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Background: The Florida sleeve (FS) procedure was developed as a simplified approach for repair of functional type I aortic insufficiency secondary to aortic root aneurysm. We evaluated postoperative aortic valve function, long-term survival, and freedom from reoperation in Marfan syndrome patients who underwent the FS procedure at our center., Methods: All Marfan syndrome patients undergoing FS procedure from May 2002 to December 2014 were included. Echocardiography assessment included left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), ejection fraction, and degree of aortic insufficiency (none = 0, minimal = 1, mild = 2, moderate = 3, severe = 4). Social Security Death Index and primary care physicians' report were used for long-term follow-up., Results: Thirty-seven Marfan syndrome patients, 21 (56.8%) men and 16 (43%) women with mean age of 35.08 ± 13.45 years underwent FL repair at our center. There was no in-hospital or 30-day death or stroke. Two patients required reoperation due to bleeding. Patients' survival rate was 94% at 1 to 8 years. Freedom from reoperation was 100% at 8 years. Twenty-five patients had postoperative follow-up echocardiography at 1 week. Aortic insufficiency grade significantly decreased after the procedure (preoperative mean ± SD: 1.76 ± 1.2 versus 1-week postoperative mean ± SD: 0.48 ± 0.71, p < 0.001), and mean LVEDD decreased from 52.23 ± 5.29 mm to 47.53 ± 8.89 mm (p = 0.086). Changes in LVESD (35.33 ± 9.97 mm to 36.58 ± 9.82 mm, p = 0.58) and ejection fraction (57.65% ± 6.22% to 55% ± 10.83%, p = 0.31) were not significant., Conclusions: The FS procedure can be performed safely in Marfan syndrome patients with immediate improvement in aortic valve function. Long-term survival and freedom from reoperation rates are encouraging., (Copyright © 2017 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Complex aortic arch disease can be a formidable challenge and is often treated with a two-stage elephant trunk technique. We examined our experience with hybrid arch repair with combined zone 0 stent graft deployment., Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients who underwent type 2 hybrid arch replacement and zone 0 antegrade endovascular stent graft deployments at a single university center from June 2010 to August 2015., Results: The review included 48 patients, 25 (52%) elective and 23 (48%) nonelective, with a mean ± SD age of 64 ± 11 years. Overall in-hospital mortality was 17% (8 of 48). Age exceeding 65 years (odds ratio, 9.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 36), preoperative international normalized ratio exceeding 1.3 (odds ratio, 14.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.1 to 95.87), and postoperative acute kidney injury (odds ratio, 5.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 29) were associated with in-hospital death. Postoperative stroke occurred in 3 patients (6%) and permanent paraplegia in 1 patient (2%). One (2%) patient underwent reoperation due to bleeding, and 6 patients (13%) experienced respiratory failure/reintubation. Acute kidney injury developed in 12 patients (25%), according to Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria, with 7 (14.6%) at stage 1 and 5 (10.4%) at stage 3. At the 1-year follow-up, type II endoleak developed in 2 of the 40 patients (5%), and 2 others required reoperation due to progression of chronic aortic dissection. Median follow-up time was 17 months (range, 1 to 63 months). The overall survival rate was 92% ± 0.04% at 6 months and 89% ± 0.05% at 1 and at 3 years., Conclusions: Hybrid repair of complex aortic arch pathology with antegrade stent graft deployment can be performed safely with high technical success while obviating the need for a second operation. Reasonable midterm survival can be anticipated; however, older age, preoperative coagulopathy, and postoperative acute kidney injury are factors associated with poor outcome., (Copyright © 2017 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Sternal reentry for ascending aorta pseudoaneurysm repair presents a formidable challenge because of the risk of aneurysm rupture and hemorrhage. We describe two cases of large pseudoaneurysms at high risk for rupture during sternal reentry in which the chest was safely entered by use of an anterior sternal retraction technique. Several other methods for sternal reentry have been reported; however, the reliability and efficiency of the described technique make it the preferred method for sternal reentry for pseudoaneurysms at our institution., (Copyright © 2014 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aortic valve-sparing reimplantation remains an effective technique for repair of aortic root aneurysms. Studies indicate that the Florida Sleeve procedure is dimensionally stable and durable in the early postoperative period; however, our technique has evolved. We describe a 10-year institutional experience and the technical update of the Florida Sleeve repair for root aneurysms.