Age as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome undergoing Urgent/Emergency Cardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who require urgent/emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are increasing, as is the complexity of their clinical characteristics, one of which is advanced age. We evaluated the prognostic role of age in patients undergoing urgent/emergency cardiac surgery for ACS. METHODS: From January to December 2013, 452 consecutive patients underwent CABG at our institution. Among these, 213 presented with ACS, were enrolled in the study and divided into tertiles of age: First: 40-65 years old (n=73), Second: 66-74 (n=70), Third: 75-89 (n=70). Patients were followed post-operatively for 30 days. RESULTS: No differences between tertiles were found for baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics. Off-pump interventions were 67.6%. Older patients more frequently required an associate intervention to CABG for a mechanical complication of ACS. Overall 30-day all-cause mortality was 4.7% (n=10); 0.6% (n=1) in patients undergoing isolated CABG (n=168, 78.9%). The STEMI diagnosis was an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality, and age was not. CONCLUSIONS: The 30-day mortality rate of older ACS patients who undergo urgent/emergency CABG is comparable to that of younger ones. Pre-operative risk assessment should rely on evaluation of the clinical complexity of each patient independent of their chronological age, to customise the therapeutic strategy.

Discordances originated by multiple meta-analyses on interventions for myocardial infarction: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the impact of multiple (covering the same population, intervention, control, and outcomes) systematic reviews (SRs) on interventions for myocardial infarction (MI). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Clinical Evidence (BMJ Group) sections and related search strategies regarding MI were used to identify multiple SRs published between 1997 and 2007. Multiple SRs were classified as discordant if they featured conflicting results or interpretation of them. RESULTS: Thirty-six SRs (23.5% of 153 on the treatment or prevention of MI) were classified as multiple and grouped in 16 clusters [ie, at least two SRs with the same PICO (population, condition/disease, intervention, control) and at least one common outcome] exploring angioplasty, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, ß-blockers, and stents. Complete agreement on statistically significant differences between interventions was found in 7 of 10 clusters with a shared composite outcome. Agreement was reduced when single outcomes were considered. Despite substantial variation and limited agreement in reporting of major outcomes, SRs agreed in their conclusions on the superiority of either the intervention or control in 14 of 16 clusters. Sources of minor discrepancies were found in terms of study and outcome selection, subgroup analyses, and interpretation of findings. CONCLUSION: Multiple SRs agreed in their qualitative conclusions but not on reporting and on analyses of hard outcomes. Discordance on significance of treatment effects was due to a combination of variation in design with inclusion of different studies and lack of precision for single hard outcomes compared with a composite outcome. Such inconsistencies among SRs could potentially slow the translation of SRs' results to clinical and public health decision making and suggest the need for a broader methodological and clinical agreement on their design.

Minimal invasive surgery for atrial fibrillation: an updated review.

AIMS: Despite its proven efficacy, the Cox-Maze III procedure did not gain widespread acceptance for the treatment of stand-alone atrial fibrillation (SA-AF) because of its complexity and technical difficulty. Surgical ablation for SA-AF can now be successfully performed utilizing minimally invasive surgery (MIS). This study provides an overview of state-of-the-art MIS for the treatment of SA-AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Studies selected for this review were identified on PUBMED and exclusion and inclusion criteria were applied to select the publication to be screened. Twenty-eight studies were included; 27 (96.4%) were observational in nature whereas 1 was prospective non-randomized. The total number of patients was 1051 (range 14-114). Mean age ranged from 45.3 to 67.1 years. Suboptimal results were obtained when employing microwave and high focused ultrasound energies. In contrast, MIS ablation of SA-AF achieved satisfactory 1-year results when the bipolar radiofrequency was employed as energy source, with antiarrhythmic drug-free success rate comparable to percutaneous catheter ablation (PCA). The success rate in paroxysmal was even higher than in PCA. In contrast, ganglionated plexi ablation and left atrial appendage removal seem not to influence the recurrence of AF and the occurrence of postoperative thromboembolic events. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive surgery ablation of SA-AF achieved satisfactory 1-year results when the bipolar radiofrequency was employed. Nevertheless, the relatively high complication rate reported suggest that such techniques require further refinement. Finally, the preliminary results of the hybrid approach are promising but they need to be confirmed.

Role of electrophysiological study and catheter ablation for recurrent ventricular tachycardia complicating myocarditis.

Here we report the case of a 31-year-old man admitted to our hospital with echocardiografic and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance signs of myocarditis complicated by ventricular tachycardia, initially resolved with direct current shock. After the recurrence of ventricular tachycardia the patient was submitted to electrophysiological study revealing a re-entrant circuit at the level of the medium segment of interventricular septum, successfully treated with transcatheter ablation. This case highlights how the presence of recurrent ventricular arrhythmias at the onset of acute myocarditis, suspected or proven, could be associated with a pre-existing arrhythmogenic substrate, therefore these patients should be submitted to electrophysiological study in order to rule out the presence of arrhythmogenic focuses that can be treated with transcatheter ablation.

