One-year initial efficacy and safety outcomes of the premounted dry-pericardium Vienna self-expandable transcatheter aortic valve system: A first-in-human VIVA feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: The dry-pericardium Vienna transcatheter aortic valve system is repositionable and retrievable, already premounted on the delivery system, eliminating the need for assembly and crimping of the device before valve implantation. METHODS: The VIVA first-in-human feasibility study, a prospective, nonrandomized, single-center trial, evaluated the Vienna aortic valve in 10 patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, who were at intermediate or high surgical risk. This study, registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04861805), focused on the safety, feasibility, clinical and hemodynamic performance of the Vienna system up to 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 79 ± 5 years, 60% male. Valve sizes used: 26 mm (10%), 29 mm (30%), 31 mm (60%). Key hemodynamic improvements were significant: mean aortic valve pressure gradient (mmHg) decreased from 48.7 to 8.1, aortic valve area (cm2) increased from 0.75 to 1.91, and maximum jet velocity through the aortic valve (m/s) decreased from 4.41 to 1.95 (p < 0.0001). No moderate/severe paravalvular leakage was observed, and computed tomography scans revealed no evidence of hypo-attenuated leaflet thickening. The study recorded one life-threatening bleeding event, two cases requiring postprocedural pacemaker implantation, and three ischemic events, with only one causing lasting neurological impairment. Importantly, there were no cases of cardiovascular mortality and only one noncardiovascular death, which was confirmed as unrelated to the device. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicates the Vienna valve as a potential option for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, designed to streamline the procedure and potentially lower healthcare costs by reducing resource and equipment needs, also procedural errors. Further research is essential to thoroughly evaluate its safety and efficacy.

Surgical coronary angioplasty of both coronary ostia after chest radiotherapy. Is it good alternative to conventional coronary bypass surgery?

INTRODUCTION: Isolated coronary ostial stenosis of both ostia is a rare, potentially life-threatening condition, occurring in 0.1%-0.2% of patients undergoing coronary angiography. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 69-year-old woman with a past medical history of breast cancer, who had been treated with radiotherapy, which most likely caused significant stenosis of both coronary ostia and likely accelerated aortic stenosis. Surgical angioplasty with autopericardium patch reconstruction of the left main coronary artery and right coronary arteries due to proximal stenotic disease was performed instead of venous or arterial bypasses with concomitant aortic valve replacement. The postoperative course was uneventful. There were no cardiovascular events 5 years after operation, and the patient remained free of any symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical coronary angioplasty offers an alternative to conventional coronary artery bypass grafting in isolated coronary ostial lesions and is advantageous in restoring more physiological myocardial perfusion, especially in those cases when conduits are suspected to be fibrotic, scarred or stenosed after radiation therapy or if there is the need to preserve conduits for future myocardial revascularisation in young patients.

Safety and performance of the Vienna self-expandable transcatheter aortic valve system: 6-month results of the VIVA first-in-human feasibility study.

Background: The novel Vienna TAVI system is repositionable and retrievable, already pre-mounted on the delivery system, eliminating the need for assembly and crimping of the device prior to valve implantation. Aims: The purpose of this first-in-human feasibility study was to determine the safety, feasibility, clinical and hemodynamic performance of the Vienna TAVI system at 6-month follow-up. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04861805). Methods: This is a prospective, non-randomized, single-arm, single-center, first-stage FIH feasibility study, which is followed by a second-stage pivotal, multicenter, multinational study in symptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis (SAS). The first-stage FIH study evaluated the safety and feasibility, clinical and hemodynamic performance of the device in 10 patients with SAS based on recommendations by the VARC-2. Results: All patients were alive at 3-month follow-up. 1 non-cardiovascular mortality was reported 5 months after implantation. There were no new cerebrovascular events, life-threatening bleeding or conduction disturbances observed at 6-month follow-up. The mean AV gradient significantly decreased from 48.7 ± 10.8 to 7.32 ± 2.0 mmHg and mean AVA increased from 0.75 ± 0.18 to 2.16 ± 0.42 cm2 (p < 0.00001). There was no incidence of moderate or severe total AR observed. In the QoL questionnaires, the patients reported a significant improvement from the baseline 12-KCCQ mean score 58 ± 15 to 76 ± 20. NYHA functional class improved in two patients, remained unchanged in one patient. There was an increase in mean 6-min-walk distance from baseline 285 ± 97 to 347 ± 57 m. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that using Vienna TAVI system has favourable and sustained 6-month safety and performance outcomes in patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

