Contemporary management and outcomes of acute type A aortic dissection: An analysis of the STS adult cardiac surgery database.

PURPOSE: Management of acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) is challenging and operative strategies are varied. We used the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (STS ACSD) to describe contemporary surgical strategies and outcomes for AAAD. METHODS: Between July 2011 and September 2012, 2982 patients with AAAD underwent operations at 640 centers in North America. RESULTS: In this cohort, median age was 60 years old, 66% were male, and 80% had hypertension. The most common arterial cannulation strategies included femoral (36%), axillary (27%), and direct aortic (19%). The median perfusion and cross-clamp times were 181 and 102 min, respectively. The lowest temperature on bypass showed significant variation. Hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) was used in 78% of cases. Among those undergoing HCA, brain protection strategies included antegrade cerebral perfusion (31%), retrograde cerebral perfusion (25%), both (4%), and none (40%). Median HCA plus cerebral perfusion time was 40 min. Major complications included prolonged ventilation (53%), reoperation (19%), renal failure (18%), permanent stroke (11%), and paralysis (3%). Operative mortality was 17%. The median intensive care unit and hospital length of stays were 4.7 and 9.0 days, respectively. Among 640 centers, the median number of cases performed during the study period was three. Resuscitation, unresponsive state, cardiogenic shock, inotrope use, age >70, diabetes, and female sex were found to be independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: These data describe contemporary patient characteristics, operative strategies, and outcomes for AAAD in North America. Mortality and morbidity for AAAD remain high.

Impact of Valve Size on Prosthesis-Patient Mismatch and Aortic Valve Gradient After Transcatheter versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement.

OBJECTIVE: Limited data is available about the effect of implanted valve size on prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) incidence and aortic gradient (AG) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). We compared PPM incidence and postprocedural AG between TAVR and SAVR patients considering the impact of implanted valve size. METHODS: From March 20, 2012, to September 30, 2015, 563 consecutive patients underwent TAVR (n = 419) or isolated SAVR (n = 144). Postprocedural transthoracic echocardiography was obtained within 30 days; AG, effective orifice area (EOA), and EOA index were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 381 patients in TAVR group and 82 patients in SAVR group were included. Mean preoperative AG and mean aortic valve area were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Postprocedural AG was significantly lower in TAVR than SAVR group, 7.74 ± 5.39 versus 14.27 ± 8.16 (P < 0.001). Between patients who had TAVR and SAVR with a valve size ≤23 mm, SAVR patients were 3 times more likely to have greater than mild AG after the procedure, OR: 3.1 (95% CI, 1.1 to 8.9) (P < 0.001). PPM incidence was significantly higher in SAVR group than TAVR group, 44 (53.7%) versus 112 (29.4%), OR = 2.8 (95% CI, 1.7 to 4.5) (P < 0.001). The PPM incidence was also higher in SAVR group than TAVR group among those who had the procedures with a valve size ≤23 mm, 35 (64.8%) versus 56 (47.9%), OR = 2 (95% CI, 1.1 to 3.9) (P = 0.048). Postprocedural outcomes were comparable between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to SAVR, TAVR is associated with less PPM and lower AG, especially in patients receiving a valve size ≤23 mm.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Efficiency and Safety Improvements With Progressive Experience and Improved Technology.

OBJECTIVE: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is now commercially available for intermediate-risk, high-risk, or inoperable patients with severe aortic stenosis. In this study, we investigated change in the safety and efficiency of the transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure at our institution and patient outcomes comparing our first 100, second 100, and last 100 patients. METHODS: From March 2012 to June 2016, 544 patients underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement at our center. Three hundred patients were selected for this study and were categorized in the following three groups: group A, first to 100th patient; group B, 101st to 200th patient; and group C, 444th to 544th patient. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected. RESULTS: Three hundred patients, 162 male (54%) male and 138 female (46%) with a mean ± SD age of 79.10 ± 8.93 years and mean ± SD society of thoracic surgeons' risk score of 7.47 ± 0.76 were included. Fluoroscopy time, operation time, and incision time significantly decreased form group A to group C (all P < 0.05). Mean of contrast volume was also the highest in group A and the lowest in group C (P < 0.001). Acute kidney injury rate was 26% (n = 26) in group A versus 23% (n = 23) in group B (P = 0.743), and only one patient in group C (group C vs. group B, P < 0.001). Strokes declined over time: five (5%) stroke in group A; two (2%) stroke in group B, and no patient in group C (group C vs. group B, P = 0.1, and group C vs. group A, P = 0.059). In-hospital mortality was 5% (n = 5) in group A, 4% (n = 4) in group B, and 1% in group C (P = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: Progressive experience and technology advances with transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures improved operators' expertise, making the transcatheter aortic valve replacement more efficient and safer over time.

Femorofemoral Shunt During Surgery for Acute DeBakey Type 1 Dissection to Treat Peripheral Extremity Malperfusion.

Peripheral extremity ischemia in patients presenting with a DeBakey type 1 aortic dissection is an independent predictor for mortality. We present a patient with a DeBakey type 1 aortic dissection and peripheral extremity malperfusion that underwent simultaneous aortic repair and percutaneous femorofemoral shunt with arterial sidearm. Our approach allows for immediate peripheral extremity reperfusion and subsequent objective determination of the necessity of femorofemoral bypass via perfusion pressures.

Position Dependent Carotid Impingement Causing Recurrent Strokes.

