Prognostic significance of baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients undergoing coronary revascularization; a report from the CREDO-Kyoto registry.

BACKGROUND: The impact of very low baseline levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) on patients with coronary artery disease remains unclear. METHOD: We enrolled 39,439 patients of the pooled population from the CREDO-Kyoto registries Cohorts 1, 2, and 3. The study population consisted of 33,133 patients who had undergone their first coronary revascularization. We assessed the risk for mortality and cardiovascular events according to quintiles of the baseline LDL-C levels. RESULTS: Patients in the very low LDL-C quintile (<85 mg/dL) had more comorbidities than those in the other quintiles. Lower LDL-C levels were strongly associated with anemia, thrombocytopenia, and end-stage renal disease. The cumulative 4-year incidence of all-cause death increased as LDL-C levels decreased (very low: 19.4 %, low: 14.5 %, intermediate: 11.1 %, high: 10.0 %, and very high: 9.2 %; p < 0.001), which was driven by both the early and late events. After adjusting for baseline characteristics, the adjusted risks of the very low and low LDL-C quintiles relative to the intermediate LDL-C quintile remained significant for all-cause death (very low: HR 1.29, 95 % CI 1.16-1.44, p < 0.001; low: HR 1.15, 95 % CI 1.03-1.29, p = 0.01). The excess adjusted risks of the lowest LDL-C quintile relative to the intermediate LDL-C quintile were significant for clinical outcomes such as cardiovascular death (HR 1.17, 95 % CI 1.01-1.35), non-cardiovascular death (HR 1.35, 95 % CI 1.15-1.60), sudden death (HR 1.44, 95 % CI 1.01-2.06), and heart failure admission (HR 1.11 95 % CI 1.01-1.22), while there was no excess risk for the lowest LDL-C quintile relative to the intermediate LDL-C quintile for myocardial infarction and stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Lower baseline LDL-C levels were associated with more comorbidities and a significantly higher risk of death, regardless of cardiovascular or non-cardiovascular causes, in patients who underwent coronary revascularization.

Effective application of a direct-acting oral anticoagulants reversal agent in acute type A aortic dissection repair: A case report.

There are insufficient reports on the use of andexanet alfa in cardiac surgery. A 67-year-old man was diagnosed with type A aortic dissection and performed emergent surgery. His medical history included atrial fibrillation treated with Edoxaban. We performed total arch replacement. Despite administration of enough protamine, fresh frozen plasma, and platelet administration, controlling bleeding was difficult. Thus, Andexanet Alfa was initiated after CPB withdrawal. Surgical bleeding was dramatically controlled after its administration. There were no findings suggestive of an embolic event. In conclusion, administration of Andexanet Alfa is safe after cardiopulmonary bypass withdrawal.

Impact of persistent malperfusion syndrome following central repair of acute type A aortic dissection on early outcomes.

We investigated impact of persistent malperfusion syndrome (MPS) following central repair of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) on outcomes. Thirty patients who underwent central repair for ATAAD with MPS were included. Patients were divided into two groups:23 patients without MPS following central repair (No-MPS group) and 7 with MPS (Persistent-MPS group). The mean age was 66.8±9.6 and 59.4±13.4 years in the No-MPS and Persistent-MPS groups, respectively (P=0.176). Preoperative MPS included the left coronary artery (n=3), brain (n=3), abdomen (n=7), and extremities (n=11) in the No-MPS group. In the Persistent-MPS group, the right coronary (n=1), brain (n=2), abdomen (n=3), and extremities (n=5) were observed. In the No-MPS group, one patient died of extensive cerebral infarction (4.3%). In the Persistent-MPS group, 2 patients died of sepsis and multi-organ failure, respectively (28.6%) (P=0.061). The Persistent-MPS group had more patients requiring hemodialysis than the No-MPS group (P=0.009). Three patients underwent intestinal resection due to persistent MPS (P<0.001). Persistent MPS following central repair for ATAAD significantly contributed to outcomes. J. Med. Invest. 71 : 158-161, February, 2024.

Fixation devices made of poly-L-lactide composite for rib reconstruction after thoracotomy.

