Impact of COVID-19 on incidence and outcomes of post-infarction mechanical complications in Europe.

OBJECTIVES: Post-acute myocardial infarction mechanical complications (post-AMI MCs) represent rare but life-threatening conditions, including free-wall rupture, ventricular septal rupture and papillary muscle rupture. During the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, an overwhelming pressure on healthcare systems led to delayed and potentially suboptimal treatments for time-dependent conditions. As AMI-related hospitalizations decreased, limited information is available whether higher rates of post-AMI MCs and related deaths occurred in this setting. This study was aimed to assess how COVID-19 in Europe has impacted the incidence, treatment and outcome of MCs. METHODS: The CAUTION-COVID19 study is a multicentre retrospective study collecting 175 patients with post-AMI MCs in 18 centres from 6 European countries, aimed to compare the incidence of such events, related patients' characteristics, and outcomes, between the first year of pandemic and the 2 previous years. RESULTS: A non-significant increase in MCs was observed [odds ratio (OR) = 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.85-1.57; P = 0.364], with stronger growth in ventricular septal rupture diagnoses (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 0.95-2.18; P = 0.090). No significant differences in treatment types and mortality were found between the 2 periods. In-hospital mortality was 50.9% and was higher for conservatively managed cases (90.9%) and lower for surgical patients (44.0%). Patients admitted during COVID-19 more frequently had late-presenting infarction (OR = 2.47, 95% CI 1.24-4.92; P = 0.010), more stable conditions (OR = 2.61, 95% CI 1.27-5.35; P = 0.009) and higher EuroSCORE II (OR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.06; P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: A non-significant increase in MCs incidence occurred during the first year of COVID-19, characterized by a significantly higher rate of late-presenting infarction, stable conditions and EuroSCORE-II if compared to pre-pandemic data, without affecting treatment and mortality.

Three Logistic Predictive Models for the Prediction of Mortality and Major Pulmonary Complications after Cardiac Surgery.

Background and Objectives: Pulmonary complications are a leading cause of morbidity after cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to develop models to predict postoperative lung dysfunction and mortality. Materials and Methods: This was a single-center, observational, retrospective study. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 11,285 adult patients who underwent all types of cardiac surgery from 2003 to 2015. We developed logistic predictive models for in-hospital mortality, postoperative pulmonary complications occurring in the intensive care unit, and postoperative non-invasive mechanical ventilation when clinically indicated. Results: In the "preoperative model" predictors for mortality were advanced age (p < 0.001), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class (p < 0.001) and emergent surgery (p = 0.036); predictors for non-invasive mechanical ventilation were advanced age (p < 0.001), low ejection fraction (p = 0.023), higher body mass index (p < 0.001) and preoperative renal failure (p = 0.043); predictors for postoperative pulmonary complications were preoperative chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p = 0.007), preoperative kidney injury (p < 0.001) and NYHA class (p = 0.033). In the "surgery model" predictors for mortality were intraoperative inotropes (p = 0.003) and intraoperative intra-aortic balloon pump (p < 0.001), which also predicted the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications. There were no specific variables in the surgery model predicting the use of non-invasive mechanical ventilation. In the "intensive care unit model", predictors for mortality were postoperative kidney injury (p < 0.001), tracheostomy (p < 0.001), inotropes (p = 0.029) and PaO2/FiO2 ratio at discharge (p = 0.028); predictors for non-invasive mechanical ventilation were kidney injury (p < 0.001), inotropes (p < 0.001), blood transfusions (p < 0.001) and PaO2/FiO2 ratio at the discharge (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this retrospective study, we identified the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative characteristics associated with mortality and complications following cardiac surgery.

TRI-SCORE: a single-centre validation study.

