Individual patient data meta-analysis on awake pediatric extracorporeal life support: Feasibility and safety of analgesia, sedation and respiratory support weaning, and physiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: Awake Extracorporeal Life Support (aECLS) with active mobilization has gained consensus over time, also within the pediatric community. This individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis summarizes available evidence on pediatric aECLS, its feasibility, and safety regarding sedation weaning, extubation, and physiotherapy. METHODS: PubMed/Medline and Cochrane Database were screened until February 2022. Articles reporting on children (≤18 years) undergoing aECLS were selected. IPD were requested, pooled in a single database, and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes included extubation during ECLS, physiotherapy performed, tracheostomy, and complications. RESULTS: Nineteen articles and 65 patients (males:n = 30/59,50.8%) were included. Age ranged from 2 days to 17 years. ECLS configurations included veno-venous (n = 42/65, 64.6%), veno-arterial (n = 18/65, 27.7%) and other ECLS settings (n = 5/65, 7.7%). Exclusive neck cannulation was performed in 51/65 (78.5%) patients. Extubation or tracheostomy during ECLS was reported in 66.2% (n = 43/65) and 27.7% (n = 18/65) of patients, respectively. Physiotherapy was reported as unspecified physical activity (n = 34/63, 54%), mobilization in bed (n = 15/63, 23.8%), ambulation (n = 14/63, 22.2%). Complications were reported in 60.3% (n = 35/58) of patients, including hemorrhagic (36.2%), mechanical (17.2%), or pulmonary (17.2%) issues, and need for reintubation (15.5%). Survival at discharge was 81.5% (n = 53/65). CONCLUSION: Awake ECLS strategy with active physiotherapy can be applied in children from neonatal age. Ambulation is also possible in selected cases. Complications related to such management were limited. Further studies on aECLS are needed to evaluate safety and efficacy of early physiotherapy and define patient selection.

Asymptomatic giant ascending aortic aneurysm: a challenging surgical strategy for a silent bicuspid aortopathy.

We report the case of an incidental finding of a huge aneurysm of the ascending aorta with a congenital bicuspid aortic valve type 0-lateral. This severe condition was totally unknown to the patient, who was asymptomatic for cardiovascular disease. The aneurysmal mass involved the entire mediastinum, altering the normal anatomical relations, so the operative strategy was modified intraoperatively, tailoring the surgical technique to the anatomical conditions found. Despite a delayed awakening, the patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course. Therefore, this case highlights the importance of not underestimating nonspecific, seemingly harmless symptoms and signs that may reveal potentially catastrophic pathologies, while also focusing on the surgical technique used. The modified Cabrol procedure, while an underutilized technique, if present in the cardiac surgeon's "arsenal," can represent a life-saving strategy in complex cases requiring an aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement.

Impact of preoperative left pulmonary artery stenting on the Fontan procedure: a retrospective multicentre study.

OBJECTIVES: Left pulmonary artery (LPA) or bifurcation stenoses at Fontan palliation can be very challenging to treat and may also require cardioplegia and aortic transection. Moreover, the low pressure of Fontan circulation and the bulkiness of the aorta increase the risk of a patch angioplasty collapse. Pre-Fontan LPA stenting of stenotic LPAs overcomes those drawbacks therefore the present study aimed to evaluate its advantageous impact on Fontan surgery. METHODS: A multicentre retrospective analysis was performed on 304 consecutive Fontan patients. The study population was divided into 2 groups (LPA stented, n = 62 vs not stented, n = 242); pre-and postoperative data were compared. RESULTS: LPA-stented patients had a higher prevalence of systemic right ventricle (P = 0.01), hypoplastic left heart syndrome (P = 0.042), complex neonatal palliations (Norwood/Damus-Kaye-Stansel) and surgical LPA patch repair at Glenn (P < 0.001). No differences were found in cross-clamp rates, early (P = 0.29) and late survival (94.6% vs 98.4, P = 0.2) or complications (P = 0.14). Complex palliations on ascending aorta/aortic arch (P = 0.013) and surgical LPA repair at Glenn (P < 0.001) proved to be risk factors for LPA stenting before Fontan at multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The LPA-stented group showed similar outcomes in terms of survival and complications rate compared to patients without LPA stenosis; however, they significantly differ in their higher preoperative risk profile and in their more complex anatomy. Complex neonatal palliations involving ascending aorta or aortic arch may increase the risk of pulmonary branches stenosis requiring stenting; therefore, preoperative stenting of LPA stenoses could help to reduce the surgical risk of complex Fontan procedure by avoiding the need for cross-clamp or complex mediastinal dissections to perform a high-risk surgical repair.

