Biomedical subjects

Vittorio Vanini

Publications and source records attributed to Vittorio Vanini.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Pulmonary artery banding and ventricular septal defect enlargement in patients with univentricular atrioventricular connection and the aorta originating from an incomplete ventricle.

BACKGROUND: In patients with univentricular atrioventricular connection and the aorta originating from an incomplete ventricle, subaortic stenosis is generally due to a restrictive ventricular septal defect (RVSD), that may be present at birth or develop after palliative procedures. In particular, a primary role in the genesis of the RVSD has been ascribed to pulmonary artery banding (PAB). The aim of this paper is to analyse the possible risk factors for the development of an RVSD, including PAB, and the results of one of the proposed procedures for treatment of this condition (RVSD enlargement). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical records and outpatient records of 24 consecutive patients with univentricular atrioventricular connection and the aorta originating from the incomplete ventricle that received their first treatment at our institution from January 1991 to April 2000. The variables age, sex, weight, diagnosis, surgical procedures, associated anomalies, associated surgical procedures, were considered. RESULTS: Four patients (16.7%) had absent left atrioventricular connection, seven (29.7%) had absent right atrioventricular connection and discordant ventriculo-arterial connection, and 13 (54.7%) had double inlet left ventricle and discordant ventriculo-arterial connection. Five patients (20.8%) had associated coarctation or hypoplasia of the aorta, and eight (33.3%) had pulmonary stenosis or atresia. Median age at the first operation was 7.5 days (range: 1-376). Median weight was 3.5 kg (range: 1.9-6.3). Seventeen patients underwent pulmonary artery banding, one underwent a Damus-Kaye-Stansel connection, one received a Glenn shunt and five a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt. Early mortality was 12.5%. The only variable associated with operative mortality was the presence of coarctation or hypoplasia of the aorta (P=0.004). Ten patients (41.6%) developed subaortic stenosis. None of the tested variables, including pulmonary artery banding, was associated with the development of subaortic stenosis. Subaortic stenosis was due to a restrictive VSD in eight patients, six of whom underwent direct VSD enlargement by muscular resection and are well at last follow-up (four complete repairs). None of the procedures was complicated by complete heart block. In two cases subaortic stenosis was treated by a Damus-Kaye-Stansel connection. A single patient died during follow-up, and 11 patients have achieved a complete one-ventricle repair. CONCLUSION: In our experience, pulmonary artery banding was not associated with an increased risk of developing an RVSD. VSD enlargement proved to be safe and effective for treatment of subaortic stenosis due to an RVSD.

Aortic Stenosis, Subvalvular↗

PubMed2002

Early and long term outcome of the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries: predictors and functional evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this report were to study the early and late outcome in terms of mortality, freedom from reoperation, predictors for late pulmonary stenosis (PAS) and insufficiency of the neo-aortic valve (AVI) in patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) undergoing arterial switch operation (ASO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1990 and December 2001, 134 patients with TGA underwent ASO. The patients were divided in Group I (n=88)-TGA with intact ventricular septum and Group II (n=46)-TGA with ventricular septal defect (VSD). The pulmonary artery was reconstructed employing the direct anastomosis technique (PT-I) in 21 (15.7%) patients, the double-patch technique (PT-II) in 41 (30.6%), single pantaloon patch (partial circumference) (PT-III) in 46 (34%) and single pantaloon patch (total circumference) (PT-IV) in 35 (26%) patients. The mean follow-up was 3.4+/-1.3 years. RESULTS: The hospital mortality was 17 (12.7%) patients. The mortality in Group I was significantly lower than Group II (P=0.002). The overall actuarial survival at 1, 3 and 5 years follow-up resulted to be 98, 93, and 91.5%, resulting to be significantly higher in Group I (P=0.032). The multivariate analysis revealed the complex TGA (P=0.007), VSD (P=0.032), coronary anomalies (P=0.004), aortic coarctation or hypoplastic aortic arch (P=0.021), left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) or moderate PAS (P=0.041) as strong predictors for poor free-reoperation cumulative survival. A strong inverse correlation was found between the mean trans-pulmonary gradient at follow-up and the age at the operation (r=-0.41, P<0.0001). The univariate analysis revealed the PT-I technique (P=0.002), prior moderate PAS (P=0.0001), and age <1 month (P=0.018) as strong predictors for moderate-to-severe PAS. The neo-AVI incidence was significantly higher in Group II (P=0.011). Predictors for neo-AVI were male sex (P=0.003), preoperative neo-AV Z-score >1 (P<0.001), prior or concomitant operation for aortic coarctation or hypoplastic aortic arch (P=0.001), LV retraining (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: ASO remains the procedure of choice for the treatment of various forms of TGA with acceptable early and later outcome in terms of overall survival and free reoperation. Strong predictors for poor overall free-reoperation survival are complex TGA, VSD, coronary anomalies, aortic coarctation and LVOTO or moderate PAS. The pulmonary artery reconstruction using a single 'pantaloon patch' seems to offer less residual stenosis. Patients with a VSD and a significant mismatch between the neo-aortic root and distal aorta are at a higher risk for developing postoperative neo-AVI.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

