Operative Mortality In Patients Research Articles

Aortic valve replacement: Determinants of operative mortality

Contradictory results have been reported regarding risk factors for aortic valve replacement (AVR). This study was designed to investigate determinants of operative mortality for AVR with emphasis on concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and old age. Between January 1986 and June 1992, 371 patients with a mean age of 61.99 ± 0.76 years underwent AVR, There were 256 men (69.0%) and 115 women (31.0%). Twentysix patients (7.0%) were 80 years old or older, and 97 (26.1%) were between 70 and 80 years old. Of these patients, 210 (56.6%) had isolated AVR, 142 (38.3%) had concomitant CABG, and 31 (8.4%) had concomitant mitral valve operations. Twenty patients (5.4%) underwent emergency operation. There were 33 operative deaths (8.9%). Univariate analysis and stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis were used to determine the risk factors for operative mortality. In the univariate analysis, 13 preoperative variables (sex, age, history of congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, functional class, class I / II versus III / IV , four variables related to aortic valve pathology, ejection fraction, left ventricular function) and 20 perioperative variables (emergency operation, individual surgeon, myocardial protection by type and route of cardioplegia, type of prosthesis, size of prosthesis, mean size by survival, small versus large size, concomitant procedure, concomitant CABG (versus others or AVR alone), concomitant mitral valve operation (versus others or AVR alone), concomitant CABG and MV operation, aortic cross-clamp time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, use and time of insertion of intraaortic balloon pump, low cardiac output, postoperative complications) were examined. Among these variables, sex, age, history of congestive heart failure, history of myocardial infarction, ejection fraction, left ventricular function, emergency operation, type of prosthesis, size of prosthesis, small versus large size, concomitant procedure, concomitant CABG or mitral valve operation (versus others or AVR alone), cross-clamp time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, insertion of intraaortic balloon pump, low cardiac output, and postoperative complications were significantly associated with higher mortality ( p < 0.05). Significant preoperative and intraoperative variables were entered into the logistic regression analysis. Bypass time was the strongest variable ( p = 0.0001) and age, the second strongest ( p = 0.0002). Aortic crossclamp time, concomitant mitral valve operation, and aortic insufficiency were also independent variables ( p < 0.05). We conclude that age of 60 years or more, long bypass time, and long aortic cross-clamp time are the major risk factors for operative mortality in patients undergoing AVR. Concomitant CABG is not an independent risk factor.

Clinical cardiomyoplasty: Preoperative factors associated with outcome

Dynamic cardiomyoplasty has been used clinically to augment the ventricular function of a failing heart. Fifteen clinical dynamic cardiomyoplasties have been performed at Allegheny General Hospital since 1985. Left ventricular ejection fraction improved in long-term survivors from a preoperative value of 0.23 ± 0.02 to 0.32 ± 0.05 with postoperative cardiomyostimulation ( p < 0.05). There was an average reduction of 2 ± 0.3 New York Heart Association classes (3.6 ± 0.2 before operation versus 1.6 ± 0.4 after operation; p < 0.001). Postoperative mortality was 27% ( 4 / 15 ), and early mortality (within 6 months after operation) was 20% ( 3 / 15 ). Significant preoperative differences between survivors and nonsurvivors were found in right ventricular ejection fraction (0.53 ± 0.03 versus 0.30 ± 0.07; p < 0.05), pulmonary artery mean pressure (19 ± 2 versus 34 ± 6 mm Hg; p < 0.05), pulmonary artery diastolic pressure (12 ± 1 versus 25 ± 5 mm Hg; p < 0.05), and pulmonary vascular resistance (1.4 ± 2 versus 2.5 ± 0.7 Wood units; p < 0.05). Dynamic cardiomyoplasty can be done with low operative mortality in patients with isolated left ventricular failure, but mortality is high in those with biventricular failure or pulmonary hypertension. Improvement in functional class and ventricular function can be expected in long-term survivors. Application of these findings to patient selection will improve the risk/benefit ratio for dynamic cardiomyoplasty.

