Extracorporeal Circulation Time Research Articles

The results of an entry-oriented strategy for acute type A aortic dissection in octogenarians: an 18-year experience.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the 18-year results of emergency operations for acute type A aortic dissection, especially in octogenarians. We reviewed 199 patients who underwent surgical aortic repair of an acute type A aortic dissection from January 2001 to December 2018. If the primary entry existed in the ascending aorta, we limited the extent of the replacement to within the ascending aorta. We analysed the early and late outcomes and identified the predictive factors for in-hospital death and difficulty of direct discharge to home. The hospital mortality was 16%. The causes of death were postoperative bleeding (n = 8, 4%), intestinal ischaemia (n = 6, 3%), respiratory failure (n = 5, 3%), systemic inflammatory response syndrome (n = 4, 2%), low output syndrome (n = 3, 2%), sudden death (n = 3, 2%), myonephrotic metabolic syndrome (n = 2, 1%) and stroke (n = 1, 1%). Multivariable analysis revealed that an estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 (P = 0.006), malperfusion (P = 0.001), rupture (P < 0.001) and cross-clamping time (P = 0.003) were independent predictive factors of in-hospital death. Age was not a significant factor for predicting in-hospital death. Ascending aorta replacement (P = 0.013), advanced age (P = 0.002) and prolonged extracorporeal circulation time (P = 0.009) were independent predictive factors of difficulty in direct discharge to home. In the late follow-up period, the 5-year survival and aortic event-free rates were 62.2% and 88.9% in octogenarians, respectively. From the perspective of saving lives, the results of emergency surgery for octogenarians were acceptable. Avoiding the postoperative decline in activities of daily living in octogenarians is a consideration going forward.

Minimized perfusion circuit for acute type A aortic dissection surgery.

A minimized perfusion circuit (MPC) may reduce transfusion requirement and inflammatory response. Its use, however, has not been standardized for complicated cardiovascular surgery. We assessed outcomes of surgery for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) performed with a MPC under circulatory arrest. The study involved 706 patients treated surgically for ATAAD (by hemiarch repair [n=571] or total arch repair [n=135]). Total arch repair was performed using selective antegrade cerebral perfusion. Our MPC, a semi-closed bypass system, incorporating a completely closed circuit and a level-sensing reservoir in the venous circuit, was used. Clinical variables, transfusion volume, and outcomes were investigated in patients who underwent hemiarch repair or total arch repair. The overall incidences of shock, organ ischemia, and coagulopathy (prothrombin time-international normalized ratio >1.5) were 26%, 35%, and 8%, respectively. Mean extracorporeal circulation (ECC) time was 149minutes for the hemiarch repair group and 241minutes for the total arch repair group, respectively. No patient required conversion to conventional ECC, and there were no complications related to the use of the MPC. The need for transfusion (98% vs. 91%, P=.017) and median transfusion volume (1970 vs. 1680mL, P=.002) was increased in the total arch repair group. Neither in-hospital mortality (total arch; 12% vs. hemiarch; 7%, P=.11) nor 10-year survival (74.4% vs. 68.4%, P=.79) differed significantly. Outcomes of surgery for ATAAD performed with the MPC were acceptable. The possibility of transfusion and transfusion volume remains high during such surgery, despite the use of the MPC.

Evaluation of the risk factors for neurological and neurocognitive impairment after selective cerebral perfusion in thoracic aortic surgery.

