A multidisciplinary multistage complete mega aorta replacement and utilization of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair.

A 49-year-old woman underwent a 11-month multistage complete replacement of a mega aorta. Replacement stages included ascending aorta and arch replacement in conjunction with a frozen elephant trunk thoracic endovascular aortic repair, extension of thoracic endovascular aortic repair to zone 5, and open repair of the thoracoabdominal aneurysm with the use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for circulatory support. This case illustrates the complexity of repairing a mega aorta, the multidisciplinary care and staging needed for repair, and the use of peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for circulatory perfusion during thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair.

Comparable kidney transplant outcomes in selected patients with a body mass index ≥ 40: A personalized medicine approach to recipient selection.

INTRODUCTION: Many kidney transplant (KT) centers decline patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m2 . This study's aim was to evaluate KT outcomes according to recipient BMI. METHODS: We performed a single-center, retrospective review of adult KTs comparing BMI ≥40 patients (n = 84, BMI = 42 ± 2 kg/m2 ) to a matched BMI < 40 cohort (n = 84, BMI = 28 ± 5 kg/m2 ). Patients were matched for age, gender, race, diabetes, and donor type. RESULTS: BMI ≥40 patients were on dialysis longer (5.2 ± 3.2 years vs. 4.1 ± 3.5 years, p = .03) and received lower kidney donor profile index (KDPI) kidneys (40 ± 25% vs. 53 ± 26%, p = .003). There were no significant differences in prevalence of delayed graft function, reoperations, readmissions, wound complications, patient survival, or renal function at 1 year. Long-term graft survival was higher for BMI ≥40 patients, including after adjusting for KDPI (BMI ≥40: aHR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.09-2.9). BMI ≥40 patients had similar BMI change in the first year post-transplant (delta BMI: BMI ≥ 40 +.9 ± 3.3 vs. BMI < 40 +1.1 ± 3.2, p = .59). CONCLUSIONS: Overall outcomes after KT were comparable in BMI ≥40 patients compared to a matched cohort with lower BMI with improved long-term graft survival in obese patients. BMI-based exclusion criteria for KT should be reexamined in favor of a more individualized approach.

Right heart failure after left ventricular assist device: From mechanisms to treatments.

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy is a lifesaving option for patients with medical therapy-refractory advanced heart failure. Depending on the definition, 5-44% of people supported with an LVAD develop right heart failure (RHF), which is associated with worse outcomes. The mechanisms related to RHF include patient, surgical, and hemodynamic factors. Despite significant progress in understanding the roles of these factors and improvements in surgical techniques and LVAD technology, this complication is still a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality among LVAD patients. Additionally, specific medical therapies for this complication still are lacking, leaving cardiac transplantation or supportive management as the only options for LVAD patients who develop RHF. While significant effort has been made to create algorithms aimed at stratifying risk for RHF in patients undergoing LVAD implantation, the predictive value of these algorithms has been limited, especially when attempts at external validation have been undertaken. Perhaps one of the reasons for poor performance in external validation is related to differing definitions of RHF in external cohorts. Additionally, most research in this field has focused on RHF occurring in the early phase (i.e., ≤1 month) post LVAD implantation. However, there is emerging recognition of late-onset RHF (i.e., > 1 month post-surgery) as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Late-onset RHF, which likely has a unique physiology and pathogenic mechanisms, remains poorly characterized. In this review of the literature, we will describe the unique right ventricular physiology and changes elicited by LVADs that might cause both early- and late-onset RHF. Finally, we will analyze the currently available treatments for RHF, including mechanical circulatory support options and medical therapies.

