Alberto Canziani

Surgical excision of cardiac myxomas: Twenty years experience at a single institution

BACKGROUND Primary cardiac tumors are quite uncommon and myxomas constitute the major proportion among these masses. The present study summarizes our 20-year clinical experience with surgical resection of intracardiac myxomas. METHODS Between January 1990 and December 2007, 98 patients (42 males, mean age 60.4±4.1 years) underwent complete excision of primary intracardiac myxoma. In 84 patients the origin site of the tumor was located in the left atrium, and the most common implant site was the interatrial septum. The most common symptom at admission was dyspnea, while systemic embolization was observed in 37 patients. Preoperative diagnosis was established in all patients by transthoracic echocardiography. All patients were operated through median sternotomy. RESULTS Ninety-five patients (97%) survived the operation. Mean tumor dimension was 2.7±1.3 cm in largest diameter. According to the St. John Sutton classification (St. John Sutton MG, Mercier LA, Giuliani ER, et al. Atrial myxomas: a review of clinical experience in 40 patients. Mayo Clin Pro 1980;55:371-6), solid tumors were detected in 43 patients (44%), while a papillary myxoma was found in 55 patients (56%). The follow-up was 100% complete, and the mean time to last follow-up was 98±60 months. Of the 95 survivors, 3 patients (3%) died at a mean follow-up of 72±45 months after surgery. Actuarial survival was 98%, 98%, and 89% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. One patient operated for left atrial myxoma resection showed a recurrence 68 months after the first surgery. CONCLUSIONS Although cardiac myxomas carry the risk of severe systemic and cardiac symptoms, prompt surgical excision gives excellent early and long-term results.

Twenty-Five Year Outcomes of Tricuspid Valve Replacement Comparing Mechanical and Biologic Prostheses

BACKGROUND Tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) has historically been associated with high mortality and morbidity, and current knowledge of long-term results of TVR is limited. This study reviewed our experience from a consecutive series at 2 institutions. METHODS Ninety patients (65 women [72%]; mean age, 53.8 ± 14.2 years; mean body surface area, 1.6 ± 0.2 m(2)) underwent TVR between January 1980 and December 2005. The etiology was secondary to left-heart valve disease in 56 patients (62%), degenerative disease in 16 (18%), Ebstein anomaly in 7 (8%), and endocarditis in 11 (12%). Seventy patients (78%) were in New York Heart Association class III or IV. Sixty patients (67%) underwent redo procedures. TVR was with a mechanical valve in 46 patients (51%) and a biologic prosthesis in 44 (49%). RESULTS The overall operative mortality was 17.7% (16 patients). During follow-up, 16 of the 74 survivors died. Kaplan-Meier survival at 5, 10, and 15 years was, respectively, 72%, 65%, and 63%. During follow-up, 16 patients (21.6%) underwent reoperation; among them, 8 with a mechanical valve underwent reoperation for tricuspid valve thrombosis and 6 with a biologic prosthesis for tricuspid valve deterioration. However, freedom from reoperation at 5 and 10 years was similar between mechanical (86% and 76%) and bioprostheses (97% and 83%). All 16 patients survived the reoperation. CONCLUSIONS The present experience suggests that the type of implanted prosthesis in the tricuspid position does not affect early and long-term outcomes or the reoperation rate. Timely referral before end-stage cardiac impairment develops could determine further outcomes improvement.

Reduced systemic heparin dose with phosphorylcholine coated closed circuit in coronary operations

In this prospective cohort study we addressed the clinical impact of a reduced anticoagulation protocol on the hospital outcome of patients undergoing coronary revascularization with cardiopulmonary bypass. 364 consecutive low to moderate risk patients scheduled for elective isolated coronary operations were admitted to the study. 184 patients (Control Group) received conventional open circuits and full systemic anticoagulation (target activated clotting time 480 seconds); 180 patients (Intraoperative ECMO group) received closed, phosphorylcholine coated circuits and a reduced systemic heparin dose (target activated clotting time 320 seconds). Patients of the Intraoperative ECMO group had less requirement for allogeneic blood products (odds ratio 0.55, 95% confidence interval 0.34–0.92, p= 0.02), a significant containment of blood loss (374 ± 278 mL vs. 463 ± 321 mL in Control group, p= 0.005) a lower postoperative peak serum creatinine levels (1.19 ± 0.48 mg/dL vs. 1.41 ± 0.94 mg/dL in Control group, p= 0.048), and a significant lower rate of severe morbidity (odds ratio 0.27, 95% confidence interval 0.09–0.81, p= 0.02). A reduction of systemic anticoagulation is feasible with a non-heparin-bonded, closed biocompatible circuit, and results in a significant improvement of the outcome of low to moderate risk coronary patients.

