Aortic Valve Replacement Versus Conservative Treatment in Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis: The AVATAR Trial.

BACKGROUND: Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) represents a class I indication in symptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). However, indications for early SAVR in asymptomatic patients with severe AS and normal left ventricular function remain debated. METHODS: The AVATAR trial (Aortic Valve Replacement Versus Conservative Treatment in Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis) is an investigator-initiated international prospective randomized controlled trial that evaluated the safety and efficacy of early SAVR in the treatment of asymptomatic patients with severe AS, according to common criteria (valve area ≤1 cm2 with aortic jet velocity >4 m/s or a mean transaortic gradient ≥40 mm Hg), and with normal left ventricular function. Negative exercise testing was mandatory for inclusion. The primary hypothesis was that early SAVR would reduce the primary composite end point of all-cause death, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, or unplanned hospitalization for heart failure compared with a conservative strategy according to guidelines. The trial was designed as event-driven to reach a minimum of 35 prespecified events. The study was performed in 9 centers in 7 European countries. RESULTS: Between June 2015 and September 2020, 157 patients (mean age, 67 years; 57% men) were randomly allocated to early surgery (n=78) or conservative treatment (n=79). Follow-up was completed in May 2021. Overall median follow-up was 32 months: 28 months in the early surgery group and 35 months in the conservative treatment group. There was a total of 39 events, 13 in early surgery and 26 in the conservative treatment group. In the early surgery group, 72 patients (92.3%) underwent SAVR with operative mortality of 1.4%. In an intention-to-treat analysis, patients randomized to early surgery had a significantly lower incidence of primary composite end point than those in the conservative arm (hazard ratio, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.23-0.90]; P=0.02). There was no statistical difference in secondary end points, including all-cause mortality, first heart failure hospitalizations, major bleeding, or thromboembolic complications, but trends were consistent with the primary outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In asymptomatic patients with severe AS, early surgery reduced a primary composite of all-cause death, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, or unplanned hospitalization for heart failure compared with conservative treatment. This randomized trial provides preliminary support for early SAVR once AS becomes severe, regardless of symptoms. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02436655.

Extracorporeal life support in mitral papillary muscle rupture: Outcome of multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Post-acute myocardial infarction papillary muscle rupture (post-AMI PMR) may present variable clinical scenarios and degree of emergency due to result of cardiogenic shock. Veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (V-A ECLS) has been proposed to improve extremely poor pre- or postoperative conditions. Information in this respect is scarce. METHODS: From the CAUTION (meChanical complicAtion of acUte myocardial infarcTion: an InternatiOnal multiceNter cohort study) database (16 different Centers, data from 2001 to 2018), we extracted adult patients who were surgically treated for post-AMI PMR and underwent pre- or/and postoperative V-A ECLS support. The end-points of this study were in-hospital survival and ECLS complications. RESULTS: From a total of 214 post-AMI PMR patients submitted to surgery, V-A ECLS was instituted in 23 (11%) patients. The median age was 61.7 years (range 46-81 years). Preoperatively, ECLS was commenced in 10 patients (43.5%), whereas intra/postoperative in the remaining 13. The most common V-A ECLS indication was post-cardiotomy shock, followed by preoperative cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest. The median duration of V-A ECLS was 4 days. V-A ECLS complications occurred in more than half of the patients. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 39.2% (9/23), compared to 22% (42/219) for the non-ECLS group. CONCLUSIONS: In post-AMI PMR patients, V-A ECLS was used in almost 10% of the patients either to promote bridge to surgery or as postoperative support. Further investigations are required to better evaluate a potential for increased use and its effects of V-A ECLS in such a context based on the still high perioperative mortality.

The evaluation of annuloplasty in bicuspid aortic valve repair using cardiac magnetic resonance.

