Comparative study of tricuspid valve repair using ring vs. synthetic band in severe functional tricuspid valve regurgitation

Background: Functional tricuspid valve regurgitation secondary to left-sided valve disease remains a common problem. There are different surgical techniques for tricuspid valve repair; however, the superiority of one approach over the other has not been proven. Our objective was to compare the short-term results of ring versus synthetic band annuloplasty to repair functional severe tricuspid regurgitation in patients with left-sided valve lesions. Methods: This retrospective study includes 60 patients who underwent left-sided valve replacement with concomitant tricuspid valve repair for severe tricuspid regurgitation. Patients were divided into group A (n= 30), patients with rigid rings, and group B (n= 30), patients with synthetic bands. Results: The preoperative demographic and clinical data were non-significant between both groups. In the preoperative data, the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) was significantly higher in the ring group (2.84 ± 0.53 vs. 2.3 ± 0.4, P< 0.001). Hospital stay was more prolonged in group B (10.05 ± 1.57 vs. 11.7 ± 2.76 days, P=0.006). There were no differences in other operative and postoperative data between groups. After a six-month follow-up, both groups had no significant difference regarding the clinical data or the degree of tricuspid valve regurgitation. Conclusion: Tricuspid valve annuloplasty with a rigid ring or synthetic band for tricuspid regurgitation could have a good short-term outcome

Surgical Repair versus Conservative Treatment for Moderate Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation in Concomitant with Mitral Valve Surgery

Background: Management of moderate functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) secondary to left-sided valve lesion is controversial. The objective of this study was to compare the short-term results of surgical repair versus conservative treatment for moderate functional tricuspid regurgitation in concomitant with mitral valve surgery. Methods: Our study included 60 patients with mitral valve lesion and moderate functional tricuspid regurgitation. Patients were divided into 2 groups; group A included 30 patients whose tricuspid valve disease were managed conservatively, and group B included 30 patients who had tricuspid valve band annuloplasty. Results: Preoperative clinical and echocardiographic data were comparable between groups. There was no difference regarding mechanical ventilation time (6 .13 ± 3.02 vs. 7.01 ± 4.14 hours; p= 0.291), or intensive care unit stay (51.42 ± 12.1 vs. 52.31 ± 15.32 hours; p=0.614) in group A and B respectively. There was a significant improvement in the degree of tricuspid valve regurgitation in group B early postoperative (moderate tricuspid regurgitation reported in 22 (73.3%) vs. 4 (13.3%); p<0.001) and at 3 months (moderate tricuspid regurgitation 11 (36.7%) vs. 2 (6.7%); p<0.001) and 6 months follow up (moderate tricuspid regurgitation 10 (30%) vs.  2 (6.7%); p<0.001) in group A and B respectively. After 6-months, 20 (66.7%) patients in group A had dyspnea grade I compared to 26 (86.7%) patients in group B; p=0.021. Conclusion: Although the correction of the left-sided lesion improved the degree of TR in some patients, concomitant repair of the tricuspid valve could produce better improvement in the clinical outcome when compared to the conservative approach

On-Pump versus Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in The Surgical Management of High-Risk Patients, A Clinical Randomized Study

Background: Surgical treatment modalities of coronary artery diseases (CAD) include on-pump or off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). CABG performed on the beating heart can avoid complications that might occur on cardiopulmonary bypass. Our objective was to compare the effectiveness of on-pump versus off-pump CABG in high-risk patients stratified according to the EuroSCORE scoring system.  Methods: This randomized clinical study included 80 high-risk patients who underwent CABG and assigned into two groups; each contains 40 patients. Patients with valvular affection, ischemic ventricular septal defect or left ventricle and aortic aneurysms, and/or those exhibiting significant neurological pathology were excluded from the study. Study outcomes were blood loss, length of ICU and hospital stay, inotropic use, re-exploration rate, and operative mortality. Results: The study showed significant higher use of inotropic drugs intra and post-operatively (57.5% vs 40%, p = 0.021), more low cardiac output (12.5% vs 2.5%, p = 0.031), lower blood loss (337±67 vs 498±68 ml, p = 0.01), lower blood transfusion (1.1±0.2 vs 1.2±0.4 unit, p = 0.024), more prolonged ICU stay (4.0±1.6 vs 3.0±0.9 day, p = 0.001) and the higher re-exploration rate (17.5% vs 7.5%, p = 0.035) in the on-pump group. Hospital stay (8.7±2 vs 8.1±1, p = 0.121) and early mortality (7.5% vs 2.5%, p = 0.451) did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion: Management of coronary artery disease is still challenging, and there is still a place for off-pump CABG in CAD in high-risk patients due to its advantages in the early complications while has the same total hospital stay when compared with on-pump CABG

