Parag Gharde

Is EuroSCORE applicable to Indian patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Indian patients undergoing cardiac surgery have different demographics, clinical profile as well as risk profile, compared to the western population. The purpose of this study was to validate the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) risk stratification model in Indian patients undergoing cardiac surgery in a single cardiac center. Data from 1000 consecutive adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass grafting or valve surgery) were prospectively collected as per the EuroSCORE model. The models validity was assessed on the basis of its calibration power (Hosmer-Lemeshow test) and discriminatory power [area under receiver operating characteristic curve]. The patients were divided into three risk groups on the basis of their EuroSCORE. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test revealed a good calibration power (P = 0.73) and the area under the ROC curve was 0.8278, suggesting a good discriminative power. The predicted mortality was similar to observed mortality in low- and moderate-risk patients but the observed mortality in high-risk patients (15.6%) was double that of predicted mortality (7.5%). The risk factors prevalent in European population were not observed in Indian population. EuroSCORE accurately predicts mortality in low and moderate-risk Indian patients undergoing cardiac surgery but is less predictive for high-risk Indian patients. Updating and improvisation of EuroSCORE by incorporation of risk factors associated with rheumatic valvular heart disease which is more prevalent in India, may enable it to accurately predict mortality in high-risk patients also.

Anterior Mitral Leaflet Length: Predictor for Mitral Valve Repair in a Rheumatic Population

BACKGROUND The length and mobility of the anterior mitral leaflet (AML) are considered important for mitral valve reparability. In this study, we looked at AML length as a predictor of mitral valve reparability in a rheumatic population. METHODS Between May and November 2008, 44 patients underwent mitral valve repair for pure mitral regurgitation, pure mitral stenosis, and mixed lesions. The mean age was 26.5 ± 10.4 years (range, 9 to 50; median 23.5), and 15 patients were less than 20 years old. There were 28 female patients. The mean body surface area was 1.37 ± 0.13 (range, 0.97 to 1.62). In all patients, we measured AML length at the A2 segment, both by transesophageal echocardiography and intraoperative direct measurement. These measurements were indexed to the body surface area. RESULTS Thirty-five patients had successful repair. Nine patients underwent mitral valve replacement after failed repair. The AML lengths were significantly higher in the successful repair group as compared with the failed repair group (AML length measured by transesophageal echocardiography was 31.4 ± 4.9 mm versus 24.1 ± 2.2 mm, p = 0.001; AML length measured intraoperatively was 30.8 ± 4.4 mm versus 22.3 ± 1.5 mm, p = 0.001). An intraoperatively measured AML length of 26 mm or more predicts reparability with 97.1% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Transesophageal echocardiography can reliably judge AML length and can also predict reparability. Indexed AML lengths are an even stronger predictor of mitral valve reparability, especially in a pediatric population. CONCLUSIONS Indexed AML length is a strong predictor of mitral valve reparability. With a value of 18 mm/m(2) or more, repair can be accomplished in all cases.

Multi-modality blood conservation strategy in open-heart surgery: an audit

The objective of this study was to perform an audit of the use of homologous blood and blood products in patients undergoing open-heart surgery by a single surgical team that follows an in-house protocol for blood conservation. The hospital records of 310 consecutive patients (age >15 years) undergoing open-heart surgery over a period of 8 months were retrospectively reviewed to assess the comprehensive blood conservation protocol. Homologous blood and blood product usage during and after surgery, in the intensive care unit and up to hospital discharge was analyzed. Two hundred and fifty-six patients (82.6%) did not receive any blood or blood products. Only 54 patients (17.4%) received one or more units of allogenic transfusion either intraoperatively or postoperatively until discharge. Mean hemoglobin at discharge was 9.8 Grams% (8.9-12 Grams%). A standardized multidisciplinary approach to blood conservation in cardiac surgery decreases bleeding and transfusion requirements in a safe and cost effective manner.

Idiopathic left ventricular outflow tract pseudoaneurysm

Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) pseudoaneurysm is a rare occurrence and may produce clinically unpredictable symptoms. A very few cases of LVOT pseudoaneurysm are reported and there has always been a predisposing factor in these reported cases such as history of infective endocarditis, myocardial infarction, prosthetic aortic valve replacement or chest trauma. Our patient did not have the above predisposing conditions. Intra operative transesophageal echocardiography helped patient management and guided the surgical team in securing and isolation of the aneurysmal sac from the LVOT.

Extraanatomic Bypass to Supraceliac Abdominal Aorta for Complex Thoracic Aortic Obstruction.

BACKGROUND The standard surgical treatment of coarctation of the aorta is through a left posterolateral thoracotomy. However, when a concomitant cardiac procedure is required or the conventional approach is not possible or is hazardous, extraanatomic bypass to the supraceliac abdominal aorta may be advantageous. We discuss our technique and report the long-term results. METHODS Between January 1986 and January 2015, 25 patients (16 males, 9 females) underwent extraanatomic bypass to the supraceliac abdominal aorta for various lesions of the arch and the descending thoracic aorta. Extraanatomic bypass to the supraceliac abdominal aorta was performed for patients in whom balloon dilatation was not feasible due to associated arch hypoplasia (n = 9), long-segment thoracic aorta narrowing due to nonspecific aortoarteritis (n = 3), or isolated long-segment coarctation of the aorta (n = 3). Patients who needed concomitant cardiac procedures, such as aortic valve replacement (n = 4), ascending aortic aneurysm repair (n = 2), or coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 1), and in whom balloon dilatation had failed, also underwent extraanatomic bypass to the supraceliac abdominal aorta. Extraanatomic bypass was also performed in 3 patients with recurrent coarctation after surgical repair and in whom balloon dilation was not feasible or unsuccessful. RESULTS There were no early or late deaths. The peak-to-peak gradients between the upper limb and the lower limb decreased from 59.3 ± 16.3 mm Hg to 2.0 ± 2.8 mm Hg (p < 0.0001). The mean follow-up was 96.6 ± 92.6 months (range, 1 to 240 months; median, 54 months). Doppler interrogation of the lower limb arterial system after a mean follow-up of 86.4 ± 85.2 months showed an unobstructed flow pattern. The ankle-brachial pressure index improved from a preoperative value of 0.60 ± 0.07 to 1.04 ± 0.11 (p < 0.0001). Systolic blood pressure decreased significantly compared with preoperative values (153.9 ± 18.9 vs 122.8 ± 10.2, p < 0.0001). Three patients continued to receive antihypertensive medication due to persistent mild hypertension. CONCLUSIONS Extraanatomic bypass to the supraceliac abdominal aorta provides effective palliation for complex aortic obstructions. It is easy and quick to perform, avoids fatal complications, and is well tolerated in all age groups.