PubMed2002

Reconstructive surgery for congenitally malformed mitral valve.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE STUDY: The study aims were to evaluate early and mid-term survival and freedom from reoperation in patients with isolated mitral valve (MV) congenital malformation (MVCM) or in association with other cardiac defects, and to identify predictors for poor early and late outcome. METHODS: Between January 1990 and February 2001, 58 children with MVCM underwent MV-conserving surgery; patients were allocated to group I (n = 21) with isolated MVCM, and group II (n = 37) with MVCM and associated congenital heart defects (ACHD). MV stenosis was identified in 10 (48%) group I patients, and 11 (30%) group II patients (p = NS); MV insufficiency was present in 11 (52%) patients in group I, and in 26 (70%) of group II (p = NS). The most frequently found MVCM were annular dilatation (n = 13) cases and elongated chordae (n = 14). Hammock MV was found in nine patients (15%). RESULTS: Six (10%) hospital deaths occurred. Mortality was 5% (n = 1) in group I, and 13% (n = 5) in group II (p = 0.4). Mean repair techniques per patient was 2.05+/-0.4 and 2.3+/-0.3 in groups I and II respectively (p = 0.009). Mechanical ventilation time was 2.1+/-1 and 2.8+/-0.7 days in groups I and II (p = 0.003). The incidence of postoperative mitral regurgitation grade > or =1 was significantly higher in group II (p = 0.008). At five-year follow up, actuarial survival was 91.5% in group I and 86% in group II (p = 0.037). Actuarial reoperation-free survival was 85% in group I and 73% in group II (p = 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed age >12 months (p = 0.033), hammock MV (p = 0.0088) and ACHD (p = 0.0048) were strong predictors for poor event-free survival. CONCLUSION: MV repair for MVCM provides acceptable early and mid-term outcome in terms of mortality and freedom from reoperation. ACHD significantly reduce early and late postoperative survival and freedom from reoperation.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Anomalous origin of the right pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to review our experience with the surgical repair of the anomalous origin of the right pulmonary artery (AORPA) from the aorta. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Between January 1991 and March 2001, five patients with AORPA underwent surgical correction. One patient presented isolated AOPA from the aorta. Implantation of the anomalous PA to the main PA trunk was performed by (1). direct anatomosis employing an autologous pericardial patch in two patients; (2). using an aortic flap in two patients with AORPA; and (3). using an aortic and pulmonary flaps in another patient. The mean follow-up time was 27 months. RESULTS: One patient died due to progressive heart failure unresponsive to inotropic support. Early postoperative pulmonary hypertension crisis was identified in patient 4, that was managed by intravenous prostacyclin. The same patient necessitated mechanical ventilation for 11 days. The mean residual gradient for all survivors was 9.5 +/- 4 mmHg. The postoperative Tc-99 m scintigraphy demonstrated 72 +/- 4.5(%) lung perfusion. At follow-up the survival was 100%. None of the followed patients required reoperation. CONCLUSION: The AORPA from the aorta is a rare but important entity, necessitating a scrupulous preoperative and intraoperative evaluation. The techniques employing autologous tissues for enlarging and lengthening the AORPA seem to be associated with better results in terms of postoperative restenosis.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Repair of complete atrioventricular septal defect with tetralogy of fallot: our experience and literature review.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this report is to describe the rationale of our surgical approach, to explore the best management for complete atrioventricular septal defect associated with the tetralogy of Fallot (CAVSD-TOF), and to present our outcome in relation to the previously reported series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1990 and January 2002, 17 consecutive children with CAVSD-TOF underwent complete correction. Nine patients (53%) underwent previous palliation. Mean age at repair was 2.9 +/- 1.9 years. Mean gradient across the right ventricular outflow tract was 63 +/- 16 mmHg. All children underwent closure of septal defect with a one-patch technique, employing autologous pericardial patch. Maximal tissue was preserved for LAVV reconstruction by making these incisions along the RV aspect of the ventricular septal crest. LAVV annuloplasty was performed in 10 (59%) patients. Six patients (35%) required a transannular patch. RESULTS: Three (17.6%) hospital deaths occurred in this series. Causes of death included progressive heart failure in two patients and multiple organ failure in the other patient. Two patients required mediastinal exploration due to significant bleeding. Dysrhythmias were identified in 4 of 11 patients undergoing a right ventriculotomy versus none of the patients undergoing a transatrial transpulmonary approach (p = ns). The mean intensive care unit stay was 3.2 +/- 2.4 days. Two patients required late reoperation due to severe LAVV regurgitation at 8.5 and 21 months, respectively, after the intracardiac complete repair. The mean follow-up time was 36 +/- 34 months. All patients survived and are in NYHA functional class I or II. The LAVV regurgitation grade at follow-up was significantly lower than soon after operation, 1.1 +/- 0.4 versus 1.7 +/- 0.5 (p = 0.002). At follow-up, the mean gradient across the right ventricular outflow tract was 17 +/- 6 mmHg, significantly lower than preoperatively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Complete repair in patients with CAVSD-TOF seems to offer acceptable early and mid-term outcome in terms of mortality, morbidity, and reoperation rate. Palliation prior to complete repair may be reserved in specific cases presenting small pulmonary arteries or severely cyanotic neonates. The RVOT should be managed in the same fashion as for isolated TOF; however, a transatrial transpulmonary approach is our approach of choice.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