BACKGROUND: The incompetent bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) can be replaced or repaired using various surgical techniques. This study sought to assess the efficacy of external annuloplasty and postoperative reverse remodelling using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and compare the results of external and subcommissural annuloplasty. METHODS: Out of a total of 200 BAV repair performed between 2004 and 2018, 21 consecutive patients (median age 54 years) with regurgitation requiring valve repair with annuloplasty without concomitant aortic root surgery were prospectively referred for CMR and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) one year after the operation. Two aortic annulus stabilization techniques were used: external, circumferential annuloplasty (EA), and subcommissural annuloplasty (SCA). RESULTS: 11 patients received EA and 10 patients were treated using SCA. There was no in-hospital mortality and all patients survived the follow-up period (median: 12.6 months (first quartile: 6.6; third quartile: 14.1). CMR showed strong correlation between postoperative aortic recurrent regurgitant fraction and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (r = 0.62; p = 0.003) as well as left ventricular ejection fraction (r = -0.53; p = 0.01). Patients treated with EA as compared with SCA had larger anatomic aortic valve area measured by CMR (3.5 (2.5; 4.0) vs. 2.5 cm2 (2.0; 3.4); p = 0.04). In both EA and SCA group, aortic valve area below 3.5 cm2 correlated with no regurgitation recurrency. EA (vs. SCA) was associated with lower peak transvalvular aortic gradients (10 (6; 17) vs. 21 mmHg (15; 27); p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The repair of the bicuspid aortic valve provides significant postoperative reverse remodelling, provided no recurrent regurgitation and durable reduction annuloplasty can be achieved. EA is associated with lower transvalvular gradients and higher aortic valve area assessed by CMR, compared to SCA.

Impact of Intubation Time on Survival following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Insights from the Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The authors aimed to assess determinants of intubation time and evaluate its impact on 30-day and 1-year postoperative survival in Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) trial patients. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTIONS: A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used among the 1,446 surgical patients from the STICH trial who survived 36 hours after operation, in order to identify perioperative factors associated with 30-day and 1-year postoperative mortality. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine risk factors associated with intubation time. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At 36 hours post-operation, 1,298 (out of 1,446) were extubated and 148 (10.2%) still intubated. Median postoperative intubation time was 11.4 hours. Among patients surviving 36 hours, a multivariable model was developed to predict 30-day (c-index = 0.88) and 1-year (c-index = 0.78) mortality. Intubation time was the strongest independent predictor of 30-day (hazard ratio [HR] 5.50) and 1-year mortality (HR 3.69). Predictors of intubation time >36 hours included mitral valve procedure, New York Heart Association class, left ventricular systolic volume index, creatinine, previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and age. Results were similar in patients surviving 24 hours post-operation, where intubation time was also the strongest predictor of 30-day (HR 4.18, c-index 0.87) and 1-year (HR 2.81, c-index 0.78) mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Intubation time is the strongest predictor of 30-day and 1-year mortality among patients with ischemic heart failure undergoing CABG. Combining intubation time with other mortality risk factors may allow the identification of patients at the highest risk for whom the development of specific strategies may improve outcomes.

Coronary-artery bypass surgery in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: The role of coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) in the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease and heart failure has not been clearly established. METHODS: Between July 2002 and May 2007, a total of 1212 patients with an ejection fraction of 35% or less and coronary artery disease amenable to CABG were randomly assigned to medical therapy alone (602 patients) or medical therapy plus CABG (610 patients). The primary outcome was the rate of death from any cause. Major secondary outcomes included the rates of death from cardiovascular causes and of death from any cause or hospitalization for cardiovascular causes. RESULTS: The primary outcome occurred in 244 patients (41%) in the medical-therapy group and 218 (36%) in the CABG group (hazard ratio with CABG, 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72 to 1.04; P=0.12). A total of 201 patients (33%) in the medical-therapy group and 168 (28%) in the CABG group died from an adjudicated cardiovascular cause (hazard ratio with CABG, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.66 to 1.00; P=0.05). Death from any cause or hospitalization for cardiovascular causes occurred in 411 patients (68%) in the medical-therapy group and 351 (58%) in the CABG group (hazard ratio with CABG, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.85; P<0.001). By the end of the follow-up period (median, 56 months), 100 patients in the medical-therapy group (17%) underwent CABG, and 555 patients in the CABG group (91%) underwent CABG. CONCLUSIONS: In this randomized trial, there was no significant difference between medical therapy alone and medical therapy plus CABG with respect to the primary end point of death from any cause. Patients assigned to CABG, as compared with those assigned to medical therapy alone, had lower rates of death from cardiovascular causes and of death from any cause or hospitalization for cardiovascular causes. (Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and Abbott Laboratories; STICH ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00023595.).