Left atrial strain rate: marker of hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenosis?

Aim: To assess the diagnostic value of left atrial deformation parameters during dobutamine stress echocardiography to predict significant coronary artery stenosis in patients with moderate pretest probability of coronary artery disease (CAD). Materials & methods: Rest and stress echocardiography were performed on 61 patients with a moderate and high probability of CAD. Based on presence of CAD patients were divided into pathological and nonpathological groups. Results: Early diastolic strain rate (LAe SR) was significantly lower among the pathological group at high dobutamine doses. LAe SR was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic curve and threshold prognostic value was set of -2.05 (sensitivity 78%, specificity 50%, area under the curve 0.638; p = 0.026). Conclusion: Measuring LAe SR has predictive value and might be a helpful parameter in assessing ischemia.

Anterior basal left ventricular pseudoaneurysm in a single vessel disease.

INTRODUCTION: Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is a rare but serious clinicopathologic entity. MATERIALS AND RESULTS: This article describes a case report of 51-year-old man who experienced recurrence of chest pain and dyspnea 4 months later after anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction of first diagonal branch. Anterior basal left ventricular pseudoaneurysm was diagnosed and successful surgical treatment was performed. One year after operation, patient has no cardiovascular events and remains in NYHA class II. CONCLUSION: Cardiac magnetic resonance should be performed, if there is a suspicion of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm from transthoracic echocardiography. Surgery is the treatment of choice in case of left ventricular pseudoaneuryms because untreated lesions carry a significantly high risk of rupture.

The association of left ventricular histologically verified myocardial fibrosis with pulmonary hypertension in severe aortic stenosis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between histologically verified left ventricular (LV) myocardial fibrosis (MF) and its bio- and functional markers with pulmonary hypertension (PH) in severe aortic stenosis (AS). METHODS: About 34 patients with isolated severe AS underwent 2D echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, and plasma NT-proBNP evaluation before aortic valve replacement (AVR). LV measurements were analyzed by CMR and LV strain using feature tracking software (Medis Suite QStrain 2.0). Myocardial biopsy sampled at the time of AVR was assessed by a histomorphometric analysis. PH was defined as pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) ⩾ 45 mm Hg. RESULTS: Patients with severe AS and PH (mean PASP 53 ± 3.7 mm Hg) had higher extent of diffuse MF versus patients without PH (12 (10.4-12.7)% vs 6.6 (4.6-8.2)% (p = 0.00)). The extent of diffuse MF correlated with LV dilatation (r = 0.7, p = 0.02), indices of LV dysfunction (lower ejection fraction (r = -0.6, p < 0.001), global longitudinal (r = -0.5, p = 0.02) and circumferential strain (r = -0.5, p = 0.05), elevated NT-proBNP (r = 0.5, p = 0.005) and elevated PASP (r = 0.6, p < 0.001)). Histological MF > 10% (AUC 94.9%), LV global longitudinal strain > -15.5% (AUC 86.3%), and NT-proBNP > 2090 ng/l (AUC 85.1%) were independent predictors of PH in severe AS. CONCLUSIONS: The extent of diffuse myocardial fibrosis in combination with reduced longitudinal left ventricular strain and increased plasma levels of NT-proBNP relates to pulmonary hypertension in severe aortic stenosis.

