Neurological outcomes in minimally invasive mitral valve surgery: risk factors analysis from the Mini-Mitral International Registry.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the incidence and predictors of stroke after minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (mini-MVS) and to assess the role of preoperative CT scan on surgical management and neurological outcomes in the large cohort of Mini-Mitral International Registry. METHODS: Clinical, operative and in-hospital outcomes in patients undergoing mini-MVS between 2015 and 2021 were collected. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to identify predictors of stroke. Finally, the impact of preoperative CT scan on surgical management and neurological outcomes was assessed. RESULTS: Data from 7343 patients were collected. The incidence of stroke was 1.3% (n = 95/7343). Stroke was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (11.6% vs 1.5%, P < 0.001) and longer intubation time, ICU and hospital stay (median 26 vs 7 h, 120 vs 24 h and 14 vs 8 days, respectively). On multivariable analysis, age (odds ratio 1.039, 95% confidence interval 1.019-1.060, P < 0.001) and mitral valve replacement (odds ratio 2.167, 95% confidence interval 1.401-3.354, P < 0.001) emerged as independent predictors of stroke. Preoperative CT scan was made in 31.1% of cases. These patients had a higher risk profile and EuroSCORE II (median 1.58 vs 1.1, P < 0.001). CT scan influenced the choice of cannulation site, being ascending aorta (18.5% vs 0.5%, P < 0.001) more frequent in the CT group and femoral artery more frequent in the no CT group (97.8% vs 79.7%, P < 0.001). No difference was found in the incidence of postoperative stroke (CT group 1.5, no CT group 1.4%, P = 0.7). CONCLUSIONS: Mini-MVS is associated with a low incidence of stroke, but when it occurs it has an ominous impact on mortality. Preoperative CT scan affected surgical cannulation strategy but did not led to improved neurological outcomes.

Endoscopic aortic valve surgery in isolated and concomitant procedures.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate early outcomes of endoscopic aortic valve replacement (AVR) and risks of concomitant procedures done through the same working port. METHODS: At our institution, we performed a data analysis of 342 consecutive patients (from July 2013 to May 2021) who underwent endoscopic AVR with or without associated major procedure. Preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative data were evaluated. Subsequently, we perform a comparative analysis between the isolated and concomitant surgery group. The surgical access was a 3- to 4-cm working port in the second right intercostal space and 3 additional 5-mm mini-ports for the introduction of the thoracoscope, the transthoracic clamp and the vent line. Cardiopulmonary by-pass was achieved through peripheral cannulation. RESULTS: 105 patients (30.7%) underwent combined procedure: 2 coronary artery bypass (1.9%), 21 ascending aorta replacement (19.6%), 41 mitral surgery (38.3%), 16 mitral and tricuspid surgery (15%) and 25 other procedure (27%). Death occurred in 1 patient (0.4%) in the isolated group versus 2 patients (1.9%) in the combined group (P = 0.175). Seven strokes were observed, 4 in isolated procedures (1.7%) and 3 in the concomitant ones (2.85%) (P = 0.481). Surgical revision for bleeding was performed always through the same access in 13 patients (5.4%) versus 11 patients (10.4%) (P = 0.096). Pacemaker implantation was necessary in 5 patients (2.1%) versus 8 patients (7.6%) (P = 0.014). Median intubation time was 5 (2) h vs 6 (8) (P < 0.080). CONCLUSIONS: Through a single working port made for endoscopic AVR, a concomitant procedure may be done without affecting in-hospital mortality and postoperative stroke rate.

Totally Endoscopic Constrictive Pericarditis Treatment: A Case Series.

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery has increased in popularity to reduce the morbidity associated with open heart surgery. In this article, a totally endoscopic case series is presented in which anterior pericardiectomy is performed by peripheral femoral arterial and venous cannulation. Right periareoal incision and right submammary incision were used for male and female patients, respectively, to access the heart by the fourth intercostal space.

Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Aortic Valve Replacement: Operative Results.

To describe our endoscopic aortic valve replacement (E-AVR) technique and to evaluate its early results regardless of the type of prosthetic valve implanted and the patients' characteristics. From July 2013 to September 2018, 125 patients (76 males, mean age 68.8 ± 10.9 years, mean EuroScore II 1.51 ± 1.39) underwent isolated E-AVR due to a severe stenosis in 99 cases and insufficiency in 26 cases. The surgical access was a 3-4 cm working port in the second right intercostal space with no rib-spreading and 3 additional 5 mm miniports for the introduction of a 30-degree thoracoscope, the Chitwood clamp, and the vent line. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was achieved through a femoro-femoral cannulation. All patients successfully underwent E-AVR. Stended bioprostheses were implanted in 56 cases, Rapid Deployment and Sutureless valves in 23 and 46 cases, respectively. Mean cross-clamping and CPB times were 87.5 ± 22.1 and 126.1 ± 28.4 minutes, respectively, and a significant difference between the types of prostheses was observed: 69.1 ± 15.1 and 106.2 ± 21.8 minutes (Sutureless) vs 93.2 ± 15.1 and 135.5 ± 21.8 minutes (Rapid Deployment) vs 100.6 ± 17.2 and 138.9 ± 21.9 minutes (Stented). Mean ventilation and ICU times and hospital stay were 10.9 ± 39.3 hours, 45.9 ± 58.4 hours, and 8.3 ± 9.3 days, respectively. Thirty-day mortality was 0.8%. One patient (0.8%) needed a re-exploration for bleeding and 3 patients (2.4%) required a new permanent pacemaker implantation. No major neurologic events were observed. No paravalvular leakage was detected at discharge. E-AVR is associated with low mortality and few complications. Sutureless bioprostheses significantly reduce cross-clamping and CPB times. In dedicated centers, this approach may become a valid alternative to other minimally invasive techniques.

Redo After Failure of Aortic Homografts With a Rapid Deployment Valve.

Homograft implantation in the aortic position was a common approach for full root aortic surgical procedures in the early 2000s. Reintervention after degeneration of such homografts remains a challenge. We report two cases of successful implantation of the Edwards Intuity Elite rapid deployment valve into patients with degeneration of existing aortic homograft implants leading to severe aortic regurgitation.

Can the left subclavian artery revascularization during aortic arch surgery be managed using the in situ left internal mammary artery?

The management of the left subclavian artery (LSA) revascularization during aortic arch surgery is controversial and often challenging, especially during an emergency life-saving procedure. We report on a case of a 64-year old man, admitted to our institution with a Type A acute aortic dissection who underwent a frozen elephant trunk procedure with debranching of the supra-aortic vessels completed with an LSA revascularization using the in situ left internal mammary artery.

Amplatzer septal occluder migration into the pulmonary trunk: surgical removal through a totally thoracoscopic approach.

The Amplatzer Septal Occluder for transcatheter closure of interatrial communications is a standard procedure and a widely accepted alternative to surgery in most patients with atrial septal defect (ASD). Device dislocation or embolization has been reported as one of the commonest complications of ASD percutaneous closure. In this case, if a transcatheter removal is not possible, it requires a surgical therapy, usually through a median sternotomy. We report on a case of a 30-year-old woman, who underwent percutaneous closure of an ostium secundum ASD. After a late embolization of the Amplatzer Septal Occluder into the pulmonary trunk 10 months later, the implant was successfully obtained via a surgical removal through a video-guided minimally invasive port-access approach. This case shows that, in experienced hands, the port-access technique for surgical procedures on the pulmonary trunk is feasible, and therefore, it might be a good alternative option to the traditional surgery, mainly in young patients.

