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Aims: Septal myectomy is the treatment of choice for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). Around 30-60% of patients with HOCM have a secondary mitral valve regurgitation due to systolic anterior motion (SAM). We report our experience with extended septal myectomy and its impact on the incidence of concomitant mitral valve procedures., Methods: This is a retrospective study on 84 patients who underwent SM from January 2008 to February 2022. Surgical procedure was performed according to the concept of 'extended myectomy' described by Messmer in 1994. Follow-up outcomes in terms of survival, hospital admissions for heart failure or MV disease, cardiac reoperations, and pacemaker (PMK) implantation were recorded., Results: Mean age was 61 ± 15 years. Mitral valve surgery was performed in seven cases (8%); particularly only one patient without degenerative mitral valve disease underwent mitral valve surgery, with a plicature of the posterior leaflet. In-hospital mortality was 5%. Mitral valve regurgitation greater than mild was present in four patients (5%) at discharge. Twelve-year survival was 78 ± 22%. Cumulative incidence of rehospitalization for heart failure and rehospitalization for mitral valve disease was 10 ± 4 and 2.5 ± 2.5%, respectively. PMK implantation was 5% at discharge, with a cumulative incidence of 15 ± 7%. Freedom from cardiac reoperations was 100%., Conclusion: Septal myectomy for HOCM is associated with good outcomes. Although concomitant surgery on the mitral valve to address SAM and associated regurgitation has been advocated, these procedures were needed in our practice only in patients with intrinsic mitral valve disease. Adequate myectomy addresses the underlying pathophysiology in most patients., (Copyright © 2024 Italian Federation of Cardiology - I.F.C. All rights reserved.)

Background: Procedural volume has been documented as an important contributor to operative outcomes for most complex surgical procedures. Mitral valve repair (MVRep) has been associated with excellent results, and it is increasingly adopted in many cardiac surgical centers. We sought to investigate if procedural volume is associated with better clinical long-term outcomes after MVRep., Methods: We analyzed the 10-year outcomes after MVRep by procedural volume for each cardiac surgery center in an Italian Region, Lazio, during the last 15 years, using a regional administrative dataset., Results: Between 2006 and 2020, 4961 patients were treated in seven cardiac surgery centers for an isolated mitral valve surgery (2677 underwent MVRep). At multivariate analysis, mitral valve replacement (MVR) (vs. MVRep) resulted one of the independent predictors of 30-day mortality [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 3.40; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.96-5.90; P  < 0.0001]. Notably, a clear association between hospital volume of mitral valve surgery (>40 per year) and high rate of MVRep (>50%) was found. At 10 years, the incidence of mortality and the rate of death and rehospitalization for heart failure after MVRep were significantly lower in high-volume vs. low-volume hospitals., Conclusion: Our data suggest that hospital volume is associated with a high rate of MVRep and long-term benefits in terms of mortality and recurrence of heart failure., (Copyright © 2023 Italian Federation of Cardiology - I.F.C. All rights reserved.)

Aims: To compare early and late mortality of acute isolated tricuspid valve infective endocarditis (TVIE) treated with valve repair or replacement., Methods: Patients who were surgically treated for TVIE from 1983 to 2018 were retrieved from the Italian Registry for Surgical Treatment of Valve and Prosthesis Infective Endocarditis. All the patients were followed up by means of phone interview or calling patient referral physicians or cardiologists. Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess late survival and survival free from TVIE recurrence with log-rank test for univariate comparison. The primary end points were early mortality (30 days after surgery) and long-term survival free from TVIE recurrence., Results: A total of 4084 patients were included in the registry. Among them, 149 patients were included in the study. Overall, 77 (51.7%) underwent TV repair and 72 (48.3%) TV replacement. Early mortality was 9% (13 patients). Expected early mortality according to EndoSCORE was 12%. The TV repair showed lower mortality and major complication rate (7% and 16%), compared with TV replacement (11% and 25%), but statistical significance was not reached. Median follow-up was 19.1 years (14.3-23.8). Late deaths were 30 and IE recurrences were 5. No difference in cardiac survival free from IE was found between the two groups after 20 years (80 ± 6% Repair Group vs 59 ± 13% Replacement Group, P = 0.3)., Conclusions: Overall results indicate that once surgically addressed, TVIE has a low recurrence rate and excellent survival, apparently regardless of the type of surgery used to treat it., (Copyright © 2022 Italian Federation of Cardiology - I.F.C. All rights reserved.)

