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PubMedDate not supplied

A new concept of renal hemodynamics.

Observations which show that urine output can vary with changes in the contour of the pulse cure, that it can even increase while the mean blood pressure falls during counterpulsation, that the well known hypertensive effect of a renal artery stenosis can also be produced by an aneurysm of the renal artery, cannot be explained by orthodox concepts of renal hemodynamics. The anatomical fact that the afferent glomerular arteriole is about twice as large as the efferent has so far not been adequately explained. The hypothesis that the combination of pulsatile flow and the unique anatomical configuration of the glomerulus permit a hydraulic switching mechanism which modifies profoundly its perfusion explains these questions.

Arterioles↗
PubMed1988

In-hospital cardiac mortality after acute closure after coronary angioplasty: analysis of risk factors from 8,207 procedures.

Cardiac death consequent to acute vessel closure after coronary angioplasty occurred in 13 of 294 closures from 8,207 consecutive procedures performed at two centers since 1981 (0.16% cardiac mortality rate). To determine the predictors of cardiac death after acute coronary closure, 50 clinical, angiographic and procedural variables were analyzed by an observer unaware of the clinical outcome for each of the 13 patients who died and also 100 patients randomly chosen, in whom vessel closure after angioplasty did not result in death during hospitalization. Univariate analysis found female gender (p less than 0.0001), collateral channels from the vessel dilated (p less than 0.0001), use of balloon counterpulsation (p less than 0.0002), pre- and postprocedural hypotension (p = 0.0003 and p = 0.003, respectively), jeopardy score greater than or equal to 2.5 (p = 0.003), left ventricular hypertrophy (p = 0.013), hypertension (p = 0.02), diabetes (p = 0.02) and multivessel disease (p = 0.03) to be predictive of death. Multivariate analysis found collateral vessels, female gender and multivessel disease to be independent predictors of death. Thus, cardiac death after elective coronary angioplasty is very rare in experienced centers and occurs most often in women with a large amount of potentially ischemic myocardium. Hypotension often precedes the fatal closure event. Close attention to the amount of potentially ischemic myocardium and to the fluid volume status of these patients would seem to be especially warranted.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Emergent coronary angioplasty in the treatment of acute ischemic mitral regurgitation: long-term results in five cases.

Severe mitral regurgitation in the setting of an evolving myocardial infarction is associated with a high operative mortality rate. Five patients with acute severe mitral regurgitation secondary to ischemic posterior papillary muscle dysfunction underwent emergent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Two patients were in cardiogenic shock and required intraaortic balloon counterpulsation. Angioplasty resulted in rapid improvement in hemodynamic variables, and all patients were discharged at a mean of 10 days after the procedure. Long-term follow-up study (mean 35 +/- 6 months) revealed normal mitral valve function angiographically and by Doppler echocardiography in four patients. Repeat angioplasty was required in one patient, and another underwent coronary artery bypass surgery without valve replacement for restenosis. One patient developed progressive mitral regurgitation and required elective mitral valve replacement 12 months after angioplasty. These preliminary findings suggest that emergent coronary angioplasty is a useful therapeutic intervention in the treatment of ischemic mitral regurgitation and is associated with a favorable long-term outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Limitations of thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction complicated by congestive heart failure and cardiogenic shock.

As many as one quarter of patients treated with thrombolytic therapy present with congestive heart failure or cardiogenic shock. Although thrombolytic therapy has been shown to limit infarct size, preserve left ventricular ejection fraction and decrease mortality in most subgroups of patients, no apparent benefit has been demonstrated in patients with clinical left ventricular dysfunction. The lack of correlation between ejection fraction and other measurements of left ventricular dysfunction such as exercise time, cardiac output, filling pressures, activation of the neurohumoral system and regional perfusion bed abnormalities may partly explain this paradox. Alternatively, lower perfusion rates, higher reocclusion rates, associated mechanical complications or completed infarction may explain these findings. Preliminary data indicate that emergency coronary angioplasty or bypass graft surgery improves survival in selected patients with cardiogenic shock. Because these findings suggest that restoration of infarct artery patency is especially important in patients with clinical left ventricular dysfunction, additional studies are needed in these patients to investigate the potential benefit that new thrombolytic strategies, inotropic or vasodilator agents or intraaortic balloon counterpulsation might offer by augmenting coronary blood flow and improving reperfusion rates. Currently, acute mechanical revascularization should be considered for patients who present with congestive heart failure associated with hypotension or tachycardia and for patients with cardiogenic shock.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1994

