Analysis of complications in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a single-center study.

INTRODUCTION: Transfemoral access is a prevailing approach for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in contemporary practice, with a shift from surgical arteriotomy to a percutaneous arterial approach. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed long- and short­term mortality, along with Valve Academic Research Consortium-2-defined complications in percutaneous transfemoral approach (PTA) TAVI. Furthermore, it explored the impact of a learning curve on procedural outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 600 patients undergoing PTA TAVI at the National Institute of Cardiology, Warsaw, Poland, from January 2009 to September 2020. Retrospective data comparison involved 2 groups: early experience (first 200 patients) and late experience (next 400 patients). RESULTS: The primary end point (composite of life­threatening bleeding, major vascular complication, or death at 30 days) occurred less often in the late experience group (28% vs 17.5%; P = 0.003). The late experience group also showed fewer cases of vascular complications (19% vs 10.7%; P = 0.005) and major bleeding (17.5% vs 8.5%; P = 0.001). Propensity matching yielded similar trends, including reduced frequency of pacemaker implantation (22.8% vs 10.9%; P = 0.03) and shorter median (interquartile range) hospitalization (11 [8-18] vs 7 [6-12] days; P <0.001) in the late experience group. CONCLUSIONS: The late experience group rated with PTA TAVI exhibited significantly reduced periprocedural complications, indicating a positive impact of accumulated expertise.

Assessment of consistency in aortic valve sizing between surgical and transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Introduction: One of the crucial aspects of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is the valve prosthesis selection. Aim: To assess the consistency of the aortic valve sizing in SAVR and TAVR by comparing the sizes of aortic prostheses selected based on the intraprocedural annulus measurements and simulation of the TAVR planning. Material and methods: The study comprised of 167 patients with aortic stenosis treated with SAVR. Simulation of the prosthesis sizing blinded to the SAVR results was performed based on the assessment of cardiac computed tomography (CCT) images. Results: Based on the CCT images, the average value of the aortic annulus diameter was 25.4 ±3.0 mm. Aortic valve calcifications were mild in 29 cases, moderate in 78 cases, and severe in 53 cases. The sizes of the valves recommended by the simulations were larger than valves surgically implanted in 98.6% of patients for self-expanding and in 91.7% of patients for balloon-expandable prostheses. The average difference for self-expanding prostheses was 6.4 mm and 4.5 mm for balloon expandable valves. Additionally, a negative correlation was observed for the difference in prosthesis size and size of the valve used by surgeons. Conclusions: There is a systematic difference between sizes of aortic prostheses used in SAVR and TAVR. Further studies are needed to evaluate if the difference in prosthesis size selection contributes to the frequency of prosthesis-patient mismatch phenomenon and burden of high postoperative mean transaortic gradient.

ARTERIAL HYPEROXIA AND MORTALITY IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING VENOARTERIAL EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE OXYGENATION.

ABSTRACT: Background: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) can easily lead to supranormal oxygenation. The impact of hyperoxygenation beyond the early VA-ECMO support phase is unexplored. We sought to investigate its association with short- and long-term mortality. Methods: A total of 10,615 arterial blood gases of 179 patients undergoing VA-ECMO between 2013 and 2018 in our cardiosurgical tertiary center were analyzed for partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and its association with in-hospital, 90-day, and 1-year mortality. Patients were stratified into terciles (T) based on PaO2. Results: The median systemic PaO2 during VA-ECMO was 122 mm Hg (Q1-Q3, 111-158 mm Hg) and was significantly higher in 90-day nonsurvivors versus survivors (134 mm Hg [Q1-Q3, 114-175 mm Hg] vs. 114 mm Hg [Q1-Q3, 109-136 mm Hg]; P < 0.001). The incidence of mortality increased at all time points tested after VA-ECMO implantation along with the increasing terciles of PaO2. The lowest mortality rates were noted for patients with median PaO2 values of <115 mm Hg (T1), whereas patients with median PaO2 values of >144 mm Hg (T3) had the highest mortality rates. Bonferroni multiple testing analysis found the T3 of PaO2 to be a predictor of decreased 90-day survival in comparison with T1 (P < 0.001) and T2 (P = 0.002). Multivariable Cox regression analyses for in-hospital, 90-day, and 1-year mortality showed a significant association of the T3 compared with the T2 and the T1 of PaO2 to mortality across all endpoints. Conclusion: Hyperoxygenation during VA-ECMO might be associated with increased all-cause mortality. The results of our study further document the known toxicity of hyperoxygenation in general critical care patients and mark the need to focus specifically on VA-ECMO patients.

