Life expectancy after surgical aortic valve replacement for low-gradient aortic stenosis with preserved ejection fraction.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) can modify the natural history of severe aortic stenosis (SAS). However, compared with the general population, these patients have a loss of life expectancy. The life expectancy of patients who undergo SAVR due to low-gradient SAS with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is unknown. METHODS: We included all patients between 50 and 65 years who underwent isolated SAVR in 27 Spanish centers during an 18-year period. We analyzed observed and expected survival at 18 years in patients with low-gradient SAS with preserved LVEF and all other types of SAS. We used propensity score matching to compare the life expectancy of patients with low-gradient SAS with preserved LVEF vs those with high-gradient SAS with preserved LVEF. RESULTS: We analyzed 5084 patients, of whom 413 had low-gradient SAS with preserved LVEF. For these patients, observed survival at 10, 15 and 18 years was 86.6% (95%CI, 85.3-87.8), 75% (95%CI, 72.7-77.2), and 63.5% (95%CI, 58.8-67.8). Expected survival at 10, 15 and 18 years was 90.2%, 82.1%, and 75.7%. In the matched sample, survival of patients with low-gradient SAS with preserved LVEF was similar to that of patients with high-gradient with preserved LVEF, log-rank test, P=.95; HR=1 (95%CI, 0.7-1.4; P=.95). CONCLUSIONS: There is a loss of life expectancy in patients with all types of SAS undergoing SAVR. This loss is higher in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and lower in patients with low-gradient or high-gradient aortic stenosis with preserved LVEF. The benefit of surgery is similar between these last 2 groups.

Long-term outcomes with the On-X bileaflet mitral valve: clinical events up to 17 years in 661 patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study reports long-term clinical outcomes-up to 17 years-among patients undergoing mitral valve replacement with the On-X bileaflet mechanical valve. Prior data regarding long-term outcomes with the On-X mitral valve have been limited. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included all patients who underwent mitral valve replacement with the On-X (Standard or Conform-X) valve at 2 major Spanish cardiac surgery centres between 2001 and 2018. The primary study end point was freedom from death. The secondary study end points included surgical mortality and freedom from any valve-related events. Data were obtained from an institutional database, medical records review, direct telephone interviews or the Spanish population registry. Statistical and Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 661 patients (mean age 63.1 ± 10.9 years, 63% female) were followed for a mean of 5.6 years (range, 0-17.4 years). Survival at 5, 10 and 15 years was 85%, 71% and 63%, respectively. Surgical mortality was 7.3% (48/661). The linearized rate of global mortality was 1.3% patient-year. Freedom from reoperation was 97%, 95% and 92% at 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively; freedom from anticoagulation-related events was 94%, 89% and 89%, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that mortality increased with total length of stay, age, smoking history, severe pulmonary hypertension and a permanent pacemaker. Patients who received the On-X 25 -mm valve had decreased long-term survival relative to patients who received other On-X valve sizes, possibly due to underlying risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Patients in this study showed good long-term survival and freedom from valve-related events.

Life expectancy after aortic valve replacement in young patients.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: In young patients with severe aortic stenosis, it is unknown whether their life expectancy restored after aortic valve replacement (AVR) is unknown. METHODS: We analyzed all patients aged between 50 and 65 years who underwent isolated AVR in 27 Spanish centers during an 18-year period. We compared observed and expected survival at 15 years of follow-up. We repeated all analyses for patients without complications in the postoperative period. RESULTS: A total of 5084 patients were analyzed. For the overall sample, observed survival at 10 and 15 years was 85.3% (95%CI, 84.1%-86.4%) and 73.7% (95%CI, 71.6%-75.6%), respectively. Expected survival was 90.1% and 82.1%. Cumulative relative survival for 1, 5, 10 and 15 years of follow-up was 97.4% (95%CI, 96.9%-97.9%), 96.5% (95%CI, 95.7%-97.3%), 94.7% (95%CI, 93.3%-95.9%), and 89.8% (95%CI, 87.3%-92.1%). For patients without complications, cumulative relative survival for 1, 5, 10 and 15 years was 100.3% (95%CI, 99.8%-100.5%), 98.9% (95%CI 97.6% -99.9%), 97.3% (95%CI, 94.9%-99.4%), and 91.9% (95%CI, 86.5%-96.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Life expectancy in young patients who have severe aortic stenosis and undergo AVR is lower than that of the general population. Life expectancy of individuals without complications during the postoperative period is also reduced. Therefore, baseline characteristics are likely the main factors that explain the reduction in life expectancy.

