Pacemaker after Sutureless and Rapid-Deployment Prostheses: A Progress Report from the SURD-IR.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the need for postoperative permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) following sutureless and rapid-deployment aortic valve replacement (SuRD-AVR) in the context of a progress report from a large multicenter international registry (SURD-IR). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 4,166 patients who underwent SuRD-AVR between 2008 and 2019. The primary outcome was the need for PPI before discharge. The study population was analyzed separately according to the implanted prostheses (Su cohort and RD cohort). Each cohort was divided into two groups based on the operation date: an early group ("EG" = 2008-2016) and a late group ("LG" = 2017-2019). RESULTS: The rate of PPI decreased significantly in the Su cohort over time (EG = 10.8% vs LG = 6.3%, p < 0.001). In the Su cohort, a decrease in age, risk profile, and incidence of bicuspid aortic valve, increased use of anterior right thoracotomy, reduction of cardiopulmonary bypass time and of associated procedures, and more frequent use of smaller prostheses were observed over time. In the RD cohort, the rate of PPI was stable over time (EG = 8.8% vs LG = 9.3%, p = 0.8). In this cohort, a younger age, lower risk profile, and higher incidence of concomitant septal myectomy were observed over time. CONCLUSION: Our analysis showed a significant decrease in the PPI rate in patients who underwent Su-AVR over time. Patient selection as well as surgical improvements and a more accurate sizing could be correlated with this phenomenon. The RD cohort revealed no significant differences either in patient's characteristics or in PPI rate between the two time periods.

Impact of preoperative malperfusion on postoperative outcomes in type A aortic dissection - importance of serum lactate estimation in ongoing malperfusion.

INTRODUCTION: Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is one of the most critical emergencies in cardiovascular surgery. Additional complications such as organ malperfusion can significantly decrease the chances of survival. Despite promptly performed surgical treatment, impaired organ perfusion may persist, thus close postoperative monitoring is recommended. But, is there a surgical consequence due to the existence of a preoperatively known malperfusion and is there a correlation between pre-, peri- and postoperative levels of serum lactate and proven malperfusion? METHODS: Between 2011 and 2018, 200 patients (66% male; median age: 62.5 years; interquartile range: +/-12.4 years) that received surgical treatment at our institution for an acute dissection DeBakey type I were enrolled in this study. The cohort was divided into two groups according to the preoperative existence of malperfusion and non-malperfusion. At least one kind of malperfusion occurred in 74 patients (Group A: 37%), while 126 patients (Group B: 63%) showed no evidence of malperfusion. Furthermore, lactate levels of both cohorts were differentiated into four periods: preoperative, intraoperative, 24 hours after surgery, and 2-4 days after surgery. RESULTS: The patients' status differed significantly prior to surgery. Group A (malperfusion) showed an elevated requirement for mechanical resuscitation (A: 10.8%; B: 5.6%; p: 0.173), were significantly more often admitted in an intubated state (A: 14.9%; B: 2.4%; p: 0.001) and showed higher incidences of stroke (A: 18.9% (n = 149); B: 3.2% (n = 4); p: 0.001). Levels of serum lactate from the preoperative period until days 2-4 were significantly increased in the malperfusion cohort at all times. CONCLUSIONS: Preexisting malperfusion due to ATAAD may significantly increase the chance of early mortality in patients with ATAAD. Serum lactate levels were a reliable marker for inadequate perfusion from admission until day 4 after surgery. Despite this, early intervention survival in this cohort remains limited.

Aortic Valve-Sparing Root Replacement (David I Procedure) in Adolescents: Long-Term Outcome.

INTRODUCTION: Aortic valve-sparing root replacement (David's procedure) is an especially appealing treatment option for young patients. Here, we present the short-, mid, and long-term outcomes of this operation in adolescent patients. METHODS: Between September 1994 and March 2014, 29 patients aged 6 to 21 years underwent the David-I procedure at our center. We conducted a retrospective study with follow-up. RESULTS: The mean age was 16.8 ± 3.4 years and 90% (n = 26) were male. Marfan's syndrome was present in 86% (n = 25) of cases. Ninety-seven percent (n = 28) of cases were performed electively, and one case (3%) was performed emergently for acute aortic dissection type A. There were no early perioperative deaths (0%). Follow-up, which was completed on 100% of patients, comprised a total of 394 patient years and a mean follow-up time of 13.6 ± 5.4 years. The estimates for survival at 1, 5, and 10 years after initial surgery were 100, 97, and 93%, respectively. During follow-up, there were four (14%) late deaths and five (17%) aortic valve-related reoperations. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year estimates for freedom from valve-related reoperation were 100, 86, and 83%, respectively. The perioperative mortality for these five reoperations was 0%. DISCUSSION: Aortic valve-sparing root replacement can be performed in adolescents with a very low perioperative risk. Long-term survival seems to be affected by connective tissue diseases.

