Impella 5.5 Bridge to Heart Transplant: An Institutional Series and a Closer Look at Device Removal Technique.

Limited donor organ availability often necessitates mechanical circulatory support, and recently the Impella 5.5, as a bridge to heart transplant. Of 175 Impella 5.5-supported patients at our institution, 45 underwent transplantation in the largest series to date, for whom we analyzed outcomes. Two methods of complete device explant were evaluated: central Impella transection and removal via axillary graft. Median Impella days were 25 (16-41); median waitlist days were 21 (9-37). Eighty-nine percent (40/45) of patients had device placement via right axillary artery. Seventy-six percent (34/45) underwent central transection for device removal. Four patients (8.9%) required short-term venoarterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (VA ECMO) postoperatively for primary graft dysfunction (PGD). Two patients (4.4%) suffered postoperative stroke. Five patients (11.1%) required new RRT postoperatively. One patient (2.2%) returned to the operating room (OR) for axillary graft bleeding. A higher chance of procedural complications was found with the axillary removal technique (p = 0.014). Median intensive care unit (ICU) days, length of stay (LOS), and postoperative days to discharge were 46 (35-63), 59 (49-80), and 18 (15-24), respectively. Ninety-eight percent (44/45) survived to discharge. Thirty-day survival was 95.6% (43/45), with 1 year survival at 90.3% (28/31). Eighty-eight percent (37/42) remain without rejection. In our institutional experience, Impella 5.5 is a safe and reliable bridge to transplant.

Morbidity and Mortality in Adult Congenital Heart Surgery: Physiologic Component Augments Risk Prediction.

BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate whether the anatomic and physiologic stratification system (ACAP score), released as part of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association updated guidelines for management of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) in 2018, better estimated mortality and morbidity after cardiac operations for ACHD. METHODS: The ACAP score was determined for 318 patients (age ≥18 years) with ACHD undergoing heart surgery at our institution between December 2001 and August 2019. The primary end point was perioperative mortality. The secondary aim was to evaluate the performance of the ACAP, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STAT) Congenital Heart Surgery Mortality Categories, and ACHS mortality scores/categories at predicting a composite adverse outcome of perioperative mortality, prolonged ventilation, and renal failure requiring replacement therapy. Logistic regression models were built to estimate mortality and the composite outcome using anatomic and physiologic components independently and together. Receiver operating characteristic curves were created, and area under the curves were compared using the Delong test. RESULTS: The median age was 37 years (interquartile range, 26.3-50.0 years). There were 9 perioperative mortalities (2.8%). With respect to perioperative mortality, the area under the curve using the anatomic component only was 0.74, which improved to 0.81 after including physiologic severity (P = .05). When physiologic severity was added to the model for the composite outcome, the discriminatory abilities of the ACHS mortality score and the STAT categories increased significantly to 0.83 (95% CI, 0.75-0.91; P = .02) and 0.82 (95% CI, 0.73-0.90; P = .04), comparable to the predictive power of ACAP. CONCLUSIONS: Physiologic severity augments ability to predict mortality and morbidity after cardiac surgery for ACHD. There is need for more robust ACHD-specific risk models.

The Double Barrel Impella Exchange: A Reliable Method for Uninterrupted Mechanical Circulatory Support.

Classic Impella exchange interrupts flow when the old device is pulled into the aorta before advancing the new device across the aortic valve, threatening circulatory collapse and loss of left ventricular access. In "double barrel," uninterrupted Impella exchange, the new device is placed into the ventricle alongside the old, where flow is first transitioned completely. Of thirty-one consecutive patients undergoing this procedure, none experienced intraoperative cardiac arrest and 96.8% (30/31) had no new aortic insufficiency. One vascular complication ensued following known preoperative iliac injury. One patient suffered nonembolic stroke; another had subarachnoid hemorrhage. Fifty-five percent (17/31) of patients survived, with 22.6% (7/31) recovering, 25.8% (8/31) undergoing transplant, and 6.5% (2/31) transitioning to durable LVAD. Impella-only survival (83.3%, 10/12) was significantly higher than Impella-ECMO survival (36.8%, 7/19) (OR 14.46, 95% CI 1.74-119.93, p=0.01). We conclude "double barrel" technique is reliable in device-dependent cardiogenic shock patients, offering significant advantage and minimal risk.

