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Pulmonary artery intimal sarcomas (PAIS) are vascular sarcomas of mesenchymal origin and are exceedingly rare. Here, we detail a 57-year-old female who presents with worsening dyspnea and computed tomography scan findings consistent with a pulmonary embolus, however, upon examination in the operating room for emergent embolectomy, was found to have a PAIS. This case report highlights this rare illness and management decisions that can optimize care of these patients.

Background The use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) as a bridge to heart transplantation has increased rapidly over the last 2 decades. We aim to explore the effect of pretransplant systemic and device-related complications on posttransplant survival for patients bridged with LVADs. Materials and methods The United Network of Organ Sharing (Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network) database was queried for all adult heart transplant recipients (aged ≥ 18 y) transplanted from April 1, 2015, to June 31, 2018. Device-related complications included thrombosis, device infection, device malfunction, life-threatening arrhythmia, and other device complications. Systemic complications included a new dialysis need or ventilator dependence between the time of listing and transplantation, transfusion, or systemic infection requiring treatment with intravenous antibiotics within 2 wk of transplantation. Results A total of 2131 patients were identified as requiring LVAD support before transplantation. LVAD patients had high rates of preoperative systemic complications (53%) and high rates of device-related complications (42.7% experienced at least one device-related complication). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed a significantly decreased 1-y survival for LVAD patients bridged to transplantation who experienced a pretransplant systemic complication (P = 0.041). Interestingly, preoperative device-related complications had no effect on 1-y posttransplantation survival (P = 0.93). Multivariate Cox modeling revealed that systemic complications were associated with a significantly increased risk of posttransplant mortality for LVAD patients (hazard ratio 1.45; P = 0.033). Conclusions Recipients who suffered a systemic complication while awaiting heart transplantation experienced higher short-term mortality rates. Device-related complications do not appear to impact posttransplantation outcomes.

Background At the recent 6th World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension (PH), the definition of PH was redefined to include lower pulmonary artery pressures in the setting of elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). However, the relevance of this change to subjects with PH due to left-heart disease as well as the preoperative assessment of heart transplant (HT) recipients is unknown. Methods The United Network for Organ Sharing database was queried to identify adult recipients who underwent primary HT from 1996 to 2015. Recipients were subdivided into those with mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) Results Over the study period, 32,465 patients underwent HT, including 12,257 (38%) with mPAP Conclusions Elevated PVR remains associated with a significant increase in the hazard for 30-day mortality after cardiac transplantation, even in the setting of lower pulmonary artery pressures. These data support the validity of the new definition of pulmonary hypertension.

The year 2018 was the centennial of the naming of heparin by Emmett Holt and William Howell and the 102nd anniversary of Jay McLean's discovery of an anticoagulant heparphosphatide at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. This article discusses recently discovered historical artifacts that shed new light on heparin's christening, including McLean's unpublished letter written in 1950 that represents one of the most complete accounts of heparin's discovery before his untimely death. In addition, the article describes the finding of a plaque dedicated to McLean and explores the circumstances of its removal from public display, as learned from interviews with present and former staff members.

Left ventricular assist devices are increasingly used as bridge-to-transplantation in eligible patients. The HeartMate 3 (HM3; Abbott Laboratories, Abbot Park, IL) is the latest device to obtain US Food and Drug Administration approval as bridge-to-transplantation. This study examines early outcomes of transplant recipients after HM3 in comparison with recipients bridged with the HeartMate 2 (HM2; Abbott Laboratories) and HeartWare Ventricular Assist System (HVAD; Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) devices.Using the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database, we identified all adult patients who were slated for bridge-to-transplantation with a continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (HM2, HVAD, or HM3) between April 1, 2015 and January 31, 2018. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality 6 months after transplantation. The independent influence of the bridging device on outcomes was determined using Cox proportional hazard models.Patients (N = 1,978) were successfully bridged to transplantation with the HM2 (n = 881), HVAD (n = 920), or HM3 (n = 177) device. Six-month mortality rates were similar across these devices (HM2, 5.9%; HVAD, 7.7%; HM3, 4.7%; log-rank p = 0.30). On average HM2 patients were on a left ventricular assist device for 2 months longer (p0.01). The HVAD had the lowest rate of device exchange before transplant (p = 0.01). The HM3 had no events of pump thrombosis (p0.01). HVAD patients had the lowest rate of device malfunction before to transplant (p0.01). Panel reactive antibodies at the time of transplantation were lower for HM3 patients (p0.01); however rates of graft rejection at 6 months were not different (p = 0.25).The HM3 device provides excellent early outcomes as a bridge to transplantation and may be associated with a reduction in comorbidities. Longer follow-up is needed to better define differences between durable left ventricular assist devices.

Cardiac amyloidosis is a rare disease, and its prevalence varies depending on the type of amyloid protein involved. Several case reports make reference to the increased risk of thrombosis and thromboembolic events in cardiac amyloidosis. We report a case of rapidly evolving, multichamber thrombi in a patient who was ultimately diagnosed with wild-type TTR cardiac amyloidosis.

AIM We sought to determine the racial and ethnical disparities in the delivery of TAVR and to evaluate the in-hospital outcomes and utilization of TAVR stratified by patient ethnicity. METHOD Using a national inpatient sample database between 2011 and 2015, we identified all adult patients who had TAVR. Races were identified and white race was set as control. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed for the primary outcome of in-hospital mortality. RESULTS Out of 58 174 patients who underwent TAVR, 50 809 (87.3%) were white, 2327 (4.0%) were black, 2311 (4.0%) were Hispanic, 640 (1.1%) Asian, 105 (0.2%) Native American and 1982 (3.4%) of other ethnicities. We found a statistically significant linear uptrend in the utilization of TAVR in patients of all races between the years 2011 and 2015. White, black, Hispanic and Native American patients had a downward linear trend for mortality during the studied years (P ≤ 0.005 for all). Black patients had lower in-hospital mortality [2.8 vs. 3.6%, odds ratio (OR) = 0.62; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44, 0.81 P

INTRODUCTIONS & AIMS: Heart failure (HF) is a common comorbidity in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We sought to access the temporal trends and outcomes of TAVR or SAVR in HF patients. METHOD: The NIS database from 2011-2014 was queried for patients that underwent TAVR or SAVR and were subsequently diagnosed with HF. Temporal trends in the utilization of TAVR or SAVR in HF patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 27,982 patients who were diagnosed with HF of whom 17,681 (63.2%) had heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) while 10,301 (36.8%) had heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), 9,049 (32.3%) underwent TAVR and 16,933 (76.7%) underwent SAVR. Patients with HFrEF and HFpEF had higher utilization of TAVR compared to SAVR over the course of the study period (p trend < 0.001). TAVR was associated with lower mortality [2.8% in 2012 and 1.8% in 2014 (p 0.013)] compared with SAVR. Similarly, multiple logistic regression showed a statistically significant lower in-hospital mortality in the TAVR group compared to SAVR (aOR 0.634; CI 0.504, 0.798, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: For patients with severe aortic valve stenosis and heart failure who undergo aortic valve intervention, TAVR is associated with less odds of in-hospital mortality compared with SAVR.

