Risk stratification by systemic manifestations secondary to hemodynamic disorders of patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a prevalent disease that triggers systemic pathological changes including cardiac, respiratory, hepatic and digestive, hematopoietic, renal and skin issues. The burden of extra-cardiac manifestations has not been well described in TR patients and the clinical impact is unknown. METHODS: Patients with severe or more-than-severe TR during hospitalization, who did not have any previous cardiac procedures, hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease or concomitant severe aortic or mitral valve disease, were retrospectively analyzed. Pre-specified criteria and diagnosis of baseline characteristics were used to evaluate the presence of extra-cardiac manifestations secondary to TR after excluding comorbidities that may also lead to corresponding abnormalities. Extra-cardiac involvements encompass respiratory, hepatic and, digestive, renal, hematopoietic and dermatic system. Staging criteria are defined as no extra-cardiac system involvement in Stage 1, one in Stage 2, at least two extra-cardiac involvements in Stage 3 and any end-stage organ failure in Stage 4. A telephone follow-up was conducted to record the composite endpoint namely all-cause death or cardiac rehospitalization after the index hospitalization. RESULTS: A total of 258 patients were identified with a median age of 73 (interquartile range [IQR]: 62-83) years and 52.3% were female. Severe TR and more-than-severe TR patients accounted for 92.6% and 7.4% of the cohort. There were 20.5%, 27.5%, 37.6% and 14.3% of patients from Stage 1 to 4 respectively. The follow-up time was at a median of 251 (IQR: 183-324) days. TR Patients in Stage 3&4 were at an increased risk with borderline statistical significance to experience the composite endpoint compared to patients in Stage 1&2 (odds ratio [OR] 1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0 to 3.7, P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of patients with at least severe TR presented with two or more extra-cardiac systemic manifestations, which may incur a 1.9-fold higher risk of all-cause death or cardiac rehospitalization than TR patients with one or less extra-cardiac involvement.

Transjugular Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Implantation of LuX-Valve Bioprosthesis in a Preclinical Model.

The purpose of this preclinical study in a sheep model was to confirm the feasibility and safety of the LuX-Valve transjugular tricuspid valve (TV) replacement apparatus and to optimize the implantation procedure before beginning first-in-man study. The LuX-Valve was implanted in a sheep model (n = 8) via transjugular approach. Six of eight sheep underwent successful implantation procedure on beating heart. The first two sheep died during the prostheses deployment. In the remaining 6 sheep that survived, postoperative echocardiography results showed there was no paravalvular leakage (PVL) and central tricuspid regurgitation in 5 animals, whereas 1 animal had mild PVL. The mean transvalvular gradient was 1.1 ± 0.9 mm Hg at the 4-week follow-up. No right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction, device malposition, pericardial effusion, coronary artery compression, or arrhythmias were observed. This technology may be a promising alternative for TR patients who are at high risk for open-heart surgery. Transjugular tricuspid valved-stent implantation. a Transjugular tricuspid valve replacement in a sheep model. b and c Valved stent. d, e, and f Schematic depiction of the implantation procedure.

Pulmonary and tricuspid regurgitation after Tetralogy of Fallot repair: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is one of the most common congenital heart defects, and surgery is the primary treatment. There are no precise guidelines on the treatment protocol for tricuspid regurgitation (TR) as a common complication of TOF repair. The timing for treatment in patients presenting with valve regurgitation after TOF repair is often difficult to determine. Here, we report the first case of sequential treatment of pulmonary and TR using interventional therapy. CASE SUMMARY: We present the case of a 52-year-old female patient, who had a history of TOF repair at a young age. A few years later, the patient presented with pulmonary and tricuspid regurgitation. The symptoms persisted and TR worsened following percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation. Preoperative testing revealed that the patient's disease had advanced to an intermediate to advanced stage and that her general health was precarious. Because open-heart surgery was not an option for the patient, transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement was suggested. This procedure was successful, and the patient recovered fully without any adverse effects. This case report may serve as a useful resource for planning future treatments. CONCLUSION: Treatment of both valves should be considered in patients with tricuspid and pulmonary regurgitations following TOF repair. The interventional strategy could be an alternative for patients with poor general health.

