Atrial Fibrillation, Atrial Myopathy, and Thromboembolism: The Additive Value of Echocardiography and Possible New Horizons for Risk Stratification.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac sustained arrhythmia, and it is associated with increased stroke and dementia risk. While the established paradigm attributes these complications to blood stasis within the atria and subsequent thrombus formation with cerebral embolization, recent evidence suggests that atrial myopathy (AM) may play a key role. AM is characterized by structural and functional abnormalities of the atria, and can occur with or without AF. Moving beyond classifications based solely on episode duration, the 4S-AF characterization has offered a more comprehensive approach, incorporating patient's stroke risk, symptom severity, AF burden, and substrate assessment (including AM) for tailored treatment decisions. The "ABC" pathway emphasizes anticoagulation, symptom control, and cardiovascular risk modification and emerging evidence suggests broader benefits of early rhythm control strategies, potentially reducing stroke and dementia risk and improving clinical outcomes. However, a better integration of AM assessment into the current framework holds promise for further personalizing AF management and optimizing patient outcomes. This review explores the emerging concept of AM and its potential role as a risk factor for stroke and dementia and in AF patients' management strategies, highlighting the limitations of current risk stratification methods, like the CHA2DS2-VASc score. Echocardiography, particularly left atrial (LA) strain analysis, has shown to be a promising non-invasive tool for AM evaluation and recent studies suggest that LA strain analysis may be a more sensitive risk stratifier for thromboembolic events than AF itself, with some studies showing a stronger association between LA strain and thromboembolic events compared to traditional risk factors. Integrating it into routine clinical practice could improve patient management and targeted therapies for AF and potentially other thromboembolic events. Future studies are needed to explore the efficacy and safety of anticoagulation in AM patients with and without AF and to refine the diagnostic criteria for AM.

Progression of the ascending aorta diameter after surgical or transcatheter bicuspid aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVES: Ascending aorta (AA) dilatation in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (AV) is related both to genetic and haemodynamic factors. The aim of this study is to compare late progression of AA dilatation in bicuspid AV patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) versus transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS: Data of 189 consecutive patients who underwent AV replacement for severe bicuspid AV stenosis were prospectively collected. Patients who underwent SAVR were compared to patients who underwent TAVI. Indication to the procedure was validated by the institutional Heart Team. Aortic diameters were evaluated by transthoracic echocardiogram. Differences between preoperative and long-term follow-up AA diameters were compared in the 2 groups. RESULTS: Between January 2015 and December 2021, 143 (76%) patients underwent SAVR and 46 (24%) patients underwent TAVI. At 4.6 (standard deviation 1.7) years follow-up, patients in the TAVI group showed significantly lower survival (P = 0.00013) and event-free survival (P < 0.0001). AA diameter progression was lower in surgical compared to transcatheter patients, 0.95 (0.60, 1.30) vs 1.65 (0.67, 2.63) mm, P = 0.02. AA diameter progression indexed for body surface area and height was lower in the surgical group: 0.72 (0.38, 1.05) vs 1.05 (0.39, 1.71) mm/m2, P = 0.02, and 0.59 (0.36, 0.81) vs 1.11 (0.44, 1.78) mm/m, P = 0.001, respectively. At multivariable linear regression analysis transcatheter procedure, baseline aortic diameter and paravalvular leak were significantly associated with increased postoperative AA dilatation. CONCLUSIONS: Bicuspid AV patients who underwent SAVR, showed significantly less long-term AA diameter progression than patients who underwent transcatheter procedure.

The multidisciplinary Heart Team approach for patients with cardiovascular disease: a step towards personalized medicine.

