Haematic antegrade repriming to enhance recovery after cardiac surgery from the perfusionist side.

Background: New era of cardiac surgery aims to provide an enhanced postoperative recovery through the implementation of every step of the process. Thus, perfusion strategy should adopt evidence-based measures to reduce the impact of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Hematic Antegrade Repriming (HAR) provides a standardized procedure combining several measures to reduce haemodilutional priming to 300 mL. Once the safety of the procedure in terms of embolic release has been proven, the evaluation of its beneficial effects in terms of transfusion and ICU stay should be assessed to determine if could be considered for inclusion in Enhanced Recovery After Cardiac Surgery (ERACS) programs. Methods: Two retrospective and non-randomized cohorts of high-risk patients, with similar characteristics, were assessed with a propensity score matching model. The treatment group (HG) (n = 225) received the HAR. A historical cohort, exposed to conventional priming with 1350 mL of crystalloid confirmed the control group (CG) (n = 210). Results: Exposure to any transfusion was lower in treated (66.75% vs. 6.88%, p < 0.01). Prolonged mechanical ventilation (>10 h) (26.51% vs. 12.62%; p < 0.01) and extended ICU stay (>2 d) (47.47% vs. 31.19%; p < 0.01) were fewer for treated. HAR did not increase early morbidity and mortality. Related savings varied from 581 to 2741.94 $/patient, depending on if direct or global expenses were considered. Discussion: By reducing the gaseous and crystalloid emboli during CPB initiation, HAR seems to have a beneficial impact on recovery and reduces the overall transfusion until discharge, leading to significant cost savings per process. Due to the preliminary and retrospective nature of the research and its limitations, our findings should be validated by future prospective and randomized studies.

Bleeding Complications in Patients With Perioperative COVID-19 Infection Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Center Matched Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies reported a poor outcome in patients with coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) undergoing cardiac surgery. Complications most frequently described were respiratory failure, renal failure, and thromboembolic events. In their recent experience, the authors observed a very high incidence of bleeding complications. The purpose of the study was to investigate a possible significant correlation between perioperative COVID-19 infection and hemorrhagic complications compared to non-COVID-19 patients. DESIGN: Single-center, observational, retrospective, matched case-control (1:2) study involving patients who underwent open-heart cardiac surgery from February 2020 and March 2021 with positive perioperative diagnosis of COVID-19 infection, matched with patients without COVID-19 infection. SETTING: Cardiac surgery unit and intensive care unit of a university tertiary center in a metropolitan area. PARTICIPANTS: In the study period, 773 patients underwent cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Among them, 23 consecutive patients had perioperative diagnosis of COVID-19 infection (study group). These patients were compared with 46 corresponding controls (control group) that matched for age, sex, body mass index, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons score. INTERVENTIONS: Open-heart cardiac surgery on CPB. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In the study group, 2 patients (9%) died in the intensive care unit from severe respiratory failure, shock, and multiple organ failure. In the study group, patients showed a significantly higher incidence of bleeding complications (48% v 2%, p = 0.0001) and cases of surgical reexploration for bleeding (35% v 2%, p = 0.0001), a higher incidence of severe postoperative thrombocytopenia (39% v 6%, p = 0.0007), and a higher need of blood components transfusions (74% v 30%, p = 0.0006). Chest tubes blood loss and surgical hemostasis time were markedly prolonged (p = 0.02 and p = 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A worrisome increased risk of early and late bleeding complications in COVID-19 patients was observed, and it should be considered when assessing the operative risk. CPB-related inflammatory reaction could exacerbate the deleterious effect of COVID-19 on the coagulation system and likely deviate it toward a hemorrhagic pattern.

Surgical treatment of a chronic thoracoabdominal dissection with false lumen thrombosis and true lumen compression determining multivisceral ischemia.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of a chronic type B aortic dissection can be challenging and need a precise and multidisciplinary planning. MATERIALS AND RESULTS: A 62-year-old man presented to our hospital with acute aortic thrombosis on chronic thoracoabdominal dissection with bowel and kidney ischemia. He was submitted to urgent open surgical treatment with replacement of thoracoabdominal aorta and reimplantation of celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery and right renal artery. During the intervention the visceral perfusion was provided with a modified Gott shunt; while the lower limb perfusion was provided by an existing right axillo-femoral and femoro-femoral bypass. The patient had a favorable course and did not report any complications. CONCLUSION: The ideal management strategy of complex post-dissection conditions has to be tailored on the single patient's features to provide the maximal efficacy and safety. If the endovascular treatment is not viable, open surgery represents a valid option.

