Unexplained fever following DeBakey type I aortic dissection repair with woven Dacron grafts.

Transient fever is not uncommon postcardiac surgery, usually related to underlying clinical process such as inflammation related to the physiological insult or infection. Here, we present a case series of two patients who underwent repair for type A aortic dissection with Gelweave graft prosthesis who had persistent fevers, leukocytosis, and raised inflammatory markers persisting months after surgery. Both patients were found to have sterile perigraft fluid collections. Comprehensive investigations excluded common causes of postoperative inflammation, as well as rarer causes of fever of unknown origin. The presence of this idiopathic inflammatory state lead to extended hospitalization and resource utilization, prompting need for further characterization of its mechanism and proper management.

Sex differences in outcomes of heart failure in an ambulatory, population-based cohort from 2009 to 2013.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure remains a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality in women. We examined the sex differences in heart failure incidence, mortality and hospital admission in a population-based cohort. METHODS: All Ontario residents who were diagnosed with heart failure in an ambulatory setting between Apr. 1, 2009, and Mar. 31, 2014, were included in this study. Incident cases of heart failure were captured through physician billing using a validated algorithm. Outcomes were mortality and hospital admission for heart failure within 1 year of the diagnosis. Probability of death and hospital admission were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The hazard of death was assessed using a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: A total of 90 707 diagnoses of heart failure were made in an ambulatory setting during the study period (47% women). Women were more likely to be older and more frail, and had different comorbidities than men. The incidence of heart failure decreased during the study period in both sexes. The mortality rate decreased in both sexes, but remained higher in women than men. The female age-standardized mortality rate was 89 (95% confidence interval [CI] 80-100) per 1000 in 2009 and 85 (95% CI 75-95) in 2013, versus male age-standardized mortality rates of 88 (95% CI 80-97) in 2009 and 83 (95% CI 75-91) in 2013. Conversely, the rates of incident heart failure hospital admissions after heart failure diagnosis decreased in men and increased in women. INTERPRETATION: Despite decreases in overall heart failure incidence and mortality in ambulatory patients, mortality rates remain higher in women than in men, and rates of hospital admission for heart failure increased in women and declined in men. Further studies should focus on sex differences in health-seeking behaviour, medical therapy and response to therapy to provide guidance for personalized care.

Practice meta-environment of the cardiovascular perfusionist.

Though historically the development of cardiovascular perfusion grew out of the need for cardiopulmonary bypass, the application of technologies of extracorporeal support has more recently expanded beyond the traditional domain of the cardiac surgical operative and peri-operative environment. As a result, perfusionists are sometimes required to work in novel clinical settings. As part of our recent national survey to evaluate the effects of changes in entry-to-practice criteria introduced in Canada in 2006, we asked perfusionists if their current position as a perfusionist involves work outside the OR. We found that, in addition to regularly working in the Intensive Care Unit and Cardiac Catheterization Lab, 55.3% of respondents reported working "occasionally" in the Emergency Room and 74.7% reported working "occasionally" or "often" in other clinical areas. However, while 96% of respondents believed their training adequately prepared them for their job as a perfusionist, only 68% felt their training adequately prepared them for their duties outside the operating room. We also noted a trend that admission under experience-based entry-to-practice criteria was associated with a higher likelihood of perceived adequacy of training in preparation for duties outside the OR than education-based admission criteria (72% vs 59.4%, p=0.065). These findings raise important questions pertaining to the sufficiency of perfusion education in Canada and the influence of soft skills in preparing perfusionists for their duties, and indicate that a systematic study of the practice environment of cardiovascular perfusionists is timely.

Effects of a change in entry-to-practice criteria for cardiovascular perfusion in Canada: results of a national survey.

