Adult respiratory distress syndrome following cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Severe lung injury with the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a serious complication of cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, risk factors, and mortality of ARDS following cardiac surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively analyze data in the period between January 2005 and March 2013. RESULTS: Of 6069 patients who underwent cardiac surgery during the study period, 37 patients developed ARDS during the postoperative period. The incidence of ARDS was 0.61%, with a mortality of 40.5% (15 patients). Multivariate regression analysis identified previous cardiac surgery, complex cardiac surgery, and more than three transfusions with packed red blood cells (PRBC) were independent predictors for developing ARDS. CONCLUSIONS: ARDS remains a serious, but very rare complication associated with significant mortality. In our study, previous cardiac surgery, complex cardiac surgery, and more than three transfusions of PRBC were independent predictors for the development of ARDS.

Cardiac surgery in patients on chronic hemodialysis: short and long-term survival.

OBJECTIVE: Open-heart surgery carries a high risk for hemodialysis patients. This study focuses on the short and long-term outcomes of hemodialysis patients undergoing heart surgery. DESIGN: The study was carried out as a retrospective analysis in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery in a large university-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: 115 hemodialysis patients underwent cardiac surgery in our department between 1 July 1996 and 31 July 2006. 67.5 % (77 patients) underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 13.2 % (15 patients) underwent isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) and 20.2 % (23 patients) underwent mitral valve surgery or combined valve and coronary artery bypass grafting or multiple valve surgery. METHODS: The relationship between several variables (age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, and previous myocardial infarction, type of disease, preoperative ejection fraction, and congestive heart failure) and operative (30 days) mortality and late survival was analyzed. RESULTS: The overall 30-day mortality was 18.3 % (21 patients). It was 13 % (10/77 patients) for the isolated CABG group and 13.3 % (2/15) for the isolated AVR group. Patients undergoing combined valve and coronary surgery or multiple valve surgery had a higher perioperative mortality of 39.1 % (9/23) compared to the isolated CABG and isolated AVR patients. Perioperative death was also higher in patients with moderate and severe LV dysfunction, and in patients with diabetes. The duration of dialysis periods was not related to perioperative death. Mean follow-up was 26.4 +/- 29.7 months (0.1 to 104 months). Actuarial survival at 1 year and 5 years was 76 % and 55 % for isolated CABG, 59 % and 21 % for isolated AVR, and 44 % and 33 % for all other cases, respectively (log rank P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients on dialysis have a high risk of perioperative mortality and poor long-term survival rates. Mortality is higher and survival is worse after combined CABG and valve-related procedures or multiple valve surgery than after isolated CABG and AVR.

''BioGlue'' as a possible cause of acute blocked mechanical mitral valve leaflet.

A young patient with aortic and mitral valve infective endocarditis and advanced destruction of the surrounding tissues underwent a complex reconstructive surgery, including double valve replacement, reconstruction of aortic-mitral continuity and ascending aorta. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography revealed a blocked mitral leaflet, which was released by valve cleaning and reorientation. The application of biological glue may be a key point for this complication.

Knotting of a pulmonary artery catheter in the superior vena cava: surgical removal and a word of caution.

A case of postoperative pulmonary artery catheterisation complicated by knotting of the catheter (Swan-Ganz) within the superior vena cava is described. The catheter was cut off at the skin entry site. The remainder, together with the knot, was pulled out through a purse string incision in the superior vena cava.

Recombinant factor VIIa use in cardiac surgery--expanding the arsenal therapy for intractable bleeding?

A 72-year-old patient was admitted for mitral valve replacement because of infective endocarditis. Severe intractable bleeding in the early postoperative period was successfully treated with recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa). Thereafter, recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 16. The current clinical aspects and experience of rFVIIa use in cardiac surgery are discussed.

