Characteristics and Outcomes of Prolonged Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation After Cardiac Surgery: The Post-Cardiotomy Extracorporeal Life Support (PELS-1) Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: Most post-cardiotomy (PC) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) runs last less than 7 days. Studies on the outcomes of longer runs have provided conflicting results. This study investigates patient characteristics and short- and long-term outcomes in relation to PC ECMO duration, with a focus on prolonged (> 7 d) ECMO. DESIGN: Retrospective observational cohort study. SETTING: Thirty-four centers from 16 countries between January 2000 and December 2020. PATIENTS: Adults requiring post PC ECMO between 2000 and 2020. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Characteristics, in-hospital, and post-discharge outcomes were compared among patients categorized by ECMO duration. Survivors and nonsurvivors were compared in the subgroup of patients with ECMO duration greater than 7 days. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Two thousand twenty-one patients were included who required PC ECMO for 0-3 days (n = 649 [32.1%]), 4-7 days (n = 776 [38.3%]), 8-10 days (n = 263 [13.0%]), and greater than 10 days (n = 333 [16.5%]). There were no major differences in the investigated preoperative and procedural characteristics among ECMO duration groups. However, the longer ECMO duration category was associated with multiple complications including bleeding, acute kidney injury, arrhythmias, and sepsis. Hospital mortality followed a U-shape curve, with lowest mortality in patients with ECMO duration of 4-7 days (n = 394, 50.8%) and highest in patients with greater than 10 days ECMO support (n = 242, 72.7%). There was no significant difference in post-discharge survival between ECMO duration groups. In patients with ECMO duration greater than 7 days, age, comorbidities, valvular diseases, and complex procedures were associated with nonsurvival. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 30% of PC ECMO patients were supported for greater than 7 days. In-hospital mortality increased after 7 days of support, especially in patients undergoing valvular and complex surgery, or who had complications, although the long-term post-discharge prognosis was comparable to PC ECMO patients with shorter support duration.

Post-cardiotomy extracorporeal life support: A cohort of cannulation in the general ward.

OBJECTIVES: Post-cardiotomy extracorporeal life support (ECLS) cannulation might occur in a general post-operative ward due to emergent conditions. Its characteristics have been poorly reported and investigated This study investigates the characteristics and outcomes of adult patients receiving ECLS cannulation in a general post-operative cardiac ward. METHODS: The Post-cardiotomy Extracorporeal Life Support (PELS) is a retrospective (2000-2020), multicenter (34 centers), observational study including adult patients who required ECLS for post-cardiotomy shock. This PELS sub-analysis analyzed patients´ characteristics, in-hospital outcomes, and long-term survival in patients cannulated for veno-arterial ECLS in the general ward, and further compared in-hospital survivors and non-survivors. RESULTS: The PELS study included 2058 patients of whom 39 (1.9%) were cannulated in the general ward. Most patients underwent isolated coronary bypass grafting (CABG, n = 15, 38.5%) or isolated non-CABG operations (n = 20, 51.3%). The main indications to initiate ECLS included cardiac arrest (n = 17, 44.7%) and cardiogenic shock (n = 14, 35.9%). ECLS cannulation occurred after a median time of 4 (2-7) days post-operatively. Most patients' courses were complicated by acute kidney injury (n = 23, 59%), arrhythmias (n = 19, 48.7%), and postoperative bleeding (n = 20, 51.3%). In-hospital mortality was 84.6% (n = 33) with persistent heart failure (n = 11, 28.2%) as the most common cause of death. No peculiar differences were observed between in-hospital survivors and nonsurvivors. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that ECLS cannulation due to post-cardiotomy emergent adverse events in the general ward is rare, mainly occurring in preoperative low-risk patients and after a postoperative cardiac arrest. High complication rates and low in-hospital survival require further investigations to identify patients at risk for such a complication, optimize resources, enhance intervention, and improve outcomes.