An increased need of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is going to become evident as treatment of SARS-CoV-2 respiratory distress syndrome. This is the first report of the Italian Society for Cardiac Surgery (SICCH) on preliminary experience with COVID-19 patients receiving ECMO support. Data from 12 Italian hospitals participating in SICCH were retrospectively analyzed. Between March 1 and September 15, 2020, a veno-venous (VV) ECMO system was installed in 67 patients (94%) and a veno-arterio-venous ECMO in four (6%). Five patients required VA ECMO after initial weaning from VV ECMO. Thirty (42.2%) patients were weaned from ECMO, while 39 (54.9%) died on ECMO, and six (8.5%) died after ECMO removal. Overall hospital survival was 36.6% (n = 26). Main causes of death were multiple organ failure (n = 14, 31.1%) and sepsis (n = 11, 24.4%). On multivariable analysis, predictors of death while on ECMO support were older age (p = 0.048), elevated pre-ECMO C-reactive protein level (p = 0.048), higher positive end-expiratory pressure on ventilator (p = 0.036) and lower lung compliance (p = 0.032). If the conservative treatment is not effective, ECMO support might be considered as life-saving rescue therapy for COVID-19 refractory respiratory failure. However warm caution and thoughtful approaches for timely detection and treatment should be taken for such a delicate patients population., Competing Interests: Disclosure: The authors have no conflicts of interest to report., (Copyright © ASAIO 2021.)

Aims: A global outbreak of Mycobacterium chimaera infections following cardiac surgery and linked to contaminated heater-cooler units (HCUs) is currently ongoing. Neither the status of this outbreak in Italy nor the mitigation strategies adopted by adult cardiac surgery units (ACSUs) are currently known. In 2017, the Italian Society of Cardiac Surgery launched a national survey among the Italian ACSU to shed some light on this issue., Methods: In Italy, there are 90 ACSUs across 20 regions. From May to November 2017, these ACSUs were surveyed collecting data on patients diagnosed with MC infections, ACSU workload, HCU models in use and control measures adopted in the operatory room., Results: The response rate was 87.8%. The median number of cardiac procedures at each ACSU was 450/year [interquartile range (IQR) 350-650 procedures/year], and nationally, the number of procedures/year exceeded 40k. In Italy, seven patients with M. chimaera infections following cardiac procedures have been reported since 2015: all had aortic or valvular surgery as the first procedure; the median latency between the first operation and the infection was 2 years (IQR 2-3.25). Mortality for patients requiring redo cardiac surgery was 50%. M. chimaera infections risk was 0.4-1 patient every 1000 cardiac procedures. The most common HCU model in Italy is the 3T HCU (70.9%). The most common control measures adopted included implementing new HCU disinfection protocols, using sterile or filtrated water in the HCU and displacing HCU fans away from the patient: HCU replacement and microbiology testing were instead infrequent., Conclusion: In Italy, the risk of contracting M. chimaera infections and the mortality reported are in line with other European countries, but significant heterogeneity exists on the mitigation strategies adopted to prevent further M. chimaera inoculations, suggesting the development of national guidelines.

