Preoperative New York Heart Association Class Research Articles

Retrospective Observational Analysis of Outcomes After Surgical Valve Replacement: A 15 Years’ Experience in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: None of the currently available prosthetic valves are comparable to native valves in hemodynamic functions. One has to choose between durability, thrombogenicity, or risk of major bleeds. These questions can be answered effectively with the help of long-term follow-up data. Aims and Objectives: We aimed to assess primary and secondary outcomes in patients who had undergone valve replacement (bioprosthetic or mechanical) over the last 15 years at our institution. Materials and Methods: Retrospective data on clinical outcomes of all patients of valve replacement surgery over the last 15 years was taken. Standardized definitions were used to report primary and secondary outcomes, and appropriate statistical methods were applied to evaluate the data. Results: There were a total of 681 patients (66.7% mechanical and 33.3% bioprosthetic valves) with a median follow-up of 7.5 years. Overall survival rates for bioprosthetic valves for 1,5, and 10 years were 99% and for mechanical valves were 98% and 96% at 5 years and 10 years respectively. Late mortality predictors in the mechanical valve group were pre-operative New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, left ventricular (LV) systolic function, atrial fibrillation, post-operative sub-therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR) values and valve replacement at mitral position. Conclusion: The study showed that mechanical valves had a 96 % survival rate at 10 to 15 years which was dependent upon preoperative NYHA class, preoperative LV functions AF, and postoperative INR values. In contrast, bioprosthetic valves had 99% survival but with a higher incidence of secondary outcomes, mainly in the form of structural valve degeneration.

Application and efficacy of the adjustment on left ventricular electrical delay and the distance between right and left ventricular pacing polar in optimizing the left ventricular pacing polar

Objective: To investigate the application and efficacy of left ventricular (LV) electrical delay (LVED) and the distance of right ventricular(RV) pacing polar to LV(DRLV) in optimizing LV pacing polar. Methods: Heart failure (HF) patients who implanted cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device with a LV quadripolar lead from January 2014 to January 2018 at General Hospital of Northern Theater Command were enrolled in the study. Measurements of LVED and DRLV of each polar of the lead were performed in patients with HF who underwent CRT with LV quadripolar lead. The principle in turn for polar selecting used for clinical LV pacing was the pacing polar: (1)without phrenic nerve stimulation(PNS); (2)with appropriate capture threshold; (3)not located in apical; (4)with maximal LVED; (5)with maximal DRLV. The LV pacing polar was selected for CRT according to the procedure. The distribution of target veins implanted with LV quadripolar lead were calculated. The percentage of biventricular pacing at 6-month follow-up was recorded. The following indexes were compared before and 6-month after surgery, including QRS duration, LV end-systolic volume(LVESV), LV ejection fraction(LVEF), LV end-diastolic dimension(LVEDD), 6 minute walking distance(6MWD), New York Heart Association(NYHA) class. The efficacy and echocardiographic efficacy of CRT was evaluated. Results: There were twenty-nine HF patients enrolled. The mean age of enrolled patients was(61.7±7.6)years old, nineteen (66%)of them were male. There were seventeen(59%) patients diagnosed as dilated cardiomyopathy and twelve(41%) patients as ischemic cardiomyopathy. All patients were successfully implanted with LV quadripolar lead into target veins, and all four pacing sites were also in target veins. Target veins were located in lateral veins in 15 patients (52%), anterior veins in 2 patients (7%), posterior veins in 11 patients (38%), and lateral branches of great cardiac veins in 1 patient (3%). After 6-month of follow-up, the percentage of biventricular pacing was greater than 95%.There were nineteen(66%) patients optimized LV pacing polar by the largest LVED and four (14%) patients by the DRLV. Of the 29 patients, 5(17%) patients used D1 as the pacing polar, 5(17%) patients used M2 as the pacing polar, 7(24%) patients used M3 as the pacing polar, and 12(41%) patients used P4 as the pacing polar. The pacing polars (D1, M2) of traditional bipolar lead were used in 10(34%) patients, and the LV quadripolar lead specific pacing polars (M3, P4) were used in 19(66%) patients.Compared to a LV quadripolar lead, the LV pacing polar (M3, P4) selected in 19(66%) patients were not achievable with the traditional LV bipolar lead (D1, M2). Preoperative QRS duration, LVESV, LVEF, LVEDD, 6MWD and NYHA class were (171±24)ms, (231±79)ml, (28±5)%, (74±11)mm, (294±103)m, (3.2±1.0)class and the postoperative 6-month were (130±12)ms, (158±73)ml, (36±10)%, (66±12)mm, (371±86)m, (1.9±0.5)class. These indexes were significantly improved after 6 months operation(P<0.001). 97% and 83% patients were responders of CRT as assessed by 6-month efficacy and echocardiographic efficacy. Conclusion: The maximal LVED and DRLV can be used to select LV pacing polar with a high rate of CRT response rate.

