Impact of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography on acute type-A aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography on type-A acute aortic dissection. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Tertiary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-four consecutive patients with type-A aortic dissection. INTERVENTIONS: Surgeons interviewed regarding how transesophageal echocardiography changed the surgical procedure. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Transesophageal echocardiography confirmed an ascending aorta intimal flap in 53 (83%) patients and an intramural hematoma in 9 (14%) patients. The aortic valve was bicuspid in 5 (8%) cases and a prior prosthetic valve was present in 4 (6%) patients. Aortic insufficiency was moderate in 12 (19%) cases and severe in 18 (28%) patients. Additionally, transesophageal echocardiography was useful in defining the size of pericardial effusion in 18 (28%) patients, 8 with large effusions and/or tamponade. Altogether, transesophageal echocardiography added data beyond prior imaging in 41 (64%) patients, including moderate or severe mitral regurgitation, right ventricular dysfunction, and atrial septal defects. The findings from intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography led directly to a change in planned surgery in 25 (39%) patients. Transesophageal echocardiography verified suitability of the repair in all cases of interposition graft or valve repair. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography provides incremental information to the original imaging examination in the management of type-A acute aortic dissection in nearly two-thirds of patients, leading to a change in the planned surgery in 39% of patients, thus supporting its role as suggested in recent guidelines.

Current trends in mitral valve repair techniques in North America.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The current trends in the surgical technique of mitral valve repair (MVR) among North American medical centers participating in the Sorin Valve Repair Registry are described. METHODS: A total of 2,314 MVR procedures was performed and documented between 2003 and 2009 at 89 North American medical centers. Surgical procedure characteristics on all mitral valve annuloplasty and valve reconstructions were collected by participating surgeons, and documented in the registry. RESULTS: Early in the reporting period (between 2003 and 2007), posterior leaflet resection comprised 60% of all MVR procedures, but the percentage declined systematically through the years 2008 (56.1%) and 2009 (50.4%). A decrease over time was also observed in the frequency of sliding valvuloplasty procedures (from -30% in 2003 to 4.0% in 2009). Proportions of chordal repair techniques tended to increase towards the end of the reporting period, from a low of 15% in 2003 to a peak of 32% in 2008. CONCLUSION: This report documents important trends in current MVR techniques among a representative cohort of surgical centers across North America. The data obtained were consistent with a practical shift from the conventional surgical MVR techniques to methods that allow a greater leaflet preservation--and thus less resection--over the latter half of the reporting period.

Cerebral oximetry during cardiac surgery: the association between cerebral oxygen saturation and perioperative patient variables.

OBJECTIVE: This "real-world" study was designed to assess the patterns of regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO(2)) change during adult cardiac surgery. A secondary objective was to determine any relation between perioperative rSO(2) (baseline and during surgery) and patient characteristics or intraoperative variables. DESIGN: Prospective, observational, multicenter, nonrandomized clinical study. SETTING: Cardiac operating rooms at 3 academic medical centers. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety consecutive adult patients presenting for cardiac surgery with or without cardiopulmonary bypass. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received standard care at each institution plus bilateral forehead recordings of cerebral oxygen saturation with the 7600 Regional Oximeter System (Nonin Medical, Plymouth, MN). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The average baseline (before induction) rSO(2) was 63.9 ± 8.8% (range 41%-95%); preoperative hematocrit correlated with baseline rSO(2) (0.48% increase for each 1% increase in hematocrit, p = 0.008). The average nadir (lowest recorded rSO(2) for any given patient) was 54.9 ± 6.6% and was correlated with on-pump surgery, baseline rSO(2), and height. Baseline rSO(2) was found to be an independent predictor of length of stay (hazard ratio 1.044, confidence interval 1.02-1.07, for each percentage of baseline rSO(2)). CONCLUSIONS: In cardiac surgical patients, lower baseline rSO(2) value, on-pump surgery, and height were significant predictors of nadir rSO(2), whereas only baseline rSO(2) was a predictor of postoperative length of stay. These findings support previous research on the predictive value of baseline rSO(2) on length of stay and emphasize the need for further research regarding the clinical relevance of baseline rSO(2) and intraoperative changes.