Neurologic complications are seen often after the surgery of the thoracic aorta that uses selective antegrade cerebral perfusion. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of atherosclerotic risk factors on neurologic complications in patients who underwent surgery to the thoracic aorta using SCP. Data were collected retrospectively on 94 patients who underwent elective ascending aorta/aortic arch replacement. Concomitant procedures were performed as needed. All patients had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), angiography (MRA) and carotid ultrasound before surgery. Individual cognitive status was measured using four neuropsychological tests before surgery and 7days after extubation. We compared perioperative factors for risk factors associated with postoperative stroke and postoperative cognitive decline (POCD). 11 patients had strokes after surgery. Operation and extracorporeal circulation times were significantly longer in patients with stroke than those without stroke. Coronary artery disease and SCP time > 150min were independently associated with postoperative stroke. Of the 83 patients without postoperative stroke, 20 suffered POCD. POCD patients had a significantly higher rate of heterogeneous carotid plaque, and operation time was significant longer in patients with POCD than those without POCD. Independent predictors of POCD were concomitant CABG, heterogeneous carotid plaque, history of cerebrovascular disease and operation time > 450min. We found that prolonged SCP time and coronary artery disease increased the risk of postoperative stroke. Heterogeneous carotid plaque, history of cerebrovascular disease, concomitant CABG and prolonged operation time were further significant predictors of POCD.

Mortality Prediction After Cardiac Surgery: Higgins’ Intensive Care Unit Admission Score Revisited

This study was performed to develop and validate a cardiac surgical intensive care risk adjustment model for mixed cardiac surgery based on a few preoperative laboratory tests, extracorporeal circulation time, and measurements at arrival to the intensive care unit. This was a retrospective study of admissions to 5 cardiac surgical intensive care units in Sweden that submitted data to the Swedish Intensive Care Registry. Admissions from 2008 to 2014 (n= 21,450) were used for model development, whereas admissions from 2015 to 2016 (n= 6463) were used for validation. Models were built using logistic regression with transformation of raw values or categorization into groups. The final model showed good performance, with an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.86 (95% confidence interval, 0.83-0.89), a Cox calibration intercept of -0.16 (95% confidence interval, -0.47 to 0.19), and a slope of 1.01 (95% confidence interval, 0.89-1.13) in the validation cohort. Eleven variables available on admission to the intensive care unit can be used to predict 30-day mortality after cardiac surgery. The model performance was better than those of general intensive care risk adjustment models used in cardiac surgical intensive care and also avoided the subjective assessment of the cause of admission. The standardized mortality ratio improves over time in Swedish cardiac surgical intensive care.

Arch Surgery for Type Ia Endoleak: How to Remain Normothermic and Avoid Circulatory Arrest

Type Ia endoleak after thoracic endovascular aortic repair is an ominous complication that requires an aggressive treatment. Total arch replacement with a distal suture taking the native distal aorta, the stent graft, and the arch graft, by allowing a perfect closure of the proximal endoleak, represents the most common treatment in this setting. Nevertheless, such intervention continues to carry significant mortality and morbidity that are mostly related to prolonged extracorporeal circulation time and hypothermic circulatory arrest. Here, we present a technique for total arch replacement that, with the use of stent graft balloon endoclamping, avoids both hypothermia and circulatory arrest.

Influencing factors of postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Objective: To analyze the influencing factors of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients after cardiac surgery using levosimendan or dobutamine, and explore the effect of positive inotropic drugs on AKI. Methods: The clinical data of 417 patients undergoing cardiac surgery from January to June 2018 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital and treated with levosimendan or dobutamine during perioperative period were retrospectively reviewed and collected. Patients were divided into AKI group and non-AKI group according to whether AKI occurred. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors related to the occurrence of AKI. The statistically significant factors (P<0.05) were further included in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Totally, 417 patients were enrolled in the study, with a mean age of (58.2±10.4) years old and a male rate of 65.0% (n=271), and the AKI incidence rate was 25.2% (105/417). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that male, chronic kidney disease, high serum creatinine level in preoperative period, aortic obstruction time ≥ 120 minutes and extracorporeal circulation time ≥ 120 minutes were risk factors for AKI (all P<0.05). Vasodilator and levosimendan treatment during perioperative period were protective factors (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that chronic kidney disease (OR=17.291, 95%CI: 4.335-68.960, P<0.001) and high serum creatinine level (OR=1.097, 95%CI: 1.074-1.121, P<0.001) in preoperative period were independent risk factors for AKI. Perioperative application of levosimendan (OR=0.533, 95%CI: 0.288-0.984, P=0.044) was an independent protective factor. Conclusions: Risk factors for AKI after cardiac surgery include chronic kidney disease and high serum creatinine level in preoperative period. The use of levosimendan during preoperative period has the potential effect to protect against AKI.

