Orthopedic Principles to Facilitate Enhanced Recovery After Cardiac Surgery

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols recognize early postoperative mobilization as a driver of faster postoperative recovery, return to normal activities, and improved long-term patient outcomes. For patients undergoing open cardiac surgery, an opportunity for facilitating earlier mobilization and a return to normal activity lies in the use of improved techniques to stabilize the sternal osteotomy. By following the key orthopedic principles of approximation, compression, and rigid fixation, a more nuanced approach to sternal precaution protocols is possible, which may enable earlier patient mobilization, physical rehabilitation, and recovery

Trends in surgical aortic valve replacement in pre- and post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement eras at a structural heart center

BackgroundThe advent of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has directly impacted the lifelong management of patients with aortic valve disease. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved TAVR for all surgical risk: prohibitive (2011), high (2012), intermediate (2016), and low (2019). Since then, TAVR volumes are increasing and surgical aortic valve replacements (SAVR) are decreasing. This study sought to evaluate trends in isolated SAVR in the pre- and post-TAVR eras.MethodsFrom January 2000 to June 2020, 3,861 isolated SAVRs were performed at a single academic quaternary care institution which participated in the early trials of TAVR beginning in 2007. A formal structural heart center was established in 2012 when TAVR became commercially available. Patients were divided into the pre-TAVR era (2000–2011, n = 2,426) and post-TAVR era (2012–2020, n = 1,435). Data from the institutional Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Database was analyzed.ResultsThe median age was 66 years, similar between groups. The post-TAVR group had a statistically higher rate of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, heart failure, more reoperative SAVR, and lower STS Predicted Risk of Mortality (PROM) (2.0% vs. 2.5%, p < 0.0001). There were more urgent/emergent/salvage SAVRs (38% vs. 24%) and fewer elective SAVRs (63% vs. 76%), (p < 0.0001) in the post-TAVR group. More bioprosthetic valves were implanted in the post-TAVR group (85% vs. 74%, p < 0.0001). Larger aortic valves were implanted (25 vs. 23 mm, p < 0.0001) and more annular enlargements were performed (5.9% vs. 1.6%, p < 0.0001) in the post-TAVR era. Postoperatively, the post-TAVR group had less blood product transfusion (49% vs. 58%, p < 0.0001), renal failure (1.4% vs. 4.3%, p < 0.0001), pneumonia (2.3% vs. 3.8%, p = 0.01), shorter lengths of stay, and lower in-hospital mortality (1.5% vs. 3.3%, p = 0.0007).ConclusionThe approval of TAVR changed the landscape of aortic valve disease management. At a quaternary academic cardiac surgery center with a well-established structural heart program, patients undergoing isolated SAVR in the post-TAVR era had lower STS PROM, more implantation of bioprosthetic valves, utilization of larger valves, annular enlargement, and lower in-hospital mortality. Isolated SAVR continues to be performed in the TAVR era with excellent outcomes. SAVR remains an essential tool in the lifetime management of aortic valve disease

Mitral valve myxoma presenting with transient ischemic attack: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract Background Myxomas account for approximately half of all primary cardiac neoplasms. Most occur in the left atrium and only rarely are attached to the mitral valve, with just over 30 such cases reported in the literature. These neoplasms can manifest with a combination of obstruction of blood flow, systemic embolization, and constitutional symptoms. Case Description We present a case of a 32-year-old African American man presenting at an emergency department with symptoms of a transient ischemic attack. Transesophageal echocardiography identified a mass originating from the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve. The mass was surgically resected and histologically classified as a myxoma. He remained asymptomatic during the course of 5-year surveillance. Conclusions Few similar cases have been described in the literature. Here we present a review of the diagnosis and surgical management of this rare presentation for mitral valve myxoma

A Practical Approach to Left Main Coronary Artery Disease: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

The treatment of left main (LM) coronary artery disease (CAD) requires complex decision-making. Recent clinical practice guidelines provide clinicians with guidance; however, decisions regarding treatment for individual patients can still be difficult. The American College of Cardiology's Cardiac Surgery Team and Interventional Council joined together to develop a practical approach to the treatment of LM CAD, taking into account randomized clinical trial, meta-analyses, and clinical practice guidelines. The various presentations of LM CAD based on anatomy and physiology are presented. Recognizing the complexity of LM CAD, which rarely presents isolated and is often in combination with multivessel disease, a treatment algorithm with medical therapy alone or in conjunction with percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting is proposed. A heart team approach is recommended that accounts for clinical, procedural, operator, and institutional factors, and features shared decision-making that meets the needs and preferences of each patient and their specific clinical situation