Nausea and vomiting after fast-track cardiac anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after fast-track cardiac anaesthesia, risk factors for PONV and its influence on the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: A prospective study was performed in the cardiothoracic ICU (CTICU) of a university hospital; 1221 consecutive patients undergoing fast-track anaesthesia (FTCA) in cardiac surgery were enrolled in the study. Severity of PONV was assessed immediately after extubation and then every hour until discharge from the CTICU. Metoclopramide 10 mg i.v. was used as a first-line rescue medication and ondansetron 4 mg i.v. as second-line rescue medication for PONV. RESULTS: Nausea was reported in 240 (19.7%) patients, and vomiting in 53 (4.3%). A total of 269 (22%) patients were treated with metoclopramide and 38 (3.1%) with metoclopramide and ondansetron. The latter was effective in all cases. Risk factors for PONV were age less than 60 yr, female gender and previous history of PONV. Discharge from the CTICU was delayed for a few hours because of PONV in eight patients, all of whom were discharged the same day. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of PONV is relatively low after FTCA and does not prolong ICU stay. Prophylactic administration of anti-emetic drugs before FTCA is not necessary.

Use of "BioGlue" in aortic surgical repair.

A new bioadhesive (BioGlue, Cryolife Inc, Kennesaw, GA) was recently introduced for surgical use in thoracic aortic surgical repair. We describe our early experience and our suggested method of repair.

Redo aortic root replacement: experience with 31 patients.

BACKGROUND: Aortic root re-replacement is being performed with increased frequency. Limited information is available regarding the surgical approaches and clinical outcomes of this reoperation. METHODS: Between May 1980 and May 1999, 31 patients (mean age, 45 +/- 15 years) underwent redo composite replacement of the aortic valve and ascending aorta. Indications for reoperation were prosthetic valve endocarditis in 12 patients (39%), failed biological valve in 17 (55%), and false aneurysm in 2 (6%). At reoperation, mechanical valves were implanted in 24 patients and biologic valves in 7. All patients with endocarditis had annular abscess and required reconstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract before implantation of a new valved conduit. Mechanical valves were used in 24 patients, aortic homograft in 4, and bioprosthetic valves in 3. The coronary button technique was used to reimplant the coronary arteries whenever possible. Extension of one or both coronary arteries with a short segment of saphenous vein or a synthetic graft was used in 16 patients (52%). The aortic arch was replaced in 7 patients (23%). RESULTS: There was one operative death (3%) because of rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The mean follow-up was 47 +/- 46 months and was 100% complete. There were five late deaths (16%), three of which were cardiac related. The actuarial survival was 71% +/- 12% at 5 years. Three patients experienced recurrent prosthetic valve endocarditis 4 months to 8 years after operation. The 8-year freedom from endocarditis for patients operated on for endocarditis was 82% +/- 11% compared with 100% for those operated on for other reasons (p = 0.1). At the last follow-up, 21 of 25 survivors (84%) were in New York Heart Association functional classes I or II, and 4 were in class III. CONCLUSIONS: Redo aortic root replacement can be performed with good early and late results. Patients operated on for prosthetic root endocarditis may have an increased risk of recurrent late endocarditis.

The efficacy of the Cox/maze procedure combined with mitral valve surgery: a matched control study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of the maze procedure combined with mitral valve (MV) surgery in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: From 1994--1999, 47 patients with chronic AF underwent the maze procedure combined with MV surgery (maze group). They were compared to 47 patients matched for age, sex, left ventricular function and type of MV surgery (non-maze group). The maze group had less severe symptoms but larger left atrium, and AF of longer duration than the non-maze group. One surgeon performed all operations in both groups of patients. RESULTS: There were two early deaths in the maze group (4.5%) and one (2.2%) in the non-maze group. The duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (P=0.0001) and aortic crossclamping (P=0.0001) were greater in the maze group. Mean follow-up was 26+/-3 months in the maze group and 32+/-4 months in the non-maze group, and was 100% complete. Three-year survival was 96+/-3% for the maze group compared to 85+/-7% for the non-maze group (P=0.16). At the latest follow-up, 75% of the maze patients were in sinus rhythm compared to 36% of the non-maze patients (P=0.0004); 38% of the maze group were on coumadin postoperatively, compared to 69% in the non-maze group (P=0.003); and patients in the maze group were on fewer antiarrhythmic medications (P=0.0002). Three-year freedom from thromboembolic complications was 100% for the maze group compared to 83+/-7% for the non-maze group (P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective study the maze procedure did not seem to increase operative mortality of MV surgery, was effective in eliminating atrial fibrillation, and reduced the risk of thromboembolic complications and the need for long-term anticoagulation after mitral valve repair or replacement with a bioprosthesis.

