2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease: A Report of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines.

AIM: The "2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the diagnosis, genetic evaluation and family screening, medical therapy, endovascular and surgical treatment, and long-term surveillance of patients with aortic disease across its multiple clinical presentation subsets (ie, asymptomatic, stable symptomatic, and acute aortic syndromes). METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted from January 2021 to April 2021, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINHL Complete, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through June 2022 during the guideline writing process, were also considered by the writing committee, where appropriate. Structure: Recommendations from previously published AHA/ACC guidelines on thoracic aortic disease, peripheral artery disease, and bicuspid aortic valve disease have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing comprehensive care for patients with aortic disease have been developed. There is added emphasis on the role of shared decision making, especially in the management of patients with aortic disease both before and during pregnancy. The is also an increased emphasis on the importance of institutional interventional volume and multidisciplinary aortic team expertise in the care of patients with aortic disease.

Diabetes Mellitus is an Independent Predictor of Spinal Cord Injury After Descending Thoracic and Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm Repair: Maximum Likelihood Conditional Regression in a Propensity-Score Matched Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To discern the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on spinal cord injury (SCI) after open descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair (DTAAAR). BACKGROUND: Compared with euglycemia, hyperglycemia, and ketosis make neurons respectively more vulnerable and more resilient to ischemia. METHODS: During the study period (1997-2021), patient who underwent DTAAAR were dichotomized according to the presence/absence of DM. The latter was investigated as predictor of our primary (SCI) and secondary [operative mortality (OM), myocardial infarction, stroke, need for tracheostomy, de novo dialysis, and survival] endpoints. Two-level risk-adjustment employed maximum likelihood conditional regression after 1:2 propensity-score matching. RESULTS: DTAAAR was performed in 934 patients. Ninety-two diabetics were matched to 184 nondiabetics. All preoperative variables had a standardized mean difference <0.1 between the matched groups. Patients with DM had higher SCI (6.5% vs. 1.6%, P 0.03) and OM (14.1% vs. 6.0%, P =0.01), while the other secondary endpoints were similar between groups in the matched sample. DM was an independent predictor for SCI in the matched sample (odds ratio: 5.05, 95% confidence interval: 1.17-21.71). Matched patients with DM presented decreased survival at 1 (70.2% vs. 86.2%), 5 (50.4% vas 67.5%), 10 years (31.7% vs. 36.7%) ( P =0.03). The results are summarized in the graphical abstract. CONCLUSION: DM is associated to increased OM and decreased survival, and it is an independent predictor of SCI after open DTAAAR. Strict perioperative glycemic control should be implemented, and exogenous ketones should be investigated as neuroprotective agents to reduce such adverse events.

Contemporary outcomes of open repair of acute complicated type B aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVE: Open repair of acute complicated type B aortic dissection (ACTBAD), required when endovascular repair is not possible, is historically considered high-risk. We analyze our experience with this high-risk cohort compared with the standard cohort. METHODS: We identified consecutive patients undergoing descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair from 1997 to 2021. Patients with ACTBAD were compared with those having surgery for other reasons. Logistic regression was used to identify associations with major adverse events (MAEs). Five-year survival and competing risk of reintervention were calculated. RESULTS: Of 926 patients, 75 (8.1%) had ACTBAD. Indications included rupture (25/75), malperfusion (11/75), rapid expansion (26/75), recurrent pain (12/75), large aneurysm (5/75), and uncontrolled hypertension (1/75). The incidence of MAEs was similar (13.3% [10/75] vs 13.7% [117/851], P = .99). Operative mortality was 5.3% (4/75) vs 4.8% (41/851) (P = .99). Complications included tracheostomy (8%, 6/75), spinal cord ischemia (4%, 3/75), and new dialysis (2.7%, 2/75). Renal impairment, urgent/emergent operation, forced expiratory volume in 1 second ≤50%, and malperfusion were associated with MAEs, but not ACTBAD (odds ratio: 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.20-1.16], P = .1). At 5 and 10 years, there was no difference in survival (65.8% [95% CI: 54.6-79.2] vs 71.3% [95% CI: 67.9-74.9], P = .42, and 47.3% [95% CI: 34.5-64.7] vs 53.7% [95% CI: 49.3-58.4], P = .29, respectively) or 10-year reintervention (12.5% [95% CI: 4.3-25.3] vs 7.1% [95% CI: 4.7-10.1], P = .17, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In an experienced center, open repair of ACTBAD can be performed with low rates of operative mortality and morbidity. Outcomes similar to elective repair are achievable even in high-risk patients with ACTBAD. In patients unsuitable for endovascular repair, transfer to a high-volume center experienced in open repair should be considered.

