Unexpected abrupt increase in left ventricular assist device thrombosis

BACKGROUND

We observed an apparent increase in the rate of device thrombosis among patients who received the HeartMate II left ventricular assist device, as compared with preapproval clinical-trial results and initial experience. We investigated the occurrence of pump thrombosis and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, LDH levels presaging thrombosis (and associated hemolysis), and outcomes of different management strategies in a multi-institutional study.

METHODS

We obtained data from 837 patients at three institutions, where 895 devices were implanted from 2004 through mid-2013; the mean (±SD) age of the patients was 55±14 years. The primary end point was confirmed pump thrombosis. Secondary end points were confirmed and suspected thrombosis, longitudinal LDH levels, and outcomes after pump thrombosis.

RESULTS

A total of 72 pump thromboses were confirmed in 66 patients; an additional 36 thromboses in unique devices were suspected. Starting in approximately March 2011, the occurrence of confirmed pump thrombosis at 3 months after implantation increased from 2.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5 to 3.4) to 8.4% (95% CI, 5.0 to 13.9) by January 1, 2013. Before March 1, 2011, the median time from implantation to thrombosis was 18.6 months (95% CI, 0.5 to 52.7), and from March 2011 onward, it was 2.7 months (95% CI, 0.0 to 18.6). The occurrence of elevated LDH levels within 3 months after implantation mirrored that of thrombosis. Thrombosis was presaged by LDH levels that more than doubled, from 540 IU per liter to 1490 IU per liter, within the weeks before diagnosis. Thrombosis was managed by heart transplantation in 11 patients (1 patient died 31 days after transplantation) and by pump replacement in 21, with mortality equivalent to that among patients without thrombosis; among 40 thromboses in 40 patients who did not undergo transplantation or pump replacement, actuarial mortality was 48.2% (95% CI, 31.6 to 65.2) in the ensuing 6 months after pump thrombosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of pump thrombosis related to the use of the HeartMate II has been increasing at our centers and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality.

Survival prediction models for coronary intervention: strategic decision support

BACKGROUND

For a given patient with coronary artery disease, it is uncertain which therapy, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), maximizes long-term survival. Hence, we developed survival models for CABG and PCI using bare-metal stents (BMS) or drug-eluting stents (DES), programmed a decision-support tool, and identified its potential usefulness.

METHODS

From 1995 to 2007, 23,182 patients underwent primary isolated CABG (n=13,114) or first-time PCI with BMS (n=6,964) or DES (n=3,104). Follow-up was 6.3±3.9 years. Survival models were developed independently for each therapy, then all factors appearing in any of the three models were forced into a final model for each. These were programmed into a decision-support tool. Predicted differences in 5-year survival for the same patient among the three therapies were calculated.

RESULTS

Unadjusted survival was 96%, 86%, and 68% at 1, 5, and 10 years after CABG, 94%, 83%, and 68% after BMS, and 95% and 84% (no 10-year estimate) after DES, respectively. Risk factors for early and mid-term mortality were identified, leading to variable-rich (25 variables) prediction models. Patients most likely to experience a 5-year survival benefit from DES were those undergoing emergency revascularization for acute infarction, and patients most likely to benefit from CABG had extensive coronary artery disease and numerous comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

Detailed prediction models for prognosis after PCI and CABG are useful for developing a clinically relevant, strategic decision-support tool that reveals who may experience a long-term survival benefit from each modality.

Association between septal strain rate and histopathology in symptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients undergoing septal myectomy

BACKGROUND

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is histopathologically characterized by myocyte hypertrophy, disarray, interstitial fibrosis, and small intramural coronary arteriole dysplasia, which contribute to disease progression. Longitudinal systolic and early diastolic strain rate (SR) measurements by speckle tracking echocardiography are sensitive markers of regional myocardial function. We sought to determine the association between septal SR and histopathologic findings in symptomatic HCM patients who underwent surgical myectomy.

