Right Ventricular Wall Dissection After a Late-Presenting Inferior Myocardial Infarction.

A 40-year-old male presented with an inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Multimodality imaging identified a ventricular septal defect and a right ventricular free wall dissection. He was bridged with a percutaneous microaxial left ventricular assist device to successful surgical repair. Multimodality imaging, shock team involvement, and mechanical support were critical in ensuring his survival to hospital discharge.

Left atrial mass found on cardiac ultrasound leading to emergent thrombectomy.

Atrial myxomas, though the most common primary cardiac neoplasm, remain a rare disease occurring in about 0.03% of the population. While clinically benign, they are considered functionally malignant as they can cause life-threatening embolic events. Here we present a patient with a high-risk intermediate pulmonary embolism where bedside ultrasound revealed significant right ventricular dysfunction with an associated large left atrial mass. These findings combined with the patient's instability allowed her to be rushed to surgery for definitive treatment.

Two Staged Single Lung Transplants in the Current Era: A United Network for Organ Sharing Study.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that outcomes after 2 staged, contralateral single lung transplantation procedures (SSLTs) may be equivalent to those of double lung transplantation (DLT) by capitalizing on the known long-term survival advantages of DLT. METHODS: Using the United Network for Organ Sharing data set (1987-2018), the largest national data set available, the outcomes of 278 SSLTs were retrospectively analyzed and compared with the outcomes of 21,121 standard DLTs. RESULTS: During SSLT, the median interval between the 2 transplants was 960 days, and the indication for the second transplant was most often chronic lung allograft dysfunction (n = 148; 53.2%) or the same disease that necessitated the first transplant (n = 81; 29.1%). The patients who underwent SSLT were significantly older and had a higher baseline creatinine level than the patients who underwent DLT. Most posttransplantation short-term outcomes were equivalent between the second stage of SSLT and DLT, but renal insufficiency requiring hemodialysis was notably higher after SSLT. There were no differences in long-term survival. In multivariate analysis, baseline creatinine, O2 support at rest, ventilator support at the time of the second transplantation, and posttransplantation renal insufficiency requiring dialysis were independent predictors of 1-year mortality after SSLT. CONCLUSIONS: Over a study period of 30 years, long-term survival after SSLT was comparable with survival after DLT. With further analysis of individual risk profiles, including the contributions of preoperative renal function and functional status, SSLT can be a valuable option for patients who would have undergone single lung transplantation to reap the long-term benefits of a second transplant.

Lung Transplantation for COVID-19 Pulmonary Sequelae.

BACKGROUND: The role of lung transplantation for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related lung failure is evolving as the pandemic persists. METHODS: From January 2021 to April 2022, 20 patients (median age 62 y; range 31-77) underwent lung transplantation for COVID-related lung failure at our institution. We reviewed their clinical and intraoperative characteristics and early outcomes including postoperative complications. RESULTS: Eleven patients (55%) had chronic lung disease when they contracted COVID-19. All 20 patients required hospitalization for antivirus treatment. Median lung allocation score was 74.7 (33.1-94.0). Thirteen patients (65%) underwent single-lung transplants, and 7 patients (35%) underwent double-lung transplants. Concomitant coronary artery bypass graft surgery was performed in 2 (10%) patients because of severe coronary artery disease. Postoperatively, venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was needed in 3 patients (15%) because of severe primary graft dysfunction; all were eventually weaned. Ten patients (50%) experienced deep venous thrombosis, and 1 eventually developed a major pulmonary embolus. The median intensive care unit stay and hospital stays were 6.5 d (3-44) and 18 d (7-77), respectively. During a median follow-up of 201 d (47-418), we experienced 1 late mortality due to COVID-19-related myocarditis. Among the 13 patients with single-lung transplant, 5 demonstrated improvement in their native lungs. CONCLUSIONS: Lung transplantation yielded favorable early outcomes in a heterogeneous patient cohort that included older patients, obese patients, and patients with coronary artery disease or preexisting chronic lung disease. Our data also shed light on the transforming role of lung transplantation for the pulmonary sequelae of a complex multisystem COVID-19 disorder.

Exome Sequencing Identifies Genetic Variants Associated with Extreme Manifestations of the Cardiovascular Phenotype in Marfan Syndrome.

