Frank Manetta

Impact of Preoperative Prealbumin on Outcomes After Cardiac Surgery

BACKGROUND Preoperative malnutrition is increasingly prevalent in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Although prealbumin is a widely used indicator of nutrition status, its use in the preoperative assessment of patients undergoing cardiac surgery is not well defined. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of preoperative prealbumin levels on outcomes after cardiac surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data were prospectively gathered from February 2013 to July 2013 on 69 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Prealbumin levels were obtained within 24 hours of surgery. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on a prealbumin cutoff value of 20 mg/dL. RESULTS Of the 69 patients, 32 (46.4%) had a preoperative prealbumin ≤ 20 mg/dL. There was no correlation between prealbumin levels and body mass index (r = -0.13, P = .28). Likewise, there was no correlation between preoperative albumin and prealbumin levels (r = 0.09, P = .44). Nine of 32 (28.1%) patients with low preoperative prealbumin levels had postoperative infections compared with 2 of 37 (5.4%) patients with high prealbumin levels (P = .010). Patients with low prealbumin levels also had increased risk of postoperative intubation for > 12 hours (P = .010). CONCLUSIONS Patients undergoing cardiac surgery with preoperative prealbumin levels of ≤ 20 mg/dL have an increased risk for postoperative infections and the need for longer mechanical ventilation. If feasible, nutrition optimization of such patients may be considered prior to cardiac surgery.

P2Y12 platelet function assay for assessment of bleeding risk in coronary artery bypass grafting.

The use of platelet function testing has been advocated to individualize the time needed between discontinuation of P2Y12 inhibitors and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, the use of specific point‐of‐care assays to predict bleeding risk in patients on P2Y12 inhibitors prior to CABG has not been fully validated.

Propensity-matched analysis of the effect of preoperative intraaortic balloon pump in coronary artery bypass grafting after recent acute myocardial infarction on postoperative outcomes

IntroductionThere is substantial variability in the preoperative use of intraaortic balloon pumps (IABPs) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting post myocardial infarction. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of preoperative IABPs on postsurgical outcomes in this subset of patients.MethodsFrom 2007 to 2012, 877 patients underwent isolated coronary artery bypass post myocardial infarction. Four hundred and six patients were propensity-score matched based on the likelihood of receiving a preoperative balloon pump. Total blood transfusion requirements, composite in-hospital morbidity and/or mortality end point, total hours in the intensive care unit, and length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups.ResultsNo significant differences in demographics, preoperative risk factors, intraoperative variables or length of hospital stay were found between patients with and without balloon pumps after propensity score matching. Compared to patients without balloon pumps, a higher percentage of patients with preoperative IABPs required transfusions. Patients with preoperative balloon pumps were more likely to have the composite end point of in-hospital morbidity (24.1% versus 12.8%, P <0.004), and increased hours in the intensive care unit (median hours: 69.0 versus 46.0, P <0.013) as compared to patients without balloon pumps.ConclusionsThe use of preoperative IABPs in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting after myocardial infarction is associated with increased transfusion requirements, increased in-hospital morbidity and longer postoperative intensive care unit stay as compared to patients without IABPs.

Acute surgical pulmonary embolectomy: a 9-year retrospective analysis.

Acute pulmonary embolism is a substantial cause of morbidity and death. Although the American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend surgical pulmonary embolectomy in patients with acute pulmonary embolism associated with hypotension, there are few reports of 30-day mortality rates. We performed a retrospective review of acute pulmonary embolectomy procedures performed in 96 consecutive patients who had severe, globally hypokinetic right ventricular dysfunction as determined by transthoracic echocardiography. Data on patients who were treated from January 2003 through December 2011 were derived from health system databases of the New York State Cardiac Surgery Reporting System and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. The data represent procedures performed at 3 tertiary care facilities within a large health system operating in the New York City metropolitan area. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 4.2%. Most patients (68 [73.9%]) were discharged home or to rehabilitation facilities (23 [25%]). Hemodynamically stable patients with severe, globally hypokinetic right ventricular dysfunction had a 30-day mortality rate of 1.4%, with a postoperative mean length of stay of 9.1 days. Comparable findings for hemodynamically unstable patients were 12.5% and 13.4 days, respectively. Acute pulmonary embolectomy can be a viable procedure for patients with severe, globally hypokinetic right ventricular dysfunction, with or without hemodynamic compromise; however, caution is warranted. Our outcomes might be dependent upon institutional capability, experience, surgical ability, and careful patient selection.

