Transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implantation for failed surgical bioprosthetic valves. A minimalist approach without contrast aortography or echocardiographic guidance.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate safety, feasibility and short-term clinical outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve (ViV) implantation under local anesthesia without contrast aortography or echocardiographic guidance. BACKGROUND: Transcatheter ViV implantation is an emerging treatment modality for patients with degenerative surgical bioprostheses. Given the radiopaque properties of the surgical aortic valve (SAV) frame, ViV procedures can often be performed with fluoroscopic guidance alone. METHODS: ViV implantation was performed in 37 patients with SAV failure under local anesthesia without contrast aortography. Clinical and echocardiographic data were obtained at baseline, discharge, and 30 days. RESULTS: Mean age was 74 ± 10 years and STS predicted risk of mortality was 5.6 ± 2.4%. Mean transaortic gradient decreased from 39.4 ± 15.5 mmHg to 13 ± 6.3 mmHg at discharge (p < .001), and 20 ± 7.5 mmHg at 30 days (p < .001 compared to baseline), aortic valve area increased from 0.9 ± 0.3 cm2 to 1.2 ± 0.4 cm2 at 30 days (p = .007). No patient had more than mild aortic regurgitation. Hospital discharge occurred at a median of 2.6 ± 4.4 days. At 30-day follow-up there were no deaths, myocardial infarctions, strokes, repeat hospital admissions for heart failure, or renal failure. One patient (2.7%) required a new pacemaker. 93% of the patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I or II. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter aortic ViV implantation for selected patients with degenerative surgical bioprostheses under local anesthesia without aortography or echocardiographic guidance is feasible and safe.

Bailout surgical explantation of a transcatheter valve-in-valve for subacute thrombosis: When there is no time for anticoagulation: Case report and literature review.

Trancatheter heart valve (THV) thrombosis is effectively treated with anticoagulation but alternative therapies are required when a faster gradient reduction is needed. Open heart surgery has been rarely performed due to the high perioperative mortality and only five cases have been described so far. Here we describe a case of emergent surgical explantation for THV thrombosis after a valve-in-valve. A 67years old man underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation for a failed surgical bioprosthesis Epic 21mm (St. Jude Medical; St. Paul, Minnesota, US). A CoreValve 23mm (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US) was implanted through femoral access under conscious sedation without complications. Mean transvalvular gradient was effectively reduced (33mmHg vs 16mmHg) with no more than mild residual aortic regurgitation. After 8days the patient was discharged on dual antiplatelet therapy but was readmitted to the intensive care unit for pulmonary oedema 13days later. Echocardiography showed a raised transvalvular mean gradient (mean gradient change from discharge=15mmHg) without aortic regurgitation. Heart Team decided for emergent open heart surgery for the hemodynamic instability. On direct inspection THV was well positioned inside the surgical bioprosthesis but two cusps were covered by thrombus which markedly restricted their mobility. The THV and the former surgical valve were explanted and a new larger stented bioprosthesis was implanted. Thrombosis of the THV was confirmed on microscopic examination which showed no signs of inflammation or degeneration. The patient was discharged after 1month and the 3month follow up showed stable transvalvular gradients.

