Endovascular Repair of Thoracic Aorta Injury: 17 Years of Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND Traumatic thoracic aortic transection is one of the most severe complications of high-energy injuries, but patients rarely receive treatment, and it is fatal in the vast majority of cases. Due to the complexity of surgical revision for transection, endovascular repair with stent graft implantation is the preferred approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the short-term and long-term treatment results for 31 patients (29 men, 2 women) treated at the Interventional Radiology Department, University Hospital Ostrava, for the isthmus part of a descending thoracic aorta injury between 2004 and 2020. RESULTS The median patient age was 48 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 28-63 years). The most common causes of injury were traffic accidents and falls or jumps, with the trauma location at the Ishimaru zones 2 to 4 of the aortic isthmus. Aortic stent grafts were successfully implanted in all patients; 13% of patients had complications and 10% died due to the trauma severity. The median procedure duration was 30 min (IQR: 25-43 min) and the median hospital stay was 29 days (IQR: 28-63 days). CONCLUSIONS Aortic stent graft implantation appears to be a safe and effective method for dealing with thoracic aorta injury, with a low complication rate and high patient survival. The endovascular approach is the method of choice for treating this severe disease, and a multidisciplinary approach for emergency medical treatment with a comprehensive trauma protocol is essential.

Influence of graft anastomosis and graft morphology on long-term patency of the saphenous vein after aortocoronary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: Several factors are involved in the preservation of graft function after surgical myocardial revascularization. This follow-up study aimed to evaluate the effects of vein graft anastomosis and graft morphology on long-term graft patency a minimum of 10 years after aortocoronary bypass grafting. Setting and Cohorts. This was a sub-analysis of a study that enrolled patients after isolated bypass surgery at the University Hospital Ostrava in order to evaluate the long-term graft patency of the saphenous vein after endoscopic harvest, a minimum of 10 years after aortocoronary bypass grafting. METHODS: Fifty angiograms, with a total of 90 grafts, after isolated myocardial revascularization were visualized using coronary computed tomography angiography, with 50% luminal stenosis or greater considered significant. RESULTS: The overall graft patency rate was 72.3%. The differences in occlusion rates between sequential and individual grafts were not statistically significant (P=0.156). All y-grafts were totally occluded. Graft and target artery diameters had a statistically significant influence on patency (P=1.000 and 0.381, respectively). Longer graft length and higher calcium scores were associated with statistically significant graft occlusion (P=0.033 and 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSION: Sequential grafts can be constructed safely, especially when the goal is complete myocardial revascularization.

Magnetic marker localisation in breast cancer surgery.

Since mammographic screening programmes were initiated, the spectrum of breast cancer has changed in terms of impalpable tumours, thus causing the development of new localisation methods, including magnetic markers. We offer herein an up-to-date review focused on two magnetic markers (Magseed, MaMaLoc) currently used in breast cancer surgery for the localisation of breast tumours or pathological axillary nodes. Magnetic marker localisation presents a safe and reliable method for breast tumour marking. Four currently available prospective studies demonstrate that the Magseed system has a negative margin rate and a successful localisation rate, both of which are comparable to standard marking systems used in breast cancer surgery. The main benefits of magnetic markers are that they require no radiation safety measures, and they offer the possibility of longer deployment times, thus simplifying surgery scheduling. The most important drawbacks are cost of the system, depth limitation and need for frequent probe recalibration.

Magnetic Seed (Magseed) Localisation in Breast Cancer Surgery: A Multicentre Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the Magseed magnetic marker in breast cancer surgery. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with 41 implanted Magseeds undergoing surgical treatment in 3 surgical oncology departments were included in the retrospective trial to study pilot use of the Magseed magnetic marker in the Czech Republic for localisation of breast tumours or pathological axillary nodes in breast cancer patients. RESULTS: Thirty-four breast cancer and 7 pathological lymph node localisations were performed by Magseed implantation. No placement failures, or perioperative detection failures of Magseeds were observed (0/41, 0.0%), but one case of Magseed migration was present (1/41, 2.4%). All magnetic seeds were successfully retrieved (41/41, 100.0%). Negative margins were achieved in 29 of 34 (85.3%) breast tumour localisations by Magseed. CONCLUSION: Magseed is a reliable marker for breast tumour and pathological axillary node localisation in breast cancer patients. Magseed is comparable to conventional localisation methods in terms of oncosurgical radicality and safety.

Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas: A 10-year single-center surgical experience and long-term echocardiographic follow-up study.

AIMS: Limited contemporary data are available on the clinical and echocardiographic outcomes after surgery for cardiac papillary fibroelastoma (CPF). The aim of this study was to review the clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, surgical management, and prognoses of patients with histologically verified CPF, who underwent surgery at our cardiac surgery center from 2008 to 2018. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twelve patients of median age 62 years (28 to 77 years) were treated. Embolic stroke or transient ischemic attack (five patients, 42%) were the only CPF clinical manifestations. Eleven (92%) tumors were localized on the valves, with the aortic valve being the most common tumor site (seven patients; 58%). Multiple factor analysis revealed no independent predictor of CPF-related embolization. Simple shave tumor excision was sufficient in most patients (10 patients, 83%). No operative or tumor-related late mortality during the median follow-up period of 4.7 years (1.1 to 10.2 years) was recorded. Asymptomatic metachronous valve tumor recurrence (in a location different from that of the original tumor) was revealed in two patients (17%) by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), not detected by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). One of these two patients underwent repeated surgery for CPF but later suffered a recurrent embolic stroke, due to another tumor recurrence. CONCLUSION: CPF can be safely and effectively treated surgically. TEE is superior to the TTE option in CPF post-operative recurrence detection. There is a clear need for a prospective study to determine criteria for embolization risk stratification and optimum management in patients with CPF.

Randomized evaluation of fibrinogen versus placebo in complex cardiovascular surgery: post hoc analysis and interpretation of phase III results.

OBJECTIVES: In a multicentre, randomized-controlled, phase III trial in complex cardiovascular surgery (Randomized Evaluation of Fibrinogen vs Placebo in Complex Cardiovascular Surgery: REPLACE), single-dose human fibrinogen concentrate (FCH) was associated with the transfusion of increased allogeneic blood products (ABPs) versus placebo. Post hoc analyses were performed to identify possible reasons for this result. METHODS: We stratified REPLACE results by adherence to the transfusion algorithm, pretreatment fibrinogen level (≤2 g/l vs >2 g/l) and whether patients were among the first 3 treated at their centre. RESULTS: Patients whose treatment was adherent with the transfusion algorithm [FCH, n = 47 (60.3%); placebo, n = 57 (77.0%); P = 0.036] received smaller quantities of ABPs than those with non-adherent treatment (P < 0.001). Among treatment-adherent patients with pretreatment plasma fibrinogen ≤2 g/l, greater reduction in 5-min bleeding mass was seen with FCH versus placebo (median -22.5 g vs -15.5 g; P = 0.071). Considering patients with the above conditions and not among the first 3 treated at their centre (FCH, n = 15; placebo, n = 22), FCH was associated with trends towards reduced transfusion of ABPs (median 2.0 vs 4.0 units; P = 0.573) and greater reduction in 5-min bleeding mass (median -21.0 g vs -9.5 g; P = 0.173). Differences from a preceding single-centre phase II study with positive outcomes included more patients with pretreatment fibrinogen >2 g/l and fewer patients undergoing thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. CONCLUSIONS: None of the patient stratifications provided a clear explanation for the lack of efficacy seen for FCH in the REPLACE trial versus the positive phase II outcomes. However, together, the 3 factors demonstrated trends favouring FCH. Less familiarity with the protocol and procedures and unavoidable differences in the study populations may explain the differences seen between the phase II study and REPLACE. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01475669 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01475669; EudraCT trial no: 2011-002685-20.

Combination of two pseudoaneurysms in a patient 6 years after ascending aorta and aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: We report successful treatment of a patient 6 years after ascending aorta and aortic valve replacement suffering from a combination of two pseudoaneurysms. The first of them originated from the coronary ostial suture line and the second pseudoaneurysm originated from the distal suture line. METHODS: We performed re-replantation of the left main trunk to the prosthesis and then we resected the pseudoaneurysm originating from the distal suture line and we replaced the entire aorta by a vascular graft. RESULTS: The postoperative convalescence was uneventful, the patient was discharged two weeks after the surgery. The patient is currently in a very good condition one year after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary ostial pseudoaneurysm in patients after ascending aorta and aortic valve replacement with the use of "button technique" is a quite rare situation. The combination of two pseudoaneurysms originating from different suture lines in one patient seems to be unique in literature reviews.

