A multicentre roadmap to restart elective cardiac surgery after COVID-19 peak in an Italian epicenter.

BACKGROUND: During the Italian Phase-2 of the coronavirus pandemic, it was possible to restart elective surgeries. Because hospitals were still burdened with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, it was focal to design a separate "clean path" for the surgical candidates and determine the possible effects of major surgery on previously infected patients. METHODS: From May to July 2020 (postpandemic peak), 259 consecutive patients were scheduled for elective cardiac surgery in three different centers. Our original roadmap with four screening steps included: a short item questionnaire (STEP-1), nasopharyngeal swab (NP) (STEP-2), computed tomography (CT)-scan using COVID-19 reporting and data system (CO-RADS) scoring (STEP-3), and final NP swab before discharge (STEP-4). RESULTS: Two patients (0.8%) resulted positive at STEP-2: one patient was discharged home for quarantine, the other performed a CT-scan (CO-RADS: <2), and underwent surgery for unstable angina. Chest-CT was positive in 6.3% (15/237) with mean CO-RADS of 2.93 ± 0.8. Mild-moderate lung inflammation (CO-RADS: 2-4) did not delay surgery. Perioperative mortality was 1.15% (3/259), and cumulative incidence of pulmonary complications was 14.6%. At multivariable analysis, only age and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time were independently related to pulmonary complications composite outcome (age >75 years: odds ratio [OR]: 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25-5.57; p = 0.011; CPB >90 min. OR: 4.3; 95% CI: 1.84-10.16; p = 0.001). At 30 days, no periprocedural contagion and rehospitalization for COVID-19 infections were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Our structured roadmap supports the safe restarting of an elective cardiac surgery list after a peak of a still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in an epicenter area. Mild to moderate CT residuals of coronavirus pneumonia do not justify elective cardiac surgery procrastination.

Native Aortic Arch Interruption in Adulthood: Surgical Management.

Aortic coarctations in adults are mainly represented by recurrent critical narrowing at the site of previous surgical correction, or less frequently by native forms of complex obstructive malformations of the distal arch and isthmus. We present our experience with an unusual form of native adult aortic coarctation presenting as a complete interruption of the aortic arch.

Hybrid three-stage repair of mega-aortic syndrome with the Lupiae technique: 10-year results.

BACKGROUND: Mega-aortic syndrome (MAS) is a rare disease carrying a poor prognosis if treated conservatively. Open repairs of these aneurysms are invasive, while totally endovascular repairs are associated with higher rates of late reintervention due to endoleaks, compromising long-term prognosis. We describe the 10-year results of a hybrid three-stage approach to MAS using the Lupiae technique. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2016, 27 patients with MAS extending from the ascending aorta to the iliac arteries (MAS type III) underwent: (I) a surgical aortic arch debranching, using the Vascutek Lupiae™ multibranched graft to create a proximal Dacron landing zone; (II) an abdominal aorta debranching to create a distal Dacron landing zone and (III) the implantation of multiple endovascular stents to exclude any residual aneurysm between the two landing zones. RESULTS: One patient died following the first stage, and another following the second stage of the repair (overall mortality 7.4%). The interval between the first and the second stage was 58.3±16.1 days. The interval between the second and the third stage was 47.7±13.1 days. Four-year survival was 88.6%±6.2% while 10-year survival was 51.7%±17.9%. One patient had a type III endoleak after the third stage that self-resolved within 6 months without intervention. No patient had type I or II endoleaks and none underwent redo procedures. Mean follow-up was 5.9±3.6 years and completeness was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Three-stage hybrid repairs using the Lupiae technique can be safely performed in MAS type III patients. Short intervals between the stages should mitigate the risk of rupture during the waiting periods and may enhance patient compliance, but to achieve this, the burden and the complexity of the first stage must be carefully weighted. Our strategy improves the long-term survival of these patients compared to their natural history and is less invasive than an open repair. The adoption of Dacron landing zones appears to be associated with very low rates of reintervention due to endoleaks.

Whole body perfusion in patients undergoing frozen elephant trunk for type A acute aortic dissections.

