The presence of a dedicated cardiac surgical intensive care service impacts clinical outcomes in adult cardiac surgery patients.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative critical care management is an integral part of cardiac surgery that contributes directly to clinical outcomes. In the United States there remains considerable variability in the critical care infrastructure for cardiac surgical programs. There is little published data investigating the impact of a dedicated cardiac surgical intensive care service. METHODS: A retrospective study examining postoperative outcomes in cardiac surgical patients before and after the implementation of a dedicated cardiac surgical intensive care service at a single academic institution. An institutional Society of Thoracic Surgeons database was queried for study variables. Primary endpoints were the postoperative length of stay, intensive care unit length of stay, and mechanical ventilation time. Secondary endpoints included mortality, readmission rates, and postoperative complications. The effect on outcomes based on procedure type was also analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 1703 patients were included in this study-914 in the control group (before dedicated intensive care service) and 789 in the study group (after dedicated intensive care service). Baseline demographics were similar between groups. Length of stay, mechanical ventilation hours, and renal failure rate were significantly reduced in the study group. Coronary artery bypass grafting patients observed the greatest improvement in outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a dedicated cardiac surgical intensive care service leads to significant improvements in clinical outcomes. The greatest benefit is seen in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass, the most common cardiac surgical operation in the United States. Thus, developing a cardiac surgical intensive care service may be a worthwhile initiative for any cardiac surgical program.

Impact of troponin I level on coronary artery bypass grafting outcomes.

PURPOSE: The effect of preoperative cardiac troponin level on outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is unclear. We investigated the impact of preoperative cardiac troponin I (cTnI) level as well as the time interval between maximum cTnI and surgery on CABG outcomes. METHODS: All patients who underwent isolated CABG at our institution between 2009 and 2016 and had preoperative cTnI level available were identified using our Society of Thoracic Surgeons registry. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to identify a cTnI threshold level. Subjects were divided into groups based on this value and outcomes compared. RESULTS: A total of 608 patients were included. ROC analysis identified 5.74 µg/dL as the threshold value associated with worse postoperative outcomes. Patients with peak cTnI >5.74 µg/dL underwent CABG approximately 1 day later, had twice the risk of adverse postoperative events, and had 2.8 day longer postoperative length of stay than those with peak cTnI ≤5.74 µg/dL. cTnI level was not associated with mortality or 30-day readmission. Time interval between peak cTnI and surgery did not affect outcomes. CONCLUSION: Elevated preoperative cTnI level beyond a certain threshold value is associated with adverse postoperative outcomes but is not a marker for increased mortality. Time from peak cTnI does not affect postoperative outcomes or mortality and may not need to be considered when deciding timing of CABG.

Operative and Mid-Term Outcomes of Thoracic Aortic Operation in Octogenarians and Beyond.

OBJECTIVES: To study the short and mid-term outcomes of thoracic aortic operations in patients ≥80 years old. METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review of patients ≥80 years old who underwent thoracic aortic operation in our institution between 2006 and 2013. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients were studied. Fifty-four patients underwent open repair; 41 underwent endovascular repair; and three underwent hybrid repair with aortic arch debranching and subsequent endovascular stent graft. Hospital mortality rate among the entire cohort was 11/98 (11%): 7/54 (13%) for open repair; 2/41 (5%) for endovascular repair; and 2/3 (66%) for hybrid repair. Major adverse events occurred in 23/98 (23%) in the entire cohort: 15/54 (28%) in open repair; 5/41 (12%) in endovascular repair; and 3/3 (100%) in hybrid repair. Mean follow-up was 31 ± 28 months (median 26 months). Two- and five-year survival rates were 57%, and 34% for the open approach and 71%, and 43% for the endovascular approach respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both open and endovascular thoracic aortic repairs can be performed with favorable mortality and perioperative morbidity in appropriately selected octogenarian patients. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12722 (J Card Surg 2016;31:334-340).

Effect of intermittent phrenic nerve stimulation during cardiothoracic surgery on mitochondrial respiration in the human diaphragm.

OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have shown that brief periods of mechanical ventilation in animals and humans can lead to ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction, which includes muscle atrophy, reduced force development, and impaired mitochondrial function. Studies in animal models have shown that short periods of increased diaphragm activity during mechanical ventilation support can attenuate ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction but corresponding human data are lacking. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of intermittent diaphragm contractions during cardiothoracic surgery, including controlled mechanical ventilation, on mitochondrial respiration in the human diaphragm. DESIGN: Within subjects repeated measures study. SETTING: Operating room in an academic health center. PATIENTS: Five subjects undergoing elective cardiothoracic surgery. INTERVENTIONS: In patients (age 65.6 ± 6.3 yr) undergoing cardiothoracic surgery, one phrenic nerve was stimulated hourly (30 pulses/min, 1.5 msec duration, 17.0 ± 4.4 mA) during the surgery. Subjects received 3.4 ± 0.6 stimulation bouts during surgery. Thirty minutes following the last stimulation bout, samples of diaphragm muscle were obtained from the anterolateral costal regions of the stimulated and inactive hemidiaphragms. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Mitochondrial respiration was measured in permeabilized muscle fibers with high-resolution respirometry. State III mitochondrial respiration rates (pmol O2/s/mg wet weight) were 15.05 ± 3.92 and 11.42 ± 2.66 for the stimulated and unstimulated samples, respectively (p < 0.05). State IV mitochondrial respiration rates were 3.59 ± 1.25 and 2.11 ± 0.97 in the stimulated samples and controls samples, respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These are the first data examining the effect of intermittent contractions on mitochondrial respiration rates in the human diaphragm following surgery/mechanical ventilation. Our results indicate that very brief periods (duty cycle ~1.7%) of activity can improve mitochondrial function in the human diaphragm following surgery/mechanical ventilation.

Pathology-specific secondary aortic interventions after thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

OBJECTIVE: Despite improved short-term outcomes, concerns remain regarding durability of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the pathology-specific incidence of secondary aortic interventions (SAI) after TEVAR and their impact on survival. METHODS: Retrospective review was performed of all TEVAR procedures and SAI at one institution from 2004-2011. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate survival. RESULTS: Of 585 patients, 72 (12%) required SAI at a median of 5.6 months (interquartile range, 1.4-14.2) with 22 (3.7%) requiring multiple SAI. SAI incidence differed significantly by pathology (P = .002) [acute dissection (21.3%), postsurgical (20.0%), chronic dissection (16.7%), degenerative aneurysm (10.8%), traumatic transection (8.1%), penetrating ulcer (1.5%), and other etiologies (14.8%)]. Most common indications after dissection were persistent false lumen flow and proximal/distal extension of disease. For degenerative aneurysms, SAI was performed primarily to treat type I/III endoleaks. SAI patients had a greater mean number of comorbidities (P < .0005), stents placed (P = .0002), and postoperative complications after the index TEVAR (P < .0005) compared with those without SAI. Freedom from SAI at 1 and 5 years (95% confidence interval) was estimated to be 86% (82%-90%) and 68% (57%-76%), respectively. There were no differences in survival (95% confidence interval) between patients requiring SAI and those who did not [SAI 1-year, 88% (77%-93%); 5-year, 51% (37%-63%); and no SAI 1-year, 82% (79%-85%); 5-year, 67% (62%-71%) (log-rank, P = .2)]. CONCLUSIONS: SAI after TEVAR is not uncommon, particularly in patients with dissection, but does not affect long-term survival. Aortic pathology is the most important variable impacting survival and dictated need, timing, and mode of SAI. The varying incidence of SAI by indication underscores the need for diligent surveillance protocols that should be pathology-specific.

Efficacy of thoracic endovascular stent repair for chronic type B aortic dissection with aneurysmal degeneration.