Surgical dilemma - spare or replace regurgitant aortic valve: Late comparative outcomes of two strategies.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate different aortic root surgery techniques and their contemporary clinical outcomes in patients with regurgitant aortic valve and aortic root aneurysm. METHODS: The study consisted of 141 adult patients who underwent aortic valve reimplantation (David group = 73) or aortic valve replacement surgery (Bentall group = 68) for aortic valve regurgitation (AR) and dilatation of the aortic root at our institution within the same period (April 2004-October 2016). Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival and other clinically relevant outcomes between the groups. RESULTS: The completeness of clinical follow-up was 100%, with a mean time of 8.0 ± 3.8 years. Thirty-day (in-hospital) mortality rates were equivalent between groups (1.3 and 1.5%, p = 1.0). The overall survival rates at 10 years were significantly better for the David group patients comparing to Bentall group patients (95.3 ± 2.6% vs 79.7 ± 6.8%; p = 0.04) with similar freedom from AV related reoperation (94.4 ± 2.7% vs 98.5 ± 1.5%; p = 0.2). Freedom from bleeding events at 10 years was 90.7 ± 3.6% for Bentall group patients and none were observed among David group patients (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Aortic valve and root surgery can be performed with equivalent safety and efficacy using either valve-sparing (David procedure) or valve-replacing (Bentall procedure) techniques in selected patients. Furthermore, patients after the David procedure demonstrated significantly improved survival and low risk of bleeding in comparison to the Bentall procedure with an acceptable risk of reoperation at 10 years follow-up.

Instantaneous wave free ratio value impact on left internal mammary artery graft patency.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether instantaneous wave - free ratio (iFR) value is associated with left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft failure at 12 months follow-up post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). BACKGROUND: Data suggests bypass to a non-significant left anterior descending artery (LAD) lesion due to visual over-estimation may lead to LIMA graft failure. Implementing iFR may result in better arterial graft patency. METHODS: In iCABG (iFR guided CABG) study patients planned to undergo an isolated CABG procedure was prospectively enrolled and iFR was performed for LAD. Coronary computed tomography angiography was performed at 2 and 12 months follow-up. The primary endpoint of this study was to determine the rate of LIMA graft occlusion or hypoperfusion at 2 and 12-months follow-up. We considered a composite secondary endpoint of Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) as a secondary outcome. RESULTS: In total 69 patients were included with no differences regarding age, sex and risk factors. At 2 months, 50 of LIMAs with pre-CABG iFR median 0.855 (0.785 - 0.892) were patent. Hypoperfusion was found in 8 LIMAs (median iFR 0.88 (0.842 - 0.90)). While, 7 LIMAs (median iFR 0.91 (0.88 - 0.96)) were occluded (p = 0.04). At 12 months, when iFR of LAD was >0.85: just 12 (31.6% out of all patent LIMAS) grafts were patent and 24 (100.0% out of all hypoperfused/occluded) grafts were hypoperfused or occluded (p < 0.001). In terms of MACCE, no difference (p = 1.0) was found between all 3 groups divided according to iFR value. CONCLUSIONS: Instantaneous wave - free ratio value above 0.85 in LAD is a powerful tool predicting LIMA graft failure at 1-year follow up period.

The Effect of Birth Month on the Risk of Deep Sternal Wound Infections in Patients After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Heart Defect Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases remain one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, however its surgical treatment remains risky with possible complications. There is increasing evidence that the month of birth (MOB) has been related to different health problems during life. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of MOB on the risk of deep sternal wound infections (DSWI) in patients after open-heart surgery. METHODS: The follow-up retrospective research was performed at the Department of Thoracic, Cardiac, and Vascular Surgery of the Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. We analyzed the MOB of 201 patients, who underwent open-heart surgery between January 2017 and December 2018. The case group consisted of 46 patients, who suffered from DSWI. Multivariate logistic regression for the association between MOB and risk of DSWI was used. RESULTS: The results showed that the risk of DSWI was by four times higher for patients born in June-September months. The risk of developing DSWI in the case group was even higher for women, patients aged 70 years and younger, those overweight or obese, and patients who underwent only CABG surgery. CONCLUSION: Due to the growing evidence that the month of birth affects the onset of diseases, it is important to assess MOB as the potential risk factor for developing DSWI.

