Hyperlactatemia and poor outcome After postcardiotomy veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: An individual patient data meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Postcardiotomy veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A-ECMO) is associated with significant mortality. Identification of patients at very high risk for death is elusive and the decision to initiate V-A-ECMO is based on clinical judgment. The prognostic impact of pre-V-A-ECMO arterial lactate level in these critically ill patients has been herein evaluated. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted to identify studies on postcardiotomy VA-ECMO for the present individual patient data meta-analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 1269 patients selected from 10 studies were included in this analysis. Arterial lactate level at V-A-ECMO initiation was increased in patients who died during the index hospitalization compared to those who survived (9.3 vs 6.6 mmol/L, p < 0.0001). Accordingly, in hospital mortality increased along quintiles of pre-V-A-ECMO arterial lactate level (quintiles: 1, 54.9%; 2, 54.9%; 3, 67.3%; 4, 74.2%; 5, 82.2%, p < 0.0001). The best cut-off for arterial lactate was 6.8 mmol/L (in-hospital mortality, 76.7% vs. 55.7%, p < 0.0001). Multivariable multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression model including arterial lactate level significantly increased the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (0.731, 95% CI 0.702-0.760 vs 0.679, 95% CI 0.648-0.711, DeLong test p < 0.0001). Classification and regression tree analysis showed the in-hospital mortality was 85.2% in patients aged more than 70 years with pre-V-A-ECMO arterial lactate level ≥6.8 mmol/L. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients requiring postcardiotomy V-A-ECMO, hyperlactatemia was associated with a marked increase of in-hospital mortality. Arterial lactate may be useful in guiding the decision-making process and the timing of initiation of postcardiotomy V-A-ECMO.

Extracorporeal Life Support for Cardiogenic Shock in Octogenarians: Single Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: The age limit for the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for post-cardiotomy cardiac failure is not defined. The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcomes of octogenarians supported with ECMO due to cardiogenic shock. METHODS: A retrospective review of consecutive elderly patients supported with ECMO during a 13-year period in a tertiary care center. Patient's demographic variables, comorbidities, perioperative data and outcomes were collected from patient medical records. Data of octogenarian patients were compared with the septuagenarian group. The main outcomes of the study was in hospital mortality, 6-month survival and 1-year survival after hospital discharge and discharge options. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with hospital survival. RESULTS: Eleven patients (18.3%) in the elderly group were octogenarians (aged 80 years or above), and forty-nine (81.7%) were septuagenarians (aged 70-79 years). There were no differences except age in demographic and preoperative variables between groups. Pre ECMO SAVE, SOFA, SAPS-II and inotropic scores were significantly higher in septuagenarians than octogenarians. There was no statistically significant difference in hospital mortality, 6-month survival, 1 year survival or discharge options between groups. CONCLUSIONS: ECMO could be successfully used in selected octogenarian patients undergoing cardiac surgery to support a failing heart. An early decision to initiate ECMO therapy in elderly post-cardiotomy shock patients is associated with favorable outcomes.

Central versus Peripheral Postcardiotomy Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Systematic Review and Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether peripheral arterial cannulation is superior to central arterial cannulation for postcardiotomy veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). METHODS: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to identify studies on postcardiotomy VA-ECMO for the present individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis. Analysis was performed according to the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: The investigators of 10 studies agreed to participate in the present IPD meta-analysis. Overall, 1269 patients were included in the analysis. Crude rates of in-hospital mortality after central versus peripheral arterial cannulation for VA-ECMO were 70.7% vs. 63.7%, respectively (adjusted OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.08-1.75). Propensity score matching yielded 538 pairs of patients with balanced baseline characteristics and operative variables. Among these matched cohorts, central arterial cannulation VA-ECMO was associated with significantly higher in-hospital mortality compared to peripheral arterial cannulation VA-ECMO (64.5% vs. 70.8%, p = 0.027). These findings were confirmed by aggregate data meta-analysis, which showed that central arterial cannulation was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality compared to peripheral arterial cannulation (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.04-1.76, I2 21%). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients requiring postcardiotomy VA-ECMO, central arterial cannulation was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality compared to peripheral arterial cannulation. This increased risk is of limited magnitude, and further studies are needed to confirm the present findings and to identify the mechanisms underlying the potential beneficial effects of peripheral VA-ECMO.

