Filippo Rapetto

Gentamicin-Impregnated Collagen Sponge

Sternal wound infections represent one of the most frequent complications after cardiac surgery and are associated with high postoperative mortality. Several preventive methods have been introduced, and recently, gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponges (GICSs) have shown a promising effect in reducing the incidence of this type of complications. Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that has been widely used to treat infections caused by multiresistant bacteria; despite its effectiveness, its systemic use carries a risk of toxicity. GICSs appear to overcome this side effect, topically delivering high antibiotic concentrations to the wound and thus reducing the toxic-related events. Although several retrospective analyses and randomized controlled trials have studied the use of GICSs in cardiac surgery, conclusions regarding their efficacy in preventing sternal wound infection are inconsistent. We have reviewed the current literature focusing on high-risk patients.

Gentamicin-Impregnated Collagen Sponge: Effectiveness in Preventing Sternal Wound Infection in High-Risk Cardiac Surgery

Sternal wound infections represent one of the most frequent complications after cardiac surgery and are associated with high postoperative mortality. Several preventive methods have been introduced, and recently, gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponges (GICSs) have shown a promising effect in reducing the incidence of this type of complications. Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that has been widely used to treat infections caused by multiresistant bacteria; despite its effectiveness, its systemic use carries a risk of toxicity. GICSs appear to overcome this side effect, topically delivering high antibiotic concentrations to the wound and thus reducing the toxic-related events. Although several retrospective analyses and randomized controlled trials have studied the use of GICSs in cardiac surgery, conclusions regarding their efficacy in preventing sternal wound infection are inconsistent. We have reviewed the current literature focusing on high-risk patients.

Hybrid Surgery Options for Complex Clinical Scenarios in Adult Patients with Congenital Heart Disease: Three Case Reports

The strategy for the management of adult patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) often represents a challenge for cardiac surgeons and cardiologists due to complex anatomy, wide range of clinical presentations, and a high-risk profile. However, hybrid approach may represent an attractive solution. We report three cases of adult patients previously operated for CHD and recently treated with a hybrid approach in our institution. Case 1: a 76-year-old woman with permanent atrial fibrillation, lung disease, chronic kidney disease, microcytic anemia, and type II diabetes mellitus, previously operated for atrial septal defect closure and pulmonary valvotomy, presented with severe pulmonary regurgitation and advanced right ventricular failure. In order to minimize the surgical risk, a hybrid approach was used: an extensive right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) plication was followed by implantation of an Edwards Sapien XT prosthesis in the RVOT through the right ventricular apex, without cardiopulmonary bypass. Case 2: a 64-year-old man with previous atrial septum excision and pericardial baffle for partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage with intact interatrial septum, presented with worsening dyspnea, right ventricular failure, and pulmonary hypertension caused by baffle stenosis. His comorbidities included coronary artery disease, atrial flutter, and previous left pneumonectomy. After performing a redo longitudinal median sternotomy, a 20-mm stent was implanted in the baffle with access through the superior vena cava. Case 3: a 50-year-old man, with previous atrioventricular septal defect repair, followed by mitral valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis, subsequently developed a paravalvular leak (PVL) with severe mitral regurgitation and severe left ventricular dysfunction. He underwent a transapical PVL device closure with two Amplatzer Vascular Plugs. In our opinion, hybrid surgery is a promising therapeutic modality that increases the available treatment options for this patient population. A multidisciplinary and patient-tailored approach is crucial in these complex clinical scenarios.

