New Oral Anticoagulants Versus Warfarin in Atrial Fibrillation After Early Postoperative Period in Patients With Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of novel nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) to prevent stroke is well assessed, but NOACs use in AF that occurs after bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement (AVR) is not endorsed. This retrospective real-world study evaluated the efficacy and safety of NOACs prescribed no earlier than 4 months after AVR as an alternative to warfarin in patients with AF. METHODS: We pooled 1032 patients from the databases of 5 centers. Ischemic/embolic events and major bleeding rates were compared between 340 patients assuming NOACs and 692 prescribed warfarin. Propensity score matching was performed to avoid the bias between groups. RESULTS: The NOACs vs warfarin embolic/ischemic rate was 13.5% (46 of 340) vs 22.7% (157 of 692), respectively, (hazard ratio [HR], 0.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37-0.75; P < .001), and the incidence rate was 3.7% vs 6.9% patients/year, respectively (log-rank test P = .009). The major bleeding rate was 7.3% (25 of 340) vs 13% (90 of 692) (HR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.33-0.84; P = .007), and the incidence rate was 2% vs 4% patients/year (log-rank test P = .002.) After propensity score matching, the NOACs vs warfarin embolic/ischemic rate was 13.1% (42 of 321) vs 21.8% (70 of 321) (HR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4-0.9; P = .02), and the incidence rate was 4.1% vs 6.7% patients/year (log rank test P = .01). The major bleeding rate was 7.8% (25 of /321) vs 13.7% (44 of 321) (HR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.31-0.86; P = .01), and the incidence rate was 2.4% vs 4.2% patients/year (log-rank P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: In a real-word study, NOACs use overcomes the indications provided by guidelines. This study evidenced that NOACs use in patients who developed AF after bioprosthetic AVR was more effective in prevention of thromboembolism and safe in reduction of major bleeding events compared with warfarin.

Status of coronary disease and results from early endovascular aneurysm repair after preventive percutaneous coronary revascularization.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is high in patients with an aortic aneurysm but preoperative routine coronary angiography and preventive coronary revascularization are not recommended to reduce cardiac events in patients with severe CAD. AIM: This study evaluated the safeness and efficacy of preventive percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with severe CAD scheduled for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: All patients with descending thoracic aneurysm (DTA) or abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) scheduled for EVAR underwent preliminary coronary angiography. Based on coronary angiography results, 917 patients (40.7%) had significant CAD and were treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; CAD group) and 1337 patients (59.3%) were without or with mild/moderate CAD and were considered as controls (no-CAD group). To evaluate the safeness and efficacy of preventive PCI in patients with severe CAD undergoing EVAR, groups were compared for hospital and 12-month cardiac adverse events. RESULTS: CAD was present in 1210 patients (53.6%): significant in 917 patients (38%) and mild to moderate in 293 patients (5.3%). Hospital and 12-month cardiac events occurred in 15 (1.6%) and 13 (1.4%) CAD group patients and in 9 (0.7%) and 8 (0.4%) no-CAD group patients (p = .05 and p = .08), respectively. Hospital and 12-month cardiac deaths occurred in 3 (0.3%) and 2 (0.2%) CAD group patients and in 3 (0.2%) and 2 (0.2%) no-CAD group patients (p = .9 and p = .9), respectively. CONCLUSION: The strategy to treat severe CAD preoperatively by PCI and early subsequent EVAR brings a similar outcome to that in patients without or with mild/moderate CAD.

Pericardial effusion after pediatric cardiac surgery: A single-center study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pericardial effusion (pPE) still remains a frequent complication after congenital heart surgery and it usually leads to an increased morbidity and re-hospitalization rate. There are only few published papers about pPE clinical course or large randomized studies that analyze its prevalence or preoperative risk factors. In this regard, we report a single-center 10-years retrospective analysis of prevalence, outcomes and risk factors of postoperative pericardial effusion after congenital heart surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out on 624 patients who underwent congenital heart surgery from January 2010 to December 2019. Study population was divided in two groups basing of the presence of pPE during the first 30 days after the surgery and their perioperative data were compared. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to find possible risk factors for pPE developing. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients were enrolled in pPE group and 530 in ¬ pPE group. Pericardial effusion was assessed as "mild" in 57 patients (60,6%), as "moderate" in 25 (26,6%), and as "severe" in 12 patients (12,8%). Total correction of Tetralogy of Fallot/Pulmonary atresia seems to be associated with a higher prevalence of pPE in the "Infant" subgroup, while atrial septal defect showed to be a risk factor among "Toddler". In addition, pPE was proved to be much more frequent in Fontan patients in all studied subgroups. Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that total drain amount, Fontan procedure, postoperative Warfarin therapy, Redo-operations and surgical correction of Tetralogy of Fallot/Pulmonary atresia seem to be risk factors for pPE. Postoperative pericardial effusion was diagnosed between the 4th and the 28th postoperative day but in 88,3% of the cases (83/94) it occurred before the 14th day after the operation. In 58 patients, pPE was clinically silent. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative pericardial effusion was detected in 88.3% of cases within the first 14 days after the operation. About 69% of these patients were asymptomatic therefore it suggests that routinely echocardiogram after intensive care unit discharge could be a useful tool to screen clinically silent pPE at an early stage, especially in high-risk or unstable patients.

