A Randomized Trial of Intravenous Amino Acids for Kidney Protection.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious and common complication of cardiac surgery, for which reduced kidney perfusion is a key contributing factor. Intravenous amino acids increase kidney perfusion and recruit renal functional reserve. However, the efficacy of amino acids in reducing the occurrence of AKI after cardiac surgery is uncertain. METHODS: In a multinational, double-blind trial, we randomly assigned adult patients who were scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass to receive an intravenous infusion of either a balanced mixture of amino acids, at a dose of 2 g per kilogram of ideal body weight per day, or placebo (Ringer's solution) for up to 3 days. The primary outcome was the occurrence of AKI, defined according to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes creatinine criteria. Secondary outcomes included the severity of AKI, the use and duration of kidney-replacement therapy, and all-cause 30-day mortality. RESULTS: We recruited 3511 patients at 22 centers in three countries and assigned 1759 patients to the amino acid group and 1752 to the placebo group. AKI occurred in 474 patients (26.9%) in the amino acid group and in 555 (31.7%) in the placebo group (relative risk, 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77 to 0.94; P = 0.002). Stage 3 AKI occurred in 29 patients (1.6%) and 52 patients (3.0%), respectively (relative risk, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.87). Kidney-replacement therapy was used in 24 patients (1.4%) in the amino acid group and in 33 patients (1.9%) in the placebo group. There were no substantial differences between the two groups in other secondary outcomes or in adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Among adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery, infusion of amino acids reduced the occurrence of AKI. (Funded by the Italian Ministry of Health; PROTECTION ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03709264.).

Prediction of 30-day mortality after surgery for infective endocarditis using risk scores: Insights from a European multicenter comparative validation study.

BACKGROUND: It remains unclear today whether risk scores created specifically to predict early mortality after cardiac operations for infective endocarditis (IE) outperform or not the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II (EuroSCORE II). METHODS: Perioperative data and outcomes from a European multicenter series of patients undergoing surgery for definite IE were retrospectively reviewed. Only the cases with known pathogen and without missing values for all considered variables were retained for analyses. A comparative validation of EuroSCORE II and 5 specific risk scores for early mortality after surgery for IE-(1) STS-IE (Society of Thoracic Surgeons for IE); (2) PALSUSE (Prosthetic valve, Age ≥70, Large intracardiac destruction, Staphylococcus spp, Urgent surgery, Sex (female), EuroSCORE ≥10); (3) ANCLA (Anemia, New York Heart Association class IV, Critical state, Large intracardiac destruction, surgery on thoracic Aorta); (4) AEPEI II (Association pour l'Étude et la Prévention de l'Endocardite Infectieuse II); (5) APORTEI (Análisis de los factores PROnósticos en el Tratamiento quirúrgico de la Endocarditis Infecciosa)-was carried out using calibration plot and receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. Areas under the curve (AUCs) were compared 1:1 according to the Hanley-McNeil's method. The agreement between APORTEI score and EuroSCORE II of the 30-day mortality prediction after surgery was also appraised. RESULTS: A total of 1,012 patients from 5 European university-affiliated centers underwent 1,036 cardiac operations, with a 30-day mortality after surgery of 9.7%. All IE-specific risk scores considered achieved better results than EuroSCORE II in terms of calibration; AEPEI II and APORTEI score showed the best performances. Despite poor calibration, EuroSCORE II overcame in discrimination every specific risk score (AUC, 0.751 vs 0.693 or less, P = .01 or less). For a higher/lesser than 20% expected mortality, the agreement of prediction between APORTEI score and EuroSCORE II was 86%. CONCLUSION: EuroSCORE II discrimination for 30-day mortality after surgery for IE was higher than 5 established IE-specific risk scores. AEPEI II and APORTEI score showed the best results in terms of calibration.

Prognostic Value of APACHE IV Score in Patients Bridged to Heart Transplantation on ECMO.