AIMS: Despite general agreement on the benefits of the Heart Team approach for patients with cardiac diseases, few data are available on its real impact on the decision-making process. The aim of the study is to define the evolution over time of the level of agreement with the systematic discussion of patients in the Heart Team and to evaluate the adherence to the Heart Team recommendations and the impact of the Heart Team on the clinical outcome of the patients. METHODS: In 2015--2016, an experienced cardiac surgeon and a cardiologist independently reviewed clinical data of a series of 100 patients (Group 1, G1) and subsequently for each patient recommended treatment (surgical, percutaneous, hybrid or medical therapy) or further diagnostic investigations. The next day, each case was discussed by the Hospital Heart Team. The Heart Team recommendation, the subsequent treatment received by the patient and the in-hospital outcome were recorded. The same study procedure was repeated in 2017 in a second (G2) and in 2018 in a third (G3) group, both of them including 100 patients. RESULTS: Complete agreement in treatment selection by the cardiac surgeon, cardiologist and the Heart Team was observed in 43% of cases in G1 and in 70% and 68% in G2 and G3, respectively (G1 vs. G2: P  < 0.001, G1 vs. G3: P  = 0.01, G2 vs. G3: P  = 0.30). Agreement was less frequent in patients with a higher risk profile and in patients with aortic valve stenosis. The Heart Team decision was implemented in 95% of cases with a 30-day mortality of 0.67%. CONCLUSION: Agreement in treatment selection among the cardiac surgeon, cardiologist and Heart Team appears to be low in the initial experience. Subsequently, it seems to steadily increase over time up to a limit, when it reaches a plateau of stable results. Heart Team clinical cases discussion, based on both guidelines and multidisciplinary experience, represents a key step in defining the best patient treatment pathway, potentially improving the decision-making process and clinical results.

Comparison of De-Kay repair versus De Vega suture for functional tricuspid regurgitation: a preliminary experience.

BACKGROUND: In patients undergoing mitral valve surgery, restrictive suture annuloplasty (De Vega) for less-than-severe functional tricuspid regurgitation has been proven to be safe and effective. The aim of this study is to determine whether the adjunct of the plication of the posterior tricuspid leaflet with the same running suture (bicuspidized De Vega or "De Kay") is equally safe and effective. METHODS: Single center, retrospective study on patients submitted to suture repair of the tricuspid valve during mitral valve surgery, with either conventional or De Kay, between January 2014 and December 2020. Comparison was based on degree of residual tricuspid valve regurgitation and right ventricular assessment at discharge. RESULTS: Over the course of the study period, 255 patients undergoing mitral valve surgery had a dilated (>40 mm or >20 mm/m2) tricuspid valve annulus, with less-than-severe tricuspid regurgitation. Conventional De Vega was employed in 166 patients (65.1%) and De Kay in the remaining 89 (34.9%). At discharge the adjunct of postero-septal commissure plication has similar outcomes to the classic De Vega repair. It seems to preserve right ventricular function. CONCLUSIONS: De Kay repair guarantees the same tricuspidal regurgitation reduction as compared with conventional De Vega early after surgery.

Two innovative aortic bioprostheses evaluated in the real-world setting. First results from a two-center study.

BACKGROUND: The increasing use of biological substitutes for surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR), has led to the development of new bioprostheses with improved hemodynamics and expected durability. METHODS: In this observational retrospective two-center cohort study, two innovative bioprostheses, INSPIRIS Resilia and AVALUS were analyzed. We analyzed early and 2.4-year follow-up results in terms of safety, clinical outcome and hemodynamic performance. RESULTS: From November 2017 to February 2021, 148 patients underwent AVR with INSPIRIS Resilia (N.=74) or AVALUS (N.=74) bioprosthesis. The 30-day and mid-term mortality was comparable (1% vs. 3%, P=0.1 and 7% vs. 4%, P=0.4, respectively). Valve-related mortality was observed in one AVALUS patient. Three (4%) patients of the AVALUS group developed prosthetic endocarditis and two of them died after reoperation. No other cases of prosthetic endocarditis were observed. No cases of structural valve degeneration or significant paravalvular leak were detected at follow-up. Median follow-up peak pressure gradient was 21 vs. 23 mmHg (P=0.4) and the mean pressure gradient was 12 vs. 13 mmHg (P=0.9) for Inspiris and AVALUS, respectively. The effective orifice area (EOA) and indexed EOA were 1.5 cm2 vs. 1.4 cm2 (P=0.4) and 0.8 vs. 0.7 cm2/m2 (P=0.5), respectively. Indexed left ventricular mass regression was -33 vs. -52 g/m2 for the Inspiris and AVALUS groups, respectively, (R2-adjusted =0.14; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: INSPIRIS Resilia and AVALUS bioprostheses were reliable with comparable results in safety, clinical outcome and hemodynamic performance. After statistical adjustment, AVALUS was associated with better left ventricular mass reduction. Long-term follow-up would provide definitive comparative results.

