Ten-year follow-up of unreplaced Valsalva sinuses after aortic valve replacement in bicuspid aortic valve disease.

BACKGROUND: Aortopathy is common in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). AIM: To evaluate the fate of unreplaced Valsalva sinuses in patients with BAV, 10 years after aortic valve replacement (AVR) with or without replacement of the ascending aorta (RAA). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all surgical patients with BAV who were operated on between January 2005 and December 2007. Patients who underwent AVR with or without RAA were included. Surgical data were entered prospectively. Ten-year clinical and echocardiographic follow-up data as well as survival data were collected by contacting the patients and their personal cardiologists, and by consulting the French national mortality registry. Overall, 25% of the patients had computed tomography angiographic assessment of the aortic root at follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 133 patients with BAV were operated on within the selected period. Thirty-two patients did not meet the inclusion criteria, and had primary Valsalva sinus surgery. Twenty-four patients underwent AVR with RAA and 77 patients had isolated AVR; all of these 101 patients were included in the study. The median follow-up was 9 years (up to 12 years). During follow-up, eight patients (7.9%) underwent late reoperation; two of them (2.0%) required root surgery. Ten-year freedom from reoperation was 86.2±4.7%. Ten-year freedom from dilatation of the Valsalva sinuses (>45mm) was 86.6±5.2%. Ten-year cumulative survival was 83.5±4%. CONCLUSIONS: Ascending aorta and Valsalva sinuses seem to have different fates after AVR in BAV disease. When the Valsalva sinuses are not dilated at the initial surgery, the risk of secondary dilatation at 10 years is low. Preservation of the sinuses is therefore justified in patients with BAV with a non-dilated root. In BAV with isolated aortic insufficiency, a more aggressive approach may be justified, especially in young patients.

Multiple reoperations on the aortic valve: outcomes and implications for future potential valve-in-valve strategy.

OBJECTIVES: Surgical mortality and long-term outcomes are important considerations when determining strategies for multiple reoperations on the aortic valve (AV). With the rise of percutaneous valve-in-valve, we sought to evaluate the current outcomes of conventional surgery for AV reoperation, focusing first on the effect of the number of previous AV interventions with a subsequent analysis of the risk factors for adverse outcomes. METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2016, 316 consecutive patients underwent an open redo operation (replacement) on their AV at a single centre. It was the first AV reintervention in 263 patients (Group 1), second in 42 patients (Group 2) and third or more in 11 patients (Group 3). RESULTS: There were 230 men and 86 women, with a median age of 58 (Q1-Q3: 46-70) years. Structural valve deterioration (SVD) of the bioprosthesis (n = 136, 44%), endocarditis (n = 57, 18%) and prosthetic valve dehiscence (n = 41, 13%) were the most common reasons for reintervention. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 7.3%: 7.2% in Group 1, 4.76% in Group 2 and 18.2% in Group 3 (P = 0.233) and ranged from 3.7% for SVD to 14.0% when endocarditis was the reason for reintervention. Higher preoperative New York Heart Association (NYHA) class (III/IV) [odds ratio (OR) 15.9, P = 0.011], injury during re-entry (OR 16.9, P = 0.015), endocarditis (OR 3.7, P = 0.038) and concomitant mitral valve replacement (OR 5.6, P = 0.006) were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality. Survival at 8 years was 79.0 ± 3.0% for the entire cohort and 88.4 ± 3.2% for re-replacement after SVD. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple AV reoperations carry an acceptable risk of early postoperative mortality, particularly for isolated valve replacements of SVD.

Technical Aspects of Open Repair for Degenerative Aneurysmal Evolution Despite Early Thoracic Endovascular Repair of Type B Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: Closure of the proximal tear by thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) at the acute phase appears to be a safe effective treatment to prevent aneurysmal degeneration type B dissection. However, it appears to be inefficient in up to a third of the patient. We report the technical aspects of our experience with patients undergoing secondary open repair after TEVAR for dissecting thoracoabdominal aneurysm despite early closure proximal tear by TEVAR. METHODS: During a period of 5 years, 96 patients presenting acute type B aortic dissections were treated by TEVAR and followed-up in our institution. Among them, 5 patients experienced an evolution to a dissecting thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. Their demographic data and initial medical conditions, delay to reintervention, operative technical details, perioperative and mid-term outcomes were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: All 5 patients (4 male, mean age 58 ± 9) were operated under peripheral normothermic bypass without deep circulatory arrest using the thoracic stent graft as an elephant trunk for completion of the proximal anastomosis. In cases of patency, the false lumen was reapproximated in the anastomosis, 6 visceral arteries were revascularized selectively. One patient died at day 1 of perioperative ventricular fibrillation due to an acute myocardial infarction. The 4 others are alive without complication after a median of 30 months, range (13-22). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, TEVAR was not only efficient at the acute phase to deal with complications, but in cases of subsequent aneurysmal evolution, it made open repair even easier by avoiding very proximal cross-clamping/anastomosis and circulatory arrest.

