Permanent Pacing in Ebstein's Anomaly

Patients with Ebstein's anomaly present unique challenges to permanent pacing due to anatomical variations and tricuspid valve replacement. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with permanent pacing in patients with Ebstein's anomaly between 1976 and 1993. We identified 401 patients with Ebstein's anomaly, of whom 15 (3.7%) required permanent pacing (1 of the 15 was implanted elsewhere). Of the 15, there were 8 females and 7 males (mean age 32 years [range 7-74]); the indications for pacing were AV block in 11 and sinus node dysfunction in 4. Eight patients were programmed with WI and seven with DDD. All VVI patients were paced epicardially. Two patients with DDD pacemakers had transvenous atrial and ventricular leads, 4 DDD patients had transvenous atrial leads and epicardial ventricular leads, and 1 patient had both epicardial and transvenous systems. Associated surgical procedures included tricuspid valve replacement in 14 of 15, atrial septal defect repair in 10 of 15, atrioplasty in 7 of 15, prior tricuspid annuloplasty in 4 of 15, pulmonary vein dilation in 1 of 15, and conduction system ablation in 2 of 15. Patients had a mean follow-up of 35 months (range 1-168 months). Complications requiring operative intervention occurred in four patients. One patient had displacement of a transvenous ventricular lead. A second patient had an epicardial lead failure. A third patient had a nonfunctioning atrial lead that displaced across the tricuspid valve, causing severe tricuspid regurgitation. The fourth patient had multiple epicardial and endocardial leads exit block with secondary diaphragmatic stimulation. Permanent pacemakers were required in 3.7% of patients with Ebstein's anomaly, with the indication being intrinsic conduction disease in the majority of patients. Ninety-three percent of patients required tricuspid valve replacement, suggesting more severe manifestation of Ebstein's anomaly. Twenty-seven percent had complications requiring surgical intervention. Thus, permanent pacing in patients with Ebstein's anomaly can be challenging and should be approached by an experienced physician. (PACE 1997;20[Pt. I]:1243-1246)     

Right heart chamber geometry and tricuspid annulus morphology in patients undergoing mitral valve repair with and without tricuspid valve annuloplasty

According to current recommendations, patients could benefit from tricuspid valve (TV) annuloplasty at the time mitral valve (MV) surgery if tricuspid regurgitation is severe or if tricuspid annulus (TA) dilatation is present. Therefore, an accurate pre-operative echocardiographic study is mandatory for left but also for right cardiac structures. Aims of this study are to assess right atrial (RA), right ventricular (RV) and TA geometry and function in patients undergoing MV repair without or with TV annuloplasty. We studied 103 patients undergoing MV surgery without (G1: 54 cases) or with (G2: 49 cases) concomitant TV annuloplasty and 40 healthy subjects (NL) as controls. RA, RV and TA were evaluated by three-dimensional (3D) transthoracic echocardiography. Comparing the pathological to the NL group, TA parameters and 3D right chamber volumes were significantly larger. RA and RV ejection fraction and TA% reduction were lower in pathological versus NL, and in G2 versus G1. In pathological patients, TA area positively correlated to systolic pulmonary pressure and negatively with RV and RA ejection fraction. Patients undergoing MV surgery and TV annuloplasty had an increased TA dimensions and a more advanced remodeling of right heart chambers probably reflecting an advanced stage of the disease.     

Massive tricuspid regurgitation due to pacemaker-lead puncture of the tricuspid valve: successful diagnosis by 3-dimensional echocardiography

An 83-year-old woman presented to our echocardiographic center with symptoms of right heart failure. A dual-chamber DDDR pacemaker had been implanted 9 years earlier. Two-dimensional echocardiography revealed right atrial and ventricular enlargement and massive tricuspid regurgitation with immobilization of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve. Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography showed that the pacemaker lead had punctured the leaflet. These echocardiographic findings were confirmed during surgery. The pacemaker lead was transected and removed, and pericardial patch closure of the leaflet hole and tricuspid annuloplasty were performed. The mechanism of regurgitation was elucidated by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography, and surgical repair was straightforward.     

