Long-term survival after surgical treatment for post-infarction mechanical complications: results from the Caution study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Mechanical complications (MCs) are rare but potentially fatal sequelae of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Surgery, though challenging, is considered the treatment of choice. The authors sought to study early and long-term results of patients undergoing surgical treatment for post-AMI MCs. METHODS: Patients undergone surgical treatment for post-infarction MCs between 2001 through 2019 in 27 centers worldwide were retrieved from the database of CAUTION study. In-hospital and long-term mortality were the primary outcomes. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine independent factors associated with overall mortality. RESULTS: The study included 720 patients. The median age was 70.0 [62.0-77.0] years, with a male predominance (64.6%). The most common MC encountered was ventricular septal rupture (VSR) (59.4%). Cardiogenic shock was seen on presentation in 56.1% of patients. In-hospital mortality rate was 37.4%; in more than 50% of cases, the cause of death was low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS). Late mortality occurred in 133 patients, with a median follow-up of 4.4 [1.0-8.6] years. Overall survival at 1, 5 and 10 years was 54.0%, 48.1% and 41.0%, respectively. Older age (p < 0.001) and postoperative LCOS (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of overall mortality. For hospital survivors, 10-year survival was 65.7% and was significant higher for patients with VSR than those with papillary muscle rupture (long-rank P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Contemporary data from a multicenter cohort study show that surgical treatment for post-AMI MCs continues to be associated with high in-hospital mortality rates. However, long-term survival in patients surviving the immediate postoperative period is encouraging.Trial registration number: NCT03848429.

Impact of COVID-19 on incidence and outcomes of post-infarction mechanical complications in Europe.

OBJECTIVES: Post-acute myocardial infarction mechanical complications (post-AMI MCs) represent rare but life-threatening conditions, including free-wall rupture, ventricular septal rupture and papillary muscle rupture. During the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, an overwhelming pressure on healthcare systems led to delayed and potentially suboptimal treatments for time-dependent conditions. As AMI-related hospitalizations decreased, limited information is available whether higher rates of post-AMI MCs and related deaths occurred in this setting. This study was aimed to assess how COVID-19 in Europe has impacted the incidence, treatment and outcome of MCs. METHODS: The CAUTION-COVID19 study is a multicentre retrospective study collecting 175 patients with post-AMI MCs in 18 centres from 6 European countries, aimed to compare the incidence of such events, related patients' characteristics, and outcomes, between the first year of pandemic and the 2 previous years. RESULTS: A non-significant increase in MCs was observed [odds ratio (OR) = 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.85-1.57; P = 0.364], with stronger growth in ventricular septal rupture diagnoses (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 0.95-2.18; P = 0.090). No significant differences in treatment types and mortality were found between the 2 periods. In-hospital mortality was 50.9% and was higher for conservatively managed cases (90.9%) and lower for surgical patients (44.0%). Patients admitted during COVID-19 more frequently had late-presenting infarction (OR = 2.47, 95% CI 1.24-4.92; P = 0.010), more stable conditions (OR = 2.61, 95% CI 1.27-5.35; P = 0.009) and higher EuroSCORE II (OR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.06; P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: A non-significant increase in MCs incidence occurred during the first year of COVID-19, characterized by a significantly higher rate of late-presenting infarction, stable conditions and EuroSCORE-II if compared to pre-pandemic data, without affecting treatment and mortality.

The current clinical practice for management of post-infarction ventricular septal rupture: a European survey.

Aims: Many historical and recent reports showed that post-infarction ventricular septal rupture (VSR) represents a life-threatening condition and the strategy to optimally manage it remains undefined. Therefore, disparate treatment policies among different centres with variable results are often described. We analysed data from European centres to capture the current clinical practice in VSR management. Methods and results: Thirty-nine centres belonging to eight European countries participated in a survey, filling a digital form of 38 questions from April to October 2022, to collect information about all the aspects of VSR treatment. Most centres encounter 1-5 VSR cases/year. Surgery remains the treatment of choice over percutaneous closure (71.8% vs. 28.2%). A delayed repair represents the preferred approach (87.2%). Haemodynamic conditions influence the management in almost all centres, although some try to achieve patients stabilization and delayed surgery even in cardiogenic shock. Although 33.3% of centres do not perform coronarography in unstable patients, revascularization approaches are widely variable. Most centres adopt mechanical circulatory support (MCS), mostly extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, especially pre-operatively to stabilize patients and achieve delayed repair. Post-operatively, such MCS are more often adopted in patients with ventricular dysfunction. Conclusion: In real-life, delayed surgery, regardless of the haemodynamic conditions, is the preferred strategy for VSR management in Europe. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is becoming the most frequently adopted MCS as bridge-to-operation. This survey provides a useful background to develop dedicated, prospective studies to strengthen the current evidence on VSR treatment and to help improving its currently unsatisfactory outcomes.