Circulating miRNA 208a Reflect Early Myocardial Injury and Recovery after Heart Transplantation

Is the studied expression level of micro RNA208a a good, reliable and early marker in the diagnosis of early myocardial injury in patients who underwent heart transplantation METHODS: The study involved 45 donors, 45 patients who underwent heart transplantation. Six blood samples were tested: before heart transplant surgery - from the donor and recipient, just before the surgery and four more taken from the recipient: 1, 6, 12, 24 hours after the surgery. TnT levels were assessed at the same time intervals. Plasma was centrifuged from peripheral blood. MiR208a was determined by real-time PCR using TaqMan molecular probes. Correlations between miR208a, TnT and perioperative parameters were analyzed. Spearman rank correlation and correlation for repeated measurements were used. Levels of miR208a and TnT were measured in the donor and recipient before surgery and in the control group. In the control group, in recipients and donors, no miR208a was detected in the plasma before surgery. Troponin T levels measured in donors and recipients prior to surgery were above the norm for this marker. A significant increase in miR208a levels and troponin T levels was observed as early as the first hour after surgery. The time for maximum level of miR208a and TnT levels was much shorter for miR208a - 6.8 hours, 10.5 hours for TnT. Death due to cerebrovascular disease (intracranial bleeding or ischemic stroke) and death due to craniocerebral trauma did not affect the level of miRNA. Depending on the cause of death, changes in TnT concentration were noted one hour after operation (p=0.025). The extracorporeal circulation time had a significant impact on changes in the level of miRNA already in the first hour after surgery (p<0.019). TnT showed significant changes at 6, 12, 24 hours after surgery (p<0.036, p<0.005, p<0.004). For haemodynamic evaluation of the heart, we included central venous pressure (CVP), wedge pressure (PCWP), heart index (CI) and Intropscore. MiR208a showed positive correlations with CVP, PCWP and Inotropscore, as well as negative correlations with CI. TnTshowed a correlation with CVP and Inotropscore at the only time point. current research suggests that miR208a is a new sensitive marker that reflects hemodynamic function of the heart. It can be used to monitor the work of the heart, its dysfunction and regeneration after heart transplantation.

Report of five cases: sandwich repair for post infarction ventricular septal rupture with right ventricular approach

BackgroundDifferent techniques have been described to repair post myocardial infarction ventricular septal rupture (VSR), each method may result in residual shunting, bleeding, and suboptimal left ventricular (LV) performance secondary to change in LV geometry. The aim of this report is to describe early and mid-term results of sandwich technique through right ventricle in five consecutive patients.Case presentationFive consecutive patients (3 women and 2 men) with VSR (mean age 62.8 years, range 51-70) underwent surgical repair for postinfarction ventricular septal rupture by sandwich technique performed through right ventricle from August 2012 to April 2019 in our institute. Reconstruction of the septum was performed by two patches of 0.6 mm Gore-Tex on each side of the septal defect through right ventricular incision, according to the method described by Isoda et al. Coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in two patients.The mean aortic clamp time was 90 min (range, 64 to 157 min). The mean extracorporeal circulation time was 146.6 min (range, 108 to 240 min). Postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) stay averaged 12 days (range, 4-40 days). There was no hospital mortality. No postoperative residual shunting was detected, and no patient needed re-operation for bleeding. Patients have been followed up for a mean of 24.4 months (range, 1 week to 7 years). There was one death seven days after discharge due to arrhythmia (40 days after surgery).ConclusionSandwich technique through right ventricular approach is simple and extendable to all VSRs irrespective of their locations. Residual shunting and bleeding are negligible or zero. It may be considered as standard of repair for patient with post infarction ventricular septal rupture.

