Search

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a prevalent cause of sudden cardiac death among young people. This distinctive genetic condition can manifest at any age from infancy to adulthood. The primary features include unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy coupled with dynamic left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction and a variable degree of mitral valve regurgitation. In certain cases, patients may also experience biventricular outflow tract obstruction. Surgical septal myectomy is the gold standard treatment for symptomatic children experiencing severe LVOT obstruction. This review focuses on surgical techniques for septal myectomy in pediatric patients and other adjunct procedures and summarizes the current outcomes. Keywords:Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, sudden cardiac death, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, asymmetrical septal hypertrophy, left ventricular myectomy: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minimally invasive approaches for cardiac surgery in children have been lagging in comparison to the adult world. A wide range of the most common congenital heart defects in infants and children can be repaired successfully through a variety of non-sternotomy incisions. This has been shown to be associated with superior cosmetic results, shorter hospital stays, and rapid return to full activity compared to sternotomy. These approaches have been around for decades, but they have not been widely adopted for a variety of reasons. Right axillary thoracotomy is one of these approaches that we believe should be the new standard for the repair of a wide variety of heart defects in children and will be the focus of our current review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infective endocarditis (IE) remains a serious disease that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and despite the significant advances that have been made in understanding the disease process in past decades, its incidence appears to be on the rise recently. Endocarditis in children is no longer a rare occurrence. This appeared to be related to a combination of the improved survival of children with congenital heart diseases (CHDs), increase use of intracardiac protheses, and catheter-related interventions. The American Heart Association (AHA) 2007 guidelines reduced the recommendations for use of prophylactic antibiotics in those with CHDs which occurred despite the noticeable increase in endocarditis incidence around that time. In general, the recommendations for managing children with IE are derived from the adults' guidelines, and the evidence-base is lacking in many clinical scenarios. Understanding the epidemiology, clinical presentations, microbiology, and outcomes of different management strategies for endocarditis is needed to have a clear and optimal plan for these children. In the current narrative review, we discuss IE in the pediatric population in terms of etiology, predisposing factors, and different treatment strategies for this unique population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extracardiac Fontan procedure is the final common pathway for palliation of patients with univentricular physiology. The procedure is typically performed on cardiopulmonary bypass with or without fenestration using an adequate-sized polytetrafluoroethylene graft as the extracardiac conduit. On a few occasions, some patients may develop narrowing of their conduit with or without calcifications, which is often managed by various transcatheter techniques. Rarely, some of these conduits must be replaced surgically. In the current report, we present an alternative to standard surgical replacement of the calcified Fontan conduit in a patient with dextrocardia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valve surgery is common in cardiac procedures, with fasteners like COR-KNOT® and hand-tied knots used for knot securing. This study compares their efficacy in valve surgery patients. We searched PubMed, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Central until August 2023. Outcomes assessed included aortic cross-clamp time (AXT), cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, valvular regurgitation, mortality, prolonged ventilatory support, atrial fibrillation, postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and renal failure. Subgroup analysis was performed for minimally invasive and open cardiac surgery. We used a random effects model for analysis. We included eight observational studies and two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a total of 1.411 participants. COR-KNOT significantly reduced AXT [MD -15.14, 95 % CI (-18.57, -11.70), P<0.00001] and CPB time [MD -12.38, 95 % CI (-14.99, -9.77), P<0.00001]. Valvular regurgitation [RR 0.40, 95 % CI (0.26, 0.61), P<0.0001] and need for prolonged ventilatory support [RR 0.29, 95 % CI (0.13, 