Long-term outcomes after aortic valve repair and associated aortic root reconstruction.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The advantages of aortic valve repair and root reconstruction include the maintenance of natural valve hemodynamics and an avoidance of prosthetic valve-related complications. However, the general acceptance of valve reconstruction currently may be limited by a paucity of long-term follow up data from only a few centers. The study aim was to supplement existing outcome information for aortic valve repair. METHODS: Between 2003 and 2012, a total of 150 consecutive patients (119 males, 31 females; mean age 51.1 years) with significant aortic regurgitation and aortic root enlargement underwent aortic valve repair and associated root reconstruction. The same prospective selection criteria and systematic valve repair approaches were followed throughout the study. Root management consisted of either root remodeling or reimplantation with Dacron prostheses. Kaplan-Meier techniques were used to assess major end-points of all-cause mortality, reoperation, and repair failure. Univariable log-rank testing identified any associations between risk factors and major events. RESULTS: The early mortality rate was 2.7% (n = 4), and early repair failure rate 3.3% (n = 5). At a mean follow up of 43.6 months (1st, 3rd percentile, 17.8, 78.0 months), the survival rate was 93% and freedom from reoperation 91%. Univariable risk factors for mortality included advanced preoperative NYHA class and a requirement for root replacement. Repair failure and reoperation were associated with bicuspid valve anatomy, subcommissural annuloplasty, leaflet resection with pericardial patching, and Gore-Tex leaflet reinforcement. CONCLUSION: The present data, acquired from a prospective cohort of patients undergoing aortic valve repair and root reconstruction, reinforced the satisfactory late results obtained with valve reconstruction. These findings also support a broader application of aortic valve repair in future patients.

Influence of mitral regurgitation repair on survival in the surgical treatment for ischemic heart failure trial.

BACKGROUND: Whether mitral valve repair during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) improves survival in patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) remains unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with ejection fraction ≤35% and coronary artery disease amenable to CABG were randomized at 99 sites worldwide to medical therapy with or without CABG. The decision to treat the mitral valve during CABG was left to the surgeon. The primary end point was mortality. Of 1212 randomized patients, 435 (36%) had none/trace MR, 554 (46%) had mild MR, 181 (15%) had moderate MR, and 39 (3%) had severe MR. In the medical arm, 70 deaths (32%) occurred in patients with none/trace MR, 114 (44%) in those with mild MR, and 58 (50%) in those with moderate to severe MR. In patients with moderate to severe MR, there were 29 deaths (53%) among 55 patients randomized to CABG who did not receive mitral surgery (hazard ratio versus medical therapy, 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-1.87) and 21 deaths (43%) among 49 patients who received mitral surgery (hazard ratio versus medical therapy, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.35-1.08). After adjustment for baseline prognostic variables, the hazard ratio for CABG with mitral surgery versus CABG alone was 0.41 (95% confidence interval, 0.22-0.77; P=0.006). CONCLUSION: Although these observational data suggest that adding mitral valve repair to CABG in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and moderate to severe MR may improve survival compared with CABG alone or medical therapy alone, a prospective randomized trial is necessary to confirm the validity of these observations. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00023595.

Results of aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis and moderate functional mitral regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Referral and admission echocardiography (ECHO) in patients scheduled for aortic valve replacement (AVR) with aortic stenosis (AS) may differ in the assessment of moderate functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). AIMS: Our study was to determine the truly moderate-FMR and evaluate its impact on survival. METHODS: We conducted an observational study of patients referred for AVR with AS and up to moderate FMR, between 2014 and 2019. Patients were divided into three groups: (1) no/mild (N-FMR); (2) moderate-FMR on one ECHO (either at referral or admission) termed incidental (I-FMR); (3) moderate FMR in two studies (both at referral and admission) termed permanent (PM-FMR). RESULTS: The referral and admission assessment were performed median 35 days apart. Of the 679 elective patients who underwent elective isolated AVR, 516 patients had N-FMR, 102 patients had I-FMR, and 61 patients had PM-FMR. Median follow-up was 46 months (22.5-58.5); max 73.3. 30-day mortality was 2.5% vs. 1% vs. 8.2% (N-FMR vs. I-FMR vs. PM-FMR, respectively; P = 0.01). Five-year survival was 84.1% in N-FMR vs. 88.5% in I-FMR vs. 60.6% in PM-FMR group, where was the lowest (P <0.001). In multivariable modeling PM-FMR increased mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.88 [1.05-3.37]; P = 0.03). The I-FMR had no effect on mortality (HR, 0.67 [0.32-1.37]; P = 0.28). Five-year survival after excluding 30-day mortality was 86.3% vs. 89.4% vs. 66.0%; (N-FMR vs. I-FMR vs. PM-FMR, respectively; P = 0.02). The PM-FMR increased late mortality (HR, 2.17 [1.14-4.15]; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing isolated AVR for AS, the presence of permanent moderate FMR significantly impacts 30-day and mid-term survival.

