Systematic adjustment of root dimensions to cusp size in aortic valve repair: a computer simulation.

OBJECTIVES: Aortic valve repair requires the creation of a normal geometry of cusps and aortic root. Of the different dimensions, geometric cusp height is the most difficult to change while annular and sinotubular dimensions can be easily modified. The objective of this study was to investigate, by computer simulation, ideal combinations of annular and sinotubular junction size for a given geometric height. METHODS: Based on a literature review of anatomical data, a computational biomechanics model was generated for a tricuspid aortic valve. We aimed to determine the ideal relationships for the root dimensions, keeping geometric height constant and creating different combinations of the annular and sinotubular junction dimensions. Using this model, 125 virtual anatomies were created, with 25 different combinations of annulus and sinotubular junction. Effective height, coaptation height and mechanical cusp stress were calculated with the valves in closed configuration. RESULTS: Generally, within the analysed range of geometric heights, changes to the annular diameter yielded a stronger impact than sinotubular junction diameter changes for optimal valve configuration. The best results were obtained with the sinotubular junction being 2-4 mm larger than the annulus, leading to higher effective height, normal coaptation height and lower stress. Within the range tested, stenosis did not occur due to annular reduction. CONCLUSIONS: In tricuspid aortic valves, the geometric height can be used to predict ideal post-repair annular and sinotubular junction dimensions for optimal valve configuration. Such an ideal configuration is associated with reduced cusp stress.

Outcomes after surgical revascularization in diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have been repeatedly demonstrated to have worse clinical outcomes compared to patients without DM. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of DM on 1-year clinical outcomes after isolated CABG. METHODS: The European DuraGraft registry included 1130 patients (44.6%) with and 1402 (55.4%) patients without DM undergoing isolated CABG. Intra-operatively, all free venous and arterial grafts were treated with an endothelial damage inhibitor. Primary end point in this analysis was the incidence of a major adverse cardiac event (MACE), a composite of all-cause death, repeat revascularization or myocardial infarction at 1 year post-CABG. To balance between differences in baseline characteristics (n = 1072 patients in each group), propensity score matching was used. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to identify independent predictors of MACE. RESULTS: Diabetic patients had a higher cardiovascular risk profile and EuroSCORE II with overall more comorbidities. Patients were comparable in regard to surgical techniques and completeness of revascularization. At 1 year, diabetics had a higher MACE rate {7.9% vs 5.5%, hazard ratio (HR) 1.43 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.95], P = 0.02}, driven by increased rates of death [5.6% vs 3.5%, HR 1.61 (95% CI 1.10-2.36), P = 0.01] and myocardial infarction [2.8% vs 1.4%, HR 1.99 (95% CI 1.12-3.53) P = 0.02]. Following propensity matching, no statistically significant difference was found for MACE [7.1% vs 5.7%, HR 1.23 (95% CI 0.87-1.74) P = 0.23] or its components. Age, critical operative state, extracardiac arteriopathy, ejection fraction ≤50% and left main disease but not DM were identified as independent predictors for MACE. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, 1-year outcomes in diabetics undergoing isolated CABG were comparable to patients without DM.

