Should the Vasoactive Inotropic Score be a Determinant for Early Initiation of VA ECMO in Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock?

OBJECTIVES: The authors investigated the role of early venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) implantation in patients with postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCS) on mortality and morbidity when integrating vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) and type of catecholamine support. DESIGN: A retrospective, multicenter, observational study with propensity-weight matching. SETTING: Four university-affiliated intensive care units. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with PCS in the operating room. INTERVENTIONS: Early VA ECMO support. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of 2,742 patients screened during the study period, 424 (16%) patients were treated with inotropic drugs, and 75 (3%) patients were supported by VA ECMO in the operating room. Patients supported by VA ECMO had a higher use of vasopressor and inotropic drugs, with a higher VIS score. After propensity matching (integrating VIS and catecholamines type), mortality (56% v 20%, p < 0.001) and morbidity (cardiac, renal, transfusion) were higher in patients supported by VA ECMO than in a matched control group. CONCLUSIONS: When matching integrated the pre-ECMO VIS and the type of catecholamines, VA ECMO remained associated with high mortality and morbidity, suggesting that VIS alone should not be used as a main determinant of VA ECMO implantation.

Morbidity and risk factors for complications of inguinal lymph node dissection in penile cancer.

PURPOSE: To assess the morbidity of inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) in penile cancer, then to compare this morbidity with that of ILND performed in the context of skin cancer treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively included all patients having undergone ILND between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2019 in our centre's urology department in the context of treatment of penile cancer or skin cancer. Postoperative complications were reported in accordance with the Clavien-Dindo classification system. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-two ILNDs were performed in 122 patients with penile cancer and 56 ILNDs were performed in 56 patients with skin cancer. The most common early complication was postoperative fluid collection (lymphocele or haematoma), which complicated 44% of ILNDs overall and 60% of radical lymphadenectomies. The most common late complication was leg lymphoedema, found in up to 36% of radical lymphadenectomies. Major complications (grade ≥ III) were very rare (4% of radical lymphadenectomies). Radical lymphadenectomies resulted in significantly more cases of postoperative fluid collection, skin necrosis and dehiscence, as well as leg lymphoedema, than modified lymphadenectomy techniques. Two factors significantly increasing postoperative morbidity were demonstrated: ASA score = 3 (OR = 3.09) and operating time (OR = 1.01). CONCLUSION: ILNDs are morbid surgical procedures for which the indications must be well defined. However, the complications are almost exclusively minor, for a major oncological benefit.

Long-term oncological results in penile cancer treated by inguinal lymphadenectomy.

PURPOSE: In 95% of cases, penile cancer is a squamous cell carcinoma whose specificity is lymphatic spread with the inguinal lymph nodes as the first relay route. Inguinal lymph node dissection is a primordial part of the treatment. The objective was to assess the oncological results of inguinal lymph node dissection in penile cancer at our centre. METHODS: We retrospectively included all patients having undergone inguinal lymph node dissection at our centre between 1 January 2004 and 1 January 2020 for the treatment of penile cancer. Patients for whom lymphadenopathy was palliative were excluded. Depending on indications, the procedures consisted in either dynamic sentinel node biopsy, modified lymphadenectomy or radical lymphadenectomy. All cancers were reclassified using the 2016 TNM classification system. Survival was analysed according to the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: 242 inguinal lymph node dissections were performed in 122 patients. There were 71 pN0 (58%), 9 pN1 (7%), 4 pN2 (3%) and 38 pN3 (31%). Mean follow-up was 51 ± 45 months. The 3-year recurrence-free survival rate was 76% in pN0 patients and 17% in pN3 patients. The 5-year specific and overall survival rates were, respectively, 82% and 73% for pN0 stages, and 14% and 17% for pN3 stages. Extracapsular extension on an inguinal lymphadenopathy appeared as a highly negative prognostic factor. CONCLUSION: Inguinal lymph node dissection is essential in the treatment of penile cancer. Recurrence-free, specific and overall survival are closely linked to the lymph node stage. Extracapsular extension and pelvic lymph node invasion are highly negative prognostic factors.

