Clinically atypical abdominal manifestation of the lipoma localized in the right atrium: "Invagination hypothesis" revisited

Cardiac lipomas are the second most common cardiac tumors. They are usually asymptomatic and diagnosed as incidental findings. We describe a 71-year-old patient with a tumor in the right atrium. In echocardiography and MRI scan, the diagnosis of a cardiac lipoma was suspected. Moreover, MRI demonstrated continuity of pericardial fat and the tumor in the right atrium by infolding of the atrial wall and epicardial adipose tissue in the space between the atrial walls, which might be a hint for the Waterstone groove hypothesis. An operative resection was performed which confirmed the suspected diagnosis.

The HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD): A Single Institutional 10-Year Experience

OBJECTIVES

 The aim of this study was to analyze our 10-year experience with the HVAD in a real-world scenario in a high-volume German heart center.

METHODS

 We retrospectively analyzed outcomes of adults (≥18 years) with terminal heart failure (HF), who underwent HVAD implantation for durable LVAD therapy in our center between October 2009 and March 2020. Primary and secondary end points were all-cause death after implantation and LVAD-associated complications, respectively. We focused the distinct analyses on risk profiles at the time of implantation and implant strategies, i.e., bridge-to-transplant (BTT) or destination therapy (DT).

RESULTS

 A total of 510 patients were included, with 229 and 281 individuals in Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) level 1 (45%) and 2 to 4, respectively. Median follow-up was 26 months (IQR: 5-54 months). Overall survival at 1, 3, and 5 years after HVAD implantation was 66% (95% CI; 61.7-70%), 49.4% (95% CI; 44.9-53.8%), and 37.4% (95% CI; 32.8-42%), not censored for LVAD exchange, LVAD explantation, or heart transplantation. INTERMACS level 1 and peri-operative temporary right heart assistance were independent risk factors for survival. Survival was best in BTT patients undergoing heart transplantation at any time during follow-up. The INTERMACS level at time of HVAD implantation did not affect survival after heart transplantation. Freedom from the combined end point of any device-associated severe complication and death was 44.5% (95% CI; 40-48.8%) at 1-year after implantation.

CONCLUSION

 The HVAD is a reliable pump for durable mechanical circulatory support even in high-risk patients. Still, heart transplantation outperforms durable MCS therapy for a superior long-term survival.

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I after coronary artery bypass grafting for post-operative decision-making

AIMS

Current troponin cut-offs suggested for the post-operative workup of patients following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery are based on studies using non-high-sensitive troponin assays or are arbitrarily chosen. We aimed to identify an optimal cut-off and timing for a proprietary high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) assay to facilitate post-operative clinical decision-making.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing elective isolated CABG at our centre between January 2013 and May 2019. Of 4684 consecutive patients, 161 patients (3.48%) underwent invasive coronary angiography after surgery, of whom 86 patients (53.4%) underwent repeat revascularization. We found an optimal cut-off value for peak hs-cTnI of >13 000 ng/L [>500× the upper reference limit (URL)] to be significantly associated with repeat revascularization within 48 h after surgery, which was internally validated through random repeated sampling with 1000 iterations. The same cut-off also predicted 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality after a median follow-up of 3.1 years, which was validated in an external cohort. A decision tree analysis of serial hs-cTnI measurements showed no added benefit of hs-cTnI measurements in patients with electrocardiographic or echocardiographic abnormalities or haemodynamic instability. Likewise, early post-operative hs-cTnI elevations had a low yield for clinical decision-making and only later elevations (at 12-16 h post-operatively) using a threshold of 8000 ng/L (307× URL) were significantly associated with repeat revascularization with an area under the curve of 0.92 (95% confidence interval 0.88-0.95).

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that for hs-cTnI, higher cut-offs than currently recommended should be used in the post-operative management of patients following CABG.

Donor-recipient risk assessment tools in heart transplant recipients: the Bad Oeynhausen experience

AIMS

Some risk assessment tools have been developed to categorize mortality risk in heart transplant recipients, but it is unclear whether these tools can be used interchangeable in different transplant regions.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We performed a retrospective single-centre study in 1049 adult German heart transplant recipients under jurisdiction of Eurotransplant. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to generate a risk scoring system. C-statistics were used to compare our score with a US score and a French score regarding their ability to discriminate between 1 year survivors and non-survivors within our study cohort. Of 38 parameters assessed, seven recipient-specific parameters [age, height, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), total bilirubin, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and biventricular assist device/total artificial heart (BVAD/TAH) implant], one donor-specific parameter (cold ischaemic time), and one recipient-independent and donor-independent other parameter (late transplant era) were statistically significant in predicting 1 year mortality. The initial score was generated by using the regression coefficients from the multivariable analysis as follows: 1.70 * ln age - 4.0 * ln height - 0.9 * diagnosis (= 1 if diagnosis = DCM) - 0.67 * diagnosis (= 1 if diagnosis = ICM) + 0.33 * ln total bilirubin + 1.74 * ln cold ischaemic time + 0.98 * mechanical circulatory support (MCS) implant (= 1 if MCS implant = ECMO) + 0.47 * MCS implant (= 1 of MCS implant = BVAD/TAH) - 0.66 * transplant era (= 1 if transplant era = 2017-2018). The initial score was converted into the Bad Oeynhausen (BO) score as a positive integer variable by means of the following formula: BO score = (initial score + 8) * 3. In patients scoring 2 to <7 points (n = 112), 7 to <11 points (n = 580), 11 to <15 points (n = 339), and 15 to 20 points (n = 18), 1 year survival was 93.1%, 84.2%, 66.9%, and 27.8%, respectively. The c-index of our score was 0.73 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.69-0.77]. Values were in our cohort for the US and French scores 0.66 (95% CI: 0.62-0.70) and 0.63 (95% CI: 0.59-0.67), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Data indicate that our score, but also risk assessment tools from other transplant regions, may be used as a reliable support for risk-adjusted organ allocation and potentially help to improve outcomes in heart transplantation. Further developments will have to include as yet unaccounted risk factors for even more reliable predictions.

