Should minimally invasive aortic valve replacement be restricted to primary interventions?

BACKGROUND: The role of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement in cardiac reoperations has not yet been defined. The purpose of this study is to report our experience with this technique. METHODS: Nineteen consecutive patients underwent aortic valve replacement via J-sternotomy as a reoperative cardiac procedure between 1999 and 2005. The mean age was 73.6 +/- 11.4 years. Previous cardiac operations included 12 (63.2 %) coronary artery bypass graftings, 6 (31.5 %) aortic valve replacements and 1 (5.2 %) mitral valve replacement. Mean follow-up was 23.6 +/- 19.7 months. The medical records were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: All procedures were successful. Mean aortic cross-clamping time and cardiopulmonary bypass time were 87.4 +/- 32.7 and 133.1 +/- 54.4 minutes, respectively. Cannulation sites were: ascending aorta (52.6 %), femoral artery (47.4 %), femoral vein (94.8 %) and right atrium (5.2 %). Myocardial protection was obtained by selective coronary osteal cold crystalloid cardioplegia and systemic cooling (mean 26.2 +/- 4 degrees C). Average intubation time was 1.5 +/- 1.4 days. Mean intensive care unit stay and postoperative hospital stay was 2.9 +/- 2.6 and 12.9 +/- 5.7 days, respectively. Median chest tube output was 550 ml. There were 4 revisions for bleeding. There were 2 late deaths and one non-incision related hospital death (5 %). This patient, who was already being treated for chronic dialysis, died on day 22 due to a cerebrovascular accident. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement is feasible as a reoperative procedure. Its major advantage is avoidance of cardiac reexposure with potential damage to coronary grafts. We think this technique deserves more widespread application.

Thoracoscopic ASD closure is a reliable supplement for percutaneous treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of endoscopic atrial septal defect (ASD) closure when percutaneous ASD closure is impossible or has failed. PATIENTS: Between March 1997 and February 2003, 74 patients (63% female, mean (SD) age 44 (16) years) underwent an endoscopic ASD closure. Median preoperative New York Heart Association functional class was I. Clinical and echocardiographic follow up was obtained for all patients (mean (SD) 38 (19) months). Patients were assessed for scar aesthetics, procedure related pain, functional recovery, and overall patient satisfaction. RESULTS: ASD closure was successful in all patients (two primum ASD, 68 secundum ASD, four sinus venosus type). Patch repair was performed in 42%. Mean aortic cross clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were 54 (24) minutes and 98 (35) minutes, respectively. There were no in-hospital deaths and no conversions to sternotomy. Complications included one iliac vein stenting, one femoral arterioplasty, two revisions for suspected bleeding, and seven cases of atrial fibrillation. Two patients required late reoperation: one for atrial thrombus and another for tricuspid regurgitation. Echocardiographic control confirmed complete ASD closure in 71 patients and a small residual shunt in three patients. Ninety three per cent of the patients were highly satisfied with very low procedure related pain and 97% felt they had an aesthetically pleasing scar. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic ASD closure can be safely done with a high degree of patient satisfaction. It is now the authors' exclusive surgical approach whenever percutaneous treatment is not indicated or has failed.

Initial experience with an endoscopic radial artery harvesting technique.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the feasibility of an endoscopic radial artery harvesting technique to improve esthetic results and possibly reduce the incidence of neurologic complications observed with the open method. METHODS: Between July 1, 2002, and October 1, 2003, a total of 54 patients underwent endoscopic radial artery harvesting at our institution. Standard endoscopic equipment and a Harmonic Scalpel (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc, Cincinnati, Ohio) were used. Mean age of the patients was 63 +/- 8.1 years, and 16% were female. All patients underwent a preoperative Allen test and duplex ultrasonography to demonstrate adequate ulnar collateral flow. The nondominant arm was used for radial artery harvesting. Mean clinical follow-up was 13 +/- 4.6 months. RESULTS: The artery was harvested through a 3-cm incision at the wrist and was divided at the elbow either through a small counterincision (n = 16) or endoscopically with the use of clips, Endoloop, and endoscopic scissors (n = 38). Mean harvest time was 42.2 +/- 16.9 minutes but decreased from 85 minutes for the first cases to 25 minutes for the last 5 cases. Mean harvested length was 19.6 +/- 1.7 cm. Harvesting complications included 1 conversion, 2 postoperative hematomas, 1 injury, 8 endoscopically controlled bleedings, and 15 cases of at least some superficial radial nerve paresthesia at 6 weeks (clinically relevant in 4 cases). Selective postoperative angiography revealed 1 occluded graft and 1 stenotic graft requiring percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of the native vessel. Eighty-seven percent of the patients were enthusiastic about this new procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic radial artery harvesting is a feasible procedure that requires a definite learning curve. Although nerve paresthesias were not completely eliminated in our experience, the technique provided ample patient satisfaction. Further clinical follow-up is required to determine long-term patency rates.