Long-term survival and preprocedural predictors of mortality in high surgical risk patients undergoing percutaneous mitral valve repair.

To evaluate long-term survival in high surgical risk patients undergoing percutaneous mitral valve repair (MVR) using the MitraClip(®) system and to identify preprocedural predictors of long-term mortality. Data for long-term survival and preprocedural predictors of mortality after percutaneous MVR in high surgical risk patients are sporadic. From January 2009 to April 2013, 136 consecutive high surgical risk patients, with symptomatic moderate-to-severe or severe mitral regurgitation (MR), underwent percutaneous MVR using the MitraClip system. Cardiac and overall survival was determined at one and 2 years postprocedure. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to identify preprocedural predictors of long-term mortality. One year postprocedure, cardiac and overall survival was 86.7% and 84.6%, respectively and at 2 years cardiac and overall survival was 77.7% and 74.8%, respectively. In univariate analysis advanced age, lower body mass index, impaired renal function, elevated levels of log-N-terminal-pro-brain-natriuretic-peptide (log-NTproBNP), poor performance in functional tests (New York Heart Association (NYHA) class) and high logistic Euroscore (LES) and Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score were identified as preprocedural predictors of long-term cardiac mortality. In multivariate analysis preoperative NYHA class III and IV, elevated levels of log-NTproBNP and advanced age predicted long-term cardiac mortality. Percutaneous MVR using the MitraClip system has favorable long-term survival rates in high surgical risk patients. Preprocedural NYHA functional class III and IV, elevated log-NTproBNP levels and advanced age predict higher long-term cardiac mortality and should be considered during patient selection.

Short and Medium Term Outcomes of Surgery for Patients With Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy

We report one surgeon's experience of corrective surgery for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) over a 10-year span and comment on factors that influence longer term outcomes. Septal myectomy (SM) and adjunctive procedures, including shortening of the aorta, a novel technique in HOCM patients, are described. Perioperative data were obtained by retrospective review of institutional surgical databases between 2001 and 2011. Review of most recent echocardiogram and clinical status by telephone interview was performed. A total of 211 patients underwent SM for HOCM. There was a bimodal age distribution related to sex; mean age for males and females was 46 ± 13 and 54 ± 14 years, respectively (p < 0.001). Functional New York Heart Association (NYHA) class improved significantly after surgery; 79% were in class III-IV preoperatively and 84% were in class I-II at follow-up (p < 0.001). Sixty percent had angina of Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) grade III-IV preoperatively and 89% were in CCSI-II at follow-up (p < 0.001). There were significant improvements in resting left ventricular outflow tract gradient (64 ± 36 to 5 ± 5 mm Hg, p < 0.001), right ventricular systolic pressure (36 ± 7.3 to 32 ± 8 mm Hg, p < 0.001), left atrial size (4.6 ± 0.7 to 4.3 ± 0.6 cm, p < 0.001), and grade of mitral regurgitation (moderate to severe mitral regurgitation 28% to 3.5%, p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was 0.5%, 1 year survival 98.6%, and 5-year survival 98.1%. Predictors of worse clinical outcomes were preoperative NYHA and CCS class III-IV (p < 0.001, p= 0.05), new onset atrial fibrillation (p < 0.001), and female sex (p= 0.03). Septal myectomy in patients with obstructive HOCM offers excellent symptom relief and minimal operative risk.