The Risk of Reoperation in Patients with Bioprosthetic Valves

The risk of operative mortality in patients undergoing a first reoperation for bioprosthetic failure was assessed in a series of patients reoperated upon during the last two decades (1970-1990). A total of 330 such patients underwent replacement of 351 bioprostheses: 88 had aortic; 221 mitral; and 21 mitral and aortic bioprosthetic replacement. Indication for reoperation was in most cases structural valve deterioration (87%), followed by periprosthetic leak (7%) and endocarditis (6%). The operative mortality was significantly higher in patients who preoperatively were in New York Heart Association Functional Class IV or had a lower left ventricular function, in those reoperated because of prosthetic infection, and in those reoperated on an emergency basis. Structural valve deterioration was associated to a substantially low risk; operative mortality has improved in recent years, regardless of the indication for reoperation, partly due to the increasing experience and improved surgical techniques. Our results indicate that in recipients of bioprosthetic valves, careful follow-up with closer surveillance of valve and cardiac function and earlier prosthetic replacement might contribute to reducing the risk of reoperation.

Acute phase proteins and infectious complications after surgery for esophageal cancer

Severe septic complications are the major cause of operative mortality in patients with esophageal cancer. We examined the levels of acute phase proteins together with infection-related complications after surgery in a large number of patients with esophageal cancer and compared them with a group of patients with gastric cancer and healthy controls. Elevations in alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 1-acidglycoprotein, haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin were evident in patients with esophageal cancer, being more predominant when compared to the findings in patients with gastric cancer. Although the mean levels of alpha 2-macroglobulin were not significantly elevated in either patients with esophageal cancer or those with gastric cancer, the average level immediately prior to surgery was higher in esophageal cancer patients with postoperative septic complications than in those without any such problems. Preoperative radiation therapy and total parenteral nutrition did not significantly alter the levels of acute phase proteins. It would thus appear that the elevation in alpha 2-macroglobulin is associated with the occurrence of infectious complications following surgery in patients with esophageal cancer.

Aneurysm of the ductus arteriosus A review of the literature and the surgical implications

One hundred and forty-four cases of aneurysms of the ductus arteriosus (DAA) have been reported in the literature of which 106 appeared spontaneously and 38 followed surgical treatment of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Within the last few years there has been an increasing number of reported spontaneous DAA. However, the real incidence is presumably still underestimated. Aortography is a well established diagnostic method. In neonates, transthoracic echocardiography has shown convincing potential, whereas in older children and adults, transoesophageal echocardiography has yielded very promising results. Serious complications following spontaneous DAA are rupture, erosion, infection and thromboembolism. In infants younger than 2 months of age, the complication rate is 31%, in children between 2 months and 15 years, 66%, in adults, 47%. The rate of complications following postoperative DAA is even higher: 91% of the unoperated cases died due to rupture or infection. The operative mortality in children older than 2 months and adults is low. In the neonate group, 2 of 8 died during operation. The operative mortality in patients with postoperative DAA was 26%. Based on information from the literature, we suggest prompt surgical treatment of all spontaneous DAA in patients older than 2 months of age, and in all patients with postoperative DAA. In infants, a DAA should be closely followed with echocardiography, as spontaneous regression has been reported in this age group. If no regression is seen within a few days, it should be surgically corrected.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PERFORATION OF THE SMALL BOWEL AND PERFORATION OF THE LARGE BOWEL

Thirteen patients with perforation of the small bowel and 18 patients of the large bowel were treated in our department for a 13 year period. The majority (69%) of those with perforation of the small bowel suffered from traumatic injury and the predominant etiologies of perforation of the large bowel were cancer and diverticular disease (61%). Free air on plain X-ray was found only in 8% of the small bowel lesions and in 53% of the large bowel lesions. Simple closure or resection provided excellent outcome in perforations of the small bowel. Operations with colostomy were performed in 9 patients with perforation of the large bowel. All of 14 patients, who were operated on in less than 12 hours after the estimated time of perforation, were survived. The morbidity rate was 15% in perforation of the small bowel, or 50% in perforation of the large bowel (p<0.05). One patient with duodenal rupture died and 3 with large bowel perforation died within 30 postoperative days. Old age, shock, leucocytopenia should be considered as risk factors of multiple organ failure and operative mortality in patients with large bowel perforation. In the treatment of the above cases, preoperative antibiotics, shock management including an administration of protease inhibitor, use of colostomy, and complete irrigation are needed.

