Restricted Cusp Motion in Newly Implanted Tricuspid Bioprostheses: Incidence, Predictors, and Impact on Survival.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of restricted cusp motion (RCM) at the time of bioprosthetic tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) and analyzed associated risk factors and outcomes. METHODS: This study involved adult patients who underwent TVR with a bioprosthesis at our institution between 2012 and 2022. Bioprosthetic cusp motion was analyzed de-novo through a detailed review of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiograms (TEE). Two models of porcine valves were implanted, the Hancock II bioprosthesis (Medtronic, Inc, Minneapolis, Minnesota) and the St. Jude Epic bioprosthesis (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, Minnesota). RESULTS: Among the 476 patients who met the inclusion criteria, RCM was identified on the immediate post-bypass TEE in 150 (31.5%); there was complete immobility of the cusp in 63 patients (13.2%) and limited movement of a cusp in 87 patients (18.3%). In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, the Hancock II model (OR 6.15, p<0.001), a larger orifice area (per IQR increase, OR 1.58, p=0.017), a smaller body surface area (per IQR increase, OR 0.68, p=0.040), and a lower ejection fraction (per IQR increase, OR 0.60, p=0.033) were independently associated with having RCM. Cox regression adjusting for 15 covariates revealed that RCM at time of TVR was independently associated with an increased risk of mortality (HR 1.35, p=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a high incidence of restricted cusp motion in bioprosthetic valves in the tricuspid position detected shortly post-implantation, which was associated with increased late mortality. To reduce the probability of restricted cusp motion, it is important to select the appropriate prosthesis model and size, particularly in small patients.

Delayed Sternal Closure vs Emergency Sternal Reopening in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist regarding outcomes of delayed sternal closure (DSC) in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). METHODS: We reviewed 159 ACHD patients undergoing cardiac surgery 1993-2023, who required DSC (open sternum at the end of operation, n=112) or ESR (sternum emergently reopened, n=47). Regression models were performed to determine factors associated with outcomes. RESULTS: Of 112 patients undergoing DSC, 87 patients (77.6%) underwent DSC ≤4 days, and 25 patients (22.3%) >4 days. The most common operations were valve (n=35, 31.2%), aortic (n=33, 29.4%), and right ventricular outflow tract procedures (n=23, 20.5%). Median time to chest closure was 2 days (interquartile range 1, 5). Apart from gender, baseline characteristics were similar between DSC groups. A stepwise increase in early mortality was observed from DSC≤4 days to DSC>4 days (6.8% vs 32%), as well as incidence of early complications, except sternal infection. Risk factors associated with early mortality were age (p=0.02), DSC >4 days (p<0.001), hemodynamic indication (p=0.03), and single ventricle (p=0.02). On multivariable analysis, lower ejection fraction (p=0.04), hemodynamic indication (p=0.02), single ventricle (p=0.004), and diabetes mellitus (p=0.03) were predictors of prolonged time to chest closure. Amongst hospital survivors, there was no difference in late survival between patients undergoing DSC ≤4 days vs >4 days (p=0.48). CONCLUSIONS: Brief duration of DSC in ACHD patients is associated with low morbidity and mortality. Higher early mortality and complications were observed among patients who did not achieve chest closure within 4 days.

Long-term Stroke and Mortality Risk in Nonagenarians Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Insertion.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist on the long-term outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve insertion (TAVI) in nonagenarian patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between patient baseline comorbidity and frailty on the long-term outcome of the nonagenarian population. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 187 consecutive nonagenarian patients who underwent TAVI from 2009 to 2020. Multivariable models were utilized to analyze the association between basleline patient and frailty variables and mortality, stroke, and repeat hospitalization. Long-term survival was compared to an age- and sex-matched US population. RESULTS: The median STS-predicted risk of mortality (STS-PROM) was 10% (IQR, 7-17%). Frailty was met in 72% of patients based on the five-meter walk test, 13% based on KCCQ-12 score, 12% based on KATZ activities of daily living, and 8% based on serum albumin levels. Procedure-related mortality occured in 3 (2%) patients and stroke in 8 (4%). The median duration of follow-up was 3.4 years. Outcomes included death in 150 (80%) patients, stroke in 15, and repeat hospitalization in 114. Multivariable analysis identified no association between any of the baseline patient variables with mortality, stroke, repeat hospitalization, or the combined outcomes (all P>0.05). One- and five-year survival rates in TAVI-treated nonagenarians were similar to age- and sex-matched controls (P=0.27). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term death or stroke is independent of STS-PROM and frailty risk variables in this nonagenarian patient population who received TAVI. Furthermore, survival is similar to age- and sex-matched controls.