BACKGROUND: The Food and Drug Administration has approved devices for endovascular management of thoracic endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (TEVAR); however, limited data exist describing the outcomes of TEVAR for aneurysms attributable to chronic type B aortic dissection (cTBAD). This study was undertaken to determine the results of endovascular treatment of cTBAD with aneurysmal degeneration. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients treated for cTBAD with aneurysmal degeneration at the University of Florida from 2004 to 2011 was performed. Computed tomograms with centerline reconstruction were analyzed to determine change in aortic diameter, relative proportions of aortic treatment lengths, and false lumen perfusion status. Reintervention and mortality were estimated using life-tables. Cox regression analysis was completed to predict mortality. RESULTS: Eighty patients underwent TEVAR for aneurysm due to cTBAD (mean age [± standard deviation], 60 ± 13 years [male, 87.5%; n = 70]; median follow-up, 26 [range, 1-74] months). Median time from diagnosis of TBAD to TEVAR was 16 (range, 1-72) months. Prior aortic root/arch replacement had been performed in 29% (n = 23) at a median interval of 28.5 (range, 0.5-312) months. Mean preoperative aneurysm diameter was 62.0 ± 9.9 mm. In 75% (n = 60) of cases, coverage was proximal to zone 3, and 24% (n = 19) underwent carotid-subclavian bypass or other arch debranching procedure. Spinal drains were used in 78% (pre-op 71%, n = 57; post-op 6%, n = 5). Length of stay was 6.5 ± 4.7 days with a composite morbidity of 26% and in-hospital mortality of 2.5% (n = 2). Overall neurologic event rate was 17% (spinal cord ischemia 10% [n = 8], with a permanent deficit observed in 6.2% [n = 5]; stroke 7.5%). Aneurysm diameter reduced or stabilized in 65%. The false lumen thrombosed completely within the thoracic aorta in 52%, and reintervention within the treated aortic segment was required in 16% (n = 13).One- and 3-year freedom from reintervention (with 95% confidence interval [CI]) was 80% (range, 68%-88%) and 70% (range, 57%-80%), respectively. Survival at 1 and 5 years was 89% (range, 80%-94%) and 70% (range, 55%-81%) and was not significantly different among patients requiring reintervention or experiencing favorable aortic remodeling. Multivariable analysis identified coronary artery disease (hazard ratio [HR], 6.4; 95% CI, 2.3-17.7; P < .005), prior infrarenal aortic surgery (HR, 8.6; 95% CI, 2.3-31.7; P = .001), and congestive heart failure (HR, 11.9; 95% CI, 1.9-73.8; P = .008) as independent risk factors for mortality. Hyperlipidemia was found to be protective (HR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.05-0.6; P = .004). No significant difference in predictors of mortality were found between patients who underwent reintervention vs those who did not (P = .2). CONCLUSIONS: TEVAR for cTBAD with aneurysmal degeneration can be performed safely but spinal cord ischemia rates may be higher than previously reported. Liberal use of procedural adjuncts to reduce this complication, such as spinal drainage, is recommended. Reintervention is common, but long-term survival does not appear to be impacted by remediation.

Fate of patients with spinal cord ischemia complicating thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

OBJECTIVE: Spinal cord ischemia (SCI) is a potentially devastating complication of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) that can result in varying degrees of short-term and permanent disability. This study was undertaken to describe the clinical outcomes, long-term functional impact, and influence on survival of SCI after TEVAR. METHODS: A retrospective review of all TEVAR patients at the University of Florida from 2000 to 2011 was performed to identify individuals experiencing SCI, defined by any new lower extremity neurologic deficit not attributable to another cause. SCI was dichotomized into immediate or delayed onset, with immediate onset defined as SCI noted upon awakening from anesthesia, and delayed characterized as a period of normal function, followed by development of neurologic injury. Ambulatory status was determined using database query, record review, and phone interviews with patients and/or family. Mortality was estimated using life-table analysis. RESULTS: A total of 607 TEVARs were performed for various indications, with 57 patients (9.4%) noted to have postoperative SCI (4.3% permanent). SCI patients were more likely to be older (63.9 ± 15.6 vs 70.5 ± 11.2 years; P = .002) and have a number of comorbidities, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cerebrovascular disease (P < .0001). At some point in their care, a cerebrospinal fluid drain was placed in 54 patients (95%), with 54% placed postoperatively. In-hospital mortality was 8.8% for the entire cohort (SCI vs no SCI; P = .45). SCI developed immediately in 12 patients, delayed onset in 40, and indeterminate in five patients due to indiscriminate timing from postoperative sedation. Three patients (25%) with immediate SCI had measurable functional improvement (FI), whereas 28 (70%) of the delayed-onset patients experienced some degree of neurologic recovery (P = .04). Of the 34 patients with complete data available, 26 (76%) reported quantifiable FI, but only 13 (38%) experienced return to their preoperative baseline. Estimated mean (± standard error) survival for patients with and without SCI was 37.2 ± 4.5 and 71.6 ± 3.9 months (P < .0006), respectively. Patients with FI had a mean survival of 53.9 ± 5.9 months compared with 9.6 ± 3.6 months for those without improvement (P < .0001). Survival and return of neurologic function were not significantly different when patients with preoperative and postoperative cerebrospinal fluid drains were compared. CONCLUSIONS: The minority of patients experience complete return to baseline function after SCI with TEVAR, and outcomes in patients without early functional recovery are particularly dismal. Patients experiencing delayed SCI are more likely to have FI and may anticipate similar life-expectancy with neurologic recovery compared with patients without SCI. Timing of drain placement does not appear to have an impact on postdischarge FI or long-term mortality.

