Association of 18F- fluorodeoxyglucose uptake with the expression of metabolism-related molecules in papillary thyroid cancer.

OBJECTIVES: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) is a diagnostic imaging method that is based on the Warburg effect, which is the increased uptake of glucose through aerobic glycolysis in cancer cells. The diagnostic value of 18F-FDG-PET/CT for thyroid cancer is controversial. However, uptake of 18F-FDG and the corresponding maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) is expected to reflect the metabolic status of cancer cells. In the present study, we sought to determine the relationship between 18F-FDG uptake and tumor metabolism- associated factors. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study. In the present study, SUVmax was compared with the expression of hexokinase 2 (HK2), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and glutaminase 1 (GLS1) in 41 patients with thyroid cancer. RESULTS: GLS1 expression was found to be moderately correlated with SUVmax (p < 0.001, r = 0.51), whereas HK2 and VEGF expression were weakly correlated (p = 0.011, r = 0.28, p = 0.008, r = 0.29, respectively) and GLUT1 did not correlate with SUVmax (p = 0.62, r = 0.06). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest 18F-FDG PET/CT reflects GLS1 expression in thyroid cancer and could be used to select suitable candidates for GLS1 inhibitor treatment.

Lymph node metastasis regulation by peritumoral tonsillar tissue mitochondria-related pathway activation in oropharyngeal cancer.

Immune-related gene expression profiles of peritumoral tonsillar tissues are modified by oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) nodal status. This study explored immunometabolism and immune cell count alterations in peritumoral tonsillar tissue according to OPC nodal status. Microarray data analysis of 27 peritumoral tonsillar tissue samples, using a newly generated mitochondrial metabolism-related gene set comprised of 948 genes, detected 228 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (206 up- and 22 downregulated) in metastasis-negative cases compared to metastasis-positive ones. REACTOME pathway analysis of the 206 upregulated genes revealed the Toll-like receptor 4 cascade were most enriched. Immune cell proportion analysis using the CIBERSORTx algorithm revealed a significantly higher rate of naïve B cells, but lower rates of regulatory T cells and resting natural killer cells in metastasis-negative cases. Digital spatial profiling of the 6 OPC tissues detected 9 DEGs in the lymphoid regions, in contrast, no DEGs were identified in tumor regions according to nodal status. Cancer cell nests and pair matched normal epithelia mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from 5 OPC tissues were analyzed by next generation sequencing for variant detection. However, no significant mtDNA variation was found. This study identified mitochondria-related immune cell transcriptional programs and immune cell profiles associated with OPC lymphatic spread in peritumoral tonsil tissue, further evaluation of which will elucidate targetable immune mechanisms associated with OPC lymphatic dissemination.

Peritumoral SPARC expression induced by exosomes from nasopharyngeal carcinoma infected Epstein-Barr virus: A poor prognostic marker.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells have high metastatic potential. Recent research has revealed that the interaction of between tumor cells and the surrounding stroma plays an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. In this study, we showed the prognostic value of expression of SPARC, an extracellular matrix protein with multiple cellular functions, in normal adjacent tissues (NAT) surrounding NPC. In the immunohistochemical analysis of 51 NPC biopsy specimens, SPARC expression levels were significantly elevated in the NAT of EBER (EBV-encoded small RNA)-positive NPC compared to that in the NAT of EBER-negative NPC. Moreover, increased SPARC expression in NAT was associated with a worsening of overall survival. The enrichment analysis of RNA-seq of publicly available NPC and NAT surrounding NPC data showed that high SPARC expression in NPC was associated with epithelial mesenchymal transition promotion, and there was a dynamic change in the gene expression profile associated with interference of cellular proliferation in NAT, including SPARC expression. Furthermore, EBV-positive NPC cells induce SPARC expression in normal nasopharyngeal cells via exosomes. Induction of SPARC in cancer-surrounding NAT cells reduced intercellular adhesion in normal nasopharyngeal structures and promoted cell competition between cancer cells and normal epithelial cells. These results suggest that epithelial cells loosen their own binding with the extracellular matrix as well as stromal cells, facilitating the invasion of tumor cells into the adjacent stroma by activating cell competition. Our findings reveal a new mechanism by which EBV creates a pro-metastatic microenvironment by upregulating SPARC expression in NPC.

