Dual titration of minute ventilation and sweep gas flow to control carbon dioxide variations in patients on venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: The implantation of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) support to manage severe acute respiratory distress syndrome generates large variations in carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO2) that are associated with intracranial bleeding. We assessed the feasibility and efficacy of a pragmatic protocol for progressive dual titration of sweep gas flow and minute ventilation after VV-ECMO implantation in order to limit significant PaCO2 variations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A protocol for dual titration of sweep gas flow and minute ventilation following VV-ECMO implantation was implemented in our unit in September 2020. In this single-centre retrospective before-after study, we included patients who required VV-ECMO from March, 2020 to May, 2021, which corresponds to two time periods: from March to August, 2020 (control group) and from September, 2020 to May, 2021 (protocol group). The primary endpoint was the mean absolute change in PaCO2 in consecutive arterial blood gases samples drawn over the first 12 h following VV-ECMO implantation. Secondary endpoints included large (> 25 mmHg) initial variations in PaCO2, intracranial bleedings and mortality in both groups. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients required VV-ECMO in our unit during the study period, including 24 in the control group and 27 in the protocol group. The protocol was proved feasible. The 12-h mean absolute change in PaCO2 was significantly lower in patients of the protocol group as compared with their counterparts (7 mmHg [6-12] vs. 12 mmHg [6-24], p = 0.007). Patients of the protocol group experienced less large initial variations in PaCO2 immediately after ECMO implantation (7% vs. 29%, p = 0.04) and less intracranial bleeding (4% vs. 25%, p = 0.04). Mortality was similar in both groups (35% vs. 46%, p = 0.42). CONCLUSION: Implementation of our protocol for dual titration of minute ventilation and sweep gas flow was feasible and associated with less initial PaCO2 variation than usual care. It was also associated with less intracranial bleeding.

Surgery for delayed leaflet impingement after transcatheter closure of a paravalvular leak associated with an aortic pseudoaneurysm.

Background: Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a recognized and challenging complication after surgical or transcatheter valve replacement. The transcatheter closure of PVL has become the first-line treatment in clinical practice when the procedure is not contraindicated. Transcatheter PVL closure rests on a complex procedure and complications still occur in approximately 9% of patients. Case Report: We describe the case of a delayed mechanical prosthetic leaflet impingement after transcatheter closure of a paravalvular leak associated with a Valsalva pseudoaneurysm that required an urgent surgery. Conclusion: Aorta-left ventricle communication could be a relative contraindication to be assessed on a case-by-case basis, but transcatheter closure does not preclude subsequent attempt for surgical repair and outcome.

Postinflammatory rupture of right coronary artery ostium complicating Behçet disease.

INTRODUCTION: Behçet disease (BD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, characterized by variable clinical manifestations. METHODS: A 28-year-old woman with BD Cardiovascular and Bipolar Disorder underwent emergency surgical treatment of ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm for ruptured right coronary ostium.A modified Bentall procedure with tricuspid annuloplasty, surgical thrombectomy, and a single coronary artery bypass using a saphenous vein graft was performed. A biological prosthesis was used initially but subsequently deteriorated. We then successfully performed a valve-in-valve (ViV) transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). RESULTS: The postoperative recovery was uneventful and at follow-up, two years post valve procedure, the patient was completely symptom-free. She remains under long-term medical surveillance. CONCLUSION: The management of BD with cardiac involvement must be led by a multidisciplinary team.

The antegrade reperfusion test avoids the risk of mitral regurgitation recurrence optimizing valve repair.

Saline injection into the left ventricle trough mitral valve (saline test) is the most commonly used intraoperative assessment method in mitral valve repair. However, potential discrepancies between the saline test findings and intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography results after the weaning of cardiopulmonary by-pass, remain significant. Here, we describe a new antegrade reperfusion test, reproducing intraoperatively, the physiologic conditions of loaded and beating heart for direct transatrial evaluation of valve tightness. The proposed test is performed by perfusing warm oxygenated blood into the aortic root under cross-clamping. From February 2016 to December 2018, 91 patients (mean age: 63 ± 11 years) underwent mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation. In all of them, the classic saline test was completed with the newly proposed antegrade test. We report our results with this combined approach. Data were obtained from the medical records and our mitral valve repair database. In 32 (35.1%) patients, evident or undetectable minor regurgitation at the saline test were respectively unconfirmed or detected by the antegrade reperfusion test leading to their complete correction. In only three patients (3.2%) major discrepancies was present between the intraoperative evaluation and the post-pump transesophageal echocardiography. Two of them (2.1%) required a second cardiopulmonary bypass run to fix the residual regurgitation. The antegrade reperfusion test is a simple dynamic intraoperative approach mimicking the physiological conditions of ventricular systole for mitral valve repair evaluation. Combined with the classic saline test, it seems to be a valuable additional intraoperative tool, enabling a more predictable repair result.

