Cardiac Surgery in Patients with a History of Malignancy: Increased Complication Rate but Similar Mortality

Cancer-Related Coagulopathy and Perioperative Considerations

Cancer-related coagulation abnormalities are characterized by complex dysregulation of the hemostatic system, predisposing patients to increased risk of thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications and associated increased morbidity and mortality. Advances in anticancer therapies with improved outcomes have led to better survival and older age of patients living with or having survived cancer. There is also a significant increase in the number of patients diagnosed with cancer. All these factors will increase the number of patients presenting for surgical procedures, both cancer-related and noncancer related. It is important for the anesthesiologist to understand the magnitude of cancer-related coagulation derangement, its types, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation, to optimize the perioperative management of this high-risk rapidly growing patient population.

Associations Between Preimplant Cancer Type and Left Ventricular Assist Device Outcomes: An INTERMACS Registry Analysis

We used the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) database to examine whether history of a solid versus hematologic malignancy impacts outcomes after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. We included LVAD recipients (2007-2017) with cancer history reported (N = 14,799, 21% female, 24% Black). Multivariate models examined the association between cancer type and post-LVAD mortality and adverse events. Competing risk analyses compared death and heart transplantation between cancer types and those without cancer in bridge-to-transplant (BTT) patients. A total of 909 (6.1%) patients had a history of cancer (4.9% solid tumor, 1.3% hematologic malignancy). Solid tumors were associated with higher mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09-1.57), major bleeding (aHR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.00-1.32), and pump thrombosis (aHR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.09-2.13), whereas hematologic malignancies were associated with increased major infection (aHR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.14-1.80). Compared to BTT patients without a history of cancer, solid tumor patients were less likely to undergo transplantation (adjusted subdistribution HR [aSHR] = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.45-0.89) and hematologic malignancy patients were as likely to experience death (aSHR = 1.16, 95% CI = 0.63-2.14) and transplantation (aSHR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.44-1.08). Cancer history and type impact post-LVAD outcomes. As LVAD utilization in cancer survivors increases, we need strategies to improve post-LVAD outcomes in these patients.

Cardiotoxicity, Cardioprotection, and Prognosis in Survivors of Anticancer Treatment Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: Unmet Needs

BACKGROUND

Anticancer treatments are improving the prognosis of patients fighting cancer. However, anticancer treatments may also increase the cardiovascular (CV) risk by increasing metabolic disorders. Atherosclerosis and atherothrombosis related to anticancer treatments may lead to ischemic heart disease (IHD), while direct cardiac toxicity may induce non-ischemic heart disease. Moreover, valvular heart disease (VHD), aortic syndromes (AoS), and advanced heart failure (HF) associated with CV risk factors and preclinical CV disease as well as with chronic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction may also occur in survivors of anti-carcer treatments.

METHODS

Public electronic libraries have been searched systematically looking at cardiotoxicity, cardioprotection, CV risk and disease, and prognosis after cardiac surgery in survivors of anticancer treatments.

RESULTS

CV risk factors and disease may not be infrequent among survivors of anticancer treatments. As cardiotoxicity of established anticancer treatments has been investigated and is frequently irreversible, cardiotoxicity associated with novel treatments appears to be more frequently reversible, but also potentially synergic. Small reports suggest that drugs preventing HF in the general population may be effective also among survivors of anticancer treatments, so that CV risk factors and disease, and chronic inflammation, may lead to indication to cardiac surgery in survivors of anticancer treatments. There is a lack of substantial data on whether current risk scores are efficient to predict prognosis after cardiac surgery in survivors of anticancer treatments, and to guide tailored decision-making. IHD is the most common condition requiring cardiac surgery among survivors of anticancer treatments. Primary VHD is mostly related to a history of radiation therapy. No specific reports exist on AoS in survivors of anticancer treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

It is unclear whether interventions to dominate cancer- and anticancer treatment-related metabolic syndromes, chronic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, leading to IHD, nonIHD, VHD, HF, and AoS, are as effective in survivors of anticancer treatments as in the general population. When CV diseases require cardiac surgery, survivors of anticancer treatments may be a population at specifically elevated risk, rather than affected by a specific risk factor.

Coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with malignancy: a single-institute case series of eight patients

Background

The surgical strategy among patients with malignancy and coronary artery disease (CAD) remains controversial. In this study, we present the experiences of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with malignancy and analyzed the treatment outcomes.

Methods

From January 2011 to October 2021, eight patients combined with coronary artery disease and malignancy, six of them with three-vessel disease and two with anterior descending branch lesions on coronary angiography. The age ranged from 54 to 73 years (61.8 ± 7.7years). Four patients underwent CABG and staging for surgical oncology, and 2 patients underwent CABG and surgical oncology simultaneously. Four patients underwent CABG procedure with cardiopulmonary bypass (on-pump CABG), and the other patients underwent the procedure without cardiopulmonary bypass (off-pump CABG). All patients were followed up for 3 to 96 months (40.4 ± 31.5 months) postoperatively.

Results

The mean number of grafts was 2.6 ± 1.1, there was no in-hospital death, postoperative myocardial infarction, and stroke. Among the eight patients, one patient received chemotherapy and radiation before bypass surgery, which occurred postoperatively pulmonary infection, and the rest of 7 patients had no major adverse cardiovascular events during follow-up periods.

Conclusion

Based on the results of the present study, simultaneous or staged CABG and oncologic surgery according to the TNM stage of the tumor and cardiac assessment is an effective treatment for patients with severe CAD combined with malignancy.