Introduction: For patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and severe aortic stenosis (AS), the relative safety of percutaneous approach [transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)] to surgical approach [SAVR and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)] has not been studied. Hypothesis: TAVR+PCI carries a higher risk of complications. Methods: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2002-2014 was queried to identify all cases of TAVR+PCI and SAVR+CABG. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to control the outcomes. Results: A total of 215829 (TAVR+PCI 1634, SAVR+CABG 214195) patients were included. The unadjusted odds for in-hospital mortality (5.6% vs. 9.5%, uOR 0.57;95% CI, 0.48-0.67, p= Conclusions: In patients with the concomitant severe aortic disease and coronary artery disease, TAVR with PCI might have higher odds of in-hospital complications and mortality compared to SAVR+CABG. The mean hospital charges were also lower with the open surgical approach.

Background: The outcome of transcutaneous aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with kidney transplant is unknown, as majority of these patients were excluded from the major TAVR clinical trials. We sought to compare patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVR versus surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) with a history of kidney transplant. Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane databases were searched to identify relevant articles. The incidence of all-cause mortality and acute kidney injury (AKI) was calculated using relative risk on a random effect model. Results: A total of 1,538 patients (TAVR 328, SAVR 1,210) were included in the study. TAVR was associated with lower mortality as compared with SAVR at 30 days from the index procedure (odds ratio (OR) 0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.25 - 0.93; P = 0.03). One-year mortality was studied in three studies and showed comparable mortality in patients undergoing TAVR and SAVR (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.10 - 5.51; P = 0.78). Compared to SAVR, TAVR carries an identical risk of AKI (OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.10 - 1.90; P = 0.27). A sensitivity analysis performed by exclusion of Voudris et al study showed a non-significant difference in the mortality incidence of two groups at 30 days (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.27 - 1.91; P = 0.51). Conclusions: In patients with a history of kidney transplant, TAVR was associated with a comparable risk of mortality and AKI compared to SAVR. Cardiol Res. 2020;11(5):280-285 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/cr1092

Background With the implementation of the new heart allocation system, heart transplantation teams are prompted to reevaluate management of patients requiring mechanical circulatory support. The purpose of our study is to compare the outcomes of patients supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) before transplantation. Methods The United Network for Organ Sharing database was queried for all adult patients (aged 18 years or more) who required support with ECMO before heart transplantation from 2001 to 2018. Patients were stratified into patients who did not require ECMO before transplantation, who were weaned off ECMO before transplantation, who were bridged immediately to transplantation from ECMO, and who were bridged to a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) before transplantation. Demographics and outcomes including 1-year survival, postoperative stroke, postoperative renal failure requiring dialysis, episodes of rejection, and graft failure were compared. Results Overall, 29,370 patients did not require ECMO before transplantation, 101 patients were weaned off ECMO before transplantation, 118 were bridged from ECMO directly to transplantation, and 55 patients were successfully bridged from ECMO to LVAD before transplantation. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates found a statistically significant decrease in 1-year survival for patients who were bridged from ECMO to transplantation compared with patients who were bridged to LVAD before subsequent transplantation (P Conclusions Our study suggests bridging ECMO patients to an LVAD before transplantation will result in improved 1-year survival compared with patients bridged to immediate transplantation. With the new heart allocation system, continued evaluation of outcomes is required to inform management strategies.

What We Already Know about This Topic What This Article Tells Us That Is New Background Delirium is common after cardiac surgery and has been associated with morbidity, mortality, and cognitive decline. However, there are conflicting reports on the magnitude, trajectory, and domains of cognitive change that might be affected. The authors hypothesized that patients with delirium would experience greater cognitive decline at 1 month and 1 yr after cardiac surgery compared to those without delirium. Methods Patients who underwent coronary artery bypass and/or valve surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were eligible for this cohort study. Delirium was assessed with the Confusion Assessment Method. A neuropsychologic battery was administered before surgery, at 1 month, and at 1 yr later. Linear regression was used to examine the association between delirium and change in composite cognitive Z score from baseline to 1 month (primary outcome). Secondary outcomes were domain-specific changes at 1 month and composite and domain-specific changes at 1 yr. Results The incidence of delirium in 142 patients was 53.5%. Patients with delirium had greater decline in composite cognitive Z score at 1 month (greater decline by −0.29; 95% CI, −0.54 to −0.05; P = 0.020) and in the domains of visuoconstruction and processing speed. From baseline to 1 yr, there was no difference between delirious and nondelirious patients with respect to change in composite cognitive Z score, although greater decline in processing speed persisted among the delirious patients. Conclusions Patients who developed delirium had greater decline in a composite measure of cognition and in visuoconstruction and processing speed domains at 1 month. The differences in cognitive change by delirium were not significant at 1 yr, with the exception of processing speed.

Background Patients with end-stage cardiomyopathy due to cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) may be referred for mechanical circulatory support (MCS) and heart transplantation (HT). We describe outcomes of patients with CS undergoing HT, focusing on the use of MCS as a bridge to transplant (BTT). Methods Using the United Network for Organ Sharing Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, we identified all adult waitlisted patients and isolated HT recipients from 2006 to 2015. These were divided into those with and without CS and further divided into those who did or did not receive MCS as BTT. Outcomes included 1- and 5-year post-transplantation freedom from mortality and 5-year freedom from primary graft failure. Results Over the study period, 31,528 patients were listed for HT, 148 (0.4%) of whom had CS. Among the CS patients, 34 (23%) received MCS as BTT. 18,348 patients (58%) eventually underwent HT, including 67 (0.4%) with CS, 20 (30%) of whom had received BTT MCS. Compared with non-CS diagnoses, CS patients had similar 1-year (91% vs 90%; log rank P = .88) and 5-year (83% vs 77%; log rank P = .46) freedom from mortality. Survival was also similar between CS BTT and non-CS BTT groups at 1 year (89% vs 89%; log-rank P = .92) and 5 years (72% vs 75%; log-rank P = .77). Conclusions Survivals after HT were similar between CS and non-CS patients out to 5 years, and were also similar between CS and non-CS BTT cohorts. Both HT and BTT MCS should be considered in patients with CS.

Concerns over prolonged allograft ischemia have limited the widespread adoption of long-distance organ procurement in heart transplantation (HT). We sought to assess whether donor distance from the center of transplantation independently affects mortality.We queried the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database for adults undergoing isolated HT from 2005 to 2012. Risk-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were constructed for the primary outcomes of 30-day and 1-year mortality, and the independent impact of donor distance from transplantation center at the time of procurement was assessed.We included 14,588 heart transplant recipients. The mean distance from location of the donor heart to transplantation center was 184.4 ± 214.6 miles; 1,214 HTs (8.3%) occurred at the same location as the donor heart. Ischemic times were inversely related to the distance from the site of donor procurement to recipient transplantation. After risk adjustment, longer donor distances (in miles) were associated with a significantly lower risk of mortality at both 30 days (hazard ratio [HR] 0.9993, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9988 to 0.9998, p 0.01) and 1 year (HR 0.9994, 95% CI: 0.9989 to 0.9999, p = 0.015). Risk-adjusted hazards for mortality were significantly reduced in recipients receiving hearts from more than 25 miles away. The hazard reduction was greatest in recipients receiving donor hearts from more than 500 miles away (1-year HR 0.64, p0.01; 30-day HR 0.47, p0.01).Longer distances between donor location and center of heart transplantation are associated with a reduced hazard for survival at 30 days and 1 year, despite greater ischemic times. Future studies are necessary to elucidate the protective factors surrounding long-distance heart donation.

Importance Delirium occurs in up to 52% of patients after cardiac surgery and may result from changes in cerebral perfusion. Using intraoperative cerebral autoregulation monitoring to individualize and optimize cerebral perfusion may be a useful strategy to reduce the incidence of delirium after cardiac surgery. Objective To determine whether targeting mean arterial pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) using cerebral autoregulation monitoring reduces the incidence of delirium compared with usual care. Design, Setting, and Participants This randomized clinical trial nested within a larger trial enrolled patients older than 55 years who underwent nonemergency cardiac surgery at a single US academic medical center between October 11, 2012, and May 10, 2016, and had a high risk for neurologic complications. Patients, physicians, and outcome assessors were masked to the assigned intervention. A total of 2764 patients were screened, and 199 were eligible for analysis in this study. Intervention In the intervention group, the patient’s lower limit of cerebral autoregulation was identified during surgery before CPB. On CPB, the patient’s mean arterial pressure was targeted to be greater than that patient’s lower limit of autoregulation. In the control group, mean arterial pressure targets were determined according to institutional practice. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome was any incidence of delirium on postoperative days 1 through 4, as adjudicated by a consensus expert panel. Results Among the 199 participants in this study, mean (SD) age was 70.3 (7.5) years and 150 (75.4%) were male. One hundred sixty-two (81.4%) were white, 26 (13.1%) were black, and 11 (5.5%) were of other race. Of 103 patients randomized to usual care, 94 were analyzed, and of 102 patients randomized to the intervention 105 were analyzed. Excluding 5 patients with coma, delirium occurred in 48 of the 91 patients (53%) in the usual care group compared with 39 of the 103 patients (38%) in the intervention group (P = .04). The odds of delirium were reduced by 45% in patients randomized to the autoregulation group (odds ratio, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.31-0.97;P = .04). Conclusions and Relevance The results of this study suggest that optimizing mean arterial pressure to be greater than the individual patient’s lower limit of cerebral autoregulation during CPB may reduce the incidence of delirium after cardiac surgery, but further study is needed. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT00981474

At the recent 6th World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension (PH), the definition of PH was redefined to include lower pulmonary artery pressures in the setting of elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). However, the relevance of this change to subjects with PH due to left-heart disease as well as the preoperative assessment of heart transplant (HT) recipients is unknown.The United Network for Organ Sharing database was queried to identify adult recipients who underwent primary HT from 1996 to 2015. Recipients were subdivided into those with mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) 25 mm Hg and ≥ 25 mm Hg. Exploratory univariable analysis was undertaken to identify candidate risk factors associated with 30-day and 1-year survival (conditional on 30-day survival) in recipients with mPAP 25 mm Hg, and subsequently, parsimonious multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to assess the independent association with PVR.Over the study period, 32,465 patients underwent HT, including 12,257 (38%) with mPAP 25 mm Hg. The median age was 55 years (interquartile range, 47-62) and the median PVR was 1.5 Wood units (WU) (interquartile range, 1-2.2) in recipients with mPAP 25 mm Hg. After controlling for confounders, PVR was independently associated with increased risk for 30-day mortality (hazard ratio, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.05-1.27; P .01), but not conditional 1-year mortality (hazard ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.94-1.12; P = .55). PVR ≥ 3 WU was associated with an absolute 1.9% increase in 30-day mortality in those with mPAP 25 mm Hg, a similar risk to recipients with PVR ≥ 3 WU and mPAP ≥ 25 mm Hg.Elevated PVR remains associated with a significant increase in the hazard for 30-day mortality after cardiac transplantation, even in the setting of lower pulmonary artery pressures. These data support the validity of the new definition of pulmonary hypertension.

Background The utilization of multiorgan transplantation in cardiac transplantation has steadily increased over the past several years. We sought to characterize the trends and outcomes in simultaneous heart and other organ transplantation compared with heart transplantation alone. Methods The United Network for Organ Sharing database was queried for all adult patients (age ≥ 18 y) who underwent isolated heart transplantation or simultaneous heart-lung or heart-kidney transplantation from 1987-2016. Patients were stratified into 3 equal time intervals. Demographics and postoperative outcomes were compared. Results A total of 58,060 patients were identified with a distribution based on era. Dual organ recipients had more factors associated with increased operative risk including higher rates of diabetes, pulmonary hypertension, intensive care unit admissions, and dialysis prior to transplantation. Heart-lung and heart-kidney recipients had decreased 1-year survival compared with isolated heart recipients from 2007-2016. However, heart-kidney recipients had significantly increased 5-year post-transplantation survival compared with isolated heart recipients with impaired renal function. For isolated heart transplants and heart-lung transplants, 5-year survival rates improved over time, whereas 5-year survival for heart-kidney recipients did not improve with time. Conclusions We found a significantly increased 5-year survival rate for heart-kidney transplant recipients compared with isolated heart transplant recipients with renal impairment. Lack of improvement in 5-year postoperative outcomes for heart-kidney recipients in the setting of higher-risk pretransplant clinical characteristics suggests decreased selectivity regarding heart-kidney recipients. Continued scrutiny and evaluation of postoperative outcomes are required to ensure just and appropriate utilization of organs.

BACKGROUND: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome thought to identify the most vulnerable older adults, and morbidity and mortality has been reported to be higher for frail patients after cardiac surgery compared to nonfrail patients. However, the cognitive consequences of frailty after cardiac surgery have not been well described. In this study, we examined the hypothesis that baseline frailty would be associated with postoperative delirium and cognitive change at 1 and 12 months after cardiac surgery. METHODS: This study was nested in 2 trials, each of which was conducted by the same research team with identical measurement of exposures and outcomes. Before surgery, patients were assessed with the validated “Fried” frailty scale, which evaluates 5 domains (shrinking, weakness, exhaustion, low physical activity, and slowed walking speed) and classifies patients as nonfrail, prefrail, and frail. The primary outcome was postoperative delirium during hospitalization, which was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method, Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit, and validated chart review. Neuropsychological testing was a secondary outcome and was generally performed within 2 weeks of surgery and then 4–6 weeks and 1 year after surgery, and the outcome of interest was change in composite Z-score of the test battery. Associations were analyzed using logistic and linear regression models, with adjustment for variables considered a priori (age, gender, race, education, and logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation). Multiple imputation was used to account for missing data at the 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: Data were available from 133 patients with baseline frailty assessments. Compared to nonfrail patients (13% delirium incidence), the incidence of delirium was higher in prefrail (48% delirium incidence; risk difference, 35%; 95% CI, 10%–51%) and frail patients (48% delirium incidence; risk difference, 35%; 95% CI, 7%–53%). In both univariable and multivariable models, the odds of delirium were significantly higher for prefrail (adjusted odds ratio, 6.43; 95% CI, 1.31–31.64; P = .02) and frail patients (adjusted odds ratio, 6.31; 95% CI, 1.18–33.74; P = .03) compared to nonfrail patients. The adjusted decline in composite cognitive Z-score was greater from baseline to 1 month only in frail patients compared to nonfrail patients. By 1 year after surgery, there were no differences in the association of baseline frailty with change in cognition. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to nonfrail patients, both prefrail and frail patients were at higher risk for the primary outcome of delirium after cardiac surgery. Frail patients were also at higher risk for the secondary outcome of greater decline in cognition from baseline to 1 month, but not baseline to 1 year, after surgery.

Background Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are an effective therapy in bridging patients with end-stage heart failure to heart transplantation. The aim of this study was to identify the role of race in survival of patients bridged to heart transplantation with a LVAD. Methods The United Network of Organ Sharing database was queried for all adult heart transplant recipients (age 18 years or older) who were bridged to transplantation with a LVAD from 2005 to 2018. Patients were stratified based on their race, with whites as the reference group. Demographic characteristics, 5-year survival, and graft failure after transplantation were assessed with χ2 test, analysis of variance, Kaplan-Meier survival analyses, log-rank tests, and Cox proportional hazards modeling or logistic regression modeling as appropriate. Results Patients (N = 6476) successfully bridged with a LVAD to heart transplantation were identified. There were 4263 whites, 1536 African Americans, 508 Hispanics, and 169 Asians. Compared with whites, African Americans had higher body mass indexes, were more likely to be women, pay with private insurance, and be working for income at the time of transplantation. African Americans were found to have increased odds of graft failure (odds ratio 1.27, P = .048) compared with whites. In addition, African Americans were found to have increased risk of mortality at 5 years (hazard ratio 1.26, P = .003). Conclusions The African American race is associated with increased rates of graft failure after transplantation and decreased 5-year survival compared with the white race. Given these findings, directed clinical attention may be warranted in African American patients bridged to heart transplantation with a LVAD.

OBJECTIVES: Perioperative blood pressure management by targeting individualized optimal blood pressure, determined by cerebral blood flow autoregulation monitoring, may ensure sufficient renal perfusion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the optimal blood pressure for individual patients, determined during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and during early postoperative period in intensive care unit (ICU). A secondary aim was to examine if excursions below optimal blood pressure in the ICU are associated with risk of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI). METHODS: One hundred and ten patients undergoing cardiac surgery had cerebral blood flow monitored with a novel technology using ultrasound tagged near infrared spectroscopy (UT-NIRS) during CPB and in the first 3 h after surgery in the ICU. The correlation flow index (CFx) was calculated as a moving, linear correlation coefficient between cerebral flow index measured using UT-NIRS and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Optimal blood pressure was defined as the MAP with the lowest CFx. Changes in optimal blood pressure in the perioperative period were observed and the association of blood pressure excursions (magnitude and duration) below the optimal blood pressure [area under the curve (AUC) < OptMAP mmHgxh] with incidence of CSA-AKI (defined using Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria) was examined. RESULTS: Optimal blood pressure during early ICU stay and CPB was correlated (r= 0.46, P< 0.0001), but was significantly higher in the ICU compared with during CPB (75 ± 8.7 vs 71 ± 10.3 mmHg, P= 0.0002). Thirty patients (27.3%) developed CSA-AKI within 48 h after the surgery. AUC < OptMAP was associated with CSA-AKI during CPB [median, 13.27 mmHgxh, interquartile range (IQR), 4.63–20.14 vs median, 6.05 mmHgxh, IQR 3.03–12.40, P= 0.008], and in the ICU (13.72 mmHgxh, IQR 5.09–25.54 vs 5.65 mmHgxh, IQR 1.71–13.07, P= 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Optimal blood pressure during CPB and in the ICU was correlated. Excursions below optimal blood pressure (AUC < OptMAP mmHgXh) during perioperative period are associated with CSA-AKI. Individualized blood pressure management based on cerebral autoregulation monitoring during the perioperative period may help improve CSA-AKI-related outcomes.

Primary aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) in the absence of prosthetic graft replacement or aortic endovascular therapy can develop as a rare but life-threatening complication of acute aortic dissection. This case demonstrates that primary AEF should be maintained on the clinical differential of a patient presenting with massive gastrointestinal bleed in the context of an aortic dissection.

