The Aberrant Coronary Artery - The Management Approach.

BACKGROUND: An aberrant coronary artery is a rare clinical occurrence with an incidence of 0.05-1.2%. Often it is an incidental finding detected on coronary angiography or at autopsy. However, symptomatic patients can experience angina, arrhythmia, sudden death or non-specific symptoms such as dyspnoea and syncope. At present, there are no guidelines or dedicated studies assessing the treatment of an aberrant coronary artery leaving management options for these patients controversial. METHODS: Selected international cardiothoracic surgeons were surveyed electronically in November 2016 to determine whether consensus exists on different management aspects for patients with an aberrant coronary artery arising from the contralateral sinus with an interarterial course. RESULTS: For asymptomatic patients with either an aberrant left main coronary artery (ALMCA) arising from the contralateral sinus or an aberrant right main coronary artery (ARMCA) arising from the contralateral sinus, there was no consensus on surgical correction of the anomaly. If myocardial ischaemia was demonstrated on either coronary angiography with fractional flow reserve measurements and/or stress myocardial perfusion scan, surgical correction was the consensus between the surveyed surgeons. If surgery was deemed appropriate, coronary artery bypass surgery utilising the internal mammary artery was marginally preferred by the respondents in patients with an ALMCA whilst unroofing of the coronary ostium was preferred in patients with an ARMCA. Although no consensus was reached, a large proportion of respondents would not treat a patient over the age of 30 years differently compared to those under 30 years old. CONCLUSIONS: For symptomatic patients or if myocardial ischaemia is demonstrated on either coronary angiography with fractional flow reserve measurements and/or stress myocardial perfusion scan, surgical correction is indicated.

Mitral valve surgery and coronary artery bypass grafting for moderate-to-severe ischemic mitral regurgitation: Meta-analysis of clinical and echocardiographic outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis was conducted to compare clinical and echocardiographic outcomes following isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) versus CABG and mitral valve (MV) surgery in patients with moderate-to-severe ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR). METHODS: Seven databases were systematically searched to identify relevant studies. For eligibility, studies were required to report on the primary endpoint of perioperative or late mortality. Data were analyzed according to predefined clinical endpoints. RESULTS: Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (n = 505) and 15 observational studies (OS) (n = 3785) met the criteria for inclusion. Compared with isolated CABG, concomitant CABG and MV surgery was not associated with increased perioperative mortality (RCTs: relative risk [RR] 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26-3.02; OS: RR 1.40, 95% CI, 0.88-2.23). CABG and MV surgery was associated with significantly lower incidence of moderate-to-severe MR at follow-up (RCTs: RR 0.16, 95% CI, 0.04-0.75; OS: RR 0.20, 95% CI, 0.09-0.48). Late mortality was similar between the surgical approaches in RCTs (hazard ratio [HR] 1.20, 95% CI, 0.57-2.53) and OS (HR 0.99, 95% CI, 0.81-1.21). There were no significant differences in echocardiographic outcomes. These results remained consistent in subgroup analyses restricted to patients with strictly moderate IMR. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with moderate-to-severe IMR, the addition of MV surgery to CABG was not associated with increased perioperative mortality. Although concomitant MV surgery reduced recurrence of moderate-to-severe MR at follow-up, this was not associated with a reduction in late mortality. Larger trials with longer follow-up duration are required to further assess long-term survival and freedom from reintervention.

A systematic review on robotic coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: Robotic-assisted coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) has been performed over the past decade. Despite encouraging results from selected centres, there is a paucity of robust clinical data to establish its clinical safety and efficacy. The present systematic review aimed to identify all relevant clinical data on robotic CABG. The primary endpoint was perioperative mortality, and secondary endpoints included perioperative morbidities, anastomotic complications, and long-term survival. METHODS: Electronic searches were performed using three online databases from their dates of inception to 2016. Relevant studies fulfilling the predefined search criteria were categorized according to surgical techniques as (I) totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass without cardiopulmonary bypass (TECAB off-pump); (II) TECAB on-pump; and robotic-assisted mammary artery harvesting followed by minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (robotic MIDCAB). RESULTS: The present systematic review identified 44 studies that fulfilled the study selection criteria, including nine studies in the TECAB off-pump group and 16 studies in the robotic MIDCAB group. Statistical analysis reported a pooled mortality of 1.7% for the TECAB off-pump group and 1.0% for the robotic MIDCAB group. Intraoperative details such as the number and location of grafts performed, operative times and conversion rates, as well as postoperative secondary endpoints such as morbidities, anastomotic complications and long-term outcomes were also summarized for both techniques. CONCLUSIONS: A number of technical, logistic and cost-related issues continue to hinder the popularization of the robotic CABG procedure. Current clinical evidence is limited by a lack of randomized controlled trials, heterogeneous definition of techniques and complications, as well as a lack of robust clinical follow-up with routine angiography. Nonetheless, the present systematic review reported acceptable perioperative mortality rates for selected patients at specialized centres. These results should be considered as a useful benchmark for future studies, until further data is reported in the form of randomized trials.

