Akinetic versus dyskinetic postinfarction scar: relation to surgical outcome in patients undergoing endoventricular circular patch plasty repair

Long-term results of surgical ventricular reconstruction and comparison with the Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure trial

OBJECTIVE

The role of surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy is controversial. Observational series and the Surgical Treatment of IsChemic Heart failure (STICH) trial reported contradictory results. SVR is highly dependent on operator experience. The aim of this study is to compare the long-term results of SVR between a high-volume SVR institution and the STICH trial using individual patient data.

METHODS

Patients undergoing SVR at San Donato Hospital (Milan) were compared with patients undergoing SVR in STICH (as-treated principle) by inverse probability treatment-weighted Cox regression. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

The San Donato cohort included 725 patients, whereas the STICH cohort included 501. Compared with the STICH-SVR cohort, San Donato patients were older (66.0, lower quartile, upper quartile [Q1, Q3: 58.0, 72.0] vs 61.9 [Q1, Q3: 55.1, 68.8], P < .001) and with lower left ventricular end-systolic volume index at baseline (LVESVI: 77.0 [Q1, Q3: 59.0, 97.0] vs 80.8 [Q1, Q3: 58.5, 106.8], P = .02). Propensity score weighting yielded 2 similar cohorts. At 4-year follow-up, mortality was significantly lower in the San Donato cohort compared with the STICH-SVR cohort (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.53-0.95; P = .001). Greater postoperative LVESVI was independently associated with mortality (hazard ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.03). At 4 to 6 months of follow-up, the mean reduction of LVESVI in the San Donato cohort was 39.6%, versus 10.7% in the STICH-SVR cohort (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with postinfarction LV remodeling undergoing SVR at a high-volume SVR institution had better long-term results than those reported in the STICH trial, suggesting that a new trial testing the SVR hypothesis may be warranted.

Incremental Utility of 3D Printing to Guide the Surgical Management of Apical Aneurysm

A 24-year-old man presented with a nonischemic cardiomyopathy of unknown etiology, apical aneurysm, and a secondary mitral regurgitation. Computer tomography–derived 3-dimensional model of the patient’s heart was an essential step in guiding the surgical management for an optimal outcome. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.)

A new classification of chronic postinfarction aneurysms of the left ventricle in patients with coronary artery disease

The article highlights the historical moments of how the concepts for the diagnosis and treatment of postinfarction aneurysms of the left ventricle were developed, and the possibilities of the main diagnostic methods. As a rule, patients with chronic postinfarction aneurysms of the left ventricle have severe damage to their coronary bed, requiring invasive correction (coronary artery stenting or coronary artery bypass grafting), which must be performed either before or during the intervention to eliminate the left ventricular aneurysm. A new classification of chronic postinfarction aneurysms of the left ventricle is proposed, which takes into account rather the type of myocardial blood supply and the severity of damage to the coronary bed, than the actual features of aneurysms. It determines the stages and tactics of treatment of patients with chronic postinfarction aneurysms of the left ventricle, focusing on the problem of coronary revascularization.

Left ventricular function and survival in ischemic cardiomyopathy: Implications for surgical ventricular restoration

Objectives

This pilot study evaluates the association of relative wall thickness (RWT) on survival in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). We hypothesized that patients with preserved RWT may be better candidates for surgical ventricular restoration than those with thinner RWT.

Methods

Echocardiography was performed in 165 consecutive patients (aged 58.2 ± 14.7 years) divided into 2 groups based on RWT values. Group 1 had patients with preserved RWT and group 2 had patients with reduced RWT.

Results

There were 120 (72.7%) patients with hypertension and 112 (67.8%) patients had diabetes mellitus. The patients with preserved RWT (group 1) had significantly more hypertension and diabetes. The patients with decreased RWT (group 2) were in a higher New York Heart Association functional class and had significantly greater incidence of anterior wall myocardial infarction. The entire cohort was followed over 24 months (group 1: n = 117 and group 2: n = 48). The overall all-cause mortality in group 1 (preserved RWT) was 7 (5.9%) and in group 2 (reduced RWT) was 35 (72.9%) (P < .0001). When readmission for congestive heart failure was analyzed, group 2 patients with lower RWT (P < .0001) had an increased rate of readmissions for heart failure.

Conclusions

In patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, a lower RWT indicative of dilated LV remodeling was associated with increased mortality and readmission for heart failure. The RWT may be a simple benchmark of viable or contractile myocardium in ICM. It can be hypothesized that patients with preserved RWT may benefit from surgical ventricular restoration.

Myocardial reconstruction in ischaemic cardiomyopathy

An increase in left ventricular volume after a myocardial infarction is a key component of the adverse remodelling process leading to chamber dysfunction, heart failure and an unfavourable outcome. Hence, the therapeutic strategies have been designed to reverse the remodelling process by medical therapy, devices or surgical strategies. Surgical ventricular reconstruction primarily combined with myocardial revascularization has been introduced as an optional intervention aimed to reduce the left ventricle through resection of the scar tissue and is recommended in selected patients with predominant heart failure symptoms, and with myocardial scarring and moderate left ventricular remodelling. This review outlines the rationale and the technique for reconstructing the left ventricle and the possible indications for using that technique, based on experiences from the centre with the largest international experience. The major contributions in the literature are briefly discussed.

