Effect of Patient-Reported Preprocedural Physical and Mental Health on 10-Year Mortality After Percutaneous or Surgical Coronary Revascularization.

BACKGROUND: Clinical and anatomical characteristics are often considered key factors in deciding between percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with complex coronary artery disease (CAD) such as left-main CAD or 3-vessel disease. However, little is known about the interaction between self-reported preprocedural physical/mental health and clinical outcomes after revascularization. METHODS: This subgroup analysis of the SYNTAXES trial (SYNTAX Extended Survival), which is the extended follow-up of the randomized SYNTAX trial (Synergy Between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) comparing PCI with CABG in patients with left-main CAD or 3-vessel disease, stratified patients by terciles of Physical (PCS) or Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores derived from the preprocedural 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, with higher PCS and MCS scores representing better physical and mental health, respectively. The primary end point was all-cause death at 10 years. RESULTS: A total of 1656 patients with preprocedural 36-Item Short Form Health Survey data were included in the present study. Both higher PCS and MCS were independently associated with lower 10-year mortality (10-point increase in PCS adjusted hazard ratio, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.73-0.97]; P=0.021; in MCS adjusted hazard ratio, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.76-0.95]; P=0.005). A significant survival benefit with CABG over PCI was observed in the highest PCS (>45.5) and MCS (>52.3) terciles with significant treatment-by-subgroup interactions (PCS Pinteraction=0.033, MCS Pinteraction=0.015). In patients with both high PCS (>45.5) and MCS (>52.3), 10-year mortality was significantly higher with PCI compared with CABG (30.5% versus 12.2%; hazard ratio, 2.87 [95% CI, 1.55-5.30]; P=0.001), whereas among those with low PCS (≤45.5) or low MCS (≤52.3), there were no significant differences in 10-year mortality between PCI and CABG, resulting in a significant treatment-by-subgroup interaction (Pinteraction=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with left-main CAD or 3-vessel disease, patient-reported preprocedural physical and mental health status was strongly associated with long-term mortality and modified the relative treatment effects of PCI versus CABG. Patients with the best physical and mental health had better 10-year survival with CABG compared with PCI. Assessment of self-reported physical and mental health is important when selecting the optimal revascularization strategy. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov; SYNTAXES Unique identifier: NCT03417050. URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov; SYNTAX Unique identifier: NCT00114972.

Single or multiple arterial bypass graft surgery vs. percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with three-vessel or left main coronary artery disease.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare long-term all-cause mortality between patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using multiple (MAG) or single arterial grafting (SAG). METHODS AND RESULTS: The current study is a post hoc analysis of the SYNTAX Extended Survival Study, which compared PCI with CABG in patients with three-vessel (3VD) and/or left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) and evaluated survival with ≥10 years of follow-up. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at maximum follow-up (median 11.9 years) assessed in the as-treated population. Of the 1743 patients, 901 (51.7%) underwent PCI, 532 (30.5%) received SAG, and 310 (17.8%) had MAG. At maximum follow-up, all-cause death occurred in 305 (33.9%), 175 (32.9%), and 70 (22.6%) patients in the PCI, SAG, and MAG groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Multiple arterial grafting [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49-0.89], but not SAG (adjusted HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.67-1.03), was associated with significantly lower all-cause mortality compared with PCI. In patients with 3VD, both MAG (adjusted HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.37-0.81) and SAG (adjusted HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.50-0.91) were associated with significantly lower mortality than PCI, whereas in LMCAD patients, no significant differences between PCI and MAG (adjusted HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.56-1.46) or SAG (adjusted HR 1.11, 95% CI 0.81-1.53) were observed. In patients with revascularization of all three major myocardial territories, a positive correlation was observed between the number of myocardial territories receiving arterial grafts and survival (Ptrend = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that MAG might be the more desirable configuration for CABG to achieve lower long-term all-cause mortality than PCI in patients with 3VD and/or LMCAD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered on clinicaltrial.gov. SYNTAXES: NCT03417050 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03417050); SYNTAX: NCT00114972 (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00114972).

Ten-Year All-Cause Death According to Completeness of Revascularization in Patients With Three-Vessel Disease or Left Main Coronary Artery Disease: Insights From the SYNTAX Extended Survival Study.