The Frozen Elephant Trunk (FET) can be adopted in selected type A acute aortic dissections (TAAAD). During FET, a prolonged distal circulatory arrest exposes the spine and visceral organs to potential ischemic injuries. Antegrade distal aortic perfusion (ADAP) could minimize this risk: we describe the technical aspects of the simultaneous use of antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) and ADAP achieving a "Whole Body Perfusion" (WBP) during FET.

St. Jude Medical Trifecta aortic valve: results from a prospective regional multicentre registry.

BACKGROUND: The Trifecta aortic bioprosthesis (St. Jude Medical, Inc., St. Paul, MN, USA) is a stented pericardial heart valve with excellent preliminary results. Aim of the study was to evaluate its early clinical and hemodynamic performances in a multicenter regional registry. METHODS: Between January 2011 and June 2012, 178 consecutive patients undergoing aortic valve replacement with the Trifecta bioprosthesis were prospectively enrolled at 9 Italian centers. Clinical and echocardiographic data were collectedat discharge, 6-months and at 1-year postoperatively. RESULTS: The average age was 75.4 ± 7.7 years,and 95 (53 %) were men. Indication for valve replacement included stenosis in 123 patients (69 %), mixed lesions in 25 (14 %), and regurgitation in 30 (17 %). Ninety-three (52 %) patients were in NYHA functional class III/ IV. Hospital mortality accounted for 5 (2.8 %) patients. No valve-related perioperative complications were encountered. Median follow-up was 20.5 months (range: 1-34). Early (≤6 months) complications included one thromboembolic event, one major bleeding, and 3 endocarditis (2 explants). Two late (>6 months) thromboembolic events and two endocarditis (1 explant) were registered. No valve thrombosis or structural deterioration were observed after discharge. At 30-months, freedom from all-cause mortality was 87 %, freedom from valve-related mortality 99.4 %, freedom from endocarditis 97.5 %, and freedom from valve explants 98 %. At 1-year, mean gradients ranged from 8 to 16 mmHg, and effective orifice area indexes from 1.0 to 1.2 cm(2)/m(2) for valve sizes from 19 to 27 mm, respectively. No patients had severe prosthesis-patient mismatch. CONCLUSIONS: Trifecta bioprosthesis provided favourable clinical and hemodynamic results over time.

Hybrid repair of type A acute aortic dissections with the Lupiae technique: ten-year results.

OBJECTIVES: Replacing the ascending aorta and the arch in patients with type A acute aortic dissection achieves good short-term results, but several patients are left with distal intimal tears or a patent false lumen in the descending aorta. In this series, we report the 10-year experience with the Lupiae technique, a hybrid aortic repair technique for patients with type A acute aortic dissection. METHODS: From 2003 to 2013, 89 patients with type A acute aortic dissections underwent replacement of the ascending aorta, the arch, and the rerouting of the neck vessels on the ascending aorta, creating a proximal Dacron landing zone for a completion with thoracic endovascular aortic repair if necessary. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was 8.9%. In 16 patients, the false lumen healed spontaneously, whereas the remaining 65 patients underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair. One patient died after thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Eighty patients were followed up. Complete thrombosis of the false lumen was obtained in 93.8% of patients. The median follow-up was 46 ± 35 months. Overall 8-year survival was 93.7% ± 5%, 100% for patients with spontaneously healed residual false lumen after just type A acute aortic dissection repair and 92.3% ± 7.7% for patients who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair after type A acute aortic dissection repair. In 10 years, 1 patient underwent a reoperation on the distal aorta (1.25%). CONCLUSIONS: The availability of a Dacron landing zone on the distal ascending aorta after type A acute aortic dissection repair allows the exclusion, with a thoracic endovascular aortic repair, of any residual intimal tear refilling a patent false lumen. This approach seems to be associated with a high probability of false lumen thrombosis and low rates of reoperations on the distal aorta.

Hybrid multistep approach to mega-aortic syndrome: the Lupiae technique.