Aortic Valve Replacement With 17-mm Mechanical Prostheses: Is Patient–Prosthesis Mismatch a Relevant Phenomenon?

BACKGROUND We sought to evaluate the long-term performance of a consecutive cohort of patients implanted with a 17-mm bileaflet mechanical prosthesis. METHODS Between January 1995 and December 2005, 78 patients (74 women, mean age=71±12 years) underwent aortic valve replacement with a 17-mm mechanical bileaflet prosthesis (Sorin Bicarbon-Slim and St. Jude Medical-HP). Preoperative mean body surface area and New York Heart Association class were 1.6±0.2 m2 and 2.6±0.8, respectively. Preoperative mean aortic annulus, indexed aortic valve area, and peak and mean gradients were 18±1.6 mm, 0.42 cm2/m2, 89±32 mm Hg, and 56±21 mm Hg, respectively. Patients were divided into two groups, according to the presence (group A, 29 patients) or absence of patient-prosthesis mismatch (group B, 49 patients). Patient-prosthesis mismatch was defined by an indexed effective orifice area less than 0.85 cm2/m2. RESULTS Overall hospital mortality was 8.8%. Follow-up time averaged 86±44 months. Actuarial 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 83.7% and 65.3%, respectively. The mean postoperative New York Heart Association class was 1.3±0.6 (p<0.001). Overall indexed left ventricular mass decreased from 163±48 to 120±42 g/m2 (p<0.001), whereas average peak and mean prosthesis gradients were 28±9 mm Hg and 15±6 mm Hg, respectively (p<0.001). Early and long-term mortality were similar between the two groups as well as long-term hemodynamic performance (mean peak gradient was 28 mm Hg and 27 mm Hg in group A and B, respectively, not significant); left ventricular mass regression occurred similarly in both groups (indexed left ventricular mass at follow-up was 136±48 and 113±40 in group A and B, respectively; not significant). CONCLUSIONS Selected patients with aortic stenosis experience satisfactory clinical improvement after aortic valve replacement with modern small-diameter bileaflet prostheses.

Long-term results of sequential vein coronary artery bypass grafting compared with totally arterial myocardial revascularization: a propensity score-matched follow-up study

OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to analyse the early and long-term outcomes of a consecutive series of patients who underwent sequential coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and to compare them with a matched population of totally arterial revascularized patients. METHODS From January 1994 to December 1996, 209 patients underwent total arterial myocardial revascularization at our institution [arterial (ART) group]. In the same period, 2097 patients underwent CABG with left internal thoracic artery on left anterior descending and great saphenous vein on the right and circumflex branches sequentially [sequential vein (SV) group]. The propensity score methodology was used to obtain risk-adjusted outcome comparisons between the two groups (209 vs 243 patients in the ART group and SV group, respectively). RESULTS In-hospital mortality was 1% in the ART group and 0.4% in the SV group (P = 0.86). Mean follow-up was 14 ± 4 years. Long-term survival was comparable among the two study groups [actuarial 5- and 15-year survival rates were 97 vs 93% and 82 vs 79% in the ART group and the SV group, respectively (P = 0.29)]. At follow-up, recurrence of angina (17 vs 18%; P = 0.99), acute myocardial infarction (MI) (3 vs 5%; P = 0.72) and repeated percutaneous coronary intervention (19 vs 21%; P = 0.69) were similar in the ART group compared with the SV group. In the Cox regression analysis, type of revascularization was not an independent predictor of any long-term outcomes (death or major adverse cardiac events). In asymptomatic patients, exercise stress test at follow-up was comparable between the two groups (P = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS Sequential vein CABG appears to have good early and long-term clinical outcomes. Also, early and long-term incidence of acute MI was not significantly higher in the SV group. However, further studies with a larger population are warranted in order to confirm the present results.

