Maroun Yammine

Are homografts superior to conventional prosthetic valves in the setting of infective endocarditis involving the aortic valve

BACKGROUND Surgical dogma suggests that homografts should be used preferentially, compared with conventional xenograft or mechanical prostheses, in the setting of infective endocarditis (IE), because they have greater resistance to infection. However, comparative data that support this notion are limited. METHODS From the prospective databases of 2 tertiary academic centers, we identified 304 consecutive adult patients (age ≥17 years) who underwent surgery for active IE involving the aortic valve (AV), in the period 2002 to 2014. Short- and long-term outcomes were evaluated using propensity scores and inverse-probability weighting to adjust for selection bias. RESULTS Homografts, and xenograft and mechanical prostheses, were used in 86 (28.3%), 139 (45.7%), and 79 (26.0%) patients, respectively. Homografts were more often used in the setting of prosthetic valve endocarditis (58.1% vs 28.8%, P = .002) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (25.6% vs 12.1%, P = .002), compared with conventional prostheses. Early mortality occurred in 17 (19.8%) in the homograft group, and 20 (9.2%) in the conventional group (P = .019). During follow-up (median: 29.4 months; interquartile-range: 4.7-72.6 months), 60 (19.7%) patients died, and 23 (7.7%) experienced reinfection, with no significant differences in survival (P = .23) or freedom from reinfection rates (P = .65) according to the types of prostheses implanted. After adjustments for baseline characteristics, using propensity-score analyses, use of a homograft did not significantly affect early death (odds ratio 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73-3.40, P = .23), overall death (hazard ratio 1.10; 95% CI, 0.62-1.94, P = .75), or reinfection (hazard ratio 1.04; 95% CI, 0.49-2.18, P = .93). CONCLUSIONS No significant benefit to use of homografts was demonstrable with regard to resistance to reinfection in the setting of IE. The choice among prosthetic options should be based on technical and patient-specific factors. Lack of availability of homografts should not impede appropriate surgical intervention.

Should Moderate-to-Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation be Repaired During Reoperative Left-Sided Valve Procedures?

The risks vs benefits of tricuspid valve (TV) surgery in reoperative patients requiring left-sided valve surgery and moderate-to-severe tricuspid regurgitation is unclear. We compared patients with and without concomitant TV surgery. A total of 200 patients with moderate-to-severe TV regurgitation had reoperative left-sided valve procedures from January 2002 to April 2014; 75 with TV intervention (TVI) and 125 with no tricuspid intervention (TVN). Propensity-matched cohorts of 60 TVI and 60 TVN patients were compared. Outcomes included New York Heart Association class, TV regurgitation and survival. TVI patients were younger (66 ± 15 vs 72 ± 13 years, P < 0.001), had more cardiogenic shock (6 of 75, vs 0 of 125, P < 0.001) and mitral valve surgery (60 of 75 vs 69 of 125, P < 0.001). Propensity matching yielded 60 pairs of TVI cases and TVN controls. Matched groups were comparable in age (TVI = 67 ± 13 vs TVN 68 ± 14 years, P = 0.67), cardiogenic shock (2 vs 0, P = 0.50), and mitral valve surgery (15 each, P = 1.0). Operative mortality was 2 of 60 in TVI vs 10 of 60 TVN (P = 0.27). Median follow-up was 4.4 years. Follow-up rates of New York Heart Association class III-IV were similar (12 of 60 for TVI vs 16 of 60 TVN, P = 0.52). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated improved event-free survival for TVI patients (6 years, 95% CI: 4.8-7.2 years vs 8 years, 95% CI: 6.7-9.3 years for TVN, P = 0.030). There was a trend towards increased TR at follow-up in patients with valve repair alone vs annuloplasty (P = 0.15). TV surgery was performed more often in higher-risk patients. Matched case-control analyses showed TVI was associated with improved midterm outcomes. Our data suggest that annuloplasty was preferable to TV repair alone.

The Use of Lidocaine Containing Cardioplegia in Surgery for Adult Acquired Heart Disease

Del Nido cardioplegia, a crystalloid‐based solution with lidocaine as a key element, is given as a single dose and has been used successfully in congenital cardiac surgery.