Preoperative chemotherapy and irradiation for stage III non-small cell lung cancer

Surgical therapy for stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not resulted in substantial long-term survival. Neoadjuvant treatment programs that could down-stage the tumor and achieve increased long-term survival would be of obvious benefit. We have used preoperative simultaneous chemotherapy and irradiation in 85 patients with clinical stage III non-small cell lung cancer considered candidates for surgical resection. One group of 56 patients was treated with cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and simultaneoaus irradiation for five days every other week for a total of four cycles. After treatment, 39 patients underwent resection, and the operative mortality was 2 (5%) of 39. A second trial was undertaken in which etoposide (VP-16) was added because of its synergism with cisplatin. In this group, 29 patients were considered to have potentially resectable disease, and 23 underwent thoracotomy with 1 operative death (4%). Of the total of 62 patients having thoracotomy, 60 underwent resection (97%). Complications were major, and there were four bronchopleural fistulas. For the 85 patients eligible for surgical intervention in these two groups of patients, the Kaplan-Meier median survival estimate is 40% at 3 years. The median survival of the 62 patients having thoracotomy is 36.6 months. Combination preoperative chemotherapy and irradiation is feasible with acceptable toxicity and operative mortality in patients with clinical stage III non-small cell lung cancer. Prospective randomized studies are suggested for further evaluation of this treatment program.

The surgical treatment of infective endocarditis.

We have reviewed 108 cases of bacterial endocarditis treated surgically since 1968. The mean age of the patients was 47.7 +/- 15.6 years (+/- SD) (range, 14-79 yr). Seventy-seven percent were male. The most common causative organisms were staphylococci (46%), streptococci viridans group (5%), and other streptococci (20%). Forty-five percent, 25%, and 13% of patients had native aortic valve, native mitral valve, or native double valve (AV/MV) involvement, respectively. Eighteen patients had prosthetic valve endocarditis. No patient underwent surgery for tricuspid valve endocarditis. Seventy-three patients were considered to have active endocarditis (AE) (positive blood or tissue cultures and/or annular abscess). The 35 remaining patients had healed endocarditis (HE). Preoperative complications in patients with either AE or HE were stroke (11%, 11%), renal failure (33%, 3%; p less than 0.001), pulmonary edema (83%, 34%; p less than 0.001), anemia (36%, 8%; p less than 0.01), and inotrope dependence (22%, 6%; p less than 0.05). Hospital mortality for native valve AE was 19.5% (11/56), and for healed endocarditis, 5.7% (2/35). Independent predictors of hospital mortality were inotrope dependence (p less than 0.001), annular abscess (p less than 0.01), pulmonary edema (p less than 0.01), and staphylococcal infection (p less than 0.05). The 5-year actuarial survival for operative survivors was 68.4 +/- 7.5% (AE) and 78.3 +/- 9.2% (HE). We conclude that the operative mortality for patients with continuing sepsis is high and that surgery should be undertaken early in staphylococcal endocarditis. If surgery is successful, then the long-term prognosis is good.