Predicting postoperative delirium after cardiovascular surgeries from preoperative portable electroencephalography oscillations.

Introduction: Postoperative delirium (POD) is common and life-threatening, however, with intensive interventions, a potentially preventable clinical syndrome. Although electroencephalography (EEG) is a promising biomarker of delirium, standard 20-leads EEG holds difficulties for screening usage in clinical practice. Objective: We aimed to develop an accurate algorithm to predict POD using EEG data obtained from portable device. Methods: We recruited 128 patients who underwent scheduled cardiovascular surgery. Cognitive function assessments were conducted, and portable EEG recordings were obtained prior to surgery. Results: Among the patients, 47 (36.7%) patients with POD were identified and they did not significantly differ from patients without POD in sex ratio, age, cognitive function, or treatment duration of intensive care unit. However, significant differences were observed in the preoperative EEG power spectrum densities at various frequencies, especially gamma activity, between patients with and without POD. POD was successfully predicted using preoperative EEG data with a machine learning algorithm, yielding accuracy of 86% and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.93. Discussion: This study provides new insights into the objective and biological vulnerability to delirium. The developed algorithm can be applied in general hospitals without advanced equipment and expertise, thereby enabling the reduction of POD occurrences with intensive interventions for high-risk patients.

Development of postoperative delirium prediction models in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery using machine learning algorithms.

Associations between delirium and postoperative adverse events in cardiovascular surgery have been reported and the preoperative identification of high-risk patients of delirium is needed to implement focused interventions. We aimed to develop and validate machine learning models to predict post-cardiovascular surgery delirium. Patients aged ≥ 40 years who underwent cardiovascular surgery at a single hospital were prospectively enrolled. Preoperative and intraoperative factors were assessed. Each patient was evaluated for postoperative delirium 7 days after surgery. We developed machine learning models using the Bernoulli naive Bayes, Support vector machine, Random forest, Extra-trees, and XGBoost algorithms. Stratified fivefold cross-validation was performed for each developed model. Of the 87 patients, 24 (27.6%) developed postoperative delirium. Age, use of psychotropic drugs, cognitive function (Mini-Cog < 4), index of activities of daily living (Barthel Index < 100), history of stroke or cerebral hemorrhage, and eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) < 60 were selected to develop delirium prediction models. The Extra-trees model had the best area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.76 [standard deviation 0.11]; sensitivity: 0.63; specificity: 0.78). XGBoost showed the highest sensitivity (AUROC, 0.75 [0.07]; sensitivity: 0.67; specificity: 0.79). Machine learning algorithms could predict post-cardiovascular delirium using preoperative data.Trial registration: UMIN-CTR (ID; UMIN000049390).

Risk factors for atrial arrhythmia recurrence after atrial arrhythmia surgery with pulmonary valve replacement.

Objectives: Atrial arrhythmias are a significant cause of late morbidity and mortality in patients after tetralogy of Fallot repair. However, reports on their recurrence following atrial arrhythmia surgery are limited. We aimed to identify the risk factors for atrial arrhythmia recurrence after pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) and arrhythmia surgery. Methods: We reviewed 74 patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot who underwent PVR for pulmonary insufficiency at our hospital between 2003 and 2021. Twenty-two patients (mean age, 39 years) underwent PVR and atrial arrhythmia surgery. A modified Cox-maze III was performed in 6 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation, and a right-sided maze was performed in 12 with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, 3 with atrial flutter, and 1 with atrial tachycardia. Atrial arrhythmia recurrence was defined as any documented sustained atrial tachyarrhythmia requiring intervention. The influence of preoperative parameters on recurrence was assessed with the Cox proportional-hazards model. Results: The median follow-up period was 9.2 years (interquartile range, 4.5-12.4). Cardiac death and redo-PVR due to prosthetic valve dysfunction were not observed. Eleven patients had atrial arrhythmia recurrence after discharge. Atrial arrhythmia recurrence-free rates were 68% at 5 years and 51% at 10 years after PVR and arrhythmia surgery. Multivariable analysis revealed that right atrial volume index (hazard ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.08, P = .009) was a significant risk factor for atrial arrhythmia recurrence after arrhythmia surgery and PVR. Conclusions: Preoperative right atrial volume index was associated with atrial arrhythmia recurrence, which may assist in planning the timing of atrial arrhythmia surgery and PVR.

