Hematopoietic Somatic Mosaicism Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: On-pump cardiac surgery triggers sterile inflammation and postoperative complications such as postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). Hematopoietic somatic mosaicism (HSM) is a recently identified risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and results in a shift toward a chronic proinflammatory monocyte transcriptome and phenotype. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, characteristics, and impact of HSM on preoperative blood and myocardial myeloid cells as well as on outcomes after cardiac surgery. METHODS: Blood DNA from 104 patients referred for surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) was genotyped using the HemePACT panel (576 genes). Four screening methods were applied to assess HSM, and postoperative outcomes were explored. In-depth blood and myocardial leukocyte phenotyping was performed in selected patients using mass cytometry and preoperative and postoperative RNA sequencing analysis of classical monocytes. RESULTS: The prevalence of HSM in the patient cohort ranged from 29%, when considering the conventional HSM panel (97 genes) with variant allelic frequencies ≥2%, to 60% when considering the full HemePACT panel and variant allelic frequencies ≥1%. Three of 4 explored HSM definitions were significantly associated with higher risk for POAF. On the basis of the most inclusive definition, HSM carriers exhibited a 3.5-fold higher risk for POAF (age-adjusted OR: 3.5; 95% CI: 1.52-8.03; P = 0.003) and an exaggerated inflammatory response following AVR. HSM carriers presented higher levels of activated CD64+CD14+CD16- circulating monocytes and inflammatory monocyte-derived macrophages in presurgery myocardium. CONCLUSIONS: HSM is frequent in candidates for AVR, is associated with an enrichment of proinflammatory cardiac monocyte-derived macrophages, and predisposes to a higher incidence of POAF. HSM assessment may be useful in the personalized management of patients in the perioperative period. (Post-Operative Myocardial Incident & Atrial Fibrillation [POMI-AF]; NCT03376165).

David Procedure: A 21-year Experience With 300 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Valve-sparing aortic root replacement with the David procedure is an alternative to the Bentall procedure in patients with aortic root aneurysm. The aim of this study was to describe our long-term experience with this technique and the predictive factors of late failure. METHODS: Between January 1998 and August 2019, 300 consecutive patients underwent a David procedure. Clinical and echocardiographic early- and long-term outcomes were analyzed. Median follow-up was 7.0 years (range, 4.1-11.5), with 98.3% complete. RESULTS: Early mortality was 1%. No early valve-related reoperations occurred. There were 9 cardiac-related deaths and 22 reinterventions (19 valve-related). All patients survived reoperation. In 3 patients reintervention consisted of transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Overall survival rates were 95.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 92.0-97.2), 91.1% (95% CI, 86.5-94.2), and 82.9% (95% CI, 75.3-88.4) at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. Freedom from postoperative aortic insufficiency (AI) grade ≥ 2 was 84.8% (95% CI, 79.9-88.6) and 74.3% (95% CI, 67.4-79.9) at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Freedom from reintervention for aortic valve disease was 97.1% (95% CI, 94.2-98.5), 92.9% (95% CI, 88.2-95.7), and 92.5% (95% CI, 87.1-95.7) at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. Preoperative AI ≥ 2 (hazard ratio, 1.782; 95% CI, 1.352-2.350) and a ventriculoaortic junction ≥ 29 mm (hazard ratio, 3.379; 95% CI, 1.726-6.616) were predictive factors for postoperative AI ≥ 2 in a multivariate analysis (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative AI ≥ 2 and a ventriculoaortic junction ≥ 29 mm were identified as risk factors for late postoperative AI ≥ 2.

Tricuspid annuloplasty ring for external support of right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduit.

We describe the use of a rigid tricuspid annuloplasty ring as an external support to avoid compression of a right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduit.

Pulmonary Valve Replacement and Redo Pulmonary Valve Replacement via Ministernotomy.

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery is mainly dedicated to acquired left-sided valve diseases. Ministernotomy is widely used for aortic valve repair or replacement, whereas pulmonary valve repair via this approach has been reported only recently. This article aims to describe the use of ministernotomy for pulmonary valve replacement in adult congenital patients.

Heart Transplantation After Acute Aortic Dissection in an Adolescent With Marfan Syndrome.

This report presents the case of a 14-year-old patient with clinical features of Marfan syndrome who underwent an emergency Bentall procedure for acute type A aortic dissection. The patient required postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and was listed for heart transplantation because of persistent left ventricular failure caused by an intimal tear and thrombosis of the left main coronary artery. Heart transplantation was performed 5 days after the first procedure, and the patient was discharged 60 days after admission.

Neopulmonary Venous Confluence for Heart Transplantation With Giant Left Atrium.

Heart transplantation in a recipient with giant left atrium is rare. To correct the mismatch between recipient and donor at the level of the left atrium, plication of the left atrium has been proposed. We report a case in which plication was not feasible owing to significant calcification of the left atrial wall and tight pericardial adhesions resulting from two previous sternotomies. Creating a pulmonary venous confluence allows orthotopic heart transplantation with any size of left atrium and conformation of pulmonary veins in cases of significant calcification or redo sternotomy.