Clinical, hemodynamic, and angiographic predictors of operative mortality in patients undergoing single valve replacement

Preoperative characteristics of 964 patients in the Veterans Administration Cooperative Study on Valvular Heart Disease undergoing single valve replacement were examined to determine predictors of operative mortality. The operative mortality rate was 8.3% in 661 patients having isolated aortic valve disease and 7.5% in 239 patients having isolated mitral valve disease, but 12.5% in 64 patients with multivalve disease undergoing single valve replacement. For the aortic valve replacement subgroup, three-vessel coronary artery disease, left ventricular systolic pressure, prior cardiac operation, body surface area, and cardiac index were related to operative mortality. In the mitral valve replacement group, there was a strong association of operative mortality with advanced age, exertional dizziness, reduced cardiac index, left ventricular contraction grade, ST segment depression on the resting electrocardiogram, and pleural effusion. The risk of operative death for an individual patient undergoing aortic or mitral valve replacement may be estimated with the use of independent risk factors.

Results of surgical treatment: Pulmonary aspergilloma

Between 1953 and 1984, 53 patients (40 male and 13 female) underwent thoracotomy for treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma. The median age was 58 years (range 4 to 86 years). Either underlying lung disease or immunologic risk factors were present in 49 patients (92%). Twenty-one patients (31 %) had simple aspergilloma and 32 (47 %) had complex aspergilloma. The most common indication for operation was an indeterminate mass, hemoptysis, or severe cough. Lobectomy, wedge excision, and pneumonectomy were the most frequent operations. Complications occurred in 78% of patients with complex aspergilloma and in 33% of patients with simple aspergilloma (p = 0.002). Operative mortality was 5% (one death) in patients with simple aspergilloma and 34% (11 deaths) in patients with complex aspergilloma (p = 0.01). Cause of death was respiratory failure in four patients, underlying pulmonary disease in three, aspergillosis in two, and other conditions in three. At follow-up, 84% of operative survivors with simple aspergilloma were alive and well compared with 43% of those with complex aspergilloma. Although operative mortality in patients with complex aspergilloma was high, 67% of the survivors had a good long-term result in terms of absence of symptoms, but they frequently died of underlying disease. In contrast, operation in patients with simple aspergilloma was done with low risk, and approximately 90% of survivors had a good late result Late appearance of contralateral disease did occur and argues for rigorous postoperative surveillance.

Surgical procedures are well tolerated by patients with asymptomatic chronic hepatitis.

In a retrospective study I assessed operative mortality in patients with biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis. Most patients had no symptoms from their liver disease. All patients were considered to have a viral cause of their chronic hepatitis--five were hepatitis-B surface antigen positive. Seven patients had chronic persistent hepatitis, and 13 had chronic active hepatitis (including four with cirrhosis). Twenty patients underwent 34 operative procedures, including 28 general endotracheal anesthesia and six spinal anesthesia. Although two patients who had preoperative bilirubin levels of 2.5 mg/dl or greater sustained further increases in serum bilirubin postoperatively, the serum liver chemistries of the entire group did not significantly worsen postoperatively. There was no anesthesia-related liver failure or operative mortality. Patients with asymptomatic chronic hepatitis tolerate surgical procedures well.

Determinants of Operative Mortality for Patients Undergoing Aortic Valve Replacement

Determinants of Operative Mortality for Patients Undergoing Aortic Valve Replacement

Influence of length of aortic occlusion with cold potassium cardioplegia on early and late mortality in cardiac valve replacement

This study determines if prolonged aortic crossclamp time (ACC) with the use of cold potassium cardioplegia during elective cardiac valve replacement contributed to the risk of operative mortality in 225 patients. In Group I (143 patients), the ACC was < 120 minutes (mean 86) and in Group II (82 patients), it was > 120 minutes (mean 146). The preoperative variables showed that Group II contained more severely ill patients who were undergoing more complex operations than in Group I. The operative mortality rate was 7% in Group I and 10% in Group II (p = not significant). Postoperative inotropic support was required in 13% of Group I and 30% of Group II patients (p < 0.005). Operative mortality in patients in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class I and II was 0 and in patients in classes III and IV it was 13% (p < 0.00008). Five percent of patients in NYHA classes I and II and 32% in classes III and IV required inotropic support (p < 0.000005). The actuarial survival at 60 months was 88 ± 3% for Group I and 77 ± 7% for Group II (NS). For the NYHA class I and II patients, however, it was significantly better (98 ± 2%) than class III and IV patients (75 ± 5%) (p < 0.0001). Analysis by logistic equation revealed that the NYHA functional classes III and IV were significant incremental risk factors for probability of in-hospital mortality (p < 0.0001) but not the ACC time (p > 0.1). Thus, the preexisting severity of disease (for example, NYHA class), rather than the length of ACC, influences the early mortality and the late survival. However, ACC > 120 minutes may contribute to cardiogenic depression in the early postoperative period.

Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection

Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) was repaired by operation in 20 infants during a 10½-year period (1972 to 1983). Five patients died following operation. Factors that most affected mortality were the condition of the patient prior to repair, the year of operation, and the technique used for repair. Operative mortality before 1976 was significantly different from that after 1976 (57% [4/7] versus 8% [1/13], respectively; p < 0.04). Prior to 1976, the several techniques used for anastomosis of the left atrium to the common pulmonary vein involved displacement of the heart from its anatomical position. After 1976, a standard approach using a right atriotomy for access was adopted for all such repairs. Intracardiac type of TAPVC was repaired by pericardial patch to direct blood flow through the atrial septal defect to the left atrium. Supracardiac and infracardiac types were repaired by enlarging the atrial septal defect so that a transverse incision through the back of the left atrium was exactly overlying the pulmonary vein posteriorly. A large anastomosis of the left atrium and common pulmonary vein was made with the heart in its natural anatomical position, which eliminates the possibility of distortion of the anastomosis. A pericardial patch was used to close the atrial septal defect. This experience suggests that the right transatrial approach of creating an anatomically correct anastomosis of the left atrium to the common pulmonary vein is an important factor in reducing operative mortality in patients with TAPVC.

Surgical management of prosthetic valve endocarditis

Operative mortality in patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE), who already have severe hemodynamic failure, is extremely high (35% to 84%). Over a period of 10 years, between 1972 and 1981, fourteen consecutive urgent operations were performed for PVE in 12 patients. On thirteen occasions the patients were in severe hemodynamic failure (NYHA Functional Class IV), and five of them had early PVE (within 60 days of previous operation). In all patients at least two of the other recognized risk factors, such as presence of non-streptococcal organisms, detachment of the prosthesis, and myocardial invasion, were present. All of the patients but one were operated upon within 48 hours of their hemodynamic deterioration, and there was one postoperative death (operative mortality 7%). Our results indicate that an acceptable surgical mortality in patients with intractable heart failure due to early and late PVE can be achieved by prompt surgical intervention despite the presence of multiple risk factors.

Isolated coronary artery bypass grafting in patients seventy years of age and older: Early and late results

Increasing longevity makes the consideration of coronary bypass common in elderly patients. Seventy-five patients 70 years of age or older undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for angina pectoris were compared to a control group of 75 patients under 70 years of age. The groups were matched for male:female ratio (46:29), previous infarction (28/75), unstable angina (27/75), and the requirement for preoperative intra-aortic balloon pumping (7/75). Patients under 70 years of age had an average preoperative New York Heart Association (NYHA) class of 3.0 +/- 0.6 (SEM) and an average left ventricular end-diastolic pressure of 15.5 +/- 0.8 mm Hg, compared to 3.3 +/- 0.6 and 12.9 +/- 1.1 mm Hg, respectively, for the older group. Average grafts per patient were 2.7 +/- 0.8 in the younger group and 2.8 +/- 0.1 in the older group. Overall operative mortality for patients under 70 was 4% (3/75) versus 12% (9/75) (p = 0.06) for patients 70 and older. The incidence of chronic stable angina was 2% (1/48) versus 6% (3/48) (p = 0.30). Perioperative infarctions occurred in 7% of those under 70 and 5% of those 70 or older (p = 0.54). Those under 70 averaged 13.8 +/- 0.6 postoperative hospital days versus 18.4 +/- 1.2 hospital days for the older group (p less than 0.05). Follow-up ranged from 2 to 94 months, averaging 22 months for patients under 70 and 24 months for those 70 or older. Late cardiac mortality rates were 4% (3/70) in the younger patients and 3% (2/66) in the older patients (p = 0.53). Current NYHA class was 1.3 +/- 0.7 for those under 70, with 9% reporting angina, and 1.4 +/- 0.7 for those who were 70 or older, with 6% reporting angina. CABG can be performed with acceptable risk in older patients and leads to encouraging symptomatic improvement and late survival.

