Quadricuspid aortic valve repair with a modified-tricuspidization technique.

INTRODUCTION: Quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is an extremely rare developmental abnormality with an incidence of 0.006%. QAV is an incidental finding that in some patients (23%) may determine aortic regurgitation (AR). Altogether 16% of patients indeed require surgery with AR being the most frequent indication. METHODS AND RESULTS: We describe a case report of a 46 year-old female affected by severe aortic regurgitation due to QAV successfully treated with a  modified-tricuspidization technique associated with cusp extension, prolapsing commissure suturing, and sub-commissural annuloplasty. DISCUSSION: QAV repair represents an attractive perspective to overcome the drawbacks of either mechanical or biological prosthesis.

Doppler Ultrasound Selection and Follow-Up of the Internal Mammary Artery as Coronary Graft.

The impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) on all-cause mortality and overall disabilities is well-established. Percutaneous and/or surgical coronary revascularization procedures dramatically reduced the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events in patients suffering from atherosclerosis. Specifically, guidelines from the European Society of Cardiology on the management of myocardial revascularization promoted coronary artery by-pass graft (CABG) intervention in patients with specific alterations in the coronary tree due to the higher beneficial effects of this procedure as compared to the percutaneous one. The left internal mammary artery (LIMA) is one of the best-performing vessels in CABG procedures due to its location and its own structural characteristics. Nevertheless, the non-invasive assessment of its patency is challenging. Doppler ultrasonography (DU) might perform as a reliable technique for the non-invasive evaluation of the patency of LIMA. Data from the literature revealed that DU may detect severe (>70%) stenosis of the LIMA graft. In this case, pulsed-wave Doppler might show peak diastolic velocity/peak systolic velocity < 0.5 and diastolic fraction < 50%. A stress test might also be adopted for the evaluation of patency of LIMA through DU. The aim of this narrative review is to evaluate the impact of DU on the evaluation of the patency of LIMA graft in patients who undergo follow-up after CABG intervention.

Endocarditis in Patients with Aortic Valve Prosthesis: Comparison between Surgical and Transcatheter Prosthesis.

The interventional treatment of aortic stenosis is currently based on transcatheter aortic valve implantation/replacement (TAVI/TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Prosthetic valve infective endocarditis (PVE) is the most worrisome complication after valve replacement, as it still carries high mortality and morbidity rate. Studies have not highlighted the differences in the occurrence of PVE in SAVR as opposed to TAVR, but the reported incidence rates are widely uneven. Literature portrays different microbiological profiles for SAVR and TAVR PVE: Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, and Streptococcus are the pathogens that are more frequently involved with differences regarding the timing from the date of the intervention. Imaging by means of transoesophageal echocardiography, and computed tomography (CT) Scan is essential in identifying vegetations, prosthesis dysfunction, dehiscence, periannular abscess, or aorto-ventricular discontinuity. In most cases, conservative medical treatment is not able to prevent fatal events and surgery represents the only viable option. The primary objectives of surgical treatment are radical debridement and the removal of infected tissues, the reconstruction of cardiac and aortic morphology, and the restoration of the aortic valve function. Different surgical options are discussed. Fast diagnosis, the adequacy of antibiotics treatment, and prompt interventions are essential in preventing the negative consequences of infective endocarditis (IE).

The role of endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress in cerebrovascular diseases.

Cerebrovascular diseases (CBD) are one of the most dangerous complications of atherosclerosis. The clinical consequences of CBD deeply impact quality of life and the prognosis of patients. Atherosclerosis is the main cause of CBD development. Hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and other risk factors explain the higher CBD incidence in the general population, as they are able to anticipate the clinical expression of atherosclerosis. These risk factors are effectively able to promote endothelial dysfunction which is the premise for the early, clinical expression of atherosclerosis. The mechanisms by which risk factors can influence the occurrence of CBD are different and not fully understood. The inflammatory background of atherosclerosis can explain a great part of it. In particular, the oxidative stress may promote the development of vascular lesions by negatively influencing biochemical cellular processes of the endothelium, thus predisposing the vascular tree to morphological and functional damages. The aim of this narrative review is to evaluate the role of endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress in CBD development.