Left ventricular restoration devices post myocardial infarction

Even in the era of percutaneous reperfusion therapy, left ventricular (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) leading to heart failure remains a major health concern. Contractile dysfunction of the infarcted myocardium results in an increased pressure load, leading to maladaptive reshaping of the LV. Several percutaneous transcatheter procedures have been developed to deliver devices that restore LV shape and function. The purposes of this review are to discuss the spectrum of transcatheter devices that are available or in development for attenuation of adverse LV remodeling and to critically examine the available evidence for improvement of functional status and cardiovascular outcomes.

Left Ventricular Reconstruction for Postinfarction Left Ventricular Aneurysm: Review of Surgical Techniques

Different surgical techniques, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, have been used to reverse adverse left ventricular remodeling due to postinfarction left ventricular aneurysm. The most appropriate surgical technique depends on the location and size of the aneurysm and the scarred tissue, the patient's preoperative characteristics, and surgeon preference. This review covers the reconstructive surgical techniques for postinfarction left ventricular aneurysm.

Tissue Engineering Strategies for Myocardial Regeneration: Acellular Versus Cellular Scaffolds?

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in industrialized nations with myocardial infarction (MI) contributing to at least one fifth of the reported deaths. The hypoxic environment eventually leads to cellular death and scar tissue formation. The scar tissue that forms is not mechanically functional and often leads to myocardial remodeling and eventual heart failure. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine principles provide an alternative approach to restoring myocardial function by designing constructs that will restore the mechanical function of the heart. In this review, we will describe the cellular events that take place after an MI and describe current treatments. We will also describe how biomaterials, alone or in combination with a cellular component, have been used to engineer suitable myocardium replacement constructs and how new advanced culture systems will be required to achieve clinical success.

[Preoperative and follow-up cardiac magnetic resonance imaging of candidates for surgical ventricular restoration]

PURPOSE

To assess pre and post-operative cardiac MRI (CMR) findings in patients with left endoventriculoplasty repair for ventricular aneurysm due to ischemic heart disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data were retrospectively gathered on 21 patients with diagnosis of ventricular aneurysm secondary to ischemic heart disease undergoing left endoventriculoplasty repair between January 2007 and March 2013. Pre and post-operative CMR was performed in 12 patients. The following data were evaluated in pre-operative and post-operative CMR studies: quantitative analysis of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic (LVEDV) and end-systolic (LVESV) volume index, presence of valvular disease and intracardiac thrombi. The time between surgery and post-operative CRM studies was 3-24 months.

RESULTS

Significant differences were found in the pre and post-operative LVEF, LVEDV and LVESV data. EF showed a median increase of 10% (IQR 2-15) (p=0.003). The LVEDV showed a median decrease of 38 ml/m(2) (IQR 18-52) (p=0.006) and the LVESV showed a median decrease of 45 ml/m(2) (IQR:12-60) (p=0.008). Post-operative ventricular volume reduction was significantly higher in those patients with preoperative LVESV >110 ml/m(2) (59 ml/m(2) and 12 ml/m(2), p=0.006).

CONCLUSION

In patients with ischemic heart disease that are candidates for left endoventriculoplasty, CMR is a reliable non-invasive and reproducible technique for the evaluation of the scar before the surgery and the ventricular volumes and its evolution after endoventricular surgical repair.

Left-ventricular aneurysms: from disease to repair

Myocardial infarction may be complicated by the formation of a left-ventricular aneurysm that distorts the normal elliptical geometry of the ventricle to produce a dilated spherical ventricle with limited contractile and filling capacities. One of the consequences is congestive heart failure, which may be refractory to medical therapy and require surgical treatment. Surgical methods to restore the volume and shape of the left ventricle have evolved over the years. Nevertheless, although surgery for left-ventricular aneurysms has been performed for almost 50 years, the most appropriate approach is still controversial. This review gives an overview of the postinfarction left-ventricular aneurysm, tackling issues from the disease itself to surgical and other techniques of ventricular remodeling.

Aortic valve replacement combined with the endoventricular patch technique for aortic valve stenosis complicated by ischemic heart disease

The indication for aortic valve replacement (AVR) combined left ventricular (LV) plasty in the patient with aortic valve stenosis (AS) complicated by ischemic heart disease is controversial. We describe a case of AS with ischemic heart disease of a patient who underwent a successful surgical treatment, AVR combined with the endoventricular patch technique. The patient was an 82-year-old woman who suffered from heart failure, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III. The heart failure derived from AS and ischemic heart disease with severely compromised LV function. She underwent AVR combined with the endoventricular patch technique and the postoperative course was uneventful. She has been well with NYHA class I for about 5 years after the operation without heart failure.

