Outcomes of Aortic Valve Replacement Via Right Anterior Minithoracotomy and Central Cannulation Versus Conventional Aortic Valve Replacement in Obese Patients

ABSTRACT Introduction: The minimally invasive implantation of aortic valve prosthesis via thoracotomy has numerous advantages and is comfortable, especially during the early postoperative period. Disadvantages of this method include peripheral vessel complications and groin infections. Central cannulation (direct aortic cannulation with superior vena cava cannulation) eliminates these drawbacks. In this report, we evaluated this method of treatment in patients with obesity. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 21 obese patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent minimally invasive aortic valve implantation via thoracotomy and central cannulation with a bovine pericardial aortic prosthesis between 2017 and 2021. We compared these records with the medical records of 27 obese patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent conventional aortic valve surgery. Results: Mean cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were similar in both groups. Operating time was significantly longer in the minimally invasive group (P <0.05). In the minimally invasive group, acute renal failure occurred in 2 patients. In terms of postoperative complications, deep sternal wound infection/sternal instability was much higher in the conventional group. This was not statistically significant (P=0.090). Minimally invasive operated patients had a comfortable early postoperative period, with a mean visual analog scale for pain of 1.10±0.83 (no pain-mild pain). When we assessed patient satisfaction with the postoperative period, 13 patients were extremely satisfied, 7 patients were satisfied, and 1 patient was quite satisfied. Conclusion: Minimally invasive aortic valve implantation via thoracotomy and central cannulation is a safe and effective treatment for obese patients.

Outcomes of Aortic Valve Replacement Via Right Anterior Minithoracotomy and Central Cannulation Versus Conventional Aortic Valve Replacement in Obese Patients.

INTRODUCTION: The minimally invasive implantation of aortic valve prosthesis via thoracotomy has numerous advantages and is comfortable, especially during the early postoperative period. Disadvantages of this method include peripheral vessel complications and groin infections. Central cannulation (direct aortic cannulation with superior vena cava cannulation) eliminates these drawbacks. In this report, we evaluated this method of treatment in patients with obesity. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 21 obese patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent minimally invasive aortic valve implantation via thoracotomy and central cannulation with a bovine pericardial aortic prosthesis between 2017 and 2021. We compared these records with the medical records of 27 obese patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent conventional aortic valve surgery. RESULTS: Mean cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were similar in both groups. Operating time was significantly longer in the minimally invasive group (P <0.05). In the minimally invasive group, acute renal failure occurred in 2 patients. In terms of postoperative complications, deep sternal wound infection/sternal instability was much higher in the conventional group. This was not statistically significant (P=0.090). Minimally invasive operated patients had a comfortable early postoperative period, with a mean visual analog scale for pain of 1.10±0.83 (no pain-mild pain). When we assessed patient satisfaction with the postoperative period, 13 patients were extremely satisfied, 7 patients were satisfied, and 1 patient was quite satisfied. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive aortic valve implantation via thoracotomy and central cannulation is a safe and effective treatment for obese patients.

Stage 1 hybrid palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome: an initial experience in pulmonary trunk approach, procedural modifications, and complication management

Background/aim: Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a rare pathology with a very high mortality rate. The present study aimed to share our initial experience with the ductus arteriosus stenting procedure using the pulmonary trunk approach in the treatment of HLHS, as well as provide some technical suggestions and discuss complications and their management. Materials and methods: The medical records of 9 neonates (age range: 1­8 days) with HLHS, who were operated on within a 12-month period, were reviewed retrospectively. Preprocedural planning was performed by computed tomography angiography and echocardiography. The operations were performed in a hybrid surgery room by interventional radiologists and pediatric vascular surgeons. Balloon-expandable stents were used in all of the operations. Results: All operations were successfully completed without any intraoperative mortality. All intraoperative complications were managed successfully during the stenting procedure. Conclusion: Stage 1 hybrid palliation for HLHS is a safe and effective procedure when several key points are kept in mind.

Early extracorporeal life support experiences in 2 tertiary pediatric intensive care units in Turkey.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a unique life-support modality offered to patients unresponsive to optimal medical therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate early experiences with ECMO support in 2 tertiary Turkish pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated a total of 10 ECMO-supported patients between March 2012 and March 2013 in Marmara and Ege University Hospital PICUs. We reported data regarding demographics, laboratory and diagnostic information, and the clinical course of the patients. RESULTS: The study consisted of 6 males and 4 females from 5 months to 14 years of age (mean age: 0.5 ± 5.01 years) supported with ECMO. Out of the 10 patients, 8 were on venovenous ECMO for respiratory failure and 2 received venoarterial ECMO for cardiac failure. Mean ECMO and intensive care duration was 11.1 ± 7.3 days and 23.5 ± 17.8 days, respectively. Bleeding was the most common complication (60%). Forty percent of the patients were weaned from ECMO, among which 50% were discharged in good health without sequelae. CONCLUSION: Initial experiences build the learning curve of institutions, and our early results are encouraging. Giving time to heal to the right patient at the right time is the key to success.

Comparison of continuous-flow and pulsatile-flow blood pumps on reducing pulmonary artery pressure in patients with fixed pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is considered as a risk factor for morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing heart transplantation. Recently, left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation has been increasingly used in reducing pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in patients with PH unresponsive to medical therapy. Herein, we aimed to compare the efficacy of continuous-flow and pulsatile-flow blood pumps on the improvement of PH in mechanical circulatory support patients. Twenty-seven patients with end-stage heart failure who underwent LVAD implantation surgery were enrolled. Fifteen of them (55.6%) had continuous-flow pump (HeartWare Ventricular Assist System, HeartWare, Inc., Miramar, FL, USA), and 12 of them (44.4%) had pulsatile pump (Berlin Heart EXCOR ventricular assist device, Berlin Heart AG, Berlin, Germany). The efficacy of LVADs on the improvement of PH was compared between continuous-flow and pulsatile pumps by the evaluation of systolic PAP, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), right ventricular systolic motion (RVSM), right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), and grade of tricuspid insufficiency (TI) for each of the study participants. All of the 15 patients who underwent continuous-flow blood pump implantation surgery (Group 1) were male with a mean age of 46.9 ± 11.7 years, and in pulsatile-flow blood pump implanted participants (Group 2), the mean age was 40.6 ± 16.8 years, all of whom were also male (P=0.259). Mean follow-up was 313.7 ± 241.3 days in Group 1 and 448.7 ± 120.7 days in Group 2 (P=0.139). In Group 1, mean preoperative and postoperative systolic PAP were measured as 51.7 ± 12.2 mm Hg and 22.2 ± 3.4 mm Hg, respectively, while those in Group 2 were 54.5 ± 7.5 mm Hg and 33.9 ± 6.4 mm Hg, respectively. A significantly greater decrease in systolic PAP was noticed in patients with continuous-flow blood pumps (P=0.023); however, no statistically significant difference was found when we considered the change in TAPSE between study groups (P=0.112). A statistical significance in the alteration of RVEF, RVSM, and the grade of TI during study visits was not found between the study groups (P=0.472, P=0.887, and P=0.237, respectively). Although the two studied types of LVADs were found to be effective in reducing PAP in heart transplantation candidates with PH, lesser postoperative systolic PAP values were achieved in patients who underwent continuous-flow pump implantation surgery.