Outcomes of Concomitant Maze Procedure in Tricuspid Repair for Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to analyze the impact of concomitant Maze procedure on the clinical and rhythm outcomes, and echocardiographic parameters in tricuspid repair for patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Patients who had severe TR and persistent AF and underwent tricuspid valve (TV) repair were included in the study. Both primary TR and secondary TR were included in the current study. The study population was stratified according to Maze procedure. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) at 15 years post-surgery. Propensity-score matching analyses was performed to adjust baseline differences. RESULTS: Three hundred seventy-one patients who underwent tricuspid repair for severe TR and persistent AF from 1994 to 2021 were included, and 198 patients (53.4%) underwent concomitant Maze procedure. The maze group showed 10-year sinus rhythm (SR) restoration rate of 55%. In the matched cohort, the maze group showed a lower cumulative incidence of cardiac death (4.6% vs. 14.4%, P = 0.131), readmission for heart failure (8.1% vs. 22.2%, P = 0.073), and MACCE (21.1% vs. 42.1%, P = 0.029) at 15 years compared to the non-maze group. Left atrial (LA) diameter significantly decreased in the maze group at 5 years (53.3 vs. 59.6 mm, P < 0.001) after surgery compared to preoperative level, and there was a significant difference in the change of LA diameter over time between the two groups (P = 0.013). CONCLUSION: The Maze procedure during TV repair in patients with severe TR and persistent AF showed acceptable SR rates and lower MACCE rates compared to those without the procedure, while also promoting LA reverse remodeling.

Prognostic implication of left atrial strain in patients experiencing early recurrence of atrial fibrillation after totally thoracoscopic ablation.

Background: Although early atrial fibrillation (AF) events during the blanking period after AF ablation are risk factors for late recurrence, data on predictors of late recurrence in patients who experience early AF events are limited. In this study, we investigated the implications of left atrial (LA) strain with respect to long-term outcomes in patients experiencing early AF during the blanking period after totally thoracoscopic ablation (TTA). Methods: A total of 128 patients who underwent TTA between 2012 and 2015 were enrolled from a tertiary center. Peak longitudinal LA strain was measured preoperatively. Early recurrence (ER) was defined as any AF within the 3-month blanking period after TTA. The primary outcome was late recurrence of AF for 5 years, detected on 12-lead electrocardiogram or 24-hour Holter monitoring, excluding the blanking period. Results: Out of 128 patients, 42 (32.8%) experienced ER during the blanking period. Patients who experienced ER had a significantly higher risk of 5-year AF recurrence compared with those who did not [72.7% vs. 29.6%, hazard ratio (HR) =3.69, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.14-6.36, P<0.001]. Within the group of 42 patients experiencing ER, LA strain with a best cutoff value of 18.6% was the only independent predictor of 5-year AF recurrence (adjusted HR =4.20, 95% CI: 1.08-16.29, P=0.038). Patients with ER and LA strain ≥18.6% had a risk of 5-year AF recurrence, similar to those without ER (35.2% vs. 29.6%, HR =1.21, 95% CI: 0.36-4.04, P=0.755). Patients with ER and LA strain <18.6% had a significantly higher risk of 5-year AF recurrence compared to those without ER (83.0% vs. 29.6%, HR =4.83, 95% CI: 2.75-8.48, P<0.01). Conclusions: Early AF during the blanking period is common in patients undergoing TTA. In patients with ER, LA strain was an independent predictor of long-term AF recurrence.

Totally Thoracoscopic Ablation in Patients With Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation After Catheter Ablation.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of totally thoracoscopic ablation (TTA) in patients with recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). METHODS: From February 2012 to May 2020, 460 patients who underwent TTA were classified into two groups: CA (presence of RFCA history, n = 74) and nCA groups (absence of RFCA history, n = 386). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analyses were used to adjust for confounders. The primary endpoint was freedom from the composite of AF, typical atrial flutter, atypical atrial flutter and any atrial tachyarrhythmia, lasting more than 30 seconds during the follow-up. All patients were followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months via electrocardiogram and 24-hour Holter monitoring. RESULTS: Bilateral pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was conducted in all patients and the conduction block tests were confirmed. In the CA group, difficult PVI occasionally occurred due to structural changes, such as pericardial adhesion and fibrosis of the pulmonary venous structure, caused by a previous catheter ablation. Early complications such as stroke and pacemaker insertion were not different between the two groups. The normal sinus rhythm was maintained in 70.1% (317/460) patients after a median follow-up period of 38.1 months. The IPTW-weighted Kaplan-Meier curves revealed that freedom from AF events at 5 years was 68.4% (95% confidence interval, 62.8-74.5) in the nCA group and 31.2% (95% confidence interval, 16.9-57.5) in the CA group (P < 0.001). In IPTW-weighted Cox regression, preoperative left atrial diameter, persistent or long-standing AF, the presence of congestive heart failure and catheter ablation history were associated with AF events. CONCLUSION: Patients in the CA group showed a higher recurrence rate of AF than those in the nCA group, while TTA was safely performed in both the groups.

Total arch replacement versus hybrid operation for aortic arch aneurysm in elderly patients: a retrospective cohort analysis.

Background: There is not sufficient evidence of the superiority of hybrid procedures over total arch replacement (TAR) for the aortic arch aneurysm of an elderly patients. This retrospective study aimed to compare total arch replacement and hybrid procedures for treatment of aortic arch aneurysms in patients aged ≥75. Methods: This study was a multicenter retrospective investigation of peri-operative outcomes of patients undergoing aortic arch aneurysm repair using either TAR or hybrid procedures between January 2012 and May 2021. Risk factors for mortality were evaluated using multivariate analyses. Results: This study included 90 patients, of which 28 underwent hybrid procedures (hybrid group: frozen elephant trunk =9, zone 0 =6, zone 1 =1, zone 2 =12), and 62 underwent TAR (TAR group), and the mean duration of follow-up was 27.0±28.8 months. In patient characteristics, the incidence of chronic obstructive lung disease and chronic kidney disease in the TAR group was significantly higher than in the hybrid group, and other operative risk factors were not significantly different in both groups. No significant differences in the incidence of post-operative complications and mortality on hospitalization. Survival rates of both groups were not significantly different (P=0.31). However, re-intervention rates after aortic arch aneurysm repair were significantly higher in the hybrid group compared to the TAR group (freedom from re-intervention rates at 1, 3, 5 years: 100%, 93%, 93% in the TAR group, and 90%, 80%, 80% in the hybrid group, P=0.04). Conclusions: There was no definitive evidence of the superiority of hybrid procedures over TAR, although the risk of re-intervention was higher in the former group. The surgical strategy for aortic arch aneurysms should be selected based on the patient's demographic and anatomical characteristics.

Clinical Implication of Left Atrial Appendage Emptying Velocity in Thoracoscopic Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data about predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after totally thoracoscopic ablation (TTA). This study investigated the clinical implication of left atrial appendage emptying velocity (LAAV) in patients undergoing TTA.Methods and Results: Patients who underwent TTA between 2012 and 2015 at a tertiary hospital were prospectively enrolled in this study. LAAV was measured and averaged over five heart beats from preoperative transesophageal echocardiography. The primary outcome was a freedom from recurrent AF or atrial flutter (AFL) detected on 24-h Holter monitoring or an electrocardiogram over a 3-year period after TTA. In all, 129 patients were eligible for analysis in this study. The mean (±SD) patient age was 54.4±8.8 years, and 95.3% were male. During the 3 years after TTA, the overall event-free survival rate was 65.3%. LAAV was an independent predictor of recurrent AF/AFL during the 3-year period after TTA (per 1-cm/s increase, adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.91-0.99; P=0.016). Event-free survival was significantly lower among patients with a low LAAV (<20 cm/s; n=21) compared with those with a normal (≥40 cm/s; n=38; aHR 6.11; 95% CI 1.42-26.15; P=0.015) or intermediate (LAAV ≥20 and <40 cm/s; n=70; aHR 2.74, 95% CI 1.29-5.83; P=0.009) LAAV. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AF, LAAV was significantly associated with the risk of long-term recurrence of AF after TTA.

Left atrial strain predicts fibrosis of left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing totally thoracoscopic ablation.

