10-Year Results of Mitral Repair and Coronary Bypass for Ischemic Regurgitation: A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: The decision to treat moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) at the time of coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) remains controversial. We previously conducted a prospective randomized trial that showed a benefit of adding restricted annuloplasty to bypass surgery (CABG-Ring group) in terms of IMR grade, New York Heart Association classification, and left ventricle reverse remodeling. Here, we present the long-term (>10 years) follow-up data from this randomized trial. METHODS: The original trial arms accounted for 54 patients in the CABG-alone and 48 in the CABG-Ring group; patients were re-contacted for follow-up to obtain relevant clinical and echocardiographic information. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 160.4 ± 45.5 months. Survival probabilities in the CABG-alone and CABG-Ring groups were 96% vs 93% at 3 years, 85% vs 89% at 6 years, 79% vs 85% at 9 years, 77% vs 83% at 12 years, and 72% vs 80% at 15 years, respectively (P = .18) Freedom from at least moderate IMR or reintervention at last follow-up was also higher in the CABG-Ring group (P < .001). Compared with the CABG-alone group, the CABG-Ring group had a higher degree of left ventricular reverse remodeling (54.7 ± 6.9 mm vs 51.6 ± 6 mm, respectively; P = .03), lower New York Heart Association class (P < .001), and a lower rate of rehospitalization (P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term follow-up data from our randomized trial further support the utility of performing restricted annuloplasty at the time of CABG to prevent further progression of IMR, mitral reintervention, and left ventricle remodeling. Untreated IMR was associated with significantly higher New York Heart Association class and rehospitalization.

Mitral valve annuloplasty and papillary muscle relocation oriented by 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography for severe functional mitral regurgitation.

OBJECTIVE: The study of the mitral valve apparatus and its modifications during functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is better revealed by 3-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TOE). To plan mitral valve repair by annuloplasty and papillary muscle (PPM) relocation, we proposed a valve repair procedure oriented by the new main features obtained by real-time 3D TOE reconstruction of the mitral valve apparatus. METHODS: Since January 2008, 25 patients with severe FMR before mitral valve repair were examined. Mean coaptation depth and mean tenting area were 1.3 ± 0.2 cm and 3.2 ± 0.5 cm(2), respectively. Intraoperative 2D and 3D TOE were performed, followed by a 3D offline reconstruction of the mitral valve apparatus. A schematic mitral valve apparatus model was obtained. A geometric model like a truncated cone was traced in according to the preoperative measurements. The size of the prosthetic ring was selected preoperatively according to the anterior leaflet surface. The expected truncated cone after annuloplasty was retraced. A conventional normal coaptation depth about 0.6 cm was used to detect the new position of the PPM tips. RESULTS: Offline reconstruction of the mitral valve apparatus and respective truncated cone were feasible in all patients. The expected position of the PPM tips desirable to reach a normal tenting area with a coaptation depth 0.6 cm or less was obtained in all patients. After surgery, all parameters were calculated and no statistically significant difference was found compared with the expected data. CONCLUSIONS: PPM relocation plus ring annuloplasty reduce mitral valve tenting and may improve mitral valve repair results for patients with severe FMR. This technique may be easily and precisely guided by preoperative offline 3D echocardiographic mitral valve reconstruction.

Papillary muscle relocation in conjunction with valve annuloplasty improve repair results in severe ischemic mitral regurgitation.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of recurrent mitral regurgitation (MR) after restrictive annuloplasty (RA) was 5% to 20% in several reports. There are many opinions in favor of adding subvalvular procedures to RA to reduce the tenting forces and improve the repair results. METHODS: From March 2003 to May 2010, 55 patients with severe ischemic MR who had undergone papillary muscle (PPM) relocation in conjunction with mitral annuloplasty in our institutions were enrolled. The patients were matched 1:1 with those who underwent isolated RA using the propensity score. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 42% ± 6%. The mean tenting area and coaptation depth was 3.2 ± 0.6 cm(2) and 1.3 ± 0.2 cm, respectively. The study endpoints were early mortality and clinical and echocardiographic outcomes, freedom from cardiac-related deaths, and cardiac-related events. RESULTS: In-hospital death occurred in 5 patients (4.5%), without a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (P = .72). The 5-year freedom from cardiac-related deaths and cardiac-related events in the PPM relocation group versus the RA group was 90.9% ± 1.8% versus 89% ± 1.6% (P = .82) and 83% ± 2.1% versus 65.4% ± 1.2% (P < .001), respectively. Recurrent MR equal to or greater than moderate occurred in 2 (3.7%) and 6 (11.5%) patients in the PPM relocation group and RA group (P = .01), respectively. Moreover, we found statistically significant differences for the postoperative mean tenting area and coaptation depth in both groups (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: PPM relocation in conjunction to mitral annuloplasty is an easy and safe method and can be performed without an increase in-hospital mortality. This technique reduced the tenting area and coaptation depth compared with isolated RA, leading to improvement in the incidence of recurrent MR. The PPM group of patients experienced fewer cardiac-related events.