Prognostic impact of cardiac surgery in left-sided infective endocarditis according to risk profile.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic impact of urgent cardiac surgery on the prognosis of left-sided infective endocarditis (LSIE) and its relationship to the basal risk of the patient and to the surgical indication. METHODS: 605 patients with LSIE and formal surgical indication were consecutively recruited between 2000 and 2020 among three tertiary centres: 405 underwent surgery during the active phase of the disease and 200 did not despite having indication. The prognostic impact of urgent surgery was evaluated by multivariable analysis and propensity score analysis. We studied the benefit of surgery according to baseline mortality risk defined by the ENDOVAL score and according to surgical indication. RESULTS: Surgery is an independent predictor of survival in LSIE with surgical indication both by multivariable analysis (OR 0.260, 95% CI 0.162 to 0.416) and propensity score (mortality 40% vs 66%, p<0.001). Its greatest prognostic benefit is seen in patients at highest risk (predicted mortality 80%-100%: OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.021 to 0.299). The benefit of surgery is especially remarkable for uncontrolled infection indication (OR 0.385, 95% CI 0.194 to 0.765), even in combination with heart failure (OR 0.220, 95% CI 0.077 to 0.632). CONCLUSIONS: Surgery during active LSIE seems to significantly reduce in-hospital mortality. The higher the risk, the higher the improvement in outcome.

Differences in life expectancy between men and women after aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVES: Some researchers have observed an increased number of deaths during the follow-up of young patients who undergo aortic valve replacement due to severe aortic stenosis, suggesting that this procedure does not restore their life expectancy. Our goal was to confirm these findings and explore sex-based differences. METHODS: All patients between 50 and 65 years of age who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement in 27 Spanish centres during an 18-year period were included. We compared observed and expected survival at 15 years of follow-up and estimated the cumulative incidence of death from a competing risks point of view. We stratified by sex and analysed if being a woman was an independent risk factor for death. RESULTS: For men, the observed survival at 10 and 15 years of follow-up was 85% [95% confidence interval (CI) 83.6%-86.4%] and 72.3% (95% CI 69.7%-74.7%), respectively whereas the expected survival was 88.1% and 78.8%. For women, the observed survival at 10 and 15 years was 85% (95% CI 82.8%-86.9%) and 73% (95% CI 69.1%-76.4%), whereas the expected survival was 94.6% and 89.4%. At 15 years of follow-up, the cumulative incidence of death due to the disease in men and women was 8.2% and 16.7%, respectively. In addition, being a woman was an independent risk factor for death (hazard ratio = 1.23 (95% CI 1.02-1.48; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: After the aortic valve replacement, men and women do not have their life expectancy restored, but this loss is much higher in women than in men. In addition, being a woman is a risk factor for long-term death. Reasons for these findings are unknown and must be investigated.

Trifecta Bioprosthesis Sudden-Onset Three-Leaflet Detachment.

Acute bioprosthesis failure is an uncommon event that may require urgent surgery. This is even less frequent when it is not associated with endocarditis, thrombus formation, or structural valve deterioration. We describe an acute complete detachment of the 3 leaflets of a Trifecta tissue valve 6 years after implantation in a patient who suddenly experienced strong chest pain with severe dyspnea. In the operating room, total detachment of the 3 leaflets from the scalloped cuff and from 1 of the cusps was observed. No signs of endocarditis or leaflet calcifications were found.

