Impact of complete revascularization in coronary artery bypass grafting for ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Objective: In patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, coronary artery bypass grafting ensures better survival than medical therapy. However, the long-term clinical impact of complete revascularization remains unclear. This observational study aimed to evaluate the effects of complete revascularization on long-term survival and left ventricular functional recovery in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed outcomes of 498 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy who underwent complete (n = 386) or incomplete (n = 112) myocardial revascularization between 1993 and 2015. The baseline characteristics were adjusted using inverse probability of treatment weighting to reduce the impact of treatment bias and potential confounding. The mean follow-up duration was 77.2 ± 42.8 months in survivors. Results: The overall 5-year survival rate (complete revascularization, 72.5% vs incomplete revascularization, 57.9%, P = .03) and freedom from all-cause death and/or readmission due to heart failure (54.5% vs 40.1%, P = .007) were significantly greater in patients with complete revascularization than those with incomplete revascularization. After adjustments using inverse probability of treatment weighting, the complete revascularization group demonstrated a lower risk of all-cause death (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.43-0.86; P = .005) and composite adverse events (hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.44-0.79; P < .001) and a greater improvement in the left ventricular ejection fraction 1-year postoperatively (absolute change: 11.0 ± 11.9% vs 8.3 ± 11.4%, interaction effect P = .05) than the incomplete revascularization group. Conclusions: In patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, complete revascularization was associated with better long-term outcomes and greater left ventricular functional recovery and should be encouraged whenever possible.

Midterm outcomes after surgical aortic valve replacement with the INSPIRIS RESILIA from a multicenter AVR registry.

BACKGROUND: There have been few reports on the mid- to long-term safety and efficacy validation of the INSPIRIS RESILIA aortic bioprosthesis (Edwards Lifesciences LLC, Irvine, CA, USA) in Japan. Herein, we report the mid-term results of surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis using INSPIRIS and evaluate the hemodynamics compared to the CEP Magna series from the multicenter AVR registry (the ACTIVIST registry). METHODS: Of the 1967 patients who underwent surgical or transcatheter AVR from the ACTIVIST registry, 66 patients who underwent isolated surgical AVR with INSPIRIS by December 2020 were included in this study, and the early and mid-term results were evaluated. Hemodynamics were evaluated by comparing 272 patients undergoing isolated surgical AVR with the Magna group using propensity score matching. RESULTS: The mean age was 74.0 ±â€¯7.8 years, and 48.5 % were women. In-hospital mortality was 1.5 %, and the survival rates at 1- and 2-years were 95.2 % and 95.2 %, respectively. After propensity score matching, echocardiographic findings at discharge demonstrated that peak velocity and mean pressure gradient in the INSPIRIS group were comparable, while the effective orifice area in the INSPIRIS group was significantly larger than those in the Magna group (p = 0.048). A patient-prosthesis mismatch at discharge was significantly lower in the INSPIRIS group (11.8 %) than in the Magna group (36.4 %) (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical AVR with INSPIRIS was performed safely and the mid-term results were satisfactory. The hemodynamics of INSPIRIS were comparable to those of Magna.

Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair With Subclavian Revascularization for Symptomatic Nonaneurysmal Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery.

Aberrant right subclavian artery is a common aortic arch anomaly that can cause dysphagia as a result of compression by the aberrant artery. For patients with an aneurysm associated with an aberrant right subclavian artery, surgical or endovascular intervention is a well-described treatment. However, for patients with a nonaneurysmal aberrant right subclavian artery, treatment with thoracic endovascular aortic repair has been limited. We describe the use of thoracic endovascular aortic repair and subclavian revascularization to treat esophageal stricture in a patient with a symptomatic nonaneurysmal aberrant right subclavian artery. The patient's dysphagia was successfully relieved after the operation.

Heterogeneous reduction in regional wall stress after aortic valve replacement for aortic regurgitation: a distinct feature from aortic stenosis.