Multiplane two-dimensional versus real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in ischemic mitral regurgitation.

OBJECTIVES: Intraoperative three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been suggested to be a valuable technique for the evaluation of the mechanisms of ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR). Studies comparing multiplane two-dimensional (2D) with 3D TEE reconstruction of the mitral valve using the new mitral valve quantification (MVQ) software are lacking. We undertook a prospective comparison between multiplane 2D and 3D TEE for the assessment of IMR. METHODS: We evaluated echocardiographically 45 patients with IMR who underwent mitral valve surgery in our institution. 2D and 3D TEE examinations followed by a 3D offline assessment of the mitral valve apparatus were performed in all patients. Offline analysis of mitral valve apparatus was conducted with QLAB-MVQ. RESULTS: 3D TEE image acquisitions were performed in a short period of time and were feasible in all patients. Real time 3D TEE imaging was superior to 2D in identifying specific mitral scallops (A1, A3, P1, P3) and commissures. When compared with 2D TEE, 3D offline reconstruction of the mitral valve allows an accurate quantification of the shape and diameters of the mitral annulus. Both approaches provide almost similar values for the tenting area and the coaptation depth. The 3D approach gave the advantage of direct calculation of the leaflets angles, tenting volume, and surface of the leaflets. The interpapillary muscles distance at the level of the papillary muscle head was greater in 2D than in 3D. CONCLUSIONS: 3D TEE imaging provides valuable and complementary information to multiplane 2D TEE for the assessment of patients with IMR.

New technique for aortic valve functional annulus reshaping using a handmade prosthetic ring.

BACKGROUND: Despite a wide development in aortic leaflets repair techniques, aortic valve annuloplastic procedures are still poorly investigated. We present our aortic valve annuloplastic system consisting of a handmade prosthetic ring with 2 components for reshaping the aortic annulus and sinotubular junction (STJ) and illustrates our surgical approach and clinical results. METHODS: Since February 2003, 45 patients with aortic valve regurgitation underwent aortic annuloplasty using the new ring. Mean patient age was 58 ± 16 years (range, 46 to 76 years). The ring has 2 components: a circular ring used to undersize the circumference of the aortoventricular junction and 3-crown-like shape ring used for STJ remodeling. The circular ring was sutured into the left ventricular outflow tract in the aortic subvalvular position and the STJ ring was sutured from the outside of the aortic root just at the level of the STJ. The 3 vertical bands of the STJ ring were fixed to the underlying circular ring to stabilize the continuity between the STJ and nadir of the aortic valve. RESULTS: No in-hospital death occurred. Two patients had residual trivial aortic valve regurgitation postoperatively, and 3 patients required treatment for residual aortic regurgitation (more than mild). Mean length of the coaptation surface was 10 ± 2 mm. The mean clinical follow-up (100% complete) was 22 ± 16 months. All patients were free from cardiac and valve-related events, and no complications due to ring implantation occurred. CONCLUSIONS: This ring reshapes the functional aortic annulus and stabilizes all components of the native aortic valve stent to improve long-term results of valve repair.

Impact of moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical and echocardiographic outcomes, at rest and under exercise testing, of patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). METHODS: Between February 2003 and March 2008, 180 patients with moderate IMR who had isolated CABG were enrolled. Patients were matched 1:2 (n = 360) with patients who underwent isolated CABG without IMR (by propensity score). The study endpoints were freedom from all death, cardiac related-death, late events, and cardiac-related events. Late outcomes and left ventricular remodeling were evaluated according to preoperative percent of ejection fraction. Symptoms and MR grade under exercise test were investigated. Mean follow-up was 30 ± 16 months. RESULTS: The 5-year freedom from all deaths and from cardiac-related deaths among patients without IMR versus with IMR was, respectively, 90.5% ± 1.8% versus 73.7% ± 2.1% (p < 0.001) and 94.2% ± 1.6% versus 79.5% ± 1.5% (p < 0.001). Ischemic mitral regurgitation affects significantly late survival only in patients with ejection fraction 40% or less. The 5-year freedom from cardiac-related events among patients without and with IMR was, respectively, 88.2% ± 2.1% and 62.1% ± 1.2% (p < 0.0001). Patients with IMR experienced more cardiac-related events in comparison with patients without IMR. Ischemic mitral regurgitation promotes left ventricular remodeling in all patients. During exercise testing, the grade of MR moved from mild to moderate in 10 patients (28.5%) and to severe in 5 (14.3%). Among the 42 patients with moderate MR at rest, 32 patients (76%) moved from moderate to severe MR during exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic mitral regurgitation significantly increases the incidence of cardiac-related deaths among patients with ejection fraction 40% or less and the incidence of cardiac-related events, and promotes left ventricular remodeling. Most patients who had at-rest residual mild to moderate MR presented with a worse MR grade under exercise with the appearance of dyspnea.

