Immediate flow reserve of Y thoracic artery grafts: an intraoperative flowmetric study

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Repair or prosthesis insertion in ischemic mitral regurgitation: Two faces of the same medal

AbstractObjectiveThe proper treatment of chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation (CIMR) is still under evaluation. The different role of mitral valve repair (MVr) or mitral valve prosthesis insertion (MVPI) is still not defined.MethodsFrom May 2009 to December 2011 167 patients with ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 40% had MV surgery for CIMR, MVr in 135 (80.8%) and MVPI in 32 (19.2%). Indication to MVPI was a MV coaptation depth > 10 mm. EF was lower (26 ± 7 vs 32 ± 6, p = 0.0000) in MVPI, whereas MR grade (3.6 ± 0.8 vs 2.7 ± 0.9, p = 0.0000), left ventricle dimensions (end diastolic, LVEDD, 62 ± 7 vs 57 ± 6 mm, p = 0.0001; end systolic, LVESD, 49 ± 8 vs 44 ± 8 mm, p = 0.0018), systolic pulmonary artery pressure (51 ± 22 vs 41 ± 16 mm Hg, p = 0.0037) and NYHA Class (3.6 ± 0.5 vs 2.8 ± 0.6, p = 0.0000) were higher.ResultsIn-hospital mortality was similar (3.1 vs 3.7%) as well as 3-year survival (86 ± 6 vs 88 ± 4) and survival in NYHA Class I/II (80 ± 5 vs 83 ± 4). One hundred thirty nine patients had an echocardiographic evaluation after a minimum of 4 months (13 ± 8). EF rose significantly in both groups (from 26 ± 7% to 30 ± 4%, p = 0.0122, and from 32 ± 6% to 35 ± 8%, p = 0.0018). LVESD reduced significantly in both groups (from 49 ± 8 to 43 ± 9 mm, p = 0.0109, and from 44 ± 8 to 41 ± 7 mm, p = 0.0033). MR grade was significantly lower in patients who had MVPI (0.1 ± 0.2 vs 0.3 ± 0.3, p = 0.0011).ConclusionsWith appropriate indications, MVPI is a safe procedure which provides similar results to MVr with lower MR return, even if addressed to patients with worse preoperative parameters

Effect of diabetes on early and late survival after isolated first coronary bypass surgery in multivessel disease

AbstractObjective: Diabetes has not yet been investigated as a risk factor for early and late cardiac-related death. Methods: Patients operated on from January 1988 to December 1999 were considered; 767 were diabetic (group D) and 2593 were nondiabetic (group ND). Patients with preoperative hemodynamic deterioration were excluded. Early (30-day) mortality (any causes and cardiac causes) was evaluated with univariate analysis and stepwise logistic regression. Ten-year actuarial freedom from death of any cause and cardiac death was also assessed with univariate and Cox analyses. Results: Early mortality was 2.2% (group D, 3.3%; group ND, 1.9%; P =.023). Early cardiac mortality was 1.3% (group D, 2.2%; group ND, 1.1%; P =.0016). Diabetes was an independent risk factor only for cardiac death and not for death of any cause. Five-year survival was 93.5% ± 0.5% (group D, 92.5% ± 1.1%; group ND, 93.9% ± 0.6%; P =.0304). Diabetes was not an independent risk factor. Five-year freedom for cardiac death was 96.3% ± 0.4% (group D, 94.9% ± 0.9%; group ND, 96.6% ± 0.4%; P =.0155). Diabetes was an independent risk factor. However, if only the patients who survived the first 30 days are considered, diabetes disappears as a risk factor (5-year freedom for cardiac death, 97.8% ± 0.3%; group D, 97.3% ± 0.8%; group ND, 97.9% ± 0.4%; P = 0.2389). Conclusions: Diabetes is an independent risk factor for early cardiac death only. Long-term survival in patients who survive the first 30 days is not statistically significantly different for diabetic and nondiabetic patients. In fact, the rates appear very similar.J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2003;125:144-5