Safety and Effectiveness of Concomitant Mitral Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair and Left Atrial Appendage Closure.

BACKGROUND: Concomitant mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) and left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) showed to be a feasible approach to optimize the treatment of patients eligible for both procedures, but mid-term outcomes are unclear. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients undergoing M-TEER and enrolled in the local prospective Getting Reduction of Mitral Insufficiency by Percutaneous Clip Implantation (GRASP) registry. We compared patients undergoing isolated M-TEER (n = 58, 58.5%) with those undergoing concomitant M-TEER and LAAC (n = 41, 41.5%) from January 2018 to December 2022. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death, stroke or systemic embolism, hospitalization for heart failure, and bleeding at 1 year. The co-primary endpoint was procedural success. RESULTS: The primary endpoint was similar between patients undergoing concomitant M-TEER+LAAC or isolated M-TEER (Kaplan Meier (KM) estimates 36.6% vs. 44.8%; plog-rank = 0.75). Procedural success was also similar (92.7% vs. 94.8%; p = 0.69). At 1- year, minor bleeds were lower in patients undergoing concomitant M-TEER and LAAC (KM estimates 0.0% vs. 18.9%; plog-rank < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In patients with concomitant MR and AF and eligible for M-TEER and LAAC treatment, a combined approach of M-TEER and LAAC was as safe as an M-TEER-alone strategy and associated with lower minor bleeding at 1 year.

Granulicatella spp., a Causative Agent of Infective Endocarditis in Children

Granulicatella spp. are non-motile, non-sporulating, facultatively anaerobic Gram-positive cocci. Throughout the literature, these organisms have been referred to by several names, such as "nutritionally deficient streptococci", "vitamin-B dependent streptococci" and "pyridoxal-dependent streptococci", because of their fastidious nutritional requirements, which can often make culture isolation challenging. Known to be a member of the normal microbiota of the human oral cavity and urogenital and intestinal tracts, similar to other streptococci, Granulicatella spp. can cause bacteremia, sepsis and infective endocarditis. Considering the difficulty in growing this organism on culture medium, the fact that it is now included among the bacteria known to be responsible for culture-negative infective endocarditis suggests that its pathogenic role could be highly underestimated. Moreover, being considered such a rare causative agent, it is not a target of standard antibiotic empiric treatment. We present a rare case of G. elegans endocarditis in a young child and review the medical literature on Granulicatella endocarditis in the pediatric population, with the aim of sharing knowledge about this microorganism, which can be challenging for a clinician who is not familiar with it.

The Multidimensional Assessment for Pediatric Patients in Radiotherapy (M.A.P.-RT) Tool for Customized Treatment Preparation: RADAR Project.

Aims: Pediatric patients may experience considerable distress during radiotherapy. Combining psychological interventions with standard therapies can reduce the need for sedation. The RADAR Project aims to use a systematic method of recording data that can reveal patients' difficulties and fragility during treatment. In this context, the aim of our study was to investigate the ability of a multidimensional assessment tool (M.A.P.-RT schedule) to predict the need for sedation during radiotherapy. The schedule, which is administered during the first evaluation, was created to collect information on patients and their families in a standardized way. Materials and Methods: The study enrolled pediatric patients (aged 0-18 years or 18-21 with cognitive impairment). Data were collected by means of the M.A.P.-RT module; this explores various thematic areas, and is completed by the radiation oncologist, psychologist and nurse during their first evaluation. Features were selected by means of the Boruta method (random forest classifier), and the totals of the significant partial scores on each subsection of the module were inserted into a logistic model in order to test for their correlation with the use of anesthesia and with the frequency of psychological support. The results of logistic regression (LR) were used to identify the best predictors. The AUC was used to identify the best threshold for the scores in the evaluation. Results: A total of 99 patients were considered for this analysis. The feature that best predicted both the need for anesthesia and the frequency of psychological support was the total score (TS), the AUC of the ROC being 0.9875 for anesthesia and 0.8866 for psychological support. Conclusion: During the first evaluation, the M.A.P.-RT form can predict the need for anesthesia in pediatric patients, and is a potential tool for personalizing therapeutic and management procedures.

Personalised support of brain tumour patients during radiotherapy based on psychological profile and quality of life.

PURPOSE: Psychological distress in primary malignant brain tumour (PMBT) patients is associated with poorer outcomes. Radiotherapy (RT) often induces side effects that significantly influence patients' quality of life (QoL), with potential impact on survival. We evaluated distress, anxiety, depression, and QoL over time to identify patients with difficulties in these areas who required more intense psychological support. METHODS: Psychological questionnaires-Distress Thermometer (DT), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-G and FACT-Br)-were completed at the beginning (T0), in the middle (T1), directly after RT (T2), and 3 months after RT (T3). We personalised the psychological support provided for each patient with a minimum of three sessions ('typical' schedule) and a maximum of eight sessions ('intensive' schedule), depending on the patients' psychological profiles, clinical evaluations, and requests. Patients' survival was evaluated in the glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients, with an explorative intent. RESULTS: Fifty-nine consecutive PMBT patients receiving post-operative RT were included. For patients who were reported as 'not distressed' at T0, no statistically significant changes were noted. In contrast, patients who were 'distressed' at T0 showed statistically significant improvements in DT, HADS, FACT-G, and FACT-Br scores over time. 'Not distressed' patients required less psychological sessions over the study duration than 'distressed' patients. Interestingly, 'not distressed' GBM patients survived longer than 'distressed' GBM patients. CONCLUSIONS: Increased psychological support improved distress, mood, and QoL for patients identified as 'distressed', whereas psychological well-being was maintained with typical psychological support in patients who were identified as being 'not distressed'. These results encourage a standardisation of psychological support for all RT patients.

