18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake patterns in positron emission tomography/computed tomography caused by inflammation and/or infection after graft surgery for thoracic aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: To identify 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake patterns in positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) caused by infection, inflammation, surgical material, and/or graft coating. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 610 consecutive patients with thoracic aortic graft surgery, 60 patients with 187 PET/CT were retrospectively included. We quantified FDG uptake in all grafts using maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) alone and in relation to liver background (SUVratio) and determined the uptake pattern. Mixed linear regression models with random slope and intercept were applied for the analysis of SUVratio over time and generalized estimating equations to analyze the associations with anastomosis uptake. FDG uptake was frequently focal (90%), higher in infected than in noninfected grafts (mean SUVratio 2.19; 95% CI 2.05-2.32 vs. 1.63; 1.46-1.79, P < 0.001), and decreasing slowly over time (SUVratio per year since surgery -0.048; 95% CI -0.15- 0.051, P = 0.34), without a difference in slope between infected and noninfected grafts (P = 0.52). There was no evidence of an interaction between SUVratio and use of BioGlue® surgical adhesive (intercept P = 0.73, slope P = 0.71), or graft coating (gelatin and collagen, all P > 0.7). FDG uptake at the anastomosis was more frequent in noninfected grafts than in infected grafts (66% vs. 21%, odds ratio (OR) 11.34; 95% CI 3.61-35.66, P < 0.001). This effect was attenuated by the use of BioGlue® (OR 5.05; 95% CI 0.45-56.9, P = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: FDG uptake in PET/CT after thoracic aortic graft surgery is higher in infected grafts than in noninfected grafts. In noninfected grafts, focal uptake is also frequent, mostly anastomosis-associated, not associated with graft coating, and possibly affected by the use of BioGlue®.

Indications and outcomes of second aortic procedures after acute type A dissection repair.

OBJECTIVES: Aortic arch or aortic root replacement is not performed in all cases of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAD), and a second aortic procedure will become necessary over time for some patients. Indications and outcomes, of second aortic procedures have not been studied extensively. METHODS: Characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of all patients undergoing surgical repair for type A acute aortic dissection were analysed and patients needing second aortic procedure during follow-up were identified. The latter group was divided in 2 subgroups: on-pump includes patients operated on using cardiopulmonary bypass and off-pump without cardiopulmonary bypass. RESULTS: A total of 638 patients underwent surgery for ATAD; 8% required a second aortic procedure. The most frequent indication for the second aortic procedure was dehiscence of suture lines (44%), followed by arch dilatation (24%). In-hospital mortality was 12%. Isolated ascending aorta replacement at the first surgery was associated with higher incidence of second aortic procedure (P = 0.006). Most patients in the on-pump group underwent a proximal reoperation (75%), with a mortality rate of 14.2%. In-hospital mortality of patients in the off-pump group was 7.7%. Long-term survival analysis showed no difference between groups (P = 0,526), Off-pump patients have greater likelihood of a second intervention during follow-up (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Extended aortic root surgery and customized aortic arch repair in ATAD could be reasonable to reduce the incidence and mortality of high-risk second aortic procedures.

Evaluation of the 2023 Duke-International Society of Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases Criteria in a Multicenter Cohort of Patients With Suspected Infective Endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Since publication of Duke criteria for infective endocarditis (IE) diagnosis, several modifications have been proposed. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Duke-ISCVID (International Society of Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases) 2023 criteria compared to prior versions from 2000 (Duke-Li 2000) and 2015 (Duke-ESC [European Society for Cardiology] 2015). METHODS: This study was conducted at 2 university hospitals between 2014 and 2022 among patients with suspected IE. A case was classified as IE (final IE diagnosis) by the Endocarditis Team. Sensitivity for each version of the Duke criteria was calculated among patients with confirmed IE based on pathological, surgical, and microbiological data. Specificity for each version of the Duke criteria was calculated among patients with suspected IE for whom IE diagnosis was ruled out. RESULTS: In total, 2132 episodes with suspected IE were included, of which 1101 (52%) had final IE diagnosis. Definite IE by pathologic criteria was found in 285 (13%), 285 (13%), and 345 (16%) patients using the Duke-Li 2000, Duke-ESC 2015, or the Duke-ISCVID 2023 criteria, respectively. IE was excluded by histopathology in 25 (1%) patients. The Duke-ISCVID 2023 clinical criteria showed a higher sensitivity (84%) compared to previous versions (70%). However, specificity of the new clinical criteria was lower (60%) compared to previous versions (74%). CONCLUSIONS: The Duke-ISCVID 2023 criteria led to an increase in sensitivity compared to previous versions. Further studies are needed to evaluate items that could increase sensitivity by reducing the number of IE patients misclassified as possible, but without having detrimental effect on specificity of Duke criteria.