The pathology of TRI-Tech valve leaflet escape.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aim was to investigate leaflet escape in the TRI-Tech mechanical valve, as reported in three patients. METHODS: Among the three patients, one patient with a mitral prosthesis from which leaflet escape occurred underwent a successful reoperation. However, two patients with an aortic prosthesis from which leaflet escape occurred died suddenly. In addition, 150 unimplanted TRI-Tech valve prostheses were evaluated. RESULTS: Tab fracture was observed in all of the escaped leaflets, with a height asymmetry of 0.33 mm in the mitral valve, and 0.55 and 0.41 mm, respectively, in the two aortic valves. Height tab asymmetry was present in all unimplanted valves: this was <0.20 mm in 90% of valves, and >0.20 mm in 10% (in one valve the asymmetry was >0.35 mm). Height asymmetry was greatest in valves sized 21 to 25 mm. A review of data provided by the TRI-Tech quality control unit failed to demonstrate any reference to checking for tab symmetry. CONCLUSION: Significant tab malalignment was observed in the TRI-Tech valves in which tab fracture and leaflet escape had occurred. Tab asymmetry was also present in all unimplanted valves; this was >0.20 mm in 10% of units, and in one case was as high as in valves that had undergone leaflet escape. As tolerance for tab asymmetry is unknown and the risk of rupture is unpredictable, an interruption of the implant program with prophylactic replacement of the implanted TRI-Tech valves must be considered judicious.

Left atrial wall hematoma as a consequence of percutaneous coronary angioplasty.

Intramural left atrial dissection and hematoma as a complication of a coronary stenting procedure is a very rare entity. We report the case of a 73-year-old man who underwent percutaneous coronary angioplasty for a severe stenosis of the left circumflex coronary artery, complicated by a left atrial intramural hematoma, and was successfully treated with via a minimally invasive port-access surgical approach.

Clinical and hemodynamic outcomes after aortic valve replacement with stented and stentless pericardial xenografts: a propensity-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Pericardial aortic xenografts have demonstrated excellent durability, and also freedom from tissue failure and from endocarditis. The aim of this single-center propensity-matched study was to compare the clinical and hemodynamic results of aortic valve replacement (AVR) with that for stented and stentless pericardial bioprostheses. METHODS: A total of 111 consecutive AVRs with the Perimount Magna stented valve, performed between December 2002 and December 2007, and 150 consecutive AVRs with the Pericarbon Freedom stentless bioprosthesis, performed between July 1999 and December 2007, was reviewed. Based on a propensity-score analysis, 81 matched pairs were created. The mean age of the 162 patients was 74 +/- 7 years. In total, 31 (38%) and 39 (48%) associated procedures were performed in the stented and stentless groups, respectively (p = 0.20). The mean follow up for stented-valve patients was 20 +/- 9 months (range: 6-35 months), and for stentless-valve patients was 36 +/- 21 months (range: 6-83 months) (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The operative mortality was 4.9% (n = 4) and 6.2% (n = 5) (p = 0.77) in the stented- and stentless-valve groups, respectively. The cumulative actuarial freedom from structural valve deterioration, non-structural dysfunction, reoperation, prosthetic valve endocarditis, hemorrhage and thromboembolic events after 24 months were 98.4 +/- 1.5% and 96.4 +/- 2.6% (p = 0.12) for the stented- and stentless-valve groups, respectively; the actuarial survival rates after 24 months were 82.6 +/- 5.2% and 83.8 +/- 4.3% (p = 0.82), respectively, while freedom from valve-related death was 98.4 +/- 1.5% and 97.2 +/- 1.9% (p = 0.56), respectively. No statistically significant differences were identified between the peak and mean transaortic gradients. CONCLUSION: Both, the stented and stentless pericardial aortic xenografts provided good clinical and hemodynamic results. However, the study results failed to demonstrate any difference regarding early outcomes between the two groups.

Post-traumatic rupture of the anterolateral papillary muscle.

