Moderate patient-prosthesis mismatch predicts cardiac events and advanced functional class in young and middle-aged patients undergoing surgery due to severe aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The clinical impact of patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) on outcomes in young and middle-aged patients undergoing surgery for aortic valve replacement (AVR) remains unknown. Our objective was to examine the mid-term impact of PPM on overall mortality, quality of life, and cardiac events in this population. METHODS: All patients younger than 70 years of age undergoing isolated AVR from October 2005 to October 2011 were analyzed. PPM was defined as the indexed effective orifice area ≤ 0.85 cm(2) /m(2) . We studied the impact of PPM on mid-term overall mortality, cardiac events, and New York Heart Association functional class using an analysis stratified for propensity score. Cardiac events were defined as cardiac death, sudden death, hospital readmission due to angina, syncope or heart failure or reoperation on aortic prosthesis. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-three patients were included in the study, of whom 81 (27.61%) had some degree of PPM. PPM had no impact on mid-term overall mortality (HR=1.45; 95% CI=0.65-3.22; p=0.36), although it had a negative impact on cardiac events (HR=11.52; 95% CI=5.25-25.24; p<0.001) and functional class (RR=7.55; 95% CI=2.59-22.03; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate PPM appears to be a strong and independent predictor of cardiac events and advanced functional class in young and middle-aged patients undergoing AVR for severe stenosis. However, it is possible that it has no impact on overall mortality.

Long-term effect of dual antiplatelet treatment after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have found increased long-term cardiovascular morbidity after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB). We evaluated the efficacy and safety of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT) in the prevention of cardiovascular events at two years after OPCAB surgery. METHODS: Retrospective study that included all patients that underwent OPCAB surgery in our institution between 2009 and 2010. Single or dual antiplatelet therapy was initiated at hospital discharge, and its effect in patients' prognosis was analyzed. Follow-up was conducted by telephone and using the hospital databases. The primary end-point was the composite of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), revascularization, stroke, or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: The study included 237 patients divided into: (A) 128 patients who received single antiplatelet therapy and (B) 109 patients who received dual antiplatelet therapy. The mean follow-up was 23.85 months (standard deviation 0.5 months). 13.9% of patients had a primary end-point event. Patients in group A had a higher event rate compared with group B (18.8% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.02), with a significant reduction in hospital readmissions for ACS (10.9% vs. 3.7%, p = 0.035). In the multivariate analysis, dual antiplatelet therapy was an independent protective factor in the occurrence of events (hazard ratio = 0.395, 95% CI, 0.176 to 0.885, p = 0.024). There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to bleeding events. CONCLUSION: Dual antiplatelet therapy after OPCAB surgery is associated with a decrease in the appearance of new cardiovascular events, due to a reduction in the number of hospital readmissions for ACS.

[Percutaneous treatment of thoracic aorta diseases. A multidisciplinary approach]. / Tratamiento percutáneo de las afecciones de la aorta torácica. Una labor multidisciplinaria.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the experience of a multidisciplinary team in the percutaneous treatment of thoracic aorta disease. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Between December 2001 and January 2004, 15 patients were selected for percutaneous treatment at the Thoracic Aorta Unit of the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias. The motives for stent implantation were: degenerative aneurysm (n=7), acute dissection (n=4), penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (n=1), posttraumatic aneurysm (n=2) and postsurgery pseudoaneurysm (n=1). Four procedures were considered emergencies. Another two patients underwent prior surgery of the supra-aortic branches. Previous computed tomographic angiography and arteriography were performed, and in complex cases of dissection, magnetic resonance imaging was used. All stent placement procedures were performed in the hemodynamics laboratory. All patients underwent computed tomographic angiography during follow-up. RESULTS: Stent positioning was technically successful in 14 patients. The mean length of aortic coverage was 230 +/- 110 mm (range 110-440 mm). No intraoperative deaths occurred. There was one in-hospital death. Transient postimplantation syndrome was presented in three patients. Two type I endoleaks, one type II endoleak and one thrombosis of the superior mesenteric artery were found on computed tomographic angiography at one month. One type III endoleak and one type II endoleak were found during subsequent follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular stent-grafting is a valid alternative in the treatment of aortic disease in high-risk patients. Coordination between different medical specialties and appropriate selection of patients are needed. Long-term follow-up is necessary to ensure the usefulness and efficacy of the procedure.