Effect of Body Mass Index on Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Background: Obesity affects cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and it increases the risk of coronary artery disease. Despite that, several cardiac surgery risk stratification scores do not consider the effect of obesity on the outcomes. The objective of this research is to study the impact of body mass index (BMI) on morbidity and mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in Egyptian patients. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 200 patients who underwent CABG for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Patients were divided into two groups, group A: patients with BMI ≥ 25 Kg/m2 and group B: patients with BMI < 25 Kg/m2. The mean age in group A was 56± 4.95 years vs. 54± 5.5 years in group B (p= 0.102). Male patients presented 58% of the population in group A vs 74% in group B (p= 0.017). 60% of patients were hypertensive in group A compared to 63% in group B (p= 0.66) and 62%, and 48% were diabetics in group A and B respectively (p= 0.04). Results: Postoperatively, there was a significant increase in wound infection (40% vs 8%; p< 0.001), chest infection (47% vs. 10% p< 0.001), surgical re-exploration (28% vs. 1%; p< 0.001), prolonged ICU stays (5.3 ± 2.88 vs. 3.93 ± 1.71 days; p< 0.001), ward stay (11.28 ±8.9 vs. 5.48 ± 2.45 days; p< 0.001), mediastinitis (34% vs. 6%; p< 0.001), the occurrence of sternal wound sinus within 8 months (26% vs. 7%; p< 0.001), in group A more compared to group B. There was no difference in ejection fraction (54.2 ±7.38 vs. 54.7 ± 9.1%; p= 0.69) and mortality (4% vs. 2%; p= 0.68) between groups. Conclusions: BMI 25 Kg/m2 or higher is associated with increased infectious complications and prolonged stay after CABG; however, it did not affect mortality. Optimizing body weight is recommended before elective surgery

Chordae Tendineae Sparing during Mitral Valve Replacement: A Comparative Study

Background: Mitral valve replacement (MVR) with chordal sparing could improve ventricular function in patients with mitral regurgitation. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of prosthetic MVR with and without chordae tendineae sparing. Methods: This prospective, single-blinded, randomized study was executed on 60 patients undergoing prosthetic MVR with or without chordae tendineae sparing. Patients were divided into two equal groups: Group A (n= 30) included patients who underwent MVR with complete chordae tendineae sparing, and Group B (n= 30) included patients who underwent mitral valve replacement without chordae tendineae sparing. Results: Patients who underwent chordae tendineae sparing demonstrated significantly lower total bypass time (median = 67 vs. 110 min, P < 0.001), total cross-clamp time (median = 40 vs. 80 min, P < 0.001), inotropic support (30% vs. 96.7%, P < 0.001), and arrhythmia (6.7% vs. 86.7%, P < 0.001) than those who did not undergo chordal sparing. Additionally, patients who underwent sparing demonstrated a significantly lower 6-month left ventricle end-systolic diameter (3 ±0.8 vs. 3.9 ±0.5 cm, P < 0.001), 6-month left ventricle end-diastolic diameter (4.4 ±0.7 vs. 5.3 ±0.5 cm, P < 0.001), 3-month left atrium diameter (4.5 ±0.8 vs. 5.1 ±0.6 cm, P < 0.001), and 6-month left atrium diameter (4.3 ±0.8 vs. 5.4 ±0.6 cm, P < 0.001). Conclusion: This technique of MVR might enhance cardiac function and structural parameters and lower the end-diastolic and systolic diameters and the end-systolic and diastolic volumes up to the sixth month of follow-up

