Coronary Artery Fistula Associated with Mitral Valve Endocarditis

Abstract Coronary artery fistulas are rare, and the further development of mitral valvular insufficiency and endocarditis is even more uncommon. We report a case of endocarditis secondary to a congenital coronary artery fistula arising from the right coronary artery and draining into the left ventricle. Vegetations were found on the mitral valve leaflet. The fistula was successfully treated with surgery, and the endocarditis, with antibiotic therapy. Surgical repair is the optimal treatment for coronary artery fistula, even in asymptomatic patients. (J Card Surg 2012;27:714‐715)     

先天性冠状动脉瘘的诊断与治疗

摘要：目的对先天性冠状动脉瘘的诊断与治疗结果进行总结,以提高治疗效果。方法回顾性分析2006年7月至2013年1月上海交通大学医学院附属新华医院23例冠状动脉瘘患者的临床资料,其中男15例,女8例;年龄（35．4±8．7）岁。瘘口起始于左前降支7例,右冠状动脉13例,双侧冠状动脉1例,左主干1例,钝缘支1例;瘘入肺动脉16例,右心室5例,右心房2例。12例患者在非体外循环心脏不停跳下施行手术,11例在体外循环下施行手术。手术方法包括：心外带垫片缝扎、心内褥式缝扎、心内垫片修补瘘口、心内缝扎＋心外修补等。结果全组患者无手术死亡,无严重并发症发生。11例体外循环手术患者CPB时间（78．6±7．4）min,主动脉阻断时间（39．0±5．9）min。术后心功能恢复良好,自觉症状消失,无心肌缺血及残余瘘等并发症发生。术后门诊及电话随访12例,随访时间3个月至6年,所有患者心功能均恢复良好,复查超声心动图均无异常。无远期死亡,无心肌缺血及残余瘘等并发症发生。结论先天I生冠状动脉瘘一旦明确诊断均应尽早手术治疗。根据病变的病理特点、有无心内畸形决定手术方式。手术效果满意。     

女性尿瘘的治疗体会(附13例报告)

目的　探讨女性尿瘘的诊治,对巨大复杂的膀胱尿道阴道瘘的手术修补法进行探讨。方法　经阴道修补膀胱阴道瘘4例, 尿道阴道瘘3例,膀胱尿道阴道瘘2例,经腹阴道联合途径修补复杂性女性尿瘘4例,其中输尿管阴道瘘1例。结果　一次性修 复痊愈率(甲级)达84.6%、有效率(乙级)达92.3%。结论　术前仔细检查及评估手术方案是缩短手术时间、减少术中创伤的重 要环节,精细的外科手术技巧是确保手术成功的关键,经腹阴道联合手术途径修补术是治疗巨大复杂女性尿瘘的有效方法。     

Coronary Cameral Fistula: Left Anterior Descending Artery to Left Ventricle

Abstract Coronary cameral fistulas are unusual congenital or acquired anomalous communications between an epicardial coronary artery and a cardiac chamber. We present such an unusual entity here of a coronary cameral fistula between the left anterior descending artery and the left ventricle that was repaired surgically. Coronary cameral fistula is a rare but surgically curable congenital heart defect . (J Card Surg 2010;25:343‐345)     

Perilymph fistulas: the House Ear Clinic experience

The diagnosis, evaluation, and surgical treatment of perilymph fistulas has recently been the focus of a great deal of attention in otology. Authors have focused on perilymph fistulas as the cause of hearing loss and vertigo in many diverse situations. Additionally, surgical repair has been suggested when there is little objective support for intervention. To address some of the problems inherent in the diagnosis and treatment of perilymph fistulas, records of patients operated on at the House Ear Clinic during the past 12 years were reviewed retrospectively. Eighty-six patients were surgically explored for fistulas during this period. Thirty-five (40.7%) fistulas were found, and 51 ears were patched whether fistulas were found or not. Of the 80 patients who were seen for follow-up, 35 (43.8%) were subjectively better, and 45 (56.2%) were the same. Although the number of fistulas found and the number of patients improved were similar, the composition of the two groups was different. On the basis of audiometric results, improvement in hearing occurred in only 18.7% of the patients. None of the demographic factors or diagnostic tests were predictive of either the presence of a fistula or the therapeutic outcome. Further work is required to facilitate the preoperative diagnosis of fistulas and to design appropriate surgical intervention.     

