Early clinical outcomes in men and women undergoing proximal thoracic aortic surgery - A Swedish population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between female sex and 30-day mortality and postoperative complications in patients undergoing scheduled proximal thoracic aortic surgery in Sweden. METHODS: In a nationwide population-based cohort study, all patients who underwent scheduled proximal thoracic aortic surgery in Sweden between 2016 and 2020 were included. The primary outcome measure was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcome measure included a combined endpoint including 30-day all-cause mortality, postoperative new onset dialysis, perioperative stroke or a prolonged need of postoperative ventilation (>48 hours). Logistic regression models and propensity score matching were used to estimate the association between female sex and primary and secondary outcomes adjusted for differences in baseline characteristics. RESULTS: 2000 patients (29% women) were analyzed. The crude 30-day all-cause mortality rate was higher in women compared to men (3.1 vs. 1.4%, p<0.001). Women were older at time of surgery (65.6 vs. 60.2 years, p<0.001), had more comorbidities and a larger maximum indexed aortic diameter (cm/m body height) at time of surgery (3.4 ± 0.56 vs. 3.0 ± 0.48, p<0.001). The adjusted risk for 30-day mortality for women compared to men was not significant (OR 1.41 CI 95% (0.70-2.83)), neither was the secondary composite endpoint (OR 0.89 CI 95% (0.62-1.27)). The propensity score matched analysis showed similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Women who underwent proximal thoracic aortic surgery had a two-fold higher unadjusted 30-day mortality risk, but the mortality risk was not significantly higher when age and comorbidities was taken into consideration.

Clinical profile, microbiology and outcomes in infective endocarditis treated with aortic valve replacement: a multicenter case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Aortic valve infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We aimed to describe the clinical profile, risk factors and predictors of short- and long-term mortality in patients with aortic valve IE treated with aortic valve replacement (AVR) compared with a control group undergoing AVR for non-infectious valvular heart disease. METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2013, a total of 170 cases with IE treated with AVR (exposed cohort) and 677 randomly selected non-infectious AVR-treated patients with degenerative aortic valve disease (controls) were recruited from three tertiary hospitals with cardiothoracic facilities across Scandinavia. Crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HR) were estimated using Cox regression models. RESULTS: The mean age of the IE cohort was 58.5 ± 15.1 years (80.0% men). During a mean follow-up of 7.8 years (IQR 5.1-10.8 years), 373 (44.0%) deaths occurred: 81 (47.6%) in the IE group and 292 (43.1%) among controls. Independent risk factors associated with IE were male gender, previous heart surgery, underweight, positive hepatitis C serology, renal failure, previous wound infection and dental treatment (all p < 0.05). IE was associated with an increased risk of both short-term (≤ 30 days) (HR 2.86, [1.36-5.98], p = 0.005) and long-term mortality (HR 2.03, [1.43-2.88], p < 0.001). In patients with IE, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR 2.13), underweight (HR 4.47), renal failure (HR 2.05), concomitant mitral valve involvement (HR 2.37) and mediastinitis (HR 3.98) were independent predictors of long-term mortality. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent microbe (21.8%) and associated with a 5.2-fold increased risk of early mortality, while enterococci were associated with the risk of long-term mortality (HR 1.78). CONCLUSIONS: In this multicenter case-control study, IE was associated with an increased risk of both short- and long-term mortality compared to controls. Efforts should be made to identify, and timely treat modifiable risk factors associated with contracting IE, and mitigate the predictors of poor survival in IE.

A Case Report About Cardiac Arrest After Left Ventricular Assist Device Explantation.

Hemodynamic unloading by left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) in patients with advanced heart failure can result in reverse remodeling and cardiac recovery allowing pump removal. Ventriculoplasty during explantation may cause fibrosis and ventricular scars which can provide a substrate for reentry, a common cause of ventricular arrythmias. In this case report, we describe the clinical course of a patient who suffered a cardiac arrest in the following few months after undergoing LVAD explantation because of cardiac recovery. This case highlights a potential risk related to complete LVAD explantation with ventriculoplasty and patch repair of the apex.