0.65), P=0.003] were significantly lower with COR-KNOT. There were no significant differences in mortality [RR 0.39, 95 % CI (0.09, 1.69), P=0.44], atrial fibrillation [RR 1.03, 95 % CI (0.83, 1.27), P=0.81], LVEF changes [MD 0.05, 95 % CI (-1.37, 1.47), P = 0.95], or renal failure [RR 0.87, 95 % CI (0.16, 4.80), P = 0.87]. COR-KNOT devices reduce operative time and valvular regurgitation without increasing mortality or adverse outcomes. This supports their use in enhancing surgical efficiency and patient outcomes. However, ongoing discussions about suturing techniques, especially in minimally invasive procedures, highlight the need for further research and consensus among practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alagille syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder that is caused by heterozygous mutation of JAG1 or NOTCH2 gene that impacts several multisystem organs including but may not be limited to the liver, heart, musculoskeletal, skin, and the eyes. The most common congenital heart defect associated with Alagille syndrome is multilevel right ventricular outflow tract obstruction with multiple central and peripheral branch pulmonary arterial stenoses occurring in up to two-thirds of these patients. We report two cases of Alagille syndrome who underwent extensive pulmonary arterial branch rehabilitation and experienced unusual oxygenator failure during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We present lessons learned from these two cases and the changes that we implemented in our practice that facilitated smooth conduct of CPB in other cases that we performed subsequently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) represents a true pediatric cardiac emergency. The patient may present in extremis secondary to severe pulmonary hypertension and cardiogenic shock which increases perioperative mortality. We present a neonate who underwent a successful staged hybrid approach for an Infradiaphragmatic obstructed TAPVC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cor Triatriatum Sinister (CTS) is a rare congenital anomaly with an estimated incidence of 0.4%, resulting from abnormal left atrial septation. It may present in isolation or in association with other heart defects. High percentage of patients require surgery with low mortality and recurrence rates. CTS has been classified in the past however we aim to describe a case series with more comprehensive and inclusive classification. Methods: This was a single‐center retrospective cohort study of 16 children with the diagnosis of CTS between 2000 and 2020. Medical records were reviewed for clinical presentations, hospital, and postoperative courses. Results: Sixteen patients (63% female), with a median age at diagnosis of 4.3 months, five (31%) were neonates. Six (38%) had isolated CTS, two (13%) with functional single ventricle (SV), and the remaining eight patients (50%) had other associated heart defects (septal defects in three, coarctation of the aorta in another three, and anomalous pulmonary venous connections in three). Eight patients (50%) presented with obstructed CTS. Twelve patients (75%) underwent surgical intervention. Mortality occurred in three patients (19%) with two surgical (one with total anomalous pulmonary venous connection and another with SV) and one nonsurgical (septal defect with Fanconi anemia). The surgical median follow up was 4.7 years. Recurrence of the membrane occurred in two patients (17%). Conclusions: This study showed good long‐term outcomes for patients with isolated and complex CTS. Complete and proper classification of CTS ensures appropriate diagnosis, surgical planning, and better family counseling which may correlate with outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Warden procedure has been described for repair of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connections inserted high into the superior vena cava. In the current report, we describe a new modification. Methods: A total of six patients (five females, 83%) with a mean age of 18.8 ± 10.8 years, underwent a modified Warden procedure with a descending thoracic aortic (DTA) homograft connected to the free wall of the right atrium, rather than to the right atrial appendage in the period between June 2021 and July 2022. Results: All patients had evidence of enlarged right‐sided cardiac chambers. Two patients had intact interatrial septum (33.3%), while three patients had sinus venosus (50%) and one had secundum atrial septal defects (16.7%). The procedure was performed via minimally invasive right thoracotomy in half of the patients. Patients were extubated in the operating room or soon after. No early mortality or reoperation. One patient required concomitant aortic root replacement and one needed repair of anomalous left upper pulmonary vein connection to the left innominate vein. Follow‐up was complete in all patients with a mean of 6.2 ± 4.6 months. No late mortality or