INTRODUCTION: Years of experience and level of education are two important determinants of a clinician's expertise. While entry-to-practice criteria for admission to perfusion training in Canada changed from clinical experience-based criteria to education-based criteria in 2006, the effects of these changes have not been studied. OBJECTIVE: To determine the academic and clinical backgrounds of perfusionists in Canada, ascertain perceptions about the adequacy of training and evaluate the effects of the changes on the composition of the perfusion community of Canada. METHODS: An electronic questionnaire was distributed to all practicing perfusionists in Canada, addressing details regarding clinical experience, academic education and perceptions about the adequacy of training. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-eight questionnaires were completed, representing a 72% response rate. Perfusionists admitted under academic-based criteria have significantly higher levels of education (100% degree holders vs 69.1%, p<0.001), but less antecedent clinical training and experience (median, IQR: 0, 0 - 4.5 years vs 2, 2 - 8 years, p<0.0001), are younger (median age range 31-35 years vs 51-55 years, p<0.0001), more likely to be female (58.7% vs 41.3%, p=0.006) and are significantly more likely to enter perfusion because of attraction to the type of work (p=0.045). Many perfusionists (70, 32%) in Canada believe themselves inadequately trained for their clinical assignments outside the OR. In addition, 19% of perfusionists plan to retire over the next 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of education-based entry criteria has changed the academic and clinical experience levels of perfusionists in Canada. Strategies designed to better prepare perfusionists for their clinical assignments outside the OR are merited.

Development of a high fidelity pressurized porcine beating heart simulator for cardiac surgery training.

BACKGROUND: Development of a high-fidelity cardiac surgery simulator (CSS) requires integration of a heart model with a mock cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit that can provide feedback to mimic the pathophysiology of cardiac surgery. However, the cost of commercially available simulators precludes regular use. We describe steps in the construction of a high-fidelity CSS that integrates a pulsatile paracorporeal ventricular-assist device (Pulse-VAD) and a commercially available CPB simulator. METHODS/RESULTS: Eight porcine hearts were initially prepared. The configuration consisted of cannulation of the distal descending aorta and the inferior vena cava to enable pressurization of the heart after connection to the Califia® simulator, as well as Pulse-VAD cannulation (fitted with inflatable balloons) of both ventricles. After each simulation run, the team addressed key issues to derive successive model changes through consensus. Key modifications included: a) pressure maintenance of the cardiac chambers (removal of lungs, Pulse-VAD cannulation sites at the left pulmonary artery and vein, double ligation of arch vessels); b) high-fidelity beating of both ventricles (full Pulse-VAD bladder filling and ensuring balloon neck placement at the valvular plane) and c) reproducible management of porcine anatomy (management of porcine aorta, ligation of left azygous vein and shortened ascending thoracic aortic segment). CONCLUSION: A CSS can be prepared at low cost, with integration into a high-fidelity CPB simulator with a novel beating heart component. This setup can be used in teaching the basics of CPB techniques and complex surgical procedures. Future work is needed to validate this model as a simulation instrument.

Outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting with multiple arterial grafting by pump status in men and women.

BACKGROUND: Multiple arterial grafting (MAG) and off-pump surgery are strategies proposed to improve outcomes with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study was conducted to determine the impact of off-pump surgery on outcomes after CABG with MAG in men and women. METHODS: This cohort study used population-based data to identify all Ontarians undergoing isolated CABG with MAG between October 2008 and September 2019. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE; hospitalization for stroke, myocardial infarction hospitalization or heart failure, or repeat revascularization). Analysis used propensity-score overlap-weighted cause-specific Cox proportional hazard regression. RESULTS: A total of 2989 women (1188 off-pump, 1801 on-pump) and 16,209 men (6065 off-pump, 10,144 on-pump) underwent MAG with a median follow-up of 5.0 years (interquartile range, 2.7-8.0) years. Compared to the on-pump approach, all-cause mortality was not changed with off-pump status (hazard ratio [HR] in women: 1.25 [95% CI, 0.83-1.88]; in men: 1.08 [95% CI, 0.85-1.37]). In women, the risk of MACCE was significantly higher off-pump (HR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.04-2.03), with nonsignificantly increased risk observed for all component outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing CABG with MAG, this population-based analysis found no association between pump status and survival in either men or women. However, it did suggest that off-pump MAG in women may be associated with an increased risk of MACCE.

Edge-to-edge with partial band mitral valve repair compared to replacement and undersized restrictive annuloplasty for ischemic mitral regurgitation.

