Coronary pseudoaneurysm after Bentall-Bono intervention: A novel treatment to a rare surgery complication.

We present a rare case of a coronary pseudoaneurysm after a Bentall-Bono procedure. During a routine follow-up computed tomography scan, a pseudoaneurysm located between the aorta and the proximal portion of the right coronary artery was diagnosed. Contrast extravasation was observed with partial thrombosis of the pseudoaneurysm. Coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound were performed showing the point of contrast extravasation dependent of the right coronary artery in its proximal portion. An angioplasty procedure was performed sealing the pseudoaneurysm with the implantation of a covered stent. After an uneventful postoperative follow-up, the patient was discharged home. Learning objective: The development of a coronary artery pseudoaneurysm (CAP) after complex cardiac surgeries, like Bentall-Bono procedure, could be a life-threatening condition. The possible derived complications of CAP are rupture, compression of surrounding structures, or coronary ischemia.Although surgical approach to a CAP may have an extremely high surgical risk, most of the cases require a complex surgical repair. We describe a novel possible treatment option by angioplasty and sealing of the CAP with the implantation of a covered stent.

Analysis of sex differences in the clinical presentation, management and prognosis of infective endocarditis in Spain.

INTRODUCTION: Sex-dependent differences of infective endocarditis (IE) have been reported. Women suffer from IE less frequently than men and tend to present more severe manifestations. Our objective was to analyse the sex-based differences of IE in the clinical presentation, treatment, and prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analysed the sex differences in the clinical presentation, modality of treatment and prognosis of IE in a national-level multicentric cohort between 2008 and 2018. All data were prospectively recorded by the GAMES cohort (Spanish Collaboration on Endocarditis). RESULTS: A total of 3451 patients were included, of whom 1105 were women (32.0%). Women were older than men (mean age, 68.4 vs 64.5). The most frequently affected valves were the aortic valve in men (50.6%) and mitral valve in women (48.7%). Staphylococcus aureus aetiology was more frequent in women (30.1% vs 23.1%; p<0.001).Surgery was performed in 38.3% of women and 50% of men. After propensity score (PS) matching for age and estimated surgical risk (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II (EuroSCORE II)), the analysis of the matched cohorts revealed that women were less likely to undergo surgery (OR 0.74; 95% CI 0.59 to 0.91; p=0.05).The observed overall in-hospital mortality was 32.8% in women and 25.7% in men (OR for the mortality of female sex 1.41; 95% CI 1.21 to 1.65; p<0.001). This statistical difference was not modified after adjusting for all possible confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Female sex was an independent factor related to mortality after adjusting for confounders. In addition, women were less frequently referred for surgical treatment.

Suspicion of intraoperative left main coronary artery extrinsic compression with Perceval® sutureless bioprosthesis.

We present an uncommon case of intraoperative transient myocardial ischemia related to suspicion of left main stem artery extrinsic compression caused by the radial force of the stent of Perceval® bioprosthesis. No other cases have been described, but some similarities can be found with extrinsic coronary compression in percutaneous pulmonary valves. Surgeons should be aware of this complication in patients with coronary anomalies or with bicuspid anatomy.

An unexplained death after routine cardiac surgery: how long have we dealt with coronavirus disease 2019?

We present a case report of fatal respiratory failure after cardiac surgery in the early stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak. Although not supported by epidemiological data nor clinical course, coronavirus disease 2019 infection was revealed post-mortem by immunohistochemical detection of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike protein in lung tissue.

