Urgent Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Type-B0,D Acute Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study is to clarify safety and efficacy of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), excluding the primary entry in the descending aorta, for type-B0,D acute aortic dissection (TB0,DAAD) (so-called retrograde type-A acute aortic dissection). METHODS: Forty-six patients with hyperacute-phase (within 2 days after the onset) type-A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD) and TB0,DAAD underwent urgent (on the admission or next day) intervention (TEVAR or conventional surgical aortic repair [CSAR]) for 2 years. Results of TEVAR for TB0,DAAD were compared with those of CSAR for TAAAD. Outcomes included 30-day mortality, aortic reintervention, and major complications (stroke and paraplegia/paraparesis). Details of TEVAR were also analyzed. RESULTS: Seven patients with TB0,DAAD and 39 patients with TAAAD underwent respectively urgent TEVAR and CSAR. Aortic reintervention was significantly more frequent in the TEVAR than CSAR group (28.6% vs. 0%, P < 0.01). There was no difference in incidence of death and stroke between the TEVAR and CSAR group. All the 7 patients survived and 5 of the 7 (71.4%) patients were relieved of aortic reintervention for 30 days following TEVAR. One patient, however, underwent aortic arch replacement on postoperative day (POD) 1 owing to the patent and nonshrinking ascending false lumen (FL). The entry existed in the aortic arch. Another patient underwent ascending and transverse aortic replacement with frozen elephant trunk on POD13 due to proximal stent graft-induced new entry irrespective of the thrombosed and shrinking ascending FL. Because of the patent and nonshrinking ascending FL, 1 patient underwent additional TEVAR for the residual entry in the distal descending thoracic aorta on POD33 and subsequently ascending aortic replacement 4 months later. No entry was detected in the ascending or transverse aorta. The ascending FL in the other 4 patients was thrombosed early, shrinking gradually, and disappeared at last following TEVAR. CONCLUSIONS: Urgent TEVAR for TB0,DAAD may be alternative to CSAR in selected cases. Accurate diagnosis of the primary entry location on preinterventional computed tomography scans for exclusion of the entry and cautious selection and delivery of a stent graft to prevent stent graft-induced new entry or endoleak are requisite for success of the procedure, remodeling of the FL, and satisfactory prognosis.

Prognostic impact of baseline C-reactive protein levels on mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) levels can predict mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), we performed a meta-analysis of currently available studies. METHODS: All studies investigating the prognostic impact of baseline (preprocedural) CRP levels on all-cause mortality after TAVI were identified by means of searching PubMed and Google Scholar through May 2019. For each study, (preferentially, adjusted rather than unadjusted) odds/hazard ratios (ORs/HRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals of mortality per standard-deviation (SD) (or unit) increase in CRP levels or those for high vs low CRP levels. RESULTS: Our search identified 14 eligible studies including a total of 3449 patients undergoing TAVI and reporting early (in-hospital to 3-month) and midterm (1-year to 3-year) all-cause mortality after TAVI. Pooled analyses demonstrated associations of high-baseline CRP levels with a marginal, but statistically nonsignificant increase in early mortality (pooled OR/HR per SD increase in CRP levels, 2.72; P = .09 and pooled OR/HR for high vs low CRP levels, 3.32; P = .07) and a statistically significant increase in midterm mortality after TAVI (pooled OR/HR per SD increase in CRP levels, 1.45; P < .0001 and pooled OR/HR for high vs low CRP levels, 1.78; P < .00001). Excluding HRs for high-sensitivity CRP, combining ORs/HRs of 1-year mortality, pooling HRs of ≥2-year mortality, and combining adjusted HRs did not alter the primary results. CONCLUSION: High-baseline CRP levels may predict increased midterm, but not early, mortality after TAVI.