Objective: Evidence supports replacement over repair for ischemic mitral regurgitation due to improved durability; however, the latter often involves an undersized ring annuloplasty that does not include edge-to-edge approximation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of replacement, edge-to-edge leaflet approximation with mild-undersized annuloplasty and undersized ring annuloplasty for ischemic mitral regurgitation. Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study of patients undergoing mitral surgery for moderate-severe or greater ischemic mitral regurgitation, between 2004 and 2020, with mild-undersized annuloplasty, mitral valve replacement, or undersized restrictive annuloplasty (undersized ring annuloplasty). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included first recurrence of mitral regurgitation, heart failure hospitalization, and composite of valve-related events (bleeding, thromboembolism, endocarditis, and mitral valve reoperation). Results: There were 121, 93, and 78 patients in the mitral valve replacement, mild-undersized annuloplasty, and undersized restrictive annuloplasty groups, respectively, with a median follow-up of 3.1, 5.9, and 3.8 years, respectively. Both mitral valve replacement (hazard ratio, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.029-3.415) and undersized restrictive annuloplasty (hazard ratio, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.480-5.061) were associated with worse survival compared with mild-undersized annuloplasty. At 2 years, the rate of mild-moderate mitral regurgitation was greater in the mild-undersized annuloplasty group compared with the mitral valve replacement group (P = .001) but less than in the undersized restrictive annuloplasty group (P = .001). The rate of recurrent moderate or greater mitral regurgitation at 2 years was similar between mild-undersized annuloplasty and mitral valve replacement groups but significantly higher after undersized restrictive annuloplasty (P < .0001). Mitral valve replacement and undersized restrictive annuloplasty were associated with a significant increase in the incidence of first heart failure hospitalization compared with mild-undersized annuloplasty (P < .001 and P = .001, respectively). Mitral valve replacement was associated with an increased incidence of valve-related events compared with mild-undersized annuloplasty (P = .002). Conclusions: Surgical edge-to-edge approximation in addition to a mild-undersizing annuloplasty offers similar durability compared with replacement, with a lower rate of hospitalization for heart failure, and may confer a survival advantage.

Does anemia impact hospital readmissions after coronary artery bypass surgery?

BACKGROUND: Anemia is one of the most common complications of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and has been shown to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The impact of anemia on hospital readmission after CABG, a potential measure of delayed complications, has not been addressed. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective study of 2102 patients who had CABG in Ontario to determine whether anemia at hospital discharge was associated with increased 30-day hospital readmissions, readmission secondary to cardiac disease, and 30-day mortality using administrative data. RESULTS: Of the 2102 patients, 224 patients (11%) were readmitted within 30 days of hospital discharge. Infection was the leading cause of readmissions (24%), followed by heart failure (13%), pulmonary disease (7%), and hemorrhagic disease (7%). Overall, 2.6% of patients were readmitted because of cardiac disease. Of patients discharged, 48% were discharged with a hemoglobin (Hb) level between 8 and 10 g/dL and 42% between 10 and 12 g/dL. Predischarge Hb concentration was not a significant independent predictor of 30-day readmission to the hospital due to all causes, readmission to the hospital due to cardiac causes, or 30-day mortality. A higher comorbidity score, adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 2.1 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-3.6), leg and sternal wound infections OR of 1.9 (95% CI, 1.2-3.0), and postoperative renal failure OR of 1.4 (95% CI, 1.2-2.0) were associated with increased 30-day readmission rates. CONCLUSIONS: The predischarge Hb concentration after CABG was not associated with 30-day readmissions.

Population Study of Sex-Based Outcomes After Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is a key strategy for the treatment of aortic valve disease. However, studies have involved primarily male patients, and whether the benefits of this approach can be extrapolated to female patients is unclear. Methods: Clinical and administrative datasets for 12,207 patients undergoing isolated SAVR in Ontario from 2008 to 2019 were linked. Male and female patients were balanced using inverse probability treatment weighting. Mortality, endocarditis, and major hemorrhagic and thrombotic events, as well as 2 composite outcomes-major adverse cerebral and cardiovascular events (MACCE) and patient-derived adverse cardiovascular and noncardiovascular events (PACE)-and their component events, were compared in the weighted groups with a stratified log-rank test. Results: A total of 7485 male patients and 4722 female patients were included in the study. Median follow-up was 5.2 years in both sexes. All-cause mortality did not differ between sexes (hazard ratio [HR] 0.949 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.851-1.059]). Male sex was associated with an increased risk of new-onset dialysis (HR 0.689 [95% CI 0.488-0.974]). Female sex was associated with a significantly increased risk of both new-onset heart failure (HR 1.211 [95% CI 1.051-1.394], P = 0.0081) and heart failure hospitalization (HR 1.200 [95% CI 1.036-1.390], P = 0.015). No statistically significant differences were seen in any of the other secondary outcomes between sexes. Conclusions: This population health study demonstrated that survival did not differ between male and female patients undergoing SAVR. Significant sex-related differences were found in the risk of heart failure and new-onset dialysis, but these findings should be considered exploratory and require further study.