Clinical importance of thrombocytopenia occurring in the hospital phase after administration of thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction. The Thrombolysis and Angioplasty in Myocardial Infarction Study Group.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence and clinical implications of thrombocytopenia that occurs in hospital after administration of thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction. BACKGROUND: The use of thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction has improved mortaltiy rates, but hemorrhage remains a major complication. Because thrombocytopenia may be associated with hemorrhage after thrombolytic therapy, we examined the incidence and clinical implications of thrombocytopenia after administration of thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: The patient population comprised 1,001 patients enrolled in Phases 2, 3 and 5 of the Thrombolysis and Angioplasty in Myocardial Infarction (TAMI) trial and the urokinase trial. Patients received recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator, urokinase or combination therapy in various dosing schemes. All patients received heparin, aspirin and a calcium-channel blocking agent. Thrombocytopenia occurring anytime after thrombolytic therapy was defined as a nadir platelet count either < 100,000/microliters or < 1/2 baseline. Blood loss was quantified by a bleeding index. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate the independent contribution of thrombocytopenia in a model predicting in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Thrombocytopenia occurred in 16.4% of patients, with no difference among the thrombolytic regimens. Patients with thrombocytopenia had a lower median acute ejection fraction and a higher likelihood of three-vessel coronary artery disease than patients without thrombocytopenia. Patients with thrombocytopenia had more hemorrhage, a higher in-hospital mortality rate and a more complicated hospital course than patients without thrombocytopenia, even after consideration of other important variables, including age, acute ejection fraction, number of diseased vessels, bypass surgery and use of intraaortic balloon counterpulsation. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombocytopenia after thrombolytic therapy is a common event and is associated with excess hemorrhage and mortality. Platelet counts should be monitored daily after administration of thrombolytic therapy because the appearance of thrombocytopenia identifies a subset of patients at increased risk for hemorrhage and death.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Coronary artery bypass surgery with intermittent aortic cross-clamping.

Despite the generally accepted use of cardioplegia for myocardial protection during cardiac revascularization and other operations, non-cardioplegic methods have been used by many surgeons throughout the world. We have prospectively studied 229 patients consecutively subjected to isolated coronary artery bypass surgery from March 1990 to February 1991 by a single surgeon who used intermittent aortic cross-clamping for construction of the distal anastomoses. The mean age of the patients was 58.9 +/- 8.9 years. One hundred and nine patients (47.6%) with unstable angina were subjected to urgent or emergent surgery and 129 (56.3%) had a previous myocardial infarction. The mean number of grafts per patient was 3.0. The ischaemic time per graft was 6.5 +/- 1.4 min. At least one internal mammary artery was used in 98% of the cases (1.4 internal mammary artery grafts/patient). Hospital mortality was 0.9% (two patients, in neither case related to the procedure). Only nine patients (3.9%) required inotropes and none needed intra-aortic counterpulsation. The analysis of serum enzymes specific of myocardial lesion showed a CPK-MB/CPK ratio of 10.5 +/- 10.2 after surgery, 6.4 +/- 6.6% at 24 h after surgery, and 6.9 +/- 2.6% by the 5th day. Only four patients (1.7%) had ECG criteria of myocardial infarction. These results were compared retrospectively with those of the 40 immediately preceding patients (December 1989 to February 1990), in whom crystalloid cardioplegia had been used. There were no differences between the two groups with regard to age, prevalence of unstable angina and of previous myocardial infarction, and technique used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Left ventricular geometry after endoventriculoplasty.

