Left ventricular assist device placement in the setting of congenital VSD.

We describe the management of a 59-year-old female with an unrepaired congenital ventricular septal defect (VSD) and end stage nonischemic cardiomyopathy necessitating placement of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) as a destination treatment. Simultaneous repair of the VSD was performed during the LVAD implantation under a beating heart. The patient remained hemodynamically stable throughout her postoperative course, without signs of hypoxia or cyanosis. Following discharge, outpatient surveillance echocardiogram demonstrated successful VSD closure and no residual shunt.

A case of fulminant myocarditis due to COVID-19 in an adolescent patient successfully treated with venous arterial ECMO as a bridge to recovery.

Emerging data suggest an association between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and the development of acute myocarditis, with children and older adults being most at risk. We describe the clinical course of a previously healthy 12-year-old female who rapidly deteriorated into cardiogenic shock and arrest due to coronavirus disease 2019 induced fulminant myocarditis, necessitating venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to full recovery. This case highlights the importance of early clinical recognition of myocardial involvement, and the benefits of taking a multidisciplinary approach in treating these patients.

Isolated tricuspid valve surgery-Repair versus replacement: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: There is a paucity of data on outcomes after isolated tricuspid valve surgery. This meta-analysis aims to compile available data on isolated tricuspid valve surgery and compare isolated tricuspid valve repair (iTVr) with isolated tricuspid valve replacement (iTVR) to elucidate outcomes after tricuspid valve surgery. METHODS: A literature search of 6 databases was performed. The primary outcomes was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were early stroke, post-op pacemaker placement, and tricuspid reoperation within 5 years. Publication bias was explored using the funnel plot. RESULTS: Ten retrospective studies involving 1407 patients (iTVr group = 779 patients and iTVR group = 628 patients) were included. A cumulative analysis demonstrated a significant difference favoring iTVr for 30-day mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 10 studies [95% confidence interval [CI]]: 0.34 [0.18-0.66]); 4.7% versus 12.6%, for iTVr and iTVR, respectively. Post-op pacemaker placement favored iTVr (OR: 6 studies [95% CI]: 0.37 [0.18-0.77]). Although stroke rates and TV reoperation favored iTVr, they did not reach statistical significance. No publication bias was identified. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis demonstrates that iTVr has better 30-day mortality and fewer permanent pacemaker placements. Etiology and severity of TR, as well as careful patient selection remain the most important factors for optimal outcomes.

Surgeons should be wise when choosing a material to repair heart defects.

Various types of prosthetic materials are available for usage in cardiac surgery to repair heart defects. PTFE, Dacron, and bovine pericardial are some examples of the most used materials for this purpose. In this article, the authors describe the potential failure of the CorMatrix®.

Off pump coronary artery bypass in patients with an ejection fraction of <20%. What is our strategy?

Patients with left ventricular dysfunction and low ejection fraction (EF) are at high risk of complication and mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The potential success of off-pump CABG in this high-risk population has yet to be illustrated. Herein, we present our experience in regards to surgical planning and strategy on how to perform off-pump CABG in patients with very low EF.

Thyroid stimulating hormone increases iodine uptake by thyroid cancer cells during BRAF silencing.

BACKGROUND: The BRAF(V600E) mutation is present in 62% of radioactive iodine-resistant thyroid tumors and is associated with downregulation of the sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) and thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHr). We sought to evaluate the combined effect of BRAF inhibition and TSH supplementation on (131)I uptake of BRAF(V600E)-mutant human thyroid cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: WRO cells (a BRAF(V600E)-mutant follicular-derived papillary thyroid carcinoma cell line) were transfected with small interfering RNA targeting BRAF for 72 h in a physiological TSH environment. NIS and TSHr expression were then evaluated at three levels: gene expression, protein levels, and (131)I uptake. These three main outcomes were then reassessed in TSH-depleted media and media supplemented with supratherapeutic concentrations of TSH. RESULTS: NIS gene expression increased 5.5-fold 36 h after transfection (P = 0.01), and TSHr gene expression increased 2.8-fold at 24 h (P = 0.02). NIS and TSHr protein levels were similarly increased 48 and 24 h after transfection, respectively. Seventy-two hours after BRAF inhibition, (131)I uptake was unchanged in TSH-depleted media, increased by 7.5-fold (P < 0.01) in physiological TSH media, and increased by 9.1-fold (P < 0.01) in supratherapeutic TSH media. CONCLUSIONS: The combined strategy of BRAF inhibition and TSH supplementation results in greater (131)I uptake than when either technique is used alone. This represents a simple and feasible approach that may improve outcomes in patients with radioactive iodine-resistant thyroid carcinomas for which current treatment algorithms are ineffective.