Causes and Clinical Outcomes of Patients Who Are Ineligible for Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to gain insight into the causes and outcomes of patients who do not qualify for transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR). BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing availability of TMVR, patients with severe mitral regurgitation may not be eligible. Thus far, no investigation has examined ineligible patients and their clinical outcomes. METHODS: A total of 203 patients (mean age 79 ± 9 years, 48% men) who were ineligible for participation in early feasibility studies of TMVR were examined. RESULTS: The ineligibility rate for TMVR was 89.0%. The most common reasons for TMVR exclusion were excessive frailty (15.3%), severe tricuspid regurgitation (15.3%), and prior aortic valve therapy (14.2%). Mitral anatomic exclusions were present in 15.8%, with severe annular calcification in 7.4%, and risk for left ventricular outflow tract obstruction was notably infrequent (4.4%). Overall, 76 patients (37.4%) did not undergo subsequent commercial surgical or transcatheter mitral therapy. Patients not eligible for TMVR and not treated commercially had high rates of cardiac death (11.8%) and death or heart failure hospitalization (22.4%) at 1 year. These rates were significantly higher than those who underwent surgery (2.4% for cardiac death; p < 0.001; 5.5% for heart failure hospitalization; p = 0.003) and remained worse after excluding patients with excessive frailty or medical futility and in multivariate modeling that adjusted for baseline differences. CONCLUSIONS: Patients ineligible for TMVR and treated medically have poor outcomes. These data and the high rate of TMVR screen failure support the need for therapy iteration as well as development of alternative means of management, with the goal of improving the prognosis of these patients.

Spectrum of cardiovascular diseases in six main referral hospitals of Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: The spectrum of cardiovascular diseases varies between and within countries, depending on the stage of epidemiological transition and risk factor profiles. Understanding this spectrum requires regional and national data for each region or country. This study was designed to determine the spectrum of cardiovascular diseases in six university hospitals in Ethiopia. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of the spectrum of cardiovascular diseases in six main referral/teaching hospitals located in different parts of the country. Consecutive patients visiting the follow-up cardiac clinics of these hospitals from 1 January to 30 June 2015 were included in the study. Data were collected on a pretested questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 6275 patients (58.5% females) were included in the study. Nearly 61% of the patients were from urban areas. The median age was 33 years (IQR 14-55 years). Valvular heart disease was the most common diagnosis, accounting for 40.5% of the cases. Of 2541 patents with valvular heart disease, 2184 (86%) were cases of chronic rheumatic heart disease. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that chronic rheumatic valvular heart disease is the most common cardiovascular diagnosis among patients seen at cardiology clinics of six referral/teaching hospitals in the country, followed by congenital heart diseases. Hypertensive and ischaemic heart diseases also accounted for a significant proportion of the cases. Therefore, strategies directed towards primary and secondary prevention of acute rheumatic fever as well as prevention of risk factors for hypertension and ischaemic heart disease may need to be strengthened.

Clinical, angiographic, and interventional follow-up of patients with aortic-saphenous vein graft connectors.

BACKGROUND: The use of aortic connectors for proximal saphenous vein bypass graft anastomoses eliminates the need for aortic clamping during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and may reduce the incidence of stroke in the elderly and in patients with severe aortic atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 74 consecutive patients who received the Symmetry Bypass System aortic connector at the time of CABG. A total of 131 of 144 proximal vein graft anastomoses were performed with this device. The left internal mammary artery was used in 62 patients, and 61 patients had "off-pump" coronary revascularization. A total of 11 patients were readmitted with chest pain consistent with unstable angina 173+/-39 days after CABG. Five of the 11 patients had previous in-stent restenosis before CABG. At angiography, 20 saphenous vein bypass grafts containing 19 connectors were found to have severe stenosis (n=12) or occlusion (n=6) and were treated with angioplasty and stenting or medical therapy. Seven of 11 patients were readmitted 76+/-11 days later with recurrent chest pain and were found to have severe stenosis at the previously stented connector site. Six patients underwent angioplasty followed by brachytherapy. Three of these patients redeveloped chest pain and were readmitted 151+/-71 days later. Two patients were started on oral Rapamune, and one patient underwent redo-CABG. CONCLUSIONS: Eleven of 74 patients who received aortic connectors at the time of CABG developed symptomatically significant stenosis or occlusion at the connector site shortly after CABG, requiring multiple repeat interventions, including brachytherapy.

