COVID-19 in patients recovering from cardiac surgery: A surprising mild disease course.

BACKGROUND: We describe the baseline, operative, and postoperative features of a group of 18 patients who contracted the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection in a rehabilitation facility after cardiac surgery, and present some potential explanations for the surprisingly benign course of the COVID-19 in this cohort. METHODS: All patients were operated on an urgent or emergency basis (acute aortic syndrome, 3; refractory heart failure, 12; and endocarditis, 3) during the first lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The mean age was 70 years, and 12 patients were male. After the diagnosis of COVID-19, patients were treated according to the most recent recommendations. Eleven asymptomatic patients were discharged home or to a COVID-19 hotel and underwent close monitoring. Patients with fever, dyspnea, or a significant rise of the polymerase chain reaction levels were hospitalized, three received antivirals, three azithromicyne, and five hydroxychloroquine. Nasal swabs were repeated on a weekly basis, and all patients were quarantined until the collection of two consecutive negative samples. RESULTS: Diversely from other observations on perioperative COVID-19 reporting mortality rates of 30%-40%, the COVID-19 had a benign course in our cohort: only seven patients required hospitalization, and one required short intensive care unit admission. There were no deaths, and at the latest follow-up, all patients had been discharged home. COMMENT: Our data show that the SARS-CoV2 infection after cardiac surgery may have a benign course. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between the timing of the infection, some potentially protective therapies (e.g., anticoagulants), and the course of the COVID-19.

Incidence, predictors, and clinical outcomes of coronary obstruction following transcatheter aortic valve replacement for degenerative bioprosthetic surgical valves: insights from the VIVID registry.

Aims: There are limited data on coronary obstruction following transcatheter valve-in-valve (ViV) implantation inside failed aortic bioprostheses. The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence, predictors, and clinical outcomes of coronary obstruction in transcatheter ViV procedures. Methods and results: A total of 1612 aortic procedures from the Valve-in-Valve International Data (VIVID) Registry were evaluated. Data were subject to centralized blinded corelab computed tomography (CT) analysis in a subset of patients. The virtual transcatheter valve to coronary ostium distance (VTC) was determined. A total of 37 patients (2.3%) had clinically evident coronary obstruction. Baseline clinical characteristics in the coronary obstruction patients were similar to controls. Coronary obstruction was more common in stented bioprostheses with externally mounted leaflets or stentless bioprostheses than in stented with internally mounted leaflets bioprostheses (6.1% vs. 3.7% vs. 0.8%, respectively; P < 0.001). CT measurements were obtained in 20 (54%) and 90 (5.4%) of patients with and without coronary obstruction, respectively. VTC distance was shorter in coronary obstruction patients in relation to controls (3.24 ± 2.22 vs. 6.30 ± 2.34, respectively; P < 0.001). Using multivariable analysis, the use of a stentless or stented bioprosthesis with externally mounted leaflets [odds ratio (OR): 7.67; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.14-18.7; P < 0.001] associated with coronary obstruction for the global population. In a second model with CT data, a shorter VTC distance predicted this complication (OR: 0.22 per 1 mm increase; 95% CI: 0.09-0.51; P < 0.001), with an optimal cut-off level of 4 mm (area under the curve: 0.943; P < 0.001). Coronary obstruction was associated with a high 30-day mortality (52.9% vs. 3.9% in the controls, respectively; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Coronary obstruction following aortic ViV procedures is a life-threatening complication that occurred more frequently in patients with prior stentless or stented bioprostheses with externally mounted leaflets and in those with a short VTC.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation in failed bioprosthetic surgical valves.