Marfan Syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant condition caused by variants in the fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene. Cardinal features of MFS include ectopia lentis (EL), musculoskeletal features and aortic root aneurysm and dissection. Although dissection of the ascending aorta is the main cause of mortality in MFS, the clinical course differs considerably in age of onset and severity, even among individuals who share the same causative variant, suggesting the existence of additional genetic variants that modify the severity of the cardiovascular phenotype in MFS. We recruited MFS patients and classified them into severe (n = 8) or mild aortic phenotype (n = 14) according to age of presentation of the first aorta-related incident. We used Exome Sequencing to identify the genetic variants associated with the severity of aortic manifestations and we performed linkage analysis where suitable. We found five genes associated with severe aortic phenotype and three genes that could be protective for this phenotype in MFS. These genes regulate components of the extracellular matrix, TGFß pathway and other signaling pathways that are involved in the maintenance of the ECM or angiogenesis. Further studies will be required to understand the functional effect of these variants and explore novel, personalized risk management and, potentially, therapies for these patients.

[Redefining the gold standard for aortic valve replacement: Minimally invasive with accelerated recovery]. / Redefiniendo el estándar de oro para el reemplazo valvular aórtico: mínimamente invasivo y recuperación acelerada.

BACKGROUND: Despite being introduced 20 years ago minimally invasive aortic valve replacement is only performed routinely in a minority of patients world-wide. AIM: To report the operative outcome of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement done through a partial upper sternotomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of data recorded prospectively of 450 consecutive patients with a median age of 66 years (59% males) who had a minimally invasive aortic replacement. RESULTS: 79% of patients had aortic stenosis. Cross clamp/cardiopulmonary bypass times (median) were 56 and 68 minutes respectively. Conversion to full sternotomy was required in 2.6% of patients, reoperation for bleeding in 2.9%. 1.6% suffered a stroke and 19% postoperative atrial fibrillation. 0.9% required a permanent pacemaker. Postoperative mortality was 0.9%. Median postoperative hospital stay was six days. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement can be performed with satisfactory results.

Redefiniendo el estándar de oro para el reemplazo valvular aórtico: mínimamente invasivo y recuperación acelerada / Redefining the gold standard for aortic valve replacement: minimally invasive with accelerated recovery

Background: Despite being introduced 20 years ago minimally invasive aortic valve replacement is only performed routinely in a minority of patients world-wide. Aim: To report the operative outcome of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement done through a partial upper sternotomy. Patients and Methods: Retrospective analysis of data recorded prospectively of 450 consecutive patients with a median age of 66 years (59% males) who had a minimally invasive aortic replacement. Results: 79% of patients had aortic stenosis. Cross clamp/cardiopulmonary bypass times (median) were 56 and 68 minutes respectively. Conversion to full sternotomy was required in 2.6% of patients, reoperation for bleeding in 2.9%. 1.6% suffered a stroke and 19% postoperative atrial fibrillation. 0.9% required a permanent pacemaker. Postoperative mortality was 0.9%. Median postoperative hospital stay was six days. Conclusions: Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement can be performed with satisfactory results.

Peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for periprocedural Cardiogenic shock during interventional cardiology

ABSTRACT Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is uncommon in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) among patients undergoing coronary angiography. Periprocedural CS is more frequent in high-risk patients and in technically demanding procedures. Aim: To describe the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (pVA-ECMO) for CS associated with interventional cardiology procedures. Material and Methods: Review of clinical records of seven patients treated between January 2014 and October 2018. Results: pVA-ECMO was implanted within 6 hours of the interventional cardiology procedure. All patients had coronary artery disease and one of them also had symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. One patient entered the CCL in cardiac arrest. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed in all patients; four patients underwent an emergency procedure and five patients experienced PCI complications. One patient undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement suffered acute severe aortic regurgitation. An intra-aortic balloon pump was inserted at the CCL in five patients. Six patients experienced cardiac arrest. Mean SAVE score was -4.3 and baseline lactate 55 mg/dl. pVA-ECMO mean duration was 5 ± 4 days. Survival after both hospital discharge and 12 months of follow-up was 85.7% Regarding vascular access complications, we observed one access site hematoma and one episode of cannulation site bleeding requiring surgical repair. Conclusions: pVA-ECMO should be considered in patients with periprocedural CS as a bridge to recovery. Its use was associated with improved clinical outcomes in this series.

