As the mitral valve disease becomes long-standing, the patient may develop pulmonary hypertension. It was reported that after surgical correction, the elevated pulmonary vascular resistance(PVR) would fall quickly in association with the fall in left atrial pressure(LAP). This study was performed to evaluate the changes in mean pulmonary artery pressure(PAP) and PVR immediately after mitral valve replacement(MVR). Fifty six patients undergoing mitral valve replacement(MVR) were divided into two groups on the basis of the presence or absence of significant pulmonary hypertension, defined as a resting mean pulmonary arterial pressure greater than 30mmHg. After induction of anesthesia, PAP, PVR, cardiac output(CO) were measured and compared with values in postbypass period. PAP and PVR were significantly decreased(PAP from 39.64+/-1.88 to 29.18+/-1.65 mmHg, P 0.001, PVR from 6.16+/-1.14 to 3.53+/-0.62 units, P<0.05) in Group II(PAP> or = 30mmHg, n=23), whereas not changed in Group I(PAP30 mmHg, n=33)(P<0.05). Persistance of an elevated PVR may cause right ventricular failure and low-output syndrome, so that an attempt to reduce the PVR is needed postoperatiavely. This study demonstrated that the PAP and PVR fall significantly after MVR especially in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension.
Anesthesia ; Arterial Pressure* ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Mitral Valve* ; Pulmonary Artery ; Vascular Resistance*

This study was designed to investigate the effect of preoperative collection of blaod and acute normovolemic hemodilution(ANH) on the requirement of homologous transfusion, perioperative blood loss and hematological parameters in patients undergoing open heart surgery. Ninety two adult patients for elective open heart surgery were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Group I, ANH group, had blood withdrawn to a hematocrit of 33%o after induction of anesthesia(n =54). In Group II preoperative collection of blood in accordance with hospital protocol and ANH were performed(n=16). Ciroup III was control group(n=22). Autologous blood was replaced post bypass. The patients whose hematocrit fell below 25% were transfused with homologous blood. The use of homologous transfusion was 2.2+/-0.4 units in group I, 0.1+/-0.1 units in group II and 4.1+/-0.8 units in group III. Requirement of homologous transfusion in group II was reduced compared with group II and III with statistical significance(P<0.05). There was statistical significance between group I and group III(P<0.05) in homologous transfusion. Postoperative blood loss was 760.7+/-74.6 ml in group I, 675.6+101.5 ml in group II and 819.3+/-91.3 rnl in group III. There was no statistical significance among 3 groups. There was no difference in hematocrit or platelet count, and total blood loss on immediately post surgery or on day 1. Our data show that preoperative collection of blood and ANH can reduce the amount of homologous transfusion.
Adult ; Heart* ; Hematocrit ; Hemodilution* ; Humans ; Platelet Count ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; Thoracic Surgery*

BACKGROUND: Ischemia-reperfusion injury related to unsuccessful myocardial protection affects postoperative ventricular function and mortality during open-heart surgery. We prospectively compared the effects of administration of histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution and cold blood cardioplegia (CBC) on myocardial protection and clinical outcome in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Seventy patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) undergoing mitral valve surgery were randomly divided into the HTK group (n=31) and the CBC group (n=31); eight patients were excluded. Perioperative hemodynamics, cardiac medications, pacing, postoperative outcomes and complications were recorded during the hospital stay. All patients received follow-up for at least 6 months postoperatively for morbidity and mortality. RESULT: There were no significant differences in the hemodynamics between the groups during the study period, except for the mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP), PCWP and CVP that were lower in the HTK group at 15 min after weaning of CBP. There were no differences for inotropic support and pacing during the 12 hrs postoperatively between the groups. CK-MB values on day 1 and day 2 were 77+/-54 and 41+/-23 for the HTK group and 70+/-69 and 44+/-34 for the CBC group, respectively (p=NS). Postoperative clinical outcomes were similar in both groups for at least 6 months during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the use of HTK solution is as safe as cold blood cardioplegia in terms of myocardial protection.
Cardioplegic Solutions* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Arrest, Induced ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mitral Valve* ; Mortality ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Artery ; Reperfusion Injury ; Ventricular Function ; Weaning

BACKGROUND: Although female gender is associated with higher prevalence of perioperative morbidity and mortality than male gender in conventional coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) using cardiopulmonary bypass, the impact of gender as an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality following off-pump CABG (OPCAB) is controversial. Therefore, we prospectively investigated the impact of gender on intraoperative variables and postoperative outcome and complications in OPCAB. METHODS: One hundred patients (69 males and 31 females) undergoing OPCAB by a single cardiac surgeon during 5 months period were prospectively enrolled. Preoperative patient's characteristics, intraoperative hemodynamics and medications and postoperative outcome and complications were recorded during hospital stay. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in preoperative characteristics including age, NYHA class and incidence of concomitant diseases between the male and female groups, except body surface area which was less in the female group. There were no significant differences in intraoperative hemodynamics and use of cardiotonic drugs between the groups. Frequency and amount of blood transfusion were greater, and length of ventilatory care and stay in intensive care unit were longer in female group. Other postoperative outcomes were similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Gender did not significantly affect postoperative outcome, except use of blood products, length of ventilatory care and stay in intensive care unit in OPCAB. These results may be attributable to comparable preoperative patient's characteristics between the groups.
Blood Transfusion ; Body Surface Area ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Cardiotonic Agents ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump* ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Mortality ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Preserving the subvalvular apparatus after mitral valve replacement (MVR) results in better ventricular function and a better outcome. In conjunction, mitral valve repair (MVr) is associated with a better outcome, yet little is known about the hemodynamics and outcomes between patients undergoing MVr and MVR with chordal preservation. We prospectively evaluated the hemodynamic changes and outcomes of patients undergoing MVr and MVR with chordal preservation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fifty-four patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) who underwent MVR with chordal preservation (n=21) or MVr (n=33) were studied. The patients' characteristics, the intra- and postoperative hemodynamics and the use of cardiac medications, the postoperative outcome and the complications were recorded during the hospital stay. All the patients were followed up for at least 6 months postoperatively for determining their morbidity and mortality. RESULT: The patients' characteristics were similar between the groups, except for the presence of atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure which was more frequent in the MVR group. Also, the preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was lower in the MVR group than in the MVr group (64+/-9% versus 69+/-5%, respectively, p=0.043). There were no significant differences of the hemodynamics between the groups. The use of inotropic drugs and pacemakers during the 12hrs postoperatively was more common in the MVR group than in the MVr group (48% versus 24%, p=0.025 and 52% versus 24%, p=0.035, respectively). The other postoperative outcomes were similar in both groups for at least the 6 months follow-up period. CONCLUSION: MVR with chordal preservation was comparable with regard to the hemodynamics and clinical outcomes, supporting the beneficial effect of preserving the subvalvular apparatus after MVR.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Failure ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency* ; Mortality ; Prospective Studies ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function