RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: In patients undergoing heart transplantation (HTX), preoperative liver impairment and consecutive hypoalbuminaemia are associated with increased mortality. The role of early postoperative hypoalbuminaemia after HTX is unclear. This study investigated the association between early postoperative hypoalbuminaemia and 1-year mortality as well as 'days alive and out of hospital' (DAOH) after HTX. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent HTX at the University Hospital Duesseldorf, Germany, between 2010 and 2022. The main exposure was serum albumin concentration at intensive care unit (ICU) arrival. The primary endpoints were mortality and DAOH within 1 year after surgery. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed and logistic and quantile regression models with adjustment for 13 a priori defined clinical risk factors were conducted. RESULTS: Out of 241 patients screened, 229 were included in the analysis (mean age 55 ± 11 years, 73% male). ROC analysis showed moderate discrimination for 1-year mortality by postoperative serum albumin after HTX [AUC = 0.74; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.66-0.83]. The cutoff for serum albumin at ICU arrival was 3.0 g/dl. According to multivariate logistic and quantile regression, there were independent associations between hypoalbuminaemia and mortality/DAOH [odds ratio of 4.76 (95% CI: 1.94-11.67) and regression coefficient of -46.97 (95% CI: -83.81 to -10.13)]. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative hypoalbuminaemia <3.0 g/dl is associated with 1-year mortality and reduced DAOH after HTX and therefore might be used for early postoperative risk re-assessment in clinical practice.
RESUMEN
Over the years, the surgery of ventricular postinfarction aneurysm has evolved from linear resection to endoaneurysmorrhaphy using a patch. Technically, several aims that include the restoration of ventricular shape and function, exclusion of dead space, minimization of the risk of thrombus formation and restoration of valve function are pursued. Herein is reported the case of a 58-year-old male with a giant inferobasal aneurysm involving the mitral valve apparatus who underwent successful endoaneurysmorrhaphy. Correct sizing of the patch proved to be the 'road to success' in this patient. The present case is the second reported instance of a giant ventricular aneurysm involving the mitral valve, with favorable outcome.