Efficacy of Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting With Concomitant Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the early and intermediate-term outcomes of patients who underwent concomitant off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). METHOD: Between January 2014 and June 2021, 49 patients underwent concomitant off-pump CABG and TAVR via median sternotomy (TAVRCAB group) and 143 underwent concomitant on-pump CABG and surgical aortic replacement. Of the 143 patients who underwent on-pump surgery, 80 (SAVRCAB group) were eligible for comparison. The composite event included all-cause death, heart failure rehospitalisation, repeat revascularisation, brain infarction, and repeat aortic valve replacement. RESULTS: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons' predicted risk for mortality and age were higher in the TAVRCAB group than in the SAVRCAB group (7.1% vs 3.1% [p<0.001]; 81 yrs vs 75 years [p<0.001], respectively), while the surgical time was shorter (289 min vs 352 min; p<0.001). There was no conversion to on-pump surgery in the TAVRCAB group. The postoperative maximum creatinine kinase-MB value was lower in the TAVRCAB group. There was no deep sternal wound infection or repeat revascularisation in either group. Hospital death and brain infarction developed in one patient (1.3%) each in the SAVRCAB group, but in no patients in the TAVRCAB group. The rates of freedom from the composite event were similar between the two groups during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant off-pump CABG and TAVR would be a less-invasive alternative procedure for treating intermediate or high surgical risk patients with aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease unsuitable for percutaneous coronary intervention.

Surgical exclusion of an idiopathic saccular aneurysm in the left main trunk of the coronary artery.

PURPOSE: A coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) can result in critical cardiac events such as thromboembolic complications or rupture. A saccular CAA located in the left main trunk (LMT) is the most critical form of this pathology and its surgical repair is challenging. We conducted this single-center study to review the surgical outcomes of patients with a saccular CAA in the LMT. METHODS: Between May, 2012 and June, 2020, five patients with a saccular CAA in the LMT underwent surgery at our center. The median age at operation was 66.5 (59.7-69) years and the median diameter of the CAA was 13.0 mm (IQR 11-14 mm). RESULTS: The CAA was fully excluded by patch closure of the LMT orifice and direct closure of the distal LMT, supplemented by coronary artery bypass grafting with the exclusive use of arterial conduits. There was no in-hospital mortality, although one patient suffered graft spasm-related myocardial infarction with complete recovery. Post-operative angiography showed a fully excluded LMT in all patients. There was no mortality or adverse cardiac events during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our surgical policy for CAA in the LMT is feasible and safe; however, coronary blood flow is dependent on reliable bypasses.

Central conversion from peripheral extracorporeal life support for patients with refractory congestive heart failure.

Conversion from peripheral extracorporeal life support (ECLS) to the central one can improve and stabilize hemodynamics in patients with refractory congestive heart failure-related multiorgan failure, whereas indication and selection of the type of the central ECLS have not been fully established. Institutional outcome of the conversion therapy was herein reviewed to verify indication and selection of three types of central ECLS. This study enrolled an institutional consecutive surgical series of 24 patients with refractory congestive heart failure under peripheral ECLS, related to fulminant myocarditis (n = 15), dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 5), or acute myocardial infarction (n = 4). They were converted to central Y-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO, n = 6), extracorporeal ventricular assist device (EC-VAD, n = 12), or pump catheter (n = 6), dependent upon the degree of multiorgan failure. Despite the different degree of multiorgan failure prior to the conversion, improvement in end-organ perfusion and reduction in right atrial and pulmonary artery pressure were promptly achieved regardless of the type of the central ECLS. There were five in-hospital mortalities (21%) during the central ECLS, whereas mechanical support was weaned-off in 11 cases (46%) and durable LVAD was subsequently implanted for bridge to transplantation in eight cases (33%). Conversion from the peripheral ECLS to the central ones, such as central Y-ECMO, EC-VAD or pump catheter, promptly established a sufficient support with heart and lung unloading in patients with refractory congestive heart failure.

Early postoperative heparinization reduce hemolysis in patients with HeartMate II devices.

