Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Low-Risk Tricuspid or Bicuspid Aortic Stenosis: The NOTION-2 Trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become the first choice to treat older patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS). This study aimed to compare TAVI with surgery in low-risk patients ≤ 75 years of age, including both tricuspid and bicuspid AS. METHODS: The NOTION-2 trial enrolled and 1:1 randomized low-risk patients aged ≤ 75 years with severe symptomatic AS to TAVI or surgery. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality, stroke or rehospitalization (related to the procedure, valve or heart failure) at 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 370 patients were enrolled with a mean age of 71.1 years and a median Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score of 1.1%. A total of 100 patients had bicuspid AS. The 1-year incidence of the primary endpoint was 10.2% in the TAVI group and 7.1% in the surgery group (absolute risk difference 3.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.7% to 8.8%; hazard ratio (HR) 1.4, 95% CI: 0.7 to 2.9; p=0.3). Patients with TAVI, when compared to surgery, had lower risk of major bleeding and new-onset atrial fibrillation and higher risk of non-disabling stroke, permanent pacemaker implantation and moderate-or-greater paravalvular regurgitation. The risk of the primary composite endpoint was 8.7% and 8.3% in patients with tricuspid AS (HR 1.0, 95% CI: 0.5 to 2.3) and 14.3% and 3.9% in patients with bicuspid AS (HR 3.8, 95% CI: 0.8 to 18.5) treated with TAVI or surgery, respectively (P for interaction=0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Among low-risk patients aged ≤ 75 years with severe symptomatic AS, the rate of the composite of death, stroke, or rehospitalization at one year was similar between TAVI and surgery. TAVI outcomes in young bicuspid AS patients warrant caution and should be further investigated. (NOTION-2, ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02825134).

Epidemiological and microbial trends of infective endocarditis in western Norway: a 7-year prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: In this prospective, observational study, we aimed to investigate epidemiologic and microbial trends of infective endocarditis in western Norway. METHODS: Clinical and microbiological characteristics of 497 cases of infective endocarditis from 2016 through 2022 were investigated. Categorical data were analysed using Chi-squared tests. Survival data were analysed using multiple Cox regression and reported using hazard ratios. RESULTS: The mean age was 67 years, and 74% were men. The annual incidence rates varied from 10.4 to 14.1 per 100,000 inhabitants per year. Infective endocarditis on native valves was observed in 257 (52%) of the cases, whereas infective endocarditis on prosthetic valves and/or cardiac implantable electronic devices was observed in 240 (48%) of the cases: infection on surgically implanted bioprostheses was observed in 124 (25%) of the patients, infection on transcatheter aortic valve implantation was observed in 47 (10%) patients, and infection on mechanical valves was observed in 34 (7%) cases. Infection related to cardiac implantable electronic devices was observed in a total of 50 (10%) cases. Staphylococcus aureus and viridans streptococci were the most common microbial causes, and isolated in 145 (29%) and 130 (26%) of the cases, respectively. Enterococcal endocarditis showed a rising trend during the study period and constituted 90 (18%) of our total cases of infective endocarditis, and 67%, 47%, and 26% of the cases associated with prosthetic material, transcatheter aortic valve implantation and cardiac implantable electronic devices, respectively. There was no significant difference in 90-day mortality rates between the native valve endocarditis group (12%) and the group with infective endocarditis on prosthetic valves or cardiac implants (14%), p = 0.522. In a model with gender, age, people who inject drugs, microbiology and type of valve affected, only advanced age was significantly associated with fatal outcome within 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of infective endocarditis, and particularly enterococcal endocarditis, increased during the study period. Enterococci appeared to have a particular affinity for prosthetic cardiac material. Advanced age was the only independent risk factor for death within 90 days.