A Comparison of the Catheter-Based Transapical and Surgical Treatment Modalities for Mitral Paravalvular Leak.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of studies where the outcomes of mitral paravalvular leak treatment were compared between surgery and catheter-based closure. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of re-do surgery with transapical catheter-based paravalvular leak closure. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study at a single institution; 76 patients were included. According to the treatment, two groups were formed: the "Surgical" group (49 patients after re-do surgery) and the "Catheter" group (27 patients after transapical catheter-based treatment). RESULTS: In-hospital myocardial infarction occurred in 9 (18%) cases in the "Surgical" group and none in the "Catheter" group, p = 0.018. Procedure-related life-threatening bleeding occurred in 9 (18%) patients in the "Surgical" group and none in the "Catheter" group, p = 0.018. Nine (18%) patients died in 30 days in the "Surgical" group, and none died in the "Catheter" group, p = 0.039. A mean follow-up was 3.3 years. No difference was found between the groups by the degree of residual paravalvular regurgitation either at discharge or at follow-up. During the follow-up, 19 (39%) patients died in the "Surgical" group and 2 (7%) among the "Catheter" patients. CONCLUSIONS: Transapical catheter-based closure of mitral paravalvular leak seems to be a safer treatment procedure than conventional re-do surgery, and the effectiveness of these procedures does not differ.

Technical Recommendations for Real-Time Echocardiography and Fluoroscopy Imaging Fusion in Catheter-Based Mitral Valve Paravalvular Leak and Other Procedures.

Widespread catheter-based interventions for structural heart disease have overtaken the treatment of paravalvular leaks (PVL). Multimodality imaging techniques play a crucial role in accurate diagnosis, procedure planning and performance. However, PVL closure is often technically challenging due to the complex anatomy of the defects and their relation to surrounding anatomical structures. The application of echocardiography and fluoroscopy imaging fusion (EFF) may simplify challenging imaginative three-dimensional reconstruction of the intracardiac anatomy and facilitate the procedure. To master new technology, personnel must make cognitive changes, overcome a learning curve, and obtain adequate theoretical knowledge. Main aim of this manuscript is to present basic recommendations for EFF application in practice, alongside, each scenario is supported by technically challenging clinical examples. We may conclude that our manuscript may provide useful information for physicians on EEF application in clinical practice.

Kidney transplantation from a SARS-CoV-2-positive donor for the recipients with immunity after COVID-19.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is evolving very quickly and has affected healthcare systems worldwide. Many uncertainties remain about transplantation from a SARS-CoV-2-positive donor as only a few cases have been reported. Here, we present the successful transplantation of 2 kidneys from a 52-year-old male donor with active (2 weeks of COVID-19-like symptoms and positive nasopharyngeal swab SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction on the day of organ recovery) SARS-CoV-2 disease. The immediate postoperative course of both recipients was uneventful. This case emphasizes that patients with SARS-CoV-2 may be safe organ donors.

Evaluation of risk factors for adverse outcome in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-supported elderly postcardiotomy patients.

BACKGROUND: Recently extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is becoming the commonly used mechanical assist device for the treatment of severe cardiogenic shock in postcardiotomy patients. Evaluation of risk factors of negative outcome would be beneficial in decision-making in the elderly patient population. METHODS: This was a retrospective single-centre analysis of elderly patients who underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation treatment for refractory cardiogenic shock in a tertiary care centre. Demographic data, comorbidities and perioperative parameters were collected to evaluate their impact on the outcome of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation treatment in this patient group. Logistic regression analysis of the variables was performed to identify factors predicting an adverse outcome. RESULTS: Forty consecutive elderly patients underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation treatment during the study period. The mean age was 76.7 ± 3.8 years, 27 (68%) were male. The mean Survival after Veno-Arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation score before initiating extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was - 11 ± 6. Intra-aortic counterpulsation was used as the first-line mechanical support in 31 (77%) patients. The mean duration of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was 172 ± 128 hours. Twenty-four patients (56%) were successfully weaned from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and 8 (20%) survived to hospital discharge. Lactate level before extracorporeal membrane oxygenation initiation was the only predictor of unfavourable outcome in multivariate analysis (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: High lactate level before initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was the most important prognostic values of an unfavourable outcome.