Isolated Valve Amyloid Deposition in Aortic Stenosis: Potential Clinical and Pathophysiological Relevance.

Amyloid deposition within stenotic aortic valves (AVs) also appears frequent in the absence of cardiac amyloidosis, but its clinical and pathophysiological relevance has not been investigated. We will elucidate the rate of isolated AV amyloid deposition and its potential clinical and pathophysiological significance in aortic stenosis (AS). In 130 patients without systemic and/or cardiac amyloidosis, we collected the explanted AVs during cardiac surgery: 57 patients with calcific AS and 73 patients with AV insufficiency (41 with AV sclerosis and 32 without, who were used as controls). Amyloid deposition was found in 21 AS valves (37%), 4 sclerotic AVs (10%), and none of the controls. Patients with and without isolated AV amyloid deposition had similar clinical and echocardiographic characteristics and survival rates. Isolated AV amyloid deposition was associated with higher degrees of AV fibrosis (p = 0.0082) and calcification (p < 0.0001). Immunohistochemistry analysis suggested serum amyloid A1 (SAA1), in addition to transthyretin (TTR), as the protein possibly involved in AV amyloid deposition. Circulating SAA1 levels were within the normal range in all groups, and no difference was observed in AS patients with and without AV amyloid deposition. In vitro, AV interstitial cells (VICs) were stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1ß which induced increased SAA1-mRNA both in the control VICs (+6.4 ± 0.5, p = 0.02) and the AS VICs (+7.6 ± 0.5, p = 0.008). In conclusion, isolated AV amyloid deposition is frequent in the context of AS, but it does not appear to have potential clinical relevance. Conversely, amyloid deposition within AV leaflets, probably promoted by local inflammation, could play a role in AS pathophysiology.

The role of Del Nido Cardioplegia in reducing postoperative atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery in patients with impaired cardiac function.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) occurs in 20% to 40% of patients who underwent cardiac surgery and can compromise the postoperative course, especially in those with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. The most common causes are related to surgical trauma and the high variations in volemic and electrolyte balance in the postoperative period. OBJECTIVES: As cardioplegic solutions can significantly impact both these factors, the study aimed to assess the role of Del Nido (DN) cardioplegia on the onset of POAF. METHODS: A retrospective single-center analysis was carried out on 93 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery where cardioplegia was used. The patients were divided into two groups according to the cardioplegic solution (Cold Blood vs Del Nido), and perioperative outcomes were compared. RESULTS: POAF occurred in 21.5% of patients; the patients treated with cold blood cardioplegia (CBC) showed a 3-times higher rate of POAF compared to the DN group (OR: 3.44; 95% CI: 1.1 to 10.5; p = 0.029). The CBC group showed higher serum potassium levels both after the cross-clamp removal (p<0.001), at the ICU admission (p = 0.007), and during the first 3 postoperative days (p = 0.009). The defibrillation rate at cross-clamp removal (p = 0.003), the dose of postoperative epinephrine (p<0.001), and the peak of serum troponin (p = 0.01), were lower in the DN Group. CONCLUSION: DN cardioplegia showed significantly reduced POAF rates after cardiac surgery by acting on the electrolyte balance, myocardial protection and on the need for postoperative inotropic support.

