Minimalist transcatheter aortic valve replacement misses paravalvular regurgitation: Incidence and echocardiographic distribution of missed paravalvular regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Paravalvular regurgitation (PVR) may be missed intraoperatively with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) guided minimalist TAVR. We sought to determine the incidence and echocardiographic distribution of PVR missed on intra-op TTE, but detected on predischarge TTE. METHODS: From July 2015 to 2020, 475 patients with symptomatic severe native aortic stenosis underwent TTE-guided minimalist TAVR. Missed PVR was defined as predischarge PVR that was ≥1 grade higher than the corresponding intra-op PVR severity. PVR was classified as anterior or posterior on the four standard TTE views; parasternal short-axis (PSAX), parasternal long-axis (PLAX), apical 3-chamber (A3C), and 5-chamber (A5C). Location-specific risk of missed PVR was then determined. RESULTS: Mild or greater PVR was seen in 55 (11.5%) cases intra-op and 91 (19.1%) at predischarge, with no severe PVR. Among the 91 patients with ≥mild predischarge PVR, missed PVR was present in 42 (46.2%). Compared to the corresponding anterior jets, missed PVR rate was significantly higher for posterior jets in PLAX (62.5% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.005), A5C (56.9% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.009), PSAX (66.7% vs. 24.3%, 0.001), but not A3C (58.5% vs. 40.0%, p = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative TTE-guided minimalist TAVR either misses nearly half of ≥mild PVR or underestimates PVR by ≥1 grade when compared to predischarge TTE. Posterior PVR jets are more likely to be missed. Transesophageal echo guidance may help minimize missing PVR. Further studies are warranted.

Outcomes of Emergency Gastrointestinal Surgery Done on Post-Cardiac Surgery Patients-Analysis From a Tertiary Care Center.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal complications following cardiac surgery have high mortality rates. This study analyzes the outcomes of patients who have undergone emergency general surgery (EGS) procedures after cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) at the same hospitalization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent emergent abdominal surgery after CTS surgery between 2010-2018. The CTS procedures included coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), valve replacement, cardiac transplant, aortic replacement, ventricular assist device, and pericardial procedures. The records were reviewed to obtain demographics, frequency distribution of EGS procedures, complications, outcomes, and the risk factors of mortality. RESULTS: Of 4826 patients who had CTS, 57 (1.2%) underwent EGS procedures during the period of 2010-2018. This cohort of patients had 113 CTS and 85 EGS procedures during the same hospitalization. The mean age was 62 years, and 49% were elderly (40% were females). CABG with or without valve replacement was the most common surgery (28%). After surgical consultation for "acute abdomen" in the post-CTS phase, the three most common findings on exploratory laparotomy were bowel perforation (23%), massive free fluid leading to abdominal compartment syndrome (19%), and acute cholecystitis (16%). Respiratory failure (46%), acute kidney injury (32%), and multiple organ dysfunction (18%) were the most common hospital-acquired complications. Regarding dispositions, 47% were discharged to an acute rehabilitation center, 10% were discharged to a sub-acute rehabilitation center, and a similar proportion of patients went home (10%). On multivariable logistic regression analysis with backward elimination, age (OR=1.10, 95% CI: 1.02-1.18) and serum proteins (OR=0.99, 95% CI: 0.98-0.998) were independently associated with the odds of mortality after EGS in the immediate CTS phase. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory failure is the most common complication of EGS immediately after CTS. The older the patient and the lower the serum proteins, the higher the odds of mortality in patients who undergo EGS after ETS.

Continuous invasive hemodynamic monitoring using steerable guide catheter to optimize mitraclip transcatheter mitral valve repair: A multicenter, proof-of-concept study.