Successful Use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Postpartum as Rescue Therapy in a Woman With COVID-19.

Clinical manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnant women, in contrast to previous outbreaks, seem to be similar to those of nonpregnant women. During severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), SARS influenza A, and Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreaks, an increased severity of disease among pregnant women was observed. In some pregnant women, respiratory failure can occur and progress quickly to acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a rescue therapy. Despite a lack of current guidelines on the use of ECMO in pregnant or postpartum women, this support therapy is an effective salvage therapy for patients with cardiac and/or respiratory failure, and is associated with favorable maternal and fetal outcomes. Herein, the authors report a case of severe COVID-19 disease in a pregnant patient after urgent cesarean delivery, who was treated successfully with ECMO during the postpartum. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation should be considered early when conventional therapy is ineffective, and it is essential to refer to ECMO expert centers.

Valvular surgery in donor hearts before orthotopic heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Donor heart shortage has extended the waiting time and increased the mortality of patients on the transplant waiting list. Widening old standard donor criteria has successfully increased the number of heart transplantations, but for many years, a valve disease in a donor heart has been considered a primary contraindication for organ donation. AIMS: To analyse the results of aortic and mitral valvular surgery in marginal donor hearts with valvulopathy before orthotopic heart transplantation. METHODS: Between January 2012 and November 2015, we performed 53 heart transplantations in our department. In four donors, echocardiography performed at the time of organ procurement showed a valvular disease: three had moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation; and one had moderately severe aortic valve stenosis. RESULTS: The mean bench mitral repair and aortic replacement time, aortic cross-clamp time and total ischaemic time were: 18 (range 7-25) minutes, 78.7 (range 57-98) minutes and 184 (range 89-255) minutes, respectively. Intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography showed good mitral repair or aortic prosthetic valve function, and good right and left ventricular function. One patient died of infectious pneumonia after 1 month. The mean duration of follow-up for the patients discharged home was 75±13 months, and all have returned to an active unrestricted lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: Our limited series demonstrates that conventional valvular procedures performed on otherwise healthy donor hearts with mitral and aortic valve pathology can efficaciously expand the donor pool for orthotopic cardiac transplantation and decrease the mortality rate on the waiting list.

Floating thrombus in the ascending aorta revealed by peripheral arterial embolism.

A floating thrombus in the ascending aorta is rarely found in clinical practice and is an uncommon cause of peripheral arterial embolization. When there is minimal atherosclerosis or a normal aorta, the management of such a lesion is poorly defined. Currently, there is no clear consensus concerning optimal treatment. Herein, we report 2 cases of ascending aortic thrombus that are complicated by a peripheral embolic event. Due to the risk of recurrent systemic embolism, particularly with strokes, surgical thrombectomy with ascending aortic wall replacements was performed. We believe that floating ascending aorta thrombus represents a serious source of systemic embolism and stroke. Surgical removal is easy to perform with good clinical outcomes. Conservative treatments such as anticoagulation or thromboaspiration may be considered in high-risk or inoperable patients.

Late cardiovascular complication after varicose vein endovascular ablation.

Venous insufficiency of the lower limbs is one of the most common vascular disorders affecting millions of people worldwide. Endovascular techniques are considered by current guidelines as simple, safe and effective. Persistence or even migration of foreign bodies after varicose vein endovascular surgery is a rare and unfeared complication. Herein, we present the case of a 39-year-old woman who underwent endoluminal treatment of varicose veins >2 years ago and she was admitted to our department for late cardiovascular complication caused by catheter or guidewire rupture and the dissemination of its fragments in the inferior vena cava, right heart chambers, liver and pulmonary arteries. A systematic verification of the length and integrity of the devices should be performed at the end of every endovascular procedure.

Spontaneous mechanical rupture of a papillary muscle effectively resolved by mitral valve repair.

We report a case of spontaneous mechanical papillary muscle rupture. In theory, the papillary muscle works as a shock absorber that compensates for geometric changes of left ventricular wall. We believe that the aetiology of papillary muscle rupture, in this case, is linked to the physical and mechanical strains exerted on the papillary. We performed a mitral valve repair with excellent short- and long-term results.