Safety of del Nido cardioplegia during frozen elephant trunk procedure: A case report of first experience in complex aortic surgery.

We report the case of a 74 years-old male who underwent frozen elephant trunk due to a huge aortic arch aneurysm related to a type 1A endoleak after thoracic endovascular aortic repair where cardioplegic arrest was achieved using the Del Nido cardioplegia.

A Rare Case of Tricuspid Valve Libman-Sacks Endocarditis in a Pregnant Woman with Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome.

Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by acquired hypercoagulability with the possible development of venous, arterial, and microvascular thrombosis. We report a rare case of Libman-Sacks tricuspid valve endocarditis in a 38-year-old pregnant woman at 15 weeks gestation with unknown primary antiphospholipid syndrome. During a routine cardiac examination and echocardiography performed for a previous episode of pleuropericarditis, a large, mobile mass with irregular edges was found at the level of the tricuspid valve. Three main differential diagnoses for intramyocardial mass were examined: tumor, infective endocarditis, and nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NTBE). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) with contrast raised the suspicion of a thrombus. The woman was hospitalized urgently at the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit of the Federico II University Hospital, and anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy were started. The thrombophilic screening performed and medical history confirmed the diagnosis of primary antibody syndrome (APS). A multidisciplinary consultation with obstetricians, cardiologists, anesthetists, and cardiac surgeons was required. The patient decided not to terminate the pregnancy despite the risk to her health and to undergo cardiac surgery during pregnancy. Histological examination confirmed the presence of nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis. Weekly obstetric scans were performed after surgery to verify fetal well-being. An emergency cesarean section was performed at the 35th week of gestation due to repeated deceleration and abnormal short-term variability on c-CTG in a pregnancy complicated by fetal growth restriction and gestational hypertension. A newborn weighing 1290 g was born. She was hospitalized in Neonatal Intensive Care and discharged after two months; currently, she enjoys good health. The management of patients with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome has not yet been standardized, but there is a general consensus that patients who do not have thrombocytopenia, thromboembolic phenomena, or pregnancy should not undergo any treatment or should take only low doses of acetylsalicylic acid. In the presence of any of the above conditions, various treatment regimens have been used based on the severity and individuality of the case.

Impact of posterior pericardial drain and risk factors on late pericardial effusion after coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: The blood retained in posterior pericardium can trigger an inflammatory response that increases postoperative atrial fibrillations (POAFs), and it can complicate postoperative course. We retrospectively investigated the impact of a posterior pericardial drain (PPD) in reducing late postoperative pericardial effusion (pPE) and POAFs during the first 30 postoperative days. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty coronary artery bypass grafting patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of a PPD in addition to the anterior one. Perioperative data and the incidence of POAF were compared. Risk factor analysis was used to determine the predictors of pPE and postpericardiotomy syndrome. RESULTS: Late pPE was present in 16% of all patients. It proved to be much more frequent in patients with a posterior drain (odds ratio 2.58; 95% confidence interval 1.23-5.79; P  = 0.015) where it seemed to be almost mild and anterior. 'Anterior Drain' patients showed an increased rate of moderate ( P  < 0.001) and posterior effusions ( P  < 0.001). POAF was much more frequent in patients without a PPD (25.2 vs. 6.3%; P  < 0.001). Univariate risk factor analysis revealed a significant association between late pPE and lower preoperative weight ( P  = 0.003), lower preoperative and postoperative serum albumin ( P  < 0.001) and a greater amount of blood transfusion ( P  = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Even if a PPD is associated with a higher rate of pPE, the patients with only anterior drains were shown to have a greater amount of pericardial effusion and an increased risk of POAFs. Therefore, a PPD should be considered to improve postoperative course.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue-Derived IL-1ß Triggers Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation.