The impact of COVID-19 on adult cardiac surgery.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the impact of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on cardiac surgery in a single cardiac surgery center in Lithuania. Methods: Between November 2018 and March 2021, the data of male COVID-19-negative patients (n=81; mean age: 65.5±8.5 years; range, 46 to 87 years) operated during the pandemic were compared with the data of male COVID-19-positive patients operated during the same period (n=14; mean age: 65.2±10.6 years). The number of patiets, demographic and perioperative data were compared between the patients operated during the pandemic (2020/2021 years; pandemic group) and the prepandemic period (2018/2019 years; control group). Results: A statistically significant difference between the COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative patients was found in terms of the frequency of wound infection (n=3, 21.4% vs. n=12, 14.8%; p=0.013), resternotomy due to bleeding (n=2, 14.3% vs. n=0, 0%; p=0.018), and duration of hospitalization after surgery (26.4±20.4 days vs. 15.3±8.9 days; p=0.008). Comparing data of patients who had surgery before and during the pandemic, a significant decrease in the number of cardiac operations (166 vs. 95) was observed. There was significantly increased body mass index (p=0.01) and incidence of diabetes mellitus type 2 (p=0.021) in the pandemic group. Conclusion: Despite a significantly higher rate of complications in patients infected with COVID-19, planned cardiac surgery with the utilization of adequate protective measures during quarantine is still a better option than a complete cessation of elective cardiac surgery.

A riddle yet unsolved: two case reports of primary cardiac sarcoma.

Primary malignant cardiac tumors are exceedingly rare and dangerous, often leading to very early death after initial symptom presentation. Each case poses a unique challenge, as no standardized practice guidelines have been developed due to their sheer rarity. Surgical excision and adjuvant therapy remain the mainstays of treatment. However, resection is impeded by the unique challenges of cardiac surgery and growth characteristics of the tumors, both contributing to high rates of recurrence. We present two cases of successfully treated primary cardiac sarcoma with survival rates exceeding expectations.

Intraoperative angiography during coronary artery bypass grafting.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence rate of technical failure of graft patency while performing intra-operative angiography after coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: This prospective pilot study included 50 patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, in addition to intra-operative angiographic graft assessments, on open-chest. Overall, 144 grafts and 160 distal anastomoses were assessed in a hybrid operating room. RESULTS: Intra-operative angiography allowed the identification of 23 angiographic defects (15.9% of all grafts) in 22 patients (44%): three graft defects (2% of all grafts), 17 anastomotic defects (10.6% of all distal anastomoses), and three target artery errors (1.8% of all grafted arteries). Ten re-interventions (43.4%) were performed based on the angiographic defects detected. During the follow-up period, computed tomography angiography of the attached grafts at a mean of 224 days (range, 80-318 days) showed that all repaired grafts were patent. During surgery, the total mean dose of radiation was 1.848 ± 0.54 mSv (range, 0.78-3.4 mSv) per patient and investigation time was 19.4 ± 4.94 minute (range, 9-31 minute). CONCLUSIONS: Intra-operative angiography is a powerful tool allowing the identification of graft defects, anastomotic defects and target vessel errors. Assuming relatively low level of exposure to radiation and short investigation time, intra-operative angiography could be included in routine practice as safe procedure improving surgery quality.

