MacArthur A. Elayda

Prognostic Significance of Delayed-Enhancement Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Survival of 857 Patients With and Without Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Background— Left ventricular ejection fraction is a powerful independent predictor of survival in cardiac patients, especially those with coronary artery disease. Delayed-enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI) can accurately identify irreversible myocardial injury with high spatial and contrast resolution. To date, relatively limited data are available on the prognostic value of DE-MRI, so we sought to determine whether DE-MRI findings independently predict survival. Methods and Results— The medical records of 857 consecutive patients who had complete cine and DE-MRI evaluation at a tertiary care center were reviewed regardless of whether the patients had coronary artery disease. The presence and extent of myocardial scar were evaluated qualitatively by a single experienced observer. The primary, composite end point was all-cause mortality or cardiac transplantation. Survival data were obtained from the Social Security Death Index. The median follow-up was 4.4 years; 252 patients (29%) reached one of the end points. Independent predictors of mortality or transplantation included congestive heart failure, ejection fraction, and age (P<0.0001 for each), as well as scar index (hazard ratio, 1.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 1.55; P=0.033). Similarly, in subsets of patients with or without coronary artery disease, scar index also independently predicted mortality or transplantation (hazard ratio, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.05 to 1.68; P=0.018; and hazard ratio, 5.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.74 to 18.3; P=0.004, respectively). Cox regression analysis showed worse outcome in patients with any DE in addition to depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (<50%). Conclusion— The degree of DE detected by DE-MRI appears to strongly predict all-cause mortality or cardiac transplantation after adjustment for traditional, well-known prognosticators.

Early and Late Mortality of Patients Undergoing Aortic Valve Replacement After Previous Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

BACKGROUND In a small number of patients who undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), a hemodynamically significant aortic valve lesion requiring aortic valve replacement (AVR) develops as they grow older. In a limited number of studies in small patient groups, high mortality has been shown in patients undergoing AVR after CABG. We undertook this study to determine the mortality risk factors for patients who undergo AVR after CABG procedures. METHODS AND RESULTS The outcome of 104 patients treated at our institution between January 1983 and December 1993 was retrospectively reviewed. The initial surgery was CABG in all patients. The patient population included 86 men (83%) and 18 women (17%); their mean age was 67 years. Overall, 70% of patients had congestive heart failure, and 96% had multivessel coronary artery disease. The diagnosis was aortic stenosis in 68% of patients, aortic insufficiency in 16%, and combined aortic stenosis and aortic insufficiency in 16%. Postoperative complications included worsening congestive heart failure (35%), perioperative myocardial infarction (13%), and bleeding (28%). The early mortality was 14%, and the late mortality was 17% (mean follow-up, 35 months). The risk factors for early mortality were number of diseased vessels (P = .028), renal failure (0.000), and prior myocardial infarction (P = .028). A perioperative predictor of early mortality was cardiopulmonary bypass time (P = .000). The risk factors for late mortality included preoperative diabetes mellitus (P = .007), postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome (P = .011), and ventricular arrhythmias (P = .0001). The survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 96%, 75%, and 49%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Risk factors were identified for early and late mortality in patients undergoing AVR after previous CABG. Although early morbidity and mortality were high, the longterm outcome of the survivors was favorable.

Short- and long-term outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting or drug-eluting stent implantation for multivessel coronary artery disease in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but no study has yet compared the short- and long-term outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents for multivessel CAD among non-hemodialysis-dependent (HD) patients with CKD. In our institutions registry, we identified 812 patients with CKD (glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min) who had undergone either CABG or PCI for multivessel CAD from May 2003 to December 2006. Of these patients, 725 had non-HD CKD, and 87 were hemodialysis-dependent. The rates of 30-day and long-term mortality, 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events, and hemodialysis dependence after revascularization were compared between these 2 groups by computing the hazard ratios from a Cox proportional hazards model and adjusting them for the baseline covariates and propensity score. After either CABG or PCI, 2.4% of the patients with non-HD CKD were hemodialysis dependent. Compared to PCI, CABG was associated with postoperative hemodialysis dependence (odds ratio 3.2, 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 9.3; p <0.001). However, among patients with non-HD CKD and 3-vessel CAD, those who underwent CABG tended to have a lower long-term mortality rate than those who underwent PCI (hazard ratio 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.36 to 1.03; p = 0.06). In the patients with non-HD CKD treated for 2-vessel CAD, those who underwent CABG or PCI had a similar long-term mortality risk (hazard ratio 1.12, 95% confidence interval 0.52 to 2.34; p = 0.7). In conclusion, in patients with non-HD CKD and multivessel CAD, CABG led to better survival than PCI with drug-eluting stents, but CABG patients had a greater short-term risk of requiring permanent hemodialysis.