Geometric changes caused by volume reduction early after aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic regurgitation (AR) may not be uniform, resulting in varying regional end-systolic wall stress (ESS). This study compared changes in regional ESS between AR and aortic stenosis (AS) patients in the early phase following AVR. Computer-tomographic left ventricular (LV) angiography was performed for 10 patients with AR and 13 with AS before and three months after AVR. Regional ESS at the base, middle, and apex levels, each subdivided into four segments, was calculated based on the Janz equation: ESS = end-systolic LV pressure × local cross-sectional area of LV cavity/that of LV wall. Following AVR, median LV end-diastolic volume index fell from 106 to 69 ml/m2 (P = 0.001) in AR and 60 to 46 ml/m2 (P = 0.01) in AS patients. Global ESS also declined in both (AR, 186 to 124 kdyne/cm2, P = 0.02; AS, 187 to 108 kdyne/cm2, P < 0.001, respectively). Regional ESS was reduced in all segments in AS patients, accompanied by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improvement (71-80%, P = 0.02). In contrast, regional ESS in AR patients was heterogeneously reduced, as regional ESS fell significantly in the antero-septal wall but was unchanged in the infero-lateral wall, and LVEF remained unchanged (65 to 62%, P = 0.42). In the early postoperative phase after AVR, the loading condition of the regional LV wall in AR patients was characterized by a heterogeneous reduction in regional ESS in contrast to a uniform decline in AS patients.

Detrimental effects of elevated transpulmonary gradient on outcomes following restrictive mitral annuloplasty in patients with pre-existing pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: This study retrospectively examined the association between elevated trans-pulmonary gradient (TPG), which reflects pre-capillary contribution to pulmonary hypertension (PH), and postoperative pulmonary hemodynamics and outcomes following restrictive mitral annuloplasty (RMA) in patients with pre-existing PH. METHODS: Pre- and postoperative (1 month) cardiac catheterization was performed in 64 patients with severely impaired left ventricular function (i.e., ejection fraction ≤40%) and pre-existing PH (mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) ≥25 mmHg) who underwent RMA. Patients were segregated into two groups: low TPG (≤12 mmHg) and elevated TPG (>12 mmHg). The mean follow-up period was 54±27 months. The primary outcome seen was a change in pulmonary hemodynamics after RMA; secondary outcomes were composite adverse events, including all-cause mortality and readmission for heart failure. RESULTS: Compared to the low TPG group, patients in the elevated TPG group were more likely to show a postoperative mean PAP of ≥25 mmHg (84% vs. 38%), TPG of >12 mmHg (79% vs. 11%), and pulmonary vascular resistance of ≥240 dynes/sec/cm-5 (84% vs. 6.7%) (all P<0.001), although both groups showed comparable degrees of mitral regurgitation improvement. Serial echocardiography demonstrated that Doppler-derived systolic PAP, which once decreased in both groups, remained stable in the low group while steadily increasing in the elevated group (group effect P<0.001). Patients with elevated TPG had lower freedom from composite adverse events (5-year, 20% vs. 70%, P=0.003). After adjusting for baseline covariates, the elevated TPG was independently associated with increased risk of adverse events (adjusted hazard ratio 2.9, 95% CI: 1.2-6.9, P=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated TPG negatively affects postoperative pulmonary hemodynamics and late outcomes in patients with advanced cardiomyopathy and pre-existing PH who have undergone RMA. These findings suggest that the assessment of TPG should be included in post-RMA risk stratification.

Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery Grafting Improves Survival for Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: In patients with severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction requiring coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), the association between diabetic status and outcomes after surgery, as well as with survival benefit following bilateral internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafting, remain largely unknown.Methods and Results:Patients (n=188; mean [±SD] age 67±9 years) with LV ejection fraction ≤40% who underwent isolated initial CABG were classified into non-diabetic (n=64), non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDM; n=74), and insulin-dependent diabetic (IDM; n=50) groups. During follow-up (mean [±SD] 68±47 months), the 5-year survival rate was 84% and 65% among non-diabetic and diabetic patients, respectively (P=0.034). After adjusting for all covariates, both NIDM and IDM were associated with increased mortality, with hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-3.7; P=0.049) and 2.4 (95% CI 1.2-4.8; P=0.016), respectively. Among non-diabetic patients, there was no difference in the 5-year survival rate between single and bilateral ITA grafting (86% vs. 80%, respectively; P=0.95), whereas bilateral ITA grafting increased survival among diabetic patients (57% vs. 81%; P=0.004). Multivariate analysis revealed that bilateral ITA was significantly associated with a decreased risk of mortality (HR 0.3; 95% CI 0.1-0.8; P=0.024). CONCLUSIONS: NIDM and IDM were significantly associated with worse long-term clinical outcome after CABG for severe LV dysfunction. Bilateral ITA grafting has the potential to improve survival in diabetic patients with severe LV dysfunction.

