Novel Strategies to Improve the Cardioprotective Effects of Cardioplegia.

The use of cardioprotective strategies as adjuvants of cardioplegic solutions has become an ideal alternative for the improvement of post-surgery heart recovery. The choice of the optimal cardioplegia, as well as its distribution mechanism, remains controversial in the field of cardiovascular surgery. There is still a need to search for new and better cardioprotective methods during cardioplegic procedures. New techniques for the management of cardiovascular complications during cardioplegia have evolved with new alternatives and additives, and each new strategy provides a tool to neutralize the damage after ischemia/reperfusion events. Researchers and clinicians have committed themselves to studying the effect of new strategies and adjuvant components with the potential to improve the cardioprotective effect of cardioplegic solutions in preventing myocardial ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury during cardiac surgery. The aim of this review is to explore the different types of cardioplegia, their protection mechanisms, and which strategies have been proposed to enhance the function of these solutions in hearts exposed to cardiovascular pathologies that require surgical alternatives for their corrective progression.

Desarrollo histórico de la protección miocárdica: el gran salto adelante de la cirugía cardiovascular / Historical development of myocardial protection: the big jump ahead of cardiovascular surgery

La cirugía a "corazón abierto" con circulación extracorpórea se apronta a cumplir 70 años. Desde un comienzo se hizo necesario buscar la forma de tener un campo operatorio quieto y exangüe, sin riesgo de embolia aérea, lo que llevó al desarrollo de la primera "cardioplegía" por Melrose, a fines de los años 1950's. Sin embargo, esta cayó en descrédito rápidamente y fue abandonada en años 1960's. Se necesitó que transcurrieran casi 15 años para el retorno de la cardioplegía, ahora como forma de proteger al corazón de la isquemia. Durante este periodo se volvió a la fibrilación ventricular a la perfusión coronaria, al paro isquémico y a la hipotermia tópica. Sin embargo, algunos investigadores mantuvieron su interés en la cardioplegía, facilitando el retorno clínico de esta con Hearse en 1976, con la solución cardioplégica cristaloide del Hospital St. Thomas, la que se asentó como el principal método de protección miocárdica, hasta la irrupción de Buckberg con su cardioplegía sanguínea en multidosis, la que se convirtió, a comienzo de los años 1990's, en el procedimiento preferido para proteger al corazón durante el periodo de isquemia requerido para operar en él, infundida ahora no solo por vía anterógrada, sino que también por vía retrógrada. Esto, hasta Pedro Del Nido y su vuelta a la dosis única, solo por vía anterógrada.

Open heart surgery with extracorporeal circulation is approaching its 70th anniversary. From the beginning it was necessary to find a way to have a still and bloodless operative field, without the risk of air embolism, which led to the development of the first "cardioplegía" by Melrose, at the end of the 1950's. However, it quickly fell into disrepute and was abandoned in the 1960's. It took almost 15 years for cardioplegía to return, now as a way of protecting the heart from ischemia. During this period, ventricular fibrillation, coronary perfusion, ischemic arrest and topical hypothermia returned. However, some investigators maintained their interest in cardioplegía, facilitating the clinical return of cardioplegía with Hearse in 1976, with the crystalloid cardioplegic solution of St. Thomas's Hospital. This became the main method of myocardial protection until the irruption of Buckberg with his multidose blood cardioplegía, which became, at the beginning of the 90's, the preferred method to protect the heart during the ischemic period required to operate on it, now infused not only by anterograde route but also by retrograde route. This, until Pedro Del Nido and his return to the single dose, only via the antegrade route.

Resultados del implante percutáneo de válvula aórtica (TAVI). Experiencia después de la primera década desde la introducción de la técnica / Transcatheter aortic-valve implantation. A ten years clinical experience

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic-valve implantation (TAVI) was introduced in 2002 and the first implants in our country were performed in 2010. AIM: To review the TAVI experience in our hospital, considering the technology improvements and gained experience throughout this period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients undergoing TAVI in our center were included. Results and complications were adjudicated according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 (VARC-2) criteria. Patients were divided in 3 groups, according to procedural year: Period 1: 2010-2015 (n = 35); Period 2: 2016-2018 (n = 35); Period 3: 2019-2021 (n = 41). Mortality up to one year after the procedure was recorded. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2021, 111 TAVI procedures were performed. The mean age of patients was 82 years and 47% were women. Risk scores for in-hospital mortality were STS 6.7%, EUROSCORE II 8.0% and ACC/STS TAVR Score 4.9%. The trans-femoral route was used in 88% and a balloon-expandable valve was chosen in 82% of patients. A successful implant was achieved in 96%, with an in-hospital mortality of 1.8%. Mortality at 30 days and 1-year were 2.7 and 9.0%, respectively. During period 3, 100% of implants were successful, with no in-hospital mortality, less vascular complications (p < 0.01), less stroke (p = 0.04), less severe paravalvular leak (p = 0.01) and significantly lower rate of acute complications (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: TAVI achieves excellent results. With greater experience and better available technologies, these results are even more favorable.

