Minimally Invasive Isolated and Hybrid Surgical Revascularization for Multivessel Coronary Disease: A Single-Center Long-Term Follow-Up.

INTRODUCTION: Some evidence suggests that surgical minimally invasive (MIDCAB) and hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) are safe and potentially effective at short-term follow-up. Data on long-term outcomes are more limited and inconclusive. METHODS: Between February 2013 and December 2023, a total of 1997 patients underwent surgical coronary artery revascularization at our institution, of whom, 92 (4.7%) received left anterior mini-thoracotomy access (MIDCAB), either isolated (N = 78) or in combination with percutaneous coronary intervention (N = 14, HCR group). RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 75 months (range 3.1: 149 months), cardiac mortality was 0% while overall mortality was 3%, with one in-hospital mortality and two additional late deaths. Conversion to sternotomy happened in two patients (2.1%), and surgical re-explorations occurred in five patients (4.6%), of whom three for bleeding and two for graft failure. All patients received left internal mammary (LIMA) to left anterior descending artery (LAD) grafting (100%). In the HCR group, 10 patients (72%) showed percutaneous revascularization (PCI) after MIDCAB, showing PCI on a mean of 1.6 ± 0.6 vessels and implanting 2.1 ± 0.9 drug-eluting stents. CONCLUSIONS: MIDCAB, in isolation or in association with hybrid coronary revascularization, is associated with encouraging short- and long-term results in selected patients discussed within a dedicated heart-team.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring System After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: A Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND: Blood glucose level variability has been associated with increased risk of complication in the postoperative setting of cardiovascular surgery. Although interesting for optimization of blood glucose management in this context, continuous blood glucose (CBG) devices can have a limited reliability in this context, in particular because of the use of paracetamol. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of Dexcom G6®, a recently developed continuous glucose monitoring device. METHODS: We performed a prospective, observational, non-randomized, single-centre study comparing Dexcom G6® CBG level monitoring with the standard methods routinely used in this context. The standard blood glucose values were paired to the time corresponding values measured with Dexcom G6®. Agreement between the two methods and potential correlation in case of paracetamol use were calculated. RESULTS: From May 2020 to August 2021, 36 out of 206 patients operated for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting were enrolled; 673 paired blood glucose level were analyzed. Global agreement (ρc) was 0.85 (95% C.I.: 0.84-0.86), intensive care unit agreement was 0.78 (95%C.I.: 0.74-0.82) and ward agreement was 0.91 (95%C.I.: 0.89-0.93). In the diabetic population, it was 0.87 (95%C.I.: 0.85-0.90). When paracetamol was used, the difference was 0.02 mmol/l (95%C.I.: 0.29-0.33). CONCLUSIONS: Dexcom G6® provides good blood glucose level accuracy in the postoperative context of cardiac surgery compared to the standard methods of measurements. The results are particularly reliable in the ward where the need for repeated capillary glucose measurements implies patient discomfort and time-consuming manipulations for the nursing staff.

Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea: gut microbiota composition and the effects of exogenous estrogen administration.

Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) is characterized by estrogen deficiency that significantly impacts metabolic, bone, cardiovascular, mental, and reproductive health. Given the importance of environmental factors such as stress and body composition, and particularly considering the importance of estrogens in regulating the gut microbiota, some changes in the intestinal microenvironment are expected when all of these factors occur simultaneously. We aimed to assess whether the gut microbiota composition is altered in FHA and to determine the potential impact of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) on the gut microbiota. This prospective observational study included 33 patients aged 18-34 yr with FHA and 10 age-matched healthy control women. Clinical, hormonal, and metabolic evaluations were performed at baseline for the FHA group only, whereas gut microbiota profile was assessed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing for both groups. All measurements were repeated in patients with FHA after receiving HRT for 6 mo. Gut microbiota alpha diversity at baseline was significantly different between patients with FHA and healthy controls (P < 0.01). At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Fusobacteria was higher in patients with FHA after HRT (P < 0.01), as was that of Ruminococcus and Eubacterium at the genus level (P < 0.05), which correlated with a decrease in circulating proinflammatory cytokines. FHA is a multidimensional disorder that is interconnected with dysbiosis through various mechanisms, particularly involving the gut-brain axis. HRT appears to induce a favorable shift in the gut microbiota in patients with FHA, which is also associated with a reduction in the systemic inflammatory status.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our study marks the first comprehensive analysis of gut microbiota composition in FHA and the impact of HRT on it, along with biochemical, anthropometric, and psychometric aspects. Our results indicate distinct gut microbiota composition in patients with FHA compared with healthy individuals. Importantly, HRT prompts a transition toward a more beneficial gut microbiota profile and reduced inflammation. This study validates the concept of FHA as a multifaceted disorder interlinked with dysbiosis, particularly involving the gut-brain axis.

