Axillary intra-aortic balloon pump, biventricular assist device implantation and subsequent orthotopic heart transplantation in a patient with sickle cell trait.

A 38-year-old male with sickle cell trait and acute refractory heart failure received an axillary intra-aortic balloon pump and short-term biventricular assist device. He underwent orthotopic heart transplantation 45 days later, which was complicated by major bleeding necessitating significant intra-operative transfusion. Support with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was provided and successfully weaned five days later. He made a full recovery and remains alive and well 34 months after discharge. We hypothesize that the protective peri-operative measures undertaken, including normothermia during surgery and post-operative haemodynamic stability due to the use of mechanical circulatory support, conveyed a degree of protection against complications associated with sickle cell dysfunction and contributed to the successful outcome.

Wound hematoma after radial artery harvest caused by digital blood pressure monitoring cuff.

An 85-year-old male developed a hematoma over his radial artery harvest scar 6 weeks after coronary artery bypass grafting. This occurred immediately after his blood pressure was checked using a digital blood pressure monitor with the cuff applied to his left arm. The swelling resolved over the next 5 months. We recommend that patients who have undergone radial artery harvest should have their blood pressure monitored using only the contralateral arm for at least the first 3-6 months after surgery to avoid potential vascular complications.

Does early extubation after cardiac surgery lead to a reduction in intensive care unit length of stay?

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether early extubation (EE) after cardiac surgery leads to a reduction in intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS)? A total of 564 papers were found using the reported search, of which 4 were randomized trials and hence represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. EE was defined as extubation in theatre (n = 2), within 6 h of surgery (n = 1) and within 8 h of surgery (n = 1). EE was associated with significantly reduced ICU LOS in all studies. Despite the Society of Thoracic Surgeons using extubation <6 h after surgery as a measure of quality, this study has demonstrated that no standardized definition for EE currently exists. The body of evidence identified in this work has demonstrated that for appropriately selected patients (avoiding patients with multiple comorbidities, advanced age and undergoing complex non-elective surgery) early tracheal extubation is associated with a reduction in ICU LOS without an increase in the rate of postoperative complications.

Radial artery harvesting for total arterial revascularization.

There is growing evidence to support total arterial revascularization in coronary artery bypass grafting and the radial artery is being used with increasing frequency as the second conduit of choice. Open radial artery harvesting enables safe dissection and the procedure is both effective and easy to teach. In this video tutorial, we present our technique for open radial artery harvesting using the LigaSure™ Exact Dissector. Key advantages include safety, time efficiency, ease of teaching, ease of use, and minimal blood loss.

The Axillary Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump as a Bridge to Recovery Allows Early Ambulation in Long-Term Use: Case Series and Literature Review.

We evaluated the feasibility, tolerability, and efficacy of a strategy for transaxillary artery intra-aortic balloon pump placement for extended mechanical circulatory support of patients with postcardiotomy shock as a bridge to recovery. Patients requiring prolonged intra-aortic balloon pump support for postcardiotomy heart failure were identified. Intra-aortic balloon pump was tunneled through a 6-mm Dacron graft anastomosed to the right axillary artery. The intra-aortic balloon pump catheter is advanced under fluoroscopic guidance into the descending thoracic aorta. Three patients were transferred from outside facilities, requiring prolonged intra-aortic balloon pump support for postcardiotomy heart failure. Patients included a 54-year-old woman with occluded grafts and left ventricular thrombus after coronary artery bypass grafting, ejection fraction (EF) of 23.4% on dobutamine infusion, intra-aortic balloon pump support for 39 days, max daily ambulated distance of 1250 feet, and discharged home on day 51 on milrinone infusion; a 63-year-old man with kinked left internal mammary artery to left anterior descending artery graft (surgically repaired), multiple failed extubations requiring tracheostomy, EF of 15% on epinephrine and milrinone, intra-aortic balloon pump support for 43 days, max daily ambulated distance of 400 feet, and discharged home on day 54; and a 66-year-old man after redo coronary artery bypass grafting + carotid endarterectomy, with failure to wean off cardiopulmonary bypass requiring veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenator, EF of 20% on epinephrine and norepinephrine, intra-aortic balloon pump support for 41 days, max daily ambulated distance of 2800 feet, and discharged home on day 91. There were no infection, thromboembolic, cerebrovascular, bleeding, or intra-aortic balloon pump malpositioning/migration complications. We found that transaxillary artery intra-aortic balloon pump is well tolerated by patients and allows early ambulation and aggressive physical therapy in patients needing extended support. Duration of intra-aortic balloon pump support was up to 43 days with no complications.

