Reoperation Mortality Research Articles

Long-term outcomes following aortic valve replacement in bioprosthetic vs mechanical valves

BackgroundAortic valve disease(AVD) accounts for 33 % of valvular heart disease(VHD) but causes over 60 % of VHD mortality. For surgical AVR, mechanical valves are recommended for patients <50 years old and bioprosthetic valves for those >70 years old. ObjectivesTo investigate the long-term differences following AV replacement(AVR) comparing bioprosthetic and mechanical valves in patients aged 50–70. Methods4,927 patients underwent AVR, 744 of which were propensity-matched 2:1 for bioprosthetic and mechanical valves. Outcomes included mortality, morbidity, and rates of reoperation. ResultsThe average age of the propensity-matched groups was 57 and 56.7 years, and female sex accounted for 26.4 % and 25.0 % for the bioprosthetic and mechanical valve groups, respectively. Other baseline demographics and comorbidities were similar between the groups. There were no deaths at 30 days and complication rates did not differ between groups(p > 0.05). Mortality at 1, 5, and 15 years was similar between groups. Reoperation rates at 5 and 10 years did not significantly differ between bioprosthetic and mechanical valves(p = 0.84, p = 0.31), although at 15-year follow-up, patients with bioprosthetic valves were more likely to require reoperation(21.2 % versus 9.7 %, adjusted hazard ratio 3.65, 95 % confidence interval 1.07–12.5, p = 0.0.39). ConclusionsPatients receiving AVR from 50 to 70 years old have similar long-term outcomes irrespective of whether they received bioprosthetic or mechanical valves, with only reoperation being significantly different at 15 years follow-up. With low rates of reoperation, mortality, and avoidance of anticoagulation, bioprosthetic valves are a reasonable option for patients 50–70 years old, although mechanical valves still provide a durability benefit for young patients.

Long-Term Results and Quality of Life after Surgery for Acute Aortic Dissection Type A: Contemporary Single-Centre Experience.

Background: Aortic dissection is still afflicted with significant morbidity and mortality. This research seeks to assess long-term outcomes and quality of life after emergency surgery for acute aortic dissection type A. Methods: A total of 413 patients were analysed, who had been operated upon between 2000 and 2016 at our centre. We compared our results of the early (2000-2007) versus late (2008-2016) period with regards to 30-day and follow-up mortality and need for reoperation, including risk factor analysis. Quality of life was assessed via the SF-36 survey. Results: Calculated perioperative risk by EuroSCORE increased significantly from early, 24.9%, to late, 38.0%, p < 0.001. Thirty-day rates of mortality decreased significantly from 26.7% to 17.4%, p = 0.03. Survival at 1-, 5-, and 10-years was 92.3% vs. 91.8% (p = 0.91), 75.2% vs. 81.0% (p = 0.29), and 53.4% vs. 69.7% (p = 0.04). Freedom from reoperation was comparable between groups at follow-up: 74.0% vs. 85.7%, p = 0.28. Quality of life was impaired. Conclusions: Despite more complex severity of disease and operative procedures, the results of surgery for type A aortic dissection improved significantly over time at 30-day and 10-year follow-up. Quality of life was significantly impaired compared to a healthy reference population.

Meta-analysis of BITA versus SITA grafting in diabetic patients: evidence from propensity score-matched studies.

It has been demonstrated that the use of bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) improves long-term survival in comparison to the use of a single internal thoracic artery (SITA) graft. However, the optimal transplantation technique for diabetic patients remains undetermined. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the effectiveness and safety of BITA and SITA CABG in diabetic patients. A comprehensive search of Google Scholar, Science Direct, and PubMed was conducted for studies with propensity score-matched comparing between BITA and SITA grafting in diabetic patients. The main goal was to knowmid- to long-term mortality, and the supplementary results included incidence of deep sternal wound infection, 30-day mortality, and incidence of reoperation due to hemorrhage. The meta-analysis included 11 studies involving 3762 diabetic patients with matched propensity scores. Compared to SITA grafting, BITA grafting was associated with a significant reduction in long-term mortality (HR 0.78; 95% CI 0.67-0.91), P = 0.03, I2 = 54%. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of 30-day mortality, reoperation for bleeding, cerebrovascular accident, or renal failure. BITA grafting appears to provide better overall survival than SITA grafting in patients with diabetes. However, using BITA grafting is associated with a greater risk of deep sternal wound infection. These findings may help guide the choice of grafting technique in diabetic patients undergoing CABG.