Cardiac surgery simulation - part 2: Step-by-step Konno operation in a preclinical model.

This operation is performed on a preclinical model (porcine heart) that has been positioned and fixed inside a plastic mannequin, simulating the human anatomy. This set-up allows surgical operations to be performed at almost the same depth and orientation as in the operating theatre. The preclinical model allows the exact simulation of most of the key movements and steps of major adult and congenital operations. In this case, we replicate the Konno operation. This intervention addresses localized subaortic stenosis involving the left outflow tract or the narrowing of the left ventriculo-aortic junction.

del Nido versus hematic cardioplegia in minimally invasive aortic valve surgery.

BACKGROUND: The quality of a myocardial protection of a single-dose del Nido cardioplegia versus multiple dose blood-based cardioplegia on myocardial injury, outcomes and operative times in patients undergoing minimally invasive aortic valve replacement is basically unreported. METHODS AND RESULTS: Preoperative and post-operative data, as well as technical details from isolated minimally invasive aortic valve replacements, performed using single-dose or multiple-dose cardioplegia were prospectively collected and retrospectively analysed. A total of 110 patients undergoing minimally invasive valve replacements at our institution composed two groups: 55 patients in the blood cardioplegia group (BloCa) and 55 in the del Nido group (DeNiCa). The two-matched groups were comparable in terms of preoperative variables. In the DeNiCa group, there was a statistically significant less need for cardiac defibrillation after aortic cross-clamp release (p < 0.001). Moreover, the BloCa group received intraoperatively more blood transfusions (p = 0.001) and more insulin administration for higher glucose levels (p < 0.001). The BloCa group showed higher intraoperative lactate levels (p = 0.01). Need for post-operative inotropic and vasoactive support, Creatine Kinase-MB levels after 6 and 12 h, onset of post-operative atrial fibrillation and length of stay were similar. No deaths occurred in neither groups. CONCLUSION: Single-dose del Nido cardioplegia in the setting of minimally invasive aortic surgery seems to offer adequate myocardial protection, comparable to multiple dose hematic cardioplegia. It has been documented a lower peri-operative need of defibrillation after cross-clamp release, lactate- and glucose peak values, as well as less blood transfusions compared to blood cardioplegic strategy.

Cardiac surgery simulation: step-by-step Nicks procedure in a preclinical model.

We demonstrate the Nicks operation, one of the posterior aortic root enlargement procedures, on a preclinical model (porcine heart). The goal of this operation is to facilitate the implementation of a suitably sized aortic prosthetic valve. The procedure is performed by making a longitudinal incision through the non-coronary sinus without entering the fibrous body between the aortic valve and the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve and inserting a patch to enlarge the annulus.

Cardiac surgery simulation: Step-by-step hemi-Yacoub operation in a preclinical model.

We demonstrate a hemi-Yacoub operation on a preclinical model (porcine heart). It is an alternative remodelling technique for the management of dilatation of the ascending aorta with the involvement of the aortic root, particularly the noncoronary sinus or in case of an aortic dissection. The goal of this operation is to replace selectively the dilated/dissected portion (noncoronary sinus), thereby avoiding replacement of the entire aortic root.

Ten-Year Experience with Transapical and Direct Transaortic Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement to Address Patients with Aortic Stenosis and Peripheral Vascular Disease.