Quality of life and NYHA class 30 years after mechanical aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVE: (1) To evaluate the quality of life (QoL) scores, assessed with SF36 and EuroQol (EQ-5D), of long term survivors after mechanical aortic valve replacement (mAVR); (2) to study the association of QoL with NYHA score, number of major bleeding and thrombo-embolic events and follow-up time; (3) to compare QoL scores of long term mAVR survivors with QoL scores of other populations. METHODS: In total 312 patients had a mAVR between 1964 and 1974 at St. Antonius Hospital Nieuwegein (NL). Mean age at operation was 41 (sd=12). Mean postoperative NYHA class at 1-year follow-up was 1.7 (sd=0.7). In 2001 the survivors (n=78; 25%) were followed-up for late events, NYHA class and QoL scores. 69 patients (93%) returned completed questionnaires. RESULTS: Mean duration of follow-up was 30 years (sd=1.8). Mean age of responders was 65 years (sd=10, range 47-93). In 2001, NYHA class of responders was 2 (sd=0.9). The mean (sd) SF36 scores for responders were: 64 (29) for physical function, 64 (29) for role-physical, 80 (30) for bodily pain, 55 (25) for general health, 63 (23) for vitality, 73 (29) for social functioning, 70 (38) for role-emotional, 76 (18) for mental health. The mean EQ-5D score of responders was: 61 (13). These SF36 and EQ-5D scores are comparable to those of other populations (e.g. cancer, diabetes type-2, migraine, chronic liver disease and iliac artery occlusive disease and Dutch general population). For responders a moderate to high association of SF36 and EQ-5D scores and their NYHA scores (R2=0.36) was found. The number of major bleeding events, age, sex and survival time were not related to QoL. CONCLUSION: At long term follow-up (mean 30 years) of patients who had mAVR, QoL was relatively high; it was moderately to highly associated with their NYHA class; bleeding and thromboembolic events seem to be of little importance for the QoL at long term follow-up. QoL at long term follow-up of patients who had mAVR is comparable to other cross sectional designed studies with short term follow-up and other population.

Fifteen-year experience with the mitral Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT pericardial bioprosthesis.

BACKGROUND: This multicenter study concerning the mitral PERIMOUNT valve previously reported clinical results at 12 years; this report updates the performance to 15 years postoperatively. METHODS: The 435 patients (mean age 60.7+/-11.6 years; 41.1% male) underwent implantation with the PERIMOUNT valve between 1984 and 1989 at seven institutions. Follow-up was complete for 96.1% of the cohort. The mean follow-up was 8.1+/-4.4 years (range 0 to 15.4 years) for a total of 3492 patient-years. RESULTS: There were 34 (7.8%) operative deaths, one (0.2%) valve related. The late mortality rate was 5.3%/patient-year (2.2%/patient-year valve related). At 14 years, the overall actuarial survival rate was 37.1%+/-3.3% (63.1%+/-4.4% valve related). Actuarial freedom from complications at 14 years was as follows: thromboembolism, 83.8%+/-3.2% (1.1%/patient-year); hemorrhage, 86.6%+/-3.2% (1.1%/patient-year); and explant due to structural valve deterioration (SVD), 68.8%+/-4.7%. Actual freedom from explant due to SVD was 83.4%+/-2.3%. Rates of structural failure decreased with increasing age at implant. CONCLUSIONS: The Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Pericardial Bioprosthesis is a reliable choice for a tissue valve in the mitral position, especially in patients more than 60 years of age.