BACKGROUND: Ten-year all-cause death according to incomplete (IR) versus complete revascularization (CR) has not been fully investigated in patients with 3-vessel disease and left main coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) versus coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: The SYNTAX Extended Survival study (Synergy Between PCI With TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery: SYNTAX Extended Survival [SYNTAXES]) evaluated vital status up to 10 years in patients who were originally enrolled in the SYNTAX trial. In the present substudy, outcomes of the CABG CR group were compared with the CABG IR, PCI CR, and PCI IR groups. In addition, in the PCI cohort, the residual SYNTAX score (rSS) was used to quantify the extent of IR and to assess its association with fatal late outcome. The rSS of 0 suggests CR, whereas a rSS>0 identifies the degree of IR. RESULTS: IR was more frequently observed in patients with PCI versus CABG (56.6% versus 36.8%) and more common in those with 3-vessel disease than left main coronary artery disease in both the PCI arm (58.5% versus 53.8%) and the CABG arm (42.8% versus 27.5%). Patients undergoing PCI with CR had no significant difference in 10-year all-cause death compared with those undergoing CABG (22.2% for PCI with CR versus 24.3% for CABG with IR versus 23.8% for CABG with CR). In contrast, those with PCI and IR had a significantly higher risk of all-cause death at 10 years compared with CABG and CR (33.5% versus 23.7%; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.48 [95% CI, 1.15-1.91]). When patients with PCI were stratified according to the rSS, those with a rSS≤8 had no significant difference in all-cause death at 10 years as the other terciles (22.2% for rSS=0 versus 23.9% for rSS>0-4 versus 28.9% for rSS>4-8), whereas a rSS>8 had a significantly higher risk of 10-year all-cause death than those undergoing PCI with CR (50.1% versus 22.2%; adjusted hazard ratio, 3.40 [95% CI, 2.13-5.43]). CONCLUSIONS: IR is common after PCI, and the degree of incompleteness was associated with 10-year mortality. If it is unlikely that complete (or nearly complete; rSS<8) revascularization can be achieved with PCI in patients with 3-vessel disease, CABG should be considered. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT00114972. URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03417050.

Impact of stent length and diameter on 10-year mortality in the SYNTAXES trial.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the impact of total stent length (TSL) and average nominal stent diameter (ASD) on 10-year mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the SYNTAXES trial. BACKGROUND: TSL and ASD in patients treated with PCI are associated with major adverse cardiovascular events. However, the treatment effect of PCI with extensive and/or small stenting as compared with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for complex coronary artery disease has not been fully evaluated. METHODS: Impacts on mortality of extensive stenting defined as TSL >100 mm and small stenting as ASD <3 mm were analyzed in 893 PCI patients and were compared to 865 CABG patients. RESULTS: TSL as a continuous variable was significantly associated with 10-year mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.05 [1.01-1.09] per 10 mm increase). PCI patients with extensive stenting had a higher 10 year mortality than CABG patients (adjusted HR, 1.97 [1.41-2.74]) or not- extensive stenting PCI (adjusted HR, 1.94 [1.36-2.77]). Although ASD did not have a significant association with 10 year mortality (adjusted HR, 0.97 [0.85-1.11] per 0.25 mm increase), PCI with small stents was associated with a higher 10 year mortality, compared to CABG (adjusted HR, 1.66 [1.23-2.26]) and PCI performed with large stents (adjusted HR, 1.74 [1.19-2.53]). Patients treated with not-extensive and large stents had similar mortality rates (24.0 versus 23.8%) as those treated with CABG. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive and small stenting were associated with higher 10 year mortality, compared with CABG. When patients have to be treated with extensive or small stenting, revascularization with CABG should be preferred.

Percutaneous coronary intervention versus coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with three-vessel or left main coronary artery disease: 10-year follow-up of the multicentre randomised controlled SYNTAX trial.

