Early anticoagulation after aortic valve replacement with porcine bioprosthesis randomized control trial (ANTIPRO).

OBJECTIVES: Most evidence for anticoagulation (AC) in aortic bioprosthesis is centred on embolic events, bleeding and reintervention risk. The effect of AC on haemodynamics has not been previously assessed. Our hypothesis was that patients with early AC after aortic valve replacement (AVR) with porcine bioprosthesis have better haemodynamics at 1 year of follow-up. METHODS: Prospective, randomized, open-label trial conducted at 2 cardiac surgery centres. All patients undergoing AVR with porcine bioprosthesis were consecutively recruited. The anticoagulated group received warfarin + aspirin and the non-anticoagulated (control) only aspirin. The primary outcome was mean gradient after 1 year of AVR and change in New York Heart Association class. Secondary outcomes were major and minor bleeding, embolic events and prosthetic leak. RESULTS: Of 140 participants in the study, 71 were assigned to the anticoagulated group and 69 to the control group. The mean age of the overall population was 72.4 (SD: 7.1) years. Global EuroSCORE was 7.65 (SD: 5.73). At 1 year, the mean gradient was similar between both groups [18.6 (SD: 1.1 mmHg) and 18.1 (SD: 1.0 mmHg) in the control and anticoagulated groups, respectively, P = 0.701]. No differences in functional class at 3 months or 1 year were found among groups. No differences were found among groups in the secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of 3 months of oral AC to anti-aggregation treatment was not detected to affect bioprosthetic haemodynamics nor functional class at 1 year after AVR. Likewise, AC does not lead to the higher incidence of complications.

Uso de NT-proBNP como predictor de evolución en el posoperatorio de cirugía cardíaca / Use of NT-proBNP to predict postoperative evolution in cardiac surgery / Uso do NT-proBNP como preditor de evolução no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca

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Summary: Introduction: the amino-terminal pro brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in heart failure. Its use as a prognosis predictor of postoperative evolution in cardiac surgery has not been established. Objective: to determine if the value of preoperative NT in cardiac surgery is associated with postoperative evolution parameters. Primary objective: to evaluate its association with the length of stay in intensive care unit. Secondary objectives: to evaluate its association with the time of mechanical ventilation and inotropic agents requirements. To determine the evolution of NT-proBNP concentration after cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods: multicentric retrospective study, endorsed by the Research Committee of the National Institute of Cardiac Surgery and the Ethic Research Committee of the Clinic Hospital. It included patients who underwent cardiac surgery between March and August 2018. NT-proBNP was measured during anesthesia induction and after cardiopulmonary bypass. A possible association of preoperative NT-proBNP with risk factors and type of procedure performed was studied. By analysing the ROC curve, the area under curve (AUC) was calculated and then, the best cut-off value of NT-proBNP to predict prolonged intensive care unit stay was determined. Intensive care unit stays, mechanical ventilation and inotropic requirements were defined as prolonged when they exceeded 2 days, 6 and 24 hours respectively. Through the use of multivaried logistics, the predicting value of NT-proBNP was determined for each one of the aforementioned variables. A value of alfa 0.05 was considered significant. Results: a total of 155 patients were included in the study. Age, creatininemia, and left ventricular ejection fraction were 65.8±11.4 years, 1.15±1.10 mg/dl and 52.8±11.9% respectively. Female prevalence was 30.3%, arterial hypertension 77.4%, diabetes mellitus 25.2% and dyslipidemia 50.3%. In 42.6% isolated myocardial revascularization was performed, in 12.9% myocardial revascularization plus one or more valve procedures, and in 44.5% isolated valve procedures. In all cases there was a significant reduction between preoperative (443 pg/ml, interquartile range 143-1.193) and postoperative NT-proBNP (362 pg/ml, interquartile range 138-939) (p<0.001). Age, creatininemia, left ventricular ejection fraction, functional classification IV of the New York Heart Association and dyslipidemia turned out to be predictors of preoperative NT-proBNP. Preoperative NT-proBNP was higher in patients with prolonged intensive care unit stay, mechanical ventilation and inotropic requirements. However, it turned out to be an independent predictor only for prolonged intensive care unit stay. (OR=1.62; IC95%:1.11-2.35. p=0.012). The best cut-off value for prolonged intensive care unit stay was 409 pg/ml (AUC=0.68). Conclusion: preoperative determination of NT-proBNP is an efficient tool to predict postoperative evolution. Cardiopulmonary bypass is associated to a significant drop in that marker.