Background and aims: Post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF), defined as new-onset AF in the immediate period after surgery, is associated with poor adverse cardiovascular events and a higher risk of permanent AF. Mechanisms leading to POAF are not completely understood and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) inflammation could be a potent trigger. Here, we aim at exploring the link between EAT-secreted interleukin (IL)-1ß, atrial remodeling, and POAF in a population of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Methods: We collected EAT and atrial biopsies from 40 CAD patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Serum samples and EAT-conditioned media were screened for IL-1ß and IL-1ra. Atrial fibrosis was evaluated at histology. The potential role of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in promoting fibrosis was explored in vitro by exposing human atrial fibroblasts to IL-1ß and IL-18. Results: 40% of patients developed POAF. Patients with and without POAF were homogeneous for clinical and echocardiographic parameters, including left atrial volume and EAT thickness. POAF was not associated with atrial fibrosis at histology. No significant difference was observed in serum IL-1ß and IL-1ra levels between POAF and no-POAF patients. EAT-mediated IL-1ß secretion and expression were significantly higher in the POAF group compared to the no-POAF group. The in vitro study showed that both IL-1ß and IL-18 increase fibroblasts' proliferation and collagen production. Moreover, the stimulated cells perpetuated inflammation and fibrosis by producing IL-1ß and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß. Conclusion: EAT could exert a relevant role both in POAF occurrence and in atrial fibrotic remodeling.

Sars-Cov-2 infection as a possible risk factor for prosthesis endocarditis: A challenging redo-Bentall for subvalvular abscess.

BACKGROUND: Candida Parapsilosis is an unusual agent of prosthetic endocarditis in immunocompetent individuals but Coronavirus disease 2019 is reported to be associated with a transient immunodeficency that exposes patientes to opportunistic infections. CASE REPORT: We describe a dreadful case of Candida Parapsilosis endocarditis in a transient immunosuppressed patient recently infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome-Coronavirus 2019. CONCLUSION: Considering that the symptoms of Candida Parapsilosis infection and the symptoms of Coronavirus disease-2019 may overlap, it is important never to understimate the non-specific symptoms to improve patient outcome, especially in patient with previous Coronavirurs disease-2019 infection and with prosthetic material grafting.

The Norwood operation performed with the heart beating and no prosthetic materials.

The Norwood procedure performed with the heart beating is a useful and attractive way to perform the stage I palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. It allows completion of the surgical procedure without stopping the heart and without using deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest. Therefore it could be an attractive solution for reducing the adverse effects of the operation and the rate of postoperative complications. Moreover, this technique avoids the use of prosthetic materials, thus minimizing long-term complications and reoperations, and promotes a more physiological growth of the anatomical structures. However, the high level of expertise required to perform this type of complex neonatal procedure with the heart beating may be limited to only a few centers in the world thus far.

To Treat or Not to Treat? This Is the Question About the Incidental Finding of Double Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm in A 91-Year-Old Woman.

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is a very uncommon clinical finding and often requires emergency surgery due to its high risk of rupture. This educational text reports the case of a 91-year-old Italian women who was incidentally discovered to have a huge double aneurysm of the sinuses of Valsalva.

To Treat or Not to Treat? This Is the Question… About the Incidental Finding of Double Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm in A 91-Year-Old Woman

ABSTRACT Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is a very uncommon clinical finding and often requires emergency surgery due to its high risk of rupture. This educational text reports the case of a 91-year-old Italian women who was incidentally discovered to have a huge double aneurysm of the sinuses of Valsalva.

Inflammation and Cardiovascular Diseases in the Elderly: The Role of Epicardial Adipose Tissue.

