Rationale and Design of the Randomized Bayesian Multicenter COME-TAVI Trial in Patients With a New Onset Left Bundle Branch Block.

Patients with new-onset left bundle branch block (LBBB) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are at risk of developing delayed high-degree atrioventricular block. Management of new-onset LBBB post-TAVI remains controversial. In the Comparison of a Clinical Monitoring Strategy Versus Electrophysiology-Guided Algorithmic Approach in Patients With a New LBBB After TAVI (COME-TAVI) trial, consenting patients with new-onset LBBB that persists on day 2 after TAVI, meeting exclusion/inclusion criteria, are randomized to an electrophysiological study (EPS)-guided approach or 30-day electrocardiographic monitoring. In the EPS-guided approach, patients with a His to ventricle (HV) interval ≥ 65 ms undergo permanent pacemaker implantation. Patients randomized to noninvasive monitoring receive a wearable continuous electrocardiographic recording and transmitting device for 30 days. Follow-up will be performed at 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary endpoint is a composite outcome designed to capture net clinical benefit. The endpoint incorporates major consequences of both strategies in patients with new-onset LBBB after TAVI, as follows: (i) sudden cardiac death; (ii) syncope; (iii) atrioventricular conduction disorder requiring a pacemaker (for a class I or IIa indication); and (iv) complications related to the pacemaker or EPS. The trial incorporates a Bayesian design with a noninformative prior, outcome-adaptive randomization (initially 1:1), and 2 prespecified interim analyses once 25% and 50% of the anticipated number of primary endpoints are reached. The trial is event-driven, with an anticipated upper limit of 452 patients required to reach 77 primary outcome events over 12 months of follow-up. In summary, the aim of this Bayesian multicentre randomized trial is to compare 2 management strategies in patients with new-onset LBBB post-TAVI-an EPS-guided approach vs noninvasive 30-day monitoring. Trial registration number: NCT03303612.

Les patients chez qui un bloc de branche gauche (BBG) est récemment apparu à la suite de l'implantation valvulaire aortique par cathéter (IVAC) présentent un risque de bloc auriculoventriculaire de haut degré tardif. La prise en charge d'un BBG récemment apparu après une IVAC demeure controversée. Dans le cadre de l'essai COME-TAVI (Comparison of a ClinicalMonitoring Strategy VersusElectrophysiology-Guided Algorithmic Approach in Patients With a New LBBB AfterTAVI, ou comparaison d'une stratégie de surveillance clinique, par rapport à une approche guidée par étude électrophysiologique et fondée sur un algorithme, chez des patients présentant un BBG d'apparition récente à la suite d'une IVAC), des patients qui présentent un BBG d'apparition récente persistant le 2e jour après une IVAC, qui répondent aux critères d'admissibilité et qui ont donné leur consentement sont répartis aléatoirement pour être suivis à l'aide d'une approche guidée par une étude électrophysiologique (EEP) ou faire l'objet d'une surveillance électrocardiographique d'une durée de 30 jours. Un stimulateur cardiaque est implanté chez les patients du groupe de l'EEP dont l'intervalle HV (temps de conduction dans le tronc du faisceau de His jusqu'aux ventricules) est ≥ 65 ms. Les patients du groupe de surveillance non invasive reçoivent un dispositif portable d'enregistrement et de transmission continue de données électrocardiographiques pour une période de 30 jours. Le suivi sera réalisé aux 3e, 6e et 12e mois. Le critère d'évaluation principal est un paramètre composite conçu afin de saisir le bienfait clinique net. Il comprend les conséquences majeures des deux stratégies chez les patients présentant un BBG d'apparition récente après une IVAC, comme suit : (i) mort subite d'origine cardiaque; (ii) syncope; (iii) trouble de la conduction auriculoventriculaire nécessitant la pose d'un stimulateur cardiaque (pour une indication de classe I ou IIa); et (iv) complications relatives au stimulateur cardiaque ou à l'EEP. L'essai intègre une conception bayésienne avec une répartition aléatoire (dans un rapport initial de 1:1) antérieure non informative adaptée aux résultats et deux analyses intermédiaires définies au préalable lorsque 25 % et 50 % du nombre anticipé des critères d'évaluation principaux seront atteints. L'essai est axé sur les événements, et la limite supérieure anticipée pour atteindre 77 événements relatifs aux critères d'évaluation principaux sur 12 mois de suivi est de 452 patients. En résumé, l'objectif de cet essai bayésien multicentrique à répartition aléatoire est de comparer deux stratégies de prise en charge de patients présentant un BBG d'apparition récente après une IVAC, soit une approche guidée par une EEP, par rapport à une surveillance non invasive de 30 jours. Trial registration number: NCT03303612.

