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Objectives: Mayo Clinic's hospital-at-home program, Advanced Care at Home (ACH), launched in 2020. While hospital-at-home literature reported safe and effective care for the general patient population and those with COVID, comparative outcomes between these two groups were unknown. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to compare the outcomes of COVID and non-COVID patients enrolled in ACH and evaluate if COVID patients can be safely treated in this setting., Methods: Demographics, clinical characteristics, and safety outcomes were retrospectively analyzed to compare COVID and non-COVID patients discharged from ACH between November 2020 and May 2022. Patient characteristics analyzed included severity of illness (SOI) and risk of mortality (ROM), calculated using All Patient Refined Diagnosis Related Groups (APR-DRG). Hospitalization-specific variables included length of stay (LOS), escalation of care, and 30-day readmission rates., Results: Of 1051 patients, 173 (16%) had COVID, and 878 (84%) were non-COVID patients. The average age in the COVID cohort was 66.6 (15.3) years, compared with 72.2 (14.0) in the non-COVID cohort. Extreme SOI was higher in the COVID group (43.3% versus 17.4%), as was extreme ROM (46.2% versus 16.2%), but LOS was shorter (5.7 versus 7 days). Escalation of care (7.5% in COVID cohort versus 8.4%) and 30-day readmission outcomes (9.2% for COVID patients versus 12.9%) were not statistically different between the groups., Conclusions: Despite higher SOI and ROM, COVID patients had shorter LOS with outcomes that were not statistically different from non-COVID patients. COVID patients can be safely and efficiently cared for in ACH., Competing Interests: The authors disclose no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: There are limited long-term, single-cohort, follow-up studies available about patients after the Fontan operation., Objectives: This study sought to determine the long-term outcome of all patients who had a Fontan operation at the Mayo Clinic., Methods: Records of all patients who had a modified Fontan operation between 1973 and 2012 were reviewed. A follow-up questionnaire was mailed to all patients alive at the time of the study., Results: Overall, 10-, 20-, and 30-year survival for 1,052 patients was 74%, 61%, and 43%, respectively. Factors associated with decreased overall or late survival in multivariate analysis included pre-operative diuretic use, longer cardiopulmonary bypass time, operation prior to 1991, atrioventricular valve (AVV) replacement at the time of Fontan operation, elevated post-bypass Fontan (>20 mm Hg) or left atrial (>13 mm Hg) pressures, prolonged chest tube drainage (>21 days), post-operative ventricular arrhythmias, renal insufficiency, and development of protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). Pre-operative and intraoperative sinus rhythm were associated with improved survival. Long-term survival was similar for patients regardless of ventricular morphology. The most common reoperations were pacemaker insertion/revision in 212 patients (20%), Fontan revision/conversion in 117 patients (11%), and AVV repair/replacement in 66 patients (5%). Clinically significant late atrial or ventricular arrhythmias occurred in 468 patients (44%). Ninety-five patients (9%) developed PLE, and 5-, 10-, and 20-year survival after diagnosis of PLE was 50%, 35%, and 19%, respectively., Conclusions: As the surgical techniques for the Fontan operation have changed over the last 40 years, survival has improved. However, development of PLE and arrhythmias and the need for reoperation during long-term follow-up pose significant management challenges., (Copyright © 2015 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: We conducted a retrospective study to assess whether providing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support to elderly patients (aged 70 years or more) who failed separation from cardiopulmonary bypass after cardiac surgery was a viable option., Methods: From 2003 to 2013, 45 patients aged 70 years or more underwent 47 runs of ECMO postoperatively., Results: There were 31 men (68.9%). The mean age was 76.8 years. Five patients were in cardiogenic shock preoperatively. Forty-four patients required venoarterial ECMO support for cardiogenic shock. Mean duration of support was 103.8 ± 74.3 hours. Twenty-one patients (46.6%) died while on ECMO support. Twenty-four patients (53.3%) were weaned off ECMO initially, and 11 patients were discharged from hospital. Inhospital mortality was 75.6%. Postoperative complications included acute kidney injury in 30 patients (44.4%), pneumonia in 12 (26.7%), and sepsis in 11 (24.4%). There were 30 deaths (88.2%) attributable to cardiac causes. Preoperative atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney injury, lactic acidosis on ECMO support, and persistent coagulopathy were associated with higher mortality., Conclusions: Postcardiotomy ECMO support in elderly patients is associated with high postoperative morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, it often provides the last line of therapy for these critically ill patients and may provide positive outcomes in selected subgroups., (Copyright © 2015 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Tetralogy of Fallot, or double-outlet right ventricle with atrioventricular (AV) septal defect (TOF/DORV-AVSD), is rare, with limited long-term data available. We report our institutional experience and outcome over a 50-year period., Methods: From January 1961 to January 2011, 73 patients (50 males [68%]), with a mean age of 6.8 ± 4.4 years (range, 1 month to 35 years), underwent surgical repair of TOF/DORV-AVSD. Symptoms included cyanosis in 50 (69%) and heart failure in 12 (17%). Down syndrome was present in 25 (34%). Rastelli type A, B, and C was seen in 12%, 7%, and 81% of patients, respectively. Moderate or more common AV valve (AVV) regurgitation was present in 40%. Forty-nine patients (67%) had previous palliation, including 36 with a systemic-to-pulmonary arterial shunt., Results: Surgical management included two-ventricle complete repair (CR) in 35 (48%) and single-ventricle (SV) palliation in 38 (52%). Overall, early mortality was 31% for CR and 34% for SV; after 1990, mortality was 6% for CR and 14% for SV. Repair before 1990 (p = 0.008) and the presence of significant common AVV regurgitation (p = 0.016) were univariate risk factors for early death in both groups. Median follow-up was 9.8 years (maximum, 32 years). Late mortality rate was 12% in CR (n = 6) and 18% (n = 9) in SV (p = 0.95). The presence of significant right AVV regurgitation was associated with late death (p = 0.02). Overall survival at 1, 5, and 15 years was 92%, 77%, and 77% in CR, and 83%, 79%, 70% in SV (p = 0.9). Freedom from reoperation at 1, 5, and 15 years was 95%, 85%, 67% in CR and 96%, 91%, 82% in SV (p = 0.1). Reoperations were most common for right ventricular outflow tract pathology, Fontan revision, and AVV intervention. Right AVV regurgitation (p = 0.018) and repair before 1990 (p = 0.041) were risk factors for late reoperation in both groups., Conclusions: Complete repair of TOF/DORV-AVSD is standard of care and associated with low early mortality rate in the current era, with reasonable long-term outcome. SV palliation continues to have significant risk. The presence of AVV regurgitation is a significant risk factor for death and reoperation., (Copyright © 2013 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Ventricular fibrillation occurs commonly after aortic crossclamping in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Ventricular fibrillation increases myocardial oxygen consumption, and defibrillation may harm the myocardium. Thus, a pharmacologic approach to decreasing the incidence of ventricular fibrillation or the number of shocks required may be beneficial. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether amiodarone or lidocaine was superior to placebo for the prevention of ventricular fibrillation after aortic crossclamping in patients undergoing a variety of cardiac surgical procedures., Methods: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery requiring aortic crossclamping were randomized to receive lidocaine 1.5 mg/kg, amiodarone 300 mg, or placebo before aortic crossclamp removal The primary outcomes were the incidence of ventricular fibrillation and the number of shocks required to terminate ventricular fibrillation., Results: A total of 342 patients completed the trial. On multivariate analysis, there was no difference in the incidence of ventricular fibrillation among treatment groups. The number of required shocks was categorized as 0, 1 to 3, and greater than 3. On multivariate analysis, patients receiving amiodarone required fewer shocks