BACKGROUND: Methods for risk stratification of candidates for heart transplantation (HTx) supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are limited. We evaluated the reliability of the APACHE IV score to identify the risk of mortality in this patient subset in a multicenter study. METHODS: Between January 2010 and December 2022, 167 consecutive ECMO patients were bridged to HTx; they were divided into two groups, according to a cutoff value of APACHE IV score, obtained by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for 90-day mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted, and compared through the log-Rank test. Cox regression model was used to estimate which factors were associated with survival. RESULTS: The 90-day mortality prediction of the APACHE IV score showed an area under the curve of 0.87 (95% CI: 0.80-0.94), with a cutoff value of 49 (specificity 91.7%-sensibility 69.6%). 125 patients (74.8%) showed an APACHE IV score value < 49 (Group A), and 42 (25.2%) ≥ 49 (Group B). 90-day mortality was 11.2% in Group A and 76.2% in Group B (p < 0.01). Survival at 1 and 5 years was 85.5%, 77% versus 23.4%, 23.4% (p < 0.01) in Groups A and B. Mortality correlated at univariable analysis with recipient age, body mass index, mechanical ventilation, APACHE IV score, and platelets number. At multivariable analysis only APACHE IV score (HR: 1.07 [1.05-1.09, 95% CI]) independently affected survival. CONCLUSIONS: The APACHE IV score represents a powerful predictor of survival in patients bridged to HTx on ECMO support, and could guide candidacy of patients on ECMO.

Metabolic Syndrome and Heart Transplantation: An Underestimated Risk Factor?

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), a multifactorial condition that increases the risk of cardio-vascular events, is frequent in Heart-transplant (HTx) candidates and worsens with immunosuppressive therapy. The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of MetS on long-term outcome of HTx patients. Since 2007, 349 HTx patients were enrolled. MetS was diagnosed if patients met revised NCEP-ATP III criteria before HTx, at 1, 5 and 10 years of follow-up. MetS was present in 35% of patients pre-HTx and 47% at 1 year follow-up. Five-year survival in patients with both pre-HTx (65% vs. 78%, p < 0.01) and 1 year follow-up MetS (78% vs 89%, p < 0.01) was worst. At the univariate analysis, risk factors for mortality were pre-HTx MetS (HR 1.86, p < 0.01), hypertension (HR 2.46, p < 0.01), hypertriglyceridemia (HR 1.50, p=0.03), chronic renal failure (HR 2.95, p < 0.01), MetS and diabetes at 1 year follow-up (HR 2.00, p < 0.01; HR 2.02, p < 0.01, respectively). MetS at 1 year follow-up determined a higher risk to develop Coronary allograft vasculopathy at 5 and 10 year follow-up (25% vs 14% and 44% vs 25%, p < 0.01). MetS is an important risk factor for both mortality and morbidity post-HTx, suggesting the need for a strict monitoring of metabolic disorders with a careful nutritional follow-up in HTx patients.

Femoral arterial cannulation for surgical repair of stanford type A aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: The benefits and harms associated with femoral artery cannulation over other sites of arterial cannulation for surgical repair of acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (TAAD) are not conclusively established. METHODS: We evaluated the outcomes after surgery for TAAD using femoral artery cannulation, supra-aortic arterial cannulation (i.e., innominate/subclavian/axillary artery cannulation), and direct aortic cannulation. RESULTS: 3751 (96.1%) patients were eligible for this analysis. In-hospital mortality using supra-aortic arterial cannulation was comparable to femoral artery cannulation (17.8% vs. 18.4%; adjusted OR 0.846, 95% CI 0.799-1.202). This finding was confirmed in 1028 propensity score-matched pairs of patients with supra-aortic arterial cannulation or femoral artery cannulation (17.5% vs. 17.0%, p = 0.770). In-hospital mortality after direct aortic cannulation was lower compared to femoral artery cannulation (14.0% vs. 18.4%, adjusted OR 0.703, 95% CI 0.529-0.934). Among 583 propensity score-matched pairs of patients, direct aortic cannulation was associated with lower rates of in-hospital mortality (13.4% vs. 19.6%, p = 0.004) compared to femoral artery cannulation. Switching of the primary site of arterial cannulation was associated with increased rate of in-hospital mortality (36.5% vs. 17.0%; adjusted OR 2.730, 95% CI 1.564-4.765). Ten-year mortality was similar in the study cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the outcomes of surgery for TAAD using femoral arterial cannulation were comparable to those using supra-aortic arterial cannulation. However, femoral arterial cannulation was associated with higher in-hospital mortality than direct aortic cannulation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov registration code: NCT04831073.