Long-term results after repair of type a acute aortic dissection according to false lumen patency.

BACKGROUND: Late survival and freedom from retreatment on the descending aorta was evaluated after ascending aortic repair for type A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD). METHODS: Between March 1992 and January 2006, 189 TAAAD patients (mean age, 52 +/- 11; range, 17 to 83 years) were included; of these, 58 had a patent false lumen, and 49 had Marfan syndrome. The descending aorta was evaluated postoperatively with computed tomography (CT). Late outcomes were assessed by Cox regression analysis and actuarial survival and freedom from retreatment by the Kaplan-Meier method. Mean follow-up was 88 +/- 44 months. RESULTS: There were 38 (20%) late deaths. At 10 years, survival was 89.8% +/- 2.1% for patients with an occluded false lumen and 59.8% +/- 3.5% for patients with a patent false lumen (p = 0.001), and freedom from retreatment on the descending aorta was 94.2% +/- 3.1% for an occluded false lumen and 63.7% +/- 2.6% for a patent false lumen (p < 0.0001). Descending aortic rupture (p = 0.002) and a patent false lumen (p = 0.001) were predictors for late death. Patent false lumen (p = 0.0001), Marfan syndrome (p = 0.03), and descending aortic diameter 4.5 cm or larger (p = 0.002) were predictors for retreatment. CONCLUSIONS: A patent false lumen was a predictor for late death and retreatment on the descending aorta. Marfan syndrome and aortic size exceeding 4.5 cm were predictors for late retreatment. These patients require very close follow-up and a plan for retreatment on the descending aorta to prevent sudden rupture and late death.

POINT: Efficacy of adding mitral valve restrictive annuloplasty to coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with moderate ischemic mitral valve regurgitation: a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical management of moderate chronic ischemic mitral valve regurgitation is still debated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding mitral valve repair to coronary artery bypass grafting on clinical outcomes and left ventricular remodeling in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting alone versus coronary artery bypass grafting plus mitral valve repair in a randomized trial. METHODS: Between February 2003 and May 2007, 102 patients were eligible for this study and were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups by means of card allocation: coronary artery bypass grafting plus mitral valve repair (CABG plus MVR group; 48 patients, 47%) or coronary artery bypass grafting alone (CABG group; 54 patients, 53%). The 2 groups were similar regarding demographics, perioperative clinical data, and outcomes. There were differences regarding cardiopulmonary bypass (P < .0001) and aortic crossclamp (P < .0001) times. Exercise tests were performed for all survivors to evaluate tolerance to exercise and variability on grade of mitral regurgitation and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure. The study was blinded for physicians and nurses involved in postoperative care and clinical follow-up. The mean follow-up was 32 +/- 18 months. RESULTS: Overall in-hospital mortality was 3% (3 patients). One (1.8%) patient died in the CABG group, and 2 (4.1%) patients died in the CABG plus MVR group. Survival rates +/- standard error at 5 years for patients in the CABG and CABG plus MVR groups were 88.8% +/- 3.2% and 93.7% +/- 3.1%, respectively. A significant difference was found between the 2 groups with regard to mean New York Heart Association class (P < .0001), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (P < .01), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (P < .01), pulmonary arterial pressure (P < .0001), and left atrial size (P < .01). At follow-up, coronary artery bypass grafting alone was able to reduce mitral regurgitation grade in 40% of patients, whereas in the remaining patients mitral regurgitation grade remained stable or worsened. In the CABG group, among the 17 patients with mild mitral regurgitation and 12 patients with moderate mitral regurgitation at rest, 7 (40%) and 9 (75%) patients, respectively, had worsening in mitral regurgitation grade and pulmonary artery pressure during exercise. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of adding mitral valve repair to coronary artery bypass grafting is well demonstrated by the improvement of New York Heart Association functional class and percentage of left ventricular ejection fraction and by the decrease of mitral regurgitation grade, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, pulmonary artery pressure, and left atrial size. Moreover, coronary artery bypass grafting alone left more patients with heart failure symptoms at rest and during exercise. Combined coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral valve repair have no effect on survival at short-term follow-up, and the trends that are evident will likely become more significant with time.