Safety of aortic aneurysm repair 8 weeks after percutaneous coronary intervention for coronary artery disease: a cohort study.

Guidelines advice against dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) discontinuation less than 12 months after percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents (DES-PCI). However, any delay of necessary surgery in patients with descending thoracic (DTA) or abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), treated by DES-PCI, increases the risk of aneurysm rupture/dissection. We evaluated the safety of 8-week waiting time between DES-PCI and endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). 1152 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) needing elective DTA or AAA repair were enrolled and divided into two groups. Group A included 830 patients treated by DES-PCI for significant CAD who underwent surgery 8 weeks after implantation. Group B included 322 patients treated by DES-PCI at least 6 months before with no residual significant CAD and treated by elective EVAR. Groups were compared according to a composite of death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, cerebrovascular events and bleeding. No aneurysm rupture/dissection occurred while waiting for surgery. Hospital averse events occurred in 6.2% (52/830) group A patients versus 6.5% (21/322) group B patients (p = 0.8). Mortality was 0.7% (6/830) in group A and 0.9% (3/322) in group B (p = 0.7). Multivariate predictors of events were triple vessel DES-PCI (p < 0.001), > 3 stents implanted (p < 0.001), early-generation stents (p < 0.001), diabetes insulin requiring (p = 0.01), stent diameter < 3.0 mm (p = 0.009) and total stented length > 30 mm (p = 0.02). Eight weeks of waiting after DES-PCI in addition to an adequate management of DAPT were safe in terms of cardiac morbidity and bleeding complications. No aneurysm rupture occurred in the interval before surgery.

Aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation express different titin isoforms: Differences and relationships with functional and geometric characteristics.

Background-Titin represents an important biomechanical sensor which determines compliance and diastolic/systolic function of the left ventricle (LV). To assess the different titin-isoform expression and the relationships with functional and geometric patterns, we analyzed titin-isoform expression and cardiomyocytes contractile function in myocardial biopsy samples of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis (AS) and for aortic regurgitation (AR). Method -Specimens, collected from the LV of 35 with AS and 35 with AR undergoing AVR were analyzed for titin-isoform expression and cardiomyocytes force measurement. Ten donor hearts were analyzed as controls for normal values. Results were implemented with preoperative geometry and function assessed by Doppler echocardiography. Results-Compared to controls, N2BA/N2B titin-isoforms ratio was reduced to 0.24 in AS (p < 0.001) but increased to 0.51 in AR (p < 0.001). N2BA/N2B titin-isoforms ratio was further reduced in 8 patients with severe (restrictive) diastolic dysfunction (0.17 ±â€¯0.03, p < 0.001) but was increased in patients with severe systolic dysfunction (0.58 ±â€¯0.07, p < 0.001). As compared to controls, Fpasive was higher in AS (6.7 ±â€¯0.2 vs 4.4 ± 0.4 kN/m2, p < 0.001) but was lower in AR (3.7 ±â€¯0.2 vs 4.4 ±â€¯0.4 kN/m2, p < 0.001). Total force was comparable. Fpassive was significantly higher in AS patients with severe than with moderate LV diastolic dysfunction (7.1 ± 0.5 vs 6.6. ±â€¯0.6, p = 0.004). Conclusions-titin-isoform expression differs in AS and AR as adaptive response to different pathophysiologic scenarios. Co-expressing isoforms at varying ratios results in modulation of the passive mechanical behavior of the LV at different degree of dysfunction and allows for compensative adjustment of the diastolic/systolic properties of the myocardium.

Endovascular Treatment of Distal Aortic Arch Aneurysm Associated with Coarctation of Aorta in a Jehovah's Witness.

Late aneurysm formation in the proximal aorta or distal aortic arch is a recognized sequela of untreated stenosis of the aortic isthmus and is associated with substantial risk of aortic rupture. We describe the case of a 44-year-old man with untreated coarctation of the aorta who presented with a prestenotic dissecting thoracic aortic aneurysm. He declined surgery because he was a Jehovah's Witness. Instead, we performed emergency endovascular aortic repair in which 2 stent-grafts were placed in the descending aorta. Our experience suggests that this procedure is a useful and safe alternative to open surgery in patients who have aneurysms associated with coarctation of the aorta.