Contexte: La chirurgie de remplacement valvulaire aortique est une stratégie importante dans le traitement de la valvulopathie aortique. Cependant, les études ont été menées principalement auprès de patients masculins, et il est difficile d'affirmer si les avantages de cette approche peuvent être extrapolés aux patientes. Méthodologie: Les ensembles de données cliniques et administratives de 12 207 patients ayant subi uniquement une chirurgie de remplacement valvulaire aortique en Ontario entre 2008 et 2019 ont été regroupés. Les groupes de patients hommes et femmes ont été équilibrés à l'aide d'une pondération par probabilité inverse du traitement. La mortalité, l'endocardite et les événements hémorragiques et thrombotiques majeurs en plus de deux critères composés ­ les événements cérébrovasculaires et cardiovasculaires indésirables majeurs et les événements cardiovasculaires et non cardiovasculaires indésirables rapportés par les patients ­ et leurs événements constituants ont été comparés dans les groupes pondérés à l'aide d'un test logarithmique par rangs stratifié. Résultats: Au total, 7485 hommes et 4722 femmes ont été inclus dans l'étude. La durée médiane du suivi était de 5,2 ans chez les femmes comme chez les hommes. La mortalité toutes causes confondues ne différait pas entre les sexes (rapport de risques instantanés [RRI] : 0,949, intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 % : 0,851 à 1,059). Le sexe masculin était associé à un risque accru d'instauration d'une dialyse (RRI : 0,689; IC à 95 % : 0,488 à 0,974). Le sexe féminin était associé à une augmentation significative du risque d'insuffisance cardiaque inaugurale (RRI : 1,211; IC à 95 % : 1,051 à 1,394; p = 0,0081) et d'hospitalisation pour une insuffisance cardiaque (RRI : 1,200; IC à 95 % : 1,036 à 1,390; p = 0,015). Aucune différence statistiquement significative n'a été notée entre les sexes pour les autres critères secondaires. Conclusions: Cette étude en santé des populations a montré que la survie chez les personnes subissant une chirurgie de remplacement valvulaire aortique ne diffère pas entre les hommes et les femmes. Des différences significatives fondées sur le sexe ont été notées dans le risque d'insuffisance cardiaque et de l'instauration d'une dialyse, mais ces constats doivent être considérés comme exploratoires et faire l'objet d'autres études.

Influence of preoperative frailty on quality of life after cardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Frailty has emerged as an important prognostic marker of increased mortality after cardiac surgery, but its association with quality of life (QoL) and patient-centered outcomes is not fully understood. We sought to evaluate the association between frailty and such outcomes in older patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: This systematic review included studies evaluating the effect of preoperative frailty on QoL outcomes after cardiac surgery amongst patients 65 years and older. The primary outcome was patient's perceived change in QoL following cardiac surgery. Secondary outcomes included residing in a long-term care facility for 1 year, readmission in the year following the intervention, and discharge destination. Screening, inclusion, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers. Meta-analyses based on the random-effects model were conducted. The evidential quality of findings was assessed with the GRADE profiler. RESULTS: After the identification of 3105 studies, 10 observational studies were included (1580 patients) in the analysis. Two studies reported on the change in QoL following cardiac surgery, which was higher for patients with frailty than for patients without. Preoperative frailty was associated with both hospital readmission (pooled odds ratio [OR] 1.48 [0.80-2.74], low GRADE level) as well as non-home discharge (pooled OR 3.02 [1.57-5.82], moderate GRADE level). CONCLUSION: While evidence in this field is limited by heterogeneity of frailty assessment and non-randomized data, we demonstrated that baseline frailty may possibly be associated with improved QoL, but with increased readmission as well as discharge to a non-home destination following cardiac surgery. These patient-centered outcomes are important factors when considering interventional options for older patients. STUDY REGISTRATION: OSF registries (https://osf.io/vm2p8).