Incidence, determinants and clinical impact of left ventricular function recovery after surgical treatments for ischaemic cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study aimed to clarify the incidence, determinants and clinical impact of left ventricular (LV) function non-recovery after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy. METHODS: A total of 490 patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy (LV ejection fraction ≤ 40%) undergoing CABG were analysed. Follow-up echocardiography was performed at 1 month, 1 year, and annually thereafter. LV function recovery was defined as ejection fraction (EF) ≥40% at least once during follow-up. LV function non-recovery was defined as EF <40% at any follow-up. The primary and secondary end points were changes in LV function and all-cause mortality, respectively. Clinical follow-up was completed in 461 patients (94.1%; mean follow-up: 64.5 ± 45.5 months). RESULTS: During follow-up, echocardiographic assessments were performed 1863 times (mean, 3.8 ± 2.4), and 193 patients (39.4%) exhibiting LV function non-recovery were identified. Overall survival was significantly higher in the recovery group (53.9%) than in the non-recovery group (31.4%) at 10 years (P < 0.001). Independent predictors of LV function non-recovery were preoperative LV end-systolic diameter [odds ratio (OR) 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.10; P < 0.001] and bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.39-0.95; P = 0.028). In a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, LV function non-recovery was significantly associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 2.14, 95% CI 1.60-2.86; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Almost 40% of patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy undergoing CABG did not achieve LV function recovery and were associated with poor prognosis. To achieve LV function recovery, CABG with bilateral internal thoracic artery may be recommended before excessive LV remodelling occurs. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Institutional review board of Osaka University Hospital, number 16105.

Surgical Ablation Concomitant With Nonmitral Valve Surgery for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Consensus regarding an optimal atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation lesion set concomitant with aortic valve replacement (AVR) and/or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has not been established. METHODS: We enrolled 125 consecutive patients (89 men; 70 ± 8 years old) with persistent AF who underwent radiofrequency-based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) (PVI group, n = 53) or a Cox-Maze procedure (Maze group, n = 72) with AVR and/or CABG. To reduce the impact of treatment bias and potential confounding in the direct comparisons between patients who underwent Cox-Maze with and those who underwent PVI, we established weighted Cox proportional-hazards regression models with inverse probability of treatment weighting. Mean follow-up was 63 ± 34 months (maximum, 154 months). RESULTS: There was 1 in-hospital death in each group. Patients who underwent Cox-Maze showed a higher freedom from AF at all follow-up examinations. After the operation, there were 32 deaths, 13 thromboembolisms, 8 hemorrhagic events, and 22 heart failure readmissions. The Maze group had higher rates for 5-year survival (88% vs 64%, P = .013) and freedom from composite events (74% vs 42%, P < .001). After adjustment with inverse probability of treatment weighting, the Cox-Maze procedure still showed a lower risk of overall mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.21-0.66; P = .001) and composite adverse events (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.35-0.76; P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with persistent AF indicated for nonmitral valve surgery, a concomitant Cox-Maze procedure resulted in superior AF- and event-free survival compared with PVI, without increased risk of early mortality. These findings may assist decision making for surgical management of persistent AF concomitant with AVR and/or CABG.

Multiple percutaneous coronary interventions worsen outcomes for subsequent surgical correction of chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation.

