Concomitant Valve Replacement and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery: Lessons from the Past, Guidance for the Future? A Mortality Analysis in 294 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to analyze parameters influencing early and late mortality after concomitant valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, using early and long-term information from an institutionally available data registry, and to discuss the results in relation to the current treatment strategies and perspectives. METHODS: The study population consisted of 294 patients after combined valve replacement with mechanical prosthesis and CABG surgery. RESULTS: There were 201 men (68.4%) and 93 women (31.6%). Concurrent to the coronary artery bypass grafting, 238 patients (80.9%) underwent aortic-, 46 patients (15.6%) mitral- and 10 patients (3.4%) doublevalve replacement. Cumulative duration of follow up was 1007 patient-years (py) with a maximum of 94 months and was completed in 92.2% (271 cases). Overall hospital mortality (30 days) rate was 6.5% (n = 19). It was significantly higher in patients of female gender, older than 70 y, in those suffering preoperative myocardial infarction, presenting with an additive EuroScore > 8 and being hemodynamically unstable after the operation. Cumulative survival rate at 7.6 y was 78.6%. Determinants of prolonged survival were male gender, age at operation < 70 y, preoperative sinus rhythm, normal renal function, additive EuroScore < 8 and the use of internal thoracic artery for grafting. Subsequent multivariate analysis revealed preoperative atrial fibrillation (HR: 2.1, 95% CI: 0.82-5.44, p: 0.01) and risk group of ES > 8 (HR: 3.63, 95% CI: 1.45-9.07, p < 0.01) as independent predictors for lower long-term survival. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital mortality (30 d) was nearly 2.5-fold higher in female and/or older than 70 y patients. Preoperative atrial fibrillation and/ or a calculated ES > 8 were independent predisposing factors of late mortality for combined VR and CABG surgery. Tailoring the approach, with the employment of the newest techniques and hybrid procedures, to the individual patient clinical profile enables favorable outcomes for concomitant valvular disease and CAD, especially in high-risk patients.

14-Year Results of Bilateral versus Single Internal Thoracic Artery Grafts for Left-Sided Myocardial Revascularization in Young Diabetic Patients.

Objectives Despite encouraging late outcomes, the use of bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting for myocardial revascularization in diabetic patients remains controversial because of an increased risk of sternal wound complications. In the present study, early- and long-term outcomes of the use of left-sided BITA versus single internal thoracic artery (SITA) grafting in young (< 65 years of age) diabetic patients were reviewed retrospectively. Methods A total of 250 propensity score pair-matched diabetic patients, operated on between February 2000 and December 2011, receiving either BITA (n = 125) or SITA (n = 125) grafting were analyzed retrospectively. In each group, 104 patients were males, and mean age was 60.1 ± 5.3 years. Follow-up was 2.1 to 14.8 years (mean, 9.3 ± 3.5 years) and complete for 100%. Results Incidence of deep sternal wound infection was 2.4 versus 3.2% (p = 0.722). Rethoracotomy due to bleeding occurred in 4.8 versus 3.2% (p = 0.608). The 5-, 10-, and 14-year estimates of survival were 93.4, 76.6, and 67.5% (BITA) versus 89.5, 81.5, and 32.8% (SITA); p = 0.288. Freedom from reangiography/intervention (60.5 vs. 63.9%) during follow-up was comparable (p = 0.507) as well as infarction rate (93.8 vs. 95.1%, p = 0.833) and redoes (p = 0.672, exclusively valve surgery) were comparable. Freedom from thromboembolic or cerebrovascular events did not show any significant differences (94.0 vs. 94.0%, p = 0.78). Multivariate analysis identified poor ejection fraction as predictor for decreased long-term survival. Neither age nor gender or urgency had an influence on long-term mortality. Conclusion Left-sided BITA grafting may be performed routinely even in diabetic patients without increased incidence of postoperative wound-healing complications. Survival rates after 5, 10, and 14 years were comparable for BITA and SITA grafting.

Does Bilateral ITA Grafting Increase Perioperative Complications? Outcome of 6,476 Patients with Bilateral versus 5,020 Patients with Single ITA Bypass.