Heterogeneity in Clinical Practices for Post-Cardiotomy Extracorporeal Life Support: a Pilot Survey from the PELS-1 Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: High-quality evidence for post-cardiotomy extracorporeal life support (PC-ECLS) management is lacking. This study investigated the real-world PC-ECLS clinical practices. METHODS: This cross-sectional, multi-institutional, international pilot survey explored center organization, anticoagulation management, left ventricular unloading, distal limb perfusion, PC-ECLS monitoring and transfusions practices. Twenty-nine questions were distributed among 34 hospitals participating in the Post-cardiotomy Extra-Corporeal Life Support Study. RESULTS: Of the 32 centers [16 low-volume (50%); 16 high-volume (50%)] that responded, 16 (50%) had dedicated ECLS specialists. Twenty-six centers (81.3%) reported using additional mechanical circulatory supports. Anticoagulation practices were highly heterogeneous: 24 hospitals (75%) reported using patient's bleeding status as a guide, without a specific threshold in 54.2% of cases. Transfusion targets ranged 7-10 g/dL. Most centers used cardiac venting on a case-by-case basis (78.1%) and regular distal limb perfusion (84.4%). Nineteen (54.9%) centers reported dedicated monitoring protocols including daily echocardiography (87.5%), Swan-Ganz catheterization (40.6%), cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy (53.1%) and multimodal assessment of limb ischemia. Inspection of the circuit (71.9%), oxygenator pressure drop (68.8%), plasma free hemoglobin (75%), d-dimer (59.4%), lactate dehydrogenase (56.3%) and fibrinogen (46.9%) are used to diagnose hemolysis and thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows remarkable heterogeneity in clinical practices for PC-ECLS management. More standardized protocols and better implementation of available evidence are recommended.

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

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

The early and long-term outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting added to aortic valve replacement compared to isolated aortic valve replacement in elderly patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

In aged population, the early and long-term outcomes of coronary revascularization (CABG) added to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) compared to isolated SAVR (i-SAVR) are conflicting. To address this limitation, a meta-analysis comparing the early and late outcomes of SAVR plus CABG with i-SAVR was performed. Electronic databases from January 2000 to November 2021 were screened. Studies reporting early-term and long-term comparison between the two treatments in patients over 75 years were analyzed. The primary endpoints were in-hospital/30-day mortality and overall long-term survival. The pooled odd ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for in-early outcome and long-term survival, respectively. Random-effect model was used in all analyses. Forty-four retrospective observational studies reporting on 74,560 patients (i-SAVR = 36,062; SAVR + CABG = 38,498) were included for comparison. The pooled analysis revealed that i-SAVR was significantly associated with lower rate of early mortality compared to SAVR plus CABG (OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.66-0.75; p < 0.0001) and with lower incidence of postoperative acute renal failure (OR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.50-0.91; p = 0.02), need for dialysis (OR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.50-0.86; p = 0.002) and prolonged mechanical ventilation (OR = 0.57; 95% CI 0.42-0.77; p < 0.0001). Twenty-two studies reported data of long-term follow-up. No differences were reported between the two groups in long-term survival (HR = 0.95; 95% CI 0.87-1.03; p = 0.23). CABG added to SAVR is associated with worse early outcomes in terms of early mortality, postoperative acute renal failure, and prolonged mechanical ventilation. Long-term survival was comparable between the two treatments.

Meta-analysis of surgical treatment for postinfarction left ventricular free-wall rupture.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular free-wall rupture (LVFWR) is one of the most lethal complications after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The optimal therapeutic strategy is controversial. The current meta-analysis sought to examine the outcome of patients surgically treated for post-AMI LVFWR. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was performed to identify articles reporting outcomes of subjects who underwent LVFWR surgical repair. The primary endpoint was operative mortality. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the associations of predefined variables of interest and clinical prognosis. RESULTS: Of the 3132 retrieved articles, 11 nonrandomized studies, enrolling a total of 363 patients, fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in this analysis. The mean age of patients was 68 years. The operative mortality rate was 32% (n = 115). Meta-analysis revealed reduced operative risk in patients with oozing type rupture, as compared to blowout type (risk ratios [RR]: 0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.33-0.67; p < .0001); RR was also significantly reduced in subjects in whom LVFWR was treated with sutureless technique, as compared to those undergoing sutured repair (RR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.41-0.83; p = .002). Increased risk of operative mortality was demonstrated in patients who required postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support (RR: 2.39; 95% CI: 1.59-3.60; p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of postinfarction LVFWR has a high operative mortality rate. Blowout rupture, sutured repair and postoperative ECMO support are factors associated with increased risk of operative mortality.