Permanent pacemaker lead entrapment: role of the transesophageal echocardiography

Numerous complications induced by pacemaker electrodes have been reported. Although mild tricuspid regurgitation is a well-documented complication of transvenous right ventricular pacemaker leads secondary to abnormal valve coaptation, severe tricuspid regurgitation resultingfrom perforation of the tricuspid valve itself is a rare complication. This case report details a patient with severe tricuspid regurgitation secondary to impingement of the tricuspid valve by a permanent pacing lead that was diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography. Surgical repair was advocated because of symptomatic significant tricuspid regurgitation.     

风湿性心脏病二尖瓣置换术后三尖瓣返流的再手术治疗

目的分析风湿性心脏病二尖瓣置换术后再发三尖瓣返流（TR）患者的临床特点、外科手术方法和疗效,总结围手术期处理经验。方法2000年1月至2011年12月,17例风湿性心脏病二尖瓣置换术后再发三尖瓣返流的患者在我院接受单纯再次三尖瓣手术,行三尖瓣成形术10例,包括单纯DeVega成形术1例、瓣叶成形＋人工瓣环成形9例;行三尖瓣置换术7例,其中置换生物瓣4例,双叶机械瓣3例,回顾性分析其临床表现、诊治经过和预后情况。结果术后早期死亡1例（5．88％,1／17）,死于术后左心功能衰竭。术后发生低心排血量综合征3例,肾功能不全2例,呼吸功能不全2例,均成功救治。随访14例,随访时间3～9年,心功能I级2例,Ⅱ级8例,Ⅲ级4例。失访2例。结论对风湿性心脏病二尖瓣置换术后三尖瓣返流患者再手术治疗效果较好,合理掌握手术指征、手术时机和良好的围手术期处理是提高手术成功率的关键。     

Pacemaker Induced Mitral Regurgitation: An Alternative Form of Pacemaker Syndrome

A patient in atrial fibrillation was referred for mitral valve replacement due to severe mitral regurgitation. A cardiac pacemaker had previously been implanted. Cardiac catheterization demonstrated large V waves in the wedge pressure tracing during ventricular pacing, which were not present during native conduction. A left ventriculogram demonstrated severe mitral regurgitation during ventricular pacing, but not during native conduction. This patient, in atrial fibrillation, had severe mitral regurgitation induced by ventricular pacing and not by native conduction. Pacemaker syndrome may be caused by mitral regurgitation that is probably not secondary to AV dissociation, but rather the result of dyssyn-chronous ventricular contraction.     

自体心包重建隔瓣在三尖瓣下移瓣膜成形术中的应用

目的 报告在三尖瓣下移瓣膜成形术中应用自体心包重建隔瓣的方法和疗效。方法 对15例超声心动图示三尖瓣中～重反流合并隔瓣发育不良的三尖瓣下移畸形的患者，应用自体心包重建发育不良的瓣叶，同时环缩扩大的瓣环及折叠房化心室，并修补合并的房间隔缺损或卵圆孔未闭。结果 15例患者无手术死亡，出院前超声检查显示三尖瓣无或少量反流。随访2个月至50个月，复查超声显示无反流9例，少量反流5例，中－重度反流1例, 心功能I级6例，心功能II级8例，心功能III级1例。结论 在三尖瓣下移瓣膜成形术中应用自体心包重建隔瓣可以获得满意的早期和中期疗效。     

Lead Dislodgment of a Permanent Pacemaker Due to Removal of a Temporary Pacing Electrode

A 63-year-old male received a transvenous temporary pacemaker for bradyarrhythmia following mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valve annuloplasty. A transvenous permanent pacemaker was implanted the following day due to persistence of the bradyarrythmia and pacemaker dependency of the patient. Later the same day during removal of the temporary pacing electrode the permanent pacing lead was dislodged and had to be operatively repositioned. To avoid this complication, the position of pacemaker leads should be checked postoperatively with a frontal and lateral chest radiograph, and fluoroscopy should be used during removal of a temporary lead.     

