Surgical Correction of Left Ventricular Assist Device Outflow Graft Obstruction Caused by a Wrapped Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Graft: A Case Report.

A 70-year-old man with dilated cardiomyopathy underwent left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, using a HeartWare ventricular assist device, as a bridge to candidacy. After 26 months, computed tomography (CT) angiography indicated stenosis in the LVAD outflow graft; however, the patient was asymptomatic, prompting a decision to manage his condition with close monitoring. Ten months later, the patient presented with dizziness and low-flow alerts. Subsequent CT angiography revealed a critical obstruction involving the entire LVAD outflow graft. The patient underwent emergency surgery, during which an organized seroma causing the graft obstruction was found between a wrapped expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) graft and a Dacron outflow graft. The covering of the outflow graft was removed, along with the organized seroma. Following removal of the ePTFE wrap and decompression of the outflow graft, normal LVAD flow was reestablished. The practice of wrapping the outflow graft with synthetic material, commonly done to facilitate later redo sternotomy, may pose a risk for outflow graft obstruction.

Pericardial Window Operation in Oncology Patients: Analysis of Long-Term Survival and Prognostic Factors.

Background: Pericardial effusion (PE) is a serious condition in cancer patients, primarily arising from malignant dissemination. Pericardial window formation is a surgical intervention for refractory PE. However, the long-term outcomes and factors associated with postoperative survival remain unclear. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 166 oncology patients who underwent pericardial window formation at Samsung Medical Center between 2011 and 2023. We analyzed survival and PE recurrence regarding surgical approach, cancer type, and cytopathological findings. To identify factors associated with survival, we utilized Cox proportional-hazards regression. Results: All patients had tumors documented in accordance with the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging manual, including lung (61.4%), breast (9.6%), gastrointestinal (9.0%), hematologic (3.6%), and other cancers (16.4%). Surgical approaches included mini-thoracotomy (67.5%) and thoracoscopy (32.5%). Postsurgical cytopathology confirmed malignancy in 94 cases (56.6%). Over a median follow-up duration of 50.0 months, 142 deaths and 16 PE recurrences occurred. The 1-year overall and PE recurrence-free survival rates were 31.4% and 28.6%, respectively. One-year survival rates were significantly higher for thoracoscopy recipients (43.7% vs. 25.6%, p=0.031) and patients with negative cytopathology results (45.1% vs. 20.6%, p<0.001). No significant survival difference was observed between lung cancer and other types (p=0.129). Multivariate analysis identified New York Heart Association class, cancer stage, and cytopathology as independent prognostic factors. Conclusion: This series is the largest to date concerning window formation among cancer patients with PE. Patients' long-term survival after surgery was generally unfavorable. However, cases with negative cytopathology or earlier tumor stage demonstrated comparatively high survival rates.

HeartMate 3 Implantation via Only Left Thoracotomy: A Case Report.

Median sternotomy is a standard surgical technique used for left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. However, if sternotomy has a prohibitive surgical risk, LVAD implantation can be performed through only left thoracotomy. We managed a patient with endstage heart failure who had recently undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) elsewhere. The patient also had a deep sternal wound infection and bacteremia. Because of refractory cardiogenic shock, we performed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). After multiple mediastinal washouts and omental flap placement, ECMO was converted to extracorporeal LVAD (from the left ventricular apex to the descending aorta) through a left thoracotomy. The extracorporeal LVAD was maintained for 18 days and replaced by the HeartMate 3 LVAD. The patient was discharged in good condition 115 days after CABG.

Impact of Interatrial Septal Reconstruction on Atrial Tachyarrhythmia after Surgical Resection of Myxoma.

Background: Complete surgical excision is the only curative treatment for primary cardiac tumors. For wide excision, interatrial septal reconstruction (ISR) is commonly performed. We hypothesized that ISR may increase the risk of postoperative atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT) after surgical resection of cardiac myxoma. Methods: After excluding patients with a history of cardiac surgery and concomitant procedures unrelated to tumor resection and those with AT or permanent pacemakers, we finally enrolled 272 adult patients who underwent benign cardiac tumor surgery from 1995 to 2021 at our institution. They were divided into the ISR (n=184) and non-ISR (n=88) groups. The primary outcome was postoperative new-onset AT. Results: The study cohort predominantly consisted of women (66.2%), with a mean age of 57.2±13.6 years. The incidence of postoperative new-onset AT was 15.4%. No 30-day mortality or recurrence was observed. The cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamping time were significantly longer in the ISR group than in the non-ISR group (p<0.001). The median duration of hospital stay of all patients was 6.0 days (interquartile range, 5.0-7.0 days), and no significant difference was observed between the 2 groups (p=0.329). ISR was not an independent predictor of new-onset AT (p=0.248). Male sex and hypertension were found to be independent predictors of new-onset AT. Conclusion: ISR was not a significant predictor of postoperative new-onset AT. ISR might be a feasible and safe procedure for surgical resection of cardiac myxoma and should be considered if needed.