Hemolysis is closely related with pump thrombosis and thromboembolic events in patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices. We retrospectively investigated the impact of early postoperative heparinization on hemolysis in patients with HeartMate II devices. From April 2013 to August 2017, 83 patients (age 45 ± 12 years; 20 females; body surface area 1.6 ± 0.2 m2) underwent HeartMate II implantation. Postoperative heparinization was started when hemostasis was achieved and continued until full warfarinization. Hemolysis was defined in accordance with the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support definitions. The average support period was 22 ± 14 months. The 6-, 12-, and 24-month freedoms from hemolysis were 72%, 70%, and 67%, respectively. Pump thrombosis developed in five (6%) patients and four (5%) required pump exchanges. Heparin start time was significantly later in patients with hemolysis (43 ± 23 h after implantation) versus those without (29 ± 14 h after implantation; p = 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic analysis determined the cut-off point of heparin start time as 29 h. The patients were divided into the early group (heparin start time < 29 h; n = 29), and the late group (heparin start time > 29 h; n = 54). The respective 6-, 12-, and 24-month freedoms from hemolysis for the early group (86%, 86%, and 86%, respectively) were significantly higher than those for the late group (49%, 47%, and 44%, respectively; p = 0.002). Being in the late group was an independent risk factor for hemolysis (hazard ratio 4.09). Early postoperative heparinization (within 29 h after implantation) reduces hemolysis in patients with HeartMate II devices.

Benefits of the Modified Bicaval Anastomosis Technique for Orthotopic Heart Transplantation From a Size-Mismatched Marginal Donor.

BACKGROUND: Size-mismatched heart transplantation (HTx) is associated with a risk of stenosis of the caval anastomosis site or low cardiac output syndrome. We developed a modified bicaval anastomosis technique (mBCAT) that achieved an adjustable caval anastomosis to compensate for size mismatch. This study was performed to validate the rationale of the mBCAT for size-mismatched HTx.Methods and Results:This institutional consecutive series involved 106 patients who underwent HTx with the mBCAT during an 18-year period. The cohort was divided into 3 groups according to the donor-to-recipient body weight ratio: <0.8, undersized group (n=17); 0.8-1.3, size-matched group (n=68); and >1.3, oversized group (n=21); outcomes were compared. The undersized, size-matched, and oversized groups showed no significant differences in the rate of mild or worse echocardiographic tricuspid regurgitation at 1 month [1 (5.8%), 7 (10.2%), and 1 (4.8%), respectively; P=0.87] or the survival rate at 10 years [100%, 93.9%, and 100%, respectively; P=0.25]. The right heart catheter study revealed no pressure gradient across the orifices of both cavae in any patient. Additionally, the cardiac index immediately post-HTx was significantly low in the undersized group (P=0.008), but was similar to the other groups at 6 months post-HTx (P=0.16). CONCLUSIONS: The mBCAT prevented caval anastomosis-related complications in size-mismatched HTx and achieved excellent hemodynamics regardless of donor size.

Measurement of the Aortic Annulus Area and Diameter by Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

OBJECTIVES: Sizing of the aortic valve is crucial for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is used for sizing. Recently, three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) has enabled accurate measurement of the aortic annulus area and diameter in cases that are difficult to measure. The authors compared measurements of aortic annulus areas and diameters acquired by MDCT and 3DTEE. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Single national center. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-eight patients who underwent TAVR replacement between September 2015 and March 2017. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The authors extracted and compared preoperative measurements of the aortic annulus area, as well as the long- and short-axis diameter, measured by MDCT and 3DTEE. There was no significant difference in the aortic annulus area (409 ± 74 v 414 ± 70 mm2, p = 0.15) or short-axis diameter (20.4 ± 2.0 v 20.6 ± 1.9 mm, p = 0.103) between 3DTEE and MDCT, but the long-axis diameter differed significantly (25.0 ± 2.4 v 25.8 ± 2.0 mm, p < 0.001), respectively. Prosthesis sizes based on 3DTEE and MDCT were the same, except in 3 patients who could not stay still during MDCT measurement; in those cases, prosthesis sizes based on 3DTEE were adopted. CONCLUSIONS: Measurements of the aortic annulus area and diameter in TAVR were similar between 3DTEE and MDCT. Patients who have difficulty remaining still during MDCT measurement because of dementia should have their prostheses sized based on 3DTEE measurements.

Driveline angle is crucial for preventing driveline infection in patients with HeartMate II device.