Human aging is a complex phenomenon characterized by a wide spectrum of biological changes which impact on behavioral and social aspects. Age-related changes are accompanied by a decline in biological function and increased vulnerability leading to frailty, thereby advanced age is identified among the major risk factors of the main chronic human diseases. Aging is characterized by a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, also referred as inflammaging. It recognizes a multifactorial pathogenesis with a prominent role of the innate immune system activation, resulting in tissue degeneration and contributing to adverse outcomes. It is widely recognized that inflammation plays a central role in the development and progression of numerous chronic and cardiovascular diseases. In particular, low-grade inflammation, through an increased risk of atherosclerosis and insulin resistance, promote cardiovascular diseases in the elderly. Low-grade inflammation is also promoted by visceral adiposity, whose accumulation is paralleled by an increased inflammatory status. Aging is associated to increase in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), the visceral fat depot of the heart. Structural and functional changes in EAT have been shown to be associated with several heart diseases, including coronary artery disease, aortic stenosis, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure. EAT increase is associated with a greater production and secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators and neuro-hormones, so that thickened EAT can pathologically influence, in a paracrine and vasocrine manner, the structure and function of the heart and is associated to a worse cardiovascular outcome. In this review, we will discuss the evidence underlying the interplay between inflammaging, EAT accumulation and cardiovascular diseases. We will examine and discuss the importance of EAT quantification, its characteristics and changes with age and its clinical implication.

Incidental finding of rare and huge asymptomatic pseudoaneurysm after Bentall procedure: A challenging case report.

We report the case of a 62-year-old male who underwent urgent cardiac surgery due to the incidental finding of a huge and asymptomatic coronary button pseudoaneurysm at an 18-month outpatients clinic follow-up requiring a very complex preoperative planning.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue and Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) often occurs after cardiac surgery and is associated with increased risk of stroke and mortality. Prior studies support the important role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). It is known that an increased volume and a pro-inflammatory phenotype of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) are both associated with AF onset in non surgical context. In the present study, we aim to evaluate whether also POAF occurrence may be triggered by an increased production of inflammatory mediators from EAT. METHODS: The study population was composed of 105 patients, with no history of paroxysmal or permanent AF, undergoing elective cardiac surgery. After clinical evaluation, all patients performed an echocardiographic study including the measurement of EAT thickness. Serum samples and EAT biopsies were collected before surgery. Levels of 10 inflammatory cytokines were measured in serum and EAT conditioned media. After surgery, cardiac rhythm was monitored for 7 days. RESULTS: Forty-four patients (41.3%) developed POAF. As regard to cardiovascular therapy, only statin use was significantly lower in POAF patients (65.1% vs. 84.7%; p-0.032). Levels of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1), in both serum and EAT, were significantly higher in POAF patients (130.1 pg/ml vs. 68.7 pg/ml; p = <0.001; 322.4 pg/ml vs. 153.4 pg/ml; p = 0.028 respectively). EAT levels of IL-6 were significantly increased in POAF patients compared to those in sinus rhythm (SR) (126.3 pg/ml vs. 23 pg/ml; p = <0.005). CONCLUSION: Higher EAT levels of IL-6 and MCP-1 are significantly associated with the occurrence of POAF. Statin therapy seems to play a role in preventing POAF. These results might pave the way for a targeted use of these drugs in the perioperative period.

How Would the Authors Treat Their Own Temporary Left Ventricular Failure With Mechanical Circulatory Support?

In the last 20 years, mechanical circulatory supports (MCS) have overturned completely the outcomes and the clinical recovery of patients with isolated acute left ventricle failure (iALVF). This usually occurs more frequently than right-sided heart failure or biventricular dysfunction, and it mainly is caused by acute myocardial infarction. The primary role of MCS is to restore the tissue metabolism to preserve the vital organs' function but, on the other hand, they also have to relieve the workload stress on the heart. In this way, they allow not only the heart to recover from the acute event, but MCS also can stabilize the patient toward cardiac transplantation. The short-term MCS devices currently used in clinical practice are the intraaortic balloon pump, the Impella (Abiomed, Danvers, MA), and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO), but the choice of the right and tailored device for each patient, as well as the timing to use it, is actually one of the most debated topics of MCS management.