Aortic valve sparing root surgery for Marfan syndrome.

Aortic valve sparing root surgery (AVSRS) is a safe and durable alternative for patients with dilated roots or pure aortic regurgitation (AR), which avoids the risks of anticoagulation or valvular degeneration with prosthetic valves. Notwithstanding the theoretical challenges of greater tissue fragility in Marfan syndrome (MFS), AVSRS has been demonstrated to have equal outcomes in this condition as it does in those without MFS. The benefits of retaining the native aortic valve in this generally younger age group extend beyond those of avoiding the inconvenience and complications of prolonged exposure to anticoagulants and include ease of management for future aortic, cardiac and non-cardiac procedures which are the norm for these patients. The essential principles of AVSRS in MFS do not differ from those for the rest of the population. Successful repair and durable valve function depend on a sound understanding of the close interaction between the structure and function of this exquisitely designed piece of engineering. We are fortunate to have numerous tools in our surgical armamentarium to preserve these valves. It is the purpose of this paper to demystify the complex structure-function interactions of the aortic valve, thereby gaining an intuition for AVSRS. We will also elaborate on specific technical details of established techniques that we have found successful in preserving the normal function of these valves in the long term.

Do novel anticoagulant agents increase the risk of perioperative complications during implantable cardiac rhythm device insertion?

A best evidence topic was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'In patients requiring an implanted cardiac rhythm device, do novel oral anticoagulant agents lead to increased rates of peri-procedural complications?' Altogether 1228 papers were found using the reported search, of which 5 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. The novel oral anticoagulant agents (NOACs) assessed in the included studies were dabigatran (a direct thrombin inhibitor) and rivaroxaban (a Factor Xa inhibitor). Dabigatran was included in all five studies and showed bleeding complication rates of 0-4%. Rivaroxaban was included in one study and had bleeding complication rates of 4%. Warfarin was a comparator agent in three studies and had bleeding complication rates of 4.6-8%. The incidence rate of thromboembolic complications was 0-1% with dabigatran and 0% with rivaroxaban and warfarin in all studies. Based on the available studies, there is no evidence of significantly increased risk of bleeding or thromboembolic events with NOACs compared with warfarin when used at the time of cardiac rhythm device implantation. However, not all patients in the studies were actually receiving the specified NOAC at the time of device implantation, thereby limiting the available evidence.

Total aortic repair: the new paradigm in the treatment of acute type A aortic dissection.

The surgical management of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is in a period of rapid evolution. Understanding the complex physiology and anatomy of both acute and chronic dissection has been enhanced by the ready availability of state of the art imaging techniques. Technical advances in the intraoperative monitoring of organ perfusion, together with adjuncts to limit organ injury and increasing sophistication in open and endovascular surgery have led to a major reduction in both perioperative morbidity and mortality. In many centers, there has been a transition in mindset and surgical approach away from a purely central aortic operation focusing on the ascending aorta and a 'live to fight another day' philosophy. The current more global perspective recognizes the importance of aortic valve function, malperfusion, false lumen (FL) patency and the potential for future complex aneurysm development. The time is now right to transition into the next phase of sophistication in the management of ATAAD with the aim of achieving not only a safe acute operation, but to either entirely prevent chronic complications or to greatly simplify their management by the creation of an anatomical situation that facilitates future endovascular intervention in place of complex re-do surgery. We present our view on the evolution of surgery for ATAAD leading to our current technique of Branch First Arch replacement and Total Aortic Repair, which not only provides a safe immediate operation, but also offers the hope of a simplified future management if not a total cure for the pathology.

Surgical management of acute type A aortic dissection: branch-first arch replacement with total aortic repair.

Acute type A dissection (ATAAD) remains a morbid condition with reported surgical mortality as high as 25%. We describe our surgical approach to ATAAD and discuss the indications for adjunct techniques such as the frozen elephant trunk or complete aortic repair with endovascular methods. Arch replacement using the "branch-first technique" allows for complete root, ascending aorta, and arch replacement. A long landing zone is created for proximal endografting with a covered stent. Balloon-assisted intimal disruption and bare metal stenting of all residual dissected aorta to the level of the aortic bifurcation is then performed to obliterate the false lumen (FL) and achieve single true lumen (TL) flow. Additional branch vessel stenting is performed as required.

Do rapid deployment aortic valves improve outcomes compared with surgical aortic valve replacement?

