X marks the spot: catheter aspiration using the Inari FlowTriever device to debulk defibrillator lead vegetations prior to transvenous lead extraction-a case report.

Background: When cardiac implantable electronic device infection occurs, standard therapy is usually total system extraction. Transvenous lead extraction is preferable to open heart surgical extraction, unless contraindicated because of the presence of very large vegetations on the intravenous leads according to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines. Extraction of transvenous leads with vegetations risks distal embolism resulting in obstruction and/or infection in the pulmonary arteries. Catheter aspiration of vegetations or thrombi has been performed prior to transvenous lead extraction using a partial veno-venous extracorporeal bypass circuit. We report the use of a single-access aspiration system using the Inari FlowTriever 24 French system to debulk a defibrillator lead before percutaneous extraction. Case summary: A 79-year-old male presented with fever 18 years after his first implantable cardioverter defibrillator implant and 9 years after his most recent pulse generator change. Two large vegetations were identified on his transvenous defibrillator lead on the atrial aspect, near the tricuspid annulus, which were aspirated using the Inari Medical 24Fr FlowTriever aspiration catheter. We describe anatomical considerations during the approach and a technique to localize the vegetations based on a combination of fluoroscopy and transoesophageal echocardiogram guidance. Discussion: This case demonstrates the safe and effective use of the Inari Medical 24Fr FlowTriever aspiration catheter in debulking a defibrillator lead before transvenous lead extraction. This method uses a single venous puncture and is not dependent on extracorporeal bypass. Apart from reducing complexity, this technique may be advantageous in patients where anticoagulation needs to be minimised.

Starr-Edwards mitral valve-48 years till redo surgery, with over 54 years of patient survival after primary mitral valve replacement.

We report a male patient who underwent successful redo cardiac surgery in 2014; tricuspid valve repair and redo mitral valve replacement of a Starr-Edwards mitral valve implanted 48 years previously. Six years after the redo operation, the patient remains well and therefore has an impressive over 54 years of survival following mitral valve replacement surgery.

Assessment of vacuum-assisted closure therapy on the wound healing process in cardiac surgery.

Postoperative deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) is a serious complication in cardiac surgery (1-5% of patients) with high mortality and morbidity rates. Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy has shown promising results in terms of wound healing process, postoperative hospital length of stay and lower in-hospital costs. The aim of our retrospective study is to report the outcome of patients with DSWI treated with VAC therapy and to assess the effect of contributory risk factors. Data of 52 patients who have been treated with VAC therapy in a single institution (study period: September 2003-March 2012) were collected electronically through PAtient Tracking System PATS and statistically analysed using SPSS version 20. Of the 52 patients (35 M: 17 F), 88·5% (n = 46) were solely treated with VAC therapy and 11·5% (n = 6) had additional plastic surgical intervention. Follow-up was complete (mean 33·8 months) with an overall mortality rate of 26·9% (n = 14) of whom 50% (n = 7) died in hospital. No death was related to VAC complications. Patient outcomes were affected by pre-operative, intra-operative and postoperative risk factors. Logistic EUROscore, postoperative hospital length of stay, advanced age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and long-term corticosteroid treatment appear to be significant contributing factors in the long-term survival of patients treated with VAC therapy.