OBJECTIVES: The TRI-SCORE is a recently published risk score for predicting in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing isolated tricuspid valve surgery (ITVS). The aim of this study is to externally validate the ability of the TRI-SCORE in predicting in-hospital and long-term mortality following ITVS. METHODS: A retrospective review of our institutional database was carried out to identify all patients undergoing isolated tricuspid valve repair or replacement from March 1997 to March 2021. The TRI-SCORE was calculated for all patients. Discrimination of the TRI-SCORE was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Accuracy of the models was tested calculating the Brier score. Finally, a COX regression was employed to evaluate the relationship between the TRI-SCORE value and long-term mortality. RESULTS: A total of 176 patients were identified and the median TRI-SCORE was 3 (1-5). The cut-off value identified for increased risk of isolated ITVS was 5. Regarding in-hospital outcomes, the TRI-SCORE showed high discrimination (area under the curve 0.82), and high accuracy (Brier score 0.054). This score showed also very good performance in predicting long-term mortality (at 10 years, hazard ratio: 1.47, 95% confidence interval [1.31-1.66], P < 0.001), with high discrimination (area under the curve >0.80 at 1-5 and 10 years) and high accuracy values (Brier score 0.179). CONCLUSIONS: This external validation confirms the good performance of the TRI-SCORE in predicting in-hospital mortality. Moreover, the score showed also very good performance in predicting the long-term mortality.

Extracorporeal life support in mitral papillary muscle rupture: Outcome of multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Post-acute myocardial infarction papillary muscle rupture (post-AMI PMR) may present variable clinical scenarios and degree of emergency due to result of cardiogenic shock. Veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (V-A ECLS) has been proposed to improve extremely poor pre- or postoperative conditions. Information in this respect is scarce. METHODS: From the CAUTION (meChanical complicAtion of acUte myocardial infarcTion: an InternatiOnal multiceNter cohort study) database (16 different Centers, data from 2001 to 2018), we extracted adult patients who were surgically treated for post-AMI PMR and underwent pre- or/and postoperative V-A ECLS support. The end-points of this study were in-hospital survival and ECLS complications. RESULTS: From a total of 214 post-AMI PMR patients submitted to surgery, V-A ECLS was instituted in 23 (11%) patients. The median age was 61.7 years (range 46-81 years). Preoperatively, ECLS was commenced in 10 patients (43.5%), whereas intra/postoperative in the remaining 13. The most common V-A ECLS indication was post-cardiotomy shock, followed by preoperative cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest. The median duration of V-A ECLS was 4 days. V-A ECLS complications occurred in more than half of the patients. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 39.2% (9/23), compared to 22% (42/219) for the non-ECLS group. CONCLUSIONS: In post-AMI PMR patients, V-A ECLS was used in almost 10% of the patients either to promote bridge to surgery or as postoperative support. Further investigations are required to better evaluate a potential for increased use and its effects of V-A ECLS in such a context based on the still high perioperative mortality.

Survival and Recurrence of Endocarditis following Mechanical vs. Biological Aortic Valve Replacement for Endocarditis in Patients Aged 40 to 65 Years: Data from the INFECT-Registry.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious disease, and in many cases, surgery is necessary. Whether the type of prosthesis implanted for aortic valve replacement (AVR) for IE impacts patient survival is a matter of debate. The aim of the present study is to quantify differences in long-term survival and recurrence of endocarditis AVR for IE according to prosthesis type among patients aged 40 to 65 years. METHODS: This was an analysis of the INFECT-REGISTRY. Trends in proportion to the use of mechanical prostheses versus biological ones over time were tested by applying the sieve bootstrapped t-test. Confounders were adjusted using the optimal full-matching propensity score. The difference in overall survival was compared using the Cox model, whereas the differences in recurrence of endocarditis were evaluated using the Gray test. RESULTS: Overall, 4365 patients were diagnosed and operated on for IE from 2000 to 2021. Of these, 549, aged between 40 and 65 years, underwent AVR. A total of 268 (48.8%) received mechanical prostheses, and 281 (51.2%) received biological ones. A significant trend in the reduction of implantation of mechanical vs. biological prostheses was observed during the study period (p < 0.0001). Long-term survival was significantly higher among patients receiving a mechanical prosthesis than those receiving a biological prosthesis (hazard ratio [HR] 0.546, 95% CI: 0.322-0.926, p = 0.025). Mechanical prostheses were associated with significantly less recurrent endocarditis after AVR than biological prostheses (HR 0.268, 95%CI: 0.077-0.933, p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: The present analysis of the INFECT-REGISTRY shows increased survival and reduced recurrence of endocarditis after a mechanical aortic valve prosthesis implant for IE in middle-aged patients.