GRAND FIX mesh-type plates and pins (Gunze, Kyoto, Japan) are thin, bioabsorbable fixation devices made of poly-L-lactide (PLLA) composite. These devices are new, and how best to use them in clinical practice remains to be determined. Thus, we describe our approach to rib fixation after thoracotomy in an aortic surgery using GRAND FIX mesh-type plates and pins. The advantage of our approach is that it is easy to perform, but careful attention should be paid to fix the ribs appropriately.

Outcomes of ascending aorta and partial arch replacement with entry resection for DeBakey type I acute aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated early and late outcomes between ascending aorta/partial arch replacement and total arch replacement with entry resection in DeBakey type I acute aortic dissection (DIAAD) repair. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study included 98 patients who underwent DIAAD repair from January 2005 to December 2020. Seventy-four patients underwent ascending aorta and partial arch replacement with entry resection (Non-TAR group), and 24 underwent total arch replacement with entry resection (TAR group). The mean follow-up period was 4.8 ± 3.2 years. The follow-up rate was 92.3%. The mean age in the Non-TAR and TAR groups was 68.8 ± 10.4 years and 61.6 ± 13.7 years, respectively (P = 0.046). No difference in preoperative shock and malperfusion syndrome was observed between the groups. Hospital death was observed in 5.4% and 12.5% of the Non-TAR and TAR groups, respectively (P = 0.241). Postoperative permanent neurologic deficits and temporary hemodialysis were more frequently seen in the TAR compared to the Non-TAR group (P = 0.03 and 0.003, respectively). The 5-year survival rates were 95.1% ± 3.4% and 89.2% ± 7.2% in the Non-TAR and TAR groups, respectively (Log-rank P = 0.603). Freedom from downstream aorta-related reinterventions at 5 years was 87.8% ± 4.5% and 64.1% ± 11.0% in the Non-TAR and TAR groups, respectively (Log-rank P = 0.007). Three patients in each group underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair for residual aortic dissection. CONCLUSIONS: Early and late outcomes in the Non-TAR group were satisfactory compared to those in the TAR group. Entry resection with graft replacement remains a standard approach in DIAAD repair.

[Surgical Removal of a Transvenous Pacemaker Lead with the Right Atrial Perforation:Report of a Case].

Cardiac perforation by a transvenous pacemaker lead is an uncommon, but serious complication. Management strategies in pacemaker lead cardiac perforation depend on the symptoms, the presence of pericardial effusion, hemodynamic status, and injured neighboring organs. A 70-year-old man was admitted due to suspicious right atrial perforation with pneumothorax secondary to a transvenous pacemaker lead. Right atrial perforation was confirmed on computed tomography (CT). A large laryngopharyngeal hemangioma compressing the trachea was also observed. Although he was hemodynamically stable, we chose a surgical removal of a transvenous pacemaker lead considering his large laryngopharyngeal hemangioma. A tracheotomy followed by lower hemisternotomy were performed. A perforated pacemaker lead was observed on the right atrium. The lead was pulled out, and a hole in the right atrium was fixed. His postoperative course was uneventful.

[Stanford Type A Acute Aortic Dissection Accompanying Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery:Report of a Case].

A 64-year-old man was transferred to our hospital due to a diagnosis of Stanford type A acute aortic dissection complicated by cardiac tamponade. He was in shock status as well. Careful inspection of contrast- enhanced computed tomography revealed Kommerell's diverticulum with the aberrant right subclavian artery running behind the esophagus. The artery connected to the right axillary artery. The left vertebral artery was separately branched from the aortic arch. Primary entry was not detected on the preoperative computed tomography( CT). Left ventricular function was preserved by transthoracic echocardiography. At emergency surgery, total aortic arch replacement with reconstruction of the right axillary artery, both carotid arteries, and the left subclavian artery along with the left vertebral artery was successfully performed. The aberrant right subclavian artery was ligated at the origin. Kommerell' s diverticulum was completely excluded. Postoperative contrast-enhanced CT showed the patency of all reconstructed arteries. Although he suffered from acute cholecystitis and persistent bilateral pleural effusion, he was discharged in a good condition.

Mid-term outcomes and hemodynamic performance of the St Jude Medical Epic aortic bioprosthesis for severe aortic stenosis.