Objective: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) through alternative access routes is indicated in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis and diseased peripheral arteries. We analysed and compared the outcome of patients undergoing transapical (TA) and direct transaortic (TAO) TAVR procedures. Methods: Preoperative characteristics, procedural details, and thirty-day outcome of patients undergoing transapical (TA-TAVR group) and direct transaortic (TAO-TAVR group) TAVR procedures were prospectively collected and retrospectively analysed. Results: From March 2012 to March 2022, 81 TA and 82 TAO-TAVR (total: 163 cases) were performed with balloon-expanding (n = 120; 73.6%) and self-expandable (n = 43; 26.4%) valves. The mean age was 79.7 ± 6.2 and 81.9 ± 6.7 years for the TA- and TAO-TAVR groups, respectively (p = 0.032). Females were more represented in the TAO-TAVR group (56% vs. 32%; p = 0.003) while TA-TAVR patients showed a higher prevalence of previous vascular surgery (20% vs. 6%; p = 0.01), previous cardiac surgery (51% vs. 3.6%; p < 0.001), and porcelain aorta (22% vs. 5%; p = 0.001). The mean ejection fraction was 49.0 ± 14.6% (TA) and 53.5 ± 12.2% (TAO) (p = 0.035) while mean gradients were 35.6 ± 13.2 mmHg (TA) and 40.4 ± 16.1 mmHg (TAO) (p = 0.045). The median EuroSCORE-II was 5.0% (IQR: 3.0−11.0) and 3.9% (IQR: 2.5−5.4) for the TA- and TAO-TAVR groups, respectively (p = 0.005). The procedural time was shorter for TA procedures (97 min (IQR: 882−118) vs. 102 min (IQR: 88−129); p = 0.133). Mortality at day 30 was 6% in both groups (p = 1.000); the permanent pacemaker implantation rate was similar (8.6% vs. 9.7%; p = 1.000), and hospital stay was shorter for the TAO group (8 days (IQR: 6−11) vs. 10 days (IQR: 7−13); p = 0.025). Conclusions: Our results show that transapical and direct transaortic TAVR in high-risk patients with diseased peripheral arteries provide satisfactory clinical results with similar thirty-day outcomes.

Cardiac surgery simulation - part 1: Step-by-step David procedure in a preclinical model.

We performed this operation on a preclinical model (porcine heart) that has been positioned and fixed inside a plastic mannequin that simulates the human anatomy. This simulation allows surgical operations to be performed at almost the same depth and orientation at which they would be performed on a patient in an operating room. The preclinical model allows the exact simulation of most of the key movements and steps of major coronary and valve surgery. In this case, we show the salient steps of the David I operation.

Twenty-year experience with skeletonized bilateral internal thoracic arteries for surgical myocardial revascularization. A single center experience.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The mammary artery shows excellent long-term patency and encourages the use of skeletonized bilateral internal thoracic arteries (BITA) for coronary surgery. We analyzed the long-term outcome of patients operated for myocardial revascularization with BITA in a single center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical data and surgical details of patients undergoing coronary surgery with BITA were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. Selected variables were studied as risk factors for sternal wound complication and a subanalysis of clinical outcome for patients aged 70 years or greater was performed. A long-term follow-up of the study group is provided. RESULTS: From January 2001 to November 2021, 750 patients underwent myocardial revascularization using BITA grafts (mean age: 61 ± 9.5 years; males: 91%) at our institute. Patients with triple-vessel disease were 81%, 15.3% of all procedures were performed off-pump and 3.6% were urgent cases. Hospital mortality was 0.5%. Sternal wound complication was observed in 67 patients (9.0%) with 7 deep sternal wound infections (0.9%). Female gender (odds ratios [OR]: 3.7, p < 0.01), BMI >30 (OR: 1.8, p = 0.04), smoking (OR: 1.8, p = 0.02), and chronic kidney failure (OR: 3.7, p = 0.05) were independent predictors for sternal complications. During a mean follow-up time of 8.7 ± 5.3 years, 34 patients (4.5%) underwent a repeated myocardial revascularization, and there were 89 all-cause deaths (11.9%) and the cumulative survival at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years was 97%, 89%, 76%, and 60% for the whole study group 92%, 74%, 47%, and 43% for the subgroup of elderly patients (mean age: 74 ± 3.5 years). CONCLUSIONS: Use of skeletonized bilateral thoracic arteries shows low-rate of wound infection and good long-term outcome with low risk of repeated revascularizations, regardless of patients' age.

Percutaneous Venous Cannulation for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery: The Safest and Effective Technique Described Step-by-Step.

The current cardiac surgical landscape, with the expansion of minimally invasive operations, ECMO, and some interventional therapies, requires a thorough knowledge of peripheral cannulation techniques. In particular, venous cannulation may appear trivial and complication-free, but this does not reflect the reality. A venous cannulation which is not perfectly performed can lead to serious life-threatening complications in several steps. The technique we describe step by step is the current gold standard in terms of safety and efficacy: from the use of ultrasound for ultrasound-guided puncture to safe advancement of super stiff guidewires by means of a sentinel catheter, and concluding with smooth insertion of the venous cannula over the stiff guidewire up to the SVC. Moreover, a list of bailout maneuvers to solve complications is presented along with a report of institutional clinical experience since the adoption of this technique.