Right ventricular failure after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is still an unsolved issue and remains a life-threatening event for patients. We undertook this study to determine predictors of the patients who are candidates for isolated LVAD therapy as opposed to biventricular support (BVAD). We reviewed demographic, echocardiographic, hemodynamic, and laboratory variables for 258 patients who underwent both isolated LVAD implantation and unplanned BVAD because of early right ventricular failure after LVAD insertion, between 2006 and 2017 (LVAD = 170 and BVAD = 88). The final study patients were randomly divided into derivation (79.8%, n = 206) and validation (20.1%, n = 52) cohorts. Fifty-seven preoperative risk factors were compared between patients who were successfully managed with an LVAD and those who required a BVAD. Nineteen variables demonstrated statistical significance on univariable analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified destination therapy (odds ratio [OR] 2.0 [1.7-3.9], p = 0.003), a pulmonary artery pulsatility index <2 (OR 3.3 [1.7-6.1], p = 0.001), a right ventricle/left ventricle end-diastolic diameter ratio >0.75 (OR 2.7 [1.5-5.5], p = 0.001), an right ventricle stroke work index <300 mm Hg/ml/m (OR 4.3 [2.5-7.3], p < 0.001), and a United Network for Organ Sharing modified Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Excluding INR score >17 (OR 3.5 [1.9-6.9], p < 0.001) as the major predictors of the need for BVAD. Using these data, we propose a simple risk calculator to determine the suitability of patients for isolated LVAD support in the era of continuous-flow mechanical circulatory support devices.

In this clinical picture we present two cases of left atrial myxoma that differed very much in their clinical presentation.

Mechanical circulatory support devices have been increasingly used for long-term support. We reviewed outcomes in all patients supported with a SynCardia total artificial heart (TAH) for more than 1 year to assess its safety in long-term support. As of December 2011, all 47 patients who received the TAH from 10 centers worldwide were included in this retrospective study. Clinical data were collected on survival, infections, thromboembolic and hemorrhagic events, device failures, and antithrombotic therapy. The mean age of patients was 50 ± 1.57 years, the median support time was 554 days (range 365-1373 days). The primary diagnosis was dilated cardiomiopathy in 23 patients, ischemic in 15, and "other" in 9. After a minimum of 1 year of support, 34 patients (72%) were successfully transplanted, 12 patients (24%) died while on device support, and 1 patient (2%) is still supported. Five patients (10%) had a device failure reported. Major complications were as follows: systemic infections in 25 patients (53%), driveline infections in 13 patients (27%), thromboembolic events in 9 patients (19%), and hemorrhagic events in 7 patients (14%). SynCardia TAH has proven to be a reliable and effective device in replacing the entire heart. In patients who reached a minimum of 1 year of support, device failure rate is acceptable and only in two cases was the leading cause of death. Infections and hemorrhagic events were the major causes of death. Patients who remain supported beyond 1 year are still likely to survive to transplantation.

Purpose of Review: The present review discusses the current concepts of fluid management in cardiothoracic surgery, and its clinical implications with special reference to organ-related complications and their prevention., Recent Findings: Current strategies in fluid management for cardiothoracic patients, various fluid formulation, and the preventive strategies for minimizing fluid-related complications are described, with particular reference to new discoveries and controversies that have arisen from recent literature., Summary: The optimal fluid management in cardiothoracic patients has not been settled. Results of recent clinical published trials highlight the need for minimizing fluid administration and attempting to use diuretics to achieve a negative fluid, although hypovolemia and hypoperfusion should be carefully considered. An individualized optimization of fluid status, using goal-directed therapy, has emerged as a possible preferable approach. The old debate between crystalloid and colloid solutions has been partially solved, as some colloids have demonstrated deleterious effect on renal function and coagulation system. Various preventive strategies have also emerged for minimizing fluid-related complications.

