Predictors of In-Hospital Mortality in Type A Acute Aortic Syndrome: Data From the RENADA-RO Registry.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyse the baseline characteristics of patients admitted with acute type A aortic syndrome (ATAAS) and to identify the potential predictors of in-hospital mortality in surgically managed patients. METHODS: Data regarding demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory work-up, and management of 501 patients with ATAAS enrolled in the National Registry of Aortic Dissections-Romania registry from January 2011 to December 2022 were evaluated. The primary endpoint was in-hospital all-cause mortality. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to identify independent predictors of mortality in patients with acute Type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) who underwent surgery. RESULTS: The mean age was 60±11 years and 65% were male. Computed tomography was the first-line diagnostic tool (79%), followed by transoesophageal echocardiography (21%). Cardiac surgery was performed in 88% of the patients. The overall mortality in the entire cohort was 37.9%, while surgically managed ATAAD patients had an in-hospital mortality rate of 29%. In multivariate logistic regression, creatinine value (OR 6.76), ST depression on ECG (OR 6.3), preoperative malperfusion (OR 5.77), cardiogenic shock (OR 5.77), abdominal pain (OR 4.27), age ≥70 years (OR 3.76), and syncope (OR 3.43) were independently associated with in-hospital mortality in surgically managed ATAAD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Risk stratification based on the variables collected at admission may help to identify ATAAS patients with high risk of death following cardiac surgery.

Hybrid Management of Dysphagia Lusoria with Tevar Implantation and Bilateral Subclavian Arteries Debranching: A Review of the Literature and a Case Report.

Aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) causing dysphagia, the so-called "dysphagia lusoria", is a frequent embryologic anomaly of the aortic arch. In symptomatic patients, studies report several management options including surgical, hybrid, and totally endovascular strategies. Hybrid techniques have the advantage of no chest opening with reduced morbidity, but the problem of the ARSA stump causing recurrent or persistent dysphagia remains challenging in some cases. We conducted a literature review on the management strategies of ARSA and presented the case of a 72-year-old female patient with ARSA and dysphagia managed with thoracic endovascular repair of the aorta (TEVAR) and bilateral carotid-subclavian artery bypass. This technique was chosen because of the severe calcifications at the level of ARSA origin that would make surgical ligation difficult, or if an occluder device not suitable. We think that a patient-tailored approach should be considered in cases of dysphagia lusoria, considering that a multitude of strategies are reported.

Combined Endovascular and Endoscopic Management of a Secondary Aortoesophageal Fistula after Open Surgical Aortic Repair in a Giant Descending Thoracic Aortic Pseudoaneurysm: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Secondary aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is defined as a communication between the aorta and the esophagus, occurring after aortic disease treatment or esophageal procedures, associating very high mortality rates with treatment and being fatal without it. Several treatment strategies have been described in the literature, combining open surgery or endovascular aortic repair with surgical or endoscopic management of the esophageal lesion. We present the case of a 53-year-old patient with a history of open aortic surgery for a giant descending thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm complicated with secondary AEF, successfully managed using emergency transiliac TEVAR (thoracic endovascular aortic repair), extensive antibiotic therapy associated with nutritional replenishment, and rehabilitation therapy. Novel endovascular and endoscopic devices have been developed, offering less invasive treatment strategies with improved outcomes, especially for high risk surgical patients. This case highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to personalized medicine to manage such complex situations.

Management of a Rare Case of Multiple Coronary Artery Fistulas Associated with Ascending Aortic and Root Aneurysm: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Coronary artery fistulas draining into the left ventricle is a rare finding. They can be associated with other congenital cardiac anomalies like ventricular septal defect or tetralogy of Fallot. While most of them are asymptomatic, they can lead to severe cardiac complications like infective endocarditis, heart failure, or myocardial ischemia. Symptomatic coronary artery fistulas can be managed surgically or percutaneously. We present a case of a 61-year-old male patient with both left anterior descending artery and right coronary artery fistulas draining into the left ventricle associated with ascending aorta and root aneurysm. Preoperative assessment for myocardial ischemia and the size and location of the fistulas was performed. The echocardiography stress test was negative. Surgery consisted of replacement of the ascending aorta and reconstruction of the noncoronary sinus with a Dacron patch with aortic valve preservation and no intervention for the coronary artery fistulas. The surgical strategy was adapted for cardioplegia administration to compensate for the volume of coronary blood drained into the left ventricle and for better protection of the distal myocardium.

