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The aim of this prospectively randomized study was to evaluate the hemodynamic and functional outcomes after aortic valve replacement with three different bileaflet mechanical valves.From March 1996 to August 1998, 300 consecutive patients were randomly assigned to receive ATS (n = 100), Carbomedics (n = 100), or St Jude Medical Hemodynamic Plus (n = 100) mechanical aortic valve replacement. There were no significant differences regarding patient age (61 +/- 8 years), gender, NYHA, aortic valve pathology, ventricular morphology, ejection fraction and requirement for additional procedures at implant. Mean follow-up extends to 95 +/- 21 months at a total of 2,891 patients years and is in 95.3% complete.Implanted valve sizes were comparable at 24 +/- 2 mm (ATS), 23.7 +/- 1.6 mm (CM), and 23.6 +/- 1.9 mm (SJMHP) (NS). Follow-up results were: transvalvular flow velocities 2.3/2.3/2.2 m/s, ejection fraction 64/59/63%, trivial transvalvular incompetence 3/3/2; paravalvular leak 2/3/2; freedom of reoperation 100/99/99%, NYHA functional status 1.5/1.8/1.6, overall survival 86.4/82.8/80.6%, freedom from thrombembolic events 100/96/98%, freedom from hemorrhage 100/100/99%, freedom from all valve related events was 100/96/98%; respectively (NS). There were no episodes of endocarditis. Ninety-four percent of the patients were satisfied with the procedure enjoying an enhanced daily life activity.There are no clinically relevant differences among the tested bileaflet aortic valves. Regardless of valve type, there was a rather low complication rate in this relatively young population. All three bileaflet prostheses are well suited for aortic valve replacement.

The aim of the study was to create an anatomical correct 3D rapid prototyping model (RPT) for patients with complex heart disease and altered geometry of the atria or ventricles to facilitate planning and execution of the surgical procedure. Based on computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images, regions of interest were segmented using the Mimics 9.0 software (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium). The segmented regions were the target volume and structures at risk. After generating an STL-file (StereoLithography file) out of the patient's data set, the 3D printer Ztrade mark 510 (4D Concepts, Gross-Gerau, Germany) created a 3D plaster model. The patient individual 3D printed RPT-models were used to plan the resection of a left ventricular aneurysm and right ventricular tumor. The surgeon was able to identify risk structures, assess the ideal resection lines and determine the residual shape after a reconstructive procedure (LV remodelling, infiltrating tumor resection). Using a 3D-print of the LV-aneurysm, reshaping of the left ventricle ensuring sufficient LV volume was easily accomplished. The use of the 3D rapid prototyping model (RPT-model) during resection of ventricular aneurysm and malignant cardiac tumors may facilitate the surgical procedure due to better planning and improved orientation.

Reconstructive heart valve surgery has become more common as surgeons make a concerted effort to perform more valve repair than valve replacement operations, and as evidence continues to accrue on the benefits of valve repair. Formitralvalve(MV)repairsurgeryinparticular,manytechniques have evolved over the last two decades. Most repair techniques have been developed to address the most common form of MV pathologic disease in developed countries, ie, degenerative MV disease, with its typical features of excess leaflet tissue, leaflet prolapse, and chordae elongation and/or rupture. We started performing the majority of our MV repair operations through a minimal invasive right lateral mini-thoracotomyin1996.Oneofthelimitationsofthisapproachisthe technical difficulty in obtaining precise neo-chordae length when using Gore-Tex (W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc, Flagstaff, AZ) sutures to correct anterior mitral leaflet prolapse. We therefore developed the “Loop technique” in 2000 as a method to reproducibly construct anterior leaflet neo-chordae through a small incision. 1 We subsequently noted that the Loop technique could also be used to correct posterior and bileaflet prolapse, and that it could be also applied through a median sternotomy. The main principle of the Loop technique is to restore native leaflet anatomy by implanting normal length mitral chordae substitutes without the excision of any leaflet tissue. The mitral chordae substitutes consist of loops of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE; Gore-Tex, W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc)sutures.Gore-Texsutureshavebeenusedformanyyears in conventional MV repair surgery with excellent long-term durability. When compared with native chordae, PTFE seems to provide nearly equivalent biomechanical properties in terms of flexibility, durability, and strength. We have found that the results of the Loop technique do not depend on the surgical approach and that it is easily applicable via a full sternotomy, through minimally invasive surgery with or without videoscopic guidance, or through a robotic-assisted approach. Since the minimally invasive approach is our technique of choice for MV surgery, however, the descriptions in this article are made predominantly from the viewpoint of a minimally invasive procedure. 2 We attempt to preciselydescribetheLeipzigLooptechniqueusingtheexample of a patient with isolated A1-A2 prolapse.

BACKGROUND: Patients with multivessel disease with high predicted mortality for conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) as the major target vessel may be suitable for minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) despite incomplete revascularization. METHODS: From January 1997 to December 2005, MIDCAB was performed in 80 patients (mean age 70 +/- 11.3 years) with multivessel disease. Predicted mortality was 10.2% calculated by the logistic Euroscore. Results were analyzed retrospectively for mortality, morbidity, operation time, and event-free survival, including freedom from angina, major adverse cardiac events (MACE), and reintervention. RESULTS: Mean operating time was 100 +/- 31 minutes. There was one in-hospital death (1.25%). Four patients (5%) had to be reoperated on, 2 via the minithoracotomy incision and 2 via sternotomy. Follow-up was completed in 87% of patients. During follow-up (26 months), 9 patients died. The cause of death was cardiac in 1 patient, noncardiac in 3 patients, and unknown in 5 patients. Two patients required reoperation because of progressive atherosclerosis, and 2 patients because of progressive valve disease. The actuarial 4-year survival was 85.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 72%-99%) and the event-free survival including freedom from angina, MACE, and reintervention was 81.5% [95% CI, 68%-96%]. CONCLUSION: Incomplete revascularization via MIDCAB is a safe and effective procedure in selected patients with multivessel disease. Compared to conventional CABG in high-risk patients, MIDCAB carries a lower incidence of inhospital death, neurological events, and perioperative myocardial infarction with comparable midterm results.

Despite therapeutic monitoring and daily measurements of blood concentrations (pharmacokinetics) of immunosuppressive medications, immunosuppressive therapy remains still a challenge after heart transplantation (HTx) due to drug interactions, toxicities and individual responses to drug effects. We established whole blood flow cytometric assays of lymphocyte function to assess the pharmacodynamics of immunosuppressive therapy and investigated both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic approaches after HTx. Our results showed that pharmacodynamic measurements provide a more direct assessment of the functional activity of immunosuppressants on immune cells compared to drug level monitoring alone. The information from both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic monitoring has the potential to increase the efficacy and safety of individual immunosuppressive therapy after HTx.

Since the introduction of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) for coronary multivessel disease there was growing interest to evaluate the impact of OPCAB surgery compared to conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CCAB) with cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest. However, subsequent prospective randomized studies and meta-analyses comparing OPCAB and CCAB surgery were performed on low-risk patients or mixed-risk populations. They usually failed to demonstrate a significant benefit of OPCAB surgery on early mortality or perioperative major cardiac and cerebrovascular events. In recent years, efforts were made to analyze the meaning of beating-heart concepts for patients with specific cardiac and extracardiac risks like ischemic cardiomyopathy, older age, renal failure, acute coronary syndrome, left main stenosis and others. For these subsets of patients several mono- and multicenter studies are available today. Even if most of them were nonrandomized and thus failed to reach evidence level A according to the AHA/ACC (American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology) definition, they still allow analyzing interim results for each specific perioperative risk factor. Particularly multi-risk patients and patients with severely reduced left ventricular function seem to benefit in terms of perioperative mortality and major morbidity by avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest. Analyzing early results and long-term follow-up of 364 patients with severely reduced ejection fraction

