Features of Surgical Treatment of Malignant Tumors of the Heart and Ways to Improve Immediate Results

To date, the issues of surgical treatment of malignant cardiac tumors (MCT) remain relevant and are of particular interest to cardiac surgeons. Hospital mortality of this group of patients is extremely high (20–30%). Finding ways to reduce early postoperative mortality remains an extremely important task of oncocardiac surgery. The aim. To analyze the causes of early postoperative mortality based on the data of many years of experience in the surgical treatment of MCT and to propose methods for the prevention of early postoperative complications with the improvement of the immediate results of operations. Materials and methods. From 1970 to 01.01.2021, National Amosov Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery has provided surgical treatment of 67 patients with malignant tumors of the heart which amounted to 7.1% of the total number of observed patients with cardiac tumors (949). Of the 67 patients with MCT, 57 (84.9%) were operated using artificial circulation, three operations (4.6%) were emergency. Hospital mortality was 19.4% (13 patients). Results. Microscopic examination of the removed tumors revealed the presence of necrosis zones, their mechanical damage leads to significant intoxication of the patient. To prevent tumor intoxication (cause of postoperative mortality) in the operative and postoperative periods, new methods of combating such a factor of hospital mortality were used, which helped to improve the results of treatment of MCT. Hospital mortality reduced from 33.3% (1970–2001) to 5.5% (last 10 years), as a result of use these measures. Conclusions. Destruction of the tumor during surgery with artificial circulation leads to the entry of a significant number of tumor cells and toxins into the bloodstream, causing tumor intoxication. Improvement of the immediate results of surgical treatment of MCT depends on their timely diagnosis, which allows for adequate surgery with radical removal of the tumor and the use of detoxification measures, significantly reducing surgical mortality.

Factors Influencing Potentially Futile Treatments at the End of Life in a Multiethnic Asian Cardiology Setting: A Qualitative Study

Background. Modern medicine enables clinicians to save lives and prolong time to death, yet some treatments have little chance of conferring meaningful benefits for patients nearing the end-of-life. What clinicians perceive as driving futile treatment in the non-Western healthcare context is poorly understood. Aim. This study aimed to explore clinicians’ perceptions of the factors that influence futile treatment at the end of life within a tertiary hospital cardiac care setting. Design. We conducted semi-structured interviews with cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and palliative care doctors from a large national cardiology center in Singapore. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed. Results. A total of 32 clinicians were interviewed. We identified factors that contributed to the provision of potentially futile treatment in these theme areas: patient- and family-related, clinician-related, and institutional and societal factors. Family roles and cultural influences were most commonly cited by participants as affecting end-of-life decisions and altering the likelihood of futile treatment. Specialty-specific alignments within cardiology and availability of healthcare resources were also important factors underpinning futile treatment. Conclusion. Family-related factors were a primary driver for futile treatment in a non-Western, multicultural setting. Future interventions should consider a targeted approach accounting for cultural and contextual factors to prevent and reduce futile treatment.

Risk Factors and Prevention Measures for Postoperative Sternomediastinitis (Literature Review)

Median sternotomy remains the most common access in cardiac surgery, while postoperative sternomediastinitis is one of the most severe complications of the transsternal approach. The article analyzes the preoperative risk factors for the development of this complication, including concomitant pathology, constitutional features, bad habits, length of hospital stay, and the urgency of the operation. It was also noted that intraoperative risk factors consist of technical errors in the performance of the operation, intraoperative features of the course of surgery, the nature of the choice of the shunt during myocardial vascularization and the final stage of the operation. Postoperative risk factors include the specific management of the postoperative period in cardiac surgery patients, which can lead to the development of sternomediastinitis. The analysis of measures taken by cardiac surgeons to prevent the development of this complication was carried out

Pass On What You Have Learned: A Structured Mentor-Mentee Concept for the Implementation of a Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery Program

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Starting a minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) for mitral valve repair (MVR) program is challenging as it requires a new learning curve, but compromising surgical results at the same time is not acceptable. Here, we describe our surgical educational experience of starting a new MICS program at a university heart center in Germany. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A dedicated team for the new MICS program including 2 cardiac surgeons, 1 cardiac anesthetist, 1 perfusionist, and 1 scrub nurse was chosen. The use of long shafted instruments was trained in a low-cost self-assembled MICS simulator, and the EACTS endoscopic dry lab course was visited. Thereafter, 1 MICS center was visited for direct observation and peer-to-peer education for 6 weeks. The mentor observed the first 10 cases performed by the mentee. The surgical mitral valve expertise of 1 single cardiac surgeon was retrospectively analyzed between April 2016 and April 2021. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Before the implementation of the MICS-MVR program, 18 mitral valve operations have been performed through sternotomy between April 2016 and October 2018 including 12 replacements and 6 ring annuloplasties. After starting the MICS-MVR program, 73 mitral operations have been performed by the same surgeon of which 53 video-assisted through minithoracotomy (72.6%). 83.1% of the MICS procedures included complex repair (<i>n</i> = 38) and ring annuloplasty (<i>n</i> = 6). Open heart MV surgery was necessary in 20 patients due to concomitant procedures (<i>n</i> = 8), redo procedures (<i>n</i> = 2), severe endocarditis (<i>n</i> = 4), or contraindication for MICS such as PAD (<i>n</i> = 6). There have been no deaths, 1 stroke, and 1 cardiac vascular (RCX) complication. Two patients required conversion to sternotomy and one pericardiocentesis in the long term. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Typically, excellent exposure and high repair rates of the MV has led us offer MICS approach to a majority of patients with isolated MV disease. Careful planning and a strict mentor-mentee concept facilitated a safe startup of an MICS program in a busy university heart center.