Investigation of the Association between Bilateral Selective Anterograde Cerebral Perfusion and Postoperative Ischemic Stroke in Obese Patients with Emergency Surgery for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

Background and objectives: The relationship between cerebral perfusion and new postoperative ischemic stroke in obese patients is not well defined. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between selective bilateral anterograde cerebral perfusion and new postoperative ischemic stroke in obese patients with emergency surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. Materials and methods: A total of 292 patients with emergency surgery for acute type A aortic dissection were included in this study. Patients with hemorrhagic stroke or ischemic stroke with severe neurological dysfunction at admission that were not candidates for surgery; patients who died in the first 48 h after intensive care admission and patients with incomplete medical records were excluded. Results: The mean age was 59.42 ± 10.68 years and the mean Euroscore was 9.12 ± 1.63. Obesity was present in 76.4%, the incidence of new postoperative ischemic stroke was 27.5%, and the postoperative mortality rate was 26.7%. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 206.81 ± 75.48 min, the aortic cross-clamp time was 118.2 ± 46.42 min, and 90% of cases required cerebral perfusion. The mean cerebral perfusion time was 30.8 ± 24.41 min. Obese patients had a higher frequency of in-hospital death (p = 0.009), smoking (p = 0.036), hypertension (p = 0.023), left common carotid artery dissection (p < 0.001), right common carotid artery dissection (p = 0.029), femoral artery cannulation (p = 0.026), aortic root replacement (p = 0.009), aortic valve replacement (p = 0.005) and early reintervention for bleeding (p = 0.004). Using logistic regression, selective bilateral anterograde cerebral perfusion over 40 min in obese patients was independently associated with new postoperative ischemic stroke (OR = 2.35; 95%CI = 1.36-4.86; p = 0.021). Conclusions: A patient-tailored strategy for cerebral perfusion should be considered in obese patients, considering the high atheromatous burden of the supra-aortic vessels in these patients and the potential risk of atheromatous embolization associated with this technique.

A streamlined pathway for transcatheter aortic valve implantation: the BENCHMARK study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There is significant potential to streamline the clinical pathway for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of implementing BENCHMARK best practices on the efficiency and safety of TAVI in 28 sites in 7 European countries. METHODS: This was a study of patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing TAVI with balloon-expandable valves before and after implementation of BENCHMARK best practices. Principal objectives were to reduce hospital length of stay (LoS) and duration of intensive care stay. Secondary objective was to document patient safety. RESULTS: Between January 2020 and March 2023, 897 patients were documented prior to and 1491 patients after the implementation of BENCHMARK practices. Patient characteristics were consistent with a known older TAVI population and only minor differences. Mean LoS was reduced from 7.7 ± 7.0 to 5.8 ± 5.6 days (median 6 vs. 4 days; P < .001). Duration of intensive care was reduced from 1.8 to 1.3 days (median 1.1 vs. 0.9 days; P < .001). Adoption of peri-procedure best practices led to increased use of local anaesthesia (96.1% vs. 84.3%; P < .001) and decreased procedure (median 47 vs. 60 min; P < .001) and intervention times (85 vs. 95 min; P < .001). Thirty-day patient safety did not appear to be compromised with no differences in all-cause mortality (0.6% in both groups combined), stroke/transient ischaemic attack (1.4%), life-threatening bleeding (1.3%), stage 2/3 acute kidney injury (0.7%), and valve-related readmission (1.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Broad implementation of BENCHMARK practices contributes to improving efficiency of TAVI pathway reducing LoS and costs without compromising patient safety.

