Bentall Operation: Early Surgical Results, Seven-Year Outcomes, and Risk Factors Analysis

Aim: To analyze early and mid-term outcomes of the Bentall operation. Methods: Two hundred and seventeen patients (mean age 65.6 ± 15.9 years, males/females 172/45) underwent Bentall operation in a 7-year period (January 2015−December 2021), on average, 30 Bentall operations occurred per year, using biological (n = 104) or mechanical (n = 113) valved conduits for the treatment of ascending aorta−aortic root aneurysms. Associate procedures were performed in 58 patients (26.7%); coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 35 (16%). Mean follow-up was 55.2 ± 24 (median 60.2) months. Cox model analysis was used to assess risk factors, Kaplan−Meier and log-rank tests were used to assess different survival rates. Results: Operative mortality was 1.38%. At 7 years, survival, freedom from cardiac death, and event-free survival were 93% ± 2%, 99% ± 1%, and 81% ± 5%. NYHA class (p < 0.0001), trans-aortic valve mean (p < 0.0001) and maximum (p < 0.000) gradients, left ventricular hypertrophy (p < 0.05), and pulmonary arterial pressure (p = 0.002) significantly improved vs. preoperative values. Concomitant CABG during Bentall operation independently affected late outcomes (HR 1.9−2.3; p-values < 0.05). Late survival was affected by concomitant CABG (84% ± 8% vs. 95% ± 2%, p = 0.04), preoperative myocardial infarction (91% ± 9% vs. 97% ± 2%, p = 0.02), and biological vs. mechanical prostheses valved conduits (91% ± 9% vs. 95% ± 3%, p = 0.02). Event-free survival also was affected by concomitant CABG (62% ± 14% vs. 85% ± 5%, p = 0.005) and biological prostheses (78% ± 8% vs. 84% ± 6%, p = 0.06). Freedom from endocarditis−redo operation was 83% ± 9% for biological prostheses vs. 89% ± 6% for mechanical prostheses (p = 0.49). Conclusions: Low rates of operative mortality and late complications make Bentall operation the gold standard for the treatment of ascending aorta−aortic root aneurysms. Coronary ischemic disease affects late outcomes. Biological prostheses should be preferred for the elderly.

Infective endocarditis in patients with aortic grafts

BACKGROUND

Infective endocarditis (IE) in patients with a valve-tube ascending aortic graft (AAG) is a rare entity with a challenging diagnosis and treatment. This study describes the clinical features, diagnosis and outcome of these patients.

METHODS

Between 1996 and 2019, 1654 episodes of IE were recruited in 3 centres, of which 37 patients (2.2%) had prosthetic aortic valve and AAG-IE (21 composite valve graft, 16 supracoronary graft) and conformed our study group.

RESULTS

Patients with aortic grafts were predominantly male (91.9%) and the mean age was 67.7 years. Staphylococci were the most frequently isolated microorganisms (32%). Viridans group streptococci were only isolated in patients with composite valve graft. TEE was positive in 89.2%. PET/CT was positive in all 15 patients in whom it was performed. Surgical treatment was performed in 62.2% of patients. In-hospital mortality was 16.2%. Heart failure and the type of infected graft (supracoronary aortic graft) were associated with mortality. Mortality among operated patients was 21.7%. Interestingly, 14 patients received antibiotic therapy alone, and only one died. Mortality was lower among patients with a composite valve graft compared to those with a supracoronary graft (4.8% vs 31.3%; p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with AAG and prosthetic aortic valve IE, mortality is not higher than in other patients with prosthetic IE. Multimodality imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of these patients. Heart failure and the type of surgery were risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality. Although surgical treatment is usually recommended, a conservative management might be a valid alternative treatment in selected patients.

Endocarditis in Patients with Aortic Valve Prosthesis: Comparison between Surgical and Transcatheter Prosthesis

The interventional treatment of aortic stenosis is currently based on transcatheter aortic valve implantation/replacement (TAVI/TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Prosthetic valve infective endocarditis (PVE) is the most worrisome complication after valve replacement, as it still carries high mortality and morbidity rate. Studies have not highlighted the differences in the occurrence of PVE in SAVR as opposed to TAVR, but the reported incidence rates are widely uneven. Literature portrays different microbiological profiles for SAVR and TAVR PVE: Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, and Streptococcus are the pathogens that are more frequently involved with differences regarding the timing from the date of the intervention. Imaging by means of transoesophageal echocardiography, and computed tomography (CT) Scan is essential in identifying vegetations, prosthesis dysfunction, dehiscence, periannular abscess, or aorto-ventricular discontinuity. In most cases, conservative medical treatment is not able to prevent fatal events and surgery represents the only viable option. The primary objectives of surgical treatment are radical debridement and the removal of infected tissues, the reconstruction of cardiac and aortic morphology, and the restoration of the aortic valve function. Different surgical options are discussed. Fast diagnosis, the adequacy of antibiotics treatment, and prompt interventions are essential in preventing the negative consequences of infective endocarditis (IE).