Smartphone-based app for evaluating cardiothoracic residents: Feasibility and engagement.

PURPOSE: Timely and high-quality feedback is important in cardiothoracic (CT) surgery education. Feedback on operative proficiency is an area for improvement in CT surgery programs. Traditional evaluations significantly lag behind operative interactions. We hypothesized that use of the System for Improving and Measuring Procedural Learning (SIMPL) app would improve operative feedback for trainees. METHODS: Use of SIMPL was evaluated from December 2018 to January, 2021 within an academic CT surgery training program. Ratings include level of supervision, complexity of the operation, and trainee performance. Completion was limited to 72 h after the operation. Descriptive statistics of the users and ratings are presented. RESULTS: Over 28 months, 816 evaluations were completed, and of these, 495 had a rating from both the faculty and trainee. There were 19 trainees representing post-graduate years 1-8 and 19 faculty members who received or submitted at least one evaluation over the study period. The number of evaluations for each trainee ranged from 1 to 166 and from 1 to 81 for each of the faculty. The response rate for faculty ranged from 0% to 100%. "Active help" was the most common type of supervision (50.7% by the faculty, 60.4% from the trainees). CONCLUSIONS: Use of SIMPL within a CT surgery training program was feasible and engagement was observed from both trainees and faculty. SIMPL provided trainees with timely, concise feedback on operative performance. Further work will focus on correlating SIMPL ratings with pre-existing assessments of performance.

Pulmonary Endarterectomy for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: An STS Database Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is optimally treated by pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PEA). Treatment effectiveness has been evaluated principally using single-center series. Data from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database were used to evaluate a volume-outcomes relationship for PEA. METHODS: Circulatory arrest procedures performed between 2012 and 2018 were identified through a Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database Participant User File. For descriptive purposes, total center procedural volume categories were computed: low (0-75th percentile, <16); medium (76-95th percentile, 16-100); high (>95th percentile, >100). Mixed effect modeling was used to evaluate the effect of center procedural volume (modeled continuously) on operative mortality, adjusting for preoperative risk factors, with centers as a random effect. RESULTS: There were 1358 cases performed across 64 centers (low volume: n = 49 of 172; medium volume: n = 12 of 527; high volume: n = 3 of 659), with 42 centers performing less than 10 operations during the period. Procedural volume increased 2.6-fold between 2012 and 2018 (94 vs 339), with 79% of the change in volume accounted for by 4 centers. The median preoperative pulmonary artery systolic value was 74 (interquartile range, 57-88) mm Hg, with no difference (P = .55) by center volume categories. In unadjusted analysis, patients at high-volume centers required fewer transfusions, had shorter ventilator and intensive care unit duration, had a lower frequency of postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and trended toward lower mortality (2.1% vs 5.2%; P = .051). Operative mortality was lower at higher-volume centers (adjusted odds ratio [1-case increase], 0.997; 95% confidence interval, 0.994-1.0; P = .025). CONCLUSIONS: Most PEA procedures are performed among a small number of centers, with high-volume hospitals having favorable outcomes. These data suggest a potential role for PEA regionalization.

Ultrasonic Emulsification of Severe Mitral Annular Calcification During Mitral Valve Replacement.

PURPOSE: Severe mitral annular calcification (MAC) increases surgical complexity and is independently associated with increased operative mortality for mitral valve replacement (MVR). Recently we adopted ultrasonic emulsification/aspiration for annular decalcification to address these risks and describe our early experience with this new technology. DESCRIPTION: Excluding previous mitral valve surgery or endocarditis, 179 patients with MAC underwent MVR at a single institution between January 2015 and March 2020. Of these, 15 consecutive patients with severe MAC (≥50% of the annulus) underwent annular decalcification with ultrasonic emulsification/aspiration as an adjunct treatment during MVR from April 2019 to March 2020. EVALUATION: Mean patient age was 68 ± 12 years, and 72% (n = 128) were female. Mean preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was 60% ± 11%, and mean mitral valve gradient was 9.1 ± 4.4 mm Hg. Concomitant procedures included antiarrhythmia (n = 52), aortic valve replacement (n = 32), and coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 20). There were no operative deaths or strokes in the group undergoing ultrasonic emulsification and aspiration. CONCLUSIONS: The use of ultrasonic emulsification and aspiration in severe MAC patients may help mitigate the risks of MVR and facilitate operative success in this challenging, high-risk population.

The utilization of educational resources published by the Thoracic Surgery Residents Association.