Comparison of long-term outcomes and risk factors of aortic stenosis treatment in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation and surgical aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease and untreated has a bleak prognosis. The only effective method of treatment is valve replacement, surgical (SAVR), or transcatheter (TAVI). AIMS: We decided to analyze outcomes and predictors of long-term mortality in patients undergoing TAVI and SAVR. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 1229 patients with advanced AS, comprising TAVI (n = 211), SAVR (n = 556), SAVR, and additional procedures (n = 462), operated on from 2014 to 2018, was performed. RESULTS: No significant differences between SAVR and TAVI were found for 24-month mortality in groups of consecutive patients. Postoperative stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) were independent predictors of 1-year mortality after SAVR. The above-mentioned factors regarding the increased estimated surgery risk in the EuroSCORE II ( > 4%) were predictors of 2-years mortality after SAVR. Risk factors for 6- and 12-month mortality after TAVI were EuroSCORE II, new onset of atrial fibrillation (NOAF), and the increased RBC distribution width (RDW). Postoperative respiratory failure was an independent risk factor for 6-, 12- and 24-month mortality in both groups of patients. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences regarding prognosis after TAVI and SAVR at the 24-month follow-up in the propensity score matching model. Independent predictive factors of late mortality after both procedures were EuroScore II and respiratory failure. Independent predictive factors of late mortality specific for TAVI were NOAF, increased RDW, and for SAVR: TIA, stroke, COPD, and RBC transfusion.

The First Case of Granulicatella adiacens Identified from a Resected Heart Valve by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in Poland.

In this report, we describe the course and successful treatment of a case of complicated infective endocarditis (IE). A patient presented with a high-grade, irregular fever with chills lasting at least 2 months along with dyspnoea, chest pain, fatigue, weight loss, and night sweats during the previous 3 months. As well as cardiac congenital disorders, he was found to have Granulicatella adiacens infective aortic valve endocarditis, presumably transmitted from the oral cavity niche. Validated metagenomic 16S rDNA next generation sequencing was used to perform taxonomic identification, allowing for specific adequate antibiotic therapy instead of empiric therapy. This paper highlights the critical role of rapid taxonomic identification of nutritionally variant streptococci and the benefit of proper IE treatment in avoiding relapses or fatal complications.

Prevalence and management of driveline infections in mechanical circulatory support - a single center analysis.

BACKGROUND: Driveline infections in continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (cf-LVAD) remain the most common adverse event. This single-center retrospective study investigated the risk factors, prevalence and management of driveline infections. METHODS: Patients treated after cf-LVAD implantation from December 2014 to January 2020 were enrolled. Baseline data were collected and potential risk factors were elaborated. The multi-modal treatment was based on antibiotic therapy, daily wound care, surgical driveline reposition, and heart transplantation. Time of infection development, freedom of reinfection, freedom of heart transplantation, and death in the follow-up time were investigated. RESULTS: Of 75 observed patients, 26 (34.7%) developed a driveline infection. The mean time from implantation to infection diagnosis was 463 (±399; range, 35-1400) days. The most common pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus (n = 15, 60%). First-line therapy was based on antibiotics, with a primary success rate of 27%. The majority of patients (n = 19; 73.1%) were treated with surgical reposition after initial antibiotic therapy. During the follow-up time of 569 (±506; range 32-2093) days, the reinfection freedom after surgical transposition was 57.9%. Heart transplantation was performed in eight patients due to resistant infection. The overall mortality for driveline infection was 11.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Driveline infections are frequent in patients with implanted cf-LVAD, and treatment does not efficiently avoid reinfection, leading to moderate mortality rates. Only about a quarter of the infected patients were cured with antibiotics alone. Surgical driveline reposition is a reasonable treatment option and does not preclude subsequent heart transplantation due to limited reinfection freedom.

