Left Ventricular Mass Index Predicts Renal Function Decline in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background and Objectives: Several studies revealed a relation between abnormal cardiac remodeling and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decline, but there are limited data regarding echocardiographic changes in chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study evaluated the abnormal cardiac structures characterizing patients with CKD, assessing the independent association between echocardiographic parameters and the risk of decline in renal function. Materials and Methods: In total, 160 patients with CKD were studied. All patients underwent an echocardiographic exam and 99mTc-DTPA renal scintigraphy to measure the GFR. After the baseline assessments, patients were followed prospectively for 12 months, or until the endpoint achievement, defined as a worsening in renal function (doubling of baseline serum creatinine, GFR decline ≥25%, the start of dialysis). Results: Patients with GFR values of 34.8 ± 15 mL/min, identifying stages III-IV of CKD, were associated with high levels of left ventricular mass index (LVMi) (101.9 ± 12.2 g/m2), which was related to proteinuria, systolic blood pressure, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure in a multiple regression model. During the observational period, 26% of patients reached the endpoint. Regression analysis revealed LVMi as a predictor of change in renal function after adjusting for kidney and cardiac risk factors. Multiple Cox regression indicated that an increase in LVMi was associated with a 12% increased risk of kidney disease progression (HR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.04-1.16; p = 0.001). Conclusions: In patients with CKD, high LVMi represents an independent predictor of the progressive decline of the renal function, until the start of renal replacement therapy. Echocardiography can help identify patients at high risk for renal disease worsening in patients with CKD independently of clinical cardiac involvement.

Virtually Wall-Less versus Standard Thin-Wall Venous Cannula in the Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery: Single-Center Experience.

Background and Objectives: Minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) has been developing since 1996. Peripheral cannulation is required to perform MICS, and good venous drainage and a bloodless field are crucial for the success of this procedure. We assessed the benefits of using a virtually wall-less cannula in comparison with the standard thin-wall cannula in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: Between January 2021 and December 2022, we evaluated 65 elective patients, who underwent isolated minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. Both the virtually wall-less and the thin-wall cannulas were placed through a surgical cut-down. Patients' characteristics at baseline were similar in the two groups, except for the body surface area (BSA), which was greater in the virtually wall-less group compared to the thin-wall one. In the standard group, the size of the cannula was chosen depending on the patient's BSA, and the choice of the Smartcannula was based on their height. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of negative pressure applied, target flow achieved, hemolysis, the need for blood transfusion, and the post-operative increases in liver and renal enzymes. However, in all the patients, the estimated target flow was achieved, thereby showing the better hemodynamic performance of the virtually wall-less cannula, since, in this group, the patients' BSA was significantly greater compared to the thin-wall group. Ultimately, the mean cross-clamp time, as an indirect index of the effectiveness of the venous drainage, is shorter in the virtually wall-less group compared with the thin-wall group. Conclusions: The virtually wall-less cannula should be preferred in minimally invasive mitral valve surgery due to its superior performance in terms of venous drainage compared with the standard thin-wall cannula.

Prognostic value of SARS-CoV-2 on patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze Italian Cardiac Surgery experience during the pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) identifying risk factors for overall mortality according to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) status. METHODS: From February 20 to May 31, 2020, 1354 consecutive adult patients underwent cardiac surgery at 22 Italian Centers; 589 (43.5%), patients came from the red zone. Based on COVID-19 status, 1306 (96.5%) were negative to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-N), and 48 (3.5%) were positive to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-P); among the COVID-P 11 (22.9%) and 37 (77.1%) become positive, before and after surgery, respectively. Surgical procedures were as follows: 396 (29.2%) isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 714 (52.7%) isolated non-CABG procedures, 207 (15.3%) two associate procedures, and three or more procedures in 37 (2.7%). Heart failure was significantly predominant in group COVID-N (10.4% vs. 2.5%, p = .01). RESULTS: Overall in-hospital mortality was 1.6% (22 cases), being significantly higher in COVID-P group (10 cases, 20.8% vs. 12, 0.9%, p < .001). Multivariable analysis identified COVID-P condition as a predictor of in-hospital mortality together with emergency status. In the COVID-P subgroup, the multivariable analysis identified increasing age and low oxygen saturation at admission as risk factors for in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: As expected, SARS-CoV-2 infection, either before or soon after cardiac surgery significantly increases in-hospital mortality. Moreover, among COVID-19-positive patients, older age and poor oxygenation upon admission seem to be associated with worse outcomes.

The TLR4 adaptor TRAM controls the phagocytosis of Gram-negative bacteria by interacting with the Rab11-family interacting protein 2.

Phagocytosis is a complex process that eliminates microbes and is performed by specialised cells such as macrophages. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is expressed on the surface of macrophages and recognizes Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, TLR4 has been suggested to play a role in the phagocytosis of Gram-negative bacteria, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Here we have used primary human macrophages and engineered THP-1 monocytes to show that the TLR4 sorting adapter, TRAM, is instrumental for phagocytosis of Escherichia coli as well as Staphylococcus aureus. We find that TRAM forms a complex with Rab11 family interacting protein 2 (FIP2) that is recruited to the phagocytic cups of E. coli. This promotes activation of the actin-regulatory GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42. Our results show that FIP2 guided TRAM recruitment orchestrates actin remodelling and IRF3 activation, two events that are both required for phagocytosis of Gram-negative bacteria.

Malignant right coronary artery origin from the left sinus of Valsalva: Complementary role for transesophageal echocardiography upon the cath-lab diagnosis.

Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery (RCA) from the left sinus of Valsalva is a rare but clinically relevant congenital anomaly, since the RCA may be subjected to cyclical compression due to its interarterial course. At least in the past, most patients experienced bad outcomes before being diagnosed with a malignant variant. Chronic (often subclinical) myocardial ischemia and possible arrhythmias are common complications. Once symptoms or electrocardiographic signs of myocardial ischemia become apparent, a quick diagnosis is mandatory. We report the case of a late symptomatic woman in whom RCA originated from the opposite sinus of Valsalva. The malignant variant was confirmed at transesophageal echocardiography directly in the catheterization laboratory, soon after angiographic diagnosis of aberrant origin.

Dynamic right ventricular outflow tract obstruction by cardiac hydatic cysts: A multimodality imaging study.

We report the case of massive hydatic heart disease in a 50-year-old male patient referred to hospital for recent-onset dyspnea, atypical chest, and hypotension. Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction was demonstrated to be caused by hypoechogenic formations at Doppler-echocardiography and confirmed to be hydatic cysts at cardiac magnetic resonance. These cysts developed within the right ventricular wall and the septum, and caused hemodynamic instability.

Role of Toll-like receptor 13 in innate immune recognition of group B streptococci.

Murine Toll-like receptor 13 (TLR13), an endosomal receptor that is not present in humans, is activated by an unmethylated motif present in the large ribosomal subunit of bacterial RNA (23S rRNA). Little is known, however, of the impact of TLR13 on antibacterial host defenses. Here we examined the role of this receptor in the context of infection induced by the model pathogen group B streptococcus (GBS). To this end, we used bacterial strains masked from TLR13 recognition by virtue of constitutive expression of the ErmC methyltransferase, which results in dimethylation of the 23S rRNA motif at a critical adenine residue. We found that TLR13-mediated rRNA recognition was required for optimal induction of tumor necrosis factor alpha and nitrous oxide in dendritic cell and macrophage cultures stimulated with heat-killed bacteria or purified bacterial RNA. However, TLR13-dependent recognition was redundant when live bacteria were used as a stimulus. Moreover, masking bacterial rRNA from TLR13 recognition did not increase the ability of GBS to avoid host defenses and replicate in vivo. In contrast, increased susceptibility to infection was observed under conditions in which signaling by all endosomal TLRs was abolished, i.e., in mice with a loss-of-function mutation in the chaperone protein UNC93B1. Our data lend support to the conclusion that TLR13 participates in GBS recognition, although blockade of the function of this receptor can be compensated for by other endosomal TLRs. Lack of selective pressure by bacterial infections might explain the evolutionary loss of TLR13 in humans. However, further studies using different bacterial species are needed to prove this hypothesis.

Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement and Renal Dysfunction: From Acute Kidney Injury to Chronic Disease.

Background: Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is often complicated by acute kidney injury (AKI). Identifying patients at risk of AKI is important to start nephroprotective strategies or renal replacement therapy (RRT). This study investigated the incidence and risk factors of post-operative AKI in SAVR patients. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) developed in the post-cardiac-surgery follow-up period was also assessed. Methods: A total of 462 SAVR patients were retrospectively enrolled. The primary endpoint was the occurrence rate of AKI after surgery. Kidney recovery, during two planned outpatient clinic nephrological visits within 12 months after the surgery, was assessed. Results: A total of 76 patients experienced an AKI event. A Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that subjects with CKD stage IV had a time to progression of 2.7 days, compared to patients with stages I-II, who were characterized by the slowest progression time, >11.2 days. A Cox regression indicated that CKD stages predicted a higher risk of AKI independently of other variables. During their ICU stay, 23 patients died, representing 5% of the population, most of them requiring RRT during their ICU stay. A severe CKD before the surgery was closely related to perioperative mortality. During the follow-up period, 21 patients with AKI worsened their CKD stage. Conclusions: AKI represents a common complication for SAVR patients in the early post-operative period, prolonging their ICU stay, with negative effects on survival, especially if RRT was required. Pre-operative CKD >3 stage is an independent risk factor for AKI in patients undergoing SAVR.

Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) now represents the mainstay of treatment for severe aortic stenosis. Owing to its exceptional procedural efficacy and safety, TAVI has been extended to include patients at lower surgical risk, thus now encompassing a diverse patient population receiving this treatment. Yet, long-term outcomes also depend on optimal medical therapy for secondary vascular prevention, with antithrombotic therapy serving as the cornerstone. Leveraging data from multiple randomized controlled trials, the current guidelines generally recommend single antithrombotic therapy, with either single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) or oral anticoagulation (OAC) alone in those patients without or with atrial fibrillation, respectively. Yet, individualization of this pattern, as well as specific case uses, may be needed based on individual patient characteristics and concurrent procedures. This review aims to discuss the evidence supporting antithrombotic treatments in patients treated with TAVI, indications for a standardized treatment, as well as specific considerations for an individualized approach to treatment.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention before or after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Involving 1531 Patients.

Background: The optimal timing to perform percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is not well established. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to compare the outcomes of patients undergoing PCI before versus after TAVR. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed including Medline, Embase, and Cochrane electronic databases up to 5 April 2024 for studies that compared PCI before and after TAVR reporting at least one clinical outcome of interest (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023470417). The analyzed outcomes were mortality, stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI) at follow-up. Results: A total of 3 studies involving 1531 patients (pre-TAVR PCI n = 1240; post-TAVR PCI n = 291) were included in this meta-analysis following our inclusion criteria. Mortality was higher in the pre-TAVR PCI group (OR: 2.48; 95% CI: 1.19-5.20; p = 0.02). No differences were found between PCI before and after TAVR for the risk of stroke (OR: 3.58; 95% CI: 0.70-18.15; p = 0.12) and MI (OR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.30-1.42; p = 0.29). Conclusions: This meta-analysis showed in patients with stable CAD undergoing TAVR that PCI after TAVR is associated with lower mortality compared with PCI before TAVR.

Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device Embolization under the Anterior Leaflet of Mitral Valve: Echocardiographic Diagnosis and Management.

A 76-year-old man with history of previous coronary artery bypass grafting, permanent atrial fibrillation in novel oral anticoagulation therapy, and gastrointestinal bleedings underwent percutaneous left atrial appendage closure. The procedure was complicated by intraoperative device embolization, which caused a dynamic obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract leading to severe hemodynamic instability. Transesophageal echocardiography showed a device in the ventricle site of the mitral anterior leaflet. The coronary angiography showed also patency of both arterial grafts in stable coronary artery disease. After failing the percutaneous retrieval with a snare, emergent surgery was planned. A moderate calcified aortic valve stenosis was also found, but in consideration of the unstable clinical conditions of the patient, we thought of performing a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in a second time. We have carefully planned the surgical retrieval of the device embolized paying attention of his several comorbidities. The strategy to remove the device with cardiopulmonary bypass without cross-clamping the aorta through a right mini-thoracotomy has been preferred.

Acute Kidney Injury and Sepsis after Cardiac Surgery: The Roles of Tissue Inhibitor Metalloproteinase-2, Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-7, and Mid-Regional Pro-Adrenomedullin.

BACKGROUND: Identifying a panel of markers detecting kidney injury before the glomerular filtration rate reduction is a challenge to improving the diagnosis and management of acute kidney injury (AKI) in septic patients. This study evaluated the roles of tissue inhibitor metal proteinase-2, insulin growth factor binding protein-7 (TIMP2*IGFBP7), and mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) in patients with AKI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was prospectively conducted in an intensive care unit (ICU) enrolling 230 patients who underwent cardiac surgery. Biomarkers were evaluated before and after 4 h of the cardiac surgery. RESULTS: Whereas urine and creatinine alterations appeared at 23.2 (12.7-36.5) hours after cardiac surgery, urinary TIMP2*IGBP7 levels were higher at 4 h in AKI patients (1.1 ± 0.4 mg/L vs. 0.08 ± 0.02 mg/L; p < 0.001). Its concentration > 2 mg/L increases AKI risk within the following 24 h, clearly identifying the population at high risk of renal replacement therapy (RRT). In patients with sepsis, MR-proADM levels were 2.3 nmol/L (0.7-7.8 nmol/L), with the highest values observed in septic shock patients (5.6 nmol/L (3.2-18 nmol/L)) and a better diagnostic profile than procalcitonin and C-reactive protein to identify septic patients. MR-proADM values > 5.1 nmol/L and urine TIMP2*IGBP7 levels > 2 mg/L showed a significantly faster progression to RRT, with a mean follow-up time of 1.1 days. CONCLUSIONS: TIMP2*IGBP7 and MR-proADM precociously diagnose AKI in septic patients after cardiac surgery, giving prognostic information for RRT requirement.