to terminate ventricular fibrillation (odds ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.31-0.83; P = .008 vs placebo). There was no difference between lidocaine and placebo in the number of required shocks (odds ratio, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.52-1.41; P = .541)., Conclusions: In patients undergoing a variety of cardiac surgical procedures, neither amiodarone nor lidocaine reduced the incidence of ventricular fibrillation. Amiodarone decreased the number of shocks required to terminate ventricular fibrillation., (Copyright © 2012 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The success of endovascular therapies for descending thoracic aortic disease has turned attention toward stent graft options for repair of aortic arch aneurysms. Defining the role of such techniques demands understanding of contemporary results of open surgery., Methods: The outcomes of open arch procedures performed on a single surgical service from July 1, 2001 to August 30, 2010, were examined as defined per The Society of Thoracic Surgeons national database., Results: During the study period, 209 patients (median age, 65 years; range, 26-88) underwent arch operations, of which 159 were elective procedures. In 65 the entire arch was replaced, 22 of whom had portions of the descending thoracic aorta simultaneously replaced via bilateral thoracosternotomy. Antegrade cerebral perfusion was used in 78 patients and retrograde cerebral perfusion in 1. Operative mortality was 2.5% in elective circumstances and 10% in emergency cases (P = .04). The stroke rate was 5.0% when procedures were performed electively and 11.8% when on an emergency basis (P = .11). Procedure-specific mortality rates were 5.5% for elective and 10% for emergency procedures with total arch replacement, and 1.0% for elective and 10% for emergency procedures with hemiarch replacement. Stratified by extent, neurologic event rates were 5.5% for elective and 10% for emergency procedures with total arch and 4.8% for elective and 12.5% for emergency procedures with hemiarch replacement., Conclusions: Open aortic arch replacement can be performed with low operative mortality and stroke rates, especially in elective circumstances, by a team with particular focus on the procedure. The results of novel endovascular therapies should be benchmarked against contemporary open series performed in such a setting., (Copyright © 2012 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Use of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) in multivessel coronary artery disease improves survival after coronary artery bypass graft surgery; however, the survival benefit of multiple arterial (MultArt) grafts is debated., Methods and Results: We reviewed 8622 Mayo Clinic patients who had isolated primary coronary artery bypass graft surgery for multivessel coronary artery disease from 1993 to 2009. Patients were stratified by number of arterial grafts into the LIMA plus saphenous veins (LIMA/SV) group (n=7435) or the MultArt group (n=1187). Propensity score analysis matched 1153 patients. Operative mortality was 0.8% (n=10) in the MultArt and 2.1% (n=154) in the LIMA/SV (P=0.005) group, which was not statistically different (P=0.996) in multivariate analysis or the propensity-matched analysis (P=0.818). Late survival was greater for MultArt versus LIMA/SV (10- and 15-year survival rates were 84% and 71% versus 61% and 36%, respectively [P<0.001], in unmatched groups and 83% and 70% versus 80% and 60%, respectively [P=0.0025], in matched groups). MultArt subgroups with bilateral internal mammary artery/SV (n=589) and bilateral internal mammary artery only (n=271) had improved 15-year survival (86% and 76%; 82% and 75% at 10 and 15 years [P<0.001]), and patients with bilateral internal mammary artery/radial artery (n=147) and LIMA/radial artery (n=169) had greater 10-year survival (84% and 78%; P<0.001) versus LIMA/SV. In multivariate analysis, MultArt grafts remained a strong independent predictor of survival (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-0.94; P=0.007)., Conclusions: In patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery with LIMA to left anterior descending artery, arterial grafting of the non-left anterior descending vessels conferred a survival advantage at 15 years compared with SV grafting. It is still unproven whether these results apply to higher-risk subgroups of patients.

