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A variant technique for the surgical treatment of left ventricular aneurysms

Paulo Roberto Barbosa EvoraI; Paulo Victor Alves TubinoIII; Luis Gustavo GaliII; Lafaiete Alves JuniorIII; Cesar Augusto FerreiraI; Solange BassettoIII; Antônio Carlos MenardiI; Alfredo José RodriguesI; Walter Vilella de Andrade VicenteI

DOI: 10.5935/1678-9741.20140110

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To present a surgical variant technique to repair left ventricular aneurysms.
METHODS: After anesthesia, cardiopulmonary bypass, and myocardial protection with hyperkalemic tepic blood cardioplegia: 1) The left ventricle is opened through the infarct and an endocardial encircling suture is placed at the transitional zone between the scarred and normal tissue; 2) Next, the scar tissue is circumferentially plicated with deep stitches using the same suture thread, taking care to eliminate the entire septal scar; 3) Then, a second encircling suture is placed, completing the occlusion of the aneurysm, and; 4) Finally, the remaining scar tissue is oversewn with an invaginating suture, to ensure hemostasis. Myocardium revascularization is performed after correction of the left ventricle aneurysm. The same surgeon performed all the operations.
RESULTS: Regarding the post-surgical outcome 4 patients (40%) had surgery 8 eight years ago, 2 patients (20%) were operated on over 6 years ago, and 1 patient (10%) was operated on more than 5 years ago. Three patients (30%) were in functional class I, class II in 2 patients (20%) and 2 patients (20%) with severe comorbidities remains in class III of the NYHA. There were three deaths (at four days, 15 days and eight months) in septuagenarians with acute myocardial infarction, diabetes and pulmonary emphysema.
CONCLUSION: The technique is easy to perform, safe and it can be an option for the correction of left ventricle aneurysms.

RESUMO

OBJETIVO: Apresentar uma variante técnica para correção de aneurismas do ventrículo.
MÉTODOS: Após anestesia geral, circulação extracorpórea e proteção miocárdica com cardioplegia sanguínea tépida hiperpotassêmica: 1) O ventrículo esquerdo é aberto através da área de infarto e procede-se a uma cerclagem do endocárdio (polipropileno 2-0) em torno da zona de transição entre a cicatriz e tecido normal; 2) No passo seguinte, o tecido cicatricial é circularmente plicado com pontos grosseiros e profundos, utilizando o mesmo fio de sutura, tomando cuidado para eliminar toda a cicatriz septal; 3) A seguir, uma segunda cerclagem completa a oclusão do aneurisma, e; 4) Finalmente, o tecido cicatricial restante é submetido a uma sutura invaginante para garantir a hemostasia. Terminada a correção do aneurisma, realiza-se a revascularização do miocárdio. Todos os pacientes foram operados pelo mesmo cirurgião.
RESULTADOS: Em relação ao tempo de evolução pós-cirúrgica 4 pacientes (40%) superaram o tempo de 8 anos, 2 pacientes (20%) foram operados há mais de 6 anos e 1 paciente (10%) foi operado há mais de 5 anos. Três pacientes estão em classe funcional I (30%), 2 pacientes em classe II (20%) e 2 em classe III (20%) da NYHA. Ocorreram 3 óbitos (30%) em curto prazo (4 dias, 15 dias e 8 meses) em pacientes septuagenários, infarto agudo do miocárdio menos de 30 dias, diabetes e enfisema pulmonar.
CONCLUSÃO: A técnica é segura, tecnicamente fácil, e pode ser uma opção para a correção de aneurismas do ventrículo esquerdo.

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

CCS: Canadian Cardiovascular Society

LV: Left ventricular

NYHA: New York Heart Association

SVR: Surgical ventricular reconstruction

INTRODUCTION

According Donst in a paper published in Heart Failure Review Surgical, "Reconstruction of physiological shape and size of a postischemically remodeled left ventricle has been advocated to improve ventricular function and improve patient long-term outcome. What initially started as linear aneurysm resection surgery developed over the years into the endoventricular repair techniques that have also been applied in patients with postischemically dilated ventricles and mainly anterior akinesia"[1].