Comparison of long-term cardiovascular and renal outcomes between percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass grafting in multi-vessel disease with chronic kidney disease.

Objective: This study aims to analyze cardiac and renal outcomes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with multi-vessel disease who have undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Materials and methods: Chronic kidney disease patients with multi-vessel disease who underwent CABG or PCI were retrospectively selected from our database and divided into the PCI group [further stratified into PCI with complete revascularization (PCI-CR) and PCI with incomplete revascularization (PCI-IR) groups] and the CABG group. The primary endpoint was the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke at 5 years. The key secondary endpoint was the 5-year rate of the renal composite outcome, defined as >40% glomerular filtration rate decrease, initiation of dialysis, and/or kidney transplant. Outcomes were compared using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, and the results were further adjusted by multivariable analyses and inverse probability weighting. Results: Among the study population (n = 798), 443 (55.5%) patients received CABG and 355 (44.5%) patients received PCI. Compared with the CABG group, the PCI group had similar risk of the primary endpoint (CABG vs. PCI, 19.3% vs. 24.0%, HR: 1.28, 95% CI: 0.95-1.73, p = 0.11) and a lower risk of the renal composite outcome (36.6% vs. 31.2%, HR: 0.74, 95% CI 0.58-0.94, p = 0.03). In addition, PCI-IR was associated with a significantly higher risk of the primary endpoint than CABG (HR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.11-2.13, p = 0.009) or PCI-CR (HR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.09-2.89, p = 0.02). However, PCI-CR had a comparable 5-year death, MI, or stroke rate to CABG (HR: 0.86, 95% CI 0.54-1.38, p = 0.54). Conclusion: Coronary artery bypass grafting showed an incidence of death, MI, or stroke similar to PCI but was associated with a higher risk of renal injury. PCI-CR had a prognosis comparable with that of CABG, while PCI-IR had worse prognosis. If PCI is chosen for revascularization in patients with CKD, achieving CR should be attempted to ensure favorable outcomes. Clinical trial registration: [clinicaltrials.gov], identifier [NCT03870815].

Association of longitudinal left atrial strain with mortality after tricuspid valve surgery.

AIMS: Tricuspid valve (TV) surgery for functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is becoming more common, but the associated mortality remains high. Therefore, we evaluated the clinical and echocardiographic parameters associated with all-cause mortality in patients with severe functional TR who underwent TV surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 286 patients with severe functional TR who underwent TV replacement or repair was analysed between January 2006 and December 2017. We assessed changes in conventional echocardiographic parameters and strain, such as peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS). During a median follow-up period of 5.3 years, 71 (24.8%) patients died due to any cause. When comparing groups with and without all-cause deaths, there were no significant differences in terms of sex, co-morbidities, medication use, and surgery type. However, patients who died were older and more likely to have refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). With multivariate Cox modelling, age >65 years (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.81, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59-4.96; P < 0.001), refractory AF (adjusted HR, 2.84, 95% CI, 1.36-5.94; P = 0.006), lower albumin level (adjusted HR, 0.50, 95% CI, 0.31-0.82), and reduced PALS (adjusted HR, 1.87, 95% CI, 1.06-3.33; P = 0.032) were significant determinants of all-cause mortality. PALS decline was associated with refractory AF (adjusted HR, 5.74, 95% CI, 2.81-11.7; P < 0.001) and the absence of a Maze procedure (adjusted HR, 2.95, 95% CI, 1.51-5.78; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: A reduction in PALS was significantly associated with all-cause mortality in our cohort of patients with severe functional TR who underwent TV surgery. This phenomenon is related to refractory AF and more aggressive intervention for AF is necessary concomitant with TV surgery.

