Frailty, disability and comorbidity: different domains lead to different effects after surgical aortic valve replacement in elderly patients.

OBJECTIVES: Frailty syndrome predicts adverse outcomes after surgical aortic valve replacement. However, disability or comorbidity is frequently associated with preoperative frailty evaluation. The effects of these domains on early and late outcomes were analysed. METHODS: A prospective study including patients aged ≥75 years with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis who received aortic valve replacement with or without coronary artery bypass grafting was conducted. We used the Cardiovascular Health Study Frailty Phenotype to assess frailty, the Lawton-Brody index to define disability and the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) to evaluate comorbidity. RESULTS: Frailty was identified in 57 (31%), dependence in 18 (9.9%) and advanced comorbidity (CCI ≥ 4) in 67 (36.6%) of the 183 enrolled patients. Operative mortality (1.6%), transfusion rate and duration of stay increased in patients with CCI ≥4 (P < 0.005). There was a non-significant trend for these adverse outcomes among the frail patients. Follow-up was achieved in all patients (median/interquartile range 869/699-1099 days). Kaplan-Meier univariable analysis showed a reduced survival rate for frail and dependent patients and for those with multiple comorbidities (P < 0.05). According to multivariable analysis, frailty and comorbidity were independent risk factors for 1-year mortality, while disability and comorbidity, but not frailty, were risk factors for 3-year mortality (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical aortic valve replacement in patients aged ≥75 years is a safe procedure with low mortality rates. Operative outcomes are mainly affected by comorbidities. The main influence of survival occurs throughout the first year, and an improved functional status prevents any progression towards disabilities, which could potentially benefit long-term outcomes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02745314.

Analysis of inflammatory response and utility of N-terminal pro brain-type natriuretic peptide in cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) elicits an inflammatory response. During and after cardiac surgery, we examined the pattern of cytokine release of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, to investigate inflammatory response. We analyzed N-terminal pro brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) as a marker of ventricular function. METHODS: Consecutive patients (n = 58) undergoing elective cardiac surgery with extra-corporeal circulation were recruited into the study. Blood samples for analysis of the biochemical markers were taken at seven time points for cytokines and TNF, and three for Nt-proBNP. RESULTS: All markers increased significantly after CPB. IL-6 and IL-8 levels were higher in men. IL-8 was related to a need for inotropic support. IL-6 was related to the time of CPB (P = 0.004), aortic clamping (P = 0.013), length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU) (P = 0.004) and mechanical ventilation for more than 12 h (P = 0.006). The levels of NT-proBNP were higher in cases of ventricular dysfunction (P = 0.003) and functional class III/IV (P = 0.001). The postoperative values were related to age (P < 0.05), creatinine values (P < 0.001), mechanical ventilation time (P < 0.001) and stay in the ICU (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our data indicate a relationship between cytokine levels and sex, time of CPB and aortic clamping, The increase of cytokines correlates with a need for inotropic support, mechanical ventilation and length of stay in ICU. We confirmed the predictive role, and its utility in the risk stratification of the NT-proBNP, and its importance in early diagnosis of postoperative ventricular dysfunction.

Plasma troponins as markers of myocardial damage during cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation.

All types of cardiac surgery involve considerable injury to the myocardium. However, it is difficult to differentiate, in the immediate post-operative state, between ischemic alterations associated with the cardiac surgery itself and the pathological alterations of a peri-operative myocardial infarction. The diagnosis of damaged myocardium, classically performed with the enzymatic markers creatine kinase (CK) and its muscle fraction (CK-MB), has become more precise with the option of measuring cardiac troponins T and I. We measured these markers in 58 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with extra-corporeal circulation (ECC). The patients included 37 cases undergoing valve surgery, 14 for coronary revascularization, 6 for mixed procedures, and 1 for closure of an inter-atrial communication. The markers were measured in plasma at baseline (at anesthesia initiation), 5 min post-ECC commencement, following aorta de-clamping, during the surgical closure, and 6, 18 and 42 hrs after surgery. All the markers were increased significantly relative to the baseline values. Troponin I, CK and CK-MB values peaked between 6 and 18 hrs after surgery, troponin T between 18 and 42 hrs, and myoglobin at the surgical closure. The values of all markers were higher in patients undergoing coronary surgery compared to those in patients undergoing valve surgery. In the evaluation of myocardial damage after surgery, the measurement of classical markers such as CK and myoglobin remain valid, but other markers such as troponins provide significant additional diagnostic benefit and, thus, need to be included in the routine biochemical measurements for monitoring myocardial damage associated with the surgical procedure.