Long-Term Results After Aortic Valve Replacement with Last-Generation Stentless Prostheses.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical and hemodynamic results in patients affected by severe aortic valve disease after aortic valve replacement with third-generation stentless aortic prostheses (3F® stentless equine pericardial [Medtronic plc, Minneapolis Minnesota] and Pericarbon Freedom™ stentless bovine pericardial [LivaNova plc, London, United Kingdom]) and to analyze the benefits and the drawbacks associated to their use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June, 2003 and Sept, 2015 a cohort of 548 consecutive patients affected by aortic valve disease received an aortic valve replacement using a last-generation stentless pericardial aortic prosthesis at our unit. Respectively, 322 patients received a Pericarbon Freedom™ and 226 received a 3F® aortic valve. Size ranged between 19 and 29, with prevalence of 23 and 25 devices. Mean age at operation was 71± 11 years, 57% of patients were males, the mean logistic EuroScore was 8.9 ± 7.2 and 44.2% received concomitant procedures. The mean extracorporeal circulation (ECC) time was 119.2 ± 40.6. The mean cross clamp time was 90.5' ± 21.4'. In 30 patients, the aortic prosthesis was included in a Dacron tube straight graft for a Bentall operation. RESULTS: Early/in-hospital mortality was 2.55% (14 cases) for the entire cohort. In patients receiving isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR), it was 0.91% (5 cases). Follow up ranged between six months and 12 years (median follow-up time: 6.77 years). During follow up, 137 patients died of all causes (25%), of whom 32 patients died of cardiac causes (5.8%). Cardiac survival probability was 91% at 12 years. All surviving patients were in NYHA class I at last follow up. Actuarial freedom from structural valve deterioration was 86% at 12 years. Freedom from endocarditis was 95% at 12 years. Freedom from a valve-related reoperation at 12 years follow up was 95%. Mean residual transprosthetic gradient at 12 years was 10.3 ± 4.8MmHg. CONCLUSIONS: Last-generation stentless pericardial valves offer excellent hemodynamics and adequate durability and freedom from structural deterioration at 12 years follow up. The implantation technique of a stentless valve is a little more demanding when compared to a stented valve, but it can be easily reproduced after minimal training. Incidence of endocarditis and thromboembolic events is low and comparable to stented pericardial valves. Young and active patients, and patients with large BSA where a patient-prosthesis mismatch may be anticipated are, in our opinion, ideal candidates to receive these kinds of valves.

Patient Blood Management in Microsurgical Procedures for Reconstructive Surgery.

Introduction: The main purpose of reconstructive surgery (RS) is to restore the integrity of soft tissues damaged by trauma, surgery, congenital deformity, burns, or infection. Microsurgical techniques consist of harvesting tissues that are separated from the vascular sources of the donor site and anastomosed to the vessels of the recipient site. In these procedures, there are some preoperative modifiable factors that have the potential to influence the outcome of the flap transfer and its anastomosis. The management of anemia, which is always present in the postoperative period and plays a decisive role in the implantation of the flap, covers significant importance, and is associated with clinical and laboratory settings of chronic inflammation. Methods: Chronic inflammatory anemia (ACD) is a constant condition in patients who have undergone RS and correlates with the perfusion of the free flap. The aim of this treatment protocol is to reduce the transfusion rate by maintaining both a good organ perfusion and correction of the patient's anemic state. From January 2017 to September 2019, we studied 16 patients (16 males, mean age 38 years) who underwent microsurgical procedures for RS. Their hemoglobin (Hb) levels, corpuscular indexes, transferrin saturation (TSAT) ferritin concentrations and creatinine clearance were measured the first day after surgery (T0), after the first week (T1), and after five weeks (T2). At T0, all the patients showed low hemoglobin levels (average 7.4 g/dL, STD 0.71 range 6.2-7.4 g dL-1), with an MCV of 72, MCH of 28, MCHC of 33, RDW of 16, serum iron of 35, ferritin of 28, Ret% of 1.36, TRF of 277, creatinine clearance of 119 and high ferritin levels (range 320-560 ng mL-1) with TSAT less than 20%. All the patients were assessed for their clinical status, medical history and comorbidities before the beginning of the therapy. Results: A collaboration between the two departments (Department of Transfusion Medicine and Department of Reconstructive Surgery) resulted in the application of a therapeutic protocol with erythropoietic stimulating agents (ESAs) (Binocrit 6000 UI/week) and intravenous iron every other day, starting the second day after surgery. Thirteen patients received ESAs and FCM (ferric carboxymaltose, 500-1000 mg per session), three patients received ESAs and iron gluconate (one vial every other day). No patients received blood transfusions. No side effects were observed, and most importantly, no limb or flap rejection occurred. Conclusions: Preliminary data from our protocol show an optimal therapeutic response, notwithstanding the very limited scientific literature and data available in this specific surgical field. The enrollment of further patients will allow us to validate this therapeutic protocol with statistically sound data.