Ice-cold storage or controlled hypothermia to preserve marginal grafts in high-risk heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Paragonix SherpaPak cardiac transport system (PSP) compared to the standard ice-cold storage (ICS) in extended-criteria donor grafts implanted in high-risk recipients. METHODS: Data of all HTx at the University Centers of Udine and Bologna, between January 2020 and December 2023, employing extended-criteria donors in high-risk HTx conditions were retrospectively analyzed. Patient outcomes and complications after HTx were assessed. Endomyocardial biopsies were performed in donor hearts immediately after retrieval (T0), before implantation (T1) and at reperfusion (T2) to evaluate signs of myocardial damage. RESULTS: Overall, 90 patients who had heart transplantation (HTx) with a donor graft preserved with either ICS (n = 60) or PSP (n = 30) were included in the study. The 30-day mortality was 3% in both groups (p = 0.99), and 1-year survival 90% and 88% (p = 0.89) for recipients transplanted with PSP and ICS preserved grafts. Rates of moderate-to-severe graft dysfunction and bradi-arrhythmias for PSP and ICS groups were 7% versus 20% (p = 0.08), and 3% versus 15% (p = 0.09). Histologically, severe degrees of cellular and endothelial damage were absent in all PSP grafts while severe degree of contraction bands were higher in ICS hearts at T2. CONCLUSIONS: In high-risk donor-recipient matching, donor heart preservation with PSP seems to show a tendency toward better graft protection.

Artificial Neochordae for Tricuspid Valve Repair in Adults: A Review.

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) neochordae are predominantly used for mitral valve repair (MVr), while the frequency of their employment in tricuspid valve surgery is not well assessed. We have performed a review of the available literature to verify incidence, indications, techniques, and outcomes of the use of artificial neochordae in a variety of tricuspid valve pathologies. We found a total of 57 articles reporting the use of ePTFE sutures in patients in whom tricuspid valve repair (TVr) was performed. From such articles, adequate information on the basic disease, surgical techniques, and outcomes could be obtained in 45 patients in whom the indication to the use of neochordae was posttraumatic tricuspid regurgitation (n = 24), infective endocarditis (n = 8), congenital valvular disease (n = 6), valve injury during cardiac neoplasm excision (n = 3) or following repeated endomyocardial biopsies after heart transplantation (n = 3), and tricuspid valve prolapse (n = 1). Implant techniques generally replicated those currently employed for MVr using artificial neochordae. There were no reported hospital deaths with stability of repair in most cases at follow-up controls. TVr using ePTFE neochordae has been reported so far in a limited number of patients. Nevertheless, it appears a feasible and reproducible technique to be added routinely to the surgical armamentarium during TVr.

Current Outcome after Surgery for Type A Aortic Dissection.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of different surgical strategies for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (TAAD). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The optimal extent of aortic resection during surgery for acute TAAD is controversial. METHODS: This is a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent surgery for acute TAAD at 18 European hospitals. RESULTS: Out of 3902 consecutive patients, 689 (17.7%) died during the index hospitalization. Among 2855 patients who survived 3 months after surgery, 10-year observed survival was 65.3%, while country-adjusted, age-adjusted, and sex-adjusted expected survival was 81.3%, yielding a relative survival of 80.4%. Among 558 propensity score-matched pairs, total aortic arch replacement increased the risk of in-hospital (21.0% vs. 14.9%, P =0.008) and 10-year mortality (47.1% vs. 40.1%, P =0.001), without decreasing the incidence of distal aortic reoperation (10-year: 8.9% vs. 7.4%, P =0.690) compared with ascending aortic replacement. Among 933 propensity score-matched pairs, in-hospital mortality (18.5% vs. 18.0%, P =0.765), late mortality (at 10-year: 44.6% vs. 41.9%, P =0.824), and cumulative incidence of proximal aortic reoperation (at 10-year: 4.4% vs. 5.9%, P =0.190) after aortic root replacement was comparable to supracoronary aortic replacement. CONCLUSIONS: Replacement of the aortic root and aortic arch did not decrease the risk of aortic reoperation in patients with TAAD and should be performed only in the presence of local aortic injury or aneurysm. The relative survival of TAAD patients is poor and suggests that the causes underlying aortic dissection may also impact late mortality despite surgical repair of the dissected aorta.

