Category: General

J Cardiothorac Surg. 2024 Apr 16;19(1):221. doi: 10.1186/s13019-024-02763-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Alpha-gal syndrome is an allergic condition in which individuals develop an immune-mediated hypersensitivity response when consuming red meat and its derived products. Its diagnosis is important in individuals undergoing cardiac surgery, as patients frequently require large doses of unfractionated heparin or the insertion of surgical implants, both of which are porcine or bovine in origin. There are currently no guidelines for heparin administration in alpha-gal patients, with even less knowledge regarding the long-term clinical implications of these patients after receiving bioprosthetic valve replacements or other prostheses.

CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 31-year-old male who underwent cardiac surgery in the setting of alpha-gal syndrome for a large atrial septal defect (ASD) and mitral valve prolapse (MVP). The patient continues to do well one year after undergoing a mitral valve repair, tricuspid valve repair and an ASD closure using bovine pericardium. He sustained no adverse reaction to the use of heparin products or the presence of a bovine pericardial patch. This rare case was managed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of cardiothoracic surgery, cardiac anesthesiology, and allergy/immunology that led to an optimal outcome despite the patient’s pertinent allergic history.

CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights that the use of bovine pericardium and porcine heparin to close septal defects in patients with milder forms of alpha-gal allergy can be considered if other options are not available. Further studies are warranted to investigate the long-term outcomes of such potential alpha-gal containing prostheses and heparin exposure and establish the optimal decision making algorithm and prophylactic regimen.

PMID:38627833 | PMC:PMC11020787 | DOI:10.1186/s13019-024-02763-2

Cureus. 2024 Apr 3;16(4):e57530. doi: 10.7759/cureus.57530. eCollection 2024 Apr.

ABSTRACT

Chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) is a vascular disorder primarily caused by atherosclerosis, resulting in intestinal ischemia. While endovascular treatment has become the primary modality for most patients, open mesenteric revascularization remains crucial for complex cases. We present a case of CMI in a patient with critical ischemia, leading to small bowel necrosis, where the endovascular recanalization failed and a surgical approach was needed. A supraceliac antegrade aortomesenteric bypass was performed, and successful revascularization of intestinal circulation was achieved. A novel prefabricated bovine pericardium tube was used as a graft, and the bypass was placed behind the pancreas to ensure maximal isolation from the contaminated abdominal cavity. Despite the intestinal revascularization, in the early postoperative period, the overall condition of the patient worsened with obvious signs of peritonitis. The second look operation revealed a ruptured gallbladder with severe biliary peritonitis, likely caused by the preceding splanchnic ischemia. A cholecystectomy, lavage, and drainage were performed. No further intestinal necrosis was observed, and the bowel passage was restored with latero-lateral jejuno-lejunostomy. The follow-up of the patient showed no signs of graft infection. Despite the complications, the patient’s postoperative period was stable, and he was discharged on day sixteen. Regular follow-ups confirmed an excellent patency of the bypass.

PMID:38707110 | PMC:PMC11067987 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.57530