Endocarditis infecciosa de válvula nativa: factores asociados a resultados adversos / Mortality predictors in patients with native valve infec tive endocarditis

Resumen Introducción : La mortalidad de la endocarditis infec ciosa (EI) en Argentina continúa siendo elevada. El obje tivo del trabajo fue describir las características clínicas e identificar factores asociados a mortalidad en pacientes con EI de válvula nativa. Métodos : Estudio de cohorte retrospectiva que inclu yó pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de EI de válvula nativa internados durante 2011-2021. Resultados : Se incluyeron 129 pacientes con una edad promedio de 66±17 años. El organismo responsa ble más frecuente (38.8%, n = 50) fue el Staphylococcus aureus (SA). El 63.6% presentó criterios de indicación quirúrgica. La mortalidad durante la internación fue del 22.5%. En el análisis multivariado que incluyó índice de comorbilidad Charlson, infección por SA y la presencia de criterios de indicación quirúrgica, se observó un OR ajustado de mortalidad de 1.32 (IC95% 1.10-1.57; p = 0.003), 2.75 (IC95% 1.11-6.8; p = 0.028) y 4.14 (IC95% 1.34-12; p = 0.013), respectivamente. En el análisis mul tivariado para mortalidad alejada que agregó el criterio quirúrgico y la realización de cirugía durante la inter nación, se observó un OR ajustado de 1.62 (IC95% 1.31- 2.00; p < 001), 0.77 (IC95% 0.31-1.93; p = 0.58), 7.49 (IC95% 2.07-27.07; p = 0.002) y 0.21 (IC95% 0.06-0.70; p = 0.01), respectivamente. Conclusiones : La mortalidad de la EI se asoció al grado de comorbilidad previa, a la forma de presenta ción y, en relación inversa, a la realización oportuna del tratamiento quirúrgico.

Abstract Introduction : Mortality of infective endocarditis (IE) in Argentina continues to be high. The aim objective was to describe the clinical characteristics and identify factors associated with in-hospital and long-term mortality in patients with native valve IE. Methods : Retrospective cohort study including adult patients with diagnosis of native valve IE, hospitalized during 2011-2021. Results : A total of 129 patients with a mean age of 66±17 years were included. The most frequent respon sible organism was Staphylococcus aureus (SA) (38.8%). Surgical indication criteria were present in 63.6% of the patients. Mortality during hospitalization was 22.5% .In the multivariate analysis that included Charlson comorbidity index, SA infection and the presence of surgical indication criteria, an adjusted OR of mor tality of 1.32 (95%CI 1.10-1.57; p = 0.003), 2.75 (95%CI 1.11-6.8; p = 0.028) and 4.14 (95%CI 1.34-12; p = 0.013), respectively, was observed. In the multivariate analysis for long term mortality, that added surgical indication criteria and the performance of surgery during hospitalization, an adjusted OR of 1.62 (CI95% 1.31-2.00; p<001), 0.77 (95%CI 0.31-1.93; p = 0.58), 7.49 (95%CI 2.07-27.07; p = 0.002) and 0.21 (95%CI 0.06-0.70; p = 0.01), respec tively, was observed. Conclusions : Mortality in IE was associated with the degree of previous comorbidity, with the presence of surgical indication criteria and, inversely, with the timely completion of surgical treatment.

[Mortality predictors in patients with native valve infective endocarditis]. / Endocarditis infecciosa de válvula nativa: factores asociados a resultados adversos.