Are cardiovascular comorbidities always associated with a worse prognosis in patients with lung cancer?

Many factors contribute to mortality in lung cancer, including the presence of concomitant cardiovascular disease. In the treatment of early stage of lung cancer, the presence of comorbidities and occurence of cardiotoxicity may be prognostic. The effect of cardiotoxicity of radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy on overall survival has been documented. Acute arterial and venous thromboembolic events seem to correlate with the degree of the histological malignancy, its clinical advancement, and even with optimal cardiac treatment, they may influence the survival time. In the case of high-grade and advanced lung cancer stage especially in an unresectable stadium, the prognosis depends primarily on the factors related to the histopathological and molecular diagnosis. Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic abnormalities may be prognostic factors, as they seem to correlate with the patient's performance status as well as tumor localization and size.

One-Year Outcome After Cardiac Surgery for Patients With Cancer: An Observational Monocentric Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVES

Cardiac surgery increasingly is being performed in patients with a history of or with active cancer. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between a history of cancer and 1-year mortality after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

DESIGN

An observational monocentric study, with data collected from a prospective institutional database was conducted.

SETTING

A single academic center.

PARTICIPANTS

All consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB between 2005 and 2017.

INTERVENTION

None.

METHODS

A history of cancer was preoperatively identified. Mortality rates were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The 1-year mortality risk of patients with and without cancer was compared using a multivariate Cox model.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

During the study period, 12,143 patients underwent cardiac surgery with CPB, including 4,681 (39%) isolated coronary artery bypass surgeries. Their median EuroSCORE II was 3.1, interquartile range 1.5-to-6.4. Nine hundred thirty patients (8%) had a diagnosis of cancer, out of whom 469 (50%) were diagnosed ≤5 years before the index surgery; 103 (11%) patients had hemopathy, and 825 (89%) had solid cancers. The estimated unadjusted 1-year mortality was significantly higher among patients with cancer, 11% (95% confidence interval [CI] 10-14) versus 8% (95%CI 7-9) p < 0.01. After adjustment, a diagnosis of cancer was not associated with the risk of 1-year mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.17 [95%CI 0.96-1.43]; p = 0.13).

CONCLUSIONS

In a large cohort of patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB, cancer was not independently associated with 1-year mortality. An isolated cancer history should not lead to denial of cardiac surgery. The impact of cancer on complications and long-term survival after cardiac surgery requires further research.

Comparing Clinical Outcomes on Oncology Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective

To compare the clinical outcomes of cancer and non-cancer patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods

A computer-based search in PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI, and Wanfang databases from their date of inception to October 2021, together with reference screening, was performed to identify eligible clinical trials. Two reviewers independently screened the articles, extracted data, and evaluated their quality. Review Manger 5.3 and Stata 12.0 software were used for meta-analysis.

Results

The selected 11 cohort studies contained 182,645 patients, including 36,283 patients with cancer and 146,362 patients without cancer. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the 30-day mortality [OR = 0.68, 95%CI (0.63,0.74), I 2= 0, P < 0.00001] of patients with cancer in the AS group was lower than those in the non-cancer group; 1-year mortality [OR = 1.49, 95%CI(1.19,1.88), I 2= 58%, P = 0.0006] and late mortality [OR = 1.52, 95%CI(1.26,1.84), I 2= 55%, P < 0.0001] of patients with cancer in the AS group was higher than those in the non-cancer group. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the stroke [OR = 0.77, 95%CI (0.72, 0.82), I 2= 0, P < 0.00001] and the acute kidney injury [OR = 0.78, 95%CI (0.68, 0.90), I 2= 77%, P = 0.0005] of patients with cancer in the AS group was lower than those in the non-cancer group. The results of the meta-analysis showed no statistical difference in cardiovascular mortality, bleeding events, myocardial infarction, vascular complication, and device success rate.

Conclusion

It is more effective and safer in patients with cancer with severe AS who were undergoing TAVI. However, compared with patients with no cancer, this is still high in terms of long-term mortality, and further study of the role of TAVI in patients with cancer with AS is necessary.

Systematic Review Registration

Identifier [INPLASY CRD: 202220009].

Mortality after transcatheter aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis among patients with malignancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

With advancements in cancer treatment, the life expectancy of oncology patients has improved. Thus, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may be considered as a feasible option for oncology patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS). We aim to evaluate the difference in short- and long-term all-cause mortality in cancer and non-cancer patients treated with TAVR for severe AS.

METHODS

Medline, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for relevant studies. Patients with cancer who underwent treatment with TAVR for severe AS were included and compared to an identical population without cancer. The primary endpoints were short- and long-term all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

Of 899 studies included, 8 met inclusion criteria. Cancer patients had significantly higher long-term all-cause mortality after TAVR when compared to patients without cancer (risk ratio [RR] 1.43; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26-1.62; P < 0.01). Four studies evaluated short-term mortality after TAVR and demonstrated no difference in it in patients with and without cancer (RR 0.72; 95% CI 0.47-1.08; P = 0.11).

CONCLUSION

Patients with cancer and severe AS have higher long-term all-cause mortality after TAVR. However, we found no difference in short-term all-cause mortality when comparing patients with and without cancer. The decision to perform TAVR in cancer patients should be individualized based on life expectancy and existing co-morbidities.