Risk-adjusted analysis of long-term outcomes after on- versus off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

OBJECTIVES

Recent data suggested that off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) may carry a higher risk for mortality in the long term when compared to on-pump coronary artery bypass (ONCAB). We, therefore, compared long-term survival and morbidity in patients undergoing ONCAB versus OPCAB in a large single-centre cohort.

METHODS

A total of 8981 patients undergoing isolated elective/urgent coronary artery bypass grafting between January 2009 and December 2019 were analysed. Patients were stratified into 2 groups (OPCAB n = 6649/ONCAB n = 2332). The primary end point was all-cause mortality. Secondary endpoints included repeat revascularization, stroke and myocardial infarction. To adjust for potential selection bias, 1:1 nearest neighbour propensity score (PS) matching was performed resulting in 1857 matched pairs. Moreover, sensitivity analysis was applied in the entire study cohort using multivariable- and PS-adjusted Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

In the PS-matched cohort, 10-year mortality was similar between study groups [OPCAB 36.4% vs ONCAB 35.8%: hazard ratio (HR) 0.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87-1.12; P = 0.84]. While 10-year outcomes of secondary endpoints did not differ significantly, risk of stroke (OPCAB 1.50% vs ONCAB 2.8%: HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.32-0.83; P = 0.006) and mortality (OPCAB 3.1% vs ONCAB 4.8%: HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.47-0.91; P = 0.011) at 1 year was lower in the OPCAB group. In the multivariable- and the PS-adjusted model, mortality at 10 years was not significantly different (OPCAB 34.1% vs ONCAB 35.7%: HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.87-1.08; P = 0.59 and HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.90-1.13; P = 0.91, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Data do not provide evidence that elective/urgent OPCAB is associated with significantly higher risks of mortality, repeat revascularization, or myocardial infarction during late follow-up when compared to ONCAB. Patients undergoing OPCAB may benefit from reduced risks of stroke and mortality within the first year postoperatively.

Prevalence of Sleep Disordered Breathing in Patients with Primary Mitral Regurgitation Undergoing Mitral Valve Surgery

BACKGROUND

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is a frequent comorbidity in cardiac disease patients. Nevertheless, the prevalence and relationship between SDB and severe primary mitral regurgitation (PMR) has not been well investigated to date.

METHODS

A cohort of 121 patients with significant PMR undergoing mitral valve surgery were prospectively enrolled and received a cardiorespiratory single night polygraphy screening using ApneaLink before surgery. Eighty-two of them underwent a follow-up examination including a follow-up single-night sleep study 3 months after surgery.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 65.3 ± 12.0 years. Sixty patients (49.6%) were female. The mean EuroSCORE II was 2.5 ± 2.4%. Initially, 91 (75.2%) patients presented with SDB, among whom 50.4% (46 patients, 38.0% of total cohort) were classified as moderate to severe. These patients tended to require significantly longer postoperative intensive care and mechanical ventilation. Among the 82 patients who completed follow-up exams, mitral valve surgery led to a significant reduction in relevant SDB (20.7%). The apnea-hypopnea index (from 11/h [4;18] to 4/h [3;14] (p = 0.04)), the oxygenation-desaturation index (from 8/h [3;18] to 5/h [3;12] (p = 0.008)) as well as the saturation time below 90% (from 32 min [13;86] to 18 min [5;36] (p = 0.005)), were all shown to be improved significantly.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of SDB is very high in patients with severe primary mitral regurgitation and may contribute to postoperative complications and prolonged intensive care. A significantly reduced but still high prevalence of SDB was observed 3 months after mitral valve surgery, highlighting the bidirectional relationship between SDB and heart failure.

