Localization of coronary bypass targets in hard-to-see coronary arteries.

BACKGROUND: Precise identification of coronary arteries and selection of anastomotic sites are critical stages of coronary bypass surgery. Visualization of coronary arteries is occasionally challenging when the heart is covered with a thick layer of fat or scar tissue. In this paper, we review the methods to localize the coronary arteries during coronary surgery. METHODS: Prior publications were searched to summarize all available methods for localization of coronary arteries during coronary surgery. RESULTS: Five clinically recognized and three experimental techniques from the literature review are reviewed and summarized. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of various techniques of coronary artery identification in hard-to-see coronary arteries is an important asset in coronary surgery and especially useful during the most critical option of the most common heart surgery.

Severity of and Recovery From Anemia After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: An Analysis of the PARTNER Trials and Registries.

Background: Anemia is associated with increased mortality in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR); however, data on the effect of the severity of and recovery from anemia on clinical outcomes are limited. This study examined the impact of the severity of and recovery from anemia after TAVR. Methods: Patients with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis across all surgical risk groups from the Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves (PARTNER) I, II, and III trials and registries who underwent TAVR were analyzed. Baseline anemia was defined as mild (hemoglobin [Hb] level ≥11.0 g/dL and <13.0 g/dL for men and ≥11.0 g/dL and <12.0 g/dL for women) and moderate-to-severe anemia (Hb level <11.0 g/dL). Recovery from anemia was defined as an increase of ≥1 g/dL in the Hb level. Patients with missing Hb information and major bleeding within 30 days were excluded. The association of the severity of and recovery from anemia with clinical outcomes was analyzed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. The primary outcome was 1-year all-cause mortality. Results: The Kaplan-Meier estimate for 1-year all-cause mortality was 5.4%, 8.2%, and 14.5% in patients with no, mild, and moderate-to-severe anemia, respectively (P < .001). Recovery from anemia at 30 days occurred in 8.4% (229/2730) of all patients. Compared with those without baseline or 30-day anemia, patients with recovery from anemia had similar 1-year mortality (hazard ratio, 1.02; CI, 0.50-2.08; P = .96), whereas those without recovery from anemia had higher 1-year mortality (hazard ratio, 1.82; CI, 1.17-2.85; P = .009). Conclusions: In patients undergoing TAVR, moderate-to-severe anemia is independently associated with increased 1-year mortality, and recovery from anemia after TAVR is associated with favorable outcomes. Further efforts are needed to determine whether preprocedural correction of anemia improves post-TAVR outcomes.

Association Between Early Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Improvement After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and 5-Year Clinical Outcomes.

Importance: In patients with severe aortic stenosis and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 50%, early LVEF improvement after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is associated with improved 1-year mortality; however, its association with long-term clinical outcomes is not known. Objective: To examine the association between early LVEF improvement after TAVR and 5-year outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study analyzed patients enrolled in the Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves (PARTNER) 1, 2, and S3 trials and registries between July 2007 and April 2015. High- and intermediate-risk patients with baseline LVEF less than 50% who underwent transfemoral TAVR were included in the current study. Data were analyzed from August 2020 to May 2021. Exposures: Early LVEF improvement, defined as increase of 10 percentage points or more at 30 days and also as a continuous variable (ΔLVEF between baseline and 30 days). Main Outcomes and Measures: All-cause death at 5 years. Results: Among 659 included patients with LVEF less than 50%, 468 (71.0%) were male, and the mean (SD) age was 82.4 (7.7) years. LVEF improvement within 30 days following transfemoral TAVR occurred in 216 patients (32.8%) (mean [SD] ΔLVEF, 16.4 [5.7%]). Prior myocardial infarction, diabetes, cancer, higher baseline LVEF, larger left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, and larger aortic valve area were independently associated with lower likelihood of LVEF improvement. Patients with vs without early LVEF improvement after TAVR had lower 5-year all-cause death (102 [50.0%; 95% CI, 43.3-57.1] vs 246 [58.4%; 95% CI, 53.6-63.2]; P = .04) and cardiac death (52 [29.5%; 95% CI, 23.2-37.1] vs 135 [38.1%; 95% CI, 33.1-43.6]; P = .05). In multivariable analyses, early improvement in LVEF (modeled as a continuous variable) was associated with lower 5-year all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio per 5% increase in LVEF, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.88-1.00]; P = .04) and cardiac death (adjusted hazard ratio per 5% increase in LVEF, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.82-0.98]; P = .02) after TAVR. Restricted cubic spline analysis demonstrated a visual inflection point at ΔLVEF of 10% beyond which there was a steep decline in all-cause mortality with increasing degree of LVEF improvement. There were no statistically significant differences in rehospitalization, New York Heart Association functional class, or Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Overall Summary score at 5 years in patients with vs without early LVEF improvement. In subgroup analysis, the association between early LVEF improvement and 5-year all-cause death was consistent regardless of the presence or absence of coronary artery disease or prior myocardial infarction. Conclusions and Relevance: In patients with severe aortic stenosis and LVEF less than 50%, 1 in 3 experience LVEF improvement within 1 month after TAVR. Early LVEF improvement is associated with lower 5-year all-cause and cardiac death.

