Outcomes of Concomitant Maze Procedure in Tricuspid Repair for Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to analyze the impact of concomitant Maze procedure on the clinical and rhythm outcomes, and echocardiographic parameters in tricuspid repair for patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Patients who had severe TR and persistent AF and underwent tricuspid valve (TV) repair were included in the study. Both primary TR and secondary TR were included in the current study. The study population was stratified according to Maze procedure. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) at 15 years post-surgery. Propensity-score matching analyses was performed to adjust baseline differences. RESULTS: Three hundred seventy-one patients who underwent tricuspid repair for severe TR and persistent AF from 1994 to 2021 were included, and 198 patients (53.4%) underwent concomitant Maze procedure. The maze group showed 10-year sinus rhythm (SR) restoration rate of 55%. In the matched cohort, the maze group showed a lower cumulative incidence of cardiac death (4.6% vs. 14.4%, P = 0.131), readmission for heart failure (8.1% vs. 22.2%, P = 0.073), and MACCE (21.1% vs. 42.1%, P = 0.029) at 15 years compared to the non-maze group. Left atrial (LA) diameter significantly decreased in the maze group at 5 years (53.3 vs. 59.6 mm, P < 0.001) after surgery compared to preoperative level, and there was a significant difference in the change of LA diameter over time between the two groups (P = 0.013). CONCLUSION: The Maze procedure during TV repair in patients with severe TR and persistent AF showed acceptable SR rates and lower MACCE rates compared to those without the procedure, while also promoting LA reverse remodeling.

Surgical Repair of a Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm: A 22-Year Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Several reports described the repair of sinus of Valsalva aneurysms (SVAs); however, there is still debate regarding the optimal method of operation. We investigated the determinants of the development of significant aortic regurgitation (AR) and long-term survival after surgical repair. METHODS: Between January 1995 and December 2016, 71 patients (31 females; median age: 33.3 years) underwent surgical SVA repair with (n = 60) or without (n = 11) rupture. Aortic valvuloplasty (AVP) was performed using Trusler's technique in 28 patients (39.4%), and 11 patients (15.5%) underwent aortic valve replacement during the first operation. RESULTS: There was no early mortality, and three deaths occurred during follow-up (median: 65.4 months). Patients with grade II preoperative AR who underwent AVP tended to develop significant postoperative AR, but freedom from significant AR did not differ statistically (p = 0.387). Among patients who underwent AVP, freedom from significant AR did not differ statistically between those with grades I and II and those with grades III and IV (p = 0.460). CONCLUSION: Surgical repair of SVA with or without rupture can be performed safely using the dual approach technique. Concomitant aortic valve repair can be performed without difficulty and should be recommended not only for patients with moderate or severe preoperative AR (grades III and IV) but also for those with minimal or mild preoperative AR (grades I and II), whose aortic valve geometry needs correction.

Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Versus Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation in Patients with Multivessel Disease Involving the Right Coronary Artery.

BACKGROUND: Whether percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is superior to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for the right coronary territory is unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes and patency in the right coronary territory after CABG or PCI. METHODS: We studied 2,467 multivessel coronary artery disease patients from January 2001 to December 2011; 1,672 were off-pump CABG patients and 795 were PCI. The graft patency and the presence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) including death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, and stroke were analyzed. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, cardiac-related survival was found to be significantly higher in the CABG group than in the PCI group (hazard ratio (HR) for the PCI group: 2.445, p = 0.006). The PCI group showed higher rates of myocardial infarction (HR: 2.571, p = 0.011) and target vessel revascularization (HR: 3.337, p < 0.001). In the right coronary territory, the right internal thoracic artery patency was not different in the PCI group compared with the CABG group (p = 0.248). In CABG group, low right coronary artery graft patency was associated with cardiac-related death (HR: 0.17, p = 0.003) and the occurrence of MACCEs (HR: 0.22, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: CABG was superior to PCI in patients with multivessel disease. Low graft patency in the right coronary territory was associated with cardiac-related death and the occurrence of MACCEs.

Serial Changes of Transmitral and Transtricuspid Pressure Gradients After Simultaneous Mitral and Tricuspid Ring Annuloplasty.