METHODS

We studied 171 HCM patients (documented on histopathology) who underwent surgical myectomy to relieve left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Various clinical and echocardiographic parameters were recorded. Segmental longitudinal systolic and early diastolic SRs (of the septal segment removed at myectomy) were measured from apical 4- and 2-chamber views (VVI 2.0; Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). Histopathologic myocyte hypertrophy, disarray, small intramural coronary arteriole dysplasia, and interstitial fibrosis were classified as none, mild (1%-25%), moderate (26%-50%), and severe (>50%).

RESULTS

The mean age was 53 ± 14 years (52% men, ejection fraction 62% ± 5%, mean left ventricular outflow tract gradient 102 ± 39 mm Hg, and basal septal thickness of 2.2 ± 0.5 cm). Mean longitudinal systolic and early diastolic SRs were -0.91 ± 0.5 and 0.82 ± 0.5 (1/s), respectively. There was an inverse association between systolic and early diastolic septal SR and degree of myocyte hypertrophy, disarray, and interstitial fibrosis (all P < .05). There was no association between histopathologic characteristics and other echocardiography parameters. On multivariable regression analysis, myocyte disarray and echocardiographic septal hypertrophy were associated with systolic and early diastolic septal SR (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

In HCM patients, there is inverse association between various histopathologic findings and septal SR. Strain rate might potentially provide further insight into HCM pathophysiology.

Bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting

The effectiveness of the left internal mammary artery graft to the anterior descending coronary artery as a surgical strategy has been shown to improve the survival rate and decrease the risk of adverse cardiac events in patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery. These clinical benefits appear to be related to the superior short and long-term patency rates of the internal thoracic artery graft. Although the advantages of using of both internal thoracic arteries (ITA) for bypass grafting have taken longer to prove, recent results from multiple data sets now support these findings. The major advantage of bilateral ITA grafting appears to be improved survival rate, while the disadvantages of complex ITA grafting include the increased complexity of operation, and an increased risk of wound complications. While these short-term disadvantages have been mitigated in contemporary surgical practice, they have not eliminated. Bilateral ITA grafting should be considered the procedure of choice for patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery that have a predicted survival rate of longer than ten years.

Predictors of Long-Term Outcomes in Symptomatic Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy Patients Undergoing Surgical Relief of Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction

Background—

We report the predictors of long-term outcomes of symptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients undergoing surgical relief of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

Methods and Results—

We studied 699 consecutive patients who have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with severe symptomatic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (47±11 years, 63% male) intractable to maximal medical therapy, who were referred to a tertiary hospital between January 1997 and December 2007 for the surgical relief of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. We excluded patients <18 years of age, those with an ejection fraction <50%, those with hypertensive heart disease of the elderly, and those with more than mild aortic or mitral stenosis. Clinical, echocardiographic, and Holter data were recorded. A composite end point of death, appropriate internal cardioverter defibrillator discharges, resuscitated from sudden death, documented stroke, and admission for congestive heart failure was recorded. During a mean follow-up of 6.2±3 years, 86 patients (12%) met the composite end point with 30-day, 1-year, and 2-year event rates of 0.7%, 2.8%, and 4.7%, respectively. The hard event rate (death, defibrillator discharge, and resuscitated from sudden death) at 30 days, 1 year, and 2 years was 0%, 1.5%, and 3%, respectively. Stepwise multivariable analysis identified residual postoperative atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio, 2.12; confidence interval, 1.37–3.34; P =0.001) and increasing age (hazard ratio, 1.49; confidence interval, 1.22–1.82; P =0.001) as independent predictors of long-term composite outcomes.

Conclusions—

Symptomatic adult hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients undergoing surgery for the relief of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction have low event rates during long-term follow-up; worse outcomes are predicted by increasing age and the presence of residual atrial fibrillation during follow-up.