reoperation. All patients were discharged on antiplatelet therapy. Follow‐up imaging studies showed satisfactory repair with widely patent superior vena caval and pulmonary venous pathways. Conclusions: The use of DTA homograft to facilitate superior vena caval translocation in the modified Warden procedure appears to be beneficial as it decreases tension on the anastomosis and avoids the need for anticoagulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The traditional outcomes of the Fontan operation (FO) in endocardial cushion defect (ECD) patients have been suboptimal. Previous studies have been limited by the smaller number of ECD patients, longer study period with an era effect, and do not directly compare short‐term outcomes of FO in ECD patients with non‐ECD patients. Our study aims to address these shortcomings. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the Kids Inpatient Database (2009, 2012, and 2016) for the FO was done. The groups were divided into those who underwent FO with ECD as compared to non‐ECD diagnosis. The data were abstracted for demographics, clinical characteristics, and operative outcomes. Standard statistical tests were used. Results: Three thousand three hundred eighty patients underwent the FO of which 360 patients (11%) were FO‐ECD. ECD patients were more likely to have Down syndrome, Heterotaxy syndrome, transposition/DORV, and TAPVR as compared to non‐ECD patients. FO‐ECD had a higher discharge‐mortality (2.84% vs. 0.45%, p =.04). The length of stay (16 vs. 13 days, p =.05) and total charges incurred ($283, 280 vs. $234, 106, p =.03) for the admission were higher in the FO‐ECD as compared to non‐ECD patients. In multivariable analysis, ECD diagnosis, cardiac arrest, acute kidney injury, and postoperative hemorrhage were predictors of mortality. Conclusion: Contemporary outcomes for FO are excellent with very low overall operative mortality. However, the outcomes in ECD patients are inferior with higher operative mortality than in non‐ECD patients. The occurrence of postoperation complications and a diagnosis of ECD were predictive of a negative outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Opinion is divided about optimal early timing of the Fontan Operation (FO). While some studies have suggested 3 years‐of‐age, others have shown good outcomes below 2 years‐of‐age. We analyzed the impact of age ≤2 years as compared age >2 years on short‐term outcome of the FO using a large national database. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the Kids Inpatient Database (2009‐16) for the FO was done. The groups were divided into those who underwent FO at age ≤2 years (Early FO [EF]) as compared to age >2 years (Late FO [LF]). The data was abstracted for demographics, clinical characteristics, and operative outcomes. Standard statistical tests were used. Results: A total of 3381 patients underwent FO during this period of which 1482 (44%) were EF. The mean ages of the EF and LF were 1.6 and 4.3, respectively (p <.001). LF were more likely to be non‐White, female, and have Heterotaxy syndrome. HLHS was more common in EF. There was no difference in the discharge mortality, length of stay, disposition (majority went home), and mean total charges incurred. The overall discharge mortality was low at 0.7% (24/3381). In multivariate analysis: cardiac arrest, acute kidney injury, mechanical ventilation >96 h, endocardial cushion defect and non‐White ethnicity were predictors of a mortality and not age. Conclusion: Contemporary outcomes for FO are excellent with equivalent short‐term outcomes in both the age groups. Occurrence of postoperative complications, non‐White ethnicity and endocardial cushion defect diagnosis were predictive of a negative outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Disordered coagulation, clot formation and distal limb ischemia are complications of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) with significant morbidity and mortality. Medicinal leech therapy (hirudotherapy) has been attempted in plastic and orthopedic surgeries to improve venous congestion and salvage ischemic flaps. To our knowledge this has not been reported in pediatric cardiac surgery or during ECMO support. We present a complex neonate whose ECMO course was complicated by distal limb ischemia for whom leech therapy was attempted.Patient and Intervention: A 2-week-old 2.7 kg infant required ECMO support secondary to perioperative multiorgan system dysfunction following repair of critical coarctation and ventricular septal defect. Despite systemic anticoagulation, his clinical course was complicated by arterial thrombus, vasopressor-induced vascular spasm and bilateral distal limb ischemia. Medicinal leech therapy was tried after initially failing conventional measures.Result: Following the third leech application, this patient developed significant hemorrhage from the web space adjacent to the left great toe. An estimated 450 ml of blood loss