Deformation Imaging by Strain in Chronic Heart Failure Over Sacubitril-Valsartan: A Multicenter Echocardiographic Registry.

AIMS: Sacubitril/valsartan has changed the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), due to the positive effects on morbidity and mortality, partly mediated by left ventricular (LV) reverse remodelling (LVRR). The aim of this multicenter study was to identify echocardiographic predictors of LVRR after sacubitril/valsartan administration. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with HFrEF requiring therapy with sacubitril/valsartan from 13 Italian centres were included. Echocardiographic parameters including LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global peak atrial longitudinal strain by speckle tracking echocardiography were measured to find the predictors of LVRR [= LV end-systolic volume reduction ≥10% and ejection fraction (LVEF) improvement ≥10% at follow-up] at 6 month follow-up as the primary endpoint. Changes in symptoms [New York Heart Association (NYHA) class] and neurohormonal activations [N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)] were also evaluated as secondary endpoints; 341 patients (excluding patients with poor acoustic windows and missing data) were analysed (mean age: 65 ± 10 years; 18% female, median LVEF 30% [inter-quartile range: 25-34]). At 6 month follow-up, 82 (24%) patients showed early complete response (LVRR and LVEF ≥ 35%), 55 (16%) early incomplete response (LVRR and LVEF < 35%), and 204 (60%) no response (no LVRR and LVEF < 35%). Non-ischaemic aetiology, a lower left atrial volume index, and a higher GLS were all independent predictors of LVRR at multivariable logistic analysis (all P < 0.01). A baseline GLS < -9.3% was significantly associated with early response (area under the curve 0.75, P < 0.0001). Left atrial strain was the best predictor of positive changes in NYHA class and NT-proBNP (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Speckle tracking echocardiography parameters at baseline could be useful to predict LVRR and clinical response to sacubitril-valsartan and could be used as a guide for treatment in patients with HFrEF.

Single shot of intravenous iron in cardiac surgery: The ICARUS study.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency (ID), with or without anemia, is commonly observed among patients scheduled for cardiac surgery. We investigated if screening ID in the immediate preoperative period and treating ID patients regardless of anemia could reduce perioperative transfusion requirements. METHODS: This is an observational single-center propensity score-matched study including candidates to elective cardiac surgery prospectively and retrospectively enrolled. Prospectively enrolled patients were screened for ID at hospital admission: if ferritin was ≤100 µg/L or ≤ 300 µg/L with transferrin saturation index ≤20% they received intravenous ferric carboxymaltose, B12-vitamin, and folic acid. A retrospective series of patients not screened for ID and matched for gender, type of surgery, BMI, Goudie transfusion risk score, hemoglobin level, and red blood cell (RBC) indices, served as controls. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients requiring ≤1 packed RBC (pRBC) unit within day 7 or discharge The main secondary outcomes were intraoperative and postoperative pRBC transfusions, duration of hospitalization, and cost-effectiveness of ID screening and treatment. RESULTS: We included 479 prospective and 833 retrospective cases: 442 patients screened for ID and 442 matched controls with unknown iron status were analyzed. ID was observed in 196 patients (44.3%) and iron was administered 1 day (IQR 1-2) before surgery. Overall, 76.9% of patients in the prospective group and 69.7% of controls received ≤1 pRBC transfusion (p = 0.014). The risk for multiple transfusions was lower in patients screened for ID (OR 0.689, 95% CI 0.510-0.930). Despite similar Hb levels at day 7, patients in the prospective group received fewer postoperative pRBC transfusions (p < 0.001) and had a shorter hospital length of stay (p < 0.001). Globally, hospitalization costs were lower in patients screened and treated for ID. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term pre-operative iron therapy is associated with a reduction in postoperative transfusions in anemic and non-anemic ID cardiac surgery patients and has a favorable impact on hospitalization costs. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04744181.

