Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status and Readmission in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Repair.

INTRODUCTION: We examined the association of socioeconomic status as defined by median household income quartile (MHIQ) with mortality and readmission patterns following open repair of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) in a nationally representative registry. METHODS: Adults who underwent open repair of ATAAD were selected using the US Nationwide Readmissions Database and stratified by MHIQ. Patients were selected based on diagnostic and procedural codes. The primary endpoint was 30-d readmission. RESULTS: Between 2016 and 2019, 10,288 individuals (65% male) underwent open repair for ATAAD. Individuals in the lowest income quartile were younger (median: 60 versus 64, P < 0.05) but had greater Elixhauser comorbidity burden (5.9 versus 5.7, P < 0.05). Across all groups, in-hospital mortality was approximately 15% (P = 0.35). On multivariable analysis adjusting for baseline comorbidity burden, low socioeconomic status was associated with increased readmission at 90 d, but not at 30 d. Concomitant renal disease (odds ratio [OR], 1.68; P < 0.001), pulmonary disease (OR, 1.26; P < 0.001), liver failure (OR 1.2, P = 0.04), and heart failure (OR, 1.17; P < 0.001) were all associated with readmission at 90 d. The primary indication for readmission was most commonly cardiac (33%), infectious (16.5%), and respiratory (9%). CONCLUSIONS: In patients who undergo surgery for ATAAD, lower MHIQ was associated with higher odds of readmission following open repair. While early readmission for individuals living in the lowest income communities is likely attributable to greater baseline comorbidity burden, we observed that 90-d readmission rates are associated with lower MHIQ regardless of comorbidity burden. Further investigation is required to determine which patient-level and system-level interventions are needed to reduce readmissions in the immediate postoperative period for resource poor areas.

Assessing national trends in indications for pediatric total thyroidectomy.

PURPOSE: The most common indications for total thyroidectomy (TT) in children are malignancy and thyrotoxicosis due to Graves' disease (GD). However, the incidence of patients with GD among patients undergoing TT is unknown. This study aims to examine trends in pediatric TT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The US Agency for Health Research and Quality Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) was queried to identify patients who underwent TT between 1997 and 2019. Weighted national estimates were obtained. Statistical analysis was completed using univariate logistic regression and one-sided Mann-Kendall Test. RESULTS: An estimated 4803 pediatric patients underwent TT within the study years. GD was the indication in 25 % of cases. Mann-Kendall testing showed a trend toward an increasing proportion of TT for GD without reaching statistical significance (z = 1.3609, S = 12, p = 0.0688). Statistically significant univariate associations were found among those who underwent thyroidectomy for GD compared to other indications, as they were more likely to be female (ß = 0.286, 95 % CI [0.058, 0.514], p = 0.014), Black, or Hispanic (ß = 1.392 [1.064, 1.721], p < 0.001; and ß = 0.562 [0.311, 0.814], p < 0.001, respectively). Additionally, they were less likely to have private insurance (ß = -0.308 [-1.076, -0.753], p = 0.002) and more likely to live in a ZIP code associated with a median household income below the 50th percentile (ß = 0.190 [0.012, 0.369], p = 0.036). The associations with the female sex, Black race, and Hispanic race persisted in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: GD appears to be an increasingly prevalent indication for TT. Patient characteristics differ from those who undergo TT for other diagnoses.

ARISE: First-In-Human Evaluation of a Novel Stent Graft to Treat Ascending Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: Operative mortality for type A aortic dissection is still 10-20% at centers of excellence. Additionally, 10-20% are not considered as viable candidates for open surgical repair and not offered life-saving emergency surgery. ARISE is a multicenter investigation evaluating the novel GORE® Ascending Stent Graft (ASG; Flagstaff, AZ). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to assess early feasibility of using these investigational devices to treat ascending aortic dissection. METHODS: This a prospective, multicenter, non-randomized, single-arm study that enrolls patients at high surgical risk with appropriate anatomical requirements based on computed tomography imaging at 7 of 9 US sites. Devices are delivered transfemorally under fluoroscopic guidance. Primary endpoint is all-cause mortality at 30 days. Secondary endpoints include major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) at 30 days, 6 months, and 12 months. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were enrolled with a mean age of 75.7 years (range 47-91) and 11 (57.9%) were female. Ten (52.6%) had DeBakey type I disease, and the rest were type II. Sixteen (84.2%) of the patients were acute. Patients were treated with safe access, (7/19 (36.8%) percutaneous, 10/19 (52.6%) transfemoral, 2/19 (10.5%) iliac conduit), delivery, and deployment completed in all cases. Median procedure time was 154 mins (range 52-392) and median contrast used was 111 mL (range 75-200). MACCE at 30 days occurred in 5 patients including mortality 3/19 (15.8%), disabling stroke in 1/19 (5.3%), and myocardial infarction in 1/19 (5.3%). CONCLUSION: Results from the ARISE early feasibility study of a specific ascending stent graft device to treat ascending aortic dissection are promising.