occurred and more than 300 ml of blood product transfusions were required. He ultimately progressed to irreversible systemic end organ dysfunction and comfort care was provided.Conclusion: The use of medicinal leech therapy in pediatric cardiac surgery may be considered to minimize the consequences of advanced limb ischemia and venous congestion. However, this should be used with caution while patients are systemically anticoagulated during ECMO support. A directed review is presented here to assist in determining optimal application and potential course of therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Median sternotomy has been the standard for pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) in patients with free pulmonary regurgitation (PR) and right ventricular enlargement. With the introduction of transcatheter therapy, the search for an alternate to sternotomy is mandated. We present our early experience with a limited anterior left thoracotomy approach.Methods: We used a left anterior mini-thoracotomy in six male patients (15 ± 1.94 years of age) who developed progressive right ventricular enlargement due to chronic PR.Results: Primary diagnoses were tetralogy of Fallot in five patients and pulmonary atresia with an intact septum in another. Four patients had previous median sternotomy with transannular patch repair. The mean right ventricular end-diastolic volume index was 189 ± 27.13 ml/m2 . The procedure was feasible in all patients. All patients had satisfactory adult size pulmonary bioprosthesis (25 or 27 mm valve), with a mean peak gradient of 18 ± 2.40 mmHg across the prosthesis at discharge. All patients were extubated intraoperatively at the end of the procedure and required no intraoperative transfusions. There were no early or late mortalities. Early morbidities included left hemidiaphragm paralysis in one patient, and re-sternotomy for prosthetic valve endocarditis in one. One patient required late reoperation for a common femoral artery pseudoaneurysm.Conclusions: Minimally invasive access for PVR is feasible in both primary and repeat settings, through a limited anterior left minithoracotomy in the absence of intracardiac shunts and the need for other concomitant cardiac procedures. Longer-term studies with a larger number of patients are needed to compare the efficacy of this approach to standard sternotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) is a rare congenital condition, and dual-drainage connection PAPVR to the left atrium has been reported in a few cases in the literature; in which cases, percutaneous catheterization was successfully used in lieu of surgery. We, hereby, describe a 7-month-old boy with a functional single-ventricle physiology with dual drainage of the left upper pulmonary vein to the left atrium and the innominate vein. Appropriate recognition of this entity allowed safe occlusion of the anomalous draining vein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Limited literature is available on the best management strategy for tricuspid valve (TV) disease in adults. We sought to review our long-term outcomes of TV surgery with regard to survival and reoperation. METHODS A retrospective analysis of all patients ≥18 years of age [ n  = 2541, aged 67 ± 13years, 1433 (56%) females] who underwent first-time TV surgery between January 1993 and December 2013 was done. There were 1735 patients who received TV repair and 806 patients underwent replacement. A gradient boosting machine model was used to derive a propensity score for predicting replacement using 27 preoperative characteristics. Four hundred and eighteen propensity-matched pairs of TV repair and replacement were identified. Cox proportional hazard regression was used on the matched subset to determine the effect of replacement. RESULTS Functional TV regurgitation was present in 54% (n  = 1369). A bioprosthesis was used in 84% (n  = 680) of replacements, while 54% (n  = 934) of TV repairs were ring annuloplasties. Operative mortality was 8% (n  = 212). Overall survival was 54%, 29% and 13% at 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively. After propensity score matching, replacement was significantly associated with increased mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 1.