Sex differences in neurological outcomes and mortality after cardiac surgery: a society of thoracic surgery national database report

Age-specific sex-differences in cerebral blood flow velocity in relation to haemoglobin levels

INTRODUCTION

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) declines with age and abnormalities in CBF are associated with age-related cerebrovascular disease and neurodegeneration. Women have higher CBF than men, although this sex-difference diminishes to some extent with age in healthy subjects. The physiological drivers of these age/sex differences are uncertain, but might be secondary to age and sex-differences in haemoglobin (Hb) level. Hb levels are inversely correlated with CBF, are lower in women, and decline with age in men, but the interrelations between these factors have not been explored systematically either in healthy subjects or across the full age-range in patients with vascular risk factors. We aimed to determine the age-specific interrelations between sex, Hb, and CBF velocity in a large cohort of patients with cerebrovascular disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In patients with a recent transient ischaemic attack or minor stroke (Oxford Vascular Study) and no ipsilateral or contralateral stenosis of the carotid or intracranial arteries, we related peak-systolic velocity (PSV) and other parameters on transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) of the middle cerebral artery to sex, age, Hb and vascular risk factors.

RESULTS

Of 958 eligible subjects (mean age/SD = 68.04/14.26, 53.2% male), younger women (age < 55 years) had higher CBF velocities than men (mean sex difference in PSV at age < 55 years = 16.31 cm/s; p < 0.001), but this difference declined with age (interaction p < 0.001), such that it was no longer significant at age 75-84 (∆PSV = 3.26 cm/s; p = 0.12) and was reversed at age ⩾ 85 (∆PSV = -7.42 cm/s; p = 0.05). These changes mirrored trends in levels of Hb, which were higher in men at age < 55 (∆Hb = 1.92 g/dL; p < 0.001), but steadily decreased with age in men but not in women (interaction p < 0.001), with no residual sex-difference at age ⩾ 85 (∆Hb = 0.12 g/dL; p = 0.70). There was an inverse correlation between Hb and PSV in both women and men (both p ⩽ 0.01), and the sex-difference in PSV at age < 55 was substantially diminished after adjustment for Hb (∆PSV = 6.92; p = 0.036; ∆PSV = 5.92, p = 0.13 with further adjustment for end-tidal CO2). In contrast, the sex difference in PSV was unaffected by adjustment for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and vascular risk factors (history of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia and smoking).

DISCUSSION

CBF velocity is strongly correlated with Hb level at all ages, and sex-differences in CBF velocity appear to be explained in major part by age-related sex-differences in Hb.

Gender Differences in Survival after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting-13-Year Results from KROK Registry

The influence of gender on both early and long-term outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is not clearly defined. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of gender on early and long-term mortality after CABG using data from the KROK Registry. Methods: All 133,973 adult patients who underwent CABG in Poland between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2019 were included in the Polish National Registry of Cardiac Surgical Procedures (KROK Registry). The study enrolled 90,541 patients: 68,401 men (75.55%) and 22,140 women (24.45%) who met the inclusion criteria. Then, 30-day mortality, 1-year mortality, and long-term mortality rates were compared. Results: Advanced age, higher Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) grade, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, arterial hypertension, body mass index BMI > 35 kg/m2, and renal failure, before the propensity matching, were more frequently observed in women. Women more frequently underwent urgent surgery, including single and double graft surgery, and off-pump CABG (OPCAB) (p < 0.001). In propensity-matched groups, early mortality (30 days) was significantly higher in women (3.4% versus 2.8%, p < 0.001). The annual mortality remained higher in this group (6.6% versus 6.0%, p = 0.025). However, long-term mortality differed significantly between the groups and was higher in the male group (33.0% men versus 28.8% women, p < 0.001). Conclusions: There are no apparent differences in long-term mortality between the two sexes in the entire population. In propensity-matched patients, early mortality was lower for men, but the long-term survival was found to be better in women.

Stroke outcomes following cardiac and aortic surgery are improved by the involvement of a stroke team

OBJECTIVES

Post-cardiac and aortic surgery stroke is often underreported. We detail our single-centre experience the following introduction of comprehensive consultant-led daily stroke service, to demonstrate the efficacy of a stroke team in recovery from stroke following cardiac and aortic surgeries.

METHODS

This retrospective, single-centre observational cohort study analysed consecutive patients undergoing cardiac and aortic surgery at our institution from August 2014 to December 2020. Main outcomes included stroke rate, predictors of stroke, and neurological deficit resolution or persistence at discharge and clinic follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 12,135 procedures were carried out in the reference period. Among these, 436 (3.6%) suffered a stroke. Overall survival to discharge and follow-up were 86.0% and 84.0% respectively. Independent risk factors for post-operative stroke included advanced age (OR 1.033, 95% CI [1.023, 1.044], p < .001), female sex (OR 1.491, 95% [1.212, 1.827], p < .001), history of previous cardiac surgeries (OR 1.670, 95% CI [1.239, 2.218], p < .001), simultaneous coronary artery bypass graft + valve procedures (OR 1.825, 95% CI [1.382, 2.382], p < .001) and CPB time longer than 240 min (OR 3.384, 95% CI [2.413, 4.705], p < .001). Stroke patients managed by the multidisciplinary team demonstrated significantly higher rates of survival at discharge (87.3% vs. 61.9%, p = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative stroke can be debilitating immediately long term. The involvement of specialist stroke teams plays a key role in reducing the long-term burden and mortality of this condition.

Monitoring of cerebral blood flow autoregulation: physiologic basis, measurement, and clinical implications

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) autoregulation is the physiologic process whereby blood supply to the brain is kept constant over a range of cerebral perfusion pressures ensuring a constant supply of metabolic substrate. Clinical methods for monitoring CBF autoregulation were first developed for neurocritically ill patients and have been extended to surgical patients. These methods are based on measuring the relationship between cerebral perfusion pressure and surrogates of CBF or cerebral blood volume (CBV) at low frequencies (<0.05 Hz) of autoregulation using time or frequency domain analyses. Initially intracranial pressure monitoring or transcranial Doppler assessment of CBF velocity was utilised relative to changes in cerebral perfusion pressure or mean arterial pressure. A more clinically practical approach utilising filtered signals from near infrared spectroscopy monitors as an estimate of CBF has been validated. In contrast to the traditional teaching that 50 mm Hg is the autoregulation threshold, these investigations have found wide interindividual variability of the lower limit of autoregulation ranging from 40 to 90 mm Hg in adults and 20-55 mm Hg in children. Observational data have linked impaired CBF autoregulation metrics to adverse outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury, ischaemic stroke, subarachnoid haemorrhage, intracerebral haemorrhage, and in surgical patients. CBF autoregulation monitoring has been described in both cardiac and noncardiac surgery. Data from a single-centre randomised study in adults found that targeting arterial pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass to above the lower limit of autoregulation led to a reduction of postoperative delirium and improved memory 1 month after surgery compared with usual care. Together, the growing body of evidence suggests that monitoring CBF autoregulation provides prognostic information on eventual patient outcomes and offers potential for therapeutic intervention. For surgical patients, personalised blood pressure management based on CBF autoregulation data holds promise as a strategy to improve patient neurocognitive outcomes.