Baseline Intraoperative Left Ventricular Diastolic Function Is Associated with Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation after Cardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Detailed understanding of the association between intraoperative left atrial and left ventricular diastolic function and postoperative atrial fibrillation is lacking. In this post hoc analysis of the Posterior Left Pericardiotomy for the Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation after Cardiac Surgery (PALACS) trial, we aimed to evaluate the association of intraoperative left atrial and left ventricular diastolic function as assessed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) with postoperative atrial fibrillation. METHODS: PALACS patients with available intraoperative TEE data (n = 402 of 420; 95.7%) were included in this cohort study. We tested the hypotheses that preoperative left atrial size and function, left ventricular diastolic function, and their intraoperative changes were associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation. Normal left ventricular diastolic function was graded as 0 and with lateral e' velocity 10 cm/s or greater. Diastolic dysfunction was defined as lateral e' less than 10 cm/s using E/e' cutoffs of grade 1, E/e' 8 or less; grade, 2 E/e' 9 to 12; and grade 3, E/e' 13 or greater, along with two criteria based on mitral inflow and pulmonary wave flow velocities. RESULTS: A total of 230 of 402 patients (57.2%) had intraoperative diastolic dysfunction. Posterior pericardiotomy intervention was not significantly different between the two groups. A total of 99 of 402 patients (24.6%) developed postoperative atrial fibrillation. Patients who developed postoperative atrial fibrillation more frequently had abnormal left ventricular diastolic function compared to patients who did not develop postoperative atrial fibrillation (75.0% [n = 161 of 303] vs. 57.5% [n = 69 of 99]; P = 0.004). Of the left atrial size and function parameters, only delta left atrial area, defined as presternotomy minus post-chest closure measurement, was significantly different in the no postoperative atrial fibrillation versus postoperative atrial fibrillation groups on univariate analysis (-2.1 cm2 [interquartile range, -5.1 to 1.0] vs. 0.1 [interquartile range, -4.0 to 4.8]; P = 0.028). At multivariable analysis, baseline abnormal left ventricular diastolic function (odds ratio, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.15 to 3.63; P = 0.016) and pericardiotomy intervention (odds ratio, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.78, P = 0.004) were the only covariates independently associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline preoperative left ventricular diastolic dysfunction on TEE, not left atrial size or function, is independently associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation. Further studies are needed to test if interventions aimed at optimizing intraoperative left ventricular diastolic function during cardiac surgery may reduce the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation.

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery to Treat Anomalous Origin of Coronary Arteries in Adults: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To review the available literature on the use of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) as a treatment option for anomalous origin of coronary artery in adults. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed in March 2023 (including Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases) to identify studies reporting the use of CABG in adult patients with anomalous origin of coronary artery. RESULTS: A total of 31 studies and 62 patients were included, 32 patients (52%) were women, and the mean age was 45.1±16.1 years. The most common coronary anomaly was the right coronary artery arising from the left coronary sinus in 26 patients (42%), followed by an anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery in 23 patients (37%). A total of 65 conduits were used in 61 patients, and 1 case report did not report conduit type. Reported grafts included saphenous vein (23 of 65 [35.4%]), left internal thoracic artery (15 of 65 [23.1%]), right internal thoracic artery (23 of 65 [35.4%]), and radial artery (2 of 65 [3.1%]); right gastroepiploic artery and basilic vein were used once (1.5%) each. Ligation of the native coronary artery was performed in 42 (67.7%) patients. Patient follow-up was available in 19 studies with a mean of 31.2 months. Only 1 operative mortality was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the limited available data, CABG can be performed with good early results. Use of arterial conduits and ligation of the native coronary artery may improve long-term graft patency.