Prospective study of mitral valve repair with the CarboMedics AnnuloFlex annuloplasty system: effectiveness and safety after one year.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The CarboMedics AnnuloFlex annuloplasty system includes a flexible ring that may be implanted as a complete or partial ring to correct mitral annular dilatation by reinforcement of the entire annulus, or only the posterior portion of the annulus. The study aim was to evaluate clinical and functional results during the first year in patients receiving this flexible annuloplasty system. METHODS: Between February 2001 and August 2002, 69 patients (mean age 55 years; range: 27-81 years) underwent mitral valve repair that included implant of the AnnuloFlex annuloplasty ring. Mitral regurgitation (MR) was the predominant lesion, with 98.6% of patients exhibiting grade 3/4 insufficiency. Functional classification of valve pathology was normal leaflet motion (type I) in 4% of patients, leaflet prolapse (type II) in 93%, and restricted leaflet motion (type III) in 3%. Valve disease was degenerative in 90%, ischemic in 4%, infectious in 3%, and other in 3%. RESULTS: There was one hospital death. Late follow up was obtained for 62 patients; cumulative follow up was 61 patient-years. One-year actuarial survival was 99%, freedom from thromboembolism was 94%, from endocarditis 98%, and from reoperation 98%. Echocardiographic evaluations performed at 3-6 months after repair (mean 4.7 months) showed MR to be grade 0/1+ in 90% of patients and grade 2+ in 8%. Mitral valve area was 3.4+/-1.7 cm2, within normal limits (mitral valve area > or =1.5 cm2) in 95% of patients. Average peak and mean pressure gradients were 5.9+/-3.0 and 2.8+/-1.7 mmHg, respectively. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased postoperatively, which may reflect successful correction of MR after mitral valve repair. CONCLUSION: These early results show that the AnnuloFlex annuloplasty system is safe and effective when used with other techniques for repair of MR, and preserves mitral annular flexibility and function at one-year follow up.

The effect of postoperative medical treatment on left ventricular mass regression after aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to analyze factors associated with left ventricular mass regression in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement with a newer bioprosthesis, the Trifecta valve pericardial bioprosthesis (St Jude Medical Inc, St Paul, Minn). METHODS: A total of 444 patients underwent aortic valve replacement with the Trifecta bioprosthesis from 2007 to 2009 at 6 US institutions. The clinical and echocardiographic data of 200 of these patients who had left ventricular hypertrophy and follow-up studies 1 year postoperatively were reviewed and compared to analyze factors affecting left ventricular mass regression. RESULTS: Mean (standard deviation) age of the 200 study patients was 73 (9) years, 66% were men, and 92% had pure or predominant aortic valve stenosis. Complete left ventricular mass regression was observed in 102 patients (51%) by 1 year postoperatively. In univariate analysis, male sex, implantation of larger valves, larger left ventricular end-diastolic volume, and beta-blocker or calcium-channel blocker treatment at dismissal were significantly associated with complete mass regression. In the multivariate model, odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) indicated that male sex (3.38 [1.39-8.26]) and beta-blocker or calcium-channel blocker treatment at dismissal (3.41 [1.40-8.34]) were associated with increased probability of complete left ventricular mass regression. Patients with higher preoperative systolic blood pressure were less likely to have complete left ventricular mass regression (0.98 [0.97-0.99]). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, postoperative treatment with beta-blockers or calcium-channel blockers may enhance mass regression. This highlights the need for close medical follow-up after operation. Labeled valve size was not predictive of left ventricular mass regression.