We report the case of a young man with recurrent strokes over a four year period, all occurring after leaning forward. He had suffered damage to the right subclavian and right carotid arteries in a car accident 20 years prior. Review of history and imaging concluded that all of his infarcts had been in the distribution of the right carotid artery. CT angiogram revealed that a segment at the origin of the right common carotid artery was adjacent to the sternum and kinked at the point of contact. Proposed mechanism of infarcts is position dependent intermittent vessel damage causing thrombosis and distal embolization. The patient underwent surgical repair, with no further events. This case highlights the importance of evaluating structures adjacent to vessels in patients with cryptogenic strokes.

Results with a selective revascularization strategy for left subclavian artery coverage during thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

BACKGROUND: The need for routine left subclavian artery (LSCA) revascularization when this vessel is covered during thoracic endovascular aortic repair remains controversial. We report our results with a selective LSCA revascularization strategy during thoracic endovascular aortic repair. METHODS: Between May 2002 and March 2010, 287 thoracic endovascular aortic repair procedures were performed at our institution. LSCA coverage occurred in 145 (51%), which form the basis of this report. RESULTS: Left subclavian artery revascularization was performed in 32 patients (22%) through a left common carotid-LSCA bypass. Indications for selective LSCA revascularization included spinal cord protection in 10, patent pedicled left internal mammary artery graft in 9, left arm ischemia after LSCA coverage in 5, origin of the left vertebral artery from the arch in 4, dialysis access in the left arm in 2, and vertebrobasilar insufficiency in 2. There were no instances of dominant left vertebral artery. The revascularized and non-revascularized groups had similar rates of death (6.3% vs 1.8%; p=0.21), stroke (3.1% vs 3.5%; p>0.99), permanent paraplegia or paraparesis (3.1% vs 0%; p=0.22), and type II endoleak (4.3% vs 6.5%; p>0.99). There were no instances of ischemic stroke related to left posterior circulation hypoperfusion. Four complications of carotid-subclavian bypass occurred in 3 patients (9.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Selective LSCA revascularization is safe and does not appear to increase the risk of neurologic events. Further, subclavian revascularization is not without complications, which should be considered with regards to a nonselective revascularization strategy.

Comparison of Minithoracotomy versus Sternotomy in 304 Consecutive Tricuspid Valve Operations.

OBJECTIVE: : The relative outcomes of sternotomy versus thoracotomy for tricuspid valve operation were examined over a 22-year period. METHODS: : Three hundred four consecutive patients undergoing tricuspid valve operation using right minithoracotomy (THORC group; n = 124) versus median sternotomy (STERN group; n = 180) between 1985 and 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. Minithoracotomy used a 6-cm incision with femoral venous cannulation and augmented venous return. Sternotomy patients undergoing aortic valve, coronary bypass, or other procedure not feasible through a right minithoracotomy were excluded. RESULTS: : Both groups were similar except that STERN patients had an earlier operative year. Combined mitral and tricuspid valve operation was performed in 70% (214/304) of patients. The tricuspid valve was repaired in 59% (180/304) of patients. Previous sternotomy was present in 56% (171/304) of patients. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass times were longer in the THORC group (216 vs. 167 minutes, P < 0.0001). THORC was associated with a lower 30-day mortality (2% vs. 11%, P = 0.007), less atrial fibrillation (18% vs. 34%, P = 0.0025), less renal failure (3% vs. 11%, P = 0.016), and shorter length of stay (11 vs. 15 days, P = 0.012), although these differences were less apparent in more recent years. Stroke (3% vs. 2%, P = 0.72), respiratory failure (7% vs. 31%, P = 0.06), and infection rates (11% vs. 16%, P = 0.25) were similar. Five-year survival was also similar (63% vs. 64%, P = 0.84). CONCLUSIONS: : Given the limitations of a large, retrospective experience, minithoracotomy versus sternotomy is associated with low short-term morbidity and mortality, with advantages of avoiding sternotomy and minimizing mediastinal dissection in an otherwise high-risk group of patients.

Results of 141 consecutive minimally invasive tricuspid valve operations: an 11-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Reports of minimally invasive tricuspid valve operations are rare. We reviewed our experience and results of tricuspid valve operation using mini-thoracotomy during an 11-year period. METHODS: Consecutive patients (n = 141) undergoing tricuspid valve operation using mini-thoracotomy were retrospectively analyzed. Access was through a 6-cm right thoracotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass was instituted by means of the femoral artery (n = 16) or ascending aorta (n = 125) with augmented venous return. In most cases, vacuum assist without caval occlusion and snaring the cavae was used to minimize mediastinal dissection. In all cases, the tricuspid valve operation was done with the heart unclamped, and the heart either beating or fibrillating. RESULTS: Seventy-three percent (103 of 141 patients) of the patients underwent combined mitral and tricuspid valve operations. The tricuspid valve was repaired instead of being replaced in 61% (86 of 141 patients). Previous sternotomy was present in 49% (69 of 141 patients). The average patient age was 64 years. Conversion rate to median sternotomy was only 3% (4 of 141 patients). The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 216 minutes. Thirty-day mortality was 2.1% (3 of 141 patients). Stroke occurred in 2.8% (4 of 141 patients), and reexploration for bleeding occurred in 5.6% (8 of 141 patients). The stroke rate was 3 of 16 patients (18.8%) using mini-thoracotomy through femoral cannulation versus 1 of 125 patients (0.8%) through aortic cannulation (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In this largest reported series of patients undergoing tricuspid valve operation, mini-thoracotomy provides excellent short-term morbidity and mortality in these high-risk patients while avoiding redo sternotomy with a low conversion rate. Mini-thoracotomy with aortic cannulation is an attractive alternative approach to the tricuspid valve, particularly in patients with previous sternotomy.