OBJECTIVES: We report our multicenter experience on continuous hemodynamic monitoring using exclusively the steerable guide catheter (SGC) during MitraClip repair. BACKGROUND: Left atrial pressure (LAP) and V-wave are useful to evaluate MitraClip repair but no simple method of continuous monitoring exists. METHODS: From 11/2016 to 8/2017, 74 patients from four centers with symptomatic moderate-severe to severe mitral regurgitation (MR), underwent MitraClip NT repair with continuous hemodynamic monitoring via the SGC. Real-time LAP/V-wave changes were compared with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). When mitral stenosis was suspected, transmitral gradients were verified by invasive hemodynamics. Clinical and echocardiographic outcomes were determined. RESULTS: Mean age was 78 ± 10 years and STS score 9.1 ± 11.0%. Pathology included leaflet prolapse/flail (45%), restriction (35%), and mixed (20%). Number of clips averaged 1.7 ± 0.7 per case. There was a significant reduction in LAP (21 ± 10 to 15 ± 7 mmHg, P < 0.0001) and V-wave(37 ± 19 to 24 ± 10 mmHg, P < 0.0001) post MitraClip, but the decrease was less in patients with atrial fibrillation (P < 0.05). Transmitral gradient significantly increased from 2.0 ± 1.2 to 4.0 ± 1.7 mmHg (P < 0.0001). Paradoxical increases in LAP and V-wave despite MR reduction were observed in three cases requiring MitraClip repositioning or retrieval to avoid stenosis. Follow-up averaged 5.0 ± 2.9 months and was 100% complete. KCCQ improvement was significant and MR reduction to <1+ was 67% and <2+ was 93% at 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous hemodynamic monitoring using the SGC complements TEE to assess and optimize MitraClip repair in real-time. Further validation is necessary but this feature may be part of future MitraClip and other transcatheter mitral repair systems.

Vascular complication can be minimized with a balloon-expandable, re-collapsible sheath in TAVR with a self-expanding bioprosthesis.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the feasibility and safety of a balloon-expandable, re-collapsible sheath for TAVR patients, including those with small iliofemoral access (≤5.0 mm). BACKGROUND: The recommended iliofemoral diameter for the CoreValve TAVR system is ≥6.0 mm, but the lowest limit has not been determined. METHODS: Of 322 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR from 1/2014 to 8/2015 at two institutions, 64 underwent transfemoral CoreValve implantation, using an 11/19-French balloon-expandable, re-collapsible sheath, which has a 4.45 mm outer diameter (OD) on arterial entry, expands to 7.67 mm, then re-collapses upon removal. Valve sizing and vascular access were determined by computed tomography, and outcomes were assessed using the Valve Academic Research Consortium 2 (VARC-2) definitions. RESULTS: Thirteen of 64 patients had a minimal iliofemoral artery luminal diameter (MLD) of ≤5.0 mm (mean 4.38+/-0.59 mm, range 3.1-5.0 mm), with vessel calcification ≤90° to 360° and tortuosity <45° to >90°. At the MLD point, the sheath-to-artery ratios, based on the fully expanded 7.67 mm OD, ranged 1.53-2.47, higher than previously reported ratios that risk vascular complications. Major comorbidities included chronic renal failure, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, extreme thrombocytopenia, cirrhosis, prior cardiac surgery, poor ventricular function, and frailty. All 64 patients had TAVR with IV sedation and local anesthesia, with 0% sheath malfunction, 0% vascular complications, and 0% bleeding in-hospital and at 30 days per VARC-2 definitions. CONCLUSIONS: TAVR using a balloon-expandable, re-collapsible sheath is safe, including in small iliofemoral access ≤5.0 mm, thus considerably expanding the population suitable for transfemoral approach. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Calcium Resection to Relieve Left Main Coronary Obstruction in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Coronary obstruction during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a rare yet life-threatening complication. Emergent resection of the obstructing calcium is a quick and simple method to restore coronary perfusion in TAVR over emergency CABG. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12752 (J Card Surg 2016;31:315-317).

Peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in combination with intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation in patients with cardiovascular compromise.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with profound cardiovascular compromise have poor prognosis despite inotropic and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support. Peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) offers these patients temporary support as a bridge to various options including the 'bridge to recovery'. METHODS: We studied the outcomes of 135 patients who underwent peripheral V-A ECMO and concomitant IABP implantation in our hospital from 2007 to 2012 for various clinical indications. The ECMO circuit consisted of a centrifugal pump and an oxygenator. RESULTS: V-A ECMO was implanted in the cardiac catheterization laboratory in 51 patients (37.8%), at the bedside in 5 (3.7%) and in the operating room in 79 (58.5%). Mean duration of support was 8.5 ± 7.1 days. Median length of stay was 28 days (interquartile range 14-62). Complications included bleeding at the access site in 14.1%, stroke in 11.1% and vascular complications requiring intervention in 16.3%. Overall inhospital survival was 57.8% with outcomes including heart transplantation (3%), implantable left ventricular assist device (8.1% as bridge to transplantation and 6.7% as destination therapy), surgery (7.4%) and myocardial recovery (40.7%). Prior IABP use and axillary cannulation were independent predictors of reduced inhospital mortality, stroke or vascular injury. CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral V-A ECMO with IABP is an effective therapy for patients with severely compromised cardiovascular function. It offers reasonable survival and a spectrum of definitive options from 'bridge to recovery' to heart transplantation for the management of this critically ill population.

Stroke After Acute Type A Dissection Repair Using Right Axillary Cannulation First Approach.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to analyze the details of strokes after acute type A dissection repair (ATAD) using a right axillary artery (RAX) first approach. METHODS: A total of 356 consecutive ATAD repairs from 2005 to 2022 were analyzed on the basis of arterial cannulation site. Strokes were evaluated by head computed tomography. RESULTS: The rate of RAX cannulation was 82.6% (n = 294), with a 38.2% rate of antegrade cerebral perfusion use, both of which had increased over the years. The non-RAX group had more cardiogenic shock (RAX, 16.3% vs non-RAX, 37.1%; P < .001), cerebral malperfusion (8.8% vs 25.8%, respectively; P < .001), and innominate artery dissection (45.9% vs 69.2%, respectively; P = .007). Eight patients died before undergoing a full neurologic assessment. The overall stroke rate was 8.4% (n = 30), and it was lower in the RAX group (5.1% vs 24.2%; P < .001). All strokes were ischemic, with concomitant hemorrhagic strokes occurring in 6 patients. Strokes diagnosed immediately after surgery (perioperative stroke) accounted for 70% (n = 21 of 30) of cases. Strokes predominantly affected the right anterior circulation (right anterior, 80% vs left anterior, 46.7% vs left posterior, 26.7%; P = .013), independent of arterial cannulation site. The proposed mechanism of perioperative strokes was not uniform (embolism, 33.3%; hypoperfusion, 42.8%; embolism and hypoperfusion, 14.3%; lacunar infarct, 10%), whereas most postoperative strokes were embolic (77.8%). The mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 20.6 ± 9.9, and the modified Rankin score at discharge was 4.1±2.2. CONCLUSIONS: Most strokes in ATAD occurred perioperatively from various mechanisms predominantly affecting the right anterior circulation irrespective of the arterial cannulation site. This complication is most likely the result of unstable hemodynamics and dissection of the innominate artery (IA) or its downstream vessels.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Heart Transplant Recipients and Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Monoclonal Antibodies: Experience, Lessons Learnt, and Future Challenges.

Solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs), including heart transplant (HT) recipients, infected with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are at higher risk of hospitalization, mechanical ventilation, or death when compared with general population. Advances in diagnosis and treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection have reduced COVID-19-related mortality rates from ~30% in the early pandemic to <3% in 2022 among HT recipients. We performed a retrospective chart review including adult HT recipients at Westchester Medical Center from January 1, 2020 to December 10, 2022, who received anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19, and those who received tixagevimab/cilgavimab for preexposure prophylaxis. Additionally, a comprehensive review of the literature involving SOTRs who received mAbs for COVID-19 was conducted. In this largest single-center study in this population, 42 adult HT recipients received casirivimab/imdevimab (36%), sotrovimab (31%), or bebtelovimab (29%) for treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Among these recipients, no infusion-associated adverse effects, progression of disease, COVID-19-associated hospitalizations, or death were noted. Preexposure prophylaxis with tixagevimab/cilgavimab was given to 63 HT recipients in a dedicated infusion center (40%), inpatient setting (33%), or at time of annual heart biopsy (27%). No immediate adverse events were noted. There were 11 breakthrough infections, all mild. Overall, the data suggests that HT recipients receiving mAbs have reduced rates of hospitalization, need for intensive care unit care, or death. Use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 mAbs in SOTRs is resource intensive and requires a programmatic team approach for optimal administration and to minimize any risk of disparities in their use.