Valve Replacement for Moderate Aortic Stenosis in Octogenarians Undergoing Revascularization.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aim was to determine if the 'prophylactic' replacement of the aortic valve to treat moderate aortic valve stenosis (AS) in octogenarians undergoing cardiac surgery for coronary disease can influence outcome, and is also justified. METHODS: In a retrospective analysis of octogenarians operated on at the authors' center between 1998 and 2012, the patients were allocated to: Group I, isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG; n = 159); Group II, combined CABG and aortic valve replacement (AVR) with the primary indication for surgery being severe AS (n = 156); and Group III, combined AVR +CABG with coronary disease being the primary indication and concomitant 'prophylactic' AVR (n = 34). RESULTS: The hospital mortality for octogenarians undergoing CABG+AVR was 8% compared to 2% for isolated CABG (p = 0.02). Survival at one year was higher in the isolated CABG group (94%) than in the CABG+AVR group (86%) (p = 0.01), but was no different at five years. Mortality according to AVR indication was similar (Group II 8% versus Group III 9%), as was one- and five-year survival. Group III had a higher preoperative co-morbid risk profile, including logistic EuroSCORE 21.7% versus 18% in Group II (p = 0.05), more recent myocardial infarctions, previous percutaneous interventions, peripheral vascular disease, and poor left ventricular function. Long-term symptomatic relief was excellent in Group III. Patients whose predominant disease profile was ischemic (Groups I and III) had a higher long-term risk of recurrent angina and stroke. CONCLUSION: In-hospital mortality is higher for octogenarians undergoing CABG+AVR compared to those undergoing isolated CABG. In the present study, a 'prophylactic' AVR was justified in patients with moderate AS, and their increased mortality (versus isolated CABG) was congruent with a higher preoperative co-morbid risk profile. Excellent long- term symptom-free survival further justifies 'prophylactic' AVR in octogenarians undergoing CABG with coexistent moderate AS.

What type of valve is most appropriate for osteogenesis imperfecta patients?

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was in osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) patients with valve disease undergoing valve replacement which type of valve (bioprosthetic or mechanical) is most appropriate in terms of safety, complications and survival. Altogether more than 77 papers were found as a result of the reported search, of which 43 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. Previous review articles have presented case reports up to 2009. As all published data are based on case reports, we conducted a more detailed analysis that included the aforementioned series, reports that were missed prior to 2009 and all published data from 2009 to October 2013. Our analysis identified 43 OI patients. Mechanical valves were used in the majority of cases (31 patients), bioprosthetic valves in 10 patients and homografts in 2 patients. We conclude that based on the best available evidence, it appears that bioprosthetic valves have had better outcomes (mortality rate 10%) and a lower valve-related complication rate (0%) compared with mechanical valves (mortality rate 16.1%, complication rate 16.1%), even though differences were not statistically significant. Although the existing evidence is solely based on case reports of a relatively small number, we would suggest the use of bioprosthetic valves in OI patients with valve disease, as they appear to be safer according to our analysis. Moreover, considering the surgical difficulties related to the friability and weakness of the tissues in terms of suture lines and implantation of the valve as well as the high risk of perioperative bleeding which can be related to tissue friability, capillary fragility and platelet dysfunction followed by the risk of major traumatic fractures and a possible risk of aortic dissection in the future, the bioprosthetic valves seem to be safer taking into account the avoidance of lifelong anticoagulation and its secondary bleeding complications.

Left retroperitoneal aortic aneurysm repair in patients unsuitable for endovascular treatment.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the contemporary outcome of left open retroperitoneal (RP) abdominal aortic surgery over a 7-year time period in patients with difficult anatomy unsuitable for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: Eighty-four consecutive patients unsuitable for EVAR/FEVAR underwent left RP open aortic surgery. Of these, 44 (52%) required an infrarenal cross-clamp, 17 (20%) a suprarenal cross-clamp and 15 (18%) a supracoeliac cross-clamp. Eight (10%) were thoracoabdominal aneurysms. RESULTS: There were four mortalities within 30 days (4.8%). Two occurred in patients with a supracoeliac cross-clamp, one in a suprarenal cross-clamp (total suprarenal mortality 10%) and one in an infrarenal cross-clamp. Four patients required prolonged ventilatory support (>10 days). Three patients (9%) from the suprarenal group developed post-operative renal dysfunction, one of these required permanent dialysis. Paralytic ileus occured in two patients (2%) and was secondary to ischaemia in both cases. CONCLUSION: There will always remain a small group of patients best treated by open aortic surgery. By definition, these are complex, difficult cases and are decreasing in number. However, in vascular units regularly performing the RP approach, excellent results can be obtained. This series provides further evidence for centralization of vascular services.