Long-term survival of patients with radiation heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Thoracic radiation results in radiation-associated heart disease (RAHD), often requiring cardiothoracic surgery (CTS). We sought to measure long-term survival in RAHD patients undergoing CTS, to compare them with a matched control population undergoing similar surgical procedures, and to identify potential predictors of long-term survival.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this retrospective observational cohort study of patients undergoing CTS, matched on the basis of age, sex, and type/time of CTS, 173 RAHD patients (75% women; age, 63±14 years) and 305 comparison patients (74% women; age, 63±4 years) were included. The vast majority of RAHD patients had prior breast cancer (53%) and Hodgkin lymphoma (27%), and the mean time from radiation was 18±12 years. Clinical and surgical parameters were recorded. The preoperative EuroSCORE and all-cause mortality were recorded. The mean EuroSCOREs were similar in the RAHD and comparison groups (7.8±3 versus 7.4±3, respectively; P=0.1). Proximal coronary artery disease was higher in patients with RAHD versus the comparison patients (45% versus 38%; P=0.09), whereas redo CTS was lower in the RACD versus the comparison group (20% versus 29%; P=0.02). About two thirds of patients in either group had combination surgical procedures. During a mean follow-up of 7.6±3 years, a significantly higher proportion of patients died in the RAHD group than in the comparison group (55% versus 28%; P<0.001). On multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis, RAHD (2.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.82-3.36), increasing EuroSCORE (1.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-1.29), and lack of β-blockers (0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.47-0.93) were associated with increased mortality (all P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients undergoing CTS, RAHD portends increased long-term mortality. Alternative treatment strategies may be required in RAHD to improve long-term survival.

Statin therapy is associated with fewer infections after cardiac operations

BACKGROUND

Statins interact with multiple pathways involved in infection. Therefore, we examined the association between preoperative statin therapy and infections after cardiac operations and assessed whether statin therapy was associated with lower infection-related mortality.

METHODS

From January 2005 to January 2011, 12,741 patients underwent cardiac operations. Endpoints were (1) postoperative infections and (2) mortality after an infectious complication. A propensity score was developed on the probability of patients receiving statin therapy; patients were matched in part on this score. A multivariable logistic model was developed to examine mortality. Survival of infected patients was estimated using Kaplan-Meier and multiphase hazard function methodology.

RESULTS

A total of 6,113 patients (48%) were receiving statins and 6,628 (52%) were not. Five hundred fifteen patients had postoperative infections-260 (4.3%) in the statin group and 255 (3.8%) in the no-statin group. However, patients receiving statins were older with more comorbidities and less favorable operative characteristics. Among propensity-matched groups, postoperative infections were significantly lower in patients receiving statins (n = 102 [3.1%]) than in those who were not (n = 147 [4.5%]; p = 0.004). Among patients in whom infections developed, there was no significant difference in hospital mortality between the statin and no-statin groups either before or after propensity-score matching (odds ratio, 1.38; confidence limit [CL], 0.59, 3.22; p = 0.5).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed a protective effect of statin therapy against the development of infections after cardiac operations, but not on mortality from these infections. Prospective investigations are needed to determine optimal dose and duration of statin therapy and their relationship to infectious complications.

Aortic valve and ascending aorta guidelines for management and quality measures: executive summary

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines are intended to assist physicians and other health care providers in clinical decision making by describing a range of generally acceptable approaches for the diagnosis, management, or prevention of specific diseases or conditions. These guidelines should not be considered inclusive of all proper methods of care or exclusive of other methods of care reasonably directed at obtaining the same results. Moreover, these guidelines are subject to change over time, without notice. The ultimate judgment regarding the care of a particular patient must be made by the physician in light of the individual circumstances presented by the patient.

