Indications and outcomes of second aortic procedures after acute type A dissection repair.

OBJECTIVES: Aortic arch or aortic root replacement is not performed in all cases of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAD), and a second aortic procedure will become necessary over time for some patients. Indications and outcomes, of second aortic procedures have not been studied extensively. METHODS: Characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of all patients undergoing surgical repair for type A acute aortic dissection were analysed and patients needing second aortic procedure during follow-up were identified. The latter group was divided in 2 subgroups: on-pump includes patients operated on using cardiopulmonary bypass and off-pump without cardiopulmonary bypass. RESULTS: A total of 638 patients underwent surgery for ATAD; 8% required a second aortic procedure. The most frequent indication for the second aortic procedure was dehiscence of suture lines (44%), followed by arch dilatation (24%). In-hospital mortality was 12%. Isolated ascending aorta replacement at the first surgery was associated with higher incidence of second aortic procedure (P = 0.006). Most patients in the on-pump group underwent a proximal reoperation (75%), with a mortality rate of 14.2%. In-hospital mortality of patients in the off-pump group was 7.7%. Long-term survival analysis showed no difference between groups (P = 0,526), Off-pump patients have greater likelihood of a second intervention during follow-up (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Extended aortic root surgery and customized aortic arch repair in ATAD could be reasonable to reduce the incidence and mortality of high-risk second aortic procedures.

Midterm outcomes of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery in a heterogeneous valve pathology cohort: respect or resect?

Background: Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIV) through a right lateral thoracotomy has become the standard of care at specialized centers and might soon will be the only acceptable surgical treatment option in the future era of interventional procedures. The aim of our study was to analyze the outcomes of our MIV-specialized, single-center, mixed valve pathology cohort with regard to morbidity, mortality and midterm outcomes comparing two different repair techniques (respect versus resect). Methods: Baseline and operative variables, postoperative outcomes and follow-up information about survival, valve competence and freedom from reoperation were retrospectively collected and analyzed. The repair cohort was divided into three groups (resection, neo-chordae and both) and compared for outcomes. Results: Between July 22nd 2013 and May 31st 2022 a total of 278 consecutive patients underwent MIV. Out of those, we identified 165 eligible patients for the three repair groups: 82 patients (29.5%) had "resection", 66 "neo-chordae" (23.7%) and 17 "both" (6.1%). All preoperative variables were comparable between the groups. The predominant valve pathology of the entire cohort was degenerative disease with 20.5% Barlow's, 20.5% bi-leaflet and 32.4% double segment pathology. Bypass time was 164±47, cross-clamp time 106±36 minutes. All valves planned for repair (85.6%) were successfully repaired except for 13 resulting in a repair rate of 94.5%. Only 1 patient (0.4%) had to be converted to clamshell and 2 (0.7%) needed rethoracotomy for bleeding. Mean intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 1.8 days and hospital stay 10.6±1.3 days. In-hospital mortality was 1.1% and the incidence of stroke (1.8%). All in-hospital outcomes were comparable between the groups. Follow up was complete in 86.2% (n=237) for a mean of 3.7±0.8, up to 9 years. Five-year survival was 92.6% (P=0.5) and freedom from re-intervention 96.5% (P=0.1). All but 10 patients had mitral regurgitation less than grade 2 (95.8%, P=0.2) and all but two had less than New York Heart Association (NYHA) II (99.2%, P=0.1). Conclusions: Despite a heterogeneous cohort with mixed valve pathologies, there is a high reconstruction rate, low short- and midterm morbidity, mortality and need for re-intervention with comparable outcomes of the resect and respect technique in a specialized MIV center.

Propensity Matched Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Mitral Surgery: Does a Heart-Team Approach Eliminate Female Gender as an Independent Risk Factor?