OBJECTIVES: Despite the superior patency of internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafting compared with saphenous veins, frequency of bilateral ITA (BITA) grafting in Europe is still approximately 10%. The aim of the present study was to compare the early outcome of patients receiving either BITA or single ITA (SITA) grafting. METHODS: A total of 11,496 patients with isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), operated between January 1996 and December 2012, were analyzed retrospectively; 0.6476 patients (mean age 65.2 years, 81.3% males) received BITA and 5,020 patients (mean age 66.6 years, 76.7% males) SITA grafting. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.2 versus 27.4, p = 0.017. Incidence of diabetes was 28.9 versus 28.4%, p = 0.08. Ejection fraction (EF) > 50 was 71.3% (BITA) versus 66.3% (SITA), p < 0.001. Elective operations were performed in 88.4% (BITA) versus 83.3% (SITA), and urgent/emergent surgery was necessary in 11.6% (BITA) versus 16.7% (SITA), p < 0.001. RESULTS: Number of grafts was 3.76 (BITA) versus 3.06, p < 0.001. Duration of surgery (194.4 vs. 180.4 minutes) as well as X-clamp time (60.4 vs. 51.7 minutes) was prolonged for BITA, p < 0.001. Perioperative infarction rate revealed 3.2% (BITA) versus 3.6%, p = 0.54. Frequency of rethoracotomy due to bleeding was higher in the BITA group (3.8 vs. 2.1%), p < 0.001. Sternal instabilities occurred in 2.3% (BITA) versus 2.2%, p = 0.749. Duration of mechanical ventilation < 12 hours was 74.6 versus 77.1%, p = 0.09 and duration of in-hospital stay was 10.5 versus 10.4 days, p = 0.68. Thirty-day mortality was 2.4% (BITA) versus 3.0%, p = 0.09. Multivariate analysis identified prolonged duration of surgery, BMI > 30, emergent operations, advanced age, and BITA grafting as predictor for sternal instabilities. EF < 30%, advanced age plus emergency were associated with increased 30-day mortality. CONCLUSION: CABG using BITA can be performed routinely with good clinical results and low mortality. Compared with SITA grafting, bleeding complications were enhanced.

"Blame it on the Comorbidities": A 5-Year Follow-Up of 53 Chronic Dialysis-Dependent Patients Who Underwent Cardiac Surgery.

Objectives This study evaluates midterm survival rates and risk factors for mortality of chronic dialysis-dependent patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods Fifty-three dialysis-dependent patients (34 males, aged 67 ± 12 years) with end-stage renal disease operated within March 2007 and May 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Survival rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier methods. Predictors of midterm survival were identified with multivariate Cox-regression analysis. Results Twenty-three patients received isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery, 17 received isolated valve replacement, and 13 received combined procedures. Thirty-day mortality was 24.5% (n = 13). Follow-up was complete for 94.3% (n = 50). Survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were: 82, 50, and 17%, respectively. Neither age, gender, poor ejection fraction, emergency, ECC/X-clamp (cross-clamp) time, nor use of left internal thoracic artery or right internal thoracic artery had any influence on midterm survival. Causes of death within midterm follow-up period were related to cardiac events in 16% and neurological events in 16%. In the majority (47%), cause of death was associated with peripheral arterial disease (PAD).The only comorbidity, which could be identified as a significant risk factor, was PAD (p = 0.035). Five patients underwent successful renal transplantation within the follow-up period. Conclusion Although 30-day mortality in this high-risk patient population was increased, midterm survival rates were comparable to the results described in the literature. Cause of death within midterm follow-up period was mostly noncardiac related. Given the limited number of patients, predictors for enhanced 30-day mortality, such as preoperative myocardial infarction, prolonged extracorporeal circulation, operation time, and diabetes mellitus, did not have an influence on midterm survival.

Aortic Dissections Type A during Sexual Intercourse in Male Patients: Accident or Systematic Coincidence? Examination of 365 Patients with Acute Aortic Dissection within 20 Years.

OBJECTIVES: Physical exercise accompanied by arterial hypertension is known to trigger acute aortic dissections. As a booster effect, mental stress leads to aggravation of hypertensive crisis. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether stress factors during sexual intercourse play any role as a catalyst in patients with acute type A aortic dissections. Concerning this subject, only two case reports have been published. METHODS: A total of 365 patients with acute type A aortic dissections, operated between January 1993 and July 2014, were analyzed retrospectively. The main focus was to identify the provoking situation before onset of symptoms. A total of 247 patients were males and mean age was 60.2 years (range, 17.0-91.9 years). Of the total cohort, 86 patients (24%) were younger than 50 years (68 males) and 184 patients (50%) were younger than 60 years (149 males). RESULTS: The explicit trigger could not be determined in 24% of the patients. In majority of the patients, onset of symptoms occurred during physical exercises, such as sports or lifting of heavy weights (68%), without a significant difference between males and females. In only 8% of the patients, symptoms occurred at rest. In 0.9%, Marfan syndrome was evident. Eleven of 68 males < 50 years (16%) and 17 of 149 males < 60 years (11%) but none among females (p = 0.03) experienced sudden onset of symptoms during sexual intercourse. CONCLUSION: Combined physical and emotional stress during sexual intercourse seems to present a meaningful promoter effect for acute aortic dissections, especially in younger males, but not in females. Despite self-evidence of this phenomenon, frequency of this sensitive issue appears to be surprisingly high.