Bedside Ultrasound for Hemodynamic Monitoring in Cardiac Intensive Care Unit.

Thanks to the advances in medical therapy and assist devices, the management of patients hospitalized in cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) is becoming increasingly challenging. In fact, Patients in the cardiac intensive care unit are frequently characterized by dynamic and variable diseases, which may evolve into several clinical phenotypes based on underlying etiology and its complexity. Therefore, the use of noninvasive tools in order to provide a personalized approach to these patients, according to their phenotype, may help to optimize the therapeutic strategies towards the underlying etiology. Echocardiography is the most reliable and feasible bedside method to assess cardiac function repeatedly, assisting clinicians not only in characterizing hemodynamic disorders, but also in helping to guide interventions and monitor response to therapies. Beyond basic echocardiographic parameters, its application has been expanded with the introduction of new tools such as lung ultrasound (LUS), the Venous Excess UltraSound (VexUS) grading system, and the assessment of pulmonary hypertension, which is fundamental to guide oxygen therapy. The aim of this review is to provide an overview on the current knowledge about the pathophysiology and echocardiographic evaluation of perfusion and congestion in patients in CICU, and to provide practical indications for the use of echocardiography across clinical phenotypes and new applications in CICU.

Sacubitril/valsartan reduces indications for arrhythmic primary prevention in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: insights from DISCOVER-ARNI, a multicenter Italian register.

Aims: This sub-study deriving from a multicentre Italian register [Deformation Imaging by Strain in Chronic Heart Failure Over Sacubitril-Valsartan: A Multicenter Echocardiographic Registry (DISCOVER)-ARNI] investigated whether sacubitril/valsartan in addition to optimal medical therapy (OMT) could reduce the rate of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) indications for primary prevention in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) according to European guidelines indications, and its potential predictors. Methods and results: In this observational study, consecutive patients with HFrEF eligible for sacubitril/valsartan from 13 Italian centres were included. Lack of follow-up or speckle tracking data represented exclusion criteria. Demographic, clinical, biochemical, and echocardiographic data were collected at baseline and after 6 months from sacubitril/valsartan initiation. Of 351 patients, 225 (64%) were ICD carriers and 126 (36%) were not ICD carriers (of whom 13 had no indication) at baseline. After 6 months of sacubitril/valsartan, among 113 non-ICD carriers despite having baseline left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 35% and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class = II-III, 69 (60%) did not show ICD indications; 44 (40%) still fulfilled ICD criteria. Age, atrial fibrillation, mitral regurgitation > moderate, left atrial volume index (LAVi), and LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) significantly varied between the groups. With receiver operating characteristic curves, age ≥ 75 years, LAVi ≥ 42 mL/m2 and LV GLS ≥-8.3% were associated with ICD indications persistence (area under the curve = 0.65, 0.68, 0.68, respectively). With univariate and multivariate analysis, only LV GLS emerged as significant predictor of ICD indications at follow-up in different predictive models. Conclusions: Sacubitril/valsartan may provide early improvement of NYHA class and LVEF, reducing the possible number of implanted ICD for primary prevention in HFrEF. Baseline reduced LV GLS was a strong marker of ICD indication despite OMT. Early therapy with sacubitril/valsartan may save infective/haemorrhagic risks and unnecessary costs deriving from ICDs.