Background: Left atrial (LA) fibrosis is related with development and severity of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between LA strain and LA fibrosis in patients undergoing totally thoracoscopic ablation (TTA) for AF. Methods: Between February 2012 and March 2015, a total of 128 patients who underwent TTA were enrolled from a tertiary hospital. Left atrial appendage (LAA) was harvested during surgery to determine the degree of fibrosis. LAA fibrosis was classified as mild (1st quartile), moderate (2nd and 3rd quartile), or severe (4th quartile). Clinical outcome was 5-year recurrence rate of AF detected on electrocardiogram or 24 h Holter monitoring. Results: The mean age was 54.3 ± 8.8 years and 18.8% had paroxysmal AF. Patients with mild LAA fibrosis had a significantly lower rate of recurrent AF (23.3%) at 5 years after TTA compared with those with moderate (51.4%; hazard ratio [HR] 2.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19-6.12) or severe (53.2%; HR 2.84; 95% CI 1.16-6.97) fibrosis. Among clinical and echocardiographic parameters, peak LA strain was the only predictor of mild LAA fibrosis (coefficient 0.10, p = 0.005) with the best cutoff value of 14.7% (area under the curve 0.732). The prevalence of mild LAA fibrosis was 40.6% in patients with peak LA strain ≥14.7%, but only 6.8% in those with peak LA strain <14.7%. Conclusions: In patients undergoing TTA for AF, mild LAA fibrosis was associated with a lower risk of 5-year AF recurrence. LA strain was the only predictor of mild LAA fibrosis that reflects a lower risk of 5-year AF recurrence.

Optimal Position of a Femorojugular Cannulation for Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the optimal position of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) draining cannulas for refractory respiratory failure based on short-term clinical results. METHODS: In total, 278 patients underwent V-V ECMO at our hospital between 2012 and 2020. Those who underwent V-V ECMO with a femorojugular configuration were included. In the final cohort, 96 patients were divided into groups based on the draining cannula tip site: an inferior vena cava (IVC) group (n = 35) and a right atrium (RA) group (n = 61). The primary outcome was the change in fluid balance and ratio of awake ECMO 72 hours after V-V ECMO initiation. RESULTS: The only significant difference in baseline characteristics before V-V ECMO between the groups was a higher PaO2/FiO2 ratio in the RA group than in the IVC group (79.1 ± 26.21 vs 64.7 ± 14, P = .001). The degree of recirculation and arterial oxygenation, 90-day mortality, and clinical outcomes were similar between the groups. However, more patients achieved negative intake and output fluid balances (57.4% vs 31.4%, P = .01) and reductions in body weight (68.9% vs 40%, P = .006) in the RA group. At 72 hours after Vfemoral-Vjugular ECMO initiation, more patients in the RA group than in the IVC group were managed under awake ECMO (42.6% vs 22.9%, P =.047). CONCLUSIONS: Placement of a V-V ECMO draining cannula in the RA rather than the IVC is more effective for restricted fluid management and awake ECMO without significant recirculation.

Aortic Valve Replacement and Concomitant Multi-Vessel Coronary Artery Bypass: The Impact of Using the Bilateral Internal Thoracic Arteries on Early and Late Clinical Outcomes.

Background: The survival benefit of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using the bilateral internal thoracic arteries (BITA) is well known; however, the role of BITA in concomitant aortic valve replacement (AVR) and CABG has not been studied. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent concomitant AVR and CABG. Cases not using an internal thoracic artery and less than 2 bypass grafts were excluded. We enrolled 114 patients in this study. The mean follow-up duration was 61.5±43.5 months. Results: Forty patients (35.1%) underwent CABG with a single internal thoracic artery (SITA) and 74 patients (64.9%) underwent CABG with BITA. The preoperative clinical characteristics were not significantly different between the 2 groups, with the exception of a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation in the SITA group. Postoperative mortality and morbidity were not significantly higher in the BITA group than in the SITA group. In the univariable analysis, the survival of the BITA group was similar to that of the SITA group (p=0.157). Multivariable analysis showed that only mean age was a predictor of death (p=0.042), but using BITA was not an independent predictor (p=0.094). In low-risk patients whose preoperative ejection fraction was >45%, the survival of the BITA group was significantly better than that of the SITA group (p=0.043). Conclusion: BITA use in concomitant AVR and CABG showed no difference in mortality compared to using SITA. Although its impact on long-term survival was inconclusive, BITA use can be considered for low-risk patients.

