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Postinfarction ventricular septal rupture (VSR) represents a well-known mechanical complication of myocardial infarction, determining cardiogenic shock with high mortality rates. Surgical correction requires significant expertise to avoid cardiac rupture, uncontrollable bleeding, residual shunts, heart failure, and death. In the last year, we observed a substantial increase of VSR at our hospital, related to the delayed presentation of people with acute chest pain to the emergency departments during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. We discuss our innovative triple-layer patch technique in a recent consecutive series of 8 patients. This technique proved effective in all patients, with no residual shunt or cardiac rupture.

OBJECTIVES Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is commonly used in children to allow recovery from ischemic injury or cardiac surgery, to support the circulation in case of end-stage cardiomyopathy, as bridge-to-bridge therapy and as bridge to transplantation as well. It has achieved success in providing cardiac support for these kind of patients with expected mortality due to severe myocardial dysfunction. In this modern era, ECMO support should be considered an important option for children with cardiopulmonary failure refractory to medical therapy or resuscitation. We report our experience in pediatric patients supported by ECMO for intraoperative cardiac failure between November 1991 and December 2006. METHODS AND RESULTS Sixty-six patients with a mean age of 5.2+/-4 years (range: 1 day-17 years) and mean weight of 14.3+/-11 kg (range: 2.8-69 kg) had intraoperative ECMO support for failure to wean off cardiopulmonary bypass (n=46, 69.7%), low cardiac output syndrome (n=8, 12.1%), isolated right ventricular failure (n=6, 9.1%), isolated left ventricular failure (n=3, 4.5%), malignant arrhythmia (n=1, 1.5%) and pulmonary hypertension (n=2, 3.1%). Mean duration of ECMO support was 5.1+/-3 days. Overall 30 (45.4%) patients were successfully weaned off ECMO and survived to decannulation. Overall 6 (9.1%) patients were successfully bridged to heart transplantation while on ECMO support. Thirty patients died (54.4%) (16 while on ECMO and 14 after decannulation) because of multi-factorial complications, i.e. cerebral hemorrhage, pulmonary failure, consumption coagulopathy and therapy-resistant myocardial insufficiency, leding to an overall hospital mortality rate of 45.4%. Mean survival time after decannulation was 28+/-16 h. Overall survival rate on ECMO as bridge to recovery and transplantation has been 54.5% with successful hospital discharge of patients. CONCLUSIONS Our experience shows that ECMO support can be offered intraoperatively to any children after palliative or corrective surgery for congenital heart disease with potentially reversible pulmonary, cardiac or cardiopulmonary failure. In the majority of patients who did not survive late after weaning from ECMO support, significant myocardial dysfunction persisted or pulmonary hypertensive events. Nevertheless, an acceptable proportion of patients who were successfully weaned from ECMO ultimately survived to leave the hospital.

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) ablation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, by comparatively analyzing the outcomes of the patients who underwent RF ablation with those of patients who underwent Cox/Maze III surgery. Methods Between April 1995 and June 2002, 70 patients underwent surgery for atrial fibrillation and open-heart surgery at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the University of Bologna: 30 patients underwent the surgical Cox/Maze III procedure (group 1), and 40 patients underwent the RF ablation according to the Maze III configuration at least on the left atrium (group 2). There were 14 males and 56 females, with a mean age of 61.5 ± 12.5 years (range 22 to 80 years old). Results Groups 1 and 2 did not differ in terms of baseline characteristics. The perioperative mortality rate was not significantly different between the two groups (6.6% in group 1 vs 7.5% in group 2). The overall cumulative rates of sinus rhythm were 68.9% in group 1 and 88.5% in group 2 (not statistically significant). Biatrial contraction was assessed by transthoracic echocardiography in 70.4% of the patients in group 1 and 76.5% of the patients in group 2 ( p = 0.65). Conclusions The RF ablation procedure offers as good results as the Cox/Maze III operation, allowing recovery of the sinus rhythm and atrial function in the great majority of patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent open heart surgery; it is a safe and effective means of curing atrial fibrillation with negligible technical and time requirements.