Pericardiectomy in children &lt;15 years of age

Between January, 2002 and December, 2011, 27 patients (19 boys) underwent pericardiectomy. The mean age was 9.3 ± 4.96 years (range 0.4 to 15 years) and the mean duration of symptoms was 16.9 ± 22.15 months. In all, 25 patients had dyspnoea; eight were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV; six had bacterial pericarditis; and 18 were on anti-tuberculosis treatment, although only nine had records suggesting tuberculosis. There were nine patients who underwent pre-operative pigtail catheter drainage of pericardial fluid. Surgical procedures were complete pericardiectomy (n = 20), partial pericardiectomy (n = 6), and pleuropericardial window (n = 1).The mean pre-operative right atrial pressure was 20.4 ± 4.93 mmHg. There were six hospital deaths due to low cardiac output (n = 5) and arrhythmia (n = 1). The mean intensive care unit stay was 2.7 ± 1.2 days and mean post-operative stay was 9.9 days. The mean right atrial pressure dropped to 8.7 ± 1.15 mmHg. Adverse outcomes defined as death/prolonged intensive care unit stay, prolonged post-operative stay were not associated with sex, diagnosis of tuberculosis or pyopericardium, or the duration of symptoms or pre-operative right atrial pressure. Younger patients had prolonged intensive care unit stay (p = 0.03) but not increased mortality. Advanced NYHA class predicted death (p = 0.02). The mean follow-up was 23.1 ± 23.8 months. All except one survivor are in NYHA class I and off all cardiac medications. Despite adequate surgery, pericardiectomy in children is associated with a high mortality, which is related to delayed surgery and poor pre-operative general condition. No specific pre-operative variable other than worse pre-operative NYHA class is a predictor of survival. Therefore, early pericardiectomy should be undertaken in such patients.

Constrictive pericarditis: risks, aetiologies and outcomes after total pericardiectomy: 24 years of experience

Constrictive pericarditis is the result of a spectrum of primary cardiac and non-cardiac conditions. Few data exist on the preoperative risk specific to survival after pericardiectomy. This study was designed to compare the association of aetiology of constrictive pericarditis and other clinical variables, with long-term survival after total pericardiectomy. A total of 89 patients were studied, who underwent pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis at a single surgical centre between 1988 and 2012. Constrictive pericarditis was confirmed by the surgical report. Demographic, pre-, intra- and postoperative data and long-term outcome were investigated. Survival was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Aetiology of constrictive pericarditis was idiopathic in 49 patients (55%), prior cardiac surgery in 21 patients (23.6%), tuberculosis in 5 patients (5.6%), radiation treatment in 5 (5.6%), uraemia in 4 (4.5%), inflammation in 3 (3.5%) myocardial infarction in 2 (2.2%), and perioperative mortality was 7%. Seventy-five percent of patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III-IV, which status significantly improved in long-term survivors (95% in NYHA I-II). Idiopathic constrictive pericarditis had the best prognosis (5-year Kaplan-Meier survival: 81%) followed by post-surgical (50%) and post-radiation pericarditis (no survivors after 5 years). Tuberculosis, myocardial infarction and uraemia have survival rates comparable with idiopathic aetiology. In addition, preoperative NYHA class IV was associated with significantly lower long-term survival. Long-term survival after pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis is related to underlying aetiology and overall clinical condition. The relatively good survival with idiopathic constrictive pericarditis emphasizes the safety of pericardiectomy in this subgroup.

OP-180 TAPSE SCORING AND PROGNOSIS IN TRICUSPID VALVE REPLACEMENT

Introduction: Tricuspid heart valve is mostly affected by rheumatic diseases and is usually seen with mitral valve involvement. It is important to known the intervention time and route and the factors that determine mortality and morbidity. Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE) is a scoring system which is performed by non-invasive doppler echocardiography and is used to determine the right ventricule function. Materials and Methods: Tricuspid valve replacement was done to 9 patients with mechanical heart valves who were operated before for the rheumatic heart valve disease. (5 bioprothesis and 4 mechanical valves). All patients were female. They all had ascites with an exercise capacity class III-IV preoperatively. Preand post-operative TAPSE scores, mean pulmonary pressures (PAP) and ejection fractions were measured. Only one patient deceased because of heart failure. (TAPSE:1.6 CM, PAB:30mmHg). Functional capacity was I-II in her outpatient control. Discussion: Tricuspid heart valve is mostly affected by rheumatic diseases and is usually seen with mitral valve involvement. Stenosis and/or regurgitation can be seen but regurgitation is the most common presentation. Severe tricuspid regurgitation which was diagnosed by echocardiography in the follow-up of patients who were previously operated because of mitral valve regurgitation, causes 50%mortality in 5 years, whereas, it was not detected any mortality in patients with moderate regurgitation. Operative mortality was 20% in a study with a 15 patients who were operated because of rheumatic heart disease. At the same study half of the patients were class III-IV according to New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification. In our study operative mortality was found 11.11 with a preoperative NYHA class III-IV and postoperative class I-II. Any of the patients has no ascites in postoperative outpatient controls. In patients who were following up for pulmonary artery hypertension, prognosis was better with TAPSE scores ≥2.0 than TAPSE scores ≤2.0 who did not have any significant difference in their mean pulmonary artery pressures. TAPSE is an important determinant of cardiac index. TAPSE <1.3 cm have 76% specificity and sensitivity for the low left ventricular ejection fraction. Conclusion: It is important to determine the right ventricule fuction quantitatively in both congenital and adult cardiac diseases. TAPSE score is an important parameter that was determine cardiac index and right ventricule fuction. It should be used for the prediction of mortality and morbidity with all the other parameters as a whole.