Long-Term Outcomes of Mechanical Versus Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients Aged Under 50 Years: Meta-Analysis of Reconstructed Time-to-Event Data

To compare the long-term outcomes of mechanical versus bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients aged <50 years, we performed a study-level meta-analysis with reconstructed time-to-event data including studies published by December of 2023. The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes included reoperation, major bleeding, and stroke. A total of 5 studies met our inclusion criteria, with a total of 4,245 patients (2,311 mechanical and 1,934 bioprosthetic). All studies were observational and the mean age of groups across the studies ranged from 38.2 to 43.0 years. The median follow-up time was 11.4 years (interquartile range 6.9 to 15.0). Bioprosthetic AVR was associated with reduced overall survival and higher risk of all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR] 1.170 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.002 to 1.364, p = 0.046), increased risk of reoperation over time (HR 2.581, 95% CI 2.102 to 3.168, p <0.001), decreased risk of major bleeding (HR 0.500, 95% CI 0.367 to 0.682, p <0.001), and decreased risk of stroke (HR 0.751, 95% C, 0.565 to 0.998, p = 0.049) compared with mechanical AVR in patients aged <50 years. In conclusion, for patients aged <50 years, bioprosthetic AVR is associated with increased mortality and risk of reoperation compared with mechanical valves. In contrast, mechanical AVR is associated with an increased risk of major bleeding events and stroke. These aspects should be carefully considered during the selection of valve type in this age group; however, we should keep in mind that the statistically significant differences in the risk of all-cause death and stroke might not be clinically relevant (because of marginal statistical significance).

Atrioventricular valve surgery in patients with univentricular heart and two separate atrioventricular valves.

Atrioventricular valve regurgitation in patients with univentricular heart is a well-known risk factor for adverse outcomes and atrioventricular valve repair remains a particular surgical challenge. We reviewed all surgical atrioventricular valve procedures in patients with univentricular heart and two separate atrioventricular valves who underwent surgical palliation. Endpoints of the study were reoperation-free survival and cumulative incidence of reoperation. Between 1994 and 2021, 202 patients with univentricular heart and two separate atrioventricular valve morphology underwent surgical palliation, with 15.8% (32/202) requiring atrioventricular valve surgery. Primary diagnoses were double inlet left ventricle (n = 14, 43.8%), double outlet right ventricle (n = 7, 21.9%), and congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (n = 7, 21.9%). Median weight at valve surgery was 10.6 kg (interquartile range, 7.9-18.9). Isolated left or right atrioventricular valve surgery was required in nine (28.1%) and 22 patients (68.8%), respectively. Concomitant left and right atrioventricular valve surgery was performed in one patient (3.1%). Closure of the left valve was conducted in four patients (12.5%) and closure of the right valve in three (9.4%). Operative and late mortality were 3.1% and 9.7%, respectively. Reoperation-free survival and cumulative incidence of reoperation at 10 years after surgery were 62.3% (standard error of the mean: 6.9) and 30.9% (standard error of the mean: 9.6), respectively. In patients with univentricular heart and two separate atrioventricular valves, surgical intervention on these valves is required in a minority of patients and is associated with low mortality but high incidence of reoperation.