Sutureless versus Stented Bioprostheses for Aortic Valve Replacement: The Randomized PERSIST-AVR Study Design.

INTRODUCTION: Sutureless biological valves for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), characterized by the absence of anchoring sutures at the aortic annulus, are gaining popularity because of ease and reproducibility of implant, shorter operating times, and enhancement of minimally invasive approaches. The stentless configuration of the sutureless valve was designed to achieve optimal hemodynamic performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PERSIST-AVR (PERceval Sutureless Implant versus STandard Aortic Valve Replacement) is a prospective, randomized, adaptive, open-label, international, postmarket trial (NCT02673697). The primary objective of the trial is to assess the safety and efficacy of the Perceval (LivaNova, London, UK) sutureless bioprosthesis among patients undergoing SAVR in the presence of severe aortic stenosis to demonstrate the noninferiority of Perceval as compared with standard sutured stented bioprosthetic aortic valve as an isolated procedure or combined with coronary artery bypass grafting. Sample size will be determined adaptively through interim analyses performed by an Independent Statistical Unit till a maximum of 1,234 patients, enrolled at ∼60 sites in countries where the device is commercially available. Patients will be followed up for 5 years after implant. The primary end point is the number of patients free from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular-related events at 1 year. Additional secondary outcomes will be assessed up to 5 years. DISCUSSION: PERSIST-AVR is the first prospective, randomized study comparing in-hospital and postdischarge outcomes in a robust population of patients undergoing SAVR with either the Perceval sutureless bioprosthesis or a conventional sutured stented bioprosthesis up to 5 years.

Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery in Re-Do Cases-The New Standard Procedure?

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) is superior to "classical" mitral valve surgery via a sternotomy regarding wound healing and postoperative pain. It is however a more challenging procedure. Patients' preference is leading clearly toward minimally invasive approaches, and surgeons are driven by upcoming new technologies in interventional procedures such as the MitraClip. Especially in re-do cases, the access via right mini-thoracotomy, as previously non-operated situs, is a possible advantage over a re-sternotomy. We therefore retrospectively analyzed our result regarding MIMVS in re-do cases at our institute. METHODS: From January 2011 and June 2016, 33 operations were MIMVS re-do procedures. Mean age was 60 years (±16 years), and 51% were male. RESULTS: Sixty-one percent were elective cases, 29% were urgent cases, and 9% were emergency operations. Operation times, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) times, and clamp times were 235 minutes (±51 min), 149 minutes (±42 min), and 62 minutes (±45min), respectively. Mitral valve repair and replacement was performed in 24% (n = 8) and 76% (n = 25), respectively. Overall in-hospital mortality, apoplexy, and re-operation rates (all for bleeding) were 0% (n = 0), 3% (n = 1), and 9% (n = 3). New onset of dialysis was required in two (6%) patients. Two (6%) patients developed superficial wound infection. Overall intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay was 3 days (±4 days) and 15 days (±7 days), respectively. CONCLUSION: MIMVS for re-do cases can be performed with minimal mortality and morbidity and therefore represents a safe alternative to conventional mitral valve surgery in cardiac re-do operations. However, postoperative morbidity is highly dependent on preoperative patient status.

In Vitro Evaluation of Inflow Cannula Fixation Techniques in Left Ventricular Assist Device Surgery.