The Risk and Outcomes of Reoperative Tricuspid Valve Surgery

Outcomes after tricuspid valve reoperation have not been published before. This study examines our 32-year experience in this cohort of patients. Between May 1979 and January 2011, a total of 68 patients who had previous tricuspid valve surgery (49 repairs and 19 replacements) had reoperations on their tricuspid valves. The median age was 60 years (19 to 75). Redo tricuspid valve pathologies included 18 functional and 50 organic. Follow-up was 100% complete, with a mean follow-up of 87 months (5 to 248). Re-repair of the tricuspid valve was feasible in 26 patients (16 of 18 [89%] functional and 10 of 31 [32%] organic, p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was 13.2%. Factors related to early mortality were nonelective surgery, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III/IV, left ventricle ejection fraction less than 0.40, cardiopulmonary bypass time greater than 136 minutes, and postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (p < 0.05). Postoperative complications included 9 reoperations for bleeding, 11 postoperative low cardiac output syndrome, 5 renal failure requiring dialysis, 3 strokes, and 13 pacemaker implantation. Factors related to late mortality were age greater than 60 years, male sex, ventilation time greater than 24 hours, cardiopulmonary bypass time greater than 136 minutes, and postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (p < 0.05). Survivors had 5-, 10-, and 15-year survival rates of 86%, 64%, and 33%, respectively. Functional class improved in hospital survivors; NYHA class I/II 80.6% compared with preoperative NYHA class III/IV of 90% (p = 0.001). Redo tricuspid valve surgery is associated with high operative mortality and morbidity; however, survivors benefited from reasonable survival rates. Re-repair of the tricuspid valve is feasible in the majority of patients with functional tricuspid valve pathology, while the majority of patients with underlying organic pathology required a valve replacement.

Echocardiographic Predictors of Adverse Short-term Outcomes after Heart Surgery in Patients with Mitral Regurgitation and Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a frequent occurrence and a negative prognostic indicator in patients with mitral regurgitation. Preoperative PH causes higher early and late mortality rates after heart surgery, adverse cardiac events, and postoperative systolic dysfunction in the left ventricle (LV). The research consisted of a retrospective study of a group of 171 consecutive patients with mitral regurgitation and preoperative PH who had undergone mitral valve surgery between January 2008 and October 2011. The PH diagnosis was based on echocardiographic evidence (systolic pulmonary artery pressure [sPAP] >35 mm Hg). The echocardiographic examination included assessment of the following: LV volume, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), sPAP, right ventricular end-diastolic diameter, right atrium area indexed to the body surface area, the ratio of the pulmonary acceleration time to the pulmonary ejection time (PAT/PET), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), determination of the severity of the associated tricuspid regurgitation, and presence of pericardial fluid. Surgical procedures consisted of mitral valve repair in 55% of the cases and mitral valve replacement in the remaining 45%. Concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery was carried out in 52 patients (30.41%), and De Vega tricuspid annuloplasty was performed in 29 patients (16.95%). The primary end point was perioperative mortality. The secondary end points included the following: pericardial, pleural, hepatic, or renal complications; the need for a new surgical procedure; postoperative mechanical ventilation >24 hours; length of stay in the intensive care unit; duration of postoperative inotropic support; need for an intra-aortic balloon pump; and need for pulmonary vasodilator drugs. The mortality rate was 2.34%. In the univariate analysis, the clinical and echocardiographic parameters associated with mortality were preoperative New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV, the PAT/PET ratio, TAPSE, the indexed area of the right atrium, and concomitant CABG surgery. In the multivariate analysis, the indexed area of the right atrium and concomitant CABG surgery remained statistically significant. The multivariate analysis also showed the indexed area of the right atrium, LVEF, presence of pericardial fluid, preoperative NYHA class, and concomitant CABG surgery as statistically significant for the secondary end point. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves identified an sPAP value >65 mm Hg to have the highest specificity and sensitivity for the risk of perioperative death in mitral regurgitation patients (area under the ROC curve [AUC], 0.782; P < .001) and identified an sPAP value of 60 mm Hg as the secondary end point (AUC, 0.82; P < .001). Severe PH (sPAP >60 mm Hg) is associated with a significant increase in the mortality rate; a longer stay in the intensive care unit; a mechanical ventilation duration >24 hours; lengthy inotropic support; renal, hepatic, and pericardial complications; and a need for endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, and/or prostanoids, both in the general group and in patients with preserved systolic functioning of the left ventricle. PH is a strong short-term negative prognostic factor for patients with mitral regurgitation. The surgical procedure should be performed in the early stages of PH. Echocardiographic examination has useful, simple, and reproducible tools for classifying operative risks. An ischemic etiology and a need for concomitant CABG surgery are additional risk factors for patients with mitral regurgitation and PH.