Anxiety and depression in patients aged 80 years and older following aortic valve therapy. A six-month follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about mental health following advanced cardiac procedures in the oldest patients. AIMS: To study changes in anxiety and depression from baseline to one- and six-month follow-up in older patients following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). METHODS: Prospective cohort study of patients ≥ 80 years undergoing elective TAVI or SAVR in a tertiary university hospital. Anxiety and depression were assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Differences between TAVI/SAVR were analyzed using Welch's t test or chi-squared. Changes over time and group differences were established with longitudinal models using generalized least squares. RESULTS: In 143 patients (83.5 ± 2.7 years), 46% (n = 65) received TAVI. Anxiety was identified in 11% of TAVI patients at baseline. One- and six-months later, percentages were 8% and 9%. In SAVR patients, 18% had baseline scores indicating anxiety. One and six-months later, percentages were 11% and 9%. Depression was identified in 15% of TAVI patients. One- and six-months later, percentages were 11% and 17%. At baseline, 11% of SAVR patients had scores indicating depression. One- and six-months after SAVR, percentages were 15% and 12%. Longitudinal analyses showed reductions (P < 0.001) in anxiety from baseline to one-month, and stable scores between one- and six-months for both treatment groups. There was no change over time for depression among treatment groups (P = 0.21). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: SAVR or TAVI in patients ≥ 80 years was associated with anxiety reduction between baseline and follow-up. For depression, there was no evidence of change over time in either treatment group.

Left ventricular venting during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; the effects on cardiac performance in a porcine model of critical post-cardiotomy failure.

INTRODUCTION: Left ventricular distension is a major concern with postcardiotomy veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) supporting a critical heart failure after cardiac surgery. This porcine study evaluates the effects of left ventricular venting on cardiac function during ECMO-supported circulation and after weaning from ECMO. METHODS: Twenty anaesthetised open-chest pigs were put on cardiopulmonary bypass with aortic cross-clamping and suboptimal cardioplegic arrest for 40 min. After declamping and defibrillation, the animals were supported by VA-ECMO for 180 min either with or without additional left ventricular venting. Continuous haemodynamic evaluations were performed at baseline and at cardiac arrest, during VA-ECMO and for 120 min after weaning from circulatory support. Left ventricular perfusion and function were evaluated with microspheres, pressure-volume loops and epicardial echocardiography at baseline and after 1 and 2 h with unsupported circulation. RESULTS: In vented animals both mean aortic and left ventricular peak systolic pressure increased at the end of the ECMO-supported period compared to those not vented and remained increased also after weaning. Both at 60 min and 120 min after weaning from circulatory support, left ventricular stroke work and pressure-volume area were increased in vented compared to not vented animals. At 120 min left ventricular stroke volume was increased in vented compared to not vented animals, myocardial perfusion did not differ. The left ventricular mechanical efficiency, defined as the ratio between pressure volume area and myocardial perfusion, was increased (53.2 ± 5 vs 36.2 ± 2.1 J/mL/g, p = 0.011) in vented- compared to not vented hearts. CONCLUSION: This experimental study demonstrate that left ventricular venting during post-cardiotomy veno-arterial ECMO for 3 h attenuates deterioration of left ventricular function and haemodynamics early after weaning from circulatory support.

A Health Economic Evaluation of the World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist: A Single Center Assessment.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate cost-effectiveness of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist. BACKGROUND: The clinical effectiveness of surgical checklists is largely understood. Few studies to-date have evaluated the cost-effectiveness of checklist use. METHODS: An economic evaluation was carried out using data from the only available randomized controlled trial of the checklist. Analyses were based on 3702 procedures. Costs considered included checklist implementation costs and length and cost of hospital stay, costs of warming blanket use, blood transfusions and antibiotics used in the operating room, and the cost of clinical time in the operating room - all calculated for each procedure and its associated admission. Nonparametric bootstrapping was used to simulate an empirical distribution of the mean effect of the checklist on total admission costs and the probability of observing a complication-free admission and to quantify sampling uncertainty around mean cost estimates. RESULTS: The overall cost of checklist implementation was calculated to be $900 per 100 admissions. Implementation of the WHO checklist resulted in an additional 5.9 complication-free admissions per 100 admissions and an average of 110 bed-days saved per 100 admissions. Accounting for all costs included in the analysis, for every 100 admissions, use of the WHO checklist was estimated to save $55,899. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the WHO checklist was a cost-effective strategy for improving surgical safety.