Use of Noninvasive Ventilation in Respiratory Failure After Extubation During Postoperative Care in Pediatrics.

The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of failure of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) after cardiac surgery in pediatric patients with respiratory failure after extubation and to identify predictive success factors. This was a prospective cohort study of pediatric patients diagnosed with congenital heart disease who underwent heart surgery and used NIV. Data were collected from 170 patients with a median age of 2 months. No patient presented cardiorespiratory arrest nor any other complication during the use of NIV. The success rate for the use of NIV was 61.8%. Subjects were divided for analysis into successful and failed NIV groups. Statistical analysis used Chi-square, Mann–Whitney, and Student’s t tests, which were performed after univariate and multivariate logistic regression for p < 0.05. In the multivariate analysis, only the minimal pressure gradient (OR 1.45 with p = 0.007), maximum oxygen saturation (OR 0.88 with p = 0.011), and maximum fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) (OR 1.16 with p < 0.001) influenced NIV failure. The following variables did not present a statistical difference: extracorporeal circulation time (p = 0.669), pulmonary hypertension (p = 0.254), genetic syndrome (p = 0.342), RACHS-1 score (p = 0.097), age (p = 0.098), invasive mechanical ventilation duration (p = 0.186), and NIV duration (p = 0.804). In conclusion, NIV can be successfully used in children who, after cardiac surgery, develop respiratory failure in the 48 h following extubation. Although the use of higher pressure gradients and higher FiO2 are associated with a greater failure rate for NIV use, it was found to be generally safe.

Hypothermia during Surgical Treatment of Type A Aortic Dissection: A 16 Years' Experience.

Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is among the most challenging cases for surgical treatment and requires procedural expertise for its safe conduct. Aortic surgery has undergone several changes over the last years, especially concerning cerebral protection. The brilliant results obtained with the aid of selective anterograde cerebral perfusion led to a progressive increase of circulatory arrest temperature, with the rise of safe time along with a reduction of the extracorporeal circulation time and hypothermia-related side effects. However, there is still no definitive consensus concerning the optimal range of temperature to be used during circulatory arrest. Objectives. This is a retrospective observational study, and we examined 16-year trends in the presentation, diagnosis, hospital outcome and treatment of A AAD type. In our Cardiac Surgery Unit in Policlinico Umberto I of Rome, our analysis focused on patients, who received ACP during aortic surgery and we analyzed the differences between two distinct groups based on the lowest temperature reached during CPB conduction: Lower Temperature Group (LT) (T < 24°C) versus Higher Temperature Group (HT) (T ≥ 24°C) arrest circulation temperature. Methods. Data from 241 patients enrolled between August 2002 and March 2018 were analyzed. Patients were divided according to the lowest temperature reached into 2 groups: Lower Temperature group (LT) (94 patients) and Higher Temperature Group (HT) (147 patients). Results. Our results showed a significant reduction of in-hospital mortality and in-hospital results in patients with higher CPB temperature. The global incidence of complications was statistically reduced in HT group: we found a statistical significant reduction of intestinal ischemia, and a similar trend also for other complications analyzed, such as infections. Since the two groups were similar for type of surgical procedures, we considered these differences depending on the lower temperature value reached, according to the current literature. Conclusions. We found a significantly higher mortality in patients with lower temperature during CPB and a global reduction of complications and in particular a significant reduction of intestinal ischemia in patients with higher temperature during CPB. We found a similar trend in other fields of investigations, so we can conclude that circulatory arrest performed at temperature ≥24°C nasopharyngeal temperature associated with ACP is a safe strategy for aortic surgery for AAD.

Safety of Custodiol cardioplegia: a cohort study in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with elongated aortic cross-clamp time.