Resumo: Introdução: a porção terminal amino do peptído natriurético tipo B é um biomarcador diagnóstico e prognóstico na insuficiência cardíaca. Seu uso como preditor prognóstico no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca não está estabelecido. Objetivo: determinar se o valor de NT-proBNP no período pré-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca está associado a parâmetros de evolução pós-operatória. Objetivo primário: avaliar sua associação com tempo prolongado de internação em unidade de terapia intensiva. Objetivos secundários: associação com tempo de ventilação mecânica e necessidade inotrópica. Determinar a evolução da concentração de NT-proBNP após circulação extracorpórea. Método: estudo multicêntrico retrospectivo endossado pelo Comitê de Pesquisa do Instituto Nacional de Cirurgia Cardíaco e pelo Comitê de Ética da Pesquisa do Hospital da Clínica. Foram incluídos pacientes operados de março a agosto de 2018. O NT-proBNP foi dosado durante a indução anestésica e após a circulação extracorpórea. O NT-proBNP foi comparado de acordo com os fatores de risco e procedimentos realizados. A área da curva (AUC) foi determinada pela análise da curva ROC e o melhor ponto de corte NT-proBNP foi estabelecido na previsão do tempo prolongado de internação em unidade de terapia intensiva. O tempo de internação em unidade de terapia intensiva, tempo de ventilação mecânica e necessidade inotrópica prolongada foram definidos como maiores que 2 dias, 6 e 24 horas, respectivamente. Um alfa de 0,05 foi considerado significativo. Resultados: 155 pacientes foram incluídos. Idade, creatininemia e fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo foram 65,8± 11,4 anos, 1,15 ± 1,10 mg/dl e 52,8 ± 11,9 %, respectivamente. A prevalência do sexo feminino foi 30,3%, hipertensão arterial 77,4%, diabetes mellitus 25,2% e dislipidemia 50,3%. Em 42,6%, foi realizada revascularização do miocárdio isolada, em 12,9% revascularização do miocárdio associada a um ou mais procedimentos valvares, e em 44,5% procedimentos puros da válvula. Em todos os casos, houve uma diminuição significativa entre o pré-operatório (443 pg/ml, rango interquartílico 143-1.193) e o pós-operatório de NT-proBNP (362 pg/ml, rango interquartilico 138-939) (p <0,001). Idade, cretininemia, fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo, classe funcional IV da New York Heart Association e dislipidemia foram preditores de NT-proBNP pré-operatório. NT-proBNP pré-operatório foi elevado em pacientes com tempo prolongado de internação em unidade de terapia intensiva, tempo de ventilação mecânica e necessidade inotrópica prolongada, mas apenas acabou por ser preditor independente em internação prolongada em unidade de terapia intensiva (OR=1,62; IC95%:1,11-2,35. p=0,012). O melhor valor de corte para internação prolongada foi de 409 pg/ml (AUC = 0,68). Conclusão: a determinação pré-operatória de NT-proBNP é útil como ferramenta na previsão da evolução pós-operatória. A circulação extracorpórea está associada a uma diminuição significativa desse marcador.

Trombosis sobre válvula protésica biológica. Reporte de caso / Thrombosis on biological prosthetic valve. Case report

Resumen: El siguiente artículo reporta el caso clínico de una paciente portadora de trombosis valvular bioprotésica en posición aórtica. La trombosis sobre válvula bioprotésica es una patología de baja prevalencia pero que puede conducir a un aumento en la tasa de accidentes cerebrovasculares, así como a largo plazo ser un factor coadyuvante de degeneración bioprotésica. Actualmente, el diagnóstico de la misma se realiza mediante ecocardiografía por el hallazgo de un incremento del gradiente medio transvalvular mayor a 50%, engrosamiento de los velos o movimiento anormal de los mismos, con una especificidad de 93%. El tratamiento con warfarina mostró ser efectivo en 83% de los pacientes, según un estudio prospectivo, así como en el caso de nuestra paciente que luego del tratamiento presenta una clara mejoría sintomática con disminución de los gradientes transvalvulares.