No Difference in Clinical and Hospital Quality Outcomes in Treatment of Reverse Obliquity Intertrochanteric Hip Fractures (AO/OTA 31.A3) Based on Cephalomedullary Nail Length

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes following reverse obliquity (RO) intertrochanteric hip fractures based on the use of short cephalomedullary nails (CMNs) compared to long CMNs for fixation. MethodsAn IRB-approved prospectively collected hip fracture registry at an urban academic medical center was queried for all AO/OTA 31A3.1-3 reverse obliquity intertrochanteric (RO) fractures. One hundred and seventy patients with age > 55 years old and minimum 6-month follow-up were identified for analysis. Data was collected for patient demographics, injury details, intraoperative radiographic parameters, perioperative physiologic parameters, hospital quality measures, and outcomes including radiographic time to healing, need for reoperation, nonunion, and mortality. Comparative analyses were conducted between cohorts. Additional multivariable binary logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate for factors independently associated with short and long nail usage. ResultsThe mean age of the entire cohort was 80.91±10.09 years: 103 patients had a long CMN implanted, and 67 patients had a short CMN implanted. There were no demographic differences or differences in radiographic time to healing, rates of mortality, readmission, nonunion, and need for reoperation. Univariable analysis revealed that short CMN had lower intraoperative blood loss (111.19±83.97mL vs 176.72±161.45mL, p=0.002), decreased need for transfusion (37% vs. 55%, p=0.022), and shorter procedures (118.67±57.87min vs. 148.95±77.83min, p=0.002. Multivariable analysis revealed that short nail usage was associated with decreased intraoperative blood loss, decreased need for transfusion, and shorter operative times. ConclusionNail length does not affect healing or hospital quality outcomes in the treatment of RO hip fractures. The use of short CMNs for these fractures did correlate with lower intraoperative blood loss, operative time, and need for blood transfusion, with non-inferior outcomes and similar hospital quality measures when compared to long CMNs.

Enhanced recovery after liver surgery in cirrhotic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundFew studies have assessed enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in liver surgery for cirrhotic patients. The present meta-analysis assessed the impact of ERAS pathways on outcomes after liver surgery in cirrhotic patients compared to standard care.MethodsA literature search was performed on PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Studies comparing ERAS protocols versus standard care in cirrhotic patients undergoing liver surgery were included. The primary outcome was post-operative complications, while secondary outcomes were mortality rates, length of stay (LoS), readmissions, reoperations, and liver failure rates.ResultsAfter evaluating 41 full-text manuscripts, 5 articles totaling 646 patients were included (327 patients in the ERAS group and 319 in the non-ERAS group). Compared to non-ERAS care, ERAS patients had less risk of developing overall complications (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.31–0.61, p < 0.001). Hospitalization was on average 2 days shorter for the ERAS group (mean difference − 2.04, 95% CI − 3.19 to − 0.89, p < 0.001). Finally, no difference was found between both groups concerning 90-day post-operative mortality and rates of reoperations, readmissions, and liver failure.ConclusionIn cirrhotic patients, ERAS protocol for liver surgery is safe and decreases post-operative complications and LoS. More randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the results of the present analysis.

Ten years follow-up after aortic valve replacement with bioprosthesis trifecta: a single center retrospective cohort

Abstract Introduction St. Jude’s Trifecta (TF) bioprosthesis were adopted at most centers due to their unique design and hemodynamic performance. However, concerns regarding durability have been raised and long-term follow-up studies (≥10 years) are scarce. Purpose To report hemodynamic performance as well as early and long-term results of TF valve. Material and Methods In this longitudinal, single-center study, consecutive patients that underwent surgical aortic valve replacement with TF, from July 2011 to June 2019 were included. Pre-, intra- and post-operative data, including routine and first outpatient ambulatory postoperative transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) (median 4 months) were collected. Hospital mortality was defined as in-hospital or within the first 30 days after surgery. Survival and need for reoperation were accessed in December 2021. Median follow-up was 4 years and maximum was 10,5 years. Kaplan-Meier method was used for time-to-event outcomes (all-causes mortality and need for reoperation). Results We included 1084 patients, 54% being male, with a mean age of 74±8 years. Surgery priority was elective in 840 (78%) of cases. Most patients received a TF prothesis of size 23 (35%), followed by size 21 (30%). There were 563 (52%) multiple procedures, mostly coronary artery bypass grafting (46% within the multiple procedures). Bypass and clamping times were 86±31 minutes and 62±22 minutes, respectively for isolated procedures, and 143±27 minutes and 100±40 minutes, respectively, for multiple procedures. Hospital mortality was 6%. Excluding these patients, cumulative survival at 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-years, were, respectively, 96%, 89%, 78% and 52%. There were 27 patients who needed reoperation: 16 due to endocarditis, 5 due to structural valve deterioration (SVD) and 6 due to non-structural valve dysfunction. Freedom from reoperation at 1-, 3-, 5- and 10- years were of 99%, 98%, 98% and 95%, respectively. At follow-up TTE (n=995), transvalvular mean gradient was 11±4 mmHg and the effective orifice area mean was 2.1±0.5cm2. Patient-prosthesis mismatch occurred in 79 (9.1%), being severe in 8 (0,9%) cases. Conclusion Our findings confirm the satisfactory hemodynamics and safety profile of TF bioprosthesis. Long-term results are comparable with published TF series and there seems to be no particular sign of adverse valve-related events in our population.