Objective Functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is recognized as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in cardiothoracic surgery. We hypothesized that a variably expandable, transvalvular balloon mounted on a catheter could be percutaneously inserted and fixed to the right ventricle apex. This novel approach could provide a minimally invasive way to eliminate clinically relevant TR caused by annular dilatation. This study was performed to test the ex vivo hemodynamic effects and the feasibility of the “balloon plug concept.” Methods Twenty harvested calf tricuspid valves were placed in a mechanical simulator. Tricuspid regurgitation was created by annular stretching and displacement of the papillary muscles so as to create central TR. A flexible catheter with a 4-cm–long, soft, fusiform balloon was positioned across the valve so that the balloon was suspended centrally across the valve annular plane. After activating the mechanical ventricle, data were collected with balloon inflation volumes of saline from 5 to 20 mL. Transvalvular pressure gradients and leaflet mechanics were evaluated with incremental inflation. Results In all cases, 5-mL inflation did not significantly reduce TR and 20-mL inflation caused obstruction to antegrade flow (mean transvalvular gradient > 4 mm Hg). Inflation between 10 and 15 mL caused significant reduction in TR with acceptable transvalvular gradients (Conclusions The balloon plug concept showed promising ex vivo hemodynamic results. In vivo investigations are warranted to evaluate percutaneous techniques, thrombogenicity, and effects of repeated balloon-leaflet contact on valve integrity.

Microsurgery is a technically demanding field with long learning curves. Robotic-assisted microsurgery has the ability to decrease these learning curves. We, therefore, sought to assess the feasibility of robotic-assisted microvascular surgery in a rat model, and whether this could be translated into a worthwhile skills acquisition exercise for residents. Twenty-eight rats underwent microvascular anastomosis. Procedures were performed by a trained microvascular surgeon with no robotic experience (n = 14), or a trained robotic surgeon with no microvascular experience (n = 14). Anesthetized rats were subjected to complete transection and end-to-end anastomosis of the abdominal aorta using 10–0 prolene. Manually (n = 6) and robotic-assisted (n = 8) procedures were performed by both surgeons. A successful procedure required a patent anastomosis and no bleeding. After approximately 35 days, angiography and histopathological studies of the anastomoses were performed. Median times for robotic-assisted anastomoses were 37.5 (34.2–42.7) min for the microsurgeon and 38.5 (32.7–52) min for robotic surgeon. In the manual group, it took 17 (13.5–23) min for microsurgeon and 44 (34.5–60) min for robotic surgeon. Within the robotic-assisted group, there was a trend toward improvement in both surgeons, but greater in the microsurgeon. Robotic-assisted microvascular anastomosis in a rat model is a feasible skill acquisition exercise. By eliminating the need for a skilled microsurgical assistant, as well as, improved microsurgical technology, the robotic system may prove to be a crucial player in future microsurgical skill training.

The increased use of mechanical circulatory support has led to a rise in infectious complications in the recent years predisposing this population of patients to higher morbidity and mortality. In this study, we report a significantly lower rate of driveline infections of 0.12 episodes/patient-year as compared to the rates reported in the existing literature in patients with the HMII (Heartmate II). The study is limited by the fact that it is based on a small population of patients and was conducted retrospectively making recall bias hard to rule out. It is strictly restricted to one type of continuous flow pump (HMII) solely to decrease variations in the data reviewed. The exact cause of the low infection rate noted in this study is difficult to define. However, detailed teaching to the caregivers and the patient as well as close follow-ups in the perioperative period may substantially contribute to the outcome noted. Continued research limited to similar continuous flow ventricular assist devices in larger study populations would shed light on defining causes of infections in this population and developing robust algorithms to prevent such complications.

Purpose With the implementation of the new heart allocation system, the goal of our study was to compare the outcomes of patients supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation who were bridged to transplantation versus bridged to a left ventricular assist device prior to transplantation. Methods The UNOS database was queried for all adult patients (age >=18) who required support with ECMO at the time of listing or while on the waitlist for a heart from 2001-2018. Patients who successfully underwent orthotopic heart transplantation were stratified into those bridged immediately to transplantation from ECMO and those bridged to an LVAD prior to transplantation. Demographics, one year survival, postoperative stroke, postoperative renal failure requiring dialysis, episodes of rejection, and graft failure were compared. Results A total of 186 patients meeting criteria were identified. 117 patients were bridged from ECMO directly to transplantation, and 69 patients were successfully bridged from ECMO to either a Heartmate II or Heartware device prior to transplantation. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and log-rank test found a statistically significant difference in one year survival between patients who were bridge from ECMO to transplantation compared to those who were bridged to an LVAD prior to subsequent transplantation (p=0.0004, Figure 1). Incidence of new postoperative renal failure requiring dialysis (20.4% vs 1.5%), stroke (10.4% vs 1.5%), and postoperative graft failure (14.0% vs 2.9%) was higher and episodes of rejection requiring treatment (12.6% vs 18.8%) were lower in the patients bridged directly from ECMO to transplantation compared to patients bridged to an LVAD prior to transplantation. Conclusion Our study suggests that bridging ECMO patients to an LVAD prior to transplantation will result in improved one year survival compared to patients bridged to immediate transplantation. With the new heart allocation system, continued evaluation of outcomes is required to inform management strategies.

Background Rigid bone fixation is the standard of care for all bone reconstructions except that after sternotomy. Sternal reconstruction after median sternotomy using rigid fixation with plates may improve bone healing and reduce pain when compared with wire cerclage. Methods One-hundred forty patients at six centers who were determined preoperatively to be at high risk for sternal wound complications were randomly assigned to sternal closure with rigid plate fixation (n = 70) or wire cerclage (n = 70). Sternal healing was evaluated at 3 or 6 months by a core laboratory using computed tomography. Pain and function were evaluated at postoperative day 3 through discharge, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Results Sternal healing was superior in rigid plate fixation patients at both 3 and 6 months. Mean computed tomography scores in the rigid plate fixation and wire cerclage groups at 3 months were 1.7 ± 1.1 and 0.9 ± 0.8 ( p = 0.003). At 6 months, the scores were 3.2 ± 1.6 and 2.2 ± 1.1, respectively ( p = 0.01). At 6 months, 70% of rigid plate fixation patients had achieved sternal union, compared with 24% of conventional wire cerclage patients ( p = 0.003). Pain scores and narcotic usage were lower in rigid plate fixation patients. Significant differences in pain scores were observed at 3 weeks for total pain ( p = 0.020) and pain with coughing ( p = 0.0084) or sneezing ( p = 0.030). Complication rates were similar in both groups. Conclusions Sternal reconstruction using rigid fixation with plates improved bone healing and reduced early postoperative pain compared with wire cerclage.