BACKGROUND: The Synergy between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) trial was a non-inferiority trial that compared percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using first-generation paclitaxel-eluting stents with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with de-novo three-vessel and left main coronary artery disease, and reported results up to 5 years. We now report 10-year all-cause death results. METHODS: The SYNTAX Extended Survival (SYNTAXES) study is an investigator-driven extension of follow-up of a multicentre, randomised controlled trial done in 85 hospitals across 18 North American and European countries. Patients with de-novo three-vessel and left main coronary artery disease were randomly assigned (1:1) to the PCI group or CABG group. Patients with a history of PCI or CABG, acute myocardial infarction, or an indication for concomitant cardiac surgery were excluded. The primary endpoint of the SYNTAXES study was 10-year all-cause death, which was assessed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Prespecified subgroup analyses were performed according to the presence or absence of left main coronary artery disease and diabetes, and according to coronary complexity defined by core laboratory SYNTAX score tertiles. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03417050. FINDINGS: From March, 2005, to April, 2007, 1800 patients were randomly assigned to the PCI (n=903) or CABG (n=897) group. Vital status information at 10 years was complete for 841 (93%) patients in the PCI group and 848 (95%) patients in the CABG group. At 10 years, 248 (28%) patients had died after PCI and 212 (24%) after CABG (hazard ratio 1·19 [95% CI 0·99-1·43], p=0·066). Among patients with three-vessel disease, 153 (28%) of 546 had died after PCI versus 114 (21%) of 549 after CABG (hazard ratio 1·42 [95% CI 1·11-1·81]), and among patients with left main coronary artery disease, 95 (27%) of 357 had died after PCI versus 98 (28%) of 348 after CABG (0·92 [0·69-1·22], pinteraction=0·023). There was no treatment-by-subgroup interaction with diabetes (pinteraction=0·60) and no linear trend across SYNTAX score tertiles (ptrend=0·20). INTERPRETATION: At 10 years, no significant difference existed in all-cause death between PCI using first-generation paclitaxel-eluting stents and CABG. However, CABG provided a significant survival benefit in patients with three-vessel disease, but not in patients with left main coronary artery disease. FUNDING: German Foundation of Heart Research (SYNTAXES study, 5-10-year follow-up) and Boston Scientific Corporation (SYNTAX study, 0-5-year follow-up).

Patients at Intermediate Surgical Risk Undergoing Isolated Interventional or Surgical Aortic Valve Implantation for Severe Symptomatic Aortic Valve Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is increasingly being used for treatment of severe aortic valve stenosis in patients at intermediate risk for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Currently, real-world data comparing indications and clinical outcomes of patients at intermediate surgical risk undergoing isolated TAVR with those undergoing SAVR are scarce. METHODS: We compared clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with intermediate surgical risk (Society of Thoracic Surgeons score 4%-8%) who underwent isolated TAVR or conventional SAVR within the prospective, all-comers German Aortic Valve Registry. RESULTS: A total of 7613 patients at intermediate surgical risk underwent isolated TAVR (n=6469) or SAVR (n=1144) at 92 sites in Germany between 2012 and 2014. Patients treated by TAVR were significantly older (82.5±5.0 versus 76.6±6.7 years, P<0.001) and had higher risk scores (logistic EuroSCORE [European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation]: 21.2±12.3% versus 14.2±9.5%, P<0.001; Society of Thoracic Surgeons score: 5.6±1.1 versus 5.2±1.0, P<0.001). Multivariable analyses revealed that advanced age, coronary artery disease, New York Heart Association class III/IV, pulmonary hypertension, prior cardiac decompensation, elective procedure, arterial occlusive disease, no diabetes mellitus, and a smaller aortic valve area were associated with performing TAVR instead of SAVR (all P<0.001). Unadjusted in-hospital mortality rates were equal for TAVR and SAVR (3.6% versus 3.6%, P=0.976), whereas unadjusted 1-year mortality was significantly higher in patients after TAVR (17.5% versus 10.8%, P<0.001). After propensity score matching, the difference in 1-year mortality between patients with TAVR and SAVR was no longer significant (17.1% versus 15.7%, P=0.59). CONCLUSIONS: Patients at intermediate risk undergoing TAVR differ significantly from those treated with SAVR with regard to age and baseline characteristics. Isolated TAVR and SAVR were associated with an in-hospital mortality rate of 3.6%. In the propensity score analysis, there was no significant difference in 1-year mortality between patients with TAVR and SAVR.

Mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting versus percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting for coronary artery disease: a pooled analysis of individual patient data.

