Bleeding is associated with severely impaired outcomes in surgery for acute type a aortic dissection.

Background. Surgery for acute type A aortic dissection confers a risk for significant bleeding. We analyzed the impact of massive bleeding on complications after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. Methods. Patients undergoing surgery for acute type A aortic dissection from the retrospective multicenter Nordic Consortium for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection (NORCAAD) database 2005-2014 were eligible. Massive bleeding was defined according to the Universal Definition of Perioperative Bleeding. The primary outcome measure was early mortality and secondary outcome measures were perioperative stroke, mechanical ventilation more than 48 h, new-onset dialysis, and intensive care unit stay. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for differences in covariates. Results. Nine hundred ninety-seven patients were included, of whom 403 (40.4%) had massive bleeding. In the propensity score-matched cohort (344 pairs), patients with massive bleeding had higher 30-day mortality (17.2 versus 7.6%, p < .001), mechanical ventilation more than 48 h (52.8 versus 22.6%, p < .001), perioperative stroke (24.3 versus 14.8%, p = .002), new-onset dialysis (22.5 versus 4.9%, p < .001), and longer intensive care unit stay (6 versus 3 days, p < .001), compared with patients without massive bleeding. Risk factors for massive bleeding were previous cardiac surgery, preoperative clopidogrel or ticagrelor therapy, DeBakey type I dissection, and localized or generalized malperfusion. Conclusions. Massive bleeding in surgery for acute type A aortic dissection is associated with a markedly increased risk for severe complications as well as early death. Further improvement of surgical technique and pharmacological optimization of coagulation is paramount to possibly improve outcomes in acute type A aortic dissection repair.

An epidemiological and clinicopathological study of type 1 vs. type 2 morphological subtypes of papillary renal cell carcinoma- results from a nation-wide study covering 50 years in Iceland.

INTRODUCTION: Papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) is the second most common histology of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), accounting for 10-15% of cases. Traditionally, pRCC is divided into type 1 and type 2, although this division is currently debated as a prognostic factor of survival. Our aim was to investigate the epidemiology and survival of the pRCC subtypes in a whole nation cohort of patients during a 50-year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Population based retrospective study including consecutive cases of RCC in Iceland from 1971-2020. Comparisons were made between histological classifications of RCC, with emphasis on pRCC subtypes (type 1 vs. 2) for outcome estimation. Changes in RCC incidence were analyzed in 5-year intervals after age standardization. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression were used for outcome analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1.725 cases were identified, with 74.4%, 2.1% and 9.2% having clear cell (ccRCC), chromophobe (chRCC), and pRCC, respectively. The age standardized incidence (ASI) of pRCC was 1.97/100.000 for males and 0.5/100.000 for females, and the proportion of pRCC increased from 3.7% to 11.5% between the first and last intervals of the study (p < 0.001). Age standardized cancer specific mortality (ASCSM) of pRCC was 0.6/100.000 and 0.19/100.000 for males and females, respectively. The annual average increase in ASI was 3.6% for type 1 pRCC, but the ASI for type 2 pRCC and ASCSM for both subtypes did not change significantly. Male to female ratio was 4.4 for type 1 pRCC and 2.3 for type 2. The average tumor size for type 1 and 2 was 58.8 and 73.7 mm, respectively. Metastasis at diagnosis was found in 8.7% in the type 1 pRCC, compared to 30.0% of patients with type 2 pRCC (p < 0.001). Estimated 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) were 94.4%, 80.7%, and 69.3% for chRCC, pRCC and ccRCC, respectively (p < 0.001). For the pRCC subtypes, type 1 was associated with better 5-year CSS than type 2 (86.3% vs. 66.0%, p < 0.001), although this difference was not significant after adjusting for cancer stage and grading. CONCLUSIONS: pRCC histology was slightly less common in Iceland than in other countries. Males are more than three times more likely to be diagnosed with pRCC, compared to other RCC histologies. The subtype of pRCC was not found to be an independent risk factor for worse survival, and as suggested by the most recent WHO Classification of Urinary Tumors, grade and TNM-stage seem to be the most important factors for estimation of survival for pRCC patients.

