Historical investigation of medical treatment for adult congenital heart disease: A Canadian perspective.

OBJECTIVE: The number of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) has increased substantially because of medical advances that are extending life expectancy beyond childhood. A historical investigation is timely not only because of this significant demographic shift, but also because stakeholder engagement is increasingly important in shaping research directions. The study questions were: From the perspective of stakeholders, what is known about the medical treatment for the adult CHD cohort in Canada and how has it changed over time? DESIGN/METHODS: We harnessed the use of historical research methods and conducted interviews with 21 key informants in order to articulate a contextualized understanding of the evolution of adult CHD treatment in Canada. The informants recruited were currently or previously located in and/or involved in treatment in seven provinces and two territories across Canada including patients, families, advocates, researchers, and practitioners located in disciplines that included cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, nursing, psychology, dietetics, and kinesiology. RESULTS: Alongside findings that highlighted the significant demographic shift, the findings highlight key themes related to temporal shifts in treatment, emergence of organizational structures and use of evidence, comprehensive approaches to care, and future directions. A critical finding that requires immediate attention is the significantly disproportionate resources to the number of adults living with CHD, and as a result, the real risk of premature death for this population. CONCLUSIONS: The insights provided behoove the community of stakeholders to think creatively on how to draw attention to the inadequacy of resources and the unique and diverse needs of this population.

Un-earthing emotions through art: facilitating reflective practice with poetry and photographic imagery.

In this article, we comment upon and provide an arts-informed example of an emotive-focused reflection of a health care practitioner. Specifically, we use poetry and photographic imagery as tools to un-earth practitioners' emotions within agonizing and traumatic clinical encounters. In order to recognize one's own humanness and authentically engage in the art of medicine, we immerse ourselves in the first author's poetic and photographic self-reflection. The poem and image are intended to inspire interpretation and meaning based on the reader's own professional and/or personal context. The last line of the poem is "I take off the gloves. My hands are marked."

Outcomes of isolated reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting in elderly patients.

OBJECTIVE: Primary coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is performed routinely in elderly patients with good results. However, the risk profile and outcomes of reoperative CABG in elderly patients are not well defined. Our purpose was to study the risk profile and hospital outcomes of isolated reoperative CABG in elderly patients (75 years and older) compared to isolated primary CABG in the same age group. METHODS: Between January 1990 and December 2010, 3483 elderly patients (age ≥ 75 years) underwent isolated CABG at our institution. Of these, 129 (3.7%) underwent reoperative CABG. Data were prospectively collected in a computerized database. Independent predictors of hospital mortality were determined by multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 3.2% and 8.5% (p < 0.001) in elderly patients in the primary group and reoperative group, respectively. Perioperative myocardial infarction (MI) occurred in 2.9% and 8.5% (p < 0.001), and low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) occurred in 6.2% and 20.9% (p < 0.001) of patients in the primary group and reoperative group, respectively. The prevalence of perioperative MI was threefold higher in elderly patients undergoing reoperative CABG with antegrade cardioplegia alone (11.5%) compared to combined antegrade/retrograde cardioplegia (3.9%). Additionally, mortality was higher in elderly patients undergoing reoperative surgery with use of antegrade cardioplegia alone (12.8% vs. 2%, p = 0.03). Combined use of antegrade and retrograde cardioplegia was independently protective from mortality in the reoperative group (OR = 0.10; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Elderly patients undergoing reoperative CABG have an approximately threefold increase in the risk of mortality compared to elderly patients undergoing primary CABG. The higher risk of mortality is primarily driven by a higher rate of perioperative MI and LCOS. Combined use of antegrade and retrograde cardioplegia was associated with lower perioperative MI and lower mortality.

Elastin stabilizes an infarct and preserves ventricular function.

BACKGROUND: After a myocardial infarction, the injured region becomes fibrotic and the myocardial scar may expand if the ventricular wall lacks elasticity. Cardiac dilatation may precipitate the vicious cycle of progressive heart failure. The present study evaluated the functional benefits of increasing elastin within a myocardial scar using cell based gene therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: A myocardial infarction was generated by ligation of the left anterior descending artery in rats. Six days later, 2 x 10(6) syngeneic rat endothelial cells transfected with the rat elastin gene (elastin group, n=14) or an empty plasmid (control group, n=14) were transplanted into the infarct scar. Cardiac function, left ventricular (LV) volume, and infarct size were monitored over 3 months by echocardiography, Langendorff measurements, and planimetry. Elastin deposition was evaluated in the cells and in the infarct region by Western blot assay and by histological examination. Recombinant elastin was found in the scar in the elastin group but not the control group during the 3 months after cell transplantation. Histological assessment demonstrated organized elastic fibers within the infarct region. LV volume and infarct size were significantly smaller (P<0.05) in the elastin group than in the control group. Cardiac function evaluated by echocardiography and during Langendorff perfusion was significantly better (P<0.05) in the elastin group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Expressing recombinant elastin within the myocardial scar reduced scar expansion and prevented LV enlargement after a myocardial infarction. Altering matrix remodeling after an infarct preserved the LV function for at least 3 months.