Hemodynamic assessment of Perceval sutureless bioprosthesis by dobutamine stress echocardiography.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamic performance of a sutureless bioprosthesis under high workload at mid-term follow-up. METHODS: Thirty-two patients who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement with a Perceval sutureless bioprosthesis with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were enrolled in this study. S size prosthesis was deployed in 10 patients (31.3%), M size in 9 (28.1%), L size in 8 (25%) and XL size in 5 (15.6%). Effective orifice area (EOA), EOA index (EOAi), and transvalvular gradients were assessed at rest and during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) a median of 19.5 months after surgery. RESULTS: Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) significantly increased heart rate, stroke volume, ejection fraction, and transvalvular gradients (peak gradient, 24.0 ± 7.6 vs 38.7 ± 13.6 mm Hg, P < .001; mean gradient, 12.6 ± 4.2 vs 19.8 ± 8.3, P < .001). When compared to baseline, estimated valve areas significantly increased at follow-up (EOA, 1.48 ± 0.46 vs 2.06 ± 0.67, P < .001; EOAi, 0.84 ± 0.26 vs 1.17 ± 0.37, P < .001). Mean percentage increase in EOAi was 40.3% ± 28.0%. S size prostheses had the highest increase in EOA1, but the difference was not significant (S 46.0% ± 27.5% vs M 45.4% ± 34.5% vs L 32.7% ± 26.4% vs XL 32.1% ± 20.5%, P = .66). Severe patient-prosthesis mismatch (EOAi ≤ 0.65 cm2 /m2 ) was present at rest in 8 patients (25%), but only in one patient (3.1%) during DSE. CONCLUSIONS: The Perceval sutureless bioprosthesis demonstrated good hemodynamics at rest and under high workload. The significant increase in EOAi during DSE suggests the potential advantages of Perceval sutureless bioprostheses in case of small aortic annulus or when patient-prosthesis mismatch is anticipated.

Long-term clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of Mitraclip therapy in patients nonresponders to cardiac resynchronization.

OBJECTIVES: This study deals with clinical and echocardiographic outcomes in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) nonresponders patients undergoing Mitraclip procedure. BACKGROUND: Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) occurs in approximately one-third of heart failure (HF) patients. Resynchronization therapy may correct FMR in patients with HF; however, significant FMR persists in 20-25% of CRT patients. METHODS: All patients included were previously treated with CRT for at least 6 months and remained classified as New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV despite optimal medical therapy; the echocardiographic assessment showed lack of decrease of the left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) of at least 10% and residual moderate-to-severe or severe FMR. Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up was scheduled at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after Mitraclip implantation, and every 6 months thereafter. RESULTS: Thirty patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. Before Mitraclip implantation NYHA class was III in 83% and IV in 17% of patients; after CRT no patient experienced an improvement in FMR. There was a significant improvement in NYHA class from baseline to 6 months, which remained sustained at 12 and 24 months. The degree of FMR significantly improved from baseline to 6 months and from 6 to 12 months. There was left ventricle remodeling with significant reduction of LVESV and an increase of left ventricle ejection fraction at 6 and 12 months, while the opposite trend was noted between 12 and 24 months CONCLUSION: Treatment of moderate to severe FMR in CRT nonresponder is feasible, safe, and reasonably effective in reducing cardiac symptoms.

Sugammadex and reversal of neuromuscular block in adult patient with duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common and severe form of myopathy. Patients with DMD are more sensitive to sedative, anesthetic, and neuromuscular blocking agents which may result in intraoperative and early postoperative cardiovascular and respiratory complications, as well as prolonged recovery from anesthesia. In this case report, we describe a 25-year-old male patient admitted for cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. We induced our anesthesia by oxygen, propofol, fentanyl, and rocuronium bromide. Maintenance was done by fentanyl, rocuronium bromide, sevoflurane, and O2. We report in this case the safety use of sugammadex to antagonize the neuromuscular block and rapid recovery in such category of patients.

Sugammadex and ideal body weight in bariatric surgery.