Hematic Antegrade Repriming: A Reproducible Method to Decrease the Cardiopulmonary Bypass Insult.

The current practice of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) requires a preoperative priming of the circuit that is frequently performed with crystalloid solutions. Crystalloid priming avoids massive embolism but is unable to eliminate all microbubbles contained in the circuit. In addition, it causes a sudden hemodilution which is correlated with transfusion requirements and an increased risk of cognitive impairment. Several repriming techniques using autologous blood, collectively termed retrograde autologous priming (RAP), have been demonstrated to reduce the hemodilutional impact of CPB. However, the current heterogeneity in the practice of RAP limits its evidence and benefits. Here, we describe hematic antegrade repriming as an easy and reliable method that could be applied with any circuit in the market to decrease transfusion requirements, emboli, and inflammatory responses, reducing costs and the impact of CPB on postoperative recovery.

Influence of cardiopulmonary bypass set-up and management on clinical outcomes after minimally invasive aortic valve surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (MIAVR) requires changes in cannulation strategy and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) management when compared to the conventional approach (CAVR). We aimed at evaluating if these differences could influence perfusion-related quality parameters and impair postoperative outcomes. METHODS: Overall, 339 consecutive patients underwent MIAVR or CAVR between 2014 and 2020 and were analyzed retrospectively. To account for baseline differences, a propensity-matching analysis was performed, obtaining two groups of 97 patients each. RESULTS: MIAVR group had longer CPB time [107 (95-120) vs 95 (86-105) min, p = .003] than CAVR group. Of note, average pump flow rate index [2.4 (2.2-2.5) vs 2.7 (2.4-2.8) l/min/m2, p = .004] was lower in the MIAVR group. Mean arterial pressure was 73 = 9 mmHg vs 62 = 11 mmHg for the MIAVR and CAVR group, respectively (p < .001). Cell-salvaged blood was most commonly used in the MIAVR group (25.8% vs 11.3%, p = .02). Finally, CPB temperature was 32.8°C (32.1-34.8) for MIAVR group vs 34.9°C (33.2-36.1) for the CAVR group (p = .02). Postoperative complications were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, despite differences in CPB parameters in patients undergoing CAVR and MIAVR, the incidences of adverse outcomes were similar. However, compared to CAVR, MIAVR was associated with shorter durations of mechanical ventilation and hospital stay as well as less transfusion of blood products.

Ventricular assistance devices as bridge to transplantation.

The authors herein review the rationale and indications for the use of ventricular assistance devices as a bridge to heart transplantation and discuss the current evidence on the subject. The potential effects of device implantation on posttransplant outcomes and the therapeutic strategies in acute and elective cases are revised and illustrated.

Needle in the heart. Management of penetrating foreign body in an intracardiac chamber: A case report and scoping literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Penetrating thoracic trauma with retained foreign bodies, such as needles, is rare. These injuries present management challenges due to diverse aetiologies and potential complications, including tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, and major haemorrhage. Cardiac penetration can result in arrhythmias, ischaemia, valvular and septal defects. Effective management depends on patient status, injury mechanism, and resources. CASE PRESENTATION: A 2-year-old girl presented with left chest wall pain after falling. Examination revealed a small puncture wound and a rhythmic bulge at the left fifth intercostal space. She was stable, with normal vitals and no respiratory distress. Imaging, including chest X-ray and echocardiography, revealed a 40 mm needle in the left pleural space, contacting the pericardium near the left ventricular apex. She was transferred to a paediatric cardiothoracic centre, where a left anterolateral thoracotomy confirmed the needle's location and facilitated its removal. She recovered without complications. DISCUSSION: Retained foreign bodies in the heart can arise from various injuries and pose complications from asymptomatic to life-threatening. This case underscores the importance of early assessment, particularly in children where symptoms may be subtle. Essential imaging aids in diagnosis and surgical planning. The surgical approach was context-specific, favouring minimally invasive options when feasible. Trauma networks play a crucial role in improving outcomes by ensuring timely access to specialized care. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the importance of early assessment and intervention in paediatric patients with penetrating thoracic trauma involving foreign bodies. The successful outcome was due to prompt recognition, accurate imaging, and coordinated efforts within a specialized trauma network.

