| Abstract: | Jatene correction of left ventricular aneurysm was performed on 62 patients (including 11 emergency operations) with mean age 60 years, 80% of them in NYHA class 3–4, with mean left ventricular ejection fraction c. 30% and mean left ventricular end-diastolic pressure c. 24 mm. Concomitant bypass grafting was performed in 58 cases (mean grafts per patient 3.7). Perioperative mortality was 12.9%. One patient had peroperative myocardial infarction. Postoperatively 13 patients had low cardiac output, requiring intra-aortic balloon pump in seven cases. There were no bleeding problems and 28 patients (45%) had no postoperative complications. The average hospital stay was 10.2 days. Left ventricular cavity size (echocardiography) showed significant reduction 1 week postoperatively, which was unchanged after 1 month. The left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly increased 1 month postoperatively. After follow-up averaging 15 months there was significant improvement in mean NYHA class. One patient underwent heart transplantation and died, but there were no other late deaths or cardiac-related complications. Jatene correction of left ventricular aneurysm is simple, carries acceptable mortality and low morbidity and significantly improves left ventricular function. |
