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OBJECTIVES Mechanical composite valve grafts (MCVGs) are the first-line therapy for aortic root replacement in young adults. Decellularized aortic homografts (DAH) present a promising novel alternative due to their lower thrombogenicity. We aimed to compare both treatment options regarding survival and valve-related adverse events. METHODS This study was designed as a single-centre retrospective cohort study including patients who underwent root replacement with MCVG or DAH between 2000 and 2022. Urgent or emergent procedures were excluded. RESULTS The study cohort included 289 patients (MCVG n  = 216, DAH n  = 73) with a mean age of 48.5 ± 12 years (MCVG 49 ± 12 years vs DAH 47 ± 11 years; P  = 0.23) and a median EuroScore II of 1.7% (1.2, 2.6). The 30-day mortality was 1% (n  = 3). Cumulative survival at 3 years was 99% for DAH and 94% for MCVG, respectively (P  = 0.15). Mean follow-up was 98.9 ± 72.7 months. Bleeding events (n  = 14, 6.5%) and thromboembolism (n  = 14, 6.5%) were only observed in the MCVG group (P  = 0.19 and 0.09, respectively). Four cases (5%) of moderate structural valve deterioration occurred, all in the DAH group (P  ≤ 0.001). The cumulative incidence of a composite end point of valve-related adverse events was significantly higher in the MCVG group (P  = 0.0295). CONCLUSIONS Aortic root replacement with MCVGs and decellularized aortic homografts showed low mortality in an elective setting. Patients in the homograft cohort demonstrated significantly higher freedom from valve-related adverse events. DAH present a promising treatment option for young patients requiring root replacement; however, data on long-term durability are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the association between guideline-conforming as compared to shorter than recommended withdrawal period of P2Y12 receptor inhibitors prior to isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and the incidence of severe bleeding and ischaemic events. Randomized controlled trials are lacking in this field. METHODS We searched PUBMED, Embase and other suitable databases for studies including patients on P2Y12 receptor inhibitors undergoing isolated CABG and reporting bleeding and postoperative ischaemic events from 2013 to March 2024. The primary outcome was incidence of Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 4 (BARC-4) bleeding defined as any of the following: perioperative intracranial bleeding, reoperation for bleeding, transfusion of ≥5 units of red blood cells, chest tube output of ≥2 l. The secondary outcome was postoperative ischaemic events according to the Academic Research Consortium 2 Consensus Document. Patient-level data provided by each observational trial were synthesized into a single dataset and analysed using a 2-stage IPD-MA. RESULTS Individual data of 4837 patients from 7 observational studies were synthesized. BARC-4 bleeding, 30-day mortality and postoperative ischaemic events occurred in 20%, 2.6% and 5.2% of patients. After adjusting for EuroSCORE II and cardiopulmonary bypass time, guideline-conforming withdrawal was associated with decreased BARC-4 bleeding risk in patients on clopidogrel [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.48; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.28–0.81; P  = 0.006] and a trend towards decreased risk in patients on ticagrelor (adjusted OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.22–1.05; P  = 0.067). Guideline-conforming withdrawal was not significantly associated with 30-day mortality risk (clopidogrel: adjusted OR 0.70; 95% CI 0.30–1.61; ticagrelor: adjusted OR 0.89; 95% CI 0.37–2.18) but with decreased risk of postoperative ischaemic events in patients on clopidogrel (clopidogrel: adjusted OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.30–0.82; ticagrelor: adjusted OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.45–1.37). BARC-4 bleeding was associated with 30-day mortality risk (adjusted OR 4.76; 95% CI 2.67–8.47; P  < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Guideline-conforming preoperative withdrawal of ticagrelor and clopidogrel was associated with a 50% reduced BARC-4 bleeding risk when corrected for EuroSCORE II and cardiopulmonary bypass time but was not associated with increased risk of 30-day mortality or postoperative ischaemic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Decellularized aortic homografts (DAH) were introduced in 2008 as a further option for paediatric aortic valve replacement (AVR). METHODS Prospective, multicentre follow-up of all paediatric patients receiving DAH for AVR in 8 European centres. RESULTS A total of 143 DAH were implanted between February 2008 and February 2023 in 137 children (106 male, 74%) with a median age of 10.8 years (interquartile range 6.6–14.6). Eighty-four (59%) had undergone previous cardiac operations and 24 (17%) had undergone previous AVR. The median implanted DAH diameter was 21 mm (interquartile range 19–23). The median operation duration was 348 min (227–439) with a median cardiopulmonary bypass time of 212 min (171–257) and a median cross-clamp time of 135 min (113–164). After a median follow-up of 5.3 years (3.3–7.2, max. 15.2 years), the primary efficacy