Comparative Evaluation of Two Paclitaxel-Coated Stents in an Experimental Setting.

INTRODUCTION: Unlike paclitaxel-coated balloons, pre-clinical data comparing different paclitaxel-coated stents (PCSs) are weak. The study objective was to compare the features of the 2 main PCSs: Eluvia® (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA) versus ZilverPTX® (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN). METHOD: Analysis was carried out on 12 pigs divided into 2 groups: Eluvia® (n=6) and ZilverPTX® (n=6). The pigs received the PCS corresponding to their group in each external iliac artery and were paired one by one, to examine 6 different post-implantation timepoints: after 30 minutes, 6 hours, 24 hours, 3 days, 7 days, and 14 days. The paclitaxel concentration measurements and the histological analysis were carried out under blind testing on the plasma, arterial, lymph node, and muscle samples. A linear regression model and Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney test were used to study the variables. RESULTS: The plasma paclitaxel rate decrease over 24 hours after PCS implantation was significantly different between the two groups, expressed by the correlation coefficient 0.19 (0.14-0.23; p<0.001) with an undetectable concentration at the 10th hour for Eluvia® versus 3 days for ZilverPTX®. Significantly higher paclitaxel concentrations with ZilverPTX® PCS were observed in muscle samples at each timepoint: extensor digitorum brevis 3.2 (1.17-5.23; p=0.005), biceps femoris 4.27 (2.27-6.26; p<0.001), semi-tendinosus 3.79 (1.85-5.73; p=0.001), tibialis anterior 3.0 (1.37-4.64; p=0.001), and in the femoral nodes 2.27±1.74 ng/g versus 0.14±0.13 ng/g (p<0.001). Histological analysis revealed a trend for more marked intimal inflammation in the arteries stented with ZilverPTX® (p=0.063), especially after the 7th and 14th days. CONCLUSION: Such a difference in the concentration of paclitaxel in the plasma, muscles, and lymph nodes between the two stents was higher than expected based on differences in device design. The clinical consequences of these results remain to be elucidated, particularly regarding the concerning presence of paclitaxel in muscles and adjacent lymph nodes. CLINICAL IMPACT: This experimental study compares 2 paclitaxel-coated stents. It demonstrates that differences in stent designs and drug features (coatings and concentrations) translate into differences in terms of concentrations of paclitaxel in the plasma, muscles, and lymph nodes. Our results favor the Eluvia® stent over the ZilverPTX® stent, although more studies are required to confirm this conclusion.

Segmentation of the aorta in systolic phase from 4D flow MRI: multi-atlas vs. deep learning.

OBJECTIVE: In the management of the aortic aneurysm, 4D flow magnetic resonance Imaging provides valuable information for the computation of new biomarkers using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). However, accurate segmentation of the aorta is required. Thus, our objective is to evaluate the performance of two automatic segmentation methods on the calculation of aortic wall pressure. METHODS: Automatic segmentation of the aorta was performed with methods based on deep learning and multi-atlas using the systolic phase in the 4D flow MRI magnitude image of 36 patients. Using mesh morphing, isotopological meshes were generated, and CFD was performed to calculate the aortic wall pressure. Node-to-node comparisons of the pressure results were made to identify the most robust automatic method respect to the pressures obtained with a manually segmented model. RESULTS: Deep learning approach presented the best segmentation performance with a mean Dice similarity coefficient and a mean Hausdorff distance (HD) equal to 0.92+/- 0.02 and 21.02+/- 24.20 mm, respectively. At the global level HD is affected by the performance in the abdominal aorta. Locally, this distance decreases to 9.41+/- 3.45 and 5.82+/- 6.23 for the ascending and descending thoracic aorta, respectively. Moreover, with respect to the pressures from the manual segmentations, the differences in the pressures computed from deep learning were lower than those computed from multi-atlas method. CONCLUSION: To reduce biases in the calculation of aortic wall pressure, accurate segmentation is needed, particularly in regions with high blood flow velocities. Thus, the deep learning segmen-tation method should be preferred.