In 1985, while describing the circular endoventricular suture, in the transition zone between the scared tissue and the viable myocardium, Jatene [2] introduced the concept of "anatomical reconstruction of the left ventricle". Dor et al.[3] described the use of the endoventricular suture to rebuild a failing ventricle with an endoventricular patch after extended endocardectomy for ventricular tachycardia. The concept of excluding all the diseased tissue from the cavity, especially the septum, is the basis of the good results[4]. Afterwards, in 2001, Caldeira & McCarthy described a technique for a "no-patch" repair of left anterior descending aneurysms[5].

The aim of this paper is to present an option of "no-patch" variant technique to treat left ventricular aneurysms, without arguing whether there is a significant difference from others' techniques or that it is measurably better. The proposed variant technique was previously published[6], emphasizing that Gomes et al.[7,8] reported a variant technique that eliminates the use of synthetic materials for left ventricle reconstruction.

 

METHODS

From July 2005 to March 2014, 10 consecutive patients (65.2±8.2 years-old) with ischemic heart disease underwent the aneurysmectomy surgery described herein. Five patients were male (50%), and five were female (50%). The follow-up period was completed in 2014 by means of office visits. Follow-up consisted of obtaining information about the functional class of congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association [NYHA]), angina (Canadian Cardiovascular Society [CCS]), and nonroutine control echocardiograms. All patients were clinically treated and free of angina and presented severe congestive heart failure (Class IV/NYHA). The surgeries were performed under cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic cross-clamping and anterograde hyperkalemic tepid blood cardioplegia.

Technique

After general balanced anesthesia, cardiopulmonary bypass and blood cardioplegia: 1) The left ventricle is opened through the infarcted area, and an endocardial encircling suture is placed at the transitional zone between the scarred and normal tissue (Figure 1A); 2) In the next step, the scar tissue is circumferentially plicated with deep stitches using the same suture thread (Figure 1B); 3) Then, a second encircling suture is placed, completing occlusion of the the aneurysm, taking care to eliminate the entire septal scar (Figure 1C), and; 4) Finally, the remaining scar tissue is oversewn with an invaginating suture, to ensure hemostasis (Figure 1D). Myocardial revascularizations were performed after the left ventricle reconstruction. The same surgeon carried out all operations.

 

 

RESULTS

In seven patients (70%), thrombi were found in the cavities of ventricular aneurysms. Besides the left ventricular aneurysmectomy, nine patients (90%) underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, and one patient (10%) underwent coronary artery bypass grafting as well as mitral valve replacement (Table 1). In nine patients, (90%) mechanical circulatory support with intra-aortic balloon pump was used in the first 12 hours postoperatively.

 

 

Regarding the post-surgical outcome, four patients (40%) had surgery over eight years ago, two patients (20%) were operated on over six years ago, and one patient (10%) was operated on more than five years ago. Three patients (30%) were in functional class I, class II in 2 patients (20%) and 2 patients (20%) with severe comorbidities remains in class III of the NYHA. There were three deaths (at our days, 15 days and eight months) in septuagenarians with, acute myocardial infarction, diabetes and pulmonary emphysema (Table 1).

Just for illustration purposes, echocardiographic data of five patients operated on more than five years ago is shown (Table 2), in addiction to echocardiogram imaging showing the preserved shape of the left ventricle (Figure 2). These data correspond to two years after the reconstruction.

 

 

 

 

DISCUSSION

Dor was the first surgeon to demonstrate that the endoventricular patch plasty repair could be applied not only to left ventricular (LV) aneurysm, but also to a dilated akinetic ischemic LV. He emphasized the concept of reducing the LV size and reconstructing a more elliptical cavity, treating the dilatation in all its components (anterior, apical and septal). The concept of excluding all the diseased tissue from the cavity, especially the septum, is the basis of the good results[4].