Right atrial spontaneous contrast: echocardiographic and clinical features

We describe the clinical and echocardiographic findings in eight patients with right atrial spontaneous echo contrast who were identified from 648 consecutive patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography. Common findings in these patients were right atrial enlargement (8 patients), tricuspid regurgitation (7 patients), atrial fibrillation or flutter (6 patients), elevated right ventricular pressure (5 patients), moderate or severe mitral valve disease (5 patients), and right to left interatrial shunts (3 patients). Right heart catheterization in three patients showed markedly elevated right atrial, right ventricular, and pulmonary artery pressures. Two patients had thromboembolic events — one patient had recurrent pulmonary emboli, and another patient with an atrial septal aneurysm had recurrent transient ischemic attacks. Right atrial echo contrast is an uncommon finding at echocardiography that is associated with severe right heart dysfunction. It may also be associated with paradoxical or pulmonary embolism.     

Left atrial dissection: pathogenesis, clinical course, and transesophageal echocardiographic recognition.

Left atrial dissection is an uncommon entity. It is generally associated with mitral valve replacement, but other predisposing factors should be considered in pathogenesis. We discuss a series of 11 patients with pathologically confirmed left atrial dissection who had been diagnosed previously by transesophageal echocardiography. Predisposing factors and surgical or pathologic findings were reviewed to identify the pathogenic mechanism and to explain the clinical course, hemodynamic disorder, and echocardiographic features. Dissection of the coronary sinus secondary to retrograde cardioplegia, endocarditis, cardiac rupture after myocardial infarction, and blunt chest trauma also could be related to its development. Transesophageal echocardiography identified a mobile intimal flap of the atrial wall that was creating a false chamber and allowed accurate diagnosis of prosthetic mitral valve function, endocarditis complications, and a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm after acute myocardial infarction. Color flow Doppler was particularly useful in identifying complications: communication between the false chamber and true left atria, permitting mitral regurgitation through the periannular route; development of atrial shunts; and severe tricuspid regurgitation caused by disruption of the anterior papillary muscle.     

Transesophageal echocardiographic evaluation of tricuspid valve regurgitation during pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator lead extraction

Chronically implanted ventricular pacing and defibrillator (ICD) leads can adhere to the tricuspid valve. This study examined the effect of lead extraction, and laser sheath extraction in particular, on tricuspid valve regurgitation. Lead extraction was first tried with traction using limited force followed by a laser sheath if not successful. Tricuspid valve regurgitation before and after extraction was evaluated with transesophageal echocardiography and graded from 0 (none) to 4 (severe). A change in regurgitation was considered clinically relevant if it increased with two grades or more and resulted in at least grade 3 regurgitation. Fifty ventricular leads were extracted in 43 consecutive patients, including 14 ICD leads. In 20 patients (group I) leads were removed without a (laser) sheath crossing the tricuspid valve, in 23 patients (group II) leads were extracted with lasing across the valve. The mean time from implant was 43 +/- 43 months and 99 +/- 78 months, respectively, (P = 0.007). Tricuspid regurgitation increased in five (12%) patients. In group I only in one patient the laser failed proximal of the valve and forceful traction was subsequently used, and in group II this occurred in four (17%) patients. This difference did not reach statistical significance even excluding the patient from group I (P = 0.111). The increase of tricuspid regurgitation cautions against indiscriminate extraction of superfluous leads. There is a trend that when tools like a laser sheath are necessary the chance of tricuspid valve damage increases.     