Extracorporeal life support in mitral papillary muscle rupture: Outcome of multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Post-acute myocardial infarction papillary muscle rupture (post-AMI PMR) may present variable clinical scenarios and degree of emergency due to result of cardiogenic shock. Veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (V-A ECLS) has been proposed to improve extremely poor pre- or postoperative conditions. Information in this respect is scarce. METHODS: From the CAUTION (meChanical complicAtion of acUte myocardial infarcTion: an InternatiOnal multiceNter cohort study) database (16 different Centers, data from 2001 to 2018), we extracted adult patients who were surgically treated for post-AMI PMR and underwent pre- or/and postoperative V-A ECLS support. The end-points of this study were in-hospital survival and ECLS complications. RESULTS: From a total of 214 post-AMI PMR patients submitted to surgery, V-A ECLS was instituted in 23 (11%) patients. The median age was 61.7 years (range 46-81 years). Preoperatively, ECLS was commenced in 10 patients (43.5%), whereas intra/postoperative in the remaining 13. The most common V-A ECLS indication was post-cardiotomy shock, followed by preoperative cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest. The median duration of V-A ECLS was 4 days. V-A ECLS complications occurred in more than half of the patients. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 39.2% (9/23), compared to 22% (42/219) for the non-ECLS group. CONCLUSIONS: In post-AMI PMR patients, V-A ECLS was used in almost 10% of the patients either to promote bridge to surgery or as postoperative support. Further investigations are required to better evaluate a potential for increased use and its effects of V-A ECLS in such a context based on the still high perioperative mortality.

[ANMCO Position paper: Care pathway for advanced heart failure patients candidate for heart transplantation/ventricular assist device]. / Position paper ANMCO: Percorso assistenziale del paziente con insufficienza cardiaca avanzata candidabile a trapianto/assistenza ventricolare meccanica.

Heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome with a severe prognosis, despite therapeutic progress. The management of the advanced stages of the syndrome is particularly complex in patients who are referred to palliative care as well as in those who are candidates for cardiac replacement therapy. For the latter group, a prompt recognition of the transition to the advanced stage as well as an early referral to the centers for cardiac replacement therapy are essential elements to ensure that patients follow the most appropriate diagnostic-therapeutic pathway. The aim of this document is to focus on the main diagnostic and therapeutic aspects related to the advanced stages of heart failure and, in particular, on the management of patients who are candidates for cardiac replacement therapy.

Organ Care System Heart™ in donors requiring high-risk excision of suspected neoplastic lesions.

Although Heart Transplant is still the gold standard treatment for end-stage heart failure patients, the limitation of this procedure is the discrepancy between the amount of waiting list patients and donors. Organ Care Systems, preventing the detrimental effects of cold ischemia, potentially increase donor pool. Herein we report three cases where high-risk excisions were required to clarify the nature of suspected lesions in donors. We decided to retrieve the organs and to place them in the devices before performing the excision. Our experience confirm the possibility to utilise this device as a time buffer in these peculiar scenarios.

Surgical treatment for post-infarction papillary muscle rupture: a multicentre study.