IMPORTANCE: Owing to a considerable shift toward bioprosthesis implantation rather than mechanical valves, it is expected that patients will increasingly present with degenerated bioprostheses in the next few years. Transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implantation is a less invasive approach for patients with structural valve deterioration; however, a comprehensive evaluation of survival after the procedure has not yet been performed. OBJECTIVE: To determine the survival of patients after transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation inside failed surgical bioprosthetic valves. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Correlates for survival were evaluated using a multinational valve-in-valve registry that included 459 patients with degenerated bioprosthetic valves undergoing valve-in-valve implantation between 2007 and May 2013 in 55 centers (mean age, 77.6 [SD, 9.8] years; 56% men; median Society of Thoracic Surgeons mortality prediction score, 9.8% [interquartile range, 7.7%-16%]). Surgical valves were classified as small (≤21 mm; 29.7%), intermediate (>21 and <25 mm; 39.3%), and large (≥25 mm; 31%). Implanted devices included both balloon- and self-expandable valves. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Survival, stroke, and New York Heart Association functional class. RESULTS: Modes of bioprosthesis failure were stenosis (n = 181 [39.4%]), regurgitation (n = 139 [30.3%]), and combined (n = 139 [30.3%]). The stenosis group had a higher percentage of small valves (37% vs 20.9% and 26.6% in the regurgitation and combined groups, respectively; P = .005). Within 1 month following valve-in-valve implantation, 35 (7.6%) patients died, 8 (1.7%) had major stroke, and 313 (92.6%) of surviving patients had good functional status (New York Heart Association class I/II). The overall 1-year Kaplan-Meier survival rate was 83.2% (95% CI, 80.8%-84.7%; 62 death events; 228 survivors). Patients in the stenosis group had worse 1-year survival (76.6%; 95% CI, 68.9%-83.1%; 34 deaths; 86 survivors) in comparison with the regurgitation group (91.2%; 95% CI, 85.7%-96.7%; 10 deaths; 76 survivors) and the combined group (83.9%; 95% CI, 76.8%-91%; 18 deaths; 66 survivors) (P = .01). Similarly, patients with small valves had worse 1-year survival (74.8% [95% CI, 66.2%-83.4%]; 27 deaths; 57 survivors) vs with intermediate-sized valves (81.8%; 95% CI, 75.3%-88.3%; 26 deaths; 92 survivors) and with large valves (93.3%; 95% CI, 85.7%-96.7%; 7 deaths; 73 survivors) (P = .001). Factors associated with mortality within 1 year included having small surgical bioprosthesis (≤21 mm; hazard ratio, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.14-3.67; P = .02) and baseline stenosis (vs regurgitation; hazard ratio, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.33-7.08; P = .008). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this registry of patients who underwent transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation for degenerated bioprosthetic aortic valves, overall 1-year survival was 83.2%. Survival was lower among patients with small bioprostheses and those with predominant surgical valve stenosis.

Outcome analysis of synchronous carotid endarterectomy and cardiac surgery. Comparison of two anesthetic techniques after propensity score-matching.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of patients undergoing synchronous carotid endarterectomy and coronary and/or other cardiac surgery. The impact of anesthesia on the outcome was examined. METHODS: A retrospective single-center observational study was performed, to investigate the outcome of 127 consecutive adult patients submitted to synchronous surgery from 2011 to 2019. Cooperative patient general anesthesia for carotid endarterectomy followed by standard general anesthesia for cardiac surgery and standard general anesthesia for the whole surgery were compared after a propensity score analysis. RESULTS: Primary outcomes were 30-day mortality (3.1%), incidence of stroke (3.1%), and myocardial infarction (0.8%). Agitation upon awakening, postoperative cardiac troponin I release, the increase of serum creatinine, the occurrence of acute kidney injury and the need for continuous renal replacement therapy were the secondary outcomes. A binary logistic regression revealed that cardiopulmonary bypass use, standard general anesthesia for the whole surgery and the European risk score II, were the strongest predictors of any severe postoperative complications. After propensity score matching, general anesthesia for the whole surgery was significantly correlated with the occurrence of any severe postoperative complication (P=0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Synchronous surgery was performed with acceptable mortality and complication rate even in combination with other than isolated coronary surgery. Cooperative patient general anesthesia during carotid endarterectomy, was not inferior to general anesthesia in this setting.

Transfemoral Implantation of the Acurate neo for the Treatment of Aortic Regurgitation.