Coronary revascularisation outcomes in patients with cancer

Cancer and coronary artery disease (CAD) overlap in traditional risk factors as well as molecular mechanisms underpinning the development of these two disease states. Patients with cancer are at increased risk of developing CAD, representing a high-risk population that are increasingly undergoing coronary revascularisation. Over 1 in 10 patients with CAD that require revascularisation with either percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting have either a history of cancer or active cancer. These patients are typically older, have more comorbidities and have more extensive CAD compared with patients without cancer. Haematological abnormalities with competing risks of thrombosis and bleeding pose further unique challenges during and after revascularisation. Management of patients with concurrent cancer and CAD requiring revascularisation is challenging as these patients carry a higher risk of morbidity and mortality compared with those without cancer, often driven by the underlying cancer and associated comorbidities. However, due to variability by different types and stages of cancer, revascularisation outcomes are specific to cancer characteristics such as the timing of onset, cancer subtype and site, stage, presence of metastases, and cancer-related therapies received. Recent studies have provided insights into defining revascularisation outcomes, procedural considerations and best practices in managing patients with cancer. Nevertheless, many gaps remain that require further studies to inform clinical best practices in this population.

[One-stage surgery in patients with both cardiac and non-cardiac diseases]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the possibility and feasibility of one-stage cardiac and non-cardiac surgery.

METHODS

From July 1999 to August 2018, one hundred and eleven patients suffering from cardiac and non-cardiac diseases were treated by one-stage cardiac and non-cardiac operation in Department of Cardiac Surgery and Thoracic Surgery, General Surgery, Urinary Surgery, and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital. There were 83 males (74.8%) and 28 females (25.2%), aged 41 to 84 years [mean age: (64.64±8.97) years]. The components of the cardiac disease included coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease, cardiac tumors, chronic constrictive pericarditis and congenital heart disease. The components of the non-cardiac diseases included lung benign and malignant diseases, thymoma and thymic cyst, breast cancer, chest wall giant hemangioma, digestive tract benign and malignant diseases, urinary system carcinoma and gynecological diseases.

RESULTS

Two patients died after operations in hospital; thus, the hospital mortality rate was 1.8%. One patient died of multiple organ failure on the 153th days after emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) combined with radical resection of bladder cancer. The other of pericardium stripping with lung cancer operation died of the multiple organ failure on the tenth day after surgery. The remaining 109 patients recovered and were discharged. There were 13 cases of complications during the days in hospital. The total operative morbidity was 11.7%: postoperative hemorrhage in 2 cases (1.8%), pulmonary infection and hypoxemia in 3 cases (2.7%), hemorrhage of upper digestive tract in 1 case (0.9%), incisional infection in 3 cases (2.7%), subphrenic abscess in 1 case (0.9%), and postoperative acute renal failure and hemofiltration in 3 case (2.7%). Of the 109 patients discharged, 108 patients were followed up. All the patients survived for 6 months, and 21 patients died due to tumor recurrence or metastasis within 1 to 5 years of follow-up, but no cardiogenic death. During the follow-up period, 1 patient developed cardiac dysfunction, 1 patient underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), 1 patient had cerebral hemorrhage due to excessive postoperative anticoagulation, and 1 patient suffered from incisional hernia.

CONCLUSION

One-stage surgeries in patients suffering from both cardiac and non-cardiac benign or malignant diseases are safe and possible with satisfactory short-term and long-term survival.

Aortic valve stenosis and cancer: a common and complex association

Introduction. The prevalence of aortic valve stenosis (AS) and malignancy are both high, especially in elderly people and in developed countries. These two conditions frequently coexist and share the same risk factors as atherosclerotic disease.Area covered. The progression of calcified AS may be accelerated by both cardiovascular risk factors and cancer treatments, such as radiotherapy. The standard treatment for symptomatic severe AS is surgical aortic valve replacement; however, in cancer patients, transcatheter implantation may be preferred as they are often at high-risk for cardiac surgery. In patients with AS and cancer, physicians may face difficult treatment decisions.To date, there is limited information on the impact of malignancy on outcomes in patients with severe AS; hence, there is no established treatment policy.Expert Opinion. Treating clinicians must integrate complex information about the severity of valve disease and expected cardiac outcomes with information regarding the cancer prognosis and the need for specific treatment, including surgery. Other comorbidities, age and frailty also contribute to decision-making about whether, when, and how to perform aortic valve replacement.

In-Hospital Outcomes in Patients With a History of Malignancy Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

A history of malignancy is incorporated in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons score to assess presurgical risk in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement, however data on the prognostic importance in those undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remains limited. We sought to investigate the utilization and in-hospital outcomes of TAVI in patients with a history of malignancy. The National Inpatient Sample Database was queried from 2012 to 2017 to identify patients who underwent TAVI using International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 9 and ICD-10 procedure codes. Between 2012 and 2017, there were 123,070 patients who underwent TAVI, of these 23,670 patients (19.2%) had a previous history of malignancy. The proportion of patients undergoing TAVI with a history of malignancy trended upward between 2012 and 2017. Patients with a history of malignancy were similar in age to those without (81.1 ± 7.9 vs 80.1 ± 6.7 years old, p <0.001), with a higher prevalence of tobacco use and major depressive disorder (p <0.001 for both). Patients with a history of malignancy had higher rates of post-TAVI pacemaker implantation (p <0.001), otherwise periprocedural complication rates were similar to those without. Using a multivariate logistic regression model to adjust for confounding factors, a history of malignancy was predictive of decreased odds of death in patients underwent TAVI (OR: 0.67, 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.76, p <0.001) and higher odds of pacemaker implantation (OR: 1.14, 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.19, p <0.001). In conclusion, with time the proportion of TAVI patients with a history of malignancy trended upward. Despite a greater prevalence of previous tobacco use and major depressive disorder, patients with a history of malignancy had TAVI safely with a low in-hospital all-cause mortality, yet greater cost of hospitalization and more frequent implantation of pacemaker devices.