Long Term Results of Reduction Ascending Aortoplasty.

The aim of this retrospective study is to show medium-long-term results in terms of cardiac death and aortic events in patients undergoing reduction ascending aortoplasty between 1997 and 2009 in our hospital. The Fine and Grey model for competing risk analysis was performed for time to cardiac death, with non-cardiac death as the competing risk, and time to recurrence of both re-dilation (aortic diameter > 45 mm) and re-operation with overall death as the competing risk. Paired t-test was used to evaluate the change in aortic diameter from the post-operative values to follow-up. The population included 142 patients. The mean pre-operative aortic diameter and the diameter at follow-up were respectively 46.5 ± 5.11 mm vs. 41.4 ± 5.55 mm (p-value < 0.001). At a mean follow-up of 11.6 ± 4.15 years, 11 patients (7.7%) required re-operation on the ascending aorta. At 16 years, the CIF of aortic-related events was 29.4 ± 7.2%; the freedom from cardiac death was 89.2 ± 3.7%. Ten patients (7%) died from cardiac causes but no one was aortic-related. The Fine and Grey analysis did not identify any significant predictors. This procedure is safe but might be justified only in high-risk patients or in those with advanced age/short life expectancy.

Prognostic value of SARS-CoV-2 on patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze Italian Cardiac Surgery experience during the pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) identifying risk factors for overall mortality according to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) status. METHODS: From February 20 to May 31, 2020, 1354 consecutive adult patients underwent cardiac surgery at 22 Italian Centers; 589 (43.5%), patients came from the red zone. Based on COVID-19 status, 1306 (96.5%) were negative to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-N), and 48 (3.5%) were positive to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-P); among the COVID-P 11 (22.9%) and 37 (77.1%) become positive, before and after surgery, respectively. Surgical procedures were as follows: 396 (29.2%) isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 714 (52.7%) isolated non-CABG procedures, 207 (15.3%) two associate procedures, and three or more procedures in 37 (2.7%). Heart failure was significantly predominant in group COVID-N (10.4% vs. 2.5%, p = .01). RESULTS: Overall in-hospital mortality was 1.6% (22 cases), being significantly higher in COVID-P group (10 cases, 20.8% vs. 12, 0.9%, p < .001). Multivariable analysis identified COVID-P condition as a predictor of in-hospital mortality together with emergency status. In the COVID-P subgroup, the multivariable analysis identified increasing age and low oxygen saturation at admission as risk factors for in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: As expected, SARS-CoV-2 infection, either before or soon after cardiac surgery significantly increases in-hospital mortality. Moreover, among COVID-19-positive patients, older age and poor oxygenation upon admission seem to be associated with worse outcomes.

Surgical treatment for post-infarction papillary muscle rupture: a multicentre study.

OBJECTIVES: Papillary muscle rupture (PMR) is a rare but potentially fatal complication of acute myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to analyse the patient characteristics and early outcomes of the surgical management of post-infarction PMR from an international multicentre registry. METHODS: Patients underwent surgery for post-infarction PMR between 2001 through 2019 were retrieved from database of the CAUTION study. The primary end point was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 214 patients were included with a mean age of 66.9 (standard deviation: 10.5) years. The posteromedial papillary muscle was the most frequent rupture location (71.9%); the rupture was complete in 67.3% of patients. Mitral valve replacement was performed in 82.7% of cases. One hundred twenty-two patients (57%) had concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting. In-hospital mortality was 24.8%. Temporal trends revealed no apparent improvement in in-hospital mortality during the study period. Multivariable analysis showed that preoperative chronic kidney disfunction [odds ratio (OR): 2.62, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-6.45, P = 0.036], cardiac arrest (OR: 3.99, 95% CI: 1.02-15.61, P = 0.046) and cardiopulmonary bypass duration (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.02, P = 0.04) were independently associated with an increased risk of in-hospital death, whereas concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting was identified as an independent predictor of early survival (OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.16-0.92, P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment for post-infarction PMR carries a high in-hospital mortality rate, which did not improve during the study period. Because concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting confers a survival benefit, this additional procedure should be performed, whenever possible, in an attempt to improve the outcome. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03848429.