OBJECTIVES: We report an international experience of transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using the self-expanding Acurate neo valve (Boston Scientific) in aortic regurgitation. METHODS: This series comprises 20 patients with pure aortic regurgitation undergoing transfemoral TAVR with the Acurate neo prosthesis at nine centers in Europe and Israel. RESULTS: Mean age was 79 ± 8 years and mean STS score was 8.3 ± 9.3%. Leaflet calcification was none/minimal in 19 patients (95%). Prosthesis size selection was based on perimeter-derived annular diameter, with a tendency to over-size in cases of borderline annuli. One patient required implantation of a second valve. Device success rate was 18/20 (90%). At discharge, aortic regurgitation was none in 14 patients (70%), mild in 5 patients (25%), and moderate in 1 patient (5%). Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased from 58 ± 7 mm at baseline to 53 ± 7 mm before discharge (P<.001). At 30-day follow-up, there was no mortality, no stroke, and 3 patients (15%) had received a permanent pacemaker. New York Heart Association class had improved significantly compared to baseline (85% in class I/II compared to 15% at baseline; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: In a selected patient population, transfemoral TAVR using the Acurate neo transcatheter heart valve was successful in treating aortic regurgitation, significantly reduced left ventricular dimensions, and improved clinical symptoms.

Antegrade and retrograde perfusion in minimally invasive mitral valve surgery with transthoracic aortic clamping: a single-institution experience with 1632 patients over 12 years.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of a retrograde arterial perfusion (RAP) strategy versus an antegrade arterial perfusion (AAP) strategy in a consecutive, large cohort of patients who underwent minimally invasive mitral valve surgery with transthoracic aortic clamping through a right minithoracotomy. Methods: Between 2003 and 2015, 1632 consecutive patients underwent first-time minimally invasive mitral valve surgery with transthoracic aortic clamping at our institution; 141 (8.6%) of these patients received retrograde perfusion with femoral artery cannulation, whereas 1421 (91.4%) received antegrade perfusion with ascending aorta cannulation. Logistic regression was used to evaluate outcomes and risk factors for death and stroke between groups. Results: The overall frequency of 30-day mortality was 0.7% (13/1632) and was similar between groups (retrograde arterial perfusion RAP 0.7% vs AAP 0.8%; P = 0.903). The overall postoperative stroke rate was 1.3% (22/1632). The stroke rate was significantly higher in patients receiving retrograde perfusion (3.5% vs 1.1%; P = 0.005). Risk factors for death were advanced age (odds ratio (OR) = 1.3; P = 0.004), mitral valve replacement (OR = 3.9; P = 0.05), emergent procedure (OR = 3.4; P = 0.014) and conversion to sternotomy (OR = 3.7; P = 0.001). Multivariable regression analysis revealed that retrograde perfusion was an independent risk factor for stroke (OR = 3.3; P = 0.004). Other risk factors were conversion to sternotomy (OR = 12; P = 0.001), active endocarditis (OR = 5.8; P = 0.07) and hypercholesterolaemia (OR = 2.4; P = 0.048). Interaction modelling revealed that the only significant risk factor for a neurological event was the use of retrograde perfusion in patients older than 70 years with an atherosclerotic burden (OR = 6.4; P = 0.033). Conclusions: Minimally invasive mitral valve procedures can be performed with low morbidity and mortality. The use of retrograde perfusion is associated with a higher incidence of neurological complications in older patients with atherosclerotic burden. Central aortic cannulation permits avoidance of complications associated with retrograde perfusion and extends the suitability of minimally invasive mitral procedures to those patients who have an absolute contraindication for femoral artery cannulation.

Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement with a sutureless valve through a right anterior mini-thoracotomy versus transcatheter aortic valve implantation in high-risk patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare early outcomes and mid-term survival of high-risk patients undergoing minimally invasive aortic valve replacement through right anterior mini-thoracotomy (RT) with sutureless valves versus patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for severe aortic stenosis. METHODS: From October 2008 to March 2013, 269 patients with severe aortic stenosis underwent either RT with perceval S sutureless valves (n = 178 patients, 66.2%) or TAVI (n = 91, 33.8%: 44 transapical and 47 trans-femoral). Of these, 37 patients undergoing RT with the perceval S valve were matched to a TAVI group by the propensity score. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups (mean age 79 ± 6 years) and the median logistic EuroSCORE was 14% (range 9-20%). In the matched group, the in-hospital mortality rate was 8.1% (n = 3) in the TAVI group and 0% in the RT group (P = 0.25). The incidence rate of stroke was 5.4% (n = 2) versus 0% in the TAVI and RT groups (P = 0.3). In the TAVI group, 37.8% (n = 14) had mild paravalvular leakage (PVL) and 27% (n = 10) had moderate PVL, whereas 2.7% (n = 1) had mild PVL in the RT group (P < 0.001). One- and 2-year survival rates were 91.6 vs 78.6% and 91.6 vs 66.2% in patients undergoing RT with the perceval S sutureless valve compared with those undergoing TAVI, respectively (P = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement with perceval S sutureless valves through an RT is associated with a trend of better early outcomes and mid-term survival compared with TAVI.