Secondary aortic valve replacement in continuous flow left ventricular assist device therapy

The purpose of the study was to investigate the outcome of secondary surgical aortic valve replacement (sSAVR) in patients with severe aortic regurgitation (AR) in the context of ventricular assist device (VAD) therapy. From 2009 to 2020, 792 patients underwent cf-LVAD implantation [HVAD (Medtronic, USA), n = 585, and HM 3 (Abbott, USA), n = 207]. All cf-LVAD patients with severe AR requiring secondary AVR were enrolled in this study. A total of six patients (median, 40 years, IQR; 34-61 years, 50% male) underwent secondary surgical aortic valve replacement (sSAVR) after cf-LVAD implantation. Median time of previous LVAD support was 26 months (IQR: 21-29 months). Two patients required additional tricuspid valve repair (TVR) and one patient underwent SAVR after failed TAVR. Four patients needed temporary right ventricular assist device (RVAD) with a median of 30 days (IQR; 29-33 days). Three patients were bridged to urgent heart transplantation due to persevering right heart failure, whereas two destination therapy (DT) candidates survived without any associated complications. An additional DT patient died of pneumonia 1 month after sSAVR. Secondary surgical aortic valve replacement in ongoing LVAD patients is an advanced procedure for a complex cohort. In our series, sSAVR was safely performed and effective, but involved a high-risk for subsequent right heart failure, requiring urgent heart transplantation. In LVAD patients with severe AR requiring treatment where TAVR is not feasible, sSAVR can be evaluated as salvage option for bridge to transplant patients or selected destination therapy candidates.

Midterm outcomes with a sutureless aortic bioprosthesis in a prospective multicenter cohort study

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to report midterm clinical outcomes with a self-expandable sutureless aortic valve.

METHODS

Between 2010 and 2013, 658 patients at 25 European institutions received the Perceval sutureless valve (LivaNova Plc, London, United Kingdom). Mean follow-up was 3.8 years; late cumulative follow-up was 2325.2 patient-years.

RESULTS

The mean age of the population was 78.3 ± 5.6 years and 40.0% (n = 263) were 80 years of age or older; mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons-Predicted Risk of Mortality score was 7.2 ± 7.4. Concomitant procedures were performed in 31.5% (n = 207) of patients. Overall duration of cardiopulmonary bypass time was 64.8 ± 25.2 minutes and aortic cross-clamping time was 40.7 ± 18.1 minutes. Thirty-day all-cause mortality was 3.7% (23 patients), with an observed:expected ratio of 0.51. Overall survival was 91.6% at 1 year, 88.5% at 2 years, and 72.7% at 5 years. Peak and mean gradients remained stable during follow-up, and were 17.8 ± 11.3 mm Hg and 9.0 ± 6.3 mm Hg, respectively, at 5 years. Preoperatively, 33.4% of those who received the Perceval valve (n = 210) were in New York Heart Association functional class I or II versus 93.1% (n = 242) at 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

This series, representing, to our knowledge, the longest follow-up with sutureless technology in a prospective, multicenter study, shows that aortic replacement using sutureless valves is associated with low mortality and morbidity and good hemodynamic performance.

Mechanical circulatory support as a bridge to candidacy in adults with transposition of the great arteries and a systemic right ventricle

OBJECTIVES

Clinical experience with continuous flow ventricular assist devices (VADs) in patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) including dextro-TGA and congenitally corrected TGA is rare, and indications as well as potential benefits or specific hurdles remain unclear. Therefore, our goal was to report on our experience regarding VAD therapy in adult patients with TGA as a bridge to candidacy.

METHODS

We performed a single-centre retrospective study of all adult patients with TGA with systemic right ventricular failure who had continuous flow VAD implants between 2010 and 2018. Study end points were all causes of death, major cardiac and cerebrovascular adverse events or pump thrombosis. Follow-up continued until the time of the heart transplant.

RESULTS

A total of 6 patients (4 men) had a continuous flow VAD implanted in the context of a failing systemic right ventricle (dextro-TGA after the Mustard procedure: n = 3; congenitally corrected TGA: n = 3). Demographics: mean age 32 ± 5.7 years; median Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support: level II (range 1-4), mean pulmonary artery 48 ± 13 mmHg, mean pulmonary vascular resistance 5.6 ± 3.5 Wood units. Postoperative data: intensive care unit stay: 16 ± 9.7 days; in-hospital survival: 100%; no early VAD-related complications occurred. Mean follow-up: 33 ± 18 months; persistent left-side paresis: n = 1; minor (non-disabling) stroke: n = 2. Post-VAD pulmonary artery: 19 ± 3.4 mmHg; P < 0.005; post-VAD pulmonary resistance: 2.2 ± 0.55 Wood units; P = 0.066. Four patients had heart transplants after a mean waiting time of 30 months after the VAD was implanted; 2 patients are still on the waiting list (waiting time: 52 and 24 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous flow VAD therapy is a feasible therapeutic option in adult patients with TGA and a failing systemic right ventricle as a bridge to candidacy and a bridge to a heart transplant.

Usefulness of troponin in selecting patients for invasive coronary angiography after cardiac surgery

Background

Great uncertainty exists about the indication for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome following cardiac surgery.

Aim

The aim of this study was to define clinical criteria that best identify patients who benefit from ICA after cardiac surgery.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent cardiac surgery between January 2009 and May 2019 at our center. Exclusion criteria included pediatric patients as well as pacemaker, TAVR and LVAD implantation and heart transplantation procedures. The primary outcome was usefulness of ICA as defined by consequent PCI or re-operation due to ICA findings. ECG changes (ST-elevations) and high-sensitivity Troponin I (hsTrop I) were analyzed.

