What determines outcomes in multivalve reoperations? Effect of patient and surgical complexity.

OBJECTIVE: Patient characteristics, risks, and outcomes associated with reoperative multivalve cardiac surgery are poorly characterized. Effect of patient variables and surgical components of each reoperation were evaluated with regard to operative mortality. METHODS: From January 2008 to January 2022, 2324 patients with previous cardiac surgery underwent 2352 reoperations involving repair or replacement of multiple cardiac valves at Cleveland Clinic. Mean age was 66 ± 14 years. Number of surgical components representing surgical complexity (valve procedures, aortic surgery, coronary artery bypass grafting, and atrial fibrillation procedures) ranged from 2 to 6. Random forest for imbalanced data was used to identify risk factors for operative mortality. RESULTS: Surgery was elective in 1327 (56%), urgent in 1006 (43%), and emergency in 19 (0.8%). First-time reoperations were performed in 1796 (76%) and 556 (24%) had 2 or more previous operations. Isolated multivalve operations comprised 54% (1265) of cases; 1087 incorporated additional surgical components. Two valves were operated on in 80% (1889) of cases, 3 in 20% (461), and 4 in 0.09% (2). Operative mortality was 4.2% (98 out of 2352), with 1.7% (12 out of 704) for elective, isolated multivalve reoperations. For each added surgical component, operative mortality incrementally increased, from 2.4% for 2 components (24 out of 1009) to 17% for ≥5 (5 out of 30). Predictors of operative mortality included coronary artery bypass grafting, surgical urgency, cardiac, renal dysfunction, peripheral artery disease, New York Heart Association functional class, and anemia. CONCLUSIONS: Elective, isolated reoperative multivalve surgery can be performed with low mortality. Surgical complexity coupled with key physiologic factors can be used to inform surgical risk and decision making.

Pathophysiology and management of saphenous vein graft disease.

INTRODUCTION: The saphenous vein graft (SVG) is the most used conduit in CABG. With standardization of its use as a conduit came an understanding of its accelerated atherosclerosis, known as saphenous vein graft disease (SVGD). Given its extensive use, a review of the pathophysiology and management of SVGD is important as we optimize its use. AREAS COVERED: For this review, an extensive literature search was completed to identify and examine the evolution of SVG in CABG, mechanisms driving SVGD, and methods developed to prevent and manage it. This includes a review of relevant major papers and trials in this space. EXPERT OPINION: Eras of evolution in SVG usage in CABG include an experimental era, era of SVG dominance in CABG, and the current era of mixed venous and arterial grafting. As SVGD was studied, the mechanisms behind it became more understood, and prevention and management methods were developed. As advances in surgical techniques and pharmacotherapy continue to reduce occurrence and severity of SVGD, long-term patency of SV grafts continues to improve and remain excellent in optimized settings. With continued innovation and improvement in operative techniques, the SVG conduit is and will remain an important player in the field of coronary bypass.

Case report: Migrating temporary epicardial pacing wire eroding into an ascending aortic aneurysm.

INTRODUCTION: Temporary epicardial pacing wires (TEPW) are commonly placed during cardiac surgery, and a known complication is the migration into visceral and vascular structures. Previous reports have identified TEPW migrating into the ascending aorta. These cases were managed conservatively with the initiation of antithrombotic medications and surveillance. We report the first case of TEPW migration associated with an ascending aortic aneurysm and the operative management. CASE PRESENTATION: A 73-year-old man with a history of aortic valve replacement (AVR) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 2009 presented to the outpatient clinic for re-operative consideration due to severe bioprosthetic aortic stenosis, ascending aortic aneurysm, and multi-vessel coronary artery disease with occlusion of previous graft. He was incidentally found to have a TEPW eroding into his ascending aorta on pre-operative imaging. He was taken to the operating room for an AVR, ascending aorta replacement, and CABG. The TEPW was removed during the re-operation and the patient recovered well. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: This is the first reported case of TEPW migration into an aneurysmal ascending aorta and the operative management. The patient tolerated the procedure well and was discharged home. Pre- and intra-operative images were obtained of TEPW extending into the lumen of the ascending aorta. If the patient did not have additional operative indications, conservative management could have been considered with antithrombotic medications and surveillance. CONCLUSION: TEPW migration is a rare complication and requires special considerations with balancing risk for intervention.

The impact of a "Residents as Teachers" Workshop at one year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: "Residents as Teachers" (RaT) Workshops have been implemented in many General Surgery residency programs to improve resident teaching ability. The aim of this project was to assess whether there was significant degradation of teaching skills and knowledge one year after a RaT workshop. METHODS: A 4-h interactive workshop was delivered at an academic general surgery residency program. Pre- and post-workshop assessments evaluated participants' knowledge and confidence regarding teaching skills and they were re-evaluated one-year later. RESULTS: On a 5-point Likert scale, residents improved confidence and self-perception following the workshop was stable after one year. A decrease was found in the resident's perception of the education-related training received and scores on the knowledge-based questions. CONCLUSION: The confidence residents obtained from single-day RaT workshop was maintained at one year, but the knowledge was not. Resident perception of their educational training may benefit from more frequent reinforcement.