Linda J. Bogar

Rigid Sternal Fixation Improves Postoperative Recovery

Introduction: During the past five years, ridged sternal fixation has been utilized for sternal closure after cardiac surgery. It is known that this procedure provides better sternal stability; however, its contribution to patient recovery has not been investigated. Methods: Retrospective chart review was conducted for patients who underwent CABG and/or valve surgery in our institution between 2009 and 2010. Preoperative, perioperative, and follow-up data of patients with ridgid fixation (group R, n=89) were collected and compared with those patients with conventional sternal closure (group C, n=133). The decision regarding the sternal closure method was based on the surgeon’s preferences. Univariate followed by multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the dominant factor of sternal lock usage and to evaluate postoperative recoveries. The factors included in the analyses were; age, sex, coronary risk factors, urgency of surgery, ejection fraction, coronary anatomy, preoperative stroke, renal function, and preoperative presence of heart failure. All statistical analyses were performed by JMP software. Results: Group R was younger (62 ± 9 in group R vs 69 ± 11 in group C, p<0.0001) than group C, more male dominant (61% vs 49%, p=0.0452), had a lower percentage of patients undergoing redo-surgery (2.2% vs 9.0%, p<0.0418), was more likely to be used in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (71% vs 46%, p=0.0002), more often to be used for large patient (body mass index, BMI greater than 30) (58% vs 37%. P=0.0045), and patients were more likely to have a low EuroSCORE (2.6 ± 2.3 vs 4.4 ± 2.7). Intubation time (13 ± 20 hours vs 39 ± 97 hours, p=0.0030), ICU stay (58 ± 40 hours vs 99 ± 119 hours, p=0.0003), and postoperative length of stay (7.0 ± 3.7 days vs 8.4 ± 4.7 days, p<0.0141) were significantly shorter in group R than group C. Multivariate analyses showed ridged sternal fixation was the most dominant factor affecting intubation time and ICU stay. Conclusion: Rigid sternal fixation systems were more frequently applied to low risk young male patients. Among these selected patients, ridgid sternal fixation can contribute to early patient recovery.

An old problem with a new therapy: gastrointestinal bleeding in ventricular assist device patients and deep overtube-assisted enteroscopy.

Conventional algorithms for diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in patients with nonpulsatile ventricular assist devices (VADs) may take days to perform while patients require transfusions. We developed a new algorithm based on deep overtube-assisted enteroscopy (DOAE) to facilitate a rapid diagnosis and treatment. From 2004 to 2012, 84 patients who underwent VAD placement in our institution, were evaluated for episodes of GIB. Our new algorithm for the management of GIB using DOAE was evaluated by dividing the episodes into three groups: group A (traditional management without enteroscopy), group B (traditional management with enteroscopy performed >24 hours after presentation), and group C (new management algorithm with enteroscopy performed <24 hours after presentation). Gastrointestinal bleeding was observed in 14 (17%) of our study patients for a total of 45 individual episodes of which 28 met our criteria for subanalysis. Forty-one (84%) lesions were confined to the upper gastrointestinal tract with more than 91% of these lesions being arteriovenous malformations. Average number of transfusions in groups A, B, and C were 4.1, 6.3, and 1.3, respectively (p = 0.001). The number of days to treatment was significantly shorter in group C than group B (0.4 vs. 5.3 days, p = 0.0002). Our new algorithm for the management of GIB using DOAE targets the most common locations of bleeding found in this patient population. When performed early, DOAE has the potential to decrease the need for transfusions and allow for an early diagnosis of GIB in VAD recipients.

End-organ recovery is key to success for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to implantable left ventricular assist device.

Preexisting organ dysfunctions are known factors of death after placement of implantable mechanical circulatory support (MCS). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may able to stabilize organ function in patients with cardiogenic shock before MCS implantation. Between 2008 and 2012, 17 patients with cardiogenic shock were supported with ECMO before implantable MCS placement. Patient’s end-organ functions were assessed by metabolic, cardiac, hepatic, renal, and respiratory parameters. Survival data after MCS implantations were analyzed for overall survival to discharge, complications, and breakpoint in days on ECMO to survival. Before MCS implantation, lactate, hepatic, and renal functions were improved and pulmonary edema was resolved. The interval between ECMO initiation and MCS placement was 12.1 ± 7.9 days. Overall survival rate to discharge after left ventricular assist device/total artificial heart placement was 76%. The survival of patients transitioned from ECMO to MCS within 14 days was 92% and was significantly better than the survival of patients from ECMO to MCS supported longer than 14 days, 25%, p < 0.05. ECMO support can immediately stabilize organ dysfunction in patients with cardiogenic shock. After improvement of organ function, MCS implantation should be done without delay, since the patients supported for longer than 14 days with ECMO had inferior survival compared to national data.

Recurrent orthostatic syncope due to left atrial and left ventricular collapse after a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device implantation

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have become an established treatment for patients with advanced heart failure as a bridge to transplantation or for permanent support as an alternative to heart transplantation. Continuous-flow LVADs have been shown to improve outcomes, including survival, and reduce device failure compared with pulsatile devices. Although LVADs have been shown to be a good option for patients with end-stage heart failure, unanticipated complications may occur. We describe dynamic left atrial and left ventricular chamber collapse related to postural changes in a patient with a recent continuous-flow LVAD implantation.

Contained rupture of a pseudoaneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta related to remnant outflow graft of left ventricular assist device after heart transplantation.

The Jarvik 2000 left ventricular assist device is inserted via a left thoracotomy with the outflow graft anastomosed to the descending thoracic aorta. Removal of the device during heart transplantation involves division of the outflow graft, resulting in a retained remnant. We describe the first reported case of a mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta related to the remnant of a left ventricular assist device outflow graft in an immunosuppressed heart recipient complicated with systemic Pseudomonas infection. The pseudoaneurysm was temporarily treated with endovascular stent grafting followed by delayed thoracotomy, pseudoaneurysm excision, and placement of an aortic interposition graft using an aortic allograft.

Complex mitral valve endocarditis involving a left atrial false tendon.

![Figure][1] [![Graphic][3] ][3][![Graphic][4] ][4] A 33-year-old man with a history of mitral valve prolapse and a dental procedure 2 months earlier was admitted with fever. Examination revealed a holosystolic murmur at the apex, and blood cultures were positive for