Clinical outcome of cardiac surgery in patients with remitted or active hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common primary cancers worldwide. HCC has unique characteristics such as co-existing chronic liver damage and a high recurrence rate. A negative impact on the surgical outcome due to these backgrounds could be expected. We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of cardiac surgery in these patients.

METHODS

Between January 2000 and December 2019, 16 patients with remitted cancer and 5 patients with active HCC who underwent open heart surgery were studied. The clinical data were retrospectively evaluated from hospital records. Follow-up information was collected via telephone interviews.

RESULTS

The major cause of HCC was viral hepatitis. Eighteen patients (86%) were classified as having Child-Pugh class A cirrhosis. The mean model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was 7.2 ± 5.2. There was no 30-day mortality. During follow-up, 11 patients died due to HCC. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 80.0, 42.5, and 22.3%, respectively. A univariate analysis identified a higher preoperative MELD score and lower serum cholinesterase levels as prognostic factors for long-term survival.

CONCLUSION

We could safely perform cardiac surgery in selected patients with remitted and active HCC. The postoperative life expectancy of these patients was limited but acceptable.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy after transcatheter aortic valve implantation in an elderly patient with severe aortic stenosis and pancreas cancer: A case report

Introduction and importance

Not only pancreatic cancer but also aortic stenosis (AS) is increasing with the aging population. There is no optimal strategy for elderly patients with both pancreatic cancer and AS. We report a case of pancreatic head cancer with severe AS undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Case presentation

An 88-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of severe AS with symptoms of heart failure. Preoperative examination revealed resectable pancreatic head cancer, so TAVI was performed before PD to reduce the perioperative risk. The patient underwent PD 34 days after TAVI, with no significant postoperative complications, and was transferred to the other hospital for rehabilitation on postoperative day 45. No recurrence was observed at more than 7 months without adjuvant therapy.

Clinical discussion

Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is recommended before non-cardiac surgery in patients with symptomatic severe AS. Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is the standard treatment. However, owing to the highly invasive procedure and increased perioperative risk, SAVR is usually avoided in elderly patients with malignancy and severe AS. We demonstrated that TAVI followed by PD could be safely performed in high-risk elderly patients presenting with both severe AS and pancreatic head cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of PD after TAVI in a patient with severe AS.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that TAVI followed by PD could be safely performed in high-risk elderly patients presenting with severe AS and co-existing malignancy.

•

Severe aortic stenosis (AS) is a risk factor for non-cardiac surgery. In some cases, prior treatment of AS is recommended.

•

Minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) may be a treatment option for the elderly cancer patients.

•

Preceding TAVI may be a useful therapeutic strategy for elderly cancer patients with severe AS.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with a history of cancer: Periprocedural and long-term outcomes

BACKGROUND

A history of cancer is incorporated into the surgical risk assessment of patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement through the Society for Thoracic Surgeons score. However, the prognostic significance of cancer in patients treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is unclear. As the cancer survivorship population increases, it is imperative to establish the efficacy and safety of TAVR in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) and a history of malignancy.

OBJECTIVES

The primary goal of this study was to assess the periprocedural outcomes and long-term mortality in patients with a history of cancer undergoing TAVR.

METHODS

A systematic review of PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE was conducted to identify studies reporting outcomes in patients with a history of malignancy undergoing TAVR. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model with a primary outcome of all-cause mortality and cardiac mortality at the longest follow-up. On secondary analyses, procedural safety was assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 13 observational studies with 10,916 patients were identified in the systematic review. Seven studies including 6,323 patients were included in the quantitative analysis. Short-term mortality (relative risk [RR] 0.61, 95%CI 0.36-1.01; p = .06) and long-term all-cause mortality (RR 1.24, 95%CI 0.95-1.63; p = .11) were not significantly different when comparing patients with and without a history of cancer. No significant difference in the rate of periprocedural complications including stroke, bleeding, acute kidney injury, and pacemaker implantation was noted.

CONCLUSION

In patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR, a history of cancer was not associated with adverse short or long-term survival. Based on these findings, TAVR should be considered in all patients with severe symptomatic AS, irrespective of their history of malignancy.

Impact of Hematologic Malignancies on Outcome of Cardiac Surgery

BACKGROUND

Previous studies suggest that patients with prior or current hematologic malignancy are at increased risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications when undergoing cardiac surgery. The aim of this review was to compare clinical outcomes of patients with a history of hematologic malignancy to those of similar patients with no known blood dyscrasia.

METHODS

From January 1993 to June 2017, 37,839 patients underwent elective cardiac surgery at Mayo Clinic. We matched 612 patients (1.6%) with a history of hematologic malignancy to 612 controls, and compared operative details, early postoperative complications, and late survival.