BACKGROUND: Although flexible-ring annuloplasty is more inclined to increase the transmitral gradient over time, its effect on the tricuspid annulus is unknown. This study was conducted to evaluate serial changes in mean pressure gradient (mPG) across tricuspid and mitral valves after simultaneous dual implantation of flexible bands. METHODS: Seventy-one (71) patients (median age, 61.6 years; IQR: 50.8-69.0 years) underwent simultaneous mitral/tricuspid annuloplasties using St. Jude Tailor rings. Serial mPGs across mitral and tricuspid valves were evaluated at three postoperative time points: predischarge, 3 years, and 5 years. To gauge the effects and clinical outcomes of prophylactic intervention, patients were categorised as tricuspid regurgitation (TR)≥moderate or TR

Clinical Implication of Transaortic Mitral Pannus Removal During Repeat Cardiac Surgery for Patients With Mechanical Mitral Valve.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of transaortic mitral pannus removal (TMPR).Methods and Results:Between 2004 and 2016, 34 patients (median age, 57 years; 30 women) with rheumatic disease underwent pannus removal on the ventricular side of a mechanical mitral valve through the aortic valve during reoperation. The median time interval from the previous surgery was 14 years. TMPR was performed after removal of the mechanical aortic valve (n=21) or diseased native aortic valve (n=11). TMPR was performed in 2 patients through a normal aortic valve. The mitral transprosthetic mean pressure gradient (TMPG) was ≥5 mmHg in 11 patients, including 3 with prosthetic valve malfunction. Prophylactic TMPR was performed in 23 patients. There were no early deaths. Concomitant operations included 22 tricuspid valve surgeries (13 replacements, 15 repairs) and 32 aortic valve replacements (24 repeats, 8 primary). The mean gradient in patients who had mitral TMPG ≥5 mmHg was significantly decreased from 6.46±1.1 to 4.37±1.17 mmHg at discharge (P<0.001). No mechanical valve malfunction was apparent on last echocardiography. CONCLUSIONS: TMPR is a safe and effective procedure for patients with malfunction or stenosis of a mechanical mitral valve and may be considered an alternative approach in patients with pannus overgrowth in such valves.

Clinical Outcomes of Repeat Aortic Valve Replacement for Subaortic Pannus in Mechanical Aortic Valve.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the early and late clinical outcomes after repeat aortic valve replacement (AVR) for subaortic pannus in patients with mechanical valves. Methods and Results: Between 2001 and 2017, 51 patients (median age, 59 years; 42 women) with prosthetic aortic stenosis (AS) caused by pannus ingrowth underwent repeat AVR because of acute malfunction of monoleaflet valve (3 patients), severe prosthetic AS (30 patients), and moderate prosthetic AS at the time of tricuspid or mitral valve surgery (18 patients). The median follow-up duration was 100 (interquartile range, 64-138) months. Double valve replacement was performed in 45 (88%) patients. Median time interval from previous operation was 161 (interquartile range, 121-194) months. The explanted mechanical AV was monoleaflet and bileaflet in 16 (31%) and 34 (67%) patients, respectively. Concomitant procedures included 16 mitral valve replacements (14 repeat) and 36 tricuspid valve surgeries (15 replacements, 21 repairs). No hospital deaths or cases of heart block occurred. Overall survival and event-free survival rates at 10 years were 88% and 51%, respectively. Late complications included recurrent prosthetic AS (4 patients), new paravalvular leakage of the mitral valve (5 patients), and severe tricuspid regurgitation (2 patients). CONCLUSIONS: Although repeat AVR for subaortic pannus had acceptable early and late survival, recurrent prosthetic AS was frequently observed during late follow-up.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting with Arterial Grafts in Patients with Kawasaki Disease Affecting the Coronary Artery: a Korean Single-Center Study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to review the long-term clinical outcomes and graft patency of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using arterial grafts in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) affecting the coronary artery. METHODS: Twenty patients with KD who underwent CABG from January 2002 to June 2014 were enrolled. There were 4 male (20%) and 16 female (80%) patients with ages at operation ranging from 2 to 42 years (median, 17.5 years). Our routine operative strategy was off-pump CABG with arterial grafts. The mean follow-up duration was 59.5 ± 48.5 months (range, 1-159 months). Coronary angiogram or computed tomography angiogram was used to evaluate graft patency in 16 patients (80%). RESULTS: All patients survived CABG without late mortality. Left internal thoracic arteries were used in 19 patients, while right internal thoracic arteries were used in 10 patients. Right gastroepiploic arteries were used in 3 patients, and a saphenous vein graft (SVG) was used in 1 patient. Among the 20 patients, 2 patients underwent coronary reintervention with balloon angioplasty because of graft failure. Two patients underwent coronary reintervention because of new obstructive lesions that were not significant at the time of the initial operation. Patency rates at 5 and 10 years were 94% and 87%, respectively. The rate of freedom from coronary reintervention at 10 years was 82%. CONCLUSION: Off-pump CABG with mainly arterial graft revascularization may be considered a good surgical option for coronary lesions caused by KD.