Local Versus General Anesthesia in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is conventionally performed under general anesthesia (GA) allowing intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiogram imaging. We present our experience in patients having the procedure under local anesthesia (LA), who were subsequently transferred to a low dependency unit postprocedure, to assess safety and length of hospital stay. We retrospectively assessed all the transfemoral TAVR procedures conducted at our center from January 03, 2011. Of 216 patients, 145 had the procedure under GA and 71 under LA. Both groups were similar with respect to age, co-morbidities, Euro Score, and the severity of the aortic stenosis. The procedure time was significantly shorter in the LA group measured from time in room to skin closure (108 vs 143 minutes, p <0.001). Skin open to skin closure time were the same in both groups (78 vs 79.4 minutes, p = 0.57). There was no difference in 30 days: aortic regurgitation > mild (2.1% in GA and 2.8% in LA, p = 0.67), need for permanent pacing (3.4% in GA and 1.4% in LA, p = 0.32), and disabling cerebrovascular accidents (1.4% and 1.4%, p = 1.0). The 30-day survival was not significantly different (95.9% in GA and 100% in LA, p = 0.17), whereas the median number of days in hospital was shorter in the LA group (4 in GA and 2 in LA, p <0.001). No emergency conversions to GA were performed in the LA group and only 1 patient needed admission to a high dependency (HD) unit. In conclusion, performing a TAVR under LA is at least as safe as GA. In addition, there is a reduced procedural time and length of hospital stay. LA is a safe and cost-effective alternative to GA and patients can be safely transferred to a low dependency unit.

Outcomes in Moderate Mixed Aortic Valve Disease: Is it Time for a Paradigm Shift?

BACKGROUND: A direct comparison of outcomes between moderate mixed aortic valve disease (MAVD) and isolated aortic stenosis (AS) or aortic regurgitation (AR) has not been performed, making evidence-based recommendations difficult in patients with MAVD. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine adverse event (AE) occurrence (the primary endpoint), defined as New York Heart Association functional class III/IV symptoms, aortic valve replacement, or cardiac death, and to compare AE rates between MAVD and isolated AS or AR. METHODS: Asymptomatic patients were identified with moderate MAVD and an ejection fraction ≥50% and were followed at Mayo Clinic from 1994 to 2013. Moderate MAVD was defined as a combination of moderate AS and moderate AR. Age- and sex-matched control groups were selected with isolated moderate AR (n = 117), moderate AS (n = 117), or severe AS (n = 117). RESULTS: At 9.1 ± 4.2 years of follow-up, patients with moderate MAVD (n = 251) had a mean age of 63 ± 11 years, 73% were male, and 38% had bicuspid valve. AE occurred in 193 (77%) patients in this group, including symptom development (69%), aortic valve replacement (67%), and cardiac death (4%). Predictors of AE were older age (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.71 per decade; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38 to 1.97 per decade; p = 0.001), and relative wall thickness >0.42 (HR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.86 to 2.33; p = 0.002). AE rates were similar in the MAVD and severe AS group (71% vs. 68% at 5 years; p = 0.49), but were significantly higher compared with the moderate AS and AR groups. CONCLUSIONS: MAVD patients had outcomes comparable to those with severe AS, and preserved ejection fraction and should be monitored closely for symptoms.

Clinical outcomes and safety of transfemoral aortic valve implantation under general versus local anesthesia: subanalysis of the French Aortic National CoreValve and Edwards 2 registry.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) performed under local anesthesia (LA) is becoming increasingly common. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes in patients who underwent transfemoral-TAVI under general anesthesia (GA) and LA. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from 2326 patients in the French Aortic National CoreValve and Edwards 2 (FRANCE 2) registry who underwent transfemoral-TAVI were analyzed. During the study period, the percentage of LA procedures increased gradually from 14% in January 2010 to 59% in October 2011. The clinical outcomes for GA (n=1377) and LA (n=949) were compared. Numerous baseline characteristics differed between the 2 groups, and the use of transesophageal echocardiographic guidance was more common in GA than in LA (76.3% versus 16.9%; P<0.001). Device success and cumulative 30-day survival rates were similar in the 2 groups (97.6% versus 97.0%; P=0.41 and 91.6% versus 91.3%; P=0.69, respectively), whereas the incidence of postprocedural aortic regurgitation≥mild was significantly lower in GA than in LA (15.0% versus 19.1%; P=0.015). The groups were also analyzed using a propensity-matching model, including transesophageal echocardiographic usage (GA [n=401] versus LA [n=401]). This model indicated that there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in the rates of 30-day survival (GA [91.4%] versus LA [89.3%]; P=0.27] and postprocedural aortic regurgitation≥mild (GA [12.7%] versus LA [16.2%]; P=0.19). CONCLUSIONS: The less invasive transfemoral-TAVI under LA is preferred in clinical settings and seems to be acceptable; however, the higher incidence of postprocedural aortic regurgitation is emphasized. Therapeutic efforts should be made to reduce such complications during transfemoral-TAVI under LA.