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of phosphodiesterase type III and V (PDEIII and PDEV) inhibition on pulmonary and systemic haemodynamics in a porcine model of acute pulmonary hypertension., Methods: Twenty-four adult swine were anaesthetized with 1 MAC isoflurane and mechanically ventilated with an FI(O(2)) of 100%. Micromanometer-tipped catheters were placed in the ascending aorta, pulmonary artery and right ventricle. Pulmonary flow was measured with a perivascular probe using transit time ultrasound. Pulmonary hypertension was induced with a continuous infusion of the thromboxane analogue, U46619. The animals were then randomized to four groups: Group 1 (n=6) received 50 mg of sildenafil (PDEV inhibitor) diluted in water via an orogastric tube; Group 2 (n=6) received 50 microg kg(-1) of i.v. milrinone (PDEIII inhibitor); Group 3 (n=6) received sildenafil followed by milrinone; and Group 4 (n=6) received placebo via an orogastric tube., Results: Pulmonary hypertension was achieved in all animals. Calculated pulmonary vascular resistance decreased by an average of 36% after sildenafil (P<0.05), 41% after milrinone (P<0.05), and 61% with both drugs combined (P<0.05). Systemic vascular resistance decreased by 37% (P<0.05) with milrinone alone, and 36% (P<0.05) with milrinone and sildenafil combined but it was preserved in the sildenafil group. Cardiac output and right ventricular dP/dT were significantly improved after milrinone or both drugs combined, but not with sildenafil., Conclusion: Milrinone and sildenafil are effective pulmonary vasodilators, with independent action and additive effect. Both drugs combined achieved a better haemodynamic profile, with greater pulmonary vasodilatation and increased contractility but without additional systemic vasodilatation. The systemic haemodynamic profile (systemic vasodilation, cardiac output, right ventricular dP/dT) is improved with milrinone but not with sildenafil.

Our aim was to evaluate the impact of cell-saver volume and free hemoglobin load on renal dysfunction. Intraoperative blood salvage was conducted in standard fashion, and in each case a sample of the blood was removed for testing. Outcome data on individual patients were collected during a 6-year period (1992-1998). The total amount of free hemoglobin each patient received was calculated. Renal dysfunction was defined as a rise in creatinine level of 1.0 mg/dL above baseline. There were a total of 125 patients who received salvaged blood. The free hemoglobin concentration ranged from 19 to 304 mg/dL (mean, 87.5 mg/dL). Patients were stratified into groups on the basis of the total free hemoglobin received, and the Kruskal-Wallis test demonstrated a difference between groups in the prevalence of renal dysfunction (P < 0.001). A total of 15 patients (12%) had significant postoperative renal dysfunction. There was an association between the amount of free hemoglobin load and subsequent renal dysfunction. This may warrant further study toward establishing policies and limits regarding maximal free hemoglobin blood.

Exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis is a frequent event occurring after severe forms of exercise. This is usually a short-lived, uncomplicated phenomenon that is seldom of any clinical significance. The rare progression of this muscle injury to compartment syndrome is, however, a limb- and life-threatening condition that typically presents in the anterior compartment of the lower leg. A case is reported of a young man who participated in physical activity well beyond his normal level of exertion and subsequently developed bilateral lower extremity compartment syndrome requiring surgical decompression. To our knowledge, this is the only description of this complication occurring in a multicompartment, bilateral distribution. The combination of the rarity and morbidity of this condition, as well as the multitude of very common benign injuries that present in the same manner as the problem discussed, make this insult especially dangerous.