Elevated Intraoperative Expression of Ventricular Myosin Light Chain Predicts Heart Failure after Valve Replacement Surgery

It can be difficult to predict which patients will survive and recover cardiac function after valve replacement surgery. We hypothesized that the expression levels of ventricular myosin light chain (MLCv) might reflect the severity of disease or the extent of irreversible myocardial damage and might be useful for predicting the postoperative course. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the relationship between MLCv expression in specimens obtained during valve replacement surgery and the postoperative New York Heart Association (NYHA) class. The levels of expression of the regulatory MLCv (MLC-2v) and MLC-1v in papillary muscle specimens from 80 patients who underwent valve replacement surgery for rheumatic valvular disease were evaluated by Western blot analysis. The patients were similar with regard to the intraoperative expression of MLC-1v, regardless of postoperative NYHA class. The preoperative NYHA class, the end-systolic left ventricular internal dimension, and the intraoperative expression of MLC-2v emerged as independent risks factors for a NYHA class status of III/IV at 6 months after surgery, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.862. The intraoperative level of MLC-2v expression was predictive of the patients' NYHA class after valve replacement surgery. This result suggests that future studies evaluating the use of preoperative specimens (such as biopsy or peripheral blood samples) for measurement of MLC-2v levels could lead to a valuable preoperative tool for the assessment of candidates for valve replacement.

Outcome After Implantation of Cardiac Resynchronization/Defibrillation Systems in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure and Left Bundle-Branch Block

The implantation of cardiac resynchronization/defibrillation devices (CRT-Ds) increasingly is used in patients with congestive heart failure and left bundle-branch block. There are no data on the effects of anesthesia and surgery on outcome after implantation. A retrospective, observational study; postoperative survey. University hospital. Three hundred forty-one patients (258 men/83 women, 63 +/- 9 years) with congestive heart failure and left bundle-branch block who underwent CRT-D implantation in 1996 to 2005. Perioperative data were retrieved from the patients' records. Cardiologists caring for the patients were contacted to obtain information on current New York Heart Association (NYHA) status and mortality after CRT-D implantation. Preoperatively, 45 patients were classified as NYHA II, 246 as NYHA III, and 50 as NYHA IV. CRT was performed via thoracotomy in 100 and transvenously in 241 cases. General anesthesia (propofol or sevoflurane and remifentanil) was performed in 273 and local anesthesia (lidocaine) in 68 patients. Hypotension occurred mainly during general anesthesia (43% v 4%). The 30-day mortality was 0%. The postoperative survey started in 2006 and was completed by 215 patients. The mean survival time was 77 months; 151 patients survived the study period. Outcome was not influenced by local and general anesthesia. Presence of preoperative NYHA class >II (odds ratio [OR] = 1.6, confidence interval [CI] = 0.5-5.1), mitral regurgitation (OR = 2.5, CI = 1.2-5.5), and serum creatinine >1.1 mg/dL (OR = 3.0, CI = 1.5-6.2) resulted in an inferior prognosis. In patients with severely impaired cardiac function, general anesthesia for the implantation of a biventricular pacing device can be used with justifiable risk. The method of anesthesia did not influence outcome.

Mitral valve annuloplasty with a semirigid annuloplasty band in ischemic mitral regurgitation: early results

A trigone-to-trigone semirigid annuloplasty band (C-G Future Band, Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) was introduced in 2001 for mitral valve repair. We report our early clinical and echocardiographic results with this new device to correct ischemic mitral regurgitation. Between January 2002 and December 2004, among 216 patients operated on for mitral regurgitation, 107 patients had a C-G Future Band annuloplasty and 85 consecutive patients (72.6% male; mean age 66.9 +/- 8.6 years) received this annuloplasty band to correct ischemic mitral regurgitation. Mean follow-up was 14.3 +/- 9.8 months (range 0.2-37 months). Clinical and echocardiographic assessment was accomplished preoperatively, postoperatively, at 6 and 12 months, and at two years. Perioperative mortality was 3.7% (three in-hospital deaths), whereas overall survival at two years was 88.7 +/- 4.2%. Immediately after repair, echocardiographic mitral regurgitation was dramatically reduced (2.5 +/- 0.6 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.6; P < 0.0001); ejection fraction increased from 43.8 +/- 11% preoperatively to 44.8 +/- 12% postoperatively (P = 0.007). At the time of follow-up, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class was significantly improved (mean preoperative NYHA class 2.04 +/- 0.9 vs. mean postoperative NYHA class 1.25 +/- 0.6; P < 0.0001). No patient experienced thromboembolic events and no late mitral valve reoperation occurred. Early and mid-term mitral valve function is satisfactory with trigone-to-trigone semirigid band annuloplasty, with excellent repair durability immediately after the operation and at two years. Moreover, after annuloplasty repair, an improvement in clinical functional status is obtained. A wider use of this semirigid annuloplasty band can be recommended.