Objective: The Thoracic Surgery Residents Association (TSRA) is a trainee-led cardiothoracic surgery organization in North America that has published a multitude of educational resources. However, the utilization of these resources remains unknown. Methods: Surveys were constructed, pilot-tested, and emailed to 527 current cardiothoracic trainees (12 questions) and 780 former trainees who graduated between 2012 and 2019 (16 questions). The surveys assessed the utilization of TSRA educational resources in preparing for clinical practice as well as in-training and American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) certification examinations. Results: A total of 143 (27%) current trainees and 180 (23%) recent graduates responded. A higher proportion of recent graduates compared with current trainees identified as male (84% vs 66%; P = .001) and graduated from 2- or 3-year traditional training programs (81% vs 41%; P < .001), compared with integrated 6-year (8% vs 49%; P < .001) or 4 + 3 (11% vs 10%; P = .82) pathways. Current trainees most commonly used TSRA resources to prepare for the in-training exam (75%) and operations (73%). Recent graduates most commonly used them to prepare for Oral and/or Written Board Exams (92%) and the in-training exam (89%). Among recent graduates who passed the ABTS Oral Board Exam on the first attempt, 82% (97/118) used TSRA resources to prepare, versus only 48% (25/52) of recent graduates who passed after multiple attempts, failed, have not taken the exam, or preferred not to answer (P < .001). Conclusions: Current cardiothoracic trainees and recent graduates have utilized TSRA educational resources extensively, including to prepare for in-training and ABTS Board examinations.

Similar Quality of Life After Conventional and Robotic Transhiatal Esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) for minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) have demonstrated benefits compared with open transthoracic or 3-hole esophagectomy. PROs, including quality of life (QoL) and fear of recurrence (FoR), comparing open transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) and transhiatal robotic-assisted MIE (Th-RAMIE) have been limited. METHODS: At a single, high-volume academic center, patients undergoing THE and Th-RAMIE with gastric conduit for clinical stage I to III esophageal cancer from 2013 to 2018 were evaluated. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30), the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire in Esophageal Cancer (QLQ-OES18), and the FoR survey were administered preoperatively and at 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Linear mixed-effects models were used for QoL and FoR score comparisons. Perioperative outcomes were also compared. RESULTS: A total of 309 patients (212 in the group and 97 in the Th-RAMIE group) were included. The Th-RAMIE cohort had a significantly higher number of lymph nodes harvested (14 ± 0.8 vs 11.2 ± 0.4; P = .01), a shorter length of stay (days, 10.0 ± 6.7 vs 12.1 ± 7.0; P = .03), lower rates of postoperative ileus (5% vs 15%; P = .02), and fewer opioids prescribed at discharge (71% vs 85%; P = .03). After adjustment, there were no significant differences in QLQ-C30, QLQ-OES18, and FoR scores between the groups out to 1 year postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: There were no clear patient-reported benefits of Th-RAMIE over THE for esophageal cancer. However, Th-RAMIE conferred several perioperative benefits.

Super Fellowships Among Cardiothoracic Trainees: Prevalence and Motivations.

BACKGROUND: After completing traditional fellowship or integrated residency in cardiothoracic surgery, many trainees spend time in nonaccredited "super fellowships." The prevalence and motivations for pursuing super fellowships are unknown. METHODS: A survey was distributed to all 776 cardiothoracic surgery graduates who completed training between 2008 and 2019. The number of graduates was used as the denominator to calculate response rate. Comparisons between responses were made using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Over an 8-week period, 261 surveys were completed with a response rate of 34%. The majority were traditional graduates (75%), for example, not integrated residents, and of those, 64% did a 2-year program. The majority (60%) did not pursue super fellowships. Among those who did complete a super fellowship, areas of training included congenital, transplantation, aortic pathology, valvular disease, and other. Among the 90 who completed super fellowships, reasons included "congenital" (34%), "felt training inadequate" (28%), "required for position" (24%), "personal" (6%), and "other" (8%). Among the 25 who selected "training inadequate," 32% focused in general thoracic-related areas. There was no relationship between length of traditional training (2 vs 3 years) and completing additional training (P = .17), but there was a significant association between completing a traditional track versus integrated residency and pursuing a super fellowship (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Additional training in cardiothoracic surgery is common. The reasons for further instruction are varied but relate to readiness and need for specialized skills. Program directors should consider employers' needs to ensure trainees graduate with the necessary skills for future practice.