The present surgical technique is quite similar to that which was described by the Caldeira & McCarthy[5] technical report (no patch and two encircling sutures), retaining the Jatene "geometric preservation" principle and the "endoventricular suture and scar tissue exclusion" Dor principle. The technique details include: a) The entire operation is performed using a single suture tied after the two encircling stitches adjustments and at the final external suture; b) Before the second encircling "purse-string", circular plication of the scar tissue is carried out, and; c) The final closure is completed by an invaginating suture that ensures improved hemostasis. Finally, it is emphasized that the no-patch surgical strategy has the indirect advantage of saving time since the stitches are performed in a continuous manner.

The surgical technique can also be considered a variant of the one proposed by Gomes et al.[7,8] that also reported the unnecessary use of synthetic materials. This technique, with the elimination of prosthetic materials, virtually eliminates left ventricle akinetic areas and potentially attenuates chronic inflammatory reaction.

Based on superbly written opinion, Doenst[1] theorized that left surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR) approaches are "a matter of perspective". According to the German author, the STICH trial (Surgical Treatment for IsChemic Heart failure) presented rather sobering information with its Hypothesis 2 outcome by demonstrating identical 5-year survival rates between SVR plus bypass grafting (CABG) and CABG alone. SVR also did not improve quality of life. This neutral finding spawned a series of critical responses with respect to trial design and conduct accompanied by appropriate responses by the trial's leadership. At the end of this dispute, it appears that SVR has been accepted as not very useful for most patients and is less and less performed in daily practice. However, though SVR may be of low value for patients with dilated and massively remodeled ventricles, the surgery still bears therapeutic potential for some patients, for different reasons, so that the surgeon's ability to perform this operation should not bet lost[1].

It is relevant to mention that there are, beside experiences around the world, convincing Brazilian experiences for ventricular reconstruction: 1) Direct suture[9]; 2) Modification of the Cooley technique with patch suture[10]; 3) Dor patch plasty with septal exclusion[11-13]; 4) Jatene geometric reconstruction with semi-rigid bovine pericardial prosthesis[14-17]; and 5) Attempts to compare different techniques without definitive proof of superiority among them[18,19]. However, from the point of view of safety and reduction of surgical time, the "no patch" surgical variants techniques would be useful for the decision whether to operate left ventricular aneurysm or akinesia.

 

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, it is important to keep in mind that the data of this small number of patients who underwent the "no patch" left ventricle reconstruction variant was presented only to attest that the surgical technique is viable and safe. However, even considering these reasonable results, it remains hard to argue that this is a significant difference from other techniques. Moreover, one must take into account that surgical repair of aneurysms of the left ventricle is not the same for all patients since there are aneurysms with and without contractile lap, or even without lap, both accompanied by mitral regurgitation due to remodeling, consequent to the formation of ventricular aneurysm after acute myocardial infarction.

REFERENCES

1. Doenst T. Surgical approaches to left ventricular reconstruction: a matter of perspective. Heart Fail Rev. 2013;18(1):15-25. [MedLine]

2. Jatene AD. Left ventricular aneurysmectomy. Resection or reconstruction. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1985;89(3):321-31. [MedLine]

3. Dor V, Kreitmann P, Jourdan J. Interest of physiological closure (circumferential plasty on contractile areas) of left ventricle after resection and endocardectomy for aneurysm or akinetic zone. Comparison with classical technique about a series of 209 left ventricular resections. J Cardiovasc Surg 1985; 26:73 [abstract].

4. Dor V, Saab M, Coste P, Kornaszewska M, Montiglio F. Left ventricular aneurysm: a new surgical approach. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1989;37(1):11-9.