Stent Evaluation for Expiratory Central Airway Collapse: Does the Type of Stent Really Matter?

BACKGROUND: Careful selection of patients with expiratory central airway collapse (ECAC) that may benefit from tracheobronchoplasty (TBP) can be aided by a short-term airway stent evaluation. This can be performed with either silicone Y-stents (SYSs) or uncovered self-expanding metallic airway-stents (USEMAS). No direct comparison has been made between these 2 stent types. METHODS: This was a small retrospective review of consecutive patients that underwent a stent evaluation. A propensity score was used to match patients in the USEMAS and SYS groups. Outcomes included complications, changes in the health-related quality-of-life (HR-QoL), and changes in exercise capacity. Baseline measurements were compared with those obtained during stent evaluation and after TBP. RESULTS: Forty-two patients with severe ECAC underwent USEMAS placement, while 18 patients had an SYS placed. Propensity score matching resulted in 13 matched SYS and USEMAS pairs. The SYS group had an increased rate of mucus plugging (38.5% vs. 0%, P <0.047). Although not statically significant, a clinical improvement was observed in HR-QoL and exercise capacity in the USEMAS group during stent placement. In patients who underwent TBP, both USEMAS and SYS groups had a statistically significant change in the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale during stent evaluation and after TBP. CONCLUSION: In patients with severe ECAC, short-term evaluation with airway stents appears to be safe and improves respiratory symptoms, HR-QoL, and exercise capacity. The use of USEMAS led to a lower complication rate, a greater improvement in HR-QoL and exercise capacity, and appeared to better predict how the patients would respond to TBP.

Tracheobronchoplasty yields long-term anatomy, function, and quality of life improvement for patients with severe excessive central airway collapse.

OBJECTIVES: This study examines the long-term anatomic and clinical effects of tracheobronchoplasty in severe excessive central airway collapse. METHODS: Included patients underwent tracheobronchoplasty for excessive central airway collapse (2002-2016). The cross-sectional area of main airways on dynamic airway computed tomography was measured before and after tracheobronchoplasty. Expiratory collapse was calculated as the difference between inspiratory and expiratory cross-sectional area divided by inspiratory cross-sectional area ×100. The primary outcome was improvement in the percentage of expiratory collapse in years 1, 2, and 5 post-tracheobronchoplasty. Secondary outcomes included mean response profile for the 6-minute walk test, Cough-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire, Karnofsky Performance Status score, and St George Respiratory Questionnaire. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: The cohort included 61 patients with complete radiological follow-up at years 1, 2, and 5 post-tracheobronchoplasty. A significant linear decrease in the percentage of expiratory collapsibility of the central airways after tracheobronchoplasty was present. Anatomic repair durability was preserved 5 years after tracheobronchoplasty, with decrease in percentage of expiratory airway collapse up to 40% and 30% at years 1 and 2, respectively. The St George Respiratory Questionnaire (74.7 vs 41.8%, P < .001) and Cough-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (78 vs 47, P < .001) demonstrated significant improvement at year 5 compared with baseline. Similar results were observed in the 6-minute walk test (1079 vs 1268 ft, P < .001) and Karnofsky score (57 vs 82, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Tracheobronchoplasty has durable effects on airway anatomy, functional status, and quality of life in carefully selected patients with severe excessive central airway collapse.