New estimate of valvuloarterial impedance in aortic valve stenosis: A cardiac magnetic resonance study.

PURPOSE: Valvuloarterial impedance (ZVA ), estimating left ventricle (LV) afterload, has been proposed in transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) as a predictor of mortality in aortic valve stenosis (AVS). However, its calculation differs from arterial characteristic impedance (ZC ). Our aim was to apply the concept of ZC calculation to estimate ZVA from MR with carotid tonometry and to evaluate these indices through their associations with symptoms, LV diastolic function and aortic stiffness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 40 patients with AVS (76 ± 13 years), ZVA-TI derived from velocity time integral and E/Ea were estimated by TTE. ZVA-INS , based on ZC formula, calculated as the instantaneous pressure gradient to peak flow ratio and aortic compliance were estimated by using MRI at 1.5 Tesla. RESULTS: Both ZVA estimates were higher in symptomatic than asymptomatic patients (707 ± 22 versus 579 ± 53 dyne.s/cm5 , P = 0.031 for ZVA-INS and 4.35 ± 0.16 versus 3.33 ± 0.38 mmHg.m2 /mL, P = 0.018 for ZVA-TI ). Although they were both associated with aortic compliance (r = -0.45; P = 0.006 for ZVA-INS and r = -0.43; P = 0.008 for ZVA-TI ) only ZVA-INS was associated with E/Ea (r = 0.50; P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis to identify determinants of E/Ea, a model including age, mean blood pressure, LV ejection fraction, LV mass, and aortic valve area was performed (R2 = 0.41; P < 0.01). When ZVA-INS was added to the model, its overall significance was higher R2 = 0.56 (P < 0.01) and ZVA-INS and LV mass were the only significant determinants. CONCLUSION: ZVA-INS was more strongly associated with diastolic dysfunction than usual parameters quantifying AVS severity. This new ZVA estimate could improve LV afterload evaluation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:795-803.

Three-Year Outcomes With the Multilayer Flow Modulator for Repair of Thoracoabdominal Aneurysms: A Follow-up Report From the STRATO Trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate midterm outcomes of endovascular repair of types II and III thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) using the Multilayer Flow Modulator (MFM) in patients unsuitable for open surgery or fenestrated stent-grafts. METHODS: In the prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized STRATO trial (EudraCT registration: 2009-013678-42; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01756911), 23 patients (mean age 75.8 years; 19 men) with Crawford type II and III TAAA (mean diameter 6.5 cm) were implanted between April 2010 and February 2011. Outcomes included all-cause mortality and stable aneurysm thrombosis with associated branch vessel patency. RESULTS: Through 36 months, there were 7 deaths (none confirmed as aneurysm-related), and no cases of spinal cord injury, device migration or fracture, or respiratory, renal, or peripheral complications. Three patients were lost to follow-up and 2 devices were explanted. The device was patent in the 11 remaining patients at 3 years. Stable aneurysm thrombosis was achieved for 15 of 20 patients at 12 months, 12 of 13 at 24 months, and 10 of 11 at 36 months. The rate of branch patency was 96% at 12 months (primary patency), 100% at 24 months, and 97% at 36 months. Nine patients suffered from endoleaks (attachment site or device overlap); 9 patients underwent 11 reinterventions (3 surgical). Maximum aneurysm diameter was stable for 18 of 20 patients at 12 months, 11 of 13 at 24 months, and 9 of 11 at 36 months. For 10 patients with computed tomography at 36 months, the mean ratio of aneurysm flow volume to total volume had decreased by 83%; the mean ratio of thrombus volume to total volume increased by 159%. CONCLUSION: Through 3 years, endovascular repair with the MFM appears to be safe and effective while successfully maintaining branch vessel patency.