Implementation of a direct-to-operating room aortic emergency transfer program: Expedited management of type A aortic dissection.

INTRODUCTION: Type A Aortic Dissection (TAAD) is a surgical emergency with a time-dependent rate of mortality. We hypothesized that a direct-to-operating room (DOR) transfer program for patients with TAAD would reduce time to intervention. METHODS: A DOR program was started at an urban tertiary care hospital in February 2020. We performed a retrospective study of adult patients undergoing treatment for TAAD before (n = 42) and after (n = 84) implementation of DOR. Expected mortality was calculated using the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection risk prediction model. RESULTS: Median time from acceptance of transfer from emergency physician to operating room arrival was 1.37 h (82 min) faster in DOR compared to pre-DOR (1.93 h vs 3.30 h, p < 0.001). Median time from arrival to operating room was 1.14 h (72 min) faster after DOR compared to pre-DOR (0.17 h vs 1.31 h, p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was 16.2% in pre-DOR, with an observed-to-expected (O/E) ratio of 1.03 (p = 0.24) and 12.0% in the DOR group, with an O/E ratio of 0.59 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Creation of a DOR program resulted in decreased time to intervention. This was associated with a decrease in observed-to-expected operative mortality. The transfer of patients with acute type A aortic dissection to centers with direct-to-OR programs may result in decreased time from diagnosis to surgery.

Perioperative outcomes in children with Hashimoto's thyroiditis undergoing total thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) affects 1-2 % of the pediatric population. In adults with HT, thyroidectomy is considered challenging and prone to postoperative complications due to the chronic inflammatory process. However, the complications of thyroidectomy among children with HT have not been established. The objective of our study was to evaluate whether children with HT undergoing total thyroidectomy for presumed thyroid cancer have higher complication rates than children without HT. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of children who underwent total thyroidectomy by high-volume pediatric otolaryngologists between 2014 and 2021. RESULTS: 111 patients met inclusion criteria, 15 of these were diagnosed with HT preoperatively. Operative time and length of admission were similar among the groups. Postoperatively, patients with HT were more likely to have low levels of parathyroid hormone (60 % vs 26 %, p = 0.014) and transient hypocalcemia compared to non-HT patients, present with symptomatic hypocalcemia (67 % vs 27 %, p = 0.006), demonstrate EKG changes (20 % vs 6.3 %, p = 0.035) within 24 h of surgery, and to require both oral and intravenous calcium supplements (80 % vs 35 %, p = 0.001 and 60 % vs 22 % p = 0.004 respectively). Persistent hypocalcemia at 6 months follow-up, and recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis rates were similar between groups. Parathyroid tissue was found in the thyroid specimen of 9 (60 %) HT patients vs 34 (35 %) non-HT patients (p = 0.069). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of permanent complications among children with HT following thyroidectomy is low. However, patients with HT are more likely to develop symptomatic transient hypocalcemia and to require oral and intravenous calcium supplements in the immediate post-operative period compared to non-HT patients. Tailoring a perioperative treatment protocol to optimize calcium levels may be considered for children with HT.