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that female gender is an independent risk factor for cardiac surgery. Minimally invasive mitral surgery (MIV) has proven to have excellent long-term results, but little is known about gender-dependent outcomes. The aim of our study was to analyze our heart team's decision-based MIV-specialized cohort. METHODS: In-hospital and follow-up data were retrospectively collected. The cohort was divided into gender groups and propensity-matched groups. RESULTS: Between 22 July 2013 and 31 December 2022, 302 consecutive patients underwent MIV. Before matching, the total cohort showed that women were older, had a higher EuroSCORE II, were more symptomatic, and had more complex valve pathology and tricuspid regurgitation resulting in more valve replacements and tricuspid repairs. Intensive and hospital stays were longer. In-hospital deaths (n = 3, all women) were comparable, with more atrial fibrillation in women. The median follow-up time was 3.44 (0.008-8.9) years. The ejection fraction, NYHA, and recurrent regurgitation were low and comparable and atrial fibrillation more frequent in women. The calculated 5-year survival and freedom from re-intervention were comparable (p = 0.9 and p = 0.2). Propensity matching compared 101 well-balanced pairs; women still had fewer resections and more atrial fibrillation. During the follow-up, women had a better ejection fraction. The calculated 5-year survival and freedom from re-intervention were comparable (p = 0.3 and p = 0.3). CONCLUSIONS: Despite women being older and sicker, with more complex valve pathology and subsequent replacement, early and mid-term mortality and the need for reoperation were low and comparable before and after propensity matching, which might be the result of the MIV setting combined with our patient-tailored decision-making. We believe that a multidisciplinary heart team approach is crucial to optimize patient outcomes in MIV, and it might also reduce the widely reported increased surgical risk in female patients. Further studies are needed to prove our findings.

The impact of age and sex on in-hospital outcomes in acute type A aortic dissection surgery.

Background: Older age and female sex are thought to be risk factors for adverse outcomes after repair of acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD). The aim of this study is to analyze age- and sex-related outcomes in patients undergoing AAAD repair. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing emergency AAAD repair. Patients were divided in Group A, patients aged ≥75 years and Group B <75. Intraoperative and postoperative data were compared between groups before and after propensity score matching. Sex differences were analyzed by age group. Results: Between January 2006 and December 2018, 638 patients underwent emergency AAAD repair. Group A included 143 patients (22.4%), Group B 495 (77.6%). More patients in Group A presented with circulatory collapse (Penn C 26.6% vs. 9.7%, P=0.001) while Group B presented with circulatory collapse-branch malperfusion (Penn BC 29.3% vs. 15.4% P=0.001). After propensity score matching, Group B patients received more complex aortic root (33.6% vs. 23.2%, P=0.019) and concomitant bypass surgery (12.3% vs. 6.3%, P=0.042). There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between age groups (18% vs. 12% P=0.12). In Group B, in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in females (22.2% vs. 8.2%, P=0.028). Differences in mortality disappeared after the age of 75 (18.3% vs. 19.4% P=0.87). Conclusions: Morbidity and mortality are comparable between patients under and over 75 years after AAAD repair. Female patients <75 had higher in-hospital mortality than their male counterparts.

Acute limb ischemia after femoro-femoral extracorporeal life support implantation: A comparison of surgical, percutaneous, or combined vascular access in 402 patients.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is a salvage treatment for acute circulatory failure. Our high-volume tertiary centre performs more than 100 implants annually and provides ECLS-transports. With this study, we aimed to analyze the incidence and risk factors of limb ischemia depending on the vascular access. METHODS: Between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2018, 937 patients received an ECLS. Preoperative, intraoperative, in-hospital and up to 5 years follow-up data were collected. Outcome measures were limb ischemia and survival. RESULTS: In total, 402 femoro-femoral veno-arterial ECLS patients were identified. Mean age was 56 ± 16.7 years, 26.9% were female, 7.9% had a history of peripheral vascular disease. Cannulation was performed percutaneously in 82.1% (n = 330), surgically in 5.7% (n = 23) and combined in 12.2% (n = 49). Mortality was not significantly different between the groups (51.1% percutaneous, 43.5% surgical, 44.9% combined [p = 0.89]). There was no significant difference in limb ischemia either, but a trend toward an increased frequency in the percutaneous group (p = 0.0501). No amputation was necessary. Limb ischemia slightly increased in-hospital mortality (54.6%) but did not affect long-term survival beyond 30 days. Univariate analysis adjusted for cannulation methods revealed younger age and female gender as risk factors of limb ischemia and younger age for limb ischemia after percutaneous cannulation. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that percutaneous, surgical, and combined vascular access techniques for ECLS implantation are associated with comparable and low incidence of limb ischemia which slightly increases in-hospital mortality. Special precaution has to be taken in young and female patients.