BACKGROUND: Numerous randomised trials have compared coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients with coronary artery disease. However, no studies have been powered to detect a difference in mortality between the revascularisation strategies. METHODS: We did a systematic review up to July 19, 2017, to identify randomised clinical trials comparing CABG with PCI using stents. Eligible studies included patients with multivessel or left main coronary artery disease who did not present with acute myocardial infarction, did PCI with stents (bare-metal or drug-eluting), and had more than 1 year of follow-up for all-cause mortality. In a collaborative, pooled analysis of individual patient data from the identified trials, we estimated all-cause mortality up to 5 years using Kaplan-Meier analyses and compared PCI with CABG using a random-effects Cox proportional-hazards model stratified by trial. Consistency of treatment effect was explored in subgroup analyses, with subgroups defined according to baseline clinical and anatomical characteristics. FINDINGS: We included 11 randomised trials involving 11 518 patients selected by heart teams who were assigned to PCI (n=5753) or to CABG (n=5765). 976 patients died over a mean follow-up of 3·8 years (SD 1·4). Mean Synergy between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) score was 26·0 (SD 9·5), with 1798 (22·1%) of 8138 patients having a SYNTAX score of 33 or higher. 5 year all-cause mortality was 11·2% after PCI and 9·2% after CABG (hazard ratio [HR] 1·20, 95% CI 1·06-1·37; p=0·0038). 5 year all-cause mortality was significantly different between the interventions in patients with multivessel disease (11·5% after PCI vs 8·9% after CABG; HR 1·28, 95% CI 1·09-1·49; p=0·0019), including in those with diabetes (15·5% vs 10·0%; 1·48, 1·19-1·84; p=0·0004), but not in those without diabetes (8·7% vs 8·0%; 1·08, 0·86-1·36; p=0·49). SYNTAX score had a significant effect on the difference between the interventions in multivessel disease. 5 year all-cause mortality was similar between the interventions in patients with left main disease (10·7% after PCI vs 10·5% after CABG; 1·07, 0·87-1·33; p=0·52), regardless of diabetes status and SYNTAX score. INTERPRETATION: CABG had a mortality benefit over PCI in patients with multivessel disease, particularly those with diabetes and higher coronary complexity. No benefit for CABG over PCI was seen in patients with left main disease. Longer follow-up is needed to better define mortality differences between the revascularisation strategies. FUNDING: None.

Complex cases of acquired pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency ablation: is surgical repair an option?

AIMS: Results of catheter based interventional treatment for pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) following radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for atrial fibrillation remain suboptimal. Surgical repair may represent an alternative therapy, though long-term results have not been thoroughly investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively assessed all patients in our centre undergoing surgical repair for radiofrequency-induced PVS. Data regarding surgical technique, clinical outcome, and rate of pulmonary vein (PV) restenosis were collected and analysed. Between 2004 and 2016, the rate for PVS resulting from RFA for atrial fibrillation in our institution was 0.79% (76/9633). During this period, five male patients with multiple PVS (3 ± 1) underwent surgical repair of a total of 13 symptomatic PVS. Surgery was performed in a standard setting under cardiopulmonary bypass. Stenotic veins were incised longitudinally followed by a patch augmentation plasty using either bovine pericard (n = 7) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) patches (n = 5). Localization of incision was on the anterior side of the PV only (n = 8) or on both the anterior and posterior sides (n = 4). In one PVS lesion, mechanical dilatation was sufficient. Long-term follow-up after 60 ± 69 months revealed an average restenosis rate of 38%. Restenosis was defined as narrowing >70%. All patients reported clinical improvement of symptoms at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Even in the era of wide circumferential lesions, PVS still occurs. While surgical PV patch plasty represents a valuable treatment option, restenosis remains an issue during follow-up. Nevertheless, surgical repair achieves highly acceptable long-term results for RFA-acquired PVS. Hence, it should be routinely discussed as a therapeutic option in cases with multiple PVS.