Bleeding is associated with severely impaired outcomes in surgery for acute type a aortic dissection.

Background. Surgery for acute type A aortic dissection confers a risk for significant bleeding. We analyzed the impact of massive bleeding on complications after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. Methods. Patients undergoing surgery for acute type A aortic dissection from the retrospective multicenter Nordic Consortium for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection (NORCAAD) database 2005-2014 were eligible. Massive bleeding was defined according to the Universal Definition of Perioperative Bleeding. The primary outcome measure was early mortality and secondary outcome measures were perioperative stroke, mechanical ventilation more than 48 h, new-onset dialysis, and intensive care unit stay. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for differences in covariates. Results. Nine hundred ninety-seven patients were included, of whom 403 (40.4%) had massive bleeding. In the propensity score-matched cohort (344 pairs), patients with massive bleeding had higher 30-day mortality (17.2 versus 7.6%, p < .001), mechanical ventilation more than 48 h (52.8 versus 22.6%, p < .001), perioperative stroke (24.3 versus 14.8%, p = .002), new-onset dialysis (22.5 versus 4.9%, p < .001), and longer intensive care unit stay (6 versus 3 days, p < .001), compared with patients without massive bleeding. Risk factors for massive bleeding were previous cardiac surgery, preoperative clopidogrel or ticagrelor therapy, DeBakey type I dissection, and localized or generalized malperfusion. Conclusions. Massive bleeding in surgery for acute type A aortic dissection is associated with a markedly increased risk for severe complications as well as early death. Further improvement of surgical technique and pharmacological optimization of coagulation is paramount to possibly improve outcomes in acute type A aortic dissection repair.

Bleeding and long-term survival after lung resections: nationwide observational cohort study.

Background: Bleeding following lung surgery can lead to reoperation and blood transfusions, potentially impairing outcomes. This study aimed to assess how bleeding complications affect long-term survival and postoperative complications in a nationwide contemporary group of patients undergoing lung resections. Methods: Adult patients who underwent lung resections, for both malignant and nonmalignant diagnoses, between 2013-2021, were included from the Swedish national registry for thoracic surgery. Patients with bleeding complications, defined as requiring reexploration and/or transfusions, were compared to patients without bleeding complications regarding long-term survival and postoperative complications. We used propensity scores and optimal full matching to account for differences in baseline characteristics between the groups. Results: The cohort comprised 15,617 adult patients, of which 646 patients (4.1%) had bleeding complications. The unadjusted 90-day mortality was 9.4% vs. 1.0% in the bleeding group vs. no bleeding group, respectively. After matching, the odds ratio (OR) for 90-day mortality in the bleeding group compared with the no bleeding group was 3.66 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.17-6.17]. Long term overall survival was lower among patients in the bleeding group, adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI) for all-cause mortality was 1.47 (1.29-1.69). Postoperative complications were more common in the bleeding group (OR: 3.00, 95% CI: 2.38-3.79), including infections (OR: 2.80, 95% CI: 1.86-4.20). Bleeding complications were more frequent during the first third of the study time period as compared to the last third (P<0.001). Conclusions: Patients with bleeding complications had reduced long-term survival and higher incidence of postoperative complications. A declining trend in bleeding rates over time was noted.