Growth Differentiation Factor-15 as a Predictor of Functional Capacity, Frailty, and Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients With Aortic Stenosis and Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction.

In aortic stenosis (AS), left ventricular (LV) remodeling often occurs before symptom onset, and early intervention may be beneficial. Risk stratification remains challenging and identification of biomarkers may be useful. We evaluated the association between growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) and known markers of poor prognosis in AS. Baseline plasma GDF-15 and sST2 levels were measured in 70 patients with moderate-severe AS (aortic valve area <1.5 cm2) and preserved LV ejection fraction (>45%). Patients were categorized into "low GDF-15" versus "high GDF-15" and "low sST2" versus "high sST2" groups. Groups were compared for differences in cardiovascular risk factors, 6-minute walk test, 5 m gait speed, cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), and echocardiographic parameters. Overall, 44% of patients were deemed asymptomatic by New York Heart Association class, 61% had severe AS (aortic valve area <1 cm2) and all patients had preserved LV ejection fraction. GDF-15 levels were not predictive of AS severity. However, high GDF-15 (>1,050 pg/ml) was associated with LV dysfunction as shown by lower indexed stroke volume (p <0.01), worse LV global longitudinal strain (p = 0.04), greater mean E/e' (p = 0.02) and indexed left atrial volume (p <0.01). It was also associated with decreased functional capacity with shorter 6-minute walk test (p = 0.01) and slower 5 m gait speed (p = 0.02). Associations between sST2 levels and markers of poor prognosis were less compelling. In this study of patients with moderate to severe AS, elevated GDF-15 levels are associated with impaired functional capacity, poorer performance on fragility testing, and LV dysfunction. In conclusion, GDF-15 may integrate these markers of adverse outcomes into a single biomarker of poor prognosis.

Coronary endarterectomy in patients with diffuse coronary artery disease: assessment of graft patency with computed tomography angiography.

BACKGROUND: With a growing population of patients with advanced coronary artery disease (CAD), many of whom have undergone prior percutaneous coronary interventions, coronary endarterectomy (CE) allows for the extension of revascularization in patients with otherwise limited options. Whether adjunctive CE associated with standard surgery, combined with contemporary antiplatelet therapy, improves outcomes remains largely unknown. METHODS: We studied 147 consecutive patients who underwent 154 adjunctive CE procedures for advanced CAD between January 2015 and January 2018. We used computed tomography angiography (CTA) in a subgroup of 32 consecutive patients who underwent CE during coronary artery bypass grafting after June 2016 to assess graft and coronary patency. RESULTS: Patients (mean age 67 ± SD 10 yr) underwent CE of the right (102 patients), the left anterior descending (LAD, 22 patients) and the circumflex (17 patients) coronary arteries. Seven patients (5%) experienced a procedural myocardial infarction and there were no perioperative deaths. Among the 32 patients who underwent CTA 3 months after surgery, the mean patency of the endarterectomized coronary arteries and bypass grafts was 90% and 88%, respectively. All 6 arterial grafts on the LAD artery were patent. The mean survival rate and the mean rate of freedom from major adverse cardiovascular events was 95% ± 2% and 95% ± 6%, respectively. The patency rate was 100 % for patients evaluated at 3-year follow up. CONCLUSION: Coronary endarterectomy offers a surgical option for patients with diffuse CAD who may be unsuitable for coronary bypass alone. Grafts and endarterectomized coronary artery patency remain adequate and explain the excellent patient survival and the freedom rate from major adverse cardiovascular events.

Implementing Machine Learning in Interventional Cardiology: The Benefits Are Worth the Trouble.