Outcomes of Aortic Valve Replacement According to Surgical Approach in Intermediate and Low Risk Patients: A Propensity Score Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous trials have shown that, among high-risk patients with aortic stenosis, survival rates are similar for transcatheter aortic-valve implantation (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve replacement. The study aimed to compare the outcomes of aortic valve replacement according to the adopted surgical approach in intermediate and low risk patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational, cohort study of prospectively collected data from 421 patients undergoing isolated aortic valve replacement between 2011 and 2015. A multinomial logit propensity score model based on preoperative risk factors was used to match patients 1:1:1 between conventional replacement (CAVR), minimally invasive (MIAVR) and TAVI groups, resulting in 50 matched three cohorts. RESULTS: After multinomial logit propensity score, the three groups were comparable in terms of preoperative characteristics. Mean age and Logistic EuroSCORE I of CAVR, MIAVR and TAVI groups were (84.2±5.1 vs. 82.3±4.8 vs. 85.6±4.9 years; p=0.002) and (11.4±3.6% vs. 8.3±3.4% vs. 15.8±5.4%; p<0.001) respectively. Overall mortality rates were similar for the three patient cohorts at one year. There were no significant differences related to stroke to 30 days. In the TAVI cohort, pacemaker implantation for new-onset total atrioventricular block became necessary in 30% of patients (p<0.001) and 16% of patients had some degree of paravalvular aortic regurgitation, which was more than mild (p<0.001). Total length of stay was shorter in the TAVI group when compared with surgical groups (11.5±5.3 vs. 10.1±6.9 vs 8.5±3.7 days; p=0.023). After discharge, the survival rate follow-up (average follow up: 46.7 months) was 70%, 84% and 72% for three cohorts (log Rank x2=2.40, p=0.3). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, the three aortic valve replacement approaches offer very good results. Differences in the rate of complications were found between groups. Depending on patient's characteristics the Heart-Team group must offer the best surgical approach for each patient.

How Could These Mini Saccular Aneurysms of Ascending Aorta Be Classified?

The wall of a true aneurysm is composed of all histologic layers of the aorta. A false aneurysm represents a small, contained rupture of aorta followed by bulging of the corresponding area that is usually sustained by a fibrous peel. Aortic dissection is defined as a separation of the lamellae of the aortic wall. Herein, we describe an unusual clinical presentation of aortic dissection in a 37-year-old male patient that presented severe aortic regurgitation and unusual bulges with linear intimal fissures in ascending aorta underwent mechanical aortic valve replacement and interposition of tubular vascular graft in ascending aorta.

Tratamiento híbrido de la disección aguda del arco aórtico / Hybrid treatment for acute aortic arch dissection

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Influence of hypothermia on right atrial cardiomyocyte apoptosis in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that programmed cell death can be triggered during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and may be involved in postoperative complications. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether apoptosis occurs during aortic valve surgery and whether modifying temperature during CPB has any influence on cardiomyocyte apoptotic death rate. METHODS: 20 patients undergoing elective aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis were randomly assigned to either moderate hypothermic (ModHT group, n = 10, 28 degrees C) or mild hypothermic (MiHT group, n = 10, 34 degrees C) CPB. Myocardial samples were obtained from the right atrium before and after weaning from CPB. Specimens were examined for apoptosis by flow cytometry analysis of annexin V-propidium iodide (PI) and Fas death receptor staining. RESULTS: In the ModHT group, non apoptotic non necrotic cells (annexin negative, PI negative) decreased after CPB, while early apoptotic (annexin positive, PI negative) and late apoptotic or necrotic (PI positive) cells increased. In contrast, no change in the different cell populations was observed over time in the MiHT group. Fas expression rose after reperfusion in the ModHT group but not in MiHT patients, in which there was even a trend for a lower Fas staining after CPB (p = 0.08). In ModHT patients, a prolonged ischemic time tended to induce a higher increase of Fas (p = 0.061). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that apoptosis signal cascade is activated at early stages during aortic valve replacement under ModHT CPB. This apoptosis induction can effectively be attenuated by a more normothermic procedure.

[Valve repair for chronic mitral regurgitation]. / Reparación valvular en la insuficiencia mitral crónica.

Valve repair is the best surgical treatment for mitral regurgitation. In the present article we describe the results of mitral valve repair in patients with chronic mitral regurgitation treated at our center during the last eight years. The degree of correction of valve insufficiency, functional benefit, in-hospital morbidity and mortality, postoperative outcome of ventricular function, and middle-term overall and reoperation-free survival are analyzed.

