Concomitant Coronary Artery Bypass in Patients with Acute Type A Aortic Dissection

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is sometimes necessary in acute Type A Aortic Dissection (AAAD) repair. The aim of this study is to analyze the incidence, indications and influence in-hospital outcomes of AAAD repair requiring concomitant CABG in a high-volume single-center experience. Retrospective study of all consecutive AAAD patients. Those who underwent concomitant CABG were identified. Preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative and follow-up data were collected and analyzed. Between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2016, 382 patients underwent emergency surgery for AAAD. Forty-one (10.7%) underwent concomitant CABG. In this group, mean age was 64 ± 14 years, 32 were male (78%). Indication for CABG was coronary dissection in 28 patients (68.3%), post-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) right heart failure in 7 (17.1%), post CPB left heart failure in (7.3%) and native coronary pathology in 3 (7.3%). In 33 (80.5%) one graft was needed, in 7 (17%) two were performed and in 1 patient (2.4%) 3 were necessary. The right coronary artery (RCA) was the only revascularized vessel in 26 cases (63.4%), the left coronary artery (LCA) alone in 11 (26.8%), and both coronary systems in 4 (9.8%). In-hospital mortality was 51.2% (N = 21); eight (19.5%) patients had postoperative myocardial infarction (MI) and 11 (26.8%) had a major neurological event. Multivariable logistic regression identified concomitant CABG as a predictor of in-hospital mortality (Odds Ratio (OR) = 3.8115, 95% CI= 0.514-2.138, p = 0.001). In our study, concomitant CABG was performed in 10.7% of AAAD repair surgery and it was associated with high in-hospital mortality. Keywords: Concomitant CABG; Predictors of mortality; Type A acute aortic dissectio

Repair of quadricuspid aortic valve by bicuspidization: a novel technique

Quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is a rare congenital lesion, generally manifesting with valve regurgitation. Standard treatment involves valve replacement, though anecdotal cases of successful repair by means of valve tricuspidization have been reported. Here, the successful application of a repair technique previously unreported in the setting of QAV is described

The impact of age and sex on in-hospital outcomes in acute type A aortic dissection surgery

Background: Older age and female sex are thought to be risk factors for adverse outcomes after repair of acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD). The aim of this study is to analyze age- and sex-related outcomes in patients undergoing AAAD repair. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing emergency AAAD repair. Patients were divided in Group A, patients aged ≥75 years and Group B <75. Intraoperative and postoperative data were compared between groups before and after propensity score matching. Sex differences were analyzed by age group. Results: Between January 2006 and December 2018, 638 patients underwent emergency AAAD repair. Group A included 143 patients (22.4%), Group B 495 (77.6%). More patients in Group A presented with circulatory collapse (Penn C 26.6% vs. 9.7%, P=0.001) while Group B presented with circulatory collapse-branch malperfusion (Penn BC 29.3% vs. 15.4% P=0.001). After propensity score matching, Group B patients received more complex aortic root (33.6% vs. 23.2%, P=0.019) and concomitant bypass surgery (12.3% vs. 6.3%, P=0.042). There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between age groups (18% vs. 12% P=0.12). In Group B, in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in females (22.2% vs. 8.2%, P=0.028). Differences in mortality disappeared after the age of 75 (18.3% vs. 19.4% P=0.87). Conclusions: Morbidity and mortality are comparable between patients under and over 75 years after AAAD repair. Female patients <75 had higher in-hospital mortality than their male counterparts. Keywords: Acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD); age; gende

Prior intake of new oral anticoagulants adversely affects outcome following surgery for acute type A aortic dissection