A Multicenter Randomized Phase II Trial Investigating the Effect of Polyglycolic Acid Sheet on the Prevention of Pancreatic Fistula After Gastrectomy with Prophylactic Lymph Node Dissection.

Pancreatic fistula after gastrectomy with lymph node dissection is associated with prolonged hospital stay and critical complications such as intra-abdominal bleeding and sepsis. Polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheets are absorbable suture reinforcement materials. A randomized Phase II trial has been planned to evaluate the effect of PGA sheets on preventing postoperative pancreatic fistula. A total of 320 patients will be recruited from thirteen institutions. Patients who are scheduled to undergo distal or total gastrectomy will be randomly allocated into the PGA group or control group, and the dissected area around the pancreas will be covered by the PGA sheet in the PGA group. The primary endpoint will be the maximum value of drain amylase concentration up to 5 days after surgery. The secondary endpoints will be as follows: transition of value of amylases of drain discharge, incidence of pancreatic fistula, incidence of intra-abdominal abscess, white blood cell count, value of C-reactive protein, incidence of postoperative complication, duration of antibiotic agents administration, duration of abdominal drainage, usage of octreotide, duration of hospital stay, incidence of bleeding in abdominal cavity, mortality, and incidence of reoperation.

Reoperation following transcatheter aortic valve replacement: Insights from 10 years' experience

ObjectiveUse of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has demonstrated dramatic growth in the past decade. This study aims to investigate implications of post-TAVR reoperation from our 10-year experience. MethodsBetween 2011 and 2022, 66 post-TAVR patients underwent a reoperation, consisting of 42 (63.6%) patients with native TAVR and 24 (36.4%) patients with valve-in-valve TAVR (VIV-TAVR) after surgical aortic valve replacement. ResultsThe aggregate proportion of patients belonging to the low-/intermediate-risk group at the time of TAVR exceeded that of the high-/extreme-risk cohort in 2021. The native TAVR group received a larger TAVR valve, whereas more frequent low-risk status at the time of TAVR than the VIV-TAVR group. Concurrent procedures were highly common during reoperation and isolated surgical aortic valve replacement represented only 18.2% of the entire cohort. The native TAVR group demonstrated significantly higher TAVR explant difficulty index score (2.0 vs 1.0 points; P < .001) and operative mortality (14.2% vs 0%; P = .079) compared with the VIV-TAVR group. The 8-year cumulative incidence of reoperation was 1.9% and 14.1% (subdistribution hazard ratio, 8.0; 95% CI, 4.1-15.9; P < .001) in the native and VIV-TAVR group, respectively. Furthermore, cumulative incidence of valve reintervention, combining reoperations and redo TAVRs, was 3.3% and 19.0% (subdistribution hazard ratio, 6.2; 95% CI, 3.6-10.9; P < .001). ConclusionsLow-/intermediate-risk patients are emerging as the predominant group necessitating reoperations. Native TAVR was associated with lower postimplant reintervention rates, albeit with higher reoperative technical difficulty and mortality. Conversely, VIV-TAVR was associated with higher reintervention, but demonstrated lower technical difficulty and mortality for reoperation.