OBJECTIVES: Several techniques have been described for the treatment of thoraco-abdominal aneurysms in patients with mega-aortic syndrome (MAS), but the incidence of stroke, spinal cord injury and endoleaks remains significant. We present the mid-term results of a new hybrid, multistep technique to treat patients with MAS. METHODS: From November 2005 to November 2012, 118 patients with MAS underwent surgical repair of thoracic and thoraco-abdominal aneurysms with the Lupiae technique. Fifty-five patients presented chronic aneurysms and 63 patients Type A acute dissections. Eighty-three patients underwent ascending aorta and arch replacement with a multibranched Dacron graft and epiaortic vessels rerouting (thoracic Lupiae procedure). Twenty patients had the thoracic Lupiae procedure plus partial visceral debranching (coeliac trunk and superior mesenteric artery [SMA]) through an upper mini-laparotomy. Fifteen patients had the thoracic Lupiae procedure plus a complete visceral debranching (coeliac trunk, SMA and renal arteries) using a second multibranched Dacron graft to replace the infrarenal aorta. All the patients with chronic aneurysms and 34 of 63 patients with Type A dissections underwent implant of endovascular stent grafts. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was 8.4%. No patients had stroke or spinal cord injury. The incidence of temporary renal failure was 5.2%. No patients presented endoleaks immediately and at follow-up CT scans. No death or reoperation occurred during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: These results evidence that the Lupiae technique is a safe and effective option for the treatment of patients with MAS, achieving the complete exclusion of thoraco-abdominal aneurysms and of the residual false lumen in patients with acute aortic dissections.

Tailored repair of the subvalvular apparatus using 'cut and transfer' technique in patients with chronic ischaemic mitral regurgitation and severe tethering of the mitral leaflets.

Tethering of both mitral leaflets is the predominant mechanism of mitral regurgitation in patients with chronic ischaemic cardiomyopathy. For patients with severe mitral leaflet tethering, we have developed a surgical approach alternative to the conventional undersized annuloplasty ring that targets the subvalvular apparatus and aims to reconstitute the leaflet coaptation by reducing leaflet tethering in three steps, including the translocation of secondary chordae of the anterior leaflet in primary position, the relocation of the posterior papillary muscle closer to the mitral annulus and the plication of the lateral wall of the left ventricle when a large infarcted area was present. All repairs were completed by a 'true-sized' annuloplasty ring. In this paper, we present the indications, the technical aspects and the initial results of this tailored approach in 53 patients with moderate to severe chronic ischaemic mitral regurgitation and severe leaflet tethering.

Cut-and-transfer technique for ischemic mitral regurgitation and severe tethering of mitral leaflets.

BACKGROUND: Chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) denotes abnormal function of normal leaflets resulting from left ventricular enlargement. We present the midterm results of a tailored mitral repair technique using a combination of the following subvalvular procedures: (1) detachment and reimplantation of secondary chordae on the free edge of the anterior leaflet ("cut-and-transfer" technique), (2) relocation of the posterior papillary muscle (PPM) closer to the mitral annulus, and (3) infarct plication on the lateral wall of the left ventricle. METHODS: From 2008 to 2011, 49 patients with moderate to severe ischemic MR underwent coronary surgery plus mitral valve repair using the cut-and-transfer and PPM relocation techniques. All the patients received a "true-sized" semirigid complete annuloplasty ring. In 20 patients, a plication of the lateral wall of the left ventricle was performed to reduce the tethering of the mitral leaflets. The mean number of coronary grafts per patient was 3.4 ± 0.4. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 2%. No patient died during 1-year follow-up and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class improved from 3.4 ± 0.5 to 1.4 ± 0.6 (p < 0.0001). The 1-year echocardiogram showed the following changes from baseline: mitral regurgitation grade (0-4) 2.9 ± 0.4 versus 0.2 ± 0.4 (p < 0.0001), left ventricular end-systolic volume index (mL/m(2)) 52.7 ± 13.1 versus 48.2 ± 10.1 (p = 0.07), left ventricular end-systolic index (mL/m(2)) 92.9 ± 16.5 versus 83.4 ± 15.9 (p <0.005), and ejection fraction (%) 37.8 ± 6.3 versus 44.2 ± 8.1 (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Both clinical and echocardiographic results show that reducing the tethering of the mitral leaflets with tailored interventions on subvalvular apparatus without undersizing the mitral annulus can safely and effectively correct chronic ischemic MR.

Hybrid three-stage repair of mega aorta syndrome with the Lupiae technique.