Two-year outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implantation in degenerated surgical valves.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implantation (ViV-TAVI) has emerged in recent years as a safe alternative to redo surgery in high-risk patients. Although early results are encouraging, data beyond short-term outcomes are lacking. Herein, we aimed to assess the 2-year outcomes after ViV-TAVI. METHODS: Patients undergoing ViV-TAVI for degenerated surgical valves between 2013 and 2019 at the Cleveland Clinic were reviewed. The coprimary endpoints were all-cause mortality and congestive heart failure (CHF) hospitalizations. We used time-to-event analyses to assess the primary outcomes. Further, we measured the changes in transvalvular gradients and the incidence of structural valve deterioration (SVD). RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-eight patients were studied (mean age = 76 years; 65% males). At 2 years of follow-up, all-cause mortality and CHF hospitalizations occurred in 15 (8%) and 28 (14.9%) patients, respectively. On multivariable analysis, the postprocedural length of stay was a significant predictor for both all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01, 1.19) and CHF hospitalization (HR = 1.16; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.27). However, the internal diameter of the surgical valve was not associated with significant differences in both primary endpoints. For hemodynamic outcomes, nine patients (4.8%) developed SVD. The mean and peak transvalvular pressure gradients remained stable over the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: ViV-TAVI for degenerated surgical valves was associated with favorable 2-year clinical and hemodynamic outcomes. Further studies are needed to better understand the role of ViV-TAVI as a treatment option in the life management of aortic valve disease.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patency and Survival in Patients on Dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about graft patency after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) performed in patients on dialysis. Our aim was to assess patency of internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts and saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) in these patients. METHODS: From 1/1997 to 1/2018, 500 patients on dialysis underwent primary CABG with or without concomitant procedures at Cleveland Clinic, 40 of whom had 48 postoperative angiograms for recurrent ischemic symptoms. Complete follow-up was obtained on all but 1 patient lost to follow-up 1 y after CABG. Thirty-six ITA grafts and 65 SVGs were evaluable for stenosis and occlusion. RESULTS: Two of 40 patients (5%) had emergency CABG; 3 (7.5%) with calcified aortas had a change in operative strategy to avoid ascending aortic manipulation, 2 (5%) had poor conduit quality, and 12 (30%) had severe diffuse atherosclerotic disease with calcification of the coronary targets causing technical difficulties. Thirty-three patients (82%) were bypassed with an in situ ITA and 3 (7.5%) had a free ITA graft. Three of 36 ITA grafts were occluded at 0.78, 1.8, and 9.4 y (too few to model). SVG patency was 52% and 37% at 1 and 2 y, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients on dialysis who underwent CABG, coronary angiography for ischemic symptoms in a select subset revealed that SVG patency was lower than expected from published reports in the general CABG population and may contribute to the poor prognosis of this cohort. Further work is needed to guide graft selection and improve graft patency in dialysis patients.

Radical Pericardiectomy for Pericardial Diseases.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The surgical management of constrictive pericarditis has evolved from a partial pericardiectomy via a thoracotomy approach to a more extensive removal of the pericardium. This review summarizes the published studies regarding surgical management of pericardial disease, focusing on the surgical technique of radical pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis. RECENT FINDINGS: Anterior phrenic to phrenic resection without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass has been performed in many centers. This approach achieves improvement in symptoms; however, there are patients who have progressive constriction of the remaining pericardium requiring a completion pericardiectomy. Recent studies show that the survival and functional outcome is superior after a complete pericardiectomy. Our approach is to perform a complete pericardiectomy using cardiopulmonary bypass. In experienced centers, the outcomes have significantly improved with careful selection of patients, advances in pre- and postoperative care, and refinement in surgical techniques.

Positive Pressure Bronchoscopy Technique: Case Report.

OBJECTIVE: Foreign body aspiration into the tracheobronchial tree continues to be a challenging problem for otolaryngologists. This is especially true in patients with poor pulmonary reserve. METHODS: We describe a novel technique in which an endotracheal sheathed bronchoscope is used as a means to provide positive pressure ventilation simultaneously during foreign body extraction. RESULTS: This new technique afforded the bronchoscopist more time during retrieval of the foreign body where previous attempts were limited by rapid desaturations and the overall nature of the foreign body. CONCLUSION: The endotracheal sheathed bronchoscope is a safe and efficacious technique for challenging airway foreign bodies complicated by a patient's limited pulmonary reserve.

Risk Factors and Outcomes of Patients Requiring a Permanent Pacemaker After Aortic Valve Replacement in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: The need for permanent pacemaker implantation (PCM) following surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is uncommon but can lead to increased hospital resource utilization. Using nationwide data, we sought to (1) identify hospital, patient, and procedure-level risk factors for PCM after SAVR and (2) determine incremental resource utilization. METHODS: We identified 659,692 patients from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database who underwent SAVR with or without coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), mitral valvuloplasty (MVr), or mitral valve replacement (MVR) between 1998 and 2009. Patients with pre-existing pacemakers, a concomitant Maze procedure, or endocarditis were excluded. Multivariable regression analysis and propensity matching were used for comparisons of outcomes and costs. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of PCM was 5.1% (n = 34,020; SAVR alone, 4.8%; SAVR + CABG, 4.6%; SAVR + MVr, 7.7%; SAVR + MVR, 10%). Important risk factors for PCM after SAVR were coexisting comorbidities, older age, and addition of mitral valve surgery. Hospital volume and teaching status, location, race, and sex were not associated with PCM. Among matched pairs, patients requiring PCM had lower in-hospital mortality (3.1% vs. 6.4%, p < 0.001) but longer median length of stay (12 vs. 9 days, p < 0.001) and higher hospital costs ($50,000 vs. $37,000, p < 0.001), and they were less likely to be discharged home (33% vs. 36%, p < 0.001). Factors associated with later PCM (postoperative day ≥6) included SAVR + MVR, female sex, fewer comorbidities, northeastern region, and higher hospital volume. Median hospital costs were greater ($57,000 vs. $48,000, p < 0.001) among patients whose pacemakers were implanted later. CONCLUSIONS: PCM following SAVR is associated with lower hospital mortality, but increased cost and length of stay. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12769 (J Card Surg 2016;31:476-485).