The increasing complexity of patients undergoing cardiac surgery requires extended myocardial ischaemic periods. Cardiac surgeons demand a cardioplegic solution with prolonged myocardial protection. Therefore, we introduced Custodiol in our centre in 2011. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of Custodiol compared with the standard method of cardioplegia. Between 2011 and 2016, 188 adult patients who underwent mitral valve surgery combined with coronary artery bypass grafting were included in this retrospective study. In 113 patients, Custodiol cardioplegia was used to achieve cardiac arrest, while St. Thomas Hospital solution was used in 75 patients. The primary endpoint of the study was the degree myocardial damage which was estimated by the measurement of creatine kinase-myocardial band on the first postoperative day. A linear regression analysis was performed to compare the aortic cross-clamp time with the postoperative myocardial damage in both groups. The extracorporeal circulation time and aortic cross-clamp were significantly longer in the Custodiol group than in the St. Thomas group: 125.6 ± 32.5 minutes versus 93.1 ± 27.7 minutes (p < 0.001), respectively. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the postoperative levels of creatine kinase-myocardial band (96 (70-140) U/L vs. 86 (69-120) U/L, respectively; p = 0.321). There was no significant differences between the two groups regarding the 30-day mortality (6.1% vs. 5.5%, respectively; p = 1.000) or 120-day mortality (9.6% vs. 11.0%, respectively; p = 0.806). Our findings demonstrate that Custodiol is a safe method of myocardial protection for patients who underwent mitral valve surgery with coronary artery bypass grafting in our hospital. Further investigations extended to more cardiac surgery populations are needed to confirm clinical benefits of Custodiol cardioplegia.

Clinical effect of right subaxillary small incision approach on children with congenital heart disease

Objective To analyze the clinical effect of right subaxillary small incision approach on children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods Eighty-six patients with CHD admitted to Henan Children′s Hospital from January 2015 to September 2017 were enrolled in this study.The patients were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group with 43 cases each group.The control group underwent sternal median incision, and the observation group underwent right subaxillary small incision.The total effective rate, incision satisfaction, general conditions of surgery (cardiopulmonary bypass time, operation time, aortic occlusion time, intraoperative blood loss), postoperative related conditions (thoracic drainage volume, postoperative monitoring time, postoperative assisted ventilation time, hospitalization time, hospitalization expenses), Wong-Baker facial expression scale (FPS-R) score, as well as the respiratory function index including the levels of peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) and alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference [p(A-a) (O2)]after anesthesia (T1), after operation (T2), at admission to intensive care unit (T3) and before extubation (T4) and complication rate between 2 groups were compared. Results (1)The incision satisfaction in the observation group [90.70% (39/43 cases)] was higher than that in the control group [62.79% (27/43 cases)], and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=9.382, P=0.002). (2)There was no significant difference in the the extracorporeal circulation time, operation time and aortic block time between the two groups [observation group: (68.94±8.26) min, (2.33±0.21) h, (28.79±7.32) min; control group: (67.11±9.11) min, (2.25±0.31) h, (30.02±6.88) min] (P>0.05). (3)The intraoperative blood loss [(89.87±11.25) mL] in the observation group was less than that in the control group [(105.91±31.01) mL], which difference was statistically significant (t=3.189, P=0.002). (4)Also there was significant difference in postoperative monitoring time, postoperative assisted ventilation time, hospitalization time, thoracic drainage volume and hospitalization expenses between the two groups (the observation group: postoperative monitoring time (30.55±10.39) h, postoperative assisted ventilation time [(9.68±2.19) h, hospitalization time (9.61±2.17) d, thoracic drainage volume (90.36±26.14) mL, hospitalization expenses (36 956.15±1 097.84) yuan; the control group: (41.39±9.93) h, (12.72±3.81) h, (12.33±3.15) d, (163.24±29.36) mL and (45 271.97±1 134.55) yuan] (t=4.946, 4.536, 4.663, 12.157, 34.540, all P 0.05). There was no significant difference in the complication rate between the observation group [6.98% (3/43 cases)] and the control group [4.65% (2/43 cases)] (χ2=0.000, P>0.05). Conclusions Right subaxillary small incision approach does not affect the respiratory function of children with CHD, which can improve the satisfaction of incision, reduce the amount of blood loss, accelerate postoperative recovery of children, relieve postoperative pain, and reduce the financial burden of parents.Besides, intra-operative proficient and accurate operations can reduce or avoid the occurrence of related complications and ensure the safety of surgery. Key words: Minimally invasive; Sternal median incision; Congenital heart disease; Small incision in right axillary; Child; Open surgery