Impact of patient-prosthesis mismatch on 30-day outcomes in young and middle-aged patients undergoing aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: The impact of patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) on early outcomes in young and middle-aged patients undergoing conventional aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis remains unknown. Our objective was to evaluate the incidence of some degree of PPM and its influence on early mortality and morbidity. METHODS: We analyzed our single center experience in all patients <70 years undergoing first-time isolated aortic valve replacement for severe stenosis in our center from September 2007 to September 2011. PPM was defined as an indexed effective orifice area ≤ 0,85 cm(2)/m(2). The influence of PPM on early mortality and postoperative complications was studied using propensity score analysis. Follow up at 30 postoperative days was 100% complete. RESULTS: Of 199 patients studied, 61 (30,7%) had some degree of PPM. PPM was associated with an increased postoperative mortality (OR = 8,71; 95% CI = 1,67-45,29; p = 0,04) and major postoperative complications (OR = 2,96; CI = 1,03-8,55; p = 0,044). However, no association between PPM and prolonged hospital or ICU stay was demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate PPM is a common finding in young and middle-aged patients undergoing surgery for aortic valve replacement due to severe stenosis. In addition, its influence on early outcomes may be relevant.

[Influence of patient-prosthesis mismatch in the octogenarian undergoing surgery for aortic valve replacement due to severe stenosis]. / Influencia del desajuste paciente-prótesis en el octogenario operado de recambio valvular aórtico por estenosis severa.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The clinical impact of patient-prosthesis mismatch on the outcome in octogenarians who undergo surgery for aortic valve replacement due to severe stenosis is unknown. Our objective was to quantify the frequency of some degree of patient-prosthesis mismatch and its impact on mortality and life quality. METHODS: We analyzed all the octogenarian patients who underwent surgery for aortic valve replacement due to severe stenosis in our center from February 2004 to April 2009. Patient-prosthesis mismatch was considered to exist when the indexed effective orifice area was ≤ 0.85 cm²/m². The influence of patient-prosthesis mismatch on in-hospital mortality, medium-term survival, and New York Heart Association functional class was studied using an analysis adjusted for propensity score. RESULTS: Of 149 patients studied, 61.7% had some degree of patient-prosthesis mismatch (mean follow-up was 32.71 ± 14.42 months). After adjusting for propensity score, there were no differences in in-hospital mortality (odds ratio=0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.15-3.58; P=.72), medium-term survival (hazard ratio=1; 95% confidence interval, 0.36-2.78; P=.99) or functional class during follow-up (odds ratio=1.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.073-29.24; P=.8). CONCLUSIONS: Although moderate patient-prosthesis mismatch is a very common finding in octogenarian patients who undergo aortic valve replacement, its influence on mortality and quality of life does not seem to be relevant. The biological profile of elderly patients with lower metabolic requirements and limited physical activity could justify the results obtained.

[Aortic valve replacement in octogenarians with severe aortic stenosis. Experience in a series of consecutive patients at a single center]. / Cirugía de recambio valvular por estenosis aórtica severa en mayores de 80 años. Experiencia de un centro en una serie de pacientes consecutivos.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Greater life-expectancy has led to an increase in the incidence of severe aortic stenosis, which accounts for a significant proportion of the workload of cardiology departments. With the imminent arrival of percutaneous aortic valve prostheses, it is important to know how effective surgery currently is in octogenarians. METHODS: The study included all patients aged >or=80 years with severe aortic stenosis who underwent cardiac catheterization prior to aortic valve replacement between May 1996 and May 2006. The percentage of patients who underwent surgery, outcomes at 30 days, long-term survival, and predictors of mortality were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 137 patients evaluated, 104 (75.9%) underwent surgery, while 33 did not due to a low ejection fraction or severe chronic bronchitis, or because the patient's family did not give consent. The patients' mean age was 81.7 (1.5) years, 61.5% were female, 18.4% had diabetes, 7.8% had had a previous infarction, and 32.7% had coronary disease. Three patients (2.9%) had a perioperative myocardial infarction, six (5.8%) had a stroke, and six (5.8%) had a permanent pacemaker. Four patients (3.8%) died during the first 30 days. The survival rates at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 years were 90 (2.9), 81 (4.2), 78 (4.8), 75 (5.3), 65 (7.2) and 60 (8.2)%, respectively. The following predictors of long-term mortality were identified: creatinine level, emergency surgery, and reintervention because of bleeding. Some 76.3% of patients remained in New York Heart Association functional class I-IV. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic valve replacement can be performed successfully in patients aged >or=80 years with severe aortic stenosis; the complication rate was low, and the survival rate and long-term results were good. Predictors of mortality in this series were the creatinine level, emergency surgery, and reintervention because of bleeding.