Beurteilung der klinischen Resultate nach gerustfreiem Mitralklappenersatz (QMV) im Vergleich zur Mitralklappenrekonstruktion (MKR) und zum konventionellen Mitralklappenersatz (MKE) nach 5 Jahren. Seit August 1997 wurden 155 Patienten mit nichtischamischen Mitralklappenerkrankungen untersucht. 53 Patienten (68 ± 8 Jahre, 37 weiblich) erhielten eine gerustfreie Mitralklappenprothese (QMV), 51 Patienten (69 ± 9 Jahre, 32 weiblich) eine Mitralklappenrekonstruktion (MKR) und 51 Patienten (66 ± 9 Jahre, 32 weiblich) einen konventionellen Mitralklappenersatz (MKE). Die klinische Beschwerdesymptomatik nach New York Heart Associa tion (NYHA) betrug praoperativ 3,1 ± 0,6 (QMV)/2,9 ± 0,5 (MVR)/2,9 ± 0,6 (MKE), der Euroscore 5,2 ± 2,3 (QMV)/5,0 ± 1,9 (MKR)/4,8 ± 2,6, (MKE), die linksventrikulare Ejektionsfraktion 60,5 ± 10% (QMV)/57,3 ± 13% (MKR)/58,7 ± 13% (MKE) und der Cardiac Index 2,1 ± 0,8/2 ± 0,7/2 ± 0,8 l/min/m2 (ohne signifikante Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen). Die mittlere Nachbeobachtungszeit betrug 64 ± 18 Monate (21–89 Monate). Die Operationen wurden uber eine mediane Sternotomie (32 QMV/20 MKR/34 MKE) oder eine rechte anterolaterale Minithorakotomie (21 QMV/ 31 MKR/17 MKE) durchgefuhrt. Die Ischamiezeit betrug fur die QMV Implantation 81 ± 33 min und lag damit signifikant hoher als in der MKR- (54 ± 23 min) und MKE-Gruppe (58 ± 24 min; p < 0,05). Echokardiographisch ergaben sich mittlere Druckgradienten von 4,8 ± 1,9 (QMV)/3,6 ± 1,7 (MKR)/4,3 ± 1,4 mmHg (MKE); dies liegt im Bereich der Normalwerte fur Bioprothesen. Die Klappenoffnungsflachen waren bei den QMV-Implantationen, MKRs und MKE-Implantationen postoperativ (2,9 ± 0,7/3,3 ± 0,8/3,2 ± 0,8 cm2) und bei den Nachuntersuchungen (2,5 ± 0,6/3 ± 0,9/2,6 ± 0,9 cm2) mit den Normwerten fur kunstliche Prothesen vergleichbar. Insgesamt konnten bis zu 89 Monate nach Implantation der QMV gute klinische und dopplerechokardiographische Ergebnisse im Vergleich zum konventionellen MKE festgestellt werden. Somit kann nach Implantation einer QMV eine standardisierte und ausreichende hamodynamische Funktion gewahrleistet werden. Die Fruhmortalitat der MKE-Gruppe (n = 5) war signifikant hoher als in der QMV- (n = 1) und MKR-Gruppe (n = 2). Reoperationen mussten bei sechs (QMV), zwei (MKR) und drei (MKE) Patienten durchgefuhrt werden. Die 5-Jahres-Uberlebensrate war mit 80,5 ± 4,4% (QMV), 82,6 ± 5,6% (MKR) und 80,2 ± 5,5% (MKE) nicht signifikant verschieden und mit der altersgleichen regionalen Bevolkerung vergleichbar. Die mittelfristigen Ergebnisse nach QMV-Implantation sind vielversprechend. Die QMV stellt eine Alternative zum biologischen MKE dar.

Objective Closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defects is generally performed by using an interventional approach. We evaluated the outcome of patients requiring secondary surgical therapy. Methods From September 1996 until December, 2005, 418 patients received interventional and 297 patients underwent surgical closure of an ostium secundum atrial septal defect at our center. Another 15 patients (local, 5; regional, 5; and national, 5 referrals) had complications after occluder placement, and they form the study population. Results Indications for surgical repair in these 15 patients were dislocation of the occluder in 5, neurologic events after occluder placement in 5, residual defects in 4, and sepsis with questionable occluder infection in 1 patient. A total of 7 patients had neurologic events, 5 of embolic origin. The interval between interventional occluder placement and definitive surgical repair was 319 ± 416 days (median 123 days; range 0–1395 days). Patient age at operation was 34.9 ± 18.6 years. Nine patients were operated on via an anterolateral minithoracotomy, and 6 received a conventional sternotomy. One patient with sepsis underwent abdominal surgery on postoperative day 1 and subsequently died of multiorgan failure; there was no proof of occluder endocarditis. At 2.2 ± 1.9 years of follow-up, all other patients had returned to full-time work without residual neurologic impairment. Conclusions Complications may arise after interventional ostium secundum atrial septal defect closure. This must be evaluated against the extremely low risk of a standard surgical closure. The functional outcome after secondary surgical ostium secundum atrial septal defect closure with removal of an occluder system is excellent.

Hintergrund Ziel dieser Sudie war die Bewertung der Machbarkeit der minimal invasiven transapikalen Aortenklappenimplantation (TAP-AKI) am schlagenden Herzen bei Hochrisiko-Patienten mit Aortenstenose.

Objectives This study sought to evaluate the feasibility of minimally invasive transapical repeat valve-in-a-valve (VinV) implantation. Background Reoperative heart valve replacement for degenerated xenografts is associated with an increased surgical risk. Methods Conventional Carpentier Edwards porcine aortic (n = 5) and mitral (n = 2) valve prostheses were implanted in 7 pigs. Transapical VinV implantation of a pericardial xenograft fixed within a 23-mm stainless steel, balloon expandable stent (Cribier Edwards, Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, California) was then performed under fluoroscopic and echocardiographic visualization on the beating heart with ventricular unloading via cardiopulmonary bypass and rapid ventricular pacing. Results Valve deployment was successfully performed in all cases. The radiopaque marking within the stent of the conventional aortic or mitral xenograft allowed for optimal positioning of the stent-delivered valve. All valves were firmly positioned without any migration. There were neither paravalvular nor transvalvular leaks, and good hemodynamic function was observed in all cases. All coronary arteries remained patent. Positioning and function were confirmed by autopsy in all animals. Conclusions The VinV concept is promising for minimally invasive beating heart repeat aortic or mitral valve replacement, using a stent-fixed sutureless prosthesis.

Mitral valve repair with Gore-Tex (W.L. GoreAssoc, Inc, Flagstaff, AZ) neochordae is of increasing interest. In 2000, the loop technique using premeasured Gore-Tex neochordae was introduced by our group. Herein, we report our experience with this technique in minimally invasive mitral valve repair (MVR) for degenerative disease. Between 1999 and 2006, 468 patients (328 men and 140 women) underwent elective MVR using neochordae at our institution. The mean age of the patients was 58 +/- 12.3 years. All patients had significant mitral valve regurgitation, and the mean severity was 3.5 +/- 0.6. Prolapse of the posterior leaflet was diagnosed in 393 patients (84%), and prolapse of the anterior leaflet was diagnosed in 250 patients (53.4%). Mean left ventricular function was 64.8 +/- 12.3%. All patients were operated on with the minimally invasive approach via a right lateral mini-thoracotomy, femoral cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass, and the transthoracic direct clamp technique. Mean duration of cardiopulmonary bypass was 136 +/- 40 minutes, and mean aortic clamp time was 87 +/- 31 minutes. Gore-Tex neochordae were used in 149 patients (32%) on both leaflets, in 224 patients (47.7%) on the posterior leaflet only, and in 95 patients (20.3%) on the anterior leaflet only. A mean number of 2.7 +/- 1 loops at a mean length of 21 +/- 3.3 mm were used on the A2 segment. On the P2 segment, a mean number of 3.2 +/- 1 loops at a mean length of 14.3 +/- 3.1 mm were applied. The intraoperative course was uneventful in all patients. Early reoperation for bleeding had to be performed in 18 patients (3.9%). Mean duration of hospital stay was 11.9 +/- 13 days. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.5% (7 patients), and 1-year mortality rate was 2.6% (12 patients). MVR with neochordae and the loop technique is an easy and effective treatment for degenerative mitral valve disease. The procedure is reliable and reproducible, leading to low morbidity and mortality. Thus, use of Gore-Tex neochordae has become the standard technique for MVR at our institution.