[Perioperative stroke after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis - incidence, risk factors and short-term outcome].

INTRODUCTION: One of the most serious complications of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is stroke that can result in increased rates of complications, morbidity and mortality postoperatively. The aim of this study was to investigate incidence, risk factors and short-term outcome in a well defined cohort of SAVR-patients. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A retrospective study on 740 consecutive aortic stenosis patients who underwent SAVR in Iceland 2002-2019. Patients with stroke were compared with non-stroke patients; including preoperative risk factors of cardiovascular disease, echocardiogram-results, rate of early postoperative complications other than stroke and 30 day mortality. RESULTS: Mean age was 71 yrs (34% females) with 57% of the patients receiving stented bioprosthesis, 31% a stentless Freestyle®-valve and 12% a mechanical valve. Mean EuroSCORE-II was 3.6, with a maximum preop-gradient of 70 mmHg and an estimated valvular area of 0.73 cm2. Thirteen (1.8%) patients were diagnosed with stroke where hemiplegia (n=9), loss of consciousness (n=3) and/or aphasia (n=4) were the most common presenting symptoms. In 70% of cases the neurological symptoms resolved or disappeared in the first weeks and months after surgery. Only one patient out of 13 died within 30-days (7.7%). Stroke-patients had significantly lower BMI than non-stroke patients, but other risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, intraoperative factors or the rate of other severe postoperative complications than stroke were similar between groups. Total length of stay was 14 days vs. 10 days median, including 2 vs. 1 days in the ICU, in the stroke and non-stroke-groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of stroke after SAVR was low (1.8%) and in line with other similar studies. Although a severe complication, most patients with perioperative stroke survived 30 days postoperatively and in majority of cases neurological symptoms recovered.

[New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation following coronary artery bypass grafting: Incidence, clinical course and short-term outcomes].

INTRODUCTION: The aims of this retrospective study were to investigate the incidence, clinical course and short term outcomes of new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) following coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A nation-wide study on 1622 patients who underwent CABG from 2006-2020 at Landspitali University Hospital. Clinical data were extracted from registries and 121 patients with pre-existing AF excluded, leaving 1501 patients for further analysis. Patient charts and postoperative ECGs were manually reviewed for determining details of POAF, which was defined as a postoperative episode of AF before discharge lasting at least 5 minutes. Patients with POAF (n=483) were compared to non-POAF patients (n=1018). RESULTS: Altogether 483 (32.2%) patients developed POAF; the annual incidence decreasing over time (tau= -0,45, p=0.023). Most patients were diagnosed on the second day postoperatively (43.5%) and over 90% were diagnosed within 4 days. The median number of POAF episodes was 3 (IQR: 1-5), the first episode lasting 1-6 hours in half of the cases and the total POAF-duration being 12 hours median (IQR: 5-30). Over 94% of cases converted to sinus rythm before discharge, with 25 (5.3%) patients being discharged in AF. Most patients were treated with beta-blockers (98.8%), amiodarone (95%) and 14.9% with electric cardioversion. POAF-patients were older, had higher EuroSCORE II and a longer hospital stay, however, they had similar rates of early postoperative stroke and 30 day mortality. CONCLUSION: The incidence of POAF remains high and was associated with prolonged hospital stay, but not significantly higher 30 day mortality or early postoperative stroke compared to patients in sinus rhythm. POAF-episodes were predominantly transient and almost 95% of patients were discharged in sinus rythm.

[Incidence and outcomes of perioperative myocardial infarction associated with coronary artery bypass surgery].