Prognostic assessment of valvular surgery in active infective endocarditis: multicentric nationwide validation of a new score developed from a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Several risk prediction models have been developed to estimate the risk of mortality after valve surgery for active infective endocarditis (IE), but few external validations have been conducted to assess their accuracy. We previously developed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of IE-specific factors for the in-hospital mortality rate after IE valve surgery, whose obtained pooled estimations were the basis for the development of a new score (APORTEI). The aim of the present study was to assess its prognostic accuracy in a nationwide cohort. METHODS: We analysed the prognostic utility of the APORTEI score using patient-level data from a multicentric national cohort. Patients who underwent surgery for active IE between 2008 and 2018 were included. Discrimination was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and the calibration was assessed using the calibration slope and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Agreement between the APORTEI and the EuroSCORE I was also analysed by Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), the Bland-Altman agreement analysis and a scatterplot graph. RESULTS: The 11 variables that comprised the APORTEI score were analysed in the sample. The APORTEI score was calculated in 1338 patients. The overall observed surgical mortality rate was 25.56%. The score demonstrated adequate discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.75; 95% confidence interval 0.72-0.77) and calibration (calibration slope = 1.03; Hosmer-Lemeshow test P = 0.389). We found a lack of agreement between the APORTEI and EuroSCORE I (concordance correlation coefficient = 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: The APORTEI score, developed from a systematic review and meta-analysis, showed an adequate estimation of the risk of mortality after IE valve surgery in a nationwide cohort.

Correction to: Prognostic factors of mortality after surgery in infective endocarditis: systematic review and meta-analysis.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake.

Long-term prognosis after surgery for infective endocarditis: Distinction between predictors of early and late survival / Pronóstico a largo plazo tras cirugía cardiaca en la endocarditis infecciosa: diferencias entre predictores de supervivencia precoz y tardía

OBJECTIVES: Cardiac surgery is a life-saving procedure in patients diagnosed with infective endocarditis (IE). There are several validated risk scores developed to predict early-mortality; nevertheless, long-term survival has been less investigated. The aim of the present study is to analyze the impact of IE-specific risk factors for early and long-term mortality. METHODS: An observational retrospective study was conducted that included all patients who underwent surgery for IE from 2002 to 2016. Median follow-up time after surgery was 53.2 months (IQI 26.2-106.8 months). In-hospital mortality was analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Long-term survival was analyzed after one, two and five years. Cox proportional hazards regression was employed to identify risk factors related to long-term mortality. RESULTS: Of the 180 patients underwent cardiac surgery, 133 were discharged alive (in-hospital mortality was 26.11%). 6 variables were identified as independent factors associated with in-hospital mortality, most of them closely related to the severity of IE: age, multivalvular involvement, critical preoperative status, preoperative mechanical ventilation, abscess and thrombocytopenia. Long-term survival in patients discharged alive was 89.1%, 87.4% and 77.6% after one, two and five years. Long-term mortality was independent of specific IE factors and 86.51% of deaths were not related to cardiovascular or infectious diseases. CONCLUSION: Despite the high perioperative mortality rate after surgical treatment for active IE, long-term survival after hospital discharge was acceptable, regardless of the severity of the endocarditis episode. Although in-hospital survival depended mainly on several IE factors, long-term survival was not related to the severity of endocarditis baseline affection

OBJETIVOS: La cirugía cardíaca es un procedimiento fundamental en pacientes diagnosticados de endocarditis infecciosa (EI). Existen varias escalas de riesgo para predecir la mortalidad temprana; sin embargo, la supervivencia a largo plazo ha sido menos estudiada. El objetivo es analizar el impacto de los factores de riesgo específicos de EI en la mortalidad temprana y a largo plazo. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional retrospectivo que incluyó a todos los pacientes operados por EI entre 2002 y 2016. La mediana del tiempo de seguimiento fue de 53,2 meses (IQI: 26,2-106,8 meses). La mortalidad intrahospitalaria se analizó mediante regresión logística múltiple. La supervivencia se analizó a uno, 2 y 5 años. Los factores de riesgo de mortalidad tardía se analizaron mediante regresión de Cox. RESULTADOS: De los 180 pacientes operados, 133 sobrevivieron al postoperatorio inmediato (26,11% de mortalidad intrahospitalaria). Encontramos 6 factores asociados a la mortalidad hospitalaria: edad, afectación multivalvular, estado preoperatorio crítico, ventilación mecánica preoperatoria, absceso y trombopenia. La supervivencia a largo plazo fue del 89,1, 87,4 y 77,6% después de uno, 2 y 5 años. La mortalidad a largo plazo fue independiente de factores específicos de la EI, y el 86,51% no se relacionó con enfermedades cardiovasculares o infecciosas. CONCLUSIÓN: A pesar de la alta tasa de mortalidad peri-operatoria tras cirugía, la supervivencia a largo plazo fue aceptable, independientemente de la gravedad del episodio de endocarditis. Aunque la supervivencia intrahospitalaria guardó relación con factores específicos de endocarditis, y la supervivencia a largo plazo no se correlacionó con la gravedad de la afectación inicial