Background. The obese patients have differences in body composition, drug distribution, and metabolism. Sugammadex at T 2 recovery in a dose of 2 mg kg(-1) of real body weight (RBW) can completely reverse the NMB block; in our study we investigated the safety and efficacy of Sugammadex dose based on their ideal body weight (IBW). Methods. 40 patients of both sexes undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery were enrolled divided into 2 groups according to the dose of Sugammadex: the first received a dose of 2 mg kg(-1) of IBW and the second received a dose of 2 mg kg(-1) of RBW. Both were anesthetized with doses calculated according to the IBW: fentanyl 2 µ g kg(-1), propofol 3 mg kg(-1), rocuronium 0,6 mg kg(-1), oxygen, air, and desflurane (6-8%). Maintenance doses of rocuronium were 1/4 of the intubation dose. Sugammadex was administrated at T 2 recovery. Results. The durations of intubation and maintenance doses of rocuronium were similar in both groups. In IBW group, the T 4/T 1 value of 0.9 was reached in 151 ± 44 seconds and in 121 ± 55 seconds in RBW group (P = 0.07). Discussion. Recovery times to T 4/T 1 of 0.9 are surprisingly similar in both groups without observing any postoperative residual curarization. Conclusion. Sugammadex doses calculated according to the IBW are certainly safe for a rapid recovery and absence of PORC.

Emergence in elderly patient undergoing general anesthesia with xenon.

Introduction. It is a consensus that the postoperative cognitive function is impaired in elderly patients after general anaesthesia, and such category patient takes more time to recover. Xenon is a noble gas with anesthetic properties mediated by antagonism of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. With a minimum alveolar concentration of 0.63, xenon is intended for maintaining hypnosis with 30% oxygen. The fast recovery after xenon anaesthesia was hypothesized to be advantageous in this scenario. Case Presentation. We report the case of 99-year-old woman who underwent sigmoid colon carcinoma resection with colorectal anastomosis. We carried out the induction phase by propofol, oxygen, fentanil, and rocuronium bromide, and then we proceeded to a rapid sequence endotracheal intubation consequently. The patient was monitored by IBP, NIBP, ECG, cardiac frequency, respiratory rate, capnometry, TOF Guard, blood gas analysis, and BIS. For maintenance we administrated oxygen, remifentanil, rocuronium bromide, and xenon gas 60-65%. Shortly after the end of surgery the patients started an autonomous respiratory activity, and a high BIS level was also recorded. Decision was made by our team to proceed into the emergence phase. The residual neuromuscular block was antagonized by sugammadex, modified Aldrete score was implicated, and we got our patient fully awake without any cognitive dysfunction or delirium. Conclusion. The rapid emergence to full orientation in very elderly patient who had been anesthetized by xenon shows concordance to the high BIS values and the clinical signs of the depth of anesthesia.

EuroSCORE II versus additive and logistic EuroSCORE in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

The aim of the present study was to externally validate the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) II (ESII) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and to compare its performance with that of its previously released versions, named additive (addES) and logistic EuroSCORE (logES). A total of 537 patients undergoing PCI were analyzed by different measurements of discrimination, calibration, and global accuracy. A significant gradient in all-cause mortality was seen with all the models at 30 days, 1 year, and 5 years, with the exception of the ESII at 30 days. The ESII had the lowest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve at all time points compared with its previous version, being 0.83 (vs 0.90 for both addES and logES) at 30 days, 0.75 (vs 0.82 for both addES and logES) at 1 year, and 0.69 (vs 0.77 for addES and 0.76 for logES) at 5 years. However, the ESII displayed a better calibration than the logES at 30 days, whereas both scores were miscalibrated at 1 and 5 years. The Brier score displayed similar global accuracy between the ESII and logES. In conclusion, the ESII is better calibrated than the logES at 30 days but does not represent a step forward in discrimination and global accuracy compared with its previous versions for predicting early- and long-term mortality of patients undergoing PCI.

Incorporating glomerular filtration rate or creatinine clearance by the modification of diet in renal disease equation or the Cockcroft-Gault equations to improve the global accuracy of the Age, Creatinine, Ejection Fraction [ACEF] score in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to appraise the comparative ability of different ACEF models incorporating glomerular filtration rate or creatinine clearance estimated by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease [ACEFMDRD] or Cokcroft-Gault [ACEFCG] equations, respectively, over the original ACEF score (ACEFSrCr) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: A total of 537 patients were analyzed by different measures of discrimination, calibration and net reclassification improvement (NRI). RESULTS: A significant gradient in all-cause mortality was consistently seen with all the models at 30 days, 1 year and 5 years. The comparison of the three models showed that the best balance in terms of discrimination and calibration for all-cause mortality was offered by the ACEFCG at 30 days, the ACEFMDRD at 1 year and similarly by the ACEFCG and ACEFMDRD at 5 years. At 30 days, the NRI was +32.9% for ACEFMDRD over ACEFSrCr and +16% for ACEFCG over ACEFSrCr. At 1 year, the NRI was 13.8% for ACEFMDRD over ACEFSrCr and -7.8% for ACEFCG over ACEFSrCr. At 5 years, the NRI was +7.7% for both the ACEFMDRD and the ACEFCG over the ACEFSrCr. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing PCI, the ACEF score is associated with satisfactory early-, mid- and long-term discrimination regardless of the definition of renal function. However, incorporating glomerular filtration rate or creatinine clearance by the MDRD or CG formulas in the ACEF score yields superior calibration compared with the original SrCr-based equation, with the ACEFMDRD displaying superior reclassification ability over the ACEFCG and ACEFSrCr at 30 days and 1 year.