Differences in the epidemiology, management and outcomes of kidney disease in men and women

Improved understanding of differences in kidney disease epidemiology, management and outcomes in men and women could help nephrologists to better meet the needs of their patients from a sex- and gender-specific perspective. Evidence of sex differences in the risk and outcomes of acute kidney injury is mixed and dependent on aetiology. Women have a higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3-5 than men, whereas men have a higher prevalence of albuminuria and hence CKD stages 1-2. Men show a faster decline in kidney function, progress more frequently to kidney failure and have higher mortality and risk of cardiovascular disease than women. However, the protective effect of female sex is reduced with CKD progression. Women are less likely than men to be aware of, screened for and diagnosed with CKD, started on antiproteinuric medication and referred to nephrologist care. They also consistently report a poorer health-related quality of life and a higher symptom burden than men. Women experience greater barriers than men to access the waiting list for kidney transplantation, particularly with respect to older age and obesity. However, women also have longer survival than men after transplantation, which may partly explain the comparable prevalence of transplantation between the sexes.

Sex Differences in the Outcomes of Degenerative Mitral Valve Repair

PURPOSE

This study explored the sex differences in the outcomes of degenerative mitral valve repair (MVr).

METHODS

From 2010 to 2019, 1069 patients who underwent MVr due to degenerative mitral disease at Beijing Anzhen Hospital were analyzed. The average patient follow-up was 5.1 years (interquartile range: 5-7 years). The primary endpoint was overall survival. Secondary endpoints were freedom from reoperation and recurrent mitral regurgitation. A propensity-matched analysis was used to compare the outcomes of males and females.

RESULTS

Females were older, had a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation and moderate-to-severe tricuspid regurgitation, and had smaller left atrial, left ventricular end-diastolic, and left ventricular end-systolic diameters. Males were more likely to undergo concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting and had longer cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times. The in-hospital mortality was <1% (10/1,069). After propensity score matching of 331 pairs of patients, most variables were well balanced. Before and after propensity score matching, the long-term survival and freedom from reoperation rates were similar. Males had higher durability after surgery compared with females.

CONCLUSIONS

Females were referred to surgery later and had more complications than males. Long-term survival and freedom from reoperation rates were not significantly different between the sexes.

Female gender does not have any significant impact on the early postoperative outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting: a propensity-matched analysis

Purpose

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most common cardiac surgical procedure performed in India. There are fundamental differences between males and females in the incidence and responses of the body to various diseases. These differences are noticeable, more so in conditions relating to cardiovascular health, particularly coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aims to assess the gender differences in the early postoperative outcomes following CABG.

Methods

Between April 1999 through February 2018, 13,415 patients underwent isolated CABG in our practice. Propensity score matching was performed to yield 1825 well-matched pairs in each gender. These groups were compared in terms of various early postoperative outcomes.

Results

There were no significant differences between females and males in terms of early postoperative composite outcomes (4.2% vs. 5.2%) (odds ratio (OR) 0.82; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60-1.12, p = 0.213) of 30-day mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), non-fatal cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), and need for renal replacement therapy (RRT), 30-day mortality (0.7% vs. 0.7%) (OR 1.11; 95%CI 0.50-2.45, p = 0.796), MI (2.7% vs. 3.1%) (OR 0.93; 95%CI 0.63-1.37, p = 0.708), CVA (0.4% vs. 0.8%) (OR 0.46; 95%CI 0.19-1.14, p = 0.096), and need for RRT (0.7% vs. 0.7%) (OR 0.88; 95%CI 0.40-1.93, p = 0.753).

Conclusion

Females have similar early postoperative outcomes compared to males in terms of composite outcomes of 30-day mortality, non-fatal MI, non-fatal CVA, and RRT among patients undergoing CABG. The outcomes are also similar when individually assessed. The off-pump technique has no additional benefit compared to the on-pump technique in females undergoing CABG.

Sex Disparities in Failure to Rescue After Cardiac Surgery in California and New York

BACKGROUND

Women have a higher risk of mortality than men after cardiac surgery independent of other risk factors. The reason for this may not be limited to patient-specific variables. Failure to rescue (FTR) patients from death after a postoperative complication is a nationally endorsed quality care metric. We aimed to identify whether sex disparities exist in the quality of care after cardiac surgery using FTR rates.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 30 973 men (70.4%) and 13 033 women (29.6%) aged over 18 years undergoing coronary artery bypass graft or valve surgery in New York (2016-2019) and California (2016-2018) who experienced at least one serious postoperative complication. The primary outcome was the FTR. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of death after complication. Propensity matching was used to adjust for baseline differences between sexes and yielded 12 657 pairs.

RESULTS

Female patients that experienced complications were older (mean age 67.8 versus 66.7, P<0.001), more frail (median frailty score 0.1 versus 0.07, P<0.001), and had more comorbidities (median Charlson score 2.5 versus 2.3, P<0.001) than male patients. The overall FTR rate was 5.7% (2524), men were less likely to die after a complication than women (4.8% versus 8%, P<0.001). Independent predictors of FTR included female sex (relative risk [RR]: 1.46 [CI, 1.30-1.62]), area-level poverty rate >20% (RR, 1.21 [CI, 1.01-1.59]), higher frailty (RR, 2.83 [CI, 1.35-5.93]), undergoing concomitant coronary artery bypass graft and valve surgeries (RR, 1.69 [CI, 1.49-1.9]), and higher number of postoperative complications (RR, 16.28 [CI, 14-18.89]). In the propensity-matched cohorts, the FTR rate remained significantly lower among men than women (6.0% versus 8.0%, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Women are less likely to be rescued from death following postoperative complications, independent of socioeconomic and clinical characteristics. Further research is warranted to investigate the clinical practices contributing to this disparity in quality of care following cardiac surgery.

Sex differences in acute type A aortic dissection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive comparison of outcomes following acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) repair in males and females.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

PubMed, Medline, and Web of Science were systematically searched by two authors for studies published from January 1^st, 2000, to May 10^th, 2021. Overall, 2405 articles were screened, and 16 were included in this review. Meta-analysis of the compiled data was performed.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Pooled estimates indicated no difference in operative (odds ratio (OR) 1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59-1.67, P=0.99, I²=52%), in-hospital (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.56-1.08; P=0.13, I²=57%), and 30-day mortality (OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.83-1.43, P=0.52, I²=45%) between the sexes. However, males had significantly reduced 5-year mortality rates (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.51-1.00, P=0.05, I²=45%). There was no difference between sexes in rates of postoperative stroke (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.86-1.33, P=0.54, I²=0%), atrial fibrillation (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.82-1.19, P=0.92, I²=0%), as well as mesenteric or limb ischemia (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.22-2.43, P=0.61, I²=77%; OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.30-2.30, P=0.72, I²=76%, respectively). Males did experience significantly increased rates of acute renal failure and reoperation (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.16-1.56, P=0.0001, I²=29%; OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.09-1.81, P=0.010, I²=42%).

CONCLUSIONS

Composite analysis indicates that early mortality does not differ between the sexes; however, late outcomes favor males. Differences in preoperative presentation and subsequent procedure selection between the sexes likely contribute to the disparity in late outcomes. Decision-making for surgical treatment of ATAAD should account for sex-specific risk factors.