[Aortic and mitral valve infective endocarditis caused by Tropheryma whipplei and with no gastrointestinal manifestations of Whipple's disease]. / Infekcní endokarditida aortálni a mitrální chlopne vyvolaná Tropheryma whipplei pri neprítomnosti gastrointestinálnich projevu Whippleovy choroby.

A case of blood culture-negative aortic and mitral valve infective endocarditis caused by the bacterium Tropheryma whipplei is reported. A 33-year-old man showed no clinical manifestations of Whipple's disease, with the exception of arthralgia as given in his history. The disease was complicated by recurrent cerebral and left upper limb embolization of vegetations. The causative agent was detected in a valve sample using broad-range polymerase chain reaction. The patient underwent successful surgery (aortic and mitral valve replacement) and his clinical condition during six-month antibiotic therapy was good.

Assessment of the effect of left atrial cryoablation enhanced by ganglionated plexi ablation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing open heart surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to investigate, whether enhancement of left atrial cryoablation by ablation of the autonomic nervous system of left atrium leads to influencing the outcomes of surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation in patients with structural heart disease undergoing open-heart surgery. METHODS: The observed patient file consisted of 100 patients, who have undergone a combined open-heart surgery at our department between July 2012 and December 2014. The patients were indicated for the surgical procedure due to structural heart disease, and suffered from paroxysmal, persistent, or long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. In all cases, left atrial cryoablation was performed in the extent of isolation of pulmonary veins, box lesion, connecting lesion with mitral annulus, amputation of the left atrial appendage and connecting lesion of the appendage base with left pulmonary veins. Furthermore, 35 of the patients underwent mapping and radiofrequency ablation of ganglionated plexi, together with discision and ablation of the ligament of Marshall (Group GP). A control group was consisted of 65 patients without ganglionated plexi intervention (Group LA). The main primary outcome was establishment and duration of sinus rhythm in the course of one-year follow-up. RESULTS: Evaluation of the number of patients with a normal sinus rhythm in per cent has shown comparable values in both groups (Group GP - 93.75%, Group LA - 86.67%, p = 0.485); comparable results were also observed in patients with normal sinus rhythm without anti-arrhythmic treatment in the 12th month (Group GP - 50%, Group LA - 47%, p = 0.306). We have not observed any relation between the recurrence of atrial fibrillation and the presence of a mitral valve surgery, or between the presence of a mitral and tricuspid valves surgery and between the left atrial diameter > 50 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Enhancement of left atrial cryoablation by gangionated plexi ablation did not influence the outcomes of surgical ablation due to atrial fibrillation in our population in the course of 12-month follow-up. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was approved retrospectively by the Ethics Committee of the University Hospital Ostrava ( reference number 867/2016).

Echocardiography-guided pericardiocentesis as the method of choice for treatment of significant pericardial effusion following cardiac surgery: a 12-year single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: There are limited contemporary data on the safety and efficacy of echo-guided pericardiocentesis following cardiac surgery in Europe. The aim of the study was to review tertiary cardiac surgery center experience with postoperative pericardial effusion (PE) diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: A total of 6830 patients underwent open-heart surgery at our center between December 2004 and November 2016. Of these patients, 208 (3%) required pericardiocentesis for significant PE. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction of the incidence of substantial PE requiring pericardiocentesis by use of alternative surgical pericardial cavity drainage system (the accessory Redon drain positioned along the diaphragmatic surface of the heart) compared to conventional retrosternal chest tube drainage (3.3% vs. 2.1%). The rate/relative risk of pericardiocentesis was significantly higher after valve surgery, aortic root and ascending aorta surgery, and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation-i.e. among patients who had received postoperative anticoagulation therapy. Clinical manifestations of cardiac tamponade were observed in 36% of patients, while progressive large PE without tamponade was evacuated in 41% of patients. Initial echo-guided pericardiocentesis was therapeutically effective in 98.6% of cases, and the rate of major complications was 1%. There was no mortality related to pericardiocentesis. Eighteen patients (8.7%) required repeated pericardiocenteses due to recurrent effusion. Fifteen patients (7.2%) in the pericardiocentesis group required surgery due to recurrent effusion, persistent bleeding, or clotted hemopericardium. CONCLUSIONS: Echo-guided pericardiocentesis was very effective and safe method for primary treatment of postoperative PE. Most patients did not require further intervention after this treatment.