Enhancing quality control and performance monitoring in thoracic aortic surgery: a 10-year single institutional experience.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to monitor performance and learning effects for thoracic aortic surgery. In addition, we evaluated the volume-outcome relationship of patients undergoing surgery of the thoracic aorta, comparing the results of two higher-volume surgeons (HVSs) with six lower volume surgeons. METHODS: A total of 867 thoracic aortic procedures (elective cases n = 753 and Type A acute dissection n = 114) were performed from 2003 to 2013 by eight surgeons (range 28-238 procedures) at our institution. Departmental and individual performance was monitored using control charts, with a predetermined acceptable failure rate of 10%. Perioperative death or one or more of four adverse events constituted failure. Moreover, results of two higher-volume operators (n = 460; 53%) were compared with those of six lower-volume operators (n = 407; 47%). RESULTS: The incidence rate of in-hospital mortality for elective cases was 2% and for Type A dissection repair 9.6%. Institutional control charts revealed that the surgical process was under control for all the study periods apart from small periods of worse than expected performance which were congruent with new surgeons joining the programme. The predominant surgical failure was reoperation for bleeding. There were differences between surgeons with regard to the learning curves and performance. No significant differences were observed between high- and low-volume surgeons in terms of mortality and morbidity for elective cases. However, high-volume surgeons presented a trend suggesting a higher mortality rate in Type A aortic dissection repair (17.1 vs 6.3%; P = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic aortic surgery can be performed with similar results by high- and low-volume surgeon. Control charts can facilitate learning effects and performance monitoring. Implementation of continuous departmental and individual performance monitoring is practicable.

Minimally invasive right thoracotomy approach for mitral valve surgery in patients with previous sternotomy: a single institution experience with 173 patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study presents a review of our experience with minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) in patients with a previous cardiac procedure performed through a sternotomy over a 10-year period. METHODS: From November 2003 to August 2013, 173 patients (age 61.3 ± 12.4 years) underwent reoperative MIMVS through a right minithoracotomy. Previous operations were coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 49; 28.6%), a mitral valve procedure (n = 120; 70.1%), an aortic valve procedure (n = 32; 18.7%), and other operations (n = 14; 8.1%). The mean euroSCORE was 11.2 ± 3.8. The time to redo surgery was 6.9 ± 4.2 years. RESULTS: Procedures were performed with central aortic cannulation in 55 patients (31.7%) and peripheral cannulation in 118 (68.3%). A transthoracic clamp was used in 58 patients (33.5%), an endoaortic balloon in 72 (41.6%), hypothermic ventricular fibrillation in 23 (13.2%), and beating heart in 20 (11.5%). Mean cardiopulmonary bypass and crossclamp times were 160 ± 58 minutes and 82 ± 49 minutes, respectively. Mitral repair was performed in 53 patients (30.6%). Forty-three patients (24.7%) had an additional cardiac procedure. Conversion to sternotomy was necessary in 2 patients (1.1%) and reoperation for bleeding in 11 patients (6.3%). Thirty-day mortality was 4.1% (n = 7). Major morbidities included stroke (n = 11; 6%) and new-onset dialysis requirement (n = 4; 2.3%). The mean blood transfusion requirement was 1.4 ± 1.1 units. Mean follow-up was 3.3 ± 2.6 years. Survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 93.1% ± 1.9%, 87.5% ± 2.7%, and 79.7% ± 3.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Reoperative mitral valve surgery can be safely performed through a right minithoracotomy with good early and late outcomes. The avoidance of extensive surgical dissection, optimal valve exposure, and low blood transfusion are the main advantages of this technique.