[Results of the management of kidney cancer with extension into the inferior vena cava: A retrospective, single-center, observational study]. / Résultats de la prise en charge des cancers du rein avec extension dans la veine cave inférieure : étude observationnelle rétrospective monocentrique.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to evaluate the morbidity and mortality, as well as the oncogical results of patients who had undergone surgical procedure for a kidney cancer with thrombus extension into the inferior vena cava. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2004 and April 2020, 57 patients were operated by enlarged nephrectomy with thrombectomy for kidney cancer with thrombus extension in the inferior vena cava. Twelve patients (21%) with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass because the thrombus was upper than the sus-hepatic veins. Twenty-three patients (40.4%) were metastatic at diagnosis. RESULTS: Perioperative mortality was 10.5%, without difference according to surgical technique. Morbidity during hospitalization was 58%, without difference according to surgical technique. Median follow-up was 40.8±40.1months. Overall survival at 2 and 5years was 60% and 28%, respectively. At 5years, the principal prognostic factor was the metastatic status at diagnosis, in multivariate analysis (OR: 0.15, P=0.03). Progression free survival mean was 28.2±40.2months. Progression free survival at 2 and 5years was 28% and 18%, respectively. All the patients who were metastatic at diagnosis had a recurrence in an average time of 5.7months (median of 3months). Thirteen percent of patients can be considered cured at the end of the study. CONCLUSION: Morbidity and mortality of this surgery remain important. The metastatic status at diagnosis has appeared to be the principal prognostic factor on the survival of these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4: retrospective study.

Adjustable continence balloons in postprostatectomy incontinence: Outcomes and complications.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the mid-term efficacy and safety of adjustable continence therapy (ProACT™) for the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after radical prostatectomy (RP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Single-center retrospective study including male patients implanted with ProACT™ periurethral balloons for SUI after RP between 2007 and 2017, mainly with flexible cystoscopic guidance. Efficacy was assessed using a composite endpoint with subjective (patient's impression of improvement (PII), using a 0-100 numeral rating scale) and objective outcomes (decrease in daily pad use). Postoperative success was defined as a PII ≥ 80%, associated with the use of 0-1 pad daily. Improvement was defined as a PII ≥ 50% and a decrease ≥50% in the number of daily pads used. RESULTS: Two hundred men with a median age of 68 (64-73) years were included. Seventeen percent (n = 34) had had prior radiotherapy and 15.5% (n = 31) had had prior SUI surgery. The median follow-up was 43 (19-71) months. The severity of SUI was as follows: mild in 119 (59.5%), moderate in 48 (24%), and severe in 33 patients (16.5%). Severe SUI and a history of prior radiotherapy were associated with a lower success rate (p = 0.033 and p < 0.0001). The overall reoperation rate was 34%, with 5.6% (n = 11) requiring a third implantation. Of the patients, 29.4% (n = 58) required an artificial urinary sphincter to treat SUI. At the last follow up, among the overall population, the success rate was 40.1% and the median PII was 18.3%. For patients in whom the balloons were still in place (n = 132), the cumulative success and improvement rate was 78%, with a median PII of 72%. CONCLUSION: The minimally invasive ProACT™ device provides a clear beneficial continence outcome in patients with SUI after radical prostatectomy. Severe SUI or prior radiotherapy were associated with a lower success rate in our study.

Implementation of a regional multidisciplinary veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation unit improved survival: a historical cohort study.

