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Biomedical subjects

U Bortolotti

Publications and source records attributed to U Bortolotti.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

Anatomical study of truncus arteriousus communis with embryological and surgical considerations.

Twelve specimens of truncus arteriosus communis have been studied anatomically, with special reference to the conal anatomy and to the associated cardiac anomalies which can create additional problems if surgical repair is planned. A wide spectrum of conal morphology has been observed, suggesting that differential conal absorption is a developmental characteristic of truncus arteriousus as well as of transposition complexes. The invariable absence of septation of the ventricular infundibula and semilunar valves, in spite of the variable anatomy of the free wall of the conus, indicates that all types of truncus arteriosus, ontogenetically, should be considered as a single undivided conotruncus. Various types of ventircular septal defect were found: (a) ventricular septal defect with absent crista, in which no remnants of conal septum are present; (b) supracristal ventricular septal defect, in which vestigial conal septum is seen in front of the membranous septum; (c) bulloventricular foramen, associated with univentricular origin of the truncus from the right ventricle. Frequent associated anomalies are underdevelopment of the aortic arch, truncal valve malformations, and obstructive ventricular septal defect. The AV conduction system studied in one case showed an arrangement similar to Fallot's tetralogy with the His bundle and the left bundle-branch in a safe position behind the posteroinferior rim of the defect. The postoperative fate of the frequently abnormal truncal valve and the theoretical indications for total repair for Type IV truncus are also discussed.

Adult↗

Entrapment of a coronary stent in the left main trunk: an easy method for surgical removal.

The use of an intracoronary stent is usually indicated after the acute closure of a coronary vessel following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Plaque disruption and dissection, with subsequent spasm and thrombosis, can be contained by this device. In the reported case, acute closure of the left anterior descending coronary artery and of a diagonal branch were caused by the entrapment of a stent proximal to the coronary lesion that it was supposed to treat. An emergency coronary artery bypass graft procedure was required together with removal of the device because of the impending closure of the left main trunk (the site of the stent entrapment). This was successfully performed by means of an easy method, which did not require direct incision of the left main trunk. The less invasive procedure described simplified the operation and probably played an important role in its favorable outcome.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Implantation of an external biventricular assist device: role of transesophageal two-dimensional echocardiography.

A patient with end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy underwent implantation of a pulsatile external biventricular assist device as a bridge to heart transplantation. The device insertion was guided by transesophageal two-dimensional echocardiography that proved extremely helpful in allowing expeditious and precise positioning of both right and left atrial withdrawal cannulas.

Cardiomyopathy, Dilated↗

Coronary artery spasm in heart transplant recipients.

Coronary artery spasm has rarely been observed in the transplanted, denervated heart. We report two patients who had coronary artery spasm after orthotopic heart transplantation that was documented by coronary angiography while ECG and Holter monitoring showed ischemic changes. Both patients were treated with calcium antagonists with no further evidence of this complication; however, one patient died suddenly at home after calcium antagonists were arbitrarily withdrawn. We believe that coronary artery spasm in heart transplant recipients may occur more frequently than expected. Careful monitoring of 24-hour ECG should be considered routinely in the follow-up of such patients, and when coronary spasm occurs it should be aggressively treated.

Adult↗

Combined heart and kidney transplantation: a case report.

A patient with successful combined heart and kidney transplantation is reported. This case suggests that occurrence of kidney rejection may allow diagnosis of simultaneous unsuspected heart rejection, thus indicating an immunologic advantage in combined transplantation of organs from the same donor.

Adult↗

Long-term results (from 5 to 7 years) with the Hancock S-G-P bioprosthesis.

This communication is concerned with the long-term results of the first 113 patients who underwent single or multiple heart valve replacement with the Hancock-SGP bioprosthesis at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Padova Medical School, in a two years period (March 1970-March 1972). Hospital mortality was 18.5%; of the 92 survivors, whose follow-up is now 5 to more than 7 years, the authors report the clinical reevaluation, the complications and the causes of late death. Hemodynamic reevaluation has been performed so far in 26 patients and the prostheses have shown to function properly both in the mitral and the aortic position. The data available to date indicate that the glutaraldehyde preserved porcine valve is durable and its use is warranted in any valvular position.

Adolescent↗

Palliative surgery for single ventricle heart malformations.

During a 6-year period, 24 patients, aged 7 days to 18 years, underwent palliative surgery for single-ventricle heart malformations; 22 has single-left ventricle with outlet chamber (14 with L-transposition); only two had type C malformation (van Praagh). They were subdivided according to physiology into two groups: the first included 15 patients with decreased pulmonary blood flow, whose main clinical feature was arterial desaturation; the second consisted of nine patients with increased pulmonary blood flow, who presented early with unmanageable heart failure. The first group was treated with a Blalock-Taussig shunt (typical or modified) in 12 cases (one death due to preoperative acute renal failure), with a Waterston or Potts shunt in two cases (both died early postoperatively), and by enlargement of the bulbo-ventricular foramen in one (who died at operation). No late deaths were seen and the clinical status of the survivors is judged optimal. Patients of the second group received a pulmonary artery banding plus a number of associated procedures: coarctation repair (2), ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus (2), Blalock-Hanlon atrial septectomy (1), tricuspid valve replacement (1). There was only one early death due to critical subaortic stenosis produced by a restrictive outlet foramen; however, there were five late deaths and two cases of surgical failure with persistent pulmonary hypertension. An analysis of the best palliative approach in patients with single-ventricle heart malformations is made, based upon the results of this series and taking into consideration the possibility of future intracardiac repair.

Adolescent↗

Simplified excision of a left atrial myxoma.

A simple technique for the excision of left atrial myxomas is described. This technique, which is quick and effective, and does not require the employment of prosthetic material, can be used when left atrial myxomas are located outside the fossa ovalis.

Female↗