Objective: We reviewed our experience with the single-patch, 2-patch, and caval division techniques for repair of a partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection., Methods: From 1990 to 2009, 124 patients (65 male patients; 52%) were identified. The single-patch, two-patch, and caval division technique was used in 60 (49%), 24 (19%), and 40 (32%) patients, respectively. The median age was 34.5 years (range, 1-76). Of the 124 patients, 99 (80%) had an atrial septal defect., Results: There was no early mortality. Survival at 5, 10, and 15 years was 99%, 95%, and 82%, respectively. One patient (3%) in the caval division group required early reoperation for superior vena caval obstruction. All patients, exept for 3, had regained sinus rhythm at discharge. Late superior vena caval obstruction developed in 3 patients (7.5%) in the caval division group, 3 (5%) in the single-patch group, and 1 (4%) in the 2-patch group (Р = .5). Two patients underwent reoperation for late pulmonary vein obstruction: 1 (2%) in the single-patch group and 1 (4%) in the 2-patch group (P = .08). A permanent pacemaker was required in 3 patients (3%)., Conclusions: Surgical treatment of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connections is associated with excellent outcomes. The overall incidence of late superior vena caval or pulmonary vein stenosis is low. Although not significant, the 2-patch technique might be associated with a greater incidence of sinus node dysfunction and late pulmonary venous stenosis. The late development of superior vena caval obstruction is a concern with all techniques, necessitating close follow-up., (Copyright © 2012 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Recent reports have shown that robotic mitral valve repair is effective in treating posterior leaflet disease; however, comparison with trans-sternal (open) valvuloplasty for all prolapse categories has not been performed. Moreover, data from the recently published EVEREST II trial infer that adverse event rates after mitral valve repair for degenerative disease are high. We therefore compared early outcomes of robotic versus open mitral valve repair for patients with mitral valve prolapse., Methods: Among 745 consecutive patients undergoing open or robotic mitral repair for degenerative disease, 95 propensity-matched pairs were identified. Leaflet prolapse categories were similar between groups. Complete mitral valve repair was performed using identical techniques., Results: Median crossclamp and bypass times were longer in the robotic group but decreased significantly over time (P < .001). There were no conversions to open sternotomy, repair rate and early survival were 100%, dismissal mitral regurgitation grade was similar (P = 1.00), and all patients in the robotic group had mild or less mitral regurgitation at 1 month after repair. There were no differences in adverse events (5% open vs 4% robotic, P = 1.00). Patients in the robotic group had shorter postoperative ventilation time, intensive care unit stay, and hospital stay., Conclusions: Robotic mitral valve repair allows complete anatomic correction of all categories of leaflet prolapse using techniques identical to open approaches. Robotic repair effectively corrects mitral regurgitation, offers excellent freedom from adverse events, and facilitates rapid weaning from ventilation, translating into earlier hospital dismissal. Safety and efficacy after both open and robotic mitral valve repair are higher than recently reported in the EVEREST II trial and establish a benchmark against which nonsurgical therapies should be evaluated., (Copyright © 2011 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is associated with ascending aortopathy predisposing to aneurysmal dilatation and dissection, even after successful aortic valve replacement (AVR). There is, however, scant evidence on which to make recommendations for prophylactic replacement of the ascending aorta at the time of AVR. The medical records of patients who underwent AVR for BAV without aortic replacement or repair from 1960 to 1995 were reviewed. Follow-up was by review of the medical record and postal questionnaire. Among 1,286 patients, the mean age at operation was 58 ± 14 years. During the follow-up interval (median 12 years, range 0 to 38), there were 13 documented aortic dissections (1%), 11 ascending aortic replacements (0.9%), and 127 documented cases of progressive aortic enlargement (9.9%). Fifteen-year freedom from aortic dissection, enlargement, or replacement was 89% (95% confidence interval [CI] 87% to 91%) and was lower in patients with documented aortic enlargement at the time of AVR (85%, 95% CI 81% to 89%) compared to those whose aortic dimensions were normal (93%, 95% CI 90% to 96%) (p = 0.001). Multivariate predictors of aortic complications included interval (subsequent) AVR (hazard ratio [HR] 3.5, 95% CI 2.3 to 5.4, p <0.001), concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.7 to 4.0, p <0.001), enlarged aorta (HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.6, p = 0.001), and history of tobacco abuse (HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.6, p = 0.003). Aortic dilatation did not predict mortality. In conclusion, despite a true risk for aortic events after AVR for BAV, the occurrence