title: A variant technique for the surgical treatment of left ventricular aneurysms.
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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The technique is easy to perform, safe and it can be an option for the correction of left ventricle aneurysms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo Roberto Barbosa
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Evora
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo Victor Alves
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Tubino
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Clinic, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luis Gustavo
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Gali
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lafaiete
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alves Junior
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cesar Augusto
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Solange
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bassetto
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antônio Carlos
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Menardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alfredo José
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Walter Vilella de Andrade
authors.initials: WV
authors.lastname: Vicente
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006322:Heart Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008488:Medical Illustration; D008875:Middle Aged; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography