Is it safe to perform total arterial grafting in elderly patients lacking vein grafts? A single surgeon comparison.

OBJECTIVES: The results of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery with total arterial revascularisation (TA-CABG) in elderly patients, who may have insufficient vein graft material for conventional CABG (CO-CABG), have not been fully established. We therefore sought to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of patients >70 years old undergoing CO-CABG and TA-CABG. METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational study analyzing all consecutive adult patients aged >70 years undergoing first-time CABG over the 15-year period from 2004 to 2020 under a single surgeon. Primary outcomes of interest were in-hospital mortality, long-term mortality, and re-intervention rate. Secondary outcomes of interest included operative durations and the incidence of peri-operative complications. RESULTS: There were 46 patients (age 76 ± 3 SD) in the TA-CABG group and 145 patients (age 76 ± 4 SD) in the CO-CABG group. Cardio-pulmonary bypass and cross-clamp durations were comparable between groups (p = .11 and p = .23, respectively). Stroke occurred in 1.0% undergoing CO-CABG compared to 0% in the TA-CABG group (p = .42). Hospital mortality was 3.0% with CO-CABG (EuroSCORE; mean [SD] 6.81 (5.81)) and 2.0% with TA-CABG (EuroSCORE; mean [SD] 6.38 (6.57)) (p = .93). On long-term follow-up, myocardial infarction occurred in 10.0% of CO-CABG patients compared to 4.0% of TA-CABG patients (p = .25). Re-intervention rates were 7% following CO-CABG, and 2% after TA-CABG (p = .23). There was no significant difference in long-term mortality between patients undergoing CO-CABG and TA-CABG (47% vs. 57%, p = .27). Long-term survival was comparable between grafting techniques (p = .27). CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, re-intervention rate, hospital or long-term mortality between CO-CABG and TA-CABG. TA-CABG represents a safe and feasible alternative to CO-CABG in elderly patients offering good long-term outcomes.

Frailty and perioperative patient-reported disability in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative frailty may predispose patients to poorer outcomes in cardiac surgery; however, there are limited data concerning how preoperative frailty predicts patient-centred outcomes, such as patient-reported disability. Our objective was to evaluate the association between preoperative frailty and postoperative disability. METHODS: Patients were prospectively evaluated using the Comprehensive Assessment of Frailty score, separating patients into frail and non-frail cohorts. Disability levels were quantified using the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 in percentage of the maximum disability score, with disability defined as a value ≥25%. RESULTS: Frail patients had increased median [inter-quartile range] disability scores of 31 [16-45]% preoperatively, 29 [9-54]% at 1 month, and 15 [3-31]% at 3 months postoperatively, compared with disability scores in non-frail patients of 10 [5-17]%, 17 [6-29]%, and 2.1 [0-12.0]%, respectively. Preoperative frailty was associated with a reduced likelihood of patients being free of disability and alive at 3 months; adjusted odds ratio 0.51 (for age, European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II, and WHODAS 2.0: 12-Part Questionnaire score); P=0.045. The trajectory of disability scores, assessed in percentage change from the preoperative baseline, showed non-frail patients had increased disability burden at 1 month, whereas frail patients had reduced disability burden (+4.2% vs -2.1%; P=0.04). Although the disability burden decreased for both groups at 3 months, this was most marked for frail patients (-6.3% vs -10.4%; P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Disability burden in frail patients improves continuously postoperatively, whereas in non-frail patients, it worsens at 1 month before improving at 3 months postoperatively. This positive trajectory of patient-centred outcomes in frail patients should be considered in preoperative decision-making.

Surgical management and long-term follow-up of aberrant right coronary arteries in adults.

OBJECTIVES: Anomalous origins of the right coronary artery (RCA) can cause ischaemia and sudden cardiac death, particularly if the RCA runs between the aorta and pulmonary artery. Conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) can be affected by early graft failure due to collateral blood flow. We present our institutional experience in managing patients with RCA anomalies. METHODS: A single-center retrospective review of all patients who underwent surgery for aberrant right coronary arteries between 2005 and 2021 was conducted and in-hospital and long-term outcomes were analysed at our institution. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients (5 females, median age: 51 years, 36-62) were identified. They presented with symptoms of chest pain (n = 8), dyspnoea (n = 1) or following cardiac arrest (n = 1). In the majority the RCA originated from the left coronary sinus (n = 9). In one of those patients and one in whom the RCA originated directly from the left anterior descending artery CABG was performed. The other 8 patients were treated using transfer of the RCA ostium. All patients were discharged home (median hospital stay 5 days, range: 4-10). Four patients experienced post-op atrial fibrillation. No other complications were observed. At a median follow-up of 10 years and 9 months, 9 patients were alive and free from cardiac symptoms. One patient died 3 years postsurgery due to liver failure, unrelated to cardiac disease. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with an aberrant RCA, transfer of the ostium into the RCS carries a low surgical risk. It overcomes early graft failure in these patients, who present with a dynamic impairment in RCA blood flow. However, if fixed proximal RCA flow-limiting pathology exists, conventional bypass surgery is feasible.

Acute aortic dissection type A: Impact of aortic specialists on short and long term outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Acute aortic dissection type-A (AADA) is a life threatening condition which requires emergency surgery. Surgery is usually performed by cardiac surgeons with various levels of aortic surgical experience. We compared the short-term perioperative outcome and long-term survival of patients operated by specialist aortic surgeons (SASs)and those who were operated by surgeons without specialist expertise. METHODS: A single center retrospective review of 232 patients who underwent acute surgery for AADA was conducted between 2005 and 2020. The cohort was divided into those operated on by SASs (Group A, n = 186) and those operated on by nonaortic surgeons (Group B, n = 46). Statistical comparison was done using regression modelling and groups were propensity matched. Kaplan-Meier comparison was undertaken using STATA14. RESULTS: Of 232 patients, 186 were operated on by an aortic specialist and 46 were operated by a nonaortic specialist. Overall 30-day mortality was 10% in Group A compared to 26.0% in Group B (unadjusted: p = .01, multivariate: p = .02, and propensity matched p = .05). Long-term mortality at 14 years was 26% in Group A compared to 52.0% in Group B (unadjusted: p = .001, multivariate: p = .001, and propensity matched: p = .01). Aortic surgeons performed a significantly higher number of aortic root procedures (43.0% vs. 17.3%, p = .001). The cross-clamp time and bypass time was significantly shorter in Group A patients (89 vs. 105 min, p < .01 and 153 vs. 185, p = < .001). Postoperative requirement for renal filtration was (19% vs. 37%, unadjusted p = .01, multivariate p = .03 and propensity matched p = .04). Although postoperative bleeding was less in Group A (4.0% vs. 11.0%, unadjusted p = .05) after propensity matching it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AADA, surgery performed by aortic specialist's results in improved outcomes. Aortic specialists replaced more of dissected aorta, resulting in an increased number of complex procedures, which may explain improved long-term survival after AADA in this cohort. This study adds further support in establishing a specialist aortic surgical service in cardiac centers.

Concomitant cardiac surgery and liver transplantation: an alternative approach in patients with end stage liver failure?

BACKGROUND: The results of cardiac surgery in patients with end-stage-liver-disease (ESLD) are poor. Concomitant cardiac surgery and orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) may be an alternative treatment strategy in these patients. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2018, eight patients underwent concomitant cardiac surgery and OLT (Conc_OLT) in our institution. We analyzed their preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data and compared them to seven high risk patients with ESLD who underwent isolated cardiac surgery (Iso_Surg). RESULTS: The two groups were not significantly different in terms of gender and age (Conc_OLT: 5 males, 55 ± 15 years, Iso_Surg: 4 males, 60 ± 10 years). Causes for ESLD were primary biliary cirrhosis (Conc_OLT = 1, Iso_Surg = 1), alcoholism (Conc_OLT = 2, Iso_Surg = 2), viral hepatitis (Conc_OLT = 2, Iso_Surg = 2), cryptogenic (Conc_OLT = 2, Iso_Surg = 1), ischemic (Conc_OLT = 1) and hepatocellular carcinoma (Iso_Surg = 1). Model for End-stage-Liver-Disease (MELD) Score (Conc_OLT = 14, Iso_Surg = 13) and Child-Pugh Score (Conc_OLT = 9.5, Iso_Surg = 8) were not significantly different between the two groups. Median logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) was 9.5% (Conc_OLT) and 7.1% (Iso_Surg). Cardiac procedures undertaken were aortic valve replacement (Conc_OLT = 6, Iso_Surg = 3), coronary bypass grafting (Conc_OLT = 1,Iso_Surg = 2), tricuspid valve repair (Conc_OLT = 1), combined aortic and mitral valve replacement (Iso_Surg = 1) and excision of atrial myxoma (Iso_Surg = 1). Median length of in-hospital-stay was longer in the Conc_OLT group (73 vs. 42 days; p = 0.11). At 3 months, in-hospital mortality was 25% in the Conc_OLT group (n = 2) and lower compared to 71% observed in the Iso_Surg group (n = 5, p = 0.13). CONCLUSION: Concomitant cardiac surgery and OLT is a promising alternative compared to isolated cardiac surgery in high risk patients with ESLD. Given the high operative mortality of cardiac surgery in patients with ESLD, the complex peri-operative management of these patients should be performed in an interdisciplinary team with an expert team of liver specialists involved.

Pharmacological Modulation of Right Ventricular Endocardial-Epicardial Gradients in Brugada Syndrome.

Background We explored the hypothesis that increased cholinergic tone exerts its proarrhythmic effects in Brugada syndrome (BrS) through increasing dispersion of transmural repolarization in patients with spontaneous and drug-induced BrS. Methods BrS and supraventricular tachycardia patients were studied after deploying an Ensite Array in the right ventricular outflow tract and a Cardima catheter in the great cardiac vein to record endo and epicardial signals, respectively. S1-S2 restitution curves from the right ventricular apex were conducted at baseline and after edrophonium challenge to promote increased cholinergic tone. The local unipolar electrograms were then analyzed to study transmural conduction and repolarization dynamics. Results The study included 8 BrS patients (5 men:3 women; mean age, 56 years) and 8 controls patients with supraventricular tachycardia (5 men:3 women; mean age, 48 years). Electrophysiological studies in controls demonstrated shorter endocardial than epicardial right ventricular activation times (mean difference: 26 ms; P<0.001). In contrast, patients with BrS showed longer endocardial than epicardial activation time (mean difference: -15 ms; P=0.001). BrS hearts, compared with controls, showed significantly larger transmural gradients in their activation recovery intervals (mean intervals, 20.5 versus 3.5 ms; P<0.01), with longer endocardial than epicardial activation recovery intervals. Edrophonium challenge increased such gradients in both controls (to a mean of 16 ms [ P<0.001]) and BrS (to 29.7 ms; P<0.001). However, these were attributable to epicardial and endocardial activation recovery interval prolongations in control and BrS hearts, respectively. Dynamic changes in repolarization gradients were also observed across the BrS right ventricular wall in BrS. Conclusions Differential contributions of conduction and repolarization were identified in BrS which critically modulated transmural dispersion of repolarization with significant cholinergic effects only identified in the patients with BrS. This has important implications for explaining the proarrhythmic effects of increased vagal tone in BrS, as well as evaluating autonomic modulation and epicardial ablation as therapeutic strategies.

Clinical presentation of atrial myxomas does it differ in left or right sided tumor?

OBJECTIVE: This paper reports a 20 years' experience in the management of atrial myxomas at our institution. Apart from presenting our experience of their clinical presentation, surgical management, post-operative complication, and long-term follow-up we investigated any correlation between left and right sided tumor with their symptom of presentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data were retrospectively collected for patients between the period 1995 and 2015 from the hospital database. The follow-up was conducted by questionnaire received from the patients describing their current status. RESULTS: Fifty four consecutive patients underwent surgical resection for atrial myxomas. The mean age was 62 years (standard deviation [SD]: ±14 years) with a larger number of female (55.5%) patients. The most common location for the tumor was the left atrium (70.3%) with the atrial septum being the most common (63%) site of attachment. The tumors presented in a variety of ways, namely, as shortness of breath (37.03%), transient ischemic attack (24.07%), and chest pains (22.2%) being the more common modes of presentation. Left heart tumors presented 6 years earlier with more severe shortness of breath as compared to right-sided tumors. Post-operative atrial fibrillation occurred in 22.2% of patients. Concomitant surgical procedures were required in 26% of patient. The median length of post-operative hospital stay was 6 days (IQR: 5; 9). There were 2 (3.7%) in-hospital mortalities and 4 (7.4%) later deaths at 2, 3, 7, and 15 years, respectively. Long-term follow-up actuarial Kaplan-Meire survival for the whole group was 92.6 ± 3.6% at 20 years with a significant reduction in the severity of shortness of breath. CONCLUSION: Cardiac myxoma is the most common form of the cardiac tumor with a slight female preponderance. Left-sided tumors present earlier than right-sided tumors with more severe shortness of breath. Excellent long-term results can be achieved with surgical intervention for cardiac myxomas, including any concomitant interventions. In particular, a sustained reduction in shortness of breath is observed.

External aortic clamping versus endoaortic balloon occlusion in minimally invasive cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Minimally invasive cardiac valve surgery is safe, effective and increasingly popular. It is performed worldwide with the use of either external aortic clamping or endoaortic balloon occlusion. METHODS: We conducted a literature search using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science. Primary outcomes included aortic dissection, conversion to sternotomy, mortality, stroke and cross-clamp time. Secondary outcomes included atrial fibrillation, acute kidney injury, reoperation for bleeding, cardiopulmonary bypass times, myocardial infarction, use of intra-aortic balloon pump and length of hospital stay. The random effects model was used to calculate the outcomes of both binary and continuous data. RESULTS: Thirty retrospective studies were included in the meta-analysis. The incidence of aortic dissection (pooled odds ratio = 3.88, 95% confidence interval = 1.06-14.18; P =0.04) and conversion to sternotomy (pooled odds ratio = 3.07, 95% confidence interval = 1.33-7.10; P = 0.009) was higher in the endoaortic balloon occlusion group than in the external aortic clamping group, in whom a direct comparison was possible. The remaining observational studies did not show any significant differences in either group. There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality (P = 0.37), stroke (P = 0.26), cross-clamp time (P = 0.20), atrial fibrillation (P = 0.18), acute kidney injury (P = 0.49), reoperation for bleeding (P = 0.24), cardiopulmonary bypass time (P = 0.06), myocardial infarction (P = 0.74), use of intra-aortic balloon pump (P = 0.11) or length of hospital stay (P = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: External aortic clamping may be safer than endoaortic balloon occlusion with respect to aortic dissection and conversion to sternotomy. However, mortality, length of stay, stroke, cross-clamp time and other cardiovascular complication rates were similar between the 2 techniques.

Complicated infective aortic endocarditis: comparison of different surgical strategies.

OBJECTIVES: The choice of substitute during aortic valve replacement for infective endocarditis (IE) is still widely debated. We retrospectively reviewed all patients operated for aortic IE and compared groups according to the complexity of IE and substitutes implanted. METHODS: From 2000 to 2015, 187 patients were treated using stentless bioprostheses (SBP) as root replacement (n = 30), mechanical prostheses (MP, n = 45) or stented bioprostheses (SP, n = 112) (mean follow-up 4.6 years, survival data 100% complete). RESULTS: MP patients were younger (42.5 ± 10.7 vs 57.2 ± 16.9 years [SBP], 59.1 ± 14.1 years [SP], P < 0.01), but rates of intravenous drug use and chronic dialysis were not different. SBP patients more often had root involvement (83.3% vs 33.3% [MP], 25.9% [SP], P < 0.01) and prosthetic valve endocarditis (53.3% vs 6.7% [MP], 12.5% [SP], P < 0.01). In-hospital complications and length of stay were not different. Thirty-day mortality was 13.3% [SBP], 6.7% [MP] and 12.5% [SP] (P = 0.53). Five-year survival tended to be superior in SBP (83.3% vs 77.6% [MP], 67.1% [SP], P = 0.09). In patients with complicated IE (root involvement or prosthetic valve endocarditis, n = 77), SBP had superior long-term survival (86.9% vs 81.3% [MP], 57.2% [SP], PSBP/MP = 0.07, PSBP/SP = 0.05). No early reinfection (<90 days) occurred in SBP vs 4.4% [MP] and 7.1% [SP] (P = 0.29). Reoperation for late reinfection occurred in 6.7% [SBP] vs 11.1% [MP] and 12.5% [SP] (P = 0.65). Prosthesis failure occurred in 3.3% [SBP] and 1.8% [SP] (P = 0.52). CONCLUSIONS: Use of SBP provides favourable outcomes in patients with IE with low rates of reinfection and valve deterioration. It seems to be an optimal device in patients with complex IE.

Optimized Outcomes Using a Standardized Approach for the Treatment of Patients with Carcinoid Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND: Carcinoid heart disease (CHD) is common in patients with carcinoid syndrome (CS). Surgical treatment improves the poor prognosis of CHD, although the reported peri-operative mortality is high (∼17%). We attempted to improve outcomes by implementation of a protocol for the management of patients with CHD at a UK Neuroendocrine Centre of Excellence and report our experience. METHODS: All patients treated for CHD between 2008 and 2015 were included. Peri-operative treatment included surgical features such as invasive pulmonary valve (PV) inspection and preservation of the tricuspid subvalvular apparatus. RESULTS: A total of 11 patients were treated; the median age was 63 years (IQR: 56-70). Ten patients underwent both pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) and tricuspid valve replacement (TVR); 1 patient underwent isolated TVR. One patient had additional aortic valve replacement (AVR), another one coronary artery bypass grafting. Bioprostheses (BP) were used in all patients, stented for TVR and AVR, stentless for PVR. Invasive PV inspection caused unplanned PVR in 3 cases (27.3%). All patients were discharged home. One patient (9.1%), who had had previous TVR by another surgeon, had right heart failure (RHF) during follow-up. One death occurred due to progression of CS (day 346). The carcinoids' primary was resected in 5 patients (45.5%) 10 months (4.5-19.5) after cardiac surgery. CONCLUSION: Excellent results were achieved in patients with CHD. PV stenosis can be underestimated by echocardiography; therefore, intraoperative inspection is recommended. Right ventricular geometry should be respected to prevent RHF. BP should be used, as these patients are likely to undergo future non-cardiac surgeries.

Is Mitral Valve Repair Superior to Mitral Valve Replacement in Elderly Patients? Comparison of Short- and Long-Term Outcomes in a Propensity-Matched Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Because of demographic changes, a growing number of elderly patients present with mitral valve (MV) disease. Although mitral valve repair (MV-repair) is the "gold standard" treatment for MV disease, in elderly patients, there is controversy about whether MV-repair is superior to mitral valve replacement. We reviewed results after MV surgery in elderly patients treated over the past 20 years. METHODS AND RESULTS: Our in-hospital database was explored for patients who underwent MV surgery between 1994 and 2015. Survival data, obtained from the National Health Service central register, were complete for all patients. Of 1776 patients with MV disease, 341 were aged ≥75 years. Patients with repeat cardiac surgery, endocarditis, and concomitant aortic valve replacement were excluded. This yielded 221 MV-repair and 120 mitral valve replacement patients. Concomitant procedures included coronary artery bypass grafting in 135 patients (39.6%) and tricuspid valve surgery in 50 patients (14.7%). Thirty-day mortality was 5.4% (MV-repair) versus 9.2% (mitral valve replacement, P=0.26). Overall 1- and 5-year survival was 90.7%, 74.2% versus 81.3%, 61.0% (P<0.01). Median survival after MV-repair was 7.8 years, close to 8.5 years (95% CI: 8.2-9.4) in the age-matched UK population (ratio 0.9). Rate of re-operation for MV-dysfunction was 2.3% versus 2.5% (mitral valve replacement, P=1.0). After propensity matching, patients after MV-repair still had improved survival at 1, 2, and 5 years (93.4%, 91.6%, 76.9% versus 77.2%, 75.2%, 58.7%, P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Excellent outcomes can be achieved after MV surgery in elderly patients. Long-term survival is superior after MV-repair and the re-operation rate is low. MV-repair should be the preferred surgical approach in elderly patients.

A Rare Case of Florid Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Autoantibody-Associated Vasculitis Involving Both Atrioventricular Valves.

Cardiac involvement is rare in antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated systemic vasculitis but can involve aortic and mitral valves. We present an unusual case of a 65-year-old woman who presented 16 years after an aortic valve replacement with severe mitral regurgitation with ACNA-associated vasculitis. The extensive nature of the pathologic condition, which extended to the tricuspid valve, prevented the replacement of the mitral valve during a surgical procedure. This is a rare case in which florid valvulopathy was observed in association with vasculitis.

Aggregation of Marginal Gains in Cardiac Surgery: Feasibility of a Perioperative Care Bundle for Enhanced Recovery in Cardiac Surgical Patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of a perioperative care bundle for enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery (ERACS). DESIGN: A prospective, observational study. SETTING: A major urban teaching and university hospital and tertiary referral center. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 53 patients undergoing cardiac surgery before implementation of an ERACS protocol (pre-ERACS group) and 52 patients undergoing cardiac surgery after implementation of an ERACS protocol (ERACS group). INTERVENTIONS: Based on recommendations from a consensus review in colorectal surgery, the following enhanced recovery perioperative care bundle was applied: detailed preoperative information, avoidance of prolonged fasting periods preoperatively, preoperative carbohydrate beverages, optimization of analgesia with avoidance of long-acting opioids, prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting, early enteral nutrition postoperatively, and early mobilization. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The authors hypothesized that length of hospital stay would be reduced with ERACS. Secondary outcome variables included a composite of postoperative complications and pain scores. Whereas the length of stay in the group of patients receiving the bundle of enhanced recovery interventions remained unchanged compared with the non-ERACS group, there was a statistically significant reduction in the number of patients in the ERACS group presenting with one or more postoperative complications (including hospital-acquired infections, acute kidney injury, atrial fibrillation, respiratory failure, postoperative myocardial infarction, and death). In addition, postoperative pain scores were improved significantly in the ERACS group. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study demonstrated that ERACS is feasible and has the potential for improved postoperative morbidity after cardiac surgery. A larger multicenter quality improvement study implementing perioperative care bundles would be the next step to further assess outcomes in ERACS patients.

