In Experiment 1 the donor hearts (group C) perfused for 24 hours with an intracellular-like solution containing perfluorochemicals, calcium antagonist, and albumin were compared with the hearts immersed for 24 hours in an intracellular-like solution to which calcium antagonist was added (group B) and the hearts in which the ischemic time was less than 1 hour (group A) followed by orthotopic heart transplantation. In Experiment 2 perfusates with (group I) and without (group II) perfluorochemicals and albumin were used for 24-hour isolated heart preservation. Periodic assessment of the hearts was performed during the perfusion. Experiment 1: All transplanted hearts started beating spontaneously. There was no statistically significant functional difference between the three groups. At the end of the preservation the creatinine phosphokinase and lactate releases of group C were at lower levels than those in group B. Electron microscopic examination revealed that the myocardium in group B was damaged more severely than in group C. Experiment 2: The level of the creatinine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase released in group I was lower than that in group II. The lactate concentration was at a lower level in group I. At the end of the preservation the pyruvate concentration was higher in group I. The gain in heart weight in group II was more marked than that in group I. The passive compliance decreased only in group II. It is suggested that the perfusion method is superior to the immersion method for 24-hour isolated heart preservation and that the perfusate containing perfluorochemicals and albumin is useful.

Albumins↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Surgical correction of Ebstein's anomaly by tricuspid valve replacement and its late problems.

The choice between valve replacement and plasty for surgical management of Ebstein's anomaly still remains controversial. Since 1960, we have treated 16 cases of Ebstein's anomaly, and 7 of the 16 cases have undergone surgical correction. Tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) without plication of the atrialized ventricle was applied in 4 cases, and Hardy's procedure was adopted in three cases. The division of the Bundle of Kent was carried out simultaneously in 2 cases with Wolff-Parkinson-White (W-P-W) syndrome of the TVR group. All patients have survived the operation. Early and late (as long as 14 years) postoperative evaluations have demonstrated superiority of the TVR group. However, the late echocardiographic findings have revealed new problems in the TVR group, such as hypokinetic or paradoxical motion of the atrialized ventricle in two cases and hypofunction of the left as well as the right heart.

Adolescent↗