Surgical outcomes of mitral valve replacement with concomitant mitral annular reconstruction.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: We evaluated the early and long-term outcomes of mitral annular reconstruction (MAR) with pericardium during mitral valve replacement (MVR), and analyzed the risk factors associated with post-operative mortality. METHODS: Between May 1997 and April 2013, 78 consecutive patients underwent MVR with MAR. The indications for MAR were treatment for annular infection in native valve endocarditis (n = 23, 29.5%) or prosthetic valve endocarditis (n = 26, 33.3%), reinforcement of damaged annulus resulting from a previous operation (n = 17, 21.8%), complete excision of extensive calcification (n = 9, 11.5%), and left ventricular or left atrial rupture (n = 3, 3.8%). Patients were classified into infective endocarditis (n = 49) and non-endocarditis groups (n = 29). The mean follow-up period was 59.4 ± 47.3 months. RESULTS: There were two operative deaths and 11 cases of late mortality in the endocarditis group and five cases in the non-endocarditis group. Late prosthetic valve endocarditis occurred in four patients. The overall survival rate at 1 and 10 years was 94.8% and 65.1%, respectively. There was no statistical difference in the overall survival, freedom from reoperation, and freedom from endocarditis rates between the groups (P = 0.565, P = 0.635, and P = 0.449, respectively). Univariable and multivariable analyses revealed that pre-operative left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction <40%) was an independent predictor of overall mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The early and long-term results of MAR with pericardium during MVR are acceptable in both endocarditis and non-endocarditis patients.

Perioperative Outcomes of Repeated Open Surgery on the Thoracic Aorta.

BACKGROUND: Repeated thoracic aorta repair is increasingly common. With the increase in hybrid procedures, determination of the best treatment strategy requires evaluation of the clinical outcomes of classic open surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 119 patients (84 men and 35 women, aged 51.0 ± 16.7 years) with a history of open repair involving the thoracic aorta above the diaphragm. The patients underwent an average of 1.3 ± 0.8 surgeries (range: 1-8) on the thoracic aorta before the final operation. Clinical outcomes were evaluated on the basis of the need for emergency surgery, indications for surgery, pathologic causes, and other operative variables. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 6.7% (n = 8). Postoperative bleeding occurred in 16% (n = 19). On multivariable analysis, emergency surgery (odds ratio [OR], 19.005; P = .003; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.710-133.305) and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (OR, 1.562 per 30 minutes; P = .007; 95% CI, 1.126-2.165) were predictors of hospital death. Emergency surgery (OR, 4.105; P = .029; 95% CI, 1.157-14.567) and CPB time (OR, 1.189 per 30 minutes; P = .035; 95% CI, 1.012-1.396) were also associated with postoperative bleeding, in addition to surgery for an infectious cause (OR, 10.824; P = .010; 95% CI, 1.755-66.770). Estimated survival at 1, 5, and 7 years was 86.6%, 80.5%, and 78.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite the variety of preoperative conditions and operations performed, repeated open surgery for thoracic aorta repair can be performed with acceptable early and late outcomes.