Application of a Modified Extracorporeal Circulation Perfusion Method During Surgery for Acute Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the modified extracorporeal circulation perfusion method during surgery for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection in patients who underwent stented elephant trunk implantation and arch replacement. A total of 69 patients with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection who underwent stented elephant trunk implantation and arch replacement were retrospectively analysed from 2017 to 2018. According to the perfusion method of extracorporeal circulation, patients were divided into a routine perfusion (RP) group and a modified perfusion (MP) group. Clinical data were collected, including the time of extracorporeal circulation and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, incidence of acute kidney injury and neurological complications, and comparisons between the two groups were conducted by using independent sample t-tests for normally distributed qualitative data, the Mann-Whitney U-test for skewed qualitative data, and the chi square test or Fisher's exact test for categorical data. There were 55 (80%) males and 14 (20%) females in the entire cohort, and the mean ± standard deviation age was 50.4±9.0 years. A total of 53 (77%) patients were included in the RP group, and 16 (23%) were included in the MP group. Patients in the MP group were older (55.5±7.8 vs 48.8±8.9 years), and the difference was significant (p=0.008). Compared with the RP group, the time of extracorporeal circulation (218.0 [44.7] vs 246.0 [58.0] min; p=0.005) and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (4.0 [2.0] vs 25.0 [10.0] min; p<0.001) was shorter, and the incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury (n=6 [37.5%] vs n=36 [67.9%]; p=0.029) was lower in the MP group; the differences were significant. Six (6) patients died in the RP group; no patients diedin the MP group. The total in-hospital mortality rate was 8.7%. The modified extracorporeal circulation perfusion method is feasible, with satisfactory results.

Momentary cesarean delivery and mitral valve reprosthetics in 36-year-old primiparous patient (clinical case)

This clinical case report represents our experience of treatment of 36 y. o. pregnant female patient who was previously undergone mitral valve replacement as she was 25. The operation was performed with the use of two leaflet mechanical prosthesis ‘MedEng No. 21’ (Russia). The patient was admitted to our hospital at 29th week of gestation with the signs of heart failure and pulmonary congestion because of prosthetic valve dysfunction. Delivery was performed by Caesarean section followed by mitral valve reprosthetics. In order to stop obstetric bleeding before heparin injection internal iliac arteries was ligated. Total time of extracorporeal circulation was 89 minutes, and myocardial ischemia — 64 minutes. Normothermic perfusion was performed. Mother and newborn were discharged from the hospital in a normal stable state. The childbearing ability of the mother was preserved.

Toddler Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Are Associated With School-Age IQ in Children With Single Ventricle Physiology

