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Biomedical subjects

C Santoli

Publications and source records attributed to C Santoli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Coronary "open" endarterectomy and reconstruction: short- and long-term results of the revascularization with saphenous vein versus IMA-graft.

From June 1984 to December 1990, 96 patients underwent "open" coronary endarterectomy and reconstruction. In 50 patients (group 1), a saphenous vein (SV) graft was used to reconstruct and bypass 54 coronary vessels. In 46 patients (group 2), 46 coronary vessels were reconstructed with an SV patch and then bypassed with the internal mammary artery (IMA): Seventy-four LAD coronary arteries (36 in group 1 and 38 in group 2) were treated with these procedures. Operative mortality was 8% in group 1 and 2.1% in group 2. Five patients (10%) in group 1 and 1 patient (2.1%) in group 2 developed perioperative myocardial infarction. The early postoperative patency of the reconstructed vessels was 84.6% in group 1 and 92.5% in group 2. Angiographic controls were performed between 30 and 36 months after operation in 18 patients (72%) of group 1 and in 16 patients (69%) of group 2 with patency rates of 66.7% and 81.5%, respectively. A further angiographic study performed between 54 and 60 months after operation of 9/22 patients of group 1 and 5/9 patients of group 2 did not show any additional closure of the endarterectomized vessels. Three- and 5-year survival analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method was 79.6% and 69.7%, respectively, in group 1 and 86.8% for both the 3- and 5-year survival in group 2. After a mean follow-up of 51.0 and 35.5 months, 62.8% of the surviving patients of group 1 and 75.6% of group 2 were asymptomatic.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Cardiac surgery in HIV-positive intravenous drug addicts: influence of cardiopulmonary bypass on the progression to AIDS.

In the last years the number of HIV-positive patients needing cardiac surgery has greatly increased. Cardiopulmonary bypass is suspected to have a role in the progression of HIV-infection to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). From October 1988 to December 1990, 6 intravenous drug addicts underwent cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis at our Department. Preoperative and postoperative absolute lymphocyte T-helper (CD4) and T-suppressor (CD8) counts did not show a close association between the temporary lymphopenia induced by cardiopulmonary bypass and progression to AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Post transfusion hepatitis: comparison between homologous and autologous blood transfusion.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether the use of autologous blood transfusion may affect the incidence of post-transfusion hepatitis in transfused patients who undergo cardiac surgery. METHODS: One thousand one hundred and twelve polytransfused patients having undergone cardiac surgery were studied from October 1982 through September 1990. Patients were transfused with homologous blood from selected volunteer donors; autologous blood collection or blood saving were introduced in September 1986. Routine laboratory tests were carried out upon hospitalization and monthly for a six-month period. Patients with hepatitis were followed for at least 24 months and liver biopsy was performed in those with chronic hepatitis. RESULTS: Ninety-four (9.8%) of the 959 polytransfused patients developed non-A, non-B post-transfusion hepatitis; anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies were present in 52 out of the 72 patients tested. The mean incubation period for post-transfusion hepatitis was 70 days; hospitalization was required in 47.9% of the patients. The mean number of transfused units was 12.9 in patients who developed post-transfusion hepatitis and 6.96 in the those who did not. Hepatitis was chronic in 42% of the 94 patients; in the others alanine aminotransferase levels normalized in a mean period of 10.3 months. None of the 237 patients who received autologous blood had hepatitis. CONCLUSION: In our study the role of surgical teams in preventing post-transfusion hepatitis was shown to be essential. The high percentage of chronicity and symptom-free hepatitis observed is a further reason to reduce homologous blood transfusions and instore careful follow-up of polytransfused patients.

Acute Disease

[Surgical treatment of diffuse coronary disease].

Considering the morphological aspects of diffuse coronary disease one must argue that, in their presence, myocardial revascularization can be performed only by coronary endarterectomy (EA), together with conventional bypass grafting. A variety of EA techniques ("blind" and "open" EA) are analyzed. Indications, long and short-term results (operative risks, symptomatic improvement, grafts patency) of each procedure are evaluated on the basis of the current experiences. We conclude that EA is a valuable complement to coronary artery bypass grafting which allows: a) a larger number of conventionally inoperable patients to benefit from the surgical treatment; b) more complete revascularization in patients with diffuse coronary disease.