High-Risk Cardiac Surgery in Patients with Intravenous Drug Abuse and/or Active Hepatitis C or HIV Infection: An Ethical Discussion of Six Cases.

OBJECTIVES: To discuss the dilemma of adequate decision making in patients with intravenous drug abuse and recurrent valve prosthesis infections or in patients with positive HIV or hepatitis C status. Ethical, social, and economic considerations, not only in terms of technical feasibility but also in terms of unpromising results and aspects of resources, are discussed. Thoughts are presented about the legitimation of cardiac surgery centers refusing to perform surgery in high-risk patients with HIV or hepatitis C infections. METHODS: Presentation of six cases for discussion. Three patients were addicted to intravenous drugs and had recurrent prosthetic valve endocarditis, and the other three patients had either paravalvular leakage of a mitral valve prosthesis or acute aortic dissection or coronary artery disease. Five of these patients suffered from HIV/AIDS and infective hepatitis C. Four of these patients were refused by other centers due to high risk or a lack of capacity. RESULTS: All six patients were operated during 2013. Mortality was 17%. CONCLUSION: Decision making in noncompliant drug addicts with recurrent prosthesis infection and in HIV-positive patients leads beyond surgical challenges to ethical and economic considerations.

Surgical management of infective endocarditis: early and long-term mortality analysis. single-center experience and brief literature review.

INTRODUCTION: In this study we evaluated factors that affect the early and long-term postoperative outcomes of patients with infective endocarditis. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 94 patients (68 male, 26 female, mean age 58.3 ± 13.1 years, range 20-85 years) with proven infective native (n=85) or prosthetic valve (n=9) endocarditis who underwent heart valve surgery between September 1997 and December 2007. Fifty-four patients (57.4%) underwent aortic, 28 (29.8%) mitral, 3 (3.2%) tricuspid, 8 (8.5%) double, and one patient (1%) triple valve surgery. In 75.5% of the procedures we implanted mechanical valves, in 13.8% biological prostheses, and 10.7% were reconstructive or other procedures. Midterm follow up was 100% complete with a cumulative duration of 545 patient-years (maximum 12 years). RESULTS: Overall hospital mortality (30 days) was 8.5% (n=8). Causes of early mortality were low cardiac output syndrome in 2 cases, sepsis with multiple organ failure in 5 cases, and intracerebral bleeding in one patient. Development of postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (p=0.01) was identified as an independent predictor of early mortality. Overall late mortality was 25.6% (n=22) with a cumulative rate of 4.03% per patient-year. Causes of late death were predominantly of extracardiac origin. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed a cumulative survival rate at 12 years of 57.2%. Cox regression analysis identified diabetes mellitus (p=0.016) and postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (p=0.03) as independent late mortality factors. CONCLUSIONS: Heart valve surgery in patients with infective endocarditis is associated with increased but acceptable early and long-term mortality. The mid-term prognosis is similar to that of patients undergoing elective valve replacement surgery.

Chronic stress and coping among cardiac surgeons: a single center study.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac surgeons stress may impair their quality of life and professional practice. OBJECTIVE: To assess perceived chronic stress and coping strategies among cardiac surgeons. METHODS: Twenty-two cardiac surgeons answered two self-assessment questionnaires, the Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress and the German SGV for coping strategies. RESULTS: Participants mean age was 40±14.1 years and 13 were male; eight were senior physicians and 14 were residents. Mean values for the Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress were within the normal range. Unexperienced physicians had significantly higher levels of dissatisfaction at work, lack of social recognition, and isolation (P<0.05). Coping strategies such as play down, distraction from situation, and substitutional satisfaction were also significantly more frequent among unexperienced surgeons. "Negative" stress-coping strategies occur more often in experienced than in younger colleagues (P=0.029). Female surgeons felt more exposed to overwork (P=0.04) and social stress (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: Cardiac surgeons show a tendency to high perception of chronic stress phenomena and vulnerability for negative coping strategies.