Replacement of Ascending Aortic Aneurysm with Anomalous Origin of the Right Coronary Artery: Multidisciplinary Imaging for the Diagnosis.

This case report presents a rare scenario involving a congenital anomaly of the right coronary artery's (RCA) origin in association with an ascending aortic aneurysm. While both anomalies are individually recognized in the literature, their coexistence and potential interplay remain understudied. The aim of this report is to emphasize the challenges and implications associated with such a combination. A 78-year-old male patient with an enlarged ascending aortic aneurysm necessitating surgical intervention was found to have an anomalous origin of the RCA during preoperative coronary angiography, confirmed by computed tomography scan. Transesophageal echocardiography further elucidated the coronary abnormality. Intraoperatively, successful aortic replacement was performed, and careful repositioning of the anomalous right coronary ostium was achieved. This case raises important considerations regarding the potential complications arising from coronary anomalies and their impact on the surgical management of ascending aortic aneurysms. The rarity of this combination limits our understanding of their association, making a multidisciplinary approach crucial for optimal patient care. Further research and comprehensive evaluation of similar cases are necessary to better understand the relationship between coronary anomalies and ascending aortic aneurysms. Such investigations will help in improving treatment strategies and outcomes for patients with these complex conditions.

Acute type A aortic dissection in bicuspid versus tricuspid aortic valve patients: focus on geometrical features of the aorta.

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective observational study aimed to assess the geometrical features, including diameters, length and angulation, of the ascending aorta with bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valve and to identify imaging markers potentially predicting whether aortopathy is likely to evolve chronically or to complicate with acute type A dissection. METHODS: Angio-computed-tomography scans of 354 patients (from 3 centres) with non-dilated (n = 97), aneurysmal (n = 100) or dissected aorta (n = 157) were reviewed. Diameters were measured at root, sinotubular junction, ascending, brachio-cephalic trunk origin; centreline lengths of the root and tubular tract and ascending-arch angle (between the ascending tubular tract axis and the proximal arch axis) were also measured. For 12 dissection patients, pre-dissection scans were available to investigate predisposing aortic geometry. Statistical analysis included: tricuspid versus bicuspid comparisons in each subgroup; univariate and multivariate analyses of the predictors of ascending-arch angle narrowing; and estimation of diagnostic accuracy of the angle parameter. RESULTS: Diameters and lengths were similar between aneurysms and dissections, whereas dissections showed a significant ascending-arch angle narrowing (117 ± 13° in tricuspid, 115 ± 14° in bicuspid) compared to non-dilated and aneurysmal aortas (all P < 0.001). The best angle cut-off to discriminate dissection patients was 131° (96% sensitivity). In patients with a pre-dissection scan, Asc-Arch narrowing was already present before dissection. In non-dissected aortas over-angulation was predicted by root phenotype dilatation both in bicuspid and tricuspid patients. Bicuspid patients with non-dilated aorta showed elongated root (P = 0.027), a feature significantly correlated with Asc-Arch angle narrowing (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The ascending-arch angle is promising as a risk marker for dissection to be used along with diameter. Its narrowing seems to be associated with elongation of the root, a feature that bicuspid patients can show even without significant dilatation. Root phenotype aortopathy may be at higher risk also with tricuspid aortic valve.

Chest Pain and the Dynamic Evolution of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Hematoma.

Spontaneous coronary intramural hematoma (SCIH) is a rare but underdiagnosed condition, with dynamic evolution. We present a patient with acute chest pain and normal coronary angiogram undergoing work-up for myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries. Cardiac magnetic resonance revealed an ischemic pattern, and subsequent angiography revealed coronary occlusion by SCIH. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

A Very Late Atrial Septal Erosion After an Ostium Secundum Percutaneous Closure.

Complications after device closure of ostium secundum defects are rare but possible. We present a very late erosion of the interatrial septum after a percutaneous closure of an ostium secundum defect. Identification of early clinical and imaging clues associated with this condition is fundamental for a timely diagnosis and treatment. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).