Outcomes of surgical ventricular restoration following recent myocardial infarction

Background Recent myocardial infarction (≤90 days) is generally considered a contraindication to performing surgical ventricular restoration (SVR). Most surgeons prefer myocardial healing and scar formation to occur before undertaking SVR, although no data exist to support this practice. We analyzed outcomes of patients undergoing SVR following recent myocardial infarction (MI) to determine the utility of SVR in these patients. Methods Retrospective review analyzed 69 consecutive SVR patients between January 2002 and June 2005 to determine clinical characteristics, operative data, and postoperative outcomes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and echocardiography were used to assess cardiac function. Results Twenty-two patients (32%) sustained a recent MI in our series. Mean age at operation was 63.5 years, with a M:F of 20:2. Preoperatively all patients carried a diagnosis of congestive heart failure and were classified as New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV. Six patients (27%) required perioperative intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support. There was only one operative mortality. Following SVR, mean ejection fraction improved from 26% to 35% (p = 0.02), with a reduction in mean left ventricular end-systolic volume index from 93 mL/m2 to 68 mL/m2 (p = 0.04). Seventy-three percent (16/22) of patients in preoperative NYHA class III/IV improved to class I/II at follow-up (p < 0.0001). Actuarial survival was 74% at 30 months. Recent MI was not an independent predictor of adverse outcomes following SVR in our series. Conclusion Recent MI patients demonstrate significant improvement in ventricular function and NYHA class with acceptable morbidity and mortality following SVR. These findings prompt consideration of expanding the inclusion criteria for SVR to include patients who have sustained a recent MI.

Mitral Valve Repair in Patients With Low Left Ventricular Ejection Fractions: Early and Late Results

This retrospective study was performed to examine the outcome of mitral valve repair (ie, mitral valvuloplasty [MVP]) in relation to preoperative low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). From our series of 338 consecutive patients who underwent MVP between 1983 and 2001, we compared the course of 302 patients with preoperative LVEF of > 35% (group I) to that of 36 patients with LVEF of </= 35% (group II). Preoperatively, group II patients were more likely to be associated with ischemic heart disease (IHD) [p < 0.0002], and to have undergone emergency surgery (p < 0.02) and concomitant coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) [p < 0.02]. The perioperative mortality rate was 8% for group II and 2% for group I (p < 0.03). On multivariate analysis, predictors of increased operative mortality were emergent operation (p < 0.001) and preoperative New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV (p < 0.02). Predictors of overall mortality (early and late) included emergency operation (p < 0.02), preoperative NYHA class IV (p < 0.002), and IHD (p < 0.0001). Postoperatively, 78% of patients from both groups were in NYHA class I/II. The 5-year rate of freedom from reoperation was 89%. The estimated overall 5-year survival rate (early and late) was 82% for group I and 54% for group II (p < 0.02), and when associated with prior CABG, prior myocardial infarction, or concomitant CABG, it was 0%, 37%, and 63%, respectively, in group II. Good symptomatic relief and acceptable overall survival can be obtained in patients in both groups after they have undergone MVP, in the absence of serious comorbidities. Preoperative NYHA class IV and end-stage IHD increase early and late mortality, particularly in group II patients, in whom surgery may be a salvage effort only. Prognosis is dismal in group II patients who have previously undergone CABG. In chronic cases, an early referral for MVP electively before deterioration to end-stage heart disease would improve survival even in patients with low LVEF.