Summary: The following article reports a clinical case of a patient with bioprosthetic valvular thrombosis in aortic position. Bioprothesis valve thrombosis is a pathology of low prevalence but it can result in an increase in the rate of stroke as well as in the long term, a factor promoting bioprosthetic degeneration. Currently the diagnosis of the bioprothesis valve thrombosis is made by echocardiography by the finding of an increase in the mean transvalvular gradient greater than 50%, thickening of the cups and / or an abnormal movement of them with a specificity of 93%. Treatment with warfarin has shown to be effective in 83% of patients according to a prospective study, as well as in the case of our patient, with a clear symptomatic improvement as well as a decrease in mean transvalvular gradient after treatment.

On-Pump Beating/Non-Beating CABG in Stable Angina Have Similar Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: On pump beating/non-beating coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) has been compared in patients with unstable angina and/or severe left ventricular dysfunction. There is scarce evidence regarding the beneficial use of on-pump beating CABG in patients with stable angina and normal left ventricular function. Our aim was to study the postoperative results using both techniques in this group of patients. METHODS: One thousand one hundred and forty-five patients with stable angina underwent on-pump isolated CABG in Uruguay from 2011 to 2015. Patients were grouped into beating/non-beating CABG. Operative mortality and long-term survival were evaluated as primary outcome. Logistic regression analysis was performed to define the predictive role of aortic cross clamp (AXC) on prolonged inotropic support, ventilator support and intraoperative glycemia. RESULTS: Among the included patients, 988 underwent aortic cross clamp. No differences were found in operative mortality, stroke and long-term survival among both groups. Patients without AXC showed higher intraoperative values of glycemia and higher incidence of postoperative prolonged mechanical ventilator support (7.6% vs. 2.4%; P=0.001). The need for prolonged inotropic support was lower in this group of patients (27.4% vs. 49.5%; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: On-pump beating CABG has similar operative mortality and long-term survival compared with conventional AXC. Higher intraoperative glycemia and higher incidence for prolonged mechanical ventilator is associated with on-pump beating CABG. On the contrary, higher incidence for prolonged inotropic support is associated with AXC. Taking these factors into consideration, both techniques are safe and allow the surgeon to choose the most comfortable option.

On-Pump beating/non-beating cabg in stable angina have similar outcomes

Abstract Objective: On pump beating/non-beating coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) has been compared in patients with unstable angina and/or severe left ventricular dysfunction. There is scarce evidence regarding the beneficial use of on-pump beating CABG in patients with stable angina and normal left ventricular function. Our aim was to study the postoperative results using both techniques in this group of patients. Methods: One thousand one hundred and forty-five patients with stable angina underwent on-pump isolated CABG in Uruguay from 2011 to 2015. Patients were grouped into beating/non-beating CABG. Operative mortality and long-term survival were evaluated as primary outcome. Logistic regression analysis was performed to define the predictive role of aortic cross clamp (AXC) on prolonged inotropic support, ventilator support and intraoperative glycemia. Results: Among the included patients, 988 underwent aortic cross clamp. No differences were found in operative mortality, stroke and long-term survival among both groups. Patients without AXC showed higher intraoperative values of glycemia and higher incidence of postoperative prolonged mechanical ventilator support (7.6% vs. 2.4%; P=0.001). The need for prolonged inotropic support was lower in this group of patients (27.4% vs. 49.5%; P<0.001). Conclusion: On-pump beating CABG has similar operative mortality and long-term survival compared with conventional AXC. Higher intraoperative glycemia and higher incidence for prolonged mechanical ventilator is associated with on-pump beating CABG. On the contrary, higher incidence for prolonged inotropic support is associated with AXC. Taking these factors into consideration, both techniques are safe and allow the surgeon to choose the most comfortable option.