Treatment of acute visceral aortic pathology with fenestrated/branched endovascular repair in high-surgical-risk patients.

OBJECTIVE: The safety and feasibility of fenestrated/branched endovascular repair of acute visceral aortic disease in high-risk patients is unknown. The purpose of this report is to describe our experience with surgeon-modified endovascular aneurysm repair (sm-EVAR) for the urgent or emergent treatment of pathology involving the branched segment of the aorta in patients deemed to have prohibitively high medical and/or anatomic risk for open repair. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on all patients treated with sm-EVAR for acute indications. Planning was based on three-dimensional computed tomographic angiogram reconstructions and graft configurations included various combinations of branch, fenestration, or scallop modifications. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (mean age [± standard deviation], 68 ± 10 years; 88% male) deemed high risk for open repair underwent urgent or emergent repair using sm-EVAR. Indications included degenerative suprarenal or thoracoabdominal aneurysm (six), presumed or known mycotic aneurysm (four), anastomotic pseudoaneurysm (three), false lumen rupture of type B dissection (two), and penetrating aortic ulceration (one). Nine (56%) had previous aortic surgery and all patients were either American Society of Anesthesiologists class IV (n = 9) or IV-E (n = 7). A total of 40 visceral vessels (celiac, 10; superior mesenteric artery, 10; right renal artery, 10; left renal artery, 10) were revascularized with a combination of fenestrations (33), directional graft branches (six), and graft scallops (one). Technical success was 94% (n = 15/16), with one open conversion. Median contrast use was 126 mL (range, 41-245) and fluoroscopy time was 70 minutes (range, 18-200). Endoleaks were identified intraoperatively in four patients (type II, n = 3; type IV, n = 1), but none have required remediation. Mean length of stay was 12 ± 15 days (median, 5.5; range, 3-59). Single complications occurred in five (31%) patients as follows: brachial sheath hematoma (one), stroke (one), ileus (one), respiratory failure (one), and renal failure (one). An additional patient experienced multiple complications including spinal cord ischemia (one) and multiorgan failure resulting in death (n = 1; in-hospital mortality, 6.3%). The majority of patients were discharged to home (63%; n = 10) or short-term rehabilitation units (25%; n = 4), while one patient required admission to a long-term acute care setting. There were no reinterventions at a median follow-up of 6.2 (range, 1-16.1) months. Postoperative computed tomographic angiogram was available for all patients and demonstrated 100% branch vessel patency, with one type III endoleak pending intervention. There were two late deaths at 1.4 and 13.4 months due to nonaortic-related pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Urgent or emergent treatment of acute pathology involving the visceral aortic segment with fenestrated/branched endograft repair is feasible and safe in selected high-risk patients; however, the durability of these repairs is yet to be determined.

Late outcomes of a single-center experience of 400 consecutive thoracic endovascular aortic repairs.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we report the late outcomes of a large, decade-long single-center thoracic endovascular aortic repair experience. METHODS AND RESULTS: A prospectively maintained registry and the electronic medical records of 400 consecutive thoracic endovascular aortic repair performed at a tertiary care center were reviewed. The distribution of pathologies treated included aneurysms (198, 49%), dissections (100, 25%), penetrating ulcers (54, 14%), traumatic transections (25, 6%), and other pathologies (23, 6%). Spinal drains were placed prophylactically in 127 cases (32%) of planned extended aortic coverage. There were no acute surgical conversions. Adjunctive surgical procedures were performed on 94 patients (24%). Subclavian revascularizations were performed selectively in only 15% of zone 0 to 2 deployments. The median length of stay was 5 days (limits, 1 and 79 days). Overall 30-day mortality was 6.5% (elective, 2.6%; urgent, 9.5%; and emergent, 20%). Permanent spinal cord ischemia occurred in 4.5% and stroke in 3%. Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival were 82%, 76%, 68%, and 60% and freedom from secondary intervention was 90%, 86%, 81%, and 78% at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively. Risk factors for mortality included stroke, urgent/emergent repair, age ≥80 years, general anesthesia, and dissection pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair may be used to treat a variety of thoracic aortic pathologies with a very low risk of intraoperative conversion. Overall rates of mortality and neurological complications were relatively low but significantly increased in emergent repairs. There appeared to be a substantial number of late deaths, which may represent a combination of poor patient selection and treatment failures.