Prolonged hospital length of stay (PLOS) after heart transplantation increases cost and morbidity. To better inform care, we developed a risk score to identify patients at risk for PLOS after heart transplantation.We queried the United Network for Organ Sharing Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database for adult patients who underwent isolated heart transplantation from 2003 to 2012. The population was randomly divided into a derivation cohort (80%) and a validation cohort (20%). The outcome of interest was PLOS, defined as a posttransplant hospital length of stay of more than 30 days. Associated univariables (p0.20) in the derivation cohort were included in a multivariable model, and a risk index was derived from the adjusted odds ratios of significant covariates.During the study period, 16,723 patients underwent heart transplantation with an average PLOS of 19 ± 21 days, and 2,020 orthotopic heart transplant recipients (12%) had PLOS. Baseline characteristics were similar between the derivation and validation cohorts. Twenty-four recipient and nine donor variables, cold ischemic time, and center volume were tested as univariables. Seventeen covariates significantly affected PLOS and comprised the prolonged hospitalization after heart transplant risk score, which was stratified into three risk groups. The risk model was subsequently validated, and predicted rates of PLOS correlated well with observed rates (R = 0.79). Rates of PLOS in the validation cohort were 8.3%, 11%, and 22% for low, moderate, and high risk groups, respectively.The risk of PLOS after heart transplantation can be determined at the time of transplant. The prolonged hospitalization after heart transplant score may lead to individualized postoperative management strategies to reduce duration of hospitalization for patients at high risk.

Postoperative complications are associated with increased morbidity and mortality after cardiac operations. We sought to quantify the effect of multiple complications on noninstitutionalized recovery after cardiac operations.We identified 2,477 adult patients from our institutional cardiac surgery database who underwent one of seven index cardiac surgical operations from 2011 to 2014. We calculated failure-to-rescue rates for all individual complications and combinations of complications. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine the effect of the interaction of postoperative complications on our primary outcome of operative death and secondary outcomes of prolonged hospital length of stay and discharge to a location other than home.From 2011 to 2014, at least one complication occurred in 366 patients (14.8%), and multiple complications occurred in 102 (4.1%), including three complications in 20 (0.8%). Operative mortality occurred in 41% of patients with multiple complications vs in 4.9% of those with an isolated complication and in 0.7% of those without complications. Significant interactions that negatively affected survival were noted between nearly every combination of complications. The occurrence of renal failure and unplanned reoperation together were associated with increased deaths (odds ratio, 108.4; 95% confidence interval, 13.5 to 869.9; p 0.001). Median hospital length of stay and discharge rates to a location other than home correlated positively with the number of postoperative complications.Major complications after cardiac operations are associated with an increased risk for operative death, longer hospital length of stay, and higher rates of discharge to a location other than home. These adverse outcomes are magnified when multiple complications are encountered.

Background: The management of malperfusion in patients with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection is controversial. We sought to determine the rate of resolution of malperfusion following primary repair of the dissection and to identify anatomic sites of malperfusion that may require additional management. Methods: We reviewed the hospital records of patients who presented to our institution with acute type A aortic dissection. Patient demographics, operative details and post-operative course were retrospectively extracted from our institutional electronic database. Depending upon the anatomic site, malperfusion was identified by a combination of radiographic and clinical definitions. Data were analyzed using standard univariable and multivariable methods. Results: Between 1997–2013, 101 patients underwent repair of an acute type A dissection. Thirty-day mortality was 14.9% (15/101); there were five intraoperative deaths. There was no difference in 30-day mortality between patients with or without malperfusion (15.4% vs . 14.7%, P=0.93). Twenty-five patients (24.7%), who survived surgery, presented with 31 sites of malperfusion. Anatomic sites included extremities [14], renal [10], cerebral [5] and intestinal [2]. Of these 31 sites, malperfusion resolved in 18 (58.1%) with primary aortic repair. Renal malperfusion resolved radiographically in 80.0%, with no difference in the incidence of insufficiency (44.0% vs . 35.2%; P=0.44) or dialysis (20.0% vs . 15.5%; P=0.61) between malperfusion and non-malperfusion patients. Extremity malperfusion resolved postoperatively in six out of 14 patients. Of the remaining eight, concomitant revascularization was performed in four, one had an amputation and three required postoperative interventions. Advanced patient age (OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01–1.12, P=0.02) was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality, while preoperative malperfusion was not (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.18–3.31, P=0.73). Conclusions: Malperfusion complicating acute type A dissection can be managed in many patients by aortic replacement alone with low overall mortality. Most cases of renal and cerebral malperfusion resolved following aortic surgery. Revascularization was frequently necessary in patients with extremity malperfusion. Patients presenting with intestinal ischemia had very poor outcomes. A patient-specific approach is recommended in such complex patients.

Background Mediastinal reexplorations for bleeding are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study hypothesized that bleeding patients who undergo delayed chest closure after an initial operation experience similar outcomes in comparison with patients who have initial chest closure and later require an unplanned reexploration. Methods This study included all patients in the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Baltimore, MD) institutional Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) database who underwent cardiac surgical procedures or thoracic transplantation from 2011 to June 2014, had an intraoperative red blood cell transfusion requirement of 2 units or more, and required mediastinal reexploration for bleeding. Reexplorations were classified as planned (temporary chest closure for a planned "second look") or unplanned (initial sternal closure and subsequent reexploration). The two groups were then propensity matched. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were major complication rates, hospital length of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, and incidence of postoperative pneumonia and cardiac arrest. Results Among 3,293 patients, 110 (3.3%) met inclusion criteria and required mediastinal reexploration for bleeding. This group included 62 planned (56%) and 48 unplanned (44%) reexplorations. After propensity matching 30 pairs of patients across 16 variables, operative mortality rates were comparable (37% vs 37%; p = 1.00) between unplanned and planned reexploration cohorts. There were no differences in rates of deep sternal wound infection, renal failure, postoperative hospital length of stay, pneumonia, or cardiac arrest, with the exception of a higher rate of prolonged intubation (93% vs 53%; p Conclusions Delayed sternal closure is a safe alternative to initial definitive chest closure when concern exists for postoperative bleeding.