Injectable conductive hydrogel can reduce pacing threshold and enhance efficacy of cardiac pacemaker.

Background: Pacemaker implantation is currently used in patients with symptomatic bradycardia. Since a pacemaker is a lifetime therapeutic device, its energy consumption contributes to battery exhaustion, along with its voltage stimulation resulting in local fibrosis and greater resistance, which are all detrimental to patients. The possible resolution for those clinical issues is an injection of a conductive hydrogel, poly-3-amino-4-methoxybenzoic acid-gelatin (PAMB-G), to reduce the myocardial threshold voltage for pacemaker stimulation. Methods: PAMB-G is synthesized by covalently linking PAMB to gelatin, and its conductivity is measured using two-point resistivity. Rat hearts are injected with gelatin or PAMB-G, and pacing threshold is evaluated using electrocardiogram and cardiac optical mapping. Results: PAMB-G conductivity is 13 times greater than in gelatin. The ex vivo model shows that PAMB-G significantly enhances cardiac tissue stimulation. Injection of PAMB-G into the stimulating electrode location at the myocardium has a 4 times greater reduction of pacing threshold voltage, compared with electrode-only or gelatin-injected tissues. Multi-electrode array mapping reveals that the cardiac conduction velocity of PAMB-G group is significantly faster than the non- or gelatin-injection groups. PAMB-G also reduces pacing threshold voltage in an adenosine-induced atrial-ventricular block rat model. Conclusion: PAMB-G hydrogel reduces cardiac pacing threshold voltage, which is able to enhance pacemaker efficacy.

Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation.

OBJECTIVE: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a common valvular heart disease with unsatisfactory medical therapeutics and high surgical mortality. The present study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) in high-risk patients with severe TR. METHODS: This was a compassionate multicentre study. Between September 2018 and November 2019, 46 patients with TR who were not suitable for surgery received compassionate TTVR under general anaesthesia and the guidance of trans-oesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopy in four institutions. Access to the tricuspid valve was obtained via a minimally invasive thoracotomy and transatrial approach. Patients' data at baseline, before discharge, 30 days and 6 months after the procedure were collected. RESULTS: All patients had severe TR with vena contracta width of 12.6 (11.0, 14.5) mm. Procedural success (97.8%) was achieved in all but one case with right ventricle perforation. The procedural time was 150.0 (118.8, 180.0) min. Intensive care unit time was 2.0 (1.0, 4.0) days. 6-month mortality was 17.4%. Device migration occurred in one patient (2.4%) during follow-up. Transthoracic echocardiography at 6 months after operation showed TR was significantly reduced (none/trivial in 33, mild in 4 and moderate in 1) and the primary safety end point was achieved in 38 cases (82.6%). Patients suffered from peripheral oedema and ascites decreased from 100.0% and 47.8% at baseline to 2.6% and 0.0% at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed TTVR was feasible, safe and with low complication rates in patients with severe TR.

Surgical Outcomes of Stent-Related Type A Dissection Compared with Spontaneous Type A Dissection.