Platelet inhibitor withdrawal and outcomes after coronary artery surgery: an individual patient data meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between guideline-conforming as compared to shorter than recommended withdrawal period of P2Y12 receptor inhibitors prior to isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and the incidence of severe bleeding and ischaemic events. Randomized controlled trials are lacking in this field. METHODS: We searched PUBMED, Embase and other suitable databases for studies including patients on P2Y12 receptor inhibitors undergoing isolated CABG and reporting bleeding and postoperative ischaemic events from 2013 to March 2024. The primary outcome was incidence of Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 4 (BARC-4) bleeding defined as any of the following: perioperative intracranial bleeding, reoperation for bleeding, transfusion of ≥5 units of red blood cells, chest tube output of ≥2 l. The secondary outcome was postoperative ischaemic events according to the Academic Research Consortium 2 Consensus Document. Patient-level data provided by each observational trial were synthesized into a single dataset and analysed using a 2-stage IPD-MA. RESULTS: Individual data of 4837 patients from 7 observational studies were synthesized. BARC-4 bleeding, 30-day mortality and postoperative ischaemic events occurred in 20%, 2.6% and 5.2% of patients. After adjusting for EuroSCORE II and cardiopulmonary bypass time, guideline-conforming withdrawal was associated with decreased BARC-4 bleeding risk in patients on clopidogrel [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.48; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.28-0.81; P = 0.006] and a trend towards decreased risk in patients on ticagrelor (adjusted OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.22-1.05; P = 0.067). Guideline-conforming withdrawal was not significantly associated with 30-day mortality risk (clopidogrel: adjusted OR 0.70; 95% CI 0.30-1.61; ticagrelor: adjusted OR 0.89; 95% CI 0.37-2.18) but with decreased risk of postoperative ischaemic events in patients on clopidogrel (clopidogrel: adjusted OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.30-0.82; ticagrelor: adjusted OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.45-1.37). BARC-4 bleeding was associated with 30-day mortality risk (adjusted OR 4.76; 95% CI 2.67-8.47; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Guideline-conforming preoperative withdrawal of ticagrelor and clopidogrel was associated with a 50% reduced BARC-4 bleeding risk when corrected for EuroSCORE II and cardiopulmonary bypass time but was not associated with increased risk of 30-day mortality or postoperative ischaemic events.

Skeletonized Versus Pedicled Harvesting of the Internal Thoracic Artery and Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The internal thoracic artery (ITA) is the most important conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting. Recent evidence suggests that skeletonized ITA harvesting yields long-term outcomes inferior to those of pedicled harvesting. The aim was to investigate the impact of the ITA harvesting method on 10-year mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this observational cohort study, we identified all patients from the SWEDEHEART (Swedish Web-System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-Based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies) register who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting using at least 1 ITA at Karolinska University Hospital from 2012 to 2021. The main outcome was all-cause mortality, and the secondary outcomes were a combination of myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, heart failure, and stroke. Outcomes were ascertained using national health data registers and compared between the skeletonized and pedicled groups using weighted flexible parametric survival models. Among 3267 patients, 1657 (51%) underwent pedicled ITA harvesting and 1610 (49%) underwent skeletonized ITA harvesting. The patients' mean age was 66 years, and 15% were women. The weighted all-cause mortality incidence rate in the pedicled versus skeletonized ITA group was 2.6% (95CI, 2.2%-3.0%) versus 2.6% (95% CI, 2.2%-3.1%), respectively (hazard ratio (HR), 1.01 [95% CI, 0.81-1.27]). The weighted major adverse cardiovascular events incidence rate was 7.8% (95% CI, 7.1%-8.6%) versus 7.5% (95% CI, 6.7%-8.4%), respectively (HR, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.82-1.08]). CONCLUSIONS: We found no significant differences in all-cause mortality or major adverse cardiovascular events rates between the 2 ITA harvesting methods.

Bleeding in minimally invasive versus conventional aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies have shown reduced perioperative bleeding in patients undergoing minimally invasive, compared with full sternotomy, aortic valve replacement. Data from randomized trials are conflicting. METHODS: This was a Swedish single center study where adult patients with aortic stenosis, 100 patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to undergo either minimally invasive (ministernotomy) or full sternotomy aortic valve replacement. The primary outcome was severe or massive bleeding defined by the Universal Definition of Perioperative Bleeding in adult cardiac surgery (UDPB). Secondary outcomes included blood product transfusions, chest tube output, re-exploration for bleeding, and several other clinically relevant events. RESULTS: Out of 100 patients, three patients randomized to ministernotomy were intraoperatively converted to full sternotomy (none was bleeding-related). Three patients (6%) in the full sternotomy group and 3 patients (6%) in the ministernotomy group suffered severe or massive postoperative bleeding according to the UDPB definition (p = 1.00). Mean chest tube output during the first 12 postoperative hours was 350 (standard deviation (SD) 220) ml in the full sternotomy group and 270 (SD 190) ml in the ministernotomy group (p = 0.08). 28% of patients in the full sternotomy group and 36% of patients in the ministernotomy group received at least one packed red blood cells transfusion (p = 0.39). Two patients in each group (4%) underwent re-exploration for bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement did not result in less bleeding-related outcomes compared to full sternotomy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov . Unique identifier: NCT02272621.