Comparison of transcarotid versus transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation outcomes in patients with severe aortic stenosis and contraindications for transfemoral access.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and clinical outcomes of transcarotid (TC) and transapical access (TA) transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) patients whom the transfemoral approach (TF) was not feasible. METHODS: The analysis included consecutive patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis treated from 2017 to 2020 with TC-TAVI or TA-TAVI in two high-volume TAVI centers. The approach was selected by multidisciplinary heart teams after analyzing multislice computed tomography of the heart, aorta and peripheral arteries, transthoracic echocardiography and coronary angiography. RESULTS: One hundred and two patients were treated with alternative TAVI accesses (TC; n = 49 and TA; n = 53) in our centers. The groups were similar regarding age, gender, New York Heart Association class, and echocardiography parameters. Patients treated with TC-TAVI had significantly higher surgical risk. The procedural success rate was similar in both groups (TC-TAVI 98%; TA-TAVI 98.1%; p = 0.95). The rate of Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 defined clinical events was low in both groups. The percentage of new-onset rhythm disturbances and permanent pacemaker implantation was similar in TC and TA TAVI (4.1% vs. 11.3%; p = 0.17 and 10.2% vs. 5.7%; p = 0.39, respectively). In the TA-TAVI group, significantly more cases of pneumonia and blood transfusions were observed (11% vs. 0%; p = 0.01 and 30.2% vs. 12.2%; p = 0.03). The 30-day mortality was similar in TC and TA groups (4.1% vs. 5.7%; p = 0.71, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Both TC and TA TAVI are safe procedures in appropriately selected patients and are associated with a low risk of complications.

Comparison of Repair vs Replacement in Calcific and Rheumatic Mitral Disease.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of repair over replacement of rheumatic or calcified mitral valve (MV) is debatable. METHODS: Patients who underwent MV repair or replacement for rheumatic or calcified MV disease between 2006 and 2020 were identified in the Polish National Registry of Cardiac Surgery Procedures. Patients who underwent additional procedures other than coronary artery bypass grafting or tricuspid valve surgery, as well as redo or emergency cases, were excluded. The long-term survival was verified based on National Health Fund registry data. The survival was compared between MV repair and replacement in the whole cohort and after propensity score matching. RESULTS: We included 4338 patients: 1859 (43%) with pure mitral regurgitation and 2479 (57%) with mitral stenosis. MV was repaired in 543 patients (29%) with pure regurgitation and 126 (5.1%) with stenosis (P < .001). In total, 984 (23%) patients underwent concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting and 1358 (32%) tricuspid valve surgery. MV repair improved survival (hazard ratio 0.81; 95% CI 0.68-0.97; P = .022) in patients with no mitral stenosis, and had no effect in mitral stenosis (hazard ratio 1.17; 95% CI 0.85-1.59; P = .332). The results were confirmed in propensity-matched cohorts. The freedom from MV reoperation at 10 years was 95.5% ± 1.2% after repair and 96.0% ± 0.7% after MV replacement (P = .416) in the absence of stenosis and 91.8% ± 3.4% after repair vs 95.9% ± 0.5% after replacement in patients with mitral stenosis (P = .065). CONCLUSIONS: Repair of rheumatic/calcified mitral valve should be a preferred option in patients with no mitral stenosis, but confers no benefit if mitral stenosis is present.