Rheumatic mitral regurgitation: is repair justified by the long-term results?

OBJECTIVES: The best treatment for rheumatic mitral regurgitation is still under debate. Our goal was to assess the long-term results of mitral repair for rheumatic mitral regurgitation performed in 2 referral centres for mitral repair. METHODS: Patients who underwent mitral valve repair between 1999 and 2009 were selected. Preoperative and postoperative data were prospectively entered into a dedicated database and retrospectively reviewed. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to analyse long-term survival. Competing risk analysis was performed by calculating the cumulative incidence function for time to recurrence of mitral regurgitation ≥3+, mitral regurgitation ≥2+, mitral reoperation and the combined end point of repair failure (mitral regurgitation ≥ 3+ and/or mean gradient ≥ 10 mmHg and/or mitral valve REDO) with death as a competing risk. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients were included. Mitral calcifications were present in 25 patients (34.7%). Most of the patients (65/72, 90.3%) underwent annuloplasty, and mixes of reparative techniques were used in 21 patients (29.2%). In-hospital mortality was 2.8%. Mean follow-up was 11.6 ± 5.16 (max 19.1 years), 98.6% completed. Survival at 14 years was 70 ± 6.27%. At 14 years, the cumulative incidence function of repair failure was 36.7 ± 6.52%. The presence of severe mitral annulus calcification was an independent predictor of repair failure. CONCLUSIONS: Mitral repair for rheumatic mitral regurgitation is characterized by a high rate of failure in the long term (14 years), particularly in patients with severe annular calcifications. These results call for a very selective approach when considering a repair strategy in this setting, especially in case of unfavourable anatomical conditions.

Isolated tricuspid valve surgery: first outcomes report according to a novel clinical and functional staging of tricuspid regurgitation.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to assess the applicability of a novel classification of patients with tricuspid regurgitation based on 5 stages and to evaluate outcomes following isolated surgical treatment. METHODS: All patients treated with isolated tricuspid valve repair or tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) from March 1997 to January 2020 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided according to a novel clinical-functional classification, based on the degree of regurgitation together with symptoms, right ventricular size and function and medical therapy. A total of 195 patients were treated; however, 23/195 were excluded due to lack of sufficient preoperative data. RESULTS: A total of 172 patients were considered; of these, 129 (75%) underwent TVR and 43 (25%) had tricuspid valve repair. The distribution of patients showed that 46.5% of patients who underwent tricuspid valve repair were in stage 2, whereas 51.9% who underwent TVR were in stage 3. TVR patients were in more advanced stages of the disease, with dilated right ventricles, more pronounced symptoms and development of organ damage. Hospital mortality was 5.8%, in particular 0% in stages 2 and 3 and 15.3% in stages 4 and 5 (P < 0.001). Both intensive care unit and hospital stays were significantly longer in more advanced stages (P < 0.001). Patients in stages 4 and 5 developed more postoperative complications, such as acute kidney injury (3.7-10% in stages 2 and 3 vs 44-100% in stages 4 and 5; P < 0.001) and low cardiac output syndrome (15-50% in stages 2 and 3 vs 71-100% in stages 4 and 5; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients in more advanced stages had higher hospital mortality and longer hospitalizations. Timely referral is associated with lower mortality, short postoperative course and mostly valve repair.

Long-term results of thoracoscopic ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: is the glass half full or half empty?