OBJECTIVE: Aortic endovascular stent implantation includes thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), hybrid aortic repair (HAR), and ascending aorta stent implantation (AASI). In this study, we compared the surgical outcomes of stent-related type A dissection (SRTAD) compared with spontaneous type A dissection (STAD). METHODS: From July 2011 to July 2014, we identified 17 SRTAD patients received surgical repair in our institution. Propensity score-matching was used to identify 34 STAD patients as controls. RESULTS: Preoperative data of SRTAD group and STAD group had no statistical difference. Selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) time was longer in SRTAD group than in STAD group (P <0.05). SRTAD group had a longer cross-clamp time compared with STAD group (P <0.05). No intraoperative deaths in two groups. No differences in CPB time and concomitant procedures between two groups. In-hospital mortality was 11.76% (2 of 17) in SRTAD group and 2.9% (1 of 34) in STAD group (P <0.05). No differences were found in intensive care unit (ICU) time, ventilation, paraparesis, and other postoperative complications between SRTAD and STAD groups. No difference was found in survival rate between SRTAD and STAD groups in the postoperative 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: SRTAD patients received surgical repair had a higher in-hospital mortality compared with STAD, but no differences were found in postoperative complications and mid-term outcomes.

Aneurysms in Takayasu's arteritis: a retrospective study of Chinese patients.

OBJECTIVES: Aneurysm formation can cause life-threatening complications in Takayasu's arteritis (TAK). The objective of this study was to evaluate the demographic, clinical and angiographic features, and outcomes of aneurysm secondary to TAK in Chinese patients. METHODS: The medical charts of patients diagnosed with TAK in Changhai Hospital between 2001 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Aneurysms were identified in 66 (16.6%) of 397 patients with TAK. The mean age at onset was 30.4±11.5 years, with a male:female ratio of 1:2.7. Patients with aneurysm had a higher proportion of male (p<0.01), higher incidences of bruit, chest tightness and aortic regurgitation (all p<0.001), and a lower incidence of visual disturbances (p<0.01) as compared with patients without aneurysm. The prevalence of elevated ESR and CRP and ITAS2010 score were higher in patients with than without aneurysm (all p<0.01). Angiographic classification showed that type V (30.3%) was the most frequent pattern in patients with aneurysm though Type I was dominant in patients without aneurysm. Multiple aneurysms were found in 30.3% of patients and the most common site of aneurysms was abdominal aorta (22.1%). Glucocorticoids were prescribed in 86.4% of patients with aneurysm, and surgical procedures were performed in 80.3%. Five of 52 patients died during the median 3-year follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: These findings could provide useful information on the demographical, clinical and angiographic features of TAK patients with aneurysm. Aneurysm formation in TAK may be associated with male gender and active vascular inflammation.

Retrograde Type A Dissection after Ascending Aorta Involved Endovascular Repair and Its Surgical Repair with Stented Elephant Trunk.

BACKGROUND: Retrograde type A dissection (RTAD) is a serious complication after ascending aorta involved endovascular repair (AAIER). We here report our surgical approach to this serious complication. METHODS: From July 2011 to July 2014, 8 RTADs after AAIER patients received surgical repair in our institution. Data of these RTAD patients were retrospectively collected for further analysis. All patients received urgent surgical repair based on the stented elephant trunk technique. We took 2 different ways to handle the previous stent during operation. In patients who had a prior hybrid aortic repair, we removed the proximal part of the stent while the distal part was left in place. In patients who had prior ascending aorta stent implantation (AASI), the stent was totally removed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 57.6 ± 11.9 years. Regarding the index intervention, 2 patients received hybrid aortic repair and 6 patients received AASI. In patients who received AASI, 1 patient underwent simultaneous thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and another patient received simultaneous chimney technique in innominate artery and left common carotid artery combined with bypass from left subclavian artery to left common carotid artery to cure the type I endoleak induced by the previous implanted TEVAR stent. All patients received a new elephant trunk implantation during surgical repair. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass, selective cerebral perfusion, and aortic cross-clamp time were 172.1 ± 13.3, 40.8 ± 4.2, and 121.8 ± 11.4 min, respectively. The mean intensive care unit time was 7.8 ± 3.4 days. Two patients (25.0%) experienced transient neurologic dysfunction and recovered completely before discharge. In-hospital death rate was 12.5% (1 of 8). The mean follow-up time was 17.1 ± 9.5 months. No late deaths or complications occurred during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: AAIER especially AASI used in aortic dissection treatment should be seriously considered since RTAD might occur. Our study indicated that surgical repair with stented elephant trunk was feasible and according to the cause of RTAD, different surgical strategies should be taken to manage the stent.