Acute Effect of Mitral Valve Repair on Mitral Valve Geometry.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to quantify acute mitral valve (MV) geometry dynamic changes throughout the cardiac cycle using three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D TEE) in patients undergoing surgical MV repair (MVR) with ring annuloplasty and optional neochord implantation. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients (63 ± 10 years) with severe primary mitral regurgitation underwent surgical MVR using ring annuloplasty with or without neochord implantation. We recorded 3D TEE data throughout the cardiac cycle before and after MVR. Dynamic changes (4D) in the MV annulus geometry and anatomical MV orifice area (AMVOA) were measured using a novel semiautomated software (Auto Valve, Siemens Healthcare). RESULTS: MVR significantly reduces the anteroposterior diameter by up to 38% at end-systole (36.8-22.7 mm; p < 0.001) and the lateromedial diameter by up to 31% (42.7-30.3 mm; p < 0.001). Moreover, the annular circumference was reduced by up to 31% at end-systole (129.6-87.6 mm, p < 0.001), and the annular area was significantly decreased by up to 52% (12.8-5.7 cm2; p < 0.001). Finally, the AMVOA experienced the largest change, decreasing from 1.1 to 0.2 cm2 during systole (at midsystole; p < 0.001) and from 4.1 to 3.2 cm2 (p < 0.001) during diastole. CONCLUSIONS: MVR reduces the annular dimension and the AMVOA, contributing to mitral competency, but the use of annuloplasty rings reduces annular contractility after the procedure. Surgeons can use 4D imaging technology to assess MV function dynamically, detecting the acute morphological changes of the mitral annulus and leaflets before and after the procedure.

Deep sternal wound infection - latissimus dorsi flap is a reliable option for reconstruction of the thoracic wall.

BACKGROUND: At present, data describing patients' long-term outcomes, quality of life, and survival after deep sternal wound infection are rarely available. The purpose of our study was to evaluate functional outcome and patient well-being after debridement and reconstruction of the sternal defect using a pedicled latissimus dorsi flap following deep sternal wound infection (DSWI). METHODS: This retrospective analysis reviewed 106 cases of DSWI after open-heart surgery treated between May 1, 2012, and May 31, 2015. The parameters of interest were demographic and medical data, including comorbidity and mortality. Follow-up consisted of physical examination of the patients using a specific shoulder assessment, including strength tests and measurements of pulmonary function. RESULTS: The population consisted of 69 (65%) male and 37 (35%) female patients. Their average age at the time of plastic surgery was 69 years (range: 35-85). The 30-day mortality was 20% (n = 21); after one-year, mortality was 47% (n = 50), and at follow-up, it was 54% (n = 58). Heart surgery was elective in 45 cases (42%), urgent in 31 cases (29%) and for emergency reasons in 30 cases (28%). The preoperative European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) averaged 16.3 (range: 0.88-76.76). On the dynamometer assessment, a value of 181 Newton (N) (±97) could be achieved on the donor side, in contrast to 205 N (±91) on the contralateral side. The inspiratory vital capacity of the lung was reduced to an average of 70.58% (range: 26-118), and the forced expiratory volume in 1 s was decreased to an average of 69.85% (range: 38.2-118). CONCLUSIONS: Given that only small adverse effects in shoulder function, strength, and pulmonary function were observed, the latissimus dorsi flap appears to be a safe and reliable option for the reconstruction of the sternal region after DSWI.

Impact of active cancer disease on the outcome of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are often characterized by risk factors not reflected in conventional risk scores. In this context, little is known about the outcome of patients suffering from an active cancer disease (ACD). The objective was to determine the prevalence, clinical characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and mortality of patients with ACD undergoing TAVR compared to those with a history of cancer (HCD) and controls without known tumor disease. METHODS: TAVR patients between 02/2006 and 09/2014 were stratified according to the presence of ACD, HCD, and control. All-cause-mortality at 1-year was the primary end point. All end point definitions were subject to the Valve Academic Research Consortium II definitions. RESULTS: Overall, 1821 patients were included: 99 patients (5.4%) suffered from ACD and 251 patients (13.8%) had HCD. ACD was related to a solid organ or hematological source in 72.7% and 27.3%, respectively. Patients with ACD were more often male (P = 0.004) and had a lower logisticEuroScore I (P = 0.033). Overall rates of VARC-II defined periprocedural myocardial infarction, stroke, bleeding, access-site complications, and acute kidney injury were not different between groups. Thirty-day mortality did not differ between patients with ACD, HCD, and controls (6.1% vs 4.4% vs 7.6%, P = 0.176). All-cause 1-year mortality was higher in patients with ACD compared HCD and controls (37.4% vs 16.4% vs 20.8%, P < 0.001). ACD was an independent predictor of all-cause 1-year mortality (HR 2.10, 95%-CI 1.41-3.13, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The presence of ACD in patients undergoing TAVR is associated with significantly higher 1-year mortality.