Fifth decennium after the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries

BackgroundFrom 1977 onwards, patients with both simple and complex transposition of the great arteries (TGA) have been treated with the arterial switch operation (ASO) in the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital/University Medical Center Utrecht the Netherlands. In this study, we compared mortality and morbidity between two patient groups: A. operated before and B. after 1991, specifically focusing on late ventricular function and reinterventions. MethodsA single institution retrospective cohort study was performed on patients who had an ASO for either simple or complex TGA. Data were collected from medical records. The entire patient cohort (n = 283) was divided in a group with more than 30 years of follow-up (A) and a group with less than 30 years of follow-up (B). Clinical and standardized echocardiographic follow-up was evaluated. ResultsGroup A consisted of 79 patients, of whom follow-up was available in 59 patients (median follow-up 34.8 years, IQR 33.0–36.9). Group B consisted of 204 patients, of whom 195 long-term survivors (median follow-up 14.9 years, IQR 10.0–21.2). Early survival was best in group B (A: 67.8% vs. B: 96.6%, p < 0.001), whereas late mortality (in total 1.8%) was similar for both groups. Reinterventions, corrected for follow-up time, were more frequent in group A (p = 0.005). In total 65 patients (25.1%) required 105 late reinterventions including 4 late aortic valve replacements. The mode of reinterventions has shifted over time, from surgical to more catheter-based (p = 0.03). The vast majority of patients functioned in NYHA class I. In contrast to the recent cohort, who have a normal average LVEF (%), the average LVEF in the oldest cohort was in the bottom percentile of normal range. ConclusionThe majority of patients in their fifth decade after ASO are in functional class I. Early outcome improved showing reduced mortality and need for reoperation. However, a trend towards reduced left ventricular function and late aortic valve replacements justify further research.

Abstract 10952: Valve-Sparing Root Replacement in Patients With Bicuspid Aortic Valves versus Patients With Tricuspid Aortic Valves: A Meta-Analysis

Objective: Valve-sparing root replacement (VSRR) has been described as a treatment for aortic root dilation and aortic regurgitation (AR) in both patients with tricuspid aortic valves (TAVs) and bicuspid aortic valves (BAVs); however, varied results have been reported regarding the long term need for re-intervention and subsequent aortic regurgitation in patients with BAVs. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to compare the outcomes of VSRR in patients with BAVs versus patients with TAVs. Methods: PubMed was searched through April 2022 to identify all studies reporting comparative outcomes of VSRR in patients with BAVs versus patients with TAVs. Short term outcomes of interest were in-hospital mortality, reoperation for bleeding, and stroke and long term outcomes of interest were long-term mortality, freedom from reoperation, and freedom from AR ≥ 2. Results: Our analysis included 13 studies reporting outcomes of 2909 patients undergoing VSRR (n = 861 for BAV group and n = 2048 for TAV group), including 9 retrospective and 4 prospective single-institution cohort studies. No significant differences were observed in terms of in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio [HR] [95% confidence interval [CI]] = 0.49 [0.18-1.35]; P = 0.17; I 2 = 0%), reoperation for bleeding (HR [95% CI] = 1.06 [0.66-1.73]; P = 0.80; I 2 = 0%), stroke (HR [95% CI] = 2.40 [0.77-7.44]; P = 0.13; I 2 = 0%), and freedom from AR ≥ 2 (HR [95% CI] = 1.60 [0.69-3.72]; P = 0.28; I 2 = 49%), though there was a trend toward greater rates of stroke and freedom from AR ≥ 2 in the TAV group. However, there were significantly lower rates of long-term mortality (HR [95% CI] = 0.47 [0.30-0.74]; P = 0.001; I 2 = 0%) and higher rates of reoperation (HR [95% CI] = 2.11 [1.26,3.54]; P = 0.004; I 2 = 19%) in the BAV group. Conclusion: VSRR can be performed in patients with BAVs with similar short term outcomes and lower rates of long-term mortality compared to patients with TAV; however, greater rates of reoperation may be observed in BAV patients.

