Improved graft patency rates and mid-term outcome of diabetic patients undergoing total arterial myocardial revascularization

Objectives: Diabetes negatively affects the outcome of patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary surgery. However, data are lacking with respect to the impact of arterial revascularization in the diabetic population. Methods: Between 1999 and 2003, 100 of 491 diabetics underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) with total arterial grafting (Group 1, G1); these patients were compared with 100 diabetics undergoing conventional CABG with saphenous veins (Group 2, G2), who were matched for Euroscore and other risk factors such as age, obesity, hypertension, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), previous myocardial infarction and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Results: Both groups had a similar number of diseased coronary vessels (G1=2.6 vs G2= 2.7) and received a similar degree of myocardial revascularization (grafted vessels: G1=2.2 vs G2=2.4). Early outcome was comparable between the groups in terms of ventilatory support (G1=10.8±6 vs G2=10.4±5 hours), intensive care unit (ICU) stay (G1=24±12 vs G2=25±14 hours) and major post-operative complications such as atrial fibrillation (G1=26% vs G2=28%), peri-operative myocardial infarction (G1=1% vs G2=2%)and prolonged ventilatory support (G1=6% vs G2=5%). Hospital mortality was 2% in G1 and 3% in G2. Angiography was performed at a mean follow-up of 34 months in 65.9% and 71.1% of hospital survivors of G1 and G2 respectively: patients of G1 showed a significantly higher patency rate (G1=96% vs G2=83.6%, p=0.02). Additionally, patients of G1 showed a significantly lower incidence of recurrent myocardial ischemia (G1=7 pts. vs G2=18 pts., p=0.03), late myocardial infarction (G1=2 pts. vs G2=10 pts., p=0.03) and need for coronary reintervention (G1=1 pt. vs G2=12 pts, p=0.004). Conclusions: Total arterial grafting in diabetic patients significantly improved the benefits of coronary surgery providing at mid term a higher graft patency rate with a lower incidence of cardiac related events. (Heart International 2006; 3-4: 136-40

Safety and usefulness of composite grafts for total arterial myocardial revascularization: A prospective randomized evaluation

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Thoracoscopic epicardial pulmonary vein ablation for lone paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Abstract Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation recently gained new popularity since the introduction of different energy sources for ablative therapy as an alternative to the original ''cut-and-sew'' techniques. However, most of the cases have been performed together with other cardiac surgical procedures and mainly through a standard median sternotomy approach. We report here the first European case of closed-chest thoracoscopic pulmonary vein isolation in a patient with lone paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Left atrial fibrosis: an essential hallmark in chronic mitral regurgitation

Abstract Chronic mitral regurgitation (MR) is the second valvular heart disease for incidence, which worsening severity gradually affects all cardiac chambers and leads to poor outcome if untreated. The recent development of minimally invasive surgical techniques and percutaneous intervention has reduced the operative risk, allowing a more confident referral of these patients for intervention. Therefore, there is a growing need of reliable markers to select the best therapeutic strategies and to identify the optimal timing for intervention. Myocardial fibrosis (MF) gradually occurs as a result of left atrial and ventricular (LA and LV) remodeling due to MR pressure and volume overload. It has been identified as an index of clinical outcome and arrhythmic risk in patients with MR. Particularly, the assessment of LA fibrosis not only allows to define different MR etiology, but also was associated with prognosis and atrial fibrillation (AF) burden. Nowadays, noninvasive estimation of MF is possible through the use of advanced imaging modalities, particularly cardiac magnetic resonance and speckle tracking echocardiography. This review discusses the role of LA fibrosis as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in patients with MR and its quantification by noninvasive multimodality cardiac imaging

Left internal thoracic artery−radial artery composite grafts as the technique of choice for myocardial revascularization in elderly patients: a prospective randomized evaluation