Preoperative statin therapy is not associated with a decrease in the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) after cardiac surgery is associated with significant morbidity. We investigated whether preoperative statin therapy was associated with decreased incidence of postoperative AF in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, including isolated valve surgery and patients with low ejection fraction (EF). METHODS A retrospective study of consecutive patients without history of AF (n = 4044) who underwent cardiac surgeries at St. Lukes Episcopal Hospital (Houston, TX), from January 1, 2003, through April 30, 2006, was conducted. Postoperative AF was assessed by continuous telemetry monitoring during hospitalization for cardiac surgery. RESULTS A total of 2096 patients (52%) received preoperative statins. Atrial fibrillation occurred in 1270 patients (31.4% in both the statin and nonstatin groups). In multivariate regression analysis, age >65 years, history of valvular heart disease, rheumatic disease, pulmonary disease, and New York Heart Association class III/IV were independent predictors of increased risk, whereas female sex was associated with decreased risk. Preoperative statin therapy was not associated with decreased risk in the entire cohort (odds ratio [OR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98-1.31) or in subgroups undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.97-1.43), isolated valve surgery (OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.81-1.46), or both (OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.72-1.65), or the subgroup with EF <35% (OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.84-1.82). After propensity score analysis (n = 867 patients in each group), preoperative statin therapy was not associated with decreased AF incidence (OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.92-1.41). CONCLUSIONS Preoperative statin therapy was not associated with decreased incidence of postoperative AF in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, including patients with low EF.

Collateral circulation in coronary artery disease

The coronary arteriograms and left ventriculograms of 202 consecutive patients were reviewed. All had at least 75% diameter reduction of 1 or more major coronary arteries. In 127 patients (63%), at least 1 major branch was totally occluded. Collateral circulation was seen in 125 of these 127 patients (190 of 192 totally occluded arteries). Of the 75 patients without total occlusion, only 2 with 99% (or near-total) occlusion had demonstrable collateral circulation (2 of 208 arteries). In no patient with 75 to 98% diameter narrowing was collateral circulation demonstrated (0 of 164 arteries). An analysis was made of the relation between left ventricular (LV) segmental wall motion and the quality of collateral circulation in 190 totally occluded arteries among 125 patients. Of 126 arteries with good collateral circulation, LV contraction was normal in 21%, hypokinetic in 48% and akinetic/dyskinetic in 29%. Of 64 arteries with poor collateral circulation, LV contraction was normal in 23%, hypokinetic in 55% and akinetic/dyskinetic in 20%. There was no statistically significant difference between the effect of good or poor collateral circulation on LV function. These data indicate that collateral circulation cannot be seen angiographically unless there is total or near-total occlusion, and that the presence of collateral circulation does not correlate with LV wall motion abnormalities, i.e., akinetic area, despite good collateral flow or normal wall motion despite absent or poor collateral flow.

Moderate hypothermia during aortic arch surgery is associated with reduced risk of early mortality

OBJECTIVE Selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) during hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) provides cerebral protection during aortic arch surgery. However, the ideal temperature for HCA during ACP remains unknown. Clinical outcomes were compared in patients who underwent moderate (nasopharyngeal temperature, ≥ 20 °C) versus deep (nasopharyngeal temperature, <20 °C) HCA with ACP during aortic arch repair. METHODS By using a prospectively maintained clinical database, we analyzed data from 221 consecutive patients who underwent aortic arch replacement with HCA and ACP between December 2006 and May 2009. Seventy-eight patients underwent deep hypothermia (mean lowest temperature, 16.8 °C ± 1.7 °C) and 143 patients underwent moderate hypothermia (mean, 22.9 °C ± 1.4 °C) before systemic circulatory arrest was initiated. Multivariate stepwise logistic and linear regressions were performed to determine whether depth of hypothermia independently predicted postoperative outcomes and blood-product use. RESULTS Compared with moderate hypothermia, deep hypothermia was associated independently with a greater risk of in-hospital death (7.7% vs 0.7%; odds ratio [OR], 9.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-81.6; P = .005) and 30-day all-cause mortality (9.0% vs 2.1%; OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.2-18.6; P = .02), and with longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (154 ± 62 vs 140 ± 46 min; P = .008). Deep hypothermia also was associated with a higher incidence of stroke, although this association was not statistically significant (7.6% vs 2.8%; P = .073; OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 0.9-12.5). No difference was seen in acute kidney injury, blood product transfusion, or need for surgical re-exploration. CONCLUSIONS Moderate hypothermia with ACP is associated with lower in-hospital and 30-day mortality, shorter cardiopulmonary bypass time, and fewer neurologic sequelae than deep hypothermia in patients who undergo aortic arch surgery with ACP.