Diagnosis and treatment of internal biliary fistulas

In the paper the diagnostic and therapeutic policy employed in 11 patients with internal biliary fistulas, most frequently caused by cholelithiasis, is analysed. Some aspects of the preoperative diagnosis are eluciadated, and it is concluded that patients with internal biliary fistulas are to be treated surgically: cholecystectomy, suturing of defects in the gastric and intestinal wall, the drainage of bile tracts.     

Lethal Postoperative Coronary Artery Spasm

Background. Coronary artery spasm in the immediate postoperative period after a coronary operation is recognized infrequently. Its severity is variable and manifestations unpredictable. The diagnosis is usually made by an awareness of the possibility and thereafter by exclusion of other causes of myocardial ischemia. An opportunity for a positive diagnosis is rarely available.

Methods. The case reports of 3 patients with similar presentations of ischemic heart disease and with severe manifestations of coronary artery spasm in the postoperative period are presented.

Results. All 3 patients were women aged 55 to 60 years. All had single-vessel coronary artery disease involving the left anterior descending artery and underwent a left internal mammary artery bypass graft. Severe manifestations of myocardial ischemia of abrupt onset developed approximately 7 hours postoperatively in each patient. One patient died of severe hemodynamic deterioration from which resuscitation was unsuccessful. Another sustained a large anterior myocardial infarction despite graft patency. The third patient was supported by an intraaortic balloon pump and made a full recovery.

Conclusions. The early diagnosis of coronary artery spasm is achieved by an awareness of the condition. The institution of early appropriate management may prevent its consequences.     

Coronary Revascularization in Lung Transplant Recipients With Concomitant Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is not uncommon among lung transplant candidates. Several small, single‐center series have suggested that short‐term outcomes are acceptable in selected patients who undergo coronary revascularization prior to, or concomitant with, lung transplantation. Our objective was to evaluate perioperative and intermediate‐term outcomes in this patient population at our institution. We performed a retrospective, observational cohort analysis of 898 lung transplant recipients between 1997 and 2010. Pediatric, multivisceral, lobar or repeat transplantations were excluded, resulting in 791 patients for comparative analysis, of which 49 (median age 62, 79.6% bilateral transplant) underwent concurrent coronary artery bypass and 38 (median age 64, 63.2% bilateral transplant) received preoperative percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Perioperative mortality, overall unadjusted survival and adjusted hazard ratio for cumulative risk of death were similar among both revascularization groups as well as controls. The rate of postoperative major adverse cardiac events was also similar among groups; however, concurrent coronary artery bypass was associated with longer postoperative length of stay, more time in the intensive care unit and more postoperative days requiring ventilator support. These results suggest that patients with CAD need not be excluded from lung transplantation. Preferential consideration should be given to preoperative PCI when feasible.     

The use of topical intranasal fluorescein in endoscopic endonasal repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea

BackgroundThe CSF rhinorrhea is a kind of common clinical disease. The preoperative diagnosis and intraoperative localization of CSF fistulas are critical to treatment of CSF rhinorrhea. At present, intrathecal fluorescein regarding endoscopic transnasal cerebrospinal leakage repair is a common method for localization of the fistula; however, it has some disadvantages because it needs a specific endoscope, and the trauma from lumbar puncture as well as the potential complications of intrathecal fluorescein, as a result, widely limited its clinical use. Topical intranasal fluorescein can avoid the above-mentioned shortcoming. The aim of this work was to describe the use of topical fluorescein in the intraoperative localization of CSF fistulas and to screen its use in preoperative diagnosis of CSF rhinorrhea.MethodsFifteen patients with CSF rhinorrhea were treated with an endoscopic endonasal technique. Topical intranasal 5% fluorescein for preoperative diagnosis and intraoperative localization of the site of the leak was placed in middle turbinate meatus, the roof of the ethmoid plate, and sphenoethmoidal recesses. A change in the color of the fluorescein from brown to green fluorescence denoted the presence of CSF, and the site of the leak could be traced. The accuracy rate of diagnosis and leak site identification was made by comparison with glucose analysis, intraoperative findings, and follow-up.ResultsThe cause of the leak was accidental trauma in 5 patients and spontaneous in 10 patients. The preoperative use of fluorescein-soaked cotton was 100% accurate in diagnosing CSF rhinorrhea. The intraoperative use of topical intranasal fluorescein was also 100% accurate in locating the site of the CSF fistula when compared with the surgical findings. It had achieved 100% success rate in sealing the CSF fistulas in our 15 patients with no recurrence detected during the follow-up period (mean, 2-24 months). No complications have been reported.ConclusionIn the presence of a clinically diagnosed CSF leakage and location of the leakage fistula, topical fluorescein is a very easy, sensitive, safe, and highly accurate tool in the intraoperative localization of the site and extent of CSF fistulas. It should be considered as a viable noninvasive alternative to intrathecal fluorescein.     

肛瘘MRI术前诊断价值与术中结果对照分析

【摘要】〓目的〓探讨术前磁共振(MRI)检查对肛瘘的定位、分型的临床指导意义。方法〓50例肛瘘患者行MRI检查,根据MRI所见,定位瘘道位置,依据窦道与肛门内外括约肌关系进行分型,并与术中所见结果相对照。结果〓手术证实50例患者中,30例为单纯性肛瘘,20例为复杂性肛瘘。括约肌间型20例,经括约肌型12例,括约肌上型6例,括约肌外型3例,表浅型9例。原发性瘘管72个,内口78个,外口77个,肛周脓肿17个。MRI诊断原发瘘管、内口、肛周脓肿的灵敏度分别为93.1%、96.2%、100%,特异度分别为91.5%、97.5%、91.3%。结论〓MRI可准确地判断肛瘘的分型、瘘管数量、走行、支管、内口的位置及有无肛周脓肿形成,为临床手术治疗提供重要指导信息。     

Coronary Artery Bypass Following Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

During a 4-year period, 286 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Seventy-three patients had single-vessel and 213 (74.5%) had multivessel coronary artery disease. Twenty-nine patients underwent PTCA because of an evolving acute myocardial infarction (MI). Forty-two patients had previously undergone 47 CABG procedures.One hundred fifteen patients underwent CABG on an emergency basis. Indications for emergency CABG after PTCA were prolonged chest pain (79.1%), worsening of coronary artery obstruction (59.1%), “current of injury” by electrocardiogram (31.3%), cardiogenic shock (27.8%), and, in a lesser incidence, ventricular fibrillation, coronary artery dissection (without obstruction), heart block, and intractable cardiac arrest. The 286 patients underwent 2.1 CABG procedures per patient with a thirty-day mortality of 6.3% (18 patients). The incidence of acute MI was 43.5 versus 4.1%; low cardiac output syndrome, 34.8 versus 7.0%; and operative death, 11.3 versus 2.9% in the emergency and nonemergency groups, respectively. Other significant predictors of operative death were previous CABG (16.7 versus 4.5%), multivessel coronary artery disease (8.0 versus 1.4%), and preoperative cardiogenic shock (15.6 versus 3.2%). Late follow-up reveals a mortality of 1.4% per year in those patients who were early survivors of CABG.     