The therapy of terminal heart failure with left ventricular assist devices has become a standard in cardiac surgery. Yet the surgical implantation technique is not standardized and differs from center to center. Complications associated with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) inflow cannula placement are thrombosis, suction events, and flow disturbances. Within this in vitro study we aimed to investigate if the fixation technique of the sewing ring has an impact on the position of the inflow cannula. For this in vitro study the HeartMate III LVAD (Thoratec Corporation, Pleasanton, CA, USA) was used. In five sessions, two approaches were considered for coring of the ventricle for LVAD inflow cannula insertion: "sew-then-core" and "core-then-sew." In the "sew-then-core" technique, the sewing cuff is first affixed to the heart, usually with 8-16 interrupted pledgeted mattress sutures. Subsequently, a cylindrical knife is used to resect a cylindrical core of myocardium to permit cannula insertion. In the "core-then-sew" technique, the sequence is reversed such that the knife is used before the suture ring is affixed. When the "sew-then-core" technique is used, the mattress sutures may be placed with full-thickness bites that penetrate the endocardium (i.e., transmural stitching) or partial-thickness bites that do not penetrate the endocardium (i.e., epicardial stitching). When the "core-then-sew" technique is used, the suture is passed fully into the ventricular lumen and fed back through the cored hole, at which point the needle may be reinserted into the freshly cored myocardium such that it exits the epicardium (i.e., transmural stitching with back stitch) or not (i.e., transmural stitching without back stitch). These four different sewing ring fixation suturing techniques were tested by experienced surgeons to affix the sewing ring: transmural stitching, epicardial stitching, transmural stitching with back stitch, and transmural stitching without back stitch. The sewing ring was sewed onto a silicone dummy designed to simulate the left ventricle with standard 2-0 Ethibond sutures (Ethicon, Somerville, NY, USA). Afterward, the dummies were measured and documented via photography. In addition, porcine hearts were used to simulate the suturing techniques in a physiological setting. The setting of the inflow cannula is substantially influenced by the fixation method of the sewing ring. Epicardial stitching showed the best results with stable cannula fixation, minimal gap around the cannula and no contact between the sutures and sewing ring with blood. The method of transmural stitching without back stitch showed the worst results by creating the biggest epithelial gap between inflow cannula and tissue as well as proving the biggest surface for blood contact between sewing ring and sutures. In general, both "sew-then-core" techniques resulted in a greater degree of apposition between the cuff and epicardial tissue. Within the study we revealed that the surgical fixation of the sewing ring has a significant impact on the inflow cannula stability, position, and tissue apposition in LVAD implantation surgery. Epicardial stitching of the sewing ring provides the best results in order to prevent suction events as well as thrombosis formation.

The Unplanned Postoperative Coronary Angiogram after CABG: Identifying the Patients at Risk.

Objectives Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the "gold standard" for patients with multiple vessel coronary artery disease (CAD). However, there is no "gold standard" to control bypass patency immediately postoperatively. "Post-completion" control angiogram (CA) is not routinely performed. We retrospectively analyzed the data of all patients undergoing urgent coronary angiogram post-CABG at our center. Methods Between January 2005 and June 2011, a total of 6,025 patients underwent CABG (isolated or combined) for CAD in our hospital. In patients who underwent urgent postoperative CA, high serum cardiac enzymes (>100 CK-MB), severe new ECG changes, or unexpected low left ventricular function were present. Results A total of 106 patients (1.8%) underwent post-CABG urgent coronary angiogram. Overall 30-day mortality in this cohort was 8.5%. The average time between the cardiac operation and the coronary angiogram in these patients was 3.41 ± 5.68 days. The rates for an urgent coronary angiogram were 1.3% (n = 25), 2% (n = 65), and 1.8% (n = 16) for total arterial, combined arterial, and venous and solely venous CABG, respectively. Twenty-four percent of patients underwent CABG bypass revision, while 32% of the patients underwent PTCA, stenting, or both. Younger patients, female patients, smaller patients, and patients receiving a combined arterial and venous revascularization were at a higher risk for an unplanned postoperative CA in the multivariate risk analysis. Conclusion This study shows that the necessity for urgent post-CABG coronary angiogram is low (1.8%). However, more than half of the patients undergoing postoperative coronary angiogram needed reintervention, and, in spite of it, had high mortality. "Completion" control angiogram is not always feasible, patients at higher risk (e.g., female patients) should be identified and post-CABG coronary angiogram performed as soon as possible without undue delay, or a primary hybrid approach with an intraoperative CA should be applied.

Right-Sided Heart Failure and Extracorporeal Life Support in Patients Undergoing Pericardiectomy for Constrictive Pericarditis: A Risk Factor Analysis for Adverse Outcome.