Development and validation of patients' surgical safety checklist.

BACKGROUND: Poor uptake and understanding of critical perioperative information represent a major safety risk for surgical patients. Implementing a patient-driven surgical safety checklist might enhance the way critical information is given and increase patient involvement in their own safety throughout the surgical pathway. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a Surgical Patient Safety Checklist (PASC) for use by surgical patients. METHOD: This was a prospective study, involving patient representatives, multidisciplinary healthcare professionals and elective surgical patients to develop and validate PASC using consensus-building techniques in two Norwegian hospitals. A set of items intended for PASC were rated by patients and then submitted to Content Validation Index (CVI) analyses. Items of low CVI went through a Healthcare Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (HFMEA) Hazard Scoring process, as well as a consensus process before they were either kept or discarded. Reliability of patients' PASC ratings was assessed using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient analysis. Lastly, the face validity of PASC was investigated through focus group interviews with postoperative patients. RESULTS: Initial development of PASC resulted in a checklist consisting of two parts, one before (32 items) and one after surgery (26 items). After achieving consensus on the PASC content, 215 surgical patients from six surgical wards rated the items for the CVI analysis on a 1-4 scale and mostly agreed on the content. Five items were removed from the checklist, and six items were redesigned to improve PASCs' user-friendliness. The total Scale-level index/Average (S-CVI/Ave) before revision was 0.83 and 0.86 for pre- and post-operative PASC items, respectively. Following revision, these increased to 0.86 and 0.93, respectively. The PASC items reliability score was 0.97 (95% confidence interval 0.96 to 0.98). The qualitative assessment identified that patients who used PASC felt more in control of their situation; this was achieved when PASC was given to them at what they felt was the right time and healthcare professionals took part in its usage. CONCLUSION: Multidisciplinary perioperative care staff and surgical patients agreed upon PASC content, the checklist ratings were reliable, and qualitative assessment suggested good face validity. PASC appears to be a usable and valid checklist for elective surgical patients across specialties.

Return to work after coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic valve replacement surgery: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass grafting surgery and aortic valve replacement surgery are essential treatment options for people suffering from angina pectoris or aortic valve disease. Surgery aims to prolong life expectancy, improve quality of life, and facilitate participation in society for the individuals afflicted. The aim of this review was to explore the literature on work participation in patients following coronary artery bypass grafting or aortic valve replacement surgery, and to identify demographic and clinical characteristics associated with returning to work. METHODS: A scoping review framework of Arksey and O'Malley was chosen. Four electronic databases: Medline, CINAHL, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched for studies in English, Swedish, Danish or Norwegian between January 1988 and January 2020. A blinded selection of articles was performed. The data were then charted and summarized by descriptive numerical analyses and categorized into themes. RESULTS: Forty-five out of 432 articles were included in the final full-text analysis. Absence from work following coronary artery bypass graft grafting or aortic valve replacement surgery lasted on average 30 weeks, whereas 34% of the patients never returned to work. Being female, suffering from pre-existing depression, having limited secondary education, or low income were associated with decreased return to work rates. Previous employment was a decisive factor for returning to work after surgery. Data on return to work after aortic valve replacement were scarce. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of patients never return to work following coronary artery bypass grafting or aortic valve surgery, and the time interval until work return is longer than expected. Failure to resume work represents a threat to the patients' finances and quality of life. Nurses are in a unique position to assess work-related issues and have an active part in the multi-disciplinary facilitation of tailored occupational counselling after cardiac surgery.

Baseline frailty status and outcomes important for shared decision-making in older adults receiving transcatheter aortic valve implantation, a prospective observational study.