Surgical pulmonary arterioplasty at bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis leads to favorable pulmonary hemodynamics at final stage palliation.

Objective: Pulmonary arterioplasty (PA plasty) at bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis (BDCA) is associated with increased morbidity, but outcomes to final stage palliation are unknown. We sought to determine the influence of PA plasty on pulmonary artery growth and hemodyamics at Fontan. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical data and outcomes for BDCA patients from 2006 to 2018. PA plasty was categorized by extent (type 1-4), as previously described. Outcomes included pulmonary artery reintervention and mortality before final palliation. Results: Five hundred eighty-eight patients underwent BDCA. One hundred seventy-nine patients (30.0%) underwent concomitant PA plasty. Five hundred seventy (97%) patients (169 [94%] PA plasty) survived to BDCA discharge. One hundred forty out of 570 survivors (25%) required PA/Glenn reintervention before final stage palliation (59 out of 169 [35%]) PA plasty; 81 out of 401 (20%) non-PA plasty; P < .001). Twelve-, 24-, and 36-month freedom from reintervention after BDCA was 80% (95% CI, 74-86%), 75% (95% CI, 69-82%), and 64% (95% CI, 57-73%) for PA plasty, and 95% (95% CI, 93-97%), 91% (95% CI, 88-94%), and 81% (95% CI, 76-85%) for non-PA plasty (P < .001). Prefinal stage mortality was 37 (6.3%) (14 out of 169 PA plasty; 23 out of 401 non-PA plasty; P = .4). Five hundred four (144 PA plasty and 360 non-PA plasty) patients reached final stage palliation (471 Fontan, 26 1.5-ventricle, and 7 2-ventricular repair). Pre-Fontan PA pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance were 10 mm Hg (range, 9-12 mm Hg) and 1.6 mm Hg (range, 1.3-1.9 mm Hg) in PA plasty and 10 mm Hg (range, 8-12 mm Hg) and 1.5 mm Hg (range, 1.3-1.9 mm Hg) in non-PA plasty patients, respectively (P = .29, .6). Fontan hospital mortality, length of stay, and morbidity were similar. Conclusions: PA plasty at BDCA does not confer additional mortality risk leading to final palliation. Despite increased pulmonary artery reintervention, there was reliable pulmonary artery growth and favorable pulmonary hemodynamics at final stage palliation.

Branch-first aortic arch replacement strategy decreases perioperative mortality.

OBJECTIVE: Sparce evidence suggests superiority of total arch replacement with the branch-first technique and antegrade cerebral perfusion over conventional techniques with respect to morbidity and mortality. Thus, we aimed to compare perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing traditional total arch replacement versus branch-first total arch replacement. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 144 patients undergoing total arch replacement from January 2017 to December 2021. Patients were dichotomized based on technique, either traditional total arch replacement or branch-first total arch replacement. Primary end points were 30-day mortality and adverse events. Branch-first total arch replacement and traditional total arch replacement cohorts were compared using Student t tests and chi-square tests. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to identify risk factors associated with 30-day mortality. RESULTS: A total of 68 patients (47.2%) underwent traditional total arch replacement, and 76 patients (52.8%) underwent branch-first total arch replacement. The branch-first total arch replacement cohort had higher rates of chronic kidney disease, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and previous myocardial infarction (P = .04, .002, .035, and .031 respectively). The majority of total arch replacements (78, 55%) were performed for aneurysmal disease. Median antegrade cerebral perfusion times were significantly shorter in the branch-first total arch replacement cohort (P = .001). There were no significant differences in rates of stroke, reintubation, postoperative lumbar drainage, renal failure, reoperation for bleeding, or prolonged ventilation between total arch replacement cohorts. The branch-first total arch replacement group had significantly lower 30-day mortality compared with the traditional total arch replacement group (4% vs 19%, P = .004). After adjustment for chronic kidney disease, nonelective status, antegrade cerebral perfusion time, rates of dissections arriving in extremis or with malperfusion, and primary surgeon, undergoing a branch-first total arch replacement was associated with a 93% reduced odds of 30-day mortality (odds ratio, 0.07, 95% CI, 0.009-0.48, P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: We provide evidence that branch-first total arch replacement significantly reduces 30-day mortality compared with traditional total arch replacement.

Contemporary outcomes of mitral valve repair for degenerative disease in the era of increased penetrance of percutaneous mitral valve technology.

Objective: The study objective was to evaluate the surgical outcomes of mitral valve repair in the era of percutaneous technology. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 452 patients who underwent mitral valve repair for degenerative disease between 2010 and 2021. Survival, mitral valve reoperation, and mitral regurgitation recurrence were assessed using Cox regression, dichotomized for those aged more than or less than 60 years. Results: Median age in years (interquartile range) was 52 (47-57) in the younger cohort and 67 (63-73) in the older cohort (P < .0001). Preoperative comorbidities and leaflet pathology were comparable between groups. After adjustment for sex, prior sternotomy, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and type of leaflet repair, age 60 years or more was not associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio, 6.96, 95% confidence interval, 0.85-56.8, P = .07). Considering death as a competing outcome, cumulative incidence of mitral valve reoperation at 1, 3, and 5 years was 0.9%, 1.4%, and 1.8% in the younger cohort, respectively, and 2.7%, 4.0%, and 5.1% in the older cohort, respectively (subhazard ratio, 2.95, 95% confidence interval, 0.84-10.4, P = .09). Cumulative incidence of mitral regurgitation recurrence with moderate-severe or greater mitral regurgitation at 1, 3, and 5 years was 1.4%, 3.6%, and 5.1%, and 2.7%, 3.5%, and 4.7% in the younger and older cohorts, respectively (subhazard ratio, 0.85, 95% confidence interval, 0.29-2.50, P = .76). Subgroup analysis focusing on isolated mitral valve repairs (n = 388) showed equivalent results with respect to mortality (hazard ratio, 5.31, 95% confidence interval, 0.64-44.0, P = .12), mitral valve reoperation (subhazard ratio, 4.04, 95% confidence interval, 0.89-18.4, P = .07), and mitral regurgitation recurrence (subhazard ratio, 0.98, 95% confidence interval, 0.30-3.15, P = .97). Conclusions: Mitral valve repair outcomes continue to be excellent, even in low-risk patients aged more than 60 years.

Long-term outcomes with the pulmonary autograft inclusion technique in adults with bicuspid aortic valves undergoing the Ross procedure.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes with wrapped (pulmonary autograft inclusion) versus unwrapped techniques in adults with bicuspid aortic valves undergoing the Ross procedure. METHODS: Between 1992 and 2019, 129 adults with bicuspid aortic valves (aged ≥18 years) underwent the Ross procedure by a single surgeon. Patients were divided into those without autograft inclusion (unwrapped, n = 71) and those with autograft inclusion (wrapped, n = 58). Median follow-up was 10.3 years (interquartile range, 3.0-16.8 years). Need for autograft reintervention was analyzed using competing risks. RESULTS: Pre- and intraoperative characteristics as well as 30-day morbidity or mortality did not differ between cohorts. Survival at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively, was 97.2%, 97.2%, and 95.6% in the unwrapped cohort and 100%, 100%, and 100% in the wrapped cohort (P = .15). Autograft valve failure occurred in 25 (35.2%) of the unwrapped and 3 (5.2%) of the wrapped patients. Competing risks analysis demonstrated the wrapped cohort to have a lower need for autograft reintervention (subhazard ratio, 0.28, 95% confidence interval, 0.08-0.91; P = .035). The cumulative incidence of autograft reintervention (death as a competing outcome) at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively, was 10.2%, 14.9%, and 26.8% in the unwrapped cohort and 4.0%, 4.0%, and 4.0% in the wrapped cohort. CONCLUSIONS: In adults with bicuspid aortic valves, the Ross procedure with pulmonary autograft inclusion stabilizes the aortic root preventing dilatation and reduces the need for reoperation. The autograft inclusion technique allows the Ross procedure to be performed in this population with excellent long-term outcomes.

Surgical Resection of a Symptomatic Ascending Aortic Mural Thrombus.

Aortic mural thrombus (AMT) is a rare disease with an unclear optimal treatment strategy. AMT in the ascending aorta is particularly uncommon and is associated with the additional risk of embolization to the brain. Resection of an ascending AMT is particularly challenging given the high risk of thrombus dislodgment during aortic cannulation and cross-clamp application. This case demonstrates successful surgical resection of a symptomatic ascending AMT without the use of hypothermic circulatory arrest, with complete excision of the thrombus and replacement of the abnormal aorta using graft material.