Pseudoaneurysm after aortopulmonary window repair and bilateral lung transplantation for eisenmenger syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Aortopulmonary window (APW) is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly characterized by communication between the main pulmonary artery and ascending aorta. There are various surgical techniques, and the short- and long-term results are excellent if the surgical repair is performed early in life. To our knowledge, there have been no reports of pseudoaneurysm after APW repair. Herein, we present a case of a 30-year-old woman with an ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm found at the site of APW repair nine months after the APW repair and bilateral lung transplantation. CASE PRESENTATIONS: A 30-year-old woman presented with APW and Eisenmenger syndrome. The patient underwent APW repair and bilateral lung transplantation. We transected the communication between the aorta and pulmonary artery and closed the aortic side directly with strips of felts. Nine months after the surgery, the patient complained of chest pain. Cardiac computed tomography revealed an ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm at the anastomotic site. Emergent graft replacement of the ascending aorta was performed and the postoperative course was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: We have presented a case of a pseudoaneurysm at the anastomotic site after APW repair and bilateral lung transplantation. The choice of surgical technique should be based on the patient's background requiring lung transplantation, and in these cases close postoperative follow-up is required.

Immune-Related Gene Expression Profile at Peritumoral Tonsillar Tissue Is Modified by Oropharyngeal Cancer Nodal Status.

Secondary lymphoid organs, such as lymph nodes and tonsils, serve as an interface between the immune system and tumor cells as an initial antigen-presentation site, crucial in antitumor immune response and disease progression. In oropharyngeal cancers originating from palatine tonsils, it was hypothesized that characterizing the immunologic process occurring in the peritumoral tonsil tissue would elucidate immune mechanisms of the lymphatic spread of the disease. A total of 33 patients were enrolled and divided into two cohorts. In Cohort 1 (6 patients), gene expression profiles at the peritumoral lymph regions and tumor regions were analyzed using the whole-transcriptome atlas. In the peritumoral lymph regions, 237 genes were up-regulated in metastasis-negative cases compared with metastasis-positive ones, but only 1 gene was up-regulated in tumor regions. In Cohort 2 (27 patients), microarray analysis of peritumoral tonsil tissue revealed 192 up-regulated genes. Gene ontology analysis revealed the significantly enriched Gene Ontology terms associated with T-cell activation; top 10 hub genes, as ranked by degree, were PTPRC, TLR4, CD80, CD40, STAT3, CD28, CD40LG, CD44, CCR7, and IL7R. Gene set enrichment analysis combined with principal component analysis were used to effectively classify patients as lymph node metastasis positive or negative. These findings suggest peritumoral tonsils as a potential target for investigating the immune mechanisms associated with the lymphatic spread of the disease in oropharyngeal cancers.

Cardiomyocyte deoxyribonucleic acid damage and cardiac recovery in paediatric dilated cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to identify the clinical significance of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage response marker, phosphorylated H2A histone variant X, on the bridge to recovery in low-weight paediatric patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) after having a Berlin Heart EXCOR implanted. METHODS: Consecutive paediatric patients with DCM who had an EXCOR implanted for DCM at our hospital between 2013 and 2021 were reviewed. Patients were classified into 2 groups according to the degree of DNA damage in the left ventricular cardiomyocytes-the low DNA damage group and the high DNA damage group-using the median value as the threshold. We examined and compared the preoperative factors and histologic findings associated with cardiac functional recovery following the explant procedure in the 2 groups. RESULTS: Competing outcome analysis of 18 patients (median body weight, 6.1 kg) showed that the incidence of an EXCOR explant was 40% at 1 year after the implant procedure. Serial echocardiography revealed significant left ventricular functional recovery in the low DNA damage group 3 months after the implant. The univariable Cox proportional hazards model revealed that the percentage of phosphorylated H2A histone variant X-positive cardiomyocytes was the significant factor associated with cardiac recovery and the EXCOR explant (hazard ratio, 0.16; 95% confidence interval, 0.027-0.51; P = 0.0096). CONCLUSIONS: The degree of DNA damage response to the EXCOR implant may aid in predicting the bridge to recovery with EXCOR among low-weight paediatric patients with DCM.