Coronary Disease

Correction of anterior mitral prolapse. Results of chordal transposition.

From 1986 to 1992 102 mitral valve repairs were done for mitral regurgitation due to a degenerative disease. Forty-eight patients had an anterior prolapse or prolapse of both leaflets at initial presentation and underwent chordal transposition from the mural leaflet to the anterior leaflet. The corrective procedure was completed by polytetrafluoroethylene or pericardial posterior annuloplasty. Operative mortality was 2.9%, and follow-up (average 22 months) was 100% complete. There were three postreconstruction valve replacements (one earlier and two later) for a probability of freedom from reoperation of 91.5% +/- 5.2% at 3 years. Freedom from all morbidity was 85.5% +/- 5.5% at 3 years. Postoperative echocardiographic studies demonstrated a good mitral valve function: (1) Eighty-seven percent of patients presented no or mild residual regurgitation; (2) transmitral flow indexes were within the norm; (3) left ventricular outflow tract flow was normal in all patients. This study shows that chordal transposition is a safe and effective technique for prolapse of anterior or both leaflets and improves the chances of repair in patients with mitral degenerative disease.

Adult

Posterior pericardial annuloplasty: a physicological correction?

Since the introduction of the annuloplasty ring, many attempts have been made to obtain a flexible ring that preserves the physiological motion of the mitral annulus. We experimented with a new technique using autologous pericardium to construct a more flexible ring. Twenty patients underwent mitral valve repair for degenerative disease and were treated by a posterior pericardial annuloplasty and the usual valvuloplasty procedures. A long strip of pericardium was prepared, marked with metal clips and rolled up in a tubular fashion with the serosal surface on the outside. The pericardial tube was apposed on the posterior annulus just beyond the commissures. No patient required early or late reoperation. Doppler analysis showed good valve function: 18 patients had no or mild, and 2 had moderate regurgitation. Transmitral flow indexes were nearly normal (MVA = 3.7 +/- 0.4 cm2; flow velocity peak = 1.06 +/- 0.2 m/s). Fluoroscopic examination was employed for assessing annular motion using the metal clips as radiopaque markers. Planimetry of the hemiarea showed a mild narrowing (mean 8.5% +/- 6.4%) of annular size during ventricular systole. There was a trend toward a systolic reduction of the anteroposterior diameter of the annulus. These findings demonstrate that the mitral orifice preserves its flexible properties after this type of annuloplasty. Posterior pericardial annuloplasty seems to be a physiological correction of annular dilatation in patients with degenerative disease.

Adult

Tracheal obstruction due to congenital tracheomalacia in a child. Case report.

Congenital tracheal obstruction, though not notably uncommon in infancy, is rarely due to isolated tracheomalacia, especially when characterized by complete absence of cartilaginous rings. A 5-year-old boy underwent successful tracheal resection and anastomosis following severe tracheal obstruction due to aplasia of cartilaginous rings.

Child, Preschool

[Myocardial revascularization with arterial grafts alone: our experience].

Bilateral internal mammary artery (IMA) grafting is recognized as a preferred method of myocardial revascularization. However, for multivessel coronary artery disease, saphenous veins often have to be added to complete myocardial revascularization. The right gastroepiploic artery (rGEA) has been recently recognized as a suitable arterial conduit to obtain with both IMAs a complete myocardial revascularization without conventional vein graft. From December 1985 to July 1990, 87 selected patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting using only the two IMAs and, from December 1988, the rGEA. There were a total of 220 coronary artery bypass grafts (mean 3.06/patient) and 267 coronary artery anastomoses (mean 1.21 anastomoses graft). There was one perioperative death (1.14%), 3 patients (3.5%) developed a perioperative myocardial infarction, and 7 patients (8.04%) needed a transitory inotropic pharmacological support. Two patients (2.29%) underwent reoperation for bleeding, and a third (1.14%) for sternal diastase. Fifty-five patients (63.2%) underwent postoperative angiography: 6/139 grafts (4.31%) (3 rGEA free, 2 rIMA free, 1 rIMA in situ) were occluded. After follow-up, ranging from 12 to 66 months (30.54 average), 77 patients (92.77%) were free from angina, one patient underwent reoperation 7 months later and a third died for sudden death 55 months after the operation. There were no gastric complications due to rGEA harvesting. Actually, bilateral IMA grafting is the best investment for the patient who needs myocardial revascularization. The rGEA is a promising conduit whose only concern could be the long-term patency; this will be resolved in the future. Up-to-date combined arterial graft utilizing the IMA and the rGEA can facilitate complete revascularization by arterial grafts safely and effectively.