OBJECTIVES: Previous series showed the outcomes of thoracoscopic ablation of stand-alone symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) for up to 7 years of follow-up. The goal of this study was to assess the long-term durability of surgical pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) beyond 7 years. METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients {mean age 55 [standard deviation (SD): 11.2] years, previous catheter ablation in 56%, left ventricular ejection fraction 60% (SD: 4.6), left atrium volume 65 ml (SD: 17)} with stand-alone symptomatic paroxysmal AF underwent PVI through bilateral thoracoscopy ablation between 2005 and 2014. The CHA2DS2-VASc score was ≥2 in 12 patients (24%). RESULTS: No hospital deaths occurred. At hospital discharge all patients but 1 (2%) were in sinus rhythm (SR). Follow-up was 100% complete [mean 8.4 years (SD: 2.3), max 15]. The 8-year cumulative incidence function of AF recurrence, with death as a competing risk, on or off class I/III antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs)/electrocardioversion/re-transcatheter ablation (TCA) was 20% (SD: 5; 95% confidence interval: 10, 32); and off class I/III AADs/electrocardioversion/re-TCA was 52% (SD: 7; 95% confidence interval: 0.83, 8.02). At 8 years, the predicted prevalence of patients in SR was 87% and 53% were off class I/III AADs/electrocardioversion/re-TCA. The recurrent arrhythmia was AF in all patients except 2, who had atypical atrial flutter (4%). No predictors of AF recurrence were identified. At the last follow-up, 76% of the patients showed European Heart Rhythm Association class I. No strokes or thromboembolic events were documented and 76% of the subjects were off anticoagulation therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a considerable AF recurrence rate, our single-centre, long-term outcome of surgical PVI showed encouraging data, with the majority of patients remaining in SR, although many of them were on antiarrhythmic therapy.

Left Circumflex Artery Injury After Mitral Valve Surgery: An Algorithm Management Proposal.

BACKGROUND: Left circumflex coronary (LCx) artery injury during mitral valve surgery is a life-threatening complication. This report describes a series of patients with this complication in a high-volume mitral surgery center. METHODS: Between January 2004 and December 2017, a total of 6501 mitral valve procedures were performed at the San Raffaele Scientific Institute in Milan, Italy. An LCx injury occurred in 10 patients (10 of 6501; 0.15%) after either mitral valve repair (n = 5) or replacement (n = 5). Coronary angiography was performed in 9 patients and showed 5 cases of left coronary artery dominance, 2 cases of right dominance, and 2 cases of codominance. All data were prospectively collected in the hospital database and were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Suspicion of LCx injury was raised in the operating room in 5 patients and in the intensive care unit in the other 5 patients. Postoperative coronary angiography confirmed the LCx lesion. In the presence of total LCx occlusion, coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 3) or partial removal of the annuloplasty ring(n = 1) was performed. In cases of partial kinking (n = 4), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was preferred. In the 2 patients with extrinsic subocclusion of the LCx, rescue PCI was initially attempted, but both procedures were complicated by artery disruption and stent underexpansion. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, LCx occlusion occurred more commonly in patients with left-dominant coronary artery circulation. Clinical presentation may be variable. Rescue PCI is a valid option in cases of kinking of the artery, but in other cases emergency coronary bypass grafting should be the first choice. Repositioning of the prosthesis may be an option in specific circumstances.

Association between cardioplegia and postoperative atrial fibrillation in coronary surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this multicenter study was to evaluated whether cold or warm cardioplegia are associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) and the prognostic role of the latter on early stroke and neurological mortality. METHOD: This was a retrospective analysis of prospective collected data from 9 cardiac centers in Italy and the United States including patients undergoing surgery between 2010 and 2018. From the 9 institutional databases, 17,231 patients underwent isolated CABG on-pump, using either warm cardioplegia (n = 7730) or cold cardioplegia (n = 9501); among the latter group blood and crystalloid cardioplegia were used in 691 and 8810 patients, respectively. After matching, two pairs of 4162 patients (overall cohort 8324) were analyzed. RESULTS: In matched population, the rate of POAF was 18% (1472 cases), 15% (608) in warm group versus 21% (864) in cold group (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis confirmed that cold cardioplegia was associated with higher rate of POAF, along with age, hypercholesterolemia, LVEF, reoperation, preoperative IABP, previous stroke, cardiopulmonary and cross-clamp. Moreover, cold cardioplegia as well as POAF increased the rate of postoperative stroke as well as early mortality and neurological mortality Propensity-weighted cohort included 11,830 (70%) patients out of 17,231. After adjustment, both cold blood and cold crystalloid cardioplegia negatively influenced POAF, stroke and neurological mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Warm cardioplegia may reduce the rate of POAF in CABG patients with respect to cold cardioplegia, either blood or crystalloid. This has a prognostic impact on postoperative stroke and neurological mortality.