The role of cardiac computed tomography in the diagnosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis - A comparison with transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography and intra-operative findings.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis is one of the most severe complications after prosthetic valve implantation and an accurate diagnosis is a clinical challenge. The purpose was to assess the diagnostic usefulness of cardiac computed tomography (CT) in valvular and perivalvular complications in patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) and to compare CT results with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and intraoperative findings. METHODS: The retrospective study included 44 consecutive patients with PVE who underwent cardiac surgery. The mean age was 59.6 ±â€¯12.9 years, 33 (75 %) were males. The presence of vegetations, abscess/pseudoaneurysm, paravalvular leakage (PVL) and inflammatory infiltration were evaluated by TTE, TEE and CT prior to surgery and the results were compared with intraoperative findings. RESULTS: Endocarditis affected 47 valves (26 mechanical, 21 biological) in 44 patients. PVE most often affected the aortic valve (n = 36), followed by the mitral valve (n = 9) and the pulmonary valve (n = 2). In the per-valve analysis, the sensitivity of TTE, TEE and CT in diagnosing vegetations was 65 %, 91 % and 96 %; abscess 44 %, 77 % and 89 %; paravalvular leakage 90 %, 100 % and 70 %; inflammatory infiltration 39 %, 56 % and 78 %, respectively. The combination of CT and echocardiography allowed the detection of abscesses/pseudoaneurysms and inflammatory infiltration in all cases except one. CONCLUSION: CT was superior to echocardiography in the diagnosis of paravalvular abscesses, vegetations and inflammatory infiltration. Echocardiography had a higher diagnostic value to CT in the evaluation of paravalvular leakage. Cardiac CT combined with echocardiography improves the diagnostic accuracy of PVE and both modalities should be performed.

Occurrence and extraction of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator leads with conductor externalization.

BACKGROUND: The increasing number of patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) contributes to the rising number of patients qualifying for a transvenous lead extraction (TLE) due to infection, vascular or lead failure related indications. The purpose of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of the occurrence of conductor externalization in TLE patients and to assess the success rate in the extraction of these leads. METHODS: TLE procedure was performed between 2012 and 2014 of 428 electrodes in 259 patients. Out of these, 143 (33.4%) leads in 138 (52.9%) patients were ICD leads. The indications for the TLE in ICD patients were: infection in 37 patients, lead failure in 84 patients, and others in 17 patients. Conductor externalization was observed in 8 ICD leads (5.6%) in 8 (5.8%) patients. The mean dwell-ing time for externalized leads was 87.9 (55 to 132) months compared to 60.1 (3 to 246) months of the remaining 135 ICD leads (p = 0.0329). All externalized leads were successfully and completely extracted using device traction, mechanical telescopic sheaths and/or autorotational cutting sheaths. No complica-tions of lead extraction procedures were observed in 8 patients with externalization. RESULTS: Patients with lead externalization were often in a better New York Heart Association func-tional class (I or II) compared to those in the rest of the study group (p = 0.0212). CONCLUSIONS: Conductor externalization is a rare finding in patients undergoing TLE. This occurs with different manufacturers and lead types. In this complication transvenous lead extraction with the mechanical extraction tools can be safely performed.

Results of open heart surgery in Jehovah's Witness patients. Single centre experience.

AIM: Evaluation the results in patients from the religious community of Jehovah's Witness (JW) undergoing open heart surgery at our institution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between September 2011 and March 2015, 21 patients with a religious background of the JW church underwent open heart surgery at our institution performed by the same surgical team. Mean age was 68.43 ±8.93 years. There were 13 (61.9%) female patients. Recombinant human erythropoietin was administered to every patient with a hemoglobin value < 12.0 g/dl. Nine patients undergoing isolated coronary artery revascularization were operated on without cardiopulmonary bypass. Seven patients underwent combined surgery and 5 patients underwent aortic valve replacement via ministernotomy. The mean follow-up time was 16.45 ±11.09 months (range: 1.67-44.3 months). RESULTS: Mean baseline hematocrit serum level was 40.15 ±3.34% (range: 34.5-46.1%). Perioperatively the hematocrit serum levels decreased to the mean level of 29.89 ±4.31% (range: 21.4-36.3%). The mean hematocrit value at discharge was 30.85 ±3.59% (range: 23.5-38.4%). One death was observed in the perioperative period. Five (24%) patients suffered from sternum wound infection requiring vacuum-assisted therapy. During the follow-up period 1 patient died due to a non-cardiac related cause. CONCLUSIONS: After careful preoperative preparation the results of open heart surgery in JW were very good, including combined procedures. The decrease of hematocrit serum levels significantly characterizing the postoperative period was highly acceptable in this series. Nevertheless, the number of sternum wound infections was a limiting factor for prompt postoperative recovery.