PURPOSE: Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vvECMO) is a highly invasive technique with a high risk of mortality. Based on reports of improved outcomes in high-volume ECMO centers, we established a regional vvECMO unit. The objective of this study was to evaluate how the vvECMO unit affected patient mortality rates. METHODS: This was a historical cohort study of all patients admitted to Dijon University Hospital and supported by vvECMO between January 2011 and June 2021. Patients managed with the vvECMO unit were compared with patients managed with non-vvECMO units. The primary outcome was 90-day mortality. RESULTS: Of 172 patients treated using vvECMO, 69% were men, and the median [interquartile range] age was 59 [48-66] yr. Of the 172 patients, 35 were treated in the vvECMO unit and 137 were treated elsewhere (110/137 before the unit was established and 27/137 after). Ninety-day mortality was lower in patients managed in the vvECMO unit (15/35, 43% vs 92/137, 67%; P = 0.005). Within the vvECMO unit, mortality rates were also lower for the subgroup of patients managed after the specialized unit was established (15/35, 43% vs 20/27, 74%; P = 0.002). After adjusting for baseline severity of illness at vvECMO initiation, the vvECMO unit was independently associated with a lower 90-day mortality rate (hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.21 to 0.80). CONCLUSION: The establishment of a vvECMO unit was associated with reduced 90-day mortality. This improved survival may relate to patient selection, more specialized mechanical ventilation support, and/or improvement of vvECMO care.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'oxygénation par membrane extracorporelle veino-veineuse (ECMO-VV) est une technique hautement invasive qui s'accompagne d'un risque élevé de mortalité. Sur la base de comptes rendus faisant état d'améliorations des devenirs dans les centers pratiquant un volume important d'ECMO, nous avons mis en place une unité régionale d'ECMO-VV. L'objectif de cette étude était d'évaluer l'impact de l'unité d'ECMO-VV sur les taux de mortalité des patients. MéTHODE: Nous avons réalisé une étude de cohorte historique incluant tous les patients admis au CHU de Dijon et traités par ECMO-VV entre janvier 2011 et juin 2021. Les patients pris en charge par l'unité d'ECMO-VV ont été comparés aux patients pris en charge par d'autres unités. Le critère d'évaluation principal était la mortalité à 90 jours. RéSULTATS: Sur 172 patients traités par ECMO-VV, 69 % étaient des hommes et l'âge médian [écart interquartile] était de 59 [48-66] ans. Sur les 172 patients, 35 ont été traités par l'unité d'ECMO-VV et 137 ont été traités ailleurs (110/137 avant la création de l'unité et 27/137 après). La mortalité à 90 jours était plus faible chez les patients pris en charge par l'unité d'ECMO-VV (15/35, 43 % vs 92/137, 67 %; P = 0,005). Au sein de l'unité d'ECMO-VV, les taux de mortalité étaient également plus faibles pour le sous-groupe de patients pris en charge après la création de l'unité spécialisée (15/35, 43 % vs 20/27, 74 %; P = 0,002). Après ajustement pour tenir compte de la gravité initiale de la maladie à la mise en place de l'ECMO-VV, l'unité d'ECMO-VV était indépendamment associée à un taux de mortalité plus faible à 90 jours (rapport de risque, 0,41; intervalle de confiance à 95 %, 0,21 à 0,80). CONCLUSION: La mise en place d'une unité d'ECMO-VV a été associée à une réduction de la mortalité à 90 jours. Cette amélioration de la survie peut être liée à la sélection des patients, à un soutien par ventilation mécanique plus spécialisé et /ou à l'amélioration des soins d'ECMO-VV.