A best evidence topic was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'In patients requiring an aortic valve replacement, are rapid deployment aortic valve systems better than conventional aortic valve prostheses in terms of mortality, morbidity and/or valve function?' A total of 508 papers were found using the reported search, of which 11 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. The rapid deployment valves (RDVs) implanted in these studies include balloon expandable [Intuity (Edwards Lifesciences, CA, USA) and 3F Enable (Medtronic, MN, USA)] and self-expanding [Perceval (Sorin, Saluggia, Italy)] stented bioprostheses. Available data from these studies demonstrate that rapid deployment valves are invariably associated with shorter aortic cross-clamp times (30-56 vs 49-88 min). Despite this, postoperative mortality (0-5.8 vs 0-6%), ICU (1-3 vs 0.9-2.8 days) and hospital length of stay (6-14.1 vs 6-15.9 days) are similar compared with conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR). However, reduced postoperative bleeding (328 vs 564 ml), blood transfusion requirements (1.4 vs 2.4 units), ventilation time (4.9-9.5 vs 7-16.6 h) and renal injury (5.3 vs 14.7%) have been demonstrated with RDVs indicating possible clinical benefit to shorter procedural time. Importantly, patient risk profiles were similar to or higher across studies in patients undergoing RDVs compared with conventional AVR. From a functional perspective, transvalvular gradients were frequently lower with rapid deployment valves compared with conventional AVR, indicating an improved haemodynamic profile. However, in some studies using the Perceval RDV, the transvalvular gradients were higher than with conventional AVR. Also, mean valve sizes were often larger in those receiving RDVs. Rates of paravalvular regurgitation were similar between RDVs and conventional AVR in most studies, although pacemaker implantation occurred more often with RDV in some studies (2-28.5 vs 0-8.5%). Accepting these limitations, and without long-term data, RDVs would appear to be a reasonable alternative to conventional aortic valve prostheses in selected cases.

Total Aortic Repair for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Complicated by Malperfusion or Symptomatic Branch Vessel Malalignment.

Malperfusion or persistent perfusion of the false lumen with acute type A aortic dissections is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We describe our experience with total aortic repair in patients with acute type A dissection with recurrent or ongoing branch ischemia, true lumen collapse, or rapid dilatation of a false lumen after initial surgical repair.

Aortic arch replacement without circulatory arrest or deep hypothermia: the "branch-first" technique.

OBJECTIVE: Although current developments in aortic arch replacement have demonstrated progressively improving mortality, cerebral morbidity remains significant. We describe a "branch-first" technique that avoids circulatory arrest and profound hypothermia, yielding excellent survival and low cerebral morbidity. METHODS: From September 2005 to February 2014, 64 patients underwent the "branch-first" technique for aortic arch replacement. Each arch branch is individually isolated for a brief period while it is anastomosed to a perfused trifurcation graft. The disconnection-reconnection sequence proceeds from the innominate artery to the left subclavian artery, with uninterrupted perfusion of the heart and viscera. After reconstruction of the debranched arch and ascending aorta, the common stem of the trifurcation graft is anastomosed to the arch graft. In this series, there were 39 male patients, and the mean age was 65 (range, 17-85) years. Twenty-five cases (39.1%) were of urgent/emergency status. Thirty-one patients (48.4%) underwent operation for aortic dissection, and the remaining patients underwent operation for aneurysms. Sixteen patients (25.0%) had previously undergone a cardiac surgical procedure. RESULTS: There were 2 (3.1%) early mortalities, and 1 patient (1.6%) had a permanent stroke. One patient (1.6%) required mechanical support, and 4 patients (6.3%) required hemofiltration for renal support. Ten patients (15.6%) did not require transfusion of red cells or any other blood product. CONCLUSIONS: The "branch-first" technique described brings us closer to the goal of arch surgery with cerebral, vital organ, and survival outcomes similar to those we expect from ascending aortic and root procedures.

Optimal management of acute type A aortic dissection with mesenteric malperfusion.