Global Research Trends of Gender-Related Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Between 2001-2020: A Bibliometric Study

This study aimed to assess the research on medical Artificial intelligence (AI) related to sex/gender and explore global research trends over the past 20 years. We searched the Web of Science (WoS) for gender-related medical AI publications from 2001 to 2020. We extracted the bibliometric data and calculated the annual growth of publications, Specialization Index, and Category Normalized Citation Impact. We also analyzed the publication distributions by institution, author, WoS subject category, and journal. A total of 3,110 papers were included in the bibliometric analysis. The number of publications continuously increased over time, with a steep increase between 2016 and 2020. The United States of America and Harvard University were the country and institution that had the largest number of publications. Surgery and urology nephrology were the most common subject categories of WoS. The most occurred keywords were machine learning, classification, risk, outcomes, diagnosis, and surgery. Despite increased interest, gender-related research is still low in medical AI field and further research is needed.

Unravelling the Difference Between Men and Women in Post-CABG Survival

Objectives

Women have a worse prognosis after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery compared to men. We sought to quantify to what extent this difference in post-CABG survival could be attributed to sex itself, or whether this was mediated by difference between men and women at the time of intervention. Additionally, we explored to what extent these effects were homogenous across patient subgroups.

Methods

Time to all-cause mortality was available for 102,263 CABG patients, including 20,988 (21%) women, sourced through an individual participant data meta-analysis of five cohort studies. Difference between men and women in survival duration was assessed using Kaplan-Meier estimates, and Cox's proportional hazards model.

Results

During a median follow-up of 5 years, 13,598 (13%) patients died, with women more likely to die than men: female HR 1.20 (95%CI 1.16; 1.25). We found that differences in patient characteristics at the time of CABG procedure mediated this sex effect, and accounting for these resulted in a neutral female HR 0.98 (95%CI 0.94; 1.02). Next we performed a priori defined subgroup analyses of the five most prominent mediators: age, creatinine, peripheral vascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and heart failure. We found that women without peripheral vascular disease (PVD) or women aged 70+, survived longer than men (interaction p-values 0.04 and 6 × 10-5, respectively), with an effect reversal in younger women.

Conclusion

Sex differences in post-CABG survival were readily explained by difference in patient characteristics and comorbidities. Pre-planned analyses revealed patient subgroups (aged 70+, or without PVD) of women that survived longer than men, and a subgroup of younger women with comparatively poorer survival.

Sex Differences in Acute Kidney Injury

Female sex confers renoprotection in chronic progressive kidney disease. It is less well recognized that sexual dimorphism also is evident in the development of ischemic and nephrotoxic acute kidney injury (AKI). Animal studies consistently have shown that female sex protects against the development of renal injury in experimental models of ischemic AKI. However, the consensus opinion is that in human beings, female sex is an independent risk factor for AKI. Based on a systematic review of experimental and clinical literature, we present data to support the conclusion that, contrary to consensus opinion, it is male sex, not female sex, that is associated with the development of AKI.

Neurologic Complications in Heart Transplant Recipients Readmitted to the Intensive Care Unit

Introduction Neurologic complications after transplantation surgery are major causes of morbidity, and the incidence of neurologic complications among heart transplant recipients varies from 7% to 81%. In our study, we aimed to determine the incidence, etiologies, and risk factors of neurologic complications among patients readmitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after heart transplantation. Method In this retrospective cohort study, the medical records of all patients who underwent cardiac transplantation from February 2003 to July 2019 were reviewed, and those admitted to the ICU due to neurologic complications during the early and late postoperative period were evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups based on the development of neurologic complications to compare demographic and other characteristics. Results A total of 130 heart transplant recipients were analyzed. We excluded 33 patients from the study because they either had neurologic complications or died postoperatively without discharge from the intensive care unit. The mean age of the cohort was 35.4 ± 18.5 years, and 74 (76.3%) were male. Out of those 97 heart transplant recipients, 22 (22.7%) developed neurologic complications. Five patients (22.7% ) were admitted to the ICU in the first month, six patients (27.3%) were admitted to the ICU between one and six months, and 11 patients (50%) were admitted to the ICU six months after transplantation due to neurologic complications. The most common diagnosis was posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) (n = 6, 27.3%). The other diagnoses were calcineurin inhibitor toxicity (n = 5, 22.7%), intracranial hemorrhage (n = 3, 13.6%), seizures (n = 2, 9.2%), stroke (n = 2, 9.2%), femoral neuropathy (n = 1, 4.5%), myopathy (n = 1, 4.5%), phrenic nerve damage (n = 1, 4.5%), and cerebral abscess (n = 1, 4.5%). The rate of neurologic complications was higher in males when compared with females (p = 0.03). Both groups were similar in terms of the etiologies of cardiac failure, coexisting disease, and anticoagulant and immunosuppressive usage. The requirement for mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, and the incidence of acute kidney injury were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). The incidence of sepsis was significantly higher in patients with neurologic complications (n = 8, 36.4%, versus n = 5, 6.7%; p < 0.001). The mean length of hospital stay was significantly higher in patients with neurologic complications (21.4 ± 15.8 versus 11.1 ± 13.3 days, p = 0.01). The risk of developing neurologic complications is 3.036 times higher in males, and this is statistically significant (odds ratio (OR), 3.036; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.078-8.444; p = 0.036). Conclusion Our results suggest that neurologic complications develop in 22.7% of heart transplant recipients admitted to the ICU, and half of them are seen after six months postoperatively. PRES was the most frequent (27.3%) neurologic complication. The risk of neurologic complications is three times higher for males. The mean length of hospital stay and incidence of sepsis were significantly higher in heart transplant recipients who developed neurologic complications.

Sex Difference in Long-Term Survival After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Is Age-Dependent

OBJECTIVES

Women undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) demonstrate higher rates of postoperative morbidity and mortality than men. The aim of this study was to compare the patient profile and long-term outcomes of men and women undergoing isolated CABG.

DESIGN

A retrospective patient record study and propensity score-matched analysis.

SETTING

This single-center study was performed at Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

PARTICIPANTS

The study comprised 17,483 patients, of whom 13,564 (77.6%) were men and 3,919 (22.4%) were women.

INTERVENTIONS

Coronary artery bypass grafting was performed between January 1998 and December 2015.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 8.8 ± 5.0 years. Women were older than men (67.7 ± 9.4 years v 63.9 ± 9.6 years, p < 0.001) and had lower preoperative hemoglobin levels. Early mortality (30-day) (2.8% v 1.9%; p < 0.001) and one-year mortality (5.2% v 3.8%; p < 0.001) rates were significantly higher in women than in men. Women demonstrated worse long-term survival than men only in the population younger than 70 years. After propensity score matching, female sex was not identified as an independent risk factor for long-term survival.

CONCLUSIONS

In the patient population, propensity score-matched analysis showed that female sex was not an independent risk factor for long-term survival after CABG. Poorer survival in women after CABG only was observed in patients <70 years of age.

A Personalized Approach to Percutaneous Coronary Interventions in the Left Main Coronary Artery-Is the Female Gender Associated with Worse Outcomes?

There is still controversy whether the female gender is associated with worse outcomes after the percutaneous coronary intervention within the left main (LM PCI). This study aimed to examine gender-based differences in real-life LM PCI patients and present a gender-personalized LM PCI approach. Consecutively, 613 patients underwent LM PCI in our department from January 2015 to June 2019. Five hundred and thirty-three patients, with at least a one-year follow-up, were included in the study. There were 130 (24.4%) women and 403 (75.6%) men. Compared with men, women were older (70.0 ± 9.4 vs. 67.7 ± 9.2; p = 0.006) and had higher diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease rates. Left ventricle ejection fraction was higher in women (53.5 ± 9.4 vs. 49.5 ± 11.2; p = 0.001). Euroscore II and SYNTAX scores did not differ between the genders. However, we observed a trend towards more frequent use of complex PCI techniques in women (26.2% vs. 19.4%; p = 0.098). The overall periprocedural complication rates (10.0% vs. 7.7%; p = 0.406) and the periprocedural myocardial infarction rates did not differ. Contrast-induced nephropathy was more frequent in women (6.9% vs. 3.0%; p = 0.044). Long-term all-cause mortality did not differ (20% vs. 22.5%; p = 0.069). Both genders presented similar rates of periprocedural complications, and no significant differences in long-term all-cause mortality were revealed. Our results suggest that the female gender in LM PCI is not a predictor of adverse outcomes. Further studies are required to determine the optimal revascularization strategy in women.