Calcificación anillo mitral: reemplazo mitral con prótesis mecánica en posición supra anular / Mitral annular calcification: mitral valve replacement with mechanical prosthesis in supra annular position

Abstract: An 84 year old woman presented with recurrent severe heart failure. She had a heavily calcified mitral valve annulus. Radiological images before and after a mechanical valve was implanted in a supra annular position are shown.

[Transcatheter aortic-valve implantation. A ten years clinical experience]. / Resultados del implante percutáneo de válvula aórtica (TAVI). Experiencia después de la primera década desde la introducción de la técnica.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic-valve implantation (TAVI) was introduced in 2002 and the first implants in our country were performed in 2010. AIM: To review the TAVI experience in our hospital, considering the technology improvements and gained experience throughout this period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients undergoing TAVI in our center were included. Results and complications were adjudicated according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 (VARC-2) criteria. Patients were divided in 3 groups, according to procedural year: Period 1: 2010-2015 (n = 35); Period 2: 2016-2018 (n = 35); Period 3: 2019-2021 (n = 41). Mortality up to one year after the procedure was recorded. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2021, 111 TAVI procedures were performed. The mean age of patients was 82 years and 47% were women. Risk scores for in-hospital mortality were STS 6.7%, EUROSCORE II 8.0% and ACC/STS TAVR Score 4.9%. The trans-femoral route was used in 88% and a balloon-expandable valve was chosen in 82% of patients. A successful implant was achieved in 96%, with an in-hospital mortality of 1.8%. Mortality at 30 days and 1-year were 2.7 and 9.0%, respectively. During period 3, 100% of implants were successful, with no in-hospital mortality, less vascular complications (p < 0.01), less stroke (p = 0.04), less severe paravalvular leak (p = 0.01) and significantly lower rate of acute complications (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: TAVI achieves excellent results. With greater experience and better available technologies, these results are even more favorable.

Anatomía de la válvula aórtica: implicancias para el reemplazo aórtico percutáneo / Anatomy of the aortic valve: implications for percutaneous aortic replacement

Resumen: La válvula aórtica es una estructura más compleja de lo que hasta hace poco se estimaba y en la actualidad se considera a esta una estructura más de la "Raíz Aórtica", cuyos componentes se describen en el presente "Artículo Especial". Lo anterior ha alcanzado mayor importancia con el desarrollo de los procedimientos quirúrgicos que permiten preservar la válvula aórtica en la insuficiencia aórtica, pero, muy especialmente, para el tratamiento percutáneo de la estenosis aórtica, de la cual se reconocen, a su vez, tres formas principales, que también se describen en el presente artículo.

Abstract: The aortic valve is a more complex structure than has been estimated until recently and is now considered to be just another structure of the "Aortic Root", the components of which are described in this "Special Feature". This has become more important with the development of surgical procedures that allow preservation of the aortic valve in aortic insufficiency, but especially for the percutaneous treatment of aortic stenosis, of which three main forms are recognized, which are also described in this article.

Reemplazo de aorta ascendente con paro circulatorio con hipotermia sistémica moderada y perfusión cerebral retrógrada / Total replacement of the ascending aorta with moderate systemic hypothermic circulatory arrest and retrograde cerebral perfusion