Inflammation is related to preoperative hypoxemia in patients with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative hypoxemia is a frequent complication of acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). The aim of the present study was to determine which factors were associated with hypoxemia. METHODS: A series of data were collected in a statistical analysis to evaluate preoperative hypoxemia in patients with ATAAD. After retrospectively analyzing data for 172 patients, we identified the risk factors for preoperative hypoxemia. Hypoxemia was defined by an arterial partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) ratio of 200 or lower. Subsequent to identifying the patient population, a prospective study was conducted using ulinastatin as a preoperative intervention. The ulinastatin group received ulinastatin at a total dose of 300,000 units prior to surgery. All the pertinent factors were investigated through univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The factors associated with preoperative hypoxemia in ATAAD comprised the following: body mass index (BMI) ≥25; white blood cell count (WBC) and neutrophil counts; levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, and interleukin-6 (IL-6); ATAAD involving the celiac trunk, renal artery, or mesenteric artery. Logistic regression analysis showed that CRP and IL-6 levels were independent predictive factors. We found that ulinastatin effectively could improve oxygenation, since compared to the control group the oxygenation in the ulinastatin group was significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic inflammatory reactions played a vital role in preoperative hypoxemia after the onset of ATAAD. The oxygenation of the patient could be improved significantly by inhibiting the inflammatory response prior to surgery.

Risk factors of pre-operational aortic rupture in acute and subacute Stanford type A aortic dissection patients.

BACKGROUND: Aortic rupture is one of the main causes of early death in acute and subacute Stanford type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) patients. This study aimed to analyze potential risk factors for pre-operational aortic rupture in ATAAD patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed aortic dissection cases treated between May 2013 and May 2016 in Changhai Hospital, Shanghai. A total of 329 patients with ATAAD were included in the final analysis, and 31 patients died of aortic rupture before surgery. Clinical data on basic characteristics, clinical presentation, and biochemical measurements for all 329 patients were analyzed. RESULTS: The in-hospital aortic rupture rate was 9.4% (31/329), and the rupture accounted for 47% (31/66) of all in-hospital deaths of ATAAD patients. Patients who experienced rupture were significantly older (P<0.001), had lower systolic blood pressure (P=0.040), had more painful manifestation (P<0.001), had more systematic complications [shock (P=0.001), coma (P<0.001), hypoxemia (P=0.006), kidney and liver dysfunctions, and myocardial injury (higher troponin, P=0.009)], and had worse blood coagulability [lower platelet count (P=0.012), longer prothrombin time (P<0.001), and higher D-dimer (P=0.003)]. Multivariable analysis identified the following independent risk factors: shock [odds ratio (OR): 8.12; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10-59.85, P=0.040], pain requiring medication (OR: 12.67; 95% CI, 2.43-66.09; P=0.003), troponin level >0.7 ng/mL (OR: 9.28; 95% CI, 1.72-50.06; P=0.010), and D-dimer level ≥10 µg/mL (OR: 13.37; 95% CI, 2.18-81.97; P=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Aortic rupture accounted for 47% of all in-hospital deaths among patient with ATAAD. Shock, pain requiring medication, a troponin level >0.7 ng/mL and a D-dimer level ≥10 µg/mL are independent risk factors for aortic rupture in these patients.

Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2008 cardiac risk models predict in-hospital mortality of heart valve surgery in a Chinese population: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2008 cardiac surgery risk models have been developed for heart valve surgery with and without coronary artery bypass grafting. The aim of our study was to evaluate the performance of Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2008 cardiac risk models in Chinese patients undergoing single valve surgery and the predicted mortality rates of those undergoing multiple valve surgery derived from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2008 risk models. METHODS: A total of 12,170 patients underwent heart valve surgery from January 2008 to December 2011. Combined congenital heart surgery and aortal surgery cases were excluded. A relatively small number of valve surgery combinations were excluded. The final research population included the following isolated heart valve surgery types: aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, and mitral valve repair. The following combined valve surgery types were included: mitral valve replacement plus tricuspid valve repair, mitral valve replacement plus aortic valve replacement, and mitral valve replacement plus aortic valve replacement and tricuspid valve repair. Evaluation was performed by using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and C-statistics. RESULTS: Data from 9846 patients were analyzed. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2008 cardiac risk models showed reasonable discrimination and poor calibration (C-statistic, 0.712; P = .00006 in Hosmer-Lemeshow test). Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2008 models had better discrimination (C-statistic, 0.734) and calibration (P = .5805) in patients undergoing isolated valve surgery than in patients undergoing multiple valve surgery (C-statistic, 0.694; P = .00002 in Hosmer-Lemeshow test). Estimates derived from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2008 models exceeded the mortality rates of multiple valve surgery (observed/expected ratios of 1.44 for multiple valve surgery and 1.17 for single valve surgery). CONCLUSIONS: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2008 cardiac surgery risk models performed well when predicting the mortality for Chinese patients undergoing valve surgery. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2008 models were suitable for single valve surgery in a Chinese population; estimates of mortality for multiple valve surgery derived from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2008 models were less accurate.

The use of intra-aortic balloon pump in patients undergoing heart valve replacement: outcome and risk analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in heart valve surgical patients is associated with a higher mortality than coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The study aim was to analyze the early outcome of heart valve surgical patients requiring IABP support, and to assess the risk factors for early mortality. METHODS: Among a cohort of 5,786 patients undergoing heart valve replacement without CABG, 81 (1.4%) required IABP support. Data from these latter patients were collected and analyzed retrospectively, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression were applied to identify risk factors for early mortality in patients requiring IABP support. RESULTS: IABP was inserted in 30 patients intraoperatively, and in 51 patients postoperatively. The overall mortality was 50.6%. Mortality in the intraoperative IABP subgroup was significantly lower than in the postoperative IABP subgroup (26.7% versus 64.7%, p = 0.001). The independent risk factors for early mortality were: age increasing by 10 years (OR 1.906, 95% CI: 1.165-3.116, p = 0.010) and pulmonary hypertension (OR 4.153, 95% CI: 1.380-12.499, p = 0.011). Intraoperative IABP insertion (OR 0.297, 95% CI: 0.100-0.876, p = 0.028) was identified as a protective factor compared to postoperative insertion. CONCLUSION: The mortality of patients requiring IABP support after heart valve replacement was high. The efficacy of intraoperative IABP insertion was better than a postoperative mandatory use. Clearly, more attention should be paid to older patients or those with pulmonary hypertension, who may benefit less from IABP.

Reinforced aortic root reconstruction for acute type A aortic dissection involving the aortic root.

OBJECTIVE: There are debates regarding the optimal approach for AAAD involving the aortic root. We described a modified reinforced aortic root reconstruction approach for treating AAAD involving the aortic root. METHODS: A total of 161 patients with AAAD involving the aortic root were treated by our modified reinforced aortic root reconstruction approach from January 1998 to December 2008. Key features of our modified approach were placement of an autologous pericardial patch in the false lumen, lining of the sinotubular junction lumen with a polyester vascular ring, and wrapping of the vessel with Teflon strips. Outcome measures included post-operative mortality, survival, complications, and level of aortic regurgitation. RESULTS: A total of 161 patients were included in the study (mean age: 43.3 1 15.5 years). The mean duration of follow-up was 5.1 1 2.96 years (2-12 years). A total of 10 (6.2%) and 11 (6.8%) patients died during hospitalization and during follow-up, respectively. Thirty-one (19.3%) patients experienced postoperative complications. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 99.3%, 98%, 93.8%, and 75.5%, respectively. There were no instances of recurrent aortic dissection, aortic aneurysm, or pseudoaneurysm during the entire study period. The severity of aortic regurgitation dramatically decreased immediately after surgery (from 28.6% to 0% grade 3-4) and thereafter slightly increased (from 0% to 7.2% at 5 years and 9.1% at 10 years). CONCLUSION: This modified reinforced aortic root reconstruction was feasible, safe and durable/effective, as indicated by its low mortality, low postoperative complications and high survival rate.