Comparison of Early Complications of Oral Anticoagulants after Totally Thoracoscopic Ablation: Warfarin versus Non-vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia. Totally thoracoscopic ablation (TTA) is a surgical treatment showing a high success rate as a hybrid procedure with radiofrequency catheter ablation to control AF. This study compared the early complications of warfarin and non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients who underwent TTA. Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study enrolled patients who underwent planned TTA for AF from February 2012 to October 2020. All patients received postoperative anticoagulation, either with warfarin or a NOAC (apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, or edoxaban). Propensity score matching was performed for both groups. Early complications were assessed at 12 weeks after TTA and were divided into efficacy and safety outcomes. Both efficacy and safety outcomes were compared in the propensity score-matched groups. Results: Early complications involving efficacy outcomes, such as stroke and transient ischemic attack, were seen in 5 patients in the warfarin group and none in the NOAC group. Although the 2 groups differed in the incidence of efficacy outcomes, it was not statistically significant. In safety outcomes, 11 patients in the warfarin group and 24 patients in the NOAC group had complications, but likewise, the between-group difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Among patients who underwent TTA, those who received NOACs had a lower incidence of thromboembolic complications than those who received warfarin; however, both groups showed a similar bleeding complication rate. Using a NOAC after TTA does not reduce efficacy and safety when compared to warfarin.

Thoracoscopic Implantation of Epicardial Left Ventricular Lead for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

(1) Background: Limited data exist on the safety and efficacy of epicardial left ventricular (LV) lead placement using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). (2) Methods: Acute and post-discharge outcomes of CRT were compared between patients with epicardial LV leads (Epicardial-LV group, n = 13) and those with endocardial LV leads (Endocardial-LV group, n = 243). (3) Results: Epicardial LV leads were implanted via VATS alone (n = 8) or along with mini-thoracotomy (n = 5), for failed endocardial implantation (n = 11) or recurrent lead dislodgement (n = 2). All epicardial procedures under general anesthesia with one-lung ventilation were successfully completed in 1.0 ± 0.4 h without phrenic nerve stimulation. LV pacing thresholds in the epicardial-LV (1.5 ± 1.0 V) and endocardial-LV (1.3 ± 0.8 V) were comparable (p = 0.651). All patients were discharged alive post-VATS 8.8 ± 3.9 days. During the follow-up (34.3 ± 28.6 months), all patients with epicardial LV leads stayed alive except for one cardiac death post-CRT 14 months and one heart transplantation post-CRT 30 months. All epicardial LV leads maintained stable performance without dislodgement/significant changes in pacing threshold/impedance. LV lead dislodgement occurred only in endocardial-LV (7/243, 2.9%). Efficacy in both groups was comparable in terms of QRS narrowing, increase in LV ejection fraction, and survival free of cardiac death, or heart-failure-related hospitalization. (4) Conclusions: Epicardial LV lead placement using VATS can be a safe and effective alternative to endocardial implantation, with comparable acute and post-discharge outcomes achieved by both approaches.

Severe dysplasminogenemia due to homozygous PLG Ala620Thr variant in a Korean woman without a history of venous thromboembolism: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Plasminogen plays an important role in fibrinolysis and is encoded by the PLG gene. The missense variant PLG Ala620Thr is the major cause of dysplasminogenemia in East Asian countries, including Korea. Although dysplasminogenemia was first reported in a Japanese patient with recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE), subsequent studies have not demonstrated any clear association between the PLG Ala620Thr variant and the risk of VTE. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a homozygous PLG Ala620Thr variant case from Korea. PATIENT CONCERNS: Here, we report a Korean family with PLG Ala620Thr mutation. The proband was a 34-year-old man who presented with multiple thrombotic arterial embolism and cardiac myxoma. INTERVENTIONS: Laboratory workup, including coagulation profile and PLG gene sequencing, was carried out for the affected family. DIAGNOSIS AND OUTCOME: The proband carried a heterozygous PLG Ala620Thr variant with decreased plasminogen activity of 65%. His 53-year-old mother, who had no reported history of VTE, was homozygous for the PLG Ala620Thr variant with decreased plasminogen activity of just 25%. Decreased plasminogen activity indicates dysplasminogenemia. LESSONS: We believe that this clinically silent homozygous case supports the previous findings that isolated PLG Ala620Thr variant does not confer a significant risk of VTE.

Impact of age on the outcomes of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation: analysis using inverse probability of treatment weighting.