Aortic root remodeling with external annuloplasty for acute type A aortic dissection: Midterm results.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the role of aortic root remodeling with external aortic annuloplasty (ARREAA) in acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD). METHODS: From May 2011 to May 2020, 59 patients out of 240 with AAAD underwent ARREAA. Data were retrospectively collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 61.4 ± 8.6 years and 43 patients were males (73%). Hemiarch and total arch replacement were performed in 37 (62.7%) and 14 (23.7%) patients. An aortic valvuloplasty was performed in seven patients (11.8%). Five patients (8.5%) required coronary artery bypass graft. Re-exploration for bleeding was required in six patients (10.1%). The 30-day mortality rate was 18.6%. Preoperative hemodynamic instability (odds ratio [OR] = 8.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.57-46.71; p = 0.013), consciousness disorder (OR = 19.18, 95% CI = 3.02-121.72]; p = 0.002) or myocardial ischemia (OR = 6.28, 95% CI = 1.27-31.10; p = 0.013) were significantly associated with postoperative mortality. No patient was reoperated for aortic valve during the postoperative period. One patient suffered a stroke postoperatively with partial recovery. Kidney failure requiring temporary dialysis occurred in 12 patients (20.3%). At discharge, a transthoracic echocardiogram showed moderate aortic regurgitation (AR; grade 2) in two patients. During follow-up (mean = 58.4 ± 32.4 months), three patients died. The rate of mortality was 6.2%. Actuarial survival at 5 years was 76.3%. No patient required reoperation on the proximal aorta or aortic valve. At 4 years, freedom from any aortic valve or root reintervention and AR > 2 were both 100%. CONCLUSION: In a center with expertise in valve-sparing procedures, ARREAA is a reasonable option in the surgical management of AAAD in selected patients. This technique stabilizes the aortic annulus and preserves root anatomy for durable outcomes.

Impact of ascending aorta replacement by graft on elastic properties of descending thoracic aorta evaluated by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of aortic root replacement by graft on the elastic properties of the descending thoracic aorta using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and automatic post-processing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients were operated for an aortic root aneurysm. Cardiac MRI was performed before and after surgery to measure aortic compliance. Images were acquired on a 1.5 T MRI with a conventional aortic MRI protocol plus one additional kinetic sequence orientated perpendicularly to the aorta at the level of pulmonary trunk. The contours of the ascending and descending aortas were detected automatically for each phase with homemade software. RESULTS: Mean time between surgical procedure and earliest post-operative MRI was 18.2 ± 7.1 months. There was no significant difference between the pre- and earliest post-operative mean descending aorta areas and no significant modification in descending aortic compliance after aortic root replacement (1.43 ± 0.84 vs 1.37 ± 0.58 mm2/mmHg, p = 0.47). Pre- and post-operative systolic and diastolic blood pressure were similar. There was a significant decrease in ascending aortic compliance after surgery (2.52 ± 1.24 vs 0.91 ± 0.52 mm2/mmHg; p < 0.0001). DISCUSSION: The aortic root replacement by graft was not associated with changes in elastic properties of the descending aorta at short term. CLINICAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03817008.

Concomitant Cardiac Surgery and Radiofrequency Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: A Retrospective Single Center Study.

OBJECTIVES: Concomitant cardiac surgery and radiofrequency atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is an established procedure recommended in guidelines. However, the results have not been as good as expected. The authors therefore searched for predictive factors of success of the ablation procedure. DESIGN: The authors carried out a retrospective cohort study. SETTING: All the included patients had cardiac surgery in the Dijon University Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred sixty-three patients with AF underwent a concomitant radiofrequency ablation between January 2009 and December 2016. INTERVENTIONS: A radiofrequency device was used to isolate the pulmonary veins creating a "Box lesion." MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary endpoint of the study was freedom from AF at 12 months with follow-up assessed by an electrocardiogram or a 24-hour recording electrocardiogram Holter. The patient's mean age was 71 ± 9 years with a sex ratio of 1.4. Sixty-six percent of patients had paroxysmal AF and 34% nonparoxysmal AF, which includes persistent and long-standing persistent AF. Sixty-one percent of patients had an AF history for more than 1 year. The mean left atrial diameter was 47 ± 10 mm. No major ablation complications related to the procedure occurred. Overall freedom from AF rate after 1-year follow-up was 60% (n = 98). Six patients (4%) received an additional catheter-based ablation, and 10 patients (6%) had an electrical cardioversion during the follow-up period. The authors identified preoperative paroxysmal AF (odds ratio [OR] 2.54 [1.27-5.14] p = 0.008) and recent history of AF, less than 1 year, (OR 1.99 [1-4.06] p = 0.05) as statistically significant predictors for sinus rhythm maintenance at the 12-month follow-up. At the 12-month follow-up, 64% of patients who had concomitant epicardial treatment were in sinus rhythm and 57% of patients were in sinus rhythm after endocardial treatment. There were no significant differences in rhythm outcome between epicardial and endocardial radiofrequency approach, or between surgical procedures (mitral valve replacement versus coronary artery bypass grafting). The authors could not identify in a univariate analysis a significant left atrium size cutoff upon which ablation was less likely to be successful at 12 months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant cardiac surgery and radiofrequency AF ablation provided freedom from AF for 60% of patients after 1-year follow-up. The authors have shown that paroxysmal AF and recent AF are predictive factors of success. Nevertheless, thorough postoperative care is necessary to improve long-term results, including the use of additional catheter ablation or cardioversion.