Off-pump versus on-pump myocardial revascularization in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: Conventional cardioplegic arrest coronary artery bypass grafting after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is associated with high mortality and morbidity. The benefits of off-pump surgery have been suggested. This study randomly evaluated the impact of the off-pump technique on clinical results. METHODS: Between February 2002 and October 2007, 128 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who underwent myocardial revascularization within 48 hours from the onset of symptoms were randomly assigned to 2 groups: on-pump group (66 patients/51.5%) and off-pump group (63 patients/48.5%). The primary end point was the incidence of in-hospital death and outcomes (low cardiac output syndrome, prolonged mechanical and pharmacologic cardiac support, prolonged mechanical ventilation support, and postoperative length of stay in intensive care unit and hospital). The secondary end point was the evaluation of myocardial infarct size measured by the perioperative serum release of cardiac troponin I and the improvement of contractile cardiac function evaluated by the wall motion score index. RESULTS: Overall in-hospital mortality was 4.6%. In-hospital mortality was 7.7% (5 patients) in the on-pump group and 1.6% (1 patient) in the off-pump group (P = .04). Statistically significant differences were found between the 2 groups concerning the incidence of low cardiac output syndrome (P = .001), time of inotrope drugs support (P = .001), time of mechanical ventilation (P = .006), reoperation for bleeding (P = .04), intensive care unit stay (P = .01), and in-hospital stay (P = .02). Statistically significant differences also were found between the 2 groups concerning the incidence of in-hospital death in patients who were admitted to surgery in cardiac shock (P = .0018) and patients who underwent surgery within 6 hours from the onset of symptoms (P = .0026). The procedure in 1 patient (1.6%) in the off-pump group was converted to the on-pump beating heart technique. The serum levels of cardiac troponin I were high in the on-pump group during the first 48 hours after surgery. Myocardial function was better in the off-pump group. There were no cardiac-related late deaths, and patients had no recurrent cardiac events. CONCLUSION: Off-pump surgery reduced early mortality and morbidity in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in respect to the conventional procedure. Off-pump surgery showed better results than on-pump surgery in patients who underwent surgery within 6 hours from the onset of symptoms and in patients with cardiogenic shock.

Giant left atrium: a condition that is rarely seen today.

Today, giant left atrium is a condition that is rarely observed in clinical practice and diagnosis can be missed. It is prevalent in patients with rheumatic heart disease that has decreased considerably in industrialized countries in the last two decades. However, the immigration flow in the current era can revive its incidence.

Implantation of Gore-Tex chordae on aortic valve leaflet to treat prolapse using "the chordae technique": surgical aspects and clinical results.

BACKGROUND: Repair of prolapsed aortic valve leaflets has been considered a challenging technique for cardiac surgeons. In this paper we describe our surgical approach, "the chordae technique." It consists of the correction of aortic cusp prolapse by shortening the free margin length and of an adjustment of the leaflets coaptation height by anchoring the prolapsing cusp to the aortic wall at the sinotubular junction level. METHODS: Between February 2003 and December 2006, 26 patients with one or more prolapsed aortic leaflets underwent surgical repair using the new approach. The mean age of patients was 55 +/- 10 years. There were 10 (38.5%) patients with grade II aortic valve regurgitation, 4 (15.5%) with grade III, and 12 (46%) with grade IV. Twelve patients had a concomitant aortic root aneurysm requiring surgical treatment. There were 22 patients with tricuspid aortic valve, and 4 were bicuspid. RESULTS: No in-hospital mortality occurred. The mean in-hospital stay was 8 +/- 2 days. The mean clinical follow-up was 14 +/- 8 months (range, 4 to 36 months). At follow-up, there were 4 (15.5%) patients with trivial aortic valve regurgitation and 22 (84.5%) patients without aortic valve regurgitation. All patients were free from aortic valve reoperation and free from cardiac and thromboembolism events. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with aortic valve regurgitation and cusp prolapse, functional aortic annulus stabilization and the use of the central chordae allows the correction of cusp prolapse and stabilizes the valve repair at follow-up, avoiding a repeat prolapse. We believe that this approach might represent a valuable and safe technique although long-term follow-up is mandatory.