Is there a role for upper-extremity intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation as a bridge-to-recovery or a bridge-to-transplant in the treatment of end-stage heart failure?

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was: Is there a role for upper-extremity intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation (UE-IABP) in the treatment of end-stage heart failure? Altogether 230 papers were found using the reported search, of which 6 papers represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. Of the 163 bridge-to-transplantation (BTT) patients, 141 (86.5%) were successfully transplanted and of the 9 bridge-to-recovery (BTR) patients, 6 (66.7%) were successfully weaned from the device. Length of support ranged from 3 to 152 days, and the most frequent complications were device malfunction or migration necessitating exchange or repositioning, occurring at a collective rate of 37.3%. UE-IABP is a minimally invasive and cost-effective strategy that provides haemodynamic support while preserving both the mediastinum and the functional status in BTR and BTT patients who may not tolerate more invasive modes of mechanical circulatory support. We conclude that UE-IABP can be used as a bridge-to-recovery (BTR) or transplant (BTT) in patients with end-stage heart failure.

Is there a role for the high-risk multidisciplinary team meeting in thoracic surgery?

OBJECTIVES: There is little information on the impact of a high-risk multidisciplinary team (HRMDT) for thoracic surgery. In our unit, patients considered high risk for thoracic surgery have been discussed at this meeting since its inception in June 2013. The aim of this study was to audit our selection of patients discussed at the HRMDT and its effect on patient outcomes. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected on all patients (n = 820) who underwent lung resection for lung cancer between July 2013 and September 2014. Patients were analysed as two groups HRMDT versus non-HRMDT. Referral to the HRMDT was at the operating surgeons' discretion. Referred patients usually had a higher-than-expected mortality or morbidity risk for the indicated procedure. The median time from HRMDT to surgery was 27 days (IQR 27.75). The median follow-up for all patients was 415 days (IQR 240). RESULTS: There were 102 patients in the HRMDT group and 718 in the non-HRMDT group (males 54 vs 46%; P = 0.12). The median duration from HRMDT to surgery was 27 days (IQR 27.75). Mean age (P = 0.0001), cardiac risk score (P = 0.001) and Thoracoscore (P = 0.0001) were significantly higher in the HRMDT group. There was also a significantly higher proportion of pneumonectomies in the HRMDT group (12 vs 4%; P = 0.001). There were no significant differences between the groups in cardiac, cerebrovascular, GI, pulmonary, renal or composite complications. There was no significant difference in 30-day (3 vs 1%; P = 0.24) or 90-day (5 vs 3%; P = 0.48) mortality between the groups. Operated HRMDT patients had better survival at 200 days (P = 0.002), but there was no difference in long-term survival compared with patients turned down for surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a higher predicted mortality rate by Thoracoscore, HRMDT patients had the same outcome as lower risk non-HRMDT patients. Within the HRMDT cohort, survival in the operated patients was significantly better than that in non-operated patients in the short term. The HRMDT has managed to offer patients a radical treatment option who might have been refused surgery prior to this due to their higher risk profile. We would recommend this forum as a means to further assess and discuss high-risk patients.

Reusing the patent internal mammary artery as a conduit in redo coronary artery bypass surgery.