Trends in blood utilization in United States cardiac surgical patients.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine whether publication of blood conservation guidelines by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons in 2007 influenced transfusion rates and to understand how patient- and hospital-level factors influenced blood product usage. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We identified 4,465,016 patients in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database who underwent cardiac operations between 1999 and 2010 (3,202,404 before the guidelines and 1,262,612 after). Hierarchical linear modeling was used to account for hospital- and patient-level clustering. RESULTS: Transfusion rates of blood products increased from 13% in 1999 to a peak of 34% in 2010. Use of all blood components increased over the study period. Aortic aneurysm repair had the highest transfusion rate with 54% of patients receiving products in 2010. In coronary artery bypass grafting, the number of patients receiving blood products increased from 12% in 1999 to 32% in 2010. Patients undergoing valvular operations had a transfusion rate of 15% in 1999, increasing to 36% in 2010. Patients undergoing combined operations had an increase from 13% to 40% over 11 years. Risk factors for transfusion were anemia (odds ratio [OR], 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.01-2.09), coagulopathy (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.51-1.57), diabetes (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.28-1.36), renal failure (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.26-1.32), and liver disease (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.16-1.31). Compared to the Northeast, the risk for transfusion was significantly lower in the Midwest; higher-volume hospitals used fewer blood products than lower-volume centers. Cell salvage usage remained below 5% across all years. CONCLUSION: Independent of patient- and hospital-level factors, blood product utilization continues to increase for all cardiac operations despite publication of blood conservation guidelines in 2007.

Long-term results of multiple arterial bypass conduits.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Ongoing efforts to compare percutaneous coronary intervention with coronary bypass surgery for multivessel coronary disease mandate that surgeons reevaluate best practices for coronary surgery in order to maximize long-term outcomes. This review presents recent data for the long-term outcomes of multiple arterial grafting in terms of patient selection, conduit choice, and technical considerations. RECENT FINDINGS: Multiple arterial grafting remains poorly utilized, with fewer than 10% of cases receiving more than one arterial graft. Bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting confers superior long-term survival and freedom from reoperation over single thoracic artery with saphenous vein. Use of a second internal thoracic artery graft is advantageous in diabetic patients despite higher risk of sternal wound complications. Routine use of skeletonized grafts and Y or T grafting to allow complete revascularization allows lower early complication rates and better long-term survival. Radial artery grafts confer superior long-term survival compared with saphenous vein grafts and should be considered in patients at high risk for sternal wound complications. SUMMARY: Multiple arterial grafting confers superior long-term outcomes in comparison with single internal thoracic artery grafting and should be considered as the standard of care.

Bronchial artery revascularization in lung transplantation: revival of an abandoned operation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Current results of lung transplantation still lag behind those of other solid-organ transplants. Although bronchial dehiscence was the main cause of early mortality in the past, modern-day operative techniques and immunosuppression regiments have decreased, but not eliminated, this complication. Current barriers to long-term survival are chronic lung allograft dysfunction and infection. Bronchial artery revascularization was effective in decreasing bronchial anastomotic complications, but it was largely abandoned because of technical challenges. RECENT FINDINGS: Long-term follow-up in patients with bronchial artery revascularization has shown a survival advantage compared with the standard lung transplant technique. Recent data also show decreased infection, decreased early rejection and decreased bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, in addition to confirming the known advantages in bronchial healing. Modifications of the technique have also made bronchial artery revascularization feasible in the pediatric population. SUMMARY: Bronchial artery revascularization, although initially designed for bronchial healing, has clinical advantages that extend long term, including survival, infection and decreased graft dysfunction. Its usage in lung transplantation needs to be revisited.

Implanted size and structural valve deterioration in the Edwards Magna bioprosthesis.

