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Biomedical subjects

N A Stolf

Publications and source records attributed to N A Stolf.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Successful one-stage resection of intravenous leiomyomatosis of the uterus with extension into the heart.

Intravenous leiomyomatosis of the uterus is a rare neoplasm characterized by nodular masses of benign smooth muscles with intraluminal growth to the inferior vena cava and, in some cases, to the heart. It may cause abdominal and cardiovascular symptoms and is a serious risk of death when it reaches the tricuspid valve. Surgery is the best treatment and must be applied as soon as possible using cardiopulmonary bypass. The authors report a new case that had cardiac involvement and was successfully resected. The symptoms, imaging diagnosis, pathological and histopathological findings, tumors that mismatched the intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL), and the use of circulatory arrest and deep hypothermia are discussed. A review of the literature is included.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Management of aortic dissection that involves the right coronary artery.

A report on the follow-up of 11 patients who suffered from aortic dissection involving the right coronary artery and who underwent surgical treatment is reported. In two patients, the left coronary ostia was also affected. In seven patients, the dissection was acute and in four, chronic. The ascending aorta was substituted by a Dacron graft in all patients, and right coronary artery saphenous vein bypass or Gore-Tex graft to the coronary ostia or right coronary artery was performed in nine, and reimplantation of both dissected coronary in two. There were three early postoperative deaths (27.3%) caused by low-output syndrome and myocardial infarction. There were two late deaths. The six surviving patients were followed-up from 78 to 96 months (mean 83 months). This experience suggests that although carrying a high risk, the involvement of the coronary ostia in aortic dissection can be successfully managed if made before irreversible complications arise.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

Immediate and long term evolution of valve replacement in children less than 12 years old.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was the follow-up and evaluation of valve replacement in children under 12 years of age. METHODS: Forty-four children less than 12 years old were underwent valve replacement at INCOR-HCFMUSP between January 1986 and December 1992. Forty (91%) were rheumatic, 39 (88.7%) were in functional classes II or IV, 19 (43.2%) were operated upon on an emergency basis, and 6 (13.6%) had atrial fibrillation. Biological prostheses (BP) were employed in 26 patients (59.1%), and mechanical prostheses (MP) in 18 (40.9%). Mitral valves were replaced in 30 (68.7%), aortic valves in 8 (18.2%), a tricuspid valve in 1 (2.3%), and double (aortic and mitral) valves in 5 (11.4) of the patients. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was of 4.5% (2 cases). The mean follow-up period was 5.8 years. Re-operations occurred in 63.3% of the patients with BP and in 12.5% of those with MP (p=0.002). Infectious endocarditis was present in 26.3% of the BP, but in none of the cases of MP (p=0.049). Thrombosis occurred in 2 (12.5%) and hemorrhage in one (6.5%) of the patients with a MP. Delayed mortality occurred in 5 (11.9%) of the patients over a mean period of 2.6 years; four had had BP and one had a MP (NS). Actuarial survival and re-operation-free curves after 10 years were respectively, 82.5+/-7.7 (SD)% and 20.6+/-15.9%. CONCLUSION: Patients with MP required fewer re-operation, had less infectious endocarditis and lower late mortality rates compared with patients with bioprostheses. The former, therefore, appear to be the best valve replacement for pediatric patients.

Atrial Fibrillation↗
PubMed1999

Paraplegia following intraaortic balloon circulatory assistance.

Intraaortic balloon counterpulsation is frequently used in patients experiencing severe ventricular dysfunction following maximal drug therapy. However, even with the improvement of percutaneous insertion techniques, the procedure has always been followed by vascular; infectious, and neurological complications. This article describes a case of paraplegia due to intraaortic balloon counterpulsation in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

Mitral valve repair. Quadrangular resection of the posterior leaflet in patients with myxomatous degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the immediate and late results of mitral valve repair with quadrangular resection of the posterior leaflet without the use of a prosthetic ring annuloplasty. METHODS: Using this technique, 118 patients with mitral valve prolapse who underwent mitral repair from January '84 through December '96 were studied. Age ranged from 30 to 86 (mean = 59.1 +/- 11.8) years and 62.7% were males. An associated surgery was performed in 22% of the patients, and coronary artery bypass graft was the most frequently performed surgery (15 patients--12.7%). In 20 (16.9%) patients other associated techniques of mitral valve repair were used and shortening of elongated chordae tendineae was the most frequent one (6 patients). RESULTS: Immediate mortality was 0.9% (one patient). Long-term rates for thromboembolism, endocarditis, reoperation and death in the late postoperative period were 0.4%, 0.4%, 1.7% and 2.2% patients/year, respectively. The actuarial curve of survival was 83.8 +/- 8.6% over 12 years; survival free from re-operation was 91.8 +/- 4.3%, free from endocarditis was 99.2 +/- 0.8% and free from thromboembolism was 99.2 +/- 0.8%. In the late postoperative period, 93.8% of the patients were in functional class 1 (NYHA), with a complete follow-up in 89.7% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Patients with mitral valve prolapse who undergo mitral valve repair using this technique have a satisfactory prognosis over 12 years.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1999