INTRODUCTION: Perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI) after CABG can contribute to in-hospital morbidity and mortality, however, its clinical significance on long-term outcome, remains inadequately addressed. We studied both 30-day mortality and long-term effects of PMI in Icelandic CABG-patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective nationwide-study on 1446 consecutive CABG-patients operated at Landspitali in Iceland 2002-2018 without evidence of preoperative myocardial infarction. PMI was defined as a tenfold elevetion in serum-CK-MB associated with new ECG changes or diagnostic imaging consistent with ischemia. Patients with PMI were compared to a reference group with uni- and multivariate analyses. Long-term and MACCE-free survival were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method and logistic regression used to determine factors associated with PMI. The mean follow-up time was 8.3 years. RESULTS: Out of 1446 patients 78 (5.4%) were diagnosed with PMI (range: 0-15.5%) with a significant annual decline in the incidence of PMI (12.7%, p<0.001). Over the same period preoperative aspirin use increased by 22.3% (p<0.018). PMI patients had a higher rate of short-term complications and a 11.5% 30-day mortality rate compared to 0.4% for non-PMI patients. PMI was found to be a predictor of 30-day mortality (OR 15.44, 95% CI: 6.89-34.67). PMI patients had worse 5-year MACCE-free survival (69.2% vs. 84.7, p=0,01), although overall survival was comparable between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although PMI after CABG is associated with significantly higher rates of short-term complications and 30-day mortality, long-term survival was similar to the reference group. Therefore, the mortality risk attributable to PMI appears to diminish after the immediate postoperative period.

Dual or single antiplatelet therapy after coronary surgery for acute coronary syndrome (TACSI trial): Rationale and design of an investigator-initiated, prospective, multinational, registry-based randomized clinical trial.

The TACSI trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03560310) tests the hypothesis that 1-year treatment with dual antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and ticagrelor is superior to only ASA after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The TACSI trial is an investigator-initiated pragmatic, prospective, multinational, multicenter, open-label, registry-based randomized trial with 1:1 randomization to dual antiplatelet therapy with ASA and ticagrelor or ASA only, in patients undergoing first isolated CABG, with a planned enrollment of 2200 patients at Nordic cardiac surgery centers. The primary efficacy end point is a composite of time to all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or new coronary revascularization within 12 months after randomization. The primary safety end point is time to hospitalization due to major bleeding. Secondary efficacy end points include time to the individual components of the primary end point, cardiovascular death, and rehospitalization due to cardiovascular causes. High-quality health care registries are used to assess primary and secondary end points. The patients will be followed for 10 years. The TACSI trial will give important information useful for guiding the antiplatelet strategy in acute coronary syndrome patients treated with CABG.

[The effect of obesity on the outcome of surgical aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis].

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to investigate the effect of obesity on short-term complications and long-term survival after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for aortic stenosis (AS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study on 748 patients who underwent SAVR for AS in Iceland 2003-2020. Patients were divided into groups based on body mass index (BMI): normal (18.5-24.9 kg/m2, n=190), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2, n=339), obese (30-34.9 kg/m2, n=165) and severely obese (≥35 kg/m2, n=54). Six patients with BMI p<18,5 kg/m2 were excluded. Clinical information regarding patient history, risk factors, together with complications and 30-day mortality were collected from patient records. The four BMI groups were compared and long-term survival estimated with Kaplan-Meier plots and risk factors for long-term survival evaluated with Cox multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Severely obese patients were on average four years younger than patients with normal BMI, more often had risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and their EuroSCORE II was higher (5.3 vs. 4.4%, p=0.03). On the other hand, severely obese patients bled less the first 24 hours post-surgery, compared to normal BMI-patients (558 vs. 1091 ml, p<0.001), stroke was less frequent (0 vs 6.4%, p=0.03), but they more often experienced sternum dehiscence (5.6 vs 2.7%, p=0.04), deep sternal wound infection (3.7 vs 0%, p=0.04) and acute kidney injury (26.4 vs 15.2%, p=0.005). Thirty-day mortality and long-term survival did not differ significantly between the groups and BMI was not an independent predictor of long-term survival in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome for obese patients undergoing SAVR for AS is good and both short-term complications and long-term survival do not differ significantly from patients with a normal BMI. Therefore, a high BMI itself should not be a contraindication for SAVR due to AS.