Simultaneous Tricuspid Valve Repair at the Time of Mitral Valve Surgery: Determinants of Postoperative Pacemaker Implantation.

OBJECTIVE: Guidelines recommend tricuspid valve (TV) repair for patients with severe tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) undergoing surgery for degenerative mitral valve (MV) disease, but management of ≤ moderate TR is controversial. This study examines the incidence and causes of bradyarrhythmias leading to PPM implantation. METHODS: Review of patients undergoing simultaneous TV repair and MV surgery for degenerative MV disease from 2001 to 2022 (N=404). Primary endpoint was the incidence of postoperative PPM implantation. Secondary endpoints included the incidence of high-degree AV block and overall survival. RESULTS: All patients underwent TV repair at the time of MV surgery; 332 (82%) underwent MV repair and 72 (18%) MV replacement. Tricuspid valve repair techniques included flexible band (n=258, 63.8%), DeVega annuloplasty (n=78, 19.3%), complete flexible ring (n=49, 12.1%), and incomplete rigid ring (n=19, 4.7%). The 30-day mortality was 0.5% (n=2). A total of 35 (8.7%) patients had a PPM implanted postoperatively, 26 (6.4%) for high-degree AV block. On multivariable analysis, only older age was associated with PPM implantation. Patients who received a PPM due to high-degree AV block had reduced overall survival (Figure, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Need for permanent pacing following TV repair at the time of MV surgery is not uncommon, but there are few modifiable factors that might reduce this risk. Careful selection of patients with less-than-severe TR and surgical techniques may reduce PPM-related risks and complications.

Single-Center Prospective Study of Cross-Clamp vs Balloon Occlusion in Robotic Mitral Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Transthoracic aortic cross-clamp and endoaortic balloon occlusion have both been shown to have comparable safety profiles for aortic occlusion. Because most surgeons use only one technique, we sought to compare the outcomes when a homogeneous group of surgeons changed their occlusion technique from aortic cross-clamp to balloon occlusion. METHODS: We changed our technique from aortic cross-clamp to balloon occlusion in November 2022. This allowed us to conduct a prospective treatment comparison study in the same group of surgeons. Propensity score matching was used to match cases (balloon occlusion) 1:3 to controls (aortic cross-clamp) based on age, sex, body mass index, concomitant maze procedure, and tricuspid valve repair. RESULTS: Total of 411 patients underwent robotic mitral surgery from 2020 through 2023. Propensity score matching was used to match 56 balloon occlusion patients to 168 aortic cross-clamp patients. The 224 patients were a median age of 65 years (interquartile range, 55.6-70.0 years), and 119 (53%) were men. All valves were successfully repaired. Balloon occlusion had a shorter median cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time compared with aortic cross-clamp (84.0 vs 94.5 minutes, P = .006). Median cross-clamp time (64.0 vs 64.0 minutes, P = .483) and total surgery time (5.9 vs 6.1 hours, P = .495) did not differ between groups. There were no in-hospital deaths. There were 5 surgeons who performed various combinations of console and bedside roles. CPB, cross-clamp, and surgery durations were not significantly affected by the different surgeon combinations. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with aortic cross-clamp, balloon occlusion has similar perioperative and early postoperative outcomes. Additionally, it likely introduces a 10-minute reduction in total CPB time.

Predicting postoperative systolic dysfunction in mitral regurgitation: CT vs. echocardiography.