Conduction disorders after tricuspid annuloplasty with mitral valve surgery: Implications for earlier tricuspid intervention.

OBJECTIVE: Tricuspid valve repair has been recently advocated in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery who have mild to moderate secondary tricuspid regurgitation. However, the incidence of heart conduction disorders after combined mitral valve and tricuspid valve interventions has not been evaluated. We sought to analyze the incidence of permanent pacemaker implantations and heart conduction disorders in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery with and without tricuspid valve annuloplasty. METHODS: In 2011 and 2012, among 201 consecutive patients referred to the Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou for isolated nonischemic mitral valve disease, 113 underwent an isolated mitral valve procedure (group 1) and 88 had a concomitant tricuspid valve ring annuloplasty (group 2). RESULTS: Patients' mean age was 59.7 ± 16.5 years in group 1 and 60.7 ± 14.9 years in group 2 (P = .5). Mean crossclamp time and bypass time were 78 ± 35 minutes and 105 ± 47 minutes in group 1 and 92 ± 36 minutes and 128 ± 50 minutes in group 2, respectively (P = .001 and .005, respectively). Operative mortality was 3% (2.7% in group 1 and 3.2% in group 2, P = .4). Incidence of high-grade heart conduction disorders lasting more than 3 days postoperatively was 14.5% in group 1 and 41.2% in group 2 (P = .001). At 3 years, freedom from permanent pacemaker implantation was 99% ± 2% in group 1 and 94.1% ± 5% in group 2 (P = .02). For the entire cohort, longer crossclamp time (P = .02) and tricuspid ring annuloplasty (hazard ratio, 3.8; P = .001) were independent predictors of heart conduction disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The need for permanent pacemaker implantation is increased after concomitant tricuspid ring annuloplasty in the setting of mitral valve surgery. A clinical period of observation up to 14 days after postoperative heart conduction disorders should be observed before recommending permanent pacemaker placement.

First clinical use of a bioprosthetic total artificial heart: report of two cases.

BACKGROUND: The development of artificial hearts in patients with end-stage heart disease have been confronted with the major issues of thromboembolism or haemorrhage. Since valvular bioprostheses are associated with a low incidence of these complications, we decided to use bioprosthetic materials in the construction of a novel artificial heart (C-TAH). We report here the device characteristics and its first clinical applications in two patients with end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy. The aim of the study was to evaluate safety and feasibility of the CARMAT TAH for patients at imminent risk of death from biventricular heart failure and not eligible for transplant. METHODS: The C-TAH is an implantable electro-hydraulically actuated pulsatile biventricular pump. All components, batteries excepted, are embodied in a single device positioned in the pericardial sac after excision of the native ventricles. We selected patients admitted to hospital who were at imminent risk of death, having irreversible biventricular failure, and not eligible for heart transplantation, from three cardiac surgery centres in France. FINDINGS: The C-TAH was implanted in two male patients. Patient 1, aged 76 years, had the C-TAH implantation on Dec 18, 2013; patient 2, aged 68 years, had the implantation on Aug 5, 2014. The cardiopulmonary bypass times for C-TAH implantation were 170 min for patient 1 and 157 min for patient 2. Both patients were extubated within the first 12 postoperative hours and had a rapid recovery of their respiratory and circulatory functions as well as a normal mental status. Patient 1 presented with a tamponade on day 23 requiring re-intervention. Postoperative bleeding disorders prompted anticoagulant discontinuation. The C-TAH functioned well with a cardiac output of 4·8-5·8 L/min. On day 74, the patient died due to a device failure. Autopsy did not detect any relevant thrombus formation within the bioprosthesis nor the different organs, despite a 50-day anticoagulant-free period. Patient 2 experienced a transient period of renal failure and a pericardial effusion requiring drainage, but otherwise uneventful postoperative course. He was discharged from the hospital on day 150 after surgery with a wearable system without technical assistance. After 4 months at home, the patient suffered low cardiac output. A change of C-TAH was attempted but the patient died of multiorgan failure. INTERPRETATION: This preliminary experience could represent an important contribution to the development of total artificial hearts using bioprosthetic materials. FUNDING: CARMAT SA.

Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia: A Rare Cause of Chronic Abdominal Pain.