Antecedentes: El shock cardiogénico (SC) es infrecuente en el laboratorio de cateterismo cardíaco (LCC) entre pacientes que son sometidos a coronariografía. El SC peri-procedimiento es más frecuente en pacientes de alto riesgo y en procedimientos técnicamente complejos. Objetivos: Describir los resultados clínicos de pacientes que fueron conectados a oxigenación con membrana extracorpórea veno-arterial periférica (ECMO-VAp) por SC peri-procedimiento de cardiología intervencional. Material y Métodos: Revisión de fichas clínicas de siete pacientes tratados en nuestro centro desde enero de 2014 a octubre de 2018. Resultados: ECMO-VAp fue utilizado dentro de las primeras 6 horas del procedimiento. Todos los pacientes tenían enfermedad coronaria y uno de ellos tenía además estenosis aórtica severa. Un paciente ingresó al LCC en paro cardíaco. Una intervención coronaria percutánea (ICP) fue realizada en todos los pacientes; 4 se realizaron procedimientos de emergencia y 5 pacientes tuvieron complicaciones de la ICP. A un paciente se le realizó un reemplazo valvular aórtico percutáneo y desarrolló una insuficiencia valvular aórtica aguda severa. Se instaló un balón de contrapulsación en el LCC en 5 pacientes. Seis pacientes tuvieron un paro cardiorrespiratorio. El valor del score de SAVE fue de -4,3 y el lactato basal 55 mg/dL. La duración media del ECMO-VAp fue 5 ± 4 días. La sobrevida al alta y a los 12 meses fue 85,7%. Como complicaciones del sitio de acceso vascular se observaron 1 hematoma y un episodio de sangrado que requirió reparación quirúrgica. Conclusiones: ECMO-VAp debería ser considerado en pacientes con SC peri-procedimiento como un puente a recuperación; su utilización estuvo asociada con mejoría de resultados clínicos en esta serie.

Peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for periprocedural Cardiogenic shock during interventional cardiology.

BACKGROUND: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is uncommon in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) among patients undergoing coronary angiography. Periprocedural CS is more frequent in high-risk patients and in technically demanding procedures. AIM: To describe the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (pVA-ECMO) for CS associated with interventional cardiology procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of clinical records of seven patients treated between January 2014 and October 2018. RESULTS: pVA-ECMO was implanted within 6 hours of the interventional cardiology procedure. All patients had coronary artery disease and one of them also had symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. One patient entered the CCL in cardiac arrest. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed in all patients; four patients underwent an emergency procedure and five patients experienced PCI complications. One patient undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement suffered acute severe aortic regurgitation. An intra-aortic balloon pump was inserted at the CCL in five patients. Six patients experienced cardiac arrest. Mean SAVE score was -4.3 and baseline lactate 55 mg/dl. pVA-ECMO mean duration was 5 ± 4 days. Survival after both hospital discharge and 12 months of follow-up was 85.7% Regarding vascular access complications, we observed one access site hematoma and one episode of cannulation site bleeding requiring surgical repair. CONCLUSIONS: pVA-ECMO should be considered in patients with periprocedural CS as a bridge to recovery. Its use was associated with improved clinical outcomes in this series.

Transapical closure of a pseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa.

Pseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa is a rare but serious sequela of endocarditis or valve replacement surgery. Because open-heart surgery is a high-risk treatment option, alternative methods are sought. We present the case of a 77-year-old man with a noninfected mechanical mitral valve whose pseudoaneurysm was repaired by introducing an occluder device into the defect by a transapical approach. Upon follow-up imaging, the defect was successfully closed. We conclude that percutaneous closure of pseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa is a viable alternative to surgery and that a transapical approach is an appropriate method of access.

Large primary right ventricular teratoma in an adult.

We report an unusual case of a 30-year-old man with a primary mature cystic teratoma in the right ventricle. This case constitutes the third case of primary intramyocardial teratoma in an adult and the first that describes its benign form. In this report, we discuss surgical implications of such a rare cardiac tumor.

