OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of portaazygous disconnection (PAD), portacaval shunt (PCS) and distal splenocaval shunt (DSCS) on the portosytemic shunting (PSS), hepatic function (HF), hepatic mitochondrial respiratory function (HMRF), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and arterial ketone body ratio (KBR) in order to provide a sound basis for selecting suitable operations for patients.

METHODSUsing a cirrhotic portal hypertensive model induced by CCl4/ethanol in Wistar rats, the PSS, HF, HMRF, OGTT and KBR were determined three weeks after PCS, DSCS and PAD.

RESULTSIt was revealed that: (1) In the cirrhotic portal hypertension rats, the PSS increased significantly, HMRF and hepatic reserve function (HRF) decreased significantly when compared with the control rats. (2) At the time of first postoperative week, the mean blood glucose value in the 120-minute OGTT in each PAD, PCS and DSCS groups had significant differences compared with the cirrhotic control group. But during the second and third postoperative weeks, the mean blood glucose values in the 120-minute OGTT in both PAD and DSCS groups had no significant differences compared with the cirrhotic control group except for the PCS group. The values of KBR in the three operative groups decreased significantly compared with the cirrhotic control group during the two postoperative weeks. In the third postoperative week, only the values of KBR in the PCS group had a significant difference compared with the cirrhotic control group. (3) After PCS, the PSS was further increased; HF and HMRF were significantly decreased. Little improvement was found in the third postoperative week. (4) After DSCS and PAD, the above mentioned indices were less influenced, and they were restored more quickly than those in the PCS group.

CONCLUSIONWe found that PAD and DSCS are more desirable than PCS.

Animals ; Hypertension, Portal ; etiology ; surgery ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; complications ; surgery ; Portacaval Shunt, Surgical ; Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical ; methods ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

PURPOSE: To investigate the changes occurring in portal hemodynamics in patients with esophageal and gastric varices, according to variceal type, before and after TIPS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1994 and June 1999, we evaluated 22 of 44 patients who had undergone TIPS and endoscopy on admission. In these 22, hepatic venous and main portal venous pressure were measured. On the basis of endoscpic findings, the esophageal and gastric varices were classified as one of three types. Changes in portal hemodynamics in relation to the diameter of the portal vein, mean portosystemic gradient before and after TIPS, delta MPSG, and the presence of hepatic encephalopathy and gastrorenal shunt were all evaluated. RESULTS: Endoscopy indicated that there were ten Type-I cases, nine Type-II, and three Type-III. The diameter of the main portal vein was 14.95 +/-1.79 mm in Type I cases, and 13.35 +/-1.59 mm in Type II. Before TIPS, main portal venous pressure was 31.40 +/-6.79 mmHg (Type I) and 22.80 +/-4.26 mmHg (Type II), and the mean portosystemic gradient was 16.10 +/-7.0 mmHg (Type I), and 11.20 +/-5.36 mmHg (Type II). After TIPS, the pressure readings were 25.70 +/-7.60 mmHg (Type I) and 17.80 +/-6.52 mmHg (Type II), while those relating to were 10.80 +/-4.94 mmHg (Type I) and 5.25 +/-3.67 mmHg (Type II). delta MPSG was 6.04 +/-2.98 mmHg (Type I) and 5.91 +/-3.98 mmHg (Type II). Angiography revealed that the gastrorenal shunt was Type I in 10% of cases, Type II in 77%, and Type III in 33%. Hepatic encephalopathy after TIPS occured in three Type-I cases, three-Type- II, and two Type-III. CONCLUSION: The diameter of the main portal vein was significantly smaller, and portal venous pressure and mean portosystemic gradient before and after TIPS significantly lower in patients with dominant gastric varices than in those with dominant esophageal varices (p<0.05). Gastrorenal shunt was more frequent among patients with dominant gastric varices. No difference in the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy after TIPS was noted between those with dominant gastric varices and those with the esophageal variety.
Angiography ; Endoscopy ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices* ; Hemodynamics* ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Portacaval Shunt, Surgical ; Portal Pressure ; Portal Vein ; Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical* ; Reading

