Continuing experience with liver resection and vena cava reconstruction using cardiopulmonary bypass and hypothermic circulatory arrest

When the suprahepatic vena cava or the hepatic vein confluence with the inferior vena cava (IVC) is obscured by tumor or a clot in the IVC extends above the liver, cross-clamping the IVC during liver or retroperitoneal resection is hazardous. This report describes a 10-year experience with ten patients who had liver (seven) or retroperitoneal (three) resections with vena cava reconstruction using cardiopulmonary bypass and hypothermic circulatory arrest. There were no perioperative deaths. Morbidity consisted of prolonged bile leak (one), pulmonary embolism (one), and stroke (one). Control of the liver was secured in six of seven patients who had a liver resection. There were three significant advantages to this technique. First, the median sternotomy provided superior exposure to the suprahepatic IVC. Second, the bypass technique avoided the risks of hemodynamic instability and prevented air embolism and sudden uncontrolled hemorrhage incurred by resection or IVC cross-clamping. Third, hypothermia provided a method of protection for residual liver function especially in the face of chronic liver disease induced by infection or chemotherapy.     

Laparoscopic inferior vena cava and right atrial thrombectomy utilizing deep hypothermic circulatory arrest

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Surgery for renal cancer associated with a level III or IV tumor thrombus often involves cardiopulmonary bypass, deep hypothermia, and exploration of the right atrium and inferior vena cava (IVC). This major open operation necessitates a large median sternotomy incision and a midline abdominal or chevron incision. Herein, we investigate the feasibility of purely laparoscopic IVC and right atrial thrombectomy utilizing deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In six male calves weighing 70 to 80 kg, the right common carotid artery and right internal jugular vein were cannulated for subsequent cardiopulmonary bypass. One laparoscopic team performed right radical nephrectomy and complete mobilization of the intra-abdominal IVC by a four-port approach. Simultaneously, a second laparoscopic team obtained three-port thoracoscopic access to incise the pericardium and expose the right atrium. In sequence, cardiopulmonary bypass, complete exsanguination, cardiac arrest, and core hypothermia of 18 degrees C were achieved. A coagulum thrombus was created by needle injection into the IVC. Combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic incision, exploration, and thrombectomy of the IVC and the right atrium were then performed in a bloodless field. An angioscope was inserted inside the heart and the IVC to confirm complete thrombus clearance visually. The IVC and right atrium were then laparoscopically suture repaired, cardiopulmonary bypass was reestablished, and the animal was gradually rewarmed. Once sinus rhythm was reestablished at normal body temperature, the animal was weaned off the pump. RESULTS: The mean total operative time was 494.5 minutes (range 355-705 minutes). The mean time needed to lower the core temperature was 63.5 minutes (range 50-120 minutes), and the mean time required to rewarm the animal was 101.8 minutes (range 70-130 minutes). The mean blood volume drained into the pump was 2633.3 mL (range 1400-3200 mL), and the mean estimated blood loss was 350 mL (range 200-750 mL). Reestablishment of sinus cardiac rhythm and weaning off the pump was successful in all animals prior to acute euthanasia. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with thrombectomy for level III or IV tumor thrombi utilizing deep hypothermic circulatory arrest is feasible in the calf model using minimally invasive techniques exclusively. The procedure is technically complex and requires the combined efforts of expert urologic and cardiac operative teams. Survival studies are planned.     

Accidental deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest. Treatment with extracorporeal circulation

A 27-year old female was discovered at 4 a.m. lying in a wet field, the ambient temperature being of 4 degrees C. Her rectal temperature had fallen to 19 degrees C. She was comatose and failed to respond to noxious stimuli. Her pupils were dilated and fixed. Her respiratory rate was reduced to three to four breaths per min. Her blood pressure was not measurable and neither femoral or carotid pulse could be detected. The heart was in sinus rhythm with a rate of 40 b X min-1. During her transfer to hospital, she was ventilated with oxygen, a tidal volume of 300 ml and a rate of 10 b X min-1. On arrival in the emergency room, a short period of ventricular fibrillation preceded cardiac arrest. Cardiac massage and sodium bicarbonate infusion were continued during the transfer of the patient to the operating theatre. A femoro-femoral cardiopulmonary bypass was started with a bloodless priming, 3 mg X kg-1 heparin and a flow of 3,000 to 3,500 ml X min-1. Mean arterial pressure was maintained between 65 and 85 mmHg; cardiac massage was discontinued during the bypass. Within 50 min, ventricular fibrillation appeared, rectal temperature had increased to 33 degrees C. Electrical defibrillation (300 J) was successful. Cardiopulmonary bypass was stopped after 63 min. The postoperative course was uneventful, apart from transient pulmonary oedema. At the time of discharge, a week later, no loss of intellect or change in behaviour could be perceived.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Radical nephrectomy for the kidney tumor with the thrombus invading vena cava inferior