Reoperation of left heart valve bioprostheses according to age at implantation.

BACKGROUND: Evidence supporting the use of bioprostheses for heart valve replacement in young adults is accumulating. However, reoperation data, which may help guide clinical decision making in young patients, remains poorly defined in the literature. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined the need for reoperation in 3975 patients who underwent first-time bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement (AVR) (n=3152) or mitral valve replacement (MVR) (n=823). There were 895 patients below the age of 60 years at bioprosthesis implant (AVR, n=636; MVR, n=259). The median interval to reoperation of contemporary, stented aortic bioprostheses was 7.74 years (95% CI 7.28 to 9.97 years) in patients less than 40 years, and 12.93 years (95% CI 11.10 to 15.76 years) in patients between 40 and 60 years of age. Multivariable risk factors associated with reoperation following bioprosthetic AVR include age (hazard ratio [HR] 0.94 per year, 95% CI 0.91 to 0.96, P<0.001) and concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.99, P=0.04). The median interval to reoperation of contemporary mitral bioprostheses was 8.11 years (95% CI 5.79 to 16.50 years) in patients less than 40 years, and 10.14 years (95% CI 8.64 to 11.14 years) in patients between 40 and 60 years of age. As for AVR, age (HR 0.96 per year, 95% CI 0.95 to 0.98, P<0.001) and concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.93, P=0.03) were associated with decreased reoperation risk following bioprosthetic MVR. CONCLUSIONS: These data constitute clinically relevant age-specific prognostic information regarding reoperation in young patients, who may wish to select a bioprosthesis at initial left heart valve replacement.

Bleeding in a Jehovah's Witness patient undergoing a redo aortic valve replacement controlled with cryoprecipitate and a prothrombin complex concentrate.

PURPOSE: This is a case report involving a middle-aged Jehovah's Witness patient who underwent a redo aortic valve replacement, coronary artery bypass graft, and Maze procedure facilitated by cardiopulmonary bypass. The consent process included a discussion of the management of bleeding and hemostasis in the perioperative period in the context of the patients' religious choice and the possible consequences of avoiding transfusion in massive bleeding. The medical team agreed to abide by the patient's wishes with respect to the blood and blood products deemed unacceptable by the patient irrespective of the consequences. The consent included a discussion of manufactured hemostatic agents that are designated by the Hospital Liaison Committee Network for Jehovah's Witnesses as subject to personal decision. There was also a discussion of recombinant agents available, all of which are acceptable to Jehovah's Witness patients. The patient accepted the use of cryoprecipitate, prothrombin complex concentrate, and recombinant factor VIIa. CLINICAL FEATURES: After separation from cardiopulmonary bypass and protamine administration, blood loss was 350 mL over a ten-minute period. The international normalized ratio (INR) was 3.5 at that time. Cryoprecipitate 15 U, 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin 16 U, and a prothrombin complex concentrate, Octaplex®, 60 mL were administered. Blood loss improved significantly. The INR in the cardiac surgical intensive care unit was 1.3. The sample was taken approximately one hour following the administration of the hemostatic agents. The patient's chest was closed, and chest tube drainage was 310 mL over the next 12 hr. CONCLUSION: This is a novel case involving the use of prothrombin complex concentrate in the setting of a Jehovah's Witness patient undergoing a complex operative procedure.

Is bilateral internal thoracic artery use safe in the elderly?

