Paul S. Massimiano

Postoperative complications among octogenarians after cardiovascular surgery

BACKGROUND The octogenarian patient is often perceived as too fragile to undergo cardiothoracic surgery. Our study aimed to compare postoperative complications in patients aged less than 80 versus elderly patients (80 years or more) after surgical cardiac intervention (coronary artery bypass or valve replacement). METHODS Subjects were all patients (n = 8,361) who had an open-heart procedure, either coronary artery bypass or valve implantation or replacement, at two medical centers located in northern Virginia using the same surgical group. A computerized medical record database was reviewed to determine preoperative risk factors and postoperative outcomes. Predictors of complications were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS A total of 3,214 complications were recorded. The most prevalent complications were prolonged ventilation time in the intensive care unit, reoperation for bleeding, and pneumonia. The overall mortality rate was 2.4% (204 of 8,361). Persons aged over 80 years had nearly double the mortality rate compared with younger patients (4.1% [18 of 444] to 2.3% [186 of 7,917]). Age greater than 80 years (odds ratio = 2.65, 95% confidence interval = 2.18 to 3.22) and male gender (odds ratio = 0.62, 95% confidence interval = 0.56 to 0.69) were the best univariate predictors of a single postoperative complication. CONCLUSIONS Octogenarian patients manifested twice the risk of death from a cardiac intervention with an average 2-day longer hospital stay compared with their younger counterparts. Furthermore, octogenarians were at markedly higher risk of nonfatal postoperative complications.

A reliable bridge to cardiac transplantation: The TCI left ventricular assist device

The Thermo Cardiosystems (TCI) HeartMate, a pneumatically driven, implantable left ventricular assist device, was designed for long-term support of the failing heart. Between February 1990 and August 1992, the HeartMate was implanted in 11 heart transplant candidates because of profound deterioration of left ventricular function. Patients had a mean cardiac index of 1.6 L.min-1 x m-2 and a mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure of 33 mm Hg despite maximal pharmacologic support with at least three inotropic medications. In addition, 5 patients were being supported with an intraaortic balloon pump. Nine patients were bridged successfully to cardiac transplantation. The mean cardiac index after implantation of the left ventricular assist device was 3.2 L.min-1 x m-2. Support ranged from 2 to 143 days (mean duration, 60 days). One patient died early of low output secondary to right heart failure, and a second died of air embolism, which occurred intraoperatively. All surviving patients became fully ambulatory. There were no thromboembolic complications during a total of 658 patient-days of support on a regimen of only 80 mg of aspirin daily. The 9 bridged patients are currently alive 4 to 34 months after transplantation. The TCI HeartMate provides safe and effective hemodynamic support with low risk of complications and virtual freedom from thromboembolism on a regimen of minimal anticoagulation.

Aortic cannula velocimetry

Robert C Groom, Aaron G Hill The Virginia Heart Center at Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia, Barry Kuban The Ohio State University Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbus, Ohio, William Oneill 3M Cardiovascular, Incorporated, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Bechara F Akl, Alan M Speir, James Koningsberg, Gregory T Sprissler, Mohamed Shakoor, Paul S Massimiano, Nelson A Burton, Robert A Albus, Quentin Macmanus and Edward A Lefrak The Virginia Heart Center

The state of surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with mitral valve disease.

Purpose of review Atrial fibrillation has been shown to be associated with less favorable short and long-term outcomes in patients having mitral valve surgery. Despite the growing evidence related to the potential benefits of surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation at the time of the mitral valve operation, there is a significant variability among surgeons in their approaches to atrial fibrillation. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current state of surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation as reported in the literature, as well as to discuss the significance of atrial fibrillation and the different surgical approaches to treat patients with mitral valve disease who may also concurrently suffer from tricuspid valve disease and atrial fibrillation. Recent findings Increased mortality and morbidity are expected when atrial fibrillation is left untreated in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery. Modern surgical ablations resulted in a shift from the cut and sew maze procedure to the vast majority of cases being performed using different ablation technologies. The use of ablation technology simplifies the procedure. The expectation is that the vast majority of patients with atrial fibrillation will be ablated at the time of their mitral valve surgery. Summary Patients who have mitral valve with or without tricuspid valve disease with a significant history of atrial fibrillation may benefit from surgical ablation to eliminate atrial fibrillation. No increased perioperative morbidity or mortality has been documented with an improved long-term survival and very low incidence of thromboembolic events.