Risk Factors Associated with an Increased Risk of Deep Sternal Wound Infections in Patients After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Heart Defect Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Despite improvements over time with regard to morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival, deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) continues to be a major complication after open-heart surgery. This is why it is important to identify possible risk factors for postoperative development of DSWI in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and valve replacement. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for postoperative development of deep sternal wound infection in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting and heart defect surgery at the Department of Thoracic, Cardiac, and Vascular Surgery of the Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 201 patients, who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and heart defect surgery between January 2017 and December 2018. The case group contained 45 patients, who had to be reoperated because of deep sternal wound infection, and the control group consisted of 156 randomly selected patients. For descriptive statistics, we used means, median values, ranges, standard deviations, and 95% confidence intervals, where appropriate. Categorical data were analyzed using the chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Student T-test and Mann-Whitney used to compare numerical variables. Logistic regression model adjusting for age and gender was used to compare the risk of infection. A P-value of < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. SPSS 26.0 was used for calculations. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis revealed that independent risk factors for sternal wound infection were high BMI (odds ratio [OR] 1.15, CI 1.06-1.24), preoperative CRP (OR 1.08, CI 1.01-1.16), long duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (OR 1.02, CI 1.01-1.03), intraoperative anemia (OR 0.97, CI 0.95-0.99), and postoperative CRP concentration (OR 1.10; CI 1.05-1.16). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative assessment to identify obese individuals as being at risk and techniques to minimize the duration of surgery and intraoperative blood loss may help reduce postoperative deep sternal wound infections.

Changes of biventricular function after CABG surgery: does cardioplegia type matter?

AIM: we choose to evaluate, whether type of cardioplegia is an important predictor to determine biventricular function changes after CABG. METHODS: 81 patients who underwent CABG surgery and matched inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. The exclusion criteria were acute MI within 30 days, impaired systolic left ventricle function (LVEF ⩽35%), atrial fibrillation.TTE was performed for all patients and echocardiographic parameters of biventricular geometry and function were assessed before CABG surgery, first postoperative day and 6 months after surgery. Cardioplegia type was randomly chosen. First group consisted of 49 patients (60.5%) when CC was performed and the others 32 patients (39.5%) formed the second - BC group. RESULTS: Patients' demographic characteristics were similar in both groups, except the lower rates of AH and BSA in BC group (p = 0.015, p = 0.001 respectively). Longer duration of XCT and CBP time was observed in BC group (p = 0.019 and p = 0.028). BC group patients showed more efficient right heart chambers size reduction (p = 0.001 for RV diameter; p = 0.015 for RA diameter) and better improvement of longitudinal RV function (p = 0.02 for TAPSE; p = 0.001 for RV S') 6 months after surgery when compared with CC group patients. RV global systolic function diminished in both groups postoperatively, but the reduction was higher in CC group, although the difference was significant in comparing early postoperative measurements with the late after CABG surgery (p = 0.03). Changes of LV systolic function as well as diameter of LA did not differ between groups (p = 0.165 and p = 0.279, respectively), while diastolic function improved significantly in BC group patients at the late follow-up period: E/e' decreased (p < 0.001) and e' velocity of interventricular septum augmented significantly (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: BC is associated with better RV reverse remodelling and improvement of longitudinal RV function, as well as LV diastolic function improvement after CABG surgery.

Long Noncoding RNAs CARMN, LUCAT1, SMILR, and MALAT1 in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm: Validation of Biomarkers in Clinical Samples.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relative expression of lncRNAs CARMN, LUCAT1, SMILR, and MALAT1 was tested in clinical aortic tissue and blood plasma samples from TAA and non-TAA patients using the qRT-PCR method. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare ΔCt values between the study groups. ROC curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of plasma lncRNAs. RESULTS: We found significantly reduced CARMN (p = 0.033) and LUCAT1 (p = 0.009) expression in aortic tissue samples from TAA patients. Relative expression of MALAT1 (p = 0.117) and SMILR (p = 0.610) did not differ in aortic tissue between the TAA and non-TAA groups. Expression of both LUCAT1 and SMILR was significantly decreased in TAA patients' blood plasma compared to controls (p = 0.018 and p = 0.032, respectively). However, only LUCAT1 showed the ability to discriminate aneurysmal disease in patients' blood plasma (AUC = 0.654, 95%CI = 0.534-0.775, p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that the expression of lncRNAs CARMN and LUCAT1 is reduced in dilated aortic tissue and that the LUCAT1 and SMILR expression is lower in the blood plasma of TAA patients. Decreased LUCAT1 expression in TAA patients' blood plasma may have diagnostic potential in discriminating patients with TAA.