Upper Extremity Hemodynamic Changes after Radial Artery Harvest for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

t -test. There were no significant changes between preoperative and postoperative pressures in the brachial, radial, and ulnar arteries, and thumb, index, long, ring, or little fingers. Pressure changes in the thumb and index finger approached but did not achieve a statistical difference. Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistive index (RI) in the distal ulnar artery changed significantly between preoperative and postoperative measurements. PSV changed from 0.50 ± 0.05 m/sec to 0.67 ± 0.04 m/sec (p= 0.02); EDV changed from 0.03 ± 0.03 m/sec to −0.10 ± 0.05 m/sec (p= 0.05); and RI changed from 0.97 ± 0.05 to 1.13 ± 0.05 (p= 0.02). Palmar arch evaluations revealed significant changes at rest and with ulnar compression between preoperative and postoperative measurements: (1) at rest EDV changed from 0.03 ± 0.02 m/sec to −0.05 ± 0.02 m/sec (p < 0.01); (2) at rest RI changed from 0.96 ± 0.05 to 1.12 ± 0.05 (p= 0.01); (3) with ulnar compression the PSV changed from 0.23 ± 0.05 m/sec to 0.005 ± 0.01 m/sec (p < 0.01); and (4) with ulnar compression the RI changed from 0.82 ± 0.11 to 0.27 ± 0.12 (p < 0.01). Eight patients had a variety of complaints at the follow-up visit, the majority being numbness and tingling. No patients reported symptoms of claudication or rest pain at the follow-up visit. The data suggest that while statistically significant changes in velocity and arterial resistance do occur, patients seem to tolerate radial artery harvesting without clinical consequences. The ideal method of preoperative evaluation remains to be determined.     

Coronary Artery Fistula as a Bypass of a Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Stenosis

We present a case of coronary artery fistula originating from the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery anterior to a critical atheromatous stenosis, draining into the main trunk of the pulmonary artery and with a third branch draining into the coronary vessel itself, distal to the lesion. The diagnosis was made when we were performing a diagnostic coronary arteriography on a patient with unstable angina. The possible association of the fistula and coronary atherosclerosis is discussed.     

Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery from the Right Pulmonary Artery

Abstract   Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery (LCA) from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital anomaly, one which requires a high index of suspicion in order to be diagnosed promptly and managed accurately. ALCAPA from the right branch pulmonary artery (RPA) is a small subset of ALCAPA in general, with only a few reported cases in the world literature. We report two cases of ALCAPA from the RPA: the first case, an infant, presented in severe cardiac failure requiring preoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for stabilization; and the second, a neonate, presented with severe aortic coarctation (CoA). Both patients underwent successful complete surgical repair using a modified surgical technique, and are doing well in midterm follow-up. We describe our operative technique and review the literature of this rare congenital anomaly.     

Arteriovenous fistula simulating arteriovenous malformation

A 36-year-old man was thought (for 20 years) to have an arteriovenous malformation that could not be excised. Repeated ligations of proximal arterial supply to the vascular lesion were only transiently beneficial and may have caused a delay in correct diagnosis because of impaired angioaccess. Once it was discovered that he had an arteriovenous fistula--probably caused by a tonsillectomy at age 6--it was possible to occlude the fistula with detachable balloons. The mass and his headaches subsequently resolved. AV fistulas are caused by trauma. Growth of AVMs is often stimulated by trauma. Both lesions have pulsatile masses associated with overlying bruits. The differential diagnosis can usually be made by arteriography, since AV fistulas are acquired lesions with a single communication between an artery and a vein, whereas AVMs are congenital lesions with multiple, large arterial feeding vessels and numerous arteriovenous communications. Proper diagnosis is important, since AVMs are aggressive lesions that tend to regrow if not completely excised. AV fistulas will be cured if the single arteriovenous communication can be obliterated. Proper treatment for AV fistula is obliteration of the single arteriovenous communication, operatively or with occlusive balloons; treatment of AVMs--when possible--is excision of the entire mass, combined (on occasion) with preoperative embolization of the tumor mass. This case report emphasizes the importance of accuracy in the differential diagnosis between arteriovenous malformations and arteriovenous fistulas; moreover, it demonstrates both the ineffectiveness and deleterious consequences of proximal arterial ligation, since collateral development is enhanced and angiographic access is compromised.     

