Disease due to Mycobacterium kansasii in the Czech Republic: 1984-89

SETTING

Endemic area of North Moravia, Czech Republic.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the incidence of human disease due to Mycobacterium kansasii. The follow-up of some bacteriological and clinical features.

DESIGN

A retrospective analysis of M. kansasii patients.

RESULTS

M. kansasii was isolated from the sputum, tissue and other specimens obtained from 650 persons during the period 1984-89. In only 471 of them was this mycobacterium deemed to be the causative agent, predominantly of lung disease. The most typical radiographic finding in these patients was lung infiltration and/or thin-walled cavity.

CONCLUSION

As in previous years the highest incidence of disease remains in an endemic area of North Moravia. The effects of treatment in follow-up patients were influenced not only by the antituberculosis regimen but also by a high frequency of associated diseases. Sputum conversion within 30 days was not affected by the presence or absence of a cavity. Authors consider water to be the source of infection.

Short-term mechanical circulatory support for severe primary graft dysfunction following orthotopic heart transplant

OBJECTIVES

Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a devastating complication and the most common cause of early death following a heart transplant. The goal of this study was to report our experience of using mechanical circulatory support to manage severe PGD.

METHODS

Following 208 heart transplants performed between January 2007 and May 2017, 14 (6.7%) patients presented with severe PGD. We provided haemodynamic support using the following approaches: a venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation device, left ventricular assist device, right ventricular assist device and biventricular assist device. Primary complications included severe PGD, which resulted in hospital deaths and late survival. The mean follow-up was 3.7 ± 2.7 years.

RESULTS

Fourteen (6.7%) heart transplant recipients presented with severe PGD. Seven patients received a venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation device; 1 patient received a left ventricular assist device; 4 patients received a right ventricular assist device; and 2 patients received a biventricular assist device. Mean device support and explantation times were 4.7 ± 2 and 6.3 ± 2 days, respectively. Weaning with cardiac recovery was successful in 57.1% of the patients. The hospital mortality rate was 50%. Postoperative causes of morbidity included renal failure that necessitated dialysis in 28.5%, surgical re-exploration due to postoperative bleeding in 57.1%, pneumonia in 28.5%, sepsis in 14.2%, sternal wound infection in 14.2% and mediastinitis in 7.1% of the patients, respectively. There were no deaths following hospital discharge or later follow-up appointments.

CONCLUSIONS

Mechanical support devices such as venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation specifically offer a reliable therapeutic approach. Recognizing the relatively high number of deaths in-hospital, patients who have cardiac recovery and a successful hospital discharge can expect a favourable late outcome.

Reversible thrombotic mitral valve stenosis after transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR): Is life-long anticoagulation therapy necessary?

We describe a case of reversible thrombotic mitral valve stenosis following a valve-in-ring transcatheter mitral valve replacement. Life-long oral anticoagulation in patients who underwent transcatheter mitral valve replacement might be beneficial.

Transaortic approach for transcatheter aortic valve replacement with other concomitant cardiac procedures in high-risk patients

INTRODUCTION

The transaortic (TAo) approach has been proposed as an alternative to the transapical approach and can be used in concomitant procedures. We use the TAo transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with other simultaneous cardiac procedures in high-risk patients who needed surgical management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between September 2013 and September 2015, nine consecutive high-risk patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AR) and combined tricuspid valve disease or coronary artery disease were treated with TAo TAVR and simultaneous tricuspid valve repair or coronary artery bypass grafting.

RESULTS

Mean postoperative pressure gradient at discharge was 13.4 ± 3.2 mmHg and AR grade >2/4 was observed in one case (11.1%). New pacemaker implantation was required in one case (11.1%). Device success was achieved in 88.9% (n = 8), 30-day mortality was in 11.1% (n = 1), and intermediate mortality was in 33.3% (n = 3).

CONCLUSION

TAo-TAVR approach offers definitive treatment to high-risk patients with coexisting complex cardiac lesions. Despite the relatively high 30-day and intermediate mortality, it is an option for selected high-risk patients.

SynCardia, total artificial heart, as a bridge to transplant

INTRODUCTION

Implantation of a total artificial heart is an alternative to durable biventricular assist device support in selected patients. We present our initial experience with the implantation of the SynCardia total artificial heart (TAH) in three patients. The first patient, was the first SynCardia (TAH) implantation in the Visegrad Four (V4) countries METHOD: Three patients with severe refractory end stage biventricular heart failure listed for heart transplant were indicated for SynCardia TAH implantationRESULTS: We present in details the perioperative and postoperative outcomes of these patients. The first and the third patient, after 195 and 126 days of TAH support respectively, had a successful heart transplants, the second patient died on 11th postoperative day. The cause of death was brain bleeding due to ruptured undiagnosed brain aneurysm.