Reinforced aortic root reconstruction for acute type A aortic dissection involving the aortic root / Reconstrução da raiz da aorta reforçada para dissecção aguda da aorta tipo A envolvendo a raiz da aórtica

OBJECTIVE: There are debates regarding the optimal approach for AAAD involving the aortic root. We described a modified reinforced aortic root reconstruction approach for treating AAAD involving the aortic root. METHODS: A total of 161 patients with AAAD involving the aortic root were treated by our modified reinforced aortic root reconstruction approach from January 1998 to December 2008. Key features of our modified approach were placement of an autologous pericardial patch in the false lumen, lining of the sinotubular junction lumen with a polyester vascular ring, and wrapping of the vessel with Teflon strips. Outcome measures included post-operative mortality, survival, complications, and level of aortic regurgitation. RESULTS: A total of 161 patients were included in the study (mean age: 43.3 1 15.5 years). The mean duration of follow-up was 5.1 1 2.96 years (2-12 years). A total of 10 (6.2%) and 11 (6.8%) patients died during hospitalization and during follow-up, respectively. Thirty-one (19.3%) patients experienced postoperative complications. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 99.3%, 98%, 93.8%, and 75.5%, respectively. There were no instances of recurrent aortic dissection, aortic aneurysm, or pseudoaneurysm during the entire study period. The severity of aortic regurgitation dramatically decreased immediately after surgery (from 28.6% to 0% grade 3-4) and thereafter slightly increased (from 0% to 7.2% at 5 years and 9.1% at 10 years). CONCLUSION: This modified reinforced aortic root reconstruction was feasible, safe and durable/effective, as indicated by its low mortality, low postoperative complications and high survival rate.

OBJETIVO: Há um debate sobre a melhor abordagem para dissecção aguda da aorta tipo A (DAAA) envolvendo a raiz da aorta. Nós descrevemos abordagem aórtica reforçada modificada de reconstrução de raiz para o tratamento DAAA envolvendo a raiz da aorta. MÉTODOS: Um total de 161 pacientes com DAAA envolvendo a raiz da aorta foram tratados pelo nosso abordagem reforçada modificada da reconstrução da raiz da aorta de janeiro de 1998 a dezembro de 2008. As características-chave da nossa abordagem modificada foram a colocação de um remendo de pericárdio autólogo na falsa luz, forro do lúmen supravalvar com um anel vascular, poliéster e envolvimento dos vasos com tiras de teflon. A avaliação pós-operatória incluiu mortalidade, sobrevivência, complicações, e grau de insuficiência aórtica. RESULTADOS: Um total de 161 pacientes foram incluídos no estudo (média de idade: 43,3 1 15,5 anos). A duração média de acompanhamento foi de 5,1 1 2,96 anos (2-12 anos). Um total de 10 (6,2%) e 11 (6,8%) pacientes morreram durante a internação e durante o acompanhamento, respectivamente. Trinta e um (19,3%) pacientes apresentaram complicações pós-operatórias. A 1 -, 3 -, 5 -, e as taxas de sobrevivência de 10 anos foram 99,3%, 98%, 93,8% e 75,5%, respectivamente. Não houve casos de dissecção aórtica recorrente, aneurisma ou pseudoaneurisma da aorta durante o período de estudo. A gravidade da regurgitação aórtica diminuiu drasticamente logo após a cirurgia (de 28,6% para grau 0 de 3-4%) e, posteriormente, teve ligeiro aumento (de 0% a 7,2% em 5 anos e de 9,1% aos 10 anos). CONCLUSÃO: A reconstrução da raiz da aorta reforçada modificada é viável, segura e durável/eficaz, como indicado pelas baixas mortalidade e complicações pós-operatórias e taxa de sobrevivência elevada.