We hypothesized that the externalizing direction of the driveline (the driveline angle) at the percutaneous exit site would influence the occurrence of driveline infection after left ventricular assist device implantation. From August 2013 to May 2017, 71 patients were implanted with a HeartMate II device in our center. The driveline angle was measured on anteroposterior radiography just after implantation. Risk factors for driveline infection were analyzed by uni- and multivariate analyses. Driveline infection developed in 10 (14%) patients during follow-up. Overall actual freedoms from driveline infection at 6, 12, and 24 months were 96%, 88%, and 86%, respectively. Overall number of driveline infection events per patient-year was 0.16. Receiver operating characteristic analysis determined the cut-off point of the driveline angle as 41°. The 6-, 12-, and 24-month actuarial freedoms from driveline infection in those with driveline angle more than 42° (84%, 74%, and 74%, respectively) were significantly lower than in those with driveline angle less than 41° (97%, 94%, and 90%, respectively; p < 0.02). The numbers of driveline infection events per patient-year were 0.16 in patients with driveline angle more than 42°, and 0.04 in patients with driveline angle less than 41°. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that driveline angle more than 42° was an independent risk factor for driveline infection (hazard ratio 4.71). Driveline angle more than 42° is an independent risk factor for driveline infection in patients with HeartMate II. Externalization of the driveline toward the horizontal direction is important to prevent driveline infection with HeartMate II.

Trifecta vs. Magna for Aortic Valve Replacement　- Differences in Clinical Outcome and Valve Hemodynamics.

BACKGROUND: The number of surgical aortic valve replacements using bioprosthetic valves is increasing, and newer bioprosthetic valves may offer clinical advantages in Japanese patients, who generally require smaller replacement valves than Western patients. In this study we retrospectively evaluated the Trifecta and Magna valves to compare clinical outcomes and hemodynamics in a group of Japanese patients. Methods and Results: Data were retrospectively collected for 103 patients receiving a Trifecta valve and 356 patients receiving a Magna valve between June 2008 and 2017. Adverse events, outcomes, and valve hemodynamics were evaluated. There were no significant differences in early or late outcomes between the Trifecta and Magna groups. In the early postoperative period, mean (±SD) pressure gradient (9.0±3.1 vs. 13.8±4.8 mmHg; P<0.01) and effective orifice area (1.68±0.46 vs. 1.46±0.40 m2; P<0.01) were significantly better for Trifecta, but the differences decreased over time. In particular, the interaction between time and valve type (Trifecta or Magna) was significantly different for mean pressure gradient between the 2 groups (P<0.01). Left ventricular mass regressed substantially in both groups, with no significant difference between them. There were no significant differences for severe patient-prosthesis mismatch. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative outcomes were similar for both valves. An early hemodynamic advantage for the Trifecta valve lasted to approximately 1 year postoperatively but did not persist.

Benefit and Risk of Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair for Type II Dysfunction　- Propensity Score-Matched Comparison.

BACKGROUND: Despite the cosmetic benefits of the minimally invasive approach for mitral disease, the clinical benefit and risk are not fully known. We investigated the benefit and risk of minimally invasive mitral valve (MV) repair for type II dysfunction using propensity score-matched analysis. Methods and Results: Since 2001, 602 patients have undergone MV repair for type II dysfunction (464 with conventional median sternotomy and 138 with the minimally invasive approach). One-to-one matched analysis using the estimated propensity score based on 23 factors resulted in 93 well-matched patient pairs. There was no in-hospital death in both groups. The operation time was significantly shorter (P=0.002), blood transfusion was less frequent (P=0.04), extubation at the day of surgery was more frequently performed (P=0.017), and the length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the minimally invasive group than in the sternotomy group (P<0.0001). On postoperative (P=0.02) and 1-year echocardiography (P=0.04), ejection fraction was lower in the minimally invasive group than in the sternotomy group. There were no significant differences in postoperative cerebral infarction, aortic dissection, deep sternal infection, or mid-term outcome between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Standard sternotomy and the minimally invasive approach provide similar good quality of MV repair for type II dysfunction. The minimally invasive approach is more likely to contribute to fast-track perioperative treatment than the standard sternotomy approach.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Stenosis Complicated by Sigmoid Septum.

