Risk and benefits of temporary pacemaker electrodes in adult open-heart surgery—a systematic review

Background To assess the achieved risk and benefits of inserting temporary epicardial pacemaker electrodes after open-heart surgery for potential treatment of postoperative cardiac arrhythmias, and to investigate the extent of its use in clinical practice. Main text A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and repeated in Embase and Scopus using the PRISMA guidelines. The search identified 905 studies and resulted in 12 included studies, where the type of surgery, study design, total number of included patients, number of patients having temporary pacemaker electrodes inserted, number of patients requiring temporary pacing, primary reason for pacing, significant factors predicting temporary pacing, registered complications and study conclusion were assessed. Eight papers concluded that routine insertion of temporary pacemaker electrodes in all postoperative patients is unnecessary. One paper concluded that they should always be inserted, while three papers concluded that pacing is useful in the postoperative period, but did not recommend a frequency of which they should be inserted. Conclusions The literature suggests that the subgroup of younger otherwise healthy patients without preoperative arrhythmia having isolated coronary artery bypass grafting surgery or single valve surgery should not routinely have temporary pacemaker electrodes inserted.

Destination left ventricular assist devices in island states: asking too much or the inevitable solution

Background Destination left ventricular assist device placement is increasing as a result of donor shortages and changing patient attitudes. As organ shortages become critical, LVAD programs become fundamental even in more remote regions of the world including island states. Here, we provide a look into the current state and availability of LVAD programs in island states. Main body A narrative review was performed using the World Health Organization Global Index Medicus and PubMed/MEDLINE databases to identify articles describing the island states having reported LVAD placements and programs. Additionally, INTERMACS reports were used. Data were retrieved and a review is presented describing the current state of LVADs in island states. The Caribbean region as a whole has a heart failure (HF) prevalence of 814 per 100,000 and Oceania 667 per 100,000 people. We estimate that over 3000 people in these islands need either a heart transplant or an LVAD. Short conclusion For HF patients living in island regions, special attention should be paid to the inability of having access to specialized mainland medical care. The continuous quest for a solution to HF in island regions should include the establishing of high-quality LVAD programs in a transfer-network centralized/regionalized system to care for those patients not candidates for long-distance air-bridging.

Predictors of perioperative myocardial infarction in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

Background Perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI) increases morbidity and mortality after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The objective of the current study was to characterize patients with PMI after off-pump CABG and identify its predictors. Results We included 1181 patients who had off-pump CABG from 2010 to 2020; 59 patients (5%) had PMI. We compared patients with PMI to those without PMI. Patients with PMI were older (57 (25th–75th percentiles: 51–63) vs. 54 (48–60) years; P = 0.01) and had higher NYHA class (28 (47.46%) vs. 326 (29.06%): P = 0.01). The distal anastomosis time was longer in patients with PMI (28 (23–35) vs. 24 (16–30) min; P ˂ 0.001). Patients with PMI had higher postoperative low cardiac output (10 (18.18%) vs. 1 (0.1%): P ˂ 0.001), prolonged ventilation (12 (8–39) vs. 8 (6–10) h, P ˂ 0.001), ICU (71 (46–138) vs. 24 (23–42) h; P ˂ 0.001), and hospital stay (9 (6–15) vs. 7 (6–8) days; P ˂ 0.001). Mortality was significantly higher in patients with PMI (20 (33.9%) vs. 6 (0.53%); P ˂ 0.001). Older age (OR: 1.05 (95% CI: 1.01–1.1); P = 0.02), increased number of distal anastomoses (OR: 1.74 (95% CI: 1.20–2.50); P = 0.003), preoperative congestive heart failure (OR: 10.27 (95% CI: 2.58–40.95); P = 0.001), and thrombolysis within 24 h of surgery (OR: 15.34 (1.93–121.9); P = 0.01) were associated with increased PMI, while PMI was lower in male patients (OR: 0.42 (95% CI: 0.19–0.93); P = 0.03) and with higher body surface area (BSA) (OR: 0.08 (95% CI: 0.07–0.86); P = 0.04). Conclusions Post-off-pump CABG PMI was associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Risk factors for PMI were older age, lower BSA, females, increased distal anastomoses, preoperative heart failure, and thrombolysis.

Surgical revascularization of a rare type IV dual left anterior descending artery—a case report

Background Type IV dual left anterior descending artery (LAD) is a rare congenital coronary anomaly. Though benign with most of the patients being asymptomatic, knowledge of its existence and identification during coronary angiography is important during coronary interventions and surgical revascularization. Case presentation We present a rare case of type IV dual left anterior descending artery (LAD) with anomalous origin of one of the two vessels from the right coronary sinus. A 49-year-old female presented with inferior wall infarction and she underwent coronary angiography. Coronary angiogram showed triple vessel coronary artery disease. This rare variant of dual LAD was identified and was confirmed intra-operatively. The patient underwent coronary revascularization with grafts to both the LAD systems. Conclusions Proper assessment of the angiogram and knowledge of the coronary anomalies is required during surgical revascularization and percutaneous coronary interventions. This rare anomaly can be missed due to the anomalous origin of the LAD from the right coronary sinus. The identification of the dual LAD and grafting of both the LAD systems is required to achieve complete revascularization.