Sex Differences in Ascending Aortic and Arch Surgery: A Propensity-matched Comparison of 1153 Pairs

BACKGROUND

We investigated the relationship of sex with clinical outcomes after proximal aortic (ascending and arch) operations, and whether sex-specific preoperative factors are associated with mortality.

METHODS

Of 3745 patients who underwent elective, urgent, and emergency proximal aortic operations over a 20-year period, 1153 pairs of men and women were propensity-matched, and their early and long-term outcomes were compared. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate late survival.

RESULTS

Women and men had similar operative mortality (9.1% vs 8.8%, P=0.8), stroke (5.7% vs 5.6%, P=0.9), and renal failure rates (7.0% vs 6.6%, P=0.7). Thirty-day mortality was 7.5% versus 5.6% (P=0.06), respectively. Results were less favorable for women than for men regarding respiratory failure (34.3% vs 29.2%, P=0.008) and intensive care unit length of stay (9.11±11.9 vs 7.87±12.48 days; P=0.023). Long-term survival was not significantly different between women and men: 66.3% (95%CI 62.8-69.5) versus 67.1% (95%CI 63.6-70.4) at 5 years, and 45.9% (95%CI 41.76-50.0) versus 46.2% (95%CI 41.7-50.6) at 10 years (P=0.4). Preoperative factors including diabetes, prior stroke, prior renal insufficiency, and peripheral vascular disease were associated with operative mortality in men, whereas chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was the main risk factor in women.

CONCLUSIONS

No differences were seen between the sexes in life-changing adverse outcomes after ascending aortic and arch procedures, although specific preoperative variables were associated with specific adverse events. Recognizing differences in preoperative risk factors for mortality between the sexes may facilitate targeted preoperative assessment, preparation, and counseling.

Does gender bias affect outcomes in mitral valve surgery for degenerative mitral regurgitation?

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to determine if gender bias explains the worse outcomes in women than in men who undergo mitral valve surgery for degenerative mitral regurgitation.

METHODS

Patients who underwent mitral valve surgery for degenerative mitral regurgitation with or without concomitant ablation surgery for atrial fibrillation were identified from the Cardiovascular Research Database of the Clinical Trial Unit of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and were defined according to the Society of Thoracic Surgery National Adult Cardiac Surgery Database. Of the 1004 patients (33% female, mean age 62.1 ± 12.4 years; 67% male, mean age 60.1 ± 12.4 years) who met this criteria, propensity score matching was utilized to compare sex-related differences.

RESULTS

Propensity score matching of 540 patients (270 females, mean age 61.0 ± 12.2; 270 males, mean age 60.9 ± 12.3) demonstrated that 98% of mitral valve surgery performed in both groups was mitral valve repair and 2% was mitral valve replacement. Preoperative CHA2DS2-VASc scores were higher in women and fewer women were discharged directly to their homes. Before surgery, women had smaller left heart chambers, lower cardiac outputs, higher diastolic filling pressures and higher volume responsiveness than men. However, preoperative left ventricular and right ventricular strain values, which are normally higher in women, were similar in the 2 groups, indicating worse global strain in women prior to surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The worse outcomes reported in women compared to men undergoing surgery for degenerative mitral regurgitation are misleading and not based on gender bias except in terms of referral patterns. Men and women who present with the same type and degree of mitral valve disease and similar comorbidities receive the same types of surgical procedures and experience similar postoperative outcomes. Speckle-tracking echocardiography to assess global longitudinal strain of the left and right ventricles should be utilized to monitor for myocardial dysfunction related to chronic mitral regurgitation.

EuroScore and IL-6 predict the course in ICU after cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND

Despite modern advances in intensive care medicine and surgical techniques, mortality rates in cardiac surgical patients are still about 3%. Considerable efforts were made to predict morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. In this study, we analysed the predictive properties of EuroScore and IL-6 for mortality in ICU, prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation, and prolonged stay in ICU.

METHODS

We enrolled 2972 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The patients either underwent aortic valve surgery (AV), mitral valve surgery (MV), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and combined operations of aortic valve and coronary artery bypass grafting (AV + CABG) or of mitral and tricuspid valve (MV + TV). Different laboratory and clinical parameters were analysed.

RESULTS

EuroScore as well as IL-6 were associated with increased mortality after cardiac surgery. Furthermore, a higher EuroScore and elevated levels of IL-6 were predictors for prolonged mechanical ventilation and a longer stay in ICU. Especially, highly significant elevated IL-6 levels and an increased EuroScore showed a strong association. Statistics suggested superiority when both parameters were combined in a single model.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that EuroScore and IL-6 are helpful in predicting the course in ICU after cardiac surgery, and therefore, the use of intensive care resources. Especially, the combination of highly elevated levels of IL-6 and EuroScore may prove to be excellent predictors for an unfortunate postoperative course in ICU.

Sex Differences in Ischemic Stroke Readmission Rates and Subsequent Outcomes After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Prior studies examining sex-related risk of readmission for ischemic stroke (IS) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) did not adjust for preoperative comorbidities and used small study samples that were single-center or otherwise poorly generalizable. We assessed risk of readmission for IS after CABG for females compared to males in a nationwide sample.

METHODS

The 2013 Nationwide Readmissions Database contains data on 49% of all U.S. hospitalizations. We used population weighting to determine national estimates. Using all follow-up data up to 1 year after discharge from CABG hospitalization, we estimated Kaplan-Meier cumulative risk of IS, stratified by sex, using the log-rank test for significance. We created Cox proportional hazard models to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for IS readmission, with sex as the main independent variable. We ran unadjusted models and models adjusted for age, vascular risk factors, estimated severity of illness and risk of mortality, hospital characteristics, and income quartile of patient's zip code.

RESULTS

An estimated 53,270 females and 147,396 males survived index CABG admission in 2013. There was a consistently elevated cumulative risk of readmission for IS after CABG for females versus males (log-rank p-value = 0.0014). In the unadjusted Cox model, the HR of IS in females vs. males was 1.35 (95% CI 1.12-1.62, p = 0.0015). The elevated risk for females remained after adjusting for severity of illness (1.30 [1.08-1.56], p = 0.0056) and risk of mortality (1.28 [1.07-1.54], p = 0.0086). This elevated risk persisted after adjusting for multiple vascular risk factors, hospital characteristics, and income quartile of patient's zip code (1.23 [1.02-1.48], p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

We found a 23% increased risk of readmission for IS up to 1 year after CABG for females compared to males in a fully adjusted model utilizing a large, contemporary, nationwide database. Further research would clarify mechanisms of this increased risk among women.