Results

48,136 patients were screened and after applying exclusion criteria 29,359 patients were finally included in the analysis (mean age 67.8±11.0 years, 31.1% females, Euroscore II 5.14±8.9%). A total of 1,171 patients (4%) underwent post-op ICA. The primary outcome occurred in 440 patients (1.5%) of which 290 underwent consequent PCI and 214 underwent consequent re-operation. Baseline characteristics are shown in table 1. Unadjusted analyses did not identify significant differences in the level of cardiac biomarkers between useful-ICA and unuseful-ICA groups.

In multivariate regression analysis, only ST-elevation on ECG predicted the primary outcome (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.003–1.76).

Dichotomizing hsTrop I concentrations by applying the guideline-specified cut-off (&gt;70x URL) resulted in correct classification of useful-ICA patients in 95.7%. However, the false-positive rate was also extremely high (83.6%) with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 1.6% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 99.6% (accuracy 17.5%).

Using area under the curve (ROC) analysis following optimal cut-off values for hsTrop I were identified: in CABG patients a cut-off value of &gt;650x URL (corresponding absolute value 17000 ng/L) was defined with a corresponding sensitivity of 83.3%, specificity of 83.6%, PPV of 8.9% and NPV of 99.6% (accuracy 83.6%). In non-CABG patients (i.e. valve or aortic procedures), the cut-off was about twice as high as that for CABG patients (1,350x URL or 35,000 ng/L) with a corresponding sensitivity of 84.1%, specificity of 89.2%, PPV of 5.9% and NPV of 99.9% (accuracy 89.1%).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that currently recommended cut-off concentrations of high-sensitivity troponin are not useful for guiding clinical decision-making in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome following cardiac surgery, while substantially higher cut-off values might be useful. Those cut-off values critically depend on the type of cardiac surgery performed (CABG vs. non-CABG).

Troponin_Curves post-op

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Myocardial adaptation as assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography after isolated mitral valve surgery for primary mitral regurgitation

The risk of left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) maladaptation after surgery for isolated primary mitral regurgitation (PMR) is poorly defined. We aimed to evaluate LV and RV contractile function using speckle-tracking analysis alongside with quantification of exercise tolerance in patients with PMR after mitral valve surgery. All consecutive patients with symptomatic PMR undergoing mitral valve surgery between July 2015 and May 2017 were prospectively enrolled. Sequential echocardiographic studies along with clinical assessment were performed before and three months after surgery. Mean age in 138 patients was 65.8 ± 12.7 years, 48.2% (66) of whom were female. Mean LV ejection fraction decreased from 57 ± 12% to 50 ± 11% (p < 0.001), LV global longitudinal strain deteriorated from -19.2 ± 4.1% to -15.7 ± 3.8% (p < 0.001), and mechanical strain dispersion increased from 88 ± 12 to 117 ± 115 ms (p = 0.004). There was a reduction in tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion from 22 ± 5 mm to 18 ± 4 mm (p < 0.001), as well as a slight deterioration of RV free wall mean longitudinal strain from -16.9 ± 5.6% to -15.7 ± 4.1% (p = 0.05). The rate of moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation significantly decreased (p < 0.005). Regarding exercise tolerance, the New York Heart Association class improved (p < 0.001) and the walking distance increased (p < 0.001). During mid-term follow up after surgery for PMR, a deterioration of LV and RV contractile function measures could be observed. However, the clinical status, LV dimensions, and concomitant tricuspid regurgitation improved which in particular imply more effective RV contractile pattern.

Long-Term Clinical Outcome in Elderly Patients Undergoing Mitral Valve Repair

BACKGROUND

 Long-term data on patients over 75 years undergoing mitral valve (MV) repair are scarce. At our high-volume institution, we, therefore, aimed to evaluate mortality, stroke risk, and reoperation rates in these patients.

METHODS

 We investigated clinical outcomes in 372 patients undergoing MV repair with (n = 115) or without (n = 257) tricuspid valve repair. The primary endpoint was the probability of survival up to a maximum follow-up of 9 years. Secondary clinical endpoints were stroke and reoperation of the MV during follow-up. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to assess independent predictors of mortality. Mortality was also compared with the age- and sex-adjusted general population.

RESULTS

 During a median follow-up period of 37 months (range: 0.1-108 months), 90 patients died. The following parameters were independently associated with mortality: double valve repair (hazard ratio, confidence interval [HR, 95% CI]: 2.15, 1.37-3.36), advanced age (HR: 1.07, CI: 1.01-1.14 per year), diabetes (HR: 1.97, CI: 1.13-3.43), preoperative New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class (HR: 1.41, CI: 1.01-1.97 per class), and operative creatinine_max levels (HR: 1.32, CI: 1.13-1.55 per mg/dL). The risk of stroke in the isolated MV and double valve repair groups at postoperative year 5 was 5.0 and 4.1%, respectively (p = 0.65). The corresponding values for the risk of reoperation were 4.0 and 7.0%, respectively (p = 0.36). Nine-year survival was comparable with the general population (53.2 vs. 53.1%).