The impact of concomitant mitral valve intervention on outcomes of aortic root replacement.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of concomitant mitral valve repair (MVr) or replacement (MVR) at the time of aortic root replacement (ARR). METHODS: We queried our aortic database for consecutive patients undergoing ARR in combination with MVr or MVR from 1997 to 2021. Patients undergoing valve sparing root replacement (VSRR) were excluded. We compared operative mortality (OM) and a composite of major adverse events (MAE) in those undergoing CVG both with (Group 2) and without a concomitant MV procedure (Group 1). We also analyzed outcomes between patients undergoing MV repair versus MV replacement. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients underwent ARR with concomitant MVr (29/47.5%) or MVR (32/52.5%). Compared to patients in Group 2 (n = 955), those in Group 1 presented with worse NYHA class, lower ejection fraction, higher rate of connective tissue disease, and underwent more frequently urgent/emergent procedures. Group 1 had higher incidence of postoperative MAE (8/61(13%) vs 51/955(5%), p = .03). There was no difference in operative mortality between the two groups (0/61(0%) vs. 3/955(0.3%), p = 1). Compared to the ARR + MVR subgroup, the ARR + MVr subgroup had higher incidence of postoperative MAE (5/29(17.2%) vs. 3/32(9.4%), p = 0.02). Multivariate analysis identified MVr (OR 2.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.03;7.48], p = 0.04) as an independent predictor of MAE. CONCLUSIONS: Operative mortality remained low in both groups. The addition of MVR/MVr to composite valve-graft replacement of the aortic root does not increase OM in experienced hands. The incidence of MAEs was higher in those undergoing MVr but may be a reflection of greater preoperative comorbidity rather than issues related to a more complex operation.

Impact of advanced imaging techniques on cardiac surgery-New insights provided by cardiac magnetic resonance.

This dialog between a cardiac surgeon (C.L.) and cardiac imager (J.W.W.) provides an overview of cardiac MRI (CMR) methods relevant to cardiac surgery. Major areas of focus include logistics of performing a CMR exam, as well as established and emerging methods for assessment of cardiac structure, function, valvular performance, and tissue characterization. Regarding tissue characterization, a major area of focus concerns CMR assessment of viability, for which this modality has been shown to provide incremental utility to conventional techniques for detection of presence and transmural extent of infarction, as well as powerful predictive utility of recovery of left ventricular systolic function as well as long term clinical prognosis in patients with an array of clinical conditions, including coronary artery disease and valvular heart disease both before and following cardiac surgery.

Treatment of severe acute mitral regurgitation following thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

An asymptomatic 63-year-old male with chronic type B aortic dissection underwent repair of an expanding 6.1 cm extent I thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. His postoperative course was complicated by respiratory failure from severe acute mitral regurgitation likely due to papillary muscle rupture, which was corrected with transcatheter MitraClip edge-to-edge repair.

Elephant trunk simplifies thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair without impacting operative risk.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: An open two-stage elephant trunk (ET) technique may aid in the technical ease of subsequent thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair. We analyze whether the presence of an ET improves outcomes for patients undergoing extent I and II TAAA repair. METHODS: From September 1997 to October 2020, 469 patients underwent extent I or II TAAA repair. We compared those with prior ET to those without. Primary outcome was composite major adverse events (MAE) including operative mortality, myocardial infarction, permanent spinal cord injury, cerebrovascular accident, need for tracheostomy, and new need for dialysis. RESULTS: Thirty-eight (8.1%) patients had prior ET and 431 (91.9%) did not. There were no differences in baseline characteristics. The no ET group was more likely to undergo urgent or emergent procedures. Composite MAE occurred in 82 (19%) of the no ET group and 5 (15.8%) of the ET group (p = .785). Operative mortality was 5.5% and not significantly different between the groups (p = 1.00). No patients in the ET group experienced stroke or recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. Median partial bypass and cross-clamp times were significantly greater in the no ET group (28 [24-32] versus 19 [16-22] min; p ≤ .001 and 42 [32-53] versus 30 [25-39] min; p ≤ .001). CONCLUSIONS: Extent I and II TAAA repair after ET can be safely performed in a tertiary referral center with shorter bypass and cross-clamp times. ET eliminates the need for circulatory arrest or clamping a hostile arch.

