The chest wall gender divide: females have better cardiopulmonary function and exercise tolerance despite worse deformity in pectus excavatum

(F)utility of preoperative pulmonary function testing in pectus excavatum to assess severity

PURPOSE

The utility of pulmonary function testing (PFT) in pectus excavatum (PE) has been subject to debate. Although some evidence shows improvement from preoperative to postoperative values, the clinical significance is uncertain. A high failure-to-completion rate for operative PFT (48%) was identified in our large institutional cohort. With such a high non-completion rate, we questioned the overall utility of PFT in the preoperative assessment of PE and sought to evaluate if other measures of PE severity or cardiopulmonary function could explain this finding.

METHODS

Demographics, clinical findings, and results from cardiac MRI, PFT (spirometry and plethysmography), and cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) were reviewed in 270 patients with PE evaluated preoperatively between 2015 and 2018. Regression modeling was used to measure associations between PFT completion and cardiopulmonary function.

RESULTS

There were no differences in demographics, symptoms, connective tissue disorders, or multiple indices of pectus severity and cardiac deformation in PFT completers versus non-completers. While regression analysis revealed higher RVEF, LVEF, and LVEF-Z scores, lower RV-ESV/BSA, LV-ESV/BSA, and LV-ESV/BSA-Z scores, and abnormal breathing reserve in PFT completers vs. non-completers, these findings were not consistent across continuous and binary analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that PFT completers were not significantly different from non-completers in most structural and functional measures of pectus deformity and cardiopulmonary function. Inability to complete PFT is not an indicator of pectus severity.

Evaluating Cardiac Lateralization by MRI to Simplify Estimation of Cardiopulmonary Impairment in Pectus Excavatum

BACKGROUND

The severity of pectus excavatum is classified by the Haller Index (HI) and/or Correction Index (CI). These indices measure only the depth of the defect and, therefore, impede a precise estimation of the actual cardiopulmonary impairment. We aimed to evaluate the MRI-derived cardiac lateralization to improve the estimation of cardiopulmonary impairment in Pectus excavatum in connection with the Haller and Correction Indices.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included a total of 113 patients (mean age = 19.03 ± 7.8) with pectus excavatum, whose diagnosis was verified on cross-sectional MRI images using the HI and CI. For the development of an improved HI and CI index, the patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing to assess the influence of the right ventricle's position on cardiopulmonary impairment. The indexed lateral position of the pulmonary valve was utilized as a surrogate parameter for right ventricle localization.

RESULTS

In patients with PE, the heart's lateralization significantly correlated with the severity of pectus excavatum (p ≤ 0.001). When modifying HI and CI for the individual's pulmonary valve position, those indices are present with greater sensitivity and specificity regarding the maximum oxygen-pulse as a pathophysiological correlate of reduced cardiac function (χ² 10.986 and 15.862, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The indexed lateral deviation of the pulmonary valve seems to be a valuable cofactor for HI and CI, allowing for an improved description of cardiopulmonary impairment in PE patients.

Pectus Excavatum in Cardiac Surgery Patients

BACKGROUND

Pectus excavatum frequently accompanies congenital heart disease and connective tissue diseases requiring cardiac surgery. Sometimes the indication is cardiac repair, with the pectus being incidentally noticed; other times, the pectus subsequently develops or becomes more significant after cardiac surgery. This review arms cardiac and congenital surgeons with background about the physiologic impact of pectus, indications for repair and repair strategies, and outcomes for cardiac surgery patients requiring pectus repair.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review was performed using keywords related to pectus excavatum, pectus repair, and cardiac/congenital heart surgery within the PubMed database.

RESULTS

The risks of complications related to pectus repair, including in the setting of cardiac surgery or after cardiac surgery, are low in experienced hands, and patients demonstrate cardiopulmonary benefits and symptom relief. Concomitant pectus and cardiac surgery should be considered if it is performed in conjunction with those experienced in pectus repair, particularly given the increased cardiopulmonary impact of pectus after bypass. In the setting of potential bleeding or hemodynamic instability, delayed sternal closure is recommended. For those with anticipated pectus repair after cardiac surgery, the pericardium should be reconstructed for cardiac protection. For those undergoing pectus repair after cardiac surgery without a membrane placed, a "hybrid" approach is safe and effective.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing cardiac surgery noted to have pectus should be considered for possible concomitant or staged pectus repair. For those who will undergo a staged procedure, a barrier membrane should be placed before chest closure.

The impacts of surgical mask in young healthy subjects on cardiopulmonary function and muscle performance: a randomized crossover trial

Objective

To explore the impacts of surgical mask in normal subjects on cardiopulmonary function and muscle performance under different motor load and gender differences.

Design

Randomized crossover trial.

Setting

The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, June 16th to December 30th, 2020.

Participants

Thirty-one college students (age: male 21.27 ± 1.22 years; female 21.31 ± 0.79 years) were recruited and randomly allocated in two groups.