Although compressed gas (CO2) blowers have been used safely to aid accurate grafting during off-pump coronary bypass surgery, hemodynamic collapse due to gas embolism into the right coronary artery may occur. Supportive measures to facilitate gas clearance by increasing the coronary perfusion pressure have been reported to be successful in restoring hemodynamic stability. However, right ventricular dysfunction and atrioventricular nodal ischemia may hinder effective systemic delivery of the vasoactive medications, even when performing resuscitative measures such as direct cardiac massage. We herein report a case of cardiac arrest that was caused by a right coronary gas embolism and that could not be restored by cardiac resuscitation. When supportive measures fail, direct aortic injection of epinephrine to increase the coronary perfusion pressure can be attempted before initiating cardiopulmonary bypass, and this approach may be life-saving in situations that limit systemic drug delivery from the venous side despite the performance of direct cardiac massage.
Aorta ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; Coronary Vessels ; Embolism* ; Embolism, Air ; Epinephrine* ; Heart Arrest* ; Heart Massage ; Hemodynamics ; Ischemia ; Perfusion ; Resuscitation* ; Transplants ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Right

BACKGROUND: Most surgeons prefer delivering cardioplegia alternatively via the aortic root and coronary sinus in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Recently, some surgeons have delivered cardioplegia via the grafted vessel to the obstructed right coronary artery in order to preserve right ventricular function whenever retrograde cardioplegia is delivered. Thus, we have compared the effect on right ventricular preservation between the aforementioned two methods after cardiopulmonary bypass in patients undergoing a right CABG. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients undergoing an elective CABG with significant right coronary artery obstructive disease were allocated into 2 groups. In the alternative cardioplegia delivery group (A-group), cold blood cardioplegia was delivered via the aortic root and coronary sinus alternatively. In the simultaneous cardioplegia delivery group (S-group), cold blood cardioplegia was delivered via the coronary sinus and grafted vessel to the obstructed right coronary artery simultaneously. Hemodynamic measurements were obtained pre-bypass, at pericardial closure and at sternal closure. Data recorded included right ventricular ejection fraction, right ventricular volume index and right and left ventricular hemodynamics. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the right ventricular ejection fraction between the two groups at pre-bypass, pericardial closure and sternal closure. In both groups, the right ventricular ejection fraction and cardiac index were not decreased, and the left ventricular ejection fraction was higher at pericardial closure than pre-bypass. However, in both groups, there was a decrease in the right andleft ventricular stroke work index and right ventricular stroke volume index at sternal closure. CONCLUSIONS: We have concluded that simultaneous cardioplegia delivery via the coronary sinus and grafted vessel to the obstructed right coronary artery was not superior to the alternative cardioplegia delivery via the aortic root and coronary sinus for preservation of right ventricular function in patients undergoing a right CABG.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Sinus ; Coronary Vessels* ; Heart Arrest, Induced* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Stroke ; Stroke Volume ; Transplants ; Ventricular Function, Right

No abstract available.
Portacaval Shunt, Surgical*

Intervention treatment such as balloon retrograde or anterograde transvenous obliteration has been used for management of refractory hepatic encephalopathy as well as gastric variceal bleeding. Recently, plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration without a help of balloon was newly developed to treat these patients. Here, we report three cases suffering refractory hepatic encephalopathy who were treated with this new technique.
Balloon Occlusion ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Hepatic Encephalopathy* ; Humans ; Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical ; Splenorenal Shunt, Surgical*

BACKGROUND: During coronary anastomosis in off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB), hemodynamic alternations can be induced by impaired diastolic function of the right ventricle. This study was designed to examine the effect of milrinone on right ventricular function and early outcomes in patients undergoing OPCAB. METHODS: Forty patients undergoing OPCAB were randomly assigned in a double-blind manner to receive either milrinone (milrinone group, n = 20) or normal saline (control group, n = 20). Hemodynamic variables were measured after pericardiotomy (T1), 5 min after stabilizer application for anastomosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD, T2), the obtuse marginalis branch (OM, T3), the right coronary artery (RCA, T4), 5 min after sternal closure (T5), and after ICU arrival. The right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) and right ventricular volumetric parameters were also measured using the thermodilution technique. For evaluation of early outcomes, the 30-day operative mortality and morbidity risk models were used. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in hemodynamic variables, including mean arterial pressure, between the 2 groups, except for the cardiac index and RVEF. The cardiac index and RVEF were significantly greater at T3 in the milrinone group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous infusion of milrinone demonstrated a beneficial effect on cardiac output and right ventricular function in patients undergoing OPCAB, especially during anastomosis of the graft to the OM artery, and it had no adverse effect on early outcomes.
Arterial Pressure ; Arteries ; Cardiac Output ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; Coronary Vessels ; Heart Ventricles ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Milrinone ; Pericardiectomy ; Stroke Volume ; Thermodilution ; Transplants ; Ventricular Function, Right