The misnomer of uncomplicated type B aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: Acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD) is a rare condition that can be divided into complicated (CoTBAD) and uncomplicated (UnCoTBAD) based on certain presenting clinical and radiological features, with UnCoTBAD constituting the majority of TBAD cases. The classification of TBAD directly affects the treatment pathway taken, however, there remains confusion as to exactly what differentiates complicated from uncomplicated TBAD. AIMS: The scope of this review is to delineate the literature defining the intervention parameters for UnCoTBAD. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using multiple electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE to collate and summarize all research evidence on intervention parameters and protocols for UnCoTBAD. RESULTS: A TBAD without evidence of malperfusion or rupture might be classified as uncomplicated but there remains a subgroup who might exhibit high-risk features. Two clinical features representative of "high risk" are refractory pain and persistent hypertension. First-line treatment for CoTBAD is TEVAR, and whilst this has also proven its safety and effectiveness in UnCoTBAD, it is still being managed conservatively. However, TBAD is a dynamic pathology and a significant proportion of UnCoTBADs can progress to become complicated, thus necessitating more complex intervention. While the "high-risk" UnCoTBAD do benefit the most from TEVAR, yet, the defining parameters are still debatable as this benefit can be extended to a wider UnCoTBAD population. CONCLUSION: Uncomplicated TBAD remains a misnomer as it is frequently representative of a complex ongoing disease process requiring very close monitoring in a critical care setting. A clear diagnostic pathway may improve decision making following a diagnosis of UnCoTBAD. Choice of treatment still predominantly depends on when an equilibrium might be reached where the risks of TEVAR outweigh the natural history of the dissection in both the short- and long-term.

Sex differences in outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting: a pooled analysis of individual patient data.

AIMS: Data suggest that women have worse outcomes than men after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), but results have been inconsistent across studies. Due to the large differences in baseline characteristics between sexes, suboptimal risk adjustment due to low-quality data may be the reason for the observed differences. To overcome this limitation, we undertook a systematic review and pooled analysis of high-quality individual patient data from large CABG trials to compare the adjusted outcomes of women and men. METHODS AND RESULTS: The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and repeat revascularization (major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, MACCE). The secondary outcome was all-cause mortality. Multivariable mixed-effect Cox regression was used. Four trials involving 13 193 patients (10 479 males; 2714 females) were included. Over 5 years of follow-up, women had a significantly higher risk of MACCE [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.21; P = 0.004] but similar mortality (adjusted HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.94-1.14; P = 0.51) compared to men. Women had higher incidence of MI (adjusted HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.11-1.52) and repeat revascularization (adjusted HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.04-1.43) but not stroke (adjusted HR 1.17, 95% CI 0.90-1.52). The difference in MACCE between sexes was not significant in patients 75 years and older. The use of off-pump surgery and multiple arterial grafting did not modify the difference between sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Women have worse outcomes than men in the first 5 years after CABG. This difference is not significant in patients aged over 75 years and is not affected by the surgical technique.

Systematic Review - Neuroprotection of ketosis in acute injury of the mammalian central nervous system: A meta-analysis.

