PURPOSE: The suitability of a rheolytic system for recanalization of aged venous thrombotic occlusions was tested in an animal experiment. METHODS: The system consists of a flush-suction catheter and a high-pressure liquid pump. Thrombosis was experimentally induced in 13 venous segments of 10 adult goats. RESULTS: After a mean period of 12 days, a complete thrombectomy using the flush-suction system was achieved in 12 cases. No complications such as perforation or dissection were observed. CONCLUSION: This system seems to be an appropriate device for percutaneous transluminal venous thrombectomy, even in older occlusions.

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Results of treatment of severely bleeding esophageal varices.

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[Intraoperative coronary angioscopy after unsuccessful percutaneous dilatation angioplasty and the implantation of an intracoronary stent].

In all coronary arteries after failed PTCA with subsequent stent insertion the stenosed and dilated part of the vessels were inspected. We found dissections in 17/25 coronary lesions as well as thrombus adherent to the wall of the vessels in 8/25 cases. The morphology of the coronary stenosis was compared with the preoperative cine-angiogram. The angioscopic images after failed PTCA and subsequent stent-insertion showed severe wall dissections which were located beyond the inserted stent. In none of the cases was stent-implantation the sufficient treatment of coronary lesions. In all patients we performed coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Every coronary incision was used for peripheral anastomosis of the bypass grafts.

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A technique for extracorporeal circulation in the Goettingen minipig allowing recovery and long-term follow-up.

The objective of our study was to establish an animal model with extracorporeal circulation (ECC) for investigations on the long-term tolerability of different pericardial substitutes using the Goettingen minipig. A combination of halothane (0.4-0.6% vaporizer setting) in oxygen and nitrous oxide (FiO2 0.33), with the opioid piritramide (75 micrograms/kg/h i.v.) was used for anaesthesia. A muscle relaxant was not administered. Due to the size of the animals (mean body weight 37.6 kg) the operative procedure was the same as in humans. Specific changes preceding or following initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), such as inactivation of the coagulation system (400 IU heparin/kg i.v.), haemodilution, and hypothermia (32 degrees C), did not result in any complication. We did not induce cardiac arrest during CPB in order to facilitate haemodynamic stability after weaning from CPB. In three animals a temporary increase in blood pressure occurred after protamine (2.5-3.0 mg/kg i.v.) was given to reverse the heparinization. Within 60 minutes after the end of surgery all animals could be extubated when spontaneous breathing and cough reflex were present. The postoperative follow-up period of nine months was uneventful apart from one animal which developed a superficial wound in the thoracic scar area. We conclude that our technique for ECC is a safe method allowing recovery and long-term follow-up after cardiac surgery in a porcine animal model.

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[Myocardial revascularization interventions].

UNLABELLED: Elective coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) can be performed with low operative mortality. There is a controversial discussion whether short- and long-term results of CABG can justify this procedure even in elderly patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical profile, operative procedure, postoperative short- and long-term results of 1127 patients over 70 years of age who underwent myocardial revascularization between January 1985 and December 1996. RESULTS: Mean age was 73.9 years. In 1996, septuagenarians represented 21.5% of our operated coronary patients, when compared with 6.4% in 1985. Analysis of risk factors showed an increasing prevalence of renal failure, obesity, hyperuricemia and a history of smoking. Preoperatively 87% of our patients were in NYHA-class III and IV. The percentage of emergent operations decreased over the observed period by 10.3%. Internal mammary artery was used with increasing frequency (44.8% in 1985-92 vs. 61.5% in 1993-96). The number of simultaneous valve replacements increased, too. Postoperatively, we noted rising incidence of respiratory failure (17.1%) and neurological disorders (13.7%). On the other hand, the need for intraaortic balloon pumping and hemofiltration declined by 6.6% and 2.9%. Perioperative mortality (< or = 24 h) was 3.65%, hospital mortality (< or = 30 days) was 9.64%. Actuarial 1 year at was 82% (+/- 4.3%), and 65.7% (+/- 3.8%) at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that CABG can be performed in septuagenarians with an acceptable operative risk. Since the large majority of patients improve symptomatically, surgery is the recommendable option for a growing number of elderly patients suffering from severe angina.

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