Concomitant Coronary Artery Bypass in Patients with Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is sometimes necessary in acute Type A Aortic Dissection (AAAD) repair. The aim of this study is to analyze the incidence, indications and influence in-hospital outcomes of AAAD repair requiring concomitant CABG in a high-volume single-center experience. Retrospective study of all consecutive AAAD patients. Those who underwent concomitant CABG were identified. Preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative and follow-up data were collected and analyzed. Between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2016, 382 patients underwent emergency surgery for AAAD. Forty-one (10.7%) underwent concomitant CABG. In this group, mean age was 64 ± 14 years, 32 were male (78%). Indication for CABG was coronary dissection in 28 patients (68.3%), post-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) right heart failure in 7 (17.1%), post CPB left heart failure in (7.3%) and native coronary pathology in 3 (7.3%). In 33 (80.5%) one graft was needed, in 7 (17%) two were performed and in 1 patient (2.4%) 3 were necessary. The right coronary artery (RCA) was the only revascularized vessel in 26 cases (63.4%), the left coronary artery (LCA) alone in 11 (26.8%), and both coronary systems in 4 (9.8%). In-hospital mortality was 51.2% (N = 21); eight (19.5%) patients had postoperative myocardial infarction (MI) and 11 (26.8%) had a major neurological event. Multivariable logistic regression identified concomitant CABG as a predictor of in-hospital mortality (Odds Ratio (OR) = 3.8115, 95% CI= 0.514-2.138, p = 0.001). In our study, concomitant CABG was performed in 10.7% of AAAD repair surgery and it was associated with high in-hospital mortality.

Increasing atmospheric temperature implicates increasing risk for acute type A dissection in hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND: Acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) is a life-threatening condition with high mortality within 24 hours. We hypothesized if there is a correlation between seasonal weather changes and the occurrence of AAAD. The aim of the present study was to identify seasonal specific weather and patient characteristics predicting the occurrence of AAAD. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients of our department with AAAD between January 1st 2006 and December 31st 2016. The national meteorological department provided the data of temperature, humidity and air pressure during the study period. The occurrence of AAAD, preoperative neurological impairment and mortality were analyzed in correlation with the obtained daily weather data within the entire cohort and in patients with and without hypertension separately. RESULTS: A total of 517 patients were included. Mean age was 63.4±13 years, 69.4% were male and 68.8% had documented hypertension. In-hospital mortality was 17.7%. In the whole cohort, the occurrence of AAAD was significantly increased in March, October, December (P=0.016). In hypertensive patients, the occurrence was increased 34% with rising temperature (0.1-9.6 °C, OR1.34, 95% CI: 1.06-1.69, P=0.015). There was no correlation between weather variables and preoperative neurological impairment or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggests a relation between an increasing number of events of AAAD and certain months within our catchment area and a significantly increased occurrence with rising temperatures (independent from absolute temperature at time of the event) in hypertensive patients.

First report about a successful ECLS implantation and subsequent helicopter transfer of a super obese patient with a BMI of 78 kg/m2.

Our tertiary center provides 24/7 ECMO implantation and transport service nationwide. In 2018, 150 ECLS/ECMO were implanted, and 40 patients were transported on ECLS/ECMO. In this report, we describe a successful veno-arterial ECLS implantation in a super obese (BMI 78 kg/m2) 50-year-old female patient at a primary care hospital with subsequent helicopter transfer to our tertiary center.

