Can the EuroSCORE predict midterm survival after aortic valve replacement?

OBJECTIVES: The EuroSCORE as a predictor for midterm survival after isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) and combined AVR with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery was tested. Survival in different risk-stratification groups also was compared to the survival of the general Dutch population. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. SETTING: A single-center study performed in an educational hospital. PARTICIPANTS: All patients (N = 1,652) who underwent AVR with (n = 711) or without (n = 941) CABG surgery from January 2004 through December 2009. INTERVENTIONS: AVR with or without CABG surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Univariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify the additive and the logistic EuroSCOREs as independent predictors of midterm mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to compare the survival of different patients' risk subgroups, based on both the additive and the logistic EuroSCOREs, with the normal Dutch population matched for age and sex. Both additive and logistic EuroSCOREs were significant predictors of midterm mortality after isolated AVR and AVR with CABG surgery. This was also true for the different risk-stratification groups. Except for survival after AVR with CABG surgery in the high-risk group based on the additive EuroSCORE, no difference was found between survival after surgery and survival of the age- and sex-matched normal population. CONCLUSIONS: Both EuroSCORE models can predict midterm survival after isolated AVR and combined AVR with CABG surgery. However, the EuroSCORE is not a predictor for midterm survival when comparing the patient groups with the general Dutch population matched for age and sex. Except for high-risk patients undergoing AVR with CABG surgery, other risk subgroups have similar midterm survival to that of their age- and sex-matched cohorts of the Dutch population.

Predictive value of the additive and logistic EuroSCOREs in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the additive and logistic EuroSCOREs in predicting the operative mortality in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) with or without coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. DESIGN: This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. SETTING: This was a single-center study performed in an educational hospital. PARTICIPANTS: All patients (n = 1,885) who underwent AVR with (n = 813) or without (n = 1,072) CABG surgery between 1998 and 2007. INTERVENTIONS: AVR with or without CABG surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Variable life-adjusted display curves were constructed to compare the observed operative mortality with the additive and logistic EuroSCOREs. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was used to determine the discriminatory power of the additive and logistic EuroSCOREs. Calibration between the predicted and the observed operative mortality was checked by comparing the predicted probability of the mortality with the additive and logistic EuroSCORE. In the isolated AVR group, the additive EuroSCORE was 5.8% predicted mortality and the logistic EuroSCORE was 7.2%, whereas the observed operative mortality was 3.2%. In the AVR with CABG surgery group, the additive EuroSCORE was 7.2% and the logistic EuroSCORE was 8.8%, whereas the observed operative mortality was 5.3%. ROC curve analyses showed a high discriminatory power for both EuroSCOREs in both patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although the additive and the logistic EuroSCOREs had good discriminatory power, they were not able to predict the actual operative mortality accurately. Both EuroSCOREs overestimated the operative mortality, especially in low-risk patients.

A new beating-heart off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting training model.

OBJECTIVES: Training models are essential in mastering the skills required for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). We describe a new, high-fidelity, effective and reproducible beating-heart OPCAB training model in human cadavers. METHODS: Human cadavers were embalmed according to the 'Thiel method' which allows their long-term and repeated use. The training model was constructed by bilateral ligation of the pulmonary veins, cross-clamping of the aorta, positioning of an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in the left ventricle (LV) through the apex (tightened with pledget-reinforced purse strings) and finally placing of a fluid line in the LV through the left atrial appendage (tightened with a pledget-reinforced purse string). The LV was filled with saline to the desired pressure through the fluid line and the IABP was switched on and set to a desired frequency [usually 60-80 beats per minute (bpm)]. RESULTS: A high-fidelity simulation has known limitations, but a more complex, realistic training environment with an actual beating (human) heart strengthens the entire training exercise and is of incremental value. All types of coronary artery anastomosis can be trained with this model. Training should be performed under the supervision of an experienced OPCAB surgeon and training progress is best evaluated with serial Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS). A score of at least 48 points on the final OSATS ('good' on all components) is recommended before trainees can start their training on patients. CONCLUSIONS: The entire set-up provides a versatile training model to help develop and improve the skills required to safely perform beating heart OPCAB anastomoses.