Predictor of atrial fibrillation recurrence in patients who underwent a tricuspid valve operation with modified Cox maze procedure.

BACKGROUND: Recurrence of any atrial arrhythmia after surgical ablation is known as a negative predictor of cardiovascular events and total mortality. However, there have been no focused studies for atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence prediction in patients with significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR), and the risk-benefit estimation of surgical ablation in tricuspid valve (TV) surgery is not fully established. METHOD: We screened 385 patients who underwent a TV operation between 2001 and 2017. After excluding patients who did not undergo a maze operation, 158 patients were enrolled. Enrolled patients were divided by recurrence of AF. We analyzed the difference between the AF recurrence group and no AF recurrence group, and AF recurrence factors in terms of clinical risk factors and echocardiographic risk factors. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were presented using a Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: Among 158 patients, AF recurred in 65 patients within 10 years. For AF prediction, age was most the important clinical factor and right atrium (RA) diameter was the most important echocardiographic parameters. In patients with a larger RA diameter over 49.2 mm, the prevalence of AF recurrence was higher (HR 4.322, 95% CI [2.185-8.549], log rank p value < .001). In clinical outcome, there was no significant difference between the AF recurrence group and the no recurrence group in terms of death, TR recurrence, heart failure, and stroke. However, the risk of permanent pacemaker (PPM) insertion was higher in the AF recurrence group (HR 10.240, 95% CI [1.257-83.480], log rank p value .007) compared to the no recurrence group. CONCLUSION: Age and RA enlargement are key predictors of AF recurrence after TV operation with the CM procedure in patients with significant TR.

Differential effects of dual antiplatelet therapy in patients presented with acute coronary syndrome vs. stable ischaemic heart disease after coronary artery bypass grafting.

AIMS: The current study sought to evaluate whether long-term clinical outcomes according to the use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) or single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) differed between acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and stable ischaemic heart disease (SIHD) patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). METHODS AND RESULTS: Between January 2001 and December 2017, 3199 patients with ACS (55.3%) and 2583 with SIHD (44.7%) who underwent isolated CABG were enrolled. The study population was stratified using DAPT or SAPT in ACS patients and SIHD patients. The primary outcome was a cardiovascular death or myocardial infarction (MI) at 5 years. After CABG, DAPT was more frequently used in patients with ACS than in those with SIHD [n = 1960 (61.3%) vs. n = 1313 (50.8%), P < 0.001]. Among patients with ACS, the DAPT group showed a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular death or MI at 5 years than the SAPT group [DAPT vs. SAPT, 4.0% vs. 7.8%, hazard ratio (HR) 0.521, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.339-0.799; P = 0.003]. In contrast, among patients with SIHD, there was no significant difference in the rate of cardiovascular death or MI at 5 years between the use of DAPT and SAPT (4.0% vs. 4.0%, HR 0.991, 95% CI 0.604-1.626; P = 0.971). These findings were robust to multiple sensitivity analyses and competing risk analysis. In the subgroup analysis, the use of DAPT was associated with a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular death or MI among SIHD patients with a previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), with a significant interaction between the use of DAPT and PCI history (interaction P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Among ACS patients who underwent CABG, the use of DAPT was associated with lower cardiovascular death or MI than the use of SAPT, but this was not the case in SIHD patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03870815.

Optimal Timing of Venoarterial-Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients Suffering From Refractory Cardiogenic Shock.

BACKGROUND: Although there is an increase in the use of mechanical circulatory support devices to rescue patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by refractory cardiogenic shock (CS), the optimal timing of the application remains controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes between venoarterial-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) insertion before and after coronary revascularization in AMI patients with refractory CS.Methods and Results:A total of 253 patients with AMI who underwent revascularization therapy with VA-ECMO were included. The study population was stratified into extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR) before revascularization (N=106, reference cohort) and refractory CS without E-CPR before revascularization (n=147, comparison cohort). Patients with refractory CS but without E-CPR before revascularization were further divided into VA-ECMO before revascularization (N=50) and VA-ECMO after revascularization (n=97). The primary endpoint was a composite of in-hospital mortality, left ventricular assist device implantation, and heart transplantation. The primary endpoint occurred in 60 patients (40.8%) of the comparison cohort and 51 patients (48.1%) of the reference cohort. Among the comparison cohort, the primary endpoint was significantly lower in VA-ECMO before revascularization than in VA-ECMO after revascularization (32.0% vs. 49.5%, OR 0.480, 95% CI 0.235-0.982, P=0.045). A similar trend was observed after a 1-year follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Early initiation of VA-ECMO before revascularization therapy might improve clinical outcomes in patients with AMI complicated by refractory CS.

