.     

A long-term prognosis of ventricular septal defect associated with aortic regurgitation

Fifty-one cases of ventricular septal defect associated with aortic regurgitation (VSD and AR) were examined for past twenty-two years. Only VSD closure was performed for AR cases under Sellers II regurgitation. After the average of 11.6 years' follow-up, 14 cases retained over 60 mmHg of diastolic pressure and belonged to NYHA functional class 1. VSD closure and aortic cusp suspension were performed for AR cases over Sellers II regurgitation. Three cases operated before 1969 died of cardiac failure and one case recently died of infectious endocarditis (IE). Because of residual AR, one case was performed re-aortic cusp suspension one year after the operation and another case was scheduled for re-aortic cusp suspension after three years and eight months. Eighteen cases with malfunctioned valve caused by calcification, etc. underwent the aortic valve replacement. Early death was due to low cardiac output syndrome (LOS). Five cases were followed up for eleven years on the average. Two cases were found atrial fibrillation and myocardial infarction, respectively. Four cases were VSD + AR with the past history of IE and one died of LOS after surgery. Two cases were postoperative IE. One died three months after the operation and the other is doing well after the re-surgery by translocation. A long-term finding of SV1 + RV5 by electrocardiogram showed a significant decrease in left ventricular overload. Significant decrease of cardiothoracic ratio was observed in AR group under Sellers II regurgitation. Pulse pressure was significantly decreased as well.     

Creation of an atrial septal defect for acute postperfusion right ventricular failure

Acute postperfusion right ventricular failure following mitral and aortic valve replacement in a patient with severe double-valve incompetence secondary to endocarditis is presented. The situation was reversed by creating an atrial septal defect that decompressed the right ventricle and increased left ventricular filling pressure.