New oral anticoagulants—what the cardiothoracic surgeon needs to know

Oral anticoagulation for cardiothoracic patients has traditionally been synonymous with the use of warfarin. The recent introduction of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) targeting factor Xa or thrombin represents a new approach for anticoagulation. Cardiothoracic surgeons need to familiarize themselves with these agents, because more preoperative patients will be taking NOACs. Thus, strategies fordiscontinuationbeforesurgerywithorwithout bridging have become paramount. The rapid onset of action, wide therapeutic index, and a steady therapeutic state without the need for monitoring has made these new agents more attractive than warfarin for these indications. The currently available NOACs are dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa; Boehringer Ingelheim, Ridgefield, Conn), rivaroxaban (Xarelto; Bayer HealthCare AG, Leverkusen, Germany), apixaban (Eliquis; Bristol-Myers Squibb, New York, NY), and edoxaban (Savaysa; Daiichi Sankyo, Tokyo, Japan; not approved in the United States). We have reviewed the pharmacologic profile, clinical evidence for safety and efficacy, currently approved indications, and strategies to guide in the perioperative treatment of patients taking NOACs.

Impact of prior intracoronary stenting on late outcomes of coronary artery bypass surgery in diabetics with triple-vessel disease

OBJECTIVE Recent studies have indicated that coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) outcomes in patients with prior stents are suboptimal. We aimed to study the impact of prior percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stenting (PCI-S) on late CABG mortality in diabetic patients with triple-vessel disease. METHODS We reviewed the primary nonemergency CABG experience from a single U.S. institution (n = 7005; 1996-2007, Toledo, Ohio). Diabetics with triple-vessel disease (n = 1583) were identified and divided into 2 groups: (1) prior PCI-S (n = 202); and (2) no prior PCI (No-PCI [n = 1381]). Hierarchic Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the effect of prior PCI-S on 5-year mortality after CABG. A propensity score for PCI-S and No-PCI patients was derived using a nonparsimonious logistic regression and used to generate a 1:1 (PCI-S to No-PCI) matched cohort. RESULTS In model 1, after adjusting for preoperative clinical characteristics, medications, off-pump surgery, and isolated CABG surgery status, prior PCI-S was associated with a 39% increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.39, with 95% confidence interval [CI; 1.02, 1.90]; P = .04). Further adjustment for date of surgery (model 2) (HR = 1.39, with 95% CI [1.02, 1.91]; P = .04) or operative parameters (model 3) (HR = 1.38, with 95% CI [1.01, 1.88]; P = .046) did not alter the association. The 1:1 matched-cohort analysis confirmed the increased risk associated with PCI-S (HR = 1.61, with 95% CI [1.03, 2.51]; P = .037). CONCLUSIONS Patients who have both diabetes and triple-vessel disease, and have undergone prior PCI-S, have poorer long-term outcomes after CABG compared with those who have had no prior PCI-S.

Should the dilated ascending aorta be repaired at the time of bicuspid aortic valve replacement

OBJECTIVES Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital valvular abnormality and frequently presents with accelerated calcific aortic valve disease, requiring aortic valve replacement (AVR) and thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection. Supporting evidence for Association Guidelines of aortic dimensions for aortic resection is sparse. We sought to determine whether concurrent repair of dilated or aneurysmal aortic disease during AVR in patients with BAV substantially improves morbidity and mortality outcomes. METHODS Mortality and reoperation outcomes of 1301 adults with BAV and dilated aorta undergoing AVR-only surgery were compared to patients undergoing AVR with aortic resection (AVR-AR) using Cox proportional hazards modelling and patient matching. RESULTS Clinically important differences in patient characteristics, aortic valve function and aortic dimensions were identified between cohorts. Event rates were low, with rates of reoperation and death within 1 year of only 1.8% and 5.4%, respectively, and no aortic dissection observed during follow-up. There were no significant differences in reoperation or mortality outcomes between the AVR-only and AVR-AR cohorts. Age, aortic dimension or a combination thereof was not associated with better or worse outcomes after each AVR-AR compared with AVR. CONCLUSIONS We conclude AVR-only and AVR-AR surgery have low morbidity and mortality and have utility over a wide range of age and aortic sizes. Our results do not provide support for the 45-mm aortic dimension recommended in the current guidelines for aortic resection while performing AVR or any other specific dimension.

Proximal aortic surgery in the elderly population: Is advanced age a contraindication for surgery?