Aortoenteric fistulas.

During an 11-year period ending in December 1991, 36 patients with aortoenteric fistulas were assessed and treated. Twenty-five patients (69%) had previously undergone aortic reconstruction with Dacron grafts, and 11 (31%) had spontaneous aortoenteric fistulas. Of the 25 patients with secondary fistulas, 14 (56%) had undergone aortic aneurysmal rupture or multiple aortic vascular reconstructions. Preoperative diagnosis was established in only 13 (36%) of 36 patients. Remote bypass preceding removal of the infected arterial prosthesis had the least morbidity and mortality. Three primary fistulas were found in unusual locations: aortocolonic, aortobronchial, and aortoesophageal. The patient with the aortoesophageal fistulas was the fifth survivor described in the literature. The overall mortality was 56%. A positive preoperative blood culture predicted a poor outcome. There were four amputations, there due to infection of the extra-anatomical bypass. Prompt directed assessment to ensure appropriately staged operative intervention should improve survival.     

Abdominal actinomycosis and retroperitoneal fibrosis. Considerations on a clinical case

Abdominal actinomycosis is a rare disease which often resembles an acute suppurative infection or/and abdominal tumour causing abscesses, fistulas and massive fibrosis. The preoperative diagnosis is difficult and surgical exploration is always needed because of major involvement of visceral and retroperitoneal structures. The disease can be diagnosed with certainty only on the basis of findings of bacterial colonies in histopathologic sections and typical sulphur grains in secretions from fistulas. The authors describe a case of abdominal actinomycosis involving the caecum and right colon, causing extensive retroperitoneal fibrosis and a fistula tract with an external cutaneous orifice at the level of the right iliac crest. These features resembled an acute appendicitis at first, and several surgical explorations were required before a correct diagnosis could be achieved. Abdominal actinomycosis can be treated by simple administration of antibiotics. With a correct diagnosis, medical therapy alone has proved effective in a substantial percentage of patients, thus avoiding the need for surgery, if important visceral or retroperitoneal structures are not involved. Abdominal actinomycosis always requires a careful differential diagnosis and must be considered in patients presenting abdominal tumours associated with abscesses and/or fistulas since early and efficient medical therapy, along with surgical intervention, where necessary, can lead to definitive recovery. Useful diagnostic tools are abdominal CT and selective FNAB.     

Anti — Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies are associated with the development of postoperative fistulas following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis

Although serologic testing for perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA) and anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) is reportedly useful in distinguishing ulcerative colitis (UC) from Crohn’s disease (CD), there are few and conflicting reports assessing their utility in predicting post-operative complications after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). We examined the associations between postoperative complications such as pouchitis or fistulas and pANCA and ASCA antibodies in a group of patients who underwent IPAA for UC. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 34 patients initially diagnosed with UC (four of these patients had a diagnosis of indeterminate colitis) who underwent IPAA by a single surgeon, and who had pANCA and ASCA antibody levels measured during their clinical course. Study patients were assigned to four groups based on the pattern of antibody reactivity: pANCA+/ASCA- (16 patients), pANCA-/ASCA+ (nine patients), pANCA+/ASCA+ (five patients), and pANCA-/ASCA- (four patients). The median length of follow-up was 16 months (3–144 months). None of the patients (0 of 16) who were pANCA+/ASCA- had their preoperative diagnosis of UC changed after a median follow-up of 14 months (3–118 months). Of the nine patients with a preoperative diagnosis of UC who were pANCA-/ASCA+, four patients (44%) had their diagnosis changed postoperatively to CD based on clinical findings, with a median follow-up: 15 months (5–98 months). Of 16 patients who underwent IPAA and who were pANCA+/ASCA-, 15 of 16 (93.75%), were free of fistulas postoperatively, with a median follow-up of 14 months (3–118 months). Of nine patients with a preoperative diagnosis of UC who underwent IPAA and who were pANCA-/ASCA+, four of nine (44%; p=0.04) developed fistulas postoperatively, with a median length of follow-up of 55 months (15–67 months). No relationship between serologic profiles or antibody titer levels and the development of pouchitis was identified. In a cohort of patients undergoing IPAA for UC, serologic profiles may be useful in identifying patients at risk of postoperative fistula formation. Patients who were pANCA-/ASCA+ were at increased risk for the development of fistulas postoperatively compared to patients who were pANCA+/ASCA-, and were also more likely to have their diagnosis changed postoperatively to CD. A larger study is needed to validate these observations. Presented in part at DDW 2004, New Orleans, Louisiana.     