Re-sternotomy for aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with a patent internal mammary artery (IMA) graft may present a challenging surgical problem. Thus, strategies to prevent IMA graft injury include avoiding its dissection and leaving the graft open. However, when aortic cross clamping and cardioplegia are required, this approach may be associated with cardioplegia washout, suboptimal myocardial protection, and anterior myocardial wall injury. We herein describe an alternative technique for AVR on the beating heart in 4 patients with patent IMA grafts. The IMA was left unclamped and continuous retrograde coronary sinus perfusion (RCSP) was administered. Additional simultaneous antegrade venous bypass graft perfusion was established according to the extent of native coronary artery disease as well as patency and level of aortic proximal anastomoses. Using additional coronary ostia backflow control, the aortic valve was successfully replaced on the beating heart in all four cases without perivalvular leak. Postoperatively, low creatine kinase-MB fraction levels and preserved or improved ventricular function suggested very good myocardial protection. No myocardial infarction occurred in any patient. In our experience, aortic valve replacement on the beating heart using simultaneous antegrade-retrograde blood perfusion is a safe and effective method in this challenging subset of patients to prevent myocardial injury and to minimize the risk of patent IMA injury.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of minimally invasive transapical beating heart aortic valve implantation (TAP-AVI) for high-risk patients with aortic stenosis. Methods: TAP-AVI was performed via a small anterolateral minithoracotomy with or without femoral extracorporeal circulation (ECC) on the beating heart. A pericardial xenograft fixed within a stainless steel, balloon expandable stent (Cribier-Edwards, Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) was used. Thirty consecutive patients (82 � 5.1 years, 21 (70%) female) were operated from 02/06 until 09/06 at one center using fluoroscopic and echocardiographic visualization. Average EuroSCORE predicted risk for mortality was 27 � 12%. Results: Valve positioning was successful in 29 patients and one required early conversion to full sternotomy. Implantation (8 mm � 23 mm and 22 mm � 26 mm valves) was performed on the beating heart during brief periods of rapid ventricular pacing. ECC was applied in 13 patients. Neither coronary artery obstruction nor migration of the prosthesis was observed and all valves displayed good hemodynamic function. Echocardiography revealed minor paravalvular leakage in 14 patients (trace in three, mild in nine and moderate in two). Three patients (10%) died, one on postoperative day (POD) three secondary to preoperative global myocardial failure and two on POD 18 and 86 due to abdominal complications. Conclusions: Minimally invasive beating heart TAP-AVI is feasible. Initial results are encouraging in view of the high-risk profile of the patients. Long-term studies as well as randomized protocols are required. # 2007 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Este estudio presenta los resultados del uso de circulación extracorpórea con oxigenador de membrana (ECMO) para el tratamiento del shock cardiogénico posoperatorio en 219 pacientesoperados en el Herzzentrum Leipzig entre 1997 y 2002. Durante la hospitalización, el 61% de los pacientes fueron desconectados exitosamente y el 24% fueron dados de alta. Las variables predictoras de sobrevida hospitalaria fueron la edad, la ausencia de infarto preoperatorio, la ausencia de diabetes, el uso de balón de contrapulsación intraaórtico (BCIA) y el tipo de cirugía realizada. A pesar de que el ECMO está asociado con una morbimortalidadsignificativa, se ofrece a pacientes que de otra manera fallecerían.

As alternatives to standard sternotomy, surgeons have developed innovative, minimally invasive approaches to conducting valve surgery. Through very small skin incisions and partial upper sternal division for aortic valve surgery and right minithoracotomy for mitral surgery, surgeons have become adept at performing complex valve procedures. Beyond cosmetic appeal, apparent benefits range from decreased pain and bleeding to improved respiratory function and recovery time. The large retrospective studies and few small prospective randomized studies are herein briefly summarized. The focus is then directed toward describing specific intraoperative technical details in current clinical use, covering anesthetic preparation, incision, mediastinal access, cardiovascular cannulation, valve exposure, and valve reconstruction. Finally, unique situations such as pulmonic valve surgery, reoperations, beating heart surgery, and robotics are discussed.

Background Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) for revascularization of the left anterior descending artery has become a routine operation. Here we present the experience after more than 1300 MIDCAB procedures with up to 7 years of follow-up. Methods All patients undergoing standard MIDCAB between 1996 and 2004 were included. Long-term follow-up information about health status, major cardiac and cerebral adverse events, and freedom of angina was collected annually by a questionnaire or personal contact. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data could be completed for all 1347 patients. Five-year follow-up was available for 450 patients and 7-year follow-up for 194 patients. Results Mean age was 63.2 years (range, 25 to 92 years) and mean ejection fraction was 0.61 ± 0.14. In 23 patients (1.7%), intraoperative conversion to sternotomy or CPB, or both, was necessary. Early postoperative mortality was 0.8% (n = 11), and 0.4% (n = 5) had a perioperative stroke. A routine postoperative angiogram in 709 patients showed 95.6% early graft patency. Short-term target vessel reintervention was needed 55 patients (4.1%): 10 had percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty/stent and 45 had reoperation. A repeat angiogram at the 6-month follow-up was available in 350 patients and demonstrated 94.3% graft patency. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a 5-year survival of 91.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90.1% to 93.8%) and a 7-year survival of 89.4% (95% CI, 86.7% to 92.1%). The freedom of major adverse events and angina was 89.5% (95% CI, 87.4% to 91.5%) after 5 years and 83.3% (95% CI, 79.0% to 87.5%) after 7 years. Conclusions MIDCAB can be safely performed with low postoperative mortality and morbidity. The excellent short-term and long-term survival as well as freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebral events and angina compare favorably with stenting and conventional surgery.

Introduction: Cardiogenic shock (CS), which is one of the most dreadful complications following acute myocardial infarction (AMI), is an indication for emergent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) in patients not amenable for percutaneous coronary intervention. Our study aimed to identify risk factors for 30-day and long-term mortality in patients presenting with AMI complicated by CS requiring emergency CABG. Methods: Preoperative characteristics, operative parameters, and postoperative outcomes were prospectively collected for 508 patients undergoing CABG for CS complicating AMI (ST-elevation MI [STEMI]:42.9%;non-STEMI:57.1%) in our database between January 2000 and June 2014. Predictors of 30-day and long-term mortality were identified by logistic and Cox regression analyses, respectively. Results: Mean age was 69±10 years. 78.3% of patients had 3-vessel and 47% left main disease. Almost 50% of patients had left ventricular function 4mmol/l (OR:3.3;95%CI:1.7-6.5;p4mmol/l (OR:2.3,p Conclusion: Emergency CABG in patients with AMI complicated by CS was associated with high 30-day mortality, which was independently predicted by severe preoperative hemodynamic instability and presence of STEMI. Satisfactory long-term survival is observed in patients who survived the operation, demonstrating the benefit of emergency CABG.

Objective: Treatment of patients with extensive thoracic aortic disease (TAD) is performed using the different surgical techniques and is associated with higher operative mortality and morbidity as compared to other heart operations. We retrospectively evaluated our 20-years experience in treatment of TAD by analysing the early and late outcomes and identifying the clinical and surgical factors influencing them. Methods: Between July 1995 and February 2015, 1004 patients (mean age 61±11 years) underwent elective and urgent aortic arch surgery. Chronic Type A and B aortic dissection were indications for surgery in 61 (6.1%) patients whereas degenerative or atherosclerotic aneurysms accounted for the remaining 943 (93.9%) patients. Circulatory arrest was used in all patients. Antegrade selective cerebral protection (ASCP) was used in 686 (68.3%) patients. Results: The overall in-hospital mortality was 5.5 % and was significantly lower in patients who received ASCP (4.4%) compared those who did not (7.9%). Stroke and paraplegia occurred in 8.3% and 1.4% of patients, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed age >70 years (OR2.5,p=0.004), coronary artery disease (CAD) (OR 2.4, p=0.002), left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) Conclusions: Elective aortic arch surgery was associated with low early and late mortality and aorta-related reoperation rate, but increased rate of neurological complications. Use of bilateral ASCP positively influenced survival after surgery. Total aortic arch replacement was associated with worse outcomes compared to partial arch replacement.

Introduction: Assessing the impact of HTK-Bretschneider solution versus blood-cardioplegia on short- and long-term outcome after isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR). Hypothesis: HTK-Bretschneider is not inferior to Blood-cardioplegia for isolated aortic valve replacement. Methods: Screening of our institutional database revealed 7290 consecutive patients who underwent AVR between 11/1994 and 06/2015. In the majority of patients (n=5998; 83%) antegrade infusion of htk-bretschneider solution (custodiol®) was used for elective cardiac arrest (Group A). Intermittent cold blood-cardioplegia was chosen in 1007 patients (14%; Group B). All preoperative risk-factors were considered for risk-factor analysis influencing outcome. Results: Early mortality was equal between the subgroups (p=0.22). Postoperative complications like pacemaker implantation (p=0.01) or low cardiac output were more likely to occur in group B (p=0.02). Overall long term survival was inferior for patients receiving elective cardiac arrest with cold blood cardioplegia (p Conclusions: Blood-cardioplegia for elective cardiac arrest seems to be preferred when complex aortic valve surgery is expected. However, HTK-Bretschneider solution yields equivalent longevity to blood-cardioplegia, even after surgery demanding extended cross-clamp times.

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the perioperative characteristics and the short- and mid-term outcomes in patients undergoing tricuspid valve (TV) surgery for isolated TV endocarditis. Patients and Methods A total of 56 patients with isolated TV endocarditis underwent TV surgery at a single center between June 1995 and February 2012. Mean age of patients was 53.8 ± 17.1 years, 39 (69.6%) being male. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 60.4 ± 13.6% and 13 (23.2%) patients had diabetes mellitus. Average logistic EuroSCORE was 19.4 ± 17.0%. Mean follow-up was 4.7 ± 3.8 years. Results Microbiological investigations revealed positive blood cultures in 89.1% of patients and positive intraoperative swabs in 51.9%. The most common pathogen (42.9%) isolated was Staphylococcus aureus, followed by coagulase-negative staphylococcus (17.9%). Discussion A history of intravenous drug abuse (IVDA) was recorded in 11 patients (19.6%), of which 8 patients additionally had hepatitis C. A total of 15 patients (26.8%) had a permanent pacemaker/implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in situ. TV replacement was performed in 22 patients (39.3%) and TV repair was performed in 34 patients (60.7%). Overall 30-day mortality was 12.5%. Five-year survival was 63.9 ± 7.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 64.0–137.5 months). Freedom from reoperation for recurrent TV endocarditis was 91.7 ± 4.0% (95% CI: 152.3–179.3 months) at 5 years. Conclusion Blood culture is the most important tool to detect the causative pathogen causing IE of TV. The high risk of hepatitis C in patients with IVDA and IE of the TV should be mentioned.