Reparación valvular en la insuficiencia mitral crónica / Valve repair for chronic mitral regurgitation

La reparación valvular es el tratamiento quirúrgico ideal de la insuficiencia mitral. En este trabajo presentamos los resultados de la reparación valvular en pacientes con insuficiencia mitral crónica operados en nuestro centro durante los últimos 8 años. Analizamos el grado de corrección de la insuficiencia, el beneficio funcional, la morbimortalidad hospitalaria, la evolución posquirúrgica de la función ventricular y la supervivencia global y libre de reoperación a medio plazo

Valve repair is the best surgical treatment for mitral regurgitation. In the present article we describe the results of mitral valve repair in patients with chronic mitral regurgitation treated at our center during the last eight years. The degree of correction of valve insufficiency, functional benefit, in-hospital morbidity and mortality, postoperative outcome of ventricular function, and middle-term overall and reoperation-free survival are analyzed

Terapia de vacío en la mediastinitis postrasplante cardíaco / Vacuum-assisted therapy for mediastinitis after heart transplantation

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Aneurisma coronario gigante y enfermedad de dos vasos en un adulto joven / Giant coronary aneurysm and two-vessel disease in a young adult

Los aneurismas coronarios de gran tamaño, no ateroscleróticos y localizados en el tronco común de la arteria coronaria izquierda son excepcionales. Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 25 años, que a raíz de un evento coronario agudo fue diagnosticado de un aneurisma gigante en el tronco común izquierdo y enfermedad de 2 vasos. Discutimos el diagnóstico diferencial y postulamos como etiología más probable las secuelas de una enfermedad de Kawasaki atípica. El paciente fue sometido con éxito a una revascularización arterial completa del ventrículo izquierdo asociada a ligadura de la circunfleja proximal

Giant, non atherosclerotic aneurysms of the left main coronary artery are exceptional. We report the case of a 25-year-old patient who was diagnosed of a giant aneurysm of the left main coronary artery associated with two-vessel disease after the onset of an acute coronary event. Differential diagnosis is discussed and delayed sequelae of an atypical Kawasaki disease is presented as the most likely etiology. The patient underwent successful complete arterial revascularization of the left ventricle, associated with proximal circumflex coronary artery occlusion

Tratamiento quirúrgico de la miocardiopatía hipertrófica obstructiva / Surgical treatment for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

Introducción y objetivos. Un 5 por ciento de los pacientes con miocardiopatía hipertrófica obstructiva (MHO) tienen síntomas pertinaces al tratamiento médico y son candidatos a una terapia invasiva. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar nuestros resultados en la cirugía de la MHO durante los últimos 10 años. Pacientes y método. Entre julio de 1993 y enero de 2004 hemos intervenido a 26 pacientes con MHO pertinaz a tratamiento farmacológico. El procedimiento realizado fue una miectomía septal extendida, que se asoció a plicatura del velo anterior mitral (PVA) en 19 (73 por ciento) casos y a reemplazo valvular mitral en 5 (19 por ciento). Se analizaron la evolución posquirúrgica del grado de disnea, el gradiente en el tracto de salida del ventrículo izquierdo (GTSVI), la insuficiencia mitral (IM) y el movimiento sistólico anterior (SAM).Resultados. El seguimiento medio fue de 63 ñ 37 meses. Tras la cirugía se produjo una reducción significativa del GTSVI (de 96,5 a 19,5 mmHg; p < 0,001), del grado de IM (de 2,54 a 0,69; p < 0,001) y del SAM (de 2,92 a 0,23; p < 0,001), que se tradujo en una mejoría en la clase funcional de los pacientes. La mortalidad hospitalaria y la necesidad de marcapasos por bloqueo completo poscirugía fueron del 3,8 por ciento (n = 1). No ha habido ningún caso de comunicación interventricular (CIV) ni de daño valvular mitroaórtico iatrogénico. La supervivencia actuarial fue del 96 ñ 4 por ciento a los 5 años. Conclusiones. La cirugía en pacientes con MHO produce una gran mejoría clínica con una baja morbimortalidad. Al tratar simultáneamente los componentes miocárdico y valvular de la enfermedad, permite no sólo reducir el GTSVI, sino corregir la IM y suprimir el SAM (AU)