To examine whether neurodevelopment at preschool age predicts IQ levels and needs for special education services in school-age children with single ventricle (SV) physiology. Thirty-five patients with SV physiology were assessed using the Bayley Scale of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID) II or III at 3 years and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC) at 8 years. Whether the children were receiving special education services was also determined. Factors associated with the mental developmental index (MDI) of the BSID, the full-scale IQ (FSIQ) of the WISC, and special education services were also analyzed. The MDI and FSIQ of children with SV physiology were significantly lower than the values in healthy children (P < 0.01). The MDI at 3 years was moderately correlated with FSIQ at 8 years (P < 0.01, R2 = 0.41). Ten patients (28.6%) received special education services in their school. Children with MDI <85 were more likely than those with MDI ≥85 to require special education services at school age (53% and 10%, respectively, P < 0.01). Weight at birth and stage II were correlated with the MDI, extracorporeal circulation time at stage II was correlated with FSIQ, and age at Fontan operation was correlated with FSIQ and special education services. The toddler neurodevelopment index may predict not only IQ levels but also the need for special education services in school-age children. Children with low neurodevelopmental scores need to be followed closely for a long time.

Routine presternotomy extracorporeal circulation for redo surgery.

ABSTRACTTo reduce the risk of adverse events, presternotomy extracorporeal circulation (ECC) is routinely performed at our institution for patients who require resternotomy. We report our 10-year experience of performing presternotomy ECC for cardiac reoperation and the clinical results. Fifty-seven consecutive cardiac reoperations involving resternotomy were performed between January 2006 and December 2015. ECC was established prior to median sternotomy in all patients. Two patients sustained injury to the right ventricle during sternotomy. Eleven patients sustained injury to the mediastinal structures during dissection (right atrium in 3; superior vena cava in 2; inferior vena cava in 3; left internal thoracic artery in 1; and saphenous vein graft in 2 patients). Longer ECC time and greater transfusion volume were necessary. Two patients (3.5%) died within 30 days of operation. Perioperative morbidity included reexploration for bleeding in 4 (7.0%), stroke in 1 (1.8%), acute renal failure that required hemodialysis in 5 (8.8%), sepsis in 5 patients (8.8%), prolonged ventilation in 9 (15.8%) and tracheostomy in 5 (8.8%). Routine establishment of presternotomy ECC reduces the risk of injury to the mediastinal structures during reentry and facilitates easier repair in the event of structural injury during reentry or dissection. However, longer ECC time and significantly greater transfusion volume requires attention.

Does additional coronary artery bypass grafting to aortic valve replacement in elderly patients affect the early and long-term outcome?

Early and long-term outcomes in elderly patients who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement (iAVR) are well defined. Conflicting data exist in elderly patients who underwent AVR plus coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We sought to evaluate the early and long-term outcomes of combined AVR + CABG in patients older than 75 years of age. From June 1999 to June 2018, 402 patients ≥ 75 years who underwent iAVR (n = 200; 49.7%) or combined AVR plus CABG (n = 202; 50.3%) were retrospectively analysed. AVR + CABG patients were older than iAVR patients (78.5 ± 2.5 vs 77.6 ± 2.8 years; p < 0.0001), with greater co-morbidities and more urgent/emergency surgery. 30-day mortality was 6.5% in the AVR + CABG and 4.5% in the iAVR group (p = 0.38). Multivariate analysis identified EuroSCORE II [odd ratio (OR) 1.13] postoperative stroke (OR 12.53), postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (OR 8.72) and postoperative mechanical ventilation > 48 h (OR 8.92) as independent predictors of 30-day mortality; preoperative cerebrovascular events (OR 3.43), creatinine (OR 7.27) and extracorporeal circulation time (OR 1.01) were independent predictors of in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCE). Treatment was not an independent predictor of 30-day mortality and in-hospital MACCE. Survival at 1, 5 and 10 years was 94.7 ± 1.6%, 72.6 ± 3.6% and 31.7 ± 4.8% for iAVR patients and 89.1 ± 2.3%, 73.9 ± 3.5% and 37.2 ± 4.8% for AVR + CABG subjects (p = 0.99). Using adjusted Cox regression model, creatinine [hazard ration (HR) 1.50; p = 0.018], COPD (HR 1.97; p = 0.003) and NYHA class (HR 1.39; p < 0.0001) were independent predictors of late mortality; the combined AVR + CABG was not associated with increased risk of late mortality (HR 0.83; p = 0.30). In patients aged ≥ 75 years, combined AVR + CABG was not associated with increased 30-day mortality, in-hospital MACCE and long-term mortality. Surgical revascularization can be safely undertaken at the time of AVR in elderly patients.