Preoperative prediction of mortality within 1 year after elective thoracic endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is known to have a survival benefit over open repair in patients with descending thoracic aneurysms and has become a mainstay of therapy. Because death before 1 year after TEVAR likely indicates an ineffective therapy, we have created a predictive model for death within 1 year using factors available in the preoperative setting. METHODS: A registry of 526 TEVARs performed at the University of Florida between September 2000 and November 2010 was queried for patients with degenerative descending thoracic aneurysm as their primary pathology. Procedures with emergent or urgent indications were excluded. Preoperatively available variables, such as baseline comorbidities, anatomic-, and procedure-specific planning details, were recorded. Univariate predictors of death were analyzed with multivariable Cox proportional hazards to identify independent predictors of 30-day (death within 30 days) and 1-year mortality (death within 1 year) after TEVAR. RESULTS: A total of 224 patients were identified and evaluated. The 30-day mortality rate was 3% (n = 7) and the 1-year mortality rate was 15% (n = 33). Multivariable predictors of 1-year mortality (hazard ratios [95% confidence interval]) included: age >70 years (5.8 [2.1-16.0]; P = .001), adjunctive intraoperative procedures (eg, brachiocephalic or visceral stents, or both, concomitant arch debranching procedures; 4.5 [1.9-10.8]; P = .001), peripheral arterial disease (3.0 [1.4-6.7]; P = .006), coronary artery disease (2.4 [1.1-4.9]; P = .02), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (1.9 [1.0-3.9]; P = .06). A diagnosis of hyperlipidemia was protective (0.4 [0.2-0.7]; P = .006). When patients were grouped into those with one, two, three, or four or more of these risk factors, the predicted 1-year mortality was 1%, 3%, 10%, 27%, and 54%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Factors are available in the preoperative setting that are predictive of death within 1 year after TEVAR and can guide clinical decision making regarding the timing of repair. Patients with multiple risk factors, such as age ≥ 70 years, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a need for an extensive procedure involving adjunctive therapies, have a high predicted mortality within 1 year and may be best served by waiting for a larger aneurysm size to justify the risk of intervention.

Endovascular treatment of acute and chronic aortic pathology in patients with Marfan syndrome.

BACKGROUND: In patients with Marfan syndrome, the complications of aortic degeneration, including dissection, aneurysm, and rupture represent the main cause of mortality. Although contemporary management of ascending aortic disease requires open surgical reconstruction, endovascular repair is now available for management of descending thoracic and abdominal aortic pathology (ie, thoracic endovascular aortic repair [TEVAR], endovascular aneurysm repair [EVAR]). The short- and long-term benefit of endovascular repair in Marfan patients remains largely unproven. We examine our outcomes after EVAR in this patient population. METHODS: All patients with a diagnosis of Marfan syndrome who were treated with TEVAR/EVAR were evaluated in a retrospective review. Perioperative, procedure-specific and patient covariate data were aggregated. Primary endpoints were overall mortality and procedural success as divided into three categories: (1) successful therapy, (2) primary failure, or (3) secondary failure. RESULTS: Between 2000 and June 2010, 16 patients were identified as having undergone 19 TEVAR/EVAR procedures. These included three emergent operations (two for acute dissection/malperfusion and one for anastomotic disruption early after open repair). All 16 patients had previously undergone at least one (range, 1-5) open operation of the ascending aorta or arch at a time interval from 33 years to 1 week prior to the index endovascular repair. During a median follow-up of 9.3 months (range, 0-46 months), there were four deaths (25%). Six patients (38%) had successful endovascular interventions. Despite early success, there was one death in this group at 1 month postintervention. Seven patients (44%) experienced primary treatment failure with five undergoing open conversion and one undergoing left subclavian coil embolization (the seventh was lost to follow-up and presented 4 months later in cardiac arrest and expired without repair). There were three deaths in the primary treatment failure group. Two patients experienced secondary treatment failure. One underwent the index TEVAR for acute dissection with malperfusion and required a subsequent TEVAR for more distal aortic pathology. He is stable without disease progression. The other patient underwent open conversion after a second EVAR with four-vessel "chimney" stent grafts and is stable with his entire native aorta having been replaced. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic disease associated with Marfan syndrome is a complex clinical problem and many patients require remedial procedures. Endovascular therapy can provide a useful adjunct or bridge to open surgical treatment in selected patients. However, failure of endovascular therapy is common, and its use should be judicious with close follow-up to avoid delay if open surgical repair is required.