Impact of different values of prosthesis-patient mismatch on outcome in male patients with aortic valve replacement.

AIMS: Mortality and left ventricular mass (LVM) recovery/regression after aortic valve replacement in patients with prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) is controversial. This study evaluated the impact of different values of indexed effective orifice area (EOAi) in male patients on mortality and indexed LVM (ILVM) recovery/regression. METHOD: The study recruited 376 male patients with and without PPM after aortic valve replacement with different EOAi cut-off values. RESULTS: At EOAi 0.85 cm/m or less, 295 patients had PPM (78.5%). ILVM recovery occurred in 60.5% of no-PPM patients versus 46.1% of patients with PPM (P = 0.003), and ILVM regression was 35 versus 25% (P < 0.001). Time for ILVM regression was shorter in no-PPM group. At EOAi 0.75 cm/m or less, 201 patients had PPM (53.4%). ILVM recovery occurred in 55.4% of no-PPM patients versus 45.2% of patients with PPM (P = 0.06), regression was 32 versus 29% (P = 0.09). Time for ILVM regression was similar between groups. Regardless the cut-off value for PPM definition, mortality was similar. CONCLUSION: LVM recovery/regression, but not mortality, was different at different EOAi. The cut-off value at EOAi 0.75 cm/m or less guaranteed a more balanced patient distribution between groups and the best compromise between specificity and sensitivity.

Severe prosthesis-patient mismatch after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis: Analysis of risk factors for early and long-term mortality.

BACKGROUND: Severe prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) is considered to further decrease survival compared to moderate PPM. This study aimed to assess the impact of severe PPM on survival after aortic valve replacement (AVR). METHODS: We retrospectively studied 2404 consecutive patients with PPM who underwent first-time AVR for pure stenosis between January 2003 and December 2014. Mismatch was moderate for indexed effective valve orifice >0.65 to <0.85cm2/m2 and severe for indexed effective valve orifice ≤0.65cm2/m2. Moderate mismatch occurred in 2165 patients (89%), and severe in 239 (11%) patients. Logistic multiple regression with bootstrapping and propensity score analyses were performed using 29 clinical and demographic data to assess the risk-adjusted impact of severe mismatch on mortality. The Cox proportional hazards model was constructed to process the long-term outcome. RESULTS: Early mortality was 2.3% (51/2165) in moderate mismatch group and 3.7% (9/239) in severe mismatch group (p=0.2). Mortality at 5 and 10 years, was 218/1470 (14.8%) and 252/585 (43.1%) for moderate mismatch and 43/198 (21.7%) and 61/105 (58.1%) for severe mismatch (p=0.02 and p=0.006). Multivariable predictors of late mortality were as follows: age ≥70 years, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%, indexed left ventricular mass >220g/m2 and concomitant coronary artery revascularization. After propensity score matching, conditional logistic regression analysis demonstrated no relationship between severe mismatch and increased mortality at 5 postoperative years (HR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.7-1.6; p=0.06), whereas it was significant at 10 postoperative years (HR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-2.5; p=0.03). During the follow-up, severe mismatch was associated with more frequent hospital readmissions for cardiac events (0.12 vs. 0.08 events/patient/year, p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with severe mismatch had lower long-term survival and higher incidence of hospital readmissions for cardiac events. However, the effect of severe mismatch on outcome appeared mainly related to the preoperative risk profile of each patient.

Comparison of Left Ventricular Myocardial Structure and Function in Patients with Aortic Stenosis and Those with Pure Aortic Regurgitation.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to support the structural and functional distinction between aortic stenosis (AS) and aortic regurgitation (AR). METHODS: Biopsy specimens taken from 70 selected patients (35 with AS and 35 with AR) undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) were analyzed for their cardiomyocyte dimensions and structure, interstitial fibrosis and contractile function. To determine normal values of contractile function, 10 donor hearts were analyzed. RESULTS: Cardiomyocyte diameter was higher in AS than in AR (22.7 ± 2.2 vs. 13.2 ± 0.7 µm, p < 0.001). Length was higher in AR (121.2 ± 9.4 vs. 95.6 ± 3.7 µm, p < 0.001). Collagen volume fraction was increased in both AS and AR, but was lower in the AS specimens (7.7 ± 2.3 vs. 8.9 ± 2.3, p = 0.01). Myofibril density was reduced in AR (38 ± 4 vs. 48 ± 5%, p < 0.001). Cardiomyocyte diameter and length were closely linked to the relative left ventricular (LV) wall thickness (R2 = 0.85, p < 0.001 and R2 = 0.68, p = 0.003). The cardiomyocytes of AS patients had higher Fpassive (6.6 ± 0.3 vs. 4.6 ± 0.2 kN/m2, p < 0.001), but their total force was comparable. Fpassive was also significantly higher in AS patients with restrictive rather than pseudo-normal LV filling (7.3 ± 0.5 vs. 6.7 ± 0.6, p = 0.004). In AS patients, but not in AR patients, Fpassive showed a significant association with the cardiomyocyte diameter (R2 = 0.88, p < 0.001 vs. R2 = 0.31, p = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: LV myocardial structure and function differ in AS and AR, allowing for compensative adjustment of the diastolic/systolic properties of the myocardium. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Statin pretreatment and risk of in-hospital atrial fibrillation among patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a collaborative meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials.

