Early Feasibility Study of a Hybrid Tissue-Engineered Mitral Valve in an Ovine Model.

Tissue engineering aims to overcome the current limitations of heart valves by providing a viable alternative using living tissue. Nevertheless, the valves constructed from either decellularized xenogeneic or purely biologic scaffolds are unable to withstand the hemodynamic loads, particularly in the left ventricle. To address this, we have been developing a hybrid tissue-engineered heart valve (H-TEHV) concept consisting of a nondegradable elastomeric scaffold enclosed in a valve-like living tissue constructed from autologous cells. We developed a 21 mm mitral valve scaffold for implantation in an ovine model. Smooth muscle cells/fibroblasts and endothelial cells were extracted, isolated, and expanded from the animal's jugular vein. Next, the scaffold underwent a sequential coating with the sorted cells mixed with collagen type I. The resulting H-TEHV was then implanted into the mitral position of the same sheep through open-heart surgery. Echocardiography scans following the procedure revealed an acceptable valve performance, with no signs of regurgitation. The valve orifice area, measured by planimetry, was 2.9 cm2, the ejection fraction reached 67%, and the mean transmitral pressure gradient was measured at 8.39 mmHg. The animal successfully recovered from anesthesia and was transferred to the vivarium. Upon autopsy, the examination confirmed the integrity of the H-TEHV, with no evidence of tissue dehiscence. The preliminary results from the animal implantation suggest the feasibility of the H-TEHV.

Less-Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement: Trends and Outcomes From The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Database.

BACKGROUND: This study compares outcomes of conventional and less-invasive (LI) approaches for aortic valve replacement (AVR) using The Society of Thoracic Surgeons database. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2017, we identified 122,474 patients undergoing isolated primary AVR. Patients were categorized into 3 groups: (1) full sternotomy (FS) (n = 98,549; 78%), (2) partial sternotomy (PS) (n = 17,306; 15%), and (3) right thoracotomy (RT) (n = 6619; 7%). RESULTS: The rate of LI-AVR increased from 17% in 2011 to 23% in 2016 (P < .001). Femoral cannulation was used in 1.5% of FS, 5.4% of PS, and 71% of RT patients (P < .001). Full sternotomy patients were older and had higher rates of preoperative renal failure, atrial fibrillation, and stroke, and had a higher NYHA function class, lower ejection fraction, and higher STS risk score. Total operative, cardiopulmonary bypass, and cross-clamp time were longest in RT-AVR patients and shortest in those who had FS-AVR. Overall, unadjusted operative mortality was 1.9% (1.05% among low-risk patients) and was not different among the 3 groups (1.97% FS, 1.77% PS, and 1.90% RT; P = .4). The rate of postoperative stroke was 1.2% and was not different among the 3 groups (1.2% FS, 1.3% PS, and 1.1% RT; P = .3). After risk adjustment, these differences remained nonsignificant. After risk adjustment, prolonged ventilation and atrial fibrillation were less common in PS-AVR patients. The adjusted risk for blood transfusion was lower in RT-AVR patients, as was the incidence of renal failure. Femoral cannulation was not associated with increased risk for stroke or mortality after LI-AVR. CONCLUSIONS: Less-invasive AVR is associated with an operative mortality and postoperative stroke rate similar to that of FS. Less-invasive AVRs should serve as a benchmark for comparison between transcatheter aortic valve replacement and surgical AVR in low-risk patients.

National risk factors for blunt cardiac injury: Hemopneumothorax is the strongest predictor.

BACKGROUND: Blunt cardiac injury (BCI) can occur after chest trauma and may be associated with sternal fracture (SF). We hypothesized that injuries demonstrating a higher transmission of force to the thorax, such as thoracic aortic injury (TAI), would have a higher association with BCI. METHODS: We queried the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) from 2007-2015 to identify adult blunt trauma patients. RESULTS: BCI occurred in 15,976 patients (0.3%). SF had a higher association with BCI (OR = 5.52, CI = 5.32-5.73, p < 0.001) compared to TAI (OR = 4.82, CI = 4.50-5.17, p < 0.001). However, the strongest independent predictor was hemopneumothorax (OR = 9.53, CI = 7.80-11.65, p < 0.001) followed by SF and esophageal injury (OR = 5.47, CI = 4.05-7.40, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: SF after blunt trauma is more strongly associated with BCI compared to TAI. However, hemopneumothorax is the strongest predictor of BCI. We propose all patients presenting after blunt chest trauma with high-risk features including hemopneumothorax, sternal fracture, esophagus injury, and TAI be screened for BCI. SUMMARY: Using the National Trauma Data Bank, sternal fracture is more strongly associated with blunt cardiac injury than blunt thoracic aortic injury. However, hemopneumothorax was the strongest predictor.