BACKGROUND: The strategy of bilateral mammary artery grafting is often not considered for elderly patients due to perceived concerns of increased morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study is to explore the safety of bilateral mammary in elderly patients. METHODS: Out of 7746 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting using at least one internal thoracic artery (ITA), there were 3940 patients aged 65 years or greater, and of those, 3581 patients had a single ITA (SITA) and 359 patients had bilateral ITAs (BITAs). The primary outcome was the incidence of major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCEs). Secondary outcomes included re-exploration for bleeding, blood transfusions, sternal wound infections, and intensive care unit and hospital length of stay. RESULTS: The incidence of mortality and MACCE were similar in both groups (mortality BITA 2.6%, SITA 3.6%, p = 0.25, MACCE BITA 8.5%, SITA 6.1%, p = 0.13). Superficial and deep sternal site infections were significantly more prevalent in the BITA group than the SITA group [superficial OR 0.42, 95% CI [0.23-0.75] (p = 0.003) and deep OR 0.29, 95% CI [0.14-0.58 (p = 0.0005)]. CONCLUSION: Use of BITA is safe in the elderly with respect to mortality and early cardiovascular outcome. BITA use in the elderly is associated with an increased risk of sternal wound infection. Our experience in this situation suggests that there is a maximum age (approximately 74 years) beyond which the combined risk of MACCE and wound complications supersedes the benefits in terms of sternal infections.

Sex differences after coronary artery bypass grafting with a second arterial conduit.

OBJECTIVES: Double arterial conduit use during coronary artery bypass grafting is associated with improved clinical outcomes compared with single arterial conduits in the general population. However, the sex-specific outcomes of this strategy remain unknown and are needed to inform sex-specific revascularization guidelines. METHODS: We conducted a population-based, retrospective cohort study of all Ontarians who underwent primary isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with single arterial conduits or double arterial conduits between October 2008 and September 2017. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, defined as a composite of myocardial infarction, heart failure hospitalization, repeat revascularization, and stroke. We used inverse probability of treatment weighting to account for group imbalances. RESULTS: A total of 9135 women and 36,748 men underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. At 30 days, there was no between-group difference in mortality or major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events in men. However, among women, a double arterial conduit was associated with an increased rate of 30-day death (hazard ratio, 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.79) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (hazard ratio, 1.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-1.51). The risk of medium-term mortality with double arterial conduits was less in men (hazard ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-0.92) and women (hazard ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.81-0.94), as was the medium-term risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.87-0.94) [men]; hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.86-0.97) [women]). The incremental improvement in 9-year survival was 4.0% in women with a double arterial conduit and 0.9% in men. CONCLUSIONS: Double arterial conduit is associated with better medium-term survival and cardiovascular outcomes in both sexes. Double arterial conduits are associated with increased perioperative risk in women, but the medium-term benefit is greater than in men.

Influence of preoperative frailty on quality of life after cardiac surgery: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Frailty has emerged as an important prognostic marker of adverse outcomes after cardiac surgery, but evidence regarding its ability to predict quality of life after cardiac surgery is currently lacking. Whether frail patients derive the same quality of life benefit after cardiac surgery as patients without frailty remains unclear. METHODS: This systematic review will include interventional studies (RCT and others) and observational studies evaluating the effect of preoperative frailty on quality-of-life outcomes after cardiac surgery amongst patients 65 years and older. Studies will be retrieved from major databases including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and Medline. The primary exposure will be frailty status, independent of the tool used. The primary outcome will be change in quality of life, independent of the tool used. Secondary outcomes will include readmission during the year following the index intervention, discharge to a long-term care facility and living in a long-term care facility at one year. Screening, inclusion, data extraction and quality assessment will be performed independently by two reviewers. Meta-analysis based on the random-effects model will be conducted to compare the outcomes between frail and non-frail patients. The evidential quality of the findings will be assessed with the GRADE profiler. CONCLUSION: The findings of this systematic review will be important to clinicians, patients and health policy-makers regarding the use of preoperative frailty as a screening and assessment tool before cardiac surgery. STUDY REGISTRATION: OSF registries (https://osf.io/vm2p8).

Platelet-rich-plasmapheresis for minimising peri-operative allogeneic blood transfusion.