Total inversion of the left lung circulation: morphologic and functional analyses.

BACKGROUND: An experimental model for total inversion of left lung circulation was developed. With this model, the authors demonstrate that it is possible to reverse the pulmonary circulation and preserve the normal function and morphology of the lung. METHODS: Eight dogs had their left pulmonary circulation reversed. The blood from the pulmonary artery trunk was diverted to the pulmonary veins, and returned from the pulmonary artery into the left atrium. In order to monitor the flow through the reversed system, color Doppler echocardiography was performed on the ninth postoperative day. The dogs were reoperated after 15 days for re-evaluation. Blood gas analyses from the aorta and the pulmonary artery were used to study the functional status of the lung in both operations. The morphology was studied by comparing biopsies of the lung performed before and after reversal of flow. RESULTS: Blood gas analysis showed no significant difference between the samples of from the aorta and pulmonary artery. Color Doppler echocardiography was a reliable method for the study of the inverted circulation. The histological study showed no differences in the morphology of the lung after the reversed circulation. CONCLUSIONS: Left pulmonary circulation was fully reversed. Pulmonary function and morphology remained normal.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Determinants of midterm outcome of partial left ventriculectomy in dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Partial left ventriculectomy has been proposed for treatment of severe cardiomyopathies. This study reports midterm results of this procedure in 37 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. METHODS: All patients were in New York Heart Association class III (16) or IV (21). Partial ventriculectomy was associated with mitral annuloplasty in 27 patients and with mitral replacement in 2. RESULTS: There were seven operative deaths (18.9%). During a mean follow-up of 18.2+/-9.3 months, 9 more patients died. Actuarial survival was 56.7%+/-8.1% at 6 and 24 months. Analysis of factors influencing outcome showed that midterm survival was significantly affected only by myocardial cell diameter. Otherwise, functional class improved from 3.5+/-0.5 to 1.8+/-0.9 in the survivors (p < 0.001). Furthermore, left ventricular diastolic volume decreased from 523+/-207 to 380+/-148 mL (p < 0.001), and left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 17.1%+/-4.6% to 23%+/-8% (p < 0.001), whereas significant changes in cardiac index, stroke index, and pulmonary pressures were found at 1 month of follow-up. Although left ventricular diastolic volume tended to increase in the late postoperative period, left ventricular ejection fraction and hemodynamic variables did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Partial ventriculectomy improves left ventricular function and congestive heart failure in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy for up to 24 months of follow-up. Nevertheless, this procedure's clinical application is limited by the high mortality observed in the first postoperative months. Otherwise, new perspectives may be advised by the identification that partial ventriculectomy results seem to be influenced by compromised myocardial cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Partial left ventriculectomy with mitral valve preservation in the treatment of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVE: This study reports initial results of partial left ventriculectomy performed with preservation of the mitral valve in the treatment of 27 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. METHODS: Patients were in New York Heart Association class III or IV. Partial ventriculectomy was performed as an isolated procedure in four patients and associated with mitral annuloplasty in 23 patients. There were four hospital deaths (14.8%) and the remaining patients were followed for 11.2 +/- 6 months. RESULTS: Decrease of left ventricular diastolic diameter (81.8 +/- 8.7 to 68.5 +/- 7.6 mm, p < 0.001) and improvement of left ventricular wall shortening (12% +/- 3.1% to 18.1% +/- 3.9%, p < 0.001) were demonstrated by echocardiography after the operation. Left ventricular radioisotopic angiography showed reduction of diastolic volume (495 +/- 124 ml to 352 +/- 108 ml, p < 0.001) and increase of ejection fraction (17.7% +/- 4.6% to 23.7% +/- 8.8%, p < 0.001). Right-sided heart catheterization demonstrated improvement of stroke index (24.3 +/- 7.7 ml/m2 to 28.3 +/- 7.6 ml/m2, p < 0.01) and decrease of pulmonary wedge pressure (23.2 +/- 8.8 mm Hg to 17 +/- 7 mm Hg, p < 0.01). Similar results were documented at 6 and 12 months of follow-up. Functional class improved from 3.6 +/- 0.5 to 1.4 +/- 0.6 (p < 0.001). However, seven patients died at midterm follow-up because of heart failure progression or arrhythmia-related events, and survival rate was 59.2% +/- 9.4% from 6 to 24 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Partial left ventriculectomy performed with preservation of the mitral valve improves left ventricular function and congestive heart failure in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Nevertheless, the high incidences of heart failure progression and arrhythmia-related deaths observed after this procedure preclude its wide clinical application.