CONCLUSION

  SynCardia TAH is an alternative therapy in patients with end-stage biventricular heart failure waiting for heart transplantation. The SynCardia TAH with pulsatility resembles the physiologic circulation, improves the condition of the patients and increases survival compared to the biventricular assist devices. It is an intermediate step until the development of genetically modified animal hearts, engineered bioartificial hearts or hearts from induced pluripotent stem cells that would replace the failing heart in the patients with end-stage heart disease (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 27).

The efficiency of the preoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the setting of postinfarction ventricular septal defect and how to optimize outcomes: A single center case series

The mortality rate after the development of postinfarction ventricular septal defect remains high despite progress in pharmacologic therapy, invasive cardiology, and surgical techniques. We present a case series of six patients with preoperative venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to reparative surgical repair. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation allows to hemodynamically stabilize the patient, and safely delay the surgery. Delayed surgery might facilitate successful repair by allowing friable tissue to organize, strengthen, and become well-differentiated from surrounding healthy tissue; thus, definite repair can be performed safely. All patients were in cardiogenic shock and would otherwise require emergent cardiac surgery with associated risk. Three patients were discharged, with one hospital mortality of a patient who had a successful bridge to corrective surgery and died due to pulmonary artery rupture after a right ventricular assist device implantation. Two patients died before surgery while they were supported by venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation due to vascular complications. We discuss strategies how to optimize the management and function of the venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to decrease the rate of adverse effects and optimize the outcomes of these patients.

Long-term outcomes following minimal invasive versus conventional aortic valve replacement: a propensity match analysis

INTRODUCTION

Minimal invasive aortic valve replacement has become a routine procedure. In this study, we compared the outcomes between conventional and minimal invasive aortic valve replacement via the partial upper sternotomy that were performed in our Institution.

METHODS

The 5 year survival and postoperative outcomes of 34 patients that underwent isolated MIAVR between the years 2010-2013 were compared with the outcomes of 34 randomly selected patients that underwent conventional AVR, after propensity match analysis.

RESULTS

There was no difference between the two groups concerning the early and late postoperative outcomes. MIAVR patients had a longer mean cross-clamp time (p = 0.002) and longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (p = 0.0005) compared to the AVR patients. 5 year mortality and survival were 4.17 % vs 16.67 % (p = 0.20) and 95.8 % vs 83.3 % (p = 0.37) in the MIAVR and AVR groups respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study showed a comparable 5 year survival and postoperative outcomes between the MIAVR and AVR groups. In our opinion, the minimal access aortic valve replacement can be performed safely with excellent long-term results in selected patients (Tab. 4, Fig. 1, Ref. 35).

Molecular hydrogen: prospective treatment strategy of kidney damage after cardiac surgery

Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury is a common post-operative complication, mostly due to increasing oxidative stress. Recently, molecular hydrogen (H2 gas) has also been applied to cardiac surgery due to its ability to reduce oxidative stress. We evaluated the potential effect of H2 application on the kidney in an in vivo model of simulated heart transplantation. Pigs underwent cardiac surgery within 3 h while connected to extracorporeal circulation (ECC) and subsequent 60 min of spontaneous reperfusion of the heart. We used two experimental groups: T-pigs after transplantation and TH-pigs after transplantation treated with 4% H2 mixed with air during inhalation of anesthesia and throughout oxygenation of blood in ECC. The levels of creatinine, urea and phosphorus were measured in plasma. Renal tissue samples were analyzed by Western blot method for protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap-1), and superoxide dismutase (SOD1). After cardiac surgery, selected plasma biomarkers were elevated. However, H2 therapy was followed by the normalization of all these parameters. Our results suggest activation of Nrf2/Keap1 pathway as well as increased SOD1 protein expression in the group treated with H2. The administration of H2 had a protective effect on the kidneys of pigs after cardiac surgery, especially in terms of normalization of plasma biomarkers to control levels.

Adult cardiac surgery report 2021: The annual report from the Registry of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases

INTRODUCTION

Based on a longtime voluntary registry founded by the Ministry of Healthcare of the Slovak Republic in 2012 and endorsed by the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, well-defined data of all adult cardiac surgery procedures performed during the year 2021 are analyzed.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

For this period, data on 947 procedures were submitted to the registry.

RESULTS

The unadjusted in-hospital survival rate for the 352 isolated coronary artery bypass grafting procedures including urgent and emergency procedures (relationship on-/off pump 3.8 : 1) was 96.3 %. For 331 isolated heart valve procedures (33 transcatheter interventions), it was 95.5 %. Concerning ventricular assist devices, 19 implantations were registered. In 2021 the number of isolated heart transplantations was 16, which is a decrease by 38.5 % as compared to the previous year.

CONCLUSION

These annually registered data are collected from voluntary public reporting and accumulate actual information on nearly all heart procedures carried out in the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases. These data capture advancements in heart medicine and represent the basis for quality management. In addition, the registry demonstrates that the provision of cardiac surgery in Slovakia is up to date, appropriate, and nationwide patient treatment is guaranteed all the time (Tab. 14, Fig. 2, Ref. 5). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: heart valve surgery, outcomes, coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic surgery, heart transplantation.