Unusual cardiac paraganglioma mimicking an atypical carcinoid tumor of the lung.

We present a case of unusual cardiac paraganglioma (PG) initially misdiagnosed as atypical carcinoid tumor of the lung and discuss key clinical and pathologic characteristics that guide surgical management of these rare chromaffin cell tumors. A 64-year-old female with persistent cough and back pain was found to have a 4 cm × 3 cm mass abutting multiple cardiopulmonary structures. A biopsy was performed at an outside institution and pathology reported "atypical neuroendocrine carcinoma, consistent with carcinoid". The patient was transferred to our institution and pericardial resection with right pneumonectomy was performed to excise the tumor. Histology of the mass was that of PG with multiple ethanol embolizations. Immunohistochemical examination revealed that type I (chief) cells were positive for neuroendocrine markers (chromogranin A and synaptophysin), while type II (sustentacular) cells were positive for S100. There was no evidence of atypical carcinoid tumor in the lung. PG is an entity of chromaffin cell tumors that often affects the adrenal glands and carotid body. PG rarely occurs in the thoracic region, accounting for just 1-2% of all PG. Proper diagnosis of cardiac PG is challenging owing to its rare prevalence, subtle symptoms of presentation, and the neuroendocrine histopathological features it shares with atypical carcinoids. These tumors are typically benign and are best treated by surgical resection. Our report examines the approach to appropriate diagnosis of cardiac PG vs. atypical carcinoid, preoperative management, and surgical treatment by describing successful resection through thoracotomy without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Implementation of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in California: Influence on aortic valve surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures were introduced in 2011. Initially, procedures were limited to patients who were not surgical candidates, but subsequently high-risk surgical candidates were considered for TAVR. The influence on aortic valve surgery in California is unknown. METHODS: The California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development hospitalized patient discharge database was queried for the years 2009 through 2014. isolated surgical aortic valve and aortic valve/coronary artery bypass graft (SAVR) and TAVR procedures were identified by International Classification of Diseases-9th revision clinical modification procedure codes. Seven TAVR programs were introduced in 2011, 12 in 2012, 3 in 2013, and 6 in 2014. SAVR procedure volumes were compared from the 2 years before institution with SAVR volumes during the year(s) after institution of the TAVR program in these 28 hospitals. RESULTS: Overall, surgical volumes increased during the first, second, and third years after implementation of TAVR procedures. Among 7 hospitals with 4-year programs, surgical volumes increased to a maximum of 15.5% during the third year, then began to decrease. The hospital performing the largest number of TAVR procedures showed a marked decrease in SAVR volume by the fourth year, suggesting a shift of SAVR candidates to TAVR. Among all hospitals with 4-year programs, TAVR exceeded SAVR procedures by the fourth year. In California overall, SAVR increased during 2011 through 2013, due primarily to increasing volume of isolated SAVR procedures. Statewide, isolated SAVR increased from a yearly average of 3111 procedures during 2009-2010 to 3592 (+15.5%) in 2013, then decreased slightly in 2014. SAVR plus coronary artery bypass graft procedures decreased during the same time period. CONCLUSIONS: After implementation of TAVR, hospital SAVR volumes increased moderately, then began to decrease by the fourth year, when TAVR volume exceeded SAVR. Surgical candidates may be identified during evaluation for TAVR, resulting in increased SAVR volume. Increasing SAVR volume may also be related to improved patient and provider awareness of aortic valve disease.

Dual occurrence of ALK G1202R solvent front mutation and small cell lung cancer transformation as resistance mechanisms to second generation ALK inhibitors without prior exposure to crizotinib. Pitfall of solely relying on liquid re-biopsy?