BACKGROUND: In patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for severe aortic stenosis (AS), a sigmoid septum, characterized by subaortic interventricular hypertrophy, often results in the need for new pacemaker implantation (PMI). In this study, we reviewed the feasibility and treatment efficacy of TAVR for AS in patients with a sigmoid septum. Methods and Results: Between 2011 and 2016, 48 patients (25.4%; mean age 84.9±5.4 years; 9 males) with a sigmoid septum and 141 (74.6%; mean age 82.9±5.5 years; 61 males) without underwent TAVR. Their operative outcomes, echocardiographic and electrocardiographic findings, and long-term outcomes were retrospectively compared. Second TAVR because of valve malposition was performed in 3 patients with a sigmoid septum (6.3%) and in 2 patients without a sigmoid septum (1.4%), with no significant difference between the 2 groups. Although there was no significant difference in valve hemodynamics between the 2 groups, sigmoid septum and deep implantation (implantation depth ≥10 mm) were independent predictors of new PMI following TAVR. CONCLUSIONS: Although a sigmoid septum did not preclude the feasibility, safety, or efficacy of TAVR for severe AS, its presence was associated with new PMI. Our approach to TAVR in patients with a sigmoid septum may contribute to clinical outcomes comparable to those of patients without this pathology.

Efficacy of regional saturation of oxygen monitor using near-infrared spectroscopy for lower limb ischemia during minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

Lower limb ischemia with an occlusive cannula is a potential complication of minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS). We evaluated intraoperative local oxygen supply-demand balance by monitoring regional saturation of oxygen (rSO2) using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and analyzed the correlation between cannula size and fluctuation range of rSO2. Fifty-four patients undergoing MICS surgery using femoral artery cannulation from April 2015 to August 2016 were enrolled. The rSO2 of both the cannulated and uncannulated lower limbs were measured using NIRS. The association between the decline of rSO2 from baseline (delta-rSO2) and the ratio of the cannula diameter to the femoral artery diameter (Cd/FAd) was analyzed. Of the 54 patients, 16 (30%) (Group 1) showed values over 0.65 for Cd/FAd, and the remaining 38 (70%) (Group 2) showed values under 0.65. No patient developed postoperative lower limb ischemia. No patient was treated with an ipsilateral distal perfusion cannula. There were significant differences between Group 1 and Group 2 in the decrease of rSO2 at the point of cannulation on the cannulated limb. In the lower limb on the cannulated side, delta-rSO2 showed a significant decrease in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (Group 1 vs Group 2: 19.9 vs 11.0%; p < 0.001). Delta-rSO2 was significantly correlated with body surface aera (BSA), but not with gender or age. Decreasing rSO2 correlates with the Cd/FAd index. Low BSA, Cd/Fad > 0.65 is considered as the risk factor for decline of rSO2 in cannulated limb in MICS.

Long-Term Outcomes of Suture vs. Ring Tricuspid Annuloplasty for Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Whether there is a significant difference in the long-term surgical outcomes between suture annuloplasty and ring annuloplasty for the treatment of functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is still controversial. We compared the long-term outcomes of tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) with and without an annuloplasty ring.Methods and Results:From January 1996 to December 2015, we consecutively enrolled 684 patients (mean age, 65.5 years; 60% women) undergoing TAP for functional TR: 312 underwent conventional suture annuloplasty (Group S) and 372 underwent ring annuloplasty (Group R). Baseline characteristics were comparable between the 2 groups, except for age and the prevalence of prior cardiac surgery. The mean follow-up period was 7.3 years (range, 0.3-20.3 years).There was no significant difference in overall survival, freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, and freedom from recurrent moderate to severe TR between Groups S and R, although postoperative mean TR grade and sPAP were significantly lower in Group R. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, prior cardiac surgery, and preoperative severe TR were independent predictors of recurrent moderate or greater TR. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in the long-term surgical outcomes between ring and suture TAP, although postoperative mean TR grade was lower in the ring annuloplasty group.

Reducing Prosthesis-Patient Mismatch With Edwards Magna Prosthesis for Aortic Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND: Prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) is associated with increased mid-term and long-term mortality rates after aortic valve replacement (AVR). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the Carpentier-Edwards Perimount Magna and Magna Ease (CEPMs) aortic bioprostheses to reduce the incidence of PPM.Methods and Results:Altogether, 282 consecutive patients (113 women, mean age 69.9±9.9 years) underwent AVR with a CEPMs between 2008 and 2015. They were divided into 3 groups based on the risk of PPM as a result of their body surface area and aortic annular diameter (BSA/AnnD ratio): low-risk (LR) group: 0.64±0.05 m2/cm (n=94); medium-risk (MR) group: 0.73±0.02 m2/cm (n=94); high-risk (HR) group: 0.83±0.05 m2/cm (n=94). The 30-day mortality rate was 0.4%. The 5-year actuarial survival rates were 93.2%, 92.3%, and 94.8% for groups LR, MR, and HR, respectively. No explants as a result of structural valve deterioration occurred. No patients showed severe PPM, defined as a measured effective orifice area index (EOAI) <0.65 cm2/m2. Although there were significant (P<0.05) differences in EOAI (0.98±0.2, 0.90±0.21, and 0.88±0.1 cm2/m2among the LR, MR, and HR groups, respectively), the corresponding transvalvular mean pressure gradients (13.0±5.5, 12.3±4.0, 12.7±5.3 mmHg) and regression rates of the left ventricular mass (29.8%, 28.7%, 28.9%) were similar among groups. CONCLUSIONS: CEPMs provide low surgical risk and reduce the risks of PPM, even in HR patients, with excellent hemodynamics.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation for Degenerated 19-mm Aortic Bioprosthetic Valve.