Evaluation of the 2023 Duke-ISCVID and 2023 Duke-ESC Clinical Criteria for the Diagnosis of Infective Endocarditis in a Multicenter Cohort of Patients With Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia.

BACKGROUND: The Duke criteria for infective endocarditis (IE) diagnosis underwent revisions in 2023 by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the International Society for Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases (ISCVID). This study aims to assess the diagnostic accuracy of these criteria, focusing on patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB). METHODS: This Swiss multicenter study conducted between 2014 and 2023 pooled data from three cohorts. It evaluated the performance of each iteration of the Duke criteria by assessing the degree of concordance between definite S. aureus IE (SAIE) and the diagnoses made by the Endocarditis Team (2018-23) or IE expert clinicians (2014-17). RESULTS: Among 1344 SAB episodes analyzed, 486 (36%) were identified as cases of SAIE. The 2023 Duke-ISCVID and 2023 Duke-ESC criteria demonstrated improved sensitivity for SAIE diagnosis (81% and 82%, respectively) compared to the 2015 Duke-ESC criteria (75%). However, the new criteria exhibited reduced specificity for SAIE (96% for both) compared to the 2015 criteria (99%). Spondylodiscitis was more prevalent among patients with SAIE compared to those with SAB alone (10% vs 7%, P = .026). However, when patients meeting the minor 2015 Duke-ESC vascular criterion were excluded, the incidence of spondylodiscitis was similar between SAIE and SAB patients (6% vs 5%, P = .461). CONCLUSIONS: The 2023 Duke-ISCVID and 2023 Duke-ESC clinical criteria show improved sensitivity for SAIE diagnosis compared to 2015 Duke-ESC criteria. However, this increase in sensitivity comes at the expense of reduced specificity. Future research should aim at evaluating the impact of each component introduced within these criteria.

Significance and current approaches to vascular graft infection.

Vascular graft/endograft infection (VGEI) is a constant in cardiovascular surgery with published rates between 1 and 5%. Every graft type and anatomical location is a potential target for infectious complications. These patients are sick patients with high frailty burden. Management of VGEI entails a multidisciplinary and multimodality approach. Here we review some aspects of the problem of VGEI including prevention, diagnosis, and surgical therapy with focus on recent developments in the field.

Dismal prognosis of patients with operative indication without surgical intervention in active left-sided infective endocarditis.

Introduction: Around 25% of patients with left-sided infective endocarditis and operative indication do not undergo surgery. Baseline characteristics and outcomes are underreported. This study describes characteristics and outcomes of surgical candidates with surgical intervention or medical treatment only. Methods: Retrospective analysis of ongoing collected data from a single-center from an observational cohort of patients with infective endocarditis (ENVALVE). Kaplan-Meier estimates for survival was calculated. Factors associated with survival were assessed using a bivariable Cox model. To adjust for confounding by indication, uni- and multivariable logistic regression for the propensity to receive surgery were adjusted. Results: From January 2018 and December 2021, 154 patients were analyzed: 116 underwent surgery and 38 received medical treatment only. Surgical candidates without surgery were older (70 vs. 62 years, p = 0.001). They had higher preoperative risk profile (EuroSCORE II 14% (7.2-28.6) vs. 5.8% (2.5-20.3), p = 0.002) and more comorbidities. One patient was lost-to-follow-up. Survival analysis revealed a significant higher one-year survival rate among patients following surgery (83.7% vs. 15.3% in the non-surgical group; log-rank test <0.0001). In the final multivariable adjusted model, surgery was less likely among patients with liver cirrhosis [OR = 0.03 (95% CI 0.00-0.30)] and with hemodialysis [OR = 0.014 (95% CI 0.00-0.47)]. Conclusion: Patients with left-sided infective endocarditis who do not undergo surgery despite an operative indication are older, have more comorbidities and therefore higher preoperative risk profile and a low 1-year survival. The role of the Endocarditis Team may be particularly important for the decision-making process in this specific group.

Twenty-five year experience with aortic valve-sparing root replacement in a single teaching center.