The impact of the distance between patient residency and heart transplant center on outcomes after heart transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Heart transplant (HTx) recipients require continuous monitoring and care in order to prevent and treat possible complications related to the graft function or to the immunosuppressive treatment promptly. Since heart transplantation centers (HTC) are more experienced in managing HTx recipients than other healthcare facilities, the distance between patient residency and HTC could negatively affect the outcomes. METHODS: Data of patients discharged after receiving HTx between 2000 and 2021, collected into our institutional database, were retrospectively analyzed. The population was divided into three groups: A (n = 180), B (n = 157), and C (n = 134), according to the distance tertiles between patient residency and HTC. The primary end-point was survival, secondary end-points were incidences of complications. RESULTS: Recipient and donor characteristics did not differ between the three groups. Survival at 10 years was 66 ± 4%, 66 ± 4%, and 65 ± 5%, respectively, for groups A, B, and C (p = .34). Immunosuppressive regimen and rate of complications did not differ between groups. However, the rates of outpatient visits and of hospitalization performed at HTC were higher in group A than others. CONCLUSION: Distance from the HTC does not represent a barrier to a successful outcome for HTx recipients, as long as regular and continuous follow-up is provided.

Corrigendum: Five-Year Outcome After Continuous Flow LVAD With Full-Magnetic (HeartMate 3) Versus Hybrid Levitation System (HeartWare): A Propensity-Score Matched Study From an All-Comers Multicentre Registry.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/ti.2023.11675.].

Heart Transplantation in High-Risk Recipients Employing Donor Marginal Grafts Preserved With Ex-Vivo Perfusion.

Extending selection criteria to face donor organ shortage in heart transplantation (HTx) may increase the risk of mortality. Ex-vivo normothermic perfusion (EVP) limits ischemic time allowing assessment of graft function. We investigated the outcome of HTx in 80 high-risk recipients transplanted with marginal donor and EVP-preserved grafts, from 2016 to 2021. The recipients median age was 57 years (range, 13-75), with chronic renal failure in 61%, impaired liver function in 11% and previous cardiac surgery in 90%; 80% were mechanically supported. Median RADIAL score was 3. Mean graft ischemic time was 118 ± 25 min, "out-of-body" time 420 ± 66 min and median cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time 228 min (126-416). In-hospital mortality was 11% and ≥moderate primary graft dysfunction 16%. At univariable analysis, CPB time and high central venous pressure were risk factors for mortality. Actuarial survival at 1 and 3 years was 83% ± 4%, and 72% ± 7%, with a median follow-up of 16 months (range 2-43). Recipient and donor ages, pre-HTx extracorporeal life support and intra-aortic balloon pump were risk factors for late mortality. In conclusion, the use of EVP allows extension of the graft pool by recruitment of marginal donors to successfully perform HTx even in high-risk recipients.

Five-Year Outcome After Continuous Flow LVAD With Full-Magnetic (HeartMate 3) Versus Hybrid Levitation System (HeartWare): A Propensity-Score Matched Study From an All-Comers Multicentre Registry.