Outcomes of patients operated for acute type A aortic dissection requiring preoperative cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) is a life-threatening condition. The emergency operation usually results in 20% perioperative mortality. If preoperative cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is necessary, there is an increase in the rate of mortality. The aim of the present study was to report the outcomes of AAAD surgery in patients requiring preoperative CPR in a high-volume center. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative, and follow-up data in patients requiring preoperative CPR in the setting of AAAD surgery was performed. RESULTS: Between January 2006 and December 2018, 637 patients underwent emergency surgery for AAAD. In total, 26 (4%) patients received CPR; the mean age was 63 ± 13 years; and 18 were male (69%). The reason for CPR was acute tamponade (N = 14, 54%), pulseless electrical activity (N = 5, 19%), asystole or ventricular fibrillation (N = 7, 27%), and four (15%) patients were not operated due to prolonged CPR and severe initial neurological impairment. There was no intraoperative mortality. The in-hospital mortality rate was 50% (N = 11), due to severe cerebral damage confirmed by computed tomography, and six patients (55%) were older than 70 years. The median follow-up was 35 months (7-149), which was 100% complete; two patients had permanent hemiplegia, one had anterior spinal syndrome, and other two died during the follow-up. The overall survival rate was 41% (n = 9). CONCLUSION: Surgery outcomes were still reasonable in AAAD patients requiring preoperative CPR in a high-volume center.

Outcome of inter-hospital transfer of patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in Switzerland.

AIMS OF THE STUDY: An extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system (ECMO), as a bridge to either recovery, a ventricular assist device (VAD), or heart or lung transplantation, may be the only lifesaving option for critically ill patients suffering from refractory cardiac, respiratory or combined cardiopulmonary failure. As peripheral hospitals may not offer ECMO treatment, tertiary care centres provide specialised ECMO teams for on-site implantation and subsequent patient transfer on ECMO to the tertiary hospital. This study reports the results of the largest ECMO transportation programme in Switzerland and describes its feasibility and safety. METHODS: Patients transported on ECMO by our mobile ECMO team to our tertiary centre between 1 September 2009 and 31 December, 2016 underwent retrospective analysis. Implantation was performed by our specialised ECMO team (primary transport) or by the medical staff of the referring hospital (secondary transport) with subsequent transfer to our institution. Type of ECMO, transport data, patient baseline characteristics, operative variables and postoperative outcomes including complications and mortality were collected from medical records. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were included (three patients excluded: one repatriation, two with incomplete medical records). Thirty-five patients (60%) received veno-venous, 22 (38%) veno-arterial and one patient (2%) veno-venoarterial ECMO. Forty-nine (84%) patients underwent primary and nine (16%) secondary transport. Thirty-five (60%) patients were transferred by helicopter and 23 (40%) by ambulance, with median distances of 38.1 (13–225) km and 21 (3-71) km respectively. No clinical or technical complications occurred during transportation. During hospitalisation, three patients had ECMO-associated complications (two compartment syndrome of lower limb, one haemothorax after central ECMO upgrade). Median days on ECMO was 8 (<1–49) and median days in hospital was 17 (<1–122). ECMO weaning was successful in 41 patients (71%), on-transport survival was 100%, 40 patients survived to discharge (69%), and overall survival was 67% (39 patients) at a median follow-up of 58 days (<1–1441). Cumulative survival was significantly affected by cardiogenic shock vs. ARDS (p = 0.001), veno-arterial and veno-venoarterial vs. veno-venous ECMO (p = 0.001) and after secondary vs. primary transport (p <0.001). The ECMO weaning rate was significantly lower after secondary transfer (22%, two patients, both vaECMO) vs. primary transfer (80%, p = 0.002, 39 patients of which 35 (71%) had vvECMO). CONCLUSIONS: The first results of our ECMO transportation programme show its feasibility, safety and efficacy without on-site implant or on-transport complications or mortality. The favourable early survival may justify the large effort with respect to logistics, costs and manpower. With rising awareness, referring centres may increasingly consider this lifesaving option at an early stage, which may further improve outcomes.