Comparison of early-stage stenosis and regurgitation results among patients who underwent aortic valve repair.

This study aimed to analyse the results of paediatric aortic valve repairs in our institution. The data of 57 patients under 18 years of age who underwent aortic valve repair between 2014 and 2019 were retrospectively analysed. Early postoperative reoperation and hospital mortality rates were evaluated based on the ages of the patients, their preoperative diagnoses, and the surgical techniques used. Survival curves for groups of patients were calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The rate of reoperation was 14% (n = 8), and there were no significant differences regarding valve pathologies and preoperative diagnoses (p > 0.05). Among the repair techniques, tricuspidisation was considered to be a risk factor for reoperation (p < 0.05). Augmentation, the material used (0.1 PTFE or pericardium), and the number of cusps were not found to have significant effects on reoperation or mortality. The mean follow-up period was 29.86 ± 21.30 months. The survival rates of the patients were 88%, 100%, and 88.2% for those with aortic stenosis, aortic insufficiency, and mixed disease, respectively, and no significant difference was found when these rates were evaluated with the log-rank test (p > 0.05). The mortality rate was 8.8% (n = 5), and undergoing surgery before the age of 1 year was found to be significant in terms of mortality (p = 0.032, p < 0.05). The bicuspid aortic valve group had the lowest mortality risk, while the Shone complex group had the highest. With its acceptable reoperation and mortality rates, aortic valve repair should be the first choice of treatment in the paediatric age group. Early results were satisfactory in all groups.

Simple Clinical Screening Underestimates Malnutrition in Surgical Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease-An ACS NSQIP Analysis.

The present large scale study aimed to assess the prevalence and consequences of malnutrition, based on clinical assessment (body mass index and preoperative weight loss) and severe hypoalbuminemia (<3.1 g/L), in a representative US cohort undergoing IBD surgery. The American College of Surgeons National Quality improvement program (ACS-NSQIP) Public User Files (PUF) between 2005 and 2018 were assessed. A total of 25,431 patients were identified. Of those, 6560 (25.8%) patients had severe hypoalbuminemia, 380 (1.5%) patients met ESPEN 2 criteria (≥10% weight loss over 6 months PLUS BMI < 20 kg/m2 in patients <70 years OR BMI < 22 kg/m2 in patients ≥70 years), and 671 (2.6%) patients met both criteria (severe hypoalbuminemia and ESPEN 2). Patients who presented with malnutrition according to any of the three definitions had higher rates of overall, minor, major, surgical, and medical complications, longer LOS, higher mortality and higher rates of readmission and reoperation. The simple clinical assessment of malnutrition based on BMI and weight loss only, considerably underestimates its true prevalence of up to 50% in surgical IBD patients and calls for dedicated nutritional assessment.

Cost-utility analysis of heart surgeries for young adults with severe rheumatic mitral valve disease in India

BackgroundRheumatic mitral valve disease (RMVD) is a major cause of acquired valvular disease in India. We compared the cost-effectiveness of surgical treatment strategies for young adults with severe RMVD from an Indian public payer perspective. MethodsWe developed a Markov model to reflect the burden of RMVD among a hypothetical cohort of 20-year-olds in India and to estimate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and lifetime costs associated with three strategies: (1) Repair; (2) Mechanical valve replacement (MVR-M); and (3) Bioprosthetic valve replacement (MVR-B), compared to a baseline strategy involving a mix of surgeries approximating the standard of care in India (32% Repair, 33% MVR-M, 35% MVR-B). Data on disease burden, intervention effects, and direct medical costs (2018 US$) were obtained from the literature. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess model uncertainty. ResultsRepair ($2530, 9.7 QALYs) was less costly and more effective than the standard of care ($2990, 8.7 QALYs) and MVR-M ($3220, 6.2 QALYs). The incremental cost-effective ratio for MVR-B ($3190, 10.1 QALYs) compared to Repair was $1590 per QALY, which may be cost-effective at a threshold of India's per-capita gross domestic product (GDP: $2005). The optimal choice between Repair or MVR-B was sensitive to variations in surgery costs, background mortality, and risks for reoperation. ConclusionsOur model-based analysis suggests that Repair is the optimal strategy and MVR-M should not be recommended for this subpopulation. MVR-B may be cost-effective in contexts where quality of Repair is not assured, newer generation bioprostheses are used, or the costs of the bioprosthetic valve decrease.