Background Right ventricular failure is a life-threatening postoperative complication after pericardiectomy. We conducted a retrospective study with a special emphasis on right ventricular failure. Methods Between June 1997 and September 2011, 69 patients underwent surgical pericardiectomy at our center. Mean age was 59 ( ± 15.5) years, and 49 (71%) patients were male. Causes of constrictive pericarditis included idiopathic (52%, n = 36), tuberculosis (9%, n = 6), postcardiotomy (12%, n = 8), radiation (4%, n = 3), renal insufficiency (12%, n = 8), and autoimmune disease (12%, n = 8). Concomitant cardiac surgery was performed in 33 (48%) patients. Results In-hospital mortality rate was 14% (10/69 patients). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was necessary in 8 (12%) cases because of right (n = 7) or biventricular (n = 1) failure. Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between early mortality and the following preoperative variables: postcardiotomy (p = 0.049), radiation (p = 0.009), pleural effusion (p = 0.012), ascites (p = 0.039), hepatic congestion (p = 0.023), absence of calcification on X-ray (p = 0.041), tricuspid valve insufficiency (TI, p < 0.001), and low cardiac index (p = 0.003). Diuretic usage (p = 0.044), peripheral edema (p = 0.050), low voltage (p = 0.027), dip-plateau sign (p = 0.027), elevated GGT (p < 0.001), and decreased serum protein (p < 0.001) correlated with ECMO implantation. Binary logistic regression identified pleural effusion (OR = 16.2, 95% CI = 1.4-191.5), moderate/severe TI (OR = 28.8, 95% CI = 2.7-306.8) and low cardiac index (OR = 25.3, 95% CI = 2.0-315.6) as preoperative independent risk factors for early mortality, whereas elevated GGT (OR = 28.3, 95% CI = 2.4-329.2) and decreased protein (OR = 24.7, 95% CI = 1.8-343.7) could predict right ventricular failure with the need for ECMO. Conclusion We recommend nondelayed ECMO support in case of significant postoperative right-sided heart failure. High-risk patients might benefit from elective pre- or intraoperative ECMO implantation.

Surgical treatment of coronary artery aneurysms.

INTRODUCTION: Coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) are rare. We present our experience with the surgical treatment of patients with CAAs. METHODS: Between March 2000 and October 2016, 15 patients with CAA underwent surgery. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 60 ± 16 years and 47% (n = 7) were male. Kawasaki syndrome was present in two (13%) patients and 7% (n = 1) patients had Marfan syndrome. Isolated CAAs were found in 73% (n = 11) and involvement of multiple vessels was present in 27% (n = 4) of patients. Coronary arteries (CA) affected by aneurysms were: 19% (n = 4) left main stem, 33% (n = 7) left anterior descending, 14% (n = 3) left circumflex, and 33% (n = 7) right coronary artery. The majority of patients (93%, n = 14) were operated on pump with a mean cross-clamp time of 51 ± 23 min. 53% (n = 8) of patients received total arterial CA bypass grafting, while the remaining patients (47%, n = 7) received venous ± internal thoracic artery grafts. Resection/ligation of CAA was performed in 27% (n = 4) of patients. In-hospital mortality was 0% (n = 0). Follow-up was complete for 100% of patients and comprised a total of 80 patient-years. During follow-up, only one patient (7%) required re-intervention. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of CAA has good short- and long-term results.

Total Arterial Revascularization with Radial Artery T-grafts in Patients with Significant Left Main Stem Stenosis Is Not Associated with Higher Perioperative Risk.

BACKGROUND: Total arterial revascularization (TAR) has become a standard procedure for the treatment of coronary multivessel disease, due to the superior long-term patency rates of arterial grafts as compared with saphenous vein graft material. Controversies about the use of TAR in patients with left main coronary artery disease exist. Hence, we ought to determine whether left main coronary artery disease is a risk factor for early postoperative mortality and morbidity after TAR using the in situ left internal thoracic artery (LITA) and radial artery as composite T-graft. METHODS: A total of 904 consecutive patients were included in this retrospective study. They underwent first-time coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in our institution, receiving TAR using the in situ LITA and RA T-graft. Of these patients, 247 (27%) had left main coronary artery disease (Group LMSS) and 657 (73%) had no significant left main coronary artery stenosis (Group nLMSS). RESULTS: Results were comparable. Mortality and perioperative myocardial infarction rates were 0.4% LMSS versus 0.3% nLMSS, p = 1, and 2% LMSS versus 2% nLMSS, p = 0.81, respectively. Stroke rate, acute renal failure rate, and reoperation rates were 2% LMSS versus 1% nLMSS, p = 0.36, 7% LMSS versus 8% nLMSS, p = 0.41, and 2% LMSS versus 3% nLMSS, p = 0.5, respectively. Postoperative stay was shorter in the LMSS group (8.1 ± 4.3 days vs. 8.9 ± 6.1 days nLMSS, p = 0.048). CONCLUSION: Our perioperative results indicate that TAR in patients with left main stenosis is safe and feasible. Long-term results will have to be awaited to further evaluate prognostic outcome.