Bicuspidized De Vega for Functional Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation: "De-Kay Repair".

Functional tricuspid valve regurgitation in the contest of mitral valve disease is a highly prevalent disease. We describe a ringless technique that combines restrictive annuloplasty (De Vega) with posterior tricuspid leaflet obliteration (Kay) used for patients with less-than-severe functional tricuspid valve regurgitation undergoing mitral valve surgery. The technique has been in use at our center since 2012, showing promising long-term echocardiographic results, with stable reduction of the annulus size and stable reduction of the degree of regurgitation.

Bleeding Complications in Patients With Perioperative COVID-19 Infection Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Center Matched Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies reported a poor outcome in patients with coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) undergoing cardiac surgery. Complications most frequently described were respiratory failure, renal failure, and thromboembolic events. In their recent experience, the authors observed a very high incidence of bleeding complications. The purpose of the study was to investigate a possible significant correlation between perioperative COVID-19 infection and hemorrhagic complications compared to non-COVID-19 patients. DESIGN: Single-center, observational, retrospective, matched case-control (1:2) study involving patients who underwent open-heart cardiac surgery from February 2020 and March 2021 with positive perioperative diagnosis of COVID-19 infection, matched with patients without COVID-19 infection. SETTING: Cardiac surgery unit and intensive care unit of a university tertiary center in a metropolitan area. PARTICIPANTS: In the study period, 773 patients underwent cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Among them, 23 consecutive patients had perioperative diagnosis of COVID-19 infection (study group). These patients were compared with 46 corresponding controls (control group) that matched for age, sex, body mass index, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons score. INTERVENTIONS: Open-heart cardiac surgery on CPB. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In the study group, 2 patients (9%) died in the intensive care unit from severe respiratory failure, shock, and multiple organ failure. In the study group, patients showed a significantly higher incidence of bleeding complications (48% v 2%, p = 0.0001) and cases of surgical reexploration for bleeding (35% v 2%, p = 0.0001), a higher incidence of severe postoperative thrombocytopenia (39% v 6%, p = 0.0007), and a higher need of blood components transfusions (74% v 30%, p = 0.0006). Chest tubes blood loss and surgical hemostasis time were markedly prolonged (p = 0.02 and p = 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A worrisome increased risk of early and late bleeding complications in COVID-19 patients was observed, and it should be considered when assessing the operative risk. CPB-related inflammatory reaction could exacerbate the deleterious effect of COVID-19 on the coagulation system and likely deviate it toward a hemorrhagic pattern.

Early Right Heart Chambers Reverse Remodeling in Patients Operated in Adulthood for Congenital Lesions Associated with Right Heart Chambers Enlargement.

BACKGROUND: Progressive right heart chambers dilatation is frequent in the adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) population. We evaluated the immediate and mid-term response of right heart chambers to surgery performed in adulthood for lesions associated with right heart chambers enlargement. METHODS: Thirty-six adult patients with lesions associated with right heart chambers enlargement submitted to surgery were studied. We collected echocardiographic data of right ventricle (RV) mid-diameter, right atrial volume indexed, RV systolic pressure, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) prior to surgery (T0), at 2 to 5 days (T1), and 3 to 6 months (T2) after surgery. RESULTS: At T1, we observed a significant decrease of RV mid-diameter (47.2 ± 8.4 vs. 39.6 ± 7.4 mm, P < .001), right atrial volume indexed (45.6 ± 26.6 vs. 27.2 ± 11 ml/m2, P < .001), and RV systolic pressure (39 ± 14.8 vs. 32.8 ± 11.3 mm Hg, P = .03). At T2, a further significant deviation in the rate of RV diameter (39.6 ± 7.4 vs. 34.5 ± 5.1 mm, P < .001), in RV systolic pressure (32.8 ± 11.3 vs. 25.3 ± 5 mm Hg, P = .03) and TAPSE (13.9 ± 3.2 vs. 15.8 ± 2.6 mm, P < .001) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Positive right heart chambers remodeling occurs as early as in the immediate post-operative period in most ACHD patients operated for lesions associated with right heart chambers enlargement.