CONCLUSION

 Various independent risk factors for mortality in elderly MV repair patients could be identified, but overall survival rates were similar to those of the general population. Consequently, our data indicates that repairing the MV in elderly patients represents a suitable and safe surgical approach.

Current perspectives on mechanical circulatory support

Mechanical circulatory support gained a significant value in the armamentarium of heart failure therapy because of the increased awareness of the prevalence of heart failure and the tremendous advances in the field of mechanical circulatory support during the last decades. Current device technologies already complement a heart transplant as the gold standard of treatment for patients with end-stage heart failure refractory to conservative medical therapy. This article reviews important aspects of mechanical circulatory support therapy and focuses on currently debated issues.

Heart transplantation after SynCardia® total artificial heart implantation

Background

The SynCardia total artificial heart (TAH)^® is the only approved TAH device. This report summarizes our single-center experience with the SynCardia TAH^® with particular focus on the outcome after subsequent heart transplantation.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed the outcome of all transplanted SynCardia TAH^® patients at our center between 2001 and 2019 in comparison to transplanted left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and biventricular assist device (BVAD) patients and to transplanted patients without prior durable mechanical circulatory support (non-MCS).

Results

Only a fraction (n=69; 37.3%) of all SynCardia TAH^® patients (n=193) were transplanted. The majority (81.2%) of those were in high-urgency status at the time of transplantation. Survival in transplanted SynCardia TAH^® patients was significantly poorer when compared to LVAD-, BVAD- and non-MCS patients (P=0.008).

Conclusions

Heart transplantation in SynCardia TAH^® patients requires distinct risk stratification to improve outcomes.

Papillary Muscle Heads Focalization for Functional Mitral Valve Regurgitation

Mitral valve annuloplasty has been the gold standard for treatment of functional mitral valve regurgitation. However, annuloplasty for functional mitral regurgitation may cause augmented posterior leaflet tethering, which results in functional anterior prolapse. Herein we added papillary muscle heads focalization for such patients. All separated papillary muscle heads are sutured together, and the roots of chordae at each papillary muscle are unifocalized on both sides. Stitches are positioned at the same distances from corresponding leaflet edges to adjust the height of leaflet edges in each segment. This is a simple and effective technique to correct for functional anterior prolapse after annuloplasty.

Comparing short-term outcome after implantation of the HeartWare® HVAD® and the Abbott® HeartMate 3®

AIMS

Centrifugal continuous flow pumps are currently the state of the art in left ventricular assist device therapy. This study was conducted to compare the results after implantation of the HVAD® and the HeartMate 3®.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We retrospectively analysed preoperative and post-operative patient data of all 106 patients, who received a HeartMate 3 (HM3) at our centre between 2014 and 2018. A total of 392 patients receiving a sintered HVAD® served as controls. Patient matching was performed for age, sex, Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support level at the time of implant, perioperative right heart failure, and implantation strategy, that is, bridge to transplant or destination therapy, as well as preoperative renal function, that is, as indicated by serum creatinine levels. A total of 79 matched pairs could be identified. During a median follow-up of 15.3 months (range: 0-30 months), 23 (29.1%) and 19 (24.1%) patients died in the HVAD and HM3 groups, respectively, with a hazard ratio for mortality of 0.84 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.46-1.54; P = 0.568]. Freedom from cerebrovascular events did not differ significantly between study groups, with a hazard ratio of 0.57 (95% CI: 0.23-1.45; P = 0.241). The risk of driveline infection was significantly lower in the HM3 (n = 33) than in the HVAD (n = 55) group (hazard ratio = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.35-0.84; P = 0.006). Eight HVAD, but no HM3, patients developed a pump thrombosis during follow-up (P = 0.148).

CONCLUSIONS

Performance of both currently used centrifugal left ventricular assist device systems is comparable in terms of short-term patient survival and freedom from cerebrovascular events. In our single-centre experience, HM3 patients less frequently develop driveline infections and no pump thrombosis, which requires further evaluation.

Minimally invasive mitral valve repair or replacement for degenerative mitral regurgitation

OBJECTIVES

This study describes our experience with minimally invasive mitral valve (MV) repair and chordal-sparing replacement in patients with degenerative MV regurgitation.

METHODS

Between February 2009 and October 2015, a total of 960 patients underwent isolated minimally invasive MV repair, whereas 95 patients underwent chordal-sparing MV replacement. We performed a propensity score-matched analysis in 85 pairs to compare overall survival and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) -free survival over an 8-year follow-up period. For sensitivity analyses, in the entire study cohort, we used the multivariable-adjusted Cox regression analysis to assess the overall mortality and MACCE.

RESULTS

In the propensity score-matched pairs, the 7-year probability of survival was 76.3% in the repair group and 78.8% in the replacement group (P = 0.60). Similarly, freedom from MACCE at year 7 of follow-up did not differ between the repair and replacement groups (78.6% and 72.3%, respectively; P = 0.48). The corresponding values for 7-year freedom from valve reintervention were 95.6% and 98.8%, respectively (P = 0.31). In the entire study cohort, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of mortality for the replacement versus the repair group was 1.31 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68-2.50; P = 0.42], and the multivariable-adjusted HR of MACCE was 1.03 (95% CI 0.61-1.74; P = 0.91).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that mid-term clinical outcomes do not significantly differ between patients undergoing MV repair or chordal-sparing MV replacement.