Revascularización arterial coronaria mediante el uso de ambas arterias mamarias internas en pacientes con ángor estable. Datos nacionales / Arterial revascularization with bilateral internal mammary artery in patients with stable angina. National data

Introducción y objetivos: existe tendencia a procurar un aumento de los beneficios de la cirugía de revascularización mediante el uso de ambas arterias mamarias internas (DAMI). Nuestro objetivo fue analizar los resultados nacionales a largo plazo del uso de DAMI en una población de pacientes con ángor estable con indicación de revascularización aislada. Métodos: se recabaron los datos de pacientes operados desde 2006 a 2015 en Uruguay. Se extrajeron variables demográficas, operatorias y de seguimiento. Evaluamos mortalidad operatoria, mediastinitis y sobrevida. Estratificamos la población por edad en menor o mayor o igual a 65 años. Para disminuir la heterogeneidad entre grupos realizamos comparación mediante puntaje de propensión (PS) en menores de 65 años. Resultados: se incluyeron 2.791 pacientes. Los pacientes con DAMI eran más jóvenes (57,3?8,5 vs 65,9?8,6 años, p=0,001), con menor porcentaje de sexo femenino (15,6% vs 28,2%, p=0,001), menor incidencia de hipertensión (74,1% vs 79,8%, p=0,012) y menor Euroscore (1,35 vs 4,23, p=0,001). En ³65 años, DAMI resultó ser predictor independiente de mortalidad operatoria y peor sobrevida. En ?λτ;65 años pareados por PS, los pacientes con DAMI tuvieron mayor sobrevida, pero DAMI no fue predictor independiente para la misma. La revascularización completa en pacientes con una mamaria igualó la sobrevida a DAMI. La incidencia de mediastinitis fue similar en ambos grupos en todos los casos. Conclusiones: el uso de DAMI resultó perjudicial en pacientes 65 años. Dicha técnica ofrece mejores resultados en pacientes menores de 65 años, aunque su beneficio como predictor independiente parecería estar confundido por otras variables como la edad y la revascularización completa.

Introduction and objectives: there is a tendency to increase the benefits of surgery in coronary artery disease using both internal mammary arteries (BIMA). Our objective was to evaluate our long term national results in patients with stable coronary artery disease who receive isolated coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) using BIMA. Methods: patients operated between 2006 and 2015 were included. Patients' demographic, operative and postoperative variables were extracted. The outcomes were operative mortality, deep sternal infection and survival. Our population was stratified by age in ?λτ; and ³ 65 years old. In order to decreased group heterogeneity, propensity match (PM) was performed. Results: 2.791 patients were included. Patients with BIMA were younger (57.3?8,5 vs 65,9?8,6 years old, p=0,001), lower incidence of females (15,6% vs 28,2%, p=0,001), of hypertension (74,1% vs 79,8%, p=0,012) and lower Euroscore (1,35 vs 4,23, p=0,001). In patients ³ 65 years old, BIMA was an independent predictor for worse operative mortality and survival. In PM patients ?λτ; 65 years old, BIMA was associated with improved survival but failed to be an independent predictor for it. Patients who received single internal mammary artery and had complete revascularization had similar survival to BIMA patients. Deep sternal infection was similar between groups in both strata. Conclusions: the use of BIMA was found to be an independent predictor for worse outcomes in patients ³ 65 years old. BIMA has better results for patients ?λτ; 65 years old although its independent benefit is confused by other variables such as age and complete revascularization.

Aortic assessment of bicuspid aortic valve patients and their first-degree relatives.