OBJECTIVE: Open surgical replacement of the whole aorta in mega aorta syndrome remains a surgical challenge. We report our experience in the treatment of patients with mega aorta syndrome using a 3-stage hybrid repair. METHODS: From January 2006 to December 2011, 12 patients with mega aorta syndrome underwent total replacement of the aorta with a 3-stage hybrid repair, consisting of total replacement of the arch (first stage), retrograde revascularization of the visceral vessels (second stage), and deployment of an endograft (third stage). The intraoperative, early (30-day), and follow-up results were analyzed. RESULTS: No intraoperative mortality occurred in any of the open or endovascular procedures. After the first stage, 1 patient died, resulting in a 30-day mortality of 8.3%. After the second stage, the overall major morbidity was 27.3% (1 surgical revision and 2 temporary dialysis treatments). After the third stage, no conversion or major complication was recorded. The overall mean follow-up period was 31.9 months (range, 1-60 months). One patient died at 10 months postoperatively, and another patient required adjunctive implantation of a stent graft for a type III endoleak. At 3 years, the estimated survival, freedom from any device-related reinterventions, and freedom from type I endoleak was 83.3%, 77.9%, and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our hybrid 3-stage approach seems to be effective in the treatment of mega aorta syndrome. The second stage was affected by non-negligible rates of perioperative complications. The overall mid-term results were encouraging, although a larger sample size with longer follow-up is needed to compare this technique with others.

Left atrial roof: an alternative minimal approach for mitral valve surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The most common surgical incisions to expose the mitral valve include a paraseptal left atriotomy or a transeptal biatrial approach. Both techniques are normally performed through a full sternotomy and bicaval cannulation. We report our experience with an alternative incision to expose the mitral valve using the left atrial roof (LAR) through a complete sternotomy or a J-shaped upper ministernotomy. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2011, a total of 512 patients underwent mitral procedures using the LAR approach. A J-shaped ministernotomy was performed in 189 patients, and 61 of these had concomitant aortic valve/root procedures. A standard sternotomy was performed in 323 patients, and 126 of these had concomitant aortic valve/root procedures. The repair rate in patients with mitral regurgitation was 398 of 460 (86.5%). RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was 2.3%. An adjunctive pericardial patch to repair the LAR was necessary in 1.9% of patients. A permanent pacemaker was necessary in 3.1% of patients. Four-year survival rate was 91% ± 4.2%. In patients who underwent mitral repair, 4-year freedom from mitral regurgitation greater than 2 was 97.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The LAR approach is a safe and effective option to perform mitral valve surgery. The limited extension of this incision and the possibility to use a single venous cannula make this approach suitable for minimally invasive isolated mitral valve procedures, whereas the proximity of the LAR to the aortic root makes this approach particularly attractive for combined mitroaortic procedures through a ministernotomy.

Hybrid one-stage approach to extensive atherosclerotic aneurysm of thoracoabdominal aorta.

We report a 62-year-old man with an atherosclerotic Crawford type II aneurysm involving both common iliac arteries who underwent surgical revascularization of the visceral vessels and renal arteries from the ascending aorta and subsequent endovascular aneurysmal exclusion. Computed tomography imaging at 2 years showed complete exclusion of the aneurysm throughout the thoracoabdominal aorta, confirming the successful antegrade revascularization of visceral vessels and renal arteries. A hybrid approach to thoracoabdominal aneurysms using antegrade visceral and renal revascularization from the ascending aorta before endovascular repair is technically feasible and might constitute an attractive alternative to conventional surgical treatment.

Hybrid aortic arch debranching with staged endovascular completion in DeBakey type I aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: We assess midterm results of a hybrid approach to DeBakey type I aortic dissection using a new multibranched Dacron graft to create, by relocation of the inflow openings to the arch vessels toward the aortic root, a new aortic arch for an easier and safer second-staged endovascular stent grafting of the distal thoracic aorta. METHODS: From March 2006 to July 2008 24 patients with DeBakey type I aortic dissection underwent ascending aorta and aortic arch replacement with debranching of epiaortic vessels using a new prosthesis to create an optimal landing zone for possible subsequent endovascular stent grafting of the distal thoracic aorta. Fifteen patients, who postoperatively presented a residual patent distal false lumen, underwent a successful second-stage endovascular stent-graft implantation. RESULTS: One patient died after the surgical stage while there was no death after the endovascular stage with hospital mortality of 4.2%. Follow-up confirmed complete thrombosis of the residual distal false lumen in 95.6% and partial thrombosis in 4.4% of patients with no evidence of endoleaks in the cases that required the endovascular procedure. Overall actuarial survival at 28 months is 92.1% ± 7.9% with 100% freedom from reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid treatment of DeBakey type I aortic dissection with aortic arch debranching, using a new multibranched prosthesis (Lupiae Graft; Vascutek Terumo Inc, Scotland, United Kingdom) is confirmed to facilitate the subsequent endovascular completion. Midterm results in terms of survival and distal false lumen thrombosis are satisfactory. Further study of this operation is warranted to confirm the effectiveness and the durability of this approach.

