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Fulminant pulmonary embolism associated with cardiac arrest has an extremely high mortality. The feasibility of pulmonary embolectomy initiated during resuscitation is still under discussion. Between January 1975 and October 1992, embolectomy was performed in 34 patients, 21 to 79 years of age. Diagnosis was established primarily by indirect parameters (medical history, ECG, blood gas analyses, Swan-Ganz catheter in 22 cases). Only in 12 instances, imaging techniques as angiography, ventilation perfusion mismatch, and transesophageal echocardiography were performed. Fifteen patients did not require resuscitation (group A); 6 had to be resuscitated and underwent surgery after reestablishing circulation with catecholamines (group B); 13 patients were connected to extracorporeal circulation during continuous cardiopulmonary resuscitation (30 to 210 minutes) (group C). Embolectomy was performed using extracorporeal circulation with the heart beating (n = 8), or fibrillating (n = 15), or using cardioplegia (n = 11). Twenty-two patients received a caval clip or ligature at the end of the procedure. Fifteen patients (44%) died early postoperatively. The mortality rates for groups A, B, and C were 33%, 66% and 46%, respectively. Nine patients died of right heart failure, 4 of brain death, and 2 of septical complications. Of the surviving patients, only one had ischemic brain damage. In two cases a recurrent pulmonary embolism occurred after a follow-up of 16 years (mean follow-up 4.9 years). We conclude, that even with subtotal obstruction of the pulmonary artery, effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation with maintenance of uncompromised brain function is possible. In emergency situations, the decision to operate may be based only on clinical features without imaging diagnostic procedures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In spite of good long-term results, heart transplantation continues to carry a significant risk of hospital mortality (about 10%). Among cardiac deaths, right-heart failure due to an elevated pulmonary vascular resistance represents a main contributing factor. Since no quantitative data on the hemodynamic situation early after transplantation are available, we monitored 27 heart transplant patients during the first four postoperative days. Data derived from right-heart catheterization, dosages of catecholamines and vasodilative substances were measured at 2, 4, 16, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after the operation. Oxygen consumption and serum lactate levels were determined until 48 h postoperatively. During that time cardiac output remained constant (2 h: 6.6 +/- 1.4 l/min). The dosage of catecholamines was highest immediately after transplantation (2 h: 0.229 +/- 0.136 micrograms adrenaline/kg/min) and could be reduced thereafter. Highest values of pulmonary vascular resistance were obtained 2 h postoperatively (160 +/- 48 dyn.s.cm-5). This early postoperative situation may result in the development of right-heart failure as observed in two patients who died despite the use of prostacycline on the third and eighth postoperative days. To counteract the systemic vasodilative side-effects of prostaglandins, temporary atrial pacing seems to be useful. In our study atrial stimulation led to an increase of cardiac output and a moderate elevation of mean arterial blood pressure. Only a poor correlation between pre- and postoperative (2-h) pulmonary vascular resistance data could be observed. In most patients the pulmonary vascular resistance decreased during the postoperative course. This was not the case in patients with fixed pulmonary hypertension. We, therefore, conclude that preoperative diagnostics should be refined to recognize patients at risk in order to reduce postoperative mortality.

Intestinal ischemia following open heart surgery is rare but nevertheless extremely dangerous and the causes are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors influencing the occurrence and outcome of patients with this complication. At our institution between 1985 and 1989 1712 patients underwent open heart surgery and 4 female patients suffered from intestinal ischemia. The early mortality was 2.5% for the whole group and 100% for the group with intestinal ischemia. All these 4 patients were elderly and had a history of hypertension and hyperlipoproteinemia. Three of the four patients with intestinal ischemia had various risk factors for thromboembolic events such as pre-existing occlusive arterial disease and cardiac dysrhythmias or had a complicated postoperative course. In two patients an enormous increase in serum lactate to over 10 mmol/l occurred prior to the intestinal ischemia. We therefore consider advancing age, female gender and a susceptibility for thromboembolic events as important risk factors for the development of intestinal ischemia. A serum lactate over 10 mmol/l should lead to an aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach including exploratory laparotomy.