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18–2.00; P  = 0.001]. The cumulative incidence of TV reoperation was similar between the 2 groups when accounting for the competing risk of death [Fine–Gray HR 1.56, 95% CI 0.9–2.8; P  = 0.144]. CONCLUSIONS TV surgery is associated with poor outcomes due to multiple patient comorbidities. TV repair results in better survival compared to replacement in patients with similar comorbidities with no increased risk of getting a reoperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aortic dilation and aortic valve disease are known long-term complication of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), but the risk of aortic dissection and the indications for prophylactic aortic surgery are unknown in this population. The purpose of this study was to: (1) determine the prevalence of significant aortic valve disease and/or significant aortic aneurysm (AVD-AA); (2) determine the incidence of progressive aortic dilation and aortic dissection in patients with TOF.Methods: Retrospective review of adults with repaired TOF, and no prior aortic valve/aorta surgery, who had ≥2 measurements of the thoracic aorta >12 months apart, 1990-2017. The aortic root and mid-ascending aorta were measured at the onset of QRS complex from leading edge to leading edge. Significant aortic valve disease was defined as the presence of ≥moderate aortic stenosis and/or ≥moderate aortic regurgitation. Significant aortic aneurysm was defined as aortic root or mid-ascending aorta dimension ≥50 mm. Progressive aortic dilation was defined as increase in aortic dimension ≥2 mm.Results: Of the 453 consecutive patients (37±13 years, men 216 (49%)) in the study, aortic aneurysm was present in 312 (69%) based on normative data; progressive aortic dilation occurred in 40 (9%), and there was no case of aortic dissection. Significant AVD-AA occurred in 52 (12%) patients; and 15 of them (29%) underwent aortic surgery without any surgical mortality.Conclusions: Although aortic aneurysm was common, progressive aortic dilation was uncommon and aortic dissection did not occur in our patients with TOF with significant aortic aneurysms who did not undergo aortic surgery. This has important clinical implication in deciding the frequency of imaging follow-up and timing of surgical intervention in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We know that unicuspid aortic valves can present as unicommissural- or acommissural valves.[2] Thus, an aortic valve with only one commissure is simply a unicuspid aortic valve and not a bicuspid aortic valve. Unicuspid aortic valves are no bicuspid aortic valves - It's time to retire the Sievers-classification Keywords: aorta and great vessels; valve repair/replacement EN aorta and great vessels valve repair/replacement 4202 4203 2 01/02/23 20221201 NES 221201 A general misconception that unicuspid aortic valves (UAV) are just a subtype of bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) has now been perpetuated in the medical and surgical community for nearly two decades,[1] and there is no end in sight. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: aortic insufficiency; aortic regurgitation; homotransplantation; Hufnagel; plastic valve EN aortic insufficiency aortic regurgitation homotransplantation Hufnagel plastic valve 5679 5680 2 01/02/23 20221201 NES 221201 I read with interest the article by Vendramin et al.[1] reminding us with the 70th anniversary for the first artificial heart valve that was invented by Hufnagel and was first implanted in 1952. Hufnagel revisited: a descending thoracic aortic valve to treat prosthetic valve insufficiency. Aortic insufficiency, aortic regurgitation, homotransplantation, plastic valve, Hufnagel. [Extracted from the article]

A healthy 20‐year‐old male presented with aborted sudden death. Both thoracic echocardiography and cardiac computed tomographic angiography demonstrated the characteristic findings of ALCAPA noting a dilated and tortuous right coronary artery, dilated coronary collateral arteries within the interventricular septum or along the surface of the heart, and visualization of the left coronary artery origin from the posterior aspect of the main pulmonary artery. Both imaging modalities demonstrated all three characteristic findings of this rare coronary anomaly and served as complementary imaging studies for surgical correction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Determine the role of diastolic function indices in pre-operative and post-operative risk stratification in patients with moderate mixed aortic valve disease (MAVD). Methods and results A retrospective study was conducted of asymptomatic patients with moderate MAVD (a combination of moderate aortic stenosis and moderate aortic regurgitation) and an ejection fraction of 50% or more who were followed up at Mayo Clinic from 1 January 2004, to 31 December 2013. A pre-requisite for inclusion in the study was assessment of diastolic function involving at least three of the following indices: tissue Doppler early diastolic velocity (e'), mitral inflow early velocity (E), tricuspid regurgitation velocity, and left atrial volume index. Primary endpoints were aortic valve replacement (AVR) or cardiac death while secondary endpoints were cardiovascular adverse events (CAEs) after AVR. We defined CAEs as stroke, heart failure hospitalization, severe left ventricular dysfunction, and cardiac death. There were 214 patients (age 61 ± 8 years, men 146 [68%]) followed for 6.1 ± 2.3 years during which 162 (76%) AVRs and 11 (5%) cardiac deaths occurred. The multivariable risk factors for cardiac