Calcimimetics versus parathyroidectomy for treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism: retrospective chart analysis of a prospective database.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the efficacy of calcimimetics in improving bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) and compare those results to patients undergoing parathyroidectomy. BACKGROUND: Parathyroidectomy has been shown to improve BMD in pHPT, but calcimimetics have recently been advocated as a medical alternative to parathyroidectomy for pHPT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 17 patients that were treated with calcimimetics for pHPT. Seventeen patients with pHPT who underwent parathyroidectomy served as surgical controls. Serum calcium level, parathyroid hormone (PTH) level, and femur and spine BMD T scores were compared before and 1 year after therapy. RESULTS: Both groups were demographically matched. Calcium levels normalized in 70.6% of medically versus 100% of surgically treated patients (P = 0.026). PTH levels normalized in 35% of patients treated with calcimimetics versus 76% of surgical patients (P = 0.036). Femur BMD improved in 18.8% of medically treated patients versus 58.8% of surgical patients (P = 0.032). Spine BMD improved in 70.6% of medically treated patients versus 82.4% of surgical patients (P = 0.69). Further analysis demonstrated that regardless of treatment, normalization of PTH was associated with significant improvement in femur (P = 0.03) and spine BMD (P < 0.001). Normalization of calcium without normalization of PTH did not impact BMD. CONCLUSIONS: Parathyroidectomy results in greater normalization of serum calcium and PTH levels and significantly improves cortical BMD compared to calcimimetics. Regardless of treatment, normalization of PTH is associated with significant improvement in spine and femur BMD, suggesting that the superior effects of surgery may be mediated by better control of PTH.

Small Diameter Cell-Free Tissue-Engineered Vascular Grafts: Biomaterials and Manufacture Techniques to Reach Suitable Mechanical Properties.

Vascular grafts (VGs) are medical devices intended to replace the function of a blood vessel. Available VGs in the market present low patency rates for small diameter applications setting the VG failure. This event arises from the inadequate response of the cells interacting with the biomaterial in the context of operative conditions generating chronic inflammation and a lack of regenerative signals where stenosis or aneurysms can occur. Tissue Engineered Vascular grafts (TEVGs) aim to induce the regeneration of the native vessel to overcome these limitations. Besides the biochemical stimuli, the biomaterial and the particular micro and macrostructure of the graft will determine the specific behavior under pulsatile pressure. The TEVG must support blood flow withstanding the exerted pressure, allowing the proper compliance required for the biomechanical stimulation needed for regeneration. Although the international standards outline the specific requirements to evaluate vascular grafts, the challenge remains in choosing the proper biomaterial and manufacturing TEVGs with good quality features to perform satisfactorily. In this review, we aim to recognize the best strategies to reach suitable mechanical properties in cell-free TEVGs according to the reported success of different approaches in clinical trials and pre-clinical trials.

Predictive value of cytologic atypia in indeterminate thyroid fine-needle aspirate biopsies.

BACKGROUND: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies are the most accurate method for diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Unfortunately, biopsies are indeterminate 15-30% of the time and surgery is thus required for a definitive diagnosis. We aimed to determine whether specific descriptors of cytologic atypia mentioned in indeterminate FNA reports were associated with malignancy on final histopathology. METHODS: Retrospective review of 1000 surgery patients identified 466 indeterminate FNA lesions that underwent either a hemi- or total thyroidectomy between 1998 and 2009. We screened FNA reports for specific descriptors of nuclear atypia. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the independent effect of cytologic atypia descriptors on the risk of malignancy. RESULTS: Nuclear atypia on FNA conferred a risk of malignancy of 42% (P < 0.0001). Risk of malignancy increased from 17% for zero descriptors to 81.2% when four or more descriptors of atypia were described. Nuclear grooves and inclusions together conferred a risk of malignancy, specificity, and false positive rate of 79.3%, 98.2% and 1.8% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of four or more descriptors of cytologic atypia or the presence of both nuclear inclusions and grooves together confers a high risk of malignancy on final histopathology and a low false positive rate. These findings should be taken into consideration when interpreting FNA reports and total thyroidectomy should be considered for those patients at higher risk.

Prophylactic central neck dissection and local recurrence in papillary thyroid cancer: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of prophylactic central neck dissection (pCND) in the treatment of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) to prevent local recurrence is controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to assess the effect of pCND on local recurrence in PTC. METHODS: Exhaustive search of online search engines identified five retrospective studies that compared the local recurrence rates of PTC in patients without clinically detectable nodal disease in patients undergoing thyroidectomy + pCND (group A) to those undergoing thyroidectomy alone (group B). A meta-analysis was performed by the fixed effects method. Recurrence was documented by imaging, thyroglobulin detection, or reoperation. Location of recurrence was identified in either the central or lateral neck compartment. RESULTS: A total of 1264 patients were included, 396 in group A and 868 in group B. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 27 years. The overall recurrence rate was 2.02% in group A versus 3.92% in group B (odds ratio [OR] = 1.05, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.48-2.31). The recurrence rate in the central neck compartment in group A was 1.86% compared to 1.68% in group B (OR = 1.31, 95% CI 0.44-3.91). The recurrence rate in the lateral neck compartment in group A was 3.73% compared to 3.79% in group B (OR = 1.21, 95% CI 0.52-2.75). There was no statistically significant difference in the OR in the local recurrence between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis indicates that pCND does not greatly reduce local recurrence in thyroid cancer. However, the available studies have substantial limitations and a prospective multicenter study to determine the indications for pCND is warranted.