To evaluate the neuroprotection exerted by ketosis against acute damage of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). Search engines were interrogated to identify experimental studies comparing the mitigating effect of ketosis (intervention) versus non-ketosis (control) on acute CNS damage. Primary endpoint was a reduction in mortality. Secondary endpoints were a reduction in neuronal damage and dysfunction, and an 'aggregated advantage' (composite of all primary and secondary endpoints). Hedges' g was the effect measure. Subgroup analyses evaluated the modulatory effect of age, insult type, and injury site. Meta-regression evaluated timing, type, and magnitude of intervention as predictors of neuroprotection. The selected publications were 49 experimental murine studies (period 1979-2020). The intervention reduced mortality (g 2.45, SE 0.48, p < .01), neuronal damage (g 1.96, SE 0.23, p < .01) and dysfunction (g 0.99, SE 0.10, p < .01). Reduction of mortality was particularly pronounced in the adult subgroup (g 2.71, SE 0.57, p < .01). The aggregated advantage of ketosis was stronger in the pediatric (g 3.98, SE 0.71, p < .01), brain (g 1.96, SE 0.18, p < .01), and ischemic insult (g 2.20, SE 0.23, p < .01) subgroups. Only the magnitude of intervention was a predictor of neuroprotection (g 0.07, SE 0.03, p 0.01 per every mmol/L increase in ketone levels). Ketosis exerts a potent neuroprotection against acute damage to the mammalian CNS in terms of reduction of mortality, of neuronal damage and dysfunction. Hematic levels of ketones are directly proportional to the effect size of neuroprotection.

Radial-Artery or Saphenous-Vein Grafts in Coronary-Artery Bypass Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The use of radial-artery grafts for coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) may result in better postoperative outcomes than the use of saphenous-vein grafts. However, randomized, controlled trials comparing radial-artery grafts and saphenous-vein grafts have been individually underpowered to detect differences in clinical outcomes. We performed a patient-level combined analysis of randomized, controlled trials to compare radial-artery grafts and saphenous-vein grafts for CABG. METHODS: Six trials were identified. The primary outcome was a composite of death, myocardial infarction, or repeat revascularization. The secondary outcome was graft patency on follow-up angiography. Mixed-effects Cox regression models were used to estimate the treatment effect on the outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 1036 patients were included in the analysis (534 patients with radial-artery grafts and 502 patients with saphenous-vein grafts). After a mean (±SD) follow-up time of 60±30 months, the incidence of adverse cardiac events was significantly lower in association with radial-artery grafts than with saphenous-vein grafts (hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49 to 0.90; P=0.01). At follow-up angiography (mean follow-up, 50±30 months), the use of radial-artery grafts was also associated with a significantly lower risk of occlusion (hazard ratio, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.70; P<0.001). As compared with the use of saphenous-vein grafts, the use of radial-artery grafts was associated with a nominally lower incidence of myocardial infarction (hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.99; P=0.04) and a lower incidence of repeat revascularization (hazard ratio, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.63; P<0.001) but not a lower incidence of death from any cause (hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.59 to 1.41; P=0.68). CONCLUSIONS: As compared with the use of saphenous-vein grafts, the use of radial-artery grafts for CABG resulted in a lower rate of adverse cardiac events and a higher rate of patency at 5 years of follow-up. (Funded by Weill Cornell Medicine and others.).