Sonolysis in Prevention of Brain Infarction During Cardiac Surgery (SONORESCUE): Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Here, we examined whether intraoperative sonolysis can alter the risk of new ischemic lesions in the insonated brain artery territory during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or valve surgery.Silent brain ischemic lesions could be detected in as many as two-thirds of patients after CABG or valve surgery.Patients indicated for CABG or valve surgery were allocated randomly to sonolysis (60 patients, 37 males; mean age, 65.3 years) of the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) during cardiac surgery and control group (60 patients, 37 males; mean age, 65.3 years). Neurologic examination, cognitive function tests, and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were conducted before intervention as well as 24 to 72 hours and 30 days after surgery.New ischemic lesions on control diffusion-weighted MRI in the insonated MCA territory ≥0.5 mL were significantly less frequent in the sonolysis group than in the control group (13.3% vs 26.7%, P = 0.109). The sonolysis group exhibited significantly reduced median volume of new brain ischemic lesions (P = 0.026). Stenosis of the internal carotid artery ≥50% and smoking were independent predictors of new brain ischemic lesions ≥0.5 mL (odds ratio = 5.685 [1.272-25.409], P = 0.023 and 4.698 [1.092-20.208], P = 0.038, respectively). Stroke or transient ischemic attack occurred only in 2 control patients (P = 0.496). No significant differences were found in scores for postintervention cognitive tests (P > 0.05).This study provides class-II evidence that sonolysis during CABG or valve surgery reduces the risk of larger, new ischemic lesions in the brain.www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01591018).

Early and mid-term outcomes of the aortic arch surgery: experience from the low-volume centre.

AIM: The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the early and mid-term outcomes for patients undergoing elective aortic arch surgery over a 13-years period in the single low-volume centre. Results of aortic arch surgery published in the literature are usually results of high-volume centers, but the majority of institutions have much lower caseload. METHODS: From January 1999 to March 2013 total of 353 surgeries on thoracic aorta were performed in our institution. Only 30 procedures (8.5%) were elective aortic arch surgeries. This group of patients was analyzed. RESULTS: Deep hypothermia alone and hypothermia with ortograde cerebral perfusion was used in 7 (23%) and 23 (77%) patients respectively. Mean core temperature was 22°C (17 - 26°C). Cannulation sites was axillary artery or brachiocephalic trunk in 17 (57%), femoral artery in 8 (27%) and ascending aorta or aortic arch in 5 (16%). Mean hypothermic circulatory arrest time was 39 min (15 - 74 min). There was one death due to multiorgan failure; all-cause mortality at 30 days was 3.3%. The frequency of other complications was permanent neurological deficit in 2 (6.7%), temporary neurological deficit in 2 (6.7%) and renal failure requiring hemodialysis in 2 (6.7%) patients. In the follow-up 13 patients died, remaining 16 are still alive. CONCLUSION: Despite the lower caseload and technical problems manifested by a higher number of re-operations for bleeding, the all-cause mortality at 30 days as well as mid-term results are comparable with results reported by the high-volume centres.

Myocardial revascularisation in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction. Early and midterm results.

AIMS: This retrospective study evaluates early and midterm results in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction. TECHNIQUE: Ninety-seven consecutive patients with coronary artery disease and ejection fraction of left ventricle (LVEF) less or equal to 25 % underwent elective coronary artery bypass graft procedure between September 1998 and December 2001. Mean age at operation was 66 (47-86) years. The main symptoms were angina class III-IV Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) in 78 patients (80 %) and dyspnoea class III-IV New York Heart Association (NYHA) in 43 patients (44 %). The major indications for surgery were severe angina, dyspnoea in 90 patients (93 %). Cardiac index (CI), echocardiography (ECHO), planimetry, end-diastolic pressure of left ventricle (LVEDP), end-diastolic diameter of left ventricle (LVEDd) were used to access left ventricular function preoperatively. ECHO was also used to access left ventricular function postoperatively. RESULTS: Early postoperative (30 days) mortality was 4.1 %. Complications had 25 patients (26 %) postoperatively. Two years survival was 95.7 %. Class III-IV CCS and/or NYHA had 17 patients (17.5 %) two years after surgery. LVEF (assessed by ECHO) improved from 23.1 % preoperatively to 36.0 % postoperatively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study showed that elective myocardial revascularisation in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction and signs of myocardial viability is not necessarily associated with high operative mortality. It can be performed safely with respectable midterm survival in concordance with left ventricular function improvement, symptom relief and quality of life improvement.