Cardiomyopathy, Dilated↗
PubMed1998

Distribution of hyaluronan and dermatan/chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in human aortic dissection.

Aortic dissections (AD) are characterized by the separation of the artery into two sheets, possibly due to fragility of the vessel wall. A mucoid histological pattern, imparted to the tissues mainly by hyaluronan and proteoglycans, can be seen in "cysts" and, in chronic cases, in a band of repair tissue. We studied the localization of hyaluronan, versican, decorin and biglycan in situ in aortas of 21 patients with recent AD, 8 with chronic AD and in 15 control cases. None of these substances was increased in the areas of mucoid "cysts" that possibly contain anomalous material. Similar distributions were seen in normal and dissected aortas: versican and hyaluronan were more prominent in the external half of the medial layer where the dissection usually occurs. Since these molecules play a role in resistance to compression, disorders not detected by our method may be involved in aortic dissection. Hyaluronan was seen adjacent to fibrin at the dissection tear, probably as an early wound repair phenomenon. Biglycan, hyaluronan and mostly versican are seen during advanced repairing. The mucoid deposits may represent various compounds which reflect different disorders in vascular biology.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

Fisics-Incor bovine pericardial bioprostheses: 15 year results.

BACKGROUND: From March 1982 to December 1995, 2,607 Fisics-Incor bovine pericardial bioprostheses were implanted in 2,259 patients. Mean age was 47.2 +/- 17.5 years, and 55% were male. Rheumatic fever was present in 1,301 (45.7%) patients. METHODS: One thousand and seventy-three aortic valve replacements, 1,085 mitral replacements, 27 tricuspid replacements, 195 mitral-aortic replacements, and 16 other combined valve replacements were carried out. Combined procedures were performed in 788 (32.9%) patients, the most frequent being tricuspid valve repair (9.2%) and coronary artery bypass grafting (7.7%). RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 8.6% (194 patients), 8.6% for the mitral group, 4.7% for the aortic group, and 12.8% for double-valve replacements. The linear rates for calcification, thromboembolism, rupture, leak and endocarditis were, respectively, 1.1%, 0.2%, 0.9%, 0.1% and 0.5% patient-year. The actuarial survival curve was 56.7 +/- 5.4% in 15 years. Survival free from endocarditis was 91.92%, survival free from thromboembolism was 95 +/- 1.7%, survival free from rupture was 43.7 +/- 9.8%, survival free from leak was 98.9 +/- 4.5%, and survival free from calcification was 48.8 +/- 7.9% in 15 years. In the late postoperative period, 1,614 (80.6%) patients were in New York Heart Association functional Class I. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the results with the Fisics-Incor bovine pericardial prostheses were satisfactory in our group of patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Heart valve surgery during pregnancy. Experience with eight cases].

PURPOSE: To analyze the results of the valve cardiac surgery in pregnant women and cardiopulmonary bypass consequences to the patients and their fetuses. METHODS: Study of 8 pregnant women who underwent cardiac surgery between January of 1986 and December of 1996. Patients' average age was 31.4 +/- 8.9 years and the gestation age ranged from 12 to 31 (average of 26.6 +/- 7.1) weeks. Fetus monitorization was performed in all patients. The temperature was always higher than 34 degrees C, as well as high flow rates during the cardiopulmonary bypass. Four surgeries of aortic valve and four of mitral valve were performed, in which two were reoperations. RESULTS: There was no mortality. There were two premature births and in one child there was neurological damage. The other children did not have growth problems. CONCLUSION: Valve cardiac surgery in pregnant women may have good results as long as care in the cardiopulmonary bypass and fetus monitorization are undertaken.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