Combined management of esophagopericardial fistula sustained after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective treatment modality for atrial fibrillation (AF); however, serious complications can occur. We present the case of a highly morbid consequence, the esophagopericardial fistula (EPF). CASE: A hemodynamically unstable patient with a history of AF and recent RFA presented with chest pain and was found to have pneumopericardium and pericardial effusion. The patient went to the operating room emergently for combined management with surgical pericardial window and endoscopic stent placement. CONCLUSION: EPF must be on the differential diagnosis while evaluating patients who develop constitutional symptoms or sudden onset chest pain days or weeks after catheter ablation for AF. Early detection followed by aggressive management with a combined surgical and endoscopic approach may be considered for successful treatment of this type of postablation esophageal perforation if an atrioesophageal fistula is effectively ruled out.

Association of P-Wave Axis With Incident Atrial Fibrillation in Diabetes Mellitus (from the ACCORD Trial).

Abnormal P-wave axis may reflect preclinical atrial dysfunction and has been associated with an increased risk of incident atrial fibrillation (AF) in the general population. Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have a higher prevalence of AF, but the association of abnormal P-wave axis and the risk of incident AF in those with diabetes has not been previously explored. For this analysis, we included 8,965 eligible participants from the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial. P-wave axis was automatically measured on study electrocardiogram and visually confirmed, with the normal range being between 0° and 75°. At baseline, 8% of the study population had an abnormal P-wave axis. During 43,856 person-years of follow-up, there were 145 cases of incident AF. Using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models, participants with abnormal P-wave axis had an increased risk of incident AF (hazard ratio 2.65, 95% confidence interval 1.76 to 3.99, p < 0.0001). Findings were similar in prespecified subgroups, without evidence of effect modification. Both left- and right-axis deviation of the P-wave were associated with incident AF. Our results suggest that abnormal P-wave axis is associated with incident AF in those with DM and that this relation is conserved in prespecified subgroups. There may be utility in considering P-wave axis values from routine ECGs in these patients.

Factor Associated with Successful Closed Reduction of Glenohumeral Fracture Dislocation.

The literature is scarce regarding the safety or efficacy of closed reduction attempts of acute glenohumeral fracture dislocations. The objective of this study was to assess the safety and success rate of attempted closed reduction of proximal humerus fracture dislocations. A retrospective review was performed on all proximal humerus fracture dislocations seen at one institution from 2011-2015 in order to evaluate for clinical scenarios with greater failure rates of glenohumeral fracture dislocation joint reductions by closed manipulation. The results indicate that, in general, reduction attempts are safe, but that success rates are inversely proportional to fracture severity. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 29(4):212-215, 2020).

Dilute Povidone-Iodine Solution Prevents Intraoperative Contamination of Sterile Water Basins During Total Joint Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic joint infection is a major complication of total joint arthroplasty (TJA). The intraoperative splash basin has been found to be a potential source of contamination. Although consensus recommendations against the use of splash basin have been made, splash basin use continues to be taught and utilized in practice. This study aims to investigate the effect of dilute betadine addition to the sterile water (SW) contents (0.02% solution) of the splash basin on contamination rates. This intervention could preserve the functionality and preferential use of the splash basin. The primary outcome of this study is the rate of splash basin contamination, with secondary outcomes of prevalence of culture speciation and mean operative times association with the rate of positive cultures. METHODS: Patients undergoing primary TJA were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial with assignment to either the intervention/betadine group, in which dilute betadine was added to the standard SW splash basin, or the control/standard SW group. For a total cohort of 104 patients, a 120 mL aliquot sample of basin fluid was collected at incision ("preprocedure") and closure ("postprocedure"). Samples were cultured and monitored for 48 hours for growth, with further testing as necessary to identify microbial speciation. RESULTS: Of the final 100 postprocedure samples, 0 (0.0%) were positive in the betadine group, while there were 23 (47.9%) positive samples in the SW group (P < .001). Of the positive cultures, the most common species grown were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, and Micrococcus. The mean operative time was an average of 11 minutes longer for cases with positive cultures. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, treating SW splash basins with dilute povidone-iodine (0.02% solution) eliminates intraoperative contamination of splash basins in TJA procedures. This intervention is simple, low cost, and readily implementable, making it a reasonable addition to TJA protocols. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 1, Controlled Laboratory Study.