Objective We present the results obtained in 40 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation using direct intraoperative radiofrequency to perform atrial fibrillation surgery. Methods Between April 1995 and June 2002, 40 patients underwent surgery for atrial fibrillation using radiofrequency ablation and cardiac surgery at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the University of Bologna. There were 8 men and 32 women with a mean age of 62 ± 11.6 years (range: 20 to 80 years). Results Concomitant surgical procedures were: mitral valve replacement (n = 13), mitral valve replacement plus tricuspid valvuloplasty (n = 11), combined mitral and aortic valve replacement (n = 8), and combined mitral and aortic valve replacement plus tricuspid valvuloplasty (n = 5). Moreover, 1 patient underwent tricuspid valvuloplasty plus atrial septal defect repair, another required aortic valve replacement plus coronary artery bypass graft, and a third underwent aortic valve replacement. After the mean follow-up time of 16.5 ± 2.5 months survival was 92.8% and the overall cumulative rate of sinus rhythm was 88.5%. Conclusions We conclude that the radiofrequency ablation procedure is a safe and effective means of curing atrial fibrillation with negligible technical and time requirements, allowing recovery of the sinus rhythm and atrial function in the great majority of patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent cardiac surgery (88.5% of our study population).

We present a case of a traumatic aorto-right ventricular fistula coexistent with aortic insufficiency due to perforation of the left coronary leaflet, which is a lesion rarely described in the literature. We compare our experience with reports from the literature.

An approach is reported for right ventricle temporary mechanical support in long-term axial left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients preoperatively judged at high risk of right ventricular (RV) failure. The timing for RV assist device (RVAD) weaning and the technique for its removal through a right mini-thoracotomy are described. This strategy provides a good outcome in LVAD recipients avoiding the risk of immediate postoperative RV failure.

Objectives The excellent results with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have revolutionized the treatment options for end-stage heart failure. The use of pulsatile devices is associated with significant comorbidity and limited durability. The axial-flow HeartMate II LVAD represents the new generation of devices. The clinical use of this pump resulted in superior outcomes. We review the HeartMate II technology, management, clinical usage and our experience. Methods Between 3/2002 and 12/2008, 18 transplantable adult patients were supported on long-term HeartMate II LVAD at our institution (13 men, age 52 +/- 8.4 years, range: 31-64 years). Primary indications were: ischemic cardiomyopathy (CMP) (n = 13), idiopathic CMP (n = 5). All patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class IV heart failure. None of patients had prior open-heart surgery. Implantation via cannulation of the left ventricular apex and the ascending aorta was always elective. Results Mean support time was 217 +/- 212.3 days (range: 1-665 days). Early (30-day) mortality was 27.7% (five patients) with multiple organ failure and sepsis as main causes of death. Bleeding requiring reoperation occurred in six (33.3%) cases. Cerebral hemorrhage occurred in one patient. There were two driveline infections and no device failure. Twelve (66.6%) patients were successfully discharged home. Overall nine patients (50%) were transplanted and two patients are actually waiting for a suitable organ (n = 2 patients discharged home and n = 1 patient in hospital). At latest, follow-up survival rate after heart transplantation is 66.6% (six patients). Conclusion Long-term HeartMate II LVAD provides good mid-term, long-term results. This new technology requires delicate management. Functional status and quality of life greatly improve in patients who survive the perioperative period.