Resumen: Antecedentes: El daño neurológico es una complicación devastadora de la cirugía con paro circulatorio del cayado aórtico y aorta ascendente. La perfusión anterógrada del encéfalo permite disminuir la incidencia de esta complicación, pero es un procedimiento engorroso que interfiere el campo quirúrgico. Para procedimientos más simples que requieran de paro circulatorio de menor duración, la Perfusión Cerebral Retrógrada (PCR) es una alternativa válida. Objetivo: Evaluar nuestros resultados en la cirugía del reemplazo total de la aorta ascendente tubular con paro circulatorio con hipotermia sistémica moderada y PCR. Material y Método: Entre enero de 2015 y enero de 2020 se identificaron los pacientes en la Base de Datos del Servicio de Cirugía Cardiaca de nuestra institución, se revisaron los protocolos operatorios, registros de perfusión y epicrisis, para obtener datos demográficos, clínicos y quirúrgicos pertinentes. La supervivencia alejada se certificó a través del "Servicio Registro Civil e Identificación de Chile". Resultados: En el periodo en estudio, 27 pacientes (21 hombres) tuvieron un reemplazo total de la aorta ascendente tubular con paro circulatorio con hipotermia moderada y PCR. Ocho pacientes tenían una cirugía previa; 7 de estos un reemplazo valvular aórtico. El 75% de los otros 20 pacientes tenía una válvula aórtica bicúspide. El diámetro máximo de la aorta ascendente fue en promedio 53,7 mm (45 a 67), y fue reemplazada en el 52% de los casos con un tubo protésico de 34 mm (promedio:32,4 mm; margen:30 a 34 mm). En 20 pacientes se efectuó un reemplazo valvular aórtico (15 con prótesis biológica). El tiempo promedio de circulación extracorpórea fue 174,6 min (97 a 243) y la temperatura sistémica mínima promedio fue 21ºC (18 a 25). El tiempo promedio de paro circulatorio fue 22,3 min (12 a 40) y de PCR 13 min (6 a 27). No hubo mortalidad operatoria. La morbilidad más frecuente fue la fibrilación auricular (33%). Una paciente presentó un episodio convulsivo aislado y otro fue reoperado por hemorragia postoperatoria. Una paciente falleció a los 48 meses de su operación. Conclusión: El paro circulatorio con hipotermia sistémica moderada y PCR para la cirugía de reemplazo total de la aorta ascendente facilitó la operación, con baja mortalidad y morbilidad en este grupo de pacientes.

Abstract: Background. Neurological damage is a devastating complication of aortic arch and ascending aorta surgery with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Antegrade cerebral perfusion significantly decreases the incidence of this complication, but it is a cumbersome procedure that interfere the surgical field. For more simple procedures, requiring a shorter period of circulatory arrest, retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) would be a valid alternative. Objective. To evaluate the results of total surgical replacement of the tubular ascending aorta with moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest and retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP). Methods. Patients operated between January 2015 and January 2020 were included.Demographic, clinical and surgical information was obtained from the operatives notes, perfusion registry and discharge reports. Long-term survival was certified by the "Chilean Civil and Identification Registry". Results. 27 patients (21 men) underwent a total replacement of the tubular ascending aorta with circulatory arrest with moderate hypothermia and RCP. Eight patients had been previously operated on;7 of them had a previous aortic valve replacement. Of the remaining 20 patients, 75% had a bicuspid aortic valve. Average maximum diameter of the ascending aorta was 53.7 mm (45 - 67). Average size of the ascending aorta replacement graft was 32.4 mm (30 -34). In 20 patients a concomitant aortic valve replacement was performed (15 with a biological valve). Mean extracorporeal circulation time was 174.6 min (97 - 243) and mean minimal systemic temperature was 21ºC (18 - 25). Mean circulatory arrest time was 22.3 min (12 - 40) and mean RCP time was 13 min (6 - 27), There was no operative mortality. Atrial fibrillation was the most frequent post-operative morbidity (33%). One patient presented an isolated convulsive episode and another was re-operated due to postoperative hemorrhage. One patient died, 48 months after her operation. Conclusion. Moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest with RCP simplifies total tubular ascending aorta replacement, with low mortality and morbidity.

Revascularización coronaria híbrida: un punto de encuentro entre cardiólogos intervencionistas y cirujanos cardíacos / Hybrid coronary revascularization: a meeting point between interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons

Resumen: La revascularización coronaria híbrida busca combinar el beneficio de las técnicas quirúrgicas y percutáneas para un manejo óptimo de pacientes seleccionados con enfermedad coronaria obstructiva multivaso. Esto permite asociar el beneficio del puente de arteria mamaria interna izquierda a la arteria descendente anterior (ADA) y combinarlo con el implante de stents en lesiones no-ADA. El objetivo de este trabajo es hacer una revisión de la literatura disponible con énfasis en sus resultados clínicos comparados con la estrategia convencional.