Structural modification and cryopreservation of porcine heart valves for xenotransplantation with reduced immunity.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: In order to provide valved xenografts with reduced immunity, yet durability comparable with that of homografts, a method for endothelial cell removal was developed. METHODS: Adult porcine valved pulmonary conduits were isolated, washed and incubated in trypsin-EDTA solution. The endothelial cells were flushed free with a stream of culture medium, and the xenografts cryopreserved. Grafts were thawed after three months, and evaluated structurally. RESULTS: Macroscopic inspection of the grafts revealed no cracks or other morphological damage. Light microscopy revealed mildly edematous changes, and the elastic layers appeared to be preserved. Incubation with trypsin-EDTA solution consistently removed the entire endothelial layer, without obvious damage to the underlying tissues. CONCLUSION: With care and appropriate timing, the xenograft endothelium can be selectively removed, leaving the underlying tissue intact. This process may allow further structural manipulations to improve the durability of these grafts.

Risk factors for late pulmonary homograft stenosis after the Ross procedure.

BACKGROUND: We reviewed our experience with the Ross procedure to identify the prevalence and predictors of late pulmonary homograft stenosis. METHODS: Between June 1992 and December 1997, 109 consecutive patients (age 34.5 +/- 8.6 years) underwent the Ross procedure, with reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract with a cryopreserved pulmonary homograft (22 to 30 mm diameter). There was one early and one late death. Echocardiographic follow-up was available in 105 of 108 patients (97%), with a follow-up of 39 +/- 20 months. Homograft donor and preservation measurements and patient variables were subjected to multivariable analyses to identify independent predictors of late homograft performance. RESULTS: The major physiopathologic finding was homograft stenosis. Peak systolic gradients across the homograft were 20 mm Hg or more in 30 of 105 patients (28.5%) and 40 mm Hg or more in 4 of 105 patients (3.8%). One patient required two re-replacements of her homograft for severe stenosis. Moderate or severe homograft insufficiency was noted in 10 of 105 patients (9.5%). The independent predictors of late pulmonary homograft stenosis were younger donor age (p = 0.03), shorter duration of cryopreservation (p = 0.01), and smaller homograft size (p = 0.06). Beating heart donor status, short homograft ischemic time, and other factors that have been shown to be associated with increased graft viability were associated with graft stenosis but did not reach statistical significance. However, mean gradients across the homograft were significantly related (p = 0.002) to the number of these risk factors in each patient. CONCLUSIONS: Stenosis of the pulmonary homograft can be a significant problem following the Ross procedure, and was predicted by younger donor age and shorter duration of cryopreservation. These factors may be related to increased cellular viability, which might actually predispose to late homograft stenosis in a subgroup of patients.