AIMS: The objective of this study was to examine baseline frailty status (including cognitive deficits) and important clinical outcomes, to inform shared decision-making in older adults receiving transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a prospective, observational study of 82 TAVI patients, recruited 2013 to 2015, with 2-year follow-up. Mean age was 83 years (standard deviation (SD) 4.7). Eighteen percent of the patients were frail, as assessed with an 8-item frailty scale. Fifteen patients (18%) had a Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) score below 24 points at baseline, indicating cognitive impairment or dementia and five patients had an MMSE below 20 points. Mean New York Heart Association (NYHA) class at baseline and 6 months was 2.5 (SD 0.6) and 1.4 (SD 0.6), (p < 0.001). There was no change in mean Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living (NEADL) scale between baseline and 6 months, 54.2 (SD 11.5) and 54.5 (SD 10.3) points, respectively, mean difference 0.3 (p = 0.7). At 2 years, six patients (7%) had died, four (5%, n = 79) lived in a nursing home, four (5%) suffered from disabling stroke, and six (7%) contracted infective endocarditis. CONCLUSIONS: TAVI patients had improvement in symptoms and maintenance of activity of daily living at 6 months. They had low mortality and most patients lived in their own home 2 years after TAVI. Complications like death, stroke, and endocarditis occurred. Some patients had cognitive impairment before the procedure which might influence decision-making. Our findings may be used to develop pre-TAVI decision aids.

Frailty Status and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Octogenarians Following Transcatheter or Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND: Frailty status and patient-reported outcomes are especially pertinent in octogenarians following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) to guide treatment decisions and promote patient-centred care. AIM: We aimed to determine if frailty changed 6 months after aortic valve replacement (AVR) in octogenarians, and to describe changes in self-rated health according to frailty status in patients who underwent TAVI or SAVR. METHOD: In a prospective cohort study, frailty and self-rated health were measured one day prior to and 6 months after AVR. Frailty status was measured with the Study of Osteoporotic Fracture index. Self-rated health was measured comprehensively with the disease-specific Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, the generic Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-12 questionnaire (SF-12), and two global questions from The World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument Abbreviated. RESULTS: Data were available for 143 consecutive patients (mean age 83±2.7 years, 57% women; 45% underwent TAVI). At baseline, 34% were robust, 27% prefrail, and 39% frail. Overall, there was no change in the distribution of frailty status 6 months after baseline (p=0.13). However, on an individual level 65 patients changed frailty status after AVR (40 patients improved and 25 declined). Improvement in frailty status was common in prefrail (33%; n=13) and frail patients (48%; n=27). Patients had improved self-rated health after AVR, with significant differences between frailty states both at baseline (SF-12 physical: 37.4 [robust], 33.1 [prefrail], 31.6 [frail], p=0.03); SF-12 mental: 51.9 [robust], 50.8 [prefrail], 44.5 [frail], p<0.001); and at the 6-month follow-up (SF-12 physical: 45.4 [robust], 38.3 [prefrail], 32.1 [frail], p<0.001); SF-12 mental: 54.9 [robust], 49.6 [prefrail], 46.8 [frail], p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Advanced treatment performed in a high-risk population allowed people to improve their self-rated health. Although frailty is associated with poor self-rated health, frailty status does not equal negative outcomes. The frail patients were those who improved most in self-rated physical and mental health. They had the lowest baseline self-rated health scores and had therefore the most to gain.