Aortic morphology post type A acute aortic syndrome: Prognosis significance and association with 24-hour blood pressure-monitoring parameters.

BACKGROUND: After an emergent surgery for type A acute aortic syndrome, medical management is based on optimal blood pressure (BP) control. We assessed the prognostic significance of BP monitoring and its relationship with aortic morphology following type A acute aortic syndrome. METHODS: The data of 120 patients who underwent BP monitoring after a type A acute aortic syndrome from January 2005 to June 2016 were retrospectively collected. The first CT angiogram performed after surgery was used for the morphological analysis. RESULTS: The population included 79 males, with an overall mean age of 60 ± 12 years. Seven patients (5.8%) died during a median follow-up of 5.5 years. The median delay between BP monitoring and discharge was 3 (1-5) months. The mean 24-hour BP of the cohort was 127/73 mm Hg ± 10/17. During follow-up, different parameters of BP monitoring were not associated with the risk of aortic events. However, the diameter of the false lumen of the descending thoracic aorta was the best predictor associated with the risk of new aortic events during follow-up, particularly for the threshold of 28 mm or more (P < .001; Hazard ratio 4.7[2.7-8.2]). The diameter of the false lumen was associated with night-time systolic BP (P = .025; r = .2), 24-hour pulse pressure (P = .002; r = .28), and night-time pulse pressure (P = .008; r = .24). CONCLUSION: The risk of new aortic events following type A acute aortic syndrome is associated with the size of the residual false lumen, but not directly with BP parameters. Night-time BP parameters are associated with the size of the residual false lumen.

Active Aortic Endocarditis in Young Adults: Long-term Results of the Ross Procedure.

BACKGROUND: The best valvular substitute remains controversial in young adults with active aortic valve endocarditis. The Ross procedure has gained interest because of its theoretical resistance to infection. We aimed to report our long-term outcomes of the Ross procedure in this indication. METHODS: Between March 1992 and January 2019, 511 patients underwent a Ross procedure in our institution. Among them, we included 38 patients who suffered from an active aortic valve infective endocarditis. The mean age was 33.9 ± 8.1 years. Six patients had emergent procedures and 17 patients had perivalvular involvement. A pulmonary autograft was implanted using the full root technique in 78.9% of patients. Median follow-up was 12 (interquartile range, 1.75-16.25) years. RESULTS: The hospital mortality rate was 5.3%. Estimated overall survival was 84.2% ± 6.6% at 10 years. There were 2 cases of recurrent endocarditis, both requiring reoperation. Six other patients required reoperation on an autograft or homograft. Estimated freedom from recurrent endocarditis or reoperation was 89.4% ± 5.9% at 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: In experienced centers, the Ross procedure is a reliable alternative to prosthetic or homograft valve replacement in young adults experiencing active aortic valve endocarditis, with a low operative risk and good long-term results.

A Review of the Management of Pulmonary Atresia, Ventricular Septal Defect, and Major Aortopulmonary Collateral Arteries.

BACKGROUND: The management of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD) and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs) has significantly changed over the past 20 years. Unifocalization and rehabilitation have been described as diametrically opposed strategies. An updated review focused on the management of this complex and rare condition is needed. METHODS: Articles related to PA/VSD/MAPCAs issued until December 2017 were screened. Twelve main studies published in the modern era (since 2000) were selected and analyzed. RESULTS: Unifocalization and rehabilitation respectively focus on the mobilization of collateral arteries and the growth of native pulmonary vessels. A third strategy, called "combined strategy," was distinguished from the review of the literature. Surgical cohorts and methods of data reporting were found to be heterogenous. Outcomes, regardless of the strategy, have transformed the natural history of the condition, with a complete repair rate of approximately 80% and low rates of early and late mortality. Patients with the most unfavorable anatomy (absent central pulmonary arteries and hypoplastic MAPCAs) remain a challenge and are still left palliated. CONCLUSIONS: Variable surgical strategies are used in the management of PA/VSD/MAPCAs. Most teams report a repair rate of 70% to 80% and a mortality rate lower than 10%. Standardization in data reporting is necessary to better compare the existing strategies.

Patients With Systemic Right Ventricle Are at Higher Risk of Chylothorax After Cavopulmonary Connections.