INTRODUCTION: Mortality of infective endocarditis (IE) in Argentina continues to be high. The aim objective was to describe the clinical characteristics and identify factors associated with in-hospital and long-term mortality in patients with native valve IE. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study including adult patients with diagnosis of native valve IE, hospitalized during 2011-2021. RESULTS: A total of 129 patients with a mean age of 66±17 years were included. The most frequent responsible organism was Staphylococcus aureus (SA) (38.8%). Surgical indication criteria were present in 63.6% of the patients. Mortality during hospitalization was 22.5% .In the multivariate analysis that included Charlson comorbidity index, SA infection and the presence of surgical indication criteria, an adjusted OR of mortality of 1.32 (95%CI 1.10-1.57; p = 0.003), 2.75 (95%CI 1.11-6.8; p = 0.028) and 4.14 (95%CI 1.34-12; p = 0.013), respectively, was observed. In the multivariate analysis for long term mortality, that added surgical indication criteria and the performance of surgery during hospitalization, an adjusted OR of 1.62 (CI95% 1.31-2.00; p<001), 0.77 (95%CI 0.31-1.93; p = 0.58), 7.49 (95%CI 2.07-27.07; p = 0.002) and 0.21 (95%CI 0.06-0.70; p = 0.01), respectively, was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality in IE was associated with the degree of previous comorbidity, with the presence of surgical indication criteria and, inversely, with the timely completion of surgical treatment.

Introducción: La mortalidad de la endocarditis infecciosa (EI) en Argentina continúa siendo elevada. El objetivo del trabajo fue describir las características clínicas e identificar factores asociados a mortalidad en pacientes con EI de válvula nativa. Métodos: Estudio de cohorte retrospectiva que incluyó pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de EI de válvula nativa internados durante 2011-2021. Resultados: Se incluyeron 129 pacientes con una edad promedio de 66±17 años. El organismo responsable más frecuente (38.8%, n = 50) fue el Staphylococcus aureus (SA). El 63.6% presentó criterios de indicación quirúrgica. La mortalidad durante la internación fue del 22.5%. En el análisis multivariado que incluyó índice de comorbilidad Charlson, infección por SA y la presencia de criterios de indicación quirúrgica, se observó un OR ajustado de mortalidad de 1.32 (IC95% 1.10-1.57; p = 0.003), 2.75 (IC95% 1.11-6.8; p = 0.028) y 4.14 (IC95% 1.34-12; p = 0.013), respectivamente. En el análisis multivariado para mortalidad alejada que agregó el criterio quirúrgico y la realización de cirugía durante la internación, se observó un OR ajustado de 1.62 (IC95% 1.31- 2.00; p < 001), 0.77 (IC95% 0.31-1.93; p = 0.58), 7.49 (IC95% 2.07-27.07; p = 0.002) y 0.21 (IC95% 0.06-0.70; p = 0.01), respectivamente. Conclusiones: La mortalidad de la EI se asoció al grado de comorbilidad previa, a la forma de presentación y, en relación inversa, a la realización oportuna del tratamiento quirúrgico.

Infective Endocarditis in the Elderly: Challenges and Strategies.

The specific management of infective endocarditis (IE) in elderly patients is not specifically addressed in recent guidelines despite its increasing incidence and high mortality in this population. The term "elderly" corresponds to different ages in the literature, but it is defined by considerable comorbidity and heterogeneity. Cancer incidence, specifically colorectal cancer, is increased in older patients with IE and impacts its outcome. Diagnosis of IE in elderly patients is challenging due to the atypical presentation of the disease and the lower performance of imaging studies. Enterococcal etiology is more frequent than in younger patients. Antibiotic treatment should prioritize diminishing adverse effects and drug interactions while maintaining the best efficacy, as surgical treatment is less commonly performed in this population due to the high surgical risk. The global assessment of elderly patients with IE, with particular attention to frailty and geriatric profiles, should be performed by multidisciplinary teams to improve disease management in this population.

Five-year outcomes of elective infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair at a university hospital in Argentina / Resultados a cinco años de la reparación electiva del aneurisma de aorta abdominal infrarrenal en un hospital universitario de Argentina.

