Concomitant large atrial septal defect closure, biatrial cryoablation and tricuspid valve replacement with mitral homograft.

The concomitant large atrial septal defect closure, endocardial biatrial cryoablation and tricuspid valve replacement with mitral homograft in a patient with adult congenital heart disease is presented. Because of the severely dilated right ventricle and leaflet tenting, tricuspid valve replacement was considered. The patient refused both mechanical and stented biological prosthesis due to personal beliefs, therefore, the alternative valve substitute was proposed. Relevant decision-making process, preoperative diagnostic work-up and surgical technique are highlighted with satisfactory outcomes.

Predictors of Progression and Mortality in Patients with Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis: Retrospective Analysis of Registry of Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Diseases.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an interstitial lung disease (ILD) resulting from an immune-mediated response in susceptible and sensitized individuals to a large variety of inhaled antigens. Chronic HP with a fibrotic phenotype is characterized by disease progression and a dismal prognosis. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of progression and mortality in patients with chronic HP in real clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective, multicenter, observational study used data from a registry of 1355 patients with fibrosing ILDs. The study included 292 patients diagnosed with chronic HP based on the conclusion of a multidisciplinary discussion (MDD). RESULTS: The patients were divided into groups with progressive (92 (30.3%) patients) and nonprogressive pulmonary fibrosis (200 (69.7%) patients). The most significant predictors of adverse outcomes were a DLco < 50% predicted, an SpO2 at the end of a six-minute walk test (6-MWT) < 85%, and a GAP score ≥ 4 points. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary fibrosis and a progressive fibrotic phenotype are common in patients with chronic HP. Early detection of the predictors of an adverse prognosis of chronic HP is necessary for the timely initiation of antifibrotic therapy.

Original technique for tricuspid valve replacement by mitral homograft: Step-by-step approach and initial results.

INTRODUCTION: Severe tricuspid regurgitation is associated with the progression of heart failure symptoms and poor survival. Surgical treatment of infective and prosthetic tricuspid valve endocarditis using homografts gives promising early and midterm results. Tricuspid valve replacement with a mitral homograft is a reasonable procedure with a challenging technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 15 patients underwent tricuspid valve replacement by mitral homograft in two departments from October 2020 to May 2022. The mean age was 36 [31-40.5]. In this article, we describe our original step-by-step technique and initial experience of successful use of native or cryopreserved mitral homografts for surgical treatment of tricuspid valve disease. RESULTS: There were no in-hospital and 30-day mortality, no postoperative bleeding, myocardium infarction, stroke, or sternal wound infection. Only one patient required permanent pacemaker implantation after redo surgery before discharge. The predischarge echocardiogram showed no residual tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in 14 cases (93.3%) and mild TR in 1 (6.7%) patient. All patients were discharged from the hospital without symptoms of endocarditis, with negative blood culture samples. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory initial clinical and hemodynamic results were achieved utilizing our technique. Mid- and long-term results are required to understand the place of homografts in tricuspid valve surgery.