Early health outcome and 10-year survival in patients undergoing redo coronary surgery with or without cardiopulmonary bypass: a propensity score-matched analysis

Abstract OBJECTIVES To investigate the in-hospital health outcome and 10-year survival in patients undergoing redo coronary surgery with (redo-CABG) or without (redo-OPCAB) cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS A total of 349 redo coronary surgery patients were identified from our registry. Of these, 143 redo-OPCAB patients (40.97%) were compared with 206 redo-CABG patients. To minimize the bias, we also conducted propensity score matching. In Matched Analysis A, 111 redo-OPCAB patients with any type of primary cardiac operation were compared with 111 redo-CABG cases. In Matched Analysis B, 84 redo-OPCAB patients with isolated coronary surgery as their primary operation were compared with 84 redo-CABG patients. We assessed for all 3 analyses a composite of in-hospital mortality, acute kidney injury, stroke and severe low cardiac output requiring intra-aortic balloon pump. In addition, we assessed 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival. RESULTS In the unmatched analysis, redo-CABG was associated with higher usage of intra-aortic balloon pump (10 vs 3%, P = 0.01) and composite compared with redo-OPCAB (25 vs 16%, P = 0.06) and similar 10-year survival (67.2 vs 68.5%, log-rank test: P = 0.78). Matched Analysis A showed similar rates of composite (15 vs 21%, P = 0.25) and 10-year survival (65.1 vs 60.8%, log-rank test: P = 0.5). Matched Analysis B showed reduction of the composite (19 vs 8%, P = 0.04), less in-hospital mortality (5 vs 0%, P = 0.13), 4.5 times less need for intra-aortic balloon pump (2 vs 11%, P = 0.02) favouring redo-OPCAB and a similar 10-year survival (71.6 vs 71.7%, log-rank test: P = 0.61). CONCLUSIONS Redo-OPCAB surgery is feasible, safe and effective with improved in-hospital outcome and similar 10-year survival compared to redo-CABG.

Impact of Isolated Tricuspid Valve Repair on Right Ventricular Remodelling in an Adult Congenital Heart Disease Population

Background Surgical repair of isolated congenital tricuspid valve (TV) disease is rare with no well-defined indication and outcomes. Moreover, the role of right ventricle (RV) in this context has not yet been investigated. Objectives We sought to assess the impact of congenital TV repair on cardiac remodelling and clinical–functional status and the importance of the RV function in an adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) population. Methods and results From January 2005 to December 2015, 304 patients underwent TV surgery in our centre. Of these, 27 (ACHD) patients had isolated TV repair. Patients were evaluated with preoperative and postoperative transthoracic echocardiogram. Survival rate has been investigated with a mean clinical follow-up (FU) of 3.7 ± 2.3 years, whereas the mean echocardiographic FU was 2.9 ± 1.8 years. The clinical and functional status of patients showed a statistically significant improvement after the surgical repair in terms of New York Heart Association class (66.7 vs 7.4%; p < 0.01), clinical signs of heart failure (29.6 vs 7.4%; p < 0.01), and left ventricular function (14.8 vs 7.4%; p < 0.01). The RV and right atrium diameter were significantly reduced after surgery (5.15 ± 1.21 vs 4.32 ± 1.16; p < 0.01) and (44.7 ± 16.7 vs 26.7 ± 9.2; p < 0.01), respectively. The degree of postoperative pulmonary hypertension was also significantly reduced (40.7 vs 7.4%; p < 0.01). The survival rate was 96.3% at 1 year and 93.7% at 5 years. One patient (3.7%) had early failure of the tricuspid repair requiring a reoperation. Conclusion Isolated TV repair for adult congenital disease significantly improved patients’ clinical and functional status and allowed right ventricular remodelling and functional improvement.

Gentamicin-Impregnated Collagen Sponge: Effectiveness in Preventing Sternal Wound Infection in High-Risk Cardiac Surgery: Supplementary Issue: Current Developments in Drug Eluting Devices

Sternal wound infections represent one of the most frequent complications after cardiac surgery and are associated with high postoperative mortality. Several preventive methods have been introduced, and recently, gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponges (GICSs) have shown a promising effect in reducing the incidence of this type of complications. Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that has been widely used to treat infections caused by multiresistant bacteria; despite its effectiveness, its systemic use carries a risk of toxicity. GICSs appear to overcome this side effect, topically delivering high antibiotic concentrations to the wound and thus reducing the toxic-related events. Although several retrospective analyses and randomized controlled trials have studied the use of GICSs in cardiac surgery, conclusions regarding their efficacy in preventing sternal wound infection are inconsistent. We have reviewed the current literature focusing on high-risk patients.