Background: The desire of patients to avoid anticoagulation, together with the potential of valve-in-valve (VIV) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), have resulted in the increasing use of bioprosthetic valves for aortic valve replacement (AVR). While patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) is known to be an adverse risk after AVR, few studies have addressed the effect of PPM on valve durability. This study evaluates the role of valve size and hemodynamics on long term durability after AVR with a Magna bioprosthesis. Methods: We performed a retrospective, single-center evaluation of patients who underwent a surgical AVR procedure between June 2004 through December 2022 using the Magna bioprosthesis. Perioperative information and long-term follow-up data were sourced from the institution's Society for Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Registry and outcomes database. Cumulative incidence of freedom from reintervention were estimated accounting for competing events. Group comparisons used Gray's test. Results: Among 2,100 patients, the mean patient age was 69 years (range, 22-95 years), of whom 98% had native aortic valve disease, 32.5% had concomitant coronary bypass grafting, and 19% had mitral valve surgery. Median follow-up was 5.8 (1.9-9.4) years, during which 116 reinterventions were performed, including 74 explants and 42 VIV procedures. Nine hundred and twenty-eight patients died prior to reintervention. Incidence of all cause reintervention was 1.2%, 4.5%, and 11.7% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. Smaller valve size was associated with worse survival (P<0.001), but not with reintervention. Higher mean gradient at implant was associated with increased late reintervention [sub-distribution hazard ratio: 1.016; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.005 to 1.028; P=0.0047, n=1,661]. Conclusions: While reintervention rates are low for the Magna prosthesis at 15 years, the analysis is confounded by the competing risk of death. PPM, as reflected physiologically by elevated post-operative valve gradients, portends an increased risk of intervention. Further study is necessary to elucidate the mechanism of early stenosis in patients who progress to reintervention.

Pericardial Diseases and Best Practices for Pericardiectomy: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

Remarkable advances have occurred in the understanding of the pathophysiology of pericardial diseases and the role of multimodality imaging in this field. Medical therapy and surgical options for pericardial diseases have also evolved substantially. Pericardiectomy is indicated for chronic or irreversible constrictive pericarditis, refractory recurrent pericarditis despite optimal medical therapy, or partial agenesis of the pericardium with a complication (eg, herniation). A multidisciplinary evaluation before pericardiectomy is essential for optimal patient outcomes. Overall, given the good outcomes reported, radical pericardiectomy on cardiopulmonary bypass, if feasible, is the preferred approach. Due to patient complexity, as well as the technical aspects of the surgery, pericardiectomy should be performed at high-volume centers that have the required expertise. The current review highlights the essential features of this multidisciplinary approach from diagnosis to recovery in patients undergoing pericardiectomy.

Maximizing Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery With Enhanced Recovery (ERAS).

We convened a group of cardiac surgeons, intensivists, and anesthesiologists with extensive experience in minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) and perioperative care to identify the essential elements of a MICS program and the relationship with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). The MICS incision should minimize tissue invasion without compromising surgical goals. MICS also requires safe management of hemodynamics and preservation of cardiac function, which we have termed myocardial management. Finally, comprehensive perioperative care through an ERAS program should be provided to allow patients to achieve optimal recovery. Therefore, we propose that MICS requires 3 elements: (1) a less invasive surgical incision (non-full sternotomy), (2) optimized myocardial management, and (3) ERAS. We contend that the full benefit of MICS can be achieved only by also utilizing an ERAS platform.

Age-Stratified Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement for Aortic Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: The management of aortic stenosis has evolved to stratification by age as reflected in recent societal guidelines. We evaluated age-stratified surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) trends and outcomes in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) or tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database. METHODS: This cohort included adults (≥18 years) undergoing SAVR for severe aortic stenosis between July 2011 and December 2022. Comparisons were stratified by age (<65 years, 65-79 years, ≥80 years) and BAV or TAV status. Primary end points included operative mortality, composite morbidity and mortality, and permanent stroke. Observed to expected ratios by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality were calculated. RESULTS: In total, 200,849 SAVR patients (55,326 BAV [27.5%], 145,526 TAV [72.5%]) from 1238 participating hospitals met study criteria. Annual SAVR volumes decreased by 45% (19,560 to 10,851) during the study period. The decrease was greatest (96%) for patients ≥80 years of age (4914 to 207). The relative prevalence of BAV was greater in younger patients (<65 years, 69,068 [49.5% BAV]; 65-79 years, 104,382 [19.1% BAV]; ≥80 years, 27,399 [4.5% BAV]). The observed mortality in <80-year-old BAV patients (<65 years, 1.08; 65-79 years, 1.21; ≥80 years, 3.68) was better than the expected mortality rate (<65 years, 1.22; 65-79 years, 1.54; ≥80 years, 3.14). CONCLUSIONS: SAVR volume in the transcatheter era has decreased substantially, particularly for patients ≥80 years old and for those with TAV. Younger patients with BAV have better than expected outcomes, which should be carefully considered during shared decision-making in the treatment of aortic stenosis. SAVR should remain the preferred therapy in this population.