Despite the withdrawal of the HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD), hundreds of patients are still supported with this continuous-flow pump, and the long-term management of these patients is still under debate. This study aims to analyse 5 years survival and freedom from major adverse events in patients supported by HVAD and HeartMate3 (HM3). From 2010 to 2022, the MIRAMACS Italian Registry enrolled all-comer patients receiving a LVAD support at seven Cardiac Surgery Centres. Out of 447 LVAD implantation, 214 (47.9%) received HM3 and 233 (52.1%) received HVAD. Cox-regression analysis adjusted for major confounders showed an increased risk for mortality (HR 1.5 [1.2-1.9]; p = 0.031), for both ischemic stroke (HR 2.08 [1.06-4.08]; p = 0.033) and haemorrhagic stroke (HR 2.6 [1.3-4.9]; p = 0.005), and for pump thrombosis (HR 25.7 [3.5-188.9]; p < 0.001) in HVAD patients. The propensity-score matching analysis (130 pairs of HVAD vs. HM3) confirmed a significantly lower 5 years survival (81.25% vs. 64.1%; p 0.02), freedom from haemorrhagic stroke (90.5% vs. 70.1%; p < 0.001) and from pump thrombosis (98.5% vs. 74.7%; p < 0.001) in HVAD cohort. Although similar perioperative outcome, patients implanted with HVAD developed a higher risk for mortality, haemorrhagic stroke and thrombosis during 5 years of follow-up compared to HM3 patients.

Direct Aortic Versus Supra-Aortic Arterial Cannulation During Surgery for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

AIMS: In this study we evaluated the impact of direct aortic cannulation versus innominate/subclavian/axillary artery cannulation on the outcome after surgery for type A aortic dissection. METHODS: The outcomes of patients included in a multicenter European registry (ERTAAD) who underwent surgery for acute type A aortic dissection with direct aortic cannulation versus those with innominate/subclavian/axillary artery cannulation, i.e. supra-aortic arterial cannulation, were compared using propensity score matched analysis. RESULTS: Out of 3902 consecutive patients included in the registry, 2478 (63.5%) patients were eligible for this analysis. Direct aortic cannulation was performed in 627 (25.3%) patients, while supra-aortic arterial cannulation in 1851 (74.7%) patients. Propensity score matching yielded 614 pairs of patients. Among them, patients who underwent surgery for TAAD with direct aortic cannulation had significantly decreased in-hospital mortality (12.7% vs. 18.1%, p = 0.009) compared to those who had supra-aortic arterial cannulation. Furthermore, direct aortic cannulation was associated with decreased postoperative rates of paraparesis/paraplegia (2.0 vs. 6.0%, p < 0.0001), mesenteric ischemia (1.8 vs. 5.1%, p = 0.002), sepsis (7.0 vs. 14.2%, p < 0.0001), heart failure (11.2 vs. 15.2%, p = 0.043), and major lower limb amputation (0 vs. 1.0%, p = 0.031). Direct aortic cannulation showed a trend toward decreased risk of postoperative dialysis (10.1 vs. 13.7%, p = 0.051). CONCLUSIONS: This multicenter cohort study showed that direct aortic cannulation compared to supra-aortic arterial cannulation is associated with a significant reduction of the risk of in-hospital mortality after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04831073.

Extracorporeal life support in mitral papillary muscle rupture: Outcome of multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Post-acute myocardial infarction papillary muscle rupture (post-AMI PMR) may present variable clinical scenarios and degree of emergency due to result of cardiogenic shock. Veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (V-A ECLS) has been proposed to improve extremely poor pre- or postoperative conditions. Information in this respect is scarce. METHODS: From the CAUTION (meChanical complicAtion of acUte myocardial infarcTion: an InternatiOnal multiceNter cohort study) database (16 different Centers, data from 2001 to 2018), we extracted adult patients who were surgically treated for post-AMI PMR and underwent pre- or/and postoperative V-A ECLS support. The end-points of this study were in-hospital survival and ECLS complications. RESULTS: From a total of 214 post-AMI PMR patients submitted to surgery, V-A ECLS was instituted in 23 (11%) patients. The median age was 61.7 years (range 46-81 years). Preoperatively, ECLS was commenced in 10 patients (43.5%), whereas intra/postoperative in the remaining 13. The most common V-A ECLS indication was post-cardiotomy shock, followed by preoperative cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest. The median duration of V-A ECLS was 4 days. V-A ECLS complications occurred in more than half of the patients. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 39.2% (9/23), compared to 22% (42/219) for the non-ECLS group. CONCLUSIONS: In post-AMI PMR patients, V-A ECLS was used in almost 10% of the patients either to promote bridge to surgery or as postoperative support. Further investigations are required to better evaluate a potential for increased use and its effects of V-A ECLS in such a context based on the still high perioperative mortality.