Abstract: Hybrid coronary revascularization seeks to combine the benefit of surgical and percutaneous techniques for optimal management of selected patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. This allows combining the benefit of the left internal mammary artery bypass to the anterior descending artery (LAD) and stent deployment in non-LAD lesions. The objective of this manuscript is to review the available literature with emphasis on its clinical results compared to the conventional strategy.

Preoperative soluble VCAM-1 contributes to predict late mortality after coronary artery surgery.

BACKGROUND: Soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 has been associated with long-term cardiovascular mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease and to the development of new atrial fibrillation in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors but no evidence of cardiac disease. HYPOTHESIS: Preoperative soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 predicts the risk of future all-cause death and cardiovascular death among patients submitted to elective coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS: From a cohort of 312 patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass surgery prospectively followed for a median of 6.7 years, we evaluated the prognostic role of preoperative soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, inflammatory markers, CHA2DS2-VASc score and development of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to establish an association of these parameters with long term all-cause death and cardiovascular death. RESULTS: During 2112 person-years of follow-up, we observed 41 deaths, 10 were cardiovascular deaths. Independently increased levels of preoperative soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, POAF, and CHA2DS2-VASc score were associated with all-cause mortality. After multivariate adjustment, elevated preoperative soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and POAF were the only independent predictors of all-cause death. Also, preoperative soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, POAF, and CHA2DS2-VASc score resulted in being independent predictors of cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Increased circulating levels of preoperative soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, together with POAF and CHA2DS2-VASc score, were significantly associated with future all-cause death and cardiovascular death among patients submitted to coronary artery bypass surgery.

Estenosis mitral con calcificación severa del anillo mitral: reemplazo mitral con prótesis OnX Conform en posición supraanular / Mitral stenosis with severe annular calcification: mitral valve replacement with an OnX Conform prosthesis in a supra annular position

Abstract A 68-year-old man previously subjected to radiotherapy had a prior aortic valve replacement due de radiation induced calcification of the aortic valve. Presently the patient developed severe calcification of the mitral valve ring leading to critical mitral valve stenosis. A supra annular implantation of an On X Conform valve was successfully achieved. The clinical course was uneventful, and the echocardiographic evaluation demonstrated a normal function of the valve. Different alternatives for the surgical management of this complication are discussed.

Reemplazo valvular tricuspídeo: prótesis mecánica versus prótesis biológica: trabajo observacional-descriptivo / Tricuspide valve replacement: comparison of biological versus mechanical valve: a descriptive observational study

ANTECEDENTES: El reemplazo protésico de la válvula tricúspide es un procedimiento infrecuente, con elevada mortalidad y morbilidad operatoria, independientemente de la etiología de la insuficiencia tricuspídea. Persiste aún una discusión respecto al tipo de prótesis a utilizar, mecánica o biológica. OBJETIVO: Analizar nuestros resultados perioperatorios y alejados en el reemplazo valvular tricuspídeo, comparando ambos tipos de prótesis. MÉTODO: Revisión de la Base de Datos de nuestro Servicio de Cirugía Cardiovascular para el periodo enero 1991 - diciembre 2017. Identificados los pacientes con reemplazo valvular tricuspídeo (RVT); se revisaron los protocolos operatorios y los ecocardiogramas. La supervivencia se certificó a través del Registro Civil e Identificación de Chile. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 83 pacientes con RVT (76% mujeres), los que representaron el 0,7% del total de las cirugías con circulación extracorpórea y el 2,1% de las cirugías valvulares para el periodo en estudio. La edad promedio fue 49±16,5 años. Cuarenta y nueve casos (59%) correspondieron a reoperaciones y otros 49 tuvieron un procedimiento asociado. En 40 pacientes (48%) se utilizó una prótesis mecánica y en 43 (52%) una biológica. La mortalidad operatoria global fue 9,6% (8 pacientes, 4 con una prótesis mecánica y 4 con una biológica). El seguimiento se completó en el 100%, con un promedio de 7,1 años. Veintiocho pacientes fallecieron durante el seguimiento; la principal causa fue insuficiencia cardiaca. Así, la supervivencia a 5 años fue 70,3 ± 5,3% y a 10 años 58 ± 6,3%, sin diferencia significativa entre ambos tipos de prótesis. Siete pacientes se reoperaron durante el seguimiento (5 casos con prótesis biológica y 2 mecánica). CONCLUSIÓN: El RVT continúa siendo un procedimiento infrecuente, con mayor incidencia en mujeres, en la quinta década de la vida. La mayoría de los pacientes presentaba comorbilidad y había tenido cirugía cardiovascular previa. La mitad de estos recibió una prótesis mecánica y la otra, biológica. No hubo diferencias significativas entre ambos tipos de prótesis en cuanto a mortalidad operatoria, supervivencia alejada o reoperación.