Serum beta-2 microglobulin levels for predicting acute kidney injury complicating aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVES: Acute kidney injury complicating both transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of serum beta 2 (ß2) microglobulin, cystatin C and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels in detecting periprocedural acute kidney injury. METHODS: Eighty consecutive patients who were 70 years of age or older and who were having surgical (n = 40) or transcatheter (n = 40) aortic valve replacement were recruited in a prospective study. The biomarkers were tested before the procedure, 6 times afterwards, at discharge and at a 6-month follow-up visit. RESULTS: The baseline ß2-microglobulin level was the strongest predictor of acute kidney injury as a complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement [odds ratio (OR) 5.277, P = 0.009]. Its level 24 h after the procedure reached the largest area under the curve (AUC) of 0.880 (P < 0.001) for detecting acute kidney injury. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the levels of ß2-microglobulin and cystatin C 24 h after the procedure were significantly associated with acute kidney injury after transcatheter valve replacement (OR 38.15, P = 0.044; OR 1782, P = 0.019, respectively). In the surgical aortic valve replacement group, the highest AUCs belonged to ß2-microglobulin and cystatin C at 24 h (AUC = 0.808, P = 0.003 and AUC = 0.854, P = 0.001, respectively). Their higher values were also associated with acute kidney injury (OR 17.2, P = 0.018; OR 965.6, P = 0.02, respectively). A persistent increase in the postoperative levels of ß2-microglobulin following acute kidney injury was associated with the progression of chronic kidney disease for 6 months after both transcatheter (OR 6.56, P = 0.030) and surgical (OR 7.67, P = 0.03) aortic valve replacements. CONCLUSIONS: Serum ß2-microglobulin had the potential to predict acute kidney injury complicating transcatheter valve replacement and to diagnose it as early as 24 h after both the transcatheter and the surgical procedures. Furthermore, the serum level of ß2-microglobulin was indicative of the progression of chronic kidney disease.

Endogenic erythropoietin secretion in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Erythropoietin (EPO) deficiency or inadequate EPO secretion in response to bleeding may result in profound or prolonged anaemia after cardiac surgery. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in EPO secretion in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). METHODS: Blood samples from 43 patients (mean age 65.1 ± 7.6 years) were obtained before surgery and on the 1st, 2nd, and 6th day post isolated OPCAB. EPO levels ≥ 4.3 mIU/mL were considered normal. RESULTS: Thirteen (30%) patients had the preoperative EPO level below normal range even though their preoperative haemoglobin was ≥ 13 g/dL. In patients with basal EPO deficiency lower peak EPO levels were observed compared to the group with normal basal EPO levels, even though reduction in haemoglobin concentrations was comparable in both groups. Moreover, lower reticulocytosis was noted on day 1 (8.5 ± 4.0‰ vs. 11.7 ± 4.4‰; p = 0.04) and a tendency toward lower values was seen on day 2 (9.6 ± 4.3‰ vs. 13.0 ± 5.8‰; p = 0.07) among patients with preoperative EPO deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Erythropoietin deficiency is common in patients scheduled for OPCAB, and it results in diminished increase in EPO secretion in response to bleeding. Consequently, in patients with EPO deficiency, reticulocytosis is lower than it could be predicted based on the observation of patients with normal EPO levels and similar blood loss.

Role of ß2-microglobulin in postoperative cognitive decline.

AIM: ß2-microglobulin (ß2M) was proved to affect hippocampal functions in mice. MATERIALS & METHODS: Seventy-one patients undergoing aortic valve replacement were analyzed in prospective observational study. Kidney biomarkers and Mini Mental State Examinations (MMSEs) were performed before procedure, at discharge and after 6 months. RESULTS: Patients with ß2M increase over the median change (>0.42 mg/l) experienced a significant in-hospital drop in MMSE (p = 0.005). Patients with ß2M increase over the median change also failed to improve a delayed-word-recall domain of the test (p = 0.826) while patients with a lower increase improved results in the domain (p = 0.004). After 6 months, MMSE improvement was associated with a significant decrease in ß2M (p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: These are the first in man data demonstrating relation between changes in cognition and ß2M. The phenomenon was reversible which indicates its therapeutic potential.