Driven by recent innovations and technological progress, the increasing quality and amount of biomedical data coupled with the advances in computing power allowed for much progress in artificial intelligence (AI) approaches for health and biomedical research. In interventional cardiology, the hope is for AI to provide automated analysis and deeper interpretation of data from electrocardiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and electronic health records, among others. Furthermore, high-performance predictive models supporting decision-making hold the potential to improve safety, diagnostic and prognostic prediction in patients undergoing interventional cardiology procedures. These applications include robotic-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention procedures and automatic assessment of coronary stenosis during diagnostic coronary angiograms. Machine learning (ML) has been used in these innovations that have improved the field of interventional cardiology, and more recently, deep Learning (DL) has emerged as one of the most successful branches of ML in many applications. It remains to be seen if DL approaches will have a major impact on current and future practice. DL-based predictive systems also have several limitations, including lack of interpretability and lack of generalizability due to cohort heterogeneity and low sample sizes. There are also challenges for the clinical implementation of these systems, such as ethical limits and data privacy. This review is intended to bring the attention of health practitioners and interventional cardiologists to the broad and helpful applications of ML and DL algorithms to date in the field. Their implementation challenges in daily practice and future applications in the field of interventional cardiology are also discussed.

Use of Mobile-Based Application for Collection of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Application-based (app) technology has been studied for patient engagement and collecting patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in several surgical specialties with limited research in cardiac surgery. The aim of study was to determine the effectiveness of app-based technology for collecting PROs, improving the patient experience, and reducing health services utilization in a cardiac surgery center. METHODS: Patients accessed an interactive app via smartphones. Patients were guided from 4 weeks preoperative to 4 weeks postoperative via reminders, tasks, PRO surveys, and evidence-based education. In the postoperative period, patients were engaged with daily health surveys to track warning signs and recovery milestones. Based on the patient's signs and symptoms, the app escalated lower risk issues to self-care education or higher risk issues to the care team (e.g., phone call to a nurse). RESULTS: Sixty-six percent of patients (730 of 1,108) activated their app account. Two hundred seventy-seven patients completed an end-of-program feedback survey, with 94% of patients recommending the app and 98% of patients finding the app was helpful in recovery. Patients also reported using the app to avoid unnecessary health services utilization, with 45% of patients using the app to avoid at least 1 phone call and 28% of patients using the app to avoid at least 1 hospital visit. CONCLUSIONS: App-based technology for patient engagement is an effective modality to enhance the patient experience, better understand the trajectory of recovery, and reduce unnecessary health services utilization in cardiac surgery.

Del Nido cardioplegia versus blood cardioplegia in adult aortic root surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Del Nido cardioplegia solution offers prolonged cardiac protection with single-dose administration; this is particularly interesting for aortic root surgery. However, there is a scarcity of data supporting its safety in adults undergoing complex cardiac surgery, such as aortic root repair. We hypothesized that del Nido cardioplegia solution and blood cardioplegia solution provide equivalent safety during aortic root surgery. METHODS: Between January 2015 and June 2018, 283 consecutive patients undergoing the Ross procedure (204) and valve-sparing operation (79) with del Nido cardioplegia solution or blood cardioplegia solution were 1:1 propensity matched (110 aortic root surgery), and outcomes were compared. Clinical patient characteristics and data were extracted from our local database for valve-sparing operations and for Ross procedures. RESULTS: Preoperative characteristics were similar between del Nido cardioplegia solution and blood cardioplegia solution after propensity matching (mean age, 48.6 ± 1.5 years). Median postoperative creatine kinase MB isotype did not differ between del Nido cardioplegia solution and blood cardioplegia solution (48.9 [14.9-300] µg/L vs 51.2 [12.4-116] µg/L for blood cardioplegia solution [P = .1]), but there was a trend toward higher troponin T levels with del Nido cardioplegia solution (748 [221-5834] ng/L vs 710 [212-3332] ng/L for blood cardioplegia solution [P = .07]). In patients with myocardial ischemia longer than 180 minutes, median creatine kinase MB isotype was higher in del Nido cardioplegia solution (75.1 [59.3-300] µg/L than in blood cardioplegia solution 60.5 [16.5-116] µg/L [P = .01]). Aortic crossclamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were shorter with del Nido cardioplegia solution (163 ± 5 vs 181 ± 5 minutes, P = .01 and 145 ± 4 vs 161 ± 4 minutes, respectively, P = .006). Return to spontaneous rhythm was more frequent in the del Nido cardioplegia solution group (52% [29/55] vs 27% [15/55], P = .006). There was no difference in inotropic or vasoactive agent use (P = .8). Postoperative left ventricle ejection fraction was similar (0.54 ± 0.09 vs 0.55 ± 0.08 for del Nido cardioplegia solution and blood cardioplegia solution, respectively; P = .4). There was no difference between groups for perioperative mortality and postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Del Nido cardioplegia solution can be used as an alternative to blood cardioplegia solution in adults undergoing complex aortic root surgery, providing comparable clinical outcomes and improved surgical workflow. However, del Nido cardioplegia solution seems to be associated with increased myocardial injury, especially with extended myocardial ischemic times, but this finding did not translate into adverse clinical events. Caution is warranted in adopting this cardioplegic solution in aortic interventions requiring long ischemic times, and further study is required to establish its exact role in complex cardiac surgery.