A Pilot Trial of Platelets Stored Cold versus at Room Temperature for Complex Cardiothoracic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: This pilot trial focused on feasibility and safety to provide preliminary data to evaluate the hemostatic potential of cold-stored platelets (2° to 6°C) compared with standard room temperature-stored platelets (20° to 24°C) in adult patients undergoing complex cardiothoracic surgery. This study aimed to assess feasibility and to provide information for future pivotal trials. METHODS: A single center two-stage exploratory pilot study was performed on adult patients undergoing elective or semiurgent complex cardiothoracic surgery. In stage I, a two-armed randomized trial, platelets stored up to 7 days in the cold were compared with those stored at room temperature. In the subsequent single-arm stage II, cold storage time was extended to 8 to 14 days. The primary outcome was clinical effect measured by chest drain output. Secondary outcomes were platelet function measured by multiple electrode impedance aggregometry, total blood usage, immediate and long-term (28 days) adverse events, length of stay in intensive care, and mortality. RESULTS: In stage I, the median chest drain output was 720 ml (quartiles 485 to 1,170, n = 25) in patients transfused with room temperature-stored platelets and 645 ml (quartiles 460 to 800, n = 25) in patients transfused with cold-stored platelets. No significant difference was observed. The difference in medians between the room temperature- and cold-stored up to 7 days arm was 75 ml (95% CI, -220, 425). In stage II, the median chest drain output was 690 ml (500 to 1,880, n = 15). The difference in medians between the room temperature arm and the nonconcurrent cold-stored 8 to 14 days arm was 30 ml (95% CI, -1,040, 355). Platelet aggregation in vitro increased after transfusion in both the room temperature- and cold-stored platelet study arms. Total blood usage, number of adverse events, length of stay in intensive care, and mortality were comparable among patients receiving cold-stored and room temperature-stored platelets. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot trial supports the feasibility of platelets stored cold for up to 14 days and provides critical guidance for future pivotal trials in high-risk cardiothoracic bleeding patients.

Myocardial perfusion and cardiac dimensions during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-supported circulation in a porcine model of critical post-cardiotomy failure.

INTRODUCTION: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is widely used as mechanical circulatory support for severe heart failure. A major concern with this treatment modality is left ventricular distension due to inability to overcome the afterload created by the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit. The present porcine study evaluates coronary circulation, myocardial perfusion and ventricular distension during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. METHODS: Ten anesthetized open-chest pigs were cannulated and put on cardiopulmonary bypass. Heart failure was achieved by 90 minutes of aortic cross-clamping with insufficient cardioplegic protection. After declamping, the animals were supported by venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for 3 hours. Continuous haemodynamic measurements were performed at baseline, during cardiopulmonary bypass/aortic cross-clamping and during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Fluorescent microsphere injections at baseline and after 1, 2 and 3 hours on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation evaluated myocardial perfusion. Left ventricular function and distension were assessed by epicardial echocardiography. RESULTS: The myocardial injury caused by 90 minutes of ischaemia resulted in a poorly contracting myocardium, necessitating venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in all animals. The circulatory support maintained the mean arterial blood pressure within a satisfactory range. A hyperaemic left anterior descending coronary artery flow while on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was observed compared to baseline. Myocardial tissue perfusion measured by microspheres was low, especially in the subendocardium. Echocardiography revealed myocardial tissue oedema, a virtually empty left ventricle, and a left ventricular output that remained negligible throughout the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation run. CONCLUSION: Coronary artery blood flow is maintained during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest despite severely affected performance of the left ventricle. Myocardial perfusion decreases, however, presumably due to rapid development of myocardial tissue oedema.

Left ventricular dysfunction after two hours of polarizing or depolarizing cardioplegic arrest in a porcine model.

INTRODUCTION: This experimental study compares myocardial function after prolonged arrest by St. Thomas' Hospital polarizing cardioplegic solution (esmolol, adenosine, Mg2+) with depolarizing (hyperkalaemic) St. Thomas' Hospital No 2, both administered as cold oxygenated blood cardioplegia. METHODS: Twenty anaesthetized pigs on tepid (34°C) cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were randomised to cardioplegic arrest for 120 min with antegrade, repeated, cold, oxygenated, polarizing (STH-POL) or depolarizing (STH-2) blood cardioplegia every 20 min. Cardiac function was evaluated at Baseline and 60, 150 and 240 min after weaning from CPB, using a pressure-conductance catheter and epicardial echocardiography. Regional tissue blood flow, cleaved caspase-3 activity and levels of malondialdehyde were evaluated in myocardial tissue samples. RESULTS: Preload recruitable stroke work (PRSW) was increased after polarizing compared to depolarizing cardioplegia 150 min after declamping (73.0±3.2 vs. 64.3±2.4 mmHg, p=0.047). Myocardial tissue blood flow rate was high in both groups compared to the Baseline levels and decreased significantly in the STH-POL group only, from 60 min to 150 min after declamping (p<0.005). Blood flow was significantly reduced in the STH-POL compared to the STH-2 group 240 min after declamping (p<0.05). Left ventricular mechanical efficiency, the ratio between total pressure-volume area and blood flow rate, gradually decreased after STH-2 cardioplegia and was significantly reduced compared to STH-POL cardioplegia after 150 and 240 min (p<0.05 for both). CONCLUSION: Myocardial protection for two hours of polarizing cardioplegic arrest with STH-POL in oxygenated blood is non-inferior compared to STH-2 blood cardioplegia. STH-POL cardioplegia alleviates the mismatch between myocardial function and perfusion after weaning from CPB.