Surgery for functional tricuspid regurgitation: current techniques,outcomes and emerging concepts

Functional tricuspid regurgitation is the most frequent cause of tricuspid insufficiency and is often secondary to left-sided valve diseases. The correction of left-sided valve diseases without concomitant repair of functional tricuspid regurgitation is associated with significant late morbidity and mortality. This occurs on account of progressive right ventricular dysfunction and increasing need for reoperation. Recent years have seen a surge in surgery for functional tricuspid regurgitation. Several techniques are available to correct functional tricuspid regurgitation. These include the stitch annuloplasty, such as semicircular (classical De Vega repair) or simple lateral annuloplasty (Kay), novel techniques such as edge-to-edge or clover technique and suture bicuspidization technique, use of flexible and rigid prosthetic rings or 3D rings, flexible prosthetic bands, and use of artificial chordae with polytetrafluoroethylene sutures for anterior and septal ticuspid leaflet pathology. Whereas the short-term outcomes of these techniques are satisfactory, the majority are limited in the mid- and long term by unacceptably high rates of residual and/or recurrent regurgitation. A better understanding of the mechanisms of functional tricuspid regurgitation will help explain the failure of current techniques and be a help to modify existing surgical techniques or develop new techniques.     

超声心动图评价功能性三尖瓣反流术后中期疗效及影响因素

目的应用二维超声心动图评价三尖瓣成形术(TVP)的中期结果 ,比较不同成形方法的疗效,并分析影响术后残余反流(PRTR)的危险因素。方法 2005年8月—2007年2月复旦大学附属中山医院心脏外科行TVP治疗功能性三尖瓣反流(FTR)患者222例,其中男性89例(40.1%)、女性133例(59.9%),平均年龄(50.0±12.0)岁(16～77岁)。根据成形方法分为两组:不使用人工环成形环组136例(61.3%)和使用人工环成形环组86例(38.7%)。术后随访超声心动图和心功能变化,总结TVP的中期疗效,比较两组三尖瓣反流(TR)程度的变化,并分析PRTR的影响因素。结果围手术期死亡2例(0.9%),两组差异无统计学意义(P=0.5 8 8)。术后平均(24.4±10.9)个月(15 d～42月)随访超声心动图和临床结果 ,失访20例(9.0%)。术前平均TR级别(2.5±1.1)+,术后平均TR级别(0.7±0.8)+(P<0.01);术前平均纽约心脏病协会(NYHA)分级为(3.1±0.5)级,术后平均NYHA分级为(1.4±0.5)级(P<0.01)。PRTR 27例(13.5%)。无三尖瓣再次手术者,生存率97.5%。成形环组术前TR程度高于非成形环组(P<0.01),术后TR程度两组差异无统计学意义(P=0.269);术前TR为3+～4+时,术后成形环组TR程度低于非成形环组(P=0.044)。成形环组TR改善程度显著高于非成形环组(P=0.021);术前存在房颤心律(P=0.001)、LA>60 mm(P=0.011)、肺动脉收缩压(sPAP)>65 mmHg(P=0.036)、TR程度3+～4+(P=0.047)时,成形环组TR改善程度显著高于非成形环组。多因素分析PRTR独立危险因素,有风湿性病变(P=0.02 6,OR=9.9)、术后右房(RA)大小(P=0.003,OR=2.9)、术后LVEF较术前减小(P=0.025,OR=4.4)、术后sPAP>50 mmHg(P=0.02 9,OR=4.2)及术后sPAP较术前增加(P=0.020,OR=4.9)。结论 TVP是治疗FTR的有效方法。术前TR为3+～4+,术前存在房颤心律、巨大LA、肺动脉高压时,成形环的效果优于非成形环,可作为使用成形环TVP适应证的参考。风湿性病变、术后RA大、术后LVEF较术前减小、术后肺动脉高压或术后sPAP较术前增加是PRTR的独立危险因素。     