Trends and Outcomes of Surgical Reexploration After Cardiac Operations in the United States

BackgroundSurgical reexploration after cardiac surgery has been associated with increased in-hospital complications and mortality in limited series. The present study examined trends in reoperation and the impact of reoperation on clinical outcomes and resource use in a nationally representative cohort. The study sought to determine patient and hospital factors associated with reexploration and reoperative mortality, defined as failure to rescue surgical (FTR-S). MethodsAdult hospitalizations entailing cardiac operations (coronary artery bypass or valve) were identified using the 2005 to 2018 National Inpatient Sample. Procedures were tabulated using International Classification of Diseases codes. Hospitals were ranked into tertiles according to risk-adjusted mortality, with the lowest stratified as high performing. Multivariable regression models examined factors associated with reexploration, as well as clinical outcomes, including FTR-S and resource use. ResultsOf an estimated 3,490,245 hospitalizations, 78,003 (2.23%) required reexploration with decreasing incidence over time. Valvular procedures, preoperative intraaortic balloon pump use, and liver disease were associated with a greater likelihood of reexploration. Reoperation was associated with increased odds of mortality (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.61 to 4.12), perioperative complications, and resource use. Increasing time from index operation to reexploration was associated with higher odds of mortality (AOR,1.10/day; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.12). High-performing hospitals were associated with lower odds of reexploration (AOR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.82 to 0.95) and FTR-S (AOR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.35). ConclusionsSurgical reexploration after cardiac surgery has declined over time. High-performing hospitals demonstrated lower rates of reexploration and subsequent FTR-S. Although unable to identify specific practices, this study highlights the presence of significant variation in takeback rates, and further study of underlying factors is warranted.

Volume-outcome relationship in rectal cancer surgery

IntroductionHospital centralization effect is reported to lower complications and mortality for high risk and complex surgery operations, including colorectal surgery. However, no linear relation between volume and outcome has been demonstrated. Aim of the study was to evaluate the increased surgical volume effect on early outcomes of patient undergoing laparoscopic restorative anterior rectal resection (ARR).MethodsA retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients undergoing ARR with primary anastomosis between November 2016 and December 2020 after centralization of rectal cancer cases in an academic Centre. Short-term outcomes are compared to those of patients operated in the same unit during the previous 10 years before service centralization. The primary outcome was estimated anastomotic leak rate. Mean operative time, need of conversion, postoperative use of blood transfusion, radicality, in-hospital stay, number and type of complications, readmission and reoperation rate, mortality and 1-year and stoma persistence rates were evaluated as secondary outcomes.Results86 patients were operated in the study period and outcomes compared to those of 101 patients operated during the previous ten years. Difference in volume of surgery was significant between the two periods (p 0.019) and the estimated leak rate was significantly lower in the higher volume unit (p 0.047). Mean operative time, need of conversion, postoperative use of blood transfusion and in-hospital stay (p < 0.05) were also significantly reduced in Group A.ConclusionThis study suggests that the shift toward higher volume in rectal cancer surgery is associated to decreased anastomotic leak rate. Potentiation of lower volume surgical units may yield optimal perioperative outcomes.