Two and Three-Dimensional Echocardiography in Primary Mitral Regurgitation: Practical Hints to Optimize the Surgical Planning.

Primary mitral regurgitation (MR) is the second most common valvular disease, characterized by a high burden in terms of quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. Surgical treatment is considered the best therapeutic strategy for patients with severe MR, especially if they are symptomatic. However, pre-operative echocardiographic evaluation is an essential step not only for surgical candidate selection but also to avoid post-operative complications. Therefore, a strong collaboration between cardiologists and cardiac surgeons is fundamental in this setting. A meticulous pre-operative echocardiographic exam, both with transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography, followed by a precise report containing anatomical information and parameters should always be performed to optimize surgical planning. Moreover, intraoperative transesophageal evaluation is often required by cardiac surgeons as it may offer additive important information with different hemodynamic conditions. Three-dimensional echocardiography has recently gained higher consideration and availability for the evaluation of MR, providing more insights into mitral valve geometry and MR mechanism. This review paper aims to realize a practical overview on the main use of basic and advanced echocardiography in MR surgical planning and to provide a precise checklist with reference parameters to follow when performing pre-operative echocardiographic exam, in order to aid cardiologists to provide a complete echocardiographic evaluation for MR operation planning from clinical and surgical point-of-view.

Heart Valve Critical Pathway and Heart Valve Clinic: Novel Benchmarks for Modern Management of Valvular Heart Disease.

The growing burden of valvular heart disease in Western countries represents a challenge for the daily clinical practice, especially in the light of the ever-increasing number of therapeutic options. The Euro Heart Survey showed that, among elderly subjects with severe, symptomatic valve dysfunction, surgery is denied for 33% of patients with aortic stenosis and for 50% of patients with mitral regurgitation. Current management (from diagnosis to follow-up) is often fragmented in multiple-sometimes unnecessary-steps. Such a "patchy" approach may translate into a suboptimal management, especially in the geriatric population. New healthcare models exist that can coordinate care, reduce fragmentation, limit costs and, ultimately, improve outcomes: the clinical pathways.

Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Surgery in Octogenarians: Reliable Option or Fallback Solution?

OBJECTIVE: Aortic valve disease is more and more common in western countries. While percutaneous approaches should be preferred in older adults, previous reports have shown good outcomes after surgery. Moreover, advantages of minimally invasive approaches may be valuable for octogenarians. We sought to compare outcomes of conventional aortic valve replacement (CAVR) versus minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (MIAVR) in octogenarians. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data of 75 consecutive octogenarians who underwent primary, elective, isolated aortic valve surgery through conventional approach (41 patients, group CAVR) or partial upper sternotomy (34 patients, group MIAVR). RESULTS: Mean age was 81.9 ± 0.9 and 82.3 ± 1.1 years in CAVR and MIAVR patients, respectively (P = 0.09). MIAVR patients had lower 24-hour chest drain output (353.4 ± 207.1 vs 501.7 ± 229.9 mL, P < 0.01), shorter mechanical ventilation (9.6 ± 2.4 vs 11.3 ± 2.3 hours, P < 0.01), lower need for blood transfusions (35.3% vs 63.4%, P = 0.02), and shorter hospital stay (6.8 ± 1.6 vs 8.3 ± 4.3 days, P < 0.01). Thirty-day mortality was zero in both groups. Survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 89.9%, 80%, and 47%, respectively, in the CAVR group, and 93.2%, 82.4%, and 61.8% in the MIAVR group, with no statistically significant differences (log-rank test, P = 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: Aortic valve surgery in older patients provided excellent results, as long as appropriate candidates were selected. MIAVR was associated with shorter mechanical ventilation, reduced blood transfusions, and reduced hospitalization length, without affecting perioperative complications or mid-term survival.