Objective: The study objective was to describe the clinical outcomes of elderly patients undergoing ascending aortic surgery. Methods: Patients aged 70 years or older who underwent ascending aortic surgery between January 2002 and December 2013 were examined. Of 415 included patients, 285 were elderly patients (age 70‐79 years) and 130 were very elderly (age ≥80 years). Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate operative mortality and long‐term survival, respectively. Results: Surgical indications included aortic aneurysm (63.1%), calcified aorta with need for other cardiac procedure (26.4%), and type A dissection (10.5%). Compared with elderly patients, the very elderly patients had a higher burden of comorbidities and operative mortality (13% vs 7%, P < .04). The very elderly patients were also more likely to be discharged to a rehabilitation facility than home (P < .001). However, risk‐adjusted operative mortality and 30‐day readmissions rates were similar (P > .05). Kaplan–Meier estimates of survival at 1 and 5 years were 85.6% and 72.6% for elderly patients versus 79.2% and 57.1% for the very elderly patients. Age was a strong risk variable for late mortality in the unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Conclusions: After adjusting for these comorbidities, the cause of aortic disease, and the type of procedure, age was not an independent predictor of operative mortality, but was strongly associated with reduced late survival. Thus, advanced age alone should not be an absolute contraindication for ascending aortic surgery.

The effect of completeness of revascularization during CABG with single versus multiple arterial grafts

Incomplete coronary revascularization is associated with suboptimal outcomes. We investigated the long‐term effects of Incomplete, Complete, and Supra‐complete revascularization and whether these effects differed in the setting of single‐arterial and multi‐arterial coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).

Long term outcomes of posterior leaflet folding valvuloplasty for mitral valve regurgitation

BACKGROUND Posterior mitral valve leaflet prolapse due to degenerative mitral valve disease has been treated with tissue sparing repair techniques since 2002. The simplified foldoplasty technique effectively lowers the height of the redundant posterior leaflet and creates an optimal coaptation line for the anterior leaflet that results in excellent long term durability, freedom from reoperation, and return of functional status. METHODS Patient demographics and in-hospital outcome data were extracted from electronic medical records of 229 patients, aged 60.6±13.7 years who underwent the procedure for mitral valve repair (MVR) involving the posterior leaflet from myxomatous disease between 2002 and 2014. Parametric analyses were performed on outcomes data, while long-term survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analyses. RESULTS Concomitant coronary bypass surgery was performed on 32/229 (14%) patients, the mean perfusion time was 119±40 min, and the mean cross clamp time was 86±31 min. Post-operative mortality was 2/229 (0.9%), reoperation for bleeding occurred in 4 (1.7%) and postoperative stroke in 4 (1.7%) patients. Long term follow up rate was 100% and the mean study follow-up duration was 6.8±2.3 years. Overall late mortality rate was 24/229 (14.9%), and mitral valve re-intervention was performed on 7 patients (4.3%). NYHA class III/IV and clinically significant MR at follow up were significantly lower compared to preoperative values (both P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our results encourage further use of this simple and effective technique in patients with isolated posterior leaflet prolapse.

Effectiveness and Safety of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation for Aortic Stenosis in Patients With “Porcelain” Aorta

Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with porcelain aorta is considered a high-risk procedure. Hence, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is emerging as the intervention of choice. However, there is a paucity of data directly comparing TAVI with SAVR in patients with porcelain aorta. We compared outcomes of TAVI versus SAVR in high-risk patients with porcelain between March 2012 and June 2015. The TAVI group included 54 patients, whereas 130 SAVR patients with porcelain aorta were identified (operated on between 2004 and 2015). Both groups were matched 1:1 based on the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality (STS-PROM) score with a 0.5% a priori caliper, resulting in 52 matched pairs. The mean STS-PROM was 7.3 ± 3.9 for both groups (p = 0.98), whereas mean age was 77.5 years for TAVI and 78.8 years for SAVR (p = 0.46). Compared with SAVR, TAVI patients had lower operative mortality (3.8% vs 17.3%; p = 0.052), significantly shorter median intensive care unit (40 vs 107 hours; p < 0.001) and hospital (5 vs. 7 days; p < 0.001) length of stay (LOS), but similar postoperative stroke rates (7.7% vs 11.5%; p = 0.74). One-year unadjusted survival was 81.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 69.8% to 93.5%) in the TAVI group versus 71.2% (95% CI: 61.0% to 85.1%) in the SAVR group, p = 0.093. Cox proportional hazard modeling identified preoperative chronic kidney disease (hazard ratio: 2.63 [95% CI: 1.03 to 6.70]; p = 0.043) and SAVR (hazard ratio: 2.641 [95% CI: 1.07 to 6.51]; p = 0.035) as significant predictors for decreased survival. Overall, TAVI was associated with reduced operative mortality, increased survival, and shorter intensive care unit and hospital length of stay compared with SAVR in patients with porcelain aorta. This study demonstrates that TAVI is a safe intervention in this high-risk population.