Statistical agreement of left ventricle measurements using cardiac magnetic resonance and 2D echocardiography in ischemic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) with 2-dimensional echocardiography (2D echo) in the assessment of left ventricle (LV) function parameters and mass in patients with ischemic heart disease and severely depressed LV function. Although 2D echo is commonly used to assess LV indices, CMR is the state-of-the-art technique. Agreement between these 2 methods in these patients has not been well established. MATERIAL/METHODS: LV indexed end systolic and diastolic volumes (EDVi and ESVi), indexed mass (LVMi) and ejection fraction (EF) were assessed in 67 patients (12 women), using 2D echo and CMR. RESULTS: According to statistical analysis (Bland-Altman), 2D echo underestimated LV EDV and ESV and overestimated EF and LVMi compared to CMR. The highest correlation between 2D echo and CMR was found for EDVi (R2=0.73, p<0.0001) and ESVi (R2=0.69, p<0.0001) and the lowest for EF (R2=0.21, p=0.001) and LVMi (R2=0.20, p=0.002). The maximal differences between 2D echo and CMR were found for highest mesurements of LV volumes and mass, and for lowest EF values. CONCLUSIONS: There is moderate to strong correlation between CMR and 2D echo in the assessment of LV function parameters and mass in patients with ischemic heart failure. Between-method agreement depends on the degree of LV dysfunction. The results of assessment of the severely damaged LV obtained by the use of 2D echo should be interpreted with caution.

Stem cells mobilization by cardiopulmonary bypass after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Introduction: Expression of haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells occurs as a result of an inflammatory reaction caused by a damaged organ. Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are exposed to an inflammatory reaction, which may be a trigger in the mobilization of regenerative cells. Aim: To assess the impact of CPB on stem and progenitor cells mobilization in patients scheduled for CABG. Material and methods: Twenty patients with stable coronary disease, who were scheduled for CABG, were included in the study. Peripheral blood samples were collected perioperatively: 2 h before surgery, before CPB, at CPB weaning, 24 h postoperatively, and on the 6th postoperative day. Analyses of immune-labelled cells were carried out on an ImageStream (IS) system. Results: The following cell populations were identified during cardiac surgery: haematopoietic stem cells (HSC), mesenchymal cells (MSC), endothelial progenitors (EPC), and very small embryonic-like cells (VSEL). The profile of cell mobilization coincides with the perioperative inflammatory response. Mobilization of stem and progenitor cells induced by CPB did not occur in any of the isolated cell lines (p > 0.05). The expression profile of stem and progenitor cells was related with the inflammatory reaction associated with traumatic stress in all cell lines. Type 2 diabetes is a disease that is hampering the trend of MSC mobilization. Conclusions: Mobilization of haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells was not related with CPB. The inflammatory reaction was associated with perioperative trauma. Cell release was inhibited in patients with diabetes.

Outcome comparison of different approaches to aortic root aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of aortic root aneurysm remains challenging for both cardiac surgeons and cardiologists. AIMS: This study aimed to assess and compare the long-term outcomes of different approaches to aortic root replacement (ARR). METHODS: All elective patients operated for aortic root aneurysm with or without aortic regurgitation at our institution over a 10-year period were included. We excluded patients with any degree of aortic stenosis and with active endocarditis. We assessed mortality, freedom from reoperation, freedom from aortic valve regurgitation, and the rate of hemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications. RESULTS: Two hundred and four patients underwent elective aortic root replacement: 107 (53%) valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSARR), 35 (17%) mechanical Bentall procedure (MB), and 62 (30%) Bio-Bentall procedure (BB). Early mortality for VSARR, BB, and MB group was 2.8%, 4.8%, and 0%, respectively (P = 0.40). Estimated 5-year survival was: 90.2% vs. 78.4% vs. 94.2%, respectively (P = 0.12), 5-year freedom from reoperation: 97.8%, 96.6%, and 96.8%, respectively (P = 0.99). Estimat-ed 5-year freedom from complications was: 94.2%, 83.1% and 57.3% in the VSARR, BB and MB group, respectively (P <0.001). On last follow-up echocardiography, 90.5%, 98.4%, and 97.1% (P = 0.08) of patients were free from aortic regurgitation grade 2 or higher. The median (IQR) aortic valve peak gradient was 9 (6-12) mm Hg, 12 (10-18) mm Hg and 16 (14-22) mm Hg, respectively (P <0.001). Complications were predicted by mechanical Bentall (hazard ratio, 6.70 [2.54-17.63]; P <0.001). CONCLUSION: With the same mortality, freedom from reoperation, and a minimal late complication rate in comparison with mechanical Bentall and Bio-Bentall, VSARR might be the preferred approach to aortic root aneurysm.

Repair or Replacement for Secondary Mitral Regurgitation: Results From Polish National Registry.