Myocardial Infarction Classification on Outcomes in Nonemergent Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

BACKGROUND Although patients with ST elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMIs) are known to have worse outcomes than patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarctions (NSTEMIs), such differences are not well described in the subset of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The purpose of this study is to compare postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing nonemergent coronary artery bypass grafting within 1 week after an STEMI versus NSTEMI. METHODS A retrospective study was performed on patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting between 1 and 7 days from an MI from 2008 to 2012. Postoperative outcomes, including mortality and composite postoperative morbidity for patients with STEMI versus NSTEMI, were compared within each group. RESULTS Of the 446 patients undergoing nonemergent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting between 1 and 7 days after an MI, 122 patients (27.3%) had an STEMI. The STEMI cohort was younger with less incidence of hypertension than the NSTEMI cohort. However, aside from having a lower incidence of congestive heart failure, STEMI patients had an overall poorer cardiac status than NSTEMI patients. No differences were found in mortality, rates of major complication, length of intensive care unit stay, and length of hospital stay between STEMI and NSTEMI patients. CONCLUSION Despite differences in preoperative characteristics and pathophysiology of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting between 1 and 7 days after NSTEMI versus STEMI, no difference was found in early surgical outcome. The classification of MI should therefore not influence surgical decision making in such patients.

Case Report and Review of Literature: Late Retrograde Type A Aortic Dissection With Rupture after Repair of Type B Aortic Dissection with a GORE TAG Endovascular Prosthesis.

Acute aortic dissection is the most common catastrophic condition of the aorta. Treatment options include open surgery and thoracic endovascular aortic reconstruction (TEVAR). We present a late Type A dissection as a complication of the management of descending aortic dissections with TEVAR and a review of the literature. TEVAR of the thoracic aorta is a viable treatment option for the management of complicated descending thoracic aortic dissections. Careful patient selection is necessary as medical therapy successfully treats the majority of uncomplicated Type B dissections. TEVAR should be reserved for patients with complicated Type B dissections or those who fail nonoperative management. Close postoperative monitoring is necessary when TEVAR is performed and should be accompanied by lifelong surveillance. A high level of suspicion is important to identify retrograde Type A dissections in these patients given its rarity and the ambiguity of its clinical presentation.

Repair of Vascular Ring with Resection of Kommerell Diverticulum and Transposition of Aberrant Left Subclavian Artery

A 32-year-old female presented with dysphagia. Radiographic studies revealed external compression of esophagus by a vascular ring. The anatomy was a right-sided aortic arch with aberrant retroesophageal left subclavian artery, emanating from a large Kommerell diverticulum (KD). Traditional repair with ligamentum division and adhesiolysis leaves a large KD still adjacent to the esophagus with the potential for persistent or recurrent symptoms. The objective of this study was the modification of operative technique to minimize the potential for persistent or recurrent symptoms. The operative repair included resection of KD with transposition of the left subclavian artery into the left carotid artery, in addition to the division of the ligamentum arteriosum and mobilization of the esophagus. The patients dysphagia resolved and postoperative barium studies showed no residual compression. There were no significant perioperative complications. Resection of KD is a potential adjunct to traditional repair of vascular rings and might offer better long-term palliation by minimizing residual vascular compression of the esophagus.

Indications for Thoracic EndoVascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR): A Brief Review

The utility of Thoracic EndoVascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) continues to progress at a very rapid rate. Initially implemented for the treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms, TEVAR has evolved to treat a variety of aortic pathologies and reduce overall morbidity and mortality rates compared with traditional open surgical repair. Given the rapidly evolving nature of endovascular thoracic intervention, we hereby briefly review the current literature on the evolving applications of TEVAR. TEVAR continues to rapidly evolve and is being applied to a growing number of aortic pathologies. Given the perioperative, short- and mid-term morbidity and mortality rates, TEVAR is quickly surpassing traditional open surgical intervention as the ideal procedure for patients undergoing intervention of the descending thoracic aorta and applicability to ascending and arch pathologies is being explored. However, as more data becomes available TEVAR may be associated with higher rates of reoperative requirements. Data remains limited on the long-term efficacy of the intervention and should continue to be investigated.

Neuroprotective Strategies in Repair and Replacement of the Aortic Arch

Abstract Aortic arch surgery is a technical challenge, and cerebral protection during distal anastomosis is a continued topic of controversy and discussion. The physiologic effects of hypothermic arrest and adjunctive cerebral perfusion have yet to be fully defined, and the optimal strategies are still undetermined. This review highlights the historical context, physiological rationale, and clinical efficacy of various neuroprotective strategies during arch operations.

Medical and Surgical Management and Outcomes for Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of death and disability in developed countries. Although coronary artery disease mortality rates worldwide have declined over the past decades, CAD remains responsible for about one third or more of all deaths in individuals over the age of 35 years. Various methods of treatment have been proposed including medical therapy, catheter-based interventions, and lastly, coronary artery bypass grafting. The purpose of this chapter is to outline those treatment regimens and examine the literature detailing their outcomes in hopes of guiding treatment.