The Role of Angiogenesis and Arteriogenesis in Myocardial Infarction and Coronary Revascularization.

Surgical myocardial revascularization is associated with long-term survival benefit in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. However, the exact biological mechanisms underlying the clinical benefits of myocardial revascularization have not been elucidated yet. Angiogenesis and arteriogenesis biologically leading to vascular collateralization are considered one of the endogenous mechanisms to preserve myocardial viability during ischemia, and the presence of coronary collateralization has been regarded as one of the predictors of long-term survival in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Some experimental studies and indirect clinical evidence on chronic CAD confirmed an angiogenetic response induced by myocardial revascularization and suggested that revascularization procedures could constitute an angiogenetic trigger per se. In this review, the clinical and basic science evidence regarding arteriogenesis and angiogenesis in both CAD and coronary revascularization is analyzed with the aim to better elucidate their significance in the clinical arena and potential therapeutic use.

Beware of an anomalous left circumflex artery when considering aortic valve or root procedures.

Anomalous coronary arteries pose an additional challenge when contemplating surgical options for a patient with aortic valve or root pathology. We demonstrate the course of an anomalous retro-aortic left circumflex coronary artery arising from the right coronary sinus in a patient with an aortic root and ascending aortic aneurysm with severe aortic regurgitation who underwent ascending aorta and aortic valve replacements.

Relation of Subacute Kidney Injury to Mortality After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Acute kidney injury after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been associated with adverse outcomes; however, data are limited on the subacute changes in renal function that occur after discharge and their impact on clinical outcomes. This study investigates the relation between subacute changes in kidney function at 30 days after TAVI and survival. Patients from 2 centers who underwent TAVI and survived beyond 30 days with baseline, in-hospital, and 30-day measures of renal function were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were stratified based on change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline to 30 days as follows: improved (≥15% higher than baseline), worsened (≤15% lower), or unchanged (values in between). Univariable and multivariable models were constructed to identify predictors of subacute changes in renal function and of 2-year mortality. Of the 492 patients who met inclusion criteria, eGFR worsened in 102 (22%), improved in 110 (22%), and was unchanged in 280 (56%). AKI occurred in 90 patients (18%) and in only 27% of patients with worsened eGFR at 30 days. After statistical adjustment, worsened eGFR at 30 days (hazard ratio vs unchanged eGFR 2.09, 95% CI 1.37 to 3.19, p <0.001) was associated with worse survival, whereas improvement in renal function was not associated with survival (hazard ratio vs unchanged eGFR 1.30, 95% CI 0.79 to 2.11, p = 0.30). Worsened renal function at 30 days after TAVI is associated with increased mortality after TAVI. In conclusion, monitoring renal function after discharge may identify patients at high risk of adverse outcomes.

Association of Pulmonary Hypertension With Clinical Outcomes of Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair.