Effect of patient age on blood product transfusion after cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE Blood product transfusion after cardiac surgery is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Transfusion thresholds are often lower for the elderly, despite the lack of clinical evidence for this practice. This study examined the role of age as a predictor for blood transfusion. METHODS A total of 1898 patients were identified who had nonemergent cardiac surgery, between January 2007 and August 2013, without intra-aortic balloon pumps or reoperations, and with short (<24 hours) intensive care unit stays (age ≥75 years; n = 239). Patients age ≥75 years were propensity-score matched to those age <75 years to balance covariates, resulting in 222 patients per group. Analyses of the matched sample examined age as a continuous variable, scaled in 5-year increments. RESULTS After matching, covariates were balanced between older and younger patients. Older age significantly predicted postoperative (odds ratio = 1.39, P = .028), but not intraoperative (odds ratio = 0.96, P = .559), blood transfusion. Older age predicted longer length of stay (B = 0.21, P < .001), even after adjustment for blood product transfusion (B = 0.20, P < .001). As expected, older age was a significant predictor for poorer survival, even with multivariate adjustment (hazard ratio = 1.34, P = .042). CONCLUSIONS In patients with a routine postoperative course, older age was associated with more postoperative blood transfusion. Older age was also predictive of longer length of stay and poorer survival, even after accounting for clinical factors. Continued study into effects of transfusion, particularly in the elderly, should be directed toward hospital transfusion protocols to optimize perioperative care.

Long-term Outcome Following Concomitant Mitral Valve Surgery and Cox Maze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased early and long‐term morbidity/mortality following valve surgery. This study examined long‐term influence of concomitant full Cox maze (CM) and mitral valve procedures on freedom from atrial arrhythmia and stroke. Methods: This sample comprised patients who underwent CM with a mitral valve procedure (N = 473). Data on rhythm, medication status, and clinical events captured according to Heart Rhythm Society guidelines at 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months and yearly thereafter up to 7 years. Results: Mean age was 65 years, mean left atrium size was 5.3 cm, and 15% had paroxysmal AF. Perioperative stroke occurred in 2 patients (0.4%) and operative mortality was 2.7% (n = 13). Return to sinus rhythm regardless of antiarrhythmic drugs at 1, 5, and 7 years was 90%, 80%, and 66%. Sinus rhythm off antiarrhythmic drugs at 1, 5, and 7 years was 83%, 69%, and 55%. Freedom from embolic stroke at 7 years was 96.6% (0.4 strokes per 100 patient‐years) with a majority of patients off anticoagulation medication. Greater odds of atrial arrhythmia recurrence during 7 years was associated with longer AF duration (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; P = .001), whereas lower odds were associated with cryothermal energy only (OR, 0.64; P = .045) and greater surgeon experience (OR, 0.98; P = .025). Conclusions: This study suggests that the addition of CM to mitral valve procedures, even with a high degree of complexity, did not increase operative risk. In long‐term follow‐up, the CM procedure demonstrated acceptable rhythm success, reduced AF burden, and remarkably low stroke rate. Individual surgeon experience and training may notably influence long‐term surgical ablation for AF success.

Potential Impact of Modifiable Clinical Variables on Length of Stay After First-Time Cardiac Surgery

BACKGROUND Recent financial challenges highlight the importance of accurate prediction of length of hospital stay (LOS). We assessed reliability of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk prediction for extended and shorter LOS and examined whether modifiable clinical variables are associated with LOS in first-time cardiac surgery patients. METHODS Isolated aortic valve, mitral valve, and coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients since 2008 were included (n = 3,472). Multivariate regression was used to evaluate nonmodifiable and potentially modifiable (preoperative hematocrit, hemoglobin A1c, body mass index, current smoker, major perioperative morbidity, and blood product transfusion) predictors of LOS in days. RESULTS Mean age was 63.9 ± 11.2 years, 76% were males, and mean STS mortality risk was 1.9% ± 3.2%. Median (interquartile range) LOS was 4 (3 to 6) days. Predicted STS risk was 6.2% ± 7.1% for extended LOS (>14 days) and 48.3% ± 20.2% for short LOS (<6 days). Extended LOS was observed in 5.2% of patients (observed versus expected, 0.84; p = 0.019). Observed short LOS was better than predicted (67.8%; observed versus expected, 1.40; p < 0.001). Inclusion of modifiable variables in the LOS prediction model was significant (p < 0.001). Significant modifiable predictors were lower hematocrit, higher hemoglobin A1c, major morbidity, and transfusion. Longer predicted LOS from the model correlated with longer actual LOS (rs = 0.63; p < 0.001). Applying the prediction equation from the model to a hypothetical average patient, predicted LOS was 4.6 days. CONCLUSIONS The STS risk model was reliably predictive of short and extended LOS but did not allow prediction of exact LOS in days. Accounting for potentially modifiable clinical variables, such as low hematocrit and blood transfusion, especially in elective patients, should lead to shorter LOS, higher satisfaction, and reduced financial burden.

Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery without aortic cross-clamping and with femoral cannulation is not associated with increased risk of stroke compared with traditional mitral valve surgery: a propensity score-matched analysis †

OBJECTIVES Open-heart surgery with fibrillatory arrest has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of stroke. We examined whether minimally invasive mitral valve surgery with fibrillatory arrest conferred a higher risk of stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and other major complications compared with median sternotomy and cardioplegic arrest. METHODS Data were collected prospectively for 387 patients who had mitral valve surgery; 239 had a minimally invasive surgical approach and 148 had median sternotomy. All minimally invasive surgeries were performed by surgeons who were experienced in minimally invasive techniques. The effect of operative approach on risk of stroke/TIA and major morbidity was examined. After propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted between the two groups, 76 patients remained in each group. RESULTS Before matching, the incidence of stroke/TIA did not differ between patients who had minimally invasive surgery (0.5%, n = 1) and those who had median sternotomy (1.4%, n = 2; P = 0.56). Patients who had minimally invasive surgery had a lower incidence of other major morbidity (0.8%, n = 2) than patients who had median sternotomy (6.1%, n = 9; P = 0.004). After adjustment for age and Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk, there was no effect of operative approach on the odds for stroke/TIA (odds ratio [OR] = 0.41, P = 0.49) or other major morbidity (OR = 0.40, P = 0.31). After PSM, patients were balanced on preoperative characteristics. No patient in either matched group experienced permanent stroke/TIA, and major morbidity did not differ between the two groups (minimally invasive, 1.3%, n = 1; median sternotomy, 1.3%, n = 1; P > 0.99). CONCLUSIONS A minimally invasive approach for mitral valve surgery on a fibrillating heart was not associated with a greater incidence of stroke/TIA than was median sternotomy. When performed by highly experienced surgeons, the minimally invasive approach with fibrillatory arrest did not increase the risk of perioperative stroke.

Minimally Invasive Fibrillating Heart Surgery: A Safe and Effective Approach for Mitral Valve and Surgical Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND Minimally invasive (MI) approaches to mitral valve surgery (MVS) and surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) are now performed routinely, and avoidance of aortic manipulation and cardioplegic arrest may further simplify the procedure. We present our experience with MI fibrillatory cardiac operations without aortic cross-clamping for MVS and AF ablation. METHODS Between January 2007 and August 2012, 292 consecutive patients underwent MVS (n = 177), surgical ablation (n = 81), or both (n= 34), with fibrillating heart through a right minithoracotomy. Baseline characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and long-term survival were evaluated. RESULTS The mean age was 56.8 years (range, 20-83 years). Reoperations were performed in 25 patients (9%). The overall MV repair rate was 93.4% (198/211), including 13.1% (26/198) with anterior leaflet repair. Repair was performed in 100% of patients with myxomatous MV disease. Of isolated posterior mitral valve repairs, 60.5% underwent repair with neochords (W.L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, AZ), and 29.7% underwent triangular resection. There was 1 operative mortality (0.3%), no intraoperative conversions to sternotomy, 4 reoperations (1.4%), 1 stroke (0.3%), and 1 transient ischemic attack (0.3%). The 12-month return to sinus rhythm was 93%, and sinus rhythm without class I and class III antiarrhythmic medication was 85%. One- and 2-year cumulative survival was 98.5% and 97.8%, respectively. At mean follow-up of 27.3 months, our outcomes compared favorably with the 2011 Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) nationally reported outcomes. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that low operative mortality and low stroke rate with MI fibrillating cardiac operations without cross-clamping allows for MVS and AF ablation. Our results suggest that the MI fibrillating heart approach is safe and effective.

Institutional and national trends in isolated mitral valve surgery over the past decade

Purpose of review To review trends in practice for mitral valve surgery in the US over the past decade. Recent findings Advances in the understanding of mitral valve pathophysiology and the technology involved with mitral valve surgery have led to significant changes of the current practice for mitral valve surgery, with mitral valve repair being the technique of choice. Mitral valve repair is currently applied to close to 60% of patients having surgery for mitral valve disease in the US. This trend in the change of practice also contributed to a sharp decrease in the use of mechanical mitral valve prosthesis even in the younger population. Summary Current practice for mitral valve surgery in the US reflects a steady increase in performed procedures over the last decade. The increased use of mitral valve repair techniques to address mitral valve disease can be related to increased surgical experience and greater understanding of the pathophysiology of mitral valve disease as well as the improved outcome related to mitral valve repair.