A constitutive BCL2 down-regulation aggravates the phenotype of PKD1-mutant-induced polycystic kidney disease.

The main identified function of BCL2 protein is to prevent cell death by apoptosis. Mouse knock-out for Bcl2 demonstrates growth retardation, severe polycystic kidney disease (PKD), grey hair and lymphopenia, and die prematurely after birth. Here, we report a 40-year-old male referred to for abdominal and thoracic aortic dissection with associated aortic root aneurysm, PKD, lymphocytopenia with a history of T cell lymphoblastic lymphoma, white hair since the age of 20, and learning difficulties. PKD, which was also detected in the father and sister, was related to an inherited PKD1 mutation. The combination of PKD with grey hair and lymphocytopenia was also reminiscent of Bcl2-/- mouse phenotype. BCL2 gene transcript and protein level were observed to be dramatically decreased in patient peripheral blood T-cells and in his aorta vascular wall cells, which was not detected in parents and sister T-cells, suggesting an autosomal recessive inheritance. Accordingly, spontaneous apoptosis of patient T-cells was increased and could be rescued through stimulation with an anti-CD3 antibody. Direct sequencing of BCL2 gene exons, promoter and 3'UTR region as well as BCL2 mRNA sequencing failed in identifying any pathogenic variant. Array-CGH was also normal and whole exome sequencing of the patient, parents and sister DNA did not detect any significant variant in genes encoding BCL2-interacting proteins. miRNA array identified an up-regulation of miR-181a, which is a known regulator of BCL2 expression. Altogether, miR-181a-mediated decrease in BCL2 gene expression could be a modifying factor that aggravates the phenotype of a PKD1 constitutive variant.

Serratus anterior plane block for minimal invasive heart surgery.

BACKGROUND: Minimal invasive heart surgery (MIHS) presents several benefits, but provides intense and prolonged post-operative pain. Our objective was to compare efficacy of serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) with continuous wound infiltration (CWI) for management of post-operative pain following MIHS. METHODS: It's retrospective, monocentric study between November 2016 to April 2017. The study was performed at the University hospital of Dijon, Burgundy, France. All patients scheduled for MIHS was included. Data was collected retrospectively. During this period, 20 patients had SAPB and 26 had CWI. SAPB was performed before extubation with a single injection of 0.5 mg/kg of ropivacaïne (5 mg/ml). In the CWI group, catheter was inserted in the subcutaneous space by the surgeon at the end of the procedure. A 10 ml bolus of ropivacaïne (7.5 mg/mL) was followed by a continuous infusion (2 mg/ml) between 7 and 12 ml/h for 48 h. Morphine consumption and visual analog score (VAS) were recorded for 48 h. Length of stay in intensive care unit and hospital was also collected. RESULTS: Morphine consumption and VAS score were significantly lower in SAPB group (p < 0.01). Length of stay in intensive care and hospital was significantly was decreased in SAPB group. CONCLUSION: SAPB appears effective in reducing postoperative MIHS pain.