Utilization and outcomes of tracheostomies in the intensive care unit in Iceland in 2007-2020: A descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Tracheostomies are commonly utilized in ICU patients due to prolonged mechanical ventilation, upper airway obstruction, or surgery in the face/neck region. However, practices regarding the timing of placement and utilization vary. This study provides a nationwide overview of tracheostomy utilization and outcomes in the ICU over a 14-year period. METHODS: A retrospective study including all patients that received a tracheostomy during their ICU stay in Iceland between 2007 and 2020. Data were retrieved from hospital records on admission cause, comorbidities, indication for tracheostomy insertion, duration of mechanical ventilation before and after tracheostomy placement, extubation attempts, complications, length of ICU and hospital stay and survival. Descriptive statistics were provided, and survival analysis was performed using Cox regression. RESULTS: A total of 336 patients (median age 64 years, 33% females) received a tracheostomy during the study period. The most common indication for tracheostomy insertion was respiratory failure, followed by neurological disorders. The median duration of mechanical ventilation prior to tracheostomy insertion was 9 days and at least one extubation had been attempted in 35% of the cases. Percutaneous tracheostomies were 32%. The overall rate of complications was 25% and the most common short-term complication was bleeding (5%). In-hospital mortality was 33%. The one- and five-year survival rate was 60% and 44%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We describe a whole-nation practice of tracheostomies. A notable finding is the relatively low rate of extubation attempts prior to tracheostomy insertion. Future work should focus on standardization of assessing the need for tracheostomy and the role of extubation attempts prior to tracheostomy placement.

[Cardiac transplantation and donation in Icelandic patients - indications and outcome].

INTRODUCTION: Information on the number, indications and outcome of cardiac transplantations in Icelandic patients is scarce, as is information on the number of hearts donated from Iceland for cardiac transplantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study on patients receiving heart transplantation from the first procedure in 1988 until March 2019. Clinical information was gathered from Landspitali Transplantation Clinic, patient charts, and information on donated hearts from the Icelandic Donation Registry. Age-standardized incidence of the procedure was calculated, and overall survival (Kaplan-Meier) estimated. Mean follow-up was 10.3 years. RESULTS: Altogether 24 patients (19 males, median age 38 years, range: 4-65 years) underwent cardiac transplantation; that included one re-transplantation, three simultaneous heart- and lung transplants and two heart- and kidney transplants. The transplantations were performed in Gothenburg (n=20), London (n=3) and Copenhagen (n=2). Most common indications were dilated cardiomyopathy (n=10), congenital heart disease (n=4), and viral myocarditis (n=3). Five patients were bridged left ventricular-assist device preoperatively. Overall survival at 1 and 5 years was 91% and 86%, respectively; median survival being 24 years. The incidence of cardiac transplantation was 2.7 heart-TX pmp/year but increased to 4.6 heart-TX pmp/year after 2008 (p=0.01). During the same period 42 hearts were donated from Iceland for transplantation abroad, the first in 2002 and increasing from 0.8 to 3.0 hearts/year during the first and second half of the study-period, respectively. CONCLUSION: Survival of Icelandic cardiac transplant recipients is good and comparable to larger transplant centers overseas. Number of hearts donated from Iceland have increased and currently Iceland donates twice as many hearts at it receives.

[Advances in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment - a review].

Lung cancer is the second and third most common cancer in Iceland for females and males, respectively. Although the incidence is declining, lung cancer still has the highest mortality of all cancers in Iceland. Symptoms of lung cancer can be specific and localized to the lungs, but more commonly they are unspecific and result in significant diagnostic delay. Therefore, majority of lung cancer patients are diagnosed with non-localized disease. In recent years, major developments have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. Positive emission scanning (PET) and both transbroncial (EBUS) or transesophageal ultrasound (EUS) biopsy techniques have resulted in improved mediastinal staging of the disease and minimal invasive video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has lowered postoperative complications and shortened hospital stay. Technical developments in radiotherapy have benefitted those patients who are not candidates for curative surgery. Finally, and most importantly, recent advances in targeted chemotherapeutics and development of immunomodulating agents have made individual tailoring of treatment possible. Recent screening-trials with low-dose computed tomography show promising results in lowering mortality. This evidence-based review focuses on the most important developments in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, and includes Icelandic studies in the field.