Objectives: Aortic valve-sparing root replacement (AVSRR) is a technically demanding procedure. In experienced centers it offers excellent short- and long-term results, making the procedure an attractive alternative for aortic root replacement especially in young patients. The aim of this study was to analyze long-term results of AVSRR using the David operation in our institution over the last 25 years. Methods: This is a single-center retrospective analysis of outcomes of David operations performed in a teaching institution not running a large AVSRR-program. Pre-, intra- and postoperative data were collected from the institutional electronic medical record system. Follow-up data were collected through direct contact of the patients and their cardiologists/primary care physicians. Results: Between 02/1996 and 11/2019, 131 patients underwent David operation in our institution by a total of 17 different surgeons. Median age was 48 (33-59), 18% were female. Elective surgery was performed in 89% of the cases, 11% were operated as emergency in the setting of an acute aortic dissection. Connective tissue disease was present in 24% and 26% had a bicuspid aortic valve. At hospital admission 61% had aortic regurgitation grade ≥3, 12% were in functional NYHA-class ≥III. 30-day mortality was 2%, 97% of the patients were discharged with aortic regurgitation ≤2. In 10-year follow-up, 15 (12%) patients had to be re-operated because of root-related complications. Seven patients (47%) received a transcatheter aortic valve implantation, 8 (53%) required surgical replacement of the aortic valve or a Bentall-De Bono operation. Estimated reoperation-free survival at 5 and 10 years was 93.5% ± 2.4% and 87.0% ± 3.5%, respectively. Subgroup analysis showed no differences in reoperation-free survival for patients presenting with a bicuspid valve or preoperative aortic regurgitation ≥3. However a preoperative left ventricular end diastolic diameter of ≥5.5 cm was associated with worse outcome. Conclusion: David operations can be performed with excellent perioperative and 10-year follow-up outcomes in centers not running large AVSRR-programs.

The impact of age and sex on in-hospital outcomes in acute type A aortic dissection surgery.

Background: Older age and female sex are thought to be risk factors for adverse outcomes after repair of acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD). The aim of this study is to analyze age- and sex-related outcomes in patients undergoing AAAD repair. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing emergency AAAD repair. Patients were divided in Group A, patients aged ≥75 years and Group B <75. Intraoperative and postoperative data were compared between groups before and after propensity score matching. Sex differences were analyzed by age group. Results: Between January 2006 and December 2018, 638 patients underwent emergency AAAD repair. Group A included 143 patients (22.4%), Group B 495 (77.6%). More patients in Group A presented with circulatory collapse (Penn C 26.6% vs. 9.7%, P=0.001) while Group B presented with circulatory collapse-branch malperfusion (Penn BC 29.3% vs. 15.4% P=0.001). After propensity score matching, Group B patients received more complex aortic root (33.6% vs. 23.2%, P=0.019) and concomitant bypass surgery (12.3% vs. 6.3%, P=0.042). There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between age groups (18% vs. 12% P=0.12). In Group B, in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in females (22.2% vs. 8.2%, P=0.028). Differences in mortality disappeared after the age of 75 (18.3% vs. 19.4% P=0.87). Conclusions: Morbidity and mortality are comparable between patients under and over 75 years after AAAD repair. Female patients <75 had higher in-hospital mortality than their male counterparts.

[Diagnostic and management of acute aortic syndrome]. / Diagnóstico y manejo del síndrome aórtico agudo.

Acute aortic syndrome includes a group of serious aortic pathologies, with a mortality rate of up to 90% in the first 40 days after the onset of symptoms. Depending on the location of the lesion, the treatment will be medical or surgical which has been shown to improve the prognosis of these patients both in the short- and long-term. Timey diagnosis is essential to increase survival and decrease the rate of related complications; however, due to the low incidence and sometimes non-specific clinical picture, the diagnosis can be delayed or missed, leading to catastrophic consequences for the patients. This article will focus on the diagnostic approach of type A acute aortic syndrome, in addition to offering a brief review regarding the medical and surgical treatment of these pathologies.

El síndrome aórtico agudo incluye un grupo de patologías graves de la aorta, con una mortalidad hasta del 90% en los primeros 40 días tras el inicio de los síntomas. Según la localización de la lesión el tratamiento puede ser médico o quirúrgico, el cual ha demostrado mejorar el pronóstico de estos pacientes tanto a corto como a largo plazo. El diagnóstico oportuno es esencial para incrementar la supervivencia y disminuir la tasa de complicaciones relacionadas; no obstante, debido a la baja incidencia y presentación clínica en ocasiones inespecífica, el diagnóstico puede retrasarse u obviarse, ocasionando consecuencias catastróficas para los pacientes. Este artículo se centrará en el abordaje diagnóstico del síndrome aórtico agudo tipo A, además de ofrecer una breve revisión respecto al tratamiento médico y quirúrgico de estas patologías.