This study evaluated the outcomes of off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB) with severe left ventricular dysfunction using composite bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting. From January 2001 to December 2008, 1,842 patients underwent primary isolated OPCAB with composite bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting. A total of 131 of these patients were diagnosed with a severely depressed preoperative left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) (< or =0.35). These patient outcomes were compared with the outcomes of 830 patients that had mildly or moderately depressed LVEF (0.36 to 0.59) and 881 patients with normal LVEF (>0.6). The early mortality for patients with severe LVEF was 2.3%. The 3-yr and 7-yr survival rate for patients with severe LV dysfunction was 86.0% and 82.8%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that severe LV dysfunction EF increased the risk of all-cause death (P=0.012; hazard ratio [HR],2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI],1.19-3.88) and the risk of cardiac-related death (P=0.008; HR,3.38; 95% CI, 1.37-8.341). The study identified positive surgical outcomes of OPCAB, although severe LVEF was associated with two-fold increase in mortality risk compared with patients who had normal LVEF.
Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump/methods/*mortality ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Male ; Mammary Arteries/*transplantation ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke Volume ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Grafting/methods/*mortality ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/mortality/*surgery ; Ventricular Function, Left

BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic derangement during the displacement of the beating heart in off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (OPCAB) might be related with right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. This study evaluated the influence of displacing and stabilizing the heart, for the anastomosis of coronary arteries, on hemodynamic alterations and RV function in patients undergoing OPCAB. METHODS: Twenty patients with triple vessel coronary artery disease underwent OPCAB using single pericardial sutures: a tissue stabilizer was included. The hemodynamic variables and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) were obtained using a right-heart ejection fraction thermodilution pulmonary artery catheter after the induction of anesthesia, before and after anastomosis of each coronary artery and after sternal closure. RESULTS: No significant hemodynamic changes were observed during the displacement of the heart or the placement of a stabilizer on all of the coronary arteries, except the obtuse marginal artery (OM) before anastomosis. RVEF, left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI), stroke volume index and cardiac index (CI) decreased and mean pulmonary artery pressure increased significantly whist positioning the graft to the OM. Right ventricular volumes were not significantly changed, although central venous pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure increased. Changing CI had a close relationship with LVSWI (r2 = 0.537, P <0.05) but not with RVEF (r2 = 0.118). These hemodynamic compromises recovered to baseline values after sternal closure. CONCLUSIONS: The displacement of the beating heart for positioning during anastomosis of the graft to the OM caused significant hemodynamic instability and LV functional changes in addition to RV functional changes seemed to be responsible for hemodynamic derangements.
Anesthesia ; Arteries ; Catheters ; Central Venous Pressure ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Heart* ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Wedge Pressure ; Stroke ; Stroke Volume ; Sutures ; Thermodilution ; Thoracic Surgery* ; Transplants ; Ventricular Function, Right*

Although numerous studies have validated the efficacy of intracoronary shunt on reducing left ventricular dysfunction during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB), there is lack of evidence supporting its role on right ventricular (RV) function during right coronary artery (RCA) revascularization. Therefore, we studied the effect of intracoronary shunt during grafting of dominant RCA without visible collateral supply on global RV function using thermodilution method. Forty patients scheduled for multivessel OPCAB with right dominant coronary circulation without collateral supply confirmed by angiography were randomized to RCA revascularization either with a shunt (n=20) or soft snare occlusion (n=20). RV ejection fraction (RVEF) was recorded at baseline, during RCA grafting, and 15 min after reperfusion. Corresponding RV stroke work index (RVSWI) was calculated. RVEF and RVSWI decreased significantly during RCA grafting and returned to baseline values after reperfusion in both groups without any significant differences between the groups. Intracoronary shunt did not exert any beneficial effect on global RV function during RCA grafting, even in the absence of visible collateral supply. Regarding the possibility of graft failure by intracoronary shunt-induced endothelial damage, routine use of intracoronary shunt during RCA grafting is not recommended in patients with preserved biventricular function.
Aged ; Blood Pressure ; *Collateral Circulation ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump/*methods ; Coronary Artery Disease/physiopathology/*surgery ; *Coronary Circulation ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Norepinephrine/administration & dosage ; Prospective Studies ; Stroke Volume ; Sympathomimetics/administration & dosage ; Thermodilution ; *Ventricular Function, Right