Psychological Effects of Skin Incision Size in Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical benefits of minimally invasive cardiac valve surgery (MIVS) have been reported. Improved postoperative mental status was never analyzed with dedicated psychological tests. In the present study we intend to investigate potential benefits of MIVS for patient psychological well-being, with special attention to the relevance of the patient perception of the chest surgical scar, of the self body image and cosmetic aspects. METHODS: Between 2016 and 2017, 87 eligible patients, age 66.5 ± 14.5 years, operated on for heart valve surgery, underwent either conventional full sternotomy (CS; n = 48) or MIVS by V-shape hemi-sternotomy approach (n = 39). Before selection of the surgical approach, patients had undergone preoperative evaluation of their psychological status using Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y (STAI-Y), and EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) psychological tests. Six months postoperatively, patients filled in dedicated questionnaires to assess their psychological status, quality of life, and subjective perception, thus repeating the above-mentioned tests and adding the Body Image Questionnaire (BIQ) and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) v2.0 tests for scar-healing process evaluation. RESULTS: No patient died during the study.The 4 post-test scales of psychological well-being (BDI-II P = 0.04, STAI-Y P = 0.04, 2 indices of EQ-5D P = 0.03, P = 0.01) showed significant differences between the MIVS group and CS group, with MIVS-small incision patients having lower level of depression and anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. Mean score differences of scar perception (BIQ and POSAS v2.0) were significant, with MIVS patients having evaluated the scar quality significantly better than CS patients. CONCLUSIONS: MIVS appears associated with significant esthetical and related psychological benefits, as documented by technical tests. These findings should be considered when selecting the most appropriate technique for heart valve surgery.

Total Surgical Plication of Left Ventricular Aneurysm Using the BioVentrix Revivent Myocardial Anchoring System.

Surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR) is the therapy of choice for patients with left ventricular dilatation, apical and anterolateral transmural scar, and low ejection fraction. STICH trial did not show that SVR led to improved survival but several observational studies did. However, because of the considerable operative risk, open heart surgery is considered risky in debilitated patients and clinical results are controversial. Alternative less invasive strategies for left ventricular aneurysm repair have been proposed. We present a case of a left ventricular aneurysm repair using the less invasive ventricular enhancement technique (LIVE) with the Revivent TC system (BioVentrix Inc., San Ramon, CA) in a totally surgical approach, instead of a hybrid interventional-surgical one, as previously described.

The "Heart Valve Clinic" Pathway for the Management of Frail Patients With Valvular Heart Disease: From "One for All" to "All for One".

Valvular heart disease (VHD) is frequently diagnosed in old patients with clinical evidence of heart failure. This elderly population typically presents a high prevalence of frailty and comorbidities, which are associated with increased operative risk for surgical and percutaneous procedures. Recently, the Euro Heart Survey reported a clear gap between treatment guidelines and their application in the "real world". A more realistic approach to the treatment of older VHD patients treatment, mostly if associated with heart failure, is advocated. A multidisciplinary approach, as obtained with the Heart Valve Clinic methodology (intended to put the patient in the "center" of the scene and the specialists "around him"), has been applied in a group of 79 patients, aged >70 years, with symptomatic VHD, divided in 2 groups according to their frailty status (58 robust and 21 frail). No in-hospital mortality and no difference in late mortality and complications were observed. Infections were more frequent (14.3 vs. 1.7 %; P = 0.02) in frail patients. In patients with postoperative complications, serum levels of interleukin 6 (67.6 vs. 49.6; P = 0.01) and of CAF (C-terminal agrin fragment) as sarcopenia marker (67.9 vs. 62.0; P = 0.04) were higher than that in uncomplicated patients. This study was designed to determine the outcomes of the multidimensional geriatric assessment in the management of older patients with heart failure eligible for heart valve surgery. Geriatric assessment and measurement of inflammatory and sarcopenia markers may represent valid tools for a more realistic evaluation of elderly patients with VHD.