Training surgeons in minimally invasive mitral valve repair: a single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to study the results of minimally invasive mitral valve repair performed by 5 young surgeons who were trained in mitral valve repair directly through a minimally invasive approach, and a senior surgeon who introduced the technique at our institution and was responsible for the training program. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational cohort study of prospectively collected data from 595 consecutive patients who underwent minimally invasive mitral repair performed by 5 trainees (n = 240, 40.3%) and by our lead consultant (n = 355, 59.7%) between 2007 and 2013. Treatment selection bias was controlled by constructing a propensity score from core patient characteristics and it was included along with the comparison variable in the multivariable analyses of outcome. RESULTS: Patients operated on by trainees were more likely to be female (p = 0.04), older (p = 0.001), and with history of atrial fibrillation (p = 0.001). Trainees required a significant longer cardiopulmonary bypass (137 ± 56 vs 123 ± 52 minutes; p = 0.003) and aortic clamp time (97 ± 41 vs 83 ± 40 minutes; p = 0.001). I-hospital mortalities were 1.3% in the trainees group and 0.8% in the senior surgeon group (p = 0.6). The incidence of stroke (1.7% vs 2.5%; p = 0.5), conversion to sternotomy (2.6% vs 3.5%; p = 0.5), and conversion to mitral valve replacement (12.5% vs 10.9%; p = 0.6) were similar between groups. No differences were found regarding other complications. Five-year survival (88.9% vs 89.5%; p = 0.4) and freedom from reoperation (94.5% vs 95.1; p = 0.6) were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive mitral valve repair is a safe and reproducible surgical technique that can be taught successfully to cardiac trainees.

Antegrade and retrograde arterial perfusion strategy in minimally invasive mitral-valve surgery: a propensity score analysis on 1280 patients.

OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have suggested an increased risk of stroke in patients undergoing minimally invasive mitral-valve surgery with retrograde perfusion when compared with antegrade perfusion. The aim of the present study was therefore to evaluate the impact on early outcome of retrograde arterial perfusion (RAP) strategy vs antegrade arterial perfusion strategy in a consecutive large cohort of patients who underwent minimally invasive mitral-valve surgery through a right minithoracotomy. METHODS: Between 2003 and 2012, 1280 consecutive patients underwent first-time minimally invasive mitral-valve surgery at our institution. A total of 167 (13%) of these patients received a retrograde perfusion, while 1113 (87%) received antegrade perfusion. Logistic analysis was used to evaluate outcomes and risk factors for stroke. Treatment selection bias was controlled by constructing a propensity score from core patient characteristics. The propensity score was the probability of receiving retrograde perfusion and was included along with the comparison variable in the multivariable analyses of outcome. RESULTS: The overall frequency of in-hospital mortality was 1.1% (14/1280) and postoperative stroke was 1.6% (21/1280). After adjusting for the propensity score, RAP was associated with a higher incidence of stroke (5 vs 1%; P = 0.002), postoperative delirium (14 vs 5%, P = 0.001) and aortic dissection (1.7 vs 0%; P = 0.01). Multivariable regression analysis revealed that the use of retrograde perfusion was an independent risk factor for stroke [odds ratio (OR) 4.28; P = 0.02] and postoperative delirium (OR 3.51; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive mitral valve procedure can be performed with low morbidity and mortality. The use of retrograde perfusion is associated with a higher incidence of neurological complications and aortic dissection when compared with antegrade perfusion. Central aortic cannulation allows the avoidance of complications associated with retrograde perfusion while extending the suitability of minimally invasive mitral procedures also to those patients who have an absolute contraindication to femoral artery cannulation.