Emergency surgery for native mitral valve endocarditis: the impact of septic and cardiogenic shock.

BACKGROUND: Limited information exists about the real impact of the etiology of shock on early and late outcome after emergency surgery in acute native mitral valve endocarditis (ANMVE). This multicenter study analyzed the impact of the etiology of shock on early and late outcome in patients with ANMVE. METHODS: Data were collected in eight institutions. Three hundred-seventy-nine ANMVE patients undergoing surgery on an emergency basis between May 1991 and December 2009 were eligible for the study. According to current criteria used for the differential diagnosis of shock, patients were retrospectively assigned to one of three groups: group 1, no shock (n=154), group 2, cardiogenic shock (CS [n=118]), and group 3, septic shock (SS [n=107]). Median follow-up was 69.8 months. RESULTS: Early mortality was significantly higher in patients with SS (p<0.001). At multivariable logistic regression analysis, compared with patients with CS, patients with SS had more than 3.8 times higher risk of death. That rose to more than 4 times versus patients without shock. In addition, patients with SS had 4.2 times and 4.3 times higher risk of complications compared with patients with CS and without shock, respectively. Sepsis was also an independent predictor of prolonged artificial ventilation (p=0.04) and stroke (p=0.003) whereas CS was associated with a higher postoperative occurrence of low output syndrome and myocardial infarction (p<0.001). No difference was detected between groups in 18-year survival, freedom from endocarditis, and freedom from reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that emergency surgery for ANMVE in patients with CS achieved satisfactory early and late results. In contrast, the presence of SS was linked to dismal early prognosis. Our findings need to be confirmed by further larger studies.

Treatment of lone atrial fibrillation: a look at the past, a view of the present and a glance at the future.

Despite its proven efficacy, the Cox-Maze III procedure did not gain widespread acceptance for the treatment of lone atrial fibrillation (LAF) because of its complexity and technical difficulty. Surgical ablation for LAF can now be successfully performed utilizing minimally invasive techniques. This article provides an overview of the current state of the art in the surgical treatment of LAF. A brief review of pathophysiology, pharmacological treatment as well as catheter ablation is also provided. The most widely employed minimally invasive approach to LAF has been the video-assisted bilateral mini-thoracotomy or thoracoscopic pulmonary vein island creation and left atrial appendage removal or exclusion, usually with ganglionic plexi evaluation and destruction. Recently, a hybrid approach has been introduced, which combines a mono or bilateral epicardial approach with a percutaneous endocardial ablation in a single-step procedure to limit the shortcomings of both techniques. Suboptimal results of both catheter ablation and surgery suggest that success in the treatment of LAF will probably rely on a close collaboration between the surgeon and the electrophysiologist. Further studies are warranted to determine whether the hybrid approach is effective, especially in patients with long-standing persistent and persistent LAF.

Intraaortic balloon pump: incidence and predictors of complications in the Florence registry.

BACKGROUND: The intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) is the most commonly used mechanical circulatory support for patients with acute coronary syndromes and cardiogenic shock. Nevertheless, IABP-related complications are still frequent and associated with a poor prognosis. HYPOTHESIS: To prospectively assess the incidence and predictors of complications in patients treated with IABP. METHODS: A total of 481 patients treated with IABP were prospectively enrolled in our registry (the Florence Registry). At multivariable logistic regression analysis the following variables were independent predictors for complications (when adjusted for age >75 years, eGFR and time length of IABP support): use of inotropes (OR 2.450, P < 0.017), nadir platelet count (1000/µL step; OR 0.990, P < 0.001), admission lactate (OR 1.175, P = 0.003). Nadir platelet count showed a negative correlation with length of time of IABP implantation (r-0.31; P < 0.001). A nadir platelet count cutoff value of less than 120,000 was identified using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the development of complications (area under the curve [AUC] 0.70; P < 0.001). RESULTS: Complications were observed in the 13.1%, among whom 33 of 63 showed major bleeding. The incidence of complications was higher in patients aged >75 years (P = 0.015) and in those who had an IABP implanted for more than 24 hours (P = 0.001). Patients with complications showed an in Intensive Cardiac Care Unit (ICCU) mortality higher than patients who did not (44.4% vs 17.2%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In consecutive patients treated with IABP support, the degree of hemodynamic impairment and the decrease in platelet count were independent predictors of complications, whose development was associated with higher in-ICCU mortality.