Comparison of transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement performed in the catheterization laboratory (minimalist approach) versus hybrid operating room (standard approach): outcomes and cost analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TF TAVR) performed in a catheterization laboratory (minimalist approach [MA]) with TF TAVR performed in a hybrid operating room (standard approach [SA]). BACKGROUND: A MA-TF TAVR can be performed without general anesthesia, transesophageal echocardiography, or a surgical hybrid room. The outcomes and cost of MA-TF TAVR compared with those of the SA have not been described. METHODS: Patients who underwent elective, percutaneous TF TAVR using the Edwards Sapien valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, California) were studied. Baseline characteristics, outcomes, and hospital costs of MA-TF TAVR and SA-TF TAVR were compared. RESULTS: A total of 142 patients were studied (MA-TF TAVR, n = 70 and SA-TF TAVR, n = 72). There were no differences in baseline comorbidities (Society of Thoracic Surgeons score, 10.6 ± 4.3 vs. 11.4 ± 5.8; p = 0.35). All procedures in the MA-TF TAVR group were successful; 1 patient was intubated. Three patients in the SA-TF TAVR group had procedure-related death. Procedure room time (150 ± 48 min vs. 218 ± 56 min, p < 0.001), total intensive care unit time (22 h vs. 28 h, p < 0.001), length of stay from procedure to discharge (3 days vs. 5 days, p < 0.001), and cost ($45,485 ± 14,397 vs. $55,377 ± 22,587, p < 0.001) were significantly less in the MA-TF TAVR group. Mortality at 30 days was not significantly different in the MA-TF TAVR group (0 vs. 6%, p = 0.12) and 30-day stroke/transient ischemic attack was similar (4.3% vs. 1.4%, p = 0.35). Moderate or severe paravalvular leak and device success were similar in the MA-TF TAVR and SA-TF TAVR groups (3% vs. 5.8%, p = 0.4 and 90% vs. 88%, p = 0.79, respectively) at 30 days. At a median follow-up of 435 days, there was no significant difference in survival (MA-TF TAVR, 83% vs. SA-TF TAVR, 82%; p = 0.639). CONCLUSIONS: MA-TF TAVR can be performed with minimal morbidity and mortality and equivalent effectiveness compared with SA-TF TAVR. The shorter length of stay and lower resource use with MA-TF TAVR significantly lowers hospital costs.

Repeat sternotomy for surgical aortic valve replacement in octogenarian patients with aortic valve stenosis and previous coronary artery bypass graft operation: what is the operative risk?

OBJECTIVES: There are limited data defining the risk of repeat sternotomy for surgical aortic valve replacement in octogenarian patients with aortic valve stenosis and previous coronary artery bypass graft operation. Our study assesses the risk of operation. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 629 octogenarian patients with aortic stenosis who received isolated surgical aortic valve replacement between January 1993 and December 2011. Patient characteristics included age 83.7±3.2 years, male sex in 322 patients (51.2%), and Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality of 6.2%±4.4%. Operations included a primary sternotomy in 518 patients (82.4%) and a repeat sternotomy in 111 patients (17.6%) who had previous coronary artery bypass graft operation. Patients with other cardiac operations were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Cardiopulmonary bypass time was longer with repeat sternotomy (88.0±45.7 minutes) in comparison to primary sternotomy (66.5±25.1; P<.001); but there was no difference in the aortic crossclamp time (51.1±19.7 minutes vs 49.2±17.7 minutes; P=.282). Stroke occurred in 3 patients (2.7%) following repeat sternotomy and in 10 (1.9%) after primary sternotomy (P=.710). Rates of myocardial infarction, renal failure, and reoperation for bleeding were similar between the 2 groups. Operative mortality occurred in 7 patients (6.4%) after repeat sternotomy and in 19 patients (3.7%) following primary sternotomy (P=.196). Repeat sternotomy was not predictive of operative mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Repeat sternotomy and surgical aortic valve replacement can be done with low risk in octogenarian patients with previous coronary artery bypass graft operation.

Outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement in moderate risk patients: implications for determination of equipoise in the transcatheter era.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the contemporary outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in a moderate surgical risk population. METHODS: We studied 502 consecutive adults who had undergone isolated SAVR from January 2002 to June 2011 for severe aortic valve stenosis with a Society of Thoracic Surgery predicted risk of mortality of 4% to 8%. We included concomitant coronary artery bypass and aortic annular enlargement but not other concomitant procedures. The updated Valve Academic Research Consortium definitions were used, as appropriate. RESULTS: The median age was 80 years (range, 49-96), 323 (64.3%) had New York Heart Association class III-IV symptoms, and 101 (20.1%) had undergone previous coronary artery bypass grafting. The mean predicted risk of mortality was 5.6%. Concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 270 (53.8%). Re-exploration for bleeding occurred in 29 (5.8%), stroke in 9 (1.8%), and vascular complications in 2 (0.4%). In the cohort, 14 early deaths (2.8%) occurred. During follow-up (1174 days), 175 patients died. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, the significant independent predictors of mid-term death included chronic pulmonary disease (hazard ratio, 2.00, 95% confidence interval, 1.41-2.84; P < .001), peripheral vascular disease (hazard ratio, 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.37; P = .029), and atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio, 1.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-2.65; P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: SAVR in moderate-risk patients is currently performed with one half of the early predicted risk (2.8%) and a low likelihood of complications, including a 1.8% incidence of stroke. Patients counseled for randomization to transcatheter aortic valve insertion should be informed of the excellent early to mid-term outcomes of SAVR, particularly those without pulmonary impairment, peripheral vascular disease, or atrial fibrillation.