Traveling for care: inter-regional mobility for aortic valve substitution in Italy.

Patient flows across the regions of the Italian National Health Service can shed light on patient mobility, including cross-border flows within the European Union. We used 2009 data on 11,531 NHS admissions for aortic valve replacement operations to measure the extent of inter-regional patient mobility and to determine whether resident and non-resident patients differ. We also investigated whether public and private hospitals behave differently in terms of attracting patients. For this major cardio-surgical intervention, patient mobility in Italy is substantial (13.6% of total admissions). Such mobility mainly involves patients moving from southern to northern regions, which often requires several hundred kilometers of travel and a transfer of financial resources from poorer to richer regions. Patients admitted in the regions where they reside are older than those admitted outside their regions (69.2 versus 65.6, p<0.0001), and stay in hospital approximately 0.7 days longer (14.7 versus 14.0, p=0.017). Compared to public hospitals, private hospitals are more likely to admit non-resident patients (OR between 2.1 and 4.4). The extent and direction of patients' mobility raise equity concerns, as receiving care in locations that are distant from home requires substantial financial and relational resources.

Retrograde cardioplegia revisited: open technique for long aortic cross clamping.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of retrograde cardioplegia for myocardial protection is still controversial. In our institution, we exclusively use intermittent administration of tepid, undiluted blood supplemented with potassium and magnesium for the cases with aortic insufficiency, requiring aortotomy, or undergoing mitral valve repair. In using this retrograde technique, we make a point of cannulating a retrograde perfusion catheter under direct vision following right atriotomy. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the clinical outcome of using this technique. METHODS: This study comprises 49 patients who underwent elective valve surgery using direct-vision retrograde cardioplegia exclusively, requiring more than 3h aortic cross-clamping. Their clinical outcome was reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: There was no hospital mortality in this study. No patient was noted to have evidence of mediastinitis, myocardial infarction, or cerebral complications in the postoperative period. The case requiring the longest aortic cross-clamping time (380 min) survived the operation without the use of intra-aortic balloon pumping or percutaneous cardiopulmonary support, and the postoperative course was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: Our result suggests that direct-vision retrograde cardioplegia is a safe and effective method of cardioplegia delivery, and provides a longer period of myocardial protection than previously thought.

Transcatheter Edwards Sapien XT valve in valve implantation in degenerated aortic bioprostheses via transfemoral access.

OBJECTIVES: Surgical treatment of degenerated aortic bioprostheses is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, especially in elderly patients with significant co-morbidities. Therefore, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) performed as valve in valve technique appears as an attractive alternative treatment option. We report of a case series of seven patients with dysfunctional bioprosthetic aortic heart valves who have been treated with TAVI via transfemoral access. METHODS AND RESULTS: Valve in valve implantation using the Edwards Sapien XT bioprostheses (Edwards Lifesciences LLC, Irvine, CA, USA) was performed in eight patients (3 men, 5 women, mean age 85.3 ± 6.1 years) with a high operative risk (logistic euroSCORE 27.2 ± 7.3). Six patients underwent TAVI because of high grade stenosis of the aortic bioprostheses, whereas two patients presented with high grade regurgitation. All patients suffered at least from NYHA class III dyspnea during admission. TAVI was successfully performed via transfemoral access under local anesthesia with mild analgesic medication in all cases. Mild aortic regurgitation occurred in three patients while no permanent pacemaker implantation was required. Major cardiac events or cerebrovascular events did not occur. One aneurysm spurium, with the need of one blood transfusion, occurred. All patients improved at least one NYHA class within 30 days. CONCLUSION: TAVI for degenerated aortic bioprostheses, using the Edwards Sapien XT valve via transfemoral access is a feasible option for patients at high surgical risk.