Repeated thromboembolic and bleeding events after mechanical aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: The choice of a valve substitute in young adults requires a decision balancing the risks of long-term anticoagulation versus reoperation(s). This article analyzes the long-term risk and determinants of thromboembolic (TE) and bleeding (BLE) complications after mechanical aortic valve replacement (AVR). METHODS: From December 1963 to January 1974, 249 patients survived a mechanical AVR at our institution. Mean age was 41.8+/-12.4 years and 81% (n = 202) were male. Ball valves were implanted in 24% (n = 61) and disc valves in 76% (n = 188). Patients were anticoagulated with vitamin K antagonists and dipyridamole. A total of 4,855 patient-years was available for analysis. Mean follow-up was 19.5+/-9.4 years and was 100% complete. Analyses were performed with Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression methods. RESULTS: One hundred and two patients had one TE or BLE postoperative event and 58 patients had two postoperative events. Six patients had more than five postoperative events. Freedom from a first postoperative event was 74.8%+/-2.9%, 55.3%+/-3.5%, and 46.8%+/-4.0% at 10, 20, and 30 years, respectively. Freedom from a second postoperative event was 45.4%+/-5.4%, 29%+/-6.0%, and 23.2%+/-7.1% at 10, 20, and 30 years, respectively. Multivariate predictors for TE or BLE complications were ball valve (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.9), postoperative endocarditis (OR = 2.2), and any surgery (OR = 2.2). The incidence of events was highest the first 5 postoperative years. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of adverse events is highest the first 5 postoperative years. Once an event has occurred, the risk for a second event is increased. The incidence and frequency of events is substantial and should be considered in the choice of a valve substitute.

Current management of postoperative chylothorax.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to review our experience with postoperative chylothorax and describe our current approach. In addition, we wanted to estimate the impact of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) on our current management policy. METHODS: From January 1991 to December 1999, 12 patients developed chylothorax after various thoracic procedures. Their mean age was 61.5 (range 31 to 80 years). The procedures were cardiac, aortic, and pulmonary operations. RESULTS: All patients were initially treated conservatively. In addition, 7 patients needed surgical intervention, including one thoracotomy and six VATS. The site of thoracic duct laceration was identified and treated with VATS in 4 patients. In 2 patients, the leak could not be localized by VATS, and fibrin glue or talcage were applied in the pleural space. All patients were discharged without recurrent chylothorax. CONCLUSIONS: VATS is an effective tool in the management of persisting postoperative chylothorax. Its easy use, low cost, and low morbidity rate suggest an earlier use of VATS in the treatment of postoperative chylothorax.

Durability of aortic valve preservation and root reconstruction in acute type A aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the durability of aortic valve preservation and root reconstruction in type A aortic dissection with involvement of the aortic root. METHODS: From November 1976 to February 1999, 246 patients underwent surgical treatment for acute type A aortic dissection at our institution. In 121 patients (49%), all with acute type A dissection and aortic root involvement, the aortic valve was preserved and one or more of the sinuses of Valsalva were reconstructed. The mean age of this group was 59 +/- 11 years and 70 (58%) were men. Thirty patients (25%) were operated in cardiogenic shock. Criteria for aortic root reconstruction were technical feasibility and surgeon preference. Techniques used for reconstruction were valve resuspension in all patients and additional reinforcement of the aortic root with Teflon (L.R. Bard, Tempe, AZ) felt (n = 21), gelatin-resorcinol-formaldehyde-glue (GRF-glue, Fii, Saint-Just-Malmont, France) (n = 103), or fibrinous glue (Tissu-col, Immuno AG, Vienna, Austria) (n = 5). Mean follow-up was 43.5 +/- 46 months. RESULTS: The operative mortality was 21.5% (n = 26). Actuarial survival was 72% +/- 4%, 64% +/- 5%, and 53% +/- 6% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Median aortic regurgitation in patients with retained native aortic valve at follow-up was 1+. All root reoperations included aortic valve replacement (n = 12). Freedom from aortic root reoperation was 95% +/- 2% at 1 year, 89% +/- 4% at 5 years, and 69% +/- 9% at 10 years. The incidence of aortic root reoperation was 23%, 11%, and 40%, respectively, when Teflon felt, GRF-glue, and fibrinous glue were used for root reconstruction. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed the use of fibrinous glue (RR = 8.7; p = 0.03) as well as the presence of an aortic valve annulus more than 27 mm (RR = 4.2; p = 0.04) as independent risk factors for aortic root reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic valve preservation in acute type A dissection provides relatively durable results. The use of fibrinous glue for root reconstruction seems to compromise the long-term durability of the repair compared with Teflon felt and GRF-glue. A dilated aortic annulus requires a more extensive root procedure.