Global incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and healthy life expectancy (HALE) for 371 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background Detailed, comprehensive, and timely reporting on population health by underlying causes of disability and premature death is crucial to understanding and responding to complex patterns of disease and injury burden over time and across age groups, sexes, and locations. The availability of disease burden estimates can promote evidence-based interventions that enable public health researchers, policy makers, and other professionals to implement strategies that can mitigate diseases. It can also facilitate more rigorous monitoring of progress towards national and international health targets, such as the Sustainable Development Goals. For three decades, the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) has filled that need. A global network of collaborators contributed to the production of GBD 2021 by providing, reviewing, and analysing all available data. GBD estimates are updated routinely with additional data and refined analytical methods. GBD 2021 presents, for the first time, estimates of health loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The GBD 2021 disease and injury burden analysis estimated years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and healthy life expectancy (HALE) for 371 diseases and injuries using 100 983 data sources. Data were extracted from vital registration systems, verbal autopsies, censuses, household surveys, disease-specific registries, health service contact data, and other sources. YLDs were calculated by multiplying cause-age-sex-location-year-specific prevalence of sequelae by their respective disability weights, for each disease and injury. YLLs were calculated by multiplying cause-age-sex-location-year-specific deaths by the standard life expectancy at the age that death occurred. DALYs were calculated by summing YLDs and YLLs. HALE estimates were produced using YLDs per capita and age-specific mortality rates by location, age, sex, year, and cause. 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) were generated for all final estimates as the 2·5th and 97·5th percentiles values of 500 draws. Uncertainty was propagated at each step of the estimation process. Counts and age-standardised rates were calculated globally, for seven super-regions, 21 regions, 204 countries and territories (including 21 countries with subnational locations), and 811 subnational locations, from 1990 to 2021. Here we report data for 2010 to 2021 to highlight trends in disease burden over the past decade and through the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings Global DALYs increased from 2·63 billion (95% UI 2·44–2·85) in 2010 to 2·88 billion (2·64–3·15) in 2021 for all causes combined. Much of this increase in the number of DALYs was due to population growth and ageing, as indicated by a decrease in global age-standardised all-cause DALY rates of 14·2% (95% UI 10·7–17·3) between 2010 and 2019. Notably, however, this decrease in rates reversed during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, with increases in global age-standardised all-cause DALY rates since 2019 of 4·1% (1·8–6·3) in 2020 and 7·2% (4·7–10·0) in 2021. In 2021, COVID-19 was the leading cause of DALYs globally (212·0 million [198·0–234·5] DALYs), followed by ischaemic heart disease (188·3 million [176·7–198·3]), neonatal disorders (186·3 million [162·3–214·9]), and stroke (160·4 million [148·0–171·7]). However, notable health gains were seen among other leading communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional (CMNN) diseases. Globally between 2010 and 2021, the age-standardised DALY rates for HIV/AIDS decreased by 47·8% (43·3–51·7) and for diarrhoeal diseases decreased by 47·0% (39·9–52·9). Non-communicable diseases contributed 1·73 billion (95% UI 1·54–1·94) DALYs in 2021, with a decrease in age-standardised DALY rates since 2010 of 6·4% (95% UI 3·5–9·5). Between 2010 and 2021, among the 25 leading Level 3 causes, age-standardised DALY rates increased most substantially for anxiety disorders (16·7% [14·0–19·8]), depressive disorders (16·4% [11·9–21·3]), and diabetes (14·0% [10·0–17·4]). Age-standardised DALY rates due to injuries decreased globally by 24·0% (20·7–27·2) between 2010 and 2021, although improvements were not uniform across locations, ages, and sexes. Globally, HALE at birth improved slightly, from 61·3 years (58·6–63·6) in 2010 to 62·2 years (59·4–64·7) in 2021. However, despite this overall increase, HALE decreased by 2·2% (1·6–2·9) between 2019 and 2021. Interpretation Putting the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of a mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive list of causes of health loss is crucial to understanding its impact and ensuring that health funding and policy address needs at both local and global levels through cost-effective and evidence-based interventions. A global epidemiological transition remains underway. Our findings suggest that prioritising non-communicable disease prevention and treatment policies, as well as strengthening health systems, continues to be crucially important. The progress on reducing the burden of CMNN diseases must not stall; although global trends are improving, the burden of CMNN diseases remains unacceptably high. Evidence-based interventions will help save the lives of young children and mothers and improve the overall health and economic conditions of societies across the world. Governments and multilateral organisations should prioritise pandemic preparedness planning alongside efforts to reduce the burden of diseases and injuries that will strain resources in the coming decades

Evaluation of the Quilting Technique for Reduction of Postmastectomy Seroma: A Randomized Controlled Study

Background. Postmastectomy seroma causes patients’ discomfort, delays starting the adjuvant therapy, and may increase the possibility of surgical site infection. Objective. To evaluate quilting of the mastectomy flaps with obliteration of the axillary space in reducing postmastectomy seroma. Methods. A randomized controlled study was carried out among 120 females who were candidates for mastectomy and axillary clearance. The intervention group (N=60) with quilting and the control group without quilting. All patients were followed up routinely for immediate and late complications. Results. There were no significant differences between the two groups as regards the demographic characteristics, postoperative pathological finding, and the immediate postoperative complications. The incidence of seroma was significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the control group (20% versus 78.3%, P<0.001). Additionally, the intervention group had a shorter duration till seroma resolution (9 days versus 11 days, P<0.001) and a smaller volume of drainage (710 mL versus 1160 mL, P<0.001) compared with the control group. Conclusion. The use of mastectomy with quilting of flaps and obliteration of the axillary space is an efficient method to significantly reduce the postoperative seroma in addition to significantly reducing the duration and volume of wound drainage. Therefore we recommend quilting of flaps as a routine step at the end of any mastectomy