Development of the acquired ALK G1202R solvent front mutation and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) transformation have both been independently reported as resistance mechanisms to ALK inhibitors in ALK-rearranged (ALK+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients but have not been reported in the same patient. Here we report an ALK+ NSCLC patient who had disease progression after ceritinib and then alectinib where an ALK G1202R mutation was detected on circulating tumor (ct) DNA prior to enrollment onto a trial of another next generation ALK inhibitor, lorlatinib. The patient's central nervous system (CNS) metastases responded to lorlatinib together with clearance of ALK G1202R mutation by repeat ctDNA assay. However, the patient developed a new large pericardial effusion. Resected pericardium from the pericardial window revealed SCLC transformation with positive immunostaining for synaptophysin, chromogranin, and ALK (D5F3 antibody). Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) of the tumor infiltrating pericardium revealed the retainment of an ALK rearrangement with emergence of an inactivating Rb1 mutation (C706Y) and loss of exons 1-11 in p53 that was not detected in the original tumor tissue at diagnosis. The patient was subsequently treated with carboplatin/etoposide and alectinib, but had rapid clinical deterioration and died. The patient never received crizotinib. This case illustrates that multiple/compound resistance mechanisms to ALK inhibitors can occur and provide supporting information that loss of p53 and Rb1 are important in SCLC transformation. If clinically feasible, tissue-based re-biopsy allowing histological examination and CGP remains the gold standard to assess resistance mechanism(s) and to direct subsequent rational clinical care.

Defining operative mortality: Impact on outcome reporting.

OBJECTIVE: Death is an important outcome of procedural interventions. The death rate, or mortality rate, is subject to variability by definition. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database definition of "operative" mortality originally included all in-hospital deaths and deaths occurring within 30 days of the procedure. In recent versions of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database, "in-hospital" has been modified to include "patients transferred to other acute care facilities," and "deaths within 30 days unless clearly unrelated to the procedure" has been changed to "deaths within 30 days regardless of cause." This study addresses the impact of these redefinitions on outcome reporting. METHODS: The California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development hospitalized patient discharge database was queried for the year 2009, the most recent year that data files could be linked to the vital statistics death files to include all-cause mortality. Isolated coronary artery bypass grafting, isolated valve, coronary artery bypass grafting valve, and percutaneous coronary intervention procedures were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification procedure codes. Percutaneous coronary intervention procedures were further divided into acute coronary syndrome (percutaneous coronary intervention acute coronary syndrome) and all other percutaneous coronary intervention (percutaneous coronary intervention no acute coronary syndrome). Deaths were counted by 5 methods depending on the time and place of occurrence: (1) in-hospital or during the index hospitalization; (2) in-hospital + connected hospitalization, defined as a transfer to another acute care facility on the same day or within 24 hours of discharge; (3) in-hospital + 30 day, death during index hospitalization or within 30 days after the procedure; (4) in-hospital + connected + 30 day readmission, death during index hospitalization, transfer to acute care facility, or deaths during readmission within 30 days; and (5) in-hospital + connected + 30 day. To study the impact of these operative mortality definitions, we examined 5 different methods to track mortality and performed 2 separate analyses. The first analysis did not exclude any patients, and the second analysis excluded any patient who could not be accurately tracked after hospital discharge. RESULTS: In the first analysis with no patients excluded, a total of 17% (117/697) of surgical deaths and 31% (409/1324) of percutaneous coronary intervention deaths were counted after the original hospitalization. The highest percentage of posthospital deaths occurred after elective percutaneous coronary intervention: 45% (135/301). In surgical patients, the highest percentage of posthospital deaths occurred in coronary artery bypass grafting procedures: 20% (57/284). In the second analysis, with untrackable patients excluded, hospital deaths included 12% (161/1324) for percutaneous coronary intervention compared with 4% (30/697) for surgical procedures. CONCLUSIONS: A significant percentage of procedural deaths occur after transfer or discharge from the index hospital. This is especially evident in the percutaneous coronary intervention group. These findings illustrate the importance of the definition of "operative" mortality and the need to ensure accuracy in the reporting of data to voluntary clinical registries, such as the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database and National Cardiovascular Data Registry.

ALK F1174V mutation confers sensitivity while ALK I1171 mutation confers resistance to alectinib. The importance of serial biopsy post progression.