OBJECTIVES Near-infrared spectroscopy of the collateral network (cnNIRS) has recently been trialled to monitor real-time tissue oxygenation of the paraspinous vasculature as a surrogate for spinal cord tissue oxygenation. This large animal study was designed to investigate the correlation between cnNIRS and spinal cord oxygenation by comparing it to laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), a proven method for direct oxygenation and flow assessment. METHODS Measurements were performed in seven animals. Four paravertebral cnNIRS optodes were positioned bilaterally at thoracic and lumbar levels to assess tissue oxygenation of the paraspinous vasculature. Paravertebral muscle and spinal cord oxygenation and microcirculatory flow were measured directly using LDF probes. LDF and cnNIRS were compared during consecutive repeated periods of descending aortic cross-clamping for 8 min and recovery by clamp release. RESULTS Following aortic cross-clamping, lumbar cnNIRS signals instantaneously responded with a decrease to 85 ± 4% within 30 s, and to a minimum of 69 ± 6% after 8 min, returning to baseline values after clamp release within 40 s. Direct lumbar muscle and spinal cord oxygenation assessed by LDF responded analogously to cnNIRS (muscle and spinal cord oxygenation after cross-clamping 11.3 ± 6 and 37.6 ± 22% after 5 and 8 min, respectively). Comparison between lumbar cnNIRS and LDF muscle and spinal cord measurements showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.51-0.52, P < 0.001). Thoracic cnNIRS signals remained relatively stable throughout the procedure. Lumbar paraspinous muscle oxygenation corresponded to direct spinal cord oxygenation (no significant difference, P = 0.296). CONCLUSIONS These experiments confirm that the paraspinous vasculature in the presented large animal model is directly linked to spinal cord microcirculation and that the regional paraspinous muscle oxygenation status reflects spinal cord tissue oxygenation. As lumbar cnNIRS reproducibly depicts tissue oxygenation of the paraspinous vasculature, it can be used for non-invasive spinal cord oxygenation monitoring in real-time.

Assessment of aortic regurgitation (AR) immediately after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is essential to guide further intervention in cases of relevant AR. It was the aim of this study to identify a simple and reproducible hemodynamic parameter for the assessment of AR.Relevant AR after TAVR is present in up to 21% of cases and might be associated with adverse long-term outcomes.Three hundred sixty-two consecutive patients who were treated with TAVR for symptomatic aortic valve stenosis were analyzed. AR was assessed by aortic root angiography according to the Sellers classification. For hemodynamic evaluation, the diastolic pressure-time (DPT) index was calculated after TAVR: the area between the aortic and left ventricular pressure-time curves was measured during diastole and divided by the duration of diastole to calculate the DPT index. The DPT index was finally adjusted for the respective systolic blood pressure: DPT indexadj = (DPT index/systolic blood pressure) × 100.Patients with angiographically nonrelevant AR (grade 2) had higher DPT indexadj (30.7 ± 6.8) compared with those with relevant AR (grade ≥2) (26.2 ± 5.8) (p 0.05). Patients with DPT indexadj ≤27.9 had significantly higher 1-year mortality risk in comparison with those with DPT indexadj27.9: 41.4% versus 13.5% (hazard ratio: 3.8; 95% confidence interval: 2.4 to 5.9; p [log rank-test] 0.001). In multivariate regression analysis, DPT indexadj ≤27.9 was the strongest independent predictor of 1-year mortality (hazard ratio: 2.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.8 to 3.7; p 0.001).DPT indexadj is a simple, investigator-independent parameter that should be considered to differentiate between relevant and nonrelevant AR after TAVR.

There are no data available on specific causes of death from randomized trials that have compared coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).The purpose of this study was to investigate specific causes of death, and its predictors, after revascularization for complex coronary disease in patients.An independent Clinical Events Committee consisting of expert physicians who were blinded to the study treatment subclassified causes of death as cardiovascular (cardiac and vascular), noncardiovascular, or undetermined according to the trial protocol. Cardiac deaths were classified as sudden cardiac, related to myocardial infarction (MI), and other cardiac deaths.In the randomized cohort, there were 97 deaths after CABG and 123 deaths after PCI during a 5-year follow-up. After CABG, 49.4% of deaths were cardiovascular, with the greatest cause being heart failure, arrhythmia, or other causes (24.6%), whereas after PCI, the majority of deaths were cardiovascular (67.5%) and as a result of MI (29.3%). The cumulative incidence rates of all-cause death were not significantly different between CABG and PCI (11.4% vs. 13.9%, respectively; p = 0.10), whereas there were significant differences in terms of cardiovascular (5.8% vs. 9.6%, respectively; p = 0.008) and cardiac death (5.3% vs. 9.0%, respectively; p = 0.003), which were caused primarily by a reduction in MI-related death with CABG compared with PCI (0.4% vs. 4.1%, respectively; p0.0001). Treatment with PCI versus CABG was an independent predictor of cardiac death (hazard ratio: 1.55; 95% confidence interval: 1.09 to 2.33; p = 0.045). The difference in MI-related death was seen largely in patients with diabetes, 3-vessel disease, or high SYNTAX (TAXUS Drug-Eluting Stent Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery for the Treatment of Narrowed Arteries) trial scores.During a 5-year follow-up, CABG in comparison with PCI was associated with a significantly reduced rate of MI-related death, which was the leading cause of death after PCI. Treatments following PCI should target reducing post-revascularization spontaneous MI. Furthermore, secondary preventive medication remains essential in reducing events post-revascularization. (TAXUS Drug-Eluting Stent Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery for the Treatment of Narrowed Arteries [SYNTAX]; NCT00114972).

Commentary on : Park SJ, Ahn JM, Kim YH, et al; BEST Trial Investigators. Trial of everolimus-eluting stents or bypass surgery for coronary disease. N Engl J Med 2015;372:1204–12.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3] Multivessel coronary artery disease (MVCAD) may be found in patients subjected to coronary angiography. It is treated with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The expanded use of PCI, following development of drug-eluting stents (DES), necessitated comparison of its outcomes with CABG (gold standard therapy). The SYNTAX (SYNergy between PCI with TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery) trial favoured CABG with regard to occurrence of cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), repeat revascularisation, and major cardiac and cerebrovascular events.1 New-generation DES and new antiproliferative agents have better efficacy and safety than … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DN%2BEngl%2BJ%2BMed%26rft.volume%253D372%26rft.spage%253D1204%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1056%252FNEJMoa1415447%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F25774645%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1056/NEJMoa1415447&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=25774645&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F20%2F4%2F142.atom

Background This study evaluated preoperative predictors of in-hospital death for the surgical treatment of patients with acute type A aortic dissection (Type A) and created an easy-to-use scorecard to predict in-hospital death. Methods We reviewed retrospectively all consecutive patients who underwent operations for acute Type A between 1996 and 2011 at 2 tertiary care institutions. A logistic regression model was created to identify independent preoperative predictors of in-hospital death. The results were used to create a scorecard predicting operative risk. Results Emergency operations were performed in 534 consecutive patients for acute Type A. Mean age was 61 ± 14 years and 36.3% were women. Critical preoperative state was present in 31% of patients and malperfusion of one or more end organs in 36%. Unadjusted in-hospital mortality was 18.7% and not significantly different between institutions. Independent predictors of in-hospital death were age 50 to 70 years (odds ratio [OR], 3.8; p = 0.001), age older than 70 years (OR, 2.8; p = 0.03), critical preoperative state (OR, 3.2; p p = 0.003), and coronary artery disease (OR, 2.2; p = 0.006). Age younger than 50 years (OR, 0.3; p = 0.01) was protective for early survival. Using this information, we created an easily usable mortality risk score based on these variables. The patients were stratified into four risk categories predicting in-hospital death: less than 10%, 10% to 25%, 25% to 50%, and more than 50%. Conclusions This represents one of the largest series of patients with Type A in which a risk model was created. Using our approach, we have shown that age, critical preoperative state, and malperfusion syndrome were strong independent risk factors for early death and could be used for the preoperative risk assessment.