Clinical introduction A 55-year-old West African man was referred for routine echocardiography. He was completely asymptomatic, a non-smoker, working out at the gym several times weekly. He was taking hydrochlorothiazide for hypertension. Clinical examination revealed a blood pressure of 156/74 mm Hg and systolic and diastolic murmurs suggestive of aortic insufficiency. Pulses were equal bilaterally and he had no marfanoid features or hyperelasticity. ECG showed mild left ventricular hypertrophy and chest X-ray revealed a normal cardiac shadow and mediastinum. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated an unusual appearance above the aortic valve (figure 1A), moderate aortic regurgitation and a shadow in the aortic arch. Transoesophageal echocardiography was performed to evaluate the dilated aorta, arch and aortic valve further (figure 1B, C). The native aortic valve was trileaflet with moderate regurgitation. CT was also performed (figure 1D). Question What is the most likely diagnosis? Acute type A aortic dissection Williams syndrome Loa loa worm infection Intimo-intimal intussusception Giant cell aortitis

Objective This study evaluates the feasibility of off-pump native aortic valve removal in preparation for transapical aortic valve replacement. Off-pump aortic valve replacement is performed by balloon predilatation of the native valve followed by insertion of a stented prosthesis. In patients with calcified annuli and cusps, particulate embolization, suboptimal prosthesis sizing, and perivalvular leaks may occur. Therefore, native valve removal may improve outcomes after transapical aortic valve replacement. Methods The aortic cusps were sequentially removed from 10 pigs in an off-pump procedure. A temporary valve was inserted percutaneously into the ascending aorta to prevent aortic regurgitation. The electrocardiogram, coronary blood flow, and arterial, left atrial, and ventricular pressures were continuously monitored. Results Removal of the aortic cusps caused a drop in diastolic arterial pressure and its equalization with left ventricular diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure decreased by 13.5%. Left atrial pressure increased by 86.0%. Coronary blood flow decreased by 39.9% and its pattern changed from mostly diastolic to mostly systolic. Electrocardiographic signs of ischemia appeared almost immediately. Percutaneous insertion of a temporary valve in the ascending aorta increased diastolic pressure and caused a tendency toward echocardiographic normalization. Conclusions Aortic valve removal in a healthy beating heart causes acute massive aortic regurgitation, hemodynamic instability, and the rapid onset of myocardial ischemia. Reduction of left ventricular volume overload, by placement of a temporary valve in the ascending aorta, mitigates myocardial distress, helps stabilize hemodynamic parameters, and may be a useful tool to allow surgical manipulations of the aortic valve and annulus during transapical aortic valve replacement procedures.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a new off-pump mitral valve repair technology in restoring valve competency in a porcine model of acute mitral regurgitation. Methods Acute mitral regurgitation was induced in 6 anesthetized pigs by cutting anterior leaflet chordae. Artificial chordae were then transapically implanted on the prolapsing segment under epicardial echocardiographic guidance and secured outside the left ventricular apex. All intracardiac manipulations were performed off-pump, through a stab wound incision on the left ventricular apex. Results Cutting the anterior leaflet chordae caused an eccentric, posteriorly directed jet of mitral regurgitation that could be visualized by color Doppler sonography. Implantation of chordae through the left ventricular apex completely eliminated valve regurgitation in 4 animals and reduced regurgitation in 2. Intraoperative measurement of artificial chordal tensions gave similar values to those reported for native chordae. Conclusions Off-pump, transapical implantation of artificial chordae between a prolapsing anterior mitral valve leaflet and the left ventricular apex was effective in reducing acutely induced mitral regurgitation. Long-term studies are planned to assess the stability in this animal model.

Objectives This investigation sought to determine the feasibility of a novel method of a percutaneous mitral valve repair. Background Percutaneous mitral valve repair has emerged as an alternative therapy for patients with functional mitral regurgitation. However, current methods that rely on cannulation of the coronary sinus may not result in direct reduction of the mitral annulus area due to the superior relationship of the sinus to the annulus. Methods A novel device, consisting of helical stainless steel screws connected by a biocompatible tether, was designed for percutaneous mitral valve repair. This device was implanted by implanting the helical screws directly into the myocardium at the posteromedial mitral annulus of 8 anesthetized pigs from the right internal jugular vein. Results Implantation of the device resulted in a 19.7 ± 0.1% reduction in mitral annular area and an 18.8 ± 0.1% decrease in the mitral anterior-posterior dimension (both p l 0.05 vs. baseline). This annular reduction persisted at 3-month follow-up. Both the coronary sinus and left circumflex coronary artery remained patent in all animals. There was no evidence of device migration, poor wound healing, or tissue thrombosis at the sites of device implantation. Conclusions Percutaneous mitral valve repair targeting the ventricular myocardium from central venous access is feasible. By directly acting on the posteromedial mitral annulus, this methodology targets the mitral annular area most frequently affected by ischemic mitral regurgitation, lessens the risk of coronary artery impingement, promotes coronary sinus patency, and overcomes technical concerns that may arise when the coronary sinus lies significantly superior to the mitral annulus.

Recently developed technologies allow aortic valve implantation off-pump in a beating heart. In this procedure, the native, stenotic aortic valve is not removed, but simply crushed by a pressure balloon mounted on a percutaneous catheter. Removal of the native aortic cusps before valve replacement may reduce the incidence of annular or cuspal calcium embolization and late perivalvular leaks and increase implantable valve size. However, a temporary valve system in the ascending aorta may be necessary to maintain hemodynamic stability by reducing acute aortic regurgitation and left ventricular volume overload. This study evaluates the hemodynamic effects of a wire-mounted, monoleaflet, temporary valve apparatus in a mechanical cardiovascular simulator. Aortic flow, systemic pressure and left ventricular pressure were continuously monitored. An intraluminal camera obtained real-time proximal and distal images of the valve in operation. Insertion of the parachute valve in the simulator increased diastolic pressure from 7 to 38 mm Hg. Cardiac output increased from 2.08 to 4.66 L/min and regurgitant volume decreased from 65 to 23 mL. In conclusion, placement of a temporary valve in the ascending aorta may help maintain hemodynamic stability and improve off-pump aortic valve replacement.