Aims: Most patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) show a limited exercise capacity. A correlation between exercise tolerance and diastolic dysfunction has already been demonstrated. On the contrary, the role of rest-induced or exercise-induced obstruction as a determinant of exercise capacity is still open to debate. The aim of the present study was to analyse the exertional behaviour of patients with HCM presenting different left ventricle (LV) obstructive profiles., Methods: Thirty-five consecutive patients with HCM (mean age 45 ± 14 years, 23 men) underwent echocardiography during cardiopulmonary exercise (CPX) testing. Non-invasive measurement of cardiac output was obtained with an inert gas rebreathing system at the beginning and at peak of exercise., Results: Fifteen patients (43%) had neither resting nor provocable obstruction (group A: non-obstructive profile), 12 patients (34%) showed provocable obstruction during exercise (group B: latent-obstructive profile) and eight patients (23%) presented obstruction at rest (group C: rest-obstructive profile). Group A and B patients showed higher peak oxygen consumption in comparison with group C patients (24 ± 6 and 23 ± 6 vs. 17 ± 3 ml/kg per min; P = 0.016) and a greater increment of cardiac index during exercise (6.6 ± 1.3 and 6.0 ± 1.4 vs. 4.6 ± 0.8 l/min per m; P = 0.004)., Conclusion: In comparison with the rest-obstructive profile, latent and non-obstructive HCM patients seem to share a similar exertional behaviour characterized by a greater increment of cardiac index during exercise and a minor impairment of exercise tolerance. Accordingly, in HCM patients not obstructive at rest, latent obstruction cannot be suspected based on exertional behaviour and functional capacity. Echocardiography performed during CPX test providing an important adjunct, may be valuable in guiding treatment in patients with substantial exercise limitation.

The Levitronix CentriMag (Levitronix LLC, Waltham, MA) ventricular assist device (VAD) is a magnetically levitated rotary pump designed for temporary extracorporeal support. Between February 2004 and May 2010, 42 consecutive adult patients were supported with Levitronix at our institution (32 men; age 62.3 ± 10.5 years, range: 31-76 years). Indications for support were (group A, n = 37) failure to wean from the cardiopulmonary bypass in the setting of postcardiotomy (n = 23), primary donor graft failure (n = 4), or right ventricular failure after axial left VAD (LVAD) placement (n = 10) and (group B, n = 5) refractory heart failure after acute myocardial infarction. The mean support time was 11.2 ± 6.8 days (range: 3-43 days) in group A and 8.6 ± 4.3 days (range: 5-11 days) in group B. In the postcardiotomy cohort (group A), 11 (47.8%) patients were weaned from support as all were supported graft failure patients. Eight patients of axial LVAD cohort were weaned from right VAD (RVAD). One patient was bridged to heart transplantation (Htx). Thirteen (35.1%) patients died on support in group A. In group B, one patient was bridged to Htx and four died on support. In overall population, bleeding requiring reoperation occurred in 15 (35.7%) cases and cerebral major events in four (9.5%). There were no device failures. Of the 23 (54.7%) patients who recovered and were discharged home, 20 (47.6%) are presently alive, and additionally, two patients of both groups who were bridged to Htx (overall n = 22, 52.3%). The Levitronix proved to be useful in patients previously considered nonsuitable for transplantation or long-term assist device. The device was technically easy to manage, and the results were encouraging.

A rare cause of valvular heart disease is the deposition of foreign material in the valvular tissues, including material accumulating as a result of inborn errors of metabolism of the essential amino acids. Alkaptonuria can result in accumulation of homogentisic acid. We report the case of a patient with alkaptonuria undergoing surgery for aortic valve replacement.

Objectives: This study was designed to describe the Doppler-echocardiography normal values in the early postoperative phase for Carpentier-Edwards Perimount Aortic Heart Valve bioprosthesis (CEP), St. Jude Medical (SJM) or Medical Regent (SJMR) Mechanical Heart Valves, evaluated by a single experienced echo-laboratory., Methods: Five hundred and ninety-seven consecutive patients in our hospital, who had had a CEP, a SJM or SJMR-17 mm implanted due to aortic stenosis, underwent a control Doppler-echocardiography evaluation 4-7 days after surgery. Hemodynamic performance of SJM, SJMR and CEP were accurately described, evaluating flow-dependent (trans-prosthetic velocities and gradients) and flow-independent (effective orifice area, indexed effective orifice area and Doppler velocity index) Doppler-echocardiography parameters., Results: Of the 597 patients 50.6% were women (n = 302). Mean age was 66.3 +/- 11.7 years. Mean body surface area (BSA) was 1.76 +/- 0.22 m. Mean ejection fraction was 55.3 +/- 10.3%. Two hundred and sixty CEPs and 337 St. Jude mechanical valves (301 SJM and 36 SJMR size-17) were implanted. Comparing size-by-size SJM to CEP, the former were basically less flow obstructive., Conclusion: Our data confirm the wide range of variability, pointing out the need to perform routinely an accurate baseline Doppler-echocardiography evaluation of the hemodynamic profile of prosthetic aortic valves, including flow-dependent and independent parameters, to allow an adequate interpretation at follow-up.

