scholarly journals Cerebral Microemboli in Mini-Sternotomy Compared to Mini-Thoracotomy for Aortic Valve Replacement: A Cross Sectional Cohort Study

Author(s):  
Marija Bozhinovska ◽  
Matej Jenko ◽  
Gordana Taleska Stupica ◽  
Tomislav Klokocovnik ◽  
Jus Ksela ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Recently adopted mini-thoracotomy approach for surgical aortic valve replacement has shown benefits such as reduced pain and shorter recovery, compared to more conventional mini-sternotomy access. However, whether limited exposure of the heart and ascending aorta resulting from an incision in the second intercostal space may lead to increased intraoperative cerebral embolization and more prominent postoperative neurologic decline, remains inconclusive. The aim of our study was to assess potential neurological complications after two different minimal invasive surgical techniques for aortic valve replacement by measuring cerebral microembolic signal during surgery and by follow-up cognitive evaluation.Methods: Trans-cranial Doppler was used for microembolic signal detection during aortic valve replacement performed via mini-sternotomy and mini-thoracotomy. Patients were evaluated using Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised Test before and 30 days after surgical procedure.Results: A total of 60 patients were recruited in the study. In 52 patients, transcranial Doppler was feasible. Of those, 25 underwent mini-sternotomy and 27 had mini-thoracotomy. There were no differences between groups with respect to sex, NYHA class distribution, Euroscore II or aortic valve area. Patients in mini-sternotomy group were younger (60.8±14.4 vs.72±5.84, p=0.003), heavier (85.2 ± 12.4 vs.72.5 ± 12.9, p= 0.002) and had higher body surface area (1.98 ±0.167 vs. 1.83±0.178, p=0.006).Surgery duration was longer in mini-sternotomy group compared to mini-thoracotomy (158 ±24 vs. 134±30 min, p<0.001, respectively). There were no differences between groups in microembolic load, length of ICU or total hospital stay. Total microembolic signals count was correlated with cardiopulmonary bypass duration (5.64, 95%CI 0.677–10.60, p=0.027). Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised Test score decreased equivalently in both groups (p=0.630) (MS: 85.2±9.6 vs. 82.9±11.4, p=0.012; MT: 85.2±9.6 vs. 81.3±8.8, p=0.001). Conclusion: There is no difference in microembolic load between the groups. Total intraoperative microembolic signals count was associated with cardiopulmonary bypass duration. Age, but not micorembolic signals load, was associated with postoperative neurologic decline.

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marija Bozhinovska ◽  
Matej Jenko ◽  
Gordana Taleska Stupica ◽  
Tomislav Klokočovnik ◽  
Juš Kšela ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Recently adopted mini-thoracotomy approach for surgical aortic valve replacement has shown benefits such as reduced pain and shorter recovery, compared to more conventional mini-sternotomy access. However, whether limited exposure of the heart and ascending aorta resulting from an incision in the second intercostal space may lead to increased intraoperative cerebral embolization and more prominent postoperative neurologic decline, remains inconclusive. The aim of our study was to assess potential neurological complications after two different minimal invasive surgical techniques for aortic valve replacement by measuring cerebral microembolic signal during surgery and by follow-up cognitive evaluation. Methods Trans-cranial Doppler was used for microembolic signal detection during aortic valve replacement performed via mini-sternotomy and mini-thoracotomy. Patients were evaluated using Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised Test before and 30 days after surgical procedure. Results A total of 60 patients were recruited in the study. In 52 patients, transcranial Doppler was feasible. Of those, 25 underwent mini-sternotomy and 27 had mini-thoracotomy. There were no differences between groups with respect to sex, NYHA class distribution, Euroscore II or aortic valve area. Patients in mini-sternotomy group were younger (60.8 ± 14.4 vs.72 ± 5.84, p = 0.003), heavier (85.2 ± 12.4 vs.72.5 ± 12.9, p = 0.002) and had higher body surface area (1.98 ± 0.167 vs. 1.83 ± 0.178, p = 0.006). Surgery duration was longer in mini-sternotomy group compared to mini-thoracotomy (158 ± 24 vs. 134 ± 30 min, p < 0.001, respectively). There were no differences between groups in microembolic load, length of ICU or total hospital stay. Total microembolic signals count was correlated with cardiopulmonary bypass duration (5.64, 95%CI 0.677–10.60, p = 0.027). Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised Test score decreased equivalently in both groups (p = 0.630) (MS: 85.2 ± 9.6 vs. 82.9 ± 11.4, p = 0.012; MT: 85.2 ± 9.6 vs. 81.3 ± 8.8, p = 0.001). Conclusion There is no difference in microembolic load between the groups. Total intraoperative microembolic signals count was associated with cardiopulmonary bypass duration. Age, but not micorembolic signals load, was associated with postoperative neurologic decline. Trial registry number clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02697786 14.