Objective: We investigated whether or not a history of multiple percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) is associated with clinical outcomes after surgery for ischemic mitral regurgitation. Methods: A total of 309 patients with chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% who underwent restrictive mitral annuloplasty were classified as follows: patients with no or 1 previous PCI (nonmultiple PCI group [n = 211]) and patients with 2 or more previous PCIs (multiple PCIs group [n = 98]). Mean follow-up duration was 53 ± 40 months. Results: Before surgery, there were no intergroup differences in patient demographic characteristics except for lower estimated glomerular filtration rate in patients with multiple PCIs. These patients underwent concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting less frequently with a lower number of distal anastomoses (P < .05 for both). The 30-day mortality was 3.3% and 2.0% in the nonmultiple and multiple PCIs group, respectively (P = .72). During follow-up, there were 157 deaths. Patients with multiple PCIs showed lower 5-year survival rate (44% vs 64%; P = .002). After adjustments with inverse-probability-of-treatment weighting, multiple PCIs history was an independent risk factor for mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.4; 95% confidential interval, 1.1-1.7; P = .002). Patients with multiple PCIs showed less improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (interaction effect P < .001). Conclusions: In patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation, a history of previous multiple PCIs was associated with increased risk of long-term postoperative mortality, with less improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction.

[Reports of 12 Cases of Stanford Type A Acute Aortic Dissection Emergent Surgery for Jehovah's Witnesses patients].

The Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) is well known for declining blood transfusions. Especially, cardiovascular surgery on JW poses unique challenges. We herein report 12 JW emergent cases of Stanford type A acute aortic dissection which underwent graft replacement between 2003 and 2019. Graft replacement of ascending aorta was performed in all cases. Operative time and anesthetic time were 344±100 and 396±109 minutes respectively. The mean intraoperative hemoglobin nadir was 4.9±1.2 g/dl. The postoperative hemoglobin nadir was 6.3 ±2.4 g/dl. There were 2 deaths within 24 hours after surgery. We did not transfuse any packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma or platelets for JW patients of Stanford type A acute aortic dissection surgery.

Restrictive mitral annuloplasty with or without coronary artery bypass grafting in ischemic mitral regurgitation.

AIMS: In patients with ischaemic mitral regurgitation (MR), the impact of mitral valve surgery with concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on post-operative survival and left ventricular (LV) reverse remodelling remains unknown. Therefore, we investigated these outcomes following restrictive mitral annuloplasty (RMA) with and without CABG in those patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study included 309 patients with chronic MR and ischaemic cardiomyopathy for whom concomitant CABG was indicated (n = 225) or not indicated (n = 84) with RMA. The primary endpoint was all cause mortality during the follow-up, and the secondary endpoint was defined as the composite of mortality and re-admission for heart failure. Linear mixed model was used to analyse serial echocardiographic changes in LV function. To reduce the impact of treatment bias and potential confounding in the direct comparisons between patients who underwent RMA with and those who underwent it without CABG, we established weighted Cox proportional-hazards regression models with inverse-probability-of-treatment weighting. Pre-operatively, there were no intergroup differences in age (RMA with CABG, 67 ± 9 vs. RMA without CABG, 68 ± 11, P = 0.409) and logistic EuroSCORE II (16 ± 14 vs. 15 ± 15%, P = 0.496). The 30-day mortalities were 2.7% and 3.6%, respectively (P = 0.67). During follow-up with a mean duration of 72 ± 37 months (range, 5.6-179), there were 157 deaths and 105 re-admissions for heart failure. Overall 1-year and 5-year survival rates were 83 ± 2% and 58 ± 3%, respectively. Patients who did not receive CABG with RMA had a significantly lower 5-year survival rate (45% vs. 63%, P = 0.049) and freedom from adverse events defined as mortality and/or admission for heart failure (19% vs. 43%, P < 0.001) than those who did. After adjustments for clinical covariates with inverse-probability-of-treatment weighting, concomitant CABG was identified as an independent protective factor for adverse events (hazard ratio: 0.53; 95% confidence interval: 0.44-0.64; P < 0.001). Along with significant MR reduction, LV function parameters changed over time after surgery in both groups, with greater improvements in patients who underwent RMA with CABG (time effect, P < 0.001; and interaction effect, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: RMA can be performed with an acceptable operative mortality, irrespective of indications for CABG. Patients with ischaemic MR for whom CABG is indicated with RMA are more likely to show better long-term and event-free survival and greater improvements in LV systolic function. The optimal revascularization strategy should be discussed with a heart team whenever indicated in patients with ischaemic MR; otherwise, they may miss the opportunity to benefit from concomitant CABG during subsequent RMA.