BACKGROUND: Chronic mesenteric ischemia is a rare disease with nonspecific clinical symptoms, such as chronic postprandial abdominal pain and weight loss. Diagnostic modalities and revascularization techniques have evolved during the past 20 years. The significance of stenosis in a single splanchnic vessel remains unclear. Our aims were to assess the outcomes of 2 revascularization techniques and report on the diagnostic modalities of splanchnic vessel stenoses. METHODS: The demographic data, medical history, technical characteristics, and outcomes of the revascularization procedures were recorded for all of the patients admitted for endovascular revascularization or open surgical revascularization of the splanchnic vessels as treatment for chronic mesenteric ischemia in our tertiary referral center since 2000. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were included in this study: 43 received endovascular revascularization, and 11 had open surgical revascularization. The symptoms were abdominal pain, weight loss, and diarrhea in 98%, 53%, and 25% of the cases, respectively. Computed tomography angiography was the key diagnostic tool for 60% of the patients. A single-vessel stenosis was found in one-third of the patients. Endovascular and open revascularization had similar early and late outcomes, and no 30-day mortality was observed. However, we did observe higher morbidity in the open revascularization group (73% vs 19%, P <.03). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic mesenteric ischemia may be diagnosed in the presence of a splanchnic syndrome and stenosis of a single splanchnic vessel, typically assessed using computed tomography angiography. In selected patients, endovascular revascularization had similar efficacy as, and lower complication rates than open revascularization.

Determinants of Transcutaneous Ear Lobe CO2 Tension (PtCO2) at 37°C During On-Pump Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: There are no available criteria for determining the optimal flow rate and mean arterial pressure level in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension (PtCO2) has been proposed for microcirculation monitoring and it could be useful for guiding hemodynamic optimization under CPB. The goal of this exploratory study was to determine the factors that influence PtCO2 variations during CPB. DESIGN: Cutaneous ear lobe CO2 tension was monitored along with hemodynamic parameters every 10 minutes during CPB, until aortic unclamping. SETTING: French university teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients scheduled for cardiac surgery requiring CPB were prospectively included. INTERVENTION: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 41 patients were included (520 observations). There was a statistically significant association between PaCO2 and PtCO2 (beta = 0.493 [0.154-0.832], p = 0.043), mostly when PaCO2 was outside the normal range. When PaCO2 was normal, PtCO2 was inversely correlated with mean arterial pressure (after adjustment for PaCO2 and body temperature: Beta -0.245, SE = 0.037, p<0.001) but not with CPB flow rate (p = 0.11). CONCLUSION: The factors that influence PtCO2 during CPB cardiac surgery are PaCO2, body temperature, and mean arterial pressure. When PaCO2 is normal, a PtCO2 elevation might be explained by insufficient mean arterial pressure. Whether low PtCO2 values during CPB should trigger the administration of vasoconstrictors remains to be evaluated.

Rupture of mitral valve chordae in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: While occasional reports of mitral valve chordal rupture have been described in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the exact prevalence and characteristics of this event in a large medical cohort have not been reported. AIM: To assess the prevalence of mitral valve chordal rupture in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and the clinical, echocardiographic, surgical and histological profiles of those patients. METHODS: We searched for patients with mitral valve chordal rupture diagnosed by echocardiography among all electronic files of patients admitted to our centre for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy between 2000 and 2010. RESULTS: Among 580 patients admitted for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, six patients (1%, 5 men, age 68-71 years) presented with mitral valve chordal rupture, symptomatic in five cases, always involving the posterior mitral leaflet. In all cases, echocardiography before rupture showed mitral valve systolic anterior motion, with anterior (and not posterior) leaflet elongation compared with a random sample of patients with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (P=0.006) (and similar to that observed in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). Significant resting left ventricular outflow tract obstruction was always present before rupture and disappeared after rupture in the five cases requiring mitral valve surgery for severe mitral regurgitation. Histological findings were consistent with extensive myxomatous degeneration in all cases. CONCLUSION: Mitral valve chordal rupture is: infrequent in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; occurs in aged patients with obstructive disease; involves, essentially, the posterior mitral leaflet; and causes, in general, severe mitral regurgitation requiring surgery. Myxomatous degeneration may be the substrate for rupture in these patients.