Does additional coronary artery bypass grafting to aortic valve replacement in elderly patients affect the early and long-term outcome?

Early and long-term outcomes in elderly patients who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement (iAVR) are well defined. Conflicting data exist in elderly patients who underwent AVR plus coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We sought to evaluate the early and long-term outcomes of combined AVR + CABG in patients older than 75 years of age. From June 1999 to June 2018, 402 patients ≥ 75 years who underwent iAVR (n = 200; 49.7%) or combined AVR plus CABG (n = 202; 50.3%) were retrospectively analysed. AVR + CABG patients were older than iAVR patients (78.5 ± 2.5 vs 77.6 ± 2.8 years; p < 0.0001), with greater co-morbidities and more urgent/emergency surgery. 30-day mortality was 6.5% in the AVR + CABG and 4.5% in the iAVR group (p = 0.38). Multivariate analysis identified EuroSCORE II [odd ratio (OR) 1.13] postoperative stroke (OR 12.53), postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (OR 8.72) and postoperative mechanical ventilation > 48 h (OR 8.92) as independent predictors of 30-day mortality; preoperative cerebrovascular events (OR 3.43), creatinine (OR 7.27) and extracorporeal circulation time (OR 1.01) were independent predictors of in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCE). Treatment was not an independent predictor of 30-day mortality and in-hospital MACCE. Survival at 1, 5 and 10 years was 94.7 ± 1.6%, 72.6 ± 3.6% and 31.7 ± 4.8% for iAVR patients and 89.1 ± 2.3%, 73.9 ± 3.5% and 37.2 ± 4.8% for AVR + CABG subjects (p = 0.99). Using adjusted Cox regression model, creatinine [hazard ration (HR) 1.50; p = 0.018], COPD (HR 1.97; p = 0.003) and NYHA class (HR 1.39; p < 0.0001) were independent predictors of late mortality; the combined AVR + CABG was not associated with increased risk of late mortality (HR 0.83; p = 0.30). In patients aged ≥ 75 years, combined AVR + CABG was not associated with increased 30-day mortality, in-hospital MACCE and long-term mortality. Surgical revascularization can be safely undertaken at the time of AVR in elderly patients.

Incidence of perioperative stroke in clampless aortic anastomosis during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

This study aimed to assess if clampless off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) decreases the incidence of perioperative stroke (POS) rate and in-hospital mortality. The secondary aim was to evaluate 12-year rates of overall mortality. Between January 2003 to December 2015, data of 645 consecutive patients undergoing isolated CABG were retrospectively collected. 363 underwent aortic no-touch OPCAB (No-touch group) and 282 underwent OPCAB with the Heartstring device (HS group). In-hospital mortality and perioperative stroke rate as primary endpoint, as well as long-term follow-up outcome were analysed. In-hospital mortality was lower into No-touch group compared with HS group but without significant statistical difference (1.7 vs. 3.2%, p = 0.19, respectively); the rate of postoperative stroke was higher in No-touch group compared with HS group, although this difference did not reach statistically significance. Delirium was reported with higher presentation rate in HS group (3.9 vs. 0.8%, p = 0.01). Blood transfusions rate was higher in HS subjects (23.4 vs. 16.1%, p = 0.01). Intubation time, ICU, and hospital length of stay were increased in the HS group (p = 0.008, p = 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). Over a 12-year follow-up period, survival probabilities at 1, 5, and 10 years were 93.6 ± 1.3 vs. 93.2 ± 1.5, 80.4 ± 2.6 vs. 80.3 ± 2.2, and 57.9 ± 5 vs. 58.4 ± 3.8% in the No-touch and HS group, respectively (p = 0.97). In this retrospective study, clampless off-pump CABG lowers perioperative stroke rate whose incidence is, however, not inferior compared with No-touch technique, and no statistically significance was detected. Delirium has a higher presentation rate in clampless off-pump CABG.