Long-term survival after mitral valve surgery for post-myocardial infarction papillary muscle rupture.

BACKGROUND: Papillary muscle rupture (PMR) is a rare, but dramatic mechanical complication of myocardial infarction (MI), which can lead to rapid clinical deterioration and death. Immediate surgical intervention is considered the optimal and most rational treatment, despite high risks. In this study we sought to identify overall long-term survival and its predictors for patients who underwent mitral valve surgery for post-MI PMR. METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients (mean age 64.7±10.8 years) underwent mitral valve repair (n=10) or replacement (n=40) for post-MI PMR from January 1990 through May 2014. Clinical data, echocardiographic data, catheterization data, and surgical data were stored in a dedicated database. Follow-up was obtained in June of 2014; mean follow-up was 7.1±6.8 years (range 0.0-22.2 years). Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of long-term survival. Kaplan-Meier curves were compared with the log-rank test. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier cumulative survival at 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 years was 71.9±6.4%, 65.1±6.9%, 49.5±7.6%, 36.1±8.0% and 23.7±9.2%, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed logistic EuroSCORE≥40% and EuroSCORE II≥25% as strong independent predictors of a lower overall long-term survival. After removal of the EuroSCOREs from the model, preoperative inotropic drug support and mitral valve replacement (MVR) without (partial or complete) preservation of the subvalvular apparatus were independent predictors of a lower overall long-term survival. CONCLUSIONS: Logistic EuroSCORE≥40%, EuroSCORE II≥25%, preoperative inotropic drug support and MVR without (partial or complete) preservation of the subvalvular apparatus are strong independent predictors of a lower overall long-term survival in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery for post-MI PMR. Whenever possible, the subvalvular apparatus should be preserved in these patients.

Fatal air embolism during cardiopulmonary bypass: analysis of an incident and prevention measures.

Air embolism is a life-threatening complication during cardiopulmonary bypass. We present a case of a patient who suffered an air embolism during coronary bypass surgery, despite standard safety features and procedures. The patient died 3 days after surgery due to massive cerebral oedema. This case report gives a reconstruction of the event and the countermeasures undertaken to minimize the risk of recurrence.

Can postoperative mean transprosthetic pressure gradient predict survival after aortic valve replacement?

BACKGROUND: In this study, we sought to determine the effect of the mean transprosthetic pressure gradient (TPG), measured at 6 weeks after aortic valve replacement (AVR) or AVR with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on late all-cause mortality. METHODS: Between January 1998 and March 2012, 2,276 patients (mean age 68 ± 11 years) underwent TPG analysis at 6 weeks after AVR (n = 1,318) or AVR with CABG (n = 958) at a single institution. Mean TPG was 11.6 ± 7.8 mmHg and median TPG 11 mmHg. Based on the TPG, the patients were split into three groups: patients with a low TPG (<10 mmHg), patients with a medium TPG (10-19 mmHg) and patients with a high TPG (≥ 20 mmHg). Cox proportional-hazard regression analysis was used to determine univariate predictors and multivariate independent predictors of late mortality. RESULTS: Overall survival for the entire group at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years was 97, 93, 87 and 67%, respectively. There was no significant difference in long-term survival between patients with a low, medium or high TPG (p = 0.258). Independent predictors of late mortality included age, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, renal dysfunction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a history of a cerebrovascular accident and cardiopulmonary bypass time. Prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM), severe PPM and TPG measured at 6 weeks postoperatively were not significantly associated with late mortality. CONCLUSIONS: TPG measured at 6 weeks after AVR or AVR with CABG is not an independent predictor of all-cause late mortality and there is no significant difference in long-term survival between patients with a low, medium or high TPG.

Predictors of in-hospital mortality after mitral valve surgery for post-myocardial infarction papillary muscle rupture.

