Limited vs. Extended Resection of Stanford Type A Acute Aortic Dissections.

Background and Objectives: This is a propensity-matched, single-center study of limited versus extended resection for type A acute aortic dissection (AAAD). Materials and Methods: This study collected retrospective data for 440 patients with acute type A aortic dissection repairs (limited resection, LR-215; extended resection, ER-225), of which 109 pairs were propensity-matched to LR versus ER. Multivariate analysis was performed for inpatient death, long-term survival and the composite outcome of inpatient death/TIA/stroke. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were compared at 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 years using the log-rank test. Results: Mean age was 66.9 ± 13 years and mean follow-up was 5.3 ± 4.7 years. A total of 48.9% had LR. In-hospital mortality was 10% (LR: 6% vs. ER: 13.8%, p < 0.01). ER, NYHA class, salvage surgery and additional procedures were predictors of increased mortality in unmatched data. Propensity-matched data showed no difference in TIA/stroke rates, LOS, inpatient mortality or composite outcomes. LR had better survival (LR: 77.1% vs. ER: 51.4%, p < 0.001). ER (OR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.27, 3.08, p = 0.003) was a significant predictor of worse long-term survival. At 15 years, aortic re-operation was 17% and freedom from re-operation and death was 42%. Conclusions: Type A aortic dissection repair has high mortality and morbidity, although results have improved over two decades. ER was a predictor of worse perioperative results and long-term survival.

Left Internal Thoracic Artery versus Saphenous Vein Grafts to Left Anterior Descending Artery after Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study compared perioperative outcomes and long-term survival of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) versus left internal thoracic artery (LITA) to left anterior descending artery (LAD) in isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). METHODS: In this retrospective, single-centre study, we included patients with primary isolated CABG from January 2001 to July 2022. Baseline demographics were compared between SVG-LAD and LITA-LAD. Univariable and multivariable regressions were performed for predictors of in-hospital death. Propensity score matching was performed for LITA-LAD vs. SVG-LAD. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated for comparison of survival. Cox proportional hazards model was used for predictors of survival. RESULTS: A total of 8237 patients (1602 SVG-LAD/6725 LITA-LAD) were included. Median age was 67.9 years (LITA-LAD; 67.1 years vs. SVG-LAD; 71.7 years, p < 0.01). A total of 1270 pairs of SVG-LAD were propensity-matched to LITA-LAD. In matched cohorts, in-hospital mortality (0.8% vs. 1.6%, LITA-LAD and SVG-LAD respectively; p = 0.07), deep sternal wound infection, new cerebrovascular events, renal replacement therapy and hospital stay >30 days were similar. SVG-LAD did not adversely affect in-hospital mortality (OR; 2.03, CI; 0.91, 4.54, p = 0.08). Median long-term survival was similar between the groups (13.7 years vs. 13.1 years for LITA-LAD and SVG-LAD respectively, log rank p < 0.31). SVG-LAD was not a predictor of adverse long-term survival. (HR; 1.06, 95% CI; 0.92, 1.22, p < 0.40). Long-term survival was better with LITA-LAD for LVEF <30% (log rank p < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the propensity-matched cohorts for use of SVG vs. LITA to the LAD. Further contemporary long-term studies are needed for substantiation.