The St. Jude Medical Epic Supra valve is a porcine bioprosthesis designed for complete supraannular implantation. No report has shown the hemodynamic performance and clinical outcomes of aortic valve replacement with the Epic Supra valve for severe aortic stenosis in a Japanese cohort. We retrospectively evaluated 65 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement using the Epic Supra valve for aortic stenosis at our department between May, 2011 and October, 2016. The mean follow-up period was 68.7 ± 32.7 months, and the follow-up rate was 89.2%. The mean age was 76.8 ± 5.3 years. The 1-, 5-, and 8-year survival rates were 96.9%, 79.4%, and 60.3%, respectively. The rates of freedom from valve-related events were 96.6% and 81.9% at 5 and 8 years, respectively. Four patients were diagnosed with structural valve deterioration (SVD), and reintervention was performed in two patients. The rates of freedom from SVD were 98.2% and 83.3% at 5 and 8 years, respectively, and the mean time to diagnosis of SVD was 72.5 ± 25.3 months. The mean pressure gradient (MPG) was 16.8 ± 6.0 mmHg postoperatively, 17.5 ± 9.4 mmHg at 5 years, and 21.2 ± 12.4 mmHg at 8 years (p = 0.08). The effective orifice area index (EOAI) was 0.95 ± 0.2 cm2/m2 immediately after surgery, 0.96 ± 0.27 cm2/m2 at 5 years, and 0.84 ± 0.2 cm2/m2 at 8 years (p = 0.10). An increase in MPG and decrease in EOAI were also observed, which may be associated with SVD. Follow-up after 5 years is important to determine if there is an increase.

[Stanford Type A Acute Aortic Dissection Associated with Polycystic Kidney Disease].

Whereas cerebral aneurysm is a well-known consequence of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), acute aortic dissection has been rarely reported. A patient was a 44-year-old male with a diagnosis of ADPKD, who had previously undergone transcatheter arterial embolization for a renal cyst hemorrhage. He presented with sudden onset of back pain, which got worse at emergency service. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed Stanford type A acute aortic dissection. The patient subsequently underwent partial aortic arch replacement with a vascular graft under circulatory arrest. His postoperative course was complicated by pneumonia and required ventilation support for a week. Peak creatinine level was 3.28 mg/dl, but hemodialysis was not required. Patients with ADPKD should be considered a high-risk cohort of aortic dissection.

[Idiopathic Ascending Aortic Thrombosis with Multiple Embolism:Report of a Case].

Ascending aorta thrombosis unaccompanied by an aneurysm or a primary hypercoagulable state is rare. We report a surgical case of ascending aorta thrombosis with multiple emboli. A 44-year-old woman visited the hospital for evaluation of dysarthria and was diagnosed with multiple cerebral infarcts. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a mass in the ascending aorta and the brachiocephalic artery. We performed emergency removal of the masses and endarterectomy with cardiopulmonary bypass under hypothermic circulatory arrest. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen showed thrombi. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged 12 days postoperatively. No recurrent thrombus or hypercoagulable state was observed for 3 years postoperatively.

Life Expectancy of Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis in Relation to Age and Surgical Risk Score.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data regarding shorter life expectancy after aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). METHODS: Among 3815 patients with severe AS enrolled in the CURRENT AS (Contemporary outcomes after sURgery and medical tREatmeNT in patients with severe Aortic Stenosis) registry, there were 1469 patients (initial AVR: n = 647; conservative strategy: n = 822) with low surgical risk, 1642 patients (initial AVR: n = 433; conservative strategy: n = 1209) with intermediate surgical risk, and 704 patients (initial AVR: n = 117; conservative strategy: n = 587) with high surgical risk. Among 1163 patients who actually underwent surgical AVR as the initial strategy, patients were divided into 4 groups according to age <65 years (n = 185), 65 to 74 (n = 394), 75 to 80 (n = 345), and >80 (n = 239). The expected survival of the general Japanese population was obtained from the Statistics Bureau of Japan. The surgical risk was estimated using The Society of Thoracic Surgery (STS) score. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 3.7 years. The cumulative incidences of all-cause death were significantly lower in the initial AVR strategy than in the initial conservative strategy across the 3 STS groups. Shorter life expectancy after surgical AVR was seen especially in younger patients. The observed mortality in low-risk patients was comparable to the expected mortality across all the age-groups, while intermediate-risk patients aged <75 years, and high-risk patients across all age-groups had higher mortality compared with the expected mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The risk stratification according to age and STS score might be useful to estimate shorter life expectancy after AVR, and these findings have implications for decision making in the choice of surgical or transcatheter AVR.