Fontan procedure for tricuspid atresia.

A Fontan procedure has been performed on 29 patients for tricuspid valvular atresia. The age range was 8 months to 33 years (median 10 years), the pulmonary vascular resistance ranged from 1.8-6.1 units . m2 (mean 3.3 units . m2), and the mean pulmonary arterial pressure ranged from 13-45 mm Hg (mean 21 mm Hg). Twenty-nine previous operations had been performed in 23 patients. Fourteen other associated cardiopulmonary anomalies were present in 12 patients. There were four hospital deaths (13.8%), all in patients with complicating features. Among the last 22 consecutive patients who have undergone operation, one died (4.5%). Complete atrioventricular block necessitated pacemaker implantation in one patient. No late deaths occurred. Of the 19 patients followed 3 months or more from the time of operation, eight have no restriction of exercise capacity, nine have only mild restriction, and two have a poor result. The Fontan approach to tricuspid atresia has several theoretical advantages over previously used shunts or pulmonary artery banding, the operative mortality in patients who have suitable anatomy and hemodynamics is low, and the results have been good.

Cardiac Tamponade following Penetrating Mediastinal Injuries

Cardiac tamponade was diagnosed in 197 patients admitted over 20 years (1955-1974) to the Charity Hospital of New Orleans, for emergency treatment of pentrating mediastinal injuries. Of the 197, 174 definitively treated patients followed one of three patterns of management: 96 had OR thoracotomy, 68% were unstable, and preoperative pericardiocentesis reduced mortality from 25 to 11% (p less than 0.01); 44 had emergency thoracotomy, 91% were unstable, and prethoractomy pericardiocentesis decreased mortality from 94 to 63% (p less than 0.05); 34 patients primarily with isolated stab wounds, were treated nonsurgically with pericardiocentesis and observation, only 50% were unstable and there was 15% mortality. Recurrent tamponade did not significantly increase overall or operative mortality in patients with pericardiocentesis. early, even presumptive, diagnosis of tamponade; immediate pericardial decompression via pericardiocentesis; and rapid transfer to OR for thoracotomy or sternotomy and cardiorrhaphy with continous pericardial decompression via intrapericardial catheter.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms: A comparative analysis of surgical treatment of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients

This retrospective study of 120 patients identified three separate variables that influence operative mortality in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. These are age, presence or absence of symptoms, and presence of three preoperative risk factors or more. Based on this study and the fact that any aneurysm may rupture without warning, we conclude that observation of good risk asymptomatic patients until symptoms occur is unjustified. Asymptomatic patients less than seventy years old can undergo abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy with minimal mortality. Carefully selected asymptomatic patients more than seventy years old can also under surgical intervention with acceptable results.

Management of Acute Aortic Dissection

The therapy for acute dissecting aneurysm of the aorta remains a difficult problem for thoracic surgeons. Because of an excessive operative mortality in patients with acute dissection who were operated on within 24 hours of hospital admission, we have utilized intensive medical management to delay surgical intervention. Even patients with acute aortic insufficiency can be supported medically, allowing their operations to be delayed at least 3 weeks or longer. Since this policy has been implemented, there has been no operative mortality in our last 13 patients with acute dissection. Medical therapy as the definitive treatment is now reserved solely for Type III dissections or for patients who cannot be operated on for other reasons. This report outlines our rationale for therapy and our current method of managing acute dissection.