Successful extracorporeal membrane oxygenation assisted revascularisation in a high-risk elderly patient refused surgical treatment.

Management of high-risk elderly patients requiring revascularisation remains a clinical challenge. We report a case of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) assisted complex percutaneous coronary intervention in a  high-risk octogenarian. An 83-year-old female with signs of worsening heart failure was admitted to the emergency department of a tertiary care facility. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a  decreased left ventricular ejection fraction of 20% with severe mitral regurgitation and mild aortic and tricuspid valve insufficiency. Three-vessel disease was found during coronary angiography. Due to the patient's frailty, a high-risk surgery decision to proceed with ECMO assisted percutaneous coronary intervention was made during a heart team meeting. Following initiation of mechanical support, coronary lesions were treated with three drug-eluting stents. After the procedure, the patient was transferred to the ICU on ECMO support, where she was successfully weaned from the device 9 h later. Her ICU stay was four days. She was successfully discharged from the hospital after uneventful recovery. At one-year's follow-up, the patient was clinically stable in an overall state of general well-being and with complete participation in routine activities; she had good exercise tolerance and no signs of ischemia. This report highlights the possibility of use of ECMO during PCI in high-risk elderly patients.

Bioelectrical Impedance Phase Angle-Predictor of Blood Transfusion in Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether bioelectrical impedance-derived phase angle (PA) can be a predictor of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. DESIGN: An observational retrospective study of prospectively collected data. SETTING: Single center, tertiary referral university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: The study sample comprised 642 adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patient demographic and clinical variables were collected. The body composition of the patients was evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) the day prior to surgery. The rates of postoperative RBC transfusion were recorded. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among the 642 patients (67.8% men, median age of 66 [range 59-73]) included in the present study, 210 (32.7%) received at least 1 RBC unit postoperatively. Hypertension, preoperative stroke, renal failure, preoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit values, BIA-derived PA, aortic crossclamp time, and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time were associated with the risk of RBC transfusion in the univariate analysis, and were included in the final multivariate regression model. Preoperative stroke (odds ratio [OR] 0.394; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.183-0.848; p = 0.017), preoperative hemoglobin values (OR 0.943; 95% CI: 0.928-0.960; p < 0.001), PA <15th percentile (OR 2.326; 95% CI: 1.351-4.000; p = 0.002), and CPB time (OR 1.013; 95% CI: 1.008-1.018; p < 0.001) were identified as independent predictors of RBC transfusion. CONCLUSION: Several factors were identified to be associated significantly with postoperative RBC transfusion in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Among the conventional predictors, the value of the BIA-derived PA was indicated as a potent prognostic tool.

Retrospective analysis of single-center early and midterm results of transapical catheter-based mitral paravalvular leak closure with a purpose-specific device.

INTRODUCTION: Due to the recent lack of definitions to establish the severity of paravalvular leak (PVL) and endpoints for its treatment, the effectiveness and safety of a new device for PVL closure have not been comprehensively analyzed. AIM: To analyze a single center's experience of mitral PVL closure in a surgical transapical catheter-based fashion with a purpose-specific device. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients following transapical catheter-based mitral PVL closure with a purpose-specific device. Data were analyzed at baseline, perioperatively, at discharge, at six months and annually after the procedure. RESULTS: Nineteen patients underwent surgical transapical catheter-based mitral PVL closure with the Occlutech PLD Occluder. Mean follow-up time was 20 ±7 (range: 9-33) months. The patients' mean age was 64 ±7 years, and 11 (58%) were male. Technical, device and individual patient success at follow-up was achieved in 18 (95%), 16 (84%) and 16 (84%) patients respectively. Median intensive therapy unit stay was one day (1-4) and mean hospital stay was 11 ±4 days. A reduction of paravalvular regurgitation to a mild or lesser degree was achieved in 18 (95%) patients. There were no strokes or myocardial infarctions at follow-up. There were no deaths at 30 days after the procedure. One (5%) patient expired due to progression of heart failure 12 months after surgery. None of the patients required immediate conversion to full sternotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical transapical catheter-based mitral PVL closure with the Occlutech PLD Occluder is a safe and clinically effective treatment.