Early mortality (EM) following surgery for ruptured abdominal aneurysm continues to be extremely high. In the literature EM still ranges between 30 and 85%, despite improvement of surgical intervention and perioperative management in the recent years. Numerous studies investigate intra- und postoperative parameters, but little is known about preoperative transportation circumstances and the clinical condition prior to intervention. The transportation system at our clinic allowed a complete retrospective assessment of these parameters which were included into the evaluation of the risk factor analysis of the study. From 1974 to 1986 142 patients (131 male, 11 female, mean age: 68.8 years [46-89 years]) were operated on ruptured abdominal aneurysms. Time intervals prior to admission and surgical intervention as well as perioperative data were retrospectively assessed. The patients were divided in: deceased (D) within 30 days and survivors (S). Late survival was assessed either by letter or telephone interview. Age and sex showed no influence on the early mortality. Transportation time and time interval: admission/operation were similar in both groups. The shockindex showed a significant difference. D: 1.1 +/- 0.27; S: 0.8 +/- 0.16. Anuria was seen in 66% of the diseased and 26% of the surviving patients. If free perforation was detected 20 of 30 patients died. The total amount of transfusion differed significantly: D: 6.8 +/- 2.51; S:3.9 +/- 2.01. If diaphragmal X-clamp was necessary 7 of 8 patients died. The necessity of catecholamine support postoperatively was 64% for deceased patients. Dialysis was necessary in 77.8% of the deceased patients. 84% of D developed an ileus and 67% of D developed a pneumonia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Impaired donor heart function after heart transplantation results in the necessity for prolonged catecholamine and ventilatory support of the patient. Subsequently the risk of multiorgan impairment, infection, and rejection will be increased. In this retrospective analysis we tried to identify donor-related risk factors in patients who died early after transplantation. Of 174 patients undergoing heart transplantation from October 1985 through October 1988, 22 (12.6%) died early. Of the total, 39 cases were evaluated retrospectively for donor-related logistic and metabolic factors. All donors were analyzed with respect to the early mortality for age, weight, height, maximum dopamine concentration, thyroid hormone levels, and the duration from brain death until explantation and ischemia. Thirty patients were survivors (group A); nine patients died early (group B). By multiple regression analysis a significant influence (group A vs group B) of donor age, dopamine support, and ischemic time on early mortality could be demonstrated, whereas donor weight and height, hormone levels of triiodothyronine and thyroxine, and duration of brain death showed no correlation. From this limited experience we conclude that use of hearts from older donors with higher catecholamine support and longer ischemic times will result in an increased early mortality. In contrast, no influence of prolonged brain death times and metabolic factors could be demonstrated.

Between 1973 and 1977 169 patients underwent implantation of bifurcated prostheses for arterial occlusive disease. Perioperative and follow-up data 10-14 years after operation were retrospectively assessed. The angiologic status of living patients was compiled. Impact of following risk factors was investigated with multivariant analysis. Coronary artery disease, hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus, Pulmonary disease, renal insufficiency, obesity. Follow-up was 98.8%. Preoperatively over 90% of the patients investigated had been in grade IIb (Fontaine) or worse (33% grade IV). Early mortality was 5.3% (1973 = 15%, 1977 = 5.3%, 1987/1988 = 1.8%) and was mainly related to cardiopulmonary factors. Reoperation was necessary in 69 patients (149 procedures, no mortality, 38 amputations). Late mortality was 75% (120 of 160 patients) and mainly due to cardiac problems. The 10-year-actuarial-survival (37%) was reduced due to following combinations of risk factors: Myocardial infarction/smoking/obesity (n = 41) 17%, diabetes/smoking (n = 36) 17% hypertension/myocardial infarction (n = 24) 8%. Clinical condition of the living patients (n = 40) was: 48% grade I, 28% grade IIa, 18% grade IIb, none grade III, 8% grade IV. Long term results following implantation of bifurcated prostheses for arterial occlusive disease show, that quality of life is consistently improved. Reoperation is necessary in almost half of the patients due to the progressive disease. Late mortality is closely related to the underlying arteriosclerosis. Life expectancy of our patients does not significantly differ from the normal population and is probably a sequelae of the close follow-up.