Role of Carotid Artery Ultrasound Duplex Prior to Cardiac Surgery in Adults in Predicting Neurocognitive Complications

Background Neurocognitive complications (NCCs) after cardiac surgery are one of the most devastating complications. Significant internal carotid artery stenosis is assumed to be a predictor of NCCs. Carotid duplex ultrasound (DUS) is a non-invasive imaging study that remains the modality of choice and is routinely used in many centers for screening adult cardiac surgery patients prior to surgery. This study aims to assess the utility of preoperative carotid DUS in the prediction of NCCs in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery in our center. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), valvular or combined surgery, at King Faisal Cardiac Center in Jeddah between January 2017 and December 2018 (n = 229). The preoperative carotid DUS findings were evaluated. Risk factors associated with NCC were analyzed. Results Over the study period, a total of 229 patients underwent 233 procedures. Median age was 60 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 51-67 years), of whom 71% were males. Out of the diabetic patients, 67% had an HbA1C level above 7% pre-operatively. Carotid DUS was performed on 63% of patients, but only 6.9% developed a post-operative NCC. Patients who were actively smoking were more likely to develop NCC compared to nonsmokers or ex-smokers (14.7% vs 4.6%; p = 0.02), with an odds ratio of 3.6 (95% CI = 1.2-10.5). Patients who developed NCC had a significantly higher median intensive care length of stay (7 vs. 5 days; p = 0.05). Conclusions Although international guidelines clearly define which patient should get preoperative carotid DUS screening, the level of evidence is low. Based on our findings, preoperative routine use of carotid DUS prior to cardiac surgery has low utility in predicting NCC. We recommend a more tailored approach based on signs, symptoms, and high-risk features to optimize the utilization of resources, avoid unwarranted delays, and personalize patient care.

Male-female differences in characteristics and early outcomes of patients undergoing tricuspid valve surgery: a national cohort study in the Netherlands

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to explore male-female differences in baseline and procedural characteristics, and outcomes of patients undergoing isolated or concomitant tricuspid valve (TV) surgery.

METHODS

All TV procedures registered between 2007 and 2016 in the database of the Netherlands Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery were analysed. Logistic regression analyses with interaction terms were used to determine whether sex was associated with hospital mortality.

RESULTS

Five thousand five hundred and eighty-two patients underwent TV surgery [isolated: N = 685 (49% male), TVrepair: N = 5286 (50% male) and TVreplacement: N = 250 (46% male)]. In the TVrepair group, females were significantly older, had less prior percutaneous/surgical coronary interventions, less extracardiac arteriopathies, a lower prevalence of renal impairment, less endocarditis, a lower prevalence of preoperative critical condition, less recent myocardial infarction, less concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and, in case of concomitant mitral valve surgery, less concomitant mitral valve repair compared to males. In the TVreplacement group, females more often had a history of prior valve surgery and less prior CABG. Hospital mortality for males and females was 7.0% (N = 183) and 6.1% (N = 163), P = 0.241 in the TVrepair group and 2.6% (N = 3) and 8.8% (N = 12), P = 0.074 in the TVreplacement group. Sex was not associated with hospital mortality (odds ratio (OR) 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88-1.48; P = 0.322). Sex demonstrated a significant interaction with the parameter 'critical preoperative condition' (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.22-0.90; P = 0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial differences in patient and procedural characteristics existed between male and female patients undergoing TV surgery, although sex was not a derterminant for hospital mortality. Nevertheless, sex interacted with a critical preoperative condition, indicating the usefulness of separate risk factor models for males and females requiring TV surgery.

Sex-Specific Outcome after Ascending Aortic Surgery in Moderate Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest

BACKGROUND

Historically, female patients had worse outcome undergoing heart surgery. No recent data exist on gender-specific outcome after moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest (MHCA). The aim of this large retrospective analysis was to investigate gender disparity in patients undergoing elective surgery of ascending aorta in MHCA at 24°C.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of 905 (33.3% female) cases of elective heart surgery in MHCA for ascending aortic aneurysm (90.9%) or severely calcified aorta (12.5%) between 2001 and 2015. Furthermore, 299 female and 299 male patients matched by propensity score were compared. Patients with dissection of the aorta were excluded.

RESULTS

Women were older (68.4 ± 9.9 vs. 65.8 ± 11.6 years; p = 0.002), had higher logistic EuroSCORE I (18.4 [11.7; 29.2] vs. 12.3% [7.4; 22.6]; p < 0.001), and significantly shorter cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (132 [105; 175] vs. 150 [118; 192] minutes; p < 0.001), while mean MHCA time was longer (15 [13; 19] vs. 14 [12; 17] minutes; p = 0.003). Surgical procedures were less complex in women and they were treated more frequently by isolated supracoronary ascending aorta replacement (61 vs. 54%; p = 0.046). Postoperatively, men showed a higher incidence of neurologic complications (7.0 vs. 3.3%; p = 0.03). The 30-day mortality (women 4.9% vs. men 3.9%; p = 0.48) did not differ significantly, likewise after statistical matching (4.7 vs. 2.3%; p = 0.120). Age, CPB time, and blood transfusion, but not female gender, were risk factors for mortality in multivariable regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

This study supports the hypothesis that female gender is not associated with increased short-term mortality or perioperative adverse events in elective aortic surgery in MHCA.

Is mitral valve disease treated differently in men and women?

PURPOSE

This study was performed to determine if there is a sex-based bias in referral practices, complexity of disease, surgical treatment, or outcomes in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery at our institution.

METHODS

Data were collected from the Cardiovascular Research Database of the Clinical Trial Unit of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and they were defined according to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Database ( www.sts.org ). All patients who had mitral valve replacement, mitral valve repair with annuloplasty ring placement, and mitral valve annuloplasty alone were evaluated, including patients who underwent concomitant tricuspid valve surgery, atrial fibrillation ablation, patent foramen ovale closure, and coronary artery bypass grafting. An unmatched comparison was made between the 836 men and 600 women in the entire cohort (N = 1436) and propensity score-matching was performed in 423 pairs of men and women. Additional propensity score-matching for 219 pairs of men and women with Type II mitral valve functional class and no coronary artery disease and for 68 pairs of men and women with Type 1 or Type IIIb mitral valve functional class. Propensity score matching was used to compare sex differences involving a greedy algorithm with a caliper of size 0.1 logit propensity score standard deviation units.

RESULTS

Between 1 April 2004 and 30 June 2017, 1436 patients (41.8% women, mean age 61.1 ± 12.6 years (men), 62.9 ± 13.3 years (women)) underwent mitral valve surgery. The unmatched comparison for the entire cohort showed that, on average, at the time of surgery, women had higher Society of Thoracic Surgery risk scores, were older and had more heart failure, coronary artery disease, and mitral stenosis than men. Women received proportionately fewer mitral repairs and more atrial fibrillation ablation, and tricuspid valve surgery. Women had longer intensive care unit and hospital stays, required more dialysis, and suffered more transient ischemic attacks and cardiac arrests postoperatively, and 30-day mortality rate was higher for women. However, propensity score-matching of 846 of the patients (423 men; 423 women) indicated that both the surgical approaches and surgical outcomes were comparable for men and women who had similar levels of disease and co-morbidities. Additional propensity score-matching of only those patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) (219 men; 219 women) and those with Type 1 or Type III mitral valve disease showed no differences in the surgical procedures performed or in 30-day mortality rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Women appear to be referred for mitral valve surgery later in the course of their disease, which could possibly be on the basis of sex bias, but they may also have a more aggressive form of mitral valve disease than men. Regardless of the reasons for the later referral of women for mitral valve surgery, the clinical outcomes are dependent upon the severity of the mitral disease and associated co-morbidities at the time of surgery, not on the basis of sex bias.