Surgical ventricular restoration to reverse left ventricular remodeling

Heart failure is one of the major health care issues in the Western world. An increasing number of patients are affected, leading to a high rate of hospitalization and high costs. Even with administration of the best available medical treatment, mortality remains high. The increase in left ventricular volume after a myocardial infarction is a component of the remodeling process. Surgical Ventricular Restoration (SVR) has been introduced as an optional therapeutic strategy to reduce left ventricular volume and restore heart geometry. So far, it has been established that SVR improves cardiac function, clinical status, and survival in patients with ischemic, dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Since its first description , SVR has been refined in an effort to standardize the procedure and to optimize the results. This review will discuss the rationale behind surgical reversal of LV remodeling, the SVR technique, its impact on cardiac function and survival, and future expectations.

Surgical Ventricular Restoration: An Operation to Reverse Remodeling - Clinical Application (Part II)

The first part of the article dealt with the basic science behind the evolution of ventricular restoration procedures and the rationale for the use of novel surgical techniques. The second part describes the preoperative workup of patients in advanced heart failure, the core information required to determine the surgical approach and the essential principles and techniques of ventricular restoration. It then examines the effects of ventricular restorative procedures on pump function and clinical outcomes, the results of the worldwide experience with ventricular restoration and concludes with more recent advances in this field.

Left ventricular aneurysm using the Dor technique: mid-term results

OBJECTIVE

We have retrospectively analyzed the early and the mid-term results of the operations for modified endoventricular circular patch plasty for left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) repair in our clinic.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty-seven cases with anterior LVA were included in the study. Mean age of the patients were 64.8 +/- 8.9 (ranged from 51 to 74) years. Fifty-three patients were male and 14 female (M:F = 3.8). Preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 30.8% +/- 4.5%, LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) 6.0 +/- 1.9 cm, and end-systolic diameter (LVESD) was 4.6 +/- 0.8 cm in average. Coronary revascularization was performed in 61 patients and mitral ring annuloplasty in five patients.

RESULTS

Thirty-day mortality was 5.9%. The surviving 63 patients were followed up for 4.3 +/- 2.3 years on average (ranged from 0.2 to 8.5 years), adding up to 267.8 patient/years. In the immediate postoperative and long-term follow-up, there was a significant improvement in LVEF, LVESD, LVEDD, and mitral valvular function. Four patients died in the follow-up with only a single patient due to cardiac causes. The five years survival was 87.7% +/- 4.1% and the freedom from cardiac death was 98.2% +/- 1.7%.

CONCLUSION

LVA repair with Dor procedure can be performed with low mortality. With appropriate repair of LVA and coronary revascularization, patients may have benefit both for survival and also for clinical status.

Surgical ventricular restoration: left ventricular shape influence on cardiac function, clinical status, and survival

BACKGROUND

Myocardial infarction can result in a spectrum of left ventricular (LV) shape abnormalities. Surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) can be applied to any, but there are no data that relate its effectiveness to LV shape. Moreover, there is no consensus on the benefit of SVR in patients with a markedly dilated ventricle, without clear demarcation between scarred and normal tissue. This study describes postmyocardial infarction shape abnormalities and cardiac function, clinical status, and survival in patients undergoing SVR.

METHODS

Echo studies of 178 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Three types of LV shape abnormalities were identified: type 1 (true aneurysm), type 2 (nonaneurysmal lesions defined as intermediate cardiomyopathy), and type 3 (ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy).

RESULTS

SVR induced significant improvement in cardiac and clinical status in all patients, regardless LV shape types. Although not significant, mortality was higher in types 2 and 3.

CONCLUSIONS

Ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy and not just the true aneurysm can be successfully treated with SVR. Shape classification may be useful to improve patient selection and compare results from different institutions that are otherwise impossible to compare.

Short-term systolic and diastolic ventricular performance after surgical ventricular restoration for dilated ischemic cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVE

Based on the adverse relationship between left ventricular (LV) remodeling and clinical outcome in ischemic cardiomyopathy, surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) is proposed as a valuable adjunct procedure. This study reports on the short-term clinical and hemodynamical performance of SVR.

METHODS

Using end-systolic LV volume as indication for SVR, 78 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy are divided in two groups: group 1 comprised 55 patients treated by coronary revascularization and mitral annuloplasty, group 2 comprised 23 patients undergoing additional SVR. Hemodynamic investigation included echocardiographic assessment of systolic and diastolic function. Clinical follow-up focused on survival and functional status with exercise performance.