AbstractObjectivesThe technique of choice for myocardial revascularization in elderly patients remains a debated issue. We evaluated the potential advantages of the use of left internal thoracic artery-radial artery composite grafts compared with conventional coronary artery bypass grafts in elderly patients.MethodsWe prospectively enrolled 160 patients aged more than 70 years scheduled to undergo isolated myocardial revascularization. Patients were assigned at random to group 1, 80 patients undergoing total arterial revascularization (left internal thoracic artery on left anterior descending coronary artery plus radial artery), or group 2, 80 patients undergoing standard coronary artery bypass graft surgery (left internal thoracic artery on left anterior descending coronary artery plus saphenous veins). The radial artery was used in all cases as a composite Y-graft.ResultsPreoperative characteristics and risk factors (EuroSCORE: group 1 = 7.9 vs group 2 = 8.1), number of grafted coronary vessels (group 1 = 2.4 vs group 2 = 2.5), aortic crossclamping time (group 1 = 37 ± 7 minutes vs group 2 = 38 ± 7 minutes), ventilation time (group 1 = 22 ± 12 hours vs group 2 = 23 ± 11 hours), intensive care unit stay (group 1 = 39 ± 10 hours vs group 2 = 40 ± 9 hours), and hospital mortality (group 1 = 3.8% vs group 2 = 5%) were comparable between the groups. Comparison between the 2 groups in terms of early postoperative complications showed a higher incidence of cerebrovascular accidents in group 2 (group 1 = 0 patients vs group 2 = 4 patients, 5%). At a mean follow-up of 16 ± 3 months, patients in group 1 showed superior clinical results with a lower incidence of graft occlusion (group 1 = 2 vs group 2 = 11; P = .06) and angina recurrence (group 1 = 2 patients vs group 2 = 12 patients; P = .03). Multivariate analysis identified saphenous vein grafts as independent predictors for graft occlusion and angina recurrence.ConclusionsLeft internal thoracic artery-radial artery composite grafts proved to be a safe procedure in elderly patients. It improved the clinical outcome, providing a significantly higher graft patency rate and a lower incidence of late cardiac events

Hybrid Approach to Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

Sequential surgical thoracoscopic and electrophysiological (EP) ablation is gaining popularity as a novel approach for the treatment of patients with stand-alone, persistent and long standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF)

A multidisciplinary approach for the emergency care of patients with left ventricular assist devices: A practical guide

The use of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) as a bridge-to-transplantation or destination therapy to support cardiac function in patients with end-stage heart failure (HF) is increasing in all developed countries. However, the expertise needed to implant and manage patients referred for LVAD treatment is limited to a few reference centers, which are often located far from the patient's home. Although patients undergoing LVAD implantation should be permanently referred to the LVAD center for the management and follow-up of the device also after implantation, they would refer to the local healthcare service for routine assistance and urgent health issues related to the device or generic devices. Therefore, every clinician, from a bigger to a smaller center, should be prepared to manage LVAD carriers and the possible risks associated with LVAD management. Particularly, emergency treatment of patients with LVAD differs slightly from conventional emergency protocols and requires specific knowledge and a multidisciplinary approach to avoid ineffective treatment or dangerous consequences. This review aims to provide a standard protocol for managing emergency and urgency in patients with LVAD, elucidating the role of each healthcare professional and emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the emergency department, in-hospital ward, and LVAD reference center, as well as algorithms designed to ensure timely, adequate, and effective treatment to patients with LVAD. Copyright © 2022 Cameli, Pastore, Mandoli, Landra, Lisi, Cavigli, D'Ascenzi, Focardi, Carrucola, Dokollari, Bisleri, Tsioulpas, Bernazzali, Maccherini and Valente

Human iPSC modelling of a familial form of atrial fibrillation reveals a gain of function of I-f and I-CaL in patient-derived cardiomyocytes

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmias, whose incidence is likely to increase with the aging of the population. It is considered a progressive condition, frequently observed as a complication of other cardiovascular disorders. However, recent genetic studies revealed the presence of several mutations and variants linked to AF, findings that define AF as a multifactorial disease. Due to the complex genetics and paucity of models, molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation of AF are still poorly understood. Here we investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms of a familial form of AF, with particular attention to the identification of putative triggering cellular mechanisms, using patient's derived cardiomyocytes (CMs) differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Methods and results: Here we report the clinical case of three siblings with untreatable persistent AF whose whole-exome sequence analysis revealed several mutated genes. To understand the pathophysiology of this multifactorial form of AF we generated three iPSC clones from two of these patients and differentiated these cells towards the cardiac lineage. Electrophysiological characterization of patient-derived CMs (AF-CMs) revealed that they have higher beating rates compared to control (CTRL)-CMs. The analysis showed an increased contribution of the If and ICaL currents. No differences were observed in the repolarizing current IKr and in the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium handling. Paced AF-CMs presented significantly prolonged action potentials and, under stressful conditions, generated both delayed after-depolarizations of bigger amplitude and more ectopic beats than CTRL cells. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that the common genetic background of the patients induces functional alterations of If and ICaL currents leading to a cardiac substrate more prone to develop arrhythmias under demanding conditions. To our knowledge this is the first report that, using patient-derived CMs differentiated from iPSC, suggests a plausible cellular mechanism underlying this complex familial form of AF

ESC Joint Working Groups on Cardiovascular Surgery and the Cellular Biology of the Heart Position Paper: Perioperative myocardial injury and infarction in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery

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