The Effects of Steroids on Coagulation Dysfunction Induced by Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Steroids in Cardiac Surgery (SIRS) Trial Substudy.

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery, despite heparin administration, elicits activation of coagulation system resulting in coagulopathy. Anti-inflammatory effects of steroid treatment have been demonstrated, but its effects on coagulation system are unknown. The primary objective of this study is to assess the effects of methylprednisolone on coagulation function by evaluating thrombin generation, fibrinolysis, and platelet activation in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB. The Steroids In caRdiac Surgery study is a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial performed on 7507 patients worldwide who were randomized to receive either intravenous methylprednisolone, 250 mg at anesthetic induction and 250 mg at initiation of CPB (n = 3755), or placebo (n = 3752). A substudy was conducted in 2 sites to collect blood samples perioperatively to measure prothrombin fragment 1.2 (PF1+2, thrombin generation), plasmin-antiplasmin complex (PAP, fibrinolysis), platelet factor 4 (PF4 platelet activation), and fibrinogen. Eighty-one patients were enrolled in the substudy (37 placebo vs 44 in treatment group). No difference in clinical outcome was detected, including postoperative bleeding and need for blood products transfusion. All patients showed changes of all plasma biomarkers with greater values than baseline in both groups. This reaction was attenuated significantly in the treatment group for PF1.2 (P = 0.040) and PAP (P = 0.042) values at the first intraoperative measurement. No difference between groups was detected for PF4. Methylprednisolone treatment attenuates activation of coagulation system in high-risk patients undergoing CPB surgery. Reduction of thrombin generation and fibrinolysis activation may lead to reduced blood loss after surgery.

Minimally invasive heart valve surgery: influence on coagulation and inflammatory response.

OBJECTIVES: Minimally invasive valve surgery (MIVS) is associated with improved clinical outcome but longer cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time. The aim of the present study is to compare inflammatory and coagulation parameters in patients undergoing minimally invasive or standard valve surgery. METHODS: A prospective non-randomized study was performed enrolling 79 patients undergoing mitral (20 right mini-thoracotomy and 18 standard sternotomy) and aortic valve (20 mini-sternotomy and 21 standard sternotomy) procedures. Blood samples were collected perioperatively to measure prothrombin fragment 1.2 (PF1.2, thrombin generation), plasmin antiplasmin complex (PAP, fibrinolysis), interleukin-6 (IL-6, inflammation). Plasma free haemoglobin (f-Hb) was assessed to evaluate haemolysis. RESULTS: Patients in the minimally invasive group were younger and had less comorbidities CPB and cross-clamp times were comparable considering both aortic and mitral procedures, but longer in the mini-thoracotomy group. IL-6 and PAP were reduced in the minimally invasive group, particularly 2 h after CPB (respectively 102 ± 114 vs 34 ± 49 pg/ml, P < 0.001 and 2137 ± 1046 vs 1207 ± 675 ng/ml, P < 0.001), PF1.2 was also reduced during and after the operation (688 ± 514 vs 571 ± 470, P = 0.02; 1600 ± 1185 vs 1042 ± 548, P < 0.001; 1487 ± 676 vs 1042 ± 541). Despite the use of vacuum-assisted active venous drainage (VAVD) f-Hb was significantly reduced in the minimally invasive group. The other routine biomarkers such as C-reactive protein, fibrinogen and cTnI were also reduced in the minimally invasive group. CONCLUSIONS: In a selected cohort of patients MIVS is associated to reduced inflammatory reaction and coagulopathy, supporting the clinical evidence of reduced postoperative bleeding and lower transfusion rate. Our data offer further suggestion supporting the adoption of minimally invasive approaches.