Standardized approach to valve repair using an expansible aortic ring versus mechanical Bentall: early outcomes of the CAVIAAR multicentric prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to compare the 30-day outcomes of a standardized aortic valve repair technique (REPAIR group) associating root remodeling with an expansible aortic ring annuloplasty versus mechanical composite valve and graft (CVG group) replacement in treating aortic root aneurysms. METHODS: A total of 261 consecutive patients with aortic root aneurysm were enrolled in this multicentric prospective cohort (131 in the CVG group, 130 in the REPAIR group) in 20 centers. The main end point is a composite criterion including mortality; reoperation; thromboembolic, hemorrhagic, or infectious events; and heart failure. Secondary end points were major adverse valve-related events. Crude and propensity score adjusted estimates are provided. RESULTS: The mean age was 56.1 years, and the valve was bicuspid in 115 patients (44.7%). The median (interquartile range) preoperative aortic insufficiency grade was 2.0 (1.0-3.0) in the REPAIR group and 3.0 (2.0-3.0) in the CVG group (P = .0002). Thirty-day mortality was 3.8% (n = 5) in both groups (P = 1.00). Despite a learning curve and longer crossclamp times for valve repair (147.7 vs 99.8 minutes, P < .0001), the 2 groups did not differ significantly for the main criterion (odds ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.72-2.40; P = .38) or 30-day mortality (odds ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.28-3053; P = .99), with a trend toward more frequent major adverse valve-related events in the CVG group (odds ratio, 2.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.86-7.40; P = .09). At discharge, 121 patients (96.8%) in the REPAIR group had grade 0 or 1 aortic insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS: A new standardized approach to valve repair, combining an expansible aortic annuloplasty ring with the remodeling technique, presented similar 30-day results to mechanical CVG with a trend toward reducing major adverse valve-related events. Analysis of late outcomes is in process for 3- and 10-year follow-ups.

Atrial fibrillation at mid-term after bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement ­ implications for anti-thrombotic therapy.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about mid-term (3-month) postoperative atrial fibrillation (MT-POAF) in patients treated with bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement (BAVR). The aim of this study was to describe the natural history, identify the predictors and investigate the potential consequences in terms of anti-thrombotic therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: During a longitudinal, prospective study, 219 patients were treated with BAVR early (7 days) and at mid-term postoperatively (30 and 90 days). POAF was monitored and risk factors were identified on logistic regression analysis. History of previous AF (OR, 3.08; 95% CI: 1.35-6.98), early POAF (OR, 5.93; 95% CI: 2.96-11.8), and BMI (per 5 kg/m(2): OR, 1.46; 95% CI: 1.03-2.09), were independent predictors for MT-POAF whereas sex, age and Euroscore were not. Results were identical when restricted to the 176 patients free from preoperative AF. In this subgroup, 36 patients (20.4%) had MT-POAF; 33 out of 174 (18.7%) would have required anticoagulation (CHA2DS2VASc score ≥ 1). Conversely, patients with BMI <27.7 and sinus rhythm at early follow-up had a very low risk of MT-POAF (OR, 0.16; 95% CI: 0.06-0.42). CONCLUSIONS: There was a higher than expected occurrence of MT-POAF in patients treated with BAVR, particularly in overweight patients with early POAF. This raises the question of implementing an anti-thrombotic therapy in these patients at higher risk of delayed atrial arrhythmia.

Economic Impacts of Treatment for Type II or III Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Current treatment for extensive thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) involves high-risk surgical and endovascular repairs, with a hospital mortality exceeding 20%, and a postoperative paraplegia rate beyond 10.5%. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to present an estimation of the economic impacts of surgical and endovascular treatments of types II and III TAAAs in the US as well as the economic consequences of the elimination of spinal cord injury and mortality via an endovascular repair of extensive TAAAs (1). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared the current hospital charges of endovascular and surgical repair of extensive TAAAs, also provided a cost analysis of health care charges resulting from paraplegia in the United States, and determined the prevalence of extensive TAAAs found yearly during autopsies in the U.S. Based on the figures gathered and the frequency of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms per year, we were able to calculate the nationwide inpatient hospital charges, the total average expenses affected by paraplegia during the first 12 months after the repair, the total average expenses after paraplegia for each subsequent year, mortality rate at 30 days and one year, and the number of extensive TAAAs ruptures. RESULTS: The current nationwide inpatient hospital charges for type II or III TAAA repair cost $12484324 and $37612665 for endovascular repair and surgical repair respectively, and the total average expenses for patients affected by paraplegia during the first 12-month were $4882291 and $23179110 after endovascular repair and surgical repair respectively. The nationwide average expense after 10 years for patients undergoing surgical repair and affected by paraplegia is $33421910 and $6,316,183 for patients undergoing endovascular repair. Moreover, 55 patients with a type II or type III TAAA died after 30 days, and 100 after 1 year. The potential risk of type II or III TAAA ruptures is totally 1637 in a year. CONCLUSIONS: Major economic impacts of type II or III TAAA repairs in the United States have been identified. An endovascular repair excluding spinal cord injury and mortality with the same average costs as present endovascular treatments makes it possible to save at least $53189742 after one year, 100 lives of operated patients would be saved after one year, and 1637 type II and III TAAA ruptures would be avoided yearly.