[Reimplantation of aortic valve; preliminary results in 13 patients]. / Reïmplantatie van de aortaklep: eerste ervaringen bij 13 patiënten.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate our initial experience with the reimplantation technique of the aortic valve. DESIGN: Retrospective. METHOD: From January 1st 1998 to January 31st 2000, 13 patients were operated on by the technique as described by David. Mean age was 52.2 years (SD: 11). Median preoperative New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class was 2/4 and median preoperative degree of aortic regurgitation was 3/4. Surgical indications were initially limited to aneurysmal disease of the aortic root (n = 6) and ascending aorta (n = 4), all complicated by aortic regurgitation. Later on, we also applied the technique in type A aortic dissection (n = 3). The repair was evaluated peroperatively by transoesophageal and postoperatively, by transthoracic echocardiography. The patients were followed postoperatively in the outpatient department. RESULTS: No technical problems arose that necessitated change or adjustment of the technique. Mean cardiac arrest time was 184 min (SD: 40) and cardiopulmonary bypass time 254 min (SD: 74). The primary aetiology on histopathological examination was medial necrosis in 5 patients and degenerative disease in the others. There was no early nor late mortality and none of the patients was reoperated upon the aortic root. Follow-up was complete at a mean of 12.3 months (SD: 8). Median aortic regurgitation at follow-up was 0.5 (p = 0.0001 versus preoperative) and median NYHA functional class at follow-up was 1 (p = 0.02 versus preoperative). CONCLUSION: David's aortic valve reimplantation technique was carried out with a low surgical risk and a low degree of residual aortic regurgitation in aneurysm of the aortic root, aneurysm of the ascending aorta and type A dissection with major destruction of the aortic root.

Use of the anterior mitral leaflet to reinforce the posterior mitral annulus after debridement of calcium.

In mitral valve surgery, preservation of continuity between the papillary muscles, chordae, and annulus is associated with preservation of left ventricular function and reduced risk of postoperative left ventricular rupture. However, at mitral valve replacement, extensive annulus and leaflet calcification can necessitate resection of the posterior mitral leaflet. We describe a technique in which the anterior mitral leaflet and its subvalvular apparatus are used to reinforce the posterior mitral annulus after extensive debridement of calcium along the same annulus.

Intermediate-term durability of bicuspid aortic valve repair for prolapsing leaflet.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the durability of repair of a bicuspid aortic valve with leaflet prolapse, and to identify factors associated with repair failure. METHODS: From November 1988 to January 1997, 94 patients with a bicuspid aortic valve and regurgitation from leaflet prolapse had aortic valve repair. In 66 patients, the repair employed triangular resection of the prolapsing leaflet. The remainder underwent mid-leaflet plication of the prolapsing leaflet. Mean age was 38 +/- 10 years and 93% were male. Median follow-up was 5.5 years (range 0.2-9 years). Factors associated with aortic valve competence and durability were identified by multivariable logistic and hazard function analyses. RESULTS: Early valve competence was more difficult to achieve in patients with large, poor functioning ventricles (P = 0.02). Aortic valve reoperation was necessary in 12 patients that included three re-repairs and nine aortic valve replacements. Freedom from reoperation was 95, 87 and 84% at 1, 5 and 7 years, respectively. The instantaneous risk of reoperation was highest immediately after operation, and fell rapidly to approximately 2% per year and less after 2 years. The only risk factor identified was the presence of residual aortic regurgitation (trace to mild in 35 cases) on immediate intraoperative post-repair transesophageal echocardiography. Late aortic regurgitation did not progress detectably across time (P = 0.3). There were no deaths, early or late. CONCLUSION: Bicuspid aortic valve repair for prolapsing leaflet is a safe procedure with good intermediate-term outcome. However, any residual aortic regurgitation jeopardizes repair durability and initial repair achievement is more difficult in patients with dilated, poor functioning ventricles.

