Ruggero De Paulis

REGRESSION OF LEFT VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY AFTER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT FOR AORTIC STENOSIS WITH DIFFERENT VALVE SUBSTITUTES

OBJECTIVE Stentless biologic aortic valves are less obstructive than stented biologic or mechanical valves. Their superior hemodynamic performances are expected to reflect in better regression of left ventricular hypertrophy. We compared the regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in 3 groups of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis. Group I (10 patients) received stentless biologic aortic valves, group II (10 patients) received stented biologic aortic valves, and group III (10 patients) received bileaflet mechanical aortic valves. METHODS Echocardiographic evaluations were performed before the operation and after 1 year, and the results were compared with those of a control group. Left ventricular diameters and function, left ventricular wall thickness, and left ventricular mass were assessed by echocardiography. RESULTS Group I patients had a significantly lower maximum and mean transprosthetic gradient than the other valve groups (P = .001). One year after operation there was a significant reduction in left ventricular mass for all patient groups (P < .01), but mass did not reach normal values (P = .05). Although the rate of regression in the interventricular septum and posterior wall thickness differed slightly among groups, their values at follow-up were comparable and still higher than control values (P = .002). The ratio between interventricular septum and posterior wall and the ratio between wall thickness and chamber radius did not change significantly at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Because the number of patients was relatively small, we could not use left ventricular mass regression after I year to distinguish among patients undergoing aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis by means of valve prostheses with different hemodynamic performances.

Current status and recommendations for use of the frozen elephant trunk technique: a position paper by the Vascular Domain of EACTS

The implementation of new surgical techniques offers chances but carries risks. Usually, several years pass before a critical appraisal and a balanced opinion of a new treatment method are available and rely on the evidence from the literature and experts opinion. The frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique has been increasingly used to treat complex pathologies of the aortic arch and the descending aorta, but there still is an ongoing discussion within the surgical community about the optimal indications. This paper represents a common effort of the Vascular Domain of EACTS together with several surgeons with particular expertise in aortic surgery, and summarizes the current knowledge and the state of the art about the FET technique. The majority of the information about the FET technique has been extracted from 97 focused publications already available in the PubMed database (cohort studies, case reports, reviews, small series, meta-analyses and best evidence topics) published in English.

Preoperative very short-term, high-dose erythropoietin administration diminishes blood transfusion rate in off-pump coronary artery bypass: A randomized blind controlled study

OBJECTIVE Human recombinant erythropoietin has been used to obtain a rapid increase in red blood cells before surgery. Previously, the shortest preparatory interval has been 4 days, but at the European Hospital only 2.4 days on average separate hospitalization and surgery. We therefore proposed a randomized blind trial to test the efficacy of high-dose erythropoietin for very short-term administration. METHODS All patients presenting with a diagnosis of isolated coronary vessel disease were randomized to either erythropoietin therapy or a control group. Patients with a creatinine level greater than 2 mg/dL or hemoglobin level greater than 14.5 g/dL were excluded. Hemoglobin values were collected preoperatively and on postoperative days 1 and 4. Blood loss and blood transfusion rate were recorded at the time of discharge. RESULTS We enrolled 320 consecutive patients in the study. No significant difference was found in preoperative parameters, postoperative blood loss, or mean preoperative hemoglobin levels. On postoperative day 4, mean hemoglobin was 15.5% higher in the erythropoietin group (10.70 +/- 0.72 g/dL vs 9.26 +/- 0.71 g/dL; P < .05). This group required 0.33 units of blood per patient, whereas the controls required 0.76 units per patient (risk ratio 0.43, P = .008). CONCLUSION A significant reduction in transfusion rate and a significant increase in hemoglobin values were observed in the erythropoietin group. No adverse events related to erythropoietin administration were recorded. A very short preoperative erythropoietin administration seems to be a safe and easy method to reduce the need for blood transfusions.

Phentolamine Prevents Adaptation to Ischemia During Coronary Angioplasty Role of α-Adrenergic Receptors in Ischemic Preconditioning

BACKGROUND Experimental studies indicate that alpha-adrenergic receptors are involved in ischemic preconditioning. Their role in humans is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS Eighteen patients undergoing angioplasty for an isolated stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery were randomized to receive intravenous infusion of phentolamine or placebo during the procedure. Intracoronary ECG and cardiac pain were determined at the end of the first two balloon inflations. Average peak velocity in the contralateral coronary artery during balloon occlusion, an index of collateral recruitment, was also assessed by using a Doppler guide wire. In both phentolamine- and placebo-treated patients, average peak velocity significantly increased from baseline to the end of the first inflation (P<.01), but it did not show any further increase during the second inflation. In phentolamine-treated patients, ST-segment changes and cardiac pain severity during the second inflation were similar to those observed during the first inflation (13+/-9 versus 12+/-8 mm, P=NS, and 51+/-34 versus 54+/-32 mm, P=NS, respectively), whereas in placebo-treated patients, they were significantly less (6+/-4 versus 13+/-7 mm, P<.01, and 26+/-20 versus 49+/-22 mm, P<.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The adaptation to ischemia observed in humans after two sequential coronary balloon inflations is abolished by phentolamine and is independent of collateral recruitment. Thus, it occurs due to ischemic preconditioning and is, at least in part, mediated by alpha-adrenergic receptors.