Is the use of hydroxyethyl starch as priming solution during cardiac surgery advisable? A randomized, single-center trial.

INTRODUCTION: The use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) leads to increased fluid filtration and edema. The use of artificial colloids to counteract fluid extravasation during cardiac surgery is controversial. Beneficial effects on global fluid loading, leading to better cardiac performance and hemodynamics, have been claimed. However, renal function and coagulation may be adversely affected, with unfavorable impact on outcome following cardiac surgery. METHODS: Forty patients were randomly allocated to study groups receiving either acetated Ringer's solution (CT group) or hydroxyethyl starch (HES group, Tetraspan®) as CPB priming solution. Fluid balance, bleeding and hemodynamics, including cardiac output, were followed postoperatively. The occurrence of acute kidney injury was closely registered. RESULTS: Two patients were excluded from further analyzes due to surgical complications. Fluid accumulation was attenuated in the HES group (3374 (883) ml) compared with the CT group (4328 (1469) ml) (p=0.024). The reduced perioperative fluid accumulation was accompanied by an increased cardiac index immediately after surgery (2.7 (0.4) L/min/m2 in the HES group and 2.1 (0.3) L/min/m2 in the CT group (p<0.001)). No increase in bleeding could be demonstrated in the HES group. Three patients, all of them in the HES group, experienced acute kidney injury postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: CPB priming with HES solution lowers fluid loading during bypass and improves cardiac function in the early postoperative period. The manifestation of acute kidney injury exclusively in the HES group of patients raises doubts about the use of HES products in conjunction with cardiac surgery. ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01511120 ).

The influence of acute unloading on left ventricular strain and strain rate by speckle tracking echocardiography in a porcine model.

Noninvasive measurements of myocardial strain and strain rate by speckle tracking echocardiography correlate to cardiac contractile state but also to load, which may weaken their value as indices of inotropy. In a porcine model, we investigated the influence of acute dynamic preload reductions on left ventricular strain and strain rate and their relation to the pressure-conductance catheter-derived preload recruitable stroke work (PRSW) and peak positive first derivative of left ventricular pressure (LV-dP/dtmax). Speckle tracking strain and strain rate in the longitudinal, circumferential, and radial directions were measured during acute dynamic reductions of end-diastolic volume during three different myocardial inotropic states. Both strain and strain rate were sensitive to unloading of the left ventricle (P < 0.001), but the load dependency for strain rate was modest compared with strain. Changes in longitudinal and circumferential strain correlated more strongly to changes in end-diastolic volume (r = -0.86 and r = -0.72) than did radial strain (r = 0.35). Longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strain significantly correlated with LV-dP/dtmax (r = -0.53, r = -0.46, and r = 0.86), whereas only radial strain correlated with PRSW (r = 0.55). Strain rate in the longitudinal, circumferential and radial direction significantly correlated with both PRSW (r = -0.64, r = -0.58, and r = 0.74) and LV-dP/dtmax (r = -0.95, r = -0.70, and r = 0.85). In conclusion, the speckle tracking echocardiography-derived strain rate is more robust to dynamic ventricular unloading than strain. Longitudinal and circumferential strain could not predict load-independent contractility. Strain rates, and especially in the radial direction, are good predictors of preload-independent inotropic markers derived from conductance catheter.