From 1988 to 1992, 65 patients underwent endoventriculoplasty (EVP) for anteroapical left ventricular aneurysm. The operative mortality was 4.6%, and 9.2% needed intraaortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP). Forty-three patients were restudied by ventriculography and the preoperative and postoperative silhouettes were analyzed by means of a special computer program. In 24 patients computerized analysis showed a restored left ventricular (LV) geometry with symmetrical contraction pattern and a contractile apical segment. Residual deformity of the LV chamber associated with an asymmetrical contraction pattern was present in 19 cases. Data from these 43 patients were analyzed to detect predictive factors for successful heart geometry reconstruction. Univariate analysis revealed that the preoperative ejection fraction, global contraction score, and a non-aneurysmatic segments contraction score did not determine successful reconstruction. The presence of a preserved proximal septum (2.5 cm or more) on echocardiography was the only significant predictor. We would recommend liberal use of the EVP technique in patients with anteroapical LV aneurysm and preserved proximal septum in order to restore satisfactory LV geometry with a low operative risk. Caution must be taken when performing EVP in patients with fibrotic proximal septum.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Does current treatment of cardiogenic shock complicating the acute coronary syndromes comply with guidelines?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the implementation of guidelines for the treatment of cardiogenic shock (CS) complicating the acute coronary syndromes (ACS). METHODS AND RESULTS: Of the 10 136 patients in the Euro-Heart-Survey-ACS with complete data, CS occurred in 549 (5.4%), of whom 28.6% had CS upon presentation. We examined the use of coronary angiography (CA), percutaneous (PCI) and surgical (CABG) revascularization, and intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) among ACS patients with and without CS. During the hospital course, there were no significant differences between patients with and without CS in referral to CA (52.4% vs 53.3%, respectively) or CABG (4.4% vs 4.5%), but CS patients were more likely to undergo IABP (17.7% vs 0.8%, P < .001) and PCI (40.8% vs 31.8%, P < .001), especially younger (<75 years) patients (52.2% vs 31.8%, P < .001). A similar trend was observed when comparing ST-elevation-ACS patients with (368 [8.5%]) and without CS (3945): CA (58.1% vs 56.2%), CABG (3.6% vs 3.3%), IABP (20.0% vs 0.9%, P < .01), and PCI (47.3% vs 40.6%, P < .01; 54.4% vs. 44.6% for patients <75 years, P < .003). Of the 94 ST-elevation-ACS patients presenting with CS, only 39 (41.4%) received any reperfusion treatment, more often fibrinolysis (64.1%). The in-hospital mortality was 52.1% for all CS pts vs 2.0% for all others ( P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our contemporary survey demonstrates prohibitively-high mortality rates among ACS patients complicated by CS and poor implementation of recent guidelines advocating an aggressive invasive approach, including low rates of revascularization and IABP. Improved adherence to the guidelines pertaining to ACS patients developing CS may hopefully improve outcomes.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Safety and feasibility of elective high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention procedures with left ventricular support of the Impella Recover LP 2.5.

Currently, the most used left ventricular (LV) support device is intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation. The percutaneous implantable Impella Recover LP 2.5 system is a novel LV (unloading) assist device. We studied the feasibility and safety of LV support with the percutaneous implantable Impella Recover LP 2.5 system in 19 consecutive high-risk patients with percutaneous coronary intervention. Procedural success using the device and percutaneous coronary intervention was achieved in all 19 patients, who were very poor candidates for surgery. The patients were elderly (84% were >60 years of age), 74% had previous myocardial infarction, 63% had LV ejection fractions of < or =25%, and all had LV ejection fractions of < or =40%. There were no procedural deaths and 2 device-unrelated in-hospital late deaths. Mean decrease in hemoglobin level was 0.7 +/- 0.4 mmol/L. The device did not induce or increase aortic valve regurgitation. There were no important device-related adverse events during LV support with the Impella Recover LP 2.5 system. However, these encouraging findings must be confirmed by larger studies, longer assist times, and in other patient categories.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Beat-to-beat effects of intraaortic balloon pump timing on left ventricular performance in patients with low ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Intraaortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) timing errors during arrhythmia may result in afterload increases which may negatively influence left ventricular (LV) ejection and LV mechanical dyssynchrony. The aim of our study was to determine beat-to-beat effects of properly timed IABP, premature IAB inflation, and late IAB deflation on LV performance and LV mechanical dyssynchrony in heart failure patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: In 15 patients, LV pressure-volume relations and LV dyssynchrony were measured by conductance volume catheter. Properly timed IABP was evaluated at a 1:1 assist ratio within a 10 seconds time-span. Premature IAB inflation and late IAB deflation were evaluated at a 1:4 assist ratio. RESULTS: Properly timed 1:1 IABP acutely decreased LV end-systolic volume by 6.1% (p < 0.0001) and LV end-systolic pressure by 17.5% (p < 0.0001) due to decreased aortic impedance. Stroke volume (SV) increased by 14% (p < 0.0001), which correlated markedly with a decrease of LV mechanical dyssynchrony (p < 0.0001). The largest SV increases occurred in patients with lowest contractile state. Premature IAB inflation decreased SV by 20% (p < 0.0001) due to abrupt increase of LV afterload during late ejection. Late IAB deflation increased SV and stroke work by 18% (p < 0.0001) and 16% (p < 0.01) respectively, due to increased afterload during early ejection and decreased afterload during late ejection. CONCLUSIONS: Left ventricular performance during IABP is causally related to changes in LV afterload, and the timing of these changes in relation to contraction or relaxation phases, to LV mechanical dyssynchrony and to contractile state.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