Diagnóstico y manejo del síndrome aórtico agudo / Diagnostic and management of acute aortic syndrom

El síndrome aórtico agudo incluye un grupo de patologías graves de la aorta, con una mortalidad hasta del 90% en los primeros 40 días tras el inicio de los síntomas. Según la localización de la lesión el tratamiento puede ser médico o quirúrgico, el cual ha demostrado mejorar el pronóstico de estos pacientes tanto a corto como a largo plazo. El diagnóstico oportuno es esencial para incrementar la supervivencia y disminuir la tasa de complicaciones relacionadas; no obstante, debido a la baja incidencia y presentación clínica en ocasiones inespecífica, l diagnóstico puede retrasarse u obviarse, ocasionando consecuencias catastróficas para los pacientes. Este artículo se centrará en el abordaje diagnóstico del síndrome aórtico agudo tipo A, además de ofrecer una breve revisión respecto al tratamiento médico y quirúrgico de estas patologías.

Acute aortic syndrome includes a group of serious aortic pathologies, with a mortality rate of up to 90% in the first 40 days after the onset of symptoms. Depending on the location of the lesion, the treatment will be medical or surgical which has been shown to improve the prognosis of these patients both in the short- and long-term. Timey diagnosis is essential to increase survival and decrease the rate of related complications; however, due to the low incidence and sometimes non-specific clinical picture, the diagnosis can be delayed or missed, leading to catastrophic consequences for the patients. This article will focus on the diagnostic approach of type A acute aortic syndrome, in addition to offering a brief review regarding the medical and surgical treatment of these pathologies.

Prior intake of new oral anticoagulants adversely affects outcome following surgery for acute type A aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVES: Oral anticoagulation prior to emergency surgery is associated with an increased risk of perioperative bleeding, especially when this therapy cannot be discontinued or reversed in time. The goal of this study was to analyse the impact of different oral anticoagulants on the outcome of patients who underwent emergency surgery for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). METHODS: This was a single-centre retrospective study of patients treated with oral anticoagulation at the time of surgery for ATAAD. Outcomes of patients on new oral anticoagulant (NOAC) therapy were compared to respective outcomes of patients on Coumadin. Additionally, a survival analysis was performed comparing these 2 groups with patients who were operated on with no prior anticoagulation. RESULTS: Between January 2013 and April 2020, a total of 437 patients (63.8 ± 11.8 years, 68.4% male) received emergency surgery for ATAAD; 35 (8%) were taking oral anticoagulation at the time of hospital admission: 20 received phenprocoumon; 14, rivaroxaban; and 1, dabigatran. Compared to Coumadin, NOAC was associated with a greater need for blood-product transfusions and haemodynamic compromise. Operative mortality was 53% in the NOAC group and 30% in the Coumadin group. A 5-year survival analysis showed no significant difference between the NOAC and the Coumadin group (P = 0.059). Compared to 402 patients treated during the study period without anticoagulation, patients taking NOAC had significantly worse survival (P = 0.001), whereas that effect was not observed in patients undergoing surgery who were taking Coumadin (P = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Emergency surgery for ATAAD in patients taking NOAC is associated with high morbidity and mortality. NOAC are a major risk factor for uncontrollable bleeding and haemodynamic compromise. New treatment strategies must be defined to improve surgical outcomes in these high-risk patients.

What does an explanted PASCAL device look like?

We report the case of a 78-year-old female patient who had a PASCAL device implanted for severe degenerative mitral regurgitation. Intraprocedural echocardiography revealed persistent severe mitral regurgitation due to device dislocation. Implanting another device was not possible. After 8 days, the device was explanted, and the valve was replaced with a biological prosthesis. The PASCAL device and resected mitral valve leaflets were sent for histopathological workup.

Sternectomy for Candida albicans sternal osteomyelitis after left ventricular assist device implantation.