Chimney stent graft for endovascular sealing of a pararenal aortic aneurysm.

Chimney endovascular aneurysm repair is still a controversial treatment of complex aortic aneurysms. Stent-graft patency and type-I endoleaks are the main challenges that temper this bailout technique. Endovascular aneurysm sealing (EVAS) consists of anchoring and sealing the device within the aneurysm sac. The first results are promising, even for adverse anatomy. We describe a case of EVAS for a pararenal aortic aneurysm associated with a chimney stent graft for the right renal artery. Wrapping the chimney stent graft inside endobags filled with polymer is expected to prevent gutters and stent compressions.

One-year outcomes following repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms with the multilayer flow modulator: report from the STRATO trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate endovascular repair of type II and III thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) using the Multilayer Flow Modulator (MFM) in patients with contraindications for open surgery and fenestrated stent-grafts. METHODS: In this prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized trial (EudraCT registration: 2009-013678-42; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01756911), 23 patients (19 men; mean age 75.8 years) with Crawford type II (43.5%) and III (56.5%) TAAA (mean diameter 6.5 cm) were treated with the MFM between April 2010 and February 2011. The primary efficacy outcome measure was stable aneurysm thrombosis with associated branch vessel patency at 12 months; the primary safety endpoint was 30-day and 12-month all-cause mortality. RESULTS: The rate of technical success was 100%. In 20 patients with computed tomography scans at 12 months, the primary efficacy outcome was met in 15 patients. The rate of primary patency of covered branch vessels was 96% (53/55); 1 patient with 2 occluded visceral branches underwent successful surgical reintervention. Endoleaks were identified in 5 patients (3 attachment site and 2 at device overlap), 4 of whom underwent reintervention (3 additional MFMs and 1 stent-graft implanted). At 12 months, aneurysm diameter was stable in 18 of 20 patients; the mean ratio of residual aneurysm flow volume to total volume had decreased by 28.9%, and the mean ratio of thrombus volume to total lumen volume had increased by 21.3% (n=17). There were no cases of device migration, loss of device integrity, spinal cord ischemia, or aneurysm rupture. CONCLUSION: At 1 year, endovascular repair with the MFM appears to be safe and effective while successfully maintaining branch vessel patency. Follow-up is ongoing.

Elective treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm is reasonable in patients >85 years of age.

BACKGROUND: The numbers of patients >85 years of age referred for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair have increased in recent decades. With the population aging, increased screening of AAA, and introduction of less invasive surgical techniques, vascular surgeons will be treating more elderly patients. Few data are available for estimating the risks and benefits of prophylactic repair among those with such an advanced age. The aim of this single-center study was to evaluate the short-term to midterm results after AAA repair in patients >85 years of age. METHODS: Between 2004 and 2012, data of patients >85 years old who required an elective AAA repair at our institution were collected prospectively. According to the current guidelines, patients underwent endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) each time the aortic anatomy was suitable. Open repair (OR) was performed in those patients with hostile proximal neck anatomy and/or severe iliac tortuosity. Type of repair (EVAR or OR) and perioperative and midterm outcomes were analyzed. Primary end points were 30-day mortality and midterm survival. RESULTS: Among 1016 patients undergoing elective AAA repair during the study period, 59 (5.8%) were ≥85 years of age (54 men, mean age 87 ± 2 years), with a mean aneurysm diameter of 61.5 ± 20.3 mm. Thirty-three patients (56%) underwent EVAR and 26 (44%) had an OR. Thirty-day mortality was 6.7% (6% with EVAR and 7.6% with OR, P <0.05). Mean follow-up was 24.7 ± 18 months. Kaplan‒Meier analyses for survival were 85.5%, 64.5%, and 50% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. No aneurysm-related death was observed during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Elective repair may be proposed in patients >85 years of age in cases of threatening AAA, showing acceptable perioperative mortality and reasonable midterm survival results. Even if EVAR did not seem to offer significant benefits in perioperative mortality in our study, it appears reasonable to suggest this less invasive technique as first-line treatment in cases of suitable anatomy in such an advanced-age population.