Introduction: Volume overload from mitral regurgitation can result in left ventricular systolic dysfunction. To prevent this, it is essential to operate before irreversible dysfunction occurs, but the optimal timing of intervention remains unclear. Current echocardiographic guidelines are based on 2D linear measurement thresholds only. We compared volumetric CT-based and 2D echocardiographic indices of LV size and function as predictors of post-operative systolic dysfunction following mitral repair. Methods: We retrospectively identified patients with primary mitral valve regurgitation who underwent repair between 2005 and 2021. Several indices of LV size and function measured on preoperative cardiac CT were compared with 2D echocardiography in predicting post-operative LV systolic dysfunction (LVEFecho <50%). Area under the curve (AUC) was the primary metric of predictive performance. Results: A total of 243 patients were included (mean age 57 ± 12 years; 65 females). The most effective CT-based predictors of post-operative LV systolic dysfunction were ejection fraction [LVEFCT; AUC 0.84 (95% CI: 0.77-0.92)] and LV end systolic volume indexed to body surface area [LVESViCT; AUC 0.88 (0.82-0.95)]. The best echocardiographic predictors were LVEFecho [AUC 0.70 (0.58-0.82)] and LVESDecho [AUC 0.79 (0.70-0.89)]. LVEFCT was a significantly better predictor of post-operative LV systolic dysfunction than LVEFecho (p = 0.02) and LVESViCT was a significantly better predictor than LVESDecho (p = 0.03). Ejection fraction measured by CT demonstrated significantly greater reproducibility than echocardiography. Discussion: CT-based volumetric measurements may be superior to established 2D echocardiographic parameters for predicting LV systolic dysfunction following mitral valve repair. Validation with prospective study is warranted.

Preoperative Anemia and Postoperative Outcomes in Cardiac Surgery: A Mediation Analysis Evaluating Intraoperative Transfusion Exposures.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative anemia is associated with adverse outcomes in cardiac surgery, yet it remains unclear what proportion of this association is mediated through red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. METHODS: This is a historical observational cohort study of adults undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting or valve surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass at an academic medical center between May 1, 2008, and May 1, 2018. A mediation analysis framework was used to evaluate the associations between preoperative anemia and postoperative outcomes, including a primary outcome of acute kidney injury (AKI). Intraoperative RBC transfusions were evaluated as mediators of preoperative anemia and outcome relationships. The estimated total effect, average direct effect of preoperative anemia, and percent of the total effect mediated through transfusions are presented with 95% confidence intervals and P -values. RESULTS: A total of 4117 patients were included, including 1234 (30%) with preoperative anemia. Overall, 437 of 4117 (11%) patients went on to develop AKI, with a greater proportion of patients having preoperative anemia (219 of 1234 [18%] vs 218 of 2883 [8%]). In multivariable analyses, the presence of preoperative anemia was associated with increased postoperative AKI (6.4% [4.2%-8.7%] absolute difference in percent with AKI, P < .001), with incremental decreases in preoperative hemoglobin concentrations displaying greater AKI risk (eg, 11.9% [6.9%-17.5%] absolute increase in probability of AKI for preoperative hemoglobin of 9 g/dL compared to a reference of 14 g/dL, P < .001). The association between preoperative anemia and postoperative AKI was primarily due to direct effects of preoperative anemia (5.9% [3.6%-8.3%] absolute difference, P < .001) rather than mediated through intraoperative RBC transfusions (7.5% [-4.3% to 21.1%] of the total effect mediated by transfusions, P = .220). Preoperative anemia was also associated with longer hospital durations (1.07 [1.05-1.10] ratio of geometric mean length of stay, P < .001). Of this total effect, 38% (22%, 62%; P < .001) was estimated to be mediated through subsequent intraoperative RBC transfusion. Preoperative anemia was not associated with reoperation or vascular complications. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative anemia was associated with higher odds of AKI and longer hospitalizations in cardiac surgery. The attributable effects of anemia and transfusion on postoperative complications are likely to differ across outcomes. Future studies are necessary to further evaluate mechanisms of anemia-associated postoperative organ injury and treatment strategies.

Association of Bovine Arch Anatomy With Incident Stroke After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND: Acute ischemic stroke complicates 2% to 3% of transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVRs). This study aimed to identify the aortic anatomic correlates in patients after TAVR stroke. METHODS AND RESULTS: This is a single-center, retrospective study of patients who underwent TAVR at the Mayo Clinic between 2012 and 2022. The aortic arch morphology was determined via a manual review of the pre-TAVR computed tomography images. An "a priori" approach was used to select the covariates for the following: (1) the logistic regression model assessing the association between a bovine arch and periprocedural stroke (defined as stroke within 7 days after TAVR); and (2) the Cox proportional hazards regression model assessing the association between a bovine arch and long-term stroke after TAVR. A total of 2775 patients were included (59.6% men; 97.8% White race; mean±SD age, 79.3±8.4 years), of whom 495 (17.8%) had a bovine arch morphology. Fifty-seven patients (1.7%) experienced a periprocedural stroke. The incidence of acute stroke was significantly higher among patients with a bovine arch compared with those with a nonbovine arch (3.6% versus 1.7%; P=0.01). After adjustment, a bovine arch was independently associated with increased periprocedural strokes (adjusted odds ratio, 2.16 [95% CI, 1.22-3.83]). At a median follow-up of 2.7 years, the overall incidence of post-TAVR stroke was 6.0% and was significantly higher in patients with a bovine arch even after adjusting for potential confounders (10.5% versus 5.0%; adjusted hazard ratio, 2.11 [95% CI, 1.51-2.93]; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A bovine arch anatomy is associated with a significantly higher risk of periprocedural and long-term stroke after TAVR.