Automatic intraaortic balloon pump timing using an intrabeat dicrotic notch prediction algorithm.

PURPOSE: The efficacy of intraaortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) during arrhythmic episodes is questionable. A novel algorithm for intrabeat prediction of the dicrotic notch was used for real time IABP inflation timing control. DESCRIPTION: A windkessel model algorithm was used to calculate real-time aortic flow from aortic pressure. The dicrotic notch was predicted using a percentage of calculated peak flow. Automatic inflation timing was set at intrabeat predicted dicrotic notch and was combined with automatic IAB deflation. EVALUATION: Prophylactic IABP was applied in 27 patients with low ejection fraction (< 35%) undergoing cardiac surgery. Analysis of IABP at a 1:4 ratio revealed that IAB inflation occurred at a mean of 0.6 +/- 5 ms from the dicrotic notch. In all patients accurate automatic timing at a 1:1 assist ratio was performed. Seventeen patients had episodes of severe arrhythmia, the novel IABP inflation algorithm accurately assisted 318 of 320 arrhythmic beats at a 1:1 ratio. CONCLUSIONS: The novel real-time intrabeat IABP inflation timing algorithm performed accurately in all patients during both regular rhythms and severe arrhythmia, allowing fully automatic intrabeat IABP timing.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Changing incidence, type, and natural history of conduction defects after coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac conduction defects occur after cardiac surgery. We hypothesized that population aging and increased use of beta-blockers would increase the incidence of new conduction defects after coronary surgery. METHODS: We examined the medical records of 800 coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients (400 from 1991 and 400 from 2001). Exclusion criteria included the following: preexisting conduction defect, permanent pacemaker, and perioperative atrial fibrillation, leaving 303 and 269 patients, respectively, included in the two study years. The incidence, type, and persistence of new conduction defects were determined from the preoperative, postoperative, and the predischarge electrocardiogram. Multivariate analysis identified predictors of new defects. RESULTS: Study populations were well-matched. There was a marked decrease in the incidence of new postoperative conduction defects from 1991 (19%) to 2001 (6%). There was also a change in the most frequently occurring block, from a right-bundle-branch-block in 1991 (10%) to first-degree atrioventricular block (3%) in 2001. Finally, conduction defects in 1991 were more transient. While 19% of 1991 patients showed a conduction defect early postoperatively, only 9% were persistent. In 2001, the incidence of conduction defects at discharge (7%), was equivalent to that early postoperatively (6%). Predictors of new conduction defects included year of operation, age, intraaortic balloon counterpulsation, number of vessels bypassed, and crystalloid cardioplegia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results were the opposite of those predicted. Our report identifies a changing incidence, type, and natural history of conduction defects after CABG. Our comparison demonstrated a decrease in the incidence of new conduction defects, as well as a qualitative change in the defects identified. Multivariate analysis provided predictors of new conduction defects after CABG.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Early and late outcome after off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery with coronary endarterectomy: a single-center 10-year experience.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to review the early and late results of off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (OPCABG) with coronary endarterectomy in patients undergoing surgical revascularization at our institution. METHODS: Between 1995 and 2004, of 680 OPCABG patients in a single surgeon's practice (W.R.D.), 70 patients (10.29%) who underwent concomitant coronary endarterectomy were studied. The mean age was 63.6 +/- 9.29 years. Thirty-three patients (55%) were Canadian Cardiovascular Society class III or IV, and 24 patients (40%) were New York Heart Association class III or IV. Eighteen patients (35%) had impaired left ventricular function. The mean EuroSCORE of these patients was 5.9 +/- 1.8. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients (81%) underwent right coronary artery endarterectomy, and 12 patients (17%) underwent left anterior descending artery endarterectomy (8 left interior mammary arteries used as conduits). Four patients (5.7%) had two vessels endarterectomized. The mean number of grafts were 2.0 +/- 0.4. The 30-day mortality rate was 2.85% (n = 2). Three patients (4.3%) suffered from postoperative myocardial infarction, and 3 patients (4.3%) required postoperative intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation. Mean intensive therapy unit stay was 17.6 +/- 8.1 hours. Patients were extubated after a mean of 10.38 +/- 4.9 hours. The mean length of hospital stay was 6.1 +/- 2.0 days. Fourteen patients (20%) had postoperative atrial fibrillation, and only 1 patient (1.42%) had a transient stroke with complete recovery. There were no conversions to cardiopulmonary bypass. A mean of 0.86 +/- 0.17 units of blood were transfused postoperatively. There was one reopening for bleeding, and 1 patient had renal failure requiring hemofiltration. The median follow-up was 4.91 years, 90% of patients were angina free, and the actuarial survival at 10 years was 78.04% +/- 7.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Off-pump coronary artery bypass graft survery with coronary endarterectomy is feasible and achieves surgical revascularization in patients with diffuse coronary artery disease.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Operative mortality after conventional versus coronary revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: Off-pump coronary artery bypass (CABG) is a safe revascularization option with comparable or superior results to the conventional on-pump CABG. However, comparative analysis of the type of surgical approach on the mortality rate is largely unknown. This study sought to investigate whether CABG without cardiopulmonary bypass (off-pump CABG) is associated with lower operative mortality than the conventional on-cardiopulmonary bypass (on-pump) approach. METHODS: From October 1998 to June 2001, off-pump CABG was performed on 2477 patients and on-pump CABG was performed on 3077 patients. The patients undergoing off-pump CABG were randomly matched to on-pump patients via propensity score. Seventy-four percent of the off-pump CABG patients were matched with on-pump patients via propensity scores. A logistic regression model was used to test the difference in the postoperative mortality rate between off-pump CABG and on-pump CABG, controlling the correlation between matched sets. A multiple logistic regression model predicting the risk of mortality adjusted by risk factors of mortality and operation type was computed. RESULTS: Results from the general estimating equation showed that patients who had on-pump CABG were 1.6 (95% confidence intervals (CI)=1.2-2.0, P<0.01) times more likely to die during the first 30 days after surgery than patients who had off-pump CABG. Independent predictors of 30-day mortality identified from the multiple logistic model included on-pump CABG (versus off-pump CABG), advanced age, female gender, carotid artery disease, chronic renal failure, depressed ejection fraction, reoperative CABG, preoperative intraaortic balloon counterpulsation, and recent myocardial infarction. CONCLUSION: Excellent clinical results and a lower operative mortality rate can be achieved with the off-pump CABG technique compared with the conventional on-pump approach.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