Effects of Levosimendan on Endothelial Function and Hemodynamics During Weaning From Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Life Support.

OBJECTIVE: Weaning from veno-arterial extracorporeal life support is challenging. The objective of this trial was to investigate the endothelial and hemodynamic effects of levosimendan in cardiogenic shock patients supported with veno-arterial extracorporeal life support. DESIGN: This was a prospective observational trial. SETTING: Cardiovascular intensive care unit of a large tertiary care university hospital in Monza, Italy. PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery and hemodynamic parameters were assessed in 10 cardiogenic shock patients supported with veno-arterial extracorporeal life support, before and after the infusion of levosimendan. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Flow-mediated dilatation increased both as absolute value and as a percentage after levosimendan, from 0.10±0.12 to 0.61±0.21 mm (p<0.001) and from 3.2±4.2% to 17.8±10.4% (p<0.001), respectively. Cardiac index increased from 1.93±0.83 to 2.64±0.97 L/min/m2 (p = 0.008) while mixed venous oxygen saturation increased from 66.0% to 71.5% (p = 0.006) and arterial lactate levels decreased from 1.25 to 1.05 mmol/L (p = 0.004) without significant variations in arterial oxygen saturation or hemoglobin levels. This made it possible for clinicians to reduce extracorporeal membrane oxygenation blood flow from 1.92±0.65 to 1.12±0.49 L/min/m2 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, in the authors' study population of adult cardiogenic shock patients supported with veno-arterial extracorporeal life support, their observations supported the use of levosimendan to improve endothelial function and hemodynamics and facilitate weaning from the extracorporeal support.

Implantation of the Jarvik 2000® left ventricular assist device using the miniaturized extracorporeal circulation system - a case report.

Myocardial failure is generally considered to be a progressive, irreversible medical condition with characteristic ventricular enlargement, spatial alteration of the heart chambers, diminished cardiac inotropy and resultant dysfunctional, mechanically inefficient heart.The Jarvik 2000®, similar to the mechanical pump, is an electrically powered, axial-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) designed to enhance the function of the chronically failing heart and, consequently, normalize the cardiac output for a long period of time.We report the case of 70-year-old man with congestive dilated cardiomyopathy and bioprosthetic mitral valve who underwent surgical implantation of the Jarvik 2000® LVAD, using the miniaturized extracorporeal circulation (MECC) system.The LVAD was implanted through a left thoracotomy and the MECC system was used to avoid intraoperative spontaneous hemodynamic instability and/or malignant ventricular arrhythmia. The circulatory support with the MECC system was optimal and no complication in terms of hemodynamic instability and perioperative bleeding was recorded. The MECC system obliterated the adverse effects associated with conventional extracorporeal circulation, which are often fatal in critically-ill patients.

Assessing Endothelial Responsiveness After Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Insights on Different Perfusion Modalities.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) exerts several deleterious effects on inflammatory pathways. Most of these can be related to an endothelial insult leading to endothelial dysfunction. To date, the degree of endothelial damage only has been evaluated on a cellular and molecular level, but no studies exist looking at the functional effects of CPB on the endothelium. DESIGN: Previous studies hypothesized a negative effect of continuous flow as opposed to the physiologic pulsatile flow. The aim of the present retrospective study was to investigate how different perfusion modalities during CPB (ie, continuous v pulsatile flow) or its avoidance differently impact endothelial function. SETTING: Cardiovascular operating room and intensive care unit of a large tertiary University Hospital in Monza, Italy. PARTICIPANTS: Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery was assessed in 29 patients undergoing elective myocardial revascularization. Ten patients receiving continuous-flow CPB, 10 receiving pulsatile-flow CPB, and 9 scheduled for beating-heart revascularization were studied. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were studied at baseline (after induction of general anesthesia), after CPB upon intensive care unit (ICU) admission after surgery, and on the first postoperative day before discharge from the ICU (on average, 24 hours after CPB discontinuation). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The continuous-flow CPB group demonstrated a significant reduction in FMD after CPB, (12.8% ± 9.7% v 1.6% ± 1.5%, p<0.01), which lasted up to the first postoperative day (5.9% ± 4.1%). On the other hand, FMD did not change in the pulsatile-flow group (12.5% ± 10.5%, 11.0% ± 7.2%, and 16.6% ± 11.7%, respectively). FMD also was unaffected in the beating-heart group, thus suggesting a direct effect of CPB itself on endothelial function. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, in this study population of adult patients undergoing elective coronary revascularization, continuous-flow CPB markedly impaired endothelial function, although this was not the case with pulsatile-flow CPB. This study posed the rationale for further investigations on the potential value of FMD to predict cardiovascular events in these patients.