RESULTS

The median age of matched patients with hematologic malignancy was 71 years (interquartile range [IQR], 62 to 77) and 71 years (IQR, 62 to 77) for patients without cancer. Patients with prior diagnosis of malignancy had lower hemoglobin levels, 12.8 (IQR, 11.5 to 13.8) vs 13.5 (IQR, 12.2 to 14.6; P < .001), but similar platelet counts, 195 (IQR, 147 to 263) vs 203 (IQR, 170 to 245; P = .533). Patients with malignancy were at greater risk of receiving postoperative blood transfusions (47.4% vs 35.6%, P < .001). However, reoperations for postoperative bleeding (4.7% vs 3.3%, P = .253) and stroke (1.3% vs 1.3%, P > .999) were similar. Thirty-day mortality was 3.3% among patients with hematologic malignancy and 1.5% among matched controls (P = .061). Overall survival among patients with cancer was reduced (P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Although late survival is reduced in patients with hematologic malignancies, early outcomes are generally similar to those of matched controls. Therefore, surgery should not be withheld from patients with a diagnosis of hematologic malignancy who would benefit from cardiac procedures.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with severe aortic stenosis and active cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Patients with severe aortic stenosis and concomitant active cancer (AC) are considered high-risk patients and usually are not allowed to undergo surgical valve replacement. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may be an attractive option for them; however, little is known about the outcomes of TAVR in this subset of complex patients.

Methods and results

In this meta-analysis, Medline, Cochrane Library and Scopus databases were searched (anytime up to April 2019) for studies evaluating the outcomes of TAVR in patients with or without AC. We assessed pooled estimates (with their 95% CIs) of the risk ratio (RR) for the all-cause mortality at the 30-day and 1-year follow-ups, a 4-point safety outcome (any bleeding, stroke, need for a pacemaker and acute kidney injury) and a 2-point efficacy outcome (device success and residual mean gradient (mean difference)). Three studies (5162 patients) were included. Of those patients, a total of 368 (7.1%) had AC. Apart from a significantly higher need for a postprocedural pacemaker (RR 1.29, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.58, p=0.01), TAVR in patients with AC resulted in similar outcomes for safety and efficacy at the 30-day follow-up compared with those without AC. Patients with AC experienced similar rates of the all-cause mortality at the 30-day follow-up compared with those without (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.59, p=0.76); however, the all-cause mortality was significantly higher in patients with AC at the 1-year follow-up (RR 1.71, 95% CI 1.26 to 2.33, p=0.0006). This mortality difference was independent of cancer stage (advanced or limited) at the 30-day follow-up but not at the 1-year follow-up; only patients with limited cancer stages showed similar all-cause mortality rates compared with those without cancer at the 1-year follow-up (RR 1.22, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.91, p=0.37).

Conclusion

TAVR in patients with AC is associated with similar 30-day and potentially worse 1-year outcomes compared with those in patients without AC. The 1-year all-cause mortality appears to be dependent on the cancer stage. Involving a specialised oncologist who usually considers cancer stage in the decision-making process and applying additional preoperative scores such as frailty indices might refine the risk assessment process among these patients.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019120416.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Oncology Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis

OBJECTIVES

The authors sought to collect data on contemporary practice and outcome of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in oncology patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS).

BACKGROUND

Oncology patients with severe AS are often denied valve replacement. TAVR may be an emerging treatment option.

METHODS

A worldwide registry was designed to collect data on patients who undergo TAVR while having active malignancy. Data from 222 cancer patients from 18 TAVR centers were compared versus 2,522 "no-cancer" patients from 5 participating centers. Propensity-score matching was performed to further adjust for bias.

RESULTS

Cancer patients' age was 78.8 ± 7.5 years, STS score 4.9 ± 3.4%, 62% men. Most frequent cancers were gastrointestinal (22%), prostate (16%), breast (15%), hematologic (15%), and lung (11%). At the time of TAVR, 40% had stage 4 cancer. Periprocedural complications were comparable between the groups. Although 30-day mortality was similar, 1-year mortality was higher in cancer patients (15% vs. 9%; p < 0.001); one-half of the deaths were due to neoplasm. Among patients who survived 1 year after the TAVR, one-third were in remission/cured from cancer. Progressive malignancy (stage III to IV) was a strong mortality predictor (hazard ratio: 2.37; 95% confidence interval: 1.74 to 3.23; p < 0.001), whereas stage I to II cancer was not associated with higher mortality compared with no-cancer patients.

CONCLUSIONS

TAVR in cancer patients is associated with similar short-term but worse long-term prognosis compared with patients without cancer. Among this cohort, mortality is largely driven by cancer, and progressive malignancy is a strong mortality predictor. Importantly, 85% of the patients were alive at 1 year, one-third were in remission/cured from cancer. (Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Oncology Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis [TOP-AS]; NCT03181997).

Review and Update: Hematologic Malignancies and Adult Cardiac Surgery

As treatments for hematologic malignancies continue to advance, many patients with active disease and many more in remission will present for cardiac surgical procedures. Radiation and chemotherapeutic therapies for hematologic malignancies often result in cardiopulmonary injury. Evidence demonstrates that patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing cardiac surgery are at risk for perioperative adverse events, including bleeding, clotting, infection, and immunomodulation. However, short- and long-term mortality has been found to be acceptable. This review will distinguish the important points of characterizing, understanding, and managing hematologic malignancies in the cardiac surgical patient.

Combined surgical treatment of esophageal cancer and coronary heart diseases in elderly patients

OBJECTIVE

The co-incidence of esophageal cancer and coronary heart disease (CHD) is increasing in elderly patients. This study was carried out to analyze the efficiency and safety of simultaneous esophagectomy and cardiac surgery in a selected group of elderly patients.