Early blood biomarkers predict organ injury and resource utilization following complex cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing complex cardiac surgery (thoracic aorta and valve) are at risk for organ failure and increased resource utilization. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has been found to be an early biomarker for renal injury. Multiplex cytokine immunoassays allow the evaluation of the early inflammatory response. We examined the relationship between early biomarker appearance (NGAL and multiplex cytokines) and organ injury and resource utilization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: NGAL and multiplex cytokine immunoassays were performed at baseline, 1, 6, and 24 h following surgery on 38 patients undergoing thoracic aorta and valve operations. The mean age was 65 y with 26 males and 12 females. Acute kidney injury (AKIN definition), pulmonary failure (>24 h ventilation), and intensive care unit and hospital stays were examined. RESULTS: One hour following complex cardiac surgery, the quartile of patients with the greatest IL-6 response had higher serum NGAL levels compared with the lowest quartile (347 versus 145 ng/mL, P=0.002), and 70% of these patients progressed to clinical kidney injury. Six hours following surgery, the quartile of patients with the greatest IL-10 response had higher serum NGAL compared with the lowest quartile (271 versus 160, P =0.04), more pulmonary failure (60% versus 10%, P =0.01), and longer ICU and hospital stays (P =0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with early elevated biomarkers of inflammation exhibited higher NGAL, more pulmonary failure, and greater resource utilization. Earlier identification of patients at risk for organ injury may allow for earlier intervention and reduce resource utilization.

Outcomes of Surgical Coronary Revascularization Performed Before Solid Abdominal Organ Transplants.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac risk stratification and coronary angiography are routinely performed as part of kidney and liver transplant candidacy evaluation. There are limited data on the outcomes of surgical coronary revascularization in this patient population. This study investigated outcomes in patients with end- stage renal or hepatic disease who were undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to attain kidney or liver transplant candidacy. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent isolated CABG at our institution, Indiana University School of Medicine (Indianapolis, IN), between 2010 and 2016. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts: pretransplant (those undergoing surgery to attain renal or hepatic transplant candidacy) and nontransplant (all others). Baseline characteristics and postoperative outcomes were compared between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 1801 patients were included: 28 in the pretransplant group (n = 22, kidney; n = 7, liver) and 1773 in the nontransplant group. Major adverse postoperative outcomes were significantly greater in the pretransplant group compared with the nontransplant group: 30-day mortality (14.3% vs 2.8%; P = .009), neurologic events (17.9% vs 4.8%; P = .011), reintubation (21.4% vs 5.8%; P = .005), and total postoperative ventilation (5.2 hours vs 5.0 hours; P = .0124). The 1- and 5-year mortality in the pretransplant group was 17.9% and 53.6%, respectively. Of the pretransplant cohort, 3 patients (10.7%) underwent organ transplantation (all kidney) at a mean 436 days after CABG. No patients underwent liver transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes after CABG in pre-kidney transplant and pre-liver transplant patients are poor. Despite surgical revascularization, most patients do not ultimately undergo organ transplantation. Revascularization strategies and optimal management in this high-risk population warrant further study.

First United States experience of the TX2 Pro-Form thoracic delivery system.

OBJECTIVES: Failure to conform to the arch ("bird-beaking") can lead to endoleak and graft collapse after thoracic endovascular aortic repair. We report the first United States experience with the new TX2 Pro-Form (Cook Inc, Bloomington, Ind), a novel delivery system that became commercially available in October 2009, designed to enhance circumferential apposition of the TX2 thoracic endograft to the arch. METHODS: This was a single-institution retrospective study. Endograft-to-arch conformance was quantitatively analyzed using intraoperative angiograms of consecutive, reverse chronologic cohorts of TX2 Pro-Form, TX2 Z-Trak (prior delivery system; Cook), and Gore TAG (W.L. Gore and Assoc, Flagstaff, Ariz). Only native aortic arch deployments in zones 2 and 3 were included. RESULTS: During a 6-week period, 20 Pro-Form cases were performed, of which 17 patients met inclusion criteria. These were compared with 17 Z-Trak and 17 TAG patients. Endografts were successfully delivered to their intended proximal landing zones in all 51 patients. A higher proportion of dissections were treated in the Z-Trak (65%) and TAG (76%) patients (P = .03), but similar rates of zone 2/3 deployments (P = .30). Despite the mean arch angle being greatest for the Pro-Form patients (90° vs 74° vs 71°, P = .18), the mean separation between the leading endograft edge and the aortic wall along the inner curvature of the arch was significantly less (1.4 vs 4.1 vs 5.7 mm; P = .0002), with complete apposition achieved in 65% of Pro-Form patients (18% Z-Trak, 6% TAG, P < .0001). This resulted in the lowest reduction in aortic luminal diameter at the proximal landing zone (5.5% vs 13.4% vs 19.3%; P = .0006) compared with Z-Trak and TAG. Rates of type Ia endoleak were similar (P = .38). CONCLUSIONS: The Pro-Form delivery system significantly improves endograft conformation to the arch, resulting in minimum bird-beaking even in severely angulated anatomies.