Coronary Artery Bypass

Isolated atresia of the left main coronary artery in an adult.

A 49-year-old woman with isolated atresia of the left main coronary artery is presented. The patient who suffered from angina underwent myocardial revascularization 14 years after the onset of symptoms. A left internal mammary artery to left anterior descending coronary artery bypass was performed. Twenty months after the operation, the patient is free from angina and leads a normal life. The clinical features, diagnosis and management of the left main coronary atresia in adults are discussed.

Angina Pectoris

Gastroepiploic artery free graft for coronary bypass.

The internal mammary artery (IMA) is the graft of choice for CABG but has a limited number and length. For multivessel coronary disease, saphenous vein grafts have to be added but they show poorer long-term patency. Investigation to provide adjunctive reliable grafts has recently focussed on the right gastroepiploic artery (GEA) and encouraging results have been reported employing this vessel as a pedicled graft to bypass distal coronary vessels. From December 1988 to February 1989, to achieve complete myocardial revascularization with only arterial grafts we used a GEA free graft in combination with the two IMAs in 20 consecutive patients under 70 years of age undergoing elective surgery. Before starting, histological studies were carried out and a significant similarity between IMA and GEA was found. In the 20 patients, 76 coronary anastomoses were performed (3.8 bypasses/patient), the GEA graft revascularized the right coronary artery in 9 patients, the circumflex in 8 patients and the anterior descending and/or diagonal in 3 patients; in 7 patients the GEA graft was used for sequential anastomoses. No perioperative deaths, no myocardial infarctions and no gastroenterological complications occurred. Coronary angiographic postoperative control showed 20/20 patent GEA grafts. After follow-up ranging from 7 to 9 months, all patients are free from angina. The GEA free graft is not difficult to harvest, is easier than the pedicled GEA graft to handle in the pericardium and is suitable for sequential anastomoses. The use of GEA graft however increases the complexity of bypass operations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Coronary Artery Bypass

[Echo-Doppler study of myxomatous mitral valve insufficiency and the results of reparative surgery].

The aim of conservative management of mitral regurgitation caused by floppy mitral valve is to restore a valvular function which closely resembles that of normal physiology. Fifty-eight patients affected by floppy mitral valve underwent surgical procedures for severe mitral regurgitation due to chordal elongation and/or rupture. Of these, 28 presented posterior mitral prolapse corrected by quadrangular excision of the prolapsed part and posterior anuloplasty achieved by apposition of a polytetrafluoroethylene conduit. The remaining 30 patients presented anterior or bilateral prolapse corrected by transposition of chordae from the posterior leaflet to the anterior cusp together together with anuloplasty. A complete echo-Doppler study was performed preoperatively, 10 days after the operation and every 6 months thereafter. Mean follow-up was 16.1 +/- 6.3 months. Preoperatively, 44 patients presented severe mitral regurgitation and 14 had moderate regurgitation (quantified by means of pulsed Doppler). All patients showed severe enlargement of the left cavities (LVDD 67.1 +/- 8.6 mm, left atrium 53.4 +/- 10.9 mm) with normal mitral area (6.08 +/- 2.14 sqcm, Doppler measurement). Following surgery we found a significant reduction in: 1) the degree of mitral regurgitation (29 patients had no regurgitation; 20 had mild protosystolic mitral regurgitation (29 patients had no regurgitation; 20 had mild protosystolic mitral regurgition, confirmed by color-M-mode; moderate or severe regurgitation was found in 6 cases); 2) the left ventricle and left atrium dimensions (LVDD 53.4 +/- 5.2 mm, p less than 0.01; left atrium 43.8 +/- 11.1 mm, p less than 0.01). Color flow imaging provided information about the recovery of a normal valvular function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Echocardiography, Doppler