Implementation of Sweden's first digi-physical hospital-at-home care model for high-acuity patients.

AIM: To evaluate Sweden's first implementation of a 24/7 high-acuity virtual in-patient ward through a digi-physical in-patient care (DPIPC) program, a hospital-at-home care model combining a virtual hospital-based medical command centre and in-person ambulating medical services functioning as an extension of the Department of Medicine at a secondary-level hospital in Stockholm. METHODS: A single-centre descriptive study where adult patients with acute medical illness requiring inpatient-level care were assessed for voluntary treatment in the DPIPC program as a substitute for traditional in-patient care. The primary outcome was patient satisfaction with care. Secondary outcomes included health care use, safety, and quality during the care episode. RESULTS: From October 2022 to June 2023 a total of 200 patients were treated within the DPIPC program. The program covered 63 unique medical conditions, with infectious disease (44%) and pulmonary disease (17%) being the most common. The median length of stay (LOS) in the DPIPC program was 3 days (IQR 3) with a median LOS of 2 days (IQR 3) in the physical hospital prior to inclusion. There were no incidents of patient mortality or hospital-related complications during the DPIPC period. A total of 11 (5.5%) patients were escalated to the traditional hospital, 4 (36.4%) of which required ambulance. The median DPIPC patient satisfaction was 10 (IQR 0) and Net Promotor Score was 88. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a 24/7 high-acuity virtual in-patient ward is feasible and safe for selected patients with acute medical illnesses. Patient satisfaction and care quality within the program is high.

Incidence and healing times of postoperative sternal wound infections: a retrospective observational single-centre study.

Objectives: Analyses of incidence and time required to heal sternal wound infections after heart surgery performed via a median sternotomy between 2020 and 2022. Results: Superficial wound infections (SWI) were five times more common (2.7%) than mediastinitis (0.5%) among 2693 patients. The median time between the operation and diagnosis of SWI was 26 (interquartile range [IQR] 15-33) days vs. 16 (IQR 9-25) days for mediastinitis (p = .12). Gram-negative bacteria caused 44% of the 85 infections. Sternal wound infection correlated to higher body mass index, female sex, smoking, diabetes mellitus, previous myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting, use of internal mammary graft, and re-entry for postoperative bleeding. Eight of 59 patients (13.6%) with sternal wound infections had bilateral mammary grafts, compared to 102 of 1191 patients (8.6%) without wound infections (p = .28). Negative pressure wound therapy was always used to treat mediastinitis and applied in 63% of patients with SWI. Two of 13 patients with mediastinitis (15%) and none of 72 patients with SWI died within 90 days after the operation. The median time until the wound healed was 1.9 (IQR 1.3-3.7) months after SWI vs. 1.7 (IQR 1.3-5.3) months after mediastinitis (p = .63). Six patients (7%) required longer than one year to treat the infection. Conclusions: Postoperative sternal wound infections usually appeared several weeks after surgery and were associated with factors as high body mass index, diabetes mellitus and coronary artery bypass. SWI were more common than mediastinitis and often required negative pressure wound therapy and similar treatment time as mediastinitis.