Collateral network concept in 2023.

Extensive thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair can cause spinal cord ischemia which significantly impacts survival and quality of life. Although this complication is uncommon, it is important to recognize the pathophysiology and preventative measures. In the 1990s, Dr. Griepp and colleagues proposed the existence of an extensive collateral network that supports spinal cord perfusion, "the collateral network concept". This includes an interconnecting complex of vessels in the intraspinal, paraspinous, and epidural spaces, and in the paravertebral muscles, involving the intercostal and lumbar segmental arteries as well as the subclavian and hypogastric (iliac) arteries. In this concept, as opposed to the one major segmental input model such as the Adamkiewicz artery, recognition of the importance of multiple inputs to the spinal circulation is paramount to maintaining the spinal blood flow and preventing spinal cord ischemia. In this article, we review the current evidence of the collateral concept and its application in aortic surgery.

Aortic Reoperation After Prior Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Repair: Don't Despair the Repair.

BACKGROUND: There is paucity of data regarding reoperation after acute type A aortic dissection (ATAD) repair. METHODS: From October 2006 to March 2022, 75 patients received 123 reoperations after ATAD (proximal, n = 17; distal, n = 103; and both, n = 3) utilizing redo sternotomy (RS, n = 68), left thoracotomy (LT, n = 44), and endovascular approach (TEVAR, n = 11). The axillary artery cannulation was utilized in 97.1% of the RS cases. A classic elephant trunk technique was used as a 2-staged procedure for distal pathology. Most LT repairs (95.5%) were completed above the celiac axis. RESULTS: Index ATAD repairs were predominantly ascending/hemiarch repair (73.3%). The median duration from the index repair was 2.0 years. Most reoperations were elective procedures (82.1%). Hospital mortality was 2.4% (RS, 1.5%; LT, 4.5%; TEVAR, 0%), and the stroke rate was 1.6%. There was no spinal cord ischemia. The 5-year overall survival and freedom from aortic mortality or procedure were 85.2% ± 5.6% and 80.6% ± 6.1%, respectively. There were 7 distal reinterventions (prior TEVAR, n = 3; prior LT, n = 4). Two patients required LT repair after prior TEVAR and 3 patients received infrarenal aortic repair after prior LT repair. Computed tomography after completion of the distal repair (n = 45) showed an increase of distal aorta at each level as follows: celiac axis 1.2 mm/y; renal artery 1.0 mm/y; and terminal aorta 1.2 mm/y. CONCLUSIONS: Reoperation after ATAD repair can be safely performed as an elective procedure at experienced centers. Staged distal interventions utilizing classic elephant trunk insertion and open repair above the celiac axis showed durable outcomes.

Zone 2 arch repair for acute type A dissection: Evolution from arch-first to proximal-first repair.

Objective: With growing experience of acute type A aortic dissection repair, Zone 2 arch repair has been advocated. The aim of this study is to compare the outcome between "proximal-first" and "arch-first" Zone 2 repair. Methods: From January 2015 to March 2023, 45 patients underwent Zone 2 arch repair out of 208 acute type A aortic dissection repairs: arch-first, N = 19, and proximal-first technique, N = 26, since January 2021. Indications were aortic arch or descending tear, complex dissection in neck vessels, cerebral malperfusion, or aneurysm of the aortic arch. Results: The lowest bladder temperature was higher in the proximal-first technique (24.9 °C vs 19.7 °C, P < .001). Cardiopulmonary bypass (230 vs 177.5 minutes, P < .001), myocardial ischemic (124 vs 91 minutes, P < .001), and lower-body circulatory arrest (87 vs 28 minutes, P < .001) times were shorter in the proximal-first technique. The arch-first group required more packed red blood cells (arch-first, 2 units vs proximal-first, 0 units, P = .048), platelets (arch-first, 4 units vs proximal-first, 2 units, P = .003), and cryoprecipitates (arch-first, 2 units vs proximal-first, 1 unit, P = .024). Operative mortality and major morbidities were higher in the arch-first group (57.9% vs 11.5%, P = .001). One-year survival was comparable (arch-first, 89.5% ± 7.0% vs proximal-first, 92.0% ± 5.5%, P = .739). Distal intervention was successfully performed in 5 patients (endovascular, N = 3, and open repair, N = 2). Conclusions: Zone 2 arch repair using the proximal-first technique for acute type A aortic dissection repair yields shorter lower-body ischemic time with a warmer core temperature, resulting in shorter cardiopulmonary bypass time, less blood product use, and fewer morbidities when compared with the arch-first technique.