Surgical Outcomes After Reconstruction of the Aortomitral Curtain.

Repair of concomitant aortic and mitral valvular disease with involvement of the aortomitral curtain requires a technically complex operation colloquially termed the commando procedure. Surgical outcomes of this procedure are not well described. The objective of this study was to examine outcomes of the commando procedure at our center. We identified all patients undergoing concomitant aortic and mitral valve replacements from 2004-2021. Of 363 patients, 41 underwent reconstruction of the aortomitral curtain. Survival analysis and multivariable modeling were used to examine outcomes and risk factors for mortality. The median age was 52 (IQR 44-71) years. Preoperatively, 4 of 41 (9.8%) patients had renal failure, and 10 of 41 (24.4%) had a stroke. The most common surgical indication was endocarditis in 25 of 41 (61.0%) patients. 25 of 41 (61.0%) patients underwent redo sternotomy, and 23 of 41 (56.1%) had previous prosthetic valves. Operative mortality was 14 of 41 (34.1%), and 8 of 41 (9.5%) patients received a permanent pacemaker. Survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 55.4% (95% confidence interval (CI), 40.6-75.5%), 50.3% (35.0-72.3%), and 37.7% (19.3-73.9%) respectively. Cox proportional hazards regression identified previous sternotomy (HR 4.76, 95% CI 1.21-18.73), and female gender (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.17-13.82) as risk factors for mortality. Patients undergoing reconstruction of the aortomitral curtain represent a high-risk population with complex surgical indications. Due to high perioperative morbidity and mortality, this procedure should be performed only when necessary. Despite a high up front morbidity burden, outcomes remain favorable for patients who survive the initial hospitalization.

Neighborhood socioeconomic status is associated with differences in operative management and long-term survival after coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to characterize differences in operative management and surgical outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting associated with the socioeconomic context in which a patient lives. METHODS: We used a validated index of 17 variables derived from the US Census Bureau to assign socioeconomic status at the block group level to patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting at a single institution over a 16-year period. Operative mortality, stroke, renal failure, prolonged ventilation, sternal wound infection, reoperation, composite morbidity or mortality, long-term survival, and use of arterial conduits were the outcomes assessed. RESULTS: This study was composed of 6751 patients. Lower socioeconomic status was significantly associated with increased rates of stroke, renal failure, prolonged ventilation, and composite morbidity or mortality in a multivariable analysis. Low socioeconomic status was significantly associated with poorer long-term adjusted survival (hazard ratio, 1.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.55). Finally, lower socioeconomic status was significantly associated with decreased use of more than 1 arterial conduits in a multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The socioeconomic context in which a patient lives is significantly associated with short- and long-term outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting. There may also be variation in operative management, demonstrated by decreased use of arterial conduits. Lower rates of arterial revascularization among socioeconomically disadvantaged patients who undergo coronary artery revascularization may provide a target for intervention.

Midterm outcomes and durability of sinus segment preservation compared with root replacement for acute type A aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVE: The durability of root repair for acute type A aortic dissection is not well studied in the context of aortic insufficiency and stability of the sinuses of Valsalva. We compared clinical and functional outcomes in patients undergoing root repair and replacement for acute type A aortic dissection. METHODS: Of 716 patients undergoing surgery for acute type A aortic dissection, 585 (81.7%) underwent root repair and 131 (18.3%) underwent root replacement. Survival, cumulative incidence of reoperation, aortic insufficiency, and sinuses of Valsalva dilation were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 84.1% versus 77.3%, 70.8% versus 69.2%, 57.6% versus 58.0% in the root repair and replacement groups, respectively (P = .69). Cumulative incidence of reoperation at 1, 5, and 10 years was 0.0% versus 0.8%, 1.4% versus 3.8%, and 3.4% versus 8.6% in the root repair and root replacement groups, respectively (P = .011). Multivariable Cox regression identified sinuses of Valsalva diameter 45 mm or more as a risk factor for proximal aortic reoperation (hazard ratio, 9.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.26-65.24). In a repeated-measures, linear, mixed-effects model, root replacement was associated with smaller follow-up of sinuses of Valsalva dimensions (ß = -0.66, P < .001). In an ordinal longitudinal mixed model, root replacement was associated with lower severity of postoperative aortic insufficiency (ß = -3.10, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Survival is similar, but the incidence of aortic insufficiency and root dilation may be greater after root repair compared with root replacement for acute type A aortic dissection.