Surgical left atrial appendage occlusion during cardiac surgery for patients with atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Concomitant left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) during surgical ablation has emerged as a potential treatment strategy to reduce stroke and perioperative mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The present meta-analysis aims to assess current evidence on the efficacy and safety between LAAO and LAA preservation cohorts for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: Electronic searches were performed using six electronic databases from their inception to November 2013, identifying all relevant comparative randomized and observational studies comparing LAAO with non-LAAO in AF patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Data were extracted and analysed according to predefined endpoints including mortality, stroke, postoperative AF and reoperation for bleeding. RESULTS: Seven relevant studies identified for qualitative and quantitative analyses, including 3653 patients undergoing LAAO (n = 1716) versus non-LAAO (n = 1937). Stroke incidence was significantly reduced in the LAAO occlusion group at the 30-day follow-up [0.95 vs 1.9%; odds ratio (OR) 0.46; P = 0.005] and the latest follow-up (1.4 vs 4.1%; OR 0.48; P = 0.01), compared with the non-LAAO group. Incidence of all-cause mortality was significantly decreased with LAAO (1.9 vs 5%; OR 0.38; P = 0.0003), while postoperative AF and reoperation for bleeding was comparable. CONCLUSIONS: While acknowledging the limitations and inadequate statistical power of the available evidence, this study suggests LAAO as a promising strategy for stroke reduction perioperatively and at the short-term follow-up without a significant increase in complications. Larger randomized studies in the future are required, with clearer surgical and anticoagulation protocols and adequate long-term follow-up, to validate the clinical efficacy of LAAO versus non-LAAO groups.

A systematic review on the safety and efficacy of percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair with the MitraClip system for high surgical risk candidates.

BACKGROUND: MitraClip implantation has emerged as a viable option in high surgical risk patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR). We performed the present systematic review to assess the safety and efficacy of the MitraClip system for high surgical risk candidates with severe organic and/or functional MR. METHODS: Six electronic databases were searched for original published studies from January 2000 to March 2013. Two reviewers independently appraised studies, using a standard form, and extracted data on methodology, quality criteria, and outcome measures. All data were extracted and tabulated from the relevant articles' texts, tables, and figures and checked by another reviewer. RESULTS: Overall 111 publications were identified. After applying selection criteria and removing serial publications with accumulating number of patients or increased length of follow-up, 12 publications with the most complete dataset were included for quality appraisal and data extraction. All 12 studies were prospective observational studies. Immediate procedural success ranged from 72-100%; 30 day mortality ranged from 0-7.8%. There was a significant improvement in haemodynamic profile and functional status after implantation. One year survival ranged from 75-90%. No long term outcomes have been reported for high surgical risk patients. CONCLUSIONS: MitraClip implantation is an option in managing selected high surgical risk patients with severe MR. The current evidence suggests that MitraClip can be implanted with reproducible safety and feasibility profile in this subgroup of patients. Further prospective trials with mid- to long-term follow-up are required.

A meta-analysis of MitraClip system versus surgery for treatment of severe mitral regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the second most common valvular heart disease after aortic stenosis. Without intervention, prognosis is poor in patients with severe symptomatic MR. While surgical repair is recommended for many patients with severe degenerative MR (DMR), as many as 49% of patients do not qualify as they are at high surgical risk. Furthermore, surgical correction for functional MR (FMR) is controversial with suboptimal outcomes and significant perioperative mortality. The percutaneous MitraClip implantation can be seen as a viable option in high surgical risk patients. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to compare the safety, clinical efficacy, and survival outcomes of MitraClip implantation with surgical correction of severe MR. METHODS: Six electronic databases were searched for original published studies from January 2000 to August 2013. Two reviewers independently appraised studies, using a standard form, and extracted data on methodology, quality criteria, and outcome measures. All data were extracted and tabulated from the relevant articles' texts, tables, and figures and checked by another reviewer. RESULTS: Overall 435 publications were identified. After applying selection criteria and removing serial publications with accumulating number of patients or increased length of follow-up, four publications with the most complete dataset were included for quality appraisal and data extraction. There was one randomized controlled trial (RCT) and three prospective observational studies. At baseline, patients in the MitraClip group were significantly older (P=0.01), had significantly lower LVEF (P=0.03) and significantly higher EuroSCORE (P<0.0001). The number of patients with post-procedure residual MR severity >2 was significantly higher in the MitraClip group compared to the surgical group (17.2% vs. 0.4%; P<0.0001). 30-day mortality was not statistically significant (1.7% vs. 3.5%; P=0.54), nor were neurological events (0.85% vs. 1.74%; P=0.43), reoperations for failed MV procedures (2% vs. 1%; P=0.56), NYHA Class III/IV (5.7% vs. 11.3; P=0.42) and mortality at 12 months (7.4% vs. 7.3%; P=0.66). CONCLUSIONS: Despite a higher risk profile in the MitraClip patients compared to surgical intervention, the clinical outcomes were similar although surgery was more effective in reducing MR in the early post procedure period. We conclude the non-inferiority of the MitraClip as a treatment option for severe, symptomatic MR in comparison to conventional valvular surgery.