Aims: The SYNTAX study compared PCI with TAXUS Express stents to CABG for the treatment of de novo 3-vessel and/or left main coronary disease. This study aimed to determine patient characteristics and five-year outcomes after a staged PCI strategy compared to single-session PCI. Methods and results: In the SYNTAX trial, staged procedures were discouraged but were allowed within 72 hours or, if renal insufficiency or contrast-induced nephropathy occurred, within 14 days (mean 9.8±18.1 days post initial procedure). A total of 125 (14%) patients underwent staged PCI. These patients had greater disease severity and/or required a more complex procedure. MACCE was significantly increased in staged patients (48.1% vs. 35.5%, p=0.004), as was the composite of death/stroke/MI (32.2% vs. 19%, p=0.0007). Individually, cardiac death and stroke occurred more frequently in the staged PCI group (p=0.03). Repeat revascularisation was significantly higher in staged patients (32.8% vs 24.8%, p=0.035), as was stent thrombosis (10.9% vs. 4.7%, p=0.005). Conclusions: There is a higher incidence of MACCE in patients undergoing staged compared to single-session PCI for 3-vessel and/or left main disease over the first five years of follow-up. However, these patients had more comorbidities and more diffuse disease.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has evolved into a routine procedure with good outcomes in high-risk patients.TAVR complication rates were evaluated based on prospective data from the German Aortic Valve Registry (GARY).From 2011 to 2013, a total of 15,964 TAVR procedures were registered. We evaluated the total cohort for severe vital complications (SVCs), including the following: death on the day of intervention, conversion to sternotomy, low cardiac output that required mechanical support, aortic dissection, and annular rupture; technical complications of the procedures (TCOs), such as repositioning or retrieval of the valve prosthesis and embolization of the prosthesis; and other complications.Mean patient age was 81 ± 6 years, 54% of the patients were women, the median logistic Euroscore I was 18.3, the German aortic valve score was 5.6, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 5.0. Overall in-hospital mortality was 5.2%, whereas SVCs occurred in 5.0% of the population. Independent predictors for SVCs were female sex, pre-operative New York Heart Association functional class IV, ejection fraction30%, pre-operative intravenous inotropes, arterial vascular disease, and higher degree of calcifications. TCOs occurred in 4.7% of patients and decreased significantly from 2011 to 2013. An emergency sternotomy was performed in 1.3% of the patients; however, multivariate analysis did not identify any predictors for conversion to sternotomy.The all-comers GARY registry revealed good outcomes after TAVR and a regression in complications. Survival of approximately 60% of patients who experienced SVCs or who required sternotomy underlines the need for heart team-led indication, intervention, and follow-up care of TAVR patients.

The surgical management of acute coronary syndrome still remains a challenge for the cardiac surgeon. Although most patients can be managed by percutaneous coronary intervention, for patients with complex multivessel or left main coronary artery disease (high SYNTAX score), in whom percutaneous coronary intervention is not possible or is unsuccessful, urgent or emergent coronary artery bypass graft surgery is the only available option. It is very important for surgeons to determine the optimum timing of surgical intervention, which is usually based on the clinical presentation, coronary anatomy, and biomarkers. Surgeons should be conversant with the different operative techniques, whether off- or on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery, that would help in achieving the best possible outcomes in such situations. Early and late survival of patients depends not only on an efficiently executed operation, but also on the competency of the post-operative care delivered. Modern perioperative management is reinforced by the availability of a variety of mechanical cardiopulmonary assist devices, like the intra-aortic balloon pump, the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and an array of ventricular assist devices, which aid us in managing very sick patients presenting with cardiogenic shock. The results of coronary artery bypass graft surgery for acute coronary syndrome, as published in the literature, vary significantly, because of the heterogeneity of patient populations, operative timing, and haemodynamic status, making a comparison of surgical outcomes almost impossible. Only one randomized trial has been conducted to that effect, to date. A heart team approach, involving an interventional cardiologist and a cardiac surgeon, is mandatory to determine the best treatment strategy and achieve the best possible outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Aims Recent cost-effectiveness analyses of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) versus coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have been limited by a short time horizon or were restricted to the US healthcare perspective. We, therefore, used individual patient-level data from the SYNTAX trial to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of PCI versus CABG from a European (Dutch) perspective. Methods and results Between 2005 and 2007, 1800 patients with three-vessel or left main coronary artery disease were randomised to either CABG (n=897) or PCI with drug-eluting stents (DES; n=903). Costs were estimated for all patients based on observed healthcare resource usage over 5 years of follow-up. Health state utilities were evaluated with the EuroQOL questionnaire. A patient-level microsimulation model based on Dutch life-tables was used to extrapolate the 5-year in-trial data to a lifetime horizon. Although initial procedural costs were lower for CABG, total initial hospitalisation costs per patient were higher (.17 506 vs .14 037, p >0.001). PCI was more costly during the next 5 years of follow-up, due to more frequent hospitalisations, repeat revascularisation procedures and higher medication costs. Nevertheless, total 5-year costs remained .2465/patient higher with CABG. When the in-trial results were extrapolated to a lifetime horizon, CABG was projected to be economically attractive relative to DES-PCI, with gains in both life expectancy and quality-adjusted life expectancy. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) (.5390/quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained) was favourable and remained >.80 000/QALY in

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the until now undefined extent of differences in baseline characteristics, practice patterns and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for complex coronary artery disease in the USA versus Europe. METHODS: The impact of geographic enrolment on clinical outcomes was explored using the as-treated population of 1510 patients with de novo left main and/or three-vessel disease who underwent CABG in either the SYNTAX randomized trial or registries, and who were followed up for 5 years. RESULTS: There were 259 (17%) patients enrolled in the USA. Patients in the USA had more comorbidities. Off-pump procedures were more frequent in the USA (32 vs 13% in Europe; P < 0.001), and crystalloid cardioplegia was used less often (17 vs 38% in Europe; P < 0.001). In the USA, more grafts per patient were used (3.1 +/- 0.8 vs 2.7 +/- 0.7 in Europe; P < 0.001), with less complete arterial grafting (5 vs 18% in Europe; P < 0.001) but more complete revascularization (80 vs 66% in Europe; P < 0.001). At 5-year follow-up, patients treated in the USA versus Europe had comparable rates of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs: 28.7 vs 24.3%, respectively; P = 0.11) and the composite safety endpoint of death, stroke and myocardial infarction (MI; 15.3 vs 17.5%, respectively; P = 0.43), but a significantly higher rate of repeat revascularization (15.0 vs 9.8%, respectively; P = 0.011) driven by repeat percutaneous coronary intervention (14.6 vs 9.2%; P = 0.005) and not repeat CABG (0.4 vs 0.8%; P = 0.48). Rates of graft occlusion were significantly higher in the USA versus Europe (8.7 vs 3.2%; P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, enrolment in the USA was a non-significant predictor of MACCE [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.31, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.00-1.73; P = 0.053], but independently predicted repeat revascularization (HR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.12-2.46; P = 0.011) and graft occlusion (HR = 2.65, 95% CI 1.52-4.62; P = 0.001). It was also a non-significant predictor of reduced rates of MI (HR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.14-1.06; P = 0.064). Differences between the USA and Europe were most pronounced among patients who underwent off-pump CABG. CONCLUSIONS: Repeat revascularization rates following CABG in the USA versus Europe were increased at 5 years, particularly in off-pump patients. There was no significant difference in the rate of death, stroke and MI.

Objectives: Recent evidence emerges dendritic cells (DCs) as pharmacological targets of immunosuppressive drugs. Therefore, in this study we monitored DCs in peripheral blood to compare the effects of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI: cyclosporine, tacrolimus) and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (sirolimus, SRL, everolimus, ERL) basis-immunosuppressive therapies in human heart transplanted (HTx) recipients. Methods: We compared HTx recipients which were converted from either CNI to ERL (severe renal dysfunction, n = 8), or from SRL to ERL (approval of ERL for HTx, n=8) with 20 healthy human controls. Twenty four after the last CNI or SRL dose recipients were treated with ERL/BID on days 1-3. Peripheral blood was collected at trough in the morning before and on day 4 after conversion. Percentages of positive myeloid and plasmacytoid DC (m and pDC) subsets in peripheral blood were analysed by flow cytometry. The status of maturation was further characterised by flow cytometry analysis of % expression of CD83 and % expression of various intracellular cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-12), respectively. Results: HTx recipients had higher % positive mDCs regardless the immunosuppressive therapy compared to controls (p