Long-Term Survival among Octogenarians Undergoing Aortic Valve Replacement with or without Simultaneous Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A 22-Year Tertiary Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: The impact of concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on aortic valve replacement (AVR) in octogenarians is still debated. We analyzed the characteristics and long-term survival of octogenarians undergoing isolated AVR and AVR + CABG. METHODS: All octogenarians who consecutively underwent AVR with or without concomitant CABG at our tertiary cardiac center between 2000 and 2022 were included. Patients with redo, emergent, or any other concomitant procedures were excluded. The primary endpoints were 30-day and long-term survival. The secondary endpoints were early postoperative outcomes and determinants of long-term survival. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of 30-day mortality, and Cox regression analysis was performed for predictors of adverse long-term survival. RESULTS: A total of 1011 patients who underwent AVR (83.0 [81.0-85.0] years, 42.0% males) and 1055 with AVR + CABG (83.0 [81.2-85.4] years, 66.1% males) were included in our study. Survival at 30 days and at 1, 3, and 5 years in the AVR group was 97.9%, 91.5%, 80.5%, and 66.2%, respectively, while in the AVR + CABG group it was 96.2%, 89.6%, 77.7%, and 64.7%, respectively. There was no significant difference in median postoperative survival between the AVR and AVR + CABG groups (7.1 years [IQR: 6.7-7.5] vs. 6.6 years [IQR: 6.3-7.2], respectively, p = 0.21). Significant predictors of adverse long-term survival in the AVR group included age (hazard ratio (HR): 1.09; 95% CI: 1.06-1.12, p < 0.001), previous MI (HR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.32-3.28, p = 0.002), and chronic kidney disease (HR 2.07; 95% CI: 1.33-3.23, p = 0.001), while in the AVR + CABG group they included age (HR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.04-1.10, p < 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (HR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.15-1.89, p = 0.002). Concomitant CABG was not an independent risk factor for adverse long-term survival (HR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.77-1.02, p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: The long-term survival of octogenarians who underwent AVR or AVR + CABG was similar and was not affected by adding concomitant CABG. However, octogenarians who underwent concomitant CABG with AVR had significantly higher in-hospital mortality. Each decision should be discussed within the heart team.

Re-sternotomy for aortic valve replacement in octogenarian patients in age of evolving transcatheter therapies.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze perioperative results and long-term survival of re-sternotomy for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in octogenarians in age of transcatheter therapies. METHODS: This is a retrospective, single-center study (April 2000 to December 2019). Perioperative data were compared for re-sternotomy with isolated SAVR (Isolated redoSAVR) and re-sternotomy with SAVR and concomitant cardiac procedure (Associated redoSAVR). Regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of in-patient mortality. Hazard ratios and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were compared for groups. RESULTS: There were 163 patients (Isolated redoSAVR; 69, Associated redoSAVR; 94). Emergency/salvage cases were excluded. The median age was 83 (81-85) years and the median logEuroSCORE was 19.2 (13.0-26.7)%. The follow-up was 4.2 ± 3.5 years. Inpatient mortality was 4.9% (1.4% vs. 7.4% for Isolated redoSAVR and Associated redoSAVR respectively, p = .08). TIA/stroke rate was 8% (9% vs. 7% for Isolated redoSAVR and Associated redoSAVR, respectively, p = .78). COPD was a predictor of inpatient mortality (odds ratio: 8.86; 95% confidence interval: 1.19-66.11, p = .03). Survival was 88.7%, 86.4%, 70.1%, 49.5%, and 26.3% at 1, 2, 5, 7, and 10 years. There was no survival difference between Isolated redoSAVR and Associated redoSAVR (log rank p = .36, Wilcoxon p = .84). Significant adverse predictors of long-term survival were COPD, postoperative TIA/stroke, and length of stay. Survival was lower than age and gender-matched first-time SAVR and general population of the United Kingdom. CONCLUSION: RedoSAVR in octogenarians is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Shared decision-making should consider emerging transcatheter therapies as a valuable option in selected patients.

Excess mortality among people with podoconiosis: secondary analysis of two Ethiopian cohorts.

BACKGROUND: While morbidity attributable to podoconiosis is relatively well studied, its pattern of mortality has not been established. METHODS: We compared the age-standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) of two datasets from northern Ethiopia: podoconiosis patients enrolled in a 1-y trial and a Health and Demographic Surveillance System cohort. RESULTS: The annual crude mortality rate per 1000 population for podoconiosis patients was 28.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 17.3 to 44.8; n=663) while that of the general population was 2.8 (95% CI 2.3 to 3.4; n=44 095). The overall SMR for the study period was 6.0 (95% CI 3.6 to 9.4). CONCLUSIONS: Podoconiosis patients experience elevated mortality compared with the general population and further research is required to understand the reasons.