Surgical Strategy for Sternal Closure in Patients with Surgical Myocardial Revascularization Using Mammary Arteries.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass grafting has evolved from all venous grafts to bilateral mammary artery (BIMA) grafting. This was possible due to the long-term patency of the left and right internal mammary demonstrated in angiography studies compared to venous grafts. However, despite higher survival rates when using bilateral mammary arteries, multiple studies report a higher rate of surgical site infections, most notably deep sternal wound infections, a so-called "never event". METHODS: We designed a prospective study between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 and included all patients proposed for total arterial myocardial revascularization in order to investigate the rate of surgical site infections (SSI). Chest closure in all patients was performed using a three-step protocol. The first step refers to sternal closure. If the patient's BMI is below 35 kg/m2, sternal closure is achieved using the "butterfly" technique with standard steel wires. If the patient's BMI exceeds 35 kg/m2, we use nitinol clips or hybrid wire cable ties according to the surgeon's preference for sternal closure. The main advantages of these systems are a larger implant-to-bone contact with a reduced risk of bone fracture. The second step refers to presternal fat closure with two resorbable monofilament sutures in a way that the edges of the skin perfectly align at the end. The third step is skin closure combined with negative pressure wound therapy. RESULTS: This system was applied to 217 patients. A total of 197 patients had bilateral mammary artery grafts. We report only 13 (5.9%) superficial SSI and only one (0.46%) deep SSI. The preoperative risk of major wound infection was 3.9 +/- 2.7. Bilateral mammary artery grafting was not associated with surgical site infection in a univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: We believe this strategy of sternal wound closure can reduce the incidence of deep surgical site infection when two mammary arteries are used in coronary artery bypass surgery.

TAVI in a Heart Transplant Recipient-Rare Case Report and Review of the Literature.

The global demand for cardiac transplants continues to rise, even with advancements in assistive devices. Currently, the estimated annual mortality rate stands at 3-5%, and patients often face a waiting time of approximately four years on transplant waiting lists. Consequently, many transplant centers have started to consider heart transplants from donors who may be deemed "less than ideal" or marginal. However, the decision to accept such donors must be highly individualized, taking into consideration the risks associated with remaining on the waiting list versus those posed by the transplantation procedure itself. A potential solution lies in the creation of two distinct recipient lists, matched with donor criteria, allowing marginal donors to provide the lifeline that selected patients require. This paper follows a two-step approach. Firstly, it offers an overview of the current state of affairs regarding the topic of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) patients. Secondly, it presents firsthand experience from our clinical center with a comprehensive case presentation of a patient in this unique medical context. The clinical case refers to a 62-year-old male patient, a smoker with a history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and a prior OHT a decade earlier, who presented with fatigue during minimal physical exertion. The Heart Team carefully reviewed the case, considering the patient's immunosuppressed status and the heightened risk associated with a repeat intervention. In this instance, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was deemed the appropriate treatment. The TAVI procedure yielded successful results, leading to improved clinical status and enhanced cardiac function. The inclusion of marginal donors has introduced novel challenges related to the utilization of previously diseased marginal organs. TAVI has already demonstrated its efficacy and versatility in treating high-risk patients, including heart transplant recipients. Consequently, it emerges as a vital tool in addressing the unique challenges posed by the inclusion of marginal donors.

Association between Bilateral Selective Antegrade Cerebral Perfusion and Postoperative Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Emergency Surgery for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection-Single Centre Experience.

Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is a surgical emergency with a mortality of 1-2% per hour. Since its discovery over 200 years ago, surgical techniques for repairing a dissected aorta have evolved, and with the introduction of hypothermic circulatory arrest and cerebral perfusion, complex techniques for replacing the entire aortic arch were possible. However, postoperative neurological complications contribute significantly to mortality in this group of patients. The aim of this study was to determine the association between different bilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) times and the incidence of postoperative ischemic stroke in patients with emergency surgery for ATAAD. Patients with documented hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke, clinical signs of stroke or neurological dysfunction prior to surgery, that died on the operating table or within 48 h after surgery, from whom the postoperative neurological status could not be assessed, and with incomplete medical records were excluded from this study. The diagnosis of postoperative stroke was made using head computed tomography imaging (CT) when clinical suspicion was raised by a neurologist in the immediate postoperative period. For selective bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion, we used two balloon-tipped cannulas inserted under direct vision into the innominate artery and the left common carotid artery. Each cannula is connected to a separate pump with an independent pressure line. Near-infrared spectroscopy was used in all cases for cerebral oxygenation monitoring. The circulatory arrest was initiated after reaching a target core temperature of 25-28 °C. In total, 129 patients were included in this study. The incidence of postoperative ischemic stroke documented on a head CT was 24.8% (31 patients), and postoperative death was 20.9% (27 patients). The most common surgical technique performed was supravalvular ascending aorta and Hemiarch replacement with a Dacron graft in 69.8% (90 patients). The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 210 +/- 56.874 min, the mean aortic cross-clamp time was 114.775 +/- 34.602 min, and the mean cerebral perfusion time was 37.837 +/- 18.243 min. Using logistic regression, selective ACP of more than 40 min was independently associated with postoperative ischemic stroke (OR = 3.589; 95%CI = 1.418-9.085; p = 0.007). Considering the high incidence of postoperative stroke in our study population, we concluded that bilateral selective ACP should be used with caution, especially in patients with severely calcified ascending aorta and/or aortic arch and supra-aortic vessels. All efforts should be made to minimize the duration of circulatory arrest when using bilateral selective ACP with a target of less than 30 min, in hypothermia, at a body temperature of 25-28 °C.

