N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide as a Predictor of Adverse Outcomes After Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The strength of association between preoperative natriuretic peptide levels and adverse outcomes after cardiac surgery recently has been studied in different research, but results still are diversely variable. METHODS: Sixty-five consecutive patients undergoing elective off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting prospectively were recruited. Preoperative levels of NTproBNP were measured in venous blood samples collected before induction of anesthesia. RESULTS: The average age was 57.62 ± 7.21. Of the patients, 86.15% were male. Euro-scoreII averaged 1.76 ± 0.34. The mean preoperative NTproBNP levels were 312.41 ± 329.93 pg/mL. Only two patients died (3%). Three patients required prolonged mechanical ventilation (4.6%). Four patients (6%) suffered from new onset postoperative AF. Five patients (7.6%) had low cardiac output, of which three needed IABP, and four patients (6%) had postoperative myocardial infarction. The mean ICU stay was 3.37 ± 0.84 days, and the mean hospital stay was 6.38 ± 1.3 days. There were no significant differences in preoperative NTproBNP levels in patients who had or didn't have any of the postoperative complications or in-hospital mortality (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Our study showed no significant correlation between preoperative NTproBNP levels and postoperative low cardiac output, atrial fibrillation, postoperative myocardial infarction, length of ICU stay, prolonged mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay as well as in-hospital mortality following elective off-pump CABG. Therefore, more prospective specific studies are needed to delineate the role of preoperative natriuretic peptides as significant predictors of poor outcomes after CABG surgery.

Ring, Band or Suture in Tricuspid Annuloplasty for Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation; Which is Better and More Durable?

BACKGROUND: In this study, we evaluate different annuloplasty modalities to repair functional tricuspid regurgitation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2011 and January 2017, 200 patients with moderate or greater functional tricuspid regurgitation received tricuspid valve repair as part of primary surgeries on the left side of their cardiac valves. Of these, 39 patients received rings (Group A), 84 patients received bands (Group B), and 77 patients received suture annuloplasty (Group C). RESULTS: Two patients from Group C were operated on again, during the primary hospital stay due to severe symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation. The degrees of early postoperative tricuspid regurgitation - mean vena contracta and mean jet area - significantly were higher in Group C. During a mean follow-up period of 26 ± 12.6 months, 5 patients within Group C (6.85%) and one patient in Group B (1.3%) were operated on again with tricuspid valve replacement due to severe symptomatic tricuspid incompetence. Also during follow up, mean degrees of tricuspid regurgitation, mean vena contracta, and mean jet areas significantly were higher in Group C. CONCLUSION: Patients who received rings followed by band annuloplasty had better early and late results with lower recurrence rates than those who received suture annuloplasty.

Predictors of In-Hospital Mortality in Isolated Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection.

BACKGROUND: We assessed risk factors for early mortality in isolated total anomalous pulmonary venous connection over a modern era excluding emergent cases to eliminate the influence of associated factors on surgical outcome.  Methods: 70 patients with isolated total anomalous pulmonary venous connection who were repaired electively between January 2013 and February 2018 were included. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was encountered in 4 patients (5.7%). Upon univariate analysis, low age (P = .003) and weight (P = .001) at surgery, preoperative pulmonary venous obstruction (P = .010), preoperative low oxygen saturation (P = .031), long cardiopulmonary bypass (P = .001) and aortic cross clamp (P = .003) times, long duration of mechanical ventilation (P = .001), chest infection (P = 0.041), postoperative low CO syndrome (P < .001) and long postoperative inotropic support (P = .015) were significant predictors of in-hospital mortality. In multivariate analysis postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (OR: 1.060; 95% CI: 1.008-1.116) and prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation (OR: 1.772; 95% CI: 1.141-2.751) were independent factors of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: Surgical repair of TAPVC is now performed with acceptable results. According to our study, postoperative low cardiac output syndrome and prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation were the most significant predictors for early mortality.