OBJECTIVES: Patient selection is crucial to improving the outcomes of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR). However, ECPR's efficacy with older patients remains unknown. METHODS: We reviewed patients who underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for refractory cardiac arrest from January 2006 to December 2018. Exclusion criteria were age <18 years, cannulation failure and ECMO applied at another hospital. We divided patients into 2 groups with an age cut-off of 66 years, using the Contal and O'Quigley method for overall survival. We performed inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) between the 2 groups and set the primary outcome as overall survival. RESULTS: We included 318 patients in our study (≤66 years, n = 199; >66 years, n = 119). Before IPTW, we observed that the older group had a higher frequency of diabetes, hypertension, and myocardial infarction. In the young group, more patients had out-of-hospital cardiac arrest as compared with the older group. The hospital mortality rate was 55% (48.7% in the young group, 65.5% in the older group; P = 0.004). In the multivariable analysis after IPTW, the older group showed worse outcomes in overall survival [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.02; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.50-2.70; P < 0.001] and neurological outcomes at discharge (odds ratio = 2.95; 95% CI, 1.69-5.14; P = <0.001). ECMO insertion during catheterization (HR = 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36-0.90; P = 0.015) and recovery of spontaneous circulation before pump-on (HR = 0.67; 95% CI, 0.50-0.89; P = 0.007) were positive predictors, but initial asystole rhythm, non-cardiac cause (HR = 2.39; 95% CI, 1.59-3.61; P < 0.001), out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (HR = 1.86; 95% CI, 1.24-2.79; P = 0.003) and prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation to pump-on time (HR = 1.01; 95% CI, 1.01-1.02; P < 0.001) were negative predictors for overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Older patients who had ECPR had significantly worse survival and neurological outcomes. For patients older than age 66 years, more careful patient selection is critically important for improving the efficacy of ECPR.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Fulminant Myocarditis: Increase of Cardiac Enzyme and SOFA Score Is Associated with High Mortality.

We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients with fulminant myocarditis and investigate the factors associated with mortality. This is a retrospective single-center cohort study that included adult and pediatric patients with fulminant myocarditis treated at Samsung Medical Center between September 2004 and December 2019. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Among 100 patients, 71 underwent veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) (ECMO group). Comorbidities were not significantly different between the ECMO and non-ECMO groups. Cardiac enzymes, creatinine, and median sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score at intensive care unit admission were significantly different between the groups. Twenty patients (28.7%) in the ECMO group and two (6.9%) in the non-ECMO group died in-hospital (p = 0.02). The significant risk factors of in-hospital mortality were creatine kinase MB fraction (CK-MB) and SOFA score (p = 0.009 and p = 0.001, respectively) in the ECMO group. In the receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, the cutoffs of SOFA score and CK-MB were 12 and 94.74 ng/mL, respectively. The patients with both variables above the cutoffs showed significantly worse outcomes (p < 0.001). ECMO can be an effective treatment option for fulminant myocarditis. SOFA score and CK-MB are significant risk factors for in-hospital mortality.

Impact of a Multidisciplinary Team Approach on Extracorporeal Circulatory Life Support-Bridged Heart Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The number of heart transplantations (HTx) is increasing annually. Due to advances in medical and surgical support, the outcomes of HTx are also improving. Extracorporeal circulatory life support (ECLS) provides patients with decompensated heart failure a chance to undergo HTx. A medical approach involving collaboration among experienced experts in different fields should improve the outcomes and prognosis of ECLSbridged HTx. METHODS: From December 2003 to December 2018, 1,465 patients received ECLS at Samsung Medical Center. We excluded patients who had not undergone HTx or underwent repeated transplantations. Patients younger than 18 years were excluded. We also excluded patients who received an implantable durable left ventricular assist device before HTx. In total, 91 patients were included in this study. A multidisciplinary team approach began in March 2013 at our hospital. We divided the patients into 2 groups depending on whether they were treated before or after implementation of the team approach. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality rate was significantly higher in the pre-ECLS team group than in the post-ECLS team group (n=5, 18.5% vs. n=2, 3.1%; p=0.023). The 1-year survival rate was better in the post-ECLS team group than in the pre-ECLS team group (n=57, 89.1% vs. n=19, 70.4%; p=0.023). CONCLUSION: We found that implementing a multidisciplinary team approach improved the outcomes of ECLS-bridged HTx. Team-based care should be adapted at HTx centers that perform high-risk HTx.

Successful Lung Transplantation After 213 Days of Extracorporeal Life Support: Role of Oxygenator-Right Ventricular Assist Device.

Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) can successfully support patients with refractory respiratory failure and is widely accepted as a bridge to recovery or bridge to transplantation. However, some problems hinder success. Recirculation, an innate complication of VV ECMO, hamper efficient oxygenation. Right ventricular (RV) failure secondary to respiratory failure is not uncommon and can be reversed by VV ECMO. But there are often times when RV failure gets worse, and since VV ECMO is no longer effective, additional measures are needed. Moreover, peripheral cannulation restricts active rehabilitation leading to weakness and weaning failure. Oxygenator-right ventricular assist device (OxyRVAD) refers any configuration that combines oxygenator and centrifugal pump. Compared to VV ECMO, it has advantages of hemodynamic support, elimination of recirculation, and facilitation of rehabilitation. In the present case, we overcame recirculation and impending RV failure by applying OxyRVAD to patient who was initially managed with VV ECMO. He underwent lung transplantation after about 6 months of OxyRVAD support with active rehabilitation, the longest maintenance period ever known.

Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation via Dual Left Thoracotomy in an Adult Patient with Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries.

A 59-year-old man presented for possible durable ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation. He had previously been diagnosed with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, a ventricular septal defect, an atrial septal defect, pulmonary valve stenosis, and aortic valve regurgitation. In the previous 22 years, he had undergone palliative cardiac surgery 3 times. VAD implantation as a bridge to transplantation was planned. Owing to severe adhesions, mesocardia, a left ascending aorta, and moderate aortic regurgitation, we performed VAD implantation and aortic valve closure via a dual left thoracotomy and partial sternotomy.

Diameter and growth rate of the thoracic aorta-analysis based on serial computed tomography scans.

BACKGROUND: Although there are studies on the growth of thoracic aorta in the general population, research based on serial computed tomography scan is rare. We investigated the influence of patient age and anthropometric variables on the size and growth rate of the thoracic aorta in the general hospital population. METHODS: Data on 2,353 adults [2003-2014] who underwent ≥2 serial computed tomography examinations with at least a 6-year interval were analyzed. There were 1,444 men (61%), and the mean age was 58±12 years (range, 17-92 years). Thoracic aortic diameters were measured at 5 levels (the sinus of Valsalva, ascending aorta, aortic arch, and proximal and distal descending thoracic aorta) in the first and last computed tomography scans taken at a median interval of 7.0 years (interquartile range: 6.4-8.0). RESULTS: The mean aorta diameters were 34.9±4.7, 34.1±4.6, 28.0±3.8, 24.8±3.4, and 23.8±3.3 mm in the sinus of Valsalva, ascending aorta, arch, and proximal and distal descending thoracic aorta, respectively. The initial aorta diameter was larger in older subjects and in those with a larger body surface area (BSA). Female subjects had a significantly larger indexed diameter (diameter/BSA) than male subjects (P<0.001 at all five levels). In all thoracic aorta levels, the growth rate was the highest in subjects in their 40s, and the growth rate negatively correlated with the initial indexed diameter (P<0.001 at all five levels). In 40-50% of the subjects, thoracic aorta size remained stable during the interval. CONCLUSIONS: The thoracic aorta dilated with aging and was larger in subjects with a larger body size. Sex differences in the gross aortic diameter might be related to differences in body size. The growth of the thoracic aorta was faster in younger subjects with a smaller indexed diameter.

Outcomes and Patency of Complex Configurations of Composite Grafts Using Bilateral Internal Thoracic Arteries.

BACKGROUND: It is generally agreed that using a bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) composite graft improves long-term survival after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Although the left internal thoracic artery (LITA)-based Y-composite graft is widely adopted, technical or anatomical difficulties necessitate complex configurations. We aimed to investigate whether BITA configuration impacts survival or patency in patients undergoing coronary revascularization. METHODS: Between January 2006 and June 2017, 1,161 patients underwent CABG at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, where the standard technique is a LITA-based Y-composite graft with the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) sequentially anastomosed to non-left anterior descending (LAD) targets. Total of 160 patients underwent CABG using BITA with modifications. Their medical records and imaging data were reviewed retrospectively to investigate technical details, clinical outcomes, and graft patency. RESULTS: Modifications of the typical Y-graft (group 1, n=90), LITA-based I-graft (group 2, n=39), and RITA-based composite graft (group 3, n=31) were used due to insufficient RITA length (47%), problems using LITA (28%), and target vessel anatomy (25%). The overall 30-day mortality rate was 1.9%. Among 116 patients who underwent computed tomography or conventional angiography at a mean interval of 29.9±33.1 months postoperatively, the graft patency rates were 98.7%, 95.3%, and 83.6% for the LAD, left circumflex artery, and right coronary artery territories, respectively. Patency rates for the inflow, secondary, and tertiary grafts were 98.2%, 90.5%, and 80.4%, respectively. The RITA-based graft (group 3) had the lowest patency rate of the various configurations (p<0.011). CONCLUSION: LITA-based Y composite graft, showed satisfactory clinical outcomes and patency whereas modifications of RITA-based composite graft had the lowest patency and 5-year survival rates. Therefore, when using RITA-based composite graft, other options should be considered before proceeding atypical configurations.