BACKGROUND: Chylothorax is a rare but severe complication after pediatric cardiac surgical procedures and is related to significant morbidity and mortality. It is suspected to be more frequent after single-ventricle staged palliation procedures, but focused studies on chylothorax in patients with univentricular heart physiology are scarce. METHODS: From January 2008 to December 2016, a total of 289 patients underwent 376 cavopulmonary connection (CPC) procedures over 9 years (superior cavopulmonary connection [SCPC], 199; Fontan completion, 177). Patients were classified according to whether they had a chylothorax (group 1) or not (group 2). Chylothorax was confirmed on a pleural fluid test. RESULTS: The rate of chylothorax after a CPC procedure was 19.7% (74 of 376): 15.6% after SCPC and 24.3% after Fontan completion. Mean follow-up was 4.3 ± 0.1 years. Systemic right ventricle was more frequent in group 1 than in group 2 (64.9% vs 46%, respectively; p = 0.003). Chylothorax was associated with a higher rate of early reoperation (p = 0.001) and late failure of the CPC (p < 0.001). Late mortality was also more frequent in group 1 than in group 2 (17.6% vs 4.3%; p < 0.001). By multivariate analysis, having a systemic right ventricle was the only identified predictor for the development of chylothorax (odds ratio, 2.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 4.7; p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of chylothorax in patients undergoing the univentricular pathway procedure is higher than previously suggested. Having a systemic right ventricle is a significant risk factor for developing a chylothorax after a CPC.

The ordeal of left atrioventricular valve replacement in children under 1 year of age.

OBJECTIVES: This study reviews the outcomes of children under 1 year of age who had left atrioventricular valve (LAVV) replacement (LAVVR) in one centre and explores the benefits of an innovative approach for LAVVR in very small patients. METHODS: Thirteen consecutive patients operated for LAVV replacement between 1997 and 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. Indication for surgery was regurgitation in 7, stenosis in 5 and both stenosis and regurgitation in 1. Nine patients (69%) had previous LAVV repair. Median age at surgery was 126 days (39-327 days). In the primary surgery, 7 mechanical valves and 1 mitral homograft were implanted. Five inverted semilunar valve conduits were implanted consisting of a Contegra valve in 4 and a pulmonary homograft in 1. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 31% (4 of 13). Two patients required postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Six patients developed complete atrioventricular block, with 2 survivors requiring a pacemaker. Late mortality was 31% (4 of 13). Two of the 4 patients who received an inverted Contegra conduit died. Median follow-up of the 5 survivors was 4 years (2-16 years). Four patients had 10 further replacements consisting of 6 redo conventional mechanical valves replacement, 3 supra-annular valve implantation, and 1 modified Ross II. The 5 inverted semilunar valve conduits implanted lasted for 1, 5, 6, 22 and 37 months. CONCLUSIONS: LAVVR below 1 year of age is associated with a considerable operative and late mortality. LAVVR with an inverted conduit bearing semilunar valves may be an alternative strategy for patients with the smallest annuli.

Achievements and Limitations of a Strategy of Rehabilitation of Native Pulmonary Vessels in Pulmonary Atresia, Ventricular Septal Defect, and Major Aortopulmonary Collateral Arteries.

BACKGROUND: A strategy of rehabilitation for pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect, and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (PA/VSD/MAPCAs) comprises repetitive shunting and patching procedures of the central pulmonary arteries. We wanted to determine the feasibility and limitations of a strategy of rehabilitation. METHODS: The outcomes of 37 consecutive patients operated from June 2003 to December 2014 for PA/VSD/MAPCAs were reviewed. The patients were directed to a rehabilitation strategy, except when they presented in heart failure with very large collaterals. RESULTS: Four patients with very large MAPCAs underwent a one-stage repair with unifocalization of collateral vessels at a median age of 8.6 months. There was no mortality in this group after a median follow-up of 4.6 years. Following a strategy of staged rehabilitation, 33 patients had 2.01 ± 0.9 procedures before repair. Median age at primary shunting was 3.3 weeks (0.4 to 31.9 weeks). Repair rate was 73% (22 patients), at a median age of 1.7 years. Three patients (10%) were left palliated and 3 patients (10%) died. Median follow-up in this group was 4.5 years. Complementary procedures to the rehabilitation strategy consisted in pulmonary artery reconstruction in 25 patients (76%) and MAPCAs ligation in 7 patients (21%). Pulmonary balloon angioplasty was required in 12 patients (36%) and MAPCAs coil occlusion in 8 patients (24%). CONCLUSIONS: A strategy of rehabilitation can be implemented in almost 90% of the cases, with a low mortality rate. Following this strategy, 73% of the patients can be successfully repaired.

Acute rejection of a cryopreserved arterial homograft.

The use of arterial homograft is indicated especially in case of prosthetic graft infections after bypass surgery. We report the case of a patient who experienced the loss of a cryopreserved femoral artery caused by an acute rejection. This homograft had to be explanted 1 month after implantation because of an acute aneurysmal deterioration. Histology of the explanted artery showed inflammatory cells infiltration, pseudoaneurysms and necrosis. It was then replaced by a second cryopreserved femoral artery which is currently well tolerated. This first case of acute rejection of a cryopreserved artery, to our knowledge, raises again the question of the immunogenicity of cryopreserved homografts. The case report is followed by a brief discussion.