Tricuspid Valve Replacement vs. Repair in Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare early and late outcomes of tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) and tricuspid valve repair (TVr) for severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR).Methods and Results:From 1994 to 2012, 360 patients (mean age, 58±13 years) with severe TR underwent TVR (n=97, 27%) or TVr (n=263, 73%). Among them, 282 patients (78%) had initial rheumatic etiology, and 307 patients (85%) had preoperative atrial fibrillation. The TVR group had higher total bilirubin, higher baseline central venous pressure, and higher incidence of previous cardiac operation. There was no difference in early mortality (TVR:TVr, 3.1%:3.4%, P=0.877). Ten-year overall survival (TVR:TVr, 72%:70%, P=0.532) and 10-year freedom from cardiac death (TVR:TVr, 76%:77%, P=0.715) were not significantly different between groups. After applying stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting methods, there were still no significant differences in early mortality (P=0.293), overall survival (P=0.649) or freedom from cardiac death (P=0.870). Higher NYHA functional class, total bilirubin (>2 mg/dL), initial central venous pressure, and cardiopulmonary bypass time were independent predictors of early mortality. Older age, LV dysfunction (EF <40%), and hemoglobin <10 g/dL were independent predictors of late cardiac mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with TVr, TVR had acceptable early and late outcomes in patients with severe TR. TVR can be considered as a valid option with acceptable clinical outcomes in patients who are not suitable candidates for TVr.

Favorable Outcomes of Open Surgical Repair for Blunt Aortic Injury in the Era of Endovascular Repair.

Background Long-term outcomes of open surgical repair with distal aortic perfusion for blunt aortic injury (BAI) remain undefined in this era of preferential thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Methods We retrospectively reviewed data from 31 consecutive patients (23 males; mean age, 46 ± 16 years) who underwent open surgical repair with distal aortic perfusion for acute BAI between 1998 and 2012 at our center and were followed up for 83 ± 47 months. Results In the 31 patients studied, BAI was most commonly secondary to traffic accidents (87%), with median accident-to-surgery time of 1 day. It was most commonly (90%) located at the isthmus. All patients had other injuries (injury severity score, 25 ± 6), 68% of which required surgery. The aorta was approached by left (84%) or bilateral (3%) thoracotomy, or median sternotomy (13%). During aortic cross-clamping (73 ± 47 minutes), distal aortic perfusion was maintained in all patients by left heart or cardiopulmonary bypass (extracorporeal circulation time, 93 ± 63 minutes). Circulatory arrest was required in 19% of patients. There was no in-hospital mortality or paraplegia. The estimated 5- and 10-year survival rates were 92 ± 6% and 80 ± 12%, respectively. One patient underwent reoperation for aortoesophageal fistula at 75 months postoperatively. Conclusion Open repair with distal aortic perfusion for BAI yielded favorable early and late outcomes, and is thus a viable option even in the era of TEVAR.

Aortic wrapping for a dilated ascending aorta in bicuspid aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Ascending aorta wrapping is rarely recommended for the management of dilated aorta, because of late complications. The aim of the present study was to analyze the early and late outcomes of the aortic wrapping technique at the time of aortic valve replacement (AVR) for bicuspid aortic stenosis (BAS). METHODS AND RESULTS: Among patients who underwent primary AVR for BAS between 2002 and 2011, 79 who underwent ascending aortic wrapping (wrapping group) were compared with 144 patients who underwent AVR alone. The preoperative ascending aortic diameters were larger in the wrapping group (40.9±4.2 mm vs. 48.6±4.0 mm, P<0.001). Operative technique was to wrap the ascending aorta transversely with a semi-elliptically resected Dacron graft. The follow-up for the wrapping group was 76.5±35.5 (median 71.1) months. There were no early deaths. Early and late morbidity did not differ between groups. The 24 late deaths, including 10 cardiac-related deaths, occurred in the entire group; 3 sudden deaths occurred only in the AVR group. The 10-year overall survival in the wrapping group was higher than the AVR group (88.1±6.8% vs. 80.0±4.6%, P=0.048). No late aortic complications were detected. The aortic diameter was reduced from 49.5±4.1 mm to 45.3±5.0 mm after wrapping (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The aortic wrapping technique may be an option for treating a moderately dilated ascending aorta in selected patients undergoing AVR for BAS. Longer follow-up, however, is necessary to verify later complications.