end-points peak gradient (median 14 mmHg, 9–28) and regurgitation (median 0.5, interquartile range 0–1, grade 0–3) showed good results but an increase over time. Freedom from death/explantation/endocarditis/bleeding/thromboembolism at 5 years were 97.8 ± 1.2/88.7 ± 3.3/99.1 ± 0.9/100 and 99.2 ± 0.8%, respectively. Freedom from death/explantation/endocarditis/bleeding/thromboembolism at 10 years were 96.3 ± 1.9/67.1 ± 8.0/93.6 ± 3.9/98.6 ± 1.4 and 86.9 ± 11.6%, respectively. In total, 21 DAH were explanted. Seven were replaced by a mechanical AVR, 1 Ross operation was performed and a re-do DAH was implanted in 13 patients with no redo mortality. The calculated expected adverse events were lower for DAH compared to cryopreserved homograft patients (mean age 8.4 years), and in the same range as for Ross patients (9.2 years) and mechanical AVR (13.0 years). CONCLUSIONS This large-scale prospective analysis demonstrates excellent mid-term survival using DAH with adverse event rates comparable to paediatric Ross procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Haemorrhagic and thrombotic complications are known obstacles in extracorporeal life support (ECLS), and patients requiring post-cardiotomy (PC)-ECLS are particularly prone. The objective of this study was to characterize the incidence, type and clinical relevance of bleeding and thrombotic events in patients on PC-ECLS. METHODS: A total of 504 patients receiving PC-ECLS between 2000 and 2021 at a single centre were included in a retrospective analysis. Incidence and type of haemorrhagic and thrombotic complications in patients on PC-ECLS were assessed. Overall survival was compared, and perioperative risk factors for bleeding and thrombotic events were assessed by binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the 504 patients requiring PC-ECLS, 196 patients (38.9%) had 235 bleeding events [surgical site: n = 135 (26.8%); cannulation site: n = 68(13.4%); requiring surgical revision: n = 39 (7.7%); cannulation site change: n = 17 (3.4%); fatal cannulation site bleeding: n = 4(0.8%); intracranial haemorrhage: n = 11 (2.1%); gastrointestinal haemorrhage: n = 8 (1.6%); pulmonary haemorrhage: n = 8 (1.6%); and intra-abdominal/retroperitoneal haemorrhage: n = 5 (1%)]. Overall mortality was higher in patients with major bleeding complications than in patients without bleeding complications (P < 0.0001). A total of 74 patients (14.7%) had 84 thrombotic events [ischaemic stroke, n = 39 (7.7%); cannula/circuit thrombosis, n = 26 (5.2%); peripheral embolism, n = 11 (2.2%); device exchange for haemolysis, n = 8 (1.6%)]. Another 246 patients (48.8%) had at least 1 haemocompatibility-related adverse event. Preoperative dual antiplatelet therapy [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.83, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.063–3.137] and ECLS duration (adjusted OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.086–1.197) were identified as independent risk factors for haemorrhage. Prior stroke/transient ischaemic attack (adjusted OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.08–3.83) and ECLS duration (adjusted OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04–1.15) were identified as risk factors for thrombotic events. CONCLUSIONS: Bleeding complications in patients on ECLS are common and significantly impair survival. Nearly half of the patients were affected by any haemocompatibility-related event. Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is an effective and valuable treatment option for patients in cardiogenic shock requiring temporary mechanical circulatory support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The HeartWare HVAD System (Medtronic) is a durable implantable left ventricular assist device that has been implanted in approximately 20,000 patients worldwide for bridge to transplant and destination therapy indications. In December 2020, Medtronic issued an Urgent Medical Device Communication informing clinicians of a critical device malfunction in which the HVAD may experience a delay or failure to restart after elective or accidental discontinuation of pump operation. Moreover, evolving retrospective comparative effectiveness studies of patients supported with the HVAD demonstrated a significantly higher risk of stroke and all-cause mortality when compared with a newer generation of a commercially available durable left ventricular assist device. Considering the totality of this new information on HVAD performance and the availability of an alternate commercially available device, Medtronic halted the sale and distribution of the HVAD System in June 2021. The decision to remove the HVAD from commercial distribution now requires the use of the HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist system (Abbott, Inc) if a patient previously implanted with an HVAD requires a pump exchange. The goal of this document is to review important differences in the design of the HVAD and HeartMate 3 that are relevant to the medical management of patients supported with these devices, and to assess the technical aspects of an HVAD-to-HeartMate 3 exchange. This document provides the best available evidence that supports best practices. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2022;-:1–8) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES We reviewed our institutional experience with outflow graft stenosis (OGS) in 3 contemporary left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). METHODS Data from 347 consecutive adult recipients of LVAD [Medtronic HVAD (n  = 184, 53.0%), Abbott HeartMate II (n  = 62, 17.9%) and Abbott HeartMate 3 (n  = 101, 29.1%)] implanted between March 2006 and October 2019 were analysed retrospectively. Primary study end points were the incidence of OGS necessitating treatment and survival on LVAD support. RESULTS During the study period, 17 patients (4.9%) developed OGS requiring treatment with a probability of 0.6% at 1 year, 1.9% at 2 years, 3.8% at 3 years, 4.7% at 4 years and 5.9% at 5 years of LVAD support. Notably, in 13.8% of patients, a compression-related narrowing of the outflow graft with a probability of 1.5% at 6 months, 1.8% 1 year, 6.0% at 2 years, 12.3% at 3 years, 15.4% at 4 years and 16.6% at 5 years of LVAD support with no difference between devices (P  = 0.26) was observed. There was a trend towards increased risk of mortality with OGS (hazard ratio 2.21, 95% confidence interval 0.87–5.51; P  = 0.09). OGS preferentially occurred in segments of the outflow graft covered by a protective coating. CONCLUSIONS OGS is a rare but potentially lethal complication during LVAD support. Modifications of pump design and implant techniques may be needed because OGS preferentially occurs within covered portions of the outflow graft. Systematic screening may be warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES A second paediatric report has been generated from the European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS). The purpose of EUROMACS, which is operated by the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, is to gather data related to durable mechanical circulatory support for scientific purposes and to publish reports with respect to the course of mechanical circulatory support therapy. Since the first report issued, efforts to increase compliance and participation have been extended. Additionally, the data provided the opportunity to analyse patients of younger age and lower weight. METHODS Participating hospitals contributed pre-, peri- and long-term postoperative data on mechanical circulatory support implants to the registry. Data for all implants in paediatric patients (≤19 years of age) performed from 1 January 2000 to 1 July 2019 were analysed. This report includes updates of patient characteristics, implant frequency, outcome (including mortality rates, transplants and recovery rates) as well as adverse events including neurological dysfunction, device malfunction, major infection and bleeding. RESULTS Twenty-nine hospitals contributed 398 registered implants in 353 patients (150 female, 203 male) to the registry. The most frequent aetiology of heart failure was any form of cardiomyopathy (61%), followed by congenital heart disease and myocarditis (16.4% and 16.1%, respectively). Competing outcomes analysis revealed that a total of 80% survived to transplant or recovery or are ongoing; at the 2-year follow-up examination, 20% died while on support. At 12 months, 46.7% received transplants, 8.7% were weaned from their device and 18.5% died. The 3-month adverse events rate was 1.69 per patient-year for device malfunction including pump exchange, 0.48 for major bleeding, 0.64 for major infection and 0.78 for neurological events. CONCLUSIONS The overall survival rate was 81.5% at 12 months following ventricular assist device implant. The comparison of survival rates of the early and later eras shows no significant difference. A focus on specific subgroups showed that survival was less in patients of younger age (<1 year of age) (P  = 0.01) and lower weight (<20 kg) (P  = 0.015). Transplant rates at 6 months continue to be low (33.2%) The fact that the EUROMACS registry is embedded within the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Quality Improvement Programme offers opportunities to focus on improving outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine stroke rates in patients who did or did not undergo routine computed tomography angiography (CTA) aortic imaging before isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained single-centre registry. Between 2009 and 2016, a total of 2320 consecutive patients who underwent isolated CABG at our institution were identified. Propensity score matching was used to create a paired cohort of patients with similar baseline characteristics who did (CTA cohort) or did not (non-CTA cohort) undergo preoperative aortic CTA. The primary end point of the analysis was in-hospital stroke. RESULTS In 435 propensity score-matched pairs, stroke occurred in 4 patients (0.92%) in the CTA cohort and in 14 patients (3.22%) in the non-CTA cohort (P  = 0.017). Routine preoperative aortic CTA was associated with a significantly reduced risk of in-hospital stroke [relative risk 0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09–0.86; P  = 0.026; absolute risk reduction 2.3%, 95% CI 0.4–4.2; P  = 0.017; number needed to treat = 44, 95% CI 24–242]. CONCLUSIONS A preoperative screening for atheromatous aortic disease using CTA is