Aortic Annuloplasty: Focus on the Use of an External Teflon Ring.

Aortic annuloplasty has been clearly demonstrated to have a protective influence in aortic valve repair. Over the past 20 years, different annuloplasty concepts have been proposed by different groups. However, the most appropriate approach to enable long-term annular stability remains highly controversial. The aim of this article is to give a general overview of all types of aortic annuloplasty, particularly focusing on the use of an external Teflon ring, as proposed by our group. In this technique, external root dissection is performed in the same fashion as for reimplantation; the only difference is that it is necessary to go below the coronary ostia take-off. A series of pledgeted sutures (usually between 6 and 9 sutures) are placed at the level of the virtual basal ring. The external ring is made using a Teflon strip with a length of 8 to 9 cm, to reduce the annulus to a diameter of between 21 and 23 mm. The sub-annular sutures are then passed at the appropriate level through the Teflon strip and the strip is parachuted outside the aortic root base, passing under the coronary ostia. The two ends of the Teflon strip are tied at the level of the non-coronary sinus. Aortic annuloplasty is a crucial step to improve valve competence and stabilization. While several techniques offer good mid- to long-term results, annuloplasty with an external Teflon ring appears to be a simple and effective alternative to guarantee stable root diameters. Longer follow-up studies are needed to confirm the mid- to long-term results.

Clinical outcomes and quality of life after contemporary isolated coronary bypass grafting: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the European Multicenter Registry to Assess Outcomes in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients (DuraGraft Registry) was to determine clinical outcomes and quality of life (QoL) after contemporary CABG that included isolated CABG and combined CABG/valve procedures, using an endothelial damage inhibitor (DuraGraft) intraoperatively for conduit preservation. Here, we report outcomes in the patient cohort undergoing isolated CABG. METHODS: The primary outcome was the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), or repeat revascularization (RR) [major adverse cardiac events (MACE)] at 1 year. Secondary outcomes included the composite of all-cause death, MI, RR, or stroke [major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE)], and QoL. QoL was assessed with the EuroQol-5 Dimension questionnaire. Independent risk factors for MACE at 1 year were determined using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 2532 patients (mean age, 67.4±9.2 years; 82.5% male) underwent isolated CABG. The median EuroScore II was 1.4 [interquartile range (IQR), 0.9-2.3]. MACE and MACCE rates at 1 year were 6.6% and 7.8%, respectively. The rates of all-cause death, MI, RR, and stroke were 4.4, 2.0, 2.2, and 1.9%, respectively. The 30-day mortality rate was 2.3%. Age, extracardiac arteriopathy, left ventricular ejection fraction less than 50%, critical operative state, and left main disease were independent risk factors for MACE. QoL index values improved from 0.84 [IQR, 0.72-0.92] at baseline to 0.92 [IQR, 0.82-1.00] at 1 year ( P <0.0001). CONCLUSION: Contemporary European patients undergoing isolated CABG have a low 1-year clinical event rate and an improved QoL.

Twenty-year experience of aortic valve reimplantation using the Valsalva graft.