Rupture of cardiac valves as a consequence of nonpenetrating cardiac trauma is an uncommon phenomenon. We report the case of a 24-year-old patient with a "two-stage" traumatic rupture of the anterolateral papillary muscle of the mitral valve, after a blunt chest trauma, who successfully underwent emergency mitral valve replacement.

Validation of a rat model of cardiopulmonary bypass with a new miniaturized hollow fiber oxygenator.

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is an essential component of cardiac surgery, with still unknown device/patient interactions. To evaluate the response of CPB to hemodynamic, biochemical, inflammatory, as well as thermo-pharmacodynamic interactions, a novel miniaturized oxygenator with controlled and standardized specifications has been developed together with an improved surgical central cannulation technique. A hollow-fiber small priming volume (6.3 ml) oxygenator was manufactured according to specifications resulting from engineering, heart surgery and perfusion expertise (Dideco-Sorin Group, Italy) with the following characteristics: Gas Exchange Surface--450 cm2, and Heat Exchange Surface--16 cm2. The oxygenator was tested in vitro and in vivo in five anesthetized, ventilated, open-chest rats using a miniaturized roller pump. Pressures were monitored in the animal before and after the oxygenator. Central venous cannulation through the superior vena cava and aortic cannulation through the carotid artery were used. In vitro: blood oxygenation increased 10-fold (from room air to 100% O2) and PCO2 removal was 2.5-fold. In vivo: CPB was performed without blood prime for 90 minutes (no ventilation) maintaining stable hemodynamics. A maximal blood flow rate of 124 ml/min/kg was obtained. Arterio-venous PO2 gradients were 10-fold (O2 100%) with only small variations when changing blood flow rates. This new, standardized and miniaturized hollow fiber oxygenator, new cannulation technique and CPB circuit achieved optimal gas transfer with small asanguinous priming volumes. This study opens new potentials for various CPB-related study protocols in the small animal.

Seven-year performance of the Edwards Prima Plus stentless valve with the intact non-coronary sinus technique.

OBJECTIVES: Late results after stentless aortic valve replacement (AVR) may be jeopardized by progressive aortic dilatation. To define functional outcome using the intact non-coronary sinus technique, all patients operated using the stentless Edwards Prima Plus xenograft were assessed. METHODS: Between January 2000 and August 2007, 154 patients, aged 71 +/- 9 years, underwent stentless AVR using a technique, which replaces the non-coronary sinus and stabilizes two of three commissures. Indication was aortic valve stenosis (AS) in 103 (67%) patients: 33 (21%) had bicuspid valve and four endocarditis. Ninety-six (62%) patients were in NYHA III-IV, and 13 (8%) had LVEF <30%. Associated procedures were required in 59 (38%) patients (CABG, 34; ascending aorta, 22; others 3). Study endpoints were survival, freedom from valve-related events, clinical status, and graft function. RESULTS: There were two hospital and two late deaths during a 48 +/- 19 months (1-92) follow-up (97 +/- 3% survival at seven years). Seven-year freedom from structural failure, nonstructural failure, and endocarditis was 99 +/- 1%, 97 +/- 3%, and 98 +/- 2%. Follow-up NYHA (96 vs ten patients in class III-IV, p = 0.001), and cardiac function (13 vs one patient with LVEF <30%, p = 0.02) were improved. Xenograft performance was satisfactory: 0-2 + aortic insufficiency (AI) in 147 (98%) patients, mean trans-prosthetic pressure gradient 8 +/- 4 (0-25 mmHg). Aortic root diameters were comparable to postoperative values (sinus of Valsalva, 36 +/- 8 vs 35 +/- 9 mm, p = ns; sinotubular junction, 32 +/- 7 vs 34 +/- 8 mm, p = ns). CONCLUSIONS: Stentless AVR with non-coronary sinus replacement affords excellent late outcome and low rate of valve-related events, even in complex patients (bicuspid valve, LV failure, and endocarditis). Aortic root dimensions remain stable over time allowing rewarding xenograft function.