METHODS

Prospective database for coexistency of severe CHD and esophageal or esophageal-gastric junction cancer was firstly reviewed. Twenty-two patients undergoing combined surgical interventions, including first beating-heart coronary artery bypass grafting (off-pump CABG) and then esophagectomy, were involved as group A. Then, 44 patients undergoing isolated esophagectomy were selected as group B using the propensity score matching method. Data including clinic pathological characteristics and postoperative outcomes were investigated. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used.

RESULTS

The surgical procedure was performed through left lateral thoracotomy in all patients, except one patient in group A who received median sternotomy and left lateral thoracotomy. The operation time and blood loss were both more in group A, as a result of two operations performed at one session. Patients in both groups were followed up from 1.3 to 78.3 months. No significant between-group was found in overall survival or relapse-free survival.

CONCLUSION

The risk of simultaneous esophagectomy and cardiac surgery is not high. Despite certain differences in clinical indicators between groups, the safety of simultaneous procedures in group A is evident.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR 1800014498 . Registered 17 January 2018.

Combined Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery and Lung Resection for Lung Cancer in Patients More than 50 Years-of-Age

Background

The co-existence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and lung cancer is increasing in an increasingly aging population. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient outcome from combined off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and lung resection in patients more than 50 years-of-age.

Material/Methods

A retrospective clinical study of 23 patients with a mean age of 70.2±8.4 years (range, 51–86 years) included 18 men and five women with CHD and lung cancer who underwent a single operation with combined off-pump CABG surgery and lung resection, for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (n=22) and small cell lung cancer (n=1). Surgical approaches included: median sternotomy in six patients; left lateral thoracotomy in nine patients; a median sternotomy in three patients; median sternotomy combined with thoracoscopic lobectomy in five patients.

Results

In the retrospective study of 23 patients, there were no deaths and no new cases of myocardial infarction (MI) in the immediate perioperative period. During the follow-up period, six patients died from lung cancer metastasis or recurrence; one patient died of acute renal failure; and one patient died from the effects of chemotherapy. The remaining 15 patients underwent postoperative follow-up for between 3–79 months with no deaths and no new cases of MI.

Conclusions

For patients who are more than 50 years-of-age and who have CHD and lung cancer, a single combined operation that includes off-pump CABG and lung resection can be safe and effective.

Feasibility and efficacy of simultaneous off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and esophagectomy in elderly patients

INTRODUCTION

To analyze the outcomes of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) and esophagectomy simultaneously for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and coexisting esophageal cancer.

METHODS

Twenty-two patients with CAD and coexisting esophageal cancer underwent combined surgical interventions were subjected to the study. OPCABG was performed first, followed by esophagectomy. All the corresponding data including clinicopathological characteristics and postoperative outcomes were all investigated.

RESULTS

All the combined procedures were performed successfully. The average number of grafts was 2.36. Tumors were located at the middle third of the esophagus in 5 patients, at the lower third of the esophagus in 8 patients, at the esophageal gastric junction (EGJ) in 9 patients, respectively. The operations were carried out through a left lateral thoracotomy approach in 21 patients while a median sternotomy and left lateral thoracotomy approach was used in 1 patient for his condition rapidly worsened. Postoperatively, pneumonia occurred in 4 patients (18.2%). During the follow-up, three patients died of cancer metastasis /recurrence (6, 18, 37 months) and one died of pneumonia (1 month). The cumulative 5 years survival rate is 52.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined procedure of OPCABG and esophagectomy is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with severe CAD and esophageal cancer.

Treatment Outcomes in Stage I Lung Cancer: A Comparison of Surgery and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy

INTRODUCTION

The relative roles of surgery and stereotactic body radiation therapy in stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are evolving particularly for marginally operable patients. Because there is limited prospective comparative data for these treatment modalities, we evaluated their relative use and outcomes at the population level using a national database.

METHODS

Patient variables and treatment-related outcomes were abstracted for patients with clinical stage I NSCLC from the National Cancer Database. Patients receiving surgery were compared with those undergoing stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in exploratory unmatched and subsequent propensity matched analyses.

RESULTS

Between 1998 and 2010, 117,618 patients underwent surgery or SBRT for clinical stage I NSCLC. Of these, 111,731 (95%) received surgery, whereas 5887 (5%) underwent SBRT. Patients in the surgery group were younger, more likely to be males, and had higher Charlson comorbidity scores. SBRT patients were more likely to have T1 (versus T2) tumors and receive treatment at academic centers. Thirty-day surgical mortality was 2596 of 109,485 (2.4%). Median overall survival favored the surgery group in both unmatched (68.4 versus 33.3 months, p < 0.001) and matched analysis based on patient characteristics (62.3 versus 33.1 months, p < 0.001). Disease-specific survival was unavailable from the data set.

CONCLUSION

In a propensity matched comparison, patients selected for surgery have improved survival compared with SBRT. In the absence of information on cause of death and with limited variables to characterize comorbidity, it is not possible to assess the relative contribution of patient selection or better cancer control toward the improved survival. Rigorous prospective studies are needed to optimize patient selection for SBRT in the high-risk surgical population.