Baseline left ventricular diastolic dysfunction affects midterm mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether preprocedural left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction impairs midterm mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), we performed a meta-analysis of currently available evidence. METHODS: We identified all studies investigating impact of preprocedural severity of LV diastolic dysfunction on midterm (≥1-year) all-cause mortality after TAVI for patients with AS through a search of databases (MEDLINE and EMBASE) until September 2019. From each study, we extracted an adjusted (if unavailable, unadjusted) hazard ratio (HR) of midterm mortality. We pooled study-specific estimates in the random-effects model. RESULTS: Ten eligible studies with a total of 2380 patients with AS undergoing TAVI were identified. In accordance with pooled analyses, higher-grade preprocedural LV diastolic dysfunction was associated with significantly worse midterm all-cause mortality after TAVI compared to lower-grade dysfunction (HR for grade II vs I, 1.15; P = .002; HR for grade III vs I, 1.35; P = .001; HR for grade III vs II; 1.16, P = .002; HR for grade II-III vs I, II-III vs 0-I, or III vs I-II, 1.34; P < .00001 [primary meta-analysis]; HR per grade, 1.16; P = .003). No funnel plot asymmetry for the primary meta-analysis (for grade II-III vs I, II-III vs 0-I, or III vs I-II) was identified, which probably indicated no publication bias (P = .381 by the linear-regression test). CONCLUSION: Higher-grade preprocedural LV diastolic dysfunction was associated with worse midterm all-cause mortality after TAVI for patients with AS compared to lower-grade dysfunction.

Meta-analysis of impact of troponins on mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

INTRODUCTION: To determine whether troponin (Tn) can predict mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), we performed a meta-analysis of currently available studies investigating impact of baseline and postprocedural Tn. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched through April 2019 using PubMed and OVID. Studies considered for inclusion met the following criteria: the study investigating impact of baseline and postprocedural Tn on mortality; the study population was patients undergoing TAVI for aortic stenosis (AS); outcomes included early (30-day or in-hospital)/late (including early) mortality. For each study, data regarding early/late mortality in both high and low (defined in each study) level of baseline/postprocedural Tn groups were used to generate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), or reported ORs and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs were directly extracted. Study-specific estimates were combined using inverse variance-weighted averages of logarithmic ORs/HRs in the random-effects model. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: We identified 19 eligible studies including a total of 7555 patients undergoing TAVI. Pooled analyses demonstrated associations of high levels of baseline Tn with statistically significant increases in both 30-day (P=0.002) and midterm mortality (P<0.00001), no correlation of high postprocedural Tn with 30-day mortality (P=0.13), and an association of high postprocedural Tn with a statistically significant increase in midterm mortality (P=0.002). High levels of baseline/postprocedural TnT predicted statistically significant increases in both 30-day (P=0.002/<0.0001) and midterm mortality (P<0.00001/0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: Both baseline and postprocedural Tn, especially TnT, may predict mortality after TAVI for AS.

A meta-analysis of ≥5-year mortality after transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement.

INTRODUCTION: It remains unclear whether long-term survival is superior following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) than following surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). We performed a meta-analysis of mortality with ≥5-year follow-up in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and propensity-score matched (PSM) studies of TAVI versus SAVR. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched through March 2019. Eligible studies were RCTs or PSM studies of TAVI versus SAVR enrolling patients with severe aortic stenosis and reporting all-cause mortality with ≥5-year follow-up as an outcome. A hazard ratio of mortality for TAVI versus SAVR was extracted from each individual study. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Our search identified 3 RCTs and 7 PSM studies enrolling 5498 patients. A pooled analysis of all 10 studies demonstrated a statistically significant 38% increase in mortality with TAVI relative to SAVR. A subgroup meta-analysis showed no statistically significant difference between TAVI and AVR in RCTs and a statistically significant 68% increase with TAVI relative to SAVR in PSM studies. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of a meta-analysis of 7 PSM studies, TAVI is associated with greater all-cause mortality with ≥5-year follow-up than SAVR. However, another meta-analysis of 3 RCTs suggests no difference in mortality between TAVI and SAVR.

Matrix metalloproteinases and acute aortic dissection: Et Tu, Brute?