[Short- and long-term outcomes following surgery for primary spontaneous pneumothorax in Iceland].

BACKGROUND: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is a common disease where surgery is indicated for persistant air leak or recurrent pneumothorax. We studied the outcomes of PSP-surgery over a 28 year period in a whole nation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study on 386 patients (median age 24 years, 78% males) that underwent 430 PSP surgeries at Landspitali University Hospital 1991-2018. Annual incidence of the procedure was calculated and previous medical history, indication and type of surgery, complications and length of hospital stay were registered. Patients in four 7 year periods were compared, recurrent pneumothoraces requiring reoperation (median follow-up 16 years) registered and predictors of reoperation identified with logistic regression. RESULTS: Annually 14.5 PSP surgeries (median, range 9-27) were performed; the incidence decreasing by 2.9% per year on average. Every other patient smoked and 77% of surgeries were performed with video assisted thoracocopic surgery (VATS). The most common early complications (p<30 days from surgery) were persistent airleak (17%), pneumonia (2%) and empyema (0,5%). No patient died within 30 days from surgery. Reoperation for recurrent pneumothorax was performed on 27 patients; 24 following VATS (7%), median time from the primary surgery being 16 months. Logistic regression showed that younger patients were more likely to require reoperation for recurrent pneumothorax. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treament for PSP is safe and major early complications rare. The rate of recurrent pneumothorax requiring surgery was 6%, which is similar to other studies. For unknown reasons the incidence of PSP surgery declined, but future research has to answer if it is linked to decreased smoking in the Icelandic population.

[Management and revascularization of diabetics with coronary artery disease in Iceland].

BACKGROUND: The incidence of diabetes is growing, and diabetics have increased risk of atherosclerosis and diffuse coronary artery disease (CAD). Our aim was to assess the revascularization treatment of diabetics with CAD in Iceland from 2010-2020, changes in management and long-term survival of patients. METHODS: All patients in Iceland with diabetes and CAD on cardiac catheterization 2010-2020 were included in this retrospective, population-based study. We analyzed data from the SCAAR/SWEDEHEART database: patients' background information, findings of cardiac catheterization, planned treatment and results. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate long-term survival and Cox-regression-analysis to adjust for predictor variables. RESULTS: Of 1905 cases (1485 patients), 1230 (65%) underwent PCI, 274 (14%) CABG and 401 (21%) had medical therapy only. The age distribution differed: The PCI group had the widest age bracket, the CABG group the narrowest, and the medical therapy group had the highest mean age. Most patients with STEMI or cardiogenic shock underwent PCI, while most patients with concomitant heart-valve disease underwent CABG. The proportion of patients undergoing CABG increased with more diffuse CAD. 41% of patients with left main- and three-vessel disease underwent CABG while only 2% of those with single-vessel disease. From 2010-2020 the proportion of patients that underwent PCI increased from 49% to 72%. There was no difference in survival between the PCI and CABG groups (p=1.00). CONCLUSION: Three quarters of patients with diabetes and obstructive CAD are now treated with PCI. The PCI and CABG groups had overall equal survival but the groups had different characteristics.

[Management of patients with left main stem stenosis in Iceland 2010-2020: PCI or CABG].