OBJECTIVES: Over the past 20 years, valve-sparing aortic root replacement has aroused increasing interest because of a progressive attitude towards the preservation of natural tissue. Aortic reimplantation is the most used technique to spare the valve, allowing simultaneously aortic root replacement and aortic annular stabilization. The reimplantation into a graft with sinuses guarantees an optimal anatomic and functional reconstruction with established good results at 15 years. The aim of this study is to report the world longest follow-up (up to 20 years) of aortic valve reimplantation using the Valsalva graft. METHODS: From February 2000 to December 2021, 265 consecutive patients with aortic root aneurysm received aortic valve reimplantation using the Valsalva graft. From 2018, leaflet plication with the routine use of calliper was performed. For each patient, we performed both intraoperative and post-procedural transoesophageal echocardiography. All patients were followed with clinical assessment and echocardiography. The mean duration of follow-up was 85 ± 63 months. RESULTS: The study cohort had a median age of 55 ± 18 and 87.2% were male. The aortic root aneurysm was associated to bicuspid aortic valve in 18.9% of patients and to Marfan syndrome in 10.6% of cases. 55.9% had an aortic regurgitation ≥ 2+. Overall survival at 15 was 87.6 ± 3.4. Freedom from cardiac death was stable at 99.6 ± 0.4 at 5, 10 and 15 years. Freedom from recurrent AR ≥3+ and freedom from reoperation remained stable at 10 and 15 years at 92.2 ± 2.1 and 95.9 ± 1.6, respectively. There was a minimal incidence of infective endocarditis (0.8%), thromboembolism (2.2%) and haemorrhage (2.0%). Six out of 7 patients requiring reoperation had surgery in the first period of our experience (last in 2004). Early suboptimal results had a negative effect on residual aortic regurgitation. Moreover, we hypothesized that the routine use of calliper may have contributed to a further improvement of the outcome, even if these data need to be confirmed by a longer follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The first long-term follow-up after aortic valve reimplantation using the Valsalva graft demonstrated excellent results. These long-term results gradually improved with learning curve, remaining stable during the second decade of observation. The systematic use of calliper may have contributed to a further improvement of the outcome.

Benefits of pre-operative oral Sucrosomial® iron supplementation in cardiac surgery: influence of patient's baseline hemoglobin and gender.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of low pre-operative hemoglobin (Hb) among cardiac surgery patients is high. As iron homeostasis is often impaired in these patients, restoration of iron availability might over-ride iron-restricted erythropoiesis. This post-hoc analysis of a previously published, large, randomized clinical trial (ClincalTrials.gov NCT03560687; n=1,000) assesses which sub-cohort of patients benefits the most from pre-operative Hb optimization with oral Sucrosomial® iron. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients without baseline Hb (n=349) or receiving >5 red blood cell units (n=57) were excluded from the study. Data from the remaining 594 were reanalyzed according to treatment, baseline anemia (Hb <13 g/dL) or gender. Patients (pt) received a one-month course of 60 mg/day Sucrosomial® iron (Iron group, n=309) or routine care (Control group, n=285) prior to elective cardiac surgery. Main end-point variables were increase in Hb from randomization to hospital admission, transfusion requirements, and cost-effectiveness of Sucrosomial® iron administration. RESULTS: At hospital admission, Hb had increased 0.7 g/dL and 0.1 g/dL, for Iron and Control groups, respectively (p<0.001), with no gender-related differences, leading to a decrease in transfusion rate (30 vs 59%, respectively; p<0.001) and transfusion index (0.5 units/patient vs 1.2 units/pt, respectively; p<0.001). Sucrosomial® iron administration was well-tolerated, and yielded cost-savings of €92/pt (p<0.001), particularly in those presenting with baseline Hb <13 g/dL. CONCLUSIONS: This post-hoc analysis confirms pre-operative Sucrosomial® iron administration is a safe and cost-effective strategy to increase preoperative Hb and decrease transfusion requirements in elective cardiac surgery, especially in those anemic at baseline.

Mitral repair of myxomatous valves with simple annuloplasty: a follow-up up to 12 years.