Fungal osteomyelitis is an uncommon complication after cardiac surgery and associated with high mortality. A case of Candida albicans and Staphylococcus epidermidis osteomyelitis with device infection after implantation of a left ventricular assist device in a 60-year-old male patient is presented here. After clinical identification and confirmation with microbiological examinations and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan, debridement was performed. Surgical specimens grew C. albicans and S. epidermidis. Fluconazole, daptomycin, and negative pressure wound therapy were initiated, but failed to achieve healing. Total sternectomy and pectoralis flap reconstruction were performed. There was no recurrent infection for C. albicans on a prolonged antifungal regime. The combination of antifungal therapy and aggressive surgical debridement may be useful to control fungal osteomyelitis.

Transcatheter mitral valve repair using the Cardioband® system: Histopathological insights in device ingrowth and biocompatibility.

Surgical implantation of a complete or incomplete ring to reduce the valve annulus and improve leaflet coaptation is the mainstay of mitral valve surgery. The Cardioband® system (Edwards Lifesciences) was designed to address the pathophysiological mechanism of annular dilatation through a catheter-based approach. We present the histopathological workup of a Cardioband® device, which had been implanted 21 months earlier in a 34-year-old male with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Device examination demonstrate a well-positioned and securely anchored device. The described tissue reactions may have an impact on choice of device and timing in case of re-do surgery.

The effect of hemoadsorption on rivaroxaban blood plasma concentration in emergency cardiac surgery.

Hemoadsorption was used in a 59-year-old patient with an acute type A aortic dissection, who was on rivaroxaban and dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid. Our aim was to expeditiously remove rivaroxaban preoperatively. After 8 h of hemoadsorption, the rivaroxaban blood plasma concentration (RBPC) did not decrease below 42.1 µg/l. Intraoperatively, hemoadsorption was repeated during extracorporeal circulation. Sixteen hours after surgery and a total of 13 h of hemoadsorption, the RBPC was 40.1 µg/l. Thereafter, the RBPC spontaneously decreased to 24.7 µg/l within 14 h. In our patient, hemoadsorption may have enhanced rivaroxaban removal at higher RBPC (cutoff value 40-50 µg/l). At lower RBPC, the removal of rivaroxaban may depend solely on the natural drug elimination process. The evolution of the RBPC under hemoadsorption in vivo warrants a thorough investigation. Further clinical studies are required to assess the effectiveness and limitations of hemoadsorption to preclude a fatal bleeding event in patients with rivaroxaban in need of major emergency surgery.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de la endocarditis infecciosa activa / Active infective endocarditis: surgical treatment

Resumen: La endocarditis infecciosa, la infección cardiovascular en general, es una enfermedad médico-quirúrgica compleja que requiere un tratamiento multidisciplinario precoz, específico y agresivo. A pesar de los avances médicos, ésta sigue siendo una enfermedad con una morbi-mortalidad elevada, por lo que el tratamiento antibiótico se complementa en un 40-50% de los pacientes mediante intervención quirúrgica. Por lo tanto, es necesario conocer las opciones que pueden llegar a ser utilizadas para extirpar el tejido infectado. El objetivo de este trabajo es discutir aspectos de interés en la cirugía de la endocarditis infecciosa.

Abstract: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a complex disease that requires a multidisciplinary approach and early and aggressive treatment. Despite médical and surgical advances, this disease still has high morbidity and mortality. The antibiotic treatment is complemented in 40-50% of the cases with surgical intervention. Thus, it is useful to be aware of the possibilities that might be contemplated in order to excise the infected tissues. The aim of this work is to discuss current surgical aspects of interest in the surgery IE.

Make Cardiac Surgery Great again: The Perks of Being a Resident.

Training in cardiac surgery is a cumbersome topic. Over the last years, major cardiac surgical operations have been found to decrease due to the increasing number in transcatheter interventions. Becoming a cardiac surgeon has become partly a hard task. Since the beginning of 2020, the new coronavirus epidemic has been shaking peoples' lives all over the world, hindering every normal hospital activity including residency programs.

Mitral annular calcification: challenges and future perspectives.

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a chronic degenerative process that implies calcification on the mitral support structure. It usually appears as a bystander to other cardiac pathologies hindering surgical treatment and increasing morbidity and mortality. When addressing the mitral valve, many surgical strategies have been suggested in the past with no clear consensus on what to choose. Moreover, and as transcatheter therapies have gained popularity over the last few decades, transcatheter mitral valve implantation has appeared as another alternative to conventional surgery. In this review, we aim at describing an overview of MAC, highlighting current challenges and treatment options as well as new potential alternatives.