Objectives: The excellent results with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have revolutionized the treatment options for end-stage heart failure. The use of pulsatile devices is associated with significant comorbidity and limited durability. The axial-flow HeartMate II LVAD represents the new generation of devices. The clinical use of this pump resulted in superior outcomes. We review the HeartMate II technology, management, clinical usage and our experience., Methods: Between 3/2002 and 12/2008, 18 transplantable adult patients were supported on long-term HeartMate II LVAD at our institution (13 men, age 52 +/- 8.4 years, range: 31-64 years). Primary indications were: ischemic cardiomyopathy (CMP) (n = 13), idiopathic CMP (n = 5). All patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class IV heart failure. None of patients had prior open-heart surgery. Implantation via cannulation of the left ventricular apex and the ascending aorta was always elective., Results: Mean support time was 217 +/- 212.3 days (range: 1-665 days). Early (30-day) mortality was 27.7% (five patients) with multiple organ failure and sepsis as main causes of death. Bleeding requiring reoperation occurred in six (33.3%) cases. Cerebral hemorrhage occurred in one patient. There were two driveline infections and no device failure. Twelve (66.6%) patients were successfully discharged home. Overall nine patients (50%) were transplanted and two patients are actually waiting for a suitable organ (n = 2 patients discharged home and n = 1 patient in hospital). At latest, follow-up survival rate after heart transplantation is 66.6% (six patients)., Conclusion: Long-term HeartMate II LVAD provides good mid-term, long-term results. This new technology requires delicate management. Functional status and quality of life greatly improve in patients who survive the perioperative period.

Background: Pharmacokinetic modeling supports trough monitoring of everolimus, but prospective data comparing this approach versus mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in de novo cardiac transplant recipients are currently unavailable., Methods: In a 12-month multicenter open-label study, cardiac transplant patients received everolimus (trough level 3-8 ng/mL) with reduced cyclosporine A (CsA) or MMF (3 g/day) with standard CsA, both with corticosteroids+/-induction therapy., Results: In total, 176 patients were randomized (everolimus 92, MMF 84). Mean creatinine clearance was 72.5+/-27.9 and 76.8+/-32.1 mL/min at baseline, 65.4+/-24.7 and 72.2+/-26.2 mL/min at month 6, and 68.7+/-27.7 and 71.8+/-29.8 mL/min at month 12 with everolimus and MMF, respectively. The primary endpoint was not met since calculated CrCl at month 6 posttransplant was 6.9 mL/min lower with everolimus, exceeding the predefined margin of 6 mL/min. However, by month 12 the between-group difference had narrowed versus baseline (3.1 mL/min). All efficacy endpoints were noninferior for everolimus versus MMF. The 12-month incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection International Heart and Lung Transplantation grade more than or equal to 3A was 21 of 92 (22.8%) with everolimus and 25 of 84 (29.8%) with MMF. Adverse events were consistent with class effects including less-frequent cytomegalovirus infection with everolimus (4 [4.4%]) than MMF (14 [16.9%], P=0.01)., Conclusion: Concentration-controlled everolimus with reduced CsA results in similar renal function and equivalent efficacy compared with MMF with standard CsA at 12 months after cardiac transplantation.