Outcomes After Aortic Valve Replacement for Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Regurgitation and Normal Ejection Fraction.

We investigated long-term outcomes following aortic valve replacement (AVR) in asymptomatic patients with severe aortic regurgitation (AR) and normal left ventricular (LV) function. We reviewed 268 patients who underwent isolated AVR for chronic severe AR from 1991 to 2010 and enrolled 162 asymptomatic patients with normal LV ejection fraction (≥50%) preoperatively. They were divided into 2 groups according to LV dimension at surgery, the early stage C group (indexed LV end-systolic diameter ≤25 mm/m2 and LV end-diastolic diameter ≤65 mm, n = 61), and late stage C group (indexed LV end-systolic diameter >25 mm/m2 and/or LV end-diastolic diameter >65 mm, n = 101). Survival was compared with that of an age- and gender-matched Japanese general population using a one-sample log-rank test. Subgroup analysis was performed for patients who survived >10 years after AVR. The mean age of all patients was 59 ± 14 years and mean follow-up period was 10 ± 5 years. Survival after AVR for the early and late stage C groups was not statistically different (P = 0.57). Furthermore, survival for both groups was not statistically different from that of the general population (early stage C, P = 0.63; late stage C, P = 0.14). However, subgroup analysis showed that survival >10 years after AVR was significantly worse for the late stage C group as compared to that of the general population (P < 0.001). Long-term survival following AVR for asymptomatic AR with normal LV ejection fraction was excellent. However, survival more than 10 years after surgery might be dependent on LV dimension at surgery.

Intermediate-term outcomes of our original multiple-knot technique using ePTFE sutures for anterior mitral leaflet prolapse.

PURPOSE: To define the outcomes of our original simple chordal replacement technique using ePTFE sutures for mitral regurgitation. METHODS: Between January, 2004 and March, 2014, 38 patients underwent mitral valve repair using our chordal replacement technique for anterior leaflet prolapse. The mitral regurgitation was caused by degenerative disease in 34 patients and infective endocarditis in 4 patients. RESULTS: The follow-up period was 66 ± 37 months and the 5-year survival rate was 95 ± 4%. Two patients had recurrent mitral regurgitation, caused by degenerative change not associated with the procedure. The 5-year rate of freedom from recurrent mitral regurgitation was 94 ± 4%. In the late postoperative period, 15 (42%) patients had a mean pressure gradient > 5 mmHg. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that the use of a full ring (odds ratio 8.9; 95% confidence interval 1.2-64; p = 0.031) and a 26 mm annuloplasty (odds ratio 7.5; 95% confidence interval 1.1-50; p = 0.037) were significant independent risk factors for a mean pressure gradient > 5 mmHg. CONCLUSION: The intermediate-term outcomes of our original chordal replacement technique were not inferior to those in previous reports, although a 26 mm annuloplasty was found to be associated with a higher mitral valve gradient at rest.

Redo surgery for extensive chronic type A dissecting aneurysm following a Bentall operation.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the technical improvements, redo surgery on the aortic root and arch is still associated with high morbidity and mortality due to the trauma of repeat open-heart surgery and technical complexity. We present the case of extended chronic type A dissecting aneurysm that developed after a Bentall operation, which was successfully treated by applying a modified long elephant trunk technique and surgical aortic fenestration. CASE PRESENTATION: A 77-year-old man, who had previously undergone a Bentall procedure and an abdominal surgery, developed a type A aortic dissection. At presentation, the aortic dissection extended from the proximal arch to the terminal aorta, which were treated with an axillobifemoral bypass. After 8 months follow-up, the dissecting aneurysm had extended and the visceral arteries were perfused from the false lumen, without re-entry. We successfully repaired a complicated and extended chronic type A dissecting aneurysm by applying a modified long elephant trunk technique and surgical aortic fenestration. Postoperatively, the thoracic aorta false lumen was thromboexcluded, and the visceral perfusion was preserved through the fenestration. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of complicated aortic arch diseases especially in redo cases, appropriate strategies are mandatory to achieve optimal outcomes. In the extended aortic dissection without the reentry for visceral perfusion, a primary entry closure may lead to visceral ischemia. Modified long elephant trunk technique combined with fenestration technique may be one of the useful techniques to treat the complicated aortic dissection extending to the terminal aorta.