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was, in patients with previous internal mammary artery/internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts, can the internal mammary artery/ITA be reused/recycled in redo coronary artery bypass surgery? Fourteen papers were found using the reported search of which 10 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. There was variation in patient selection, the number of patients reported, outcome measures recorded, and methods and duration of follow-up. The results were mostly in favour of using a recycled ITA when it could be safely harvested. Most studies were retrospective. One large series of 60 patients who underwent redo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using previously implanted ITAs had a mean time to reoperation of 117 ± 68 months. They reported no operative deaths; no patients required further or subsequent target vessel revascularization; 30-day mortality was 8.3% and myocardial infarction rate was 3%. Another two series of 16 and 12 patients underwent recycling of arterial grafts during coronary artery revascularization with no perioperative deaths in either. Postoperative angiography was performed in 10 patients in one of these studies, which showed excellent flow in all redone left internal thoracic artery (LITA) grafts. One study reported results from a prospective cohort of 9 patients who underwent redo coronary artery bypass grafting. Interval between operations was between 1 and 132 months. There was no perioperative mortality, but 1 patient required reintervention (to an interposition vein graft). A further study of 4 patients who underwent redo CABG using ITAs that were patent but with severe stenosis at the distal anastomosis had no mortality. Postoperative angiography showed patency of all grafts. There have also been 4 case reports on reusing the ITA/ITA in redo CABG with no damage to the reused LITA, no perioperative mortality and satisfactory follow-up at up to 29 months. Evidently, the recycled ITA can be used in redo coronary artery bypass grafting. Papers found were retrospective series or case reports. As such, there is no direct comparison in outcomes between the recycled ITA and first-time ITA harvest or any other conduit for CABG. In conclusion, we find that when it is possible to harvest a previously used ITA, studies have shown it to be a safe and viable conduit in redo CABG with good long-term outcomes.

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty as a bridge to aortic valve surgery for severe aortic stenosis.

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was, in patients with severe aortic stenosis, can balloon valvuloplasty be used as a bridge to aortic valve replacement? Altogether 463 papers were found using the reported search, of which 11 papers represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. We conclude that balloon aortic valvuloplasty is recommended as a bridge to aortic valve replacement (AVR) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Institutional practices, local and logistic factors can affect patient selection and management approaches to severe aortic stenosis, but having the facility to offer balloon aortic valvuloplasty (especially in the TAVI era) provides another management option for patients who would otherwise have been considered unacceptably high risk for aortic valve surgery. The increased incidence of balloon aortic valvuloplasty mirrors the increase in the use of TAVI with a sharp increase in activity from 2006. Success rates for bridging from balloon aortic valvuloplasty to definite surgical intervention are in the range 26.3-74%, with AVR or TAVI occurring within 8 weeks to 7 months. Complications from balloon aortic valvuloplasty such as aortic regurgitation (AR) can be managed successfully. Up to 40% of patients selected by balloon aortic valvuloplasty to have TAVI or AVR do not have these procedures within 2 years. While most of these patients are excluded for objective clinical reasons such as terminal disease/malignancy or other persistent contraindication, some patients refuse definitive treatment and others die while on the waiting list. Outcomes in patients bridged to AVR/TAVI are better than in patients treated with balloon aortic valvuloplasty only. Owing to the high mortality of patients in this cohort without destination therapy, delays to progression to TAVI or AVR should be avoided in selected patients. A discussion with the patient about expectations, mortality and morbidity risks with all management options will aid decision-making.

Duplicated common femoral artery can be safely cannulated for femorofemoral cardiopulmonary bypass.

The duplicated common femoral artery can be safely cannulated for femorofemoral bypass, but we recommend postoperative imaging to identify potential complications. We found no previous reports of duplicated common femoral artery.

Should pregnant patients with a recurrent or persistent pneumothorax undergo surgery?