BACKGROUND: The optimal surgical strategy (repair vs replacement) for patients with secondary mitral (MV) regurgitation is questionable. METHODS: Patients who underwent MV repair or replacement for functional or ischemic mitral regurgitation between 2006 and 2017 were identified in Polish National Registry of Cardiac Surgery Procedures. Patients, who underwent additional procedures other than coronary artery bypass grafting or tricuspid valve surgery, as well as redo or emergency cases, were excluded. The long-term survival was verified based on National Health Fund registry. The survival was compared between MV repair and replacement both in the whole cohort and after propensity score matching. The Cox regression was used to seek for independent predictors of survival. RESULTS: Of 7633 identified patients, 1793 (23%) underwent MV replacement and 5840 (77%) underwent MV repair. Coronary artery bypass surgery was performed together with MV repair in 3992 (69%) patients and together with MV replacement in 915 (52%) patients (P < .001). Tricuspid valve surgery was added to 1393 (24%) MV repairs and to 561 (32%) MV replacements (P < .001). The crude actuarial 5-year survival was 71% (95% confidence interval [CI], 70%-72%) in the repair group and 66% (95% CI, 63%-68%) in the replacement group (P < .001). MV replacement was an independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.17-1.49) (P < .001) in Cox regression modeling. In the propensity-matched cohort (1105 pairs), the long-term mortality was also significantly higher in the replacement group (hazard ratio, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.06-1.45; P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: Repair of secondary mitral regurgitation has an associated survival benefit compared with MV replacement.

Surgical treatment for post-infarction papillary muscle rupture: a multicentre study.

OBJECTIVES: Papillary muscle rupture (PMR) is a rare but potentially fatal complication of acute myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to analyse the patient characteristics and early outcomes of the surgical management of post-infarction PMR from an international multicentre registry. METHODS: Patients underwent surgery for post-infarction PMR between 2001 through 2019 were retrieved from database of the CAUTION study. The primary end point was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 214 patients were included with a mean age of 66.9 (standard deviation: 10.5) years. The posteromedial papillary muscle was the most frequent rupture location (71.9%); the rupture was complete in 67.3% of patients. Mitral valve replacement was performed in 82.7% of cases. One hundred twenty-two patients (57%) had concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting. In-hospital mortality was 24.8%. Temporal trends revealed no apparent improvement in in-hospital mortality during the study period. Multivariable analysis showed that preoperative chronic kidney disfunction [odds ratio (OR): 2.62, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-6.45, P = 0.036], cardiac arrest (OR: 3.99, 95% CI: 1.02-15.61, P = 0.046) and cardiopulmonary bypass duration (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.02, P = 0.04) were independently associated with an increased risk of in-hospital death, whereas concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting was identified as an independent predictor of early survival (OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.16-0.92, P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment for post-infarction PMR carries a high in-hospital mortality rate, which did not improve during the study period. Because concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting confers a survival benefit, this additional procedure should be performed, whenever possible, in an attempt to improve the outcome. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03848429.

Aortic Root Reconstruction with TachoSil Fibrin Sealant Patch in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

PURPOSE: We propose a novel technique for reconstruction of the dissected aortic root with the use of TachoSil fibrin sealant patch. METHODS: Patients with acute type A aortic dissection involving the aortic root were included. Appropriately prepared TachoSil fibrin sealant patch was placed between the dissected layers of the aortic root to achieve their durable fusion. Thus, the false lumen was eliminated, and the anatomical and functional structure of the aortic wall was restored. RESULTS: In all, 13 patients mean aged 57 ± 10.3 years underwent surgery for acute type A aortic dissection with the use of TachoSil fibrin sealant patch. All patients survived the surgery. The mean follow-up time was 30.8 ± 16.4 months. Follow-up computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans confirmed no aortic root dissection in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: This technique ensures durable restoration of the aortic wall structure, eliminates the secondary aortic valve regurgitation, and allows for the preservation of patients' native aortic valve.

Permanent pacemaker implantation after cardiac surgery: Optimization of the decision making process.