Aortic valve replacement after substernal colon interposition.

A 60-year-old man with a history of esophageal resection and substernal colon interposition required aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis. The aortic valve was approached through an 8-cm right parasternal incision over the third and fourth costal cartilages with cardiopulmonary bypass using cannulas in the right femoral artery and vein and the right atrium. The right parasternal approach provided safe exposure of the aorta and left ventricular outflow tract when substernal abnormalities precluded conventional median sternotomy.

Injury to a patent left internal thoracic artery graft at coronary reoperation.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, outcome, and operative strategies for patients having injury to a patent left internal thoracic artery (LITA) graft to the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) at coronary reoperation. METHODS: Of 655 patients with a patent LITA graft to the LAD undergoing coronary reoperation from 1986 to 1997, 35 (5.3%) sustained intraoperative injury to the LITA graft. RESULTS: Strategies to restore flow to the LAD included new saphenous vein graft to the LAD in 15 patients, saphenous vein graft to the LITA stump in 7, saphenous vein graft to the LAD and repair of the LITA graft in 6, and other strategies in 7. All or part of the LITA graft to the LAD was salvaged in 20 patients (57%). Fourteen patients (40%) sustained perioperative myocardial infarction, and 3 patients died (8.6%). The 3 patients who died all had stenosis or thrombosis of the graft to the LAD documented at autopsy. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that (1) the prevalence of injury to a patent LITA graft is 5.3%; (2) a variety of techniques can be used to restore blood flow to the LAD; and (3) ineffective revascularization of the LAD in this situation is associated with operative mortality. At primary coronary artery bypass grafting, the LITA pedicle should be positioned in the left chest away from the posterior sternal table; this strategy may minimize the risk of LITA graft injury at coronary reoperation.

Dissection of the ascending aorta after previous cardiac surgery: differences in presentation and management.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine the impact of previous cardiac surgery on the presentation, management, and outcome of late dissection of the ascending aorta. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1976 to 1998, type A dissection developed in 56 patients with a history of previous cardiac surgery. Interval from first operation to type A dissection was 49 +/- 47 months (0.3-180 months). Previous operations were coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 40), aortic valve replacement (n = 8), and other (n = 8). RESULTS: Type A dissection was acute in 34 patients and chronic in 22. In acute dissection, aortic insufficiency occurred in 50%, malperfusion in 12%, and rupture in 18%; 2 patients (6%) were in hemodynamically unstable condition because of rupture. Of patients with previous coronary bypass grafting, 98% had preoperative coronary angiography. Type A dissection was treated by supracoronary tube graft (84%), Bentall procedure (14%), or local repair (2%). Strategies for managing previous coronary bypass grafting included reimplantation of proximal anastomoses with a button of native aorta (29 patients), interposition graft to pre-existing saphenous vein grafts (9 patients), and new saphenous vein grafts (20 patients). Eight hospital deaths occurred (14%). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that (1) patients having type A dissection late after cardiac surgery infrequently have cardiac tamponade and hemodynamic collapse; (2) patients with previous coronary bypass grafting require coronary angiography, because operative management must account for pre-existing coronary artery disease; and (3) operative mortality is low, and this may be attributable to preoperative hemodynamic stability, delineation of coronary anatomy in those with previous coronary bypass grafting, and operative treatment of coronary artery disease.

Primary synovial sarcoma of the left heart.

Primary synovial sarcoma of the heart is extremely rare. This report adds another case to the literature and emphasizes that this tumor, although rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of left atrial tumors.