Long-Term Survival After Single-Ventricle Palliation: A Swedish Nationwide Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Long-term survival after single-ventricle palliation and the effect of dominant ventricle morphology in large, unselected series of patients are scarcely reported. METHODS AND RESULTS: This nationwide cohort study included all children undergoing operation with single-ventricle palliation during their first year of life in Sweden between January 1994 and December 2019. Data were obtained from institutional records and assessment of underlying cardiac anomaly and dominant ventricular morphology was based on complete review of medical records, surgical reports, and echocardiographic examinations. Data on vital status and date of death were retrieved from the Swedish Cause of Death Register, allowing for complete data on survival. Among 766 included patients, 333 patients (43.5%) were classified as having left or biventricular dominance, and 432 patients (56.4%) as having right ventricular (RV) dominance (of whom 231 patients had hypoplastic left heart syndrome). Follow-up was 98.7% complete (10 patients emigrated). Mean follow-up was 11.3 years (maximum, 26.7 years). Long-term survival was significantly higher in patients with left ventricular compared with RV dominance (10-year survival: 91.0% [95% CI, 87.3%-93.6%] versus 71.1% [95% CI, 66.4%-75.2%]). RV dominance had a significant impact on outcomes after first-stage palliation but was also associated with impaired survival after completed total cavopulmonary connection. In total, 34 (4.4%) patients underwent heart transplantation. Of these 34 patients, 25 (73.5%) had predominant RV morphology. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides clinically relevant knowledge about the long-term prognosis in patients with different underlying cardiac anomalies undergoing single-ventricle palliation. RV dominance had a significant impact on outcomes after initial surgical treatment but was also associated with impaired survival after completed Fontan circulation. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03356574.

Inter-institutional analysis of the outcome after postcardiotomy veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

INTRODUCTION: Patients requiring postcardiotomy veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A-ECMO) have a high risk of early mortality. In this analysis, we evaluated whether any interinstitutional difference exists in the results of postcardiotomy V-A-ECMO. METHODS: Studies on postcardiotomy V-A-ECMO were identified through a systematic review for individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis. Analysis of interinstitutional results was performed using direct standardization, estimation of observed/expected in-hospital mortality ratio and propensity score matching. RESULTS: Systematic review of the literature yielded 31 studies. Data from 10 studies on 1269 patients treated at 25 hospitals were available for the present analysis. In-hospital mortality was 66.7%. The relative risk of in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in six hospitals. Observed versus expected in-hospital mortality ratio showed that four hospitals were outliers with significantly increased mortality rates, and one hospital had significantly lower in-hospital mortality rate. Participating hospitals were classified as underperforming and overperforming hospitals if their observed/expected in-hospital mortality was higher or lower than 1.0, respectively. Among 395 propensity score matched pairs, the overperforming hospitals had significantly lower in-hospital mortality (60.3% vs 71.4%, p = 0.001) than underperforming hospitals. Low annual volume of postcardiotomy V-A-ECMO tended to be predictive of poor outcome only when adjusted for patients' risk profile. CONCLUSIONS: In-hospital mortality after postcardiotomy V-A-ECMO differed significantly between participating hospitals. These findings suggest that in many centers there is room for improvement of the results of postcardiotomy V-A-ECMO.

Improving outcomes of surgery for acute type A aortic dissection.

Background. It remains equivocal if acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) surgical outcomes are improving. We analyzed current outcome trends to evaluate improvements and to identify predicting variables. Methods. From 2015 to 2020, 204 patients underwent surgery for ATAAD and were divided into recent (n = 102) and earlier (n = 102) groups. Uni- and multivariable statistical analysis was performed to identify predictors of 30-day mortality. Results. Thirty-day mortality decreased significantly in the recent group (3.9% vs 14.6%, p = .014). Prevalence of neurological insult also decreased significantly (13% vs 25%, p = .028). Other major complications remained unchanged. There was no statistically significant difference in overall 30-day mortality between low-volume vs high-volume surgeons (12.3% vs 7.3%, p = .21). The number of surgeons performing ATAAD procedures decreased from nine in 2015 to five in 2020. Preoperative lactate (OR 1.24, 95%CI 1.03-1.51), dissection of any arch vessel (OR 14.2, 95%CI 1.79-113), non-normal left ventricular ejection fraction (OR 12.5, 95%CI 2.54-61.6), biological composite graft (OR 19.1, 95%CI 2.75-133), concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (OR 38.8, 95%CI 2.91-517) and intraoperative adverse event (OR 9.5, 95%CI 2.22-40.9) were statistically significant independent predictors of mortality. Conclusions. Early outcomes after ATAAD improved in the most recent experience. Part of the explanation may be fewer surgeons performing more procedures annually, a relatively conservative approach to the extent of aortic resection and ensuring adequate cerebral protection. Major complications remain prevalent and require attention to be further reduced.