Extracorporeal resuscitation as a further modifier of clinical outcome in patients with left ventricular assist device implantation and Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support level 1

In cardiogenic shock patients with Interagency Registry for Mechanical Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) level 1, the need for temporary circulatory support is a predictor and modifier of patient outcome. Because this group includes patients with and without cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and is thus very heterogeneous, we investigated whether a further subclassification is useful. We compared 30-day and 1-year mortality of patients who underwent left ventricular assist device implantation after extracorporeal CPR with the aid of an extracorporeal life support system (CPR+ group; n = 40) with cardiogenic shock patients in which the extracorporeal life support system was implanted under non-CPR conditions (CPR- group, n = 68). In the CPR+ and CPR- groups, 30-day mortality was 27.5% (n = 11) and 8.8% (n = 6), respectively (P = 0.014). The values for 1-year mortality were 57.5% (n = 23) and 36.8% (n = 25), respectively (P = 0.023). The age- and gender-adjusted hazard ratios of 30-day and 1-year mortality for the CPR+ group versus the CPR- group were 3.88 (95% confidence interval 1.29-11.7; P = 0.016) and 1.79 (95% confidence interval 1.01-3.17; P = 0.045), respectively. In conclusion, our data show that left ventricular assist device implantation with extracorporeal life support following CPR is associated with high 30-day and 1-year mortality. Further multicentre studies are needed to confirm these results and potentially add CPR as a new modifier to the INTERMACS profile.

Off-pump Revascularization with Bilateral versus Single Mammary Arteries-A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery bypass grafting is the first-line therapy for severe multivessel coronary artery disease. We aimed to investigate the clinical outcome in patients undergoing isolated off-pump surgery with the single or bilateral internal mammary artery (SIMA or BIMA) approach.

METHODS

We performed a propensity score-matched analysis in 1,852 consecutive patients, aged 50 to 70 years, who underwent myocardial revascularization at our institution between July 2009 and August 2016. Primary end point was the probability of survival.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up was 36.3 (range: 0.1-89.6) months. The probability of survival in the SIMA and BIMA groups was 98.6 and 99.0% at year 1, 92.0 and 92.5% at year 5, and 85.6 and 81.6% at year 7, respectively, with a hazard ratio (HR) of mortality for the BIMA group versus the SIMA group of 0.98 (95% confidence interval[CI]: 0.64-1.52; p = 0.94). There was evidence for interaction between diabetes and study group on mortality risk (HR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.07-6.23; p = 0.034). Freedom from mediastinitis/wound infection was higher in the SIMA group than in the BIMA group (99.5 and 96.9%, respectively; HR of an event = 6.39, 95% CI: 2.88-14.18; p < 0.001). The corresponding values in the subgroups of diabetic patients were 98.6 and 90.9%, respectively (HR = 6.45, 95% CI: 2.24-18.58; p = 0.001). Mediastinitis/wound infection was associated with increased mortality risk (HR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.29-6.78; p = 0.010).

CONCLUSION

Overall, our data indicate similar probability of survival up to a maximum follow-up of 7 years by off-pump surgery with the SIMA or BIMA approach. However, in diabetic patients, the clinical outcome indicates caution regarding the use of the BIMA approach.

The sutureless aortic valve at 1 year: A large multicenter cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Sutureless aortic valve replacement (AVR) offers an alternative to standard AVR in aortic stenosis. This prospective, single-arm study aimed to demonstrate safety and effectiveness of a bovine pericardial sutureless aortic valve at 1 year.

METHODS

From February 2010 to September 2013, 658 patients (mean age 78.3 ± 5.6 years; 40.0% octogenarian; 64.4% female; mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons score 7.2 ± 7.4) underwent sutureless AVR in 25 European centers. Concomitant cardiac procedures were performed in 29.5% and minimally invasive cardiac surgery in 33.3%.

RESULTS

One-year site-reported event rates were 8.1% for all-cause mortality, 4.5% for cardiac mortality, 3.0% for stroke, 1.9% for valve-related reoperation, 1.4% for endocarditis, and 0.6% for major paravalvular leak. No valve thrombosis, migration, or structural valve deterioration occurred. New York Heart Association class improved at least 1 level in 77.5% and remained stable (70.4% New York Heart Association class I or II at 1 year). Mean effective orifice area was 1.5 ± 0.4 cm(2); pressure gradient was 9.2 ± 5.0 mm Hg. Left ventricular mass decreased from 138.5 g/m(2) before surgery to 115.3 g/m(2) at 1 year (P < .001). Echocardiographic core laboratory findings confirmed that paravalvular leak was rare and remained stable during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The Perceval sutureless valve resulted in low 1-year event rates in intermediate-risk patients undergoing AVR. New York Heart Association class improved in more than three-quarters of patients and remained stable. These data support the safety and efficacy to 1 year of the Perceval sutureless valve in this intermediate-risk population.