Interventions

Group 1 first received CPET in the mask-on condition followed by 48 h of washout, and then received CPET in the mask-off condition. Group 2 first received CPET in the mask-off condition followed by 48 h of washout, then received CPET in the mask-on condition. The sEMG data were simultaneously collected.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was maximum oxygen uptake (VO₂ max) from CPET, which was performed on a cycle ergometer—this is the most important parameter associated with an individual’s physical conditioning. The secondary parameters included parameters reflecting exercise tolerance and heart function (oxygen uptake, anaerobic valve, maximum oxygen pulse, heart rate reserve), parameters reflecting ventilation function (respiration reserve, ventilation volume, tidal volume, breathing frequency), parameters reflecting gas exchange (end-tidal oxygen and carbon dioxide partial pressure, oxygen equivalent, carbon dioxide equivalent, and the relationship between dead space and tidal volume) and parameters reflecting skeletal muscle function [oxygen uptake, anaerobic valve, work efficiency, and EMG parameters including root mean square (RMS)].

Results

Comparing the mask-on and mask-off condition, wearing surgical mask had some negative effects on VO₂/kg (peak) and ventilation (peak) in both male and female health subjects [VO₂/kg (peak): 28.65 ± 3.53 vs 33.22 ± 4.31 (P = 0.001) and 22.54 ± 3.87 vs 26.61 ± 4.03 (P < 0.001) ml/min/kg in male and female respectively; ventilation (peak): 71.59 ± 16.83 vs 82.02 ± 17.01 (P = 0.015) and 42.46 ± 10.09 vs 53.95 ± 10.33 (P < 0.001) liter in male and female respectively], although, based on self-rated scales, there was no difference in subjective feelings when comparing the mask-off and mask-on condition. Wearing surgical masks showed greater lower limb muscle activity just in male subjects [mean RMS of vastus medialis (load): 65.36 ± 15.15 vs 76.46 ± 19.04 μV, P = 0.031]. Moreover, wearing surgical masks produced a greater decrease in △tidal volume (VTpeak) during intensive exercises phase in male subjects than in female [male − 0.80 ± 0.15 vs female − 0.62 ± 0.11 l P = 0.001].

Conclusions

Wearing medical/surgical mask showed a negative impact on the ventilation function in young healthy subjects during CPET, especially in high-intensity phase. Moreover, some negative effects were found both in ventilation and lower limb muscle actives in male young subjects during mask-on condition. Future studies should focus on the subjects with cardiopulmonary diseases to explore the effect of wearing mask.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000033449).

Comparison of the Standard vs. Thoracoscopic Extrapleural Modification of the Nuss Procedure—Two Centers’ Experiences

Pectus excavatum is the most common congenital anterior chest wall deformity, with an incidence of 1:400 to 1:1000. Surgical strategy has evolved with the revolutionary idea of Donald Nuss, who was a pioneer in the operative correction of this deformity using minimally invasive surgery. The aim of this paper is to compare the preliminary results of pectus excavatum repair in two University Centers with a moderate number of patients using the standard Nuss procedure and its modification, the extrapleural thoracoscopic approach. The statistical analysis showed no significant difference for the patient’s age (14.52 ± 3.70 vs. 14.57 ± 1.86; p = 0.95) and the CT Haller index (4.17 ± 1.58 vs. 3.78 ± 0.95; p = 0.32). A statistically significant difference was noted for the duration of a pectus bar implant (2.16 ± 0.24 vs. 2.48 ± 0.68; p = 0.03) between the Maribor and Novi Sad Center. We report 14 complications (28%), including dislocation of the pectus bar (10%), pleural effusion (8%), wound inflammation (6%), pericarditis (2%) and an allergic reaction to the pectus bar (2%). Standard and thoracoscopic extrapleural Nuss procedures are both safe and effective procedures used to correct a pectus excavatum deformity. The choice of surgical procedure should be made according to a surgeon’s reliability in performing a particular procedure. Our study found no advantages of one procedure over the other.

Gender differences in objective measures of adult patients presenting for pectus excavatum repair

BACKGROUND

Women have a reported incidence of pectus deformities 4-5 times less than men. Gender differences have not been well studied.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of adult patients (≥18 years) who underwent a pectus excavatum repair at Mayo Clinic in Arizona (January 1, 2010-December 31, 2019).

RESULTS

In total, 776 adults underwent pectus repair with 30% being women. Women presented older (mean age 35 vs 32 years, p=0.007) and more symptomatic. Despite this, women performed better on cardiopulmonary exercise testing (higher VO2 max and O2 pulse). Women had more severe deformities (Haller index 5.9 vs 4.3, p<0.001). However, in 609 patients undergoing attempted primary minimally invasive pectus repair, intraoperative fractures/osteotomies occurred equally between genders with the majority occurring in patients ≥30 years of age (11.5% in ≥30, 1.7% in <30, total 7%). Women were also less likely to require 3 bars for repair (12% vs 42%, p<0.001). Hospital length of stay and postoperative complication rates were not significantly different. Postoperatively women reported a greater daily intensity of pain, but only on the initial postoperative day used significantly more opioids than men. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing in 142 patients undergoing baseline and postoperative evaluation at bar removal showed equal and significant benefits in both genders.

CONCLUSIONS

Women presented for pectus excavatum repair older and with greater symptoms and severity. Despite this, women required fewer bars, with no significant differences in length of stay or complications. Cardiopulmonary benefits of repair were significant and equal for both genders.