Seit Mitte der 90er Jahre werden koronare Bypassoperationen auch ohne Verwendung der extrakorporalen Zirkulation als „off-pump coronary artery bypass“ - Prozeduren (OPCAB) vorgenommen, um die Morbiditat der extrakorporalen Zirkulation, des kardio plegischen Herzstillstands und der transversalen Aortenklemmung zu vermeiden. Erste monozentrische, nichtkontrollierte Vergleichsstudien zwischen der konventionellen Bypasschirurgie und der OPCAB-Chirurgie zeigten dabei eine Uberlegenheit der OPCAB-Verfahren, wobei diese uberwiegend an Niedrigrisikopatienten vorgenommen wurden und eine Verfalschung der Ergebnisse zugunsten der OPCAB-Chirurgie durch unbalancierte Patientencharakteristika meist nicht ausgeschlossen werden konnte. Bis heute liegt nun eine Vielzahl prospektiv-randomisierter Studien an unselektionierten Kollektiven vor, die aber aufgrund der jeweils niedrigen Patientenzahl und der geringen Inzidenz schwerer perioperativer Komplikationen das Signifikanzniveau zugunsten des einen oder anderen Verfahrens in der Regel nicht erreichten. Auch in wenigen kurzlich erschienenen Metaanalysen der randomisierten Studien fand sich meist kein signifikanter Unterschied bezuglich der perioperativen Mortalitat sowie der Myokardinfarkt- und Schlaganfallrate. Eine Uberlegenheit der OPCAB-Chirurgie war hier jedoch bezuglich des Auftretens von Rethorakotomien, des perioperativen Blutverlusts, der Beatmungszeit, der Transfusionspflichtigkeit und folglich der Intensiv- und Krankenhausliegedauer sowie des Ressourcenverbrauchs erkennbar. Bis dato vorliegende grose multizentrische Beobachtungsstudien belegen meist einen Vorteil der OPCAB-Chirurgie bezuglich perioperativer Mortalitat, Myokardinfarkt- und Schlaganfallrate. Mittel- und langfristige Vergleichsuntersuchungen bezuglich Anginafreiheit, Reinterventionsrate und Langzeituberleben ergeben bislang keinen signifikanten Vorteil fur das eine oder andere Verfahren.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of patient prosthesis mismatch (PPM) and additional risk factors on outcome after aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods: Four thousand one hundred and thirty-one patients who were operated between May 1996 and April 2004 were evaluated. One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six patients received bileaflet mechanical AVR and 2275 stented xenograft AVR. PPM was defined as severe if manufacturers effective orifice area (EOA) divided by body surface area (BSA) was 70 years (n = 1589, p = 0.002, OR 1.85), emergency indication (n = 374, p 10 (n = 494, p < 0.001, OR 4.7) and additional cardiac procedures (n = 2049, p < 0.001, OR 2.0) as predictors for adverse outcome after AVR. Conclusion: Severe PPM is rare; moderate PPM is present in a quarter of patients. PPM has a significant impact on short- and long-term mortality after AVR.

Heart valve surgery evolved since the early 1960s toward routine clinical application with good patient outcome. Different surgical techniques and valve prostheses have been developed. Thus standard procedures were continuously established. The different surgical procedures have now gained widespread clinical acceptance with good patient outcomes. Aortic valve stenosis and mitral valve incompetence are the most frequently acquired heart valve lesions in the western communities. Usually such lesions reach clinical significance in patients during their fifth to eighth decade of life. Standard surgical techniques of aortic valve repair and mitral valve replacement or repair result in persistent cure of the disease. Surgical access was gained using conventional lateral thoracotomies in the early days and later on using median sternotomy. Minimally invasive techniques, mostly by a partial sternotomy for the aortic and a lateral minithoracotomy for the mitral position, have been increasingly applied to improve patient outcome since the mid 1990s. At specialized centers these techniques have evolved as clinical standard allowing all different valve procedures to be safely performed. Patient recovery is fast leading to a significant improvement in the individual’s quality of life. Minimally invasive valve surgery can be considered the standard approach and will reach more widespread clinical application.

Objective: Percutaneous aortic valve implantation has been performed in patients with severe aortic stenosis judged as nonsurgical candidates. We evaluated a facilitated transapical antegrade approach for potential use in surgical high-risk patients. Methods: A pericardial xenograft fixed within a 23-mm stent (Cribier—Edwards aortic prosthesis, Edwards Inc., Irvine, CA, USA) was implanted using a transapical approach in fifteen 35—45 kg pigs. A limited or a full sternotomy was used to transapically introduce a crimped valve through a 24-F sheath. Deployments wereperformedonthebeatingheart eitherwith ventricularunloadingusingfemoro-femoralcardiopulmonarybypass (CPB)or rapid ventricular pacing (RVP), all under fluoroscopic and echocardiographic visualization. Results: All valves were successfully deployed at the target site with acceptable visualization of the noncalcified annulus. Valve migration occurred in six procedures (three distal and three retrograde) secondaryto inadequate reductionof ventricular output, unfavorable annular anatomy, excessive crimping of the valve, and dislodgement bythe delivery balloon. Exact positioning of the valve into the target area was confirmed by autopsy at the end of the procedures. Paravalvular leak was noted in five implants. Conclusions: The transapical approach provides a safe, accurate, and effective route for facilitated antegrade delivery of a stent-fixed valve. Advanced stent design will lead to better stability of the implant and may minimize the risk of paravalvular leakage in future. Identifying the appropriate population for human feasibility trials remains a challenge.

Objective: Primary graft dysfunction caused by ischemia—reperfusion injury is one of the most frequent causes of early morbidity and death after lung transplantation. We hypothesized that the perioperative management with aprotinin decreases the incidence of allograft reperfusion injury and dysfunction after clinical lung transplantation. Methods:Lung transplant databases of two transplant centers were used to investigate the incidence of severe post-transplant reperfusion injury (PTRI). We examined data of 142 patients who underwent either single lung (81) or bilateral sequential lung (61) transplantation for COPD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and miscellaneous lung disorders between 1997 and 2000. Thirty patients were excluded due to heart—lung transplantation or lung transplantation for Eisenmenger’s disease, retransplantation, rejection, or deviation from the standardized triple immunosuppression protocol. The data of remaining 112 patients (control group, 64% single lung, 36% sequential bilateral lung transplants) were compared to the prospectively collected data of 59 lung transplant patients over the last 5 years. All of these 59 patients were managed perioperatively with aprotinin infusion. In addition, Euro-Collins-aprotinin procurement solution (Apt-EC group) was used for 50 donor lungs (58% single lung, 42% sequential bilateral lung transplants). Aprotinin in combination with low-potassium dextran (LPD) flush solution (Apt-LPD group) was used for the procurement of 34 lungs (59% single lung, 41% sequential bilateral lung transplants). The International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) grade III injury score was used for the diagnosis of severe PTRI, which is based on a PaO2—FIO2 ratio of less than 200 mmHg. Results: Severe reperfusion injury grade III was observed in 18% of the control group. ECMO support was required in 25% of these patients. The associated mortality rate was 40%. Correlating factors for PTRI were donor age greater than 35 years (45%, p = 0.01, mean age 38 8) and recipient pulmonary artery systolic pressure greater than 60 mmHg (48%, p < 0.05). Lung graft ischemic times (231 14 min) and intraoperative techniques (cardiopulmonary bypass in 12%) were not associated with negative outcomes. Despite longer ischemic times (258 36 min and 317 85 min, respectively) and older donors (42 12 years and 46 12 years, respectively) in the aprotinin patient groups (Apt-EC and Apt-LPD group), the incidence of PTRI was markedly lower (6% and 9%, respectively). There was no mortality in the Apt-EC group and one patient died in the Apt-LPD group due to PTRI-induced graft failure. Conclusions:SeverePTRIincreasedshort-termmorbidityandmortality.Theincidenceofreperfusioninjurywasnotdependentupontheduration of donor organ ischemia. The use of aprotinin in the perioperative patient management in lung transplantation had strong beneficial effects on the patient outcomes and decreased the incidence of post-transplant ischemia—reperfusion injury significantly. # 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Aims Whereas haemodynamic and echocardiographic studies suggest benefits for left ventricular (LV) function and cardiac output following reduction in LV preload by interventional edge-to-edge repair for mitral regurgitation (MR), there is limited data on volumetric and functional LV and right ventricular (RV) changes using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. Methods and results Patients with moderate to severe MR and high surgical risk underwent MitraClip™-implantation and CMR imaging before and within 7 days after the procedure. In addition to volumetric and flow studies, myocardial feature tracking (FT) technology for quantification of myocardial strain was applied. Twenty patients (age: 76 ± 8 years) with functional ( n = 15) or degenerative MR ( n = 5) with a mean logistic Euroscore I of 33 ± 16 underwent both successful MitraClip™ implantation and CMR imaging. MR fraction (36 ± 10 vs. 19 ± 12%; P < 0.001) and LV end-diastolic volume (115 ± 36 vs. 105 ± 41 mL/m2; P = 0.002) decreased significantly, whereas LV ejection fraction (42 ± 15 vs. 41 ± 16%, P = 0.8) and cardiac index (1.7 ± 0.5 vs. 1.8 ± 0.4 L/min/m2, P = 0.4) remained unchanged. MitraClip™ implantation resulted in a significant impairment of circumferential (−12.8 ± 4.8 vs. −8.2 ± 3.3; P = 0.002) and radial strain (15.4 ± 7.7 vs. 9.6 ± 5.3; P = 0.02) on basal short-axis view. On RV level, there were no significant changes in end-diastolic volume (83 ± 19 vs. 84 ± 18 mL/m2, P = 0.8), ejection fraction (42 ± 9 vs. 43 ± 11%, P = 0.8), or tricuspid regurgitation fraction (24 ± 17 vs. 25 ± 19%, P = 0.7). MitraClip™ implantation led to a significant improvement in New York Heart Association functional class (patients in functional class III–IV pre 100% vs. post 45%; P < 0.001). Conclusion In severely compromised patients, marked reduction in MR by MitraClip™ implantation might not result in immediate improved cardiac output and effective biventricular forward flow.