Many acquired resistant mutations to the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene have been identified during treatment of ALK-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with crizotinib, ceritinib, and alectinib. These various acquired resistant ALK mutations confer differential sensitivities to various ALK inhibitors and may provide guidance on how to sequence the use of many of the second generation ALK inhibitors. We described a patient who developed an acquired ALK F1174V resistant mutation on progression from crizotinib that responded to alectinib for 18 months but then developed an acquired ALK I1171S mutation to alectinib. Both tumor samples had essentially the same genomic profile by comprehensive genomic profiling otherwise. This is the first patient report that demonstrates ALK F1174V mutation is sensitive to alectinib and further confirms missense acquired ALK I1171 mutation is resistant to alectinib. Sequential tumor re-biopsy for comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) is important to appreciate the selective pressure during treatment with various ALK inhibitors underpinning the evolution of the disease course of ALK+NSCLC patients while on treatment with the various ALK inhibitors. This approach will likely help inform the optimal sequencing strategy as more ALK inhibitors become available. This case report also validates the importance of developing structurally distinct ALK inhibitors for clinical use to overcome non-cross resistant ALK mutations.

Load-dependent extracellular matrix organization in atrioventricular heart valves: differences and similarities.

The extracellular matrix of the atrioventricular (AV) valves' leaflets has a key role in the ability of these valves to properly remodel in response to constantly varying physiological loads. While the loading on mitral and tricuspid valves is significantly different, no information is available on how collagen fibers change their orientation in response to these loads. This study delineates the effect of physiological loading on AV valves' leaflets microstructures using Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) microscopy. Fresh natural porcine tricuspid and mitral valves' leaflets (n = 12/valve type) were cut and prepared for the experiments. Histology and immunohistochemistry were performed to compare the microstructural differences between the valves. The specimens were imaged live during the relaxed, loading, and unloading phases using SHG microscopy. The images were analyzed with Fourier decomposition to mathematically seek changes in collagen fiber orientation. Despite the similarities in both AV valves as seen in the histology and immunohistochemistry data, the microstructural arrangement, especially the collagen fiber distribution and orientation in the stress-free condition, were found to be different. Uniaxial loading was dependent on the arrangement of the fibers in their relaxed mode, which led the fibers to reorient in-line with the load throughout the depth of the mitral leaflet but only to reorient in-line with the load in deeper layers of the tricuspid leaflet. Biaxial loading arranged the fibers in between the two principal axes of the stresses independently from their relaxed states. Unlike previous findings, this study concludes that the AV valves' three-dimensional extracellular fiber arrangement is significantly different in their stress-free and uniaxially loaded states; however, fiber rearrangement in response to the biaxial loading remains similar.

Effects of a multimodality blood conservation schema toward improvement of intraoperative hemoglobin levels and off-pump transfusions in coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: Cardiothoracic surgery places significant demands on blood bank resources. Measures aimed at reducing intraoperative hemodilution were initiated as part of a blood conservation program. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We initiated a series of measures aimed at reducing hemodilution volume: 1) reduction of intravenous fluid (IVF) volume, 2) reduction of circuit size, and 3) use of autologous priming techniques. All sources and volumes of IVF were obtained from the medical record. Intraoperative hematocrit (Hct) measurements were performed at the following intervals: first in operating room (OR), lowest on-pump, last on-pump, after protamine reversal, and immediately before discharge from OR. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions were recorded. Intraoperative IVF, Hct levels, and transfusions were analyzed by cardiopulmonary bypass phase (prepump, on-pump, and off-pump), comparing preimplementation and postimplementation periods. RESULTS: Total intraoperative IVF volume was reduced by 973.7 mL (95% confidence interval, 671.6-1275.9 mL; p < 0.001) leading to a mean on-pump Hct improvement of more than 2% (p < 0.004). This contributed to a reduction in off-pump RBC transfusions by 20.6% (p = 0.014). A significant degree of heterogeneity in transfusion practice was noted between anesthesiologists. CONCLUSIONS: Blood conservation efforts in cardiac surgery should include efforts aimed at reducing hemodilution. Potential improvements are blunted by variation in transfusion practice.

Cause and effects of decreasing coronary revascularization procedures in California hospitals, 2006 to 2010.