Efficacy of Intraoperative Vein Graft Storage Solutions in Preserving Endothelial Cell Integrity during Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

(1) Introduction: Intraoperative preservation solutions for saphenous vein grafts may influence the endothelial structure and increase the risk of graft failure after coronary surgery. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of three solutions in maintaining the endothelial cell integrity of venous segments. (2) Methods: We tested the efficacy of physiological saline solution (PSS), heparinized autologous blood (HAB) and DuraGraft® in preserving the endothelium of vein segments by evaluating the degree of endothelial cell apoptosis. Two incubation times (2 and 4 h from harvesting) were used for each solution. The quantification of apoptotic cells was computed as the intensity nuclei/intensity area ratio. (3) Results: After 2 h of ischemia, the degree of apoptosis decreased progressively across the use of DuraGraft, HAB and PSS (p = 0.004), although only the difference between DuraGraft and PSS yielded a statistical significance (p = 0.002). After 4 h, a similar decrease in apoptosis was shown across the three media; however, statistical significance was not reached. The analysis of the elapsed time (2 or 4 h of incubation) showed that this was a relevant factor in maintaining the endothelial structural integrity independently from the storage solution (test for interaction of media and time p = 0.010). (4) Conclusion: Within 2 h of incubation, endothelial structural integrity depended on the incubating medium. DuraGraft better protected the SVG against ischemic-induced apoptosis when compared to saline solution. Prolonged ischemia was associated with extended endothelium damage and none of the studied solutions protected the vein graft.

Retinal image quality with multifocal, EDoF, and accommodative intraocular lenses as studied by pyramidal aberrometry.

BACKGROUND: To study and compare the clinical optical image quality following implantation with different premium IOLs by analysing the point spread function (PSF) Strehl ratio using a pyramidal wavefront sensor (PWS)-based aberrometer. METHODS: This study included 194 eyes implanted with: (a) 19 AcrySof SA60AT (control group); (b) 19 Miniwell; (c) 24 LENTIS Mplus LS-313 MF30; d) 33 LENTIS Mplus LS-313 MF15; (e) 17 AkkoLens Lumina; (f) 31 AT LISA Tri 839MP; (g) 20 Precizon Presbyopic; (h) 20 AcrySof IQ PanOptix; (i) 11 Tecnis Eyhance. Main outcome measures were PSF Strehl ratio, PSF Strehl ratio excluding second-order aberrations (PSFw2), total root mean square (RMS), low-order aberration (LOA) and high-order aberration (HOA) RMS measured by PWS aberrometer. RESULTS: AT LISA Tri had the highest PSFw2 Strehl ratio at both 3.0- and 4.0-mm pupil size (0.52 ± 0.14 and 0.31 ± 0.10; P < 0.05), followed by SA60AT (0.41 ± 0.11 and 0.28 ± 0.07) and PanOptix (0.4 ± 0.07 and 0.26 ± 0.04). AT LISA Tri was found to provide a significantly better retinal image quality than PanOptix at both 3.0 mm (P < 0.0001) and 4.0 mm (P = 0.004). Mplus MF15 was found to be significantly better than Mplus MF30 at both 3.0 mm (P < 0.0001) and 4.0 mm (P = 0.002). Total RMS, LOA RMS, HOA RMS, PSF Strehl ratio and PSFw2 varied significantly between the studied groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Far distance clinical image quality parameters measured by PWS aberrometer differed significantly according to the technology of the implanted lens. AT LISA Tri, SA60AT and PanOptix showed the highest values of far distance retinal image quality, while the lowest PSFw2 Strehl ratios were displayed by Miniwell, Mplus MF30 and Precizon Presbyopic.

Light scattering in intraocular lenses explanted 15 to 40 years after surgery.

The optical quality of intraocular lenses (IOLs) of different materials that have been implanted from 16 to 44 years in human eyes was studied. The IOLs were explanted due to other causes than loss of transparency. The scattered light from the IOLs was assessed in two angular regimes by using dark field images (for wide angles) and the optical integration method (for narrower angles). No evident differences were found in the scattering intensities processed from the dark images. The explanted lenses presented slightly increased amounts of straylight between 1 and 5.1° when compared to a reference new unused lens.