Acute type A aortic dissection (TAAD) remains a morbid condition; although overall outcomes have improved, patients presenting with preoperative malperfusion syndromes continue to have excessive mortality following conventional open surgical repair. Mesenteric malperfusion is generally associated with the worst prognosis and postoperative mortality in this group. With advances in the endovascular treatment of aortic pathology, options now exist to percutaneously manage mesenteric malperfusion prior to central aortic repair. This strategy may be associated with improved outcomes. To review this, a best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'In patients with acute type A aortic dissections with mesenteric malperfusion, does management of the malperfusion prior to central aortic repair reduce perioperative mortality'. Overall, more than 309 papers were found as a result of the reported search, of which 11 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. We conclude that, in patients with acute TAAD complicated by mesenteric malperfusion, initial management with percutaneous interventional procedures to reverse the malperfusion followed by delayed central aortic repair is a reasonable strategy; this is because of the extremely poor prognosis associated with immediate central aortic repair in this group.

Outcomes after pulmonary metastasectomy for colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection offers the greatest likelihood of cure for appropriately selected patients with pulmonary colorectal carcinoma metastases. We hereby report our experience over the last 19 years at the Austin Hospital, Thoracic Surgery Unit. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of a consecutive series of patients with pulmonary colorectal cancer metastases. From 1994 to 2012, 66 patients underwent 83 pulmonary metastasectomies for colorectal cancer at the Austin Hospital. RESULTS: Seventy per cent of patients were operated on for single pulmonary metastases. The most common procedure performed was a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery wedge resection. Median follow-up duration was 25 months. Three-, five-, seven- and ten-year survival was 53.4, 39.6, 34.6 and 23.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary metastasectomy for metastatic colorectal carcinoma continues to offer the greatest survival advantage for appropriately selected patients.

Outcomes of Aortic Arch Replacement Performed Without Circulatory Arrest or Deep Hypothermia.

BACKGROUND: Aortic arch replacement using standard techniques, including deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and selective antegrade cerebral perfusion, is still associated with significant mortality and cerebral morbidity. We have previously described the "branch-first" technique that avoids circulatory arrest or profound hypothermia with excellent outcomes. We now describe our clinical experience with a larger cohort of patients as well as follow-up of our earlier results. We also describe a further technical simplification to this technique. METHODS: From 2005 to 2010, 43 patients underwent a "branch-first continuous perfusion" technique for aortic arch replacement. In this technique, arterial perfusion is peripheral, usually by femoral inflow. Disconnection of each arch branch and anastomosis to a perfused trifurcation graft proceeds sequentially from the innominate to the left subclavian artery, with uninterrupted perfusion of the heart and viscera by the peripheral cannula. In the first cohort perfusion to the trifurcation graft was by right axillary cannulation. Since 2009, a modification was introduced such that perfusion is supplied directly by a sidearm on the trifurcation graft. This was used in the last 18 patients of this series. After reconstruction of the debranched arch and ascending aorta, the common stem of the trifurcation graft is anastomosed to the arch graft. In this series, there were 27 males, and mean age was 63 ± 13 years. Fifteen cases (35%) were performed with urgent/emergent priority. Nineteen patients (44%) were operated for aortic dissection, and the remainder for aneurysms. Seven patients (16%) had previously undergone a cardiac surgical procedure. RESULTS: There were two (4.7%) early mortalities while one patient (2.3%) experienced a permanent stroke. One patient (2%) required mechanical support while three (7%) required hemofiltration for renal support. Extubation was achieved within 24 hours in 21 patients (49%) while 19 (42%) were discharged from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) within two days. Eight patients (19%) did not require any transfusion of red cells or platelets. Mean follow-up duration was 21 ± 19 months and was 100% complete. At three years, survival was 95 ± 3.2%. No patients required subsequent aortic reoperation during this early follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: This modified branch-first continuous perfusion technique brings us closer to the goal of arch surgery without cerebral or visceral circulatory arrest and the morbidity of deep hypothermia. Our early experience is encouraging although greater numbers and longer follow-up will reveal the full potential of this approach.

Ectopic prolactin secretion secondary to an ovarian tumour.

UNLABELLED: Ectopic hormone secretion is a well-recognised phenomenon; however, ectopic prolactin secretion is exceptionally rare. Hoffman and colleagues reported the first ever well-documented case of ectopic prolactin secretion secondary to a gonadoblastoma. We report a lady who presented with galactorrhoea and a large ovarian tumour that was found to secrete high levels of prolactin. LEARNING POINTS: Aim of this case report is to highlight the occurrence of this condition.Lack of awareness can often lead to a diagnostic conundrum.