BACKGROUND: Concerns regarding the safety of transfused blood have generated considerable enthusiasm for the use of technologies intended to reduce the use of allogeneic blood (blood from an unrelated donor). Platelet-rich plasmapheresis (PRP) offers an alternative approach to blood conservation. OBJECTIVES: To examine the evidence for the efficacy of PRP in reducing peri-operative allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, and the evidence for any effect on clinical outcomes such as mortality and re-operation rates. SEARCH STRATEGY: We identified studies by searching MEDLINE (1950 to 2009), EMBASE (1980 to 2009), The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2009), the Internet (to March 2009) and the reference lists of published articles, reports, and reviews. SELECTION CRITERIA: Controlled parallel group trials in which adult patients, scheduled for non-urgent surgery, were randomised to PRP, or to a control group which did not receive the intervention. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Primary outcomes measured were: the number of patients exposed to allogeneic RBC transfusion, and the amount of RBC transfused. Other outcomes measured were: the number of patients exposed to allogeneic platelet transfusions, fresh frozen plasma, and cryoprecipitate, blood loss, re-operation for bleeding, post-operative complications (thrombosis), mortality, and length of hospital stay. Treatment effects were pooled using a random-effects model. Trial quality was assessed using criteria proposed by Schulz et al (Schulz 1995). MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-two trials of PRP were identified that reported data for the number of patients exposed to allogeneic RBC transfusion. These trials evaluated a total of 1589 patients. The relative risk (RR) of exposure to allogeneic blood transfusion in those patients randomised to PRP was 0.73 (95%CI 0.59 to 0.90), equating to a relative risk reduction (RRR) of 27% and a risk difference (RD) of 19% (95%CI 10% to 29%). However, significant heterogeneity of treatment effect was observed (p < 0.00001; I² = 79%). When the four trials by Boldt are excluded, the RR is 0.76 (95% CI 0.62 to 0.93). On average, PRP did not significantly reduce the total volume of RBC transfused (weighted mean difference [WMD] -0.69, 95%CI -1.93 to 0.56 units). Trials provided inadequate data regarding the impact of PRP on morbidity, mortality, and hospital length of stay. Trials were generally small and of poor methodological quality. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Although the results suggest that PRP is effective in reducing allogeneic RBC transfusion in adult patients undergoing elective surgery, there was considerable heterogeneity of treatment effects and the trials were of poor methodological quality. The available studies provided inadequate data for firm conclusions to be drawn regarding the impact of PRP on clinically important endpoints.

Recurrent cardiac constriction after complete pericardiectomy.

We present a patient with recurrent constrictive physiology resulting from exuberant post-operative fibrosis after complete pericardiectomy. The patient underwent a repeat stripping procedure. At surgery, there was an extensive fibrotic and calcified rind around the heart. The recurrence of constriction physiology after complete pericardiectomy in non-tuberculous pericarditis is a rarely reported in literature. The management supports repeat surgery and the potential value of steroid administration.

Early Midterm Results After Valve Replacement With Contemporary Pericardial Prostheses for Severe Aortic Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Clinical studies have demonstrated improved gradients after aortic valve replacement with the Trifecta (TR) valve (Abbott Cardiovascular, St Paul, MN) as compared with the Carpentier-Edwards Magna Ease (ME) valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA). Clinical benefits of this strategy have not been demonstrated. METHODS: Patients undergoing aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis with either valve were included. Patients were excluded if they underwent concomitant procedures other than coronary artery bypass grafting. Inverse proportion treatment weighting was used in the analysis. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiac mortality, need for reintervention, and freedom from first congestive heart failure (CHF). Secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality, the composite components, and cumulative CHF admission. Follow-up echocardiograms were assessed in a cohort of patients to assess structural valve degeneration. RESULTS: There were 331 patients in the TR group and 360 patients in the ME group. The TR group had more women (48% vs 32%, P < .001) with smaller roots (left ventricular outflow tract diameter: TR, 2.11 cm; ME, 2.17 cm; P < .001). After weighting there was no significant difference in the composite measure between groups (P > .05). There was no difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.42-1.59; P = .56), and 5-year survival was 91.9% in the ME group and 93.4% in the TR group. There was no difference in cardiac death, reintervention, or first onset of CHF or incidence of structural valve degeneration between groups. There was no difference in the rate of admissions for CHF per 100 patients between the 2 valve types (P = .19). CONCLUSIONS: Early hemodynamic benefits have not translated into differences in medium-term clinical outcomes between these 2 valves. Long-term follow-up is necessary.