Importance: Pulmonary hypertension (pHTN) is associated with increased risk of mortality after mitral valve surgery for mitral regurgitation. However, its association with clinical outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) with a commercially available system (MitraClip) is unknown. Objective: To assess the association of pHTN with readmissions for heart failure and 1-year all-cause mortality after TMVr. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 4071 patients who underwent TMVr with the MitraClip system from November 4, 2013, through March 31, 2017, across 232 US sites in the Society of Thoracic Surgery/American College of Cardiology Transcatheter Valve Therapy registry. Patients were stratified into the following 4 groups based on invasive mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP): 1103 with no pHTN (mPAP, <25 mm Hg [group 1]); 1399 with mild pHTN (mPAP, 25-34 mm Hg [group 2]); 1011 with moderate pHTN (mPAP, 35-44 mm Hg [group 3]); and 558 with severe pHTN (mPAP, ≥45 mm Hg [group 4]). Data were analyzed from November 4, 2013, through March 31, 2017. Interventions: Patients were stratified into groups before TMVr, and clinical outcomes were assessed at 1 year after intervention. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary end point was a composite of 1-year mortality and readmissions for heart failure. Secondary end points were 30-day and 1-year mortality and readmissions for heart failure. Linkage to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrative claims was performed to assess 1-year outcomes in 2381 patients. Results: Among the 4071 patients included in the analysis, the median age was 81 years (interquartile range, 73-86 years); 1885 (46.3%) were women and 2186 (53.7%) were men. The composite rate of 1-year mortality and readmissions for heart failure was 33.6% (95% CI, 31.6%-35.7%), which was higher in those with pHTN (27.8% [95% CI, 24.2%-31.5%] in group 1, 32.4% [95% CI, 29.0%-35.8%] in group 2, 36.0% [95% CI, 31.8%-40.2%] in group 3, and 45.2% [95% CI, 39.1%-51.0%] in group 4; P < .001). Similarly, 1-year mortality (16.3% [95% CI, 13.4%-19.5%] in group 1, 19.8% [95% CI, 17.0%-22.8%] in group 2, 22.4% [95% CI, 18.8%-26.1%] in group 3, and 27.8% [95% CI, 22.6%-33.3%] in group 4; P < .001) increased across pHTN groups. The association of pHTN with mortality persisted despite multivariable adjustment (hazard ratio per 5-mm Hg mPAP increase, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.09; P = .02). Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that pHTN is associated with increased mortality and readmission for heart failure in patients undergoing TMVr using the MitraClip system for severe mitral regurgitation. Further efforts are needed to determine whether earlier intervention before pHTN develops will improve clinical outcomes.

Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Low-Risk Patients.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as a safe and effective therapeutic option for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) who are at prohibitive, high, or intermediate risk for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). However, in low-risk patients, SAVR remains the standard therapy in current clinical practice. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to perform a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing TAVR versus SAVR in low-risk patients. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched from inception to March 20, 2019. RCTs comparing TAVR versus SAVR in low-risk patients (Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality [STS-PROM] score <4%) were included. Primary outcome was all-cause death at 1 year. Random-effects models were used to calculate pooled risk ratio (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: The meta-analysis included 4 RCTs that randomized 2,887 patients (1,497 to TAVR and 1,390 to SAVR). The mean age of patients was 75.4 years, and the mean STS-PROM score was 2.3%. Compared with SAVR, TAVR was associated with significantly lower risk of all-cause death (2.1% vs. 3.5%; RR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.39 to 0.96; p = 0.03; I2 = 0%) and cardiovascular death (1.6% vs. 2.9%; RR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.90; p = 0.02; I2 = 0%) at 1 year. Rates of new/worsening atrial fibrillation, life-threatening/disabling bleeding, and acute kidney injury stage 2/3 were lower, whereas those of permanent pacemaker implantation and moderate/severe paravalvular leak were higher after TAVR versus SAVR. There were no significant differences between TAVR versus SAVR for major vascular complications, endocarditis, aortic valve re-intervention, and New York Heart Association functional class ≥II. CONCLUSIONS: In this meta-analysis of RCTs comparing TAVR versus SAVR in low-risk patients, TAVR was associated with significantly lower risk of all-cause death and cardiovascular death at 1 year. These findings suggest that TAVR may be the preferred option over SAVR in low-risk patients with severe AS who are candidates for bioprosthetic AVR.

Surgical timing in infective endocarditis complicated by intracranial hemorrhage.

Given the growing incidence of infective endocarditis (IE), understanding the risks and benefits of valvular surgery is critical. This decision is particularly complex for the 1 in 10 cases complicated by intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). While guideline recommendations currently favor early surgery in general, delayed intervention of at least 4 weeks is still recommended for patients with ICH. To date, there are no randomized controlled trials that inform management of patients with an indication for surgery but concomitant ICH, and even reported observational data are rare. This paper reviews the current literature on timing of surgery with a specific focus on cases of ICH. It emphasizes a growing body of literature challenging the current paradigm that surgery within 4 weeks is associated with neurologic deterioration and high mortality rates by demonstrating favorable outcomes for patients with pre-operative ICH who undergo early valvular surgery. Based on these data, we propose a practical management algorithm to facilitate decisions on surgical timing in these complicated cases. Since more rigorous evidence may never be available, clinicians should make patient-specific surgical timing decisions that attempt to balance the competing risks of neurologic versus cardiac complications.