Heart re-transplantation in Eurotransplant.

Internationally 3% of the donor hearts are distributed to re-transplant patients. In Eurotransplant, only patients with a primary graft dysfunction (PGD) within 1 week after heart transplantation (HTX) are indicated for high urgency listing. The aim of this study is to provide evidence for the discussion on whether these patients should still be allocated with priority. All consecutive HTX performed in the period 1981-2015 were included. Multivariate Cox' model was built including: donor and recipient age and gender, ischaemia time, recipient diagnose, urgency status and era. The study population included 18 490 HTX, of these 463 (2.6%) were repeat transplants. The major indications for re-HTX were cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) (50%), PGD (26%) and acute rejection (21%). In a multivariate model, compared with first HTX hazards ratio and 95% confidence interval for repeat HTX were 2.27 (1.83-2.82) for PGD, 2.24 (1.76-2.85) for acute rejection and 1.22 (1.00-1.48) for CAV (P < 0.0001). Outcome after cardiac re-HTX strongly depends on the indication for re-HTX with acceptable outcomes for CAV. In contrast, just 47.5% of all hearts transplanted in patients who were re-transplanted for PGD still functioned at 1-month post-transplant. Alternative options like VA-ECMO should be first offered before opting for acute re-transplantation.

Cardiac Surgery in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Retrospective Analysis of a High-Risk Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the perioperative course of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) undergoing cardiac surgery. The objective of this study was to identify the influence of PD on the perioperative course and to improve treatment. METHODS: Perioperative data were analyzed retrospectively from 130 patients undergoing cardiac surgery between September 2001 and April 2013 who had PD and were compared using 1:1 matched-pair analysis with 130 controls not affected by PD. RESULTS: The 30-day all-cause mortality (4.6 vs. 9.2%; p = 0.21; odds ratio [OR] = 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.16, 1.31) and the overall all-cause mortality (27.7 vs. 28.5%; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.96 [0.56, 1.66]; p = 1.00) were not significantly different between PD patients and the control group. Emergency surgery (p = 0.04; OR = 3.20; 95% CI: 1.06, 9.66) and postoperative pneumonia (p < 0.001; OR = 11.3; 95% CI: 3.06, 41.6) were associated with 30-day mortality. Independent predictors of all-cause mortality were age at surgery (p = 0.01; OR = 3.58; 95% CI: 1.38, 9.30), NYHA (New York Heart Association) classification stage IV (p = 0.02; OR = 17.3; 95% CI: 1.52, 198), and postoperative pneumonia (p = 0.05; OR = 46.4; 95% CI: 0.97, 2219). We did not observe an association of PD with short- or long-term all-cause mortality after adjustment for associated covariates. CONCLUSIONS: We found that PD is not a significant risk factor for perioperative morbidity and mortality in our cohort. Our study showed that patients with PD had outcomes that were similar to those of non-PD patients.

Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery for Mitral Valve Infective Endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: The feasibility of minimally invasive mitral valve (MV) surgery in infective endocarditis (IE) has not been reported in detail. We assessed the safety, efficacy, and durability of the minimally invasive approach through a right anterolateral minithoracotomy for surgical treatment of MV IE. METHODS: A review of the Leipzig Heart Center database revealed 92 eligible patients operated on between 2002 and 2013. All patients had undergone minimally invasive surgery for IE. The indication for surgery was isolated IE of the MV in all patients. Baseline and intraoperative data, as well as clinical outcomes and short-term follow-up were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 60.9 ± 15.3 years, the logistic EuroSCORE II was 19.6 ± 19.1%, and 64.1% (59) were male. MV repair was feasible in 23.9% (22/92) of patients. Repair techniques included annuloplasty ring implantation, anterior mitral leaflet resection, posterior mitral leaflet resection, and implantation of neochordae. MV replacement was performed in 69 patients (75%), a mitral annulus patch in 1 patient, and concomitant tricuspid valve surgery for tricuspid regurgitation in 5 patients. Bacteriological analysis showed staphylococcus infection in 45.5%, streptococcus in 36.4%, enterococcus in 13.6%, and others in 4.5%. The 30-day-mortality rate was 9.8% (9 patients). The 1-year follow-up showed a 1-year survival rate of 77.7 ± 4.4% and freedom from reoperation within 1 year due to reendocarditis of 93.3 ± 2.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The minimally invasive approach is suitable for the treatment of IE of the MV. It is a good technique in IE in selected patients.