Outcomes of Florida Sleeve Procedure in Patients with Bicuspid Versus Tricuspid Aortic Valve.

OBJECTIVE: Outcomes of the Florida Sleeve (FS) procedure in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) have not been reported before. We compared outcomes of the FS procedure between patients with BAV and those with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). METHODS: From May 1, 2002 to January 1, 2016, 177 patients including 18 BAV and 159 TAV underwent the FS procedure. Baseline characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and echocardiographic measurements were compared between the 2 groups. Kaplan-Meier and life-table analyses were used to evaluate survival and freedom from reintervention rates. RESULTS: Mean ± standard deviation age and aortic root diameter were comparable in BAV and TAV groups, 47.83 ± 11.19 versus 49.59 ± 15.79 years (P = 0.55) and 56.57 ± 6.18 versus 55.17 ± 8.84 mm (P = 0.46), respectively. The 30-day mortality and stroke rates were zero in the BAV group and 1.88% (n = 3) in the TAV group (P = 1.00). One patient (5.55%) in the BAV group and 8 (5.03%) patients in the TAV group needed permanent pacemaker implantation (P = 0.62). Freedom from reoperation was 93% in the BAV group and 99% in the TAV group at 8 years (P = 0.041). Patient survival rate was 100% in the BAV group and 91% in the TAV group at 8 years (P = 0.42). Freedom from aortic insufficiency greater than mild was 93% in the BAV group and 96.5% in the TAV group at 5 years (P = 0.61). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study reporting outcomes of the FS procedure in patients with BAV. This technique is feasible, and the results appear to be durable when compared to patients with TAV.

Spinal cord ischemia after TEVAR in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence of and the anatomic factors that may contribute to spinal cord ischemia (SCI) in patients with a history of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). METHODS: The medical records, computed tomography (CT) angiograms, and a prospectively maintained clinical database of all TEVAR patients at a single institution between 2000 and 2007 were reviewed. Select preoperative demographics, thoracoabdominal aortoiliac anatomy, intraoperative procedural variables, and postoperative outcomes were examined. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed and odds ratio estimates were reported with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Of the 261 patients who underwent TEVAR, 27 developed SCI (10%). Thirteen (48%) of these 27 patients were completely reversed with spinal drainage, and 14 (52%) were permanent. Patients with SCI tended to be older (P = .006), male (P = .049), and required more emergent procedures (P = .051) performed under general anesthesia (P = .004). Interestingly, while prior AAA repair (50/261, 19%) alone was not associated with SCI (P = .44), a history of either repaired or unrepaired AAA (101/261, 39%) was a predictor of SCI on multivariate analysis (odds ratio [OR] = 4.35 [1.43, 14.3], P = .10), independent of thoracic aortic coverage (P = .001) and lumbar artery patency (P = .008), both of which were also associated with SCI. CONCLUSION: Although the causes of SCI after TEVAR are multifactorial, abdominal aortic anatomy appears to be associated with development of this complication. Patients with either prior AAA repair or those with unrepaired AAA appear to be at increased risk for SCI.

Early outcomes after endovascular management of acute, complicated type B aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVES: Surgical management of acute, complicated type B aortic dissection is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study examined the feasibility and safety of endovascular treatment of this pathology. METHODS: We reviewed a prospectively maintained thoracic endovascular database and medical records at a single institution from 2005 to 2007. The study group comprised of acute, complicated type B dissections, defined as duration of symptoms

