Clinical outcomes and predictors of success with Impella weaning in cardiogenic shock: a single-center experience.

Introduction: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a severe syndrome with poor prognosis. Short-term mechanical circulatory support with Impella devices has emerged as an increasingly therapeutic option, unloading the failing left ventricle (LV) and improving hemodynamic status of affected patients. Impella devices should be used for the shortest time necessary to allow LV recovery because of time-dependent device-related adverse events. The weaning from Impella, however, is mostly performed in the absence of established guidelines, mainly based on the experience of the individual centres. Methods: The aim of this single center study was to retrospectively evaluate whether a multiparametrical assessment before and during Impella weaning could predict successful weaning. The primary study outcome was death occurring during Impella weaning and secondary endpoints included assessment of in-hospital outcomes. Results: Of a total of 45 patients (median age, 60 [51-66] years, 73% male) treated with an Impella device, 37 patients underwent impella weaning/removal and 9 patients (20%) died after the weaning. Non-survivors patients after impella weaning more commonly had a previous history of known heart failure (p = 0.054) and an implanted ICD-CRT (p = 0.01), and were more frequently treated with continuous renal replacement therapy (p = 0.02). In univariable logistic regression analysis, lactates variation (%) during the first 12-24 h of weaning, lactate value after 24 h of weaning, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at the beginning of weaning, and inotropic score after 24 h from weaning beginning were associated with death. Stepwise multivariable logistic regression identified LVEF at the beginning of weaning and lactates variation (%) in the first 12-24 h from weaning beginning as the most accurate predictors of death after weaning. The ROC analysis indicated 80% accuracy (95% confidence interval = 64%-96%) using the two variables in combination to predict death after weaning from Impella. Conclusions: This single-center experience on Impella weaning in CS showed that two easily accessible parameters as LVEF at the beginning of weaning and lactates variation (%) in the first 12-24 h from weaning begin were the most accurate predictors of death after weaning.

Octogenarian with an untreated femoral neck fracture: upright position during the postoperative course after aortic valve replacement.

We describe a patient with a femoral neck fracture undergoing an aortic valve replacement. The study design was a case report. An 82-year-old female with an untreated right femoral neck fracture, and a severe aortic valve stenosis was admitted to a cardiac surgery department for surgical treatment of the valve disease. She underwent aortic valve replacement with a sutureless biological valve prosthesis through a partial sternotomy. At an early stage, the patient was instructed to make postural changes in the standing position. As a result, she was able to perform body movements associated with either a sitting or standing position. This case shows that appropriate early mobilization of a patient with a femoral neck fracture is feasible after aortic valve replacement, even though this does not necessarily mean that the patient needs to walk.

Axillary and innominate artery cannulation during surgery of the thoracic aorta: a comparative study.

AIM: The aim of this paper was to compare hospital outcomes in patients undergoing elective surgery of the thoracic aorta using the right axillary artery (RAA) and the innominate artery (IA) as a cannulation site for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) arterial inflow. METHODS: Between September 2009 and October 2011, 71 patients underwent elective aortic procedures with RAA (N.=27) and IA (N.=44) cannulation. Selection of RAA vs. IA was not randomized, but rather based on surgical judgment of best indication in each patient. Pre-, intra-, and postoperative variables were compared according to cannulation site. RESULTS: Preoperative comorbidities, underlying aortic pathology, and surgical procedures were similar in RAA and IA patients. Hospital mortality was 11.1% and 6.8% in RAA and IA patients, respectively (P=0.243). Overall, 4 brain infarctions occurred, all left sided (RAA: 3.7% vs. IA: 6.8%; P=0.508). One brachial plexus injury, and 1 arterial dissection occurred in RAA group. No cannulation-related morbidity was observed in IA patients. Theoretical CPB flow could be reached in all patients, but resistances through the cannulation sites were more favourable in IA patients. CONCLUSION: RAA and IA were associated with similarly valid results. The choice between the two, based on the specific patient's characteristics, can improve outcomes after aortic surgery.

Endovascular approach for acute aortic syndrome.

Acute aortic syndrome (AAS) refers to the spectrum of aortic emergencies that include aortic dissection, intramural hematoma and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer. These aortic pathologies may lead to aortic rupture and a timely treatment is crucial to obtain clinical success and benefit on survival. Endovascular strategies have gained wide acceptance in the management of AAS and currently represent the new minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgery. In particular in acute complicated aortic dissection endovascular therapy demonstrated a better survival and limited complications with respect to open surgery. Aim of the present study was to provide an overview of AAS and to assess the current role of endovascular aortic repair in its treatment.

Urgent/emergent surgical revascularization in unstable angina: influence of different type of conduits.