Surgical management of right aortic arch with tailored surgical approach

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF STUDY

Right-sided aortic arch is a rare congenital anomaly for which different surgical approaches have been reported. This study reviewed our experience with several techniques.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 17 patients undergoing right-sided arch repair at the Cleveland Clinic from 2001 to 2010. Computed tomographic angiograms of the aorta and its branches were reviewed and correlated with patient presentation and surgical approach.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients had type II right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery. Fifteen patients presented with obstructive symptoms. Surgical approach included right thoracotomy (11 patients), left thoracotomy (two patients), full sternotomy (one patient), and hybrid repair (three patients). Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was used in 11 patients, and two patients had partial CPB. Left subclavian artery bypass was performed in seven patients. Median duration of intubation was 1.9 days. Average length of intensive care unit stay was three days and average hospital stay 11 days. Postoperative outcomes included respiratory failure (one patient), renal failure (one patient), bloodstream infection (two patients), and death (one patient). No patient had stroke or paraplegia. In-hospital death occurred in one patient, and all survivors were alive and asymptomatic for a mean of 38 months.

CONCLUSION

The surgical treatment for right-sided aortic arch can be performed with excellent perioperative outcomes when tailored to patient presentation and anatomic configuration. Patients with obstructive symptoms benefit from open or hybrid surgical treatment, with immediate relief of compression. Patients with aneurysmal dilatation without compression symptoms can be managed with open, endovascular, or hybrid surgical intervention.

Endoscopic versus open radial artery harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting

AIM

The radial artery has become the artery of choice after the internal thoracic artery for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study compares wound healing and arm complications after endoscopic versus open radial artery harvesting for CABG.

METHODS

From January 2002 to July 2004, 509 patients underwent CABG in which a radial artery conduit was used. Thirty-nine had endoscopic and 470 had conventional open radial artery harvesting. A propensity score was used to obtain 1:3 matching of all endoscopic to 117 open-harvesting patients. Postoperative wound healing using the Hollander scale, local neurologic deficits, wound infection, and pain scores were compared.

RESULTS

Wound healing: 34 of 39 endoscopic wounds exhibited a perfect Hollander score versus 339 of 470 open-harvest wounds (P=0.01). Wound appearance in particular was better than for open harvesting (P=0.004), with no abnormal step-off borders, irregular contours, or abnormal scar width observed. Neurologic deficits. Three incomplete neurologic deficits were observed after open harvesting (two being distal sensitivity localized in the interspace between the first and second metacarpals); one complete neurologic deficit occurred after endoscopic harvesting, but improved remarkably prior to hospital discharge. Wound infection. Occurrence of wound infection was similar in the two groups (P=0.7), although infection was more severe with open harvesting. Pain: pain score was lower (P=0.006) with endoscopic harvesting.

CONCLUSION

Compared with conventional open harvesting, endoscopic radial artery harvesting was associated with better wound appearance and less pain. Occurrence of neurologic deficits and wound infection was infrequent in both groups.

Outcomes after surgical treatment of native and prosthetic valve infective endocarditis

BACKGROUND

The risk of death and complications of infective endocarditis (IE) treated medically has to be balanced against those from surgery in constructing a therapeutic approach. Recent literature has drawn conflicting conclusions on the benefit of surgery for IE. We reviewed patients treated surgically for IE at the Cleveland Clinic from 2003 to 2007 to examine their outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent surgery for native and prosthetic valve endocarditis between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2007, was conducted. Surgical outcomes were reviewed to include survival and postoperative complications. Survival was evaluated at end of hospital stay, 30 days, 1 year, and at last follow-up.

RESULTS

Four hundred twenty-eight patients underwent surgery for IE during the study period: 248 (58%) had native valve endocarditis and 180 (42%) had prosthetic valve endocarditis. Overall 90% of patients survived to hospital discharge. When compared with patients with native valve infection, patients with prosthetic infection had significantly higher 30-day mortality (13% versus 5.6%; p<0.01), but long-term survival was not significantly different (35% versus 29%; p=0.19). Patients with IE caused by Staphylococcus aureus had significantly higher hospital mortality (15% versus 8.4%; p<0.05), 6-month mortality (23% versus 15%; p=0.05), and 1-year mortality (28% versus 18%; p=0.02) compared with non-S aureus IE.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical treatment of IE was associated with 90% hospital survival. Outcomes within the 30 days were better for native valve than for prosthetic valve endocarditis. Long-term outcomes were similar. Finally, S aureus was associated with significantly higher mortality compared with other pathogens.