Evaluation of Stress Levels of Trainee Cardiac Surgery Residents during Training Interventions Using Physiological Stress Parameters

Background: This study analysed the psychological and psycho-emotional stress in cardiac surgery. Using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, it is possible to record intraoperative objective stress responses in surgeons. The aim of the study was to assess with the help of HRV parameters the postulated increased stress levels of cardiac surgeons in training compared to experienced senior cardiothoracic surgeons in exactly the same work situation in order to make qualification-differentiated statements about physiological stress during surgical interventions. Methods: During surgical teaching procedures, long-term ECG data (n = 15 each) for two operating residents and their assisting senior physicians were recorded. Time and frequency domain HRV parameters were analysed. Results: The time-related parasympathetic-dominated HRV parameters RMSSD (19.5 ms vs. 28.1 ms), NN50 (297.67 vs. 693.40), and cardiac interval mean RR (692.8 ms vs. 737.3 ms) indicate a higher stress level in the operating residents compared to the experienced surgeons. The higher stress index (11.61 vs. 8.86) confirms this. Conclusion: Compared to experienced surgeons, operating residents showed lower parasympathetic activity and higher stress levels during cardiac surgery training procedures.

Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Clinical Conundrum of Managing Cardiac Surgical Patients During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Deferring non-emergent cardiac surgery became the strategy of choice for several international healthcare systems afflicted by high case burdens of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) in order to both conserve valuable healthcare resources and protect patients from possible exposure. Missing from the available dataset to help guide policy development has been a clear understanding of the extent to which COVID-19 infection modulates cardiac surgery outcomes. In their investigation, Bonalumi and colleagues uncovered an inpatient COVID-19 positivity rate of almost 10 times higher than that of the general Italian population, as well as a mortality rate over 20 times higher amongst cardiac surgery patients with perioperative COVID-19 infection compared to those COVID-negative. While the summation of available evidence points to the serious consideration cardiac surgeons must give to delaying surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic, recognition must be given to the risks that postponing cardiac surgery may have on patient outcomes. Emerging data is beginning to demonstrate the efficacy of vaccination in preventing postoperative COVID-19 infection and morbidity.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices survey of cardiac rehabilitation among cardiologists and cardiac surgeons in Lebanon

Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Over three quarters of the cardiovascular deaths take place in low and middle-income countries. Despite the benefits, Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) is still not routinely and not universally available. Numerous studies have found that barriers to access to CR are correlated with providers, patients and environment characteristics. This first national survey on CR in Lebanon assesses the knowledge, attitudes and practices among physicians. In addition, the study identifies what the main barriers to access to CR are and provides suggestions for the implementation of CR in the country. Results The response rate was 41.5% (n = 83). Results show that the cardiologists have medium level of knowledge about CR and its multidisciplinary content. Physicians support the implementation of a comprehensive CR program in the country. 50% of the physicians recommended first to solve the financial issues before implementing a CR program. Supplementary learning about the benefits of CR is highly recommended to enroll more patients with CVD into CR. In addition, the lack of specialists in the field, lack of motivation for patients to enroll to CR and inconvenient location of the rehabilitation centers were identified as major barriers by the respondents. Conclusions The role of physicians in promoting patient enrolment should be optimized and exploited in the country. The access barriers identified can help to develop CR programs and to improve CR referral and enrolment rates. Funds from private parties and a budget from the government are needed to launch new CR programs in the country. Further research is needed to provide evidence on the CR benefits in Lebanon and to motivate policy-makers to place priority on the establishment of a comprehensive CR program in the country.

Inferior vena cava and right atrial thrombosis in children with embryonal tumors

Tumor thrombosis of the central venous system in children with embryonal tumors is a rare complication, requiring a comprehensive treatment approach, with chemotherapy and the intervention of a multidisciplinary team of oncologists and cardiac surgeons. The article describes the medical history of a 9-month-old patient with bilateral nephroblastoma and tumor thrombosis of inferior vena cava and right atrium, as well as provides a brief review of the literature. The patient's parents gave their consent to the use of their child's data, including photographs, for research purposes and in publications.