Clinical and haemodynamic outcomes in 658 patients receiving the Perceval sutureless aortic valve: early results from a prospective European multicentre study (the Cavalier Trial)†

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the Cavalier trial was to evaluate the safety and performance of the Perceval sutureless aortic valve in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR). We report the 30-day clinical and haemodynamic outcomes from the largest study cohort with a sutureless valve.

METHODS

From February 2010 to September 2013, 658 consecutive patients (mean age 77.8 years; 64.4% females; mean logistic EuroSCORE 10.2%) underwent AVR in 25 European Centres. Isolated AVRs were performed in 451 (68.5%) patients with a less invasive approach in 219 (33.3%) cases. Of the total, 40.0% were octogenarians. Congenital bicuspid aortic valve was considered an exclusion criterion.

RESULTS

Implantation was successful in 628 patients (95.4%). In isolated AVR through sternotomy, the mean cross-clamp time and the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time were 32.6 and 53.7 min, and with the less invasive approach 38.8 and 64.5 min, respectively. The 30-day overall and valve-related mortality rates were 3.7 and 0.5%, respectively. Valve explants, stroke and endocarditis occurred in 0.6, 2.1 and in 0.1% of cases, respectively. Preoperative mean and peak pressure gradients decreased from 44.8 and 73.24 mmHg to 10.24 and 19.27 mmHg at discharge, respectively. The mean effective orifice area improved from 0.72 to 1.46 cm(2).

CONCLUSIONS

The current 30-day results show that the Perceval valve is safe (favourable haemodynamic effect and low complication rate), and can be implanted with a fast and reproducible technique after a short learning period. Short cross-clamp and CPB times were achieved in both isolated and combined procedures. The Perceval valve represents a promising alternative to biological AVR, especially with a less invasive approach and in older patients.

Development of an algorithm to plan and simulate a new interventional procedure

OBJECTIVES

The number of implanted biological valves for treatment of valvular heart disease is growing and a percentage of these patients will eventually undergo a transcatheter valve-in-valve (ViV) procedure. Some of these patients will represent challenging cases. The aim of this study was to develop a feasible algorithm to plan and in vitro simulate a new interventional procedure to improve patient outcome.

METHODS

In addition to standard diagnostic routine, our algorithm includes 3D printing of the annulus, hydrodynamic measurements and high-speed analysis of leaflet kinematics after simulation of the procedure in different prosthesis positions as well as X-ray imaging of the most suitable valve position to create a 'blueprint' for the patient procedure.

RESULTS

This algorithm was developed for a patient with a degenerated Perceval aortic sutureless prosthesis requiring a ViV procedure. Different ViV procedures were assessed in the algorithm and based on these results the best option for the patient was chosen. The actual procedure went exactly as planned with help of this algorithm.

CONCLUSIONS

Here we have developed a new technically feasible algorithm simulating important aspects of a novel interventional procedure prior to the actual procedure. This algorithm can be applied to virtually all patients requiring a novel interventional procedure to help identify risks and find optimal parameters for prosthesis selection and placement in order to maximize safety for the patient.

Mechanical circulatory support devices as destination therapy-current evidence

Advanced heart failure is an increasing problem worldwide. Nowadays, mechanical circulatory support devices (MSCD) are an established therapeutic option for terminal heart failure after exhaustion of medical and conventional surgical treatment, and are becoming a realistic alternative to heart transplantation (HTX). There are a number of different treatment options for these patients, such as bridge to transplantation (BTT), bridge to candidacy (BTC), bridge to recovery (BTR) and the destination therapy (DT) option. The latter option has become more frequent throughout the last years, due to a donor organ shortage and an increasing number of older patients with terminal heart failure who are not eligible for HTX. These factors have led to a rapidly increasing number of LVAD implantations as well as centers which perform these procedures. This has also been due to improved LVAD survival rates and quality of life following the introduction of smaller, intrapericardial and more durable continuous flow left ventricular devices. The most common complications for these patients are device-related problems, such as coagulation disorders, gastrointestinal bleeding, device related infection, pump thrombosis or cerebrovascular accidents. However, some questions still remain unanswered or under debate, such as the exact time-point for LVAD implantation. In addition, aspects such as better biocompatibility for LVADs remain a major challenge. This review will concentrate on DT for terminal heart failure and provide an overview of the current evidence for LVAD implantation in this patient group, with particular emphasis on indication and time-point of implantation, choice of LVADs, and long term outcomes and quality of life.

Early and mid-term clinical outcome in younger and elderly patients undergoing mitral valve repair with or without tricuspid valve repair

OBJECTIVES

Data regarding durability and midterm benefits of mitral valve (MV) repair in elderly patients are scarce. To evaluate the feasibility and safety of MV repair in elderly patients, we performed a retrospective data analysis.

METHODS

We compared clinical outcomes in younger patients (<75 years: n = 462) and older patients (≥75 years: n = 100) undergoing MV repair with or without tricuspid valve (TV) repair. The primary end-point was 30-day mortality.