OBJECTIVES: Papillary muscle rupture (PMR) is a rare but potentially fatal complication of acute myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to analyse the patient characteristics and early outcomes of the surgical management of post-infarction PMR from an international multicentre registry. METHODS: Patients underwent surgery for post-infarction PMR between 2001 through 2019 were retrieved from database of the CAUTION study. The primary end point was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 214 patients were included with a mean age of 66.9 (standard deviation: 10.5) years. The posteromedial papillary muscle was the most frequent rupture location (71.9%); the rupture was complete in 67.3% of patients. Mitral valve replacement was performed in 82.7% of cases. One hundred twenty-two patients (57%) had concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting. In-hospital mortality was 24.8%. Temporal trends revealed no apparent improvement in in-hospital mortality during the study period. Multivariable analysis showed that preoperative chronic kidney disfunction [odds ratio (OR): 2.62, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-6.45, P = 0.036], cardiac arrest (OR: 3.99, 95% CI: 1.02-15.61, P = 0.046) and cardiopulmonary bypass duration (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.02, P = 0.04) were independently associated with an increased risk of in-hospital death, whereas concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting was identified as an independent predictor of early survival (OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.16-0.92, P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment for post-infarction PMR carries a high in-hospital mortality rate, which did not improve during the study period. Because concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting confers a survival benefit, this additional procedure should be performed, whenever possible, in an attempt to improve the outcome. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03848429.

Surgical Treatment of Postinfarction Ventricular Septal Rupture.

Importance: Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a rare but life-threatening mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction associated with high mortality despite prompt treatment. Surgery represents the standard of care; however, only small single-center series or national registries are usually available in literature, whereas international multicenter investigations have been poorly carried out, therefore limiting the evidence on this topic. Objectives: To assess the clinical characteristics and early outcomes for patients who received surgery for postinfarction VSR and to identify factors independently associated with mortality. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Mechanical Complications of Acute Myocardial Infarction: an International Multicenter Cohort (CAUTION) Study is a retrospective multicenter international cohort study that includes patients who were treated surgically for mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction. The study was conducted from January 2001 to December 2019 at 26 different centers worldwide among 475 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for postinfarction VSR. Exposures: Surgical treatment of postinfarction VSR, independent of the technique, alone or combined with other procedures (eg, coronary artery bypass grafting). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was early mortality; secondary outcomes were postoperative complications. Results: Of the 475 patients included in the study, 290 (61.1%) were men, with a mean (SD) age of 68.5 (10.1) years. Cardiogenic shock was present in 213 patients (44.8%). Emergent or salvage surgery was performed in 212 cases (44.6%). The early mortality rate was 40.4% (192 patients), and it did not improve during the nearly 20 years considered for the study (median [IQR] yearly mortality, 41.7% [32.6%-50.0%]). Low cardiac output syndrome and multiorgan failure were the most common causes of death (low cardiac output syndrome, 70 [36.5%]; multiorgan failure, 53 [27.6%]). Recurrent VSR occurred in 59 participants (12.4%) but was not associated with mortality. Cardiogenic shock (survived: 95 [33.6%]; died, 118 [61.5%]; P < .001) and early surgery (time to surgery ≥7 days, survived: 105 [57.4%]; died, 47 [35.1%]; P < .001) were associated with lower survival. At multivariate analysis, older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.08; P = .001), preoperative cardiac arrest (OR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.18-6.27; P = .02) and percutaneous revascularization (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.003-2.65; P = .048), and postoperative need for intra-aortic balloon pump (OR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.46-6.09; P = .003) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (OR, 3.19; 95% CI, 1.30-7.38; P = .01) were independently associated with mortality. Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, surgical repair of postinfarction VSR was associated with a high risk of early mortality; this risk has remained unchanged during the last 2 decades. Delayed surgery seemed associated with better survival. Age, preoperative cardiac arrest and percutaneous revascularization, and postoperative need for intra-aortic balloon pump and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were independently associated with early mortality. Further prospective studies addressing preoperative and perioperative patient management are warranted to hopefully improve the currently suboptimal outcome.

Nonoperative Management of a Recurrent Postoperative Inguinal Lymphatic Leak via Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy: A Case Report.

ABSTRACT: Lymphatic leaks are common following common femoral vessel exposure for cardiac surgical procedures. The management of this complication can be difficult and is often uncomfortable for the patient. This case report describes the successful nonoperative treatment of a recurrent lymphatic leak from an inguinal surgical wound via negative-pressure wound therapy. Negative pressure may be considered a minimally invasive, effective, and acceptable way to treat postoperative lymphatic leaks at the groin.