Outcomes of aortic surgery in patients with Takayasu arteritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presentation, aortic involvement, and surgical outcomes in patients with Takayasu arteritis undergoing aortic surgery. METHODS: We queried our surgical database for patients with Takayasu arteritis who underwent aortic surgery from 1994 to 2022. RESULTS: There were a total of 31 patients with Takayasu arteritis who underwent aortic surgery. Patients' median age at the time of diagnosis was 35.0 years (interquartile range, 25.0-42.0). The majority were female (n = 27, 87.0%). Most patients (n = 28, 90.3%) were diagnosed before surgery, and 3 patients (9.6%) were diagnosed perioperatively. The median time interval from diagnosis to surgery was 2.8 years (interquartile range, 0.5-13.9). The most common presentation was ascending aorta aneurysm (n = 22, 70.9%), and severe aortic regurgitation was the most common valve insufficiency (n = 17, 54.8%). The most common operation was ascending aorta replacement (n = 20, 64.5%), and aortic valve replacement was the most common valve intervention (n = 17, 54.8%). Active vasculitis was identified in 2 (11.7%) aortic valve specimens. Early mortality was 6.5% (n = 2). A total of 6 deaths occurred over a median follow-up of 13.1 years (interquartile range, 6.1-25.2). Survival at 10 years was 86.7% (95% CI, 75.4-99.7). A total of 5 patients (16.1%) required a subsequent operation in a median of 1.9 years (interquartile range, 0.2-7.4). Freedom from reoperation was 96.9% (95% CI, 90.1-100) at 1 year, 89.4% (95% CI, 78.7-100.0) at 5 years, and 77.5% (95% CI, 61.2-98.1) at 10 and 15 years. CONCLUSIONS: Ascending aorta aneurysm and aortic valve regurgitation are the most frequent presentations in patients with Takayasu arteritis requiring aortic surgery. Surgery in these individuals is safe, with acceptable short- and long-term results.

Analysis of Anemia, Transfusions, and CABG Outcomes in The Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Database.

BACKGROUND: This study characterized the association of preoperative anemia and intraoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion on outcomes of elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: Data from 53,856 patients who underwent CABG included in The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Adult Cardiac Database in 2019 were used. The primary outcome was operative mortality. Secondary outcomes were postoperative complications. The association of anemia with outcomes was analyzed with multivariable regression models. The influence of intraoperative RBC transfusion on the effect of preoperative anemia on outcomes was studied using mediation analysis. RESULTS: Anemia was present in 25% of patients. Anemic patients had a higher STS Predicted Risk of Operative Mortality (1.2% vs 0.7%; P < .001). Anemia was associated with operative mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.27; 99.5% CI, 1.00-1.61; P = .047), postoperative RBC transfusion (OR, 2.28; 99.5% CI, 2.12-2.44; P < .001), dialysis (OR, 1.58; 99.5% CI, 1.19-2.11; P < .001), and prolonged intensive care unit and hospital length of stay. Intraoperative RBC transfusion largely mediated the effects of anemia on mortality (76%), intensive care unit stay (99%), and hospital stay, but it only partially mediated the association with dialysis (34.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative anemia is common in patients who undergo CABG and is associated with increased postoperative risks of mortality, complications, and RBC transfusion. However, most of the effect of anemia on mortality is mediated through intraoperative RBC transfusion.

Post-mortem examination of fatal acute type A aortic dissection: what does it teach us?