Hematic Antegrade Repriming Reduces Emboli on Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Particulate and gaseous microemboli (GME) are side effects of cardiac surgery that interfere with postoperative recovery by causing endothelial dysfunction and vascular blockages. GME sources during surgery are multiple, and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is contributory to this embolic load. Hematic antegrade repriming (HAR) is a novel procedure that combines the benefits of repriming techniques with additional measures, by following a standardized procedure to provide a reproducible hemodilution of 300 ml. To clarify the safety of HAR in terms of embolic load delivery, a prospective and controlled study was conducted, by applying Doppler probes to the extracorporeal circuit, to determine the number and volume of GME released during CPB. A sample of 115 patients (n = 115) was considered for assessment. Both groups were managed under strict normothermia, and similar clinical conditions and protocols, receiving the same open and minimized circuit. Significant differences in GME volume delivery (control group [CG] = 0.28 ml vs. HAR = 0.08 ml; p = 0.004) and high embolic volume exposure (>1 ml) were found between the groups (CG = 30.36% vs. HAR = 4.26%; p = 0.001). The application of HAR did not represent an additional embolic risk and provided a four-fold reduction in the embolic volume delivered to the patient (coefficient, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.08-0.72; p = 0.01), which appears to enhance GME clearance of the oxygenator before CPB initiation.

Comparison of De-Kay repair versus De Vega suture for functional tricuspid regurgitation: a preliminary experience.

BACKGROUND: In patients undergoing mitral valve surgery, restrictive suture annuloplasty (De Vega) for less-than-severe functional tricuspid regurgitation has been proven to be safe and effective. The aim of this study is to determine whether the adjunct of the plication of the posterior tricuspid leaflet with the same running suture (bicuspidized De Vega or "De Kay") is equally safe and effective. METHODS: Single center, retrospective study on patients submitted to suture repair of the tricuspid valve during mitral valve surgery, with either conventional or De Kay, between January 2014 and December 2020. Comparison was based on degree of residual tricuspid valve regurgitation and right ventricular assessment at discharge. RESULTS: Over the course of the study period, 255 patients undergoing mitral valve surgery had a dilated (>40 mm or >20 mm/m2) tricuspid valve annulus, with less-than-severe tricuspid regurgitation. Conventional De Vega was employed in 166 patients (65.1%) and De Kay in the remaining 89 (34.9%). At discharge the adjunct of postero-septal commissure plication has similar outcomes to the classic De Vega repair. It seems to preserve right ventricular function. CONCLUSIONS: De Kay repair guarantees the same tricuspidal regurgitation reduction as compared with conventional De Vega early after surgery.

Bicuspidized De Vega for Functional Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation: "De-Kay Repair".

Functional tricuspid valve regurgitation in the contest of mitral valve disease is a highly prevalent disease. We describe a ringless technique that combines restrictive annuloplasty (De Vega) with posterior tricuspid leaflet obliteration (Kay) used for patients with less-than-severe functional tricuspid valve regurgitation undergoing mitral valve surgery. The technique has been in use at our center since 2012, showing promising long-term echocardiographic results, with stable reduction of the annulus size and stable reduction of the degree of regurgitation.

Is PET/CT Able to Predict Histology in Thymic Epithelial Tumours? A Narrative Review.

BACKGROUND: The usefulness of 18FDG PET/CT scan in the evaluation of thymic epithelial tumours (TETs) has been reported by several authors, but data are still limited and its application in clinical practice is far from being defined. METHODS: We performed a narrative review of pertinent literature in order to clarify the role of 18FDG PET/CT in the prediction of TET histology and to discuss clinical implications and future perspectives. RESULTS: There is only little evidence that 18FDG PET/CT scan may distinguish thymic hyperplasia from thymic epithelial tumours. On the other hand, it seems to discriminate well thymomas from carcinomas and, even more, to predict the grade of malignancy (WHO classes). To this end, SUVmax and other PET variables (i.e., the ratio between SUVmax and tumour dimensions) have been adopted, with good results. Finally, however promising, the future of PET/CT and theranostics in TETs is far from being defined; more robust analysis of imaging texture on thymic neoplasms, as well as new exploratory studies with "stromal PET tracers," are ongoing. CONCLUSIONS: PET may play a role in predicting histology in TETs and help physicians in the management of these insidious malignancies.