COVID-19-related Floating Thrombus in the Ascending Aorta - A Case Report.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Multiple aortic mural thrombi at the level of the ascending aorta represent a rare condition, only isolated cases have been reported so far. The aim of the current article was to report the case of a 61-year-old patient diagnosed with this pathology. CASE REPORT: A 61-year-old patient with history of COVID infection six months previously was initially diagnosed with acute upper right limb ischemia and submitted to Fogarty desobstruction. Furthermore, the patient was diagnosed with a free-floating mass in the ascending aorta, for which he was submitted to aortotomy and floating thrombi, measuring 5.6×1.5 cm and 3×1.5 cm, were completely removed. The postoperative outcomes were favorable; at the three month follow up the patient proved to have a perfect circulated aortic lumen and supra-aortic vessels. CONCLUSION: immediate aortic desobstruction followed by reconstruction might be a lifesaving maneuver in ascending aortic thrombosis.

Budget impact analysis of a bovine pericardial aortic bioprosthesis versus mechanical aortic valve replacement in adult patients with aortic stenosis in Romania.

AIMS: An analysis of the budget impact of using a bovine pericardial aortic bioprosthesis (BPAB) or a mechanical valve (MV) in aortic stenosis (AS) patients in Romania. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A decision-tree with a partitioned survival model was used to predict the financial outcomes of using either a BPAB (the Carpentier-Edwards Perimount Magna Ease Valve) or MV in aortic valve replacement (AVR) procedure over a 5-year period. The budget impact of various resource consumption including disabling strokes, reoperations, minor thromboembolic events, major bleeding, endocarditis, anticoagulation treatment and monitoring, and echocardiogram assessments were compared for both types of valves. One-way sensitivity analyses (OWSA) were conducted on the input costs and probabilities. RESULTS: The use of BPAB compared to MV approaches budget neutrality due to incremental savings year-on-year. The initial surgical procedure and reoperation costs for BPAB are offset by savings in acenocoumarol use, disabling strokes, major bleeding, minor thromboembolic events, and anticoagulation complications. The cost of the initial procedure per patient is 460 euros higher for a BPAB due to the higher valve acquisition cost, although this is partially offset by a shorter hospital stay. The OWSA shows that the total procedure costs, including the hospital stay, are the primary cost drivers in the model. LIMITATIONS: Results are limited by cost data aggregation in the DRG system, exclusion of costs for consumables and capital equipment use, possible underestimation of outpatient complication costs, age-related variations of event rates, and valve durability. CONCLUSIONS: Adopting BPAB as a treatment option for AS patients in Romania can lead to cost savings and long-term economic benefits. By mitigating procedure costs and increasing anticoagulation treatment costs, BPAB offers a budget-neutral option that can help healthcare providers, policymakers, and patients alike manage the growing burden of AS in Romania.

Acute heart failure and valvular heart disease: A scientific statement of the Heart Failure Association, the Association for Acute CardioVascular Care and the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions of the European Society of Cardiology.

Acute heart failure (AHF) represents a broad spectrum of disease states, resulting from the interaction between an acute precipitant and a patient's underlying cardiac substrate and comorbidities. Valvular heart disease (VHD) is frequently associated with AHF. AHF may result from several precipitants that add an acute haemodynamic stress superimposed on a chronic valvular lesion or may occur as a consequence of a new significant valvular lesion. Regardless of the mechanism, clinical presentation may vary from acute decompensated heart failure to cardiogenic shock. Assessing the severity of VHD as well as the correlation between VHD severity and symptoms may be difficult in patients with AHF because of the rapid variation in loading conditions, concomitant destabilization of the associated comorbidities and the presence of combined valvular lesions. Evidence-based interventions targeting VHD in settings of AHF have yet to be identified, as patients with severe VHD are often excluded from randomized trials in AHF, so results from these trials do not generalize to those with VHD. Furthermore, there are not rigorously conducted randomized controlled trials in the setting of VHD and AHF, most of the data coming from observational studies. Thus, distinct to chronic settings, current guidelines are very elusive when patients with severe VHD present with AHF, and a clear-cut strategy could not be yet defined. Given the paucity of evidence in this subset of AHF patients, the aim of this scientific statement is to describe the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and overall treatment approach for patients with VHD who present with AHF.