OBJECTIVES: Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) remains a highly life-threatening condition. This study investigates factors associated with fatal ATAAD prior to surgical treatment. METHODS: We reviewed autopsy reports of ATAAD decedents who died before surgical intervention and underwent postmortem examination at our clinic from 1994 to 2022. RESULTS: Among 94 eligible cases, 50 (53.2%) decedents had DeBakey type I dissection, and 44 (46.8%) had DeBakey type II dissection. Most were males, 63 (67%), and 72 (77%) had a history of hypertension. The median age was 70.5 years, and the type II group was a decade older than the type I group (P < 0.001). Decedents in the type II group predominantly died during the first hour after symptoms onset 16 (52%), while in the type I group, fatalities occurred between 1 h and 1 day, 27 (66%). The most common site of the intimal tear was the midportion of the ascending aorta, 45 (48%). The median ascending aorta size was 5 cm for the entire cohort, 5.2 cm for type I and 4.6 cm for type II (P < 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: In this autopsy study of fatal acute aortic dissection, the median aortic size was below the current guideline threshold for elective repair. Type II acute aortic dissections were found more frequently than expected and were characterized by older age, advanced aortic atherosclerosis, smaller aortic size, a shorter interval from symptom onset to death and a higher frequency of syncope compared to type I dissection.

Impact on Kidney Function and Medium-Term Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is now widely approved for the treatment of aortic stenosis, regardless of the patients' surgical risk. However, the outcomes of TAVR and their determinants in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) beyond 1 year of follow-up are unknown. We aimed to assess the medium-term outcomes of TAVR in CKD, develop a risk score to estimate the 2-year mortality in patients with CKD, and evaluate the changes in kidney function at discharge after TAVR. Adults who underwent TAVR were retrospectively identified. The CKD stage was determined using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology 2021 creatinine formula. Improved kidney function was defined as post-TAVR creatinine ≤50% of pre-TAVR creatinine or decrease in creatinine of ≥0.3 mg/100 ml compared with pre-TAVR creatinine. Overall, 1,523 patients (median age 82 years; 59% men; 735 with CKD stage II or less, 661 with CKD III, 83 with CKD IV, and 44 with CKD V [of whom 40 were on dialysis]) were included. The all-cause mortality was higher in CKD stages IV and V on the multivariable analysis (p <0.001) at median follow-up of 2.9 (interquartile range 2.0 to 4.2) years. Moderate or severe tricuspid regurgitation, anemia, right ventricular systolic pressure >40 mm Hg and CKD stages IV and V were independent predictors of 2-year mortality and were used to develop a risk score. At hospital discharge, persisting acute kidney injury after TAVR occurred in 88 of 1,466 patients (6%), whereas improved kidney function occurred in 170 of 1,466 patients (12%). In conclusion, CKD stage was an independent determinant of mortality beyond 2 years after TAVR. Kidney function was more likely to improve than worsen at the time of hospital discharge after TAVR.

Benefit of Anticoagulation Early After Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement Using Bioprosthetic Valves.

OBJECTIVE: To compare all-cause mortality and thromboembolic events in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (sAVR) receiving anticoagulation with warfarin versus patients with no systemic anticoagulation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using data from the OptumLabs Data Warehouse, we investigated adult patients having bioprosthetic sAVR with or without coronary artery bypass from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2019. Patients were classified into groups of nonwarfarin or warfarin (≥30 days of continuous prescription coverage after sAVR). One-to-one propensity score (PS) matching was used to adjust for group differences. RESULTS: Of 10,589 patients having sAVR, 7659 (72.3%) were in the nonwarfarin group and 2930 (27.7%) were in the warfarin group. After PS matching, 2930 pairs of patients were analyzed. Median follow-up was 4.1 months (interquartile range [IQR], 2.6-7.4 months) for the warfarin group and 21.3 months (IQR, 7.8-24.0 months) for the nonwarfarin group. Overall mortality was lower for the warfarin group than for the nonwarfarin group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47 to 1.00; P=.047), and there was a trend toward decreased cumulative incidence of thromboembolic events (subdistribution HR [SHR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.35 to 1.07; P=.09). Cumulative incidence of major bleeding events was higher for the warfarin group vs the nonwarfarin group (SHR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.28 to 2.94; P=.002). Results were similar in a subgroup analysis of patients undergoing isolated sAVR. CONCLUSION: During the prescription coverage period, warfarin use after bioprosthetic sAVR was associated with lower all-cause mortality and decreased risk of thromboembolism compared with not receiving warfarin. However, warfarin use was associated with an increased risk of major bleeding events.