Prosthetic valve endocarditis: Predictors of early outcome of surgical therapy. A multicentric study

OBJECTIVES Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) is an uncommon yet dreadful complication in patients with prosthetic valves that requires a distinct analysis from native valve endocarditis. The present study aims to investigate independent risk factors for early surgical outcomes in patients with PVE. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 8 Italian Cardiac Surgery Units from January 2000 to December 2013 by enrolling all PVE patients undergoing surgical treatment. RESULTS A total of 209 consecutive patients were included in the study. During the study period, the global rate of surgical procedures for PVE among all operations for isolated or associated valvular disease was 0.45%. Despite its rarity this percentage increased significantly during the second time frame (2007‐2013) in comparison with the previous one (2000‐2006): 0.58% vs 0.31% (P < 0.001). Intraoperative and in‐hospital mortality rates were 4.3% and 21.5%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis identified the following factors associated with in‐hospital mortality: female gender [odds ratio (OR) = 4.62; P < 0.001], shock status (OR = 3.29; P = 0.02), previous surgical procedures within 3 months from the treatment (OR = 3.57; P = 0.009), multivalvular involvement (OR = 8.04; P = 0.003), abscess (OR = 2.48; P = 0.03) and urgent surgery (OR = 6.63; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Despite its rarity, PVE showed a significant increase over time. Up to now, in‐hospital mortality after surgical treatment still remains high (>20%). Critical clinical presentation and extension of anatomical lesions are strong preoperative predictors for poor early outcome.

Surgical ventricular restoration plus mitral valve repair in patients with ischaemic heart failure: risk factors for early and mid-term outcomes

OBJECTIVES To assess the early and mid-term outcomes and related predictors in a consecutive series of patients who underwent surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) combined with additional mitral valve (MV) repair. METHODS From January 2001 to October 2014, 626 patients underwent SVR; of these, 175 (28%, median age 65) had an additional MV repair. Anterior, inferior or diffuse remodelling was present in 124 (71%), 41 (23%) and 10 (6%) patients, respectively. The median ejection fraction was 30%, whereas mitral regurgitation grade was 3.3 ± 0.8. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox regression analyses were used to identify predictors of early and mid-term mortality. RESULTS Operative death occurred in 25 patients (14.3%). Independent predictors of early mortality were age, creatinine and ejection fraction score [odds ratio (OR) = 5.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.5-10.3], previous stroke (OR = 8.0, 95% CI 1.5-44), unstable angina (OR = 8.8, 95% CI 1.5-53) and diffuse remodelling (OR = 5.8, 95% CI 1.02-33). Average follow-up was 42 ± 37 months. The actuarial survival rate of the whole patient population at 3, 5 and 8 years was 72 ± 4, 65 ± 4 and 45 ± 6%, respectively. Risk factors for late mortality were preoperative creatinine (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.5-4.4), previous implantation of cardioverter defibrillator (OR = 4.7, 95% CI 1.6-5.8), whereas the absence of angina at the time of surgery emerged as protective factor (OR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.23-0.89). CONCLUSIONS MV repair combined with SVR is a complex and challenging procedure that can be performed with acceptable early and mid-term results. Interestingly, angina features predict both early and late outcome, with unstable angina at the time of surgery being a predictor of poor early outcome and the absence of angina at surgery, a predictor of favourable outcome at mid-term follow-up.

Aortic valve decalcification for severe aortic valve stenosis in the elderly: medium-term results.

Aims To present the results of a novel technique of aortic valve decalcification (AVD) in a consecutive population of elderly patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AVS) and small aortic annulus. Methods Between January 2008 and December 2012, a consecutive series of 34 patients (mean age 80 ± 13 years) with severe AVS were operated on using AVD. They were compared with a matched population of 68 patients (mean age 82 ± 7 years) submitted to aortic valve replacement (AVR) with bioprosthesis. The two groups were comparable for cardiac risk factors and admission symptoms. Preoperatively, all patients presented with severe AVS, small aortic annulus (19 mm) and preserved left ventricular function. Results Thirty-day mortality was 8.8 vs. 7.5% in the AVD and AVR groups, respectively (P = 0.88). Actuarial 2 and 5-year survival rates were 80 vs. 82% and 64 vs. 78% in the AVD and AVR groups, respectively (P = 0.27). Long-term valve-related events incidence was significantly higher in the AVD group (12%) compared with that in the AVR group (4%; P = 0.01). However, in the AVD group, patients with no or mild residual AR experienced 2 and 5 years of freedom from valve-related events, which is not significantly different from the patients submitted to the AVR group (P = 0.76). After AVD, a significant increase in the aortic valve area (from 0.8 to 1.9 cm2) and a parallel reduction in the mean gradient (from 40 to 12 mmHg) was observed in all patients (P = 0.01). Postoperative aortic valve area (1.9 vs. 1.26 cm2), as well as mean gradient (12 vs. 21 mmHg), were significantly better in the AVD group compared with that in the AVR group (P = 0.01). Conclusion In this preliminary experience, AVD seems a good therapeutic option for elderly patients with severe AVS. Further studies with longer follow-up are needed in order to confirm these preliminary results and to ascertain the valve durability over time.