Understanding the Association Between Frailty and Cardiac Surgical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Previous work identified a direct relationship between frailty and adverse outcomes in cardiac surgery, but assessment of the effect across subgroups of patients has largely been ignored. This study identified whether the association of frailty (measured by gait speed) with adverse outcomes differed across subgroups of patients. METHODS: The study evaluated 53,932 patients who underwent cardiac operations between 2011 and 2016 across 33 Michigan institutions. Five-meter gait speed (in seconds) was divided into groups: faster (<5.0 seconds), intermediate (5.0 to 5.99 seconds), and slower (≥6.0 seconds). The study used mixed logistic regression to estimate the relationship between increasing gait speed time and a patient's odds of major morbidity or mortality, by adjusting for patient-related demographics, disease characteristics, surgeon, and hospital. Effect modification by subgroup of patients and gait speed test time was tested with interaction terms. The study's secondary end point was an analysis of discharge disposition. RESULTS: Nearly one fourth (22.7%) of patients had at least one gait speed test. Slower (34% of patients) versus faster (28%) patients were older (72.5 years vs 62.6 years), had more comorbidities, and had the primary outcome (16.6% vs 9.5%) (p < 0.0001). Significant interactions with gait speed existed for patients' comorbidities (chronic lung disease, atrial fibrillation, p < 0.05), although marginal interactions existed for patients' age (p = 0.059) and diabetes (p = 0.063). Slower patients were more often discharged to a facility rather than home. CONCLUSIONS: Slower gait speed was associated with increased odds of major morbidity or mortality. This effect was amplified among patients with preexisting comorbidities. Future studies should evaluate the impact of preprocedural interventions on frailty, including those aimed at addressing comorbidities.

Autosomal dominant mannose-binding lectin deficiency is associated with worse neurodevelopmental outcomes after cardiac surgery in infants.

OBJECTIVES: The MBL2 gene is the major genetic determinant of mannose-binding lectin (MBL)-an acute phase reactant. Low MBL levels have been associated with adverse outcomes in preterm infants. The MBL2Gly54Asp missense variant causes autosomal dominant MBL deficiency. We tested the hypothesis that MBL2Gly54Asp is associated with worse neurodevelopmental outcomes after cardiac surgery in neonates. METHODS: This is an analysis of a previously described cohort of patients with nonsyndromic congenital heart disease who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass before age 6 months (n = 295). Four-year neurodevelopment was assessed in 3 domains: Full-Scale Intellectual Quotient, the Visual Motor Integration development test, and the Child Behavior Checklist to assess behavior problems. The Child Behavior Checklist measured total behavior problems, pervasive developmental problems, and internalizing/externalizing problems. A multivariable linear regression model, adjusting for confounders, was fit. RESULTS: MBL2Gly54Asp was associated with a significantly increased covariate-adjusted pervasive developmental problem score (ß = 3.98; P = .0025). Sensitivity analyses of the interaction between age at first surgery and MBL genotype suggested effect modification for the patients with MBL2Gly54Asp (Pinteraction = .039), with the poorest neurodevelopment outcomes occurring in children who had surgery earlier in life. CONCLUSIONS: We report the novel finding that carriers of MBL2Gly54Asp causing autosomal dominant MBL deficiency have increased childhood pervasive developmental problems after cardiac surgery, independent of other covariates. Sensitivity analyses suggest that this effect may be larger in children who underwent surgery at earlier ages. These data support the role of nonsyndromic genetic variation in determining postsurgical neurodevelopment-related outcomes in children with congenital heart disease.

Age at the Time of Surgery and Maintenance of Head Size in Nonsyndromic Sagittal Craniosynostosis.

BACKGROUND: Repair of nonsyndromic sagittal craniosynostosis should durably improve intracranial volume and cranial index. The optimal timing of surgery is not known. The authors previously reported reoperation in patients aged younger than 6 months at primary repair. METHODS: Patients undergoing primary reconstruction for sagittal craniosynostosis before age 1 year between 2005 and 2013 at Oregon Health & Science University underwent retrospective computed tomographic determination of cranial index and intracranial volume preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively and head circumference measurements until age 6 years. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients undergoing operation before their first birthday were studied in two groups: those younger than 6 months [34 (61 percent)] and those aged 6 months or older at the time of operation. Head circumference percentile increased immediately after surgery but decreased at 1 and 2 years after surgery, significantly more so in patients younger than 6 months (p < 0.015 at 1 year; p < 0.011 at 2-year follow-up). Mean 2-year postoperative cranial index was significantly increased in both groups (p < 0.001), which did not differ preoperatively (younger than 6 months, 76.5; 6 months or older, 78.0) or 2 years postoperatively (younger than 6 months, 88.4; 6 months or older, 87.1; p = not significant). Intracranial volume increased in all patients from before surgery to 2 years postoperatively and was higher in the patients aged 6 months or older (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Cranial reconstruction for nonsyndromic sagittal craniosynostosis improved cranial index equally in all patients but increased head circumference and intracranial volume significantly more in patients who underwent surgical reconstruction at age 6 months or older. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.