INTRODUCTION: Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) has been standard treatment for patients with left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) but percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can be a good alternative. Our aim was to evaluate revascularization of LMCAD-patients in Iceland and treatment changes in recent years. We also assessed the impact of patient background factors on treatment choice and long-term survival. METHODS: This retrospective, population-based registry-study analyzed data from the SCAAR-SWEDEHEART database. Patients with significant LMCAD on coronary angiography in Iceland 2010-2020, without previous history of CABG or contraindication for surgery were enrolled. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to study long-term survival and COX-regression analysis to adjust for predictor variables. FINDINGS: Of 702 LMCAD patients, 195 were treated with PCI, 460 with CABG and 47 with medical therapy. The widest age-range was in the PCI group and the mean age was highest in the medical therapy group. Patients with LMCAD and concomitant three vessel disease or heart valve disese were mostly treated with CABG (76.1% and 84.4%). The majority of patients with LMCAD only were treated with PCI, as well as patients presenting with STEMI or in cardiogenic shock (67.1% and 70.0%). The proportion of patients treated with PCI increased from 19.8% in 2010-2015 to 42.7% in 2016-2020. There was no significant difference in survival between the PCI and CABG-groups (p=0.41). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with LMCAD the main factors determining treatment choice are age, anatomical complexity and acuteness. There has been a significant increase in LMCAD patients treated with PCI.

[Impact of renal dysfunction on early outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting surgery].

INTRODUCTION: Impaired renal function as seen in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a known risk factor for coronary artery diseases and has been linked to inferior outcome after myocardial revascularization. Studies on the outcome of coronary bypass grafting (CABG) in CKD-patients are scarce. We aimed to study this subgroup of patients following CABG in a well defined whole-nation cohort, focusing on short term complications and 30 day mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study on 2300 consecutive patients that underwent CABG at Landspítali University Hospital 2001-2020. Patients were divided into four groups according to preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and the groups compared. GFR 45-59 mL/mín/1.73m2, GFR 30-44 mL/mín/1.73m2, GFR <30 mL/mín/1.73m2 and controls with normal GFR (≥60 mL/mín/1.73m2). Clinical information was gathered from medical records and logistic regression used to estimate risk factors of 30-day mortality. RESULTS: Altogether 429 (18.7%) patients had impaired kidney function; these patients being more than six years older, having more cardiac symptoms and a higher mean EuroSCORE II (5.0 vs. 1.9, p<0.001) compared to controls. Furthermore, their left ventricular ejection fraction was also lower, their median hospital stay extended by two days and major short-term complications more common, as was 30 day mortality (24.4% vs. 1.4%, p<0.001). In multivariate analysis advanced age, ejection fraction <30% and GFR <30 mL/min/1.73m2 were independent predictors of higher 30-day mortality (OR=10.4; 95% CI: 3.98-25.46). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with impaired renal function are older and more often have severe coronary artery disease. Early complications and 30-day mortality were much higher in these patients compared to controls and advanced renal failure and the strongest predictor of 30-day mortality.

Early diagnosis is associated with improved clinical outcomes in benign esophageal perforation: an individual patient data meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Time of diagnosis (TOD) of benign esophageal perforation is regarded as an important risk factor for clinical outcome, although convincing evidence is lacking. The aim of this study is to assess whether time between onset of perforation and diagnosis is associated with clinical outcome in patients with iatrogenic esophageal perforation (IEP) and Boerhaave's syndrome (BS). METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane library through June 2018 to identify studies. Authors were invited to share individual patient data and a meta-analysis was performed (PROSPERO: CRD42018093473). Patients were subdivided in early (≤ 24 h) and late (> 24 h) TOD and compared with mixed effects multivariable analysis while adjusting age, gender, location of perforation, initial treatment and center. Primary outcome was overall mortality. Secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay, re-interventions and ICU admission. RESULTS: Our meta-analysis included IPD of 25 studies including 576 patients with IEP and 384 with BS. In IEP, early TOD was not associated with overall mortality (8% vs. 13%, OR 2.1, 95% CI 0.8-5.1), but was associated with a 23% decrease in ICU admissions (46% vs. 69%, OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.2-7.2), a 22% decrease in re-interventions (23% vs. 45%, OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.2-6.7) and a 36% decrease in length of hospital stay (14 vs. 22 days, p < 0.001), compared with late TOD. In BS, no associations between TOD and outcomes were found. When combining IEP and BS, early TOD was associated with a 6% decrease in overall mortality (10% vs. 16%, OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-3.9), a 19% decrease in re-interventions (26% vs. 45%, OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.2) and a 35% decrease in mean length of hospital stay (16 vs. 22 days, p = 0.001), compared with late TOD. CONCLUSIONS: This individual patient data meta-analysis confirms the general opinion that an early (≤ 24 h) compared to a late diagnosis (> 24 h) in benign esophageal perforations, particularly in IEP, is associated with improved clinical outcome.