Prognostic factors of mortality after surgery in infective endocarditis: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: There is a lack of consensus about which endocarditis-specific preoperative characteristics have an actual impact over postoperative mortality. Our objective was the identification and quantification of these factors. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of all the studies which reported factors related to in-hospital mortality after surgery for acute infective endocarditis, conducted according to PRISMA recommendations. A search string was constructed and applied on three different databases. Two investigators independently reviewed the retrieved references. Quality assessment was performed for identification of potential biases. All the variables that were included in at least two validated risk scores were meta-analyzed independently, and the pooled estimates were expressed as odds ratios (OR) with their confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The final sample consisted on 16 studies, comprising a total of 7484 patients. The overall pooled OR were statistically significant (p < 0.05) for: age (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00-1.05), female sex (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.35-1.81), urgent or emergency surgery (OR 2.39 95% CI 1.91-3.00), previous cardiac surgery (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.84-2.61), NYHA ≥ III (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.33-2.55), cardiogenic shock (OR 4.15, 95% CI 3.06-5.64), prosthetic valve (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.68-2.33), multivalvular affection (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.01-1.82), renal failure (OR 2.57, 95% CI 2.15-3.06), paravalvular abscess (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.77-3.22) and S. aureus infection (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.89-2.73). CONCLUSIONS: After a systematic review, we identified 11 preoperative factors related to an increased postoperative mortality. The meta-analysis of each of these factors showed a significant association with an increased in-hospital mortality after surgery for active infective endocarditis. Graph summary of the Pooled Odds Ratios of the 11 preoperative factors analyzed after the systematic review and meta-analysis.

Long-term prognosis after surgery for infective endocarditis: Distinction between predictors of early and late survival.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiac surgery is a life-saving procedure in patients diagnosed with infective endocarditis (IE). There are several validated risk scores developed to predict early-mortality; nevertheless, long-term survival has been less investigated. The aim of the present study is to analyze the impact of IE-specific risk factors for early and long-term mortality. METHODS: An observational retrospective study was conducted that included all patients who underwent surgery for IE from 2002 to 2016. Median follow-up time after surgery was 53.2 months (IQI 26.2-106.8 months). In-hospital mortality was analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Long-term survival was analyzed after one, two and five years. Cox proportional hazards regression was employed to identify risk factors related to long-term mortality. RESULTS: Of the 180 patients underwent cardiac surgery, 133 were discharged alive (in-hospital mortality was 26.11%). 6 variables were identified as independent factors associated with in-hospital mortality, most of them closely related to the severity of IE: age, multivalvular involvement, critical preoperative status, preoperative mechanical ventilation, abscess and thrombocytopenia. Long-term survival in patients discharged alive was 89.1%, 87.4% and 77.6% after one, two and five years. Long-term mortality was independent of specific IE factors and 86.51% of deaths were not related to cardiovascular or infectious diseases. CONCLUSION: Despite the high perioperative mortality rate after surgical treatment for active IE, long-term survival after hospital discharge was acceptable, regardless of the severity of the endocarditis episode. Although in-hospital survival depended mainly on several IE factors, long-term survival was not related to the severity of endocarditis baseline affection.

Case Report of an Infrequent Complication of Infective Endocarditis: The Complete Detachment from the Aorta of the Previous Vein Graft Anastomosis.

The authors report an unusual complication of acute infective endocarditis found in a 70-year-old man with a previous history of two cardiac surgery procedures. During median sternotomy, a massive bleeding occurred. The bleeding was contained within the mediastinum and originated from the 10-year-old anastomosis of the saphenous vein to a composite graft, which was completely detached due to infective endocarditis of the aortic graft.

Septic Shock, Meningoencephalitis and Multiple Pulmonary Emboli: Case Report of an Uncommon Clinical Presentation of Ventricular Septal Defect Acute Infective Endocarditis.