A 29-year old woman at 26 weeks gestation (gravida 3 and para 0) presented with an acute left-sided pneumothorax. She had a 10 pack-year smoking history and no other relevant medical history. Over the next 3 weeks, she had three recurrences of her left-sided pneumothorax, each of which was managed by intercostal drain insertion. During the fourth episode of pneumothorax, after chest drain insertion there was a continued air-leak for 4 days. She was referred to the cardiothoracic service for further management of this problem. A best evidence topic was constructed according to a structured protocol to answer the question: in pregnant patients with a recurrent or persistent pneumothorax, is surgery safer compared with conservative treatment for the wellbeing of the patient and the foetus? The 2010 guidelines for the management of pneumothorax state that there is Level C evidence that simple observation and aspiration are usually effective during pregnancy, with elective assisted delivery and regional anaesthesia at or near term. The guidelines also state Level D evidence that a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) procedure should be considered after birth. Three hundred and eighty-four papers were found, and from these, four papers were identified describing 79 cases of pneumothorax in pregnancy to provide the best evidence to answer the question. Conservative treatment by observation alone with or without tube thoracostomy compared with surgical treatment by VATS or thoracotomy are the options used in the observed literature reviews. All reports observe no difference in outcome to the mother or foetus if a conservative approach (observation or tube thoracostomy) is used compared with surgery prior to the delivery of the baby. However, an initial conservative approach could lead to surgery after delivery for a persistent pneumothorax in as much as 40% of patients. A persistent pneumothorax after delivery that might require surgery delays discharge home and compromises the normal interaction between the mother and new-born child, which might be distressing. For informed consent, the implications of the risk of persistent pneumothorax requiring surgery after delivery where a conservative approach is used initially should be discussed with the patient and family to aid decision making.

Management of a protruding right coronary artery stent during aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis.

We describe the successful management of a stent protruding from the right coronary ostium into the aortic root in the setting of aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis. Due to advances in medical care more elderly patients present for aortic valve surgery after percutaneous coronary intervention. Therefore, with an aging population due to advances in medical care, more patients will present for aortic valve surgery after percutaneous coronary intervention. We suggest a degree of caution before valve deployment in transcatheter aortic valve intervention or during annular manipulation in patients undergoing traditional aortic valve replacement with coexisting patent proximal stents.

A case of recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax during pregnancy treated with video assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Pneumothorax during pregnancy is uncommon. Recently ambulatory chest drainage has been advised to treat the pneumothorax and to cover the delivery period. This imposes restrictions on the mother with associated co-morbidity. The authors present a case of recurrent chest-tube resistant pneumothorax during pregnancy which had persisted for 4-weeks. To guide management of a patient referred in the third trimester of pregnancy the authors undertook a systematic review. This led to definitive video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for bullectomy and pleurodesis which was successful without either peri-operative or peri-partum complications or recurrence of pneumothorax. Our review suggests that a VATS approach during pregnancy is both safe and effective.

A novel technique for pulmonary endarterectomy in the presence of patent coronary artery bypass grafts.

Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is the definitive surgical treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, with excellent short- and long-term results. PEA following previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery carries a risk of damage to patent grafts, as well as the risk of inadequate myocardial protection, especially when a patent pedicled internal thoracic artery graft is present. We report a technique where PEA may be safely and successfully accomplished ensuring, adequate clearance of bilateral pulmonary thromboembolic disease via a right pulmonary arteriotomy, avoiding the patent bypass grafts overlying the pulmonary trunk, while ensuring adequate myocardial protection.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the heart.

We present a case of primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the left atrium with involvement of the coronary sinus. The initial presentation was of cardiac tamponade resulting from the size of the tumor. There was no evidence of tumor elsewhere, and after complete resection and without adjuvant chemotherapy the patient is well at 2-year follow-up. There has been no evidence of tumor recurrence. This is a rare reported case of resection of a cardiac primitive neuroectodermal tumor without adjuvant chemotherapy. Other cases in the literature have been treated by orthoptic transplantation and resection with chemotherapy.