[Pedicled Omentum Flaps in the Management of Deep Sternal Wound Infections]. / Der gefäßgestielte Omentumlappen zur Behandlung tiefer sternaler Wundinfekte.

AIM: Coverage of a deep sternal wound infection with a greater omentum flap. Due to a persistent infection caused by an infected aortic prosthesis, the primarily performed reconstruction with a latissimus dorsi flap had to be revised, and an alternative solution had to be found. INDICATION: A deep sternal wound infection is a rare but devastating complication following median sternotomy. If the commonly used muscle flap is not sufficient and artificial material is still present in the wound, for instant drivelines or a vascular prosthesis, the greater omentum flap is a useful option due to its immunologic capacity. METHOD: After an exploration of the persisting infected deep sternal wound, a radical debridement is performed followed by a jet lavage. The soft tissue from the greater omentum is prepared via median laparotomy and transferred through a tunnel created in the diaphragm. Then it is pulled into the wound cavity and can be used for tension-free sheathing of the aortic prosthesis. The previously used muscle flap can additionally be used for superficial soft tissue coverage. CONCLUSION: Due to its immunologic competence, the greater omentum flap is a good treatment alternative to the commonly used muscle flaps in defects with infected artificial material.

Temporal Trends in Predictors of Early and Late Mortality After Emergency Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction is an indication for emergent coronary artery bypass grafting in patients not amenable to percutaneous coronary intervention. Our study aimed to evaluate and identify risk factors for early and long-term outcomes in such patients. METHODS: A total of 508 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting for cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction between January 2000 and June 2014 were divided into 3 time cohorts: 2000 to 2004 (n=204), 2005 to 2009 (n=166), and 2010 to 2014 (n=138). Predictors of in-hospital mortality for each time cohort and long-term mortality for all patients were identified by logistic and Cox regression analyses, respectively. RESULTS: Mean age was 68.3±9.8 years. Of the 508 patients, 78.5% had 3-vessel and 47.1% had left main disease. Left ventricular function <30% was observed in 44.1% of patients, with 30.4%, 37.9%, 52.9%, and 3.1% requiring preoperative resuscitation, ventilation, intra-aortic balloon pump, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, respectively. Overall in-hospital mortality was 33.7%; declined from 42.2% to 30.7% to 24.6%, respectively, for the 3 time cohorts (P=0.02); and was independently predicted by serum lactate >4 mmol/L (odds ratio [OR], 4.78; 95% confidence interval, 2.88-7.95; P<0.0001), ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (OR, 2.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.36-3.26; P=0.001), age >75 years (OR, 2.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-3.85; P=0.03), and left ventricular ejection fraction <30% (OR, 1.83; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-2.91; P=0.01). Cumulative survival was 42.6±2.0% and 33.4±2.0% at 5 and 10 years, respectively, and correspondingly improved to 64.3±3.0% and 49.8±3.0% in hospital survivors. Serum lactate >4 mmol/L (OR, 2.2; P<0.0001), incremental age (OR, 1.05; P<0.0001), New York Heart Association class IV (OR, 1.33; P=0.02), diabetes mellitus (OR, 1.39; P=0.005), and preoperative inotropic (OR, 2.61; P=0.001) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (OR, 1.68; P=0.05) support predicted late mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock is associated with a high in-hospital mortality, which showed a significant decline with time. Hospital survivors have good long-term outcomes, which demonstrate the beneficial effect of surgical revascularization. Preoperative serum lactate >4 mmol/L is a strong predictor of both early and late mortality.