Direct Pull-Through Technique to Insert the Impella RP Device Without Using Fluoroscopy.

We describe a technique for insertion of the Impella RP device that does not require fluoroscopy. Venous cannulation was performed via the superior vena cava and femoral vein percutaneously. After right atriotomy, the Impella RP is percutaneously inserted and advanced to the right atrium under transesophageal echocardiography guidance. Next, via a longitudinal 2 cm incision in the main pulmonary artery (PA), a large C-shaped clamp is advanced retrograde through the pulmonic and tricuspid valves into the right atrium. The pigtail portion is grasped, pulled through to the main PA, and the device is positioned in the PA under direct vision.

Direct Axillary Artery Cannulation for Aortic Surgery: Lessons From Contemporary Experiences.

BACKGROUND: This study seeks to assess the outcomes of direct axillary artery (AX) cannulation for thoracic aortic surgery. METHODS: From October 2009 to November 2021 direct AX cannulation was planned in 515 patients for thoracic aortic pathology. An important aspect of our technique is that the cannula is not inserted deeper than 3 cm. AX cannulation-related events included shift of cannulation site from the initial site, vascular injury, and iatrogenic dissection. RESULTS: Half of the patients had acute type A dissection (ATAD). An angled cannula was used in 442 patients and a straight cannula in 73 patients (14.2%) after August 2020. A previously cannulated AX was reused in 36 patients (7.0%). Mortality and stroke rates were 5.4% (ATAD vs non-ATAD: 8.0% vs 2.8%, P = .008) and 2.7% (ATAD vs non-ATAD: 4.6% vs 0.8%, P = .034), respectively. AX cannulation-related events were observed in 2.7% of patients. There was no difference in the vascular injury rate between ATAD and non-ATAD cases (1.6% vs 0.4%, respectively; P = .385), between different cannula types (angled vs straight: 0.9% vs 1.4%, P = 1.00), or between primary and redo AX cannulation cases (0.8% vs 2.8%, respectively; P = .791). On multidetector computed tomography analysis using automated 3-dimensional images, the mean distance from the thoracoacromial artery to the vertebral artery on the right and left sides was 8.70 cm and 8.69 cm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Direct AX cannulation for thoracic aortic repair is safe and carries a low rate of vascular injury, especially in elective cases. Our direct cannulation technique, which includes not inserting a cannula deeper than 3 cm, seems to be safe in not occluding the vertebral artery.

Simplified Zone 2 Arch Repair Using a Trifurcated Graft for Acute Type A Dissection.

We report a simplified zone 2 arch repair using a trifurcated graft for acute type A aortic dissection. The right axillary artery is cannulated. After completion of proximal aortic repair using a 1-branched graft, a trifurcated graft is anastomosed to the ascending graft just above the proximal suture line or coronary buttons in case of Bentall procedure. Distal aortic anastomosis is performed at the zone 2 level under unilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion. Full cardiopulmonary bypass flow is resumed via the right axillary artery and ascending graft using both Y-shaped arterial limbs. The left common carotid and innominate arteries are sequentially anastomosed.

Reoperative Total Arch Repair Using a Trifurcated Graft and Selective Antegrade Cerebral Perfusion.

