Fernando Piccinini

Is the second internal thoracic artery better than the radial artery in total arterial off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting? A propensity score–matched follow-up study

OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of patients exclusively undergoing total arterial revascularization off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and to compare the performance of the radial artery and the right internal thoracic artery as a second conduit. METHODS We studied a consecutive series of 1700 patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, receiving a radial artery or right internal thoracic artery as a second graft for total arterial revascularization, between 2003 and 2010. A total of 1447 patients (85.11%) received bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting, and 253 patients (14.89%) received left internal thoracic artery and radial artery grafting. A propensity score-matched analysis was performed to compare the 2 groups, bilateral internal thoracic artery and left internal thoracic artery and radial artery, relative to overall survival, morbidity, and combined end points event-free survival. Hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by Cox regression. RESULTS In the full unmatched patient population, the postoperative survival (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.38-0.92; P = .021), incidence of reintervention/readmission (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.28-0.61; P < .001), and combined end points (HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.35-0.63; P < .001) were significantly better in the bilateral internal thoracic artery group. In the propensity score-matched patient population, the incidence of reintervention/readmission (HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.18-0.88; P = .02) and combined end points (HR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.32-0.92; P = .02) were significantly better in the bilateral internal thoracic artery group compared with the left internal thoracic artery-radial artery group. CONCLUSIONS The results of our study provide evidence for the superiority of the right internal thoracic artery graft compared with the radial artery as a second conduit in total arterial revascularization off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Impact of preoperative clopidogrel in off pump coronary artery bypass surgery: A propensity score analysis

OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of recent clopidrogel use before off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting on the postoperative risk of bleeding. METHODS During the period January 2003 to December 2006, 1104 consecutive patients underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Patients were divided into two groups according to the recent use of clopidrogel (within 7 days). We performed a propensity score to further adjust for differences between the patients with and without recent use of clopidrogel. RESULTS Mean age was 64 +/- 14 years and 87% were male. The clopidrogel group had a greater incidence of patients in unstable condition, requiring emergency coronary bypass grafting, and with a high EuroSCORE. Propensity score analysis selected 88 patients with and 176 without recent use of clopidrogel. By propensity score, the clopidrogel group had higher requirements for fresh frozen plasma units (18.1% vs 8.5%; P = .02), reoperation owing to bleeding (5.6% vs 0.5%; P = .009), and higher need for postoperative mechanical ventilation (4% vs 10%; P = .04), whereas mortality and length of stay were similar between groups. CONCLUSION Recent use of clopidogrel before off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting is associated with greater risk for bleeding with similar mortality rate.

Immediate Extubation After Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery in 1,196 Consecutive Patients: Feasibility, Safety and Predictors of When Not To Attempt It

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of immediate extubation (ultrafast-track anesthesia [UFTA]) in the operating room, and the predictors of when not to attempt it in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (OPCAB). DESIGN Case series. SETTING A private hospital. PARTICIPANTS One thousand one hundred ninety-six patients undergoing OPCAB surgery, representing 4 years of a single anesthesia services practice (3 anesthesiologists), were evaluated for immediate extubation. All patients were considered amenable to immediate extubation if specific criteria were met. INTERVENTION Patients received general anesthesia (UFTA protocol) and underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS One thousand sixty-five patients (89%) met extubation criteria and were extubated successfully in the operating room. By multivariate analysis, the following independent predictors of avoiding immediate extubation were identified: reoperation (odds ratio [OR] = 3.9, p < 0.001), pre-existing renal disease (OR = 3.1, p < 0.0001), diabetes (OR = 1.7, p < 0.007), preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump placement (OR = 7.4, p < 0.0001), and total surgical time (OR = 3.7, p < 0.0001). Patients who met extubation criteria had lower in-hospital reintubation (2.5% v 16%, p < 0.001), myocardial infarction (1.03% v 4.58%, p = 0.001), renal insufficiency (2.2% v 7.63%, p < 0.001), stroke (0.4% v 2.29%, p = 0.032), and mortality rates (1.2% v 10.7%, p < 0.001) than patients who did not. CONCLUSIONS UFTA is feasible and safe in most patients undergoing OPCAB surgery. Baseline and intraoperative data predicted when immediate extubation should not be attempted.

Pacemaker endocarditis: approach for lead extraction in endocarditis with large vegetations

The presence of large lead vegetations poses additional difficulties for explantation because many methods cannot be used due to the potential hazard of embolism. We report two patients with large vegetation on the ventricular lead due to endocarditis and one of them with an atrial septal defect associated. It was applied a combined technique of transvenous lead removal and sternotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass for the complete removal of pacemaker wires. This procedure resolved the pacemakers endocarditis safely and subsequently a new transvenous device was placed on the opposite site.

Cirurgia coronária com condutos arteriais múltiplos sem circulação extracorpórea

OBJECTIVE: To analyze intra-hospital results in patients undergoing elective off-pump total arterial revascularization and identify morbidity and mortality predictors using this surgical strategy. METHOD: From May 1999 to February 2004, 203 myocardial revascularization procedures with total arterial revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass (off-pump) were carried out in patients with multivessel disease (three vessels 81.7 %, one vessel disease was excluded). We report pre-surgical variables and co-morbidities: average age 63.9 ± 9.13 years, men 182 (89.5%), hypertension 132 (65%), smokers 125 (61%), hypercholesterolemia 152 (74.8%), previous myocardial infarction (> 30 days) 73 (35%), moderate to severe ventricular dysfunction 31 (15%), redo five (2.5%). Total arterial revascularization included T-grafts and sequential grafts with left internal mammary (100%), right internal mammary (56.6%) and radial (63%) arteries. The total number of distal anastomosis was 576 (mean of three grafts/patient), all carried out with external mechanical stabilizers. There were no proximal aortic anastomoses. Conversion to on-pump surgery occurred in three (1.5%) patients; 90% of the patients was extubated in the operating room. The multiple logistic regression test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The postoperative incidence of atrial fibrillation was 12.8% (26), oligoanuric renal failure 3% (six), dialysis 0.49% (one), postoperative myocardial infarction 1.47% (three), low cardiac output 4% (eight), Redo for bleeding 1.47% (three), mediastinitis 1.47% (three), stroke 1.47% (three). Intra-hospital mortality was 2.45% (five). The only independent 30 day morbidity predictor was age (p=0.033; OR 1.04; IC 95%: 1-1.08). CONCLUSION: Off-pump myocardial revascularization with arterial conduits for multiple vessel disease is feasible with a low 30-day morbidity and mortality.

Surgical treatment of pulmonary hypertension caused by echinococcosis disease

Echinococcosis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by the dog tapeworm Echinococcus and its larval stage, the hydatid cyst. The vast majority of cysts occur in the liver, lungs, or both. Arterial involvement is usually seen after cardiac hydatid cyst rupture. Hydatid cystwithin the pulmonary arteries is an exceptional localization, usually a consequence of embolism from primary cardiac locations or intraoperative rupture of a primitive liver or lung hydatid lesion. We present the case of a patient with bilateral intra-arterial pulmonary involvement leading to pulmonary hypertension.

Parasternal approach for redo in ascending aorta pseudoaneurysm

Aortic ascending pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication following aortic root surgery. The surgical solution of the complication is rather demanding and complex, especially when reaching the mediastinum. The latter translates into an elevated morbidity and mortality. We present a case performed through a minimal anterior right thoracotomy, which allowed us to dissect between the pseudoaneurysm and the internal site of the sternum as a first step prior to a second sternotomy. By using this approach, we minimized bleeding risks and the possibility of aortic rupture. This technique could have the potential to be generally applicable in this complication after further evaluation.

Efficacy and Safety of Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement under General Anesthesia versus Local Anesthesia with Conscious Sedation

Background: Currently, there is no consensus about the most adequate anesthetic management in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Although it has been shown that local anesthesia (LA) with or without conscious sedation is feasible, clinical results are controversial. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement performed under general anesthesia versus local anesthesia with conscious sedation. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective study of high risk patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement between March 2009 and December 2016. The population was divided according to anesthetic management. Safety and efficacy outcomes were evaluated at 30-days and were classified according to definitions of the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2. In addition, key times during hospitalization were evaluated. Results: A total of 121 patients undergoing transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement under general anesthesia (n=55, 45.5%) or local anesthesia with conscious sedation (n=66, 54.5%). were included in this analysis. Mean age was 83.2±5.7 years and 48.8% were men. There were no differences in either the procedural result or in the 30-day efficacy and safety outcomes. The rate of death at 30-days was 7.3% in the group with general anesthesia and 3% in the local anesthesia with conscious sedation group (log-rank p 0.28). The need of conversion to general anesthesia was 3% (2 patients), in all cases due to major vascular complications during the procedure. In the local anesthesia with conscious sedation group shorter procedural time, intensive care unit and hospital length of stay were observed. Conclusions: Transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement performed under local anesthesia with conscious sedation seems to be a safe and effective alternative to the use of general anesthesia.

Surgical Treatment of Dysphagia Lusoria Caused by Right-Aortic Arch with Kommerell Diverticulum: Left Heart Bypass without Subclavian Revascularization

The authors present the case of a 26-year-old patient suffering from dysphagia because of compression by a Kommerell diverticulum in right aortic arch anomaly. Open surgical arch and descending aorta replacement with left heart bypass without left subclavian artery reimplantation was performed.

Determinants and Results of Early Surgery for Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis with Periannular Extension

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare but potentially fatal complication of valve replacement, especially if it is accompanied by periannular extension. In these cases surgical intervention is recommended by consensus and clinical guidelines. However, surgery is frequently delayed or not performed, and the best timing for intervention is still controversial. The aim of this study is to analyze determinants of early surgery of patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) with periannular extension (PVEPE) and the influence of timing for surgery in morbidity and mortality in a real clinical scenario. Retrospective analysis of a prospective database registry including 180 consecutive patients with definite diagnosis of endocarditis according to modified Duke`s criteria, admitted between 6/2008 and 1/2016, showed 88 patients (49%) with PVE, 48 (54.5%) of them had periannular extension. The patients with PVEPE were divided in 3 groups according to timing for surgery after admission: GA (17p; 10 days) and GC (16p; only medical treatment). We analyzed demographic, clinical, microbiological and echocardiographic variables and we related the treatment strategy selected with in-hospital evolution. Comparing the 3 different groups, we observed that the patients in GA were significantly younger, with a higher frequency of male gender and Staphylococcus spp was significantly the most common microorganism; they had less postoperative complications (64% vs 100%, p: 0.019) and a trend to lower in-hospital mortality (18% vs 46%; p= 0,07). In conclusion, younger male patients with staphylococci PVEPE underwent surgery earlier. This strategy was associated with less anatomical damage and less incidence of postoperative complications with a trend to lower in-hospital mortality.