Chronic stress and coping among cardiac surgeons: a single center study / Estresse crônico e enfrentamento entre os cirurgiões cardíacos: um estudo de centro único

Introduction: Cardiac surgeons stress may impair their quality of life and professional practice. Objective: To assess perceived chronic stress and coping strategies among cardiac surgeons. Methods: Twenty-two cardiac surgeons answered two self-assessment questionnaires, the Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress and the German SGV for coping strategies. Results: Participants mean age was 40±14.1 years and 13 were male; eight were senior physicians and 14 were residents. Mean values for the Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress were within the normal range. Unexperienced physicians had significantly higher levels of dissatisfaction at work, lack of social recognition, and isolation (P<0.05). Coping strategies such as play down, distraction from situation, and substitutional satisfaction were also significantly more frequent among unexperienced surgeons. "Negative" stress-coping strategies occur more often in experienced than in younger colleagues (P=0.029). Female surgeons felt more exposed to overwork (P=0.04) and social stress (P=0.03). Conclusion: Cardiac surgeons show a tendency to high perception of chronic stress phenomena and vulnerability for negative coping strategies. .

Introdução: O estresse em cirurgiões cardíacos pode prejudicar sua qualidade de vida e prática profissional. Objetivo: Avaliar a percepção de estresse crônico e as estratégias de enfrentamento entre os cirurgiões cardíacos. Métodos: Vinte e dois cirurgiões cardíacos responderam a dois questionários de autoavaliação, o Inventário de Trier sobre estresse crônico (Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress - TICS) e o German SVF sobre estratégias de enfrentamento do estresse. Resultados: Os participantes tinham idade média de 40±14,1 anos; sendo 13 do sexo masculino. Oito participantes eram médicos seniores e 14 eram residentes. Os valores médios do Inventário de Trier sobre Estresse Crônico estavam dentro da faixa normal. Médicos inexperientes tinham níveis significativamente mais elevados de insatisfação no trabalho, isolamento e falta de reconhecimento social (P<0,05). As estratégias de enfrentamento, como minimização, distração da situação e satisfação substituta, também foram significativamente mais frequentes entre os cirurgiões inexperientes. Estratégias "negativas" de enfrentamento do estresse ocorrem mais frequentemente em cirurgiões experientes do que em colegas mais jovens (P=0,029). As cirurgiãs sentem-se mais expostas ao excesso de trabalho (P=0,04) e estresse social (P=0,03). Conclusão: Cirurgiões cardíacos mostram tendência para alta percepção de fenômenos de estresse crônico e vulnerabilidade para estratégias de enfrentamento negativas. .

The Mosaic bioprosthesis in the aortic position: 17 years' results.

BACKGROUND: The Mosaic bioprosthesis (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States), a stented porcine aortic valve, combines glutaraldehyde fixation with zero-pressure, root-pressure techniques and antimineralization treatment with amino-oleic acid for improved hemodynamics and tissue durability. The first device has been implanted worldwide at the authors' institution in September 1993. The aim of the present study was to collect mid- to long-term data of the prosthesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 272 patients (124 males and 148 females) underwent isolated aortic valve replacement with the Mosaic bioprosthesis between September 1993 and August 2007. Median age at implant was 76.8 years (range, 31.3 to 90.7). Median follow-up was 12.0 years (range, 0 to 17.2 years); follow-up was complete for 223 (82%) patients. RESULTS: Early mortality (30 days) was 4% (12 patients). Overall survival at 5, 10, 15, and 17 years was 68.6% ± 3.1%, 36.4% ± 3.3%, 17.1% ± 3.6%, and 10.7% ± 4.3%, respectively. Eleven late deaths (5%) were cardiac related. There were 24 thromboembolic events, 1 hemorrhagic, and 6 reoperations/explants. At a median follow-up of 12 years, freedom from any cause of death was 27.0% ± 3.2% acting as a competing risk for the incidence of thromboembolic events (16.4% ± 3.5%), hemorrhage (0.5% ± 0.5%), and reoperation/explant (4.1% ± 1.8%). Two redos were due to structural valve deterioration (SVD), two for nonstructural dysfunction (paravalvular leakage), one for thrombosed prosthesis, and one for endocarditis. CONCLUSIONS: Performance and late outcome of the Mosaic bioprosthesis was satisfactory during 17 years after clinical introduction. The Mosaic bioprosthesis showed low incidence of SVD or need for reoperation in the long term.