Transcatether Aortic Valve Implantation to Treat Degenerated Surgical Bioprosthesis: Focus on the Specific Procedural Challenges.

Actually transcatheter aortic valve implantation within failed surgically bioprosthetic valves (VIV-TAVI) is an established procedure in patients at high risk for repeat surgical aortic valve intervention. Although less invasive than surgical reintervention, VIV-TAVI procedure offers potential challenges, such as higher rates of prosthesis-patient mismatch and coronary obstruction. Thus, optimal procedural planning plays an important role to minimize the risk of procedure complications. In this review, we describe the key points of a VIV-TAVI procedure to optimize outcomes and reduce the risk of procedure complications.

Heart Valve Critical Pathway and Heart Valve Clinic: Novel Benchmarks for Modern Management of Valvular Heart Disease.

The growing burden of valvular heart disease in Western countries represents a challenge for the daily clinical practice, especially in the light of the ever-increasing number of therapeutic options. The Euro Heart Survey showed that, among elderly subjects with severe, symptomatic valve dysfunction, surgery is denied for 33% of patients with aortic stenosis and for 50% of patients with mitral regurgitation. Current management (from diagnosis to follow-up) is often fragmented in multiple-sometimes unnecessary-steps. Such a "patchy" approach may translate into a suboptimal management, especially in the geriatric population. New healthcare models exist that can coordinate care, reduce fragmentation, limit costs and, ultimately, improve outcomes: the clinical pathways.

Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Surgery in Octogenarians: Reliable Option or Fallback Solution?

OBJECTIVE: Aortic valve disease is more and more common in western countries. While percutaneous approaches should be preferred in older adults, previous reports have shown good outcomes after surgery. Moreover, advantages of minimally invasive approaches may be valuable for octogenarians. We sought to compare outcomes of conventional aortic valve replacement (CAVR) versus minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (MIAVR) in octogenarians. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data of 75 consecutive octogenarians who underwent primary, elective, isolated aortic valve surgery through conventional approach (41 patients, group CAVR) or partial upper sternotomy (34 patients, group MIAVR). RESULTS: Mean age was 81.9 ± 0.9 and 82.3 ± 1.1 years in CAVR and MIAVR patients, respectively (P = 0.09). MIAVR patients had lower 24-hour chest drain output (353.4 ± 207.1 vs 501.7 ± 229.9 mL, P < 0.01), shorter mechanical ventilation (9.6 ± 2.4 vs 11.3 ± 2.3 hours, P < 0.01), lower need for blood transfusions (35.3% vs 63.4%, P = 0.02), and shorter hospital stay (6.8 ± 1.6 vs 8.3 ± 4.3 days, P < 0.01). Thirty-day mortality was zero in both groups. Survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 89.9%, 80%, and 47%, respectively, in the CAVR group, and 93.2%, 82.4%, and 61.8% in the MIAVR group, with no statistically significant differences (log-rank test, P = 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: Aortic valve surgery in older patients provided excellent results, as long as appropriate candidates were selected. MIAVR was associated with shorter mechanical ventilation, reduced blood transfusions, and reduced hospitalization length, without affecting perioperative complications or mid-term survival.

The Eternal Debate With a Consistent Answer: CABG vs PCI.

An ongoing debate exists over the role of percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass grafting for revascularization in patients with multivessel or left main disease. Despite improvements in stent technology, bypass surgery still provides the best long-term results in the majority of patients. The present review focuses on randomized controlled trials and a meta-analysis published over the last 4 years.

Unexpected diagnosis following screening breast ultrasound.

Any instrumental examination may lead to unexpected diagnosis that in turn can radically change the clinical pathway of a patient.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: The long and winding road.