BACKGROUND: This study reviews the outcomes of our reoperative total arch repair technique using a trifurcated graft and selective antegrade cerebral perfusion. METHODS: Fifty patients underwent reoperative total arch repair from January 2005 to September 2020, with either a one-stage repair (n = 9) or two-stage repair (n = 41). The two-stage technique includes minimal dissection of the mediastinal structures, an arch-first technique using a trifurcated graft, and construction of a classical elephant trunk through a partial transverse incision distally in the old graft or in the aorta just distal to the old graft. RESULTS: The median age was 63 years. Chronic dissection was the most frequent indication (88%), and 98% had undergone a previous proximal aortic repair at a median interval of 3 years. The median cardiopulmonary bypass, myocardial ischemic, selective antegrade cerebral perfusion, and lower body circulatory arrest times were 226, 103, 97, and 98 minutes, respectively. The minimum nasopharyngeal and bladder temperature were 16.5°C and 20.0°C, respectively. Operative mortality was 2%, the incidence of stroke was 2%, and the incidence of spinal cord injury was 0%. Stage II repair was performed in 37 patients (open, 33 patients; endovascular, 4 patients), with 2 mortalities and no spinal cord injury. The median duration between stage I and II was 63 days. Survival and aortic event free rates at 3 years were 88.4% ± 4.9%, and 89.8% ± 5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We report a reoperative total arch repair technique that minimizes dissection of the cardiac structures, simplifies the distal anastomosis, and protects vital organs, such as the brain, heart, and spinal cord.

Variations in Mitral Valve Leaflet and Scallop Anatomy on Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Textbook depictions of the mitral valve (MV) often illustrate it as composed of a single nonscalloped anterior leaflet, with the posterior leaflet having three symmetric and evenly spaced scallops. However, common variations in this anatomy have been noted in autopsy series for decades. Improved cardiac imaging with three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) now affords the ability to detect variations in scallop anatomy in vivo. The aims of this study were to catalog variations in mitral anatomy and to examine for association with mitral regurgitation in patients referred for clinical three-dimensional TEE. METHODS: Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic images of the MV from 107 subjects were reviewed for MV variations. Three-dimensional analysis software was used to characterize mitral leaflet anatomy and assess the relative sizes of posterior leaflet scallops. RESULTS: Variations from the classic MV configuration were seen in 58.9%. Symmetric variations in the posterior leaflet (dominant P2 scallop, accessory P2 scallop, absent P2 scallop, and dichotomous P2 scallop) were seen in 33.6% of the study group. Asymmetric variants in the posterior leaflet (fused P1 and P2, fused P2 and P3, commissural scallop, accessory scallops, dichotomous P1 or P3, and dominant P2 or P3) were seen in 24.3%. Indentations or folds in the anterior leaflet were noted in 5.6%. Leaflet variations were not associated with patient demographics, indication for TEE, mitral regurgitation, mitral annular dimensions, or Carpentier class. CONCLUSIONS: Mitral leaflet morphologic variants were well characterized using three-dimensional TEE. Variants are common and were present with a frequency consistent with autopsy series. Mitral scallop variations were not associated with mitral regurgitation.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients With COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by a clinical spectrum of diseases ranging from asymptomatic or mild cases to severe pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring mechanical ventilation. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used as rescue therapy in appropriate patients with COVID-19 complicated by ARDS refractory to mechanical ventilation. In this study, we review the indications, challenges, complications, and clinical outcomes of ECMO utilization in critically ill patients with COVID-19-related ARDS. Most of these patients required venovenous ECMO. Although the risk of mortality and complications is very high among patients with COVID-19 requiring ECMO, it is similar to that of non-COVID-19 patients with ARDS requiring ECMO. ECMO is a resource-intensive therapy, with an inherent risk of complications, which makes its availability limited and its use challenging in the midst of a pandemic. Well-maintained data registries, with timely reporting of outcomes and evidence-based clinical guidelines, are necessary for the careful allocation of resources and for the development of standardized utilization protocols.

Direct Axillary Artery Cannulation for Type A Dissection and Impact of Dissected Innominate Artery.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the safety of direct axillary artery (AX) cannulation for acute type A dissection (ATAD) repair, including the impact of innominate artery dissection (IAD). METHODS: Of 281 consecutive patients who underwent ATAD repair from 2007 to 2020, preoperative computed tomography was available in 200 (IAD, n = 101; non-IAD, n = 99). IAD with compromised true lumen was defined as dissection in which the false lumen was greater than 50% of the IA diameter (n = 75 of 101). RESULTS: AX cannulation was attempted in 188 patients (94.0%), with a 1.6% vascular injury rate (3 patients), comprising bypass to the distal AX in 2 patients and local dissection in 1 patient. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was used for the distal repair in 89.5% of patients. Right AX cannulation was used in 80.2% of patients with IAD and in 88.9% without IAD (P = .075). Patients with IAD had more cerebral (21.8% vs 5.1%, P = .001) and arm malperfsion (11.9% vs 4.0%, P = .075). Operative death and stroke were comparable between non-IAD (8.1% vs 7.9%, P = 1.00) and IAD (4.0% vs 5.3%, P = .689) groups. The right AX was successfully used in 77.3% of IAD patients with a compromised true lumen, with comparable hospital outcomes to noncompromised IAD patients. Upper extremity malperfusion, multiorgan malperfusion, low ejection fraction, and female sex were predictors for noncannulation of the right AX. CONCLUSIONS: Routine direct AX cannulation strategy is safe in ATAD repair. Right AX cannulation can be used in most patients with IAD, even with a compromised true lumen, with low mortality, stroke, and vascular injury rates.