BACKGROUND: Conduction disturbances necessitating permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation after cardiac surgery occur in 1% to 5% of patients. Previous studies have reported a low rate of late PPM dependency, but there is lack of evidence that it might be related to implantation timing. In this study, we sought to determine whether PPM implantation timing and specific conduction disturbances as indications for PPM implantation are associated with late pacemaker dependency and recovery of atrioventricular (AV) conduction. METHODS: Patients with a PPM implanted after cardiac surgery were followed in an outpatient clinic. Two outcomes were assessed: AV conduction recovery and PPM dependency, defined as the absence of intrinsic rhythm on sensing test in VVI mode at 40 bpm. RESULTS: Of 15,092 patients operated between September 2008 and March 2019, 185 (1.2%) underwent PPM implantation. One hundred seventy-seven of these patients met the criteria for inclusion into this study. Follow-up data were available in 145 patients (82%). Implantation was performed at ≤6 days after surgery in 58 patients (40%) and at >6 days after surgery in 87 patients (60%). The median time from implantation to last follow-up was 890 days (range, 416-1998 days). At follow-up, 81 (56%) patients were not PPM dependent. Multivariable analysis showed that PPM implantation at ≤6 days after surgery is a predictor of being not PPM dependent (odds ratio [OR], 5.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.43-12.04; P < .001) and of AV conduction recovery (OR, 4.96; 95% CI, 2.26-10.91; P < .001). Sinus node dysfunction as indication for PPM implantation was predictive of being not PPM dependent (OR, 6.59; 95% CI, 1.67-26.06; P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: We recommend implanting a PPM on postoperative day 7 to prevent unnecessary implantations and avoid prolonged hospitalization.

Open aortic arch surgery: 10 years' single-center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Open aortic arch surgery is a complex cardiac surgical procedure. AIM: We reviewed the 10-year outcomes of elective aortic arch aneurysm surgery in a single cardiac surgical center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis includes all patients who underwent elective aortic arch surgery at our institution between January 2010 and December 2020. The study population was divided into group A consisting of patients operated on during the first 5 years, and group B, including patients operated on during the subsequent 5 years. The groups were compared with regard to baseline characteristics, scope of the surgery, operative and postoperative data as well as morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Eighty-six elective aortic arch procedures were performed during the analyzed period, including 25 (29%) patients in group A and 61 (71%) patients in group B. The hemiarch procedure was more frequently performed in group A (17 patients, 68%) in comparison to group B (21 patients, 34%) (p = 0.008). Stroke was recorded in 6 (20%) patients from group A and 5 (8.2%) patients from group B (p = 0.002). Five-year survival was 60 ±9.8% for group A, and 81 ±6.2% for group B (log-rank test, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: After completion of the learning curve, open aortic arch surgery is associated with acceptable early mortality, low incidence of stroke, and a high 5-year survival rate.

Short-term safety and efficacy of transcarotid transcatheter aortic valve implantation with balloon-expandable vs. self-expandable valves.

INTRODUCTION: Transfemoral access (TF) is the preferred access for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Transcarotid TAVI (TC-TAVI) is an alternative for patients in whom TF-TAVI is impossible. Two types of valves - balloon-expandable (BE) and self-expandable (SE) - can be used in TC-TAVI procedures. AIM: Comparison of the short-term results of patients treated with TC-TAVI using BE and SE valves. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The retrospective registry included 39 patients in whom the TC-TAVI procedure was performed between 2017 and 2020 (BE-TAVI; n = 10, SE-TAVI; n = 29). Preoperative characteristics, operative and postoperative results, and 30-days mortality were compared. RESULTS: Patients from the BE-TAVI group had higher surgical risk (EuroSCORE) (10.8% (6.2-14.0) vs. 5.5% (4.3-8.7); p = 0.027). The incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was higher in the SE-TAVI group (34.5% vs. 0%; p = 0.040). In terms of other comorbidities, demographics, preprocedural laboratory results, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), and multislice computed tomography (MSCT), the two groups were comparable. In both groups, we observed 100% procedural success. The median valve size was larger in the SE-TAVI group (29.0 (26.0-29.0) vs. 26.0 (23.0-26.0); p < 0.001). The hospitalization time was shorter in the BE-TAVI group vs. SE-TAVI (5.8 ±0.6 vs. 6.4 ±0.9; p = 0.043). We did not observe statistically significant differences between BE-TAVI and SE-TAVI in periprocedural and 30-day mortality, or the number of strokes/TIA. Also TTE parameters and NYHA class showed similar improvement at 30 days in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: TC-TAVI using balloon-expandable and self-expandable valves showed similar safety and efficacy in 30 days follow-up.