Reinterventions for type 2 endoleaks with enlargement of the aneurismal sac after endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 endoleaks after the endovascular treatment (EVAR) of abdominal aorta aneurysms (AAAs) remain a concern for vascular surgeons, especially when they are associated with an enlargement of the persistent aneurysmal sac. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of secondary reinterventions for type 2 endoleaks associated with enlargement of the aneurysmal sac after EVAR. METHODS: The incidence of endoleaks, aneurysmal sac diameters, and reinterventions were collected from the clinical and radiologic data of the patients treated by EVAR for AAA with >1 year of follow-up. Patients with a type II endoleak associated with an enlargement of the aneurysmal sac were identified; their operative data and the results of the secondary procedures were recorded. The principal criterion of evaluation was the effectiveness of these reinterventions on the evolution of the diameter of the AAA. The secondary criteria were death rate related to aneurysm and the average costs of these additional procedures. RESULTS: In 232 patients treated by EVAR with an average of 2 years of follow-up (23 ± 30 months), 15 type I (6.5%), 94 type II (40.5%), and 8 type III (3.5%) endoleaks were identified. Among the 94 AAAs with a type II endoleak, 21 had a regression of the aneurysmal sac (22.5%), 46 were stable (49.5%), and 27 continued to grow (28%), including 9 because of another type of endoleak. Among the 18 patients presenting with a type II endoleak linked with an enlargement of the aneurysmal sac, 14 were treated with endovascular embolization, 1 was treated by conventional aneurysmectomy, and 3 patients were followed-up only. Among 14 patients treated by embolization, 9 (60%) presented with persistent enlargement of the aneurysmal sac after embolization, of which 5 were finally treated by conventional treatment with 1 postoperative death. The average cost per patient that required a reintervention for a type II endoleaks was €28,096 ± €30,490 ($37,530 ± $40,728). CONCLUSION: Endovascular reinterventions for type II endoleaks associated with an enlargement of the aneurysmal sac after EVAR have a poor effectiveness on the stabilization of the diameter of the AAA. These procedures involve an high cost and high rates of morbidity, which should be taken into account in their use.

Experience of the Zenith Dissection Endovascular System in the emergency setting of malperfusion in acute type B dissections.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of the Zenith Dissection Endovascular System (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind) in the urgent treatment of acute type B aortic dissections complicated by organ malperfusion. METHODS: Between June 2011 and June 2013, we prospectively enrolled all patients with acute type B dissection (<14 days) complicated by visceral malperfusion and treated by the Zenith Dissection Endovascular System, including a proximal covered stent and a distal noncovered stent. Organ malperfusion was diagnosed during the clinical, biological, and morphologic follow-up of patients admitted to a dedicated intensive care unit (SOS Aorta). End points were 30-day mortality and morbidity, and reoperation rate, survival, and remodelling of the dissected aorta during follow-up. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (11 men; mean age, 60 ± 12 years) were treated in emergency procedures with a median delay of 36 hours. Malperfusions included renal ischemia in all patients, intestinal ischemia in nine, and lower limb ischemia in six. The proximal entry tear in each patient was covered by a stent Zenith TX2 graft (mean diameter, 36 mm; mean length, 170 mm; Cook Medical), supplemented by a noncovered aortic stent (diameter, 36 or 46 mm; length, 164 mm) with a technical success rate of 100%. The left subclavian artery in 10 patients was covered without revascularization. One chimney was necessary to revascularize the left common carotid artery. Six patients required complementary arterial branch stenting for persistent static malperfusion, using eight peripheral stents (five iliacs, three renals). No deaths were recorded during the 30-day postoperative period. Major adverse events were reported in three patients (20%): 1 paraparesis with complete recovery, 1 colonic resection, 1 stroke, and 2 transient renal failures. The mean hospital stay was 14 ± 6 days. During a mean follow-up of 8 ± 3 months, one sudden death, no aortic-related complications, and no reoperations or conversions were recorded. Remodelling with healing of the thoracic false lumen was obtained in 10 patients (67%), and five others had a partially thrombosed false lumen without remodelling. CONCLUSIONS: Used as a treatment for organ malperfusion complicating acute type B dissections, the Zenith Dissection Endovascular System achieved safely and effectively satisfactory clinical results in the short term. The long-term effect of this composite treatment on aortic remodelling remains to be determined.