Myocardial protection during minimally invasive cardiac surgery through right mini-thoracotomy.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial damage is an independent predictor of adverse outcome following cardiac surgery and myocardial protection is one of the key factors to achieve successful outcomes. Cardioplegia with Custodiol is currently the most used cardioplegia during minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS). Different randomized controlled trials compared blood and Custodiol cardioplegia in the context of traditional cardiac surgery. No data are available for MICS. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of cold blood versus Custodiol cardioplegia during MICS. METHOD: We retrospectively evaluated 90 patients undergoing MICS through a right mini-thoracotomy in a three-year period. Myocardial protection was performed using cold blood (44 patients, CBC group) or Custodiol (46 patients, Custodiol group) cardioplegia, based on surgeon preference and complexity of surgery. RESULTS: The primary outcomes were post-operative cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and creatine kinase MB (CKMB) serum release and the incidence of Low Cardiac Output Syndrome (LCOS). Aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were higher in the Custodiol group. No difference was observed in myocardial injury enzyme release (peak cTnI value was 18±46 ng/ml in CBC and 21±37 ng/ml in Custodiol; p=0.245). No differences were observed for mortality, LCOS, atrial or ventricular arrhythmias onset, transfusions, mechanical ventilation time duration, intensive care unit and total hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Custodiol and cold blood cardioplegic solutions seem to assure similar myocardial protection in patients undergoing cardiac surgery through a right mini-thoracotomy approach.

Hybrid approach to thoracic aortic aneurysm: The Lupiae technique.

Aortic diseases, especially when the entire aorta is involved, are often challenging to treat since they frequently require invasive interventions. Minimally invasive hybrid treatment of such pathologies is proving to be a valid option for complex cases (for example, dilation involving the entire aorta) and is improving postoperative outcomes. It consists of a minimally invasive opening stage, where ascending aorta and aortic arch replacement and epiaortic vessel rerouting is performed using a multibranched graft equipped with a radiopaque marker. This is followed by an endovascular stage, where the remaining diseased aorta is covered with an endoprosthesis. This procedure has been described as Lupiae technique and the results seem encouraging.  In this tutorial, we give a practical overview of this technique, describing the treatment of a particular condition called mega-aorta syndrome type 1, which is the dilation of the aorta up to celiac trunk.

Acute kidney injury in high-risk cardiac surgery patients: roles of inflammation and coagulation.

AIMS: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication following cardiac surgery. Cardiopulmonary bypass elicits coagulation and inflammation activation and oxidative stress, all involved in AKI but never simultaneously assessed. We aimed to evaluate relations between oxidative stress, inflammatory and coagulation systems activation and postoperative renal function in patients with normal preoperative renal function. METHODS: Forty-one high-risk patients (EuroSCORE >6 and preoperative haemoglobin <12 g/dl in women and <13 g/dl in men) were prospectively enrolled. Prothrombin fragment 1.2 (coagulation marker), interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 (pro/anti-inflammatory markers) and 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (oxidative stress marker) were evaluated until postoperative day 5. RESULTS: Patients were divided into two groups according to estimated glomerular filtration rate reduction observed postoperatively (reduction <25% in 26 patients: NO-AKI group; reduction >25% in 15 patients: AKI group). No differences were found for inflammatory markers. Oxidative stress slightly increased in the AKI group. Twenty-four hours after the operation prothrombin fragment 1.2 levels were significantly higher in the AKI group (506.6 ±â€Š548 vs. 999 ±â€Š704.1 pmol/l; P = 0.018), and they were independently associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate reduction, with an area under the receiving operating characteristic of 0.744. CONCLUSION: Thrombin generation is higher in patients with renal function worsening, and it is an independent risk factor for AKI in patients with anaemia, possibly leading to microcirculation impairment and tubular cells damage.