After more than thirty years, a hundred randomized studies and dozens of meta-analyses, there is still controversy on the results and benefits of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. The present review summarizes the most relevant evidence, the relation of outcomes with surgeon's and institution's experience, addresses regional variations in popularity of the technique, and the need for structural training.

Total Surgical Plication of Left Ventricular Aneurysm Using the BioVentrix Revivent Myocardial Anchoring System.

Surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR) is the therapy of choice for patients with left ventricular dilatation, apical and anterolateral transmural scar, and low ejection fraction. STICH trial did not show that SVR led to improved survival but several observational studies did. However, because of the considerable operative risk, open heart surgery is considered risky in debilitated patients and clinical results are controversial. Alternative less invasive strategies for left ventricular aneurysm repair have been proposed. We present a case of a left ventricular aneurysm repair using the less invasive ventricular enhancement technique (LIVE) with the Revivent TC system (BioVentrix Inc., San Ramon, CA) in a totally surgical approach, instead of a hybrid interventional-surgical one, as previously described.

Systematic bilateral internal mammary artery grafting: lessons learned from the CATHolic University EXtensive BIMA Grafting Study.

OBJECTIVES: Despite claims of feasibility, to date no study has examined the effect of systematic bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) use in a large cohort of real-world unselected patients. The CATHolic University EXtensive BIMA Grafting Study (CATHEXIS) registry was designed to assess the feasibility and safety of systematic BIMA grafting. METHODS: The CATHEXIS was a single-centre, prospective, observational, propensity-matched study. The study was supposed to include 2 arms of 500 patients each: a prospective arm and a retrospective arm. The prospective arm included almost all patients referred for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at our institution after the start of the CATHEXIS with very few exceptions. BIMA would have been used in all these patients. The retrospective arm included patients submitted to CABG before the start of the CATHEXIS and propensity matched to the prospective group (average BIMA use 50%; the radial artery was extensively used). Safety analyses were scheduled after enrolment of 200, 300 and 400 BIMA patients. RESULTS: After the first 226 patients, the BIMA use percentage was 88.5% (200 of 226). In 178 (89%) patients, mammary arteries were used as Y graft. Postoperative mortality was 2%, and incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction, graft failure and sternal complications were 3.5%, 3% and 5.5%, respectively. No perioperative stroke occurred. The incidence of major adverse cardiac events (particularly graft failure and sternal complications) in the BIMA arm were significantly higher than those in the propensity-matched cohort; the study was stopped for safety. CONCLUSIONS: In a real world setting the systematic use of BIMA was associated with a higher incidence of perioperative adverse events (particularly sternal complications). Individualization of the revascularization strategy and use of alternative arterial conduits are probably preferable to systematic use of BIMA.

Mini-aortic surgery with percutaneous cannulation and rapid-deployment valve.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the results of the combined use of rapid-deployment valves, percutaneous cardioplegia delivery and left heart venting during minimally invasive aortic valve replacement surgery. METHODS: We identified 2 propensity-matched cohorts of patients who underwent primary elective isolated minimally invasive aortic valve surgery at our center over a 3-years period: 30 patients in group A had a conventional valve prosthesis and 30 patients in group B received a rapid-deployment valve using percutaneous cardioplegia delivery and percutaneous left heart venting. Skin incision length, intraoperative times, postoperative hospital outcomes, and 30-day echocardiographic results were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Patients in group B had significantly shorter operative times and shorter skin incisions compared to group A (total operative time 196.0 ± 40.6 vs. 225.1 ± 30.8 min, respectively, p < 0.003; cardiopulmonary bypass time 79.9 ± 10.6 vs. 92.9 ± 17.2 min respectively, p < 0.001; crossclamp time 52.3 ± 9.6 vs. 74.9 ± 10.2 min, respectively, p < 0.001; incision length 3.6 ± 0.5 vs. 6.0 ± 0.6 cm, respectively, p < 0.001). Postoperative hospital outcomes and echocardiographic evaluation showed no significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: The combined use of rapid-deployment valves, percutaneous cardioplegia, and left heart venting is safe and effective and allows a significant reduction of the skin incision together with a significant reduction of intraoperative times without affecting hospital outcomes or hemodynamic performance of the prosthetic valves.