Single centre 12 year experience with durable mechanical circulatory support: comparison with the EUROMACS registry

OBJECTIVES

Mechanical circulatory support is an established therapy in end-stage heart failure. The EUROMACS registry was created to promote research in these patients. The aim of this report was to present our 12 year experience with the durable mechanical circulatory support devices and compare it with the EUROMACS registry.

METHODS

Data from the entire EUROMACS registry from January 2011 to April 2019 were included (4704 implantations in 4410 patients). During the 12 years of our experience, until April 2019,125 mechanical support devices were implanted, in 122 patients. We compare patients´ characteristics, operative data and results with the EUROMACS registry and we report the major complications during the observational period.

RESULTS

Primary end-point (death) occurred in 40 (32.8 %) patients in our cohort during the follow-up period, representing the survival rate 75 %, 68 %, and 58 % for 6, 12, 24 months respectively, which compares favourably with the data, reported by the EUROMACS registry, the survival 66 % and 53 % after 1 and 2 years respectively. Cerebrovascular accident occurred in 7 %, a bleeding event in 32 %, significant infection (driveline) in 78 % and a device malfunction in 13 % of the patients. Forty- three patients underwent a heart transplant with hospital and long-term mortality of 11.6 % and 14 % respectively.

CONCLUSION

Mechanical circulatory support is a valuable therapeutic option with excellent survival rates, nevertheless it is associated with clinically significant complications rates. The direct comparison between our cohort and the EUROMACS registry showed that early implantation strategy and mini invasive approach may improve survival rates and decrease postoperative complications (Tab. 3, Fig. 3, Ref. 16).

Successful support of biventricular heart failure in an adult patient by the Berlin Heart EXCOR system as a bridge to transplant: literature review

Right heart failure is a huge challenge in left ventricular assist device therapy and its occurrence is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Other options include the use od temporary right ventricular assist device, use of two continous flow biventricular assist devices, use of total artificial heart and the use of paracorporeal biventricular assist devices.In this report we described the successful use of the paracorporeal pulsatile Berlin Heart EXCOR system as a bridge to transplant in a 62 years old patient with end-stage biventricular heart failure (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 22). Keywords: biventricular heart failure, mechanical circulatory support, biventricular assist device, Berlin Heart EXCOR system, heart transplantation.

Mortality and risk factors after a surgical repair of postinfarction ventricular septal defect

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to present our experience in the treatment of post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal defect and examine the various risk factors.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study. From January 2010 to December 2018, 20 patients underwent an urgent /emergency surgical repair of post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal defect.

RESULTS

The mortality in our group of patients was 45 %. Non-survivors compared to the survivors were all in cardiogenic shock (p=0.0098), had an emergency/salvage operation (p=0.0055), preoperative mechanical ventilation (p=0.0081), shorter time between intraaortic balloon pressure insertion and surgery (p=0.0115), shorter median time between ventricular septal defect and surgery, postoperative renal replacement therapy (p=0.0498), and more patients had a residual effect (p=0.0022). In multivariate analysis, preoperative mechanical ventilation (p=0.0001), postoperative renal replacement therapy (p=0.0021) and residual defect (p=0.0000027) were shown to be strong predictors for hospital mortality.

CONCLUSION

This analysis showed that post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal defect repair is a devastating complication and preoperative mechanical ventilation, postoperative renal replacement therapy and residual defect were identified to be the predictors of mortality. Initial stabilization of the patients, when it is possible, and a delayed repair, may improve the outcome of these patients (Tab. 3, Ref. 17).

Transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement with the balloon expandable aortic bioprosthetic valve in high risk patients with severe aortic stenosis: Intermediate-term results from the register of the clinic of cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study is to report our experience in performing transapical (TA) TAVR with a balloon-expandable valve only by cardiac surgeons, with on site interventional cardiology support.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 97 consecutive patients that underwent TA TAVR due to severe symptomatic aortic stenosis was performed from 2012 to 2016. Median follow-up time was 20.5 months. Preoperative risk factors and postoperative outcomes were evaluated using Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 definitions.

RESULTS

All patients were high risk with a mean Euroscore of 7.28±7.77. Five year and 30-day mortality were 9.3 % and 1.1 %, respectively. Ninty six (98.9 %) of the patients had no or mild paravalvular leak seen by transesophageal echocardiography after implantation. Device success was 91.8%. Postoperatively there was a significant increase of the ejection fraction (50.8±7.1 % preoperatively vs 53.1±7.7 % postoperatively, p=0.009) and reverse remodeling of the left ventricle (left ventricular end-diastolic diameter preoperatively 50.8±7.1 mm vs 49.2±8.1 mm postoperatively, p=0.031).

CONCLUSION

Our experience demonstrates that TA TAVR can be performed only by cardiac surgeons, with on site interventional cardiology support safely and successfully with low and comparable postoperative mortality and rate of complications (Tab. 4, Fig. 1, Ref. 26).