Comparison of six risk scores for in-hospital mortality in Chinese patients undergoing heart valve surgery.

BACKGROUND: To compare six risk scores with regard to their validity to predict in-hospital mortality after heart valve surgery in a single-centre patient population of China. METHODS: From January 2006 to December 2011, 3479 consecutive patients who underwent heart valve surgery at our centre were collected and scored according to the EuroSCORE II, VA risk score, NNE risk score, Ambler risk score, NYC risk score, and STS risk score. Calibration of the six risk scores was assessed by the Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) test. Discrimination was tested by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: Observed mortality was 3.32% overall. The STS score showed good calibration in predicting in-hospital mortality (H-L: P = 0.126). The EuroSCORE II, VA score, NNE score, and NYC score underpredicted observed mortality (H-L: P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, P = 0.001, and P < 0.0001, respectively) and the Ambler score overpredicted observed mortality (H-L: P = 0.005). The discriminative power (i.e. the area under the ROC curve) for in-hospital mortality was highest for the STS score (0.706), followed by the EuroSCORE II model (0.693), NNE score (0.684), NYC score (0.682), Ambler score (0.677) and VA score (0.643). CONCLUSION: Compared with the EuroSCORE II, VA score, NNE score, NYC score, and the Ambler score, the STS score gives an accurate prediction for individual operative risk in patients undergoing heart valve surgery at our centre. Therefore, the use of the STS score for risk evaluation maybe suitable in patients undergoing heart valve surgery at our centre in the future.

Validation of EuroSCORE II in Chinese patients undergoing heart valve surgery.

BACKGROUND: To assess the performance of the The European System for Cardiac Operative. Risk Evaluation II (EuroSCORE II) in Chinese patients undergoing heart valve surgery at our centre. METHODS: From January 2006 to December 2011, 3479 consecutive patients who underwent heart valve surgery at our centre were collected and scored according to the original EuroSCORE and EuroSCORE II models. All patients were divided into single valve surgery and multiple valve surgery subgroups. The entire cohort and each subgroup were analysed. Calibration of the original EuroSCORE and EuroSCORE II models was assessed by the Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) test. Discrimination was tested by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: Observed mortality was 3.32% overall, compared to expected mortality 3.84% for the original additive EuroSCORE (H-L: P = 0.013), 3.33% for the original logistic EuroSCORE (H-L: P = 0.08), and 2.52% for the EuroSCORE II (H-L: P < 0.0001). The EuroSCORE II model showed good calibration in predicting in-hospital mortality for patients undergoing single valve surgery (H-L: P = 0.103) and poor calibration for patients undergoing multiple valve surgery (H-L: P < 0.0001). The discriminative power of the original EuroSCORE model (area under the ROC curve of 0.684 and 0.673 for the additive and logistic model, respectively) and EuroSCORE II model (area under the ROC curve of 0.685) for the entire cohort was poor. The discriminative power of the EuroSCORE II model was good for the single valve surgery group (area under the ROC curve of 0.792) and was poor for the multiple valve surgery group (area under the ROC curve of 0.605). CONCLUSION: The EuroSCORE II model gives an accurate prediction for individual operative risk in patients undergoing single valve surgery but an imprecise prediction in patients undergoing multiple valve surgery at our centre. Therefore, the use of the EuroSCORE II model for risk evaluation may be suitable in patients undergoing single valve surgery, and the creation of a new model which accurately predicts outcomes in patients undergoing multiple valve surgery is possibly required at our centre in the future.

Impact of preoperative atrial fibrillation on mortality and cardiovascular outcomes of mechanical mitral valve replacement for rheumatic mitral valve disease.