VATS for complete dissection of LIMA in minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work is to report our initial experience with minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting, using video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) to facilitate the operation and provide complete dissection of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA). METHODS: Of 44 scheduled patients, 43 patients, 30 (69.8%) male, ranging in age from 31 to 83 years (60.8 +/- 12.0 years), with a severe lesion in the anterior descending artery, were operated upon. An 8-cm left anterior minithoracotomy was performed at the fourth intercostal space. Through this incision the optical device for video-assisted thoracic surgery as well as the surgical instruments were placed to provide complete LIMA dissection. This permits dissection until the subclavian region, allowing for anastomosis without tension or distortion. Bypass circulation was not used, and the cardiac rate was decreased with the use of intravenous beta-blockers. For LIMA-to-anterior descending artery anastomosis, proximal and distal tourniquets were used and 1.5 mg/kg of heparin was administered intravenously. RESULTS: Video-assisted thoracic surgery provided a complete dissection of LIMA. The 43 patients presented satisfactory postoperative progress, being released from the hospital between 2 and 12 days after their operation, with a mean of 4 days. The patients have remained asymptomatic during a period that ranged from 1 to 13 months (6.3 +/- 3.5 months). During the follow-up, there was one death as a result of stroke and pneumonia 2 months after the release from the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The use of video-assisted thoracic surgery through thoracotomy allows the LIMA dissection without the necessity of other incisions. The procedure also permitted more ample dissection of LIMA when compared with minithoracotomy without video-assisted thoracic surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Diclofenac plasma protein binding: PK-PD modelling in cardiac patients submitted to cardiopulmonary bypass.

Twenty-four surgical patients of both sexes without cardiac, hepatic, renal or endocrine dysfunctions were divided into two groups: 10 cardiac surgical patients submitted to myocardial revascularization and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), 3 females and 7 males aged 65 +/- 11 years, 74 +/- 16 kg body weight, 166 +/- 9 cm height and 1.80 +/- 0.21 m2 body surface area (BSA), and control, 14 surgical patients not submitted to CPB, 11 female and 3 males aged 41 +/- 14 years, 66 +/- 14 kg body weight, 159 +/- 9 cm height and 1.65 +/- 0.16 m2 BSA (mean +/- SD). Sodium diclofenac (1 mg/kg, im Voltaren 75 twice a day) was administered to patients in the Recovery Unit 48 h after surgery. Venous blood samples were collected during a period of 0-12 h and analgesia was measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS) during the same period. Plasma diclofenac levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. A two-compartment open model was applied to obtain the plasma decay curve and to estimate kinetic parameters. Plasma diclofenac protein binding decreased whereas free plasma diclofenac levels were increased five-fold in CPB patients. Data obtained for analgesia reported as the maximum effect (EMAX) were: 25% VAS (CPB) vs 10% VAS (control), P < 0.05, median measured by the visual analogue scale where 100% is equivalent to the highest level of pain. To correlate the effect versus plasma diclofenac levels, the EMAX sigmoid model was applied. A prolongation of the mean residence time for maximum effect (MRTEMAX) was observed without any change in lag-time in CPB in spite of the reduced analgesia reported for these patients, during the time-dose interval. In conclusion, the extent of plasma diclofenac protein binding was influenced by CPB with clinically relevant kinetic-dynamic consequences.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Minimally invasive myocardial bypass surgery using video-assisted thoracoscopy].

PURPOSE: In order to associate the major benefits of the coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with a less aggressive procedure minimally invasive coronary artery bypass graft (MICABG) has been utilized. The aim of the work is to report our initial experience with this technical approach, using video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) to facilitate the operation. METHODS: Twenty-six patients, 19 males with ages from 44 to 83 years old, and having isolated lesion of the anterior descending artery were operated upon. Left anterior minithoracotomy of 8-10 cm was performed at the fourth intercostal space. Through this incision the optical device for VATS as well as the surgical instruments were placed in order to provide the complete left internal mammary artery (LIMA) dissection. Bypass circulation was not used and cardiac rate was decreased with the use of intravenous betablockers. For LIMA--anterior descending artery anastomosis, proximal and distal tourniquets were used and 1.5 mg/kg of heparin was intravenously administered. RESULTS: All patients presented satisfactory postoperative evolution, being discharged from the hospital at 72 h after surgery in the majority of the cases. There were delay in two patients healing of incisions and 25 patients have remained asymptomatic, with a mean in postoperative follow-up of four months. One patient died in the second postoperative month due to stroke. CONCLUSION: MICABG makes the surgery possible with better esthetic effect, lower cost and enables faster recovery than the conventional one. The use of VATS through the thoracotomy itself, allows the LIMA dissection without other incisions. It also permitted more ample dissection of the LIMA when compared to minithoracotomy without VATS.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Dynamic cardiomyoplasty in South America.