Objective: Few data about outcomes of elective infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in Latin America have been published. The objective of the present study is to address this aspect in our population. Method: Retrospective cohort, in which patients with infrarenal AAA undergoing elective surgical or endovascular repair from January 2011 to May 2017 at a university hospital in Autonomous City of Buenos Aires were consecutively included. The primary endpoints were perioperative mortality and all-cause mortality during follow-up. Among the secondary endpoints, the requeriment of reinterventions was assessed. Results: 195 patients were included. Open surgery was performed in 72 patients (36.9%) and endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) in 123 (63.1%). Perioperative mortality in the surgery group was 2.8%, while no deaths were recorded in the endovascular group (p = 0.06). The median follow-up was 38 months. No statistically significant difference was found in long-term mortality incidence rate between patients who underwent EVAR and those who underwent open surgery (7% per year vs. 6.7% per year, p = 0.8). The requirement of reinterventions was significantly higher in the endovascular group (9.0% vs. 0%, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Survival analyses demonstrated no statistically significant differences in perioperative and long-term mortality for patients who underwent EVAR compared with those who underwent open surgery, while the former had a higher rate of reinterventions. The results observed in our population do not differ from those published in the United State or Europe.

Ojetivo: La evidencia surgida en Latinoamérica acerca de los resultados de la reparación electiva del aneurisma de aorta abdominal (AAA) es escasa, por lo que el objetivo de este estudio es abordar este aspecto en la población nacional. Método: Cohorte retrospectiva en la cual se incluyó de forma consecutiva a pacientes con AAA infrarrenal sometidos a reparación quirúrgica o endovascular en forma electiva desde enero de 2011 hasta mayo de 2017 en un hospital universitario de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Los puntos finales primarios fueron la mortalidad perioperatoria y la mortalidad por todas las causas durante el seguimiento. Entre los puntos finales secundarios se evaluó el requerimiento de reintervenciones. Resultados: Se incluyó a 195 pacientes. La operación abierta se llevó a cabo en 72 pacientes (36.9%), mientras que el procedimiento endovascular se practicó en 123 (63.1%). La mortalidad perioperatoria en el grupo quirúrgico fue de 2.8%, sin registro de muertes en el grupo endovascular (p = 0.06). La mediana de seguimiento fue de 38 meses. La incidencia de mortalidad tardía fue de 7%/año en pacientes con reparación endovascular y de 6.7%/año en los quirúrgicos (p = 0.8). El requerimiento de reintervenciones fue significativamente mayor en el grupo endovascular (9.0% vs. 0%, p = 0.01). Conclusiones: La mortalidad perioperatoria y la mortalidad tardía de los pacientes tratados de manera electiva por AAA en forma quirúrgica o endovascular fueron similares, en tanto que los pacientes sometidos a reparación endovascular requirieron mayor cantidad de reintervenciones. Los resultados observados en la población no difieren de los publicados en Estados Unidos o Europa.

Reemplazo valvular mitral en pacientes con anillo calcificado / Mitral Valve Replacement in Patients with Mitral Annulus Calcification

RESUMEN Introducción: El anillo mitral calcificado es un proceso degenerativo que, de encontrarse presente en pacientes con indicación de tratamiento quirúrgico de la válvula mitral, implica un problema técnico de difícil resolución, que genera un aumento de probabilidad de complicaciones graves como accidente cerebrovascular, fugas perivalvulares, sangrado y muerte. Objetivo: El propósito del estudio es describir nuestra experiencia con cirugía valvular mitral en el contexto de calcificación grave del anillo mitral. Material y métodos: entre julio de 2010 y julio de 2020, 28 pacientes fueron intervenidos por patología valvular mitral en presencia de anillo mitral gravemente calcificado. La mediana de edad de la población fue de 77 años y el 68% fue de sexo femenino. Se realizó reemplazo valvular mitral en todos los casos asociado con reemplazo valvular aórtico en el 36%, con plástica tricuspídea en el 11% y con cirugía de revascularización miocárdica en el 21% de los casos. Resultados: Dos pacientes fallecieron en el hospital. Las complicaciones posoperatorias más frecuentes fueron la fibrilación auricular y la insuficiencia renal aguda. No se observaron fugas perivalvulares ni complicaciones asociadas con la prótesis. Conclusiones: La cirugía valvular mitral en presencia de anillo mitral calcificado puede realizarse con resultados aceptables para el perfil de riesgo de la población con la patología y de acuerdo con lo informado en publicaciones internacionales.