Trends in mitral valve surgery in a large multi-surgeon, multi-hospital practice, 1979-1999.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Trends in mitral valve operations (MVO) may help to predict the future of mitral valve surgery in the context of changing case mix, population demographics, emerging technology and shifting paradigms. METHODS: All adults undergoing single mitral valve operations (MVO) between 1979 and 1999 were reviewed retrospectively according to age, gender and other typical clinical variables, surgical complexity, specific operation and immediate outcome. RESULTS: A total of 2,055 single MVO was performed. Although coronary artery bypass volumes declined by 15.3% from 1996 to 1999, MVO volumes have continued to increase 58.0% since 1996. For the entire period, there was an insignificant increase in mean age, but an increase in percent male gender and in the prevalence of degenerative and ischemic etiology and mitral regurgitation (MR) pathophysiology. During the 1990s, trends in surgical complexity included a stable 40% prevalence of combined MVO and a stable 9:1 distribution of first operations to reoperations. Technology adoption included a decreased prevalence of mechanical valve usage at the expense of an increased prevalence of mitral valve repair (MVRpr). The prevalence of MVRpr among individual surgeons appeared to be related to a threshold case load of 20 mitral valve operations per year. Predictors of hospital mortality rates for MVO included age > or = 65 years, reoperations and combined MVO. Age > or = 65 years was a predictor of hospital mortality for each category of overall, isolated and combined MVO, mitral valve replacement (MVR) and MVRpr except for combined MVR. Hospital mortality rates for overall MVO, first-op MVO and combined MVO decreased during the 1990s. Hospital mortality comparisons between MVR and MVRpr favored MVRpr, either significantly or by insignificant trend, in every category of overall, isolated and combined groups and when evaluated by age > or = or < 65 year, in overall, isolated and combined groups. CONCLUSION: MVO volumes are steadily increasing apparently as a result of the increase in octogenarians and the beginning of the 'baby boomer' wave. Degenerative and ischemic etiologies with MR pathophysiology are on the rise, while rheumatic and endocarditis etiologies are static. The prevalence of MVR with mechanical prostheses has decreased in favor of MVRpr. The prevalence of MVRpr among individual surgeons appears to be related to an annual threshold volume of overall MVO. Hospital mortality risk is related to age and surgical complexity, but is modest and has continued to trend down during the past decade. Hospital mortality appears to favor MVRpr over MVR in all categorical comparisons, either significantly or by insignificant trend. These opposite trend lines for MVR and MVRpr likely represent a paradigm shift away from mechanical solutions in favor of tissue solutions for mitral valve disease, especially for MVRpr.

Morbidity and mortality of a failed attempt at mitral valve repair converted to replacement at the same operation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Although mitral valve repair (MVRpr) is the preferred operation for mitral disease worldwide, some surgeons are reluctant to attempt this, believing that excess morbidity and mortality will result if the attempt fails and conversion to mitral valve replacement (MVR) is necessary during surgery. METHODS: Typical preoperative, operative and postoperative parameters were reviewed retrospectively on 2,017 consecutive adults undergoing mitral valve operations (MVO), with and without additional cardiac surgery, between 1986 and 1999. Morbidity and mortality were compared for all MVRpr, MVR and attempted repairs, which failed and were converted to replacement at the same operation (FRpr). RESULTS: Although cross-clamp and extracorporeal pump times were longer for FRpr than for MVRpr and MVR, neither blood product use, morbidity, nor length of ICU or hospital stay was increased. Perioperative myocardial infarction was higher in FRpr, but less than 5%. Although operative mortality was lower for successful MVRpr compared with MVR, there was no difference between FRpr and either MVRpr or MVR, whether as an isolated or combined procedure. The addition of other cardiac procedures to a specific MVO appeared to be the important variable in mortality in all the groups, rather than the length of cross-clamp or extracorporeal pump times. CONCLUSION: An attempted MVRpr which fails and is converted to replacement at the same operation does not appear to be associated with excess morbidity or mortality, despite longer cross-clamp and pump times. Accordingly, MVRpr can be safely undertaken when indicated, even with additional cardiac procedures.

Trends in aortic valve surgery in a large multi-surgeon, multi-hospital practice, 1979-1999.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Trends in aortic valve operations (AVO) may help to predict the future of aortic valve surgery in the context of changing case mix, population demographics, emerging technology and shifting paradigms. METHODS: All adults undergoing single AVO between 1979 and 1999 were reviewed retrospectively according to age, gender and other typical clinical variables, surgical complexity, specific operation and immediate outcome. RESULTS: There were 3,917 single AVO. Although coronary artery bypass (CAB) volumes declined by 15.3% between 1996 and 1999, AVO volumes have continued to increase by 11.7% since 1996. Over the entire period, there was no significant change in mean age or percent female gender, but increases in the prevalence of octogenarians and aortic stenosis were noted. During the 1990s, degenerative valve disease predominated and the prevalence of sicker patients according to heart failure class and surgical priority decreased. Trends in surgical complexity included an increase in AVO combined with CAB, but a stable 9:1 distribution of first operations to reoperations. Technology adoption included a decreased prevalence of mechanical valve use at the expense of increased use of tissue valves, especially stented xenografts and homografts. Transient technology adoption included stentless xenografts. Small numbers of pulmonary autografts, aortic valve repairs and valve-sparing aortic replacements were carried out. Predictors of hospital mortality rates for AVO included age 65 years, reoperation and combined AVO. Hospital mortality rates for AVO decreased for most age groups between the 1980s and 1990s, but not during the 1990s. CONCLUSION: AVO volumes are steadily increasing, apparently as a result of the increase in octogenarians and the start of the 'baby boom' wave. Hospital mortality risk is related to age and surgical complexity, but is modest and has stabilized during the past decade. The prevalence of mechanical valve implants has decreased in favor of tissue valve replacement categories. The fastest growth rates have been with stented xenografts, and especially homografts. This may represent a paradigm shift away from mechanical solutions in favor of tissue solutions for aortic valve disease.