Safety of Simultaneous Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Carotid Endarterectomy Versus Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The optimal operative strategy in patients with severe carotid artery disease undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is unknown. We sought to investigate the safety and efficacy of synchronous combined carotid endarterectomy and CABG as compared with isolated CABG. METHODS: Patients with asymptomatic high-grade carotid artery stenosis ≥80% according to ECST (European Carotid Surgery Trial) ultrasound criteria (corresponding to ≥70% NASCET [North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial]) who required CABG surgery were randomly assigned to synchronous carotid endarterectomy+CABG or isolated CABG. To avoid unbalanced prognostic factor distributions, randomization was stratified by center, age, sex, and modified Rankin Scale. The primary composite end point was the rate of stroke or death at 30 days. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2014, a total of 129 patients were enrolled at 17 centers in Germany and the Czech Republic. Because of withdrawal of funding after insufficient recruitment, enrolment was terminated early. At 30 days, the rate of any stroke or death in the intention-to-treat population was 12/65 (18.5%) in patients receiving synchronous carotid endarterectomy+CABG as compared with 6/62 (9.7%) in patients receiving isolated CABG (absolute risk reduction, 8.8%; 95% confidence interval, -3.2% to 20.8%; PWALD=0.12). Also for all secondary end points at 30 days and 1 year, there was no evidence for a significant treatment-group effect although patients undergoing isolated CABG tended to have better outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Although our results cannot rule out a treatment-group effect because of lack of power, a superiority of the synchronous combined carotid endarterectomy+CABG approach seems unlikely. Five-year follow-up of patients is still ongoing. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.controlled-trials.com. Unique identifier: ISRCTN13486906.

Effect of confounding factors on a phospho-flow assay of ribosomal S6 protein for therapeutic drug monitoring of the mTOR-inhibitor everolimus in heart transplanted patients.

CONTEXT: Several assays of monitoring immune cell function have been developed to enhance therapeutic drug monitoring. OBJECTIVE: An in vitro-validated whole-blood assay of phosphorylated ribosomal protein S6 (pS6RP) was evaluated for confounders to monitor the mTOR-inhibitor everolimus (ERL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Whole blood samples from 87 heart transplant recipients were analyzed for pS6RP-expression in CD3-positive T-cells by phospho-flow analysis. RESULTS: ERL blood concentration, laboratory parameters, co-medications, demographic and clinical data were reviewed. CONCLUSION: Evaluating the pS6RP-assay revealed that pS6RP is influenced by cyclosporine A (CsA) blood concentration, duration of ERL treatment, co-medication with thiazide diuretics and different metabolic parameters.

Tricuspid Valve Repair after Previous Mitral Valve Surgery.

Tricuspid valve (TV) regurgitation in patients after previous mitral valve surgery is usually a secondary failure and conditioned by a long-lasting left-sided valve failure. TV surgery in these patients represents a high-risk procedure regarding the operative strategy and perioperative management. This article will discuss the indication for TV surgery in patients with secondary TV regurgitation and previous mitral valve surgery, the choice of surgical access, as well as TV repair techniques and their postoperative results.

Tricuspid Valve Surgery in Patients with Isolated Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis: Analysis of Perioperative Parameters and Long-Term Outcomes.

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the perioperative characteristics and the short- and mid-term outcomes in patients undergoing tricuspid valve (TV) surgery for isolated TV endocarditis. Patients and Methods A total of 56 patients with isolated TV endocarditis underwent TV surgery at a single center between June 1995 and February 2012. Mean age of patients was 53.8 ± 17.1 years, 39 (69.6%) being male. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 60.4 ± 13.6% and 13 (23.2%) patients had diabetes mellitus. Average logistic EuroSCORE was 19.4 ± 17.0%. Mean follow-up was 4.7 ± 3.8 years. Results Microbiological investigations revealed positive blood cultures in 89.1% of patients and positive intraoperative swabs in 51.9%. The most common pathogen (42.9%) isolated was Staphylococcus aureus, followed by coagulase-negative staphylococcus (17.9%). Discussion A history of intravenous drug abuse (IVDA) was recorded in 11 patients (19.6%), of which 8 patients additionally had hepatitis C. A total of 15 patients (26.8%) had a permanent pacemaker/implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in situ. TV replacement was performed in 22 patients (39.3%) and TV repair was performed in 34 patients (60.7%). Overall 30-day mortality was 12.5%. Five-year survival was 63.9 ± 7.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 64.0-137.5 months). Freedom from reoperation for recurrent TV endocarditis was 91.7 ± 4.0% (95% CI: 152.3-179.3 months) at 5 years. Conclusion Blood culture is the most important tool to detect the causative pathogen causing IE of TV. The high risk of hepatitis C in patients with IVDA and IE of the TV should be mentioned.