Antithrombin administration in patients with low antithrombin values after cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Antithrombin (AT) concentrations are reduced after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass compared with the preoperative levels. Low postoperative AT is associated with worse short- and mid-term clinical outcomes. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of AT administration on activation of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems, platelet function, and the inflammatory response in patients with low postoperative AT levels. METHODS: Sixty patients with postoperative AT levels of less than 65% were randomly assigned to receive purified AT (5000 IU in three administrations) or placebo in the postoperative intensive care unit. Thirty patients with postoperative AT levels greater than 65% were observed as controls. Interleukin 6 (a marker of inflammation), prothrombin fragment 1-2 (a marker of thrombin generation), plasmin-antiplasmin complex (a marker of fibrinolysis), and platelet factor 4 (a marker of platelet activation) were measured at six different times. RESULTS: Compared with the no AT group and control patients, patients receiving AT showed significantly higher AT values until 48 hours after the last administration. Analysis of variance for repeated measures showed a significant effect of study treatment in reducing prothrombin fragment 1-2 (p=0.009; interaction with time sample, p=0.006) and plasmin-antiplasmin complex (p<0.001; interaction with time sample, p<0.001) values but not interleukin 6 (p=0.877; interaction with time sample, p=0.521) and platelet factor 4 (p=0.913; interaction with time sample, p=0.543). No difference in chest tube drainage, reopening for bleeding, and blood transfusion was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Antithrombin administration in patients with low AT activity after surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass reduces postoperative thrombin generation and fibrinolysis with no effects on platelet activation and inflammatory response.

A biocompatible cardiopulmonary bypass strategy to reduce hemostatic and inflammatory alterations: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) systems without a venous reservoir rarely are adopted clinically. The effects of a biocompatible CPB system with a venous reservoir were evaluated on the activation of the coagulation and inflammatory systems. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: A university hospital (single center). PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-three coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients were assigned to the Physio group (closed venous reservoir, phosphorylcholine coating, and no cardiotomy suction) or the Standard group (open, noncoated, and cardiotomy suction used). METHODS: Blood samples were obtained at 6 different time points before, during, and after surgery. Nuclear factor-kB (NF-κB) was evaluated before surgery and 2 and 24 hours after surgery. Myocardial damage was evaluated measuring cardiac troponin I. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Interleukin (IL)-6 (a marker of inflammation), prothrombin fragment 1-2 (PF-1.2, a marker of thrombin generation), plasmin-antiplasmin complex (PAP, a marker of fibrinolysis), and platelet factor 4 (PF4, a marker of platelet activation) were measured. The DNA binding activity of proinflammatory transcription factor NF-κB was quantified in the isolated lymphomonocyte cells. Surgery caused changes of all plasma biomarkers. This reaction was attenuated strongly in the Physio group; PF-1.2, PAP, and PF4 all were decreased significantly. In the Physio group, a significantly lower cardiac troponin I release was observed postoperatively. After surgery, NF-κB activity was reduced in the Physio group although this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: A multimodal strategy using a closed and phosphorylcholine-coated CPB circuit together with the avoidance of cardiotomy suction reduced activation of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems intraoperatively, although these changes did not persist postoperatively. However, no difference in clinical outcome was appreciated on a larger scale.

Hemostasis alterations in patients with acute aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: Surgery for acute aortic dissection (AAD) is frequently complicated by excessive postoperative bleeding and blood product transfusion. Blood flow through the nonendothelialized false lumen is a potential trigger for the activation of the hemostatic system; however, the physiopathology of the aortic dissection induced coagulopathy has never been precisely studied. The aim of the present study is the evaluation of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems and platelet activation in patients undergoing surgery for AAD. METHODS: Eighteen patients undergoing emergent surgery for Stanford type A AAD were enrolled in the study. The activation of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems and platelet activation were evaluated at 6 different time points before, during, and after the operation, measuring prothrombin fragment 1.2 (F1.2), plasmin-antiplasmin complex, and platelet factor 4, respectively. RESULTS: All measured biomarkers were increased before, during, and after the operations indicating a systemic activation of coagulation, fibrinolysis, and platelets. These changes were pronounced even preoperatively (T0), and soon after the beginning of cardiopulmonary bypass (T1) when the influence of hypothermia and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time were not yet involved. Time from symptom onset to intervention inversely correlated with preoperative F1.2 (r=-0.75; p=0.002) and plasmin-antiplasmin levels (r=-0.57; p=0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Blood flow through the false lumen is a powerful activator of the hemostatic system even before the operation. This remarkable activation may influence postoperative outcome of AAD patients.