Longitudinal Follow-up of Patients With Tracheobronchomalacia After Undergoing Tracheobronchoplasty: Computed Tomography Findings and Clinical Correlation.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate intermediate and long-term changes in expiratory tracheal collapsibility by computed tomography (CT) in patients with tracheobronchomalacia following surgical treatment with tracheobronchoplasty and to correlate CT findings with clinical findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2003 and 2016, 18 patients with tracheobronchomalacia underwent tracheobronchoplasty and were imaged preoperatively and postoperatively at both intermediate and long-term intervals. Imaging included end-inspiratory and dynamic expiratory phase scans. The cross-sectional area of the airway lumen was measured at 2 standard levels (1 cm above the aortic arch and carina). These measurements were used to calculate % collapsibility. Clinical findings recorded included a questionnaire on symptomatology and a 6-minute walk test. RESULTS: Before surgery, expiratory collapsibility of the upper trachea was 72%±25% (mean±SD) and that of the lower trachea was 68%±22%. On intermediate follow-up (mean, 1.5 y), collapsibility significantly decreased to 37%±21% at the upper trachea and 35%±19% at the lower trachea (P<0.001). On long-term follow-up (mean, 6 y), collapsibility increased to 51%±20% at the upper trachea and 47%±17% at the lower trachea and was significantly worse than on intermediate follow-up (P=0.002). However, collapsibility on long-term follow-up remained significantly lower than preoperative collapsibility (P=0.015). Clinical findings showed a similar trend as quantitative CT measurements. CONCLUSION: Expiratory tracheal collapsibility substantially decreases after tracheobronchoplasty on intermediate follow-up. At long-term follow-up, tracheal collapsibility shows a modest increase, but remains significantly lower than the preoperative baseline. Quantitative measurements from dynamic CT have the potential to play an important role as imaging biomarkers for assessing response to tracheobronchoplasty.

Fatal Hemoptysis After Closure of Gastrobronchial Fistula Using an Amplatzer Vascular Device.

The Amplatzer family of vascular devices has been used off-label for the treatment of complex gastrointestinal and airway fistulas. We report a case in which closure of a benign gastrobronchial fistula with the use of an Amplatzer device resulted in massive hemoptysis and death.

Prophylactic use of alpha-1 adrenergic blocking agents for prevention of postoperative urinary retention: A review & meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Alpha-1 adrenergic blockers used to treat postoperative urinary retention (POUR) may also have a preventative role. Here we assess the evidence behind their prophylactic use on POUR prevention. STUDY DESIGN: PRISMA guidelines were followed. All studies reviewed for eligibility, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment. Pooled risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals calculated using a random effects model. Heterogeneity assessed using Forest plots, I2 statistic and Chi-squared Cochran's Q-statistic. RESULTS: Fifteen RCTs (1732 patients) included. Prophylactic alpha-1 adrenergic blockers significantly reduced risk of POUR, 13.16% vs 30.24%, RR = 0.48 (95%CI: 0.33; 0.70, p-value = .001), without a statistically significant increase in adverse events. Substantial heterogeneity found between included studies (I2 = 65.49% [95%CI:48.49; 95.01] & Q-statistic 43.46 (p-value<.001)). Subgroup analysis revealed strong risk reduction and little heterogeneity in males (RR:0.33, 95%CI:0.23; 0.47, p-value<.001, I2:10.58) and patients receiving spinal anesthesia (RR:0.26, 95%CI:0.14; 0.46, p-value<.0001, I2 = 0%). CONCLUSION: Prophylactic alpha-1 adrenergic blockers reduce risk of POUR in males and after spinal anesthesia.