Prophylactic Tricuspid Annuloplasty in Patients Undergoing Double Valve Revlacement.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aim was to evaluate the effect of prophylactic tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) on late tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after double valve (aortic and mitral) replacement (DVR). METHODS: Among 239 patients undergoing DVR at the authors' institution between 1994 and 2009, a total of 93 patients who had a less than moderate degree of preoperative TR was analyzed. Concomitant TAP was performed in 55 patients (TAP group). The mean follow up duration was 7.3 +/- 4.1 years (maximum 15.9 years). Serial echocardiographic data at one, three, five and more than seven years were analyzed. RESULTS: There was no early mortality, but eight late cardiac-related mortalities occurred (8.6%). In the aortic position, the transprosthetic mean pressure gradient (TMPG) was increased during follow up (13.5 +/- 5.3 mmHg versus 16.4 +/- 10.2 mmHg, p = 0.006). However, the mitral TMPG did not change significantly (3.7 +/- 1.4 mmHg versus 3.8 +/- 1.6 mmHg, p = 0.677). Freedom from valve-related events at 10 years was higher in the TAP group than in the non-TAP group (85.2 +/- 5.9% versus 63.3 +/- 0.9%; p = 0.05). Freedom from more than moderate TR at 10 years was also higher in the TAP group (93.6 +/- 4.7% versus 66.3 +/- 10.3%; p = 0.03). The transmitral pressure gradient was associated with valve-related events (p = 0.025; HR, 1.367). An absence of TAP was predictive of late TR (p = 0.020; HR, 4.4). CONCLUSION: The study results suggested that TAP can be considered in patients who require DVR, even if the TR grade is less than moderate, in order to prevent the late occurrence of TR.

Clinical outcomes of valve-sparing root replacement in acute type A aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVES: The early and late outcomes of valve-sparing root replacement (VSR) in type A aortic dissection (AAD) are unknown. The aim of this study was to review the outcomes of VSR in AAD. We also compared the outcomes of VSR with the Bentall operation, which served as a standard reference technique. DESIGN: We retrospectively reviewed 52 patients who underwent surgery for AAD and concomitant root replacement between 1998 and 2013 at Samsung Medical Center. Patients were divided into two groups: Bentall (n = 34) and VSR (n = 18). Two out of six surgeons performed VSR. The mean follow-up duration was 62.3 ± 46.5 months. RESULTS: Preoperative characteristics were similar between the two groups except age (Bentall, 48 ± 11 years; VSR, 37 ± 11 years, p = 0.011). The aortic cross-clamping time was longer in the VSR group (Bentall, 185.8 ± 63.8; VSR, 241.4 ± 44.3 min, p = 0.002). There was no early death in the VSR group, but there was one in the Bentall group (p = 1.000). Despite the higher reoperation rate for aortic valve in the VSR group (Three reoperations) than in the Bentall group (no reoperation), major valve-related events and overall mortality did not differ between the two groups(p = 0.876 and 0.119, respectively). In multivariable analysis, the root replacement technique was not a risk factor for major valve-related events. CONCLUSIONS: VSR seems to be equivalent to the Bentall procedure for AAD in terms of early and late outcomes. VSR can be considered as a viable option, particularly for young patients with favorable aortic valve leaflets undergoing surgery at an experienced center.

Effect of left atrial activity after the maze procedure on clinical and echocardiographic outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Although the maze procedure reduces the risk of adverse cardiac events, the clinical importance of post-maze left atrial (LA) activity on long-term surgical outcomes is not well defined. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between January 2000 and December 2009, 416 consecutive patients with sinus conversion after a modified Cox III procedure with cryoablation were enrolled and subdivided into patients with restored LA activity (group ReA; n=231) and those without LA activity (group NoA; n=185) assessed using Doppler echocardiographic examination at 3-6 months after the maze procedure. During the long-term follow-up (4.6±2.6 years), the NoA group showed more frequent major adverse events (P=0.001) including cardiac death (P=0.145), heart failure events (P=0.032), and thromboembolic stroke (P=0.048) than the ReA group. In multivariate analysis, lack of LA activity was associated with a 2.2-fold increased risk for major adverse events (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-6.8; P=0.029) and with a 2.4-fold increased risk for late progression of tricuspid regurgitation (95% CI, 1.0-3.5; P=0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Absence of LA activity after the maze procedure was independently associated with a significantly increased risk of major adverse events and late progression of tricuspid regurgitation.