Beneficial effects of restrictive annuloplasty on subvalvular geometry in patients with functional mitral regurgitation and advanced cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVES: The effects of restrictive mitral annuloplasty (RMA) on subvalvular geometry remains unknown. We evaluated changes in left ventricular (LV) function, severity of mitral regurgitation (MR), and leaflet tethering parameters after RMA and clarified their associations. METHODS: In 44 patients with clinically relevant functional MR who underwent RMA, distances between papillary muscle (PM) tips and anterior mitral annulus (PM tethering distance), leaflet angles relative to lines connecting annuli, and interpapillary muscle distance (IPMD) were serially quantified. RESULTS: One month after surgery, LV function and MR severity improved with decreased anterior (34 ± 5 to 30 ± 4 mm) and posterior PM tethering distance (37 ± 4 to 32 ± 4 mm), anterior leaflet angle (32 ± 8° to 22 ± 7°), and IPMD (31 ± 6 to 25 ± 5 mm), whereas these variables remained abnormal and posterior leaflet angle increased (34 ± 8° to 48 ± 14°; P < .01 for all). During follow-up (66 ± 37 months), these effects were maintained in 33 patients without MR recurrence, whereas 11 with it showed worsened tethering with less LV function recovery. Multiple linear regression analyses identified that change in MR severity from baseline to 12-month examination independently associated with corresponding change in IPMD (parameter estimate of 0.100 with standard error of 0.039; P = .019) and that in posterior PM tethering distance (parameter estimate of -0.104 with standard error of 0.045; P = .035), whereas not with change in posterior-leaflet angle. The IPMD change was independently associated with change in LV end-systolic dimension (parameter estimate of 0.299 with standard error of 0.110; P = .013). CONCLUSIONS: The RMA procedure partially relieved leaflet tethering, evidenced by decreased tethering distances and IPMD; the latter was the main determinant of MR. These beneficial effects might be mainly attributed to post-RMA reverse LV remodeling, potentially offsetting the negative effect of augmented posterior leaflet angle in selected patients.

Predictors and Clinical Impact of Functional Mitral Stenosis Induced by Restrictive Annuloplasty for Ischemic and Functional Mitral Regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: There are few reports of the determinants of "functional" mitral stenosis in terms of a residual mitral valve (MV) pressure gradient >5 mmHg following restrictive mitral annuloplasty (RMA) or the effect on long-term outcome in patients with functional mitral regurgitation (MR).Methods and Results:Serial cardiac catheterization and echocardiographic studies were performed in 55 patients with functional MR who underwent RMA using a 24/26-mm semi-rigid complete ring. The mean postoperative (1 month) catheter-measured MV gradient was 3.4±1.6 mmHg, which was independently associated with corresponding cardiac output [standardized partial regression coefficient (SPRC)=0.59] and indexed effective orifice area (SPRC=-0.25). Body surface area (BSA) had the greatest contribution to MV gradient (SPRC=0.38), followed by use of a 24-mm ring (SPRC=0.33) and hemodialysis (SPRC=0.26). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated an optimal BSA cutoff value of 1.86 m2to predict post-MV stenosis (21% for <1.86 m2vs. 86% for ≥1.86 m2, P=0.002). During follow-up (75±32 months), freedom from adverse events did not differ between patients with (n=16) and without (n=39) an MV gradient ≥5 mmHg (log-rank P=0.24). CONCLUSIONS: Post-RMA MV gradient was determined not only by the degree of annular reduction but also by patients' hemodynamic factors (e.g., cardiac output). Implantation of a 24/26-mm annuloplasty ring for patients with BSA ≥1.86 m2indicated a high likelihood of post-MV stenosis. However, mild MV stenosis did not adversely affect late outcome after RMA.