二尖瓣成形术治疗先天性心脏病合并二尖瓣关闭不全

目的总结二尖瓣成形术在合并二尖瓣关闭不全的先天性心脏病中的应用经验,并探讨影响疗效的相关因素。方法对本院收治的合并有二尖瓣关闭不全的先天性心脏病患者147例,分别采用瓣膜裂隙修补、交界环缩、瓣环环缩、人工环成形、人工腱索、腱索延长等方法行成形术,39例(26.5%)同时运用2种以上成形技术。结果术后早期死亡6例(4.1%),术后7个月死亡1例。死亡与手术年龄(≤12岁)、体外循环时间(≥120 min)、主动脉阻断时间(≥80 min)及合并心脏畸形有关。随访结果为2例因二尖瓣反流再发,分别于术后半年和1年行二尖瓣置换术。其余病例术后心功能有不同程度改善,超声心动图检查术后瞬时反流量显著低于术前。结论二尖瓣成形术治疗先天性心脏病合并的二尖瓣关闭不全早、中期疗效满意。     

Ventricular pacing in the presence of tricuspid valve disease

Pacemaker implantation following tricuspid valve surgery remains challenging, but recent developments in lead technology have significantly improved the options for ventricular pacing. In the presence of significant tricuspid regurgitation, steroid-eluting active-fixation leads should be used routinely, and in patients with a tricuspid prosthesis, the use of a dedicated cardiac venous pacing system is likely to be the best option.     

Echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular function in pure mitral stenosis

Echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular function was performed in 22 cases of pure rheumatic mitral stenosis and 22 age matched normal persons. Cases with any evidence of rheumatic activity in the preceding six months, those with gross tricuspid regurgitation and paradoxical movement of the interventricular septum and cases with atrial fibrillation were excluded. None of the patients showed systolic left ventricular dysfunction. Left ventricular end diastolic dimension was also not affected. Echocardiographic parameters did not have any relation for mitral valve area. Our observations show that mitral stenosis per se does not affect left ventricular function.     

Long-Term Outcome of Patients with Multiple (≥ 3) Noninfected Transvenous Leads: A Clinical and Echocardiographic Study

To prospectively assess the incidence and clinical significance of thromboembolic complications in patients with multiple (≥ 3) noninfected transvenous leads; 48 consecutive patients were evaluated. Half of the patients had two ventricular leads and one atrial lead, 15 patients had two atrial leads and one ventricular lead, while 9 patients had two ventricular and two atrial leads. No additional care was provided except for aspirin (80 mg bid) and annually performed echo-Doppler studies. Clinical follow-up included signs and symptoms of subclavian and/or axillary vein thrombosis, the presence of right congestive heart failure, the number of hospital admissions, and death. Echo-Doppler studies assessed the presence of an enlarged right atrium or ventricle, right atrial or ventricular spontaneous contrast, and the presence of tricuspid regurgitation. During a total follow-up of 7.4 ± 2.2 years there were no differences in the incidence of clinical variables as compared to age-matched controls with DDD pacemakers. The most common complication was transient venous thrombosis (mostly presenting as venous prominence 1–2 weeks after implantation), which was seen in 17% of the study group versus 15% in controls (NS). Cumulative mortality was not different in both groups (13% in the study group vs 15% in controls). No differences were present with respect to hospital admissions (1.1 ± 0.27/year in the study group vs 1.2 ± 0.30/yearin the controls). In patients with multiple ventricular leads, tricuspid regurgitation on echo-Doppler studies was more frequent (24%) as compared to controls (4%); however, clinical signs of right heart failure were equally distributed. Thus, patients with multiple (≥ 3) noninfected leads have no clinical adverse outcome during long-term follow-up.     