Chronic functional pulmonary hypertension (FPH) secondary to end-stage cardiomyopathy constitutes a risk factor for graft right ventricular failure(RVF) after orthotopic hearttransplantation (HTx). Anovelform ofmechanicalassist circuit,the extracorporeal rightto leftatriumbypass (ECRLAB),hasbeenproposed.Since1998,atourinstitution,atotalofsixpatientswithFPHwhoexperiencedgraftRVFafterHTx,asischemicendstage cardiomyopathy, during the effort to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass, underwent ECRLAB support. There were five men and one woman withameanageof55 3.5years(49—59years).TheJostraRotaFlowpumpwasusedinfivepatientsandtheBio-Medicusinone.Meandurationof supportwas94.3 17.5 h (75—126 h).All(100%)patientsweresuccessfully weanedfromECRLAB support.Hemodynamicparametersimprovedin all patients. Two patients died from cerebral haemorrhage. Four (66.6%) patients were successfully discharged home. ECRLAB could be proposed during HTx in patients with increased preoperative transpulmonary gradient to promote the functional adaptation of the graft and avoid graft RVF, until the decline of pulmonary resistances. # 2007 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Background This study evaluates the midterm clinical results of valve-preserving aortic root reconstruction by means of a modified conduit incorporating sinuses of Valsalva. Methods During a 5-year period, 151 patients with aneurysm of the aortic root underwent a reimplantation type of valve-sparing procedure using the Gelweave Valsalva prosthesis that incorporates sinuses of Valsalva. There were 121 males (80.1%), and the mean age was 56.4 ± 14.4 years (range, 14 to 83). Fourteen percent of the patients had Marfan syndrome and 8.6% had bicuspid aortic valve. Seven patients (4.6%) suffered from acute aortic dissection. Aortic replacement was extended to the arch in 14 patients (9.3%). Sixteen patients (10.6%) had associated cusp repair. Results In-hospital mortality was 3.3%, and it was significantly higher among patients operated on for acute dissection ( p = 0.001) and in symptomatic patients (III–IV New York Heart Association class; p = 0.021). Follow-up (mean, 18 months; range, 1 to 60) was 100% complete. There were 2 late deaths. Ten patients (6.8%) had 3 to 4+ aortic regurgitation, and 8 of these required late aortic valve replacement. Cusp repair was associated with a high incidence of late aortic valve replacement ( p = 0.005). At 5 years, freedom from aortic valve replacement and freedom from grade 3 to 4 aortic insufficiency was 90.8% ± 3.3% and 88.7% ± 3.6%, respectively. Conclusions The reimplantation valve-sparing procedure with the Gelweave Valsalva prosthesis provides satisfactory results for patients with aortic root aneurysm. Aortic cusp repair may lead to late aortic insufficiency. Proper leaflet evaluation is of paramount importance in preventing residual valve regurgitation.

Atrioventricular valve duplication, also known as double orifice valve, is an excitingly rare anomaly that can involve either the mitral or more uncommonly the tricuspid valve. Herein we describe a case of a double orifice tricuspid valve that prejudiced the complete repair in a symptomatic infant with tetralogy of Fallot.

Aneurysm development after repair of aortic coarctation is not a rare complication, but it is highly related to hypoplasia of the transverse aortic arch. The optimal management of such cases is not clearly established. We propose a single-stage transmediastinal re-repair using moderate hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass and antegrade selective cerebral perfusion.

* Corresponding author. Address: Via Vittoria Colonna, 19, 20149 Milano, Italy. Tel.: C39 335 6548336; fax: C39 051 345990. E-mail address: emmanuel.villa@voila.fr (E. Villa). ostium. Imprecise stent positioning is disturbing in case of supplemental cardioplegia: unplanned conversion to retrograde infusion or neonatal arteriotomy-catheter for selective cannulation are needed (Fig. 1). European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery 27 (2005) 712 www.elsevier.com/locate/ejcts

underline the relative greater frequency of this complication in heterotaxy syndrome when associated with anomalous pulmonary and systemic venous connections, which can make surgical repair complicated with the need to create a tortuous and potentially obstructive pathway. Despite this concern, a recent report from our institution 5 has shown excellent outcome with cavopulmonary connection in patients with heterotaxy syndrome and anomalous pulmonary venous return. This is likely due to improved surgical technique and use of extracardiac conduit in cases with complex atrial and venous anatomy (18%). None of the 3 patients had evidence of obstruction at the pulmonary venous pathway early after the Fontan procedure, as determined by 2-dimensional echocardiography. Pulmonary venous obstruction developed slowly through a period of several months to years. In patient 2, pulmonary venous obstruction developed 4 months after device closure of the fenestration, suggesting that the additional scarring from device implantation contributed to the obstruction. The obstruction was due to fibrotic tissue at either the interatrial septum or in the interatrial course of the pulmonary veins (patient 2). To prevent this complication, and to ensure a wide open pulmonary venous outflow, particularly in patients with mitral atresia or stenosis, we currently enlarge the communication between the pulmonary veins and the right atrium by unroofing the coronary sinus posteriorly into the left atrium, in addition to resection of the interatrial septum. In conclusion, late onset obstruction of pulmonary venous pathway after lateral tunnel cavopulmonary connection is a rare but serious complication that may be prevented by unroofing the coronary sinus at the time of Fontan procedure.