Comparison of mid-term results of transcatheter aortic valve implantation in high-risk patients with logistic EuroSCORE ≥ 20% or < 20.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an established treatment method in selected high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. However, data on which patients gain most benefit from this procedure is still limited. According to the European consensus document, TAVI is recommended for high-risk patients with logistic EuroSCORE (log ES) ≥ 20%. To date, little is known about TAVI outcomes in patients with log ES < 20%. AIM: To evaluate outcomes of TAVI in high-risk patients with log ES ≥ 20% in comparison with high-risk patients with log ES < 20%. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 93 patients who underwent TAVI at our institution between January 2009 and December 2011, we identified 59 (63.4%) patients with log ES ≥ 20% (Group 1) and 34 (36.6%) patients with log ES < 20% (Group 2). The mean log ES was 30.9 ± 9.7% in Group 1 and 12.7 ± 4.9% in Group 2 (p < 0.01). Significant differences were found between the two groups in regard to age (82.9 ± 5.9 vs. 78.7 ± 7.8 years, p = 0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction (51.5 ± 14% vs. 60.4 ± 9.6%, p = 0.002), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (56 ± 11 vs. 49 ± 10.6 mm Hg, p = 0.02), and glomerular filtration rate (51.3 ± 18.4 vs. 60.6 ± 16.6 mL/min/m2, p = 0.02). Survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 76.6% and 69.0% in Group 1 and 89.0% and 83.6% in Group 2 (p = NS). However, cardiovascular mortality at 1 and 2 years was higher in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (21.4% and 28.6% vs. 8.1% and 10.8% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that at 2 years of follow-up, TAVI in high-risk patients with log ES ≥ 20% was associated with a higher cardiovascular mortality compared to high-risk patients with log ES < 20%.

Pulsatile-flow mechanical circulatory support (MCS) as a bridge to transplantation or recovery. Single-centre experience with the POLCAS system in 2014.

INTRODUCTION: Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is a recognised method of treatment for patients with end-stage chronic or acute heart failure. The POLCAS pulsatile-flow system has been used in our institution for 15 years. Currently, it is being widely replaced by continuous-flow mechanical circulatory support equipment of the second and third generations (HeartMateII, HeartWare). The MCS presented in this study is associated with a significant risk of complications and its use is increasingly considered controversial. The aim of the study was an evaluation of the results of treatment utilising the POLCAS MCS system at our institution in 2014. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The POLCAS system was implanted in 12 patients aged 16-63 years (42 ± 17 years) during a period of 12 months (from January to December, 2014). Full-blown cardiogenic shock was observed in all patients before MCS implantation. Four of the analysed patients (33%) required prior circulatory support with other devices: IABP (n = 2) or ECMO (n = 2). Episodes of cardiac arrest were reported in three patients; three other patients experienced serious arrhythmias, which accelerated the decision to implant MCS. The presented data was retrospectively obtained from the CliniNET system of the Institute of Cardiology. OpenOffice Calc spreadsheet was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Average MCS time was 41 days ± 25 (from 15 to 91 days). Survival until transplantation or explantation was 91.67%. The most frequent complications following the therapy were: cardiac tamponade or bleeding requiring an intervention - 25% (n = 3), renal failure requiring dialysis - 25% (n = 3), ischaemic stroke associated with the MCS - 16.6% (n = 2), bacteraemia - 16.6% (n = 2), and wound infection - 8% (n = 1). No malfunctions of the MCS system were reported. Early survival in patients who completed the MCS therapy, defined as discharge, amounted to 63.6% (n = 7). CONCLUSIONS: The POLCAS heart assist system is an effective method of treatment as a bridge to transplantation or recovery in patients with end-stage heart failure. Early survival after the treatment remains at a satisfactory level. The main problem is the large number of complications related to the therapy.

The effectiveness of transvenous leads extractions implanted more than 10 years before.

BACKGROUND: The increasing number of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) causes a rise in the absolute percentage of individuals qualifying for a transvenous lead extraction (TLE) due to infectious, vascular or lead failure related indications. As the survival time prolongs, TLE procedures more and more often concern the electrodes of long- -term functioning. Authors provide a retrospective analysis of the effectiveness and safety of TLE performed on leads implanted at least 10 years before the extraction. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2012 we performed TLE of 364 electrodes in 217 patients. Out of these, 66 (18.1%) leads in 43 (19.8%) patients had been implanted for at least 10 years. The mean dwelling time for electrodes was 161 months (120 to 330). In 62% of cases CIED-related infection was an indication for TLE. The following extracting techniques were used: manual direct traction, device traction, mechanical telescopic sheaths, autorotational cutting sheaths and femoral approach. RESULTS: Fifty-eight pacemakers and 8 defibrillating leads were extracted. Sixty-three (95%) completely, in the remaining 3 cases the clinical success was achieved with the small portion of the lead left into the vascular space. No major procedure complications were observed; minor complications were found in 3 (6%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: TLE with the use of various endovascular techniques is an effective and safe method for treating infectious, vascular and mechanical complications of long-lasting CIEDs therapy.