Mechanical Hemolysis Complicating Transcatheter Interventions for Valvular Heart Disease: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

Mechanical intravascular hemolysis is frequently observed following procedures on heart valves and uncommonly observed in native valvular disease. In most cases, its severity is mild. Nevertheless, it can be clinically significant and even life threatening, requiring multiple blood transfusions and renal replacement therapy. This paper reviews the current knowledge on mechanical intravascular hemolysis in valvular disease, before and after correction, focusing on pathophysiology, approach to diagnosis, and impact of other hematological conditions on the resultant anemia. The importance of a multidisciplinary management is underscored. Laboratory data are provided about subclinical hemolysis that is commonly observed following the implantation of surgical and transcatheter valve prostheses and devices. Finally, clinical scenarios are reviewed and current medical and surgical treatments are discussed, including alternative options for inoperable patients.

Percutaneous RVAD with the Protek Duo for severe right ventricular primary graft dysfunction after heart transplant.

Right ventricular primary graft dysfunction after heart transplant is a serious life-threatening condition. The severe form, refractory to maximal medical therapy, has traditionally required temporary mechanical support through veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or central right ventricular support. The Protek Duo is a dual lumen cannula recently introduced in the market, which allows for the institution of a percutaneous right ventricular support. We present the first promising case series of the use of this novel support in patients with right ventricular primary graft dysfunction after heart transplant.

Switch from minimally invasive biventricular mechanical support to cardiopulmonary bypass during heart transplant.

An easily reproducible surgical technique to switch from percutaneous minimally invasive biventricular mechanical support to cardiopulmonary bypass during heart transplantation is illustrated. After cannulation of the distal ascending aorta with a standard arterial cannula, the ProtekDuo® cannula and the ProtekSolo® Transseptal cannula were partially retracted to reach the superior and inferior vena cava, respectively, and connected to the pump circuit for the venous drainage. With this cardiopulmonary bypass configuration, orthotopic heart transplantation was routinely performed and, at the end of the procedure, the 2 cannulas were uneventfully removed.

COVID-19 in Heart Transplant Recipients: A Multicenter Analysis of the Northern Italian Outbreak.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical course and outcomes of all heart transplant recipients affected by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) who were followed at the leading heart transplant centers of Northern Italy. BACKGROUND: The worldwide severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for public health, demanding exceptional efforts for the successful management and treatment of affected patients. Heart transplant patients represent a unique cohort of chronically immunosuppressed subjects in which SARS-CoV-2 may stimulate an unpredictable clinical course of infection. METHODS: Since February 2020, we enrolled all 47 cases (79% male) in a first cohort of patients, with a mean age of 61.8 ± 14.5 years, who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, out of 2,676 heart transplant recipients alive before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic at 7 heart transplant centers in Northern Italy. RESULTS: To date, 38 patients required hospitalization while 9 remained self-home quarantined and 14 died. Compared to the general population, prevalence (18 vs. 7 cases per 1,000) and related case fatality rate (29.7% vs. 15.4%) in heart transplant recipients were doubled. Univariable analysis showed older age (p = 0.002), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.040), extracardiac arteriopathy (p = 0.040), previous PCI (p = 0.040), CAV score (p = 0.039), lower GFR (p = 0.004), and higher NYHA functional classes (p = 0.023) were all significantly associated with in-hospital mortality. During the follow-up two patients died and a third patient has prolonged viral-shedding alternating positive and negative swabs. Since July 1st, 2020, we had 6 new patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, 5 patients asymptomatic were self-quarantined, while 1 is still hospitalized for pneumonia. A standard therapy was maintained for all, except for the hospitalized patient. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and mortality of SARS-CoV-2 should spur clinicians to immediately refer heart transplant recipients suspected as having SARS-CoV2 infection to centers specializing in the care of this vulnerable population.

A call to action becomes practice: cardiac and vascular surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic based on the Lombardy emergency guidelines.