OBJECTIVES: To summarize the present evidence for the association of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) with acute aortic dissection (AAD), we performed the first meta-analysis of all currently available case-control studies comparing circulating MMP levels between AAD patients and control subjects. METHODS: To identify all studies investigating the levels of circulating MMPs in AAD patients, PubMed and Web of Science were searched up to July 2019. The levels of MMPs in AAD patients and control subjects were extracted from each study, and the standardized mean differences (SMDs) in MMP levels were generated. The study-specific estimates were combined in the random-effects model. RESULTS: Twelve studies enrolling a total of 458 AAD patients and 711 control subjects were identified and included. Pooled analyses demonstrated no significant differences in MMP-1 (4 studies; P = 0.21), MMP-2 (5 studies; P = 0.62) and MMP-3 levels (2 studies; P = 0.94) between AAD patients and control subjects; and significantly higher MMP-8 (2 studies; SMD 2.11; P = 0.020), MMP-9 (9 studies; SMD 1.54; P < 0.001) and MMP-12 levels (2 studies; SMD 1.33; P < 0.001) in AAD patients than in control subjects. CONCLUSION: High circulating MMP-9 levels are associated with AAD, and MMP-8 and MMP-12 levels may be related to AAD.

Meta-analysis of propensity matched studies of robotic versus conventional mitral valve surgery.

BACKGROUND: To compare early outcomes after robotic versus conventional mitral valve surgery (R-MVS versus C-MVS), we performed a meta-analysis of currently available propensity score matched (PSM) studies. METHODS: To identify all PSM studies of R-MVS versus C-MVS, PubMed and Web of Science were searched thorough November 2018 using the terms of robotic or robot, mitral, and propensity. Inclusion criteria were PSM studies of isolated R-MVS versus C-MVS. Odds ratios of dichotomous data and mean differences for continuous data were generated for each study and combined in a meta-analysis using the random-effects model. RESULTS: We identified 7 PSM studies of R-MVS versus C-MVS enrolling a total of 3764 patients. Pooled analyses demonstrated significantly longer cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (p < 0.00001) and cross-clamp time (p = 0.004) in R-MVS than C-MVS. However, intensive care unit (ICU) (p = 0.0005) and hospital stay (p < 0.0001) was significantly shorter; and incidence of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion (p = 0.03), prolonged ventilation (p = 0.048), and atrial fibrillation (AF) (p = 0.01) was significantly less frequent after R-MVS than C-MVS. There was no significant difference in incidence of reoperation for bleeding and valve dysfunction, ≥moderate mitral regurgitation, renal failure, dialysis, pneumonia, stroke, cardiac arrest, and all-cause death (p = 0.27) between R-MVS and C-MVS. CONCLUSIONS: ICU/hospital stay was shorter and RBC transfusion/prolonged ventilation/AF was less frequent after R-MVS than C-MVS despite longer CPB and cross-clamp time in R-MVS than C-MVS. The other early outcomes including all-cause mortality were similarly frequent after R-MVS and C-MVS.

A meta-analysis of impact of mitral stenosis on outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether concomitant mitral stenosis (MS) impairs outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), we performed a meta-analysis of currently available evidence. METHODS: To identify all observational comparative studies of outcomes after TAVI for AS in patients with MS vs patients with no-MS, we searched databases (MEDLINE and EMBASE) using web-based search engines (PubMed and OVID). Studies meeting the following criteria were included; the design was an observational study; the study population was patients undergoing TAVI for AS; outcomes in patients with MS were compared with those in patients with no-MS. Study-specific estimates were then pooled using inverse variance-weighted averages of logarithmic odds and hazard ratios in the random-effects model. RESULTS: We identified six eligible studies including 111 621 patients undergoing TAVI. In pooled analyses, postprocedural incidence of ≥ moderate paravalvular aortic regurgitation (PAR) (P = .02), early all-cause mortality (P = .008), early incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) (P = .01), and midterm all-cause mortality (P = .03) after TAVI were significantly higher in patients with MS than in patients with no-MS. There were no significant differences in early incidence of stroke, major bleeding, acute kidney injury, and new permanent pacemaker implantation after TAVI between patients with MS and patients with no-MS. When the study for mitral annular calcification was excluded in the pooled analyses, no results except for MI were substantially altered but the significance for early incidence of MI disappeared (P = .10). CONCLUSION: Postprocedural incidence of ≥ moderate PAR, early all-cause mortality, early incidence of MI, and midterm all-cause mortality after TAVI are higher in patients with MS than in patients with no-MS.