Outcomes of limited proximal aortic replacement for type A aortic dissection in octogenarians.

OBJECTIVE: The number of older patients with acute aortic dissection type A (AAD [A]) is increasing as the population ages. We evaluated clinical outcomes for octogenarians with AAD (A) treated surgically at our hospital. Whenever possible, we limited the replacement site of the ascending aorta to the supracoronary and hemiarch. METHODS: Of 436 patients with AAD (A) seen in our hospital emergency room between April 2001 and August 2015, 90 were octogenarians. Surgery was performed using a simple cardiopulmonary bypass established through the right femoral artery and venous cannulation, and distal anastomosis was performed under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest at 20°C. RESULTS: Of the 90 octogenarians with AAD (A), 11 required cardiopulmonary resuscitation, 9 of whom died. Four patients with stable hemodynamics refused surgery. Thus, 77 were treated surgically. Of these 77 patients, isolated replacement of the ascending aorta or hemiarch was performed in 73 (94.8%), and total arch replacement in 4 (5.2%). Five patients (6.5%) died within 30 days, and 5 (6.5%) died in the hospital more than 30 days after surgery. Seven (9.1%) had a new stroke, 5 (6.5%) had pneumonia, and 4 (5.2%) had mediastinitis. Forty-four (57.1%) patients were discharged to their homes and 23 (30%) to rehabilitation hospitals. Three patients later required endovascular stent graft repair, which was successful in each case. The overall postoperative survival was 82%, 70%, and 62% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that our limited replacement protocol for emergency AAD (A) surgery has early and midterm survival benefits for octogenarians.

Rare Complication of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: Ventricular Septal Perforation with Septal Dissection.

We describe a rare case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy complicated by acute ventricular septal perforation with ventricular septal dissection. The ventricular perforation was successfully closed by repairing the dissecting site with a bovine pericardial patch.

B-type natriuretic peptide response and reverse left ventricular remodeling after surgical correction of functional mitral regurgitation in patients with advanced cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Restrictive mitral annuloplasty (RMA) can reverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling and reduce plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a surrogate biomarker of heart failure. However, the relationship between reverse LV remodeling and plasma BNP changes after RMA is poorly defined. We explored the main hemodynamic factors contributing to change in plasma BNP after RMA in patients with functional mitral regurgitation (MR). METHODS: Twenty-four patients with moderate to severe functional MR secondary to LV systolic dysfunction [ejection fraction (EF) <40%] underwent 64-row multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) before and 1.4 months after RMA. LV end-diastolic volume index (EDVI), end-systolic volume index (ESVI), LVEF, and regional and global end-systolic wall stress (ESS) were calculated from 3-dimensional MDCT images, with blood samples for plasma BNP measurement collected the same day. RESULTS: After RMA, LV volumes and global ESS were decreased, while LVEF improved (all p<0.01). There were significant correlations between changes in LVEDVI and LVESVI (r=0.90, p<0.0001), LVESVI and global ESS (r=0.54, p=0.006), and global ESS and LVEF (r=-0.60, p=0.002). The median value for the plasma BNP also decreased from 597 pg/ml [interquartile range (IQR), 360-934 pg/ml] to 207 pg/ml (IQR, 124-271 pg/ml), in association with changes in LVEDVI (r=0.47, p=0.019), LVESVI (r=0.56, p=0.004), LVEF (r=-0.60, p=0.002), and global ESS (r=0.74, p<0.0001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that global ESS change was the strongest contributor to change in natural-log-transformed plasma BNP (standardized partial regression coefficient=0.59, p=0.004), indicating a strong association between decrease in LV afterload and reduction in plasma BNP level after RMA. CONCLUSIONS: There may be a significant association between LV reverse remodeling and plasma BNP change after RMA. Furthermore, LV end-systolic myocardial stress may be the key mechanical stimulus influencing plasma BNP after surgical correction for functional MR. Whether these favorable BNP responses and reverse remodeling can predict improved survival requires further study.