Background Isolated anomalous left main coronary artery (ALMCA) from the right aortic sinus of Valsalva (RASV) with an interarterial course between the pulmonary trunk and aorta is a rare congenital abnormality. We performed an evidence based systematic overview spanning 4 decades to assess the prevalence, clinical features and management of this anomaly. Methods A computerized search spanning 40 years was conducted to identify articles describing cases of ALMCA arising from the RASV with an interarterial course. The bibliographies of all relevant articles were also searched. Results The search identified 264 cases. Age ranged from 3.5 months to 87 years. Male/female ratio was 2.9/1. Forty-nine percent of the cases were diagnosed postmortem. Cardiac catheterization was the most common diagnostic tool (41.7%) followed by echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized assisted tomography. Fifty-seven (21.6%) cases underwent surgical procedures with no mortality and low morbidity. Conclusions ALMCA from the RASV is associated with increased risk of sudden death, notably in young patients. Unfortunately the majority are diagnosed postmortem. More than a third present with sudden cardiac death. Echocardiography, computerized assisted tomography and cardiac MRI are valuable non-invasive diagnostic tools. Cardiac catheterization provides a definitive diagnosis in the majority. Surgical correction is the mainstay of treatment with low risk and good anatomic and functional results.

Objective Although radiofrequency ablation is increasingly used to create the atrial lesions of the Cox maze procedure, its effectiveness in ablating atrial fibrillation compared with the standard cut-and-sew method is not known. We compare the freedom from atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing both methods with identical lesion sets. Methods Radiofrequency ablation was used to create full Cox maze lesions in 56 patients between January 2002 and February 2005; these patients were matched with those who underwent the standard cut-and-sew method. Matched variables were gender (33 male, 23 female, both), age (67.5 vs 67.2 years), New York Heart Association class (mean 2.28 vs 1.96), atrial fibrillation type (37 paroxysmal, 19 continuous, both), and concomitant mitral valve surgery (37 in both). Hypertension, preoperative left atrial size, and preoperative duration of atrial fibrillation were similar between groups. Results When compared with matched controls, fewer patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation were free from atrial fibrillation at dismissal (63% vs 88%; P = .0039) and at last follow-up (62% vs 92%; P = .016). According to logistic regression for matched pairs, patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation were 4.5 times more likely to be in atrial fibrillation at dismissal (95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.8, 10.9) and 5 times more likely to be in atrial fibrillation at follow-up (95% CI, 1.4, 17.3). No other covariate was associated with atrial fibrillation status at hospital dismissal or follow-up. Conclusion Creating Cox maze lesions with radiofrequency ablation is associated with less freedom from atrial fibrillation both early and late postoperatively. Because transmurality can be assured, the standard cut-and-sew Cox maze procedure remains the gold standard for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Background Cardiac surgery is associated with cerebral dysfunction. While 1% to 2% of patients experience stroke, cognitive deficits are seen in more than half of patients. Given the high incidence of cognitive decline, it has become the endpoint of many cardiac surgery investigations. Because the elderly are at highest risk, this investigation sought to determine if there is a relationship between new ischemic changes demonstrated by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and postoperative cognitive deficit in older patients. Methods Fifty cardiac surgical patients (>65 years of age) underwent preoperative and postoperative neurocognitive examinations, including four to six week, postdischarge, follow-up. This evaluation assessed higher cortical function, memory, attention, concentration, and psychomotor performance. Objective evidence of acute cerebral ischemic events was identified using DW-MRI. Scans were analyzed by a neuroradiologist blinded to clinical status and cognitive outcomes. Results Among patients with a mean age of 73 years, 88% demonstrated cognitive decline in the postoperative testing period while 32% showed evidence of acute perioperative cerebral ischemia by DW-MRI. At postdischarge follow-up, 30% of patients showed cognitive impairment. However, cognitive decline assessed postoperatively, or at a four to six week follow-up, was unrelated to the presence or absence of DW-MRI detected cerebral ischemia. Conclusions Postoperative neurocognitive impairment, assessed by standard means, is unrelated to acute cerebral ischemia detected by DW-MRI. This strongly suggests that cognitive decline after cardiac surgery is a function of underlying patient factors rather than perioperative ischemic events. This observation has broad implications for future investigation of strategies to prevent cardiac surgery-related neurologic injury.

A retrospective study was undertaken to review demographic data, clinical presentation, outcomes, and long-term results of surgical repair of sinus of Valsalva aneurysms (SVAs). SVAs are a rare anomaly. Surgery is the treatment of choice. A retrospective review of an institutional database identified 86 patients who underwent SVA repair from 1956 to 2003. Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 40 years. The median age was 45 years (range 5 to 80). Approximately 44% of the patients had associated aortic regurgitation. Ruptures occurred in 34% of patients. The predominant fistula was from the right sinus of Valsalva to the right ventricle. Most (65%) were diagnosed by echocardiography, and the remaining (35%) were diagnosed on cardiac catheterization. All subjects underwent SVA repair. Seventy-two patients (84%) underwent other cardiac procedures at the time of aneurysm repair. Six patients (7%) died perioperatively, and the actuarial 10-year survival rate was 63%. In conclusion, echocardiography is the most frequently used diagnostic tool. The most common site of the aneurysm was the right coronary sinus. The concomitant surgical repair of associated ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, and the aortic valve is often required. Elective surgical repair can be performed with low risk.

Background Despite evidence that bilateral internal thoracic arteries (ITAs) improve long-term survival after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), uptake of this technique remains low. We directly compared bilateral ITA graft configurations and examined long-term outcomes. Methods We reviewed 762 patients who underwent CABG using bilateral ITA grafts at our institution between 1997 and 2014. The outcomes were mortality and a composite revascularization end point defined as need for percutaneous coronary intervention or repeat CABG. Adjusted subgroup analyses were performed using propensity score-adjusted Cox proportional hazards modeling. Results The cohort was divided into 4 groups: in situ (left ITA [LITA] anastomosed to the left anterior descending artery [LAD] with in situ right ITA [RITA] anastomosed to the left coronary circulation [239 patients]); in situ LITA-LAD and in situ RITA-right coronary circulation (239 patients); in situ RITA-LAD with in situ LITA-left coronary circulation (185 patients); and in situ LITA-LAD with a free RITA as a composite graft with inflow from the LITA or a saphenous vein graft (99 patients). Over a median follow-up of 1128 days, there were 47 deaths, 58 late percutaneous coronary interventions, and 7 repeat CABG procedures. Unadjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a difference in need for repeat revascularization among the 4 groups (log rank P = .049). However, after statistical adjustment, graft configuration was not an independent predictor of repeat revascularization or death. Conclusions Bilateral ITA graft configuration has no independent effect on need for repeat revascularization or long-term survival. Therefore, the simplest technique, determined by individual patient characteristics, should be selected.