Incidence, risk factors and prediction of post-operative acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery for active infective endocarditis: an observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac surgery is frequently needed in patients with infective endocarditis (IE). Acute kidney injury (AKI) often complicates IE and is associated with poor outcomes. The purpose of the study was to determine the risk factors for post-operative AKI in patients operated on for IE. METHODS: A retrospective, non-interventional study of prospectively collected data (2000-2010) included patients with IE and cardiac surgery with cardio-pulmonary bypass. The primary outcome was post-operative AKI, defined as the development of AKI or progression of AKI based on the acute kidney injury network (AKIN) definition. We used ensemble machine learning ("Super Learning") to develop a predictor of AKI based on potential risk factors, and evaluated its performance using V-fold cross validation. We identified clinically important predictors among a set of risk factors using Targeted Maximum Likelihood Estimation. RESULTS: 202 patients were included, of which 120 (59%) experienced a post-operative AKI. 65 (32.2%) patients presented an AKI before surgery while 91 (45%) presented a progression of AKI in the post-operative period. 20 patients (9.9%) required a renal replacement therapy during the post-operative ICU stay and 30 (14.8%) died during their hospital stay. The following variables were found to be significantly associated with renal function impairment, after adjustment for other risk factors: multiple surgery (OR: 4.16, 95% CI: 2.98-5.80, p<0.001), pre-operative anemia (OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.34-2.66, p<0.001), transfusion requirement during surgery (OR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.55-3.63, p<0.001), and the use of vancomycin (OR: 2.63, 95% CI: 2.07-3.34, p<0.001), aminoglycosides (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.13-1.83, p=0.004) or contrast iodine (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.37-2.12, p<0.001). Post-operative but not pre-operative AKI was associated with hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Post-operative AKI following cardiopulmonary bypass for IE results from additive hits to the kidney. We identified several potentially modifiable risk factors such as treatment with vancomycin or aminoglycosides or pre-operative anemia.

Applicability and mid-term results of endovascular treatment for descending thoracic acute aortic syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Descending thoracic acute aortic syndromes (DTAASs) are life-threatening pathologies in which thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is an attractive therapeutic option. There are few data in the literature on the survival and morbidity rates of TEVAR in such indications. We provide the results of TEVAR from our single-center cohort of DTAASs: ruptured aneurysms (RAs), acute symptomatic dissections (ADs), and traumatic ruptures (TRs). METHODS: Between 2004 and 2011, data from all patients treated by TEVAR for DTAAS in our university center were collected prospectively. Primary end points were rates of 30-day mortality and morbidity. Secondary end points were mid-term outcomes and reinterventions. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients underwent TEVAR for DTAASs: 19 RAs (39.6%), 12 ADs (25.0%), and 17 TRs (35.4%). The cumulative 30-day mortality and morbidity rate was 33%. There were 10 deaths (6 RAs, 1 AD, and 3 TRs), 2 cases of paraplegia (0 postoperative and 2 preoperative cases (2 TRs), and no major reinterventions and 4 minor reinterventions (embolization for endoleak exclusion). Long-term outcomes were known in 33 patients (5 patients were lost to follow-up), with a mean duration follow-up of 27 months. The cumulative mortality and morbidity rate was 9%: no deaths were reported, and 2 major reinterventions (open aneurysm repair) and 1 minor reintervention (endoleak exclusion) were required. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that TEVAR, as an emergency therapeutic option, is suited to DTAASs. The 21% perioperative mortality rate for such dramatic lesions remains high but is lower than medical or open repair therapeutic options previously reported. No additional deaths occurred during the 2-year follow-up period, and a low incidence of endograft-related reinterventions was observed. Nevertheless, scheduled follow-up visits with computed tomodensitometry scans on a regular basis are mandatory.