Mitochondrial Transfer Induced by Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Improves Cardiac Function in Rat Models of Ischemic Cardiomyopathy.

Although mesenchymal stem cell transplantation has been successful in the treatment of ischemic cardiomyopathy, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, we investigated whether mitochondrial transfer could explain the success of cell therapy in ischemic cardiomyopathy. Mitochondrial transfer in co-cultures of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and rat cardiomyocytes maintained under hypoxic conditions was examined. Functional recovery was monitored in a rat model of myocardial infarction following human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation. We observed mitochondrial transfer in vitro, which required the formation of cell-to-cell contacts and synergistically enhanced energy metabolism. Rat cardiomyocytes exhibited mitochondrial transfer 3 days following human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation to the ischemic heart surface post-myocardial infarction. We detected donor mitochondrial DNA in the recipient myocardium concomitant with a significant improvement in cardiac function. Mitochondrial transfer is vital for successful cell transplantation therapies and improves treatment outcomes in ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Univentricular Conversion for Acquired Severe Right Ventricular Failure.

In a 14-year-old boy, prolonged right ventricular (RV) dysfunction due to postmyocarditis cardiomyopathy developed, whereas left ventricular function recovered with conservative treatment. On catheterization, the RV end-diastolic volume index was 184 mL/m2, and mean pulmonary artery pressure was 16 mm Hg. Despite one-and-a-half ventricle repair, RV dilation continued to worsen; therefore, 3 years after the operation, RV exclusion and extracardiac total cavopulmonary connection were performed. Postoperatively, left ventricular function was maintained, and no further RV dilation was observed. Univentricular conversion may be an effective procedure for the treatment of acquired severe isolated right-sided heart failure.

Protein Farnesylation on Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Molecular Background and Its Potential as a Therapeutic Target.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated malignancies. NPC is highly metastatic compared to other head and neck carcinomas, and evidence has shown that the metastatic features of NPC are involved in EBV infection. The prognosis of advanced cases, especially those with distant metastasis, is still poor despite advancements in molecular research and its application to clinical settings. Thus, further advancement in basic and clinical research that may lead to novel therapeutic modalities is needed. Farnesylation is a lipid modification in the C-terminus of proteins. It enables proteins to attach to the lipid bilayer structure of cellular membranes. Farnesylation was initially identified as a key process of membrane association and activation of the RAS oncoprotein. Farnesylation is thus expected to be an ideal therapeutic target in anti-RAS therapy. Additionally, more and more molecular evidence has been reported, showing that proteins other than RAS are also farnesylated and have significant roles in cancer progression. However, although several clinical trials have been conducted in cancers with high rates of ras gene mutation, such as pancreatic carcinomas, the results were less favorable than anticipated. In contrast, favorable outcomes were reported in the results of a phase II trial on head and neck carcinoma. In this review, we provide an overview of the molecular pathogenesis of NPC in terms of the process of farnesylation and discuss the potential of anti-farnesylation therapy in the treatment of NPC.

Successful bridge to transplantation with long-term support using Berlin heart EXCOR in a child with failing Fontan.

A 2-year-old girl underwent the Fontan operation for aortic valve stenosis, mitral valve stenosis, a hypo-plastic left ventricle, and a non-compacted right ventricle. The patient's cardiac function reduced gradually thereafter, mainly due to systemic ventricular dysfunction. A Berlin Heart EXCOR (BHE) ventricular assist device with a 10-mL pump was implanted at 4 years of age. After 465 days, BHE support without major complications, the patient underwent heart transplantation. A safe and long-term BHE support was achieved with proper case selection and repeated examinations.