Distal Reoperations after Repair of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection-Incidence, Causes and Outcomes.

Background and Aim of the Study: In patients with acute type A aortic dissection (A-AAD) whether initial repair should include also aortic arch replacement is still debated. We aimed to assess if extensive aortic repair prevents from reoperations patients with A-AAD. Methods: Outcomes after distal reoperation following repair of A-AAD (n = 285; 1977 to 2018) were analysed in 22 of 226 who underwent ascending aorta/hemiarch replacement (Group 1 R ) and 7 of 59 who had ascending aorta/arch replacement (Group 2 R ). Results: Distal reoperation was more common in Group 1 R (n = 22) than in Group 2 R (n = 0) (p < 0.001) while thoracic endovascular stenting was more frequent in Group 2 R (7 vs 3, p < 0.001). Indications for reoperation were pseudoaneurysm at distal anastomosis (n = 4, 18%) and progression of aortic dissection (n = 18, 82%) in Group 1 R . Indication for thoracic endovascular stenting was progressive aortic dissection in 3 patients of Group 1 R and in 6 of Group 2 R . Second reoperation was required in 2 patients from Group 1 R (2%) during a mean follow-up of 5 years. Median follow-up was 4 years in Group 1 R and 7 years in Group 2 R (p = 0.36). Hospital mortality was 14% in Group 1 R and 0% in Group 2 R (p = 0.3). Actuarial survival is 68 ± 10%, and 62 ± 11% for Group 1 R and 100% for Group 2 R at 5 and 10 years (p = 0.076). Conclusions: Distal reoperations after A-AAD repair have an acceptable mortality. An extensive initial repair has lower rate of reoperation and better mid-term survival and should be indicated especially for young patients in experienced centers.

Left subclavian artery as an alternative site for left ventricular assist device outflow graft in challenging situations.

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has emerged as an effective surgical therapy for end-stage heart failure. In an attempt to reduce invasiveness and avoid difficult sternal re-entries, alternative surgical approaches have been adopted. In particular, when the thoracic aorta is severely diseased or difficult to expose, subclavian arteries could serve as site for outflow graft anastomosis. However, major concerns regarding the utilization of subclavian arteries are the small caliber of these vessels that could lead to inadequate LVAD flow, arm complications related to excessive blood flow, and possible outflow graft compression. In the present case series, we describe an innovative technique for LVAD implantation, in which the left subclavian artery was employed as an outflow graft anastomosis site, and the left ventricular apex was approached through a mini-thoracotomy. Technical issues were considered to prevent possible complications: the adequacy of left subclavian artery diameter, the banding of the artery distal to the anastomosis site to limit left arm overflow, and the outflow graft covering with a reinforced vascular graft to avoid any external compression. During follow-up, the technique reported was found to be effective in ensuring good LVAD function and flow, and no complications related to the procedure were reported.

Artificial chordae for mitral valve repair.

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve repair using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sutures to replace mitral chordae tendineae is a well-established procedure. However, the incidence of neo-chordae failure causing recurrent mitral regurgitation is not well defined. METHODS: We have reviewed the reported cases of complications after mitral valve repair related to the use of neo-chordae. This study was mainly carried out through PubMed, Medline, and Google Chrome websites. RESULTS: We have identified a total of 26 patients presenting with rupture of polytetrafluoroethylene neo-chordae, mostly being described as isolated cases. Few other cases of recurrent mitral regurgitation with hemolysis were found, where reoperation was not caused by neo-chordal failure but most likely by technical errors. At pathological investigation the findings were substantially similar in all reported cases. The neo-chordae retained their length and pliability, became covered with host tissue and rupture was mainly related to suture size. Mild calcification was observed not interfering with chordal function; chordal infection did never occur. CONCLUSIONS: The use of artificial neo-chordae provides excellent late results with durable mitral valve repair stability. Chordal rupture may occur late postoperatively leading to reoperation because of recurrent mitral regurgitation. Despite its rarity, this potential complication should not be overlooked during follow-up of patients after mitral valve repair using artificial neo-chordae.