Minimally invasive and conventional aortic valve replacement: a propensity score analysis.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to compare the short-term results of aortic valve replacement through minimally invasive and sternotomy approaches. METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational, cohort study of prospectively collected data on 709 patients undergoing isolated primary aortic valve replacement between 2004 and 2011. Of these, 338 were performed through either right anterior minithoracotomy or upper ministernotomy. With propensity score matching, 182 patients (minimally invasive group) were compared with 182 patients in conventional sternotomy (control group). RESULTS: After propensity matching, the 2 groups were comparable in terms of preoperative characteristics. Cardiopulmonary bypass time (117.5 vs 104.1 min, p<0.0001) and aortic cross-clamping time (83.8 vs 71.3 min, p<0.0001) were longer in the minimally invasive group, with no difference in length of stay (median 6 vs 5 days, p=0.43), but shorter assisted ventilation time (median 8 vs 7 hours, p=0.022). Overall in-hospital mortality was identical between the groups (1.64 vs 1.64%, p=1.0). No difference in the incidence of major and minor postoperative complications and related morbidity was observed. Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement was associated with a lower incidence of new onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (21% vs 31%, p=0.04). Reduction of the complication rate was observed. Median transfusion pack per patient was higher in the control group (2 vs 1 units, p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our experience shows that mini-access isolated aortic valve surgery is a reproducible, safe, and effective procedure and reduces assisted ventilation duration, the need for blood product transfusion, and incidence of post-surgery atrial fibrillation.

Sizing the aortic annulus.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a valuable alternative for aortic valve replacement in selected high-risk candidates. Accurate preoperative assessment of the aortic annular dimensions is crucial for the success of TAVI, since choice of an incorrectly sized prosthesis may result in catastrophic complications. These complications include annular rupture and coronary arterial obstruction, if the prosthesis is too big, or prosthesis migration and severe paravalvular leakage, if the prosthesis is too small. According to current recommendations, the choice of prosthesis size is based on transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) measurements. However, TEE results are dependent on operator experience. Moreover, recent research has shown that TEE can significantly underestimate annular dimensional measurements. Alternative sizing methods based on Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) or manometry during balloon aortic valvuloplasty have therefore been developed. We present a brief overview of the imaging modalities available for preoperative assessment of annular size and discuss their potential advantages and limitations.

Traversing the learning curve in minimally invasive heart valve surgery: a cumulative analysis of an individual surgeon's experience with a right minithoracotomy approach for aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVE: Cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis, first developed to assess industrial quality control, was then used to monitor cardiac surgery performance more than 10 years ago. This analysis may be more sensitive than the standard statistical tools to analyse surgical results. The aim of this study is to assess a single surgeon's learning curve with right anterior minithoracotomy (RAMT) for aortic valve replacement (AVR) using risk-adjusted CUSUM curves and to compare the short- and medium-term results of these patients with a propensity-matched cohort of patients who had standard AVR (SAVR). METHODS: The first 100 patients who underwent RAMT by a single surgeon were analysed, using risk-adjusted CUSUM curves. Predicted risks of failure for individual patients were derived from our institutional database, using logistic regression modelling. Perioperative death or one or more of 10 adverse events constituted failure. Finally, RAMT patients were matched to 100 SAVR patients operated by the same surgeon in the same period, using a propensity score analysis. RESULTS: The author's RAMT experience was associated with a low risk of cumulative failures from the outset, and no learning curve effect was observed. A cluster of surgical failure was individuated at the end of the CUSUM curve (between patients 90 and 100). The predicted risk of failure for the study population constantly increased over the time. After propensity score matching, no baseline differences were observed between RAMT and SAVR patients. The mortality rate was similar between groups (P = 0.8). However, the RAMT group had a lower need for mechanical-assisted ventilation (P = 0.02), transfusion requirements (P = 0.001), post-operative atrial fibrillation (P = 0.01) and post-operative intensive care unit and hospital stay (P = 0.001). Three-year survival was similar between groups (RAMT 94.5% vs. SAVR 92.8%). CONCLUSIONS: AVR can be safely performed through an RAMT with results comparable with the standard sternotomy technique. Patients undergoing this technique are not exposed to an increased operative risk also during the surgeon's initial experience. CUSUM analysis is a valuable tool to assess the learning curve of new surgical techniques and to implement continuous performance monitoring.

Enhancing departmental quality control in minimally invasive mitral valve surgery: a single-institution experience.