Guía de práctica clínica sobre el tratamiento de las valvulopatías / Guidelines on the management of valvular heart disease

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Aortic valve sparing and restoration with autologous pericardial leaflet extension is an effective alternative in pediatric patients.

We sought to evaluate the durability and efficacy of aortic valve repair with autologous pericardial leaflet extension in children. From 1997 through 2006, 54 patients underwent aortic valve repair with autologous pericardial leaflet extension at a mean age 8.4 +/- 5.3 years (range, 0 to 17 years). Primary endpoints were early and late mortality, freedom of reoperation, and late valve function. Thirty-day and late mortality were one in 54 (1.8%) and two in 53 (3.7%), respectively. There were seven re-operations in six patients, and one patient was re-operated twice. Re-operations were re-repairs in four cases and replacements in three cases. The mean interval between original repair and re-operation was 4.3 +/- 2.5 years. Mean severity grade of post-repair intraoperative aortic regurgitation (AR) was 0.3 (range, grade 0 to 4). At late follow-up, 87.7% of all patients had no AR or only a trace (grade 0-1). Seven patients (12.9%) had mild AR (grade 2-3) and none severe (grade 4); 94.4% had no aortic stenosis or only a trace (grade 0-1), 5.5% had mild (grade 2-3), and none severe. This technique delays potential complications from other approaches to valve pathology and allows a normal growth of the aortic annulus. Although, our data show that this technique has a low mortality and morbidity, more studies are needed to elucidate durability and late outcome.

Effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for hearing loss after cardiac surgery.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a rare complication after cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation. We report a case of a 60-year-old man who experienced severe sensorineural hearing loss after Bentall procedure and recovery of normal hearing after 20 days of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

A patient's bold voice: a journey through cardiac surgery.

Cardiac surgery is one of the most common operations performed on adults. The physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and technologies relating to this complex patient population are researched and discussed frequently in critical care journals. Most of this article is written by a patient who has had cardiac surgery, specifically an aortic valve replacement. The patient shares his journey from diagnosis to recovery. The discussion includes the discovery and monitoring of aortic regurgitation, surgical options, valve replacement surgery, postoperative pericarditis, pain, family and visitors, and life on warfarin. The current practice is reviewed by the patient's wife, a critical care clinical nurse specialist. When we really listen to the patient, we can learn how to provide more holistic and humanistic care.

Endocarditis por Streptococcus pneumoniae en niños: presentación de un caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Endocarditis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in children: case report and review

La endocarditis causada por Streptococcus pneumoniae es una patología muy poco frecuente en niños, correspondiendo sólo a 3 - 7 por ciento de los casos. Sin embargo, su importancia radica en que se puede presentar de forma muy agresiva, con complicaciones como destrucción valvular y abscesos, y con una mortalidad reportada hasta 61 por ciento, de no mediar tratamiento antimicrobiano precoz y muchas veces cardiocirugía. En más del 50 por ciento se puede asociar a otros focos infecciosos, como meningitis, neumonía, sinusitis o mastoiditis. Se describe el caso de una lactante de 10 meses que presentó una meningitis asociada a endocarditis debidas a S. pneumoniae, con grave compromiso cardíaco, y que requirió reemplazo valvular. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura médica acerca de endocarditis por S. pneumoniae en niños.