Does Robotic Beating Heart Connector Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass Bridge the Gender Gap in Coronary Bypass Surgery?

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have shown that women carry a higher risk of morbidity and mortality after coronary artery bypass surgery. We investigated gender differences in risk factors and outcomes in our patients undergoing robotic beating heart connector totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass.

METHODS

From July 2013 to April 2017, patients undergoing connector totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass were reviewed. We compared the outcomes of men versus women.

RESULTS

A total of 192 men and 71 women underwent connector totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass. The mean ± SD age was 65.4 ± 10.6 years. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was higher in women than men (median = 1.46 vs 0.73, P = 0.001), and women had a higher rate of peripheral vascular disease (22.5% vs 9.9%, P = 0.007). Intraoperative data in women and men were similar except for the rate of multi-vessel connector totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass and the rate of bilateral internal mammary artery use, which were both lower in women (49.3% vs 64.6%, P = 0.024, and 42.3% vs 56.8%, P = 0.036, respectively). The mean ± SD length of hospital stay (women vs men: 3.99 ± 4.00 vs 3.39 ± 2.42, P = 0.324) was comparable. The 30-day mortality in women and men was 0% (0/71) and 2.1% (4/192), respectively (P = 0.577). The morbidity and mortality of single- or multi-vessel connector totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass were similar between men and women.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the morbidity and mortality in women after robotic beating heart connector totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass in our center were similar to those seen in men.

Male-female differences in aortic valve and combined aortic valve/coronary surgery: a national cohort study in the Netherlands

Objective

The outcome of female patients after adult cardiac surgery has been reported to be less favourable compared with the outcome of male patients. This study compares men with women with respect to patient and procedural characteristics and early mortality in a contemporary national cohort of patients who underwent aortic valve (AV) and combined aortic valve/coronary (CABG/AV) surgery.

Methods

All patients who underwent AV (n=8717, 56% male) or a combined CABG/AV surgery (n=5867, 67% male) in the Netherlands between January 2007 and December 2011 were included.

Results

In both groups, women were generally older than men (p<0.001) and presented with higher logistic EuroSCORES. In isolated AV surgery, men and women had comparable in-hospital mortality (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.61; p=0.220). In concomitant CABG/AV surgery, in-hospital mortality was higher in women compared with men (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.44 to 2.79; p<0.001). The area under the curve for logistic EuroSCORE 1 was systematically higher for men versus women in isolated AV surgery 0.82 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.86) vs 0.75 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.80) and in concomitant CABG/AV surgery 0.78 (95% CI 0.73 to 0.82) vs 0.69 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.74). Finally, (the weight of) risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality differed between men and women.

Conclusions

There are substantial male-female differences in patient presentation and procedural aspects in isolated AV and concomitant CABG/AV surgery in the Netherlands. Further studies are necessary to explore the mechanisms underlying the observed differences. In addition, the observation that standard risk scores perform worse in women warrants exploration of male-female specific risk models for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.Brief title:

Impact of age on early outcomes and long-term survival of patients undergoing aortic repair with Stanford A dissection

Objectives:

Stanford A acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening emergency, typically occurring in older patients and requiring immediate surgical repair. The aim of this study was to evaluate early outcome and short- and long-term survival of patients under and above 65 years of age.

Methods:

Two hundred and forty patients with Stanford A AAD underwent aortic surgical repair from January 2006 to April 2015 in our center. After statistical analysis and logistic regression analysis, Kaplan-Meier survival estimation was performed, with up to 9-year follow-up, comprising patients under and above 65 years of age.

Results:

The proportion of patients above 65 years of age suffering from Stanford A AAD was 50% (n=120). The group of patients above 65 years of age compared to the group under 65 years of age showed statistically significant differences in terms of higher odds ratios (OR) for hypertension (p=0.012), peripheral vascular disease (p=0.026) and tachyarrhythmia absoluta (p=0.004). Patients over 65 years of age also showed significantly poorer short- and long-term survival. Our subgroup analysis revealed that male patients (Breslow p=0.001, Log-Rank p=0.001) and patients suffering with hypertension (Breslow p=0.003, Log-Rank p=0.001) were reasonable for these results whereas younger and older female patients showed similar short- and long-term outcome (Breslow p=0.926, Log-Rank p=0.724). After stratifying all patients into 4 age groups (<45; 55-65; 65-75; >75years), short-term survival of the patients appeared to be significantly poorer with increasing age (Breslow p=0.026, Log-Rank p=0.008) whereas long-term survival of patients free from cerebrovascular events (Breslow p=0.0494, Log-Rank p=0.489) remained similar.

Conclusions:

All patients referred to our hospital for repair of Stanford A AAD with higher age had poorer short- and long-term survival, caused by male patients and patients suffering from hypertension, whereas survival of women and survival free from cerebrovascular events of the entire patient cohort was similar, irrespective of age.

Coronary artery bypass grafting and paraparesis; is there a correlation?

Adult cardiac surgery is associated with significant perioperative morbidity and mortality rates, mainly in elderly patients with co-morbidities. A series of postoperative complications may arise and delay the recovery of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Such complications also increase the burden of resource use and may affect late survival rates. Neurological complications appear mainly as stroke of varying degrees, with impairment of mobility and ability of the patient. We describe a rare case of progressive paraparesis after on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, and review its aetiology, diagnosis and management.

Female sex is not a risk factor for post procedural mortality in coronary bypass surgery in the elderly: A secondary analysis of the GOPCABE trial

OBJECTIVE

Female sex is considered a significant risk in cardiac surgery and is included in the majority of scores for risk assessment. However, the evidence is controversial and older women undergoing cardiac surgery have not specifically been investigated. We assessed the influence of female sex on surgical risk (30-day mortality) in a secondary analysis of the GOPCABE trial (German Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass grafting in the Elderly (GOPCABE) trial, comparing on- to off-pump) and also evaluated its impact on risk prediction from commonly used risk scores.

METHODS

We performed logistic regression analyses on the GOPCABE trial population, where patients were randomized to either on- or off-pump CABG. The study was performed in 12 cardiac surgery centers in Germany and analyzed 2394 patients having undergone CABG at age ≥75 years (1187 on-pump, 1207 off-pump). Of the 2394 patients, 755 (32%) were women. The logistic EuroSCORE and the German KCH score were calculated as expected (E) mortality and values were compared to observed (O) 30-day mortality (O/E ratio).

RESULTS

There was no difference in mortality or major cardiovascular adverse events after 30 days between men and women for both on- and off-pump CABG (men: on- vs. off-pump OR = 0.90, 95%-CI: [0.63;1.27]; women: on- vs. off-pump OR = 1.07, 95%-CI: [0.62;1.87]). Therefore, groups were combined for further analyses. Both men and women had considerable and similar comorbidities. Expected mortality was significantly higher for women than for men (logistic EuroSCORE: 8.88±6.71% vs. 7.99±6.69%, p = 0.003; KCH score: 4.42±3.97% vs. 3.57±3.65%, p = 0.001). However, observed mortality rates (O) tended to be even lower in women (2.1% vs. 3.0%). The O/E ratio was closer to 1 in men than in women (0.84 vs. 0.47). Excluding female sex from the risk models increased O/E ratio to 0.69.