The results of treatment were analyzed in 92 patients with the kidney tumor in whom the thrombus invasion into vena cava inferior was revealed. Ultrasonographic scanning and magnetic resonance tomography were most informative methods in the diagnosis. The staging of the tumoral thrombus invasion was elaborated depending on which the surgical tactics was choosen. The procedure technique was depicted and the operations schemes were adduced. The vena cava thrombectomy performance is absolutely indicated in patients without metastases in lymph nodes and distant organs. The five-year survival index for this patients was 55-60%.     

下腔静脉整段切除术治疗肾肿瘤伴下腔静脉癌栓完全性梗阻

目的提高肾肿瘤根治术的治疗效果。方法报告应用下腔静脉整段切除术和右肾癌根治性切除术,治疗４例右肾肿瘤并下腔静脉癌栓完全性梗阻病人。４例下腔静脉癌栓均位于肝静脉平面以下。结果所有病人术后血尿素氮、肌酐水平无明显上升。１例因肿瘤肺转移于术后１年零３个月死亡,１例随访３年后失访,２例健在（分别为术后１年及１０个月）。结论无远处重要器官转移的伴有下腔静脉癌栓完全梗阻的肾肿瘤病人仍是积极手术治疗的指征。整段切除癌栓完全梗阻的下腔静脉,因包括左肾在内的血液回流已建立了良好的侧支循环,因而无需再行血管重建手术。     

Renal cell carcinoma with thrombus in the inferior vena cava: extracorporeal circulation and deep hypothermia without open-chest surgery

INTRODUCTION: Renal cell carcinoma with thrombus in the inferior vena cava and no apparent metastasis requires immediate surgical treatment. Over the last few years, extracorporeal circulation with deep hypothermia and total circulatory arrest have played an increasingly important role in the treatment of diseases not associated with primary cardiovascular disorders, such as cavoatrial tumor thrombus in uterine tumors, adrenal tumors, Wilms' tumor, as well as renal cell carcinoma. CASE REPORT: A 78-year-old patient with renal cell carcinoma and tumoral thrombus in the inferior vena cava and above the supra-hepatic veins underwent right radical nephrectomy and removal of the thrombus from the vena cava with extracorporeal circulation and deep hypothermia with total circulatory arrest without opening the chest. The patient presented good post-operative evolution.     

Surgical resection of a large recurrent pelvic arteriovenous malformation using deep hypothermic circulatory arrest

Transcatheter embolization has emerged as the treatment of choice for pelvic arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), because surgical resection may be difficult and is associated with a high recurrence rate. We report a patient with a large recurrent pelvic AVM in whom transcatheter embolization was not feasible. This patient underwent surgical resection of the AVM, which was accomplished with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Early postoperative angiography demonstrated a small amount of residual AVM, which was successfully embolized with microcoils. Follow-up magnetic resonance angiography at 2 months showed no residual AVM. In cases where surgical resection of an extensive AVM is required, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest offers the distinct advantages of performing the resection in a bloodless field and enabling adequate visualization of important adjacent structures.     

Aprotinin in deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Early experience with aprotinin in deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) raised alarm about hazards associated with its use. Based on what little is known about possible mechanistic interactions between hypothermia, stasis, and aprotinin, there is no evidence that aprotinin becomes unusually hazardous in DHCA. Excessive mortality and complication rates have only been reported in clinical series in which the adequacy of heparinization is questionable. Benefits associated with use of aprotinin in DHCA have been inconsistently demonstrated. The only prospective, randomized series showed significant reduction in blood loss and transfusion requirements. Use of aprotinin in DHCA should be based on the same considerations applied in other cardiothoracic procedures.     

Management of renal cell carcinoma with vena caval thrombi via cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest

Cardiopulmonary bypass with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest allows safe and effective removal of renal tumors with extensive thrombi involving the vena cava under controlled circumstances without permanent side effects. The technique averts extensive dissection of the inferior vena cava and occlusion of major vessels while providing up to 60 minutes of safe operating time in a bloodless field and complete visibility of the interior of the vena cava. Adjunctive procedures for tumor excision or cardiac revascularization can be performed at the same time without increased operative risk.     