Hyperlactatemia and poor outcome After postcardiotomy veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: An individual patient data meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Postcardiotomy veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A-ECMO) is associated with significant mortality. Identification of patients at very high risk for death is elusive and the decision to initiate V-A-ECMO is based on clinical judgment. The prognostic impact of pre-V-A-ECMO arterial lactate level in these critically ill patients has been herein evaluated. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted to identify studies on postcardiotomy VA-ECMO for the present individual patient data meta-analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 1269 patients selected from 10 studies were included in this analysis. Arterial lactate level at V-A-ECMO initiation was increased in patients who died during the index hospitalization compared to those who survived (9.3 vs 6.6 mmol/L, p < 0.0001). Accordingly, in hospital mortality increased along quintiles of pre-V-A-ECMO arterial lactate level (quintiles: 1, 54.9%; 2, 54.9%; 3, 67.3%; 4, 74.2%; 5, 82.2%, p < 0.0001). The best cut-off for arterial lactate was 6.8 mmol/L (in-hospital mortality, 76.7% vs. 55.7%, p < 0.0001). Multivariable multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression model including arterial lactate level significantly increased the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (0.731, 95% CI 0.702-0.760 vs 0.679, 95% CI 0.648-0.711, DeLong test p < 0.0001). Classification and regression tree analysis showed the in-hospital mortality was 85.2% in patients aged more than 70 years with pre-V-A-ECMO arterial lactate level ≥6.8 mmol/L. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients requiring postcardiotomy V-A-ECMO, hyperlactatemia was associated with a marked increase of in-hospital mortality. Arterial lactate may be useful in guiding the decision-making process and the timing of initiation of postcardiotomy V-A-ECMO.

Revascularization of Occluded Right Coronary Artery and Outcome After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the results of isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with or without revascularization of the occluded right coronary artery (RCA). METHODS: Patients undergoing isolated CABG were included in a prospective European multicenter registry. Outcomes were adjusted for imbalance in preoperative variables with propensity score matching analysis. Late outcomes were evaluated with Kaplan-Meier's method and competing risk analysis. RESULTS: Out of 2,948 included in this registry, 724 patients had a total occlusion of the RCA and were the subjects of this analysis. Occluded RCA was not revascularized in 251 (34.7%) patients with significant variability between centers. Among 245 propensity score-matched pairs, patients with and without revascularization of occluded RCA had similar early outcomes. The nonrevascularized RCA group had increased rates of 5-year all-cause mortality (17.7 vs. 11.7%, p = 0.039) compared with patients who had their RCA revascularized. The rates of myocardial infarction and repeat revascularization were only numerically increased but contributed to a significantly higher rate of MACCE (24.7 vs. 15.7%, p = 0.020) at 5 year among patients with nonrevascularized RCA. CONCLUSION: In this multicenter study, one-third of totally occluded RCAs was not revascularized during isolated CABG for multivessel coronary artery disease. Failure to revascularize an occluded RCA in these patients increased the risk of all-cause mortality and MACCEs at 5 years.