Author(s):  
Taishi Okuno ◽  
Noé Corpataux ◽  
Giancarlo Spano ◽  
Christoph Gräni ◽  
Dik Heg ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims The ESC/EACTS guidelines propose criteria that determine the likelihood of true-severe aortic stenosis (AS). We aimed to investigate the impact of the guideline-based criteria of the likelihood of true-severe AS in patients with low-flow low-gradient (LFLG) AS with preserved ejection fraction (pEF) on outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods and results In a prospective TAVR registry, LFLG-AS patients with pEF were retrospectively categorized into high (criteria ≥6) and intermediate (criteria &lt;6) likelihood of true-severe AS. Haemodynamic, functional, and clinical outcomes were compared with high-gradient AS patients with pEF. Among 632 eligible patients, 202 fulfilled diagnostic criteria for LFLG-AS. Significant haemodynamic improvement after TAVR was observed in LFLG-AS patients, irrespective of the likelihood. Although &gt;70% of LFLG-AS patients had functional improvement, impaired functional status [New York Heart Association (NYHA III/IV)] persisted more frequently at 1 year in LFLG-AS than in high-gradient AS patients (7.8%), irrespective of the likelihood (high: 17.4%, P = 0.006; intermediate: 21.1%, P &lt; 0.001). All-cause death at 1 year occurred in 6.6% of high-gradient AS patients, 10.9% of LFLG-AS patients with high likelihood [hazard ratio (HR)adj 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68–3.02], and in 7.2% of those with intermediate likelihood (HRadj 0.92, 95% CI 0.39–2.18). Among the criteria, only the absence of aortic valve area ≤0.8 cm2 emerged as an independent predictor of treatment futility, a combined endpoint of all-cause death or NYHA III/IV at 1 year (OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.14–6.25). Conclusion Patients with LFLG-AS with pEF had comparable survival but worse functional status at 1 year than high-gradient AS with pEF, irrespective of the likelihood of true-severe AS. Clinical Trial Registration https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. NCT01368250.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Kylies ◽  
Sandra Freitag-Wolf ◽  
Florian Fulisch ◽  
Hatim Seoudy ◽  
Christian Kuhn ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Chronic kidney disease as well as acute kidney injury are associated with adverse outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, little is known about the prognostic implications of an improvement in renal function after TAVR. Methods Renal improvement (RI) was defined as a decrease in postprocedural creatinine in μmol/l of ≥1% compared to its preprocedural baseline value. A propensity score representing the likelihood of RI was calculated to define patient groups which were comparable regarding potential confounders (age, sex, BMI, NYHA classification, STS score, log. EuroSCORE, history of atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter, pulmonary disease, previous stroke, CRP, creatinine, hsTNT and NT-proBNP). The cohort was stratified into 5 quintiles according to this propensity score and the survival time after TAVR was compared within each subgroup. Results Patients in quintile 5 (n = 93) had the highest likelihood for RI. They were characterized by higher creatinine, lower eGFR, higher NYHA class, higher NT-proBNP, being mostly female and having shorter overall survival time. Within quintile 5, patients without RI had significantly shorter survival compared to patients with RI (p = 0.002, HR = 0.32, 95% CI = [0.15–0.69]). There was no survival time difference between patients with and without RI in the whole cohort (p = 0.12) and in quintiles 1 to 4 (all p > 0.16). Analyses of specific subgroups showed that among patients with NYHA class IV, those with RI also had a significant survival time benefit (p < 0.001, HR = 0.15; 95%-CI = [0.05–0.44]) compared to patients without RI. Conclusions We here describe a propensity score-derived specific subgroup of patients in which RI after TAVR correlated with a significant survival benefit.