RESULTS

Both surgical approaches resulted in improvement of NYHA class (2.9-1.6 in group 1; 3.3-1.5 in group 2, p<0.001), achieving similar exercise performance (peak VO2 13.7 vs 15.4 ml/kgmin in groups 1 and 2, p=0.25) and plasma BNP values (group 1: 1350 pg/ml and group 2: 767 pg/ml, p=0.23). SVR provided additional benefit as patients basically had a worse NYHA class (2.9 in group 1 vs 3.3 in group 2, p=0.03). Within mean follow-up of 20 months, survival rate was 84% in group 1 and 74% in group 2 (p=0.11), including operative mortality of 7% and 13% (p=0.42). Through effective volume reduction (LVEDVI 41%; LVESVI 49%) systolic function improved immediately after SVR (LVEF 27-39% in group 2, p<0.05). Worsening of diastolic function was specifically observed after SVR within the first year (E/A-ratio 1.38-1.74 cm/s, p=0.02). Recurrent mitral regurgitation (p=0.004) and secondary remodeling (p=0.01) were major determinants of decreasing LV compliance. Clinical outcome in terms of cardiac events and survival was compromised by restrictive diastolic function (p=0.02) and increased LV volumes (p=0.04).

CONCLUSION

SVR in addition to coronary revascularization and restrictive mitral annuloplasty results in significant clinical improvement in selected patients with advanced ischemic heart disease and severely dilated ventricles. SVR entails immediate improvement of systolic function, which remains sustained during short-term follow-up. Serial assessment of diastolic function is mandatory as LV compliance seems more sensitive to early changes induced by recurrence of mitral regurgitation and secondary ventricular dilation. Moreover, worsening of diastolic dysfunction should be timely recognized because of its adverse clinical impact.

Impact of surgical ventricular restoration on diastolic function: implications of shape and residual ventricular size

BACKGROUND

Limited data are available on left ventricle (LV) diastolic function in patients with ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy submitted to surgical ventricular restoration (SVR). The purpose of this study was to assess postoperative diastolic function changes and identify potential predictors of its worsening.

METHODS

One hundred and forty-six patients (65 +/- 9 years) with previous anterior myocardial infarction were evaluated before and after SVR. Hemodynamic and geometric parameters including the sphericity index and conicity index were measured. Diastolic function was explored using the transmitral flow velocity pattern, and four classes were defined: normal, abnormal relaxation, pseudonormal, and restrictive pattern. Diastolic function was defined as unchanged (no difference in diastolic pattern), improved (at least one class less), or worsened (at least one class more or, in the case of preoperative restrictive pattern, an early transmitral flow velocity to atrial flow velocity [E/A] ratio increase of at least 20%).

RESULTS

The filling pattern before SVR was normal in 7 patients (4.8%), abnormal relaxation in 99 (68%), pseudonormal in 28 (19%), and restrictive in 12 (8.2%). After SVR, the filling pattern was unchanged in 105 patients (72%), improved in 14 (9.6%), and worsened in 27 (18.4%). Based on the univariate analysis, the preoperative conicity index and the end-diastolic volume difference (the result of surgical volume reduction) were associated with a diastolic pattern worsening.

CONCLUSIONS

Diastolic function did not change or improve in the majority of patients. In the minority of patients who experienced worsening, this was associated with the preoperative LV shape and residual volume.

Left Ventricular Reconstruction by Modified Linear Technique with Absorbable Suture

BACKGROUND

Linear and endoventricular techniques of left ventricular (LV) reconstruction often utilise prosthetic material for epicardial reinforcement or endocardial patch. We report a technique of LV aneurysm repair using absorbable suture without prosthetic material.

METHODS

Between November 1999 and August 2004, 55 patients underwent linear LV reconstruction, for ischaemic cardiomyopathy, using only continuous 3/0 polydioxanone suture. Survival, functional class and echocardiographic outcomes are reported.

RESULTS

Fifty-two patients (mean age 64+/-10 years) were studied. There was no perioperative mortality and the Kaplan-Meier survival at five years was 81%. Fifty-one patients underwent postoperative follow up (mean 28 months) with echocardiography (mean 20 months). There were no recurrent aneurysms. The postoperative LV eccentricity index (EI) was 0.72 (CI 0.48-0.9). Mean LV ejection fraction increased from 0.33+/-0.09 preoperatively to 0.41+/-0.15 at late follow up (mean within patient change 0.08+/-0.15, p=0.003). Mean symptom class improved from 3.3+/-0.8 to 1.6+/-0.7 (mean within patient improvement 1.6+/-1.0, p<0.001). Mitral regurgitation of grade 2/4 was identified in six patients and grade 3/4 in one patient.

CONCLUSION

Linear repair with absorbable suture material and without prosthetic material may be safely undertaken with good early and mid-term results.

Surgery for myocardial salvage in acute myocardial infarction and acute coronary syndromes

This article addresses the pathophysiology, the treatment options, and their rationale in the setting of life-threatening acute myocardial infarction and acute on chronic ischemia. Although biases may exist between cardiologists and surgeons, with this review, we hope to provide the reader with information that will shed light on the options that best suit the individual patient in a given set of circumstances.

Left ventricular restoration: how important is the surgical treatment of ischemic heart failure trial?