Decision-making in the choice of heart valve for replacement in patients aged 60-70 years: twenty-year follow up of the St. Jude Medical aortic valve prosthesis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The choice of a cardiac valve for patients with aortic valvular pathology remains controversial. Younger patients may be at risk for long-term complications from chronic anticoagulation yet require prosthesis longevity, while older patients may not outlive a bioprosthesis. To gather information to help decision-making, the 20-year experience of aortic valve replacement (AVR) with the St. Jude Medical (SJM) valve by the surgeons of Cardiac Surgical Associates, P.A., was reviewed. METHODS: Cardiac Surgical Associates Research Foundation maintains a database of all patients undergoing valve replacement with the SJM aortic prosthesis since the world's first implant in October 1977. Patient follow up is conducted by questionnaire and/or telephone interview. The 20-year follow up period ended in October 1997. Follow up is 96.3% complete, and extends to 13,208 patient-years. RESULTS: A total of 2,390 aortic valves (1,500 in males, 890 in females) were replaced in the period studied. Among these patients, 1,419 had isolated AVR, whilst the remainder had AVR plus coronary artery bypass (CAB) or other procedures. The mean age was 63 +/- 14 years for AVR, and 70 +/- 10 years for AVR/CAB. Over the 20-year follow up period, freedom from valve-related events for the entire group was: thromboembolism, 97%; anticoagulant-related hemorrhage, 94%; valve thrombosis, 99.7%; prosthetic valve endocarditis, 99.2%; and paravalvular leak, 99.6%. Freedom from structural failure was 100%. Mortality for these events was low (15 deaths among 250 events; 6%). Overall survival at 5, 10, 15 and 19 years was 82, 66, 51 and 45% respectively for isolated AVR, and 72, 45, 25 and 15% respectively for AVR/CAB. CONCLUSION: The SJM valve has excellent hemodynamics and a low incidence of valve-related complications. Improvements in anticoagulation monitoring with the newly introduced and funded home monitoring program, as well as the introduction of newer and more effective antiplatelet drugs, will improve the safety of patients requiring chronic anticoagulation. With durability unquestioned, these long-term data show the SJM valve to be an excellent choice for AVR in patients aged 60-70 years.

Surgical steps toward complete revascularization in off-pump coronary bypass.

Surgical techniques aimed at complete myocardial revascularization without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass are described. Between January 1998 and June 2000, coronary artery bypass was performed in 3,003 patients; an off-pump technique was used in 676 and cardiopulmonary bypass was employed in 2,327. Patient characteristics, demography, and preoperative risk factors of the two groups were compared retrospectively, and differences in operative variables and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Using a commercially available suction stabilization device and the surgical and anesthetic techniques described herein, off-pump coronary revascularization was accomplished with results comparable to the on-pump approach.

St Jude Medical Epic porcine bioprosthesis: results of the regulatory evaluation.