Long-term results of reoperative mitral valve surgery in patients with rheumatic disease

Background Reoperative (redo) mitral valve surgery is still a continuing challenge to surgeons. The aim of this study was to detect the factors that affect late mortality or morbidity after redo mitral valve surgery in patients with rheumatic disease. Methods Between May 1983 and February 2003, 92 patients who underwent redo mitral valve surgery for rheumatic disease were enrolled. Risk factors influencing survival or cardiac events were investigated with univariate analysis and a Cox model. Results Operative mortality rate was 4.2%. Kaplan-Meier actuarial analysis demonstrated an 84.7% 5-year, a 69.5% 10-year, and a 65.9% 15-year survival. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age at surgery and preoperative New York Heart Association (NYHA) class were found to be independent predictors of late deaths, and that higher age, advanced NYHA class, and previous mitral valve replacement were independent predictors of cardiac events. Conclusions Redo mitral valve surgery can be achieved with low early mortality. However, long-term results of redo mitral surgery are not necessarily satisfactory in patients with preoperative advanced NYHA class or with a previous mechanical heart valve, and especially in 60 years or older age.

Determinants of long-term mortality of current palliative surgical treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy.

Dynamic cardiomyoplasty and partial left ventriculectomy have shown limited and controversial results in the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathies. This study investigates causes and determinants of long-term mortality after these procedures. Forty-three patients submitted to dynamic cardiomyoplasty and 43 who underwent partial ventriculectomy were studied. Patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV before the procedures. In dynamic cardiomyoplasty group, hospital mortality was 2.2% and patients were followed for 48+/-31 months. Nine hospital deaths occurred after partial ventriculectomy and the remaining patients were followed for 38+/-29 months. For patients submitted to dynamic cardiomyoplasty, 1-year event-free survival was 81.3+/-5.9%; 2-year, 65.1+/-7.2%; and 6-year, 23.1+/-6.7%. Partial left ventriculectomy patients presented event-free survival rates of 58.1+/-7.5%, 46.6+/-7.6% and 21.6+/-6.4% at the same periods, respectively. Late deaths were equally related to heart failure progression and arrhythmia events in both groups. Preoperative NYHA class IV, pulmonary hypertension and absence of left ventricular (LV) function improvement at the time of the final event were identified as independent predictors of poor long-term event-free survival and heart failure progression in cardiomyoplasty patients, while NYHA class IV, elevated serum nor-epinephrine and absence of LV function improvement were associated with these events after partial left ventriculectomy. Arrhythmia related deaths were only predicted by previous events of sustained ventricular tachycardia in partial left ventriculectomy group. Long-term results of dynamic cardiomyoplasty and partial left ventriculectomy are limited by patients' preoperative condition, by the loss of LV function benefits and by high incidence of sudden cardiac death. Palliative surgical treatment of dilated cardiomyopathies needs to be indicated earlier and may achieve better efficiency with the combination of different procedures to provide sustained improvement of LV function, to interrupt the progressive remodeling process and to prevent sudden cardiac death.

Report of the Dutch experience with the Ross procedure in 343 patients

Limited information is available on outcome after autograft aortic valve replacement, in particular with respect to the durability of the autograft and of the allograft used to reconstruct the right ventricular outflow tract. A retrospective follow-up study of all patients who underwent a Ross procedure in the Netherlands since 1988 was done to obtain an overview of the Dutch experience with this procedure. From 1988 to January 2000, 348 Ross procedures were performed in nine centers in the Netherlands. Pre-operative, peri-operative and follow-up data from 343 patients in seven centers (99% of all Dutch autograft patients) were collected and analyzed. Mean patient age was 26 years (SD 14, range 0-58) and male/female ratio was 2.1. Bicuspid valve or other congenital heart valve disease was the most common indication for operation. The root replacement technique was used in 95% of patients and concomitant procedures were done in 12%. Hospital mortality was 2.6% (N=9). Mean follow-up was 4 years (median 3.8, SD 2.8, range 0-12.5). Overall cumulative survival was 96% at 1 year (95% confidence interval (CI) 94-98%) and 94% at 5 and 7 post-operative years, respectively (95% CI 91-97%). At last follow-up, 87% of the surviving patients was in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I. Independent predictors of overall mortality were pre-operative NYHA class IV/V and longer perfusion time. Autograft reoperation had to be performed in 14 patients and reintervention on the pulmonary allograft in 10 patients. Freedom from any valve-related reintervention was 88% at 7 years (95% CI 81-94%). The Dutch experience with the Ross procedure is favorable, with low operative mortality and good mid-term results. Although both the autograft in aortic position and the allograft in the right ventricular outflow tract have a limited durability, this has not yet resulted in considerable reoperation rates and associated morbidity and mortality.