death or AVR were relative wall thickness (RWT) > 0.42 [hazard ratio (HR), 1.88 [95% CI, 1.28-2.59]; P = 0.001] and average E/e' >14 (HR, 1.94 [95% CI, 1.29-3.01]; P = 0.02). Freedom from CAE after AVR was significantly lower in the patients with baseline RWT>0.42 or mean E/e' >14 than the other patients: 79% (95% CI 74-83%) vs. 94% (95% CI 89-98%) at 3 years (P = 0.03). Conclusion The presence of RWT>0.42 or E/e' >14 identifies a high-risk patient subset whose risk for cardiovascular morbidities persists even after AVR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Infective endocarditis (IE) remains a life-threatening disease, despite the improvement in diagnostic and therapeutic measures. We reviewed our outcomes for all adults who underwent surgery for endocarditis at our centre. METHODS: Between January 1995 and December 2013, 801 patients [586 men (73%)] underwent surgery for IE. Mean age was 60 ± 14.7 years. Native endocarditis (NE) was present in 372 patients (46%), and 379 (47%) patients had active IE. The mean follow-up period was 4.6 4.75 years (maximum 20 years). RESULTS: Single-valve endocarditis was present in 551 (69%) patients (392 aortic and 159 mitral). Multivalve involvement was present in 250 (31%) patients. Preoperative stroke was present in 149 (19%) patients, while 62 (8%) patients were on dialysis prior to surgery. Valve repair was possible in 122 (15%) patients, while 679 (85%) patients underwent valve replacement. Mechanical valves were used in 312 (39%) patients. Aortic homografts were used in 84 (10%) patients. Earlymortality occurred in 64 (8%) patients. Overall survival at 5, 10 and 20 years was 68%, 45% and 8.4%, respectively. Postoperative stroke occurred in 16 (2%) patients, while 59 (7%) patients required new dialysis postoperatively. Multivariate analysis revealed active IE (P = 0.002), preoperative dialysis (P = 0.007), previous coronary artery bypass grafting (P = 0.001), root abscess (P = 0.006) and tricuspid valve or multivalve involvement (P = 0.002) to be predictors of early mortality. The need for dialysis (P < 0.001), previous coronary artery bypass grafting (P < 0.001) andmitral valve (P = 0.002) and tricuspid valve/multivalve involvement (P < 0.001) were significant predictors of late mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Active IE is associated with high perioperative mortality especially with multivalve and aortic root involvement. Preoperative stroke has no impact on perioperative mortality. Long-term survival for those who survived the immediate postoperative period is satisfactory, and mechanical valves are associated with the best long-term survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Patients with symptomatic severe mitral annular calcification present a therapeutic challenge. Direct transatrial implantation of SAPIEN valve has emerged as an alternative to surgical mitral valve (MV) replacement for high-risk surgical candidates. METHODS: This series includes 6 consecutive patients with symptomatic severe mitral annular calcification deemed to be at high risk for standard surgery. All patients underwent direct transatrial implantation of balloon-expandable SAPIEN valve in the mitral position. RESULTS: Mean age was 81 years [3 (50%) female], with an average Society of Thoracic Surgeons score of 10.3%. All patients had at least New York Heart Association Class III symptoms. Procedure was performed using normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. The MV was approached through a standard left atriotomy in 4 patients and via a vertical trans-septal approach in the remaining 2 patients. Resection of the anterior leaflet of the MV was performed in 4 patients. The valve was successfully deployed in all patients. The diastolic mean gradient across the MV decreased from an average of 14 ± 3 to 5 ± 1 mmHg post deployment. There was no left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. MV periprosthetic regurgitation was severe in 3 patients and moderate to severe in 1 patient. In-hospital mortality occurred in 3 (50%) patients due to a non-cardiac cause in 1 patient and cardiogenic shock in the other 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Early experience with direct transatrial balloon-expandable implantation for severe mitral annular calcification revealed feasibility of this approach but significant morbidity and mortality primarily related to periprosthetic regurgitation that requires further refinement of the technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Limited data exist regarding the outcomes of non-cardiac procedures (NCPs) in adult patients after Fontan operations (Fontan patients).Methods: To compare procedural outcomes after NCPs in Fontan patients with outcomes for two matched control groups: patients with repaired congenital heart disease and biventricular circulation (CHD-BiV) and patients with no heart disease (NHD). We defined cyanosis as oxygen saturation <90% and