AIM: In patients with unstable angina (UA) undergoing nonelective myocardial revascularization we compare the outcomes of skeletonized bilateral internal mammary arteries (BIMA) vs left internal mammary artery (LIMA) and saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) vs SVGs only. METHODS: Between January 1997 and December 2003, 758 patients: 612 (80.7%) males, mean age 62+/-12 years, underwent nonelective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for unstable angina; 205 (27%) were operated emergently and 553 (73%) urgently. BIMA were employed in 320 (42%) patients (Group B) , isolated LIMA and/or SVGs in 332 (44%) patients (Group M) and only SVGs in 106 (14%) (Group S). RESULTS: In-hospital mortality (B=5.9%, M=4.5% and S=7.5%), and perioperative myocardial infarction (B=2.2%; M=1.9%, S=3.7%) were similar between the 3 groups (P=NS). Actuarial survival at 1, 3 and 7 years was 98.7%, 97.5% and 96.2% in group B, 99.3%, 94.8% and 89.4% in group M (P< 0.057 at 7 years follow-up) and 98%, 93.2% and 84.3% in group S (P=0.001). At 7 years follow-up, the event-free cardiac survival (92% vs 89.1%, P=0.045), angina-free survival (98.6% vs 95.8%, P=0.056), reoperation-free cardiac survival (98% vs 96%, P= 0.05) and infarct-free cardiac survival (98.7% vs 96.9%, P=0.062) showed a consistent trend to be superior in group B. Multivariate analysis identified age >65 years (P= 0.02), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <35% (P= 0.01), >1 ischemic irreversible area (P= 0.03) as independent predictors for late deaths, while the use of the LIMA (P= 0.006) and both mammary arteries (P= 0.001) decreased the risk of late deaths. CONCLUSIONS: The use of BIMA in nonelective CABG for UA is safe and effective. There is a trend, however, toward a survival benefit with improved freedom from late cardiac events (recurrence of angina, freedom from reoperation and infarction).

Antegrade selective cerebral perfusion during surgery of the thoracic aorta: risk analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine independent predictors of neurologic outcome and hospital mortality after surgery of the thoracic aorta using moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest and antegrade selective cerebral perfusion. METHODS: Between November 1996 and June 2000, 96 consecutive patients (69 men, 27 women; mean age 63+/-10 years) underwent operations on the thoracic aorta with the aid of moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest and antegrade selective cerebral perfusion. Sixty-four patients were operated on electively (66.7%), 32 emergently (33.3%). Indications for surgery were: type A acute dissection in 30 patients (31.3%), chronic aneurysm in 66 (68.8%). Seventeen patients (17.7%) had undergone previous aortic/cardiac surgical procedures. The mean selective cerebral perfusion time was 52.2+/-31.9 min (range, 18-220 min). Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis to identify predictors of hospital mortality and neurologic outcome. RESULTS: There were no operative deaths; the hospital mortality rate was 11.5% (11/96). Stepwise logistic regression revealed preoperative renal dysfunction (P=0.021), type A acute dissection (P=0.053), coronary artery bypass grafting (P=0.058), post-operative pulmonary complications (P=0.000) and repeat thoracotomy for bleeding (P=0.027) as independent predictors of hospital mortality. One patient sustained a permanent neurologic deficit (1%). Transient neurologic deficit occurred in eight patients (8.3%). Coronary artery bypass grafting (P=0.013), and postoperative cardiac complications (P=0.049) were statistically associated with an increased risk of any (transient and permanent) neurologic dysfunction on univariate analysis. Stepwise logistic regression indicated coronary artery bypass grafting as independent factor for any neurologic dysfunction. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that selective cerebral perfusion is an effective method of cerebral protection allowing complex thoracic aorta operations to be performed with low risk of hospital mortality and adverse neurologic outcome. We didn't find that the duration of selective cerebral perfusion time influence hospital mortality and any neurologic deficit.

Antegrade selective cerebral perfusion during operations on the thoracic aorta: our experience.

BACKGROUND: Various methods of cerebral protection have been used during aortic arch operations. Deep hypothermia with circulatory arrest is the most common technique but has a limited safe period for circulatory arrest. Selective cerebral perfusion has been introduced to prolong this safe period. We reviewed our experience with antegrade selective cerebral perfusion during surgical repair of the thoracic aorta. METHODS: Between November 1996 and December 1998, 57 consecutive patients were operated on for aortic arch aneurysms using selective cerebral perfusion. Forty-one were men (71.9%), and 16 were women. The mean age was 63.2 years. Thirty-seven patients had chronic aneurysms, and 20 had type A acute dissection. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis to identify predictors of early mortality and transient neurologic dysfunction. RESULTS: There were no permanent neurologic deficits. The early mortality rate was 8.8% (5 patients). Multivariate analysis revealed preoperative renal failure (p = 0.0338) and repeat thoracotomy for bleeding (p = 0.0201) to be independent risk factors for early mortality. The factor postoperative cardiac complications (p = 0.0368) was the only independent predictor of transient neurologic dysfunction, and it occurred in 3 patients (5.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirmed that preoperative renal failure and repeat thoracotomy for bleeding are significant predictors of mortality in aortic arch operations using selective cerebral perfusion and that cerebral perfusion time has no influence on the postoperative outcome. We believe that selective cerebral perfusion is an optimal technique of cerebral protection during operations on the aortic arch.