[Long term outcome of valve repair for degenerative mitral valve disease in Iceland].

OBJECTIVES: Degenerative mitral valve disease is the most common indication for mitral valve repair in the Western world. The aim of this study was to study the long term outcome of mitral valve repair for degenerative mitral valve regurgitation in Iceland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 101 consecutive mitral valve repair patients (average age 57.7 years, 80.2% male) operated in Iceland 2004-2018 for degenerative mitral valve regurgitation. Long term survival and MACCE (major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event) free survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared to age and gender matched reference population. Median follow-up time was 83 months. RESULTS: On average there were 6,7 (range 1-14) mitral valve repairs performed annually with 99% of the patients receiving ring annuloplasty. A total of 82 (82,2%) underwent resection of the posterior leaflet and 64.4% recieved Gore-Tex®-chordae. Major early complications occured in 28.7% of cases, most commonly perioperative myocardial infarction (11.9%) and reoperation for bleeding (8.9%). Mortality within 30 days was 2%, the median duration of intensive care unit stay was one day and the median hospital length of stay was 8 days. One patient needed reoperation later for recurrent mitral regurgitation. Five and ten year MACCE-free survival was 91.1% (95%-CI: 85.3-97.2) and 81.0 (95%-CI: 71.6-91.6), respectively. Five year survival was 93.5% (95-CI: 88.6-98.7) and 10 year survival 85.3% (95%-CI: 76.6-94.9), which was not different from an age and gender matched reference population (p=0.135, log-rank test). CONCLUSION: Outcomes of mitral valve repair due to degenerative mitral regurgitation is good in Iceland and results are comparable to larger institutions overseas. Long term prognosis is generally good although early postoperative complications often occur.

[Indications and outcomes of TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation) in Iceland].

INTRODUCTION: Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) has been the standard of treatment for aortic stenosis but transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is increasingly used as treatment in Iceland and elsewhere. Our objective was to assess the outcome of TAVI in Iceland, focusing on indications, complications and survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study included all TAVI-procedures performed in Iceland between January 2012 and June 2020. Patient characteristics, outcome and complications were registered, and overall estimated survival compared to an age and sex matched Icelandic reference-population. The mean follow-up was 2.4 years. RESULTS: Altogether 189 TAVI procedures (mean age 83±6 years, 41.8% females), were performed, all with a self-expanding biological valve. Most patients (81.5%) had symptoms of severe heart failure (NYHA-class III-IV) and median EuroSCORE-II was 4.9 (range: 0.9-32). Echocardiography pre-TAVI showed a mean aortic-valve area of 0.67 cm2 and a max aortic-valve gradient of 78 mmHg. One out of four patients (26.5%) needed permanent pacemaker implantation following TAVI. Other complications were mostly vascular-related (13.8%) but cardiac cardiac temponade and stroke occurred in 3.2 and 2.6% of cases, respectively and severe paravalvular aortic valve regurgitation in 0.5% cases. Thirty-day mortality was 1.6% (n=3) with one-year survival of 93.5% (95% CI: 89.8-97.3). Finally long-term survival survival of TAVI-patients was similar to the matched reference population (p=0.23). CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of TAVI-procedures in Iceland is good, especially regarding 30-day mortality and long-term survival that was comparable to a reference population. Incidence of major complications was also low.

Acute type A aortic dissection - a review.

Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is still one of the most challenging diseases that cardiac surgeons encounter. This review is based on the current literature and includes the results from the Nordic Consortium for Acute Type-A Aortic Dissection (NORCAAD) database. It covers different aspects of ATAAD and concentrates on the outcome of surgical repair. The diagnosis is occasionally delayed, and ATAAD is usually lethal if prompt repair is not performed. The dynamic nature of the disease, the variation in presentation and clinical course, and the urgency of treatment require significant attentiveness. Many surgical techniques and perfusion strategies of varying complexity have been described, ranging from simple interposition graft to total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk and valve-sparing root reconstruction. Although more complex techniques may provide long-term benefit in selected patients, they require significant surgical expertise and experience. Short-term survival is first priority so an expedited operation that fits in with the surgeon's level of expertise is in most cases appropriate.

Immediate and long-term need for permanent cardiac pacing following aortic valve replacement.

Introduction: Atrioventricular (AV) node conduction disturbances are common following surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), and in some cases the patient needs a permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation before discharge from hospital. Little is known about the long-term need for PPM and the PPM dependency of these individuals. We determined the incidence of PPM implantation before and after discharge in SAVR patients. Methods: We studied 557 consecutive patients who underwent SAVR for aortic stenosis in Iceland between 2002 and 2016. Timing and indication for PPM were registered, with a new concept, ventricular pacing proportion (VPP), defined as ventricular pacing ≥90% of the time, being used to approximate pacemaker dependency. The median follow-up time was 73 months. We plotted the cumulative incidence of pacemaker implantation, treating death as a competing risk. Results: Of the 557 patients, 22 (3.9%) received PPM in the first 30 days after surgery, most commonly for complete AV block (n = 14) or symptomatic bradycardia (n = 8); Thirty-eight other patients (6.8%) had a PPM implanted >30 days postoperatively, at a median of 43 months after surgery (range 0‒181), most often for AV block (n = 13) or sick-sinus syndrome (n = 10). The cumulative incidence of PPM implantation at 1, 5, and 10 years postoperatively was 5.0%, 9.2%, and 12.3%, respectively. During follow-up, 45.0% of the 60 patients had VPP ≥90%. Conclusion: The cumulative incidence of permanent pacemaker implantation following SAVR was about 12% at 10 years, with every other patient having VPP ≥90% during follow-up. This suggests that AV node conduction disturbances extend significantly beyond the perioperative period.

Reoperation for bleeding following coronary artery bypass surgery with special focus on long-term outcomes.

Objectives: We studied the incidence and risk factors of reoperation for bleeding following CABG in a nationwide cohort with focus on long-term complications and survival. Design: A retrospective study on 2060 consecutive, isolated CABG patients operated 2001-2016. Outcome of reoperated patients (n = 130) were compared to non-reoperated ones (n = 1930), including major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and overall survival. Risk factors for reoperation were determined using multivariate logistic regression and a Cox proportional hazards model to assess prognostic factors of long-term survival. Median follow-up was 7.6 years. Results: One hundred thirty patients (6.3%) were reoperated with an annual decrease of 4.1% per year over the study period (p=.04). Major complications (18.5 vs. 9.6%) and 30-day mortality (8.5 vs. 1.9%,) were higher in the reoperation group (p<.001). The use of clopidogrel preoperatively (OR 3.62, 95% CI: 1.90-6.57) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (OR 2.23, 95% CI: 1.25-3.77) were the strongest predictors of reoperation, whereas off-pump surgery was associated with a lower reoperation risk (OR 0.44, 95% CI: 0.22-0.85). After exluding patients that died within 30 days postoperatively, no difference in long-term survival or freedom from MACCE was found between groups, and reoperation was not an independent risk factor for long-term mortality in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: The reoperation rate in this study was relatively high but decreased significantly over time. Reoperation was associated with twofold increased risk for major complications and fourfold 30-day mortality, but comparable long-term MACCE and survival rates. This implies that if patients survive the first 30 days following reoperation, their long-term outcome is comparable to non-reoperated patients.