A 19-year-old woman underwent heart-lung transplantation for obstructive bronchiolitis. Eleven days later mycotic rupture of the ascending aorta occurred. Emergency cardiopulmonary bypass was instituted via the femoral vessels and the chest was reopened under cardiac massage. Perforation of the aorta at the site of insertion of the cardioplegic cannula in the donor aorta was seen. Under circulatory arrest the infected area was excised, a pericardial patch plasty was performed, and the region was covered with a muscle flap. Postoperatively, Candida albicans was found in the excised specimen of the aorta, in drainage fluid, and in the bronchoalveolar lavage. High doses of antimycotics were administered intravenously and for irrigation of the mediastinum, which resulted in an eradication of fungi in all cultures 7 days later. Six weeks after reoperation the patient was discharged home, and she remains well 9 months postoperatively.

Histologically proved rejection after heart transplantation is commonly treated with intravenous steroids, 1 gm/day for 3 days. This regimen may result in severe side effects, however, both metabolic and infectious. In a total of 663 rejection episodes, we treated 397 with conventional steroid therapy, 1000 mg per day for 3 days (group 1), 199 with 500 mg/day for 3 days (group 2), and 67 with 250 mg/day for 3 days (group 3). Response to treatment was assessed by control biopsy after 1 week and graded as ongoing, resolving, or resolved rejection. The efficacy of the three regimens showed no significant differences between the groups as determined by the results of the subsequent biopsy. Ongoing rejection, resolving rejection, and resolved rejection, respectively: group 1-3.3%, 66.5%, 30.2%; group 2-8.0%, 66.8%, 25.2%; group 3-4.5%, 73.1%, 22.4%. We conclude that comparable effects, even with a considerable reduction of pulsed steroids, may be obtained in the treatment of cardiac allograft rejection, if triple-drug immunosuppression is used for maintenance therapy. It seems likely that steroid side effects may be decreased without jeopardizing the graft.

The artificial heart (TAH) has become a clinical reality as a bridging device to staged transplantation. In order to manage one of the limiting factors of transplantation surgery, namely the lack of donor hearts, the use of TAH as a bridging device will be important for the next years. Nevertheless the development of TAH as a permanent prosthesis should be increasingly intensified. Biocompatibility must be the main goal of production. For the present there is no material in sight which fulfills all requirements. It might be possible though, that progresses in the development of synthetic materials will result in non-thrombotic TAH, herewith eliminating the vulnerable spot of TAH.

The pulmonary and systemic hemodynamic effects of recurrent endotoxemia were studied in the adult sheep with lung lymph fistulas. Six sheep were given 1 mu/kg Escherichia coli endotoxin every 12 hours for 5 days, after which animals were monitored for another 3 days. The pulmonary response to the first three injections was characterized by an initial severe pulmonary hypertension, hypoxia, and a two- to threefold increase in lymph flow, QL. Lymph and plasma thromboxane A2 (TxB2) and prostacyclin (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) levels increased from baseline values of nearly 200 pg/ml to values exceeding 2000 pg/ml. The systemic response to initial doses was characterized by an increase in systemic vascular resistance, a decrease in cardiac index, and a transient 20% increase in oxygen consumption. With later endotoxin doses, the pulmonary response was markedly attenuated, with only modest changes in pulmonary artery pressure, lymph flow, and arterial oxygen tension noted. TxB2 increases were less than 800 pg/ml, and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels remained unchanged. However, we noted the progressive onset of a hyperdynamic state characterized by a sustained increase in cardiac index and body temperature, and a 50% increase in oxygen consumption, whereas systemic vascular resistance decreased by 45%. Three days after endotoxin injections were discontinued, the hyperdynamic state (including leukocytosis) was still present, whereas pulmonary variables returned to baseline levels. We conclude that a hyperdynamic state can be produced by repeated doses of endotoxin that will present even after the endotoxin insult is discontinued, which is a characteristic of the multisystem organ failure syndrome.