Right ventricle to pulmonary artery coupling after transcatheter aortic valve implantation-Determinant factors and prognostic impact.

Introduction: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension (PH) have been previously associated with unfavorable outcomes in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), but little is known about the effect of right ventricle (RV) to pulmonary artery (PA) coupling. Our study aimed to evaluate the determinant factors and the prognostic value of RV-PA coupling in patients undergoing TAVI. Methods: One hundred sixty consecutive patients with severe AS were prospectively enrolled, between September 2018 and May 2020. They underwent a comprehensive echocardiogram before and 30 days after TAVI, including speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) for myocardial deformation analysis of the left ventricle (LV), left atrium (LA), and RV function. Complete data on myocardial deformation was available in 132 patients (76.6 ± 7.5 years, 52.5% men) who formed the final study population. The ratio of RV free wall longitudinal strain (RV-FWLS) to PA systolic pressure (PASP) was used as an estimate of RV-PA coupling. Patients were analyzed according to baseline RV-FWLS/PASP cut-off point, determined through time-dependent ROC curve analysis, as follows: normal RV-PA coupling group (RV-FWLS/PASP ≥0.63, n = 65) and impaired RV-PA coupling group (RV-FWLS/PASP < 0.63, n = 67). Results: A significant improvement of RV-PA coupling was observed early after TAVI (0.75 ± 0.3 vs. 0.64 ± 0.3 before TAVI, p < 0.001), mainly due to PASP decrease (p < 0.001). LA global longitudinal strain (LA-GLS) is an independent predictor of RV-PA coupling impairment before and after TAVI (OR = 0.837, p < 0.001, OR = 0.848, p < 0.001, respectively), while RV diameter is an independent predictor of persistent RV-PA coupling impairment after TAVI (OR = 1.174, p = 0.002). Impaired RV-PA coupling was associated with a worse survival rate (66.3% vs. 94.9%, p-value < 0.001) and emerged as an independent predictor of mortality (HR = 5.97, CI = 1.44-24.8, p = 0.014) and of the composite endpoint of death and rehospitalization (HR = 4.14, CI = 1.37-12.5, p = 0.012). Conclusion: Our results confirm that relief of aortic valve obstruction has beneficial effects on the baseline RV-PA coupling, and they occur early after TAVI. Despite significant improvement in LV, LA, and RV function after TAVI, RV-PA coupling remains impaired in some patients, it is mainly related to persistent pulmonary hypertension and is associated with adverse outcomes.

Factors Associated with Newly Developed Postoperative Neurological Complications in Patients with Emergency Surgery for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

Background and Objectives: Postoperative neurological complications (NCs) are an important cause of mortality in patients with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). The aim of the study was to determine the association between intraoperative risk factors and newly developed postoperative NCs in patients after emergency surgery for ATAAD. Materials and Methods: A total of 203 patients requiring emergency surgery were included in the study. Patients with preoperative neurological dysfunction, deceased on the operating table or within the first 48 h after intensive care admission, with uncertain postoperative neurologic status or with incomplete records were excluded. Results: Mean age was 57.61 ± 12.27 years. Hyperlipidemia was the most frequent comorbidity (69%). A bicuspid aortic valve was present in 12.8% of cases, severe acute aortic regurgitation was present in 29.1% of patients, and cardiac tamponade was present in 27.1% of cases. The innominate artery was the most frequently dissected supra-aortic artery in 27.1% of cases. In 65% of cases, the primary entry tear was at the level of the ascending aorta. The incidence of newly developed postoperative NCs was 39.4%. The most common surgical technique performed was supra-coronary ascending aorta and hemiarch replacement, in 53.2% of patients. Using logistic regression, cardiopulmonary bypass time (OR = 1.01; 95% CI = 1.01-1.02; p < 0.001), aortic cross-clamp time over 3 h (OR = 2.71, 95% CI = 1.43-5.14, p = 0.002) and cerebral perfusion time (OR = 1.02; 95% CI = 1.002-1.03; p = 0.027) were independently associated with newly developed postoperative NCs. Conclusions: Based on the results of the study, all efforts should be made to reduce operative times. Using a simple surgical technique, like the supra-coronary ascending aorta and hemiarch technique, whenever possible, and using a simpler technique for cerebral perfusion like unilateral cerebral perfusion via the right axillary artery, could reduce operating times.