Surgical Treatment of Post-Infarction Left Ventricular Free-Wall Rupture: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular free-wall rupture (LVFWR) is an uncommon but serious mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction. Surgical repair, though challenging, is the only definitive treatment. Given the rarity of this condition, however, results after surgery are still not well established. The aim of this study was to review a multicenter experience with the surgical management of post-infarction LVFWR and analyze the associated early outcomes. METHODS: Using the CAUTION (Mechanical Complications of Acute Myocardial Infarction: an International Multicenter Cohort Study) database, we identified 140 patients who were surgically treated for post-acute myocardial infarction LVFWR in 15 different centers from 2001 to 2018. The main outcome measured was operative mortality. Multivariate analysis was carried out by constructing a logistic regression model to identify predictors of postoperative mortality. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 69.4 years. The oozing type of LVFWR was observed in 79 patients (56.4%), and the blowout type in 61 (43.6%). Sutured repair was used in the 61.4% of cases. The operative mortality rate was 36.4%. Low cardiac output syndrome was the main cause of perioperative death. Myocardial rerupture after surgery occurred in 10 patients (7.1%). Multivariable analysis revealed that preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (P < .001), cardiac arrest at presentation (P = .011), female sex (P = .044), and the need for preoperative extracorporeal life support (P = .003) were independent predictors for operative mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical repair of post-infarction LVFWR carries a high operative mortality. Female sex, preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiac arrest, and extracorporeal life support are predictors of early mortality.

Mesothelial or monocytic incidental cardiac excrescence on anterior leaflet of mitral valve.

Mesothelial or monocytic incidental cardiac excrescence (MICE) is a rare, benign lesion composed of a mixture of mesothelial and inflammatory cells, histiocytes and fibrin without a vascular network usually accidentally found during cardiac surgery or after cardiac catherization. We report the case of a 45-year-old man admitted for suspected myxoma on the mitral valve. The lesion was removed via a minimally invasive video-assisted approach, without compromising the valve competency. The histopathological exam led to the diagnosis of MICE. The 2-year follow-up echocardiography confirmed normal mitral function without recurrence. Most of the cases were treated concomitantly to other cardiac procedure, lesions were more frequently founded in the left cardiac chambers or valves, our experience suggest that these lesions should be safely treated alone by surgical removal, to prevent embolic events.

Edge-to-Edge Mitral Repair Associated With Septal Myectomy in Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: To assess the long-term clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of the edge-to-edge mitral repair added to septal myectomy in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. METHODS: This is a single-center study of 26 patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (septal thickness 17 ± 3 mm, resting left ventricular outflow tract gradient 63 ± 20 mm Hg, MR ≥ 2+/4+) who underwent an EE mitral procedure combined with ventricular septal myectomy. The EE procedure was used to treat MR due to systolic anterior motion in 19 patients (73%) and to posterior leaflet prolapse/flail in 7 (27%). RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 4%. Follow-up was 100% complete (median 6.5 years; interquartile range, 2.7 to 9). Freedom from cardiac death was 88% ± 8.4% at 8 years. The 8-year cumulative incidence function of reoperation with death as competing risk was 7.7% ± 5.2%. At 8 years, the cumulative incidence function of recurrence of MR 3+ or greater with death as competing risk was 7.9% ± 5.3%. Residual MR at discharge (hazard ratio 8.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.1 to 32.6; P = .002) and preoperative systolic pulmonary artery pressure (hazard ratio 1.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 1.1; P = .005) were identified as predictors of MR recurrence. At the last follow-up, 92% of patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I-II, and 72% were in sinus rhythm. The last echocardiographic follow-up showed a median resting left ventricular outflow tract gradient of 9 mm Hg (interquartile range, 7 to 12; P < .001 vs preoperative). CONCLUSIONS: In hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy patients, when septal thickness was considered inadequate to allow a safe and effective myectomy, the edge-to-edge technique provided a simple, quick, and effective solution by abolishing at the same time residual gradient and systolic anterior motion-related MR. Organic mitral valve lesions such as prolapse and flail could be addressed as well, whenever indicated. Satisfactory clinical and echocardiographic results were maintained at long-term follow-up.

Re-repair after previous mitral valve reconstruction: handle with care!