Detection of Functionally Significant Coronary Artery Disease: Role of Regional Post Systolic Shortening.

BACKGROUND: The main goal of this manuscript was to evaluate the diagnostic value of the global and regional postsystolic shortening (PSS) parameters, assessed by two-dimensional (2D) speckle-tracking echocardiography, at rest and during dobutamine stress for the detection of functionally significant coronary artery stenoses in patients with moderate pretest probability of stable coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) and adenosine stress myocardial perfusion imaging by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR-MPI) were performed on 83 patients with moderate pretest probability of stable CAD and left ventricle ejection fraction ≥55%. CAD was defined as ≥50% diameter stenoses on invasive coronary artery angiography (CAA) validated as hemodynamically significant by CMR-MPI. According to invasive CAA and CMR-MPI results, patients were divided into two groups: Nonpathologic CAD (-) group: 38 (45.8%) and pathologic CAD (+) group: 45 (54.2%). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics, conventional 2D echocardiography between the two groups at rest and during low dobutamine dose. Regional postsystolic index (PSI) during recovery phase had the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) (AUC 0.882, sensitivity 87%, specificity 92%) for the detection of functionally significant one-vessel disease. During high dobutamine dose, regional PSI had sensitivity 78% and specificity 81% (AUC 0.78) to detect significant CAD. Regional PSI remained the same tendency remains for the detection of multiple-vessel CAD. Other myocardial deformation parameters were less sensitive and specific during high dobutamine dose and recovery phase. CONCLUSIONS: PSS parameters showed to be sensitive and specific in detecting hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenosis in patients with stable CAD with moderate pretest probability. The study revealed that the assessment of regional PSI performed during recovery improves the diagnostic accuracy of DSE for the detection of functionally significant CAD.

Predictors of early mortality after surgical treatment of infective endocarditis: a single-center experience.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical management of infective endocarditis continues to be challenging and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The objective of our study was to determine the risk factors and conditions associated with poor early infective endocarditis surgical treatment outcomes-30-day postoperative mortality. METHODS: A total of 124 patients who underwent surgery for infective endocarditis at the Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics from January 2010 to December 2017 were retrospectively included in this study. The primary endpoints were 30-day postoperative mortality and identification of risk factors associated with it. Secondary endpoints were early postoperative outcomes and complication rates. RESULTS: During the study period, 124 patients with infective endocarditis underwent cardiac surgery, presenting an overall 30-day postoperative mortality rate of 10.48%. Mean age was 58 ± 14.4 years with 95 (76.61%) males. Independent predictive factors of early mortality were age >63 years (odds ratio = 6.4, 95% confidence interval = 1.66-24.66, p = 0.003), body mass index >30 kg/m² (odds ratio = 7.74, 95% confidence interval = 2.20-27.27, p = 0.003), and ischemic heart disease (odds ratio, 6.6, 95% confidence interval = 1.62-26.90, p = 0.003), as well as intraoperative parameters-prolonged aortic cross-clamp >84.5 minutes (odds ratio = 3.79, 95% confidence interval = 1.10-13.08, p = 0.03) and cardiopulmonary bypass time >107.5 minutes (odds ratio = 10.0, 95% confidence interval = 1.26-79.58, p = 0.023). Staphylococcus aureus infection (odds ratio = 5.04, 95% confidence interval = 1.29-19.64, p = 0.012), infective endocarditis-related intracardiac complication such as paravalvular abscess detected by transesophageal echocardiography (odds ratio = 4.32, 95% confidence interval = 1.31-14.25, p = 0.01), and infective endocarditis complicated by septic or cardiogenic shock (odds ratio, 18.43, 95% confidence interval = 4.59-73.98, p = 0.001) were statistically significant factors for increased risk of 30-day postoperative mortality. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of infective endocarditis showed good results in our center. The independent predictors of 30-day postoperative mortality for patients who underwent cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis were age, body mass index, ischemic heart disease, prolonged aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass time, Staphylococcus aureus infection, paravalvular abscess, and septic or cardiogenic shock.