To compare the performance of semi-automatic versus manual segmentation for ECG-triggered cardiovascular computed tomography (CT) examinations prior to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), with focus on the speed and precision of experienced versus inexperienced observers. The preoperative ECG-triggered CT data of 30 consecutive patients who were scheduled for TAVR were included. All datasets were separately evaluated by two radiologists with 1 and 5 years of experience (novice and expert, respectively) in cardiovascular CT using an evaluation software program with or without a semi-automatic TAVR workflow. The time expended for data loading and all segmentation steps required for the implantation planning were assessed. Inter-software as well as inter-observer reliability analysis was performed. The CT datasets were successfully evaluated, with mean duration between 520.4 ± 117.6 s and 693.2 ± 159.5 s. The three most time-consuming steps were the 3D volume rendering, the measurement of aorta diameter and the sizing of the aortic annulus. Using semi-automatic segmentation, a novice could evaluate CT data approximately 12.3 % faster than with manual segmentation, and an expert could evaluate CT data approximately 10.3 % faster [mean differences of 85.4 ± 83.8 s (p

Objective Despite various evidence supporting the advantages of multiple arterial grafting, inconsistencies in use of the procedure have resulted in high variability in the acceptance and practice of arterial grafting. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of an arterial versus venous second grafts on outcomes at 5-year follow-up in the coronary artery bypass grafting population from the Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) trial. Methods Patients (n = 1419) with an arterial graft to the left anterior descending artery and ≥1 other graft were included and divided according to the second graft's type: 2nd-graft-arterial group (n = 456) and 2nd-graft-venous group (n = 963). Five-year outcomes were compared between subgroups. Event rates were estimated with Kaplan-Meier analyses. Propensity-score matching was used, to control for selection bias due to nonrandom group assignment in a 1:1 manner, resulting in 432 pairs with balanced baseline characteristics. Results In unmatched groups, the 2nd-graft-arterial group had significantly lower rates of death (8.9% vs 13.1%; P = .02), and composite safety endpoint of death/stroke/myocardial infarction (13.3% vs 18.7%; P = .02), compared with the 2nd-graft-venous group. The rate of major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events was similar between groups (22.9% vs 25.5%; P = .30), because it includes the rate of repeat revascularization (12.6% in the 2nd-graft-arterial group vs 9.6% in the 2nd-graft-venous group; P = .10). After propensity-score matching, no statistically significant differences were found between groups. Conclusions This study reveals comparable 5-year outcomes with arterial and venous conduits as second grafts after an arterial graft anastomosed to the left anterior descending artery. This study demonstrates the multi-institutional variation in patient selection and operator technique with regard to arterial revascularization, although extended follow-up beyond 5 years is required to estimate its impact on long-term outcomes. Clinical Trial Number NCT00114972

Objective The aim of this study was the evaluation of histologic changes induced on the esophagus by surgical ablation therapy for atrial fibrillation. Methods Experiments were performed on 39 sheep. Circular lesions were created endocardially or epicardially in the left atrium and at the pulmonary veins by using different energy sources: cryoablation, microwave, laser, and unipolar or bipolar radiofrequency. Temperatures inside the esophagus were measured, and esophageal tissue was investigated macroscopically and histopathologically. Results Esophageal damage was seen histologically in 24 of 39 cases. The epithelium was intact in all cases. Unipolar radiofrequency induced the most intensive esophageal lesions in 4 of 6 cases. The affected areas were small (1.56-3.01 mm) but reached deep into the tissue. Endocardial cryoablation resulted in wider lesions (2.01-8.54 mm), which were intensive in only 2 of 6 cases. Epicardial cryoablation and bipolar radiofrequency induced wide (1.11-6.8 mm) but mainly mild alterations. Endocardial and epicardial microwave energy affected the esophagus in single cases, and lesions were small (0.97-2.81 mm). Only in 1 case did laser energy induce a moderate alteration (5.30 mm) of the esophageal wall. Conclusions Esophageal alterations were found in numerous cases. However, marked lesions were especially induced by endocardial unipolar radiofrequency and cryoablation.

Background— Randomized trials comparing stenting with minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with isolated proximal left anterior descending lesions have shown a significantly higher reintervention rate for stenting and similar results for mortality and reinfarction at short-term follow-up. Long-term follow-up data are sparse. Methods and Results— Patients with isolated proximal left anterior descending stenosis were randomized to either surgery (n=110) or bare-metal stenting (n=110). At 5 years, follow-up data were obtained with respect to the primary end point of death, reinfarction, or repeated target vessel revascularization. Clinical symptoms were assessed by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) classification. Follow-up information was completed for 216 patients (98.2%), and mean follow-up was 5.6±1.2 years. With respect to mortality (surgery, 12%; stenting, 10%; P =0.54) and reinfarctions (surgery, 7%; stenting, 5%; P =0.46), there were no differences between treatment strategies. The need for repeated target vessel revascularization was significantly higher after stenting (32%) compared with surgery (10%; P P P P =0.05, stenting versus surgery). Conclusions— At the 5-year follow-up, minimally invasive bypass surgery and bare-metal stenting showed similar results for the end points of mortality and reinfarctions. However, the reintervention rate is higher after stenting, and the relief in clinical symptoms is slightly better after surgery.

Background Conventional redo coronary artery bypass grafting is associated with an increased risk of mortality and morbidity as a result of manipulation of patent grafts, mediastinitis, and the presence of pericardial adhesions. Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting may be an alternative approach in selected patients. Methods From January 1997 to October 2003, 46 patients (mean age, 66 ± 7.4 years) underwent minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting using the left internal thoracic artery to the left anterior descending artery on the beating heart as a reoperation. Patients after previous cardiac operation by means of median sternotomy without use of the left internal thoracic artery presenting with a significant left anterior descending artery stenosis ("culprit lesion") were included. Predicted mortality was 13.6% (range, 2.4% to 72.8%) as calculated by the logistic Euroscore; ejection fraction was 0.531 (range, 0.14 to 0.81). Surgical results were analyzed for mortality, morbidity, duration of the procedure, hospital stay, and event-free survival. Results Mean operating time was 103 ± 34 minutes. There were two in-hospital deaths (4.6%), one for malignant ventricular arrhythmia (Euroscore, 60.9%) and the second as a result of severe gastrointestinal bleeding (Euroscore, 29.2%). One patient (2.3%) was successfully reoperated on because of perianastomotic hematoma using the same approach after 6 days. Patients were discharged after 9.4 ± 2.6 days. There were no other serious adverse events, no stroke, and no myocardial infarction. During follow-up (37 ± 21 months, complete in 92.1%), 1 patient experienced angina and 6 patients died. The actuarial 4-year survival is 74.8% (95% confidence interval, 51% to 92%), and the actuarial 4-year event-free survival including freedom from angina, major adverse cardiac events, and reintervention is 81% (95% confidence interval, 54% to 97%). Conclusions Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting can be considered as an alternative approach for redo coronary artery bypass grafting in selected patients.

Background— Exercise training (ET) has been shown to improve regional perfusion in ischemic syndromes. This might be partially related to a regeneration of diseased endothelium by circulating progenitor cells (CPCs) or CPC-derived vasculogenesis. The aim of the present study was to determine whether ischemic stimuli during ET are required to promote CPC mobilization in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Methods and Results— Patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) were randomized to 4 weeks of daily ischemic ET or control (group A). Successfully revascularized patients with PAOD were randomized to 4 weeks of daily nonischemic ET or control (group B). Patients with stable coronary artery disease were subjected to 4 weeks of subischemic ET or control (group C). At baseline and after 4 weeks, the number of KDR + /CD34 + CPCs was determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. Levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by ELISA. A Matrigel assay was used to quantify CPC integration into vascular structures. Expression of the homing factor CXCR4 was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. In group A only, ischemic ET increased VEGF levels by 310% ( P P Conclusions— In training programs, symptomatic tissue ischemia seems to be a prerequisite for CPC mobilization. However, ischemic and subischemic ET programs affect CXCR4 expression of CPCs, which might lead to an improved CPC integration into endothelial networks.