Transcatheter or surgical repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation in elderly patients: A propensity-weighted analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of MitraClip and surgical mitral repair in low-intermediate risk elderly patients affected by degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR). METHODS: We retrospectively selected patients aged ≥75 years, with Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk Of Mortality (STS-PROM) <8%, submitted to MitraClip (n = 100) or isolated surgical repair (n = 206) for DMR at 2 centers between January 2005 and May 2017. To adjust for baseline imbalances, we used a propensity score model for average treatment effect on survival. RESULTS: After weighting, MitraClip showed fewer postoperative complications (P < .05) but increased residual mitral regurgitation (MR) ≥2 (27.0% vs 2.8%, P < .001) compared with surgery. One-year survival was greater after MitraClip compared with surgery (97.6% vs 95.3%, hazard ratio [HR], 0.09; confidence interval [CI], 0.02-0.37, P = .001), whereas 5-year survival was lower (34.5% vs 82.2% respectively, HR, 4.12; CI, 2.31-7.34, P < .001). Greater STS-PROM (HR, 1.18; CI, 1.12-1.24, P < .001) and MR ≥3+ recurrence (HR, 2.18; CI, 1.07-4.48, P = .033) were associated with reduced survival. 5-year MR ≥3+ was more frequent after MitraClip compared with surgery: 36.9% versus 3.9%, odds ratio, 11.4; CI, 4.40-29.68, P < .001. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly patients affected by DMR and STS-PROM <8%, the average effect of MitraClip resulted in lower acute postoperative complications and improved 1-year survival compared with surgery. However, MitraClip was associated with greater MR recurrence and reduced survival beyond 1 year. Long-term survival was impaired by patients' greater risk profile and MR recurrence. Early results are promising, but in the setting of operable patients with life expectancy beyond 1 year, the quality bar for transcatheter mitral repair needs to be raised.

How does descending aorta geometry change when it dissects?

OBJECTIVES: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair is the treatment of choice in complicated acute type B aortic dissection. How to infer predissection aortic diameter is not well understood. Our aim was to delineate changes in descending aortic geometry due to dissection. METHODS: Five tertiary centres reviewed their acute aortic dissection type B databases containing 802 patients. All patients who had undergone computed tomography angiography less than 2 years before and immediately after aortic dissection onset were included. We compared the aortic geometry before and after the dissection onset. RESULTS: Altogether 25 patients were included [median age 60 (first quartile 52, third quartile 72) years; 60% men]. In all except 1 patient, the maximum descending aortic diameter was less than 45 mm before aortic dissection onset. The largest increase in diameter induced by the dissection was observed in the proximal descending aorta 28.2 (25.1, 32.1) vs 34.6 (31.3, 39.1) mm (+6.4 mm; +23%; P < 0.001). The thoracic descending aortic length increased after the dissection onset [253.3 (229.3, 271.9) vs 261.3 (247.9, 285.4) mm; P = 0.003]. The predissection aortic diameter of the proximal thoracic descending aorta was 7.9 (5.2, 10.7) mm larger (P < 0.001) than the post-dissection area-derived true-lumen diameter and 2.5 (1.3, 6.1) mm larger than the maximum true-lumen diameter (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Type B aortic dissection increases the diameter, length and volume of the descending thoracic aorta. The predissection aortic diameter most closely resembles the post-dissection maximum diameter of the true lumen.

Epicardial left atrial appendage AtriClip occlusion reduces the incidence of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing cardiac surgery.