OBJECTIVES: During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, Northern Italy had to completely reorganize its hospital activity. In Lombardy, the hub-and-spoke system was introduced to guarantee emergency and urgent cardiovascular surgery, whereas most hospitals were dedicated to patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to analyse the results of the hub-and-spoke organization system. METHODS: Centro Cardiologico Monzino (Monzino) became one of the four hubs for cardiovascular surgery, with a total of eight spokes. SARS-CoV-2 screening became mandatory for all patients. New flow charts were designed to allow separated pathways based on infection status. A reorganization of spaces guaranteed COVID-19-free and COVID-19-dedicated areas. Patients were also classified into groups according to their pathological and clinical status: emergency, urgent and non-deferrable (ND). RESULTS: A total of 70 patients were referred to the Monzino hub-and-spoke network. We performed 41 operations, 28 (68.3%) of which were emergency/urgent and 13 of which were ND. The screening allowed the identification of COVID-19 (three patients, 7.3%) and non-COVID-19 patients (38 patients, 92.7%). The newly designed and shared protocols guaranteed that the cardiac patients would be divided into emergency, urgent and ND groups. The involvement of the telematic management heart team allowed constant updates and clinical discussions. CONCLUSIONS: The hub-and-spoke organization system efficiently safeguards access to heart and vascular surgical services for patients who require ND, urgent and emergency treatment. Further reorganization will be needed at the end of this pandemic when elective cases will again be scheduled, with a daily increase in the number of operations.

Long-term clinical outcome and performance of transcatheter aortic valve replacement with a self-expandable bioprosthesis.

AIMS: In the last decade, transcatheter aortic valve (TAV) replacement determined a paradigm shift in the treatment of patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Data on long-term TAV performance are still limited. We sought to evaluate the clinical and haemodynamic outcomes of the CoreValve self-expandable valve up to 8-year follow-up (FU). METHODS AND RESULTS: Nine hundred and ninety inoperable or high-risk patients were treated with the CoreValve TAV in eight Italian Centres from June 2007 to December 2011. The median FU was 4.4 years (interquartile range 1.4-6.7 years). Longest FU reached 11 years. A total of 728 died within 8-year FU (78.3% mortality from Kaplan-Meier curve analysis). A significant functional improvement was observed in the majority of patients and maintained over time, with 79.3% of surviving patients still classified New York Heart Association class ≤ II at 8 years. Echocardiographic data showed that the mean transprosthetic aortic gradient remained substantially unchanged (9 ± 4 mmHg at discharge, 9 ± 5 mmHg at 8 years, P = 0.495). The rate of Grade 0/1 paravalvular leak was consistent during FU with no significant change from post-procedure to FU ≥5 years in paired analysis (P = 0.164). Structural valve deterioration (SVD) and late bioprosthetic valve failure (BVF) were defined according to a modification of the 2017 EAPCI/ESC/EACTS criteria. In cumulative incidence functions at 8 years, moderate and severe SVD were 3.0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1-4.3%] and 1.6% (95% CI 0.6-3.9%), respectively, while late BVF was 2.5% (95% CI 1.2-5%). CONCLUSION: While TAVs are questioned about long-term performance and durability, the results of the present research provide reassuring 8-year evidence on the CoreValve first-generation self-expandable bioprosthesis.

Sequencing of NOTCH1 gene in an Italian population with bicuspid aortic valve: Preliminary results from the GISSI OUTLIERS VAR study.

BACKGROUND: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) formation is genetically determined, with reduced penetrance and variable expressivity. NOTCH1 is a proven candidate gene and its mutations have been found in familial and sporadic cases of BAV. METHODS: 66 BAV patients from the GISSI VAR study were genotyped for the NOTCH1 gene. RESULTS: We identified 63 variants, in heterozygous and homozygous states. Fifty-two are common polymorphisms present in almost all patients. Eleven variants are new and never yet reported: two are non-synonymous substitutions, Gly540Asp in exon 10 and Glu851Gln in exon 16; one is in the 3'UTR region and seven in introns, one corresponds to a T allele insertion in intron 27. We selected four statistically noteworthy and seven new variants identified in six BAV patients and correlated them with clinical and demographic variables and with imaging and histological parameters. Preliminary data show that four were BAV patients with isolated stenosis in patients over 60 aged. These variants may correlate with a later need for surgery for the presence of stenosis and not aortic valve regurgitation or ascending aortic aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS: Completing the genotyping of 62 BAV patients we found 11 new variants in the NOTCH1 gene never yet reported. These findings confirm that the identification of new, clinically remarkable biomarkers for BAV requires a deeper genetic understanding of the NOTCH1 gene variants, which could be targeted by future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Management of cardiogenic shock in acute decompensated chronic heart failure: The ALTSHOCK phase II clinical trial.