of aortic dissection was low. Any incremental surgical risk imposed by prophylactic replacement of the ascending aorta must be equally low., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: We aimed to review recent experience at our institution in the diagnosis and treatment of pericardial effusion after cardiac surgery and to identify risk factors for its development., Methods: We searched our clinical database for patients 18 years or older who had cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass from 1993 through 2005. For patients with pericardial effusion (study group), medical records were reviewed to evaluate its manifestations and management. To identify risk factors for effusion, study patients were compared with patients without effusions. A second analysis compared the study group with a cohort without effusions who had routine postoperative echocardiographic examination., Results: Of 21,416 patients identified, 327 (1.5%) had pericardial effusion (study group), 280 (86%) of whom had nonspecific symptoms. Clinical features of tamponade were documented in 138 patients (42%). Effusions were evacuated by echocardiography-guided pericardiocentesis (n = 169, 52%) or surgical drainage (n = 75, 23%). Effusion resolved after left thoracocentesis for pleural effusion in 3 patients (1%); 67 patients (20%) were treated conservatively. In 13 cases (4%), recurrent effusion required drainage after initial pericardiocentesis. Independent risk factors for effusion were larger body surface area, pulmonary thromboembolism, hypertension, immunosuppression, renal failure, urgency of operation, cardiac operation other than coronary artery bypass grafting, and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass. Previous cardiac operations were associated with lower risk of effusion., Conclusions: In our study, pericardial effusion occurred in 1.5% of patients, and symptoms were nonspecific. Several factors, mainly related to preoperative characteristics and type of operation, predispose patients to effusion. Echocardiography-guided pericardiocentesis is effective and safe in these patients., (2010 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to review the long-term functional outcome of patients with Ebstein anomaly who had cardiac operation at our institution., Background: Ebstein anomaly is a spectrum of tricuspid valvular and right ventricular dysplasia. Many patients will require operation in an attempt to improve quality of life., Methods: From April 1, 1972, to January 1, 2006, 539 patients with Ebstein anomaly underwent 604 cardiac operations at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Patient records were reviewed, and all patients known to still be alive were mailed a medical questionnaire or contacted by telephone., Results: At the initial operation at our institution, the mean age of the patients was 24 years (range 8 days to 79 years) and 53% were female patients. Survival at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years was 94%, 90%, 86%, and 76%, respectively. Survival free of late reoperation was 86%, 74%, 62%, and 46% at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years, respectively. Surveys were returned by 285 of 448 (64%) patients known to be alive at the time of this study. Two hundred thirty-seven (83%) patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I or II, and 34% were taking no cardiac medication. One hundred three patients (36%) reported an incident of atrial fibrillation or flutter, 5 patients (2%) reported having had endocarditis, and 1 patient (<1%) reported having a stroke. There were 275 pregnancies among 82 women. The recurrence of congenital heart disease was reported in 9 of 232 (3.9%) liveborn children., Conclusions: Patients have good long-term survival and functional outcomes after undergoing surgery for Ebstein anomaly. Atrial arrhythmias are common both before and after surgery. Many patients have had one or more successful pregnancies with a low-recurrence risk of congenital heart disease.

Objectives: Intraductal mucinous papillary neoplasm (IPMN) is being recognized with increasing frequency around the world. The true incidence, however, remains unknown. Our goal was to determine the incidence of IPMN in a population study., Methods: We used the records-linkage system of the Rochester Epidemiology Project to ascertain age- and sex-adjusted incidence rates of IPMN in Olmsted County, Minn, from January 1, 1984, to December 31, 2005. We also evaluated the number of prevalent cases as of December 31, 2005., Results: We identified 28 incident cases of IPMN. The age- and sex-adjusted cumulative incidence for IPMN in Olmsted County is 2.04 cases per 100,000 persons (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-2.80) from 1984 to 2005. Point prevalence on December 31, 2005, was 25.96 cases per 100,000 persons (95% CI, 14.53-37.38 cases) or 1 per 3852. Restricting to county residents 60 years and older, the point prevalence is 99.10 cases per 100,000 persons (95% CI, 54.40-143.79 cases) or one per 1009 persons. Thirty-two percent of patients were treated surgically. The 5-year survival rate after diagnosis was 59.6%., Conclusions: The incidence of IPMN in Olmsted County is low but increasing. Most patients do not die of complications related to the disease.