Carvedilol-Enriched Cold Oxygenated Blood Cardioplegia Improves Left Ventricular Diastolic Function After Weaning From Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether adding carvedilol, a nonselective ß- and selective α1-receptor blocking agent with antioxidant properties, to oxygenated blood cardioplegia improves myocardial function after weaning from bypass. DESIGN: A randomized controlled study. SETTING: A university laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty anesthetized pigs, Norwegian Landrace. INTERVENTIONS: On cardiopulmonary bypass, cardiac arrest was induced with cold (12°C), oxygenated blood cardioplegia, enriched with carvedilol or vehicle, and repeated every 20 minutes. After 100 minutes, the heart was reperfused and weaned. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Left ventricular function was evaluated with pressure-volume loops, local myocardial systolic strain, and strain rate from Speckle tracking analysis and multilayer short-axis tissue Doppler Imaging. In the carvedilol group, the load-independent logarithmic end-diastolic pressure volume relationship, ß, decreased from 1 to 3 hours of reperfusion and was low, 0.028±0.004 v 0.042±0.007 (p<0.05) in controls at 3 hours, demonstrating improved left ventricular compliance. The diastolic relaxation constant τ was decreased, 28.9±0.6 ms v 34.6±1.3 ms (pg<0.035), and dP/dtmin was more negative,-1,462±145 mmHg/s v-1,105±105 mmHg/s (pg = 0.024), for carvedilol v control group. The systolic variables, preload recruitable stroke work and end-systolic pressure-volume relationship, did not differ between groups, neither did left ventricular systolic strain and strain rate. Myocardial oxidative stress, measured as tissue levels of malondialdehyde, was reduced by carvedilol, 0.19±0.01 compared to 0.24±0.01 nmol/mg (p = 0.004) in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Carvedilol added to blood cardioplegia improved diastolic cardiac function and reduced oxidative stress during the first 3 hours after reperfusion in a porcine model, with 100 minutes of cardioplegic arrest.

Esmolol added in repeated, cold, oxygenated blood cardioplegia improves myocardial function after cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated if the ß-receptor blocking agent esmolol, added to standard oxygenated blood cardioplegia, improved myocardial function after weaning from bypass. DESIGN: A block-randomized, blinded study. SETTING: A university laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty anesthetized pigs, Norwegian Landrace. INTERVENTIONS: After cardiopulmonary bypass, cardiac arrest was induced with cold (12°C), oxygenated blood cardioplegia, enriched with either esmolol or vehicle, repeated every 20 minutes. After 100 minutes the heart was reperfused and weaned. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Left ventricular function was evaluated with pressure-volume loops, local myocardial function with multilayer strain and strain rate by epicardial short-axis tissue Doppler imaging. One hour after declamping, preload recruitable stroke work did not differ between groups, but increased to 72±3 mmHg in esmolol-treated animals v 57±4 mmHg (p<0.001) in controls after 3 hours. Radial peak ejection strain rate also was increased by esmolol; 6.0±1.0 s(-1)v 2.9±0.3 s(-1) (p<0.001) in subendocardium and 3.9±0.5 s(-1)v 2.3±0.2 s(-1) (p<0.005) in the midmyocardium. Cardiac index was increased, 4.0±0.2 L/min/m(2) by esmolol v 3.3±0.1 L/min/m(2) for controls (p<0.05). Isovolumetric relaxation time constant was reduced by esmolol, 23±1 ms v 26±1 ms (p<0.025). Troponin-T did not differ and was 339±48 ng/L for the esmolol group and 357±55 ng/L for the control group (p = 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: Esmolol added to blood cardioplegia preserved systolic cardiac function during the first 3 hours after reperfusion in a porcine model with 100 minutes of cardioplegic arrest.