OBJECTIVES: The prognostic significance of preoperative atrial fibrillation on mitral valve replacement remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of the presence of preoperative atrial fibrillation on mortality and cardiovascular outcomes of mitral valve replacement for rheumatic valve disease. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on a total of 793 patients who underwent mitral valve replacement with or without tricuspid valve repair in our hospital. The patients selected were divided into two groups according to preoperative rhythm status. Patients with preoperative atrial fibrillation were assigned to the AF group, while patients in preoperative sinus rhythm were assigned to the SR group. Postoperative follow-up was performed by outpatient visits, as well as by telephone and written correspondence. Data gathered included survivorship, postoperative complications, left ventricular function and tricuspid regurgitation. RESULTS: For patients with atrial fibrillation vs those in sinus rhythm, there was no difference in postoperative mortality and morbidity. Follow-up was a mean of 8.6 ± 2.4 years. For patients with preoperative atrial fibrillation, 10-year survival from a Kaplan-Meier curve was 88.7%, compared with 96.6% in patients with preoperative sinus rhythm (P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis identified low left ventricular ejection fraction, older age, large left atrium and preoperative atrial fibrillation as significant adverse predictors for overall survival. Freedom from thromboembolism complications at 13 years was lower for patients with preoperative atrial fibrillation without maze procedure and left atrial appendage ligation, compared with that for patients with preoperative sinus rhythm without maze procedure and left atrial appendage ligation, and patients with concomitant maze procedure and left atrial appendage ligation (76.3 vs 94.8 vs 94.0%, respectively; P = 0.001). On echocardiography, the proportion of patients with significant tricuspid regurgitation was 38.7% (atrial fibrillation patients) vs 25.4% (patients in sinus rhythm; P < 0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction measured 5 years after surgery increased by an average of 1.2% in the AF group, while it increased by 5.3% in the SR group (P = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative atrial fibrillation is a risk factor for long-term mortality, thromboembolism complications and tricuspid regurgitation, and it also has an adverse effect on the degree of improvement when considering left ventricular function.

A local risk prediction model for prolonged ventilation after adult heart valve surgery in a Chinese single center.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to develop a logistic risk prediction model for prolonged ventilation after adult heart valve surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study of collected data on 3965 consecutive patients older than 18 years, who had undergone heart valve surgery between January 2000 and December 2010. Data were randomly split into a development dataset (n = 2400) and a validation dataset (n = 1565). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was undertaken using the development dataset to identify independent risk factors for prolonged ventilation (defined as ventilation greater than 72 h). Performance of the model was then assessed by observed and expected rates of prolonged ventilation on the development and validation dataset. Model calibration and discriminatory ability were analyzed by the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, respectively. RESULTS: There were 303 patients that required prolonged ventilation (7.6%). Preoperative independent predictors of prolonged ventilation are shown with odds ratio and P value as follows: (1) age, 1.9, P < .0001; (2) hypercholesterolemia, 5.3, P = .001; (3) renal failure, 18.2, P = .004; (4) previous cardiac surgery, 2.4, P = .0002; (5) left bundle branch block, 4.2, P = .011; (6) ejection fraction, 1.4, P = .003; (7) left ventricle weight, 1.5, P = .007; (8) New York Heart Association class III-IV, 1.8, P = .021; (9) critical preoperative state, 4.5, P < .0001; (10) tricuspid insufficiency, 1.2, P = .031; (11) concurrent CABG, 2.2, P = .019; and (12) concurrent other cardiac surgery, 2.1, P = .001. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic was not statistically significant in both development and validation dataset (P = .202 vs P = .291). The ROC curve for the prediction of prolonged ventilation in development and validation dataset was .789 and .710, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We developed and validated a local risk prediction model for prolonged ventilation after adult heart valve surgery. This model can be used to calculate patient-specific risk by the logistic equation with an equivalent predicted risk at our center in future clinical practice.