Echocardiographic Assessment of the Alterations in Pulmonary Blood Flow Associated with Ketamine and Etomidate Administration in Children with Tetralogy of Fallot

Despite widespread uses of ketamine, the clinical studies determining its effect on pulmonary blood flow in children with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) are lacking. Furthermore, the quantification of pulmonary blood flow is not possible in these patients, because pulmonary artery catheter is contraindicated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in pulmonary blood flow by intra‐operative transesophageal echocardiography after ketamine or etomidate administration in children with TOF.

Effect of single intraoperative dose of amiodarone in patients with rheumatic valvular heart disease and atrial fibrillation undergoing valve replacement surgery

Maintenance of sinus rhythm (SR) is superior to rate control in atrial fibrillation (AF). In order to achieve SR, we administered single-dose intravenous amiodarone intraoperatively and evaluated its effect on conversion of rheumatic AF to SR in patients undergoing valvular heart surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to amiodarone (n = 42) or control (n = 40) group in a double blind manner. The amiodarone group received amiodarone (3 mg/kg) intravenously prior to the institution of cardiopulmonary bypass and the control group received the same volume of normal saline. In the amiodarone group, the initial rhythm after the release of aortic cross clamp was noted to be AF in 14.3% (n = 6) and remained so in 9.5% (n = 4) of patients till the end of surgery. In the control group, the rhythm soon after the release of aortic cross clamp was AF in 37.5% (n = 15) (p = 0.035) and remained so in 32.5% (n = 13) of patients till the end of surgery (p = 0.01). At the end of first post-operative day 21.4% (n = 9) of patients in amiodarone group and 55% (n = 22) of patients in control group were in AF (p = 0.002). The requirement of cardioversion/defibrillation was 1.5 (+/-0.54) in amiodarone group and 2.26 (+/-0.73) in the control group (p = 0.014), and the energy needed was 22.5 (+/-8.86) joules in the amiodarone group and 40.53 (+/-16.5) in the control group (p = 0.008). A single intraoperative dose of intravenous amiodarone increased the conversion rate of AF to normal sinus rhythm, reduced the need and energy required for cardioversion/defibrillation and reduced the recurrence of AF within one day.

Transaortic edge-to-edge mitral valve repair for moderate secondary/functional mitral regurgitation in patients undergoing aortic root/valve intervention

Objective: The present study evaluates the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of edge‐to‐edge repair for moderate secondary/functional mitral regurgitation in patients undergoing aortic valve/root interventions. Methods: Sixteen patients underwent transaortic edge‐to‐edge mitral valve repair. Mitral regurgitation was 2+ in 8 patients and 3+ in 6 patients. Two patients in whom cardiac arrest developed preoperatively had severe (4+) mitral regurgitation. Patients underwent operation for severe aortic regurgitation ± aortic root lesions. The mean left ventricular systolic and diastolic diameters were 51.5 ± 12.8 mm and 70.7 ± 10.7 mm, respectively. Left ventricular ejection fraction ranged from 20% to 60%. Primary surgical procedure included Bentalls ± hemiarch replacement in 10 patients, aortic valve replacement in 5 patients, and noncoronary sinus replacement with aortic valve repair in 1 patient. Results: Severity of mitral regurgitation decreased to trivial or zero in 13 patients, 1+ in 2 patients, and 2+ in 1 patient. There were no gradients across the mitral valve in 9 patients, less than 5 mm Hg in 6 patients, and 9 mm Hg in 1 patient. There was no operative mortality. Follow‐up ranged from 2 weeks to 54 months. Echocardiography showed trivial or no mitral regurgitation in 12 patients, 1+ in 2 patients, and 2+ in 2 patients. None of the patients had significant mitral stenosis. The mean left ventricular systolic and diastolic diameters decreased to 40.5 ± 10.3 mm and 58.7 ± 11.6 mm, respectively. Ejection fraction also improved slightly (22%‐65%). Conclusions: Transaortic edge‐to‐edge mitral valve repair is a safe and effective technique to abolish secondary/functional mitral regurgitation. However, its impact on overall survival needs to be studied.

An Alternative Technique for Rechanneling of Sinus Venosus Atrial Septal Defect With Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection Using Autogenous Right Atrial Appendage

We report a new technique for closure of sinus venosus atrial septal defect with high partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection. This technique consisted of preservation of the atriocaval junction, advancement of the posterior rim of the atrial septal defect anterosuperiorly and enlargement of the superior caval vein using right atrial appendage. We found this to be a convenient technique and recommend it for correction of this anomaly.

Thrombus in the Proximal Aorta: Cardiopulmonary Bypass Strategy and Surgical Management.

De novo noninfective thrombus formation in the ascending aorta is rare. We report two cases of ascending aortic thrombus, their surgical management, and cardiopulmonary bypass strategy.