Standardizing Postoperative Complications-Validating the Clavien-Dindo Complications Classification in Cardiac Surgery.

Cardiac surgery lacks a method for quantifying postoperative morbidities. The Clavien-Dindo Complications Classification (CDCC) and the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI) were successfully implemented as outcome reporting methods in other surgical specialties. This study aims to validate these complication scales in cardiac surgery. Between 2010 and 2019, we prospectively collected data on 41,218 adult patients (73% men, mean age 67 ± 11 years) undergoing cardiac surgery at 6 university hospitals. Complications were graded using the CDCC based on the complication's treatment invasiveness with adaptations for common treatments in cardiac surgery. CCI were calculated, representing multiple complications on a scale of 0 (no complication) to 100 (death). Associations with predictors of poor outcome were assessed using mixed-effects models accounting for center as a random effect. CDCC grade was 0 in 23.0%, I in 11.4%, II in 35.3%, IIIa in 6.4%, IIIb in 2.6%, IVa in 16.1%, IVb in 2.1%, and V in 3.1%. Median CCI was 23 (9, 40). A change from lowest to highest observed CDCC grade was associated with an increase in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons mortality score from 1.1% to 4.7%, surgery duration from 177 to 233 minutes, and hospital stay from 5.2 to 17 days (all P < 0.0001). The CCI also increased with greater procedure complexity (P < 0.0001). Increase in CDCC/CCI is associated with greater comorbidities, surgery durations, lengths of stay, and procedure complexity, accurately reflecting the nuances of the adult cardiac surgery postoperative course. These have great potential for uniform outcome reporting and quality improvement initiatives.

Reassessment of kidney function equations in predicting long-term survival in cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a risk factor for long-term survival in cardiac surgery. The Cockcroft-Gault, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study, CKD Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI), revised Lund-Malmö (LM), and full age spectrum equations are used to estimate glomerular filtration rates (eGFR), but each have advantages and disadvantages. Our objective was to determine which equation better predicts long-term survival. METHODS: Data on 1492 consecutive patients who underwent isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery between September 1996 and December 2008 were prospectively collected. Preoperative and postoperative eGFR were calculated using the five equations and compared using Cox regression analyses and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves at 10 years. RESULTS: In a Cox regression model after correction for significant predictors of long-term mortality, adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for one standard deviation increase in preoperative eGFR were 0.661 (P < .0001), 0.844 (P = .0166), 0.787 (P = .0002), 0.746 (P < .0001), and 0.717 (P < .0001) for the CG, MDRD, CKD-EPI, LM, and FAS equations, respectively. The areas under the time-dependent ROC curve at 10 years also showed that the CG formula has a better predictive value. Postoperative eGFR at discharge were also significant predictors of long-term mortality (HR = 0.603, P < .0001; HR = 0.725, P < .0001; HR = 0.688, P < .0001; HR = 0.673, P < .0001; HR = 0.632, P < .0001 for the CG, MDRD, CKD-EPI, LM, and FAS equations, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The CG formula was shown to better predict survival in cardiac surgery, though the FAS equation has a comparable prognostic value. Additionally, postoperative eGFR at discharge also predicted long-term survival.

Biomechanical characterization of a chronic type a dissected human aorta.