5. Caldeira C, McCarthy PM. A simple method of left ventricular reconstruction without patch for ischemic cardiomyopathy. Ann Thorac Surg. 2001;72(6):2148-9. [MedLine]

6. Evora PR, Bassetto S, Junior LA. A variant "no-patch" technique for surgery of left ventricular aneurysms. Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann. 2014;22(2):242-4. [MedLine]

7. Gomes WJ, Jaramillo JI, Asanuma F, Alves FA. Physiologic left ventricular reconstruction: the concept of maximum ventricular reduction and minimum inflammatory reaction. Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc. 2004;19(4):353-7. View article

8. Gomes WJ, Saavedra RE, Garanhão DM, Carvalho AR, Alves FA. The renewed concept of the Batista operation for ischemic cardiomyopathy: maximum ventricular reduction. Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc. 2011;26(4):544-51. [MedLine] View article

9. Kalil RK, Prates PR, Lucchese FA, Bertoletti VE, Nesralla IA. Resection of chronic aneurysms of the left ventricle post-myocardial infarct. Arq Bras Cardiol. 1977;30(1):37-42. [MedLine]

10. Prates PR, Vitola D, Sant'Anna JR, Lucchese FA, Kalil RA, Nesralla IA, et al. Modified Cooley technique for surgical repair of left ventricular aneurysms. Arq Bras Cardiol. 1991;56(3):219-22. [MedLine]

11. Almeida RMS, Lima Jr JD, Bastos LC, Carvalho CT, Loures DR. Remodelamento do ventrículo esquerdo pela técnica da endoventriculoplastia com exclusão septal: experiência inicial. Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc. 2000;15(4):302-7. View article

12. Prates PR, Homsi Neto A, Lovato LM, Teiseira GF, Sant'Anna JR, Yordi LM, et al. Late results of endoventricular patch plasty repair in akinetic and dyskinetic areas after acute myocardial infarction. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2002;79(2):107-16. [MedLine]

13. Almeida RM. Surgical reverse remodelling of the left ventricle: 111 months of follow-up. Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc. 2009;24(4):470-7. [MedLine]

14. Braile DM, Mustafá RM, Santos JLV, Ardito RV, Zaiantchick M, Coelho WMC, et al. Correção da geometria do ventrículo esquerdo com prótese semi-rígida de pericárdio bovino. Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc. 1991;6(2):109-15. View article

15. Branco JN, Buffolo E, Andrade JC, Succi JE, Leão LE, Biscegli JF, et al. Aneurysmectomy of the left ventricle. Geometric reconstruction using a semi-rigid teflon prosthesis. Arq Bras Cardiol. 1982;39(4):241-5. [MedLine]

16. Silveira WL, Leite AF, Soares EC, Nery MW, Carneiro AF, Oliveira VG. Short-term follow-up of patients after aneurysmectomy of the left ventricle. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2000;75(5):401-4. [MedLine]

17. Silveira Filho LM, Petrucci O, Vilarinho KAS, Baker RS, Garcia F, Oliveira PPM, et al. A bovine pericardium rigid prosthesis for left ventricle restoration: 12 years of follow-up. Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc. 2011;26(2):164-72. [MedLine] View article

18. Borzellino DA, Puig LB, Martins SN, de Borzellino MR, Macruz H, de Oliveira SA, et al. Evaluation of the surgical treatment of left ventricular aneurysms. Arq Bras Cardiol. 1984;43(4):245-9. [MedLine]

19. Dancini JL, Rodrigues JJ, Santos J, Pinto RFA, Burgos FJC, Conforti CA. Aneurismectomia do ventrículo esquerdo: avaliação tardia. Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc. 1996;11(1):23-9. View article

Financial support: CNPq, FAEPA, HCFMRP-USP.
No conflict of interest.

Authors' roles & responsibilities

PRBE: Paper review, data, and writing

PVAT: Paper review and data

LGG: Paper review and data

LAJ: Paper review

CAF: Paper review

SB: Paper review

ACM: Paper review

AJR: Paper review and data

WVAV: Paper review and data

Article receive on Sunday, June 8, 2014

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