Regional thrombolysis with tenecteplase during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a new approach for left ventricular thrombosis.

We present the case of a woman assisted with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (v-a ECMO) for postischemic cardiogenic shock, who developed left ventricular thrombosis despite systemic anticoagulation and left ventricular apical venting. We successfully achieved local thrombolysis with tenecteplase administered through the venting cannula to obtain local thrombolysis while reducing systemic effects to a minimum. The procedure was effective with mild systemic bleeding and the patient was successfully weaned off the extracorporeal support a few days thereafter.

A rare case of ALCAPA and rheumatic mitral valve regurgitation in an adult patient.

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital coronary artery defect leading to sudden cardiac death. Diagnosis is made after the onset of symptoms, mainly in the pediatric population. We describe an uncommon presentation of ALCAPA and rheumatic mitral valve regurgitation, diagnosed by a coronary 64-CT scan performed before a planned mitral valve repair operation.

Multiple Cardiac Diseases Involving the Aortic Arch: Beating Heart Debranching, and Normothermic Arch Replacement: A Case Series.

(1) Background: Conventional open surgery is still the gold standard for aortic arch disease, and despite recent developments in optimizing strategies for neuroprotection, distal organ perfusion, and myocardial protection, aortic arch replacement is still associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. (2) Methods: We present our case series of 12 patients undergoing surgical management of multiple cardiac diseases involving the aortic arch. In this single-center study, we report our initial experience over a five-year period (from December 2018 to October 2023) with the use of a "debranching first" technique for the supra-aortic vessels of a beating heart, followed by the cardiac step addressing proximal diseases, and a final distal step treating the aortic arch. This strategy aims to minimize cardiac, cerebral, and peripheral ischemia. (3) Results: Six patients underwent aortic root replacement with either Bentall (n = 4) or valve-sparing aortic root (David procedure) (n = 2). The mean nasopharyngeal temperature was 34 °C and the mean cardiocirculatory arrest was 14.3 min. The early mortality was 8.3% (1 patient); no patient experienced a permanent neurologic event. (4) Conclusions: In patients with complex aortic disease and concomitant cardiac disease, this approach reduces the need for hypothermia and decreases cardiopulmonary bypass time and myocardial arrest time and therefore could represent a valid surgical option, even in high-risk patients.

Very Long-term Outcome of Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery in Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Reconstructed Time-To-Event Meta-analysis.