Predictors of 30-day readmission after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a case-control study

OBJECTIVE Despite persisting questions regarding its appropriateness, 30-day readmission is an increasingly common quality metric used to influence hospital compensation in the United States. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to identify which patients are at highest risk for readmission after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The objective of this study was to identify predictors of 30-day readmission after SAH, to focus preventative efforts, and to provide guidance to funding agencies seeking to risk-adjust comparisons among hospitals. METHODS The authors performed a case-control study of 30-day readmission among aneurysmal SAH patients treated at a single center between 2003 and 2013. To control for geographic distance from the hospital and year of treatment, the authors randomly matched each case (30-day readmission) with approximately 2 SAH controls (no readmission) based on home ZIP code and treatment year. They evaluated variables related to patient demographics, socioeconomic characteristics, comorbidities, presentation severity (e.g., Hunt and Hess grade), and clinical course (e.g., need for gastrostomy or tracheostomy, length of stay). Conditional logistic regression was used to identify significant predictors, accounting for the matched design of the study. RESULTS Among 82 SAH patients with unplanned 30-day readmission, the authors matched 78 patients with 153 nonreadmitted controls. Age, demographics, and socioeconomic factors were not associated with readmission. In univariate analysis, multiple variables were significantly associated with readmission, including Hunt and Hess grade (OR 3.0 for Grade IV/V vs I/II), need for gastrostomy placement (OR 2.0), length of hospital stay (OR 1.03 per day), discharge disposition (OR 3.2 for skilled nursing vs other disposition), and Charlson Comorbidity Index (OR 2.3 for score ≥ 2 vs 0). However, the only significant predictor in the multivariate analysis was discharge to a skilled nursing facility (OR 3.2), and the final model was sensitive to criteria used to enter and retain variables. Furthermore, despite the significant association between discharge disposition and readmission, less than 25% of readmitted patients were discharged to a skilled nursing facility. CONCLUSIONS Although discharge disposition remained significant in multivariate analysis, most routinely collected variables appeared to be weak independent predictors of 30-day readmission after SAH. Consequently, hospitals interested in decreasing readmission rates may consider multifaceted, cost-efficient interventions that can be broadly applied to most if not all SAH patients.

Cardiac Surgery is Safe in Female Patients with a History of Breast Cancer

PURPOSE

In cardiac surgery candidates, a concomitant history of breast cancer suggests adverse outcomes. The possibility of internal mammary artery (IMA) utilization and its patency rate is frequently discussed. Secondary, blood loss and wound related infections might be important issues. However, publications focusing on these issues are limited.

METHODS

We analyzed 32 patients with previously treated breast cancer undergoing cardiac bypass (CABG) and combined CABG surgery matched to 99 control subjects in a retrospective cohort study. Patients were analyzed regarding IMA utilization, blood loss and substitution and frequent perioperative complications as well as long-term mortality.

RESULTS

No significant differences between groups were observed regarding duration of surgery, IMA-utilization, incidence of infections and postoperative complications or mortality. A pronounced decline of hemoglobin/hematocrit was evident within the first 6 postoperative hours (3.3 ± 1.8 vs. 2.5 ± 1.8 mg/dl; p = 0.03) in breast cancer patients not related to an increased drainage loss but associated with an increase of international normalized ratio (INR) (0.39 ± 0.16 vs. 0.29 ± 0.24; p <0.01).

CONCLUSION

In breast cancer patients, CABG and combined CABG procedures can safely be performed with comparable short- and long-term results.

Tricuspid Papillary Fibroelastoma Mimicking Tricuspid Vegetation in a Patient with Severe Neutropenia

We report a 72-year-old male with known myelodysplastic syndrome who presented to the emergency department with a 7-day history of fever and dyspnea. Echocardiography revealed a round echogenic mass 13×16 mm in size attached to the atrial side of the tricuspid valve. Considering the high risk of infective endocarditis in the patient with a low absolute neutrophil count (130/mm³), emergency surgery was performed. Intraoperatively, a single gelatinous neoplasm was resected, and subsequent reconstruction of the involved leaflet was accomplished using autologous pericardium. The tumor was pathologically confirmed as papillary fibroelastoma with no evidence of infective endocarditis. Papillary fibroelastoma is a rare cardiac neoplasm that occurs in either the mitral or aortic valves. Interestingly, a few cases of tricuspid valve papillary fibroelastoma have been reported so far. Similar echocardiographic findings between vegetation and tricuspid valve neoplasm make it difficult to distinguish these two disease entities.

Simultaneous surgery in patients with both cardiac and noncardiac diseases

BACKGROUND

To investigate the possibility and feasibility of simultaneous cardiac and noncardiac surgery.

METHODS

From August 2000 to March 2015, 64 patients suffering from cardiac and noncardiac diseases have been treated by simultaneous surgeries.

RESULTS

Two patients died after operations in hospital; thus, the hospital mortality rate was 3.1%. One patient with coronary heart disease, acute myocardial infarction, and a recurrence of bladder cancer accepted emergency simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), bladder cystectomy, and ureterostomy. He died of acute cerebral infarction complicated with multiple organ failure on the 153rd day after operation. The other patient with chronic constrictive pericarditis and right lung cancer underwent pericardial stripping and right lung lower lobectomy, which resulted in multiple organ failure, and the patient died on the tenth day postoperatively. The remaining 62 patients recovered and were discharged. The total operative morbidity was 17.2%: postoperative hemorrhage (n, % [1, 1.6%]), pulmonary infection and hypoxemia (2, 3.1%), hemorrhage of upper digestive tract (1, 1.6%), incisional infection (3, 4.7%), subphrenic abscess (1, 1.6%), and postoperative acute renal failure and hemofiltration (3, 4.7%). Of the 62 patients discharged, 61 patients were followed up. Eleven patients died with 10 months to 10 years during the follow-up. The mean survival time is 116.2±12.4 months. The cumulative survival rate is 50.8%.