End-stage cardiomyopathy and secondary mitral insufficiency surgical alternative with prosthesis implant and left ventricular restoration.

BACKGROUND: Secondary mitral insufficiency is a strong risk factor for death in end-stage cardiomyopathy. The possible correction of mitral regurgitation has now been accepted as an alternative to cardiac transplantation in a special subset of patients. We propose a new surgical approach that consists of implantation of a mitral prosthesis that is smaller than the annulus, and preservation and traction of the papillary muscles to reduce sphericity of the left ventricle. METHODS: Between December 1995 and September 2005, 116 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy underwent this procedure, with the following etiologic factors: ischemic (68), idiopathic (43), Chagas disease (3), viral (1), and postpartum (1). The patients were analyzed according to clinical criteria, echocardiographic findings, and morphology of left ventricle. RESULTS: All patients were in an end-stage phase, requiring >2 hospital admissions over the past 3 months, despite receiving full medication. Furthermore, seven were in intensive care unit receiving intravenous drugs or intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, and one was in cardiogenic shock. Hospital mortality was 16.3% (19/116), yet midterm follow-up showed a relatively flat late survival curve, with evidence of improved clinical status, better echocardiographic parameters, and reduction in ventricular sphericity. CONCLUSIONS: The high early mortality rate related to other clinical conditions at the time of surgery. However, the resultant flat survival after this early interval offers a promising long-term therapeutic alternative for the treatment of patients in refractory heart failure with cardiomyopathy that is associated with moderate or severe secondary mitral regurgitation.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Demonstrating time sequence and extent of sustained decrease in native heart ejection fraction after heterotopic transplantation.