深低温停循环经右锁骨下动脉持续脑灌注与经上腔静脉逆行脑灌注的比较

目的比较深低温停循环(DHCA)时经右锁骨下动脉持续脑灌注(RSA)和经上腔静脉逆行脑灌注(SVC)对脑组织的保护效果。方法将36只杂种猫随机分为6组(n=6)建立体外循环(CPB)。1组DHCA45min,无脑灌注;2组DHCA45min,经上腔静脉逆行脑灌注;3组DHCA45min,经右锁骨下动脉持续脑灌注;4组DHCA90min,无脑灌注;5组DHCA90min,经上腔静脉逆行脑灌注;6组DHCA90min,经右锁骨下动脉持续脑灌注。检测各组脑组织超微结构、颈静脉血乳酸含量、脑组织ATP含量和一氧化氮合成酶(NOS)活性。结果DHCA时间相同时,SVC组和RSA组脑组织光镜及电镜下缺血、缺氧改变明显轻于无脑灌注组,颈静脉血乳酸含量和脑组织NOS活性均显著低于无脑灌注组(P<0.05),脑组织ATP含量显著高于无脑灌注组(P<0.05)。DHCA45min后,SVC组和RSA组比较各指标差异无统计学意义。DHCA90min后,RSA组脑组织超微结构缺血、缺氧改变轻于SVC组。且RSA组脑组织ATP含量[(2.02±0.19)μmol/g]显著高于SVC组[(1.72±0.21)μmol/g,P<0.05]。结论长时间深低温停循环时经右锁骨下动脉持续脑灌注比经上腔静脉逆行脑灌注更有利于保护脑组织的氧供需平衡。     

Aortic valve replacement under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest

BACKGROUND: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) in the presence of a calcified aorta or patent grafts may preclude clamping of the ascending aorta. We employed deep hypothermic circulatory arrest in order to circumvent this problem. METHODS: Between January 1993 and December 2000, 415 patients underwent AVR in our department. Eight of these were operated using deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. There were 5 males, and mean age was 72 years (range 56-81). Indications for using circulatory arrest were reoperation with patent grafts and/or severe calcification of the ascending aorta. In six patients, cardiopulmonary bypass was achieved via femoro-femoral bypass, and in two via aortic-right atrial cannulation. Retrograde cerebral perfusion was employed in five. Mean bypass time was 155 minutes (range 122-187), and mean circulatory arrest time was 38 minutes (range 31-49). RESULTS: There was no operative mortality, and no patient suffered any neurologic sequelae. Echocardiography showed all valves to be functioning well. CONCLUSIONS: AVR under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest can be accomplished with an acceptable degree of safety. It should be considered as an alternative in patients in whom aortic clamping is prohibitive, and might otherwise be considered inoperable. The ability to connect the patient to bypass and the presence of a "window" to allow aortotomy are prerequisites for employing this method.     

Effects of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest on outcome after resection of ascending aortic aneurysm

BACKGROUND: Aneurysm of the ascending aorta is a common finding especially in patients with aortic valve diseases. The aim of this study was to analyze early and midterm outcome in patients operated on for aneurysm of the ascending aorta with or without the use of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). METHODS: Between January 1996 and December 2000, 133 of 410 patients with thoracic aortic pathology were operated on for an aortic aneurysm limited mainly to the ascending aorta. Early and midterm outcomes were assessed and quality of life (QOL) evaluated using the Short-Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36). RESULTS: Sixty patients (group 1) were operated on with DHCA and 73 patients (group 2) without DHCA. In-hospital mortality was identical in both groups (9.6% versus 6.7%; p = not significant) whereas postoperative transient neurologic events were significantly more frequent in group 1 (6.7% versus 0%; p < 0.05). Midterm clinical outcome was not different between groups but QOL showed significant impairment in daily functional physical and emotional activity in group 1 patients compared with group 2 and an age-matched standard population. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of transient neurologic complications is significantly increased with the use of DHCA and QOL is impaired without benefits in the long-term outcome especially among older patients.     

Surgical treatment under extracorporeal circulation for renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus in inferior vena cava]

Three cases of renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus extending into the inferior vena cava are reported. Radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy were performed under extracorporeal circulation in all the cases. The level of tumor thrombus was preoperatively determined by computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or venacavography. The tumor thrombus extended into the right atrium in one, and above the hepatic vein in two cases. One patient whose thrombus reached the right atrium died of multiple metastasis of renal cell carcinoma 5 months after operation. Another patient with lung metastasis was given interferon-alpha and is alive 5 months after operation. The other patient is clinically free of disease and in good health 7 years after operation. We believe that extracorporeal circulation allows an opportunity to resect the tumor thrombus in a controlled situation, and makes the operation safer.