Aortic dissection is one of the most lethal cardiovascular diseases. A chronic Type A (Stanford) dissected aorta was retrieved for research from a 73-year-old male donor without diagnosed genetic disease. The aorta presented a dissection over the full length, and it reached a diameter of 7.7 cm in its ascending portion. The descending thoracic aorta underwent layer-specific quasi-static and dynamic mechanical characterizations after layer separation. Mechanical tests showed a physiological (healthy) behavior of the intima and some mechanical anomalies of the media and the adventitia. In particular, the static stiffness of both these layers at smaller strains was three times smaller than any one measured for twelve healthy aortas. When the viscoelastic properties were tested, adventitia presented a larger relative increase of the dynamic stiffness at 3 Hz with respect to most of the healthy aortas. The loss factor of the adventitia, which is associated with dissipation, was at the lower limit of those measured for healthy aortas. It seems reasonable to attribute these anomalies of the mechanical properties exhibited by the media and the adventitia to the severe remodeling secondary to the chronic nature of the dissection. However, it cannot be excluded that some of the mechanical anomalies were present before remodeling.

Comparison of Atrial Remodeling Caused by Sustained Atrial Flutter Versus Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Atrial flutter (AFL) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are associated with AF-promoting atrial remodeling, but no experimental studies have addressed remodeling with sustained AFL. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to define the atrial remodeling caused by sustained atrial flutter (AFL) and/or atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Intercaval radiofrequency lesions created a substrate for sustained isthmus-dependent AFL, confirmed by endocavity mapping. Four groups (6 dogs per group) were followed for 3 weeks: sustained AFL; sustained AF (600 beats/min atrial tachypacing); AF superimposed on an AFL substrate (AF+AFLs); sinus rhythm (SR) with an AFL substrate (SR+AFLs; control group). All dogs had atrioventricular-node ablation and ventricular pacemakers at 80 beats/min to control ventricular rate. RESULTS: Monitoring confirmed spontaneous AFL maintenance >99% of the time in dogs with AFL. At terminal open-chest study, left-atrial (LA) effective refractory period was reduced similarly with AFL, AF+AFLs and AF, while AF vulnerability to extrastimuli increased in parallel. Induced AF duration increased significantly in AF+AFLs and AF, but not AFL. Dogs with AF+AFLs had shorter cycle lengths and substantial irregularity versus dogs with AFL. LA volume increased in AF+AFLs and AF, but not dogs with AFL, versus SR+AFLs. Optical mapping showed significant conduction slowing in AF+AFLs and AF but not AFL, paralleling atrial fibrosis and collagen-gene upregulation. Left-ventricular function did not change in any group. Transcriptomic analysis revealed substantial dysregulation of inflammatory and extracellular matrix-signaling pathways with AF and AF+ALs but not AFL. CONCLUSIONS: Sustained AFL causes atrial repolarization changes like those in AF but, unlike AF or AF+AFLs, does not induce structural remodeling. These results provide novel insights into AFL-induced remodeling and suggest that early intervention may be important to prevent irreversible fibrosis when AF intervenes in a patient with AFL.

Successful implantation of self-expanding valve for a failed stentless prosthesis.

Valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation is currently used for failed bioprosthesis. The use of a transcatheter prosthesis in a regurgitant noncalcified root implanted Medtronic Freestyle prosthesis is particularly challenging. We present a successful transaxillary valve-in-valve implantation of a self-expandable transcatheter aortic valve prosthesis in a failed Freestyle bioprothesis implanted eleven years earlier. Tips and tricks are discussed.

Mid-term Outcomes in Nonelderly Adults Undergoing Surgery for Isolated Aortic Valve Infective Endocarditis: Results From Two Canadian Centers.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the mid-term prognosis of nonelderly patients (≤60 years) after the surgical treatment of isolated aortic valve infective endocarditis (IE). Better characterization of these outcomes could help in tailoring the surgical management in these patients. METHODS: From 2000 to 2015, 164 adult patients ≤60 years of age (mean 46 ± 11 years, 81% male) underwent surgical treatment for isolated aortic valve IE in 2 high-volume Canadian centers. Twenty-three patients (14%) were intravenous drug users (IVDUs). Patients with recurrent IE or concomitant endocarditis on other valves were excluded. The aortic valve was replaced with a mechanical prosthesis (44%), a tissue valve (30%), a homograft (18%), or a Ross procedure (9%). Mean follow-up was 6.2 ± 4.6 years (92% complete). RESULTS: Thirty-day mortality was 7%. Actuarial survival rates at 5 and 10 years were 80 ± 3% and 71 ± 4%, respectively. IVDU (hazard ratio [HR] 3.8, 95% CI 1.4-10.1; P = 0.01) and prosthetic valve endocarditis (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1-6.4; P = 0.04) were associated with increased mid-term mortality. Mid-term survival was best in non-IVDU patients with native valve endocarditis, yet lower than a matched elective aortic valve replacement (AVR) population. Overall, freedom from recurrence of IE at 1, 5, and 10 years was 94 ± 2%, 91 ± 3%, and 89 ± 3%, respectively. IVDU was associated with higher rates of recurrence, especially in the first year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In nonelderly adults undergoing surgery for aortic valve IE, mid-term survival is suboptimal. Although non-IVDU patients with native valve endocarditis have better mid-term outcomes, survival remains lower than a matched population of elective AVR in nonelderly patients.