OBJECTIVES: Diffuse myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (DMD) represents a challenge in the reparative mitral valve surgery. A subgroup of patients with symmetrical DMD can be effectively treated with a simple band-annuloplasty with good early and mid-term results. Here, we evaluate the long-term outcomes in terms of freedom from reoperation, recurrence of moderate or severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and overall survival. METHODS: Between April 2006 and December 2020, patients with DMD causing severe MR and the echocardiographic features of symmetrical bileaflet prolapse, central regurgitant jet(s), annular dilation and no chordal ruptures were treated using a simple annuloplasty with a semi-rigid band. These patients were prospectively collected and retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients were enrolled. The mean clinical follow-up time was 104 [standard deviation (SD): 43] months, and echocardiographic follow-up time was 95 (SD: 43) months. The mean age was 54 (SD: 15) years, and 56% were females. Long-term overall survival was 98.2% [standard error (SE): 1.8], 93.7% (SE: 4.7) and 93.7% (SE: 4.7) at 4, 8 and 12 years, respectively. The freedom from reoperation was 100% at 4 and 8 years and 94.1% (SE: 5.7) at 12 years. The freedom from recurrent moderate or severe MR was 98.3% (SE: 1.7), 98.3% (SE: 1.7) and 92.8% (SE: 5.5) at 4, 8 and 12 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mitral repair with the simple band-annuloplasty for the treatment of MR due to symmetrical DMD seems to be stable and effective in the long term.

Surgical Options for Physiological Treatment of Aortic Root Dilatation Either Isolated or Associated with Aortic Valve Disease.

Patients affected by severe aortic root pathology require an operation to replace the dilated aortic root and repair or replace the aortic valve, which is very frequently involved in the disease. Among the surgical options available for aortic root replacement, the Bentall operation and the David aortic valve reimplantation procedure are the most commonly used by surgeons. This article provides an overview of the Bio-Bentall and David operations. It illustrates their surgical details and discusses the correct indications for both procedures to achieve excellent long-term outcomes. Finally, the authors present their experience with the physiologic treatment of aortic root pathology by using stentless Bio-conduits and David reimplantation in a cohort of patients with long-term follow-up. A comparative analysis of early and late results along with an evaluation of possible benefits and drawbacks related to each technique concluded that both procedures were effective in correcting the aortic root pathology, and the results were adequate and stable over time. Since hemodynamic performance was more improved after the David operation, it should be preferred, whenever feasible, in younger and active patients.

Reimplantation versus aortic ring annuloplasty in bicuspid valve with borderline aortic root ectasia.

Objective: Bicuspid aortic valve repair can be achieved with the reimplantation technique or external ring annuloplasty. Reimplantation could be an "overtreatment" in nonaneurysmatic aortic roots. External ring repair, on the contrary, could be an "undertreatment" in dilated roots. The aim of this retrospective study is to compare the 2 techniques in patients with borderline aortic root dimensions, analyzing early results, aortic regurgitation recurrence, and root dilation over time. Methods: We selected patients with bicuspid aortic valve and ectasia of the aortic root (40-48 mm) who underwent reimplantation or external ring repair. We compared the 2 techniques, analyzing immediate postoperative and follow-up echocardiography. Only patients with at least 1 year of follow-up were included. Results: We obtained 2 groups of 21 patients (reimplantation) and 22 patients (external ring). Median follow-up time was 36 (40) months. There were no deaths during the follow-up periods. Three patients required reoperation in the external ring group because of recurrent aortic regurgitation, with a freedom from reoperation of 77.8% at 7 years (no reoperation was required in the reimplantation group). In the external ring group, we observed an immediate postoperative root diameter reduction and no significative expansion during follow-up (+0.4 mm/year, P = .184). Conclusions: Excellent results of reimplantation technique are confirmed and stable over time. Root diameter seems to remain stable over time when external ring technique was performed. The greater incidence of reoperation after external ring could be due to the progressive learning curve (256 patients vs 52 patients). Longer follow-up studies are needed.

Clinical event rate in patients with and without left main disease undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting: results from the European DuraGraft Registry.