Left Ventricular Pseudoaneurysms Discovered Early After Acute Myocardial Infarction: The Surgical Timing Dilemma.

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is a rare disease; it is defined as a ventricular rupture contained by epicardium, pericardial adhesions, or both. It most frequently occurs as a complication of acute myocardial infarction. Surgical treatment is recommended for pseudoaneurysms that are large or symptomatic and for those discovered less than 3 months after myocardial infarction. We report our experience with 2 patients who had left ventricular pseudoaneurysms discovered less than a week after inferior myocardial infarction. Both patients were middle-aged men with right coronary occlusion in whom the diagnoses were established by echocardiography during the first week after infarction. Because both patients were clinically stable, we opted to defer surgery until scarring could facilitate correction; this decision was based on a review of the literature showing that in-hospital mortality is higher with early surgery. The patients were monitored closely in the intensive care unit and were prescribed ß-blockers and vasodilators. Both patients underwent left ventricular patch reconstruction with exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm and posterior septum; both received moderate inotropic support and prophylactic intra-aortic balloon pump assistance. Their postoperative courses were uneventful. In 5 prior reports describing 45 patients (13 with acute pseudoaneurysm [≤2 wk after infarction] and 32 with nonacute pseudoaneurysm), in-hospital mortality was 61.5% for patients in the acute group and 15.6% for the nonacute group (P = .0066). We recommend that clinicians consider deferring surgery for patients with stable acute left ventricular pseudoaneurysm to reduce the risks associated with early repair.

Delayed Surgical Management of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection in a Patient with Recent COVID-19 Infection and Post-COVID-19 Bronchopneumonia-Case Report and Review of Literature.

Ever since it was first described in 1760, acute type A aortic dissection has created difficulties in its management. The recent COVID-19 pandemic revealed that extrapulmonary manifestations of this condition may occur, and recent reports suggested that aortic dissection may be amongst them since it shares a common physiopathology, that is, hyper-inflammatory syndrome. Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass in the setting of COVID-19-positive patients carries a high risk of postoperative respiratory failure. While the vast majority accept that management of type A aortic dissection requires urgent surgery and central aortic therapy, there are some reports that advocate for delaying surgery. In this situation, the risk of aortic rupture must be balanced with the possible benefits of delaying urgent surgery. We present a case of acute type A dissection with COVID-19-associated bronchopneumonia successfully managed after delaying surgery for 6 days.

Triple-valve replacement for Rhizobium radiobacter endocarditis with septic shock in an adult with ventricular septal defect. A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Triple-valve replacement in active infective endocarditis has rarely been reported. This paper is the first report of a triple-valve replacement performed in endocarditis with septic shock and the first presentation of multivalvular endocarditis due to Rhizobium radiobacter. CASE PRESENTATION: A 26-year-old patient with a neglected ventricular septal defect referred to us in septic shock, with multiple organ failure, severe biventricular dysfunction, and pulmonary hypertension, due to Rhizobium radiobacter infective endocarditis affecting the aortic, tricuspid and pulmonary valves. Initially, he was deemed unfit for surgery. However, after clinical stabilization, triple-valve replacement, aortic annular abscess repair, membranous septum aneurysm resection, and ventricular septal defect patch closure were performed. The postoperative evolution was good; both ventricles showed functional recovery after six months. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Although surgery provides the best chances of survival in endocarditis with septic shock, reportedly, most cases are considered inoperable. Clinical stabilization under intensive care using specific therapies to manage septic shock, myocardial dysfunction, and pulmonary hypertension was crucial for surgery success. Custodiol® cardioplegia, and replacement of the right-sided valves using a beating-heart technique were used to reduce the myocardial ischemic time. CONCLUSION: Rhizobium radiobacter, an opportunistic gram-negative bacterium, potentially may cause multiple valve endocarditis. Patients with endocarditis and septic shock initially considered inoperable can still benefit from surgery after tenacious intensive care (cytokine hemoadsorption and levosimendan are helpful in this process). In complex multivalvular procedures, a beating heart technique to replace the right-sided valves should be considered to minimize the duration of myocardial ischemia.