Surgical Turndown: "What's in a Name?" for Patients Deemed Ineligible for Surgical Revascularization.

Optimal revascularization in severe ischemic heart disease (SIHD) is addressed in all clinical guidelines. With an aging patient population, a growing challenge remains the management of patients with SIHD deemed ineligible for surgical revascularization, the so-called surgical turndown patient. The status of surgical ineligibility remains associated with worse clinical outcomes. As the general population grows older and comorbidities increase, this subset of SIHD will likely increase. Ascribing the label of surgical turndown has significant adverse prognostic implications, and thus, careful assessment is required as key issues related to frailty and completeness of revascularization need to be taken into consideration in the decision-making process. Clearly defining criteria for surgical turndowns are paramount, as well as a comprehensive assessment of revascularization suitability. As such, an integrated Heart Team represents the favoured path forward to ensure patient-centred cardiovascular care. The Heart Team approach can appropriately manage issues related to revascularization in patients with SIHD with multiple comorbidities. Therefore, the focus of this review will be on the importance of the diagnosis of surgical turndown, its impact on clinical outcomes, and factors to bear in mind when considering revascularization in this challenging patient subgroup.

Impact of a tailored surgical approach on autograft root dimensions in patients undergoing the Ross procedure for aortic regurgitation†.

OBJECTIVES: The Ross procedure in patients with aortic regurgitation (AR) has been associated with increased autograft dilatation and late reintervention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a tailored approach aimed at mitigating that risk on early changes in autograft root dimensions following the Ross procedure in patients with AR. METHODS: From 2011 to 2018, 241 consecutive patients underwent a Ross procedure with >1 year of follow-up [46 (7) years]. Aortic root dimensions were prospectively measured on serial echocardiograms. Patients with aortic stenosis group (n = 171; 71%) were compared to those with AR or mixed aortic disease (AR group) (n = 70; 29%). Mean length of follow-up was 29 ± 11 months (100% complete). Changes in aortic dimensions were analysed using mixed-effect models. RESULTS: At 4 years, mean indexed diameters of the annulus, sinuses of Valsalva and the sinotubular junction in the AR group were 12.3 (0.2) mm/m2, 20.0 (0.4) mm/m2 and 16.3 (0.9) mm/m2, respectively, vs 11.9 (0.2), 18.4 (0.3) and 15.5 (0.5) in the aortic stenosis group. Overall, there were no significant differences in the rates of autograft annulus, sinuses of Valsalva and sinotubular junction dimension changes between the aortic stenosis and AR groups up to 4 years after surgery (P = 0.55, P = 0.12, P = 0.59 and P = 0.48, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Use of a tailored surgical approach, combined with a strict blood pressure control, appears to mitigate clinically significant early dilatation of the autograft root following a Ross procedure in patients with AR. Further follow-up is needed to determine if this will translate into a lower incidence of long-term reintervention.

Dissected Aorta Repair Through Stent Implantation trial: Canadian results.