Temporary Right Ventricular Assist Device Insertion via Left Thoracotomy after Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Right heart failure is a relatively common complication after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Severe right heart failure can be managed by temporary right ventricular assist device (RVAD) implantation. However, trans-sternal RVAD insertion requires a subsequent third sternotomy for cannula removal. Herein, we present a case of RVAD insertion via a left anterior mini-thoracotomy after LVAD implantation in a patient with alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy.

Mid-Term Results of Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) has the advantage of allowing arterial grafting on the left anterior descending artery without a sternotomy incision. We present our single-center clinical experience of 66 consecutive patients. METHODS: All patients underwent MIDCAB through a left anterior small thoracotomy between August 2007 and July 2015. Preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative and follow-up data-including major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), graft patency, and the need for re-intervention-were collected. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 69.4±11.1 years and 73% were male. There was no conversion to an on-pump procedure or a sternotomy incision. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.5%. There were no cases of stroke, although 2 patients had to be re-explored for bleeding, and 81.8% were extubated in the operating room or on the day of surgery. The median stay in the intensive care unit and in the hospital were 1.5 and 9.6 days, respectively. The median follow-up period was 11 months, with a 5-year overall survival rate of 85.3%±0.09% and a 5-year MACCE-free survival rate of 72.8%±0.1%. Of the 66 patients, 32 patients with 36 grafts underwent a postoperative graft patency study with computed tomography angiography or coronary angiography, and 88.9% of the grafts were patent at 9.7±10.8 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: MIDCAB is a safe procedure with low postoperative morbidity and mortality and favorable mid-term MACCE-free survival.

Clinical outcomes of slide tracheoplasty in congenital tracheal stenosis.

OBJECTIVES: Treatment of long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) remains challenging. Recently, slide tracheoplasty has become the standard approach in many centres. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of slide tracheoplasty. METHODS: Between 2004 and 2011, 18 patients underwent slide tracheoplasty in our centre. The median patient age was 2.5 months (range, 18 days-4 years) and the median body weight was 4.2 (range, 2.2-17.7) kg at operation. Eleven (61%) patients were on a mechanical ventilator prior to surgery. The median stenotic segment estimated by a computed tomography scan was 52% of the length of total trachea (range, 18-84%). Five (28%) patients had proximal bronchial stenosis, 3 (17%) had tracheal bronchus, 2 (11%) had tracheobronchomalacia and 1 (6%) had agenesis of the right lung. Thirteen (72%) patients had a combined cardiac anomaly, including 8 patients with a pulmonary artery sling. Ten (56%) patients had associated extracardiac anomalies. Slide tracheoplasty was performed on cardiopulmonary bypass in all patients, and cardiac lesions were corrected. RESULTS: There was no early death. The patient with agenesis of the right lung died of left bronchial stenosis 3 months after the surgery. Two (11%) patients were reoperated on for tracheal restenosis. In the other 15 patients, the median duration of ventilator support was 8 (range, 5-34) days and the median duration of hospitalization was 31 (range, 12-79) days. During the follow-up (median duration of 17 months; range, 2-77 months), 13 (72%) patients were symptom-free and 2 (11%) underwent tracheostomy for tracheomalacia. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this study, slide tracheoplasty seems to be an effective technique for CTS. However, shortening of the trachea after reconstruction may give rise to recurrent obstruction.

Initial experience with total thoracoscopic ablation.