Disección espontánea de la arteria coronaria descendente anterior tratada mediante cirugía sin circulación extracorpórea / Surgical treatment of a spontaneous dissection of the left anterior descending coronary artery without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass

Se presenta un caso de disección espontánea de la arteria coronaria descendente anterior en una mujer de 51 años, sin relación con factores desencadenantes conocidos. El inicio clínico fue un IAM no Q anterior, controlado con tratamiento médico y buena evolución clínica. El cateterismo cardíaco evidenció la disección de la arteria descendente anterior, que producía deterioro de la función sistólica. Se realizó revascularización arterial urgente mediante injerto de mamaria interna izquierda a descendente anterior sin CEC. El posoperatorio cursó sin complicaciones y a 25 meses del procedimiento la paciente se encuentra asintomática. Se realiza, además, una exposición de las consideraciones clínicas relacionadas con esta patología. (AU)

Disección espontánea de la arteria coronaria descendente anterior tratada mediante cirugía sin circulación extracorpórea / Surgical treatment of a spontaneous dissection of the left anterior descending coronary artery without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass

Se presenta un caso de disección espontánea de la arteria coronaria descendente anterior en una mujer de 51 años, sin relación con factores desencadenantes conocidos. El inicio clínico fue un IAM no Q anterior, controlado con tratamiento médico y buena evolución clínica. El cateterismo cardíaco evidenció la disección de la arteria descendente anterior, que producía deterioro de la función sistólica. Se realizó revascularización arterial urgente mediante injerto de mamaria interna izquierda a descendente anterior sin CEC. El posoperatorio cursó sin complicaciones y a 25 meses del procedimiento la paciente se encuentra asintomática. Se realiza, además, una exposición de las consideraciones clínicas relacionadas con esta patología.

Cognitive decline after cardiac surgery: proposal for easy measurement with a new test.

OBJECTIVES: Neuropsychological dysfunction is a recognized complication after cardiac surgery. Attention, concentration, short term memory, and speed of mental processing are commonly involved. We evaluated prospectively the incidence of cognitive impairment in our population using a single test: Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test. METHODS: We analysed 132 patients (mean age 67 years) undergoing elective cardiac surgery (63.6% valvular, 25% coronary artery bypass grafting and rest mixed procedures) between January and June 2003. We did not include patients with previous history of cognitive impairment, major psychiatric disorders or stroke. Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test was performed before and after surgery (mean, 7 days) and in outpatient follow-up (mean, 4 months). RESULTS: None of the patients suffered a major neurological complication. Mean preoperative Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test score was 27.04+/-11.05, 25.81+/-11.83 in immediate postoperative and 27.93+/-13.11 in follow-up. A significant postoperative neuropsychological dysfunction (test scale decline more than 1 S.D.) was shown in 45.5% of the patients. In 48.8%, decline persisted in follow-up. Valvular surgery and low preoperative Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test score were significant risk factors for immediate postoperative neuropsychological dysfunction. Valvular surgery and female sex were significant in multivariable analysis. Considering follow-up, older age is the only significant risk factor for cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Using a single, quantifiable and easy and quickly applied test such as the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test, we found an incidence of cognitive decline after cardiac surgery similar to that previously described. Valvular surgery and older age are the main risk factors for neuropsychological dysfunction in our population.

Spontaneous coronary dissection during postpartum: etiology and controversies in management.

A 31-year-old female with a history of toxic oil syndrome in childhood, presented with spontaneous left main coronary dissection 4 weeks after an uncomplicated delivery. She had an extensive myocardial infarction, severe left ventricular dysfunction and cardiogenic shock which did not resolve following urgent surgical revascularization. Temporary left ventricular support and heart transplantation were necessary. We analyze the etiology and treatment sequence in what to our knowledge is the first case with these characteristics to be reported.

[Myocardial infarction and severe mitral insufficiency. Presentation of an aortic fibroelastoma]. / Infarto miocardico ed insufficienza mitralica severa. Modalità di presentazione di un fibroelastoma aortico.