CONCLUSION

Simultaneous surgeries in patients suffering from both cardiac and noncardiac benign or malignant diseases are safe and possible with satisfactory short-term and long-term survival.

Unexpected readmission after lung cancer surgery: A benign event?

OBJECTIVE

The study objective was to study the incidence, predictors, and implications of unanticipated early postoperative readmission after lung resection for non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODS

Patients undergoing surgery for clinical stage I to III non-small cell lung cancer were abstracted from the National Cancer Database. Regression models were fitted to identify predictors of 30-day readmission and to study the association of unplanned readmission with 30-day and long-term survival.

RESULTS

Between 1998 and 2010, 129,893 patients underwent resection for stage I to III non-small cell lung cancer. Of these, 5624 (4.3%) were unexpectedly readmitted within 30 days. In a multivariate regression model, increasing age, male gender, preoperative radiation, and pneumonectomy (odds ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.56-2.00) were associated with unexpected readmissions. Longer index hospitalization and higher Charlson comorbidity score were also predictive of readmission. The 30-day mortality for readmitted patients was higher (3.9% vs 2.8%), as was the 90-day mortality (7.0% vs 3.3%, both P < .001). In a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model of long-term survival, increasing age, higher Charlson comorbidity score, and higher pathologic stage (hazard ratio, for stage III 1.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-2.29) were associated with greater risk of mortality. Unplanned readmission was independently associated with a higher risk of long-term mortality (hazard ratio, 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.34-1.47). The median survival for readmitted patients was significantly shorter (38.7 vs 58.5 months, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Unplanned readmissions are not rare after resection for non-small cell lung cancer. Such events are associated with a greater risk of short- and long-term mortality. With the renewed national focus on readmissions and potential financial disincentives, greater resource allocation is needed to identify patients at risk and develop measures to avoid the associated adverse outcomes.

The Role of Surgical Resection in Stage IIIA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Decision and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of combination chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical intervention (CRS) vs definitive chemotherapy and radiotherapy (CR) in clinical stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients at academic and nonacademic centers.

METHODS

Patients with clinical stage IIIA NSCLC receiving CR or CRS from 1998 to 2010 were identified in the National Cancer Data Base. Propensity score matching on patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics was performed. Medicare allowable charges were used for treatment costs. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was based on probabilistic 5-year survival and calculated as cost per life-year gained.

RESULTS

We identified 5,265 CR and CRS matched patient pairs. Surgical resection imparted an increased effectiveness of 0.83 life-years, with an ICER of $17,618. Among nonacademic centers, 1,634 matched CR and CRS patients demonstrated a benefit with surgical resection of 0.86 life-years gained, for an ICER of $17,124. At academic centers, 3,201 matched CR and CRS patients had increased survival of 0.81 life-years with surgical resection, for an ICER of $18,144. Finally, 3,713 CRS patients were matched between academic and nonacademic centers. Academic center surgical patients had an increased effectiveness of 1.5 months gained and dominated the model with lower surgical cost estimates associated with lower 30-day mortality rates.

CONCLUSIONS

In stage IIIA NSCLC, the selective addition of surgical resection to CR is cost-effective compared with definitive chemoradiation therapy at nonacademic and academic centers. These conclusions are valid over a range of clinically meaningful variations in cost and treatment outcomes.

National patterns of care and outcomes after combined modality therapy for stage IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer

INTRODUCTION

The role of surgery in addition to chemotherapy and radiation for stage IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. Because there are limited data on the benefit from surgery in this setting, we evaluated the use of combined modality therapy nationally and explored the outcomes with and without the addition of surgery.

METHODS

Patient variables and treatment-related outcomes were abstracted for patients with clinical stage IIIA NSCLC from the National Cancer Database. Patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation were compared with those undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery (CRS) in any sequence.

RESULTS

Between 1998 and 2010, 61,339 patients underwent combined modality treatment for clinical stage IIIA NSCLC. Of these, 51,979 (84.7%) received chemotherapy and radiation while 9360 (15.3%) underwent CRS. Patients in the CRS group were younger, more likely female patients and Caucasians, and had smaller tumors and lower Charlson comorbidity scores. The 30-day surgical mortality was 200 of 8993 (2.2%). The median overall survival favored the CRS group in both unmatched (32.4 months versus 15.7 months, p < 0.001) and matched analysis based on patient characteristics (34.3 versus 18.4 months, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

There is significant heterogeneity in the treatment of stage IIIA NSCLC in the United States. Patients selected for surgery in addition to chemoradiation therapy seem to have better long-term survival.

Cancer in heart disease patients: what are the limitations in the treatment strategy?

Cardiovascular disease and cancer are leading causes of morbidity and mortality, and can both be present in one patient. In patients with simultaneous disease, the most threatening disease should be treated first. This is usually heart disease, but this can pose specific problems. If percutaneous coronary intervention is preferred, bleeding and thrombotic tendencies have to be taken into account in the subsequent treatment of the malignancy. With coronary artery bypass grafting, the advantages and disadvantages of one- or two-stage procedures, and the use of extracorporeal circulation have to be balanced. Development of heart disease after treatment of malignancy could be due to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The effects of these cancer treatments have to be taken into account for the treatment options of the heart disease and the postoperative prognosis.