OBJECTIVES: We describe the Canadian results of the Ascyrus Medical Dissection Stent (AMDS), a novel partially uncovered aortic arch hybrid graft implanted antegrade during hypothermic circulatory arrest to promote true lumen expansion and enhance aortic remodeling. METHODS: From March 2017 to February 2018, 16 consecutive patients (66 ± 12 years; 38% female) presented with acute type A aortic dissections and underwent emergent surgical aortic repair with AMDS implantation. All patients presented with DeBakey I aortic dissection, with evidence of malperfusion in 50% (n = 8) of patients. All cases were performed under hypothermic circulatory arrest with an additional average duration for AMDS implantation time of 2.1 minutes. RESULTS: All 16 device implantations were successful. Overall 30-day mortality was 6.3% (n = 1) and stroke occurred in 6.3% (n = 1) of cases. There was no incidence of device-related aortic injury or aortic arch branch vessel occlusion. During the follow-up period, 12 patients had completed at least 1 postoperative computed tomography scan. At initial follow-up computed tomography scan, complete or partial thrombosis, and remodeling of the aortic arch occurred in 91.7% of cases (n = 11/12) and in the proximal descending thoracic aorta, complete or partial thrombosis, and remodeling occurred in 91.7% (n = 11/12). CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results suggest that the AMDS is a safe, feasible and reproducible adjunct to current surgical approaches for acute DeBakey I aortic dissection repair. Further, the AMDS manages malperfusion and promotes early positive remodeling in the aortic arch and distal dissected segments, with favorable FL closure rates at follow-up. Ongoing follow-up will provide additional insight into the long-term effects of the AMDS.

Society of Thoracic Surgeons Risk Score and EuroSCORE-2 Appropriately Assess 30-Day Postoperative Mortality in the STICH Trial and a Contemporary Cohort of Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction Undergoing Surgical Revascularization.

BACKGROUND: The STICH trial (Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure) demonstrated a survival benefit of coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and left ventricular dysfunction. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk score and the EuroSCORE-2 (ES2) are used for risk assessment in cardiac surgery, with little information available about their accuracy in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. We assessed the ability of the STS score and ES2 to evaluate 30-day postoperative mortality risk in STICH and a contemporary cohort (CC) of patients with a left ventricle ejection fraction ≤35% undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting outside of a trial setting. METHODS AND RESULTS: The STS and ES2 scores were calculated for 814 STICH patients and 1246 consecutive patients in a CC. There were marked variations in 30-day postoperative mortality risk from 1 patient to another. The STS scores consistently calculated lower risk scores than ES2 (1.5 versus 2.9 for the CC and 0.9 versus 2.4 for the STICH cohort), and underestimated postoperative mortality risk. The STS and ES2 scores had moderately good C statistics: CC (0.727, 95% CI: 0.650-0.803 for STS, and 0.707, 95% CI: 0.620-0.795 for ES2); STICH (0.744, 95% CI: 0.677-0.812, for STS and 0.736, 95% CI: 0.665-0.808 for ES2). Despite the CC patients having higher STS and ES2 scores than STICH patients, mortality (3.5%) was lower than that of STICH (4.8%), suggesting a possible decrease in postoperative mortality over the past decade. CONCLUSIONS: The 30-day postoperative mortality risk of coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with left ventricular dysfunction varies markedly. Both the STS and ES2 score are effective in evaluating risk, although the STS score tend to underestimate risk. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00023595.

Expanding Eligibility for the Ross Procedure: A Reasonable Proposition?

BACKGROUND: Although the Ross procedure offers potential benefits in young adults, technical complexity represents a significant limitation. Therefore, the safety of expanding its use in more complex settings is uncertain. The aim of this study was to compare early outcomes of standard isolated Ross procedures vs expanding elgibility to higher-risk clinical settings. METHODS: From 2011 to 2016, 261 patients (46 ± 12 years) underwent Ross procedures in 2 centres. Patients were divided into 2 groups: standard Ross (n = 166) and expanded eligibility Ross (n = 95). Inclusion criteria for the expanded eligibility group were previous cardiac surgery, acute aortic valve endocarditis, severely impaired left ventricular (LV) function and patients undergoing concomitant procedures. All data were prospectively collected and are 100% complete. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 0% in the standard group (0/166) vs 2% in the expanded eligibility group (2/95) (P = 0.13). Sixteen patients (10%) developed acute renal injury in the standard group vs 13 (14%) patients in the expanded eligibility group (P = 0.31). There were no postoperative myocardial infarctions, no neurological events, and no infectious complications. Median intensive care unit (ICU) stay in the standard group was 2 vs 3 days in the expanded eligibility group (P = 0.004), whereas median hospital stay was 6 vs 7 days, respectively (range: 3-19 days) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Aside from longer ICU and hospital lengths of stay after the Ross procedure in higher-risk clinical scenarios, perioperative mortality and morbidity is similar to standard Ross procedures. Expanding the use of the Ross operation in young adults is a safe alternative in centres of expertise.