Conexão cavopulmonar parcial como primeiro estágio no tratamento do coração univentricular em um centro na Amazônia: resultados imediatos

Objetivo: Analisar a eficácia da conexão cavopulmonar parcial como paliação primária no tratamento do coração univentricular em pacientes com mais de três meses. Métodos: Foram avaliados retrospectivamente os prontuários de pacientes portadores de cardiopatias congênitas com fisiologia univentricular submetidos à conexão cavopulmonar como primeiro estágio. Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: idade, sexo, diagnóstico anatômico, cardiopatias associadas, tempo de circulação extracorpórea, tempo de intubação, tempo de internação hospitalar, complicações pós-operatórias, saturação periférica de oxigênio e da pressão sistólica da artéria pulmonar pré e pós-operatória. Resultados: Foram identificados 11 casos de crianças submetidas a conexão cavopulmonar parcial como paliação primária. A média de idade foi 10,54 meses, com leve prevalência do sexo feminino (54,54%). As principais características anatômicas das cardiopatias foram Atresia tricúspide e Ventrículo Único tipo esquerdo. Houve aumento na saturação de oxigênio variando de uma média de 74,46% para 88,27% (p&lt;0,01), com adequação da pressão sistólica de artéria pulmonar de 20,80mmHg para 17,80mmHg (p&lt;0,05). Ocorreram dois casos de paresia frênica e um caso de quilotórax os quais foram corrigidos cirurgicamente. Não houve óbitos na amostra. Conclusão: A conexão cavopulmonar parcial como paliação primária no tratamento do coração univentricular teve resultados imediatos satisfatórios quando realizada após os três meses de idade.

Factors associated with early extubation of patients after corrective tetralogy of Fallot

ObjectiveTo assess surgical management and postoperative results associated with early extubation in patients undergoing tetralogy of Fallot corrective surgery at a public hospital in Argentina. MethodsA retrospective review was made from clinical records from patients who underwent corrective surgery for tetralogy of Fallot. A total of 38 clinical records that met the inclusion criteria for the retrospective review were included in the analysis. Results16% were extubated early. Milrinone was the only drug that showed differences in patients who were extubated early (p=0.01). Extracorporeal circulation time, aortic clamping time, transfusion with cryoprecipitates, saturation of oxygen pressure, and haematocrit at the end of the surgical procedure showed no differences (p>.05). In the postoperative period, the ICU stay was shorter for the patients who were extubated early (p=0.0007), but there were no differences in the total hospital stay (p=0.26). ConclusionsEarly extubation in the institution, although found to be low frequency, has proved as a safe and effective alternative to shorten these patients’ stay in ICU.

Reparación de válvula mitral y cierre de comunicación interauricular, asistida por robot: experiencia inicial

To report short- and long-term results with the use of a robot-assisted transthoracic approach. Review of patients undergoing heart surgery between 2015 and 2019 using a robot assisted minimally invasive technique in a single center. We analyzed demographic characteristics, surgical and early ultrasound results. Thirteen procedures were reviewed, nine mitral valve repairs (MVR) in patients aged 61 ± 21 years (seven males) and four atrial septal defect (ASD) closures in patients aged from 24 to 52 years (three men). For MVR, the average extracorporeal circulation and myocardial ischemia times were 120 ± 20.9 and 89 ± 21 minutes, respectively. The median hospitalization was four days. Two cases of MVR had postoperative complications. There was no mortality. All cases showed improvement in their symptoms. Ultrasound findings showed no postoperative mitral insufficiency except in one case. We report very good results in both complex mitral repair and CIA closure, comparable to centers with high standards in minimally invasive robot-assisted heart surgery.