Midterm outcomes of emergency surgery for acute type A aortic dissection in octogenarians.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of elderly patients with acute type A aortic dissection is increasing. A recent analysis of the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection failed to show a mortality benefit with surgery compared with medical management in octogenarians. Therefore, we compared our institutional outcomes of emergency surgery for acute type A aortic dissection in octogenarians versus septuagenarians to understand the outcomes of surgical intervention in elderly patients. METHODS: From 2002 to 2017, 70 octogenarians (aged ≥80 years) and 165 septuagenarians (70-79 years) underwent surgery for acute type A aortic dissection (N = 235, total). Quality of life was assessed by the RAND Short Form-36 quality of life survey. Midterm clinical and functional data were obtained retrospectively. RESULTS: At baseline, septuagenarians had a higher prevalence of diabetes (20.6% vs 5.7%, P = .01). The prevalence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation was 4.8% versus 10.0% (P = .24) in septuagenarians and octogenarians. The prevalence of cardiogenic shock was 18.2% versus 27.1% (P = .17). Thirty-day/in-hospital mortality was 21.2% versus 28.6% (P = .29). Multivariable logistic regression identified cardiogenic shock as an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 10.07; 95% confidence interval, 2.30-44.03) in octogenarians. Survival at 5 years was 49.7% (42.1%-58.6%) versus 34.2% (23.9%-48.8%) in septuagenarians and octogenarians, respectively. Responses to the quality of life survey were no different between septuagenarians and octogenarians across all 8 quality of life categories. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical outcomes after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection are similar in octogenarians and septuagenarians. For discharged survivors, quality of life remains favorable and does not differ between the 2 groups.

Association Among Surgeon Experience, Patient Risk, and Outcomes in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

BACKGROUND: There is an association between surgeon experience and outcomes after cardiac surgery. However, this association is not well studied in the context of patient risk. The purpose of this single-center, retrospective, observational study was to describe how surgeon experience relates to patient risk in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery and how this impacts patient outcomes. METHODS: Surgeon experience was defined as time between the surgeon finishing fellowship and date of the patient's surgery. Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Predicted Risk of Mortality (PROM) was used to define patient risk. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate long-term survival, and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine the effect of surgeon experience on survival. RESULTS: Between 2002 and 2018, 7652 patients underwent isolated CABG. STS PROM was 1.35% (interquartile range [IQR], 0.70%-2.80%), 1.55% (IQR, 0.79%-3.34%), 1.78% (IQR, 0.84%-3.84%), and 1.19% (IQR, 0.62%-2.41%) in surgeon experience quartiles 1 (0.01-6.05 years), 2 (6.05-11.5 years), 3 (11.5-16.6 years), and 4 (16.6-32.1 years), respectively (P < .001). For patients in the lowest PROM quartile, Kaplan-Meier survival was similar across surgeon experience groups (P = .66). For patients in the highest PROM quartile, increasing surgeon experience was associated with better survival (P < .001). Cox regression identified surgeon experience as a protective factor (hazard ratio, 0.99, P = .027). In the least experienced surgeon group, increased ejection fraction was a protective factor for long-term survival (hazard ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.95-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing surgeon experience is associated with higher-risk patients, but the most experienced surgeons take on lower-risk patients. Greater experience correlates with improved outcomes, especially with higher-risk cases.