Performance of EuroSCORE II compared to EuroSCORE I in predicting operative and mid-term mortality of patients from a single center after combined coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVE: The performance comparison of the recently introduced European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II in predicting operative as well as mid-term mortality, with its previous version in patients after combined aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included 216 patients operated on at one institution from 01/1999 to 12/2005. Accuracy and calibration of EuroSCORE I and II were assessed by plotting the areas under the receiver operator curves and comparing observed and predicted mortalities. RESULTS: EuroSCORE II showed, regarding early mortality, a slightly higher discriminatory accuracy with an area under the receiver operator curve of 0.77, while additive and logistic EuroSCORE I areas were 0.749, 0.75, respectively. The highest specificity and sensitivity level was approached for EuroSCORE II at a predicted mortality of 4.4 %. Receiver operator curves concerning mid-term mortality revealed areas for additive, logistic EuroSCORE and EuroSCORE II of 0.745, 0.739 and 0.718 with the highest accuracy levels at predicted mortalities of 6.5, 6.48 and 3.88 %, respectively. Mean predicted mortalities by logistic EuroSCORE and EuroSCORE II were 8.35 and 3.99 %, respectively, while overall observed operative mortality was 6.3 %. In "high-risk" patients (EuroSCORE > 13), EuroSCORE II underestimated early and mid-term outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding operative mortality, EuroSCORE II showed in this study a slightly higher discriminatory accuracy than EuroSCORE I. There were no significant differences in the calibration of the two model versions in "low-" and "moderate-risk" patients regarding early as well as mid-term mortality. Analyses in larger patient populations will contribute to further model improvement.

Applying the Gender Lens to Risk Factors and Outcome after Adult Cardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Applying the gender lens to risk factors and outcome after adult cardiac surgery is of major clinical interest, as the inclusion of sex and gender in research design and analysis may guarantee more comprehensive cardiovascular science and may consecutively result in a more effective surgical treatment as well as cost savings in cardiac surgery. METHODS: We have reviewed classical cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes, arterial hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking) according to a gender-based approach. Furthermore, we have examined comorbidities such as depression, renal insufficiency, and hormonal influences in regard to gender. Gender-sensitive economic aspects have been evaluated, surgical outcome has been analyzed, and cardiovascular research has been considered from a gender perspective. RESULTS: The influence of typical risk factors and outcome after cardiac surgery has been evaluated from a gender perspective, and the gender-specific distribution of these risk factors is reported on. The named comorbidities are listed. Economic aspects demonstrated a gender gap. Outcome after coronary and valvular surgeries as well as after heart transplantation are displayed in this regard. Results after postoperative use of intra-aortic balloon pump are shown. Gender-related aspects of clinical and biomedical cardiosurgical research are reported. CONCLUSIONS: Female gender has become an independent risk factor of survival after the majority of cardiosurgical procedures. Severely impaired left ventricular ejection fraction independently predicts survival in men, whereas age does in females.

Simultaneous carotid endarterectomy and cardiac surgery: early results of 386 patients.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of severe carotid artery disease in more than 12% of patients requiring coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) results in a discrepancy concerning best treatment for both diseases. We reviewed the early outcome of patients with CABG and/or valve replacement (VR) and simultaneous carotid endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 386 patients after simultaneous operation between 7/1994 and 9/2010. Total 326 patients received isolated CABG, 56 CABG and/ or VR, 4 aortic surgery. Mean age was 68.3 years (range: 45 to 87). Male patients were 229. Severity of stenosis at operated side was 70 to 80% in 167, 80 to 99% in 219 patients. Total 164 patients showed bilateral carotid stenosis, 32 had contralateral occlusion. We analyzed risk factors, morbidity, incidence of neurological events, and 30-day mortality. RESULTS: Perioperative stroke with hemiplegia occurred in 10 patients (2.6%). Three patients experienced PRIND, seven TIA. A 30-day mortality was 5.2%. Total 8 deaths were cardiac related, 10 due to extracardial reasons, and 2 patients developed a cerebral death. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous CEA and cardiac surgery can be performed with a low risk for neurological complications and acceptable mortality. Occlusion of contralateral carotid artery could be identified as an evident predictor for increased neurological complications.