Efficacy of Combined Coronary Revascularization and Valve Procedures in Octogenarians

From January 1982 to October 1991, 42 consecutive patients 80 years of age and older underwent a combined cardiac procedure with coronary revascularization and valve repair or replacement. There were 20 women and 22 men. Mean age at operation was 82.8 years (range, 80 to 89.7 years). Twenty-seven patients (64%) were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV preoperatively. Six patients (14.3%) had undergone previous cardiac procedures. There were six hospital deaths (14.3%). The only significant preoperative risk factor identified for the event hospital death was aortic insufficiency (p = 0.005). The 36 hospital survivors were followed up at a mean of 21.1 months after hospital discharge. There were nine (21%) late deaths occurring at a mean of 21.3 months postoperatively: two from acute myocardial infarctions and seven from chronic heart failure. Survival analysis indicated that higher preoperative NYHA class (p = 0.0003), hypertension (p = 0.015), hypercholesterolemia (p = 0.03), and elevated left atrial/left ventricular gradient (p = 0.04) were incremental risk factors for overall mortality. The actuarial survival at 40 months was 51.9%, with no significant difference as compared with an age-, sex-, and race-matched population. Of the 27 late survivors, 26 were in NYHA class I or II. We conclude that octogenarians may undergo complex cardiac surgical procedures with an expectation of an acceptable mortality rate and significant improvement in their functional status. These results must be taken into consideration in light of reported strategies to ameliorate health-care costs by limiting availability of complex medical care to the elderly.

Reoperative Myocardial Revascularization: An Analysis of 458 Reoperations and 2645 Single Operations

A consecutive series of 2645 patients underwent primary coronary bypass grafting while 4S8 patients underwent reoperative bypass during a 9-year period. The mean age (61 years), sex distribution (83% men) and preoperative risk factors were identical in the two groups. Significantly more patients belonged to New York Heart Association (NYHA) class 4 and were clinically unstable in the reoperative group ( P&lt; 0.001). The internal mammary artery was used in 43% of the single operation group but in only 23% of patients who subsequently required reoperation (P&lt; 0.001). In reoperations 61 % of the patients had an internal mammary artery graft (P&lt; 0.001). The overall operative mortality rate for single operation was 2.3% (62/2645) versus 9.2% (42/458) for reoperations. Patients with a reoperative interval of more than 1 year had a 8.4% mortality rate, compared with 28% in those reoperated on 1 year or less after the initial operation (P&lt;0.01). Preoperative myocardial infarction, intra-aortic balloon pump insertion, prolonged ventilatory support and ventricular arrhythmias were all prevalent after reoperations (ail P&gt; 0.001), while postoperative myocardial infarctions and re-sternotomy for bleeding did not differ between the groups. Emergency operation, preoperative NYHA class 3–4 and poor left ventricular function were predictors of perioperative mortality in both groups. Left main stem stenosis was an added factor in the reoperative group. After reoperation 93% of the hospital survivors were alive at 5 years after surgery; the cardiac event-free rate was 59% and &gt; 90% of the patients showed improvement of their NYHA class during the follow-up. Reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting is effective, but has an Increased operative mortality and morbidity, especially in patients with unstable angina, left main stem stenosis and poor preoperative left ventricular function.

Reoperation after mitral valve reconstruction: early and late results.

Between 1968 and 1990, 68 patients (33 male, 35 female) with a mean age of 47 years were subjected to reoperation (62 valve replacements, 6 reconstructions) after primary mitral valve reconstruction (mean interval = 81 months). The indication for reoperation was residual valve insufficiency in 51, and stenosis in 17 patients. The average preoperative New York Heart Association (NYHA) class was 3.0. The average follow-up was 63 months. The operative mortality was 8.8% (8 out of 68 patients). The actuarial late survival was 90% after 5, and 73% after 8 years. After a second mitral valve reconstruction 66% (four out of six patients) died (one early, three late). The incidence of second reoperations was 4.4% (3 out of 68 patients), and of thromboembolic complications 11.8% (8 out of 68 patients). The mean NHYHA class improved significantly. The actuarial freedom from second reoperations was 98% and 90%, and from thromboembolic complications 91% and 82% after 5 and 10 years, respectively. Endocarditis did not occur, whereas two patients on Coumadin anticoagulation had non-fatal gastrointestinal bleeding. Late survival was less favorable (P < 0.05) in patients operated on before 1980, in a higher preoperative NYHA class, after a second valve reconstruction, and if pulmonary hypertension or atrial fibrillation was present. Significant independent risk factors were older age and earlier reoperation, pulmonary hypertension or higher NYHA class postoperatively. For the last to years it has been possible to perform reoperations after mitral valve reconstructions with good early and excellent late results. The mortality and complication rates were similar to those for primary mitral valve reconstructions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)