Estrogen induces the expression of EBV lytic protein ZEBRA, a marker of poor prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Several epidemiological studies have suggested that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) lytic infection is essential for the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), as the elevation of antibody titers against EBV lytic proteins is a common feature of NPC. Although ZEBRA protein is a key trigger for the initiation of lytic infection, whether its expression affects the prognosis and pathogenesis of NPC remains unclear. In this study, 64 NPC biopsy specimens were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. We found that ZEBRA was significantly associated with a worsening of progression-free survival in NPC (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-11.87; p = 0.037). Moreover, ZEBRA expression positively correlated with key endocrinological proteins, estrogen receptor α, and aromatase. The transcriptional level of ZEBRA is activated by estrogen in an estrogen receptor α-dependent manner, resulting in an increase in structural gene expression levels and extracellular virus DNA copy number in NPC cell lines, reminiscent of lytic infection. Interestingly, it did not suppress cellular proliferation or increase apoptosis, in contrast with cells treated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and sodium butyrate, indicating that viral production induced by estrogen is not a cell lytic phenomenon. Our results suggest that intratumoral estrogen overproduced by aromatase could induce ZEBRA expression and EBV reactivation, contributing to the progression of NPC.

EBV genome variations enhance clinicopathological features of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a non-endemic region.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is caused by infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and endemic in certain geographic regions. EBV lytic gene, BALF2, closely associates with viral reactivation and BALF2 gene variation, the H-H-H strain, causes NPC in endemic region, southern China. Here, we investigate whether such EBV variations also affect NPC in a non-endemic region, Japan. Viral genome sequencing with 47 EBV isolates of Japanese NPC were performed and compared with those of other EBV-associated diseases from Japan or NPC in Southern China. EBV genomes of Japanese NPC are different from those of other diseases in Japan or endemic NPC; Japanese NPC was not affected by the endemic strain (the BALF2 H-H-H) but frequently carried the type 2 EBV or the strain with intermediate risk of endemic NPC (the BALF2 H-H-L). Seven single nucleotide variations were specifically associated with Japanese NPC, of which six were present in both type 1 and 2 EBV genomes, suggesting the contribution of the type 2 EBV-derived haplotype. This observation was supported by a higher viral titer and stronger viral reactivation in NPC with either type 2 or H-H-L strains. Our results highlight the importance of viral strains and viral reactivation in the pathogenesis of non-endemic NPC.

A case of successful slide tracheoplasty for long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis in a neonate with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia and Fallot's tetralogy.

BACKGROUND: Congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) is a rare and life-threatening airway disorder, which is often associated with cardiac malformations. Among them, neonatal symptomatic CTS with cardiac malformations has an extremely poor prognosis. In contrast to cardiac malformation, congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) has rarely been associated with CTS. We report a neonatal case in which slide tracheoplasty and intracardiac repair were performed simultaneously for CTS and Fallot's tetralogy (TOF). CASE PRESENTATION: An infant with left CDH and Fallot's tetralogy (TOF) was born by cesarean section at 38 weeks of gestation. At the time of resuscitation, a 2.5 mm (ID) endotracheal tube could only be inserted just below the vocal cords. After repairing the CDH at 3 days of age, planned extubation was performed at 7 days of age. However, the patient required re-intubation due to life-threatening episodes after 2 days of the extubation. Enhanced CT revealed a long segment CTS from the upper trachea to the right bronchus (length of stenosis: 40 mm, minimum inner diameter: 2 mm). At 24 days of age, veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was introduced due to severe respiratory failure. At 28 days of age, slide tracheoplasty and palliative right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction (RVOTR) was performed with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). After tracheoplasty, a 3.5 mm tracheal (ID) tube could be placed in the reconstructed trachea in a patient with CTS. ECMO was completed 7 days after the operation. On the 17th day after the operation, he was extubated successfully. He was discharged 5 months after birth with home oxygenation therapy. CONCLUSIONS: We reported the successful simultaneous correction of slide tracheoplasty and palliative RVOTR for a neonate with CDH. ECMO was used for respiratory management before and after surgery.

Clinical significance of diastolic dysfunction on outcomes of pulmonary valve replacement for pulmonary insufficiency.