The case is reported of a 55 year-old woman, with a previously known congenital septal defect, who was admitted to the emergency department with a diagnosis of meningoencephalitis, septic shock, and rapid clinical deterioration. Echocardiography revealed a vegetation occupying the right-side heart. Endocarditis affectation of the septal defect, aortic and tricuspid valves was noted and blood cultures were positive for Staphylococcus aureus. Urgent surgical treatment was performed whereby the ventricular septal defect was closed, a meticulous debridement of the affected area was conducted, and the aortic and tricuspid valves were replaced.

Which type of valve should we use in tricuspid position? Long-term comparison between mechanical and biological valves.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) is much less common than aortic or mitral valve replacement, since repair is almost always preferable. Prosthetic tricuspid valves are associated with high mortality and morbidity, mostly due to thrombotic or hemorrhagic events. Nevertheless, there is lack of evidence of which is the optimal type of valve (biological versus mechanical) in tricuspid position. METHODS: We analyzed all the patients who underwent TVR in our Institution, from 2005 to 2015. Patient baseline characteristics were recorded (such as functional class, previous cardiac surgery, right ventricular dysfunction or pulmonary hypertension), and a clinical long-term follow-up was conducted. We compared the outcomes between mechanical and biological prostheses: in-hospital mortality, long-term mortality, need for reintervention and adverse events (such as stroke or valve thrombosis). RESULTS: During the study period 120 tricuspid prosthetic valves were implanted in 111 patients. 81 of them (67.5%) were bioprostheses, and 39 (32.5%) mechanical valves. 73 patients (60.8%) had undergone a previous cardiac surgery (28.4% had previous tricuspid surgery). Most of the patients (87.1%) were in high functional class (grade III-IV of the NYHA classification), and 85% had moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension. Mean logistic EuroSCORE I was 14.80%. Only 37 cases were isolated TVR (30.6%), as most of the cases were TVR concomitant to mitral valve replacement. In-hospital mortality was 21.7%, and during the follow-up (mean follow-up of 7 years) reached 37.5%. Three mechanical tricuspid valves (7.7%) had to be replaced due to thrombosis, while 7 biological valves (8.6%) had to be replaced due to valve deterioration. The incidence of stroke was 7.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Tricuspid valve replacement is an infrequent procedure with a high incidence of perioperative morbidity and mortality. Biological or mechanical valves have similar mortality, and a reasonably low incidence of need for reintervention due to thrombosis or valve deterioration.

Rotura iatrogénica de electrodos de marcapasos permanente en la realización de esternotomía media: presentación de un caso / Iatrogenic rupture of permanent pacemaker electrodes while performing a median sternotomy: a case report

RESUMEN La esternotomía media continúa siendo el gold-standart de abordaje quirúrgico en cirugía cardiaca. Aún realizada correctamente, la apertura media del esternón presenta complicaciones en el 1-5% de los casos que varían en su gravedad desde la infección de la herida quirúrgica a la lesión de estructuras intratorácicas. En el presente estudio se describe un caso de rotura de electrodos de marcapasos tras esternotomía media por retracción y fibrosis del tronco venoso braquiocefálico. Debido a la ausencia de artículos semejantes en la literatura y al extendido empleo de la esternotomía en pacientes portadores de marcapasos permanente, se pretende disminuir las lesiones asociadas mediante la publicación de un infrecuente caso de lesión iatrogénica durante la apertura esternal, con escasos precedentes en la literatura publicada hasta la fecha. MÉD.UIS. 2016;29(3):95-9.

ABSTRACT Median sternotomy is still the gold-standard surgical approach in cardiac surgery. Even correctly performed, the sternum median opening presents complications in an incidence of 1-5% of cases comprising in severity from infection of the surgical wound to the injury of intrathoracic structures. We describe a case in which the pacemaker leads were broken after median sternotomy because of the brachiocephalic vein fibrosis. Due to the absence of similar items in the literature and the widespread use of sternotomy in patients with permanent pacemakers, we intended to reduce associated injuries by posting a rare case of iatrogenic injury during sternal opening with few precedents in the literature. MÉD.UIS. 2016;29(3):95-9.