CONCLUSIONS

Female sex is not a risk factor in coronary bypass surgery in the GOPCABE population. The result is the same for on- and off-pump surgery. Since female sex is a component of most risk scores, the findings may identify a potential inaccuracy in current surgical risk assessment, specifically for elderly women.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov GOPCABE trial No. NCT00719667.

Are outcomes of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair different in men versus women? A propensity-matched comparison

OBJECTIVE

Women fare worse than men after many cardiovascular operations, including coronary artery bypass grafting and valve surgery. We sought to determine whether sex affects outcomes after open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

METHODS

We evaluated data on 3353 consecutive patients (1281 women, 38.2%) who underwent open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair between October 1986 and July 2015. We compared preoperative characteristics, surgical variables, and outcomes between men and women in the overall group. A propensity-matching analysis was performed to adjust for preoperative and intraoperative differences. A multivariable analysis was conducted to identify predictors of poor outcomes using relevant preoperative and intraoperative factors.

RESULTS

Men had a significantly higher prevalence of comorbid conditions, including coronary artery disease, and presented more often with dissection; women were slightly older than men (median age, 69 [62-74] years vs 67 [57-73] years; P < .001) and more often symptomatic. Men underwent extent II and IV repairs more often, whereas women more often had extent I and III repairs. The propensity analysis resulted in 958 matched pairs. Overall, women and men had similar early mortality (7.9% vs 7.2%, P = .5) and adverse event rates (14.8% vs 14.1%, P = .6), which were similar in propensity-matched groups. Multivariable analysis showed that predictors of operative death and adverse event differed between the sexes. Survival and freedom from repair failure were similar between the overall and matched groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Men and women who undergo thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair have similar outcomes, but there are important differences in several perioperative factors and predictors of poor outcomes.

Carotid artery disease and perioperative stroke risk after surgical aortic valve replacement: A nationwide inpatient sample analysis

To study the role of carotid stenosis (CS) and cerebrovascular disease as independent risk factors for perioperative stroke following surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was used for our study. All patients who underwent SAVR from 1999 to 2011 were identified using ICD-9 codes. Univariate and multivariate analysis of baseline characteristics, Elixhauser comorbidities and other covariates were examined to identify independent predictors of perioperative strokes following SAVR. Data on 50,979 patients who underwent SAVR from 1999 to 2011 was obtained. The mean age of the study cohort was 60.5. The study patients were predominantly Caucasian (79.3%) and males (60.01%). The incidence of perioperative stroke was 2.48%. CS (OR 1.8, 95%CI 1.1-2.8, p=0.009) and cerebral arterial occlusion (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.3-8.9) significantly increased perioperative stroke risk following SAVR. Infective endocarditis (OR 4.6, 95%CI 3.8-5.6, p=0.00) and neurological disorders (OR 4.8, 95% CI 4-5.8, p=0.00) appeared to be the strongest risk factors for strokes. Other risk factors found to be significant predictors of perioperative strokes (p<0.05) were - age, higher VWR scores, CS, cerebral arterial occlusion, infective endocarditis, DM, HTN, renal failure, neurological disorders, coagulopathy and hypothyroidsm. In conclusion, perioperative stroke risk has remained more or less constant despite advancements in surgical techniques with risk having gone up in patients <65years of age. CS and cerebral arterial occlusion significantly increase stroke risk following SAVR. Improved patient selection with pre-operative risk stratification and institution of preventive strategies are necessary to improve operative outcomes following SAVR.

The use of intraoperative epiaortic ultrasonography in monitoring patients over 75 years old treated with aortic valve replacement

Introduction

Epiaortic ultrasound scanning (EAS) extended the use of ultrasound to the intraoperative diagnosis of aortic pathology. Surgical palpation of the ascending aorta underestimates the presence and severity of atherosclerotic plaques. Epiaortic ultrasound scanning has been used as an adjunct to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) or as a primary direct diagnostic tool for imaging the ascending aorta as well as the aortic arch, which gained prominence as part of a multipronged intraoperative strategy to reduce atherosclerotic emboli.

Aim

To compare the epiaortic examination with transthoracic and transesophageal echo (transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and TEE), X-ray, surgical intraoperative palpation, and postoperative neurological status.

Material and methods

The analyzed group consisted of 35 patients (mean age: 81.3 years) treated with aortic valve replacement (AVR), either alone (60%) or combined with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG; 22.8%) or aortic aneurysm replacement (11.42%). In 2 patients, only CABG was performed because intraoperatively reevaluated strategy. Thierteen patients have got a history of diabetes, 10 chronic renal failure and 3 of cerebral stroke.

Results

In more than 80% of patients, positive EAS results had an influence on the choice of aortic clamping site and in 50% of patients on the site of cannulation. Female sex, peripheral vascular disease, history of previous stroke, and calcifications in the ascending aorta in TTE have significant predictive value for recognizing atherosclerotic changes in EAS and the risk of postoperative neurological complications in octogenarians treated with AVR.

Conclusions

Epiaortic ultrasound scanning imaging is superior to TTE and manual palpation in the detection and localization of ascending atherosclerosis. This technique should be introduced as a standard perioperative examination in older patients at risk of neurological complications.

Single-Centre Experience of Off-Pump Multi-Vessel Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Using Proximal Suture Device

BACKGROUND

To investigate the results of off-pump coronary artery grafting (OPCAB) with the proximal suture device (PSD) regarding postoperative stroke and graft patency.

METHODS

The PSD was used in 376 patients (32.0%), aorta-no-touch OPCAB was performed in 523 patients (45.2%), on-pump beating coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) (on-beat group) in 125 patients (10.6%) including 51 conversions (conversion rate: 5.4%), and CABG with aortic clamp use (clamp group) in 152 patients. In the PSD group, Enclose II was used in 267 patients (71.0%).

RESULTS

The hospital mortality rate was 1.95%. There was no early stroke in the OPCAB group, whereas the early-stroke rate was 0.8% in the on-beat group and 2.6% in the clamp group. The incidences of stroke at one month were: PSD group, 1.6%; no-touch group, 1.1%; on-beat group, 1.6%; and clamp group, 4.6% (p=0.014). The rates of complete revascularisation were higher in the PSD and clamp groups (94.7 and 94.0%, respectively) compared with the no-touch and on-beat groups (81.5 and 84.9%, respectively; p<0.001). The vein graft patency rates were comparable between the PSD and clamp groups. In multiple logistic regression analysis, OPCAB using the PSD did not increase the risk of stroke compared with the no-touch group (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.40; p=0.594) or on-beat group (AOR: 0.99; p=0.206), but reduced the risk of stroke compared with the clamp group (AOR: 0.19; p=0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Off-pump coronary artery grafting using the PSD was a safe and effective procedure. It led to lower incidences of postoperative stroke and excellent rates of graft patency and complete revascularisation compared with conventional CABG.

Neurologic complications of cardiac and vascular surgery

This chapter will provide an overview of the major neurologic complications of common cardiac and vascular surgeries, such as coronary artery bypass grafting and carotid endarterectomy. Neurologic complications after cardiac and vascular surgeries can cause significant morbidity and mortality, which can negate the beneficial effects of the intervention. Some of the complications to be discussed include ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, seizures, delirium, cognitive dysfunction, cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome, cranial nerve injuries, and peripheral neuropathies. The severity of these complications can range from mild to lethal. The etiology of complications can include a variety of mechanisms, which can differ based on the type of cardiac or vascular surgery that is performed. Our knowledge about neuropathology, prevention, and management of surgical complications is growing and will be discussed in this chapter. It is imperative for clinicians to be familiar with these complications in order to narrow the differential diagnosis, start early management, anticipate the natural history, and improve outcomes.