RESULTS

The preoperative risk profile (EuroSCORE, NYHA class, percentage pulmonary hypertension, percentage diabetes) was higher in older patients compared with younger patients. Nevertheless, operative complications such as low cardiac output syndrome, stroke, infections, the need of haemofiltration and IABP use did not differ significantly between the two groups. The thirty-day mortality rate was 0% in older patients and 1% in younger patients (P = 0.30). In the subgroup of patients with double valve repair, the 30-day mortality rate in older patients (n = 28) and younger patients (n = 46) was 0 and 4%, respectively (P = 0.27). In older and younger patients, the 6-month mortality rate was 4 and 2%, respectively (P = 0.16), and the 1-year mortality rate was 10 and 3%, respectively (P = 0.001). The propensity score-adjusted odds ratio of 1-year mortality with the group of younger patients as a reference was 2.04 (95% confidence interval: 0.77-5.40; P = 0.15) for older patients. Freedom from 1-year reoperation did not differ significantly between age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Data demonstrate excellent postoperative mortality rates in older patients undergoing MV repair with or without TV repair. Consequently, even in older patients with numerous comorbidities, MV repair should be considered a suitable surgical method.

Mitral chordae myxoma-chordae replacement with a premeasured gore-tex loop using a minimally invasive video-assisted approach

Cardiac myxomas are one of the most common types of primary cardiac tumors and are associated with embolization, angina, and sudden death. Most cardiac myxomas arise from the fossa ovalis, while those that arise from the mitral valve are exceedingly rare and those that arise from the chordae are even rarer. We report the case of a 28-year-old Caucasian woman who suffered from a brain infarction. A duplex ultrasound showed no cerebrovascular stenosis or occlusion, but an echocardiogram revealed a left ventricle pedunculated mobile mass (5 mm in diameter) that was attached to the mitral valve chordae tendineae. We elected cardiac surgery to resect the cardiac tumor and to avoid further embolic events. The traditional surgical strategy—mitral valve replacement through full sternotomy—has many disadvantages, particularly for young women. Therefore we desided to use the Premeasured Gore-Tex chordal loop method followed by annuloplasty using a minimally invasive video-assisted approach. Exploration of the mitral valve showed a globular tumor involving the anterior mitral leaflet chordae tendineae, which was removed along with the involved chordae tendineae. Histopathological examination of the tissue revealed a benign polypoid myxoma. The patient had an uneventful recovery and has remained symptom-free.

Echocardiography one week after surgery showed satisfactory valve function. We believe our surgical treatment was the most appropriate option for this case and it resulted in an excellent medical outcome and improved the quality of life, including only a small lateral scar without the need for teratogenic anticoagulants.

Delayed coronary ischemia after transfemoral aortic valve implantation

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) offers a less invasive treatment alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement for high-risk patients. Although the procedure can be performed at low risk, life-threatening complications may arise in single cases during or even months after the procedure. Here, the details are presented of two patients who underwent TAVI by a transfemoral approach with Medtronic CoreValve prostheses and suffered myocardial ischemia months later. The patients' anatomy with small aortic root, narrow sinus of Valsalva and small distance between the annulus base and coronary arteries and/or the relative oversizing of the CoreValve prosthesis with a high positioning may have contributed to this late complication. Hence, caution is mandatory in this type of patient, with exact pre-procedural planning and close follow up required.

Excessive negative venous line pressures and increased arterial air bubble counts during miniaturized cardiopulmonary bypass: an experimental study comparing miniaturized with conventional perfusion systems

OBJECTIVES

Miniaturized cardiopulmonary bypass (MCPB) is increasingly used in cardiac surgery, because it can lower clinically significant complications such as systemic inflammatory response, haemolysis and high transfusion requirements. A limitation of MCPB is the risk of excessive negative pressure in the venous line during volume depletion, probably leading to gaseous microembolism.

METHODS

In an experimental study with 24 pigs, we compared conventional open cardiopulmonary bypass (CCPB group, n = 11) with MCPB (n = 13). The same pump and identical tubing materials were used in both groups. Primary endpoints were pressure values in the venous line and the right atrium as well as the amount of air bubbles >500 µm. Secondary endpoints were biochemical parameters of systemic inflammatory response, ischaemia, haemodilution and haemolysis.

RESULTS

Nearly 20% of venous pressure values were below -150 mmHg and approximately 10% of the right atrial pressure values were below -100 mmHg in the MCPB group, during the experiment. No such low values were observed in the CCPB group. In addition, the number of large arterial air bubbles was higher in the MCPB group compared with the CCPB group (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 13 444 ± 5709 vs 0.9 ± 0.6, respectively; P < 0.001). Bubble volume was also significantly larger during MCPB compared with CCPB (mean ± SD: 1522 ± 654 vs 4.1 ± 2.5 µl, respectively; P < 0.001). Blood levels of interleukin-6, free haemoglobin and creatine kinase were significantly higher in the CCPB group compared with the MCPB group.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the benefits of MCPB regarding systemic inflammatory response and haemolysis, this technique is associated with excessive negative venous line pressures and a significant increase in the number and volume of arterial air bubbles compared with CCPB. Mini-perfusion systems and the management of MCPB require further refinements to avoid such adverse effects.