Recurrent aortic insufficiency after emergency surgery for acute type A aortic dissection with aortic root preservation.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with acute type A aortic dissection demonstrate a wide range of aortic insufficiency. Outcomes after valve resuspension and root repair are not well studied in the long term. We evaluated the long-term effects of preoperative aortic insufficiency in patients undergoing emergency root-preserving surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. METHODS: From 2002 to 2017, 558 of 776 patients with acute type A aortic dissection underwent native aortic valve resuspension and root reconstruction. Patients were stratified into 4 groups by preoperative aortic insufficiency grade (n = 539): aortic insufficiency less than 2+ (n = 348), aortic insufficiency = 2+ (n = 72), aortic insufficiency = 3+ (n = 49), and aortic insufficiency = 4+ (n = 70). Multivariable ordinal longitudinal mixed effects and multi-state transition models were used to assess risk factors for recurrent aortic insufficiency. RESULTS: The prevalence of cardiogenic shock in patients presenting with preoperative aortic insufficiency less than 2+, 2+, 3+, and 4+ was 53 of 348 (15.2%), 12 of 72 (16.7%), 10 of 49 (20.4%), and 24 of 70 (34.3%), respectively (P = .002). Postoperatively, 94.0% of patients had aortic insufficiency 1+ or less at discharge. Operative mortality was 34 of 348 (9.8%), 10 of 72 (13.9%), 6 of 49 (12.2%), and 12 of 70 (17.1%) (P = .303). In an ordinal mixed effects model, preoperative aortic insufficiency was associated with more severe postoperative aortic insufficiency. The multi-state transition model demonstrated that severe aortic insufficiency was associated with progression from no to mild aortic insufficiency (hazard ratio, 2.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.35-3.38), and progression from mild to moderate aortic insufficiency (hazard ratio, 5.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.88-17.30). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative aortic insufficiency is an important predictor of recurrent aortic insufficiency in patients undergoing valve resuspension with root reconstruction for emergency acute type A aortic dissection repair. Increased echocardiographic surveillance for recurrent aortic insufficiency may be warranted in this cohort.

Fate of the Preserved Sinuses of Valsalva After Emergency Repair for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) present with heterogeneous involvement of the aortic root complex. Despite this variation, the aortic root can usually be preserved the majority of the time by Teflon (WL Gore, Newark, DE) inlay patch reconstruction of the dissected sinuses of Valsalva (SOV). In this study, we report the long term anatomic, functional, and clinical outcomes associated with the preserved SOV after surgery for ATAAD. METHODS: From 2002-2017, of 776 emergency ATAAD operations at a single institution, 558 (71.9%) underwent valve resuspension with SOV preservation. Echocardiography reports were reviewed to obtain postoperative SOV dimensions. Cumulative incidence of SOV dilation ≥ 4 5mm was calculated using the Fine-Gray method with death as a competing risk. Repeated-measures linear mixed effects model was used to determine risk factors for SOV growth over time. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 62 of 558 (11.1%) patients developed SOV diameter ≥ 45 mm. Cumulative incidence of SOV dilation ≥ 45 mm at 1, 5, and 10 years was 5.5%, 12.4%, and 18.9% respectively. In a multivariable Cox regression model, preoperative SOV diameter ≥ 45 mm was associated with a hazard ratio of 14.11 (95% confidence interval 7.03-31.62) for postoperative SOV dilation ≥ 45 mm. In a repeated-measures linear mixed effects model, preoperative and discharge SOV diameter were significant predictors of SOV dilation. Postoperative time course was also identified as significant indicating growth over time. CONCLUSIONS: The preserved sinuses of Valsalva after surgery for ATAAD may be prone to progressive dilatation over time. Closer echocardiographic surveillance may be warranted in these patients.

Racial Disparities and the Effect of County Level Income on the Incidence and Survival of Young Men with Anal Cancer.

Purpose: Prior studies have identified a racial disparity in incidence and survival of squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) in the young African American male population. We aim to determine whether racial disparities are independent of income and urban location. Methods: The National Cancer Institute's Surveillance of Epidemiology and End Results database was queried for data on patients with SCCA for the years of 2000-2013. Cox regression was used to determine the effect of race, county median family income, rural-urban continuum, and stage of disease on overall survival. Results: The incidence rate of SCCA was significantly higher in black men <50 years old than in white men. Black race had a hazard ratio of 1.55 (confidence interval [CI] 1.33-1.81) when controlling for age, stage, income, and urban-rural status. Each $10,000 increase in county median family income was protective with a hazard ratio of 0.90 (CI 0.86-0.94). Residence in a metropolitan area did not significantly affect survival. Conclusions: The lower survival of black men <50 years old with SCCA is independent of income, urban location, and stage of disease. Further efforts are needed to target this at-risk population and the authors suggest wide application of previously validated screening programs for anal dysplasia.