ABSTRACT Background: Mitral annulus calcification is a degenerative process which poses a challenging technical problem in patients undergoing surgical treatment of the mitral valve, increasing the probability of severe complications as stroke, perivalvular leaks, bleeding and death. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe our experience in mitral valve surgery with severe mitral annulus calcification. Methods: Between July 2010 and July 2020, 28 patients underwent surgery due to mitral valve disease with severe mitral annulus calcification. Median age was 77 years and 68% of patients were female. Mitral valve replacement was performed in all patients, associated with aortic valve replacement in 36%, tricuspid valve repair in 11% and coronary artery bypass graft surgery in 21% of cases. Results: Two patients died during hospitalization. The most frequent postoperative complications were atrial fibrillation and acute kidney failure. No perivalvular leaks or prosthesis-associated complications were observed. Conclusions: Mitral valve surgery in the presence of mitral annulus calcification can be performed with acceptable results for the risk profile of the population with the disease and according to international publications.

How to remove multiple mediastinal and pericardial hydatid cysts.

A 61-year-old male who lived for 30 years in a rural area presented chest pain of 3 months duration. Multiple hydatid cysts (Echinococcus granulosus) were diagnosed in the pericardium and the mediastinum by echocardiography and computed tomography. The cysts were removed successfully with the patient on cardiopulmonary bypass and beating heart.  This video tutorial shows how we removed the cysts, using the puncture-aspiration and enucleation technique.  Few videos of this technique exist, and we believe that this tutorial is a helpful demonstration of how to handle mediastinal and pericardial hydatid cysts.

Reparación valvular mitral resectiva vs. implante de neocuerda en la insuficiencia mitral de origen degenerativo: resultados en el seguimiento alejado según la técnica quirúrgica utilizada / Chordal Replacement for Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation: Long-term Outcomes According to the Technique Used

RESUMEN Introducción: La reparación de la válvula mitral (RM) es actualmente la técnica de elección para el tratamiento de la insuficiencia mitral (IM) de origen degenerativo. La RM resectiva ha demostrado excelentes resultados en el mediano y largo plazo; no obstante, todavía hay discrepancias en la bibliografía sobre la técnica ideal en la reparación entre técnicas resectivas o conservadoras. Objetivos: Principal: comparar la durabilidad de la RM y la sobrevida libre de reoperación en la IM de origen degenerativo con la técnica de resección cuadrangular/triangular vs. la de implante de neocuerdas. Secundario: analizar los resultados técnico-quirúrgicos, las complicaciones posoperatorias tempranas y el punto final combinado de mortalidad, reoperación y/o progresión a la IM significativa de los pacientes sometidos a reparación de la IM. Material y métodos: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo, incluyendo pacientes en los que se efectuó RM a causa de IM grave de origen degenerativo (técnica resectiva o neocuerdas) durante el período enero de 2005 a diciembre de 2017. Los 154 pacientes incluidos se dividieron en dos grupos: grupo resectivas (aquellos sometidos a cirugías resectivas; n = 78) y grupo neocuerdas (aquellos sometidos a implante de neocuerdas; n = 76). Diez pacientes tuvieron ambos procedimientos y fueron excluidos del análisis. Resultados: El promedio de edad de los pacientes fue de 66,4 ± 13,9 años (p=0,3). En el 29,8% de ellos pudo realizarse un abordaje miniinvasivo. La mortalidad a los 30 días fue de 1,2% en el grupo resectivas vs. 1,3% en el grupo neocuerdas (p = 0,31), y en el seguimiento alejado fue de 2,4% vs. 1,3%, respectivamente (p = 0,62). Los tiempos de circulación extracorpórea fueron superiores en el grupo neocuerdas (160,3 ± 51,3 minutos, vs. 130,4 ± 42,4 minutos, p < 0,001), al igual que las reparaciones anteriores (17,1% vs. 3,8%, p = 0,007) y bivalvares (17,1% vs. 3,8%, p < 0,001). Considerando la totalidad de pacientes evaluados en el seguimiento alejado, la sobrevida libre de reoperación alcanzó el 97,4% y la sobrevida libre de IM ≥ moderada superó el 90%, con una sobrevida global a 7 años de 97,4%. La complicación más frecuente fue la fibrilación auricular (5,8%). Conclusiones: Ambas técnicas tuvieron excelentes resultados, los que fueron similares en términos de mortalidad, sobrevida libre de reoperación y libre de IM ≥ moderada.