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in monitoring the quality of cardiac surgical performance. The aim of the present study was to apply control charts (CUSUM curves) to monitor the performance of minimally invasive mitral valve procedures to enhance quality control for that operation. METHODS: A total of 936 minimally invasive mitral valve procedures were performed from September 2003 to March 2011 by seven surgeons (range 26-401 procedures) at a single institution. Institutional and individual surgeons' performances were monitored using descriptive statistics and control charts, with a predetermined acceptable failure rate of 10% and calculated 80% alert and 95% alarm lines. Perioperative death or one or more of seven adverse events constituted failure. RESULTS: The incidence of in-hospital mortality was 1.8% (17/936) and compared favourably with the predicted mortality (logistic EuroSCORE 7.3%). Institutional CUSUM analysis revealed an initial learning curve and then the surgical process remained in control for all the study period. There were differences between surgeons with regard to the learning curves and perioperative complications (7.3-11.3%, P = 0.9). Five surgeons crossed the 95% reassurance boundary between operations 23 and 48. One surgeon crossed the 95% reassurance boundary after 116 operations. No surgeon crossed the 95% alarm line, which indicates unacceptably high failure rates. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive mitral surgery can be safely performed with low morbidity and mortality. CUSUM curve analysis is a simple statistical method to implement continuous individual and departmental performance monitoring.

Evaluation of platelet count after isolated biological aortic valve replacement with Freedom Solo bioprosthesis.

OBJECTIVE: The risk of thrombocytopenia in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) with the Freedom Solo (FS) bioprosthesis is controversial. The aim of our study was to evaluate the postoperative evolution of platelet count and function after AVR in patients undergoing isolated biological AVR with FS. METHODS: Between May 2005 and June 2010, 322 patients underwent isolated biological AVR. Of these, 116 patients received FS and were compared with 206 patients who received biological valves. Platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW) were evaluated at baseline (T0), first (T1), second (T2), and fifth (T3) postoperative days, respectively. RESULTS: Overall in-hospital mortality was 1.5% with no difference between the two groups. Thirty-seven (11.5%) patients developed thrombocytopenia. FS implantation was associated with a higher incidence of thrombocytopenia compared with the control group (24.1% vs 4.4%, p<0.0001). Patients in the FS group showed a lower platelet count than the control group at T1 (99.4±38×10(3) µl(-1) vs 122.5±41.6×10(3) µl(-1), p<0.001), T2 (79.7±36.3×10(3) µl(-1) vs 122.5±43.3×10(3) µl(-1), p<0.001) and T3 (86.6±57.4×10(3) µl(-1) vs 158.4±55.8×10(3) µl(-1), p<0.001). Moreover, the FS group also had a higher MPV (11.6±0.9 fl vs 11±1 fl, p<0.001) and higher PDW (15.1±2.3 fl vs 13.9±2.1 fl, p<0.001) at T3. In a multivariable analysis, FS (p<0.0001), body surface area (p<0.0001), cardiopulmonary bypass time (p=0.003), and lower preoperative platelet counts (p=0.006) were independent predictors of thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSIONS: The FS valve might increase the risk of thrombocytopenia and platelet activation, in the absence of adverse clinical events. Prospective randomized studies on platelet function need to confirm our data.

Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery through right thoracotomy in patients with patent coronary artery bypass grafts.

We report our institutional experience, with 25 consecutive patients with patent coronary artery bypass grafts (71.8+/-12.7 years), who underwent video-assisted minithoracotomic approach for mitral valve surgery. The surgical technique includes: right minithoracotomy, femoral cannulation and hypothermic ventricular fibrillation. Mean preoperative EuroSCORE was 10.2+/-2.4 and mean ejection fraction was 45+/-9%. Operative mortality was 4% (1/25). No patient required a conversion to sternotomy. Procedures performed were: mitral valve repair in 15 patients (60%), replacement in 10 (40%) and associated tricuspid repair in seven (28%). Mean blood transfusion was 1.2 package/patient. No cardiological, neurological, vascular and wound complications were observed. Postoperative major morbidity includes: severe pulmonary dysfunction in two patients (8%) and acute renal failure in one (4%). Mean ICU and hospital stay were 3.4+/-2.9 and 10.6+/-7.9 days. Echocardiographic follow-up (22.8+/-14.9 months) revealed trace or mild mitral valve regurgitation in all the mitral repair patients. When interrogated, all the surviving patients preferred the minithoracotomic approach rather than the sternotomy. In conclusion, minimally invasive right thoracotomy can be safely performed in patients with functioning coronary bypass grafts requiring mitral valve operation. Low blood transfusion, the avoidance of deep wound infection and the high patient satisfaction are the main advantages of this approach.