If the Surgical Treatment of Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) trial demonstrates that surgical therapy is superior to medical therapy, early aggressive evaluation of coronary artery disease as a potentially correctable cause of new-onset heart failure would be the preferred strategy. This strategy could tremendously change the treatment of ischemic heart disease. Confirming the STICH revascularization hypothesis will dramatically increase the use of coronary artery bypass grafting among the millions of patients now being medically treated without evaluation for an ischemic cause.

Surgical therapy for ischemic heart failure: Single-center experience with surgical anterior ventricular restoration

OBJECTIVES

Our objectives were (1) to report operative and long-term mortality in patients submitted to anterior surgical ventricular restoration, (2) to report changes in clinical and cardiac status induced by surgical ventricular restoration, and (3) to report predictors of death in a large cohort of patients operated on at San Donato Hospital, Milan, Italy.

METHODS

A total of 1161 consecutive patients (83% men, 62 +/- 10 years) had anterior surgical ventricular restoration with or without coronary artery bypass grafting and with or without mitral repair/replacement. A complete echocardiographic study was performed in 488 of 1161 patients operated on between January 1998 and October 2005 (study group). The indication for surgery was heart failure in 60% of patients, angina, and/or a combination of the two.

RESULTS

Thirty-day cardiac mortality was 4.7% (55/1161) in the overall group and 4.9% (24/488) in the study group. Determinants of hospital mortality were mitral valve regurgitation and need for a mitral valve repair/replacement. Mitral regurgitation (>2+) associated with a New York Heart Association class greater than II and with diastolic dysfunction (early-to-late diastolic filling pressure >2) further increases mortality risk. Global systolic function improved postoperatively: ejection fraction improved from 33% +/- 9% to 40% +/- 10% (P < .001); end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes decreased from 211 +/- 73 to 142 +/- 50 and 145 +/- 64 to 88 +/- 40 mL, respectively (P < .001) early after surgery. New York Heart Association functional class improved from 2.7 +/- 0.9 to 1.6 +/- 0.7 (P < .001) late after surgery. Long-term survival in the overall population was 63% at 120 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical ventricular restoration for ischemic heart failure reduces ventricular volumes, improves cardiac function and functional status, carries an acceptable operative mortality, and results in good long-term survival. Predictors of operative mortality are mitral regurgitation of 2+ or more, New York Heart Association class greater than II, and diastolic dysfunction (early-to-late diastolic filling pressure >2).

Outcomes Following Surgical Ventricular Restoration in Elderly Patients With Congestive Heart Failure

Despite the well described benefits of surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) for patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, the effects of advanced age on outcomes following this procedure have not been well documented. The authors compared outcomes in 69 consecutive patients 65 years and older (n=27) and younger than 65 years (n=42) to determine the utility of SVR in an elderly population with end-stage heart failure. Patients 65 years and older demonstrated significant improvements in ejection fraction (P=.01) and left ventricular end-systolic volume index (P=.07) following SVR, which were similar to the improvements seen in patients younger than 65 years. Sixty percent (15 of 25) of patients 65 years and older in preoperative New York Heart Association class III/IV improved to class I/II at follow-up (P<.0001). Actuarial survival was 68.8% at 2.5 years. Like their younger counterparts, elderly patients demonstrate significant improvements in ventricular function and NYHA class with acceptable survival following SVR.

Advanced Tools for Tissue Engineering: Scaffolds, Bioreactors, and Signaling

This article contains the collective views expressed at the second session of the workshop "Tissue Engineering--The Next Generation,'' which was devoted to the tools of tissue engineering: scaffolds, bioreactors, and molecular and physical signaling. Lisa E. Freed and Farshid Guilak discussed the integrated use of scaffolds and bioreactors as tools to accelerate and control tissue regeneration, in the context of engineering mechanically functional cartilage and cardiac muscle. Edward Guo focused on the opportunities that tissue engineering generates for studies of mechanobiology and on the need for tissue engineers to learn about mechanical forces during tissue and organ genesis. Martha L. Gray focused on the potential of biomedical imaging for noninvasive monitoring of engineered tissues and on the opportunities biomedical imaging can generate for the development of new markers. Robert Tranquillo reviewed the approach to tissue engineering of a spectrum of avascular habitually loaded tissues- blood vessels, heart valves, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and skin. Jeffrey W. Holmes offered the perspective of a "reverse paradigm''--the use of tissue constructs in quantitative studies of cell-matrix interactions, cell mechanics, matrix mechanics, and mechanobiology. Milica Radisic discussed biomimetic design of tissue-engineering systems, on the example of synchronously contractile cardiac muscle. Michael V. Sefton proposed a new, simple approach to the vascularization of engineered tissues. This session stressed the need for advanced scaffolds, bioreactors, and imaging technologies and offered many enlightening examples on how these advanced tools can be utilized for functional tissue engineering and basic research in medicine and biology.

Does Preoperative Ejection Fraction Predict Operative Mortality With Left Ventricular Restoration?