ABSTRACT Background: Mitral valve repair (MVR) is the technique of choice for the treatment of degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR). Leaflet resection has demonstrated excellent mid-term and long-term outcomes, but there are still disagreements in the literature at the moment of choosing between resection or conservative techniques. Objective: The primary outcome was to compare the durability of MVR and freedom from reoperation of the quadrangular and triangular leaflet resection techniques versus chordal replacement in degenerative MR. The secondary outcome was to analyze the results of the surgical techniques, the incidence of early postoperative complications and a composite outcome of mortality, reoperation or progression to significant MR in this population. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study in patients with degenerative MR undergoing MVR (leaflet resection or chordal replacement) between January 2005 and December 2017. A total of 154 patients were included: 78 in the leaflet resection group and 76 in the chordal replacement group. Ten patients underwent both procedures and were excluded from the analysis. Results: Mean age was 66.4±13.9 years (p=0.3) A minimally invasive approach was used in 29.8% of cases. Mortality at 30 days was 1.2% in the leaflet resection group vs. 1.3% in the chordal replacement group (p=0.31), and it was 2.4% vs. 1.3%, respectively, in the long-term follow up (p=0.62). Cardiopulmonary bypass time was longer in the chordal replacement group (160.3±51.3 minutes vs. 130.4±42.4 minutes, p<0.001), as well as the number of anterior leaflet (17.1% vs. 3.8%, p=0.007) and both leaflet repairs (17.1% vs. 3.8%, p<0.001). At the long-term follow-up, freedom from reoperation was 97.4%, freedom from significant MR was over 90% and survival at 7 years was 97.4% in the entire cohort. Atrial fibrillation was the most common complication (5.8%). Conclusions: Both techniques had excellent and similar results in terms of mortality, freedom from reoperation and freedom from significant MR.

Situation Awareness for Circumflex Artery Injury During Mitral Valve Surgery.

Injury of the circumflex artery (Cx) during mitral valve surgery is a rare and underrecognized life-threatening complication. A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing mitral valve operations at 2 centers was conducted. Five mitral valve operations are described. After diagnosis of Cx injury, 2 patients were treated by stent implantation, 1 by coronary bypass to the Cx, and 1 by repositioning the responsible annular stitches. In another patient, the Cx injury was not treated and was diagnosed at autopsy. There were no deaths in patients whose Cx injury was promptly treated. Cx injury can be successfully managed when it is treated on time.

Disfunción de prótesis mitral mecánica: ¿Intervención quirúrgica o tratamiento inmediato con fibrinolíticos? / Mechanical mitral prosthesis dysfunction: Surgical intervention or immediate treatment with fibrinolytics?

Resumen: Existe en la actualidad controversia acerca del mejor tratamiento para los pacientes portadores de trombosis valvular protésica. Muchos factores deben ser tenidos en cuenta al momento de decidir entre la resolución quirúrgica o el tratamiento con fibrinolíticos sistémicos. Las guías americanas recomiendan en plano de igualdad ambas terapéuticas, poniendo énfasis en el análisis de cada caso en particular. Las guías europeas, en cambio, le dan mayor nivel de recomendación a la cirugía, dejando la fibrinólisis para aquellos pacientes con alto riesgo quirúrgico. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 54 años, portadora de prótesis mitral mecánica implantada hace 15 años, disfuncionante, en clase funcional II de la New York Heart Association, y se discuten las opciones diagnósticas y terapéuticas.

Summary: There is ongoing debate regarding the optimal treatment for patients with prosthetic valve thrombosis. Several issues must be taken into consideration before defining either surgical or fibrinolytic treatment. North American guidelines place both therapeutic modalities under the same recommendation grade with special emphasis on the analysis of each individual case. European guidelines place surgical treatment as the preferred option except in patients with high surgical risk. Thereby, we present the clinical case of a 54 year old female with dysfunctional mechanical mitral prosthesis implanted 15 years ago and functional class II of the New York Heart Association. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are discussed.