The benefits of single (SITA) and bilateral internal thoracic arteries (BITA) in diabetics undergoing coronary bypass grafting (CABG) are conflicting. We undertook a study-level meta-analysis to compare early and long-term outcomes of both CABG configurations. PubMed, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched for studies comparing BITA versus SITA for isolated CABG surgery in diabetics. Randomized trials or observational studies were considered eligible for the analysis. Kaplan-Meier curves of long-term survival were reconstructed and compared with Cox linear regression; incidence rate ratios (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for long-term survival were calculated. Landmark analysis and time-varying hazard ratio (HR) were analyzed. Odds ratios (OR) were extracted for early mortality, postoperative stroke, deep sternal wound infection (DSWI), and myocardial infarction (MI). A random effects meta-analysis was performed. Sensitivity analyses included leave-one-out-analyses and meta-regression. Thirteen studies (7332 patients) were included. Overall, at 20-year follow-up, BITA was associated with higher survival (HR = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.71-0.84; P < 0.0001). Time-varying HR and landmark analysis reported BITA was associated with a higher rate of 10-year survival (HR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.68-0.82, P < 0.0001), while from 10 to 20-year follow-up no difference was revealed (HR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.82-1.19, P = 0.93). There was no increase in early mortality, postoperative MI, stroke, or DSWI between the groups. At meta-regression, the higher the age, the higher the long-term overall survival in patients with BITA. In diabetics, the BITA approach is associated with improved 10-year survival with no increase in early mortality, MI, stroke, or DSWI. In the 10-20-year timeframe, BITA and SITA showed comparable survival.

Long-term outcomes comparison of mitral valve repair or replacement for secondary mitral valve regurgitation. An updated systematic review and reconstructed time-to-event study-level meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The ideal surgical intervention for secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR), a disease of the left ventricle not the mitral valve itself, is still debated. We performed an updated systematic review and study-level meta-analysis investigating mitral valve repair (MVr) versus mitral valve replacement (MVR) for adult patients with SMR, with or without coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: PubMed, CENTRAL and EMBASE were searched for studies comparing MVr versus MVR. Randomized trial or observational studies were considered eligible. Primary endpoint was long-term mortality for any cause. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were reconstructed and compared with Cox linear regression. Landmark analysis and time-varying hazard ratio (HR) were analyzed. Sensitivity analyses included meta-regression and separate sub-analysis. A random effects model was used. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies (MVr=3,727 and MVR=2,839) were included. One study was a randomized trial, and 19 studies were adjusted. The mean weighted follow-up was 3.7±2.8 years. MVR was associated with significative greater late mortality (HR=1.26; 95 % CI, 1.14-1.39; P<0.0001) at 10-year follow-up. There was a time-varying trend showing an increased risk of mortality in the first 2 years after MVR (HR=1.38; 95 % CI, 1.21-1.56; P<0.0001), after which this difference dissipated (HR=0.94; 95 % CI, 0.81-1.09; P=0.41). Separate sub-analyses showed comparable long-term mortality in patients with concomitant coronary surgery ≥90 %, left ventricle ejection fraction ≤40 %, and sub-valvular apparatus preservation rate of 100 %. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to repair, MVR is associated with higher probability of mortality in the first 2 years following surgery, after which the two procedures showed comparable late mortality rate.

Cardiovascular Disease from Pathophysiology to Risk Estimation: Is Inflammation Estimated through Perivascular Attenuation on Computed Tomography the Key?

(1) Background: Systemic inflammation stands as a well-established risk factor for ischemic cardiovascular disease, as well as a contributing factor in the development of cardiac arrhythmias, notably atrial fibrillation. Furthermore, scientific studies have brought to light the pivotal role of localized vascular inflammation in the initiation, progression, and destabilization of coronary atherosclerotic disease. (2) Methods: We comprehensively review recent, yet robust, scientific evidence elucidating the use of perivascular adipose tissue attenuation measurement on computed tomography applied to key anatomical sites. Specifically, the investigation extends to the internal carotid artery, aorta, left atrium, and coronary arteries. (3) Conclusions: The examination of perivascular adipose tissue attenuation emerges as a non-invasive and indirect means of estimating localized perivascular inflammation. This measure is quantified in Hounsfield units, indicative of the inflammatory response elicited by dense adipose tissue near the vessel or the atrium. Particularly noteworthy is its potential utility in assessing inflammatory processes within the coronary arteries, evaluating coronary microvascular dysfunction, appraising conditions within the aorta and carotid arteries, and discerning inflammatory states within the atria, especially in patients with atrial fibrillation. The widespread applicability of perivascular adipose tissue attenuation measurement underscores its significance as a diagnostic tool with considerable potential for enhancing our understanding and management of cardiovascular diseases.