Surgery for Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation in Adult Atrial Septal Defect — An Increasing Subject in a Decreasing Matter

ABSTRACT Introduction: Functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is known to complicate adult atrial septal defect (ASD), but its management is still under debate. We reviewed our experience in ASD surgery, focusing on associated functional TR and its treatment. Methods: This retrospective study (2005-2019) included 206 consecutive adult ASD surgical cases without associated valve pathology, except functional TR. Variables were statistically compared on TR classes and surgery-defined groups. Results: Mean age of the patients was 40.3±13 years; 19.9% had sinus venosus syndrome. TR severity was directly related to age, pulmonary systolic pressure, right ventricular and tricuspid annulus diameters, and heart failure class. TR ≥ 2 was found in 134 (65%) patients, while TR ≥ 3 in 56 (27.2%) patients. Tricuspid surgery was associated to shunt closure in 66 (32%) patients, almost all through valve repair; indication was directly related to age, right ventricular and tricuspid annulus diameters, and heart failure class ≥ 3. Tricuspid surgery was more efficient than isolated shunt closure in decreasing TR (79±23% vs. 36±26%; P=1.8 E-18). Device closure availability (last four years of the study) was associated with 1/3 reduction of surgical cases but increased the share of cases with TR>2 (> 51% vs. < 31%; P<0.05). Conclusion: In the era of device closure, surgery for adult ASD is less frequent, but the share of significant TR cases is in net increase. To avoid long-term postoperative TR, we plead for valve repair in all patients with severe TR and for considering repair in moderate TR at risk of persistence.

Rare Cause of Severe Mitral Regurgitation after TAVI: Case Report and Literature Review.

Pre-procedure mitral regurgitation (MR) is a frequent coexistent finding in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), and most of them (up to 55%) experience a significant improvement in MR after the procedure. Although seldom described, mitral valve perforation after TAVR is a potentially serious complication that physicians should be aware of, as moderate or severe MR in TAVR recipients is associated with a high early mortality rate. We herein describe the case of a 65-year-old man presenting with worsening heart failure symptoms 5 months after TAVR due to an intraprocedural anterior mitral leaflet perforation and discuss the diagnostic process and therapeutic course of the case. Furthermore, we draw attention to the essential role of echocardiography in the management of TAVR procedures, taking into account its ability in detecting early complications, and emphasize the value of CT as a main determinant to predict long-term MR improvement after TAVR and to assess the potential candidates for double valve repair with percutaneous techniques.

Surgery for Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation in Adult Atrial Septal Defect - An Increasing Subject in a Decreasing Matter.

INTRODUCTION: Functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is known to complicate adult atrial septal defect (ASD), but its management is still under debate. We reviewed our experience in ASD surgery, focusing on associated functional TR and its treatment. METHODS: This retrospective study (2005-2019) included 206 consecutive adult ASD surgical cases without associated valve pathology, except functional TR. Variables were statistically compared on TR classes and surgery-defined groups. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 40.3±13 years; 19.9% had sinus venosus syndrome. TR severity was directly related to age, pulmonary systolic pressure, right ventricular and tricuspid annulus diameters, and heart failure class. TR ≥ 2 was found in 134 (65%) patients, while TR ≥ 3 in 56 (27.2%) patients. Tricuspid surgery was associated to shunt closure in 66 (32%) patients, almost all through valve repair; indication was directly related to age, right ventricular and tricuspid annulus diameters, and heart failure class ≥ 3. Tricuspid surgery was more efficient than isolated shunt closure in decreasing TR (79±23% vs. 36±26%; P=1.8 E-18). Device closure availability (last four years of the study) was associated with 1/3 reduction of surgical cases but increased the share of cases with TR>2 (> 51% vs. < 31%; P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In the era of device closure, surgery for adult ASD is less frequent, but the share of significant TR cases is in net increase. To avoid long-term postoperative TR, we plead for valve repair in all patients with severe TR and for considering repair in moderate TR at risk of persistence.