Beneficial effects of C1 esterase inhibitor in ST-elevation myocardial infarction in patients who underwent surgical reperfusion: a randomised double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: The inflammatory cascade has been hypothesized to be an important mechanism of post-ischaemic myocardial reperfusion injury and several studies demonstrated that C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) is effective in post-ischaemia myocardial protection. Therefore, we aimed to investigate prospectively in a randomised double-blind study the cardioprotective effects of C1-INH in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in patients who underwent emergent reperfusion with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: In this study, we enrolled 80 patients affected with STEMI who underwent emergent CABG. Patients were assigned in two groups (C1-INH group: receive 1000 UI of C1-INH; and placebo group: receive a saline solution). The effects of C1-INH on complement inhibition, myocardial cell injury extension and clinical outcome were studied. Haemodynamic data and myocardial function were monitored. C1-INH, C3a, C4a complement activation fragments and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) serum levels were measured before, during and after surgery. RESULTS: Patient characteristics were not different between the two groups. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 6.2%. No statistical significant difference was observed between the two groups with regard to early mortality (p=0.36). Statistical significant difference between the two groups was showed for cardiopulmonary bypass support (p=0.04), administration of high dose of inotropes drugs (p=0.001), time of intubation (p=0.03), intensive care unit (ICU) stay (p=0.04) and in-hospital stay (p=0.03). A significant improvement in mean arterial pressure (p=0.03), cardiac index (p=0.02) and stroke volume (p=0.03) was showed in C1-INH group versus placebo group. The serum cTnI levels were significantly low in the C1-INH group versus placebo group after reperfusion, during the observation period. Plasma levels of C3a and C4a complement fragments were reduced significantly in C1-INH group. No drugs-related adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The inhibition of the classic complement pathway by C1-INH appears to be an effective mean of preserving ischaemic myocardium from reperfusion injury as demonstrated by low serum cTnI levels in C1-INH group. Therefore, the use of C1-INH during CABG as a rescue therapy in STEMI patients is probably an effective treatment to inhibit complement activity and to improve cardiac function and haemodynamic performance without impacting early mortality. Large randomised study should be performed to support our results.

Simple, safe and easy technique to ensure the correct length of artificial chordae in mitral valve repair.

Replacement of diseased chordae with Gore-Tex sutures (W. L. Gore & Assoc, Flagstaff, AZ) in patients with degenerative mitral valve insufficiency has become a standard technique used by surgeons in mitral valve repair with good long-term results. Nevertheless, determining the correct length of the artificial chordae has remained problematic. Although various procedures have been previously published, in this article we describe our approach used to achieve an accurate chordal height adjustment.

Treatment of pulmonary hypertension in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: a randomized, prospective, double-blind study.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary hypertension can already be present in patients undergoing cardiac surgery or can be exacerbated by cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative treatment is still a challenge for physicians. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of inhaled prostacyclin (iPGI2) and nitric oxide (iNO) compared with those of intravenous vasodilators. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, double-blind study included 58 patients affected by severe mitral valve stenosis and pulmonary hypertension with high pulmonary vascular resistance (> 250 dynes x s x cm(-5)) and a mean pulmonary artery pressure > 25 mmHg. All patients were monitored by central venous, radial arterial and Swan-Ganz catheters. Data were recorded at six different time points, before induction of anaesthesia, during and after surgery. Prostacyclin and nitric oxide were administered by inhalation 5 min before weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass and continued in the intensive care unit. Right ventricular function was evaluated by transoesophageal echocardiography. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 3.4%. After drug administration, the mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance were significantly decreased in the iNO and iPGI2 groups with respect to the baseline values (P < 0.05) and such a decrease was maintained throughout the study; this was not observed in the control group. In the iNO and iPGI2 groups we demonstrated a significant increase in cardiac indices and right ventricular ejection fraction after drug administration with respect to baseline. Furthermore, patients in the inhaled drug groups were weaned easily from cardiopulmonary bypass (P = 0.04) and had a shorter intubation time (P = 0.03) and intensive care unit stay (P = 0.02) than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that both iNO and iPGI2 are effective in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. iPGI2 has a number of advantages over iNO, including its easy administration and lower cost. Intravenous vasodilator treatment, on the other hand, is effective in terms of mortality but has a higher morbidity rate.