BACKGROUND: In this study we investigate the time sequence and extent of the sustained decrease in native heart ejection fraction (EF) after heterotopic heart transplantation (HHTx) when using gated cardiac blood pool scanning (GCBPS) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) One case report of 2 patients used post-operative GCBPS and TTE and found a significant deterioration in native heart EF post-operatively over the course of several years. Comparison with pre-operative measurements using these techniques in a series of patients has not been performed previously. METHODS: Thirteen of 16 HHTx patients with adequate pre- and post-operative GCBPS follow-up were included in this study. All patients also underwent TTE post-operatively and the GCBPS results were correlated with the TTE findings. RESULTS: GCBPS demonstrated a marked (21.1 +/- 4.7% vs 10.5 +/- 3.7%, p < 0.0001) decrease in native EF post-HHTx. Spontaneous echo contrast in the native left ventricle and/or poor opening of the mitral/aortic valves was noted at Day 1 in 4 of 5 patients who had a TTE at this stage. No further decline was noted between the first and last post-operative GCBPS (10.8 +/- 3% vs 8.6 +/- 2.1%, p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: A dramatic decrease in native heart EF post-HHTx occurs as early as Day 1 post-transplant. Dissociation of ventricular contraction is the most likely cause. Studies have demonstrated that paced linkage (counterpulsation) between the ventricles results in improved hemodynamics. This may have clinical implications as to the timing of ejection of blood from a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and for providing the best hemodynamics for the ventricle being assisted and for optimizing its chances of long-term recovery.

Echocardiography↗
PubMed2006

Levosimendan for weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass after coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Although cathecholamines are well-established agents of myocardial support during weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), there has been little experience with a new inotropic agent, levosimendan. Our aim was to present our experience with levosimendan usage in patients manifesting failure-to-wean from CPB after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) when conventional inotropic and intraaortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) therapies proved to be insufficient. METHODS: Fifteen patients undergoing CABG received levosimendan as a loading dose of 12-24 microg/kg over 10 min, followed by a continuous infusion of 0.1-0.2 microg/(kg min) for 24h. Hemodynamic measurements were performed at baseline and at 1, 24 and 48 h postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 63.2+/-2.2 years. CPB time was 149.7+/-19.5 min, while cross-clamp time was 67.8+/-10.5 min. All patients showed evidence of hemodynamic improvement with the start of levosimendan infusion and 14 patients (93.3%) were successfully weaned from CPB. Eight patients (53.3%) experienced significant increases in cardiac index and blood pressure leading to a lessening of the need for catecholamine support. Five patients (33.3%) were lost postoperatively in the ICU. CONCLUSION: Levosimendan appears to be useful in failure-to-wean from CPB after cardiotomy when conventional inotropic therapy proves inadequate.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Treatment of refractory angina pectoris.

Refractory angina pectoris is defined as Canadian Cardiovascular Society class III or IV angina, where there is marked limitation of ordinary physical activity or inability to perform ordinary physical activity without discomfort, with an objective evidence of myocardial ischemia and persistence of symptoms despite optimal medical therapy, life style modification treatments, and revascularization therapies. The patients with refractory angina pectoris may have diffuse coronary artery disease, multiple distal coronary stenoses, and or small coronary arteries. In addition, a substantial portion of these patients cannot achieve complete revascularization and continue to experience residual anginal symptoms that may impair quality of their life and increase morbidity. This represents an end-stage coronary artery disease characterized by a severe myocardial insufficiency usually with impaired left ventricular function. As the life expectancy is increasing, patients with angina pectoris refractory to conventional antianginal therapeutics are a challenging problem. We review the nonconventional therapies to treat the refractory angina pectoris, including pharmacotherapy, therapeutic angiogenesis, transcutaneus electrical nerve and spinal cord stimulation, enhanced external counterpulsation, surgical transmyocardial laser revascularization, percutaneous transmyocardial laser revascularization, percutaneous in situ coronary venous arterializations, and percutaneous in situ coronary artery bypass. These therapies are not supported by a large body of data and have only a complementary role; therefore, the aggressive traditional and proven treatment of angina pectoris should be continued along with these therapies, used on an individual basis.

Angina Pectoris↗