Meta-analysis of prognostic impact of peripheral arterial disease on mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine whether peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an independent predictor of mortality in patients who undergo transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and we performed meta-analysis of currently available studies. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched through June 2018 using Web-based search engines (PubMed and OVID). We included comparative studies of patients with PAD versus those without PAD and cohort studies which investigated PAD as one of prognostic factors of mortality, which used the multivariable analysis and reported an adjusted odds and hazard ratio (OR/HR) for early (30-day or in-hospital) and late (including early) mortality after TAVI. Study-specific estimates were combined using inverse variance-weighted averages of logarithmic ORs/HRs in the random-effects model. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: The primary meta-analysis which pooled all the ORs/HRs demonstrated that PAD was associated with a statistically significant increase in both early (OR, 1.21; P=0.02) and midterm (1-year to 7-year) mortality (HR, 1.31; P<0.00001). The secondary meta-analysis which exclusively pooled approach-adjusted/stratified ORs/HRs demonstrated that PAD was associated with a strong trend toward (though statistically non-significant) an increase in early mortality (OR, 1.18; P=0.07) and a still statistically significant increase in midterm mortality (OR, 1.24; P=0.0001). Meta-regression coefficients for the proportion of patients who underwent transfemoral TAVI were not statistically significant (P for early/midterm mortality =0.24/0.52). CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis clearly highlighted that PAD was an independent predictor of both early and midterm mortality in patients who underwent TAVI.

Transcatheter mitral valve replacement for mitral regurgitation-A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: We performed a meta-analysis to determine the outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) for mitral regurgitation (MR). METHODS: Databases including MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched through April 2018 using Web-based search engines (PubMed and OVID) to identify single-arm observational (case series) studies of TMVR enrolling ≥5 patients with MR. For each study, data regarding observed 30-day mortality and predicted operative mortality (Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality) were used to generate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Study-specific estimates were combined using the inverse variance-weighted average of logarithmic RRs in the random-effects model. One-group meta-analyses of 30-day and >30-day (including 30-day) mortality were also performed in the random-effects model. RESULTS: Of 222 potentially relevant articles screened initially, nine eligible studies enrolling a total of 146 patients with MR undergoing TMVR were identified. In all but two studies, STS-PROM was available and varied from 3.3% to 15.4% (arithmetic mean, 7.6%). Pooled analyses demonstrated 30-day mortality of 20.4% (95%CI, 9.6-31.2%), >30-day mortality of 32.0% (95%CI, 19.8-44.2%), and non-significantly higher observed 30-day mortality than predicted operative mortality (RR, 1.70; 95%CI, 0.85-3.42; P = 0.14). There was no evidence of significant publication bias. CONCLUSION: TMVR for patients with MR results in increased early and late mortality.

A meta-analysis of ≥5-year mortality in randomized controlled trials of off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine whether off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) increases long-term mortality, by performing a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of off-pump versus on-pump CABG with ≥5-year follow-up. METHODS: MEDLINE and EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched through July 2018. Hazard, risk, or odds ratios (HRs, RRs, or ORs) of long-term (≥5-year) mortality for off-pump versus on-pump CABG were extracted from each individual trial. Study-specific estimates were combined using inverse variance-weighted averages of logarithmic HRs in the random-effects model. RESULTS: Our search identified eight medium- to large-size RCTs at low risk of bias with long-term follow-up of off-pump versus on-pump CABG enrolling a total of 8780 patients. Combining four RCTs reporting actual HRs generated a statistically significant result favoring on-pump CABG (HR, 1.21; P = 0.02). A pooled analysis of all eight RCTs demonstrated a statistically significant increase in mortality with off-pump CABG (HR/RR, 1.19; P = 0.01). There was no evidence of significant publication bias in the meta-analysis of all eight RCTs. In a sensitivity analysis, extracting RRs or ORs from all eight RCTs and pooling them demonstrated a statistically significant increase in mortality with off-pump CABG (RR, 1.17; P = 0.01; OR, 1.20; P = 0.007). Eliminating 2 RRs and combining six HRs still generated a statistically significant result favoring on-pump CABG (HR, 1.19; P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Off-pump CABG increases long-term (≥5-year) mortality compared with on-pump CABG.

Computed tomography showing formation of caseous calcification of the mitral annulus over time.

Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus (CCMA) is a rare variant of mitral annulus calcification. Herein, we present computed tomographic images of formation of CCMA over time.

Pulmonary annulus growth after the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt in tetralogy of Fallot.

BACKGROUND: In tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), it is well known that postoperative pulmonary regurgitation reduces right ventricular function during long-term follow-up. Complete repair without a transannular patch should help avoid pulmonary regurgitation. Recently, primary complete repair has been preferred to the staged repair with use of a Blalock-Taussig shunt (BTS) even in neonates or small infants; however, little has been reported about the influence of a BTS on pulmonary annular growth. METHODS: We examined 40 patients with TOF or double-outlet right ventricle with pulmonary stenosis. Twenty-one patients received a BTS before complete repair, whereas 19 patients underwent primary complete repair. Pulmonary annular size was measured by echocardiography before BTS, complete repair, or both, and ventricular volume was measured by cardiac catheterization. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in complete repair age or body size between the groups. Pulmonary annulus sizes in the BTS group were smaller than those in the primary repair group (Z score, -5.1 ± 2.5 vs -3.7 ± 1.8). After the BTS, significant annular growth (Z score, -2.8 ± 2.1) was observed (p = 0.0028), with a significant increase in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (p = 0.015). When patients with severe pulmonary stenosis (Z score > -7.0) were excluded, pulmonary annular preservation at complete repair was achieved in 64.7% (11/17) of the BTS group and 36.8% (7/19) of the primary repair group (p = 0.088). CONCLUSIONS: The BTS increased the pulmonary annular size and the left ventricular volume during the 6 months before complete repair, resulting in preservation of the pulmonary valve function.

Key success factors for thoracic endovascular aortic repair for non-acute Stanford type B aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the key factors associated with successful early and late outcomes after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for non-acute Stanford type B aortic dissection at our institution. METHODS: Inpatient and outpatient records were retrospectively reviewed. Patients operated on within 14 days after the onset of acute aortic dissection and those with rupture or malperfusion were excluded. RESULTS: Forty-five patients (mean age, 55.5 ± 13.1 years; 23-79 years) underwent 53 TEVAR operations for non-acute Stanford type B aortic dissection between 1998 and 2012. Thirty-four patients had a patent false lumen and 19 had an ulcer-like projection (ULP). No early mortality was observed. At late follow-up (7.5 ± 3.9 years) of the 45 patients, survival after the initial TEVAR was 100, 86 and 63%; freedom from aortic reintervention was 87, 73 and 59%; and freedom from open aortic surgery was 89, 84 and 73%, at 1, 5 and 10 years, respectively. Of 15 late deaths, 2 were due to aortic rupture and 2 were operative deaths associated with aortic surgery. Of the 34 patients with patent false lumens before TEVAR, 25 had their descending false lumens thrombosed; of these 25, 16 had remodelling of the descending aorta; and of these 16, 4 had complete obliteration of the false lumen of the entire aorta. By bivariate analysis, the site of the primary entry and age were significantly associated with thrombosis of the descending false lumen, maximum aortic diameter was associated with remodelling of the descending aorta, and absence of abdominal branches arising from the false lumen was associated with complete obliteration of the false lumen of the entire aorta. CONCLUSIONS: The early results of TEVAR for non-acute Stanford type B aortic dissection were favourable. However, for cases with patent false lumens, complete obliteration of the false lumen of the entire aorta was difficult to achieve. Absence of the primary entry at the outer curvature of the distal aortic arch, younger age, small aortic diameter and absence of the abdominal aortic branches arising from the false lumen were the key success factors.

Death due to undetected heparin-induced thrombocytopenia after cardiac surgery.

A 41-year-old male patient was diagnosed acute myocardial infarction. An intra-aortic balloon pump was inserted to treat heart failure, and off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery was performed. Postoperative cardiac catheterization revealed occlusion of all the 3 bypass grafts, and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed. Thrombosis due to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) occurred during PCI, which was completed after switching to argatroban based on the possible HIT. Cardiopulmonary arrest occurred suddenly after PCI, and the patient died. Undetected HIT may have caused the sudden change. HIT should be suspected and aggressively treated when thrombocytopenia occurs even during assisted circulation.