Routine use of percutaneous femoral cannulation in minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Large series of percutaneous femoral access for extracorporeal circulation in minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) are scarcely reported. METHODS: This is a single-centre study describing the use of percutaneous femoral access in patients undergoing MICS via minithoracotomy. Femoral artery closure was performed with a plug-based closure device. To reduce the risk for vascular complications, intraoperative ultrasound assessment of correct deployment of the arterial closure device was done during the later period of the study. RESULTS: During a 5-year period, 650 patients underwent percutaneous femoral cannulation and decannulation with device closure of the femoral artery puncture. Two hundred and seven patients (31.8%) were operated in the early phase of the experience (August 2017-August 2019), without the use of intraoperative ultrasound assessment of closure device deployment. During the later period of our experience (August 2019-September 2022), 443 patients (68.2%) were operated, of whom all underwent intraoperative ultrasound assessment of closure device deployment. Of the patients operated without intraoperative ultrasound assessment, 6 patients (2.9%) experienced vascular complications compared with none of the patients in whom intraoperative ultrasound-assessment was used (P < 0.001). In total, 15 patients (2.3%) underwent conversion to surgical cutdown owing to incomplete haemostasis or femoral artery stenosis/occlusion and the mechanism was intravascular deployment of the closure device in all 15 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous femoral access in MICS is safe and the need for surgical cutdown was infrequent. The risk for vascular complications is minimized with the use of intraoperative ultrasound assessment of the correct positioning of the vascular closure device. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT05462769.

Reducing cardiac tamponade caused by temporary pacemaker perforation in transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac tamponade caused by temporary right ventricular (RV) pacemaker perforation is a rare but serious complication in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). AIMS: To study the incidence of temporary pacemaker related cardiac tamponade in TAVR, and the relation to the type of pacemaker lead used in periprocedural temporary transvenous pacing. METHODS: A single center registry of transfemoral TAVRs in 2014-2020. Main inclusion criterion was peri-operative use of a temporary RV pacing lead. Main exclusion criteria were a preoperatively implanted permanent pacemaker or the exclusive use of left ventricular guidewire pacing. Incident cardiac tamponade was classified as pacemaker lead related, or other. Patients were grouped according to type of temporary RV pacing wire. RESULTS: 810 patients were included (age 80.5 ± 7.3 [mean ± standard deviation], female 319, 39.4%). Of these, 566 (69.9%) received a standard RV temporary pacing wire (RV-TPW), and 244 (30.1%) received temporary RV pacing through a permanent, passive pacemaker lead (RV-TPPL). In total, 18 (2.2%) events of cardiac tamponade occurred, 12 (67%) were pacemaker lead related. All pacemaker lead-related cardiac tamponades occurred in the group who received a standard RV-TPW and none in the group who received RV-TPPL (n = 12 [2.1%] vs. n = 0 [0%], p = 0.022). No difference in cardiac tamponade due to other causes was seen between the groups (p = 0.82). CONCLUSIONS: The use of soft-tip RV-TPPL was associated with a lower risk of pacemaker related cardiac tamponade in TAVR. When perioperative pacing is indicated, temporary RV-TPPL may contribute to a significant reduction of cardiac tamponade in TAVR.

Effect of COVID-19 on cardiac surgery volumes in Sweden.

Objectives. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which commenced in 2020, is known to frequently cause respiratory failure requiring intensive care, with occasional fatal outcomes. In this study, we aimed to conduct a retrospective nationwide observational study on the influence of the pandemic on cardiac surgery volumes in Sweden. Results. In 2020, 9.4% (n = 539) fewer patients underwent open-heart operations in Sweden (n = 5169) than during 2019 (n = 5708), followed by a 5.8% (n = 302) increase during 2021 (n = 5471). The reduction was greater than 15% in three of the eight hospitals in Sweden performing open-heart operations. Compared to 2019, in 2020, the waiting times for surgery were longer, and the patients were slightly younger, had better renal function, and a lower European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation; moreover, few patients had a history of myocardial infarction. However, more patients had insulin-treated diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, reduced left ventricular function, and elevated pulmonary artery pressure. Urgent procedures were more common, but acute surgery was less common in 2020 than in 2019. Early mortality and postoperative complications were low and did not differ during the three years. Conclusion. The 9.4% decrease in the number of heart surgeries performed in Sweden during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, compared to 2019, partially recovered during 2021; however, there was no backlog of patients awaiting heart surgery.