BACKGROUND

Ischemic cardiomyopathy and aneurysmal disease have been treated surgically with coronary artery bypass grafting in the past. The Dor technique for left ventricular restoration has demonstrated improved outcomes in patients with ischemic, akinetic ventricles. Our hypothesis was that even marked reduction in preoperative cardiac function (ejection fraction < .25) would not correlate with worse outcomes since the ventricle would be reshaped to improve function.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients who had undergone ventricular restoration with the Dor procedure from January 1996 through September 2005. Patients with a preoperative ejection fraction (EF) < .25 and those with a EF > or = .25 were compared. All Society of Thoracic Surgeons database characteristics, mortality, length of stay (LOS), and need for intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) were analyzed.

RESULTS

The study included 89 patients (69 men, 20 women), 28 of whom had preoperative EFs < .25 (mean, .183 +/- .035; range, .08 to .25) and 61 had an EF > or = .25 (mean, .334 +/- .074; mean, .25 to .45). Overall operative mortality was 3.4% (3/89), with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (3.6% versus 3.3%). LOS was 7.4 +/- 3.6 days versus 8.9 +/- 15.6 days (p = NS), and need for IABP was 39.2% versus 8.1% (p < 0.05). Overall 5-year survival was 82%. Five-year survival in the EF < .25 cohort was 69.6% versus 88.3% in the EF > or = .25 cohort (p = 0.066).

CONCLUSIONS

Ventricular restoration with the Dor technique is a safe procedure. Marked reduction in ejection fraction is not a contraindication to left ventricular restoration; however, increased usage of IABP should be anticipated.

Effects of cardiac patches engineered with bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells and PGCL scaffolds in a rat myocardial infarction model

Little is known about the cardioprotective effects against heart failure (HF), the effects on differentiation of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell (BMMNC), and the biocompatibility of BMMNC-seeded biodegradable poly-glycolide-co-caprolactone (PGCL) scaffolds in a myocardial infarction (MI) animal model. This study hypothesized that implantation of a BMMNC-seeded PGCL scaffold into the epicardial surface in a rat MI model would be biocompatible, induce BMMNC migration into infarcted myocardium, and effectively improve left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. One week after the implantation of a BMMNC-seeded PGCL scaffold, BMMMC showed migration into the epicardial region. Four weeks after implantation, augmented neovascularization was observed in infarcted areas and in infarct border zones. Some BMMNCs exhibited the presence of alpha-MHC and troponin I, markers of differentiation into cardiomyocytes. In echocardiographic examinations, BMMNC-seeded PGCL scaffold and non-cell-seeded simple PGCL scaffold groups effectively reduced progressive LV dilatation and preserved LV systolic function as compared to control rat MI groups. Thus, BMMNC-seeded PGCL scaffolding influences BMMNC migration, differentiation to cardiomyocytes, and induction of neovascularization, ultimately effectively lessening LV remodeling and progressive LV systolic dysfunction. PGCL scaffolding can be considered as an effective treatment alternative in MI-induced advanced HF.

Contemporary performance of surgical ventricular restoration procedures: data from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons' National Cardiac Database

BACKGROUND

Surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) is an operation that demonstrates promise to improve outcomes for patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Current use and operative outcomes of SVR have come from centers of expertise, and operative risks of SVR in community practice are unknown. We sought to characterize the performance of SVR nationally and describe the acute risks of mortality and major morbidity plus predictors of adverse outcomes.

METHODS

We identified patients undergoing an SVR procedure at US hospitals participating in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) National Cardiac Database from January 2002 to June 2004. Baseline characteristics, operative characteristics, clinical outcomes, and predictors of adverse procedural outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 731 patients who underwent SVR at 141 of STS's 576 hospitals, and 20 centers performed 10 SVR procedures or more. The operative mortality was 9.3%; reoperation in 14.1%, stroke in 3.3%, renal failure in 8.1%, and prolonged ventilation in 21.5%. Combined death or major complications occurred in 33.5%. Major predictors of this combined end point were age, female sex, creatinine > or = 2 mg/dL, insulin-dependent diabetes, myocardial infarction within 1 week, history of congestive heart failure, 3-vessel coronary disease, severe mitral insufficiency, and status of surgery.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a first look at use and outcomes of SVR in a national sample. Although a quarter of STS sites are performing SVR, most have limited experience and perioperative events are somewhat higher than prior selected series. Further studies of SVR are needed to improve patient selection and procedural performance.

Surgical Ventricular Restoration for Advanced Congestive Heart Failure: Should Pulmonary Hypertension Be a Contraindication?