Prognostic value of SARS-CoV-2 on patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze Italian Cardiac Surgery experience during the pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) identifying risk factors for overall mortality according to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) status. METHODS: From February 20 to May 31, 2020, 1354 consecutive adult patients underwent cardiac surgery at 22 Italian Centers; 589 (43.5%), patients came from the red zone. Based on COVID-19 status, 1306 (96.5%) were negative to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-N), and 48 (3.5%) were positive to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-P); among the COVID-P 11 (22.9%) and 37 (77.1%) become positive, before and after surgery, respectively. Surgical procedures were as follows: 396 (29.2%) isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 714 (52.7%) isolated non-CABG procedures, 207 (15.3%) two associate procedures, and three or more procedures in 37 (2.7%). Heart failure was significantly predominant in group COVID-N (10.4% vs. 2.5%, p = .01). RESULTS: Overall in-hospital mortality was 1.6% (22 cases), being significantly higher in COVID-P group (10 cases, 20.8% vs. 12, 0.9%, p < .001). Multivariable analysis identified COVID-P condition as a predictor of in-hospital mortality together with emergency status. In the COVID-P subgroup, the multivariable analysis identified increasing age and low oxygen saturation at admission as risk factors for in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: As expected, SARS-CoV-2 infection, either before or soon after cardiac surgery significantly increases in-hospital mortality. Moreover, among COVID-19-positive patients, older age and poor oxygenation upon admission seem to be associated with worse outcomes.

Gram-negative bacteria as a cause of mediastinitis after cardiac surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Poststernotomy mediastinitis (PSM) remains a serious infection and is significantly associated with high morbidity, short-term and long-term mortality. Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) are an underestimated cause of PSM, and there is little information on the risk factors, prevention, diagnosis and management of GNB PSM. RECENT FINDINGS: The pathogenesis of PSM is the result of a complex and multifactorial interplay between intraoperative wound contamination, host-related and surgical host factors but GNB are probably mostly translocated from other host site infections. GNB are frequent cause of PSM (18-38% of cases) and GNB PSM have shown to more frequently polymicrobial (20-44%). GNG PSM has shown to occur earlier than Gram-positive PSM. Early diagnosis is crucial to successful treatment. The management of PSM needs a combination of culture-directed antimicrobial therapy and an early extensive surgical debridement with either immediate or delayed closure of the sternal space. Antibiotic treatment choice and duration should be based on clinical evaluation, evolution of inflammatory markers, microbiological tests and imaging studies. Mortality has shown to be significantly higher with GNB PSM compared with other causes and the inappropriateness of initial antibiotic therapy may explain the worse outcome of GNB PSM. SUMMARY: GNB PSM is usually undervalued in the setting of PSM and have shown to be a frequent cause of inappropriate treatment with adverse prognostic potential. There is a need for efforts to improve knowledge to prevent and adequately treat GNB PSM.

Influence of donor-transmitted coronary artery disease on long-term outcomes after heart transplantation - a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is an important cause of late mortality after heart transplantation, which may be influenced by preexisting coronary disease (CAD) in the donor heart. METHODS: The aim of this study was to verify whether CAD in the donor heart had any influence on survival, cardiac-related adverse events (CRAEs), and coronary disease progression after transplantation. Donor coronary angiography performed in 289 hearts showed absence of CAD in 232 (no-CAD group) and moderate (≤50%) stenoses (CAD group) in 57. The 2 groups were compared for survival, freedom from CRAEs, and development of grade ≥ 2 CAV after transplantation. RESULTS: Of 30-day mortality and postoperative complication rate was similar as mean follow-up (76 ± 56 and 75 ± 55 months) for no-CAD and CAD (P = 0.8). Ten-year actuarial survival was 58 ± 4% and 62 ± 7% for no-CAD and CAD (P = 0.4). Ten-year freedom from grade ≥ 2 CAV and from CRAEs was 81 ± 4% and 66 ± 5% vs 75 ± 8% and 67 ± 9% in no-CAD and CAD (P = 0.9 and 0.9, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Donor hearts with moderate CAD did not affect survival, freedom from CRAEs and did not accelerate development of high-grade CAV after transplantation supporting the use of such grafts to expand the donor pool. Routine use of coronary angiography in donor selection appears justified.