Comparison of Surgical Embolectomy and Veno-arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Massive Pulmonary Embolism.

Massive pulmonary embolism (MPE) is associated with a 20-50% mortality rate with guideline directed therapy. MPE treatment with surgical embolectomy (SE) or venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) have shown promising results. In the context of a surgical management strategy for MPE, a comparison of outcomes associated with VA-ECMO or SE was performed. A retrospective review of a single institution cardiac surgery database was performed, identifying MPE treated with SE or VA-ECMO between 2005-2020. Primary outcome was in-hospital survival. 59 MPE [27 (46.8%) VA-ECMO vs 32 (54.2%) SE] were identified. All presented with elevated cardiac biomarkers, tachycardia (mean heart rate 113 ± 20 beats/minute), hypotension (mean systolic blood pressure 85 ± 22 mm Hg) and vasopressors requirement, without significant differences between cohorts. Preoperative CPR was performed in 37.3% (22/59), without a significant difference between cohorts. More VA-ECMO presented with questionable neurologic status (GCS ≤ 4) [9/27 (33.3%) vs 2/32 (6.2%), P = 0.008] and more VA-ECMO failed thrombolysis [8/27 (29.6) vs 2/32 (6.3), P = 0.014]. All presented with severe RV dysfunction, by discharge all had normalization of echocardiographic RV function. Overall mortality was 10.2%, with a trend toward higher mortality among VA-ECMO [14.9% (4/27) vs 6.3% (2/32) P = 0.14]. CPR was independently associated with death (OR 10.8, P = 0.02) whereas treatment modality was not (OR 0.24). In an extremely unstable MPE population VA-ECMO and SE were safely performed with low mortality while achieving RV recovery. Adverse outcomes were more closely associated with preoperative CPR than with treatment modality.

Arginase 1 contributes to diminished coronary arteriolar dilation in patients with diabetes.

Arginase 1, via competing with nitric oxide (NO) synthase for the substrate L-arginine, may interfere with NO-mediated vascular responses. We tested the hypothesis that arginase 1 contributes to coronary vasomotor dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Coronary arterioles were dissected from the right atrial appendages of 41 consecutive patients with or without DM (the 2 groups suffered from similar comorbidities), and agonist-induced changes in diameter were measured with videomicroscopy. We found that the endothelium-dependent agonist ACh elicited a diminished vasodilation and caused constriction to the highest ACh concentration (0.1 µM) with a similar magnitude in patients with (18 ± 8%) and without (17 ± 9%) DM. Responses to ACh were not significantly affected by the inhibition of NO synthesis with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester in either group. The NO donor sodium nitroprusside-dependent dilations were not different in patients with or without DM. Interestingly, we found that the presence of N(G)-hydroxy-L-arginine (10 µM), a selective inhibitor of arginase or application of L-arginine (3 mM), restored ACh-induced coronary dilations only in patients with DM (to 47 ± 6% and to 40 ± 19%, respectively) but not in subjects without DM. Correspondingly, the protein expression of arginase 1 was increased in coronary arterioles of patients with DM compared with subjects without diabetes. Moreover, using immunocytochemistry, we detected an abundant immunostaining of arginase 1 in coronary endothelial cells of patients with DM, which was colocalized with NO synthase. Collectively, we provided evidence for a distinct upregulation of arginase 1 in coronary arterioles of patients with DM, which contributes to a reduced NO production and consequently diminished vasodilation.