Risk stratification of severe aortic stenosis according to new guidelines: long term outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Current ESC and ACC/AHA guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease assign a class Ia indication for aortic valve replacement (AVR) only to patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis and asymptomatic patients with depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF <50%) or positive exercise test. We examined the long-term outcomes for patients undergoing AVR for aortic stenosis over a 11-year period at our institution compared to current international guidelines for AVR. METHODS: Patients who had undergone isolated AVR for severe aortic valve stenosis between January 2001 and December 2012 were selected. The population was divided into subgroups based on preoperative LVEF (< or ≥50%) and on presence/absence of symptoms (NYHA =I or ≥II, respectively). RESULTS: We identified 607 patients with a median follow-up (FU) time of 5.75 years (IQR 3.24-8.00 years). The presence of symptoms did not have a significant impact on cardiovascular mortality (P=0.201). Patients with LVEF <50% displayed a higher long-term cardiovascular mortality rate (P=0.015). Multivariate analysis showed that preserved LVEF was a protective factor for asymptomatic patients (P=0.021), while preoperative LVEF did not affect the mortality rate in symptomatic patients (HR 0.88; 95% CI, 0.54-1.44). Correspondingly, asymptomatic patients with reduced LVEF were found to be at a higher risk of long-term mortality compared to the other groups (P=0.011). The only other independent risk factor for death was age (HR 6.46; 95% CI, 2.22-18.76). CONCLUSIONS: According to our data, current international class I indications for symptomatic patients ensure good long-term survival, while class I indications for asymptomatic patients with reduced LVEF are associated with poor long-term survival. Our results suggest that early surgery should also be considered also for asymptomatic patients with preserved LVEF, particularly in cases of very low operative risk.

Acute DeBakey Type I aortic dissection without intimal tear in the arch: is total arch replacement the right choice?

OBJECTIVES: Surgical management of acute DeBakey Type I aortic dissection without intimal tear in the aortic arch is controversial. This study compared short- and long-term outcomes of total arch replacement (TAR) versus limited ascending aorta/hemiarch replacement (no-TAR) in a consecutive series of patients. METHODS: Between January 1998 and December 2015, 220 consecutive patients were operated for DeBakey Type I acute aortic dissection; 135 cases did not exhibit an intimal entry tear in the aortic arch and were subsequently selected to comprise the primary study cohort. A secondary subgroup analysis was made within these 135 cases, which comprised patients who received antegrade cerebral perfusion as the neuroprotective strategy of choice (n = 45). RESULTS: Mean follow-up period was 5 ± 4 years. Among the patients selected, 21 (16%) underwent TAR. Thirty-day mortality was higher in the TAR group (38% vs 21%, P = 0.04). Postoperative complication rates were similar between the groups (61% vs 73%, P = 0.31). Long-term mortality and late aortic reintervention rates were also similar (7% vs 30%, P = 0.36 and 27% vs 14%, P = 0.32, respectively). From the subgroup of patients with antegrade cerebral perfusion, 14 (31%) underwent TAR and 31 (69%) had no-TAR. Mean follow-up-time was 3 ± 2 years. Thirty-day mortality was higher in the TAR group (50% vs 16%, P < 0.01), postoperative complications, long-term mortality and late aortic reintervention rates were similar (64% vs 69%, P = 0.73; 0% vs 19%, P = 0.22; 29% vs 8%, P = 0.17, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: TAR was associated with higher 30-day mortality compared with the less extensive hemiarch replacement. In the long term, TAR showed a trend of improved survival and higher reintervention rate.

Analysis of early and long-term outcomes of acute type A aortic dissection according to the new international aortic arch surgery study group recommendations.

To evaluate predictors of early and long-term outcomes of surgical repair of acute Type A aortic dissection. Retrospective single-centre study evaluating patients surgically treated between 1998 and 2013. Clinical follow-up was performed. Complications were classified according to the International Aortic Arch Surgery Study Group recommendations. Statistical analysis included univariate and multivariate analysis of preoperative and operative data. One hundred eighty-five patients were evaluated. The follow-up was complete for 180 patients (97 %). Mean age was 63 years, 82 % had a DeBakey type I aortic dissection, 18 % a type II. Eleven patients (6 %) died intraoperatively, 119 of the remaining (68 %) had postoperative complications. Thirty-day mortality was 21 % (38 patients). Average ICU and hospital stay were 6 and 14 days, respectively. During a mean follow-up time of 6 ± 4 years we observed 44 deaths (31 %). Twenty patients (14 %) needed late thoracic aorta reoperation. Results from the multivariate analysis are as follows. Thirty-day mortality was associated with abdominal pain at presentation (p < 0.01). The incidence of postoperative complications was related to older age at intervention (p < 0.01) and longer cross-clamp time (p < 0.01). Mortality at follow-up was significantly increased by older age at intervention (p < 0.01), with a logarithmic growth after 60 years, female sex (p < 0.01), preoperative limb ischemia (p = 0.02) and DHCA (p < 0.01). The surgical results of type A aortic dissection are affected by age at intervention with a logarithmic increase of late mortality in patients older than 60 years.