Reemplazo valvular aórtico en pacientes de riesgo intermedio: resultados quirúrgicos / Aortic Valve Replacement in Intermediate Risk Patients: Surgical Outcomes

RESUMEN: Introducción: La cirugía convencional para la enfermedad valvular aórtica continúa siendo el estándar de oro con resultados muy adecuados con relación al riesgo preoperatorio que presenta. El uso de las válvulas transcatéter para el tratamiento de la estenosis aórtica (EAO) ha crecido exponencialmente y se postula para pacientes de riesgo intermedio (RI). En nuestro medio es infrecuente el hallazgo de resultados de la cirugía en este grupo en particular, por lo que presentamos la casuística en nuestro "mundo real". Objetivos: Complicaciones tempranas en pacientes sometidos a reemplazo valvular aórtico (RVA) con RI preoperatorio de mortalidad (STS PROM% 4%-8%). Material y métodos: Análisis retrospectivo de pacientes sometidos a RVA desde enero de 2007 hasta marzo de 2017. Se realizaron 877 RVA aislados o asociados a cirugía de revascularización miocárdica (CRM). Fueron incluidospacientes con EAO grave, insuficiencia aórtica grave, endocarditis y con STS PROM de 4% a 8%. Fueron excluidos los pacientes de bajo y alto riesgo (STS PROM% < 4% o > 8%), cirugía valvular doble, o cirugías asociadas excepto CRM o ampliación del anillo aórtico. Resultados: Fue incluido un total de 97 pacientes. La edad media fue de 79,4 ± 6,18, y 60,82% de sexo masculino. La mediana de STS PROM% fue de 5,1 (4,4-6). En el 62,9% se realizó CRM. No se registraron casos de fuga paravalvular moderado-grave. La mortalidad a los 30 días fuede 5,1%. Las complicaciones fueron 3,1% de ACV isquémico, 4,1% requerimiento de MCP definitivo y 4,1% por reexploración por sangrado. La estadía hospitalaria total fue de 8 días (6-14). Conclusiones: Los pacientes de RI presentaron resultados acordes con los esperados en términos de morbimortalidad posoperatoria.

Embolia aérea intraventricular como complicación de una punción biopsia pulmonar guiada por tomografía computarizada / Intraventricular Air Embolism Complicating Computed Tomography-Guided Pulmonary Aspiration Biopsy

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Single Stage Aortic Arch Replacement without Circulatory Arrest.

A 78-year-old man with a Kommerell diverticulum and aberrant right subclavian artery was admitted for thoracic pain and severe malnutrition due to esophageal compression. We performed an atypical surgical procedure including extra-anatomical debranching and direct aortic repair, trying to avoid deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and shorten the cardiopulmonary bypass time.

Validation and quality measurements for EuroSCORE and EuroSCORE II in the Spanish cardiac surgical population: a prospective, multicentre study.

OBJECTIVES: Since its development in the late 1990s, the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) has been the predictive model of choice for estimating mortality after cardiac surgery. As outcomes from cardiac surgery improved, the EuroSCORE showed a loss of calibration, and a revised version of the model was developed, EuroSCORE II. The objectives of this study were to examine the validity of both scores in the Spanish population, and to depict the performance of both models on a funnel plot. METHODS: A prospective multicentre study was performed, with requests to participate sent to all centres in Spain. Participating centres reported the EuroSCORE, EuroSCORE II and the actual mortality of each patient. Incomplete data were requested to get a zero incidence of lost data. Calibration of models was evaluated with the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, and discrimination with the areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. A funnel plot was constructed using mortality data from the 2010 European Registry, to represent risk-adjusted mortality. RESULTS: Twenty Spanish centres participated in the study; 4034 patients undergoing cardiac surgery between 1 October 2012 and 31 March 2013 were collected. Prevalence of risk factors was analysed. The observed mortality rate was 6.5%. The mean additive EuroSCORE was 6.5. The mean expected mortality rate was 9.8% for the logistic EuroSCORE, and 5.7% for EuroSCORE II. Areas under the ROC curves were EuroSCORE: 0.77 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.75-0.80], EuroSCORE II: 0.79 (95% CI: 0.76-0.82). Results for the goodness-of-fit test were EuroSCORE: 33.02 (P < 0.001), EuroSCORE II: 38.98 (P < 0.001). Risk-adjusted mortality is far beyond the lower bound of the CI if EuroSCORE is used as the reference model, and is between the confidence limits, but near to the upper bound when EuroSCORE II is used. CONCLUSIONS: Spanish cardiac surgical patients have a high-risk profile. Areas under the ROC curve show good discrimination for both models. Predicted mortality using EuroSCORE II more closely matches actual mortality than that predicted by the original EuroSCORE. Both models show statistically significant differences from the actual mortality rate, with EuroSCORE overpredicting and EuroSCORE II underpredicting mortality. The funnel plot illustrates risk-adjusted mortality clearly out of boundaries when EuroSCORE is used, and near underprediction when the reference is EuroSCORE II.

Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Incidence of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in the Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Prevention of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation (OPERA) Trial.

BACKGROUND: Animal study results point to oxidative stress as a key mechanism triggering postoperative atrial fibrillation (PoAF), yet the extent to which specific biomarkers of oxidative stress might relate to PoAF risk in humans remains speculative. METHODS AND RESULTS: We assessed the association of validated, fatty acid-derived oxidative stress biomarkers (F2-isoprostanes, isofurans, and F3-isoprostanes) in plasma and urine, with incident PoAF among 551 cardiac surgery patients. Biomarkers were measured at enrollment, the end of surgery, and postoperative day 2. PoAF lasting ≥30 seconds was confirmed with rhythm strip or electrocardiography and centrally adjudicated. Outcomes were assessed until hospital discharge or postoperative day 10, whichever occurred first. Urine level of each oxidative stress biomarker rose at the end of surgery (2- to 3-fold over baseline, P<0.001) and subsequently declined to concentrations comparable to baseline by postoperative day 2. In contrast, plasma concentrations remained relatively stable throughout the perioperative course. Urine F2-isoprostanes and isofurans at the end of surgery were 20% and 50% higher in subjects who developed PoAF (P≤0.009). While baseline biomarker levels did not associate significantly with PoAF, end of surgery and postoperative day 2 isoprostanes and isofurans demonstrated relatively linear associations with PoAF. For example, the end of surgery extreme quartile multivariate adjusted OR (95% CI) for urine isofurans and F3-isoprostanes were 1.95 (1.05 to 3.62; P for trend=0.01) and 2.10 (1.04 to 2.25, P for trend=0.04), respectively. The associations of biomarkers with PoAF varied little by demographics, surgery type, and medication use (P≥0.29 for each). CONCLUSIONS: These novel results add to accumulating evidence supporting the likely key pathogenic role of elevated oxidative stress in PoAF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: Clinicaltrials.gov Unique identifier: NCT00970489.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de aneurismas de arco aórtico / Tratamento cirúrgico do aneurisma do arco aórtico / Surgical treatment of aneurysms of the aortic arch

La resolución de la patología del arco aórtico constituye un desafío quirúrgico. En el presente reporte se describen 3 casos, detallando las estrategias utilizadas en nuestro servicio para reemplazar el arco cuando se debe asociar a reemplazo de aorta ascendente por esternotomía o cuando se requiere reemplazo simultáneo de aorta descendente por toracotomía.

A resoluçâo da patologia do arco aórtico constitui um desafio cirúrgico. No presente relato descrevem-se 3 casos, detalhando as estratégias utilizadas em nosso serviço para substituir o arco quando e deve associar a substituiçâo da aorta ascendente por esternotomía ou quando é necessária uma substituiçâo da aorta descendente por toracotomía.

The resolution of aortic arch disease is a surgical challenge. This report describes 3 cases indicating the strategies used in our department to replace the arch combining the replacement of the ascending aorta by sternotomy or when it is necessary to simultaneously replace the descending aorta by thoracotomy.