Coronary revascularization procedures decreased markedly in California after the introduction of drug-eluting stents and the initiation of public reporting in 2003, resulting in a large number of low-volume heart programs. California hospital discharge data were analyzed from 2006 to 2010 to study the impact of this change. In-hospital mortality and hospital readmission for major adverse events at 90 days and 365 days were determined for patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) either with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or PCI without acute coronary syndrome (PCI-noACS). Three terciles were chosen by case volume as follows: high-volume (747 ± 336 [SD]/yr total PCI, 210 ± 130 isolated CABG), intermediate volume (362 ± 47 PCI, 106 ± 27 CABG), and low-volume (211 ± 6 PCI, 53 ± 17 CABG) terciles were studied. PCI-noACS procedures decreased 33% and CABG 20%, whereas PCI-ACS procedures increased slightly. Risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality was slightly better in high-volume compared with low-volume terciles for CABG (2.0% vs 2.6%) and PCI-noACS (0.64% vs 0.85%). There was no difference in major adverse events at 90 days or 365 days among volume terciles within procedure groups, and no change in event rates was noted over the 5-year period. Wide variation in outcomes, associated with low volume, contributed to poor statistical discrimination among providers. In conclusion, lower volume hospitals had similar overall outcomes with wider variation. Conservative treatment strategies apparently contributed to decreased procedure volume. Collaboration among hospitals of similar structure and case volume may be the most appropriate performance improvement model to reduce variability among providers.

Large esophageal fistula closure using an over-the-scope clip: two unique cases.

Surgical repair of esophageal fistulas is complex and carries a high degree of morbidity. Endoscopic management is preferred but has been limited to closure of small fistulas in the past. The over-the-scope clip system has been used as an effective method for closure of gastrointestinal perforations. Only a few reports have shown the successful use of the over-the-scope clip system for closure of fistulas. The following are 2 unique cases of successful endoscopic esophageal fistula closure using the over-the-scope clip system.

Adverse events after coronary revascularization procedures in California 2000 to 2010.

Public reporting of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) mortality in California was initiated in 2003. Drug-eluting stents were widely introduced in the same year. Adverse events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and CABG were analyzed to study the impact of these events. Annual California hospital discharge data were collected from 2000 through 2010. In-hospital mortality and hospital readmission for adverse events <1 year were determined for patients undergoing isolated CABG, PCI for acute coronary syndrome (PCI-ACS), and all other PCIs (PCI-noACS). CABG volume peaked in 2000 and subsequently decreased by 58%; PCI volume peaked in 2005 and subsequently decreased by 20%. After 2003, in-hospital mortality and 1-year mortality for CABG decreased whereas mortality after PCI remained unchanged. Event rates for acute myocardial infarction and stroke varied little over the decade; acute myocardial infarction at 1 year was 2.5% to 2.8% (CABG), 4.5% to 5.4% (PCI-ACS), and 4.6% to 5.8% (PCI-noACS); stroke rate was 1.4% to 1.7% (CABG), 1.2% to 1.6% (PCI-ACS), and 1.0% to 1.2% (PCI-noACS). Reintervention for PCI decreased markedly, from 18.8% to 12.8% (PCI-ACS) and 22.5% to 13.3% (PCI-noACS). Multiple adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events rate at 1 year decreased from 10.8% to 9.4% (CABG), 26.5% to 21.2% (PCI-ACS), and 26.8% to 18.4% (PCI-noACS). Excluding reinterventions, multiple adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events rate at 1 year was 8.3% (CABG), 14.6% (PCI-ACS), and 10.1% (PCI-noACS) in 2010. In conclusion, the volume of coronary interventions in California decreased whereas adverse event rates decreased after the introduction of public reporting and drug-eluting stents. Lower procedure volume combined with improved outcomes resulted in an annual decrease of >6,000 adverse events by the end of the decade.

Coarctation of the aorta presenting as spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage in the absence of cerebral aneurysm: a report of a rare clinical entity.

Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is a common neurologic event characterised by bleeding into the space immediately surrounding the brain. In non-traumatic SAH, the predominant cause is aneurysmal rupture of the cerebral vasculature. A significant number occur in the absence of vascular anomalies. This report describes a case of a 35-year-old male who presented with a subarachnoid haemorrhage in the absence of intracranial aneurysm. Subsequent workup demonstrated severe proximal hypertension due to congenital aortic coarctation as the cause of this event. This case demonstrates the importance of considering congenital abnormalities when evaluating patients with cerebrovascular events in the absence of common aetiologies.