Splanchnic occlusive disease predicts for spinal cord injury after open descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we sought to discern the effects of splanchnic occlusive disease (SOD; renal, superior mesenteric, and/or celiac axis arteries) on spinal cord injury (SCI; paraparesis or paraplegia) and major adverse events (MAE) after descending thoracic aneurysm (DTA) and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) open repair. METHODS: Patients who had undergone DTA/TAAA repair at our institution were dichotomized according to the presence of SOD, which was investigated as a predictive factor of our primary (SCI) and secondary (operative mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, tracheostomy, de novo dialysis, MAE, survival) endpoints. Risk adjustment used both propensity score matching and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: From July 1997 to October 2019, 888 patients had undergone DTA/TAAA repair, of whom 19 were excluded from our analysis for missing data. SOD was absent in 712 patients and present in 157 patients. The patients with SOD had presented with a greater incidence of preoperative renal impairment (61 [38.9%] vs 175 [24.6%]; P < .01) and peripheral arterial disease (60 [38.2%] vs 162 [22.8%]; P < .01] and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (45%; interquartile range, 10%; vs 50%; interquartile range, 4%; P < .01). The etiology of aortic disease was more frequently dissection in the SOD group (56.1% vs 43.7%) and more frequently nondissecting aneurysm in the non-SOD group (56.3% vs 43.9%; P < .01). Patients without SOD had presented with aneurysms more cranially located (DTA, 34.0% vs 7.6%; extent I TAAA, 44.0% vs 7.6%). In contrast, patients with SOD had presented with aneurysms more caudally located (extent II TAAA, 36.9% vs 8.6%; extent III TAAA, 30.6% vs 11.0%; extent IV TAAA, 17.2% vs 2.5%; P < .01). Propensity score matching led to 144 pairs, with SOD significantly associated with SCI (10 [6.9%] vs 2 [1.4%]; P = .03) and MAE (47 [32.6%] vs 26 [15%]; P < .01). Ten-year survival was reduced in those with SOD (31.5% vs 45.2%; P < .01). Conditional multivariable regression confirmed SOD to be a predictor of SCI in the matched sample (odds ratio, 6.60; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Our results have shown that SOD is a significant predictor of SCI in patients undergoing open DTA/TAAA repair. The investigation of measures to prolong neuronal ischemia tolerance (eg, hypothermia) is warranted for such patients.

A hybrid endocardial-epicardial biventricular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator to circumvent the tricuspid valve.

The development of pacing and defibrillator systems that do not involve hardware traversing the tricuspid annulus can be desirable in order to minimize lead-related complications such as tricuspid regurgitation. Occasionally, primary tricuspid valve pathology (ie, infectious endocarditis, nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis, and carcinoid disease) or congenital heart disease prohibits use of transvenous leads and alternative strategies are required to provide pacing or defibrillation. We describe such a case in which a biventricular implantable cardioverter defibrillator was implanted using a hybrid system involving endocardial and epicardial components.

Differential Effects of Aortic Valve Replacement on Aortic Circumferential Strain in Aortic Stenosis and Aortic Insufficiency.

OBJECTIVES: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) potentially can modify pulse-wave propagation to the distal aorta. Echo-derived global circumferential strain (GCS) was used to test whether AVR for aortic stenosis (AS) or aortic insufficiency (AI) resulted in differential aortic biomechanics in the descending thoracic aorta. DESIGN: This was a prospective observational study of patients who underwent cardiac surgery between 2016 and 2019. SETTING: Weill Cornell Medicine, a single large academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: The population comprised 48 patients undergoing AVR (62 ± 15 y/o, 79% male; 22 with AI and 26 with AS) and 11 patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery as controls. INTERVENTIONS: Elective cardiac surgery, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), pulmonary artery catheter. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Pre- and postprocedural TEEs were collected. Descending aorta short-axis images were analyzed for GCS, time-to-peak strain, aortic end-diastolic, end-systolic area, and fractional area changes. Pulse pressure (PP) and stroke volume were quantified. Preprocedural GCS significantly differed between patients with AI and AS, with AI patients having greater GCS (median/interquartile range, 9.6 95.3,13.6) than patients with AS (4.3 [3.4-5.1]). After AVR, in AI patients, strain significantly decreased (5.5 [3.8,8.2], p = 0.001), along with PP (mean ± standard deviation) (66.4 ± 0.8 to 54.1 ± 13.7, p < 0.001), and PP corrected strain did not (GCS/PP = 14.8 [6.9-19.9] v 12.7[8.2-18.6], p = 0.34). In AS patients, GCS significantly increased after AVR to (5.45 [4.2-6.8], p = 0.003), as did PP-corrected strain (6.9 [5.8-9.2] v 9.7 [6.5-13.4], p = 0.016). Surgical AVR produced decrements in time-to-peak strain in AI and AS groups (both p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: After AVR for AI and AS, the direction of change in distal aortic strain from baseline depends on valve pathology. This finding may have important clinical implications in terms of indication for surgery and postoperative surveillance, especially in patients with aortopathies.