Failure to rescue after surgical re-exploration in lung resection

BackgroundSurgical re-exploration after lung resection remains poorly characterized, although institutional series have previously reported its association with greater mortality and complications. The present study sought to examine the impact of institutional lung-resection volume on the incidence of and short-term outcomes after surgical re-exploration. MethodsThe 2007 to 2018 National Inpatient Sample was used to identify all adults who underwent lobectomy or pneumonectomy. Hospitals were divided into tertiles based on institutional lung-resection caseload. Multivariable regressions were used to identify associations between independent covariates on clinical outcomes. ResultsOf an estimated 329,273 patients, 3,592 (1.09%) were re-explored with decreasing incidence over time. Open and minimal access pneumonectomy among other factors were associated with greater odds of reoperation. Those re-explored had greater odds of mortality and complications as well as increased duration of stay and adjusted costs. Although risk of re-exploration was similar across hospital tertiles, reoperative mortality was significantly lower at high-volume hospitals. ConclusionRe-exploration after lung resection is uncommon; however, when occurring, it is associated with worse clinical outcomes. After re-exploration, high-volume center status was associated with reduced odds of mortality relative to low volume. Failure to rescue at lower-volume centers suggests the need for optimization of perioperative factors to decrease incidence of reoperation.

Outcomes of Surgical Mitral and Aortic Valve Replacements Among Kidney Transplant Candidates: Implications for Valve Selection.

BackgroundLimited literature exists that evaluated outcomes of kidney transplant–eligible patients who are having dialysis and who are undergoing valve replacement. Our main objective in this study was to compare mortality, reoperation, and bleeding episodes between bioprosthetic and mechanical valve procedures among kidney transplant–eligible patients who are having dialysis.Methods and ResultsWe studied 887 and 1925 dialysis patients from the United States Renal Data System, who underwent mitral valve replacement and aortic valve replacement (AVR) after being waitlisted for a kidney transplant (2000–2015), respectively. Time to death, time to reoperation, and time to bleeding requiring hospitalizations were compared separately for AVR and mitral valve replacement. Kaplan–Meier survival curves, Cox proportional hazards model for time to death, accelerated time to event model for time to reoperation, and counting process model for time to recurrent bleeding were used. There were no differences in mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.92; 95% CI, 0.77–1.09) or risk of reoperation or risk of significant bleeding events between bioprosthetic and mechanical mitral valve replacement. However, mechanical AVR was associated with a modestly significant less hazard of death (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.74–0.94) compared with bioprosthetic AVR. There were no differences in time to reoperation, or time to significant bleeding events between bioprosthetic and mechanical AVR.ConclusionsFor kidney transplant waitlisted patients who are on dialysis and who are undergoing surgical valve replacement, bioprosthetic and mechanical valves have comparable survival, reoperation rates, and bleeding episodes requiring hospitalizations at both mitral and aortic locations. These findings emphasize that an individualized informed decision is recommended when choosing the type of valve for this special group of patients having dialysis.

Long-term Outcomes of Aortic Valve Replacement With Aortic Homograft: 27 Years Experience

BackgroundAortic homografts have been used in young patients requiring aortic valve replacement. Currently, these grafts are generally reserved for aortic valve endocarditis with or without root abscess; however, longitudinal data are lacking. Our aim was to assess the long-term safety and durability of homograft implantation. MethodsAll adult patients undergoing aortic homograft implantation at a single institution from 1992 to 2019 were included. Outcomes of interest included all-cause mortality and aortic valve reoperation, studied over a median follow-up duration of 19 years. ResultsIn all, 252 patients with a mean age of 49 years were included. Infective endocarditis was the primary indication for surgery in 95 patients (38%). The endocarditis group, compared with the no-endocarditis group, had a higher prevalence of New York Heart Association class III-IV (56% vs 26%), chronic kidney disease (22% vs 1%), prior cardiac surgery (40% vs 10%), and emergency status (7% vs 0%; all P < .001). Operative mortality was higher among endocarditis patients (16% vs 0.6%, P < .001), which persisted after risk adjustment. Among patients who survived to discharge, however, there was no difference in long-term survival between the endocarditis group and no-endocarditis group. Overall survival and freedom from reoperation were 88.3% and 80% at 15 years and 87.2% and 78% at 25 years, respectively. Indications for reoperation included structural valve deterioration (83%), endocarditis (12%), and mitral valve disease (5%). Reoperative mortality occurred in 2 patients (4.9%). ConclusionsAortic homografts are associated with good long-term survival and admissible freedom from reoperation. Operative mortality is high among patients with endocarditis; however, for those who survive to discharge, long-term survival and durability are the same as for patients without endocarditis.