Epicardial ganglionated plexus stimulation decreases postoperative inflammatory response in humans

BACKGROUND Surgical cardiac revascularization produces a high degree of systemic inflammation and the secretion of several cytokines. Intensive postoperative inflammation may increase the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation and favor organ dysfunctions. No data documenting the anti-inflammatory properties of epicardial vagal ganglionated plexus stimulation are available. OBJECTIVE To verify the feasibility and safety of postoperative inferior vena cava-inferior atrial ganglionated plexus (IVC-IAGP) burst stimulation and the effectiveness of this approach in reducing serum levels of inflammatory cytokines. METHODS In 27 patients who were candidates for off-pump surgical revascularization, the IVC-IAGP was located during surgery, a temporary wire was inserted, and a negative atrioventricular node dromotropic effect was obtained in 20 patients on applying high-frequency burst stimulation. In 5 patients atrial fibrillation or phrenic nerve stimulation was induced, and the remaining 15 patients served as the experimental group. Twenty additional patients underwent off-pump surgical revascularization without IVC-IAGP stimulation and served as the control group. On arrival in the intensive care unit, the experimental group underwent IVC-IAGP stimulation for 6 hours. Blood samples were collected at different times. RESULTS The serum levels of cytokines were not statistically different at baseline and on arrival in the intensive care unit between the groups, while they proved statistically different after 6 hours of stimulation: interleukin-6 (EG: 121 ± 71 pg/mL vs CG: 280 ± 194 pg/mL; P = .004), tumor necrosis factor-α (EG: 2.68 ± 1.81 pg/mL vs CG: 5.87 ± 3.48 pg/mL; P = .003), vascular endothelial growth factor (EG: 93 ± 43 pg/mL vs CG: 177 ± 86 pg/mL; P = .002), and epidermal growth factor (EG: 79 ± 48 pg/mL vs CG: 138 ± 76 pg/mL; P = .012). CONCLUSIONS Prolonged burst IVC-IAGP stimulation after surgical revascularization appears to be feasible and safe and significantly reduces inflammatory cytokines in the postoperative period.

Current trends in cannulation and neuroprotection during surgery of the aortic arch in Europe

OBJECTIVES To conduct a survey across European cardiac centres to evaluate the methods used for cerebral protection during aortic surgery involving the aortic arch. METHODS All European centres were contacted and surgeons were requested to fill out a short, comprehensive questionnaire on an internet-based platform. One-third of more than 400 contacted centres completed the survey correctly. RESULTS The most preferred site for arterial cannulation is the subclavian-axillary, both in acute and chronic presentation. The femoral artery is still frequently used in the acute condition, while the ascending aorta is a frequent second choice in the case of chronic presentation. Bilateral antegrade brain perfusion is chosen by the majority of centres (2/3 of cases), while retrograde perfusion or circulatory arrest is very seldom used and almost exclusively in acute clinical presentation. The same pumping system of the cardio pulmonary bypass is most of the time used for selective cerebral perfusion, and the perfusate temperature is usually maintained between 22 and 26°C. One-third of the centres use lower temperatures. Perfusate flow and pressure are fairly consistent among centres in the range of 10-15 ml/kg and 60 mmHg, respectively. In 60% of cases, barbiturates are added for cerebral protection, while visceral perfusion still receives little attention. Regarding cerebral monitoring, there is a general tendency to use near-infrared spectroscopy associated with bilateral radial pressure measurement. CONCLUSIONS These data represent a snapshot of the strategies used for cerebral protection during major aortic surgery in current practice, and may serve as a reference for standardization and refinement of different approaches.

Use of the Valsalva graft and long-term follow-up.