Resection of a Solitary Right Ventricular Metastasis in Oligorecurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), constituting the predominant manifestation of liver cancer, stands as a formidable medical challenge. The prognosis subsequent to surgical intervention, particularly for individuals presenting with a solitary tumor, relies heavily on the degree of invasiveness. The decision-making process surrounding therapeutic modalities in such cases assumes paramount importance. This case report illuminates a rather unusual clinical scenario. Here, we encounter a patient who, following a disease-free interval, manifested an atypical presentation of HCC, specifically, a solitary cardiac metastasis. The temporal interval of remission adds an additional layer of complexity to the case. Through a multidisciplinary planning process, the decision was made for surgical removal of the metastatic tumor.

Machine learning facilitates the prediction of long-term mortality in patients with tricuspid regurgitation.

OBJECTIVE: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a prevalent valve disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We aimed to apply machine learning (ML) to assess risk stratification in patients with ≥moderate TR. METHODS: Patients with ≥moderate TR on echocardiogram between January 2005 and December 2016 were retrospectively included. We used 70% of data to train ML-based survival models including 27 clinical and echocardiographic features to predict mortality over a 3-year period on an independent test set (30%). To account for differences in baseline comorbidities, prediction was performed in groups stratified by increasing Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Permutation feature importance was calculated using the best-performing model separately in these groups. RESULTS: Of 13 312 patients, mean age 72 ± 13 years and 7406 (55%) women, 7409 (56%) had moderate, 2646 (20%) had moderate-severe and 3257 (24%) had severe TR. The overall performance for 1-year mortality by 3 ML models was good, c-statistic 0.74-0.75. Interestingly, performance varied between CCI groups, (c-statistic = 0.774 in lowest CCI group and 0.661 in highest CCI group). The performance decreased over 3-year follow-up (average c-index 0.78). Furthermore, the top 10 features contributing to these predictions varied slightly with the CCI group, the top features included heart rate, right ventricular systolic pressure, blood pressure, diuretic use and age. CONCLUSIONS: Machine learning of common clinical and echocardiographic features can evaluate mortality risk in patients with TR. Further refinement of models and validation in prospective studies are needed before incorporation into the clinical practice.

The Evolving Role of Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in the Era of Transcatheter Valvular Procedures.

Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) has long been the standard treatment for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS). However, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative; it was initially intended for high-risk patients and has now expanded its use to patients of all risk groups. While TAVR has demonstrated promising outcomes in diverse patient populations, uncertainties persist regarding its long-term durability and potential complications, raising the issue of the ideal lifetime management strategy for patients with AS. Therefore, SAVR continues to play an important role in clinical practice, particularly in younger patients with longer life expectancies, those with complex aortic anatomy who are unsuitable for TAVR, and those requiring concomitant surgical procedures. The choice between TAVR and SAVR warrants personalized decision-making, considering patient characteristics, comorbidities, anatomical considerations, and overall life expectancy. A multidisciplinary approach involving an experienced heart team is crucial in the preoperative evaluation process. In this review, we aimed to explore the current role of surgical management in addressing aortic valve stenosis amidst the expanding utilization of less invasive transcatheter procedures.

Fate of concomitant tricuspid regurgitation in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE: Owing to a lack of supportive data, tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is usually not addressed in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Here we evaluated changes in TR degrees over time and its impact on survival in patients undergoing CABG. METHODS: We reviewed the data of 9726 patients who underwent isolated CABG between January 2000 and January 2021. According to preoperative TR severity, patients were stratified into nonsignificant (none to trivial, mild) and significant (moderate to severe) TR groups. We excluded patients who had undergone previous tricuspid valve surgery, pacemaker placement, and concomitant valve or ablative surgery. Propensity score matching and Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify associations between TR grade and the primary outcome of all-cause mortality. The secondary outcome was change in TR severity on the last echocardiogram. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, 380 patients in each group were identified. At baseline, 359 patients had moderate TR (94.5%) and 21 (5.5%) had severe TR. On the last follow-up echocardiogram, TR had improved in 40.5% of the patients in the significant TR group. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed significantly lower survival in patients with significant preoperative TR compared to those with nonsignificant TR (P < .001). After adjusting for other confounders, survival was no worse in the patients with significant TR group (hazard ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.80-1.38; P = .70). CONCLUSIONS: Significant preoperative TR improved in 40.5% of patients after isolated CABG. After adjusting for other factors, significant TR did not affect long-term survival.