Management of acute decompensated heart failure patients presenting with cardiogenic shock (CS) is not straightforward, as few data are available from clinical trials. Stabilization before left ventricle assist device (LVAD) or heart transplantation (HTx) is strongly advocated, as patients undergoing LVAD implant or HTx in critical status have worse outcomes. This was a multicenter phase II study with a Simon 2-stage design, including 24 consecutive patients treated with low-moderate epinephrine doses, whose refractory CS prompted implantation of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) which was subsequently upgraded with peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. At admission, patients had severe left ventricular dysfunction and overt CS, 7 patients could be managed only with inotropic therapy, and 16 patients were transitioned to IABP and 1 to IABP and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; the median duration of epinephrine therapy was 7 days (interquartile range 6-15), and the median dose was 0.08 µg/kg/min (interquartile range 0.05-0.1); 21 patients (87.5%) survived at 60 days (primary outcome); among them, 13 (61.9%) underwent LVAD implantation, 2 (9.5%) underwent HTx, and 6 (28.6%) improved on medical treatment, indicating that early and intensive treatment of CS in chronic advanced heart failure patients with low-dose epinephrine and timely short-term mechanical circulatory support leads to satisfactory outcomes.

HeartWare-HVAD for end-stage heart failure: a review of clinical experiences with ≥50 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the improvements in medical and surgical treatments, the incidence of end-stage heart failure (ESHF) continues to increase. Different mechanical systems have been adopted to support failing left ventricles. Among continuous-flow devices, the HeartWare-HVAD was the first to use a centrifugal pump rather than an axial one. Areas covered: In this review article, we provide an overview of the HeartWare-HVAD as a ventricular assist device for ESHF, discussing indications, echocardiographic assessment, surgical techniques, outcomes, concerns and controversies. Scientific literature was reviewed with a MEDLINE search strategy combining 'HeartWare' or 'HVAD' with 'heart failure'. A total of 263 papers were found using the reported search. From these, 16 were identified to provide the best evidence on the subject reporting outcomes in ≥50 patients. Expert commentary: HeartWare-HVAD is a minute device that provides full circulatory support in patients with ESHF. Its main indication remains bridge to heart transplantation (HTx). Median sternotomy is the preferred technique of implantation although less invasive procedures have been described. Early outcomes are satisfactory. Nevertheless, some fearing complications still occur during the mid- and long-term follow-up. Further technical developments and optimal medical management will guarantee better outcomes.

Mitral periprosthetic leakage: contemporary results of surgical correction at a single centre.

OBJECTIVES: Mitral periprosthetic leakage (PPL) is a serious complication following valve replacement. Conflicting outcomes of surgical treatment have been reported in the presence of multiple previous cardiac operations and associated co-pathological conditions. METHODS: Sixty-five symptomatic patients (37 women, mean age 64.8 years) underwent conventional operations at our hospital from 2006 to 2015. Mitral PPL was the leading surgical indication, although associated procedures were included. Previous transcatheter procedures and leaks involving multiple prostheses were excluded. The median number of past mitral operations was 2 (range 1-5). PPL recurrence was observed in 29% of cases. A previous operation on the aortic or tricuspid valve was performed in 31 patients. RESULTS: Mitral PPL involved one-, two- or three-quarters of the mitral perimeter in 46, 43 and 11% of cases. Prosthetic refixation or replacement was performed in 24 and 41 patients, respectively. Annular reconstruction was necessary in 17% of prosthetic replacements. Associated procedures were performed in 19 patients. The operation was executed through a right minithoracotomy (unclamped aorta) in 20% of patients. In-hospital deaths occurred in 3.1%. After a median follow-up of 60 months, freedom from all-cause mortality was 96.8, 91.5 and 88.8% at 1, 3 and 5 years. Lateral leaks [P = 0.03; hazard ratio (HR) = 4.57, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-18.3] and PPL relapse (P = 0.03; HR = 4.33, 95% CI: 1.12-16.7) were independently associated with death. At follow-up, 4 patients had a >2+ recurrent leak and 2 were reoperated. CONCLUSIONS: A customized conventional mitral reoperation still represents a satisfactory and effective treatment option for PPL and should be considered even in patients with very complex issues.