BACKGROUND: Tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) is an uncommon surgical procedure, associated with high mortality and morbidity. The use of biological or mechanical prostheses in TVR has advantages and disadvantages and, therefore, there persists a debate regarding the choice of one or other type of prostheses. AIM: To analyze our operative and long-term surgical results, comparing both types of prosthetic valves. METHODS: The Data Base of the Cardiovascular Surgery Service was reviewed for the period between January 1991 and December 2017. 83 patients with TVR were identified, the operative notes and echocardiogram reports were analyzed. Survival was obtained from the Chilean Civil Identification Service. RESULTS: 83 patients (76% women) had TVR. They represented 0.7% of the total cases operated on with extracorporeal circulation and 2.1% of all valve disease cases, for the study period. Mean age was 49±16.5 years. 49 cases (59%) were reoperations and another 49 had an associated procedure. In 40 patients (48%) a mechanical prosthesis was used and in 43 (52%) a biological one was implanted. Operative mortality rate was 9.6% (8 patients, had a mechanical valve and the other 8, a biological one). Follow-up was 100% completed, with an average of 7.1 years. 28 patients died during follow-up; the main cause of death was heart failure. Five-year survival rate was 70.3 ± 5.3% and at 10 years it was 58 ± 6.3%, without significant difference the type of prostheses. Seven patients were re-operated during follow-up (5 cases corresponded to a biological prostheses and 2 to a mechanical one). CONCLUSION: TVR is still an infrequent surgical procedure, more commonly performed in women, on the fifth decade of life. Most patients presented comorbidities and had a previous cardiovascular surgical operation. Half of them received a mechanical prosthesis and half a biological one. There was no significant difference between both types of prostheses related to surgical mortality, long-term survival or reoperation.

Early left atrial dysfunction is associated with suboptimal cardiovascular health.

AIMS: Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography can assess left atrial (LA) function by measuring atrial volumes and deformation parameters (strain, strain rate). This cross-sectional analysis explores the association between ideal CV health (CVH), LA function, and systemic biomarkers in healthy individuals from the Chilean MAUCO Cohort. METHODS: We enrolled 95 MAUCO participants with different levels of CVH (mean age: 51 ± 8 years). We categorized participants into low or high CVH groups: A: 0-2, or B: 3-6 CVH risk factors. 2D echocardiography, glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, proBNP, hsCRP, insulin resistance index (HOMA), and right and left atrial strain (RASs and LASs, respectively) were determined. RESULTS: LASs was lower in Group A, while systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), insulin, HOMA, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LV and RV end-diastolic volume were significantly higher in Group A than Group B (P < .01). Change in LASs was inversely correlated with insulin (P = .040), HOMA (P = .013), total cholesterol (P = .039), glycemia (P = .018), and BMI (P = .0.037). CONCLUSION: LASs during the reservoir phase was diminished in subjects with a lower level of CVH. Higher insulin, HOMA, total cholesterol, glycemia, and BMI values were associated with decreased LA deformation during the reservoir phase. Morphofunctional alterations of the LA were also identified in the group with suboptimal CVH, as well as BP values in the range of hypertension. LA dysfunction in an asymptomatic population, along with metabolic syndrome, could be an early event in the continuum of CV damage.

Válvula aórtica cuadricúspide: imágenes intraoperatorias / Quadricuspid aortic valve: intraoperative images

Resumen: Recientemente, Sepúlveda et al. publicaron en la Revista Chilena de Cardiología(1) el caso clínico de una mujer de 60 años con una válvula aórtica cuadricúspide, diagnosticada por ecocardiografía transtorácica y transesofágica, no operada, con una extensa revisión de la literatura respectiva. En esta oportunidad, nosotros presentamos los hallazgos intraoperatorios en un hombre de 72 años operado por una insuficiencia aórtica severa secundaria a una válvula aórtica cuadricúspide no diagnosticada preoperatoriamente.

Abstracts: Recently, Sepúlveda et al. published in Revista Chilena de Cardiología1 the clinical case of a 60-year-old woman with quadricuspid aortic valve diagnosed by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography not operated on, including an extensive review of the literature. We present the intraoperative findings of a 72-year-old man with severe aortic insufficiency and a quadricuspide aortic valve, not preoperatively diagnosed.