Outcomes of a percutaneous coronary intervention versus coronary artery bypass grafting in octogenarians.

BACKGROUND: The data on long-term outcomes for elderly patients with coronary artery disease who undergo invasive treatment is limited. This study aimed to assess long-term outcomes and risk factors for patients over 80 years of age who underwent revascularisation. METHODS: This single-centre retrospective study included ≥80-year-old patients who underwent coronary angiography between 2012 and 2014. Among 590 study patients, 411 patients had significant angiographic changes and had either a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) performed. Baseline patient characteristics, including demographics, comorbidities, survival to hospital discharge, and long term mortality were analysed. Three-year mortality was assessed. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty-nine (89.8%) patients underwent PCI and in 42 (10.2%) CABG was performed. Significant differences between groups were detected in heart failure (PCI - 51.2% vs. CABG - 78.6%; p = 0.001), previous CABG (11.4% vs. 0%; p = 0.014), cardiogenic shock (12.2% vs. 0%; p = 0.008). Hospital mortality rate in the PCI group - 10.6%, CABG - 7.1%; p = 0.787. A median 3-year survival rate in the PCI group - 66.1%, CABG - 66.7%; p = 1.000. Chronic heart failure (OR 2.442; 95% CI: 1.530-3.898, p < 0.001), atrial fibrillation (OR 0.425; 95% CI: 0.261-0.692, p < 0.001), cardiogenic shock (OR 0.120; 95% CI: 0.054-0.270, p = 0.001), and LMCA stenosis (OR 2.104; 95% CI: 1.281-3.456, p = 0.003) were identified as independent 3-year all-cause mortality predictors in multivariate regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in hospital mortality and survival rates between elderly patients who underwent PCI or CAGB. The majority of elderly patients underwent a PCI and these patients appeared to experience cardiogenic shock more frequently.

Long-term results of minimally invasive stand-alone bi-atrial surgical ablation with a bipolar ablation device for persistent and longstanding persistent AF: a single-center case series of 91 patients.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive surgical treatment of lone atrial fibrillation (AF) is an alternative for AF that is refractory to medical treatment. We present long-term results of standalone surgical ablation of AF using a bipolar ablation device in 91 consecutive patients. METHODS: This was an observational, retrospective study of 91 patients (77 % males; mean age, 53 ± 10 years [range, 23-75 years]) who underwent minimally invasive standalone surgical ablation of persistent and longstanding persistent AF using a bipolar ablation device from 2008 to 2014. Mean follow-up was 60 ± 21 months. The absence of arrhythmia was confirmed at 3, 6, and 12 months, and annually thereafter, with 24-hour Holter monitoring. RESULTS: The mean duration of preoperative AF was 6.5 ± 5.4 years. Persistent AF was present in 86 % of patients and longstanding persistent AF in 14 %. Mean left atrial diameter was 4.3 ± 0.8 cm. There were two postoperative strokes (2 %) and three conversions to median sternotomy (3 %). Permanent pacemakers were implanted in six (7 %) patients. There were no intra- or postoperative deaths. At 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years postoperatively, freedom from AF was 59, 45, 41, 38, and 38 % of patients, respectively. The failure to achieve pulmonary vein isolation was the only independent predictor of long-term recurrence of AF (HR -3 [95 % CI 1,858 to 8,586], p = 0,001). There was a tendency towards higher rates of SR at long term follow up in patients with pulmonary vein isolation if division of ligament of Marshall was performed (HR - 2 [95 % CI 0.987 to 4,202], p = 0,067). CONCLUSIONS: In the present series, the efficacy of epicardial surgical ablation was similar to that reported previously. The rate of arrhythmia recurrence increased over time. Achieving pulmonary vein isolation is essential to AF elimination. The division of ligament of Marshall could contribute to improved rates of SR restoration in patients with persistent or long-standing persistent AF if PVI is achieved.