Aims: Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion has emerged as an interesting alternative to oral anticoagulation (OAC) for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We report the safety, efficacy, and durability of concomitant device-enabled epicardial LAA occlusion during open-heart surgery. In addition to long-term follow-up, we evaluate the impact on stroke risk in this selected population. Methods and results: A total of 291 AtriClip devices were deployed epicardially in patients (mean CHA2DS2-VASc-Score: 3.1 ± 1.5) undergoing open-heart surgery (including isolated coronary artery bypass grafting, valve, or combined procedures) comprising of forty patients from a first-in-man device trial (NCT00567515) and 251 patients from a consecutive institutional registry thereafter. In all patients (n = 291), the LAA was successfully excluded and overall mean follow-up (FU) was 36 ± 23months (range: 1-97 months). No device-related complications were detected throughout the FU period. Long-term imaging work-up (computed tomography) in selected patients ≥5years post-implant (range: 5.1-8.1 years) displayed complete LAA occlusion with no signs of residual reperfusion or significant LAA stumps. Subgroup analysis of patients with discontinued OAC during FU (n = 166) revealed a relative risk reduction of 87.5% with an observed ischaemic stroke-rate of 0.5/100 patient-years compared with what would have been expected in a group of patients with similar CHA2DS2-VASc scores (expected rate of 4.0/100 patient-years). No strokes occurred in the subgroup with OAC. Conclusion: The long-term results from our first-in-man prospective human trial plus our institutional registry of epicardial LAA occlusion with the AtriClip in patients with AF undergoing cardiac surgery demonstrate the safety and durability of the procedure. In addition, our data are suggestive for the potential efficacy of LAA occlusion in reducing the incidence of stroke. If validated in future large randomized trials, routine LAA occlusion in patients undergoing cardiac surgery (with contraindications to treatment with oral anticoagulants) may represent a reasonable adjunct procedure to reduce the risk of future stroke. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00567515.

Acute non-A non-B aortic dissection: incidence, treatment and outcome.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to report outcome of patients with acute non-A non-B aortic dissection involving the aortic arch but not the ascending aorta. METHODS: Dissection extension and entry location were analysed in patients with acute aortic dissection admitted between 2001 and 2016 at a tertiary centre. Non-A non-B dissection was classified as descending-entry type with entry distal to the left subclavian artery and dissection extending into the aortic arch, and arch-entry type with entry between the innominate and left subclavian arteries. We compared these 2 groups' clinical presentation, treatment and outcome. RESULTS: Among 396 acute aortic dissection patients, 43 (median age 60 ± 12 years, 81% males) had non-A non-B dissection (descending-entry n = 21, arch-entry n = 22). The overwhelming majority of aortic segments were not dilated in all these patients. The 2 groups' cardiovascular risk profiles did not differ. Emergency open or endovascular aortic repair were necessary due to malperfusion or aortic rupture in 29% descending-entry and 36% arch-entry (in-hospital mortality was 1/6 and 3/8, respectively). Aortic repair within 2 weeks due to new organ malperfusion, rapid aortic growth, aortic rupture or persisting pain was performed in 43% descending-entry and 36% arch-entry patients (0% in-hospital mortality). All others (except for 1 diagnosed in 2014) required aortic repair for aneurysm at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Acute non-A non-B aortic dissection frequently requires emergency aortic repair due to organ malperfusion or aortic rupture. Most descending-entry and arch-entry non-A non-B dissection patients undergo aortic repair within 2 weeks after dissection onset.

Long-Term Outcomes after Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Surgery through Right Anterior Minithoracotomy.

Background Minimally invasive aortic valve surgery (MIAV) through a right anterior minithoracotomy evolved to an accepted procedure with favorable short- and mid-term outcomes, whereas long-term results lack. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes. Materials and Methods All our MIAV patients were included (n = 225). Mean age was 68 ± 12 years, 29% were older than 75 years, and median EuroSCORE was 5 (0-11). Baseline characteristics, inhospital outcomes, and follow-up information about survival, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), and need for reoperation were collected and analyzed. Results In this study, 30-day mortality was 1.3%, and there was no permanent stroke. Mean follow-up time was 69.65 ± 24 months, being the longest so far reported in the literature. At 1 and 7 years, survival was 95.8 and 79%, freedom from MACCE 98.1 and 95.7%, and from reoperation 99.5 and 98.7%, respectively. Conclusion MIAV is safe and feasible with favorable long-term outcomes. In the future, it could serve as benchmark for interventional methods as soon as indications are expanded to young and low-risk patients. Randomized studies are needed to compare the long-term outcomes of these approaches.