OBJECTIVES: According to the current guidelines of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) for pulmonary insufficiency, the age at the time of PVR is becoming younger. However, recent studies have shown that the improvements in mortality have leveled off, making it important to suppress the cumulative lifetime risk of morbidity. In this study we aimed to identify the risk factors for morbidity late after PVR. METHODS: Sixty-three patients who underwent PVR for pulmonary insufficiency after intracardiac repair of tetralogy of Fallot or pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect at our hospital from 2003 to 2019 were included in this study. Morbidity of PVR included arrhythmia requiring treatment and hospitalization for heart failure. The influence of hemodynamic parameters before PVR was analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The median postoperative follow-up period was 6.5 years. Cardiac death and redo PVR because of prosthetic valve dysfunction were not observed. Twenty-two patients suffered cardiovascular adverse events, including 16 supraventricular tachycardia, 3 sick sinus syndrome/atrioventricular block, 2 sustained ventricular tachycardia, and 1 heart failure hospitalization as first events. In the multivariable analysis, pulmonary end diastolic forward flow (hazard ratio [HR], 7.8; 95% CI, 2.6-23; P < .001), right atrial volume index (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04; P = .005), and right atrial pressure (HR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.01-1.45; P = .042) were significant risk factors for adverse events late after PVR. CONCLUSIONS: End diastolic forward flow, large right atrial volume index, and high right atrial pressure before PVR, which are considered markers of diastolic dysfunction, were significant risk factors for cardiovascular adverse events after PVR.

Relationship of atrial function with cardiac function in the late phase more than 20 years after a Fontan operation.

OBJECTIVES: Atrial function in Fontan patients is unknown. Our goal was to report the relationship of atrial function with the cardiac index and atrial function and clinical outcome through longer follow-up periods. METHODS: Twelve patients were followed up for over 20 years after their first Fontan operation. Atrial function, including the expansion index, atrial ejection fraction, passive ejection fraction and active ejection fraction, was examined using cardiac computed tomography. The relationship of atrial function with the cardiac index and failing Fontan patients was analysed. RESULTS: Twelve Fontan patients were included. The median follow-up period after the first Fontan operation was 27 (range, 21-33) years, and the median age of those examined was 33.5 (range, 24-60) years. There were 6 male patients (50%). The cardiac index showed a significant positive correlation with the expansion index (P = 0.02), the atrial ejection fraction (P = 0.035), and the active ejection fraction (P = 0.013). The expansion index (39.2 ± 19.6 vs 64.1 ± 3.9), atrial ejection fraction (26.6 ± 10.9 vs 39.0 ± 1.5%), booster pump (15.6 ± 9.0 vs 31.3 ± 3.5) and cardiac index (2.1 ± 0.3 vs 2.5 ± 0.2 L/min/m2) were significantly lower in patients with a history of arrhythmia than in patients without a history of arrhythmia (P < 0.05). The expansion index (23.5 ± 13.5 vs 59.5 ± 8.7), atrial ejection fraction (18.1 ± 8.6 vs 37.1 ± 3.7) and active ejection fraction (7.3 ± 2.7 vs 27.7 ± 5.2) were significantly lower in failing Fontan patients than in non-failing Fontan patients (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with atrial arrhythmia and signs of Fontan failure have lower atrial function than those without.

Clinical Outcomes After Durable Mitral Valve Repair for Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to clarify the incidence and determinants of postoperative adverse events in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy who achieved long-term durable mitral valve repair. METHODS: Between 1999 and 2015, 166 patients with chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) and a left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% underwent restrictive mitral annuloplasty. During follow-up (65 ± 34 months), echocardiographic assessments were performed 809 times (mean, 4.9 ± 2.4 times), and 20 patients who had postoperative recurrent MR (moderate or severe) were excluded. Finally, 146 patients (aged 68 [63-75] years) whose MR was well controlled over time were included. RESULTS: A total of 61 deaths or 27 readmissions for heart failure were observed in 76 patients (52%). Among hospital survivors, age (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.05; P = .001) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.61; P = .001) were identified as independent predictors of long-term mortality or readmission for heart failure. The degree of postoperative left ventricular function recovery was comparable between patients with and without adverse events. However, the former group showed greater values for systolic pulmonary artery pressure, tricuspid regurgitation severity, inferior vena cava dimension, and plasma brain natriuretic peptide level throughout the follow-up period (group effect P < .05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 50% of patients died or were hospitalized for heart failure even in the absence of recurrent MR during the 5-year follow-up, a finding indicating that durable mitral repair does not always lead to favorable clinical outcomes. The adverse events may have been related to volume overload secondary to impaired renal function and less favorable pulmonary hemodynamics.