[Surgical Outcomes of Mycotic Aneurysm of the Aortic Arch].

Mycotic aneurysm of the aortic arch is a rare, but critical entity. We reviewed our surgical experience of mycotic aneurysm of the aortic arch. Between January 2007 and December 2015, we operated on six patients who had mycotic aneurysm of the aortic arch. The mean age was 72 years old, and four males were included. Preoperative white blood cell count was 18,266/µl and C-reactive peptide was 18.5 µg/dl, respectively. The initial presentations included fever( n=2), hoarseness( n=2), weakness of a leg( n=1), dyspnea (n=1) and hemoptysis (n=1). Preoperative blood cultures were positive in three patients. All patients underwent a total aortic arch repair with a four-branched vascular tube, and five received pedicled omental grafting. One patient who did not receive pedicled omental grafting died of recurrence of infection on postoperative day 21, and the other died of multi-organ failure on postoperative day 77. We experienced tracheostomy( n=1), minor stroke( n=1), and atrial fibrillation( n=1). During the follow-up period, no recurrence of infection was observed in four survivors. Our surgical strategy is satisfactory to achieve good clinical outcomes.

Pneumatosis intestinalis and hepatic portal venous gas caused by enteral feeding after a heart valve surgery.

An 81-year-old female with a history of type I diabetes mellitus underwent mitral valve repair and tricuspid annuloplasty for severe mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. A nasogastric tube was inserted on postoperative day 2, and enteral feeding was initiated. She complained about severe abdominal pain on postoperative day 7. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a massive hepatic portal venous gas and pneumatosis intestinalis of the small intestine. Emergency laparotomy showed no evidence of transmural necrosis. Bowel resection was not performed. On the next day, computed tomography showed an almost complete resolution of the portal venous gas and pneumatosis intestinalis. She was discharged home. Learning objective: Cardiac surgeons should still be aware that enteral feeding is a potential risk factor for pneumatosis intestinalis and hepatic portal venous gas as a sign of non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia due to impaired blood supply, intestinal distension, and toxic mucosal injury.

Modifiers of the Risk of Diabetes for Long-Term Outcomes After Coronary Revascularization: CREDO-Kyoto PCI/CABG Registry.

Background: Diabetes is a well-known risk factor for adverse outcomes after coronary revascularization. Objectives: This study sought to determine high-risk subgroups in whom the excess risks of diabetes relative to nondiabetes are particularly prominent and thus may benefit from more aggressive interventions. Methods: The study population consisted of 39,427 patients (diabetes: n = 15,561; nondiabetes: n = 23,866) who underwent first percutaneous coronary intervention (n = 33,144) or coronary artery bypass graft (n = 6,283) in the pooled CREDO-Kyoto PCI/CABG (Coronary Revascularization Demonstrating Outcome Study in Kyoto Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/Coronary Artery Bypass Graft) registry. The primary outcome measure was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral endpoints (MACCE), which was defined as a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Results: With median follow-up of 5.6 years, diabetes was associated with significantly higher adjusted risks for MACCE. The excess adjusted risks of diabetes relative to nondiabetes for MACCE increased with younger age (≤64 years: adjusted HR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.19-1.41; P < 0.001; 64-73 years: adjusted HR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.16-1.33; P < 0.001; >73 years: adjusted HR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.10-1.23; P < 0.001; P interaction < 0.001), mainly driven by greater excess adjusted mortality risk of diabetes relative to nondiabetes in younger tertile. No significant interaction was observed between adjusted risk of diabetes relative to nondiabetes for MACCE and other subgroups such as sex, mode of revascularization, and clinical presentation of acute myocardial infarction. Conclusions: The excess risk of diabetes relative to nondiabetes for MACCE was profound in the younger population. This observation suggests more aggressive interventions for secondary prevention in patients with diabetes might be particularly relevant in younger patients.