Surgical repair of a giant coronary artery aneurysm.

We present a rare case of a giant coronary aneurysm of the circumflex artery measuring 4.8 × 4.2 × 7.2 cm in a 67-year-old man, recently diagnosed with type B aortic dissection. Surgical management was successfully performed by proximal end ligation and bypass of the dual-ostium distal end with a reverse saphenous vein graft.

Decision analysis and personalized clinical tool for cerebrospinal fluid drains in thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms repair.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The routine use of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage in patients undergoing operative repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms (TAAA) has been associated with decreased rates of spinal cord ischemia. The use of CSF drains is not without consequence, however with complications including subarachnoid hemorrhage, epidural hematoma, meningitis, and, in 1% of cases, death. To date, a decision analysis tool to help clinicians decide when to use and not to use a CSF drain does not exist. In this analysis, we set out to develop a decision analysis tool for CSF drain placement in patients undergoing operative repair of TAAA. METHODS: A Markov state-transition cohort model that compared TAAA repair with adjunctive CSF drain insertion to TAAA repair without drain insertion for the outcome of life expectancy was developed in TreeAge 2020. The cycle length was 1 month and the time horizon was 60 months. RESULTS: The use of a CSF drain was associated with improved 5-year life expectancy (3.21 ± 0.10 vs. 3.09 ± 0.11 life-years gained). In the sensitivity analysis that varied the effectiveness of a CSF drain (odds ratio closer to 1 = less effective), the use of a CSF drain resulted in higher life expectancy in almost all scenarios. CONCLUSIONS: The routine use of a CSF drain in patients undergoing TAAA repair is safe and effective, with few exceptions. This decision analysis tool can be used by clinicians to develop a personalized approach.

Results of surgical ventricular reconstruction in a specialized center and in comparison to the STICH trial: Rationale and study protocol for a patient-level pooled analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Post-infarction left ventricular remodeling is associated with increased mortality in patients with ischemic heart disease. Surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR) in addition to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been proposed to reduce left ventricular volume and improve clinical outcomes. The Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) trial found that the addition of SVR to CABG did not reduce the rates of death or rehospitalization in the 5 years after surgery compared to CABG alone. Like all randomized trials, STICH has limitations and it has been hypothesized that it may have underestimated the treatment effect of SVR. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of SVR in one of the largest contemporary single-center series and to compare the results with those of the STICH trial using individual patient's data. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Individual data of patients who underwent SVR with or without CABG will be obtained from San Donato University Hospital in Milan. Using multivariable Cox regression analysis, significant prognostic indicators in this cohort will be identified. We will then compare the San Donato cohort to individual patient's data from the SVR arm of Hypothesis 2 of the STICH trial and from both arms of the STICH Extended Study (STICHES). To reduce confounders, propensity score adjustment will be used for this comparison. The primary endpoint will be all-cause mortality. Data will be merged and analyzed independently at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York.

A Perspective from New York of COVID 19: Effect and impact on cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: First reported in December of 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has had a profound impact on the implementation of care. Here, we describe our institutional experience with a rapid influx of patients at the epicenter of the pandemic. METHODS: We retrospectively review our experience with the departments of cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, anesthesia, and critical care medicine and summarize protocols developed in the midst of the pandemic. RESULTS: The rapid influx of patients requiring an intensive level of care required a complete restructuring of units, including the establishment of a new COVID-19 negative unit for the care of patients requiring urgent or emergent non-COVID-19 related care including open-heart surgery. This unique unit allowed for the delivery of safe and effective care in the epicenter of the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we demonstrate the response of a large tertiary academic medical center to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, we demonstrate how rapid structural changes can allow for the continued delivery of cardiac surgical care with similar outcomes as those reported before the pandemic.