associated with reduced risk of stroke after CABG. The routine use of preoperative aortic CTA could be applied so that surgical manipulation of the ascending aorta can be selectively reduced or avoided in patients with atheromatous aortic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the rates of overall and cardiovascular mortality were comparable between patients with diabetes versus those without, detailed point-wise analyses revealed significant mortality differences at long-term follow-up (5 years). Technological developments and patient management have made significant progress and are constantly improving patient outcomes. The role of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy as an invaluable option for treating patients with refractory heart failure is unquestionable. [Extracted from the article]

OBJECTIVE Avoiding full sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) could significantly reduce the invasiveness of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Therefore, we developed minimally invasive implant strategies for the Heartware® VAD (HVAD) and the Thoratec® HeartMate II (HMII) covering isolated LVAD implantation as well as concomitant valve procedures (aortic/tricuspid). We present the surgical techniques and the initial clinical experience. METHODS From February 2012 to March 2013, 27 patients (mean age 58 ± 8 years; male 85%; Ischemic Cardiomyopathy 63%; redo surgery 22%; Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support Level I: 29%, II: 22%, III: 33%, IV–VII: 16%) underwent minimally invasive LVAD implantation at our department. Apical cannulation was performed via a left lateral minithoracotomy in HVAD patients (n = 20) or a left subcostal incision in HMII patients (n = 7). The outflow graft anastomosis was performed to the ascending aorta via a right minithoracotomy in the second intercostal space (n = 22) or the right subclavian artery (n = 2). If additional valve procedures (aortic/tricuspid) were necessary (n = 3), a hemisternotomy was performed to access the valve and perform the outflow graft anastomosis. Circulatory support for LVAD implantation was CPB (33%), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (48%) or off-pump (19%). RESULTS The minimally invasive approach was feasible in all patients with no need for conversions. Thirty-day and in-hospital mortality were 7.4 and 14.8%, respectively. In-hospital stay was 30.0 ± 22.5 days. One patient (4%) died during follow-up from pump thrombus formation. Three patients (11%) underwent surgical revision for bleeding. CONCLUSIONS Minimally invasive LVAD implantation is feasible and safe. The very encouraging results obtained in this initial series justify a broad application of this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Neurocognitive deficit is an important complication in patients undergoing open heart surgery. The aim of this prospective, contemporary study was to objectively measure neurocognitive brain function following mechanical mitral valve replacement and mitral valve repair. Methods: Forty consecutive, unselected patients (mechanical valve replacement n=20, mean age 65±14; valve repair n=20, mean age 64±7, P=0.896) entered this prospective, contemporary study. Neurocognitive function was objectively measured by means of P300 auditory evoked potentials (peak latencies, ms) and two standard psychometric tests (Mini Mental State Examination, Trailmaking Test A (TTA)), preoperatively, 7 days and 4 months postoperatively. Results: Before operation, neurocognitive brain function was comparable in both patients groups (mechanical valve replacement versus valve repair: P300 potentials 374±25 versus 378±46 ms; P=0.791 and TTA 57±15 versus 54±10 s; P=0.552). Following mechanical valve replacement, neurocognitive function continuously worsened (7 day-follow-up: P300 potentials 392±28, P=0.001 versus preop and TTA 65±17, P=0.0001; 4-month follow-up: P300 potentials 406±39, P=0.0004; TTA 69±17, P=0.0001). Interestingly, neurocognitive brain function was unaffected in patients undergoing valve repair (7-day follow-up: P300 potentials 386±40, P=0.890 versus preop and TTA: 53±10, P=0.644; 4-month follow-up: P300 potentials 374±36, P=0.166 and TTA 54±11, P=0.147). At 4-month follow-up, patients with mechanical prostheses performed worse as compared to valve repair (P300 potentials: P=0.024; TTA P=0.014). Conclusion: As shown by P300 auditory evoked potentials and Trailmaking Test A, there is marked neurocognitive damage related to mechanical valve replacement, whereas mitral valve repair does not affect neurocognitive function. This finding supports the beneficial effect of mitral valve repair over mechanical valve replacement in the decision-making tree of borderline cases, which are suitable for both types of procedure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A correction to the article "Mid-term results of supraaortic transpositions for extended endovascular repair of aortic arch pathologies" that was published in a 2008 issue is presented.

A correction to the article "Mid-term results after endovascular stent-graft placement due to penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers of the thoracic aorta" that was published in a 2008 issue is presented.