Long-term vasodilator therapy in patients with severe aortic regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Vasodilator therapy can reduce the left ventricular volume and mass and improve left ventricular performance in patients with aortic regurgitation. Accordingly, it has been suggested that such therapy may reduce or delay the need for aortic-valve replacement. METHODS: We randomly assigned 95 patients with asymptomatic severe aortic regurgitation and normal left ventricular function to receive open-label nifedipine (20 mg every 12 hours), open-label enalapril (20 mg per day), or no treatment (control group) to identify the possible beneficial effects of vasodilator therapy on left ventricular function and the need for aortic-valve replacement. RESULTS: After a mean of seven years of follow-up, the rate of aortic-valve replacement was similar among the groups: 39 percent in the control group, 50 percent in the enalapril group, and 41 percent in the nifedipine group (P=0.62). In addition, there were no significant differences among the groups in aortic regurgitant volume, left ventricular size, left ventricular mass, mean wall stress, or ejection fraction. One year after valve replacement, the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and end-systolic diameter had decreased to a similar degree among the patients who underwent surgery in each of the three groups, and all the patients had a normal ejection fraction. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term vasodilator therapy with nifedipine or enalapril did not reduce or delay the need for aortic-valve replacement in patients with asymptomatic severe aortic regurgitation and normal left ventricular systolic function. Furthermore, such therapy did not reduce the aortic regurgitant volume, decrease the size of the left ventricle, or improve left ventricular function.

[Study on protective effect of shenfu injection on cardiac function of patients undergoing valve replacement].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of Shenfu injection (SFI) on cardiac function of patients undergoing valve replacement operation under cardio-pulmonary bypass. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients undergoing valve replacement operation under cardio-pulmonary bypass were randomly divided into the SFI group and the control group, 60 in each group. Intravenous infusion of 1 ml/kg SFI was given to the SFI group, 30 min before anesthesia, and to the control group, equal volume of normal saline was given instead. The following indices were observed: (1) the hemodynamic changes occurred in the operational period; (2) the dosage of vaso-active drugs used during and after operation; (3) the post-operational recovery time of patients. RESULTS: The mean arterial pressure and heart rate in the SFI group during operation were higher, while the central venous pressure was lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The dosage of vaso-active drugs, such as dopamine, dobutamine, sodium nitroprusside and lidocaine, used during and after operation was lower, and the extubation time and the intensive care unit (ICU) staying time were shorter in the SFI group when compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: SFI has certain protective effects on the cardiac function of patients undergoing valve replacement operation under cardio-pulmonary bypass.

Minimal dissection and continuous retrograde cardioplegia for aortic valve replacement in patients with a patent left internal mammary artery bypass graft.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and a patent pedicled internal mammary artery (IMA) is often complicated by a need to dissect and clamp the IMA to achieve optimal myocardial protection. Eliminating this need may simplify and facilitate surgery; hence, a new surgical technique for use in these patients is described. METHODS: Five patients with previous CABG and functioning IMA who required AVR between January 1998 and October 2002 were studied. In all patients, the IMA was neither dissected nor clamped. Myocardial protection comprised an initial bolus of antegrade cardioplegia, followed by continuous retrograde infusion of tepid non-diluted oxygenated blood, supplemented with cardioplegic drugs to maintain cardiac arrest. The systemic and myocardial temperature was 30-32 degrees C. RESULTS: All patients underwent surgery as planned, and there was no operative mortality or myocardial infarction. One patient sustained a minor stroke. None of the IMA was injured. CONCLUSION: In patients requiring AVR, it is both possible and reasonable to leave the IMA undissected and unclamped. Limited experience suggests that this new technique provides adequate myocardial protection, while keeping surgery both simple and safe.

Beating-heart valvular surgery: a possible alternative for patients with severely compromised ventricular function.

Cardioplegic arrest of the severely compromised ventricle may make weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass problematic. We report a novel approach to myocardial protection in a patient requiring multi-valve surgery who had an ejection fraction of 15%. Warm oxygenated blood was infused continuously both antegrade and retrograde during aortic valve replacement and mitral and tricuspid valve repair. Adequacy of perfusion was confirmed by the absence of electrocardiographic changes. Clinical improvement suggests that this strategy of myocardial protection warrants further investigation.