Long-term outcomes and predictors of recurrent aortic regurgitation after aortic valve-sparing and reconstructive cusp surgery: a single centre experience.

BACKGROUND: Aortic valve sparing surgery (AVS), in combination with aortic cusp repair (ACR), still raises many questions about the increased surgical complexity and applicability for patients with pure aortic valve regurgitation (AR). The aim of this study was to investigate our long-term outcomes and predictors of recurrent AR (> 2+) after AVS and reconstructive cusp surgery. METHODS: We reviewed data of 81 patients who underwent AVS (a reimplantation technique) with concomitant ACR for AR and or dilatation of the aortic root at our institution during the period from April 2004 to October 2016. On preoperative echocardiography, the majority of the patients, 70 (86.4%) presented with severe AR grade (> 3+) and 28 (34.5%) of the patients had the bicuspid phenotype. Time to event analysis (long-term survival, freedom from reoperation, and recurrence of AR > 2+) was performed with the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate Cox regression risk analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of recurrent AR (> 2+). The mean follow-up was 5.3 ± 3.3 years and 100% complete. RESULTS: The in-hospital (30-day) mortality rate after elective surgery was 1.2%. The overall actuarial survival rates were 92.9 ± 3.1% and 90.4 ± 3.9% at five and 10 years, respectively. Actuarial freedom from recurrent AR (> 2+) was 83.7 ± 4.5% within the cohort at five and 10 years. The cumulative freedom from all causes of cardiac reoperation was 94.2 ± 2.8% within the cohort at 10 years. Neither bleeding nor thromboembolic or permanent neurologic events were reported during follow-up. By multivariate analysis, independent predictors of reccurent AR (> 2+) were an effective height lower than 9 mm (p= 0.02) and intraoperative residual mild AR (p= 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: AVS with ACR, combined in a systematic fashion, is a safe and reproducible option with low risk of long-term valve related events and normal life expectancy for patients with pure aortic regurgitation. The competent aortic valve and effective height, not lower than 9 mm intraoperatively, are mandatory to achieve long-lasting AV competency.

Early and long-term results of aortic valve sparing aortic root reimplantation surgery for bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valves.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate early and long-term clinical outcomes following aortic valve sparing aortic root reimplantation surgery in patients with leaking bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valves. METHODS: The study consisted of 92 consecutive adult patients (tricuspid aortic valve group = 63 and bicuspid aortic valve group = 29) who underwent aortic valve sparing aortic root reimplantation surgery with or without aortic cusp repair for dilatation of the aortic root and/or aortic valve regurgitation at our institution from April 2004 to October 2016. Clinical outcomes were investigated using Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests between groups. RESULTS: The follow-up was 100% complete with a mean time of 5.3 ± 3.3 years. The 30-day in-hospital mortality was 3.1% in tricuspid aortic valve group and 3.4% in bicuspid aortic valve group patients. The overall survival rates at 10 years did not differ between bicuspid aortic valve and tricuspid aortic valve patient groups (96.6 ± 3.3% vs. 90.3 ± 4.2%, p = 0.3). Freedom from recurrent aortic valve regurgitation (>2+) at 10 years was 90.5 ± 4.1% in tricuspid aortic valve group and 75.7 ± 8.7% in bicuspid aortic valve group (p = 0.06). Freedom from aortic valve reoperation at 10 years was 100% in tricuspid aortic valve group and 83.9 ± 7.4% in bicuspid aortic valve group (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Aortic valve sparing aortic root reimplantation surgery is a safe and efficient technique, providing acceptable long-term survival with low rates of valve-related complications in both tricuspid aortic valve and bicuspid aortic valve patient groups. However, aortic valve reoperation rates at 10 years follow-up were higher in bicuspid aortic valve group patients compared to tricuspid aortic valve group patients.