Mitral valve repair for disruptive acute endocarditis: extensive replacement of posterior leaflet with bovine pericardium.

Surgery for infective mitral valve endocarditis should include resection/debridement of all infected tissue, but this may leave behind insufficient-autologous mitral valve tissue for an adequate repair. Effective mitral valve repair using only bovine pericardium is feasible even in the presence of extensive endocarditis involving a large part of the free margin of the affected leaflet.

Cardiac tamponade: chylopericardium presenting 2 weeks after mechanical aortic valve replacement through a median sternotomy.

Chylopericardium is a rare disorder that can be secondary to thoracic duct injury. Consequences include nutritional, metabolic, and immunologic abnormalities, as well as cardiac complications, such as pericarditis and cardiac tamponade. We present a case of chylopericardium presenting as cardiac tamponade after a median sternotomy for mechanical aortic valve replacement.

Long term results and functional outcomes following cardiac surgery in octogenarians.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiac surgery for patients >80 years has seen a dramatic increase in the last decade. The aim was to assess the long term survival and quality of life in this patient population. METHOD: Patients who underwent cardiac surgery between 1995 and 2007 were identified and case notes reviewed. Follow-up was undertaken by personal interview with the patient or the nearest kin to complete a pre-planned questionnaire. RESULTS: Sixty six (M:F; 45:21) octogenarians had Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) only (55%), Aortic valve replacement (AVR) only (12%), Mitral valve replacement (MVR) only (3%), Valve and CABG (25%) and complex procedures (5%). Fifty-eight percent were elective procedures. Operative mortality was 8% (n = 5). Multivariate analysis identified complex procedures, prolonged bypass time and re-do/emergency surgery as predictors of death (p < 0.05). Median Intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 206 h (range 43-1176 h), with >70% leaving ICU in 72 h. Late mortality involved five patients (8%) who died at 10 yr; 7 yr; 3 yr; 1 yr; and 8 months; and 2 yr and 7 months, respectively. Survival by Kaplan-Meir was 8.8 yr (Standard Error (SE) = 0.66, Confidence interval (CI) 7.6-10.1), median survival was 10 yr and mean Barthel's index 17.7 (min 0, max 20). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac surgery can be accomplished in octogenarians with good long-term survival and quality of life. However, complex procedures, prolonged bypass and re-do/emergency surgery contribute significantly to mortality.

Benefits of the preemptive intra-aortic balloon pump: an audit of practice in a regional cardiothoracic center.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that preemptive use of an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is associated with better outcomes in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery. This retrospective study compares preemptive (planned) use of the IABP to emergency (unplanned) use in a regional cardiothoracic center. METHODS: All patients who required an IABP from February 2003 to June 2006 were identified from theater records. The collected data included patient demographics, preoperative state, operative details, morbidity due to the IABP, and operative mortality. Patients were divided into 2 groups: planned use (preoperative plus elective intraoperative) and unplanned use (postoperative plus emergency intraoperative). Preoperative mortality risk was calculated with the logistic EuroSCORE. RESULTS: We identified 135 patients (75% male). There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to age, preoperative state, operation type, logistic EuroSCORE, or myocardial ischemia time. The 2 groups showed a significant difference in mortality: planned IABP insertion, 17%; unplanned insertion, 45% (P = .001). A multivariate analysis of the study population showed the logistic EuroSCORE (odds ratio, 0.974; 95% confidence interval, 0.950-0.998; P = .035) and timing of IABP use (odds ratio, 4.728; 95% confidence interval, 1.932-11.566; P = .001) to be independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: Preemptive use of the IABP in this patient cohort was associated with a 50% advantage in mortality compared with emergency IABP use. The logistic EuroSCORE may be used preoperatively to guide IABP use. Complications are rare and can be treated successfully. The risk-to-benefit ratio of preemptive IABP use is low in this cohort of patients.