Heart Valve Involvement in Fabry Cardiomyopathy

Fabry disease is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder leading to an accumulation of glycosphingolipids in all tissues and organs including the heart. Among the pathologies of myocardial involvement, reviews and registry data list affection of heart valves and its hemodynamic significance as predominant alterations during progression of the disease. We thought to approach this uncertainty with a systematic observational study. In a single center study, 111 patients with genetically proven Fabry disease were systematically investigated by echocardiography for abnormalities of the valves in the left (aortic and mitral valve) and right heart (pulmonary and tricuspid valve). In addition, 60 patients were followed by echocardiography for 2.7 ± 1.5 y (range 1 to 6). Both valve stenosis and regurgitation were classified as mild, moderate or severe. Overall, no patient had severe heart valve abnormalities. The most frequent findings were mild aortic (n = 17), mitral (n = 57) and tricuspid (n = 38) valve regurgitation. Only two patients showed mild aortic valve stenosis. Moderate aortic (n = 1), mitral (n = 2) or tricuspid (n = 1) regurgitation were rarely detected. All Fabry patients in advanced stages (n = 9) had only mild mitral regurgitation and one of them had mild aortic and mitral regurgitation, moderate tricuspid regurgitation and mild aortic stenosis. Thirty patients had completely normal valve function. There was no significant change toward hemodynamic relevant heart valve abnormalities during follow-up. Mild left ventricular valve regurgitations are frequent in Fabry disease. However, these valve abnormalities are not the major limitations for the Fabry heart. (E-mail: weidemann_f@medizin.uni-wuerzburg.de)     

置入成形环的三尖瓣成形术中远期效果观察

目的 观察总结置入人工成形环的三尖瓣成形方法的临床中、远期效果.方法 2001年9月至2008年9月我院收治合并左心系统瓣膜病变的功能性三尖瓣关闭不全(TR)277例,行左心瓣膜手术时同期行三尖瓣成形术:其中采用单纯缝线瓣环(不上环)成形、不置入成形环的共203例,置入人工成形环的共74例;同期所行左心瓣膜手术包括二尖瓣置换(MVR)146例、二尖瓣成形(MVP)31例、MVR+主动脉瓣置换(AVR)81例,冠状动脉旁路移植(CABG)+MVR 8例、CABG+MVP 11例.观察比较术后1.5年及3.5年2组患者的临床及心脏超声随访资料.结果 所有病例都完成1.5年随访;共有245例(89.9%)完成长期随访(3.5年或以上).术后1.5年随访发现中度以下再发性TR 2组差异无统计学意义(χ2=1.3128,P=0.26),中重度者上环组明显低于非上环组(χ2=5.8159,P=0.023).远期随访发现上环组无TR比率明显高于非上环组[上环组25%(16/64),非上环组15%(27/181,χ2=4.9328,P=0.036],发展为中度以上TR的比率非上环组显著地高于上环组[非上环组34%(62/181),上环组10%(6/64),χ2=7.9120,P=0.005].组内两个时间段相比,非上环组TR进展明显增快[随访1.5年18%(36/197),3.5年34%(62/181),χ2=2.1327,P=0.016],而上环组相对稳定[随访1.5年7%(5/64),3.5年10%(6/60),χ2=0.3964,P=0.62].结论 置入成形环的三尖瓣成形术的临床中、远期效果明显好于单纯缝线成形术.对于功能性TR的处理应持更加积极的态度,而且应尽量采用人工瓣环置入的方法进行三尖瓣缩环成形.     

Partial Rupture of the Tricuspid Valve after Extraction of Permanent Pacemaker Leads: Detection by Transesophageal Echocardiography

Traumatic lesions of the tricuspid valve complicating pacemaker lead extractions appear to be rare. We report two cases of partial rupture of the tricuspid valve, following apparently uneventful extraction of permanent ventricular leads, resulting in severe regurgitation and. in one case, chronic heart failure. TEE was useful to identify the traumatic mechanism of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and the extent of valvular lesions in these patients. Such etiology should be suspected, and TEE performed, in patients developing TR or heart failure late after lead extraction.