Low Circulating Levels of Growth Differentiation Factor-15 Before Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery May Predict Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) as a potential new predictor of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after off-pump (OFP) and on-pump (ONP) coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, single-center, observational study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: The first 50 patients planned for OFP surgery and the first 50 patients planned for ONP surgery among patients referred for CABG with the following exclusion criteria: age<18 or>80 years, previous atrial fibrillation/flutter, previous treatment with amiodarone, previous cardiac surgery, and emergency surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Included patients were equipped with long-duration (7 days) Holter-ECG monitoring. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: POAF was defined as an AF episode lasting>30 seconds. All patients underwent preoperative echocardiography to assess left ventricular ejection fraction and left atrial diameter. GDF-15 levels were assessed after induction of anesthesia and 12 hours after arrival at the intensive care unit. Among the 100 patients, 34 (34%) developed POAF. In Cox multivariate regression analysis, the EuroSCORE, left atrial diameter>45 mm, and low GDF-15 levels at induction were associated independently with the onset of POAF. In contrast, preoperative NT-proBNP levels did not predict POAF. The use of ONP surgery was not associated with a higher incidence of POAF, even though baseline and follow-up characteristics in ONP and OFP patients were identical. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with no history of AF, a low plasma level of GDF-15 before CABG surgery was a strong independent predictor of POAF. Moreover, preoperative plasma GDF-15 levels added an incremental predictive value to classic risk factors of POAF.

Risk index for predicting shunt in carotid endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: To prevent ischemia during carotid endarterectomy, a routine or selective shunt can be set up in cases of insufficient cerebral perfusion during the carotid clamping. The aim of this study was to analyze predictive factors for shunting under locoregional anesthesia and to validate a risk index to predict shunt. METHODS: Using a prospective database, we studied carotid endarterectomy performed under locoregional anesthesia between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2010 (n=1,223). A shunt was used because of clinical intolerance of clamping in 88 cases (group S, 7.2%). Clinical, comorbidities, demographics, and duplex scan data were used to compare group S to a control group (group C, n=1,135, 92.8%). A multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of shunt. Coefficients were assigned to each predictor to propose a predictive score. RESULTS: Patients in group S were significantly older than those in group C (75.6±7.8 years vs. 72.6±9.4 years, P<0.001). Other factors associated with a carotid shunt were female sex (odds ratio [OR]=2.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.54-3.78, P<0.001), systemic arterial hypertension (OR=2.478, 95% CI: 1.16-4.46, P=0.016), occlusion of the contralateral carotid artery (OR=6.03, 95% CI: 2.91-12.48, P<0.001), and 1 factor against the likelihood of a carotid shunt, a history of contralateral carotid surgery (OR=0.34, 95% CI: 0.12-0.93, P=0.037). The mean flow in the contralateral common carotid artery was 696.5±298.0 mL/sec in group S and 814.7±285.5 mL/sec in group C (P<0.001). Using those 6 items, we propose a prognostic score validated in our series and allowing to divided risk of intolerance of clamping into low-risk (≤6%), intermediate-risk (6.1%-15%), and high-risk (>15%) groups. CONCLUSIONS: We have established the first version of a score that predicts the need for a shunt by studying factors associated with intolerance to clamping. The relevance of this score, validated in our series, must be confirmed and adjusted by studies based on a larger sample size.

[Prostatic stromal tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP): a case report]. / Tumeur stromale prostatique à potentiel malin incertain (STUMP): à propos d'un cas.

We report the case of a patient affected by a voluminous prostatic tumor for which the histological analysis conclude in a stromal tumor of uncertain malignant potential. This type of tumor is rare, but requires to be individualized to differentiate it from a benign prostatic hyperplasia or a sarcoma of the prostate. The therapeutic care must be made keeping in mind the risk of degeneration towards a malignant shape.

Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement after pulmonary homograft dysfunction.

Pulmonary homograft dysfunction is challenging to treat in patients with a previous Ross procedure, and results in significant morbidity and mortality in case of reoperation. We report the case of a patient with early severe pulmonary homograft stenosis 18 months after a Ross procedure and successful management using transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement.

Association between pulmonary artery pulsatility and mortality after implantation of left ventricular assist device.

AIMS: Right ventricular failure after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is a major concern that remains challenging to predict. We sought to investigate the relationship between preoperative pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) and mortality after LVAD implantation. METHODS AND RESULTS: A retrospective analysis of the ASSIST-ICD multicentre registry allowed the assessment of PAPi before LVAD according to the formula [(systolic pulmonary artery pressure - diastolic pulmonary artery pressure)/central venous pressure]. The primary endpoint was survival at 3 months, according to the threshold value of PAPi determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. A multivariate analysis including demographic, echographic, haemodynamic, and biological variables was performed to identify predictive factors for 2 year mortality. One hundred seventeen patients were included from 2007 to 2021. The mean age was 58.45 years (±13.16), with 15.4% of women (sex ratio 5.5). A total of 53.4% were implanted as bridge to transplant and 43.1% as destination therapy. Post-operative right ventricular failure was observed in 57 patients (48.7%), with no significant difference between survivors and non-survivors at 1 month (odds ratio 1.59, P = 0.30). The median PAPi for the whole study population was 2.83 [interquartile range 1.63-4.69]. The threshold value of PAPi determined by the ROC curve was 2.84. Patients with PAPi ≥ 2.84 had a higher survival rate at 3 months [PAPi < 2.84: 58.1% [46.3-72.8%] vs. PAPi ≥ 2.84: 89.1% [81.1-97.7%], hazard ratio (HR) 0.08 [0.02-0.28], P < 0.01], with no significant difference after 3 months (HR 0.67 [0.17-2.67], P = 0.57). Other predictors of 2 year mortality were systemic hypertension (HR 4.22 [1.49-11.97], P < 0.01) and diabetes mellitus (HR 4.90 [1.83-13.14], P < 0.01). LVAD implantation as bridge to transplant (HR 0.18 [0.04-0.74], P = 0.02) and heart transplantation (HR 0.02 [0.00-0.18], P < 0.01) were associated with a higher survival rate at 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative PAPi < 2.84 was associated with a higher risk of early mortality after LVAD implantation without impacting 2 year outcomes among survivors.

18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography for preoperative lymph node staging in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of our study was to analyze the diagnostic performance of (18) F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography for lymph node staging in patients with bladder cancer before radical cystectomy and to compare it with that of computed tomography. METHODS: A total of 52 patients operated on between 2005 and 2010 were prospectively included in this prospective, mono-institutional, open, non-randomized pilot study. Patients who had received neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy were excluded. (18) F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography in addition to computed tomography was carried out for lymph node staging of bladder cancer before radical cystectomy. Lymph node dissection during radical cystectomy was carried out. Findings from (18) F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography and computed tomography were compared with the results of definitive histological examination of the lymph node dissection. The diagnostic performance of the two imaging modalities was assessed and compared. RESULTS: The mean number of lymph nodes removed during lymph node dissection was 16.5 ± 10.9. Lymph node metastasis was confirmed on histological examination in 22 cases (42.3%). This had been suspected in five cases (9.6%) on computed tomography and in 12 cases (23.1%) on (18) F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, relative risk and accuracy were 9.1%, 90%, 40%, 57.4%, 0.91 and 55.7%, respectively, for computed tomography, and 36.4%, 86.7%, 66.7%, 65%, 2.72, 65.4%, respectively, for (18) F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography. CONCLUSIONS: (18) F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography is more reliable than computed tomography for preoperative lymph node staging in patients with invasive bladder carcinoma undergoing radical cystectomy.