Sex and the Risk of AKI Following Cardio-thoracic Surgery: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Being a woman is a well established risk factor for the development of cardiothoracic surgery-associated AKI. In striking contrast, women are less likely to develop AKI associated with noncardiac surgical procedures than men. In an attempt to ascertain why being a woman might be protective for ischemic AKI after general surgery but deleterious in patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery, we examined cardiothoracic surgery-associated AKI in greater detail.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of cardiothoracic surgery-associated AKI studies published between January of 1978 and December of 2015 to further explore the relationship between sex and cardiothoracic surgery-associated AKI.

RESULTS

Sixty-four studies were identified that provided sex-specific data regarding the incidence of cardiothoracic surgery-associated AKI among 1,057,412 subjects. Using univariate analysis, women were more likely than men to develop AKI postoperatively (odds ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.09 to 1.33; P<0.001). However, when the analysis was restricted to the 120,464 subjects reported in 29 studies that used the Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria, the RIFLE criteria, or the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria to define AKI, there was no significant sex-related difference in risk. Seventeen studies used multivariate analysis to assess risk factors for cardiothoracic surgery-associated AKI and provided sex-specific odd ratios. Among the 1,587,181 individuals included in these studies, the risk of developing cardiothoracic surgery-associated AKI was not significantly associated with sex (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 0.92 to 1.19; P=0.51). However, when the analysis was restricted to the 5106 subjects reported in four studies that used the Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria to define AKI, the risk of developing AKI was significantly lower in women compared with in men (odds ratio, 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.65 to 0.87; P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our systematic review and meta-analysis contradict the generally held consensus that being a woman is an independent risk factor for the development of cardiothoracic surgery-associated AKI.

Current outcomes of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: evidence from real world practice

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) can be performed conventionally using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and aortic clamping or on a beating heart (BH) without the use of CPB, the so-called off-pump CABG. Some surgeons, who are proponents of off-pump CABG, preferentially use this technique for the majority of operations, whereas others use it only in certain situations which warrant avoidance of CPB. Ever since the conception of off-pump CABG, the never-ending debate about which technique of CABG is safe and efficacious continues to date. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted that have either favored on-pump CABG or have failed to show a significant difference in outcomes between the two techniques. However, these RCTs have been fraught with claims that they do not represent the majority of patients undergoing CABG in real world practice. Therefore, assessment of the benefits and drawbacks of each technique through observational and registry studies would be more representative of patients encountered in daily practice. The present review examines various retrospective studies and meta-analyses of observational studies that compare the early and long-term outcomes of off- and on-pump CABG, which assesses their safety and efficacy. Additionally, their outcomes in older patients, females, and those with diabetes mellitus, renal dysfunction, presence of ascending aortic disease, and/or acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have also been discussed separately. The general consensus is that early results of off-pump CABG are comparable to or in some cases better than on-pump CABG. However, on-pump CABG provides a survival benefit in the long term according to a majority of publications in literature.

Perioperative erythropoietin protects the CNS against ischemic lesions in patients after open heart surgery

AIM

The aim of this study was to establish erythropoietin as a protective factor against brain ischemia during open heart surgery.

METHODS

A total of 36 consecutive patients scheduled for revascularization heart surgery were included in the study. Of the patients 18 received 3 intravenous doses of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo, 24,000 IU) and 18 patients received a placebo. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect new brain ischemic lesions was performed. Additionally, S100A, S100B, neuron-specific enolase A and B (NSE-A and B) and the concentration of antibodies against N‑methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) to identify new neurological complications were determined.

RESULTS

Patients who received rHuEpo showed no postoperative ischemic changes in the brain on MRI images. In the control group 5 (27.8 %) new ischemic lesions were found. The NMDAR antibody concentration, S100A, S100B and NSE showed no significant differences between the groups for new cerebral ischemia. High levels of lactate before and after external aortic compression (p = 0.022 and p = 0.048, respectively) and duration of operation could predict new ischemic lesions (p = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of rHuEpo reduced the formation of lesions detectable by MRI in the brain and could be used clinically as neuroprotection in cardiac surgery.

Sex differences and in-hospital outcomes in patients undergoing mechanical circulatory support implantation

BACKGROUND

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is a widely available management strategy. No studies have described sex differences in both extracorporeal and durable MCS. We analyzed sex-related differences of in-hospital outcomes for extracorporeal and durable MCS using administrative hospital data.

METHODS

In total, 134.5 million hospital records between 1994 and 2012 were screened for placement of MCS using procedure codes of the International Classification of Diseases-9, Clinical Modification. Major adverse events (MAEs) were defined as death, major bleeding, stroke, device infection or mechanical complication. Participation in the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) registry was determined on an annual basis using quarterly reports of the INTERMACS. Associations between characteristics and outcomes were determined using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Sex was reported in 3,523 of 4,337 patients undergoing MCS placement from 45 INTERMACS sites (n = 1,383) and 246 non-INTERMACS sites (n = 2,954). Twenty-two percent were female. Baseline characteristics were significantly different with women being slightly younger (33.5% vs 27.4% age <50 years, p < 0.001; mean 55.7 ± 17.3 vs 56.1 ± 14.6 years) with fewer comorbidities. Women had higher rates of in-hospital mortality (52.3% vs 40.8%, p < 0.001) and MAEs (64.8% vs 52.5%, p < 0.001). Women had an 89% higher likelihood of MAEs when corrected for multivariate predictors (p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality decreased over time for both men and women (10% relative risk reduction/year, p < 0.001), but mortality in women was higher than in men throughout the study period.

CONCLUSION

There are significant sex differences in characteristics and outcomes of patients receiving MCS. Women had higher in-hospital mortality and were at increased risk of MAEs, which could not be explained by age or comorbid conditions. Further research on the causes of these disproportionate outcomes is needed.

Does Gender Influence the Likelihood or Types of Complications Following Cardiac Surgery?

Over 410,000 cardiac surgeries are performed in American women each year. Women having coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and valve surgery do so at an older age and with more cardiovascular risk factors than men. Women's smaller body size may also increase risk by increasing the technical difficulty of surgical procedures. Female CABG patients appear to have higher perioperative mortality and cardiac morbidity, although studies of neurologic outcomes in female CABG patients have produced equivocal findings. Women undergoing CABG tend to consume more hospital resources than men do in terms of blood transfusion, mechanical ventilation, and length of intensive care unit and overall hospital stay. With regard to valve surgery, women appear to have worse outcomes than men if the surgery is combined with a CABG operation. Women and men undergoing isolated aortic valve surgery have similar mortality, but little is known about gender differences in mitral and tricuspid valve surgery outcomes. Women who require heart transplantation tend to have idiopathic cardiomyopathy rather than the ischemic cardiomyopathy that is more common in male heart transplant candidates. Although female heart transplant recipients seem to have a stronger immunologic response after transplantation, which manifests in more frequent acute rejection episodes, it is not clear whether this increases women's mortality risk. Men appear to have a greater incidence of posttransplant vasculopathy than women. Further research is needed to identify risk factors for perioperative morbidity and mortality in women undergoing cardiac surgery and to develop medical interventions to mitigate these risks.