Stroke is not a treatment dilemma for early valve surgery in active infective endocarditis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: While early valve surgery for active infective endocarditis (AIE) is recommended, surgeons have hesitated to operate on patients complicated by cerebral septic embolism resulting in cerebral bleeding when cardiopulmonary bypass is required intraoperatively. The study aim was to review the outcomes of operations for AIE, and to determine the risks of neurologic complications resulting from cerebral septic embolism. METHODS: Between 1994 and June 2011, among 278 patients who underwent heart valve surgery for AIE at the authors' institution, 39 (14%) had cerebral septic embolisms. Cerebral lesions were verified by imaging, and were predominantly multiple embolic infarctions (34 patients; 87.2%). Five patients had brain abscess, and 10 had hemorrhage with or without infarction. The mean interval between the recent onset of a stroke and surgery was 10.1 ± 10.1 days (range: 0-43 days). RESULTS: One patient died postoperatively of septic shock. New neurologic complications occurred in five patients, including secondary hemorrhagic transformation in the previous lesions (n = 2), newly developed subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhage (n = 2), and an increased degree of subarachnoid hemorrhage (n = 1). One patient needed a craniotomy, and the others were treated medically. There were five late deaths, including one cardiac death, and one redo valve surgery due to repaired valve failure during the follow up period of 46.3 ± 40.4 months (range: 1.9-127.4 months). The overall and event-free survival rates at five and 10 years were 84.3 ± 6.5% and 75.9 ± 9.9%, and 81.7 ± 6.8% and 73.6 ± 9.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Surgery for AIE with cerebral septic embolisms can be performed safely, with good early and mid-term follow-up results. When urgent or emergent surgery for AIE is needed, neurologic complications should not be a reason for delay.

Missed postoperative metabolic acidosis associated with sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitors in cardiac surgery patients: a retrospective analysis.

The increasing use of sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) for treating cardiovascular (CV) diseases and type 2 diabetes (T2D) is accompanied by a rise in euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis occurrences in cardiac surgery patients. Patients undergoing cardiac surgery, due to their pre-existing CV disease which often requires SGLT2i prescriptions, face an increased risk of postoperative metabolic acidosis (MA) or ketoacidosis (KA) associated with SGLT2i, compounded by fasting and surgical stress. The primary aim of this study is to quantify the incidence of SGLT2i-related postoperative MA or KA and to identify related risk factors. We analyzed data retrospectively of 823 cardiac surgery patients, including 46 treated with SGLT2i from November 2019 to October 2022. Among 46 final cohorts treated preoperatively with SGLT2i, 29 (63%) developed postoperative metabolic complications. Of these 46 patients, stratified into two categories based on postoperative laboratory findings, risk factor analysis were conducted and compared. Analysis indicated a prescription duration over one week significantly elevated the risk of complications (Unadjusted OR, 11.7; p = 0.032*; Adjusted OR, 31.58; p = 0.014*). A subgroup analysis showed that a cardiopulmonary bypass duration of 60 min or less significantly raises the risk of SGLT2i-related postoperative MA in patients with a sufficient prescription duration. We omitted the term "diabetes" in describing complications related to SGLT2i, as these issues are not exclusive to T2D patients. Awareness of SGLT2i-related postoperative MA or KA can help clinicians distinguish between non-life-threatening conditions and severe causes, thereby preventing unnecessary tests and ensuring best practice.