Early outcomes of aortic valve repair versus replacement for aortic regurgitation: a single-center experience

Background Aortic valve repair in rheumatic patients is not well-studied. We aimed to present our initial Egyptian experience in the aortic valve repair and compare it with the aortic valve replacement. The study included 85 patients who had an aortic valve surgery for aortic regurgitation (AR) in a single center from 2018 to 2020. We assigned the patients to either aortic valve repair (n= 39) or aortic valve replacement (n= 46). Fifty-nine patients (69.4%) had rheumatic heart disease. Study outcomes were hospital complications and the degree of aortic regurgitation after 6 months in patients who had aortic valve repair. Results Patients who had replacement were significantly older (49.6± 7.2 vs. 43.8± 8.6 years: P= 0.002) and had more advanced New York Heart Association (P<0.001) and Canadian Cardiovascular Scoring (P= 0.03) classes. Hypertension (31 (67.4%) vs. 17 (43.6%); P= 0.03) and hypercholesteremia (18 (40%) vs. 17 (18.9%); P= 0.04) were more common in the replacement group. Patients who had replacement had a significantly higher percentage of valve retraction (P<0.001). Cardiopulmonary bypass (54.5 (49.5–60) vs. 45 (41–49) min; P<0.001) and ischemic times (36.5 (31–40) vs. 30 (28–33) min; P<0.001) were longer in patients who had an aortic valve replacement. Blood transfusion (28 (60.9%) vs. 11 (282%); P= 0.003) and ICU stay (24.5 (24–48) vs 23 (20–31) h; P= 0.01) were higher in the replacement group. Hospital mortality was non-significantly different between groups. Four patients had trivial AR (10.3%), and six had mild AR (15.4%) in the repair group. There was no difference in valve pathology or outcomes in aortic valve repair patients for degenerative versus rheumatic pathologies. After a 6-month follow-up, four patients had trivial AR (10.3%), and six patients had mild AR (15.4%) in the repair group. Conclusions Aortic valve repair could be an alternative to replacement in selected patients with rheumatic heart disease. Shorter cardiopulmonary bypass and ischemic times may improve repair outcomes compared to replacement.

Del Nido versus warm blood cardioplegia in adult patients with a low ejection fraction

Background Del Nido cardioplegia was recently introduced to adult cardiac surgery with encouraging results. The effect of Del Nido cardioplegia in patients with low ejection fraction (EF) has not been thoroughly evaluated. The objective of this study was to assess the safety of Del Nido cardioplegia in adult patients with low EF compared to intermittent warm blood cardioplegia. Results During 2018 and 2019, 73 adult patients with an EF of ≤ 40% underwent cardiac surgery using Del Nido cardioplegia. The patients were compared to a historical cohort of consecutive patients with low EF who had intermitted warm blood cardioplegia (n = 81). Patients who had Del Nido cardioplegia had significantly lower EuroSCORE II (2.73 (1.7–4.1) vs. 4.5 (2.4–7.4), P = 0.004). There were no differences in creatinine clearance and preoperative echocardiographic data between the groups. Cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp times were non-significantly lower with Del Nido cardioplegia. There were no differences in stroke and postoperative echocardiographic data between the groups. No hospital mortality was reported in both groups. Peak troponin levels were significantly higher in patients who had Del Nido cardioplegia (0.88 (0.58–1.47) vs. 0.7 (0.44–1.01) ng/dL; P = 0.01); however, after multivariable regression analysis, cardiopulmonary bypass time was the only predictor of postoperative troponin level (coefficient 0.005 (95% CI: 0.003–0.008); P < 0.001). ICU stay was significantly longer in patients who had Del Nido cardioplegia (4 (3–6) vs. 2(1–4) days, P < 0.001), while postoperative hospital stay did not differ between the groups. After multivariable regression, the use of intermittent warm blood cardioplegia was significantly associated with shorter ICU stay (coefficient − 1.80 (95% CI − 3.06 – -0.55); P = 0.01). Conclusions Prolonged ICU was reported with Del Nido cardioplegia; however, there were no differences in the duration of hospital stay and the clinical outcomes between the groups. Despite the proven efficacy of intermittent warm blood cardioplegia, the use of Del Nido cardioplegia might be safe in patients with low EF.

A surgical approach of an unusual variant of complete atrioventricular defect; A case report

Background Complete atrioventricular canal is a congenital heart defect that is characterized by an atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, and a common atrioventricular valve. Standard surgical techniques for repairing complete atrioventricular canal defect mainly includes repairing the defect with a single patch, a double patch, or with the modified single patch technique. Case presentation This paper presents a novel surgical repair technique of an unusual anatomical presentation for a complete atrioventricular canal defect in a patient with Down syndrome. Conclusions Unusual anatomical variant for congenital heart defects occurs frequently, which gives surgeons real opportunities to innovate surgical approaches. This patient was an example of an unusual anatomical presentation for complete atrioventricular canal, and the surgical technique used for this patient was novel. Follow up for these patients is mandatory for long term results.