Author(s):  
Emily Xiao ◽  
Augustin Delago ◽  
Mohammad El-Hajjar ◽  
Batyrjan Bulibek ◽  
Mikhail Torosoff

Background and Hypothesis: The sensitivity of LVH analysis by ECG voltage criteria in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis undergoing trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has not yet been studied. LVH is expected in the TAVR population and would be reflected in voltage criteria by ECG. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted in 176 consecutive TAVR patients without ventricular-paced rhythm. ECG data was collected and analyzed by Sokolow-Lyon and Cornell Voltage criteria. Results were compared to transthoracic echocardiogram. Analyses of variation, correlation, chi-square, and logistic regression were used. The study was approved by the institutional IRB. Results: Sokolow-Lyon and Cornell Voltage criteria for LVH were present and concordant in 19% (33 of 176) of patients; in 49% (86 of 176) of patients, neither criteria was suggestive for LVH. Only 19% (34 of 176) of patients had LVH by Cornell Voltage and 13% (23 of 176) by Sokolow-Lyon criteria, indicative of poor concordance between these two commonly used ECG criteria for LVH (p<0.0001). Ejection fraction, aortic valve gradient, aortic valve area, COPD, PVD, prior stroke, dyslipidemia, and hypertension did not affect the prevalence of LVH by either or both criteria. Women (p<0.01) and patients with rhythm other than atrial fibrillation (p<0.0053) were more likely to have voltage criteria for LVH, while older adults were more likely to meet criteria for LVH. Concordant LVH criteria were noted in patients 84.6 +/- 7.2 years of age, while patients without LVH by ECG voltage criteria were significantly younger at 80.21 +/- 8.1 years of age (p<0.007). Conclusion: The presence of LVH by Sokolow-Lyon and Cornell ECG voltage criteria poorly correlates with the presence of LVH and critical aortic stenosis in TAVR patients. Women are more likely to have voltage criteria for LVH. Therefore, ECG may not be a suitable method of screening patients with severe aortic stenosis for LVH, especially in men.


Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Unger ◽  
Danièle Plein ◽  
Bernard Cosyns ◽  
Guy Van Camp ◽  
Olivier Xhaët ◽  
...  

Background: Mitral regurgitation (MR) is common in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis (AS). Whether its severity may decrease after AVR remains controversial. Previous studies were mainly retrospective and the degree of MR was assessed at best semi-quantitatively. This study sought to prospectively and quantitatively assess how AVR may affect MR severity. Methods: Patients with AS scheduled for isolated AVR and presenting holosystolic MR which was not considered for replacement or repair were included. Previous mitral valve surgery; severe aortic regurgitation and poor acoustic windows were excluded. Thirty-five patients (mean age 77±7 years) were studied before (median 1, range 1– 41 days) and after AVR (median 7, range 4 –19 days). All patients underwent a comprehensive echocardiographic examination; MR was assessed by Doppler echocardiography using color flow mapping of the regurgitant jet and the PISA method. No patient had prolapsed or flail mitral leaflet as mechanism of MR. Results: Preoperative maximal and mean transaortic pressure gradients and aortic valve area were 74±26 mmHg, 44±16 mmHg, and 0.57±0.18 cm 2 , respectively. Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction increased from 49±16 % to 55±15 % after AVR (p<0.001). LV end-diastolic volume decreased from 91±32 ml to 77±30 ml (p<0.001).The ratio of MR jet to left atrial area decreased from 30±16% to 20±14% (p<0.001). MR effective regurgitant orifice (ERO) and regurgitant volume decreased from 10±5 mm 2 to 8±6 mm 2 (p=0.015) and from 19±10 ml to 11±9 ml (p<0.0001). The decrease in ERO and in regurgitant volume was similar in patients with preserved or depressed LV ejection fraction (≤45 %) (2±3 vs 3±6 mm 2 and 7±9 vs 8±7 ml; p=NS, respectively). Conclusions: AVR is associated with an early postoperative reduction of the quantified degree of MR. This mainly results from a decrease in regurgitant volume and only modestly from a reduction in ERO, emphasizing the contributing role of the decrease in driving pressure accross the mitral regurgitant orifice.


Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Subrata Kar ◽  
Mehdi H Shishehbor ◽  
E. Murat Tuzcu ◽  
Deepak L Bhatt ◽  
Christopher Bajzer ◽  
...  

Introduction: Carotid stenosis increases the risk for perioperative stroke during open heart surgery. Patients with concomitant severe carotid and aortic stenosis (AS) are frequently referred for carotid intervention prior to aortic valve replacement. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that carotid stenting can be safe and efficacious in the setting of severe AS. Methods: Of the total of 829 consecutive patients that underwent carotid interventions from 1998 –2005 at the Cleveland Clinic, 52 patients (65% male, age 78.82 ± 26.16 years) with severe AS (aortic valve area ≤ 1.0 cm 2 , 0.71 ± 0.15 cm 2 ) were included. Demographic, echocardiographic, and angiographic data were obtained prospectively. Our primary endpoints were stroke, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), or death. Results: The mean STS Mortality scores for all groups were 6.85 ± 4.53% (n=46), six patient scores were immeasurable. There were no procedural strokes or mortality. TIA occurred in 1 patient during carotid stenting. Thirty day mortality was 6% (2 patients with LV-EF <20% died from heart failure and arrhythmia and 1 died from pulmonary embolism). Two other patients with depressed EF expired >30 days after carotid stenting prior to planned aortic valve replacement (AVR). AVR was performed in 29 of the 52 patients (26 patients ≥ 30 days post carotid stenting and 3 patients <15 days post carotid stenting). Of the remaining 23 patients, AVR was not performed due to death (n=5), high surgical risk from medical comorbidities (n=7), and patient refusal (n=3). Close monitoring and reassessment was recommended in 8 patients with asymptomatic AS. The mean STS mortality scores for patients who underwent AVR and who did not have AVR were 6.88 ± 5.05% and 6.81 ± 4.08% respectively (p=ns). Conclusions: Carotid interventions can be safely accomplished in patients with severe AS prior to AVR.


1993 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Wook Sung ◽  
Lee Jeong Ryul ◽  
Kim Ki Bong ◽  
Sung Sook Whan ◽  
Ahn Hyuk ◽  
...  

Between 1979 and 1990, 190 patients underwent isolated aortic valve replacement at Seoul National University Hospital in Korea. There were 11 (5.8%) in-hospital deaths. Univariate analysis identified advanced age (p = 0.026), preoperative serum GOT or GPT greater than 40IU/1 (p < 0.001, p = 0.003), NYHA Class III or IV (p = 0.029), preoperative mean pulmonary arterial pressure greater than 19 mmHg (p = 0.019), reoperation for aortic valve replacement (p = 0.035), second or third open heart surgery (p < 0.001), and use of mechanical valve (p = 0.008) as variables associated with increased in-hospital risk. Follow-up documented survival rates of 98.1% and 96.4% and event-free survival rates of 95.7% and 81.6% at 3 and 7 postoperative years, respectively. NYHA Class III or IV (p = 0.009), preoperative serum total bilirubin level greater than 1.2 mg/dl (p = 0.009), reoperation for aortic valve replacement (p = 0.03), second or third open heart surgery (p = 0.002), and use of mechanical valve were associated with decreased late survival and event-free survival.


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