Single-Center Experience of Tracheobronchoplasty for Tracheobronchomalacia: Perioperative Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: We present trends in practice as our experience has grown and report the postoperative morbidity and its associated factors after tracheobronchoplasty. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of 161 patients who underwent tracheobronchoplasty from October 2002 to September 2016. The main outcome was development of a postoperative complication within 30 days of the operation. Postoperative complication events were graded using the Clavien-Dindo system. The study patients were divided into two consecutive cohorts to examine trends in systems of care. Postoperative morbidity was examined using a log-binomial regression model. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 103 women (64%), with a median age of 58 years (interquartile range, 52 to 66 years). Postoperative morbidity occurred in 75 patients (47%). Severe complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥IIIa) occurred in 38 patients (24%), most of which were respiratory in nature, including 27 (17%) with respiratory failure. Median intensive care unit length of stay was 4 days (interquartile range, 3 to 5 days), with a total length of stay of 8 days (interquartile range, 6 to 11 days). In-hospital mortality occurred in 2 patients (1%). Discharge was directly to home in 68% of patients (37% without assistance and 31% with visiting nurse follow-up) and to a rehabilitation facility in 31%. After adjusting for age, sex, race, operative time, and intraoperative blood loss, forced expiratory volume in 1 second was an independent predictor (odds ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.95 to 0.99; p = 0.01) for postoperative morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an arduous hospital course with significant risk of severe complication, patients undergoing tracheobronchoplasty for severe tracheobronchomalacia have low risk of mortality and most are discharged directly to home.

Frailty Characteristics Predict Respiratory Failure in Patients Undergoing Tracheobronchoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory complications are the leading cause of morbidity in patients undergoing tracheobronchoplasty, yet risk stratification systems on this population are insufficient. We investigated the association between frailty and risk of major respiratory complications after tracheobronchoplasty. METHODS: A retrospective review was made of 161 consecutive tracheobronchoplasties (October 2002 to September 2016). A frailty index was developed by the deficit-accumulation approach comprising 26 multidomain preoperative variables. The main outcome was a composite endpoint of major respiratory complications within 30 days of surgery. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using logistic regression. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 103 women (64%), median age of 58 years (interquartile range, 51 to 66) and median FI of 0.25 (interquartile range, 0.1 to 0.3). Forty-eight patients (30%) had respiratory complications, the most common being respiratory failure (n = 27, 16.8%) and pneumonia (n = 25, 15.5%). Severe frailty (frailty index ≥0.33) was strongly associated with major respiratory complications (73.8% versus 2.5%; OR 58.8, 95% CI: 9.6 to 358.3). The association with severe frailty appeared stronger for respiratory failure (47.6% versus 2.5%; OR 30, 95% CI: 4.7 to 189.9) than for pneumonia (40.5% versus 0%; OR 35.2. 95% CI: 2.0 to 599.8). Further adjustment for intraoperative crystalloid volume or forced expiratory volume in 1 second moderately attenuated the association between frailty with major respiratory complications (OR 17.4. 95% CI: 2.0 to 150.8), respiratory failure (OR 13.1, 95% CI: 1.7 to 95.8), and pneumonia (OR 20.1, 95% CI: 1.1 to 341.8). CONCLUSIONS: Frailty, as indicated by frailty index, was associated with major respiratory complications, particularly respiratory failure after tracheobronchoplasty. Preoperative identification of frailty may help guide decision making for patients considering this effective, although arduous procedure.

Current concepts in severe adult tracheobronchomalacia: evaluation and treatment.

There is increasing recognition of tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) in patients with respiratory complaints, though its true incidence in the adult population remains unknown. Most of these patients have an acquired form of severe diffuse TBM of unclear etiology. The mainstays of diagnosis are dynamic (inspiratory and expiratory) airway computed tomography (CT) scan and dynamic flexible bronchoscopy with forced expiratory maneuvers. While the prevailing definition of TBM is 50% reduction in cross-sectional area, a high proportion of healthy volunteers meet this threshold, thus this threshold fails to identify patients that might benefit from intervention. Therefore, we consider complete or near-complete collapse (>90% reduction in cross-sectional area) of the airway to be severe enough to warrant potential intervention. Surgical central airway stabilization by posterior mesh splinting (tracheobronchoplasty) effectively corrects malacic airways and has been shown to lead to significant improvement in symptoms, health-related quality of life, as well as functional and exercise capacity in carefully selected adults with severe diffuse TBM. A short-term stent trial clarifies a patient's candidacy for surgical intervention. Coordination of care between experienced interventional pulmonologists, radiologists, and thoracic surgeons is essential for optimal outcomes.