Long-Term Outcomes in Octogenarians Following Aortic Valve Replacement

The impact of coronary artery bypass grafting added to aortic valve replacement on long-term outcomes in octogenarian patients: a reconstructed time-to-event meta-analysis

The long-term results in studies comparing octogenarian patients who received either isolated surgical aortic valve replacement (i-SAVR) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in addition to SAVR are still debated. We performed a reconstructed time-to-event data meta-analysis of studies comparing i-SAVR and CABG+SAVR to evaluate the impact of CABG and to analyse the time-varying effects on long-term outcome. We performed a systematic review of the literature from January 2000 through November 2021, including studies comparing i-SAVR and CABG+SAVR, which reported at least 3-year follow-up and that plotted Kaplan–Meier curves of overall survival. The primary endpoint was overall long-term survival; secondary endpoints were in-hospital/30-day mortality and postoperative outcomes. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) and odds ratio) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for primary and secondary endpoints, respectively. Random-effect model was used in all analyses. Sixteen retrospective studies were included (5382 patients, i-SAVR = 2568 and CABG+SAVR = 2814). I-SAVR showed a lower incidence of in-hospital mortality compared to CABG+SAVR (odds ratio = 0.73; 95% CI= 0.60–0.89; P = 0.002). Landmark analyses showed a significantly higher all-cause mortality within 1 year from surgery in CABG+SAVR (HR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.01–1.36; P = 0.03); after 1 year, no significant difference was observed (HR = 0.95; 95% CI = 0.87–1.04; P = 0.35). Landmark analysis was confirmed by time-varying trend of HR. Late survival of octogenarians did not differ significantly between the 2 interventions. Interestingly, CABG added to SAVR was associated with both higher in-hospital and within 1-year mortality after surgery, whereas this difference was statistically non-significant at long-term follow-up.

The early and long-term outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting added to aortic valve replacement compared to isolated aortic valve replacement in elderly patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

In aged population, the early and long-term outcomes of coronary revascularization (CABG) added to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) compared to isolated SAVR (i-SAVR) are conflicting. To address this limitation, a meta-analysis comparing the early and late outcomes of SAVR plus CABG with i-SAVR was performed. Electronic databases from January 2000 to November 2021 were screened. Studies reporting early-term and long-term comparison between the two treatments in patients over 75 years were analyzed. The primary endpoints were in-hospital/30-day mortality and overall long-term survival. The pooled odd ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for in-early outcome and long-term survival, respectively. Random-effect model was used in all analyses. Forty-four retrospective observational studies reporting on 74,560 patients (i-SAVR = 36,062; SAVR + CABG = 38,498) were included for comparison. The pooled analysis revealed that i-SAVR was significantly associated with lower rate of early mortality compared to SAVR plus CABG (OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.66–0.75; p < 0.0001) and with lower incidence of postoperative acute renal failure (OR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.50–0.91; p = 0.02), need for dialysis (OR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.50–0.86; p = 0.002) and prolonged mechanical ventilation (OR = 0.57; 95% CI 0.42–0.77; p < 0.0001). Twenty-two studies reported data of long-term follow-up. No differences were reported between the two groups in long-term survival (HR = 0.95; 95% CI  0.87–1.03; p = 0.23). CABG added to SAVR is associated with worse early outcomes in terms of early mortality, postoperative acute renal failure, and prolonged mechanical ventilation. Long-term survival was comparable between the two treatments.

Long-Term Quality of Life after Cardiac and Thoracic Aortic Surgery for Very Elderly Patients 85 Years or Older

PURPOSE

We evaluated the outcomes of open heart surgery and long-term quality of life for patients 85 years and older.

METHODS

We enrolled 46 patients 85 years and older who underwent cardiac and thoracic aortic surgery between May 1999 and November 2012. Long-term assessment was performed for 43 patients; three patients who died in the hospital were excluded. Patient conditions were assessed before surgery, 6 months and 12 months after surgery, and during the late period regarding the need for nursing care, degree of independent living, and living willingness.

RESULTS

Three patients (6.5%) died during hospitalization and 22 (51%) died during the follow-up period. The 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates were 74%, 49%, and 36%. During the late period, of 21 surviving patients, 18 patients (85%) were living at home. The need for nursing care was comparable before and after surgery. The degree of independent living decreased after surgery. Living willingness was similar before and after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Among patients 85 years or older who underwent open heart surgery, 85% were living at home. All patients could perform activities of daily living without any assistance while maintaining living willingness.

Does quality of life improve in octogenarians following cardiac surgery? A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Current outcome measures in cardiac surgery are largely described in terms of mortality. Given the changing demographic profiles and increasingly aged populations referred for cardiac surgery this may not be the most appropriate measure. Postoperative quality of life is an outcome of importance to all ages, but perhaps particularly so for those whose absolute life expectancy is limited by virtue of age. We undertook a systematic review of the literature to clarify and summarise the existing evidence regarding postoperative quality of life of older people following cardiac surgery. For the purpose of this review we defined our population as people aged 80 years of age or over.