procedural hypoxia as saturation <80% or a decrease in saturation >10% from baseline.Results: There were 538 NCPs in 154 Fontan patients (mean age, 30 years) performed in 1990-2015. Sedation and anaesthesia types were monitored anaesthesia care (256,48%), general anaesthesia (51,9%), minimal sedation (105,20%), local anaesthesia (75,14%) and regional anaesthesia (51,9%). Ninety-three complications occurred in 79 procedures (15%) and included arrhythmia requiring intervention (9), hypotension (14), bradycardia (8), hypoxia (38), heart failure requiring intravenous diuretics (2), acute kidney injury (3), bleeding requiring blood transfusion (1), unplanned procedures for dialysis catheter placement (2), readmission (2), unplanned hospitalisation for hypoxia (8) and unplanned transfer to intensive care unit (1). Baseline cyanosis was the only multivariable risk factor for complications (HR, 1.87 (95% CI 1.14 to 3.67), p=0.04). Procedural complications were more common in the Fontan group (18%) than in the CHD-BiV (5%) and NHD groups (1.4%) (p=0.001).Conclusions: Complications after NCPs were more common in Fontan patients, and baseline cyanosis was a risk factor for complications. All-cause mortality was low and may be related to the multidisciplinary care approach used for Fontan patients at our centre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to compare the rates of in-hospital and 30-day major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) including death, stroke, myocardial infarction and repeat revascularization in patients with multivessel disease undergoing multiarterial (MultArt) coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with the left internal mammary artery/saphenous vein (LIMA/SV) CABG or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: From 1 January 1993 to 31 December 2009, 12 615 consecutive patients underwent isolated primary CABG (n = 6667) with LIMA/SV (n = 5712) or MultArt (n = 955) or were treated by PCI (n = 5948) with balloon angioplasty (n = 1020), bare metal stent (n = 3242), and drug-eluting stent (n = 1686). We excluded patients with acute myocardial infarction. We matched the CABG group with the 3 PCI subgroups, and the PCI group with the 2 CABG subgroups. Multivariable analyses were used to evaluate the impact of CABG versus PCI and their subgroups on early MACCE. RESULTS: Unadjusted early MACCE were lower for MultArt (1.5%) than for LIMA/SV (4.5%, P < 0.001) and PCI (8.5%, P < 0.001). In matched analysis, CABG had lower early MACCE versus balloon angioplasty (4.7% vs 13.2%, P < 0.001), bare metal stent (4.3% vs 8.3%, P < 0.001), and drug-eluting stent (2.9% vs 5.5%, P = 0.008), as well as LIMA/SV versus PCI (4.6% vs 9.2%, P < 0.001) and MultArt versus PCI (1.8% vs 7.8%, P < 0.001). Stroke rate was similar in MultArt versus PCI (0.8% vs 0.3%, P = 0.18) but higher with LIMA/SV versus PCI (2.3% vs 0.4%, P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, PCI (odds ratio 4.53, 95% confidence interval: 2.62-7.83; P < 0.001) and LIMA/SV (odds ratio 2.04, 95% confidence interval: 1.18-3.53; P < 0.011) were strong predictors of early MACCE compared with MultArt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Bicuspid aortic valve; Aortic valve repair; Classification EN Bicuspid aortic valve Aortic valve repair Classification 1 1 1 06/06/23 20230501 NES 230501 To the Editor, In 2019, a paradigm shift occurred in our understanding of bicuspid aortic valves, which has largely gone unnoticed in the greater medical and scientific community. Google Scholar Crossref Search ADS PubMed WorldCat 3 Jahanyar J, de Kerchove L, Tsai PI, Said SM, El Khoury G. Unicuspid aortic valves are no bicuspid aortic valves - it's time to retire the Sievers-classification. In a dual-centre study, de Kerchove I et al. i [[1]] demonstrated that bicuspid aortic valves represent a spectrum of valve morphologies that can range from perfectly symmetric valves, without a raphe, to very tricuspid-like phenotypes. [Extracted from the article]

High-risk sternotomy incisions represent a challenge at the time of wound closure. We present an alternate wound closure technique that can be used in high-risk sternotomy incisions and consists of a combination of space-obliterating sutures and negative pressure (suction using wound VAC) therapy. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12388 (J Card Surg 2015;30:346-350) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Pulmonary emboli (PE) can result in significant hemodynamic instability that requires urgent intervention; however, the management of peripheral emboli has been controversial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We present two patients in whom a right ventricular assist device (RVAD) was used in treating peripheral pulmonary embolism, applying the technique of pulmonary artery catheter-directed thrombolysis after resuscitation with an RVAD. RESULTS: The clot burden was not suitable for surgical embolectomy due to its peripheral locations. The patients' hemodynamic conditions improved with thrombolytic therapy and gradually were weaned off the RVAD. Follow-up scans showed near resolution of all PE. CONCLUSION: Catheter-directed thrombolysis with an RVAD as an adjunct should be considered in management of peripheral PE. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12185 (J Card Surg 2013;28:611-615). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Pulmonary emboli (PE) can result in significant hemodynamic instability that requires urgent intervention; however, the management of peripheral emboli has been controversial. Patients and Methods: We present two patients in whom a right ventricular assist device (RVAD) was used in treating peripheral pulmonary embolism, applying the technique of pulmonary artery catheter-directed thrombolysis after resuscitation with an RVAD. Results: The clot burden was not suitable for surgical embolectomy due to its peripheral locations. The patients' hemodynamic conditions improved with thrombolytic therapy and gradually were weaned off the RVAD. Follow-up scans showed near resolution of all PE. Conclusion: Catheter-directed thrombolysis with an RVAD as an adjunct should be considered in management of peripheral PE. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12185 (J Card Surg 2013;28:611-615) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a clinical entity in which there is unexplained hypertrophy of the left ventricle in the absence of another cardiac or systemic etiology. Variants of HCM may include basal, midventricular, apical or diffuse types. In this review, the authors summarize the current surgical treatment and outcomes of septal myectomy in HCM. HCM is a unique primary myocardial disease characterized by hypertrophy of the myocardium. It is associated with a variety of presentations that range from asymptomatic to sudden cardiac death. Previously known as idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis, HCM is recognized as a genetic predisposition to myocardial hypertrophy. Medical treatment is the first-line therapy for patients with symptoms due to left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. However, septal myectomy continues to be an excellent treatment option for those intolerant of or unresponsive to medical therapy. In this paper, the authors review the role of surgery in HCM and the different variants of this unique disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Apical and midventricular hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are rare variants of HCM, in which the hypertrophy is located mainly at the midventricular to apical levels. Heart transplantation was the only possible surgical solution for many of these patients; however, transapical myectomy represents another good alternative. We present our surgical technique of apical ventriculotomy for apical and midventricular myectomy. Technique: A 6-cm incision is made at the apex of the heart lateral to the left anterior descending coronary artery. The apical ventriculotomy provides excellent exposure of the midventricle for midventricular myectomy. The apical approach also allows access to the left ventricle for apical myectomy to enlarge the chamber. During apical myectomy, particular care is necessary to avoid injury to papillary muscles, which are often displaced with apical HCM. Secure closure of the ventriculotomy can be achieved with a double layer of suture reinforced with felt, and no complications of false aneurysm have been observed. Conclusions: The transapical approach provides excellent exposure of the apex and midventricle, and the technique is useful when myectomy is aimed at eliminating the ventricular obstruction and/or enlarging the left ventricular cavity size in patients with apical hypertrophy. (J Card Surg 2012;27:443-448) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Synovial sarcoma primarily arises in para-articular locations of the extremities. However, numerous unique sites of origin have been reported. There are only 5 known cases of primary intravascular synovial sarcoma. Methods. We present the second reported case of synovial sarcoma arising from the inferior vena cava (IVC) in a 41-year-old woman with progressive fatigue, abdominal distension, and lower-extremity swelling. This is the first known case with a monophasic histological subtype. Results. The tumor arose from the retrohepatic IVC with cephalad extension into the right atrium. Excision required cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, followed by bovine pericardial patch reconstruction of the IVC. Conclusions. Primary synovial sarcoma of the IVC is rare. The use of cardiopulmonary bypass with or without deep hypothermic circulatory arrest may be required if there is tumor extension into the heart. Bovine pericardium is an excellent material for caval reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]