OBJECTIVES: Left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) is considered an independent risk factor for clinical events after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We have conducted a subgroup analysis of the multicentre European DuraGraft Registry to investigate clinical event rates at 1 year in patients with and without LMCAD undergoing isolated CABG in contemporary practice. METHODS: Patients undergoing isolated CABG were selected. The primary end point was the incidence of a major adverse cardiac event (MACE) defined as the composite of death, myocardial infarction (MI) or repeat revascularization (RR) at 1 year. The secondary end point was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) defined as MACE plus stroke. Propensity score matching was performed to balance for differences in baseline characteristics. RESULTS: LMCAD was present in 1033 (41.2%) and absent in 1477 (58.8%) patients. At 1 year, the MACE rate was higher for LMCAD patients (8.2% vs 5.1%, P = 0.002) driven by higher rates of death (5.4% vs 3.4%, P = 0.016), MI (3.0% vs 1.3%, P = 0.002) and numerically higher rates of RR (2.8% vs 1.8%, P = 0.13). The incidence of MACCE was 8.8% vs 6.6%, P = 0.043, with a stroke rate of 1.0% and 2.4%, P = 0.011, for the LMCAD and non-LMCAD groups, respectively. After propensity score matching, the MACE rate was 8.0% vs 5.2%, P = 0.015. The incidence of death was 5.1% vs 3.7%, P = 0.10, MI 3.0% vs 1.4%, P = 0.020, and RR was 2.7% vs 1.6%, P = 0.090, for the LMCAD and non-LMCAD groups, respectively. Less strokes occurred in LMCAD patients (1.0% vs 2.4%, P = 0.017). The MACCE rate was not different, 8.5% vs 6.7%, P = 0.12. CONCLUSIONS: In this large registry, LMCAD was demonstrated to be an independent risk factor for MACE after isolated CABG. Conversely, the risk of stroke was lower in LMCAD patients. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02922088.

Biological Valves Impervious to Calcification: Is this Holy Grail a Cup Ready to Drink?

An indefinitely lasting bioprosthesis that does not require anticoagulation treatment is the holy grail of substitutive heart surgery. However, this goal is not yet in sight with the present state of technology. Over the past few years, tremendous advances have been achieved regarding tissue anticalcification processes, hemodynamic performance and future-proofing by ensuring compatibility with transcatheter valve-in-valve procedures. The Inspiris Resilia valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) was designed to incorporate all of these enhancements. It is now leaving the experimental phase and is being tested in the real world. We present here a comprehensive review of the evolution of biological prostheses, details of new anticalcification technologies, and early results of published studies as well as the experience at the European Hospital (Rome, Italy), the site of the first European implant and a leading center in various protocols. In our two years of experience with the Inspiris Resilia, there have been no cases of structural valve deterioration, endocarditis, detachment or periprocedural complication, and gradients seem to be superior to those with the previous generation of Edwards valves. While longer-term experience is clearly needed, the results thus far are encouraging.

The black root: Aortic valve sparing in alkaptonuria.

We report an unusual case of black discoloration of an aortic root aneurysm and aortic valve cusps due to homogentisic acid deposition in a patient suffering from alkaptonuria. The patient underwent a valve-sparing aortic root replacement after careful and objective evaluation of the valve cusps. Despite alkaptonuria is classically associated with aortic valve stenosis and replacement, in the present case, the affected valve cusps were suitable for repair. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of aortic valve-sparing procedure performed in a patient with alkaptonuria.

Mid-term outcomes of stentless Bio-Bentall vs. David Reimplantation for aortic root replacement.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the early and midterm clinical outcomes of patients undergoing two different surgical procedures (stentless biological Bentall [SBB] vs. valve-sparing David Reimplantation [VSDR]) for aortic root dilatation, with or without concomitant aortic valve pathology. METHODS: A population of 106 patients underwent aortic root replacement from 2004 to 2015 at our unit. Mean age at operation was 63.1 ± 10 years. The patients were retrospectively assigned to 2 groups according to surgical procedure. David operation was carried out in 52 patients (group A-VSDR) and stentless biological Bentall in 54 patients (group B-SBB). Preoperative characteristics were similar in the 2 cohorts, except for age and EuroSCORE. Mean follow-up time was 7.09 years (0.26-14.50 years), and 96% complete. Patients were evaluated and analyzed for intra-operative results and long-term clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Intraoperative mortality was 0% in both groups. Overall survival probability at 11 years was 91.8% in group A and 73.8% in group B (p = .004). Cardiac mortality at 11 years was similar in the 2 groups (p = .116). Freedom from structural valve deterioration at 11 years was 88.8% (VSDR) and 90.6% (SBB) [p = .689]. Freedom from reoperation at 11 years did not differ between the groups (83.6% VSDR vs. 98.5% SBB, p = .574). Freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events at 11 years was 76.7% (VSDR) versus 80.1% (SBB) (p = .542). Mean gradient at last follow-up was lower in VSDR group (8.13 vs. 11.70 mmHg, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: David reimplantation and stentless biological Bentall procedures achieve excellent and comparable results at midterm follow-up. David operations provide superior hemodynamic performance preserved over time and may be preferred in younger, active patients.