BACKGROUND

Surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) is an established therapy for congestive heart failure due to ischemic cardiomyopathy. Pulmonary hypertension (PHTN) has been considered a contraindication for SVR owing to a presumed increase in operative risk. However, outcomes in these patients and the impact of SVR on PHTN have not been specifically evaluated.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed SVR patients between January 2002 and June 2005. Patients were classified as PHTN (mean pulmonary artery pressure > or = 25 mm Hg) and no PHTN (mPAP < 25 mm Hg) based on preoperative cardiac catheterization. Cardiac function was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography. Follow-up was 100%.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine patients underwent SVR for congestive heart failure. Thirty-six percent (25 of 69) had preoperative PHTN. Preoperatively, PHTN patients had significantly lower ejection fraction (21.1% versus 30.0%; p = 0.005) and larger left ventricular end-systolic volume index (119.0 versus 88.7 mL/m2; p = 0.04) than patients without PHTN. All PHTN patients and 95.5% (42 of 44) of the no PHTN group were New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV preoperatively. There was 1 operative death in the PHTN group. Surgical ventricular restoration significantly improved cardiac function and pulmonary pressures for PHTN patients. Both groups had similar cardiac function postoperatively. Seventy-two percent (18 of 25) of PHTN patients and 69.0% (29 of 42) of patients without PHTN improved to NYHA class I/II at follow-up. Kaplan-Meier survival of PHTN patients was 68.1% at 3 years, which was lower than patients without PHTN (81.4%; p = 0.44), but not statistically significant. Kaplan-Meier 3-year survival for all SVR patients was 76.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical ventricular restoration is a good treatment option in patients with advanced congestive heart failure and PHTN. Our early results are promising and should prompt further studies to confirm these findings.

The heart failure challenge: optimizing medical and surgical management

The treatment of patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction has improved markedly over the past two decades. Nevertheless, the morbidity and mortality rates remain high in this population. In addition to pharmacological therapies to attenuate neurohumoral overactivation, the present challenge is to find additional therapeutic avenues. Percutaneous coronary intervention, although widely used in patients with coronary artery disease, is more challenging with multivessel disease and associated left ventricular dysfunction, and its optimal use in heart failure remains in question. Cardiac surgical revascularization and surgical ventricular restoration have also been advocated. To date, there are no prospective, randomized clinical studies to prove a benefit from these invasive interventions and to identify which patients may derive the most benefit compared with optimal medical therapy alone. The current management of patients with ischemic heart failure needs to be challenged and requires an objective evaluation of these invasive interventions. The ongoing Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) trial is the first randomized trial designed to determine the long-term benefits of surgical revascularization and surgical ventricular restoration compared with optimal medical therapy alone. The results of this study will provide additional evidence-based information to guide physicians in the rational allocation of health care resources. The role of percutaneous angioplasty in patients with ischemic heart failure also needs to be addressed objectively.

Surgical aspects of congestive heart failure

Despite tremendous advances in the medical management of congestive heart failure the gold standard for the treatment of end stage congestive heart failure remains cardiac transplantation. The acknowledged critical limitation of sufficient suitable organ donors has resulted in the refinement and development of novel surgical alternatives for the treatment of congestive heart failure. These approaches include the extension of current conventional cardiac operations such as mitral valve repair to the failing ventricle, surgically reconstructing the size and shape of the failing left ventricle in order to optimize geometry and render it a more efficient pump, and partial or complete replacement of the ventricle with a mechanical device. The continued evolution of such therapies is likely to one day have a significant epidemiologic impact on patients suffering from end stage heart failure.

Surgical alternatives for the palliation of heart failure: a prospectus

BACKGROUND

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the leading cause of hospital admissions in the United States.

METHODS AND RESULTS

CHF has a variety of palliative options for treatment and 1 curative one: cardiac transplantation. Palliative medical therapies are often limited in effectiveness by progression of the disease or patient intolerance. Because of limited donor availability, alternative surgical strategies are now being relied on for palliation of patients in end-stage CHF.

CONCLUSION

In this manuscript, we review the principles, outcomes, and practices of some of these surgical strategies often used in the palliation of end-stage CHF.

Surgical ventricular reverse remodeling in severe ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy: the relevance of the left ventricular equator as a prognostic factor

OBJECTIVES

Surgical ventricular reverse remodeling has been shown to possibly improve hemodynamics and symptoms, but effects on long-term mortality are not established. No consistent data are available on which patients will benefit most from this procedure. This study was designed to analyze the predictors of long-term survival after surgical ventricular reverse remodeling in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

METHODS

Eighty-five patients who underwent surgical ventricular reverse remodeling between May 1991 and October 2003 were retrospectively analyzed. Left ventricular wall motion and left ventricular equatorial diameter were assessed by means of angioventriculography. Left ventricular ejection fraction and volumes were measured by means of echocardiography. Cox regression analysis was used in several combinations to create a final model for identifying predictors of death.