Coronary venous aneurysm in patients without cardiac arrhythmia as detected by MDCT: an anatomic variant or a pathologic entity.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of coronary venous aneurysm in patients with no history of cardiac arrhythmia using 64-slice multidetector computed tomography. BACKGROUND: Coronary vein aneurysm frequently has been reported in association with cardiac arrhythmias such as ventricular pre-excitation. METHODS: Coronary computed tomography angiograms of 187 patients (108 men, 79 women; mean age +/- SD, 60 +/- 12 years) were analyzed retrospectively for the presence of a focal coronary venous aneurysm. Fusiform aneurysm was defined as a focal dilatation of twice the normal vein. However, any size of diverticular aneurysms was included. Cross-sectional diameters of normal and aneurysmal segments of the posterior interventricular vein, great cardiac vein, and coronary sinus (CS) were measured at mid-diastole, late systole, and atrial systole. The Student t test was used for continuous variables and contingency tables were used for categorical variables. RESULTS: A single aneurysm was found in 19 (10%) patients (fusiform, n =16; diverticular, n = 3). The most common anatomic location was the posterior interventricular vein near the confluence with the CS (n = 14), followed by the great cardiac vein near the junction with the CS (n = 3), and the CS (n = 2). The mean diameter of the aneurysms was 9.3 +/- 1.2 mm (range, 8.1 to 11.4 mm) at mid-diastole and 10.4 +/- 1.4 mm (range, 8.5 to 12.7 mm) at late systole. However, the difference was not statistically significant. All normal CSs and 1 aneurysm arising from the CS showed contraction during atrial systole, which may suggest atrial myocardial coverage of these structures. Patients with a venous aneurysm were significantly older than patients without an aneurysm (67.6 +/- 11 vs. 59 +/- 12 years, respectively; p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Coronary vein aneurysms (especially the fusiform type) were seen in up to 10% of patients with no history of cardiac arrhythmia and can be well visualized on computed tomography angiograms.

Postoperative thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura after open heart operations.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (pTTP) after cardiovascular operations has an alarmingly high mortality rate if untreated. Five patients after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedure were diagnosed with pTTP when they were observed to have a persistent thrombocytopenia associated with symptoms of fever, renal insufficiency, thromboembolic events, or altered mental status in conjunction with a microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA). A guideline for early diagnosis, followed by timely treatment in these cases, is reviewed. METHODS: A retrospective record review of postoperative patients with thrombocytopenia identified 5 patients that met the criteria for pTTP from 2004 to 2008. We examined these 5 cardiovascular surgical patients in terms of clinical presentation, laboratory data, and outcomes. RESULTS: All patients had the combination of an unexplained thrombocytopenia (platelets < 50,000 mm(3)) in conjunction with a MAHA as determined by the presence of schistocytes. Symptoms of neurologic dysfunction and renal insufficiency developed in all patients. Thromboembolic events were noted in 1 patient. All patients underwent plasmapheresis. In 3 patients, response time to clinical recovery and normalization of hematologic laboratory values after plasmapheresis was 3, 4, and 8 days. Two patients did not recover and died. One patient had a clinical and laboratory recovery after 19 days of plasmapheresis; however, after 11 days, thrombocytopenia with MAHA developed and he died on day 53 from complications related to the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative TTP should be recognized as a possible pathophysiologic mechanism for unexplained postoperative thrombocytopenia and treatment should be initiated once the diagnosis is established.

Narrowing the gap: early and intermediate outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass graft procedures in California, 1997 to 2006.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous coronary intervention is increasingly used to treat multivessel coronary artery disease. Coronary artery bypass graft procedures have decreased, and as a result, percutaneous coronary intervention has increased. The overall impact of this treatment shift is uncertain. We examined the in-hospital mortality and complication rates for these procedures in California using a combined risk model. METHODS: The confidential dataset of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development patient discharge database was queried for 1997 to 2006. A risk model was developed using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification procedures and diagnostic codes from the combined pool of isolated coronary artery bypass graft and percutaneous coronary intervention procedures performed during 2005 and 2006. In-hospital mortality was corrected for "same-day" transfers to another health care institution. Early failure rate was defined as in-hospital mortality rate plus reintervention for another percutaneous coronary intervention or cardiac surgery procedure within 90 days. RESULTS: Coronary artery bypass graft volume decreased from 28,495 (1997) to 15,520 (2006), whereas percutaneous coronary intervention volume increased from 38,098 to 53,703. Risk-adjusted mortality rate decreased from 4.7% to 2.1% for coronary artery bypass graft procedures and from 3.4% to 1.9% for percutaneous coronary intervention. Expected mortality rate increased for both procedures. Early failure rate decreased from 13.1% to 8.0% for percutaneous coronary intervention and from 6.5% to 5.4% for coronary artery bypass graft. For the years 2004 and 2005, the risk of recurrent myocardial infarction or need for coronary artery bypass graft during the first postoperative year was 12% for percutaneous coronary intervention and 6% for coronary artery bypass grafts. CONCLUSION: This study shows that as volume shifted from coronary artery bypass grafts to percutaneous coronary intervention, expected mortality increased for both procedures. Risk-adjusted mortality rate decreased for both procedures, more so for coronary artery bypass grafts, so that corrected in-hospital mortality rates essentially equalized at approximately 2.0% in 2006. The post-procedural risk of reintervention, death, or myocardial infarction within the first year was twice as high for percutaneous coronary intervention as for coronary artery bypass grafts.

Pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle flap: routine use in high-risk thoracic surgery.

Bronchopleural fistula and empyema are serious complications after thoracic surgical procedures, and their prevention is paramount. Herein, we review our experience with routine prophylactic use of the pedicled ipsilateral latissimus dorsi muscle flap. From January 2004 through February 2006, 10 surgically high-risk patients underwent intrathoracic transposition of this muscle flap for reinforcement of bronchial-stump closure or obliteration of empyema cavities. Seven of the patients were chronically immunosuppressed, 5 were severely malnourished (median preoperative serum albumin level, 2.4 g/dL), and 5 had severe underlying obstructive pulmonary disease (median forced expiratory volume in 1 second, 44% of predicted level). Three upper lobectomies and 1 completion pneumonectomy were performed in order to treat massive hemoptysis that was secondary to complex aspergilloma. One patient underwent left pneumonectomy due to ruptured-cavitary primary lung lymphoma. One upper lobectomy was performed because of necrotizing, localized Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection. One patient underwent right upper lobectomy and main-stem bronchoplasty for carcinoma after chemoradiation therapy. In 3 patients, the pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle was used to obliterate chronic empyema cavities and to buttress the closure of underlying bronchopleural fistulas. No operative deaths or recurrent empyemas resulted. Two patients retained peri-flap air that required no surgical intervention. We conclude that the use of transposed pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle flap effectively and reliably prevents clinically overt bronchopleural fistula and recurrent empyema. We advocate its routine use in first-time and selected reoperative thoracotomies in patients who are undergoing high-risk lung resection or reparative procedures.

Imaging of patent foramen ovale with 64-section multidetector CT.

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility of 64-section multidetector computed tomography (CT) by using CT angiography (a) to demonstrate anatomic detail of the interatrial septum pertinent to the patent foramen ovale (PFO), and (b) to visually detect left-to-right PFO shunts and compare these findings in patients who also underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this institutional review board-approved HIPAA-compliant study, electrocardiographically gated coronary CT angiograms in 264 patients (159 men, 105 women; mean age, 60 years) were reviewed for PFO morphologic features. The length and diameter of the opening of the PFO tunnel, presence of atrial septal aneurysm (ASA), and PFO shunts were evaluated. A left-to-right shunt was assigned a grade according to length of contrast agent jet (grade 1, 1 cm to 2 cm; grade 3, >2 cm). In addition, 23 patients who underwent both modalities were compared (Student t test and linear regression analysis). A difference with P < .05 was significant. RESULTS: A flap valve, seen in 101 (38.3%) patients, was patent at the entry into the right atrium (PFO) in 62 patients (61.4% of patients with flap valve, 23.5% of total patients). A left-to-right shunt was detected in 44 (16.7% of total) patients (grade 1, 61.4%; grade 2, 34.1%; grade 3, 4.5%). No shunt was seen in patients without a flap valve. Mean length of PFO tunnel was 7.1 mm in 44 patients with a shunt and 12.1 mm in 57 patients with a flap valve without a shunt (P < .0001). In patients with a tunnel length of 6 mm or shorter, 92.6% of the shunts were seen. ASA was seen in 11 (4.2%) patients; of these patients, a shunt was seen in seven (63.6%). In 23 patients who underwent CT angiography and TEE, both modalities showed a PFO shunt in seven. CONCLUSION: Multidetector CT provides detailed anatomic information about size, morphologic features, and shunt grade of the PFO. Shorter tunnel length and septal aneurysms are frequently associated with left-to-right shunts in patients with PFO.