BACKGROUND: The valve-in-valve procedure, in which a transcatheter heart valve (THV) is implanted over a prosthetic valve, has been shown to be safe and therapeutically effective, depending on the size of the replacement valve.Methods and Results:We report 3 cases of successful valve-in-valve procedure to replace a degenerated 19-mm stented prosthetic aortic valve. Balloon-expanding THVs were implanted: 20-mm in the 1st case and 23-mm in the next 2. Aortic stenosis was almost completely resolved in all patients, who recovered promptly and without cardiac adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Using the valve-in-valve procedure for a 19-mm degenerated bioprosthesis was feasible and safe.

889 days of support on hydrodynamic bearing rotation mode of the DuraHeart™ for bridge-to-heart transplantation.

A 49-year-old man with ischemic cardiomyopathy and tricuspid regurgitation underwent a DuraHeart implantation and tricuspid annuloplasty for bridge-to-heart transplantation. On postoperative day 393, the magnetic levitation system suddenly broke down, and the pump system went into hydrodynamic bearing rotation (HD) mode without causing relevant symptoms. The controller was exchanged with one that adapted to the HD mode. No significant hemodynamic changes or indications of hemolysis were observed. On postoperative day 982, the pump temporarily stopped nine times. The patient refused pump exchange despite our strong recommendation for it. After 1283 days of DuraHeart support (889 days in HD mode) without hemolysis or neurologic events, he underwent heart transplantation. The DuraHeart manufacturer's analysis revealed much damage to the insulation and fatigue fractures of the conductors, which had resulted in temporary cessation of function and failure of the magnetic levitation system. This was a rare case of long-term support under the DuraHeart HD mode.

Optimal target vessel selection for composite and sequential radial artery grafting with an in situ internal thoracic artery.

OBJECTIVES: We retrospectively evaluated graft patency in patients who underwent no-touch aortic arterial off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting to determine the optimal selection of target vessels for improved graft patency of composite and sequential radial artery I-grafts. METHODS: The radial artery was anastomosed to the end of an in situ internal thoracic artery and was sequentially anastomosed to non-left anterior descending arteries. This composite graft was defined as an "I-graft." We evaluated 145 I-grafts with 2, 3, or 4 sequential anastomoses (437 graft segments). A graft segment with the final distal anastomosis of every I-graft was defined as the last graft segment (LGS). When a sequential anastomosis was initiated from the left coronary branch, the I-graft assumed a clockwise course (69.0%). When a sequential anastomosis was initiated from the right coronary branch, the I-graft assumed a counterclockwise course (31.0%). RESULTS: On multivariable analysis, right coronary branch (P < 0.001), moderately stenotic (50-75%) target vessel (P = 0.004), and LGS with moderately stenotic target vessel (P = 0.005) were predictors of mid-term graft occlusion. In situations where the LGS was anastomosed to a severely stenotic target vessel (>75%) with a clockwise course, when the number of moderately stenotic target vessels among sequential graft segments was 0, 1, or ≥2, the mid-term graft patency rates of I-grafts were 94.0%, 86.0%, and 81.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The selection of target vessels for severely stenotic lesions among sequential graft segments and the clockwise course enhance the mid-term graft patency of sequential radial I-grafts.