Assessment of the position of retrograde cardioplegia catheter: comparison of hemodynamic versus manual evaluation in a prospective randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a hemodynamic method for the assessment of the position of the retrograde cardioplegia catheter (RCC) versus conventional Manual Assessment. METHODS: We randomized 200 patients undergoing aortic valve surgery to Manual (n = 101) or Hemodynamic Assessment (n = 99). In the Hemodynamic group a 25% pressure increase at the tip of the RCC when a fistula with the ascending aorta was created via a luer-lock was considered indicative of correct RCC placement. Transesophageal echocardiography was used as a comparison evaluation method. RESULTS: The Hemodynamic and Manual Assessment considered the RCC positioning successful in 89.9% versus 85.1% of cases. Echocardiography confirmed these results in Hemodynamic group but revealed 23 cases of misrecognized incorrect placement in the Manual group (p < 0.0001). Manual maneuvers resulted in 18 cases of secondary displacement and 19 cases of hemodynamic instability (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The Hemodynamic Method is quantitative, reproducible, highly reliable, and safer than palpation in the posterior atrioventricular groove.

Long-term survival and quality of life of patients with prolonged postoperative intensive care unit stay: unmasking an apparent success.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate the long-term survival and quality of life of patients who faced a prolonged (>10 days) postoperative stay in the intensive care unit and were discharged from the hospital. METHODS: Among 3125 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac operations in a 5-year period, we prospectively identified 57 who faced a prolonged postoperative intensive care unit stay and were discharged alive from the hospital. Patients were enrolled in a prospective follow-up protocol and evaluated every 6 to 12 months both clinically and instrumentally. RESULTS: Mean intensive care unit stay was 34 +/- 9 days (range 11-141 days). Follow-up was complete and mean follow-up time was 71 months. Overall survival was 12 (21%) of 57, and the majority of follow-up deaths were cardiac related. Of the surviving patients, only a small minority (4/12) regained full autonomy and returned to their previous lifestyle. Risk factors for prolonged intensive care unit stay were age, New York Heart Association/Canadian Cardiovascular Society class, hypertension, diabetes, low ejection fraction, aortic surgery, preoperative renal failure, nonelective surgery, prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time, and perioperative use of aortic counterpulsator. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who face a prolonged postoperative intensive care unit stay and who were discharged from the hospital have a very poor long-term outcome and even worse quality of life. These data lead to a consideration of the wisdom of using heroic treatment in patients who face a prolonged postoperative intensive care unit stay in view of the dismal clinical results and enormous use of hospital and human resources.

Polydioxanone sternal sutures for prevention of sternal dehiscence.

BACKGROUND: Sternal dehiscence and wound instability are troublesome complications following median sternotomy. Classic sternal approximation with stainless steel wires may not be the ideal approach in patients predisposed to these complications. We tested the efficacy of polydioxanone (PDS) suture in sternal closure and in prevention of complications in comparison to steel wires in high-risk individuals. METHODS: Three hundred sixty-six patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with full median sternotomy and having body surface area (BSA) less than 1.5 m(2) were randomly assigned to receive PDS (n = 181) or stainless steel (SS, n = 185) sternal approximation. The study was focused on aseptic sternal complications, namely bone dehiscence and superficial wound instability. RESULTS: Both bone dehiscence and superficial wound instability were less frequent in the PDS Group (4 and 3 cases in the SS Group, respectively, vs. no cases in the PDS Group). Cox proportional hazards regression model in the whole study population identified female sex, chronic renal insufficiency, diabetes, advanced age, lower sternal thickness, osteoporosis, corticosteroid therapy, and prolonged CPB or ventilation times as predisposing factors to any of the two studied sternal complications. DISCUSSION: Data suggest that PDS suture can protect against development of aseptic sternal complications following median sternotomy in high-risk patients with little body mass. The adoption of PDS in other subsets of patients, i.e., obese individuals, is to be questioned.

Repeat valvular operations: bench optimization of conventional surgery.

BACKGROUND: Repeat heart valve operations have become a quite common procedure. We reviewed our experience with reoperative valvular surgery during a 6-year period to assess the risk factors affecting in-hospital mortality and medium-term survival. METHODS: A series of 316 redo procedures performed on a total of 290 patients in the period between 1997 and 2002 at our institution was retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was 3.8%; overall mortality at the end of a 30-month follow-up was 9.3%. We identified advanced New York Heart Association class, advanced age, depressed ejection fraction, emergent or urgent presentation, impairment of renal function, and involvement of tricuspid valve as predictors of mortality. In contrast, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass and multiple valve procedure were not associated with increased short-term risk. CONCLUSIONS: The present study is characterized by particular attention in reducing confounding variables and biases correlated to heterogeneities. The main determinants of mortality are related to the degree of patients' illness rather than to inherent technical factors of reoperations. Although highest-risk individuals (previous coronary artery bypass grafting or coexistence of aortic aneurysm) were excluded from the study, our data suggest that patients undergoing isolated redo valvular procedures now face operative risks that are comparable to primary intervention.