OBJECTIVES: Patients with recurrent mitral regurgitation after surgical repair are currently treated with a re-repair procedure or valve replacement. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of our series of patients who underwent re-repair versus replacement in this setting. METHODS: From 2003 to 2017, a total of 79 patients with recurrent mitral regurgitation underwent re-repair, group A (39), or replacement, group B (40). Mean follow-up was 7.4 ± 3.27 years (max 14.4). Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting was used to create comparable distributions of the covariates; the Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival and competing risk analysis for time to cardiac death, time to recurrence of MR ≥3+ and MR ≥2+. RESULTS: A re-repair was possible in 49.4% of patients (39/79). At hospital discharge, residual MR ≥2+ was present in 5 patients in group A, and none in group B (P < 0.001). The paired overall survival at 8 years was 100% in the re-repair group and 96.5 ± 2.34% in the replacement group (P = 0.069). The cumulative incidence function of cardiac death, with non-cardiac death as competitive event, at 8 years was 0% in group A and 3.5 ± 2.34% in group B (P = 0.077). The cumulative incidence function of MR ≥3+ at 8 years was 29.2 ± 8.81% in group A and 0% in group B (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent significant mitral regurgitation after re-repair is not rare already at 8 years, but the survival tends to be worse after replacement. This finding calls for a very selective approach in pursuing a re-repair only when the intraoperative findings and the immediate results are very reassuring as far as long-term durability is concerned.

Optimal versus suboptimal mitral valve repair: late results in a matched cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: After mitral repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR), no or mild (≤1+/4+) residual MR should remain. Occasionally patients are left with more than mild residual MR (>1+/4+) for a number of reasons. The aim of this study was to assess the late implications of such a suboptimal repair in a matched cohort study. METHODS: From 2006 to 2013, a total of 2158 patients underwent mitral repair for degenerative MR in our institution. Fifty patients (2.3%) with residual MR >1+ at hospital discharge (study group) were matched up to 1:2 with 91 patients operated on during the same period who were discharged with MR ≤1+ (control group). The median follow-up was 8 years (interquartile range 6.3-10.1, longest 12.7 years). A comparative analysis of the outcomes in the 2 groups was performed. RESULTS: Overall survival at 8 years was 87 ± 8% in the study group and 92 ± 3% in the control group (P = 0.23). There were 3 late deaths (6.0%) in the study group and 6 deaths (6.6%) in the control group. Freedom from reoperation was similar (P = 1.0). At 8 years the prevalence of MR ≥3+ was significantly higher in the study group (15.6% vs 2.1%, P < 0.001) as was the use of diuretics, beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin-receptor blockers. Interestingly, even in the control group, a gradual progression of MR was observed because 13.3% of the patients had MR ≥2+ at 8 years with a significant increase over time (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Residual MR more than mild at hospital discharge is associated with lower durability of mitral repair and the need for more medical therapy in the long term. However, even an initial optimal result does not completely arrest the progression of the degenerative process.

Is myocardial revascularization really necessary in patients with ≥50% but <70% coronary stenosis undergoing valvular surgery?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the immediate and mid-term effects of omitting coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with moderate coronary artery stenosis who have a primary indication for valvular surgery. METHODS: We included 77 consecutive patients admitted to our Institution for aortic or mitral valve surgery between June 2012 and June 2017 in whom a de novo diagnosis of ≥50%, but <70% coronary stenosis was made. In this cohort, the myocardial revascularization was omitted. All these patients were free from angina and ischaemia on echo and ECG. RESULTS: There were no in-hospital deaths. In only 1 patient, acute myocardial infarction occurred postoperatively, which was immediately treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The 6-year overall survival was 94.7 ± 2.59%. At 6 years, no cardiac deaths were recorded. At follow-up, 4 patients underwent elective PCI after a positive stress myocardial perfusion test. Only 1 patient underwent urgent PCI due to acute coronary syndrome. At 6 years, the cumulative incidence function of PCI, with death as competing risk, was 8 ± 3.9%. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, moderate coronary stenosis, occasionally discovered at the time of valvular heart surgery, can be safely overlooked and do not need any further treatment at follow-up in the majority of cases. Our results open up the opportunity to apply this 'intentional omission strategy' in different situations, such as minimally invasive heart surgery, percutaneous procedures and complex patients.