BACKGROUND: Dynamic cardiomyoplasty has been proposed in the treatment of severe cardiomyopathies. However, few reports to date have shown significant numbers of patients collected on a multicenter basis. METHODS: From July 1987 to June 1994, dynamic cardiomyoplasty was performed in 112 patients in South America. The indications were dilated cardiomyopathy in 96 patients, Chagas' disease cardiomyopathy in 13, and ischemic cardiomyopathy in 3. Left latissimus dorsi muscle was used in all patients. RESULTS: The thirty-day mortality rate was 8.1%, and patients were followed up for 22.1 +/- 18.6 months. Data of surviving patients show that 47.3% were in New York Heart Association functional class I, 45.6% in class II, and 7% in class III or IV 1 year after the operation. The 1-year survival was 78.4%; 2-year, 59.7%; and 5-year, 41.7%. The survival at 1 year was 86.1% for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and 40% for those with Chagas' disease. At 5 years, these values were 49.8% and 9.5%, respectively. Long-term survival was also significantly affected by preoperative functional class and pulmonary vascular resistance. However, patients operated on in class III or intermittent class IV and without elevated pulmonary vascular resistance had survival rates of 91.5% at 1 year and 76.7% at 5 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiomyoplasty improves the functional status of patients with severe cardiomyopathies. Otherwise, long-term survival after this procedure is limited in patients with Chagas' disease and by patients' condition before the operation.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Heart transplantation for chronic Chagas' heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Chagas' disease has been considered a contraindication to heart transplantation as Trypanosoma cruzi infection could recur after immunosuppression. METHODS: We report the follow-up of 22 patients who underwent orthotopic heart transplantation for treatment of end-stage chronic Chagas' heart disease, divided in two groups. Group 1 consisted of 9 patients operated on from September 1985 to June 1991, and group 2 patients underwent transplantation from July 1991 to June 1995. After our early experience with group 1, we attempted to use a lower cyclosporine dosage in group 2. RESULTS: Total actuarial survival at 24 months was 60%, and it was better for group 2 (33% for group 1, 80% for group 2, p = 0.008). Parasitemia occurred similarly in both groups, but Chagas' disease reactivation was seen in 5 group 1 patients and in 1 group 2 member (p < 0.002). Neoplasia developed in 5 group 1 patients and 1 group 2 patient, and contributed to death in 3 of them. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate satisfactory outcome of cardiac transplantation in patients with end-stage Chagas' heart disease in the second phase of our experience. Further progress is necessary to improve the results and evaluate its proper role in the management of this disease.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1996

Low doses of inhaled nitric oxide in heart transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the hemodynamic effects of low doses of inhaled nitric oxide in patients after orthotopic heart transplantation. METHODS: Two hours after the operation 10 adult patients who were still under anesthetic effects and undergoing mechanical ventilation inhaled, during 60 minutes, a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and nitric oxide (20 ppm). A standard profile of hemodynamic data was collected at baseline, at 30 minutes, at 30 more minutes of inhalation, and at the same points after nitric oxide suspension. RESULTS: A significant decrease was found from baseline to 60 minutes, immediately after nitric oxide inhalation in the following: systemic vascular resistance index 1268 +/- 409 to 1090 +/- 354 (p = 0.0161); pulmonary vascular resistance index 252 +/- 124 to 154 +/- 98 (p < 0.05); pulmonary vascular resistance index/systemic vascular resistance index ratio 0.21 +/- 0.09 to 0.14 +/- 0.08 (p = 0.0025); transpulmonary gradient 12 +/- 3 to 9 +/- 3 (p = 0.05). A significant increase was also found in cardiac index from 4.2 +/- 1.1 to 4.9 +/- 1.4 (p = 0.0007). Other parameters such as mean pulmonary, systemic, wedge and right atrial pressures, in addition to intrapulmonary shunting, heart rate, and oxygen extraction ratio, did not present any significant changes. The procedure was well tolerated by all patients, and no undesirable effects such as methemoglobin elevation or worsening of pulmonary hypertension after nitric oxide suspension were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The beneficial effects observed by inhaled nitric oxide in the pulmonary vascular resistance index/systemic vascular resistance index ratio, transpulmonary gradient, and cardiac index suggest that nitric oxide acts mainly in pulmonary territory and could be a possible pulmonary vasodilator agent used to control central hemodynamics after heart transplantation.

Adult↗