Long-term hemodynamic performance of ATS valves in the aortic position: impact on the progression of late tricuspid regurgitation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aim was to evaluate the long-term hemodynamic performance of ATS bileaflet valves in the aortic position. METHODS: A total of 132 patients (mean age 54 +/- 13 years) who underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) using ATS valves between October 1994 and May 2001 was analyzed. Of these patients, 77 underwent isolated AVR (AVR group), while 55 underwent concomitant mitral valve replacement (DVR group). The mean follow up duration was 135 +/- 39 months (maximum 180 months). RESULTS: The overall mortality was 19.7% (26/132), but no early mortality occurred. Cumulative survival rates at 12 years were 87.0 +/- 3.8% in the AVR group and 71.4 +/- 6.3% in the DVR group (p = 0.093). The AVR group showed a higher cardiovascular event-free survival at 12 years than the DVR group (82.3 +/- 4.7% versus 65.1 +/- 7.3%; p = 0.047). During follow up, the transaortic mean pressure gradient (TMPG) was maintained in the AVR group but increased in the DVR group (p = 0.044). The TMPG at follow up was higher in patients who underwent AVR with small valves (< or =21 mm) than in those receiving large valves (p = 0.001). The tricuspid regurgitation (TR) grade was increased over time in both groups, and was greater in the DVR group (2.1 +/- 1.1 versus 1.4 +/- 1.0; p < 0.001). The progression of late TR correlated with the TMPG (gamma = 0.261, p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: The study results showed that ATS valves had acceptable long-term outcomes. A high TMPG was observed more frequently in the DVR group and in patients who underwent AVR with a small valve. A high TMPG might be related to the progression of late TR.

Valve-sparing root replacement in children with connective tissue disease: Long-term risk of aortic events.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular involvement in pediatric patients with connective tissue disease (CTD) is life-threatening, with aortic root dilatation being the most prevalent cardiovascular abnormality. We attempted to determine long-term outcomes of valve-sparing root replacement (VSRR) in this group, including cardiovascular reoperations for aortic aneurysm and dissection. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of pediatric patients with CTD who received VSRR in a single center from 2002 to 2021. The primary end point was a composite event of all-cause death and cardiovascular reoperations. The median follow-up duration was 8.3 years, with a maximum of 20.7 years. RESULTS: The median age of 24 pediatric patients who had VSRR was 14.4 years. Marfan syndrome and Loeys-Dietz syndrome affected 19 (79.2%) and 5 (20.8%) patients, respectively. There was no early death. The 15-year survival rate was 91.7%. At 10 years after VSRR, the cumulative incidence of reoperation for aortic regurgitation was 15.6%, and for aortic aneurysm or dissection, it was 29.1%. The 10-year rate of freedom from the primary end point was 53.1%. The Cox multivariable analysis revealed younger age at surgery (hazard ratio, 1.279; 95% confidence interval, 1.086-1.505; P = .003) and VSRR before 13 years of age (hazard ratio, 5.005; 95% confidence interval, 1.146-21.850; P = .032) as independent prognostic factors for the primary endpoint. CONCLUSIONS: VSRR for aortic root dilatation in pediatric patients with CTD demonstrated good long-term survival and low reoperation rates for aortic regurgitation. However, several patients developed later aortic aneurysm or dissection, and careful surveillance may be required, particularly in those who received VSRR at younger age.

Impact of maze procedure in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation and persistent atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation and persistent atrial fibrillation may not be good candidates for maze procedure due to preoperative atrial remodeling and various comorbidities. We attempted to evaluate the rhythm and clinical outcomes of maze procedure in these patients. METHODS: Patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation and persistent atrial fibrillation who underwent tricuspid valve surgery between January 1994 and December 2017 at a single tertiary center were analyzed. The primary end point was sinus rhythm restoration. The key secondary end point was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event rate, which is the composite event of stroke, cardiac death, major bleeding, and readmission for heart failure. Propensity score matching analysis was used. RESULTS: A total of 388 patients underwent tricuspid valve surgery, and among them 172 patients (44%) underwent concomitant maze procedure. The maze group had sinus rhythm restoration rate of 56% in 9 years. Further, in the matched cohort, the maze group had higher freedom from major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event rate at 10 years than the nonmaze group (55.6% vs 36.2%; P = .047). Preoperative left atrial diameter (hazard ratio, 1.022; 95% CI, 1.012-1.033; P < .001) and right atrial diameter (hazard ratio, 1.012; 95% CI, 1.003-1.022; P = .013) were independent risk factors for failure of sinus rhythm. CONCLUSIONS: Maze procedure in severe tricuspid regurgitation and persistent atrial fibrillation had acceptable rates of sinus rhythm restoration and reduced major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in the long-term. Careful patient selection considering preoperative atrial diameters is needed to enhance maze success rate and long-term clinical outcomes.