Midterm Outcomes After Surgical Management for Mitral Valve Regurgitation in Infancy.

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve repair is preferred for pediatric mitral valve disease. However, it is technically difficult because of complex lesions, poor surgical exposure, and tissue fragility, especially in infants. We investigated the midterm outcomes of mitral valve surgery for mitral regurgitation in infancy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 18 patients (aged <12 months old) undergoing mitral valve surgery for mitral regurgitation at our institution between October 2005 and March 2019. The patients had 10 acquired and 8 congenital valve lesions as follows: torn chordae (n = 6), leaflet prolapse (n = 4), posterior leaflet hypoplasia (n = 3), anterior leaflet cleft (n = 2), infective endocarditis (n = 1), papillary muscle rupture (n = 1), and hammock valve (n = 1). RESULTS: All patients initially underwent mitral valve repair. There was no operative mortality, and 1 case of late death. The median follow-up period was 7 years and 9 months. Reoperation was performed in 3 patients, re-repair (twice) in 1 patient with a hammock valve, and mitral valve replacement in 2 patients. Fifteen patients had at most mild mitral regurgitation at the last follow-up. A transmitral mean pressure gradient of over 5 mm Hg was observed in 3 cases, including the patient with a hammock valve. Postoperative mitral annular diameter increased within the normal range in all patients. Survival and reoperation-free rates at 5 and 10 years were 94.4% and 83.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation in infancy is safe and feasible with satisfactory midterm outcomes, even under serious preoperative conditions.

[Primary Volvulus of the Small Intestine Mimicking Nonocclusive Mesenteric Ischemia Following Open-heart Surgery].

A 73-year-old female who underwent aortic valve replacement with a biological valve, coronary artery bypass, and left atrial appendage closure had sudden onset of nausea and abdominal pain 43 days after surgery. She had a history of nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia on 4th postoperative day, for which conservative management was successfully carried out. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CT) was performed because a recurrence of nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia was suspected. It revealed a whirl sign in the small intestine, suggestive of small intestine volvulus. At the subsequent emergency laparotomy, volvulus caused severe congestion in the small intestine, aproximately 40 cm from the cecum. However, there was no evidence of transmural necrosis, and reduction of torsion notably improved blood supply to the small intestine. Her regular diet was resumed on 4th postoperative day, and her postoperative course was uneventful. Volvulus should be considered as a differential diagnosis in the setting of acute abdominal pain after open-heart surgery.

Percutaneous coronary intervention using new-generation drug-eluting stents versus coronary arterial bypass grafting in stable patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease: From the CREDO-Kyoto PCI/CABG registry Cohort-3.

AIMS: There is a scarcity of studies comparing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using new-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: The CREDO-Kyoto PCI/CABG registry Cohort-3 enrolled 14927 consecutive patients who underwent first coronary revascularization with PCI or isolated CABG between January 2011 and December 2013. The current study population consisted of 2464 patients who underwent multi-vessel coronary revascularization including revascularization of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) either with PCI using new-generation DES (N = 1565), or with CABG (N = 899). Patients in the PCI group were older and more often had severe frailty, but had less complex coronary anatomy, and less complete revascularization than those in the CABG group. Cumulative 5-year incidence of a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction or stroke was not significantly different between the 2 groups (25.0% versus 21.5%, P = 0.15). However, after adjusting confounders, the excess risk of PCI relative to CABG turned to be significant for the composite endpoint (HR 1.27, 95%CI 1.04-1.55, P = 0.02). PCI as compared with CABG was associated with comparable adjusted risk for all-cause death (HR 1.22, 95%CI 0.96-1.55, P = 0.11), and stroke (HR 1.17, 95%CI 0.79-1.73, P = 0.44), but with excess adjusted risk for myocardial infarction (HR 1.58, 95%CI 1.05-2.39, P = 0.03), and any coronary revascularization (HR 2.66, 95%CI 2.06-3.43, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this observational study, PCI with new-generation DES as compared with CABG was associated with excess long-term risk for major cardiovascular events in patients who underwent multi-vessel coronary revascularization including LAD.