Risk factors for spinal cord ischemia in frozen elephant trunk–induced upper spinal cord ischemia in patients with combination of degenerative arch aneurysms and peripheral artery diseases: a possible mechanism

Background Degenerative aortic arch aneurysms are known to develop through a pathological process of arterial atherosclerosis, which could be accompanied by peripheral artery diseases and resultant development of intrapelvic collateral arteries to the ischemic lower limbs. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between peripheral collateral circulation and postoperative paraplegia after total arch repair with a frozen elephant trunk in patients with degenerative aortic arch aneurysms and peripheral artery diseases. Methods Between October 2014 and March 2020, 27 patients (20 men; 69.8 ± 7.7 years old) underwent total arch repair with a frozen elephant trunk. Two of the 27 patients developed paraplegia postoperatively. The patients were divided into two groups, spinal cord ischemia (SCI) group (2 patients) and no-SCI group (25 patients). The aortic shagginess score, arterial calcification (subclavian artery; hypogastric artery) score, and the number of hypogastric artery branches, assessed using preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography images, were compared between the two groups. Results The ankle brachial artery pressure index (i.e., lower side value each patient) was lower in the SCI group than that in the no-SCI group (0.64, 0.71, and 1.09±0.07, respectively). There was no difference between the two groups in the arterial calcification scores or the aortic shagginess score. The number of hypogastric artery branches was greater in the SCI group than in the no-SCI group (66, 66, and 30.7±7.5, respectively). Conclusions Enhanced collateral circulation to the ischemic lower limbs in patients with combination of degenerative aortic arch aneurysms and peripheral artery diseases may be involved in paraplegia the upper thoracic spinal cord injury after total arch repair with a frozen elephant trunk.

Thoracic surgery in the COVID-19 era: an Italian university hospital experience

Background Aims of this study were to assess the results of anti-COVID19 measures applied to maintain thoracic surgery activity at an Italian University institution through a 12-month period and to assess the results as compared with an equivalent non-pandemic time span. Methods Data and results of 646 patients operated on at the department of Thoracic Surgery of the Tor Vergata University Policlinic in Rome between February 2019 and March 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided in 2 groups: one operated on during the COVID-19 pandemic (pandemic group) and another during the previous non-pandemic 12 months (non-pandemic group). Primary outcome measure was COVID-19 infection-free rate. Results Three patients developed mild COVID-19 infection early after surgery resulting in an estimated COVID-19 infection-free rate of 98%. At intergroup comparisons (non-pandemic vs. pandemic group), a greater number of patients was operated before the pandemic (352 vs. 294, p = 0.0013). In addition, a significant greater thoracoscopy/thoracotomy procedures rate was found in the pandemic group (97/151 vs. 82/81, p = 0.02) and the total number of chest drainages (104 vs. 131, p = 0.0001) was higher in the same group. At surgery, tumor size was larger (19.5 ± 13 vs. 28.2 ± 21; p < 0.001) and T3-T4/T1-T2 ratio was higher (16/97 vs. 30/56; p < 0.001) during the pandemic with no difference in mortality and morbidity. In addition, the number of patients lost before treatment was higher in the pandemic group (8 vs. 15; p = 0.01). Finally, in 7 patients admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia, incidental lung (N = 5) or mediastinal (N = 2) tumors were discovered at the chest computed tomography. Conclusions Estimated COVID-19 infection free rate was 98% in the COVID-19 pandemic group; there were less surgical procedures, and operated lung tumors had larger size and more advanced stages than in the non-pandemic group. Nonetheless, hospital stay was reduced with comparable mortality and morbidity. Our study results may help implement efficacy of the everyday surgical care.

Long-term surgical outcomes after repair of multiple ventricular septal defects in pediatrics

Background Surgical closure of multiple ventricular septal defects (VSDs) is challenging and associated with a high complication rate. Several factors may affect the outcomes after surgical repair of multiple VSDs. We aimed to report the outcomes after surgical repair of multiple VSDs before and after 1 year and identify the factors affecting the outcomes. We have studied forty-eight patients between 2016 and 2017 who had surgical repair of multiple VSDs. We grouped them according to the age at the time of repair. Study outcomes were hospital complications, prolonged hospital stay, and reoperation. Results There were 18 females (60%) in group 1 and 13 (72.22%) in group 2 (P = 0.39). There were no differences in the operative outcomes between the groups. Prolonged postoperative stay was associated with group 1 (OR 0.23 (0.055–0.96); P = 0.04) and lower body weight (OR 0.76 (0.59–0.97); P = 0.03). Hospital mortality occurred in 2 patients (6.67%) in group 1 and 1 patient (5.56%) in group 2 (P > 0.99). Five patients had reoperations: two for residual VSDs, two for subaortic membrane resection, and one for epicardial pacemaker implantation. All reoperations occurred in group 1 (log-rank P = 0.08). Two patients had transcatheter closure of the residual muscular VSDs; both were in group 2. Conclusions Surgical repair of multiple VSDs was associated with good hospital outcomes. The outcomes were comparable in patients younger or older than 1 year of age. Young age at repair could lead to prolonged postoperative stay and a higher reoperation rate.