Refractory spasm of coronary arteries and grafted conduits after isolated coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Refractory vascular spasm (RVS) concomitantly involving the entire coronary artery system and grafted conduits after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is a rare, but dreadful event. No consensus exists in terms of appropriate management. METHODS: Between 1986 and 2009, 5,762 patients underwent isolated CABG at our institution, and 7 patients experienced RVS involving the coronary arteries and implanted conduits. Mean age was 65.6 years and 3 were female. All patients received from 3 to 5 distal anastomoses, including use of the left internal mammary artery. During the same time period, 18 patients experienced perioperative vasospasm of a single coronary artery or of a grafted conduit. RESULTS: All diffuse RVS events occurred between 3 and 8 hours after surgery. All patients had diffuse ischemic-like electrocardiographic changes, and 5 patients rapidly developed cardiogenic shock in the intensive care unit. Angiography was quickly performed in all patients and showed diffuse RVS involving either the native coronary arteries or the anastomosed arterial and venous conduits. The first 5 patients of this series died in the catheterization lab due to rapidly evolving refractory cardiogenic shock and unresponsive cardiac arrest, despite intraaortic counterpulsation and aggressive pharmacologic interventions (selective vasodilators and systemic inotropes). In the last 2 patients, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was quickly instituted (1 in the catheterization lab, 1 in the operating room) and RVS could be successfully managed with complete resolution of ongoing vasospasm. In the single vascular spasm, there was only 1 death for refractory cardiac arrest, whereas all the other patients were successfully treated with direct infusion of vasodilators. CONCLUSIONS: Diffuse RVS after CABG is a rare but lethal condition. Our experience, although limited, indicates that in such cases an aggressive treatment, that is, prompt extracorporeal membrane oxygenation institution and controlled cardiocirculatory assistance, represents the preferred solution to face such a dramatic event and may save patient lives.

Impact of preoperative anterior leaflet tethering on the recurrence of ischemic mitral regurgitation and the lack of left ventricular reverse remodeling after restrictive annuloplasty.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this multicenter study was to investigate the impact of the preoperative anterior mitral leaflet tethering angle, α', on the recurrence of mitral regurgitation (MR) and left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling (LVRR) after undersized mitral ring annuloplasty. METHODS: The study population consisted of 362 patients, who were divided into two groups by baseline α': group 1, α' < 39.5° (n = 196), and group 2, α' ≥ 39.5° (n = 166). End points were recurrent MR ≥ 2+; LVRR, defined as a reduction in end-systolic volume index > 15%; and LV geometric reverse remodeling, defined as a reduction in systolic sphericity index to a normal value of <0.72 in patients with altered baseline geometry. RESULTS: MR occurred in 9.6% (n = 19) and 43.3% (n = 72) of the patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P < .001). LVRR (85.7% vs 22.2%) at follow-up was higher in group 1 (P < .001). On multivariate regression analysis, α' ≥ 39.5° was a strong predictor of MR recurrence, lack of LV reverse remodeling and lack of LV geometric reverse remodeling (all P values < .001). In contrast, the posterior mitral leaflet tethering angle, ß', was not significant (all P values > .05). When we allowed for interactions between α' and other risk factors, this effect occurred also in low-risk subgroups, and it was equivalent or generally attenuated in higher risk patients. There were no significant interactions between α' and any of the covariates (all P values > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Anterior mitral leaflet tethering is a powerful predictor of MR recurrence and lack of LVRR after undersized mitral ring annuloplasty. Evaluation of leaflet tethering should be incorporated into clinical risk assessment and prediction models.

A new post-PCI scoring system for in-hospital mortality in STEMI patients.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a scoring system for predicting in-hospital mortality among ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients submitted to percutaneous intervention (PCI) on intensive cardiac care unit admission by using early and readily available clinical, angiographic and laboratory data. DESIGN: Prospective monocentric observational study in which we used discriminant analysis to develop a final scoring system, with prospective validation. SETTING: Intensive cardiac care unit in Florence, a tertiary center. POPULATION: Five hundred and fifty-eight unselected patients with STEMI (group A) consecutively admitted from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2006. A control group (group B) comprising 183 STEMI patients admitted from 1 January 2007 to 30 September 2007. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: In-hospital death. RESULTS: In group A the discriminant variables were admission Killip class, admission lactic acid, admission ejection fraction, admission troponin I (TnI), admission hemoglobin (Hb), ST-segment reduction post-PCI, systolic blood pressure on admission and chronic renal failure. We elaborated a scoring system, the Florence admission STEMI risk score, which shows an agreement of 95.7% between the observed and the estimated outcome on a statistical basis in the survival and death subgroups. We applied this score to group B (C statistics = 0.986). CONCLUSION: The Florence admission STEMI risk score incorporates anamnestic (chronic renal failure), laboratory (lactic acid, TnI and Hb), procedural and post-procedural data (ST-segment reduction post-PCI, Killip class) as well as data strictly related to infarct size (ejection fraction, TnI). This scoring system is likely to be a simple and practical tool at the bedside for risk evaluation in patients with STEMI submitted to primary PCI.