BACKGROUND: Papillary muscle rupture (PMR) is a rare, but often life-threatening mechanical complication of myocardial infarction (MI). Immediate surgical intervention is considered the optimal and most rational treatment for acute PMR, but carries high risks. At this point it is not entirely clear which patients are at highest risk. In this study we sought to determine in-hospital mortality and its predictors for patients who underwent mitral valve surgery for post-MI PMR. METHODS: Between January 1990 and December 2012, 48 consecutive patients (mean age 64.9 ± 10.8 years) underwent mitral valve repair (n = 10) or replacement (n = 38) for post-MI PMR. Clinical data, echocardiographic data, catheterization data, and surgical reports were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Intraoperative mortality was 4.2% and in-hospital mortality was 25.0%. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed the logistic EuroSCORE and EuroSCORE II as independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Receiver operating characteristics curves showed an optimal cutoff value of 40% for the logistic EuroSCORE (area under the curve 0.85, 95% CI 0.71-1.00, P < 0.001) and of 25% for the EuroSCORE II (area under the curve 0.83, 95% CI 0.68-0.99, P = 0.001). After removal of the EuroSCOREs from the model, complete PMR and intraoperative intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) requirement were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The logistic EuroSCORE (optimal cutoff ≥ 40%), EuroSCORE II (optimal cutoff ≥ 25%), complete PMR, and intraoperative IABP requirement are strong independent predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery for post-MI PMR. These predictors may aid in surgical decision making and they may help improve the quality of informed consent.

Impact of prosthesis-patient mismatch on early and late mortality after aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: The influence of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) on survival after aortic valve replacement (AVR) remains controversial. In this study, we sought to determine the effect of PPM on early (≤30 days) and late mortality (>30 days) after AVR or AVR combined with coronary artery bypass grafting (AVR with CABG). METHODS: Between January 1998 and March 2012, 2976 patients underwent AVR (n= 1718) or AVR with CABG (n=1258) at a single institution. PPM was defined as an indexed effective orifice area (EOAI) ≤0.85 cm2/m2 and patients were divided into two groups based on the existence of PPM. Cumulative probability values of survival were estimated with Kaplan-Meier method and compared between groups using Breslow test. Univariate and multivariate independent predictors of early mortality were identified using logistic regression. Cox proportional-hazard regression analysis was used to determine univariate and multivariate independent predictors of late mortality. RESULTS: Early mortality was 6.7% in the PPM group vs 4.7% in the group with no PPM (p=0.013). Late mortality for the PPM group at 1, 5 and 10 years was 4%, 16% and 43%, respectively. Late mortality for the group with no PPM at 1, 5 and 10 years was 4%, 15% and 33% respectively. Independent predictors of early mortality included age, severely impaired left ventricular (LV) function, endocarditis, renal dysfunction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time. Multivariate independent predictors of late mortality included age, severely impaired LV function, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), renal dysfunction, history of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), CPB time and a history of previous cardiac surgery. PPM was not an independent predictor of early or late mortality. CONCLUSION: PPM is not an independent predictor of both early and late mortality after AVR or AVR combined with CABG.

Mitral valve repair and redo repair for mitral regurgitation in a heart transplant recipient.

A 37-year-old man with end-stage idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy underwent an orthotopic heart transplant followed by a reoperation with mitral annuloplasty for severe mitral regurgitation. Shortly thereafter, he developed severe tricuspid regurgitation and severe recurrent mitral regurgitation due to annuloplasty ring dehiscence. The dehisced annuloplasty ring was refixated, followed by tricuspid annuloplasty through a right anterolateral thoracotomy. After four years of follow-up, there are no signs of recurrent mitral or tricupid regurgitation and the patient remains in NYHA class II. Pushing the envelope on conventional surgical procedures in marginal donor hearts (both before and after transplantation) may not only improve the patient's functional status and reduce the need for retransplantation, but it may ultimately alleviate the chronic shortage of donor hearts.