Angiographic outcomes of radial artery versus saphenous vein in coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery for patients with ischemic heart disease is dependent on the patency of the selected conduit. The left internal thoracic artery is considered to be the best conduit for CABG. However, the preferred conduit between the radial artery (RA) and saphenous vein (SV) remains controversial. The present meta-analysis aims to establish the current level IA evidence on patency outcomes comparing the RA and SV. METHODS: Electronic searches were performed using 6 databases from their inception to March 2012. Two reviewers independently identified all relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing patency outcomes of RA and SV grafts after CABG. Data were extracted and meta-analyzed according to angiographic end points at specified follow-up intervals. RESULTS: Five relevant RCTs were identified for inclusion in the present meta-analysis. Angiographic results indicated that the RA was significantly more likely to be completely patent and less likely to be associated with graft failure or complete occlusion at 4 years' follow-up and beyond. However, the RA was significantly more likely to be associated with string sign at 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: While acknowledging the limitations of heterogeneous surgical techniques, results from the present meta-analysis suggest potential superiority of the RA compared with the SV at midterm angiographic follow-up. However, the increased incidence of string sign associated with the RA is of potential clinical concern. Further research should be directed at correlating angiographic findings of string sign and graft failure to clinical symptoms and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events at long-term follow-up.

Percutaneous atrial appendage occlusion for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation: a systematic review.

This review aims to evaluate systematically the safety and efficacy of percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (PLAAO) in stroke prevention for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). A systematic review of peer-reviewed journals on PLAAO before June 2011 was performed on three electronic databases. Fourteen studies were identified for evaluation. Overall, implantation was successful in 93% of all cases. Periprocedural mortality and stroke rates were 1.1% and 0.6%, respectively. The incidences of pericardial effusion/cardiac tamponade and device embolisation were 4% and 0.7%, respectively. At the time of the latest follow-up (up to 40 months), the overall incidence of stroke among all studies was 1.4% per annum. Existing evidence suggests that PLAAO is a relatively safe treatment for patients with AF. However, there is a need for further evaluation of its efficacy in the form of large and well-designed randomised controlled trials.

A pharmacological review on intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal malignancy.

Perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy in combination with cytoreductive surgery has been shown to be of benefit for treating selected patients with peritoneal surface malignancy. It has become a new standard of care in the management of diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma and peritoneal dissemination of appendiceal malignancy. Numerous recent publications on carcinomatosis from colorectal cancer and gastric cancer identify groups of patients that would benefit from this local-regional approach for prevention and treatment of carcinomatosis. This review focuses on pharmacological information regarding intraperitoneal chemotherapeutic agents commonly used in gastrointestinal oncology.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.

Malignant mesothelioma is a highly aggressive neoplasm. The incidence of malignant mesothelioma is increasing worldwide. Diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) represents one-fourth of all mesotheliomas. Association of asbestos exposure with DMPM has been observed, especially in males. The great majority of patients present with abdominal pain and distension, caused by accumulation of tumors and ascitic fluid. In the past, DMPM was considered a pre-terminal condition; therefore attracted little attention. Patients invariably died from their disease within a year. Recently, several prospective trials have demonstrated a median survival of 40 to 90 mo and 5-year survival of 30% to 60% after combined treatment using cytoreductive surgery and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. This remarkable improvement in survival has prompted new search into the medical science related to DMPM, a disease previously ignored as uninteresting. This review article focuses on the key advances in the epidemiology, diagnosis, staging, treatments and prognosis of DMPM that have occurred in the past decade.