Background Bicuspid aortic valve patients have an increased risk of aortic dilatation. A deficit of nitric oxide synthase has been proposed as the causative factor. No correlation between flow-mediated dilation and aortic diameter has been performed in patients with bicuspid aortic valves and normal aortic diameters. Being a hereditary disease, we compared echocardiographic features and endothelial function in these patients and their first-degree relatives. Methods Comprehensive physical examinations, routine laboratory tests, transthoracic echocardiography, and measurements of endothelium-dependent and non-dependent flow-mediated vasodilatation were performed in 18 bicuspid aortic valve patients (14 type 1 and 4 type 2) and 19 of their first-degree relatives. Results The first-degree relatives were younger (36.7 ± 18.8 vs. 50.5 ± 13.9 years, p = 0.019) with higher ejection fractions (64.6% ± 1.7% vs. 58.4% ± 9.5%, p = 0.015). Aortic diameters indexed to body surface area were similar in both groups, the except the tubular aorta which was larger in bicuspid aortic valve patients (19.3 ± 2.7 vs. 17.4 ± 2.2 mm·m-2, p = 0.033). Flow-dependent vasodilation was similar in both groups. A significant inverse correlation was found between non-flow-dependent vasodilation and aortic root diameter in patients with bicuspid aortic valve ( R = -0.57, p = 0.05). Conclusions Bicuspid aortic valve patients without aortopathy have larger ascending aortic diameters than their first-degree relatives. Endothelial function is similar in both groups, and there is no correlation with ascending aorta diameter. Nonetheless, an inverse correlation exists between non-endothelial-dependent dilation and aortic root diameter in bicuspid aortic valve patients.

Predictors and Outcomes of Prosthesis-Patient Mismatch After Aortic Valve Replacement.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate predictors of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) and its association with the risk of perioperative and overall mortality. BACKGROUND: PPM is associated with increased mid- and long-term mortality after surgical aortic valve replacement. Conflicting results have been reported with regard to its association with perioperative mortality. METHODS: Databases were searched for studies published between 1965 and 2014. Main outcomes of interest were perioperative mortality and overall mortality. RESULTS: The search yielded 382 studies for inclusion. Of these, 58 articles were analyzed and their data extracted. The total number of patients included was 40,381 (39,568 surgical aortic valve replacement and 813 transcatheter aortic valve replacement). Perioperative (odds ratio: 1.54; 95% confidence interval: 1.25 to 1.91) and overall (i.e., perioperative and post-operative) mortality (hazard ratio: 1.26; 95% confidence interval: 1.16 to 1.36) was increased in patients with PPM. The impact of PPM on mortality was higher in those studies in which the mean age of the patients was <70 years of age (and/or AVR with associated coronary artery bypass graft was included). Severe PPM was associated with increased risk of both perioperative and overall mortality, whereas moderate PPM was associated with increased risk of perioperative mortality but not of overall mortality. The impact of PPM was less pronounced in patients with larger body mass index (>28 kg/m(2)) compared with those with lower index. Predictors of PPM were older age, female sex, hypertension, diabetes, renal failure, larger body surface area, larger body mass index, and the utilization of a bioprosthesis. CONCLUSIONS: PPM increases perioperative and overall mortality proportionally to its severity. The identification of predictors for PPM may be useful to identify patients who are at higher risk for PPM. The findings of this study support the implementation of strategies to prevent PPM especially in patients <70 years of age and/or with concomitant coronary artery bypass graft.

Clinical utility of low dose dobutamine echocardiography in regional myocardial viability detection before and after surgical revascularization.

UNLABELLED: Seventy-eight consecutive patients (mean 63 +/- 10 years, 79.5% men) with a history of myocardial infarction and indication of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were studied with low dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) before (DSE 1) and at 3-month follow-up (DSE 2) to evaluate its clinical utility in the detection of viable myocardium. We determined the expected utilities of global patients (P; n = 67) and coronary territories (T; n = 126) with the classic strategy: DSE 1 and results of a rest follow-up echocardiogram (REST 2) and applying them to a complementary strategy that submitted false positives (Fp) and false negatives (Fn) results to DSE 2. Assigned utilities in each node of the decision tree were maximal (1.0), submaximal ( 0.75), and intermedium (0.50) using the folding method as a mathematical model. RESULTS: Global P and T expected utilities when performing DSE 1 were 0.84 and 0.89, respectively for positive viability; 0.85 and 0.82, respectively; and for negative viability 0.83 and 0.82, respectively. The expected utilities with the decision of performing a DSE 2 to Fp were 0.74 and 0.76, respectively (viability was detected in 66% of P and in 58% of T) and 0.47 and 0.45, respectively, as applied to Fn. CONCLUSIONS: Low dose DSE results in high clinical utility by finding viable or scar myocardium before CABG as well as when discordant results are found in follow-up, particularly with Fp.