Objectives: Oral anticoagulation prior to emergency surgery is associated with an increased risk of perioperative bleeding, especially when this therapy cannot be discontinued or reversed in time. The goal of this study was to analyse the impact of different oral anticoagulants on the outcome of patients who underwent emergency surgery for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). Methods: This was a single-centre retrospective study of patients treated with oral anticoagulation at the time of surgery for ATAAD. Outcomes of patients on new oral anticoagulant (NOAC) therapy were compared to respective outcomes of patients on Coumadin. Additionally, a survival analysis was performed comparing these 2 groups with patients who were operated on with no prior anticoagulation. Results: Between January 2013 and April 2020, a total of 437 patients (63.8 ± 11.8 years, 68.4% male) received emergency surgery for ATAAD; 35 (8%) were taking oral anticoagulation at the time of hospital admission: 20 received phenprocoumon; 14, rivaroxaban; and 1, dabigatran. Compared to Coumadin, NOAC was associated with a greater need for blood-product transfusions and haemodynamic compromise. Operative mortality was 53% in the NOAC group and 30% in the Coumadin group. A 5-year survival analysis showed no significant difference between the NOAC and the Coumadin group (P = 0.059). Compared to 402 patients treated during the study period without anticoagulation, patients taking NOAC had significantly worse survival (P = 0.001), whereas that effect was not observed in patients undergoing surgery who were taking Coumadin (P = 0.99). Conclusions: Emergency surgery for ATAAD in patients taking NOAC is associated with high morbidity and mortality. NOAC are a major risk factor for uncontrollable bleeding and haemodynamic compromise. New treatment strategies must be defined to improve surgical outcomes in these high-risk patients. Keywords: Acute aortic syndrome; Aortic dissection; Bleeding; Coumadin; DOAC; NOAC; Oral anticoagulation; Type A dissection

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Background: Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. // Methods: We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung's disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. // Findings: We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung's disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middle-income countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in low-income countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. // Interpretation: Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Modular Miniaturised Perfusion Circuits. From In Vitro Study to “Universal Heart Lung Machine”

La circolazione extracorporea convenzionale (cCEC) è un trigger per una risposta infiammatoria sistemica cosí come per l´emodiluizione, coagulopatie e disfunzione d´organo. La circolazione extracorporea miniaturizzata (MECC) ha il potenziale vantaggio di ridurre questi effetti deleteri. I dubbi sulla sua sicurezza sono stati uno dei principali motivi che hanno impedito la sua accettazione e la sua diffusione persino nei grandi centri dove il suo uso è limitato agli interventi di bypass aortocoronarico (CABG). Dopo una larga esperienza nella MECC abbiamo apportato delle modifiche tali da fugare i dubbi sulla sua sicurezza e tali da rendere il sistema ROCsafe (The Reservoir Optional Minimized perfusion circuits, Terumo Europe, Leuven, Belgium) una circolazione extracorporea universale per tutte le procedure in Cardiochirurgia. Da Gennaio 2013 a Dicembre 2013 abbiamo effettuato un totale di 113 procedure chirurgiche. Tra queste 100 sono state condotte con la ROCsafe. Se si escludono gli interventi con arresto di circolo o che potenzialmente ne avrebbero avuto bisogno, la ROCsafe è stata usata nell´88% degli interventi. Questi includono 62 operazioni classificate come procedure semplici (CABG, AVR, CABG+AVR) con un tempo di CEC medio di 85±28min ed un tempo di clampaggio medio di 55±24min, e 38 procedure complesse (inclusi 15 reinterventi) con un tempo di CEC medio di 141±59 min ed un clampaggio medio di 97+-42min. Delle procedure semplici l´82% erano non elettive, il 10% dei pazienti aveva una FE 60% mentre nessun paziente con un Euroscore logistico 600%, no patient with a log Euroscore <40% having died. Postoperative atrial fibrillation occurred in 13% of simple cases and 16% of complex cases while Optimum outcome defined as freedom of all complications and blood transfusions was achieved in 52% and 42% respectively

Do all roads lead to Rome? Treatment of malposition pacemaker lead in the left ventricle

Malpositioning of a pacemaker lead in the left ventricle is a rare device-related complication, which can lead to serious complications. Herein, we describe the case of a malpositioned lead, which entered the left ventricle via a direct transcutaneous puncture of the left common carotid artery

Techniques in trileaflet aortic valve repair

Surgical techniques for regurgitant aortic valve pathology have evolved significantly in the last 20 years as a result of deeper understanding of functional structure and physiopathology of the aortic valve and the development of a common anatomical and functional language among specialists. The introduction of the functional classification of aortic valve regurgitation facilitated the development of standard surgical approaches to treat this pathology. The principles of aortic valve repair include the restoration of normal anatomy and geometry of the functional aortic root with the aim to provide a long-term stabilisation of the aortic annulus. We report a review of our approach and surgical techniques to repair the aortic valve and aortic root based on our long experience in the field