OBJECTIVE The Valsalva graft is a specifically designed Dacron graft that, on implantation and pressurization, generates pseudosinuses of Valsalva. We reviewed a multicenter experience of the reimplantation procedure with the Valsalva graft in patients with aneurysms involving the aortic root. METHODS A total of 278 patients underwent valve-sparing aortic root replacement using the Valsalva graft at 4 different Italian cardiac surgery centers and were studied by clinical assessment and echocardiography. Of the 278 patients, 220 were men (79%), with a mean age of 56 ± 15 years. Of the patients, 42 (15%) had Marfan syndrome, 31 (11%) had a bicuspid aortic valve, 13 (5%) had acute aortic dissection, and 136 (49%) had grade 3 or 4+ aortic insufficiency. Concomitant cardiac procedures were performed in 78 patients (28%). Additional aortic leaflet repair was necessary in 25 patients (9%). The mean crossclamp time was 120 ± 27 minutes. RESULTS There were 5 (1.8%) operative and 5 (1.8%) late deaths. The mean follow-up was 52 ± 28 months (range, 2-112 months) and was 100% complete. The cumulative actuarial survival was 95.2% (268 patients). A total of 32 patients (11%) had grade 3 to 4+ aortic insufficiency, and 17 of these required late aortic valve replacement (range, 3-78 months). At 10 years of follow-up, the freedom from aortic valve reoperation rate was 91%, and the rate of freedom from residual aortic insufficiency not needing reoperation was 88%. CONCLUSIONS The reimplantation type of valve-sparing procedure can be facilitated by the use of the Valsalva graft and can be performed with satisfactory perioperative and midterm results. How an optimal root reconstruction will affect the second decade of follow-up has yet to be determined.

Reduction of allogeneic red blood cell usage during cardiac surgery by an integrated intra‐ and postoperative blood salvage strategy: results of a randomized comparison

BACKGROUND: The amount of allogeneic blood transfusion may relate to worse outcome in cardiac surgery. The reinfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) lost by patients, including those of chest drains, is a promising strategy to minimize allogeneic transfusions.

Extent and pattern of regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with small size carbomedics aortic valves

OBJECTIVE To assess the extent and pattern of regression of left ventricular hypertrophy after valve replacement for aortic stenosis, we studied 26 patients receiving either 19 or 21 mm CarboMedics valves (group I, 13 patients) or either 23 or 25 mm CarboMedics valves (group II, 13 patients). The studies were done before the operation and after 3 years, and results were compared with those of 10 control patients. METHODS Left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters and volumes, ejection fraction and fractional shortening, and interventricular septum and posterior wall thickness were measured. The ratio between interventricular septum and posterior wall thickness, the ratio between left ventricular wall thickness and left ventricular chamber radius, and the left ventricular mass were then calculated. RESULTS At follow-up there was a significant reduction in the left ventricular mass, interventricular septum, and posterior wall thickness for both patient groups (p < 0.01). However, only the posterior wall thickness reached normal values; the interventricular septum and the left ventricular mass indices were still significantly greater than in the control group (p < 0.01). Because of the incomplete regression of interventricular septal hypertrophy, the ratio between interventricular septum and posterior wall thickness was similar between both patient groups but it was significantly higher than in control subjects (p < 0.01). The ratio between wall thickness and chamber radius did not decrease significantly in group II patients, in whom it remained above the control values. CONCLUSION Having a bileaflet aortic prosthesis of one size larger did not seem to significantly influence the pattern and the extent of regression of left ventricular hypertrophy after an intermediate period of follow-up.

Long-term results of the valve reimplantation technique using a graft with sinuses

OBJECTIVE Aortic valve reimplantation is the most commonly used technique to spare the aortic valve. Long-term results data are scarce and available only with the use of standard straight graft. We examined the long-term results of reimplantation of the aortic valve using a graft incorporating sinuses of Valsalva. METHODS From May 2000 to December 2014, 124 patients had an aortic valve reimplanted into a graft with sinuses of Valsalva. The mean age was 53 ± 13 years and the majority were men (87%). Marfan syndrome was present in 21 patients (17%) and 12% had a bicuspid valve. Patients were prospectively followed by means of transthoracic echocardiography. The mean follow-up was 63 ± 52 months. RESULTS Overall survival at 5, 10, and 13 years was 94.4% ± 2.2%, 90.5% ± 4.4%, and 81.4% ± 7.3%, respectively. Six patients required reoperation within a time frame of 6 to 96 months. None of the patients died at reoperation. Freedom from reoperation was 95.4% ± 2.3% at 5 years and 90.1% ± 4.3% at 10 and 13 years. All patients who needed reoperation had surgery during the first 5 years. Three patients had residual aortic insufficiency >2. Considering also all patients who underwent reoperation because of aortic insufficiency, freedom from moderate to severe residual aortic insufficiency was 94.1% ± 2.6% at 5 years, and 87.1% ± 4.7% at 10 and 13 years. CONCLUSIONS The majority of patients who had their valve reimplanted in a graft with sinuses continue to perform well after 10 years.