Can dogs smell lung cancer? First study using exhaled breath and urine screening in unselected patients with suspected lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: On the basis of our own experience and literature search, we hypothesised that a canine olfactory test may be useful for detecting lung cancer in an unselected population of patients suspected to have lung cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of 93 patients consecutively admitted to hospital with suspected lung cancer. Exhaled breath and urine were sampled before the patients underwent bronchoscopy. The canine olfactory test was performed in a double-blinded manner. Sensitivity and specificity were outcome measures. RESULTS: With 99% sensitivity, the olfactory test demonstrated that dogs have the ability to distinguish cancer patients from healthy individuals. With an intensified training procedure, the exhaled breath and urine tests showed sensitivity rates of 56-76% and specificity rates of 8.3-33.3%, respectively, in our heterogeneous study population. CONCLUSION: Although the olfactory test appears to be a promising tool for the detection of cancer, the main challenge is to determine whether the test can sufficiently discriminate between patients at risk, patients with benign disease, and patients with malignant disease. We need to gain a deeper understanding of this test and further refine it before applying it as a screening tool for lung cancer in clinical settings.

The Zanzibar Heart Survey: A special report from a humanitarian cardiology program at the Mnazi Mmoja referral hospital, Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania by Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, Norway.

A Norwegian cardiology delegation comprised of Cardiologists and Researchers travelled voluntarily to Zanzibar to undertake 4 humanitarian missions in 2022. The principal aims of this were to: 1) Train local cardiologists in transthoracic echocardiography and perform echocardiographic screening in patients with cardiac symptoms who had not undergone any prior cardiac imaging, 2) Conduct a hypertension survey to improve awareness, treatment and control of hypertension and 3) Implant permanent pacemakers in patients with significant bradyarrhythmias for the first time in the Archipelago. The current report details our experience at the Mnazi Mmoja Referral Hospital. We describe the challenges in managing common cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, cardiomyopathies, coronary artery disease and rhythm disturbances. Furthermore, we propose that improvement to care may be achieved by implementing systematic access to echocardiography and hypertension services to the island. In our survey, we found that hypertension and hypertension-mediated target organ damage were highly prevalent and hypertension was poorly controlled in Zanzibar. The common reasons for poor BP control were reported to be partly the issue of cost, affordability and availability of antihypertensive medications, and partly due to lack of awareness. Women were on average 10 years younger than men and were more likely to be obese, while men had higher burden of established cardiovascular disease (CAD, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and atrial fibrillation). Humanitarian healthcare missions by Western countries provide invaluable contributions to the healthcare of patients elsewhere in the world. Although their impact can be felt immediately, there is the propensity for these benefits to dissipate rapidly following the departure of visiting delegations. There is a need for more sustainable solutions whereby local healthcare systems are empowered to develop their own local capacities and initiate a system whereby local training can occur, the utilisation of facilities can be maximised and new skills can be transferred to health care practitioners to ensure universal access to diagnostics and treatments of cardiovascular diseases in Zanzibar. Our report indicates that measurable changes can be achieved in a relatively short time frame. These may in turn translate to improvements in access and quality of healthcare to the local population.

Quantified planar collagen distribution in healthy and degenerative mitral valve: biomechanical and clinical implications.

Degenerative mitral valve disease is a common valvular disease with two arguably distinct phenotypes: fibroelastic deficiency and Barlow's disease. These phenotypes significantly alter the microstructures of the leaflets, particularly the collagen fibers, which are the main mechanical load carriers. The predominant method of investigation is histological sections. However, the sections are cut transmurally and provide a lateral view of the microstructure of the leaflet, while the mechanics and function are determined by the planar arrangement of the collagen fibers. This study, for the first time, quantitatively examined planar collagen distribution quantitatively in health and disease using second harmonic generation microscopy throughout the thickness of the mitral valve leaflets. Twenty diseased samples from eighteen patients and six control samples were included in this study. Healthy tissue had highly aligned collagen fibers. In fibroelastic deficiency they are less aligned and in Barlow's disease they are completely dispersed. In both diseases, collagen fibers have two preferred orientations, which, in contrast to the almost constant one orientation in healthy tissues, also vary across the thickness. The results indicate altered in vivo mechanical stresses and strains on the mitral valve leaflets as a result of disease-related collagen remodeling, which in turn triggers further remodeling.