Outcomes after surgical ventricular restoration for ischemic cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy after surgical ventricular restoration and to identify risk factors related to poor results. METHODS: Between August 2002 and April 2016, 62 patients affected by ischemic cardiomyopathy underwent surgical left ventricular restoration at our unit. Patients' mean age at operation was 63 years (39-79 years). Mean ejection fraction was 29.6%. The Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure trial criteria have been used as indications for surgery. Fifty-seven patients (91%) received surgical myocardial revascularization. Mitral valve repair was performed in 39 patients (63%). The surgical technique consisted of the classic Dor operation or a different approach reducing the equatorial diameter of the left ventricle and avoiding the use of a patch. The data were analyzed retrospectively for perioperative results and short- and long-term clinical outcomes. RESULTS: One patient died of noncardiac causes within 30 days (1.6%). All-cause death occurred in 36 patients (58%) during follow-up (0.6-14.7 years; median follow-up time, 7.02 years), of whom 15 died of cardiac causes. Age, need for preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump, reduction less than 35% of postoperative left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, type of surgical technique, and ejection fraction less than 25% were identified as risk factors for late cardiac mortality. Perioperative levosimendan administration and presence of preoperative moderate to severe mitral regurgitation influenced early and intermediate-term outcomes, but no statistical relevance on long-term results was demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ischemic dilative cardiomyopathy have favorable short- and long-term outcomes after ventricular restoration. Age, preoperative ejection fraction less than 25%, inadequate left ventricular surgical reverse remodeling, and type of surgical technique negatively affect long-term survival.

Kinetics of serum procalcitonin in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia and bowel infarction after cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: The present study reported perioperative changes in PCT levels occurring in cardiac patients with acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) undergoing laparotomy. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that PCT kinetics may confirm the presence of AMI after cardiac surgery, distinguishing between bowel infarction and diffuse ischemia. METHODS: PCT values from adult patients undergoing laparotomy for AMI after elective or urgent cardiac surgery (January 2010-December 2019) were determined at the ICU admission after cardiac surgery, 24 hours later and at the onset of clinical symptoms. Patients affected by diffuse intestinal ischemia with no need for bowel resection were allocated to Group A (N. 8), patients presented with intestinal necrosis requiring small or large bowel resection were allocated to Group B (N. 12). RESULTS: At the beginning of the abdominal symptoms, PCT levels increased in both groups, compared to those immediately after cardiac surgery. The PCT increasing resulted much more evident in patients presenting with intestinal necrosis in Group B (20.65 ng/mL [IQR8.47-34.5] vs. 4.31 ng/mL [IQR 8.47-34.5], P<0.05), rather than in those with diffuse ischemia in Group A (13.25 ng/mL [IQR 5.97-27.65] vs. 10.4 ng/mL [IQR 3.68-14.05], P=0.260). This trend was confirmed in the subgroup of patients undergoing CVVHD and in patients who experience AMI recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing PCT values after cardiac surgery are proportional to the severity of wall ischemia and high levels of PCT are predictive of intestinal necrosis. Routine PCT monitoring after cardiac surgery should be considered extremely useful in suggesting the possibility of abdominal complications, alerting medical staff to the need of prompt treatment.