We report the case of a 75-year-old female with atypical chest pain followed by non-Q wave myocardial infarction. At coronary angiography and ventriculography severe left main stenosis and severe mitral regurgitation were evidenced. Transesophageal echocardiography, performed in order to evaluate a possible mitral repair, showed an aortic tumor (11 x 14 mm in diameter) attached to the commissure between the left and non-coronary cusp, without mitral regurgitation. Cardiac magnetic resonance showed a relationship between the tumor and the left coronary ostium which explained a paroxysmal mitral regurgitation. The tumor was surgically removed and the resulting defect in the aortic leaflet was reconstructed with an autologous pericardial patch. The tumor resulted to be a papillary fibroelastoma. The clinical course was uneventful.

[Results of isolated and combined surgical coronary revascularization in patients over 75]. / Resultados de la cirugía de revascularización coronaria aislada y combinada en pacientes mayores de 75 años.

BACKGROUND: Increase in life expectancy is causing an increase of surgical myocardial revascularization procedures in the elderly. We evaluate the evolution of this type of interventions in people older than 75 years, taking into account the risk factors, results and survival. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Between July 1988 and May 2001, 237 isolated or combined myocardial revascularization procedures were carried out in patients older than 75 years (Group I), while 1177 were performed in younger patients (Group II). We retrospectively analyzed the mortality risk factors, surgical procedures, postoperative complications and survival in Group I patients. RESULTS: Preoperatively, Group I patients showed a more frequent left ventricular dysfunction, left main coronary stenosis, emergency surgery and combined procedures, while Group II patients displayed more common preoperative myocardial infarction and dyslipemia. Mortality in Group I was 20.7% vs 9.09% in Group II. Mortality was higher for mixed procedures (27.1%) than for isolated myocardial revascularization (13.8%). Postoperative complications were present in 48.5% patients. Significant preoperative risk factors of mortality in Group I were: female sex, high-risk ergometry, III-IV NYHA functional class, and atrial arrhythmia. The preoperative NYHA functional class was also a morbidity risk factor. Survival at 1, 3 and 5 years was present in 98.4%, 92.1% and 81% patients, respectively, NYHA functional class I-II being present in 94.18% patients. CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial revascularization surgery in people older than 75 years leads to an increase of morbimortality. Anyway, long-term survivors' quality of life makes us think of surgery as a valid treatment alternative.

Resultados de la cirugía de revascularización coronaria aislada y combinada en pacientes mayores de 75 años / Results of isolated and combined surgical coronary revascularization in patients over 75

FUNDAMENTO: La mayor esperanza de vida de la población ha aumentado las revascularizaciones miocárdicas quirúrgicas en ancianos. Pretendemos evaluar la evolución de este tipo de intervenciones en mayores de 75 años, sus factores de riesgo, resultados y supervivencia. PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Entre julio de 1988 y mayo de 2001 se realizó revascularización coronaria aislada o combinada con otros procedimientos en 237 pacientes mayores de 75 años (grupo I, edad media de 77,17 años) y 1.177 pacientes de menos de 75 años (grupo II, edad media de 64,19 años). Analizamos retrospectivamente en el grupo I los factores de riesgo de mortalidad, el procedimiento quirúrgico requerido, las complicaciones posquirúrgicas y la supervivencia. RESULTADOS: Preoperatoriamente, el grupo I presentó mayor incidencia de disfunción ventricular izquierda, lesión de tronco de coronaria izquierda, cirugía emergente y procedimientos mixtos, y el grupo II, de infarto preoperatorio y dislipemia. La mortalidad en el grupo I fue del 20,7 per cent, frente al 9,09 per cent en el grupo II, mayor en procedimientos mixtos (27,1 per cent) que en la revascularización coronaria aislada (13,8 per cent). El 48,5 per cent de los enfermos presentó complicaciones en el postoperatorio inmediato. Fueron factores de riesgo preoperatorio significativos de mortalidad en el grupo I: sexo femenino, ergometría positiva de alto riesgo, grado funcional III-IV de la NYHA y arritmia auricular. Fue factor de riesgo de morbilidad el grado de NYHA preoperatorio. La supervivencia a 1, 3 y 5 años fue del 98,4, el 92,1 y el 81 per cent, respectivamente, con clase funcional I-II de la NYHA en el 94,18 per cent de los pacientes; un 96,83 per cent eran asintomáticos para angina. CONCLUSIONES: La cirugía de revascularización miocárdica en mayores de 75 años implica un incremento de la morbimortalidad. La evolución y la calidad de vida a largo plazo de los supervivientes hacen de ella una opción válida de tratamiento (AU)