Mini-sternotomy approach for aortic valve replacement in a patient with osteogenesis imperfecta.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heritable disorder of the connective tissue. Cardiovascular involvement is rare, related mainly to aortic valve regurgitation. Open-heart surgery in these patients is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates as a result of tissue friability and bone brittleness as well as platelet dysfunction. We present a patient with OI who underwent successful aortic valve replacement with a mini-sternotomy approach.

Late aortic aneurysm after supravalvar aortic stenosis repaired with autologous pericardial patch.

We present a patient with a late aortic root aneurysm subsequent to an autologous pericardial patch repair of congenital supravalvar aortic stenosis (SVAS) performed 20 years earlier. There have been no reports of this complication to date, to our knowledge, and the mechanism of aneurysm formation after use of autologous pericardium is not well known. We presume that nonglutaraldehyde fixation and residual distal aortic arch stenosis contributed to aneurysm formation. We highlight the importance of correct selection of patch material, especially when used in the systemic circulation, if durable long-term outcomes are to be achieved.

Coronary Artery Perforation following PCI: An Interesting Finding into the Pericardial Space.

Coronary artery perforation is a known complication of percutaneous coronary intervention and potentially life threatening. Normally, these perforations are small and localized. We report the successful surgical management of a coronary artery perforation following stent insertion with extrusion of an 8-cm endarterectomy length of the circumflex coronary artery with a brief review of the recent literature.

Aortic annulus diameter and valve design each determine the valve size implanted.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aim was to compare the sizing characteristics and hemodynamics of the Medtronic Mosaic Ultra porcine and Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Magna bovine pericardial bioprosthetic stented aortic valves in relation to the patient's true aortic annulus size. METHODS: In this prospective multicenter randomized study, data acquired perioperatively and at six months postoperatively were collected. Following aortic valve excision and debridement, the annulus was measured by blinded sizers prior to the randomization of 141 patients (Ultra, n=72; Magna, n=69). RESULTS: The median patient age was 75 years, and 89% of the patients had aortic stenosis. A good left ventricular function was present in 75% of patients, and the EuroSCORE-predicted mortality was 9%. Concomitant procedures (coronary artery bypass grafting, mitral/tricuspid repair, septal myectomy, modified Maze) were performed in 61% of patients. The in-hospital mortality was 3%, and at six months postoperatively 96% of the patients were NYHA class I or II, with no intergroup differences. The mean 'true aortic annulus' size was 23.0 +/- 1.4 mm for the Ultra valve, and 22.6 +/- 1.8 mm for the Magna valve (p = NS). The implanted labeled valve size was > or = 23 mm for 83% of Ultra valves, and for 52% of Magna valves (p < 0.01), and smaller than the measured true aortic diameter (44% Magna versus 33% Ultra). The mean echo gradients were lower with Magna valves (11 +/- 6 mmHg) than with Ultra (17 +/- 6 mmHg; p < 0.01), while the effective orifice area (EOA) was higher with Magna than with Ultra (1.6 +/- 0.4 versus 1.4 +/- 0.4 ; p < 0.01). Both groups showed a similar left ventricular mass regression (Ultra -48 +/- 83 g; Magna -42 +/- 70 g). Trivial to moderate regurgitation was noted in 24% of Ultra valves compared to 48% of Magna valves (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Selection of the Ultra bioprosthetic valve allowed the implantation of larger valve sizes. However, when compared to the 'true aortic annulus', the Magna was associated with lower transprosthetic gradients and larger EOAs. The longer term significance of these observations remains inconclusive in terms of bioprosthesis selection, however.

Simultaneous mitral valve and pectus excavatum repair with a Nuss bar.

We present the successful management of an interesting case of a single-stage combined mitral valve repair plus repair of the pectus excavatum with a Nuss bar.