The upside-down stentless aortic bioprosthesis to tricuspid valve replacement.

Between March 2008 and January 2009, a stentless tricuspid valve replacement (STVR) was performed in three patients with tricuspid valve endocarditis who were resistant to medical therapy. Intraoperative and follow-up echocardiograms revealed good prosthetic function without stenosis or regurgitation. This technique could be considered an additional surgical option to stented biological valves or homograft implantations in very high risk populations.

Hybrid treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms with the use of a new prosthesis.

We report the case of a 72-year-old woman with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm who underwent hybrid surgical and endovascular procedure. First, debranching of the aortic arch and implantation of a new multi-branched prosthesis with transdiaphragmatic celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery revascularization was performed. Two weeks later the procedure was successfully completed with aneurysmal exclusion by deployment of multiple stent grafts. The postoperative course was uneventful. A two-staged surgical and endovascular approach with the use of a new prosthesis reduces the risk of endoluminal graft endoleak and may constitute an attractive alternative to conventional surgery in management of high-risk thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

Less invasive radial artery harvesting: two years' experience.

BACKGROUND: For coronary surgery we often use the radial artery (RA) instead of the saphenous vein, trying to exploit the advantages offered by this conduit. To eliminate the problems regarding alteration of upper-extremity function after RA procurement related to the standard conventional harvesting technique, we started using the less invasive harvesting technique with surprisingly good preliminary results. To compare the outcomes of open versus less invasive harvesting procedures, a prospective, nonrandomized study was developed by 2 centers. METHODS: From January 2001 to March 2003, there were 87 consecutive patients in the less invasive radial artery harvesting (LIRAH) group and 90 patients in the conventional radial artery harvesting (CRAH) group. Patient characteristics and demographics were similar in the groups. Data collection was made to evaluate possible benefits of the LIRAH technique in terms of fewer forearm and hand complications, better aesthetics, and improved patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Between January 11, 2001, and March 30, 2003, 177 patients underwent either primary or redo coronary artery revascularizations with procurement of the RA for use as a conduit with the less invasive harvesting technique. The mean follow-up was 2 months. Four patients died, and overall mortality was 2.26%. One hundred seventy-three patients were successfully examined during the first postoperative control, 85 in the LIRAH group and 88 patients in the CRAH group. Objective and subjective data were collected from the consultant. The overall average age was 60.5 years (range, 40-77 years). In the LIRAH group, the mean overall incision length (when 2 incisions were necessary, both incision lengths were measured) was 5.6 cm (range, 4-10 cm), and the mean vessel length was 16 cm (range, 10-19 cm). Eighteen patients (20.6%) necessitated double incision. Mean harvesting time (from incision to skin closure) was 43.3 min (range, 25-70 min). Fourteen patients (16.4%) presented some kind of complication during the study. There were no cases with acute ischemia, bleeding, or re-exploration. Seventy-five patients (88.2%) found the cosmetic result excellent. Ten patients (11.8%) found it good, and none considered it mediocre. In the CRAH group, the mean incision length was 20 cm (range, 18-22 cm), and the mean vessel length was 18 cm (range, 17-20 cm ). Mean harvesting time (from incision to skin closure) was 30.8 min (range, 14-45 min). Thirty-four patients (38.6%) presented some kind of complication during the study. Three patients (3.5%) found the cosmetic result excellent. Forty-three (48.8%) found it good, and 42 (47.7%) considered it mediocre. CONCLUSIONS: A potential of fewer neurological forearm postoperative complications, better aesthetics, and improved patient satisfaction can be achieved by the LIRAH technique.