BACKGROUND: The St Jude Medical Epic heart valve (St Jude Medical, Inc, St Paul, Minn) is a tricomposite glutaraldehyde-preserved porcine bioprosthesis. The St Jude Medical Biocor porcine bioprosthesis is the precursor valve to the St Jude Medical Epic valve. The Epic valve is identical to the Biocor valve except that it is treated with Linx AC ethanol-based calcium mitigation therapy. METHODS: The St Jude Medical Epic valve was implanted in 761 patients (mean age 73.9 ± 9.2 years) between 2003 and 2006 in the US Food and Drug Administration regulatory study in 22 investigational centers. The position distribution was 557 aortic valve replacements, 175 mitral valve replacements, and 29 double valve replacements. Concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 50.8% of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement and 36.6% of those undergoing mitral valve replacement. RESULTS: The early mortality was 3.6% in aortic and 2.3% in mitral valve replacement. The follow-up was 1675.5 patient-years with a mean of 2.2 ± 1.2 years/patient. Late mortality was 5.2%/patient-year in aortic and 6.6%/patient-year in mitral valve replacement. The late major thromboembolism rate was 0.98%/patient-year for aortic and 2.6%/patient-year for mitral valve replacement. There were 19 reoperations, including 2 for structural valve deterioration, 1 for thrombosis, 9 for nonstructural dysfunction, and 7 for prosthetic valve endocarditis. The actuarial freedom from reoperation owing to structural valve deterioration for aortic valve replacement at 4 years for age 60 years or less was 93.3% ± 6.4%; for ages 61 to 70 years, 98.1% ± 1.9%; and for older than 70 years, 100% (P = .0006 > 70 vs ≤ 60 years). There were no events of structural deterioration with mitral valve replacement. The actuarial freedom from major thromboembolism for all patients at 4 years was 93.6% ± 1.0%. The 2 cases of structural valve deterioration occurred in aortic valves that became perforated without calcification causing aortic regurgitation. CONCLUSIONS: The performance of the St Jude Medical Epic porcine bioprosthesis is satisfactory at 4 years for both aortic and mitral valve replacement. This study establishes the early clinical performance including durability of this porcine bioprosthesis.

Feasibility of transcatheter intervention for severe aortic stenosis in patients >or=90 years of age: aortic valvuloplasty revisited.

OBJECTIVES: The goals of this study were to determine the feasibility, safety, and early outcomes of balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) for severe aortic stenosis in a nonagenarian population. BACKGROUND: This very elderly population is expanding rapidly, has a high incidence of aortic stenosis, and uncommonly undergoes surgical aortic valve replacement. These patients may best be treated with a transcatheter approach due to comorbidities, surgical risk, and personal preference. METHODS: We reviewed 31 consecutive patients >or=90 years of age who underwent BAV at our institution from July 2003 to August 2006 for data pertinent to patient characteristics, procedural techniques, and 30-day outcomes. RESULTS: Our patients had a mean age of 93 +/- 3.0 years (90-101). The society of thoracic surgery risk score was 18.5 (+/-10.2) and logistic Euroscore was 35.8 (+/-19.3). Twenty-five patients (81%) underwent retrograde BAV and 6 (19%) antegrade BAV. Five patients (16%) underwent combined BAV and coronary stenting. Overall mean aortic valve area increased from 0.52 cm2 (+/-0.17) to 0.92 cm2 (+/-0.22) and mean New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class improved from 3.4 to 1.8. Intraprocedural mortality occurred in one patient (3.2%) and 30-day mortality in three patients (9.7%). CONCLUSIONS: BAV can be carried out in high risk nonagenarian patients with an acceptable complication rate, low perioperative mortality, and early improvement in NYHA functional class.

Complementary alternative medical therapies for heart surgery patients: feasibility, safety, and impact.

BACKGROUND: Complementary therapies (touch, music) are used as successful adjuncts in treatment of pain in chronic conditions. Little is known about their effectiveness in care of heart surgery patients. Our objective is to evaluate feasibility, safety, and impact of a complementary alternative medical therapies package for heart surgery patients. METHODS: One hundred four patients undergoing open heart surgery were prospectively randomized to receive either complementary therapy (preoperative guided imagery training with gentle touch or light massage and postoperative music with gentle touch or light massage and guided imagery) or standard care. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and pain and tension were measured preoperatively and as pre-tests and post-tests during the postoperative period. Complications were abstracted from the hospital record. RESULTS: Virtually all patients in the complementary therapy group (95%) and 86% in standard care completed the study. Heart rate and blood pressure patterns were similar. Decreases in heart rate and systolic blood pressure in the complementary therapies group were judged within the range of normal values. Complication rates were very low and occurred with similar frequency in both groups. Pretreatment and posttreatment pain and tension scores decreased significantly in the complementary alternative medical therapies group on postoperative days 1 (p < 0.01) and 2 (p < 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: The complementary medical therapies protocol was implemented with ease in a busy critical care setting and was acceptable to the vast majority of patients studied. Complementary medical therapy was not associated with safety concerns and appeared to reduce pain and tension during early recovery from open heart surgery.