Texas Heart Institute Journal 

About: Texas Heart Institute Journal is an academic journal published by Texas Heart Institute. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Myocardial infarction. It has an ISSN identifier of 0730-2347. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 3830 publications have been published receiving 46434 citations.

Heart-lung transplantation.

Abstract: The survival rate (average, 50%) of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary transplantation falls well below that expected for cardiac transplantation alone. We give a broad overview of the various grounds upon which this difference is likely based and discuss recent advances in each area: 1) criteria for the selection of candidates and donors, 2) methods for ex-vivo preservation of donor organs, 3) technical execution of the operative procedure, and 4) prevention of postoperative infection. In connection with the prevention of postoperative infection, we discuss the potential for the development of a chronic obliterative disease that, once established, has proved inexorable. Current efforts are focused on detection when the process is in an early, reversible stage, and on research into causation. (Texas Heart Institute Journal 1987; 14:364-368)

Coronary artery anomalies--current clinical issues: definitions, classification, incidence, clinical relevance, and treatment guidelines.

Abstract: The study of coronary artery anomalies would benefit from the clarification of various fundamental issues, including the definitions, classification, incidence, pathophysiologic mechanisms, and clinical relevance of each anomaly. The greatest challenge is to identify the abnormality and determine its clinical relevance so that appropriate treatment can be instituted. Currently, the coronary anatomy is essentially defined by the features of the (conductive) epicardial coronary tree and its dependent territory. Therefore, one must consider all the possible and observed variations in anatomic features that are used to describe the coronary arteries. We propose that the left anterior descending, circumflex, and right coronary arteries be considered the essential, elementary units of coronary anatomy. We also suggest that the coronary arteries be defined not by their origin or proximal course, but by their intermediate and distal segments or dependent microvascular bed. A strict classification system is necessary before meaningful data can be gathered about the incidence of coronary anomalies. With respect to clinical relevance, the greatest challenge is presented by anomalies that only occasionally cause critically severe clinical events and are otherwise compatible with a normal life. In such cases, it is not known whether the specific features of a given anomaly cause adverse clinical consequences, or whether additional episodic factors are required. To correlate subclassifiable anatomic and functional features with clinical events and prognoses, a large, multicenter database, relying on prospective, coordinated protocols, is urgently needed. In the absence of established official guidelines, we present practical protocols for diagnosing and treating coronary anomalies. (Tex Heart Inst J 2002;29:271–8)

Aortic dissection: a 250-year perspective.

Abstract: Two hundred fifty years have passed since Frank Nicholls' history-making, accurate observations on the anatomic findings and cause of death of King George II were published.6 Several decades later, the disease was named, using—for the first time—the terms dissection and dissecting attached to an aortic disease process. Another century went by before effective surgical treatment was developed. In sharp contrast, the evolution of the last 20 years has been nothing short of amazing. Our understanding of AD, while not yet complete, has improved dramatically. In addition, the introduction of nonsurgical endovascular therapy has had a profoundly transformative impact—and we are just at the beginning! It would not be unreasonable to predict that stent-graft repair will likely replace (or nearly replace) open surgery in the treatment of complicated type B dissection in the near future,29,30 especially as technologies continue to improve and indication-specific designs are developed and tested in the clinical setting. Moreover, it is predictable that endovascular solutions for some patients with type A aortic dissection will become available in the years to come as surgical results continue to be suboptimal.31 Finally, and amidst this plethora of “good news,” it is appropriate to reflect on the formidable challenge that endovascular therapies face as they gear to “compete” with optimal medical therapy in the management of patients with acute uncomplicated type B dissection, because it will obviously be difficult (if not impossible) to improve on the already-achieved 30-day mortality rate of less than 10%. Long-term gains may well become the winning card when and if the late results of TEVAR can be shown to improve on the rather compromised outlook of medically treated dissection patients. Stay tuned.

Components of the complete blood count as risk predictors for coronary heart disease: in-depth review and update.

Abstract: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease, and several inflammatory biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein, have been used to predict the risk of coronary heart disease. High white blood cell count is a strong and independent predictor of coronary risk in patients of both sexes, with and without coronary heart disease. A high number of white blood cells and their subtypes (for example, neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, and eosinophils) are associated with the presence of coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and stroke. The coronary heart disease risk ratios associated with a high white blood cell count are comparable to those of other inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein. In addition, other components of the complete blood count, such as hematocrit and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, also are associated with coronary heart disease, and the combination of the complete blood count with the white blood cell count can improve our ability to predict coronary heart disease risk. These tests are inexpensive, widely available, and easy to order and interpret. They merit further research.

Transmyocardial laser revascularization. Anatomic evidence of long-term channel patency.

Abstract: Transmyocardial laser revascularization, a new surgical technique, is being tested in patients with chronic obstructive coronary artery disease that is refractory to conventional revascularization techniques and to maximal medical therapy. During the operation, which is performed on the beating heart through a left thoracotomy, a high-energy CO2 laser is used to bore transmural channels (1 mm in diameter) into the left ventricle. Each high-energy laser pulse is delivered during end diastole and transects the heart within 10 to 60 msec. The operation is based on the theory that blood will flow directly from the left ventricle into the channels and then into the myocardial vascular plexus. Restoring perfusion should alleviate ischemia in potentially viable myocardium and improve ventricular function. Recently, one of our patients died 3 months after transmyocardial laser revascularization of causes unrelated to the operation. Histologic analysis enabled us to obtain, for the 1st time, anatomic evidence of patent laser channels. Routine staining of cardiac tissue with hematoxylin and eosin revealed multiple patent channels, running perpendicular to and interconnecting with the native vasculature. Although reactive fibrous scar tissue had caused narrowing of the original laser tract, the channels had endothelialized and they contained red blood cells. These findings suggest that the laser channels were functional. We report this interesting case and briefly discuss the anatomic and physiologic phenomena involved in establishing camerosinusoidal blood flow by use of transmyocardial laser revascularization.