Incidence and causes of silent and symptomatic stroke following surgical and transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a comprehensive review.

Stroke associated with aortic valve replacement in calcific aortic stenosis, either via transcatheter implantation (TAVR) or via surgical replacement (SAVR), is one of the most devastating complications. However, data concerning the clinical impact and incidence of clinical and silent stroke complicating SAVR and TAVR are varying. This comprehensive review of the literature explores the genuine incidence of neurological events after these procedures. Additionally, potential factors responsible for the discrepancies in stroke rates in the current literature are analysed and a lack of uniform neurological definitions and standardized neurological assessments revealed. Current stroke rates after TAVR show a decline from 7 to 1.7-4.8% in recent studies. Randomized studies comparing TAVR with SAVR yielded initially a significantly higher stroke rate after TAVR procedures as opposed to SAVR. Recently published data showed opposite results with strokes being higher following SAVR. Current data concerning stroke after surgical valve replacement report significantly higher rates of clinical strokes (17%) than previously mentioned in the literature (≤4.9%). Silent cerebral lesions were detected in 68-93% after TAVR and 38-54% after SAVR. A broader application of cerebral protection devices may help to reduce embolic cerebral events.

Unexpected results after sternal reconstruction with plates, cables and cannulated screws.

OBJECTIVES: During the last decade, various plate fixation systems have been developed for the treatment of complicated sternal dehiscence after open-heart surgery. One of them is the Modular Sternal Cable System© (MSCS), which promises optimal distribution of forces along the whole sternum by using plates, cannulated screws and cables. However, in comparison with other systems, there is a lack of outcome data. METHODS: Sternal reconstruction with the MSCS was performed in 11 patients (male n = 10, age 72.0 ± 7.3 years) with complicated sternal dehiscence following cardiac surgery, and 73% of them had a history of sternal infection. Sternal reconstruction included bilateral longitudinal plating and thoracic re-closure with 4-9 cables. Patients received postoperative examination, focusing on sternal wound conditions and clinical stability. If there was any suspicion of recurrent wound infection, computed tomographic scans were done in the early postoperative period or in the long term, in order to evaluate bony consolidation and integrity of osteosynthetic material. RESULTS: The mean operation time was 165 ± 59 min, the mean intubation time 4.7 ± 5.3 min and the mean intensive care unit length of stay was 1 day (median) (range 1-23 days), with a total hospital stay of 9 days (median) (range 5-64 days). Operative mortality was 0%. One patient died on the 65th postoperative day of a non-MSCS-related cause. Sternal wound infection occurred in 6 patients (54.5%) and made hardware removal necessary in 5 of them early postoperatively (median 14 days) and in 1 patient late postoperatively (1058 days). In another patient, material was removed 715 days after MSCS application due to persisting sternal pain. CONCLUSIONS: A high incidence of postoperative wound infections was observed after implantation of the MSCS. It may be speculated that hardware design (e.g. the absence of a locking system, large screws) compromises osseous microcirculation, favouring the development of infection. This should be kept in mind for further development of sternal reconstruction systems.