Outcome and risk factors in octogenarians undergoing open-heart surgery.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Increasing numbers of elderly (aged > 80 years) patients are being referred for cardiac surgery, and results for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are generally better than for combined CABG and valve replacement. METHODS: During the past 55 months, 77 octogenarians underwent cardiac intervention in our institution. Forty-five patients (mean age 82.5 years) underwent CABG alone; surgery was elective in 33% of patients and 2.7 +/- 1.0 grafts per patient were performed. Thirty-two patients (mean age 82.4 years) underwent combined CABG and valve surgery (28 aortic, four mitral); 2.1 +/- 0.8 grafts per patient were performed and 65% of cases were emergencies. RESULTS: In patients undergoing CABG alone, the operative mortality rate was 2% and rose to 4% (n = 2) at the end of follow up. Mean NYHA functional class improved significantly from 3.5 +/- 0.5 to 1.4 +/- 0.3 after surgery (p < 0.05) and most patients reported marked improvement in their quality of life. In CABG + valve surgery patients, the operative mortality rate was 6% (n = 2) and reached 18% by the end of follow up. In these patients the complication rate was 24% and mean hospitalization stay 11.0 +/- 2.9 days, while mean NYHA functional class improved from 3.4 +/- 0.6 to 1.2 +/- 0.5. Data analysis revealed that mitral regurgitation combined with coronary artery disease (p < 0.03) and prolonged cross-clamping time (p < 0.01) were the most important independent factors for mortality. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that, in selected elderly patients, combined CABG and cardiac surgery can achieve good postoperative results.

The Toronto SPV: hemodynamic data at 1 and 5 years' postimplantation.

The Toronto-SPV (T-SPV) bioprosthesis has been used for aortic valve replacement (AVR) since July 1991. There is no published data on its mid-term hemodynamic performance. This study compares the hemodynamic data of a consecutive series of patients at 1 and 5 years after AVR. The first 109 consecutive patients who had AVR with a T-SPV have been monitored for a minimum of 5 years and have had annual Doppler echocardiographic studies. There were 80 men and 29 women in the study; mean age was 62 years (range 34 to 80 years). Concomitant coronary artery bypass surgery was done in 35 patients. One operative and nine late deaths occurred. The mean systolic gradient across the T-SPV in all patients was 3.9+/-2.4 mm Hg at 1 year and 4.1+/-3.3 mm Hg at 5 years (P = .27). The mean aortic valve area was 2.2+/-0.6 cm2 at 1 year and 2.3+/-0.7 cm2 at 5 years (P = .43). The mean left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was 104+/-31 g/m2 at 1 year and 97+/-24 g/m2 at 5 years (P = .08). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that preoperative coronary artery disease (P<.0001) and hypertension (P<.01) were independent predictors of higher LVMI over time. Aortic insufficiency was none/trivial in 94% of patients and mild in 6% at 1 year. At 5 years, aortic insufficiency was none/trivial in 88% of patients, mild in 10%, and moderate in 2%. The aortic leaflets remained thin and pliable in all patients as assessed by echocardiography. Most patients (85%) were in New York Heart Association functional class I. The hemodynamic performance of the T-SPV remained unchanged during the first 5 years after implantation. The LVMI continued to decrease after the first year and tended to normalize in most patients. The aortic valve remained competent, and the leaflets did not change their thickness or show evidence of calcification.

Increased production of beta2-microglobulin after heart transplantation.

Serum beta2-microglobulin (beta2m) levels were measured to evaluate the state of immunoactivation in stable heart transplant recipients. Serum beta2m and renal function of 29 heart transplant recipients were compared with 16 control subjects, who were age and sex matched, and 11 patients with chronic kidney failure. Serum creatinine and 24-hour urine collection for albuminuria were used as markers of renal impairment. Heart transplant recipients with normal renal function (n = 7) had significantly elevated beta2m levels compared with control subjects: 2.6 +/- 0.9 vs 1.66 +/- 0.32 microg/ml, p < or = 0.05. Heart transplant recipients with impaired renal function (n = 22) had significantly elevated beta2m compared with the chronic kidney failure group: 4.42 +/- 1.3 vs 3.49 +/- 0.66 microg/ml (p < or = 0.05); although there was no significant difference in serum creatinine levels. Albuminuria excretion was significantly elevated in the chronic kidney failure group compared with the heart transplant recipients with impaired renal function (p < or = 0.05). Elevated serum beta2m in heart transplant recipients suggests increased beta2m production, reflecting increased immunoactivation. This observation could be useful in monitoring long-term immunosuppressive therapy.