Long-Term Follow-Up After Two Coronary Repair of Anomalous Left Coronary Artery From the Pulmonary Artery

A bstract A retrospective analysis of ten patients with anomalous left coronary artery arising from the pulmonary artery operated between 1979 and 1990 was undertaken. All presented with evidence of left ventricular dysfunction and "ischemic" mitral regurgitation. Surgical repair consisted of an aortopulmonary tunnel (Takeuchi) procedure in eight and direct left coronary artery reimplantation in two. Two patients required postoperative support with a left ventricular assist device. There were no operative or late deaths (CL 0% to 17%) for a follow-up of over 670 patient months. All patients are in New York Heart Association Class I or II, though two patients are still receiving anticongestive medications. One patient has required further surgery for pulmonary artery stenosis, and another has had a mitral valve replacement because of severe mitral regurgitation. One additional patient has moderate-to-severe residual mitral regurgitation and two have a trivial left coronary to main pulmonary artery fistula. All have a patent, nonstenotic left coronary artery and much improved left ventricular function and perfusion as assessed by echocardiography, thallium scan, gated blood pool scan, and angiography. There have been no documented arrhythmias, clinically or on Hotter monitoring. The ECGs have shown resolution or improvement of the initial changes of ischemia/infarction in all patients. Chest X-rays have shown normalization of cardiothoracic ratio in eight of ten patients. Excellent early and late results can be achieved following timely surgical repair. Marked improvement in left ventricular function has been observed in patients with poor preoperative left ventricular function, even in the presence of extensive ischemia/infarction.     

Mortality Risk Factors in Chronic Renal Failure Patients after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Perioperative risk during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is high in patients with chronic renal disease. We aimed to determine postoperative two-year mortality and identify the preoperative risk factors of mortality during CABG surgery in hemodialysis (HD)-dependent and HD-non-dependent CRF patients. We included 102 CRF patients who underwent CABG in Baskent University Hospital between 2000 and 2005. There were 47 patients with CRF undergoing HD (Group I) and 55 CRF patients without dialysis requirement (Group II). We retrospectively retrieved demographic variables; clinical, operative, and echocardiographic data; and biochemical parameters at the time of the operation and six months postoperation. Postoperative HD requirement in Group II patients and infectious complications were recorded. In the second postoperative year, mortality rate was 27.7% in group I and 16.4% in group II (p > .05). When preoperative risk factors evaluated by univariate Cox analysis, only age (RR = 1.06, p = .04) was a significant determinant of survival in Group I patients. Among the operative and postoperative risk factors of mortality such as duration of operation, numbers of coronary vessel bypass, HD requirement, and infection were investigated in Group I and II patients. Rate of infectious complication (including mediastinitis) was found to be a major determinant of mortality by multivariate Cox analyses in both group I (RR = 4.42, p ≤ .05) and group II (RR = 9.39, p ≤ .05). HD dependency did not increase mortality if the patients are younger and were electively prepared for CABG surgery. High infection rates have increased the postoperative mortality and hospitalization in CRF patients. Early diagnosis of infections in CRF patients is important for early recovery, shorter hospitalization, and lower mortality after CABG operation