Rewarming from severe accidental hypothermia with circulatory arrest.

This case report demonstrates successful cardiopulmonary and cerebral resuscitation (CPCR) of a young male explored 15 hours following a suicide attempt (carbamazepine intoxication) in deep hypothermia (19 degrees C) with circulatory arrest. An extracorporeal circuit was used to rewarm the patient's blood. Weaning from extracorporeal circulation (ECC) was successful and without complications as was recovery from multiorgan dysfunction, severe rhabdomyolysis and carbamazepine intoxication. An excellent outcome was achieved without any neurological deficit at the time of discharge from the hospital.

Endoscopic vs open saphenous vein harvest for coronary artery bypass grafting: a leg-related morbidity and histological comparison.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using either endoscopic (EVH) or open harvest (OVH). Leg-related morbidity and histological comparison of the veins were the outcome measures. METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients scheduled for isolated CABG were randomly divided into two goups: an EVH and OVH group. Perioperative data were recorded. Patients were examined 7 days and 1 month postoperatively for leg-related morbidity. Samples for histological examination were taken from each harvested vein during the surgery. RESULTS: Postoperative pain was statistically significantly lower in the EVH group 7 days postoperatively but the incidence of haematoma was non statistically higher in the EVH group while swelling was higher in the OVH group. Almost 40% of all histological samples were described as showing endothelial damage. There was significantly more endothelial damage in the EVH than the OVH group. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the advantage of EVH in terms of leg-related morbidity as well as cosmetic effect. This method however, was associated with more acute endothelial damage of the graft. These results support concerns that endoscopic vein harvest may be connected with detrimental effects on vein endothelium which could promote a thrombogenic environment leading to a decrease in graft patency. This could be extremely important. The results suggest that further investigation of the long-term patency of vein grafts harvested endoscopically is required.

Cardiac rhythm and atrial transport function after surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation using cryoenergy: predictors and effectiveness of the procedure.

AIM: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the presence of sinus rhythm and atrial transport function after surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation using cryoenergy, and to evaluate predictors of the success of the procedure. METHODS: Between January 2005 and September 2006, 100 consecutive patients underwent left atrial cryoablation as a concomitant surgical procedure (46 patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation and 54 with permanent atrial fibrillation). Mitral valve surgery was performed in 74%. The mean and the median times of follow-up were 20 +/- 8.5, and 24 months respectively. Atrial mechanical function was assessed by echocardiography. RESULTS: Sinus rhythm was achieved during the postoperative follow-up in 71-81% of patients - significantly more often in the group with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (90-98%), than patients with permanent atrial fibrillation prior to surgery (51-65%) (p<0.002). At 12 and 24 months after the surgery, a total of 68.2% and 51.2% of the patients were free from atrial fibrillation; 73.9% and 60.7% of the patients from the paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation group, and 60.3% and 37.7% of patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (p=0.05). Five per cent of patients required postoperative permanent pacemaker implantation. An effective left and right atrial mechanical function was detected in 70-90%, and 96-98% of patients with sinus rhythm respectively. The following circumstances were identified as negative predictors of the presence of sinus rhythm after the ablation procedure: growing diameter of the left atrium, the duration of atrial fibrillation and the severity of mitral and tricuspid regurgitation before surgery (p<0.05). Restoration of the left atrial transport function was negatively predicted by the preoperative diameter of the left atrium, the presence of mitral valve stenosis and the severity of tricuspid regurgitation (p<0.05). A total of 95.4% of patients were free from stroke at one-year follow-up, and 94.1% at 2 years after surgery. CONCLUSION: Stable sinus rhythm and effective left atrial transport function are the main factors resulting in decreased morbidity after successful ablation of atrial fibrillation. A careful post-operative follow-up of the patients and individualised treatment are necessary.