Long-term follow-up after aortic root replacement with the Shelhigh® biological valved conduit: a word of caution!

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyse long-term results of aortic root replacement with the Shelhigh® NR-2000C conduit. METHODS: From January 2001 to October 2005, 63 patients with a median age of 62 years underwent aortic root replacement with a Shelhigh® conduit. Aneurysm (27%), aortic valve endocarditis (30%) and acute type A aortic dissection (33%) were the predominant indications for the surgery. Fifty-four patients (86%) were entered in the follow-up study with the end-points of death, aortic root-related reoperation and endocarditis. RESULTS: The overall 30-day mortality rate was 8% (n = 5). The median follow-up was 9.5 years (range 0-14.2 years). In total, 13 (24%) deaths occurred during follow-up; of these, 4 were directly conduit-related. The overall estimated survival rates at 1, 5 and 10 years were 85 ± 5, 79 ± 6 and 71 ± 7%, respectively. Reoperation was necessary in 10 (19%) patients due to endocarditis (n = 5), aortic stenosis (n = 3), pseudoaneurysm due to detachment of the right coronary artery (n = 1) and detachment of the non-coronary leaflet (n = 1). The overall estimated rate of freedom from aortic root-related reoperation at 1, 5 and 10 years was 83 ± 5, 79 ± 6 and 64 ± 7%, respectively. Endocarditis of the prosthesis was reported in 9 (17%) patients; of whom, 5 patients required reoperation and 4 were treated medically. In 1 patient with endocarditis, a stroke was reported due to a thromboembolic event. CONCLUSIONS: The first long-term follow-up after aortic root replacement with the Shelhigh® BioConduit revealed a relatively high rate of death and very high rate of reoperations due to endocarditis, aorto-ventricular disconnection and structural valve failure. This may be potentially connected to the nature of the implanted valved conduit.

Moderate hypothermia during ex vivo machine perfusion promotes recovery of hearts donated after cardiocirculatory death†.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the optimal machine perfusion temperature for recovery of hearts in a rodent model of donation after declaration of cardiocirculatory death (DCD). METHODS: Hearts from male Lewis rats (n = 14/group) were subjected to 25 min of in situ warm (37°C) ischaemia to simulate DCD. They were then explanted and reperfused with diluted autologous blood for 60 min at 20, 25, 30, 33 or 37°C, after which they were stored at 0-4°C in Custodiol preservation solution for 240 min. Fresh-excised and cold-stored ischaemic hearts were used as controls. The viability of the different groups was assessed by comparing heart rate and left ventricular contractility in a Langendorff circuit, as well as perfusate levels of troponin-t and creatine kinase (CK), and myocardial levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and reduced glutathione. RESULTS: During ex vivo reperfusion, hearts in all groups resumed beating within minutes. The mean heart rate was highest in the 37°C group at 154.72 ± 33.01 beats × min(-1) (bpm), and declined in proportion to temperature to 39.72 ± 5.53 bpm at 20°C. Troponin-t levels were highest in the 37°C group (79.49 ± 20.79 µg/l), the values were significantly lower in all other reconditioned groups with a minimum of 12.472 ± 7.08 µg/l in the 20°C group (P < 0.0001). Tissue ATP levels ranged from 4.32 ± 1.71 µmol/g at 33°C to 4.59 ± 1.41 µmol/g at 30°C, all significantly higher than the mean ATP level of 1.41 ± 0.93 µmol/g in untreated ischaemic hearts (P < 0.0001). During Langendorff assessment, the mean heart rate and contractility of all groups were higher than those of cold-stored ischaemic hearts (P < 0.0001), yet not significantly different from those of fresh controls. The perfusate levels of troponin-t and CK, and myocardial levels of reduced-glutathione and ATP were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that mild hypothermia during ex vivo reperfusion improves recovery of ischaemic hearts in a rodent DCD model.