RESULTS

Actuarial survival after 1, 3, 5, and 10 years was 89%, 79%, 75%, and 75%, respectively. New York Heart Association class improved from 2.9 +/- 1.0 to 1.3 +/- 0.5 (P < .0001), left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 27.6% +/- 6.3% to 43.0% +/- 10.1% (P < .0001), and left ventricular end-systolic volume index decreased from 89.6 +/- 27.6 mL/m2 to 56.5 +/- 34.5 mL/m2 (P < .0001). Multivariate analysis identified left ventricular equatorial diameter of 70 mm or greater (hazard ratio, 5.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.79-11.71; P = .020) and segmental akinesia (hazard ratio, 4.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-17.12; P = .024) as the only independent predictors of death.

CONCLUSIONS

In this analysis of a single cohort of patients, surgical ventricular reverse remodeling improves the symptoms of ischemic cardiomyopathy, as well as left ventricular function, shape, and volume, with encouraging long-term outcomes, particularly in patients with dyskinesia. A left ventricular equatorial diameter of 70 mm or greater appears to be an important independent prognostic factor, which suggests the relevance of the left ventricular equatorial region for effective surgical reverse remodeling.

Surgical left ventricular remodeling in heart failure

The high mortality and morbidity of patients in terminal heart failure are a therapeutic challenge to modern medicine. Surgically, cardiac transplantation is an excellent treatment for many patients. However, lack of donors combined with an increasing number of patients has led to the search for other surgical strategies. Patients with symptomatic large left ventricular aneurysms have been treated with resection of the aneurysm and closure of the left ventricle either directly (linear closure, first reported by Cooley) or by implantation of a patch (endoventricular patch plasty or Dor procedure). Akinetic areas of the left ventricle have also been successfully treated by the latter method. According to the law of Laplace, large dilated ventricles have increased wall tension and thus increased oxygen consumption. Based on this fact, Batista and coworkers have reduced the volume of enlarged left ventricles in patients in terminal heart failure by removing a wedge of myocardium from the apex of the heart towards the base of the left ventricular free wall. Although a favorable outcome has been reported in selected patients, this method is currently not recommended for treatment of heart failure because of high surgical failure rates. The present paper reviews some of the relevant literature regarding surgical left ventricular remodeling in heart failure. Two new techniques (Myosplint and CorCap cardiac support device) are also briefly described.

Surgical Ventricular Restoration: The RESTORE Group Experience

Congestive heart failure may be caused by late left ventricular (LV) dilation following anterior infarction. Early reperfusion prevents transmural necrosis, and makes the infarcted segment akinetic rather than dyskinetic. Surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) reduces LV volume and creates a more elliptical chamber by excluding scar in either akinetic or dyskinetic segments. The international RESTORE group applied SVR in a registry of 1198 post-infarction patients between 1998 and 2003. Early and late outcomes were examined and risk factors identified.Concomitant procedures included coronary artery bypass grafting in 95%, mitral valve repair in 22%, and mitral valve replacement in 1%. Overall 30-day mortality after SVR was 5.3% (8.7% with mitral repair vs. 4.0% without repair, p < .001) Perioperative mechanical support was uncommon (< 9%). Global systolic function improved postoperatively, as ejection fraction increased from 29.6 +/- 11.0% to 39.5 +/- 12.3% (p < .001) and left ventricular end systolic volume index decreased from 80.4 +/- 51.4 ml/m(2) to 56.6 +/- 34.3 ml/m(2) (p < .001). Overall 5-year survival was 68.6 +/- 2.8%, Logistic regression analysis identified EF < or = 30%, LVESVI > o = 80 ml/m(2), advanced NYHA functional class, and age > or =75 years as risk factors for death. Five-year freedom from hospital readmission for CHF was 78%. Preoperatively, 67% of patients were class III or IV, and postoperatively 85% were class I or II.SVR improves ventricular function and is highly effective therapy in the treatment of ischemic cardiomyopathy with excellent 5-year outcome.

Mechanical Synchrony: Role of Surgical Ventricular Restoration in Correcting LV Dyssynchrony During Chamber Rebuilding

Cardiac failure is frequently complicated by intra and or interventricular conduction delay that results in dyssynchronized cardiac contraction and relaxation. In contrast to an electrical intervention by biventricular pacing, this study tests the capacity of geometric rebuilding by surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) to restore a more synchronous contractile pattern through mechanical reconstruction without exogenous pacing input. Thirty patients (58 +/- 8 years) undergoing SVR at the Cardiothoracic Center of Monaco were prospectively evaluated with a protocol which uses simultaneous measurements of ventricular volumes and pressure to construct pressure/volume (P/V) and pressure/length (P/L) loops. Mean QRS duration was within normal limits (100 +/- 17 ms) preoperatively. Preoperative LV contraction was highly asynchronous. Endocardial time motion was either early or delayed at the end-systolic phase, yielding P/L loops with abnormal in size, shape, and orientation. Postoperatively, SVR resulted in leftward shifting of P/V loops and increased area; endocardial time motion and P/L loops almost normalized. The hemodynamic consequences of SVR included improved ejection fraction; reduced end-diastolic and end-systolic volume index; more rapid peak filling rate; peak ejection rate and mechanical efficiency resulting in mechanical intraventricular resynchronization that improves LV performance.