Altered beta-2 adrenergic receptor gene expression in human clinical hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: The beta-2 adrenergic receptor is involved in mediating vasodilatation via neurohumoral and sympathetic nervous system pathways. Alterations in beta-2 adrenergic receptor gene expression (mRNA transcription) may contribute to the hypertensive phenotype. Human gene expression in clinical phenotypes remains largely unexplored due to ethical constraints involved in obtaining human tissue. We devised a method to obtain normally discarded internal mammary artery tissue from coronary artery bypass graft patients. We then investigated differences in hypertensive and normotensive participants' beta-2 adrenergic receptor gene expression in this tissue. METHODS: We collected arterial tissue samples from 46 coronary artery bypass patients in a surgical setting. Using 41 of the samples, we performed TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and used the delta delta cycle threshold (DeltaDeltaCt) relative quantitation method for determination of fold-differences in gene expression between normotensive and hypertensive participants. The beta-2 adrenergic receptor target was normalized to glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase. RESULTS: Participants with hypertension had significantly less-expressed beta-2 adrenoceptor gene (2.76-fold, p<.05) compared to normotensive participants. After Bonferroni correction, gene expression did not differ by race, gender, type/dose of beta-blocker prescribed, positive family history of hypertension, or diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type 2. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the possibility of a molecular basis for impaired adrenoceptor-mediated vascular tone in hypertension. Modification and extension of this research is required.

The Florida Sleeve Procedure Is Durable and Improves Aortic Valve Function.

BACKGROUND: The Florida (FL) Sleeve procedure was introduced as a simplified approach for valve-sparing correction of functional Type I aortic insufficiency (AI) associated with aortic root aneurysms. In this study, short- and long-term outcomes after the FL Sleeve procedure were investigated. METHODS: From May 2002 to January 2016, 177 patients underwent the FL Sleeve procedure. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction, and degree of AI (none = 0, minimal = 1, mild = 2, moderate = 3, severe = 4) were evaluated by echocardiography. RESULTS: Mean ± standard deviation of age was 49.41 ± 15.37 years. Survival rate was 98% at 1 year, 97% at 5 years, and 93% at 8 years. Freedom from reoperation was 99% at 1 year and 98% at 2 to 8 years. Three patients (1.69%) died during hospitalization. Three patients (1.69%) developed periprocedural stroke. Postoperative follow-up echocardiography was available in 140 patients at 30 days, and 31 patients at 5 years. AI grade significantly improved from baseline at 30 days (2.18 ± 1.26 vs. 1.1 ± 0.93, p < 0.001) and at 5 years (2.0 ± 1.23 vs. 1.45 ± 0.88, p = 0.04). Preoperative mean LVEDD significantly decreased from 52.20 ± 6.73 to 46.87 ± 8.40 (p < 0.001) at 30 days, and from 53.22 ± 7.07 to 46.61 ± 10.51 (p = 0.01) at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The FL Sleeve procedure is a safe, effective, and durable treatment of aortic root aneurysm and Type I AI. Long-term survival and freedom from reoperation rates are encouraging.

Repair of Thoracic and Thoracoabdominal Mycotic Aneurysms and Infected Aortic Grafts Using Allograft.

BACKGROUND: Mycotic aneurysm of the thoracic or thoracoabdominal aorta and infection of thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic grafts are challenging problems with high mortality. In situ reconstruction with cryopreserved allograft (CPA) avoids placement of prosthetic material in an infected field and avoids suppressive antibiotics or autologous tissue coverage. METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients with infection of a thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic graft or mycotic aneurysm underwent resection and replacement with CPA from 2006 to 2016. Intravenous antibiotics were continued postoperatively for 6 weeks. Long-term suppressive antibiotics were uncommonly used (8 patients). Follow-up imaging occurred at 6, 18, and 42 months postoperatively. Initial follow-up was 93% complete. RESULTS: Men comprised 64% of the cohort. The mean age was 63 ± 14 years. The procedures performed included reoperations in 37 patients; replacement of the aortic root, ascending aorta, or transverse arch in 19; replacement of the descending or thoracoabdominal aorta in 27; and extensive replacement of the ascending, arch, and descending or thoracoabdominal aorta in 4. Intraoperative cultures revealed most commonly Staphylococcus (24%), Enterococcus (12%), Candida (6%), and gram-negative rods (14%). Operative mortality was 8%, stroke was 4%, paralysis was 2%, hemodialysis was 6%, and respiratory failure requiring tracheostomy was 6%. Early reoperation for pseudoaneurysm of the CPA was necessary in 4 patients. One-, 2-, and 5-year survival was 84%, 76%, and 64%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Radical resection and in situ reconstruction with CPA avoids placing prosthetic material in an infected field and provides good early and midterm outcomes. However, early postoperative imaging is necessary given the risk of pseudoaneurysm formation.