Preoperative Statin Therapy Decreases Risk of Postoperative Renal Insufficiency

INTRODUCTION Although current guidelines recommend withholding statins in perioperative patients, little information is available on whether perioperative statin use increases risk for postoperative renal failure. AIMS We examined the relation between preoperative statin therapy and postoperative risk for renal insufficiency in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS Retrospective cohort review from the Texas Heart Institute research database was performed. Patients were divided into two groups: those who received preoperative statins and those who did not. Primary outcome was the development of postoperative renal insufficiency (requiring dialysis or not). Outcomes were assessed in the entire cohort and in subgroups undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), isolated valve surgery, or combined CABG and valve surgery. RESULTS Of 3001 patients, 56% received preoperative statins. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, preoperative statins were associated with significant reductions in risk for postoperative renal insufficiency in the entire cohort (odds ratio [OR]= 0.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38-0.95) and in patients undergoing isolated CABG (OR = 0.34, 95% CI 0.17-0.68). In patients undergoing isolated valve surgery (OR = 1.35, 95% CI 0.61-2.96) or combined CABG and valve surgery (OR = 1.39, 95% CI 0.48-3.99), preoperative statins were not associated with decreased incidence of postoperative renal insufficiency. Age >65 years, preoperative renal insufficiency, history of congestive heart failure, preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump insertion, and total cardiopulmonary bypass time >80 min were also independent predictors associated with increased risk for postoperative renal insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative statin therapy was associated with decreased incidence of postoperative renal insufficiency in patients undergoing cardiac surgeries, particularly in patients undergoing isolated CABG.

Difference in Patient Profiles and Outcomes in Japanese Versus American Patients Undergoing Coronary Revascularization (Collaborative Study by CREDO-Kyoto and the Texas Heart Institute Research Database)

Although coronary revascularization is common in both Japan and the United States (US), no direct comparison has been performed to demonstrate differences in the clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of patients in these 2 countries. We analyzed the preprocedural, in-hospital, and long-term data from the Coronary Revascularization Demonstrating Outcome registry (Kyoto, Japan) and the Texas Heart Institute Research Database (Houston, Texas) of 16,100 patients who had undergone elective, initial percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting. The Japanese procedures were performed from 2000 to 2002 (n = 8,871, follow-up period 3.5 years, interquartile range 2.6 to 4.3) and the US procedures from 1999 to 2003 (n = 7,229, follow-up period 5.2 years, interquartile range 3.8 to 6.5). The Japanese patients tended to be older (mean age 67.2 vs 62.7 years; p <0.001), to smoke (52.9% vs 46.0%; p <0.001), and to have diabetes (39.2% vs 31.0%; p <0.001) and stroke (16.4% vs 5.0%; p <0.001). The US patients were more obese (body mass index 23.7 vs 29.3 kg/m(2); p <0.001), with greater rates of systemic atherosclerotic disease. Both groups had a similar in-hospital mortality rate (Japanese patients 0.9% vs US patients 1.1%; p = 0.19) and crude long-term mortality rate (Japanese patients 27.7/1,000 person-years, US patients 28.2/1,000 person-years; p = 0.35). After adjustment for known predictors, the US group had greater long-term mortality than the Japanese group (hazard ratio 1.71, 95% confidence interval 1.50 to 1.95; p <0.001). This finding was consistent among all high-risk subgroups. In conclusion, the 2 registries showed similar crude outcomes but important differences in patient risk factors such as obesity. In the adjusted analysis, the Japanese patients had better outcomes than did the US patients. Additional study is needed to assess the effect of ethnic and risk factor variations on coronary artery disease.

Origin of the right coronary artery from the opposite sinus of Valsalva in adults: Characterization by intravascular ultrasonography at baseline and after stent angioplasty

We attempted to characterize the anatomy, function, clinical consequences, and treatment of right‐sided anomalous coronary artery origin from the opposite side (R‐ACAOS).

Usefulness of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in Chromosome 4q25 to Predict In-Hospital and Long-Term Development of Atrial Fibrillation and Survival in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

We aimed to determine whether polymorphisms in chromosome 4q25 are associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF), long-term AF, postoperative or long-term stroke, and long-term survival after coronary artery bypass grafting. We performed genotyping for rs2200733 and rs10033464 in white participants (n = 1,166) from the TexGen genetic registry. The development of postoperative or long-term AF, postoperative or long-term stroke, and long-term mortality were ascertained. Both rs2200733 and rs10033464 were associated with postoperative AF (odds ratio [OR] 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04 to 1.91, and OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.06, respectively). Carriers of the risk allele (T) had an increased risk of postoperative AF with preoperative β blocker (BB) (for rs2200733, OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.004 to 2.16 for those taking a BB, and OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.73 for those not taking a BB; for rs10033464, OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.93 for those taking preoperative a BB, and OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.65 for those not taking a BB). Both rs2200733 and rs10033464 were also associated with long-term AF (hazard ratio 1.32, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.67, and hazard ratio 1.28, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.66, respectively). Carriers of rs2200733 had increased long-term mortality (hazard ratio 1.57, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.24). These variants were not associated with postoperative or long-term stroke. In conclusion, variants in 4q25 are associated with an increased risk of postoperative or long-term AF and, possibly, mortality in whites undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, and could potentially affect the choice of therapy used to decrease postoperative AF.