BACKGROUND: Recently, a hybrid surgical-electrophysiological (EP) approach for confirming ablation lines in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) was suggested. The aim of this approach was to overcome the limitations of current surgery- and catheter-based techniques to yield better outcomes. METHODS: Ten consecutive patients with AF underwent total thoracoscopic ablation (TTA) following transvenous catheter EP ablation (residual gap and cavotricuspid isthmus [CTI] ablation). Holter monitoring was performed 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Ten patients (90% with persistent AF) underwent successful hybrid procedures, and there was no in-hospital mortality. An EP study was performed in 8 patients and showed that successful antral ablation in all pulmonary veins was achieved in 7 of them. The median follow-up duration was 7.63 months (range, 6.7 to 11.6 months). Nine patients underwent Holter monitoring 6 months postoperatively, and the results indicated an underlying sinus rhythm without AF, atrial flutter, or atrial tachycardia lasting more than 30 seconds in all of the patients. There was no recurrence of AF during follow-up. CONCLUSION: A hybrid approach that consists of TTA followed by transvenous catheter EP ablation (residual gap and CTI ablation) yielded excellent outcomes in our patient population. A hybrid approach should be considered in patients with a high risk of AF recurrence.

Revascularization for the right coronary artery territory in off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Graft selection for the right coronary artery territory remains controversial. The objective of this study was to analyze outcomes from revascularization of the right coronary artery territory using the right internal thoracic artery (RITA), the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA), or a saphenous vein graft (SVG). METHODS: Between January 2001 and December 2010, 1,434 patients who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery using the bilateral mammary arteries were enrolled. Propensity score analysis was used to match patients who underwent revascularization of the right coronary artery territory with the RITA in a Y-composite fashion (RITA group, n=292), the RGEA (RGEA group, n=292), and the SVG (SVG group, n=292). Clinical and angiographic data were analyzed. RESULTS: There were no intergroup differences in terms of in-hospital mortality (0.3% [1 of 292], 0% [0 of 292], and 1% [3 of 292], p=0.332). Freedom from major adverse events including death, stoke, myocardial infarction, and reintervention at 10 years was similar among the three groups (87.8%±3.0% in the RITA group versus 92.4%±1.7% in the RGEA group versus 86.7%±3.4% in the SVG group; p=0.466). A stratified regression analysis showed that use of the saphenous vein was predictive of graft failure (p=0.044, hazard ratio 3.9). Proximal stenosis (<90%) was predictive of graft failure in the arterial groups (p=0.024, hazard ratio 3.1), but not in the SVG group (p=0.112). CONCLUSIONS: Arterial grafts should be considered the first choice for right coronary artery territory revascularization in off-pump coronary artery bypass. However, SVG should be considered when proximal stenosis is less than 90%.

Revascularization in left main coronary artery disease: comparison of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting vs percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVES: There is no evidence for the increasing use of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with surgery in patients with left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease. We compared the clinical outcomes of patients with LMCA disease who had undergone PCI with those of patients who had off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) grafting. METHODS: From January 2001 to December 2009, 899 patients with LMCA disease were treated with OPCAB (n = 553) or PCI (n = 346). Analyses using propensity-score matching were performed to minimize the selection bias. We compared major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) including death, stroke, acute myocardial infarction and target-vessel revascularization. The median follow-up was 55.9 months. RESULTS: For the 159 propensity-matched pairs, the early mortality in the OPCAB group was lower than in the PCI group (0 vs 5%, the PCI group; P < 0.001). Overall survival at 8 years was similar between groups (88.6 ± 3.5%, the OPCAB group vs 85.8 ± 5.3%, the PCI group; P = 0.394). Freedom from MACCE at 8 years was significantly higher in the OPCAB than in the PCI group (83.9 ± 5.1 vs 60.2 ± 6.9%, P < 0.001). Although there was no intergroup difference in the risk of death [hazard ratio (HR) for the PCI group, 1.435; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.62-3.31; P = 0.396], a significant difference was found in the risk of MACCE (HR for the PCI group, 4.193; 95% CI, 2.165-8.121; P < 0.001). This difference was primarily due to a higher risk of acute myocardial infarction (HR for the PCI group, 4.730; 95% CI, 0.99-22.63; P = 0.049) and higher rates of target-vessel revascularization (HR for the PCI group, 5.508; 95% CI, 1.87-16.22; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with PCI, OPCAB is associated with a lower incidence of MACCE in patients with LMCA disease, determined mainly by the lower incidences of acute myocardial infarction and target-vessel revascularization. The incidence of stroke in the OPCAB group was similar to the PCI group.

Thymoma of the middle mediastinum.

Thymoma is a common anterior mediastinal mass, although thymomas have occasionally been found in the neck, pulmonary hillus, or posterior mediastinum. But a thymoma within the middle mediastinum has rarely been reported. We report a thymoma arising in the middle mediastinum with a review of the literature.