Case Report: WATCHMAN Procedure Complicated By Atrial Perforation and Device Dislodgement.

Atrial perforation and device dislodgment are uncommon encounters after percutaneous left atrial appendage exclusion procedures. The literature describes how various endovascular and surgical approaches can be applied to treat these complications. In this case report, we describe an atrial perforation that occurred after a WATCHMAN™ FLX device (Boston Scientific) deployment. Heart manipulation with lifting was required for the atrial repair. During this maneuver, the device dislodged and was managed by surgical device extraction and left atrial appendage resection and suture closure. Minimal to no manipulation of the left atrium during surgical exploration was found to be invaluable in order to avoid device dislodgement and additional surgical corrective interventions. Additionally, intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography at the beginning and conclusion of the case is key in monitoring the device position and identifying device dislodgement.

Bioprosthetic valve monitoring in patients with carcinoid heart disease.

Background: Carcinoid heart disease (CnHD) is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with neuroendocrine tumors and carcinoid syndrome. Although valve replacement surgery appears to decrease all-cause mortality in patients with advanced CnHD, few studies have investigated the outcomes of patients after valve replacement. Methods: We conducted a multi-institution retrospective registry of patients who received both tricuspid and pulmonic bioprosthetic valve (TV/PV) replacements for advanced CnHD from November 2005 to March 2021. Patients were followed post-operatively with echocardiographic studies every 3 months. Carcinoid valvular heart disease scores were used to monitor valve degeneration. Neuroendocrine tumor treatment, their administration times, and associations with echocardiographic findings were recorded. Results: Of 87 patients with CnHD, 22 patients underwent simultaneous surgical TV and PV replacement. In 6 patients (27.3%), increased PV Vmax was the first echocardiographic manifestation of valve degeneration in the setting of occult neurohormonal release. Post-operative telotristat ethyl and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy appeared to stabilize PV Vmax. The PV Vmax showed consistent elevation in the entire patient population when compared to baseline, while bioprosthetic TV echocardiographic parameters were relatively unchanged throughout. Post-operative warfarin therapy did not affect the rate of PV degeneration, and no major bleeding was recorded during or after post-operative anticoagulation therapy. Conclusion: Bioprosthetic valve degeneration is common in CnHD. Monitoring with echocardiographic studies every 3 months, focusing on PV velocities, could identify patients with occult disease that very likely promotes valve degeneration. Novel neuroendocrine tumor therapies may have a beneficial impact on valve degeneration.

Is Foot Drop an Underreported Sequela of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation?

Foot drop in the absence of limb ischemia is a chronic complication in peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) survivors; however, there is little published regarding the incidence and functional outcomes of this condition. Common peroneal nerve is the most common cause of foot drop, a condition that leads to significant debility and requires extensive physical therapy and rehabilitation, thereby affecting the patient's quality of life. We completed a retrospective review of 153 patients who received femoral cannulation for V-A ECMO support for greater than 1 hour. The incidence of foot drop in our V-A ECMO population was 7.8% (12/153). Importantly, only two patients with foot drop were discharged home. The majority (10/12) of patients with foot drop required in-patient rehabilitation; five patients were nonambulatory, and five patients required an ankle foot orthosis assistive device. This study identifies foot drop as a relevant complication in peripherally cannulated V-A ECMO survivors and provides an initial incidence rate. By raising awareness of this complication in the V-A ECMO population, an early diagnosis is possible, which can enable appropriate rehabilitation. Prospective trials are needed to identify possible risk factors of foot drop and methods to reduce this complication of V-A ECMO.

Aortic root repair in a patient with acquired hemophilia A: case report.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acquired hemophilia A (AHA) who require open heart surgery have a life-threatening risk of hemorrhage. Limited data exist to guide perioperative management of these patients. CASE PRESENTATION: A 53-year-old female with rheumatoid arthritis, concomitant aortic valve endocarditis, and severe aortic regurgitation presented to our hospital. Bleeding and abnormal coagulation tests were noted during the initial workup, and she was diagnosed with AHA. The perioperative management plan included the use of pharmaceuticals, porcine recombinant factor VIII, and blood products. Extensive preoperative coagulation data were obtained, and factor VIII levels were continuously monitored to mitigate bleeding complications. The aortic valve replacement and root repair were uneventful. CONCLUSION: Cardiac surgery in patients with AHA is possible as long as complex perioperative hemostatic and hematology management is used.

Complications of LVAD utilization in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Yearly rate and mean patient age of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation increased from 2009 to 2014. Data are lacking regarding trends of LVAD implantation in older adults. OBJECTIVES: To describe the trends of LVAD implantation in older adults and the clinical impact of associated procedural complications. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the National Inpatient Sample from 2005 to 2014, calculated the percentage of older adults (>65 years of age) among those who underwent LVAD implantation, and compared their clinical characteristics. Primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and discharge home. RESULTS: In total, 4491 patients were included. The percentage of older adults among those receiving LVAD increased from 12.53% to 31.65% (p<0.01). Older adults were more likely to develop postoperative delirium (17.90% vs. 11.92% in younger patients; p<0.01), which portended lesser odds of discharge home. CONCLUSIONS: Delirium develops with greater incidence in older adults undergoing LVAD implantation, which decreases odds of favorable discharge disposition.