Early Results of Simultaneous Transaortic Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation and Total Arterial Off-Pump Coronary Artery Revascularization in High-Risk Patients.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become an alternative procedure for treating aortic stenosis (AS) in patients with advanced age and severe comorbidities. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is present with AS in 40-50% of patients with typical angina. Considering the high operative mortality and morbidity rates in these patients, hybrid TAVI and off-pump CABG (OPCAB) have become realistic treatment options. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between August 2014 and November 2015, 12 patients were evaluated for simultaneous TAVI and OPCAB. Because of their advanced age and comorbidities these patients were not considered suitable for standard open heart surgery. PCI was also considered unsuitable, because of left anterior descending artery (LAD) proximal lesions and/or high SYNTAX score. TAVI was conducted through a median sternotomy after left internal thoracic artery (LITA) to LAD anastomosis. In 11 cases OPCAB with LITA and composite RA graft was performed using an aorta no-touch technique. Mean age at operation was 81±6.3 years. Average number of distal anastomoses was 2.6. Perivalvular leakage was mild in 3 patients, trivial in 8, and none in 1. There was no conversion to on-pump procedure and no hospital deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous transaortic TAVI and OPCAB in high-risk patients with severe AS and IHD is a reasonable option. This method could be an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement and CABG. (Circ J 2016; 80: 1946-1950).

[Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation].

The advent of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been rapidly evolving the treatment of the severe aortic stenosis in patients with comorbidities that lead to being high-risk for conventional aortic valve replacement. The patient selection for TAVI is carefully made by a multidisciplinary heart team. An accurate preoperative assessment of the computed tomography angiography and transesophageal echocardiography are necessary for procedural success. In Japan, SAPIEN XT and CoreValve are available, and Lotus Valve is under clinical trial. So far, TAVI is an attractive treatment because the early outcome and the intermediate-term durability are favorable. An answer to a question of whether the indication for TAVI is able to expand to low- or intermediate- risk patients depends on the long-term durability.

Hemodynamic Performance and Durability of Mosaic Bioprostheses for Aortic Valve Replacement, up to 13 Years.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the mid to long-term durability and hemodynamics of the small-size Mosaic bioprosthesis, a third-generation stented porcine bioprosthesis, for aortic valve replacement (AVR). METHODS AND RESULTS: From 2000 to 2012, 207 patients (117 women; age, 74±8 years; body surface area, 1.48±0.25 m(2)) underwent AVR with a Mosaic bioprosthesis. The mean follow-up period was 3.5±2.7 years (maximum, 12.4 years) and the follow-up rate was 93.7%. A 19-, 21-, 23-, 25-, and 27-mm prosthesis was used in 103, 53, 35, 13, and 3 patients, respectively. The measured effective orifice area was 1.17±0.25, 1.29±0.19, 1.39±0.24, and 1.69 cm(2)for the 19-25 mm prostheses, and the mean transvalvular pressure gradient was 19.4±6.0, 18.5±5.8, 16.5±7.3, and 13.2±2.9 mmHg, respectively. The left ventricular mass regression was significant (P<0.05) with rates of 74.6±18.8%, 75.5±30.2%, 68.1±30.5%, 55.9±12.9%, and 49.2%, respectively. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.9% and the 5- and 10-year actuarial survival rates were 86.0% and 73.7%, respectively. Valve-related comorbidities occurred in 3 patients (structural valve deterioration [SVD] in 1 after 7.2 years, and prosthetic valve endocarditis in 2). Freedom from SVD at 10-year was 96.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The mid to long-term performance of the small Mosaic bioprosthesis was satisfactory, with excellent hemodynamics and few valve-related adverse events.

Socioeconomic effects of surgical site infection after cardiac surgery in Japan.

PURPOSE: Surgical site infection (SSI) increases medical costs and prolongs hospitalization; however, there has been no multicenter study examining the socioeconomic effects of SSI after cardiovascular surgery in Japan. METHODS: A retrospective 1:1 matched, case-controlled study on hospital stay and health care expenditure after cardiovascular surgery was performed in four hospitals. Patients selected for the study had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valve surgery between April, 2006 and March, 2008. Data were obtained for 30 pairs of patients. RESULTS: The mean postoperative stay for the SSI group was 49.1 days, being 3.7 times longer than that for the non-SSI group. The mean postoperative health care expenditure for the SSI group was ¥ 2,763,000 (US$27,630), being five times higher than that for the non-SSI group. Charges for drug infusion and hospitalization for inpatient care were significantly higher for the SSI group than for the non-SSI group. The increased health care expenditure was mainly attributed to the cost of antibiotics and antimicrobial agents. CONCLUSION: SSI after cardiovascular surgery not only prolonged the length of hospital stay, but also increased medical expenditure. Thus, the prevention of SSI after cardiovascular surgery is of great socioeconomic importance.