Clinical Outcome of Extraanatomic Bypass for Midaortic Syndrome Caused by Takayasu Arteritis.

BACKGROUND: We investigated long-term outcomes and cardiac function after extraanatomic bypass surgery for Takayasu arteritis and midaortic syndrome. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2016, 14 patients underwent extraanatomic bypass for Takayasu arteritis. Median age was 56.6 years. Median systolic pressure gradient in the stenotic lesion was 79 mm Hg. Nine patients underwent bypass surgery from the ascending aorta to the infrarenal aorta, 2 from the ascending aorta to the distal descending thoracic aorta, 1 from the ascending aorta to the supraceliac abdominal aorta, 1 from the descending thoracic aorta to the infrarenal abdominal aorta, and 1 from the descending thoracic aorta to the descending thoracic aorta. Five underwent additional 6 peripheral bypass procedures, and 6 underwent concomitant heart surgery. RESULTS: There were no early deaths. Median hospital stay was 10.5 days. Median follow-up duration was 36.3 months, and late death occurred in 2 patients. One died at 1 year postoperatively because of an infection due to pancreatic injury and mediastinitis. The other was lost to follow-up, and death was confirmed through the national insurance database. No anastomotic site stenosis or aneurysmal change occurred. The number of antihypertensive medications was reduced significantly in all but 1 patient, and organ ischemia symptoms, including dizziness, visual disturbance, and claudication, improved in all patients. Interventricular septal diameter and left ventricular mass index decreased significantly. Serum creatinine level also decreased. Overall estimated 5-year survival was 79% ± 13%. CONCLUSIONS: Extraanatomic bypass for Takayasu arteritis is safe and effective and can be useful for left ventricular unloading and reduction of organ ischemia.

Long-term results of radical pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis in Korean population.

BACKGROUND: The extent of pericardiectomy is an important issue in constrictive pericarditis but its impact on long-term outcomes has been rarely reported. We compared long-term results of radical pericardiectomy with conventional phrenic to phrenic pericardiectomy. METHODS: Ninety patients who underwent pericardiectomies between February 1995 and April 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. They were classified into conventional (n = 37) and radical (n = 53) groups according to pericardiectomy being performed anterior or posterior to the phrenic nerves, respectively. The follow-up duration at outpatient clinic was 37.6 (11.7, 86.6) months and the survival data until 91.6 (54.5, 147.0) months were obtained. The last echocardiographies were done at 22.4 (4.35, 60.85) months. RESULTS: The early mortality rate was 4.4% (4/90). They all belonged to the conventional group and died of low cardiac output syndrome. The survival rate was higher in the radical group (P = .032, 74.7 ± 9.2% versus 50.4 ± 11.9% in 20 years). NYHA class of both groups had recovered until the last follow-up but the radical group showed better recovery (P < .001). The conventional pericardiectomy (HR = 6.181; 95% CI (1.042, 36.656)), redosternotomy (HR = 6.441; 95% CI (1.224, 33.889) and preoperative grade of tricuspid regurgitation (HR = 15.003; 95% CI (1.099, 204.894) were associated with late mortality. Right ventricular systolic pressure decreased, and pericardial thickening resolved only in the radical group with significant intergroup differences as time went on. Tricuspid regurgitation worsened after the operation in both groups, but it deteriorated more in the conventional group. However, it improved over time in the radical group. CONCLUSIONS: Radical pericardiectomy led to greater improvement in right ventricular systolic pressure and lesser deterioration of tricuspid regurgitation with the passage of time than did the conventional procedure. Conventional pericardiectomy and preoperative higher grade tricuspid regurgitation were associated with long-term mortality.