AIMS: Statin pretreatment in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is understood to prevent postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF). However, this is based on observational and limited randomized trial evidence, resulting in uncertainty about any genuine anti-arrhythmic benefits of these agents in this setting. We therefore aimed to quantify precisely the association between statin pretreatment and postoperative AF among patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: A detailed search of MEDLINE and PubMed databases (1st January 1996 to 31st July 2012) was conducted, followed by a review of the reference lists of published studies and correspondence with trial investigators to obtain individual-participant data for meta-analysis. Evidence was combined across prospective, randomized clinical trials that compared the risk of postoperative AF among individuals randomized to statin pretreatment or placebo/control medication before elective cardiac surgery. Postoperative AF was defined as episodes of AF lasting ≥5 min. Overall, 1105 participants from 11 trials were included; of them, 552 received statin therapy preoperatively. Postoperative AF occurred in 19% of these participants when compared with 36% of those not treated with statins (odds ratio 0.41, 95% confidence interval 0.31-0.54, P < 0.00001, using a random-effects model). Atrial fibrillation prevention by statin pretreatment was consistent across different subgroups. CONCLUSION: Short-term statin pretreatment may reduce the risk of postoperative AF among patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Multiple composite grafts (k, π or double-Y) in coronary artery surgery: a choice or a necessity?

OBJECTIVES: Composite grafts allow complete arterial revascularization with minimal aortic manipulations. The Y-T configuration supplies all distal branches adequately, whereas it is unclear whether complex composite configurations (K, Π or double-Y) are equally at rest or when challenged by maximal requirements. METHODS: Forty-seven patients who underwent off-pump coronary artery revascularization by multiple arterial composite grafts (K, Π or double-Y) were retrospectively evaluated. Indication for this surgical option was porcelain aorta or conduit unavailability. Composite systems were evaluated by intraoperative flow measurements and perioperative transthoracic Doppler ultrasonography, 12 months later also by exercise test, sestamibi scintigraphy at rest and during induced hyperaemia and by 64-slice multidetector CT angiography. RESULTS: A total of 141 distal anastomoses were implanted as composite grafts. Perioperative flow measurements and 12-month Doppler ultrasonography were adequate at rest. At stress test, chest pain and/or induced ECG evidence of ischaemia are found in 16 patients (39%). During dipyridamole-induced hyperaemia, single-photon emission computed tomography image revealed that mean summed stress score was 7.2 ± 5.7, summed difference score 5.3 ± 4.2 and coronary flow reserve 1.7 ± 0.2. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple composite grafts, albeit adequate at rest, were unable to meet flow requirements during maximal hyperaemia. In daily practice, their use must be not a choice but rather a necessity in those patients without alternative options.

First experience with sildenafil after Fontan operation: short-term outcomes.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a retrospective study to determine the effect of oral sildenafil administrated as monotherapy after Fontan operation in single ventricle physiology. METHODS: From January 2008 to March 2012, during two different periods, a total of 30 pediatric patients undergoing Fontan operation by extracardiac conduit were included in this study. Thirteen patients were in the sildenafil group and exclusively treated with sildenafil given at the dose of 0.35 mg/kg through a nasogastric tube and then orally every 4 h, at the start of cardiopulmonary bypass and for the first postoperative week; then we reduced and discontinued the therapy. The other 17 patients were in the control group. No other vasodilator was administered in both groups. We analyzed intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of sildenafil administration. RESULTS: There were no differences in mortality or operative time. The total and relative drainage loss was lower in the sildenafil group (P = 0.0003 and 0.0045). The hemodynamic parameters showed a better condition in the sildenafil group, with a lower mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) (P = 0.0001) and better mPAP to mean systemic blood pressure (mSBP) ratio (P = 0.0043), whereas there was no difference in peripheral oxygen saturation (P = 0.31). The sidenafil group patients showed other additional positive differences as well as lower inotropic score (P = 0.0005) and intubation time (P = 0.0004). No complications related to the use of sildenafil were noted in any of the children studied. CONCLUSION: This initial experience provides evidence that sildenafil may be used in postoperative Fontan operation with positive effectiveness.