Primary cardiac synovial sarcoma. A rare tumor with poor prognosis.

Synovial sarcoma comprises approximately 10% of all soft tissue tumors. Primary cardiac synovial sarcoma is exceedingly rare and accounts for<1% of all primary cardiac tumors. These tumors are highly aggressive with survival<1 year, even with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. We describe the case of a 45-year-old gentleman with primary cardiac synovial sarcoma of the heart, metastasizing to the lung. The tumor was resected, and the patient underwent chemotherapy with regression of the lung nodules.

Endothelial NADPH oxidase-2 promotes interstitial cardiac fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction through proinflammatory effects and endothelial-mesenchymal transition.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate the effect of endothelial dysfunction on the development of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction accompanies cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, but its contribution to these conditions is unclear. Increased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase-2 (NOX2) activation causes endothelial dysfunction. METHODS: Transgenic mice with endothelial-specific NOX2 overexpression (TG mice) and wild-type littermates received long-term angiotensin II (AngII) infusion (1.1 mg/kg/day, 2 weeks) to induce hypertrophy and fibrosis. RESULTS: TG mice had systolic hypertension and hypertrophy similar to those seen in wild-type mice but developed greater cardiac fibrosis and evidence of isolated left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (p < 0.05). TG myocardium had more inflammatory cells and VCAM-1-positive vessels than did wild-type myocardium after AngII treatment (both p < 0.05). TG microvascular endothelial cells (ECs) treated with AngII recruited 2-fold more leukocytes than did wild-type ECs in an in vitro adhesion assay (p < 0.05). However, inflammatory cell NOX2 per se was not essential for the profibrotic effects of AngII. TG showed a higher level of endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) than did wild-type mice after AngII infusion. In cultured ECs treated with AngII, NOX2 enhanced EMT as assessed by the relative expression of fibroblast versus endothelial-specific markers. CONCLUSIONS: AngII-induced endothelial NOX2 activation has profound profibrotic effects in the heart in vivo that lead to a diastolic dysfunction phenotype. Endothelial NOX2 enhances EMT and has proinflammatory effects. This may be an important mechanism underlying cardiac fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction during increased renin-angiotensin activation.

A meta-analysis assessing the benefits of concomitant pleural tent procedure after upper lobectomy.

A meta-analysis comparing outcomes of upper lobectomies with or without pleural tenting was performed. Five trials comprising 396 patients were selected. There was significantly reduced duration of hospital stay, chest drain use, and air leak in the pleural tenting group compared with the group without the pleural tent. There was also a significant reduction in number of patients with prolonged air leak more than 7 days in pleural tenting group. No other difference was noted in other outcomes such as total drainage, operative time, or hospital costs. In patients at high-risk of air leak, we advocate concomitant use of the pleural tent after upper lobectomies.

A meta-analysis comparing muscle-sparing and posterolateral thoracotomy.

We compared outcomes of posterolateral thoracotomy vs muscle-sparing thoracotomy after open thoracic operations. Twelve trials were included, comprising 571 patients in the muscle-sparing thoracotomy group and 512 patients in the posterolateral thoracotomy group. There was significantly improved shoulder internal rotation (weighted mean difference, -1.28; 95% confidence interval, -2.45 to -0.11; p = 0.03) and pain scores on day 7 (weighted mean difference, -0.76; 95% confidence interval, -1.26 to -0.27; p = 0.002) but higher seroma rates (odds ratio, 8.26; 95% confidence interval, 2.16 to 31.56; p = 0.002) in the muscle-sparing thoracotomy group compared with the posterolateral thoracotomy group. We advocate using muscle-sparing thoracotomy, especially on patients dependant on quicker recovery of shoulder function.