METHODS

A systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, trial registers and conference abstracts was undertaken to identify studies addressing quality of life following cardiac surgery in patients 80 or over.

RESULTS

Forty-four studies were identified that addressed this topic, of these nine were prospective therefore overall conclusions are drawn from largely retrospective observational studies. No randomised controlled data were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall there appears to be an improvement in quality of life in the majority of elderly patients following cardiac surgery, however there was a minority in whom quality of life declined (8-19%). There is an urgent need to validate these data and if correct to develop a robust prediction tool to identify these patients before surgery. Such a tool could guide informed consent, policy development and resource allocation.

Contemporary strategy for aortic valve stenosis in octogenarians

The number of patients with aortic stenosis (AS) has been increasing over recent decades with the longer life expectancy of the general population. AS is life-threatening without surgery and since many elderly patients have a variety of comorbid conditions, 30-40 % of those with severe AS have been denied surgery. However, recent data on standard aortic valve replacement (AVR) for octogenarians have revealed excellent outcomes, with 2.4-6.8 % early mortality and similar survival rates of octogenarians who undergo AVR vs. the general population. The reported incidences of postoperative stroke, dialysis, and pacemaker implantation were 2.4, 2.6, and 4.6 %, respectively. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is the alternative therapy for patients who are not able to undergo standard AVR and it is developing rapidly. The placement of aortic transcatheter valves (PARTNER) trial showed acceptable early outcomes. The mortality rates from any cause were 3.4 % in the TAVR group and 6.5 % in the AVR group at 30 days, 24.2 and 26.8 % at 1 year, and 33.9 and 35.0 % at 2 years, respectively. Stroke rate was higher in the TAVR group than in the AVR group (3.4 vs. 1.9 %). Vascular complications and paravalvular leakage are frequent procedure-related complications, which must be addressed because they are associated with increased mortality.

A systematic review on the quality of life benefits after aortic valve replacement in the elderly

BACKGROUND

Surgical aortic valve replacement is being increasingly performed in elderly patients with good perioperative outcomes and long-term survival. Evidence is limited on health-related quality of life after aortic valve replacement, which is an important measure of operative success in the elderly.

METHODS

A systematic review of clinical studies after January 2000 was performed to identify health-related quality of life in the elderly after aortic valve replacement. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Quality appraisal of each study also was performed using predefined criteria. Health-related quality of life results were synthesized through a narrative review with full tabulation of the results of all included studies.

RESULTS

Health-related quality of life improvements were shown across most or all domains in different health-related quality of life instruments. Elderly patients experienced marked symptomatic improvement. Health-related quality of life was equivalent or superior to both an age-matched population and younger patients undergoing identical procedures. There were excellent functional gains after surgery, but elderly patients remain susceptible to geriatric issues and mood problems. Concomitant coronary artery bypass did not affect health-related quality of life. There was a diverse range of study designs, methods, and follow-up times that limited direct comparison between studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Aortic valve replacement results in significant health-related quality of life benefits across a broad range of health domains in elderly patients. Age alone should not be a precluding factor for surgery. Data are heterogeneous and mostly retrospective. We recommend future studies based on consistent guidelines provided in this systematic review.

Outcome of patients aged ≥80 years undergoing combined aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 40 studies

AIM

This study was planned to evaluate the outcome of patients aged ≥80 years undergoing combined conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

METHODS

This is a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of data on patients aged ≥80 years who underwent combined AVR and CABG.

RESULTS

The literature search yielded 40 observational studies reporting on 8,975 patients aged ≥80 years. Pooled proportion of immediate postoperative mortality was 9.7% (95% CI 8.4-11.1, 40 studies, 8,975 patients). Immediate mortality was 8.2% (95% CI 6.5-10.0) in 15 studies with a mid-date from 2000 to 2007 and 10.8% (95% CI 9.1-12.7) in 25 studies with a mid-date from 1982 to 1999 (P = .043). Postoperative stroke rate was 3.7% (95% CI 2.8-4.8, 12 studies, 2,770 patients), and postoperative implantation of pacemaker was 4.3% (95% CI 2.6-6.5, 5 studies, 535 patients). The mean length of stay in intensive care unit was 5.3 days (95% CI 3.3-7.3, 5 studies, 490 patients), and the mean length of in-hospital stay was 16.9 days (95% CI 12.4-21.4, 5 studies, 424 patients). One-, 3-, 5- and 10-year pooled survival rates after combined AVR and CABG were 83.2%, 72.9%, 60.8%, and 25.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Conventional AVR and CABG in patients aged ≥80 years are associated with significant operative mortality and morbidity as well as prolonged in-hospital treatment. However, conventional surgery is associated with remarkably good late survival. This suggests that any alternative treatment modality must prove itself of being enough durable also in the very elderly.

The year in review: the surgical treatment of valvular disease-2011

This review highlights important advances in techniques, guidelines, outcomes and innovations in valve surgery during 2011.