Objective With recent advances in diagnostic imaging, the value of autopsy has been called into question. The aim of our study was to assess the current impact of autopsy for early postoperative quality management in cardiac surgery. Methods Between 2000 and 2003, a total of 14,313 patients underwent cardiac surgery at our center. Of these, 898 patients (6.3%) died, and autopsy was performed in 468 cases (52.1%). Data from clinical and postmortem examination were prospectively analyzed regarding causes of death, postoperative complications, concomitant diseases, and surgery-associated pathologic findings. Results Mean age was 68.7 years. Mean survival was 13.9 postoperative days. On autopsy, causes of death were cardiac in 49.8% of cases (n = 233), respiratory in 8.3% (n = 39), cerebral in 6.4% (n = 30), abdominal in 4.7% (n = 22), multiorgan failure or sepsis in 14.9% (n = 70), pulmonary embolism in 6.6% (n = 31), procedure associated in 8.3% (n = 39), and others in 0.9% (n = 4). Discrepancies between clinical and postmortem determinations of cause of death were found in 108 cases (23.1%). These were acute myocardial infarction (n = 38), low cardiac output (n = 9), respiratory (n = 8), cerebral (n = 5), abdominal (n = 7), multiorgan failure or sepsis (n = 12), pulmonary embolism (n = 18), and procedure associated (11). Clinically unrecognized postoperative complications were found in 364 cases (77.8%). Unknown concomitant diseases were found in 464 cases (99.1%), with potential therapeutic relevance in 90 cases (19.2%). In 85 cases (18.2%), autopsy examination revealed 96 premortem unrecognized surgery-associated pathologic findings. Conclusion A high overall discrepancy rate between premortem and autopsy diagnoses was recognized. Autopsy revealed clinically relevant information in a significant number of cases. Therefore autopsy remains essential for quality assessment in perioperative treatment.

Objective: By maintaining native coronary blood flow in on-pump beating heart surgery (OnP-BH) and comparing with OPCAB strategy pump-related effects on myocardial injury and cardiac dysfunction could be specifically differentiated from ischemia/reperfusion-related consequences of surgical coronary revascularization. Methods: In a randomized-prospective design, 40 elective patients with normal EF and three vessels coronary artery disease (left main disease excluded) were assigned to OPCAB or OnP-BH surgery. Before coronary occlusion and 1, 30, 60, and 90 min after reperfusion with the LIMA graft, coronary sinus (CS) blood was sampled to determine intraoperative myocardial ischemia (pH, lactate, pO2) and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, MDA). Additionally to CS blood arterial blood was analyzed 4, 12, and 24 h postoperatively to determine myocardial necrosis (CK-MB, cardiac troponin I), myocardial dysfunction (NT-proBNP) and inflammation (C-reactive protein). Results: Groups were identical with regards to age and gender (OPCAB 63.0G6.0 versus OnP-BH 65.3G3.9 y, 20% female patients). Number of grafts were 3.0G0.5 in OPCAB versus 2.9G0.3 in OnP-BH (n.s.) with 44 versus 34% bilateral IMAs and 56 versus 50% complete arterial revascularization. Regarding ischemia, intraoperatively only lactate values increased significantly in the OnP-BH group. Significantly higher CK-MB and troponin I levels were found from LIMA-LAD flow release onwards to 4 h postoperatively in the OnP-BH group. NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in the OnP-BH group during the entire study period. CRP levels were higher in the OnP-BH group 12 and 24 h postoperatively. Conclusions: In this randomized study on routine coronary patients with normal ventricular function, OPCAB revealed less myocardial injury than OnP-BH. These findings implicate that CPB slightly affects the myocardium. Q 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Background To assess the prognosis and to develop management strategies for primary cardiac tumors all patients were included in an ongoing study. Method From Oct. 1994 until December 2003 we prospectively evaluated all patients with cardiac tumors. Follow up examinations were performed every 12 months. Results There were a total of 77 primary cardiac tumors. Seventy-three were benign: myxoma (n=59), papillary fibroelastoma (n=11), lipoma (n=2), fibroma (n=1) and four malignant sarcoma (n=4). The myxoma group consisted of 19 males and 40 females aged 12 to 88 years. Myxomas were located in the: left atrium in 50 (85%), left ventricle in 3 (5%), right atrium in 4 (7%) and on the mitral valve in 2 patients (3%). Papillary fibroelastoma was located on the aortic valve (n=4), mitral valve (n=3), right ventricle (n=2), left ventricle (n=1) and tricuspid valve (n=1). Both lipoma and the only fibroma were located in the right atrium. There were 4 primary cardiac sarcomas, located in the right ventricle (n=2), the pulmonary valve (n=1) and left atrium (n=1). Minimal invasive right thoracotomy was utilized in 19 of 73 patients all with benign tumor. There were two early deaths (3%): a myxoma patient with triple vessel disease and a LVEF less than 30% and one sarcoma patient. No recurrence or late death was observed in the group of benign tumors. However, two remaining patients with sarcoma had recurrent disease 10 and 15 month later, respectively. All patients were followed up with a total follow up of 203 patient years. Conclusion Surgical excision of benign cardiac tumors is a safe and curative treatment, which is feasible using minimally invasive right thoracotomy approach and provides excellent results. However, therapy of malignant cardiac tumors continues to have a poor prognosis despite individualization of approach.

Over the past several years numerous attempts have been made to treat atrial fibrillation surgically. The most effective of all such surgical treatments has been the Maze operation, developed by James Cox in the 1980s. The Maze operation has demonstrated excellent long-term results. The procedure is based on a complex surgical technique, thus is it not easily being reproduced by every surgeon. Different attempts have been made to simplify the original Maze technique. In 1999, the electrophysiologists at the authors’ institution outlined a lesion concept for left atrial ablation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In 387 patients, the authors used intraoperative radiofrequency ablation to cure AF. The results were comparable to the maze procedure. This concept was very effective but after a time period of 4 years in 1% of patients esophagus perforations occurred. In a quest to identify other energy sources to produce good ablation results with less possible complications, intraoperative cryoablation has been developed. In the following study conducted the authors were able to use a new flexible cryocatheter (Cryocath Surgifrost®). Sinus rhythm was achieved in 71% after a 1 year follow-up period with low morbidity and comparable mortality, which was due to the concomitant cardiac pathologies and operative procedures. In conclusion, thus far from this series of patients presented, the authors have demonstrated that cryoablation with Argon-cryotechnology is efficacious and safe.

Background Female gender has been associated with a high prevalence of perioperative morbidity and mortality in coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). We attempted to determine a potential benefit of off-pump CABG as compared with on-pump CABG (OPCAB) with regard to perioperative outcome in female patients. Methods Data were prospectively gathered on 2,182 consecutive female patients undergoing CABG either with or without cardiopulmonary bypass from 1996 to 2001. The associations between OPCAB surgery in addition with 22 further preoperative patient-related or treatment-related variables and 26 perioperative outcome variables were assessed with multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results One hundred fifty-two (7.0%) female patients underwent OPCAB surgery during the study period. Women undergoing OPCAB had higher ejection fractions and received fewer coronary artery bypass grafts than CABG patients. Surgery using OPCAB was associated with shorter hospital stays, less bleeding, less transfusion requirements, and lower mortality than CABG. Furthermore, OPCAB surgery was independently associated with a lower prevalence of high perioperative transfusion requirement, postoperative respiratory insufficiency, postoperative renal insufficiency, and dialysis. Prevalence of postoperative blood loss of at least 500 mL was significantly higher after OPCAB surgery. Conclusions OPCAB in female patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery is safe and seems to be beneficial with regard to perioperative outcome as compared with conventional on-pump CABG. For that reason, off-pump surgery may be an effective method of lowering morbidity and mortality in these relatively high-risk patients.

Objective: Transplantation of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BMC) may be suitable to prevent myocardial remodeling and improve left ventricular function after myocardial infarction. However, it is unknown whether or not cardiomyocytes and BMCs can form functioning cellto-cell coupling and develop adequate electrophysiological properties. Methods: BMCs were isolated from minipig leg bones, treated with 5azacytidine (10 mM) for 24 h, cultured for 7 days and labeled with a fluoroscopic dye (DIL). BMCs were cocultured with spontaneously beating cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats. On days 4, 7 and 14 cocultured cells were analyzed. Immunhistochemistry (Connexin 43, a-actinin) was used to assess cardiomyogenic differentiation. Action potential characteristics were recorded in whole cell patch clamp mode and to investigate intercellular communication a second gap junction permeable fluoroscopic dye was brought into BMCs by microinjection (Lucifer yellow, LY). Results: From day 7 in coculture BMCs beated synchronously with neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. On day 14, 55.9% of BMCs expressed a-actinin and 98.3% were positive for gap junction protein connexin 43. BMC action potential duration (APD90) was mean 11.1 ms with dV/dtmax of 26.8 V/s and similar to atrial cardiac type. However, microinjection of LY revealed only little dye transfer into adjacent rat cardiomyocytes. Conclusions: Cocultured BMCs have the potential for early expression of muscle specific proteins in about 60% after 14 days and for cardiac gap junction proteins. Synchronous beating indicates an effective electromechanical coupling. In this heterologous setting we could prove only weak metabolic coupling. q 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.